by Billiann Robertson

This is the second in a series of columns that will feature news on what’s happening on the local high school campuses, and events coming up during the following month. We will be skipping the column in December, but will resume in January 2011. Reedley High School is featured this month!

REEDLEY HIGH SCHOOL-by Billiann Robertson

The month of October has brought busy schedules for the majority of Pirates at Reedley High School. With fall sports at their peak, homecoming week, the marching band preparing for the Selma Band Review, choir putting together their fall performance, the drama department putting together their fall number, and teachers cramming as much as they can before the holiday rush; RHS is a busy place.

RHS Marching Band

While the sweatshirt and scarves make their appearance around campus, the athletes of fall are working towards the height of their seasons. The football team faced off against notorious rival, the Sanger Apaches on October 8th. They were disappointed with a loss, 13-9, but promise to take the winning title next season. The varsity girls tennis team had a fantastic outcome to their season, winning the title of league champions! Volleyball, water polo, and cross country will have their league tournaments in November. As the season wraps up, RHS only hopes the best for their athletes.

Student council organized a great Disney themed homecoming week. Monday was Scrabble day, students wore letters on their shirts and homecoming candidates were to organize as many words as they could during lunch time. Tuesday was classic Disney day, Wednesday was Disney companion day, Thursday was class colors, and Friday was pirate pride day. The homecoming court was as follows:

Seniors Kings-Brent Orsaba, Antonio Ramirez, David Rodriguez-Cardoza, Christopher Santos, Marcos Solis. Queens-Erica Duran, Nicole Karr, Katherine Kirsh, Claudia Robles, Nerlin Solis. Juniors: Prince Richard Lindsey, Princess Sandra Maldonaldo, Sophomores: Prince Tony Cortez, Princess Leah Hogue. Freshman: Raul Chavarria, Princess Veronica Sanchez.

The stands were packed for homecoming night. Each class and different clubs put together backdrops and represented characters from popular Disney Movies. The parade also included various students dressed up as Disney characters, all organized by senior Lana Rotan. Seniors David Cardoza and Claudia Robles were crowned as this year’s homecoming king and queen. The football team was unfortunately defeated by McLane High School, but the crowd still had a great time and supported the pirates through the loss.

Jessica Ham, one of the soloists in the fall choir concert

Reedley High’s art department has had a great semester so far. The choir put on a fall concert on October 21st, directed by Randy Lepp. Each section provided great numbers, showing off their work of the first half of the semester.

The drama team has been working on “Twelve Angry Jurors,” based on the play, “Twelve Angry Men”. The shows will be performed in the RHS Performing Arts Theater building on November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 at 7:30 PM and Sunday the 7th at 2:00 PM, Students: $7 Adults: $10.

Twelve Angry Jurors dress rehearsal

The “Big Green Marching Machine” had their season competition at the Selma Band Review on October 30th. They received the Grand Marshall award, given to the band the director the Grand Marshall deems as the most entertaining. To the band, this is the award that matters the most. They have spent the past two months vigorously working towards a show ready to compete with bands from all over the state, including their rival Monache High School. Although Reedley didn’t receive Grand Sweepstakes, they provided a standing ovation for Washington Union, winning the Grand Sweepstakes for the first time. The band will be going on their overnight trip in the bay area to perform in a holiday parade December 4th-5th.

Fall has given Reedley High its fair share of events. Pirates have made their school proud and will continue doing so throughout the winter season. With the holidays and 2011 looming in their midst, students will do what they can before taking a much needed break for next semester.

Other RHS November and December events include:
ASB will continue to raise money for the mascot. We will be selling water bottles and seat cushions along with selling balloons at the Senior Night Football game. All fall sports seniors are recognized with an awesome poster made by Emily Ayers our publicity chairperson. The ASB and Girls Basketball will join forces to collect Toys for Tots. The tentative date for our Winter Formal is Dec. 11. The RHS Choir Holiday concert will be on December 8 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Theater building.

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.