Blood drive saves hundreds of lives

RB’s first blood drive of the year took place on Wednesday November 2^nd. Students, staff and community members had the opportunity to donate throughout the entire day. This year, a total of 119 pints of blood were collected. Each pint of blood collected has the potential to save three lives, meaning that this may save over 350 lives.

The blood drive, sponsored by the Student Association, has been held at RB for over twenty years. In the past, SA would typically run three blood drives each year, but due to the reduction of SA sponsors, there will only be two blood drives this year.

“The reduction of SA sponsors meant that I needed to work more closely with students, as well as helping recruit and meeting with Lifesource prior to the drive. So, there was a lot more pressure on me because this would normally be divided between two people. Also, there’s normally two sponsors who check in during the blood drive, so we had to call in help from Mr. Pasarella and school security,” said Angela Ziola, Student Association sponsor.

This year, the goal was set at collecting 120 pints of blood. However, the school fell only one pint short. In previous years, blood collection averaged about 100 pints.

In addition to saving lives, there was also the motivation to donate in order to win scholarship money for the school.

“The school must hold a minimum of two blood drives to qualify for scholarship money, and each drive must have at least one hundred donors. We get a minimum of $500 per drive, which means we will receive at least $500 by the end of the year,” said Ziola.

“I donated because I wanted to help other people, plus it was nice to get out of class,” said junior Mitchell Malloy, first time blood donor.

Students and community members still have the chance to donate for RB by donating at any Lifesource center and presenting the code “313” before they donate. In addition to this, the school’s next drive will be held on Wednesday February 29^th, and the Student Association is looking forward to another successful blood drive.

Freshman officers bring new ideas to SA

The new Freshman Class Officers were sworn in to office on September 21, 2011. Freshman had the opportunity to vote and give speeches on September 19^th. A total of twelve students ran for the six available positions.

 “I plan to show my leadership and voice my fellow students’ opinions,” said Class of 2015 President Robert Filec.

 The new class president Filec, Vice President Ugne Jurgaityte, Secretary Rebecca Fernandez, Treasurer Lana Herrmann, and Elected Officers Deanna Keen and Matt Sagan all plan to work hard for their class and the school as a whole.

 “I really want to talk to all of the Freshman and see what they like and dislike about the school to get a taste of what needs to be done,” said Class of 2015 Vice President Jugaityte.

 The primary responsibility of class officers is to lead their class and set an example for other students. They also fundraise and plan prom, as well as help with other school functions and charity events sponsored by the Student Association.

 “I plan to help the other class officers make good decisions and help the school,” said Elected Officer Sagan.

 “I plan to help the school and attend all SA functions,” said Elected Officer Keen.

 Class officers play a very important role in Student Association. They hold a higher level of responsibility within the club. “They are the main structure of SA. They can communicate with students and make sure they know what’s going on in the school. They run the main events,” said SA sponsor Ms. Angela Ziola.

 “I want to make everyone’s first year a good year,” said Class Secretary Fernandez.

  “I’ll try to make all SA activities as fun as possible,” said Treasurer Herrmann.

Many of the officers have had past leadership experience in student government throughout middle school. The class officers have already begun to support the RB community through preparing for Homecoming and planning new fundraising projects for their class.

 “I’m very excited about the interest. The officers are very active and already getting involved,” said Ziola.

Homecoming Court announced

On Friday September 10^th Student Association announced this year’s homecoming court.  SA cut the court down from twenty nominees to ten. 

The court consists of five boys and five girls.  The boys on the court include Chris Buh, Joey Zyck, Jimmy Capone, Drew Kohler, and Marty Gross. 

The girls include Rachel Kunkel, Carly Anderson, Emily Waas, Brenna Mossman, and Danielle Ryan.  Voting will be on Wednesday September 15^th. 

The king and queen will be announced on Friday September 17^th at an after school assembly.

Gaga? Oh La La! – Homecoming Preview

Editor’s Note:  We’ve corrected Joanna Keen’s name in the final paragraph.  Sorry for the confusion. – D. Mancoff

Student Association (SA) is taking many steps to prepare for this year’s Homecoming. If you are not aware the theme of this years event is “RB goes Gaga,” so the outfits will be ridiculous, the decorations will be bold and different, and music will be centered around singer Lady Gaga.

Andy Krug, President of the Sophomore Class, said “We’re going to make the dance very gagalicious!”

SA is currently working hard to finish all the preparations for the dance. They have been painting banners to hang in the gym for homecoming to transform the main gym from empty and plain to exciting and colorful. Instead of painting people or objects they have decided to splatter paint to change things up a bit. They are also trying to get decorations that follow the theme, such as anything with neon colors and or with glitter.

“The theme definitely sets everything thing apart. I think girls will get more into it and maybe even guys,” Krug said.

Allison Hornung, SA Executive Board President, seemed very pleased with the success so far. She said, “Things have been going great.”

Hornung is happy with how smoothly things have been running and how much work SA has accomplished. They have picked out all the days for Spirit Week and are looking for the perfect party favors to give away. She’s also hoping to have the pep rally outside this year to help attract more people to the Homecoming Game on Friday the 17^th.

SA is under a lot of pressure to coordinate all the necessary events leading up to Homecoming and finishing everything that needs to be made for the actual dance. There are seven different committees that are each in charge of different tasks such as finding ways to advertise the dance or just designing decorations. Each committee is under a lot of stress to finish everything in time for homecoming and the closer the dance, the more stressful it gets.

“I feel like the last week will be more stressful to make sure everything is finished,” Joanna Keen, SA Executive Vice President said.

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.

Blood drive a strong RB tradition

On Wednesday October 28, RB will be hosting a Blood Drive.  LifeSource, an independent company that collects blood donations, will be in the building in the Alumni Lounge from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Student Association (SA) has been stationed at the front of the lunch room for the past week so that students 16 or older can sign up to donate blood.

This happens three times a year. Each time is spaced throughout the year so that students can donate all three times since it’s necessary to have 76 days in between each donation. There is also another drive in the summer.

Last year, RB collected over 350 pints of blood, and it seems as though more and more students want to donate.

“We hit a record high last year,” said president of SA, Kelly Sherman, “But we definitely beat it this year. The list was full of names.”

Of course not everyone can donate. Students have to weigh more than 110 pounds, be in good health, and not have been tattooed or received a piercing in the past year. With H1N1 hitting RB, “Even the slightest of temperature could be a risk,” said SA sponsor, Angela Ziola.

According to LifeSource, each donation can save up to three people in need of blood. 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet only 5 percent do.

“People should realize it’s only 15 minutes out of their life. Others depend on your perfectly healthy blood,” said treasurer of SA, Giulia Bova.

After participating, donors will receive shirts. There will also be food and drinks.

If you want to help save three lives, donate blood. People depend on it.