It has been a successful first quarter and smooth transition
into the second quarter! Fall sports wrapped up with some exciting post region
matches, especially Volleyball who
finished 4th in a very tough volleyball region and 7th
overall in the state. Football also gave
us something else to cheer about with an historic post season run after placing
2nd in region. RHS Football was beat by just two teams this season,
both of which are now playing for the state championship. Additionally, Girls Soccer finished 2nd in region, Cross Country qualified two girls for
the state meet, and Boys Golf ended
up sending over 6 players to the state tournament. Girls Tennis had a great season as well and will be back with a vengeance
next year.
We hope you had a chance to see the school musical, Thoroughly
Modern Millie. Students and teachers worked countless hours on tap
dances, chorus choreography, wonderful music, and the creation of amazing sets.
FFA had a very
successful experience with the Ag Issues team at Nationals in Kentucky, and the
National Honor Society held its
largest induction ever of over 100 students. We also congratulate the following
Riverton High Sterling Scholar Winners: Cole Thorpe (Social Sciences), Shelby Christopherson (Dance), Jacob Wilcox (Business &
Marketing), McKay Christensen
(Math), Erica Smith (English), Keegan Pitchford (Science), Marina McNeill (World Languages), Nathan Taylor (Computer Technology), Logan Crawford (Skilled & Technical
Sciences), Caitlyn Stock (Family
& Consumer Sciences), Megan Able
(Theater Arts), Porter Bagley (Vocal
Performance), Britney Johnson
(Visual Arts), Rachyl Davenport (Instrumental Music).
Now that the first quarter is behind us we begin to look
ahead toward “the most wonderful time of the year.” Soon Silver Rush will be underway and the whole community will be
involved in the spirit of giving. Earlier this school year Riverton High
accepted the Champions for Child Abuse Award, which was presented to our
Student Body Officers on behalf all Riverton students for their efforts to help
end child abuse. Even though Riverton didn’t work directly on that effort last
year, they have provided funds to several charities that work directly with
abused children in years past.
At the awards ceremony, I had a chance to review the process
our student officers go through to select a charity each year. By now Riverton
is so well known for their charitable fundraising efforts in December that many
charities and initiatives seek us out early in the school year and sometimes in
the summer.
In the fall, student officers begin studying the charities,
looking for hands on opportunities to serve and perhaps a chance to work
directly with those in need. As they begin narrowing their search they make
visits to charities, collect and read literature, watch promotional videos,
interview employees, and spend time learning about significant community issues
and needs. Finally, they compile all the information and small groups make
presentations to their student government peers. It is during these
presentations that officers pose questions to each other to better understand
the charities they studied. At the conclusion of the presentations they cast
secret ballots to settle on a charity.
As I watched students’ presentations again this year I considered
the authentic learning process these students experience as they prepare for
Silver Rush. For years in the district office I promoted content area literacy, which is basically the ability to read,
write, and speak about content in areas other than language arts. That’s
exactly what these student officers do as they study, listen, interview, read,
write about, create, and deliver presentations to each other and their advisors
about local and global concerns and the people who are working to alleviate
human suffering.
Student government loves keeping the chosen charity a secret
until the big reveal which happens at a Silver Rush opening assembly. Even
then, these officers prepare a promotional presentation intended to educate,
excite, and enlist supporters around a valuable cause. During the three weeks
of Silver Rush student leaders continue to educate their peers about the issues
surrounding the charity, whether it’s information about child abuse, hearing
loss, wheelchair accessibility, poverty, refugees, or children’s health, just to name a few.
Ultimately, the goals of Silver Rush are to raise money for
a good cause, build unity as a school community, become better educated about
issues many people face around us, and promote citizenship through service. So,
while the general public may see Silver Rush as a lot of teenagers shaking
bottles and cans and requesting donations, I am grateful for the teachers and administrators
who have worked for so many years to establish this event as an opportunity for
students to practice authentic learning as they research issues within the
community and to come together to foster the life-long skill of selflessness.
