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DECEMBER 24, 2025

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Troy City Council continues work on cricket field at Boulan Park

A Marian High School student paints in the new Wanink Art Wing. Photo provided by Marian High School

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

Within the new Fisher Family Science Wing, there are five classrooms with features that promote collaboration and handson learning, a computer lab and a makerspace. The classrooms also have HVAC systems and energy-efficient windows. The new STEM facilities will give educators the ability to incorporate technology more and provide students with ample space to do labs. “We don’t want to stay on pace, we want to lead in STEM. This is going to allow us to do that by giving our students opportunities that they haven’t had in our 1959 facilities, which were original to the building up until last year. Now they can ex-

TROY — A full-size cricket field is nearing completion at Boulan Park, located at 3671 Crooks Road in Troy. During its meeting Nov. 10, the Troy City Council waived the bidding process and unanimously approved a contract to purchase a portable elevated officials stand for the project, made by Aluminum Athletic Equipment Co. The cost is estimated to be around $27,270. It’s the latest addition to a project that has been in the works since last year. In August 2024, the council approved a contract with Premier Group Associates to build the cricket field, and construction began soon after, continuing through last month. But there were challenges along the way, officials say, which delayed the completion of the project. However, the delay afforded a chance for improvements. “We had an opportunity to sod the entire field because of the delay; we’ve had an opportunity to irrigate the entire field because of the delay. And what we’re bringing forward to you tonight is another opportunity,” said Troy Public Works Director Kurt Bovensiep. The project is done in partnership with Rep. Sharon MacDonell (House District 56). According to the council meeting’s agenda report, the city of Troy applied for a state grant for the construction of the full-size cricket field and was approved for $900,000. The grant requires the city to complete the project by the end of the current calendar

See MARIAN on page 6A

See CRICKET on page 7A

Excelling in the arts and sciences MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL’S NEW ART AND SCIENCE WINGS ENCOURAGE INNOVATION BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Marian High School’s newest educational facilities provide opportunities for students to excel in the arts and sciences. The new Fisher Family Science Wing and Wanink Art Wing are a part of the Marian for the Generations Capital Campaign, a $7 million campaign for which they have raised $5.7 million to date. “Everything that we’ve done, both the science wing and the art wing, is to be able to provide our young women, the next generation of future leaders going out into the world, with the skill sets that they need to go into any field that they choose,” said Marian President Heather Sofran.

The science wing

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SECOND FRONT PAGE S.A.V.E.S PROJECT PROMOTES EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION TO FIRST RESPONDERS facebook.com/candgnews

instagram.com/candgnews @candgnews candgnews.com • (586) 498-8000

3A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 24, 2025

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BEVERLY HILLS/BIRMINGHAM — The Rochester Police Department started the S.A.V.E.S Project earlier this year to provide a resource for people living with cognitive or developmental challenges to feel safer when out in the community. Rochester Police Officer Brenna Hogue came up with the idea, inspired by her own experiences with her daughter, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. Hogue thought, “If she walks away, how can I get her back? How can somebody know who she is or who we are?” She took the idea to her chief to build a resource that bridges the gap between first responders and their ability to serve people with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities. “My chief has been my biggest support person with it,” Hogue said. Birmingham and Beverly Hills are two local communities that participate in the S.A.V.E.S Project, which was started by the Rochester Police Department.

The S.A.V.E.S. Project

Though Rochester has information for residents in their community, she realized that the department can not access the information for other

Photo provided by Brenna Hogue

See S.A.V.E.S on page 10A

All-girls robotics team encourages teamwork, community outreach BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

Photo provided by Girl Botz

At the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Athens High School on Jan. 20, 2025, Girl Botz FTC Team 22918 helped make blankets, assemble children’s activity packs, HOPE bracelets and cards to give back to the community.

TROY — An all-girls team at Larson Middle School has been coding and building robots while also running outreach events that promote interest in STEM learning — science, technology, engineering and math. The group is called Girl Botz FTC Team 22918. While it’s based at Larson Middle School, the team includes students from all over the Troy School District. “So, my husband and I have been helping robotics teams for the past nine years but it’s always in a co-ed team,” said Judy Bunao, co-founder and cocoach of the Girl Botz. “But in the summer of 2022, there was a gathering … called ‘Girls are Great,’ where I could bring girls from my co-ed team.” After attending the event, Bunao realized the value of having an all-girls team since the Troy School District didn’t have one yet. They reached out to school officials to get started. The current team consists of Kora Locke, Anwitha Vemuri, Alissa Mutia, Jianna Cruz, Raksha Reddy, Keerthana Chandra, Haneul Kim, Varna Jayaraman, Aarohi Sonar and Merril Sanchez. Bunao and her husband Ed lead the group, along with Varun Jayaraman. Chandra joined because of an interest in robotics she shares with her sister. “She’s in high school right now, and ever since I was little, I would help out her robotics team and I was really inspired to always do robotics,” Chandra said. “One of the things I was really interested in was coding, and one of things See ROBOTICS on page 5A

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METRO DETROIT — ‘Tis the season to be jolly, as the saying goes. But for individuals struggling with depression, the holidays can be an especially difficult time. “It’s really common for people to feel the holiday blues,” said Asha Shajahan, a primary care physician specializing in family medicine at Corewell Health in Novi. Ibrahim Sablaban, a psychiatrist with Metropolitan Behavioral Health — also part of Corewell Health — described two types of depression: clinical and non-clinical. Clinical depression, Sablaban said, is a state where “things have gone awry (and) life has become nonfunctional,” while nonclinical depression is when one experiences a “depressed mood or feeling down (that) may not be a clinical illness but could be something to address.” The holidays can exacerbate both conditions and be particularly challenging if a person has recently experienced the death of a loved one. “It’s a time where you see everyone is happy and joyful, and sometimes you don’t feel the same way,” Shajahan said. “There is the unrealistic expectation of perfection and joy that we put on ourselves.” Sablaban agreed. “Set realistic expectations for yourself,” Sablaban said. “Don’t oversell what the experience might be.” Instead, prioritize the small things that matter and bring joy to your life, such as a conversation you had with someone where both of you were engaged and enjoyed the encounter. It doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of the event. “Try to savor and cherish (the experience) and appreciate those for what they are,” Sablaban said. To improve your mood, both doctors recommend staying away from alcohol and drinking plenty of water while eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. The holidays can be filled with excitement and unpredictability, so it’s important to ground oneself by maintaining a routine. “You want to make sure the ebb and flow of life is very consistent for you,” Sa-

blaban said. Get plenty of sleep each night — seven or eight hours. Wake up and go to bed at a consistent time and exercise regularly each day. The doctors also recommend getting outside during daylight, which helps elevates one’s mood. If getting outside during the day is not an option, Shajahan suggests trying a lux lamp rated at 10,000 lux of light. “It basically mimics the natural daylight that helps regulate your mood and circadian rhythm,” she said. “This is a way of getting sun therapy without the harmful UV rays.” Practice self-care by taking time to do things you enjoy. Being kind to yourself also includes avoiding situations that cause too much stress. Managing your spending habits and social commitments is also key. “I think it’s really important to say ‘no’ to things,” Shajahan said. “I think we’re so used to trying to please everyone and saying ‘yes,’ and then over-extending ourselves.” But don’t remain isolated; instead, give back and volunteer. “Spending time with people who are in need can help with feelings of hopelessness and social isolation,” Shajahan said. The rates of suicide and depression rise during the holidays, with more people reporting their mood worsening during this time Sablaban said. Many holiday songs and movies promote family togetherness and romance, which might be why people report an increased feeling of loneliness during the holidays. “Half of adults under the age of 35 actually say they feel very lonely during the holidays,” Sablaban said. If these strategies don’t yield results and the feeling of depression continues, you may want to seek help from a doctor, both physicians said. Sablaban said those without insurance can access programs through religious organizations and independent clinics. If a person needs immediate help and thinks they may harm themselves or others, they can go to the emergency department of a hospital. “They can get evaluated, assessed and receive appropriate treatment in an emergency capacity without being turned away,” Sablaban said.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 24, 2025

Robotics from page 3A

I also learned from like a pretty young age is that STEM is a very male-dominated field … so I really wanted to empower girls to go into this field. That’s when I learned there was an all-girls team at Larson Middle School, and that’s why I decided to join.” Kim described how she found out about Girl Botz. “I was always interested in STEM, but I didn’t really know where to start. There was an informational night for this school, and Girl Botz was there explaining to people what they were — what they really did — and when I saw that, I just felt inspired,” Kim said. “I just thought I would feel very welcomed if it was an all-girls team, and I’d be more supported.” Jayaraman has been interested in robotics since the second grade. Over the years, she has gone to many of her brother’s robotics competitions and outreach events. “When I did go to these competitions, I wouldn’t see many females in the robotics scene,” Jayaraman said. “I would usually just see boys, and that kind of interested me in girls in STEM, and how that could also make a big impact in the STEM field.” Girl Botz is part of an organization called FIRST, an acronym that means “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” Bunao said that Girl Botz is not simply about making robots; it’s also about how the experience develops the skills and character of the girls. “Aside from the technical skills and coding skills, we also do meaningful projects — technical and non-technical,” Bunao said. “We do a lot of projects, not only locally, but nationally and internationally.” For competitions, the girls delegate their duties for each project, with tasks such as designing, coding and building. Their

robots tackle different challenges, and they have already won multiple awards, including the Inspire Award, the Connect Award, the Motivate Award, the Think Award, the Control Award and the Compass Award. Girl Botz has also developed a reputation for helping other teams, both inside and outside the Troy School District, contributing to some of the awards they’ve won. That even takes the form of providing teams with water, treats and feminine products when a competition is underway. “Right now, a lot of teams — even not from Larson, but from other schools — (they) come to us for mentorship, and we don’t mind,” Bunao said. “Like, we compete, but then we are also uplifting others.” The team has also been involved in community outreach events, ranging from booths promoting the STEM field to demonstrations at the Troy Public Library and other venues, including the PhilippineAmerican Community Council of Michigan. Girl Botz also collected new toys for the Ennis Center for Children and volunteered with the Tina M. Houser Food Pantry, among other charitable efforts. Girl Botz hopes to continue its record of hard work and community service throughout the current competitive season. The team leaders say they also want the kids to have a good time, regardless of where they place in each contest. “We want them to enjoy the tournament, win or lose,” Bunao said. The team is currently full, but continues to keep an eye on the elementary schools and other middle schools for potential recruits, should a spot open up. Some previous members even act as mentors to current ones. For more information, visit ftc22918. weebly.com, instagram.com/22918_girlbotz and the team’s YouTube channel by searching “GirlBotz22918.”

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 24, 2025

Marian from page 1A

perience things the same way that they will when they enter the university next year, and be familiar with some of the labs that they’re doing and the topics they’re discussing. It just opens so many new doors in an area in which women need to be heard and be a part of,” said Marian Principal Stacey Cushman. The makerspace is a dedicated area for students to innovate using 3D printing, embroidering machines and other tools. This space helps students build technical skills and grow as problem solvers and critical thinkers.

The art wing

Students are encouraged to unlock their creativity when they step into Marian’s new Wanink Art Wing. With a pottery studio, a dedicated kiln room, a photographic darkroom and digital arts lab, students have access to a wide range of resources within the arts. Instead of art classrooms being spread out throughout the school, they are now located in one hallway. To ensure the space is comfortable for students, there are also new HVAC systems and improved lighting. “We have girls with all different kinds of talents and abilities at Marian, and to be able to have a dedicated wing that focuses on the arts is really going to help our students explore untapped talents and interests. We’re so excited about the art wing and all that it can offer and how programming can continue to grow,” said Cushman.

Donations

“This has been a $7 million capital

campaign, and it started off with a lead gift from the Fisher family,” said Holly Gorecki, director of advancement. The Fisher Family Science Wing is named after Walter and Jo Ann “Sis” Fisher, who are the parents and grandparents of Marian alumni. Within the Fisher Family Science Wing, one classroom — the Sue & Ray Ebbing Family Classroom — has been named after a generous family in the Marian community. Sue Ebbing is an alumna whose daughter and daughter-in-law are also alumni. The art wing is named in memory of a member of the school’s first graduating class in 1963, Billie Jo Wanink, who recently passed away and left Marian in her estate plans. She was an interior designer, business owner and lover of art. “It really just shows that when you invest in women and you give them the tools to succeed, they can take it out in the world and thrive and then give back to be able to fuel future generations of girls to be able to do those things and follow their footsteps,” Gorecki said.

TOP LEFT: The Sue & Ray Ebbing Family Classroom is named after a generous family who has a close connection with Marian High School. TOP RIGHT: The Fisher family cuts the ribbon on Marian High School’s Fisher Family Science Wing. BOTTOM RIGHT: The Wanink Art Wing was named after Billie Jo Wanink, who recently passed and was a member of Marian High School’s first graduating class. Photos provided by Marian High School

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 24, 2025

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The cricket field at Boulan Park in Troy continues to see updates before the upcoming spring season. Photo by Erin Sanchez

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year, and to have all expenses submitted to the state for reimbursement. Boviensiep noted that they’re prepared to have a fully functional field by next spring, and the stand will be stored with the Troy Department of Public Works during the winter months. “That field is literally in my backyard, so I go there almost every day just to walk, and it is coming up nice,” said Troy Mayor Pro Tem Hirak Chanda. “We had some setbacks as you described, but I think we’ll have a pretty good opening next season.” For more information, visit troymi.gov.

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TWO LOCAL WOMEN SHARE THEIR TRIUMPHS, TRIALS IN BUSINESS BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Colette Hughes of Warren and Jennifer Taylor Boykins of West Bloomfield credit being able to pivot as a key to their success. Hughes is the owner, broker and coach of Virtual Real Estate Services, a full-service real estate company in Warren with clients all over the world. She started in real estate in 1988 as an office administrator and quickly moved up the ranks to become a real estate agent, making herself valuable at the two real estate offices she worked at prior to starting her own business in 2015. A year before starting her business, Hughes joined a Toastmasters International club in Warren and attributes this to contributing to her success. Toastmasters is a nonprofit public speaking

organization that trains speakers. “I was the shyest person in Michigan,” Hughes said. “I was great working behind the scenes, but I couldn’t go up to people and talk to them.” Hughes credits Toastmasters for helping her to find her voice. She was inspired to start her own business when she and a broker where she worked attended a real estate event. “When it was time for me to be introduced at the event, I was left out,” Hughes said. “I cannot be left out when I am doing all the work. So I started my own business and could no longer be a secret agent.” She left that real estate office and has continued to prosper even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hughes is a proponent of the power and support of women’s groups in business. See BUSINESS on page 9A

TOP LEFT: Colette Hughes, center, owner and broker of Virtual Real Estate Services in Warren, makes her clients a top priority in servicing all real estate needs. Photo provided by Colette Hughes

BOTTOM LEFT: Jennifer Taylor Boykins, center, and her team at Nothing But Education, Nicole McDowell, left, and Kaylee Jackson have implemented literacy programs in school districts throughout the country. Photo provided by Jennifer Taylor Boykins

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Business from page 8A

She is currently on the board of directors of the National Entrepreneurs Association and was named one of Career Masters’ 2025 Women to Watch. “It’s a new day when it comes to women in business,” Hughes said. “Women’s groups help to empower them.” Hughes also believes in the art of pivoting. The holiday months are slow for real estate housing sales. As a result, she started a real estate holdings company, where she holds real estate licenses for those agents not making money from real estate currently but want to hold onto their license. She pays all the yearly fees they would incur and negotiates sales on their behalf, sharing a portion of the commission with them. “When I saw the help was needed, I started the holdings company,” Hughes said. In business, Hughes said, “Women have to yell louder, fight harder and stand taller.” Nothing But Education in West Bloomfield was created to change the lives of children and inspire them by providing

strategic thought, collaborative partnerships, industry best practices and resource sharing to school districts across the country and internationally in 2019. Founder Jennifer Taylor Boykins is a former Detroit Public Schools teacher and vice president at Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, according to the company’s website, where she worked for more than 20 years. Less than a year after launching her business, the pandemic hit. When that happened, people weren’t talking as much and when they did it wasn’t an in-person meeting but by telephone. By the time she had the opportunity to use her marketing materials, they were out of date. “From the early point of business, I learned you have to be able to pivot,” Taylor Boykins said. “What you think may be ideal in the marketplace, the marketplace can change…. Pivot is the name of the game when you are in business for yourself.” That prompted Taylor Boykin and her team to develop materials that would promote continuous education while students were out of school during the pandemic or on summer vacation. It includes books, worksheets and journals. The books are designed to engage the

students. The worksheets are created to promote a deeper dive into the materials they read, and the journals prompt further reflection on what the student has read. “Things to help them really think about what they are reading and why it is important,” Taylor Boykins said. “They received it (the materials) with open arms and joy.” This program was first implemented in some of the Los Angeles area school districts four years ago and has been implemented every summer vacation since. It was a huge, hard-fought project, and a major triumph for Nothing But Education. Being in contact with the students in their space “is the best part of the business,” she said. “The tales are always around the lives that you change, the lives that you touch.” That led to her nonprofit, Bravehearts, which funds scholarships for high school seniors who are aging out of the foster care system. Students from school districts across the country have received scholarships. One student studied to be a graphic artist in Japan. Some go to college, attending toptier schools, while others have gone to trade school, including the field of cosmetology. To date, Bravehearts has funded around 40 scholarships.

Taylor Boykins says a lot is put on women in business. “They keep piling it up, she said. But sometimes you have to say, ‘Yes, I can do that for you but not now.’” Taylor Boykins is also on the West Bloomfield Planning Commission and sits on the West Bloomfield Library’s Board of Directors.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 24, 2025

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cities. Meaning, if someone from another city went to Rochester for an event, there potentially would be difficulties identifying them. Through the S.A.V.E.S Project, individuals can receive an ID with a QR code that provides first responders with personal details and emergency contact information. One of the biggest things Hogue considered when starting this project was ensuring the logo was vibrant and recognizable. “We wanted it to be memorable, bright, fun, creative, something personable, friendly and something that would just stand out,” Hogue said. Information is restricted to departments that have their own login information if they partner with the S.A.V.E.S Project. However, even if a department is not partnered, they can still access emergency contacts through the QR codes. Hogue recommends QR codes be put on the inside of a wallet, on a tablet or an individual’s favorite item. She added that they are weather-resistant. “We’re going to be, hopefully, adding on to that as well with the S.A.V.E.S Home Project, which will be a QR code and a logo that will go on the fridge, so that if a first responder, like a firefighter, a police officer, arrives at a home and they need information, it’ll be right on the fridge,” Hogue said. Individuals with QR codes from the S.A.V.E.S Project are encouraged to stick the logo on the back window of their vehicle to notify officers about their potential needs when communicating with them. “We never tell officers to reduce officer safety, but we do want to prevent miscommunication,” Hogue said. Through the Blue Envelope Program, individuals are able to clearly communicate with police by sharing key information in an envelope.

Community participation

Hogue hopes the program will continue to expand. Departments currently participating include Rochester, Clawson, Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Sterling Heights, Waterford and Macomb County. Beverly Hills Department of Public Safety Detective Sgt. William Brewster spearheads the program at Beverly Hills. They joined the project a couple of months ago. “Having this information at our hands really cuts down on us having to guess what

somebody’s going through or what medical condition they have. This really gives us the ability to work quicker,” Brewster said. Beverly Hills is taking on the cost of each envelope to make this a free program for residents. For more information about enrolling themselves or a loved one in this program in Beverly Hills, people can contact Brewster or the Beverly Hills Department of Public Safety. The Birmingham Police Department also enrolled in the S.A.V.E.S Project after being introduced to it by Chief George Rouhib from the Rochester Police Department. “As law enforcement professionals, we always want to ensure the community feels safe and that we are communicating effectively with all individuals we serve. The S.A.V.E.S Project provides education in special needs awareness for first responders and promotes the Blue Envelope Program, which provides important information to first responders during a traffic stop or traffic crash. This information allows officers to tailor their approach to help the individual feel more comfortable while maintaining safety for everyone involved,” Community Resource Officer Gina Moody said in an email. Birmingham also offers free registration to residents who could benefit from the S.A.V.E.S Project. “The S.A.V.E.S Project not only provides valuable resources for first responders but also for families who may be navigating a cognitive or developmental diagnosis. A main component of the program is Project ID, a wearable identification solution that can be used to assist with wandering recovery and can provide critical health information and emergency contacts if an individual is separated from a caregiver. Birmingham has experienced several of these incidents over the years, involving both children with special needs and adults living with dementia,” Moody said in an email.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 24, 2025

STERLING HEIGHTS SENTRY | WARREN WEEKLY | BIRMINGHAM-BLOOMFIELD EAGLE | FARMINGTON PRESS | MADISON-PARK NEWS

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 24, 2025

12A

This Christmas, Stay Warm with

Your Neighborhood's

Most Trusted HVAC Team

69.95

Expires 12/31/25

Whole House Humidifier

650

S taartit n g $

Expires 12/31/25

20 OFF

Service Call Expires 12/31/25

Family owned and operated for over 25 years! 46851 Dequindre • Rochester Hills, MI 48307

0194-2551

Furnace Clean and Check