Richland County High School

From RCHS Administration:

Thank you to those who have shared their views regarding the College and Careers Community Service project. RCHS has decided to continue with the project and to deliver on its intent, which is to have these memorabilia pieces in the hands of the people who earned them. Due to a lack of space, we have not been able to display these items for years. They were in storage before the renovation of the high school, and it is felt that they should be displayed by the people who appreciate them the most. There is no donation required for these items.

From College & Careers instructor Sheri Gray:

I want to take a moment to clarify the intent behind the recent College & Careers community service project that has raised concerns on social media. I am Sheri Gray, the teacher of the class and the one who challenged the students to design a community service project that would benefit their community.

This project was never intended to be a sale, fundraiser, or auction of any kind. The items involved have been in storage prior to the renovation, some for decades. The goal of the project was to clean, organize, and recover memorabilia in hopes of returning items to the individuals or families who earned them.

The suggested $5 donation per item was simply an optional way to give back to the current athletic programs connected to those sports. Any donation was never intended to benefit the school or district as a whole. We would like to make it clear that no payment is expected.

Items marked “in memory” were never intended to involve any donation at all. As someone who has personally lost a loved one, I understand how deeply personal and meaningful those items can be. Our sincere hope has always been to see those pieces returned to hands that truly appreciate their significance. This is why we were opening it to the public for an opportunity to claim what should be in their hands. Unfortunately, the students do not know all the people who have had their jerseys memorialized nor how to contact their families. This was the best way they knew how to get it back to the families.

As far as having a convenient time for the public to view the items, please remember this is a student-led community service project. The students are conducting the viewing during their class time and during the school day. We had hoped by having three options for viewing, this would help alleviate some of the inconvenience.

We also planned to take photos of the items prior to distribution for record-keeping purposes and, when possible, to document unclaimed items to begin an inventory log. There is a current “Hall of Champions” on our RCHS website where this digital documentation was started years ago. It is not up-to-date, nor does it have years past, but it is a start. It is a work in progress, so we ask for patience. Due to the number of items involved, full documentation will take a long time, but organization and accountability were always part of the plan.

It’s also important to clarify that the current school board and administration had no involvement in planning or directing this project. This was a student-led class project, developed as part of our College & Careers curriculum focused on employability skills such as teamwork, organization, communication, leadership, and community service. They did have permission from our school administration and custodial staff to proceed with the project. The students worked hard, showed pride in their efforts, and should feel proud of what they accomplished. As their teacher, I am extremely proud of their hard work and impressed with their efforts to preserve these items.

Regarding suggestions to permanently display these items in the new sports complex: the community should be aware that this is an outdoor facility. The only enclosed public areas will be the concession stand and restrooms, which are not suitable spaces for preserving or respectfully displaying memorabilia. Additionally, many may be surprised to learn that the collection largely consists of sports memorabilia that is not even suitable or stable enough for display. They are pictures of previous record holders who no longer hold the records, trophies/plaques for invitationals and holiday tournaments not State, Regional, nor Conference trophies, photos that are sun-bleached from years of wear or simply too large to display, and several unmarked photos. Most of these items are not what the public would expect to see showcased.

Please know that at the heart of this project was respect: for history, for families, for student learning, and for our community. There was never an intention to upset, offend, or diminish the value of these items.

Thank you to those who have shared concerns respectfully and the very large number of people who have supported this project with your words of kindness and encouragement. We appreciate you.

February Calendar Reminders - Early Dismissal 12:10pm Wed. Feb. 11 (No PreK classes at the ELC), No School Thurs. Feb. 12 and Fri. Feb. 13, 1 Hour Early Dismissal Thurs. Feb. 26.

RCHS MEGA NIGHT ON FRIDAY
Please join us this Friday, February 6th at Richland County High School in Olney, Illinois, for an exciting MEGA Night of basketball featuring a full slate of games and special patriotic tributes in honor of our military community.

GAME SCHEDULE
5:00 PM – JV Boys Basketball
Followed by Girls Varsity Basketball (rescheduled Shrine Game)
Followed by Boys Varsity Basketball

Special Features and Highlights:
Kaleb Beavers has prepared an outstanding patriotic display in the high school commons area.
Theme for the evening: AMERICA – Red, White, and Blue (encourage all attendees to dress accordingly).
During the intermission between Varsity games, the RCHS Band will perform a medley of the Armed Forces songs to honor all current and former military personnel in attendance.
The National Anthem will feature a special presentation of the court flag, with vocals performed by Adele Waxler.

Awards and Recognitions:
Following the Girls Varsity game, the Olney Center Shrine will present an MVP award to an outstanding player from each girls' team as part of this rescheduled Shrine Game.
After the Boys Varsity game, a "Court Commander" (MVP) will be recognized for each boys' team.

Richland County Homefront Yard Signs:
Yard signs ordered for active-duty service members and their families through Richland County Homefront will be available for pickup following the Varsity Boys game.
These signs are similar to the pole displays (which will be installed once Main Street construction is complete).
Families who were not included in the initial order may provide their names on-site; additional signs will be produced as needed.

School is cancelled for Tuesday, January 27 due to poor road conditions. All practices, activities, and games are cancelled as well.