By Isabel Costian
The ice water splashed on principal Charles Bruner causing a symphony of laughter and applause from the stands. Minutes later, spectators swarmed the field as the loudspeaker dismissed them while they said their goodbyes.
To celebrate the start of the academic year, the PTA and the Booster Club threw the second annual Back-to-School Picnic Wednesday in the stadium. Unlike last year, however, Bruner completed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in front of the hundreds who attended.
“I think it’s great that Mr. Bruner is getting into the spirit and that he’s helping an organization to try to get more funding to find cures,” parent Susan Cluiss said. “I think it’s good that he’s willing to, in the spirit of fun, do it in front of the student body.”
The challenge asks nominees to either dump a bucket of ice water on their heads, donate to the ALS Association, or do both. Bruner decided to do both and is planning to donate at least 100 dollars.
“I hope he donates because ALS is a serious disease and it needs to be resolved,” sophomore Dylan Kort said. “In fact, all of these diseases need to have attention brought to them – they all should have cures in the making.”
Before completing the challenge, Bruner nominated a few colleagues to stand up and support the charity.
“The challenge is a platform to get hooked up with a charity and donate either money or time because there are thousands of groups that need our help,” Bruner said. “This is just one way, and I’m gonna use it to call out some peers, so Berkner, Lake Highlands, and Pearce’s principals are going to be following suit really soon.”
The challenge wasn’t the only difference this year. The organizers said they implemented ideas that improved on last year’s picnic.
“I feel like they learned from last year, because things were arranged differently, and it seemed like there were more things to see,” Cluiss said. “I think it’s good to see all of the students and different organizations.”
For some, this year was their first experience of the Back-to-School Picnic. It was filled with music, dancing, and school pride.
“I missed it last year, and since it’s my final year, I figured I should see what I missed,” senior Emily White said. “I’m looking forward to a good time tonight.”
The tables set up for different organizations were mostly meant to recruit freshmen. Clubs said they accumulated many promising ninth-graders.
“I was interested in looking at some clubs,” freshman Michael Manzenza said. “I think it’s a great idea to get all of the freshmen together, feeling the RHS friendly atmosphere.”
Several sports teams and academic clubs also got a few seconds in the spotlight while running across the field.
“I loved running through the tunnel,” sophomore Lauryn Raleigh said. “I’m definitely coming back next year, because it was fun to have school spirit and see everybody perform. I felt like everyone got to be one big happy Richardson family together.”
Aside from the challenge, Bruner said that his experience from last year changed his perspective on the picnic.
“This year, I’m not here to learn about all of the traditions,” Bruner said. “I’m here to share the greatness of Richardson High School.”
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