Hi, it’s Kallie Bourgeois the editor from the Rebel Express. With the dreaded first quarter exams coming to a close, I thought it was a good time to reflect on everything that has happened at Riverside Academy in the first quarter.

The early weeks of August it was a pretty slow start to the school year. Of course the Class of 2023 rolled the school with toilet paper the night before the first day, then gathered to watch the sunrise early in the morning before the first day of school. Not long after, RA students and faculty  were marking the first anniversary of Hurricane Ida. Some of our students still aren’t back in their homes. Many are still making repairs.

In September many of RA’s old traditions were kicking off, as well as some new ones. The first FCA meeting was held in the gym with students joining together for prayer and donuts.  The first pep rally was held for the entire school, as well as one for the entire community. Scores turned out for the Rebel Roll Call on the evening of Sept. 12, which featured the band, color guard, cheerleaders, volleyball team, football team, and the swim team. Also, the 4-H Club resumed for 4th-12th grade students who were interested in joining. And Ms. Lyons formed the first Journalism Club for students interested in contributing to The Rebel Express.

The middle of  September was all about homecoming. During the week of Sept. 19 -23 Homecoming Week took place with the theme “Make the Warriors See Stars.” Students and faculty came to school dressed for a different theme each day. It all ended with a 61-0 win over the Houma Christian Warriors and senior Sydney Knoy was crowned won Homecoming queen over 8 other maids at the half-time of the game. The Homecoming dance was held on Sept. 24 with the theme being related to Mardi Gras and New Orleans.

The blood mobile was on campus on Monday, Sept. 26. Riverside was voted Best Childcare in the River Parishes by readers of L’Observateur newspaper. Grandparents Day was held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 for any Pre-K to 12th grade students and their grandparents. With great fall-like weather, the turnout was terrific!

RA students took their first quarter exams the week of Oct. 4 – 7 to conclude the first nine weeks of school. RA held a Circus themed Pep Rally on Friday, Oct. 7 where students were allowed to show their wild side by dressing up as mimes, animals, or ring masters.

All of these pep rallies must be working because our Rebels football team is 4-1 heading into Friday night’s big game against undefeated St. Martin’s. Running back Elijah (we call him Bill) Davis is one of the top rushers in the state.

Finally, the Rebel Express has been on a roll with publishing stories, podcasts, and videos! Anyone can contribute anything to the site, from your opinions or first-hand experiences to creative videos. Anyone interested in contributing to our site can visit me or Mrs. Lyons. The second meeting of the Journalism Club will be held Thursday, Oct. 13 in Mrs. Lyons room at the last 10 minutes of both high school and middle school lunches.

The first quarter will end after a two-day Fall Break on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 10-11. School will resume on Wednesday, Oct. 12 with the start of the second quarter.

After COVID, a hurricane, and everything but normal, my senior year is going by pretty smoothly. After COVID during my freshman and sophomore year to Hurricane Ida my junior year being in a classroom is crazy. No mask. No virtual learning. No being sent home because you sat next to someone. I think I can speak for the class of 2023 when I say it feels good to have some form of normal. Well congrats my fellow seniors, we are 1/4 of the way done. Now the only problem we have to face is… senioritis.