Student News
February 2010
- Art Stars Shine at Competition
On Saturday, February 27, 10 ninth grade students particpated in the regional Visual Arts Scholastic Event in San Marcos.There were approximately 2600 entries into this competition, where students wer judged on their paintings as well as how they answered questions posed by judges.
Scoring a III for EXCELLENT: Jessica, Amanda, Jordan, Hollyn, and Gabby.
Scoring a IV for SUPERIOR, and receiving medals: Jessica, Paige, Themmi, Arianna, and Gema. Great work!
In other art news, the following students will have their work displayed at the Carruth Administration Building during the entire month of March:
Rewon, Lupe, Ally, Gema, Raquel, Yesenia, Jailyn, Arianna, Jennifer, Kelly, Biana, and Deanna. - New ARS Choir Website
Choir Director Millicent Garza has a new website to keep students and families updated about all the latest ARS Choir news. Check it out!
January 2010
- Statewide Youth & Government Competition
After their success in November, eight freshman Ann Richards students competed in the 63rd annual Youth & Government Competition in Austin, which involves a complete simulation of the Texas government and involved more that 1100 students from around Texas.
Six ARS students particpated in the Trial Court Competition, and received positive evaluations throughout the process. Great work Anna, Jersalen, Laura, Erin, Cynthia, and Selena!
Jaylin particpated in the Legislative Branch competition, where she introduced a bill on increasing physical activity requirements for students. Although the bill was ultimately vetoed, we are proud to report that Jaylin's bill was one of only 19 bills to even be considered!
Taylor particpated in the Print Media section of the competition, where she interviewed delegates, reported on proceeding, and produced a daily newspaper. For her efforts, Taylor was named Outstanding Freshman for the Media Section.
- Art Stars
Five ARS students submitted their work to the Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Competition held at St. Stephen's in Austin, including Arianna, Jessie, Erin, Celeste, and Jessica. We are pleased to announce that on Sunday, January 24th, Jessica accepted the Silver Key Award in the competition!
Look for more art stars this springs as several high school students partipate in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) on February 27 in San Marcos. Middle school student artists will compete in Junior VASE on May 10 in Round Rock.
November 2009
- Robotics Club Success!
After three months of intense preparation, the Robotics Club competed in the Texas Regional Qualifier tournament held at LBJ High School. The girls were judged on three tasks: robot performance on an obstacle course; robot design and programming; and a research project regarding present and future transportation challenges. Of the 25 teams present from across the city, our team placed 4th!
Congratulations on all of your hard work! - Theatre Arts Students Recognized for Excellence
Theatre students particpated in the AISD One Act Play Festival, performing "The Remarkable Susan" by Tim Kelly. The play deals with the court case surrounding Susan B. Anthony and her effort to acquire women's right to vote. Several students were honored for their work: Heather (Outstanding Performance); Bryce (All-Star Cast); Alex (Honorable Mention); and Jenny (Outstanding Stage Manager).
We look forward to more great things from these students as they prepare for their Spring Show, featuring monologues and plays by Australian playwright Alex Broun. Stay tuned for dates and times of this exciting multimedia performance! - Stars Marching Band
The Stars Marching Band performed their first marching drill show for the Ann Richards community on November 17. Their first show was a huge success!
The Marching Band also participated in their first parade! The band marched in Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade in downtown Austin on November 28th - Ninth Grade Students Compete in Youth and Government
Eight ninth grade students on the Youth and Government Team competed in a regional competition held at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on November 15, 2009. All of these students were selected to continue on to the State competition as the only all-girl, all freshman team to compete at this level! - GIRLSNOW! Conference
Ann Richards Student Council and Ambassadors were major participants in the Central Texas GIRLSNOW! conference that was hosted at ARS. Members designed and painted banners for the event, made goodie bags for participants, and acted as hosts for more than 1000 girls attending the conference! ARS students helped to make this event a huge success! - Orchestra Honors ARS Student
Shara made All Region Orchestra and represented ARS in the clinic and concert held on November 20-21.
Congratulations, Shara! - Ann Richards Ambassadors Fundraising Success!
Ann Richards Ambassadors raised nearly $500 for the Rainbow Room through the Change for Change Program and Partnerships for Children. The Ambassadors also organized and helped collect a POD full of food and clothing itens for the Capital Area Food Bank!
October 2009
- Orchestra News
On October 19th and 20th, several of our students from ARS particapted in an All-City Honor Orchestra held at Austin High School. The team from ARS included Shara, Raven, Sara, Sofia, and Alana. Congratualtions!
May 2008
- Ninth Grade Students Compete in Youth and Government
Eight ninth grade students on the Youth and Government Team competed in a regional competition held at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on November 15, 2009. All of these students were selected to continue on to the State competition as the only all-girl, all freshman team to compete at this level!
- ARS Band Students Shine at Solo & Ensemble Contest!
Nine Stars Band Students and four Stellar Orchestra Students participated in the Solo & Ensemble Contest May 22, held on our campus. Ten students received First Division Ratings for their Superior Performance on their individual solo or their ensemble piece. Some students competed in these two areas. The following students won First Division:
Laura Catterson: Oboe Solo
Lily Craymer: Violin Solo
Kirsten Foreman: Sax Solo
Laura Herrera: Clarinet Solo
Hannah Huffman: Clarinet Duet
Hanna Searcy: Clarinet Duet
Rebekah Priddy: Violin Solo & Trio
Gabby Munoz: Violin Trio
Simone Rath: Violin Trio
Sidhtini Rone: Flute Solo
Moriah Weiner: Sax Solo
Congratulations students!
- ARS Choir Makes a Splash at Schlitterbahn Music Festival!
The Combined 6th & 7th Grade ARS Singing Stars Choir made a big splash at the Schlittebahn Music Festival on Saturday May 10.
The choir performed three songs for a panel of three judges and received a Superior rating for their outstanding performance. They also received a second honor by being chosen "Best in Class", which means they were the best Level I Class C Treble Choir that the judges heard at the festival. After their fantastic performance on Saturday morning, the choir spent the day splashing and playing at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark to celebrate the end of a stellar first year.
The choir presented their two large trophies to Ms. Goka on Monday morning. The choir is very proud to have won the first trophies to be displayed in the ARS trophy case.
You may hear the award winning Singing Stars Choir for yourselves at their Spring Concert on Thursday, May 15 at 7:00pm at the Travis High School Fine Arts Auditorium. The choir will be performing along with the Stellar Orchestra and the Stars Band.
April 2008
- All-City Honor Band
On April 23 & 24, six 7th grade members from the Stars Band participated in the All-City Honor Band Festival.
Becky Linn, Laura Catterson, Jessica Loredo, Arianna Lopez, Candice Janecka, and Alyssa Baquera.
The Stars Band students were part of a 100 member honor band that represented the top middle school band students in AISD. Students were selected into this honor band based on each band directors nominations from their program. Only the top chair students from each band program were nominated. Chair placement in the All-City Honor Band was determined by the students participation in All-Region Honor Band earlier in the year. The All-City Band students met for the first time on April 23, Wednesday evening at Covington Middle School. They rehearsed from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. They continued rehearsal the next day from 8:30am - 3:00 pm. The concert was at Burger Center that evening at 7:00 pm. The performance will be televised on the AISD Access Channel (22) throughout the year. Congratulations, Stars Band Students!
- AISD Orchestra Solo & Ensemble Contest
A Stellar Orchestra member, Lily Craymer, participated in the AISD Orchestra Solo & Ensemble Contest at Lanier High School Saturday, April 26. She received the rating of First Division for her Class III Viola Solo: Gavotte in G Minor by J. S. Bach. Congratulations, Lily!
January 2008
- ARS Choir Members Win Honors
January 2008 brought with it honors for the ARS Choir. Seventh graders Iris Baughman, Sydney Holt, and Allison Sands were selected for the Middle School All-Region Choir for Region 18. Singers were required to prepare four challenging pieces and to perform anonymously in front of a panel of judges. On February 2nd, they participated in a daylong workshop to prepare for the All-Region performance that same evening. Congratulations, Alison, Sydney, and Iris! Well sung!
November 2007
- Lego Robotics Club Takes 33rd in a field of 60
In November 2007, Ann Richards School’s first Lego Robotics Club took 33rd in a field of 60 teams for their first ever First Lego League competition. Participants were required to build their own Mindstorm Robots and to program them to maneuver an obstacle course. Congratulations to Kimberly Garcia, Maria Pace, Selena Silva, and Cierra Wallerstein-Myers…ARS’s FIRST 1st Lego League Club!
October 2007
- Lily Cramer Earns 8th Chair Viola in the Middle School All-Region Honor Philharmonic Orchestra for Region 18
In October 2007, ARS seventh grade viola student Lily Craymer became the first Ann Richards Girl to earn the honor of a spot in the Middle School All-Region Honor Orchestra. Students who audition for All-Region Honor Orchestra compete for spots (chairs) on this orchestra with other students in Austin and surrounding areas like Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Hays County. There are actually two honor orchestras at the middle school level: the Symphonic and the Philharmonic. All students had to prepare three challenging pieces and audition in front of a panel of orchestra directors of the region. Lily earned 8th chair viola in Middle School All-Region Honor Philharmonic Orchestra for Region 18. Congratulations, Lily! Well played!
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