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Runnels Weekly E-Newsletter
from Head of School Marcia Mackay
Dear Runnels Family,
In this week's Friday Focus: Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced; String Orchestra Debuts Original Composition; Reading Opens Up the World; Animatronic Creative Creatures on Campus; Re-Enacting History; Band Seniors Take a Bow; Runnels Summer Camps; Kudos and Thank Yous;
Friendly Reminders;
Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner.
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Class of 2017 Valedictorian, Salutatorian Named
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Runnels Class of 2017 were announced late today. Congratulations to Valedictorian Andrew Mitchell and Salutatorian Regan Dean.
The Valedictorian is selected from students who have completed at least the last two years of their high school work at Runnels and who have a GPA of at least 3.8. The selection of the valedictorian is based on 4 components: cumulative GPA, strength of schedule, a rating by other members of the senior class, and a rating from the faculty. Our Salutatorian is the second ranking person in the senior class based on this criteria and valedictorian is the top student using the same criteria.
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String Orchestra Performs World Premiere of Original Composition
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The Runnels Advanced String Orchestra, guest musicians, and guest composer, Dr. Christopher Lowry (second from right).
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The Runnels String Orchestra had the honor of performing the world premiere of "Little Suite for Strings,"
an original composition commissioned for our school, at a concert in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre on May 3.
Created by prize-winning composer and violist Dr. Christopher Lowry, the piece was commissioned for our orchestra by a long-time supporter of the performing arts at Runnels. "This generous gift," said Head of School Marcia Mackay, "provided an opportunity for our string orchestra to showcase its achievements and continuing commitment to success after last summer's devastating flood."
The composer and several other guest musicians joined the orchestra on stage for this thrilling debut performance.
(Read more...)
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Reading Opens Up the World
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Connor Joubert (grade 3) in "Great Britain."
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Adventures in learning went global at Runnels Elementary last Friday as students "took off" on
the annual "Third Grade Trip Around the World." This unique project, organized by reading teacher Lisa Harris, "takes" the third graders to some of the locales they have been reading about in class. (The "destinations" are elementary classrooms decorated to represent the countries on the tour.) This year's itinerary "delivered" students to some of the scenic and cultural treasure chests of the world -- "Italy," "France," "Mexico," "Great Britain" and "China." (Read more...)
We sincerely thank all of the volunteers who so generously helped bring this adventure in reading to life on our campus. They include "Country Helpers" (France) Wendy Dolan and Gene and Genie Traylor; (Italy) Gina Golda; (Great Britain) Blake Stevenson; (China) Kacy Edwards; (Mexico) Julie and Alex Tinsley; and "Tour Guides" Carrie Griffin, Wendy Worsham and Darlene Rostow. We also thank third graders Alaina Milam and Lexi Matens for sharing information about activities students enjoyed on the tour.
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Creature Creators
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Guest artist Barton Gilley (third from left) and Clay Achee (far right) with members of the Art Club.
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Animatronic artist Barton Gilley and master puppeteer and film director Clay Achee shared some of their amazing creature creations and artistic know-how with members of the Runnels Art Club and junior and senior high art students yesterday. Mr. Gilley brought a fully functioning R2D2 to campus that he built by hand.
He also brought an animatronic character he created called "Twiggly" that requires up to five puppeteers to operate. With Mr. Achee as director, he made a short film featuring "Twiggly" and entered it in Jim Henson's Dark Crystal Fan Film Competition. The film won an honorable mention! This led to Mr. Gilley's being invited to work at Jim Henson's Creature Shop in Hollywood, California this summer. He'll be there for three months working on animatronic creatures for an upcoming movie. We sincerely thank Art Club sponsor and Art Department Head Lee Brandt Randall for arranging the visit. (See more photos in the Weekly Album below.)
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Tracking American History
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| Safe across the "border" in "Canada" are fifth-grade "fugitive slaves" and eighth-grade Underground Railroad "conductors." |
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An episode of American history was brought to life on campus this week as the fifth and eighth grade social studies students staged a dramatic "Underground Railroad" re-enactment.
Portraying "fugitive slaves," escaping from a "plantation,"
(playground) the fifth-graders, traveling in small groups, stealthily made their way to a series of Underground Railroad "stations" strung across the school grounds. Helping the runaways were eighth grade Underground Railroad "conductors," who gave them shelter and helped guide them to sanctuary in "Canada" (the far side of the campus).
To make the experience more realistic and perilous, some of the eighth graders represented "slave hunters," who tracked down runaways after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed. For the re-enactment, the "slave hunters" roamed the campus, trying to capture (tag) the runaways between Underground Railroad "stations" and send them back to the "plantation." The activity proved a vivid and memorable lesson in American history for the youngsters.
Thanks go to eighth-grade Louisiana Studies teacher Rachel Kane and fifth-grade social studies teacher Cheyenne Davis for organizing this historical re-enactment. (
See more photos in Weekly Album below.)
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Band Seniors Take a Final Bow
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Band seniors (from left) John Wiese, Marisa Russo, Christian Martin, Michael Martinez and Andrew Mitchell receive a celebratory send-off at the 8th-12th Grade Band Concert on May 1.
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The 8th-12th Grade Band saluted its five seniors --saxophonist John Wiese, floutist Marisa Russo, trumpeters Christian Martin and Michael Martinez and percussionist Andrew Mitchell -- at its end-of-the-year concert in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre on Monday night. Each senior performed a solo or ensemble piece and stepped forward to be interviewed about college plans by 8th-12th Grade Band Director Jill Swetnam.
At the concert, Ms. Swetnam also shared insights on how the band program is doing in its recovery from the August flood. "We lost every single piece of band music we had," she told the audience. By reaching out to Texas band directors through an online message board and to a variety of music publishers, donations of instruments and music valued at more than $100,000 have arrived. She thanked everyone who has helped with the ongoing process of rebuilding our band program.
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Runnels Summer Camps:
Preschool and Kindergarten "Harpsicle" (Harp) Camp,
Dance Camp,
Lion King Drama Camp,
Soccer Camp,
Strength Training Camps and
Math Camp.
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Kudos and Thank Yous...
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From left: Gareth Oram, Samuel Adjei, Gavin Oram and Steven Adjei on Dolphin Island for the Northern Gulf Coast Regional MATE-ROV Competition.
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Underwater Robotic Champs
Congratulations to Gareth (grade 7) and Gavin Oram (grade 5) for winning 3rd place in their class at the Northern Gulf Coast Regional MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education)-ROV (Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle) Competition, which took place on Dauphin Island the weekend of April 22. Competing against 23 teams from the Gulf area, they participated as members of their 4-H Club under the name, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, which is the Hawaiian state fish. Their dad, Richard Oram, an engineer at LIGO, mentored the team, which included Steven and Samuel Adjei (not at Runnels) in preparing for the competition.
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From left: Kindergartner Ross McCloud, Head of School Marcia Mackay and David Latona as "The Grouchy Ladybug."
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Ladybug Spotted in Kindergarten
A dramatic reading and re-enactment of a classic children's book proved a popular event in our kindergarten this week. Head of School Marcia Mackay read Eric Carle's
The Grouchy Ladybug while Runnels dad David Latona portrayed the combative insect and students stepped up to take on the roles of supporting characters in the book Many thanks to Ms. Mackay and Mr. Latona and our bold and talented student actors for bringing the story to life in our kindergarten.
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From left: Neena Kelfstrom, Caroline Daigle, Katelyn Roy and Tookie Johnson.
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National Honor Society Donations
The Runnels chapter of the National Honor Society recently voted to to donate proceeds from their fundraising efforts this year to the theater and weight room. "They felt these areas had been hard hit by the flood and were in need of restoration," explained NHS sponsor Norma Marsh. NHS President Caroline Daigle and Vice President Katelyn Roy presented donation checks to K-12 Theatre Chair Neena Kelfstrom and High School Athletic Director Tookie Johnson at a club Ice-Cream Social after school yesterday. Money for the donations were raised by holding pizza and bake sales and sponsoring a booth a Raider Rally. Earlier in the year, NHS also helped the Admissions Department fund Runnels car magnets.
... The Christian Life Foundation (Board Members: Gail Runnels, brother of Dr. Kelly Runnels, and Gail's son, David Runnels and daughter Beth Glasner) for a very significant grant to help fund replacement of contents lost in the flood.
... Runnels mom Melanie Hyatt for arranging the drape and tux pictures of our seniors on the bulletin board in Novak Hall.
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Friendly Reminders
May 7: Ballet and Jr./Sr. High Chorus Performance, Theatre, 4:00 p.m.
May 8: 4th- and 5th-Grade Band Concert, Theatre, 7:00 p.m.
May 8: Presentation of grade 7-12 Art Show awards, Theatre, 12:00 p.m.
May 9: 6th- and 7th-Grade Band Concert, Theatre, 1:30 p.m.
May 12: Drama Room: 8:45 a.m.,
The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo;
9:30 a.m.,
No Body To Murder; 10:20 a.m.,
Can You Whine Like a Fifth Grader?
May 12: Drama Room, 1st and 2nd Grade Performances of
Disney Review: 1Y (12:00 p.m.), 1X
(12:40 p.m.), 2B (1:35 p.m.), 2C (2:20 p.m.)
May 12: Jr. Beta Spring Dance for Grades 6-8, Catalano Gym, 7:00 p.m.
2017 AP and Final Exam Schedule - click here
ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR - CLICK HERE
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| Millsaps College softball team recruit Micah Danos (back row, center) with members of the Lady Raider Softball Team, High School Athletic Director Tookie Johnson (far left), Coach Brent Lax (second from left) and Assistant Coach and "Softball Mom" Tika Danos (far right). |
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In this week's album: Underground Railroad,
The Grouchy Ladybug, Creature Creators Come to Runnels, Preschool Petting Zoo, Micah's College Signing Ceremony,
Something: A Musical Review, Raider Star Assemblies, and candids.
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| Micah Danos |
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Signing Day for Senior Micah Danos
Senior athlete Micah Danos, who was recruited to play softball for Millsaps College this fall, was honored at a signing ceremony in the Catalano Gym today. WAFB covered the event, which is scheduled to appear on the WAFB news broadcast at 6:00 p.m. tonight.
Millsaps, a private college in Jackson, MS, competes as an NCAA (National Collegiate Association) Division III school. Micah, who was awarded an academic scholarship at Millsaps, will join the team as a utility player.
She plans to
pursue a master's degree in Business Administration, a special five-year program offered at Millsaps. Micah is looking forward to going to Millsaps, and playing for the Majors.
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The minute I walked onto the campus, it felt right," she said after her tour of the college
. "As I walked around, I could just imagine myself going to school there."
Micah has been
on the varsity softball team at Runnels since seventh grade. She ends her high school softball career with a winning season. The Lady Raiders hold the district crown and Micah, the team captain, was named District MVP and 1st Team All-District Pitcher.
For the past two years, Micah has had the opportunity to attend the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. "Watching the girls already in college get to play really inspired me and made me want to play," she said. Her favorite softball players are
former collegiate All-American,
Jennie Finch, and former LSU player, Bianka Bell.
Micah said she is grateful for the support of her coaches, friends and family and especially her parents and the countless hours they have spent at the ballpark.
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| Senior varsity athletes are recognized for their dedication and achievements at the Varsity Athletic Recognition Ceremony held May 2. |
Varsity Athletic Awards Ceremony
Varsity students, teachers and administrators gathered in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre on May 2 to honor our varsity athletes. Coaches introduced their teams and highlighted the year's accomplishments. Senior athletes were recognized and presented with plaques by Athletic Director Tookie Johnson. In addition, coaches commended individual athletes on their particular achievements, hard work and dedication to their sport and team.
LETTER JACKET ORDERING:
ATTENTION ALL ATHLETES AND CLUB MEMBERS
On Monday, May 15, the Recognition Company will be fitting athletes for letter jackets at 5:00 p.m. in the gym. Fittings and ordering will be available prior to the scheduled athletic physicals. Athletes and club members should confirm their lettering status with their coach or sponsor.
If your athlete already has a jacket, additional patches and updates can be ordered at this time, as well as District, All-Metro or All-State honors patches.
Coach Jean Martinez is coordinating the orders and has the order forms. Payment is due when the order is placed. Jackets and patches will be delivered to Runnels a few weeks after school begins in August.
VARSITY SPORTS
TENNIS
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Coach Kathrin Sieberth, Catherine Bonaventure, Harrison Bonaventure, Kyle Sieberth, Ryan Lam, Eric Huygues and Jeehan Mikdadi.
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Last weekend, the tennis team gathered for an awards ceremony and dinner at Portabello's Restaurant.
Girls team members receiving awards were:
Jeehan Mikdadi, Most Outstanding Player;
Catherine Bonaventure, Most Improved Player; and
Madaleine Alessi, Sportsmanship Award.
Boys team members receiving awards were:
Kyle Sieberth, Most Outstanding Player;
Harrison Bonaventure, Most Improved Player;
Ryan Lam, Sportsmanship Award;
and Eric Huygues, Integrity Award.
JUNIOR HIGH SPORTS
BASEBALL
Last Friday, the junior high baseball team defeated the Riverdale Tigers 14-12. Collin Coates earned the win pitching an inning and a third. Robby Harrison had three hits. Shelby Anders and Alex Vallaire had two hits.
On Monday, the team fell to the Vipers 7-6, despite out-hitting them 9 to 5. Robby Harrison had three hits and four RBIs. Shelby Anders had two hits.
VOLLEYBALL
The junior high volleyball teams wrapped up their season last week. It was a short season filled with lots of exciting matches. While the season did not end with a championship, the girls were competitive. They played at least three games in most of their matches. The coaching staff appreciates the commitment of the players and their families.
THIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY, MAY 5
Track & Field State Meet at the LSU Bernie Moore Stadium
Field events start at 1:30 p.m. and running events at 5:00 p.m.
Junior High Baseball at Cedar Ridge -- 7:35 p.m.
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17255 South Harrell's Ferry Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225-751-2192 |
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PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
