Alumni
Athletics Athletic programs benefit from summer fundraiser
Joshua Pelz demonstrates his work at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Credit: U.S. Army photo by David McNally.
Riverdale grad improves U.S. Army body armor RIVERDALE ALUMNI – Thanks in part to Joshua Pelz, class of 2013, future American soldiers will be better protected in combat by stronger and lighter body armor. Now a materials science and engineering doctoral candidate at the University of California San Diego, Pelz spent his summer at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, doing innovative work that uses nature as the inspiration for breakthroughs in additive manufacturing. "My project is to design a system that can 3D print armor ceramics that will allow production of parts with graded structures similar to an abalone structure in nature that will improve the ceramic armor's toughness and survivability with lower weight," Pelz says. He hopes to use the composite ceramic armor and custom 3D printer he created to develop next-generation armor and also apply it to various other fields. "You could use this same system to produce ceramic implants for, say, a hip replacement or a knee replacement," Pelz says. "You could produce the ball that would be put into that hip joint to actually produce those parts. And so this system gives the ability to produce graded parts — composite ceramic parts — for really any application with any material." Read the full U.S. Army article at bit.ly/AlumJPelz.
RIVERDALE ATHLETICS – We’re already reaping the rewards from our community’s generosity at the inaugural Riverdale Golf Tournament this summer. A huge success for the athletics program, it has made funding possible for additional coaching stipends that the district budget couldn't support, along with other sports-related costs. For winter basketball, this means the ability to add both a coach and an assistant coach when early winter sports registration numbers showed strong enough interest for a third 7th8th grade team and a second high school JV team. For the winter season, Maverick boys and girls each have varsity and JV teams, with the extra JV2 team for the boys. Two teams of Falcon boys and girls are playing as part of the Metro Christian League Division 1 league (A and B squads), and a third boys’ team is part of the MCL Division 2 league. Thanks to everyone who participated in the fundraiser to supplement the Riverdale athletics budget this year. Nearly 70 golfers, 100 patrons and 24 sponsors and donors helped raise vital funds to maintain current sports programs within the 201819 school year. Through sponsorship, golf registration, lunch and a silent auction, the tournament yielded $20,000. "The timing of the tournament was perfect,” says Rob Pridemore, district athletics director. “It provided a fun way for the Riverdale athletic community to join together to help support many of our programs and kick off the year on a positive note." Plans are already underway for next summer’s tournament. Looking for athletics program details and team information? Check out RiverdaleSports.com.
Thanks to our volunteer writers & editors We're so grateful for these very special volunteers who answered the call to help with this newsletter: Heather Bogaty, Amy Coulter, Leslie Goss, Mary Horrall, Kirsten Koldinger and Sally McLain. Interested in helping write or edit for the spring issue? Email riverdalenews@riverdale.k12.or.us. Riverdale Review
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