The Tiger Times

Good Evening Tigers,

This is Noel Keener, the proud principal of Ragsdale High with this weeks updates.

Congratulations to our Students of the Week- Stephen Prater, Mariana Pavajeau Ortiz, and Ja'bre Gregory. Our Athlete of the Week is Alaina Cole, a track scholar athlete. Way to go Tigers!

Next week is Spring Spirit Week! Monday is Rodeo vs Polo, Tuesday is Rhyme without Reason, Wednesday is Teacher/Student Swap, Thursday is Throwback, and Friday is College/Future Plans for seniors and Jersey Day for all underclassmen.

Monday we will have a PTA Meeting at 5:45 and an Athletic Booster Club Meeting at 6:30. Both will be held in the main office. Tuesday, report cards for the 3rd quarter will be sent via email. We will also have cap and gown distribution for seniors during the day.

Thursday, April 10 is Dancing with the Staff- a fundraiser for our dance program. See your favorite teachers, counselors, and administrators strut their stuff on stage! The program starts at 6pm. Admission is only $5!

Please see our calendar for details on our athletic events! Remember- there are only 7 weeks of school before exams- it is so important for your child to be on time and to be here each day!

Thank you , have a great week, and, as always, TIGER PRIDE!

Tiger Times Week of 4/6/25: https://secure.smore.com/n/n8sz17

Congratulations to our Students of the Week!

• Stephen Prater – 12th grade – nominated by Mrs. Boles – She says of him, “Stephen Prater is a conscientious, caring, and hardworking individual with a strong inner drive to succeed. He consistently goes above and beyond in his efforts, approaching every task with focus, determination, and integrity. His thoughtful nature and genuine care for others make him a valued member of any community, while his ambition and dedication set him apart as someone destined to achieve great things.”

• Mariana Pavajeau Ortiz – 12th grade – nominated by Mrs. Pfeiffer – She says of Mariana, “Mariana is a wonderful young lady and student! Her character and work ethic are excellent. I have had the privilege of teaching Marianna her Senior year in our Art 3 class. She puts thoughtfulness and care she into each of her projects and finds a way to make it meaningful to her. These are wonderful qualities and will help her be successful in the future. She has been a joy to have in class and to see grow as an artist! keep up the hard work Mariana in all you do! it does not go unnoticed.”

• Ja’bre Gregory – 9th grade - nominated by Mr. Jefferson – He says of Ja’bre, “Ja'bre has adjusted to high school very well. He is always focused on his academic goals in all classrooms. He may seem quiet to some people but that is usually because he knows when he is in class, class is his priority. Whenever I have observed Ja'bre, he is always on task and can easily block out things that distract him from his goals. I am proud of the job he has done so far and I hope he continues to succeed while being here at Ragsdale.”

Congratulations to these students!

Ragsdale Staff LEADING BY EXAMPLE! Engaging in learning more about the usefulness of AI in the classroom from their peers!

Ms. Camps students HAVE TALENT! Music production and experimentation this week. Future superstars!

A group of students went on a field trip to see if they had, or could learn, the skills to last in a Zombie Apocalypse. It turns out Zombies are no match for Tigers!

Mr. da Silvas class had a visit from a local entrepreneur and brainstormed their own next steps for business!

Biology students participated in a Panther Hunt this week! Students modeled the effect of limiting factors on an ecosystem while also studying how competition and predation affects a population!

AFROTC learned about COMMUNITY SERVICE this week- making us LOOK GOOD!

Robot Parade FUN!!! Our students worked hard to have fun with Millis Road Ele!

We LOVE our Media Specialist, Ms. Gronwald!! Thank you for all you do!

Football players and Coach Stevenson visited JMS to get students EXCITED to be a Tiger! Diamonds Up! And WhAT A CROWD at this weeks Football Interest Meeting!

Welcome back to Coach Mike McNeil! Coach will be teaching English and coaching basketball at Ragsdale next year.

A proud alumnus of the class of 1994, Coach McNeil returns to his alma mater with 25 years of basketball coaching experience at the middle and high school levels, including the last 21 years spent coaching in Charlotte.

During his time as a student at Ragsdale, McNeil was a standout athlete, earning three varsity letters in both football and basketball. He received All-Conference honors in both sports as a junior and senior and was recognized for his achievements by being voted into the North Carolina High School Academic and Athletic Hall of Fame in his senior year. His athletic success continued at the collegiate level, where he received an athletic scholarship from Mars Hill University and graduated in 1999.

Coach McNeil brings a wealth of successful coaching experience to the Ragsdale program. He spent six years as an assistant and JV Head Coach at Vance High School. Following that, he served as Head Coach at Hopewell High School for four years, where he was voted Coach of the Year and led the team to several playoff runs. Most recently, he spent the last five seasons as Head Coach at Mallard Creek High School, where his teams consistently finished in the top half of the conference and were a mainstay in the state playoffs.

Coach McNeil expressed his enthusiasm about returning to Ragsdale, stating his plan to replicate the same success at his alma mater. His coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in his own experiences as a student-athlete. He believes in using the lessons learned through playing sports as a blueprint to teach kids how to overcome adversity and be successful in life.

All 11th grade students are required to take the ACT. The last ACT make up day is April 8.

Hey Tigers! We are wanting to hear what YOU want to hear for the bell music! Find the request below. QR codes are around the school. You must use your GCS account to make a request (remember- we have to find a good radio edit in order to play).

Join an interest meeting on April 8th to find out more.

Guilford County Schools will be transitioning to a new Student Information System for the 25-26 school year and we need to have correct contact information for each student.

If you do not have a Power Parent Account, an email was sent to you on Friday, March 7th from Lucy Ragsdale High with directions to create an account. Please follow the directions to create an account. After creating the account, go to Forms and update all contact information including phone numbers, adding/deleting contacts, and if the student lives in the same household with the contact.

If you are a parent that already has a Power Parent Account, please sign into your account and update all contact information including phone numbers, adding/deleting contacts, and if the student lives in the same household with the contact.

Student Information greatly appreciates your assistance with this process. Please reach out to our Data Manager if you have any questions!

The prom theme has been announced! Ragsdale is excited to present A Red Carpet Affair.

Tickets must be purchased online in advance at www.gcsnc.schoolcashonline.com

From April 1st - May 2nd, tickets are $40 (+$2 surcharge). From May 3rd - May 10th, tickets are $50 (+$3 surcharge). Prices go up to $60 (+$3 surcharge) from May 11 - May 14, so buy your tickets early!

All non-Ragsdale guests must turn in a form no later than May 14th by 4:15. The form must be returned with a photocopy of the guests' photo ID.

Spring Spirit Week is coming up!

The Writers Club is getting a website!

Ragsdale Athletics is proud to announce that junior Alaina Cole has been named Athlete of the Week following her outstanding performance at the outdoor track meet this past Thursday against Grimsley and McMichael.

Alaina showcased her remarkable talent and determination, winning the long jump with an impressive leap of 16 feet 4 inches. She also excelled in the triple jump, securing first place with a jump of 33 feet 11 inches. In addition to her individual victories, Alaina played a key role as a member of the 4 x 100 relay team, which dominated the competition with a winning time of 49.81 seconds.

“Alaina is the silent assassin; she is the ultimate team player willing and ready to do whatever’s asked of her,” said Head Track Coach Simeon Platt. “Her continuous dominance week after week for the women’s jumpers is a testament to her hard work and dedication. We are excited to see her continue to excel as the season progresses.”

Alaina's achievements not only highlight her individual athletic prowess but also reflect the strength of the Ragsdale track program as a whole. Her success serves as an inspiration to her teammates and a testament to the commitment and effort put forth by all members of the team.

Congratulations, Alaina, on this well-deserved honor!

Football Interest Meeting

Ragsdale Athletics is excited to announce an upcoming interest meeting for all athletes who are considering joining the football program for the upcoming season. Head Football Coach Stevenson will host this important meeting to provide information about the program, introduce the coaching staff, and discuss the upcoming workout schedules.

Meeting Details:

-Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

-Time: 6:00 PM

-Location: Ragsdale High School Media Center

This meeting is a fantastic opportunity for current and prospective players to learn more about the football program at Ragsdale, meet the dedicated coaching staff, and understand the commitment involved in being part of the team. Attendees will receive a comprehensive calendar detailing the workout schedules and important dates for the season ahead.

This is the perfect opportunity to get involved, meet the staff, and take the first step toward being a part of a dynamic and competitive football program. We are looking forward to building the next chapter together.

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to attend, as this meeting will provide valuable insights into the program and its commitment to developing athletic skills, teamwork, and leadership.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of something special at Ragsdale Athletics. We look forward to seeing you there!

Key Athletic Reminders:

• Electronic Ticketing– https://gofan.co/app/school/NC1942 - Tickets will be available to purchase before the game/match ($9.00)
• Purchase Tickets @ the Gate - We only accept credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay NO CASH TRANSACTIONS!
• Live Stream NFHS: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/ragsdale-high-school-jameston-nc - Main Gym & Kenneth T. Miller Stadium (not currently working)
• Download the app "rSchoolsToday" for all the latest practice, game and match information.

The Campapalooza 2025 registration is live! chowan.edu/campapalooza

This year's camp will take place June 22nd through June 26th on the campus of Chowan University.

This 4 day academic summer camp is for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

During this mini college experience you will live on campus, have meals in the university cafeteria, and spend your days engaged in focused academic activities with our University faculty. Evening programming includes a variety of activities such as the pool, tie dyeing and Uno tournaments.

The GuilfordWorks’ Summer Vocation Initiative is a summer internship program designed to connect you with exciting job prospects in your chosen career pathway, gaining valuable work experience while developing essential skills that can lead to permanent, full-time employment. We welcome job seekers (16-24 years old) to register: Summer Vocation Initiative Participant Registration

The Mercy University Business Honors Program will conduct a week-long Summer Program for Rising Seniors (currently Juniors) in July 2025.

Students who come to the SLA:

• Experience college first-hand, living on campus.
• Explore potential careers in business.
• Visit Fortune 500 Companies
• Potential for up to full tuition scholarship at Mercy University (For Full Time Students)

While the fee should be $795, we have a Corporate Sponsor who has allowed us to keep it subsidized to only $695 for the whole week (which includes tuition, room, food/board, and activities).

You can apply using this link: https://form.jotform.com/asic22/la-application-2025.

NC State's College of Natural Resources is hosting virtual Career Exploration Panels that will feature recent alumni from the College of Natural Resources. This is a great way for students to learn more about the industry, hear from NC State alumni, and explore potential career paths.

They have 9 majors throughout the College of Natural Resources that fall into 3 departments. Attend one panel or all, to hear firsthand from alumni about how their education in these majors prepared them for their careers and get valuable advice as you plan your future.

Virtual Career Exploration Panels

April 21, 2025: Department of Forest Biomaterials

6:00 - 7:00 pm

Register Here

April 22, 2025: Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

6:00 - 7:00 pm

Register Here

April 23, 2025: Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

6:00 - 7:00 pm

Register Here

Are you interested in fashion design, engineering, management, chemistry or textile design? Check out the Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP) at NC State's Wilson College of Textiles!

STEP is a chance for rising high school seniors to experience the best of what the Wilson College of Textiles and NC State have to offer. During one of five weeks in the summer of 2025, students will have the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, current students and alumni while exploring textiles through projects, workshops and other activities. Students will live in our residence halls, eat in our dining halls and see what it’s like to be a college student. STEP will take place during the following weeks:

• Week 1: June 8 – 13
• Week 2: June 15 – 20
• Week 3: June 22 – 27
• Week 4: July 6 – 11
• Textile Pioneer Week: July 13 – 18 (Students from Tier 1 and 2 counties only)

The STEP application is open and will close on April 15. If you are interested, please apply here. Scholarship opportunities are available for those with financial need.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our summer programs team at tex-summer-programs@ncsu.edu.

This is the LAST SEMESTER for the Class of 2025! We will be updating information as it comes.

Dates (some dates subject to change)

• April 8, 2025: 12:30-2:30 - Cap and Gown Distribution
• April 21, 2025: Service Learning Hours due
• May 6, 2025: Cap and Gown photos
• May 20, 2025: Senior Prank (you must sign up w StuCo- information coming soon!)
• May 21, 2025: Senior Walks at JME, Millis, Union Hill and Pilot- please wear cap and gown
• May 22, 2025: Senior Awards (students arrive by 6:15pm, event starts at 6:30pm)- please wear cap and gown)
• May 30, 2025: On site Graduation Practice (report ot old gym by 9:15am- NO CAP OR GOWN NEEDED) and Senior Picnic
• June 9, 2025: 12:45pm- Mandatory Gradation Practice (no cap and gown) @ Coliseum Special Events Center (Graduation tickets provided at this time- estimated 8 tickets per graduate)
• June 10, 2025: 6-9:30 pm- Senior Sunset and Carnival
• June 11, 2025: 7:30pm- Graduation @ Coliseum Special Events Center (YES TO CAP AND GOWN :))

Scholarships

• shift_ed Scholarships (GCS Students- last dollar)
• Scholarships and Search Engine
• CFNC Scholarships
• Scholarship Buddy
• Minority Scholarships
• Future Teachers

Student Services Information

• Stay in the know! Look for updates on our Student Services Website HERE.
• Join the Ragsdale School Counseling Remind group: 12th Grade = Text @rags2025 to 81010
• Bring in those SCHOLARSHIP AWARD LETTERS and let your counselor know where you have been accepted, where you plan to go. They also want to know if you plan to go to work, Trade School, or in to the Military!

Senior Graduation Letter

See our Graduation Letter below- it will give you all the details you need about graduation expectations!!

Hello Senior Parents,

Can you believe it's Spring semester of our children's last year in high school! Such an exciting time for everyone. I hope each of your students have had a great four years of learning at Ragsdale and that they will take with them many happy memories of their time spent there. There are lots of fun activities planned for the Seniors in the upcoming weeks and we can use your support. We are planning a picnic on May 30th at the school after one of the scheduled graduation practices. There will be food and drink, the Kona Ice truck, and some fun games for everyone to play. We are asking for donations to help fund the day. Attached is a QR code that will take you to the Ragsdale PTSA website where you can make a donation for the picnic. A separate sign up will go out at a later date for volunteering on the day of the picnic.

Thank you for your support,

Linda Honeycutt

Week of April 6

Assistant Principals Week

Spring Spirit Week!

Monday, April 7: Rodeo vs. Polo

• 4:00pm: Golf @ Grandover
• 5:00pm: Tennis vs. Southwest
• 5:45pm/6:30pm: PTSA and Booster Club Meeting (Media Center)
• 6:00pm: Soccer @ Northern

Tuesday, April 8: Rhyme without Reason

Report Cards sent out

• 9:15am: ACT Make-Up Session (Media Center)
• 12:30pm: Cap and Gown Distribution
• 4:30/7:00pm: Baseball @ Southwest
• 5:30pm/7:00pm: Lacrosse vs. Page
• 6:00pm: Softball @ Grimsley

Wednesday, April 9: Teacher/Student Swap

• 9:30am: ASVAB (Media Center)
• 4:30pm/7:00pm: Baseball @ West Davidson
• 5:00pm: Track @ Northern
• 5:00pm: Tennis @ Western
• 6:00pm: Soccer @ Page

Thursday, April 10: Throwback

• 4:00pm: Golf @ Jamestown Park
• 5:30pm/7:00pm: Lacrosse @ Southeast
• 6:00pm: Dancing with the Staff (Auditorium)

Friday, April 11: Jersey/Future Plans

• 4:30pm/7:00pm: Baseball vs. Southwest
• 6:00pm: Softball @ Northwest

Saturday, April 12

• Women's Track Championship Meet

FUTURE EVENTS

April 10: 2nd Annual Dancing with the Staff (dance fundraiser)

April 21-25: Freshman Fundraiser - Kiss a Senior Goodbye

April 21-30: Student Council Office Campaigning

April 23: Superintendents Advisory Meeting

April 24: Junior Marshal Ceremony

April 30: "May" Homeroom and Student Council voting (moved from May 7)

May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week!

May 5-16: AP Exams

PROM

May 17: The Terrace @ GSO Coliseum (8p to midnight)

GRADUATION

Practice: June 9 @ 1pm

Graduation: June 11 @ 7:30pm