The RJ Reynolds High School Alumni and Friends corporation was founded on November 20, 1992. Rick Crowder was the original President of the Board of Directors. One of the main reasons for its creation was so that a database could be created containing the contact information of the alumni....so they could be contacted concerning possibly making a donation to help fund the renovation of Reynolds Auditorium (at the turn of the century).
In 2008, Harry Corpening succeeded him...and he will hold that position until December 31, 2024. On January 1, 2025, Karen Stokes Morris will succeed him.
It must be pointed out that ALL of the disbursements mentioned below by this organization took place ONLY because members of the alumni sent in donations to fund them!
Six different RJR Alumni Directories have been published by the Publishing Concepts, LP. firm. Each edition contained alumni contact information that was gained from their extensive research.
Since 2009, the Alumni and Friends organization has EVERY YEAR awarded two $1,000 scholarships to deserving seniors, and has given the staff member voted by their peers as the RJR Teacher of the Year a cash gift of $1,000...and in 2017 and 2018, a $1,000 cash gift was given to the Principal of the Year awardee. That represents disbursements totaling $50,000.
In April of 2023, because of a recorded Zoom Q&A conversation (that was posted on the Alumni website) with the Dancing Boots coach, the Alumni and Friends organization sent a check to the school for over $5,000 for support of the Dancing Boots (because of donations they received).
On September 15, 2023 (which was the 100th birthday of the day R.J. Reynolds High School opened its doors for its first full school-year), the Alumni and Friends corporation created an endowment with The Winston-Salem Foundation. A check for $30,000 was submitted to create that endowment.
In 2022, RJR Principal Calvin Freeman told Alumni President Harry Corpening about his dream to expand the Demon Pantry into a corner room on the first floor that had unused student lockers. (The Demon Pantry was established to immediately provide food to any RJR student that was hungry). The expansion into the new room will allow for refrigerators to be brought in (so that breakfasts cooked in the school cafeteria that were not picked up can be safely stored). Microwaves will also be brought in so these meals can be heated. Mr. Freeman said his plan would probably cost around $25,000. Due to donations received and publicity created by the RJR Alumni and Friends organization, over $28,000 had been collected by January, 2024.
Reynolds Auditorium celebrated its 100th birthday on May 8, 2024. In June, due to long-term publicity by the Alumni and Friends organization, the Richard J. Reynolds Memorial Auditorium Endowment was created at The Winston-Salem Foundation by "The Friends of Richard J. Reynolds Auditorium" corporation. A check for $25,000 was submitted to create that endowment.
Should you wish to help support the RJ Reynolds High School Alumni and Friends organization: click onto the Alumni and Friends logo at the top of the page to learn how.