RHS students and teachers from every club and organization gathered Wednesday evening around a long line of tables running the length of the football field setting up t-shirt tables, banners, props and trophies while marketing their programs.

Under a scorching sun, families and members of the RHS community scattered across the Eagle-Mustang Stadium to participate in Richardson High School’s First Annual Back-to-School Picnic. Near the end zone, hotdogs, cookies, cupcakes, chips, water bottles and iced-tea cups awaited parents, siblings and family of RHS students as they stepped onto the field.

Kim Harrison, PTA Scholarship Chair, suggested the picnic at a meeting when she heard about other schools in the area that held picnics to begin the academic year. After the committee met with new principal Charles Bruner, who seemed delighted at establishing the picnic as a new tradition, the PTA and Booster Club joined efforts to plan and manage the event.

Beginning this past summer, close friends PTA member Jami Byrd and Booster Club Sponsor Dana Smith met for a couple of weeks to plan the event. The event ended at around 8 p.m. after a showcase of sports teams, performances by dance teams like The Eaglettes and Hypematic, and a musical performance by the RHS band.

“It was a nice event,” RHS parent Mr. Wertzberder said. “It would have been more enjoyable had it been cooler, but it’s always hot at the beginning of year.”

In spite of the sun and hot weather, RHS students, their siblings and faculty families swarmed the field, playing soccer, throwing footballs, dancing to the music or just laying peacefully on the grass. On the sideline, community members explored the school’s clubs and organizations that were trying to recruit new students.

Junior Aisleen Menezes said, “This is a really fantastic opportunity for freshmen to become familiar with all of the clubs and organizations of the school,” junior Aisleen Menezes said.

The event, however, did not completely lack its critics. Some participants thought the event was somewhat unorganized and hastily prepared. Others thought that the time spent and energy used for the event was something of a waste.

“To be completely honest, we had freshmen orientation; we’ve already done all of this to the freshmen,” Junior Ian Miller said, “I know not all freshmen were able to be there, but they’ll learn about the clubs and organizations in their own way and on their own time.”

He added, “We’re spending a lot of energy and resources for this picnic, and I don’t know if it was all worth it.”

For next year, Byrd and Smith are waiting for everyone’s input, and they do plan on making some changes to the event, addressing the issues raised by those who attended.

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