Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 121, Number 16, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 22 April 1998 — Page 3

Inspirational teacher retires from Wa-Nee

By Me trie Chapman Take an ounce of knowledge, combine it with great wit and wisdom, add a little compassion for flavoring and share it with a young mind. What do you have? A recipe for a successful teaching career that has lasted Bryan Carter 37 years. The current business teacher at North Wood High School began his career with Wa-Nee as a junior high social studies teacher. After one year Bryan was bumped up to Nappanee High School where he taught social studies and business. Gradually this inspirational teacher began to realize that his forte was neither government, economics or psychology. Rather business courses seem to hold his

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GOODBYE—NorthWood High School vice-principal Rick Coffin (left) practices his farewell speech to business teacher Bryan Carter. The duo have a strong bond forged out of common interest by their profession and good character from within. See related article for more details about Carter's 37 years with Wa-Nee. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

Cruise is highlight for NWHS prom-goers

North Wood High School’s prom this year will take the form of a cruise on the “Spirit of Chicago,” and will follow the theme “Unforgettable.” Prom night is set for May 9, with the moonlight cruise on Lake Michigan following a chartered bus trip from NWHS leaving at 9p.m. This allows for prom-goers to have dinner on their own before the trip. The boat will depart from Navy Pier at 12:30p.m., and cruise the lake until 3:30a.m., with the return trip by bus to North Wood, where participants will enjoy a continental breakfast at the school. Prom tickets are free for all students who, as juniors, sold their S2OO quota of magazines. If the SIOO sales quota was met, the tickets are S4O. If no quota was achieved, prom tickets are priced at $55, the price also charged for prom guests. The coronation of the Prom King and Queen (NWHS seniors) and the Prom Prince and Princess

INTRODUCING...

ttENttr ** VONtY if IB Sales & Detailing Uptown Auto is featuring anew cartoon in the Nappanee Advance News beginning this week. The cartoon, entitled “Henry & Honey,” features an elderly couple who are constantly arguing about their vehicle. Henry feels their vehicle “gets them where thy’re going “ and is doing fine; Honey, on the other hand, is always suggesting they trade their car for a newer, late model vehicle from Uptown Auto. Honey also constantly tries to get Henry to take their vehicle to Uptown Auto for a “Bumper-to-Bumper” detailing at the dealership’s full-service Detailing Center. Finally, Honey periodically reminds Henry that Uptown Auto also offers lube, oil, and filter servicing, and suggests Henry take it to them before the ole’ junker falls apart. Look for the Henry & Honey cartoon in the Nappanee Advance News, sponsored by Uptown Auto Sales & Detailing, 253 West Market Street in Nappanee. (See this week’s cartoon ad on page 12) 253 West Market St. llEwebmlV "Zt 773-5757 Wed 7- Noon Sat. 8-3

interest. When Carter made the move to North Wood High School his realm expanded to teaching shorthand, salesmanship, accounting, general business and typing (which expanded to keyboarding and then Building A Better Community... (This continues the series of articles highlighting individuals in our community who give willingly and freely of themselves for the betterment of all who live here. I hope you will come to know and appreciate each of them as I have.)

(NWHS juniors), will take place on board the cruise ship at la.m. Voting is being held at the school. During the cruise, music will be provided by John Kirkwood, and a midnight buffet will be available, as well as unlimited soft drinks. Prom cruise photographs will be taken by a Chicago business as couples board the ship, with a 5x7 photo priced at $5. Photos will be processed during the cruise, and will be available Sunday morning, during the breakfast at North Wood. The dress code for the cruise is “classy casual,” with a reminder that everyone will need a sweater or jacket. The ship’s policy does not allow jeans, shorts, t-shirts, gym shoes or sandals. The cruise will be chaperoned by 24 NWHS faculty members, administrators and their spouses. Security on the cruise ship will be provided by off-duty Chicago police officers. All school policies will be in effect during the cruise and bus rides.

general processing). So great was the need for these things that others were found to teach the social studies classes. “I really enjoy all of my students,” says Carter, “particularly those in my salesmanship and accounting classes.” The reason he says, is “because I get to interact with the students and get to know them better.” “You know they come in here and I stand up at the front and I tell them to do this and they’re typing away,” Bryan says. “But I’m up here behind a desk and all of them are out there behind a desk. I just don’t get to make much of an impact on them.” Mr. Carter, as one of nearly 3,000 students (at least) who learned to type'un'dSTyour direction, let me reassure you that you definitely made an impact! Your w ; t and humor were unmatched and always inspirational. Students have always been the driving force behind the spirited teacher’s success. His ability to interact with them and reach them at their level through laughter and stories is nothing short of remarkable. Carter’s ability to remain focused, upbeat and authoritative while still making all around him laugh is a true gift. “I’ve seen a lot of changes in 37 years,” he says. “But the one constant is that the kids have not changed. Their environments have changed, other things have changed, but they are still great kids.” “The only difference between big kids and little kids,” Carter adds, “is the size of their skin.” While you won’t hear Bryan brag about his own success as a teacher, he does offer this advice to both the rookies and the retirees of his profession. “To be a great teacher you have to be firm, in control and filled with an awful lot of concern for the kids,” he says. It is safe to say that Bryan Carter is most definitely a great teacher, even by his own standards. What kept this dynamic man inside the Wa-Nee Community for so many wonderful years? He says the friends he has made in fellow staff members. “Until you’ve worked in this building and really gotten to know the members of this staff,” Bryan

examines Goshen '/M'" if£\w Jit MPppSittEß* fit * * ? * | Hjt . \ Vv * *l*s\f t*t* Hffe P- ' Pm } | W&ffiitfl 11 i| 1 W& SHHHI Aw ~ w , _ Ik . c. SVC iyfWWmmmm \jm. w m IblW AVnlklk KV cvyf \ : ; mkw /rJmEmwi^^k

Introducing Dr- Animashaun Board-eligible pediatrician with 15 years experience as a physician Trained at prestigious Howard University Hospital Mother of four Amateur dinosaur expert Fully-versed in Looney Toons and Sesame Street Dr. Kehinde Animashaun has several loves in her life—her husband, her four children and being a pediatrician. As part of her commitment to family, she has been active in outreach programs and research to help children throughout the world. Whether it’s her child or yours, Dr. Animashaun provides competent, caring pediatric care that you can rely on at the Goshen Pediatric Clinic. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Animashaun and her family to Goshen. For more information on Dr. Animashaun, or to schedule an appointment for your child, call the Prime Care Physician Network at 219/533-5808. ♦ A Member of Goshen Health System i PhimeCare PHYSICIAN NETWORK

says, “you cannot truly appreciate the dedication these teachers have. Every teacher out here bends over backwards to help and to teach these kids, and to help each other.” He adds, “They are dedicated to the Nth degree, there is no better staff around.” Carter reflects on his career and says through it all fellow staff members have supported him through everything in both his personal and professional life. His most influential colleagues were Harvey Postman, business teacher, Keith Dougherty, basketball coach, and Buy Conrad, shop teacher. They helped him during his first year at Nappanee High School and remained great influences for many years to come. Carter’s proudest moment came when former student Stacie Yoder was named Outstanding Freshman at Manchester College. As part of the honor, which is sponsored by the Eli Lilly Association, students are asked to name their “Most Influential Teacher.” Yoder named him and Bryan was honored alongside the scholar at an awards dinner in Indianapolis. “That was really special to me,” says the accounting teacher, “because she was very special to me, not really a student, she was a daughter really!” The honor of that ceremony and the sentiment behind the nomination is something Carter will always cherish. If that was the high point of his career the low point was loosing friend, neighbor and colleague Jim Andrews who was killed in an auto accident. “That was hands down the worst moment of my time here,” Bryan says. “It really affected us all.” Through the tragedies and triumphs of his career, Carter has managed to stay upbeat and says, “I’d do it all over again.” One thing he does admit with a chuckle to students past and present is, “I can no longer dance on my desk.” In addition, he sends this message to all former students, “Heiney and Henrietta Schmuck have retired. Schmuckville has pretty much dried up.” While leaving his hard for the veteran teacher, he plans to keep himself quite busy. Retirement is only a technical term being used for his transition from daisy activi-

Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, April 22,1998

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OLD AND NEW—Teacher Bryan Carter teaches students keyboarding skills on a computer everyday. Here he practices on the old model typewriter on which he learned to sharpen his skills. See related article for information about the career of this dynamic teacher. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

ties at North Wood High School to staff member at the Elkhom Guest Ranch, Clinton, Montana. There he and his wife enjoy the beautiful sceneiy they first fell in love while studying at the University of Montana. This summer the couple plan a family reunion for their children and spouses to take place at the ranch. Plans for the summer of 1999 are still being formulated. The Carters are tom between spending the entire summer in Montana or as host and hostess for a campground in Alaska. Whether at home or far away, this dynamic “retiree” looks forward to possible lay ministry through his home church, Union

Don’t Miss The Musical Adventures of Huckleberry Finn! U.S. 6, Nappanee, Indiana April 28-June 14 ‘Special “Big River" Dinner Buffet Available Friday and Saturday Evenings “Reservations required _773-4lßß_ www.amishacres.com

Center Church of the Brethren, Nappanee, and eventually spending winters in warmer weather. For those who have grown accustomed to Bryan as the “Voice of the Panthers,” he will be returning next year to continue his work in the press box. Thank you, Bryan Carter, for 37 wonderful years, and for touching the lives of every generation to pass through Wa-Nee doors during that time. Mr. Holland’s Opus can’t hold a candle to the many accountants and other successful business people you’ve spurred on, countless students who have been touched by your laughter, or the many stories they could all share.

PRIMECARE PHYSICIAN NETWORK jack P. Clark. M.D. Larry D. Allen, M.D. Carol J. Mann, M.D. Syracuse Family Medicine Family Practice • Syracuse Alan H. Bierlein, M.D. Family Practice Bristol Andrew L. Kuhn. M.D. Cynthia Y. Bontrager, M.D. Family Practice • Goshen Edward W. Boyts, M.D. New Paris Medical Clinic Family Practice New Paris Brian D. King. M.D Donald R Ebersole. M.D. Family Practice Goshen Henry j. Frechen, M.D Internal Medicine Goshen David C. Kay, M.D. Internal Medicine • Goshen Max R Mertz. M.D. Family Practice Goshen Ante B. Najev, M.D Family Practice Ligonier Dunlap Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine Clinic Goshen Elkhart Michal Chiu. M.D Kehinde Animashaun. M.D Goshen Pediatric Clinic Goshen

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