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APRIL 25, 2024 • Vol. 36, No. 9
Dakota drumline snags second state championship BY DEAN VAGLIA
dvaglia@candgnews.com
Photo provided by Kurt Reyes
The Dakota High School drumline poses with medals and a victory banner after winning the Michigan Alliance for the Performing Arts Percussion Scholastic A Championship at Eastern Michigan University on April 14. It is the program’s second MAPA championship after winning last year’s title.
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Another year, another historic victory for the Dakota High School drumline. After grabbing the Michigan Alliance for the Performing Arts Percussion Scholastic A Championship for the first time in 2023, the team repeated the feat to claim 2024’s Class A championship at Eastern Michigan University on April 14. “It was a different experience than last year,” Kurt Reyes, Dakota drumline director, said. “I’ll never forget last year because that was our first one. Going into this year, my heart was still pounding. I’m sure everyone’s heart was pounding out of their chest.” Coming off last year’s victory and competing in the semifinals at the Winter Guard International World Championships, getting back to the top was not as simple as doing the same things over again. The administrative path for state finals qualification was the same See DRUMLINE on page 13A
COMMUNITY REMEMBERS FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WERNER SPITZ METRO DETROIT — From testify-
ing at the O.J. Simpson civil case in 1996 to offering his perspective in the Chappaquiddick incident that involved Ted Kennedy
and Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969, Werner Spitz was widely known for providing his expertise on the witness stand.
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See SPITZ on page 11A
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BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com