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Haslett students earn national recognition: PBS showcase shout-out and National Merit acknowledgements
Summary
Haslett High and Middle School students were recognized for essays and photo-essays: a student photo-essay received national attention through a PBS/KQED project and a video shout-out, and two seniors were named National Merit semifinalists with one a finalist and both listed as U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates.
Teachers told the board that Haslett students submitted photo essays to a PBS/KQED national showcase and that at least one student’s work drew a video shout-out. Sarah Rolfes, a Haslett High School teacher, said the project connected visual literacy with American identity and required students to produce original photographs and local reporting.
A recorded message played for the board in which Monty Williams (present on the clip) said he had read “a photo essay by Morgan from Haslet High School in Michigan called The Power of Being Inclusive, and it really resonated with me,” praising the student’s work on Unified Sports and inclusion.
Separately, the principal introduced two seniors, Phoebe Elder and Neil (surname not provided in the transcript), as National Merit semifinalists; the principal said Neil has advanced to the finalist stage and both students are candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, with final national selections still pending.
Why it matters: The recognitions place student work from Haslett on a national platform and highlight both academic merit (National Merit) and classroom project-based learning that attracted outside attention.
Board reaction: Board members congratulated the students and suggested the district share examples of student work more broadly across grade bands to illustrate curriculum continuity.
Next steps: Staff said they will keep the board updated on National Merit finalist results and offered the PBS/KQED showcase video for broader viewing.
