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The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the Easter eggs were ready to be picked at Market Center Park on Saturday, April 13 as the City of Southgate held its 12th annual Eggstravaganza. Kids from 2 to 12 were invited to the city-sponsored event that featured egg collecting, special Easter basket prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Photographer Larry Caruso was on hand to catch the fun.

See his photostory on Page 7

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Page 2 • April 25 - May 21 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Now thru May 10th

SOUTHGATE STAR • April 25 - May 21 2019 • Page 3

Meet the Southgate Titans Robotics Team JILL PASTOR

Special to the Southgate Star

Robotics is a sport where teams of high school students design and build large scale robots to battle in 3-against-3 competitions. These teams are mentored by adults in the industry.

The season starts on the first Saturday of the year. On this day the First Robotics Competition releases a video describing this year’s game theme and the build season officially begins.

The team strategically discuss and plan what features they will build into their robot. They determine features will help them be competitive.

“Destination Deep Space” was this year’s theme. The challenge started with a 15-second sand storm that blocked the vision of the drivers. The teams could choose to use autonomous code or manually drive using vision system.

The environment included: Two rockets, a cargo ship and a habitat.

Robots could earn points by placing hatch panels on rockets or a cargo ship, placing cargo (balls) into the rocket or cargo ship, leaving and return to each habitat.

The captain of the robotics team is Chloe Doherty. She also operates the robot. Jacob Stacey is the driver.

Jacob was responsible to drive the robot through autonomous controls during the first 15-seconds of each competition, during the sandstorm.

Stavros Karagiannis was the team’s safety captain. His committee helped ensure that participants were safe while having fun. Every member is required to wear safety glasses while working near the robot. Stavros is certified in CPR and shared this information with other teams in case anyone needed him for an emergency.

During the last competition the team was awarded: Safety Star of the Day and Pit Safety Award. The team prides itself on sharing safety kits with other teams and keeping their pits (where the robots are stored during competitions) clean and without hazards.

Todd Miller was the spirit captain.

His committee helped boost team morale. They were responsible for the

t-shirt/hoodie design. Their goal is to help to be recognized as a community.

They lead the spectators with cheers, claps and often dance between competitions.

During the quarterfinal match after the alliances were chosen, they reached out to the other two teams and invited them to come and sit together to cheer on the alliance. All First Robotics students treat each other with the most gracious professionalism.

The Southgate Robotics team doubled in size in just one year. The team now has 30 active members, including seven female students. All team members are part of one of the following committees: business, safety, spirit and media.

This allows each member to join the committee that matches their interest and skills. They welcome all students who are interested. No experience is needed. If a student is interested in joining please follow this link to the team’s website: https://frcsta2620. wixsite.com/home.

The team is planning some kidfriendly STEAM activities to offer to elementary/middle school students. As the details are finalized information will be sent out with the students as well as posted on (STA_robotics) social media pages.

Page 4 • April 25 - May 21 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Photo by Larry Caruso

Great Lakes Live Steamers ready for 2019 season The weather is warming and that means the trains will be running soon at Southgate’s Kiwanis Park at the corner of Trenton and LeRoy roads.

The Great Lakes Live Steamers miniature trains will begin running the weekend of May 18-19.

Rides on the little trains are free, but the group does accept donations. All donations are used for the building and upkeep of the trains and equipment.

All of the Great Lakes Live Steamers

members are volunteers and other than the joy of running their trains, receive no pay or compensation.

The rest of the season schedule is June 15-16, July 20-21, Aug. 17-18, Sept. 21-22, Oct. 18-19-20 and Dec. 6-7.

The trains run between noon and 4 p.m. with the exception of two dates in October and the two December dates.

On Oct. 18-19, the Great Lakes Live Steamers decorate Kiwanis Park with

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On December 6-7, the Steamers, in conjunction with the city of Southgate, conduct train rides beginning at 5 p.m. and on Dec. 7 Santa arrives and children can ride with him.

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the trains will not run.

Because Kiwanis Park is scheduled to get upgrades this year, including a new lighted walkway and a new pavilion, the Steamers will not offer birthday or special runs this season.

There is also the possibility that park construction could interfere with a scheduled date. Be sure to check the website greatlakeslivessteamers.org for any updates.

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Page 6 • April 25 - May 21 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Michigan’s new cyberbullying law: What it means to you A new law in Michigan has taken effect that takes aim at cyberbullying, including hefty fines and jail time for violators convicted of online harassment.

Per the new law, it is illegal to cyberbully another person and someone found guilty of the misdemeanor could face a maximum of 93 days in jail, a max fine of $500 or both. But if a violator has a prior conviction, they could face up to a year in jail, and/or a max $1,000 fine.

Someone who violates the new law and displays “a continued pattern of harassing or intimidating behavior” that causes serious injury to the victim could face a felony that carries a maximum 5-year sentence and/or a $5,000 fine.

A violator whose continued online harassment causes the death of a victim can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in jail for the felony and/or a $10,000 fine.

The new law, also known as enrolled House Bill No. 5017 was approved by former Gov. Rick Snyder on Dec. 24, 2018 and officially went into effect Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

In 2015, a 13-year-old Michigan girl committed suicide after being bullied and taunted by classmates on Facebook. At the time, police said the social media posts did not indicate criminal wrongdoing.

“Cyberbullying can cause just as much trauma

as traditional bullying so it’s important that it be considered a crime,” Snyder said in a statement.

“With this bill, we are sending a message that bullying of any kind is not tolerated in Michigan.”

Under the new law, cyberbullying involves: Posting a message or statement in a public media forum about any other person that is intended to put someone in fear of bodily harm or death and expresses an intent to commit violence against the person.

Posting a message or statement with the intent to communicate a threat with the knowledge that it will be viewed as a threat.

A pattern of harassing or intimidating behavior.

A public media forum is defined in the law as “the internet or any other medium designed or intended to be used to convey information to other individuals, regardless of whether a membership or password is required to view the information.”

Cyberbullying takes place through an electronic device, particularly over social media.

It can be anything from sending rumors on social media or posting embarrassing photos intending to humiliate the person.

The online distribution creates a wider audience and the attacks are always 24/7, therefore the victim cannot get away from the attack.

Parents should monitor the behavior of their children to keep them safe from cyberbullying.

Behaviors to watch for include; Avoiding certain social activities and social situations, High anxiety about attending school or riding a school bus, Dropping grades, or changes in school performance, Changes in moods — frequent sadness, irritability or depression that’s different from normal teenage Obsessive checking of texts or social media sites that are separate from normal, Withdrawing from family and friends.

Parents can help their children by teaching self-respect and modeling positive relationships, empathy and impulse control.

More information about the cyberbullying law coming into effect can be found on the Michigan Legislature website.

Resource:Aleanna Siacon, Detroit Free Press, Published 11:49 a.m. ET March 25, 2019 | Updated 4:48 p.m. ET March 25, 2019

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The l 12th annua gg E te a g South s a w held stravaganza 3 at Marl pri 1 Saturday, A event, Park. The ket Center C.A.S.E. te a Southg y b d re so n spo Southgate n and the t, Commissio Departmen Recreation the n e e tw Parks and e b to children o was open re were als nd 12. The a 2 r f fo o s s e ze g a t pri ster Baske special Ea er Bunny st a E e th d n a s id k the , too. ppearance made an a Photos by

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Page 8 • April 25 - May 21 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

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Page 10 • April 25 - May 21 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Southgate Educational Foundation event set for May 2 JILL PASTOR

Special to the Southgate Star

The Southgate Education Foundation Inaugural event will be Thursday, May 2, at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.

There are still tickets available.

Please call 734-246-4600 to get more details. We are honored that so many local businesses have stepped up and make contributions to make our inaugural event a success.

HALL OF FAME: The Mission of the Southgate Education Hall of Fame Committee is to recognize individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the quality of education in the city of Southgate and Southgate graduates who have distinguished themselves in their profession.

Selection to the Hall of Fame serves as a public thank-you to those individuals and serves as a model for others to follow. Candidates consists of Southgate School graduates and friends of Southgate schools.

The Southgate Education Foundation proudly announces that the following candidates will be inducted into the 2019 Hall of Fame: Joseph Kuspa, Jim Skura and Chuck and Marilyn Svaluto. The following represents a summary of the nominations submitted for these candidates.

JOSEPH G. KUSPA Joseph G. Kuspa, is a lifelong resident of Southgate and a 1975 graduate of George G. Schafer High School. In 1976, at the age of 19, he was first elected to the Southgate Community Schools Board of Education.

His service on the School Board continued for the next twelve years through 1989.

During his tenure on the School Board he was involved with the closure of Southgate Schafer High School and the creation of Southgate Anderson High School.

As parents, Joseph and his wife Kim chose to have their daughter Zoey attend our public schools.

While she was enrolled at Shelters Elementary, the Kuspas were very involved with the PTO and established several new activities, including the Winter Festival and the Shelter’s first Daddy-Daughter Dance.

In 2009, with the looming financial crisis at hand, Joseph decided to run for the office of Mayor of Southgate.

He was successful and through his leadership the city was able to avert a state-appointed Emergency Manager.

His education and business experience has put the city on a solid financial footing.

In 2011, Kuspa established the first “All School All Class Reunion” during our annual Heritage Days celebration.

Every year this event brings together graduates from Schafer, Southgate, Aquinas and Southgate Anderson to meet and reminisce about their high school years, once again promoting our district in a fun and entertaining venue.

JIM SKURA Jim Skura, who passed away recently, was well known throughout the state of Michigan for his music programs in Southgate. He worked tirelessly from the late 60s through the early 90s, producing one of the highest rated programs in the state.

His Schafer and Anderson music programs achieved countless awards over the years, and brought endless praise on both the schools and the city of Southgate. His programs took part in many national events, such as Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day parade, Detroit Lions halftime shows, Mardi Gras parades, and music festivals in Europe. His annual ‘Band-A-Rama’ show is still a yearly staple for the high school, and each year, dozens of his former students come out to take part in the ‘alumni band’.

He was single-handedly responsible for hundreds of students moving on to music as their life’s work and

his influence on thousands of other students helped shape the future of those former students not only throughout the Downriver area, but across the state and country.

Those who took part in the music program he was responsible for, have built life-lasting friendships and bonds that are still strong today.

CHUCK AND MARILYN SVALUTO Mr. and Mrs. “Southgate” - There is no more fitting nickname for Chuck and Marilyn Svaluto. If you were lucky enough to work with either of these two or sit in their classroom, you know what we mean.

First, I do not know if these are the intentions of this nomination process but I cannot think of one Svaluto without the other. Starting with Marilyn, I was fortunate to have her as a teacher. As an insecure, angry, physical, overweight 12-year old, I immediately noticed that she would be different than any teacher I had ever had.

She presented me with opportunities to promote my strengths and unique personality instead of fixating on my weaknesses. I was never an “ideal” student in the classical sense.

Marilyn gave me opportunities and responsibilities that no other teacher had given.

She supported my desires to be creative and didn’t try to stifle my, at times uncontrollable energy. Marilyn not only taught me in 6th grade but

she has followed me throughout my high school and now, my adult life.

Chuck started teaching in Southgate in 1968 and taught for 32 years.

Marilyn started that same year and served as a teacher and administrator for 38 years. In the classroom, both were known for their creativity and high standards.

The students in Mr. and Mrs. Svaluto’s classrooms wanted to learn because learning was always fun, whether it was by building roller coasters to study physics or reciting the alphabet backwards to study learning patterns.

They also taught their students to be better people and to care for others through the examples they set in their own lives.

They supported their students outside the classroom as well.

Mr. and Mrs. Svaluto were at all the cheer competitions and sporting events that the kids invited them to attend, Nick and Nona in tow. Their students were part of their family, and their Titan Pride shone brightly.

At the end of the school year, they’d invite their classes to spend the day at their home on Cass Lake, an unforgettable experience for those lucky Southgate kids.

It’s no wonder that Mr. and Mrs. Svaluto were frequent guests at graduation parties and weddings of former students, sometimes Chuck even showed up at his student’s birthday parties if he knew the cake would be good!

SOUTHGATE STAR • April 25 - May 21 2019 • Page 11

What’s Happening Southgate ...

PLAY BRIDGE The Southgate Duplicate Bridge Club meets at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Southgate Veterans Memorial Library, 14680 Dix-Toledo Road. Call director Kono Emanuele at 734-675-3687 for more information.

statue which has been broken for some time. For tickets call Bev or Shirley at 734-285-0917 or the parish office 734285-1100 or purchase them at the door.

All are welcome.

ADULT COLORING Coloring has gained widespread popularity among adults in recent years - it’s a great way to relax and unwind.

The Southgate Veteran’s Memorial Library offers fun and intricate coloring pages to help residents express their artistic sides.

LUNCHEON AND CARD PARTY The Rosary Altar Confraternity of St. Pius X of Southgate, 14101 Superior, is hosting its annual Card Party and Luncheon on Tuesday, April 30, in the church social hall.

The event starts at noon with lunch, which will be chicken salad on a croissant, pickles, and chips. Coffee, tea, soda and dessert. After the group plays cards or bunco (cards & dice are provided) or you may bring a game with you.

There will be a prize for the winner at every table. There are also have door prizes, a money raffle, a special raffle, and 50/50. This year the proceeds are going to be used to fix the lighting outside around the Blessed Mother

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PRAYER DAY Grace Bible Church, 15700 Leroy (across from Southgate Anderson High School), Southgate, will mark the National Day of Prayer May 2.

Two periods of prayer are set. The first is at noon and the second at 7 p.m.

Area residents encouraged to attend either session.

The theme is “Love One Another.”

Led by Pastor William Connell, emphasis will be on prayer for

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For more information, contact Maureen at 734-777-6109 or email at mkeast1@aol.com. Or Jackie at 313-570-6919 or email at walock@ sbcglobal.net.

GREAT LAKES STEEL SALARIED RETIREES CLUB The club meets every third Monday at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St. Southgate. Doors open at noon. Lunch promptly at 1 p.m .There are door prizes and 50/50 raffles. Open to any

BINGO VFW Post No. 9283, 16200 DixToledo Road, Southgate hosts bingo Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. there is a $500 jackpot; all proceeds go to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary general fund.

FIFTH FRIDAY SALE A Fifth Friday Sale will be held on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 16700 Pennsylvania Rd., Southgate.

Lots of goodies. For more information, contact Carol at 734-771-9480.

BINGO VFW Post No. 9283, 16200 DixToledo Road, Southgate hosts bongo Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. there is a $500 jackpot; all proceeds go to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary general fund.

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Page 14 • April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

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CULINARY CAPERS Among the most extraordinary shopping extravaganzas in the Downriver area are the spring and fall rummage sales of the Episcopal Church Women of Grosse Ile’s St. James Episcopal Church.

The sales, scheduled for May 3 and 4 and Oct. 4 and 5, offer literally thousands of items, including high-end EVELYN women’s clothing in CAIRNES a “French Room,” Southgate Star an accessories boutique, children’s toys and clothing, antiques, indoor and outdoor furniture, electronics, tools and much much more. Proceeds are earmarked for the charities supported by St. James.

Hours for the spring sale are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May 4. Items will be on display both inside and outside the church, which is located at 25159 East River Road.

Donations of items are accepted beginning two weeks before the sales, and that’s when some 40 to 70 Church Women begin the arduous tasks of sorting and pricing the mountain of contributed items, stopping only for lunch. Workers volunteer to provide main dishes and desserts for lunch using favorite recipes from the organization’s exceptional cookbook, which was published in 2015.

The Episcopal Church Women’s Cookbook ($20) is still available, but in short supply. Three of the members’ favorites follow. I’ve made all three of them and enjoyed every bite.

You won’t believe how easy and delicious Nancy’s Chicken Parmesan is (wish there were room for the picture), and Judy’s Jell-O salad is addictive.

Sharon’s raspberry bars are diet busters, but well worth every calorie.

BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN (Nancy Crysler) 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs 2 cups Pepperidge Farms stuffing mix crumbs 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese 1 stick butter, melted Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pulse stuffing mix in food processor to make crumbs. Combine with cheese.

Alternately dip thighs in butter and stuffing mixture and place on lightly greased foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet.

Add seasonings. Bake about 45 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Cover with foil if chicken gets too brown.

JUDY’S AMAZING CHERRY JELL-O FRUIT SALAD (Judy Christie, known as the Gelatin Queen) 6-ounce package cherry Jell-O 2 cups boiling water 16-ounce carton frozen sliced, sweetened strawberries 14-ounce can whole cranberry sauce 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, well drained

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In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water, then stir in strawberries, which will defrost and chill gelatin. In another bowl, stir cranberry sauce until smooth. Add to Jell-O mixture with pineapple. Chill until mixture thickens slightly, then stir to distribute fruits evenly. Chill until firm.

HUNGARIAN RASPBERRY BARS (Sharon Shumate) 1 cup sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup butter, softened 1 egg, beaten 2¼ cups flour 2/3 cup seedless raspberry jam Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For crust and topping, combine sugar, pecans, butter and egg in stand mixer.

Reserve 1½ cups for topping and press remainder in 8x8x1½ baking pan.

Spread jam over crust to within ½ inch of edges. Crumble remainder over jam.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

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April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR • Page 15

The Southgate Titans Winter Guard performs during the state championships at Reeths-Puffer High School in Muskegon.

HANK MINCKIEWICZ Southgate Star

The Southgate Titans Winter Guard travelled to Reeths-Puffer High School in Muskegon last month.

When they returned home, they brought along with them a state championship.

There are 80 sanctioned Winter Guard teams in Michigan and they are divided into four divisions.

Anderson was tops in its approximately 20-team category.

So, what is Winter Guard you might ask? Good question. The high school marching bands that you see at competitions and at halftime of football games in the fall are basically made up of multiple parts.

There are the woodwinds, the percussion section, the drumline, etc. The The Winter Guard, called the color guard during the marching band season, is the portion of the marching band made up of marchers spinning things, whether it be flags or rifles or sabers.

Winter guard has its own season, which begins in January, its own competitions and its own state championship event, governed by the Michigan Color Guard Circuit.

Each performance has a specific theme, with this they will have props and music set up to allow the audience to understand and see the theme. They have a specific time limit they can perform.

Winter Guard members wear flashy outfits that stand out. These uniforms are a very easy way to draw the attention of the audience and judges to the performers. Along with the uniforms, the performers also use their bodies and other objects to attract attention and to help audiences understand the performance better.

The Southgate Titans won a MCGC state title last month.

The performers regularly spin, twirl, and toss the props in the air during the course of the performance.

This type of performance is considered a sport, but for some, it is a work of art.

The Titans attended three competitions at various high schools throughout the area before heading to Muskegon for the biggest meet of the year.

The Anderson program has around 40 participants and they are divided into three groups, the Titans, who won the state title, the Anderson team and the Vikings team.

The victorious Titans are Kailey Armstrong, Alexis Davis, Cassidy Davis, Monica Brewer, Allison Johnson, Tabitha Mexico, Natalie Perry, Olivia Sage and Lindsey Slitti.

During the fall when marching band in is session, the Color Guard and the other elements work closely with the band to create a cohesive show supporting the band’s music.

During the Winter Guard season, the team is on it

own to come up with a soundtrack to perform. That performance must do a job of telling a story and that is one of the things the team is judged on.

According to Zack Novicki, the assistant band director and head of the Winter Guard, there are numerous judges at competitions, each judging a specific portion of the performance.

There are two judges who watch and evaluate the overall general effect of the show, another who judges how well teams handle their equipment, another who watches the movement of each performer and finally a judge who grades the overall design of the show.

Novicki, who graduated from Woodhaven High School, where he played on the band, has been with the Southgate program since 2015. In addition to his work with Anderson, he is the director of the nonprofit LSM Performing Arts organization.

He said winning the state title was a thrilling experience for all involved. “It was very exciting,” he said. “We are all still kind of walking on air.”

Read and Save at SOUTHGATESTAR.COM

Southgate Winter Guard Wins State Title

Page 16 • April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

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‘I can do anything’

Young adults with autism learn job skills and more at Mixter Institute for Transition

Paula Neuman Southgate Star

Young adults from all over Downriver with moderate to severe autism are continuing their education after high school at the Mixter Institute for Transition.

At Mixter, the students, ages 18-26, learn a wide variety of job skills, from how to fill out a job application, create a resume and act during an interview to working with power tools. It all depends on the individual, of course.

Each student affected by autism spectrum disorder has his or her own unique symptoms.

The disorder affects nearly 20,000 Michigan students, and impacts the way individuals function socially

and in a work environment. Often, communication, social interaction and behavior skills are problematic.

The Mixter students, most of whom live at home with parents, are learning how to be as independent as possible, said principal Jessica Fessler. That’s the educational goal at the institute at 3301 Electric Ave. in Lincoln Park, and the approach teachers take with each student is individualized based on his or her needs and abilities.

Teacher Jason Reese of Wyandotte started his Mixter construction workshop for students in 2010 with $400 and some borrowed tools, he said.

“It started as a classroom to give the students a safe space to develop fine motor skills and other skills,” Reese

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said. “We started out introducing them to simple projects like birdhouses.”

The workshop now has become a self-funded “micro-enterprise.”

The students in the workshop learn how to safely use power tools, and about blueprints, tool care, and math and English as it applies to basic construction, he said.

And they make a lot more than birdhouses now.

The cornhole sets the students make are the most popular of their projects, which include pallet signs, baseball bats and furniture.

“We’ve had a wait list for nine years now for cornhole boards,” Reese said.

The young adults in the workshop get more out of the construction endeavor than the practical skills they learn, he said.

“One of the things I love about this is that they take great pride in coming here,” Reese said. “I always tell them: This is their workshop, not my workshop. The possibilities are unlimited, and many students enjoy belonging to a class that promotes such confidence and self-worth.”

He asked a Lincoln Park student if he could do a quick paint job on a project.

“I am John Frederick,” the young man said with a grin. “I can do anything.”

In the Mixter sewing and craft workshop, students — under the supervision of paraprofessional Donna Laloue of Lincoln Park — make the bags filled with dried corn to go with the cornhole boards.

SEE AUTISM, Page 17

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Continued from page 16 “They cut the fabric and sew it by machine and by hand,” Laloue said.

“They make pillows and aprons for our market. And a lot of kids will bring their own clothes in and I’ll show them how to mend things.”

The market at Mixter features many student-made items besides pillows and aprons. The students make soap, jewelry, body scrubs, seed bombs for planting, baked goods and much more.

The student-operated market also features a resale shop with a host of items, including clothing and housewares. Donations, which are sorted, repaired when needed, and cleaned by Mixter students, are welcome.

The market is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m Monday through Friday. And on Fridays, the school host a farmers market, featuring the many herbs and vegetables grown in the Mixter garden and horticulture classroom.

Teacher Chandra Bonnau of Canton recently got $10,000 in grants to expand her gardening and horticulture classes at the school. The outdoor garden got its start last spring, and it’s a growing enterprise in more ways than one.

Raising vegetables has enhanced student awareness of nutrition and healthy living besides teaching them valuable skills. Plans are afoot to expand the 2.5-acre outdoor garden this year.

The horticulture students, including Southgate residents Scott Baxter and Brenden Cook, work on raised garden beds built by other Mixter students, using grow lights when the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor work.

Recently, a group of students, working together, were transplanting herb seedlings.

Teamwork doesn’t always come easily to autistic students. It’s taught and encouraged at Mixter as a necessary job skill. From the ceiling in the horticulture classroom hang dried roses and other flowers. The students use the dried petals in the soaps they make.

“We do a lot in here,” Fessler said proudly.

“I have the most creative staff around.”

Another new thing at Mixter

last year was a formal dance, a masquerade. Photos from the event are posted in a hallway.

“It was a ton of fun,” Fessler said.

“We’ll definitely do that again.”

The young men and women at Mixter also socialize in clubs based on student interests, including Movie Club, Motown Club, Men’s Club, Women’s Club, Cat and Dog Club, Anime Club, Video Gamers Club, Karaoke Club and Yoga Club.

The students participate in Special Olympics, and practice their sports at school.

Mixter this month is holding a poster contest for students to create an expression in honor of Autism Awareness Month. A variety of their posters also are posted in a hallway. The contest winners will be determined by a vote of students and staff.

Many people with autism can become easily overwhelmed by sights, sounds and social interactions. For those students, the school has a socalled Blue Room — a comfortable, quiet space to promote calmness.

“We want them to learn to ask for this, to recognize when they need a break,” Fessler said.

In the school cafeteria, supervised students work and serve the food.

Everything at Mixter becomes a chance to teach students employment skills.

Many of the students already have supervised part-time jobs in local businesses all around Downriver.

“The businesses have been absolutely wonderful to us,” Fessler said.

And some students, also with supervision, deliver Meals on Wheels to elderly people in need. That, too, has been very successful and helps promote interactions with the community, the principal said.

“When they go out and leave us, we’re hoping they’ll at least be working at a part-time job, and that they’ll have as much independence as each student can achieve,” Fessler said.

On Friday, April 26, the school will hold an open house from 1 to 2:30 p.m., when students will showcase their talents.

The resale shop and market will be open all day, and a car wash fundraiser will take place at the school from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. that day.

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April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR • Page 17

Page 18 • April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Mikayla Borg signs with UM-D

Bray will play at Mount Union

Southgate Anderson High School senior Mikayla Borg recently signed on to run Cross Country at the University of Michigan - Dearborn. Celebrating with Mikayla are her sister Marina Borg (seated, left) mother Petra Borg, sister Malia Borg, father Michael Borg, U of M - D head coach Joe Horka (standing, left), coach Lisa Fast, coach Sam Childs, coach Dave Kadlitz, and coach Larry Lankford.

Griggs to cheer at Concordia

Southgate Anderson High School senior Julia Griggs recently signed on as a competitive cheerleader at Concordia University Ann Arbor.

Celebrating with Julia are her mother Angela Griggs (seated, left) brother Guy Griggs, sister Valerie Griggs (standing, left), and Concordia Cheer Coach Kate Edge.

Southgate Anderson High School senior Kyle Bray recently signed on to play Football at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.

Celebrating with Kyle are his mother Nicole Bray (seated, right), cousin Maliyah Finney, father Nick Bray, aunt Nanci Pearce, cousin Alex Pearce, brother Liam Bray (standing, right), uncle Brian Hopkins, brother Josh Schaaf, and brother Kaleb Bray.

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Titans off to a red-hot start Anderson wins Jefferson Baseball Invitational

W

HANK MINCKIEWICZ Southgate Star

ith three straight Downriver League victories and a tournament championship at the Monroe Jefferson Invitational the Anderson baseball team is off to a red-hot start this season.

The Titans have beaten Lincoln Park, Allen Park and Melvindale in league games and on April 13, the team beat Summit Academy, Melvindale and Lincoln Park to win the Monroe title.

The Titans beat Lincoln ark 11-5 in the championship game behind pitcher P.J. Haley, who got relief help from Cody Zocher. Zocher has been something of a revelation for coach Mark Davis this year as he has closed out three of his team’s seven victories.

Zocher is part of the deep staff that Davis was promoting as a team strong point at the beginning of the year. Another member of that staff is Zach Dalton, who pitched and got the 8-3 win over Melvindale at the Monroe Tournament.

“After the game, some of the Melvindale kids were a little ticked off because they thought we threw our ace in the middle game of a non-league weekend tournament - Zach pitched that well,” said Davis.

Actually, it was Dalton’s first appearance on the mound for the Titans this year. After his performance, it likely will not be his last.

Two days after beating Melvindale and winning the tournament, the Titans travelled to Melvindale to face the Cardinals in a league contest. The Titans won that battle 11-4.

The Cards were 2-0 in league play entering the game against Anderson.

“Melvindale is a really good team,” said Davis.

“They can really hit and we were fortunate not to see their ace in either game.”

The Titans won thanks to a seven-run sixth inning and some strong pitching from lefty Garrett Scott.

Scott went six innings, allowing five hits and striking out 12. Zocher pitched the seventh inning.

In the decisive sixth, Scott, Spencer McMahan,

Blake Pafford, Marcus Leja and Mateo Rivera knocked on runs.

Afterward Davis has some glowing praise for Scott. “Garrett did an excellent job,” Davis said.

“And he has been a monster at the plate all season, hitting in the middle of our order.”

Prior to beating Melvindale the Titans knocked off Lincoln Park and Allen Park by identical 7-4 scores.

The Titans rallied from a 4-3 deficit late in the game against Allen Park. McMahan pitched four innings in relief of Scott. He fanned seven and was credited with the win. Scott had two hits to lead the offense. Against Lincoln Park, Anderson rallied in the fifth, breaking up a tied game on a double by McMahan and going on to win. Pafford pitched the middle three innings and got the win. The save went to Zocher and Dalton had two hits to key the offense.

Davis said the hot start had be fun because so many players have contributed.

“We’ve had so many standouts,” he said. “We’ve just had all kinds of kids stepping up.”

He added that he is not really surprised by the start.

“To us as a coaching staff, it is a process, one that we want to impart to the team. We want to keep learning the fundamentals, keep learning the mental side of the game and working hard. When you take care of that, sometimes you look up and you are 7-0,” he said.

The Titans have an 18-man roster - huge by today’s standards - and Davis says it takes some work to keep everyone involved. “We have a very collaborative coaching staff,” he said. “We talk to the kids a lot.”

The big roster has paid dividends. Not only has pitching coach Brian Davis found himself with a

deep, talented pitching staff, but there is speed on the roster and that has allowed the Titans to make use of a liberal courtesy runner rule.

The team has 34 stolen bases in seven games, an average of nearly five per contest.

“We have a bunch of guys who can really run,” said Davis. “When we get on base, we put a lot of pressure on teams with our speed.”

The Titans have yet to see the top teams in the league, but they are looming. After battles with Dearborn Edsel Ford and Trenton, the Titans are eyeing an April 29 battle with Downriver League powerhouse Woodhaven.

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April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR • Page 19

Page 20 • April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

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Big Anderson girls tennis team ready to compete

Welcome to town

Hank Minckiewicz Southgate Star

The Anderson girls tennis team will have no problem with depth this season. Between the varsity and junior varsity, coach Ryan Furkas and his assistants are handling a program with 60 players.

The brand new courts at Anderson have helped, said Furkas. But so has Furkas’ relentless in-school recruiting for the program. It is one of the benefits of being a teacher and coach at the same school.

And the Titans aren’t just a big team, they are pretty good, too.

Last season, Southgate opened the season with matches against Gabriel Richard, Riverview and Carlson and lost to all three.

This year, against the same opponents, Anderson tied with Richard 4-4, beat Riverview 6-2 and topped Carlson 5-3.

A pretty good turnaround for a program that used to have to play home matches on deteriorating city courts.

The Titans are led by their No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, Carly Picklo and Ava Peryam, respectively.

Picklo, a junior, whose sister was a fine player at Anderson several years back, has been the team’s No. 1 singles player since she was a freshman.

No. 2 singles player Ava Peryam

Photo by Jim Jacek

Photos by Larry Caruso

No. 1 singles player Carly Picklo

Peryam is just a sophomore, who played doubles last year. Furkas said Peryam is the first teammate to be able to give Picklo a challenge on the court.

At three singles is junior Hannah Pafford and at four is junior Julie Platek.

At No. 1 doubles is the four-year senior pair of Lexi Nadolsky and Faith Vignola; No. 2 is junior Elle Larion and sophomore Paige Hester; No. 3 is sophomore Leslie Maloney and classmate Abby Neal; and at No. 4 doubles is senior Nathalia Anderson and her sophomore partner Brianna Bumgardner.

Also in the mix for playing time is verteam senior Kaci Clarkston.

Anderson’s unbeaten streak came to an end April 15 with an 8-0 Downriver League loss to Allen Park, a result that was not totally unexpected.

“Allen Park is very good,” said Furkas. “They are one of the top teams in the area. It was an eye-opener for some of our girls. We did pretty well in our first matches and we had an undefeated jayvee team last year. After the match some of the girls had that, ‘what happened?’ look.”

Furkas said, as usual, Treanton and Wyandotte are the other top teams in the league.

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April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR • Page 21

‘The perfect student-athlete’ DAVE GORGON Southgate Star

During the second week of April, Southgate Anderson High School senior Mikayla Borg ran six miles during track and field practice and then played a very physical 80-minute varsity soccer game and scored twice against Allen Park. All on the same day.

“She might have been a little tired near the end of the game,” recalled soccer Coach Larry Langford, “but we only had one substitute at the time.

When I wanted to pull her out to take a rest, she declined and asked me to take somebody else out. She is always looking out for her teammates.”

Like usual, Borg went home after the game and took a shower before digging into her daily homework. The star distance runner in cross country and track, the star soccer player and the star basketball player also cares deeply about her education.

Borg has a 3.7 grade point average in the classroom and has earned 13 varsity letters and a bevy of honors during her four years as a student-athlete.

“I’m really dedicated to sports,” she said. “I always try to give 100 percent.

I want to be good at everything I do. I take school very seriously.”

She also is so well-liked and respected by her classmates that she was named homecoming queen last fall.

The four coaches that have guided Borg in the four varsity sports are grateful for her service to her teams and her teammates. Each coach has examples of what makes her the “the total package,” as girls cross country Coach Lisa Fast called her.

Born and raised in Southgate and a product of the Southgate school system, Borg will graduate soon and advance to the University of MichiganDearborn to put into use a cross country scholarship while studying to be either a veterinarian or a nurse.

Since childhood, Borg said, she has wanted to attend U of M. The Dearborn campus offers a great veterinarian program and it’s closer than the Ann

Borg helped lead Anderson to the 2017 Metro Classic Track Title.

Arbor campus. The scholarship was icing on the cake.

What the college is receiving in exchange is someone who is: ● “Super-duper competitive,” said Coach Sam Childs, who continues to have Borg as his top distance runner in her fourth year on the Anderson track team.

“I’ve known her for a long time,” said Childs, who also coaches her with Fast in cross country. “This is her fourth year on varsity. She ran two of her three years in middle school.

When she was in Borg seventh and eighth grade, she actually was coming in and doing workouts with the high school kids. She was competitively more like a younger high school kid than a middle school runner.”

Childs admitted it was at first a tough decision to let Borg play two sports in the same season the last two years, but said he “felt like it was the right thing to do.”

“She’s worked hard for me all year long and is a great kid so have in the program,” Childs said. “If you had 20

kids like Mikayla, you’d win a lot of meets.” ● “A super good, super driven athlete,” said Coach Fast, a substitute teacher in the school district. “She works hard and has great form. She is just phenomenal.”

Fast predicted Borg will do “great” running in college.

“She’s one of those kids that thinks about other people,” the coach said.

“She’s very giving.”

If the coaches needed Borg to switch long-distance events so the team had a better chance of winning an event, “she would do it and never complain.” ● “The perfect student-athlete,” said soccer Coach Lankford. “She never complains and treats teammates like gold. If somebody is down, Mikayla will be the first person to cheer them up.

She’s very respectful to her teammates and coaches. She’s really a coach’s dream.”

Playing two sports in the same season is something the middle school English teacher encourages. Lankford said a busy athletic schedule helps build character, allows students to make more connections by playing alongside other students and adds to the enjoyment the high school experience even more.

Plus, Borg makes both the track team

and the soccer team better. Ten games into the current soccer season, the girls team was 7-2-1 and the midfielder had five goals and five assists.

“She is a great student,” varsity basketball Coach Larry Sakalas added.

Mikayla is the example that should be set for every high school female athlete.” ● “One in a million,” added Sakalas, who guided Borg on the court for three seasons. “The girl worked her butt off.”

As point guard, Borg “always” handled the basketball, he said. “I told her she’s never coming off the floor.

She’s a track star. She’s in great shape.

She was up to the task. She handled the ball 99 percent of the time. Everything started with her.”

Sakalas, who teaches finance and accounting at Anderson, echoed other coaches and said Borg doesn’t miss practices, games or off-season workouts. That’s one of the reasons she was selected as a team captain in basketball and ultimately earned a spot on the all-league team.

“I knew she was going to be our point guard and I knew she was going to run our team – plus she never missed anything. She made the commitment.”

SEE BORG, Page 22

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Mikayla Borg

Page 22 • April 25 - May 21, 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

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Mikayla Borg: At a Glance

Here are a number of achievements that help tell the story of Southgate Anderson High School student-athlete Mikayla Borg: ● Senior at Southgate Anderson High School ● Grade Point Average 3.7 ● Four-sport varsity athlete; 13 total varsity letters ● Three years of varsity basketball; 2018-19 team captain ● Four years of varsity track ● Four years of varsity cross country ● Two years of varsity soccer ● 2017 state qualifier in cross country ● Four years all league honors in cross country and track ● 2016 school record holder in track at 3200 meters ● 2018-19 most valuable athlete award in cross country ● MHSAA all-regional awards during all four years in cross country and track ● 2018 varsity soccer golden boot award ● 2019 first team all-league in varsity basketball ● Member of the 2017 cross country team league champions ● 2018 homecoming queen ● Earned cross country scholarship to University of Michigan-Dearborn

BORG

Continued from page 21 The coach said Borg is “a quiet leader. When she speaks, you always get a reply that’s going to be no B.S. It’s always the truth. You know it’s from the heart and it’s honest. She’s not very loud or boisterous in the locker room. She always works the hardest on the court and leads by example.” ● “Every parent’s dream,” Sakalas said.

“Her parents are class acts – the whole family,” he added. “They’re great people.”

Mikayla is one of three daughters of Michael and Petra Borg. Her twin sister Milia is a fellow student-athlete, soccer team captain and defensive player of the year, cross country and basketball teammate, and “best friend.” Younger sister Marina is following in their footsteps at the middle school level.

Michael Borg is a Detroit firefighter and takes lots of photos of Anderson athletics.

Mikayla said she’ll miss not being on the field, track or court with twin sister Milia, who is leaning toward Wayne State University.

“We’re best friends,” Mikayla said.

“We’ve always gone to the same school. I’ve always had a friend at school on the first day. It’s going to be different. It’s going to be sad she’s not with me.” Michael Borg said his daughters have always played sports – something he encourages – dating back to their time at the YWCA and city of Southgate recreation program.

“I figured when Mikayla started playing more than one sport in the same season that her grades would be affected,” he said. “She’s at 3.7 or 3.8.

It’s a challenge some time. She does lose sleep.” But the experience has been worth it. “All of these coaches have been great,” he said. “We give them credit. They kind of helped raise the girls. We’ve had a really good rapport with everybody. All of these years, they’ve had a good positive influence on our kids. I like the way they run the programs. I’m happy with the whole system. They’ve done everything they’re supposed to do.”

Mikayla said playing four sports “has been really fun, honestly. I got to play every single sport. The experience has been really good. I’ve had really good coaches who pushed me to be my best. They always try to help me and not just in sports.”

The feeling goes both ways.

“Mikayla is a great student, great friend, great teammate, great athlete and great daughter,” Fast said. “She’s super respectful. I’ve never heard her say a bad thing about anyone. She’s super positive. “It takes a special person to switch from sport to sport to sport. To be able to handle that, home life, a social life and academics – she does it like it’s nothing. She handles it with grace.”

The coaches agreed Borg will be a great recruit for U of M-Dearborn.

“Mikayla is a great kid from a great family,” Coach Childs said. “It’s been a pleasure to coach her and watch her succeed. “It’s going to be exciting to see how she does at the next level.”

Titans hoping to get on consistent winning path Hank Minckiewicz Southgate Star

After losing a dominating, college-level pitcher to graduation, it takes a while to readjust to playing the game a different way. The Southgat Anderson softball team is learning that lesson. The Titans are 2-4 overall this season and 1-2 in Downriver League play and while there had been some high points - a 4-3 win over Ann Arbor Pioneer and an 11-0 whitewashing of league foe Lincoln Park - there have been some struggles, too.

Pitcher Kate Wolshon has given up a few home runs that have hurt and, at times, the defense behind her has not been the best, but coach Eric Druchniak said all that is part of the learning process. “We have to understand that teams are going to score runs against us,” he said.

“That is just a fact. We have to score runs ourselves and keep defensive mistakes to a minimum.”

Druchniak said he has already seen signs of growth. “We had some trouble early on, but lately the defense has made much better plays and made much better decisions.” he said.

Offensively, the team is swinging the bat well, but as yet hasn’t been rewarded. In a 7-0 loss to Allen Park recently, Anderson had eight base runners on in the first four

innings and did not get a run across the plate. The Titans trailed in that game just 1-0 after four innings, but Allen Park hit a three-run home run and a two-run home run in the same inning to break open the game. In its other games this season, Anderson lost a doubleheader to Riverview and dropped a 6-3 decision to Melvindale.

“We did not take advantage of our chances,” Druchniak said after the Melvindale game. “We hit the ball hard, but we hit it right at people.”

A three-run homer by Melvindale was the difference in that game, too.

Individually this young season, Zakeriea Vincent as been “a standout,” according to her coach.

Vincent, the team’s catcher, leads the team in hits and stolen bases.

“She has played really, really well, both behind the plate and at the plate,” Druchniak said.

With only three league games in the books, Andderson has plenty of time to climb the league standings, but they can’t be too casual because Carlson, Woodhaven and Allen Park are all off to 3-0 starts this season.

The Titans play Wyandotte April 24 and Taylor April 25 before getting ready for two big showdowns the following week.

On April 29 the team goes to Woodhaven and on May 1 the Titan host Carlson.

Photo by Larry Caruso

The Anderson Softball team got the season off to a 2-1 start.

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