ARTS: PBL Pope Prop

Film Production students in Mrs. Katherine Perry's class were working on a video as part of a project based learning unit last week where they had to incorporate an unusual prop. There prop of choice was the Pope!

ARTS: Chamber Singers Place 2nd at Lander Choral Festival

On February 17th, the Ridge View Chamber Singers participated in the 30th Annual Lander Choral Festival in Greenwood, South Carolina. The choir sang beautifully. The choir received a Superior rating with an average score of 95.75. The choir was also recognized for providing the Most Inspiring Performance of the day, and placed 2nd overall.

REMINDER: Richland Two Recruitment Fair Thursday

ACTIVITIES: 2017 Prom Tickets on Sale

The RVHS prom will be held next month at R2i2. Have you purchased your tickets yet? Tuesday, February 28th is the last day to purchased tickets for $45. Ticket prices will increase to $55 starting Wednesday, March 1st. Buy now before the ticket prices increase. Tickets are on sale near the Book Room outside of the Small Gym area on Tuesday's, Wednesdays and Fridays during lunch or see Dr. Moore in Room A-20 before school or after school. 

African American Read-In a Success

Ridge View held its first African American Read-In on February 24th in the Library Commons. Interactive gallery-type learning stations featured African American accomplishments in art, literature, music and sports. Special thanks to Ellyn Parsons, Colette Schmidt, Theresa Reid, and Wendi Wimmer for organizing the event. #aari17

ACADEMICS: Senior Mincy Meets Teenage Entrepreneur

Jaylen Bledsoe (L) and Tre'Von Mincy (R)

Jaylen D. Bledsoe, age 19, currently has 150+ contractors working for him world-wide and has an estimated net-worth of $3.5 Million in USD. By 11 years old, Jaylen taught himself seven software languages, out of ten books, over four weeks. Jaylen is CEO and Founder of IT Company Bledsoe Technologies, LLC, and has established partnerships with Google and Microsoft. He created an App that allows for customers to check-in to hotels on-line and use their phones as keys to unlock the door. In 2015 he was named one of the Most Influential African-Americans by Ebony Magazine and invited to be a White House Guest Speaker by former President, Barack H. Obama. Blazer Senior Tre’Von Mincy had the honor of being invited to meet with Jaylen, while he was a guest speaker at Orangeburg Wilkerson High School in Orangeburg, SC. Jaylen received a transcript/resume detailing Tre’Von’s educational history and recognizes a strong sense of future success for him with the proper mentorship and financial guidance. Tre’Von is in both the CAD/CAM and Apple Apps iOS Developer software classes at R2i2 to help prepare him for a career in computer engineering. As a young, teenage entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, investor and celebrity consultant to Steve Harvey, Jaylen’s motto is: “You can have wealth, but don’t let wealth have you.”

ARTS: Chorus Members Participate in District Honor Choir

RVHS Choir members with Dr. Campbell

On February 16th, 34 choir students participated in the annual Richland District Two Honor Choir at Spring Valley High School. This honor choir consisted of 107 students from across the district. The clinician for the event was Dr. Don Campbell, the director of choral activities at South Wesleyan University. The students had a rigorous full day of rehearsal with Dr. Campbell and put on a fantastic concert that evening. You can listen to the honor choir perform by clicking on the image.

This Week in the Blazer College Center

Click on the image to read the Blazer College Center Newsletter for the week of February 26th to receive information about college scholarship opportunities, college representative visits, and more. Please see Ms. Aldighieri in the College Center in Room D-95 with questions or for assistance.

This Week AT THE VIEW

Here is what is going on this week AT THE VIEW:

Monday, February 27th

• Varsity Baseball vs. Cane Bay @ Home at 6 pm
• Girls Lacrosse @ River Bluff at 6 pm
• Varsity Girls Soccer @ Swansea at 6 pm

Tuesday, February 28th

• ACT administered to all 3rd year students
• B-Team Baseball vs. Camden @ Dreher H.S. at 5 pm
• Varsity Softball Scrimmage vs. Lower Richland @ Home at 6 pm

Wednesday, March 1st

• B-Team Baseball vs. Lugoff-Elgin at Dreher H.S. at 5 pm
• Boys Soccer @ Hammond (JV at 5:30 pm & Varsity at 7 pm)
• Girls Lacrosse vs. Lexington @ Home at 6 pm

Thursday, March 2nd

• Chorus All-State Weekend @ Winthrop University (March 2-4, 2017)
• Varsity Softball Scrimmage vs. Richard Winn @ Home at 5:30 pm
• Varsity Baseball @ Richland Northeast at 6 pm

Friday, March 3rd

• Boys Soccer @ Sumter (JV at 5:45 pm & Varsity at 7:15 pm)
• Girls Lacrosse vs. Blythewood @ Home at 6 pm

Saturday, March 4th

• No events currently scheduled

ACADEMICS: Graduation Information Packet

Seniors and parents of Seniors can click on the image to view the Class of 2017 Graduation Information Packet, which can answer many of your questions regarding graduating this year. This packet will be updated throughout the year. Students can also contact Ms. Wendi Wimmer in Student Activities regarding the graduation ceremony or their School Counselor regarding academic issues impacting graduation.

COMMUNITY: Free Cola Daily Newsletter Subscription

Never miss a headline or miss out on events in the area! Click on the image to subscribe for Cola Daily's free newsletter. Every morning, the latest headlines will arrive in your inbox. On Thursday afternoons, you'll receive a newsletter filled with events happening in the area. Cola Daily is the only local daily newspaper for Columbia and the Midlands, including Lexington and Richland counties.

WISTV's Coverage of Our Teen Relationship Violence Town Hall Meeting

The Ridge View Scholars Academy for Business and Law co-hosted a town hall meeting with Senator Mia McLeod focusing on bill s. 169, the Teen Dating Violence Prevention Act, which would allow youth to file for orders of protection in situations of relationship violence and provide for education regarding healthy relationships. It was a great evening with a productive discussion led by WISTV's Judi Gaston. Click on the image to see coverage of the event courtesy of WISTV.

REMINDER: Yearbook Staff Wanted

Ridge Views Vanguard Yearbook staff is looking for excited, dedicated, hardworking students for the 2017-2018 school year. Students must complete an application, have three teacher recommendations and an interview. All applications are due by February 28th. Click on the image to submit an application. For more information, please contact Mrs. High-Washington in room C-63, or you can email her at lhigh@richland2.org.

ACADEMICS: Grich Receives SAFE Scholarship

Blazer Senior Lahsen Grich is the 2017 SAFE Scholarship for Richland Two. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship from SAFE Federal Credit Union at SAFE's 2017 Annual Meeting on March 20th. Congratulations Lahsen!

ACADEMICS: Reardon Selected for Disney Dreamers Academy

Blazer Senior Megan Reardon has been selected to attend the Disney Dreamers Academy hosted by Steve Harvey at Disney World on March 9-12th. Disney selects 100 students from across the nation for an all paid trip for an amazing three day conference. Megan will benefit from this academy by gaining career experience, networking and interviewing opportunities to help her achieve her goals in life. Congratulations Megan!

ACADEMICS: FREE Standardized Test Prep

SC Virtual School is offering FREE standardized test prep for ACT, AP, SAT, and more on Shmoop. Click on the image for more information or click on the link to the registration page.

Richland Two Recruitment Fair

Bell Schedule for Thursday, February 23rd

Ridge View will be on an alternative schedule on Thursday, February 23rd as we celebrate Black History Month with a special assembly. We hope everyone enjoys the production. Here is the bell schedule:

• EB:   7:35-8:30
• 1st:   8:40-10:20 (Students dismissed             via PA to Assembly)
• 2nd: 10:26-11:06
• 3rd:  11:12-11:52
• 4th:  11:58-12:38
• L:      12:38-1:23
• 5th:  1:23-2:03
• 6th:  2:09-2:49
• 7th:  2:55-3:35

ATHLETICS: Boys Basketball Falls to Wren in Playoffs

The Ridge View Varsity Boys Basketball team was defeated on Tuesday night at Wren H.S. in the 3rd round of the state playoffs. Congratulations to the boys on an amazing season that featured the following highlights.

• Final Record: 16-8; 9-1 Region
• Farm Bureau Classic Tournament Champions
• Advanced to 3rd Round of State Playoffs (Elite 8)
• Region III-AAAA Champions
• Tre' High, Waylyn Napper & Kaiden Rice named to the All-Region team
• Wayln Napper Named Newcomer of the Year in Region III-AAAA
• Kaiden Rice selected as the Region III-AAAA Player of the Year
• Coach Yerrick Stoneman named Region III-AAAA Coach of the Year
• Kaiden Rice selected to the All-State team
• Kaiden Rice selected to the North/South S.C. All-Star Game at Lexington H.S. on March 18th

The future of the boys basketball program is bright. Congratulations to our players and coaches on an amazing season!

Military Academy Day

U.S. Senator Lindsey O. Graham is pleased to invite interested students from across South Carolina to participate in Military Academy Day 2017. This annual event, hosted by his office, allows students to learn more about applying to and attending one of our nation's prestigious service academies. Representatives from the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board will take part in the program. Military Academy Day will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 9:30 am to noon at the National Advocacy Center at 1620 Pendleton Street in Columbia. Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 28th via www.lgraham.senate.gov/academydayregistration.

Wednesday's Bell Schedule

Due to 3rd Year Advisory classes precoding answer sheets for the ACT, Ridge View will be on the following bell schedule for Wednesday, February 22nd:

• 1st Period:   9:30 - 10:05
• 2nd Period: 10:10 - 10:45
• Advisory:     10:50 - 11:50
• 3rd Period:  11:55 - 12:30
• 4th Period:  12:35 - 1:10
• Lunch:          1:10 - 1:35
• 5th Period:  1:40 - 2:15
• 6th Period:  2:20 - 2:55
• 7th Period:  3:00 - 3:35

ATHLETICS: Lady Blazers Fall in 3rd Round of Playoffs

The Lady Blazers Varsity Girls Basketball team was defeated on Monday night at Greenville H.S. in the third round of the SCHSL 4A State Playoffs. Congratulations to the ladies on an amazing season that featured the following highlights:

• Overall Record 22-4; 10-0 Region
• Carolina Invitational Coastal Division Tournament Champions
• Region III-AAAA Champions
• Armanii Grice, Erica Tisdale and Laura Ajukwa were named All-Region 
• Armanii Grice was named the Region III-AAAA Player of the Year
• Coach Terrence Gibson was named the Region III-AAAA Coach of the Year
• Armanii Grice was selected to the All-State team by the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association
• Narjai Beshear was selected to the North/South S.C. All-Star Game at Lexington H.S. on March 18th
• Armanii Grice was selected the North Carolina/South Carolina All-Star Game to be played at Socastee H.S. on March 18th

The future of the Ridge View Girls Basketball program is very bright. Congratulations to our players and coaches on an amazing season!

REMINDER: MTC's ACCUPLACER Test

Ridge View High in partnership with Midlands Technical College (MTC) offers Early College/Dual-Credit courses. Students enrolled in these courses can earn both high school and college credit, which is transferable to any public four-year college in South Carolina, and some of the state's private schools. These courses are taught by professors from MTC and meet during 6-7th periods two days per week either on Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday. There is no cost for these courses other than the cost of the textbooks. Students will be required to purchase books for the courses. Students interested in taking these courses must take and receive a qualifying score on the ACCUPLACER (or COMPASS) Test prior to registering for these classes. All students who are enrolled in English 2 CP will take the ACCUPLACER Test on February 28th. If parents do not want their child to take this test, please contact Mr. Butler no later than this Friday, February 24th at cbutler@richland2.org or at (803) 699-2999 ext. 84227.

REMINDER: MEDTwo Pathology Seminar Tomorrow

Dr. Carol McMahon

MEDTwo will be hosting a Pathology Seminar tomorrow, Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30-7:30 pm in the RVHS Auditorium. This Health Careers Seminar will be presented by Dr. Carol McMahon of the USC School of Medicine. Dr. McMahon is a graduate of Harvard and Howard Universities. All are welcome to attend.

ACADEMICS: CAT February Newsletter

The Carolina Alliance for Technology (CAT) program has produced its February newsletter. Click on the image to read more about this RVHS program. 

Blythewood Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

The Blythewood Chamber of Commerce awards one $1,000 scholarship to a local, college-bound student who has declared a business major. All high school seniors residing or attending school in the Blythewood 29016 zip code, as well as seniors of active GBCC members that are planning to attend institutions of higher learning are eligible to apply. Please click on the image for more information and the scholarship application.

ATHLETICS: Grice Selected to Play in N.C./S.C. All-Star Game

Lady Blazers All-State basketball standout Armanii Grice has been selected to the North Carolina/South Carolina All-Star game, which will be played on Saturday, March 18th at Socastee High School. This is the most prestigious All-Star game in the state. Congratulations Armanii!

ATHELTICS: Boys Hoops Beat N. Augusta; Travel to Wren Tuesday Night

The Ridge View Varsity Boys Basketball team got out to a fast start offensively and defensively on Friday night and defeated North Augusta 55-52 in the 2nd round of the 4A SCHSL State Playoffs. Kaiden Rice paced the Blazers with 26 points and Wayln Napper scored 13. The team will travel to Wren H.S. on Tuesday night for a 3rd round playoff match up. Tip of is at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $6.

Yearbook Staff Wanted

Ridge Views Vanguard Yearbook staff is looking for excited, dedicated, hardworking students for the 2017-2018 school year. Students must complete an application, have three teacher recommendations and an interview. All applications are due by February 28th. Click on the image to submit an application. For more information, please contact Mrs. High-Washington in room C-63, or you can email her at lhigh@richland2.org.

ACADEMICS: English 1 Lunch Tutoring

Are you having trouble in your English 1 class? Get help now! Mrs. Sales-McMillan is offering English 1 tutoring during lunch on Tuesday's and Thursday's in room A-6. She will help students from any teacher. Bring your work with you.

REMINDER: Talent Show Interest Meeting on Wednesday

MEDTwo Pathology Seminar on Thursday

Dr. Carol McMahon

MEDTwo will be hosting a Pathology Seminar on Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30-7:30 pm in the RVHS Auditorium. This Health Careers Seminar will be presented by Dr. Carol McMahon of the USC School of Medicine. Dr. McMahon is a graduate of Harvard and Howard Universities. All are welcome to attend.

ATHLETICS: Lady Blazers Win; Travel to Greenville Monday

Our Lady Blazers Basketball team defeated Midland Valley 49-44 on Friday night in the 2nd round of the state playoffs in front of a lively home crowd. The game featured lead changes and high drama throughout the evening, but our Blazers persevered through adversity and came out on top in the end. All-State player Armanii Grice, a UNC Asheville commitment, paced the team with 20 points while Elisabeth Whitmore contributed 12 huge points off the bench. The Lady Blazers will travel to Greenville H.S. for a 3rd round match up on Monday night at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $6. Congratulations ladies!

Tuesday's SAT/ACT Workshop Canceled

The SAT/ACT Workshop that was scheduled for Tuesday, February 21st has been canceled. Students that have already paid should see Mrs. Aldighieri in Room D-95 to be reimbursed.

This Weeks' Blazer College Center Newsletter

Click on the image to read the Blazer College Center Newsletter for the week of February 19th to receive information about college scholarship opportunities, college representative visits, and more. Please see Ms. Aldighieri in the College Center in Room D-95 with questions or for assistance.

This Week AT THE VIEW

Dr. Carol McMahon to present
at MEDTwo Seminar on Thursday

Here is what is going on this week AT THE VIEW:

Monday, February 20

• To make up one of the days missed because of Hurricane Matthew, all students will attend school on this day. The other two make up days will be March 17th and April 17th.
• Girls Varsity Basketball playoff game at Greenville H.S. at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, February 21

• SAT Workshop CANCELED
• Boys Tennis @ Irmo at 5 pm
• Boys Soccer vs. Gilbert @ home (JV at 5:30 pm & Varsity at 7 pm)
• Junior Class Ring Ceremony (This event has been postponed.)

Wednesday, February 22

• College Shirt Day: Wear your favorite college shirt and stop by D-95 to have your picture taken.
• College Lunch Chat: Join Mrs. Sales-McMillan in A-6 to chat about S.C. State University. Bring your lunch.

Thursday, February 23

• Black History Month Assembly in the Gym at 9:00 am
• MEDTwo Health Careers Seminar: Pathology in the Auditorium from 5:30-7:30 pm presented by Dr. Carol McMahon
• Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Fairfield Central @ home at 6 pm

Friday, February 24

• SCMEA All-State Orchestra @ the USC School of Music

Saturday, February 25

• SCMEA All-State Orchestra @ the USC School of Music
• SCMEA Solo and Ensemble Chorus @ RVHS
• B-Team Baseball @ Dreher at 9 am
• Varsity Baseball @ Irmo at 2 pm

Interested in the Boys Developmental Lacrosse Team

Anyone interested in playing on the Boys Developmental Lacrosse team to prepare for varsity competition next year should contact Coach John Powers at jpp6365@yahoo.com or (893) 447-0257 for more information.

English 2 CP Students to Take ACCUPLACER Test

Ridge View High in partnership with Midlands Technical College (MTC) offers Early College/Dual-Credit courses. Students enrolled in these courses can earn both high school and college credit, which is transferable to any public four-year college in South Carolina, and some of the state's private schools. These courses are taught by professors from MTC and meet during 6-7th periods two days per week either on Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday. There is no cost for these courses other than the cost of the textbooks. Students will be required to purchase books for the courses. Students interested in taking these courses must take and receive a qualifying score on the ACCUPLACER (or COMPASS) Test prior to registering for these classes. All students who are enrolled in English 2 CP will take the ACCUPLACER Test on February 28th. If parents do not want their child to take this test, please contact Mr. Butler no later than February 24th at cbutler@richland2.org or at (803) 699-2999 ext. 84227.

ACADEMICS: Using Rhetorical Strategies in Advertising Campaigns

Students in Mrs. Kailey Collins English 1 Honors class recently used rhetorical strategies to implement an advertising campaign for a product of their choice. Students either chose an existing product or developed their own product. Rhetorical strategies are used to persuade an audience.

ACTIVITIES: Jackson Selected for National HOBY Conference

Blazer Junior Victoria Jackson was the only student from Richland Two to attend a Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership conference last year as a junior counselor. As a recipient of a HOBY standout award and being an alternate to last year's National Conference, she has been selected to attend the National Advanced Leadership Conference this summer in Chicago. Congratulations Victoria!

ATHLETICS: Grice & Rice Make All-State Team

All-State players Armanii Grice (left) and Kaiden Rice (right)

Congratulations to Blazer Seniors Armanii Grice and Kaiden Rice on being selected to the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association All-State Team for the 2016-2017 season! Grice has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at UNC-Asheville, and Rice recently committed to play for The Citadel. Congratulations Blazers!

ATHLETICS: Letterman Jacket Sale Ends Tuesday

Are you interested in purchasing a Ridge View Letterman's Jacket? If so, Neff is offering a special sale with a $30 discount online until February 21st. To order online, follow these directions:

1. Visit www.neffjacketshop.com
2. Click on South Caroina
3. Click on RIDGE VIEW
4. Customize Jacket

Girls Basketball Hosts Playoff Tonight; Boys Host Saturday

Both Ridge View Varsity Girls and Boys were successful in the first round of the state playoffs and will host a second round game. The Lady Blazers will play tonight against Midland Valley at 6 PM. The boys will play North Augusta tomorrow, Saturday, February 18th at 7 PM. All tickets are $6. The only passes accepted will be a South Carolina High School League pass. We regret to inform you that Richland Two Faculty, Staff, Gold, etc. passes cannot be accepted. We hope that you can come out and support your Blazers.

ACTIVITIES: Talent Show Interest Meeting

ACADEMICS: IHS Sophomores Participate in Vision Lab

Sophomores in the Institute for Health Sciences Magnet program recently tested their peripheral vision during a vision lab.

ACADEMICS: Reardon Earns Nominations to Service Academies

Blazer Senior Megan Reardon has applied to the Coast Guard Academy, the Naval Academy and West Point. In order to attend the Naval Academy or West Point, a nomination is needed for a better chance of being selected. Each local Congressmen is limited to nominating 10 applicants for each academy. Megan has received 3 nominations from Congressmen Joe Wilson, and a Presidential nomination to West Point and the Naval Academy. Megan is still waiting to hear from Senator Lindsey Graham on his nomination decision.

ATHLETICS: Basketball Program Receives Region Awards

Our Basketball program has had an excellent season. All five of our teams won the Region III-AAAA Championships and completed the region schedule with an astounding 47-1 record! The Varsity teams each had 3 players make the All-Region team. For the Lady Blazers, Laura Ajukwa, Armani Grice and Erica Tisdale were selected as All-Region while Tre' High, Wayln Napper and Kaiden Rice were named to the Boy's All-Region team. Grice and Rice were also named the Players of the Year. Waylyn Napper was named newcomer of the year. Furthermore, Terrence Gibson was named the Girls Region Coach of the Year and Yerrick Stoneman was named the Boys Region Coach of the Year. Congratulations hoopsters!

ATHLETICS: Boys Basketball Defeats Daniel

Congratulations to the Varsity Boys Basketball team on their victory over Daniel 63-49 in the first round of the state playoffs. Click on the image for video highlights from the win courtesy of The State newspaper.

MEDTwo Pathology Seminar

Dr. Carol McMahon

MEDTwo will be hosting a Pathology Seminar on Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30-7:30 pm in the RVHS Auditorium. This Health Careers Seminar will be presented by Dr. Carol McMahon of the USC School of Medicine. Dr. McMahon is a graduate of Harvard and Howard Universities. All are welcome to attend.

ATHLETICS: Lady Blazers Win; Host Playoff Game Tomorrow

Congratulations to our Lady Blazer Basketball team on their victory against Wren High School in the first round of the state playoffs. The Blazers won by a score of 61 to 37. McKeyzia Harts led the Blazers with 11 points followed by Jayla Bolden and Narjai Beshear, who both had 10 points. The ladies will be back in action tomorrow, Friday, February 17th at 6 pm at home. All tickets are $6. The only passes accepted will be from the SCHSL. No Richland Two Faculty, Staff, or Gold passes will be accepted. GO BLAZERS!!!