PHS seniors enjoy goodbye celebration

PLYMOUTH — Late morning Friday found the seniors of Plymouth High School lined up at buffet tables and ready for some fun. It was time for the annual senior breakfast, one of the most memorable occasions for the students graduating — except for commencement ceremony, of course.
Master of ceremony duties were shared by juniors Patrick Felke, Christina Chipman, and Connor Flynn. While the students ate their breakfast, they were treated to piano music by Jackson Garrison.

The theme for this year's breakfast was "The show must go on."
Each table was labeled with a different entertainment individual, group, or category name written in marker on a helium balloon floating above the table. Some of the labels included: Twilight, Hip-Hop, Michael Jackson, Jesse McCartney, Grease, and Inception.
Throughout the event, the names of tables were called and the students sitting at that table received a door prize.
Several seniors showcased their skills during the breakfast; reciting poetry, singing, playing instruments, and presenting drama skits.
Awards for clubs were given out, including Alpha Delta Rho, Varsity Club, Academic

Club, Broadcasting awards, Seed Club, and Student Council.
The seniors especially enjoyed the "best of" awards, where students won titles like, "best smile" and "best personality."
Each category had a male and female winner, and a prize fitting to the title, including both male and female with the "best legs," received a set of razors, to the audience's delight.

Class of 1976 Reunion invite

Dear Plymouth High School Class of 1976,

We are happy to announce our upcoming 35th class reunion, “Garden Party 20ll!”  Everything from the “venue to the menu” has been decided and all we request is the honor of your presence!

“Garden Party 2011” is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th at a restored downtown Plymouth location called Opie’s Deli/The Office/The Alley, formerly the old J.C Penney’s building (114 N. Michigan St).  The urban-like setting will lend itself well to the sounds of local acoustic band,  “The Prairie Dogs,” bringing their Jimmy-Buffet style tunes to the outside terrace. 

We have kept the price affordable, the menu simple and the dress casual. 

Food

Your choice of sandwiches: 
Burgers (any way you like.) Choose either burger, grilled chicken breast, or
Black bean burgers, when sending payment.)

Variety of finger food:                  
Veggies trays, chips and salsa, Pretzels and bar cheese

Drink

Two kegs of beer (included while they last), Soft drinks (also included), Cash bar

The cost is $10.00/person, or $20.00/couple.

Cocktails start at 6:00; Grill open from 7- 9:00; Band starts playing at 8:30.

Advance registration and payment is required for planning purposes. 

Mail your order of food (burger, chicken or black bean burger), the number that will be attending and your check payable to Rick Vermillion at; 15122 14B Rd; Plymouth, IN  46563.

Questions?  Julie Weidner at (574) 936-5295 or Mindy Langdon at (574) 936-3428.

Looking for Classmates from 1976

Class of 1976 is looking for the following members. If you are listed below or know somebody listed below please call Julie Weidner at (574) 936-5295 or Mindy Langdon at (574) 936-3428.

Randy Ames
Lynette Anderson
David Armstrong
Dave Baker
Marci Baumann
Tom Carr
Gary Christison
Steve Clark
Randy Cramer
Sue Crane
Greg (Marty) Crouch
Sharon Deacon
Bonnie DeSloover
Dave Dorr
Carla Duell
Jeannie Espich
Letha Flory
Tim Jackson
Anne Jansma
Bob Jernstrom
Carol Jones
Kathy Julian
Kim Keener
Mike Kelly
Jon Knepper
Dave Krou
Rod Lathers
Cindy Lewis
Beverly Mart
Sandy Moody
Neil Moyer
Judy Mrozinski
Sharon Penrod
Fabian Pena
Margie Price
Urpo Raunio
Sam Rock
Delana Schrome
Mark Schultz
Patty Schultz
Nancy Sellers
Lyle Snyder
Steve Snyder
Perry Spaid
Ken Stiles
Julie Strong
Tim Sullivan
Herkie Swihart
Teresa Walker
John Walker
Sharon Wallace
Dave Wayman
Rod Waters
Kathy White
Greg Youst
Dave Wakeland

Students getting hands on lesson in building

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Word of mouth can be a powerful tool - especially to get power tools in high school students hands.

For the 33rd year students of the Plymouth Building Trades class will unveil their newly built home on Ohio Street in Plymouth and put it up for sale beginning with their Open House on June 4 from 1 p.m to 4 p.m.

Three years ago 12 students built the home, last year the number taking the class doubled. This year, instructor P.T. McKinnis actually had to turn applicants for the course away.

"We had 40 people apply to take the course," said McKinnis. "It was a very hard decision to make, you really don't want to turn anybody away that wants to learn but we had to do it. It's a hands on experience and we couldn't be fair to anybody with that many students. I really wish we had been able to take everybody but we started the house with 27 students."

Over the years the program has helped many students get a leg up on jobs in the construction industry, including an alum who came back to help this year. Several jobs are subcontracted on the house - carpet, finish drywall in the house's interior and the roof. This year's roofing contractor gave some instruction of his own.

"Eric Simms was a former student and he was the contractor on the roof this year," said McKinnis. "He would take four or five students at a time up there with him to help and he took the time to show them how to do it. It was really helpful because that let me spend some extra time with the other guys doing things in the house."

The class is run just like a regular job site, with students showing up for work and having regular assignments. In the course of the instruction students have an opportunity to try their hand at all aspects of building a home, especially one in particular.

"I don't know that you can actually teach a work ethic but there are ways to help

your students develop one," said McKinnis. "That's something that we know is very important to employers and that's something I work pretty hard to help them with."

Local realty companies take turns selling the homes each year and this year Sam Goebel of RE/MAX Oak Crest Realty will have the listing. The house will go on the market at $139,500.

Washington students learn about Memorial Day

By Lydia Beers

PLYMOUTH — As Memorial Day approached, Washington Elementary 1st grade teacher Lauren Cooper searched for a creative way to teach her students about the holiday.
"We spend a lot of time talking about the calendar and current events," said Cooper. "
To explain Memorial Day, Cooper told her students about her childhood friend, Capt. Brandon Barrett, a Marine from Marion, Ind. who had died in May 2010 in Afghanistan.
Together, Cooper and her class decided to raise money to donate to the Capt. Brandon Barrett Scholarship Fund. The 1st grade students wrote letters to Capt. Barrett's family, created posters to hang around the school,  and organized a fundraiser selling flag keychains for 50 cents each during lunch Thursday and Friday. They also produced a commercial about the fundraiser which was shown to other classes in the school.
"I think they understand a lot more (about) the sacrifice of the armed forces," said Cooper. "This gave them a personal interest in it."

Reprinted by permission of The Pilot News

MAAX puts their products behind education

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development
PLYMOUTH - A local manufacturer was honored by the Plymouth Schools Industrial Tech Program for a long history of support.

The Industrial Tech Program at Plymouth began 33 years ago teaching students first hand about the construction industry by building a home in the city. Since the birth of the program MAAX of Plymouth has been a supporter providing bathtubs for every house the program has built.

"It started 33 years ago with Don Aker supplying bathtubs for the project," said Jason Wells of MAAX. "It's something that's good for us to do because it's relative to what we do as a company. It's a great opportunity for us and you have to take advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves. Everybody knows about how the economy has been and you do whatever you can when you can to be a good corporate neighbor."

Sam Goebel of RE/MAX Oak Crest Realty - a member of the programs Advisory Board - and the programs Instructor P.T. McKinnis presented the company with a plaque to commemorate their support.

This year's student build house is on Ohio Street in Plymouth and the class will hold their open house to show it to the public on June 4. Goebel will also be selling the house this year and says the list price will be $139,500.

Plymouth Board hires Basketball and Volleyball coaches

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Community Schools Athletic Director Roy Benge introduced the two newest members of PHS athletic team during the Plymouth School Board meeting Tuesday.


Ryan Bales was named boys varsity basketball coach. He replaces former coach Kevin Stuckmeyer who had led the team for the last three years. Among other positions, Bales just completed his fifth season at coach at North Judson High School.

Doug West has accepted the position as volleyball coach at PHS. His two most recent athletic positions were with Warsaw High School (2001-07) and Whitko High School (2009-10). He serves as a pastor for Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw.

The board also welcomed back Reid Gault. Gault was the assistant principal of Lincoln Junior High for three years before taking a position at Lowell Middle School. Currently Angie Mills has held a similar the position at LJH; however, she will be transferring to Jefferson Elementary in the fall as principal.
In other news:

• The board heard a report on the alternative school from teacher Suzie Clevenger, who attributed the success of the program to the student. “We are here to celebrate because of the students’ hard work and determination,” she said.

Three of the current students enrolled in the program also spoke to the board, of the confidence that the alternative program has given them. According to Clevenger, of the 36 seniors in the program this year, 34 are on schedule to graduate with their class. She said it was predetermined that the remaining two would be fifth year seniors and is on track to graduate at a later date. The students will still have to take the PHS finals given to students in traditional settings along with end of course assessments.

Clevenger splits her day up by teaching at the Alternative School classroom form 8 until 11 a.m. and then goes to the Learning Center at PHS in help those in credit recovery classes until 12:15 p.m., and then returns to the alternative school until dismissal.

Clevenger said there were 52 students enrolled in the alternative program this year: “Flexibility is the key to our success.”

An alternative school for students in grades 5-8 has been successful, according to Lincoln Junior High Dean of Students Angie Mills, but due to funding, the program will be discontinued next year. Mills listed a number of discipline concerns that lead to students being place in the alternative setting.

Reprinted with permission of The Pilot News

Ford and Plymouth broadcasting students making memories

By Rusty Nixon

Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - A local business has been a big part of making memories for Plymouth Schools Students for many years and now the broadcasting department of Lincoln Jr. High and PHS are getting those memories on film.

Students in Phil Scott (Lincoln Jr. High) and Dave McKenzie's (Plymouth High School) television production classes were given a task by the Ford Motor Company - make a short film that shows what your local Ford dealership means to your community. The films from schools around the country are to be submitted in conjunction with Ford's "Drive One For Your School" campaign that has teamed Oliver Ford of Plymouth with the schools to raise funds for athletics, band and music programs.

"We were at a little bit of a disadvantage to start with since the other schools were able to actually film the Drive One for Your School events at their schools," said McKenzie of the project. "The production class did a lot of brainstorming about how to get around that problem. It hit me one weekend that Oliver Ford is just as much about making memories as helping schools make money. As involved as Oliver Ford has been in the school and school activities it's a very easy thing to show how they've been a big part of student's memories of their school days."

Live film already on hand of the many promotions that Oliver Ford engages in at sporting events and other times during the school year will be blended with shots staged during a taping session on Thursday afternoon to put together the Plymouth entry. The films will be sent to the Ford Motor Company national headquarters to be judged and the winner could receive as much as $6000 to be donated to the broadcasting department.

Once completed the film will be able to be viewed on YouTube.

"I know that only 75 schools around the country were asked to submit video," said John Oliver III of Oliver Ford. "We're just excited to be a part of it and we're pleased that Mr. Scott and Mr. McKenzie were willing to get their students involved. I know they expressed to us that being able to take the things they work on in the classroom and bring them into some real world practical experience was a great opportunity. We're really happy to be able to help provide that."

"We get out during the year and tape commercials but nothing like this," said McKenzie. "We usually go out in teams of maybe four or five at a time. With the Lincoln students here we probably have 40 or so students involved on this shoot."

Students developed the concept, wrote the script and scheduled the shoot down to the last detail.

"We've got our production schedule planned out right here down to the minute," said Oliver holding up the shoot schedule with a smile, adding. "We're a minute or two off but hey, that's the real world."

FBI impressed with Riverside Sixth Graders

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - The diligence of FBI agents usually leads to the agency getting their man. In this case however, they got a whole class - the sixth grade class at Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth to be exact.

Computer Applications teacher at the school - Amy Gerard - recently received an alert from the Bureau about her students and their online activities. Sixth Grade students at the school scored highest in the nation in the FBI-SOS Internet Safety Challenge.

"The FBI website teaches kids about internet safety and has a program that included a pre-test before taking the course," said Gerard. "We spent several weeks after the test teaching the course and then the students take another test."

The Riverside students did pretty well.

"They had the highest score in the nation for the month of April," said Gerard. "The FBI office in Indianapolis will be sending a representative later in the month to talk to the students about internet safety, about what it's like to work at the FBI and present us with a trophy."

In a world that is ever changing and full of technology, the savvy of the Riverside students about safety is a pleasing thing.

"It's something that everybody at the Plymouth School Corporation is very sensitive to and trying to emphasize all the time," said Gerard. "We live in a world that is filling with all sorts of technology and our students are extremely involved with it everyday - at school and at home.

"That technology offers all sorts of exciting opportunities but our kids need to be aware that it also has possible dangers. You see news stories all the time about bad things that can happen to kids who aren't careful. It's very important they be aware of possible dangers and make good decisions."

Your class is looking for YOU!

Part of our mission is to help people from all classes re-connect with others and from time to time those arranging class events put out a call for help.

The main purpose of this post is to help find friends. Take a look at the calls below for information on classmates for upcoming reunions, parties, events, etc., and if you or anybody you know might be involved please pass the word.

If you are planning an event in the coming months please let me know by email plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com, or give me a call at 574-952-444.

Please take the time to check the links, and see who might be looking for you.

Class of 1977
Do you want to have a reunion next year?

Your classmates want to know...would you attend a 35th reunion next year?

If there is enough interest planning will begin so if you want to see old friends again next year please contact Judy Reed at jreed1959@comcast.net or 574-540-2321.

Class of 1981 is looking for you

The Plymouth High School class of 1981 is having its 30th reunion June 18 and is still looking for the following people to contact.

Please pass the word to them to get in touch with Sherrie Maxwell McMichael at 574-936-5215:
Robert Archterberg, Lisa Balmer, Brenda Clark, Dorothy Dinsmore, Susana Flores, Randy Graham, Suzette Hechanova, Rocio Lievano, Jeff Mora, Carl Price, Tim Pitts, William Vance, and Steve White.

Class of 2001

We are looking for you...Class of 2001

The class is planning it's 10 year reunion and gathering addresses.

If you are in the class of 2001 please get in touch with Nicole Sniadecki at nsniadecki@plymouth.k12.in.us. You can also reach her on Facebook or call (574) 780-4673.

You may also contact Kelsey Beckham-Beatty on Facebook or at (574) 850-2274, and Bryan Naylor via Facebook or telephone (574) 780-1384.


Don't forget to follow the Plymouth Alumni Association on Facebook or on Twitter @PlymouthAlumni, and make sure to come back here frequently to keep up on all news and info pertinent to Plymouth Alumni and Plymouth Schools.

While you are here why not become a member? It's easy and you will be supporting the extra curricular and co-curricular programs of Plymouth High School such as art, music, theatre and athletics.
As a member, you will also be able to take part in special member activities and take advantage of membership deals on goods and services.

We value your input and your help. Please feel free to contact us at 574-952-4444 or by email at
plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com

The circus will never be the same after this weekend's Variety Show

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Relations

PLYMOUTH - There are several things that herald the coming of spring in the city of Plymouth - the first robin, leaves budding on the trees and the Plymouth High School Variety Show.

This year's show is affectionately entitled "Circus Bezerkus" and will run Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the PHS Auditorium. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. for festival seating. Tickets are available at the door. All tickets are $7.

"We have a lot of clowns and mayhem going on," said senior cast member Jessie Gibbs. "Jacob Pritchard the one man band is amazing. It's worth the show just to see him."

Putting the show together is a challenge for directors Brian Ames of the PHS Band, Mary Pat Glaub director of the PHS choir and Charlotte Tyree and Jane Faulstich of the theatre department.

"Our kids are busy kids, they are in all kinds of stuff so getting them all here is tough," said Glaub of dress rehearsal week. "It's great because we get to share responsibilities and kids. It's a lot of fun because we try to give everybody a chance to do something they don't normally do. It's a very hectic week, but come Friday we're very excited."

A giant elephant will make it's PHS stage debut and of course audience members will see senior Austin Craft shot from a cannon.

"Miss Faulstich walked up to me and said 'Hey Austin do you want to be shot out of a cannon,'" said Craft. "That's something you don't always see on the PHS stage and if you're offered a part in it, you take it."

Both Gibbs and Craft are veterans of many shows on the PHS stage. So many in fact it seems to have affected Gibbs memory.

Can I count on my fingers real quick," she said with a laugh when asked how many shows she's been in. "Let's see that's 11 right now and I'm going to audition for a 12 on Saturday.

"I liked (the theatre) since I was a little kid one of my friends was big into the theatre and I went to one of her shows and thought that was really cool and wanted to try it to."

"Behind the curtain you get really nervous and then they announce the show and you hear the audience clapping and that fuels you to get ready for the show because you know no matter what you do they're going to like it."

Any particular moment that you'll take away?

"One moment I probably shouldn't say," said Craft. "Probably my favorite moment was at the end of last year's winter play. I was playing John Tyree's big brother and I was protecting him from another kid and we get in a fight about it. Every time we did the scene it was intense and got more so every night."

Any tips for your fans out there Austin?

"I don't know that I have too many fans, but I would just like to say come and support the PHS band, choir and theatre department. Every Variety Show  is completely different. It's just the place to be."

Plymouth Schools unveil Washington Discovery Academy

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Parents heard from Plymouth School Corporation Superintendent Dan Tyree as well as Washington Elementary School Principal Michele Riise and her staff about the Corporations latest effort to bring Plymouth students the best education possible.

Those in attendance at the Plymouth High School Cafeteria were introduced to the Washington DIscovery Academy that will begin instruction in the coming school year. The idea extends the school's approach of "project based learning" that will be introduced in the high school's "School of Inquiry" in 2012. Extending the methods to Washington will allow students to experience project based learning from kindergarten to graduation.

"We've decided that we need to do more than teach our kids to answer short questions on the ISTEP test," said Tyree introducing the group to the idea of the Discovery Academy. "We have to prepare them for jobs that likely do not even exist right now. It's the (PCSC) Board's vision that someday all our schools will have project based learning."

Tyree did say that the school will not abandon traditional classrooms.

"We aren't going to stop doing what we do very well and that is teach our students," he said. "We hear a lot these days that parents should have more choice in their children's education and I believe in that fully. We're providing a choice."

Riise told the parents of her staffs desire to become involved as the first elementary school in Plymouth to incorporate the method of learning. In the model students use technology such as "Smart Boards", iPods and iPads to create hands on projects that demonstrate core subject knowledge.

"We pledged to do this but we will not be allowed to let our test scores slip," said Riise. "We will be doing everything that we can to be sure that our students are getting the same core education that they always have."

Riise said that assessment will likely be an ongoing process that will occur at the same time that students are working on projects. She also said that the School Board will work in conjunction with the Washington staff to determine who would be accepted to the Discovery Academy.

She stated that it will not be a "gifted and talented" school but reflect the demographics of the entire corporation. To start 25 percent of the seats in the school will be available to current Washington Elementary students, the other 75 percent will be chosen from those who apply from around the corporation and elsewhere.

Another information session will be held on Thursday in the Washington Elementary cafeteria beginning at 6 p.m. Residents can learn more about the model for project based learning that the school will be incorporating at the Buck Institute for Education at http://www.bie.org/ or at Edutopia at www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning

Class of 1961 Reunion Bench