Utica High School Students Participate in Relay for Life

Students from Utica High School participated in the Relay for Life this past weekend in Shelby Township.

Members of the Hispanic Honor Society at Utica High School took part in Relay for Life this weekend at Shelby Riverbends Park. The students raised about $4,000 for the American Cancer Society, according to Spanish teacher Julie Wright. Funds were raised through a variety fundraisers including the sale of luminary bags for $10 each and bake sales every Friday where students either volunteered to sell, or bring in ,items to sell. At the event, the group sold fresh popcorn, sticker tattoos and a photo ops with a NASCAR drvier (a cardboard cutout), Wright added.   Miss Michigan, and Shelby Township resident, Angela Venditti visited with the students. Share your photos from Relay for Life here on Patch!

• Photos (2)

Should Schools Stop Requiring Foreign Language Classes?

Readers of Shelby-Utica Patch react to a proposal in the Michigan State House of Representatives that would eliminate the foreign language requirement for graduation.

Hoping to free up more options for students when it comes to high school electives, the House Education Committee approved two bills in Lansing on Tuesday that would eliminate the foreign language requirement for graduation. Currently the following languages are taught at high schools in Shelby Township and Utica: By eliminating the two-year foreign language requirement, the proposal hopes to give students not headed to college more vocational options in school, but the Michigan Department of Education opposes the bill, according to the Detroit News. "Students, regardless of post-secondary plans, will benefit tremendously with at least one additional language to be competitive in the global marketplace," spokesman Martin Ackley said in the…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

All UCS High Schools Named Among the Nation's Top High Schools

All four Utica Community Schools high schools were named among the country's top high schools by Newsweek Magazine.

Utica Community Schools have four of the top high schools in the nation, according to rankings released by Newsweek Magazine. Eisenhower, Henry Ford II, Stevenson and Utica high schools were ranked among the top 2,000 high schools in the United States. Additionally, Eisenhower was the top high school in Macomb County. (Read the school district's reaction in its blog on Patch.) "We’re extremely pleased about the national recognition that has been received by all four of our comprehensive high schools in Utica Community Schools,” superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said in a release. “This national honor reflects the collaborative efforts of this entire community – the Board of Education, all UCS staff members, parents and our remarkable …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Bowling Fundraiser to Benefit Utica High Grad

The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Apollo Lanes in Roseville

A bowling fundraiser is scheduled Friday to benefit a Utica High School graduate who was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. Nick Manzo, 25, of Shelby Township, was struck by a motorist March 30 at Gratiot and Metro Parkway, suffering severe head trauma, according to The Macomb Daily. The fundraiser is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Apollo Lanes in Roseville. Advance tickets are $20 and $25 at the door and they include three bowling games, bowling shoes and food donated by Bath City Bistro in Mount Clemens. A 50/50 raffle and prizes will also be at the event, the newspaper reports.

• Photos (1)

Utica's Freddie Crittenden Qualifies for Olympic Trials

The Utica High School senior is ranked as the top hurdler in the nation.

Students from Utica High School to Perform Seussical the Musical

Would you, could you see a play about Dr. Seuss? This weekend you can at Utica High School.

Utica Student Named One of State's Top Student Journalists

Utica High School senior Kirsten Domsic, editor in chief of the student newspaper Arrow, was selected to the 2013 All State Journalism staff by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association.

Here is the New Pic for Shelby-Utica Patch's Facebook Cover Photo

The season has changed, and so must our Facebook photo. Here is a submission from one of our readers we will use to illustrate the change in season from winter to spring for our Facebook page.

We've freshened up the Shelby-Utica Patch Facebook page cover photo to reflect the new season in our community. Farewell Utica Ice Festival photo, and say hello to a picture of the Utica High School girls soccer team working out. Thank you to Shelly Watkins for submitting the photo. We can still use more! Click on the "Upload Photos and Videos" button to add a recent photograph, something from your archives, a painting or a drawing. There's no age requirement to submit: You just have to be a Shelby-Utica Patch user and be able to create a 100 percent original piece of work owned by you for us to use. If you don't have a Patch account, visit shelby-utica.patch.com/join to sign up for free. Make sure your are signed in to Patch (top right of…

• Photos (1)

District Names 67 Utica High Seniors 'Academic Scholars'

Utica Community Schools' seniors who distinguish themselves academically during their high school careers are named Academic Scholars.

Utica High School boasts 67 Academic Scholars in its Class of 2013. According to Utica Community Schools, Academic Scholars are seniors who have "distinguished themselves by electing a rigorous program of study and maintaining a high academic standing during the past seven semesters." In addition to their academic excellence, many of these students have also participated in numerous curricular and extracurricular activities, including athletics, marching band, National Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club, SkillsUSA, DECA, SADD and foreign language clubs. The following students were recognized at Monday's board of education meeting:

• Photos (1)

DECA Recognizes Utica School Store as One of Nation's Best Two Years Running

The Chieftain Connection at Utica High School was among 166 school-based enterprises in the U.S. to earn Gold Level status this year under DECA’s School-based Enterprise (SBE) Certification Program.