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February 21, 2019 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 7

WAYNE

‘We are the Champions’

High school program celebrates success

From the outside looking in, Wayne Mentor Amy Murray, the school librari-
Memorial High Schools seems like any an, said a mentor must be willing to
other high school in the nation. It has all “encourage them (students) when they're
of the general features of a traditional discouraged, try and get them to achieve
secondary institution, but Wayne at a higher rate, and build positive adult-
Memorial High School students and student relationships.”
teachers are part of a unique and innova- Two of the longest reigning champi-
tive program that lets them earn while ons, Shannon Pypa and Liz Bocks, both
they learn. highlight this aspect of the program.
Students have the opportunity to join Bocks said, “It facilitates really positive
the Champions of Wayne program, a non- relationships between students and staff Students receive their $200 checks from Champions of Wayne founcer Richard
profit organization centered in the members.” Helppie and Wayne Memorial High School Principal Kevin Weber.
Wayne-Westland community that provides “I think that every student in this
all participating students a chance to building should have a designated adult pended for a semester, organizers including behavior problems in school.
earn $200, just by completing a goal that here. A person they can go to and feel safe explained. Organizers noted that while a report
they set at the start of each semester. Bill talking to… and champions has facilitat- Melandie Hines, vice-president of the card may indicate that one goal is better
Gray and Richard Helppie founded the ed that,” Pypa added. Wayne Westland Community Schools than the other, the Champions of Wayne
program a decade ago as a way to show During the Champions of Wayne ban- Board of Education and a former program holds both of those achieve-
students that they are “capable of doing quet one of the student speakers, Champions of Wayne mentor, affirmed ments on the same level. A goal of a 2.0 or
better than they already are.” said Cameron Kupel, said, “One of the best that this is one of her favorite elements a 4.8 GPA or just coming to school all
Helppie during the Champions of Wayne parts of Champions is being able to go in about Champions of Wayne. semester, each student's goal is held to the
banquet earlier this month. and talk to Mrs. Bocks whenever I need “Every student is at different levels same level of importance.
While on the surface the $200 incen- to.” and you have to come to where they are… The Champions of Wayne program
tive and the surplus of student goals met Another unique feature of the program Because you never know what someone's provides a real cash award to students
is a tangible result of the Champions pro- is its all-inclusive nature and the sliding past or home life is like,” she said. and fosters strong bonds between stu-
gram, the lasting effect is much more scale of goals, organizers said. The pro- The concept was reinforced by speak- dents and teachers, bonds that might
valuable than $200, Gray said. gram is open to all students no matter ers at the awards banquet. While Kupel's never have been forged without the pro-
Organizers noted that one of the bene- their intelligence, behavior, or past. The goal was a 4.0 GPA and he revealed some gram, organizers said.
fits of the program is the strong sense of program also allows each student set a of his struggles of growing up in a father- (Editor's note: This article was submitted
community and trust that each student personal goal that fits their individual less household and not always having the by Wayne Memorial High School student
builds with their mentor, a critical asset abilities and circumstances. One student best home life, Tyshaun Freeman was Jordan Holt, a senior will plans to study
addressed by nearly every student and might be going for a 4.0 GPA while anoth- attempting to achieve a 2.5 GPA goal. He journalism in college next year at Tuskegee
mentor involved in the program. er might have the goal of not getting sus- explained his struggles with issues University.)

Clarification: Distinguished Alumni nominees sought

The Feb. 7-13 edition of The Eagle Commencement at Wayne Memorial annual basis.” munity. A distinguished Alumni committee
contained a factual error in a story High School this year will include the tradi- The award has become a part of the has been established at Wayne Memorial
about interim Wayne City Clerk Eileen tion of awarding a Distinguished Alumni annual commencement ceremony at Wayne High School to select the recipient for 2019.
DeHart. medal to a former graduate. Memorial. Each winner is awarded a To nominate any graduate, contact Weber's
Her brother, Westland Councilman “We have had many outstanding people medal inscribed with the official school office at (734) 419-2206. Nominations can be
Bill Johnson, sent out a text message in graduate from Wayne Memorial, said Kevin seal. mailed to the school at 3001 Fourth St. in
January regarding the interim clerk Weber, principal at Wayne Memorial, “This is an opportunity for our current Wayne, Mi 48184 and should be received by
position rather than in December as “many have contributed significantly to the graduating class to hear first-hand from a Feb. 28 to be considered by the committee.
stated in the story. betterment of society on a local, state, former alumnus who has made his/her An announcement of the winner will be
The Eagle regrets the error and any national or international level. The mark on society,” Weber said. made in mid-May and the recipient will
misunderstanding it may have caused. Distinguished Alumni Award is our way of Nominations for the honor are now then be honored at commencement set for
honoring an outstanding graduate on an being accepted from throughout the com- June 1.