News briefs for the week of Wednesday, May 3, 2023: Decision Day, R-H Baseball, donations and much more!

Published 4:46 pm Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

See below for a round up of this week’s news briefs.

Decision Day 2023

Randolph-HenryRandolph-Henry High School (R-H) Decision Day 2023 was a great success, school officials say. On this day each year, the school celebrates all seniors and their post-graduation plans whether they are joining the workforce, the military, or attending colleges and trade schools. This event is sponsored by the Virginia College Advising Corps and is organized by the R-H college advisor, Ms. Nicole Smith.

 

 

Statesmen spend spring break in South Carolina

Statesmen baseballThe Randolph-Henry baseball team enjoyed spring break in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The group participated in two games at the Ripken Experience Complex, while also playing games like mini-golf and shuffleboard, visiting the aquarium and taking part in other activities at the resort. Game one was on Tuesday, April 11 at Griffith Field, the former home of the Washington Senators from 1911-1961. The Statesmen played Archbishop McNicholas High School out of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Statesmen played a great game against the defending state champions but fell short 2-1. Game two was on Wednesday, April 12 at Crosley Field, the former home of the Cincinnati Reds from 1912 to 1970. The Statesmen played Fordham Preparatory High School and won 9-6.

 

Class of ‘68 makes donation

Randolph-Henry High School’s (R-H) Class of ‘68 donated $1,000 to Staff Appreciation Week in honor of teachers and to support many initiatives at R-H.

 

 

 

Students learn about gardening

Representatives from the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners came out to work with Mrs. Tharpe’s Life Skills class at Randolph-Henry High recently. They taught students about planting tomatoes and green peppers. This is part of the Gardens to Go Project in an effort to share knowledge about gardening and good nutrition.

 

 

 

Good attendance rewarded

On April 25, Randolph-Henry students with two or fewer absences for the third grading period were rewarded with a day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Students received a voucher for lunch and a free ticket to watch the Bulls take on the Red Birds in AAA baseball. Randolph-Henry is committed to encouraging positive attendance habits for students.

 

 

 

Beware of gift card scams

Gift card sales rose from $130 billion in 2015 to $173 billion in 2021, and while they are popular with consumers, they are also popular with criminals. In fact, researchers estimate that $40 to $50 billion is stolen from fraud victims in any given year.

Here’s what you need to know about the two primary ways people are defrauded using gift cards.

Criminals have several ways of claiming gift card balances so that the money is gone before the card is even delivered. In fact, a 2022 AARP survey found that one in four respondents to the AARP survey said they had given or received a gift card that turned out to have no value on it. To combat this purchase cards directly from the business that issued them, preferably by ordering them online. If you do purchase them in a store check to make sure that the packaging hasn’t been tampered with and register your card with the retailer if that option is offered.

Lastly, criminals prefer gift cards as a form of payment from their victims because they are readily available and hard to trace. If anyone asks you to pay for a debt or obligation with a pre-paid gift card it is a scam and you should cut off communication.

For more information, visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.