the ridge bridge - Ridge PTO

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Ridge Teddy Bear Project The Ridge student government purchased 100 teddy bears and gave them to students to decorate. The students decorated them creatively (for example, as a ballerina, a cheerleader, a football player, and a soccer player) and returned them to school. The student government donated the 100 decorated teddy bears to The Wellness Community in Bedminster, an organization that helps children who have cancer. Because of the overwhelming response to the teddy bears, the student government has ordered 150 additional teddy bears. They will also be decorated and then donated to Morristown Memorial Hospital and other local organizations. The Gift of Art Looking for an interesting holiday gift this season? One that comes with a unique story? For the first time in 20 years, an art gallery in Bernards Township is open to the general public in support of our creative community. Farmstead Arts is showing the works of six local artists including Ridge parent, Serena Bocchino, during the month of December. Original work, as well as prints, cards and a children’s book and book signing are available for viewing and purchase. For additional information, visit www.FarmsteadArtsCenter.com or email FarmsteadArtsCenter@gmail.com. Students Turn Out to Vote On November 2, Ridge Empowerment for Political Participation (REPP) completed their first annual mock Congressional election and public opinion poll. A nonpartisan political advocacy club, REPP promotes active civic participation among Ridge students. The poll was intended to document the opinions of students on pertinent political issues and to encourage them to think critically about the world around them. Students were invited to vote during their lunch periods and turned out to vote at a rate significantly higher then the national average for young voters. After 298 votes were tallied (representing the opinions of 17% of the school’s population), incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen was narrowly reelected. Frelinghuysen earned 44% of the vote, with students voting for Democrat Douglas Herbert (41%) Ridge Alumni Announce Non-Traditional $5,000 Scholarship for Class of 2011 Members of the Class of 2011 are invited to apply for an unusual $5,000 scholarship. Unlike traditional grants that reward GPA and test scores, the Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship (Ridge AMS) is awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated character, determination, and non-traditional achievements. While grants may go to college-bound students, they can also help high-caliber applicants pursue the arts, technical careers, or nonacademic paths after graduation. The scholarship fund began as a memorial to John Peterson, Class of 1967. Less than two years after graduating, Peterson was killed in Vietnam. “He died before his potential could be realized,” notes Ed Lincoln, a Ridge AMS founder and Class of 1967 valedictorian. “John should have had a wonderful future. We owe him.” Peterson was admired for his warmth, optimism, and perseverance, and for overcoming hardships to tackle life with joy. Classmates decided to make his virtues—determination and nontraditional achievements—the criteria for scholarship recipients. “What John had was character,” says Lincoln. “That’s what this scholarship will reward.” and Libertarian Jim Gawron (15%) at rates that far exceeded actual results in Somerset County. In other areas students appeared evenly divided on the Obama administration and held slightly negative views of health care legislation in particular. Students indicated a slight preference for the Democrats on a national level. They expressed relative skepticism over the war in Afghanistan, the ability of Washington to respond effectively to national problems, and the merit of school policy that restricts certain student government positions to students who have already held office. In the most definitive response, 81% of students said that an endorsement from Sarah Palin would not make them more likely to support a candidate. REPP looks forward to holding another successful poll next November. “We also want to recognize other Ridge friends who are gone,” says Carol Mason Schoenig, another Ridge AMS founder and 1967 class president. “We were surprised to find there was no award quite like this. Reaching out to the Ridge community, we’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of affection for alumni who have passed away. We hope we can make a significant difference in the future of a Ridge graduate who demonstrates the kind of character John had.” Tayler Gallic, the 2010 Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship recipient with her mother, Kim Gallic. 6
Accomplishments Congratulations to the Ridge Varsity Competition Cheerleading Team, which came in first in the Delaware Valley Competition. A group of Latin students attended Classics Day on Friday, October 22 at Montclair State University. For the second year in a row, Ridge’s Latin team placed first out of 17 schools in the academic contest. Classics Day gives high school Latin students a taste of what it is like to study Classics in college. The day started with four lectures on classical topics, of which students could pick two to attend. Then the 30-minute team competition was held. The competition consisted of 99 multiple choice questions: 33 on Latin grammar, 33 on Greek and Roman history and literature, and 33 on Greek and Roman daily life. Eileen Cho, Bernard Lin, Margaret Morris, Joey Patchett, Josh Raff, and Lisa Wooldridge made up the Ridge team. The students were awarded medals, and Ridge was given a beautiful, full color, hardcover book called The Art of the Romans. ridge recognition During October, the Ridge Forensics Team took first in team sweepstakes at both Union Catholic High School and Phillipsburg High School. Congratulations to the following students who took first in their respective events at Union Catholic High School: • Adam Badrawi and Chris Winter in Varsity Public Forum Debate • Howard Wei in Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate • Shivam Patel in Student Congress • Addy Pai in Varsity Oral Interpretation • Jilon Li in Original Oratory • Max Rappaport in Dramatic Performance • Darius Hunt in JV Extemporaneous Speaking In addition, congratulations to the following students, who took first in their respective events at Phillipsburg High School: • Nicole Castillo in Student Congress • Jilon Li in Original Oratory • Peter Vogel in Impromptu Speaking • Peter Hughes in Prose Reading • Vicki Liu in JV Lincoln Douglas Debate Physics teacher Jim Florance biked 150 miles over two days during the Multiple Sclerosis Ride in Parsippany. In addition to biking all that way, Jim raised $500 for multiple sclerosis. Special education teacher Michaela Stoudemayer participated in the 60-mile Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Philadelphia on October 16 and 17. She raised over $2,300 for breast cancer research and wore out a pair of sneakers in the process. Special Education teacher Jennifer Hauser completed the New York City Marathon in a blistering time of 3:37.40. Warning to all her students . . . you can’t outrun her! Guidance counselor Rebecca Muraview was inducted into the Somerville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. She was a three-sport athlete – field hockey, basketball, softball – and earned 11 varsity letters. New Arrivals PE teacher and football coach, Bill Tracy and his wife Susan can now have pink in the house. Caroline Elizabeth was born on October 19, 2010, weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. She was lovingly welcomed into the household by her two big brothers Will and Connor. Other News World Language teacher Nesi Inella and her family are hosting a 17 year-old Italian exchange student from outside Turin, Italy for the school year. She plans to visit the Ridge Italian classes during the year. The Ridge Booster Club and Touchdown Club recently donated $14,000 for 50 new football helmets. The purpose of Ridge Recognition is to highlight the accomplishments of RHS students, faculty, and staff. If you or someone you know is deserving of praise and recognition, please send us an email at ridgepto@yahoo.com. 7
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Page 3 and 4: MARKET DAY Next Order Date December
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Page 11: Varsity Athletes of the Month Octob

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