Science teacher promotes school spirit on Halloween

Howell High School’s teacher of Anatomy and Criminalistics, Mr. Thomas Diab, dressed up on October 31 with a very elaborate costume from the Disney movie, Aladdin.

Mr. Diab went casually along teaching his daily classes in a white and gold prince costume.

“I love Halloween. It’s one of my favorite times of the year,” states Mr. Diab. “It’s not so stressful like Christmas.”

However, along with any other holiday, Mr. Diab thinks dressing up in school is a way to promote school spirit.

“I think school spirit is critical for students to come to school and like where they are. School is difficult for a lot of people and you need to make the school and work environment lighthearted,” continues Mr. Diab. “We have to learn to love our school and participating is a way to love our school.”

Likewise Mr. Diab has different costumes every year and likes to keep life fresh. In the past he has been Dracula, a knight in shining armor, and the Handsome Prince from Cinderella.

For starters, he does not take the easy way out of his costumes, either. He proudly claims his Aladdin clothing was around $80.

“I put my money where my mouth is. They are all elaborate. All of my four children are dressed up as well,” says Mr. Diab.

In fact, no matter the price or character, he has the same reason to dress up each year.

“If I could summarize it, it’s all about fun. I think life is too serious and we should have fun,” says Mr. Diab. “And candy is pretty awesome.”

Football coach brings experience, knowledge in training varsity team

Being the Howell varsity football strength and conditioning coach and a physical education teacher, Mr. Ryan Ash spends most of his days helping students achieve athletic and physical success.

Mr. Ash attended Fowlerville High School, only a short drive from Howell. He played varsity baseball, basketball, and football, and went on to play at the collegiate level for Albion University.

Out of high school, Mr. Ash studied biology and majored in chemistry at Albion University and Michigan Tech University, and eventually went on to get his master’s degree in Physical Education at Eastern Michigan University.

Mr. Ash has coached football at Howell High School for 12 years, starting at the freshman level, and worked his way up through junior varsity. When Mr. Aaron Metz was hired as head coach for Howell football, Mr. Ash moved up as strength and conditioning coach. He also works as quarterback and defensive back coach.

“The interaction with players,” Ben Theisen, junior safety, says is Mr. Ash’s best quality. “He is always there to explain things and give advice.”

The varsity football strength coach separates himself as a superior coach by attending strength and conditioning conventions all around the nation in order to keep learning about the field he is in. Mr. Ash puts together months of off-season plans for the upcoming football team starting in January, stretching all the way until two-a-days beginning in August.

“Coaching for Howell has been a good thing for me. Under Coach Metz I have learned to be a better coach, and make sure everything I do results in something positive for our team,” said Coach Ash.

In order to set his team up for success, he stresses certain health factors that help Howell’s athletes stay healthy. Last season, Mr. Ash made his team exercise their necks every time they lifted in order to lessen the risk of injuries to the neck, and concussions.

“He is always serious about what he is doing,” varsity quarterback Greg Cauley says. “He takes time outside the weight room and outside the football field to be the best coach he can be.”

Outside of sports and teaching at Howell High School, Mr. Ash spends his time with his family including his wife, and two children, Leah and Nathan.