Reclaiming focus: R.J. Reynolds High School cellphone ban
By Ellie Spinosa A&E Editor In June of 2024, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools released a policy banning student cellphone use during the school day. This school year, R.J. Reynolds High School has begun implementing the policy more heavily. Almost all teachers now require students to place their cellphones in phone pockets upon classroom entry. While this […]
Punishing parkers: New policies on parking enforcement
By Lucy Stoter Online Editor After years of unenforced parking rules and nasty notes left on cars, the R.J. Reynolds High School administration has decided to start implementing stricter parking rules. For years, the parking lots at RJR have been known as chaotic and unorganized, with the “prime parking spots” in both the junior and […]
New role, same Pressly
By Frazier Jones Staff Writer Following Calvin Freeman’s retirement as principal of R.J. Reynolds High School at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School Board approved Paul Pressly as Freeman’s successor. Pressly, who previously served as an Assistant Principal at RJR, provides a friendly face for students, and a great […]
Crisis Averted?
By Jackson Colo and Jesper Runheim Editor-in-Chief and Staff Writer In May 2025, the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School District fell $46 million short of its 2024-2025 budget. More than a year later, after careful rebuilding, the district has resolved the debt. But with the crisis in the past, community members are left pondering one question: […]
Passion for the parking lot
By Kate Sturgill Op/Ed Editor It’s that time of year when the R.J. Reynolds High School graduating class of 2026 coats their parking spots in black and passes the paintbrush to the incoming class of 2027 to carry on the annual parking lot adornment. Whether you’ve seen them on the PTSA’s Instagram page or during […]
Ready and Rowdy
By Alice Pulliam Staff Writer As a new school year begins at R.J. Reynolds High School, fall sports are in session, schedules are packed, and students are scrambling to find the motivation to keep up with their work – especially after a relaxing summer vacation. But who’s in charge of keeping the school spirit high during […]
Friday Night Lights to Friday Night Life
By Mattie Windsor Hurt Staff Writer As the temperatures begin to cool and students settle into a routine, one of R.J. Reynolds High School’s best community events come into full swing: football season! RJR students gather in the stands every fall to cheer on the football team in hopes of a big win, though that’s […]
More than a match: The Winston-Salem Open experience
By Eleanor Swaim Staff Writer For the past 15 years, Winston-Salem has hosted its own tennis tournament, the Winston-Salem Open. Held on the grounds of Wake Forest University, the Winston-Salem Open is an exciting event for the community. The tournament gives people from all over the world a chance to see the beautiful city. The […]
Rising from the rough start
By Shawn Holt-Green Staff Writer Every season begins with hope, but for the R.J. Reynolds High School men’s varsity soccer team, the first four games of the 2026-2027 season tested that harder than anyone expected. After opening with a strong 5-2 win over Mooresville, the team experienced a rough patch: a 4-0 loss to Providence, […]
Student section switch-up
By Caitlin AckerStaff Writer R.J. Reynolds High School has arguably the best school spirit of any Forsyth County School. After the construction of the M. Douglas Crater Field and Stadium, the Reynolds student section has grown in attendance with each game. This year, Reynolds has decided to move the student section to the opposite side […]