Class of 2016 Top Ten Students

June 3, 2016

Kirsten Maniez, daughter of Terry, Jr., and Kimberly Maniez of St. Johns,

is one of four Valedictorians of the Class of 2016. She has been a member

of the National Honor Society, Student Council and ABC Club. Kirsten

has participated in volleyball, basketball and softball. She has been

selected as an All-Conference, All-District and All-Region softball player

and been honored as All-State Academic in both volleyball and softball.

Kirsten has been selected as a Super Student, and represented her class on

this year’s Homecoming court. Next fall, Kirsten plans to attend Western

Michigan University to pursue a degree in Occupational Therapy.

Hunter Wilson, son of J.W. II (Chip), and Michelle Wilson of Perrinton, is the final

Valedictorian for the Class of 2016. Hunter has been Class President for four years,

a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, and

Business Professionals of America. He also worked with House of Representative

Tom Leonard during his high school career. He has been recognized as a Super

Student, earned three Academic Letters, and was selected All-State in 2015 by the

Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association. He has earned an Alumni

Award through George Washington University and a certificate by the Michigan

Supreme Court Exploring Careers in Law. In the fall, Hunter will attend George

Washington University in Washington, D.C., to pursue a degree in Political Science.

Connor Proctor, daughter of Steve and Amber Proctor of Perrinton, is also being

recognized as Valedictorian for the Class of 2016. She has been a member of the

National Honor Society, ABC Club, Student Council and SADD. Connor has

been a member of the basketball and softball programs and has been team captain

for both squads the last two years. She has been named All-Conference,

All-District, All-Region and All-State in softball the past two seasons. In basketball,

she earned First-Team All-Conference this winter and is one of the best

three point shooters in the league. Connor plans to continue her softball career at

Lansing Community College in the fall while pursuing a degree in a health-related

field.

Teagan Batis, daughter of Bob and Sally Batis of Perrinton, is one of four

Valedictorians of the Class of 2016. Teagan has been a member of the National

Honor Society, SADD, ABC Club, and Business Professionals of America and

served as Student Council President. She has been a member of the basketball,

track, softball and volleyball programs. Teagan was team captain of the

2015 volleyball District Championship team and an Academic All-State

selection of the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association. Teagan

has been a Super Student the past three years, and was selected to represent her

class on the homecoming court this past fall. Teagan plans to attend Michigan State

University to pursue a degree in Nursing through the MSU Honors College.

FULTON FLYER

Colton Antes, son of Doug and Cena Antes of Perrinton, is the Salutatorian for

the Class of 2016. Colton has been a member of the National Honor Society,

Student Council and ABC Club. Colton has earned three Super Student Awards.

He has been a member of the football, basketball and baseball programs. Colton

has earned many awards while playing basketball. He has been All-Conference

for the past two seasons, selected to the Gratiot County Herald Dream Team,

Lansing State Journal All-Area Team and the Associated Press All-State Class D

Second Team. During his four-year varsity career, he scored over 1,000 points

and is in the Top Ten for 3-pointers in the state. Colton plans to continue his

basketball career at Mid-Michigan Community College in the fall and pursue a

degree in Physical Therapy.

Anthony Shock, Jr, son of Anthony, Sr., and Lou Ann Shock of Middleton, has

been a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl

and Business Professionals of America. He has been recognized as a Super

Student, was a Semi-Finalist in this winter’s Forensics competition, has placed

four times at the BPA’s regional tournament, and earned a fourth place at the

BPA State competition in Personal Finance Management. Anthony has been a

member of two MMLA Quiz Bowl Championships and this year’s sixth place

finish at the 2016 Class C/D Quiz Bowl State Championship. In the fall, he plans

to attend Alma College to pursue a degree in Mathematics.

Jayvin Wolfe, son of Greg and Lori Wolfe of Middleton, is a member of the

National Honor Society, SADD, Quiz Bowl, and ABC Club. He has participated

in football and track throughout high school. He was last year’s NHS Talent

Show winner. Jayvin has served as team captain of the MMLA League

Champions and achieved a Top 6th

finish at the 2016 Class C/D Quiz Bowl State

Championship tournament. He also was captain of the 2015 Pirate football team. Last fall,

Jayvin earned CMAC First-Team Offensive Lineman, Second-Team Defensive

Lineman, Lansing State Journal All-Area Offensive Line, Morning Sun

First-Team Offensive Line and Academic All-State. In track, he is a two-time

Regional qualifier in discus and placed 7th

in shot put. Jayvin was

recognized as a Finalist for the Scholar-Athlete Award by the MHSAA. In the

fall, Jayvin plans to continue his track career at Calvin College while pursuing

a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Jenna Wolfe, daughter of Brian and Julie Wolfe of Ashley, is a member of the

National Honor Society and Gratiot County 4-H Fair for Youth. She has

participated in cross country and track, earning five varsity letters. She is a

two-time Super Student and has earned three Academic Letters. Jenna plans

to attend Montcalm Community College in the fall to pursue a degree in

Veterinary Science.

Class of 2016 Top Ten Continued

Class of 2016 Top Ten Continued

Kyle Thomas, son of Darrell and Melinda Thomas of Maple Rapids, is a

member of the National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America.

He has participated in football, basketball, baseball and track. He has earned

the Coaches Award in both baseball and football. Academically, he has

been a three-time Super Student, earned three Academic letters and was

selected as a CMAC Scholar-Athlete. In the fall, Kyle plans to attend

Michigan State University to study Accounting.

Chloe Fife, daughter of Jennifer Fife and the late Mark Fife of Perrinton, is

a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and the 2015

Homecoming Court. She has earned three Academic Letters and been

recognized as a Super Student. She has participated in basketball and softball.

Chloe plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall to pursue a degree

in Veterinary Medicine.

Quiz Bowl

Attends

National

Competition

Front Row, Left to Right: Anthony Shock Jr., Jayvin Wolfe, Hunter Wilson,

Coach: Graham Salogar Back Row, Left to Right: Lauren Jernstadt, Reed Warnke, Canyon Sherrick,

Jarod Thalor, Samantha Walton

For the first time in the history of Fulton

Schools, the Fulton Quiz Bowl Team

attended the National Quiz Bowl

tournament hosted in Rosemont, Illinois on

April 29-30, 2016. Eighty schools attended

the event and Fulton Schools placed 40th

in

the Nation during the tournament.

During regular season action, the Pirates

won the Mid-Michigan Academic League

(MMAL), the MMAL Tournament,

finished 2nd to Mt. Pleasant High School

in the Gratiot-Isabella RESD Tournament,

competed on QuizBusters, Quiz Central,

and finished 6th in the C/D bracket of the

Michigan Quiz Bowl State Championship

Tournament.

The Junior/Senior Prom was held at the Elks Club of

Alma, on Saturday May 7, 2016. Students enjoyed a

dessert bar, and were entertained by a local DJ for music

and dancing. The crowning of our Prom King and Queen

was held at 9:30 p.m. To achieve Fulton Royalty, the

junior and senior students vote for one male and female

representative of the senior class.

Our 2016 Prom King is Colton Antes, son of Doug and

Cena Antes of Perrinton.

Our 2016 Prom Queen is Lauren Duflo, daughter of Chris

and Jessica Duflo of Perrinton.

Both Colton and Lauren were honored by their classmates

and fellow students by being named the 2016 Prom King

and Queen. Each were given crowns, and much student

applause to celebrate the event.

As always, the evening concluded with Project Graduation

at Fulton Schools. Over 90 students attended the event.

Prom Queen and King

Prom Queen, Lauren Duflo, and

King, Colton Antes

Sinking Fund Project Update

The Fulton Schools Science Room and Office addition continues to move forward. The project is

expected to be completed in August and possibly under budget.

The addition will have two science classrooms on the north side of the hallway, and the secure

office will be located on the south side of the hallway. The new secure office area will improve

student safety during the school day. All students, parents and community members will enter the

building through a main lobby. The lobby will lead into the main office where staff will meet and

greet the guest(s). Staff members will determine whether the guest(s) should be allowed to enter

the main school building where students are located.

Once the construction phase is completed, the Middle and High School classrooms will be

flipped to accommodate the location of the new addition.

Fulton is a K-12 State

accredited School

District.

All of the Fulton

Schools teaching

staff meet the Highly

Qualified criteria set by

the State of Michigan

and Federal

Government.

Fulton Schools – There

Is No Better Place To

Learn!

Benefits of Being a High School Athlete

There are many benefits to being involved in athletics in high school. The personal

traits one develops as a high school athlete are: teamwork, perseverance, responsibility,

physical endurance, commitment, time management, and personal and emotional

health. When a student decides to join an athletic team, a commitment is made to

attend all practices and to give 100% effort. The student athlete learns to work well and

in conjunction with others. Teammates rely upon and support one another to reach a

common goal. A student athlete shows loyalty to teammates by being dependable and

responsible, showing up for all practices and putting forth his/her best physical and

mental effort.

The wellness benefits for the student athlete are that emotional and physical health are

developed and maintained. Practices occur on a regular basis where drills are practiced

and physical energy is used at its optimum for maximum performance for games. The

athlete develops physical stamina to be able to be physically prepared for competition.

Emotional health is developed through athletics in many ways. One example of how

emotional health is increased is the amount of endorphins that are released during

physical activity. When these endorphins are released, a natural high occurs and the

athlete feels good which increases emotional wellness. These endorphins also help

fight off depression and will reduce stress. When adrenaline is released due to physical

activity, the flight or fight response kicks in, and when the student athlete’s fight

response kicks in, his/her performance is elevated.

Another benefit of being a student athlete is that one is forced to maximize his/her use

of time. Time management skills are put to the test because the student athlete not only

is a full-time student, but now has an additional time commitment. Because of this

additional commitment, in order to be both academically and athletically successful,

self-discipline must be used to control one’s use of time. Research has shown that

when a person has more responsibilities, s/he is forced to take control of how his/her

time is used and that person winds up accomplishing more and maintaining a high

performance level in both academics and athletics.

Finally, in addition to the already great benefits listed above, when college admission

counselors and college coaches see a high school student who has performed well both

academically and athletically, they see a well-rounded student athlete who will be a

welcome student in higher education. In order to participate in collegiate athletics,

students must be registered with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The NCAA promotes high standards in collegiate athletics so student athletes may

remain eligible to play on a team.

Written by:

Jean M. Keelan, M.S., N.C.C.

Carrollwood Day School Preparatory Division — Tampa Florida

Director of College Guidance

2016-2017 District Schedule

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

fultonpirates.net

Balancing the District Budget

One of the most important jobs of a school board member is to ensure the school budget is properly

aligned to the amount of revenue the school district receives versus the amount of expenses it

accumulates during a school year. The Board’s responsibility is to make the district financially

stable for many years to come. This is exactly what they are faced with for our upcoming 2016-

2017 school year.

The school budget in its most simple definition is a budget which describes a district’s plan for the

upcoming school year as related to anticipated revenues and expenditures. School budgets allow

districts to formulate future spending needs to bridge the gap that can exist between a district’s

budget expectations and resource allocation.

To meet the financial needs of the district, the Fulton Schools’ Board of Education and

Administrative Team reviewed programs and current personnel to determine if the resource

allocation by the State of Michigan will be enough to continue its current programs for the next

school year. Unfortunately, it was concluded the district is unable to sustain its current programs

and personnel with the revenue being provided. Because of this, cuts to programs and personnel

were made at past board meetings held on April 25 and May 9, 2016.

The process began with the administrative team reviewing programs to create options to reduce the

overall costs to programs. The results of those findings were shared with a School Board Budget

Review Committee. The committee reviewed the information provided by the administration team

and determined the best areas to reduce programs with the least amount of impact upon our

students, staff and community. The committee recommendations were taken to the school board to

be reviewed and discussed if further clarification was required before a vote was taken.

To balance the budget, the following areas were reduced or eliminated:

Eliminate WillSub grounds personnel $25,000

Reduce Supply Lines for Staff $13,533

Eliminate 9th

grade athletic teams $12,000

Reduce two elementary teaching positions $149,108

Reduce two high school teaching position $152,192

Reduce Alt. Ed. Recruitment Budget Line $9,000

Split position of Alt. Ed. Principal and Classroom Teacher $47,484

Eliminate Evening Coordinator Position at Alt. Ed. $19,812

Utilize grant funds to offset personnel costs at Alt. Ed. $45,000

Transfer P.D. funds to offset Title I Personnel Costs $1000

Renegotiate Waste Management Fees for trash removal $1,500

Eliminate Exterminator Services $2,500

Reduce Support Staff in school offices $28,033

Eliminate one bus run $13,109

At the conclusion of the 2015-2016 school year, the district is expecting to have a fund equity

amount of approximately $1,200,000 or approximately 14% of next year’s general fund. Fund

Equity is accumulated revenue that has not been allocated for any expenditures.

CMAC Scholar Athletes

Fulton High School was represented by

(14) fourteen seniors at the CMAC

Scholar-Athlete banquet at the Eagle

Eye Golf Course on Sunday, April 24, 2016.

To qualify, seniors must earn an overall

GPA of 3.40 or above, and have earned two

varsity letters with one during their senior year.

The event included dinner, a speaker, and award

ceremony. The speaker for the evening was Head

Basketball Coach of Southern Utah University,

Todd Simon. Mr. Simon graduated from Fowler

Schools in 1999. During his presentation, he

provided a brief background regarding the many careers he had before becoming the head coach at

Southern Utah University. His experiences in those positions aided his abilities to manage and coach a

college basketball team. Overall, his message to our scholar athletes was to never give up and utilize every

experience to your advantage for any future endeavors you take on.

Recipients of the 2016 CMAC Scholar Athlete Awards are:

Colton Antes – Football, Basketball, Baseball

Parents: Doug and Cena Antes

Teagan Batis – Volleyball, Basketball, Softball,

Track

Parents: Bob and Sally Batis

Chloe Fife – Basketball, Softball

Parents: The late Mark Fife and Jennifer Fife

Mason Fitzpatrick – Football, Basketball,

Baseball

Parents: Doug and Shelly Fitzpatrick

Christian Gunderson – Football, Basketball,

Track

Parents: Pete and Kelly Trefil

McKenna Kissee – Poms, Cheerleading

Parents: Patrick and Victoria Warren

Jacob Litwwiller – Football, Basketball,

Baseball

Parents: Dave Litwiller and Kandy Litwiller

Natnicha Malaphat – Cheerleading, Softball

Parents: Clinton and Sara Canfield

Kirsten Maniez – Volleyball, Basketball,

Softball

Parents: Terry and Kim Maniez

Connor Proctor – Softball, Basketball

Parents: Steve and Amber Proctor

Evan Schneider – Football, Basketball

Parents: Dan and Jill Schneider

Kyle Thomas – Football, Basketball, Baseball

Parents: Darrell and Mindy Thomas

Jayvin Wolfe – Football, Track

Parents: Greg and Lori Wolfe

Jenna Wolfe – Cross Country, Track

Parents: Brian and Julie Wolfe

Front Row, Left to Right: Connor Proctor, Teagan Batis, Kirsten

Maniez, Chloe Fife, Natnicha Malaphet

Back Row, Left to Right: Christian Gunderson, Jayvin Wolfe, Kyle Thomas, Colton Antes, Mason Fitzpatrick

Not Present: McKenna Kissee, Evan Schneider, Jenna Wolfe

Each year, the Fulton Schools are asked to nominate students to be honored by the Optimist

Club of Gratiot County. The criterion includes; students must show improvement in their

academic work, and display a determination to succeed.

Students from Gratiot County Schools attended an awards banquet at the Masonic Home in

Alma on Thursday, April 21, 2016, to celebrate their hard work and to be recognized for their

improved efforts at school.

A student from each grade in the Fulton Alternative High School and the Fulton Middle-High

Schools were selected. The students were: Kaitlynn Guernsey – 7th

grade, Briana

Johnson– 8th

grade, Archer Mills – 9th

grade, Seth Seida – 10th

grade, Orion Tyler – 11th

grade, Victoria Jegla – 12th

grade, Monica Cozort – 12th

grade, Connor Davis – 12th

grade,

Michael Emery – 12th

grade, Katie Peterson – 12th

grade, Travis Smith – 12th

grade,

Breanna VanHorn – 12th

grade, and Elizabeth Emery – 12th

grade.

Gratiot County

Optimist Club Honors Students

Front Row, Left to Right: Briana Johnson, Kaitlynn Guernesy

Back Row, Left to Right: Archer Mills, Victoria Jegla, and Seth

Seida

Front Row, Left to Right: Katie Peterson, Monica Cozort, Elizabeth

Emery

Back Row, Left to Right: Connor Davis, Michael Emery, Travis

Smith, Breanna VanHorn

The last day of classes will be

Friday, June 10, 2016,

Dismissal at 11:20 a.m..

Lunch will be served and busses

will depart 11:50 a.m.

Last Day of School

It is time to sign up your child for upcoming youth

athletic camps. All forms can be found in your

child’s school office.

Basketball – June 13-15, 2016 Cost is $30.00

Volleyball – June 27-29, 2016 Cost is $25.00

Football – July 25-26, 2016 Cost is $10.00

Upcoming Athletic

Camps

Colton Ante’s Signs With

MMCC

On Friday, May 6, 2016, Senior, Colton Antes,

son of Doug and Cena Antes of Perrinton, agreed

to continue his Basketball Career. Colton has

committed to play basketball at Mid-Michigan

Community College in Harrison, MI. The signing

occurred at the Fulton Schools to give everyone a

chance to celebrate with him and to meet his new

coach.

Colton will be coached by Mid-Michigan

basketball coach Kaleb House. The MMCC men’s

basketball team results for the 2015-2016 season

were 16-10. The team was also recognized as

Division 12 Champions.

Staff Appreciation Open House 2016

The Board of Education, Administration, and Staff of the Fulton Schools would like to

thank the area businesses for their support of Teacher/Staff Appreciation week at Fulton Schools. The School

District values the support of area businesses and believes that strong school/business relationships help

create strong communities. The following businesses donated goods and or services that helped make the

staff appreciation reception a success. Your interest and support of Fulton Schools and the Staff are

appreciated.

Alma Middleton

Biggby Coffee Middleton Diner

Mancino’s Tom’s Barber Shop

Meijers

Perrinton Carson City AJ’s Autowash

Carson City Lumber

Cook’s Rusty Nail St. Johns

Donohue & Donohue DDS Maple Rapids Lumber

Lola’s Flower Garden MEEMIC Ins. – Kingsley Age

Main Street Pizza The Emerald at Maple Creek

Uncle Johns Cider Mill

Ithaca Burford Plumbing & Heating

Commercial Bank

E & S Graphics

The Fields

Left to Right: Braeden Proctor, Colton Antes, Head

Coach -Kaleb House, and Assistant Coach - Joe Purvis

Academic Awards Night

Fulton high School held its annual Academic Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, 2016,

in the elementary gymnasium. The event recognized students who achieved high academic

performance recognition in their classes and on the playing field.

Classroom awards were given out by the High School teaching staff to their top students. If a

child was recognized in three or more classes, they were awarded a Super Student Award. The

award consists of a plaque recognizing all of the classes they achieved recognition in. Mr.

Hungerford and Ms. Beadlescomb also recognized the Top Ten students and awarded academic

letters. To receive an academic letter, students have to achieve a 3.4 G.P.A. in their classes.

Academic letters are awarded during the sophomore, junior and senior years.

Other awards given out focused on athletics and academic scholarships. The awards are as

follows:

USMC Distinguished Athlete – Jena Wolfe and Kyle Thomas

U.S. Army Scholar-Athlete – Kirsten Maniez and Jacob Litwiller

Most Valuable Senior Athlete – Connor Proctor and Colton Antes

Senior Scholar Athletes – Teagan Batis and Jayvin Wolfe

E.J. Werner VFW post 3733 Scholarship – Connor Proctor

Carson City Masonic Lodge Scholarship – Connor Proctor and Jenna Wolfe

JCG Memorial Scholarship – Kirsten Maniez

Andrea Loynes Memorial Scholarship – Teagan Batis

Lions Club Scholarship – Hunter Wilson

Cory Cumberworth Memorial Scholarship – Noah Pontius

Student Leadership Scholarship– Jeremy Thompson

Marjorie Matthews Conrad Scholarship – Colton Antes

Athol Gamble Memorial Scholarship – Jenna Wolfe

Farming Family Scholarship – Jenna Wolfe

Mildred Chaffin Portner Scholarship – Hunter Wilson

FULTON

SCHOOLS

8060 Ely Highway

Middleton, Michigan

48856

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MIDDLETON, MI. 48856

PERMIT NO. 01 NON-

PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

FULTON SCHOOLS

ADMINISTRATION

Superintendent

Daymond Grifka

236-7300

Middle/High School Principal

Paul Hungerford

236-7232

Elementary School Principal

Paul Avery

236-7234

Community Education Director

Mike Myers

236-5130

Director of Support Services

Greg Wolfe

236-7676

Director of Athletics

Chad Podolak

236-7232

Director of Food Services

Debbie Dayringer

236-5642

Your School Board

President: Phillip Hyde

Vice President: Lee Williams

Secretary: Dee Grover

Treasurer: Amy Case

Trustee: Dan Rossman

Trustee: Matt Vusich

Trustee: Karla Childers

“No Better Place To Learn

Elementary PTO

The PTO meets the third Tuesday of each

month at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary

media center. Come and join us!

FULTON SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

DATES AND TIMES

School Board Meetings are held in the

Middle-High School Media Center on the

second Monday of the month. All

meetings begin at 7:00 pm. Upcoming

dates include:

June 13, 2016

July 11, 2016

August 08, 2016

September 12, 2016

The public is invited to all meetings.