Waterford Today

The Clarkston Community School District was in celebratory mood at their April 10 board meeting as they highlighted academic feats, along with a teacher who won a prestigious award.

Superintendent Dr. Shawn Ryan introduced student athletes Katie Stephens and Gauge Heikkinen to the board. Heikkinen is the back-to-back state champion in his weight class for power lifting and holds records in squatting at 575 pounds, bench press at 320 pounds and the dead lift at 605 pounds.

Ryan commended Heikkinen and Stephens for their hard work and leadership they display to their peers.

“We have a long tradition of excellence in many areas of Clarkston schools,” said Ryan. “And one of them notwithstanding is the athletics. We had a very successful fall and winter season. We're rolling in the spring season with two of our best and brightest here are Gauge and Katie.”

Katie, a sophomore at Clarkston, won the Division I competition for girls singles bowling. Her coach says Stephens is a humble competitor who has notched a high score of 266.

The board also took the time to recognize one of their teachers who received some distinction from the state. The National Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) had their local chapter represented by Joette Kunse, who was proud to announce that they had the chosen history teacher not only for their Sashabaw Plaines chapter, but also the whole state of Michigan. History teacher Alex Sennebaum from Clarkston High School is being honored this year.

“But one of the things we do, obviously, we do historic preservation. We work with veterans, and history is the main thing,” said Kunse. “So, every year we can recommend a teacher from our community as the teacher of American history. The criteria were incisive knowledge of American history and sharing it with students (to) foster a spirit of patriotism and loyal support of our country and constitutional government having high standards and requiring excellence at all times for students and being committed to as students, enjoying good rapport. It's not just teaching but being a mentor and teacher.”

Kunse added that winning teachers have to receive three recommendations outside of members of their organization, and also provided comments made about Sennebaum from former students who acknowledged his passion for history.

Sennebaum will be honored in Lansing as the Michigan History teacher of the year, and will be up for the national distinction chosen in Washington D.C.