Friday, December 11, 2009

Murphy students 'light up' Hadley


Murphy Elementary School students traveled to the Village of Hadley to help light up the Christmas tree at the old town hall. More photos are available at the photo gallery.

2005 Lapeer East grad, returns to help with East wrestling program as assistant coach

When Erik Hohenthaner graduated from Lapeer East in 2005 he left behind four school wrestling records. One of those records still stands.

As a high school athlete Hohenthaner lettered in four varsity sports; wrestling, football, baseball and tennis. He was recruited by more than 20 Division II schools for wrestling, but left high school feeling he had not accomplished all his goals. He was a State qualifier in wrestling.

As the new Lapeer East assistant wrestling coach Hohenthaner wants to make sure that doesn’t happen to other athletes.

“I wanted to come back and coach to help the kids get where they need to be and realize the potential that they have,” Hohenthaner said. “I didn’t accomplish the goals I set in high school, so I want to help these kids reach their goals and not feel unfulfilled like I do.”

Hohenthaner attended Lapeer Community Schools for his entire K-12 education, starting at Lynch Elementary School. He began wrestling at the age of seven.

Despite all the scholarship offers, Hohenthaner decided to wrestle at Mott Community College, but stopped after his freshman year. At Mott he was a qualifier for the National Collegiate Wrestling Association.

He left Mott to attend Michigan State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He currently is a sports writer for the View Newspapers in Lapeer.

Lapeer East, Lapeer West Choir members perform at Regionals, David Smith heads to State Honors Choir


Two Lapeer East choir members and two Lapeer West choir members competed at the Regional Honors Choir Concert in Grant, Michigan last weekend. One of the students, David Smith, a Lapeer West High School senior who sings with the Lapeer East High School choir, was selected as one of four tenors to sing in the Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Bass (SATB) Choir for State Honors Choir.
The State Honors Choir will perform at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids in January. The two Lapeer West choir members who sang at the Regional competition were juniors Taylor Weir and Megan Fritz. In addition to David Smith from the Lapeer East choir, junior Haley Smith, David’s sister, also sang at the Regional event.

Lapeer East Concert Choir brightens annual LRMC volunteer luncheon

The Lapeer East Concert Choir performed at the Lapeer Regional Medical Center's Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, December 10, 2009. The choir gave the volunteers a preview of their holiday concert that will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, December 14th in the Lapeer East Auditorium. Click on photo to enlarge.

Maple Grove first-graders' creations to brighten holidays for hospital patients at LRMC


Students in Ms. Rose Rinke's first grade class at Maple Grove Elementary School get instructions on making special placemats for patients at Lapeer Regional Medical Center for the holidays. More photos are at the photo gallery.

Santa makes visit to Schickler fund raising dinner


Santa Claus showed up at the Lapeer Burger King to talk to children during the fund raising dinner there Tuesday, December 8, 2009. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner were donated back to Schickler. More pictures of the event are at the photo gallery.

Schickler singers present "Spotlight on Schickler"


A great holiday event was presented Monday, December 7, 2009 at Schickler Elementary School. Students entertained parents and friends with "Spotlight on Schickler." Plenty of singing and dancing kept everyone entertained. More photos at the photo gallery.

Lapeer East Craft Fair and food drive a success


The Lapeer East Althletic Boosters enjoyed a successful Craft Fair and Food Drive. Free raffle tickets were given to visitors who brought a non-perishable item with them to the event. More pictures are available at the photo gallery.

Lynch students present "Snow Day"


Parents and friends of Lynch Elementary School students were treated to a musical event called "Snow Day" Thursday, December 3, 2009. For more photos of the event go to the District's photo gallery.

Murphy Students light up Metamora tree


On Friday, December 4, students from Murphy Elementary School traveled to the Village of Metamora to sing and celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree. More photos can be found on at the photo gallery.

Lapeer students perform at Polar Palace Ice & Fashion show to benefit Toys For Tots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Holiday Ice & Fashion Show for Charity includes Local Talents

Lapeer, MI -- The Polar Palace in Lapeer, MI will be taking the community on
an unforgettable "ice" journey to the North Pole on its very own "Polar Palace Express." Not only skaters from the Lapeer Skating School, but a variety of local talents will take to the ice with music and fashion on Sunday, December 20 from 1:00pm-2:30pm with proceeds to benefit our local Marine's Toys For Tots Foundation.

No stranger to the community, Dave Kennedy will be the "Conductor" on this unforgettable ice journey to the North Pole. "Dave is the voice of the show," stated Karen Lemieux, Learn-to-Skate Instructor. "The community may remember Dave from Pix Theaters' Oklahoma when he portrayed Jud Fry." Kennedy is not only a very talented writer and entertainer, but an extraordinary singer as well. Kennedy is a wonderful asset to helping take this ice show to a whole new level with a bit of theater and vocals.

Joining Kennedy will be Tara Lemieux, a 12-year old attending Roland Warner Middle School, who will blend vocals and skating into a special performance titled, "The Man with the Bag." At one stop, the train comes across another new and wonderful thing to look at and listen to, featuring a Mother - Daughter performance titled, "Silver Bells." Annie Petersmark, a fellow Roland Warner student of Lemieux, will skate to live music performed by her Mother, Susan Wizinsky, a freelance cellist and a member of the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra.

Erica Miller, a Lapeer West High School Junior, will take to the ice with several special skating performances including a heart touching skate to "Christmas Shoes." Additional skating performers and/or skating "models" from the Lapeer and surrounding communities include Elaina Wizinsky, Emma Waatti, Josie Roberts, Katie Evans, Sarah Evans, Kacie Davis, Megan Conlon, Jacob Garris, Jade Garris, Faith Garten, Michael Garten, Claire Trombley, Jenna Ulrich, Olivia Colpean, Leah Peraino, Benjamin Colpean, Jake Austin, Kirsten Bowen, Nicholas Mozola, Brandon Bicknell, Crosby Wildfong, Steven Kennedy, Samantha Baalerud, Renee Fromwiller and Lizzy Anderson. "It is with such talents and community support that we can bring The Polar Palace Express story to life," stated Lemieux.

Upon arriving, the North Pole, our skaters encounter stores…several stores. As everyone listens to Lemieux's stylish singing of “All I Want for Christmas is Clothes,” skaters will impress the audience with the latest winter collections from Fashion Bug, rue21 and Walmart. "The community support for this charitable ice and fashion show has been unbelievable," stated Wayne Alexander, General Manager. "I was thrilled to learn that several Lapeer East Hockey players wanted to take part as well." Amongst the skating "models" sporting the Men's Collections, from rue21, include Steve Tadazak, Kenny Pekala, Jared Ross, Adam Schroeder, Nate Herr, Grant Masters and Alex Hart.

To help skaters in becoming "runway models on ice," local modeling agency, Models & Co., has agreed to offer some tips in fashion and modeling. Models & Co. is a full service modeling agency and training facility. Established in 1999, the agency has grown to be the leading Agency in the area.

"Well, are you coming?" Admission to the show is a new, unwrapped toy (minimum value $5.00) or a $5.00 entrance fee, per family, at the door. Upon arriving, you will be greeted with the sweet sounds of carolers (Murphy Elementary School students) and the smell of hot chocolate and fresh baked goods.

One-dollar raffle tickets will also be available for your chance to win a merchandise gift card from Fashion Bug and rue21, 4 passes for a 14-mile excursion train ride from the Coopersville & Marne Railway in 2010, several children's outfits from Walmart just in time for "dressing in style" this holiday season, free passes to the Lapeer Community Center and many more.

The Polar Palace hopes to make this a memorable, and perhaps an annual, event in an effort to raising vital funds and the collecting of toys for a worthwhile local charity.

For additional information on the Charitable Ice and Fashion Show, please contact the Polar Palace Office via 810-245-7778 or email klemieux@polarpalace.com.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Videos: 2009 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor Ceremony

The 2009 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor Ceremony (edited)



Direct link to the School Tube video (full size).


This is the montage video for the four 2009 Distinguished Hall of Honor inductees



Direct link to School Tube for the video.