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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM
DECEMBER 17, 2025 • Vol. 23, No. 29
Final dress rehearsal doubles as benefit for local food bank
The Franciscan Outreach Program has served the community for over 65 years. Photo provided by The Franciscan Outreach Program
BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews,com
BIRMINGHAM — The Franciscan Outreach Program and Birmingham Village Players are collaborating for the first time this winter for a benefit that helps feed the hungry. Birmingham Village Players will stage a benefit performance of “Once Upon a Mattress” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the program. The Franciscan Friars have been making an impact on families for years through their partnership with the Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code See FOOD BANK on page 18A
Bloomfield Hills High School debate team excels in inaugural season BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Last year, Bloomfield Hills High School students were inspired to form a debate club. This year, the club has officially become a team that has proven itself time and time again at tournaments.
Zuheir Sibai, who was a freshman at the time, brought up the idea of starting a debate club to Krish Patel, then a sophomore. The debate club was a more casual format, but this year the students decided to take it to the next level by making it a team that goes to competitions. Now Sibai and Patel are co-presidents of the debate team. Prior to this, Bloomfield Hills High School didn’t have
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See DEBATE on page 8A
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a debate team or club for students, and so each student had a lot to learn. “It honestly didn’t come naturally. Every kid had to try. Every kid had to learn from the basics,” Sibai said. With the help of coach Zoz Compagnari, the team has been able to build up their knowledge of debate, which has
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BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
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