This article appeared in "The Post & Mail" on January 26, 2006:
High School Paper Reborn
By Jenica Schultz, Staff Writer
Columbia City High School's student newspaper has been resurrected.
In 1990, budget and technology restraints forced the newspaper, then known as The Eagle, to fold. Last year, advisor Lori Brehm started the student newspaper back up again, with the help of her student staff and the support of Principal Steve Doepker, who helped her create the school's first-ever newspaper class.
Aside from the 15-year lapse in publication, CCHS has had a student newspaper since the mid-1930s. Bob Brittain, who was the advisor when the paper folded, said having a newspaper production class makes a huge difference in creating the paper. When he was the advisor, it was difficult to create content and meet weekly deadlines when students were only able to meet after school.
“I guess maybe one of the biggest problems was students didn't have time to do it without a class,” Brittain said.
The paper switched to a biweekly print schedule six years before it folded.
Brehm asked Doepker for a newspaper class after being inspired by high school newspapers she saw at a Franklin College conference. Doepker told her she could start a class if enough students showed interest.
The new student newspaper, called The Talon, first printed last year. Money, one of the reasons The Eagle folded, has not been an issue for The Talon. The monthly paper costs $300 an edition to print, and it is entirely self-sufficient. Every issue is paid for by dollars raised through ad space sold by students. The cost production has lessened since Brittain advised the paper, in part because it is now designed on computers the school already had.
Senior Jessica Miller, Talon editor, said putting together the first edition of the paper was chaotic.
“I can remember the first paper last year. We were rushed, and you could tell that things weren't worked out. Now we have a feel for everything, and we know how things should look. It just comes together a lot easier,” she said.
Miller, who has edited the paper since it began, said her staff has learned a lot about writing and newspaper design. She has seen improvements in the paper since it started.
In its first year of production, The Talon won awards at Ball State University's High School Journalism Day for graphics and advertising.
“Basically we were all just a bunch of novices trying to see what would happen, and it worked,” Brehm said.
Brehm said she loves the chaotic, creative environment of the student newsroom.
“Kids tend to procrastinate. They all need to do something last minute, but they've always pulled it off. I think that's what it's like in a real newspaper room,” she said. “I love working in a busy atmosphere, and it's not your typical structured environment.”
Every other year, Brehm, who is also the yearbook advisor, takes her publication staffs to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association workshop at Columbia University in New York City. The student publication staffs are currently trying to raise $500 a piece for the trip this March. (Note: CCHSAA contributed $100 for the trip, which was made.)
The workshop includes lectures on various journalism and newspaper production topics, from writing to design to advertising. Students will be in classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. They will also have the opportunity to explore some of New York City's cultural sites... (Ed. Note: Alumni wanting to make a donation to support the new school newspaper, should make checks out to CCHSAA & mail to 600 N. Whitley St., Columbia City, IN 46725 with a note that it's for the school newspaper.)
The article below was submitted by Teddy L. Gruver, CCHSAA President, and appeared in the April 2006 issue of the CCHS newspaper "The Talon" and in "The Beacon", the CCHS administrative team's newsletter.
COLUMBIA CITY HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Columbia City High School Alumni Association, also known as CCHSAA, was formed on June 15, 2005 by CCHS alumni Teddy L. Gruver, class of 1957.
The CCHSAA mission statement is to promote school spirit, loyalty and fellowship among alumni, students, faculty and staff of CCHS through a variety of activities.
The CCHS Alumni Association has a free web site located at www.cchsaa.org on the Internet. CCHSAA webmaster Brenda Reeg Robison, (‘60) created the user friendly site, whose interesting and useful features make it worth visiting the web site often.
The CCHSAA web site has a CCHS alumni database for all classmates and past students to enter their personal profile information. The site provides a forum for staying in touch with teachers, classmates and friends of CCHS.
All Officers and Board of Directors, are listed on the CCHSAA website, along with alumni news, class reunions and message board. You can click on the CCHS Fight Song, school history, by-laws and other important CCHSAA information. You can also listen to CCHS radio station 91.5 FM.
Steve Doepker, Principal of CCHS, and Jim Huth, Assistant Principal, have been appointed to the CCHSAA Board of Directors. The association will work closely with school officials through out the school year.
There are currently about 15,000 CCHS alumni from 1881 to 2005 in the CCHSAA alumni database. CCHSAA Class Coordinators for each class school year are selected to keep the CCHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION informed of class news, reunions, and class events throughout the year. CCHSAA class coordinators encourage classmates to enter their personal profiles to the alumni database and to participate in alumni activities.
CCHSAA ambassadors will be visiting class reunions held each year in Columbia City to talk about the association and gather alumni information.
Programs in the works by the Officers and Board of Directors include “Alumni Day” to be held with the “CCHS Homecoming” and “130th CCHS ANNIVERSARY” the first weekend of October 2006. Long-term suggestions include an Academic Hall of Fame, Athletic Hall of Fame, Administrative Hall of Fame, scholarship programs and items needed within the school system.
Donations to the CCHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION are tax deducible (IRS 501 C) and will be handled by the Whitley County Community Foundation. All donations should be made payable to the CCHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION and mailed to the association‘s address, 600 North Whitley Street Columbia City, IN 46725.
An anonymous alumni recently donated $1,000 to the CCHS Alumni Association to help with continuing support of the association and the free alumni web site www.cchsaa.org
A CCHS student can easily move between the CCHSAA web site and the school web site by clicking on connecting links posted on each site.
Directions to enter personal profiles to the CCHSAA database are as follows:
1. Go to www.cchsaa.org
2. On the opening page, left side click “alumni database”
3. Scroll down to “Class Roster”
4. Click on your “ School Year”
5. Find your name under class members
6. Click on your name
7. In the upper left hand corner of your profile, click “Update Entry”
8. Fill out the CCHSAA personal data form
9. Answer the privacy option questions
10. Click “submit” at the bottom of the page
11. In about 48 hours you will receive a confirmation if submission is approved by the webmaster.
The Columbia City High School Alumni Association
600 North Whitley Street
Columbia City, IN 46725-0527
Telephone: 260-244-6136, extension 3459
More information may be obtained by sending e-mails to
From The Post and Mail, Thursday, December 15, 2005:
By Jenica Schultz, Staff Writer
The Columbia City High School girls' varsity soccer team's strengths went beyond the field this year. The team did so well academically that three of the athletes did something no one at CCHS has ever done before.
Seniors Stephanie Smith, Kendra Reimer (ed. note: Granddaughter of Brice & Shirley Zink (1957) Reimer) and Sherri Hoppe placed on the 2005 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Girls High School All-America Team, an academic honor in girls' soccer. Only four Indiana athletes made the team, which is composed of 35 students nationwide.
On Dec. 5, CCHS academic success was the lead headline on the NSCAA Web site. CCHS had more students achieve the honor this year than any other school in the United States. (emphasis added)
“They have brought honor to Columbia City High School, and we're just awfully proud of them,” said girls' soccer coach Bill Duffy, a biology teacher at CCHS.
The athletes needed above a 3.75 cumulative grade point average on a four-point scale to qualify for the honor. A committee evaluated students' excellence in soccer, academic performance and community involvement. Duffy said many soccer coaches are lucky to place one student on the Girls High School All-America Team in a career, but he has three in one year.
“We have been blessed to have the opportunity to have these girls on our team,” Duffy said. “These are girls who could have excelled at any sport they tried.”
For the past three years, the soccer team has done especially well academically, qualifying for the NSCAA High School Team Academic Award this year for the third time. The team academic award requires an overall team cumulative GPA of 3.25. This year the 18 girls on the soccer team had a combined GPA of 3.61. Duffy credits part of the team's academic success to Hoppe, Smith and Reimer. The team started winning the award after the girls joined the team.
“We never qualified for that until these seniors showed up. "People have come to take it for granted because these kids make it look easy,” Duffy said.
He said continuing to earn the team award was going to be a challenge he hopes future classes are able to meet.
“That's a pretty special award because everybody's part of it,” he said.
Smith, Reimer and Hoppe also excelled on the soccer field. Smith, a defender, and Reimer, a forward, both made all-state, all-district and all-conference two times. Hoppe, a defender, had to skip the 2005 season due to an injury but made all-state and all-conference as a junior. Reimer tied for second place at CCHS on the all-time goal scoring list with 2000 graduate Katie Stroup. Both scored 57 goals.
The girls' soccer team had a 9-5-3 record this year. They lost in sectional semifinals to Homestead High School, 3-0.
“He wants us all to come back as fifth-year seniors, but that can't happen,” Hoppe said.
Duffy said the girls put all of their energy and effort into soccer while on the field, then studied on the bus on the way to and from each game.
“These are kids who have affected every activity they've come in contact with,” he said. “This is a remarkable group of young girls who are going to succeed at whatever they do.”
Smith said a lot of the girls on the team had the same classes and studied together.
CCHS Principal Steve Doepker said the girls' achievement is indicative of a larger pattern at the school, where athletes are achieving highly academically.
“If you look at the data we've been keeping the last four years ... if you look at the athletes, they've had a higher GPA than the rest of the student body,” Doepker said.
Assistant principal James Huth said the three young women were a good example for the rest of the school, as they are academically, physically and socially sound.
“I'm always telling kids they have to be the complete package. These kids are,” he said.
The girls will be honored at the NSCAA All-America Luncheon, part of the 2006 NSCAA Convention, Jan. 21 in Philadelphia.
The Columbia City High School Alumni Association (CCHSAA) & Columbia City High School staff will co-host the 3rd Annual CCHSAA Florida Scramble Golf Outing at Eagle Glen on September 19, 2009.
The entry fee is $200 per team ($50 per person). Entry fees include green fees, golf cart and lunch. The top 3 teams with the lowest scores will get paid in gift certificates: 1st place = $400; 2nd place = $200; 3rd place = 100 and there will be various other give-aways & prizes as well as a planned silent auction of various items.
Profits from the golf outing will be used by CCHS for students and by the CCHSAA for student scholarships for college and post-secondary training. The CCHSAA plans to provide/award a minimum of at least one scholarship for a 2010 graduating senior. Proceeds from the outing will determine the extent of the benefits that can be provided to students.
Teams will have a choice of an 8:15 am or 1:30 pm start as there will be 2 flights for golfers to play in. Participants that are members of Eagle Glen will receive a discounted rate to participate. This golf outing is another opportunity to bond with classmates and friends from the past as well as support current students and show that great Eagle Pride. Other opportunities include the events of Homecoming weekend (the game, the parade, building tours, etc.) and several class reunions.
We are very proud of our CCHS & CCJHS families of alumni and wish to encourage each class to try and have one team or at least one person represent their class in this 3rd annual golf outing at Eagle Glen" said Columbia City High School principal Gregg Goewert.
Lunch will be served at noon and the silent auction will take place during lunch. Non-golfers are welcome to join the golfers at noon for lunch and bid at the silent auction. The luncheon fee for non-golfers will be $10.
Participants in the golf outing are encouraged to sign up at the Eagle Glen Golf Course by calling 248-GOLF. Non-golfers may sign up for the lunch by calling CCHS at 244-6136.
Anyone can participate in the outing, the lunch, or just come and visit with friends at Eagle Glen.
"We look forward to a great crowd at the parade & at the football game vs. Dekalb on Friday night (7pm) September 18," Goewert added. "Pride, excellence, tradition, victory!"
The sixth annual CCHSAA Florida Brunch was held on Sunday, March 5, 2006, at the Jacaranda West Country Club in Venice, Florida. This event was attended by 61 alumni, spouses and guests. Graduates from 1936 to 1967 enjoyed enjoy the day.
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After a time of registration and renewing friendships, Ted Gruver, Class of
1957 and President of the CCHSAA, welcomed all present. Ted and his wife Sue, have hosted and organized the Florida Brunch for the past six years.
The tables were decorated with maroon and gold balloons by Sara Coy Marr (51) and her husband, Larry. The CCHSAA banner hung on the wall.
Invocation was given by Vernon Trier (1943) followed by a moment of silence for our departed classmates, as well as those who were ill and unable to be with us. Bill Kettelkamp (1952) called the tables to the brunch table and the abundant, attractive buffet was enjoyed by all.
Following the brunch, Ted Gruver (1957) gave an overview of the newly designed CCHSAA website. The webmaster for this website is Brenda Reeg Robison (1960), who has done a tremendous amount of work entering all graduates from CCHS. The website officially opened June 15, 2005. Many graduates have registered on the website. For those graduates who have not registered, please go to www.cchsaa.org and click onto Alumni Database to enter your information. Ray Bechtel, Class Coordinator for the Class of 1957, asked for alumni to consider being a Class Coordinator for the alumni association to help distribute information regarding the association news as well as help with the coordination of class reunions. It is a great way to keep in touch and reminisce with old and new friends.
Tom Felger (1957) talked about his experiences and a little history concerning marathon running. Tom has run marathons for a number of years, including the Boston Marathon.
Bob Hall (1957) talked about "Never top Dreaming of Ideas and Opportunities to Experience." Bob related several dreams he has had over the years and
how he came to bringing them to fruition, one being flying his airplane and another restoring his 1957 John Deere Tractor.
A group photo of all in attendance was taken after a great afternoon of renewing old and making new friendships and reminiscing fun times at CCHS.
Those in attendance were:
Don Adams (1957) and wife Barbara
Bill Anderson 1946)
Ray Bechtel (1957) and wife Jan
Regina Hawthorne Blanchard (1953)
Ruth Ann Bowie Davis (1957)
Larry Farber (1961) and wife Nancy Kneller Farber (1961)
Tom Felger (1957) and wife Bonnie
Jim Gambrell (1956) and wife Carol
Ted Gruver (1957) and wife Sue
Bob Hall (1957) and wife Mardell Feit Hall (1957)
Fern Herr Heidenreich (1945) and daughter Linda
Vonna Loxley Hoffman (1951) and husband, Dick (1952 South Whitley)
Bill Kettelkamp (1952) and wife Sue
Jackie Kilty (1957)
Graham Kleespie (1954) and wife Rosalie Farber Kleespie (1957)
Betty Pence Loe (1940) and husband Stanley
Marcia Loe Ellis & husband, daughter and son-in-law
Sara Coy Marr (1951) and husband Larry
Pat Puckett Martin (1956)
JoEllen Adams McConnell (1957)
Marilyn Binder Miller (1950)
Garnet Bridegam Pettigrew (1947) and husband Jack (1945 Coesse)
Dick Phend (1951) and wife Marthene Wiley Phend (1955)
Doris Schrader Pittinger (1939) and husband Talbert Pittinger (1936 Coesse)
Ellen Pence Randall (1940)
Annadean Schrader Mosher (1939)
Fred Shinneman (1966) and wife Christy
Jene Simon (1956) and wife Jean Seivers Simon (1956)
Betty Gephart Specht (1953)
Nancy Ramp Stamper (1952)
Dick Tenney (1943) and wife Kathy
Vernon Trier (1943) and wife Mary Grant Trier (1944)
Jim and Shirley Warren, guests
Jerry Wigent (1955) and wife Karen Fenker Wigent (1967)
Sharon Bates Wolf (1957)
Joe Yoder (1957)
Harley Nelson (1943) and wife Jean were unable to attend due to illness.
Keep checking the CCHSAA website for future dates of CCHS alumni gatherings and class news.
Class Newsletters
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