RCHS needs your help filling out a parent survey for the 2025-2026 5Essentials Survey http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
The surveys are anonymous, and the school will only receive information about the number of surveys completed and the overall percentages received. All responses are confidential and cannot be tracked to the individual respondent.
The RCCU #1 School Board approved the RCHS Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony to be held on Sunday, May 17th at 3pm in Ron Herrin Gym. The community is welcome to attend, but will be asked to sit in the upper section of the bleachers on either side of the gym. Lower bleacher sections are reserved for the family of graduating seniors with a required ticket. Exit 1 doors (nearest Joe's Pizza) will open at 2:30 p.m.
This experience was part of our current unit on employability skills, with a specific focus on character in the workplace. Mr. Holder took the time to explain not only the functions of the courthouse, but also the importance of integrity, responsibility, and professionalism in public service. His insights gave our students a real-world perspective on how character directly impacts career success.
We were also fortunate to hear from Chelsey Clark, Richland County State’s Attorney, who shared valuable advice and examples from her own professional experience.
We are grateful for the time and encouragement both leaders provided. Opportunities like this help our students connect classroom learning to meaningful, real-world applications.
Richland County High School, Richland County Elementary School, Richland County Early Learning Center, St. Joseph School, Good Samaritan Hospital, Olney & the Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce, Wease Equipment, First Presbyterian Church, and Small Blessings Preschool.
The willingness to invest time in the students has provided meaningful experiences and opened doors for them. It is truly appreciated. These opportunities allow our students to build responsibility, develop workplace skills, and strengthen their connection to the community. We are grateful for your partnership and continued support of RCHS and our students.
Congratulations to the Richland County High School S.T.R.I.P.E.S. winners for January 2026. These students excel in one or more areas of achievement, including Service, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Positive Attitude, Excellence, and Self-Discipline.
(Pictured left to right) First Row: Kamryn Cantrell, Riley Allen, Bo Weesner, Evalynne Earp, Molly Fehrenbacher, Lexi Bain, Winston Ludwig, Kyleigh Cazel, Kenley Runyon, Bailey Steele, Vanashree Patel, LeeAnn Anderson, Caleb Brandsasse, Lexie Sanders, and Bentley Wilson.
Second Row: Tyler Longbons, Kenzie Shryock, Annara Cox, Katelyn Bookhout, Emma Hefferman, Carly Seiler, Anniston Angle, Taylor Bloomer, Nora Stevens, Leah Gibson, Breanna Beard, Reese Lathrop, Julia Marles, Karlee Jenner, and Charlee Engel.
Third Row: Zander Schrader, Alex Schneider, Zaiden Ellison, Jude Nosek, Owen Kocher, Owen Cycholl, Ayden Nealis, Jack Thomann, Jake Brinkley, Travaun Echols, Daniel Zhu, Jonah Klingler, Camden Welsh, Bentley Baltzell, and Jayden Wiegel.
Not pictured: Bradlee Carpenter, Carter Dill, Kelysse Weiler, Laren Erwin, Nyeisha Branch, and Siena Falcone.
Thank you to the 2025-26 Sponsors for making their recognition possible: Blank's Insurance, Color Your World, Infiniti Strength & Performance, Joe's Pizza, State Farm, Citizen's National Bank of Albion - Olney Banking Center, Runyon Insurance Agency, Trust Bank, MAC Plastics, Illinois Gas Company, Walmart DC #6059, Rude Wealth Advisory, Fit by G, Prairie Farms, First National Bank in Olney, and the students and faculty of the RCHS Shirt Shop.
(Pictured left to right) First Row: Tessa Mitchell, Paisley Paddock, Hadley Heath, Khloe Thomas, Payton Hash, Karlee Piercefield, Claire Ginder, Reyce Petersen, Bailey Graves, Celie Peavler, Natalie Berger, and Hadley Denton.
Second Row: Breyton Read, Marley Ralston, Alaina Cook, Xavior Zuber, Jack Davis, Alex Cranmer, Lillian Toliver, Kaiya Seessengood, Miranda Dowty, Taliyah Troyer, and Carly Kessler.
Third Row: Thomas Graves, Max Barker, Mirko Ferraro, Brody Peavler, Hayden Hazel, Trent Easton, Bryar Holtschlag, Kellan Feddes, Kamden Jones, Preston Bryant, Cameron Bailey, Bailey Rennier, and Madison Farmer.
Not pictured: Thomas Lea, Bryleigh Ireland, Madi Syers, Kade Hazel, Bobby Graves, Ryen Gray, Keegan Tarpley, and Josie Ginder.
Thank you to the 2025-26 Sponsors for making their recognition possible: Blank's Insurance, Color Your World, Infiniti Strength & Performance, Joe's Pizza, State Farm, Citizen's National Bank of Albion - Olney Banking Center, Runyon Insurance Agency, Trust Bank, MAC Plastics, Illinois Gas Company, Walmart DC #6059, Rude Wealth Advisory, Fit by G, Prairie Farms, First National Bank in Olney, and the students and faculty of the RCHS Shirt Shop.
We need your help! It is time for the 5Essentials Survey and we need all parents and guardians to participate. Your feedback is essential in helping us understand what we are doing well and where we can grow.
Click or copy & paste the link below to take the Survey.
https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/?target_name=parent&p=1
Be sure to click SUBMIT at the end. If you have more than 1 student, complete one for each!
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.
