One Lapeer Blog

From Coach Linda Wagner:

Wow! What a weekend of great competition! Our team finished 5th overall out of 11 teams at the Genesee County Invitational! So many new personal best times were achieved with very exciting races. I couldn’t be more proud of our team and their accomplishments so far this season!

It was a big day for Sarah Thompson (Senior), Kate Groulx (Sophomore) and Faith Regulinski (Freshman).  Thompson scored 36 individual points for our team, followed by Groulx with 32 and Regulinski with 22.  They all also earned points for our team in their 200 & 400 Freestyle Relays. (* denotes a new personal best time)

Sarah Thompson:
Prelims:
– 1st place – 100 Butterfly 1:01.15 *
– 4th place – 100 Backstroke 1:04.15 * (Also broke her school record again)

Finals:
– 1st place – 100 Butterfly 1:00.94 *
– 3rd place – 100 Backstroke 1:04.85

Kate Groulx:
Prelims:
– 3rd place – 200 IM 2:28.00 *
– 1st place – 500 Freestyle 5:51.45 *

Finals:
– 2nd place – 200 IM 2:26.47 *
– 4th place – 500 Freestyle 5:49.98 *

Faith Regulinski:
Prelims:
– 6th place – 50 Freestyle 26.73 *
– 6th place – 100 Backstroke 1:08.92 *

Finals:
– 8th place – 50 Freestyle 27.06
– 8th place – 100 Backstroke 1:10.43

Relays:
– 10th place – 200 Medley Relay 2:27.05
Kristine Martinez, Alexis Polega, Rylie Preece, Elaina O’Donnell

– 4th place – 200 Freestyle Relay 1:50.10 *
Sarah Thompson, Faith Regulinski, Juliana Sornig, Kate Groulx

– 3rd place – 400 Freestyle Relay 4:04.01 *
Juliana Sornig, Kate Groulx, Faith Regulinski, Sarah Thomspon

Although Juliana Sornig (Junior) just missed out of the top 16, finishing 20th in the 50 Freestyle and 19th in the 100 Freestyle, she certainly pulled her weight in the 200 & 400 Freestyle Relays.

Elaina O’Donnell (Sophomore) also just missed out of placing in the top 16 in the 200 Freestyle.  O’Donnell finished 18th and achieved a new personal best time of 2:29.76.

Two other Freshman to be watching are Alexandria  Roberts and Hadley Rasnick.  Roberts finished 19th in the 100 Butterfly dropping 7.58 seconds to achieve her new personal best time of 1:25.09.  Rasnick dropped 10.97 seconds in her 100 Freestyle achieving her new personal best time of 1:21.01.

• College Night is coming October 3, 2016 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Lapeer High School, 933 S. Saginaw in Lapeer. Over 50 colleges, trade programs and armed forces representatives will be represented!

• The ASVAB will be given at CFI on October 25. This is a free aptitude test for 11th and 12th grade students. It gives a student insight into what they like and may be good at career-wise.

• Senior  Slam! will take place on October 5 at CFI. All seniors will participate in this entire day career and college readiness experience. 12th grade students will learn about the Hot Jobs and how to get them as well as complete the FSA ID. Students MUST bring their social security number.

• LHS will host a Financial Aid Night on October 12 at 6 p.m. in the media center. All juniors, seniors and their parents should attend. Come learn about the changes in FAFSA and all other types of financial aid to help pay for education at the next level.

• Sophomores and their parents are invited to an information night about the Lapeer Early College on October 12. Plan to attend to find out how to earn your associates for VERY little cost!!

LAPEER, Michigan –For decades to come, all who enter the newly-renovated Lapeer Athletic Complex will be greeted by the memory of one of our community’s best and brightest, gone too soon.

The Clarke B. Adams Memorial Fund generously donated the funds to erect brass signage at the main entrance to the complex; the final piece of the three-year renovation was unveiled this week. The monument honors the men and women in our community who have generously supported this ambitious project.

The plaque signage is supported by two stone pillars that once stood at the entry to the athletic fields at the original Lapeer High School, built in the 1920s. The pillars were painstakingly transplanted by members of our building and grounds staff to be the first thing visitors see upon entering the complex. They represent our passage from the past to the future, commemorating the 2014 reunification of Lapeer High School.

Clarke, a graduate of Lapeer High School (1970), embodied the competitive spirit of Lapeer. Life was a team sport for Clarke, and his memory still endures in the lives of his teammates — his friends and family.

“I’ve never known anyone like him and I’m pretty sure I never will,” said Jack Nesbitt, one of Clarke’s closest friends. “He loved life and had an amazing personality that just made you want to be with him.”

Just months after Clarke passed away unexpectedly in 2001, a group of his friends established a memorial fund to honor him and, by connection, the community he loved.

“He was an honest and humble man who loved others and to whom many were drawn as friends, coworkers and customers,” said Bob Van DeVenter. “His handshake was a commitment.”

Clarke loved sports, especially basketball, and was an accomplished student-athlete. After graduation from LHS, he attended Central Michigan University where he earned his BBA in finance. After a stint in the banking industry, he served as vice president of New Century Auto Sales in Lapeer (now Rightway Auto and Gateway Financial).

Although many of Clarke’s friends do not reside in the Lapeer area, they insisted that their generous contributions support young people in our community. That’s the way he would have wanted it.

Clarke’s lifelong friend, Dick Rickett, also passed away suddenly just a couple years after Clarke. His wife and children requested memorials for Dick be made to the Clarke B. Adams Memorial Fund. Both men graduated from Lapeer High School in 1970 and from CMU years later.

“They were both full of integrity and good humor,” said Susan Wilmers, Clarke’s sister. “Friends and families of both men chose to turn the loss into a positive experience for the young people in this community.”

In the past 15 years, over $60,000 has been given in scholarships to Lapeer graduates. The selection committee seeks out students who share many of the traits that made Clarke a friend, mentor and role model to many — honesty, integrity and work ethic.

“Without the generous support of the people of goodwill in this community, we would not be the District we are today,” said Matt Wandrie, Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent. “We are so appreciative of their support of our students and staff.”

For their generous donation and continued support of the students of Lapeer Community Schools, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Clarke B. Adams Memorial Fund.

Anyone interested in donating to the Clarke B. Adams Fund, please visit the Lapeer Community Foundation website at lapeercountycf.org.

The Lapeer County Community Foundation

• Builds and manages permanent endowment funds from a wide variety of donors to provide grants that enhance the quality of life in Lapeer County, now and for future generations.
• Is a local organization directed by a local volunteer Board of Trustees focusing on local community needs for all of Lapeer County.
• Is managed locally and known for prudent stewardship and investment practices.
• Focuses on long-term enhanced community quality of life through endowment funds.

Lapeer Community Schools has tabbed Amy Maruca as principal of the Zemmer 8-9 Campus following the resignation of Aaron Shinn earlier this month. Shinn is now principal of Milan (MI) High School.

Maruca, a Washington Township resident, has been the principal of Wolfe Middle School in Center Line since 2005. She spent eight years as a teacher in Capac Community Schools before becoming an administrator. During her time in the classroom, she taught language arts, psychology and public speaking. As a principal, she has developed an engaged learning community with a strong emphasis on project-based learning.

Maruca earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Oakland University.

She will begin in her new role next week.

For more information, please contact Jared Field at jfield@lapeerschools.org.

Lapeer Community Schools and the Lapeer High School Alumni Association are proud to announce inductees for the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor: Rick Burrough (Class of 1982), Connie Helmick-Pfeiffer (Class of 1965) and Gary Phillips (Class of 1986).

All of these inductees have distinguished themselves as tremendous stewards of the education and training they received from Lapeer Community Schools; they are role models for all students.

Rick Burrough Lapeer East High School Class of 1982: Eric “Rick” Burrough is a lifelong resident of the Lapeer area who has achieved significant business success during his career. He began his career in the printing and newspaper business working at The County Press and Webco Press. He went to work for the commercial web printing company Michigan Web Press in Davisburg in the late 1980s ultimately being named a partner there in 1990 before taking sole ownership of the business in 1998.

In 2003, as owner and president of JAMS Media, he launched the Lapeer Area View. Wes Smith, Publisher of the View Newspaper Group, credits Burrough with the revival of community journalism in Lapeer County.  “At that time, The County Press was owned by an out-of-state corporation that did not prioritize local news and sports coverage,” Smith said.

Burrough, who purchased the County Press in 2009, has been an ardent supporter of the Lapeer community through advocacy, in-kind donations and sponsorships of local organizations and events. The View Newspaper Group now includes 15 community newspapers with weekly print circulation of 250,000 copies and 100 employees, most of whom work at the company’s headquarters in The County Press building here in Lapeer.

Connie Helmick-Pfeiffer, Lapeer High School Class of 1965: Throughout her 41-year career training people to work alongside and care for people with disabilities, Pfeiffer earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues. Pfeiffer earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Leadership and Administration from Eastern Michigan University, earning both degrees while working full-time and raising a family.

Pfeiffer spent 21 years working at Oakdale Regional Center in Lapeer. After it closed, she worked at the Clinton Valley Center and the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center (MORC). She retired from her life’s work in 2013. In 18 years at MORC, she trained over 11,000 direct support professionals.

Kym Juntti, Director of Training at MORC said Connie was a favorite among those under her tutelage. “She was deeply committed to teaching positive, proactive strategies that led those we service feeling safer and more valued in this world … not only does she deserve this special recognition, but also a big community ‘thank you’ for representing you so well over the years,” she said.

Gary Phillips, Lapeer East Class of 1986: Phillips, a strong supporter of the Lapeer Community for many years, is the Director of Chassis Components and Plant Manager at ZF in Lapeer. He has been in this position since 2004, managing 360 employees.

Karen Rosso, who works with Phillips, said his number one priority is his family, so he goes the extra mile to ensure that his employees are able to care for their families. “When one of our own is in need, he will personally ensure that person gets support.”

Phillips is a well-known and respected member of the Lapeer community. He has been involved in the Adopt a Highway program that includes a three-mile stretch of I-69. ZF annually hosts a charity golf outing and is an active supporter of local schools. This support includes annual scholarships to Lapeer graduates, grants to Lapeer Robotics and educational assistance to students interested in manufacturing and skilled trades.

The Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor program is cooperatively sponsored by Lapeer Community Schools and the Lapeer High School Alumni Association.  The award was created to recognize and honor the accomplishments of the outstanding men and women who graduated from our schools.  By celebrating these role models, we inspire today’s students to move forward in their own pursuit of excellence.

A ceremony will be held in their honor at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in the Irwin Board Room at the Administration and Services Center, 250 Second St., in Lapeer.  The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

From Lapeer Community Schools and Clarkston Community Schools:

In recent days there has been some confusion surrounding the logistics of the inaugural Battle at the Big House, a series of seven football games featuring some of the state’s top programs. Concerns have been raised about the level of participation of student groups, including marching bands, in the three-day event. The co-sponsors of the event, Lapeer Community Schools and Clarkston Community Schools, are committed to accommodating these groups.

Officials from both host schools are currently working out the details and will communicate directly with administrators from the participating schools.

We look forward to being a part of this great event!

LAPEER, Michigan — Football fans in Lapeer have a couple compelling reasons to take in the Lightning’s first open inter-squad practice and scrimmage this weekend: They can see this year’s team up close and, while they’re at it, check out the District’s new digs.

Oh, and one more: It’s free for the whole family.

On Saturday, August 13, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., everyone is invited to the new and improved LCS Athletic Complex (former Lapeer West campus) for the Lapeer Lightning Football Community Open House. This is a great opportunity to see this year’s teams, meet the coaching staffs and tour our state-of-the-art facility.

The final touches are being placed on Fitzpatrick Field, the new home of Lapeer Football and Lacrosse. This project represents the final stage of a three-year process that has brought one of the state’s best outdoor athletic facilities to Lapeer. This include our brand new turf field, track and team rooms.

“We could not be more proud of how this project has come together,” said LCS Superintendent Matt Wandrie. “We are so grateful for the generosity of our community partners. Without them, there’s no way this ambitious undertaking would have gotten off the ground.”

Lapeer varsity football coach Mike Smith will give the community an update on the program and share important information with parents. Freshmen, junior varsity and varsity teams will all be featured at the open house.

For more information, contact Jared Field at jfield@lapeerschools.org.