RJR Alumni / latest emails from "RJR Alumni & Friends" President Harry Corpening

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the end-of-the-school-year, 2020

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health!

The 2019-2020 RJ Reynolds High School virtual Commencement Ceremony was held yesterday at 11:00 am. The "Walk Across the Stage to Receive your Diploma" ceremonies will be held on Monday - Wednesday, June 15th, 16th, and 17th. Thus, this challenging and unprecedented school-year is winding down.

As I am sure you know, RJ Reynolds High School is renown in this part of our country for MANY different reasons! One of them is that the RJR Alumni has a history of ANNUALLY awarding two $1,000 scholarships, and giving $1,000 to the staff member (selected by their peers) as the RJR Teacher of the Year! These awards have been made for 2020, and you can see and learn about these three amazing individuals via an article posted on the RJR Alumni website.

Because in-person classes ceased in the middle of March, a video has been created showing a virtual concert of Reynolds students that have excelled in the performing arts. This concert can also be viewed on the RJR Alumni website.

You can see the articles about these two topics by clicking onto:

RJR's Alumni website: www.RJRalumni.org

Last, I want to inform you that the "RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends" organization is now able to accept tax deductible donations in the form of stocks! These stock donations can be made during your lifetime, or at your death. To learn more about this, and find out how to include the "RJR Alumni & Friends" organization in your estate planning, click onto the following link:

RJR Alumni & Friends now accepts stock donations

Feel free to forward this email on 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 send me an email at RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the end-of-May, 2020

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health!

Since all Forsyth County public schools have been closed since mid-March, this email will only cover two topics. Both topics are detailed in the first articles posted on the RJR Alumni website...which can viewed by clicking onto:

RJR's Alumni website: www.RJRalumni.org

On May 9th, I sent out an email to you (the RJR Alumni) with an appeal by Principal Dr. Leslie Alexander... who asked for folks to please consider giving donations to help cover unpaid reduced-price lunch debts from needy Reynolds students. As of yesterday (May 29th), 40+ folks have given donations totaling $6,162.37!! These donations more than covered that expense...and the excess funding will be used to help cover these expenses for the next school year.

Beyond a shadow of doubt, this proves the words are as true today as when written in 1949:

AMID THE PINES SHE PROUDLY STANDS,

TO HER OUR VOICES RISE!

WE SHALL ALWAYS LOVE HER...

DEAR OL' REYNOLDS HIGH!

One of the events I absolutely love participating in at Reynolds Auditorium is the annual Class Day event (which in earlier times was called Senior Day). This year, a fantastic video was organized, created, and edited by RJR staff members Nicole Beale, Pamela Kirkland, Michael Martinez, Katie Tuttle, and RJR Auditorium manager Liz May, to celebrate this event. Participants at this event announce the winners of various awards and scholarships. All of these participants video-taped their presentations, and sent them to the above mentioned collaborators. I would urge EVERY Reynolds High School alum to take the time to view this 47-minute tribute to RJR's Class of 2020!

After viewing it, you will fully realize why RJR is today regarded as one of the VERY BEST public high schools in the entire nation! And if you are like me (an alum of this great school that graduated several decades ago), you will grasp the many changes that have taken place since you were there.

You can view this AWESOME video by clicking on the following link:

RJR 2020 Class Day Video

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the middle-of-May, 2020

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health!

Because all Forsyth County public schools have been closed since March 14th, this email will only cover three topics. These topics are detailed in the first three articles posted on the RJR Alumni website...which can viewed by clicking onto:

RJR's Alumni website: www.RJRalumni.org

To the best of my knowledge, RJ Reynolds High School is the ONLY public high school in the southeastern United States at which its alumni offer TWO $1,000 scholarships annually, as well as awarding $1,000 every year to the staff member (selected by their peers) as the Teacher of the Year!

This support for our alma mater was never more evident than last week!

On May 9th, I sent out an email to you (the RJR Alumni) with an appeal by Principal Dr. Leslie Alexander...who asked for folks to please consider giving donations to help cover unpaid reduced-price lunch debts from needy Reynolds students. As of Tuesday morning (May 19th), 38 folks have given donations totaling $3,655.00!!

The second topic concerns a Senior at RJR (Zoe Brockenbrough), who was a winner representing Reynolds in a national MTV-sponsored non-partisan voter registration competition. This endeavor awarded our school a $5,000 grant, and allowed Zoe to be shown live on NBC's TODAY Show. While on this show, former First Lady Michelle Obama talked to her and the other winners! You can see a video of this TODAY Show experience in an article on the Alumni website.

And the third topic deals with the sights that RJR Alumni that lived in the Winston-Salem area would have seen during the 1950's and 60's. I found a musical video on YouTube which is 14-minutes long that shows only pictures taken of our twin city during those two decades. This video sure brought back a lot of happy memories for me (a proud member of the Class of 1968).

As mentioned earlier, all of these topics are thoroughly detailed in the first three articles posted on the Alumni website. And please note that the opening dialogue on this website details the four on-going annual RJR Alumni initiatives. I would hope that you would consider giving a donation to one or more of these causes...since the next school year will begin again this coming fall...and those needs will be just as important then as they are now. Remember, you can view the Alumni website by clicking onto...

RJR's Alumni website: www.RJRalumni.org

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the first-of-May, 2020

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health. Because all N.C. public schools have been closed since March 14th, and all classes have ended in Forsyth County public schools except for those with students taking AP courses: this email will only cover two topics.

First: the Covid-19 virus/pandemic has wreaked havoc on this country's population and economy. A lot of folks and families are hurting health-wise and financially. Following is an appeal from RJR's Principal (Dr. Leslie Alexander):

"During the five years I have been Principal of Reynolds High School, our free and reduced-price lunch is consistently served to about 47% of our 1,750 student-body. That is because we have about 650 to 700 students that live below the poverty line. Normally we work with families to collect lunch debts by the end of the school-year. However, due to the Covid-19 challenges this year, we have been unable to collect these debts. I am asking that if you are able, could you please make a tax deductible donation to this most worthy cause.....by clicking on the following Paypal link? Any size donation would be most welcome."

Please make a donation to help pay for

year-end reduced-price lunch debts!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line "lunch debts."

The second topic deals with something that I think could be considered as a free gift to you. Back on March 13th, RJR's Drama Department presented its spring musical "Into the Woods" at Reynolds Auditorium. This was recorded using professional cameras. A month ago we provided a link to what proved to be a less-than-acceptable version of this recording. However, due to GREAT work done by Reynolds Auditorium's Facility Manager (Liz May), we are now able to offer links to the UPDATED professionally recorded video of this FABULOUS play. Why should you consider this a gift? It will give you an opportunity to thoroughly enjoy yourself while taking your mind off this crazy world! It will show you first-hand the GREAT work that is being done at RJ Reynolds High School (which is no doubt one of THE VERY BEST public high schools in this part of the country)!!

You can enjoy this masterpiece by clicking on the following link...

RJR's Drama Department's spring musical:

INTO THE WOODS

MANY thanks for your time and consideration....

and to all you wonderful ladies who have reared children:

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Remember...

Motherhood is the exquisite inconvenience of being another person’s everything!

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the middle-of-April, 2020

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health. Because all N.C. public schools have been closed since March 14th, this email will only cover four topics...and all of them deal with the RJR Alumni website

First: in my last email to you and the other Alumni, I asked those folks that graduated before 1950 to email me their memories of what Winston-Salem and Reynolds High School were like during World War II. I am happy to inform you that we received responses from six of those folks...and their well written detailed replies are TRULY FASCINATING to read! These have been posted in an article on the Alumni website...which can be viewed by clicking onto the following link:

Click here to go the RJR Alumni website

Because the above endeavor was so successful, I am today asking those RJR Alumni that graduated between 1950 and 1959 to send me an email to RJRhighschool@aol.com with their memories of what Winston-Salem and Reynolds High School were like during the 50's...and especially during the Korean War, and when the Russians launched their sputnik satellite.

There is also an article on the Alumni website about how the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System has planned for all the present-day needs of all of its students (and has determined how spring semester grades and graduation requirements will be determined).

And last, assuming you are like millions of other Americans in that you have a lot of free time at home now-a-days: there is a fairly extensive article on the Alumni website that I researched and wrote...that I am very proud of....that I think a LOT of you will enjoy reading. You can view this insightful article by clicking onto the following link:

The early history of Winston-Salem...

and Wachovia Bank, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co.,

the Hanes companies, Hanes Park, and

RJ Reynolds High School & Auditorium

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the end-of-March, 2020

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family doing well in this time of national crisis. This newsletter will only bring up a few important topics.

First: the video of the RJR spring musical “Into The Woods” has been uploaded, and the link to view this video has been posted in the first article on the RJR Alumni website. This is an absolutely FABULOUS professionally staged play….and well worth watching. There are two ways to view this (both of which are shown in the article about this play on the RJR Alumni website). If you plan on watching this on Saturday or Sunday (March 27th or 28th): you can do so at 7:00 pm on both of these days by using Zoom.com If you plan on watching this any other time: you can do so by using Vimeo.com. The performances shown using Zoom.com may offer a better/”crisper” view of this video than the Vimeo.com offering.

Second: concerning the RJR Alumni website: there are links to quite a few performances by RJR students at Reynolds Auditorium posted there. To take my mind off the seemingly never ending maddening news, I periodically click onto one of those videos….which feature current-day Reynolds’ students having a good time performing on-stage (by singing, or performing in the RJR Band or Orchestra, or playing pianos and guitars). This is a GREAT way to relax and chill out! And it costs you NOTHING!

Click here to go the RJR Alumni website

Third: I think it pays to draw on the knowledge of our elders...especially when it comes to dealing with a crisis. These folks survived scary times…and I feel confident we will do the same! What I am going to do in this and future newsletters: ask different segments of our RJR Alumni population to send me an email at RJRhighschool@aol.com with their thoughts about surviving the crisis they faced while at Reynolds High School. I will then post these thoughts and observations on the Alumni website….so everyone can read them. To the folks that respond to this request: I will only use first names when posting the comments I receive.

I will divide the RJR Alumni population into different segments using the decade they graduated. Today I am asking anyone who graduated before 1950 to send me an email with:

• What was RJR and Winston-Salem like during World War II?

• What things were rationed…and how did rationing work?

• Were there holidays or events staged then that are not staged now (such as May Day, etc.)?

• How did you handle the fear of possibly losing the war?

And last: I have posted onto the RJR Alumni website an article with a prayer I read when I get up and when I go to bed. Even though I am a Christian, this prayer only refers to “God” (and if you don’t want to use that term: you can substitute it for something that works for you). This prayer is an everyday all-occasion type of prayer. Yet parts of it relate to what we are dealing with today. If you are not religious: you certainly don’t have to click onto the link to this prayer. It helps me a lot to read this prayer each day. Maybe it will do the same for you.

Feel free to forward this email on 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 send an email to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni living in the Winston-Salem area!

sent March 12, 2020

I hope your are doing well today.

The reason for this email is to update you on a topic I raised in my email to you yesterday. I told you that the RJR spring semester musical play "Into the Woods" would be staged at Reynolds Auditorium tonight, tomorrow night, and on Saturday. Liz May (the Auditorium Manager) just informed me that the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System has just notified her that the public will not be allowed into the Auditorium to view this play.

Folks are now hard at work trying to come up with a way to stream this performance. Once (and if) this streaming option gets finalized, I will send you another email telling you how you can view this great musical online.

As always, 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.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the middle-of-March, 2020

I hope this email finds you enjoying great weather like we are in Winston-Salem.

Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter.

The national and international news recently has been hard to watch! That being the case, I thought in this newsletter I would ask you to remember what it was like when you were at RJ Reynolds High School (which hopefully were good times for you).

I have been thinking recently about all the changes that have taken place since I was at RJR (and FYI: I graduated from Reynolds in 1968). Back then there were a few "givens" about school schedules (in Winston-Salem). One of those was: the school-year ended around Memorial Day, and the school-year began around Labor Day. Why do I bring that up? I am in my 6th year of driving a bus for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (and this year I drive only morning routes). We bus drivers were informed that because of the day we missed due to snow (two Fridays ago): the last day of school this year (assuming we get no more snow, and the coronavirus does not disrupt things) will be June 11th. And if you look at the school calendar for the next school year: the first day of classes will be on August 24th.

Another "given" about school days in the 60's was that school began (for ALL grades) at 8:25 or 8:30 each day, and the class-day ended at 3:00 or 3:05. I attended Whitaker, Wiley and RJR. This year, the class days for each of these schools are:

* Whitaker Elementary School: 7:55 - 2:25

* Wiley Middle School: 7:55 to 2:45

* RJ Reynolds High School: 8:55 to 3:40 (and lunch breaks are only 25 minutes long)!

Because I drive only morning bus routes, I informed RJR's Athletic Director (Brad Fisher) that I would be willing to drive activity buses for RJR when needed. On Friday, I drove the girls lacrosse team to Chapel Hill for a match. Because we got there about 75 minutes early, I had time to go to a nearby convenience store to get a snack to eat and a newspaper to read. When I was at Reynolds, Raleigh's News & Observer newspaper was considered the most prestigious one in the state. One of the headlines in that Friday's edition I bought was that there will no longer be a newspaper printed on Saturdays!

And when the incoming classes started at Reynolds back in the 60's (and back then, RJR was a 3-year school), those students typically knew their class schedule, the schedule of the football team, the dress code...and not a whole lot more. And FYI: back then, girls could not wear pants...and skirt and dress lengths HAD to cover their knees...and NO ONE could wear shorts or denim jeans! Now, incoming freshmen (and their parents) are emailed a 56-page handbook that tells ALL about RJ Reynolds High School!

As Bob Dylan wrote: "the times they are a changin."

To view this handbook for yourself (to see what current day RJR is like): click onto the following link:

RJ Reynolds High School handbook for new students

Now, to cover a few things relating to RJ Reynolds High School in 2020...

First: MANY thanks to those of you who sent in donations to help cover some of the travel expenses for the RJR Band to go to Washington, DC, in April, to perform at the World War II Memorial. As I informed you in my last newsletter: some of the Band students need some assistance in paying their $585 fee so they can attend. The good news: I took an RJR Alumni check for $1,000 to Reynolds this past week to cover some of those needs. The bad news: more donations are needed so all of the band members can attend this possibly life-changing trip. I am going to make another donation. Will YOU consider doing likewise? If you would like to make a secure credit card donation for this worthy cause: click on the following link:

Please consider donating to RJR's Band for travel expenses

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line "Band trip travel expenses."

For those folks living in the Winston-Salem area, there are two upcoming school-related events that will be GREAT ways to give yourself a break from the seemingly endless bad news. The first event is the spring semester musical (presented by the RJR Drama Department): "Into the Woods." This play will be staged at 7:00 pm at Reynolds Auditorium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of THIS WEEK! There is an "open seating" policy at Reynolds Auditorium (meaning you don't have to sit near anyone if you so choose).

The second event is the March 19th (Friday-week) "Winds of Change" benefit concert staged at Reynolds Auditorium at 7:00 pm. The participants (who will be seated together on-stage) will be:

* the RJR Orchestra

* the Winston-Salem Civic Orchestra

* the Wiley 8th grade Honors Orchestra.

There will also be special guests: the Ardmore Brass and RJR Alum Ina Zook!

The conductor of this AMAZING group of musicians will be RJR Orchestra teacher Margaret Rehder. This annual benefit concert has proven to be a great event (and fund-raiser) in the past. This year's concert is a money-raiser for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and the "Be the Match" bone marrow national registry. To learn more about this (and see ways you can support this cause...and the RJR Orchestra's trip to Atlanta) even if you can't attend the concert: go to the RJR Alumni website by clicking onto the following link and read the article about this concert.

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni website

And one other reminder for folks living in the Winston-Salem area: if you have items you are going to take to Goodwill or the Rehab Store: please instead consider taking them to the RJR upper student parking lot on any Tuesday afternoon (between 4 and 5:00 pm), so they can become a part of the RJR Booster Club Rummage Sale (which will be staged at the RJR auxiliary gym on April 25th). You will get a receipt for making a tax deductible donation!

Feel free to forward this email on 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 send an email to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the end-of-February, 2020

I hope this email finds you warm and dry. Winston-Salem has just had some snow, and now rain is forecasted (again) for this coming week.

Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter. The first topic I want to mention deals with two videos I created this past week. Back on January 29th, Reynolds High School staged its annual "RJR Revue" at Reynolds Auditorium for its 2020 incoming freshmen and their parents. During the prelude before the beginning of this event, a Power Point presentation was displayed on the Auditorium's roll-down projector screen. It had two parts. The first part's images told the story (via words and pictures) of why RJR is still a GREAT school (especially for incoming freshmen). The second part showed images of creations of RJR students from their Visual Arts classes. I was given a copy of this Power Point file, and after reformatting each of the frames, I created two videos. The background music for these was performed by RJR's Orchestra, Band, Choir, and students enrolled in Guitar classes. The links to these videos can be found on the RJR Alumni website (along with other newly posted articles...such as the one telling about the RJR boys basketball ball team being crowned regular season champions of the 4-A Central Piedmont Conference). The RJR Alumni website can get viewed by clicking onto the following link:

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends website

The next topic deals with the RJR Band going to Washington, DC on April 4th, to perform publicly at the World War II Memorial, at 10:00 am. Five students need help in raising the $585 needed by each student to make this wonderful trip. This will be the 4th time that RJR Band members have recently represented Reynolds High School on a national and international level (with the other three being a halftime performance at the Camping World Bowl, All-Nationals Honors Band in Florida, and Carnegie Hall, last year). I have already made a donation to this worthy cause. Won't YOU please consider doing likewise? You can click onto the following link to make a secure tax deductible credit card donation:

Please give financial support to RJR's Band for travel expenses

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line "Band trip travel expenses."

If you live in the Winston-Salem area, there are 3 quick things I want to tell you about. First: the times that items are being accepted for the upcoming RJR Booster Club Rummage Sale (which will be held on April 25th in the RJR Auxiliary Gym) has changed to 4:00 to 5:00 pm on every Tuesday afternoon. Items can be dropped off at the RJR upper student parking lot. If you want to donate large appliances and furniture (that are in good condition): send an email to ReynoldsRummage@gmail.com (so a time and place can be set up to receive these items). Remember that last year's Rummage Sale netted over $9,000 for the RJR Booster Club! Instead of taking these types of items to Good Will, why not instead help out RJR by donating them to the Rummage Sale?

The other things I want to bring up: the RJR Piano/Guitar Showcase will be staged on Wednesday evening at Reynolds Auditorium at 7:00 pm. Then the following night (Thursday), the rescheduled Band's "African American Composers Concert" will be staged at 7:00 pm, again at Reynolds Auditorium. I will be at both of these concerts. Hopefully I will see YOU there!

In closing, let me remind you that Reynolds High School presently has about 1,750 students...and a wide array of classes and school-related activities. This great school certainly has needs for gift-giving for such things as needed new computers, for the RJR Demon Pantry (which helps feed hungry students), and for the LESLIE Fund (which the Principal uses to make immediate improvements). Were you a member of the Choir while at RJR? There are always on-going choral performance-related expenses. And then there is funding needed to offset expenses involved with the Orchestra going to Atlanta to perform.

Click onto the following link to make a secure tax deductible credit card donation:

Please make a donation now!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line the entity you are supporting.

Feel free to forward this email on 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 send an email to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the first-of-February, 2020

I hope this email finds you dry and warm. Winston-Salem has been inundated with rain recently, and now it has turned cold and windy.

This last week has been one filled with good things occurring at Reynolds High School. It started last Friday evening at halftime of the RJR vs East Forsyth boys basketball game. Seven folks were inducted into the RJR Sports Hall of Fame.

Then on Wednesday there was a front-page article in the local newspaper about three Reynolds civics teachers that on the previous Friday sat in the gallery of the Impeachment Trial of President Trump (because they had been issued tickets for that privilege from Sen. Richard Burr...a RJR alum).

And in the same newspaper, there was an article telling the GREAT news that Reynolds High School has been named a National Magnet School of Excellence for the second consecutive year by the Magnet School of America organization! Those few magnet schools that achieve this award demonstrate an exemplary commitment to academic standards, curriculum innovation, specialized teaching staffs, desegregation/diversity efforts, and parent and community involvement.

There are articles on the RJR Alumni website about all of these happenings, as well as others recently posted (such as an article that has a video of the 2020 edition of the "Reynolds Revue Amid the Pines" event staged recently at Reynolds Auditorium). This yearly event is held for the incoming freshmen class of the next school-year (along with their parents). It showcased performances from RJR members of the choir and members of the RJR dance curriculum. The selection of classes these students need to make was discussed in detail, and that was followed by a Q&A among a diverse group of current RJR students. If you graduated in the 1900's, you will be AMAZED at all the decisions these kids have to make concerning the choices that need to be made for elective courses!

To look at these articles on the RJR Alumni website, click onto the following link:

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni website

There are three events coming up that I want to tell the folks living in the Winston-Salem area about. The first one is fast approaching. The UNC Clef Hangers a cappella choral group will be performing at Reynolds Auditorium on Sunday (February 9th) at 3:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door. This group was a big hit in the 2020 RJR A Cappella Jam for Hope staged several weeks ago!

The other two upcoming events are being staged by the RJR Athletic Booster Club. The first is a reverse raffle and silent auction being held on Saturday evening, February 15th, from 6:00 - 10:00 pm, at "Footnote Coffee & Cocktails" (which is next to Foothill Brewery). FYI: a reverse raffle is a raffle in which you do NOT want your number to be called until the end of the evening. If your ticket is drawn LAST you could win up to $8,000 dollars! All proceeds from the event support the RJR Athletic Booster Club. The cost of a raffle ticket is a $100 donation, which includes a buffet dinner (which starts being served at 6:30). You do not have to attend to win. To learn more about this, and purchase your ticket(s) on-line, click onto the following link:

RJR Booster Club Reverse Raffle & Silent Auction

on the evening of February 15th

The other upcoming event is the RJR Booster Club Rummage Sale which will be held on April 25th in the RJR Auxiliary Gym. Donations are now being accepted every Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 - 5:00 pm at the RJR upper student parking lot. To donate large appliances and furniture (that are in good condition): send an email to ReynoldsRummage@gmail.com (so a time and place can be set up to receive these items). Remember that last year's Rummage Sale netted over $9,000 for the RJR Booster Club!

In closing, let me remind you that Reynolds High School presently has about 1,750 students...and a wide array of classes and school-related activities. This great school certainly has needs for gift-giving for such things as needed new computers, for funding to offset expenses involved with the Band going to Washington, DC to perform and the Orchestra going to Atlanta to perform. Were you a member of the Choir while at RJR? There are always on-going choral-related performance expenses. And don't forget the on-going annual RJR Alumni & Friends initiatives of the LESLIE Fund (which the Principal uses to make immediate improvements) and the RJR Demon Pantry (which helps feed hungry students).

Click onto the following link to make a secure tax deductible credit card donation:

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION NOW!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line the entity you are supporting.

Feel free to forward this email on 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 send an email to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni living everywhere!

sent in mid-January, 2020

I hope this email finds you getting ready for a restful long weekend!

There are two recently posted links to videos on the RJR Alumni website that I want to recommend to you. One is there for great insight into what present-day RJR is like, and the other is for your enjoyment.

Last Saturday afternoon, the Principal of Reynolds High School (Dr. Leslie Alexander) came to an on-campus RJR Alumni event, and gave an update on the good things that have been happening at the school. She then answered questions from the audience. During this one hour event, she did a phenomenal job of telling all about present-day Reynolds High School, and the various challenges that she and her team of professional educators encounter on a regular basis. When I was at RJR (and FYI: I graduated in 1968), we were referred to by our conference rivals as "Society Hill" (because of the wealth of a bunch of the families of the student body). Today, very close to one-half of the 1,750 RJR students qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch. To view this informative (and entertaining) video, click onto the following link:

RJR Principal Dr. Leslie Alexander conducting a Q and A with Alumni

The other video I want to bring to your attention is of the just staged 14th annual "RJR A Cappella Jam for Hope 2020." It featured AMAZING performances from FOUR different choral a cappella groups at Reynolds High School, as well as from choral a cappella groups representing SEVEN in-state colleges and universities! If you are looking for something very entertaining to take your mind off the seemingly ever-present madness of our world today...while listening to and watching some fabulous music and choreography being performed by current-day students: click onto the following link...

14th annual RJR A Cappella Jam for Hope

I now want to tell you about two different upcoming events being staged by the RJR Athletic Booster Club. The first is a reverse raffle and silent auction being held on Saturday evening, February 15th, from 6:00 - 10:00 pm, at "Footnote Coffee & Cocktails" (which is next to Foothill Brewery). FYI: a reverse raffle is a raffle in which you do NOT want your number to be called until the end of the evening. If your ticket is drawn LAST you could win up to $8,000 dollars! All proceeds from the event support the RJR Athletic Booster Club. The cost of a raffle ticket is a $100 donation, which includes a buffet dinner (which starts being served at 6:30). You do not have to attend to win. To learn more about this, and purchase your ticket(s) on-line, click onto the following link:

RJR Booster Club's Reverse Raffle & Auction on February 15th

A lot of people go through their homes following the holiday season, trying to organize stored items while getting rid of un-needed things. Please keep in mind the next RJR Booster Club Rummage Sale (that will be held on April 25th in the RJR Auxiliary Gym). Details of when and where donations are accepted will soon be finalized. Please save those items (which include large appliances and furniture)...that are in good condition...that you want to get rid of...so they can be part of the Rummage Sale (which last year netted over $9,000 for the RJR Booster Club)!

In closing, let me remind you that Reynolds High School presently has about 1,750 students...and a wide array of classes and school-related activities. This great school certainly has needs for gift-giving (for such things as funding to offset expenses involved with the Band going to Washington, DC to perform & the Orchestra going to Atlanta in April to perform & students specializing in the Dance curriculum going to Florida). And funding would be helpful for props and costumes for the spring semester play. Were you a member of the Choir while at RJR? There are always on-going concert-related expenses for these activities. And don't forget the four on-going annual RJR Alumni & Friends initiatives:

** Two $1,000 scholarships

** $1,000 to the staff member voted as the RJR Teacher of the Year

** the LESLIE Fund (which the Principal uses to make immediate improvements)

** The RJR Demon Pantry (which helps feed hungry students)

Click onto the following link to make a secure tax deductible credit card donation:

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION NOW!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line the entity you are supporting.

Feel free to forward this email on 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 to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJR

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni living in the Winston-Salem area!

sent in early January, 2020

I hope the year of 2020 proves to be your BEST year yet!

The reason for this email is to inform you of 3 events at Reynolds Auditorium that are fast approaching.

Have you ever wanted to ask the Principal of Reynolds High School (Dr. Leslie Alexander) a question (relating to RJR)? If so, you are in luck! Dr. Alexander will be briefly speaking to the Alumni, and then conducting a Q & A on Saturday afternoon, January 11th, at the RJR Black Box Theater, from 5 - 6 pm. Alumni and their guests are invited to attend...and there is NO cover charge. This will be the 4th year that Dr. Alexander has done this...and because of her brutally honest answers to questions: the turnout to this is always good. The RJR Black Box Theater is in the choral wing of the Auditorium (which is the side of the Auditorium you encounter when coming from the student parking lots). To see more of the details, click onto the following link:

Q and A with RJR Principal Dr. Leslie Alexander

at RJR's Black Box Theater in Reynolds Auditorium

at 5:00 pm on Saturday, January 11th

The Choral Department at Reynolds High School is considered one of the VERY BEST in the state, and in this part of our nation! One of the reasons for that are the fabulous RJR choral a cappella groups. One way Reynolds High School promotes not only their a cappella groups, but also similar groups from colleges throughout the state, is by their annual staging of the...

RJR A Cappella Jam for Hope.

The 14th edition of the Jam for Hope will take place next Saturday, January 18th, at Reynolds Auditorium, at 7:00 pm. I can tell you from years of attending these concerts that this is an event you will THOROUGHLY enjoy! If the news of the day makes you crazy (like it does me): this is the perfect escape from that madness. To learn more of the details, click onto the following link:

14th annual RJR A Cappella Jam for Hope

at Reynolds Auditorium on Saturday, January 18th, at 7:00 pm

The third event is merely hours away: the RJR Dance Department's Fall Semester Concert. It takes place on Friday, January 10th, at Reynolds Auditorium, at 7:00 pm. It showcases scores of RJR students doing complex dance routines to popular music. There is ALWAYS a large audience for this event...which makes the evening even more impressive!

In closing let me remind you that RJR presently has over 1,700 students...and a wide array of classes and school-related activities. This great school certainly has needs for donations (for such things as funding to offset expenses involved with the Band going to Washington, DC in April to perform, and the Orchestra going to Atlanta in April to perform). And funding would be helpful for props and costumes for the spring semester play. Were you a member of the Choir or Dancing Boots while at RJR? There are always on-going travel expenses for these activities. And don't forget the four on-going annual RJR Alumni & Friends initiatives:

** Two $1,000 scholarships

** $1,000 to the staff member voted as the RJR Teacher of the Year

** the LESLIE Fund (which the Principal uses to make immediate improvements)

** The RJR Demon Pantry (which helps feed hungry students)

Click onto the following link to make a secure tax deductible credit card donation:

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION NOW!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line the entity you are supporting.

Feel free to forward this email on 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 to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration....and a belated

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An end-of-year emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent after Christmas, 2019

I hope this email finds you thoroughly enjoying this Holiday Season!

If you are considering making year-end gifts to your favorite non-profit organizations: please remember the "RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends" organization. RJR presently has 1,727 students...and a wide array of classes and school-related activities. This great school certainly has needs for gift-giving (for such things as funding to offset expenses involved with the Band going to Washington, DC in April to perform, and the Orchestra going to Atlanta in April to perform). And funding would be helpful for props and costumes for the spring semester play. Were you a member of the Choir or Dancing Boots while at RJR? There are always on-going travel expenses for these activities. And don't forget the four on-going annual RJR Alumni & Friends initiatives:

** Two $1,000 scholarships

** $1,000 to the staff member voted as the RJR Teacher of the Year

** the LESLIE Fund (which the Principal uses to make immediate improvements)

** The RJR Demon Pantry (which helps feed hungry students)

Click onto the following link to make a secure tax deductible credit card donation:

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION NOW!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line the entity you are supporting.

At the end of the year, many folks spend some time examining their estate plans. If you think that your time spent at RJ Reynolds High School made a big difference in your life: please consider naming the RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends organization as a beneficiary of a portion of one of your assets - such as your IRA or retirement plan, life insurance policy, bank account or donor advised fund - so you can do your part in helping future RJR students have as meaningful an experience at Reynolds High School as you did. For details on this, click onto the following link:

Details for including the

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

organization in your estate planning

Concerning the RJR Alumni website: there is a new article posted that I personally wrote and researched (with extensive help from Wikipedia). It is entitled: " The early history of Winston-Salem... and Wachovia Bank, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., the Hanes companies... and RJ Reynolds High School and Auditorium." You may learn a lot by taking the time to read this. It can be viewed by clicking onto the following link:

The early History of Winston-Salem...

and Wachovia Bank, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., the Hanes companies...

and RJ Reynolds High School and Auditorium

Let me end by reminding those Alumni living in the Winston-Salem area of two upcoming events in 2020:

1) the 18th annual RJR Multi-Class Reunion will take place on Saturday, January 11th, at 5:00 pm, at the Black Box Theater in the Choral Wing of Reynolds Auditorium (which is the side of the Auditorium you first encounter when leaving the student parking lots). This reunion will be a two-part event. The first part: RJR Principal Dr. Leslie Alexander will speak to the Alumni, telling about all the things that are happening "amid the pines." She will then answer questions from the attendees. Following that, the second part will take place: folks who want to continue to meet and greet are invited to go to The Grill at Little Richard's Barbeque on Stratford Road (across the street from the Exxon gas station). EVERYONE is invited to both locations, the dress code is VERY CASUAL, and there are no cover charges. I hope to see YOU there!

2) a lot of people go through their homes following Christmas, trying to organize stored items while getting rid of un-needed things. Please keep in mind the next RJR Booster Club Rummage Sale (that will be held on April 25th in the RJR Auxiliary Gym). Details of when and where donations are accepted will be finalized in January. Please save those items (that are in good condition) that you want to get rid of...so they can be part of the Rummage Sale (which last year netted over $9,000 for the RJR Booster Club)!

Feel free to forward this email on 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 to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration....and

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

RJR

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent mid-December, 2019

This brief newsletter has three topics I would like to tell you about.

First, let me offer a complimentary gift to everyone seeking something to take their minds off the seemingly maddening headlines: over an hour of peaceful tranquility. The 2019 RJR Holiday Showcase was staged on Tuesday evening at Reynolds Auditorium. The main attraction this year was the RJR Choirs and their amazing a cappella groups. There were also awesome performances by the RJR Jazz Band and the Dancing Boots. If you want to view (and more importantly listen) to 68 minutes of FABULOUS music sung and performed by some very talented RJR students, click onto the following link:

RJR's 2019 Holiday Showcase

The second topic: there are several newly posted articles on the RJR Alumni website....which can be reached by clicking onto:

https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/domain/6374

One of these articles concerns Alumni living in the Winston-Salem area. The 18th annual RJR Multi-Class Reunion will take place on Saturday, January 11th, at RJR's Black Box Theater. This year, the reunion will be a two-part event. The first part: RJR's Principal (Dr. Leslie Alexander) will be there to tell attendees what all is happening "amid the pines." She will then answer questions from the Alumni. Following that, everyone who wants to continue to meet and greet will be invited to go to the Grill at Little Richard's Barbeque on Stratford Road (across the street from the Exxon gas station). All the details can be found by clicking onto the following link:

RJR's upcoming 18th annual Multi-Class Reunion

The last topic: being near the holiday season, many people are considering making gifts to their favorite non-profit organizations. RJ Reynolds High School presently has 1,727 students...and a WIDE ARRAY of classes and school-related activities. RJR has needs for gift-giving (for such things as funding to offset expenses involved in the Band going to Washington, DC in April to perform and the Orchestra going to Atlanta in April to perform). Were you a member of the Band or Orchestra or Choir or Dancing Boots, or did you participate in a school play while at RJR? Please consider making a secure tax deductible credit card gift to support any (or all) of these groups by clicking onto the following link:

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Please write on the memo line the initiative(s) you are supporting.

Feel free to forward this email on 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 to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the-first-of December, 2019

This brief newsletter has three topics I would like to quickly tell you about.

First, "Giving Tuesday" was founded in 2012 by New York's 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. It is now a global phenomenon, and will occur again on December 2nd. We hope that you would consider giving to the "RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends" organization this week. We have four important on-going initiatives that we think help make RJR a great place to learn, and remain as one of the best public high schools in the state. To learn more about these initiatives, and quickly make a tax deductible donation (which in any amount would be meaningful), click onto the following link:

Please Make A Donation !

The second topic: for those alumni living in the Winston-Salem area, there are two student concerts at Reynolds Auditorium coming up. On Tuesday, December 3rd: the Fall Orchestra Concert will take place. And then a week later on December 10th: the renown RJR Holiday Showcase will be staged. If you want to go to one concert that shows why Reynolds High School is one of THE VERY BEST arts magnet high schools in AMERICA: I would strongly suggest you attend the Showcase...which, like all student performances at Reynolds Auditorium, starts at 7:00 pm. This event highlights some amazingly talented students specializing in the performing arts.

And the last topic: the much anticipated and long overdue celebration to honor Bob Deaton's 25 memorable years as RJR's Principal is fast approaching. It will take place this coming Saturday, December 7th, and it starts at 4:30 pm. To make your reservations, and learn more of the details, click onto the following link:

Bob Deaton Appreciation Celebration

Feel free to forward this email on 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 to RJRhighschool@aol.com with that request.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

RJR

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent Thanksgiving week, November of 2019

I hope this email finds you getting ready to enjoy your

BEST Thanksgiving EVER!

There has been a LOT of interest in the "Bob Deaton Appreciation Celebration" that will take place on December 7th, Saturday....starting at 4:30 pm. There have been some recent updates concerning this event....including:

* if you don't want to eat a meal, but would like to come to this celebration: tickets are available at $15 each (and you can arrive anytime you wish).

** speakers will start making their remarks at 6:00 pm.

*** there will be an on-going cash bar.

**** because there will be a college basketball game played at the Coliseum starting at 2:00 pm, getting to this celebration will be easier if you go via Indiana Boulevard and 32nd Street to access Bridger Field House by coming in the back of the parking lot.

***** there are several ways you can participate in this celebration even if you don't attend.

To see all the updated details of this long overdue celebration,

and to make your reservation, click onto the following link:

"Bob Deaton Appreciation Celebration"

As I am sure you are aware, this is Thanksgiving week. Most of us will be enjoying some delicious home-cooked meals. However, sadly, this is not the case for everyone...especially some of the approximately 800 Reynolds students that are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Some of these kids may actually not have anything in their house to eat! To try to alleviate this problem, the RJR Demon Pantry has been created. It is there so that hungry students can IMMEDIATELY be given something to eat (if they go to the Guidance Department, and tell them of their plight). Also, 75 students receive weekly take-home bags of food. A donation of $100 will sponsor one of these students for a semester. To make a secure credit credit card tax deductible donation supporting this worthy cause (which is one of the 4 on-going RJR Alumni & Friends initiatives), click onto the following link:

Please Make A Donation Now!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114.

Write "Demon Pantry" on the memo line of the check.

We are happy to inform you that several new articles have been posted on the RJR Alumni website...including stories about the RJR boys soccer team ending their season as the #2 ranked 4-A team in the State, and there is a proposed change at the Childrens Home on Reynolda Road. Also, I learned this past week that some of you cannot get to the RJR Alumni website by going to www.RJRalumni.org because your browser times-out before the site is reached. Starting today, I will in the future also give you the actual site address....which is found in the following link:

https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=41986

MANY thanks for your time and consideration.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

RJR

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the 2nd week of November, 2019

I hope you're in a warm place...because it is brutally cold here in Winston-Salem!

RJ Reynolds High School opened in 1923. It has had a glorious history...and the future looks looks just as grand! For the twenty-five years of 1967-1991, the Principal was Mr. Bob Deaton. I recently learned that RJR alum Rusty Doggett (Class of '77) is partnering with others, and they are inviting ALL RJR alumni to a long-overdue celebration:

"Bob Deaton Appreciation Night!

The basic facts:

Date: December 7, 2019 Time: the doors open at 4:30 pm

Location: Bridger Field House at Groves Stadium

. Ticket price: $35 each

A buffet meal will be served, starting at 5:00 pm.

Several speakers will give remarks, starting at 6:00 pm.

Click here ( * ) to learn more and make your reservation.

If you cannot be there in person, you can still be there in spirit!

From the website linked above, you will learn that pictures of your days at RJR are wanted, as well as letters from you that tell:

* why you appreciate Mr. Deaton

* a funny story about Mr. Deaton

* a memorable story while you were "amid the pines."

On another topic: several new articles have been posted on the "RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends" website...including a link to the video of the recently staged RJR Fall Choral Concert. If you want to listen to 95 minutes of FABULOUS music, I strongly suggest that you visit our website:

www.RJRalumni.org

In closing, let me remind you that the ONLY way we can continue to give out two $1,000 scholarships and give $1,000 to the staff member (selected by their peers) as the RJR Teacher of the Year is by us receiving enough tax deductible donations from folks like YOU.

Please Make A Donation Now!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration!

RJR

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening to RJR Alumni everywhere!

sent the 3rd week of October, 2019

I hope this email finds you doing well!

Another school-year is underway at RJ Reynolds High School. The goals and aspirations are as high this year as in the past…and last year RJR was named “A National Magnet School of Excellence” by Magnet Schools of America. Not knowing when you graduated, and what the RJR student-body looked like back then: I am guessing you may be surprised to know that presently the close to 1,800 Reynolds High School student-body represents more than 24 countries, and is comprised of 38% White, 35% Black, 18% Hispanic, 5% Multi-Racial and 4% Asian students. Additionally, approximately 50% of the students qualify for the free and reduced-price lunch program. In the graduating class of 2019, 87% of RJR's seniors went on to further their education after high school!

One of the reasons for this email is to remind you of the 4 on-going annual initiatives of the ‘RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends’ organization:

* Raising the needed funds to annually award two $1,000 scholarships (one to a deserving RJR female, and one to a deserving RJR male student)

* Raising the needed funds to annually give $1,000 to the staff member selected by their peers as the RJR Teacher of the Year

* Generating funding for the RJR Demon Pantry (which supplies food and toiletries to those students who go to the Guidance Department…telling them they have not eaten anything and/or they don’t have needed toiletries at their home)

* Generating funding for the LESLIE Fund (which are funds given to the RJR Principal Dr. Leslie Alexander…so she can quickly do things that make immediate improvements for the students/staff/school).

We would hope that you would be willing to make a donation towards one or all of these important priorities! Should you wish to make a secure tax deductible credit card donation, click onto the following link:

DONATE NOW!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114.

Please write on the memo line the initiative you are supporting.

I also hope you would take some time to go visit the RJR Alumni website: www.RJRalumni.org. There are a LOT of new articles posted there, as well as some from the last school year that have links to videos of some FABULOUS concerts. One of the new articles tells about the RJR Band going in April to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC to publicly perform. There is another article that has a link to a video of the RJR fall musical “Peter and the Starcatcher” (which had some AMAZING props…that you will want to see). There are some articles with links to videos of some amazing concerts from last year. If your goal is to merely listen to some relaxing music: I would hardily suggest you go to any of the articles that have links to videos of choral concerts (and especially the Spring Choral Concert). And if you are a past member or fan of the Dancing Boots: I would suggest you go to the article that has a link to a video of the Key Club Follies. The Dancing Boots were the last act….and their dance routine was unbelievable!

To go to the RJR Alumni website, click onto the following link:

www.RJRalumni.org

A note to those Alumni living in the Winston-Salem area: there is a need for a good sturdy sofa (and possibly also a good sturdy matching stuffed chair) for the Green Room in Reynolds Auditorium. If you have such furniture that you would like to give to the Auditorium for that purpose (and receive a letter stating this was an in-kind tax deductible donation): please reply back with an email (so I can go look at it).

MANY thanks for your time and consideration!

RJ Reynolds High School

RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends

An emailed newsletter from Alumni President Harry Corpening

to RJR Alumni living in the Winston-Salem area

sent the 5th week of October, 2019

The reason for this brief email is simple: to ask you to take some time to view some of the new articles very recently posted onto the RJR Alumni website:

www.RJRalumni.org

I assume that you realize that Reynolds is now an Arts Magnet High School. However, that certainly does not mean that activities such as athletics are not being taken seriously. If you want to go see the #1 ranked boys 4-A high school soccer team in N.C.: you will have to go to RJR's next boys soccer team match...since WE ARE #1!

And if you want to see the female golfer ranked #1 in the recently completed Western N.C. 4-A High School Regional tournament, you will have to go to Hawthorne Road to find her...."amid the pines"...because she attends RJR!

There are newly posted articles on the Alumni website detailing these two accomplishments.

Concerning another article on the Alumni website: starting on Tuesday evening, November 5th, the fall concerts at Reynolds Auditorium featuring RJR students will begin. This first one is the Fall Choral Concert...which in the past has showcased some AWESOME singers performing on-stage for the first time. All of these events start at 7:00 pm, and tickets to this concert are only $6! To see this listing of the dates of all these upcoming student concerts, look for that "article" on the RJR Alumni website:

www.RJRalumni.org

In closing, in a previous email I reminded you that the ‘RJ Reynolds High School Alumni & Friends’ organization has 4 initiatives. The reason for bringing this up again is to inform you that the only way it is possible for the Alumni to annually award two $1,000 scholarships and annually give $1,000 to the staff person (selected by their peers) as the RJR Teacher of the Year is for us to receive enough (tax deductible) donations to cover these expenses. As of now: we do NOT have the funds on-hand to make these disbursements (which take place in May). I hope that YOU will be willing to help us make sure these two initiatives are fulfilled by making a secure credit card tax deductible donation (by clicking onto the following link):

Please Make A Donation Now!

To make a donation via check: mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

RJR Alumni * PO Box 26172 * Winston-Salem, NC 27114.

Please write on the memo line the initiative you are supporting.

MANY thanks for your time and consideration!

Click here ( * ) to go to the RJR Alumni & Friends homepage.