School Merger Update: Final Flock of Blue Jays Expects to Graduate in 2016
This year’s seniors will likely be the last class to graduate from Southfield High School.
That’s the word from School Principal Sonia Jackson, who spoke to students at a September Blue Jay meeting about the planned combining of Southfield High School and Southfield-Lathrup High School next fall.
The Board of Education voted 4-3 on June 9 to combine the high schools due to decreased enrollment.
Reactions to the upcoming merger are mixed.
Jackson is upbeat about the transition. She said she is “very excited to be a part of history” as the two schools combine.
Vince Bean graduated from Southfield High School in 1980 and now teaches economics at his alma mater. He said, “I hate to see the history of Southfield High disappear.”
Superintendent Dr. Lynda Wood has said publicly that the newly combined school will likely have a new name and a new mascot that the students create.
Even if the school name changes and the mascot is different, Social Studies teacher Andy Green said, “I will always be a Blue Jay at heart.”
Assistant Principal Vernon Burden, who also is a graduate of Southfield High, said, I have always been a Blue Jay. I don’t want to be a canary or a parrot, but the (last) class will always be special.”
Senior Shayla Smith is one of the 217 students in the Class of 2016. She said, “I feel honored to be a part of the final (graduating) class.”
In honor of the last class, Southfield Student Council sold school water bottles that say, “The Last Soar.”
Class Vice President Lyric Mention said, “I feel that we should make this year count, that every organization, sports teams, and administrator should do what they can to leave a mark on others this last year.” Her motto is, “Remember the Jays!”
Over the years, the school has graduated many notable Blue Jays such Robert Shiller, of the Class of 1963, who received the Nobel Prize in Economics two years ago.
Southfield High opened in 1951 and grew so large in enrollment that it branched off and opened sister high school Southfield-Lathrup in 1967.
Enrollment statewide has decreased in recent years, necessitating closures in not only Southfield, but Bloomfield Hills, Berkley, and, most recently, Farmington.
Chardonnay Richardson • Oct 16, 2015 at 5:37 pm
As an upcoming senior when the merger will take place – 2016-2017 – I am saddened because I have been a Southfield Blue Jay for 3 years and will always consider myself a Southfield Blue Jay. I will always keep all my Southfield High Blue Jay T-Shirts, etc that I purchased for memories. I hate this will take place my senior year and I definitely feel that combining The Blue Jays and Chargers is a huge mistake. This will affect potential scholarships, captains for our sport teams, over crowding of classrooms, and staff (lay-offs). Blue Jays are used to our staff and Chargers are used to their staff. Hopefully since I will be a senior when this happens, Dr. Wood would allow us to graduate with two diplomas, one that would say Southfield High and the other of the new school name. However I am a Blue Jay for life Class of 2017.
Lyric • Oct 16, 2015 at 10:38 am
It’s so sad to see the Blue Jay pride die away, and I am honored to be the last class!
KaBria Arnold • Oct 16, 2015 at 10:38 am
I believe that this is a great story. But one thing that I have noticed amongst the student body is that they are not too excited about the merging of schools. Also that the Blue Jays should continue being the Blue Jays!
Jasmine Johnson • Oct 16, 2015 at 10:37 am
I am actually sad that the school is combining even though I won’t be here to experience it because I am a senior. I don’t want my alma mater to have a new name. I love the name Blue Jays and hate to see it leave. I hope our class leaves on a good note and goes down in history with great academics. I do believe there will be a lot of fights, and that’s my biggest concern for my friends who are underclassmen.
Carnell Wallace • Oct 16, 2015 at 10:31 am
I feel that the two schools merging will be a good idea. The graduating class of 2016 should make a impact since they are the last class to graduate from Southfield High School.
zaire • Oct 16, 2015 at 10:26 am
This story is awesome!!