April 20, 2018
PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.
FRIDAY FOCUS
In this week's edition of the Friday Focus : Science Explorium; Important Laptop Turn-In Schedule and 2018-2019 Back-to-School Information; Youth Legislature; Army War College Lecture; Kindergarten "Fairy Tale Foods" Luncheon; "Third Grade Trip Around the World"; Seniors Sign with College Teams, Part 3 in a Series; Kudos and Thank Yous; Friendly Reminders; Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner.
Learning by Doing at "Science Explorium"
The elementary school held its annual Science Explorium on April 19 in the Catalano Gym, with 5th and 6th graders participating by creating hands-on experiments and demonstrations for younger students to explore.

The projects were designed to capture the interest of the kindergarten through 4th grade visitors to the Science Explorium while teaching them basic scientific concepts.

(Photo: At the Science Explorium, 1st grader Rayhan Shah, far right, learns about Oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid -- like quicksand and Silly Putty -- from 5th graders, from left, Harrison Whittemore, Yaseen Zaid and Sam Kennedy.)

Laptop Turn-In Schedule and Important Back-to-School Information
As the school year draws to an end, it's time to start thinking about turning in laptops and gearing up for the 2018-2019 school year. Please click on the links below for important end-of-the-year and back-to-school information. ( These notices also will be posted on runnels.org. Go to Academics/Resources/Information, Forms & Policies. )




Student Bill Passes Unanimously at Youth Legislature
Our 8th-graders had an inside look at the workings of state government last week when they participated in the Youth Legislature at the Old State Capital. This two-day mock legislative session allows students to assume the roles of lawmakers and government officials and present and defend bills they worked on in class.

Eighth graders Abby Robbins and Mia Welch presented a bill calling for No Kill Shelters, which passed unanimously and was immediately signed into law. A bill by Jake Haase and Lindsey Huynh on Sibling Separation also was passed into law.

Several students served as government officials at the session. Ryan Roper and Niko Carey were on the Governor's Cabinet, Ryan as Commissioner of Judiciary and Prison Affairs, and Niko as Secretary of Transportation. Joshua Freeman and Farzeen Wahid jointly held the office of Secretary of the Senate, and Emily Schacht served as Secretary in the House, with Blakilee Guiillot performing the duties of House Sergeant-at-Arms.

Serving as Press Delegates were Thomas Betancur, Nicholas D'Gerolamo, Ava Kadi, and Charlie Garrison. Recording the events were photojournalists Andee Alexander and Isabella Yan.

"The students worked extremely hard throughout the year researching and drafting their bills," said 8th-grade LA Studies teacher and Youth Legislature sponsor Rachel Kane. "Witnessing the students presenting their bills with confidence and addressing any questions regarding the bills was simply awesome."

(Photo: Mia Welch displays the bill she wrote with classmate Abby Robbins on No Kill Shelters that was passed unanimously and signed into law at Youth Leg.)
Army War College Speakers Make a Stop at Runnels
Runnels hosted representatives of the U.S. Army War College Eisenhower Lecture Series in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre on April 13. Students in grades 11 and 12 attended the presentation.

The discussion, which took a Question-and-Answer format, ranged over a broad array of topics. The speakers were Col. E.J. Irvin of the U.S. Army, a former Apache helicopter pilot, and U.S. Navy Commander Brett W. Holdiman, who has flown missions from aircraft carriers.

Among the topics covered were tensions in Southeast Asia, security implications of the abundance of private information that can be accessed by businesses and hostile organizations, U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, and the issue of varying sexual orientations and genders in the military.

"The speakers," Ms. Marsh said, "stressed the importance of the role of today's youth in helping to solve the problems of the future, and leading us into a new era of technology and defense."

We sincerely thank the guest speakers and the U.S. Army War College Eisenhower Lecture Series for including Runnels in the spring tour.

(Photo: At the U.S. Army War College Eisenhower Lecture Series on April 13 are, from left, juniors Tyler Robbins and Emma Tooraen, Commander Brett W. Holdiman, Col. E.J. Irvin, and juniors Amelia Jennings and Carson Badinger. )
Kindergarten Hosts "Fairy Tale Foods" Progressive Luncheon
Our kindergartners sat down to an elegant lunch by "candlelight" today dressed up as princesses, knights, dragons and a wide range of other story book favorites to cap off their recent study of fairy tales.

The children helped prepare the three course meal served as a progressive "Fairy Tale Foods" luncheon in the kindergarten classrooms. They sipped on "Cinderella's Party Punch," twirled strands of "Rapunzel's Angel Hair Pasta," and enjoyed "Snow White's Ice Cream Sundaes with Seven Toppings" for dessert. New to the menu this year was an appetizer of "Three Little Pigs Stick Houses" made from pretzels and squeezed cheese.

Besides being fun, the luncheon, which also included ballroom dancing, helped bring the students' recent lessons on fairy tales to life.

( Photo: Karmyn Jackson and Grant Watson enjoy "Snow White's Ice Cream Sundaes with Seven Toppings" at the kindergarten "Fairy Tale Foods" luncheon. )
Reading Activity Takes 3rd Graders on "Trip Around the World"
Runnels 3rd graders have “traveled” to faraway places in their reading this year, but on April 20, they had a chance to "visit" some of these destinations at the annual "3rd Grade Trip Around the World" without ever leaving the comforts of our campus.
 
With homemade "passports" in hand, they "toured" “China,” “The Polynesian Islands,” “France,” “Scotland,” “Italy” and “Poland” (courtyard classrooms decorated to represent each country). At each port of call they learned a bit about its culture, history, geography, famous sites, crafts, traditions, and cuisine.
 
Many thanks to 3rd-grade reading teacher Alice Aucoin for planning and organizing the "tour." We also extend our sincere thanks to the volunteer parents, grandparents and teachers who helped stage and produce this international event including "country hosts" Alicia Tate and Michelle Hart and their helper, Jennifer Doughty (China); Allyson Guay and Karen Ullo (France); Erin Kennedy and Monica Dubois (Italy); Kasia Baranska and Madeline White (Poland); Tiffany Slaton and Burgundy Brumfield (Polynesian Islands); and Shasta and Dustin Felton and Jana and Stewart Logan (Scotland). We also thank Sarah Wagner, Randa Elkurdi and Leah and Dedrick Houk for helping with the buffet that concluded the “tour.”

(Third graders Ethan Harbin, left, and James Gawronski enter "France" welcomed by "country hosts" Allyson Guay, at right, and Karen Ullo. )

Seniors Sign with College Teams - Part Three in a Series
Several of our seniors have been recruited to play for college teams and will be recognized at a signing ceremony in the Catalano Gym on May 2.

Soccer standout Ally Garrity has received an athletic scholarship to the University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL where she has been recruited as an outside defender for the girls soccer team. Founded in 1835, the university competes as an NCAA Division II school in the Gulf South Conference.

Ally wraps up her high school soccer career with a winning season. She was selected to the Louisiana High School Coaches Association (LHSCA) All-Metro Soccer Team and named All-Metro Offensive MVP. She also played in the LHSCA All-Star Soccer Game at the UL-Lafayette Soccer Complex in February, where she scored a goal for the winning team. (All-Star teams are chosen from the best seniors in the state in all four divisions of soccer.) Ally also made First Team All-District and was recognized as District Overall MVP.

A varsity soccer player since 7th grade, Ally has accumulated a long list of awards. As a sophomore, she was First Team All-District and Offensive MVP. She also made the All-Metro team that year. In 11th grade, she was selected First Team All-District, First Team All-Metro, and Second Team All-State. In addition, she was also named District and All-Metro Overall MVP.

At West Alabama University, which also gave her academic and leadership awards, Ally said she plans to major in business.

Congratulations to Ally, her parents Dawn and Pat Garrity, and her Runnels soccer coach, Angie Mitchell.
( Photo: Ally Garrity )
Kudos and Thank Yous...
Prom Royalty
... The 2018 Runnels Junior and Senior Prom was held April 17 at the Lake House Reception Center. Congrats to ( from left in photo ) Prom Queen Jade Tew , Prom King Sam Matthews , Prom Prince Tyler Robbins, and Prom Princess Anna Claire Pousson . ( At Runnels, prom royals are selected by random drawings. )

Published Poet
... Congratulations to newly published poet Katherine Campbell! A poem the 6th grader submitted to a contest sponsored by publisher Creative Communication is now in print. Look for her verse in the Fall 2017 edition of A Celebration of Today's Writers . Katherine wrote the poem as bonus work in her English class at Runnels. ( Photo: Katherine Campbell, at right, with her 6th-grade English teacher, Sherri Allen.)



We Sincerely Thank...
... Discovery Canyon Elementary School in Colorado Springs and Kris Martin of Usborne Books for helping Runnels rebuild its Elementary Library collection. The library lost more than 11,000 books in the flood of 2016. The students at Discovery Canyon Elementary raised $1,000 for Runnels, which was increased to $1,500 by Usborne Books' Literacy for a Lifetime matching grant program. The new books have been selected and are being processed in the Elementary Library now. "We are sincerely grateful and honored that you are still thinking of us," wrote Elementary Librarian Joni Orgeron to the donors. "We are touched and humbled by this generous and thoughtful gift to our students."


Guest Speakers

... We sincerely thank neurologist Dr. Charles Eberly, recently retired from the Neuromedical Center in Baton Rouge, for sharing his expertise with our high school biology students today as they dissected sheep brains in Ramona Eberly's classroom. (Photo: Dr. Eberly, center, and Mrs. Eberly work with students on the sheep brain project.)

... Many thanks to Dr. Mike Harris , professional industrial hygienist, for sharing his knowledge with students in Dave Marschall's Environmental Science class this week.

Friendly Reminders
April 20 / High School Drama Department Presents Tartuffe , Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 7:00 pm. Tickets are $5.00 for students and $8.00 for adults in advance at seatyourselfseatyourself.biz or $10.00 at the door. (Online tickets sales end 12 hours before a performance.)

Apr. 21 / State Literary Rally, LSU

April 22 / Tartuffe , Theatre, 2:00 pm

Apr. 23 / Spring Harp Recita l, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 10:20 am

Apr. 24 / Jr. High Drama, In the Village of the Brothers Grimm , Gladys Hague Runnels
Theatre, 7:00 pm. This performance is free and open to the public.

Apr. 25 / Jr./Sr. High Academic Awards , Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 11:20 am

Apr. 28 / AP Practice Exams for History, World History, U.S. Government and Human Geography, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 8:00 am; AP Psychology Practice Exam, 12:00 pm; Statistics AP Exam, 1:00 pm

April 29 / School-Wide Spring Art Show , Catalano Gym, 2:00 - 4:00 pm (Awards for students in grades 7-12 will be presented in an Art Show Awards Ceremony in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre at 4:00 pm following the art show.)

Apr. 29 / Jr./Sr. High Art Show Awards Presentation , Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 4:00 pm, immediately following the School-wide Spring Art Show. ( See invitation below. )

(Above) It's comedy tonight in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre as the High School Drama Department presents Moliere's "Tartuffe" with a mid-century beatnik vibe. Showtimes are 7:00 tonight and 2:00 pm on Sunday.

In this week's album: "Kindergarten Fairy Tale" Luncheon, "3rd Grade Trip Around the World," Sheep Brain Dissection, Preschool Field Trip to West Baton Rouge Museum, Bluebonnet Swamp Visitors at Preschool, Youth Legislature, Senior Class Field Trip to Tickfaw State Park, Prom and Candids. Isabelle Yan and Andee Alexander provided theYouth Legislature pictures.
Athletic Corner
TENNIS

This week at the regional tennis tournament in Lafayette, four Runnels players qualified for State. Boys Singles players Kyle Sieberth and Eric Huygues and the boys Doubles team of Ryan Lam and Daniel Mayeaux will compete for state titles next week in Monroe.

Senior Kyle Sieberth had a great win over the #4 seed in the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual tournament champion. Junior Eric Huygues, the #3 seed, cruised to the semi-finals before losing a tough match to a player from Ascension Episcopal.

Juniors Ryan Lam and Daniel Mayeaux created a tournament upset as they defeated the #4 seeds from Vermillion Catholic. The Doubles team lost a close first set, 5-7, and won the second set in a 7-6 tie breaker. In a 10 point tie breaker to determine the final set, Ryan and Daniel cruised to a 10-4 victory.

According to Head Tennis Coach Kathrin Sieberth, the boys started the tie breaker "strong," with their consistent, yet aggressive style. "This was one of the most exciting and dramatic moments I have had as a tennis coach," she added.

Juniors Catherine Bonaventure and Rachel Wehbe came up 3 points shy from qualifying for State. The ladies lost a close 3rd set tie breaker, 7-10.

(Photo: The tennis team at the regional tournament.)
BASEBALL

The Runnels baseball team lost a close one Tuesday. The Raiders fell to Holden 6-5, and had the tying run on third base. Ricky Harrison and Trent King combined to throw six innings. Runnels was led at the plate with Robby Harrison having an RBI single. Colin Bonine, Jake Best, JP Guillot, Justin Taliaferro and Sam Haase all had hits for the Raiders.

The Raiders came back from a 7-0 deficit to defeat Holden 8-7 on Senior Night, April 19. Senior Colin Bonine threw a complete game to get the win and only gave up three earned runs. Going into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Raiders were down, but strung some hits together to score three runs. They entered the bottom of the seventh down 7-3. Seniors JP Guillot and Colin Bonine led off the seventh with a walk and a hit. Grayson Gulley and Ricky Harrison both got on base with hard hit balls, which set up Blaine Nicholson. Blaine had three hits on the day and the last one was a game tying double down the left field line. Then Robby Harrison came up and smacked a game winning single to right field to score. Aaron Taliaferro, who was pinch running for Blaine, completed the seven run comeback. It was the tenth win for the Raiders. 

The last game of the regular season will be Saturday at Scotlandville at 12:00 pm. Playoff seedings will be announced early next week.

(Photo: Seniors JP Guillot and Colin Bonine.)
TRACK & FIELD

Congratulations to the Girls and Boys Track and Field Teams! Last Friday at the District meet, the girls team placed first and claimed the District 7B championship title. The boys team had a great showing, earning the runner-up title. Seniors Sam Matthews and Kaylen Howe were named Most Outstanding 7B Track performers, and sixteen athletes qualified for the regional meet.

The district meet was hosted by Runnels at Broadmoor.

(Photo: The Track and Field team with Coach Julie Fink)
JUNIOR HIGH BASEBALL

The Junior High baseball team is currently 3-4 this season. Monday evening, the Raiders took on the Braves. Unable to catch up, the boys lost 2-6. Wednesday, the Raiders were defeated by the Dodgers 2-7.
JUNIOR HIGH VOLLEYBALL

Last night, the Junior High volleyball completed its regular season games. The 6th grade team placed 10th in Division 3, and the 7th grade placed 11th in Division 2. The 8th grade team finished 7th in Division 1. 

Post season games will kick-off Monday at University High for the 6th and 7th grade teams, while the 8th grade will play at Dunham. On Wednesday, the tournament will conclude at Copper Mill. Volleyball Coach Jean Martinez said all three teams had exciting seasons.
WEEKEND EVENTS

On Saturday
Varsity Baseball at Scotlandville – 12:00 p.m.
RAIDER PARENTS MAKE THE BEST FANS!

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS FOR THE WEEKLY NEWS
Email photos to  n.latiolais@runnels.org
Please include the date and location of the event and the students pictured .