January:
Students returned from a fun winter break, ready to get back into the swing of things, as finals were the second week of school following break. Finals week consisted of three half days, each with two hour-and-a-half long exams (or substitute projects/assignments).
After the week, students began the second semester, shuffling classes and meeting new teachers and new peers. The new semester also welcomed students with a snow day on the 25th. The Adams boys basketball team won 44-42 in an overtime thriller against Clarkston on the 31st.
February:
To honor the late Tim Mullins, an Adams Economics teacher who passed away in December of 2022, Adams re-opened Mullins’ Interact Café in the lunchroom to continue Mullins’ famous donut sales at the start of each Friday morning. The Rochester Sign Shop kindly donated a sign to Adams with the name of the café, a gesture greatly appreciated by the Adams family. Adams also established the Tim Mullins Memorial Scholarship, awarded to graduating Highlanders who reflect Mullins’ hard work, community service, and positive impact.
“Usually by third hour we’re sold out,” said Bryan Lindstrom, an Adams economics teacher who was close with Mullins and took over the café after his passing. “It just brightens up everybody’s day. [They can] have a little fun on Fridays and get some donuts.”
February also saw a member of Adams’ ski team win its 75th individual state championship, as then-junior Katie Fodale claimed the title in slalom in late February. Adams girls basketball also secured a 47-37 win over Seaholm on senior night.
March:
Adams held its annual Charity Week, raising money for the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Festivities included spirit days, such as “Anything but a Backpack Day”, and donation incentives from teachers such as movie days and free food. Adams also hosted a Charity Week concert for all three high schools in the district. Adams featured its own talented musicians, the Adams Radio band and rapper Tré Williams, known as “ic3tr3.”
Adams boys basketball powered through the early rounds of the playoffs, defeating Clarkston 58-48 to win their first regional championship in school history. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without then-junior Will Dee’s clutch buzzer-beater to clinch a district title in a 45-44 win over Utica Eisenhower on March 10.
Students were given a week off of school for spring break at the end of the month.
April:
Adams theater had a successful spring musical, producing four sellout shows for its production of Mamma Mia! The musical was highly praised, and the actors and crew members put together a complete season of success.
“I’m so glad to see the success of the show. It was worth all the hard work and dedication put in by the whole cast and crew,” said Olivia Godin, a cast member in the musical.
The Adams E-Sports team capped off their undefeated season (the only such season across the state) with a MHSEL Spring State Championship in Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros.
Adams hosted spring signing day on April 24, as 12 different Adams student-athletes committed to compete in college-level athletics at institutions such as Michigan State University, the Air Force Academy, Calvin University, Hope College, and more.
May:
In May, the class of 2023 said its farewell to Adams High School. They were treated to a fun senior prom shortly after their departure in mid-May, then receiving a nostalgic and heartwarming commencement ceremony on the 31st.
June:
The rest of the Adams student body completed their final exams and wrapped up their 2022-2023 school years, eager to dive into a summer full of fun.
August:
Students were welcomed by the Adams Marching Band in front of the school on the morning of August 28, as hundreds of new and returning Highlanders prepared for an exciting 2023-2024 school year. Adams also hosted its annual “senior sunrise” on the 31st for its senior class of 2024.
September:
Adams PTSA hosted its annual Gold Rush Tailgate prior to the Adams vs. Oxford football game at Adams on September 15. Rochester Community Schools families enjoyed food from multiple food trucks, bounce houses, vehicles and equipment from the US Military and local fire and police departments, mini games, a ropes course, Spikeball, and backyard football. Adams defeated Oxford that night, 32-7.
Fodale continued her athletic dominance at Adams with an incredible feat in golf. Fodale sank her second lifetime hole-in-one in an OAA Red event in Troy on September 25, vaulting the Highlanders to a victory.
October:
The Adams Student Council hosted the “Under the Sea” homecoming week. The week of the 10th-14th contained sea-themed spirit days, a Friday night homecoming football game in which the Highlanders defeated Bloomfield 42-13, and the dance in the main gym on Saturday.
“Homecoming is a time of year where Student Council really puts in the work outside of school. We come at the end of the night the day before homecoming and the morning of homecoming to finish setting up and make sure all the decorations are ready for [the students],” said Tyler Horvath, a senior Student Council member. “It’s a lot of work for us, but it’s also very rewarding to see the satisfaction and happiness everyone gets when they come to homecoming.”
The Adams Girls Golf team secured its second consecutive state title on October 21, adding to the school’s recent athletic dominance. This was Adams’ 17th team state championship.
November:
Adams celebrated Veterans Day by hosting a Veterans Day breakfast on the 10th for veterans and families in the Adams community. Students and faculty also took a moment to plant individual American flags in front of the school to honor veterans and their sacrifices.
That same night, Adams Theater opened with their fall performance, “The Play That Goes Wrong”. The show was a huge success, as although it was meant to go terribly wrong, everything about it was right!
Adams sent three runners, Ana Lopez, El McMahan, and Aiden Janes to Michigan International Speedway to compete in the MHSAA cross country state finals on November 4. Three senior Highlanders also committed early to compete in college level sports. Haley Wolf committed to Bowling Green State University to play soccer, Peter Roehl committed to Oakland University for golf, and Bino Watters committed to the University of Notre Dame to play baseball.
Students were welcomed into the new year with two weeks off of school. Holiday cheer was in the air, as a holiday-theme highlighted the final week of school before the much anticipated break.
Adams took down its crosstown rival, Rochester, in boys basketball on December 8. The Highlanders dominated the game, snatching a 61-39 victory. Wrestler Jace Morgan also notched his 100th career win, a rare feat in high school wrestling.
2023 was full of fun, festivity, and Highlander Pride. The Adams community has shown out in many ways in 2023, and they don’t plan on ceasing to impress in 2024.
