![]() By Dave Merchant [email protected] Allen Park Jags Senior Ella Bailey has got sports in her blood. She currently plays volleyball but has played other sports in the past including softball, basketball and swimming. “I play OH (Outside Hitter), MB (Middle Blocker), & D/S (Defensive Specialist) in volleyball,” Ella said. She has some wonderful memories: “Winning Districts last volleyball season on my Birthday, and celebrating with my team. Also, beating Trenton at home, and having a video of the match point win on GreatClips clip of the week, and on StateChamps’, as well as Twitter.” Her favorite subject is Math. Ella’s favorite teachers are Mrs. Mcmaster (AP Chem), Mr. Jackson (English), and Mr. Brown (AP Calc). “My favorite coaches are Dave LaFace, Chris Bozman, and Kelsey Ferla,” she said. “My favorite classes are AP Chem and Drama. Her hobbies include singing and theatre. “I love the performing arts,” she said. “I was recently Ariel in The Little Mermaid at APHS, it was a blast.” Her parents are Sarah & Derek Bailey and Alle Bailey (younger sister). “My future plans are to work extremely hard and get my Masters in a degree I’m passionate about. I’m thinking along the lines of Business/ Marketing, but who can ever be sure,” she added. She was named All Downriver League 2019, All Downriver League honorable mention 2018, and Volleyball 110% Award. Honor Roll for APHS (Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior year). She has good advice to younger players wanting to succeed. “Listen to your coaches, and apply their advice quickly. Being coachable is so important, embracing change, and adapting quickly are a must,” she said. “Watch Varsity/College teams play and learn from more advanced players. Find a love and passion for your sport or hobby, that will drive you to become better. Always have fun and be a supportive teammate, teamwork really does make the dreamwork. Lastly, remind yourself perfection isn’t obtainable, and practice makes permanent not perfect. Mistakes are going to happen in life and in the game, what matters most is how you react and learn from them.”
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By Jim Jacek
The City of Allen Park had their Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, September 14. This event enabled the visitors a chance to climb into or see up close the trucks used to save lives, serve the community, and even influence their future career. Trucks on site included steam shovels, tractors, sanitation trucks, DTE trucks, semi-trucks, tow trucks, ambulances, and even a traveling recreation vehicle. This event also gave people the opportunity to be in the back of a police car for the first time. ![]() By Jim Jacek There was a fundraiser held on Sunday, September 5, 2019, to help cover some medical bills for Ava Jabczenski. Ava was diagnosed with an extremely rare brain cancer; Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT). It is so rare that only about 50 adults have ever been diagnosed with this type of cancer. It typically effects young children under the age of 3. Because of rarity and aggressiveness, the protocol to treat this type of cancer, is also extremely aggressive. She will be receiving radiation and chemotherapy over the course of the next year. These treatments will require weeks at a time of inpatient stays at the hospital as well as weeks at home to recover. Park Colony, 15600 Goddard Road in Allen Park, was transformed into a fun zone with games, activities, and gifts that were raffled off. Games and activities on hand included a bounce house, dunk tank, corn hole, balloon creations, a magic show, photos taken and printed on site, a DJ, and plenty of prizes to win. A Go Fund Me page was set up by Teresa Savone Papazian. If you would like to donate to Ava, go to Google, type in Go Fund Me for Karen Jabczenski, and it should be the top listing. Please consider donating to help relieve the financial stress of medical bills and time off work for Ava’s parents, Karen and Mitch. They deserve the ability to focus their time and energy on Ava’s battle and being there when she needs them most. Every donation, big or small, affords this sweet girl more support on the long road ahead. By Dave Merchant [email protected]
The Allen Park Jags wasted no time in dropping the Lincoln Park Rails on Thursday night. Allen Park won the game 42-7. Quarterback Colton Caswell was 12-for-16 for 244 yards and one touchdown. Jag wide receiver Nick Patton caught four passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. Senior Allen Park running back Nico Tiberius carried the ball seven times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Jags head coach Tom Danosky thought his team played well for the first game of the year. “I thought our guys played hard and were physical,” Danosky said. “However, we made too many mental mistakes. It is early and the coaching staff is doing a fantastic job with our athletes. We will continue to get better.” He said they have plenty to work on. “Decreasing mental mistakes and just getting better at what we do,” he said. ![]() From Natalie Zelenak/Carole Noel St. Frances Cabrini Catholic school students, staff, parents and parishioners had much to celebrate on Sept. 3 as they gathered for their traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit to officially begin the new school year. Father Tim Birney, pastor of Cabrini, announced a year-long celebration of the high school’s 60th and the grade school’s 70th anniversaries to the 800 people gathered in the church. Concelebrating the Mass with Father Birney were associate pastors, Father Adam Nowak and Father Steve Mateja. In his homily, Father Tim called the congregation to “Celebrate everything we have been as we look forward to the next 70 years and beyond.” He went on to say, “The Holy Spirit should have authority over our school, guiding us in our actions and decisions.” Many events are in the works for the 2019 and 2020 calendar year to honor and celebrate Cabrini and the people who make up its history. Cabrini schools have been an asset to the Allen Park community for 70 years but their impact reaches beyond its borders. Students enroll from cities throughout Wayne and Monroe counties to access the college prep Catholic education the school offers. To commemorate the milestone anniversaries, Cabrini has launched a new branding campaign that helps tell the story of Cabrini and its vision for the future. Alum Sara Meray Galloway ’01 created the new logos and signage that can be seen throughout the campus. A regal version of Cabrini’s iconic Monarch lion and an updated Cabrini crest can be found on all promotional material and correspondence from the schools. Along with the new branding, nearly $400,000 worth of capital improvements have been made over the past three years to classrooms, cafeterias, athletic fields, offices, parking lots, bathrooms, roofs and floors. “Cabrini has always had a great story to tell. The next chapter, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is expected to be even more exceptional and dynamic!” said Father Birney. “In line with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron’s call to unleash our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit, we have big plans for the future of our K-12 school.” The Alumni Facebook page will post information as plans for upcoming events are finalized. Alumni are asked to contact the Department of Advancement and Alumni Relations at [email protected] or call the Alumni office at (313) 388-0110, Ext. 1014, to share contact information and memories. Everyone is invited to be a part of the 60/70 Anniversary year – because a “Monarch is always a Monarch!” Those interested in learning more about Cabrini schools should contact Director of Admissions, Lisa Hughes, at [email protected] or call (313) 388-0110, Ext. 1019. St. Frances Cabrini Catholic school is a co-educational, K-12, academically excellent school committed to providing an authentic Catholic educational experience that develops the character and potential of every student. By Dave Merchant [email protected]
Allen Park High School runner Loryl Erdos has endurance and speed in her distance running. She is looking forward to a spectacular season this year. She is a senior and she runs cross country and track. Loryl has had some good memories in her career: “Winning the Downriver League for Girls Cross Country in 2018 and Winning the Downriver League for Girls Track and Field in 2019,” Erdos said. Her favorite subject is Art (Painting) and Spanish. Her favorite eachers are Mrs. West, Mr. Brown, Ms. Richardson, and Mrs. Keisel and her favorite coaches are Paul Vockler, Michelle Samson, and Timothy Collins. She likes running, spending time with friends, and being outside. Her parents are very supportive. Her mother in s Krystina Erdos, her father is Robert Erdos, and her little brother is Lorenzo Erdos. “I plan on attending a college or university most likely in-state, I’m still undecided on what I want to major in,” she said. “I plan on running in college whether it is club or competitively and life will take me from there.” Her advice to younger athletes is strong: “Don’t give up when things get tough. And Progress/ Success doesn’t come easy, you have to want it and if you want it then you have to put the work in to get there,” she exclaimed. ![]() By Dave Merchant [email protected] (Gaydos) Goodrich is a name that will live in the hallowed halls of Allen Park High School forever. She was one of the most talented long distance runners in school history. She went on to run track and cross country at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for five years. She did great at the Downriver level and the State level. “In five years I had a lot of injuries,” Goodrich said. “One year I did finish third in the Big Ten indoor mile. It was a really neat experience.” Jackie earned her PHD in toxicology (the study of chemicals). Her undergraduate degree is in Biology and she works for U-M as a Research Assistant in the Public Health Department. She said she enjoyed running with her team and running longer distances. They would compete in places like California, Tennessee and Florida before Michigan would begin races outside for the season. She knew her senior year in college that she wanted to work in a lab and to help people. “I miss Allen Park,” she said. “None of my family is there anymore.” Jackie is married to Adam Goodrich. They currently have two sons: Jonah (7), Julian (4) and one more boy due in the middle of September. She is still running around but now with sports for her children and work. Her advice for younger runners is very good: “Keep the passion and enthusiasm for running,” she said. “Academics and running, coaching and team and make it a great experience.” Cards move league
By Dave Merchant [email protected] After a long stint in the Downriver League the Melvindale Cardinals are now in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference (WWAC). Derek Anderson is the head coach of the Cards and excited about the move. Key Returning Players: Omarion Fleming 5'11 203 Jr. RB/ILB Floyd Frandsen 6'0 170 Jr. RB/OLB Cody Maggard 5'11 190 Jr. OL/ILB Ali Siddiqui 5'9 150 Sr. RB/OLB Last year: 2-7 Big games/rivals: Big games Dearborn Annapolis (military appreciation night), Crestwood, Garden City, Robichaud. Years coaching: 9 total, this will be my 4th at Melvindale and 3rd as head coach. Expectations: We are joining a new league the Western Wayne Athletic Conference. We expect to come ready to play and ready to compete in our new league. We scheduled tough Huron League opponents week 1 Huron and week 9 Airport. Our team is young this year with 7 juniors, 2 sophomores, and 2 seniors starting offensively and on defense starting 7 juniors, 2 sophomores, and 2 seniors. Toughest opponents: Crestwood, Robichaud, Garden City all made the playoffs last year. Week one opponent is New Boston Huron. |