The Richfield Wildcats recently wrapped up another successful cross country season. To celebrate their accomplishments, a banquet was held in their honor on October 28, 2009. Latrisha Blackstar was honored at the event as one of two Outstanding Athletes. Lady Wildcats Coach Benjamin said, “Despite her being out for a month with a knee injury, Trish came back to our team as our #1 runner and placed 4th individually at region. These accomplishments helped her earn an Outstanding Athlete award this year. She is just such a talented runner and an impressive young woman. It was just a pleasure to work with her.”
Sadly, Latrisha was so engrossed in her studies that evening that she missed the awards banquet! Just one more demonstration of the commitment of an all around outstanding young lady! Congratulations, Latrisha! We are all proud of you!
Archive for October, 2009
Outstanding Athlete
Friday, October 30th, 2009SSHS Dine Week Assembly
Thursday, October 29th, 2009All of the hard work and practice paid off as our students put on an outstanding cultural assembly for the students, staff, and community of SSHS this morning. Special thanks to those who participated in any way. Many spent countless hours sewing costumes, making jewelry, and driving to support our students in this effort. Since a picture is supposedly worth a thousand words, we will get right to some great pictures taken by Diane at this morning’s assembly.
RRH Studentbody President (and SSHS Dorm Representative) LeCallin Cly served as MC for the assembly.
A few of the gorgeous cultural displays on the stage.
Serena Lane and Iris Chief open the assembly by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in Navajo.
Nanabah Bizahaloni, Brittany Harvey, and Sherrell Babbitt sing the National Anthem in Navajo.
LeCallin Cly explains the significance of traditional hair style, as Althea John prepares to tie his hair in a traditional bun. Althea then explained the differences between male and female styles.
Shaquira Begay sings a birthday song in Navajo and English just minutes before leaving to play in the 2A State Volleyball Tournament at Utah Valley University.
Marietta Hosteenez and Serena Lane sing a traditional Native American Church (NAC) song
Shadow Mann and Serena Lane drum and sing as Iris Chief, Tamiya Boone, Brittney Etsitty, and Nanabah Bizahaloni perform a Basket Dance.
SSHS Senior Class President, Merle Watchman performs a Native Rap that discusses his struggles on “da rez” and why he is here at SSHS (Education).
Tanielle Yazzie performs “Go My Son,” which is based on the wise counsel of Navajo Chief Manuelito that education is the ladder to success. Also participating in the performance of “Go My Son” were Riva Chief, Brittney Etsitty, LeCallin Cly, Zachary Taylor, Sherrell Babbitt, Nanabah Bizahaloni, and Althea John.
Sherrell Babbitt performs a shawl dance. Not pictured, but also performing the Shawl Dance were Brittney Etsitty and Nanabah Bizahaloni.
Elyssa Lane sings a beautiful Cree Song.
Brittany Harvey explained the significance of the traditional Navajo cradle board in Navajo and then translated into English. She then demonstrated the use of the cradle board by tying gorgeous baby, Nayvee Adyson Hart, into the cradle board. Of course Nayvee stole the show!
Gordon Blackhorse sings a Winter Song.
Tashiana Carmichael (grand-daughter of RRH cook, Helen Solano) and Marietta Hosteenez perform a Ribbon Dance.
Serena Lane, Terrilyn Crank, and Serida Slim dedicate the NAC song, “Beautiful Children” to all of the little ones in the audience.
Brittney Etsitty shares a touching and beautiful rendition of a song her grandmother wrote just before she passed away. Thanks for sharing, Brittney!
Apache Crown Dancers. Bonus points if you can name them all (if you think you know, post a comment).
The Apache Crown Dancer Clown pulled a few people from the audience to dance with him on stage. Here, he is dancing with Reetika Henry.
LeCallin Cly presents Mrs. Baker with a gift of appreciation for all of her service to the native students of SSHS. The beautiful bag was hand-made by Mrs. Katherine Cly (LeCallin’s very talented mother) of Kayenta, AZ.
SSHS Principal, Mr. Bailey, accepts an award on behalf of South Sevier High School from Sophie Adison, Sevier School District Indian Education Coordinator, for the school’s commitment to supporting and sharing Native American culture with the community.
Dr. Chuck Foster, American Indian Education Specialist, Utah State Office of Education, enjoys the show. Special thanks to Dr. Foster, who drove from Salt Lake City to support our students in this event.
Special Recognition:
Master of Ceremonies: LeCallin Cly
Choreography: Reetika Henry
Backdrop Painting: Gregory Clyde
General Preparation and “Costumes” : Sophie Adison,Jason and Ouida Taylor, Sylvia Nielson
Stage Crew: Riva Chief, Tanielle Yazzie, Jeanita Thinn, Althea John
Tech Crew: DJ Laughbon, McKade Miles, Randy Wood, Ammon Elison
SSHS Celebrates Dine Week
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009We are excited to announce that South Sevier High School has brought back a tradition from our past. Mr. Bailey, the new Principal of SSHS, has set this week aside as Dine week. The week is full of fun and excited events throughout the school to include guest speakers, story tellers, cultural information and artifacts throughout the building, a bilagana frybread making contest, and, of course, an awesome assembly on Thursday.
At 10:20 am on Thursday, October 29th, our students will be performing a variety of talents in the Dine week assembly at SSHS. We encourage you to come and support them as they drum, sing, dance, and educate their fellow students on Dine culture. We are grateful to the staff and administration of SSHS for allowing us this opportunity to share our culture. Special thanks to Mr. Bailey, Mrs. Baker, Sophie Adison (Sevier School District Title VII Coordinator), Sylvia Nielson (RRH Academic Director), Jason and Ouida Taylor, and, of course, our awesome students who have worked so hard to prepare for this event. We can’t wait to see you all there!
Open House Successful
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009We would like to thank all of the parents who made the trip to Sevier County on Monday for the Open Houses that were held at Richfield and South Sevier High Schools. This annual event allows parents to see the schools in action and to meet some of the teachers and administrators of the schools. This year, more parents than ever turned out for the event.
Parents were treated with information, refreshments, and the joy of spending time with their students in the high schools. Parents of SSHS students were also treated to a sneak peak of the upcoming performance at Thursday’s SSHS Dine Week Assembly. It is our experience that the students who do the best here, are the ones who have the most involved parents. Thank you for taking the time out to support your students!
RHS Open House
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Richfield High School is pleased to invite you to spend a day with us visiting
teachers, classrooms, students, and administration at our
6th Annual Richfield High School Open House
Who: All parents of students at Richfield Residential Hall
Why: Visit/conference with your child’s teachers and see Richfield High School in action!
When: Monday, October 19, 2009
Instructional meeting* and Continental Breakfast at 9:30 a.m.
RHS Building 1 Room 4 – Mrs. Jensen’s room
Where: Richfield High School Campus
510 West 100 South
Richfield, Utah 84701
Contact Person: Julie Jensen (435)896-8247 between hours 7:30 am & 3:30 pm
Don’t miss this great opportunity to spend a day with your child visiting classes and teachers at Richfield High School.
We know you will like what you see!
And we will help pay for the trip!
We are happy to offer $125.00 to help cover travel expenses for parents who choose to attend. At the end of your visit, you simply need to sign a voucher including the address to which your check will be sent.
*If you would like to attend your child’s classes before the 9:30 a.m. meeting, you are welcome to do so. Just check in at the office and receive a visitor’s pass. Classes will be open for observing but please reserve your comments/conferencing for between classes and teacher prep time.
Illness Rumors
Thursday, October 15th, 2009There have been rumors that RRH has confirmed cases of H1N1, “Swine Flu.” This is not the case. We received a phone call from the clinic indicating that one of our students tested positive for Influenza Type A. That does not necessarily mean H1N1, but we are going to treat it as such. The student with the diagnosis has been given anti-viral medication and is isolated from the other students until symptoms abate. I am confident that the student will recover fully in short order.
Basically, symptoms and treatment of H1N1 are the same as the seasonal flu. Like other types of flu, it is spread through mist when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and is contagious as long as symptoms are present. As such, we are treating this case very seriously so as to best protect all other students in our program. Experts tell me that the best thing we can do is to encourage lots of hand washing, hand sanitizer, and Lysol doorknobs and other frequently touched surfaces, which the staff do throughout the day. Students also have access to Lysol spray for personal items (such as cell phones that they lend to friends). Each student has been given a personal bottle of hand sanitizer and refills are available in the staff office.
Students and staff have been explicitly educated on how to protect themselves and others from the spread of the flu, and have been given all necessary tools to do so. All students and staff are being very proactive in their efforts to prevent the spread of any illness in the dormitory. Experts that we have contacted have assured us that we are going above and beyond in our efforts to prevent the spread of H1N1 or seasonal flu. As such, I am certain that the majority of our students will make it through this especially robust flu season with little effect.
We are being told that if we catch it in the first 48 hours, an anti-viral prescription can work wonders in knocking this thing out much faster. As such, all students and staff have been educated on the symptoms to report.
We all need to be educated and proactive to get through this especially rough cold and flu season. We will provide updated information on our website as it becomes available. Take care of yourself. Wash hands often, get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, etc.
We appreciate your support as we work to ensure that our students are healthy and able to focus on their education. This is a good time to ensure that RRH has current insurance and contact information for your student. Contact Diane in the main office at (435) 896-6121 to see if your information is accurate.
October 2009 Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009Richfield Residential Hall Governing Board and Administration will be holding a Regular Meeting on Friday, October 16th, 2009 in Tuba City, AZ. In accordance with open meeting laws, please click on the document below to see the announcement and tentative agenda of the October 2009 Richfield Residential Hall Governing Board Meeting.
**october-2009.pdf**
Down With the Sickness!
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009It seems that with the changing of the seasons, many people experience the negative side effect of illness. In fact, each October and March, schools across the country gear up for what many call, “cold and flu season.” Cold and flu season is now upon us. Student safety and welfare is the primary concern of all of us at Richfield Residential Hall. Students and staff have been explicitly educated on how to protect themselves from illness and how to avoid spreading it should they become ill.
Click here <flu-season.pdf> to read a letter mailed to all parents regarding Richfield Residential Hall’s efforts to get students through the cold and flu season with as little disruption to their education as possible.
Make the Most of This Opportunity!
Monday, October 12th, 2009On Friday, October 9th, Richfield Residential Hall students and staff were treated to a visit from alumni Valencia “Nessa” Sherman. A 2001 graduate of Richfield High School and Richfield Residential Hall, Nessa said she still uses the things she learned at RRH each day. After leaving Richfield, she went on to play volleyball for Dine College in Arizona. She then transferred to Western International University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Nessa is currently living in Oregon completing graduate school, where she is studying Clinical Psychology. You go girl! We are all super proud of you!
Nessa said that she wanted to stop and talk to the students because she would have liked to hear from former students when she was here. She admitted that at first it was a little intimidating, as this was the first time that she has been back to Richfield since she graduated. However, after she pulled into the parking lot, she felt right at home. Lots of hugs from staff helped to ease the tension, and she was soon right in her comfort zone talking with students and staff.
Nessa shared a great message and a fun slide show with our students and staff. The students got a kick out of seeing the way things used to be here in the “old days!” Nessa shared her story and the sacrifices she has made to get this far in her education. She said that it all started with the opportunities she was given and the lessons that she learned while she was a student at RRH. She said, “The things I learned at the dorm, help me every day of my life. This place gives you everything you need to be successful.” Nessa encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunities that they have at RRH and to always put their education first. She also reminded them that attending RRH is a great privilege and they should be proud of themselves for being selected as students. Nessa continues to work towards her dream of being a masters level therapist, where she can help others.
Thanks for taking the time with our students, Nessa. Continue to follow your dreams!
May 2001: Monty Kinlicheenie, Valencia Sherman, Tahina Atene, DeRyan Begay