Class of '96 Houin now PCSC Attorney

By Carol Anders

Correspondent 

 

PLYMOUTH — During a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday night, the Plymouth School Board officially appointed Jeffery Houin to the position of Corporation Attorney.

Houin is originally from Plymouth and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1996. He competed on the Plymouth Speech Team all except his junior year, when he attended Wentzinger Gymnasium in Freiburg, Germany as a recipient of the Congress-Bundestag student exchange scholarship.

He received his bachelor's degree from Ball State University and then held several sales and management positions with RadioShack and RadioShack.com in Indiana and Colorado.

He and his family returned to Plymouth in 2003 where he first worked as an advertising representative for the Pilot News Group before attending the University of Notre Dame Law School.

While in law school, Houin said he was able to apply his Plymouth Speech Team training to earn one of only four positions on Notre Dame Law School's prestigious Moot Court Showcase Team.

Since returning to Plymouth, he has also returned to the Plymouth Speech and Debate team as an assistant coach.

After law school, Houin began a private practice in South Bend before joining the Indianapolis-based law firm of Doyle Legal Corporation, P.C. to open their South Bend office.

Houin said, “I am happy to bring Plymouth Community School Corporation to the list of prominent clients of Doyle Legal Corporation. For me personally, it is an exciting opportunity to work with administrators, teachers and board members from whom I have learned so much over the years. I owe much of my career success to the Plymouth community and the Plymouth School Corporation, and I look forward to applying that success as legal counsel for the Corporation.”

Doyle Legal Corporation, P.C. is a full service law firm with offices in Indianapolis and South Bend. For more than 20 years, Doyle Legal Corporation, P.C. attorneys have provided legal services to an ever expanding base of corporate and individual clients at the state and national level.

Houin said, “The success of our practice can be measured only by our clients' satisfaction. At Doyle Legal Corporation, P.C., we work hard both to earn our clients' business and their satisfaction.”

Story reprinted by permission of The Pilot News

Plymouth students head to Washington

By Carol Anders

Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Five Plymouth teenagers were given an unexpected opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. this week.  The trip was made possible as a part of Title I Migrant Grant.

 

According to Jeni Hirschy, Riverside Intermediate Assistant Principal and ENL/Migrant Coordinator for the schools, they received a last minute call from the state informing them that there was enough funding left to offer the educational trip. The week long experience is a part of partnership with the U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. State Department, the White House Historical Association, the Smithsonian, and other Washington institutions.

 

Since 1971, over 700,000 students and teachers have graduated from the programs.

Accompanying the students on the six-day trip was Rebecca Ippel, Plymouth High School English as New Language teacher. Ippel volunteered to make the trip even though it meant leaving Plymouth at 4:00 A.M. on Sunday to make a flight out of Indianapolis.

 

The idea behind the trip is to inspire students from all walks of life to help them better understand the role they play in the United States democracy. Students are given time to meet in small groups with the elected officials in Congress and attend Congress sessions. Evening activities are also a part of the learning experience as students get to know each other.

 

Participants will tour the Iwo Jima Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Korean, Vietnam and World War II Memorials, Capitol Hill, Smithsonian American History Museum, and visit the Supreme Court and Library of Congress.

 

Hirschy explained that students are classified a migrant if they have moved to this area for the purpose of agriculture. She said, “Many families choose to stay in the Plymouth area, but the students can still receive migrant educational opportunities until the families have lived in the area for three years.

 

Funding for several migrant programs for students comes from three grants (Title I, Title III, and Non-English Speaking) that the school system must apply for each year.

 

Because some of the students do not have adequate transportation to the school buildings, an onsite classroom has been set up at the Red Rock Inn where several families are housed. Hirschy said they offer core standards activities and even offer specific class work to help students with the needed tutoring for Texas certifications that are much like Indiana’s ISTEP testing.

 

A summer reading program with two Plymouth teachers is being held for children pre-K through grade 4 at the Plymouth Public Library. Teaching the classes that began on June 13 and will end on July 7 are Tammy Greelee and Vicky Hite.

 

Those in grades 1-6 were invited to attend “Camp Invention” at Riverside Intermediate. “Camp Invention” promotes science experimentation and includes creative enrichment programs.

From July 18-July 29, students from migrant families can attend regular summer school classes held at Riverside Intermediate and Lincoln Junior High.

 

Field trips are especially educational and enjoyable for the students as well, according to Hirschy. She said in “Camp Discovery” this summer students are learning about journalism as a theme and will have two field trips to local businesses. Other topics covered during the camp include art and family and consumer science classes. Students were invited to Martin’s Super Market to learn cake decorating just in time for Father’s Day.

 

Ending the summer programming will be a trip to the Chicago Art Institute. The one-day trip on August 1 will be paid for by the Migrant Education funds. Students will be bussed to Chicago on a Cardinal bus.

 

Hirschy praised Norma Rodriguez and Carolina Figueroa of the Plymouth School staff for their valuable help with both the students and their families in communicating the various summer offerings.

 

Reprinted by permission of The Pilot News

Plymouth native hopes to bring music to Africa

Joe McKesson with Sarah McLachlan at the iTunes launch

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

NASHVILLE, TN - A love of music and a concern for others has driven one Plymouth native to action in the fall.

In September Plymouth High School grad Joe McKesson will be leading a group of young singers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of an outreach of the United Front Against River Blindness. Joe's friend Joy Becktler enlisted his aid to reach out to children in the African nation stricken with the disease.

"It's the kind of mission that you just can't say no to - you have to be involved," said McKesson. "Flies get into the eyes of these children and cause this terrible disease and this is a chance for us to use music to reach people and transform lives."

OPERAnauts travel as the entertainment arm of the humanitarian effort to the Congo where they will perform an opera, share musical exchanges with children, and offer a singing educational component in master classes, demos and workshops with students at local universities and ESL schools. They will also be performing the opera La Petite Carmen an abridged version of Bizet's Carmen, reducing the opera to its emotional roots.

"Music is such a huge part of the culture and daily life of the communities of these children afflicted with this disease," said McKesson. "We want to give these children their voice back that the disease has stolen from them. Music can be a way for them to communicate and become a part of their communities through voices and singing. Right now they are ostracized but hopefully this will be a way for them to reintegrate into their culture. We hope to give them back the music this disease took away from them."

The group will also be performing La Petite Carmen at the American Embassy in Kinshasa as part of the trip. Joe has reduced the opera to its core in the 50 minute performance. Instead of the large tapestry of Spain, bullfights and gypsies, the focus is the people and the choices they make that lead to tragedy. Carmen herself not so much a "bird of fancy", but more a woman making all the wrong choices, trying to tame a bull, which will only lead to her ruin.

"It's impactful and the story is very poignant to the people we will be performing for," said McKesson. "The idea that women have choices - by itself - is something that those in the region may never have been exposed to. We're playing at the American Embassy but we will also be doing some open theatre performances so that anyone in the community can come and see."

Joe has worked with Becktler before but this will be the first international project that he has participated in. The strife in the region isn't without its consequences to the group.

"We will have bodyguards everywhere we go - its one of the most dangerous places in the world," said McKesson. "There are always riots during elections and we will be there during their election time so we are preparing for that as well. This is very exciting for us because lots of other groups have tried similar missions to bring opera to the region and failed."

If successful Joe hopes to extend the OPERAnauts mission to this country.

"It's a kind of program we've talked about taking into say a WalMart in an impoverished area," said McKesson. "There used to be programs bringing the arts to those who aren't usually exposed to them in schools but those programs in most places around the country are long gone. This could be the only exposure that these children get to culture."

The trip is underwritten by the United Front Against Riverblindness (http://riverblindness.org/) but the group is looking for a small amount of extra funding.

"We have a documentary film crew that we'd like to take along with us," said McKesson. "And we are bringing two professional opera singers with us and we'd like to pay their salaries. We only need around $9000 more. We're premiering the opera on July 29th in Philadelphia in the Abele Library in Le Meredien Hotel as a concert to help raise the rest of the money, and of course we're happy if someone is willing to help out in any way."

To help or for more information you can go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1793379215/operanauts-to-dr-congo.

Friends honoring a friend

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - For a third year a group of high school friends will make good on a promise.

Mark Lindsey, and Tony Plothow made a promise to good friend Craig Woolfington (all PHS class of 1985) as he struggled with cancer that his daughter Kate would not have to worry about her college education. The two joined forces with Ted Hayden and for the third straight year the trio will host the Craig Woolfington Memorial Golf Outing to make good on that promise.

"We really want to work to keep Craig's memory alive," said Lindsey. "He was a Plymouth guy. He and his family are very well liked in the community and we just don't want to let his memory fade away. That's why it's so nice when people who were involved the very first year we did this are still coming back."

The event will take place on Friday, July 15 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plymouth Country Club. There is still room for teams for golf and items for the silent auction that will be raising money for three different charities in Woolfington's name.

"We've been contributing to Kate college fund, that's why we started," said Lindsey. "We've been able to raise about $10,000 for her so far. We've also contributed money to the Craig Woofington Memorial Cancer Research fund that goes to Purdue University to help find a cure and for the first time we were able to give a $1000 scholarship in Craig's name to a PHS student headed for Purdue. Emily Walden was our first scholarship winner this year.

"Actually we've raised in the neighborhood of $25,000 for funds in Craig's name through the Marshall County Community Foundation."

Cut off date for golf teams is July 12. The event has a Facebook sight, search 3rd Annual Craig Woolfington Memorial Golf Outing.

Info for Alums who have groups on Facebook

Over the next few months, Facebook will be archiving all groups created using the old groups format. When a group is archived, its wall posts, photos and discussion threads will move to the new groups format, but group members will need to be re-added.

A short film on the successes of just a few Plymouth Alumni

High honor caps off historic PHS Band season

PLYMOUTH - After another successful year of accomplishments, the Pride of Plymouth Bands and school administrators were recently notified that the band department was again being recognized by the Indiana State School Music Association as a recipient of the prestigious “All-Music Award.” 

This award is given only to schools that participate in all facets of the state music associations competitions and earn the top award of a Gold Rating at every event.

This news came at the conclusion of the year as the band was celebrating their recent tour of Washington D.C. after the band was selected to represent the State of Indiana in the National Memorial Day Parade.  The tour was a huge success despite record high heat indexes in Washington on parade day.

To earn the “All-Music Award” a band must compete in the ISSMA marching band District competition and advance to the Regional contest with a Gold Rating.  The group must then compete in the solo and ensemble competition and advance at least one solo and one ensemble entry to the state finals level.  The group is then required to attend the ISSMA Jazz Contest in March and the ISSMA Concert Band Contest in April and earn Gold Ratings at both events. 

These benchmarks proved to be no challenge for the Pride of Plymouth as the marching band went far beyond Regionals and made their first-ever trip to the state finals.  During solo and ensemble competitions, Plymouth had numerous students advance to the state finals competition.

The announcement of this award will make Plymouth one of only a small handful of schools in the state to have received this award annually.  This was the eighth consecutive year that the Plymouth Band has received this award from ISSMA.  The large banner that is presented by the state will hang inside the high school band room along a long display of previous banners.

“The students in the band take a lot of pride in this award and the fact that Plymouth is one of only a few schools in the state that has received this award annually," said PHS Band Director Bryan Ames. "During solo and ensemble competition preparation, it is not uncommon for us to have between thirty and forty students attending the event to help us qualify for this award.  It also takes a lot of preparation to ensure annual outstanding performances from the marching band, jazz band, and concert bands." 

“This award was like the icing on the cake of a really great year.  The band program had so many outstanding moments this year.  The marching band going to state, the winter guard and drumline making state finals, great concerts and competitions by the jazz band and concert bands, and the marching band being selected for the National Memorial Day Parade have all made this a year to remember.”

As summer begins and the band members enjoy some time off from events, the band directors and staff are already busy preparing the events for next year. 

“The band staff gets very little time off during the year," said Ames. "We have already been meeting and planning out details for the upcoming marching band season and band camp is just around the corner in late July. We had a great year and now it is time to begin looking at what we can do to make the upcoming year even better.”

Lee follows his commander to Hall of Fame

Mike Kamp and Will Lee pose for a photo Friday night as Lee joined Major General Larry Tibbetts in the Alumni Hall of Fame

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Meeting those you've looked up to as you've gone through your life can be a daunting thing in the best of times. It can be even more so if he's your commanding officer.

The latest member of Plymouth Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame - Major William Lee Jr.  - had a rather unique experience meeting his idol. He shared the story with those in attendance at Friday's banquet to honor him and all Plymouth Alumni at Plymouth High School.

Lee told the story of a young man who used to roam the halls of Plymouth High School and was drawn to one area - the photos and bios of the Distinguished Alumni of the school started by Principal Larry Pinkerton in 1981 - and to one bio in particular.

Lee said that the first inductee - Air Force Major General Larry Tibbetts - held a special fascination.

"I read his bio over and over again whenever I walked by that area in the hallway," said Lee in his induction speech on Friday night. "I decided that was the kind of man I wanted to be."

Upon graduation in 1988 Lee enlisted in the United States Air Force with his good friend Mike Kamp. It wasn't long until both had an opportunity to meet the source of their inspiration.

"We were both stationed on the same base with General Tibbetts and he found out he had two Plymouth boys on his base and one day he called us both into his office," said Lee. "Mike and I are both standing there at attention, sweating and scared to death. We're enlistees and a two star General just called us into his office and we've got no idea why.

"He walks behind his desk, rips off his tie, puts both his feet up on the desk and says, 'Well, boys how are things at Plymouth High these days?'"

Lee, Kamp and Tibbetts shared stories and memories of growing up in Plymouth for the next half hour and Lee went on to put together a career that allowed him to join Tibbetts in that same Hall of Fame.

The selection committee for the Hall chose Lee over six other highly qualified finalists for the honor. He is the Commander of the 682nd Air Support Operation Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.  As the Commander, he leads a worldwide deployable squadron of 112 personnel and is responsible for leading the Air Support Operation Center and directing CFACC Close Air Support assets in combat operations in support of the land component commander’s objectives.

He was an F-15C fighter pilot who flew missions in Iraq enforcing the no fly zone during operation Southern Watch. Additionally, he served as a Predator Remotely Piloted Vehicle instructor pilot,
flight evaluator, and Chief of Predator Test where he flew missions in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Also in attendance Friday was Lois Miller from the Plymouth class of 1941 who was the "wisest" attendee at the function. Many other attendees flew in from as far away as Texas and Arizona, but Betty Lou Warnock of California came the furthest distance to attend Friday's celebration.

Class of 1961 Reunion photos

The class of 1961 had a great time at the Plymouth Country Club. Check out the photos on Facebook. Click this link
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.196920030353679.63163.135863303126019&saved#!/pages/Plymouth-Alumni-Association/135863303126019


Video soon available.

Alumni Banquet Part II

Click the link below and make sure you see both groups of Alumni Banquet Photos all on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Plymouth-Alumni-Association/135863303126019


Video coming soon!

Catch the Photos from last nights Alumni Banquet

Click on the link to see all the photos from last nights Alumni Banquet at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Plymouth-Alumni-Association/135863303126019

Video is currently being edited.



Thank you all for making this a great evening to be a Plymouth Grad.

Former Plymouth Mayor dies unexpectedly

James Eugene Yeazel
June 19, 1927-June 11, 2011
PLYMOUTH — Former Mayor James Eugene “Jim” Yeazel died unexpectedly of a heart attack, at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, June 11, 2011, eight days before his 84th birthday, at his Washington Street home in Plymouth.

An enormously popular and respected man, his loss will be felt by many who laughed at his jokes and were cheered by his presence.

Jim was born in Plymouth June 19, 1927, the son of Milo David and Cora Ellen (Green) Yeazel.

He lived his whole life in Plymouth except for the time spent in the Navy at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in World War II.

He graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1945. He was a member of Hi-Y and Yellow River Sea Scouts.

Music was important to Jim all of his life. At an early age Jim was an excellent musician, and by the age of 6, he was playing the piano and entertaining the crowd at the Mayflower Tavern while his brother worked as a bartender. He then played with Dick Derf’s Band, singing, and playing bass and piano at various gigs for nearly 42 years. He was also with the Russ Steiner Quartet, The 3 Dimensions, The C Sharp Trio, and with Bob Richmond as The Two. He most recently played with Doc Koontz.

Jim was a man of great faith and shared his talent while singing with the choir at the First United Methodist Church where he was a member for the past 70 years.

Jim and Bonnie Lou Gardner first met at Franklin College in 1950 while Jim was visiting Plymouth friends. On their first date, he took Bonnie to the races at the New Paris Speedway. They were married at Bonnie’s home by Rev. Blake March 23, 1951 and this year celebrated 60 memorable and loving years.

In 1991 he retired as a supervisor from the Bendix Corporation — Wheel and Brake Aerospace Division after 46 years of service.

As a public servant in the 1960s and for 16 years, Jim was a justice of the peace with an office in his home prior to the establishment of a municipal court system. In 2000, he was elected Democratic Mayor of Plymouth, serving until 2004. As mayor he engaged his constituents and fairly led all departments. On Oct. 11, 2003 he was honored for his service by then Gov. Joe Kernan by being named a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor a sitting governor can bestow on a citizen of Indiana.

Other civic involvements included being a member and past president of the Plymouth Arts Commission, many years as a board member for the Marshall County Blueberry Festival, former member of the American Legion Post 27 and current member of the V.F.W. Post 1162, Plymouth Optimist Club and treasurer of the Marshall County Tourism & Convention Bureau.

He also held fraternal membership in the Plymouth Kilwinning Lodge No. 149, having been past Worshipful Master, a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite — Valley of South Bend, and the Michigan City Orak Shrine. He also served as a Past Patron of Eastern Star.

Jim is survived by Bonnie, his devoted wife; and by their children and grandchildren: a son, Jeffrey J. and Marsha Yeazel, Plymouth and their children; Sarah Yeazel, Jonathon Yeazel, Waylon (Amy) Budka, and Asher Budka; a daughter, Lori E. and Jeffrey Mills, also of Plymouth and their children; Devin Taviner, Kenrick Mills, Cody (Aubrey) Mills and Deena (Donny) Osborn. Six great-grandchildren also survive along with two Boston terriers who will also be missing their best buddy.

A brother, Dick Feltz, of Florida, survives as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David Ray Yeazel in 1988; three sisters, Bonnie Girten, Opal Doll, and Phyllis Jones; and three brothers, Roy, Russell and Robert Yeazel.

Friends are invited to visit with Jim’s family Wednesday, June 15, 2011, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A Masonic memorial rite will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2011 in the First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Michigan St., Plymouth where calling will continue after 10 a.m. The Revs. Larry Marhanka, pastor, and Matt Pickut, associate pastor, will officiate.

Military honors provided by members of the American Legion Post 27, V.F.W., D.A.V. and South Bend Honor Guard will follow in the Oakhill Cemetery.

Family and friends will then return to the church fellowship hall for a celebration of Jim’s life.

Preferred memorial gifts are requested to the First United Methodist Church.

Letters of condolence and sharing of memories may be sent to the family through the funeral home’s website: www.johnson-danielson.com

Plymouth to induct Lee to Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth Alumni Association has announced that Major William Lee Jr. of the United States Air Force is this year's inductee to the schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of fame.

The selection committee chose Lee over six other highly qualified finalists for the honor. Major Lee is the Commander of the 682nd Air Support Operation Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.  As the Commander, he leads a worldwide deployable squadron of 112 personnel and is responsible for leading the Air Support Operation Center and directing CFACC Close Air Support assets in combat operations in support of the land component commander’s objectives.

He was an F-15C fighter pilot who flew missions in Iraq enforcing the no fly zone during operation Southern Watch. Additionally, he served as a Predator Remotely Piloted Vehicle instructor pilot,
flight evaluator, and Chief of Predator Test where he flew missions in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Major Lee’s previous assignment was as Division Chief, USAFCENT Reconnaissance Operations Center, United  States Air Force Central Command where he was the primary advisor and lead planner to COMUSAFCENT on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities and deployment implementation.

Lee is a 1988 graduate of Plymouth High School. He will be present for his induction into the hall at the Plymouth Alunni Banquet on June 17 with the ceremony beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Each year at the Plymouth Alumni Banquet a new member is added to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Plymouth High School Principal Larry Pinkerton first conceived of the honor in 1981, and that year the first recipient was Major General Larry N. Tibbets. Since then outstanding Alumni of Plymouth - in all fields - have been honored as the Distinguished Alumnus. Nominations for the honor can be made at http://plymouthalumni.blogspot.com/ and all nominees remain eligible for the award each year.

This year preliminary voting narrowed a field of 56 nominees to seven finalists for the committee to consider.

Seven finalists in consideration for Plymouth Distinguished Alumnus

By Rusty Nixon 
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Each year at the Plymouth Alumni Banquet a new member is added to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

Plymouth High School Principal Larry Pinkerton first conceived of the honor in 1981, and that year the first recipient was Major General Larry N. Tibbets. Since then outstanding Alumni of Plymouth - in all fields - have been honored as the Distinguished Alumnus. Nominations for the honor can be made by following the link to your right and all nominees remain eligible for the award each year.

This year preliminary voting narrowed a field of 56 nominees to seven finalists for the committee to consider. Below is the biographical information on the seven finalists for this year's inductee to the Plymouth Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

Jack Greenlee  

Jack was a graduate of the Plymouth Class of 1947, and was nominated for his contributions in public service to the City of Plymouth.

He was a two term mayor of the city of Plymouth and also served the city as a member of the City Council. He was the manager of G&G Supermarket for 40 years. As a boy Jack was an Eagle Scout, and continued his involvement as an adult being very active as a Boy Scout Leader.

He was awarded one of the state's highest honors for public servants - The Sagamore of the Wabash - by Governor Joe Kernan.

Don Kehoe

Don was a member of the Plymouth Class of 1943, and he died in 2004.

He did his undergraduate work at Franklin College, and went on to do post graduate work at the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University where he received his Masters Degree. He was nominated for his outstanding contribution to education

Don began his career as a teacher and coach at Boonville and Edinburgh Schools became Principal at Edinburgh, and then served as Superintendent of Schools at Centerville for 24 years. He President of East Central School Study Council, Chairman of District VI and Treasurer of Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, President of Southern Indiana Superintendents Club,

He received the Outstanding Educator Award by the Lions Club and American Legion, and was awarded The Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Evan Bayh. He served on the United Way of Wayne County Executive Board and Resource Inventory of Wayne County.

He was also a great patron of the arts and the performing Arts Center in Centerville is named the Don Kehoe Center of Performing Arts.

Howard Menser

Howard was a member of the Pymouth Class of 1948. He studied at Ball State University, and did graduate work at IUSB. He was nominated for his outstanding contribution to industrial innovation.

Howard began his career as a teacher at Lincoln High School in Plymouth. His ideas and great talents led him to become the founder and President of Menser Industries and President of MiPly Equipment Inc.

His invention of the Hydrodynamic Pressure Saturator was voted one of the top 100 most significant new technical products of the year in 1987 by Research and Development Magazine, and the invention was displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry,

He was very active in the Plymouth community as founding President of the Plymouth Jaycees, Marshall County Republican Chairman and a member and Elder of the First United Church of Christ

Howard served in the U.S. Army, teaching an artillery class at West Point. While there his talent for innovation aided his country as he designed a slide rule for control of artillery fire.

He is known as an entrepreneur, innovator and is the holder of five patents.

Ronald G. Probst

Ron is a member of the Plymouth Class of 1967. He graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Astrophysics. He received a Master in Astronomy and PhD. at the University of Virginia, and was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at NASA/Ames Research Center.

He was nominated for his outstanding contributions in the field of Astronomy.

Ron is the Project Scientist and resident astronomer at Kitt Peak National Observatory. He has been centrally involved in the development and deployment of infrared imaging systems in the United States and Chile and is one of the foremost in that field in the world. His areas of interest in research are star forming regions, low mass stars and infrared imaging instrumentation.

Morgan Uceny

Morgan is a member of the Plymouth class of 2003. She received her degree at Cornell University and was nominated for her outstanding career as a female athlete and role model.

Morgan is currently an athlete at the prestigious Mammoth Track Club. She runs professionally worldwide for Reebok.

Morgan was a member of the National Honor Society - top 5% of graduating class at PHS - was inducted into the Indiana Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010. She is ranked in top 5% for the United States Track Federation, is world ranked by IAAF and was 4th in Olympic Trials for 1500 meters in 2008.

Some of the honors she has received since graduating from PHS include being an IACCCA Hall of Fame recipient, ECAC Conference Female Track Athlete of the year 2007, NCAA Finalist for 3 years, and a Cornell Record holder.

She continues to serve others as the liaison for young athletes as a member of USATF Elite's Athlete Development Program, and has volunteered for youth programs in Australia.

She continues her pursuit to be a member of the next U.S. Olympic team.

Lt. Col. William Lee Jr.

Lt. Col. Lee was a member of the Plymouth Class of 1988. He has a dedication to learning and just the highlights of his education include a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, Charleston Southern University, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL (Distinguished Graduate), Master of Business Administration, Touro University International, United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Master of Military Studies, United States Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, Master of Operational Studies, Marine Corps University, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.

He was nominated for his outstanding service to his country in the United States Air Force. He is presently Commander of the 682 Air Support Operations Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

He began his military career as a Security Policeman at Hurlburt Field in Florida. While attached to the 58th Fighter Squadron, Lt .Col. Lee flew combat missions in Iraq, enforcing the no-fly zone during operation Southern Watch. As a member of the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron - the Air Force’s first weaponized remotely piloted vehicle squadron - he was the Chief of Weapons and Tactics and flew missions in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Currently he is the lead USAFCENT planner for Afghanistan and the primary advisor and lead planner to the Commander, USAFCENT, on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities and deployments in support of Secretary of Defense and Presidential directives.

He has received the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Duane M. Davis

Duane is a member of the Plymouth class of 1951. He received his degree at Purdue University BS-AE with highest distinction, and went on to receive an MS-ME at the University of Pittsburgh, and his PhD.-AE at Purdue University

Duane was Commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force and was assigned to Westinghouse Bettis Atomic Power Division building nuclear reactors for the Navy. During his active duty career with Air Force he was a B47 Pilot Strategic Air Command and stood nuclear alert at Whiteman Zaragossa Air Base in Spain and Fairford Air Base in England. He became an Associate Professor of aeronautical engineering at the Air Force Academy and volunteered for service in Vietnam. He flew AC-47 gunships supporting ground troops at night, and flew 200 combat missions in Vietnam. He was then named Chief Engineer on the Laser Guided Bomb project which became the weapon of choice in Desert Storm, Bosnia and Kosovo.

Academically he has been honored as a National Pi Kappa Phi Scholar, Sigma Gamma Tau National Honorary Aeronautical Engineering Society, Tau Betta Pi National Engineering Honors Society. His military honors include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor and 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with silver palm, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters.

Nominations for future consideration for the Plymouth Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame can be made at by following the link to your right.

PHS student photographer in the national spotlight

By Lydia Beers

PLYMOUTH — Lindsey Downs, a junior at Plymouth High School, was taking photos for the yearbook at the first home football game when she witnessed a touching moment.

“It was senior night, and I decided to take photos of everything,” said Downs, who is the yearbook’s assistant editor.

One photo she took, of a player pausing to talk with a small fan, won an honorable mention in the 2011 photo contest sponsored by Jostens and Wolfe’s Camera. The annual contest rewards exceptional work by student photographers in the nation.

Downs submitted seven of her photos to the contest. She said that she knew the winning photo stood out from the others she took during the game, and believes that it tells a powerful story.

“(The photo) shows a different side of football, that there is more to the game than the players and the plays,” said Downs.

Downs’ photo stood out to the judges from more than 6,000 submitted by students nationwide. The photos were judged on composition, artistic merit, technical qualities, and the ability to convey a compelling story. Only 114 winners were selected from all the entries submitted.

Downs has been taking photos since elementary school, and she said that she plans to continue with photography — at least as a hobby, if not as a career. Downs also participates in National Honor Society and French Club, throws shot put and discus on the girls track team, and is a nine year member of the Green Acres 4-H Club.

“Jostens is honored to recognize the artistic talents of student photographers and their ability to capture important school experiences and traditions through the lenses of their cameras,” said Gary Lundgren, Jostens’ senior program manager/education. “Our photo contest allows students to personalize, share, and remember school experiences through sophisticated, high quality photography. Many of the submitted photos will help tell their school story as part of the yearbook.”

Downs’ winning photograph, along with all the other winning photographs from the 2011 Photo Contest, was announced on Facebook and featured on the Jostens.com Web site. These photos will also be featured in the 2011 issue of the Jostens Gotcha Covered Look Book, a popular resource for yearbook advisers and staffs seeking creative ideas, trends, and inspiration.

Story reprinted with permission of The Pilot News.

Jefferson Elementary Field Day

Lincoln Band Concert

Felke's honored as one of the nations finest

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Things seem to change these days at the speed of microprocessors, but there are several things that just never seem to change and just as sure as winter changes to spring, Felke Florist will be there on South Michigan Street to help people plant their gardens or send flowers to loved ones.

The mainstay business of downtown Plymouth was recently honored by Teleflora as one of the top 1000 florists in the nation. Teleflora is a floral wiring service with over 18,000 members in the United States and Canada and offers only hand-arranged and delivered quality floral products. The award takes into account the number of orders sent by Felke's to other florists as well as those received and delivered locally. Customer service is also a big part of the award.

"They come in to inspect your business, your coolers, the professionalism of your shop and designers," said Chris Felke, owner of the family business. "They inspect your delivery vehicle - they don't really want you delivering orders by loading up the old station wagon or something."

While Felke's has been in the top 2000 in the nation numerous times this is their first top 1000 ranking. The Felke's have been in the florist business since anybody can remember.

"It's really a very interesting story," said Chris. "I'm actually the fifth generation Felke to own the business. My great, great, great Grandmother started around 1854 near Chicago. She grew flowers in the fields around the train stations and made a fortune selling them to passengers as they got on the train. She had a whole greenhouse system around that part of Chicago and then lost it all in a fire."

Chris has a newspaper clipping from an 1890's edition of the Chicago Daily News in the current family greenhouse telling the story of Mary Felke, the nice lady who sold people flowers as they boarded their trains and the fire that took away her fortune.

Picking up from that fire, she and her son moved on to Elkhart, Indiana at the turn of the century, and eventually in 1922 on to Plymouth where they started Felke Florist in it's current location.

"We still use the original greenhouses that my grandfather and great grandfather built when they started here in Plymouth," said Chris. "It's kind of neat every year around this time when people come back to town for reunions and things somebody always stops in and says 'I can't believe you're still here. I used to play around your greenhouses when I was a kid and I left town 40 years ago.' When they find out that I'm a Felke they have just as hard a time believing that."

Felke's is the second oldest continually owned family business in the state of Indiana. Chris has owned the family business for 20 years now and his sister Sarah Robinson runs the shop with him.

The family is a mainstay of the Community as well. Chris's father Joe was a big part of many community organizations in Plymouth in particular the United Way and Jaycees. Chris has also served on many local boards for charity and community organizations.

So just how long will the Felke family tradition continue? Only time will tell.

"I didn't plan on being a florist," said Chris. "I went to DePauw University and then to law school. My wife and I were living in Chicago and just one day decided that it was kind of crazy. If we were going to raise a family we should come back to Plymouth to do that.

"One thing is certain that everything just keeps changing. I remember when 800 numbers first came out my father saying '…who's going to dial all those numbers?' I remember we were the first FTD florist to have a website when all they were was information, you couldn't even order from them. Now we have aps for our iPhones. Everything always changes."

Just the facts - FBI impressed with Riverside students

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - "Be careful out there" was the catch phrase of the character on the old television drama "Hill Street Blues" as he sent his fellow police officers out to their jobs after the shift briefing.

It was also the message of F.B.I. Special Agent Tim Theriault as he commended sixth grade students at Riverside Intermediate School on their knowledge of how to be safe surfing the internet.

"I tell students that they are safer sleeping in their homes with their doors unlocked then they are chatting with just anyone online," Theriault told the students. "The internet can allow strangers access to any part of your life and you don't know who is getting that information. You have to be very smart about your choices."

Theriault - an agent in the South Bend office of the FBI - was at Riverside to present the sixth grade class with an award for their online diligence. Computer Applications teacher Amy Gerard used the Bureau's online course on web safety to give her students some knowledge to use to keep themselves safe online.

Her students did well enough to earn the top score in the nation for the month of April. Over 2000 students at 68 different schools in 18 different states took the course and none did better than Riverside.

"This is the class where students in Plymouth schools first learn to keyboard and we help them learn different tools that they can use online to help them," said Gerard. "We've had them do other online courses, like the 'Drive of Your Life' program that shows them special area's of giftedness and how they might choose a career. This is the first year that we used this FBI course for safety.

"Thanks to doing so well on this course the FBI has also offered us the opportunity to be part of a new program they are offering on 'cyber bullying.'"

The Bureau has developed the program to meet a need.

"I know in the past few years we've been ramping up our online safety education," said Theriault. "We've seen a real increase in crimes related to online activity."

Theriault told the students that knowledge was one thing, now they needed to use that knowledge to help keep themselves safe by making good decisions. He also encouraged them to share what they know with their parents.

"I learn things about computers from my son all the time," he told the students. "You guys know a lot more about computers than we adults do and we need to know too. Call your parents over to the computer with you from time to time and show them some of the things you've learned."

He also shared with the curious a little bit of what it's like to be a Special Agent for the FBI.

"It's a lot like you guys - a lot of homework," he said. "It's not like the TV shows. There's a lot of research and homework and they don't make TV shows about people sitting around doing homework.

"There have been times when I have had a lot of bad guys pointing big, bad guns and me and my fellow agents who were pointing our guns at them, but thank goodness I've never had to shoot anybody. I never played football either but I think I made a pretty good tackle a couple of weeks ago.

"If some of you want to pursue a career in law enforcement you can start right now. Protect yourself, be smart and help your friends. Help each other out all the time to stay away from some of the bad decisions you can make."