Lapeer East senior Alex Hart heading to U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Lapeer East High School senior Alex Hart has been setting and achieving goals since he was a young child.

Whether it was in athletics or the classroom, Alex has set high standards for success.

Now, Alex has reached another milestone. He has been offered a full appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Attending the Academy is the next step toward his goal of working in National Security.

“The Coast Guard has attracted me my entire life,” Alex said. “I like the water, I’ve been a swimmer for 14 years, I love to sail and I want to travel. A military academy offers the kind of education I want and the Coast Guard program fits in perfectly.”

Appointments to the Academy are highly competitive. According to the Academy's website, only 411 appointments were offered to the 1,672 students who completed applications to be among the class of 2013. Of those offered appointments, only 288 were sworn in as cadets.

The Academy's educational program stresses academics, physical fitness, character and leadership.

Those qualities are a perfect match for Alex. Not only has he maintained a high grade point average, but he has competed on the Lapeer Swim and Dive team, on USA and YMCA swim teams for a dozen years and has competed in two national swim meets. He also has played on the Lapeer East High School hockey team and plans to participate in track and field in the spring.

He was selected to participate in the elite six-day National Youth Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. in October 2009. Only 300 students from around the country were selected for the forum's inside look at the country's fight against foreign and domestic threats.

His mother, Kristen Hart, said her son's leadership abilities and skill on competitive swim teams gave him an edge in gaining appointment to the Academy. He will compete on the Academy's swim team and already has met with the team's coach.

"Alex wanted to serve his country ever since he was little," Kristen Hart said. "His family has a history of service in the military and he was interested in the Coast Guard because of its humanitarian efforts."

With his appointment, Alex will attend tuition-free for four years of school and will receive a monthly stipend. After graduation, he is committed to serving as an officer for five years.

He will attend boot camp this summer and spend a week training on the cutter Eagle, the tall ship used to train future Coast Guard officers. He does not yet know where the Eagle will be when it is his turn to sail on it, but said it could be anywhere in the world. His academic years will start in the fall.

Kristen Hart believes her son will do well at the Academy.

"Since he was very young he has always been very good at setting realistic goals and following through on those," she said. "The Academy will be a perfect fit for him because he is used to a very structured schedule."

Dennis Warner, Alex's counselor at Lapeer East, said Alex's experience at the Youth Leadership Forum cemented his goal of being accepted to the Academy.

"He's just a great kid," Mr. Warner said.

Alex is not done setting goals. He wants to work for the CIA and can apply for an internship with it between his freshman and sophomore years at the Academy. He hopes he can serve his five-year commitment with the CIA after graduation.

“When I went to the National Youth Leadership Forum, the intelligence aspect of it really stood out,” Alex said. “I am open to new cultures and being uncomfortable with my surroundings and having new experiences, traveling the most I can and enlightening people and having them enlighten me. I am open to anywhere in the world.”

Lapeer East and West athletic competitions cancelled today

All athletic competitions at Lapeer East and Lapeer West high schools are cancelled today, Wednesday, February 10, 2010, because of the weather.

Schools closed due to weather

Due to weather conditions, the Lapeer Community Schools are closed today, Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Lapeer East students help raise money for Haiti with benefit concert

Lapeer East students Katherine Baeckeroot and Rebecca Wright organized the Helping Haiti Heal Benefit Concert, which featured music by junior Tate Robinson, teacher Al Margrif and Lapeer Music owner Rick Samano and a silent auction. The concert was help February 5 in the East auditorium.

Schickler Elementary students have a blast at Valentine dance on February 5

The Lapeer Center Building was a Valentine wonderland as students from Schickler Elementary School danced the night away February 5 during their Valentine dance.

Allison Vestbjerg is top speller in bee at Lynch Elementary

Allison Vestbjerg “monopolized" the Lapeer Community Schools spelling bee at Lynch Elementary on Monday, February 8 when she emerged as top speller despite tough competition from 23 other students.

Allison correctly spelled “monopolize” to take the honor and will now go on to compete against students from other Lapeer County school district. If the Lynch Elementary student wins there, she would advance to a competition against students from across the state.

The spelling bees, occurring in schools across the country, eventually will determine the competitors for the National Spelling Bee to be held in June in Washington, D.C.

Allison and the other spellers from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades competed at Lynch in front of an audience of their classmates. After her win, Allison said she is excited to move on to the next round of competition and said she always has been a good speller.

After Allison’s win, Riley Case and Samantha Schlaud, both Lynch students, challenged each other for second place by attempting to spell increasingly difficult words. Riley and Samantha battled for several rounds before Riley won by correctly spelling “ineffable” and “labyrinth” in back-to-back turns at the podium. Their competition for second place excited the audience, which erupted in applause and cheers after each round as the two students continued to challenge each other.

As runner-up, Riley would compete in upcoming bees if Allison is unable to attend.

Kindergarten Round-Up begins soon

The fall semester might seem a long way off, but Lapeer Community Schools officials are already thinking about their next kindergarten classes.

Registration for kindergarten is available for all children who will be 5 years old on or before December 1 of this year. Parents may register their children for kindergarten on Wednesday, March 24 from 1-7 p.m. or Thursday, March 25 from 1-7 p.m. at the Administration and Services Center, 250 Second Street, Lapeer.

When registering, please bring your child, proof of residency, your child’s original birth certificate, certified immunization record (available at the health department) and your work and local numbers in case of emergency.

For more information, call (810) 667-2401.

Board of Education changes locations of two April meetings

There are changes in location for two April meetings of the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education. The changes are:

The April 1 regular board meeting will be in the Administration and Services Center.

The April 15 work session will be at Rolland-Warner Middle School.

'World class' program coming to Lapeer middle schools

“The Forgotten Middle” will be transformed into a solid bridge to the future in the Lapeer Community Schools.

Timed to launch with the start of the Fall 2010 semester at Rolland-Warner and Zemmer middle schools, the district will debut a new curriculum designed to better integrate grades six through eight into students’ academic and social preparation for graduation and college. The curriculum is designed to be a better bridge between state requirements for curriculum at the elementary and high school levels.

Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent Debbie Thompson called the initiative a “world class” addition to the district’s instructional program.

Members of a district-wide committee helping to shape the curriculum presented highlights of it to the Board of Education and public during a meeting at Schickler Elementary School on Thursday.

The plan focuses on a flexible core block of classes with a team approach. Teachers will share teams of 120-130 students and will work together to develop class schedules and address needs of their students.

The I-Connect component will allow time for students to talk to each other and a trusted adult about issues they might be facing outside of the classroom. It is designed to improve communication between students, teachers and parents.

Committee member and Zemmer at Rolland-Warner Acting Assistant Principal Merideth Collins said for many years middle school has “simply been tagged on” to the elementary and high school programs.

“While students have been taken care of on either side of the middle … we need to focus on what we will do for those kids while they are there in order to bridge that gap between early education and high school reform,” Collins said.

Collins said research has shown that building sustainable relationships with students in the middle school grades makes a significant contribution to their academic and social success.

“It gives them the skills and tools necessary to be successful during their high school years,”she said.

Committee member and Zemmer at Rolland-Warner Assistant Principal Joe Shoopman said it is important to develop strong relationships with students early to help them graduate and be successful in college.

“The path to graduation does not start in high school, it begins in kindergarten,” he said. “Current research suggests that when there are not behavior issues, when students are attending at 95 percent, that their chance of graduating at the end of 12th grade is tremendously improved.”

Turrill Elementary students learn that math is "Awesome"

The Awesome Math Projects and Skills after-school program at Turrill Elementary School helps students get a jump-start on understanding math problems. Turrill teacher Mrs. Pasek teaches the group of fifth- and sixth-graders, who meet on Thursdays at 3:15 p.m.

Video features highlights of Lapeer West High School choir's holiday concert

Lapeer West High School's choir celebrated the holidays with a special concert in December. View the highlights in this new video.

Lapeer East athletes sign letters of intent

Lapeer East High School athletes Payton McCallum (Grand Valley State University) and Ellery Owen (St. Clair Community College) signed their letters of intent at a ceremony on February 3, 2010.

Two of Lapeer East High School’s standout athletes were praised Wednesday for their hard work in the classroom and in their sports when they signed commitment letters to colleges.

During signing ceremonies in the school’s Media Center, family, teammates and friends celebrated with Payton McCallum and Ellery Owen as they made their first steps into their college careers.

Payton, who played offense and defense for the Lapeer East High School varsity football team, signed to play at Grand Valley State University. Ellery accepted an offer to play for St. Clair Community College next year.

“These are two amazing student athletes who have done it in the classroom and on the court and field,” East Athletic director Sharon Miller said of the pair.

Payton said he is eager to begin college but doesn’t know if a career in the pros is in his future.

“But I would love it,” he said.

His East coach praised Payton’s dedication.

It’s a testament to his hard work that he is going there (to GVSU),” Coach Jake Weingartz said. “I’ll be very excited to watch him the next four years.”

Payton was named a First Team offense and defense player in the Flint Metro League and was named co-Most Valuable Player.

Ellery said she believes attending St. Clair Community College will be a good learning experience for her.

“It was my very biggest goal to go to a place like this (SCCC),” she said. “I love volleyball and it will be a great experience for me to meet new people.”

Her East coach said her performance lifted the entire team.

“Just her presence on the court made everyone around her better and made us a better team,” Coach Dan Purvis said. “She’s just a great kid.”

SCCC Coach Chuck Weisner said he is excited to have Ellery join his team.

“We’ve recruited very, very well this year,” Coach Weisner said. “ We’ve gotten the best kids from the area and Ellery is no exception.”

Ellery was a Flint Metro League First Team selection while at East.

Lapeer students to honor longtime teacher and coach David "KP" Kirkpatrick

For 30 years, Coach David “KP” Kirkpatrick was devoted to his students as a teacher, counselor and athletic coach.

Coach Kirkpatrick passed away last March after a battle with cancer, but his students have not forgotten the impact he made on their lives.

On Friday, February 12, the students will honor their friend and mentor with “KP Fight Cancer Night.” The varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from Lapeer East and Lapeer West will dedicate their games to him. All proceeds from concession stand sales and a 50/50 drawing on that night will be donated to Katie’s Wings, a charity named after Mr. Kirkpatrick’s late daughter, Katie , that helps cancer patients. A table will be set up during the varsity games to take donations from people who would like to make additional contributions.

“On behalf of my family, thank you to the basketball teams and their coaches for the dedication of the games to KP, and thank you to those organizing the night who have invested so much of their time and energy,” Niki Kirkpatrick, the coach’s wife and a Murphy Elementary School teacher, said. “Whether in the classroom, in the counseling office or on the court, KP put everything he had into what he did. He approached his fight against cancer with the same determination and would have been so humbled by this honor and also so grateful to those supporting the cause.”

During his three decades with Lapeer Community Schools, Coach Kirkpatrick taught biology at Lapeer West and was a counselor at East and West high schools and at White Junior High School. He coached the varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Lapeer West and lower level soccer at Lapeer East. He coached junior high track at White Junior High School for years and coached youth soccer for the Lapeer Soccer Club.

Anyone unable to attend the February 12 games can still make a contribution by writing a check payable to Katie’s Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, MI, 48455.

Donations can also be mailed: KP Fight Cancer Night, c/o Bill Kinzer or Andy Roberts, Lapeer West High School, 170 Millville Road, Lapeer, MI 48446

Lapeer West to usher in spring with first annual Spring Fashion Show

They are eager for spring at Lapeer West High School and they want to spread the fever.

Sponsored by the Lapeer West Junior Student Council, the school will host a Spring Fashion Show at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11. The first annual show will feature 20 senior couples in prom attire and local businesses will have displays with incentives and coupons.

The Lapeer West Jazz Band will perform. For the first time ever, the school will crown a Mr. Lapeer West. To enter for a chance to win that honor, sign up in the Counseling Office before Friday, February 12. First prize is $50!

Other events include raffles for prom tickets and prizes.

There also will be the chance to sell your old prom dress. Bring your slightly used dress to be displayed for potential buyers. Dresses will be tagged with the owner’s name, address and phone number along with the size and price. Cost to display a dress will be $5 each or $10 for three, with proceeds going to the student council. Dresses will be accepted for display from 5-6:30 p.m. the day of the fashion show. Dresses that do not sell will be available for pick-up at the end of the show.

Admission to the fashion show is $2 with tickets available at the door.

Video offers highlights of Lapeer East Eighth Grade Band Holiday Concert

The Lapeer East Eighth Grade Band ushered in the holidays with a December concert. See the highlights in this new video.

Relive highlights of the Lapeer East Choir Holiday concert with new video

The Lapeer East Choir celebrated the holidays with a concert. Relive the highlights in this video.

New Zemmer Middle School construction photos

Take a look at some new construction photos from Zemmer Middle School. New steel framing for the main south entry has been installed.

Lapeer West junior Justin Hellebuyck wins design contest

Lapeer West junior Justin Hellebuyck won a statewide SkillsUSA Michigan design contest and will see his winning artwork on the cover of the group’s program for its State Convention.

Justin made the design in his Computer Aided Design class at the Lapeer Education and Technology Center. A total of 133 designs were submitted and Justin’s emerged in the top 3 in the contest.

The son of Frank and Marie Hellebuyck, of Otter Lake, Justin hopes to work with computers as a career.

According to the SkillsUSA website, the group is a “partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.” The organization has 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territorial associations.

The convention will be in Lansing in April.

Students find creative ways to raise money for Haitian earthquake relief efforts

Money raised during a concert at Lapeer East High School will be donated to the Haitian relief effort through the Healing Hands International Organization.

The “Helping Haiti Heal Benefit Concert!” which is being organized by East students Katherine Baeckeroot and Rebecca Wright, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 5, at the Lapeer East High School Auditorium and will feature East junior Tate Robinson playing the guitar and singing. Lapeer East Social Studies Teacher Al Margrif, who has played guitar since he was 12, will offer his brand of acoustic rock.

Rick Samano, owner of Lapeer Music in downtown Lapeer, is bringing his electric guitar for his part of the concert. Tickets are $5.

“My heart was torn by the images of the devastation on the island of Haiti,” said Mr. Margrif. “When I was asked if I could play a few songs in a fundraiser, I jumped at the chance. I love the students at Lapeer East and I wanted to help them in their effort to raise funds for the people of Haiti.”

Students also plan to host a silent auction during the concert.

At Lapeer West, senior Wei Li Crawford is continuing her effort to raise money for Haiti by selling T-shirts. The shirts are $10 and are available at Lapeer West High School.

Lapeer East students in Mr. Russell Reitz’s Spanish classes raised more than $300 for the Helping Haiti Heal drive. The top class was Mr. Reitz’s third hour class.

Lapeer East cheerleaders travel to Escanaba for competition

Escanaba might be an unusual winter destination, but the Lapeer East Cheerleading squad made the trek there recently for a good reason ­-- to compete in a cheerleading event.

The girls on the squad, their parents and Coach Naomi Peck raised $3,500 to take the 20 girls, coaches and chaperones to the event at Escanaba High School. Money collected from cookie dough sales, car washes, raffles and donations from sponsors made the trip possible.

Crossing the Mackinac Bridge was a first for about half the team, which made the eight-hour trip Friday, January 22.

The team was served a potluck dinner prepared by parents of the Escanaba High School team. The girls attended a boys’ basketball game at Escanaba High School on Saturday, then had a swim outing with the Escanaba cheerleaders at the Super 8 Motel.

Coach Peck learned of the Escanaba Invitational Cheerleading event through a state cheerleading website and from her aunt, who is a cook at Escanaba High School.

The Lapeer East girls’ also were featured in an article in the Escanaba Daily Press newspaper.

“It was a great trip and a great experience for our team,” said Coach Peck.

The Eagles finished in fifth place in the nine-team field.