Ruth Kernagis   1973-1995  Latin

Ruth graduated from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and received her Masters degree from IUN and Valparaiso University.

Her teaching career began in Crete Illinois at Hubbard Trail Junior High teaching Latin1 and then in Crete-Monee High School.  She taught in Illinois for 5 years. Ruth then taught at Taft in Crown Point and at Crown Point high school for 37 years until her retirement in 1995.

Ruth really enjoyed teaching Latin and the Latin program grew and grew. It was eventually second highest enrollment next to Spanish. Ruth was elected Indiana Latin teacher of the year, twice. Her students won many awards and held state offices in the Indiana Junior Classical league.                                                                                                            After Ruth’s husband passed away from Cancer, she became very involved with American Society and served as chairman of Crown Point Relay for Life for four years.

Ruth was then called to work in a bilingual school in Roatan, Honduras. The second year she was there she sent boxes of textbooks, they had none. Their principal asked if Ruth could put in a library at the school. Ruth had put a very small library in Flowers Bay, where she lived in Roatan. Crown Point Rotary Club decided they would like to help with the school project. The Rotary were able to get an international grant. They started collecting books for a library and with the help of many; they were able to send 10,000 books. They now have a very nice library at the school. Ruth works in the library every year that she is in Roatan.

Ruth states the work she does in Honduras is very fulfilling, She has been able to give many scholarships to students and see many students graduate.

Ruth remarried and her husband Art also loves the island and is a great help. They will return this year for the nineteenth year.

Janet W. (Szot) Drag1968-2004  English,  American Literature and Composition

Janet Drag was born and raised in Speedway, Indiana, until graduation in 1964. While in high school, she was a member of National Honor Society, Booster Club, Drama Club and the Varsity Marching Band 500 race flag corps. In 1965 her family moved to Crown Point. She earned her BA in English from Ball State University and a MS in Education from Indiana University. She began her career at Taft Junior High in 1968 where she taught 9^th grade English until 1974 when she resigned to be a stay-at-home mom. She resumed her teaching experience in 1979 at Crown Point High School. Her class assignments were freshmen regular and honor English, Junior American Literature and composition, and American Studies. She particularly enjoyed witnessing the newly discovered appreciation for Shakespeare in her 9^th grade students while studying Romeo and Juliet. During her years at CPHS she sponsored the cheerleaders and student booster club. She also sponsored the Girls’ Varsity Club. In addition, she joined other Crown Point colleagues in the production of the play Spoon River Anthology. After 31 years in Crown Point schools, she retired in 2004.

Janet’s son Darren and his wife Kirstin live in Edwards, Colorado; they have a daughter Payton, age 6 and a son Griffin, 3. Her husband Robert has two daughters.  Deborah, husband Kraig, and their 13-year old twins, Madison and Matthew, live in Wisconsin. Barbara and husband Charles live in Maryland.

Carl V. Smolik  1954-1965   Music Band Director 

Carl V. Smolik was born in March of 1923 in New Castle, IN. Like his father, he started playing musical instruments at a young age.  At the end of high school, when WWII broke out, Carl was drafted into the U. S. Army. During the war he played in the Army Band and entertained the troops all over Europe.

When the war ended Carl went to Ball State Teacher’s College where he earned BS and MA degrees in Music. His first teaching experience was in Spiceland, IN.  Four years later, in 1954, he moved his family to Crown Point where he taught music for eleven years. During that time the high school band earned many honor in District and State Competitions. The best honor of all was when the band was invited to perform at the 1964 Midwest National Band Clinic in Chicago. Each year, only a hand full of bands were selected to perform in this prestigious event.

Shortly after that, Carl left teaching, but he never left music. He became the District Manager of sales for the Selmer Musical Instrument Company. During the next 25 years he traveled Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey providing quality band instruments to school music programs. In that role, Carl was considered as one of the top salesmen year after year.

Carl passed away in 2005, and his wife of 58 years, Janelle Bailey Smolik passed away 15 months later. They left behind three children: Steve Smolik, Sheri Williams and Kathy Dempster-Hood with a total of 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Diane Lange 1970-2011
English & World Culture

Diane was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. She graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1967 where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Girls’ Club Secretary and French Club Secretary. In 1969 she married John Lange, moved to Crown Point and attended Indiana University. She completed her coursework in three years earning a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in English and minor in French. Her student teaching at Taft Junior High led her to begin a full time teaching position the following semester. She remained at Taft from 1970 until 1978. During her tenure at Taft, she sponsored several school plays and served as activities director. She completed her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at Valparaiso University in 1975.

John and Diane became the proud adoptive parents’ of a beautiful baby born in February of 1978 and she resigned to become a stay-at-home mom. However, she returned to teaching the following semester on a part time basis traveling between Taft and Crown Point High School. Crown Point Community School Corporation provided many professional development opportunities to participate in gifted and talented education. She truly loved freshmen and the opportunity to give them a nurturing learning environment. She partnered with Denise Vance to develop a course entitled “World Cultures” for freshmen and a peer resource course to provide academic assistance. Diane also sponsored SADD and Operation Snowball. She worked Saturday school intervention and was a member of the Crown Point High School crisis team. She remained at Crown Point High School for 28 years.

Diane’s family enjoyed camping and fishing. Perennial flower gardening filled her summers. Diane’s husband passed away in 2007.

Eventually Diane had the opportunity to shape the Alternative Achievement center. AAC was an off-site educational program for students who needed a non-traditional path to graduation. Serving the students at AAC for 12 years was the most rewarding endeavor of her career. After 40 years in the Crown Point schools, she retired in 2011 with a heart full of cherished memories of her students and colleagues.

Peg S. White-Shaffer
1977-2014
Music Director

Peg was born in South Bend, in 1951. She grew up in Osceola and graduated from Penn High School in 1970. While in high school, she was a member of the marching, prep, jazz band, and was selected for the Indian All State band. She attended Indiana State University on a music scholarship and attained her bachelor’s in 1974, master’s in 1976 and guidance degree from Pudue in 2003.

While at ISU, Peg was a member of the Marching Sycamores, Jazz band, symphonic band, and taught private lessons for area students. After graduation, Peg taught percussion lessons in Waco, and Belton, Texas. The summer of 1977, Peg was hired in Crown Point, where her assignment was band and general music at Taft Junior High and traveled to assist with the high school bands. The fall of 1986, Peg transferred from Taft to CPHS. At the high school, Peg directed the three concert bands, jazz band, pep band, marching band, and assisted with the orchestra. Under her leadership, the bands received consistent superior  ratings from the Indiana State School Music Association and national recognition at the Peach Bowl, Outback Bowl, and Gator Bowl. The fall of 2004, Peg transferred to the CPHS guidance department and enjoyed her time there until her retirement in 2014.

After retiring, Peg continues to help with percussion sectionals at CPHS and Hebron, plays with the Hobart Community Band, Midwest Big Band and gigs with the Calumet Band.

Brad Smith
1978-1996
Math, Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Football Coach, and
Athletic Director

Brad was born in Tampa, Florida; in 1951 he was raised in Portage Indiana, and graduated from Portage High School in 1969, earning three letters in both football and baseball, finishing third in his class of 411. He knew then that he wanted to teach math and coach football. Brad received his B.S. degree in math from Valparaiso University.

Brad was a math teacher and assistant football coach at Portage from 1973-1977; he also was defensive coordinator of the 1977 3A State Champs. Brad was named the head football coach at CPHS in 1978 and held that position for sixteen years. He taught Advanced Algebra, Algebra, and Basic Math. During his tenure at CPHS, Brad was the assistant coach of the North All-Stars in 1985 and head North All-Stars Coach in 1988. Brad also served as assistant athletic director from 1989-1992 and athletic director from 1994-1996. Brad then moved to Highland, where he was head football coach and assistant athletic director at Highland High School from 1996-2001; he served as athletic director from 2001-2003. Brad became supervisor of student teachers at Purdue University in 2009 and 2010, which earned him the “Outstanding Supervisor of Student Teachers” award by the Association of Teacher Education in Indiana. Brad finished his career in the classroom at Fountain Central High School teaching Advanced Algebra.

Brad was inspired to develop the Academic All-State Award in Indiana high school football. He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and received the “Outstanding Contributor to Amateur Football” award. He was a founder and executive director of the Indiana Youth Football Skills Academy, which provided proper instruction to hundreds of elementary players.

Brad’s older daughter, Jennifer, who is a teacher in IPS, lives in Brownsburg with her husband Corey Back and sons Monty and Miles. His younger daughter Karen is a nurse at Regional Hospital, lives in Terre Haute with her husband Derek Hescher (a CPHS grad); son Ryan and daughter Anna. Allison, Anna’s twin sister, passed away in 2014. Both of Brad’s daughters are proud graduates of CPHS.

Wallace Webb
1955-1994
Industrial Education,
Physical Education,
Drivers Education, Health, and Guidance Counselor

Wally was born in southern Illinois in November 1932, the youngest of four brothers. He lived on a small farm until the age of eight when his parents moved to Hammond. After attending Lincoln Grade School, Clark Junior High School, and Hammond Tech High school, he moved to Lowell and graduated in 1951 from Lowell High School. During his junior and senior year Wally was a conference champion high hurdler. In 1955 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Industrial Education and Health Education from Ball State University. At Indiana State in 1963 he received his Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling.

His first job was teaching Industrial Education at Gary Edison High School. Classes taught during his 39 year career include electricity, electronics, shop math, science, wood shop, sheet metal, welding, physical education, and drivers’ education. He also taught health education at Gary Emerson Adult Education. His last ten years in education he was a Guidance Counselor at Crown Point High School.

In 1954 he married Jackie Moyer, a 1952 graduate of Crown Point High School. Their two sons, Thomas and Ronald, both graduated from Crown Point High School.

Everett “Budd” Ballou
1976-1999

Budd graduated from Lowell High School in 1958, where he participated in football, wrestling, track and baseball. Budd is an elected member of the Lowell Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated Indiana State University in 1962 earning a B.S. degree in social studies and physical education. He returned to complete his M.S. in 1967. He taught at Cedar Lake, Lowell, Griffith, Hammond, and Crown Point. While at Crown Point High School, he coached football, wrestling, and track. He also served as Student Council Sponsor, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sponsor, Social Studies Department Chairman and Assistant Principal. Budd has written a book, RESTORING THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE, about the early schools in the Lowell-Cedar Lake area. He is currently working on a booklet for the Colfax Masonic Lodge in Lowell. Budd is a sixty-four year member of Indian Trail Grange in Lowell. He is also a member of the Camp Porter Sons of the Civil War Society in Valparaiso and of Three Creeks Historical Association in Lowell. Budd has been married to his wife, Cindy, for forty-six years. They have four children, Jerilynne, Terry, Rhett, and Ben, and ten grandchildren.

Doris Dunn
1963-1974

Doris was born on January 7, 1921 and attended Crown Point High School, graduating in 1937.  She attended Indiana University, graduating in 1941 with a B.S. in Education. Doris began teaching at Lowell High School in September 1941. During this time, she obtained her pilot’s license but was unable to serve as a pilot in the military because of height requirements. Doris met Jack Dunn during the summer of 1944 in San Antonio, Texas, and they were married in September 1945. While her husband was completing his undergraduate education at the University of Texas, Doris worked as a librarian at the UT engineering library. Jack Dunn received a degree in mechanical engineering and was employed by Sinclair Oil Company in Northwest Indiana.  Doris became a full-time mother, ultimately to three sons. In 1963, the family moved to Crown Point, living at the present site of Crown Point High School.  In 1963, Doris joined the faculty at Crown Point High School, teaching government, economics, speech and world affairs. She also coached the speech and debate team and served as the sponsor/advisor to the students who competed on the “It’s Academic” TV show in the Chicago area. The team from CPHS, that included her son Randy, won the series in 1967. During her tenure as a teacher at CPHS, Doris obtained advanced degrees from Northwestern and Valparaiso Universities in the fields of theater and arts; and liberal studies with an emphasis on world affairs.  She also served as co-chair of the Girls State program for several years, along with Marvella Bayh, wife of Senator Birch Bayh. They moved to Valdez, Alaska. Her husband became the General Manager of Maintenance for the Alyeska organization at the Valdez oil pipeline. Unfortunately, Jack passed away in 1978, and Doris moved to Corvallis, Oregon.  She became very active in various philanthropic organizations, including leadership positions at the state and national levels with the PEO and the Assistants League. As a teacher, Doris sought to build the confidence of her students, enhance their feelings of self worth and facilitate their growth as adults.  In her mind, no goal was too high or challenge too large for her students. She truly loved them.

Charles G. Isley
1946-1978

Mr. Isley was raised on a farm in Shelby County, Indiana.  He graduated first in his class (of 6) from Mt. Auburn High School, and then attended DePauw University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1934.  While at DePauw he played center on the basketball team, in the days when there was a center jump after every basket, and the typical final score was something like 26-22.  He taught and coached basketball at Mt. Auburn and Kokomo high schools and was inducted into what was then the Army Air Force with the coming of World War II.  He served in the Air Force in the U.S. and Asia during the war and continued in the Air Force Reserve, retiring from the service in 1969 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Isley received his master’s degree in education from Indiana University in 1946, and also in that year began teaching in the Crown Point schools.  He taught math, primarily algebra, at the high school.  As a teacher, he was known for giving quizzes 2-3 times a week and for calling all his students by their last names.  He retired in 1978 with 33 years of service.  Along with teaching, he coached basketball at CPHS, primarily freshman basketball, and also was the starter for high school track meets for many years.   He was an active member of the Crown Point Kiwanis Club and the First Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Virginia, had two children, Jane and John, and three grandchildren. The Isleys’ enjoyed an active retirement mostly in Crown Point with winters in Florida and lots of golf, barbecues, bridge, and friends in both places.  Mr. Isley died in June 2000 at age 87.  Mr. and Mrs. Isley established an endowment fund with the Crown Point Community Foundation from which the proceeds are given to benefit the Crown Point Community Schools.

Kenneth M. Witt
1979-2012

Ken was born in 1956 in Gary Indiana. The family moved to Crown Point in 1966 and he has been a Crown Point resident ever since. He graduated from Crown Point High School in 1974. While at CPHS, Ken was a two year member of the National Honor Society, and vice president as well as president of the Letterman’s Club. He competed in cross country and track earning All–Star honors in cross country his senior year. He went on to compete in cross country and track at Purdue University for two years until he was sidelined by an injury. He graduated from Purdue with a degree in Chemistry in 1979, and started teaching at Crown Point High School. Over the span of 33 years, Ken taught Chemistry, Technical Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Dual Credit Chemistry, Physical Science and Earth Science. He coached boys’ and girls’ cross country, girls’ and boy’s track. His coaching highlights include a 3^rd place state finish in girls’ cross country in 1997, and a girls’ track regional championship in 1998. After retiring in 2012, he assisted with boys’ cross country and track teams for an additional three years. In 2007 Ken was inducted into the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame. Ken married his high school sweetheart, Laura in 1979 . They have three children Alison, Melanie and Brian.

David P. Schaeffer, 1957-1994 Mr. Schaeffer grew up in Hammond, Indiana and graduated from Hammond High School in 1950. He attended Indiana State University from 1950-1954 earning his BS in Education. While at Indiana State he was on the football team playing both offensive guard and defensive linebacker. During his senior year of college, Mr. Schaeffer served as captain of the football team and was awarded MVP. Mr. Schaeffer joined the US Marine Corp and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, achieving the rank of 1^st Lieutenant. His career at CPHS started in 1957 teaching biology and life science. During his time at CPHS he was also head coach of the boys’ varsity football team from 1963-1971. Mr. Schaeffer has four children; Eric, Laura, Ilene and Evelyn and four grandchildren. In his retirement, he enjoys playing golf, traveling to northern Wisconsin and attending the sporting events of his grandchildren.

Jerry A. Caravana, 1967-2007 Born in Tempe, Arizona, Mr. Caravana was raised in Gary, Indiana, and attended Andrean High School. He graduated from Ball State University, BS., MA in 1967 at 22 years of age. During his 40 year tenure he taught and was Department Coordinator for Business Education. He continued his later years as Crown Point High School’s Athletic Director and planned and designed the indoor and outdoor athletic complex for the new high school. He has received numerous awards for his work with the Duneland Athletic Conference and State associations. Jerry established a $40,000 endowment upon retirement that awards $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors. He continues his service to the schools and community serving in his second term as a school board member.

Charlotte Ann Johnsen, 1963-1994 Charlotte Ann was born on the 20^th of February, 1939 in Greencastle, Indiana. Charlotte graduated from Clayton High School in 1959. In 1963 Charlotte graduated from Indiana State Teachers College in Terre Haute where she earned her Bachelor and Masters Degrees. She joined the staff of Taft Junior High School in 1963 where she met Dan Johnsen and they wed in 1968. Both joined the staff at CPHS in the latter 1970’s. Charlotte taught physical education and was a sponsor for cheerleading. She enjoyed attending and supporting all the school sporting events. She was a member of the John Purdue Club. She loved Purdue sports. She and Dan attended over 150 straight football games over a 13-14 year stretch including 12 bowl games. Charlotte was a member of Tri-Kappa Sorority in Crown Point and belonged to the Gary Sportsman Club.

Scott S. Vlink, 1979-2016, Scott  was born December 14^th, 1955 in Libertyville Illinois. He graduated from Libertyville High School in 1974. While at Libertyville High School, he was a member of the football, wrestling and baseball teams. He attended Indiana State University and graduated in 1979 with a BS degree in physical education and a minor in health education. While at ISU he was a member of the wrestling team earning four varsity letters. In 1979, he was hired by the Crown Point Community School Corporation to teach physical education, health and to coach wrestling and football at the high school. The wrestling teams that he has coached have enjoyed much success, winning the IHSAA state championship in 2009. After a 37 year career at CPHS Scott will retire in the spring of 2016.He has been married to his wife Gayle for 37 years. Together they have three children, David, Mark and Kevin.

Deborah Taylor Cuffia, 1973-2013
English
Born and raised in Ohio and Iowa, Deborah Cuffia graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa, and attended Indiana State University, earning a BS in education with a major in English. Deborah also completed her MS in education at Indiana University with a concentration in reading and her administrator’s license from Indiana Wesleyan University. After teaching reading to high school students for one year in Robinson, Illinois, Deb moved to northwestern Indiana and began teaching at Crown Point High School, where she happily spent the remainder of her career. During her tenure at CPHS, she taught 9th and 10th transitional English, 9th and 10th regular English, and senior college-bound English literature and world literature for 32 years. In addition to coaching varsity girls’ tennis for 16 years, she also chaired the School Improvement team for 6 years, was English Department Chair for 12 years, and assistant principal for 6 years. Deborah is married to Jim, has a daughter Kristen, a son-in-law Phil, and three grandchildren.

Joseph C. Heuer, 1956-1989
Industrial Education, Coach, and Sponsor
Mr. Heuer graduated from Purdue University with a BS degree in Trade and Industrial Education in January 1954. He earned his MS degree from Indiana State University in 1964. He served in the US Army doing topographical map drafting1954-1956. He taught mechanical drawing and architectural drawing for 33 years at CPHS, 1956-1989. He was head of the Industrial Education Department from 1959 through 1979. He coached boys golf from 1980-1989. Mr. Heuer also worked during the summer months as a product engineering draftsman at the Anderson Co. for 28 years. He served as Vice President and President of the Crown Point Classroom Teacher Association. He started and sponsored the Chess Club in 1956 and sponsored the Camera Club. He served as head sponsor for the class of 1967. He served in many positions in District 1, in the Indiana Industrial Education Association. Mr. Heuer moved through the ranks to serve as State President of the IIEA. Joe says that he has been blessed by God with a large family and second wife, Donna L. Bissey Keller, widow of Russ Keller, after the death of his first wife Carolyn Sorrell Heuer.

Nancy Huber May, 1970-2009
Algebra, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus
Mrs. May began her teaching career at Taft Junior High School in 1970. After maternity leave, she started teaching at Crown Point High School in 1977. She continued teaching at the high school until she retired in August of 2009. During her teaching career she taught all levels of mathematics and was the math department chairperson for twenty years.

Nancy and Tom May both graduated from Cannelton High School in Cannelton, Indiana. They went on to Indiana State University and earned their BS and MS degrees. Tom and Nancy have two children Jennifer and Jeff.

Tom May, 1970-2009
Physical Education, Health,
Fitness and Nutrition
Mr. May began his teaching career at Winfield Elementary and in 1972 moved to Taft Junior High. In 1975, he went on to teach at Crown Point High School. He served as the Physical Education department Chair for twenty-five years. Tom led the Bulldog Girls Basketball players to two state championships.

Malcolm “Mac” P. Ruby, 1943-1977
Biology & Chemistry Teacher and Coach
Mr. Ruby came to Crown Point in 1943 after teaching at Fountain City and Centerville Indiana. He held a liberal arts degree from Earlham College and MA from Ball State Teachers College. He taught biology and chemistry at Crown Point. Mr. Ruby was an active member in the Crown Point Community. He emphasized to his students scholarship, honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship.

Nomination are open please download the application.

All applications are due by December 31st, applications received after December 31st will be held until for the following year.

Click HERE to download the form.

To view past inductees to the Alumni and Teacher Hall of Fame, please click HERE

2014 Teacher Hall of Fame

Carl W. Carnahan, 1942-1971 For over 25 years at CPHS, Carl Carnahan was a dedicated teacher, mentor, role model, and coach who inspired students and athletes to be their very best. Over his career he coached a variety of sports including basketball, football, wrestling, and baseball. In 1948, he was chosen to be the first Athletic Directors at CPHS. As baseball coach, he took the lead in building the high schools first baseball field with donations from NIPSCO. He built the entire backstop with his own sweat and energy. He was the first wrestling coach at CPHS and played an integral part in establishing the schools successful wrestling program. After his retirement, the Carl N. Carnahan Regional Wrestling invitational was established in his honor and he was inducted by his peers into the Indiana Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, His dedication and commitment to the young people of Crown Point were monumental.

Richard “Dick” Gordon, 1961-1995 Graduate of East Chicago Washington High school Class of 1957 Graduate of Indiana State University with BS Degree in 1961 Received MS Degree in 1963. During tenure at CPHS taught freshmen English, sophomore Honors English, Junior Composition and Grammar, World Literature, and Senior English (also known as Humanities).  Served as English Department Chairman from 1981 until retirement.  Received accommodation from 1991 and 1992 class valedictorians as their most influential teacher.  Received Indian High School Press Award from Franklin College in 1993.  Had the pleasure of teaching a former astronaut, a Rhodes Scholar, doctors, dentists, a Federal judge, lawyers, policemen, and many educators. Married Myrene Pepa in 1961, happily married for 52 years —father of a daughter Debbie (Keith Iddings) and son Greg (Diane)Three grand children Michael (27), Elizabeth (25), and Rebecca (21).

Jenelle Haack, 1972-1997 Janelle Haack taught special needs students for twenty-nine years. After graduating from Ashton, Illinois High School, she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Arizona State University. She began her career teaching third and fourth grade students in Phoenix. After completing a master’s degree in special education, she accepted her first position as a special needs teacher at Alhambra High School in the Phoenix Union District. She taught four years there, where she was also work-study coordinator. Relocating in Crown Point in 1972, she taught the first MIMI-I classroom at Crown Point High School. During this time she became certified to teach students with learning disabilities by attending Northern Indiana University. She taught twenty five years at CPHS from 1972-1997.

Benjamin H. Owen, 1955-1987 Ben graduated from Butler University where he received his B.S. and M.S. He began his teaching career at Edison High School in Lake Station East Gary. He taught English Literature and American Literature at Crown Point High School from 1955 until his retirement in 1987.  Ben and his wife, Naomi, had two children Tim and Becky. He is known for being a kind, wise and gentle soul who enjoyed his country music.

Lucy Pruitt, 1963-1996 Mrs. Pruitt grew up in Crown Point and was an alumnus of Crown Point High School. She is proud to say that she is the only person to have attended Taft Junior High and Crown Point High schools, and to have spent her entire teaching career in the same buildings. Lucy graduated with the great CPHS class of 1958, then went to Ball State University and in 1962 earned a B.A. in Foreign Language in Education. She began teaching Spanish and French at CPHS in September of that year. Later, in 1973, she received her M.S. in education from Purdue University Calumet. Besides teaching at the high school, she also taught Spanish and French in the elementary school summer enrichment program for eleven years, three years in Highland, and eight in Crown Point. In addition, she was the Foreign Language Department Chairperson from 1975 to 1996. Her husband, Bill, and she were married in 1963 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last July. They have two sons, Mike and Dan, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. After taking early retirement from the Crown Point school system in 1996, they moved to Brown County in southern Indiana. In 1997 Mrs. Pruitt began working at the Brown County Public Library and will complete seventeen years there in July.

George Tachtiris, 1973-2005 Marion Kellum was his critic teacher during his student teaching at CPHS in the fall of 1972. George signed his first contract with Crown Point Community Schools in 1973. His duties included classroom teacher, department chairman, track and cross country coach, media center AV director, and central office administrator. He is very proud of his participation in the development of the Humanities Class with his team teaching colleagues Dick Gordon and Jerry Holcomb. He also created the CPHS video program and classes. Mr. Tachtiris was the driving force behind the high speed, single domain, wide area computer network that CPCSC now enjoys. Mr. Tachtiris was an active participant in the school community and served as the varsity basketball scorekeeper, boys and girls basketball videographer, powder-puff coach, and Art and film Club sponsor. He was a member of the Crown Point Rotary Olympics committee and served as a judge for a variety of community art shows and competitions. Mr. Tachtiris is very happily retired and has been married to Jill for 42 years. They have three children: Alex, Valerie, and Corine. The couple has resided in rural Jasper County for 38 years.