Kettering students tie for first at global Destination Imagination; board recognizes student and principal for community service

Board members devoted the meetingopening to students from Kettering High School who represented the district at an international Destination Imagination competition in Paris and Istanbul. Teacher-chaperone Miss Gross Nickel introduced the students, and multiple students described sightseeing, cultural exchange, instant challenges and performing a skit during the tournament; the team tied for first place with a Turkish team.

Trustees asked how the team prepared and what students learned; students and staff described a service-learning project targeting disrespect among freshmen, creating educational materials and staging a skit that incorporated conflict-resolution stems and two team-choice elements during judging. Audience members and trustees praised the students for representing Waterford and Michigan on the global stage.

Later in the meeting Superintendent Martin and Robin McGregor presented two 2026 Legacy Builder Awards: Kristen Woods Helms, principal at Mott High School, and Waterford Mott student Serenity Williams. McGregor and Woods Helms described Serenityand Kristen's service, and Serenity and Shelby Williams delivered brief acceptance remarks; the board applauded both honorees.

The meeting then moved into regular business. Trustees thanked the students, sponsors and staff who supported travel and recognition activities.