Waterford Today

The Pontiac School District Board recognized several students for their accomplishments during a meeting held on March 20.

Superintendent Kelley Williams led the discussion and opened by showing the Board and attending community members a recent Channel 4 news segment highlighting the district's wrestling state championships. Wrestlers and title holders Cory Thomas, Jr., and Adam Polk were thrown a schoolwide pep rally in their honor. Thomas won first place in the state, and Polk placed behind him in third.

In the news segment, athletic director Greg Cummington shared that Thomas, who is a junior, holds a 3.6 GPA and meets the ideal description of a student-athlete, as well as what the next generation can bring to their communities. Polk also maintained a GPA above 3.2 throughout the school year. Both Thomas and Polk thanked the Board, their teammates, their coaches and their parents for their support and recognition. Both students were overwhelmed by the attention and congratulations that they had been receiving, and Thomas said that he hopes to win the title again next year. Their coach and parents also spoke about how proud they were of both the students and the district as a whole.

"As you can see, we are doing great things here in the Pontiac School District," said Williams. "And it's a monumental moment, not only because these students have made history in our district, but they also are number one student-athletes first. And so, I just want to share just a little bit of information. I do want to commend the Pontiac High School Administration and the athletic director for putting on that pep rally for his parents and for the students to have an opportunity to be celebrated because it takes a village to raise our students. And we commend and thank you all for doing the job well done with your children and students."

Williams also recognized some younger students in the district who were involved in the arts. During their prior meeting, the Board had recognized students who were involved in a community production of Annie Jr. held by Flagstar Strand Theatre. The Board was made aware of three other involved students and wanted to honor them, as well. Halo Chambers, Shania Granberry and Jaliea Hayden were given certificates from the Board during the March 20 meeting to honor their representation of the district in the larger Pontiac community.