Four Lapeer East High School athletes heading to Adrian College to play football, volleyball

The Adrian College Bulldogs will become very familiar with the Lapeer East Eagles next year.

On Tuesday, four Lapeer East High School athletes will celebrate their commitments to attend and play for Adrian College at a 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 25, ceremony in the school’s Media Center.

Adrian College’s football team will have the largest representatives from Lapeer East with three players from last year’s Eagles’ squad going to the Bulldogs. Eric Rieves, Anthony Hunt and Sebashton Sullivan have made commitments.

East football coach Jake Weingartz and Adrian College head football coach Jim Deere are scheduled to be on hand, along with family and friends of the players.

Also going to Adrian College is Casey Donovan a standout Lapeer East volleyball player. Lapeer East volleyball coach Dan Purvis and Adrian College head volleyball coach Elisa Joris are scheduled to be at the ceremony along with Casey’s family and friends.

LCS TV station back on the air

With technology issues resolved, the Lapeer Community Schools is happy to announce that its public television station, Channel 99, is back on the air. The previous District station was Channel 18.

Charter cable subscribers in the District will now have access to 24-hour programming on the channel.

School videos and information will be updated frequently and a current and future air schedule will be included among the information.

To catch up, the District will be airing graduation activities from the 2009 classes at Lapeer East, Lapeer West and Lapeer Community High Schools during the next few weeks. Those activities include Swing Out and commencement exercises. Concerts from the current and previous years will also run through the summer. Videos of the Rolland Warner Open House from last summer will also be aired.

Lapeer East High School cross country runner commits to run for Oakland CC

Lapeer East High School cross country runner Stephanie Morris will commit to participate in the Oakland Community College Cross Country team next fall at a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27 in the East Media Center.

East Cross Country coaches Duane Machesney and Noelle Grignani will be present along with Stephanie’s friends and family for the ceremony.

Public invited to Zemmer Middle School ribbon-cutting, open house in August

A new era in education is about to be launched at Lapeer Community Schools, and the District wants to celebrate with the community that helped make it happen. Before the opening of Rolland-Warner Middle School last summer, it had been more than 30 years since a major school building project was completed.

The opening of the new Zemmer Middle School, 1920 W. Oregon Road, will be celebrated at a Ribbon-Cutting and Open House at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12. Members of the public are invited to attend to mark not only the opening of the state-of-the-art school their support helped build, but also the launch of a new educational program designed to better prepare middle school students for high school and college.

Zemmer will join Rolland-Warner as the District’s middle schools. The schools will house students in grades 6-8, and the District will debut a new curriculum designed to better integrate those grades into students’ academic and social preparation for graduation and college.

But first, the open house will be a chance to view the beautiful new school built with voter support.

“It is hard to believe we are at the end of a community-based initiative that resulted in a successful bond vote in May 2007 and the completion of these two beautiful buildings,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “We hope the community will join with us in this celebration of these new schools and what they will mean to our students now and in the future. We again thank our voters for making this possible.”

The new facility includes separate science and computer laboratories for each grade and a large shared media center. A cafeteria space includes a stage for band, drama and musical performances. New art and music rooms also are included.

Lapeer West celebrates athletic scholarship students at ceremony in Media Center

Lapeer West stand out athletes in four sports were honored at a ceremony marking their commitments to four colleges and universities on Friday, May 14, in the Media Center.

Catherine Benscoter will head to Northern Arizona University to play golf. In her career at Lapeer West, Catherine lettered all four years, was named to the All Flint Metro League golf First Team in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the All-State first team in 2008 and 2009. She won the Flint Metro League tournament in consecutive years 2007-2009 and qualified for the State Tournament during those years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and has a 3.52 grade point average. Catherine’s sister, Jacqueline Benscoter also plays for Northern Arizona.

Josh Martinez, who lettered two years in soccer, will attend classes and play for Delta College next year.

Austin Krehel has committed to play Lacrosse for Otterbein University next season. In addition to his skills on the field, Austin compiled a 3.57 grade point average at West.

Lindsay Thams, a right side and middle hitter on the Lapeer West varsity volleyball team, will play for St. Clair Community College. A three-sport athlete at West, Lindsay excelled on and off the court, winning Scholar Athlete honors in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. She won a number of individual honors and was named to the All Flint Metro League second team in 2010.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of these students on and off the court and field,” said Ms. Mary Haslinger. “We wish them the best as they pursue their academic and athletic careers at a higher level.”

(Photo caption: Lapeer West stand out athletes in four sports were honored at a ceremony marking their commitments to four colleges and universities on Friday, May 14, in the Media Center. The students athletes are: (l-r) Austin Krehel (Lacrosse), Josh Martinez (soccer), Lindsay Thams (volleyball), and Catherine Benscoter (golf)

Lapeer West athletes to celebrate sports accomplishments, college scholarships

A group of outstanding Lapeer West High School athletes will be on hand to celebrate their commitments and athletic scholarships to various colleges and universities at Lapeer West High School at 6 p.m. Friday, May 14.

Austin Krehel will play at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio; Catherine Benscoter will play golf at North Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona; Lindsay Thams has agreed to play volleyball at St. Clair Community College and Josh Martinez has will play soccer at Delta Community College.

The media is invited to attend this event.

Previously, on Friday, May 7, Lapeer West varsity football quarterback Nate Smith signed his commitment to play football on scholarship at Concordia College.

Lapeer West sewing students combine learning with service in sewing projects

Lapeer West High School sewing students stitched a little love and caring into class requirements with a community service project to help children at a Flint area medical clinic and Lapeer third and fourth grade students who will be participating in a summer reading program.

Teddy bears of various designs were created by the students in Charlotte Cornell’s sewing class to be given to youngsters at McLaren Specialty Clinic located in Flint, which provides forensic exams for sexually abused children in Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee Counties, to help ease their apprehension.

Like the teddy bears, students in Ms. Cornell’s class picked individual designs for the backpacks, which will be presented to students in the summer reading program to carry books home.

“It’s good for the students to know that their work will be put to such a positive purpose,” said Ms. Cornell. “It’s more than just a class assignment, it is something that will comfort a child or encourage them to read.”

The backpacks will be used by students reading below grade level for a Super Summer Success Reading Program, which was an idea adopted from Oakland schools. Students will return in July for breakfast, a book talk and to swap books with other reading students. Later they will come back to return the books and celebrate their summer reading success.

“Research shows that students who continue reading over the summer will maintain, or exceed, reading levels if they read at least six books over summer,” said Lisa Houk, Supervisor of Language Arts/Social Studies. “We are very grateful to Ms. Cornell and her students for this service project.

Lapeer East, Zemmer students participate in Watershed study of area creeks and rivers

Students from Lapeer East High School and Zemmer Junior High School joined students from 21 area school districts in collecting water samples as part of a Watershed STEM Initiative to investigate the health of area streams, creeks and rivers. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

The Zemmer students took samples from Farmer’s Creek and the Lapeer East students took their samples from Hunter’s Creek. Back in the classrooms, students analyzed the data from the collections.

Students from Mrs. Karen Hale’s class at Zemmer and from the Lapeer East 8th grade classes of Mr. Chad Kenny and Mrs. Cheryl Butterfield’s 11th and 12th grade Forensic Chemistry classes took part in the river study.
Students will identify issues in the local watershed and develop a project to address it under the program.

In Genesee, Lapeer, and Oakland counties, the work done in Flint River GREEN compliments the on-going monitoring project that the Watershed Coalition has conducted for several years. It also provides information for use by the Genesee County Drain Commissioner in fulfilling responsibilities relative to storm water runoff concerns and abatement.

The Watershed Coalition currently has over 30 classrooms in a number of Genesee County school districts involved in Flint River GREEN.

The Watershed STEM Initiative (WSI), is an extension program of Earth Force’s GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network) program. Earth Force is a national nonprofit organization focused on engaging young people as active citizens to improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.

Earth Force is partnering with the Lapeer Intermediate School District, the Flint River Watershed Coaltion and the Clinton River Watershed Council to deliver the WSI in Lapeer County.

Through the WSI teachers will become skilled at combining STEM and civic education into service learning projects and using community resources in the classroom. Students will become adept at using their study of science, technology, engineering and math to investigate watershed problems and civic skills to engage community members to solve those problems.

Professional mentors from agencies across the watershed contribute to student learning and awareness. Prior mentors have come from General Motors, the Genesee County Drain Commissioner’s office, City of Flint, the Center for Applied Environmental Research at UM-Flint, TetraTech, Flint River Watershed Coalition, Sierra Club, and Delphi.

Rain forces cancellation of most athletic contests

All scheduled athletic contests, except for Lapeer East girls’ soccer and an away LaCrosse match for Lapeer West have been cancelled today. Athletic practices will be held or not held at the discretion of the coaches.

Lapeer East cancels athletic events today

Please note that these Lapeer East games/matches have been CANCELLED today, May 11, 2010:

JV Girls Softball at home

Varsity Girls Softball at Carman-Ainsworth

JV Girls Tennis at Davison

Freshman Baseball

Lapeer East senior Samantha Kazor taking academic, athletic skills to LCC

Samantha Kazor has been a strong middle hitter for the Lapeer East High School volleyball team, but Dennis Richardson thinks she has great potential as an outside hitter.

Samantha is happy to make the switch because it means she gets to continue playing volleyball and study sonography at Lansing Community College.

Samantha, an East senior, signed a commitment letter on Friday, May 7, 2010 to accept a scholarship to LCC and play for its volleyball team. Coach Richardson said he is thrilled to have her join the team.

“She’s very talented on the volleyball court with her skills of defense, hitting and blocking,” Richardson said. “With her demeanor and character, she’s the whole package. She’s the kind of kid who is going to push up to the top. We’ve been third and fourth the past several years and she’s going to help us move up.”

Dan Purvis, her coach at East, said he is happy for Samantha.

“I’m real excited to see our players move on to the college level,” he said.

East Principal Kelly Paige praised Samantha for her work on the court and in the classroom.

“Sam is the type of athlete I like to talk about because of her grades,” she said. “She’s nearly a straight-A student and my hat goes off to her.”

Samantha, who said she is studying sonography so she can one day perform diagnostic ultrasound tests, said she plans to get an apartment in the Lansing area while attending LCC.

Lapeer West's Nate Smith signs with Concordia University to study, play football

Nate Smith always dreamed of attending college on a football scholarship.

With some hard work and a little twist of fate, the Lapeer West High School senior’s dream has come true. Nate signed a commitment letter on Friday, May 7, 2010 to accept a football scholarship to Concordia University in Ann Arbor. He will play quarterback for the university.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Nate said at the signing ceremony. “Two weeks ago I thought I was going to Alma (College).”

That was before fate stepped in. Anthony Pratley, Concordia’s Offensive Coordinator, said he was watching a game tape for another team when he saw Nate quarterbacking West’s team.

“I said, ‘We have to get a hold of this kid,’ ” Pratley said. Pratley called Nate’s coach, not then knowing that West Coach Mike Smith also is Nate’s father.

Nate is happy that Pratley called. “I’m glad to be going to a good place with good people to play and study,” he said.

His dad and coach, Mike, also is happy for him. “And maybe just a little bit proud,” he said.

Nate’s mother, Lila, and sister, Maddison, a Lapeer West sophomore, also attended the signing ceremony.

In 2009, Nate was named to the Flint Metro League First Team and led West to a 9-2 record, passing for 1,612 yards and 10 touchdowns. He rushed for seven touchdowns. He also lettered in football, basketball, golf and track.

West Washington, D.C. photos are in, and up

We have received our first set of photos from the Washington, D.C. Lapeer West 8th graders in Washington, D.C. If we receive more today, they will go up later tonight.

Lapeer West Washington photos are coming

There has been a small technical glitch (in D.C.) in getting Lapeer West photos back to put up on the website. We anticipate that tonight we will be able to get at least a few West photos up, or at least by early Sunday. Sorry for the delay, but we're working on it. We are assurred from those on the ground in Washington, D.C. that everyone from West is having a great time, however.

Panthers on the prowl in Washington, D.C.

We received word that the West buses have arrived in Washington, D.C. with its precious cargo of 8th graders and that they are having breakfast.

Eagles have landed, in Washington D.C.

Photos updated Saturday, May 8.

The long bus trip is over and the students are in Washington, D.C.

To follow along (as time permits posting) click on this link to the photo gallery as it will be updated throughout the weekend.

East 8th graders head to Washington, D.C.

The first photos are in from the 8th grade students traveling to Washington, D.C. We will post photos through the weekend, as we receive them.

Murphy Elementary students travel to Safetyville for important lessons

Murphy Elementary School first-graders traveled to Safetyville on Thursday, May 6, 2010, and left with lessons on how to stay safe every day.

Students from the classes of Denise Beachum and Elizabeth Kopchick took a field trip to the National Guard Armory in Lapeer to meet with Lapeer County Deputy Stacy Stimson and his team in Safetyville, a realistic, miniature town with streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, railroad

crossings and buildings. Stimson led the students through a series of fun exercises with a serious goal — keeping them safe in a variety of situations they encounter daily.

Stimson taught students to look both ways before crossing streets and to be aware of and observe traffic signals and signs for vehicles and pedestrians. He taught them what to do if a stranger tries to get them into a car, the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle

and about the dangers of playing with matches.

Safetyville’s lessons also address gun safety, with Stimson giving the children a four-step plan of action: “Stop, don’t touch it, leave the area and tell an adult.”

After the instructions, students got to put some of the advice into action. Climbing on toy tractors, they rode through town while obeying a working traffic light and traffic signs and learning to watch out for pedestrians at intersections. As some of the students rode through

town, others walked along the sidewalks, learning to watch for vehicles that might not be watching out for them.

Stimson said Lapeer County Sheriff Ron Kalanquin implemented the Safetyville program 30 years ago and that it is presented to every district in the county, with about 1,200 first-graders attending every year. Stimson has presented the program for 25 of those years and said he still uses the original equipment and buildings. “These tractors each have 100,000 miles on them,” he jokes.

Deputy Bill Bishop, Reserve Deputy Alex Romig and volunteers Amy Hoffman, Diane Pier, Margaret Smith and Sandy Evach assist Stimson in Safetyville.

“They are all angels,” Pier said of the children visiting Safetyville. “We need to keep them safe.”

Little Shop of Horrors comes to East Stage this weekend

A man-eating plant intent on ruling the world may sound like an old science fiction movie, but it’s actually the star of this Broadway musical, “Little Shop of Horrors.”

To see photos from dress rehearsal visit the photo gallery.

The Lapeer High School Drama Club will present “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Lapeer East Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 7th and 8th and 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 9th. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, and children.

The Lapeer High School production is directed by Jennifer DeWitt and Bill Spruytte, who have co-directed for the past two years. Student assistant director is Kyle Schmude. “Little Shop of Horrors” features fantastic music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the same duo that created “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid” for Disney.

However, make no mistake; “Little Shop of Horrors” is not exactly Disney. The Lapeer High School version of this production carries a PG-13 rating.

Timid, Seymour Krelbourn discovers an exotic plant with a strange appetite for blood and brings it to the florist shop where he works. As the plant begins to grow quickly, so does its hunger for human flesh and blood. Seymour, who is secretly in love with his co-worker Audrey, names the plant Audrey II and strikes up a deal to feed the plant (flesh and blood) in exchange for fame and fortune.

The Lapeer High School production features Matt Schneider as Seymour. Audrey is played by Wei Li Crawford. Audrey II is voiced by Kevin Roach. Orin, Audrey’s sadistic boyfriend, is played by Lucas Cosens. Dylan Dahring plays the role of Mushnik, Seymour’s boss. Audrey II’s backup singers are played by Monique Morris, Leyna Burel, and Liz Smith. Rounding out the cast are, Brandon Turcott, Paul Eastman, Victoria Mullins, and Miranda Sanborn as Skid Row residents.

Music Director for the show is Cheryl Burnside, Ben Motter is technical director, and Becky Prohaska is choreographer.

Lapeer East Volleyball standout to sign to play with Lansing Community College

Lapeer East High School senior Samantha Kazor will sign a letter of commitment to attend classes and play volleyball for Lansing Community College at a ceremony in the East Media Center at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 7.

Her high school coach, Dan Purvis and her new college coach are scheduled to attend.
Samantha was an All-Flint Metro Honorable Mention selection this fall.

Her scholarship is the second for a member of the team in 2009-2010. East’s Ellery Owen previously accepted an offer to play for St. Clair Community College next year.