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Thursday, 15 October 2009 |
 Luke Bumpus, Addie Palmer and Kellie Weist, all members of the Plymouth High School French Club, wrap the South Bend Chocolate Bars to sell with proceeds to benefit the Kristina Vegso Memorial Scholarship. Five of the 3-oz. bars will have a “golden ticket” good for free admission to the play, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on Nov. 6,7,and 8, in the high school auditorium, plus a tour of the South Bend Chocolate Company. Photos/Ida Chipman
By Ida Chipman Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — “Viva le Chocolat Wonka!”
The Plymouth High School French students of Monty Peden and Lisa Mercer are in cahoots with the PHS theater production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” directed by Charlotte Tyree.
Members of the French Club and all French students wrapped 1,200 giant mouth-watering South Bend Chocolate bars to be sold — $3 for one or two for $5 — until Nov. 9. Five of the 3-oz. chocolate bars will hold a “golden ticket.”
The winners of the ticket will receive a tour of the South Bend Chocolate Company and a free ticket to the play.
“If we sell out, and I hope we do — this is a high quality, delicious candy,” Peden said, licking his lips, “we will replenish our stock and print more golden tickets.”
Proceeds from the sale —and other French club activities — go to the Kristina Vegso Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Vegso loved everything about the French language, French culture and the French Club. She went so far as when visiting a French restaurant, she and her friends would dress up and pretend to be French students in France.
Her teacher Peden, said that “French was just her thing.”
She participated in every activity the French Club had to offer for the three years she was physically capable. As long as her health permitted, she enjoyed club trips to restaurants and plays, playing petanque and even going Christmas caroling in French.
For four years at Plymouth High School, Kristina achieved a perfect 12.0 (or A+) in French class. As a junior, she was elected vice-president of the French Club and took a major role in handling French activities.
In her senior year, she didn’t have the strength to attend school, but she kept up with her school work and remained vice-president of the French Club.
She finished French IV on her own and earned her regular A+ for the class.
As Leukemia worsened, Kristina was admitted into the hospital again that year.
She never gave up fighting the dreaded disease.
The beautiful, talented young woman died in the spring of 2007, in what would have been her senior year. In her honor and memory, the PHS French Club awards a $300 scholarship to a student who emulates Kristina’s academic success and her passion for French.
Monsieur Peden and Madam Mercer first came up with the idea of selling French cookbooks to raise the money needed. The books were printed at school and were a big success. The Plymouth Optimists Club also made a monetary donation toward the scholarship fund.
The Kristina Vegso Mem-orial French Club Scholar-ship is awarded on Senior Awards Day.
Winners so far have been: 2007, Brittany Lyon; 2008, Alexandria Rans and Nathan Dubrienen, and in 2009, Sarah Griewank and Nikki Chalk.
“She will never be forgotten,” Peden said. “Her love and passion for French class and culture will live on, along with her high-spirited personality. I think it is a wonderful way for French Club to both remember an outstanding student as well as help one of our own with college expenses.”
The stage play, by Richard R. George based on the book by Roald Dahl published through Dramatic Publishing, will be held Friday, Nove. 6, at 6:30 p.m.: Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $3 for anyone 12 and under; and $4 for everyone else.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 16 October 2009 )
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