Plymouth swim team alums have a reunion with a cause

Current swim team member Brady Ruffing gets off the block

PLYMOUTH – While many drank hot chocolate by a roaring fire during the holidays, some of Plymouth High School’s hardiest athletes were in the water.

Granted it was the PHS pool – indoors – that hosted what’s become the Christmas holiday tradition of the Plymouth Alumni Swim meet, but those in attendance were there for a good cause. Honoring a long time swim team supporter and raising some money for charity.

“It’s really great to be able to honor Sue Wickens,” said Shelley Richter, one of the swim alums that helped organize the meet. “She passed away a few months ago and she was such a big part of the swimming program here from the Sharks all the way up to the high school team.”

Alums Aimee Portteus and Brad Serf coach the alumni team

The team took donations from those at the meet that will go towards the Sue Wickens Memorial Scholarship.

The boys and girls swim teams honored Sue with some competition as well on a cold winter night with the alums taking on the current Plymouth swim team. The alums were not backing away from talking a little trash before the meet.

“Holly Overmyer is going down,” said older sister and swim alum Lauren Overmyer with a laugh. “I’m saying it right here, I’m taking my sister down tonight.”

Richter was a little less positive.

“I haven’t been in the pool in seven years we’re going to have to call the hospital to come and pick me up,” said Richter laughing. “I’m laughing right now but it’s probably true.”

Alums Kevin Garrity and Brent Corbett prepare

“This is really just great,” said Plymouth Boys Swim Coach Leann Senter. “I’ve heard all the talk going on so I’ve already put out the challenge to some of my boys on the team this year. This has been great for us. Jack McLiver arranged all this last year and Beth did a great job this year. About all we had to do was set up the pool.”

Assistant swim coach Beth Garrity – also a swim team grad – made the arrangements for the meet this year.

Alum Jesse Sullivan enjoys his 100 freestyle win

“Getting in touch with all the people I didn’t swim with was the toughest part,” Garrity admitted. “This morning I was afraid were weren’t going to get ahold of everybody but we’ve got 15 guys and nine girls on the alumni team. Some of them kind of showed up out of nowhere.”

Merry Christmas Mr. Tyree

PLYMOUTH - For several years Plymouth School Students have done their part at Christmas time to help their fellow students have a better holiday.

Plymouth FOP Lodge #195 holds their annual Shop with a Cop program, raising money to take Marshall County kids in need on a shopping trip for themselves and their families for Christmas. Each year Plymouth Schools compete to see who can earn the most money to donate to the charity. This year they had a special incentive - Plymouth Superintendent Dan Tyree offered to allow the winner to deliver a pie to the face for their efforts.

Above Tyree pays off his debt to Webster Elementary students before the holiday break and also took a similar pie for the effort at Riverside Intermediate.

Thanks to the efforts of the FOP and all who donated the program was able to take over 300 children shopping for Christmas.

A Christmas present for all from Plymouth High School's Crimson Connection

To brighten your Christmas morning why not add Plymouth High School's Crimson Connection to your tradition. The group will be appearing on Fox 28's "Sounds of the Season" from 7:00-9:00 a.m. on Christmas morning.

Webster students show their inventiveness

PLYMOUTH – Webster second grade teachers challenged and their classes responded with an outpouring of inventiveness.

Teachers Kari Osborn, Jodi Eveland  and Crystal Uyhelji had their students read a story. It was about a pair of creative young inventors.

“The story was called ‘Pearl and Wagner,’” said Eveland. “It was about a science fair and they made a trash eating robot. In the end of the story they didn’t win the science fair but the story was about friendship and team work.”

To encourage creativity in their students the teacher’s gave them an assignment – to submit a paper describing and adventure of their own. An optional part of the assignment was to then actually make their invention. The outpouring of inventions was remarkable.

“The impressive thing to me is that it was optional,” said Eveland. “Everybody had to turn in the paper, but building their invention was optional. The response was great.

“I was really impressed by the way they took to the assignment, the enthusiasm they showed in doing it. They could make anything they wanted, using any materials they wanted and they had some really creative ideas.”

Senior Eads honored by IHFCA

PLYMOUTH – Dedication is a common theme to excellence at anything.

Plymouth Rockie Calvin Eads is proof of that belief as the senior linebacker has been honored by the Indiana Football Coaches Association and the Indianapolis Colts as an Indiana Academic All Star Team member. Calvin is a first team defensive member and joins an elite group of just 24 players around the state so honored.

“It really has to do with commitment,” said Calvin of his honor. “There’s the commitment to work hard and to your teammates. On the field you have that responsibility to your other teammates and in the classroom you have the same commitment to your teachers. There are a lot of lessons you learn on the field you can take to the classroom.”

One of those lessons for Calvin had to do with old saying that who you are is determined by what you do when nobody else is looking. His motivation came from within.

“I always felt like my class work was pretty important to my parents (James and Beth Eads) but it wasn’t something they came right out and said to me,” he said. “It was just important to me to do what they wanted me to do and make them proud of me. I just had to keep myself motivated to do the job.”

Calvin Eads makes the stop in a game this year against Wawasee. Photo courtesy of the Pilot News.

While his achievements have no doubt made his family proud, his football achievements have also been a big part of who he is.

“I just love the game,” he said. “There is nothing like it. The emotion that goes into it. I love playing football. I love the feeling you get when you make a big play or your teammate makes a big play. It’s really what it’s all about.”

Calvin came late to his love of football. In fact he didn’t play the game until he was in the eighth grade.

“I didn’t really do much of anything until I was in the eighth grade,” he said. “I just decided I wanted to get involved with some things and I played three sports that year (football, track and wrestling) and I didn’t see any reason to stop after that.”

Calvin continues his senior year as a part of Bob Read’s wrestling team.

“It’s a totally different sport,” he said. “It’s still a physical sport but it’s more of a testing of yourself.”

There are more challenges on the horizon for Calvin, but they are challenges he has set for himself for his future.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to go to Purdue and study some type of engineering – I’m not really sure what kind yet. Maybe aeronautical or chemical,” he said. “It would be great if I could continue to keep putting the pads on and playing football but I’m afraid that probably isn’t going to be an option at Purdue.”

Lincoln Junior High offering unique learning opportunity

Abby Patrick, Grace Cupka and Elise Patrick answer a question

PLYMOUTH - “We want you exploring. We want you learning new things and new software.”

Student's involved in Lincoln Junior High's “Genius” program sponsored by Apple Computer heard that urging from Plymouth School's Media Specialist Ben Waymouth as they went through their first day of training from Kevin Sheppard – a consultant contracted with Apple – on trouble shooting the school's new Mac book computers. Students were chosen to participate in the program, making them the first line of help when another student is having “technical difficulties” with their computer.

Lincoln became Plymouth's first school to have a laptop computer for every student in the school. The plan is to eventually get computers in the hand of every child in the Plymouth system and the Genius program is a way to provide a ready “help desk” for those computers. It goes much further according to Janice Curtis in charge of Instructional Technology for the Plymouth Schools.

“Obviously there are so many students and so few of us,” she said with a smile. “This is just learning at it's best. Students learning and then teaching other students. These students will come into the high school next year with this knowledge and it's great way to spread it through the whole school system.”

Sheppard took that idea to the students during his session explaining that the responsibility of the “help desk” was to give others the ability to not have to return time and time again.

“It might make you feel good to have somebody dependent on you but that isn't the purpose of the help desk,” he said. “When you fix a problem make sure to take the time to show them how you did it.”

“You know I see these machines like a hammer or a screwdriver. A hardware tool to perform a function,” said Waymouth. “We need kids on the cusp of new software and ideas that see these machines as more than that. They are open to all the things that these machines can do.”

Sheppard also sees the unique possibility of the program he's teaching.

“There are a lot of cases where the kids are using the technology much better than the teachers,” said Sheppard. “Kids are sometimes more willing to let that creativity go and find out just what they can do and find really unique solutions on better ways to do things.”

“As teachers we are concerned with controlling the learning environment, making sure we meet standards and other requirements of our jobs,” said Waymouth. “The kids don't have those concerns.”

The Plymouth program of making students the base for troubleshooting and exploring new ways to use their Macs is groundbreaking.

“I'm almost always teaching this program to teachers – about one in every ten times I do it I'm teaching students,” said Sheppard. “It's a very unique situation here at Plymouth to be teaching this to students. I think it's a great thing.”

“This is really a good opportunity to learn more and get more knowledge,” said Garrick Nate one of the students in the program. “I'm learning to take a look at very specific details to things.”

“It's really interesting and a great opportunity,” said fellow student Brennan McPherron. “I'm thinking of engineering as a career so I might be building computers someday.”

Kyle Youst, Brandon Milligan and Cordell Grisham

To show the effect of the technology, neither could imagine a world without computers.

“Since I read a study where 63 percent of the people asked said they couldn't live without the internet, I really couldn't see a world without computers,” said Brennan with a smile. “I think it would be a pretty chaotic place.”

“I think chaotic is a good word,” added Garrick. “It would certainly be very unorganized. We've gotten pretty dependent on computers.”

A musical "reunion" in Plymouth on Thursday

Fellow PHS grad Adam Beck a member of the Mile High Orchestra, joins Denver Bierman on stage at a recent show.

NASHVILLE, TN – When Denver and the Mile High Orchestra take the stage on Dec. 2 at Plymouth Wesleyan Church they'll be performing with a very special guest star – the Plymouth High School Jazz Band.

“I was a four year member of the PHS Jazz Band,” said Denver Bierman founder and leader of DMHO. “I know our band director at the time I was there (Cindy Wagner) always did her best to give us a chance to be around professional musicians when they came to town as part of Encore's season or whenever they came in. We did special workshops and things like that. We didn't actually get to play onstage with them. It was a great experience for me and this is a way to help some of these new musicians. Some of them might be wanting to be professional musicians themselves and this will give them a chance to hang out, see what it's like and hopefully learn something that will help them.”

It also gives Bierman a chance to pay back a little for what he received from his growing up in Plymouth.

“There is a real dedication to the arts in Plymouth, whether it's theatre, or public speaking or music,” he said. “You look at other towns the size of Plymouth around the country and it's amazing the investment Plymouth has made in the arts. Wherever I go I get to brag a little about the arts education I got when I was here. The facilities are some of the finest you see. You can have professional shows in the school auditorium. It's not just a glorified gym like it is in many places.

“I think it's safe to say I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing for a living if it wasn't for that investment in the arts in Plymouth. I played basketball when I was at Plymouth High School too. I think it's a good thing that I focused on music because I was never going to make a living playing basketball.”

That living has been good, now with a new Christmas album and current tour that will bring DMHO to Plymouth for their only Indiana stop on their tour.

“There are five songs on the new album we've never recorded before,” said Bierman. “The arrangements are all original and we'll be playing them at the show along with a lot of other favorites. We've got a medley of Christmas songs that the audience is going to get a chance to sing along with us. It's just really a fun show and a good way to celebrate the holiday.”

There will also be another special guest star.

“We do a nine minute production of 'The Grinch that Stole Christmas,'” said Bierman. “That is always a favorite and a whole lot of fun and we'll have some new Christmas songs that I've written to mix in too.”

The show is Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. Tickets are on sale by calling 1-800-965-9324. You can order at i-tickets.com at http://www.itickets.com/events/253462.html or for more information you can visit DMHO's website at www.denvermho.com.

Pride of Plymouth on TV

PLYMOUTH – If you missed a chance to see the Pride of Plymouth marching band in their history making performance you can be thankful for another shot at it.

The televised version of the Indiana State School Music Association's marching band state finals will be broadcast on WNIT-TV Thanksgiving Day from Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Include the Plymouth Band with your holiday festivities. All state finalist bands will be shown.

Making a difference all over the world

Milene with good friend from Plymouth Cindy Rash

PLYMOUTH – For one Plymouth High School grad the world certainly has been her open book.

An exchange student at Plymouth in the class of 1980 Milene Ferrazza Thomas took what her time in the United States was able to teach her and made the most of it. Her work in psychology and with an NGO (non-governmental organization) in Brazil has given her a chance to impact lives all over the world.

Milene says that her time in Plymouth changed her forever.

“It's an eye opener. You see the world differently after you've been through something like that,”she said. “I joined an N.G.O and the work we did focused on peace education. We work with children and teenagers all over the world, teaching them how it's possible to live in peace with one another no matter where you're from.”

Returning to Brazil after her senior year, Milene found that things were very different. Having missed her final year of studies it was necessary to take a short course to prepare for the exams necessary to enter University in her country. In addition she had to decide about whether she even wanted to stay in her country.

“When you leave a country after being an exchange student I think we are very confused because you don't know what you want,” she said. “The experience has a great impact on your life. You try to decide 'Do I want to go back to my country or do I want to go back where I was?' At least in my case where the experience was so good. 

“I missed the U.S a lot. So much so that I came back in 1982 just to visit because I wanted to be here. You have to come to some sort of a decision. I decided to pursue psychology as a course and then a profession and then everything was pretty much set.”

And it has been quite a career. She has served as the director of the international board for her NGO, and her career in psychology has taken her all over her country.

“I work with group process,” she said. “Whenever you have a group working together, in a school or a company or wherever I get the group to get along. That way conflict resolution isn't a problem. People in companies today spend 80 percent of their time solving problems instead of being productive.”

She also works to promote solutions to another problem that has gained international headlines.

“I've developed an anti-bullying program in Brazil that I use in school's with teenagers or enable teachers to use the program that I've developed,” she said. 

While she works to solve the problem of bullying, she still points to her time in Plymouth as something that has shaped her life. 

“There is a genuine trust here. Americans trust you and so the friendships you make are real,” said Milene. “This is what affected me the most. I love the way things are organized here. You have a strict but functional way of living. Being on time, obeying the laws, respecting people's rights, everybody is treated the same way. To me that was a very strong impact when I was here. 

“You see things from a different perspective and that opens up a whole world for you. You become more giving, more tolerant. We're all people. We all want the same things. We want to be loved, we want to be accepted, we want to feel part of something.”

Don't forget...

Make sure you check out our Facebook site for some pictures that will surely bring back a few memories. Remember you can share your favorite old school photos by emailing them to plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com

Senior swimmer headed to TCU

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth High School swimming standout Kenzie Miller has made it official. She has signed a national letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Texas Christian University.

Her storied career at Plymouth includes being an Indiana Swimming State Champion, IHSAA State Finalist, and a first Alternate for the AT&T Nationals. She is a six time Jr. National Qualifier, a two time record holder for the Northern Lakes Conference championship and a six time Sectional champion. She holds multiple pool records at area schools as well as being a multiple pool and school record holder at PHS.

Pictured are Kenzie, several of her coaches and family members as she signs her letter of intent. From left; Plymouth Sharks and PHS assistant coach Leanne Senter, Irish Aquatics coach Will Bernhardt, PHS coach Chelsea Bramfeld, Kenzie Miller, Kenzie's Mother Judy Miller, Kenzie's sister Cari Rosas, and Father Rod Miller

Local vet shares with student's

PLYMOUTH – A family history of service is having an impact.

Veterans day observance at Jefferson Elementary has traditionally included a message from a local veteran. This year's speaker is an everyday influence on the school's students.

Custodian Kirk Clark interacts with the students at the school every day, and coming from a family full of veterans – his father was in the Army the 82^nd Airborne, two brothers in the Marine Corp, one in the Air Force and one in the Navy – he's inspired a whole new group of young people to service.

“I'm going to join the Navy when I grow up,” said one youngster as he passed Clark on Veteran's Day, another adding. “I'm going to go into the Army when I graduate.”

Clark is unafraid to share his love of country and service with the kids he sees everyday in the hallways at Jefferson and that influence is a strong one.

Clark enlisted in the Air Force on his graduation from school and looks at his role in kid's lives as an important one.

“I know there are some kids here who don't have a father at home or somebody to look up to,” he said. “I meant what I said in the ceremony today when I pointed to all of the veterans who were here. These are people in your life everyday that you can look up to. Role models who have given what they have to help others. They really don't want any special attention or a parade. They are just people that have done all they can do.

“My father has been my hero since I was a little boy. He was one of those guys.”

Bierman coming home for Christmas

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Wesleyan Church will be the site of a very special Christmas show by Denver Bierman and the Mile High Orchestra.

The band led by PHS grad Denver Bierman has begun their world famous yearly Christmas tour and Plymouth will be the only Indiana stop in this year's tour. The date will be Dec. 2 with a 6:30 p.m showtime.

Tickets are already on sale for the show you can order by calling 1-800-965-9324. You can order at i-tickets.com at http://www.itickets.com/events/253462.html or for more information you can visit DMHO's website at www.denvermho.com.

Rare honor for Plymouth leader and PHS grad

INDIANAPOLIS – A local business leader has been recognized for his service by the Chamber of Commerce of the state of Indiana.

Part of the festivities at last night's annual Chamber Awards Banquet in Indianapolis was the announcement that the Chamber's award for outstanding Indiana Chamber volunteers would be known as the Sam C. Schlosser award.

The honor was not a total surprise to Schlosser a 1967 graduate of Plymouth High School who has been the President of his family's business – Plymouth Foundry – since 1984.

“I had a little bit of a heads up that they were going to do this but it is certainly a great honor,” said Schlosser. “I'm very humbled and very honored at the same time.”

“I actually had to check my pulse when they told me about it,” he added with a laugh. “This is the kind of thing they normally do posthumously and I was afraid maybe I might have missed something.”

Schlosser has served the Indiana Chamber in many capacities over the course of the past 23 years and was the organizations state Chairman in 2005 and 2006.

“I felt like it was a lot of responsibility for a kid from Plymouth, Indiana but it was a great opportunity and great experience,” he said. “Like anything else it had a lot more to do with an outstanding support staff and all the people who helped me. It was a great year for me. I traveled between here and Indianapolis about three times a week during that year and I got to meet some wonderful people – a lot of people that I wouldn't have normally met.”

Schlosser continues to serve the Chamber on the Board of Directors and is Chairman of the Chamber's Energy Committee.

“With all the talk about cap and trade and other issues energy is going to be important to Indiana as we move into the future,” he said.

Coming this weekend...

Jefferson Elementary Pumpkin Drop

Mayor proclaims Saturday Pride of Plymouth Day

PLYMOUTH – The whole city will enter into the celebration today as Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter has proclaimed the day “Pride of Plymouth” day.
“Its a proud day for the city,” said Senter in issuing the proclamation. “The band has worked awfully hard over the years and it's good to see that hard work rewarded.”
For the first time in history the Pride of Plymouth marching band will take their show to the state finals this afternoon with a shot at bringing home the proud distinction of being one of the state's best marching bands.
Senter's family has roots in the Plymouth band as well.
“My son (Riley) was in the band for three years and (wife) Leanne was involved with the guard for about 10 years,” he said. “There's a lot of people who've been involved with the program over the years and this means a lot to everybody in the city.
“I really can't say enough about all the parents and volunteers that are so involved. They're there every Friday, travel around every Saturday, at every performance working hard to help out and get everything set up, let alone the great leadership and support of the school.”
The proclamation reads;
WHEREAS, the Pride of Plymouth Marching Band has strived for excellence for many years in contests, competition and half-time programs; and
WHEREAS, the many students, drum majors, directors, teachers, volunteers and parents are to be commended for their time and energy spent to bring the art of marching music to the Plymouth area; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of hours marching on the hot blacktop in mid-August during band camp have made the cool Saturday evening competitions in late October all worthwhile; and
WHEREAS, the 117 students involved in “Reflections of Freedom” have made an impact on this community by advancing to the Indiana State School Music Association Finals for the first time in school history; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting and appropriate that the citizens of this community recognize the marching band’s vital contribution to the area by providing outstanding music and marching, past and present;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK SENTER, MAYOR OF PLYMOUTH on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Plymouth, do hereby proclaim Saturday, October 30, 2010 as
“Pride of Plymouth Day” and urge all citizens to encourage, support and cheer-on The Plymouth Marching Band as they head off to Lucas Oil Stadium! Let’s bring home another state championship!

Mark Senter
Mayor

Pride of Plymouth Special Community Performance

For the first time in history the "Pride of Plymouth Marching Band" is marching off to the state championship and here's a chance for all you band grads to come out and show support.

Director Brian Ames and his band will be showing the results of months of hard work that started in the heat of last summer's band camp. This Friday at 8:30 p.m. the PoP will strut their stuff in a special Community Performance at the Rock Pile football stadium.

Get out and show your support for the band in their last "dress rehearsal" before the state championship on Saturday.

Special message for the Class of 1991

From Terri Kinnaird Behling October 26

Hello all -

If you will need a hotel room for our reunion next year, you better book it now...
Blueberry weekend means rooms are booked early, the Days Inn is already sold out.

Swan Lake has quoted us a great rate of around $129, but you need to book it soon. Mention our group block. Jennifer Tapia Maddox made the arrangements for us. Their number is: 800-582-7539. Just remember, our reunion is going to be at the Country Club.

Here are some other hotels to look into:
American's Best Value: 574-935-5911
Holiday Inn Express: 574-936-2444
Super 8 Motel: 574-936-8856

Those of you still in Plymouth, let us know of other hotels/motels in the area. Jennifer said there is a new one coming to town perhaps by the spring?

Also, Brian Crump is looking into the possibility of a golf tournament/outing on Saturday (same day as the reunion). If you are interested, let him know...

If you have ideas or suggestions for the reunion, let us know. We will be figuring out the pricing soon...

We are looking forward to brining as many of our classmates together as we can! It will be a great time.

Talk to you soon - The Reunion Committee!

Pride of Plymouth Makes History

PLAINFIELD - The Pride of Plymouth made Plymouth High School history on Saturday advancing to the ISSMA State Finals for the first time.

"The band had an outstanding show on Saturday at Semi-State winning the Music Effect category (out of all 20 schools involved) and almost doing the same in Visual (marching)," said Director Brian Ames.

The state finals will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this coming Saturday.

The line-up for state finals is as follows:

Class C
1:15 PM - Scottsburg
1:28 PM - Concordia Lutheran
1:41 PM - Norwell
1:54 PM - Beech Grove
2:07 PM - Fairfield
2:20 PM - Edgewood
2:33 PM - Western
2:46 PM - Gibson Southern
2:59 PM - Plymouth
3:12 PM - Heritage
Award Ceremony 3:30

If you would like to attend ticket prices: are $20.00 Adult, $18.00 Students (3-18)
Children 2 years and under admitted free

Doors open at 9:00 AM.

Class of '80 come welcome Milene

Saturday, November 20, 2010 - PHS Class of '80 Tsunami Reunion at the Brass Rail.

Social begins at 7 p.m. Dinner or appetizers at 7:30 p.m. DJ starts at 9:00 p.m.

No charge for admission but you're on your own for refreshments.

This is a welcome to America party for our 1980 Brazilian Exchange Student, Milene Ferrazza who couldn't make it this summer to the 30th reunion bash. Dave Langdon very graciously said he'd have a DJ at the Rail and let the class have the private south room for the gathering.

Friends of the Class of '80 and Milene are welcome

Plymouth Grad to walk the red carpet

LOS ANGELES, CA – Monday night Plymouth High School graduate Tyler Langdon will have his moment.

He’ll walk the “red carpet” with the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Sean Penn on his way to accepting the Hollywood Discovery Award as part of this year’s Hollywood Film Festival.

“My family took a trip to Los Angeles – I think it was around the time I graduated from high school – and we took the whole tour. Went to the (Kodak) theatre where they hold the Oscars every year,” said Tyler. “They have the whole thing set up there with the red carpet and the plaques on the wall for all the films that have won over the years and spaces for the ones in the future.

“I remember my mom commented that maybe a film I’d be involved with would take one of those empty spots some day. That wasn’t real then but now it feels like that actually might be possible some day.”

Langdon was nominated for the award by submitting a short film scene to an award winning group of casting directors who decided the list of new talent to be considered for the award given to a rising star in the film industry. After that it was up to the voters who went to the Yahoo Movies sight to watch the clips and cast their ballot.

“I really appreciate everything that everybody did to help me,” said Tyler. “It’s really nice to know how much people in your home town rally around you.”

“I’m really excited. This is an opportunity that’s so far above the kind of opportunity people at this level in their careers normally get.”

While he is on top of the world right now, Tyler still has his feet on the ground. He knows the chance to stand in front many of Hollywood’s elite on Monday night and accept the award could be the biggest audition of his young career.

“That’s how I’m looking at it,” he said. “Hopefully the award speaks to my talent and ability this is a chance for me to catch people’s attention. I was texting my father the other day and I said this is a great opportunity but I really want to be sure this is just the beginning and not the peak.”

Tyler has made a few friends in his time in Hollywood that are offering some help. Vicki Stern a writer who was in charge of comedy for NBC studios in the 1980’s and her husband Jay Stern who was the producer of the Rush Hour movies have taken the young actor under their wing.

“Vicki is going to help me write an acceptance speech to make sure that it’s really great,” said Tyler. “I think they’re going to help me pick out a suit for Monday too. They’ve been like family to me since I’ve been out here and I couldn’t get any better advice.”

And he has started practicing his acceptance speech.

“The support I’ve gotten is so much more than I could have imagined and I can’t thank everybody enough.”

Langdon waiting for final tally

LOS ANGELES, CA – Plymouth’s Tyler Langdon is glad that things are getting back to normal – at least as normal as an actor’s life can be.

“It’s been the most stressful two weeks of my life,” he said with a laugh. “Every free moment has been filled with being on Facebook, emailing, reminding people to vote for me. Now I have to catch up with all the things I didn’t do. I’m sure I have about a billion emails to catch up on.”

Langdon was one of the finalists for the Hollywood Discovery Award part of the Hollywood Movie Award’s portion of the Hollywood Film Festival’s week of activities. Nominated for the spot, it was up to the will of the internet voters that went to Yahoo Movies to place their vote for their favorite male and female performer.

With voting now complete, Langdon can merely sit and wait for the phone to ring.

“I just really want to thank everybody that voted for me and all the support everybody gave me,” he said. “I’m just so appreciative that people kept voting for me and didn’t just get sick of hearing my name and having me remind them to vote. I really can’t thank everybody enough.”

He also knows where his real fans are.

“I’m totally convinced that the city of Plymouth, Indiana is single handedly responsible for where I’m at in the voting,” said Tyler. “I can’t say thank you enough to everybody back home.”

Pride of Plymouth Marches On

LAFAYETTE - The Pride of Plymouth is keeping the dream alive.

 

Plymouth's own will be showing their stuff at the Plainfield semi-state next week, advancing in Regional action for the second time in the band's history - and the second time in the last three years. 

 

"They also ranked near the top of the field of 17 bands and put us in a great position for a hopeful first ever trip to state finals," said Plymouth Band Director Bryan Ames.

The Pride of Plymouth finished in the top 10 and received a Gold rating.

The band will compete against 19 other schools this weekend at the ISSMA Semi-State held at Plainfield High School hoping for a shot at a state title.

Ten of those Semi-State bands will advance to the ISSMA State Finals.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Steve/Julie Goble

Class of 1978 Grad offering hope to cancer patients

ERIE, PA – The one key element for cancer patients is hope. Plymouth High School grad Mark Neidig is working hard to give patients that hope.

As head of the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation his organization is providing hope for a less damaging treatment for all kinds of cancer. The revolutionary non-invasive radio wave machine – invented by the group’s founder John Kanzius – is offering hope to many for a better and more effective way to treat the disease.

Recently the treatment made headlines with successful early tests on small animals. Researchers have been able to treat pancreatic and liver cancers very successfully with no damaging effects or toxicities to the surrounding cells. They’ve been able to show control of the cancers without producing illness, side effects or damage to the animals. Three new manuscripts were recently published validating the work.

“That’s a big thing for us right now,” said Neidig of the published studies. “In order to move to the next phase of study you have to have validated research published in reputable scientific and medical journals. The exciting news is that we have killed pancreatic cancer cells in tests.”

It’s been a busy time for Neidig and the Kanzius Foundation as they spread the word about the success of the revolutionary treatment. A grant from Pepsi of $250,000 has allowed for the campaign to ramp up and take the fight to Capital Hill.

Neidig recently had a chance to spread the word about the machine to Congress.

“We were able to talk to Congressional aides and Legislative assistants,” said Neidig. “We spoke to the Democratic caucus and several national foundations leading the fight for the a cure such as the American Cancer Society and Cure Search. We’re planting seeds.”

Neidig was also able to talk to Tom Ridge, the former Governor of Pennsylvania who was also the first Homeland Security Chief. Ridge was impressed enough to give the group a little help.

“He is going to connect us with several national awareness groups that his company works with,” said Neidig. “He is a very gracious man. He’s come to know millions of people in his work and support in that circle can really make a difference.”

Support at home makes a difference for Neidig as well. Wife Debbie shares his passion for the work he's doing. Debbie is a graduate of Lewistown High School in Pennsylvania. The couple met in college.

“She is there every step of the way and there is no way I could do any of this without her support,” he said.

“I lost a sister in law to breast cancer. I've seen what this disease does to people and families and that is where I get my passion for what I do,” said Neidig. “Being able to offer hope to those people is the greatest reward I can think of.”

 

The Pride of Plymouth

The Plymouth High School Marching Band continues the tradition of musical excellence in the Plymouth schools having an outstanding year under Director Bryan Ames.

The "Pride of Plymouth" advanced out of the ISSMA District competition at Concord High School and now moves on to the ISSMA Regional contest on October 16.

 

Plymouth competed against seven schools in the District competition and earned a Gold Award rating. The Pride of Plymouth also won 2 of the 3 caption awards (Best Music and Best Visual).

 

At the Regional event 17 schools will be competing for 10 spots in the ISSMA Semi-State competition.

The Plymouth band received a great seeding in the Regional contest and will perform 16th out of the 17 bands at the event.

The short clip here shows the Pride of Plymouth in performance at their own fall festival this past Saturday night that featured some of the top bands in Northern Indiana at Plymouth High School.

March for Maria

Students at Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth showed their support for a fellow student in a battle for her life.

Riverside participated in a week of activities to raise support for Maria Gonzalez who faces surgery for a brain tumor. The brave 10 year old knows what is in store for her. This is her second fight with the tumor that went into remission after chemo treatments.

Part of a week of activities at the school Riverside took advantage of the day to stage "March for Maria". The day was declared "Blue Sky Day" for 5th grader Maria Gonzalez since that is her favorite color. The weather on Friday even cooperated as the school was able to raise over $2000 to help with her family's expenses as they take Maria to Bloomington for three weeks of treatment.

Plymouth Schools to share in $6.7 million federal grant for science education

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – The nation is investing in science and Plymouth High School along with several other schools in the state will benefit from it.

Plymouth High School, Purdue University and three other school districts – Lafayette, Tippecanoe and Taylor Community – will share a $6.7 million in a National Science Foundation grant to improve science learning in the third through the sixth grades. Partnering in the effort are Purdue's colleges of Education, Engineering, Science and Technology, the Discovery Learning Research Center, and regional industries.

“We’ve been partnering with Purdue’s schools in math, engineering and science to create lesson plans with a vision towards creating some of the top engineers in the U.S.,” said Plymouth Superintendent of Schools Dan Tyree. “It’s part of a ramping up of interest in science, math and technology teaching at schools like Plymouth.”

The work will focus on the use of engineering design-based teaching. The concept teaches problem solving in math and science through design projects.

During the five-year project, engineering, science, technology and education faculty will interact with 200 elementary and intermediate school teachers, 100 student teachers and 5,000 students. In the final year, the project will be expanded to additional school districts.

"The use of engineering design principles to affect how science and math are taught has been demonstrated for higher grad levels," said Keith Bowman, head of the Purdue School of Materials Engineering and the project leader. "But it is almost nonexistent in elementary classrooms. With the support of our school corporation partners, we seek to develop a program that will prepare teachers to impact students earlier in their academic development."

“We’re very excited about working with Purdue on this project,” said Tyree. “We’ve had the chance to collaborate with them in applying for the grant and we’re very interested in seeing what kind of an impact it’s going to make.”

Goals of the project are to improve science learning in grades 3-6 through implementation of engineering design, prepare practicing and prospective teachers to use a design-based curriculum, adapt existing materials and tasks and develop new ones where necessary, and provide an understanding of how engineering design is used by teachers to teach science and students to learn science. 

 "Engineering design-based standards are being adopted across the nation. Within the next year, elementary school science teachers, including those in Indiana, will be required to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and practices needed to teach science through engineering design," said Brenda Capobianco, an associate professor of curriculum and instruction in the Purdue College of Education and project co-leader. "Our work will create Indiana's first engineering design-based model for science teacher professional development at both the preservice and inservice levels and an innovative, research-based program for using engineering design-based strategies."

 The funding comes through NSF’s Math and Science Partnership program, a research and development effort that supports innovative partnerships to improve K-12 student achievement in mathematics and science. 

The project comes on the heels of another project that Plymouth School’s have instituted called “Project Lead the Way” offering classes at junior high and high school levels designed around all types of engineering.

“The real bottom line is that we have to provide a work force that can promote economic development in Marshall County,” said Tyree. “We need to be competitive with surrounding areas in providing all our students with the kind of problem solving and technology skills that are called for in the modern work place.”

Plymouth grad gets a shot at Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, CA – Tyler Langdon had it a little bit backwards, but it seems to be working out.

The 2004 Plymouth grad finished Notre Dame and headed for Los Angeles to make it big – in the restaurant industry.

“That’s the reason I came out here was for a training program at a restaurant,” said Langdon. “Nearly everybody that worked there was an actor or an actress or involved somehow in the film industry. Being around them all the time made me remember how that had always been my dream. I really hated the job so I quit and thought ‘Now what do I do?’ I was already out here so I thought why not go for it.”

The young man who impressed many with his talent while growing up in Plymouth will have a chance to impress the whole world soon. Tyler is one of five actors up for the Hollywood Discovery Award as part of the Hollywood Film Festival. It was something that really almost never happened.

“You’re allowed to submit a two to three minute scene that’s judged by a panel of award winning casting directors,” said Tyler. “I ended up submitting the scene I did just because I had just filmed it and thought why not.”

Tyler did the scene with a fellow member of his acting class, a former Brazilian model who herself is in Hollywood trying to make a career change and break into film. Sounds like a tough assignment.

“She liked my work and asked to do a scene with me to film for her to use to give around to casting directors,” he said. “As a way of saying thanks she let me have the scene too. It’s a short scene from a pilot of a new show on NBC called Perfect Couples. We play a very interesting couple. It was a lot of fun and it’s very funny.”

It was enough to impress casting directors involved with the Hollywood Film Festival award. Local residents can get a look at the scene on Yahoo Movies online this weekend. You will also be able to vote for your favorite actor and actress to receive the Hollywood Discovery Award – those the casting directors deemed were on the verge of some big things.

The young actor is obviously happy for the chance but knows the amount of hard work still ahead.

“I know it sounds really cliché but Hollywood really is a town where who you know is absolutely the most important,” he said. “Talent enters into it too, of course, but if you don’t know the right people you aren’t ever going to get your foot in the door. It’s very hard to break in. When I started I thought I’d give it six months but really you can’t get in the door anywhere in that amount of time.

“It’s funny when you see those guys that are ‘overnight’ successes, you look at their career and find out they’ve been at it a long time. Most of the people you see for the first time in movies and TV now have been working at it at least seven or eight years to get that break. The good news for me is that a lot of really good casting directors have already seen me in this scene and they must have liked it at least a little bit.”

Stay tuned, the winner of the award will be announced in late October. You have until then to visit Yahoo Movies and state your opinion.

Class of 1947 Represents...

Margie Keyser-Smith shows she still has her Rockie Pride as she leads the traditional "Plymouth" cheer to start the fourth quarter of last week's Homecoming game against Elkhart Memorial. It was obviously inspiring as Plymouth went on a quarter long drive scoring with :13 on the clock to win the game 21-14.

Homecoming Album

This year's Homecoming Court was Erin Kinney, Matt Scheetz, Megan Schenk, Mitch Good, Lindsay Renz, Sam Compton, Haley Smart, Josh Phillips, Sean Smith and Meagan Barron.

Do you have Homecoming photos in your collection that you want to share? Email your shots to plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com and we'll start a multi-generational Homecoming Album online.

Let's get started

Plymouth graduates, friends and members of the Plymouth School's family:

This is just the beginning.

Under construction is a website that will allow you to see what's going on with your friends, and with fellow and future alumni of Plymouth Schools, their families and friends.

It will be a place to meet if you live on opposite ends of the country, or even the world. It will be a place to share information, chat, and keep updated on issues and events that are important to you.

It will be a way to network, find virtually anybody you want and stay in touch. It will be a way for you to share with others and take part in "family" events.

While we build that presence we'll use this blog to do what we can in linking all the members of the Plymouth family.

I do need your help.

There are graduating classes out there with their own web presence - Facebook pages, tweets, blogs and websites - I WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE!

Send me info on how to link up and get us all together. For my part I will begin sharing info that you might find entertaining or enlightening. This blog will be as interactive as possible. Post a comment to a post, ask a question, send a story, information or anything you think Plymouth Alumni might find interesting and we will get it on for all to see.

We all share a common past that has made us what we are. Part of our common future involves making sure Plymouth's future alumni have the same outstanding opportunities we did. Let's make sure that happens...together. Maybe we can have some fun in the process as well.

You can contact me by email at plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com  or 574-952-4444.