Erica Jones is Ohio’s Homecoming Queen

Erica Jones, New Richmond's Homecoming Queen for 2011, is now Ohio’s Homecoming Queen for 2012 and will be off to Disneyland in California for July’s national finals.

Jones beat out 20 other finalists in state competition April 14 at the Marriott Hotel in Dayton. The pageant is sponsored by America’s Homecoming Queen Inc., a non-profit organization that promotes education and community service for high school homecoming queens in all fifty states.

Click on the photo below to watch the announcement video produced by Jim Robinson's TV production class.

Right click here and select Save Target As to download the video

“It was a pageant but it was not a talent and bathing suit pageant like the Miss America pageant,” explained Jones. “It was more about your character and personality and how you respond to questions and how you poise yourself.”

Jones, who plans to major in business and broadcasting in college, was urged to enter the pageant by her television production teacher Jim Robinson.

“I had never been in a pageant before and I thought this would be a fun new experience,” said Jones, who is the daughter of Brian and Martha Jones.

Although it was not a talent contest, Jones’ talent as a singer may have played a role in her selection by the judges.

“It’s not a talent competition but one of the judges said, ‘You really seem like you are passionate about singing,’ ” recalled Jones. “I told her I was and that I had recorded a demo in Los Angeles and she said, ‘Sing something for me.’ So I sang my favorite song, At Last by Etta James.

“I sang just the beginning of it and she loved it and said, ‘That’s all I needed to hear.’”
Jones has been accepted at Western Kentucky University but those plans may change depending on her finish in the national pageant. All state winners who compete at Disneyland are guaranteed at least a partial college scholarship with the amount being determined as to how the Finalist places at the Nationals.

“I will be in Los Angeles all summer and if everything works out with a few agencies I have out there for acting and singing, then I may actually attend college out there, especially if I get a scholarship from this pageant.”

America’s Homecoming Queen judges are selected from the fields of education, travel, and public relations. Finalists compete in personal interviews and prom gown competition only. The organization says it is looking for the all American girl who wants a career.

Team Spinnati reaches its goal

New Richmond High School's Team Spinnati achieved its goal of raising $1000 for the American Cancer Society in Friday night's “Relay for Life” at Miami University.

"We do not yet know how much money we raised, but we know it is defiantly over our goal of $1000," said team organizer Sarah Molitor.
Team Spinnati members Sarah Molitor, Rachel Heflin, Hannah Lang, Sarah Shoemaker, Audrey Feiler, Emma Feld, Ella Nees, Courtney Grogan, Patrick Jones, Analiese Rohdes, John Buckingham, James Mahan and Robin Tucker raised more than $1000 for the American Cancer Society during Friday ngiht's 'Relay for Life' at Miami University.

Molitor’s team represented New Richmond High School Principal Diana Spinnati who is on medical leave while undergoing cancer treatment.
Seniors (from left) Sarah Molitor, Rachel Heflin, Sarah Shoemaker, Robin Tucker, Hannah Lang and Courtney Grogan spent Friday night at Miami University walking in shifts to raise money for the American Cancer Society in honor of NRHS principal Diana Spinnati.

Team Spinnati in ‘Relay for Life’

New Richmond High School senior Sarah Molitor has organized Team Spinnati to participate in the “Relay for Life” at Miami University from Friday, April 13 to Saturday, April 14.

Molitor’s team will be representing New Richmond High School Principal Diana Spinnati who is on medical leave while undergoing cancer treatment.

“We will be walking all through the night in shifts ,” said Molitor. “Some of the events include a “survivors walk” inspirational speakers, food music, and many opportunities to share our individual stories about cancer.”

Team Spinnati is taking donations at the link below with all money raised going to the American Cancer Society:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12EC?pg=team&fr_id=40159&team_id=1142265



Team Spinnati includes Molitor, John Buckingham, Austin Campbell, Emma Feld, Savannah Glenn, Courtney Grogan, Rachel Heflin, Patrick Jones, Hannah Lang and James Mahan.

“I created this team, to show our support for Ms. Spinnati, to show her that she is still in our thoughts and prayers, that she is not alone,” said Molitor.

“Sometimes we, as students, feel helpless; we wish we could do so much more. Raising awareness, however, is something we are capable of doing, so please help us in our efforts to represent Ms. Spinnati at this Relay for Life.”

Watch the 2012 NRHS Talent Show

Click on the photo below to watch the 2012 New Richmond High School Talent Show filmed by NRHS students Jesse Feiler, and Aaron Pollard.

The talent show raised $1645 for the New Richmond High School band while the corresponding fund raiser for the Moscow tornado victims raised $2200 for the New Richmond Food Pantry.


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Locust Corner helps tornado victims

New Richmond’s Locust Corner Elementary’s Student Council split the proceeds of its coin jar contest in March with the New Richmond Food Pantry to help the Moscow tornado victims.

LCE students raised $1589.91 and donated $800 to the Food Pantry. The remaining money will go to purchase items for LCE's 6th Grade Farewell party at the end of the school year.
Kimberly Barth’s 3rd grade class raised the most money with $229 during LCE's March coin jar contest and won a pizza party with LCE principal Julie Renner.

“After Student Council heard about the tornados that hit our neighbors in Moscow, we decided to donate half of our money to help the tornado victims,” said student council advisor Erin Parker.

Jars were place in each classroom for coin donations during the month of March. Kimberly Barth’s 3rd grade class raised the most money with $229 in coins and won a pizza party with LCE principal Julie Renner.

“The Student Council wants to thank all of the LCE students, staff, and families that gave so much during our coin jar contest,” said Parker.

Chaperones needed for May 5 Prom

The New Richmond High School Prom Committee is in need of chaperones for the NRHS Prom to be held May 5 at the Marquise in Wilder, Ky.

Chaperones are needed for the early shift from 8 to 10 p.m. and the late shift from 10 p.m. to midnights.

Anyone who is willing to chaperone either or both shifts should contact Alex White at atalexlwhite@fuse.net.

Monroe shows it colors for Art Month

March is Youth Art Month — a celebration of the importance of Art Education in every child’s educational experience — and no school celebrates it quite like New Richmond's Monroe Elementary.

Monroe students and staff celebrated by dressing in daily art themes during ART SPIRIT WEEK organized by Monroe's Visual Arts Specialist Adrian Hawk.

You can watch a slide show of Monroe's Art Spirit Week celebration by clicking on the photo below.


Click here to watch or right click here and select Save Target As to download the video

Monday was PRIMARY COLORS Day when the theme was wearing BLUE, RED & YELLOW, the colors that make all other colors possible.

Monroe teacher Lauren Lindsley and students Payton Daughtery (left) and Shayla Underwood (right) on Creative Craziness day.

Tuesday was TEXTURe Day when the theme was wearing as many different tactile textures as you could get on.

Wednesday was FAVORITE Artist & Art Media Day which called for dressing as your favorite artist, illustrator, artwork or storybook character.
Teacher Rhonda Glover with student Shelby Miller (right)in their Creative Craziness dress.

Thursday was PATTERNS Day when the theme was wearing a combination of lines, shapes, colors, pictures, and/or designs.

Friday was SHAPES, SCULPTURE & other CREATIVE CRAZINESS Day when the theme was wearing the brightest, boldest, glitziest, neon, shiny, shimmery, glossy, sequined and creative outfit or wearing shapes all over or even dress up like a HUMAN SCUPTURE.

Math 24 Challenge attracts 51 students

On a March Saturday when elementary age students were flocking outside to take advantage of a perfect spring day, 51 students from the New Richmond Exempted Village School District gathered at Locust Corner Elementary for the Math 24 Challenge District Tournament. 4th graders Cody Morris, Allison Longnecker, Jason Ackerman, Jonah Hanrahan compete in the final round of the Math 24 Challenge District Tournament at Locust Corner Elementary Hanrahan (Dianne Kuehner, proctor).

“We had 60 students sign up this year (up from 54 last year), and 51 showed up (up from 43 last year)!” said Vicky Phillips, New Richmond’s gifted intervention specialist. “That is a success in itself, especially for such a beautiful day.”

This year’s winners were Jacob Heskamp, 6th grade from Monroe Elementary; Sawyer Scheu, 5th grade from Monroe; and Cody Morris from New Richmond Elementary and Jonah Hanrahan from Monroe Elementary, 4th grade tie.

The object of the Math 24 Challenge is to find a way to manipulate four numbers to equal 24 using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division using single digit numbered cards.
Grade level winners in the Math 24 Challenge District Tournament (from left) were Cody Morris (4th-tied), Jonah Hanrahan (4th-tied), Sawyer Scheu (5th), and Jacob Heskamp (6th).

Students competed 3 or 4 to a table with a proctor who puts a card into play. The first student that touches the card (anywhere), with no more than three finger tips may solve the card.

“All three schools were fairly equally represented, and all three PTOs sponsored the event,” said Ms. Phillips. “And a special thanks to all of our proctors. It was wonderful to see so many students and parents excited enough about math to come for a tournament on a beautiful and busy Saturday morning!”
The finalists gather for a picture prior to the final round of the Math 24 Challenge District Tournament at Locust Corner Elementary. Pictured are (front row from left) Jonah Hanrahan, Allison Longnecker, Maria Trimble, Spencer Burress, Hailey Jowers and Holly Chandler; (back row from left) Cody Morris, Mathew Cox, Jason Ackerman, Jacob Noble, Sawyer Scheu and Jacob Heskamp.

French students bridge language gap

When it comes to teaching a foreign language, classroom and practical usage can be an ocean apart. However, New Richmond High School French teacher Roger Nyam has found a way to bridge that divide.

Nyam connects his French 2 class at NRHS with French school Collège G Brassens in Santeny, near Paris, via Skype.

New Richmond High School French teacher Roger Nyam connects his class with French school Collège G Brassens in Santeny, France to give students at each school a way to practice their conversational French and English.

New Richmond students get to see their French counterparts and have face to face conversations but with a twist. New Richmond students speak in French and Brassens students answer in Engish.

“I came up the idea because I realize that students being in an English speaking community didn’t have an opportunity to practice their French,” explained Nyam. “When they come to class, I teach them French and we speak French in class, but when they leave they don’t have an opportunity to practice.”

Nyam connected with the French school through an internet site for language teachers and discovered his French counterparts had the same problem and were looking for opportunities for their students to practice.

It wasn’t easy to get the students talking via Skype because of a six hour time difference.
“It took it awhile to put together because of time difference,” said Nyam. “When we are available they are not. They are getting ready to go home.”

New Richmond High School French II student Analiese Rohdes has a conversation with a student in Santeny, France via Skype.

The time difference limits conversations to roughly 15 minutes after the 7:40 a.m. first bell at New Richmond but that 15 minutes adds up with the students.

“Some of our students have been communicating with their students through emails so now they have the opportunity to actually see the person they have exchanging emails with and have a conversation with,” said Nyam.

Kindergarten registration is April 26

The New Richmond Exempted Village School District will hold kindergarten registration for the 2012-13 school year for all three district elementary schools from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26 at the Market Street School 3rd floor offices at 212 Market Street, New Richmond.

A child must be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2012 to be eligible for kindergarten at Locust Corner Elementary, Monroe Elementary or New Richmond Elementary for the 2012-13 school year.

The child’s original birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization records, picture ID of custodial parent or guardian and proof of residency (cable bill, water bill, gas or electric bill) are required at the time of registration.

For those who cannot make the April 26 registration, make-up dates will be every Friday in May (May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Market Street School offices.
New registrants will receive a New Richmond Class of 2025 T-shirt while supplies last.