For the Parents, Students & Community of Leon High School
inside this issue...
PTO News Volleyball
Principal’s Message
Senior Information Marine Corps JROTC Program
President’s Letter Dear Leon Family, It is hard to believe that we are about to wrap up another year at this great school. The Class of 2016 was a standout. This year has been a very challenging one, and I must credit the faculty, staff, student body and you for getting us through. For the parents of the Class of 2016, it is probably hard to imagine that your little boy or girl has grown so quickly and is about to graduate from high school. In addition, it is even harder to believe that we are now embarking on the 109th graduating class at Leon High School. During the next several weeks, I’m sure you will be experiencing a number of different emotions, but one specific emotion that I feel confident we both share is “PRIDE”! I can’t express to you enough how much respect I have for your children. I certainly admire them for all they accomplished in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in the arts. The thing I respect most about these kids, however, is all that they’ve given back to others. The Class of 2016 is an outstanding group and you, as parents, should be extremely proud of them and the job you did raising them. I look forward to sharing this milestone with all of you at Leon High School’s 2016 graduation ceremony Saturday, May 28th, at 3:00 p.m. in the Leon County Civic Center. In addition to graduation preparations, we have wrapped up FSA testing and are currently completing End Of Course and Advanced Placement exams. So far, testing has gone well and we are looking forward to seeing if all of their hard work paid off. Please be sure to give your son or daughter and their teachers a big pat on the back. Our spring sports season has also concluded with Gabe Beyer winning an individual state championship in wrestling and our Boys Tennis Team winning a State Runner-Up Championship for the second year in a row. In closing, let me say thank you for all that you have done to support your child and Leon High School. It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve as their principal. For the Class of 2016, I hope that their years at Leon have been both challenging and rewarding and will provide for them as many wonderful memories as it did for me. For the rest of the student body, I look forward to seeing them this fall for another successful year. Have a great summer! Sincerely,
May 2016
Billy Epting, Principal Go Big Red!
Mission Statement:
It is our goal that all students leave Leon High School prepared to the best of their ability to be lifelong learners and productive citizens in an ever-changing world and global society.
Mission Motto:
Preparing lifelong learners and productive citizens.
2 From the PTO President Desk
Leon High School students, faculty, staff and parents are definitely in countdown mode. The school year is wrapping up with only one month to go. I’m amazed how quickly this year has flown by. We’ve had a busy spring so far and May is getting busier. PTO just wrapped up Teacher Appreciation week and we are now looking ahead toward end of the year activities, including Project Graduation. Please consider volunteering to help make this event wonderful for our graduating seniors. The PTO would like to recognize and thank our volunteers for their commitment to our Leon teachers and students. Your time and efforts have been appreciated by everyone at Leon. I would like to give a special thanks specifically to our PTO Board for all of their hard work this year. These folks have gone above and beyond in their efforts at Leon: Vice President: Colleen Englert Secretary: Ansley Kramer Treasurer: Susan Hayes Teacher Refreshments: Gayle and Stacy Carlton Leon’s Elite: Bettina Tesson and Sydna Atwater Lion’s Pride: Sharon Berrian Newsletter Distribution: Jan Morgan Newsletter Production: Jo Moore Partner Coordinator: Sarah Stout Project Graduation: Gayle Carlton Student Appreciation: Frankie Lynn Higginbotham Teacher Appreciation: Barkley Wilhite, Suzanne Byrnes, Liz Snowden, Elizabeth Kuhlman and Kate Kile Volunteer Coordinator: Helen Parker Senior Lunch: Shannon Guse Many thanks for your hard work and dedication to our school. Have a fantastic May and a wonderful summer! Wendy Schulte, PTO President (850) 508-0384, whschulte1@comcast.net
3 What’s Happening with Leon Volleyball
Alumni, Friends and Parents,
Leon volleyball is a premier high school volleyball program dedicated to athletic excellence, academic achievement and community service. The program strives to develop a well-rounded female athlete, student and community leader, both on and off the court. The Leon Volleyball Boosters Club’s sole purpose is to raise/provide funding needed to purchase team athletic equipment and uniforms and to cover travel expenses for the Leon Volleyball Program. The Leon Volleyball Boosters rely on donations by parents and community partners to support its efforts as the Leon Volleyball Program receives no funds from the Leon High School operating budget. Rock N’ Roar is an exciting fundraising event for Leon alumni, friends and the community! Last year the Leon Volleyball Rock N’ Roar was a huge success and served as one of the largest fundraising events for the Leon Volleyball Booster’s Club. We hope to do the same again this year! The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Fifth and Thomas (1122 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL). Tickets to the event are available now! It is $50 for a couple and $30 for an individual ticket. Please contact either of the event Co-Chairs Eva Fernandez at aefern@me.com or (850) 345-2886 and Sonya Penley at sonyapenley@me.com or (850) 528-7336 for tickets.
‘LEON PRIDE’ May 2016 Published Five Times Per Year Leon County Disrtict Schools 2757 West Pensacola St. Tallahassee, FL 32304 Issue #4
Leon Volleyball Fundraiser
Support Leon Volleyball by purchasing Boston butts or ribs just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. Butts are $30, ribs are $25. Pick up will be Friday, May 6, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot near the Leon gym. To place an order, please contact any Leon volleyball player or Susan Goracke (850) 559-1339 or SBGoracke@aol.com.
To download a PDF version of this newsletter, go to http://academypublishing.com/schools/leon/leon.php
BIG BEND
FAMILY EYE CARE
Support Our School By Supporting Our Newsletter Sponsors!
LEARNING NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD cut & style $12 hair color $32
+ +
ENROLL NOW!
financial aid available to those who qualify
2020 W Pensacola St. | Tallahassee, FL 32304 | 850.576.4287 | AvedaInstitutesSouth.edu All services are performed by supervised students. Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education – License #3224
4
Important Information for Parents of Seniors Mandatory Graduation Practice– May 25 @ 12:00 p.m. @ the Leon County Civic Center Graduation – May 28 @3:00 p.m. @ the Leon County Civic Center Seniors report for graduation @2:15 p.m. Senior Awards Program Mark May 17th at 10:30 a.m. on your calendar. This is the date for the Senior Awards Program. Students will report to school as normal and will be called to the auditorium! Their attire should be dressy/casual. You are invited to share this event with the class of 2016. The luncheon following the ceremony is for seniors only!!!!! Appropriate attire for graduation Girls – Wear dress shoes….NOT flip flops (remember, flip flops with sequins are still flip flops). Plan ahead. Girls need to be confident about walking in their shoes. If she chooses to wear hosiery, select a tone which closely matches her skin color. The attire beneath her gown should not be visible above, below or through the gown. Dispose of the tiny white collar if one is provided with the gown. Boys – Wear dark or khaki dress slacks with a white dress shirt and a tie. Dress shoes should be freshly cleaned/polished and worn with dark dress socks. Athletic shoes, hunting boots and combat boots are not dress shoes. No adornments (flowers, medallions, jewelry, and monogram) are worn on/with the caps and gowns with the exception of Leon high school issued honor cords and Pierian honor stoles. Cap and gown delivery – May 13th Caps and gowns will be delivered on May 5th. Seniors must clear fees for lost textbooks, uniforms, etc. by May 8th. Please look for additional information regarding graduation to accompany the cap and gown.
Thomas UNIVERSITY
5 **Seniors** Make Your Plans Now for Project Graduation
All Leon High School 2016 Graduates are invited to participate in an exclusive graduation night party for the Leon High School Class of 2016. The theme is “Lion Luau”. Classmates will spend one last night safely celebrating their accomplishments and making a few more memories together. We will hold the party at the FSU Leach Center located at 116 Varsity Way, FSU Campus. The premier fitness facility will be transformed into an all-night, private “Lion Luau” experience. Plan now on joining your classmates for “The Graduation Party”, following graduation ceremony Saturday, May 28th, from 11:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. Enjoy numerous activities including: blackjack, poker, swimming, dancing, live DJ, Zumba, basketball, ping pong, racquetball, massages, henna tattoos, photo booth and many many more surprises. There will, of course, be an endless supply of your favorite foods. Our door prize list is GROWING! Giveaways include items like electronics, jewelry, gift certificates, and cold, hard cash! REGISTRATION: $20 – Good for admission to all activities, food and fun! Registration forms can be found online in the “Senior” section of the Leon website as well as in the Guidance Office and Senior Sponsors. You may turn your registration forms and money into the Main Office or Guidance Office. Make checks payable to Leon High School Project Graduation. PARENT PERMISSION: A parent or legal guardian of every participant must sign two forms – event registration and Leach Center waiver. Leach Center waiver liability forms must have parents signature if under 18 years of age.
Project Graduation Post Office
Each year, during Leon High School’s “Project Graduation” (aka “Leon Luau” – THE party at the FSU Leach Center following graduation at the Civic Center), a post office is setup to allow each graduate to receive special letters sent from family, friends, and faculty. To make this a great experience for each graduate, we ask parents, family, and friends to write a special note, letter, or card to their graduating senior and drop it off to the Leon Project Graduation Box in the main office or to mail to the following address: Graduate (FIRST and LAST NAME) Leon High School Project Graduation P.O. Box 15601 Tallahassee, FL 32317-5601 Feel free to share the address with family, friends, and special teachers so they can mail in a letter. Please do not send anything of value (cash, checks, or gift cards). All letters MUST arrive by May 22, 2016. Should you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Rita Byrnes at suzanneritabyrnes@yahoo.com. Help make memories!
& &
6
Marine Corps JROTC
The Marine Corps JROTC Program prepares students to lead, evaluate, coordinate and function in multiple adult roles of day-today living and working throughout the life cycle. Students develop an individual sense of well-being to become contributing members of society as a family member, worker, nurturer, consumer, citizen and life-long learner. If a student decides to join the MCJROTC Program, the student will receive (1) full credit for H.O.P.E. and an additional (1) full credit for Performing Arts. There are additional activities for team participation in MCJROTC and qualify for a 2 to 4 year paid for scholarship for college, receive certification in CPR and First Aid, join the MCJROTC Drill Team and Marksmanship Team, receive martial arts training, join our athletic team (flag football, softball, basketball). Program Overview The Leon High School MCJROTC unit was activated in 1996 and is one of over 210 units funded by the United States Marine Corps. Leon’s MCJROTC has been designated as a “Distinguish Unit” 20 times, and “Honor Unit” 30 times since its establishment. Currently serving in the program are 150 plus cadets. The Senior Marine Instructor, and the Marine Instructor, are both retired Marines with 55 years of combined military service. There is NO military commitment for Junior ROTC, but cadets completing two or more years of JROTC are offered special promotions upon entering the service. The United States Marine Corps provides all uniforms at no cost to cadets and pays for tailoring uniforms. Cadets are responsible for the proper wear and maintenance of the uniform during the school year. MCJROTC has 15 ranks and over 30 ribbons for cadets to earn to wear on their uniforms. Cadets may participate on many teams and events including: Color Guard, Drill Team, Marksmanship Team, Youth Physical Fitness, JROTC Sports Competitions, Military Balls, parades and community service events.
Our graduates have served and are currently serving around the globe in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. They are also attending colleges around the country including the United States Naval Academy and United States Military Academy. Many have completed college or military service and are responsible citizens working in both the private and public sector. Objectives • Develop informed and responsible citizens. • Develop leadership skills. • Strengthen character. • Form habits of self-discipline. • Explore opportunities in public service and the military services. • Develop respect for, and an understanding of, the need for constituted authority in a democratic society. • Promote an understanding of the basic requirements for National security. Program Benefits • Upon successful completion of at least two years of JROTC, graduates are entitled to advance promotion to the grade of E-2 on initial enlistment in an active or reserve component of a military service. • Military Departments may award the grade of E-3 for successful completion of three academic years of JROTC. • The cadet who has completed three years of JROTC may be entitled to a ROTC Scholarship by the college concerned. • Graduates may apply for the Marine Corps PLC program during the summer prior to the freshman year of college. • Cadets may apply to the military academies in a special JROTC nomination category. • Self-discipline, self-confidence, and personal responsibility.
7 Student Eligibility To enroll the student must: • Be enrolled in and attending a regular course of instruction at Leon High School. (If student is zoned for a school without an ROTC unit, that student could be eligible for a CHOICE school change. Which must be submitted by 1 March.) • It is possible for this to be waived if channeled through appropriate channels at LCS. • Be a citizen of the United States, U.S. National, or lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence. • Be of good moral character as determined by the school principal and the SMI. • Be physically qualified to participate fully in regular physical education courses. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Does joining MCJROTC obligate me to serve in the United States military? A: No, this class in no way obligates/pushes you toward joining the military. However, if you are interested in joining the military, this may be your first small glimpse of military traditions, drill, and other events that might confirm or change your interest. Q: How much do uniforms cost? A: The uniforms are free to you, the cadet. The Marine Corps pays for all uniforms and instructional material. You are responsible for the upkeep of all uniform items and are required to return all items upon leaving the program. Q: Do the instructors yell at you/get in your face? A: This is not boot camp. The MCJROTC program runs like any other class. The instructors, referred to as the Senior Marine Instructor (SMI) and the Marine Instructor (MI), give lectures, present slide shows, show videos and incorporate hands on training into the lessons. If you want to experience a very brief version of boot camp, a Basic Leadership Training (BLT) is open to qualified, interested cadets during the year. Q: What are the benefits of joining MCJROTC? A: Upon completion of three years of the program, and choosing to enlist in the service, you are automatically eligible for promotion to the pay grade E-2. This puts you a year to two years ahead of your peers and amounts to hundreds of dollars per month in pay. Even if you decide that the military is not the career you desire, the principles and training of the MCJROTC program are widely respected on both job and college resumes. In addition cadets are eligible for a Marine Corps Foundation Scholarship. Q: Is the Physical Training (PT) difficult? A: We “PT” once a week, on Friday. The workout consists of push-ups, curl-ups, and running amongst other creative exercises. There is no set number of repetitions that are required for the program, only for ribbons, and at drill meets, medals. Much like a gym class, you are required to dressout in the MCJROTC PT gear, which will strongly affect your grade. Your numbers will be recorded on our boards for review, and it is each cadet’s goal to match and beat his/her previous numbers. The highest numbers in each event are recorded and the top ranking individuals are then placed on the first string of our PT Team that competes at all drill meets. Effort above numbers! Q: Are the males and females separated? A: The class is mixed with both males and females. The PT is done as a unit/class; however the female cadets pair-off with other female cadets, and males with males. On orientation/drill trips, the female cadets sit in the front and males in the back, separated by a row of empty seats. Fraternization is strictly prohibited. Dating within the unit will result in loss of job, dismissal from team and dismissal from unit. Relationships within the MCJROTC program are strictly professional. Q: What leadership positons are available in MCJROTC? A: The MCJROTC is run by the cadet staff and supervised by the SMI/MI.
The chain of command, which you will learn about very quickly in the program, consist of jobs from Cadet Battalion Commanding Officer (BNCO) - Cadet Public Affairs Officer (C/PAO). Jobs are delegated to cadets who have shown outstanding leadership potential, motivation, dedication, and high personal standards. Each job is vital to the unit, and all positions are taken very seriously. In most cases, freshmen are observed for these qualities and then selected for positions in their sophomore year. Outstanding freshmen cadets may be placed as Team Leaders and worked into a position. Each of our competing Drill/ Academic/PT/Orienteering/Color Guard teams has a team commander. A team commander can be freshmen-seniors; however they must meet all qualifications, such as memorizing the drill routines and other criteria necessary for fulfilling the job. Q: What teams are available? A: We have four drill teams, Unarmed Basic, Unarmed Exhibition, Armed Basic and Armed Exhibition. Freshmen cadets who show tremendous effort and potential will usually land a position on the Unarmed Basic team, and less frequently the Unarmed Exhibition. You must first learn to march without rifles before you can march with, much less spin/march with them. Remember, each cadet is competing for the same 14 positions, so competition is high. No cadets are cut from our team, and may be called upon as backups if a member is injured, sick, or otherwise unable to perform. We also have a Color Guard which does football games, and competitions. They are also invited once a year to present the colors at an FSU Basketball Game (Senior Cadets). The Color Guard is reserved for experienced/skilled marchers, but all cadets, including freshmen are invited to train for each position. Freshmen are used in our home football games. We have a rifle team that shoots in competitions here at our school. The positions are open to the highest shooters, freshmen-seniors. We also have an orienteering team that learns to read maps and use compasses. They participate in matches that can best be described as “scavenger hunts,” using coordinates to find markers and racing against the clock. Again these positions are open to freshmen-senior cadets. Finally, we have an academic team. The academic team participates in “Brain Brawls” which are college bowl style Jeopardy matches that ask Naval Science and current event questions. Starters of the drill teams, rifle team, color guard, and orienteering team receive varsity letters. Q: What field trips does MCJROTC go on? A: We are fortunate to be located in the North Florida region where there are three naval bases within a fairly close proximity, NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport, NS Kingsbay, Pensacola NAS, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA. At Naval Air Station Jacksonville or Pensacola, we have an opportunity to go every other year to the Blue Angels airshow, and have even flown the official training simulators. The unit also travels to Parris Island, S.C. for orientation training for a week with recruits. Every other year we travel to Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy for Outdoor Living Training. Each of these field trips is exclusive to MCJROTC and might otherwise be impossible to take part in. Q: I have heard of the “Military Ball”; what is it? A: The military ball is an annual event within the Unit in which we recognize the Unit’s, as well as individual cadet’s efforts and awards. We also celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday. This event is formal and cadets, as well as parents, are encouraged to participate. A formal dinner is prepared and a dance follows the ceremony. Dancing is tasteful, usually featuring ballroom dancing and slow dancing (with daylight between you and your dancing partner). Pictures are taken at a minimal expense and you’re very likely to walk away with a ribbon or two that you did not know you were eligible for. For any further information about the program, please contact Marine Instructor GySgt. A.L. Reaves, USMC (Ret.) at (850) 410-1992 - Office (850) 410-2658 – Fax.
LION
PRIDE
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tallahassee, Florida Permit No. 155
Leon High School 550 East Tennessee Street Tallahassee, FL 32308 Return Service Requested
8
A few spots are left! We need you!
This is a wonderful way for your company to get community recognition and exposure, and at the same time help support your local schools!
Leon High Shool 850-488-1971
Academy Publishing School Newsletter Program ™ 800-644-3541
Advertise in the Lion Pride!