Scoreboard lights up home opener

A new scoreboard at the RTR football field was turned on for the game Thursday, Sept. 1.

The scoreboard at the RTR Football Field was damaged in the July 1 storm that caused damage throughout Tyler and the area.

On Thursday, Sept. 1 a new score board was unveiled at the RTR Football Field.

A dedication will be held later this month for the scoreboard.

The Knights opened their sea­son against Dawson-Boyd.

The Knights will face Renville County West for their homecom­ing game on Friday, Sept. 16.

These RTR fans had some of the best seats for the home opener just off of one of the end zones near the new scoreboard.

First day of school, new surroundings

Grace-First Parish in Russell is currently serving as part of the RTR Middle School in Russell, along with the neighboring community center, while work continues on the school building damaged during the July 1 storm.

RTR Middle School is not hold­ing classes in the Russell School building this week as school starts.

Instead, staff and students are using the Russell Community Center and Grace-First Parish in Russell as temporary classrooms while work continues in restor­ing the school building.

During lunch periods, teach­ers take the students up to the school building to the cafeteria, which was not as impacted by the storm damage on July 1.

Superintendent Bruce Houck said, during the Aug. 18 RTR School Board meeting, that the hope is to have students back into the school building in the next couple of weeks.

Crews are currently working to restore the building following storm damage that occurred on July 1.

RTR High School graduation Saturday

RTR High School graduation will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at the RTR High School Gym. A number of open houses are scheduled around the ceremony. listed in the classified section of the Tyler Tribute.

Goodmund and O’Toole named Valedictorians

By Robert Wolfington

tributeeditor@gmail.com

Casey Goodmund and Kyle O’Toole will be sharing the po­dium at the RTR Class of 2011 graduation ceremony on Satur­day, May 21 as co-valedictori­ans.

The two will each give a speech reflecting on their time at RTR and share their memories with their classmates, family, neigh­bors and friends.

Goodmund said she has al­ways tried her best in school but never really thought of being the valedictorian.

“I have always strived to do well in school but I never actu­ally thought I would be valedic­torian so it’s kind of exciting,” said Goodmund.

While she is excited about the honor, Goodmund admits she wasn’t initially happy about hav­ing to give a speech.

“I was worried, I really didn’t want to do a speech in front of everybody but at the same time it’s fun to look back and tell ev­eryone about how I saw high school,” said Goodmund.

“I don’t have it written, I kind of know what I want say but I haven’t had time to put it togeth­er, it has kind of been crazy,” she added.

Initially O’Toole was told he was the salutatorian but found out last week his GPA earned him the right to serve along side Goodmund as valedictorian.

“It’s a high honor, it just kind of puts a smile on my face,” said O’Toole. “It’s something tangi­ble that I get at graduation that shows all the hard work I have done over the last 12-13 years of school.”

O’Toole said his time at RTR has been busy, but he is glad he was as active as he has been.

“It has been extremely busy but I find the more things you get involved in the less time you have to get in trouble. It has been a good experience. All the coaches and teachers are always supportive of you.”

Both Goodmund and O’Toole have been active members of their school extra curricular activities.

Goodmund played on the volleyball team, was a member of FFA and the school yearbook, among other activities. This year she painted a mural in the computer lab that depicts technology as it is today.

O’Toole was also a mem­ber of RTR FFA in addition to speech, football and a number of other activities.

O’Toole said he has al­ways been impressed with the coaches, teachers and staff and RTR for their willingness to be involved and help students when­ever they needed it.

“Students will always try to rebel and say there is a teacher they don’t like but every coach and teacher here, if you need to go and talk to them for extra help, they’re always willing to help you out,” said O’Toole. “It makes it easier to be involved when you have people supporting you.”

Goodmund and O’Toole will give their speeches during the RTR graduation ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at RTR High School.

“Green Gables” opens Friday

The RTR Theatre department will be performing “Anne of Green Gables” beginning Friday, May 13 and running until May 15. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15. The show will be at the Lake Benton Opera House in Lake Benton. The cast has been working on the production for a few weeks and Director Neil Witte said the design for the set was inspired by the students themselves. Tickets for the show can be purchased at RTR High School.

RTR hosts mock accident

Students and community members participated in a mock car accident in the RTR High School parking lot on Friday, April 15. Four RTR students played the roles of the driver and victims in the presentation. Nursing students from South Dakota State University worked with the students along with the Tyler Emergency Response, Tyler Fire Department, Minnesota State Patrol and other community members. The mock accident was the culmination of work the nursing students have been doing since January.

Deep in concentration

Freshmen, juniors and seniors at RTR High School spent Tuesday morning on the first day of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments tests. Students are being tested on their writing, reading and math skills on the statewide tests. The tests began Tuesday morning and went until 11 a.m. and were scheduled to start up again Wednesday morning.

Band and choir groups receive very high ratings in contest

The sounds of success

Following recent contest performances, the RTR Choir and Band performed a special show on Thursday, March 24 at RTR High School. Different bands and singing groups performed throughout the evening.

Showcasing their hard work

The RTR Middle School gym was filled with different displays created by students showcasing different things they are interested in or have learned throughout the year.