PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religion, and national origins.
FRIDAY FOCUS

Runnels Weekly E-Newsletter 
from Head of School Marcia Mackay

Dear Runnels Family,

In this week's Friday Focus:  Student Cellist Wins NOLA Music Competition; Fairy Tale Foods; Safety Reminder; Jr. Beta on TV; STEM Activity Provides Food for Thought; High Marks at Math Convention; New Eagle Scout; Date Set for Annual Giving Campaign; Runnels Artists in BR Gallery Show; Get Your Tickets for Something; Runnels Spring Art Show on Sunday; Book Fair Open on Sunday; Thank Yous and Kudos; State Literary Rally;  Friendly Reminders;  Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner. 
 
1st Place Winners in NOLA Music Festival  

The award-winning Fiero Quartet includes (from left) Sean Parker, Erina Buchholz, Lena Cates and Jaime Pelicero-Calvo.
Junior Sean Parker and the Fiero Quartet won first place in the NOLA Chamber Music Festival at Loyola University last weekend. The quartet, with Sean on cello, Erina Buchholz and Lena Cates on violin, and Jaime Pelicero-Calvo on viola, placed first in the High School Division. All four are members of the Louisiana Youth Orchestra.

The Fiero Quartet also was selected to perform in the Winners Showcase at Loyola in Roussel Hall tonight, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. and again in the Winners Master Class with the Harlem Quartet on April 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Loyola. 

Sean is a member of the Runnels Advanced String Orchestra and studies cello with Jennifer and Dan Cassin. 

Dining and Dancing at "Fairy Tale Foods" Luncheon 


Kindergartners and teachers dance to a waltz at the annual "Fairy Tale Foods" luncheon.



















Dressed in fairy tale finery, the kindergartners and their teachers enjoyed a feast fit for kings, princesses and wizards of all ranks today at the annual "Fairy Tale Foods" luncheon. 

For the event, which was a progressive luncheon, each kindergarten classroom was decorated to resemble the setting of a famous fairy tale, with the diners moving from room to room for course offerings of "Rapunzel's Angel Hair Pasta," "Pigs in a Blanket," "Cinderella's Party Punch" and "Snow White Ice Cream Sundaes with Seven Toppings."

White gloves and top hats were optional but fun and dancing seemed to be required at this festive event that cast a spell of enchantment over everyone in our kindergarten.   

Safety Reminder  

While driving on our school campuses, please remember to hold off on using cellphones.  Louisiana law prohibits anyone who is operating a motor vehicle from using wireless phones or other mobile devices to call, text or access social media while in a school zone during posted school hours.

If you need to make or receive a call while in the driver's seat on campus, please make sure you are legally parked or that you are using a hands-free mobile device.  

TV News Spotlights Jr. Beta Service Project 

A WBRZ videographer records as Jr. Beta members ( from left) Josh Freeman, Ramsey Rogers, Lindsey Huynh,and Ava Kadi prepare plastic shopping bags to be woven into mats for the homeless. 
Our March 17 issue featured a story about the Runnels Jr. Beta Club helping to make sleeping mats from plastic grocery bags for the homeless in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Their efforts were recently featured on Sylvia Weatherspoon's "2 Make a Difference" segment on the WBRZ evening news. We're proud of these students and club advisor Christine Pousson for lending a hand -- many hands, in fact -- where they are needed. 

STEM Activity Provides Food for Thought

Second graders check on their solar ovens during science class.

The 2nd graders in Cyndy Krul's science classes used STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts this week to learn about harnessing the power of the sun to cook food. They built their own solar ovens from pizza boxes and used them to cook everybody's favorite campside delicacy, s'mores!  

"Students viewed two online science programs demonstrating two ways to build solar ovens," said Mrs. Krul. "After selecting the better method, students worked in teams to construct the pizza ovens." They also had a mini lesson on how pizza boxes are built to trap heat and keep pizza warm. 

On a bright, sunny day, they set up their solar ovens outside their classroom. The s'mores were cooked to perfection in exactly 30 minutes.
High Marks at Math Convention 

Mu Alpha Theta conventioneers included (back row) Andrew Mitchell, Henry Forgey, Daniel Mayeux, Parker Rhinehart, Madaleine Alessi, Sam Matthews, Alex Morgan Austin Stansbury, Alex Matthews; (front row) Regan Dean, Marisa Russo, Jeehan Mikdadi, Ashley Stansbury, Natalie Justus, Emma Tooraen, Anna Somerville and Kayla Evans. 

Runnels made a great showing at the 2017 Mu Alpha Theta state convention last weekend at the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge. Our 17-member strong delegation faced stiff competition from the more than 425 students representing 33 schools in Louisiana. 

Senior Andrew Mitchell placed 1st in the Mu B (calculus BC) area test and 3rd in the individual Mu B competition, and sophomore Emma Tooraen took 2nd-place honors in the Alpha Advanced Math area test. Junior Sam Matthews finished 4th in the individual Mu A (calculus AB) test.  

Alex Matthews, grade 11, was reelected to the state board as recording secretary, and his mom, Karen Matthews, head of our junior and senior high math and science departments, also retained her seat on the board.

Congratulations to the competitors, Mu Alpha Theta sponsor Karen Matthews and club co-sponsor Norma Marsh. 

Soaring on Wings of Eagles
 
Garrett Miller at Runnels with one of the benches he made for his Eagle Scout project.
Junior Garrett Miller recently completed the requirements to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank available in American Boy Scouting. Only six percent of all Boy Scouts earn this honor.

To become an Eagle, he had to earn 21 merit badges and demonstrate leadership and organizational skills by successfully completing a community service project. 

For his project, Garrett chose to build four sturdy outdoor benches for Runnels. In completing the project, he created a budget, presented it before a Scouting board, shopped for materials, and organized a work day for 20 people, including fellow Scouts Jonathan Harper, Daniel Harris, Michal Gawronski, Sam Ellsworth, Ricky Harrison, Robby Harrison and Rossie Harrison, Chris Yura, and Nick D'Gerolamo. 

The benches were installed on our S. Harrell's Ferry Rd. campus last week.  "I've already seen people storing their backpacks on the benches during lunch," said Garrett. 

Garrett has been in scouts since he was six years old and is a member of Troop 203, which is led by his dad, Ron.  His Court of Honor ceremony may take place this June.

Garrett is the son of Renee' and Ron Miller. 
 
2017 Annual Giving Campaign Set for August
 
We have set a date for our 2017 Annual Giving Campaign!  It will kick off in August to coincide with the first anniversary of the "Great Flood" and the start of the 2017-18 school year. 

Our main funding appeal this year has been the disaster relief program, "Runnels Rising," which, thanks to the generous support of our school community and friends of our school, has helped us make enormous strides in returning Runnels to its pre-flood condition. Though much has been done, our needs are still great. 

Gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign will be put to work providing support for day-to-day operations, curriculum development, campus and classroom improvements, professional development for faculty and staff, and enhancements and innovations in our academic, athletic and arts programs.

Until the Annual Giving Campaign gets underway in August, please consider making a donation to our school through "Runnels Rising" at runnels.org.  

Baton Rouge Gallery Show Picks Six from Runnels
 
Seth Miller with his "Evolution of Technology" playing cards.
Six Runnels High School students have their artwork on display at the "Real Life Experience Juried High School Exhibition" at the Baton Rouge Gallery. The artists are Cana Brumfield, Seth Miller, Ashley Stansbury, Erin Oehrle, Kyle Sieberth and Alexis Rogers. "There were 160 pieces submitted for the show and only 60 chosen," said Runnels Art Department Head Lee Brandt Randall. "Six were from Runnels."

At the show's opening reception Wednesday night at the Baton Rouge Gallery, Seth Miller was chosen to receive an honorable mention for his "Evolution of Technology" playing cards, and Cana Brumfield was nominated for the Dufour Scholarship award. In addition, a puppet created by Erin Oehrle sold that night. 






Book Fair Open Sunday! 



Stellar Results at State Literary Rally 

Runnels had excellent representation at the State Literary Rally held last weekend at LSU. Four students finished first in their subjects and several others earned scores that qualified them for medals and certificates of accomplishment. 

Winning 1st-place honors were Anna Kadi, Latin II; Sam Matthews, Family and Consumer Science; Isabelle McCall, Psychology; and Marshall Pentes, Latin I. Daniel Mayeaux placed 2nd in Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, and Connor Porthouse finished 2nd in Geometry. Harrison Bonaventure took 3rd-place in U.S. History.

Kayla Evans earned a Superior rating in Spanish III: Interpretive Reading; Kaylee Mancuso and Jenna Carballo received Excellent ratings in Spanish I and II: Interpretive Reading, respectively; and Brandon Kelfstrom received a Good rating in Spanish III: Extemporaneous Speaking.   
Thank Yous and Kudos

Awesome Teacher Appreciation  ...  A colossal thank you goes to the RPO for yet a second astonishing week of Teacher Appreciation meals and gifts, with special shout-outs to: RPO president Aprille Wright; Teacher Appreciation Co-Chairs Alecia Tate and Brooke Yura; 2nd and 10th grade parents for Tuesday's breakfast, 4th and 8th grade parents for Tuesday's lunch, kindergarten and 11th and 12th grade parents for Thursday's breakfast, and 3rd grade parents and the National Honor Society for Thursday's lunch. Thank you for "Building Us Up" with these special pats on the back.



Logos Quartet Performs at Runnels ... We sincerely thank the members of the acclaimed LSU Logos Quartet (LSU music faculty members) for performing two concerts for our music students in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre March 31. They also joined members of the music faculty for a catered lunch in the foyer of the theatre. Many thanks to violinists Espen Lilleslaten and Roxana Pavel Goldstein, violist Elias Goldstein and cellist Dennis Parker. 



Peter Lukinovich
Teens with Talent ... Congratulations to the contestants appearing in the high school talent show held in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre Wedne sday.  Peter Lukinovich took 1st place in Student's and Judge's Choice for his comedy routine. Taking 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, also in both categories were master juggler Alex Matthews and song bird Jena Bordelon. Singer Tyler Robbins tied for 3rd in the Judge's Choice division. Our thanks to the sophomore class and sponsors Michelle Middlebrook and Christine Pousson for running the show. 



Kristen Haller receives a scholarship from Brendon Rush of the Celtic Society of Louisiana.

Harpist Wins Scholarship ... Senior Kristen Haller was awarded a $500 scholarship by the Celtic Society of Louisiana. To be considered for the honor, she submitted a video of herself playing the harp. She was recognized for winning the scholarship at a Celtic Society cultural event at City Park during which she played the harp. Kristen plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fall. 



Correction ... In our last issue we inadvertently left out senior Kristen Haller's name in the picture of our harp students who performed a concert for the residents at the Williamsburg Senior Living Community recently. We apologize for the error. 

Friendly Reminders

Apr.   7-13:   Elementary Scholastic Book Fair, Elementary Library
Apr.   8:         Harp Recital, Theatre, 10:00 a.m.
Apr. 12:         Solo and Ensemble Festival for Strings
Apr. 13:         Solo and Ensemble Festival for Band
Apr. 13:         Kindergarten Spring Party, 2:00 p.m.
Apr. 13:         Preschool Easter Parade and Egg Hunt (2s, 9:00 a.m.; 3s, 10:00 a.m.; 
                          Pre-  Ks, 11:00 a.m.)
Apr. 14:       Good Friday - Easter Break (April 14 - April 21)
Apr. 15-23: High School Trip to Europe
Apr. 18-22: High School American Studies Chicago Architecture Trip
Apr. 24:       School Resumes
Apr. 26:       National Honor Society Induction Ceremony, Theatre, 12:00 p.m.
Apr. 27:       Jr./Sr. High Academic Awards Assembly, Theatre, 11:20 a.m.
Apr. 28:       "3rd-Grade Trip Around the World," 8:30 a.m.
Apr. 28:      Something, Jr./Sr. High Musical Review, Theatre, 7:00 p.m. TICKETS
Apr. 30:     Something, Jr./Sr. High Musical Review, Theatre, 2:00 p.m. TICKETS
                 
 


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  2017 AP and Final Exam Schedule - click here
 ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR - CLICK HERE


Third hour strings students getting silly while posing for their yearbook photo. 


ATHLETIC CORNER   
 
VARSITY SPORTS  
 
SOFTBALL  
It's been a big week for the Lady Raiders! The team is 19-1 in regular play and 4-0 in district. The team celebrated Senior Night on Tuesday with a 17-9 victory against Dunham. Seniors Emily Britt and Micah Danos were honored at the event. On Wednesday, the Lady Raiders crushed Episcopal 12-4, clinching their share of the district championship. The team will close the deal today as they face-off against Christian Life in a double header at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. at CLA.  


CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM SENIOR NIGHT (Provided by Dana Kahn)


TENNIS
Tennis team members keeping their spirits high.
Monday, the Raiders tennis team took on Zachary at Forest Park. Kyle Sieberth scored a win for the Raiders at #1 Singles.

On Wednesday, the team went up against U-High at City Park. Although the team battled hard, it came up short in every match against the notoriously strong U-High players.  "The team fought hard and I couldn't be prouder," said Coach Kathrin Sieberth. "There's always another match in front of us."



TRACK & FIELD
Wednesday, the Track and Field Raiders shined at the Live Oak Eagle Relays. With its highest finish of the season, the boys team placed fourth with 68 points. Sam Matthews was named the Most Outstanding Track performer.

The boys team also claimed three first places, 11 point scoring positions and 5 Personal Records. On the girls side, the team finished 5th with 61 points, four first places, 8 point scoring positions and three Personal Records. Scoring points for the team were: Douglas Gulley, 4th in 100m; Nathan Fairley, 1st in 800m; Sam Matthews, 1st in 1600m/3200m; and Dean Campbell, 5th in 1600m/2nd 3200m.

Placing 4th in the 4x200m were Joseph Armoney, Conner Raines, Douglas Gulley, Nathan Fairley. Placing 2nd in the 4x400m were Nathan Fairley, Dean Campbell, Hudson Hillman, and Sam Matthews.  Walker Gandy placed 4th in shot put. Conner Raines placed 3rd in the high jump and 5th in the long jump.

Placing on the girls team were: Kaylen Howe, 1st in the 800m; Annie Fink, 1st in the 1600m and 2nd in 2nd 800m; Micah Roper, 1st in 3200m and 4th in 1600m; Ryan Roper', 5th in 3200m; London Deshotel, 1st in javelin and 4th in high jump. Placing 4th in the 4x400m were Ryan Roper', Sydney Worsham, Kaylen Howe, and Annie Fink.  

Thursday evening, the team led with strong performances at the Alan Brown Invite held at Broadmoor. London Deshotel was the Alan Brown Invite Outstanding Field Performer. London Deshotel finished 1st for javelin and tied 2nd in the high jump. 

The girls team finished 4th with 48 points, and the boys placed 9th with 29 points. Scorers' points at the event were: Annie Fink (800m/1600m), Sydney Worsham (800m), Micah Roper' (1600m/3200m), London Deshotel (javelin, high jump, 100m/300m hurdles), Julia Sager (shot put), Sam Matthews (1600m/800m), Dean Campbell (1600m/3200m), and Conner Raines (high jump). The team set eight new PRs.

Last week the Raiders Track and Field team set the bar high at the Bat Gourrier Relays. Team members reached higher with 13 new PRs and many hitting season best marks. London Deshotel, Kaylen Howe, Annie Fink and Sam Matthews scored points. 

The Raiders compete next at the District Championship Meet on Monday, April 10 at Episcopal High School.


Conner Raines
Ryan Carrier
BASKETBALL
Kudos to senior Conner Raines, and junior Ryan Carrier, for being selected to the All-District Team for Basketball. Junior Cade Tate earned honorable mention.





 
JUNIOR HIGH SPORTS
 
BASEBALL   
Last Friday, the junior high baseball team lost to Episcopal 8-1.  The Raiders quickly rebounded on Monday, defeating the Riverdale Tigers 5-4. Jake Haase had a walk off hit and two RBIs. Blaine Nicholson, Robby Harrison, and Collin Coates each added an RBI. Pitching a strong game, Shelby Anders earned the win with six strikeouts.


TRACK & FIELD
Last Sunday, the junior high track and field teams took off at the Most Blessed Sacrament meet with 10 new PRs. Emma Fishbein placed 8th in the long jump (11-06) and 10th in 400m (1:16.06). Charlie Garrison placed 8th in discus (79-00), and Meredith Taliaferro came in 6th in the shot put (20-05).


SPORTS THIS WEEKEND 
  
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Varsity Softball vs. Christian Life at CLA - 4:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Jr. High Baseball at Cedar Ridge - 7:35 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9
JV Baseball at Episcopal - 11:00 a.m.
8th grade Volleyball at Parkview - 10:40 a.m.
7th grade Volleyball at Parkview - 9:50 a.m.
 
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 17255 South Harrell's Ferry Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225-751-2192