Annual awards ceremony honors Center Line students

CENTER LINE — When Wolfe Middle School student Landon Cobb was in sixth grade, he could be argumentative and didn’t want to take responsibility for his actions.

Cobb, now in the eighth grade, has come a long way.

“We have always known that Landon was a leader,” Principal Jennifer Serra said. “We just needed to figure out how to get him to lead in the right way.”

Cobb is now on Wolfe’s student council and also is a mentor with the school’s Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) group. Cobb was among 14 Center Line Public Schools students honored during the district’s annual Turn Around ceremony held May 14 inside the Center Line High School media center. The students were recognized one at a time, and each student received a plaque. Serra and teacher Paul Ches recognized Cobb.

“Thank you to Ms. Serra, Mr. Ches and my mother and father for helping me get to where I am right now,” Cobb said. “It took me a while to get here but it was definitely worth it.”

The Turn Around awards are presented annually to students who have overcome challenges to become better students academically, behaviorally, and/or socially. Teachers, counselors, principals and support staff nominate a new group of students each year deserving of the accolades.

The Turn Around ceremony included breakfast, and also welcomed keynote speaker Robert Naubert, an assistant basketball coach at Oakland University. District Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Shannon McBrady created the Turn Around program many years ago.

Roose Elementary School Principal Andrea Kennedy and behavioral specialist Jillian Hamilton shared insight into third-grade student Jeremiah Shepard.

“We’re so, so proud of the student he has become. In the past, Jeremiah struggled with impulsivity, often acting without considering the consequences,” Kennedy said. “He often would get so upset and have such a hard time controlling his big emotions, which lead to disruptions in the classroom and challenges with social interactions.”

But, in time, Shepard worked on himself to become a “responsible and super thoughtful member of our school community,” according to Kennedy. One noticeable change is his increased self-control.

“He now shows patience and really thoughtful decision making, which has greatly improved his interactions with his friends, his peers and his teachers,” Kennedy said.

After witnessing a number of positive changes in Crothers Elementary School fifth grader Michael Lipscomb this year, Principal Matthew Provost and teachers Ashlee Norton and Kevin Wickersham nominated him for a Turn Around award.

“I’ve known Michael for five years, and I could not think of a more deserving student than Michael. School has not always been Michael’s favorite place because he’s told me,” Provost said. “We’ve had our ups and downs. At times he’s struggled with peer relationships and tending to his schoolwork. It was a challenge to get Michael to open up and I could see he was frustrated.”

In the last school year, though, Lipscomb made many strides. He is now helping out other students in the classroom and lends a hand after school getting students on the bus. His grades have improved and he’s building bonds with others.

“His frustration and anger has been replaced with joy,” Provost said. “We are extremely proud of Michael for his personal growth this school year.”

“This is my time to shine,” Center Line High School 10th grader Hannah Bizzotto said, practically sprinting to the podium. Staff members Laurie Panfalone and Tammy Kramer recognized Bizzotto, who thanked those who have supported her.

Center Line High School teacher Christel Cook nominated 11th grader Adam Abdullah. Cook first taught Abdullah in class when he was in the Freshman Academy. He had a reputation for telling jokes in class and not turning in his assignments. This school year, Abdullah was a student again in Cook’s classroom, this time for physics, and he’s passing all his classes.

“He has shown that he wants to improve himself. If he gets a low quiz grade, he says, ‘When am I going to be there to retake it?’” Cook said. “He always wants to challenge himself and others. Every time he makes a mistake, he owns up to it and says, ‘Mrs. Cook, I’m going to do better.’ And that’s all we can ask from a student. I’m blessed to be able to say that I saw that progress from freshman year to junior year.”

Other students who received Turn Around awards this year were: Roose third graders Damian Espana and Joshua Miller, Peck fourth-grade student Isaac Massey, Crothers fifth grader KeAndrae’ Mitchell, Wolfe eighth graders Kristoffer Wright and Alyssa Smith, Academy 21 11th grader Logan Dean-Czajka, Center Line High School 11th grader Savannah Harris, and Center Line High School 12th grader Delicate Kennedy.