As is customary each year, Richfield Residential Hall opened its doors to Staff and their families, as well as students and their families, teachers, tutors, former staff members and former students. A delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings was prepared by the residential hall kitchen staff and shared with all those in attendance. Many new friendships were created and many others renewed. A truly enjoyable time was had by everyone! Pictures were taken, jokes were shared and a meal fit for royalty was shared. One more way of saying Thank You to each of you who have sacrificed your time, shared your children and even your talent with us. May this Holiday season be one of reflection and gratitutde in our hearts, for the many blessings in our lives.

The famous James Bilagody, singer and entertainer, of Tuba City, AZ was a great speaker at the residential hall on November 23rd. His message was well received by the students. He encouraged them to take their education seriously and continue on to college. He talked about addictions and staying away from drugs and alcohol use. He reminded the students to be proud of who they are and to believe in themselves. He also taught the kids some Christmas songs in Navajo and held a singing contest for the students. Terrilyn Crank won the singing contest with Kerwin Chee coming in second. Gabby George, a senior at RHS, said, “He is very funny, yet a good teacher! No lie! He shared views of everyday life on the Navajo Nation. His speech was full of laughter, yet full of information we could use in life! It was very interesting! Everybody enjoyed his visit…..ha, ha…..loved his songs! Yuppers!”

South Sevier High School’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” had it’s opening night last night. Our very own Brittney Etsitty spent countless hours after school practicing for her part as Yasmin one of the Jewish Villagers. The “Fiddler on the Roof” is a story Tevye, a father of five daughters, who tries to maintain family and religious traditions while influences from the outside world affects their choices in life. His strong-willed older daughters each chooses a husband that moves them further away from their customs. An edict from the Tsar, also, forces the villagers from their homeland. Overall, the production was great! Brittney you’re a STAR!

On 10-11-08, Georgiana Craig, and I, Rose Janec, took our Sophomores along highway markers 20 – 22 (2 miles) to pick up trash for our community service project. This is located between Richfield, and Sigurd.
At first I did not think there would be too much to pick up, but as our group started picking up trash, our trash bag count grew. We had two groups, one on each side of the road. Both groups were in two or four students per group.
UDOT provided the large trash bags, and orange vest for our students safety. Pete Weimer provided our group with gloves, which helped with all of the items that needed to be picked up.
I am always proud of our students, but I was more so that day for the way the students got right in and started working together, and being careful and watchful as we asked them to be.
I was so proud of them that I took them to Ideal Dairy for a treat they truly deserved! I would also like to add that the sophomores were the first group to start their community project, and we could see what a great difference they did make with their hard work.
Our group is a fun group, and I am looking forward to the many more projects we will be doing together, and to our next community project that we are still deciding on at this time.
“Thank You” parents for the great students we have!
S.F.G. Leaders: Rose Janec, Georgiana Crain, Ruby Yepa

The Sevier School District’s Title VII committee sponsored a dinner for all the Native American students and their families in the area. The Residential Hall students made 200 fry bread for the festivities. At the dinner students had a very warm welcome from the Title VII Committee. Emery Polenema, Cultural Consultant and White Bear, Lakota, Spiritual Leader talked to us about respecting our elders and ourselves. Afterwards, we had a delicious dinner of white corn/zuchinni stew, beef stew, baked squash, fry bread, and assorted desserts…..it was really delicious! It was a very educational and fun evening! We send our thanks to the Sevier School District Title VII Committee Genevive Rodriquez, Danny White, Brent Masaquaptewa, Rena Pikyavit, and Sophie Adison.

On Saturday, November 8th, our Junior Class of 25 students from RRH and two student family group sponsors, Jason Taylor and Dorie Martin, were privileged to participate in a Community Service Project for the Central Utah Food Bank’s Annual Food Drive. Donated food items were brought in by the truck load by the Boys Scouts from our area. Food items were weighed and put in a large pile to be sorted, everything from canned goods to boxed items both edible and non-edible. Our students were involved in every facet of the process: unloading, sorting, boxing, loading, and transporting to the warehouse for seven fun-filled hours of service. Our kids were outstanding! No complaints…..just tired, happy students that were willing to do more if required! Overall, an extremely worthwhile opportunity to give back to our community. The management of the Food Bank was very impressed and had nothing but praises for our efforts! They even had us recognized on the local radio station! GO JUNIORS!

The senior class went to Deseret Industries to help clear the floors so they could be refinished on Saturday. Fifteen out of 16 seniors and two staff, Ouida Taylor & Randy Riddle, helped with the community service project. When they got there, they split up into three groups. The first group cleared shelves on the main floor, the second group sorted clothes and hung them up, and the third group cleaned the store yard. All the merchandise that was cleared off the shelves were placed in storage bins and moved outside. The items included: knick-knacks, picture frames, dishes, cookware, books, and many other items. Some of the girls sorted through baby, children’s, and women’s clothes. The yard crew picked up trash, pulled weeds, rearranged the yard by moving furniture and sweeping the parking lots. The students were a little bit reluctant at first, but once they started to work they enjoyed it. They did a good job and I was proud of them! Deseret Industries would like them to come back in February, or March, to help with the clothes drive…..they were very appreciative. By Ouida Taylor, Senior Class Sponsor