April 12, 2019

PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL

Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.

Congratulations to 2019-2020 National Merit Students

We are delighted to announce that Runnels will have two students in next year's National Merit Scholarship Competition. Congratulations to juniors Eric Ho and Aubri Watts, who were recently notified that they will be entering the program. We'll have to wait until September to find out if they will be named National Merit Semifinalists or Commended Students.

( Photo: Eric Ho and Aubri Watts.)

National Honor Society Inducts New Members and Officers

Twenty-three new members were inducted into the Runnels chapter of the National Honor Society in a ceremony held April 10 in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre.

Congratulations to Fatima Ahmad, Mia Alfonso, Evan Beoubay, Ansley Brown, Parker Collett, Caroline Collins, Sophie Edwards, Audrey Guess, Joseph Ismail, Preston Kyle, Madisan Milam, Kate Oehrle, Chris Ortego, Marshall Pentes, Connor Porthouse, Caleb Reid, Garrett Rhinehart, Brooke Sandefur, Emma Schlotterer, Ben Stafford, MollyBeth Wilkinson, and Christopher Yura and junior Grace Sandefur. 

Also inducted were the 2019-20 NHS officers, Aubri Watts, president; Jenna Carballo, vice president; Anna Manning and Ryan Ly, co-secretaries; and John Spillane, treasurer. 

Conducting the ceremony were current officers Emma Tooraen, Kayla Evans, Daniel Mayeaux and Alex Morgan and faculty co-advisors Norma Marsh and Colleen LeBlanc. ( Photo: Newly inducted members of the National Honor Society with the incoming and outgoing officers.)

Congratulations, It's a Rice Baby!

The third graders became "parents" for a day on April 12 with the special delivery of their "Rice Babies," carefully constructed dolls weighing exactly what each student weighed on the day he or she was born.

With the help of a small army of volunteer parents, the third graders moved along an assembly line in their science classroom, measuring and weighing the rice that would form the bodies of the "Rice Babies."

The students used scales to accurately measure the weight of their "Rice Babies," making sure it matched their own birth weight. Googly eyes, wooden pegs, and Ring Pops (pacifiers) worked for facial features, and most of the children brought baby blankets, hair bows, and knitted caps to make each "Rice Baby" uniquely their own. "Birth certificates" were issued for the dolls, recording their names (given by the children) and weights. The final stop on the assembly line was for a check-up by the nurse on duty, third-grade mom Katharyn Dispenza.

Many thanks to third-grade science teacher Candice Ortlieb for organizing the activity and the many parent volunteers who made it a measurable success.

( Photo:Third graders Leo Morgan and Isabella Haselden scoop up just the right amount of rice to achieve the correct weight for their "Rice Babies," with the assistance of teacher Candice Ortlieb [behind Leo] and a team of volunteer parents.)

Cast and Crew of Rumors , Take a Bow!

Thunderous applause go to the cast and crew of Neil Simon's Rumors. The comedy, presented by the high school drama department, was performed on April 4 and 5 in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre. The ensemble production will surely be remembered as one of the most hilarious shows of this or any other Runnels Theatre season.

A huge thank you goes to everyone who helped bring this comedy from the 1980s so believably to life on our stage, with a special nod to senior Daniel Mayeaux, who stepped in as a substitute performer at the last minute. ( Photo: Seniors Carson Badinger and Emma Tooraen have a falling out in a scene from "Rumors." )

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Artistic Elements

The Periodic Table of Elements was given an artistic flair recently by students in Marcy Faust's physical science classes.

Each student selected two elements to research from the periodic table. "They looked into historical information on the element's discovery and the general nature of the element -- such as if it is naturally occurring or synthetic," Mrs. Faust explained.

Students created original artwork for each of their elements inspired by what they learned in their research. Their artwork also included the symbol of the element and its atomic weight.

When completed, they shared their artwork in class, explaining the connection it had to their elements. The completed grand periodic table is on display in Novak Hall.

Teachers were invited to vote on their favorite element for a Teachers' Choice Award. Today, the winners were announced. Congratulations to Eli Latiolais (Iron) and Hailey Lester (Rhenium), first place; Sydney Mistretta (Neptunium), second place; and honorable mentions Sydney Mistretta (Samarium), Mia Welch (Hydrogen), Emma Collett (Calcium), Noella Brigman (Beryllium), and Ava Comeaux (Promethium).

( Photo: Third hour physical science students display the artistic Periodic Table of Elements.)

"Fairy Tale Foods" Lend Enchantment to Kindergarten

The kindergartners sat down to a meal fit for a Disney Prince or Princess today at the annual "Fairy Tale Foods Luncheon."

For the feast, each kindergarten classroom was decorated to resemble the setting of a famous fairy tale. The little diners, dressed as favorite characters from legends, books, and movies, moved from room to room for various courses. They had "Rapunzel's Angel Hair Pasta," "House of Sticks" pretzel and cheese snacks, "Cinderella's Party Punch," and a magical dessert of "Snow White Sundaes with Seven Toppings."

Their teachers, masquerading as fairy tale favorites, served the meal and presented a lesson on restaurant etiquette. While dining by candlelight, students listened to classical music and practiced the art of polite conversation.

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

( Photo: Dancing after enjoying "Cinderella's Party Punch" are, from left, Ashton Grace, Russell Bergeron, Charlotte Funk and Madison Eldridge.)

Kudos and Notable Events

Solo Saxophone ... Shaylen Patel , 6C, performed a saxophone solo at the LSU Union Theatre on April 5. He played the Indian National Anthem at a cultural program hosted by the Indian Student Association. ( Photo: Shaylen Patel )

Playing with the Tiger Band ... Runnels Advanced Band members Evan Beoubay (clarinet), Kaylee Caillouet (snare drum), and Caleb Reid (trombone) participated in the “Spend a Day with Tiger Band” program at LSU on April 6. They had the opportunity to perform in the stands at Tiger Stadium while the Tiger Band played on the field at the LSU Spring Football Game.

Alums Playing Ball for Southern ... Photos of 2016 Runnels graduates Johnny Johnson and Hampton Hudson, now juniors at Southern A&M University, were featured in the Advocate’s coverage of the April 9 baseball game between Southern and LSU. Johnny, a second baseman and outfielder, has a batting average of .346, and Hampton, a left fielder, is batting .333. Both boys played Raider baseball through junior and senior high.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ADVOCATE PHOTOS...

We Sincerely Thank...

Box City ... Many thanks to Alecia Tate for helping out with the Cardboard City makers project in the Elementary Library Monday afternoon. For Cardboard Week, students in grades K-6 read What To Do with a Box by Jane Yolen. As a makers project, they collaboratively built a miniature city out of cardboard. ( Photo: Second graders inspect the Cardboard City makers project they helped create in the Elementary Library this week. )

Preschool Visitors ... A big thank you goes to visitors from the Bluebonnet Swamp who brought Godzilla the alligator, Minerva the snake, and a turtle to the preschool recently. We also extend our sincere thanks to the ladies from Barn Hill Preserve who escorted a sloth, skink, silky chicken, banded armadillo, and bearded dragon to the preschool this week. The children enjoyed their visitors and learned a lot, reports Preschool Co-Director Karen Runnels.

Fractured Bedtime Stories ... Join us tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Drama Room for "Bedtime Stories," this year's sixth-grade play. In a scene from the show (photo above) are, from left, Shaylen Patel as the dinosaur, Dylan Evans as the "Boy Who Cried Dinosaur," and Jordynn Osborne, Paige Ashley, and Addison Latona as the sheep the boy is trying to protect.

LET'S GET PHYSICALS ... ATHLETIC PHYSICALS

& LETTERMAN JACKET FITTING!

Athletic Physicals will be given on Tuesday, April 30 in the Runnels Catalano Gym. Preregistration is required by April 17. Arrival times are staggered in an effort to minimize waiting. Rising 5th-8th graders will be admitted at 6:00 p.m. and rising 9th-12th graders at 6:30 pm. If you have athletes in both junior high and high school, please arrive at the earlier time slot. Athletes should dress comfortably--flip flops, short sleeve or sleeveless shirt, and athletic shorts are recommended. A parent or legal guardian is required to remain with the student athlete during the screenings.

Additional information can be found in the registration form. If you have any questions, please email the athletic trainer, Marcella Babcock at [email protected] . 

After your screening, varsity athletes interested in letterman jackets can get fitted and order sports and club patches. Bring the completed packet and payment. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Jean Martinez at [email protected] .

> TO REGISTER < | > LETTERMAN JACKET FORM <

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD: VARSITY

The Track and Field Lady Raiders claimed the District 7B Championship at the District 7B Championship Meet on Wednesday at Broadmoor High School with a whopping 147 points and the Raiders were named runners-up, missing first place by only 4 points. It was a night of top performances by the team members with many new PRs, top place finishes and regional qualifiers. Annie Fink was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer and John Spillane shares the title of Most Outstanding Track Performer with Connor Dudoussat from Kenner Discovery-Health Sciences Academy. 

Track and Field Head Coach Julie Fink is grateful to everyone who helped host the District 7B Track and Field Meet. Fink said, “We put on a fantastic meet due to all of our wonderful volunteers -- parents, faculty and friends!”

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(Photos - From left: Girls track team celebrates a big win; Meet MVP John Spillane in mid long jump; and seniors Micah Roper, Ian Lansing, London Deshotel, and Anna Claire Courville.)

BASEBALL: VARSITY

The varsity baseball team took on Maurepas in district play twice this week. On Tuesday the Raiders lost 12-2 against the Wolfpack. Jake Best had a single that drove in the only 2 runs. Thursday, the Raiders lost the second game 5–2 in a back-and-forth game over 11 innings. Colin Bueche and Jake Best each contributed 2 hits. Ricky Harrison pitched six innings and struck out 6 batters.

Today at 4:00 p.m., the Raiders play Episcopal Away in a double header. Regular season play ends next week until playoffs.

BASEBALL: JUNIOR HIGH

Thursday evening, the Runnels junior high baseball team once again tied due to a time limit, 7-7. “If the game would have continued, I’m confident we would have beaten the Tigers,” said Junior High Baseball Coach Brent Hoeprich.

After a slow start, the Raiders came back, scoring seven runs in the last two innings. Harrison White had two RBIs and Archer Amedee had a single that started one of the rallies. Rossie Harrison pitched two innings with five strikeouts allowing no hits.

SOFTBALL

The Lady Raiders softball team finished the season 13-11 (4-4 in district - good for 3rd place). The Ladies are ranked #4 in the state and will take on St. Joseph's of Plaucheville in playoffs at home on Thursday, April 18th at 5:30 p.m.

This season’s offense combined to hit a .385 Team Batting Average with 147 RBI's, 51 Extra Base Hits, 81 Stolen Bases and an On Base % of .480.

Anna Manning led the team in Batting Average (.536), Hits (37), and Doubles (9). Carlie Aucoin led the team in Triples (7), Home Runs (2), and RBI's (32). And senior Sarah Soileau led the team in Runs (27) and Stolen Bases (26).

(Photos: A few action shots from the Lady Raiders' senior game against Dunham on March 30 at Raider Park.)

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Friendly Reminders