From the In a year like no other, we honor #UCSChampions Superintendent... Resilience. Leadership. Excellence. Robert S. Monroe Service. Looking to the Over the past year, there have been future in UCS many #UCSChampions who have modeled these community values to Dear UCS Community: provide stability and excellence for Our entire team would like to thank the community UCS students. for its partnership and support during the past • A self-described “Gang of Geeks” school year. Now that we have brought the year to of teachers who volunteered to a successful end, our energy is focused on creating a support their colleagues with on- positive Back to School experience for our students line learning strategies; and families. • A 70-year-old grandmother who Here are a few things we can expect when our students earned a UCS diploma to send return on Aug. 31: a message to her grandchildren • This summer, COVID-19-related restrictions are about reaching their goals; being lifted by the State of Michigan. As a result, • A food service team that provided we are actively planning for a Back to School more than 2.2 million meals at in late August that will feel like a traditional, remote and in-person locations pre-pandemic start. This includes five full days of since March, 2020; in-person instruction. We are also continuing the UCS Virtual Academy for families interested in a • A technology team that proactively full on-line learning environment. worked to secure and prepare more than 27,000 counselors to create mental health resources to teacher and student devices at the start of the support their peers during the pandemic. • Throughout the past year, our teams have been school year; developing program improvements to support our district’s educational mission, vision and values. • A graduating senior committed to high standards Throughout the month, Utica Community Schools New courses are being introduced to increase who was among less than one percent of test will be telling the story of its successes this year the rigor and choice of our offerings and provide takers in the nation to earn a perfect SAT; through the individuals and organizations who were critical skills that are in demand for high paying • A group of students who worked with their truly #UCSChampions. jobs of the future. These courses are in areas such as coding, Career and Technical Education, and Advanced Placement. Enrollment is also well under way for the UCS Virtual Academy and Celebrating Educational Excellence Young Fives Program. • This summer, more than $14 million in The UCS Teachers of construction projects will be completed as part the Year are of our commitment to voters through the 2018 (l-r) Dawn Nacker, bond issue. These projects will focus on our Elementary; Paula three target areas: safety and security, technology, LaSala, Junior High; and implementation of our long-range building and Mike Satawa, program. High School. Like all new school years, 2021-22 will represent a Utica Community Schools is proud to recognize Paula LaSala, English Teacher fresh start. I know our partnership will allow us to use the 2021 Teachers of the Year. The honored teachers Jeannette Junior High School/Virtual Academy this opportunity to take our exemplary school district reflect the commitment and dedication of UCS educa- Macomb County Middle School Teacher of the Year to an even higher level. tors from across the district. Robert S. Monroe Dawn Nacker, Literacy Coach Superintendent of Schools Michael Satawa, Special Education Teacher Plumbrook Elementary School

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Eisenhower High School Liam Smith Connor Dilworth Keagan Mahar Elizabeth Lajiness VALEDICTORIANS Leah Stackpoole Nikolina Djogova Haval Matti Emmersyn LaPrise Madeline Balog Chloe Thieda Alyssa Fischer David McCabe Jaden Loy Kyler Barrette Angelena Tripi Christopher Gerges Haley Michol Kendall Malburg Madeline Beck Victoria Verellen Cody Girard Skylar Moorefield Angelina McKimson Rachel Binando Nicolas Viulet Siddarth Jalagam Mena Murrani Adam Meri Josephine Vulaj Abby Jenkins Jacob Brinkmann Jovan Namo Madison Michonski David Wallace Rami Katto Samantha Onkalo Kerry Brown Dianna Palazzolo Alexis Bruno Stefania Ward Gurnoor Kaur Nicolina Opoka Lauren Patrick Taylor Byrne Erin Widman Emily Kondracki Mihir Patel Julia Peret Bianca Candela Amanda Wolffis Adriana Nikolla Joseph Pielack Dominic Catenacci Jordin Pennazoli Alexandra Pulaski Hayden Peterson Francesca Cipriano SALUTATORIANS Daria Podgorski Connor Rennell Rory Prisbe Imani Coger Alessandra Gigliotti Lucy Potts Matthew Robertson Gavin Puhl Celia Collis Kylie Kade Benjamin Potts Anand Seetharaman Haden Puri Sophia Considine Angel Minto Khushi Prajapati Rita Shair Ananya Rao Dalton Crum Akshaya Ragunath Natalia Shakouri Lucas Robinson Brandon Davies Henry Ford II High School Rohit Ray Sachit Soni Kyle Rodriguez Brooke DeClark VALEDICTORIANS Elena Serra Zoie Starking Farah Sabri Alexis Drost Valerie Akrawi Jaiden Styber Maria Suffredini Delaney Sacra Lilliana Dukaj Bennett Allamon Jessica Suchta Hannah Taylor Natalie Safo Drake Ferguson Rohit Tattitali Dillion Archer Turner Tomatti Jack Sanitate Alec Fletemier Anthony Tenn By The Numbers Jobin Babu Ryan VanHeusden Noah Schepke Garrett Gambaro Maria Beninati Natasha Tsiang Alessandra Vitale Madison Shippy 2,210 Jamie Greenwood Kendyll Borchert Matthew Vanderhoff Caitlyn Wagner Ryleigh Smythe Students Graduated Angela Grillo Zachary Connor Jason Vu Isabella Streiber Caitlin Hagen Denice Drewek Bronwyn Weiker SALUTATORIANS Richard Haines Ava Wisnewski Pranshu Thakur 317 James Fidler Olivia Nordin Advanced Placement Jacqueline Hawkins Joseph Fitzgibbons Maria Xhoga Nickolas Wingett Jenna Tryan Brandon Hineman Madison Giffin Sophia Yabut Ryan Verbrugge Scholars Ashley Homann Gracee-Ann Gugliemetti Maryan Yousef Gene L. Klida Fiona Xhuti Angelina Ilijevski Angelina Jovanovic Vasiliki-Kleio Zografi Colin Zelasko 608 Faariah Imtiaz Utica Academy for Academic Scholars Anthony Kalemaj International Studies Muanqa Imtiaz Madison Kovacic SALUTATORIANS VALEDICTORIANS SALUTATORIAN 185 Dona Jazrawy Casey Kramarczyk Merna Kattoula Andrew Gontaruk Emily Kennedy Caroline Kumiega Ian Payne Seal of Global Language Andreh Khosho Adea Lisha Isaac Abraham Candidates Allison Klimek Alexander Maskeny Utica High School Jouzef Barkho Amanda Koziol James Ohman VALEDICTORIANS Nikolas Bennett Hunter Kraemer Breann Piechocki Athena Amyx Eric Berg Kennedy Kullman Ryan Polega Brett Berg Ryan Boring Justin Labon Naveenjohn Premkumar Maryam Buni Joseph Bullock Carson L’Esperance Noel Putris Dane Cargill Catrina Isabelle Cagalawan Adam Lyjak Morgan Rasey Madison Cesarz Riley Carver Alainna Mancani Claire Secord Renee Cilluffo Mohammed Chowdhury Lucia Mancini Peyton Skwarczynski Jenna Clark Alexa Clampitt Brooke Mastronardi Sarah Spindler Kelsey McLean Alec Cousino Ongkon Deb Andrewval Yacoub Ava Denton Wayne Meech Hannah D’Hondt Nolan Dishman Joseph Michonski SALUTATORIANS Noelia Dulo Aleya Miller Ann Droelle Nicole Denz Fiona Duncan Aishani Moradia Aaron Engelhardt Rebekah Spencer Ethan Erkkinen Elle Nicholson Fadi Esho Ethan Gertsch Abby Oleski Elana Fullmer Samuel Gralewski Andrew Olson Stevenson High School Leonard Georges Christopher Oltean VALEDICTORIANS Riley Greenwood Helena Haddad Miles Ortolan Megan Alindogan Alicja Grzegorzek Ryan Haines Kai Pendleton Hannah Baran Olivia Hayes Brady Hannan Steven Petrovski Olivia Beckman Maryann Hermiz Jennifer Hasaj Giavonna Polizzi Buddy Bissa Victoria Huynh Laina Heydens Maria Bitar Valentina Ivanaj Bianca Popovski Emily Hoyumpa Emily Bolda Ethan Jackson Hariharan Ramakrishnan Charlene Hsiung Mirella Bou-Chaaya Kayla Jacob Lancelot Rounds Alexander Hughes Daniel Rzeppa Emma Bowen Julia Kavanagh William Jenkins Thomas Schafer Shane Carr Anna Maria Kitsios Margret Khoushi Jenna Sielagoski Jacob Debelak Katelynn Kozen Jacob Siemen Karen Dela Cruz Kadia Kustarz Samantha Kopietz Diana Silveri Rohan Desai Liam MacKenzie Ella Krause FOCUS 3

2021 Superintendent Scholarship Recipients AVID Scholars Over the past 13 years, the UCS Superintendent Scholarships have been awarded to graduating Advancement Via Individual Determination seniors. The awards were given to 34 seniors this year for post-secondary support. They are gen- (AVID) develops the necessary skills for taking erously funded by the UCS Foundation for Educational Excellence, a non-profit organization, as rigorous courses, such as Advanced Placement and well as the Brett Klenow Scholarship Fund, Larry M. Smith Memorial Scholarship and Stefan’s Honors, to promote success in college. AVID is Hope. opening doors for UCS graduates by challenging them to reach their full potential. Alternative Learning Center Stevenson High School Stevenson High Utica High Justin Farley Superintendent Clara Barsoum Superintendent Madelyn Fennell Superintendent Olivia Beckman Superintendent School School Samantha Blanton Savyola Afram Karen Dela Cruz Superintendent Mohamed Chouman Cody Bartlett Eisenhower High School Alex Ducusin Superintendent Mecheal Dahma Brooke Budd Kerry Brown Superintendent Christian Epifanio Superintendent Nicholas Daoud Monika Gjokaj Sophia Considine Superintendent Lucy Potts Superintendent Evan Dnha Mya Gross Dalton Crum Superintendent Rohit Ray Superintendent Thomas Dilger Superintendent Christopher Gerges Mary Hado Brooke Mastronardi Superintendent Gene L. Klida Samira Guillen Brittany Harko Daniel Rzeppa Superintendent Ramadan Hysa Quinn Johnston Utica Academy for International Studies Ongkon Deb Superintendent Kamil Jarjess Ryan King Henry Ford II High School Noelia Dulo Superintendent Audrey Jett Francis Manni Maria Beninati Superintendent Alexander Hughes Superintendent Patryk Koziol Anthony Parker Kendyll Borchert Superintendent By The Numbers Farah Sabri Superintendent Fyona Matti Gregory Pitts Vasil Janeski Stefan’s Hope Arric Miles Kyle Walsh 2,210 Anthony Kalemaj Superintendent Utica High School Alyssa Morris Nolan White Students Graduated Alexander Maskeny Brett Klenow Ann Droelle Superintendent Cassandra Namou Merry-Laura Zetouna Gary Nilson Larry M. Smith Anna Maria Kitsios Superintendent Isabell Owens 317 Memorial Scholarship Haley Michol Superintendent Christian Owens Advanced Placement Emily Romero Superintendent Noah Miller Superintendent Mary Qajar Scholars Rebecca Schwartz Superintendent Mena Murrani Superintendent Paige Sakorafos Claire Secord Superintendent Mihir Patel Superintendent Mansi Shah 608 Crystal Spasovski Academic Scholars Emily Tapiaz CTE Students of the Year Rita Toma 185 Justyce Townsend Seal of Global Language Two Utica Community Schools seniors have been honored as Students of the Year by the Joshua Washington Candidates Macomb County Career Technical Education Administrators Association. Auryana Yalda Akshaya Ragunath Julia DeHondt Stevenson High School Utica High School Macomb County All Academic Team Eisenhower High Utica High School School Macomb County All Angelina Ilijevski Aaron Engelhardt Joseph Michonski Julia Kavanagh Academic Dream Team Aleya Miller Sachit Soni Aishani Moradia Each year, 25 students are selected as a “Dream Team” for Christopher Oltean Henry Ford II High Macomb County. This year, 14 members were from UCS. Kai Pendleton School Hariharan Ramakrishnan Dillon Archer Ryan Boring, Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies Lancelot Rounds Ethan Gertsch, Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies Jacob Siemen Gene L. Klida Utica Alexander Hughes, Gene L. Klida Utica Academy Victoria Verellen Academy For for International Studies Nicolas Viulet International Studies William Jenkins, Gene L. Klida Utica Academy Ryan Boring for International Studies Stevenson High Noelia Dulo Kai Pendleton, Eisenhower High School School Ethan Gertsch Hariharan Ramakrishnan, Eisenhower High School Hannah Baran Alexander Hughes Mirella Bou-Chaaya Rohit Ray, Stevenson High School William Jenkins Lancelot Rounds, Eisenhower High School Emma Bowen Marget Khoushi Delaney Sacra, Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies Rohan Desai Anglina McKimson Elena Serra, Stevenson High School Rami Katto Delaney Sacra Lucy Potts Jenna Tryan Sachit Soni, Utica High School Rohit Ray Jenna Tryan, Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies Elena Serra Nicolas Viulet, Eisenhower High School Bronwyn Weiker Bronwyn Weiker, Stevenson High School www.uticak12.org BOARD OF EDUCATION Find updates from Mary K. Thomas, Ph.D., President Utica Community Schools on: Denyeal Nesovski, Vice President Michele Templeton, Treasurer Notice of Nondiscrimination Kelli Rankin, Secretary In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Kimberly Becker, Trustee Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Steven R. Meyer, Ph.D., Trustee the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, it Adrienne Rubel, Trustee is the policy of Utica Community Schools that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, height, weight, or marital (586) 797-1000 status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to Robert S. Monroe FOCUS for the Community discrimination during any instructional opportunities, programs, services, job placement assistance, employment or in policies governing student conduct and attendance. Any Superintendent of Schools Editor: Tim McAvoy person suspecting a discriminatory practice should contact the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources at Utica Community Schools, 11303 Greendale, Sterling Heights, www.uticak12.org/social MI 48312 or call (586) 797-1000.