blueridgefac:

Good evening students and staff!

What an eventful week! Firstly this week we have four birthdays to celebrate! Today, Apple Evans of Roanoke turns 18 today! And tomorrow Sylvia Sasaki turns 17. On Thursday the seventeenth, both Leland Rivera Sykes and Julian Prideaux of university house turn 20 years old. Make sure you wish everyone a happy birthday!

This weekend we watched the final quidditch games of the season and the found out who is playing in the quodpot finals! Friday we watched Quirank and Shenandoah battle it out on the field. After an excellent game by both teams, Quirank came out the winners. Quirank and Appalachia will fight it out for first place on May 25th and next week on the 18th, Roanoke will take on Shenandoah. The quidditch teams played on Saturday for the last time this year. Team One and Team Two played against each other and Team Two handed over a unanimous beating. The BRU quidditch team played the New York City team and won yet again! Great end to the season!

Next weekend is the prom! The theme is faerie tale couples and don't forget there will be many aurors. I, of course, will be there to chaperon as well and will be in my office afterwards. School rules still apply ladies and gentlemen!

June 1 and 2: Musical and dance production
June 4-8: Quodpot, Quidditch, and Cheering try outs for next year!
June 11-15: Finals week
June 16: End of the year dance
June 23: Graduation
July 28- August 11: Blue Ridge Camping Field trip!!

Thanks so much!
-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

We have a busy month ahead of us! As always I will start with the quodpot results from this weekend. The top seed, Appalachia faced off with Roanoke. Despite the third seed's best efforts, they could not stop the force that was Appalachia. The wolves are now guaranteed a spot in the finals on May 25. Next weekend we will find out who out of Shenandoah and Quirank will face last year's reigning champions. On Saturday, the BRU quodpot team faced off the New York City University of Magic for the last university game of the season. It was with a certain vigor that the BRU team took home the win. An excellent season from the University quodpot team. Congratulations!! Join us next Friday for the last quarter final for quodpot and again on Saturday for the last quidditch games of the season!

Don't forget that prom is in two weekends! There will be a professional photographer at the door and this year's theme is faerie tale couples. Don't forget that there will be aurors around the school for protection and teachers as always will be chaperoning. Have fun and be safe!

Just another reminder about important dates!
May 11: Quirank and Shenandoah battle it out for who will take the last spot in the finals!
May 18 and 25: Quodpot bronze finals and Quodpot gold finals
May 19: Prom for the whole school!
June 1 and 2: Musical and dance production
June 4-8: Quodpot, Quidditch, and Cheering try outs for next year!
June 11-15: Finals week
June 16: End of the year dance
June 23: Graduation
July 28- August 11: Blue Ridge Camping Field trip!!

This weekend there will be another patrol for the Watch Teams, if you would like to assemble please show up at King's Hall at 8:00 sharp!

Thanks so much!
-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

I hope you are finding yourselves enjoying vacation!! I know that starting out my vacation by attending this weekend's quodpot games definitely got my vacation off to a good start!!

On Friday, Shawnee faced Quirank. After a tough game Quirank was the obvious winner giving them their number two seed position for the upcoming semifinals. On Saturday, Shenandoah faced off with Roanoke one more time and for the third time Shenandoah walked away with the win.

When we come back we will have two semi final rounds. On May 4, Appalachia will face off with Roanoke in the first round and on May 11, Quirank and Shenandoah will fight it out for a chance in the finals.

Since the year is winding down I thought I would give you all a brief run down on the rest of the school year's calendar.

May 4 and 11: Quodpot semi-finals
May 18 and 25: Quodpot bronze finals and Quodpot gold finals
May 19: Prom for the whole school!
June 1 and 2: Musical and dance production
June 4-8: Quodpot and Quidditch try outs for next year!
June 11-15: Finals week
June 16: End of the year dance
June 23: Graduation
July 28- August 11: Blue Ridge Camping Field trip!!

Thank you so much! Have a great vacation, I am looking forward to seeing you all when we return to campus!

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgemod:

Hello students and staff!

For birthday's this week there are a few! Hunter Sommer of University house turned 20 on the tenth! And tomorrow, the seventeenth is Emma Thompson of Appalachia houses sixteenth birthday! Make sure you wish both ladies a happy birthday if you see them around school!

For sports, I have updates from the past two weekends! On Friday the thirteenth, Roanoke took on Shawnee. It was a tough match to call but in the end, it was Roanoke who came out on top. The quidditch teams played on the fourteenth. Team One and Team Two faced off first and after a stunning move by the Team One's chaser, Team One beat out Two leaving the audience pumped for the next game! The Univrsity quidditch team played against the California College of Magic afterwards and left BRU fans feeling proud when they swept the game with not a point scored against them.

This weekend Appalachia faced off with Shenandoah! A major absence was noticed on the field as two of Shenandoah's first string players failed to show up to the game. In the end, last year's champions, Appalachia, took home the win, making them undefeated in this year's regular season. The BRU quodpot team took on the California College of Magic on Saturday. It was definitely an interesting match to say the least when two of the California players started tap dancing inexplicably. Game play had to be haulted several times but in the end there was one clear winner. Blue Ridge University scored yet another win!

This weekend is a double header finishing off the regular quodpot season for the school. Friday Shawnee will go against Quirank. On Saturday Shenandoah and Roanoke will face off for the last season game before semi-finals start. Make sure to come support your teams!

Don't forget next week is spring break!! When we return from spring break, quodpot semi-finals will begin to determine this year's champions! So get out there and have a relaxing week before we get hit with finals again!

Thanks so much!
-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

Knock knock!
...
Levi!
…
LEVIOSA!!!

What do you call a wizard from outer space?? A flying sorcerer!

What do you get if you cross a dinosaur with a wizard?? A Tyrannosaurus Hex!

How do you keep a wizard in suspense?? I'll tell you tomorrow!!!

Okay, okay, enough of the jokes. Happy April Fool's Day everyone! I hope you are enjoying the lovely spring weather! For birthdays this week we only have one! Make sure you wish happy birthday to University Houses, Mackenzie Dubinsky on April 3rd!

This weekend we watched two excellent quodpot games. Quirank faced Shenandoah on Friday night but despite Shenandoah's fast lead over Quirank, the Quirank Cranes took home the win with an excellent recovery in the second half. Saturday the BRU quodpot team faced the Badlands College of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was an exciting game but despite the battle for the win, Badlands took away the win in the second half.

There are only four games left to the season before finals begin for Quodpot! Please be sure to join us next month to cheer on the teams! Next week we have Roanoke v. Shawnee and the quidditch teams will be playing on Saturday!

I'd like to remind everyone that the Spring Fling dance is next weekend on Saturday at 7pm-12am. There will be plenty of chaperones and aurors at the dance to insure your safety. Don't forget to vote for Spring Fling committee and the theme. So far there is a tie for Decade Dance and Garden Party. I can not wait to see what everyone votes for!

Thanks so much!

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

This week's birthdays are a short list! Our very own Eddie Rivera Sykes will be celebrating her second birthday tomorrow, March 29th!

It was excellent to see everyone out for the games this past weekend! Roanoke and Quirank faced off Friday night. It seems as though Quirank has recovered from their last game but it was still not enough to beat Roanoke! Roanoke took away the win with just seconds left on the clock leaving everyone standing on their feet! Saturday the quidditch teams played. The school's teams did very well against each other, but it was team two who walked away the victors! Blue Ridge University played against the Badland School quidditch team after and lead a very exciting match and close to the very end. Unfortunately Badlands took home the victory. Still, the BRU quidditch team is leading the way for University records. They are now 9 and 3, one of the best ranks in the league!

This weekend please join us for Quirank and Shenandoah face off on Friday and when the University Quodpot team takes on the Badlands College of Witchcraft and Wizardry this Saturday!

I would like to remind everyone that this years annual Spring Fling Dance will be next Saturday, the 7th of April from 7 pm to 12 am. Please vote here for your themes and Spring Fling Committee. The Committee will begin the dance with a parade, bringing in spring! All students are eligible to be elected and there will be six people (3 boys and 3 girls) on the committee! You may vote for four people, two of each gender.

The spring themes have been discussed at large in the student council and some of the ideas brought up were as follows:

- A masquerade
- A decade dance
- A garden party

Please vote below!!

I am anxious for the nice weather to begin! Let's make it an excellent spring! Thanks so much.

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

I must apologize for having slacked on our weekly newsletters! It has been a very return from vacation and I believe we're all on the same page in saying we've barely had time to even sit down!! Upon our return to school we had three birthdays to celebrate! Sunny Garcia of Appalachia turned eighteen on the third and Tatum and Rath Donnelly turned nineteen on the fifteenth! Wish them a belated happy birthday if you have not had the chance yet! Speaking of the Donnelly siblings, as most of you know Tatum was hospitalized for serious injuries. She is safe and has been released from the hospital last Sunday. Also, Rath Donnelly has returned to Blue Ridge to study culinary arts with us. We are excited to have them both back and healthy! Our best wishes go out to their loved ones.

Opposed to popular belief, vacation did not do so well for some of our quodpot teams. The first Friday game on the 9th between Quirank and Shenandoah was an unmitigated disaster. In a very uncharacteristic showing of play, captain Charlie Baker, seemingly distracted was knocked from her broom in the first half and was seriously injured. She had to spend the night in the hospital wing getting her bones mended. There was not a single score in the first half of the game and by a fluke Quirank's left tackle made the only goal in the game with only twenty seconds left on the clock. It was a disappointing return to the season. Charlie Baker has now fully recovered from her injuries and we're all very excited to see her get back on her broom. Saturday the 10th, the quidditch team played one another again, Team One took away the day's victory after a an extremely energetic start! The University quidditch team took on the Colorado Institute for Witchcraft and Wizardry. BRU showed Colorado the true meaning of the game by delivering a thorough whooping despite the obvious distractions that our players have faced these past few weeks. Congratulations BRU Quidditch!

This past weekend Appalachia and Shawnee faced off Friday. Despite the shaky start from Appalachia, the team lead by Sunny Garcia is still undefeated and in the lead. Last year's champions seem to be striving for another year with the title. On Saturday the BRU quodpot team took on the Colorado Institute for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Following in the steps of the quidditch team, the University team took home the win. Good job teams!! Please join us next week when Roanoke plays Quirank and on Saturday when the Quidditch team takes on the Badlands College of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Open house last weekend was a huge success and we raised a lot of money for the school! We met the annual goal and went beyond that! With the money we raised we will be able to hold our annual camping trip in July and August, send our teams to championships, and continue affording scholarships to well deserving students! There was even some extra funds! There will be a meeting coming up this Thursday to discuss what the student body would like to do with the extra money that we raised.

Along with all the good news does come some bad news. There has been an unusual raise in violence around campus, namely fighting. I would like to remind everyone that this is a highly frowned upon choice to make. This is our home, we have been so busy protecting ourselves from outside forces that I think some of us have forgotten to keep it safe on the inside. Please refrain from physical fights and if there is a problem you can always come to my office or the offices of Jenny Hough or any of the professors here on campus. As always, keep yourselves and your friends safe. Always travel in numbers and always make sure you're in well lit areas around the campus when the sun goes down. Also, spring is coming on fast students, don't forget to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water!! I hope to see you all out in the beautiful sunshine!

Thank you very much!

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Good afternoon students and staff!

I know this newsletter is coming to you late AND over vacation but I felt I owed it to you! First of all I would like to say congratulations to all of you students for getting through the first semester and exams! I have seen your grades and am very impressed with the high marks and ambitious goals you have all achieved this academic semester. Secondly... the weekly quodpot results!!

Friday night Shawnee met Roanoke on the field for a heated game and even though Shawnee gave Roanoke all they had, the orange and white saw victory with excellent team work and determination! It is obvious the Roanoke Bears have been practicing hard! Saturday afternoon the University quodpot team played against the Boston University of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Everyone played a very tough game and gave it their all but in the end Boston took home the win with just seconds left on the clock. Please join us after vacation on the ninth when Shenandoah takes on Quirank and Saturday the tenth when the quidditch teams play!

Winter break is upon us! Please do make sure you enjoy your time off from school and come back refreshed for the second semester! Make sure to wish Sunny Garcia of Appalachia House a happy birthday on Saturday March 3rd!

When we return from school I would like to hold a school wide meeting to plan some activities for the coming spring! We have a dance scheduled for the seventh of April and of course spring break will be the very last week of April. When we return out quodpot finals will begin! It has been exceptionally quiet on campus without all of you here, I can only hope your vacations are going as well as mine! Enjoy the break and I will see you when you return!

Thank you very much!
-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Good afternoon students and staff!

This weekends games were most excellent despite the shotty weather! Friday night Appalachia and Shenandoah faced off again. After an intense struggle Appalachia took home the win, taking one step closer to a second championship! Saturday was another win for the University quidditch team as they faced off with Chicago! Another exciting game of quidditch and another race against who could smash more bludgers between Dubinsky and Sykes! Team one and Team two faced off again and Team two took the lead and half on to it the whole game through. It seemed as though Team one was a little more distracted than usual. Please join us next week when Shawnee takes on Roanoke and when Blue Ridge Quodpot takes on Boston University!

Next week is the last week of mid winter exams! As exciting as this is, please keep noise to a minimum as students will be taking tests and writing papers until Friday evening. As I said last week, the library has extended hours but please be careful when you leave late at night and make sure to ask the security guards and aurors for an escort home if you are alone. The watch teams will start patrolling in turns, schedules will be posted in every dormitory and remember; it is never too late to sign up for the watch teams. We could always use the help!

Don't forget vacation is coming up! There will be no school from February 27th - March 2nd. Make sure you are all safe when visiting your homes and let me know if you need to make accomodations for staying on campus during vacation. I'd be more than delighted to have the company! Have a safe week and don't forget to take care of each other!

Thank you!
-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

First off, let me say that I was utterly appalled by the acts of vandalism at this school. First the gender switch and now after some investigation, we have discovered that a strong 12 hour love potion was poured into the punch at the Valentine's dance. It was reckless and thoughtless. We are looking further into this to discover the culprit. Secondly, the more serious matter of who made the card in the hall. It was discovered that the blood on the card was human but we were unable to trace it's origins. There has indeed been a talk of further increase in campus security as your safety is our number one priority.

Onto birthdays and sports! Wish a happy birthday to Faith Fortune of Roanoke today who just turned seventeen and we have four birthdays coming up this week! On Tuesday make sure to wish a happy birthday to Ella and Jennifer Parry and to Miss Emilie Devlin! On Saturday be sure to wish a happy birthday to Sam Ruiz!

The quodpot matches were excellent this weekend! On Friday night Quirank faced off with Shawnee and despite their best efforts, Quirank lost the game giving Shawnee the lead from the beginning. On Saturday Blue Ridge University quodpot took on the Wizards and Witches University of Chicago and won the game. Please join us next week when Appalachia faces Shenandoah and for the quidditch matches on Saturday!

Don't forget mid-winter break is coming up as well as midterms! There are extended hours for the library this week and next for students who need extra time in the library but please make sure you are never alone even if you are just going to your car or walking home at night. Everyone should be very careful at night! Enjoy the two weeks left until break and be safe! Thank you!

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Good afternoon students!

As we begin a new month, things have quieted down on the grounds and I would like to think it has to do with the tightened security and efforts made by the watch teams. It is not too late to join a watch team if you are still interested in helping out.

This Friday Shenandoah took on Roanoke. It was a fierce game and both teams came out fighting for the win. It was a close game the entire time and neither team was willing to give the other an opportunity. In over time, Shenandoah won. On Saturday the quidditch teams had it out on the field. It looks as though Team Two would be the clear victors but Team One pulled it together in the second half and delivered a unstoppable comeback. Team One walked off the field with the win. The University Quidditch team faced off with the Boston University of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After a slow start Blue Ridge Quidditch really pulled it together and came out strong. There was an obvious burst in energy from the beaters, Mackenzie Dubinsky and Leland Rivera Sykes, almost as if they were in competition! Whatever it was, it lead the BRU Quidditch team certain victory. Please join us for next week's games when Quirank takes on Shawnee and the BRU Quodpot team takes on the Boston University of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This week's announcements are pretty short as February is known to be the shortest month! First of all, happy leap year! Secondly, the muggle tradition of the Super Bowl is on tonight! In King's Hall there will be a small gathering for those who are interested in watching the game. There are plenty of snacks, drinks, and seats for everyone! Please come join us at 6:30 in the King's Hall theater!

Next Saturday is also the Valentine's Day dance! Join us at 7pm in the King's Hall ball room. Remember, there will be staff supervision and aurors patrolling the outside of the party. Speaking of Valentine's Day, the actual day will be celebrated with a special breakfast cooked by Teo Ramirez, myself, and Professor Sawyer Gray. Please join us on the fourteenth for red, heart shaped pancakes, fanciful eggs, and other breakfast favorites! You can also send out candy-grams and special Valentine's day poetry, just put your order in by next Sunday!

Mid-winter vacation is almost here! From February 27-March 2 there will be no school! Make sure to have a safe vacation and if you need to make arrangements to stay here during the vacation please let me know.

I would still like to remind everyone that it is not safe to go wandering by yourself despite the quiet that has covered the campus lately. Don't leave campus by yourself either and make sure to look out for your fellow classmates!

Thanks so much!

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato


If you want to do candy-grams have your kiddos sign up here!

blueridgefac:

( BEWARE THERE ARE SPOILERS TO THE WATCH GROUPS IN HERE )

blueridgefac:

Good evening students and staff,

After meeting with Auror Aaron Ellis and the Watch team committee members, we have come up with three teams and the assignments. Please report to King's Hall Friday night after the quodpot match where you will be briefed about what your assignments are and what is to be expected. Our first trial run of the watch teams will follow the meeting. Everyone will be back in their dorms by midnight. Mr. Ellis, the professors, and I will let you know what the expectations are at the meeting. Be safe, I will see you all there on Friday.

Please bring any comments, questions, and concerns to me right away! Thank you very much.

-Ichirou Sato

Team One:
Lead by: Teodoro Ramirez, César Rodriguez, & Aiko Aomori
Students:
Sol Garcia
Apple Evans
Hunter Sommer
Mackenzie Dubinsky
Eden-Rae Lee

Team Two:
Lead by: Michael Cooper, Cecelia Hernandez, & Baxter Campbell
Students:
Danielle Quentin
Hendrix Turner
Jennifer Parry
Shelby Ginnish
Ella Parry

Team Three:
Lead by: Candice Walker, Kiera O'Reilly, & Simón Rodriguez
Students:
Meka Palakiko
Sam Ruiz
Charlie Baker
Erica Kauffman
Seraphim Donnelly-Rousseau
Simon Buford


ooc: If I missed anyone let me know! And if you want to add someone it's never too late! Also comments and questions can be taken here!

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

Since the beginning of the year, it seems we have missed out on acknowledging people's birthdays! So no one feels left out we would like to say happy birthday to everyone who has celebrated another year!

To our groundskeeper Ellie Colvin, happy birthday from September 8!
To Shelby Ginnish, Shawnee senior, happy birthday from October 10!
To Danielle Quentin, Shenandoah junior, happy birthday from October 30!
To Bastian Dubois, University first year, happy birthday from November 3!
To Michiko Passos, University first year, happy birthday from December 27!
To Seraphim Donnelly-Rousseau, Quirank junior, happy birthday from January 2!
To Hendrix Turner, Shawnee junior, happy birthday from Junaray 12!
To Simon Buford, Roanoke senior, happy birthday from yesterday January 13!

Onto quodpot and quidditch! On Friday 1/6, Quirank met Shawnee on the pitch and though it was a messy start for both teams, Quirank took the lead and held on until the very end, giving a strong finish. On Saturday 1/7, Team One and Team Two met on the quidditch pitch. It is quite obvious that the long winter break helped Team One recuperate from the start of their season. They faced Team Two with ferocity and took home the win. An excellent match! The University quidditch team met the California College of Magic team on the field right after and though they started out strong, they lost it in the end. A most discouraging loss for the University quidditch team.

This weekends games were certainly most exciting! Both Appalachia and Shenandoah came right out the lockers Friday night and fought viciously for the title. In the end, it seemed Appalachia had just a little extra push and they took home the victory, leaving last years champions still undefeated. The University team met the California College of Magic this morning. It was a most exhilerating game as the University quodpot team rang in the new year with victory! Come join us next week for Roanoke v. Quirank on Friday and the quidditch matches on Saturday.

It is a more somber news that I bring to you about the loss of a most beloved staff member. Amelia Gray was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was a leader in our community, a loving teacher, and someone who will forever be remembered. Amelia was brutally murdered on our own campus and we will not rest until this crime is solved. This aggression will not stand on our peaceful campus any longer. We must come together as a community in mourning and stand strong. There is an imminent danger lurking around our home and we must fight it. But let us not remember how she went, but let us remember how she lived.

For safety reasons, there are more aurors to be stationed around the campus and we will begin to form watch teams. Watch teams will be lead by several staff members and consist of students junior or higher who are interested in keeping their community safe. The point of the watch teams is to observe and report. Please bring any strange or unusual activities. It is most important that all students on watch teams listen to their professor leaders. Please sign up here if you are interested.

There will be a service this Monday in Amelia's honor. Please come and say your last goodbyes. If you are in need of services or need to talk to someone Jenny Hough, the school counselor and I myself always have our doors open. Thank you students and be safe.

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff,

It is with a heavy heart that I welcome you back to campus from winter break. As I'm sure most of you have heard, after Christmas there was a gruesome murder of several muggles just outside Bluebell Town. As a community we mourn this loss. I can not stress how important personal safety is at this point. Please do not go into town alone and it is highly discouraged to leave the campus after nightfall. If you are feeling overwhelmed or at a loss please know that my office is always open and Miss Jenny Hough has extended her hours in the counseling room if you need to talk to someone.

There will be a flyer later in the week with more news from school. Aside from that, enjoy your return and I hope to see you all at the Winter Carnival.

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and faculty!

It has been a wonderful week for Blue Ridge. The winter ball was a success and we have much to look forward to! Don't forget to get those secret santa gifts out!

It was an exciting last match of the year for the school's quodpot teams. Again, lead by Sunny Garcia, Appalachia achieved victory against Quirank as the clear winners! It's been an exciting season to watch the Appalachia Wolves! "We belong out there," Captain Sunny Garcia said. "It's just natural." We must commend the Quirank and Appalchia cheerleaders for pulling through the whole night! It got pretty chilly out there!

Saturday's University quodpot match against the Badlands College of Witchcraft and Wizardry was a devastating loss for Blue Ridge. The players played hard and Captain Hunter Sommer did all she could but Badlands came out swinging and took the first half of the game to a point where there was no turning back. We'll be back with Quirank and Shawnee on Friday, January 6th and the quiddich teams on Saturday!

Classes end on Thursday, December 22nd and the winter concert is on the 23rd at seven! Winter break lodgings are available for those of you who will need it! We will return to our regularly scheduled classes on January 2nd! After further discussion we have decided that January 6-8 will be the dates of the winter carnival. There will be several events all through the weekend and we're getting a snow machine!

Friday night (after the quodpot game) there will be an indoor social in King's Hall with hot cocoa, s'mores, and a concert from our very own band, The Hobgoblins! We'll also have baking classes with the cooking club and some arts and crafts with the art club. Saturday there will be an all-day out door arena with snow sculpture competitions, a professional ice sculptor, snowmen building competitions, and a school-wide snow ball fight! Free hot cocoa for everyone! Don't forget to come see the quidditch games that will be going on during the winter festivities as well! Saturday night there will be a bonfire and another social with snack food and warm drinks. Sunday there will be an igloo building day and the lake will be turned into an ice rink from noon to three p.m. for your ice skating pleasure. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Enjoy your vacations students and make sure you get plenty of rest! I will be available as usual and if you find yourselves needing anything please make sure to drop into my office.

Thanks so much!
-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

What an exciting week! Shenandoah and Shawnee met on the quodpot field and after what seemed like it would be a sure win for Shenandoah, Shawnee turned it right around! Shawnee took home a narrow victory, leaving the spectators to wonder what is going on with Shenandoah's ending strategy. Congratulations to Shawnee for their first victory of the year!

Saturday was a most exciting day for quidditch! The University team, lead by Mackenzie Dubinsky, took on the Badlands College of Witchcraft and Wizardry and showed them how to properly play the sport! Blue Ridge swept the game, a perfect score leaving Badlands in the dust with a score of zero. Teams One and Two faced off and it was a stunning victory for Team One who hasn't won a game since the very start of the season. Whatever changes the team made, they should stick to them! It was a most excellent game!

The quidditch teams don't play again until after break but on Saturday, January 7, 2012, Blue Ridge University will be playing the California College of Magic and Team One will be facing Team Two as usual. Next week the Blue Ridge University Quodpot team takes on the Badlands College of Witchcraft and Wizardry on Saturday and on Friday night Appalachia will take on Quirank. Please join us on the pitch to watch the games!

Some things for everyone to think about are winter safety. Be careful on the sidewalks along the school, there may be ice! The sun is setting earlier, as most folks have noticed so please, if you're off campus, make sure you use the buddy system. We don't want anyone getting lost in the dark. Don't forget about Secret Santa gifts and the Winter Formal which is on the sixteenth at seven. Regular rules are enforced at the dance so be aware! The winter concert is on the 23 of December, the day after classes end so make sure you come support our musicians! Speaking of our musicians, this week I had the chance to sit down and talk to some of our band and choir members about the upcoming concert!

The percussion section was very enthusiastic. Sam Ruiz commented "We're all super psyched about the show. We been practicing all year for it so it'll be nice to share some music with friends and family. Not to mention the sick solos me and Shelby been workin' on." Shelby Ginnish said "It's gonna be awesome, everyone should totally come check it out for sure. I've been working on this new solo, it's kind of like a mix between the Batman theme and Jingle Bells, but way faster... Anyway I don't wanna give too much away but it's gonna be sick."

The choir was also quite excited for their part in the show. An enthusiastic Ella Parry shared that "choir is totally fun! we've been practicing so much for the concert and I think we're going to sound completely amazing! Having such a cool teacher helps too!" Sunny Garcia said "We've been practicing our butts off! Everyone should drop in and enjoy the show. Frost the Snowman has never sounded this good before." Jenny Parry commented, saying "There was a little bit of a debate this year about traditional versus modern when it came to our song selection, but I think professor Knight came up with a really good happy medium! It's great."

"I'm really just doing my best.. y'know, backing people up. Kinda what I do. But Shelby got us to do these solos too that are pretty cool, like remixes and stuff. I'm a little bit psyched," said Tatum Donnelly, guitar. "Some of us are pretty nervous but it's gonna be a good show," Hendrix Turner, piano. While Meka Palakiko, piccolo and flute said "It's gonna be a great concert. We're playing classics and modern songs, so there's something for everyone." Julian Prideux, rhythm guitar, said "even though practice has been a drag the band is on top form." Liam Knight, the band and choir director said "the kids have all worked really hard and we would love to see as many familiar and new faces as possible. Please come to the show and support out budding musician."

Don't forget students! It does get cold up here in the mountains so be on the look out for snow and dropping temperatures! Also, as a new addition to the calendar, we will be adding a winter carnival for when you students return to school. It will be added to the calendar as soon as the faculty meets up and decides on a good date!

Thanks so much!
-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

blueridgefac:

Hello students and staff!

It was a most exciting week returning from vacation! On Friday night Roanoke took on Appalachia. It was a landslide victory going to Appalachia. They still remain undefeated this season and it will be most exciting to see the rest of their season! "We're just going to keep on playing hard and giving it the best we've got! We're on a roll this season and we don't plan on stopping any time soon," says Captain Sunny Garcia.

Saturday night the Blue Ridge University team met on the field with the Colorado Institute for Witchcract anf Wizardry. In a stunning show of bravado and athleticism, Blue Ridge was lead to victory yet again! Captain Hunter Sommer said of the University team, "They just can't shake our defense, ain't no way about it! Y'all saw us out there, right? We rocked it."

Next week we will see Shenandoah take on Shawnee on the quodpot pitch Friday night. On Saturday afternoon the quidditch teams will play against each other and the University quidditch team will play the Badlands College of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This year's Secret Santa assignments were sent out yesterday! Don't forget to give your gifts out by Dec. 22nd! And don't tell! Speaking of the holidays, the winter ball is coming up. The dance will be on Saturday, Dec. 17th at 7 p.m. Make sure to bring your holiday best!

This week I got to meet with the lovely ladies of the debate team. I sat down and talked with Michiko Passos of the University, Seraphim Donnelly-Rousseau of Quirank, and Alexandria Quentin of Shenandoah and they let me know what was going on with our debate team! Michiko explains "We debate every Friday but for the end of the year we decided to take on a bigger project. We're going to open it to the general public to watch, it'll be a nice chance to get out of the class room and put ourselves out there as a club." Alexandria said "I play the role of leader for the opposition argument. Though we sometimes have a hard time staying awake while the proposition drones on and on.. it's never hard to point out their careless mistakes, at least." While Seraphim retored with "As leader of the proposition I can say that a lot hard work and careful research goes into preparing each and every debate topic. Our arguements are well thought out and backed up by the facts, even if certain members of the opposition don't always bother to play by the rules . When people have to resort to personal attacks and rudeness, it clearly just shows their lack of preparation." Even at a meeting it's a debate! It was an exciting and well spent afternoon with the ladies of Blue Ridge's debate team. The debate team meets on Fridays in Professor Penelope Jackson's language classroom.

Remember students, there is a full three weeks of school left! Classes end on the 22nd and the winter band, choir, and dance show is on the 23rd at seven p.m. Please do show your holiday spirit and come to support our musicians and dancers!

The last bit of business I would like to attend to is the lack of color in your school uniforms. Blue Ridge school has always prided itself on being a colorful and vibrant campus, I think it is time we reflect that in our wardrobe. From now on, students are encouraged to wear their house colors in either their trousers, skirts, or shorts. Sweaters and vests are also permitted in house colors.

Enjoy the week! And as always, my door is open for your concerns!

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato



OOC: Thanks to Jill for the uniform inspiration! I will also post an IC thing for Secret Santa gifts so they're aren't a million things!

blueridgefac:

Quodpot and Quidditch:

10/14: Roanoke v. Shenandoah - A most exciting match that was tied for the most part until Shenandoah just barely pulled ahead of Roanoke, taking home Shenandoah's second win of the season.

10/15: University quodpot - Despite loosing their center, Michiko Passos, the University team pulled an incredible win against The New York City University of Magic. It was brilliant calls from their captain Hunter Sommer and swift moves by players like Rath Donnelly that made the difference.

10/21: Appalachia v. Shawnee - This years most exciting homecoming match, it was a nail biter the whole way, showing that both teams worked hard during their summer sessions. In the end Sunny Garcia again lead Appalachia to victory making them undefeated so far this season!

10/22: University quidditch - Blue Ridge Quidditch took on Boston University of Witchcraft and Wizardry and suffered a close call loss. It was down to the last minute and Boston walked away with the win.

Quidditch Team One v. Team Two - Team Two was really on on Saturday, they came out with a devastating defeat over Team One, Team One couldn't quite recover from the beating the received in the first half of the game and suffered their second loss in a row.

10/28: Quirank v. Roanoke - Quirank was right out the gate during this excellent match and the team went straight to victory, claiming Quirank's first victory this year!

10/29: University quodpot - Blue Ridge University quodpot took on the Boston University of Witchcraft and Wizardry right before the Halloween festivities this year and handed them a thorough beating. Excitement for the holiday didn't have the team distracted at all! With Captain Hunter Sommer calling plays and Michiko Passos helping on the sidelines, the team seems to be an unstoppable force this season.

11/4: Appalachia v. Shenandoah - Appalachia and Shenandoah, one of the school's greatest rivalries met on the field. It was a rough game, each team had their ups and downs, their near misses and their incredible plays, but in the end it was Appalachia who won the game with a last minute goal.

11/5: Unversity quidditch - The University quidditch team took on the Wizards and Witches University of Chicago and after a grueling battle for the win, Blue Ridge was successful in taking home the win! Congratulations!

Quidditch Team One v. Team Two - Met on the field again, Team One seemed more focused this week but they still couldn't pull off a win against the unstoppable force that is Team Two.

11/11: Shawnee v. Roanoke - Roanoke and Shawnee both played exceptionally hard when they met on the field, but it was Roanoke who came out swinging. Roanoke finally pulled through and gained their first victory of the season.

11/12: University quodpot - University took on Chicago on the twelfth and for the first time this season, they suffered a loss. It had been a close game the entire time but in the very end Chicago pulled ahead by just one goal.

11/18: Quirank v. Shenandoah - Quirank was the clear winner in the November 18th match, there seemed to be a little distraction out on the field for Shenandoah. Better luck next time as Quirank took home the victory.

11/19: University quidditch - The University quidditch team took on the Colorado Institute for Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was a close game and in the end Blue Ridge came out the winners!

Quidditch Team One v. Team Two - It was a rough game to watch as Team Two delivered a thorough beating the entire game. Team One needs to figure out a new strategy that works for them against Team Two. Team Two is steam rolling through the season!

Don't forget to join us on December 2, when we return from vacation! Roanoke will face Appalachia to see if they can stop last years champions and on the 3, University quodpot will take on Colorado!

In other news, it's been an exciting month! Homecoming was a huge success! I'd like to congratulate our Kings, Sam Ruiz and Hunter Sommer of University House and our Queens, Sunny Garcia of Appalachia House and Tatum Donnelly of University House. I'd also like to extend a warm congratulations to the Prince, Hendrix Turner of Shawnee House and the Princess, Michiko Passos of University House.

I would like to continue conducting interviews with the clubs when we return from Thanksgiving break which will be 11/23-11/25. If you need a place to stay during the holidays, the dorms will remain open and of course I will be on campus. For those students who chose to stay I will be having a Thanksgiving dinner on the 24th in my private quarters and all students who remain on campus are welcome to join me. Dinner will be served at five p.m. and pie at seven. For others there will be a Thanksgiving dinner on Monday evening during regular scheduled dinner times.

This year I would like to have a "Secret Santa" for all of your students. If you are interested in participating please write your name on a slip of paper and leave it in the box outside my office by December 3rd, 2011. That is the day you will receive your assignment! Remember! Don't tell anyone because then it would be Everyone Knows Santa not Secret Santa and that would totally defeat the purpose!!

A few more calendar reminders! The Winter Formal is on December 17 at seven and the Winter concert and dance recital is on the 23 at seven. Winter Vacation will be December 24 - January 1. Classes resume on January 2. Don't forget students! My office is always open! Thank you very much!

-Headmast Ichirou Sato




OOC: So sorry there was so much to make up! Y'all know life exploded and got crazy but I love you guys for stickin around and being so patient! Also! For Secret Santa, leave your character names here and I will send out assignments on December third if we need that long. If not I can do it sooner! <333

blueridgefac:

Good evening students and Happy Columbus day!

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend despite the weather! All the sports games went off great!

Quirank faced off last year's cup champions, Appalachia on Friday night and though Quirank proved themselves a formidable opponent, they could not keep up with Appalachia. The Appalachia Wolves took home another well earned win at the end of the night. Sol Garcia commented "we're just steam rolling through the beginning of our season! It's only gonna get better!" There were high spirits in Appalachia all weekend and even an outdoor barbecue in front of their house on Friday night.

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the cheerleaders who came out and cheered their hearts out. Quirank and Appalachian cheerleaders alike showed up and kept the crowd spirited throughout the night.

The University Quidditch team met against The New York City University of Magic on Saturday afternoon and against the rain and poor weather still came out victorious. Team One and Team Two faced off after the University game and this time Team Two took home the victory after a trying game.

In other sports news, the University Quodpot team has suffered the loss of their center and noseguard Michiko Passos who has retired for the season. "I plan to come back next season, so don't you worry about a thing," Miss Passos was quoted after tendering her resignation. "I just have to think about my health right now and focus on getting through this year." Miss. Passos promised that she wouldn't miss a single practice or game while waiting out the season.

Homecoming is upon students! Make sure this week you send in your votes for homecoming court! All students are eligible! Homecoming week will be October 17-22 and the spirit week days are as follows!

Monday: Pajama Day - Lazy Monday, come to school in your pajamas!
Tuesday: Twin Tuesday - dress in any outfit you like, matched with a friend! (Dress code still applies)
Wednesday: Decade Day - dress in an outfit from any decade! (Dress code still applies)
Thursday: Costume Day - dress in any costume you would like! (Dress code still applies)
Friday: Sports Day and House Pride - you can wear your sports jersey and uniform or your house colors instead of your school uniforms. Don't forget to join us for the homecoming game Friday night as Appalachia faces off with Shawnee.
Saturday: Homecoming dance and University Quidditch. The game is at two p.m. on the quidditch pitch and the dance will begin at 7 pm!

This week's highlighted club is the Garden Club. I had a chance to sit down with Tatum Donnelly, Ella Parry, and Sol Garcia to talk about the club's activities as of late. This week has been very heavily focused on moving outdoor plants into the greenhouse to avoid the killer frost. They've also planted several rare plants that they will be harvesting soon. Sol Garcia enthusiastically told me "Garden club is just super relaxed and a nice environment. It also provides tons of fresh herbs for cooking!" Tatum Donnelly was quoted saying "I mean like, it's been going really good. We're on schedule and stuff. Ella and Sunny do most of the hard.. stuff. But I found this really good spell for growing giant strawberries! They're like, huger than pears. It's super awesome." The Garden Club has an open door policy and would like to extend a welcome to any other interested students.

Next week we will be highlighting the Art Club! Don't forget to join us on the field Friday for Roanoke and Shenandoah and Saturday to see the University team with their new line up take on The New York City University of Magic! Thank you very much for your time!

-Headmaster Ichirou Sato

[Homecoming votes here! I'm too lazy to screen >.>]