Have you Herd? Buchanan Parties On
February 18, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
BUCHANAN – Watch what’s become nearly a decade’s worth of Buchanan High School “Battle of the Fans” videos online. Check out the four MHSAA BOTF banners – including two for championships – hanging side by side on the far wall of the school’s gym.
It might appear that having an awesome student section at this southwestern border school is as easy as opening the doors for a new year every fall.
But maintaining what’s become Michigan’s benchmark for high school cheering sections can take just as much work as starting from scratch – especially when those new leaders every year face the expectations of continuing a tradition that’s included those two BOTF titles won in 2013 and then a year ago.
“I feel like when we won (last year), that day, we all looked around as a (then-junior) class and were like, ‘Whew, we’ve got some work to do,’” Buchanan senior Aria Nowlin recalled. “I feel like the day it was announced that we won, it almost kinda humbled us looking toward (this) year, because we were all proud of the accomplishments that we did do in 2018. But 2019 has been a year of growth and seeing what works change-wise.”
“The Herd” indeed has seen changes this school year, especially in leadership after waving good-bye to an impactful group of seniors last spring. But what remains the same is passed down from class to class and makes the section a model statewide – and provided many of the reasons for the MHSAA to make an unequaled fifth BOTF trip Friday for the Bucks’ boys basketball game against Niles Brandywine.
We finished our Battle of the Fans VIII finalists tour by meeting first with seniors Nowlin, Garret Lollar, Tali Suloff, Emily Riley and juniors Carter Aalfs and Jade Smith – and then postgame with senior Maya Schuhknecht (who missed the earlier meeting to help run the point for the girls basketball team).
As we did with our first two BOTF visits this month, we will report on Friday’s following the format of a typical game night. We begin with a few tips from The Herd on how to maintain a championship-caliber student section, followed by a quick dive into Buchanan’s “pregame prep” and then a review of what we saw to close out this year’s BOTF tour.
The Herd’s Gameplan
Take some of these tips from The Herd:
Value your values: They will guide your student section through growth and tough decisions. The Herd is rooted in being positive, supporting the school’s athletes and having fun. It sounds simple – but establishing similar guiding principles can be key.
Set the tone – everywhere: A positive student section emerges from a positive school environment – and then helps keep that environment harmonious. Spread the good vibes not just during games but in the hallways all day long.
Tap administration: With five visits over seven years, we’ve gotten to know Buchanan’s teacher “shepherds” as well, and they provide an incredible amount of support to the section, as have administrators past and present. The key is they empower student leaders to take action. Those student leaders thrive on that opportunity to be creative and in turn empower their classmates.
Embrace mass communication: The Herd’s message rings out on every social media channel, but leaders follow up that mass messaging with face-to-face encouragement in the halls.
Pregame Prep
The Herd’s current leaders were in middle school when the section got its start about six years ago. They would be excused for thinking this is how things have always been at Buchanan games.
The shepherds know better. They remember pre-Herd when games were sparsely attended and that spirit of togetherness didn’t exist.
A lot of work goes into keeping it going. Section leaders over the years have put a lot of time into visiting the elementary and middle school students and teaching them cheers. This year, Lollar noticed how the youngest kids showed tons of enthusiasm – but the middle schoolers didn’t really respond. Leaders face the same attitude with some underclassmen, needing to convince them that it’s fun to loosen up.
As noted above, The Herd also was challenged by a self-imposed obligation to improve on a banner year. Of course that’s tough to do. So Herd leaders dug into history – mixing some of the great cheers and chants from their past with new ideas this school year.
“I think it’s different, but different is good. Because if we’re not changing, we’re not growing,” Lollar said. “So I feel we do do the same things, but we slowly introduce new things and we slowly bring back old things, because if it works then why take it out?”
So first, what’s old? A lot of cheers and chants made popular in the section in past years including dances to Pitbull’s “Timber” and Sheppard’s “Geronimo.” Smith said because most of the high schoolers have taken part in the Herd since before they were teenagers, they’re able to remember the oldies-but-goodies and pick them back up quickly.
What’s new is an increased amount of participation from underclassmen who have brought a supply of new ideas. Nowlin remembers going to her first Herd meeting as an eighth grader and being the only member of her class in attendance. Now her sophomore sister and her sister’s friends are among those supplying input and planning for their turn to take the reins.
The Herd also has maintained its place as something of a civic group in the community, providing its enthusiasm to help Buchanan neighbors. Over the past year, the section has raised money to assist the family of a leader whose mom is fighting cancer, and also asked for donations for a recent graduate involved in a crash last summer. The Herd also will hold a co-fundraiser with students from Berrien Springs at an upcoming game.
“We do things to help the people that are in our community, because we are just that close-knit that we love everyone that goes through Buchanan,” Riley said. “So when they have a problem, we’re there to help them.”
Game Time
Riley recently was named winner of the Miss Buchanan pageant. When the five finalists were asked as part of the last round what event in the community captures what Buchanan is all about, four – including Riley – answered with something regarding a night with The Herd.
Here’s how she defines a Herd Night: “It’s hype, we’re together, we’re united. We’re seriously a group of people who love Buchanan and want to support everyone.”
Friday was surely one of those nights that will live in the memories of the 130 or so students who filled their usual corner of the home gym.
The weather has played some havoc with the basketball teams’ home schedules, among other school events. So Friday’s game doubled as Winterfest, with royalty crowned between the girls and boys varsity games.
Then began what felt like a throwback to Herd Nights of years past.
First the lights went out. When it was time for the home team to be introduced, a spotlight and plenty of phone flashes came on, creating an environment sure to get any team revved up.
The boys basketball team proceeded to give opponent Niles Brandywine a somewhat unexpected challenge for the first three quarters (Brandywine is 16-1 and Buchanan 6-9), and the student section cheered the team on with chants we’ve heard for years plus a medley of songs and dances that seemed like a Herd greatest hits collection.
There was some new too. During the first half, the section split in half for a “Party” chant we hadn’t heard before and that’s become a Herd favorite, and at halftime a group of senior dancers performed their recent school championship routine. As the second half wore on, the section kept things mostly rowdy despite the game slipping away.
Postgame analysis
You don’t need an invite: “I’ve had people text me: ‘How do I get into The Herd? How do I get the text messages?’” Riley said. “And I’m like, 'You’re a part of The Herd – everyone’s a part of The Herd.' When we go and see little kids, we’re like, 'Raise your hand if you’re part of The Herd.' And then we’re like, ‘You all should be raising your hand, because you’re all part of The Herd.’”
We do this together: “Having everything look good together and having everyone participate is something really awesome that not many people ever can do,” Lollar said.
It’s no secret: “Not only (do we) live it, but our athletes that we support love it,” Riley said. “They look forward to it. It’s not just for us. It’s for the athletes because it supports them and it helps them. And the parents, they go crazy. All of Buchanan knows The Herd is where it’s at.”
Next for BOTF: Public voting for Battle of the Fans begins Tuesday on the MHSAA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites – come back to Second Half on Tuesday for instructions on how to support your favorite section.
The Battle of the Fans is sponsored in part by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
PHOTOS: (Top) Buchanan’s ‘Herd’ enjoys a quick dance party during a break in Friday’s boys basketball game against Niles Brandywine. (Middle) Bucks students fill their section of the bleachers and feed the atmosphere with songs, chants and cheers from opening tip through the final buzzer.
2026 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class A
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 17, 2026
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 13 student-athletes from Class A member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 37th year of sponsoring the award, will give $2,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees who can come from any classification.
Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
The 32 scholarship recipients will be recognized March 14 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
The Class A Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Lydia Binelli, Berkley; Brynn Corrion, Bay City Central; Lilamae Frank, Battle Creek Lakeview; Ava Mac Donald, Rochester Adams; Maggie Rothstein, Holland West Ottawa; Maggie Telgenhof, Holland; Ari Blank, Birmingham Groves; Sajan Doshi, Bloomfield Hills; Omar Elghawy, Portage Northern; Trevor Griffith, Flint Kearsley; Benjamin Hu, Northville; Amogh Mavatoor, Northville; and Ian Morgan, Okemos.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class A Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Lydia Binelli, Berkley
Ran four seasons of cross country, is competing in her third of gymnastics and will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Has qualified for Regional competition in 11 events across her three sports and earned league medals in cross country and gymnastics. Served as captain of all three teams. Earned AP Scholar with Distinction and College Board national recognition. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and fourth of Science National Honor Society, and as president of the latter this school year. Serving fourth year on superintendent’s student advisory board. Created Bravery Bears project to serve children in post-anesthesia care units and participated in Focus: HOPE’s Generation of Promise leadership program. Will attend University of Michigan and study biology, health and society.
Essay Quote: “I started struggling with feeling not good enough because I constantly compared myself to (my teammate). … Our friendship was as strong as ever, but nevertheless, I felt inferior. After a late-summer run, our coaches called us over. We were going to be the only two junior captains for the girls side. I realized then that we were the leaders, and no longer just part of the team. We had the opportunity to build our girls team up. Together.”
Brynn Corrion, Bay City Central
Played two seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her first of varsity basketball, and will play her fourth of varsity soccer and compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-league recognition in volleyball and soccer and qualified for Regionals in track. Earned league all-academic honors the last three years and served as co-captain in volleyball, soccer and basketball. Expects to enter college with 42 credits earned by dual enrollment, and participating in third year of National Honor Society. Participated in DECA and with regional Child Abuse and Neglect Council as a junior and Great Lakes Bay Region Youth Leadership Institute as a senior. Will attend Delta College and then transfer to Northwood University, and study marking and management.
Essay Quote: “Our team lacked effort and respect, disregarding the spirit of competing with pride. Yet that year became one of the most important learning experiences of my athletic career. It taught me critical life skills and the responsibility of carrying good sportsmanship through all my varsity athletics. Equally important is how I transfer these lessons into the classroom, working respectfully and collaboratively with teachers and peers. In the end, character, teamwork, and integrity matter far more than stats or scoring.”
Lilamae Frank, Battle Creek Lakeview
Ran four season of cross country, is playing her third of varsity basketball, and will play her fourth of varsity soccer and compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Qualified multiple seasons for MHSAA Finals in cross country, earned all-state recognition in soccer and was a city champion in track and cross country. Served as cross country and basketball junior varsity team captain. Participated in DECA throughout high school, earning a state championship as a junior and serving as president of promotions as a senior. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and fourth of show choir, as a section leader this school year. Participated in theater club throughout high school and contributed to school television network all four years and earned state awards for production. Will attend Ball State University (Ind.) and study sports media and broadcasting.
Essay Quote: “High school sports have taught me how to be a great teammate and competitor, but the true takeaway is the better person I’ve become. Character is worth way more than any medal or trophy in my bedroom. I will pay it forward and will forever be the person who reaches out their hand to help lift others up.”
Ava Mac Donald, Rochester Adams
Competing in third season of competitive cheer and will play her third season of varsity lacrosse in the spring. Helped cheer team to MHSAA Finals runner-up finish and lacrosse team to league title, earning academic all-state in both sports while contributing to team academic all-state awards in both. Served as captain of both teams. Participating in third years of National Honor Society and Spanish National Honors Society. Serving on student council and as president of Interact Club, and has participated in Key Club and UNICEF club throughout high school. Founded Tiny Steps dance collective. Participated for two years in Michigan Medachieve program and two as part of Health Occupations Students of America. Is finalizing where she will attend college and her course of study.
Essay Quote: “In a sport where lifting each other up is a physical requirement, it becomes a moral obligation as well, reflecting the honor and integrity within each athlete. At the end of the day, success or failure, each cheerleader and athlete makes the decision to show up to practice, play the game, perform the routine, and give it their all.”
Maggie Rothstein, Holland West Ottawa
Played three seasons of varsity golf and will play her fourth of varsity tennis this spring. Earned all-state honorable mention and helped team to Regional championship in tennis. Earned all-area and academic all-state in golf, and helped both teams to academic all-state team awards. Served as captain of both teams. Earned AP Scholar award and certified nursing assistant certification. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as chapter vice president, and serving fourth year on student government and second year as class vice president. Serving third year on Holland Youth Advisory Committee and participating in second year of West Ottawa Equality Now club. Will attend University of Michigan and study nursing.
Essay Quote: “It is the quiet choice to stay cool when something feels unfair, to respect the call even if it hurts, to play for the joy instead of the win. On the court or in the program, it is all the same. I play for the kids who cannot, and I am thankful I get to compete when some kids never will. So instead of getting mad over a silly point, I am grateful for being out there.”
Maggie Telgenhof, Holland
Competed four seasons of swimming & diving, completing third of varsity basketball and will play her fourth of varsity softball this spring. Earned all-conference recognition in softball and academic all-state in basketball, and qualified for Diving Regionals all four years. Served as captain of all three teams. Serving fourth year on student senate and as president. Participating in fourth year of Youth in Government and third of National Honor Society, the latter as chapter secretary. Participating in second years of Holland Youth Advisory Council and school’s athletic leadership committee, and co-founded the latter. Played two years in school marching band. Participated in Students Helping Our Remarkable Environment club throughout high school. Will attend University of Michigan and study kinesiology, pre-athletic training and movement science.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is also a choice you make in your hardest moments. I’ve had games where I wanted to throw something out of frustration, but sportsmanship pushes you to rise above that instinct. It’s learning to pause and not take the impulsive path. It’s walking away from trash talk instead of joining. Choosing to be the steady teammate when the pressure rises shows commitment to the game and respect for everyone involved.”
Ari Blank, Birmingham Groves
Played three years of varsity tennis and will play his second of varsity golf this spring. Earned all-state in tennis as a senior and earned league scholar athlete awards in both sports multiple seasons. Served as tennis team captain as a senior. Participating in second year of National Honor Society. Played in school’s concert and symphony orchestras throughout high school and earned “1” orchestra ratings from the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. Served as campus captain for his school’s mental health awareness program and a mentor as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Serving third year as student ambassador to the school district superintendent. Will attend University of Michigan and is finalizing his course of study.
Essay Quote: “(Sportsmanship is) not about following the rules when the coach is watching. It's the conscious decision to uphold the honor of the game, even when it costs you greatly. In high school tennis and golf, this integrity is our greatest strength and the most profound lesson we can take away from the golf course or tennis court into life. It teaches us that true success is measured by the character we show when the only referee is ourselves.”
Sajan Doshi, Bloomfield Hills
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, earning all-state recognition and finishing with a 72-2 career record. Contributed to MHSAA Finals team championships his first three years of high school and was part of the No. 3 doubles flight champion as a junior. Served as team captain as a senior. Participating in third year of Spanish National Honors Society and fourth of student government. Competed as part of Future Business Leaders of America throughout high school, making state finals and qualifying for national competition. Competed in forensics throughout high school, winning two state championships. Served as co-president of FBLA team and president for forensics. Founded Downsize with Dignity decluttering service and co-founded Lil Aces Tennis Academy, which has served more than 250 youth players and raised more than $12,000 for charity. Served on boards of investing club and Indian-American Student Association. Will attend University of Michigan and study finance.
Essay Quote: “We had a true respect for one another, and an understanding that the wins and losses ultimately mean less than the experience, wisdom, and memories gained from giving everything you have and lifting each other up. Motivation, preparation, effort, struggle, strategy, maximum effort, fair ethical play, and treating your opponents with respect ... sportsmanship truly represents a microcosm of life.”
Omar Elghawy, Portage Northern
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, will play his second of varsity lacrosse this spring and competed in track & field as a freshman. Earned all-conference and academic all-state recognition in tennis and served as team captain as a senior. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and fourth as part of student senate, this year as student body president. Competed two years as part of DECA and forensics teams. Participated in Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War group throughout high school, earning Martin Luther King Youth Social Justice Award from the Kalamazoo city commission. Helped lead school’s student cheering section. Participated in community service work that included helping raise money for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Is undecided where he will attend college and is finalizing his course of study but considering a pre-law track.
Essay Quote: “As captains, we worked with our coach to dedicate a few practices to mental toughness and good sportsmanship. Even in mistakes, we saw how sportsmanship is a necessary part of learning. … In a world with unfavorable circumstances, it is vital to purify what's already there to crystallize into a diamond rather than become a lump of coal.”
Trevor Griffith, Flint Kearsley
Played three seasons of varsity football, is playing his second of varsity basketball and will compete in his fourth season of track & field this spring. Earned all-conference and league scholar-athlete recognition in football and qualified for Regional competition in shot put. Served as captain of football and basketball teams and field event captain for track. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and served on school’s athletic leadership council. Attended Genesee Career Institute for two years for welding and advanced welding and earned several certifications. Volunteered as part of school’s summer learning program and has participated as a youth basketball and football mentor and referee throughout high school. Is undecided where he will attend college, but intends to study aerospace engineering.
Essay Quote: “This year, my senior year, we decided we didn’t want to be the storm, we wanted to be the spark. We leaned into competitiveness with respect. We stopped responding to negativity with negativity. We started showing up for each other, celebrating the right things, and reminding the younger players that being an athlete is about more than winning, it’s about how you win, how you lose, and how you treat the people standing across from you. Here’s what I’ve learned: sportsmanship is contagious.”
Benjamin Hu, Northville
Competed on boys swimming & diving team all four years of high school. Swam on MHSAA Finals championship relay as a junior and has earned all-state five times over his first three seasons. Has qualified for USA Swimming futures and national competitions. Served as team captain. Earned AP Scholar with Distinction recognition. Played in University of Michigan Youth Symphonic Band throughout high school and solo & ensemble his first three years and earned MSBOA “1” rating; also won Michigan Open classical piano competition. Attended Michigan New Century Chinese School throughout high school and served as lifeguard and swim instructor also all four years. Will attend University of Michigan and study biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: “… (My teammate) knew I wasn't drowning in the water, but in my own thoughts. For the remainder of that practice, I focused on the steady kick in front of me, a lifeline that I didn't know I needed. That moment, in the red-tinted gloom of a 5 a.m. practice, is what true sportsmanship is. It's not the polished handshake after a buzzer. It's the unobserved investments in the person next to you when they're at their worst. It's the team coming together to say, ‘Your struggle is our struggle.’”
Amogh Mavatoor, Northville
Played four years of varsity tennis, competed two in track & field and one on the junior varsity bowling team. Earned an MHSAA Finals No. 4 singles championship in 2023 and twice earned all-state recognition in that sport. Also named academic all-state all four years and served as tennis team captain. Earned AP Scholar with Distinction recognition and named National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. Participated in National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Participated in DECA throughout high school, serving on executive board and winning two state championships. Served as president and program director of ACEing Autism chapter and serving second year on Wayne County Civic Youth Council and as part of its executive board. Serving on VT SEVA Detroit executive board working to assist underprivileged and visually-impaired children in India. Co-founded and serves as co-president of Hope for Dignity providing for underprivileged communities in Michigan and India. Earned state and national community service awards. Will attend University of Michigan and study business administration.
Essay Quote: “ … Sportsmanship isn’t the absence of competition; it’s the way we choose to compete. It’s choosing integrity when no one would blame you for doing the opposite. It’s understanding that the respect you earn matters more than the result you achieve.”
Ian Morgan, Okemos
Ran four seasons of cross country and will compete in his fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-state in cross country the last two seasons and all-conference in both sports; also earned academic all-state the last three years. Served as cross country team champion as a senior. Participated in National Honor Society the last two years. Played the last three years in school’s symphonic wind ensemble and philharmonic orchestra, and competed three years in MSBOA solo & ensemble events, earning multiple “1” ratings. Served as school camp counselor and Vacation Bible School teen leader, and participated throughout high school as part of community service and student orientation teams. Will attend College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts and is finalizing his course of study.
Essay Quote: “My experience of sportsmanship extended to athletes I once saw only as rivals. I race runners in my league about five times each season. I always wish the guys beside me good luck on the line. Over time, the pre-race small talk grew into friendship. … I learned that treating competitors with respect opens the door to friendships I never expected.”
Other Class A girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Reese Beauleaux, Adrian; Sydney Behnke, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Justine Casey, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Laurin M. Edwards, Detroit Cass Tech; Arabella Glass, Waterford Kettering; Ella Griffin, Bloomfield Hills; Jillian Hayes, Saline; Veda Keshavamurthy, Plymouth; Grace Kim, Farmington Hills Mercy; Anna Linen, White Lake Lakeland; Bella Matthews, Bay City Central; Gracelynn Olson, Fruitport; Meredith Peterson, White Lake Lakeland; Jade Queen, Grand Ledge; Jacey Roy, Birmingham Groves; Asia Shi, Ann Arbor Huron; Mattie Thompson, Okemos; and Julia Yoder, Birmingham Groves.
Other Class A boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Sami Anwar, Plymouth; Luke Desnoyer, Royal Oak; Ian Deters, Grand Ledge; Ryan Dye, Detroit Catholic Central; Caleb Garrett, Birmingham Seaholm; Matthew Huang, Midland Dow; Andrew Legg, Holland; Eli Macauley, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern; Nicholas Maeso, Royal Oak; Matthew McGaugh, Midland Dow; Eamon Murray, Midland; Wesley Rogers, Mason; Drew Rothstein, Holland West Ottawa; Carson Soltis, DeWitt; Marcel Stork, Mattawan; Kazutaka Suzuki, Canton; and Owen Wohlfert, Traverse City West.
The Class C and D scholarship award recipients were announced Feb. 3, and the Class B honorees were announced Feb. 10.
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The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.