Special Awards Issue, Friday Focus, May 27, 2020
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PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.
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Friday Focus Awards Issue
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End-of-the-year awards, certificates, medals, and recognitions of all sorts were presented to students in grades K-6 at a series of drive-through celebrations and parades held on the main campus the last week of school. Though it wasn't the way we expected to wrap up the school year, it did give everybody a chance to say their good-byes, thank yous, and I love yous in person -- even though we were following social distancing protocols and wearing face masks. I thank you for bringing your children to these special events and for entrusting them to us over the years at Runnels. I wish you and your family only the very best going forward. I will sincerely miss being a part of their lives.
In this, the final issue of the Friday Focus: Sixth Grade "Graduates" Honored with Drive-Through Celebration; Sixth-Grade Legacy Students Present Flowers to Parents;
"Raider Stars of the Year"; Sixth-Grade Presidential Academic Award Winners Announced; Drive-Through Parade Marks Completion of Kindergarten Year; Grades 7-11 Honor Roll Recipients Recognized; Band, String, and Harp Medalists Named; On the Elementary Honor Roll; Kudos; We Sincerely Thank; Weekly Photo Album; Memories Slideshow Videos, Grades 1-6.
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Sixth Grade "Graduates" Honored with Drive-Through Celebration ...
The
Sixth-Grade Graduation is one of our school's most significant and cherished events. Though we were not able to gather in the auditorium for a traditional ceremony this year, we did find a special way to honor our sixth graders for crossing this educational milestone. On May 21, we held a drive-through celebration on the main campus for our sixth graders and their families, complete with awards, certificates, trophies, family photo opportunities, and gifts and treats galore!
On hand to wish the students well were the sixth-grade teachers, elementary staff members, Head of School and Elementary Principal Marcia Mackay and Elementary Assistant Principal Sheri Allen. As students arrived one by one at the staging area in front of the gym, Mrs. Mackay and elementary social studies teacher Gina Golda presented them with an envelope containing their sixth-grade diploma and all the awards, recognitions and certificates they earned this academic year. The students also received goody bags with a copy of the sixth-grade video, a class photo, a Runnels mug, some special treats and surprises, and a cookie decorated with the school's white and blue logo.
Students and their families also were invited to step out of the car for a keepsake photo in front of the school hop-up (a backdrop imprinted with the school logo).
It wasn't the way we normally mark the completion of elementary school at Runnels, but it was a happy and festive way to say so-long to the sixth-graders and wish them well as they move on to the next leg of their educational journeys.
(
Photo: Sixth-grade "graduate" Riley Whittemore receives her goody bag from Mrs. Mackay at the drive-through celebration.)
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Legacy Students Present Flowers to Parents...
Every year at the Sixth-Grade Graduation Ceremony, we recognize our legacy students by calling them up to the stage in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre and giving them bouquets of flowers to present to their parents.
Though we couldn't hold a formal ceremony this year, we were able to honor the six legacy students in the sixth-grade class with flowers and photographs
at the drive-through celebration May 21.
The legacy students and their parents are
Gracie Coates (
Sam Coates, Class of 1990);
Eddie Eeds (
Sharon Eeds Gomez, Class of 2002);
Laura Golda (
Michael Golda, Class of 1990);
Emily Khalil (
Sarah Sheikha-Khalil, Class of 2002);
Lexie Matens (
Alan Matens, Class of 1993); and
Cameron Stevenson (Blake Rankin Stevenson, Class of 1989).
Also, at the Sixth-Grade Graduation, we traditionally recognize students who have attended Runnels continuously since 1st grade or before. These students are
Bryant Aucoin (1st),
Lizzie Castille (Pre-K),
Adam Chittom (Pre-K),
Gracie Coates (K),
Maeve Dolan, (Pre-K),
Sadie Edwards (K),
John Kirby Francois (Pre-K),
Henry Frederic (K), Laura Golda (2s),
Alex Griffin (3s),
Ethan Ho (K),
Sammy Ismail (K),
Conner Joubert (Pre-K),
Lexie Matens (3s),
Kelly Messenger (3s),
Alaina Milam (K),
Nico Morgan (Pre-K),
Madelyn Sandifer (K),
Cameron Stevenson (2s),
Sawyer Suchanek (K), and
Ethan Vagi (K).
Rounding out our sixth-grade class are "graduates" Jordan Besse* (6th), Shayda Bozeman (6th), Matthew Campbell (K), Eddie Eeds (1st), Dru Hairford (2s), Emily Khalil (4th), Rebecca Ortlieb (4th), Elise Parrish (5th), Damien Tinsley (Pre-K), Riley Whittemore (2nd), John Harper Wilkinson (3rd), and Brandon Yan (6th).
*Though some of these students began at Runnels in 1st grade or before, they did not attend continuously through 6th grade.
(
Photo: Sixth grade legacy student Lexie Matens with her dad, Alan Matens, Runnels Class of '93.)
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Hooray for Our "Raider Stars of the Year" ...
Throughout the school year, students in grades 1-6 are awarded “Raider Star” tickets for showing kindness, compassion, courtesy, service to others, cooperation, and many other positive behaviors we traditionally encourage and celebrate at Runnels.
For consistently demonstrating these admirable qualities, one student from each section is chosen by teachers to become a “Raider Star of the Year.”
Congratulations to
Aiden Stewart
(1A),
Russell Bergeron
(1B),
Chase Wiltcher
(1B),
Natalie White
(2A),
Reyhan Patel
(2B),
Dessa Tremblay
(3A),
Brooke Drescher
(3B),
Jimmy Carkuff
(4A),
Jack Dooley
(4B),
Emma Smith
(5A),
Wesleigh Doughty
(5B),
Claire Clavette
(5C),
Elise Parrish
(6A),
Shayda Bozeman
(6B),
and Riley Whittemore
(6C)
.
(
Photo: Reyhan Patel, 2B, with his "Raider Star of the Year" trophy.)
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Sixth-Grade Presidential Academic Award Winners Announced ... The President's Academic Award recognizes outstanding achievement and effort by students in exit grades (6th, 8th, and 12th at Runnels). This year, 55% of the 6th grade qualified for this award. To earn this prestigious honor, students must have earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 in grades 4, 5, and 6 combined and scored an 85% or higher on either Total Math or Total Reading on their most recently administered nationally standardized test.
Congratulations to our sixth grade Presidential Award winners:
Shayda Bozeman, Adam Chittom, Gracie Coates, Maeve Dolan, Henry Frederic, Laura Golda, Alex Griffin, Evan Ho, Conner Joubert, Kelly Messenger, Alaina Milam, Nico Morgan, Elise Parrish, Madelyn Sandifer, Cameron Stevenson, Damien Tinsley, John Harper Wilkinson, and
Brandon Yan.
(
Photo: Presidential Academic Award winner Maeve Dolan.)
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Elementary Art and General Music Medalists Named ... Since coronavirus safeguards prevented us from having our Spring Art Show this year, the elementary art and general music teachers awarded special medals for excellence in these subjects. In art, three medals were presented for each grade and in music, three students were selected as recipients of the award from each semester.
Art Medalists:
Grade 1 -
Jude Bailey, Mirabel Williams and
Russell Bergeron;
Grade 2 -
Eli Burks, Kael Johnson and
Archer Carkuff;
Grade 3 -
Bryce Ritter, April Gomez and
Brayden Marks;
Grade 4 -
Jackson Phillips, Jimbo Sandefur and Nathan D'Gerolamo;
Grade 5 -
Ethan Harbin, Alaina White and Molly Banquer;
Grade 6 -
Alaina Milam, Gracie Coates and
Evan Ho.
General Music Medalists:
First Semester -
Elizabeth Castille, James Dooley and
Elise Parrish;
Second Semester -
Claire Clavette, Emily Khalil and
Brandon Yan.
(
Photo: "Mooo," a chalk pastel by Alaina Milam, one of our grade 6 Art medalists. )
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Car Parade Marks Completion of Kindergarten Year ... The youngest students on our main campus concluded their first year of school with a drive-through parade May 18 on the S. Harrell's Ferry Rd. campus. Due to safety precautions in force to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, our kindergartners had to get their portfolios from the safety of their cars. Nevertheless, it was a festive parade with balloons, decorations, and plenty of cheering, waving, and smiling. A huge sign prepared by the kindergarten faculty declared the youngsters: "The Best Kindergarten Class in the Whole United States of America."
(
Photo: Kindergartners and their families in line to pick up portfolios and say good-bye to teachers at the drive-through kindergarten recognition parade on our main campus May 18.)
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Grades 7-11 Honor Roll Students Recognized ... Making the Honor Roll in any grade is a significant accomplishment. To qualify in junior and senior high grades, students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher for all four quarters of the academic year. Congratulations to the Honor Roll recipients in grades 7-11!
Grade 11 -
Evan Beoubay, Kaylee Caillouet, Parker Collett, Caroline Collins, Sophie Edwards, Joseph Ismail, Preston Kyle, Madisan Milam, Kate Oehrle, Christopher Ortego, Marshall Pentes, Connor Porthouse, Garrett Rhinehart, Emma Schlotterer, and
Mollybeth Wilkinson.
Grade 10 -
Omar Badawi, Thomas Betancur, Omid Boushehri, Collin Coates, Natalie Fairley, Michal Gawronski, Marcus Glaze, Blaiklee Guillot, Jake Haase, Katie Hinkle, Lunn Hitchcock, Jensen Holliday, Lindsey Huynh, Reagan Kyle, Dawson Latona, Sydney Mistretta, Gareth Oram, Joel Pena, Abby Robbins, Ramsey Rogers, Ryan Roper, Emily Schacht, Jacob Schmidt, Cooper Smither, Jacob Tate, Drake Tooraen, and
Sydney Worsham.
Grade 9
- Sadie Alello, Mira Badawi, Emma Collett, Madison Cummins, Alex Frederic, Sarah Golda, Grant Gueho, Ali Guerin, Jonathan Harper, Ethan Ho, Chelsea Holden, Sophia Horridge, Alan Lam, John Latona, Mason Pentes, Lucy Reeves, Molly Sandifer, and
Brie Williams.
Grade 8 -
Alexandra Alessi, Kareem Badawi, Malek Badawi, Chloe Bueche, Cooper Coates, Aidan Dooley, George Forgey, Summer Guerin, Ben Hader, Lily Hayden, Ali Ismail, Caleb Johnston, Brynn Myles, Gavin Oram, Caroline Pousson, Stuart Roark, Megan Shaneyfelt, Mikalyn Shay, Tyler Thibodeaux, Addison Watson, Reilly Wilks, and
Olivia Williams.
Grade 7
- Olivia Brunner, Lina Derzi, Dylan Evans, Jack Ezell, Annie Garrison, Amelia Guess, Chloe Hall, Ashlynn Harper, Wyatt Horridge, Danyel Howell, Leyna Huynh, Isabelle Kennedy, Sam Kennedy, Addison Latona, Sarah Ortlieb, Krina Patel, and
Enzo Rovai.
(
Photo: All of the junior class officers, from left, Sophie Edwards, Mollybeth Wilkinson, Preston Kyle, and Madisan Milam, made the Honor Roll!)
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Band, String, and Harp Award Recipients Named ... Students in grades 4-6 received awards for outstanding contributions to the Band, String and Harp programs in their end-of-the-year envelopes presented at their class drive-through celebrations last week. Congratulations to the winners!
Beginning Band: Outstanding Members -
Lily Downing and
Cohen Pizzalato; Extra Mile Award -
Mason Wiltcher.
6th-Grade Band: Outstanding Members -
John Harper Wilkinson and
Lexie Matens; Most Improved -
Sammy Ismail; Extra Mile Award -
Laura Golda and
Maeve Dolan.
Intermediate Band: Outstanding Member -
Tyler Felton; Most Improved -
Olive Pittman and
Andrew Harbin; Extra Mile Award -
Molly Banquer and
James Gawronski.
Beginning String Orchestra:
Outstanding Player
- Ryan Funk; Most Improved -
Mark Alborado and
Jordan Bergeron; Extra Mile Award
- Mason Alfonso.
Intermediate String Orchestra: Outstanding Player -
Ethan Ly; Most Improved
- Emma Smith; Extra Mile Award
- Dax Jones.
Advanced String Orchestra
: Outstanding Player
- Sadie Edwards; Most Improved
- Adam Chittom.
4th-Grade Harp Choir: Outstanding Player -
Is
abella Dispenza-Haselden; Most Improved -
Jimmy Carkuff.
5th-Grade Harp Choir: Outstanding Players -
Gracie Doughty and
Henry Daughety; Most Improved -
Wesleigh Doughty; Extra Mile Award
- Kiera Slaton.
6th-Grade Harp Choir: Outstanding Players -
Matthew Campbell and
Riley Whittemore; Most Improved -
Cameron Stevenson; Extra Mile Award -
Kelly Messenger and
Jordan Besse.
(
Photo: Jimmy Carkuff was named the Most Improved Player in the 4th-Grade Harp Choir.)
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On the Elementary Honor Roll ...
Students in grades 2-6 earning top grades were recognized by having their names placed on the Honor Roll. These students earned "A's" in all subjects, including conduct, this school year with no more than one "B" each quarter. Congratulations to our elementary Honor Roll students!
Grade 2:
Archer Carkuff, Alaina Francois, David Howell, Karmyn Jackson, Ian Parrish, Reyhan Patel, Madeleine Roubique, Dean Smith, Ellie Vagi, Makii Waldrop, Grant Watson, Natalie White,
and
Flynn Wilson.
Grade 3:
Ellis Belhadjali, Reese Downing, Brooke Drescher, Aiden Elliott, Ella Ferguson, Macy Grace, Paige Hileman, Kate Hynes, Awad Khalil, Layla Lain, Ethan Laurent, Brayden Marks, Alex Murphey, Emmett Murphy, Kellen Phillippe, Paislee Ray, Bryce Ritter, Rayan Shah, Lucas Smith, Connor Stewart, Dessa Tremblay, Adleigh Watts,
and
Addison Willis.
G
rade 4:
Mason Alfonso, Jordan Bergeron, Jimmy Carkuff, Nathan D'Gerolamo, Matthew Dunn, Ryan Funk, Nicholas Harper, Nicholas Power-Erickson, Gabe Rinaudo, Jimbo Sandefur, Lorelei Welch, Lauren Wheeler,
and
Mason Wiltcher.
Grade 5:
Dana Badawi, Molly Banquer, Lila Brumfield, Kendall Eastman-Stuart, Amir Faical, Tyler Felton, James Gawronski, Andrew Hart, Alex Hayden, Derek Houk, Jonah Kennedy, Ethan Ly, Lauren Ly, Kiera Slaton, and Emma Smith.
Grade 6:
Shayda Bozeman, Gracie Coates, Maeve Dolan, Laura Golda, Alex Griffin, Evan Ho, Emily Khalil, Lexie Matens, Kelly Messenger, Alaina Milam, Rebecca Ortlieb, Elise Parrish, Madelyn Sandifer,
and
Brandon Yan.
(Photo: Honor Roll student Gracie Coates at the 6th grade drive-through "graduation" celebration.)
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Star 5th Grade Readers
... During this school year, the 5th graders were challenged to read all 15 books on the Grades 3-5 Louisiana Readers' Choice Book Award list. Reading teacher
Rachele Smith
recently announced that seven students have finished all 15 books were awarded certificates of achievement. Kudos to:
Adin Brunner, Wesleigh Doughty, Amir Faical, Tyler Felton, James Gawronski, Andrew Hart,
and
Emma Smith.
New Doctor of Pharmacy in the School Family
... Congratulations to Runnels alumna
Lexi DeWitt ('12)!
She earned her doctorate degree in Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy this spring.
Outstanding Service Award Winners
...
Congratulations to 6th grade Junior Beta Club Outstanding Service Award winners
Matthew Campbell, Maeve Dolan, Laura Golda, Kelly Messenger, Elise Parrish,
and
Cameron Stevenson.
They contributed 15 hours or more of volunteer service to the school and community this academic year.
Runnels Alum Gets Top Grades in College Graduating Class ...
Runnels alumna
Irene Lewis
('16) was named the Spring 2020 Chief Student Marshall at Southern University for graduating with the highest grade-point average in her class. She earned her degree in Agricultural Sciences. We send our sincere congratulations to Irene!
Show Must Go On
...
Bravo to the students in grades 1-7 participating in
The Show Must Go On
, a video of student performances compiled and edited by elementary drama teacher
Julie Horridge
. The children, who all volunteered to be in the show, rehearsed and recorded their performances at home and submitted them digitally to Mrs. Horridge, who put the show together.
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"Chicken" by April Gomez, grade 3 (mixed media).
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"Poppy Puppy" by Lauren Ly, grade 5 (mixed media).
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"LoPoly Flamingo" by Drew Burbank, grade 10 (digital media).
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"Virtual Runnels Art Show 2020" ... A huge thank you goes to the art faculty for assembling the "Runnels Virtual Art Show 2020" to give us a glimpse of the fabulous artwork produced by our kindergarten through high school art students this year. Many thanks to our hugely creative elementary and junior and senior high art teachers,
Burgundy Brumfield, Lauren Downing, Nicole Latiolais, Jennifer Leeper, Sydney McGraw, and Lee Randall, for bringing us this wonderful art show.
Collect Your Student's Framed Artwork:
If your student has a framed piece of artwork hanging on campus, you are welcome to pick it up at school any day next week (June 1-5) between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
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Memories Slideshows, Grades 1-6 ... At our end-of-the year assemblies and ceremonies for elementary grades, we like to open with a Memories Slideshow displaying photos of students at work and play during the school day. Even though we couldn't hold our assemblies this year, we did take lots of pictures! We hope you enjoy them.
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