RoSEVILLE HIGH SCHooL’S
The
Panther Prowl
Issue 5, Volume 27
@P_Prowl
Business teacher wins Teacher of the Year Karli Obriecht Business teachBusiness Manager er Jeffrey Verkeyn has been awarded the 2015-2016 Roseville High School’s Teacher of the Year award. Verkeyn was down in the Panther Den when he heard the news and was completely shocked. “I was shocked when I heard my own name because I was waiting to hear someone else’s name because there are so many other people that are very deserving of this award,” Verkeyn said. Verkeyn is the business department chair and runs the Panther Den and guides students on exactly how to run a business. “One of the best aspects of the marketing program is the real life experiences that Mr. Verkeyn has brought to
our students, both in our program and from his own experiences as an entrepreneur. Students really get a good taste of what it takes to run a business, and I think that will make a big difference in the opportunities they pursue in the future,” principal Peter Hedemark said. Verkeyn also teaches the Microsoft Certification class for PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. “Taking the certification class is a great way for students to get more skills that will help them with their careers later in life and I love being able to help them achieve that,” Verkeyn said. Outside of the classroom, Verkeyn gets involved in a lot of other school activities. He has coached jv boys’ soccer, jv girls’ softball, seventh and eighth
Jeff Verkeyn Business teacher Jeff Verkeyn advertised Make A Difference Experiment (MADE) at Arts, Beats and Eats in Royal Oak.
March/April 2016
Catherine Evola
Business teacher Jeff Verkeyn helps senior Caleb Reynolds with his assignment.
grade girls’ basketball, and varsity boys’ basketball. He usual coaches at least two seasons a year. Verkeyn created a small business called, “Make A Difference Experiment” (MADE), which encourages positive communication and cooperation. The program involves passing bracelets along to others who have shown kindness to someone to show how much kindness can spread. The idea came to Verkeyn about three years ago and has made a pretty big impact so far. Before Verkeyn started working at RHS 15 years ago, he attended Western Michigan University and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business education along with a minor in physical education. He then continued to go to school and got his master’s degree in administration at Saginaw Valley University. Verkeyn stated that he felt college was a memorable learning experience that prepared him for everyday life. In his spare time, Verkeyn likes to play sports, especially basketball, and
spend time with his family: his wife Brandy his son Chase, 5, and his two daughters Cate, 4, and Harper, 1. Verkeyn also enjoys taking trips with his family Up North and to Florida. He’s usually doing little things around the house with them every day and likes to at least go out and do something fun with them at least once a week, such as, a sporting event or the library. Overall, Verkeyn felt very humbled with the award and stated that every teacher in the Roseville district plays an important role in today’s education system. He believes that the process does not start with the teachers; it starts with the students’ willingness to learn. That is what motivates him to do his best every day, to provide education to students that seek it. “Verkeyn is an excellent teacher who is working with me to make me a better student and I could never thank him enough for all he’s done for me and helped with,” senior marketing student Eryn VanderVlucht said.
Students experience everyday life of a police officer with police ride-along Over the past few years, there has been an increase in tension between law-enforceKarli Obriecht Business Manager ment and the community. The public has seen many cases where individuals have abused the power of a police badge, and this has rightfully caused many people to lose respect for law enforcement, and feel fearful of what may happen when they encounter officers. On the other hand, there is no doubt that there are many honorable and honest police officers out there whose main priority is to keep us safe. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand others if we have never been in their shoes. For example, do you know what it is like in a day in the life of a police officer? If not, you may want to consider going on a ride-a-long. What is a ride-a-long? A ride-a-long is exactly what it sounds like, any student can “ride along” with a police officer in a squad car to diMorgan Barbret Staff Reporter
rectly witness what the officers in our community do in a typical day’s work. Ride-a-longs generally last a few hours, and allow students to ask any questions they may have and to gain a better understanding of what the job entails. Detective Brad Mckenzie, of the Roseville Police Department, helps facilitate simulations for the tectonic leadership program and decided to share his thoughts on why he thinks a ride-a-long is a good experience. “Typically students who participate in ridea-longs are interested in going into law enforcement… I think ride-a-longs are great because they show students what kinds of calls we go on, and how we handle them. It gives people the opportunity to see what police officers go through on a daily basis,” Mckenzie said. If a student is under 18 years old, then a parent or guardian must sign a liability waiver for the student which says the police department is
Jalissa Long-Jolley
Officers who worked with Tectonic Leadership are in the preparation for the ride-a-longs.
not responsible if a student is injured or experiences a traumatic event. To schedule a ride-a-long with the Roseville Police Department, call (586) 447-4475.
Spring Late WorkKeys SAT and Recess PSAT: and PSAT: start: April 4-10 April 12 April 13 April 18
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