TSD Weekly Newsletter

On Wednesday, students participating in the government track of the Career Accelerator Program (CAP) visited the Capitol in Lansing. They had the opportunity to meet with State Senator Michael Webber and State Representative Sharon MacDonell. The students then visited the Senate Chamber, where they were formally announced and even had the chance to step onto the Senate floor. It was truly a memorable and educational experience for all involved.

National School Lunch Hero day is time to celebrate the dedication of those who choose to work in our school cafeterias. Thank you for all that you do to make sure TSD students are well fed and ready to learn! You are such an important part of our school community and we are truly grateful for you!

Also on Wednesday, students from Martell, Larson, Boulan Park, and Athens joined their teachers to celebrate the culmination of a year-long project: raising Chinook salmon in their classrooms. These students nurtured the fish from eggs and released them into the Clinton River at River Bends Park. The salmon will swim out into the Great Lakes, where they will help control invasive fish populations and provide sport fishing opportunities. In three years, they'll return to this spot to spawn the next generation of salmon. A representative from the Michigan DNR was on hand to talk to students about the salmon and even let them get up close and personal with one invasive species: the sea lamprey.

Join Board of Education trustees Emina Alic and Dr. Audra Melton for a community conversation on Thursday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. in the TSD Central Office Board Room.

Earlier this week, Troy High students who qualified, competed at the DECA International Competition in Orlando, Florida. For over four days, they faced off against more than 10,000 students from around the world and five TSD students placed among the top competitors:

• Angela Zhang – 1st Place Internationally in Retail Merchandising Series

• Sanika Atmakur – 2nd Place Internationally in Accounting Application Series

• Catherine Samuelsen – 3rd Place Internationally in Principles of Entrepreneurship

• Ria Lattupalli & Ridhi Maruneni – 3rd Place Internationally in Buying and Merchandising Operations Research
  
  

In addition, Fatima Ateeq, Anirvin Ramanan, and Advik Dogra received role-play medals during the Achievement Awards Session earlier this morning. A special congratulations also goes to Erin Jeong, who competed at DECA Internationals for the fourth consecutive year.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding students!

Congratulations to our 2025 NATAS Michigan Student Production Award winners and nominees! At Sunday's ceremony at Michigan State University, TSD students received 8 of the 24 high school awards given this year, the most of any school district in the state! This is an incredible achievement, and we are so thankful that our talented students have been recognized! Keep reading for the full list of winners.

Non-Fiction Short Form

Crackman | What It Means To Be A Fan

Athens High School: Mustafa Ali, Ryan Stasinski, Elliot Booth

Interview/Discussion

The Adventure Mindset

International Academy East, Nurayda Albeez

Promotional Video

Inside IA East

International Academy East, Nurayda Albeez

Animation/Graphics/Special Effects

Shovik & Nate Animation Sample

Athens High School, Nathaniel Sakmar, Shovik Ahmed

Director

Dead Air

Troy High School, Akshaya Rachamadugu

Photographer

Life Through Color

Athens High School, Anoush Rophael

Talent – Performer

The Big Nate Auditions

Athens High School, Nathaniel Sakmar

Writer

Dead Air

Troy High School, Akshaya Rachamadugu

Troy Schools teams had a great showing at the Science Olympiad State Tournament last weekend!

In the middle school division, Smith placed 4th, Boulan Park 6th, and Larson 8th.
In the high school division, Troy High came in 4th, Athens 5th, and IA East placed 14th.

Congratulations to all competitors!
(Photo courtesy of the Smith Science Olympiad team.)

Three high school students have been named 2025 MSBOA Outstanding Jazz Musicians based on their performances with their ensembles at the 2025 State Jazz Festival. They are:

Liam Frances – Tenor Saxophone – Athens High School

Cameron Anderson – Guitar – Troy High School

Danielle Leight – Bass – Troy High School

They are among only 40 students statewide to earn this honor.

Athens and Troy High students took part in the M.I.T.E.S. (Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society) Region 7 competition on Thursday evening and many received awards, including:

First Place:

• Additive Manufacturing - CAD Rapid Protype Models (CAD/3D Printed Fidget Spinner): Chiraag Tejaswi (THS)
• Additive Manufacturing - CAD Rapid Prototype Models - One Piece Assembly (CAD/3D Printed Cat): Meera Ravi (THS)
• Animation - Gaming (2D Gaming): Aaron Kim (THS)
• Rapid Prototype Assembly (CAD Design and 3d Print): Jackson Kanczuzewski (AHS)
• 3d Print Multiple Piece (CAD Design and 3d Print): Nathan Wilson (AHS)
• Woodworking Flatwork, Group Project (CNC Design and Manufacture): Josh Gallega, Shane Crowe, and Josh Coppock (AHS)
• Wood -Wood Models (Stratocaster Guitar Model): Aditya Patil (THS)
• Woodworking Flatwork: Tristan Jedi Sy (AHS)
  
• Woodturning, Multiple Pens: Charles Kowitz (AHS)

2nd Place:

• Additive Manufacturing - CAD Rapid Protype Models (CAD/3D Printed Model Car): Shivaditya Bhargava (THS)
• Architectural Model and Design: Sahashra Sai Bathula (AHS)
  
• Electrical - Microprocessor/Microcontroller (Electric - Remote Controlled Blimp): Sarvesh Masalkar (THS)
• Woodworking Flatwork: Will Walters (AHS)

3rd Place:

• Woodworking Flatwork: Mustafa Ali (AHS)

5th Place

• Architectural Model and Design: Josh Coppock (AHS)

Congratulations to all! Their work will now move on to the state competition next week in Gaylord.

Troy High's Yearbook class recently received news of their success in the MIPA (Michigan Interscholastic Press Association) Individual Contest standings for their 2024 publication. The yearbook earned a gold rating, along with a commendation for design. Additionally, the yearbook was selected for the Walsworth Gallery of Excellence with superior examples of coverage, design, photography, and copy. The yearbook will be featured at regional, state, and national conventions to inspire other yearbook students as they create their own books.

In the Division 1 category, the yearbook staff received the following individual awards:

1st Place

Opening and Closing - Annelies Conover & Sierra Sarsfield

Division Pages - Staff

Organization, Club or Performance Photo - Graceanne Fentress

2nd Place

Feature Writing - Student Life - Sierra Sarsfield & Annelies Conover

People Spread - Annelies Conover, Sierra Sarsfield & Abigail Ford

Theme Development - Annelies Conover & Sierra Sarsfield

3rd Place

Student Life Spread - Avaya Caron & Daniah Al-Saffar

Academics Photo- Miya Hashem

Cover - Annelies Conover & Sierra Sarsfield

Colophon - Annelies Conover & Sierra Sarsfield

Proud Parent Advertisements - Katherine Gallihugh, Lauren Cooper, Sierra Sarsfield & Annelies Conover

Feature Presentation - Mini-Mag, Special Section or Supplement-Annelies Conover & Sierra Sarsfield

Honorable Mentions

Feature Writing - Student Life - Sierra Sarsfield & Annelies Conover

Personality Profile - Soumya Mahendrakar/Isaac Stroia and Francesca Giuffrida/Shaelyn Pettinga

Academics Spread - Alexandra Bos, Miya Hashem, Sophie Smith & Kate Williams

Organization Spread - Hannah Smith/Shaelyn Pettinga/Soumya Mahendrakar and Graceanne Fentress/Soeky Pedroso/Sofia McGrath

Sports Action Photo - Daniah Al-Saffar

Sports Feature Photo - Daniah Al-Saffar

Portrait or Personality Photo - Graceanne Fentress

Organization, Club or Performance Photo - Sierra Sarsfield

Endsheet - Annelies Conover & Sierra Sarsfield

Recently, a group of talented middle school students from Baker and Boulan Park showcased their hard work and creativity at the Michigan History Competition held at Central Michigan University. These students have spent the entire school year developing historical documentaries, websites, performances, exhibits, and papers focused on this year’s theme, "Rights and Responsibilities in History."

The competition, which brought together young historians from across the state, is in its 51st year and offers students the opportunity to present projects that explore how the concepts of rights and responsibilities have shaped pivotal moments in history.

The following students represented the Troy School District! Congratulations to Baker students Sirisha Gusain, Hannah Susan Jacob, Priyanka Johnson, Adriana Matti, Yashasvi Sriram, Aleia Swain, and Nina Zeng, and Boulan Park students Labeena Ahmed, Ryan Corpuz, Krushna Dhawale, Tavishi Dixit, Victor Li, Jeremy Liang, Gaven Limarvin, George Macon, Sophie Qin, Sonakshee Phukan, Pushkar Rajhans, Devin Stevens, Katarina Tomic, Marko Tomic, Abel Wilson, Jasper Wolfson, Julia Xiao, Raymond Xu, and Jason Yu.

Boulan student Sonakshee Phukan will be moving to the National Competition. Abel Wilson and Marko Tomic earned third in the state honors and are waiting to hear if they will also move on.

Step Up to the Plate, sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Michigan, begins May 4! To help your school win the $1,000 prize, simply visit any of the participating restaurants between May 4–9, receive 20% off your purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages, and turn in your receipt to your school!

Teaching is not just about textbooks and exams. Troy High School senior Emma Pepa reflects on a teacher who had a significant impact on her, and then heads to Hamilton Elementary School for a surprise visit with Mrs. Weiner.

🎥 by Mili Bharatiya & Aniha Jain, ‪@TSDCreativeGuild‬ Student Producers.

Over the last few weeks, we've been sharing information about upcoming projects related to the Athletic Facilities at Athens and Troy High. Today we'd like to share the tentative timeline for upcoming projects.

Tentative Project Timeline

Please note: All completion dates are dependent on weather conditions and other construction factors.

• Athens Track – Late Summer 2025

• Troy High Concession Stand – Fall 2025

• Troy High Tennis Courts – Fall 2025

• Troy High JV Baseball & Softball Fields (Natural Grass) – Spring 2026

• Athens Baseball & Softball Fields – Spring 2026

• Athens Auxiliary Field (Natural Turf) – Spring 2026

• Troy High Track – Late Summer 2026

• Athens Main Gym Floor & Bleachers – Late Summer 2026

• Athens JV Baseball & Softball Fields (Natural Grass) – Spring 2027

Graduating seniors are invited to wear their caps and gowns and return to their former elementary schools to walk the halls one final time! Dates and times for each celebration are listed above. If you have any questions, please contact your elementary school.

Spots remain for eighth grade students from Baker and Boulan Park to sign up for the Middle School Leadership Conference! The conference will take place on Friday, May 23 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Students will be bussed to and from their middle schools, and lunch will be provided. Baker and Boulan Park students can sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/23ufztx8

On May 7, families of students enrolled in the Troy School District Pre-K program are invited to Pre-K Info Night at the TSD Preschool! Families will learn about the TSD Pre-K program, meet the teachers, and tour the TSD Preschool Building. Please note: this event is intended for adults only.

Last night, the Athens Bands performed their Spring Concert in the Historic Orchestra Hall in Detroit. The concert featured many guest performers and conductors, including Athens Alumni Lauren Cable, Andrew Strzyzewski, and Alyssa Primeau.

Congratulations to the Athens Red Hawk Boys Track and Field Team! After a victory over Royal Oak, they are officially the OAA White Division Champs!

Spring sports are in full swing! Speaking of a full swing, here's a look at our baseball teams!

🎥 by Gugan Karthigeyan, a ‪@TSDCreativeGuild‬ Student Producer.

The Troy Colts Women's Soccer team scored two goals to bring home the win vs. Oxford during their Senior Night game on Tuesday. Goals were scored by Ava Fleming and Olivia Jasniewicz.

A hometown rivalry isn't always about defeating the other team, it's an opportunity to lift each other up. At a recent track meet, student athletes from both Athens and Troy High demonstrated some incredible sportsmanship by sharing which athlete on the opposite team they respect and admire. Thank you to these students for spreading the love with their kind words and showing us the true meaning of being OneTroy!

🎥 by Vannessa Luu, a ‪@TSDCreativeGuild‬ Student Producer.

For more information on either the Troy High Soccer Camp or the Athens Strength and Conditioning Camp, please download the flyers linked below.

Athletic Links:

Athens Athletics: https://RedhawkAthletics.org

Troy High Athletics: https://TroyAthletics.org

Facebook Links:

Troy High: https://www.facebook.com/troyhighathleticboosters

Athens: https://www.facebook.com/AthensBoosters

Booster SignUpGenius Links:

Troy High: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA4AC29A4F4CF8-troy#/

Reserve your spot now for the 21st Annual TFEE Golf Outing, held June 10 at the Greystone Golf Club. This is the Foundation's largest event of the year, and the proceeds support the TFEE Teacher Grants. Visit troyfoundation.org/golf to learn more about golfing or to become a sponsor.

Tickets are on sale at the Kiwanis website until May 15. Proceeds benefit the Troy Kiwanis KIT (Kiwanis Inspired Teens) Fund, which provides financial assistance to youth who cannot afford mental health services.

Save the date for the Troy Public Library Career Exploration: Teen Edition on May 31. This program is intended for students in grades 6-12. Or start your college prep journey at the library with programs from now through August. For more information, download the flyers below.

At this unique event, students will create visual resumes to showcase their skills and experience as potential employers circulate through the space, essentially interviewing the job seekers by visiting their tables. For more information, contact rmccall@bloomfield.org, lbrown@bloomfield.org, or matthew.korolden@oakland.k12.mi.us.

• Saturday, May 31, 2025 - Athens and Troy High Graduation at the O'rena on the campus of Oakland University
  
  
• Sunday, June 1, 2025, 4 p.m. - IAE Graduation at Pine Knob
  
  
• Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 6 p.m. - TCCHS Graduation at Troy High

Join the team and make a difference in a student's educational development. If you're caring, dedicated, reliable, and love working directly with students and staff to help create a healthy learning environment for all, we need you. What we offer: On the job training, opportunities for advancement, work during school hours, work extra and summer hours. Apply today! Visit our site: https://www.applitrack.com/troy/onlineapp or contact us at the special education department, (248) 823-5096.

The Troy School District is searching for qualified candidates for the 2025-2026 school year! To learn more about teaching in Troy, visit https://tinyurl.com/Why-Troy and visit https://tinyurl.com/TSDJobOpp to see openings.

If you are interested in employment in the Troy School District, click here to access our Frontline Recruiting and Hiring System.