Ruth Allen Theme Thursdays Fruit Sales

from CMR Stampede December 2019

Tis’ the Season

4rustlernews.com December 19, 2019

FRUIT DELIVERY Ruth Allen, substitute DECA store manager filling in for Linda Sullivan until the end of this week. Photos by Paige McCorkle. Raiden Kruckenberg, senior

“I think she’s adorable. She is always inviting and always has a big smile. She’s never angry even though so many kids are really rude to her. She’s always positive and nice to us.” Sienna Cherry, senior

“I go to the DECA store here and there to buy snacks and drinks, and the lady that works there is always so nice to everyone and cheerful despite being stuck in that little space for long periods of time every day.” Ruth Allen steps up as substitute DECA store manager

We miss you, Linda by Paige McCorkle, staff writer

Four years after Ruth Allen retired as a special education teacher at CMR, she has returned and can be found mere yards from the classroom in which she taught for so long.

“When I worked here about four years ago, I’d come to school every Tuesday and Thursday morning and just the waft of the popcorn helped me get through the day,” Allen said. Allen retired in 2015 from her job as a special ed teacher and has taken over at the DECA store for Linda Sullivan until the end of December due to Linda’s knee surgery.

“I like it really well. The students have been very polite and friendly, and the staff has been very welcoming,” she said. Being in a cramped space for the majority of the school day, one would think that it is troublesome, but for Allen it is quite the opposite.

“I keep so busy I don’t even notice. There’s a window I can open and there’s always something to do,” she said.

As humans, we all learn something everyday that shocks us. Allen said what surprised her the most is the students having great manners and politeness.

“They’ll often say things like ‘have a good day,’ and it really impresses me,” she said.

“I enjoy it. I really like it as a side job; [I’m] retired, and this is what I also thought I’d like to do when I retire --just work in a small shop.” Theme/Dress-up days Senior Ryan Lawson dresses up for tourist day on Nov. 26. Photo by Grace Carr. by Katie Mygland, staff writer

When it comes to figuring out what to wear to school, many students spend an extraordinary amount of time each morning staring into their closets in

bewilderment. There are, however, a few days on which those students have some guidance -- all thanks to the Theme Thursdays put in place by CMR student government.

“I think they are very interactive,” senior Ryan Lawson, a member of student government, said. “They are fun to do and get people to partake in school activities.” On Dec. 5, Rustlers dressed up in flannel, and today’s Dec. 19 theme revolves around festive Christmas sweaters. After the holidays, students can take part in the Western theme on Jan. 16, and after that is a red, white, and blue USA theme on Jan. 30.

Students like junior Faith Wardell enjoy the creative fun dress-up days.

“I think it is a good way to get people to try new things and get involved with the school,” Wardell said. DECA Favorites Monster energy drinks Salt and Vinegar chips CHEEZ-IT’s Rockstar energy drinks Popcorn $2.00 $0.75 $0.75 $2.00 $0.75

(Left) Music students and volunteers load fruit to be delivered. Fruit delivery took place at the fairgrounds on Dec. 12. Photo by Nancy Beston. (Right) Parker Harris and Alexandra Davidson help unload boxes of oranges at the fairgrounds on Dec. 12. Photo by Nancy Beston. (Right-bottom) Kortney Deaton helps guide volunteers at the fairgrounds on Dec. 12. Photo by Nancy Beston. (Left-bottom) Hailey Finch and Parker Harris unload fruit from the back of a vehicle at the fairgrounds on Dec. 12. Photo by Nancy Beston.