Blood Drive is once again a success

On Wednesday May 26, RB yet again hosted a blood drive. A company, Life Source, was in the building collecting blood from students, teachers and anyone that wanted to donate. It took place in the Alumni Lounge from 8:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M.

This is not the first blood drive RB has had throughout the year. Wednesday’s blood drive was the last of three blood drives for the school year. RB has been getting more and more volunteers (16 and up) to donate their blood.

This time RB had a total donation of 121 pints of blood. For every pint donated, three lives were saved reaching a total of 363 lives. The total pints donated throughout the school year were 331 pints, which means a totally of 993 lives were saved.

Sophomore Kyle Perfect said, “It was my first time donating blood and I’m so happy I did it. It was a great experience and everything went smoothly. I will definitely be donating again next year.”

Another participant, sophomore Evan Waterloo said, “I’m really happy I donated, it really makes me feel like I’ve made a difference because I’ve saved three lives.”

Life source would like the reward those who donated by giving out gifts. Everyone that donated received plaid pajama pants, along with food and drinks.

Class of 2012 supports Prom with green fundraiser

Prom is one of the biggest events of the school year. The cost of renting a space, decorations, and food starts to add up. That price gets added to the ticket price of the students. The student association board has come up with a fundraiser that will help reduce ticket costs of the 2011 prom and help the environment.

The new fundraiser is called Eco Phones. The main idea of the project is to gather old used electronics that people aren’t using anymore. These items are then taken and given to a company that turns them into another electronic item. An old cell phone for example can be taken and made into another newer cell phone.

More than 80% of electronic items are reusable. Then remaining 20% are manufactured in Texas where they are once again, turned into other raw materials. Recycling old electronics can help the environment, while also helping schools.

The approximate value that RB will be receiving for one donated phone is between $10-$15. A laptop can be valued anywhere from $45-50. An iPod can make around $20. RB started this program on Monday, May 3^rd and has already collected ten phones, one keyboard, and one printer.

Class of 2012 treasurer Julie Sinde, said, “I think this is a good fundraiser simple yet effective and that makes an impact on both prom and the environment.”

Eco Phones will be an ongoing fundraiser until the last day of school. The Student Association board will be considering continuing the fundraiser next year based on its success.

Jazz Band makes a roar

Jazz band has been breaking out of the typical mold of school concerts. On Sunday, April 25^th the band played at “The Must Be Place” in Lemont, Illinois. They opened for an ensemble made up of various people, from music teachers to professional musicians from around the area.

The room was filled with tons of people who loved the RB band. The room was sold out, while the overflow was seated in the back of the restaurant. The huge crowd may have really affected the band, because music director James Baum said, “I was blown away by the solos that the RB musicians played. They really stepped up that part of their performance.”

RBHS has done similar gigs prior to this one. In January the band opened for the Brass Tracks Big Band. In April, they opened for Rob Parton Big Band at Fitzgeralds. Sunday, was not the only day that the Shout Section has played. They play various times throughout the year. In November they were featured on the WGN news in the morning.

The members of the RB jazz band agreed that their performance on April 25^th went very well.

Baum said, “They were really happy with their performance.”

Best Buddies Goes Hollywood

Best Buddies members walked the red carpet this past Saturday, April 17^th, for the annual Best Buddies Prom. RBHS Best Buddies, along with the Best Buddies chapter from Oak Park River Forest, danced the night away and celebrated the closing of a notable year for Best Buddies.

 The prom took place at OPRF High School last year, and RBHS Best Buddies members were excited to be hosting it this year.

  Best Buddies Goes Hollywood was the theme, complete with glamorous attire and Hollywood style entrances. Guests entering the dance made their way down a red carpet lined with twinkling lights, after first being checked off the guest list by four students acting as bouncers. 

 Over 100 students from both schools were present at the event, which took place in the East Gym.  A backdrop for pictures of buddy pairs was set up in the hallway as well as a bean bag game.  Best Buddies members were also able to indulge themselves at the chocolate fountain set up at the food table.

 “We worked really hard on all of the preparations and it took a lot of time,” said senior and Best Buddies officer Tim Hannigan, “In the end it was all worth while.”

 A large area of the gym was used as the dance floor where students danced to music provided by a DJ and showed off their moves for a dance contest that took place. Two Buddies from OPRF and two from RB were announced the winners of the contest and received trophies.

 “Everyone had fun, talking and dancing,” said sophomore and Best Buddies member Ally Carter, “We all got along great!”

 The dance went from 7-9 p.m. and all attendees were sad to say goodbye at the end.  All of the efforts in preparation for the dance made the event a memorable experience for both Best Buddies chapters.

Waubansee Woods workday

Saving the environment has been a huge concern for many students at RB. Ecology Club is an organization composed of students who want to give their time and effort to help the environment. This club usually goes out to local wooded areas and works to remove invasive species currently choking out the native plants.

On Sunday December 13, the Ecology Club held a volunteer workday at nearby Waubansee Woods. Participating students and staff gathered together around 12:00 and set out for the woods. Their goal was to try to get rid of as much buckthorn as they possibly could in three hours time.

Sophomore, Nina Pellizzari said, “[Buckthorn] is an invasive species and has been basically destroying all native plants in the areas/forest. The deer cannot eat it because it is a laxative. Since [the buckthorn] is not native, the native animal species cannot/will not eat it also.”

Pellizzari explained how horrible the plant is to the forest. There is an idea that they should try introducing a new species to try and get rid of it, but that in turn might spiral out of control. The best way to try and get rid of it is to burn the buckthorn.

That is exactly what the ecology club did on Sunday. Club members took big piles of wood composed of buckthorn cut down on previous workdays and burned them. They did this for multiple hours and really helped clear out some of the invasive plant species.

Buckthorn remains an ongoing problem, but the Ecology Club is really aiding in the process of eliminating it.

Support groups reach out

Students from RB have been having trouble with many different things from money issues, coping with loss, alcohol, drugs, etc. RB’s guidance counselors and social workers have put together many different support groups for these kids to help them deal with everything going on in their lives.          

The different groups each meet for 6-8 weeks. Students who participate in the groups are pulled out of one class each week. If they are in the group for more than one session, they will not miss the same class because the social workers do not want them missing too much of one class.

The specific groups available at RB are: Children of Alcoholics (or other drugs), Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education Classes, Recovery Support, Coping with Loss, Family Changes, Job Loss, First Generation College Bound, ADDvantage, New Student Support, and Girls/Guys Discussion.

Job loss is the most recent group they have created to help kids. Because of the most recent economy, kids are now worrying about their futures. Whether they can afford to go to college, stay where they are living, and even asking their parents if they can borrow a few dollars. It’s a hard time and this group really helps a lot of kids out.

The support groups are available to anyone that wants help. The groups are small, and each have about 5-8 students in them to allow students to feel more comfortable sharing with one another. Counselor, Christine Sutton says that while sharing their problems with the other kids, “they realize they aren’t alone.” She also says that the students offer great advice to one another. Sutton also says that it “gives [them] a chance to put their words to feelings.”

Confidentiality is a huge part of these groups. They don’t let anything get out. These groups have been offered for many years. As the years go on, they have even added groups that fit the times.

Keep on running

Seven students from RB had the chance to run in sectionals on Saturday, October 31, but only Sam Oberholtzer made the qualifications for state. The top five teams are the only one’s who can go to state, along with the top five individuals not on those teams. Oberholtzer came in the third place, allowing her to race on November 7^th in Peoria, Illinois.

Oberholtzer ran in Detweiller Park and her coach expected great things from her. Coach Whitney Carlson said that “Sam is a tough competitor. I expect her to be in the top 50 or even top 25 (all state).”

Last year the team came in third place; they also made it to state. This year they struggled with injury, sickness, etc. Carlson states that, “Although we have a talented team, it just wasn’t our day.”

The other members of the team who competed were: Sam (3^rd place) and Sydney (mid-late 20’s) Oberholtzer, Anna Tess (35-36), Maggie McLaughlin, Kelly Glavin (80’s), Gabby Ulloa (60’s), and Rachel Powell.

Sophomore Maggie McLaughlin reports that sectionals were “very disappointing, we were expecting to go to state, but we didn’t run our best. I feel really sad, but proud of Sam and the boys.”

On Saturday November 7, Oberholtzer proved her coach correct and placed 51^st in state finishing with a time of early-mid nineteen minutes. She had a phenomenal performance and ran her best. She was supported by her fellow teammates and made RB proud.

Orchesis starts dancing through RB

RB students are now able to express their love for dance. Every year at RB, freshmen through seniors are invited to try out for the Orchesis dance team. Approximately 65 students showed up to the informational meeting on October 22 so they could have an opportunity to try out for the dance company.

The students learned the routine for their tryouts on Wednesday October 21 in the new dance room. On the day of the try outs the dance room was filled with aspiring young dancers. They wanted   the chance to dance in front of the school and choreograph routines.

The Orchesis instructor Mindy Haines says, “Each choreographer has their own motivation/vision for their dance.” All the dances will be very unique and anyone on the company is eligible to create their own dance. There will be a total of fourteen dances created by the students.

Not only will students be choreographing, but three guest choreographers will be coming to RB. They each will teach the students one dance that will be performed at the show on April 30^th and May 1^st at 7:30 P.M. in the main auditorium.

Last year, the Orchesis team was invited to dance at an AIDS benefit. They once again have been invited to perform at Dance for Life: Next Generation. Last year they performed dances called “Momentum” and “C’mon”

 On Sunday March 7^th, they will go to Wheeling High School to show their dances. Sophomore Vilija Aleksa says that “Dance for life was a great experience because not only were we performing, but helping people who are going through a hard time.”

Practices will start very soon and before long, the show will be right around the corner. Save the dates of April 30^th and May 1^st to watch these ladies dance

31 Days of Halloween

It’s the perfect time of year to get snuggled up under a blanket on a cold fall night and turn on a movie. Halloween is famous for its scary and twisted movies that make people cringe when they watch them. Movies have been trying to out do each other for years, so I’ve gathered together what has been voted the top 31 favorite movies to watch during the Halloween season.

On the countdown is:

Number Thirty One – Jaws.
A giant great white shark is attacking a beach and the police want to close it down. The town council over rules it because it’s tourist season. After several attacks the police enlist help to try to capture this shark.

Number Thirty – Seven.

In this thrilling movie two detectives are trying to find a maniac who is out to kill seven people. One person for each of the seven deadly sins.

Number Twenty Nine – Seed of Chucky.

The evil plastic doll Chucky and his equally evil wife, Tiffany have a baby who grows up to be a gentle loving and caring guy. He goes to Hollywood to awaken his parents; the parents debate over whether or not to let him into the family.

Number Twenty Eight – Frankenstein.

Man made monster tries seeking social acceptance. It is a movie that shows the rescue of him and his upbringing with a Swiss family. But it’s not as nice as it sounds, this film can be terrifying.

Number Twenty Seven – One Missed Call.

Leanne’s friend is killed suddenly, and from that day on she receives strange voicemails from the future. Throughout the movie a supernatural force attacks her. Will she die or will she learn how to save herself?

Number Twenty Six – The Strangers.

A couple stays in an isolated vacation home and hear strange knocking on the door. Three violent strangers in masks appear through out the movie, while the couple struggles to stay alive.

Number Twenty Five – When a Stranger Calls.

A girl is babysitting two kids who are asleep when she gets there. Throughout the night she receives many phone calls that are either threatening or harsh breathing.

Number Twenty Four – The Birds.

A girl walks into a store and buys a bird. From then on out she is involved in a series of bird attacks that get worse as the movie goes on.

Number Twenty Three – Exorcism of Emily Rose.

When young Emily Rose dies, everyone blames it on the exorcism performed before her death. She was believed to be possessed and this was the only way to cure her.

Number Twenty Two – Shaun of the Dead.

A man decides to turn around his life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, fixing things with his mother, and dealing with the whole community that has come back from the dead to eat the living.

Number Twenty One – Night of the Living Dead.

A group of people hide from zombies that are trying to kill them. They try hiding in places no one would even think of, but will this be enough?

Number Twenty – It.

Seven children have to struggle with defending their small town from a nightmare-ish creature named Pennywise.

Number Nineteen – The Last House on the Left.

After kidnapping and hurting two young women, a gang finds shelter in a vacation house that is owned by the parents of one of the women. The parents try to avenge their daughter in clever ways.

Number Eighteen – The Unborn.

A young woman’s unborn twin is trying to take over her body. This movie shows the struggle she goes through to keep herself alive.

Number Seventeen – Friday the 13^th.

Camp councilors are trying to reopen a campsite that is a site of where a young girl drowned many years ago. Throughout the movie they are stalked, harassed, and many more things.

Number Sixteen – Final Destination.

After having a vision of the plane she is on crashes, a girl and a few of her classmates refuse to go on the plane. The plane does crash, and now death is right around the corner for all of them because they were suppose to die in that crash.

Number Fifteen – Nightmare on Elm Street.

In the dreams of his victims, a child murderer stalks the children of the members of the lynch mob that killed him.

Number Fourteen – Freddy Vs. Jason.

Not only are Freddy and Jason out to terrorize the teenage population, this time they want each other too.

Number Thirteen – The Hills Have Eyes.

An American family is being stalked by psychotic group of people who don’t live close to civilization. The family tries to survive many attacks but will their effort be good enough?

Number Twelve – Silence of the Lambs.

A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

Number Eleven – The Mummy.

An American digging on an archeological excavation accidentally awakens a mummy. Now he has to deal with the consequences.

Number Ten – Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

A group of people are walking around and realize they are being stalked. They have to fend for their lives because a killer is after them. He wants their flesh, that’s the only way to feed his family.

Number Nine – Scream.

A killer is stalking a group of teenagers. This nail biting movie really makes you want to SCREAM.

Number Eight – Saw.

This killer is one of the creepiest. He takes really “bad” people and gives them one more chance to survive. He sets up puzzles for the people to get out of, but they defiantly aren’t as fun as it sounds.

Number Seven – Disturbia.

Living next door to a serial killer isn’t what Sam expects from the old man across the street from him. Throughout the movie he tries getting the murderer busted, but will he be able to do this without loosing his life?

Number Six – Halloween.

A murderer escapes from a mental institution and rampages the street. Look at his doctor’s chase to find him.

Number Five – The Ring.

A journalist investigates a video tape that anyone who watches it dies a week later. Will she be able to find out what’s behind it without killing herself?

Number Four – The Sixth Sense.

This classic is about who can communicate with spirits that don’t realize they are dead yet. He tries helping them, but he is easily frightened by his ability.

Number Three – Psycho.

A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer’s client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother

Number Two – The Exorcist.

A teenager is possessed and her mother tries finding every possible person to help her daughter.

And finally, Number One – The Shining.

A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.