The Dryden Red and Black

Twenty-two students and six adults (including Mrs. Decker, who organized the trip, and Mr. Shute) traveled to Niagra Falls and Toronto last week. It was a whirlwind three day journey with visits to the Falls, the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium, Royal Ontario Museum, SIX The Musical, St. Lawrence Market, the Historic Distillery District, Lake Ontario, and the Hockey Hall of Fame! Here are some highlights:

After graduating with a BS in Elementary Education with endorsements in Math and Science from Oakland University, Mrs. Decker taught at Dryden Elementary and now teaches junior high Science and Math. Her favorite thing about Dryden is the beautiful landscape - lots of fields and forests and rolling hills. She also loves that "because we are a smaller school, we are able to offer the personalized attention similar to a private school, but for free! We see every kid and know every kid, so students don't get lost in the crowd here."

Choosing Dryden was easy for her. Mrs. Decker said, "I wanted to work here because I lived here and my kids went to school here. I chose to move to Dryden because it was a cute rural town and we wanted to live and raise our kids in the country."

In her free time, she enjoys planning things, traveling, reading (or audio books), playing games, visiting with friends & family, cooking/baking, and random trivia. Mrs. Decker added "I don't enjoy jogging while I am doing it, but I do enjoy how I feel after I'm done! I'm very busy these days, but when I have extra free time I enjoy gardening, cross stitch, quilting, and sewing." Another interesting thing about Mrs. Decker is that she likes bats! She said, "Bats are my favorite misunderstood animal. I hate mosquitoes and bats eat SO many mosquitoes! Plus, when you start to learn about them they are really quite amazing."

Finally, Mrs. Decker would like to leave her students with this advice: "Just keep going! Investing in yourself can be difficult, but everything adds up and pays off eventually!"

What is your favorite thing about Mrs. Decker?

Elayna Handley: Her creativity.

Kinsley Chelard: She is a really fun teacher.

Olive Golden: She is nice and a good teacher.

Charlotte Mayer: When she does fun stuff for us, she usually goes above and beyond. In my opinion, when we celebrate things in her class it's always the best. And she makes jokes with us sometimes.

What is your favorite memory with this Mrs. Decker?

Kinsley Chelard: The games for Link Crew.

Charlotte Mayer: Ivy's birthday party where we had a huge celebration because it was on a leap day, we had stickers, cake, etc. And on 4/8/24 we went outside to learn more about the Solar Eclipse for science.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned from Mrs. Decker?

Rheilyn Holburt: To keep pushing yourself until you succeed.

Elayna Handley: To never give up because you can always achieve your dreams.

Charlotte Mayer: It doesn't matter how fast you finish an assignment, just take your time and give it your all.

On May 11, Dryden High School students and their guests

celebrated Prom at Castle Creek Golf Club in Lum.

Michael Hickmott and Lily Finnigan were crowned

Prom King and Queen.

Stay updated on our progress with funds from the bond passed in May 2023 by using this checklist! We appreciate your continued support of our students, our schools, and our community.

by Ava DeVlaminck

This past week, the Dryden Varsity Track Team competed at Davison. In the end, the girls team received a first place award for the small school division and the boys team received ninth. Great job!

Some memorable performances on the girls side go to Trenton Carroll, with a PR in the 100 meter dash, Logan Korth, running 58.82 in the 400 meter dash, Aiden Fitchett, re-breaking the 1600 school record by running 4:41 in the mile, Matthew Hickmott, running 49.68 in the 300 hurdles, and Michael Hickmott, throwing 103'9" in discus. Great job everyone!

On the girls side, Olivia Reynolds won the 400 meter dash by running 59.97, Cara Prusakiewicz ran 5:54 in the 1600 meter run, Sophia Peter ran 49.77 in the 300 hurdles, coming in first, and Caila Fitchett ran 53.05 in the 300 hurdles, earning her second. Ava DeVlaminck also received two second places in discus and shot put. Olivia Zellers also cleared 4'2" in High jump. Great job everyone!

by Audrey Napolitano

On Monday, May 6th, the Imlay City/Dryden Varsity Girls Soccer Team played at home against Yale High School. Imlay City/Dryden tied Yale, 5-5. Kierstyn Stankevich obtained one goal and three assists.

On Wednesday, May 8th, the Imlay City/Dryden Varsity Girls Soccer Team played at home against Algonac High School. Imlay City/Dryden lost to Algonac, 3-2. Kierstyn Stankevich recorded one goal. Audrey Napolitano gained one assist.

On Friday, May 10, the Imlay City/Dryden girls varsity soccer team beat Carman-Ainsworth 8-0. Kierstyn Stankevich contributed 3 goals and 1 assist.

Great job girls! The next Imlay City/Dryden Varsity Girls Soccer game is scheduled for Monday, May 13th at Richmond High School at 7:00pm. Good luck!

by Claire Wright

On May 6th, 2024, the Junior High Track team raced in Kingston. The girls placed 4th with 68 points and the boys placed 7th with 32.5. Highlights from the girls were Elayna Handley ran the 70 (13.12), Bella Blatt ran 10.36, Willow DuBuis ran 14.69, Lilyana Lasher ran 12.09, Hailee Soule ran 13.48, Aubrey Joseph ran 11.74. Bella Blatt ran the 100m (14.23), Willow DuBuis (20.77), Lilyana Lasher (17.10). Elaina Yatros ran 36.13 and Abby Tonkoshkur ran 32.16 for the 200m. In the 400m, Molly Wilkey ran 1:29.06. Ella Gustner ran the 800m (2:56.97) and Claire Wright ran (3:00.63). Molly Wilkey ran the 1 mile (7:38.03) and Ella Gustner ran 6:07.94. Claire Wright ran the 2 mile (14:30.80). Molly Wilkey (12.45) and Elayna Handley (13.00) both ran the 55 hurdles. Elayna Handley ran the 200 hurdles with a time of 45.23. In the 4x1, Abby Tonkoshkur, Karley Phillips, Maddie Gammon, and Bella Blatt ran a time of 59.09. Lilyana Lasher, Aubrey Joseph, Hailee Soule, and Elaina Yatros ran 2:44.24 for the 4x2. In the 4x4, Abby Tonkoshkur, Karley Phillips, Ella Gustner, and Maddie Gammon ran a time of 5:01.67. For field events, Aubrey Joseph and Hailee Soule both did shot put. Aubrey got 19 feet and 7 inches and Hailee got 20 feet and 6 inches. Elaina Yatros did the long jump, she got a jump of 8 feet and 4 inches.

The boys placed 7th with a score of 32.5. Some highlights from the boys are, Josiah Matson (9.89) and Joshua Adams (10.97) both ran the 70. Kieran Schultz (14.02), Jason Kaiser (14.98), and Ryan Peter (15.82) all ran the 100m. Kieran Schultz (10.35) and Josiah Matson (11.24) both did the 55 hurdles. Ryan Peter ran the 200 hurdles with a time of 36.26. Ryan Peter, Joshua Adams, Josiah Matson and Kieran Schultz all ran the 4x1 with a time of 58.63. In field events, Joshua Adams (27 feet and 10 inches) and Jason Kaiser (22 feet) both did shot put.

On May 8 of 2024, the Dryden Junior High Track Team had a quad race at home. The girls placed 2 and the boys got 4 places. It was a great meet for the girls. In the 70 meter dash Elaina Yatros ran 11.9, Elayna Handley (12.3), Willow DuBuis (13.2), Lily Martin (13.0), Hailee Soule (13.7), and Bella Blatt (10.0). Lilyana Lasher (16.5), Willow DuBuis (19.4), Maddie Gammon (14.5), Aubrey Joseph (18.9 ), and Bella Blatt ran 13.7 - all ran the 100 meter dash. Lilyana Lasher ran the 200 meter dash in 36.7. Ella Gustner ran the mile in 6:06. In hurdlers, we only had two people: Molly Wilkey and Elayna Handley . Molly Wilkey did the 55 hurdles ( with a time of 12.7), and Elayna Handley did the 200 Hurdles (with a time of 43.1 ). For relay teams, the 4x1 (Karley Phillips, Bella Blatt, Abby Tonkoshkur, and Maddie Gammon - 58.7). The 4x4 team (Ella Gustner, Karley Phillips, Claire Wright, and Abby Tonkoshkur) with a time of 5:11.6. Finally, in the 4x8 - Claire Wright, Maddie Gammon, Molly Wilkey, and Ella Gustner ran 12:27.4. Shot put - Aubrey Joseph (20 feet ), Hailee Soule (17 feet and 9.5 inches), and Lily Martin (20 feet and 10 inches). Long jump - Elaina Yatros (9 feet and 5 inches).

On May 8th 2024, the Dryden Junior High Track Team had a quad race at home. The boys placed 4th. It was also a good meet for the boys. Joshua Adams and Jason Kaiser both ran the 70m, Joshua Adams ran 10.8 and Jason Kaiser ran 9.7. Jason Kaiser ran the 100m with a time of (13.3). Jaycen Roberts ran the 400m with a time of (1:08.5) Jaycen Roberts ran the 1 mile and the 2 mile, his time for the 1 mile was 5:54.2, and his time for the 2 mile was 13:48.2. Ryan Peter and Kieran Schultz both ran the 55 hurdles, Ryan Peter's time was (11.6) and Kieran Schultz’s time was (9.5). Ryan Peter ran the 200m hurdles with a time of 36.1. In the 4x1 Ryan Peter, Joshua Adams, Jason Kaiser, and Kieran Schultz all ran a time of 57.4.

Testing - High School

4:00 PM-8:00 PM - Varsity Baseball at Caseville - Bus departs at 1:45 - High School

4:00 PM-7:00 PM - Varsity Golf @ Owengage - Sherwood on the Hill - High School

4:00 PM-8:00 PM - Varsity Softball at Caseville - Bus departs at 1:45

7:00 PM - Varsity Soccer at Richmond - Bus departs IC at 2:45

6:00 PM-7:30 PM - Volleyball Open Gym - Gym - High School

7:00 PM-8:30 PM - School Board Meeting - Library - High School

7:15 AM-7:30 AM - Weekly Encouragement Club Meeting - Meeting time is 7:10-7:20AM

2:30 PM-4:00 PM - Homework Club - Room 133 - High School

7:00 PM-8:30 PM - Basketball Open Gym (Grades 8-12) - Gym - High School

3:30 PM-7:30 PM - Varsity Track at CPS (Leagues) - Bus departs at 1:45 - High School

4:00 PM-8:00 PM - Varsity Baseball at Capac - Bus departs at 2:45 - High School

4:00 PM-8:00 PM - Varsity Softball at Capac - Bus departs at 2:45 - High School

Wear it Wednesday - Concert/Band Tee

Last Day for Seniors!

2:30 PM-3:30 PM - Spanish Club Meeting - Room 224 - High School

4:00 PM-7:00 PM - JH Track at Deckerville (Leagues) - Bus departs at 1:45 - High School

4:30 PM-6:30 PM - Varsity Soccer at Almont - Bus departs IC at 3:15 - High School

5:00 PM-8:00 PM - JH Baseball vs Bentley - High School

2:30 PM-4:00 PM - Homework Club - Room 133 - High School

7:00 PM-8:30 PM - Basketball Open Gym (Grades 8-12) - Gym - High School

4:00 PM-8:00 PM - Varsity Baseball at Deckerville - Bus departs at 1:45

4:00 PM-8:00 PM - Varsity Softball at Deckerville - Bus departs at 1:45

7:15 AM-10:30 AM - 1/2 Day for Dryden High School Only - School Time 7:25-10:35

9:00 AM-12:00 PM - Varsity Golf @ Vassar Invite

12:00 PM-7:00 PM - Varsity Track at home - Regionals - High School

7:00 PM-8:30 PM - Varsity Soccer @ Algonac - bus departs @ 5:15 pm

Previous Riddle: What can you put into a bucket to make it weigh less?

Answer: A hole!

Winner: Cora Baker

Current Riddle: What can you catch, but not throw?

Why did the man bring his watch to the bank?
He wanted to save time.

May 13

June 10

All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m., will be held in the Dryden High School Library, and are open to the public.

Check out the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Dryden Community Schools District Calendar here!

Editor:

Ava DeVlaminck

Reporters:

Lily Finnigan

Audrey Napolitano

Claire Wright

Faculty Advisor:

Ms. Sheryl Czerwinski

Email: Cardinal@drydenschools.org
Website: https://www.drydenschools.org/
Location: Dryden High School, Rochester Road, Dryden, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 796-2266
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drydencommunityschools

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