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Lapel High School 2004 Sectional team: (from left, front row) E.J. Cripe and Kyle Holsinger; (second row) Zach Scott, Mitch Street and Jason Holsinger; (back row) Kevin Carey, Matt Krause, Drew Hill, Tyler Prater, Brad Lantz, Brett Bays and J.R. Renbarger.
By Ray Tincher | For The Times-Post
In January 2004, we were searching the galaxy as we sent a spacecraft (Spirit) to land on the surface of Mars. Three weeks later, we sent another spacecraft (Opportunity) to also land on the surface of Mars.
In February 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched The Facebook, later renamed Facebook, a social networking website for Harvard University students. From there, the website would explode into a giant social network for the world to use.
On June 21, 2004, preliminary hearings began in Iraq in the trial of President Saddam Hussein, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was later found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
On Nov. 2, 2004, George W. Bush is re-elected President, defeating his Democratic challenger John Kerry.
One of the largest tsunamis to ever occur took place the day after Christmas 2004, in the Indian Ocean from an earthquake with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (violent). The tsunamis affected the coastal areas of Thailand, India, the Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia, killing more than 200,000 people.
Back in Lapel, in January 2004, Kenneth Bourke, Jim Bauer and Douglas Gibbs were presented with a plaque from Fire Chief Gary Flowers for their many years of volunteer service to the Lapel community. Bourke served from 1972 to 2003, Bauer from 1977 to 2003 and Gibbs from 1978 to 2003.
Also in June 2004, Buzz Anderson, the Lapel Postmaster since 1993, said goodbye after 36 years of U.S. Postal Service. Buzz said, “It is time to do some other things like hunt and fish.” He graduated from the Lapel High School in 1967.
Xavier Murphy, a freshman at Lapel High School, was invited to serve as a Senate Page in the Indiana’s 113th General Assembly. Xavier is the son of Marcia and David Murphy. He served under Sen. Lanane.
Bill Morton, principal at Lapel Jr. Sr. High School, was thrilled with the scores of the 2004 ISTEP tests. Morton said they spoke well of the skill level of the students and teachers. The seventh-grade language art mastery scores averaged 85% while math scores came in at an all time high of 91%. This reflected a very strong class of students.
The 2004 LHS basketball team abilities were not only limited to the basketball court. With an accumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.53, it’s evident the team had “more on the ball” than sports. The only senior on the 2004 team was Mitch Street, with a 3.7 GPA. He is the son of Jeff and Sherri Street.
On Feb. 25, 2004, Lapel was shocked by a double homicide. Cory Clark and her four-year-old daughter were senselessly murdered in her home. Fredrick Michael Baer of Indianapolis was charged with the crime.
In March 2004, Erin Ostling, Kathryn Rees, Alicia Hendricks, Savannah Branham, Amy Scott, Mitch Street, Kyle Morrison, Lyndsey Cobb, Daniel Smith and Chris Douglas were inducted into the Lapel Academic Hall of Fame.
In 2004, after 34 years as an educator, Woody Fields was named the new principal at Lapel Elementary School. Fields taught sixth grade for 32 years and served as athletic director for two years. Woody said, “My heart is in elementary education.”
The Lapel High School faculty for the graduating class of 2004 were David Barker, Mark Boudrot, Judy Brown, Dorinda Cassiday, Richard Cassiday, Bill Chase, Amy Clark, Diane Clark, Danita Dittlinger, Ben Durham, Katherine Ewers, Rhonda Fields, Woody Fields, Denise Gray, Lisa Hagan, Cheryl Hensley, Tim Hildebrand, Debbie Johnson, Marianne Julius, Clinton Knies, Mindy Linville, John Maryan, Brenda Mills, Bill Morton, Alicia Neher, Janet Passwater, John Scholl, Greg Scott, Bobbi Seager, Julie Strom, Jeannine Terhune, Zoe Terhune and Susan Tudor.
The 2004 class valedictorian was Chris Douglas, and the salutatorian was Erin Ostling. The class officers were Andrew Carey — president, Jon Lowe — vice president, Alicia Hendricks — secretary, Mitch Street — treasurer.
The other seniors graduating were Kyle Alexander, William Beach, Savannah Branham, Drew Brinker, Melanie Buell, Jamie Buhrmester, David Butler, Kristoffer Campbell, Russell Chaudion, Lyndsey Cobb, Nicholas Cox, Ryan Davis, Benoit Dussaix, Kirby Flint, Amanda Follmar, Kelcie Forrer, Renee Givens, Kristin Grigsby, Ashley Hall, Alice Henderson, Christian Hollingsworth, Landon Knepp, Joshua McDaniel, Beth McDermit, Nicolette McMahon, Daniel McRoberts, Kathleen Mills, Megan Moore, Timothy Morrison, Tyler Morton, Jesko Neuhaus, Tiffany Owens, Krisandra Randall, Kathryn Rees, Christopher Ricci, Raeanna Rushton, Tyler Savage, Jack Scherer, Amy Scott, Ronald Shearl II, Jill Simmermon, Brittany Simmons, Kristal Smart, Cindy Smith, Daniel Smith, Heather Weston, Kristin Whitehead, Anna Wilson, Aaron Withrow and Jacklyn Woodward. .
In LHS sports for 2004, Kelcie Forrer received a scholarship and signed to play basketball for Ancilla College. Her mother Beth and sister Kaitlyn James were at the signing and expressed their support. Also at the signing were her high school coach Steve Lantz, assistant coach Jerry Scott, Woody Fields and head coach Dave Liverance.
Jill Simmermon received the “Heart of the Bulldogs” award. Jill also received the varsity MVP award, leading scorer, leading rebounder, leading stealer and leading assists. She was also named the All Madison County Team, All Sectional 56 Team, and All WRAC Conference Team.
Wrestler Eric McConnell, 122-pound weight class, finished first at the Sheridan High School Invitational. Other Bulldogs receiving awards were Andrew Helms, Jamie Carolina, Ryan Wilson, David Glover, Josh “Bubba” McDaniel and Chris Ricci.
Other notable achievements: King and queen were Alex Beeman and Brandy Presslor; Outstanding Musician was Dan Smith; The 12th grade Presidential Education Award went to S. Branham, L. Cobb, C. Douglas, K. Morrison, E. Ostling and A. Scott.
We cannot forget the hard working varsity cheerleaders, who were always supporting, encouraging, cheering and assisting at every event. Win or lose, the cheerleaders never reveal their disappointments. During 2004, the varsity cheerleaders were Heather Wallace, Katie Mills, Kate Ramsey, Kristy Grigsby and Tina Hollingsworth.
The boys varsity basketball team had a great season finishing 13-5 for the season. The Lapel community got behind the team. The season ended at sectional, however.
The girls varsity basketball team also had a great year, finishing 11-7.
The band entered the most competitive show when they stepped onto the State Fair fairgrounds. Band members marched in the dirt and gave it their best efforts. They made the cut of the best 16 bands. They later performed in an evening event to decide the top band in Indiana.
That evening, the Bulldogs gave it their all and came in 15th. What pride they had coming home, realizing they were the best 15th high school band in Indiana that day. Go Bulldogs!