By Crystal Hayduk
For the sixth year in a row, the Chelsea School District hosted the Southeast Michigan Middle Level Administrators Association (SEMMLAA) Honors Night on May 9 at Chelsea High School.
The special occasion recognized the highest achieving eighth graders and was attended by their proud families, their specially selected honored teachers, and the principals of the eight districts that are part of SEMMLAA. These include Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, Manchester, Ypsilanti, Milan, Pinckney, and Tecumseh school districts.
According to Beach Middle School Principal Nick Angel, the students are chosen for having the highest grade point averages (GPA) of all eighth grade students earned during their three years of middle school.
“The SEMMLAA Academic Honors Night is a wonderful event that serves to recognize the academic accomplishments of well-deserving students who have excelled over their Beach Middle School career,” he said. “Of equal importance is that we recognize our top educator each year as voted on by our selected students. Kristi Henry is a dynamic teacher who continues to raise the bar in our classrooms and is extremely deserving of this honor.”
Henry has taught in the district since 2001 and currently teaches eighth grade English and Honors English, U.S. History, and a variety of electives that vary with each trimester. This year’s electives have included Creative Writing, Mythology, Literacy Skills, Debate, and Japanese Culture.
Henry said she feels very honored to be selected by the students. She taught them in seventh grade last year, then “looped” with the same students to eighth grade this year. “They made the transition so easy for me because they are a great group of kids,” she said. “They make me laugh every day. I feel blessed to have been able to watch them grow for two years.”
In addition to the formal ceremony and presentation of awards, the students and their families were treated to a dessert reception provided by the district’s Food Service Department.
The 16 Chelsea eighth-grade students recognized for the highest academic achievement are Drew Boughton, Emily Chizek, Aidan Delwiche, Nicholas Fannin, Sarah Gilbreath, Thea Higgins, Reagan Lehman, Edanjen Lin, Alexander Lewis, Ava Mater, Myranda Montoye, Joseph Norwood, Olivia Olk, Olivia Prodin, Abbey Sexton, and Emily Soriano.
