Hi everyone and welcome to a new school year!

We can’t believe that summer is officially over and we are off to another great year at RJR! Welcome to our new families and welcome back to our returning ones! The halls are bustling with students, classes are well underway, and the fall sports season has been in full swing for weeks!

NOW is the time to get involved in our wonderful RJR community! As we said in the PTSA summer newsletter (the only printed newsletter you will receive), there are so many ways to get involved at RJR and we promise, as much as you give, you will get back many, many times over!

Please consider joining PTSA and/or donating to our Legacy Campaign. Both opportunities are outlined later in this newsletter.

Whether you are a new parent looking to get to know our school or a “seasoned” parent now ready to get involved, now is also the PERFECT time to volunteer! Check out all the opportunities on the RJR website, PTSA volunteer page at Download a form, fill it out and turn it in today! While we have an AMAZING group of parent volunteers (read about what they’ve already accomplished in this newsletter), we can never have too many! Whether you have one hour per year or 10 hours per week, your time is valuable, needed and greatly appreciated!

We are honored to be PTSA Presidents for 2013-2014 and look forward to an exciting year ahead!

Go Demons!

Lisa and Greg Carter

PTSA Presidents

RJR Volunteers are simply the BEST . . .

And they don’t take the summer off! Dedicated volunteers logged more than 1,200 work hours before school even started! We’ll highlight some of their impressive efforts here, with more in next week’s newsletter. Take a look at what we’re accomplishing:

  • Thanks to Lin Johnson, Shannon Reed and all our writers and contributors for another outstanding PTSA newsletter. This is the second year Lin and Shannon have collaborated in creating this publication, and it’s a work of art!
  • Jane Aves rallied parents and students to stuff, fold, sticker and label the newsletters in preparation for mailing to every RJR family. We thank Laura Angle, Sarah Angle, Brittany Aves, Jonathan Aves, Marissa Aves, Sara Brooker, Bethany Ebbitt, Jody Ebbitt, Jack Green, Laura Guigou, Steffey Guigou, Becca Gwyn, Katherine Gwyn, JJ Hoots, Eliza Hopkins, Laura Johnson, Karen Lordeman-Rowdy, Abigail McLean, Kathy McLean, Sarah McLean, Frankie Miller, Bliss Stowers, Marygrace Ward and Christina Woodard for answering this call.
  • Legacy Chairs Megan and Rick Erickson and Assistant Chair Liz Kelly updated our Legacy Campaign materials, stuffed, labeled, mailed and again ensured that every family received a Legacy packet. Lynn Gwyn continues to track donations, make deposits, and interact with Gina Caudill, who maintains our PTSA membership database.
  • Our PTSA hosted the third annual (and very well attended!) 9th Grade Parent Social, with many PTSA board members on hand to welcome new parents and answer their questions.
  • Kate Ruley worked with teachers Nikel Bussolati and Adreian Pitts to plan an informative and successful 9th Grade Orientation Program. Fifty “Demon Delegate” student leaders welcomed and guided freshmen throughout the day’s activities.
  • Kate and Alan Ruley handled the planning, communication and logistics for our Open House and PTSA’s General Membership Meeting. RJR’s Color Guard kicked off the event with presentation of the colors, followed by recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by students Hunter Fleming and Jake Murphy. Our Marching Band, A Capella groups,Dancing Boots and Cheerleaders entertained, ushered, greeted, answered questions and directed families throughout the evening. Amy Ciaccia and Jean Anne Semke also capably served as “Ask Me” volunteers. Production ManagerEd Thomas ensured, as always, that our program went off without a hitch. A big round of applause for all these wonderful representatives of the RJR community!
  • During the summer months, Building and Grounds Committee members spent many hours weeding, planting, pruning, spreading mulch and sprucing up RJR’s campus. Thanks especially to Lynn Gwyn, Kathy McLean, Kathryn Spanos and Robin Woodard for their commitment to these tasks. Though rain hindered our first campus clean-up scheduled for Saturday, August 17th, it didn’t dampen the spirits of the good sports who showed up ready to work and get soaked for an hour: Lynn Gwyn, Dave Hodges, Kathy McNeil, Kelly McNeil, Kathryn Spanos, Marlena Westcott and Robin Woodard. The Sunday after was beautiful, and we appreciated that day’s hard workers, too: Drew Bender, Patrick Boppel, Lynn Gwyn, Drew Huyett, Gale Huyett, Natalie Huyett, Dennis McNeil, Kathy McNeil, Kathryn Spanos and Ben Wattleworth. We’d also like to give a special nod of recognition to Louis Spanos for appearing with a bobcat and moving the giant pile of mulch that had sat for months by the school’s front entrance!
  • Our dynamic Hospitality Committee(Sue Evans, Karen O’Brien, Shannon Meinberg and Lisa Rowell), assisted by nearly 60 Cooks-on-Call, continues to “wow” our incredibly deserving faculty. In addition to hosting the traditional “welcome back” teacher breakfast, this group also took over the teacher/student “Demon Delegate” lunch at Freshman Orientation AND the new teacher orientation breakfast. They also coordinated collection of school supplies for RJR students. Amazingly, all of these events transpired within a calendar week!

Your gift makes a difference…and every gift counts!!

The 2013-2014 Legacy Campaign is off to a FABULOUS start!! We are thrilled to be heading up this year’s campaign. Our goal is$110,000… and with YOURhelp we are certain to reach it.

The Legacy Campaign is the annual combined fundraiser for the PTSA and Booster Club. This campaign offers parents, faculty, alumni, and community partners the opportunity to provide financial support critical to the continued excellence of programs at RJR. The campaign has several giving levels, all of which include “incentives” such as tickets to the Homecoming picnic, Village Tavern gift cards, performing arts and sports passes – there’s something for everyone!!

All RJR families, faculty, and staff should have received their Legacy Campaign materials in the mail in August. If you did not receive yours or misplaced it, just go to the Legacy Campaign page on the RJR website at There you will be able to donate on-line through our NEW PayPalaccount. If you prefer to donate by check, please complete both the Legacy Donation and Donor Information forms accessed through the links at the bottom of the Legacy Campaign page and mail them to R.J.ReynoldsHigh School with your check. You can also email us and we will mail you another Legacy Campaign packet or answer any questions you may have..

We are truly grateful to the companies listed below for their contributionsto the Legacy Campaign and R.J. Reynolds. Their donations will directly support our academic, athletic, arts and service programs, while enriching the lives of each and every Reynolds student. Help us thank these companies by also showing them your support!!

-- Megan and Rick Erickson

THANK YOU CORPORATE LEGACY GAME SPONSORS!!

The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, October 15 at 8:55 for any junior, sophomore or freshman who signs up. To sign up, students must see their first semester math teachers (at RJR) or Ms. Murphy in the main office and pay $14. The last day to pay and sign up is Sept. 25. Juniors are especially encouraged to sign up because PSAT scores determine National Merit Scholarship qualifiers.

R.J. Reynolds, in partnership with the William G. White YMCA, is assembling its delegation for the 2014 Youth and Government Conference in Raleigh. Youth and Government is a mock state legislature comprised of more than 1,200 students from across the state. The delegation meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month, and the conference is slated for February 6-9, 2014. Parents and students interested in the program can email Mr. Cristofer Wiley () for information on registration, deadlines, and fees.

We need your help!

This is the final week to vote for Reynolds to win a $50,000 computer lab! Phil Benenati, photography teacher at RJR, has entered a "Back-to- School" photo contest. The image is taken of our students in front of the auditorium, and is labeled in the search under "Benenati". The easiest way to vote is to click on the link below, and please VOTE once a day! Share this with your friends and family, and post it on Facebook and Twitter. WE CAN DO THIS!

Voting closes September 9th.

Thank you!!

Buy a yearbook now, get the name stamp for free!
The 2014 Black & Gold is currently for sale online. New this year, our early-bird pricing of $50 includes the free name stamp on the cover -- a $5 value. Many students decided last May that they wanted this 400-page treasure of RJR memories, and we actually sold out. So reserve your copy today! Visit YearbookOrderCenter.com and enter the RJR code 10595 in the blank to be taken directly to the Reynolds ordering page.


Senior ads and business ads are being taken now for yearbook.
Senior ads in the yearbook are a great way to highlight the journey undertaken by the Class of 2014. Ads can be purchased as a full page, half page or quarter page to celebrate your graduate (and maybe embarrass him/her a _little with a cute baby photo!). Contact yearbook adviser Steve Hanf at if you would like an information sheet on senior ads, or if your business would like to support and reach out to the RJR community with a business ad. Deadline for ads is Oct. 14. New this year -- Black & Gold staff members will be happy to design your ad for you or work with you during a session at the school.


Pine Whispers, RJR's student-run newspaper, continues posting timely and fun updates on its website, PineWhispers.com. You can follow all our updates @RJRPineWhispers on Twitter and Facebook.com/PineWhispers. The newspaper class continues printing eight editions a year. If you have a business that would like to advertise to the more than 1,700 students, faculty members and others in the community who see the paper each month, please contact adviser Steve Hanf at for an information sheet.

The Demon Shop is now open for business!Shop hours areWednesday and Friday during all 3 lunch periods (12-2p.m.). We have T-shirts ($12) and hoodie sweat shirts ($25) featuring our new Reynolds graphics. We will also be selling Demon wear at the football games and other upcoming special school events. If you are interested in working at the Demon Shop either during school or at football games, please contact Melissa Workman .

Ed Thomas - 9/6

Caitlin Reece - 9/8

Doug Welch - 9/12

Seth Beale - 9/14

Join us for the North Carolina Big Sweep on Saturday, October 5th from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We will weed, trim bushes, pick up garbage and plant fall annuals. Bring gloves, rakes and shovels, and enjoy a beautiful morning on campus. Meeting spot is the picnic tables outside the cafeteria. Contact Lynn Gwyn at with any questions.

One of the great strengths of R.J.ReynoldsHigh School is its diversity. Among our 1,700+ students, are over100 students from more than 30 different countries, from Albania to Egypt to South Africa to Vietnam.
Many of these students would benefit from just 45 to 60 minutes a week of one-on-one tutoring. To be an ESL tutor, you do not need to speak Spanish or Korean or Tagalog. You just need to speak English and have a little time to give.
Tutoring slots are available each day throughout the day. Students will arrive at their tutoring sessions with specific assignments to complete or review. No planning by the tutor is required.
If you are interested in being an ESL tutor or simply want to learn more about the program, please contact Deborah Casstevens () or Kathy McLean ().

Attention juniors: There will be an informational meeting about NC Governor's School 2014 next Wed., Sept. 11th from 4 to 5 p.m. in the media center. Governor’s School is a five-week summer program for students classified as AG (academically gifted)who want to studyacademic subjectsor the arts. The cost is $500 and there are scholarships available for those who qualify.

1. Arts Express tickets will be sold in the Magnet Office before or after school until September 13th. The Season Passes are $35 and cover the cost of transportation, tickets and a T-shirt. This unique program takes students to community arts events for reduced rates. Contact Karen Morris at with questions. Information can be found on her website.

2. For the first year, we have Classical Guitar as an elective offering at Reynolds. The school owns some guitars that students can rent, but not enough to cover the demand. If you have a classical guitar at home gathering dust that you would be interested in donating, we would love to place it in the hands of a student who is financially unable to rent or purchase their own. Please let Karen Morris know at if you have a guitar to donate.

3. Thanks to the Hispanic League and the WSFCS Arts Education Department for collaborating with Reynolds Arts for AcademicsMagnetHigh School for the amazing performance this morning in the auditorium with Sones de Mexico, a Grammy-Award-Winning musical and dance group. Sixth graders from WileySTEAMAcademy, Seminar in the Arts students, and several additional RJR classes attended the performance this morning. Sones de Mexico will be performing downtown Saturday, September 14th, at FIESTA. Consider attending and supporting the Hispanic League.

Last year, Mr. Bulla, one of our theatre teachers, traveled to Italy with some students. It was a great intensive look into the Italian culture and Italian way of life. This year, Mr. Bulla is planning a 10-day trip to Greece scheduled for this coming summer in June. If you'd like more information, you can e-mail him at . For more information on thetrip itinerary, visit:

Attention freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors! Would you like to travel to Europe? The interest meeting for our Summer 2015 trip will be Thursday, September 24 in the MediaCenter at 6:00p.m. Both parents and students are invited to learn about the opportunity to travel to Paris, Provence (the south of France), Barcelona and Madrid. Enrolling now ensures the best prices and payment options! Please contact Mrs. Matisko () with any questions or if you are unable to attend. Students can also stop by room 310.

  • The college visit schedule is on the RJR website. Please check it often as we are updating it as we schedule opportunities. Student should let their teachers and Mrs. Holbrook in guidance know if they wish to attend a meeting. If scheduling conflicts prohibit students from attending (i.e. students are at the CareerCenter during the time), parents are welcome. This is a unique opportunity for students to get “one on one” time with college representatives.
  • The senior resume has been updated and is on the student services website. Please encourage your senior to complete the resume and return a copy to his/her guidance counselor and Mrs. Beale ASAP.
  • Senior Parent Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 6:30pm in the MediaCenter.
  • The first edition of the Scholarship Newsletter will be published next week. Please encourage students interested in the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at UNC, Park Scholarship at NC State, or Bryan Scholarship at DavidsonCollege to email Mrs. Beale ASAP!

Sept. 9Golf at WinstonLake vs. CPC, 4:00

Tennis at Reagan, 4:30

JV/V Volleyball vs. North Forsyth, 5:00/6:00

JV/V Soccer at Grimsley, 5:30/7:00

Sept. 10Tennis at SW Guilford, 4:30

JV/V Volleyball at North Davidson, 5:00/6:00

Sept. 11JV/V Field Hockey at Reagan, 5:00/6:30

Sept. 12JV/V Volleyball at West Forsyth, 5:00/6:00

JV/V Soccer at Parkland, 5:30/7:00

JV Football at Glenn, 6:00

Sept. 13V Football vs. Glenn, 7:30

Sept. 14Cross Country at Weddington, 9:00

Join us for the RJR Homecoming Tailgate Party before kick-off!When:Friday, October 4th, 5:30-7:00, at Deaton-Thompson Stadium

A delicious dinner will be prepared by Twin City Diner. All RJR students, faculty and Legacy donors are our guests so JOIN LEGACY and JOIN THE PARTY!