Graduation report for the class of 2011

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth School Board heard an updated report this week on students who gradated in 2011. Guidance Counselor Aimee Portteus began tracking students after graduation a few years ago and now reports annually to the board on the findings.

Portteus reported that 130 of those graduating in 2011 went on to a four-year college and 45 entered a two-year or vocational program. Nine of the 265 entered the military. Although 53 are currently a part of the workforce, 18 remain unemployed. Seven certificates of completion were issued and three of the graduates were foreign exchange students.

Five students were able to complete their requirements for high school graduation or obtaining a GED during summer school.

There were an impressive number of students graduating with high academic honors. Portteus said 68 received Core 40 Academic Honors; one received Core 40 Academic Honors and Technical Honors; and 130 were extended Core 40 diplomas.


Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Redistricting work continues for Plymouth schools

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth School Corporation held a second meeting on Monday night concerning the redistricting necessary for the 2012-2013 school year. Dr. Jerome McKibben, McKibben Demographic Research, has been reviewing the data concerning enrollment for the entire Plymouth Schools.

To comply with federal mandates, school districts must maintain a balance of race/ethnicity, numbers of students who qualify for free and reduced services, and students who qualify for services due to placement in ELL classes for those with limited English speaking and/or writing skills.

The actual redistricting will affect the student population of each of the four elementary schools in the Plymouth system. Students in grades kindergarten through 4th grade attend one of the elementary schools and then all converge into Riverside Intermediate for grades 5-6.

The demographic study includes projections of students from private schools that are within the school district.

According to McKibben, 80 percent of students that will change schools are from Washington Elementary. Washington Elementary will be converted into the Discovery Academy for project-based learning. At an earlier meeting, McKibben said that 129 current students who reside within walking distance would be reassigned to Washington and the rest of the students would be assigned to other elementary schools. Enrollment for additional students at the Discovery Academy will be by application. The application process is open to any elementary student no matter where they live. The Discovery Academy can service 75 students per grade, according to current Washington Principal Michele Riise. The mix of students accepted would be based on a number of criteria.

Superintendent Dan Tyree said, “We want Discovery Academy to mirror the demographics of the other schools.”

McKibben said that the population forecast is based on projections for the next ten years. He said the final maps should be ready by the end of January, 2012 and he will present them in February to the public.

The influx of students from out of the district has contributed to the imbalances at the elementary schools, according to McKibben. He said, “Five years ago my crystal ball didn’t show that the state legislators would have open enrollment.” Open enrollment allows students to attend schools out of their home districts. This school year, there are 105 students from other districts attending the Plymouth elementary schools.

According to Tyree, parents/guardians will be notified by mail if their child (children) will be moved to another school. He said the Corporation will still allow parents to preference to another school.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Grant will give Plymouth schools a "virtual book club"

By Lydia Beers
Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Community School Corporation was one of nine Indiana schools recently awarded up to 3,000 each in grants from the Indiana Arts Commission. The money will be used to fund a "virtual book club" at Lincoln Jr. High School and Plymouth High School — an extension of the "One Book, One Town" community-wide literacy event. This year, the theme is the Civil War — specifically, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh.

Anna Liechty, planning committee member and literacy consultant for the schools, said that the book club will help students reach literacy goals set by the schools as well as increase their understanding of material taught in their classes.

"Literacy is being able to really make information your own, so that you can talk about it, and critically think about it," said Liechty.

Students will read the book "Behind Rebel Lines" by Seymour Reit, and participate in online discussions with their classmates about the story.

"It's so hard to keep kids engaged after spring break," said Liechty, noting that the book club is scheduled to begin in April, a typically "sluggish" time for students.

Liechty added that more than 300 students have committed to participate in the program. Most of the grant money ($2,300)  will be used to host historical re-enactor Debra Conner. Connor will be assuming the persona of Mary Edwards Walker, the only female surgeon who served during the Civil War, during performances at the schools in spring. The remaining $1,600 of the grant money will be used to purchase hard copies of the book for students.

Although this is the eighth year that Plymouth will be doing "One Book, One Town," this is the first year that students have been involved as part of school requirements. Liechty said that the eighth grade is covering the Civil War this year in their curriculum, so the virtual book club coincides nicely with their schedule. High school students are participating in the club on a volunteer basis.

Around 50 volunteers in total have stepped up to match the grant money dollar for dollar, either in financial donations or "in kind" donations of their time, expertise, or materials. Liechty said that the total cost of the program is about $9,700.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Plymouth Schools to help students address health issues

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH —  With the increased demands on students to perform at higher academic standards, many are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, sleep associated difficulties, attention problems, and behavioral issues.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Carrie Cadwell will be sharing her expertise on these very topics at presentations starting in January. The doors of Menominee Elementary are being opened for parents/guardians and any other interested members of the community who want to learn more about how to address the issues. All of the presentations are being offered at no charge.

On Jan. 10, Dr. Cadwell will speak on “Childhood Sleep Issues.”

Cadwell said, “The largest group of children I see in my practice are from kindergarten to fourth grade.”

According to Michael Dunn, principal of Menominee, he and Cadwell began brainstorming ideas of how they could help parents after the topics were mutually brought up during meetings of the Plymouth Community Schools Improvement Committee.

Dunn said, “Dr. Cadwell is dedicated to this cause. She is an active parent of an elementary-age child and sees first hand what some of our parents are up against.”

Dunn explained that kids are sometimes barely getting six to eight hours of sleep when they really need 10 hours each night.

“In the world we live in now," he said, "kids have to put in extra study time along with fitting in extra-curricular activities and family time. When we were trying to figure out why some kids weren’t reading nor focusing as well as they could, we found that often a lack of sleep was the issue.”

Cadwell concurred saying, “Many times I find that those I see for problems noted by parents or physicians are actually sleep deprived.”

She is also concerned that the state’s mandate that kids who can’t pass a reading test at the end of third grade will not be passed on to fourth grade.

She said, “Parents often think that kids will just outgrow attention problems, but there may be ways that they can help now.”

Other presentations and topics scheduled are as follows: Feb. 9, ADD/ADHD; March 13, Anxiety; and April 5, Autism Spectrum Disorders. all of the presentations will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.

Cadwell stressed that parents may be reluctant to attend the sessions because they don’t want others to think their child has a problem; but indicated that this is just a way to gain knowledge.

“Parents who generally have more information up front, know what to do if a problem arises," she said.

Cadwell has been working in the field of mental health since 1994 and as a licensed psychologist in 2005. She practices in Plymouth at Cadwell Psychological Services, LLC.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Faces in the Crowd

Our roving camera was in action capturing faces in the crowd again last night as the #8 ranked Plymouth Pilgrims defeated Whitko.  Click here and check out the photo album on our Facebook page to see if yours is among them.

Pilgrims celebrate Thanksgiving at Christmas

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Game day started a little earlier for Plymouth's Pilgrims.

Meeting Whitko on the floor at PHS in the evening, Coach Ryan Bales team met some real VIP's earlier in the day. The team "adopted" several families in Plymouth to help brighten their Christmas holiday with gifts and food.

"It's something that I started doing in North Judson and with other teams that I've been a part of as a player," said Bales. "We're always trying to find ways to show our guys this is more than just basketball. We are very fortunate to have the things that we have and to be able to play this game and we shouldn't take that for granted. We need to give back to our community."

The team went shopping for their families over the weekend and then after walk through on Wednesday morning gathered the gifts and food to deliver to their families.

"I think it's good for our seniors to see that sometimes people struggle a little and we all just need a little help from others from time to time," said Bales. "Its important that our seniors drop everything off in person so they can see the impact that can have on people. Sometimes it gets really emotional and just to know how much people appreciate your help makes everything worth it."

"It's great to help other people in need," said John Ruff.

"We're really close as a team and I think that makes you want to share that feeling with others," added Ryan McNeil

PHS School of Inquiry accepting applications

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH - With the application date for applying for inclusion in the School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School only weeks away, Director Ken Olson is busy getting the word out.

Officially, the first day for submitting an application for incoming freshman for the 2012-2013 school year is January 3. Applications are expected to be considered until January 15-16.

Olson said, “The first 50 students to enroll will be guaranteed a spot. If there are more than 100, a lottery system will determine those that will be accepted in the maximum of 100 students.”

The first year, only 100 students will be enrolled. Then, 100 will be added each year for a total of four years.

Olson presented an overview of the proposed program to the Plymouth School Board on Tuesday night and to parents/guardians and other community members on Wednesday night.

The School of Inquiry will be, in essence, a school within a school. Students in the program will be using project-based leaning methods as they work through a number of different real-world projects. However, there will also be ample time for students to take other elective courses along with some of the core courses needed for graduation in the more traditional classroom setting.

Olson explained that the first year offerings will be Global Perspectives, 21st Century Communication, and Leadership Institute in the New Tech School. Students will then “passport” out of the school to take math, foreign language, and other electives.

Although future course work in the School of Inquiry could change, Olson outlined what could be added during a student's sophomore, junior and senior years.

Although the school board members only voted on the offerings for the first year, Olson suggested new courses that will be added in future years including Democracy in America, Personal Finance, European Perspective, Agrinomics, and Food Engineering.
According to Olson, project-based learning was introduced in 1990’s in Silicon Valley, California with funding from the Bill Gates Foundation. To date, there are 85 schools using the concept nationwide, with 19 of those being in Indiana. Plymouth will be number 20. Other area high schools that are using the New Tech programming include Rochester, South Bend Riley, Columbia City, Huntington, and Ft. Wayne Wayne.

“It’s a new way of learning, but not necessarily a new way of teaching,” said Olson, “It is inquiry based. We want students to ask questions. We want to turn out students who will seek knowledge.”

“It’s not about students sitting in class and having the teacher tell them what will be on the test. It’s about collaborative learning. Experts say that 80 percent of the jobs that these students will be working at in the future have not been invented yet. Students will have to have skills to adapt to the world that’s ever changing with an economy that is unknown.”

The first year, classes will be held in the Learning Center room that is located in the middle of PHS and in the speech room / small theatre. Olson said they are meeting with architects to talk about the design of the space that would look more like a professional open concept setting than a traditional classroom with desks and will have flexible furnishings.

The area of PHS that now houses the pool will be renovated for the School of Inquiry.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

New classes to help PHS students compete globally

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth School Board has approved the addition of two new courses for Plymouth High School for the school year 2012-13.

Plymouth High School Principal Jim Condon briefly outlined the two new proposed offerings to the board and both were unanimously approved.

The first addition will be Digital Electronics. Condon explained the course is the third in a series of four for Project Lead the Way, targeting those students who want to pursue studies in engineering.

The second class will add a foreign language and, at the same time, phase out another. Starting next year, the school will be offering Chinese and begin the process of taking out French classes.

Condon said he and Superintendent Dan Tyree have met with administrators from Valparaiso University and will be forming a partnership with the University’s Confucius Institute. Although not all of the contract details have been ironed out, Condon said the cost of a hiring a certified English as a Second Language teacher will be shared by the corporation and the Confucius Institute. The contract will be for a period of three years.

Condon said in talking with other schools corporations and Valparaiso officials, it is recommended that the study of Chinese begin before students enter high school. Plans are now to offer the Chinese I at Lincoln Junior High and PHS the first year. The second year, PHS will add Chinese II and in year three, Chinese III. The classes at LJH will continue with just Chinese I. The course work will include both written and spoken Chinese.

There is also a possibility of allowing students from other corporations to attend the classes, according to Condon.

French instruction will continue until those students already signed up for the credits have graduated or completed the requirements. Aimee Portteus, guidance counselor, said there is also the possibility of using online course work.

Condon said they have a list of about 40 students now who have indicated an interest in taking Chinese.

“Whether they can all take the course will depend upon fitting it into scheduling,” he said, adding students need to be prepared for the global future.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Riverside students next to have 1:1 computers

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Riverside Intermediate will be the next school in the Plymouth Schools system to offer 1:1 computers for their students in grades 5 and 6.

Principal Donna Burroughs asked the school board members this week for permission to purchase computers for 30 certified staff members, an anticipated 571 students for the 2012-13 school year, and 49 reserve units. The annual cost was noted at $165,351.75 and would be under a four-year contract totaling $661,407.50.

Burroughs said she will be following the steps taken at Lincoln Junior High and Plymouth High School for implementing the program at the intermediate level. Each student in the schools has a computer assigned to them. At LJH and PHS students are allowed to take home the units. Burroughs did not indicate whether that practice will be in place at Riverside as well.

Burroughs said she has been focusing on staff training in the technology needed.

“This will increase the levels of engagement on behalf of students and parents in technology,” she said.

According to Bruce Johnson, corporation technology director, the infrastructure is already in place in the building. Burroughs said she will have to add four more access points during the 2011-12 school year.

“A team is piloting the 1:1 program this year and the team members will train the other teachers,” said Burroughs, adding there are a group of students who have been using the 1:1 program this year and will be helping other students next year.

Burroughs said she is developing a plan to instruct students on the proper use and care of the computers.

In order to help monitor what sites the students are visiting, Burroughs said she is purchasing a monitoring program for the office staff, adding that the current library aide will be trained in the asset manager program as a part of the project.

Superintendent Dan Tyree said the corporation will seek quotes for the purchases. Burroughs said the purchase has been budgeted in the Capital Projects fund.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

PHS students communicate the meaning of Christmas in two languages

By Rusty Nixon 
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - One of the exciting things about Plymouth FOP #195's Shop with a Cop program is the way it brings widely different sections of the community together to help kids have a Christmas they wouldn't have a chance to have otherwise.

Last Saturday was no exception and for a second year Spanish students from Plymouth High School pitched in to do their part. The students volunteered their services to help translate for Spanish speaking families during the shopping trip.

"Most of the kids also volunteered last year and they loved the program so much they wanted to be part of it again," said Delia Gadziola, Spanish/ELL teacher at PHS. "Haley Jaggers worked to set the whole thing up last year and helped out again this year."

"This can be kind of overwhelming for third year students so we have mostly our fourth year students and some of our students who speak Spanish."

For the students who participated - Alejandra Renteria, Mónica Renteria, Dayana Ortiz, Moy Lopez, Yesenia Garcia, Leticia DelReal, Paola Moreno, Diana Figueroa, Maria Lupe Rodriguez, Matt Libersky, Stephani Moran - helping kids and helping their community were the key component.

"A lot of our kids don't participate in sports or other extra curricular things and this type of thing is sort of a niche for them," said Gadziola. "They believe in this community and they want to make a difference. This gives them a chance to get out and demonstrate their leadership ability."

Wanna be Steve Carell? Plymouth grad will get the chance

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Steve Carell is one of the hottest names in Hollywood right now, and a local actor will have a chance to share that "persona" in an upcoming film.

Plymouth grad Tyler Langdon has signed on to play the part of Steve Carell - star of "The Office", "The Daily Show", and numerous hit feature films - in an upcoming movie with the working title "Burt Wonderstone". Tyler will play the part of Carell as a 19 year old budding magician. The film features Steve Buscemi as Carell's partner in magic, Jim Carrey as their arch nemesis as well as James Gandofini known for his work on "The Soprano's" and Olivia Wilde from "House".

"I think if he (Carell) had been in the room when I went in for the final audition I might not have been able to perform," said Tyler with a laugh. "It felt really good when he got the footage of my audition and told the director and producers that I was by far his first choice.

"It's really an unbelievable opportunity and I'm really excited. I'm going to be able to be on the set every day with some very talented people and watch them work and learn from them. Maybe even more exciting is that I'm going to be able to attend the premiere with them and walk the 'red carpet' with them. That's a really exciting thing."

The Warner Brothers film will be Tyler's first major feature film since beginning his career about two and a half years ago. It's a major accomplishment in such a young career. A year ago he was chosen to be part of an online "American Idol" type competition for up and coming actors and since has been able to work in some independent films and other projects.

"It was really something to sit in the same room waiting to audition with people like Seth Green and Will Forte - people who's work I've really admired," said Tyler. "Now to be able to be on the set with actors that know so much and can teach me so much about the process of being an actor is an opportunity that I am going to make the most of."

"The way the cards have fallen so far I can only say that I've been unbelievably fortunate in my career."

Freyenberger gives NFL films a Plymouth flavor

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Next time you watch "Inside the NFL", or "ESPN Match Up" you might want to scan the credits for a familiar local name.

Josh Freyenberger has taken his love of photography and his love of sports and combined them into an exciting start to his career. The 2007 graduate of Plymouth High School has spent the last two years working behind the camera for the NFL Network.

Last year as an intern Josh shot 13 games - including the NFC Championship and Super Bowl - as part of the camera crew for the network. His talent led to a full time job offer and this year he works on three national studio shows each week.

"Last year seemed a little more exciting I think, this year it's a little more like your job," said Josh. "Of course there are those days when you realize just how cool it is to have this job. The other day I was talking about Notre Dame football with Joe Theisman and then it struck me a little bit later just how many times do you get to talk Notre Dame football with Joe Theisman? It's times like that you realize just how unbelievably lucky you are to have a job like this."

Upon leaving PHS Josh admits he wasn't completely sure where he was headed career-wise. A little over a year of classes at IUSB failed to give any real direction. Then friends Dylan and Ethan Hayn encouraged him in another direction.

"I was taking business classes and it was alright but I just didn't think that's what I wanted to do with my life," said Josh. "They asked me to come down and visit them at Full Sail University in Orlando and the next thing I knew I was enrolled."

Film school was just the thing for the aspiring cinematographer. As they say in the movies - the rest is history.

"I've always been an avid photographer," he said. "I love anything that has to do with cameras. I always have. It's really kind of funny because I found out that my dad loved photography too but when I came along and he had a family he decided it was too expensive and sold his equipment and gave it up."

While NFL Films is a great place for somebody of Josh's interests, there are other things the aspiring photographer would like to achieve as well.

"I'm young and I would love to travel and see the world as part of my work," he said. "Working on a project for National Geographic - or some other kind of international shoot - would be really special. I would love to be able to that.

"It's really kind of an exciting time to be involved in the field. I have access to a lot of high end equipment that lots of people could only have dreamed about years ago. It's not that hard to get really great footage without spending a lot of money or being part of a network."

"I think being a part of things like stage crew and band in high school really helped me to see the creative side of my mind and that really helped me. Growing up in a small town really helps put all this in perspective for me."

"I'm going to enjoy all this while I can. I'm still single and there's a lot of things I'd like to see and places I'd like to go. We'll go with the flow and see where it takes me."

Faces in the Crowd

Our roving camera captured lots of faces at last Friday's boys basketball home game with Peru...was yours or maybe someone you know one of them?


Click here to check out our Facebook page to find out.

Christmas Spectacular this weekend

PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth High School Music Department will present the third annual "Christmas Spectacular" production in the PHS auditorium on Sunday, December 11th at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets for the event are available at the door for the price of $5 per adult and $3 per child, student or senior. This year's show is called "Santa's Wild Wacky Workshop!"

The show will feature over an hour of Christmas and Holiday musical selections presented by the Chorale, Counterpoint, Crimson Connection, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. There will be nearly 250 PHS students involved in the production of the show.

The show takes the audience on a musical journey during the three days before Christmas when all is extremely busy hectic in Santa's Workshop and the elves are nowhere to be found. Join the PHS Music Department for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment and Christmas music.

Teaming up to help others

PLYMOUTH - During the month of December, the Plymouth basketball program, Oliver Ford and PHS Operation Leadership Students will be pitching in to help the Community Center.

On December 2, 6, 9, and 21st during PHS Boys Basketball games Oliver Ford and the PHS Operation Leadership Students will be collecting canned goods at the North Entrance of PHS in an attempt to Fill a Focus.

Community members who donate 6 items, consisting of boxed or canned non-perishable foods, grooming supplies, or paper products will receive a certificate for a $15 oil change through Oliver Ford. The collection of these items will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the JV game on each evening and continue through the 1st quarter of the Varsity game.

Come see the Pilgrims battle Rochester, St. Joe, Peru, and Whitko and help support those in need in our community.

Plymouth grad kicks off tour as part of a new Christmas compilation

Plymouth grad Denver Bierman with fellow grad Adam Beck

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

NASHVILLE, TN - The weather outside may be frightful, but the music of the season is delightful with a new dual release of Christmas Favorites from Jesus Daily Facebook, featuring Plymouth's Denver Bierman and the Mile High Orchestra.

Jesus Daily - the most highly engaged Facebook page in the world - has released two new digital Christmas compilations available on iTunes. One - "An ePOP Christmas” - features 25 Christmas songs by 23 top and emerging new artists including notables Everlife, The Tractors, Alison Krauss, and Gary Chapman, alongside some of today’s best emerging artists - Chris Sligh, Story Side: B , Stephen Speaks and Denver & the Mile High Orchestra.

The second release has a more traditional approach and is entitled "An Inspiring Christmas”. It also contains 25 favorite Christmas classics, offering with a traditional sound that features Christian artists Gary Chapman and Wintley Phipps alongside notable Worship leaders from Churches all over the country including Rick Muchow from Saddleback Church and Charles Billingsley from Thomas Road Baptist Church and - of course - two more songs from DMHO.

"Our lead trumpet player, Keith Smith, was hired by Jesus Daily as a staff producer for the groups musical projects," said Denver. "He brought them the idea of making our music part of the Christmas compilations and they thought the message along with our nostalgic sound was a perfect fit for this project."

As part of the two compilation release, Denver will also appear on a television special with several of the other artists that will be broadcast on TBN later in the month.

"It's wonderful for us to have the opportunity for our music to get some exposure to some people who may never have heard it before," said Denver.

Denver and the rest of the Mile High Orchestra will embark on their enormously popular "Christmas Tour" this weekend. It's a bittersweet time for a family man who is also a performer.

"This is the biggest tour of year for us because our sound becomes mainstream," he said. "Our style is part of everybody's memory of what Christmas sounds like. It comes to the forefront of American culture from November to January.

"We love sharing with our fans, sharing our music and our faith which is the reason for Christmas but man it is terribly hard to leave home for the tour. It's why we've  (wife Amy and children London and Boston) already started celebrating at my house. We've watched all the Christmas specials and maybe it sounds silly but we always build a gingerbread house and we're going to do that tonight. Then Dad leaves to go to work for Christmas. It's hard but it's exciting at the same time."

The tour has several big stops including a chance for hometown fans to see the band at a special performance at Moraine Valley Church in Palos Heights, IL just outside of Chicago on December 17. The performance will be broadcast live on the Moody Radio Network to nearly 500 radio stations across North America.

Tickets for the show are available online at http://www.itickets.com/events/275503.html or can be ordered by phone at 800-965-9324. All the band's Christmas Tour dates are available at http://www.denvermho.com/

To check out "An Inspiring Christmas" go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/an-inspiring-christmas/id482951712. "An e-Pop Christmas" is at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/an-e-pop-christmas/id482980971

PHS spellers make mark at State Finals

PHS Spell Bowl Team - Front: Zach Mahan Middle: Kelsey Schnieders, Tori Godwin, Allegra Davis, Pauline Dagaas, Angel Figueroa, Abby Schumacher Back: Dakota Bradley, Ashley Stokes, Grace Stokes, Nate Mahan, Dana Hall, Cody Gamble, Kurt Corsbie, and coach Amy Schmeltz

LAFAYETTE, IN - The Plymouth High School Spell Bowl team finished second at the state finals at Purdue University on Saturday.

In Class 2, John Glenn won with a score of 84, followed by Plymouth with 75, and Gibson Southern, 64. Pauline Dagaas, Zach Mahan, Ashley Stokes, and Grace Stokes earned perfect scores. This was the second perfect score this season for Mahan, the team's only senior.

Perfect spellers Ashley Stokes, Zach Mahan, Grace Stokes, and Pauline Dagaas

Two near perfect spellers, Abby Schumacher and Kurt Corsbie, missed only one word each for the second and third time this season, respectively. This was Plymouth's second trip to the state finals in as many years and a season and school-record performance, capping off a highly successful season.

At the NLC meet in October, the team placed first with a score of 70, maintaining conference champion status for the second year in a row. They followed up their impressive Conference Championship by winning the Area Contest with a score of 71.

Team members include freshmen Allegra Davis and Cody Gamble; sophomore Nate Mahan; juniors Dakota Bradley, Kurt Corsbie, Pauline Dagaas, Angel Figueroa, Tori Godwin, Dana Hall, Kelsey Schnieders, Abby Schumacher, Ashley Stokes, Grace Stokes,and senior Zach Mahan.

Near Perfect spellers Kurt Corsbie and Abby Schumacher

Some of the team's winning words at the state contest included seigneury, assent, syzygy,, teraph, tocsin, imbroglio, peperomia, atlatl, Reykjavik, and dermatomyositis.

PHS poet published in anthology

PLYMOUTH - If poetry is the stuff of life, Tyler Hix has a good start on his.

 

A senior at Plymouth High School Tyler was recently published in the poetry anthology Stars in Our Hearts, which is published by the World Poetry Movement as part of their annual Amateur Poetry Contest.  His poem entitled "Concentration" is printed below.

---

Concentration
by Tyler Hix

To not be distracted by friend nor foe,
Brings thoughts that make your single topic flow,
To stay aboard,
It's all in your thoughts of the long and narrow road.
To not be distracted by friend nor foe,
Concentration.

To not be distracted by temptation,
Easily motivated to complete by ambition,
To keep on pushing through the fight with dedication,
It's all in your thoughts to no burst into confusion,
To not be distracted by temptation.
Concentration.

To not be distracted by internal battles,
The slightest thought can cause your thoughts to rattle,
To achieve one thing and not pop like kettle,
It's all in your thoughts to continue the thoughts by pulling from a single petal,
Concentration.

To not be distracted by friend nor foe,
Brings thoughts that make your single topic flow,
To stay aboard,
It's all in your thoughts of the long and narrow road,
To not be distracted by friend nor foe,
Concentration.

Plymouth grad's music video explores deeper questions of aging, joy

By Jeff Kenney
Pilot News Staff Writer

CULVER — First Farmer’s Bank and Trust Culver branch manager Chad Van Herk, a Plymouth High School graduate, was out of the office for several days a few months back for your typical American vacation, in many ways: time away with his wife, relaxing on the beach and soaking up some California sun....oh, and filming a music video. And as it turns out, a bit of an unusual music video, accompanying his song, “Footprints.”

Those expecting to see little more than “eye candy” images of sun and surf, bikini-clad women, and perhaps guitar-playing, singing and songwriting Van Herk himself cavorting around the beach may want to give the video a look, online at chadvanherk.com.

Ok, so there’s a bit of beach cavorting — Van Herk did fly to the Los Angeles area, after all, and he’s never made any secret of the role of water and sand, sails and land, and his own restless wanderings, as threads often running through his music. But he credits California documentarian and director Ken Woodall with the vision and plotline for the final video. In fact, Woodall came to Van Herk, who initially was a bit incredulous when contacted about the project.

In the video, an “elderly” version of Van Herk whiles away his life in an institution, dutifully swallowing pills dispensed to himself and other residents in what is clearly a colorless, rather empty existence.

Woodall is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts in Film Production whose credits include documentaries on AIDS in South Africa and deforestation in Costa Rica, besides a lengthy resume of television and short film credits. He explains:
“I have been a huge fan of folk, soft rock, reggae, Hawaiian style music for a long time. One day I heard this brand new song on Pandora (internet radio) and all of these images started forming in my head...warm sand with wet footprints being washed away, a man whistling on the beach, an angel appearing in front of him. It was the best melody I have ever heard.

“It hit me: This (singer) was much older than an innocent, 20-something body. He understands the true potential joy of life because he’s lived through it all. This beach is a dream world, an escape from the rigid reality.

“(In the video), older Chad is a man whose life sped him by... the power in his legs have been stripped away either through idleness or through an old accident (and) no one cared about him any more...(he) had been stripped from power, connection, reality.

“One day a painting appears at his door and he sees color for the first time in decades. It is so shocking that he is able to transport himself to this dream land. (But) reality and dream blend together and Chad is able to bring back some of the elements of that new life back with him.”

In the video, the “older” Van Herk finds himself a young man again, on the beach. As the video progresses, the character realizes “that there is a future,” adds Woodall. “That’s when he is able to transcend his physical and emotional ailments.”
Chad Van Herk, of course, had been oblivious to the impact his song was having on Woodall, multiple states away.

“I get this email one day last year, late summer, from Ken and he mentions he heard my song ‘Footprints’ on Pandora Internet Radio,” recalls Van Herk. “He claimed to have had a vision of sorts for a music video and he explains his status as a graduating film student at USC. He asks whether I mind if he makes a music video as his personal project....I immediately granted him permission.

“‘No,’ he replies the next day.’I mean, I want to make a music video with you here in L.A.’
“I kind of shrugged it off, honestly, thinking, ‘Yeah right,’ and I took everything with a grain of salt. When he forwarded me a rough draft script, however, I started thinking to myself, ‘This guy’s serious!’ Then came the animated storyboard, which I was able to watch on YouTube, which basically walked through each scene as he saw it being played out...I started getting excited.”

A year later Van Herk and wife Elizabeth were on a Virgin Air flight to Los Angeles, where they shot the video in high definition over July 23 through 26 in Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, and Costa Mesa, with a crew of volunteers from various Southern California schools. Collaborators included Entourage and CSI, and CGI work was handled in England.

“I showed up on set with trepidation,” admits Van Herk. “Would this be a rag-tag group of inexperienced college kids reluctantly forfeiting their weekend to half-heartedly move to a director’s chest-beating drum? My anxiety evaporated almost immediately. What I experienced as I walked into the room was a fluid motion of directors, producers and crew flowing in unison toward one goal, one well-planned take at a time.”

The video has been well-received on the internet through social networking sites as well as Youtube and Van Herk’s own webpage. The singer himself, while “very happy with the experience,” doesn’t know where the video will take him professionally.

“If it leads to something greater, I’ll greet the opportunity with a warm smile,” he says. “If asked whether I hope for more, or that it leads to a ‘greater’ experience, well, I tend to believe that it is human nature to progress and succeed at that in which one takes the greatest amount of pleasure in doing. Nothing thrills me more than picking up a guitar, writing songs, and putting them ‘out there’ to be heard. I don’t really seek fame, and I am not driven by monetary success. Success is achieved, not earned.

“I guess I simply hope to achieve satisfaction in living and not ‘when I had come to die, discover that I had not lived,’ he adds, quoting Henry David Thoreau.

Pulling out a ukulele, Van Herk — who had also discussed his life journeys in college, sailing, and songwriting — explained “banking is what I do,” recently to the Culver Kiwanis Club. “It’s not who I am,” he said as he discussed lunch breaks towing a kayak behind him swimming in Lake Maxinkuckee, and riding his bicycle to and from work.

Van Herk, who said he records his self-penned music with a laptop computer and “a pretty decent condenser mic,” serenaded club members with “Footprints” (the ukulele version) and added with a smile, “Mortgage rates are at a new low in the last few years...I’m your man (for banking) during the day!”

Readers can pick up Van Herk’s CDs through the Internet or at Culver Coffee Company, and of course check out the music video for the song Ken Woodall says contains “a deep subtext dressed in such simple melody that it is a profoundly moving piece of art, like a mother covering her child with a blanket during war. It’s reminiscent and optimistic especially in a time where the present seems pretty dim. Everyone has a ‘mother-of-pearl’ that they are searching for.

“‘Leavin’ Footprints’ reminds me of that innocent optimism we all have had,” Woodall adds. “I hope the audience reclaims those emotions and becomes reinvigorated to keep pushing for their goals whatever they may be. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams.”

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Students apply design skills to real world jobs

By Lydia Beers
Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth High School business students are taking project-based learning to the next level. The group is creating print and graphic media products for real companies. For a fee (benefitting the Business Professionals of America club) businesses will receive quality design work done by up-and-coming high school students. Although they are still learning, technology teacher Jennifer Felke said that the students are excited about their new skills.

“They’ve created great designs,” said Felke, adding that working on a product that people outside the school will see is particularly rewarding for the students.

“When they know it’s not just a classroom assignment, they put a lot more work into it,” said Felke.

Nearly 40 students so far are a part of this venture, called the Technology Club. The club is currently developing a website for North Central Area Vocational Cooperative as well as improving the PHS website and doing print media for different departments in the school. One of their projects is to create posters and tickets for the upcoming Sweetheart dance, a particularly exciting opportunity according to Felke. Felke said that so many students were interested in designing for Sweetheart that she decided to make it a contest.

“We are very busy right now,” noted Felke.

The Technology Club is in the middle of eight projects, all being simultaneously worked on by different students according to their strengths.

“It’s a great collaboration,” said Felke of the different areas of design. “I try to focus in on different kid’s skills.”

The pricing of the work varies depending on the project, but “it will definitely be less than if (clients) went to a professional,” said Felke.

Businesses interested in commissioning the Technology Club for a project can email Felke at jfelke@plymouth.k12.in.us or call the school, 574-936-2178.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

November PHS basketball newsletter

Three PHS band members honored

PLYMOUTH - Three Plymouth High School band students have been selected to be a part of the Indiana State All-Star Honor Band.  

This band is made up of the top music students from across the state.  They will be performing a concert with some of the best high school musicians in Indiana.

The three students that were selected from Plymouth are:

Elizabeth Wolford - Senior (flute)
Lindsey Holloway - Senior (percussion)
Nicole Splix - Junior (flute)

The flute and percussion sections of the Honor Band are two of the hardest sections to be selected for.  Every school nominates flute and percussion students for the few positions available and the competition can be fierce.

"I am extremely proud of these kids and the fact that they will represent PHS in the honor band," stated PHS Band Director Bryan Ames in announcing the students selection.

A little night music...

PLYMOUTH — For the first time ever, all five Plymouth student orchestras are getting together for a community performance.

“The Plymouth Orchestras Concert and Dessert” will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Lincoln Junior High Auditorium, followed by cookies and punch in the cafeteria.

Featured will be the PCYO Concert, Symphony and Chamber orchestras as well as the Lincoln Junior High and Plymouth High School orchestras.

Mother/Daughter team offering new book for Christmas

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

LENOIR, NC - In this technological age it still pays to curl up with a good book.

Doing just that has brought a unique Christmas gift to Deb Venti (PHS class of 1985) and her daughter BreeAnn Fisher. They are able to share that gift with the world, thanks to the publishing of their children's book The Night After Christmas.

"I own a bookstore and when she (BreeAnn) was a little girl she used to come in and gather books around her on the floor and sit there and read," said Deb. "When it came time to close the store and go home she would tell me, 'You can't make me leave, I haven't read all my books yet.'"

Now the 18 year old high school student will have her own title to add to that reading list. The youngest author ever signed by her publishing company - Tate Publishing - BreeAnn will have a star on her resume as she enters college and the professional world - that of published author.

The book is a playful satire of the popular classic poem The Night Before Christmas. Brought up to date by the authors The Night After Christmas examines some poignant themes of our culture in a way that kids can relate to. It leads the reader to traditional family values that have stood the test of time, in the same way as the traditional Christmas poem it is derived from.

The project was the combination of BreeAnn's family tradition of giving a book for Christmas and a school project.

"She came home with a project to write a satire of a Christmas story and of course she didn't want to share with me because - you know how it is - when Mom helps it has a tendency to turn into a big production," said Deb with a laugh. "She finally gave in and we sat and read all our Christmas books and I had her choose her favorite one. I read it to her three times and said 'what's different about this story today?' She said she thought kids were too spoiled and it took off from there.

"We probably wrote the whole thing in 45 minutes to an hour."

And that's where it would have stayed but by chance.

"I was working with (Tate Publishing) on a particular book shipment that was sent to the wrong place and had billing problems, etc. and in the course of the phone calls I became friends with the woman I was calling all the time who happened to be the secretary of the President of the company," said Deb. "We were talking about the story one day and she had me email her a copy and she showed it to her boss. They emailed us back a contract a couple days later."

The company provided the pair of authors an illustrator and the rest - as they say - is history.

"We never planned on writing a book," said Deb. "It's really not in the plans to write another but who knows? If nothing else 20 years from now we can sit around with BreeAnn's children at Christmas and read the book she wrote."

The book is due for release around Thanksgiving and the family bookstore in North Carolina - Venti's Casa - will be holding a book signing on Dec. 9. Anyone wishing a signed copy can contact ventiscasa@gmail.com. The Bookworm in Plymouth will also be offering copies of the book in time to purchase for Christmas.

PHS basketball Red/White Scrimmage

On Friday, November 11^th, the Plymouth High School Boys Basketball Program will be hosting a few events that will be open to the public. 

The first event will take place from 3-5pm that day with the coaching staff conducting a practice. This will be the only practice of the year that is open to the public as all other practices are closed. The varsity and junior varsity players will practice in the main gym and the freshman group will practice in the upper gym. 

The viewing of this practice will be allowed from the upper concourse area. 

Following this 'open' practice, we will run a Red/White Scrimmage which will begin at 6pm and last approximately an hour. This will be an intrasquad scrimmage with officials. This event will take place in the Plymouth High School main gymnasium. Each player in grades 9-12 will participate in this game with the number of quarters yet to be determined. 

If you wish to attend either or both of these events, please bring one canned good item per person in your group for admission.

Following the scrimmage, there will be a meal in the cafeteria for any immediate family members of any player, manager, or coach in the Plymouth High School Boys Basketball Program. During this meal Coach Bales and his staff will also introduce some expectations for each player and manager in the basketball program. The coaching staff would like for at least one parent or guardian to attend this meal.

PHS yearbook a national award winner

PLYMOUTH - The 2011 Mayflower Yearbook received a First-Class Rating from the National Scholastic Press Association. 

The critique is a written evaluation of work submitted by a publication. Professional journalists, experienced media advisers and other media professionals serve on the NSPA board of judges.  The judge writes comments and scores the yearbook in several different categories such as coverage, writing and design.

The composite score from all sections gives the publication an honor rating ranging from Third Class to All American. The All American rating is the highest rating given to any publication in the critique service, and PHS did a commendable job, particularly since this was The Mayflower's first review by the NSPA.

Behind the scenes of The Little Mermaid

Take a trip under the sea this weekend at PHS

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - "Under the sea, darlin it's better down where it's wetter, take it from me…"

The Plymouth High School Theatre Department invites you to discover the truth of that advice from the character Sebastian as they present the Disney classic "The Little Mermaid" this Friday at 6:30 p.m., two shows Saturday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before each performance and are $3 for children 12 and under and $4 for adults.

Originally a popular fairy tale by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen it is the story of a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for the love of a human prince.
Written originally as a ballet, the tale was first published in 1837. The Disney film version became an almost instant classic on it's release in 1989 and this will be the second time the PHS Theatre Department has staged the favorite - the first production in the late '90's.

"It's really not as tough as you might think to approach the same show in a different way," said Charlotte Tyree, Director of the show. "The cast really lends itself to how things are going to be different. The different kids in the show all approach their parts a little differently and really (the character of) Ursula sets the tone of how the show is going to be played."

As in past years the show has two complete casts - a "White" cast and "Red" cast - in order to get all of the students involved who earned parts. Setting the tone as Ursula in the Red cast is Christina Krozel and Kelsey Shaffer in the White cast.

"I never thought I'd be a villain. It's never been a goal of mine to scare small children," said Shaffer with a laugh. "But I remember seeing the show when I was little and it's the villains and the scary parts that are the most fun and what you remember the most."

Taking on the White cast romantic leads was also a new experience for Jason Pickell and Olivia Hilliard.

"You know I didn't really even really have an interest in the theatre. My dad made me go out for the play in junior high," said Jason Pickell, playing Prince Eric. "I played a dog. I've had those kind of comic roles this gives me a chance to play something different - a different genre."

"I've kind of had some trouble playing a 'girly girl'," said Olivia Hilliard in the White cast role of Ariel. "Last year I was a skunk and I played a boy in the shows so yeah, this is a little different."

One tradition of the PHS children's show is at least one "jaw dropping" special effect. Does this show promise the same.

"We have two," promised Hilliard. "One of them involves some heavy lifting."

Other members of the White Cast are; Becca Houser, Shelby Pratt, Allison Berger, Maura Faulstich, Marissa Daugherty, Grant Ringenberg, Danielle Erickson, Shae Stein, Kendall Cooper, Aimee Ringer, Andria Shook, Edgar Quiroz, Maicee Evans, Kate Peters, Kelsey Shaffer, Faith Read, Jason Pickell, Breanna Morrow, Haley Stein, Cassie Gaines, Bryce England, Kristina Bannow, Dylan Cox, Andrea Finley, Kaydon Fosler, Emily Gadziola, Reneh Gambrel, Christie Gorka, Madison Gunderson, Shelby Harrell, Dylan Holiday, Miranda Hurford, Cayla Jolly, Madalyn Lambert, Clayton Lenig, Moises Solis Lopez, Alaynee Mora, Alexis Moran, Adilene Peynado, Kristen Pressler, Kirstin Riise, Kylee Rippy, Audrey Samuelson, Hannah Samuelson, Alexandria Shangreaux, Melissa Slater, Hunter Stevens, Emily Trump, Luis Valdez, Madison Woods, Courtney Zentz.

The Red Cast is; Kirsten Harner, Sarah Puglisi, Rebecca Brumbaugh, Hope Miller, Elsy Mendoza, Alex Oakley, Megan Senter, Haley Adams, Megan Biglane, Lauren Smith    , Markee Farler, Andria Shook, Jared Hill, Liza Kelly, Ben Piazza, Christina Krozel, Priscilla Hammonds, Connor Flynn, Ali Obrochta, Miriah Brumley, Christy Chipman, Michael Gray, Noemi Aguilar, Stephanie Anderson, Johnna Antich, Kristen Arriaga, Lisa Carnegie, Cristina Reynaga Chavez, Ashley Clemons, Marilyn Delgado, Drew Dodson, Cody Edge, Courtney Edge, Andrew Gerard, Kara Gustafson, Mikayla Haenes, Haley Harrell, Tyler Hix, Chase Holzwart, Megan Maxwell, Abby Patrick, Annalise Piazza, Cassandra Quissell, Christian Radican, Elizabeth Read, Kelsy Risner, Trever Roberts, Thomas Serf, Jessica Stillson, Jenna Wood, Alexandria Wright.

The stagecrew is; Sound Engineers, Jordan Knapp, Daren Miller, Christina Krozel
Lighting Technicians, Billie Carothers, Adam Lacefield, Larissa Tetzloff, Hayley Morris, Denis Watson, Backstage Wing Managers, Andrew Youst, Shaylee Vice, Backstage Crew, Ashton Morrow, Molly Henderson, Bellinda Bottorff, Jeannie Spear, Abigail Schumacher, Emily Blake, Celeste Cook, Emily Denney, Faith Hilty, Danielle Letsinger,  Michael Yoder, Jordan Wendel, Hayden Skirvin, Luke Schumacher, Evan Glaub, Daniel Flynn, Tim Gomez, Micah Harner, Matthew Pearson, Vicente Vasquez, Ben Shortt, Levi Schuler, Austin Rose.

The NFL and Riverside team up for students

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Here's proof that watching football on TV can be good for you.

Principal Donna Burroughs of Plymouth's Riverside Intermediate School an example of that as her school will reap the benefit of doing more than just watching but acting. The school has received grant funding from the Dairy and Nutrition Council of Indiana, Inc., to sponsor activities for the school's Fuel Up to Play 60 program during the 2011-2012 school year.

"The NFL is one of the sponsors of the grant and I think I first heard about it watching the ads on TV," said Burroughs. "We like to emphasize different kinds of things in different years and this year we really wanted to encourage our kids to be active and healthy in mind and body. That's what this grant is all about."

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a national program sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League to encourage students to eat healthy and be physically active at least 60 minutes every day. Funds from the dairy council will be used to purchase fresh foods and vegetables for a taste testing at school.  The students will also prepare “healthy” snacks for a Super Bowl party at school as a couple of the dietary activities that will take place.

In order to be eligible Riverside formed a committee to do an audit of the school - taking a look at such elements as the nutrition offered at the school, the physical education and recess programs. After taking a look at themselves and submitting those results the NFL sent back a "playbook" of options for the school to use in addressing any areas they found themselves wanting and the money to pursue those opportunities.

"We thought this was something that the whole school could be involved with and the kids would really get excited about because it is sponsored by the NFL," said Burroughs. "Next week we'll actually receive the money and begin to implement the program."

The funds will also be used to plan some new activities for the Riverside playground and purchase the equipment for those activities.   All Riverside students have been invited to sign up for the program at home at the website www.fueluptoplay60.org. The funds from the Dairy Council will also be used to purchase four brand new bicycles.  These bicycles will be awarded to students through an end of the year drawing.  To be entered in the drawing, students must be a Fuel Up to Play 60 participant.

PHS School of Inquiry launches website

By Lydia Beers
Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth School of Inquiry, a New Tech extension of Plymouth High School, will open next fall. To answer questions about the new school, PHS dean of students Ken Olson and directer of professional development Jennifer Felke launched a new website last Friday.

"We're pretty excited about it," said Olson. "We really want it to be the information portal over the next year on the School of Inquiry."

Parents as well as any interested individual may visit the website and view weekly or bi-weekly posts about the progress of the new school. Videos are posted with messages from Olson and other PHS staff. One new video shows the Plymouth School of Inquiry's recent visit to the Viking New Tech School in Huntington.

"We're going to use (the website) to get information out to the community about the school and about what's going on," said Olson, adding that the website includes videos and a frequently asked questions section, as well as a form that people can fill out to get more information about the school.

"Once the school starts next fall we hope the website will be an area where the community can see what type of projects that the students are participating in," said Felke.

Olson said that the School of Inquiry is still in the early planning stages. As teachers are hired and construction begins, the website will be updated more and more frequently. Eventually, it will include posts by students as well as pictures of the daily happenings in the new school. 

New Tech high schools use an approach called Project Based Learning, requiring students to learn by solving practical problems and making real-life decisions. The skills they learn through this method are intended to increase their job readiness after high school or better prepare them for college. The Plymouth School of Inquiry will open with an initial class of 100 freshman students, and expand each year.

Visit the School of Inquiry website at www.plymouth.k12.in.us/plymouth-school-of-inquiry.html.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News.

Five Star teaches values; raises grades at LJH

By Lydia Beers
Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — Most kids can't wait to get out of school when the final bell rings. Not so for 60 Lincoln Jr. High students, at least not on Tuesdays.

Tuesday afternoons between 3 and 5 p.m. are devoted to Five Star, an after-school program that uses volunteer "coaches," games, and discussion times to encourage students to live a "Five Star life."

"So many kids feel like they are losing, and we want them to win," said LJH head coach Casey Martin.

The Five Star program teaches five core values: respect, responsibility, courage, sacrifice, and integrity—and students spend at least four weeks going over each value.

"Five Star has been a tremendous program for the students at LJH in many ways," said LJH principal Dan Funston. "Too often we teach character traits in an abstract way that students do not understand. Five Star gives students practical applications."

Funston also said that he has seen students involved in Five Star significantly raise their grades.
Students connect with their coach when they first arrive at Five Star (held in LJH's cafeteria). They have a snack, participate in a group game, do Five Star options (could be another game, a craft, or homework time), talk about the last week's challenges and establish new challenges for the next week. The coaches, all volunteers, encourage the students to think of new ways they could utilize one of the core values in their everyday life that week.

Martin said that this is the program's third year at LJH. Currently, about 20 students are on a waiting list. Five Star is open to any student, but since all the coaches are volunteers and all the funds come from donations, there is a limit to how many students the program can handle. More volunteers and more donations would enable more students to sign up for the program.

"The volunteers that Five Star recruits are top notch," said Funston. "All of our volunteers are people of outstanding character who are leaders in our community."

The commitment of the adult volunteers, added Funston, is a big part of what makes the program successful. 

"The coach becomes a part of the (student's) life," said Martin.

Martin is seeking support from the community so that Five Star can continue at LJH.

"We want (Five Star) Plymouth to be sustainable," said Martin. "We want to community to get behind it."

Currently, the program could use more coaches for next year as well as donations from either individuals or businesses.

How to help
According to Martin, Five Star is now in 14 school corporations in Northern Indiana, with "a huge waiting list." The program costs $25,000 per year, per school. The school does not pay any of this cost as Five Star is completely supported by donations. 75 percent of that comes from individual donors, and the rest from company and business sponsors.

If you are interested in finding out more about Five Star or donating, visit their website at www.fivestarlife.org or call 574-266-4038.

If you are interested in volunteering at LJH with Five Star (either coaching or just helping occasionally) call Principal Dan Funstion, 574-936-3113.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

A PHS tennis tradition continues

By

James Costello

Pilot News Sports Editor

PLYMOUTH — It’s sometimes easier to maintain a tradition than to restore one.

Expectations play a big role in sports, and in tennis in particular, confidence can often win the day.
Plymouth seniors Connor Flynn and Jordan Scheetz were in eighth grade the last time the Pilgrims sent a doubles team to the state finals. On Saturday, the duo beat DeKalb’s Landon Miller and Brandon Fruits 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to win the LaPorte Regional and advance to Friday’s Doubles State Championship.

“At the time I was going pretty crazy,” said Flynn of Saturday’s regional championship. “I’d never been that excited and nervous at the same time in my life. As soon as we did it, it was a huge relief. Especially with tennis not being our main sport, it’s crazy that we’ve made it this far. Now thinking back on it, it’s still hard to believe that we’re actually doing it and we’re still going, but we’re practicing hard and we’re going to try to make a run at the finals.”

“Plymouth’s No. 1 doubles is known greatly for moving on through the individual tournament,” said Scheetz. “We’re in a great state to be up on the Wall of Fame in the athletic hallway. That was our first goal is we wanted to get there, and we knew we were coming together and we were playing well. Really, we just went into Saturday with the mindset that we’re not thinking anything but wins here so we just went for it and focused hard and played our best.”

While the Pilgrims are known historically for deep runs in the doubles tournament, it’s been awhile since anyone in the program has gone as far as Flynn and Scheetz.

Plymouth sent a doubles team in Matt Hunter and Matt Langfeldt to the final four in 2001 in the second year of the IHSAA’s non-team doubles tourney and afterward enjoyed frequent appearances at the finals for several years, including sending six tandems to state in an eight-year span from 1998 to 2005, the last time the Pilgrims reached the finals.

Plymouth bowed out of the team tournament with a Culver Military Academy Regional championship loss to the host Eagles on Oct. 5, but Flynn and Scheetz stayed alive in the individual tourney with a straight-set win over CMA’s Quinlan Smith and Jorge Segura. They advanced to Saturday’s LaPorte Regional with another straight-set win over Warsaw’s A.J. Herendeen and Sam Rice at CMA Oct. 6, then beat Wheeler’s Jordon Long and Lucas Jessen in Saturday’s semifinal before battling back from a 4-1 deficit in the opening set to put away Miller and Fruits in three sets for the regional championship, breaking a five-year dry spell in state berths for Pilgrims doubles teams.

“It really has been a few years,” said Plymouth Head Tennis Coach Michael Delp, who finished runner-up for Plymouth with partner Scott Hunt as a senior in the 1993 doubles tourney. “When we had a string of so many guys in a row it really was helpful for some of our younger guys to go down and watch that big tournament, maybe dream a little bit that hey, that could be me someday, and when they finally make that 1 doubles team to kind of have that expectation that this is what we kind of do. For Connor and Jordan to do that on their own, I think there was an element of surprise for them this weekend, but they played really well and just restoring that tradition was something I wanted to see for our guys, especially our younger guys. But they had to be the first, at least the first in awhile, so for that I’m really proud of them. It’s sometimes easier to kind of follow the guys before you.”

Part of the surprise for Scheetz and Flynn is that neither is primarily a tennis player. Respectively a pitcher and an infielder for both Plymouth High School and American Legion Post 27, the duo was busy playing baseball last summer while many of their opponents were focusing on tennis.

“With (American) Legion, playing baseball together all summer, we didn’t play tennis. I played tennis one time this summer, and that was the day before two-a-days,” said Scheetz. “We really didn’t play tennis together this summer, but baseball kept us close.”

“Me and Jordan have been in school together since the fifth grade at St. Mike’s,” said Flynn. “Baseball and basketball have brought us closer together, but baseball, definitely in this previous summer playing together on Post 27 brought us a lot closer. I’m glad he decided to come out this year because I knew it was up in the air, but as soon as he did I knew something special could happen this year.”

While Scheetz and Flynn may have been a bit surprised at their tennis run given their pedigree as multi-sport athletes, Delp said they’re well within Plymouth’s doubles tradition in that respect as well.

“We’ve been kind of blessed since the start of the tournament with having strong doubles teams throughout there,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of guys that are strong athletes. Maybe tennis might be their first sport, but a lot of them, it’s their second or third sport, and they just kind of love the action that you get in doubles — the aggressiveness, the quick reflexes — and it just allows them to be successful on a tennis court… Some of that’s just suited the athletes that we’ve had, but we definitely have a strong tradition, both girls and guys, of teams that have made the state finals.”

While the state series may have started with sectionals Sept. 28, Scheetz’s and Flynn’s run really began a week before at the start of the Northern Lakes Conference Tournament.

Two days prior, the duo took a heartbreaking loss to visiting Northridge on Senior Night at Plymouth. After that loss, they regrouped to go undefeated at NLCs for the conference doubles championship and have continued gaining momentum with eight straight wins in the IHSAA tournament.

“Their last loss was the Monday before NLCs. It was Senior Night and a really heartbreaking loss,” said Delp. “Since that time they’ve really kind of come into their own. Maybe that loss kind of got their attention and we just kind of got back to some basics. For them, they had the ability — it was more realizing what it takes to be successful. They always had the aggressiveness; it was more about being consistent. Keeping the ball in play on returns and first serves in play instead of giving up easy points where they were going for a little much or not moving their feet well. So I kind of convinced them of that, but a lot of it has just come with confidence since that weekend. They step on the court, and they believe they’re the best team. As long as you have that confidence and that belief, you have a chance to win every match. That’s what I love. Right now, it’s pretty easy to get nervous in some of these matches where you lose and your season’s over. These guys just kind of step on the court and played the tennis in front of them and had confidence, you could just tell.”

“Northridge, it was an experience that I wouldn’t want to have, but now that I’ve had it I’m glad I did because it reiterated that sense that losing is not fun at all and winning is so much better,” said Flynn. “That you just have to do whatever it takes to win. The NLC tournament that weekend really got some momentum for us. We started getting our returns in, and we really started clicking. That was the turning point in our season I guess you could say, and we haven’t lost a match since that Northridge match and hopefully we don’t lose any this upcoming weekend.”

Whatever happens at Friday’s state finals, Flynn and Scheetz have already come a long way for Plymouth. They’ve helped bring back a tradition five years dormant, and both the players and their coach are hoping it can help raise expectations for younger Pilgrims tennis players.

“It’s pretty much a program-boost for the upcoming 1 doubles and the whole team really, I think,” said Scheetz. “Us getting there was a good example of what hard work, determination and all those things can do for you as you play tennis. Not only tennis, but sports and pretty much life. It sets a good example for the people under us.”

“The team next year, it’s going to be different with all the spots that are opening up, but looking down in practice at what the team has to offer, they can definitely make a run,” said Flynn. “It may seem like a down year but it’s definitely not. Like Coach says ‘With adversity comes opportunity,’ and you know what Plymouth tennis is; it’s about winning. We’re just glad that we could restore that a little bit and get the underclassmen hungry about victory.”

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

PHS Basketball Newsletter - October 2011