By Carrie McKim
News Editor

This lottery has a way better prize than winning millions upon millions of dollars. If you win this one, you’re going to R.J. Reynolds High School!

Many of the students at Reynolds come because it’s their district school and they only live a few blocks away, so why not? But few actually realize the lengths that some go to in order to take advantage of the opportunities offered here.

Because Reynolds is an arts magnet school, the arts department far surpasses most of what is found in ordinary high schools. The range of courses available is vast and the teaching staff is superb. Consequently, if you aren’t already guaranteed a spot, it can be pretty tough to get in.

Arts magnet director Karen Morris explained that while there is an application process to apply for a spot, it isn’t as difficult as some may think.

“You don’t have to write essays or anything,” Morris said of the application process, which began this month and ends Jan. 24 following several open houses and other special events. “You just never know (if you will get a spot). It all depends on whether there are more applicants than space.”

• Follow this link to learn more general information about the RJR arts magnet program
• Follow this link for the official WS/FCS magnet schools application

If there are more applicants than spots available – and RJR has had a waiting list the last several years – students are chosen in a lottery held Jan. 29. The system is completely randomized, so all students who have applied are entered and randomly chosen by a computer and given spots. The application mainly consists of general questions, such as what the student’s assigned district is, and is not specifically geared toward the arts because not all applicants may be applying for the arts aspect of Reynolds.

Sophomore Shirley Tan was supposed to go to East Forsyth, but entered the lottery hoping to come to Reynolds to focus on photography and theater arts. Initially, Tan didn’t get picked in the random selection, but later appealed for a spot.

“I sent in a letter to Central Office,” Tan said. “I told them why I wanted to come and sent them pictures I had taken in the past.”

Not everyone who doesn’t get in at first is accepted after appealing, which makes getting a spot highly competitive. There is also a waiting list for those still holding out hope. Junior Caroline Li also filled out an application and happened to be accepted through the lottery. Li found the lottery system to be a success and said she likes the way it is completely random, as not all young students may be ready to be judged based on merit.

“I think it’s good, especially for high school students, because you can’t really judge them yet,” Li said. “A high school’s job is to let students grow. You can’t cut them off from opportunities.”

Tan generally agreed, but also recognizes that the system isn’t perfect.

“There are people who deserve it, but don’t get in,” Tan said.

The lucky ones who are accepted generally feel it was worth the stress and anticipation.

“At Reynolds you can pursue what you want to do specifically,” Li added. “It’s different because you’re focusing on different types of art.”

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Thursday, Jan. 9: Reynolds Revue for prospective families, particularly for rising freshmen and sophomores, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Info and performances in auditorium from 6:30 to 7:30, classroom visits in the main building from 7:30 to 8:30. Follow this link for a map of where departments will be located.)
• Friday, Jan. 10: Poetry Out Loud competition in the Black Box Theatre at 5 p.m. followed by RJR vs. Mount Tabor varsity basketball doubleheader in Bryson Gym at 6
• Saturday, Jan. 11: –WS/FCS Magnet information meeting on all 19 county magnet schools will be held at the Benton Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 12: Arts Open House in the RJR arts building and auditorium (tours, sign-ups for auditions, demonstrations, etc.) from 2 to 5 p.m.
• Online applications close Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.; lottery takes place Jan. 29.