Dear RJR Family,
WOW…2014 is off to an exciting start! Between athletic contests (CONGRATS! to the varsity women’s basketball team who defeated Mt. Tabor in overtime), arts magnet events, A Cappella Jam and Reynolds Revue, our school was bustling and, as always, coming together for the greater good of RJR and our entire community! Please see the Volunteer Recognition section for the folks who made these events successful!
We are thrilled to announce that the Legacy Campaign presented Principal Pat Olsen with a check for $124,022 during half-time of the RJR/Mt. Tabor basketball game. This amazing accomplishment would not be possible without the generosity of YOU, our incredible donors! We would also like to recognize and sincerely thank Megan and Rick Erickson, Legacy Campaign chairmen, who have worked tirelessly on this effort since last spring. We know they would agree that beating their goal of $110,000 would never have been possible without the hard work, dedication and long hours of Liz Kelly, assistant chairman and Lynn Gwyn, Legacy treasurer. Our Legacy team has once again gone way “above and beyond” and thankfully, our students, staff and the entire RJR community will benefit!
Despite this tremendous feat, the Legacy Campaign is NOT over! It’s never too late to give, and we have more needs than ever. Please consider a donation if you haven’t made one already. See for all the details.
Lisa and Greg Carter
Students who need mock service hours can come on Tuesday, January 21 to earn hours during the teacher workday. Students can come during the following times: 9:00-11:00 a.m. and/or 1:00-3:00 p.m. Students should come to Mr. Clevenger’s room 020 to receive their assignments.
Jan. 23Johnson C. Smith - All lunch periods, cafeteria
Harvard - 2:15, Student Services office
Please help spread the word about the audition/portfolio review process for students who are either new to Reynolds in 2014 or who are current RJR students who wish to take a course next year in a new arts area but have never taken it at RJR.
Auditions and visual arts assessments are February 1st and 2nd, depending on discipline. Complete information can be found on the Arts Magnet page of the RJR website:
Student Services counselors are currently compiling a list of scholarship opportunities open to current RJR seniors. Seniors will receive this scholarship information by email this week.
Congratulations to the following students (and Mr. James) for making All-District Band:
Arjun Patel
Maggie Kenned
Dustin Sneed (first chair)
Henry White
Sam Pait
Yanal Techelepi
Caleb Kritchevsky
Kolby Hines
Jeremiah Kamtman
And to these students (and their teachers) for earning Gold Scholastic Keys. We had the most winners in our district!
Teacher: Emily Beach-Munday
Elisabeth Anthony, Strungout, Sculpture
Emily Gaines, Girl In Glasses, Drawing
Teacher: Phil Benenati
Laura Brasher, Entangled, Digital Art
Dagoberto Dimas, Love Portrait, Drawing
Vintage Jane, Photography
Anne-Conley Edwards, La Masquerade, Photography
Keelyn Henderson, Composition 1, Photography
Haley Jacob, A Splash Of Color, Photography
Shirley Tan, Light Vs. Dark, Photography
Teacher: Frank Chodl
Samuel Hermes, Sleeping Soldier, Photography
Teacher: Amy Cruz
Katherine Dull, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Drawing
Katie James, Alden, Drawing
Marian Sanders, The Light, Drawing
Christina Woodard, Self-portrait, Drawing
Teacher: Ashley Hurst
Jackson Carter, The Machine, Drawing
Emma Strickland, We All Like Motorcycles To Some Degree, Drawing
ATTENTION all RJR juniors….are you ready for the MANDATORY ACT in early March?! It is an official test and your scores count for college admissions.
An ACT prep course (18 hours) offered by Princeton Review begins January 18 and runs through February 26. Practice tests will be given on three Saturdays (Jan. 18, Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Three-hour prep sessions will be held weekly on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., beginning January 22 and concluding on February 26.
RJR students receive a $100 discount – use promo code H6ZSH$.
Register online at:
Questions? Please contact PTSA volunteer Michelle Caldwell at .
Congratulations to Student of the Week Madison McCarthy.She was nominated by Ms. Fitzgerald for her contributions to the class and commitment to excellence. Thanks for making RJR great, Madison!
Karen Gregory - 23rd
Wanda Williams - 26th
The RJR campus has been buzzing with activity since early December and it’s time to thank the volunteers who helped make all the special events successful!
The Arts Magnet committee staffed the box office during December and at early January performances. Additionally, they serve as wonderful RJR ambassadors at many Arts Magnet events. Thanks to Maike Copeland, Sharon Fogarty, Anne Garvey, Crystal Joyce, Karen Lordemon Rowdy and Aparna Patel!
This same tireless group gave their time and talent to the Holiday Showcase Arts Information Session, Magnet Application help session, Reynolds Revue, Arts Magnet Fair and Arts Magnet Open House. Thanks again to the parents above plus Meredith Kress and Karen O’Brien who graciously represented our school and assisted prospective families. Special thanks also to the teachers, students and ALL administrators who assisted with these events, and especially to our incredible Arts Magnet Director, Karen Morris, without whom none of the events would have been possible! We are so grateful for her extraordinary efforts and devotion to RJR.
Under the thoughtful planning, coordination and leadership of Kate Ruley, another remarkable group of volunteers ensured Reynolds Revue was a rousing success! Thank you, Crystal Joyce for designing the Reynolds Revue flyer and program and Lundon Sims and her students for translating the flyer into Spanish. We appreciate members of Key Clubwho handed out programs and served as “ask me” volunteers throughout the evening. As always, Mr. Ed Thomasand his talented tech/backstage crew did an expert job of operating the auditorium and runningthe show!
Prospective families were treated to outstanding performances by the Orchestra, A Cappella, repertory dancer Katelyn King, Dancing Boots, Cheerleaders and Pep Band, as well as an impressive Student Panel led by Principal Pat Olsen, and informative presentations by Nicole Beale, director of Student Services, Karen Morris, Arts Magnet director and Brad Fisher, Athletic director. Many thanks to our dedicated teachers, student ambassadors, club leaders, coaches, administrators and Demon Shop volunteers who expertly represented RJR and shared RJR spirit.
RJR Hunter Safety Team Tournament Schedule:
February 8:hosted by EastForsythHigh School (off-site location)
February 15: hosted by ForbushHigh School (off-site location)
March 22: District Tournament at Hunting Creek Preserve in Harmony
Teacher Sponsor: Mr. Paul Hill
For directions to tournament locations or more info, contact Stephen Joyce r336-399-2523.
R.J. Reynolds isworking with Academic Year in America (AYA)to bring foreign exchange students to our high school. To support this effort, we need host families open to adding a student (or even two) to their family for one school year. AYA's program allows your familyto have direct input about the type of student you think would be the best fit for your family, and even provides a local coordinator to help make the process smooth and easy. If you are curious about the process or want to discuss what the commitment entails, please contact Courtney Fraley at .
Don't forget to remember! Order your yearbook today!
Visit YearbookOrderCenter.com to reserve your copy of the 2014 Black & Gold. When you pre-order your yearbook, you lock in the lowest price of the year ($50) and ensure that a book will be waiting for you in May. Some extra copies will be available for sale in May for $60, but the last two years, we have sold out. Help us order the right number of books by pre-ordering today!
The 2014 yearbook is bigger than ever (420 pages) and includes a 16-page supplement for the first time ever! The supplement will cover events such as prom, Follies, Class Day and graduation, and be available in July at no extra charge for everyone who ordered a yearbook. For questions about the yearbook, contact adviser Steve Hanf at .
Jan. 219th Grade Basketball vs. Reagan, 4:15
JV Girls/Boys Basketball at Reagan, 5:00/6:30
V Girls/Boys Basketball vs. Reagan, 6:00/7:30
Jan. 22Wrestling at West Forsyth, 7:00
Jan. 23Wrestling vs. DavieCounty, 7:00
Jan. 24Track Meet at JDL, 5:00
The Demon Shop can now take credit cards!We are open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 2p.m. in the RJR cafeteria. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Melissa Workman at .
Support Reynolds Home Field Advantage by purchasing our new T-shirts. All proceeds will go to the fund to “Bring Reynolds Home”. Please see the attachment at the end of the newsletter for details.