The April 13th emailed newsletter from RJR Alumni President Karen Morris to over 11,000 alumni all over the world.
Happy April!
In today's newsletter, you will see information about:
1. The March 31st RJR Alumni board meeting and the new board members who were approved
2. The Demon Pantry unveiling on April 10th
3. The See for Yourself video--a 17-minute video showcasing present-day Reynolds in action
4. Reunions--ones we know about and what to do to schedule a school tour
5. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT--Class of 1973 member John X. Miller
Do you have an idea of someone to spotlight? Do you have questions you want us to try to answer? Please send your ideas for future newsletters to rjralumnipres@gmail.com. I am creating a running list of ideas and questions people are sending in, and will continue to include them in future newsletters.
We still seek additional volunteers to help on the RJR Alumni and Friends Board. This includes attending 4 meetings per year (virtually) and volunteering your ideas and time to support the mission of the organization.
Complete this Google form if you are interested in participating.
Karen Morris
President, RJR Alumni and Friends
RJR Class of 1986
Director, WS/FCS Teacher Residency Program
1. The RJR Alumni Board meets quarterly. Beginning this year, the meetings are open to any alumni member who would like to attend. The first one of the year was Monday, March 31st from 5:30-6:30 via Teams.
HERE are the minutes. (NOTE: the "Slidedeck" and "Recording of the TEAMS Meeting" links are not active).
HERE is the slide deck from the meeting.
Five new members of the board were approved. We discussed the purpose of the board, updates since our last board meeting, what we are already doing well to fulfill that purpose, and ways we can continue to improve to better "foster among the alumni and in the community a spirit of continuing service, fellowship and support of RJR; to promote among the alumni an active interest in the progress and welfare of RJR–its students and faculty; to enable RJR to maintain continuing close ties with its alumni, faculty and friends; to enhance the standing and reputation of RJR in the community and the state."
Principal Calvin Freeman updated us on the state of the school using this slide deck.
Our closing questions included:
How can we help all people know they are welcome and to increase the representation on the board?
How do we encourage people of all ages/decades to engage with the board? (So far, we have board members spanning the classes of 1968-2018).
The next meetings will be held on June 16th from 5:00-6:00 PM and September 18th from 7:00-8:00 PM via Teams. The December meeting will be held in person at the school (with a virtual option) and will be before a student event (either arts or sports) for those alumni who wish to participate.
Please plan to attend if you are able. People who complete the Google form to be board members will be approved at each meeting.
2. On April 10th, the Demon Pantry was officially opened. Local reporters attended as well as representatives from the school, Student Government, PTSA, Alumni Association, Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, and Centenary United Methodist Church. Watch this 2:14 video from WXLV and read this article about the pantry--its history and its planned use. (NOTE: the following image is a picture and not an active link).
3. Do you want to See for Yourself what RJ Reynolds is like today? Here is a 17-minute video the school district's communications team created. Throughout the year, community members are invited into schools to see what they are like for themselves and to talk with current faculty and students.
4. Reunion Information-- The alumni can help each other by spreading the news about reunions and to help other classes know ways that people stay connected to one another. I know some classes have their own Facebook pages or websites. Some groups of high school friends meet regularly for online gatherings and others in person.
Several alumni have asked about how to learn of other class reunions (and what venues they use/how they organize) and how to schedule school tours.
To schedule a school tour, alumni should reach out directly to Calvin Freeman (Principal) at cdfreeman@wsfcs.k12.nc.us.
Michael Wade from the Class of 1965 shared that he is seeking info on their reunion
Patty Stone from the Class of 1970 said their reunion will be June 21, 2025 at Tanglewood from 4-10 PM for $35
Richard Harrington–Class of 1973–shared that his class will have a gathering on Saturday, April 26th at Little Richard’s Bar and Que (including classes of 1971-1974)
Jim Landis said the Class of 1985 will have their reunion on August 2nd at Tanglewood
Rosanne Six said the Class of 2005 will have a reunion this year and hopes to schedule their celebration for a home football weekend
If YOUR class is planning an event that is not included here, please email me and I will include it in future newsletters. (Class of 1986--we better get busy planning our reunion for next year!)
Consider raising funds for the RJR Alumni Association to be used for the good of the current school and/or to create a scholarship as a challenge to your class during reunion years.
3. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT--John X. Miller from the Class of 1973
John X. Miller is a media executive, consultant, educator, strategist, and non-profit leader. He is the CEO of NGB Consulting and a journalism professor at Washington and Lee University (his alma mater after graduating from RJR). John was nominated for this spotlight by classmate, Katie Gailes.
Consider following the RJR Alumni on social media.
Click on the links to go to the Facebook and Instagram pages and follow!
Feel free to forward this email to ANYONE you think would be interested in reading it.
If you want to add your email address to our list, or have us change your email address, or have us take your email address off our list: merely reply back with that request.
MANY thanks for your time and consideration.
The March 30th emailed newsletter from RJR Alumni President Karen Morris to over 11,000 alumni all over the world.
Happy March!
In today's newsletter, you will see information about:
1. The RJR Alumni Board Meeting agenda and how you can attend (virtually) if you desire (Monday, March 31st from 5:30-6:30)
2. The Demon Pantry is completed! A photo is included in the newsletter
3. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT--Class of 1970 Hall of Fame golfer, Eddie Pinnix
4. The 2025 Football Schedule at the M. Douglas Crater Field and Stadium.
Do you have an idea of someone to spotlight? Do you have questions you want us to try to answer? Please send your ideas for future newsletters to rjralumnipres@gmail.com. I am creating a running list of ideas and questions people are sending in, and will continue to include them in future newsletters.
We still seek additional volunteers to help on the RJR Alumni and Friends Board. This includes attending 4 meetings per year (virtually) and volunteering your ideas and time to support the mission of the organization.
Complete this Google form if you are interested in participating.
Karen Morris
President, RJR Alumni and Friends
RJR Class of 1986
Director, WS/FCS Teacher Residency Program
1. The RJR Alumni Board meets quarterly. Beginning this year, the meetings will be open to any alumni member who would like to attend. The first one of the year is Monday, March 31st from 5:30-6:30 via Teams. Only Board Members are able to vote, but the meetings are open to the public. The agenda (with the link to attend) is linked here.
The next meetings will be held on June 16th from 5:00-6:00 PM and September 18th from 7:00-8:00 PM via Teams. The December meeting will be held in person at the school (with a virtual option) and will be before a student event (either arts or sports) for those alumni who wish to participate. I will send out the links much further in advance next time!
See the agenda attached with the Teams link. Please attend if you are able.
2. The Demon Pantry began when RJ Reynolds alumna, Clare Jordan (Class of 1987) learned of the current student needs for food and toiletries. She collaborated with the Student Services Team to try to meet those needs. At the time, Clare's daughters were students at Reynolds and she was an involved parent through the PTSA. She included her church (Centenary United Methodist), the RJR PTSA, and the alumni association to spread the need and get the resources for the students. At first, the supplies were distributed through the Student Services Office (which was called the Guidance Office when I was at Reynolds). The initiative soon outgrew the space, and cabinets were installed in one of the rooms. The PTSA has a committee that continues to coordinate this initiative. Fast forward to today--an unused locker room has been transformed into the Demon Pantry. Students will be able to access food (see the refrigerator!), toiletries, and other items when they need them. Thanks to generous donations and coordinated efforts between the community and the school system, transformational and innovative supports are helping current RJR students.
3. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT--Eddie Pinnix from the Class of 1970
Eddie Pinnix, RJ Reynolds Sports Hall of Fame golfer from the Class of 1970 presented a check from the Marie Pinnix Foundation to Head Coach TJ Eggers on March 20, 2025. The current school community is grateful for the continued support of the alumni members (either through this alumni organization or through individual supports in all forms).
4. You asked me to share the football schedule as soon as I saw it and here it is!
SHARE REUNION INFORMATION INFO WITH US!
Did you know that the Class of 1970 is having a reunion this summer? Information is on their Facebook page. When your class plans a reunion, share it with the Alumni Association so we can publicize it here! You never know--it may reach classmates that you have not been able to locate.
BTW--Dannon Mulle from the Class of 2005 reached out to ask if that class has ever had a reunion. Classmates, LET US KNOW! Is there anything planned for this year?
Consider following the RJR Alumni on social media.
Click on the links to go to the Facebook and Instagram pages and follow!
Feel free to forward this email to ANYONE you think would be interested in reading it.
If you want to add your email address to our list, or have us change your email address, or have us take your email address off our list: merely reply back with that request.
MANY thanks for your time and consideration.
The March 12th emailed newsletter from RJR Alumni President Karen Morris to over 11,000 alumni all over the world.
Happy March!
I hope this newsletter finds you healthy--and that you can see Spring from where you are.
In today's newsletter, you will see information about:
1. The Spring Musical--HADESTOWN!-- and how you can purchase tickets
2. The NEW Reynolds Coat of Arms
3. Reynolds-specific scholarships and exciting news about TWO Morehead-Cain Scholars
4. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT--Anna Harris Stein, RJR Class of 1988 and NC First Lady
Do you have an idea of an alumni to spotlight? Do you have questions you want us to try to answer? Please send your ideas for future newsletters to rjralumnipres@gmail.com. I am creating a running list of ideas and questions people are sending in, and will continue to include them in future newsletters.
We still seek additional volunteers to help on the RJR Alumni and Friends Board. This includes attending 4 meetings per year (virtually) and volunteering your ideas and time to support the mission of the organization.
Complete this Google form if you are interested in participating.
Karen Morris
President, RJR Alumni and Friends
RJR Class of 1986
Director, WS/FCS Teacher Residency Program
1. Each year, the school puts on a Spring Musical. This year, the musical is Hadestown. I grabbed this from the Demon Drama Facebook page:
" Hadestown is a musical that tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and Persephone. The musical is set in a post-apocalyptic world and explores themes of love, loss, and doubt. The Broadway production retold these timeless myths in the setting of a depression-era New Orleans jazz club. The Reynolds production draws inspiration from the steel factories of the WWII military-industrial complex. The power of the original myths, the archetypes explored, and the haunting, heart-aching beauty of Anais Mitchell’s score are the reasons why audiences keep coming again, and again, and again."
All students will see a preview during a school-wide performance, then have an option for reduced-priced tickets for one of the public shows. Teachers created arts-integrated experiences that link their content standards to the production. Performing arts students worked with technical theatre professionals from the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem to build an automated turntable for the set. Student musicians will be performing the music live onstage while the actors perform on our historic stage. If you are interested, go to THIS LINK and purchase tickets for $17 each (this is also the link to purchase tickets to athletic events). You may also purchase tickets at the door as seating allows.
Thursday March 20th: 7:00pm
Friday March 21st: 7:00pm
Saturday March 22nd: 2:00pm AND 7:00pmTicket link here! https://gofan.co/app/school/NC1938
2. The current PTSA leadership and Principal Freeman asked the RJR Alumni for assistance in researching and creating a Coat of Arms for the school that is based on the R. J. Reynolds family coat of arms. Frank Johnson (Class of 1983) and Harry Corpening (Class of 1968) helped with communication between the graphic designer (Steve Chaffee, class of 1983), the RJR Alumni Board, the school staff, and the PTSA to create several designs. After input from those groups, the student body voted, resulting in the following image as the new coat of arms for the school. The Class of 2025 will process in for graduation behind a banner with this image.
3. This is the time of year when seniors are preparing for their next steps after RJ Reynolds and are applying for scholarships. Congratulations to two members of the Class of 2025 who learned this month that they are Morehead-Cain Scholars! Cora Hawfield and Lilly Zaks have been awarded the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill. The Morehead-Cain Scholarship is one of the most prestigious merit scholarships in the country, offering recipients a fully funded, four-year experience at UNC-Chapel Hill, including access to summer enrichment programs, global opportunities, and a lifelong network of leaders and innovators. Cora and Lilly’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence have earned them this incredible opportunity, and we could not be prouder!
Speaking of scholarships? Did you know that RJR students have access to over $90,000 of scholarships that are SPECIFIC to RJ Reynolds students?
These include:
RJR PTSA Tradition of Excellence Scholarship
RJR PTSA First Generation Scholarship
RJR Arts Hall of Fame Scholarship
RJR High School Class of 1968 Memorial Scholarship
Forsyth Assistant Principals' Association Scholarship
Jeannette Anderson Parker Memorial Scholarship
Mountjoy Scholarship
Betsy and Gray Hutchison Memorial Scholarship
Rotary of Western Forsyth Scholarship
Fries Memorial Moravian Church Scholarship
Brevard R. Hoover, Jr Leadership Award
Matthew Alan Gfeller Memorial Scholarship
Zack H. Bacon, IV Scholarship
Christopher Richard Eagan Scholarship
Kapp Weaver Scholarship
Richard L Bagnal, III Memorial Scholarship
Mark Collier Caudill Scholarship
Joe E. Gaddy, Jr. and Margaret W. Gaddy Scholarship
Larry Schreiber Memorial Scholarship
Consider organizing a scholarship from YOUR graduating class or in honor/memory of someone you love.
4. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT--Anna Harris Stein, RJR Class of 1988 and First Lady of North Carolina, has been involved in service and scholarship throughout her life. When at Reynolds, she was a Dancing Boot and active member of Girls Council. Anna attended UNC-Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree. She worked as a legal specialist with the NC Division of Public Health's Chronic Disease and Injury Section. We will learn more about Anna when the Pine Whispers article comes out later this Spring (by the way, did you know you can read the Pine Whispers student newspaper online? Here is the link: https://rjrpinewhispers.com
Consider watching Governor Josh Stein tonight in the State of the State address and see if you catch a glimpse of Anna!
Consider following the RJR Alumni on social media.
Click on the links to go to the Facebook and Instagram pages and follow!
Feel free to forward this email to ANYONE you think would be interested in reading it.
If you want to add your email address to our list, or have us change your email address, or have us take your email address off our list: merely reply back with that request.
MANY thanks for your time and consideration.
The February 21st emailed newsletter from RJR Alumni President Karen Morris to over 11,000 alumni all over the world.
Brief Newsletter for Updates
This is very brief newsletter to give you updates on two things.
In today's newsletter, you will see information about:
The RJR Arts Hall of Fame inductions are postponed due to weather
Updates on the stadium construction.
Do you have any idea of an alumni to spotlight? Do you have questions you want us to try to answer? Please send your ideas for future newsletters to rjralumnipres@gmail.com. I am creating a running list of ideas and questions people are sending in, and will continue to include them in future newsletters.
We still seek additional volunteers to help on the RJR Alumni and Friends Board. This includes attending 4 meetings per year (virtually) and volunteering your ideas and time to support the mission of the organization.
Complete this Google form if you are interested in participating.
Karen Morris
President, RJR Alumni and Friends
RJR Class of 1986
Director, WS/FCS Teacher Residency Program
1. Due to the weather causing two days of remote learning, the RJR Arts Hall of Fame will be postponed to a Fall date. I will let you know when that date has been selected. Many alumni are sponsors of, committee members for, or are otherwise participating in the event including Frank Johnson, Karen and John Morris, Sean Toole, Chris Almond, Phyllis Dunning, Tom and Anita Ogburn, Ken Hauser and WTOB, Emily Macmillan, Toni Phillips, Kristin Ranson, Roby Walls, Charlie Jones, Tamara Propst and family, Ellen Denham, Andrea Freeman, Rusty Whiteheart, Eric Johnson, Rachel Stinehelter, Mike Chamis, Connie Merritt, Matt Kendrick, Rioghnach Robinson, Bonnie Angelo Levy, and Robbie Bach.
The fundraiser for the arts program through 99pledges is open for another 9 days. The committee is raising money to fund a scholarship for an arts-intensive senior and arts needs for the Reynolds students. Donations are accepted and appreciated in any amount.(https://app.99pledges.com/fund/rjrartshalloffame)
2. The construction of the M. Douglas Crater Field and Stadium is going well.
This shot was taken by Ed Pleasants and shared by Harry Corpening.
It shows the almost finished concession stand and restroom building. Notice the lines for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey added to the field. You can see the construction of the Zack H. Bacon IV Hall of Champions and the Mary Garber-Stuart Scott Press Box in this photo. The building of this stadium has had a rocky start and is controversial. Our role as the alumni association is to inform and connect rather than to share personal opinions.
More information can be found on the RJR Home Field Advantage website.
Consider following the RJR Alumni on social media.
Click on the links to go to the Facebook and Instagram pages and follow!
Feel free to forward this email to ANYONE you think would be interested in reading it.
If you want to add your email address to our list, or have us change your email address, or have us take your email address off our list: merely reply back with that request.
MANY thanks for your time and consideration.