Spartan Wrestlers Start Strong!

The wrestling team started the season 2-0, and is coming off a strong showing at East Kentwood this weekend.  Sparta finished sixth, and out ranked East Kentwood, Rockford, and Lowell.  For more information on the East Kentwood tournment, please follow the link below.  Spartan senior Nick Trimble (senior, returning State Champion) won at 145 pounds, and is highlighted in the article.  Great job Nick!

Senior Nick Trimble

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/1196300942602665236/area-wrestlers-face-good-competition-in-first-dorothy-mcclenathan-memorial-classic/

Girls Basketball: Off to a fast start!

Our girls varsity basketball team, coached by Matt McCallum, has started the season 3-0.   The Spartans have defeated Covenant Christian, Allendale, and Kenowa Hills.   Against both Allendale and Kenowa Hills, the Spartans were up by forty points, which by MHSAA rule, results in a running clock.  The Junior Varsity team has also started 3-0.  Congratulations to Coach McCallum and all the girls.  Go Spartans!

Winter Clothing Drive

Ms. Jessy Rollston,  student teacher at Sparta Middle School, is leading a winter clothing drive throughout our district.  Clothing gathered in this drive, will go directly to Sparta families.  Ms. Rollston, with the support of student council members at the high school and middle school, is looking for new or gently used items.  Each building will be collecting goods through Friday, December 16, 2011.  Please donate any of the following items:

Hats (must be new)
Coats
Mittens/Gloves
Boots
Snow Pants
Scarves

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Rollston at Sparta Middle School:  616-887-8211.

Spartan Hockey!

For the first time in school history, Spartan student-athletes are able to compete in high school hockey.  Sparta, Comstock Park, and Northview have created a co-op model of varsity hockey.  Northview serves as the host school.  This team opened the 2011-12 season with a 6-5 overtime win over Grand Rapids Christian.  Spartans Brandon Scherzer and Jaelen Maslowski scored 4 out of the teams goals.  Well done gentlemen!  The hear Brandon and Jaelen's recap of the game, click below (be prepared to turn up your volume):

Adam Ronning, All-State Band (guest author Ms. Kayla Mroczek)

October 30th, students from around the state auditioned for the All-State band. Few high school students in Michigan are able to play the All-State audition music, let alone make ito into the band.  Adam Ronning, senior trombone player,  made it into this elite band that will perform during the Michigan Music Conference at the Devos Place in January.  This is a first for Sparta High School and a tremendous accomplishment for Adam.  Congratulations!

Fall All-Conference Additions

Left to right:  Chad Klinge and Chase Rau

The following student-athletes earned All-Conference for their perfomance on the soccer field:   Chase Rau (senior) and Chad Klinge (junior).  Congratulations gentlemen!

Fall Drama Production: A Christmas Story

"I want a red rider 200 shot carbine action range model air rifle with a compass and this thing which tells time built right in the stock."  -Ralphie

(courtesy of Google images/Amazon.com)

Congratulations to Ms. Marolf and her entire cast on the successful production of  A Christmas Story.  From costumes, to sets, to the acting:  Well done Spartans!

Fall All-State Athletes

The following student-athletes have earned All-State recognition during the 2011 fall athletic season.

Kelsey Thome, Academic All-State, Cross Country
Adam Birkeland, All-State,  Cross Country
Brandon George,  All-State,  Cross Country
Tony Hill,  Honorable Mention All-State, Football
Chase Rau,  All-State,  Soccer
Tom Willett,  Academic All-State,  Cross Country

Congratulations Spartans!

Coach of the Year Honors for Steve Zurek

Coach Zurek was voted the Division 4 coach of the year in our region by his peers.  He also earned this honor in 2006.  In addition, The Grand Rapids Press has selected Coach Zurek as its Coach of the Year for its entire coverage area.  Congratulations to Coach Zurek and the Sparta Spartans!

Important Upcoming Dates

Nov. 17  Jostens meet with seniors  10:30 am
Nov. 18  Parent Coffee 7:45 am
Nov. 22  End of the 2nd Marking Period
Nov. 23 - 25  Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 16  Parent Coffee 7:45 am/Last Day of Attendance for Students
Dec. 19 - Jan. 2   Christmas Break
Dec. 20 -21  Winter School  8 - 11 am in the Media Center
Jan. 3  School Resumes

Fall All-Conference

Eleven student-athletes earned OK Blue All Conference recongition for the 2011 Fall Athletic season.  Congratulations to the following Spartans:

Kelsey Thome, senior,  cross country
Adam Birkeland, senior, cross country
Brandon George, senior, cross country
Tom Willett, senior, cross country
Kory Brown, senior, football
Tony Hill, senior, football
Derek Jensen, senior, football
Kyle Rauser, senior, football
Nathan VanPatten, senior, football
Chad Klinge, junior, soccer
Chase Rau, senior, soccer
Jared Bradford, junior,  tennis
Jill Steenwyk, senior, volleyball

9th Ranked Spartans Compete for State Title

Our Varsity Boys Cross Country Team, currently ranked 9th in Division 2, will compete for a State Championship this Saturday (November 5, 2011).  The Spartans will run at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.  GO SPARTANS!

2011 Homecoming Recap: King Rodgers and Queen May



Congratulations to our 2011 Homecoming King James Rodgers and Queen Marri May.   The class of 2012 won the coveted Red Apple!  Please follow these links for live Homecoming action: 







King James Rodgers and Queen Marri May holding the Red Apple!

 

Halloween Dance

Mrs. Wyman's program hosted a Halloween dance at Holy Family Church in Sparta on Saturday, October 22, 2011.  Over 150 students from around West Michigan participated in the widely successful event.  A special thanks to the 34 sponsers that helped make the event possible.

Sparta Spartans Playofff Bound!

The Sparta Spartan varsity football team defeated Cedar Springs 17-7 on Friday night.  The Spartans spoiled the Red Hawks Homecoming, and their playoff hopes.  The victory improves our record to 7 - 2.    We are competing in the MHSAA Division 4 playoffs.   Sparta hosts Whitehall on Friday, October 28, 2011.  Kickoff is at 7:00 pm at Spartan Stadium.  Good luck Spartans!

FOX 17 Teacher of the Week: Mr. Doug Kleyn!

Mr. Doug Kleyn was chosen as the teacher of the week by Fox 17 News in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   Congratulations Mr. Kleyn, and thank you for your excellent service to Sparta High School.  For the full news report, please follow this link:  http://www.fox17online.com/news/morningnews/schooloftheweek/

YWCA Tribute Scholarship Recipient: Kacie Gee




2011 YWCA TRIBUTE RECIPIENT

 

Senior, Kacie Gee,  received the prestigious Tribute scholarship from the YWCA.  Since 1977, the YWCA has awarded the Tribute scholarships to over 175 women representing a distinguished sorority of leaders.   Award winners are selected for their extraordinary efforts to strengthen their community through demonstrated leadership, community impact, vision, reflection of YWCA values, and significant points.   Kacie is planning on using the $2,000 to help pay for her college education.  Way to go Kacie!



Equestrian Team competes for State Championship

District and Regional Trophies

Our Equestrian team, led by Coach Julie Klein, will compete at the State competition on October 13 -October 16 at the Midland County Fair grounds.  Congratualtions on your outstanding performances and committment (team members will miss out on Homecoming festivities).

Homecoming 2011

Class of 2011

Sparta High School will be celebrating Homecoming during the week of October 10 -15.  Our Homecoming celebration is a point of pride for the district.  Driven by our Student Council, and its advisor Mrs. Stacey Rumsey, our Homecoming festivities combine class competition with service learning.   Parents are invited to join our festivities on Friday, October 14 for our Formal Assembly (7:30 am - 8:35 am), and again for our Mock Rock  (12:15 pm - 1:15 pm).  After the formal assembly, our guest are asked to leave the building.  Our doors will  re-open for parents at 12:15 pm.  For more information about our Homecoming, please visit: http://shshomecoming.blogspot.com/

Student-Athletes Recognized for Excellence






Left: N. Trimble  Right: C. Rau

 

Seniors Kory Brown, Chase Rau, and Nick Trimble were all recognized in their respective sports for excellent performances. (Each one of them also earned an Academic Pin at the Academic Assembly, see the post below.) Kory was recognized by WBBL as the Burger King student-athlete of the week for his performance on the gridiron. Chase earned the Fox 17 student-athlete of the week for his performance on the soccer and football fields. Chase will be playing soccer at the University of Michigan next year. Nick, a reigning State Champion in wrestling, verbally committed to Michigan State University. SPARTAN PRIDE!



2011 Academic Assembly

Sparta High School recognized Academic Letter and Pin recipients on September 22. The performance benchmarks that students must achieve to earn this honor are:

10th grade: 3.90 grade point average upon completion of 8 courses.
11th grade: 3.75 grade point average upon completion of 16 courses.
12th grade: 3.60 grade point average upon completion of 24 courses.

Thirty-three sophomores, fourth-eight juniors, and sixty-five seniors earned letters or pins. Well done Spartans!

Varsity Football Team highlighted on WZZM 13

Coach Zurek, senior Tony Hill, and the rest of the varsity football team were highlighted  on WZZM 13 news.  Please follow this link:  http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/179925/14/Unbeaten-Sparta-an-early-season-surprise .  Good luck to the Spartans as they travel to Belding on Friday night.

Congratulations to our 2011 Homecoming Court

The following students were nominated by our staff, and elected by their peers, to represent their graduation classes throughout our 2011 Homecoming festivities:

Class of 2015

Kyle May and Erica Humphreys

Class of 2014

Tom Cheslek and Mikala Cnossen

Class of 2013

Jeremy Lecuru, Donovan Vanpatten, and Colleen Klein

Class of 2012 King Candidates:

Chase Rau

James Rogers

Adam Ronning

Brandan Scherzer and

Tom Willett

Class of 2012 Queen Candidates:

Anna Grace Kitson

Mari May

Alissa Monterusso

Caitlin Rykse

and Kelsey Thome

Fifth Quarter

Sparta High School will host 5th Quarters on September 16 and October 7. 5th Quarters are held immediately following home football games until 11:00 p.m. 5th Quarters are intended to provide a safe and fun environment for high school students to socialize. Students are able to choose from the following activities: open gym, open weight room, access to technology, gaming systems, and movies. Generous donations from Bayes Water Treatment and Sparta Rotary provide our students with bottled water and pizza.  A special thanks to the Bayes, Rotary, and our Parent Volunteers.  Transportation is provided from the football field to the high school. Please pick up your student promptly at 11:00 p.m.

Important Dates: September and October

9/16  Fifth Quarter (9:00 pm - 11:00 pm at SHS)
9/22  Academic Assembly  (10:30 am - 11:00 am in the Gymnasium)
9/26  Non Attendance Day for Students
9/30  Parent/Principal Coffee 7:45 am
10/7  Fifth Quarter (9:00 pm - 11:00pm at SHS)
10/14 Homecoming   (for more information please visit http://shshomecoming.blogspot.com/ )
10/15 Homecoming Dance (8:00 pm - 11:00 pm at SHS)
10/17 Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00 - 7:30 pm
10/19 Freshmen Social Studies MEAP Testing
10/21 Parent/Principal Coffee 7:45 am

Zach Leach, Senior, Recognized at Basketball Camp

Senior Zach Leach was recognized by the Grand Rapids Press, and mlive.com, for his involvement at the "Best of the Midwest" basketball camp in Grand Rapids last weekend.  For additional information, please follow this link:  http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/09/college_hopefuls_showcase_bask.html

First Day of School

The first day of school was busy, and successful.  On top of normal first day responsibilities, we held class meetings with each graduating class to discuss guidance office support, behavioral expectations, and homecoming.  At the end of the day, we held a pep assembly to promote Spartan Pride and to recognize students involved in our Fall co-curricular programs. 

Parents, please become familiar our Student and Athletic Handbooks.

Sparta High School in the news.

What a scene at Spartan Stadium last night:  a last minute, comeback victory for the Spartans;  our students rushing the field; and WZZM on our sidelines.  Please follow the link: http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article/20110902/HSSPORTS/309010007/Sparta-21-Middleville-TK-20&Avis=OC

Spartans Win Opener

On Friday night, our varsity football team kicked off the 2011 season with a 23-8 victory over Fremont.  The teams were playing for "The Bull" trophy, which symbolizes a  positive start to the football season, and the respect between our communities.  Mr. John Bull, our new Assistant Principal, taught in Fremont for the past 16 years.  Seniors Tony Hill (32) and Kory Brown (4) are pictured with Mr. Bull.  GOOD WORK SPARTANS!

Boys Cross CountryTeam Wins!

The Boys Cross Country Team opened its season by winning the Orchard View Invitational on Monday(8/22).  This invitational had a number of Class A schools (including East Kentwood) that the Spartans outpaced.  Our top five runners were:  Brandon George, Adam Birkeland, Austin Jacobsen, Jonathon Delodder, and Carter VerSluys.  Congrats to Coach Smith and Coach Thomas.  To follow all of our running programs, please visit  http://www.gosparta.com/.

Sparta Area Schools in the News

Wood TV 8 reported on the teamwork demonstrated by Sparta Area Schools' support staff, teachers, and administration in dealing with our current budgeting challenges.  For the full story, please follow this link:  http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/Sparta-touts-deal-to-keep-teachers

Welcome Mr. John Bull, Assistant Principal

I am excited to introduce Assistant Principal, Mr. John Bull to our school community.  Mr. Bull joins our team from Fremont Public Schools, where he was employed for the previous seventeen years as a social studies teacher and a coach.  Mr. Bull's ability to form strong relationships, his wealth of experience in the classroom, and his impressive work ethic will make a him a great fit at Sparta High School.

Fall Athletic Practice Begins!

Monday, August 8, 2011 marks the beginning of our fall athletic season.  Coach Zurek and his staff welcomed back the football team at 8:00 am this morning.   We open the varsity football season with a home game versus Fremont on 8/26/2011.  All varsity games kick off at 7:00 pm.  The remainder of our fall athletic teams begin practice on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.  For complete athletic schedules please follow this link:  http://www.highschoolsports.net/school/Sparta-High-School-Sparta-MI/All/All/All/

Band Camp 2011

Band Camp 2011 has been impressive. The students have been working extremely hard, battling the heat, and having fun.    Ms. Mroczek has assembled an outstanding staff, and the committment level of the parent volunteers has been amazing.  In the picture above, students are finishing up morning calisthenics.  Band Camp ends on Friday, August 5, 2011. 

Assistant Principal Position

We have had 93 applicants for our assistant principal vacancy, many with administrative experience.  The candidate pool is both strong and diverse:   3 Ph D's, 4 band directors, 4 Sparta alumnus, and numerous talented educators.  Interviews will begin on Monday, July 18, 2011.  We will interview 8 candidates.

Nick Trimble, Senior, Undefeated in Prestigious Wrestling Tourney.

Our varsity wrestling coach, Tom Bennett, forwarded the following link that reports on senior Nick Trimble's continued success on the wrestling mat.  Nick is referred to as a "top recruit of the Class of 2012".  Great job, Nick!

http://www.michigangrappler.com/files/High_School/HS1011/disneyrecap.html

SHS in the News!

On July 4, 2011, WOOD TV and WZZM 13 featured  the prairie project that Mrs. Sue Blackall (3rd Grade Teacher at Appleview Elementary) is leading at Sparta High School.  Thanks to Mrs. Blackall for her vision, work ethic, and unique passion for improving our school community.  WZZM TV has a video. (Please follow the links.)

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Prairie-to-be-installed-at-Sparta-High

http://sparta.wzzm13.com/news/news/40-acre-prairie-be-installed-sparta-high/59366

Assistant Principal posting

Mr. Cary Stamas has accepted the principal job at Kraft Meadows Middle School in Caledonia.  We wish him and his family the best of luck. Our search for a new assistant principal is well under way.  The posting will run from July 1 - July 15.

Good Bye and Good Luck!

The following members of our Sparta High School  family are moving on to new and exciting professsional and personal opportunites:

Cary Stamas: After 15 years of service as a teacher, coach, and Assistant Principal, Mr. Stamas will become the  principal of Kraft Meadows Middle School in Caledonia.

Connie Ahrends:  After 20 years of service as an instructional aide,  Mrs. Ahrends is retiring!

Dave Stoy:  After nearly 42 years of service as a teacher and coach, Mr. Stoy is retiring (really this time)!

Jackie Sonuga:  After 9 years of service as a teacher, Mrs. Sonuga and her family are moving to Iowa. Her husband received an incredible new job offer. 

Good luck to all!

Summer Office Hours 2011

Sparta High School's summer office hours are 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday - Thursday.  Numerous summer programs are underway:  drivers training, summer school, athletic camps, and weightlifting and conditioning.  Please contact the office with any questions.  616.887.8213.