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A Utica High School junior is celebrating a state championship bowling title that was nearly 16 years in the making.

And, in the end, Ava Mazza earned the title in the last frame of the final game in the state bowling champion.

“The feeling is indescribable because this is everything I have worked so hard for,” she said.

For Ava, the hard work began when she was two years old as the daughter of professional bowler, who also is her coach.

“As a coach, I’m very happy to have success once again brought to the school as we will showcase another State Title,” said her father and coach, John Mazza said.  “As a Father naturally ecstatic for Ava as she has worked very hard to put herself into this position and to finish it off was as good as it gets.”

During those years, Ava continued to develop her skills at the alley and, over the past few years, has been practicing four of five days a week.

But to be a state championship bowler takes more than practice, she said.

“Bowling is such a mental game ,” she said. “You have to surround yourself with the right people and I’ve been really lucky.

Mazza said she has been close to realizing her life’s goal of a state title. The finals feature 60 of the state’s best bowlers and takes four victories to make it to the title match.

It was a match that went to the very final frame, where Mazza bowled three straight strikes to claim the title.

“It was very exciting, but I just remembered to breather, like my coaches told me,” she said. “I visualized a good shot and trusted my training.”

As a junior, Mazza said a repeat of the championship is a goal for next year. She is also looking into the future, where she has already committed to play bowling at Wichita State University.

“There are still other things to check off the list,” she said.

It is a sentiment shared by her coach.

“She is a very determined and focused young lady,” John Mazza said. “Anything is possible to be honest.

A group of Utica Community Schools Career and Technical Education students have entered new waters to explore a career as a marine technician.

In the first of its kind experience, students in the Career and Technical Education program spent two days visiting local marine companies to learn more about an important industry critical to the Great Lakes Region.

“This experience has definitely changed my mind,” said Henry Ford II senior Russell Strickland. “I like working on cars and this is really something unique. Every boat is different and this was a great opportunity to learn what is out there.”

The experience was part of a partnership between Utica Community Schools, Michigan Boating Industries Association, and Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales and Colony Marine in St. Clair Shores.

“Providing them with the opportunity to see firsthand what a day in the life of a technician looks like is incredibly impactful,” said Kelly Kerchoff, Workforce Development Director for Michigan Boating Industries Association.  “There is no better way for students to determine if the industry is the right fit for them than through meaningful, hands-on experience.”

Nick Skalsky, a CTE teacher at Henry Ford II, said students were motivated by what they experienced.

“The students really liked the flexibility of the job – not every day is the same, Skalsky said. “They also saw the comradery and the family-type environment of the people who worked there.”

There is no better place to be a marine technician than Michigan, which is home to the Great Lakes and 835,000 registered boats.

There is also an industry need. Annually, there are 135 job openings for technicians.

“The marine trades offer stable, high-demand employment opportunities with mechanics and technicians as the top projected growth,” Kerchoff said. “There is a misconception that this is seasonal.  Not true.  These are year-round, full-time, well-paying jobs.” 

The students visited the Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, Colony Marine and the annual Detroit boat show. The students will return to the marinas in April to see first-hand how technicians launch the boats for the season.

It is an experience that excites Paul VanderDonck, Sales Manager at Colony Marine.

“The students will really enjoy the outdoor side of the business,” he said.

What is the best part about being a firefighter?

For Sterling Heights Firefighter Andrew Pham, it being the person who is there when the community needs it most.

“When there is an emergency, who do our residents call? They call us,” Pham said.

It was what tenth grader Dylan Dworkin wanted to hear.

“I am thinking of a career in law enforcement,” he said. “I just like helping people out and I want to keep the community safe.”

More than 140 Utica Community Schools high school students took part in a first of its kind training experience sponsored by the Sterling Heights Fire Department.

The students, who were selected after identifying Fire Sciences as a career interest, took part took in an abbreviated day-long training program, including CPR, tools firefighters use in an emergency, and what was a favorite – racing a firefighter to see who can put on the equipment the fastest.

They also learned the educational path to follow to become a firefighter and the career benefits.

And the benefits are many – an interesting job where every day is different; a competitive salary with good benefits; good work schedules; paid training; a physically active profession; and, most of all, being the person who serves the community during emergencies.

“It just seems like an interesting career and something I would want to learn more about,” 10^th grade Tina McGee said.

On February 27, 2026, Stevenson Titan students enjoyed an immersive experience with The Schools to Tools Mobile Field Trip.

Schools to Tools travels across Michigan and brings a great opportunity for students to learn more about skilled trades. 150 Stevenson MADE and Career Technical Education students participated in this field trip featuring engaging hands-on challenges alongside dynamic virtual experiences that let them step into the world of skilled trades.

Students got the chance to do things such as augmented reality exploration, engaging technical challenges, and a virtual reality tour of a jobsite.

Davis Junior High school students embellished the surface of plastic plates with alcohol inks.  Then they carefully melted and morphed the edges to add volume and intrigue.

Each sculpture is presented on a designer wood base or plinth. This allows light to get pass through the art giving better visibility of the colors.

Art teacher Mrs. Borowski added her own hot glass artwork to the display so kids and the community could see the next creative step for these young artists.  "Students found several hot glass studios locally and they were interested in the classes and workshops. I am glad they connected their plastic work to the glass work of artists like Dale Chihuly, and to glass opportunities nearby. Whether it is for fun or for a career, glass is an incredible medium to work with! I am so proud of their success with abstract art and understanding the medium."

Davis artists invite you to view this artwork at the Sterling Heights Community Center second floor, until mid-March 15, Monday - Saturday 9 am - 8 pm, closed Sundays, Thursday closed at 5 pm