By Ray Tincher | For The Times-Post

In January 1993, the fifth largest bank robbery in U.S. history took place in Rochester, New York. The robbers stole $7.4 million dollars from a Brink’s armored car depot.

About two weeks later, Iraq refused to allow UNSCOM inspectors to fly into Iraq. U.S. forces fired about 40 Tomahawk missiles at Bagdad factories linked to Iraq’s illegal nuclear weapons program. The day following this incident, Bill Clinton was sworn in as the 42nd president of the United States.

On Feb. 26, 1993, in New York City, a parked van filled with explosives exploded below the North Tower of the World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring more than a thousand other innocent people.

On March 11, 1993 Janet Reno was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in the next day. She became the first female attorney general of the United States. The next day, the Great Blizzard of 1993 struck the eastern United States, bringing record snowfall and other severe weather all of the way from Cuba to Quebec; it reportedly led to the deaths of hundreds of people. Also, The Mississippi and Missouri rivers flooded sizable portions of the American Midwest.

Attorney Reno’s responsibilities multiplied when the “Waco siege,” a 51-day stand-off at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, ended with a fire that killed 76 people, including their leader David Koresh. Many in law enforcement criticized the handling of this incident and their disregard for life.

When someone asks what or where is Lapel, Indiana, you cannot give an exact answer.

What used to be a small farming community has now developed into an ever-growing town with many changes and improvements. Although many residents of our community still make their living from farming, Lapel has become more diversified.

Remember basketball star Billy Keller? He was the 1965 Indiana Mr. Basketball and played on the Indianapolis Washington State Championship team, Final Four with Purdue and played for the Indiana Pacers. Mr. Basketball Billy Keller was coming to Lapel in January 1993, to conduct a basketball clinic for the elementary school students.

In May 1993, Mrs. Patricia Stewart, sixth-grade teacher at Lapel Elementary School, earned the “Shining Star Award” from Channel 13 WTHR, Indianapolis. The Shining Star Awards recognize teachers throughout Indiana for demonstrating excellence in their profession. Our town couldn’t be prouder of our local teaching staff.

After all of the pizza, cheese, and sausage selling, 68 LHS band members and 13 chaperones loaded all of their equipment and personal luggage on two busses and headed for Washington, D.C.. They stayed at the Econo Lodge and visited traditional sites. The Vietnam Memorial was a favorite for many students. Jason Swinford said, “Seeing myself in the mirrors of the Kennedy Center was the best.”

The band performed on the Capitol steps, and the jazz band performed in the Old Post Office. Amanda Ridgeway said, “Playing on the Capitol steps was quite an experience.” All of the trip was an enormous success and reportedly Band Director Greg Scott was glad everything went well.

The West Central School Board members for this graduating class were Dan Davisson, Gary Simmons, Gary Dalzell, Nancy Likens, Steve Crandell, Michael Lacey, Jack Alexander, Ron Green and George Dickison.

The Cass of 1993 valedictorian was Amanda Jayne Prather. Mandy is the daughter of Richard and Melinda Prather. Katherine Sue Green earned salutatorian honors. Kathy is the daughter of Robert and Nancy Green.

The graduating seniors are as follows: Neal Alberts, Matthew Barker, Jennifer Beasley, Alicia Benefiel, Andrea Blair, Leslie Blaszkiewicz, Stephanie Boles, Jeri Boone, Joseph Bowman, Barbara Brown, Timothy Buckles, Jon Callahan, Lincoln Chapple, Mandi Cole, Josh Dale, Brent Degitz, Mandy Duncan, Nathan Edwards, Cynthia Estep, Jana Fields, Jamie Fitch, Eli Flora, Brian Gilbert, Douglas Gilmore, Shelly Gore, Teresa Green, Todd Harry, Brandon Hart, Michael Hawk, Jason Hull, Jinjer Johnson, Jason Jones, Melissa Mahoney, Kristiana Mason, David Musick, Nikki Myers, Stacy Hersberger, Jason Higgs, Nicole Hinshaw, Treva Hinshaw, Adam Kinnaman, Kristi Kurtz, Jeri Long, Troy Lucas, Jason McFarland, Michelle McMillian, Andrea McMillian, Shane Mills, Angela Norris, Michael O’Conner, Amy Owen, Rebekah Perry, Derrick Phillips, Carrie Randolph, Isaiah Ray, Talmage Reasoner, Kathy Riffey, Kamma Romine, Amanda Russell, Brian Russell, Natalie Saguid, Brian Schuyler, Matthew Selby, Melissa Shook, Toby Short, Amanda Sisson, Franklin Smith, Matt Smith, Jessica Specht, Danny Springer, Andrea Stapleton, Emily Stephenson, Angela Stern, Christie Stinson, Jason Swinford, Stacey Teeters, Jody Tipton, Cary Wall, Darrin Ward, Shirley Ward, Brian Wells, Heather Womack, Shane Womack, J.C. Wright, Karen Wrightsman,

During the year 1992-93, student athletics took on more enthusiasm. As the old saying goes, “Practice, Practice Makes Perfect.” The work of a few dedicated coaches and athletics can make a big difference in how a team performs on the court or field. It is difficult for a coach to be friends with his players and still get their total efforts. However, in sports it often comes down to the last-second shot, final pitch or last strike. During the 1992-93 season, the Lapel Bulldogs didn’t have a bad year; but, they didn’t have a good year. In football and tennis, they had a long way to go. In basketball and baseball, there are usually 3-4 games we lost by one or two points. Those 3-4 lost games would look great in our win column.

On March 25, 1993, The Lapel Post ran an article about Den 2, Pack 361 Scouts having an opportunity to see an “Impact Electric Vehicle.” The car was in the area and the group was given the chance to sit behind the wheel and check out the inside. After the inspection they learned about the car and how it runs on batteries. That was almost 30 years ago!