The Friday Finish – May 17, 2024
Dollywood Rewards
Students with good attendance received a special reward for their faithfulness with a day at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Teachers and family members accompanied the students on Friday to enjoy the rides, food and live music at the popular Smokey Mountain theme park. Special funds sponsored the ticket for each student that included a meal.
It was the first time for some to visit a first class theme park like Dollywood. Most students saved a little money to buy a special treat or souvenir to remember the special day. It’s hoped that those that stayed back to do NTI (Non Traditional Instruction) assignments can keep their absences to a minimum next year so they can join in the fun.
Student Appreciation Day
Preparations for final exams and final projects have been building the last couple of weeks, but Student Appreciation Day gives the whole school an opportunity to have a little fun before the completion of the academic requirements. Students enjoyed sharing their talent through song in the school-wide talent show Monday morning. A special gift sponsored this year’s Student Appreciation Day that included a cookout, outdoor games and inflatables for all ages.
Love and Tears Flow at Breakfast
The Senior Breakfast has become a sign of the graduation week launch, and this year’s breakfast at the Bonnie Adams Lawson Dormitory set the senior week off on a strong trajectory. Principal Jennifer Wilder said that the breakfast is a time that some of the staff get to
"love on them and tell them how special they have been to us."
Mrs. Wilder spoke to the gathering this year with an encouragement to take time listen for God’s voice. The combined Middle School and High School Choir came to end the time with messages through a couple of songs that touched hearts and brought tears to many.
Athletes Honored
Daugh Sizemore said it best in an impromptu closing of the 2023-24 Red Bird Christian School Athletic Awards night on Tuesday,
“Sports builds up a school. People want to come to your school when you have a good sports program.”
Dozens of male and female student athletes at every level – Pee Wee, Elementary, Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity – were honored for participation, improvement, outstanding play, setting school records, and academic achievement in baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, track and volleyball. Seventeen (17) athletes with GPA of 3.5 or higher received recognition for their academic excellence that landed them on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Academic All-State Team.
Great-Grandma Inspires at End-of-Year Chapel
Eighth Grader Haley Weldon’s “Grandma”, Remona Smith, closed out the chapel year at RBCS speaking on God’s amazing love. The octogenarian led the students reciting John 3:16. She reminded the students of their importance in God’s sight reminding them that He knows when the sparrows fall and how many hairs are on our heads.
She declared to the students,
“I believe that because of God’s love there is Red Bird Christian School.”
She continued to share her faith testimony and several encouraging scriptures that pointed to a dependence on God. She lifted up the importance of others in our lives, especially teachers and staff at RBCS saying,
“These teachers are not only teaching the math, reading and all the other subjects, but they are teaching you so much in your spiritual growth. How? Their teachings. Their influences. Their examples. Their encouragement.”
Two other family members were present Wednesday to mark four generations of that family attending the last chapel service of the 2023-24 school year. Remona attended Red Bird Mission School in the mid-1950’s and was a student under the infamous Barb Smith.
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