Class of 1986 Reunion Video

Class of 1976 Reunion video

Traditional end to first Alumni Week

PLYMOUTH - Fun and fellowship on the links brought a traditional end to Plymouth's first Alumni Week sponsored by the Plymouth Alumni Association.
A week long celebration of the Plymouth community and the schools that are a big part of it saw several "Old Timers" sports contests, community events that included volleyball in Centennial Park and a Family Game Night at Mancino's brought together hundreds of Plymouth graduates and their families.
At week's end the traditional "Big Red Opens" brought hundreds more together once again. The Ladies Open on Thursday raised money for the women's athletic programs at Plymouth High School. Friday it was the men's turn with the 21st annual Art Thomas Big Red Open. Both events were hosted by the Plymouth Country Club.
Golfers from all over the country and literally all over the world made the trip back to Plymouth for the annual events.
A key member of the Plymouth state basketball champions of 1982 and the Trester Award winner for that year - Phil Wendel - made the trip back from Beirut, Lebanon for the men's golf event. Wendel is a teacher at an American school in the country.
The PAA is a non-profit organization that works to connect and inform Plymouth graduates. All funds collected by the organization go to support extra and co-curricular programs at the Plymouth schools such as art, music, theatre and sports.
For more information, visit the Alumni Association at http:/plymouthalumniblogspot.com or find it on Facebook: Search for Plymouth Alumni Association, or follow @plymouthalumni on Twitter.

Ford awards Plymouth over $11,000

By Lydia Beers
Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — Last May, Plymouth music teacher Bryan Ames and broadcasting teachers Dave McKenzie and Phil Scott and their students teamed up to enter Ford Motor Company’s Drive One 4 UR School student video contest.

The video, produced by Plymouth High School broadcasting students Austin Craft, Derrick Lee, Sam Compton, Sarah Gouker, and Sean Hatfield, as well as 16 Lincoln Junior High School students, won first place in the region, making it one of five winning videos in the entire U.S. In the video, Plymouth students interview members of the community about their experience test driving Ford vehicles. The video also includes a “commercial” showing a father giving his son keys to a new Ford Mustang.

“How the students portrayed the cars was whimsical, which was really fun,” said John Oliver, general manager of Oliver Ford. “It showed things we would remember from our childhood.”

The students ended the video with student “news anchors” wishing the viewing audience “a lifetime of memorable moments.”

Oliver Ford held a press conference Thursday to recognize the student’s achievement, as well as present the Plymouth Music Boosters with a check for the money raised during the Drive One 4 UR School event in May. Held in the Plymouth High School parking lot, participants had to opportunity to test drive Ford vehicles. Ford committed to give $20 each time one of their cars was taken on a test drive.

“Almost the maximum number of test drives was achieved, which was awesome,” said Oliver. “The point was just to have people drive a Ford for the first time. There’s no pressure to buy—ever.”

The one day event raised $5,060 for the Music Boosters, with an additional $1,210 added for Ford Focus test drives (an additional $10 per test drive). The high school broadcasting department also received $6,060 for their winning video (a $5,060 match from Ford Motor Company as well as an additional $1,000 because the students mentioned Ford Focus safety features).

Dan Tyree, superintendent of Plymouth schools, said that the money will be used to expand the department’s equipment.

“I’m sure I had a great big smile on my face,” said Tyree, about when he learned that the video had taken first place. “I knew this was going to really benefit our kids.”

Tyree said that the video was a collaborative effort of some of the top students in broadcasting class.

“Test scores don’t measure everything about a school,” said Tyree. “It’s the application of those skills. This video is a testament to those skills.”

Scott said that he feels the students benefit from taking classroom lessons into the real world.

“We can do book work all day long, but when you can tie in those real world applications…that just makes it all the better,” said Scott.

“I thought (the video) was remarkable, and obviously Ford did too.”

The video can be viewed on www.youtube.com by searching for PHS TV commercial.

Reprinted by permission of The Pilot News

Batte of the decades in volleyball

By

Maggie Nixon, Managing Editor Pilot News

PLYMOUTH — It was a battle of the ages Wednesday night, as graduates of the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s got together at Lincoln Junior High School to compete and have a little fun for the “Old Timers” volleyball game – another event in a week-long celebration of Plymouth Community Schools Alumni Association Alumni Week.

While at times a full field of the particular decade wasn’t available to play, the 1990s came out victorious when paired up against the others, along with a little help from the younger generation to round out a full team.

Players taking a look at the floor once again were: Megan Barron (2011), Jackie (Frid) Eveland (1987), Janis(Jeffirs) Holiday (1986), Shana Greenlee (2006), Andrea (Bunton) Schoof (2001), Bev Wojcik (1983), Sandy Johnson-Tartol (1988), Monica Parkhurst (1988), Michelle (Liesberger) Wolf (1997), Lyzz Smith (2009), Jodi (Hilliard) Eveland (1993), Stephanie (Durnil) Redman (1992), Aly Neidlinger (2006), Lesley (Blackburn) Langfeldt (2001), Stacy Brown (2001).

While Smith is at Indiana Wesleyan playing on a basketball scholarship, her days as a hitter for PHS haven’t waned. She, Greenlee, Langfeldt and Wojcik found it easy to pick up their hitting ways once again, while Barron, (Jodi) Eveland and Holiday were nearly perfect setting up the second hit for their teammates. Consistent serves by several of the others – along with some all-star digs – made the night of fun entertaining for those in the crowd, too.

Following the indoor competition, the community was invited to a night of sand volleyball at Centennial Park. While the intent was for at least a game of glow ball or so, the city’s surrounding lights didn’t allow enough darkness for a successful effort. However, several of the park’s league players continued to free play while some adults and their children played with the glow body paint and made the best of it.

Earlier in the week, a family game night was held at Mancino’s. Games of dice, cards and chess/checkers were played, along with participants enjoying pizza made by the Alumni Association’s sponsor.

Saturday ends the week-long celebration when the class of 1986 meets at the Brass Rail and 1976 meets at The Office.

For more information, visit the Alumni Association at http:/plymouthalumniblogspot.com or find it on Facebook: Search for Plymouth Alumni Association, or follow @plymouthalumni on Twitter.

Old Timers celebrate Plymouth basketball

PLYMOUTH - Representatives from the past and from around the country came back to Plymouth on Thursday night to celebrate a common thread, basketball.

Brothers Jason and Jeremy Renz, Chad Clinton joined teammates from the recent past Ricky Davis, Houston Hodges, Sam Faulstich, Korey Bucher Houston Hodges and Sam Faulstich  in taking on some "old timers" led by Jody Birk, Brian Trump, Andy Huff, Jim Klingerman, Mike Large Seth Gilmer and Clinton's brother Ryan (not that much of an old timer). The younger players ran away with the contest but other than shooting skills the older guys hadn't lost a whole lot.

Sean Smith won a preliminary three point shoot out but had some hard time holding off another old timer - Greg Renz who hit nine three pointers in his preliminary shooting round.

Gilmer came from South Carolina for the week and on Sunday also competed as part of the Old Timers Baseball game at Bill Nixon Field.

The game was held at Lincoln Jr. High as part of a celebration of Alumni Week by the Plymouth Alumni Association.

The PAA is a non-profit organization that works to connect and inform Plymouth graduates. All funds collected by the organization go to support extra and co-curricular programs at the Plymouth schools such as art, music, theatre and sports.

Reunions for the classes of 1976 at The Office and 1986 at the Brass Rail will be on the agenda for Saturday night.

Different eras shine in Old Timer's contest at Bill Nixon Field

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth's first "Alumni Week" started off with a home run as players from nearly every era of Plymouth Baseball gathered at Bill Nixon Field in Plymouth for an Old Timer's Game sponsored by the Plymouth Alumni Association.

The seventies teams that began Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Nixon's career at Plymouth were well represented. The very first Plymouth Player to play in the annual North/South All Star Classic was Center Fielder Tom Jung from the class of 1976 was in attendance on Sunday to see the talent that has come after him.

Jung not only played in that All Star Classic, he was it's MVP. He currently resides in Texas and makes the yearly trip to Plymouth to visit friends and play in the Art Thomas Open which will take place later this week.

Greg Renz and Jeff Badell of the class of 1976 were in attendance as was 1978 standout shortstop Ed Kelso who is the head coach of the PHS Softball program.

Plymouth's newest All Star had a family reunion of sorts with 2011 North team member Damon Howe playing in the game with his father Dave a member of Nixon's 1986 team.

The 90's made their presence known in the game with 1997 grad Dan Winkle making those in attendance question if maybe he was played out of position for his four year career at Plymouth. An all NLC catcher in his playing days, Winkle showed he had great range in the outfield and even turned in solid work at second base.

A senior on the 1992 final eight team Seth Gilmer set the tone for the game with a sparkling back handed play at second in the games first inning.

The Tony Plothow era was in full force with Landon Lauber (2002), Josh Dietz and Chris Hostetler (2003), Cody Bucher and Jay Badell (2009), Kevin Garrity and Damon Allen (2010) along with Howe.

The game was the first in a week long series of events designed to celebrate the Plymouth Community and the Plymouth Schools.

Tuesday night is Family Game Night at Mancino's beginning at 6 p.m. Bring the family and your favorite board games, grab some pizza and enjoy an evening of family fun.

Wednesday August 3 is a night long celebration of volleyball. Beginning at 6 p.m. at Lincoln Jr. High will be Alumni game number two of the week. This is shaping up to be a battle of the 80's stars versus the 90's. . If you want to play contact Janis Holiday at 574-936-1858, 574-780-2725 or email jmholiday@embarqmail.com.

Later on Wednesday night Make sure to stick around for community Night Volleyball in the sand at Centennial Park sponsored by the Plymouth Alumni Association and the Plymouth Park Department.

Still like to shoot hoops? If you played high school basketball at Plymouth come show your stuff August 4 at Lincoln Jr. High in our Old Timers Basketball game starting at 7p.m. To play contact Jody Birk at jodyheatherbirk@yahoo.com, search Jody Birk on Facebook or call 574-952-4444.

The PAA is a non-profit organization that works to connect and inform Plymouth graduates. All funds collected by the organization go to support extra and co-curricular programs at the Plymouth schools such as art, music, theatre and sports. The annual Ladies Big Red Open takes place during the day Thursday, Aug. 4 raising money for the women's athletics programs at PHS, and the Art Thomas Big Red Open has its 21st outing Friday, Aug. 5 to support the PHS athletic department.

There will be an all-class social at Swan Lake Friday, Aug. 5. Reunions for the classes of 1976 at The Office and 1986 at the Brass Rail will be on the agenda for Saturday night.