Groves Senior, Beverly Elementary Finish on Top in Excellence in Education Awards

Birmingham Public Schools is home to one of the top high school seniors, as well as one of its most innovative school programs, in the county.

Groves High School senior Ellen Searle and Beverly Elementary School both received a 2013 Excellence in Education Award, a program sponsored by the Oakland Schools Intermediate School District and The Oakland Press. 

The program, now in it 21st year, honors Oakland County's top high school seniors as well as innovative programs at schools throughout the county, according to a report in The Oakland Press.

Both Searle and Beverly Elementary came in second place in their respective categories.

The 18-year-old Searle, who received $500, was diagnosed with several neurological disorders. Doctors told her the disorders would limit her ability to attend a regular school or participate in sports and clubs. 

Despite the odds, Searle now has a 4.127 weighted grade point average and plans to study Spanish and psychology in college. She is currently deciding between Oakland University, Grand Valley State University and Albion College. 

In addition, Searle was a member of the Groves water polo team, sings with the choir and participates on the debate and forensics team alongside her work volunteering with other kids who also have neurological disorders. 

Also receiving a 2013 Excellence in Education Award was Beverly Elementary for their program, Art and Math Integration at the DIA. As part of the program, Beverly's art teacher worked with fourth and fifth grade teachers to connect the concepts they were learning in math class with artwork at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). 

Students later presented their findings to their classmates, as well as the public, during a special field trip to the DIA. 

"The project helped me see that math is everywhere," one Beverly student said. "It helped me see things in art I never would have seen before." 

Meanwhile, tying Searle for second place among Oakland County's high school seniors was Walled Lake Central's Michael Turner, while West Bloomfield's Seif Saquallah, a blind wrestler with a 3.9 grade point average, won first place.

Also winning in the innovative school programs category was the Academic Booster Council from Lake Orion's Webber Elementary School, and the PEER LINK program at Clawson Middle School.