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November 3 - 9, 2022 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 13 www .associatednewspapers.net

Vol. 137, No. 13
A Belleville High School
football coach is currently
under investigation for a pos-
sible undue influence viola-
tion by the Michigan High
School Athletic Association.
See page 4.
Merritt named school superintendent of year

Dr. Monica Merritt, superin- the NASRO Safe School Award,
Vol. 75, No. 13 tendent of Plymouth-Canton ” several National Blue Ribbon
The traditional Canton Community Schools, was named School awards, Michigan Schools
Township Turkey Trot will as the Michigan 2023 to Watch, and U.S. News and
return this Thanksgiving Day Superintendent of the Year by the Superintendent World Report Best Schools
and registration is now Michigan Association of Merritt is a special, Ranking List.
under way. Superintendents & “Under her leadership, our
See page 3. Administrators (MASA) during a one-of-a-kind leader staff has supported students as
surprise agenda item at the board they endured not only the global
of education meeting last week. pandemic, but also national, state,
The Michigan Superintendent and local turmoil,” said Bethany
of the Year award, presented Rayl, chief academic officer at
annually by MASA and sponsored middle schools, three high Plymouth-Canton Community
Vol. 75, No. 13 this year by Michigan Virtual, is schools, an alternative high Schools, who also nominated
Michael Manson, Jr. of presented to a superintendent school program, a virtual acade- Merritt. “Maintaining the focus on
Inkster received the 2022 who has shown tremendous effort my, and a post-secondary pro- what is best for students at all
Spirit of Detroit award from and dedication to enriching the gram. The district is continually times, Monica helped ensure that
the City of Detroit for out- lives of students and the commu- recognized as one of the top dis- all PCCS students were support- Monica Merritt
standing achievement and nity as a whole, according to an tricts in the state. ed and cared for during these
service to the community. association website. The winner “Superintendent Merritt is a tumultuous times while consis- school principal, and high school
See page 4. is selected from a pool of nomi- special, one-of-a-kind leader - she tently maintaining a focus on edu- assistant principal at Ypsilanti
nees by a panel representing edu- is devoted, hard-working, and gra- cational excellence.” Community Schools.
cation stakeholders across the cious,” said Diane Robertson, Merritt is also an active com- Merritt earned her doctor of
state. Merritt's executive assistant and munity volunteer. She has been a education degree in May 2022
“I have worked with Monica one of her nominators for the member of numerous state and from Michigan State University.
for many years, and I know what award. “Despite the pressure and local organizations, including She also holds master's and bach-
Vol. 22, No. 13 an incredible and dedicated never-ending responsibilities of MASA, the Michigan Association elor's degrees from Virginia
Finding a successor to leader she is,” said MASA her role, she still has a booming, of African American Commonwealth University.
the
MASA
2023
As
current Northville City Executive Director Dr. Tina Kerr. infectious laugh that makes any- Superintendents, Metro Bureau Superintendent of the Year hon-
one within earshot smile.”
“In her time at Plymouth-Canton,
Association, Wayne County
Manager Pat Sullivan will be Monica has shown her commit- According to Robertson, School Superintendent oree, Merritt is now in the run-
on the agenda at both the ment to students, staff, and the Merritt's passion for inclusion, Association, K-12 Alliance, Rotary ning for the national
Nov. 7 and Nov. 21 meetings community, and it's reflected in equity, and strength in action are Club of Plymouth, Plymouth Superintendent of the Year
of members of the city coun- resume and her nomination for traits which she learned from her Chamber of Commerce, Canton award from the American
cil. this award. We are very proud father, Herman Boone - football Chamber of Commerce, and the Association of School
See page 6.
that Monica is representing coach at TC Williams High School Educational Excellence Administrators (AASA). In addi-
Michigan as this year's in Alexandria, Va., whose story Foundation Board of Directors. tion, Merritt will be formally rec-
Superintendent of the Year.” was portrayed in the Disney Prior to her tenure as superin- ognized at the MASA 2023
In 2015, Merritt was named movie “Remember the Titans” - tendent, Merritt was the assistant Midwinter Conference in January
superintendent of Plymouth- and that she carries on to the next superintendent of human in Kalamazoo. A $1,000 student
Vol. 22, No. 13 Canton Community Schools, the generation. resources for Plymouth-Canton scholarship will also be donated
fifth largest district in the state Under Merritt's leadership, Community Schools. She also by the award sponsor, Michigan
Supply chain issues and with more than 16,300 students Plymouth-Canton Community spent time as the executive direc- Virtual, to the Plymouth-Canton
delays in the fabrication across 15 elementary schools, five Schools has been recognized with tor of human resources, a middle Community Schools in her honor.
process will delay the
replacement of , the eastern
stairwell at the downtown Welcome to Bedford Falls--east
Plymouth parking structure.
See page 3.
Crowd support wins holiday showing of beloved film at Penn

Public support saved the
historic Penn Theatre from
Vol. 137, No. 13 the wrecking ball in 2003 and
Members of the Romulus last week, that same public
Police Department were on display of concern saved the
hand last week as the traditional holiday showing of
Romulus Athletic Center a beloved classic film at the
hosted the annual theater.
Halloween event for young- In response to the large
sters. gathering of supporters under
See page 2. the theater marquee last
Thursday, Paramount
Pictures relented and will
allow the theater to show the
holiday film during the first
weekend in December. That
Vol. 75, No. 13 decision reversed an earlier
In addition to choosing announcement that
Paramount Pictures had
three city council members, granted exclusive licensing Hundreds of supporters flocked to the Penn Theatre in Plymouth last week in an effort to convince
Wayne voters will be asked to for “It's a Wonderful Life” to Paramount to allow the showing of It's A Wonderful Life at the theater this holiday season.
approve a new 8-mill tax hike Fathom Events for the holi- said she knew that for the holiday classic which classic film on the large the-
on the Nov. 8 ballot. day season. There was a Paramount had approved is a tradition in Plymouth. ater screen during the holi-
See page 5.
nationwide moratorium in exceptions to theaters that Elliot explained that the days is a unique experience
place, and no other theaters, had shown the movie every outpouring of support in only in Plymouth when folks then
including the Penn, would be year. Elliot asked Plymouth 24 hours was typical of the walk out the front doors and
allowed to show the film residents to show up and Plymouth community which see Kellogg Park and the
which has been a tradition at demonstrate their support for saved the historic theater Walk of Trees illuminated for
Vol. 75, No. 13 the theater for 15 years. the 1946 classic. from demolition in 2003. The the season.
Members of the Wayne- Friends of the Penn She got her early holiday Penn was reopened in 2006 “Community support saved
Westland Community Executive Director Ellen wish when more than 200 after nearly $1 million in ren- the Penn from being demol-
Schools Board of Education Elliot learned of the moratori- supporters showed up, many ovations funded by donations ished and today it saved one
have approved a sinking um early last week and on brandishing handmade signs, and fundraisers. The Penn of Plymouth's treasured
fund millage question on the Wednesday posted the deci- to have their photos taken to now operates as a non-profit. Christmas traditions,” she
Nov. 8 ballot. sion on social media. Elliot send to Paramount pleading Elliot said that seeing the said.
See page 5.

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