by Billiann Robertson

The month of January brought Reedley High students back onto campus after the three-week holiday vacation. The second half of the year is crucial for every grade, especially seniors who are getting ready to “jump ship.” Classes, clubs, student council, band, choir, etc. are all working to make this semester better than last, and make 2011 a year of success.

With winter being at its peak, soccer and basketball welcome the competition in the new NYL league. Friday nights are no longer about the “punt and pass” but the “drive and bucket.” For the past three Friday nights, Pirates have filled the student section in support of the boys’ basketball team.

Students participated in “Winterfest” week for the boys’ first home league game. The theme was cereals. Monday was Lucky Charms day (lucky clothing items); Tuesday was Wheaties day (sports apparel); Wednesday was Trix day (kids day); Thursday was Life day (career day); and Friday was Captain Crunch day (Pirate pride). Clubs nominated representatives to compete for the Winterfest queen and king title and the nominees received points for dressing up and participating in the lunch time activities.
 
The basketball team played and defeated Mc Lane high school on the eve of Winterfest, and clubs sported their cereal-themed costumes and backdrops in the Winterfest parade. Nominees from Entre Nous, Mckenzie Doughtry and Jacob Dodge received the most points over the week and were crowned king and queen.
 
The Pirate Arts Department is preparing for their upcoming events of the winter season. Choir and Band are both diligently practicing for their pre-festival and festival concerts. Both are judged by a panel of judges on a poor-to-superior scale. The Madrigals are fundraising for their festival trip to San Diego. For $25 the group will sing for anyone in the Reedley or surrounding areas from February 11-14. Contact Randy Lepp for more details: 638-5969, 859-5705 or 637-1250 ext. 2742. The drama team is putting together the spring production of Annie under the direction of Mark Norwood.
 
The Student Council and Associated Student Body organized Winterfest successfully and are now moving on to Air Guitar 2011. Air Guitar is the Pirate talent show featuring various acts put on by the student body. Auditions will be February 16-17 right after class ends in the P.A.T. Performances will be February 24-25. The student council looks forward to adding some variety to the show to make it even better than last year. Any questions, contact Chrisann Boone Activities Director at RHS.
 
Pirates are back into the swing of things, making sure to start off the New Year right. With spring only a few months away, Reedley high is a busy place and anxious upperclassmen are cramming for their ACT and SATs. Spring athletes have begun their pre-season training, all hoping for that league title. It’s as if the Pirates never take a break, proving that 2011 will be another great year in Reedley High School history.
 
List of some of the upcoming RHS events for February, March & April of 2011:
2/11 Reedley River Rats playing at the Reedley Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet
2/12 Reedley River Rats performing twice at the Fresno Mardi Gras, which is held at the Fresno Radisson
2/14 Reedley River Rats playing for the Kiwanis Valentine’s Dinner at Palm Village
2/22 CMEA Large Group Band Pre-Festival at the RHS PAT from 4:00pm to 9:00pm–many Reedley/Orange Cove school bands will perform
2/24-25 Air Guitar Performances at 7 p.m.– Open to the public, tickets are $3.00
Winter Sports-ASB will be giving out water bottles to the first 25 fans to the Varsity Games
3/11 Sadie Hawkins Dance – Sophomore Class Fund Raiser
3/16-21 Spring Week, Food Booths, Activities, Chalk Drawing Contest, Car Show
3/26 RHS Classes and Clubs will be having a Flea Market in front of the administration building at RHS, open to the public. There will be food and bounce house.
The musical Annie will be on stage at the Reedley High School Performing Arts Theater on March 25,26,27 and April 1,2,3
4/9 Junior – Senior Prom, Red Carpet Rendezvous (Old Hollywood Theme) at The Grande 1401 in Fresno.

Billian Robertson is 16 years old, personal assistant to our publisher and a contributor to our Teen Talk section who has a real appreciation for the area, with expectations of settling here after college.