Tippecanoe Distinguished Alumni Welcomes New Members
By BRETT BOGGS
The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation welcomed its seventh class of Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni on September 15th and 16th by inducting nine new members into the Class of 2016.
These two very special days were made possible by the efforts of many, including the members of the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Committee (Mike Bendicsen, Stephanie Bibler, Tabitha Floor, Blaine Hartzler, Robin Heckman, Cassie Jensen, Sherri Johnson, Angie Miller, and Chrissy Mills) who planned and conducted the Distinguished Alumni Dinner and Induction Day activities. Head Cooks Dora Maish and Nikki Rutherford and their staff members prepared a delicious meal for the Distinguished Alumni Dinner. Members of the TVHS Student Council, under the leadership of sponsors Cami Shriver and Crystal Heckaman, served Thursday evening’s dinner and acted as student liaisons to the inductees throughout the Induction Day activities. Table linens and cloth napkins provided by Wildman Uniform and Linen added a special touch to the formal event. Interviews conducted by local radio personality, Rita Price, allowed the guests to meet and learn more about the individual inductees. Each interview also included a Valley K-12 educator(s) identified by the inductee as having made a significant impact on his/her life. Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Principal Scott Backus and Head Custodian Ron Jeanine Willard are to be thanked for hosting the dinner.
Thank you to Teachers Credit Union and Karen Mayer for serving as this year’s corporate sponsor of the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Dinner and Induction Day activities.
Local journalist, Robin Heckaman, composed the nicely written biography of each inductee. The audio presentations of the inductees read aloud at halftime of the home football game were recorded by TVHS Senior Chris Secrist. TVSC Director of Technology Keith Lang and his staff made all the necessary Induction Day technology arrangements and were responsible for playing the halftime audio presentations. Shaun Miller handcrafted the beautiful commemorative wood plaques presented to the inductees.
Thank you to Rochester Telephone Company’s Scott Sayger for recording the individual Induction Day interviews that will be broadcast on RTCtv’s local cable television station and available for viewing on their website.
Special thanks go to TVHS Principal Mike Bendicsen, Assistant Principal Jon Hutton, and the entire TVHS staff for providing a unique learning experience for the school’s students by allowing them the opportunity to meet and learn about the careers and lives of the inductees.
The Class of 2016 features outstanding graduates of Tippecanoe Valley High School, Akron High School, Beaver Dam High School, Mentone High School, and Talma High School who have gone on to lead successful lives while making substantial contributions to their chosen field of work or have provided outstanding service to their community, state, or country.
The Tippecanoe Valley community can be very proud of the quality education it provides for its youth. The Class of 2016 is a vivid example of what can be accomplished by Tippecanoe Valley graduates.