Dear RJR Community,
Before jumping into fourth quarter news, we need to recognize a significant third quarter accomplishment. State level winners in the National PTA Reflections Arts Contest were announced just as we started spring break. R.J. Reynolds is proud to have two winners. Congratulations to Cooper Erickson who won first place in film and to Elizabeth Wallace who placed second in literature.
It is always amazing how much is packed into these last nine weeks of the school year. We’ll enjoy performing arts concerts, finish spring sports seasons, and survive AP exams. Students will cover much new academic material, review a year of learning, and take exams. We’ll celebrate and honor our seniors at Class Day, the senior picnic and graduation exercises. The PTSA will host an evening “Chat with Pat” and final general membership meeting. The Booster Club will host our All-Sports Celebration.
The evening “Chat with Pat” and PTSA meeting will be on Monday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. The agenda will include valuable parent information and school updates, volunteer recognitions and the installation of our 2013-2014 PTSA officers. Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend.
On Monday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m., RJR will continue its tradition of honoring RJR athletes at our annual All-Sports Celebration. As always, highlights of the program will include student speakers and the announcement of the Zach Bacon Scholarship winner. You can also expect a few new twists. The event will be held in the RJR auditorium and will be free for everyone without RSVP or ticket requirements. Refreshments will be served following the program. The change in venue is in response to the rising costs associated with renting banquet hall space and feeding 400+ student-athletes. The change leaves more Booster Club funds to support RJR athletic programs. The evening will also include a new award presentation with the first male and female RJR Athletes of the Year announced that night. RJR student-athletes, their families and coaches are encouraged to attend, but anyone who loves RJR athletics is welcome. It promises to be a festive celebration. We are grateful for the Booster Club’s good stewardship of donated funds and for their commitment to the All-Sports Celebration.
Welcome to fourth quarter! We are proud to be RJ Reynolds Demons!
William and Lisa Dull
PTSA Co-Presidents
Welcome back, all!
When faculty and staff arrived at school on Monday, March 25th, they were welcomed by a cheerful, lemon-yellow spread of goodies in all four teacher workrooms! Our Hospitality Committee and its dedicated Cooks-on-Call provided an abundant assortment of lemony sweets and treats festively arranged on brightly decorated tables. The lemonade was flowing, and there were scrumptious snacks and candies for everyone, including a much-appreciated gluten- and dairy-free cake. What a delicious way to usher in the springtime, while thanking our teachers for another great quarter!
Our Hospitality Committee does such a wonderful, creative job of letting our teachers know how much the entire RJR community appreciates them for all that they do for our children, all year long. Chairs Kate Ruley and Sue Evans are grateful for the overwhelming response of their Cooks-on-Call, who outdo themselves in their willingness to help. We thank Laura Angle, Margaret Bessette, Donna Carr, Deborah Casstevens, Megan Erickson, Julie Fuller, Jennifer Green, Lynn Gwyn, Crystal Joyce, Kim Kearney, Merritt Orr, Portia Propst, Kate Ruley, Mary Shepherd, Robin Welch, Mary Blake Whiteand Melissa Workman for pitching in and showering our staff with affection and confections!
On another note, for three evenings in late March, audiences were wowed by the talents of RJR’s finest during the student performance of “Pippin.” Many individuals and groups worked to ensure the show’s success, including Arts for Academics Committee members Iris Edwards, Anne Garvey, Crystal Joyce, Meredith Kress, Karen Lordemon-Rowdy, Karen O’Brienand Aparna Patel. These friendly people volunteered their time by working shifts at the box office during one or more of the performances, and we thank them!
We’re looking forward to all the adventures in life and learning these last months of school are sure to bring our way. Every season presents new volunteer opportunities at RJR, and we encourage everyone to jump in and let us put your time and talents to good use!
At the end of this newsletter there is a letter that Pine Whispers adviser Steve Hanf has shared with Harry Corpening in the hopes of reaching out to the thousands of RJR alumni. Some 6,000 pages of school history can be found in the old Pine Whispers pages that – in many cases – are falling apart in the journalism office, and Hanf has taken steps toward digitizing the collection. The letter explains the project and solicits funds from interested alumni who would like to support it. Contact Hanf at with any questions or leads on local businesses that you feel may be interested in preserving this bit of RJR history.
We are planning to stock the teacher/staff workrooms withtreats onMonday, April 15th.If you would like to contribute,just click on thelink below to sign up.
Thanks for your help!!
RJR’s All-Sports Celebration will be held on May 13 at 6:00 p.m. in our auditorium. More information will be included in the newsletter in the upcoming weeks.
Emily Beach-Munday - 18thAmy Williams - 19th
Two RJR students have won at the state level in the Reflections Arts Contest! Congratulations to Elizabeth Wallace for winning second place in the literature category and to Cooper Erickson for winning first place in the film category. These students will be honored at a reception in Raleigh on April 20th. We are proud of these two Demons!!
This year’s Spring Dance Concert will be performed on May 2nd at 6:30 in the auditorium. The theme will be “On Broadway”. Admission is just $5.00 per person.
Rehearsals will be held afterschool on May 1st from 4:30-7:30p.m.
Please note:
Concert T-shirts are on sale now for $15 each. Please preorder.
Student performers must return to RJR on May 2nd on or before 5:45p.m. If they wish to stay after school, they can preorder dinner from Chick-fil-A through their dance teacher on or before April 26th. The cost for dinner is $5.00 per student in cash only, please.
Volunteers are needed after school for dinner on concert day and during the scheduled after-school rehearsal.
Volunteers are alsoneeded to donate individual bags of chips and/or cases of individual drinks for the students.
College Visit
A representative from MeredithCollege will be in Student Services on April 15th from 11:00 - 11:30.
Any 10th or 11th grade female students wishing to meet with their representative should request an appointment slip from Mrs. Holbrook.
Spring weather brings spring sports to Reynolds! Make sure your athlete is covered in Demon wear for chilly spring practices. Reynolds hoodie sweat shirts are $25; sweat pants are $20; long-sleeve T-shirts are $15; and short-sleeve T-shirts cost $12. Check out all Reynolds logo apparel and accessories like car decals and magnets, coolers and golf umbrellas at the Demon Shop located in the school cafeteria. Shop hours are 12:00-2:00 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays.
Students who participate in community service and who log at least 50 hours between May 1, 2012 andApril 30, 2013 should consider applying for the Presidential Service Award. This award is a national recognition program for outstanding community service.
Complete information and forms are found on Karen Morris' webpage on the RJR site ( and forms are due in her box by April 30, 2013. Awards for students who are 14 or younger are (for a 12-month period from May 1, 2012-April 30, 2013):
Bronze: >50 hours
Silver: >75 hours
Gold: >100 hours
For students who are older than 14, the awards are granted at the following levels:
Bronze:>100
Silver: >175
Gold: >250
The last Arts Express trip will be on April 19th to attend UNC-G's Spring Dance Concert. The buses will leave from the ArtsBuilding at 6:30 Friday night. Tickets for this trip are $8 or are included with your season pass. Please sign up and pay Mrs. Morris in the Arts Magnet Office (back corner of the media center) by April 15th.
Spring Dance Concert: May 2nd, 6:30 p.m.
All-Sports Celebration: May 13th, 6:00 p.m.
Straight-A Banquet: May 20th, 6:00 p.m.
Class Day Assembly: May 24th, 10 a.m.
Baccalaureate Service: June 2nd, 7:00 p.m.
Graduation: June 8th, 3:00 p.m. at the LJVM Coliseum
SENIORS: If you are interested in participating in
Baccalaureate (a faith-based service celebrating the Class of 2013)
on June 2nd, you must stop by the table that will be located in front of Student Services for more information on:
Tuesday, April 16:8:30 – 8:50 a.m. or 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Or
Wednesday, April 17: 8:30 – 8:50 a.m. or 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
We need speakers, musicians and program cover artists!
Congratulations to RJR Student of the Week Alma Reyes. She was nominated by Coach Hayes for her infectious positive attitude. Thanks for making RJR great, Alma!
A Night at the Gallery
PROM 2013
Basic Information…
When:April 20th from 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: MiltonRhodesArtCenter, 251 N. Spruce St. (downtown), parking located across the street
Tickets:$25 or $50 (after April 12th) each – limit 2
Tickets for $25 will be sold in front of Student Services in the lobby before school from 8:15 until 8:45 and after school from 3:35 to 4:00,beginning Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12. Tickets will be sold for $50 from Monday, April 15 to Thursday, April 18. To enter the prom, you will need to present your ticket and ID. No tickets will be sold at the door.You must be debt free to purchase a ticket. Check with Ms. Kelly in the office to be sure.
Guests:If you plan to bring a date who does not attend Reynolds, you must complete a guest registration form and bring it with you when you buy your tickets. Forms may be picked up in the office and will be kept on file by the Prom sponsors.
Voting for Prom King and Queen:
You will vote for prom king and queen when you buy your tickets. Winners will be announced around 10 p.m. at the prom.
Pictures:Pictures will be taken during the prom by a professional and by current photography students for the RJR prom website.
Prom Night…
Attire:Appropriate
Young Men: tuxedos, suits or sports jacket with a shirt/tie and dress pants; dress shoes
Young Ladies: long or short formal dresses or formal pant suit
Inappropriate
Athletic shoes, jeans, wave caps, doo-rags, hiking boots, hats (except top hats), or anything overly revealing or disruptive is not acceptable for the Prom!
Tickets:You must present your ticket/invitation to enter the Prom and show a picture ID. Once your ticket has been collected, you must remain in the ballroom throughout the Prom. No-readmission will be allowed.
Safe and Sober…
Please refrain from bringing any alcohol or drugs to the Prom. Violations of this regulation will result in suspension with recommendation to the Superintendent for expulsion. Let’s have a safe and sober Prom Night!
April 15Golf, CPC match at North Davidson, 4:00
JV/V Baseball at North Davidson, 4:30/7:00
JV Tennis at Parkland, 4:30
V Tennis vs. West Forsyth, 4:30
JV Girls Lacrosse vs. FCDS, 5:00
Softball at MountTabor, 5:00
JV/V Soccer at Reagan, 5:30/7:00
JV Boys Lacrosse vs. SW Guilford, 6:30
April 16JV Tennis vs. West Forsyth, 4:30
Softball at Reagan, 5:00
JV Boys Lacrosse vs. DavieCounty, 5:30
April 17Golf, CPC match at DavieCounty, 4:00
JV/V Baseball vs. Page, 4:30/7:00
V Tennis at Reagan, 4:30
Track at Reagan, 4:45
April 18Softball at Bishop McGuinness, 4:30
JV Tennis vs. FCDS, 4:30
V Tennis vs. DavieCounty, 4:30
JV/V Soccer at MountTabor, 5:30/7:00
April 19JV/V Baseball vs. North Davidson, 4:30/7:00
V Girls/Boys Lacrosse vs. Glenn, 5:30
Would you like text updates sent to your phone when there are cancellations of athletic events? Just text @RJRA to (657) 214-5866.
Homecoming 2013 will be on Friday, October 4th. The entire 2013 football schedule is on the front page of the school website. Make your plans now to attend!