A Highlander Year in Review
Fans cheer on the HIghlanders at a football game.
The 2013-2014 school year has been one of tradition and change, with Adams continuing to excel both in and out of the classroom. Our sports teams again dominated district and league championships, with several athletes becoming All-State. School activities included Adams’ first mission trip to Haiti and the second annual Mr. Highlander to name a few. And who can forget the chilling Polar Vortex and Jana Kramer’s return to Adams?
Adams once again kept up the tradition of being an athletic powerhouse. Highlights of this year included:
The football team had an unexpected deep run into the playoffs, and the school went crazy for Jordan Shive’s game-saving interception in the District Semifinals.
The boys’ swim team went undefeated and won districts, while the girls had several All-State swimmers.
Akemji Williams broke several school records including most steals in a career and most points in a career.
The baseball team had their first Beat Cancer game at Comerica Park with proceeds going to a cancer research fund. The team beat Cranbrook 18-4.
The track team capped off another successful season with several regional titles and All-State honors. Highlights include the girls’ 4×800 relay team winning their fifth regional title.
The Adams Theatre performed three productions this year, Into the Woods, Canterville Ghost, and Dessert Theatre, with the cast saying goodbye to many talented seniors including Joey Urreta, Brandon Santana, Kristin Heim, and Kathleen Drew.
Santana was also one of the stars of the Mr. Highlander Mangeant, which eventually saw Eric McLean taking home the crown.
Adams raised over $20,000 in this year’s Charity Week with proceeds going to Urban Neighborhood Initiatives. The Can Drive was also a success with thousands of cans collected for the Rochester Neighborhood Food Pantry.
After raising enough money to build two houses in Haiti, Adams had its first outreach trip through Mission of Hope. Forty people including students, parents, and teachers travelled to Haiti over Thanksgiving Break.
The first season of the announcements began and finished with a bang. Starring seniors Joey Urreta, Ally Hamzey, and Gabrielle Dolenga, the announcements did not lack for creativity.
Adams had its share of famous visitors this school year. Though Madonna did not make an appearance, alumni Jana Kramer, actress and country singer, and Jamie Stanton, Paralympian, visited Adams. Kramer’s water bottle incident will forever be an Adams legend.
Snowmaggedan arrived in Michigan, with months of below freezing temperatures and a catastrophic effect on our roads. The winter created the infamous Tienken Potholes and dozens of flat tires with it.
Parking was once again frightful with students fighting to the death for the final spots. To make the situation worse, students without parking passes were stealing precious lots, forcing many to park on the side of the road and receive the dreaded warning sticker. Will the administration have an answer to these problems in the coming school year?
Teachers worked under an expired contract for most of the year as negotiations continued between their group and the school board could not come to an agreement. Protests were common throughout the year, including the infamous 7:30-2:35 policy. An agreement was finally reached this past May.
The opening of Taco Bell whipped students into a frenzy as they rushed to get their hands on their favorite fast food.
RARA once again took control of the ROC with teams fighting to gain a coveted spot in the finals, held at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Lenny and the Jets ended up taking home the championship, while the Bananas won the loser bracket
With the graduation of the Class of 2014, the school year wound to a close. Though the year has ended, the 2013-2014 school year has been a memorable one.
