Friday, May 17, 2013
The high school wind ensemble will premiere Pulitizer Prize-nominated Hollywood musician Ira Hearshen's commissioned piece "Eight Mile Rhythm" during the free Ferndale High School spring band concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18.
Pulitizer Prize-nominated composer Ira Hearshen taught students about life, as well as music, during rehearsals this week for the Ferndale High School spring band concert. The wind ensemble will perform the premiere of Hearshen's commissioned piece "Eight Mile Rhythm" during the free Saturday concert, which also will feature the symphony band and the first alumni band performance in nearly 30 years. Hearshen – who has worked on music for television and films including "John Carter," "Super 8," "Cars 2," "A Bug’s Life," all the "Rush Hour" films and "Toy Story 2" – said "Eight Mile Rhythm" draws upon the following three Motown hits. “Having a piece commissioned is one of those things that music programs and directors aspire to, because it's…
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Celeste Goedert was among more than 250 recipients of WXYZ-TV's annual honor.
Channel 7, WXYZ, recently honored more than 250 recipients of this year's "Brightest and Best" award – including one from the Ferndale Public Schools district – with a special luncheon at the station in Southfield. Among the winners for 2013, the 34rd year of program, was Celeste Goedert of Ferndale High School. The station teamed up with Gardner-White Furniture again this year to present the awards. Click here to see the complete "Brightest and Best" list.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The four educators are among 58 nominees from 22 local school districts who will be recognized Thursday at the Oakland Schools campus in Waterford.
Oakland Schools will honor four Ferndale educators Thursday during the 26th annual Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards in Waterford. Coolidge Intermediate School sixth-grade teacher Ruth Tavalire of Ferndale; Ferndale High School physical education teacher Ryan Dunlap of Macomb; Ferndale Middle School social studies teacher Jason Gillespie of Huntington Woods; and Ferndale resident Catherine Young, who teaches in the Bloomfield Hills Schools district, are among 58 nominees from 22 local school districts who will be recognized during National Teacher Appreciation Week for their contributions in the classroom. Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards are given each year to teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels who excel …
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Scott Welborn, a Troy resident, was one of six candidates running for one partial term as mayor in the Tuesday, May 7, special election.
Ferndale High School social studies teacher Scott Welborn was defeated Tuesday in his bid to be the next mayor Troy. Troy Patch reported that with 19 of 19 precincts reporting unofficial results Tuesday night, Dane Slater won the race. The vote tally was as follows, according to Troy Patch. Welborn, who began teaching in 1993 and joined Ferndale High School in 2001, told the League of Women Voters Troy Area in April that his education experience could help him unify a city as diverse as Troy. "I teach in a very diverse school at Ferndale High School," the married Troy father of two said. "I know what it’s like to be poor. I’ve seen a destitute situation and realized that education was a good way to get out of that situation."
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Scott Welborn, a Troy resident, is one of six candidates running for one partial term as mayor in the Tuesday, May 7, special election.
Ferndale High School social studies teacher Scott Welborn will be on the ballot Tuesday when voters in Troy select a new mayor. Welborn, a Troy resident, is one of six candidates running for one partial term in the May 7 special election. Incumbent Mayor Dane Slater, who was appointed Nov. 26 following the Nov. 7 ouster of former Mayor Janice Daniels, is among the candidates vying to serve the term that expires Nov. 9, 2015. The other candidates include former state Rep. Marty Knollenberg, David Elsas, Jon Desjardins and Faris Alami. Welborn, who began teaching in 1993 and joined Ferndale High School in 2001, told the League of Women Voters Troy Area in April that his education experience could help him unify a city as diverse as Troy. "I …
Monday, May 6, 2013
Maurice Telesford, who teaches physics and chemistry at Ferndale High School, is among 50 educators from throughout the United States chosen to study Aug. 4-9 at the Siemens STEM Institute outside Washington, D.C.
Ferndale High School science teacher Maurice Telesford is among 50 educators from throughout the United States selected to receive an all-expenses-paid fellowship to attend the Siemens STEM Institute from Aug. 4 to 9 outside Washington, D.C. Participants in the immersion program will explore educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Siemens STEM Institute is a collaboration between the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities and the College Board. "Maurice and the other selected educators will be exposed to leading scientists, thought-leaders, personalities and innovators whose work across STEM disciplines shape and define our world today," a …
Monday, April 29, 2013
The group will perform “8 Mile Rhythm” by Metro Detroit native Ira Hearshen at 7 p.m. May 18 in the FHS auditorium.
Hollywood musician Ira Hearshen, who grew up in the Detroit area and graduated from Wayne State University, has written a composition specifically for the Ferndale High School Wind Ensemble. The piece titled, “8 Mile Rhythm” uses three Motown songs as inspiration: “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” written by Norman Whitfield and originally performed by The Temptations, “Living For the City” written by Stevie Wonder and “What’s Going On?” written by Marvin Gaye. Hearshen’s piece uses gestures, fragments, grooves, and harmonic structures in common with the Motown tunes, but is its own piece. The premiere of “8 Mile Rhythm” will be May 18 at 7 p.m. in the FHS Auditorium. Elon Jamison, Director of the Wind Ensemble, explains the importance of the …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Principal Lisa Williams says the accreditation means colleges will know FHS graduates have been 'well-prepared for college success.'
Ferndale High School recently earned North Central Accreditation, a distinction that principal Lisa Williams says is "external validation that we are a high quality high school." The accreditation was granted following a review, evaluation and endorsement process that ended last week after an external review team visited the school, according to a post in the school district's most recent newsletter. "Colleges will look at our students' transcripts and know our graduates have been well prepared for college success," Williams said in the newsletter.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Fund set up to help with funeral expenses for Mario Campbell, 16, who died last week at track practice.
A memorial fund has been established to help with funeral expenses for Ferndale High School student Mario Campbell, 16, who died last Thursday at track practice at the school. Ferndale parent Barb Landry provided the following information: "As many of you know our Ferndale Schools community suffered a tragic loss last week with the passing of Ferndale High School junior Mario Campbell. The Campbell family has a younger child at JFK. The Ferndale High School community has established a memorial fund to support Mario’s funeral expenses. If you are interested in making a donation you may send cash or checks made out to the Mario Campbell Fund to 881 Pinecrest, Ferndale, MI 48220 or you can donate online at www.ferndaleschools.org and click …
Monday, March 18, 2013
Annual event on May 18 will also feature a special performance by an FHS alumni band.
Ferndale High School concert bands will have their annual spring concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at the high school auditorium. The concert will feature a piece of music commissioned exclusively for Ferndale High School by Ira Hearsen, a Pulitzer Prize nominated composer who grew up in Metro Detroit but now lives in Hollywood. Concert goers will also be treated to a very special performance by an FHS alumni band. For more information, visit http://www.fsfab.org.
Leah Closson
8:10 am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Oh that Celeste Goedert is quite a gal! I am expecting great things from that girl. Way to go!! more ›