Board of Education Recognizes Students, Athletes and Staff During June Meetings
At both the June Study Session and Regular Meeting, the Board of Education recognized students and staff for their accomplishments. The following is a list of all who were honored.
Maxfield Science Symposium Scholarship Recipients
Berkley High School students were invited to participate in the Maxfield Science Symposium this semester. Students worked on science experiments for months, and presented their findings to a panel of judges on Friday, May 3.
The Maxfield Science Symposium is a science competition where students designed, completed and presented an original science experiment to a panel of judges comprised of BHS teacher Scott Doty, alumni Molly Rott and retired teacher Mark Meacham. The symposium is named after Dr. Bob Maxfield, who is a retired Berkley School District Superintendent.
Students earn scholarships funded by the Berkley Education Foundation.
Gold - $1,000
- Jacob Carter, 11th grade: Waterfowl Gizzard Size and Diet
- Meena Moritz, 12th grade: Music and Heart Rate
Silver - $500
- Mia Mracna, 9th grade: Mold Growth on Burgers from Different Restaurants
- Madison Pohl, 10th grade: Acacia Seed Germination
Bronze - $250
- Luke Jahnke, 10th grade: Bacteria Growth on Wind Instruments
- Alexandria Sims, 10th grade: Fingerprint Analysis
Copper - $100
- Ann Redman, 11th grade: Sourdough Bread Yeast Growth
- Alyse Muscat, 10th grade: Sugars and Yeast Growth
Honorable Mention - $50
- Jessica Anyanwu, 12th grade: Changes in pH with Red Cabbage Indicator
- Madeleine Andrzejak, 12th grade: Brine Shrimp Salinity Preference
- Emily Cooper, 10th grade: Bacterial Growth on Cell Phones
Unified Sports: Basketball and Soccer
The Board recognized both the BHS Unified Basketball and Soccer teams. Both teams had their inaugural season during the 2023-24 school year.
This year, the Basketball team learned how to play basketball, played nine games and ended their season with a big game at Little Caesars Arena for Unified Showcase Night. The soccer team learned how to play soccer, played two games and all students worked well as a team playing multiple different positions throughout both games.
Unified sports joins people with and without disabilities on the same team. It is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experience. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
E-Sports
The Board recognized the BHS E-Sports team for its inaugural season, as well as students who qualified for the State competition. Under the direction of coach Frank Guglielmetti, the team had an excellent first season competing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate and Rocket League.
The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe team finished top 32 in the State. The team members were:
- Pierce Manter (Freshman)
- Legend Brooks (Freshman)
- Rocco Cusamano (Junior)
- Shira Mendelson (Junior)
- Austin Daugherty (Senior)
The following team members compete at States in the individual tournament for Super Smash Brothers Ultimate:
- Karson Thomas (Senior)
- Ben Fredal (Senior)
- Jonas Grant (Senior)
- Elyse Gauvreau (Freshman)
- Sylvie Reaume (Freshman)
BHS Top 5%
The following students, in alphabetical order, were honored for being among the top five percent of the Berkley High School Class of 2024 graduates.
- Jessica Anyanwu, University of Pennsylvania, Neurobiology
- Sophia Baron, University of Michigan, Neuroscience
- Leo Benner, University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering
- Aria Dwoskin, Duke University, Public Policy
- Benjamin Fredal, University of Michigan, Mathematics & Secondary Education
- Sherry Gathogo, University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering
- Isabella Gentry, University of Michigan, Philosophy, Politics & Economics
- Nathaniel Healy, Michigan State University, Computer Science
- Jane Heller, University of Michigan, Environmental Science
- Jameson Hertzberg, University of Wisconsin, Business
- Oliver Moss, Carnegie Mellon University, Mathematics
- Ari Perrault-Victor, University of Michigan, Undecided
- Elie Schulz, University of Michigan, Environmental Engineering
- Lillian Tuite, University of Michigan, Architecture
- Alex Wright, University of Michigan, Business
BHS Track Athletes
The BHS Track and Field team had three students qualify for the State meet. The following are highlights of each students’ season.
- Oliver Moss, BHS senior, was honored for qualifying for the State meet in the 3200 meter race, their 5th state qualification across indoor track, outdoor track and cross country. Oliver was also the league champion in the 1600 and 3200 meter races, was named all-region for the 3200, all-county for the 1600 and was invited to run in multiple elite races this year. Oliver graduates as the school record holder in cross country and will continue his track and field career at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Blessing Nweke, BHS sophomore, was honored for qualifying for the State meet in the 400 meter race by running her personal best and setting a school record of 59.51. In addition to qualifying for the State meet, Blessing was All-League in the 400 meter and 200 meter races, with a season best time of 26.94 in the 200.
- Gabby McCauley, BHS freshman, was honored for qualifying for the State meet in the shot put and placed 20th with a throw of 33-feet-2.75. Gabby was also the OAA Blue/Gold league champion in shot put and threw a season-best 35-feet-6 at the region championship to beat the top seed.
BHS Girls Varsity Tennis Team
The BHS Girls Varsity Tennis Team was honored for qualifying for and competing at the State meet. At the State Championships, the team finished in 15th place. Under the guidance of head Coach Lenny Waldman, this team qualified for States for the third year in a row. In addition, the team finished 3rd at the Regional Championships. This team also earned Academic All-State with a team average of 4.13 GPA, surpassing the 3.25 GPA requirement.
