AUGUST 2019

VOL. 16 ISSUE VII 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY AUGUST 2019 

$ 

3 

www.chaldeannews.com 

BACK TO SCHOOL! 

OUR ANNUAL GUIDE TO NOTABLE 

SCHOOLS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 

INSIDE 

SUPERCUTS GETS A MAKEOVER 

SNAPPING TURTLES 

FORMER VOICE CONTESTANT 

RELEASES NEW SINGLE

2 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2019

CONTENTS AUGUST 2019 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 16 ISSUE VII 

departments 

32 

on the cover 

24 BACK TO SCHOOL 

BY CHALDEAN NEWS 

Our guide to notable schools in Southeast Michigan 

features 

18 CHOOSING A MAJOR 

BY RENNA SARAFA 

Tips to help students figure out what they want to do 

when they “grow up” 

20 WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT 

SURVIVING HIGH SCHOOL 

BY CHLOE KILANO 

22 UNLEASHING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 

BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO 

A strategic vision for the future of education 

30 THE FUTURE IS NOW 

BY BIANCA KASAWDISH 

Senior at MSU leads by example 

32 TEACHING IS A TWO-WAY STREET 

BY MONIQUE MANSOUR 

Chaldean teachers on the lessons they’ve learned in 

the classroom 

34 BUSINESS MINDED 

BY ASHOURINA SLEWO 

Universities across Michigan attract Chaldean students 

with an inclination for business 

4 FROM THE EDITOR 


It all started in Journalism school 

6 IN MY VIEW 

BY MICHAEL SARAFA 

Contours of Community 

7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 

8 GUEST COLUMN 

BY N. PETER ANTONE 

Where would Chaldeans be if today’s 

immigration proposals enacted before? 

10 NOTEWORTHY 

12 CHAI TIME 

13 HALHOLE 

13 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS 

14 ECRC CORNER 

16 OBITUARIES 

36 SPORTS 

BY STEVE STEIN 

Perspiration and inspiration 

38 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 

BY PAUL NATINSKY 

JBACH pursues dream, inspires others 

40 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE 

BY LISA CIPRIANO 

Supercuts gets a makeover 

41 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET 

BY HALIM SHEENA 

Back to school prep 

42 CLASSIFIEDS 

44 KIDS CORNER 

46 EVENTS 

AUGUST 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

from the EDITOR 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Vanessa Denha Garmo 

MANAGING EDITORS 

Denha Media Group Writers 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Ashourina Slewo 

Halim Sheena 

Lisa Cipriano 

Monique Mansour 

Paul Natinsky 

Chloe Kilano 

Bianca Kasawdish 

Renna Sarafa 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Jonathon Francis 

OPERATIONS 

Interlink Media 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 

Martin Manna 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Ashourina Slewo 

SALES 


Christen Jamoua 

SALES REPRESENTATIVES 


Sana Navarrette 

MANAGERS 

Vanessa Denha Garmo 

Martin Manna 

Michael Sarafa 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25 PER YEAR 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS 

30095 NORTHWESTERN HWY, SUITE 101 

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 

WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM 

PHONE: (248) 851-8600 

Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published 

monthly; Issue Date: August 2019 Subscriptions: 

12 months, $25. Publication Address: 30095 

Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, 

MI 48334; Application to Mail at Periodicals 

Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post 

Office Postmaster: Send address changes to 

“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern Hwy., 

Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334” 

It all started in Journalism school 

When I was earning my degree in journalism 

from Wayne State University, I 

thought about starting my own Chaldean 

newspaper. In 2002, that began to come to 

fruition. I was researching and talking to community 

members and at the same time, a group of 

young Chaldean men were looking to purchase 

an existing newsmagazine covering the Middle 

Eastern community. The late Rosemary Antone 

suggested we meet with each other, since her son 

was among the group; she thought we should collaborate 

on the paper and so we did. In February 

in 2004, we launched the Chaldean News. 

For the past several years, Mike Sarafa, Martin 

Manna and I have been owners and publishers of this 

community magazine. 

In many ways, this publication has been like a child to 

me. I birthed it, I guess you can say. As a mother, I nurtured 

it. Much like having a child, it has been joyful and 

painful at the same time. It has come with sleepless nights, 

tearful days, triumphs and heartaches, but I don’t regret 

any of it. We have shared stories and made our share of 

mistakes. From those mistakes, we learn and grow. I like 

to believe, in many ways, we have brought the community 

together through this platform. Like children, they grow 

up, evolve and move on. 

After more than 15 years, this paper is in transition 

and will soon be moving in new directions. I am not sure 

of my role in the paper as it evolves but I do know, it will 

always be a baby to me. I am proud to say I am a founding 

publisher and original Editor-in-Chief. Regardless of its 

future, I can always be proud that I launched this newsmagazine 

that has won awards and has been read globally. 

Telling the story 

I am a journalist and story teller by trade. It is what I do. I 

have written and broadcasted stories for various platforms 

including WJR AM 760, Women’s Healthcare, Ave Maria 

Radio, Catholic Television Network of Detroit (CTND), 

Chaldean Voice, for various social media platforms including 

Chaldean Moms of Metro Detroit, among others. 

I have produced even more programs for television networks 

around the globe through ECRC’s Mar Toma Productions. 

I will continue to use various platforms to share 

stories. I also create platforms for my Denha Media Group 

VANESSA 

DENHA-GARMO 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

CO-PUBLISHER 

clients. We tell their stories. I am wired to find 

outlets to tell stories whether I am writing them 

myself or pitching to other publications; if it is a 

good story, I will want to share it. It is who I am. 

What’s Your Story? 

That has been a question I have asked more than 

any other over the last 25 plus years. I ask that of 

community members and clients. As a journalist, 

my ear is trained to hear good stories. Hundreds 

of people have heard me say over the years, ‘wow, 

that is a great story,’ while engaging in a casual 

conversation. That question is part of my company’s 

marketing slogan. We all should be asking 

ourselves: What’s the story? 

Change is hard but often necessary. As much as moving 

forward comes with trepidation, it must be embraced. 

Although the platform may change, the messenger won’t; 

being a storyteller is truly part of my DNA. I will never 

stop wanting to share the story. 

I have been so blessed to have interviewed so many 

talented, faithful, engaging, bright, successful and insightful 

people. What I love more than the story are the 

people who share them with me so I can tell them to you 

and others. I am truly grateful to everyone who has shared 

their stories with us over the nearly 16 years I have copublished 

this magazine. 

The Journey continues 

As the door revolves and I walk through it, my journey 

continues. The business I am in today, the professional 

hats I wear, the work I do every day as a communications 

strategist, evangelist, leadership coach, and content creator 

all started in journalism school. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

vanessa@denhamedia.com 

Follow her on Twitter @vanessadenha 

Follow Chaldean News on Twitter @chaldeannews 

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AUGUST 2019 CHALDEAN 7/18/19 NEWS 3:50 PM5

in my VIEW 

Contours of Community 

The word “contour” 

suggests a boundary; 

an outline or 

an edge. It’s used in the 

context of everything from 

wine, to maps to geometry. 

The contours that define 

Chaldeans are easily identified: 

God, family, community. 

But these contours are 

then framed, supported and 

validated by community 

institutions that exist to 

protect and build up these values. In 

my view, these institutions are under 

constant attack—often by the forces 

of modernity, materialism and apathy. 

The Chaldean Church, by comparative 

standards of religious groups, 

is thriving. It is inarguable that the 

hub of the world-wide Chaldean 

Church is now Detroit, Michigan. 

For various and sundry reasons, this 

fact is not readily or publicly admitted. 

Yet, most of this strength and 

MICHAEL G. 

SARAFA 

SPECIAL TO THE 

CHALDEAN NEWS 

growth in the Chaldean 

Church has been spurred 

on by immigration. According 

to Church officials, 

only about 15% of 

the Michigan Chaldean 

population are considered 

active in the Church. Of 

those that are active, many 

are critical of the Church 

or some of its components. 

While this is better than 

other Christian congregations, 

it is still a sad commentary. 

Similarly, the institution of family 

in our community is under attack 

by the “ghettoization” of our younger 

generation. Fast money, marijuana 

money, the idea that bigger and more 

is better seems to predominate. The 

rise of wealth in the community has 

been a tremendously positive development. 

There are great success stories 

that involve years of hard work 

and determination. We have covered 

may of those stories in these pages. But 

there is another side that has come 

with that wealth creation. Materialism, 

financial competitiveness and 

jealously have created in the community 

what I would describe as one big, 

gigantic rat race. The notion of stepping 

into one’s parent’s lifestyles while 

still in the early twenties is the goal 

for too many. At risk is sense of the 

greater world, the idea of charity, any 

sense of proportion or priority. It feels 

like it is possible that we have gone 

backwards in this regard. 

Organizations such as Shenandoah, 

the Chaldean American 

Chamber and Chaldean Community 

Foundation and the Chaldean 

American Ladies of Charity have 

enjoyed tremendous success in the 

last decade. Their success derives 

from their ability to execute on their 

mission and provide value. In many 

cases, their existence predates this 

new generation of wealth. However, 

like the Church, their membership 

represents only a fraction of the 

community. At times, these organizations 

have alternative agendas 

and individual egos that clash with 

each other. This creates an opening 

for those that do not understand the 

importance of community organizations 

to become critical. 

What is clear is that there is a portion 

of our millennial generation that 

does not fully understand the struggle 

and sacrifice that preceded their adult 

lives. They were born into wealth and 

this has clouded their vision. Vision is 

a prerequisite to leadership. Without 

vision, there is either no leadership or 

the wrong leadership. 

I remain confident, however, 

that there is a portion of this generation 

that already understands or 

will come to understand the notion 

of community. It will be these people 

that will become the vanguards of 

the contours of our community. 

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your LETTERS 

In response to 

First Generation 

American Guilt 

I understand what you are saying. 

When you get your degree and start 

your life, the guilt will dissipate and 

you will be so thankful that she made 

the journey to America, and pushed 

you hard to succeed. She didn’t sacrifice 

her dreams for you. Her dreams 

were to make a better life for her 

future children. She moved to this 

beautiful country before you were 

born, but throughout her journey, 

she did it because she wanted her future 

children to have the opportunities 

she never had. Those were her 

dreams and she fulfilled them. When 

you have children, you too will sacrifice 

for them. You will push them 

to succeed, and sometimes they will 

feel like they can’t live life the way 

they want, and they will feel guilty 

for feeling that way, and you may 

say things out of love that will make 

them feel guilty. Your mother did a 

brave thing to go through the journey 

to come to this country. That 

When you have 

children, you too will 

sacrifice for them. 

You will push them 

to succeed, and 

sometimes they will 

feel like they can’t live 

life the way they want, 

and they will feel guilty 

for feeling that way. 

was her dream. Her “job” as a parent 

was to make sure you don’t take 

her sacrifice for granted, and to make 

sure you have all the skills needed to 

be self-sufficient, to be able to provide 

for your children, and to live the 

beautiful life you so deserve. I wish 

you and your family all the best. 

– Mary Barson 

BIRMINGHAM 

How can we help you? Woodward north of 14 Mile 248.723.7200 boaa.com 

Member FDIC 


GUEST column 

Where would Chaldeans be if today’s immigration 

proposals enacted before 

N. PETER 

ANTONE 


CHALDEAN NEWS 

President Trump recently 

proposed an 

immigration bill that 

would increase the number 

of highly skilled individuals 

(good idea) but limit the 

number of family and refugee 

immigrants (bad idea). 

This is not the first time 

such proposal has been circulated. 

In 1897, Congress 

proposed a legislation requiring 

a literacy test for 

would-be immigrants. The President 

then, Grover Cleveland, had the 

wisdom to veto it. In his veto message, 

President Cleveland wrote, “It 

is said, however, that the quality of recent 

immigration is undesirable. The 

time is quite within recent memory 

when the same was said of immigrants 

who, with their descendants, are now 

numbered among our best citizens.” 

How wise and wonderful this statement 

by President Cleveland 

was back in 1897 and 

how true it is today! 

Had President Cleveland 

not vetoed that legislation 

in 1897, many of 

our own Chaldean community 

would not be here 

today. Many of the early 

Chaldean immigrants 

came directly from villages 

where they had little 

education and skills except 

for farming. They were exactly 

the type of immigrants who Congress 

at the time thought undesirable. Yet, 

many of those Chaldean came here, 

worked hard, established a wonderful 

life, and now many of their children 

are professionals, doctors, lawyers, 

successful business people, and so on. 

It would really be a pity if our community 

looks at current immigrants 

who might be just as unfortunate in 

their opportunity to gain a high education 

as many of our ancestors were. 

America is the land of opportunity. 

If we limit our immigration to only 

those with high skills, we will become 

the land of second opportunity, open 

only to those who have had the chance 

Many of the early 

Chaldean immigrants 

came directly from 

villages where they 

had little education. 

to get a higher education in their own 

country. But many of those unskilled 

people who come here, risking their 

lives for a better opportunity for their 

kids, have the genes of ambition and 

courage; they simply did not have the 

opportunity to flourish in their own 

country. That is why America is considered 

history’s greatest experiment. 

America’s essence is that a human being, 

given the chance, can thrive and 

be his or her very best, and that only 

restrictions of class, circumstances, and 

limitations that exist in the old world 

are the hindrance. If we give up those 

ideals, then America will become just 

like any other country. 

This does not mean that we should 

not welcome the highly skilled. Those 

are very much needed. But the numbers 

of those highly skilled should 

not be increased at the expense of 

refugees and less educated immigrants 

who very much resemble our ancestors 

many of whom came from poor 

villages of northern Iraq. 

N. Peter Antone, Immigration attorney 

and former professor of Immigration and 

Nationality Law at MSU 

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noteworthy 

Speaking to Young Leaders 

Vanessa Denha Garmo was invited by Wayne State University and Professor 

Colleen McGowan Ezzeddine to speak to students from Iraq who are participating 

in the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program. Vanessa spoke to the 

students about a number of topics including communications, storytelling, and 

her own company, Denha Media Group. 

The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) brings Iraqi high 

school and undergraduate students to the U.S. for summer exchanges to explore 

themes of leadership development, civic rights and responsibilities, respect 

for diversity, and community engagement. 

Andy Meisner Celebrates 

10 Years in Oakland County 

Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner is celebrating 10 years in Oakland 

County, where he has prevented thousands of tax foreclosures. Oakland County 

voters elected Andy Meisner as their county treasurer in the fall election of 

2008. Thousands of Chaldeans have resided in Oakland County for more than 

five decades and many are business developers in the county. 

“Ten years ago, Oakland County was in the midst of a housing crisis and 

recession. At that time, we had a treasurer’s office that wasn’t focused on the 

human tragedy of the Great Recession. We adapted and became fully engaged 

in finding or creating solutions to the tax foreclosure crisis,” Meisner said. 

During these ten years, Meisner and his team have seen a fall in annual tax 

foreclosures to a fraction of the quantity he acquired, 1,650 down to 200. Meisner 

has implemented several compassionate projects to prevent foreclosure and keeping 

families in their homes. He has also developed business opportunities for developers. 

West Michigan 

Chaldean Grocer 

Wins Small Business 

of the Year 

Midtown Fresh Market, a Kalamazoo 

grocery store dedicated to providing 

fresh and organic produce, and products 

from local vendors, has been 

named the Best Small Business for 

the SBDC Southwest Region. Midtown 

Fresh Market has also been 

selected as a finalist for Consumers 

Energy Project of the Year Award. 

Ministerial to 

Advance Religious 

Freedoms 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

President and CEO, Martin Manna, 

attended the U.S. Department of 

State Ministerial on Religious Freedom 

in Washington D.C. on July 17 

where he sat on a panel to discuss the 

plight of the community in Iraq. 

Chalk it Up to Life 

Contest at VBS 

The Right to Life of Michigan presented 

the first of three Chalk It Up 

for Life contests at St. Thomas on 

July 11, as part of the ECRC’s Vacation 

Bible School. The children did 

an amazing job at interpreting the 

theme “God Made Us All, Big and 

Small.” The members of twenty-four 

crews (about 150 kids in total) collaborated 

on their drawings and the 

winners were given award ribbons 

and bragging rights for the rest of 

VBS. 

The children were led out to the 

parking lot at 11:45 to begin their 

drawings. Volunteers brought around 

water bottles and extra chalk for 

those who needed it. Judges walked 

around as the drawing was happening 

to listen to explanations of the 

drawings. As each team finished, 

their leaders took them back into the 

church to await the judges’ decisions. 

They enjoyed Veggie Tales and pizza 

as they waited. There was much celebration 

for the winning teams when 

they were announced and everyone 

enjoyed the contest. 

CCF Hosts Students From Iraq 

On July 16, 2019, the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) hosted a group of 21 students from the 

Iraq Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP). IYLEP brings undergraduate college students to the U.S. 

from all over Iraq, diverse regions, institutes and backgrounds for one month to learn about leadership, 

civic engagement and peace building. 

The students visited the CCF to hear from community leaders, which included Dr. Adhid Miri, Director 

of Special Projects at the Chaldean Community Foundation, Rony Foumia, District Leader for Rite 

Aid Corporation and Dr. Nahid Elyas. 

The discussion was centered around leadership, their upbringings and how these students can better 

the future of Iraq when they return. Students also enjoyed a traditional Middle Eastern dinner at Ishtar 

Restaurant in Sterling Heights, following the discussion. 

IYLEP is sponsored and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Department of State and 

implemented by World Learning. Wayne State University was selected to be the host institution for the 

students during their stay. 



CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT AUGUST 2019 

Thursday, August 1 

Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront: 

Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront 

is the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s 

unique, interactive early literacy program 

that provides children from southeast 

Michigan an opportunity to see live 

children’s entertainment, hear a story 

read by a local community leader and 

receive a free book, as well as a ride 

on the lovely Cullen Family Carousel. 

Sessions are at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM 

and 1:15 PM. Reading and Rhythm on 

the Riverfront is hosted on Thursdays 

and Fridays and will continue through 

Friday, August 16. Families and groups 

under 10 may register on site. Groups 

with more than 10 children must preregister 

at https://detroitriverfront.org/ 

readingandrhythm. 


The Generous Pour: The Capital 

Grille’s annual The Generous Pour 

wine event has returned for its eleventh 

year. This year’s theme is Legends of 

the Land, where guests can sip on any 

combination of seven select wines including 

the Maggy Hawk 2015 Pinot 

Noir, the 2015 Cenyth Red Blend, and 

the Arrowood 2013 Red Blend. Each 

is from California’s Jackson Family that 

tell a unique story of origin and sustainability. 

From July 8 through September 

1, 2019, guests are offered a customized 

wine tasting paired with the restaurant’s 

classic menu items. For more 

information or to purchase tickets, visit 

www.thecapitalgrille.com 


Sounds and Sights: Sounds and 

Sights on Thursday Nights, presented 

by Rick Taylor Real Estate - Reinhart 

Realtors, showcases a variety of music, 

art, comedy, and family entertainment. 

Now in its fifteenth year, the weekly 

outdoor concert series is recognized 

for its mixture of music from jazz to 

country to indie rock and more. Every 

Thursday, 10 acts perform on ten separate-staged 

areas throughout downtown 

Chelsea (located 14 miles west 

of Ann Arbor) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

A complete Schedule can be found 

at: https://chelseafestivals.com/soundsights/schedule/ 

Sunday, August 4 

Annual Oral Cancer Walk: Join Oral 

Cancer Awareness Michigan for their 

fifth annual 5K Walk/Run on Sunday, 

August 4, through the streets of Birmingham. 

The course starts in front 

of Seaholm High School and ends on 

the track. Runners and walkers of all 

ages and abilities are encouraged to 

participate on this flat course. The first 

100 participants will receive a gift bag 

at registration and be welcomed with 

Starbucks coffee, Panera Bread bagels, 

donuts, and more. Henry Ford 

Hospital’s Dr. Steven Chang, M.D., 

who specializes in treating complex 

cancers of the head and neck, will be 

the special guest speaker at 8 a.m. 

Runners will be timed to win prizes according 

to age groups. Registration for 

the race day begins at 7:00 a.m. and 

the 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. This year’s 

event also includes the Kids Fun Run, 

for children ages 8 and under who 

are registered and accompanied by a 

registered adult. Kids will receive free 

T-shirts and swag bags. Prizes, medals, 

vendors, face painting, and more 

will be featured. Please reserve your 

own or your child’s spot online by visiting 

oralcancermi.org and selecting 

“Register.” To become a sponsor or 

for more information, contact Jennifer 

Menser, RDH, at support@oralcancermi.org 

or 248-343-5467. 

Tuesday, August 6 

KRUIZE4KIDS: Northeast Guidance 

Center’s signature event, Kruize4Kids 

will set sail on the Ovation yacht from 

Jefferson Beach Marina in St. Clair 

Shores on Tuesday, August 6 to raise 

funds for children’s programs such 

as Camp Kelly. The annual fundraiser 

takes place on the 138-foot luxury 

yacht, Ovation, from their dock at Jefferson 

Bach Marina in St. Clair Shores 

and travels the international waterways 

of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River 

on a three-hour cruise. The tri-level 

Ovation offers a full-length main dining 

salon and second level cocktail lounge 

with outdoor aft deck, while the third 

level is an extensive sundeck with fullservice 

bar and open-air dance floor. 

The Lafayette Park menu features an 

array of original recipes made with 

hand-selected, farm-fresh ingredients, 

artistically prepared on the onboard 

galley kitchens. Guests enjoy delectable 

cuisine as they stroll the salons 

punctuated with creative food displays 

and stations. Kruize4Kids is a way to 

honor employees, entertain business 

partners or just have fun with family 

and friends. Everyone leaves with 

a gift! Tickets are priced at $150 each 

and can be purchased online at www. 

neguidance.org 


The Berman Center: The Berman Center 

for the Performing Arts is poised to 

announce its ninth season. Be sure to 

join them for world-class art that will 

surprise and delight you. Whether it’s 

music, film, theater, dance or magic, 

their spectacular ninth season has 

award-winning programming you won’t 

want to miss. Watch their website for 

a full announcement coming soon! The 

Berman showcases an eclectic variety 

of world-class entertainment for all audiences 

of metro Detroit while showcasing 

the Jewish Community Center’s 

exceptional events. For tickets, call 

248-661-1900 or visit theberman.org. 

Saturday, August 24 

On Track to End Hunger: Join Forgotten 

Harvest for On Track to End Hunger, 

a premiere summer experience, 

featuring “Thrill Rides” at M1 Concourse. 

This first ever, VIP experience 

will be an exhilarating evening of great 

food and drinks, live music and burning 

rubber. The excitement will happen 

on M1’s 87-acre playground for auto 

enthusiasts, including access to their 

state-of-the-art 1.5-mile Performance 

Track! All funds raised through sponsorships 

and ticket sales will benefit 

Forgotten Harvest’s mission to fight 

food insecurity and reduce the waste 

of nutritious food. Forgotten Harvest’s 

goal, with your help, is to provide 

nearly 750,000 meals for those 

in need in metro Detroit. Visit www. 

forgottenharvest.org/2019ontrack for 

more information. 

Wednesday, September 5 

Wine and Dine in the D: Wine and Dine 

in the D is a strolling dining experience 

featuring cuisine from 20 of Metro Detroit’s 

finest restaurants, wines, craft 

beer and spirits from Michigan and 

around the world and live entertainment 

by the Ursula Walker/Buddy Budson 

Quintet. Proceeds raised go to Cure 

Multiple Myeloma Corporation to assist 

Michigan myeloma patients and to the 

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation 

(MMRF), which aggressively funds 

research for a cure. This year Wine and 

Dine in the D will take over the entire 

fourth floor of the Westin Book Cadillac 

on Thursday, September 5. The evening 

begins at 5:30 p.m. with a Multiple Myeloma 

roundtable by prominent doctors 

from around the country, followed by the 

wining and dining at 6:00 p.m. Tickets 

for Wine and Dine in the D are priced at 

$175 per person, and $275 for Patron 

tickets, which include admission to an 

Afterglow reception featuring a collection 

of extremely exceptional and rare 

Champagne. Discounts are available 

for Multiple Myeloma patients. For more 

information, visit curemultiplemyeloma. 

org or call (248) 449-6663. 

Saturday, September 7 

Trailblaze Challenge: Push yourself 

to the limit and help make wishes 

come true by taking a 21-mile hike 

along the beautiful Manistee River Trail/ 

North Country Trail Loop during Trailblaze 

Challenge on Saturday, September 

7. Join Make-A-Wish Michigan for 

this amazing endurance experience 

that provides participants an opportunity 

for adventure, fun, and fitness while 

making a direct impact on the lives of 

Michigan children with critical illnesses. 

You’ll receive a personal training schedule, 

have the opportunity to participate 

in biweekly training hikes, and receive 

instruction on footwear and hiking gear 

from seasoned professionals as well as 

fundraising tips and resources. Contact 

Sarah Ragone at sragone@michigan.wish.org 

for registration information, 

or visit TrailBlazeChallengeMI.org. 

For more information about upcoming 

events and other ways to support 

Make-A-Wish Michigan, or to make a 

donation, visit michigan.wish.org. 


HALHOLE 

Congratulations 

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Zachary Youkhana 

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ECRC corner 

Evangelization is for All Ages 

My brothers and 

sisters in Christ, 

as summer comes 

to a close and we prepare 

ourselves for the first day 

of classes, we typically prepare 

mentally. Whether it 

is the first day of middle 

school or your first year in 

high school or your first 

year in college, you also 

need to prepare on a spiritual 

level. 

And so, you might ask: 

how do I prepare for a new school 

year? 

You will probably buy new 

clothes, supplies, books, or maybe 

even a new computer or iPad. 

These are the things we do to prepare 

ourselves for a task that we are 

about to take on in our lives. 

How do you prepare yourselves 

to evangelize for Jesus Christ? How 

did the apostles prepare themselves 

some 2000 years ago to evangelize? 

Jesus tells them in Matthew 

28:19 “go therefore, and make disciples 

of all nations, baptizing them 

in the name of the Father, and of 

the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 

teaching them to observe all that I 

have commanded you. And behold, 

I am with you always, until the end 

of age.” Jesus gives them mission he 

tells them to “go and make.” 

This message or this commandment 

of Jesus Christ was not just 

for the 12 apostles but for every 

one of every age and especially the 

youth in today’s world. It is very 

important to take the word of God 

to your peers and the people who 

are of your own age. I know you’re 

probably saying to yourself ‘I will 

be an outcast’, ‘they will make fun 

of me’, ‘they might bully me or they 

might call me a Jesus freak.’ Well, 

they did all those things to our 

Lord and savior, so who are we not 

to do that for the kingdom? The 

call to evangelize is not limited to 

the Pope, bishops, priest, or deacons, 

this call is for every baptized 

Christian to go out and spread the 

good news of the gospel. 

So, what do we do to prepare 

ourselves to evangelize? The first 

thing that must be done is prayer. 

We must pray to the Holy Spirit 

that He will open our minds and 

hearts and guide us into all truth. 

JEFF KASSAB 


CHALDEAN NEWS 

Second, we must read 

scripture; start with just a 

few verses each day. And 

finally, you need to trust, 

and I mean fully trust and 

have confidence in Jesus 

Christ. He tells us hundreds 

of times in the Bible 

“do not be afraid.” So, go 

out talk about Jesus. Tell 

everyone what great things 

he has done for you, show 

them why he came, tell 

people about Catholicism 

and how it was the one church that 

Jesus Christ founded. Tell them 

how the secular world and media is 

lying to us about abortion, same sex 

marriage, etc. The fullness of truth 

lies in the Catholic church only. If 

you are not good with preaching in 

words then preach your good works 

or in your good deeds that you do 

The first thing that 

must be done is 

prayer. We must 

pray to the Holy Spirit 

that He will open 

our minds and 

hearts and guide 

us into all truth. 

for other people. Treat everyone 

with gentleness, kindness, and love 

and then everyone will know you 

are disciples of Jesus Christ. 

My brothers and sisters in 

Christ, St. Paul says in Galatians 

2:20, “It is no longer I that live but 

Christ who lives in me.” If Christ 

truly lives in you then you will be 

on fire for Jesus, the Gospel, and 

the truth. 

In Christ Jesus 

Jeff Kassab 

“Do not be afraid” 

Jeff Kassab has a BA in Pastoral 

Theology and is on the board of the 

Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization 

Center (ECRC). 


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obituaries 

RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS 

Jacob Yousif 

Nov. 23, 2018 - 

July 21, 2019 

Talal Tobia Konja 

April 1, 1950 - 


Saleem Kakooz 

Toma Kas-Shamoun 

July 1, 1928 - 


Youhana Eshaiya 

March 3, 1950 - 


Elia Bajocka 

March 15, 1937 - 


Janit Aorri 

July 1, 1938 - 


Shammamta Najor 

March 14, 1929 - 


Shammama 

Mikha Jalaba 

February 21, 1940 - 


Nano Jajjo 

January 7, 1936 - 


Dhaher Dadou 

May 20, 1962 - 


Balsam Matti 

May 17, 1972 - 


Sarkis Lucian 

July 1, 1943 - 


Ezet Kachi 

March 15, 1936 - 


Christian Amy Koki 

March 13, 2001 - 


Gorguis Namo Kizy 

July 1, 1933 - 


Karim (Goria) 

Daoud Bahoura 

April 4, 1945 - 


Dawood Hermiz 

Jendo 

August 15, 1928 - 


Samir Shaeena 

February 2, 1942 - 

June 29, 2019 

Yazi Mikho 

July 1, 1931 - 


Butrus Butrus 

July 1, 1942 - 


Evan Baka 

January 22, 1982 - 


Naeema 

Kakos Dabish 

Sept. 2, 1929 - 


Farid Abid Alyas 

July 17, 1926 - 


Yacoub Audisho 

July 1, 1947 - 


Nazhat Asmar 

July 1, 1932 - 


Labiba 

Rabban Watha 

June 6, 1939 - 


Gladys Loussia 

Nov. 4, 1928 - 


Khalid Dawood 

Salman 

June 7, 1953 - 


Kays (Kenny) Zair 

July 18, 1957 - 



A COMMUNITY BUILT ON WARMTH 

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ack to SCHOOL 

Choosing a major 

Tips to help students figure out what they want to do when they “grow up” 

BY RENNA SARAFA 

“ 

I 

want to be an actress,” is what 

I wrote when my third-grade 

teacher asked our class to write 

down what we wanted to be when we 

grew up. To say the least, that is not 

the case today. However, that day my 

friend sitting next to me wrote down 

“I want to be a doctor”. She is now a 

pre-med student at the University of 

Michigan. 

Some people are extremely lucky 

to know what professions they want 

to pursue for the rest of their lives 

when they are very young. Even 

those who know what they are going 

to major in when they graduate 

from high school are blessed. During 

my senior year of high school, I knew 

of many Chaldeans in my class who 

knew what job they wanted to have 

after college or were already admitted 

to a specific program where their 

profession was almost guaranteed. 

Although this may be the case 

for some, most high school students 

don’t know what they want to study 

when they go off to college. I was one 

of those students who had no idea 

what I wanted to do before I began 

classes at Michigan State University. 

When my orientation advisor asked 

me what I would be studying, there 

was no easy answer. I felt like I had to 

decide what I was going to do for the 

rest of my life right in that moment. 

Thankfully, I talked to many 

older students and wiser adults who 

told me otherwise. They helped me 

remember that I was still only 18 and 

that the rest of my life is supposed to 

be about figuring out who I am and 

what I love. I began to feel more at 

ease and comfortable with the idea of 

seeing which direction things took. 

For any soon-to-be college students 

who do not know what major 

they want to declare, here are some 

tips that might help you plan: 

Go through a process of elimination 

- If you don’t know what you 

want to major in, go through a list of 

the majors your college or university 

offers and eliminate those you know 

you would not want to study. For 

example, when I was going through 

MSU’s list of majors, I immediately 

crossed off engineering because I did 

not enjoy my physics classes in high 

school. This process of elimination 

was what led me to my final decision 

to apply to MSU’s Eli Broad College 

of Business. Not only does crossing 

off these majors shorten your 

options, it also allows you to realize 

what you might be interested in 

learning about. 

Reflect on what you are interested 

in - Once you have narrowed 

down your list of options for your major, 

you can assess which academic 

pathway you might want to pursue. 

Most universities offer brief descriptions 

on their websites of the classes 

within a certain major. These sites 

provide students with a sneak peek 

about what they will be learning in 

the class, how it is set up, and what 

the expectations are of each student. 

You may not like all the classes that 

your major offers. However, remember 

that each class you are required 

to take for your major will be beneficial 

for you in your long-term career 

path. Eli Broad’s College of Business 

requires all its students to take two 

accounting classes. Even though I do 

not plan on ever pursuing a career 

in accounting, those classes taught 

me more about business than I ever 

thought I would understand. These 

tools are convenient for those who 

are undecided like I was. 

Gain experience with work - 

The best way to figure out what 

life is like after college is to gain 

experience with jobs and internships. 

Working when you are young 

provides many benefits you will use 

throughout your lifetime. It is the 

only way to get a clear understanding 

of what you get out of knowledge 

you gain in school. Throughout my 

teenage years, I worked in many different 

industries to expand my horizons. 

Each internship I had helped 

me conceptualize what I want to do 

in my professional life. It was not 

until my internship this summer 

that I decided to declare a finance 

major from MSU’s Business College. 

Working also allows you to build 

a strong personal resume. I have 

found that having a solid resume 

communicates to employers that 

you are credible and that you have 

multiple skill sets. Finally, working 

teaches you professional behaviors 

and communication skills that you 

will use your entire lifetime. 

There’s always time to change 

- As I previously mentioned, it was 

not until this summer going into my 

junior year of college that I decided I 

wanted to focus on finance in school. 

Originally my major was human resources. 

It is very common for students 

to switch their major during 

their college years, even more than 

once. If you are not content with 

what you are currently studying, talk 

to your advisor about other major 

options that might be more interesting 

to you. It is also common for 

people to change their career path. 

If you declare a certain major you 

are not required to practice within 

that field until you retire. Even the 

most successful people did not start 

off what they are doing now. For example, 

most of us know Ken Jeong as 

the hilarious comedian from movies 

like The Hangover movie trilogy and 

Dr. Ken TV series. It was not until 

I recently went down a Google rabbit 

hole that I found out that before 

he became a professional actor and 

comedian, he was actually a medical 

doctor. No matter what major you 

choose, remember that nothing is 

permanent and change can be a good 

thing. 

The list of decision-making factors 

for choosing a college major 

could go on and on. At the end of 

the day, your undergraduate major 

does not tell your life story. It is how 

you tell the story of what you learn 

from your studies and your work that 

defines you. Reflect on the choices 

you are faced with. Pray for guidance 

and divine wisdom. Decide for yourself 

without trying to please others 

with your decision. It is your life, so 

do what makes you happy. As Walt 

Disney said… if you can dream it, 

you can do it! 



ack to SCHOOL 

What no one tells you about surviving high school 

BY CHLOE KILANO 

The summer before high school 

is filled with an enormous 

amount of emotions. You may 

be feeling ecstatic to be done with 

middle school, and beyond ready to 

begin this next chapter of your life. 

You may already be missing middle 

school, terrified of the challenges 

that come with high school. If you’re 

in the same mindset that I was in just 

two years ago, there’s a healthy mix 

of both. I’m going to give you some 

advice that will make your freshman 

year, and the rest of high school, easier, 

less stressful, and fun. 

You don’t have to fit in 

with the crowd 

When it comes to staying true to 

your character, high school students 

can have a pretty difficult time avoiding 

the social expectations of being 

the average teenager. Remember 

this: people are going to judge you 

no matter what; you may as well do 

whatever it is that makes you happy. 

As cliché as it is, just be yourself, and 

you will make friends. You will find 

your place in high school. 

Your grades matter 

Having good grades in high school 

is extremely important. Your grades 

in high school will determine which 

colleges you will be accepted to, 

how much scholarship money you 

will earn, which classes you will be 

allowed to take, etc. Develop good 

study habits, don’t slack, and earn 

good grades throughout your freshman 

year, because it will act as 

the foundation for the rest of high 

school. I know that sleep is much 

more appealing than staying up until 

two in the morning to study for a 

test (which, at this point, you probably 

don’t care about), but it’ll be immensely 

rewarding when all of your 

hard work pays off in the form of college 

acceptances and scholarships. 

But your grades don’t define you 

They are important, but they aren’t everything. 

Just because you didn’t do as 

well on a test as you wish you had, does 

not mean you’re complete failure and 

you won’t get into college. As a perfectionist 

and someone with huge goals, 

I know how terrible a low grade can 

feel. Keep moving forward. Remember 

that everyone has different strengths, 

dreams, and talents. Yours may not be 

in the classroom, and there is absolutely 

nothing wrong with that. 

Know how to manage your stress 

High school is stressful, but many of the 

things students worry about are not as 

big of a deal as they may seem. Manage 

your time well, stay organized, make 

time for yourself, and learn to say no. 

Remember that you can’t control everything, 

and high school is only four 

years of your life. It can also be helpful 

to try some stress-relieving activities, 

such as exercising, baking, writing, 

etc. Everyone is different; manage your 

time and handle your stress in the way 

that best fits you. 

Try everything 

High school is about the time when 

people start asking where you want 

to go to college, or what you want to 

pursue after college. Signing up for 

clubs, sports, activities and going to 

as many of the school-wide events as 

possible not only allows you to figure 

out what you do and do not like, but 

to meet new people, which leads me 

to my next point. 

Talk to everyone 

Introduce yourself to people you 

have never heard of or seen before, 

because you’ll be spending the 

next four years with them. You’ll 

go through finals week and Segment 

1 classes with them, they’ll 

become your brothers and sisters. 

My closest friends are not people 

who I went to middle school with, 

but people that I talked to during 

my first semester of freshman year. 

And remember, they’re just as nervous 

as you are, if not, more. 

Ask for help when you need it 

You have dozens of resources at 

your disposal if you are struggling 

throughout the year. Your teachers 

and counselors are there to make 

your life easier and to help you with 

the transition into high school (because 

it can be a pretty tough one). 

Do not ever hesitate to go to a 

teacher if you’re not understanding 

the material, or to a counselor if 

you need help with anything. Upperclassmen 

are there to help you 

too; they aren’t mean and scary like 

the movies make them out to be. 

As a junior, I know that I would 

be happy to help out a freshman 

who is still learning the ropes. Asking 

for help isn’t weird and doesn’t 

mean you’re stupid, we’ve all been 

in your shoes, and remember how 

much we appreciated help during 

our freshman year. Don’t be afraid 

to ask for it. 

Soak up every second of it 

High school goes by indescribably 

fast. There will be days when you 

cannot wait to leave high school 

behind and move on with the next 

chapter of your life; still, try to enjoy 

it. Take in every moment with your 

friends, soak up every pep rally, and 

savor every single moment—even 

the bad ones. Before you know it, 

you’ll be walking across that stage 

in a cap and gown, looking at your 

brothers and sisters, and wondering 

how 4 years went by so quickly. 

I hope this advice helps you as 

you start this next chapter of your 

life. High school is a fun, stressful, 

amazing, overwhelming, and exciting 

experience, all wrapped up into 

four extremely short years. 


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ack to SCHOOL 

Unleashing Catholic schools 

A strategic vision for the future of education 


For centuries, Catholic schools have prepared 

boys and girls to become men and 

women of virtue – to fully develop into 

the person God created them to be – and to 

joyfully embrace their vocations. 

The Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD) is Unleashing 

Catholic Schools through a recently 

unveiled document. 

“It was an outgrowth of Unleash the Gospels, 

which is the strategic vision of Archbishop 

Vigneron for the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 

it, the Archbishop talks a lot about schools,” 

said Kevin Kijewski, superintendent of schools 

for the AOD. “This new document puts more 

flesh on the bones regarding what we are going 

to do to make our schools proudly Catholic, 

academically successful, attainable to all and 

sustainable for the future.” 

Catholic education has created servant 

leaders in the world and saints in life to come. 

God calls children to become joyful missionary 

disciples of Jesus Christ and the schools equip 

them to do so. Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron 

shares his vision for Catholic schools in the 

document. 

“This document demonstrates that this is 

a partnership between the Archdiocese and 

roughly 90 schools, partnering in various areas,” 

said Kijewsi. “In terms of academic excellence and 

STEM schools, the AOD will get involved to make 

sure that the programs work. Under no circumstances 

will we mandate for a school to do something 

alone. It is either the Archdiocese taking on 

a large-scale project or the Archdiocese partnering 

with a school on a project.” 

Recently, the AOD created the Principal Formation 

Institute which is essentially principal 

UNLEASHING OUR 

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 

A STRATEGIC VISION FOR THE FUTURE 

OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT 

UNLEASHING OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | 1 

school. So far, 26 highly qualified individuals participated 

in the program over a series of six months 

and since then three people have been placed as 

principals from that program. 

The AOD also issued new principal standards 

and evaluation tools. “This helps our principals remain 

strong in their leadership,” said Kijewski. 

The AOD is also collaborating with the University 

of Notre Dame. “This partnership will help 

some of our schools become fully immersed academic 

STEM schools,” said Kijewski. 

STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, 

Engineering and Math. “Notre Dame has 

already worked with 13 schools in the AOD.” 

The plan is by the start of the 2020 school 

year the AOD will have fully immersed STEM 

schools that are fully Catholic. 

The AOD is also hosting the Archbishop’s 

Catechetical Day on September 27, which is an 

outgrowth of the document. They expect all 

3,000 educators to gather at the University of 

Detroit to hear from Archbishop Vigneron and 

national speakers on Catholic topics. “This is 

designed to help them better communicate the 

gospel to their students,” said Kijewski. 

There are projects and initiatives for all the 

Catholic schools in the AOD. “The ultimate 

benefit for students is their final exam so when 

they meet St. Peter at the gate will they pass or 

fail and we want them to pass,” said Kijewski. 

“We want our children to have a faith-filled 

education where they get to know, love and 

serve Jesus Christ and go out into the world to 

be joyful disciples of Jesus Christ.” 

The AOD is working on a strategic plan to 

make Catholic schools affordable to anyone 

who wants to attend. This is part of the sustainability 

of the plan. “We want families to be able 

to pay what they can afford,” said Kijewski. 

“We need our Catholic schools more than ever 

so that our young people have the vision that is 

part of the mind of Jesus-Christ so they don’t slip 

into a post Christian mentality about how all the 

world fits together and the place they have in it. 

Our children must grow and move forward with 

the heart and mind of Christ,” wrote Archbishop 

Vigneron in the document. 

BAN MANNA 

EXAMINER 

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ack to SCHOOL 

Private Schools 

Bloomfield Christian School 

Elementary, Middle and High School 

3570 Telegraph Road 

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 

(248) 499-7800 

BloomfieldChristian.com 

Formerly known as the Christian 

Leadership Academy, this K-12th grade 

interdenominational, classical-curriculum 

school was founded in 1994. The school’s 

mission is teaching students to know, 

reason, discern and apply truth using 

Scripture and the classical liberal arts. 

Seventh- and eighth-graders learn Latin. 

Students have steadily scored higher than 

average on standardized tests for college. 

Brookfield Academy 

Elementary School 

2965 Walnut Lake Road 

West Bloomfield, MI 48323 

(248) 626-6665 

BrookfieldAcademy.net 

Brookfield Academy was founded in 

1964 by Dr. and Mrs. David Weinberg as 

the first Montessori school in Michigan. 

The academy has campuses in West 

Bloomfield, Troy, Rochester Hills and 

Livonia. West Bloomfield, Troy, and 

Rochester Hills locations serve students 

in grades pre-K to fifth grade, while the 

Livonia location caters to infants until 

the third grade. Brookfield Academy has 

been honored by the Michigan legislature 

and Untied States Congress for excellent 

academic achievements and involvement in 

early education for children. 

Cranbrook Schools 


39221 Woodward 


(248) 645-3000 

Schools.Cranbrook.edu 

Founded in 1922, Cranbrook is located on 

a beautiful 319-acre campus considered 

a masterpiece of American architecture. 

In 1989, it was designated as a National 

Historic Landmark. Cranbrook has 1,661 

students in 2016/2017, including a few 

hundred boarders. Cranbrook Kingswood 

Upper School has been named an 

Exemplary School by the U.S. Department 

of Education due to its academic 

excellence. Cranbrook has also shown 

excellence through extracurricular activities. 

Detroit Country Day School 


22305 W. 13 Mile Road 

Beverly Hills, MI 48025 

(248) 646-7717 

Dcds.edu 

For more than 100 years, the core 

commitment of Detroit Country Day has 

been academic excellence for grades 

pre-K-12 on several campuses in 

Bloomfield Hills and Beverly Hills. Onehundred 

percent of high school graduates 

are accepted into accredited four-year 

colleges and universities. Country Day 

offers a liberal arts-based education, more 

than 30 athletic programs, and impressive 

fine and performing arts programs. 

Eton Academy 


1755 Melton Road 

Birmingham, MI 48009 

(248) 642-1150 

EtonAcademy.org 

Opened in 1980, Eton is designed 

exclusively for students with reading, 

attention and other learning challenges in 

grades K-12. The school offers classes 

in both group and individual settings. This 

school year, Eton Academy will work with 

approximately 200 students. The school 

offers an Independent Study Program 

that features one-to-one instruction on a 

schedule designed for each student. There 

are also several summer camps including 

drama and dance. Eton has gained 

substantial support from the North Central 

Association of Colleges and Schools and 

the Independent School Association of the 

Central States. 

The International Academy 

High School 

1020 E. Square Lake Road 


(248) 341-5900 

IAToday.org 

The International Academy is a nationally 

recognized all International Baccalaureate 

public high school serving 1,300 students 

from 14 Oakland County school districts 

and students living in surrounding counties. 

The International Academy is one school 

with three campuses: IA East in Troy, IA 

Okma in Bloomfield Hills and IA West 

in White Lake. In 2014, 66 International 

Academy students achieved National Merit 

status representing 22 percent of the 

senior class. 

INVEST Schools 


2167 15 Mile Road 

Sterling Heights, MI 48310 

(248) 658-5600 

InvestSchools.org 

Launched in 2002, International Network 

for Vocational Educational Skills Training 

(INVEST) is a Michigan non-profit company 

dedicated to providing an alternative to 

mainstream teaching. INVEST offers Grace 

Elementary and Middle School, INVEST 

Roosevelt High School, and an online 

learning center. They also offer Saturday 

school for ages 6-14, a scholarship 

program and a summer soccer camp. 

Provided through Hazel Park Schools, 

INVEST serves ethnic and less-privileged 

communities, many of them Chaldean 

newcomers, offering a wide range of 

educational programs while conducting 

charitable efforts throughout the calendar 

year. 

Japhet School 

Elementary and Middle School 

839 S. Crooks Road 

Clawson, MI 48017 

(248) 585-9150 

JaphetSchool.org 

Japhet serves ethnically diverse students 

in preschool through eighth grade. Rolling 

admission means students are admitted 

through the school year. The school is 

accredited through the Independent 

Schools Association of the Central States. 

Japhet was the first independent school 

in the country — and the first school in 

Michigan — to receive a National Schools 

of Character Award, presented to schools 

that encourage the social and ethical 

development of students while maintaining 

strong academic standards. Class sizes are 

small, less than 20 students. 

Keys Grace Academy 


27321 Hampden Street 

Madison Heights, MI 48071 

(248) 629-7700 

KeysAcademies.com 

Just opening in fall 2015 from the same 

team that runs the INVEST schools, 

Keys Grace Academy is the first charter 

school to offer Chaldean/Assyrian/Syriac 

language, culture and history. Organizers 

are formulating a complete Modern 

Aramaic curriculum to incorporate as a 

required class for all students. In addition, 

all grades will focus on Mesopotamian 

culture and history. Keys Grace Academy’s 

K-12 curriculum is mapped directly from 

the Common Core State Standards. Afterschool 

activities include arts and music 

programs and intramural sports. 

Lakes Area Montessori Center 

Preschool through Elementary 

8605 Richardson Road 

Walled Lake, MI 48390 

(248) 360-0500 

LakesAreaMontessori.com 

Lakes Area Montessori is a toddler, 

preschool, kindergarten and elementary 

school housed in a specially constructed 

building on two acres. The school is 

directed by professional educators and 

staffed by Montessori teachers. Children 

as young as 18 months are accommodated 

and full-day kindergarten is offered. The 

non-graded curriculum has a strong 

academic focus on science, mathematics, 

language arts, geometry, history, 

geography, art, music and Spanish. 

Montessori School Rochester 


3976 S. Livernois Rd. 

Rochester Hills MI 48307 

(248) 453-5757 

TheMontessoriSchoolRochester.com 

Montessori works with children from 

toddler years through the age of 12. The 

school follows the philosophy of allowing 

children to follow their greatest interests 

and learn about their immediate world at 

their own pace. Appreciation for the arts 

is facilitated with visiting artists, musicians 

and storytellers. 

The Lower Roeper School 


41190 Woodward Avenue 


The Upper Roeper School 

Middle and High School 

1051 Oakland Avenue 


(248) 203-7300 

Roeper.org 

Roeper is a unique coeducational school 

community for gifted children in preschool 

through grade 12 with campuses in 

Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham. The 

first school opened in 1941. The school 

enrolls more than 570 students and is 

organized into three divisions starting with 

children as young as 2 ½. The mission is to 

educate the whole child in an emotionally 

supportive, intellectually engaging 

environment. 

Catholic Schools 

Academy of the Sacred Heart 


1250 Kensington Road 


(248) 646-8900 

ashmi.org 

One of 22 Sacred Heart schools in the 

United States, the 44-acre campus includes 

an Early Childhood Program through Grade 

4; the Knights of the Sacred Heart (boys 

in grades 5-8), and the Middle School and 

Upper School that is home to the Gazelles 

(girls in grades 5-12). The high school is 

also known for its outstanding lacrosse 

team, 17 state championships (including 

the 2016 high school tennis team), and its 

31,000-square-foot field house. 

All Saints Catholic School 


48735 Warren Road 

Canton, MI, 48187 

(734) 459-2490 

AllSaintsCS.com 

Accredited by the Michigan Nonpublic 

Schools Accrediting Association, this co-ed 

school has more than 500 students. Special 

classes are taught by teachers from the 

Livonia Public School Share Time Program 

and include foreign language instruction, 

faith mentoring and the monthly outreach to 

disadvantaged communities and organizations. 

Highlights at All Saints are student 

service projects and small class sizes. 

Austin Catholic Academy 

Co-Ed High School 


Chesterfield, MI 48051 

(586) 200-0143 

AustinCatholicAcademy.org 

Created under the auspices of the 

Archdiocese of Detroit and sponsor 

parishes, Austin Catholic Academy is 

the only co-ed Catholic high school in 

Northern Macomb County. Opened in 

2011, administrators hope to eventually 

serve about 500 students. The 

Augustinian education includes rigorous 

college preparatory academics, spiritual 

growth, service to the community and 

extracurricular activities. Last school year 

Austin opened a media center. 

SCHOOLS continued on page 26 


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ack to SCHOOL 

Bishop Foley Catholic High School 

Co-Ed High School 

32000 N. Campbell Road 


(248) 585-1210 

BishopFoley.org 

Bishop Foley is a co-educational high 

school with advanced national accreditation 

through North Central Association of 

Colleges and Secondary Schools. 

Founded in 1965, it has an enrollment of 

400 students and offers a wide range of 

opportunities in academics and athletics. 

The school has a full-time Campus Ministry 

Director to foster spiritual activities and 

teacher and peer tutoring. Bishop Foley 

has amassed more than 50 athletic 

championships and has a dual enrollment 

program with the University of Detroit 

Mercy for Engineering and Leadership 

classes. 

Bishop Kelley Catholic School 


926 W. Nepessing Street 

Lapeer, MI 48446 

(810) 664-5011 

BishopKelleyLapeer.org 

All faiths are welcome at this co-ed school 

instituted by the Immaculate Conception 

Parish community and accredited by the 

Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting 

Association. The school, which boasts 

a family-type atmosphere, was founded 

in 1950 and has about 230 students. 

There is also a preschool for children as 

young as 3. The school is affiliated with 

Immaculate Conception Parish in Lapeer. 

Brother Rice 

All Boys High School 

7101 Lahser Road 


(248) 833-2000 

BrRice.edu 

Founded in 1960 by the Congregation 

of Christian Brothers of Ireland, Brother 

Rice is a private, fully accredited, four-year 

Catholic college preparatory school for 

young men. Brother Rice High School 

fosters the spiritual, intellectual, cultural 

and moral development of its students. 

The Brother Rice community promotes 

excellence through an environment 

conducive to life-long personal growth, and 

responsible, moral decision making in a 

Christian atmosphere. 

The Brother Rice student body is 

composed of over 600 young men with 

a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic 

backgrounds, talents and interests. Each 

student is a unique contributor to the 

Brother Rice family. 

De La Salle Collegiate 


14600 Common Road 

Warren, MI 48088 

(586) 778-2207 

DeLaSalleHS.com 

Inspired by the tradition of St. John Baptist 

de La Salle, this school is dedicated to the 

Catholic education of its diverse students, 

including the poor and disadvantaged. The 

college preparatory school was founded in 

1926. Clubs and activities range from choir 

to robotics. It’s a Class A MHSAA member 

school and also a member of the Catholic 

League Central Division. 

Detroit Catholic Central High School 


27225 Wixom Road 

Novi, MI 48374 

(248) 596-3810 

CatholicCentral.net 

The school dates to 1928 and has 

relocated a number of times, settling into 

its current home on 60 acres in Novi in 

2005. The school philosophy is that while 

textbooks are important (it has more than 

a dozen AP courses and is accredited 

through the North Central Association of 

Colleges and Schools), much knowledge 

can be learned only in prayer. Each student 

is required to complete Christian Service 

and at least 95 percent of graduates go 

onto college. 

Detroit Cristo Rey 

Co-ed High School 

5679 W. Vernor Highway 

Detroit, MI 48209 

(313) 843-2747 

DetroitCristoRey.org 

Detroit Cristo Rey opened in 2008 as the 

only co-ed Catholic school in the city of 

Detroit. The most distinctive feature of this 

school is its corporate work-study program, 

which allows students to spend one day 

per week on real-life work experience in a 

businesses or organization in Metro Detroit. 

Across the network, 96 percent of seniors 

graduated and were accepted to college. 

The school strives to “break the cycle of 

poverty” in Detroit by offering a collegeprep 

education to low-income, center-city 

students. 

Divine Child 


25001 Herbert Weier 

Dearborn, MI 48128 

(313) 562-1090 

dces.info 

Divine Child 


1001 N. Silvery Lane 

Dearborn, MI 48128 

(313) 562-1990 

DivineChildHighSchool.org 

Divine Child is a co-ed parish school 

founded in 1958. Equipped with 34 

classrooms, a chapel, library, and 500-seat 

auditorium, it’s the largest co-ed Catholic 

high school in Michigan. With more than 

30 extracurricular activities and AP-level 

courses available, 97 percent of students 

attend college. The elementary and middle 

schools offer many activities including 

scouting. For athletes, there are 52 teams 

in 24 sports. 

Everest Collegiate High School and 

Academy 


5935 Clarkston Road 

Clarkston, MI 48348 

(248) 241-9040 

Everest-Clarkston.org 

Everest, which offers pre-K through 

high school, uses the Integral Formation 

method of education, which is built upon 

the Christian view of the person and 

focuses on forming all dimensions of the 

person – their intellectual, human, spiritual 

and apostolic capacities. In 2012, Everest 

Collegiate was awarded a spot on the Top 

50 Catholic Schools list. The school shares 

most high school athletics with Our Lady of 

the Lakes. 

Gesu Catholic School 


17139 Oak Drive 


(313) 863-4677 

GesuSchool.UDMercy.edu 

Gesu is an award-winning co-ed school 

with about 250 students in grades pre-K 

through 8. Gesu students are known to 

give back to the environment by recycling 

and tending their own garden-to-harvest 

crops. The school was established in 

1925 and is accredited by the Michigan 

Nonpublic Schools Accreditation 

Association. Gesu has been recognized by 

the Skillman Foundation as an improving 

school. Facilities include an on-site learning 

center, renovated computer lab and 

updated library. 

Guardian Angels 

Preschool, Elementary and Middle School 

521 E. 14 Mile Road 

Clawson, MI 48017 

(248) 588-5545 

GASchool.com 

A Blue Ribbon School, Guardian Angels 

students have scored well above the 

national average and are as much as three 

full grades ahead of other students at 

their same level. Unique features of the 

school include a science lab, a greenroom 

and Spanish instruction for all grades. 

The school has about 300 students. 

An extended day program is available. 

Guardian Angels has created a new full-day 

service for their preschoolers. 

Holy Family Regional School 


North Campus Grades K-3 

1240 Inglewood 

Rochester, MI 48307 

(248) 656-1234 

South Campus Grades 4-8 

2633 John R Road 

Rochester Hills, MI 48307 

(248) 299-3798 

HolyFam.org 

Holy Family educates children at two 

campuses: kindergarten (full or halfday) 

through grade three in Rochester, and 

grades four through eight in Rochester 

Hills. The school has an impressive 

computer lab, and all students in grades 

6-8 receive Spanish instruction. Unique 

programs include Talent Development and 

Special Services for those who need extra 

help. There is also the Young 5 Program as 

an alternative to kindergarten. 

Holy Name 


680 Harmon St. 


(248) 644-2722 

school.hnchurch.org 

A Blue Ribbon school since 2008, Holy 

Name provides unique classes for boys 

and girls in grades K-8, and also has a 

preschool. A variety of teaching techniques 

are used to meet the different learning 

styles of its students. Facilities include a 

media center, music and art rooms and a 

technology lab. The Holy Name Hurricanes 

have an outstanding athletic department. 

The school is accredited by the Michigan 

Association of Non-Public Schools and 

offers after-school enrichment programs. 

Immaculate Conception 

Co-Ed Elementary and Middle School 

7043 Church Road 

Ira Township, MI 48023 

(586) 725-0078 

ICCatholic.org 

For more than a century and a half, 

Immaculate Conception, set on the shores 

of Anchor Bay, has served the northeast 

Macomb County and St. Clair County 

communities. It has more than 180 students 

and a low teacher to student ratio. Detroit 

Archbishop Allen Vigneron is an alumni. 

Loyola High School 

All-Boys High School 

15325 Pinehurst St. 


(313) 861-2407 

Loyolahsdetroit.org 

A Catholic scschool fronthool in the Jesuit 

tradition, Loyola began as a concerned 

response to a pressing need in Detroit and 

its surrounding communities. With strong 

involvement of parents and staff at every 

step of the way, its graduates – truly “Men 

for Others” – demonstrate the level of academic, 

physical, social, and spiritual growth 

first envisioned by the school’s founders. 

Now in its 23nd year, Loyola remains committed 

to its original mission. It is a strong 

community of students, parents, and staff. 

Marian 

All-Girls High School 

7225 Lahser Road 


(248) 644-1750 

Marian-HS.org 

Founded in 1959, Marian is a prestigious 

college-prep high school for young 

women with about 500 students. It offers 

17 advanced placement courses and 

19 honors classes. The Class of 2015 

was 100 percent college-bound. Marian 

athletic teams have been recognized 

as state champions on 24 occasions. 

Marian is located next to Brother Rice 

and is accredited by the North Central 

Association of Colleges and Schools. The 

student-teacher ratio is 16:1. 


Mercy 



Farmington Hills, MI 48336 

(248) 476-8020 

mhsmi.org 

More than 13,000 students have graduated 

from Mercy throughout its 60-year history. 

After graduation, 99 percent of Mercy’s 

young women attend college – and 88 

percent get into their first choice. The 

school, which has a student body of 750, 

upholds a strong tradition of competitive 

athletics in more than 17 sports and 

facilities that include a gymnasium, indoor 

swimming pool, full-size track, two fields, 

and two enclosed softball diamonds. Mercy 

is designated as an Exemplary Private 

High School by the U.S. Department of 

Education. 

Notre Dame Marist Academy – Lower 

Division 


1425 Giddings Rd. 

Pontiac, MI 48340 

(248) 373-2573 

Notre Dame Marist Academy – Middle 

Division 

Middle School 

1300 Giddings Road 

Pontiac, MI 48340 

(248) 373-5371 

Notre Dame Preparatory School 


1300 Giddings Road 

Pontiac, MI 48340-2108 

(248) 373-5300 

ndpma.org 

Notre Dame has a co-ed and 

economically diverse student body with a 

population of about 1,000. As a college 

preparatory school it offers a variety of 

advanced-placement classes and myriad 

clubs and organizations; graduating classes 

routinely earn more than $10 million in 

scholarships. The school is operated by 

the Marist Fathers & Brothers. It is the only 

Catholic school in Michigan that offers 

the International Baccalaureate course of 

study to students from junior kindergarten 

through 12th grade. 

Our Lady of Good Counsel 


1151 William Street 

Plymouth, MI 48170 

(734) 453-3053 

IAmOLGC.com 

Good Counsel has 545 students, 25 

teachers and a 1:17 student-teacher ratio. 

Most teachers have advanced degrees 

and the school is accredited by the 

Michigan Nonpublic Schools Accrediting 

Association. The school is more than 

60 years old and offers extracurricular 

activities from chess to yearbook. It has 

captured championships in several CYO 

sports. Our Lady of Good Counsel has 

a school partnership with a junior high in 

Nanjing, China. 

Our Lady of the Lakes 


5495 Dixie Highway 

Waterford, MI 48329 

(248) 623-0340 

ollonline.org 

Our Lady of the Lakes Parish School is the 

only K-12 Catholic School on one campus 

in Oakland County. Founded in 1956, 

the school serves more than 650 co-ed 

students and touts itself as an affordable 

option. The school offers up a foreign 

exchange student program and a drama 

club. Students can earn extra credit by 

working in the office or library. The college 

preparatory curriculum includes seven AP 

classes. 

Our Lady of Refuge 


3750 Commerce Road 

Orchard Lake, MI 48324 

(248) 682-3422 

Olr-School.net 

Our Lady of Refuge offers a Christcentered 

education for students from pre-K 

(3-5 year olds) through eighth grade. It 

offers a fully accredited core curriculum 

complemented by classes in Spanish, 

music, art, computer skills and physical 

education, as well as a wide range of 

sports and school activities. Before- and 

after-school programs are available to meet 

the needs of working parents. 

Our Lady Star of the Sea 


467 Fairford Road 

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 

(313) 884-1070 

StarSchoolGrossePointe.org 

Star of the Sea offers a wide range of 

academic and elective programs for 

preschool through eighth grade. Among 

its amenities are a computer lab and 

an extensive arts and music program. 

Students score highly in most IOWA basic 

skills tests. 

Our Lady of Sorrows 


24040 Raphael Road 


(248) 476-0977 

OLSorrows.com 

Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the largest 

elementary schools in the Archdiocese of 

Detroit. Accredited by the Michigan Non- 

Public School Accrediting Association, 

it offers preschool, half- and full-day 

kindergarten, and grades 1-8. The school 

has 33 classroom teachers, six classroom 

aides, school counselor, technology 

coordinator, media specialist, development 

room teacher, and shared-time teachers 

and a speech therapist from Farmington 

Public Schools. 

SCHOOLS continued on page 28 


ack to SCHOOL 

Our Lady of Victory Catholic School 


132 Orchard Drive 

Northville, MI 48167 

(248) 349-3610 

OLVNorthville.org/school 

This co-ed parish school has about 445 

students with a maximum classroom size 

of 26. On test scores, students perform 

well above the national averages and 

above the average of other schools in the 

Archdiocese of Detroit. Students also 

participate in a special CARE project 

(Christ’s Arms Reaching Everyone) to 

benefit the community. Preschool and afterschool 

faith programs are available. 

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs 


32460 Pierce Road 

Beverly Hills, MI 48025 

(248) 642-2616 

OlqmCatholicSchool.org 

Accredited by the Michigan Non-Public 

Schools Accrediting Association, Our 

Lady has a college-prep curriculum from 

early childhood programs through grade 

eight. OLQM, which dates to 1954, 

provides after-school latchkey for working 

parents and a student/teacher ratio of 

22:1. Competitive and intramural sports 

teams are available, as are band, choir and 

scouting. Transportation is provided via 

Birmingham District buses. 

Regina 


13900 Masonic Boulevard 


(586) 585-0500 

ReginaHS.com 

Open since 1956, Regina has a number 

of endearing traditions for its 463 young 

women. It is accredited by the North 

Central Association of Colleges and 

Secondary Schools and has 38 certified 

educators, 70 percent holding master 

degrees or beyond. Virtually all graduates 

go onto higher learning. Regina is classified 

as a Class A School and offers 23 Honors 

and nine Advanced Placement classes. 

Its brother school, De La Salle, unifies 

with Regina to create a well-balanced and 

positive environment. 

Shrine 



Royal Oak, MI 48073 

(248) 549-2925 

ShrineSchools.com 

Shrine offers elementary, middle and high 

schools and is affiliated with the landmark 

Shrine of the Little Flower Church. The 

grade school is a Michigan Blue Ribbon 

School and has about 600 students. The 

attached middle school with about 175 

students is known as the Academy. The 

co-ed high school has about 275 students, 

participates in the Michigan High School 

Athletic Association and is a member of 

the Catholic High School League. It is also 

home to a dynamic International student 

base with students from China, South 

Korea, Vietnam, and Guatemala. 

St. Anne 


5920 Arden Avenue 


(586) 264-2911 

St-Anne.net 

Founded in 1949, St. Anne has some 600 

students in pre-K through eighth grade. St. 

Anne ranks as one of the highest schools 

for test scores in the Archdiocese. In 

national IOWA testing, the school’s fifth-, 

seventh- and eighth-grade students scored 

in the top 10 percent, while the second-, 

third-, fourth- and sixth-graders were in the 

top 15 percent. Enrollment at St. Anne has 

increased in recent years. 

St. Catherine of Siena Academy 


28200 Napier Road 

Wixom, Michigan 48393 

(248) 946-4848 

SaintCatherineAcademy.org 

Just opened in 2011, St. Catherine of 

Siena Academy is the first all-girls Catholic 

high school to open in 50 years. The 

campus is a 137,000-square-foot facility 

constructed on a 33-acre parcel that 

includes 27 classrooms and a 400-seat 

chapel. St. Catherine’s mission is rooted 

in Pope John Paul II’s philosophy of the 

“Feminine Genius.” It’s accredited by the 


Association. 

St. Clare of Montefalco 


16231 Charlevoix Street 

Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230 

(313) 647-5000 

StClareM.org 

This co-ed school is the only private 

school in Grosse Pointe Park. St. Clare of 

Montefalco is part of the National Catholic 

Educational Association. The school has 

a 15:1 student/teacher ratio in preschool 

through eighth grade. A large number 

of extracurricular activities and special 

programs are offered. 

St. Edith Catholic School 


15089 Newburgh Road 

Livonia, MI 48154 

(734) 464-1250 

StEdithSchool.com 

This co-ed school of about 178 students 

focuses on stressing responsibility and 

independence to prepare students for 

junior high and high school. Extracurricular 

activities include weekly music classes, 

choir and scouting. The school also 

participates in the Livonia Share Time 

Program where teachers specializing in 

certain subjects teach on site. 

St. Fabian 




(248) 553-4610 

StFabian.org 

St. Fabian, a Chaldean community favorite, 

offers preschool through eighth grade for 

some 385 students. Most teachers have or 

are getting their master’s degree and meet 

or exceed the Michigan Department of 

Education standards. Paraprofessionals are 

utilized in kindergarten through third grade, 

and students in all grades participate in at 

least one “special” class per day. Students 

learn Spanish starting in kindergarten. The 

school offers a wide variety of CYO and 

intramural sports. 

St. Hugo of the Hills 


380 E. Hickory Grove Road 


(248) 642-6131 

StHugoSchool.org 

Operated by the Sister Servants of the 

Immaculate Heart of Mary and located 

on 30 acres, St. Hugo is a Blue Ribbon 

Exemplary School with a student population 

of about 565. Students typically score in 

the top 10 percent in math and reading 

tests. Extracurricular activities range 

from band to scouting to the National 

Geographic Bee. 

St. Isaac Jogues 


21100 Madison Street 

St. Clair Shores, MI 48081 

(586) 771-3525 

StIsaacJoguesSchool.org 

Established in 1956, St. Isaac Jogues has 

a population of about 300 students. Special 

clubs include choir, drama, forensics and 

yearbook. The school also offers preschool 

for 3- and 4-year-olds and extended 

daycare. 

St. Joseph 


715 N. Lapeer Road 

Lake Orion, MI 48362 

(248) 693-6215 

StJosephLakeOrion.org 

Named an innovative model for other 

faith-based schools, St. Joseph, which 

dates to 1952, has more than 330 students 

in grades pre-K through eight. Through 

the years, the school has doubled the 

number of classrooms and added a media 

center, computer lab, science lab, fine arts 

labs, extended care and state-of-the-art 

technology. 

St. Lawrence 


44429 Utica Road 

Utica, MI 48317 

(586) 731-0135 

StLawrenceParish.com 

Established in 1931, St. Lawrence has 

students in pre-K through eighth grades. 

The school is accredited by the National 

Catholic Educational Association. The 

Mustangs play a number of sports, 

including lacrosse, and before- and afterschool 

latchkey is offered. The Varsity 

Cheerleading Team won the winter CYO 

championship in 2016. 

St. Mary 


2 Union Street 

Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 

(586) 468-4570 

StMaryMtClemens.com 

St. Mary’s has been a pillar of Macomb 

County since 1871 by continuing their 

commitment to serving the community 

with faith-filled education for children from 

preschool through eighth grade. The school 

is accredited through the Michigan Non- 

Public School Accrediting Association and 

is a designated Michigan Green School. 

Music, hands-on science, art, Spanish and 

computers are part of the core curriculum. 

Activities include children’s choir, 

newspaper, national junior’s honors society, 

children’s ministry and student council. 

St. Mary’s Catholic School 


628 S. Lafayette 

Royal Oak, MI 48067 

(248) 545-2140 

StMaryRoyalOak.org 

A member of Michigan Green Schools, 

St. Mary’s Royal Oak is accredited by the 


Association. Most of the 220 students 

are parishioners at St. Mary. The school 

dates back to 1916 and offers a variety of 

athletics. St. Mary also has 117 preschool 

students. 

St. Mary’s Preparatory 

All-Boys High School 

3535 Commerce Rd. 

Orchard Lake, MI 48324 

(248) 683-0530 

StMarysPrep.com 

St. Mary’s has a day program and boarding 

school for young men. Dating to 1885, its 

115-acre campus has been designated 

a Michigan Historical Site and placed on 

the National Register of Historic Places. 

It is accredited by the State of Michigan 

Department of Education and nearly 100 

percent of graduates go onto college. 

St Michael’s Catholic School 


11311 Hubbard Street 

Livonia, MI 48150 

(734) 261-1455 

LivoniaStMichael.org 

St. Michael’s received the “School of 

Distinction” award by the Michigan 

Association of Non-Public Schools 

for exceeding standards and effective 

school improvement in both 2008 and 

2011. The co-ed school is aligned with 

Michigan state standards. Students are 

strongly encouraged to enter at least one 

enrichment program such as art, band or 

drama. 

St. Patrick 


9040 Hutchins Road 

White Lake, MI 48386 

(248) 698-3240 

StPatrickSchoolWhiteLake.org 

St. Patrick has been open since 1957. 

Advanced programs are an integral part 


of the regular curriculum to help students 

get ahead in their studies. Scouting, ski, 

drama and chess are among the many club 

offerings. It’s accredited by the Michigan 

Non-Public School Accrediting Association. 

St. Paul on the Lake 


170 Grosse Pointe Boulevard 

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 

(313) 885-3430 

StPaulOnTheLake.com 

A designated Blue Ribbon School, St. 

Paul has roots back to 1887. Students 

can choose from a wide variety of 

extracurricular activities including scouting, 

foreign language, gymnastics and choir. 

Eighth-graders typically score four years 

above their grade level on national tests 

and take advanced placement classes in 

high school. 

St. Regis 


3691 Lincoln Road 

Bloomfield Township, MI 48301 

(248) 724-3377 

StRegis.org 

Established in 1959, St. Regis focuses on 

faith, high academic standards, leadership 

and service. For working parents, it offers 

an extended care club, as well as afterschool 

enrichment programs. St. Regis 

is accredited by Michigan Non-Public 

School Accrediting Association. Services 

like remedial reading and speech therapy 

are offered through Birmingham Public 

Schools. The church is newly restored. 

St. Thecla Elementary School 


20762 South Nunneley Road 

Clinton Twp., MI 48035 

(586) 791-2170 

StThecla.com/school 

St. Thecla was founded in 1960 and 

offers preschool through eighth grades. 

The school participates in the Scrip 

Corner program, which helps families 

earn credit towards their child’s tuition. 

Students enjoy a new media center and 

many extracurricular programs such as 

Spanish, music and CYO sports including 

soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, 

softball, bowling and cheerleading. The 

Little Disciples Program is for tots ages 18 

months to 3 years. 

St. Valentine 

Kindergarten through Ninth Grade 

25875 Hope Street 

Redford, MI 48239 

(313) 533-7149 

StValentineSchool.com 

St. Valentine is a Michigan Green School 

dedicated to achieving environmental 

goals. The school participates in several 

CYO sports. It also offers a computer 

lab, the Accelerated Reader program, a 

latchkey after-school program and scouting. 

Currently it serves about 175 students. All 

curriculum objectives meet the Michigan 

state standard. 

St. William 


135 O’Flaherty 


(248) 669-4440 

StWilliam-School.com 

With 200 students, St. Williams excels in 

competitions such as the spelling bee and 

the Science Olympiad. Advanced math is 

available for students in grades 5-8. The 

school has earned full accreditation by 

the Michigan Association of Non-Public 

Schools. It also offers a junior kindergarten 

program. 

University of Detroit Jesuit High School 

All-Boys Middle and High School 

8400 South Cambridge Avenue 


(313) 862-5400 

UofDJesuit.org 

Founded in 1877 as Detroit College, 

U of D Jesuit is the oldest continuously 

functioning secondary school in Detroit and 

oldest college-prep Catholic high school 

in the city. The high school has about 

750 students and the Academy has more 

than 150 seventh- and eighth-graders. 

The school has more National Merit and 

National Achievement semi-finalists than 

any other Catholic school in the state. 

Public Schools of choice 

The State School Aid Act of 1979 in 

Michigan allows schools to enroll nonresident 

students if there is room and the 

district is willing. Commonly known as 

Schools of Choice, it is a recruitment tool 

that more and more districts are using to 

boost their numbers – and funding. Schools 

of Choice have helped a lot of districts 

educate children who might have otherwise 

had a poor education in their failing schools 

and dangerous neighborhoods. SOC 

students bring their state per-pupil funding 

with them to their school, while their 

resident district loses those dollars. It has 

been a controversial topic in many school 

districts in Metro Detroit and different 

districts vary their allowance based on 

enrollment of resident students. 

Here are some Schools of Choice with 

large Chaldean student populations, based 

on teacher estimates. 

Avondale School District 

2940 Waukegan Street 

Auburn Hills, MI 48326 

(248) 537-6000 

Avondale.K12.mi.us 

Avondale has nine schools covering 

elementary through high school with 

students from Troy, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield 

and Rochester Hills. The Avondale/Oakland 

University Partnership was established in 

2013 where OU teaching students explore 

methods and models at Auburn Elementary 

and medical students teach kids about 

wellness. The district also offers early 

learning centers for 3-5 year olds. The 

schools offer a full roster of extracurricular 

activities. 

Farmington Public Schools 

32500 Shiawassee 

Farmington, MI 48336 

(248) 489-3349 

Farmington.K12.mi.us 

Farmington Schools have numerous points 

of pride, including Blue Ribbon schools 

and consistent winning titles in athletics 

and music. Their rigorous curriculum 

has earned several honors, and they are 

very dedicated to their diverse student 

body, establishing Welcome Centers for 

newcomers, going-green initiatives, and 

International Baccalaureate programs. 

Hazel Park Schools 

1620 E. Elza 

Hazel Park, MI 48030 

(248) 658-5200 

Hazelparkschools.org 

Hazel Park has several schools throughout 

the small district, ranging from the typical 

high school and elementary schools 

to alternative education and vocational 

programs. Hazel Park Schools has 

enhanced the learning experience with the 

use of technology, giving each student their 

own Chromebook. In recent years, the 

district has also implemented the Promise 

Zone, providing scholarship dollars to 

provide an associate’s degree or its 

equivalent at Oakland Community College. 

Lamphere Schools 

31201 Dorchester 


(248) 589-1990 

Lamphereschools.org 

Lamphere is one of Madison Height’s two 

districts. The district has enhanced its 

instruction with the use of technology and 

has added a Mandarin Chinese Immersion 

program beginning in preschool. They have 

renovated all of their buildings and align 

their curriculum with the state’s common 

core standards. They encourage athletics, 

the arts and community involvement. 

Madison District Public Schools 

26524 John R. Rd. 


(248) 399-7800 

MadisonSchools.K12.Mi.Us 

This small district offers challenging 

academics and a nurturing environment. 

They provide state-of-the-art technology, 

bilingual programs, and specialized math 

and reading programs. Student leadership 

and involvement is much encouraged, as 

is the appreciation for cultural differences. 

They also offer an alternative school and 

a “virtual academy” in which students can 

take online courses. Madison accepts 

students from Oakland, Macomb and 

Wayne counties. 

Troy School District 

4400 Livernois Road. 

Troy, MI 48098 

(248) 823-4000 

Troy.K12.Mi.Us 

Troy supports a quality education with 

enrichment programs that foster an 

appreciation for learning, diversity and 

mutual respect. They offer a complete 

K-12 IB program and all schools have 

received the Blue Ribbon Award. They also 

previously received an A+ rating from the 

Detroit News. 

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools 

850 Ladd Road 


(248) 956-2000 

wlcsd.org 

Walled Lake, one of the largest school 

districts in the state, has shown significant 

gains in Michigan Educational Assessment 

Program (MEAP) and Michigan Merit Exam 

(MME) scores, as well as AP enrollment 

in the high schools. They continuously 

implement state-of-the-art technology 

in their instruction and offer a variety of 

enrichment programs and community-wide 

initiatives. Like West Bloomfield, it is very 

diverse and all three of their high schools 

have been ranked in Newsweek’s list of 

advantageous schools. 

Warren Consolidated Schools 

31300 Anita Drive 


(888) 492-7543 

wcs.K12.Mi.Us 

More than 52 languages are spoken at 

home by students of Warren Schools’ 

diverse population. Warren is committed 

to using technology and providing a wide 

range of opportunities for its multicultural 

student body. It offers a strong curriculum 

in a friendly atmosphere supported by the 

local community. Sterling Heights High 

School has been named among the best in 

the nation by U.S. News & World Report. 

West Bloomfield School District 

5810 Commerce Road 

West Bloomfield, MI 48324 

(248) 865.6480 

wbsd.org 

West Bloomfield is a very diverse district 

that boasts rigorous academics, engaging 

programs and a 95 percent graduation 

rate. West Bloomfield High School, ranked 

in the top 6 percent of Newsweek’s 

most desirable schools, offers the most 

Advanced Placement (AP) classes than any 

other high school in Oakland County. There 

are more than 5,500 students enrolled 

in the schools, which have achieved 

Evergreen status through the students’ 

aggressive attitude to being energy 

conserving. 

Utica Community Schools 

11303 Greendale 


(586) 797-1000 

UticaK12.org 

Utica’s commitment to students can be 

found in their motto, “Every child achieves.” 

They have implemented a first-class 

curriculum and a culture in which students 

aspire to accomplish their goals. They 

have 28 Blue Ribbon schools and their 

students have the highest MEAP, MME and 

American College Testing (ACT) scores in 

Macomb County. 

– Updated by Ashourina Slewo 


ack to SCHOOL 

The future is now 

Senior at MSU leads by example 

BY BIANCA KASAWDISH 

“ 

There may be power in titles 

and status - but that alone 

does not make someone a 

leader,” says Mario Kakos. 

Currently a senior at Michigan 

State University, Kakos has high 

hopes of making a difference long after 

he graduates. He is currently the 

Student Body President, majoring 

in political science and minoring in 

leadership of organizations. 

A Michigan native, he is the seventh 

born of eight children in his 

family, with the goal of leaving people 

and places better than he found 

them. “I feel indebted to the people 

who have come before me and made 

my life easier. Because of this, I strive 

to make the most of any opportunity 

I’m given,” he says. 

Kakos dreams of making a meaningful 

impact in the bigger picture, 

whether that takes the form of public 

service, a non-profit, or a corporation. 

He shares that he wants to help 

others realize they don’t need a title 

to be a leader or to make a difference 

in their community. He says, “I am 

open to things working out better 

than I can imagine.” 

His drive began at an early age. 

His parents worked long hours in 

Detroit while raising eight children, 

and their struggle has shaped 

his life and deepened his humanity 

in a way they will never know. 

Inspired by his mother, Lillian migrated 

to the United States uneducated, 

illiterate and with nothing 

to her name. She learned how to 

drive before learning how to read, 

sharing stories of how she had to 

memorize the design of English letters 

so she could navigate roads. 

“She’s the strongest, wisest, and 

most giving person I know. She’s 

come a long way since then and has 

shown me what hard work and determination 

can do to improve one’s 

life. My mother believes in standing 

firm no matter the circumstances and 

facing any challenge head on in order 

to grow from it,” he says. In turn, 

he learned firsthand what it means to 

be resourceful and resilient. 

With that same resilience, he 

believes that the root of many issues 

in the world we live in today stem 

from a lack of education. “When 

an individual is equipped with the 

knowledge and information they 

need, they become more confident, 

more driven and inspired to do better 

for themselves and those around 

them. They learn about their likes 

and dislikes through exposure to 

different subjects and can move 

forward with what they’re passionate 

about,” he says. 

This goes beyond reading and 

writing, and the difference can make 

an impact for generations to come. 

Kakos shares that it’s about setting 

a stage, a standard, one that is better 

than the one before and can set 

an example for the one after. He believes 

it is not only a privilege to do 

better, but a responsibility and duty 

because of the immense sacrifices our 

parents and families have made. 

“Ultimately, it’s about uncovering 

the gifts that all of us have within. 

Education is not just going to school 

and studying for tests,” he explained. 

“It’s about the people, friends, teachers, 

mentors, and the overall experience 

of learning whether inside or 

outside of the classroom. It’s about 

the human connection and the valuable 

relationships that a child/individual 

will develop that will carry 

them through their journey in life.” 

According to Kakos, mental 

health and well-being also carry importance. 

“Having a sound, healthy 

mind and positive disposition is just 

as important as having a healthy 

physical body,” he says. This all goes 

full circle- from eating well to getting 

enough rest to doing the things that 

make you happy. 

He believes that people should 

not hesitate, feel embarrassed, 

ashamed, or judged to seek professional 

help if they need it. On the 

contrary, he encourages it. “It’s unfortunate 

that there’s still a stigma 

surrounding those who are struggling 

with their mental health and 

this is something I hope to help resolve 

one day with the help of others,” 

he says. 

Balancing it all isn’t easy. Kakos 

shares that ruthless prioritization 

is the only way balance is possible. 

Taking this even further, integration 

is the key. 

When it comes to the one thing 

he wants to make a difference doing, 

he shares, “The individual that faithfully 

leads will uplift others through 

their example. If I can help shift 

the consciousness around what this 

means by exemplifying it in my dayto-day 

actions and see that others are 

positively affected by it, then I know 

I’m doing the right thing.” 


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ack to SCHOOL 

Teaching is a two-way street 

Chaldean teachers on the lessons they’ve learned in the classroom 

BY MONIQUE MANSOUR 

Areej Hakim and her students, Rodney Karromi’s students, and Mary Ann Kassab-Ayar 

Areej Hakim of Rochester 

Hills, Mich. has taught for 

14 years. She now serves as a 

school counselor at Sterling Heights 

High School. 

“My most recent position in 

teaching was teaching English Learners, 

or EL, for high school students. 

This was the most challenging and 

rewarding part of my career,” said 

Hakim. “I learned so much from our 

refugees…their bravery and insight 

are incredibly inspiring. Despite 

their monumental challenges, they 

are resilient. They are my heroes.” 

For Hakim, teaching is in her 

blood. “My mom taught in Detroit 

Public Schools for more than 30 

years. Her influence and dedication 

inspired me to help others, too,” she 

explained. “My brother and sister are 

educators as well. I’m also married 

to an educator. I feel fortunate to be 

able to communicate on a daily basis 

with these family members. Without 

their knowledge and guidance, 

I wouldn’t have been able to stay in 

the field of education.” 

Hakim’s beginning years in the 

classroom taught her many lessons. 

“I learned that it’s okay to not know 

everything. You can always research 

and continue to learn yourself as the 

teacher, as you can learn just as much 

from your students,” she said. “I also 

learned that one has to dedicate a 

lot of time and energy into this field, 

but it’s so rewarding and fulfilling. 

It makes me proud when my former 

students reach out to me to let me 

know how they’re doing.” 

Rodney Karromi was born and 

raised in southeast Michigan and is 

currently a resident of Novi. He’s 

currently a business teacher at Sterling 

Heights High School. “I decided 

I wanted to become a teacher 

in 2001. I realized that life is short 

and teaching could provide me with 

a good work-life balance, so I went 

back to school to earn my teaching 

certification,” he said. 

Karromi’s overarching teaching 

philosophy is simple. “Be kind. During 

my first year of teaching, I primarily 

taught immigrants and refugees 

Gabby Mansour, a former student of 

Mary Ann Kassab-Ayar. 

from Iraq,” he explained. “They were 

wonderful! It was a challenge teaching 

student in one class that were at 

so many different learning levels, but 

being kind and encouraging kindness 

in the classroom made for a fruitful 

educational experience for all.” 

“If there’s advice I can offer to 

students,” said Karromi, “It would be 

the following: get involved at your 

school! Do your best, respect your elders, 

and always be reading!” 

Karromi is also married to an educator, 

Raneem Jamil. “Rodney and I 

met at Warren Mott. We were married 

in 2008 and now have two children, 

Jude and Julia,” said Jamil. “I currently 

am a Language Acquisition Teacher 

at Warren Mott, while Rodney has 

been moved to Sterling Heights High 

School within our district. He teaches 

his students to be fiscally responsible, 

and I couldn’t be prouder.” 

Jamil credits her Chaldean heritage 

for her ability to connect with 

students. “My Chaldean upbringing 

has become an asset to me since I 

started working in Warren Consolidated 

Schools in 2002. The Chaldean 

students at Warren Mott High 

School have treated me like family 

since day one,” she explained. “They 

confide in me when they need to 

because I speak their language and 

I understand where they are coming 

from. Over the years, my husband 

and I have even attended the weddings 

of former students. To hear 


Learn more about our 

Portrait of a Graduate and Enroll 

TODAY! 

Raneem Jamil 

their stories and to see the impact 

those years had on forming their futures…our 

cups runneth over!” 

For Jamil, her work environment 

at Warren Mott feels like home. 

“From the amazing administration, 

to my fellow teachers, to the smiling 

faces of the secretarial staff that have 

greeted me for almost twenty years… 

when I go to them with an issue 

brought to me by an ESL student, it 

is handled with fairness and respect, 

no matter the size. For that I will always 

be thankful.” 

Mary Ann Kassab-Ayar resides 

in Waterford, Mich. She’s married 

to her husband Raied, and together 

they have four children: Olivia, John 

Paul, Maria Rose and Adam Jude. 

“I’m so proud to be a mother, a 

wife, and a teacher,” said Kassab- 

Ayar. “My mother was an ESL paraprofessional 

for the Southfield School 

District for 35 years. Growing up as an 

only child, I always enjoyed spending 

time with cousins and friends. I knew 

that I wanted a family and a profession 

that was family friendly. I worked 

my way through college as a hairdresser 

and manicurist with the goal of becoming 

an elementary school teacher. 

It took me longer because I had to pay 

for my own education, but the journey 

helped me become the teacher I 

am today.” 

Kassab-Ayar looks forward to the 

beginning and to the end of every 

academic year. “September and June 

are my favorite months. Getting to 

know each child and embarking on 

our journey together in September 

is so special,” she explained. “June 

is bittersweet, as it’s sad to see my 

students go, but knowing that I had 

a part in their growth fills my heart 

with such joy! I look forward to each 

year and each child. I can make a difference 

in the world one child at a 

time.” 

Teaching has many ups and 

downs, and for Kassab-Ayar, the 

loss of a student has by far been the 

hardest aspect of teaching for her. “I 

was blessed to have been Gabriella 

Mansour’s kindergarten teacher. She 

called me when she received her welcome 

letter. She was so excited and 

we had a wonderful year. She came to 

school every day with a smile on her 

face! She loved learning,” she said. “I 

recall the last day of school…she told 

me that she was going to miss me and 

that she would see me next year. Gabby 

taught me so much. She is a part of 

my classroom every day. I am forever 

grateful for the time I spent with her 

and for the lessons she taught me.” 

Gabby and her brother, Alex, 

died in a tragic boating accident in 

2013. 

Hakim, Karromi, Jamil, and Kassab-Ayar 

all agree that teaching is a 

true vocation. For aspiring teachers, 

Kassab-Ayar offered the following: 

“God has chosen you to have an important 

role in the lives of many children 

that are not your own. You have 

been entrusted with molding them 

for their future…don’t forget what a 

blessing this is!” 

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ack to SCHOOL 

Business-minded 

Universities across Michigan attract Chaldean students with an inclination for business 

BY ASHOURINA SLEWO 

Looking at Alaa Kishmish’s 

current career trajectory, one 

would never guess that the 

business major on the cusp of graduating 

was once pursuing a career in 

anything other than business. With 

a refined acumen for all things business, 

Kishmish, 24, is looking at 

graduating in December 2019 from 

the Mike Ilitch School of Business at 

Wayne State University with a bachelor’s 

in business administration. 

The switch from pharmacy to business 

came after he took on a part time 

bank teller position at a local bank in 

Sterling Heights. In his post as a teller 

Kishmish’s passion for business presented 

itself and in turn, flourished. 

“I was at Macomb for about a year 

and a half when I changed my major 

from pharmacy to business,” he explained. 

“It was a complete 180-degree 

switch, but I was honestly very 

happy with the choice I made.” 

For the last five years, Kishmish 

has continued to excel at the local 

bank, further fueling his love for business. 

Starting as a part time teller, he 

advanced to a full-time relationship 

banker. After just a couple months, he 

was promoted and became a supervisor. 

Today, Kishmish is the assistant 

manager at the Warren branch. 

Through his work at this financial 

institution, Kishmish has established 

a number of long-lasting relationships 

that have ultimately contributed 

to his passion for business. 

“After being fortunate enough to 

work at the bank, I met a lot of great 

people and I have had many great 

mentors and they taught me how 

important it is to build relationships 

with your customers,” he explained. 

“It made me want to be a business 

major after I saw how many relationships 

I was able to build in this field.” 

Between Sterling Heights and 

Warren, the Chaldean community 

continues to grow. This growth is reflected 

in the bank’s clientele and not 

lost on Kishmish. A fluent speaker of 

both Aramaic and Arabic, Kishmish 

finds himself working with Chaldean 

customers regularly. This ability to 

help his community, he says, is rewarding 

beyond measure. 

“There are so many Chaldeans 

that actually come to my bank and 

they will wait the extra 10, 15, 20 

minutes to work with me,” he explained. 

Having come to the United 

States from Iraq in 2008, Kishmish 

finds himself relating to his Chaldean 

customers as many are new to 

the country and just trying to find 

their way. 

“It honestly has opened my eye 

to how many of our Chaldean neighbors 

and brothers and sisters actually 

struggle when they first come to 

America,” he said. “I honestly, at this 

point can say I am a part time assistant 

manager, full time therapist and 

guidance counselor and translator.” 

For this young student, seeing his 

customers thrive in their new home 

is just another perk of the job. 

“Having the opportunity to help 

them come up with financial plans to 

actually meet their goals and having 

them tell me ‘hey, we finally saved up 

for that car, we finally got approved 

for a mortgage’ after I helped them 

repair their credit, all of those stories 

are the reason I am in business,” he 

explained. “I love helping people 

and making a difference in their financial 

lives.” 

In 2017, the Sterling Heights 

resident found a second home at the 

Mike Ilitch School of Business. 

Like his work at the bank, Kishmish 

found that establishing and fostering 

relationships would be imperative to 

his success. With this, and the desire 

to continue his progression, in mind, 

Kishmish applied to become a student 

ambassador for the school of business. 

In order to be considered for the 

position, applicants were required to 

submit a written proposal and three 

letters of recommendation. Kishmish 

came highly recommended by 

the chairs of finance and accounting. 

The applicant pool was pared down 

from 76 to 23 applicants. Ultimately, 

only 10 students were selected. Kishmish 

was among those chosen. 

As a student ambassador, Kishmish 

is tasked with representing the 

school in a variety of volunteer capacities 

both internally and externally. 

“As an ambassador I have had the 

opportunity to meet Chris and Marian 

Ilitch and take them on a tour of 

the terrace; I showed them how different 

classrooms are organized and 

how they are set up,” he explained. 

“They were very impressed. Seeing 

their faces and their reactions to how 

well it turned out has honestly been 

one of the most rewarding aspects of 

being a student ambassador.” 

Reflecting on the last five years, 

Kishmish is thankful. Thankful for 

the job that ultimately changed his 

mind and his path, leading him to 

the Mike Ilitch School of Business 

where he has thrived. 

“My journey at Wayne State has 

been extremely rewarding. I have had 

the opportunity to meet and connect 

with so many different people that 

I would not have otherwise met,” 

he explained. “Some of my closest 

friends, colleagues, and people I network 

with I met through the school of 

business. I would not have been able 

to do any of this if I had not been at 

Wayne State; it has provided me with 

several opportunities.” 

Despite starting out as a pharmacy 

major, business, says Kishmish, is 

in his blood. 

“As Chaldeans, business is in our 

blood,” he said. “Growing up, I had 

a lot of family members, cousins, 

uncles, and aunts who owned a lot 

of businesses – the most stereotypical 

ones are liquor stores and gas stations, 

but they do own them and I 

grew up around them.” 

At just 15 years old, Kishmish 

worked alongside his cousin at his 

store. “Seeing that and seeing his 

entrepreneurship was very formative 

and positive for me.” 

Post graduation, Kishmish has his 

sights set high. 

“I envision myself working in 


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BEFORE 

AFTER 

wealth management for a company 

like Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley,” 

he explained. “These are companies 

where I can grow and work my way up 

and maybe even find myself on the 30 

under 30 financial advisors list.” 

Budding business major 

Similar to Kishmish, Natalie Esshaki, 

18, intended to pursue a career in 

medicine, but decided against it. At 

just 16 years old, she decided to pursue 

business post high school. 

“In the back of my mind, I always 

wanted to pursue business,” Esshaki 

explained. “I was always encouraged 

to enter the medical field, though, 

and once I started volunteering in a 

hospital, I realized that business was 

definitely my passion.” 

Graduating from Marian High 

School in Bloomfield Hills this year, 

Esshaki will be attending the University 

of Michigan’s Ross School of 

Business this fall where she will be 

majoring in business administration 

and minoring in Spanish. 

Business and entrepreneurship 

have become synonymous with the 

Chaldean community and Esshaki 

knows this. Learning by example, 

she wants to progress and positively 

impact the male dominated field. 

“Seeing the successes of many 

Chaldeans in our community has 

inspired me to follow my passion for 

business,” she explained. “There are 

many more Chaldean men in the 

business community, but I hope to 

become a strong female leader within 

the community and represent Chaldeans 

through business.” 

When it came to deciding which 

university she would attend after high 

school, the choice was a natural one 

for Esshaki. The Ross School of Business, 

she says is the perfect fit for her to 

learn and develop her abilities in the 

field of business. From the curriculum 

to the alumni network, Ross makes the 

most sense for the college freshman. 

“Michigan’s Ross School of Business 

was my first choice because it is 

ranked fourth among other undergraduate 

business programs,” Esshaki 

explained. “The curriculum is based on 

learning by doing, which is very beneficial 

for students. Also, the Michigan 

alumni system is so extensive and I 

feel that I will be able to connect with 

many people across the nation.” 

Looking to the future, Esshaki 

hopes to utilize her degree in either 

marketing or the management of a 

large and reputable company. However, 

nothing is quite set in stone for the 

student who has four years at the University 

of Michigan to look forward to. 

“After Ross, I will most likely apply 

to law school for my law degree 

as well,” said Esshaki. “I don’t have 

an exact plan post university, but I 

am not stressed. I am sure I will discover 

my strengths and weaknesses 

over the next four years at the Ross 

School of Business and I am excited 

to see how it all turns out.” 

In the meantime, Esshaki is filling 

her free time before she heads to Ross 

with some light reading that doubles 

as preparation for the years of business 

school ahead. 

“My current involvement in the 

world of business is reading many articles 

about the successes of business 

leaders in Forbes,” she explained. “I 

am currently reading a book called 

Girl CEO by Katherine Ellison 

which highlights many women in 

the world of business and how they 

were successful by following their 

passions, which is inspiring.” 

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sports 

Perspiration and inspiration 

Albion College swimmer Andrew Jonna is making a splash in the pool and the classroom 

BY STEVE STEIN 

Andrew Jonna decided to 

attend Albion College because 

of its business program 

and small class sizes. 

Joining the men’s swimming 

team was a distant second place. 

After a year at the private liberal 

arts college that only has about 

1,500 full-time students and an average 

class size of less than 19 students, 

Jonna has changed his tune 

about swimming. 

“I’ve made so many good friends 

on the Albion swim team,” he said. 

“I’m doing a lot more work than I’ve 

ever done when it comes to swimming, 

but I’ve learned if you can get 

through it, it pays off.” 

Work is a word Albion men’s 

swimming coach Nick Stone uses 

often when talking about Jonna, 

whose specialty is breaststroke. 

Stone, headed into his second 

season as coach, said Jonna came to 

the Albion team last year not as a 

freshman who could make an immediate 

impact, but one who had the 

potential to do well. 

Jonna swam at Detroit Country 

Day School for four years, qualifying 

for the state meet in the 100-yard 

breaststroke three times. 

He also was a member of the 

Birmingham Athletic Club summer 

swim team for eight years. 

That’s not an extensive resume 

to carry into college swimming. 

“Andrew needed to make some 

changes in his techniques, but we 

knew if he put in the work, he could 

have success,” Stone said. “He improved 

greatly, mainly because of his 

hard work. Andrew’s hard work was 

an inspiration to the entire team.” 

Jonna finished fifth in the 200- 

yard breaststroke in the Michigan 

Intercollegiate Athletic Association 

meet in 2:08.96 after swimming a 

lifetime-best 2:08.30 in the prelims. 

He also tied for first place in the 

consolation heat of the 100 breaststroke 

(1:00.30), helping the Britons 

win their second MIAA championship 

in three years. 

Jonna was also 12th in the 1650 

freestyle (17:36.07). That was a 

huge event for Albion because the 

Britons took over first place in the 

meet for good by placing five swimmers 

in the top 13. 

Wait, Jonna swam the 1650 freestyle? 

Albion needed another swimmer 

in the event, Stone said, and Jonna 

was glad to help out even though 

the event was new to him. 

“Anything for the team,” Jonna 

said. 

Stone said Jonna is a great teammate, 

and not just because he was 

willing to leave his swimming comfort 

zone and give the 1650 freestyle 

a try. 

“Andrew is an awesome kid, full 

of life,” Stone said. “He loves to be 

around people and he’s so supportive 

of his teammates.” 

Stone said he’s looking forward 

to seeing what Jonna can accomplish 

in his upcoming sophomore 

season in the pool. 

“Andrew really matured as a 

swimmer last year,” Stone said. 

“We’d like to see him build off what 

Movie night 

What does Albion College 

sophomore swimmer Andrew 

Jonna do to calm his nerves the 

night before a big meet? 

“I watch a random movie on 

Netflix on my iPad,” he said. “I 

don’t pick what you would consider 

a motivational movie.” 

Indeed he doesn’t. 

Before this past season’s 

Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic 

Association meet, Jonna 

watched “Incredibles 2.” A previous 

selection before a big meet 

was “The Hangover.” 

Breaststroke photo caption: 

Andrew Jonna specializes in 

breaststroke for the Albion College 

men’s swimming team. 

he learned and keep getting stronger 

physically.” 

Academics are also going well 

for Jonna at Albion. 

The 20-year-old from Bloomfield 

Hills made the Dean’s List both semesters 

last year and he has a 3.67 

grade-point average. He’s an accounting 

major in the college’s Carl 

A. Gerstacker Institute for Business 

and Management. 

“Country Day really prepares 

you academically for college,” Jonna 

said. “You’d better learn time management 

at Country Day, or you’re 

not going to survive.” 

Jonna is doing more than surviving 

academically at Albion. 

“That’s because Andrew takes 

his academics very seriously,” Stone 

said. 

Jonna’s parents are Matt and Michelle 

Jonna. 

He’s the oldest of three children. 

His sister Isabella, 18, recently 

graduated from Bloomfield Hills 

Academy of the Sacred Heart High 

School and is headed to the University 

of Michigan. His brother Michael, 

16, will be a junior this fall at 

Country Day. 

All three of the Jonna siblings 

have swam for the Birmingham 

Athletic Club team. Because of age 

limits, Michael is the only one left. 

Isabella and Michael have each 

made a splash outside the pool. 

Two years ago, Isabella traveled 

to the Amazon rainforest over the 

Easter holiday as part of a schoolsponsored 

trip. 

Michael is the creator of the video 

chat tutoring app, Ruru, for high 

school students. 


CHALDEAN COMMUNITY 

FOUNDATION 

Help Wanted! 

Please consider hiring one of 

our many new Americans. 

More than 30,000 Chaldean refugees have migrated to Michigan since 2007. Many 

possess the skills and determination to work hard for you and your organization. 

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) has a bank of resumes 

of candidates qualified to do a variety of jobs. To inquire about hiring a 

New American, call or email Elias at 586-722-7253 or 

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org. 

Chaldean Community Foundation 

Sterling Heights Office 



586-722-7253 

www.chaldeanfoundation.org 


ARTS & entertainment 

JBACH 

pursues 

dream, 

inspires 

others 

I think I’m gonna start a new life 

New life 

You want the old me? 

Well I left him behind 

—JBACH, Old Me 

BY PAUL NATINSKY 

An epiphany in the form of a 

surprise phone call changed 

the course of Jonathon 

Bach’s life, and he hasn’t looked back 

since. When he was 19, attending 

the University of Michigan, singing 

and playing piano, the now 23-yearold 

picked up the phone. It was the 

popular TV music show, The Voice, 

and they wanted him to audition for 

a spot. 

Having quit piano lessons in 8th 

grade and only beginning to sing seriously 

at 16, he headed out to Los 

Angeles at the show’s expense. What 

followed was an odyssey lasting several 

months and moving him closer 

to his dream. 

The Voice is a show that pits 

singer-contestants against one another 

once they are selected by celebrity 

musician judges who coach 

them on teams. 

Bach sang an acapella version of 

Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Pop 

star and composer Pharrell spun his 

chair after three lines and selected 

Bach. Pharrell then enlisted rapper 

and music industry impresario P Diddy 

to co-coach Bach in the show’s 

competition. 

Before that fateful selection Bach 

made it past the first couple of rounds 

of auditions. The real competition 

started in October 2016. Bach made 

several trips to LA and back; at first 

for a week or so and then for months. 

He enjoyed the full Hollywood experience: 

hotels, chauffeurs and star 

treatment that included access to the 

Universal Studios lot. 

His life was filled with rehearsals, 

voice lessons, lawyer and record 

label meetings. “Every artist that 

makes it onto the show is a Republic 

Records signed artist. I was at one 

point signed to Republic Records for 

at least two songs with them.” 

He didn’t share his music with his 

family because he was unsure how 

it would be received, so they really 

didn’t know how good he was. 

Bach, who lost his “battle” contest 

to another team member, used 

the experience to launch a budding 

pop career. 

Before his run on The Voice, Bach 

sang in a school-based acapella group 

at UM. The Voice talent scouts saw 

some of his taped performances and 

recruited him to audition. Keeping 

his audition a secret—he told his 

cousin and piano accompanist they 

were going to an open mic night— 

Bach made the cut and headed to Los 

Angeles. 

“It was crazy,” said Bach. “I was 

not looking for it. I doubt I would 

ever done it on my own. So it was 

completely out of the blue.” 

His “battle” contest was the first 

time his parents saw him perform and 

they were blown away by their son’s 

talent. They supported his ambitions 

from that point forward. Bach said 

his experience on The Voice was the 

first time anyone treated him like an 

artist and told him that was what he 

was meant to be. 

“It was crazy, it was like full immersion; 

you know like when people 

go to Spain and then after three 

months they can speak Spanish, they 

come back and tell us how they eat 

paellas and they are all changed and 

stuff? It was like that, but for music,” 

he explained It completely turned 

everything upside-down for me.” 

From Jonathon to JBACH 

Losing on The Voice was hard to take, 

but Bach took the praise and encouragement 

he earned on the show, reinvented 

himself as JBACH and moved 

to LA to pursue his dream. 

In the four years JBACH has been 

in LA, he has released two singles, 

“Old Me” and “Taste.” His funky pop 

style and clever confessional lyrics 

are infectious, but they have come at 

a high price. JBACH spends most of 

his time writing and composing in the 

same apartment he leased when he 

moved to LA. He once wrote 22 songs 

in 21 days. So far, he has only deemed 

three worthy of recording. His newest 

single, “When The Dark Comes,” is 

soon to be released. A video of “Taste,” 

was due out in July. Both “Old Me” and 

“Taste” are available on Spotify, Apple 

Music and other streaming services. 

Among the highlights of 

JBACH’s career is a January 2017 

opening act gig before 3,000 fans for 

an Ohio performance by indie pop 

stars the Chainsmokers. Tempering 

the rush of that experience was 

JBACH’s frustration that he only 

had one song and some mixes to play. 

While he has redoubled his commitment 

to writing, he has eschewed 

performing other artists’ music to 

continue to work on his own, working 

“every job under the sun” to make 

ends meet. His labors have included 

being duped into a telemarketing job 

and teaching music. 

“The starving artist life is very 

real, I’m telling you,” he said. “It 

makes you work harder because you 

are funding everything yourself.” 

Chaldean Celebridom 

As he continues the long climb on 

the ladder to pop stardom, JBACH 

has become a celebrity in the Chaldean 

community, a phenomenon he 

calls “Chaldean celebridom.” 

He has appeared on the cover of 

the Chaldean News. People come up 

to him all the time—even at a wedding 

performance in San Diego. “I 

feel like a cool ambassador for the 

Chaldean people because people 

will ask, “what are you.” We’re Iraqi 

Christians. It’s so cool to explain that 

and tell people what it is.” 

JBACH said he has received a lot 

of communication from Chaldean 

people, especially after “Old Me” 

came out and people said they could 

relate to it. 

“It’s about doing your own thing, 

so every Chaldean who is not a dentist, 

doctor, lawyer or pharmacist can 

relate to it. 

“The Chaldean people had to 

come here from Iraq and make a life 

for themselves and our generation 

shouldn’t be afraid to go where we 

need to go and make our own careers 

the same way our ancestors did.” 

His Instagram account is loaded 

with young and older Chaldean people 

inspired by his example. 

“My mom told me about a friend 

whose kid left everything behind for 

Mission work, based on my telling 

people to go forward and do what 

they want to do,” Bach explained. 

When he hears that people have 

shed their self-consciousness to pursue 

their dreams, he said, “it touches 

my soul.” 


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ECONOMICS & enterprise 

Supercuts 

gets a 

makeover 

BY LISA CIPRIANO 

Metro Detroit area Supercuts 

salons are ready for the 

busy back-to-school season 

after undergoing major growth and a 

makeover of their own. 

A Birmingham-based ownership 

group of nine Chaldean entrepreneurs 

called Super C Group, led 

by private equity group firm Vision 

Growth Partners, is growing and 

improving the Supercuts brand after 

acquiring 65 Michigan based salons 

from Minneapolis-based Regis Corporation. 

In addition to purchasing 13 Supercuts 

stores in Michigan, Super C 

Group is taking, what were once Bo- 

Rics, Hair Master and Fiesta Salons, 

remodeling them and converting 

them into Supercuts salons. 

They also are in the process of 

opening 10 brand new Supercuts locations 

in Michigan. The Michigan 

locations along with a number of 

franchisee and salon acquisitions in 

Ohio has made Super C Group the 

largest Supercuts franchisee in the 

Midwest with a total of 190 stores. 

Adrian Shayota, director of operations 

for Super C Group/Alline 

Salon Group, is responsible for overseeing 

the day-to-day operations of 

the Supercuts locations in Michigan. 

“It’s a good brand and a strong 

name with lot of marketing already 

behind it. It was really kind of an 

easy decision to jump on board,” explained 

Shayota. 

Another major draw in the decision 

to acquire the brands was the 

quality of the existing 430-plus employees 

of the Michigan salons who 

came along with longtime, devoted 

clientele. 

“You don’t see many industries 

where people are around for 25 or 

30 years. The average tenure of our 

existing employees is over ten years. 

We took on every single stylist, every 

salon manager and a majority of the 

district leaders as well,” Shayota said. 

In fact, Super C Group has made 

it a mission to not only invest in the 

salons, but also their employees by 

making their workplaces more modern, 

ergonomic and comfortable with 

a fresh new look from top to bottom 

by installing new floors, walls, work 

stations and reception desks. The 

stores also are being equipped with 

Wi-Fi internet. 

“It’s 2019 and the old stores didn’t 

even have internet for their customers 

if they wanted to show their stylist 

a haircut that they wanted on 

their phone. They can do that now,” 

explained Shayota. 

Super C Group/Alline Salon 

Group also is able to provide their 

employees a more responsive upper 

management that is locally based. 

“That’s a very big benefit to our 

staff. They don’t have to call Minneapolis 

to get something done. We’re 

here and right around the corner to 

help,” said Shayota. “I’ve already visited 

every single salon personally,” he 

added. 

That personal touch, better 

healthcare benefits, a 401K plan, 

one of the most aggressive commission 

plans in the industry and new 

life breathed into what were sometimes 

old, outdated salons make for 

both happier workers and customers. 

They’ve even started a new Facebook 

group for employees to interact 

with one another and share photos of 

their newly renovated salons. 

“We’re all about the team. We 

want to keep our stylists happy, 

they’re my customer, and that boils 

down to the customers walking in 

FUTUREWAVE IMAGES 

and walking out happy,” Shayota explained. 

In fact, Super C Group boasts a 

mere 6 percent turnover rate during 

the acquisitions and renovations 

that have closed some locations for a 

number of months. 

With all of this growth, Supercuts 

also is actively recruiting fresh, new 

talent to fill its newly acquired and 

expanding Supercuts salon portfolio 

by spending thousands per month on 

ads on job search websites and regular 

visits to local cosmetology schools 

and beauty colleges. 

“We visit all of the local beauty 

schools at least once a month. We’re 

right there to get the best, new talent 

as soon as they graduate,” said 

Shayota. 

All of this work and investment 

taking place since the official announcement 

of the acquisition just 

last September has put Michigan’s 

Supercuts locations in position to 

tackle the busy back-to-school season 

and possibly make some new, future 

lifelong clients. 

“It’s one of the busiest times of 

the year and we’re ready for it with a 

lot of marketing being done digitally 

and with $5 off coupons for kids. It’s 

a huge time us and we’re very excited 

about it,” said Shayota. 

Supercuts - after 

Supercuts - before 

Back-to-school time often means 

entire families coming in for their 

own fresh new looks and the price 

must be right to fit the family budget. 

“Our prices are a lot lower and 

much more affordable than private 

salons. We’re at mid-price point 

level with an average of $16.50 for 

a simple haircut. But, unlike our national 

competitors that lowball their 

prices and have time limits on their 

haircuts, we do not. It’s all about the 

quality of the work,” Shayota explained. 

Keeping up on all of the latest 

cut, color and style trends is most 

important to maintain that quality of 

work and keep a cut above the competition 

in the salon industry. 

“We’ve instituted new, top-ofthe-line 

training that this brand has 

never had before which includes Paul 

Mitchell coming in every month to 

teach our stylists new techniques and 

about new products,” Shayota said. 

“Our goal is to have or stylists and 

customers stay with us at least another 

30 years,” he concluded. 

If you’re interested in learning about a 

career at a Michigan Supercuts Salon 

you can visit: https://allinesalongroup. 

com/ or simply email your resume to 

hr@allinesg.com. 


chaldean on the STREET 

Back to school prep 

BY HALIM SHEENA 

For some, it feels like the summer has only just begun, but for others, it is quickly winding down as they look ahead at 

the upcoming school year. We asked members of the community how they prepare for the start of school. 

To prepare for the upcoming school year, I make sure 

I’m registered for my classes, gather my supplies, 

purchase my parking pass, and dedicate the school 

year to Our Lady of Good Studies. Surrendering my 

education to Mary gives her full permission to aid me 

and get me through the difficult and successful parts 

of academics. 

– Rosemary Joseph, 22, Sterling Heights 

To prepare for my upcoming school year I make sure 

I’m in the correct classes, and buy all the pens in 

Target because I can’t control myself. I make sure I 

have all the correct supplies for each of my classes 

and talk to my counselors to make sure they are the 

right class for me. As well as making sure I have 

done all the summer homework well before school 

has started. 

– Breanna Zaitouna, 16, Troy 

I prepare for the upcoming school year by making 

sure all of my summer responsibilities have been 

accomplished. Also, I ensure that my classes are 

correct and registered, my supplies are bought for 

each class, and everything is packed for me to move 

into my dorm. Throughout this preparation, I pray that 

the upcoming school year will open more doors for 

my education. 

– Rogina Hanna, 18, Ann Arbor 

During undergrad I usually waited to school supply 

shop until after syllabus day so I know exactly how 

the professor and class set up is like. During grad 

school, I have to prepare my apartment for my day to 

day life and just follow my pre-made schedule. Before 

school starts, I always try to give myself a week 

or two if I’m not taking summer classes to relax so I 

can go hard during the school year. 

– Zena Alsaraf, 22, Sterling Heights/Indianapolis 

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you 

can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela. As a 

Biomedical Science major, I prepare for the upcoming 

school year by setting personal and educational 

goals each semester. Additionally, I research effective 

study habits, such as finding a quiet and well-lit 

room to study. I also make an effort to send out an 

introductory email to all of my professors in order to 

open the gates of communication. Most importantly, 

I pray for God’s gifts of wisdom, perseverance, and 

knowledge throughout the school year. 

– Julia Hanna, 19, West Bloomfield 

Preparing for the upcoming school year in college is 

different than when I was in high school. To prepare, 

I visit Mysail to review my courses and review the 

books and materials. Usually, I try to purchase or rent 

any books I need prior to class. I also purchase any 

lab materials or such for the course. One important 

way for me to prepare for the upcoming school year, 

is reading the course syllabus. Through the syllabus, 

I can prepare for exam days and plan my schedule 

based upon that. 

– Leena Yaqoo, 20, Sterling Heights 


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$385,000. Contact Robert Alpert at 

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• Automobile accidents 

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founder of Denha Media 

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Vanessa Denha-Garmo is offering a free 30-minute consultation for any subscriber to the 

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CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 


FOUNDATION 

CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 


FOUNDATION 

SANA NAVARRETTE 

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 



CELL (248) 925-7773 

TEL (248) 851-1200 

FAX (248) 851-1348 

snavarrette@chaldeanchamber.com 

www.chaldeanchamber.com 


ELIAS KATTOULA 

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER 



TEL: (586) 722-7253 

FAX: (586) 722-7257 

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org 


James H. Kakos ABR SFR 

Residential & Commercial 

Sales Executive 

Cell: 248-425-8832 

Phone: 248-419-3196 

Fax: 248-851-9965 

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KIDS corner 

SNAPPING 

TURTLES 

BY SALLY WENCZEL 

The powerful jaws of the 

SNAP! snapping turtle, Chelydra 

serpentina, clamp shut on the leg of 

an injured duckling. The small duck eventually 

gives up and becomes part of the food 

chain, a prize meal for a snapper. 

Turtles have lived on Earth for a very long 

time. More than 200 million years ago, turtles 

shared our planet with dinosaurs. On 

the constant search for food, turtles evolved 

intelligent ways to sneak up and attack their 

prey. They are predators and scavengers. 

“Snapping turtles do have a very strong 

jaw. They are designed this way to better 

protect themselves,” said Lauren Azoury, 

Park Naturalist at West Bloomfield Parks 

and Recreation Commission. They also 

have very sharp claws. 

Common snapping turtles live in Michigan’s 

ponds, lakes and rivers. They feed on 

dead animals, insects, fish, birds, small 

mammals, amphibians, and lots of aquatic 

plants. 

When they’re not hunting for food, snappers 

can be seen digging holes on the land. 

Females are looking for a safe place to lay 

eggs. They lay up to 30 eggs at a time! 

That’s a lot! 

Have you ever stood on the end of the 

dock in a nature sanctuary and looked out at 

the swamp? Did you see that dome of green 

slime rising up out of the dark water, like a 

submarine coming to the surface? Snapping 

turtle shells can be as big as a large 

pizza! The large, hard shell protects their 

soft bodies. 

Turtles have 13 scutes on their shells. A 

SCUTE is a thickened horny or bony plate 

on a turtle’s shell or on the back of an alligator. 

It’s always that special number 13. 

Different groups of Native Americans have 

unique names for each scute, which represent 

the 13 moons of the year. 

Snapping turtles live a very long life and 

they carry the story of the wetland and watershed 

with them. They can live to be 50 

years old or more. In that time span, environments 

can change with new subdivisions, 

development and pollution. Some wetlands 

have been completely drained or polluted 

and turtles are left homeless. 

“It is very important for us to keep the water 

free of litter and pollution. If you fish for 

sport/fun make sure to clean up all of your 

fishing line so the turtles do not get tangled 

in it,” said Azoury. Chelydra serpentina’s environment 

needs your love and protection. So 

mind the bin and put your trash in! It’s a good 

idea to ease up on lawn and garden chemicals 

too, as they eventually end up in the watershed 

and inside a snapping turtle’s body. 

If you’ve never had a snapping turtle encounter, 

maybe one is in your future! Grab a 

friend and some binoculars and hit the trails 

of your favorite wetland preserve! 

FUN FACTS: 

• Snapping turtles bruminate, which is the reptile 

version of hibernate. They are under the ice at the 

bottom of the pond. They do not move all winter long. 

• The temperature of eggs buried underground in 

a nest determines the sex of the babies. 

• Large adults can weigh 70-80+ pounds (alligator 

snappers, found in the south, can be much larger) 

• Their long necks can stretch out half the length 

of their shell. 

• Snapping turtles do not have ears on the outside. 

They have an inner eardrum that picks up 

low sounds and vibrations. 


event 

Presbyteral Ordination 

PHOTOS BY JONATHON FRANCIS 

Members of the community 

gathered at St. Thomas on 

Saturday, July 6 to witness 

the Presbyteral Ordination of Deacons 

Perrin Atisha, 26, and Rodney 

Abasso, 28. 

The St. Thomas Chaldean 

Catholic Diocese shared brief backgrounds 

on both priests before leading 

up to the ordination. 

Before entering the seminary, 

Atisha, the son of Steve and Ibtihal 

Atisha, was studying Psychology at 

Wayne State University and assisting 

in his father’s store with things 

like bill payments, Western Unions, 

and check cashing. Through this all, 

he was also quite active within the 

church. 

He was very involved at St. 

Thomas serving Masses, teaching 

Catechism, and leading the CLC 

youth group. 

The idea of becoming a priest was 

not a new one, but rather one Atisha 

had given thought to from an 

early age. As an altar boy, he thought 

about priesthood as young boy. 

He began serving as an altar boy 

at Mother of God Church when he 

was just 5 years old. Fr. Boji and Fr. 

Frank were the priests at the time. 

A year later, Atisha approached his 

mother, telling her he wanted to do 

what the priest was doing. 

Throughout his childhood Atisha 

recalls wanting to become a priest. 

When Atisha made the decision 

to enter the seminary and pursue 

priesthood, he was met with love and 

support from his family. Entering the 

seminary did not come without its 

hardships, though. 

Overall, Atisha’s family was supportive 

of his decision to enter the 

seminary. His mother, however, took 

this the hardest. 

Despite this, though, through 

the last seven years, Atisha has had 

nothing but love and support from 

his family. 

While the newly ordained priest 

will miss the seminary and his brother 

seminarians, he is excited to love 

and serve God’s people. 

Before entering the seminary, 

Abasso, the son of Saad and Fatin 

Abasso, was also in college. Attending 

Oakland University, he was 

studying psychology and pre-law 

while also assisting with his family’s 

business. 

It was during his time at Oakland 

University that Abasso began to seriously 

consider becoming a priest. It 

was not until his last year in college 

that he decided to seriously begin 

pursuing the call to priesthood. 

While the initial reaction from 

his family was not so great, Abasso’s 

family were front and center to watch 

their son being ordained as a priest. 

Leaving the seminary to serve 

the community, Abasso says he will 

miss the immense beauty of the main 

chapel and the time he spent there 

in prayer. 

Nevertheless, the newly ordained 

priest is looking forward to offering 

the sacraments, particularly the sacrament 

of confession. 

Taking on their new roles, Fr. Perrin 

Atisha has been assigned to St. 

George in Shelby Township and Fr. 

Rodney Abasso has been assigned to 

St. Thomas in West Bloomfield.

AUGUST 2019

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