October 2014 1

Runnels Preschool6455 Jefferson HighwayBaton Rouge, LA 70809

225-927-5803

October 2014

Grades K through 1217255 S. Harrell’s Ferry RoadBaton Rouge, LA 70816225-751-5712

www.runnels.org

(See “AP Scholars,” page 2.)

Reporter

Runnels juniors and seniors named 2014 AP Scholars are, from left, Caleb Manning, Olivia Arboneaux, Max Morgan, Anna Morgan, Dillon Dodgen, Nabil Essajee, Connor Mat-thews, Tazkia Shah, and Julia Power. The other 12 Runnels AP Scholars are 2014 graduates.

(See “National Merit,” page 3.)

National Merit Semifi nalists (left) Caleb Man-ning and Connor Matthews.

50 Years of Excellence in Education

Twenty-one students from Runnels High School have been named 2014 AP Scholars in recognition of their exception-al achievement on Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. The College Board’s AP Program provides students with the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 22 percent of the 2.2 mil-lion students worldwide who took AP Exams per-formed at a suffi ciently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award. Several levels of achievement are recognized by the College Board based on student performance on AP Exams. At Runnels, four students qualifi ed for the National AP Scholar Award, the highest attainable in the program. They are 2014 graduates Caroline Bonaventure (Tulane), Amelie Kharey (MIT), Matthew

National Merit Semi-fi nalists Announced

Mitchell (University of Oklahoma), and current senior Connor Matthews. These students earned an average score of 4 or higher on a fi ve-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. Ten Runnels students were named AP Scholars with Distinction. They are

2014 gradu-ates Caroline Bonaventure, Hannah Bout-well (UL-La-fayette), Erin Dean (Texas A&M), Amelie Kharey, Mat-thew Mitchell, and Leila Shammout (LSU), seniors Olivia Arbo-neaux, Caleb Manning, and

Connor Matthews, and junior Anna Mor-gan. To qualify for this award, students earned an average score of 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on fi ve or more of these exams. Runnels 2014 graduates Sarah Garrett (UL-Lafayette), Grace Guidroz (LSU), Meghana Theegala (LSU), and Mad-eline Winnett (LSU) qualifi ed for the AP

Runnels students Caleb Manning and Connor Matthews have been named Semi-fi nalists in the 2015 National Merit Schol-arship Program. Less than one percent of high school seniors in the nation qualifi ed for this honor. As Semifi nalists, Caleb and Connor have the chance to continue in the com-petition for approximately 7,600 National Merit Scholarships valued at nearly $33 million to be awarded next spring. According to the National Merit Schol-arship Corporation, nearly 1.4 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2015 National Merit Scholar-ship Program by taking the 2013 Pre-liminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 16,000 students qualifi ed to be Semifi nalists. The nationwide pool of Semifi nalists, repre-senting less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scor-ing participants in each state. The number of Semifi nalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. To become a Finalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school offi cial, write an essay, and earn SAT scores confi rming earlier performance on the preliminary qualifying test. Also taken into consideration are a student’s partici-pation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employ-ment, and honors and awards received.

Dedicated to One We Love ... As an enduring tribute to her dedication to the arts and arts education, the Runnels Theatre for the Performing Arts was offi cially renamed in honor of recently retired school administrator Gladys Runnels. Headmaster Dr. Greg Brandao made the formal announcement from the stage of the theatre on Sun-day, September 28, before a performance of Guys and Dolls, the fi rst production of the school year. Dr. Brandao presented Mrs. Runnels with the new sign for the building, which reads the “Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre.” In accepting the honor, Mrs. Run-

nels thanked Dr. Brandao and the school com-munity. She also said how pleased she was to be sharing the honor with her parents, Edna and Jack Hague, now deceased, who encouraged and supported her interest in the arts. Retired Preschool and Elementary Principal and Assis-tant Head of School Gladys Runnels (center), Founding Headmaster Dr. L.K. Runnels (left), and Headmaster Dr. Greg Brandao display the sign for the newly renamed and dedicated “Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre.”

21 from Runnels Named AP Scholars

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Education2 October 2014

Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Qualifying for the AP Scholar Award are 2014 Runnels graduates Grey Carruth (Ari-zona State) and Joseph Pusateri (Louisiana Tech), seniors Dillon Dodgen, Nabil Essa-jee, Maxwell Morgan, and Tazkia Shah, and junior Julia Power. These students earned the award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher.

AP Scholars (cont’d. from p. 1)

Blood Drive October 30 Please give the gift of life by donat-ing blood when the Our Lady of the Lake Bloodmobile makes a stop on our Harrell’s Ferry Rd. campus on Thursday, October 30, from 8 am -2 pm. This year’s blood drive will be held in the name of Phil Page (father of Andrew, Caitlin, Hannah and Madison), who is fi ghting aplastic anemia. Each donor will receive a T-shirt and refreshments. For more information, visit the Nurses’ Microsite at www.runnels.org or call 225-756-5837.

The 6th grade class, backed up by a supporting cast of 2nd - 5th graders, will perform Aladdin, Jr., in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theater for two perfor-mances on Friday, October 24, at 7 pm and Sunday, October 26, at 2 pm. This version of the familiar tale features all of your favorite characters -- Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie, Iago, and Jafar. Many of the songs from the award-winning score, such as “Arabian Nights,” “Friend Like Me,” “Prince Ali,” and “A Whole New World” are also in the show. Featured players are Madisan Milam

Manning are assisting with choreography and vocal direction. Advance tickets go on sale for $10 on Monday, Octo-ber 6. Tickets will also be available at the door for $12. Call the high school offi ce at 225-751-2192 for advance tickets or for more information.

Actor Madison Milam does a fi rst read-through of the ‘Aladdin, Jr.’ script.

as Aladdin, Sophie Edwards as the Genie, Caroline Collins as Iago, Rachel Middle-brook as Jafar, Grace Scott as Princess Jasmine, Nina Woodward as Razoul, James Power as the Sultan, and Thea Knowles and Muskaan Mahes as Guards. The narrators are Ansley Brown, Emma Schlotterer, Caroline Daigle, and Sophie Arceneaux. Brayden Hebert por-trays an animated Magic Carpet. Directing the show are elementary drama teacher Cristin Ponjuan and K-12 Theater Program Chair Neena Kelfstrom. Runnels parents Brooke Yura and Kristen

Help Spread the Word About Open House Our school is hosting three public Open Houses this month for families interested in seeing what Runnels has to offer. As members of our school family, you are in a unique position to spread the good word about the benefi ts of a Run-nels education. Please take a minute to invite your relatives, friends, neighbors and business associates to join us at Runnels for one, or all three, of our Open Houses. For more information about this year’s public Open House events, call Admis-sions Director Sarah Haase at 225-215-5706 or visit www.runnels.org.

Preschool (2s, 3s and 4s) Wednesday, October 22, at 9 am Molly Hightower Activity Building 6455 Jefferson Hwy.Elementary (K-6) Thursday, October 23, at 9 am Elementary Drama Room 17255 S. Harrell’s Ferry Rd.Junior and Senior High (7-12) Tuesday, October 28, at 9 am Andy Mack Memorial Library 17255 S. Harrell’s Ferry Rd.

Henry Forgey, Christian Martin, and Michael Martinez play “Taps” at the 4th Annual 9/11 Remembrance and U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony hosted by Boy Scout Troop 888 on September 9, 2014.

As members of Boy Scout Troop 888, Runnels students Henry Forgey, Chris-tian Martin and Michael Martinez played “Taps” at the 4th Annual 9/11 Remembrance and U.S. Flag Retirement Cere-mony held at the St. George Fire District Complex on Airline Hwy. The boys took turns playing “Taps” on their trumpets while several large fl ags were burned respectfully on a wooden bier. Michael, a member of the troop’s Honor Guard, also participated in a 21-

gun salute at the ceremony. Michael’s aunt, Runnels Head Volleyball Coach

Jean Martinez, said the Honor Guard practiced for six weeks marching in formation, turning, and getting the tim-ing right. The rifl es were borrowed from the Veterans of For-eign Wars (VFW). All three students play trumpet in the Runnels Advanced Band under the direction of Jill Swetnam. Runnels School

was also represented in another way at the event. The fl ags that fl ew in the Run-

nels Peace Garden last year were respect-fully retired. They were placed on the bier beneath the American fl ags and burned. Because Runnels Peace Garden is out-doors, its fl ags are subject to daily wear and tear and must be replaced frequently. The Runnels Parents’ Organization (RPO) graciously donates a new set of fl ags for the Peace Garden every year. We sincerely thank the RPO for this important contri-bution.

Honoring the Flag and Remembering 9/11

Family Fun Beckons in 6th Grade’s ‘Aladdin, Jr.’

October 2014 3

National Merit Semifi nalists Announced (continued from page 1)

During their high school careers, Con-nor and Caleb have achieved distinction as scholars and leaders, and they have been active in many student organiza-tions. Both are AP Scholars, Honor Roll students and members of the National Honor Society. Connor has been a member of the Louisiana Youth Orchestra, the All-State Band, and the “pit” band or orchestra for many school musicals. He is Junior Clas-

A Legacy of Teaching and Learning

Runnels 1996 Homecoming Queen Michelle Majoue’ (Middlebrook) with her court (from left) Brittany Burdsall, Emily Smith, RheaAnn Green, and Missy Dupree.

Sam Coates (center) with his mom, Ben-nie, and dad, Frank, at the 1990 year-end Runnels Sports Awards Banquet, where his basketball uniform number was offi cially retired in recognition of his outstanding varsity career. Accord-ing the 1990 yearbook, he “led the Raiders to two district championships, two state semi-fi nal games, a berth in the TOP 24, and four consecutive trips to the state play-offs.”

Runnels alumna Michelle Rich-ardson (‘04) gives a lesson in the ancient art of origami to students in her World Geography class during the 2012-13 school year.

sical League president, Mu Alpha Theta president and District IV Mu Alpha Theta governor. He is also a Boy Scout and a past winner of the Runnels Scholarship Medal. Caleb has held positions of leadership in the Thespian Club, Junior Classical League, and the Student Ambassador Club. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and Sr. Beta Club. An accomplished actor, Caleb has appeared in leading roles in

many Runnels productions, including Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Grease. He is also a past winner of the Raider Spirit Award. The names of National Merit Finalists will be announced in February. All Na-tional Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from the group of Finalists. Caleb is the son of Kristen and Don Manning, and Connor is the son of Karen and Kenneth Matthews.

It says a lot about a school when former students return to the classroom—as teach-ers. Runnels is fortunate to have 12 of its graduates on the faculty this year. Many also have entrusted their children’s educa-tions to Runnels. Junior and Senior High Librarian Char-lotte Lockhart graduated from 6th grade in 1979, before Runnels included a high school. Her daughter, Elizabeth, now at LSU, was a member of the Runnels Class of 2013, and her son, Michael, is a junior at Runnels. Sam Coates, Junior High Boys Basket-ball Coach and a Health and P.E. teacher, graduated from Runnels High School in 1990. He also has the distinction of being one of our fi rst “lifers,” because he attended Runnels from preschool through 12th grade. His children, Gracie, Coo-per, and Collin, attend our elementary school. “It’s a joy,” said Coach Coates, “to watch my own three kids experi-ence the same wonder-ful education and life lessons that I had at Runnels.” His father, Frank Coates, is a member of the Runnels Board of Trustees. Class of 1996 alumna, Kylie Shafer Harbin, teaches English 8, English 8 Honors, and Strategies for Success. Her twin sons, Andrew and Ethan, are kindergarten students. Elementary teacher Stacey Lerma Smith graduated from Runnels High School in 1998. Her children, Emma, a kindergart-

ner, and Anderson, who attends the preschool, carry on the legacy. “There is no other school like Run-nels,” Mrs. Smith explained. “I feel privileged to be a part of this amaz-ing family. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when I come to my fi rst-grade classroom and send my daughter, Emma, to kindergarten—in the same rooms where

I attended when I was fi ve years old.” Also in the Class of 1998 were Runnels IT Director Adam Guedry and junior high/senior high school faculty member Michelle Ma-joue’ Middlebrook, who teaches Computer Applications, Com-puter Science, and Webmastering. Mrs. Middlebrook’s children, Nicolas, Rachel, and Chandler, are enrolled at Runnels. Representing the Class of 1999 is pre-school teacher Janna Bridges Morgan. Her mom, Penny Bridges, who served as a graphic

artist at Runnels for 30 years, retired last May. New kindergarten teacher Laura Fal-goust Naquin (‘00) has multiple Runnels connections. Her husband, Richie Na-

quin, is a Runnels alumnus (‘99); her daughter, Mary, attends Runnels Preschool; and her mother-in-law, Paula Naquin, is Kindergarten Direc-tor. Ben Young (’06) is Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach, and he teaches Algebra II and Team Sports.

Ben also has deep ties to Runnels. His mother, Becky Young, taught fi rst grade at Runnels for many years; his sisters, Lauren Young Downing (‘04) and Anna Young (‘02) are Runnels alumnae; and his nieces, Lily and Reese Downing, attend the Preschool, where their mom, Lauren, is a teacher. Coach Young said he is thankful for the lasting impact that Dr. Runnels and the rest of the faculty have had in his life and he’s excited about being part of that teach-ing and coach-ing process. Also on the faculty are 2004 gradu-ates Maggie Wrenn and Michelle Richardson. Ms. Wrenn, Junior Clas-sical League (JCL) sponsor, teaches Latin and Greek, and Ms. Rich-ardson, a JCL co-sponsor, teaches World Geography and Human Geography AP.

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Education4 October 2014

Cole Clark Acoustic GuitarDonated by Motus North AmericaValued at $ 1,900

Purple Amethyst Ring Donated by CUT Fine JewelersValued at $ 1,525

Leslie Green Floral Design EarringsDonated by Lee Michaels Fine JewelryValued at $ 725

Large Bowl with Blue & White Asian DesignDonated by Stoma FurnitureValued at $ 500

Parking Spot Located behind auditoriumDonated by Runnels High SchoolValued at $ Priceless

CRAWFISH POT COLLAGEDonated by Runnels 1st Grade Art ClassValued at $ Priceless

Marucci Bat—Royal Blue & White 50th AnniversaryDonated by Marucci BatValued at $ 150

4th- 6th ART COLLAGESDonated by Runnels 4-6 Art ClassesValued at $ Priceless

“Color Me Silly”Donated by Runnels 3-Year-Old-ClassValued at $ Priceless

Two Priority Reserved Seats at 2015 Graduation CeremonyDonated by Runnels High SchoolValued at $ Priceless

Elementary Principal for a Day Donated by Runnels, Mrs. MackayValued at $ Priceless

Visit runnelsrpo.org to preview the auction program.

NEWSRUNNELS PARENT O R G A N I Z AT I O N

O C T.2 0 1 4RPRP

B E N E F I T I N G T H E R U N N E L S P L A Z A P R O J E C T

SAT, OCT 4

7–11 PM

LOD COOK ALUMNI CENTER

3838 West Lakeshore Drive

FEATURING A SAVORY BUFFET, OPEN BAR, LIVE

MUSIC BY PARTY AT JOE’S, A FABULOUS SILENT AUCTION & GRAND RAFFLE DRAWING

ATTIRE: DRESSY CASUAL

TICKETS $70

This Weekend — Runnels 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala!

EVENT SPONSORS

SILVER

BRONZE

Just a few Hot Auction Items...

October 2014 5

1ST PRIZE—$10,000 Backyard Makeover*Landscape architectural design, engineering, and project coordination services provided by Duplantis Design Group, LLC.Home and garden supplies provided by Louisiana Nursery – Home & Garden Showplace®.Landscape contracting services provided by Philip Moser Associates, Inc.

2ND PRIZE—Pelican Elite Cooler, $250 Value

3RD PRIZE—Bicycle, $350 Value Donated by Capitol Cyclery

Some limitations apply. See details online at runnelsrpo.org.

Be Part of the Runnels’ Dream to Make the Plaza a Reality!

Free

PicturesPPiiccttuurreess!in the Plaza!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL RPO@RUNNELS.ORG OR VISIT RUNNELSRPO.ORG

Pictures in the Plaza is Back! FEATURING FROZEN! (Sing-A-Long)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 — 6:30 PM

In case of inclement weather, please check the RunnelsRPO

website for information.

No ice chests allowed.

Dr. & Mrs. Runnels saw the vision of this fabulous addition of the Plaza to our campus and the benefit for our children. Help us reach our goal and honor them and the 50th Anniversary of our school by supporting the Plaza project. You can support this project by making a donation or by purchasing a ticket for the Runnels Grand Raffle.

Time is running out—tickets will be available until October 3rd on campus in the Admissions and Information Building and online at runnelsrpo.org. The drawing will be held at the Runnels 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Tickets will be sold at the event. The winner need not be present to win.

NEWSRUNNELS PARENT O R G A N I Z AT I O N

O C T.2 0 1 4RPRP

Enjoy an evening of family fun with the Runnels RPO, Saturday, November 1 at 6:30 pm for a Picture in the Plaza. Grab your picnic blankets or chairs and load up the entire family for an evening under the stars with a family friendly flick. Admission to the movie is free. The feature for the evening will be “Frozen”—the sing-a-long version.

Jambalaya, along with many of your favorite movie concessions like popcorn, hot dogs, sodas & water, and assorted sweet treats will be available. Proceeds will benefit the Plaza Project.

The event will be held on the Runnels High School campus on the lawn in front of Novak Hall just behind the high school office at the proposed site of the Plaza. Construction plans will be on display so you can get a “reel” feel for the future of this exciting project.

B E N E F I T I N G T H E R U N N E L S P L A Z A P R O J E C T

Together We Can!

Tickets $25

Grand Raffle

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Education6 October 2014

A Winning Ticket: ‘Guys & Dolls’ A Winning Ticket: ‘Guys & Dolls’ Congratulations to the cast, crew, band, and technical and artistic teams that contributed to making the Runnels Theatre community production of Guys and Dolls, an all-around winner. Runnels K-12 Theatre Program Chair Neena Kelfstrom directed the show, and

elementary drama teacher Cristin Ponjuan served as assistant director. Musical director Jill Swetnam con-ducted the band, Johnice Thoms provided vocal di-rection, and Brooke Yura designed the choreogra-phy. Pamela Gyan and Runnels art department head Lee Brandt Randall

were the artistic directors, and Marcia Gregg, our junior and senior high secretary, handled ticket sales. Runnels alumnae Emily Gyan (‘11) played Sarah Brown, and Madalyn Arboneaux (‘13) was the stage director. Rachel Anderson Klein (‘05) designed the playbill. Runnels students appearing on stage were Nicole Gardana, Griffi n Gowdy, Everett Hib-ner, Jarrett LaBonne, Caleb Manning, McKen-zie Mayeaux, Max Morgan, Hayden Ponjuan, and John Wiese. Runnels Board of Trustees member Shawn Worsham played Nicely-Nice-ly Johnson, and teachers Jennifer Carpenter and Jean Martinez were in the ensemble. The band included Runnels students Alex Acosta, Sam Day, Brandon Kelfstrom, Luc Kharey, Michael Martinez, Connor Matthews, Garrett Miller, Andrew Mitchell, Emma Shupe, Alex Stansbury, Ashley Stansbury and Austin Stansbury. Elementary teacher John Baird played the bass. In the crew were Runnels students Alex-andra Nicholson, Mason Williams, Lukas Acosta, Jesse Stephens, Brock Dardar, Maggie Anders, Dylan Miller, and Aidan Heck. The show ran for three performances, September 26-28. The show was performed on September 26, 27 and 28, in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre. A full list of credits is available at www.runnels.org.

‘Guys and Dolls’ crew assembles for a keep-sake photo backstage.

Neena Kelfstrom

October 2014 7

OCTOBER 3-10 Preschool Book Fair 4 50th Anniversary Gala & Auction 5 Alumni Gathering 8 Grandparents Day for the 3s 8 Upper Elementary Chorus Concert 8 Elementary Dramas - The Cheese Stands Alone (2A, 2B, 2C, 3B, 3C) 10 Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic 10 Pre-K “Story Book Parade” at 10:30 am 10 Elementary Dramas - Greek Drama (Grades 4-6) 10 Grandparents Day for the 2s 13 No School - Columbus Day 14 St. Jude Math-A-Thon Begins (Grades 1-6) 17 50th Anniversary Field Day 17 Raider Star Drawings (12:30 pm, Grades 4-6) and 1:40 pm (Grades 1-3) 19 Run, Raiders, Run “Fun Run”20-24 Vision and Hearing Screenings for some Elementary Grades and Students 21 U.S. Government AP “White Paper” Presentation in the Theater, 1:20 pm 22 Public Open House, Preschool 23 Public Open House, K-6 24 Elementary Musical: Aladdin, Jr. 26 Elementary Musical: Aladdin, Jr. 29 4th Grade Band Concert 30 OLOL Fall Blood Drive at Runnels 31 Elementary School Costume ParadeNOVEMBER 1 RPO Pictures in the Plaza - Frozen 3 6th Grade to Poverty Point 4 No School - Federal Election Day 6 Raider Rally 11 Veterans Day Assemblies 14 Master classes by Cello Professor Alexander Russakovsky14-16 High School Play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream12-21 Fall Scholastic Book Fairs24-28 Thanksgiving Holidays (School resumes on Monday, December 1.) DECEMBER 5 Harp Choir Concerts5-7 Runnels Visual and Performing Arts Showcase at Barnes and Noble 9 6th and 7th Grade Band Concert (11 am) 9 4th and 5th Grade Band Concert (7 pm) 11 Junior and Senior High Band and Chorus Concert (7 pm) 12 Strings Holiday Concert (9 am) 16 Elementary Chorus Concert (8:45 am) 18 Ballet Watch Day22 - January 2 - Winter Break (School resumes on Monday, January 5.)

For complete calendar information, go to the Runnels Master Calendar at

www.runnels.org.

It’s a Date!

RunnelsHigh School

National

Louisiana

25

23

21

19

17

15

Average ACT Scores, Graduating Class of 2014

English Math Reading Science Composite

27

Runnels ACT Scores Surpass State, National Averages ACT scores for the Runnels Class of 2014 surpassed state and national aver-ages in every category. ACT, a national college admissions test, consists of subject area exams in English, Math, Reading, and Science. Students receive individual scores on the various compo-nents of the test as well as a composite score. At Runnels, the average composite score was 24.7, substantially higher than the average for Louisiana (19.2) and the nation (21.0). In English, Runnels posted a very

strong average of 25.9, compared to 18.9 for Louisiana and 20.3 for the nation. Runnels also excelled in Math, with an average score of 23.9. The Louisiana average trailed at 18.9, and the national average was 20.9. In Reading, Runnels students also did well, earning an average score of 25.5, compared to state (19.5) and national averages (21.3). Runnels also topped state and na-tional results in Science, with an average of 23.2. The average for Louisiana was 19.1, and the national average was 20.8.

“xSIGHTment” Ahead at Raider Fun Run

Recommending a Foreign Policy Regarding U.S. Relations

with Central AmericaGladys Hague Runnels Theatre Tuesday, October 21, at 1:20 pm

U.S. Government AP Class White Paper Presentation:

If you have school news, please send it to news@runnels.org.

Dig out your running shoes and join us on Sunday, October 19, at 3 pm, for the “2014 Raider Fun Run.” This event, sponsored by the Run-nels Cross Country Team, is a two-mile walking/running race across the Harrell’s Ferry Road campus and the Trail of Dreams. This year’s theme, “Get Ready for xSIGHTment,” honors the Founda-tion Fighting Blindness, a long-time benefi ciary of the annual race. The organization helps fund research in the United States and around the world for degenerative eye diseases, includ-ing macular degeneration. Part of the proceeds will also help support the Runnels Cross Country Team. Registration forms for the race are available at www.runnels.org. You

may also register on race day, begin-ning at 3 pm. The entry fee is $10 per runner and the race begins at 4 pm. Overall and age-group winners will re-ceive recognition. Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Cross Country Head Coach Julie Fink at j.fi nk@runnels.org.

This event is free and open to the public.

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Education8 October 2014

New Offi cers Elected Many organizations on campus recently announced the election of new offi cers. Congratulations to the following: Free the Children - Kim Lam, presi-dent; Irene Lewis, vice president; Rebec-ca Bender, secretary; and Kara Peneguy, treasurer. Junior Classical League (JCL) - Connor Matthews, president; Andrew Mitchell, 1st vice president; Max Morgan, 2nd vice president; Heather Edwards, secretary; Amelia Adams, technical coordinator; Caitlyn Moore, historian; and Nabil Es-sajee, Torch editor. Mu Alpha Theta - Connor Mat-thews, president; Andrew Mitchell, vice president; Anna Morgan, secretary; Olivia Arboneaux, treasurer. National Honor Society - Olivia Arboneaux, president; Taz Shah, vice president; Kara Peneguy, secretary; and Rebecca Bender, treasurer. Sophomore Class - Regan Dean, president; Micah Danos, vice president; Blair LeBleu, secretary; and Emily Britt, treasurer. 8th Grade Class - Daniel Mayeaux, president; Emma Tooraen, vice president; Micah Roper’, secretary; Kayla Evans, treasurer; Hannah Page, historian; and Anna Claire Pousson, reporter. Freshman Class - Justin Reeves and Kaitlyn Roy, co-presidents; William Golden, vice president; Payton Martin and Jourdan Milton, co-secretaries; and Sara Brandenburg, treasurer.

Lunch and Basketball ... Basketball fans fi lled up the gym at lunchtime for two weeks in September to cheer for their favorite teams in the junior high and high school’s annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. There were 11 teams competing. Congratulations to Grant Welch, Thomas Myers, Taylor Kennedy, and Morgan Evans of the Boca Squad for winning this year’s tourna-ment. Many thanks to Head Boys Basketball Coach Ben Young and Head Girls Basketball Coach Justin MacKay for serving as referees for this popular school event.

Tanner Tate and Dean Campbell battle for the ball in the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in the gym this September.

Elementary Librar-ian Joni Orgeron reports that Septem-ber’s Used Book Sale was a success. “Our cash total came to $1,080.31,” she said. “The entire amount was used to purchase new books for the library.” Among the new books are a series on military history for 4th-6th grade readers, more animal books for elementary stu-dents of all ages, and titles from the 2014-15 Louisiana Young Readers Choice Awards list. During the sale, Mrs. Orgeron added, students donated 55 cans of dog food and 81 cans of cat food that were delivered to

the Companion Animal Alliance. Even books that were not sold will be used to help rescue animals. Boxes of extra books were transported to local resale shop, Here Today, Gone To-morrow. The shop will donate a percentage of book sales to Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge. We sincerely thank everyone who donated books and canned pet food, the volunteer

team organized by Gina Golda, and families and friends of the library who made book purchases. We also thank Jodi Golden for transporting boxes of used books to the resale shop.

Elementary Library Used Book Sale Update

Runnels students (from left) Brandon Kelf-strom, William Golden, and Bruce Huhn load extra books from the Elementary Library’s Used Book Sale into a truck. The books were delivered to a resale shop that will give a per-centage of the sales to Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge.

Pre-kindergartners at the Preschool try to beat the heat by donning boldly colored sun visors they lavishly decorated with shiny stickers. Each visor refl ected the individual taste and creative style of its unique wearer.

Beating the Heat

A Special Gift ... In remembrance of those who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, members of our 5th Grade Flag Corps fl ew the American fl ag and a special “9/11 Memorial Flag” at half-mast on the Runnels fl agpole this September 11. The memorial fl ag (at right, with members of the Flag Corps) was a gift to our school by Dr. Derrie Perez, the mother-in-law of kin-dergarten teacher Laura Roark and grand-mother of elementary student Stuart Roark. In a team-written essay, Flag Corps members explained what the symbols on the memorial fl ag represent: “There is the shape of The Pentagon. A pentagon has fi ve sides. This Pentagon is our nation’s armed forces’ headquarters. There are two large white stripes. They represent the towers of the World Trade Center and everyone who gave their lives in planes and in the buildings. There are 40 yellow stars going around the pentagon. These are the people on the plane that fought back and crashed in Pennsylvania.” Dr. Perez also donated a book entitled Remembering 9/11. The students said that the fl ag will be displayed at Runnels every year on September 11. They sincerely thank Dr. Perez for her meaningful and important gifts to our school.

October 2014 9

Raider Rally 2014

This is a school-wide fundraiser sponsored by the Runnels Booster Club. The proceeds from the evening will benefit the different classes, clubs, groups and athle c teams that are sup-ported by Runnels School.

Please join us on Thursday, November 6, 2014 from 5:30-8:00 pm on the softball field for an evening of Raider style family fun!

All elementary children must be accompanied by a supervising adult!

Runnels logo apparel and merchandise will be available for purchase. Cash and Checks only!

BBooster Club will be selling dinner plates: Hamburger, chips, cookie, and drink $6.00. 2 hot dogs, chips, cookie, and drink $6.00. Food courtesy of Burl Forgey and Dan Martin

Tickets will be sold at the gate. Tickets are used for games and some treats.

Tickets are .50 each.

$10.00 strips will be available.

Most games will need one or two tickets.

Prizes Concession

Stand

*** Performances by the RHS Band and the Runnels Cheerleaders ****

This is a school-wide fundraiser sponsored by the Runnels Booster club. The proceeds from the evening will benefi t the different classes, clubs, groups and athletic teams that are supported by Runnels School.

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Education10 October 2014

We Sincerely Thank

Notable Events

... Kimberley Calcote, mother of Michael Calcote, for negotiating a large discount on clay pots at Lowes. The 2s and 3s will decorate the pots and present them as gifts on Grandparents Day at the Preschool. ... Veronica Ly, mother of Camille Legendre, for donating petunias to the Preschool for Grandparents Day activities. ... Stephanie Kraft, mother of Sadie and Lance Kraft, for designing Cross Country signs and putting them on the lockers of all team members.

In the Fast Lane ... The Running Raid-ers were off to a fast start during the fi rst week of Cross Country competition. High school runners Dean Campbell, Kay-len Howe and Adam Howe fi nished 13th, 14th and 15th, respectively, against tough fi elds in their 2-mile races at the John Curtis Season Opener at City Park in New Orleans. At the same event, the Junior High Girls Team (Annie Fink, Micah Roper’, Saylor Ourso, and Claire Alfonso) raced to victory in the West Feliciana Re-lays, securing a 1st-place win for Runnels for the second year in a row! In the fi rst 3-mile race of the season, Sam Matthews took the lead spot for the Runnels’ Boys Team, followed by Adam Howe, Dean Campbell, Nathan Fairley and Grant Fink. The Runnels team placed 11th in a fi eld of 29 teams. The Louisiana Track and Field Coach’s Association publishes a weekly poll for both boys’ and girls’ high school cross country teams in the state. For the week of September 22, the Runnels Boys Varsity Team was ranked 5th in class 2A and below. Head Cross Country Coach Julie Fink said she predicts that it will be a “very close race between the top fi ve 2A teams at the State Championship in November, with the Runnels boys having a great op-portunity for a top team fi nish.”

Annie Fink competes in the West Feliciana Relays at City Park.

At the “Club Open House” assembly, Irene Lewis invites 9th-12th graders to join Free the Children, a new organization on campus.

Club Open House ... Junior and senior high students lined up at tables on the lawn in front of Novak Hall on Sep-tember 4 to sign up for clubs and organi-zations of their choice. The event followed a “Club Open House” assembly held in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre. At the assembly, club sponsors, offi cers and members introduced their organiza-tions and offered information on club goals, purposes, special events, conven-tions, opportunities for service, scholastic and social advantages, and just plain fun. New to Runnels this year are Free the Children, the Student Ambassador Club, and the Future Scientists and Engineers Club. Free the Children is an international charity dedicated to breaking the chain of poverty in underserved areas, both at home and around the world. Club activities will include fundraising for the “adopt a village” program that seeks

to provide educational opportunities, clean water and sanitation facilities, food security, alternative income and health services to children in need. “It’s a good cause,” said co-organizer Irene Lewis. “We’re investing in the lives of others to make a long-term differ-ence.” Kim Lam, who co-founded the club at Runnels, added, “We’ll focus on world relief and opening students’ minds to the problems of the world and how we can give back.” The club meets the fi rst Tuesday of every month. Nicole Reid sponsors the organization. Members of the new Student Ambassador Club, open to 9th-12th graders, spread the word about Runnels in the community and represent the school at events like open houses, off-campus school fairs, alumni gatherings and school functions involving the public. The club, sponsored by the Runnels Admissions Offi ce and Admissions Director Sarah Haase, will also offer opportunities for leadership training and community service.

To join, students must have completed one year at Runnels and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. On the club’s executive board are Morgan Evans, Trent Tucker, Kelsey Mayes, Taylor Schoen and Stephen Worsham. The Future Scientists and Engineers Club, sponsored by Anita Reeves, provides oppor-tunities for students interested in learning more about these subjects. Clubs enjoying a revival at Runnels this year are: Youth Legislature for grades 7 and 8, sponsored by Junior High Assistant Principal Pamela Babcock and Steve Hayden; the Junior High Book Club, sponsored by Kylie Harbin; and the French Club, sponsored by Amanda Sutton. Runnels also has an angler’s club, the Bayou Raiders, now in its second year. The 12-member competitive fi shing team, sponsored by Nicole and Jeff Reid and organized by senior Dylan Miller, plans to partici-pate in at least four B.A.S.S. association tournaments in Louisi-ana this school year. Membership dues are $30 and tournament registration is $50 per boat with two anglers per boat. “If you want to fi sh,” said Dylan, “sign up!” Other organizations are Art Club, Junior and Senior Beta Clubs, Chess Club, Debate Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Spelling Bee Club, Thespian Club, History Club and Junior Classical League (JCL). For more information, visit www.runnels.org or call the junior and senior high school offi ce at 225-751-2192.

At “Club Open House” on September 4, stu-dents sign up to join a wide array of campus organizations.

October 2014 11

Notable Events

November 11, Save the Date ... Make plans to join us on Tuesday, November 11, when Runnels School follows its longstanding tradition of honoring veterans

with two special ceremonies in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre. All elementary students will attend a “Musical Tribute to Veterans” at 9 am. Everyone is cordially invited to attend, especially veterans or those currently serving in the military. Veterans and those in uniform

will receive special recognition during the program. Please call the elementary school offi ce at 751-5712 or 751-5748 by Friday, November 7, to reserve seats for veterans planning to attend. Due to the number of students attending the assemblies, general seating will be limited.

Junior and senior high students will observe Veterans Day with a patriotic assembly at 1:30 pm. Everyone is invited to attend this program also, with veterans or those currently in the military as our honored guests. Veterans will receive special recognition at the program.

Introducing Jr. High Tennis ... Several of our 6th-8th graders are taking advantage of the opportunity to learn how to play tennis from a pro, Runnels Varsity Tennis Team Coach Kathrin Sieberth. A veteran of all four Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon, the French Open, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open), Mrs. Sieberth competed as a professional tennis player for seven years. Her career high world ranking was 55. Mrs. Sieberth started the two-month junior high pro-gram to “introduce kids to tennis and instill (in them) a love of the sport.” Her hope is that these students will continue playing tennis and eventually join the Runnels varsity team when they get to high school. The fl edgling team practices three times a week at Forest Park. Players are Emily Daquano, Sinclair Wahnschaffe, Madisan Milam, Muscaan Mahes, Ian Duke, Connor Porthouse, Marshall Pentes, and Brayden Hebert.

A Chapter in History ... Second graders have been reading Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiographical children’s book, Little House on the Prairie, in Mrs. Stelly’s class. To give students a better understand-ing of what life was like for the Ingalls family on the American frontier in the late 1800s, Mrs. Stelly conducted class on a picnic blanket for several days in September. The children read chapters from the book while pretending they were camped out on the prairie. After their reading, the youngsters sampled prairie cakes (corn bread muffi ns), examined a “spider pot,” which was used for cooking over open fi res, and took turns grinding coffee beans in a hand-cranked coffee

grinder. “My goal,” explained Mrs. Stelly, “is not only to practice our reading skills but to ‘bring the story to life’ and show the students how books are a magical adventure.”

Reading teacher Marissa Stelly helps 2nd graders “experience” life on the American frontier while reading a chapter from ‘Little House on the Prairie.’

Annie Garrison grinds coffee the way the Ingalls family might have done it on the American frontier in the late 1800s.

Swimming Ahead ... Varsity Swim Team Coach Matthew Kiggans re-ports that the Raiders “had a great meet” at Crawfi sh Aquatics on Saturday, September 13. Will Lurker was a double 1st-place winner. He captured 1st place honors in the boys’ 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:04.57 and the boys’ 200-yard IM (Indi-vidual Medley) with a time of 2:24.99. Jordyn Miller also clinched a 1st-place ribbon for the team in the girls’ 200-yard IM. She recorded a time of 2:31.56. Jordyn fi nished 3rd in the 500-yard freestyle. Michael Stevenson placed 3rd in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:13.15. He also placed in the boys’ 100-yard free-

style. In addition, Parker Rhinehart achieved the state qualifying time in the boys’ 50-yard freestyle. The swim team earned

a total of 101 points at the match, and all swimmers qualifi ed to compete in their individual events at the state meet.

Serving Others ... Two campus organizations recently held successful bake sales to benefi t important causes. The National Honor Society raised $150 to help the United Mi-trochondrial Research Foundation, and the newly formed Runnels chapter of Free the Children donated $254 from a bake sale to improve access to clean water in Kenya. Many thanks to everyone who supported these two clubs in their efforts to serve others and make a difference in the world.

National Honor Society members, from left, Ryan Baird, Kara Pene-guy, and Sadie Kraft sell baked goods at lunchtime in support of the Mitrochondrial Research Foundation.

Remember to clip out and bring in your General Mills Box Tops for Education Coupons, Community Coffee UPCs, and Campbell’s UPCs. Labels maybe dropped off in the Elementary Library. The autumn submission date for General Mills Box Tops for Education is Mon-day, November 3.

Please Donate Your Labels

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Education12 October 2014

PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL17255 South Harrell’s Ferry RoadBaton Rouge, Louisiana 70816

www.runnels.org

2014 Raider Fun Run2014 Raider Fun Run

Sunday, October 19, at 3 pm, Harrell’s Ferry Rd. Campus

Join the Runnels Cross Country Team at the Raider Fun Run ...