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RHS JROTC Rifle Team takes a clean shot at the
win at New Madrid competition
The Ripley High School Army JROTC Rifle Team recently won first
place in a tournament at New Madrid, Missouri. The team shot
against New Madrid and Charleston in both A team and B team
competitions, earning an overall score of 1,194 and defeating
New Madrid and Charleston by 164 points and 305 points,
respectively.
In the A team competition, Matthew Berkley, Jordan McCalvin,
Tarmarqus Brown, and Crystal Jackson all showed well for their
team. Berkley took first place in prone, second place in
standing, first place in kneeling and first place overall, with
McCalvin winning first place in standing, second place in
kneeling and second place overall. Brown took second place in
standing and third place overall, with Jackson placing third in
kneeling. Also shooting for the team was James Roark.
In the B team competition, Darell Bishop took second place, with
Andrew Spoon placing third.
Gooch donates book to Ripley High School
Ulysses L. “Rip” Gooch meets with Lauderdale County Schools
Superintendent Phillip Jackson.
Ripley native Ulysses L. “Rip” Gooch of Wichita, Kansas,
returned to his hometown Labor Day weekend to launch the sale of
his autobiography, “Black Horizon.”
Gooch was orphaned at the age of 4 and began his life in extreme
poverty. Overcoming great odds, he went on to realize his dream
of becoming a pilot and owning his own aviation business, and
eventually he became a state senator in Arkansas.
Gooch donates a copy of his book, “Black Horizons,” to the
Ripley High School library.
He was a guest at many locations throughout the county for book
signings. Gooch presented Lauderdale Schools Superintendent
Phillip Jackson with an autographed copy of his book to be
placed in the Ripley High School library.
RHS band competition rises to new level
Ripley High School’s annual marching band competition recently
rose to a new level when it became a United States School Band
Association Super Regional Site.
Ripley and Milan High School’s annual competitions were chosen
by the USSBA for its expansion into West Tennessee due to their
location and the tradition of their programs. The high schools
joined forces to implement changes to their competitions, with
USSBA officials impressed with the performances of the bands
from the area.
Ten bands from across West Tennessee competed in the event and
were separated into categories based on their size. Changes in
scoring and criteria were part of the new judging scheme, with
Division Champions named instead of a Grand Champion.
“The bands did really well,” said RHS Band Director Steve
Womack. “The judges were totally impressed with them, especially
for this early in the season. It was different. There was a new
judging scheme. Some things were not as smooth as before and
some things went better. The scoring was based on the drum
corps.”
Womack said that the competition, which raised $7,000 to $8,000
for the program, could not have taken place without the help of
the community. Many volunteers donated tractors, golf carts,
grills, food, and their time to help the event go smoothly, with
platinum, gold and silver sponsors donating funds for the
program, as well.
“For (the judges) to rave the way they did about West
Tennessee’s bands, I am proud that I was a part of that,” said
Womack. “When we iron out some of the details with them, it will
be good for West Tennessee as a whole and good for Ripley.”
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