We have finished week seven of distance learning. For my family, some days feel like we’ve just started and other days feel like week 50. How are you feeling?
Our kids are missing school, seeing their teachers, and being amongst friends. Teachers and administrators are adjusting to constant last minute changes and figuring out the best method to efficiently deliver assignments. Indeed, these are very challenging times for all of us.
PTSA reorganized funds and purchased yard/door signs for seniors. We wanted to ease some heartache you may be experiencing with regards to graduation. Our very own Mr. Benenati designed the signs! Seniors picked up the signs, along with caps and gowns, earlier today at the Landing drive-thru.
We are still looking for volunteers to help with PTSA for 2020-2021. Please call or email me to inquire about available positions: reynoldsptsapres@gmail.com (email)
336-926-8719 (voice, text)
Please continue to practice safe distancing, wash your hands more than you think you need to, and remember to thank your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8. I am thinking of all of you during these crazy times!
Dawn Nelson
RJR PTSA President 2019-2020
2020 Senior Athlete Awards
The Male Athlete of the Year was All Conference, All Region, All State and All Mid-Atlantic and is currently a finalist for HS OT Male Soccer Player of the Year for NC. The male athlete of the year goes to a well deserving Aldair Anica-Hernandez. Aldair is still making his decisions on what is next after graduation. Congratulations Aldair!
The Female Athlete of the Year was All State in Field Hockey and was all conference in previous years in Lacrosse (Covid-19 cancelled this year’s season after 4 games. This year’s female athlete of the year is awarded to well-rounded Winborne Broughton. Winborne plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill in the fall. Congratulations to Winborne!
The Leo Caldwell Award is given to an athlete that shows high ideals in athletics. It is named after Leo Caldwell, who died while playing football for the Demons. It was the fall of 1923, the first year RJR was open. The team was 3-0 on the season and they were playing Charlotte High School. In the 3rd Quarter, Caldwell punted the ball and the Charlotte player was returning the kick for what was to be a sure TD. Caldwell stepped in front to make the tackle, but broke his neck in the act. The game was stopped at that point. The next day the Superintendent cancelled the rest of the football season. Mr. Caldwell’s sister, Annie Graham Caldwell, was a student at the school at the time and went on to be a teacher at Reynolds. As a teacher, on every game day, she would write a personal note to each of the players. At the end of each note she would tell them, “Give until it hurts. Remember that he gave all.” The 2019-2020 Leo Caldwell Award goes to Tobias Johnson. Tobias will be attending either Fayetteville State or Methodist College to play football after graduation. Congratulations Tobias!
While celebrating our athletes, there are others that help put our students in the successful athletic roles they now carry. So, because of this, The Athletic Department created a Coach of the Year Award in 2014 to be presented annually. It is to go to a coach that succeeds on the field or court, while demanding the most from their athletes in the classroom and to be productive members of our society. The award is known as the SGM Lewis Green Coach of the Year. SGM Green was our golf coach and won this award in 2017. He lost his battle to pancreatic cancer in the fall of 2017. The athletic department wanted to remember the legacy he left behind. This year’s winner is the first ever two-time award winner and has won it in back-to-back years. Tony Sabio guided the Demon Soccer team to the State Finals and at one point a #1 ranking in NC for all classifications. You are amazing and your team and school is so proud of you. Congratulations Coach!
The Thomas Wilson Award is older than RJ Reynolds High School. It was originally known as the Thomas Wilson Cup and was first awarded in 1915. When the old Winston High burned down in 1919, the award was transferred to RJ Reynolds High. The first recipient was given in memory of Leo Caldwell in the spring of 1924, RJ Reynold’s second year. This is the oldest award that RJ Reynolds gives for any area of education in the school. The Thomas Wilson award is given to an individual that excels in Athletics. This year’s award winner played soccer, football and lacrosse. He will be attending NCSU after graduation. Congratulations to Jack Doherty!
Brevard Hoover was your all-American boy. He was the president of the student body and of the National Honor Society. He was Captain of the football team and was on his way to the University of North Carolina on a football scholarship to play fullback for the Tarheels. On graduation weekend he and some friends went to Crystal Lake to celebrate graduation. While there, the canoe that was carrying Mr. Hoover and his girlfriend capsized. He drowned while saving her life. The Brevard Hoover award is given to an athlete that shows character and leadership in athletics. This year’s recipient goes to Blake Brantley. Blake will be attending Yale and playing golf. Congratulations Blake!
The Herman Bryson Award is given to an individual who shows outstanding behavior and professionalism in their sport. The Herman Bryson Award is named after our former Athletic Director. Coach Bryson served RJR from 1957-1984 and our schools gymnasium is also named after him. Coach Bryson was a product of the Children’s Home and played football there. He was an All-Southern running back and went on to play football at App State where he was named an All-American. He was also a baseball and football coach during his time here. Mr. Bryson passed away in 2015 and his portrait hangs in the lobby of our gymnasium. The Herman Bryson Award for 2019-2020 goes to Becca Connolly. Becca played golf at Reynolds and will attend UNC. Congratulations!
The Monogram award is an award that is given for someone that shows high character in their sport, school spirit in supporting all other athletes and have a winning attitude. This year’s Monogram Award winner is Jessica Mata. Jessica ran XC and Track. She will be attending UNCG after graduation. Way to go Jessica!
While schools remain closed, bookmark thisWS/FCS web page to keep up with the latest developments, including e-learning resources, FAQs for parents to know, and information about the availability of meals for those in need.
On April 29, WS/FCS issued their Final Grade Guidance for the 2019-2020 school year (click here to view). May 28 will be the last date for teachers to send e-Learning resources to their students. By June 10, students must inform their teachers if they would prefer to have their numeric grades posted (instead of PC19). Teachers will continue to support students through June 11, which is the last official day of school.
NC Legislature Addesses Pandemic Aid
The 2020 short session of the NC General Assembly opened as scheduled on Tuesday, April 28 and the focus of both the process and content was COVID-19. North Carolina is supposed to receive more than $4 billion from the federal government that can be spent by the General Assembly to deal with COVID-19.
The RJR Website has been updated with a Distance Learning Portal where you can find valuable information for keeping up with your R.J. Reynolds education while stay-at-home orders are in effect.
Parents! Are you receiving texts and emails from the school? If not, and you want to make sure you are getting all updates, please fill out and submit this Google Form.
Students! You can receive text updates for your particular Reynolds class by following these instructions. The Remind Codes page now includes codes allowing you to subscribe to updates from the teachers who are using Remind Codes.
NC PTSA Highlights COVID Parenting Help
Coronavirus News and Information
Stay-At-Home Orders are in effect through May 8, 2020 throughout North Carolina. Follow your local news for adjustments to these orders and state/local leaders' guidelines for social distancing, personal safety, and community health.
Trusted online resources for the current situation on the Coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19:
If parents, teachers,and students have news worth highlighting in this newsletter, send it to rjrcommunications@gmail.com. Deadline is Thursday afternoons!
School Campus Closed
Until Further Notice
Demon Athletics
All Athletics Canceled
Until Further Notice
Includes Practices
For sports updates on cancellations and postponements,
Text @RJRA to 81010
to receive text updates directly to your phone!
Thanks to the loyalty of past donors and a growing number of new contributors, the Legacy Campaign continues to raise an average of over $100,000 each year in direct support of our students and faculty in pursuit of excellence. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference as we take great pride in the participation of everyone in our school community.
