RHS - Page 35 of 37 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on July 16, 2014 July 16, 2014

Senior spotlight: Yurina Harada of Ridgewood

Senior spotlight: Yurina Harada of Ridgewood

JULY 16, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY RON FOX
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
THE RECORD

As a youngster, Yurina Harada was determined to become a gymnast, but she may have had second thoughts once she got up on the balance beam.

“It still scares me to be on the beam,” Harada said with a laugh as her senior year at Ridgewood approaches. “It has always been my hardest event, but I like it more now.”

Previously, Harada’s most difficult struggle was convincing her mother to allow her to sign up for gymnastics in the first place.

“My mom put me in ballet when I was 6,” Harada said. “I was a little ballerina, but then I went to a birthday party.”

The party was held at a gymnastics club, where she was fascinated by the trampoline and other gear. There, the idea for a change in activities was spawned.

“My mom tried to talk me out of it,” she said. “She showed me a video about how intense gymnastics was, but that made me like it even more.”

Since then, Harada has blossomed into a two-time North Jersey all-around selection. Last year, she recorded the season’s highest floor exercise score (9.675) by a North Jersey gymnast during the state championships, where she tied for first place.

Her wariness on the beam has not been easy to overcome. “I wasn’t really comfortable until the beginning of this year,” the 5-foot-3 standout confided, crediting a switch of training clubs for her improvement.

It’s the floor exercise where Harada has become most comfortable. There, she’s a combination of a ballerina’s grace and an athlete’s power.

“Once I started doing double-backs on the floor, I began to enjoy it more because it was a skill that came pretty easily,” she said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/girls-gymnastics/it-all-balanced-out-for-harada-1.1051874#sthash.40JKEqGW.dpu

Posted on July 15, 2014 July 15, 2014

Ridgewood teen ready for 20-mile open-water swim in California

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Ridgewood teen ready for 20-mile open-water swim in California

JULY 13, 2014, 5:00 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014, 8:06 AM
BY LINDA MOSS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Charlotte Samuels, 16, has literally swum around Manhattan, around Cape May and from Battery Park to Sandy Hook. But her open-water event next month will be quite different from those races: She’ll have to contend with sharks and whales, and will start swimming at pitch-black midnight.

Samuels, who will be a junior at Ridgewood High School this fall, is going to the West Coast to swim the 20.2-mile Catalina Island Channel in California on Aug. 4. Earlier this year, she completed the long Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, a 28.5-mile course.

The brunette teenager is also hoping to get a slot to swim the English Channel this fall, 21 miles. The Manhattan Island, Catalina and English Channel are the “Triple Crown” of open-water events, Samuels said, and she’s aiming to conquer all three.

“If I do it in the next four years I’ll still be the youngest person to ever do it: The youngest person right now is 20,” Samuels said.

On Sunday, Samuels returned to her home in Ridgewood after spending several days at a swimming camp at West Point, N.Y. Open-water swimming is her passion, one she has pursued since she was 12 and her paternal grandfather, Herb Tanenhaus of Eureka, Calif., gave her a copy of “Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer” by Lynne Cox.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-teen-ready-for-20-mile-open-water-swim-in-california-1.1050649#sthash.PRbFTTrJ.dpuf

Posted on July 15, 2014 July 15, 2014

Students air plan for extra parking at Ridgewood High

Students air plan for extra parking at Ridgewood High

JULY 15, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
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RIDGEWOOD — When someone claims to have an idea for more parking in the village, the council tends to listen.

Last week, Ridgewood’s governing body was all ears when three students proposed utilizing a PSE&G right of way next to the high school for the creation of 75 to 100 parking spots.

The students — two current Ridgewood High School students and one recent graduate — said the right of way could be accessed via North Irving Street near Stephens Field and that cars could exit onto East Ridgewood Avenue.

The spots would mostly be used during the school year by the students, but could also be used during sporting events at the high school and at Stephens Field.

At present, the students said most of the parking available at the high school is taken up all day by students, leaving no room for visitors to park.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/towns/students-air-plan-for-extra-parking-at-ridgewood-high-1.1051337#sthash.PizAn7ex.dpuf

Posted on July 14, 2014 June 27, 2021

Project Graduation : Readers says the greater problem is the Draconian overreaction of the school

Project Graduation : Readers says the greater problem is the Draconian overreaction of the school

This idiotic attempt to sanitize life is never going to work and it is ultimately counterproductive.

Besides the problem is currently being managed and handled effectively – the “Gang of Eight” were caught and dealt with.
“Eight graduates at Ridgewood High School’s Project Graduation celebration at Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BF) on June 25 were removed from the all-night party and found in possession or under the influence of alcohol, according to a police report.”

What happens when this newest “plan” doesn’t work? Strip searches? Colostomy bags and no bathroom breaks? Enough already.

Our fearless leader, Fishbein, stated what the REAL problem is:
“unfortunately kids are resourceful “
…and the one thing we DON’T want is resourceful kids.

The problem is, a small minority of kids go to great lengths to get drunk at this event. It’s almost a challenge to them to outwit what they see as a bunch of fuddy-duddies trying to find their liquor. If you want to talk real lawsuit liability, not the empty threat kind, then watch a bunch of Ridgewood parents sue the Village and the School for not preventing a drinking-related incident that even remotely harmed their precious child.

However, the greater problem is the Draconian overreaction of the school. Who are they to hold my children hostage and not allow them to go home after graduation? Am I not allowed to celebrate with my own children after graduation before sending them to the party? What if there is a small post-graduation family event? Does the school think it has the power to retain my child because they were unable to control a handful of students the prior year? Which, btw, they DID effectively deal with those 25 students. Extending this “guilt by association” logic, maybe the school should ban the siblings of these 25 students from attending Project Graduation when they graduate – you good with that?

Posted on July 13, 2014 July 13, 2014

Ridgewood three-sport athlete seeking a leading role in his final year

Ridgewood three-sport athlete seeking a leading role in his final year

JULY 11, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

As a three-sport athlete at Ridgewood High School, Jonathan Davila is familiar with navigating a busy schedule.

So it’s no surprise that the rising senior — a key member of the Maroons’ football, basketball and track teams — has continued his hectic routine into the summer, shuttling from working out at the gym to serving as an instructor at the RHS basketball clinic to taking part in football practices.

The regimen will only get busier as the school year begins for Davila, who is expecting to take on bigger roles for each of the three teams.

“I’m really looking forward to being a leader,” Davila said in an interview Monday evening.

He happens to be a part of three teams that will experience significant roster turnover in 2014-15 due to graduation, which places a greater emphasis on him becoming an influential senior.

But RHS head basketball coach Mike Troy said Davila is ready for the role.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/boys-basketball/rhs-star-ready-for-a-lead-role-1.1049694#sthash.Bw0x932i.dpuf

Posted on July 11, 2014 July 11, 2014

Ridgewood Project Graduation drinking charges prompt changes

Ridgewood Project Graduation drinking charges prompt changes

JULY 4, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
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Eight graduates at Ridgewood High School’s Project Graduation celebration at Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BF) on June 25 were removed from the all-night party and found in possession or under the influence of alcohol, according to a police report. Of the eight, one was taken to Valley Hospital while the rest were released to their parents, police said.

Following the commencement ceremony on June 24, seniors were taken by bus to a dinner dance. Between the dance and Project Graduation, the teens have time to change out of their white dresses and tuxedos at home before arriving by their own transportation to BF at midnight. Police officers Shayne James and John Ward Jr. were stationed at the event and monitored the new graduates as they walked into the celebration until they left, around 6 a.m.

Superintendent Daniel Fishbein said on July 2 that students next year would be taken immediately from the dance to BF, where they will change to prevent time for the students to drink or get alcohol.

“We do all types of things from just talking to them and having the parents talk to them, but unfortunately kids are resourceful and hopefully that one change of not having time between when they get off the bus and get changed at home will help alleviate that,” Fishbein said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/drinking-charges-prompt-changes-1.1046313#sthash.98dKBcP5.dpuf

Posted on July 6, 2014 June 27, 2021

Chamber RHS Scholarship Golf Classic 2014

Chamber RHS Scholarship Golf Classic 2014
Thu, July 17, 2014
Time: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Ridgewood Country Club, 96 W. Midland Avenue, Paramus, NJ

While you’re playing your best game ever, know you are also helping children by supporting the Chambers RHS Scholarship Fund- “their future is in your hands”.

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is devoted to empowering children through education.

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email info@ridgewoodchamber.com www.experienceridgewood.com

Posted on June 26, 2014 June 26, 2014

Ridgewood High School graduates urged to earn happiness

Ridgewood High School graduates urged to earn happiness

JUNE 25, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014, 6:29 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

Facing a sea of red roses and white dresses covered in sparkling details, Ridgewood High School (RHS) Principal Tom Gorman told the Class of 2014 that life is not a fairytale, with one easy way to happiness.

“Happiness is earned,” he said. “It is not a system based on awards and rewards, based solely on wants. When pursuing happiness, many times there are no raises, promotions or awards.”

As he spoke to about 400 students and several hundred more in attendance at Tuesday’s graduation, the principal’s point was that in American culture “happiness as a pursuit is strongly encouraged” – yet how to get there can be unclear.

Promising students that they will not find happiness simply through professional success or “by pursuing money, material possessions or fame” (though they may be fortunate enough to acquire those things), he invoked the struggle of Nelson Mandela and the research of Dan Buettner, who wrote “Thrive,” a book focusing on happiness.

Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment while fighting against apartheid exemplified the importance of “delayed gratification,” helping others, and having faith in something larger than oneself. And Buettner’s work illustrated that true happiness has many components.

Buettner, Gorman said, found that 40 percent of happiness is related to one’s daily thoughts and actions. Buettner’s research on “true happiness,” Gorman observed, included several key themes: the development of a caring group of healthy friends; working at meaningful jobs; engaging in enriching hobbies; staying in reasonable shape; volunteering one’s time and services; and belonging to a faith-based community.

“He also found that true happiness involves the pursuit of worthy goals,” Gorman said. “You need to believe in something bigger than yourself, something that transcends you. This gives hope and we cannot live without faith, love, and especially hope.”

Gorman told students to “remember you are not alone in your pursuit of happiness, and be true to yourself and others. And may you all live happily ever after.”

On Wednesday, the principal said he got his inspiration for the speech from a magazine article.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/ridgewood-high-school-graduates-urged-to-earn-happiness-1.1041312#sthash.xpY66TuE.dpuf

Posted on June 25, 2014 January 20, 2019

Ridgewood Boys Track & Field foursome crowned All-Americans in 4-x-800

Ridgewood Boys Track & Field foursome crowned All-Americans in 4-x-800

JUNE 20, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Ridgewood High School boys 4-x-800-meter relay team returned from the New Balance Outdoor Nationals with national recognition as well as local pride after earning All-America honors with a relay performance that also claimed the top spot in Bergen County record books.

The quartet of sophomore Michael Thurston and seniors Brian Collins, David Frering and Luke Dublirer clocked 7:39.57 to finish fifth in the race last Saturday in Greensboro, N.C. St. Xavier (Ohio) placed first in 7:37.26.

The top six finishers in each event earned All-American status at the meet held last Friday through Sunday.

“Being All-American, that will last forever,” RHS head coach Josh Saladino said Monday. “It was nice to see the kids just enjoying the accomplishment that they were able to achieve.”

The Maroons also reclaimed the county record in the event, which they had surrendered just 10 days earlier.

The squad ran the relay in 7:44.09 at the June 4th State Meet of Champions (SMOC) in South Plainfield, surpassing the county 4-x-800 mark it set last season. However, Bergen Catholic edged out the Maroons in that race, running 7:42.95, to take not only the gold medal but the Bergen record as well.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/boys-track/rhs-relay-ranks-among-america-s-best-1.1038655#sthash.0mgaeOpo.dpuf

Posted on June 25, 2014 June 25, 2014

Congratulations to the RHS class of 2014 ,Grad of 1952 looks back

class of 2014 photo Ridgewood PD

Congratulations to the Ridgewood High School class of 2014.

RHS grads turning 80 looks back at the class of ’52

JUNE 20, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY DEIRDRE FLANAGAN WARD
SOCIAL EDITOR

The reunion may be over, but for a group of committee grads from Ridgewood High School Class of 1952, the party never ends. On a balmy mid-week evening (these kids don’t worry about work the next day because most of them are retired!) the group got together at the home of Anne (Ward) and Hank Allen in Glen Rock for some light fare, delicious libations, lively conversation and birthday celebrations. Marking their 80th birthdays were classmates Roy Tarvin, Claire Carter, Lois Clapp, Nancy Jeanne Alward, Judy Kaiser, Connie Macchi, Bob Croland, Donald Heller, Bruce Crocco, Anne Allen, Joan Van Ry, Carole Frank and Mimi Maxfield. Classmate Jim Craig, who was not able to attend, was celebrated in spirit. In addition to toasting a remarkable lifetime achievement, several members of the group also reminisced about their longstanding friendships; some forged in their kindergarten years, others as neighborhood pals, and then there were the childhood sweethearts.

The committee, although not planning a reunion this year, meets on a regular basis because they enjoy each others’ company – spouses included. A number of the gals additionally branched off to start “The Lunch Bunch” as a social adventure in dining. The venture proved to be so popular it expanded into weekend getaways. And not to be confused with senior citizen outings, these gals take to the road and drive themselves! The group has been very active and diligent in reaching out to classmates over the years, which explains the high attendance rate at reunions and other affairs. They even started a newsletter to keep people up to date and recently initiated a giving back movement by making a donation to the RHS Learning Center. Individually, and collectively, the committee members and longtime friends are testimony to the fact that 80 may be their chronological status, but forever in their hearts they will remain the ages they were in 1952.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/celebrations/rhs-grads-turning-80-embrace-52-1.1038651#sthash.8hvmo6Vi.dpuf

Posted on June 20, 2014 June 27, 2021

Former Ridgewood High Junior Athlete Mathew Lorenz wins the 53rd Bud Burns Dixie Junior Golf Tournament in Selma Alabam

Former Ridgewood High Junior Athlete Mathew Lorenz wins the 53rd Bud Burns Dixie Junior Golf Tournament in Selma Alabama
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mathew is the son of the former Principle of Ridgewood High School Jack Lorenz..

The tournament was held at Selma Country Club , previous professional golfers that have won the tournament are Stewart Cink and Bubba Watson.

The tournament coincided with Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey being in town to film a new movie.

Consistency was key for sixteen-year-old Matthew Lorenz, carding three consecutive rounds of 73 strokes.

Lorenz told the Selma Times Journal ,” the tournament felt more unpredictable than his scorecard displayed.

“The tournament was a little up and down at points,” Lorenz said. “I even hit a ball into the parking lot at one point.”

Overall, Lorenz said the tournament was enjoyable, and he thanked those involved in the organization.

“I really enjoyed the course. It really suited my game,” Lorenz said. “This is my first overall win, so it’s probably my biggest win so far. It felt good because the hard work finally paid off.” ( https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2014/06/18/lorenz-edges-manderson-for-bud-burns-title/)

Lorenz will get his name engraved as the 2014 champ of the Bud Burns Dixie Junior Championship .

Posted on June 19, 2014 June 27, 2021

RHS and RPL Team Up for Summer Reading for All incoming ninth and rising tenth graders

RHS and RPL Team Up for Summer Reading for All incoming ninth and rising tenth graders

In order to enrich the experience for students and encourage reading over the summer, Ridgewood High School and the Ridgewood Public Library are offering their Second Annual Teen Readers Tru 9&10 book discussion groups on selected titles. All incoming ninth and rising tenth graders will have the opportunity to voluntarily choose to read one or more of the selected books and then participate in a discussion group led by library volunteers and high school student mentors.

Click here for more information and the brochure.

Posted on June 19, 2014 June 27, 2021

RHS Students Excel World Languages’ Honor Society and National Honor Society

RHS Students inducted into World Languages’ Honor Society and National Honor Society

Ridgewood NJ , Nearly 200 RHS students, representing five different languages, were inducted the World Languages’ Honor Society Ceremony for excellence in their chosen language.

Seventy-six RHS juniors were inducted into the National Honor Society for the Class of 2015. This year’s group marks the 50 year anniversary of the National Honor Society at RHS.

Posted on June 14, 2014 June 14, 2014

Ridgewood students tackle social media issues

Ridgewood students tackle social media issues

JUNE 13, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014, 4:09 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

When it comes to improving student culture surrounding social media, who better to turn to than students themselves?

Students who participated in the first Ridgewood High School Student Leadership Summit worked on solutions to challenges, including ways to increase school spirit.

That was the thinking of Ridgewood High School (RHS) administrators, who recently consulted with students after a social media crisis this past May was caused by Yik Yak, a localized app that allows people to make anonymous comments. Using the app, a 17-year-old boy made an anonymous gun threat on May 13 that targeted RHS. After an around-the-clock police investigation, the boy was found and taken into custody.

But there were problems with the app even before that event, administrators said.

“Students that I talked to shared that there were just horrendous, horrible things written about other students, about us staff members,” said RHS Assistant Principal Basil Pizzuto. “There were some students really hurt by it, really, really hurt by it, and kind of still struggling with what they went through.”

In order to improve this situation, administrators – including Pizzuto – decided to talk directly to students. “Student leaders” identified by faculty were emailed an invitation to discuss the issue with adults on May 28.

Ultimately, 10 students gave up their monthly sleep-in day to discuss social media and school culture in the RHS Campus Center.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/rhs-students-tackle-social-media-issues-1.1035198#sthash.NjbvYhNq.dpuf

Posted on June 11, 2014 June 11, 2014

Ridgewood High School Teen LEADers present findings

Ridgewood High School Teen LEADers present findings

JUNE 10, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014, 3:53 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER

They’ve navigated the corridors of the county jail, tested the acumen of top-flight health care professionals and even grilled Bergen’s top executive with an assortment of questions.

But for the 20 students who made up the inaugural Ridgewood High School (RHS) Teen LEADS class, the most difficult assignment over the past eight months was to formulate answers to a question that has puzzled this municipality for years: How can civic participation in Ridgewood be improved?

Last Wednesday, the group of mostly RHS sophomores and juniors presented their findings of a months-long project addressing that question, which was personally issued by Mayor Paul Aronsohn last fall. Their research into local government was far from the typical “how a bill becomes a law” examination – their work included lengthy studies of a decade’s worth of election results, original surveys issued to village residents and an analysis of the raw data that was gathered.

“I’m impressed with how this turned out,” Aronsohn told the students. “This was an idea, and we didn’t know what it would look like [at the conclusion]. It took courage and vision, and you really made this happen.”

Teen LEADS is a spin-off of the original Bergen LEADS, a county-wide civic leadership program for adults. Bergen LEADS was created in 2007 by members of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, who fashioned lessons learned from the larger Leadership New Jersey seminar into a local curriculum.

Among the many Bergen LEADS graduates is Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, who was one of the main driving forces that brought the LEADS program to RHS. Sonenfeld also highlighted the support of RHS Principal Tom Gorman, club coordinator and sociology teacher Jenna Wilson and Bergen LEADS co-director Lynne Algrant.

Over the past year, the students participated in on-site classes, meeting with Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli at the county jail in Hackensack and speaking with doctors at The Valley Hospital. In addition to meeting with Ridgewood’s mayor on Government Day, the LEADS class spent time with Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan.

“This is such a superb first class. This class would not let Donovan go, and they challenged her,” Sonenfeld said. “For those of us who are passionate about LEADS, this has been great, and we had a great first class.”

Ridgewood’s Teen LEADS, the only one of its kind in the county, was tested as a pilot program over this past school year and received funding from the Volunteer Center and the Ridgewood Education Foundation. Entry into the program was based on student applications, and the same methods will be used to grant entry to those wishing to participate next year.

Gorman indicated that school officials will consider introducing LEADS as a full-time class after the 2014-15 year. And once the test period at RHS is completed, Bergen LEADS volunteers hope to expand the teen program to other high schools.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/clubs-and-service-organizations/ridgewood-high-school-teen-leaders-present-findings-1.1032721#sthash.8wuK2sKa.dpuf

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