![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
Detroit Lions fans can now be proud fans, something that was not the case a couple of seasons ago. They currently have a 9-1 record and are at the top of the NFC North. Players like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and many others have all stepped up to become big parts of this team. Another big factor that has helped with all this success is the 12th man, the fans.
Ever since turning around the franchise and being very successful, Detroit Lions fans seem to be louder than ever. Whether it is a home game or away game, they are there to support the team. Sara Serfozo, a math teacher at Huron High School, is one of the many fans that shows up for her team. She has been a Lions fan her whole life and has season tickets. As well as going to every home game, Serfozo occasionally goes to away games. Many other Lions fans also do that.
“We just went to Houston for our away game, and we’re going to Indianapolis in two weeks for another away game,” Serfozo said. “When we were in Houston, our whole hotel was basically packed with Lions fans. I would say maybe a quarter to a third of the seats down below, at least, were blue.”
With the success from the team, comes the response from the fans. It is very clear that the stadium is a lot louder than it used to be. Thousands of fans yell at the top of their lungs, hoping for the Lions to win yet another game.
“I think they’re just excited. In Houston, we caused a false start because we were there,” Serfozo said. “Ford Field was packed, but the travel of the away games has increased. And even like how loud it is in Ford Field, usually we wear ear plugs on offense or on defensive drives, because it’s so loud.”
The Detroit Lions have their best record in almost 100 years. They have had a very productive season, being the team with the most points in the NFL. Although it is very entertaining to watch the Lions play, it was the complete opposite just a few seasons ago.
“Every game you turned it on Sunday, and you knew it was only one o’clock because they weren’t good to play during Prime Time. You just always thought they were never gonna win. It’s just exciting to see they actually can win and be relevant,” Serfozo said.
These amazing results from the Lions are also starting to influence other teams. The Detroit Tigers have shown some promise. They made their first playoff appearance in 10 years. The fanbase in Detroit as a whole is increasing.
“And I think it’s the Tigers as well. So the fans are just excited. They’re going to do more things. The Lions have just kind of led the pack. The fans are just so deserving of it, and we’re excited,” Serfozo said.
The only thing missing in Detroit is a Super Bowl. A lot of fans’ hopes are very high for the Lions to win a Super Bowl. Serfozo hopes it can happen once in her lifetime, but this year especially.
This story was originally published on The Emery on November 22, 2024.