It's a new year, and we’re excited for what 2025 will bring. We have much to look forward to, but right now we’d like to recognize the achievements of some exceptional groups and students that happened recently.


Clarenceville varsity football team earns academic honors for first time

This season Clarenceville’s football team was named “Team Academic All State,” an honor that is bestowed up football programs whose members maintain a team GPA of 3.0 to be considered.

“We had 16 student athletes fit that criterion,” said Head Coach Marty Castellon.

The team’s overall GPA was 3.51 for the 16 students who were selected, the coach added.

“We feel that academics is a must when it comes to our sports teams,” he said. “It’s “student athlete,” not “athlete student.”

According to Coach Castellon, the four teams in each of the playoff divisions with the highest team GPA (based on a 4.000 scale) is named “Top 4” in their respective divisions.

“Every day since I took over the head coaching job, this has been one of our team goals,” he said. “We have study hall consistently after school from August all the way to November while we are in season. We then continue it through Christmas for those that need the extra help while lifting weights after school.”

There are 63 teams in Division 5 (Clarenceville’s division) and only the top 10 or 12, depending on the GPA, are selected.

“Our student athletes here at Clarenceville are moving forward, setting the bar high when it comes to academics,” Coach Castellon said. “Our kids are excited to leave that legacy behind.”

Coach Castellon has a few tenets he lives by, and he imparts those to his players.

“We stress being accountable and being on time, because it shows you care,” he said. “Also, trust the process. Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people. Where do you fit in?”

Coach Castellon also knows that being a student athlete is more than meeting a certain academic bar or putting up good stats on the field.

“We will continue to focus on being the best version of ourselves, while we as coaches and educators continue turning young teens into young, educated men, who can and will give back to our community and society in a positive manner in their future,” he said.


Student athlete published book

Diavian (Dee) Robinson, a student athlete who’s part of Clarenceville’s girls varsity basketball team, has written a book that was published. The title of the book is, “Diavian’s Triumph: Embracing Differences.”

Here is a brief overview:

In a world filled with noise and chaos, Diavian's journey speaks volumes about the power of perseverance and self-advocacy. By sharing her experiences, struggles and triumphs, Diavian empowers others to find their voices, embrace their uniqueness and stand tall in the face of adversity.

This book aims to shine a light on the often-overlooked struggles of teenage girls with disabilities, providing a platform for their voices to be heard and their stories to be celebrated. It offers a message of hope and encouragement, reminding readers that they are not alone in their journey and that their dreams are within reach, no matter the obstacles they face.

Through Diavian's journey, readers are encouraged to embrace their differences, challenge societal norms, and forge their own paths with courage and determination. With each page turned, this book inspires teenage girls to rise above limitations, break down barriers, and create a world where every voice is heard and every dream is possible.

Robinson, a 1,000-point scorer for the team, hopes this book inspires others to overcome their struggles. You can find Robinson’s book on Amazon.


Botsford Elementary is swimming in science!

Botsford Agricultural Project, or BAP, has chickens onsite, where the students sell eggs and donate eggs to Clarenceville’s Food Pantry. They also take care of the school-wide aquaponics system.

“Our students will get to have the hands-on experience of raising tilapia, witness the symbiotic relationship of plants and animals, then harvest (and eat) tilapia to understand this full circle system for sustainability,” said Superintendent Melissa Carruth.

Students also harvest mushrooms and study the spores, as well as use the Tower Gardens to grow basil and fresh herbs, helping them to learn about healthy eating right in their classroom.

The teacher spearheading the program is Amy Keating.


Clarenceville Food Pantry serves families monthly

Clarenceville’s Food Pantry food pantry serves families monthly, with food pickups. The pantry is completely run by special education teacher, Mrs. Patricia Greco, along with her students. Together they stock, fill, and deliver the food to families’ cars.

They are also in charge of keeping track of the inventory of the products. This fall a $30,000 walk-in-cooler was donated to the Clarenceville School District to expand the capacity of what they can serve for Clarenceville’s families.

“A huge thank you to Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families, Schoolcraft Endowment Foundation and Livonia AM Rotary for their generous donations to ensure that the pantries are well stocked and well-supported,” Superintendent Carruth said. “It has been a game changer for our families.”