Claire Elaine Stuckey

My first grandchild was born on November 28. Her name is Claire Elaine Stuckey. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches long. What a blessing she is!

PCHS Spring Acitivities

It's Spring time in Pike County!!! Things @ PCHS are heating up towards a great ending to the school year. The school musical, The Music Man was terrific...again. So many wonderful songs acted out by some truly talented actors/actresses. Thanks to Vance Hays and cast for another memorable play! The PCHS Swing Choir is back performing again for local/area churches again but time is already running out for this school year. Senior Solos are scheduled for Sunday, May 16th @ 2 in the PC Auditorium.
PC Spring Sports has just started up and all sports are off to a great start on the season. Good luck to all PC Spring Sports.
Senior (everywhere) are starting to countdown the days!! Graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 28. The annual Senior Trip to Holiday World is May 26, with Awards Program @ 9 on May 27, followed by practice and the Senior Dinner.
The school year will officially end on Wednesday, June 2. My advice to all is to stay busy and that will help pass the rest of the year quickly.

Fall @ PCHS

Where to start.....so many things are going on here at Pike Central High School, that I don't know where to start.
Fall sports have been completed and our winter sports athletes/sports are getting underway.
The school play this year is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, it will be held in December. The dates for the play are the December 4 and 6th in the auditorium.
Swing Choir performances have already started and will continue through the end of April, 2010. Pep Band and Winter Guard is preparing for their busy winter schedule, along with the PCHS Dance Team.
Various Pike Central clubs and organizations are gearing up for the holidays. The junior class just completed their annual fruit sales, while Key Club and the National Honor Society are preparing items for the needy.
Oh, and yes, education is taking place everyday and every hour during school hours and the PC Academic teams are meeting often to prepare for competitions in the Spring.
Though our lives are very busy, with little time to rest, most people enjoy doing things in order to keep busy.

NASCAR Chase 2009

As a NASCAR fan I'm excited about the 2009 Sprint Cup "Chase". Twelve of the best drivers for 2009 run 10 races to determine who wins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Jimmie Johnson has won three straight Cup titles and is again in the chase this year. Joining Johnson are Hendricks Motor Sports teammates Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin. Other drivers in this year's chase include: Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle from Roush Racing, Kasey Kahne from Petty Motorsports, Brian Vickers from Red Bull Racing, Kurt Busch from Penske Motor Sports, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman from Stewart-Haas Racing, Denny Hamlin from Joe Gibbs Racing, and Juan Montoya from Ganassi Racing. If Johnson would win the Chase, he would become the first driver to ever win four-straight championships. The "Chase" started last weekend at Loudon, New Hampshire and concludes in mid-November at Homestead, Florida. Who do you think will win the Sprint Cup Championship this year?

PCHS Athletic Fan Club

I want to tell you about a new page that I created on "Facebook". It is entitled PCHS Athletic Fan Club. I encourage all sports fans in Pike County to become a member. Each week I try to post the Pike Central sports highlights of the previous week and allow people to know about upcoming special activities. Everyone is welcome to join and even contribute to the special page about PCHS Athletics. Current membership is well over 200; it's free and easy if you're a member of the social network called "Facebook". Take a look, I'd love to have you!

Welcome to 2009-2010 School Year

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year at Pike Central High School. I truly hope all of you had a glorious summer. With the new school year already in motion, everything seems to be going on.

PCHS Sports are in full swing with season-ending tournaments just around the corner. PC Academic Teams are forming and already preparing for competitions, and of course the Charger Brigade & Flags are already performing and preparing for district. Good luck to all teams, striving towards success!

Swing Choir

On Sunday, May 3 the Pike Central Swing Choir had their final performance of the 2008-2009 school year with their annual concert and senior solos. Under the direction of Vance Hays (and student teacher-Matt Rhodes), the choir performed four numbers including the ever-popular Battle Hymm of the Republic and the emotional song Friends. The program opened with all 19 seniors performing magnificently with their solos. All were wonderful and each received loud applause. Afterwards all of the seniors presented Mr. Hays with a brand new briefcase...loaded with money!!

I've been watching senior solos now for several years, and in all that time I'm not sure this wasn't one of the best overall performances by the seniors. The program was enjoyed by all and when the program ended the crowd gave the choir a standing ovation. Thanks to Mr. Hays and the 2008-2009 PCHS Swing Choir for a truly memorable season.

By the way, PCHS Concert Choir will have their final performance and solos on May 17 @2 PM in the auditorium. Hope to see you there.

YouTube - rascal flatts

YouTube - rascal flatts

Pike Central Prom-2009 is history and graduation is near. However.....there is so much still going on at PCHS.

The Spring Choral Concert (Senior Solos) will be held May 3 in the auditorium. Nineteen seniors will be singing their final solos that day beginning at 2 p.m.

Final exams will be May 15, May 18, and May 19. May 19th is the seniors last day in class! On May 20, the seniors will travel to Holiday World for their annual class trip. May 21st at 9 a.m. will be the Senior Awards Program in the PCHS Gym. The Senior Dinner is at 2:30 p.m. at The Village Inn; it's all-you-can-eat and the menu is very promising! Graduation is May 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the PCHS Gym. An optional baccalaureate will be held that evening at 7 p.m. with the Reverend Mel Camp in the auditorium. Expectations are that the graduation ceremony will last approximately one hour with 151 seniors graduating this year.

School will resume on May 26 and 27 for all underclassmen, with the 27th a PBA Day. PCHS Summer School begins on June 1.

As you can see, though school is almost over with, there are still several items left undone. So, buckle up and study hard! Good luck Class of 2009!!

PCSC Spring Break

It's almost Spring Break time for Pike County Public Schools!! I don't know anyone who can't wait. However, there is a lot to do prior to the Spring Break celebration.

First, there are Parent-Teacher Conferences the week of March 16. PCHS Parent-Teacher Conferences are Tuesday, March 17 from 4-8 P.M. and Thursday, March 19 from 10:30-3:30 P.M. Hopefully, lots of parents will come and tour the building while meeting with their sons/daughters teachers. I think most teachers look at the conferences as a way to establish or continue communication between the parents and themselves, plus the time usually allows teachers to prepare for the final push, once they return from their break.

PCHS Spring Sports is getting under way already. By the time vacation comes, all PCHS sports teams will be allowed to officially begin practice. Sporting events begin on April 1st, when girls softball kicks the spring season off. Boys and girls track have a meet on April 2nd and then the rest of the sports begin the week of April 6th.

With the PCHS Spring Musical the weekend of March 13th out of the way, the next big event is the PC Junior-Senior Prom on April 18th, followed by the Academic Super Bowl in early May, then of course PC Awards and Graduation still set for May 21-22 (more on that in a later blog).

With lots of events to keep everyone busy, spring break is a welcomed time to relax before the last big push of the school year. I hope everyone has a safe and restful spring vacation!

PCHS Basketball

Wow, Pike Central High School Basketball season is over! Did it go quickly for you? Gee, where do I start? Our girls team finished 10-13. They finished second in the PAC and lost only one player from this year's team; Jamie Brown. Though she will be missed, the team returns everyone else for next year and people are already getting excited about it. The girls will look to improve their overall play, represent the school well in both the Toyota Classic in December and in the PAC next season; maybe even winning the conference title?? The sectional in 2010 is coming here to Pike Central and the fans are very happy about that!! With an off-season to improve in every category and great stronger, the 2009-2010 season will be one to remember. Good luck girls!

The boys season just ended on a sad note; losing to Washington in the sectional. However, did this team get better or what?!!? From just six wins a year ago to nine wins this season and a third-place finish in the conference. Overall, the team finished 9-14, but started the year 0-7, what an improvement! They won five games in the PAC, the most of any PC Boys team in 10 years. Overcoming many obstacles, these fine young men learned to win games; close games, come-from-behind games, and conference game against good competition. Now, that they've learned to win, hope are very high for next year's group. Unfortunately we have to say goodbye to some great seniors: Kyle Jones, Evan Biesterveld, Ryan Dowdell, and Jake Robinette. They will all be missed; I wish they were all back next year. We do have a good core of players back next year to hopefully improve and maybe make a run at a conference title and becoming at least a .500 team.

Overall, it was a fun winter sports season here at PCHS. Cody Kendle, a sophomore, advanced to the state in wrestling. Boys and girls swimming both had another great year, and of course basketball was great fun to watch. Thanks to all the winter sport athletes and good luck next year. Thanks to all seniors winter sport athletes-all of you made the season very memorable!

NASCAR 09

The 2009 NASCAR season begins this weekend with The Daytona 500-The Great American Race. I've been around sports all my life and NASCAR is probably my favorite professional sport. My youngest son Kyle got me interested 4-5 years ago when he really loved and attending some races. Naturally, it increased my interest to the point that I soon started watching races almost every weekend. My oldest son soon began watching and enjoying the races as well. Eventually, it led my sons and I to Indianapolis to attend the Brickyard 400. This year, I'm scheduled to go back to Indy and, for the first time, attend the race at Bristol, Tennessee in March! I can't wait!

Many who don't enjoy NASCAR see no point in it saying "all they do is go round and round." Actually there's lots of strategy involved, especially from a technical standpoint. NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs, and crews are all highly specialized. I truly believe if you dislike NASCAR, you would really enjoy the experience of attending a race; it would definitely change your mind about the sport!

Hendricks Motors remains my favorite stable of drivers including 3-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and this season veteran NASCAR driver Mark Martin joins the team.

Thanks to my son(s) NASCAR has become my favorite professional sport. There's nothing like attending a race and seeing the drivers up close. Hope to see you at the track in 2009!!

The "Era" of Shakespeare

My sophomore Honors English class is beginning, what I term, Shakespeare and his Theater. It is one of my most favorite things to do during the school year. Personally, I not so sure that William Shakespeare wasn't the world's most intelligent person, considering that he was at least partially responsible for modern spoken English. My class seems very excited about reading "Julius Caesar" and learning about the life of this brillant man. Did you know that several years ago Pike Central High School offered a Shakespeare class? Ms Sims taught the course (she's in love with the man). I found it very sad that the class was only offered for one year because few students were willing to read and study his poetry and plays. Here's hoping today's PCHS students enjoy, respect and at least appreciate the man and all his work. He was and still is a most amazing person!!

Inauguration Day 2009

Today is Inauguration Day in the United States. As a nation we are beginning a new era in this country with the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. It seems to be a time of vague optimism in this country, especially with the economy, layoffs, war in foreign countries, etc. Hopefully with the help of God, the newly elected senate and congress, and patience by all Americans the new president can get things turned in the right direction. Nevertheless this is an exciting time in history.

What makes this time ironic is just yesterday (January 19) we celebrated another great American with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King was assassinated before his life-long dream could be realized, but to be sure, he would be very proud of the turnaround in this country in regards to prejudice. Dr. King's vision was not only for white people to come to terms with blacks, but to get along with all people of all nations, religions, and cultures. I'm sure he would say today is a very proud moment in history; in fact Dr. King is probably smiling down on America from heaven....this very moment. It's a hope of mine that Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream stays alive and I pray that our new president, with help from people all over this great nation of ours, come together to rebuild and restore this country to all it's greatness and glory. God Bless America!

Welcome, 2009!! It is my expressed wishes that you have a wonderful, glorious, and healthy 2009. However, before we all look ahead, how was your 2008? What were the highlights of the year? For me it was somewhat of a struggle. With the recent death of my son, there were portions of the year that went badly....it's just going to take time. I did have several wonderful things happen to me this year. I taught two new classes at school (Novels and Bible Literature), was appointed to serve on the Pike County Community Foundation Board, and was asked to be the Assistant Athletic Director at PCHS. I enjoyed getting closer to several members of my church this summer when we traveled to New Orleans to do missionary work. I love my church, I don't know what I'd do without them. I continued working on my very close relationships with close friends and family members while enjoying a year of good health. I also broaden my horizons by developing new interests by exploring new and different things in my life. I read more and tried to develop new meaning with life.

As far as resolutions are concerned, I can only say that I hope in 2009 to continue my pursuit of knowledge. I want to continue working on becoming a better teacher, developing a working knowledge in technology/computers, and getting more in touch with God. What are some of your New Years' Resolutions? Whatever they are, I hope they all come true.....Happy New Year.

Christmas

Christmas in Pike County is rapidly approaching. Children all across the county, state, and the world are getting anxious about the holidays. Most young people concentrate on buying and receiving presents, gathering with family members, or just being away from school for a time.

During the "rush" of the season, many people forget that it's a time to rejoice. It is this time that the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ occurs. Some people forget what He did for us. He died on the cross so we could be forgiven for the sins we committed and are still committing. I hope we all take some time this season to reflect on the lives we are living for Him.

Christmas time is usually a time for joy and happiness. Often, fond memories of Christmas" past come to light. I can still remember my early Christmas' with my parents. I vividly remember the Christmas' I've had with my own family, of my sons while they were growing up. I still remember Kyle's last Christmas with us. As joyful as the season is, a part of me is very sad this time of year. My grandmother passed away on Christmas in 1975. It was her favorite holiday and that year didn't make it one of my favorites. Losing my son in November, 2007 made last year practically unbearable and probably won't make this year any better. I just try to make the most of it and keep in mind the "reason for the season".

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday. Just remember Jesus Christ is responsible for the season and the celebration. Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanksgiving

Wow, can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving already! For some people, its their favorite holiday of the year. I can well remember most of my recent Thanksgivings. My wife puts the turkey into the oven the night before and when I awake on Thanksgiving morning, the smell is incredible. I never try to eat much prior to the big meal and I always leave the table stuffed! I also enjoy all the leftovers for days to come.

Thanksgiving though is truly a time to count our blessings. Give thanks to God for all we have and ask that he blesses us all for years to come; afterall, being with family at Thanksgiving is a very important time. There is nowhere I'd rather be than with my family. What are your thoughts about Thanksgiving? What makes it special to you? Do you have a special memory of the holiday?

Veterans Day

Of all the special programs we have at school, the Veterans Day Program is -by far- my favorite. Our program yesterday was highlighted by special speakers, an introduction of some Pike County War survivors and music sung by the PCHS Swing Choir. It also included the presentation of the colors and T.A.P.S. for those who died defending our freedom. Overall, I think students were well behaved during the program, but I also often think that many of them have no clue as to why we actually observe this special day. I'm very thankful for all the freedom we have in this country, despite all our recent economic problems. We have the freedom to vote for the candidate of our choice, the freedom to attend school wherever we want; to come and go as we choose. Many countries don't have that and few high school students really know this or even care. Last Sunday at church we concluded our service with an inspiring version of "America the Beautiful". When I think of Veterans Day, I truly realize that God shed his grace on our nation and I simply say.....thank you Veterans and God Bless America!!

Thoughts Behind the Name

Many maybe wondering about the thoughts behind my blog title. True, I do love cats of all kinds (Tigers) and as you've probably noticed by viewing my blog that I have the prettiest cat in the world!! However if you've been to my room you also know I love the Kentucky Wildcats. I have many pictures hanging on my walls at school/home portraying my beloved Wildcats. I travel to Lexington, Kentucky often to watch them play football (I have season tickets) and of course the tradition-rich basketball. At times it's difficult being a UK fan, especially surrounded by so many Hoosiers, but most of the time it doesn't bother me. So if you don't like my Wildcats......keep it to yourself and I won't bug you about your favorite college team, OK?

I've loved and been around sports all my life, but up to a couple of years ago, I knew nothing about NASCAR. I have to admit that my son Kyle got me interested in the sport a few years back. He always loved Jeff Gordon and rarely cheered for anyone but him. However with my new interest in the sport, I have always admired Gordon for his achievements, but it's his partner, Jimmie Johnson, who I really like. Johnson won the Sprint Cup Championship again this year, making him only the second person in the history of NASCAR to win the title three years in a row! My sons and I attend the Brickyard 400 in Indy every year and Johnson has won the race two of the last three years!! Nevertheless, Hendricks Motor Sports in the best in Stock Car Racing and Jimmie Johnson is the man!

Remember the Time.......

I just celebrated my 56th birthday in October and I know most people think that's old. How often do you think of the days-gone-by?? Here's what I remember: eating pie that were made with REAL crust, hot summer's day eating watermelon outside to cool off, riding my bike to everything, having a faithful dog at my side (I miss King, my German-Shepherd), sleeping in a house w/o air conditioning, Christmas with the family (Great!), hunting with my dad or playing ball with him, gas wars....17 cents a gallon!! going to movies for a dollar, 10 cents for a soft drink or an ice cream bar, Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon (I voted for him!!), Vietnam, Neil Armstrong, Mercury missions to space and watching them on TV at breakfast or at school, the Tate-LiBianca murders, Marilyn Monroe, watching the first Super Bowl-Go Packers! Blizzards (not the kind you eat either), watching TV with no cable or satellite and TV and there being no TV on after midnight!! I remember going to high school football/basketball games when almost the entire student body cheered.....home or away!! I remember when Ford Mustangs came out and the fact that most new cars only cost $3-6,ooo. Wow, I'll probably think of more later, but if you view this blog, I'd appreciate it if you'd add to the list.

I'm so proud of this picture. This is my Missionary Group picture from New Orleans this past July. The couple in the middle of the picture is Marvin & Juanita Hamilton. They are the couple we worked for all week and the picture is taken outside their home, 300 yards from the levee in New Orleans. This is my group from Main Street Presbyterian Church in Petersburg. This experience was one everyone should attempt. It helped bring me closer to everyone and it was very important for me to help do God's work.

No, this isn't Jerry Garcia, Ringo Starr, or Tommy Chong, it's Vance Hays!! This picture was taken in New Orleans this past July when Vance and I were on a Mission Trip.....and they don't say it doesn't get hot in Louisiana! Though not a particularly striking pose, Vance is my best friend in the world and I love him with all my heart.

Sydney2

Both of these pictures are of my cat, Sydney. She is very devoted to me. She sleeps with me at night and always follows me around the house. She meows for me when I'm not home and lets me have it when I return! I've been blessed with several wonderful pets in my life, but Sid is my all-time favorite. Susan and I have two dogs; Abby and Cody (Dakota); however, Sydney runs the house! I always tell people/students that she is the most beautiful cat in the world, don't you agree?

Sydney

Ryan

This is my son Ryan. He has become a great man; good husband and provider. His birthday is July 30. He and his wife Brooke live in Newburgh. Ryan works at Belmont Freight in Evansville. He loves UK Football/Basketball and often goes to games with me. He has become a big NASCAR fan as well. We go to the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis every year, a tradition that we established when Kyle was alive. They got me hooked on it!! Ryan took after his mom, he's simply a good person and makes friends easily. I'm so proud of him!!! He's my best friend.

Charlene Fox

With my wife Susan, this is Charlene Fox. She was Kyle's girlfriend at the time of his death. As you can see, she is beautiful and is greatly loved by my wife and me. Charlene graduated from Tecumseh High School last May and now attends USI. She lives in Evansville at school, but spends most weekends with her mom, brother, sister, and her niece in Lynnville. You may have seen her at a few functions at Pike Central or when she was a cheerleader at THS. She also worked at Main Street Video in Lynnville. If I had a daughter, this is who I'd choose. She remains a huge part of our lives.

Kyle's Gravestone

This is my son Kyle's final resting place. His funeral was held on November 7, 2007 and was the greatest funeral I have ever witnessed. Dr. Douglas Low and LeAnne Kelley both spoke eloquently about Kyle and what he meant to everyone. The Pike Central Swing Choir w/Vance Hays agreed to sing two of Kyle's favorite songs when he was in the choir, "Full Control" and "Friends". A recording of "Blessed Be the Broken Road" was played during the ceremony because Kyle had sung the song at "Senior Solos". To cap off the funeral, St. Mary's Life-Flight helicopter flew overhead at the conclusion of the graveside service; it was spectacular!! This stone is beautiful and I hope viewers of this might someday go to Augusta Cemetary to see it.

Tribute to Kyle

My entire blog is dedicated to the memory of my son, Kyle Steven Stuckey. Kyle was born on August 27, 1986 at St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville, Indiana and he died on November 4, 2007. Kyle had grown up to be a wonderful man; one quite independent, very loyal to friends and relatives, and extremely competent in his job.

Kyle graduated from Pike Central High School in May, 2005 and embarked on a career in medicine during his senior year at Pike. In the spring semester of his senior year, Kyle enrolled at Ivy Tech in Evansville in the EMT program and actually finished up his training (with the highest grade in the class) in May, 2005-before actually graduating from high school. He started work at St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville in July, 2005. There he worked as a phlebotomist for six months before being hired at Warrick County EMS in January, 2006. He stayed on at Warrick until September of 2007 when he had an opportunity to return to St. Mary's and work as an EMT in the emergency room of the hospital. He loved his job and St. Mary's, working with old friends and meeting a lot of new ones. He truly wanted to be the best; and was.

His sudden death has been quite a blow to the whole family. As a father, one's worst fear is losing a child. I don't deal with his death very well from time to time, but the last year has been very rough on us all. My wonderful wife has suffered greatly, battling depression and the pressures of her job. My son, Ryan, has also fought off horrible feelings of Kyle's passing and now is my only living son. Kyle's grandparents have also suffered terribly during this period of time. I can only wonder what other people are feeling for their loss. A couple of friends of Kyle's have actually had tattoo's made in order to remember him.

Having close friends such as Vance Hays and LeAnne Kelley have both been very supportive. My church means the world to me and the opportunity to serve God, because I know God is taking care of my son. I can only hope that one day we will be reunited with Kyle in Heaven and we'll be together forever.

So, my blog is in support/memory of my son Kyle who resides in Heaven. He is with me everyday and will always be with me. Having the love and support from family and friends somehow makes everything in my life OK.