Schools
Farmington Students Inspire with 'Turn Around' Stories
Honorees at a Thursday awards ceremony have made changes to move their academic careers in a positive direction.
A new class of Farmington Public Schools high school and middle school students who have made inspiring life changes received Turn Around awards Thursday.
The honorees – who enjoyed lunch at Glen Oaks Country Club in Farmington Hills with their families, school staff members and event sponsors – were nominated for making significant progress toward improving their grades, behavior and attendance. Supt. Susan Zurvalec noted 300 students have received the award since its inception.
"It has taken a tremendous amount of courage to change the course of their lives, and that's what we celebrate today," she said.
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Keynote speaker Greg Harden, who is associate athletic director for the University of Michigan, praised what he called a "community event".
"This is an organized effort to believe in young people," he said. "That's impressive."
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In addition to star-shaped keepsake, these students received gift certificates, tickets to the Farmington Civic Theater and other rewards from event sponsors:
- Caleb Armstrong, 12th grade, North Farmington
- Justin Azer, 8th grade, Dunckel
- Dion Campbell, 8th grade, East
- Jacob Cooper, 9th grade, Farmington
- Maya Davis, 12th grade, Farmington
- Marie Dedvukaj, 10th grade, Farmington
- Christine Elly, 12th grade, Farmington Central
- Stephani Etta, 8th grade, Dunckel
- Saceila Gonzalez, 12th grade, Farmington
- Faraz Hariri, 12th grade, Harrison
- Kilian Harrison, 11th grade, Harrison
- Aljahany Jackson-Bembry, 11th grade, North Farmington
- Brooke Johnson, 8th grade, Dunckel
- Maxfield Kraus, 8th grade, Dunckel
- Grayson Montgomery, 11th grade, Harrison
- Terry Moore, 12th grade, North Farmington
- Kelsey Pakkala, 8th grade, East
- Mattison Pierdon, 8th grade, East
- Demetria Sandridge, 12th grade, Harrison
- D Mya Smith, 11th grade, North Farmington
- Anitra Ward, 8th grade, East
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