Historical Archives
June 2023
Lt. General Kruse Promotion and Award Presentation
Less than two weeks after driving from Washington, D.C. to present the first Kruse Leadership Award at his alma mater, Pettisville High School, Lieutenant General Jefferey A. Kruse was appointed by President Biden to serve as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Lt. Gen. Kruse (PHS 1986) and his wife, Dr. Susie Kruse, created the Kruse Leadership Award, through the Pettisville School Foundation, to be given annually to the PHS senior who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service to others. The inaugural award, which carries a stipend/scholarship of $1,500, was presented by Lt. Gen. Kruse to Pettisville senior Leah Beck, daughter of Reg and April Beck, at the May 19 awards ceremony.
The director of the DIA is the nation’s highest-ranking military intelligence officer, who serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters of military intelligence. He will serve pending confirmation by the U. S. Senate.
During his Pettisville visit, he was presented a copy of the sign that the Pettisville School Foundation has sponsored at town limits honoring outstanding accomplishments by Pettisville High School students. Also honored were the 1991 State Track Championship team of one person, Lincoln Cobb and Girl Named Tom, Winners of NBC’s “The Voice” competition in 2021, Caleb, Josh, and Bekah Liechty.
For additional information contact Dr. Steve Switzer, PSF Executive Director.
Top- Sign that has been displayed for the past 32 years.
New sign presentation to Lincoln Cobb by Steve Switzer, PSF Executive Director.
The track sign has been replaced with one that includes Lincoln’s name.
Lincoln and his mother, Jan Cobb Nofziger.
January 2023
PSF HONORS GRADUATES
Visitors to Pettisville are now greeted by additions to the “city limits” signs as the Pettisville School Foundation honors four PHS grads who have brought honor and recognition to Pettisville.
Three-star Air Force Lieutenant General Jeffrey A. Kruse and the musical group, Girl Named Tom, consisting of Caleb, Josh, and Bekah Liechty will join the 1991 State Track and Field Champion Team which, uniquely, consisted of one person, Lincoln Cobb. All are PHS graduates.
This recognition is sponsored by the Pettisville School Foundation to honor those who, through their accomplishments, earned status, or other achievements, have brought honor and recognition to the Pettisville School and community.
The Fulton County Engineer and Clinton Township Trustees installed the new signs.
One of only 43 three-star generals in the United States Air Force, Lieutenant General Jeffrey A. Kruse (PHS ’86), is currently Director’s Advisor for Military Affairs, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, McLean, Va. Jeff has served as an outstanding representative of PHS. He was very gracious and humble in his return to Pettisville to receive the district’s “Circle of Excellence” Award in May of 2017. Jeff is the son of Arnold Kruse and the late Joan Kruse.
Siblings Caleb (’PHS 13), Joshua (’15), and Bekah (’19) Liechty make up the vocal group Girl Named Tom. GNT won season 21 of NBC’s “The Voice” with their amazing sibling harmonies during the finale results show on Dec. 14. On that same day, four of their songs were on iTunes Top 10 Songs Chart (including #1). The first trio ever to win on “The Voice,” they have represented Pettisville well in both song and through their presence on the national stage. Their parents are Holly Liechty and the late Chris Liechty.
The original 1991 state champion track and field team sign has been replaced. That “team” garnered national media attention as the only team member, Lincoln Cobb, competed in three events and won the team championship for Pettisville all by himself. He won the long jump, the 100 meter dash, and finished second in the 200 meter dash, scoring 28 points to claim the 1991 Division III state team championship, the first and only in Pettisville’s history. Lincoln is the son of Jan Cobb Nofziger and the late Dan Cobb.
The PSF would like to thank Myrna (Cordy) Brown for the updates of our PSF logo, which she originally designed. Mrs. Brown has been designing graphics for PSF for over thirty years.
#GivingTuesday419 - 2022
November 7, 2022
Dear PSF Friend,
This is a reminder that we are just days away from #GivingTuesday419 on November 29 at Founders Hall. Registration ends Nov 21 or before (if they reach capacity).
#GivingTuesday419 is sponsored by Everence and held at Sauder Village’s Founders Hall. The program includes a great meal and brief presentations from ten non-profit “Difference Makers”. Attendees make donations during the evening to the difference makers or any 501-c-3 organization! In 2021 PSF was featured as a “Difference Maker.”
PSF has benefitted greatly from this event. Our donors have given over $100,000 at #GivingTuesday419 events, but thanks to a funding match arranged by Everence, the PSF has received over $130,000. This is a great way give to the Foundation!
You must be present to donate and have your gifts matched, so please be sure to attend this year’s event. Please register now at https://fs4.formsite.com/everence/mttm77yl4h/index.html
See you on Tuesday, November 29, 2022!
Steve Switzer,
Executive Director, PSF
The Pettisville School Foundation was selected as one of the 10 Difference Makers featured at the 2021 GivingTuesday419 event organized by Everence ®.
More information about this "in-person" event at Founders Hall, Sauder Village is on our GivingTuesday419 page.
#GivingTuesday419 - 2021
The PSF, one of ten Difference Makers (featured nonprofit organizations) at the November 2021 #GivingTuesday419 event, has received a check for $36,464! That amount includes the Everence Match—about 11%—to donations made by 32 PSF donors that evening.
The Foundation wants to thank our generous donors and Everence for making this amazing event possible! Special thanks go to (Pettisville resident) Shari Beck, Everence Financial Consultant who is the creative force behind the event and her associate, Trisha Nofziger. They both put in countless hours to make the evening—and the enormous amount of good that results—a reality.
In the three years that the PSF has participated in #GivingTuesday419, the foundation has received over $130,000 in donations and match.
Attendees made their donation checks out to Everence.
Everence then added additional funds, effectively increasing contributions to the Difference Makers that each donor chose.
To learn more about #GivingTuesday419 go to this Everence ® website page- #GivingTuesday419
The PSF Family Fund was our focus for the #GivingTuesday419 event on Nov 30, 2021
Imagine what it feels like
…for a boy who needs new shoes but whose parents cannot afford them?
…for a little girl who wonders where next week’s “rent” will come from to pay for housing in a motel for her homeless family?
…or to have a new Chromebook from school but no internet at home?
…or to be a mom with no money to buy Christmas gifts for her children?
Meet PSF’s “Family Fund,” which was created to find needs and meet them or see hurts and help.
And, now, imagine what it feels like …
… To hear a teacher describe the “excitement in his eyes” when she gave the boy the new pair of shoes.
… To know that the few weeks motel paid for the homeless girl’s family helped bridge the time until they could move nearer to relatives. They are doing fine now.
… To learn that the Family Fund provided internet access for all students in grades 5-12 who previously had none, in November, 2019 –mere months before the entire school was learning at home.
Or
… To know that that mom has money to shop for Christmas presents for her children—in October, no less.
The PSF’s primary purpose as a “Difference Maker” is to make people aware of our “Family Fund” effort which attempts to find hurting students or families and help them.
We value your donations to the Family Fund, but, even more, we would offer our assistance to you to start a similar program in your school.
Contact the PSF Executive Director.
