The Thirtieth Annual Academic Excellence Recognition Banquet honoring the top 5 percent of Plymouth High School graduation class was held on March 21. Students honored of the 2016 class included Gloria Garcia, Gabrielle Garver, Karl Gruett, Haley Mills, Kara Morwood, Elise Patrick, and Rachel Rettig. Also honored were Alicia Sanchez, Curtis Smith, Sara Smith, Samuel Stone, Leticia Torres, and Lucas Vervynckt.
The students chose teachers to honor who had been influential in their school lives.
The annual event is sponsored by U.S. Granules. Nick Chaney and James Faulstich of U.S. Granules presented the Academic Excellence Awards and Educator Appreciation Awards. Speaking to the students, Chaney said, “Congratulation goes out to you and your parents and guardians.” He added, “You have the humility to recognize those who have helped us reach the pinnacle.”
Faulstich addressed the teacher honorees saying, “You are the unsung heroes enriching our communities.”
Gloria Garcia choose PHS teacher, Dave Hatcher, to honor. She said, “I think most of us underestimate the value of our teachers.” Speaking of Hatcher, Garcia said he is genuine and loves to see his students succeed. Garcia is the daughter of José Garcia and Maria Garcia. She is undecided as to her future educational path.
Gabrielle Garver will be attending IUSB and study Elementary Education. She is the daughter of Matt Garver and Dawn Garver.She chose Dwight Beguin, PHS, to honor. Garver said, “He is a remarkable person in and out of the classroom. He is a role model.”
Karly Gruett chose Denise Ecker, LJH, to honor. She is the daughter of Michael Gruett and Suzanne Gruett. She plans to attend Butler University to pursue a degree in Biochemistry/Pre-optometry.
Gruett said Ecker is dedicated to being a teacher. She added, “She gives her heart and soul to her students.”
Brandi Brennan , LJH, was the honored guest of Haley Mills . Mills said Brennan has been her vocal instructor and choir teacher for six years. Mills said, “She is a source of inspiration. She pushed me outside of my comfort zone.” Mills plans to pursue her further education in Psychology and Communications. She is the daughter of John Mills and Princessa Mills.
Kara Morwood honored Paul Patrick, PHS. Morwood spoke of Patrick’s humorous and laid back approach in the classroom. Morwood said, “He demands a high level of thinking.”She is the daughter of Shawn Morwood and Kandis Morwood. She will attend the University of Saint Francis to study Business Administration/Finance.
Elise Patrick chose Gene Skirvin , PHS, as her most influential teacher. Patrick plans to study Human Biology at either the University of Michigan or the University of Southern California. She is the daughter of Paul Patrick and Laura Patrick. Speaking of her chosen teacher to honor, Patrick said, “He demands respect in the way he acts.”
Rachel Rettig honored PHS/WSOI teacher, Samantha Schwartz. Rettig said Schwartz is willing to do anything to help her students. She said, “She inspired me to have passion and search for knowledge.”Rettig is the daughter of William Rettig and Rebecca Rettig. She plans to attend Purdue University to study Computer Information Technology.
Alicia Sanchez, daughter of Jimmy Sanchez and Linda Sanchez, will attend Miami University and major in Biology-Pre Medical Studies. She chose to honor Amy Schmeltz, PHS. Sanchez said, “She inspired me to become more open.” She said in her first day of Student Publication classes that she had a feeling that Schmeltz was going to be a great teacher.
Curtis Guild Smith chose Curtis Nordmann, PHS/WSOI , teacher to honor. Smith, son of Dr. Tim Smith and Sarah Smith, is undecided concerning his future education.Smith said he learned from Nordmann that no student should be allowed to quit. He said, “He didn’t want to see anyone fail.”
Sara Smith honored Carl Davis, PHS/WSOI. She is the daughter of Eric Smith and Marlene Smith. Smith intends to pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University. She said she always looked forward to his class. Smith said, “He made me more intentional about my learning.”
Samuel Stone named Lacy Buck, PHS, to honor. Stone said, “She helped prepare me for college.She helped me think outside the box.” Stone plans to pursue a degree in Economics at Hillsdale College. He is the son of Jerry Stone and Melinda Stone.
Bryan Ames, PHS, was chosen by Leticia Torres. Torres said that Ames helped her blossom as a person. She said, “He treats students with respect.”Torres is undecided concerning her future education, She is the daughter of Luis Torres and Alicia Torres.
Lucas Vervynckt honored Delia Gadziola, PHS, as his most influential teacher. Vervynckt said Gadziola encouraged him to study abroad.He said, “She taught me to follow my passions.”
Vervynckt, son of Jim Vervynckt and Laura Vervynckt , is undecided about his future educational path.
