Parents held responsible for underage drinking

We hope that everyone has a safe and happy new years!

by Leanne Italie, Associated Press     Parents held responsible for underage drinking

NEW YORK (AP) — Parents of teens: If you think a drinking disaster at your kid's party can't happen at your house, not with your kid, because he's a good kid, it's time to wake up and smell the whiskey bottle tossed on your lawn.

Because of the high risk of underage drinking and driving this time of year, many parents open their homes to partying teens as a way to keep them off the roads. What some may not know is that liability laws can leave Mom and Dad vulnerable to lawsuits, fines and even jail time if underage drinking is found to be going on under their roof.

Parents can get in trouble even if they didn't know about the drinking.

That's what a Menlo Park, Calif., father says he is up against.

Bill Burnett, a Stanford University professor, was arrested the night after Thanksgiving over a basement party thrown by his 17-year-old son to celebrate a big high school football win.

Burnett said he and his wife had forbidden alcohol at the party and were upstairs at the time police received a call about possible drinking by minors. In fact, he said, he had twice made his way to the basement to check on the merry-making.

He spent a night in jail and was booked on 44 counts of suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Each misdemeanor count carries up to a $2,500 fine and nearly a year in jail.

Burnett questioned the deterrent value of laws that hold parents legally responsible even if they didn't know there was alcohol at the party.

"In this case I think arresting a parent isn't going to prevent kids from drinking," he said on the "Today" show.

Eight states have specific "social host" laws that say parents can get in trouble if underage guests are drinking, even if no one gets hurt, according to the National Institutes of Health. (Some of those states allow parents to serve alcohol to their own children in some situations.)

Sixteen other states have laws that hold Mom and Dad legally responsible for underage drinking under certain circumstances — for example, if a teen who drank at their home got into a car accident, NIH said. In other states, parents can get in trouble under more general liability laws.

Stephen Wallace, a senior adviser at Students Against Destructive Decisions, or SADD, which used to be called Students Against Drunk Driving, said that with an increased awareness of the dangers of underage drinking, law enforcement authorities are increasingly relying on social host liability laws to go after parents.

While he acknowledged that teens are adept at finding ways to drink on the sly, he said he is all for anything that gets at the problem of underage drinking. He said he finds it troubling that the Burnetts said they saw no alcohol consumed at their party.

"Parents need to say to kids, 'You shouldn't be drinking at all and you certainly can't do it here because we can be put in jail,'" Wallace said.

According to SADD research co-sponsored by the insurance company Liberty Mutual, more teens are saying that their parents allow them to go to parties where alcohol is being served — 41 percent in 2011, compared with 36 percent two years ago. Also, 57 percent of high school students whose parents allow them to drink at home said they prefer to drink elsewhere with their friends, Wallace said.

At some parties, the parents themselves supply the booze. In other cases, the kids bring it, sometimes with the hosts' knowledge.

"Some parents feel helpless," said David Singer of Demarest, N.J., who has 17-year-old twin daughters and a 20-year-old son in college. "Some parents feel they need to look the other way in order to help their kids fit in with the cool crowd. And some parents believe, 'It's better under my roof than who-knows-where.'"

Like Burnett, Singer said he doesn't condone drinking by his underage kids under any circumstances. And yet he found a whiskey bottle in the yard after a party thrown by his son.

Burnett acknowledged he made a mistake but said he doesn't believe police crackdowns like the one at his house do much good.

"All of this is probably going to go underground and result in a more dangerous situation for kids," he told the online news network Patch. "I really don't think it's up to the police to help me parent."

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Ryle student named honorable mention

From the Union Recorder . . .

Ryle High School student Austin Youngblood was named an honorable mention in the annual statewide prescription drug abuse prevention public service announcement (PSA) competition.

The annual PSA contest for high school students is part of Attorney General Jack Conway’s statewide Keep Kentucky Kids Safe initiative to alert Kentucky kids and their parents to the devastating consequences of abusing prescription pills.

The winning PSAs and honorable mentions will be posted on the Attorney General’s website. The winning video will also be included with anti-drug PSAs the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy distributes to television stations across Kentucky.

For more information on the prescription drug abuse education initiative or to see the winning PSAs, visit ag.ky.gov/rxabuse.htm.

Ryle Alum wins astronaut scholarship

Congratulations to Taylor Lloyd!

by the Community Recorder

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has selected University of Kentucky senior Taylor Lloyd, of Union, as one of this year’s 26 recipients of the prestigious $10,000 scholarship.

The ASF Scholarship is presented to outstanding college students majoring in science, technology, engineering or math.

“Taylor is an extraordinary student who shows incredible success in her studies and undergraduate research,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “We are thrilled to see her hard work recognized by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. We believe she will be a major contributor to her field in the future, and this scholarship will help make that possible.”

Astronaut scholars exhibit motivation, imagination and intellectual daring, as well as exceptional performance, both in and outside the classroom.

Lloyd, the daughter of Gregory and Melinda Lloyd, attended Ryle High School before coming to UK. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural biotechnology and biology.

In addition to her studies, Lloyd is a Chellgren Fellow and member of the Society for the Promotion of Undergraduate Research and Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She is also a 2011 recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

As an undergraduate, Lloyd has been active in the university’s research enterprise. She currently is part of a project examining the temperature and light signaling pathways that govern the germination of seeds. Understanding these mechanisms would allow researchers to improve agriculture and meet the world’s demands despite climate change.

Lloyd works out of the lab of Bruce Downie, associate professor of horticulture at the UK College of Agriculture.

Lloyd, who pursued the ASF Scholarship to help fund the rest of her undergraduate studies, hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in seed biology and plant pathology. Upon completion of her doctoral degree,

Lloyd would like to pursue research and teach at a major university, maybe even in Kentucky. “I would love to come back to UK to teach and establish my own lab,” she said.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by the Mercury astronauts in 1984.

For more about your community, visit NKY.com/union.

Happy Holidays

Here's to hoping that you have a warm and wonderful holiday break!

Exploration emphasized in UK's new required classes

The picture below shows Ryle alum Margo Cain working in one of her classes at UK.

From left, University of Kentucky students Linsey Ward, Kate Topley, Matt Dement and Margo Cain, worked on an art project recently in a class taught by Marty Henton. The class, part of the UK Core program, is aimed at helping non-art students to learn about art and creativity. CHARLES BERTRAM

http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/19/1998971/exploration-emphasized-in-university.html

For Missouri Students, Cellphone Debate Isn't Academic

A very tragic story about cell phone use while driving.  Kentucky has banned any use of cell phones by drivers under the age of 18.  Text messaging while driving is prohibited for any driver, regardless of age.  The following quote by an 18 year-old passenger on the bus from the story is something we should all remember . . .

"If a text or a call is that important, it should be no problem pulling over to the side of the road and then take care of what you need to," Perona said. "No life is worth texting your friend or anybody back while you're behind the wheel."

By JIM SALTER and JIM SUHR Associated Press

ST. JAMES, Mo. December 17, 2011 (AP)

The text was about something innocuous: A request to go to the county fair. It set off a highway pileup that took two lives, injured dozens and left two school buses and a pickup truck in a crumpled heap.

As the nation debates a federal recommendation to eliminate cellphone use in cars, the high school band students from St. James who were involved in the wreck last year have already done it themselves. After losing one of their classmates, many of the teens made a vow: Using a cellphone behind the wheel is something they just won't do.

The young man who was on the other end of the pivotal text exchange, who says he didn't know his friend was driving, is still haunted by the catastrophic result of what began as a simple message about their plans.

"I pretty much feel like it was my fault," said the young man, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition that his name not be used because he fears retaliation from people who might blame him.

He was texting with 19-year-old Daniel Schatz, who investigators say set off the accident by slamming into the back of a semi cab that had slowed for road construction. The buses then crashed into the wreckage. Schatz and a 15-year-old girl on one of the buses, Jessica Brinker, were killed instantly.

The National Transportation Safety Board has cited that accident in its push to ban drivers from using cellphones — even hands-free devices. That recommendation has already met with resistance from lawmakers around the country who fear an unprecedented reach into people's driving habits.

But young people in St. James, a sleepy town of about 3,700 near the Mark Twain National Forest, have already changed their behavior.

"The majority of us will refuse to text and drive because of this," said Ian Vannatta, 16, who was on one of the buses and is a new driver. "It's the difference between life and death."

Emily Perona, now an 18-year-old senior, survived the bus crash with a broken pelvis despite sitting just one seat ahead of Brinker.

"If a text or a call is that important, it should be no problem pulling over to the side of the road and then take care of what you need to," Perona said. "No life is worth texting your friend or anybody back while you're behind the wheel."

The events of Aug. 5, 2010 — spelled out in a chilling Missouri State Highway Patrol report — convinced her of that.

Vannatta and Perona were among about 50 St. James band students piled onto separate buses — one for boys, the other for girls — on their yearly pilgrimage to Six Flags St. Louis.

Conditions were clear, though several stretches along the freeway were under repair. The buses made their way through two work zones before rolling up to a third at Gray Summit, about 40 miles southwest of St. Louis.

Michael Crabtree, a 43-year-old trucker bound for St. Louis for a load, had just gotten onto Interstate 44 driving a semi cab without a trailer. Near Gray Summit, along a straight, uphill ribbon of highway, he slowed for road work when he saw in his rearview mirror a silver pickup barreling down on him. He braced for impact.

The 2007 GMC driven by Schatz — a former University of Missouri reserve quarterback and a Republican state lawmaker's son from nearby Sullivan — hit Crabtree's cab at 55 mph.

Tour bus driver Eugene Reed saw the wreck from behind, pulled over and scrambled out to warn other approaching drivers. That's when both of the St. James buses rolled by.

To read the entire article - For Mo. Students, Cellphone Debate Isn't Academic

All-State Band Selections

Over 1,000 high school instrumental musicians auditioned recently in Elizabethtown, and approximately 200 were selected state-wide as members of the two all-state bands and orchestra. Please congratulate the following Ryle students on making all-state band!

Concert Band
Erin Deja - Flute
Kyle Kidwell - Alto Sax
Sam Kirby - Oboe
Jennifer Laufmann - Tenor Sax
Avery Williams - Trumpet

Symphonic Band
Kelly Tursic

All-State Chorus Selections

Congratulations go out to the following Ryle students for being named to the All-State Chorus by the Kentucky Music Educators Association.  Later this year they will perform in Louisville at the KMEA state conference.

Freshmen
Kayla Fargo
Rushika Fernando
Jordyn Nelson
Hannah Kipling
Sydni McDowell
Jared Sipple
Alex Warner

Sophomores
Jeff Moore
Daniel Kozar
Kennedy Wright
Shannon Winter
Hannah Kleckner

Juniors
Maria Franxman
Madison Murphy

All State Volleyball Players

Congratulations to Ryle sophomores Ashley Bush and Harper Hempel for being named to the All-State Volleyball Second Team!

For more details go to http://www.kvca.org/.

Ryle wrestlers defend crown

By Marc Hardin, Enquirer contributor   

The Ryle wrestling team will defend its championship at today's Raider Rumble, a 16-team pool tournament, but coach Tim Ruschell said it will be a challenge to hold off an impressive list of contenders.

"We want to try and get as many good teams as we can so it's tough for everybody," Ruschell said.

"It's a good early-season kickoff. It's a wake-up call, an opportunity for everybody to see where everybody else is at."

Qualifying starts at 10 a.m. The finals begin at 6 p.m. The Raiders are the two-time defending champions, but they will have to hold off six of the top eight teams in Kentucky plus Harrison and Columbus East from Ohio and West Virginia's Gundy, a former meet champion.

Among the Kentucky powers on hand are defending state champion Union, fourth-place state finisher Larue County and fifth-place Campbell County.

The Camels are returning four state placers, including 103-pound champion Garth Yenter, 119-pound runner-up Sean Fausz and heavyweight runner-up Mason Frank.

Competition should be especially keen in the lighter weight divisions, particularly at 126 pounds and 132.

Ryle's T.J. Ruschell is a favorite at 132 but he faces stiff competition in Raymundo Perez of Larue County and Justin Street from Grundy. Perez placed third at last season's Kentucky state meet. Street finished fourth in West Virginia and Grundy finished second as a team.

At 126, Ryle's Keegan North is in the same division as Campbell County's Fausz and Union's defending state champion Brock Ervin.

Ryle won last year by a half point over runner-up Union. Columbus East finished third.

Ryle wrestlers defend crown

Is Your Child Spending Too Much Time On Facebook?

By Rebecca VanderMeulen

Does it seem like your teen spends every free moment she has on Facebook? She's not alone.

In 2011 the magazine, Consumer Reports found that 20 million kids actively used Facebook over the last year. Of that, 7.5 million were younger than 13. The social-networking site's own rules prohibit users that young.

Beyond that, the consumer research firm Neilsen found that in March 2011, a typical Facebook user was on the site for a staggering 6 hours and 35 minutes at a time.

But is your child spending too much time on Facebook?

 

Before you can answer that, you need to know where your teen is using the site. Home computers aren't the only point of access, says Monica Vila, founder of The Online Mom. Kids also log on from cell phones, tablet computers and computers at friends' houses — sometimes even at school.

You should also know what your child is using Facebook for, Vila says. Does she hop on to chat with her friends, play games or keep in touch with grandparents? Vila advises talking with your child about what she does on the site and how she decides who to add as a friend.

Your teen may appear to choose Facebook over real life. But Larry Magid, co-director of ConnectSafely.org, says your child's use of Facebook is probably no different from the way you used the telephone when you were a teen. The only difference is the medium.

"There's nothing unusual about teenagers wanting to be social," Magid says. "Facebook is part of their real life." What's changed is the some of the ways in which teens interact with one another.

Facebook's Benefits

While teens often log onto Facebook at the expense of doing homework, Vila says the site can also help them in school. This spring, she says, some students at her local high school were chatting on the site about trouble they were having with a class project. A user who was a mutual friend of the students and their teacher alerted the teacher to this fact and the students were able to work through the problem with the teacher.

To read the entire article go to Is Your Child Spending Too Much Time On Facebook?

Official Calls for Urgency on College

by Tamar Lewin, published Nov. 29, 2011

As Occupy movement protests helped push spiraling college costs into the national spotlight, Education Secretary Arne Duncan urged higher-education officials Tuesday to “think more creatively — and with much greater urgency” about ways to contain costs and reduce student debt.

The Education Department characterized Mr. Duncan’s remarks, at a Las Vegas conference of college financial aid workers, as the start of a “national conversation” about high costs, which have prompted raucous protests across the country and ignited an angry push among some borrowers demanding debt forgiveness, federal grants and interest-free loans.

The department used the opportunity to call attention to steps the Obama administration had taken to reduce the net price that students and families pay for higher education and make it easier to repay student loans. But it was clear that the administration was taking heed of the rising furor over tuition increases, and a growing online debate about how much a college degree is worth at a time when few jobs are available for graduates.

“Three in four Americans now say that college is too expensive for most people to afford,” Mr. Duncan said. “That belief is even stronger among young adults — three-fourths of whom believe that graduates today have more debt than they can manage.”

College seniors with loans now graduate with an average debt load of more than $25,000. With outstanding student debt nearing $1 trillion — and exceeding credit-card debt — it makes sense that, as Patrick M. Callan, president of the Higher Education Policy Institute, put it, college costs are in the spotlight as never before.

To read the entire New York Times article go to Official Calls for Urgency on College Costs

Emma Sullivan’s potty-mouthed tweet has a lesson for all of us

The following opinion article was written in The Washington Post.  It does not necessarily reflect anyone's views at school but it does discuss some very interesting and relevant issues.

Emma Sullivan’s potty-mouthed tweet
By Ruth Marcus, Published: November 29

Emma Sullivan, you’re lucky you’re not my daughter. (Dangerous sentence, I know: My daughters might agree.)

If you were my daughter, you’d be writing that letter apologizing to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback for the smart­alecky, potty-mouthed tweet you wrote after meeting with him on a school field trip.

Also, that smartphone? The one you posed with, proudly displaying the tweet in which you announced that Brownback “sucked” and added the lovely hashtag #heblowsalot? Turned off until you learn to use it responsibly.

I may sound alarmingly crotchety here, but something is upside down in the modern world, which has transformed Sullivan into an unlikely Internet celebrity and heroine of the liberal blogosphere.

To recap, Sullivan, an 18-year-old senior at Shawnee Mission East High School, was on a school-sponsored Kansas Youth in Government trip to Topeka when she heard the conservative Republican governor speak.

Sullivan did not actually give Brownback a piece of her mind, as she claimed, but she let her feelings be known via Twitter: “Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person. #heblowsalot.” Sullivan had previously opined on such weighty subjects as the “Twilight” series (“Dear edward and jacob, this is the best night of my life. I want u. Love, ur future wife”) and Justin Bieber.

Sullivan’s foray into political commentary caught the eye of Brownback’s office, which was not amused. The Mission East principal called Sullivan to his office to demand that she write a letter of apology.

Of course, the governor’s office was dumb to complain about a tweet that no one saw. Pre-con­troversy, Sullivan had some 60 followers. Now she has 15,000. On Monday, Brownback was predictably backtracking. “My staff overreacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize,” he said in a statement.

Of course, Sullivan has a First Amendment right to express her views — although not unlimited. In a 1969 case upholding students’ right to wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, the Supreme Court found that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate” but added that school administrators may prohibit expression that will “materially and substantially disrupt the work and discipline of the school.”

The unresolved legal question is where the schoolhouse gate exists in an Internet age, as administrators grapple with social media and cyberbullying.

The Supreme Court recently refused to hear the case of a Connecticut high school student who was disqualified from running for senior class secretary after she referred to school administrators in a blog post with a vulgarity. Another case awaiting the justices’ action involves two Pennsylvania eighth-graders who were suspended after they created a fake MySpace profile depicting their middle school principal as a sex addict.

But the First Amendment focus confuses what can be constitutionally prohibited with what ought to be done. Regardless of whether the school could force Sullivan to apologize to the governor — authorities ultimately backed down — it was perfectly appropriate for the principal to explain how her attitude and language during an official trip reflected poorly on the school.

More to the point, as I constantly remind my daughters, parents are not bound by constitutional constraints. The Constitution does not grant teenagers the fundamental right to have a cellphone or use foul language on it. The parental role is to inculcate values of respect for authority — even those you disagree with — and the importance of civil discourse. It’s not to stand up for your little darling no matter how much she mouths off.

Not the Sullivans. After the governor complained, her older sister alerted the media. “It’s the speech they use today. It’s more attention-grabbing,” her mother, Julie Sullivan, told the Associated Press. “I raised my kids to be independent, to be strong, to be free thinkers. If she wants to tweet her opinion about Governor Brownback, I say for her to go for it and I stand totally behind her.”

With reinforcements. “We don’t want to stifle our kids’ political free speech,” parent Kate Cook told a meeting of the local school board. “Even though it may not be the best choice of words, that’s how kids communicate with each other.”

It is until we parents insist such language is not acceptable, explain that it is possible to disagree civilly — and insist on an apology when our children fall short.

“I would do it again,” said Emma Sullivan, emboldened rather than chastened. To put it in her terms, that blows a lot.

Guidance Workshop: Beginning the College Search & Finance

On Wednesday, November 30th, from 6:30-7:45 pm, in the Ryle auditorium, the Ryle guidance office will host a session in the Parent University titled . . .

Beginning the College Search & Finance

Students spend hours worrying about what major to take and which college to attend. Unfortunately, in the process they often forget to have the "Money Talk" with their parents.  Come join College Expert Dan Bisig as he shows students and parents together where to hunt for Colleges, Aid and Scholarships. How to work with a mutual understanding between student and parents. Dan will identify the biggest pitfalls students and parents make in the process of searching, deciding and funding their college career.

All attendees will get a chance to register for a future $500 College Scholarship drawing.

Presenter: Dan Bisig from College and Beyond

For more information about College and Beyond, visit their website at College and Beyond.

Knowing where we stand is critical – The PLAN Test

It is no secret that schools are vital pieces of strong and vibrant communities. Boone County is blessed to have excellent schools that have strong parental and community support. To continue our shared growth and success, it is critical that our schools and communities work together even more; as the landscape of education in Kentucky is dramatically changing with the adoption of the common core standards and the new state assessment system.

Most people, if asked, might tell you that they are familiar with the ACT test. Along with the SAT, the ACT test is a generally recognized and accepted college entrance exam. In fact, many adults took the ACT when they were in high school. It is also common knowledge that a student’s scores on the ACT play an important part in their admission to college and whether or not they receive scholarship awards for college.

However, how many people know about the PLAN test or the EXPLORE test? These two tests are precursors to the ACT and can provide a lot of information to help our students, our parents and our schools in making sure our students are adequately prepared for life after high school.

The ACT, PLAN, and EXPLORE tests are all developed by the same organization, the ACT corporation. Kentucky is one of many states where all public schools administer the EXPLORE test in grade 8, the PLAN test in grade 10, and the ACT test in grade 11. Each of these tests is written to assess what the ACT calls the College Readiness Standards. Together these three tests measure students’ progressive development of knowledge and skills on the College Readiness Standards in English, math, reading, and science from grades 8 through 11.

One thing that is very important for every student and every parent to know is that these three tests will provide a measuring stick for whether or not a student is on-track to be ready for college. The results of each test lists the College Readiness Benchmark scores alongside the student’s test scores. Scores above the benchmark indicate a student will likely be ready for college level work upon graduation. These three tests also help us as educators, to monitor our students’ growth through middle and high school.

At Ryle we are beginning to meet with our sophomore students and their parents in order to review their PLAN test results. We will discuss what their scores mean in terms of college readiness in each content area and what predicted ACT score is indicated by their PLAN scores. It is our hope, that by working together, we can stimulate our students’ thinking and planning for their future and give them feedback on their performance towards being ready for life after high school, whether it be going to college, the military, or the workforce.

All sophomore students at Ryle and their parents are invited to attend a special workshop where they will receive and review their results of the PLAN test on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ryle auditorium.

Gatton students recognized by Siemens

Congratulations to Ryle senior Samantha Hawtrey, who is currently attending the Gatton Academy at WKU!

Gatton students recognized by Siemens

Five second-year students at Western Kentucky University’s Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized by the Siemens Foundation as national semifinalists in the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology.  Lori Lovell, a senior from Florence, and Samantha Hawtrey, a senior from Union, were honored in the team category.

As the nation’s leading original research competition in math, science and technology for high school students, the Siemens Competition is administered annually by the College Board, and awards scholarships to students in both individual and team categories.

An all-time record 2,436 students nationwide registered to enter the 2011-12 Siemens Competition for an unprecedented 1,541 projects submitted. Approximately 300 semifinalists were recognized.
Reaching the semifinalist stage of this competition puts any student into an elite crowd of the nation’s top high school-aged researchers. To achieve this accolade, students each committed hundreds of hours outside their course schedules researching, writing their reports and refining drafts with their mentors.

Derick Strode, the Gatton Academy’s coordinator for research, internships and scholarships, said research not only serves as an important part of the Academy experience, but also is the springboard to future pursuits.

“Independent research allows motivated high school students a chance to explore a passion and try out a possible career path,” Strode said. “While young, these students are also proving they are ready to make serious contribution to research questions that affect our society.”
Hawtrey and Lovell’s project, "Isolation, Characterization, and Annotation: the Search for Novel Bacteriophage Genomes," stems from their participation in the WKU Genome Discovery and Exploration Program, which is currently sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance.

Bacteriophages, or viruses that infect bacteria, are the most common DNA-containing entities on earth, yet very few have been characterized. The purpose of the team’s research was to increase knowledge of phage biodiversity by isolating and characterizing two previously unknown phages.
Their findings were added to GenBank, the genetic sequence databases administered by the National Institute of Health. To date, 176 of 1,521 mycobacteriophages have been identified, isolated, sequence and eventually catalogued by GenBank.

Research mentor Dr. Rodney King, associate professor of biology and director of the WKU Biotechnology Center, guided the students through the process during the 2010-11 academic year. Dr. King said that Hawtrey and Lovell “demonstrated motivation, responsibility and perseverance throughout the course. These are important qualities for anyone interested in pursuing research and I believe they both have promising futures as researchers.”

Hawtrey sees the benefit of research as far more than just the process and academic outcomes. “Not only does participation in research enable you to apply your knowledge to real problems and gain practical skills, but it can also make a tangible difference,” Hawtrey said. “Most importantly, research is a chance to get involved in something bigger than yourself – something that could one day change the world.”

Ryle High School honor roll

Follow this link to view the 1st quarter honor roll:  Ryle High School honor roll

Ryle assistant coach thrives despite paralysis

Adam Collinsworth is truly an inspiration

by Richard Skinner, Enquirer contributor  Ryle assistant coach thrives despite paralysis

Back in July, during the first week of practice for the Ryle football team, senior linebacker Mac Vollett kept wondering how the guy in the wheelchair was going to help him become a better player.
It didn't take him long to find out.

The guy in the wheelchair was assistant coach Adam Collinsworth, a former standout linebacker at Scott High School and then at Thomas More College who broke two vertebrae in his neck in a diving accident at a friend's pool on Aug. 9, 1998. Collinsworth since has been paralyzed from the neck down.

Collinsworth almost didn't survive the accident, twice going into cardiac arrest and having his heart stop both times. After spending three months in a hospital and being told he would need either a ventilator or oxygen tanks the rest of his life in order to breathe, Collinsworth persevered and became a coach at Thomas More for six years beginning in 1999.

Following a six-year stint as an assistant at Amelia High School in suburban Cincinnati while living with his father and stepmother, he was forced to move into his brother Craig's home in Florence when they became too old to care for him anymore.

That led to a phone call to Ryle coach Bryson Warner asking if he needed any help.  "I told him 'absolutely,' and we'll create a position for you if we have to," said Warner. "I've known him since he was at Thomas More, and I knew how good of a coach he is."

Defensive coordinator Mike Woolf also coached the linebackers, but after spending a few days with Collinsworth, he knew it was time to turn over the reins coaching that position.  "He said, 'Hey, he really knows his stuff and we have to make him our linebackers coach,' " said Warner. "It was a no-brainer."

That didn't keep Vollett and his position mates from wondering how Collinsworth could coach them from a wheelchair.

"I'm not going to lie - that first week I wasn't sure how that was going to work," Vollett said. "But after the first week, we all picked up on what he was teaching and we knew he knew what he was talking about. He's probably the strongest guy mentally I've ever met. We all look up to him."

Before Collinsworth was injured, he had planned on getting a teaching degree and becoming a coach. While he hopes to still eventually become a full-time teacher - he's hoping to become a substitute at Ryle soon - he says the coaching part helps him persevere.

"Without football I don't know what I would do," Collinsworth said. "I wasn't sure if I could find a job or not after the accident and it's been hard, but I love coaching and it has me excited to wake up every day."

On Friday nights he's usually in the press box to provide another set of eyes for Woolf and the rest of the coaching staff, although he is occasionally on the sideline depending on the press box arrangements.  "I got trampled once when I was at Thomas More when I was too close, and I've tried to learn to stay out of the way, but I love seeing the action," said Collinsworth.

Collinsworth's mere presence is a constant source of inspiration for the Raiders.

"I kind of try to play for him," said Vollett. "He had football taken away from him and a lot of people could have given up. I've never seen him give up. I'm not about to do it either."

Veteran's Day

Thank you to all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.  We applaud your service to our great country!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those currently serving our country at home and abroad.  May you come home safely.

Beware of Synthetic Marijuana

Synthetic marijuana or synthetic pot is quickly becoming a major health concern for youths and adults.  Attached below are excerpts from several articles on the spreading problem posed by synthetic marijuana.

Owensboro officials want businesses to stop selling synthetic marijuana
by the Associated Press

OWENSBORO, Ky. — Officials in Owensboro are trying to find the best way to rid the western Kentucky city of synthetic marijuana.

The City Commission on Tuesday decided to ask the Owensboro-Daviess County Steering Committee for a Drug and Alcohol Addiction Free Community to come up with recommendations to get the product off store shelves, the Messenger-Inquirer reported (http://bit.ly/v82v1I ).

The issue came up during the commission's monthly work session. Commissioner Roger Stacy said residents should boycott stores that sell synthetic marijuana until the product is removed.  He said residents should tell the stores that sell it, "until that comes off your counter, your hose won't go in my gas tank."

Stacy said the product is easy to buy and inexpensive. He said he paid $12.95 on Monday for a packet of strawberry-flavored K3.

City Attorney Ed Ray said synthetic marijuana is actually spices sprayed with a psychotropic compound that changes regularly to stay ahead of new laws.  He says the product is labeled as incense and marked "not for human consumption" under such names as K2 and Spice.
"The bottom line is it's killing kids in America," Ray said. "It's dangerous."

Commissioner Jeff Sanford said he received a call recently from a woman whose son and another boy were treated in the hospital after overdosing on the product.

"I want this stuff out of our city," he said. "It's all about profit."  . . .

Comprehensive synthetic drug bans in works
by the Ky Enquirer

FLORENCE - Use of synthetic drugs spread fast across Kentucky and Ohio, and both states have created laws to make them illegal, with varying success. The latest law, in Ohio, takes effect Oct. 17.

"In 2010 we first started hearing about these synthetic marijuanas down around the Fort Campbell area, some in Lexington and Louisville," said Van Ingram, executive director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.

Earlier this year, "We began to learn about what was being called bath salts, which was really a drug to mimic cocaine or methamphetamine," he said.

Those have been known by the innocent-sounding names, dove, or bath salts, and those were banned in Kentucky earlier this year.

Officials also have learned about something known as "plant food," a synthetic drug that mimics the effects of Ecstasy. More recently there have been newer versions of synthetic marijuana, which skirt around the prior chemicals that state law has banned. Updated versions of bath salts also are rumored to be coming.

Kentucky banned the specific chemicals in laws that tried to strike out the synthetic versions, Ingram said. But manufacturers have been quick to adapt by using similar compounds not covered by a ban. Ohio hopes its tactic of banning a broader category of chemical derivatives will avoid the cat-and-mouse process Kentucky has experienced. Ohio's law bans synthetic marijuanas and such materials as bath salts.

"Illicit synthetic drug manufacturers have figured out that substances often are defined as illegal by very specific state statutes," said Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. "And if their chemists can find a way to produce the same effect as the illegal substance using similar substances, they go outside the legal definition, and they can avoid prosecution because the synthetic substance they produce doesn't meet the legal definition of the substances that are actually illegal."

Some products now being sold in Ohio contain messages like, "This product does NOT contain: jwh-015, jwh-018" and 10 other similar-looking names, or the notation: "DEA compliant," meaning they were not made illegal by a March 1 national ban by the Drug Enforcement Administration. State laws are needed as well because often federal agents go after distributors while local police, using state laws, typically are the ones who charge users with possession.

Officials believe most of the products are imported.

Ingram said Kentucky likely will try to ban larger classes of drug derivatives when the legislature meets for a full session: "Honestly, we're working on coming up with some language that would keep us from having to constantly re-identify these chemicals," he said.  "If we can come up with generic language that will cover all of it, that will handle that," Ingram said.

Ryle Athletes Signing Division 1 Scholarships

by Richard Skinner, Enquirer contributor

While Ryle High School has only been in existence for two decades, it has seen its list of Division I college signees steadily expand in the last few years. That list will grow by five over the next week.

Today marks the initial signing date for the early period for sports that include basketball, wrestling, swimming and diving, lacrosse, volleyball, gymnastics, softball, golf, hockey, baseball and tennis. The regular signing period for these sports starts April 11.

Ryle will have five athletes in four different sports signing National Letters of Intent, and all will be signing on different days.

TJ Ruschell

Jenna Crittendon

Leiff Clarkson

Mark Downs

Meredith Brownell

Wrestler T.J. Ruschell will sign with Wisconsin on Thursday.

Basketball player Jenna Crittendon will sign with Xavier University on Friday.
Baseball players Leiff Clarkson and Mark Downs will sign on Tuesday - Clarkson with Western Kentucky and Downs with the University of Cincinnati.
Athletic director Jim Demler said he's still trying to arrange a date for swimmer Meredith Brownell to sign with Kansas.

"It's a tribute to our kids and our coaches and our community that we have so many kids signing Division I scholarships," said Demler.

"It's really been the last 7-8 years we've gotten a few Division I kids, and the fact that it's been in so many different sports is really gratifying. We're very fortunate we have great kids and we have coaches who push them. We work together as an athletic department and I think everyone is proud of everyone else's success."

To read the entire article - Signing period begins for area athletes

Financial Aid Workshop Tonight!

PAYING FOR COLLEGE 101

                                                                                                                                        
A workshop entitled Paying for College 101 will be held on Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30 pm in the Ryle Media Center. This workshop is designed to help parents and students understand the nuts and bolts of the financial aid application process. The session will include reviewing the FAFSA and all of it's components, comparing costs of a 4 year public university and 4 year private university, learning the formula that determines financial need and much more.
                                                                    
All parents regardless of their student's grade level are welcome to attend.

PLAN scores are in!

We have received the PLAN test scores for our sophomore students and are preparing to to hold a workshop for students and parents to attend so that we may review the test results.  We will also meet with students in their RAP period to review the PLAN scores.


If you'd like more information, call the school office to talk to an administrator or counselor.

Ryle Soccer Team Falls in the State Finals

Congratulations to the Ryle Men's Soccer team on a great season!  We are very proud of you!

By Richard Skinner, Enquirer contributor

LEXINGTON – The Ryle soccer team got far more scoring chances against perennial state power Louisville St. Xavier in Saturday’s state championship match than head coach Stephen Collins expected coming into it, but the Raiders just couldn’t convert any of them.

St. Xavier scored a little less than five minutes into the match, added an insurance goal a little over 10 minutes into the second half and tallied another goal against substitutes with 10 minutes left to beat Ryle 3-0 at Lexington Paul Laurence Dunbar High School for its fourth state title in the last five years. It’s the Tigers’ 11th state title in their history, which is a state record.

Ryle (23-3-3), which was also state runner-up in 2006, was trying to become the first team from Northern Kentucky to ever win the state title.
The Raiders had numerous chances to score in both halves, but either had shots go wide or get turned away, sometimes in spectacular fashion, by St. Xavier senior keeper Nathan James, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

“I thought our speed would cause them some problems and we could get some chances, but after watching tape of them the last week I wouldn’t have thought we would have had 7-8 point blank shots like we did,” said Ryle coach Stephen Collins, who also guided the Raiders to the 2006 runner-up finish. “I would have thought that many solid chances we would have put one in.”

To read the entire story go to Ryle falls short against Louisville St. Xavier in state title game



Ryle falls to St. X in state final
By Mark Maloney

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The final score hardly did justice to the match.

St. Xavier blanked Ryle 3-0 Saturday in the finals of the KHSAA State Soccer Championships, held at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.

“I don’t think the final score reflects exactly how close the game was,” Ryle striker Cole Willoughby said. “And I think they would say the same thing. … We just wanted to come out here and compete, and we gave it our all.”

Led by tournament MVP Nathan James, the Tigers claimed a record 11th boys’ state crown.
“It’s not about this award,” said James, a senior. “It’s about the team. It feels great to win State. ... These guys are great, and I love every one of them.”

The top-ranked Tigers, winning their 26th consecutive match, topped off a 27-1-1 season. Overall, they outscored opponents 124-15.  The title is their fourth in five years and seventh since 2000.
Mitchell Metzger, Neil Henley and Danny Belza scored, while James came up with several spectacular saves to keep the ninth-ranked Raiders at bay.

“My kids worked hard,” Ryle Coach Stephen Collins said. “We went out and gave it all we’ve got and just met a buzzsaw of a team today.”

In the first half, James got a hand up to tip Connor Jordan’s bullet of a shot off and over the crossbar.  “A little bit in the sun,” James said. “I was off-balance and just got as much as I could on it; just keep it out of the net.”  Metzger had the only goal of the half, 4:47 in, assisted by Henley.

The Raiders (23-3-3) continued to press in the second half.

Willoughby worked his way into the penalty box on the right wing. James came out to make the stop, but couldn’t control the rebound.

Teammate Drew Hillebrand made a sliding kick save just as Willoughby was about to re-fire.  “The keeper had one — I can’t say the word — but one heck of a game,” Willoughby said. “He made outstanding saves.

“In the first half, I had one and he made an outstanding save on a free kick. In the second half, I took a free kick, bounced right back to me, left-footed shot. I thought for sure it was going in. … He stopped it. That’s what they had to do, and that’s why they got the ‘W’.”

Read more: http://www.kypost.com/dpp/sports/ryle-falls-to-st.-x-in-state-final#ixzz1cwDuS0nb

Ryle 35, George Rogers Clark 21

Ryle junior quarterback Nathan Davis had 16 carries for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

Ryle moves on to play Boone County at Borland Stadium in the second round next Friday.

Ryle improved its record to 7-4, while George Rogers Clark finished its season at 3-8.

From nky.com

To see the video of the game go to iHigh - Ryle v. Clark

Ryle makes state soccer final

Raiders shut out Henderson Co. 3-0 in semis

by Marc Hardin, Enquirer Contributor

LEXINGTON - Ryle wanted to strike quick in Wednesday's boys' soccer state tournament semifinal against Henderson County. When the Raiders pounced with a pair of early first-half goals to take the lead, they had the Colonels right where they wanted them.
Emboldened by their two-goal lead to begin the second half, the Raiders turned it over to their relentlessly tight-marking defense and defeated Henderson County 3-0 at Lexington Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Ryle (23-2-3) advanced to the championship match for the second time in six years and will play Louisville St. Xavier at 5 p.m. Saturday. Henderson County (22-4-1) fell short of its first title game appearance.

"It was something we talked about," coach Stephen Collins said of the Raiders' plan to take the early lead. "With our defense, if we can get an early goal, the other team has to expend a lot of energy and they have to work harder. With a 2-0 lead, it's that much tougher."

To read the whole story:  Ryle makes state soccer final


Early Goals Send Ryle to State Final

By John Lachmann, KY Post

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The 1-2 punch of strikers senior Cole Willoughby and junior Tyrus Sciarra has scored clutch goals all season for Ryle.

That trend continued on Wednesday, as both found the net in the first 20 minutes of the Raiders’ state semifinal at Paul Dunbar in a 3-0 win over Henderson County.

Ryle (22-2-3) advances to play Louisville St. Xavier, which won 2-0 over Lexington Henry Clay in the other semifinal, at 5 p.m. on Saturday. No Northern Kentucky team has even won a state title, and none have advanced to the championship game since Highlands in 2008.

“They play so well with each other that it’s unbelievable,” Ryle coach Stephen Collins said. “They just seem to know where the other is and then they can make those passes and connect all the time.”

Read more: http://www.kypost.com/dpp/sports/early-goals-send-ryle-to-state-final#ixzz1cg2VpgF1

The Ryle Craft Show is Coming

The 18th annual Ryle Craft Show will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Nov. 18th and from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 19th at Ryle High School.  Tickets are now on sale.

The show will feature 175 crafters, making handmade items such as holiday florals, woodcrafts, fudge, jewelry, soft sculpture, lotions, soaps, candles, artwork, photography and more.

Friday night preview tickets are $8 each and can be purchased at the school office or at Bruster's Ice Cream at 8529 U.S. Hwy 42 in Florence.

Tickets may also be purchased by mail for $8 each.  Shoppers may send a check payable to Ryle PTSA along with a seld-addressed, stamped envelope to:  Ryle PTSA, P.O. Box 299, Union, KY, 41091.

Ryle Students to Display their Art

Two senior Ryle students, Sydney Langsdale and Tabatha Gregory, will be exhibiting their artwork at the College of Mount St. Joseph for their annual Selections Exhibition. Everyone is welcome to attend the opening at the SSG Art Gallery on campus. The opening will be from 2:00-4:30 on Sunday, November 6th.

Sydney Langsdale

Tabatha Gregory

Help & Resources for Teenage Addiction

The Partnership at Drugfree.org website has information to help the parents of teens and young adults that are struggling with addition problems.

http://timetogethelp.drugfree.org/

The website has information on drug and alcohol abuse, experiences from parents struggling with addicted children, expert opinions and advice, questions and answers on common issues, and several e-books that can be downloaded free of charge.

You may also use the parents toll-free helpline:

1-855-DRUGFREE

Ryle reaches soccer state semis

Raiders to meet Henderson County next week

by Marc Hardin, Enquirer contributor

The Ryle boys' soccer team is back in the state tournament semifinals for the first time in five years following a 4-1 victory Wednesday over feisty Montgomery County in Union.

The Raiders (22-2-3) took command with three first-half goals in a 14-minute span by Jake Siemer and Tyrus Sciarra. Siemer, a junior midfielder, connected at the 33:21 mark for his fifth goal of the season. Sciarra scored twice in less than two minutes for his team-leading 27th and 28th goals.

"Them scoring in the first eight minutes was key," Montgomery County coach Nick Pannell said. "We have a good defense, but we're young. We only start three seniors and my keeper is a junior, so when they got the early lead, it magnified things."

Senior striker Cole Willoughby scored for Ryle with 1:18 to play. He and Sciarra both have scored four goals in two tournament games. Willoughby assisted on Sciarra's second goal Wednesday and has 18 goals and a team-best 18 assists on the season.

"I'm finishing well right now, and we're playing great as a team," Willoughby said. "This feels awesome to be going to the semifinals."

For the entire article . . . Ryle reaches soccer state semis

Commonwealth Diploma extended to Class of 2013

At their October meeting the KY Board of Education extended the Commonwealth Diploma program by one year so that students in the Class of 2013 may participate.  This decision would allow current juniors to plan for and earn the Commonwealth Diploma.  See the board notes below:

COMMONWEALTH DIPLOMA PROGRAM EXTENDED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR
Due to input from legislators, school district personnel and parents, Kentucky Department of Education staff recommended to the board that the Commonwealth Diploma program be continued an additional year, with no funding, before its discontinuation. It was conveyed that this would allow those already in the pipeline to earn the diploma to complete the program. This would extend the life of the program through the 2012-13 school year and give more time for other options to be developed to take the place of the Commonwealth Diploma. The board unanimously approved this proposal.

For more information on the extension of the Commonwealth Diploma program, contact Robin Chandler at (502) 564-9850 or via e-mail at robin.chandler@education.ky.gov.

To learn more about the Commonwealth Diploma go to http://www.education.ky.gov/kde/instructional%20resources/high%20school/additional%20information/commonwealth%20diploma.htm

This is good news in the short term as the elimination of this program removed a valuable method to reward and inspire students to achieve at a higher level.  Our next task as a school will be to gather input and to develop another type of honorary diploma or award for which we want our students to aspire.  This preliminary work will be completed by the Ryle Curriculum Committee.  Assistant Principal Nate Niemi is chairing this committee and any input or ideas would be welcome.

Defense drives Ryle soccer

By James Weber • jweber@nky.com

UNION – Defense has been known to win championships. It is a big reason why the Ryle High School boys soccer team ended play Oct. 24 three games away from a state championship.

Defense wasn’t really needed Monday night as Ryle beat Russell 10-0 in a state round-of-16 game at Ryle. The game ended with nine minutes left on the clock because of the mercy rule.

“It’s a good way to go the elite eight,” senior Cole Willoughby said. “All of us distribute well. We all look for each other. At this point, that’s what it takes; everyone looking for their teammates.”

For the whole story go to Defense drives Ryle soccer

Ryle easily disposes of Russell by 10-0

By Marc Hardin, Enquirer contributor

The Ryle Raiders are one step closer to their ultimate goal with an emphatic 10-0 victory over Russell in Monday's boys' soccer state tournament first-round match at Borland Stadium in Union.

"We just want to keep winning," said junior midfielder David Hester, who was an unlikely scoring hero for the Raiders with his second and third goals of the season.

Ryle (21-2-3), the Ninth Region champion, hosts a 7 p.m. Wednesday quarterfinal match against Montgomery County, a 1-0 Monday winner over Newport Central Catholic. Wednesday's winner advances to next week's semifinals and final at Paul Laurence Dunbar. The championship match is Nov. 5.


For the entire article go to Ryle easily disposes of Russell by 10-0


Ryle blows out Russell
By Dave Malaska

UNION, Ky. - Ryle left little doubt they have designs on a trip to Lexington next week for the state boys' soccer Final Four, blasting past Russell, 10-0, Monday night at Clifford Borland Stadium.

The Raiders (21-2-3) scored four goals during a nine-minute span in the first half of the Sweet 16 matchup, then kept the pressure on to punch their ticket to Wednesday's quarterfinals.

"What a great way to get back to the Elite 8," gushed senior striker Cole Willoughby, who scored three goals on the night for the Raiders. "Our offense was just in the right position all night, and we kept putting it into the back of the net."

After a fairly even first 10 minutes, the Ryle offense starting taking control of the game, peppering Red Devils keeper Jonathan Fuller, but coming away empty.

Ryle finally broke through in the 18th minute, via the foot of Willoughby. Junior Tyrus Sciarra corralled a long sideline pass from Garrett Mead, then crossed to Willoughby at the front of the box. The senior settled the ball, then banged it in past Fuller to put Ryle up, 1-0. Three minutes later, he scored again, cleaning up a Jake Siemer miss and scoring high.

At that point, Russell crumbled and the scoring parade began for the Raiders. Sciarra made it a three-goal lead with just under 14 minutes remaining in the half, taking a long pass and banging into the back corner, then Connor Jordan scored from 10 yards out. The junior emerged from a scrum at the front of the box and blasted a shot past Fuller to put Ryle ahead, 4-0.

Read more: http://www.kypost.com/dpp/sports/ryle-blows-out-russell#ixzz1bqRYyoIl

Report cards delayed

Reports cards for the 1^st quarter grading period will be given to students on Thursday, October 27^th in their RAP period.

 

This delay is due to technical reasons and we apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Ryle Men's soccer vs. Russell HS

Come out and support the Ryle Men's Soccer team as they take on Russell HS at 7 pm tonight at home!

Tickets at the gates are $7 (rates set by the KHSAA) and no passes permitted for state tournament games.

Go Raiders!

Vote for Ryan Hill for Prime Time Performer

Vote for Ryan Hill of the Ryle Raider football team for the Prime Time Performer on WLWT's website.

http://www.wlwt.com/high-school-playbook/29533276/detail.html

Ryan stepped in when the starting quarterback was injured and led the Raiders to a victory over Dixie Heights on Friday.

Ryle tops St. Henry in regional final

By Dave Malaska, KY Post

UNION, Ky. - Ryle got an early goal from Dan Jensen then made it stick, holding on for the 1-0 win over St. Henry in Saturday's 9th Region title game to advance to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in six years.

In the 12th minute, junior midfielder Jake Siemer collected the ball on the right side and led Jensen with a cross to the front of the goal. Jensen beat the defender to the ball, then slammed a kick past St. Henry keeper Shaun Cawley to put Ryle ahead.

The goal was all the Raiders needed, as they kept the pressure on the Crusaders. Ryle had eight shots on goal, while senior keeper Chris Froschauer was largely unchallenged in goal at their end.

"We knew it was going to be tough, even though we just beat them, 4-1, in the districts," said Froschauer. "The last time we played, it was 2-1, and it came down to penalty kicks. It went to PKs last year. We just always seem to play each other really well."

Read more: http://www.kypost.com/dpp/sports/ryle-tops-st.-henry-in-regional-final#ixzz1bbjB2ySE

ACT Boot Camp Opportunity

The Boone County schools is partnering with the ACT Boot Camp to make their 5-week intensive, after school prep course available at the BC Schools Staff Development Center.  Now would be the time to prepare for the December ACT! There is a fee to take this course.  Go to  http://www.theactbootcamp.com/boone_county.html

Midpoint of the Fall Semester

We are just passing the midpoint of the fall semester.

Report cards for the first grading period will be given to students on Tuesday and it will be a time for students to take stock of their progress.   Students must take advantage of this time to see exactly where they stand and where they want to be.   They should be congratulated for good work and given support if they are struggling.   Parents and students should contact their teachers for individual grade questions and contact their counselor or assistant principal if they need any assistance with during or after school tutoring.

The results of the PLAN test taken by all sophomores in September should be in within the next few weeks.  We will share those results with the students and notify the parents that the students have the results in hand.  We have also finished grading the practice ACT exam given to all students in grades 9, 11, and 12 in September and have shared the results with our teachers.  We are now preparing a score sheet to provide to all parents.

We have also begun presentations to all of the freshmen students about the importance of being involved in school activities.  Their involvement in activities (whether it be archery, band, FFA or wrestling, or some other activity) is crucial to their development and success later in life.

This also marks the end of the fall sports/activity season. These fall activities are coming to the end of their season while some others have already concluded.

• The Ryle Marching Band has advanced to the state championships next weekend.
• The Raider football team plays their final game of the regular season this week and will then host round 1 of the playoffs.
• The Ryle Men's soccer team just won the regional championship and will begin sectional play.
• The Lady Raider soccer team lost a tough match in the regional tournament to end a great season.  They were runner-up in the district tournament and the #1 seed in the district.
• Both Ryle golf teams fared well as the boys placed 5th overall in the state tournament with Blake Hamilton notching a school best-ever finish of 3rd place.  Meanshile the girls golf team finished their season with two individual players advancing to the state tournament.
• The Lady Raider volleyball team was just eliminated from the regional volleyball tournament this past week.  They had a strong season and won their 4th or 5th straight district championship.
• The boys & girls cross country teams are preparing for the regional championship meet in two weeks.

Here are some upcoming activities that will stretch into the winter months:

• The Ryle Speech & Debate team will begin their season next weekend with the Ryle Haunted Invitational Tournament.
• Ryle Drama will host their fall production next week, Fools by Neil Simon.
• The winter sports (boys & girls basketball, wrestling, boys & girls swimming and diving) have begun practice and will start their seasons in the next month.
• The Ryle cheerleaders and dance team have both been practicing and preparing for their competition events in the winter months.

Please contact the school office if you have any questions or need any assistance.

Ryle tops Dixie Heights, will host first-round playoff game

Congratulations to the Raider football team!  Their win against Dixie clinches 2nd place in the district standings and a home playoff game in two weeks.  It appears that the Raiders will host George Rogers Clark HS of Winchester on November 4th at Borland Stadium.  Go Raiders!

By Marc Hardin, NKY Enquirer contributor

Quarterbacks were wild Friday night during Ryle’s 38-28 road victory over Dixie Heights at Rice Mountjoy Stadium. But it was a Raiders ace in the hole who upstaged the starters in a game replete with big plays that keyed the win for Ryle, which earned a first-round home game in the Class 6A playoffs.

"We got ourselves a home playoff game, and I couldn’t be happier for our players," Ryle coach Bryson Warner said. "We had some adversity, but nothing mattered. We kept competing."

Ryle (6-3), ranked fifth in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches’ poll, improved to 3-1 in the district. Dixie (3-6), ranked ninth, finished 2-2.

"It’s huge getting a home playoff game in the first round," Ryle receiver Ryan Smith said. "That’s what we wanted."

To read the entire story go to Ryle tops Dixie Heights, will host first-round playoff game

Ryle Takes Down Dixie Heights

By Terry Boehmker

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - Ryan Hill has been the starting quarterback on the Ryle junior varsity football team all season, but head coach Bryson Warner pulled him out of the lineup for Friday’s game.

Hill didn’t do anything wrong. He was actually being rewarded for providing the spark the Ryle varsity team needed to defeat Dixie Heights, 38-28, in a Class 6A district game on Friday night.
After Ryle starting quarterback Nathan Davis injured his left ankle early in the second quarter, Hill took charge of the Raiders’ offensive unit and ended up rushing for 254 yards, scoring three touchdowns and passing for another TD.

The 5-foot-5, 155-pound sophomore played so well that Warner decided to give him today off instead of having him suit up for the junior varsity game.

“I feel like I’m on cloud nine right now,” Hill said after Friday’s victory. “At first, I was a little jittery and then I just got comfortable. I tried to think of it as just another JV game – get out there and have fun.”

It was an important win for the Raiders because it clinched second place in the local Class 6A district and gives them a home game in the first round of the postseason.

Read more: http://www.kypost.com/dpp/sports/ryle-takes-down-dixie-heights#ixzz1bVKzE3Zx