By Ashley Cummins / For the FCT

April 19, Russellville City Schools held the firstGolden Tiger Pride Showcase on Russellville High School campus. The festivities began with a baseball and softball game (free to the public), during which RHS cheerleaders handed out free hotdogs and drinks to all in attendance. The RHS rocketry team performed a rocket launch immediately following the game.

From there, the festivities moved across the street to RHS auditorium. Pre-showcase entertainment included a performance from the RHS Marching 100. RHS Principal Dr. Tim Guinn opened the ceremony by introducing Superintendent Heath Grimes.

Grimes, along with representatives from each RCS school, was responsible for the initiation and planning of the event. “This whole thing really was his vision,” said RHS Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Cindy Coan. “We needed his outsider’s perspective. People who aren’t originally from the area don’t always recognize what a special thing we have here at RCS. He did immediately and encouraged us to do the showcase.”

The showcase featured several guest speakers and performances by the RMS Performing Arts program, the RES 5^th grade chorus and the RHS singers quartet. “We are so proud of what we have to offer here, and this has been a great way to show it all off in one night,” said RMS drama teacher Patrice Smith. “We are doing it for these kids because of the love and pride that we have for them. They are truly excellent examples of what it means to be a Golden Tiger. We want the community to see that the way we do.”

Local businesses, along with school departments, were encouraged to set up booths in the auditorium at RHS. Even the West Elementary Pre-K Department had enrollment information available for the public. The highlight of the evening, however, was the announcement of the Career Tech Academy to begin this fall. Program curriculum includes Business, Engineering, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Pre-Med classes available to help prepare RHS students for career and academic success.

A highlight video is available on the Russellville City Schools website, www.rcs.k12.al.us. For more information on all that the Russellville City School system has to offer and how to show off Golden Tiger Pride, contact RCS central office by calling 256-331-2008.