Rafer Johnson Jr. High School - April News

RAFER JOHNSON JR. HIGH SCHOOL

Recently, 11 students represented RJJH and CSU Fresno at the MESA Day Regional competition at Fresno State, competing against students from both UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara MESA Centers.  These students had previously earned the right to compete at the regional level of competition with 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place wins against other students in our area. 

Congratulations to the following students for representing Fresno State, Kingsburg, and RJJH with your excellent performance at the regional MESA Day competition:  Hena Sihota (1st place, Geometry Solo Math); Ryan Flippo, Carlos Gonzales, Hena Sihota, and Zoya Sihota (2nd place, Team Math Quest); Macey Hammerstrom (2nd place, "Speak Up" speech competition); Julie Clausen, Garrett Cooper, Tyler Hodges, and Scott Sheffield (3rd place, Prosthetic Arm Challenge); and Jessica Emerzian and Jessica Reis (4th place, Model Science Eye). 

Now that competition season is over in our MESA engineering class, we are applying some creative engineering skills to end-of-year projects.  In class, students have learned about simple machines and conservation of energy in preparation for their "Rube Goldberg Challenge," attempting to perform an easy task in a complicated and interesting way.  Student teams of five are working to design, build, and test a Rube Goldberg machine that will press the "Easy Button"  (irony intended) using at least seven energy transfers and three simple machines within one cubic meter of space.  Meanwhile, an optional out-of-class assignment is always a bonus credit option for students, as many are diligently working on building cardboard boats for our combined RJJH / KHS MESA end of year barbecue bash and pool party.  We look forward to testing our finished products soon, and invite those interested in viewing the Rube Goldberg devices to come to the RJJH Open House on May 20th, where they will be demonstrated. 

Ali Herevia and Jewel Hurtado represented the RJJH choir at the Kiwanis Dinner, Tuesday April 23^rd .  Kiwanis members were very impressed by our talented musicians!

Emily Hamlin, Ali Herevia, Jewel Hurtado, Emily Miguel and Rebekah Waltz will be representing the RJJH choir at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, May 2^nd at the RJJH gym.

Tuesday, May 28^th at 7 pm in the KHS little theatre is the RJJH Olympian Choir end-of-the-year choir concert combined with the KHS choirs.  This year our theme is, “Mickey Meets Oscar,” featuring academy award winning and nominated songs!  It will be a fun production you won’t want to miss, especially if you are a Disney lover!