Alumni Banquet 2012 video

PHS 2012 grad will be part of Democratic Convention

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — During the last Presidential election, Plymouth resident Jason Pickell was fascinated as he watched the broadcasts of delegates at the Democratic convention cast their votes.

Now, Pickell will get to not only see the process up close, but participate in it.

As a representative from Marshall County at the Democratic Party state meeting in Fort Wayne last weekend, Pickell was named as an Indiana Democratic delegate to the national convention. He will be heading to Charlotte, N.C. over Labor Day weekend along with thousands of delegates from all over the United States.

Pickell, 2012 Plymouth High School graduate, will turn 19 June 25. He is the youngest delegate to ever be selected from Marshall County.

Pickell spoke of his belief that young people need role models as he asked those at the state convention to give him one of three spots for males to the national convention.

“I am one of the most steadfast supporters of President Obama,” he said. “I believe that it is vital for the Democratic Party to send young people to the convention. Not for the purpose of replacing the 'old guard,' but rather to inspire my generation to take action; to let them know that they truly have the ability to change things if they simply got involved.”

Speaking directly to being a role model himself, Pickell said, “We need to embolden my generation to have the desire to ask the hard questions and to take action when they see injustices. They need role models. In the upcoming election, young people are going to play one of the most vital roles. Therefore, the time is ripe for the Democratic Party to create some role models. And I believe that I can be one of these role models.”

One of his biggest supporters, his father Bob Pickell, was also a state delegate for the first time.
Michelle Livinghouse, Marshall County Democratic vice-chair, said Pickell had given an impromptu speech at the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner held earlier this year. She said, “Everyone was impressed," adding he then went on to contact all of the county chairs and send letters to supporters.
“Jason was the last one to give his speech at the state meeting, even following some who had been active in the party for 50 years,” Livinghouse said. “He was very polished and articulate. He has been active for so long in the Democratic Party, that he really knows the inter workings.”

Pickell isn’t ruling out a career in politics in his future, but says he will start at the local level and then work his way up. He said he first became interested in the political world when his fourth grade teacher had the class study current events. In high school, he delved into the Junior State of America Club and honed his speech skills as a member of the PHS Speech and Debate Team. In 2011, he won a bid to the NFL (National Forensic League) finals.

He will be entering Ball State University to study political science.

“It’s a dream come true," he said. "It’s a huge honor.”

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

PHS alums celebrate at banquet

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Literally hundreds of Plymouth Alumni began the reunion season with the largest celebration of Plymouth grads of the year at the annual Plymouth Alumni Association Alumni Banquet.

As one of the highlights of the evening the Association welcomed Suellen Glaub Long and Dr. Robert O. Vore and posthumously Dr. Arthur Becknell Jr., into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame and celebrated the PHS class of 1962 as part of their 50th class reunion. As part of the celebration Pat Felke spoke on behalf of Plymouth's latest graduating class of 2012.

Brent Johnson of the class of 1987 opened the banquet with his invocation and last year's Distinguished Alumni inductee Lt. Col. Bill Lee was present to introduce the latest inductees to the Hall of Fame. Linda Starr ended the banquet ceremonies with the singing of the Alumni Song.

After the banquet, those present were treated to a special concert by 1995 grad Denver Bierman in the PHS auditorium, and Jessica Oliver and Oliver Ford gave away a vacation to Carol Blake at intermission.

Telling stories on his classmates, Ron Bollman of the class of 1962 kept the crowd laughing as he brought banquet goers back to Plymouth of the late 1950's and early '60's without revealing any names of those who might be still be "quiet" about their pranks.

Hall of Fame inductees Suellen Long and Dr. Vore had similar messages of being aware of the value of others in your life and accomplishments and never backing away from an opportunity you may have to help another, not knowing what kind of person they may become because of the opportunity you could provide for them to shine.

For a complete photo album go to the Plymouth Alumni Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Plymouth-Alumni-Association/135863303126019

ISSMA gives Plymouth band it's highest honor

Pictured left-right: Jim Condon PHS Principal, Tori Fox, Lindsey Holloway, Daniel Johnson, Amanda Wolford, Elizabeth Wolford, and Band Director Bryan Ames.

PLYMOUTH - Ending another successful school year, the Plymouth High School administration was recently notified that the band program has again achieved the highest honor given by the Indiana State School Music Association, the “All-Music Award.”

This prestigious award is given only to select schools that participate in all of the different areas of state music competitions. In order to be eligible for this award, every part of the overall program must be successful. Requirements for the award include a competitive marching band that earns a Gold Award rating at the ISSMA Disctrict competition, both soloists and ensembles that advance to the Solo and Ensemble competition state finals, a jazz program that earns a Gold Award at ISSMA Jazz Contest, and an additional Gold Award rating at the annual concert band competition. 

“This award is hard to achieve because it means that every part of your overall program is successful. There are many schools who excel in one or two of those areas, but struggle in another. Plymouth is one of only a few schools in our state that have achieved this award annually for almost a decade,” said band director Bryan Ames. “The kids know that this award is important and they work together to make sure that we are successful at achieving our goals each year.” 

This will be the ninth consecutive year that the Plymouth band will have received this award.

This award caps off a successful school year for the band program. “This year's seniors will graduate with solid Gold Award ratings at all twenty-two ISSMA events that the band has competed in during their high school career.”

“Achievements like this only happen where music is valued and plays an important role in both the school and the community. This award not only recognizes our students, but also our supportive administration and parents,” said Ames.

Plymouth Chamber hosts Art on the Street

For those of you in Plymouth or coming to town this weekend, here's an event you will enjoy...

DMHO ready to come "home" for Alumni Banquet

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - The biggest reunion of the summer takes place on June 15 as the Plymouth Alumni Association will host the annual Alumni Banquet at Plymouth High School starting at 6 p.m.

Along with welcoming Dr. Robert Vore, Suellen Glaub Long and Dr. Arthur Becknell Jr. into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, Banquet goers will enjoy another reunion after the dinner with 1995 graduate Denver Bierman returning to his favorite stage for a special concert. Banquet goers will have free VIP seating for the show, with a free cruise provided by Oliver Ford to be given away to a lucky banquet goer at intermission. Banquet tickets are available for $35 and concert tickets alone are available for $10. Proceeds go to support extra and co-curricular programs at the Plymouth Community School Corporation.

A veteran of network TV, and world tours with his band the Mile High Orchestra and with some of the music industry's top acts, Denver admits that the PHS stage will always be his favorite.

"There are just so many firsts for me there - my first trumpet solo was on that stage, the first time I ever sang a song for an audience was there, all of my firsts are there which is one reason I love that stage," said Denver from his home in Nashville. "It goes deeper than that though. I've been on a lot of stages in a lot of places all over the world since then, and it always hits me about what we had in Plymouth and how unbelievably good it was. I never stop being grateful for the fact that as a high school student I had a chance to act and play music on a top flight professional stage. As I've gone on that hasn't always been the case. I've always been thankful to have had a first class facility like that to learn on when I was in school."

Denver obviously learned those lessons well and as a father himself now has begun trying to teach them to children everywhere. Denver and the Mile High Orchestra recently took their first Dove Award for Best Children's Album for their recently released record "Groovy".

"It's really kind of wild that two or three of the songs on that album we've been doing in concert for years," said Denver. "For awhile now we've been incorporating some of those songs into our live show and we'll definitely be playing some of them at our show in Plymouth. Honestly I think that the parents love the songs as much as the kids and its really a perfect fit with what we do."

The future is a busy one for DMHO with several projects and tours in the works.

"The really exciting thing is that we have a children's TV show in development," said Denver. "We're working with a top flight producer in David Campbell (Executive producer of the children's animated series' "Doug", "PB&J Otter" and "Stanley") we've found some financial backing and we really hope to have a pilot produced sometime in the next year. It's been about a two and a half year process and I really think it's the next phase of our career. A lot of things have really fallen into place and I feel it's certainly the way God has been leading us.

"We're certainly going to keep recording and touring and making the music we always have, but this could be a very exciting chapter for us."

Tickets for the Alumni Banquet are available online at http://plymouthalumni.blogspot.com/ by calling 574-952-4444 or email plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com. You can also mail or drop off a check made payable to the Plymouth Alumni Association at 611 Berkley St., Plymouth IN, 46563.

Tickets for dinner that include VIP seating for the show are $35. Tickets for those wishing to attend the concert alone are $10.

Follow DMHO online at http://www.denvermho.com/

PHS senior joins family of fliers

By Lydia Beers
Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — After completing nine months of flying lessons, Plymouth High School senior Connor Flynn was more than ready to go on his first solo flight. In fact, he was so eager that he took the first opportunity available — right after his baseball game May 15.

"It was dusk," Flynn remembered. "The sky was just beautiful."

Flynn first became interested in learning to fly in junior high, when his cousin Thomas, a pilot, invited him to go flying. The experience was exhilarating, and Flynn knew that he wanted to pursue getting a pilot's license.

"I fell in love with it," said Flynn simply. "I knew it was something I wanted to try when I got older. I tried it, and I'm still in love with it."

Flynn comes from a family of fliers. Two of his uncles and two of his cousins are pilots, and his grandmother Kay Flynn also pursued flying.

"I guess she was the start of it all," said Flynn of his grandmother, adding, "In my immediate family, I'm the only one that's flown."

Flynn's family is supportive of his relatively newfound interest, "because I love it so much," said Flynn, continuing, "My mom was pretty nervous and scared (before the solo flight) but I guess that's just what moms kind of do."

He started lessons with the Mentone Flying Club at the Fulton County Airport in September, and said he's learned a lot from his instructor, Ted Cox. Flynn was encouraged to join the club by his friend, Mitch Holloway. Holloway already has his pilot's license, and the friends dream of being co-pilots with the Coast Guard someday.

"(Flying) is simply awesome," said Holloway. "Not many people get to experience what flying really is. Whatever problems you are going through on the ground, in the air you are about three, four thousand feet above it."

When it was time for his flight, Flynn was surprised how different it felt to take off with no one in the plane but himself.

"I didn't know what to do because there was nobody to talk to — so I just started singing," said Flynn. "I was singing Tommy Tutone, '8675309.' I don't know why, but it just popped into my head. Then I got to talk to other pilots in the traffic pattern too."

He stayed close to the airport in case anything went wrong, and took off and landed twice. He thinks the entire experience lasted about 30 minutes.

"Takeoff is the easy part, but it's the landing that really gets you thinking," said Flynn. "It's one of the greatest feelings of a sense of accomplishment I've ever had, because of all of the work I put into it. It just felt really good."

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News