Ferndale Schools Recognize Student Athletes and Music Department

The Ferndale Public Schools Board of Education recognized the varsity boys baseball team, all state track stars and music program at it's meeting Monday night.

The Ferndale varsity baseball team was 2011 district champion, beating defending champs Dearborn's . The team finished the season 16-9-1.

Standouts on the team include , Josh Allen, , Matt Callahan, Justin Hammerle, and Garrett Rose who were named to the all-district team.

Humphreys, Allen, Reiter, and Callahan were also named to the All-OAA South team. Pitcher Humphreys finished his high school career with an earned run average of 1.96. Junior Reiter had a .431 batting average with 28 runs and 14 stolen bases. Senior Rose had 24 RBI with a .328 batting average. Freshman catcher Hammerle hit .327 and drove in 23 runs.

Senior Callahan hit .360. Senior Allen hit .544 with 26 RBI, 34 runs and 18 stolen bases, leading the team in all four categories. Other members of the team included Armonie Cox, Jordan Ellis, Anthony Garland-Shepherd, Adam Humphries, Scott Jones, David Paul, Dominic Sweeney, Keith Waldrup, Brandon White.

The board also recognized several members of the Ferndale boys and girls varsity track teams.

At the MHSAA 2011 championships Kaylene Abernathy placed sixth in the 300-meter low hurdles with a time of 46.74. Her coach Fred George praised her as a tremendous student-athlete, a great role model and leader in her school, the resolution read. Abernathy has a family legacy for earning all-state in track for the Ferndale schools. Her grandfather Horace Armstead was the first African-American member of the FHS barsity track team to go all-state in the 1950s.

On the boys' side, the varsity track team, under the leadership of  , finished 14th in the state. During the season, the team went undefeated in dual meets and won the league championship. The team placed fifth overall at the Oakland County championships and second in the regional championships, breaking several school and meet records throughout the season. The team placed all-state in four events at the MHSAA State Championships.

Earl Tilford, , Kaiman White and placed seventh in the 4 X 100-meter relay with a time of 43.35. White, Anthony Rice, Hood and McTear placed third in the 4 X 200-meter relay with a time of 1:29.92. In sixth place White, Rice McTear and Dave Mill ran the 4 X 400-meter relay with a time of 3:27.02.

"It's rare to coach talent of this caliber," said Collins. "Talent oozes from this district in sports. It's amazing. This team's character is unmatched by any team that I've ever seen."

The board recognized the music department for placing in the , and one of five districts in Michigan, as ranked by NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants).

The NAMM Foundation acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment to and support for music education in schools. Ferndale schools were selected in recognition of the district’s budgetary commitment to music, opportunities to learn music, the presence of highly qualified, certified music teachers, adherence to state and national standards, types of musical experiences offered and opportunities for performance and competition, the resolution stated.

The Ferndale music program includes a vocal program for all students in grades K-6, instrumental music beginning in fourth grade, band, orchestra, and choir programs with 50 percent of all Ferndale middle school and 30 percent of all Ferndale high school students enrolled in music courses, and 128 students who participate in the .

"As a parent, I want to them to know they are appreciated," Ferndale resident and district parent Kathy Greer said after the presentation.