Benefit for PHS grad Eric Day planned

A 5K Run/Walk and a 1- mile Leprechaun run will be held to benefit Eric Day, a graduate of PHS, and his family. Eric is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor in Bloomington, Indiana. The event will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. on the PHS Football Field and through the Centennial Park. Registration will be at 9:00 a.m. Entry fees are $15.00 for students and $20.00 for adults. Entry fees include a T-shirt.

Bruce Ruffing Grill will also be there with pulled pork sandwiches.

This event is sponsored by the PHS Pep Club. Eric was president of this club while at PHS.

More information may be found on Facebook - St. Paddy's DAY Dash. If you have questions, please contact Kelsey Flynn at kflynn1960@gmail.com

Riverside named state "School to Watch"

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Riverside Intermediate School has been recognized by the Indiana Middle Level Education Association (IMLSA) with their “Schools to Watch” Award.

Riverside Principal Donna Burroughs submitted a lengthy application to the IMLSA last fall.
Out of the numerous applications from all over the state, Riverside was one of only three schools selected for an on-site visit by the state’s “Schools to Watch” Award Committee.

Last week, reviewers converged on the school before the students arrived and stayed until well after the students left for the day. Interviewers included Randy Feola, Washington Twp. Middle School, Valparaiso – teacher; Maureen Farag, Highland Middle School Assistant Principal; Mark Anderson, Decatur Middle School, principal; and Shirley Wright, director of Indiana Middle Level Education Association.

According to Burroughs, to be considered for this award, the school has to meet the following criteria: Achieve academic excellence; be developmentally responsive to unique student needs; be socially equitable, democratic, and fair; and have strong structures for learning in place.
After touring the entire school, a panel met with Plymouth business/community partners to help understand how a school interacts with the community.

Burroughs said, “The steps in this award process fit right in with what we are trying to achieve at Riverside-teach the whole child.”

Prior to the site visit, the staff had to complete a seven-page self-study and rating sheet meant to pinpoint areas of excellence to areas of need.

As part of the recognition for this award, a community celebration will be held later this spring and educational leaders from the state will be in attendance with the local school community. Also, a few staff members from Riverside will attend the national recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C. from June 21-23, 2012 to be recognized with representatives from the other ‘Schools to Watch” winners from other states.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

PAA President's Corner

I welcome you to the Plymouth Alumni Association. I hope you will find the Alumni Association as exciting, informative and worthy of your time and resources as I have.  The Alumni Association is a wonderful place for reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and learning of the new things happening with PHS alumni and the exceptionally talented students at Plymouth High School. 

In 2012, a new chapter will be launched in serving the PHS alumni.  The Alumni Association grows each day as more graduates take advantage of the information highway created by the web page and newsletter.  Many have contributed to the success of the association through time and resources in organizing new programs like “Rock on with the Rockies” and the “Alumni Pre/Post Game Radio Show” featuring live interviews with students, teachers, coaches and administrators at home athletic events. This is just a few of the new ways your association will work to reconnect with you, your classmates, and friends.  With the support and commitment of Supt. Dr. Dan Tyree; Jim Condon, Principal of Plymouth High School; Rusty Nixon, Director of Alumni Affairs; and the Alumni Board, I look forward to more exciting activities from your Alumni Association. 

With the enthusiasm demonstrated for the renewed purpose of the alumni association, my goal is to bring the resources together to build a network of information and programs which will benefit each graduate of Plymouth High School.  I envision an Alumni Association that serves as a social network, but also a place where graduates can gather and exchange information, identify employment opportunities and learn from other graduates on experiences in life since leaving Plymouth High School.

I envision an association that will establish a foundation for scholarships for students, teachers and alumni who recognize the cornerstones of success begin with an educational environment like the one found at Plymouth High School.  I see an association that will continue to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding and distinguished performance of PHS alumni in a new and expanded Hall of Fame.  A Hall of Fame that will tell a story of PHS graduates serving their communities.   Finally, I envision an association that will perpetuate the common bond we all share as graduates of Plymouth High School for future generations.

If you are a PHS graduate, regardless of where you are located, and want to become a part of the energy you will find in the Plymouth Alumni Association, join me today in moving forward to a new vision to preserve the past, celebrate today and advance into the future.  


I look forward to hearing from each of you on how your alumni association can better serve you.

DEAN A. COLVIN ('70)

Kinney named Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - After graduation many college grads find their way to the bright lights and big jobs of the big city. After trying that route, one honor graduate found what he was looking for, right back in his home town.

Brent Kinney was a 2003 graduate of Plymouth High School, moved on to graduate with distinction from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and spent a time working in the corporate offices of Target in Minneapolis. Now he's the recently named Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year.

"It really wasn't the best thing for me," said Kinney of his Target days. "It really wasn't the kind of career path that I wanted to be on. They are a great company and Minneapolis is a great place to live. It was a great experience but it wasn't for me really."

Brent knew what was the right thing for him all along. He returned to Plymouth to work with his father Jack's company - J. Kinney & Associates an independent, full-service financial advisory firm.

"I think I always envisioned a day when I would come back home and get into business with my dad," said Brent. "I don't know if I knew what kind of business but I always just assumed we'd do something together. I guess I planned on coming back home all along, it just happened a lot quicker than I thought it might."

Like many Plymouth natives, Brent says he took a lot of his hometown with him wherever he's gone.

"Everywhere I've ever been and everything I've ever done, Plymouth made me what I am," he said. "You'd be hard pressed to find another place like Plymouth anywhere.

"A lot of people look at a small town and everybody knowing everything about everybody else and maybe to some that can be a negative but I think there is a lot of comfort in that. As I was growing up there was a whole community that knew me and knew my parents and they were all there to watch over me and help me make good decisions. Teachers, coaches, people in the community -  my parents didn't have to carry that all by themselves. Everybody looking out for each other, and I think of that as a good thing."

Brent and his Father Jack look forward to their partnership in the years to come and expanding their interests in J. Kinney and Associates. The lessons learned in Plymouth will help.

"It's really hard to pinpoint just one thing I learned growing up here but I think it would be if you want something you have to work for it," said Brent. "You have to put the time in if you want to be successful no matter what you're doing."

Martin lands fellowship

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

MANHATTAN, KS - Curiosity may have killed the cat but it's led 2005 PHS grad Erika Martin to a prestigious fellowship as she pursues her Ph.D at Kansas State University.

Erika - along with several other KSU grad students - has been selected to receive the EIDRoP
(Evidence-Based Inquiry into the Distant, Remote or Past) GK 12 fellowship. The fellowship is designed to help scientists be more involved in the community and relating research to the general public. As part of the fellowship she will be teaching a class at Junction City High School.

"It's exciting to me because it involves explaining research in real terms," said Martin. "As a scientist you should be able to tell people about what you're doing in terms they understand. It's getting out and doing real world science. Everyone should do science. It's everywhere."

Erika is currently in the Ph.D program in the Kansas State Biology Department doing her dissertation on "Ecological and ecosystem consequences of fish movement in a dynamic riverscape". The ecosystems of lakes and rivers has always held a fascination even since her first internship.

"I remember in my first internship doing my undergrad work at Ball State spending time on the Wabash in a boat," she said. "We'd go along and not see any fish at all and then suddenly would come on a log or a stone or a pool in the river and there would be literally hundreds of fish - huge amounts of fish - and I thought that was really cool. It really sold me. I wanted to know why that was."

It was that curiosity that drove her into the field at a very young age.

"I grew up living on the water at my parents house," she said. "Seeing all those things made me wonder how things do what they do. I guess I just thought 'why not keep doing that as an adult?'. I wrote in a journal when I was growing up that I wanted to be a marine biologist. It's just a lot of fun."

Erika carries that fun into her everyday work as she prepares for a career in research and teaching.

"I'm looking forward to the challenges to communicate what I do exactly," she said. "Mis-communication causes a lot of problems. It's very exciting and I feel this is really going to help me."

Plymouth surgeon finds there's no place like home

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy found out that there was "…no place like home…" and surgeon Dr. Brian Piazza has had a chance to find that out first hand.

After a 20 year career in Michigan Brian has come home to a practice in his hometown of Plymouth and is finding it to his liking.

"There seems to be a shortage of general surgeons around the country so when the group I was with disbanded there were no shortage of offers coming in," said Brian. "We interviewed several other places but (Plymouth) is still the great town it's always been. There is a real pride in community here that is really unique."

Brian spent most of his career in Port Huron, Michigan in his chosen specialty as a general surgeon - dealing with a broad spectrum of surgeries such as hernia, gall bladder and some cancer care. His decision to come home to practice was a considered one.

"Port Huron was a great practice to be involved in and we had a good 12 year run there," he said. "I had some familiarity with Trinity (the corporation that runs Saint Joseph Hospital of Marshall County) and knew that would be a good fit. And there is always the reassuring feeling of coming home."

Brian started his career in a smaller town near Grand Rapids, Michigan and moved on to a practice in Flint that involved teaching for Michigan State University. From there it was on to Port Huron. Each stop was a good one, but Plymouth has another type of appeal.

"I probably know anybody who's graduated from Plymouth High School," he said with a laugh. "Between my brothers and I we probably had a Piazza in every graduating class for 10 years so everybody probably knew one of us. It is really good to come home and renew those old acquaintances.

"It's really interesting to me the different way you see things growing up in a place and then coming back. There are just so many people that contribute to this community and keeping things running on a day to day basis and that's something that's hard to see when you are in school."

While in school Brian chose general surgery for a specific reason.

"I was drawn to it because its a rather broad specialty and maybe partly because it's really the closest thing to a general practice," he said. "I get to do a little bit of everything. I'm not going to be doing the same thing over and over everyday and I really like that variety."

The relationships with patients is another plus.

"A lot of folks we may see just a time or two but some we continue to see over a period of time," said Brian. "We continue to see many of our cancer care patients for quite awhile and it's very nice to get to know them and develop those relationships."

Dr. Piazza's family is also creating relationships.

"My kids absolutely love the school," he said. "They're involved in band and all sorts of other things and they've got lots of friends, they always tell me that they are really glad we moved here.

"There is just a real community pride here that you don't experience a lot of other places. The community is very conscientious working to grow and develop and provide opportunities for it's citizens. The place we lived in Port Huron was really a bedroom community - a very nice place - but you never really saw a lot of community pride.

"While things have changed some it's great to come back and see some stability like Hoosier Tire still being here. I needed to buy a new suit the other day and it was really good to see Gary Treat and their family business still here. And People's Drug Store - I started working there as a clerk when I was a boy, cleaning up and whatever. Change is good but it's also good to see some things that don't change."

Family and career real honors for Football Hall of Famer

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - The early career is impressive.

As a football player PHS grad Pete Buchanan held the state career rushing record for 14 years after his graduation in 1977 rushing for 5,972 yards in his four years at PHS. He scored 69 touchdowns and ran for over 200 yards in a game nine times including the Rockies State Championship win over Jasper his senior year. He also had the highest number of points for tackles and assists in a state championship game and was an All American in 1977, on both offense and defense and in 2000 was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

Just for good measure he was also a member of the National Honor Society.

As impressive as his football career was, Pete has had many more successes in life that mean as much. One is a marriage to wife Kathy (McClure) that has lasted for nearly 40 years.

"I guess we were meant for each other," he said. "We started dating when we were freshman. It's really kind of unbelievable really. We still get along fabulously. We have always been able to communicate and we seem to be on the same page on almost everything - how to raise our kids, how we see the world, everything. It's really pretty cool."

"I'm really, really proud of all of my kids," said Pete. "Caitlin is a Notre Dame graduate and in dental school at Florida. Allison is working on a graduate degree in accounting at Florida State and has a job at Price, Waterhouse, Cooper when she graduates. Courtney is a sophomore at Florida State and also studying accounting."

Pete's son John is a lot like his father. A 6'4", 250 pound high school senior football standout and three sport athlete John recently made a tough choice.

"He had some Division I football offers at places like Marshall or East Carolina," said Pete. "He decided he's not going to play football in college. He doesn't want to go to school at those places and would rather go someplace and get the degree he wants. I support that decision 100 percent.

"I love watching him play because he always works his butt off at whatever he's doing. He's a good football player but he's a great kid and a great guy and I think that's what makes me most proud of him."

Those lessons learned on the field have been useful in Pete's successful business career. A Vice President at Bateman, Gordon and Sands his company specializes on risk management for construction companies. They've been able to weather the economic hard times in south Florida without a lot of trouble but it hasn't been easy for others.

"Really the toughest part is watching clients you've worked with for years struggle," said Pete. "Some of our clients went out of business but most of them have been able to scratch to survive. Since January things have started to come around so hopefully that continues."

"I learned a lot of things playing football it's really hard to pin one down. I know it's kind of cliche but it's like they say 'The harder I practice the luckier I get.' Some things do fall into place but you don't get something for nothing. Work your tail off and be a good person. That's the advice I'd give anybody."

Four Stars x 2; Webster a Four Star School for second straight year

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - For the second time in as many years Webster Elementary has reason to celebrate.

Last year the school was named a "Four Star School" by the state of Indiana. This year the staff received a Christmas present in the announcement that for the second year the school was given the honor by the state.

"There are several criteria that this is judged by - attendance, test scores and student development," said Webster Principal Carrie McGuire. "I think we are most proud of the attendance. It means our kids are making the choice to come to school everyday and our staff and parents are doing a good job of making sure they get here everyday. It's a credit to our parents, our staff and the community for helping our students make the positive commitment to be here everyday."

Plymouth Community Schools Superintendent Dan Tyree took part in the festivities reading to the students from one of his favorite books "Harold and the Purple Crayon" possibly embellishing the end of the tale by reading to the assembled students "…if you want to be President of the United States, you should choose to go to Webster Elementary because they are a Four Star School…"

"We're very proud of what Webster has been able to accomplish," said Tyree. "We don't hand pick students to come here because they are gifted and talented or use any other criteria to admit students to this school. The doors are open to anybody who wants to come here. The parents and staff have put in a lot of hard work to make this school the best that it can be."

In the end, McGuire stated that the accolade has to do with choices.

"It's about our families, our students, our staff and our community. All of those groups coming together to help our students make good choices in all areas of their lives."

First ever promotion for Winter Performance Ensemble

Video of the Ensemble's performance can be viewed at http://www.prideofplymouth.com/winter-performance-ensemble.html

PLYMOUTH - The PHS Winter Performance Ensemble (winter drumline and winter guard) recently competed in both the IHSCGA (Indiana High School Color Guard Assoc.) and IPA  (Indiana Percussion Assoc.) circuits on February 18th.   At the Heritage H.S. IHSCGA competition, Plymouth came in 3rd place out of 13 schools in class 2A.   At the IPA contest, Plymouth came in 1st out of 7 schools in class 2A.

After the 1st place finish at the IPA competition, PHS band director (Bryan Ames) was notified by the Indiana Percussion Association board of directors that Plymouth High School had been nominated for and selected for a classification promotion.   This means the board of directors feels Plymouth has competitively outgrown its current classification and Plymouth will be moved up to a harder level of competition for all future events.  Plymouth will now be considered a Class A competitor.

This is the first time PHS has ever received a promotion in the IPA circuit.   The entire PHS ensemble will be recognized in a formal award ceremony at Warsaw High School on Saturday, March 3rd, during the awards presentation of this competition.   Every member of the PHS guard and drumline will be pinned with a special recognition pin from the Indiana Percussion Association to recognize this achievement.

Congratulations to all members of the Winter Performance Ensemble!  Upcoming events and competitions can be found on the PHS Band Website.

Faces in the Crowd vs. Wawasee

Our final Faces in the Crowd album is up on Facebook, search Plymouth Alumni Association and see if someone you know was at the Plymouth win over Wawasee last night.

Faces in the Crowd vs. CMA

Valentine's Day at The Rock...Do you see your special someone? Maybe our roving photographer did, so check out all the photos from the Plymouth home win over CMA. Just click here or like Plymouth Alumni Association on Facebook

PHS artists honored

On Sunday seven Plymouth Artists were recognized at the Century Center in South Bend as part of The Scholastic Art Awards. The Scholastic Art Awards are an important opportunity for students to be recognized for their creative talents. It is the most prestigious and largest recognition program for creative young artists in the U.S.

Submissions are juried by a panel of professional artists, who look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.

Congratulations go to GOLD KEY winners, Brandon Baird,(received 2 Golds) , Josh Cole, Olivia Coulter, Ramon Luna, and Alex Pesak.
SILVER KEY recipients are Brandon Baird and Clay Corsbie.
Also, Aaram Kamali and Ramon Luna received HONORABLE MENTION awards.

The Warner Gallery, Century Center, where the artwork can be viewed until March 3, 2012. More information can be found here.





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PHS grad serves as "Human GPS" for Superbowl

By Lydia Beers
Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS — Plymouth High School 2010 grad and current Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis sophomore Travis Lee was on the front lines of the gametime action Sunday. As many Indianapolis-area college students did, Lee eagerly applied for a SuperBowl job online in November, submitting a general application for one of the 200-500 jobs available to the public. After a brief interview process, Lee and other applicants were handed the opportunity of a lifetime — the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities and sports stars during one of the biggest sporting events in the nation.

"I worked for NFL partner transportation, transporting Pepsi, Nike, Motorola, (and other companies') CEOs, VPs and COOs," said Lee.

Lee was a self-described "human GPS," riding alongside the driver of charter buses. His job was to help the driver be in the right place at the right time — transporting people from their hotels in Carmel to downtown Indianapolis for tailgate parties, honors ceremonies, and of course, the game.

Before game day, Lee and other workers went through two days of extensive training. They were introduced to their supervisors and given rules: no pictures or autographs with any celebrities, stay professional and don't do anything in uniform that you wouldn't want to get back to the NFL commissioner. Lee also spent the whole day Saturday driving all over Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, practicing the routes he and the bus driver would take the next day.

Although the city was busier that Lee had ever seen it — "people were walking everywhere, there were a lot of intoxicated people, and police were everywhere directing traffic" — the highlight of his day was meeting celebrities.

Lee met and spoke with Pauly D of the reality TV show Jersey Shore, rapper 50 Cent, and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

"It was just an exciting time downtown," said Lee. "It was a great opportunity and I'll probably never have the opportunity to do something like that again."

Since Lee was working during the game, he didn't actually get to see it.

"I recorded it at home," said Lee, adding with a laugh, "(But) it was definitely worth it, because I'm not a Patriots fan!"

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

PHS grad Metsker resigns as Fire Chief

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Fire Chief Andy Metsker has resigned to go into private business.
In late February, he will take a job with Gibson Insurance Corporation as a loss prevention consultant.

Chief Metsker has nearly nine years as a full-time firefighter. He was a 10-year volunteer prior to becoming a full-time firefighter. He was named Chief by Mayor Mark Senter May 1, 2008.

During Chief Metsker’s tenure the department successfully applied for an AFG grant for the 800 mhz radios. This was a county-wide grant application that totaled $775,000 in equipment.

In securing that grant, all fire departments in Marshall County received 800MhZ radios for the fire apparatus and portable radios for each seat on the units. This brought the latest technology to the fire service in Marshall County and to allow for communication between emergency responders and law enforcement.

Chief Metsker also brought forward a set of consistent Standard Operating Procedures that have moved the PFD personnel so each understands the roles and responsibilities of each apparatus and member of the department.

“I have enjoyed my time as Chief. I am grateful for the opportunity the mayor gave me four years ago. I will continue my fire service as a member of the volunteer force,” Metsker said.
“Chief Metsker has brought quiet leadership to the position of Fire Chief. I thank him for his guidance of the Plymouth Fire Department,” said Mayor Senter. “I wish him all the best for his future endeavors.”

Assistant Chief Cook will be acting chief until a new chief is named. A search for a new chief is underway by Mayor Senter.

Fundraiser helping Club that makes a difference for Plymouth kids

By Lydia Beers
Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — An organization supported in large part by donations, grants, and fundraisers sometimes needs a little magic to keep going. That’s the theme of the Boys and Girls Club of Marshall County’s winter fundraiser this year — “The Magic’s in the Hat” dinner and entertainment will hopefully bring in a large chunk of the club’s $300,000 yearly operating expenses.

“We are really excited about our entertainment this year, we will have a table magician who will do a stand up routine and go around to all the tables as well,” said board member Mary Beth Listenberger.

When they aren’t enjoying the talents of South Bend-based magician Steve Vaught, attendees of the dinner will be able to participate in both a silent and a live auction, featuring items donated by the community and auctioneers Dave and Sam Goebel. The master of ceremonies for the evening will be Larry Faulstitch.

Dinner will be a prime rib and chicken buffet and tickets are available for $55 per person or $500 for a table of 10.

During the event, there will also be a recognition of board members and staff of the club, whom Listenberger said are the key to the success of the organization.

“(The Marshall County branch) is held in high esteem by the Boys and Girls Club of America, and that is because of the leadership qualities of the staff,” said Listenberger. “There is a strong connection between the staff and the kids. The club is where kids come to belong, and it builds their character and builds educational and physical skills.”

Tickets can be purchased for the Feb. 18 dinner at the Boys and Girls Club on Jefferson Street in Plymouth, or online at www.bgsmarshallcounty.com.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

ESPN hopeful gets a taste of the Super Bowl

By Maggie Nixon
Pilot News Managing Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — While one dream came true for a Plymouth High School graduate, another one of hers fell just a little short.

Jordin Cook, a student at the University of Indianapolis, dreams of a job at ESPN. After her weekend working for Safe Management, a company that does security for Super Bowl and big events like professional games for security and guest services, it was a dream come true. It was her first “big event” and she hopes for many more to come.

The dream that fell short? Watching her favorite NFL football team and favorite quarterback win the championship in front of her very eyes.

“I’m a huge New England Patriots fan,” she said. “Everyone in our section favored the Giants and I was very sad, but I had to keep my smile.”

Cook got the opportunity to work the Bowl in Indianapolis Sunday after another student had left a flyer looking for students who met certain requirements.

“They hired a ton of people,” Cook said. “Last Saturday, we had to do a four-hour training session, listening to speakers and a slide show on how to prepare us and then we toured Lucas Oil Stadium. We had to be aware of all the exits, restrooms, and how to talk to people, help them and how to deal with issues or how to address any problems,” even though she affirmed none came up.

Cook said, “Sunday morning, we had to be at the convention center to sign in, and from there we got our assignments from our supervisor. I had the privilege of working in the club seating, and it was an amazing experience.”

Cook was able to serve upper scale game-goers. “It was just an honor, it was so great,” she said. “We knew we could work anywhere from being outside in the cold to inside seating people so I was lucky I was able to be inside.”

When Sunday finally rolled around, she said she was a little nervous when the gates opened at 10 a.m.

“From then till 2 p.m., I was just walking around my area, getting myself familiar with the restrooms, exits, concessions, and we had to be familiar with anywhere people had to be seated.”

Since she was working with those a little more fortunate than others, she was able to bump into a few celebrities. “I got to see (rap music star) 50 Cent,” she said, “It was awesome. I looked at his ticket and pointed in the direction of his seat, then I realized who it was. I was actually glad I didn’t know ahead when I first saw him so I wasn’t star-struck. He kept coming into our section and asking again where his seat was.”

Overall, Cook’s experience will be a fond memory. “Everybody was nice and friendly, they took their direction and it was a wonderful experience. I’d do it again in a heart beat. The next Super Bowl is in New Orleans, though, so I doubt aI can do that, but it was an awesome experience. Safe Management very professional and knew what they were doing and I was very prepared.”

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Plymouth family company reaches quality milestone

by Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — A local company has successfully received an International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2008) certification, accredited by Quality Systems Registrars (QSR), USA.

Wiers, based in Plymouth, also has International Trucks dealerships in Lafayette and Logansport and a sales office in Indianapolis.

According to a press release issued last week, ISO 9001 is a global quality management standard. The certification of compliance with ISO 9001:2008 recognizes that Wiers’ policies, practices and procedures ensure consistent quality in the category of maintenance, management and advisory service for commercial vehicle clients.

Typically, manufacturing companies are more likely to complete ISO 9001:2008 than service companies. Wiers is one of the very few in this industry that now holds this accreditation.

Plymouth High School graduate Tom Wiers, owner and president of the company, gathered all of the Plymouth location employees to thank them for their part in the success the company has achieved.

“We don’t get together enough to pat each other on the back,” he said. “This is one step further in our quality journey. This is a tribute to the work you do on a daily basis.”

Matt Cripe, service center manager, was just one of the employees making suggestions to improve quality. According to Andrea Reed, quality coordinator, Cripe initiated the practice of using window clings on windshields of vehicles to ensure that the wheels were properly torque.

Wiers said, “This certification demonstrates how serious Wiers is about quality. The process to receive this certification took 493 days and involved countless hours of quality systems development, process analysis and refinement, internal audits, and written documentation of procedures.”

To maintain its certification, Wiers will have to undergo periodic audits by QSR to ensure continued compliance and to assess initiative for ongoing improvement.

More information on Wiers can be found at www.wiers.com.

This story reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Greek Mythology takes the stage at PHS

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - The gods of Mount Olympus were known for some pretty quirky antics, but even those were nothing compared to the off beat shenanigans of the gods and goddesses of the latest Plymouth High School Theatre Department production, "Out of Our Greeking Minds" playing Friday and Saturday at the PHS Auditorium. Show time is 7 p.m. both nights.

Just as Athena sprang from the forehead of Zeus, the comedy sprang from the fertile imaginations of the PHS second trimester Acting Class who wrote and perform the sketches in the show. In what has become a PHS tradition the winter play starts as a writing prompt for the class and grows from there.

"We talked about it in class, doing a couple of different things, it just happened that we gravitated toward Greece," said Luke Bumpus. "Miss Faulstich asked us if we could write something that was a little more modern with that ancient feeling."

"It has been a long time since I have heard some of these myths and stories," said Jane Faulstich, PHS Acting teacher and the director of the show. "I had forgotten that Icarus had wax wings, Hermes grew from an infant to a teenager in two hours and that Persephone is the reason we have springtime. I have truly enjoyed re-learning Greek Mythology."

For most of the actors the challenge is writing their own material.

"Keeping up with the creativity," said Christina Krozel of the challenge. "Creating something that's your own but creating something that everyone will enjoy."

"It's really stressful," said Michael Gray. "You have to take into account your audience and make sure that everything is appropriate for everyone, and that it's funny. After all it is a comedy."

"The hardest part is that it's all self written," said Rebecca Brumbaugh. "When you start working through the scenes and you want to make changes or you like it or don't like it its more personal because it's not something that somebody across the country has written it's personal to all of us."

"Once again I commend the stage crew, the set design is beautiful," said Faulstich. "When the lights come up on that gorgeous set, and the actors walk out in their fantastic costumes I sit back and think, 'How did I get so lucky?' I feel very blessed and very proud that the PHS theatre department is bursting with such talented students."

The highlight of the show? That depends on who you talk to.

"Zeus needs to stop," said Krozel. "You don't even want to miss what it's like to have seven wives up against you."

"Trojan Horse," said Brumbaugh. "That's all. You will be wowed."

The cast also includes; PHS Principal Jim Condon, Cassandra Gaines, Kirsten Harner, Jared Hill, Olivia Hilliard, Christina Krozel, Jason Pickell, Kelsey Shaffer, Allison Berger, Marissa Daugherty, Bryce England, Maicee Evans, Faith Read, Aimee Ringer, Megan Senter, Lauren Smith, Michelle Caliz, Nadia Baca, CC Bastardo, Carly Berger, Bethany Boros, Lilly Bottorff, Maggie Buza, Allegra Davis, Leticia Del Real, Amber Eckman, Katie Hickman, Kennedy Jones, Brantlee Joseph, Kalee Lowry, Cheyenne McIntire, Kristen McNeal, Lauren Page, Lane Singleton, Nicole Snare, Tori Thompson.

Lighting Technicians are Denis Watson Adam Lacefield and Daniel Johnson. Sound Engineers Jordan Knapp, Daren Miller and Jordan Wendel. Wing Managers are Andrew Youst, Shaylee Vice and Ashton Morrow. Backstage crew; Emily Blake, Billie Carothers, Riley Cartwright, Ashley Flosenzier, Evan Glaub, Timothy Gomez, Marcus Gunderson, John Hampton, Micah Harner, Jack Holloway, Colton Honeycutt, Amanda Irwin, Melissa Pedavoli, Ben Shortt, Larissa Tetzloff, and Michael Yoder.

Faces in the Crowd

Check out our Faces in the Crowd for a Pilgrim win over New Prairie and see if there is someone you recognize...

PHS students dance for a cause

By Maggie Nixon
Managing Editor, Pilot News

PLYMOUTH — Saturday night was a night for dancing… hours and hours of it in fact.
Many students filled the Plymouth High School cafeteria Saturday afternoon for a dance marathon organized by Hannah Jacobs and Cassie Gaines, both students at PHS, and both who have been patients at Riley Hospital for Children. Jacobs has spina bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down and Gaines has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

The two paired with a couple hundred fellow students, teachers, staff and community members to dance the night away, even performing a few flash mob dance scenes, to help raise money. During the day Saturday, for six hours, students danced, played games and ate, but were unable to just have a seat, all to raise money for Riley and the Magic Castle Cart — a castle on wheels with drawers of toys that visits children’s rooms at the hospital. They then performed at half-time of the boys basketball Homecoming game.

“As a Riley kid, it was pretty amazing to look out as I was telling my story to all the faces and see all the support from my peers,” Gaines — who was also crowned Homecoming queen that night — said. “I believe I even made the comment that I am so proud and lucky to know that when I see those faces at school I can say they made a difference and made lives a little easier for kids from all over who are serviced by Riley, including me.”

The idea for the dance marathon was helped by Hannah’s sister, Amy, a student at Ball State, who has organized a 12-hour dance marathons at the university for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, of which Riley’s is.

Participating students registered for $15 and received a t-shirt for the event; and also raised money by asking family and friends for donations. Area businesses also helped sponsor the mini dance marathon. The result? More than they ever expected.

“I feel as though we all did pretty spectacular,” Gaines said, as a high expectation of doubling nearby Bremen school’s $5,000 was surpassed.

“I said, ‘Go big or go home,’” Gaines said when someone suggested $10,000 as a goal. “None of us actually thought we would reach it — let alone pass it like we did. Our ending amount raised was $10,843.39, which is pretty amazing!”

Gaines said she is truly astounded at those who banded together. “Not only the students at PHS, but the entire Plymouth community. It was not just the high school alone, every school in the corporation helped raise money in a certain way,” she said. “Also thanks to Tony (Ross) and the radio station along with other businesses and clubs, not to mention the countless people throughout the community that allowed this all to be such the success it has been. Thank you all.”

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News