Monthly - Ridge PTO

CLUB NEWS
Habitat for Humanity
The Ridge Habitat for Humanity Club is off to a very successful
start in 2011. With the 216 students who showed for the first
meeting, there is no doubt that Habitat for Humanity will be one
of the largest and most exciting clubs at Ridge this year. After a
successful and profitable 2010-2011, this year’s new leadership
team is striving to raise even more than last year’s proceeds,
which were balanced out at around $6,000. They are looking
to do this by continuing many of last year’s fundraisers and by
creating new ones from ideas from club members.
Many students are thrilled to be participating in the upcoming 5K
race on Sunday, Oct. 9, the first fundraiser for this year. This event
is open to all ages and will raise money by requiring walkers and
runners to pay a registration fee and through sponsor donations.
Whether you are in the club or not, we encourage you to join us at
this event and to walk, run, or sponsor those who do--all for a great
cause. For extra incentive, participants get a free t-shirt!
On Oct. 29, 12 students from the club will go to a housing project
in nearby Bridgewater and help build an actual house with the
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, an event we call the “Build
Day.” This event is one that the students enjoy the most because
it is truly a “hands on” experience and is very interactive and
enjoyable. From this event, students are able to see the impact
they are making on the future owner of that home.
In addition to the Build Day, Ridge Habitat will be staffing an
event at the Bridgewater Mall on Oct. 29 as well. This event will
be run by students and will include games, face painting, etc., for
all of the little ones strolling around the mall!
If you would like to get involved with Habitat for Humanity, stop
by room 408 and talk to the club advisor, Mrs. Illian, or email for
more information to mail@ridgehabitat.com. We look forward
to a very successful year!
- submitted by leadership member Alex Wilke
Drama Club News, from p. 1
The Ridge Drama Club is pleased to announce the fall play which
will be held at the Ridge PAC on Nov. 18 and 19 at 7pm. This
year’s production will be the comedy “My Sister Eileen” by
Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, based on the autobiographical
short stories by Ruth McKenney.
It has a medium- to large-size cast and focuses on two sisters
from Ohio who relocate to New York City in search of fame and
fortune. Witty Ruth aspires to be a published writer, while pretty
Eileen dreams of success as an actress. Their financial circumstances
force them to rent a dingy basement studio apartment
in a Greenwich Village building owned by Mr. Appopolous,
one of many colorful characters who cross their path. This play
is the basis for the Broadway Musical “Wonderful Town” which
starred Brooke Shields in the last revival.
Auditions were held last week, and the production will be
directed by Ridge Drama teacher, Mrs. Megan Kern. Mr. Jason
Stewart, Ridge Art teacher will design the scenery. Tickets will
be available through the Ridge PAC box office - $10 general
admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. [click here to
go back to page 1]
- submitted by Megan Kern
Forensics, from p. 1
Five Ridge High School students advanced into the final rounds
at the 2011 National Forensics League National Tournament in
Dallas, Texas. Senior Peter Vogel advanced to the national final
round in United States Extemporaneous Speaking; Vogel bested
hundreds of other competitors in the event to earn a chance to
perform on the final day of the competition. Vogel was recognized
as a national finalist during the national awards assembly
on Saturday evening where he took fourth place honors. In addition,
the Public Forum Debate team of Brian Moore and Tejus
Pradeep was one of the last three of 255 teams competing and
was awarded the third place award. Their teammates Christopher
Winter and Adam Badrawi took seventh place honors.
Both teams were awarded scholarships provided by the Arthur
N. Rupe Foundation, the event sponsor. The Ridge team was also
awarded a “Team of Excellence.”
In addition to the finalists, several other Ridge students advanced.
Jay Patel advanced to the semi-finals in Impromptu
Speaking, and Saniya Waghray was recognized as a semifinalist
in Expository Speaking. Lincoln-Douglas debaters Allison
Douglis and Liz Pires advanced into the ‘award’ rounds of the
tournament, and George Philipose was named a semifinalist in
Student Congress. Caitlin Murphy, JiLon Li, and Zoe Petitt also
qualified for and attended the national championship event.
More than 3,200 students participated in the 2011 NFL
National Tournament, one of the world’s largest academic
contests. The event drew visitors from across the country and
as far away as China. Top performers take home more than
$200,000 in college scholarships.
To attend, students must qualify at one of NFL’s 106 district
tournaments. National competition occurs in ten main events—
Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate,
Congressional Debate, Original Oratory, United States Extemporaneous
Speaking, International Extemporaneous Speaking,
and Humorous, Dramatic, and Duo Interpretation—as well as
seven consolation and supplemental events. For more information,
visit the tournament website:
www.nflnationals.org. [click here to go back to page 1]
About the National Forensic League
The National Forensic League (NFL) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit honorary
society whose mission is to promote high school and middle school speech
and debate activities as a means to develop a student’s essential life skills
and values. More than 112,000 high school and middle school students,
representing more than 2,900 schools nationwide, are currently building
their communication, leadership, cognitive, and presentational skills as
members. Since 1925, more than 1.3 million students have found their
voice in the NFL. For more information, visit www.nflonline.org.
- submitted by David Yastremski
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