New AP Thespians

by Shana Fronsee, staff writer

Sad to be leaving C. M. Russell High School, Associate Principal Anita Ranieri starts a new building block in her life in the administration department. “I have truly loved working at CMR for the past five and a half years and will miss both students and staff,” Ranieri said.

She began her career in education at Lewis and Clark Elementary School as a Special Education teacher for two years. In 2000, she moved to Spokane to teach at North Central High School. She was there for 13 years, teaching Health and Fitness, Career Readiness, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), NAV 101, and English resource. She said she was an instructional coach and department leader before moving into administration in 2010.

In 2014, under the leadership of former CMR Principal Dick Kloppel, she accepted the Associate Principal position. “I was drawn to the job because of the quality of the school and the reputation of Dick Kloppel,” Ranieri said. “CMR has always been close to my heart because I student taught here under the supervision of Julie Graham and Gary Lowry.”

She said she volunteered to transfer to North Middle School this month because she embraced the changes and challenges as an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. She began her new adventures earlier this week on Feb. 3, and her goal is to build relationships with the staff and students, along with learning how things work at the middle school level.

“I’m excited about my new adventures at North Middle School,” she said. “I am a life-long learner and thrive off gaining knowledge from others. I think it is always fun to learn and gain new insight into something and a deeper understanding of education. Those things are fun, and to me they make life interesting and challenging.”

Jamie McGraw, a former English teacher from CMR and most recently the associate principal at NMS, will begin at CMR next week. Associate Principal takes role at North Middle School

Student teachers explore the Rustler’s way Every year, CMR welcomes various student teachers. Throughout their experience in their year of practice teaching, they serve as the backbone of teachers. This year, two aspiring teachers are set to learn more about what it means to be a Rustler.

Alexandra Evans teaches orchestra under the supervision of orchestra teacher Steve Olson. She said she appreciates her time teaching students. Being in the class has taught her a lot of valuable lessons that she carries on into her career.

Another student teacher this year is Kathryn Heryla, who is teaching French with Erica Davis. An alumni of CMR, she shared how she is excited to be back and learn more.

Alexandra Evans Orchestra

“I’ve enjoyed working with the kids, and I learn a lot from both them and Mr. Olson.”

Kathryn Heryla French

“I am really excited to be back at my old high school!”

To be or not to be... a Thespian by Justin Freeny & David Miller, staff writers

“It was something I felt succsessful at.”

- Janelle Munson “I have my family here and I have my friends here.”

- Grace Hanson “It’s a title that I treasure because I worked hard for it.”

- Cat Rangel

Being a Thespian to me is like being a part of a large family of other like-minded people, and being in this society has made such a large impression in my life. I will never forget the people I have met. It will always be a part of who I am. Prior to joining the Thespian society, I was a shy, introverted kid, and since joining I have flourished into an extroverted and outgoing person. I never thought that I would be able to get up in front of an audience and deliver a speech. It has provided me with the opportunity to do a lot of really amazing things such as appear on the news and in the local newspaper. It has also allowed me to work on my leadership skills through becoming an officer. This society has presented me with my true passion -- costuming -- and the tools to explore it in higher education. Justin’s Experience

The International Thespian Society was founded in 1928 in Fairmont, West Virginia by Dr. Paul Opp, Earnest Bavely and Harry Leaper. By the end of 1928 national Thespians (the original name) had accrued 71 troops in 26 states. The name was changed in 1945 to the National Thespian Dramatic honor society, and by 1954, as the society was reaching its 25th anniversary, it had accrued more than 1000 troops across 48 states and at the time of the territories of Alaska, Hawaii and the countries of Japan and Canada. Then, in the 1980s, the Educational Theater Association was founded to oversee the Thespian troops as well as their various activities. The history of the Thespians

The Thespian Society is where I call home. It’s given me a stronger purpose to my community, my friends, and the theater. The people I’ve befriended from being a Thespian are going to stick with me for life. It’s the root of my passion for theater. It drives me to become not only a better actor, but a better person. Before discovering my love for drama, I found myself at a loss for what to do. My interests were rooted in the STEM field, but nothing really stuck with me or spurred my curiosity to a level that acting does. Thanks to the Thespian Society, I know that I want to pursue a path in acting. That feeling of standing in front of a sea of people and connecting with all of them on a personal level is one that can’t be topped. I’ve worked harder for the stage than I have in any subject in a school day. There’s nothing I’d rather be than a Thespian, bringing an elaborate art form to a loving community. David’s Experience