February 14, 2018
VOL. MMXVIII, NO. 1
RAM’S EAR R I O V I S TA H I G H S C H O O L
Kevin Hines Shares His Empowering Story by Madison Myer, Features Editor
photo: Bailey Adgate
“It was the first millisecond, the first body after the plunge off the Golden Gate. moment of free fall. I knew it was the worst After the surgery and recovery, Hines was mistake I ever made.” admitted into thirteen different psychiatric Kevin Hines was 17 when he was hospitals to help him heal. diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He sufHines has written books to share his fered from hallucinations experience and in hopes and paranoia. After living of preventing more suithrough those conditions “It is okay to cides. Hines believes that not be okay. everyone should be edufor two years, at 19 years old, he attempted to take It is not cated on brain health and his own life by jumpwellness. Cracked Not okay to not ing off the Golden Gate ask for help.” Broken, his first book, was Bridge. He was one of the released in 2013. He also ~Kevin Hines very lucky 36 survivors of starred in The Bridge, a thousands who have atdocumentary film. tempted this jump. That’s a less than one Hines has become a motivational percent survival rate. speaker and wellness advocate. He shared Hines fell 220 feet down into the his story for the first time in public to his frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay, lacerating most of his lower organs. He also shattered his T12, L1, and L2 vertebrae. A Coast Guard boat saved him and took him to Marin General Hospital. There, they performed an unforeseen, experimental surgery that left just a few scars on Hines’ One of only 36 to ever survive a suicide attempt off the Golden Gate Bridge, Kevin Hines has dedicated his life to spreading the word about mental illness.
Booster Club Dinner Dance Raises Over $8,000 for Athletics, Arts and Academics The annual Booster Club Dinner Dance took place on Saturday, January 27 at the Portuguese Hall. Guests started arriving at 6 p.m. for cocktails and appetizers, with dinner following shortly after at 7. Attendees enjoyed drinks and a live band all night long. This year, the usual steak, portuguese beans, and salad was accompanied by key lime pie and chocolate cheesecake, courtesy of Mrs. Montgomery’s culinary arts class. Students and athletes served parents, faculty, and alumni throughout the night. Towards the end of the event, all tickets are put in a raffle where every tenth ticket wins $100 and the final ticket wins $800. Stacia Olson had the winning ticket and received a check from the Booster Club. Club President Corey Farrell said a few words thanking everyone for their continuous support
photo: Bailey Adgate
by Tillie McTeer, Staff Writer
and asking them to continue providing for the school. The silent auction made a $6500 profit while the wine grab made over $900. All the proceeds from the night support the athletes and clubs at RVHS, and the Portuguese Hall donates everything made from bar sales back for senior scholarships. The dinner dance helps pay for transportation, uniforms, and new equipment for all the sports teams. After dinner and drinks, guests hit the dance floor and listened to the live band. The night was successful, having raised over $8,000 for the students here at RVHS.
childhood middle school. After he spoke to the school, he received a letter from each of the students that heard his story. Six of those letters were from suicidal students. Through those letters they were able to get help. Since then, Hines has made it his goal to help as many people as he can. Hines now travels the world to speak to people from all different backgrounds, from high schools, colleges and universities, to clinicians, corporations, and military personnel and policymakers. “Life is a gift, that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always.”
Carson Spradling’s poster design was chosen by the Booster Club to represent the event. Congratulations Carson! (Digital Imaging I, Block A)
Love is in the Air During Valentine’s Spirit Week
by Brooke Okamura, Staff Writer
This year’s annual Valentine’s Day themed Vice and spirit week comes with a sweet twist; spirit week will be kicked off sparking our excitement for the dance theme of ‘Party Hearty’ taking place February 24th at the Veteran’s Hall on Saturday with, not only our spirit for Valentine’s Day, but also our rivalry of Battle of the Sexes. In tying these two events together,
our spirit week begins on Tuesday, after our monday holiday, with ‘Frat vs. Sorority’ dressing as your 22 Jump Street stereotype or as your Legally Blonde inspiration. Following up on Wednesday, is ‘GI-Joe vs. Barbie’ day revealing your full on camo gear or your 60s Barbie attire. In addition, we have ‘Twin Day’ where you match with the opposite sex, and lastly Fri-
day ends with ‘Pink Vs. Blue.’ With this iconic event we host every year, girls take the lead in asking guys to accompany them to the dance. The girls take charge, in not only Vice proposals, but also in the corresponding spirit week, (which they have for the past 3 years!). Boys, collect your Ram Pride to make this a true “Battle” of the Sexes for the year 2018, and for girls,
have your confidence soar; ask a friend, or that new guy you have a crush on to Vice to make it one for the books and a high school dance you’ll never forget! Buckle up and get ready for this year’s Party Hearty, Battle of the Sexes incorporated themed Rio Vista High annual Vice Dance!