Ben C. Rain High School
2020-2021 2nd Edition Newsletter
Our Mission
Follow the links to our website and social media accounts.
Please make sure you pay close attention to important dates and times on our
Facebook, Twitter and school website.
Go Red Raiders!!!
Congratulations to our 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year!
Mr. Donald Wright, Math Teacher
We know he is an awesome EDUCATOR, but who is Donald Wright???
From Mr. Donald Wright...One of my favorite hobbies is pottery. It's something that my wife and I can do together. We love to spend time with each other. During the Christmas break, we sold out completely on Ebay and could hardly keep up with the orders. I also love to read. I read almost every day. My students would think that I love to sit at home and do math, but I try not to, unless I absolutely must. I am a huge Alabama Crimson Tide football fan. I rarely miss a game. When my wife and I are away from home on gameday, she knows that I need to be home in time before the kickoff.
Thank you, Mr. Wright, for becoming a Red Raider!!!
Calling All Juniors and Seniors! Summer Internships...
Custodial Staff...Silent Heroes of Ben C. Rain!
The custodial staff performs one of the most essential jobs in the building, which includes the cleanliness and upkeep of every room, office, and restroom on campus. These silent heroes are here before the students arrive to school and they are here after students leave to prepare and clean for the next day. Some of their duties include, but not limited to the following:
- Clean classrooms and offices
- Clean restrooms
- Wash walls, windows, and woodwork
- Sweep, mop, wax, and polish floors
- Pick up paper and empty trash
- Replenish restroom supplies
Due to the effects of COVID-19, our custodian staff’s responsibilities and duties have become more critical due to around the clock cleaning to ensure that frequently touched objects and restrooms are sanitized to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Oftentimes custodians tend to go unnoticed; however, when absent, their presence is greatly missed. Ben C. Rain makes efforts to acknowledge the custodians often, because without their contribution, the puzzle would not be complete. Thank you, Silent Heroes, for your daily dedication.
B C Rain Custodial Staff
English Language Arts Teacher Spotlight
This month our ELA's Teacher Spotlight is on Ms. Anita Haith, the 9th grade ELA teacher. She is not new to the community, but new to Ben C. Rain. She is a great asset to B C Rain High School as she brings in new methods to get students involved and keep them engaged. She comes from Pillans Middle School. She has a military background and has traveled over the world. She is a wealth of knowledge and is always ready for a challenge. Her students are exposed to various genres and introduced to effective ways to learn grammar and enhance their writing skills.
Let's give Ms. Haith a big welcome!
Science Teacher Spotlight
Ms. Amber Simpson is one of our marine biology, regular biology, and the human anatomy teachers at Ben C. Rain. She is a wonderful teacher who often goes above and beyond to ensure that all of her students’ needs are met and that they continue to be successful in and outside the classroom. She is the girls’ volleyball coach, and recently has begun the process of starting and sponsoring the WISE club. WISE, which stands for Women in Science and Engineering, is an organization that focuses on introducing young women to different science and engineering fields. We are thankful to have her as a Red Raider!
Math Teacher Spotlight
My name is Chastity Brewster, and I am a high school math teacher. My parents met and married while they were both in the Air Force. I was born in Alexandria, LA. I have one older brother George who is one year older than me. My family and I moved around a lot, until my dad retired from the Air Force when I was 13. We then moved to the family farm in rural West Monroe, LA. I graduated from West Ouachita High School in 1996, and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in mathematics education. I am married to my husband Stu Brewster. He moved down to Mobile, Alabama in December 2005 to work for Austal. I waited to move in the summer of 2006 so I could finish off my school year. We have 3 children: Julia, Lauren, and Declan. I became a Red Raider in August 2017, teaching mainly Geometry. We now live in Daphne, AL and have 3 cats and 1 dog.
Social Studies Department at B C Rain
The Social Studies Department of Ben C. Rain High School offers a diverse, advanced curriculum that promotes quality content, inquiry, literacy, and citizenship. The department offers a standard-based curriculum and online resources as well as presents lessons that promote ethical and historical critical thinking skills. The core goal of the Social Studies Department is to produce well informed, articulate, innovative students who are productive citizens as well as life-long learners that are willing to meet social, political, and economic challenges of today and tomorrow.
Pictured is Mr. Timothy Mai, History Teacher
Red Raiders JROTC Program Stays Active Despite Pandemic Conditions
During the 2020-2021 school year, the Raider Battalion JROTC program has been one of the most active in the nation, while having to follow Covid-19 restrictions. Since September, the mighty Raider Battalion has been able to train and compete in multiple competitions and events, to include VEX Robotics, Raider Challenge, rappelling, rifle marksmanship and archery. In addition to these events, cadets also participated in a Staff Ride to Blakely State Park to learn about the Battle of Fort Mims and other aspects of Alabama history, a snow skiing trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and a mentored hunting trip where cadets were able to harvest several white tail deer.
The Red Raider Battalion still has more to come for this year, including orienteering, two drill competitions, another rappelling trip, more VEX Robotics, archery, rifle marksmanship, Raider Challenge and PT competitions. They will finish the year out with a capstone event, a week long STEM Camp held at Spring Hill College during the third week of June where cadets will focus on aviation topics and have the opportunity to build and learn to pilot drones.
B C Rain JROTC Instructors
B C Rain is fortunate to have many business partners. We have a few highlighted below:
Business Partner, Airbus Americas Engineering
Airbus Americas Engineering is an engineering office that supports the design and specifications of commercial aircraft cabins (i.e. seats, galleys, and lavatories), including the Airbus A320 that is manufactured here in Mobile. The cabins of commercial airplanes are where aircraft engineering meets the airline customers, whether they are traveling on business, off to a far-away vacation, or uniting with their families together. Proudly based in BC Rain’s backyard at the Brookley Aeroplex, the Airbus engineers know the Red Raiders. From mentoring visits to building airplanes, the Red Raiders and Airbus are neighbors, and we invite everyone to get to know us better at Airbus Link.
Business Partner, ST Engineering Aerospace, INC (VT MAE)
ST Engineering Aerospace is a MRO (Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul) facility for heavy aircraft that also includes aircraft modifications. They run numerous training programs that develop the workforce into the best in the world. Their Airman Training Program is an 18-24 month on-the-job training program that is full-time employment with benefits that allows trainees to test for the FAA Airframe certification. The Aviation Maintenance Training program is a partnership with the Alabama Aviation College on Brookley that provides part-time employment to provide valuable work experience during a 24 month program that will get the students the FAA Airframe and Powerplant licensing. With their partnership with B C Rain, they can build a talented workforce for years to come.
Andre McCoo
ATP Administrator
Workforce Development
Tommy Dupont
ATP Administrator
Workforce Development
Business Partner, Signature Flight Support BFM
Tammy Hill is the Station Manager of Signature Flight Support BFM. Signature Flight Support is the largest network of Fixed Base Operations (FBOs) in the world. With over 200 locations providing consistent exceptional service, Signature’s worldwide network of FBOs delivers essential support services for business and private aviation. Signature BFM services the only Airbus manufacturing facility in the United States. Signature Flight Support is a proud supporter of BC Rain high school aviation program.
Dual Enrollment with Coastal Community College Aviation Maintenance Program
Coastal Alabama Community College
Dave Mosow, Instructor
In conjunction with Coastal Alabama Community College, Mobile County Schools through BC Rain High School, offers a dual enrollment program. This allows students at BC Rain High School to earn both high school credit and college credit in Aviation Maintenance.
Presently there are three classes open to students:
· Technical Preparation for Aviation
· Basic electricity
· Aviation Materials and Processes
Plans are to expand these offerings to:
· Aircraft Sheet Metal Fabrication
· Aircraft Instruments
· Reciprocating Engine Maintenance
All of the above classes count toward the student’s Associate degree and completion of the FAA sponsored Aviation Maintenance Certification. Toward that end, students are eligible to attend more aviation classes during the summer at Coastal’s aviation campus on the north end of Brookley Field.
As an added benefit, to the above class offerings, students will have the opportunity to build a complete airplane like the one completed by students and mentors last year.
Dual Enrollment with The University of South Alabama
Start South at BC Rain High School
In conjunction with The University of South Alabama and Mobile County Public School System, B C Rain High School, offers a dual enrollment program called Start South. This program allows students at B C Rain High School to earn both a high school credit and college credit from USA simultaneously at no cost to the students. Every student that successfully completes 9 credit hours through the Start South dual enrollment program will automatically be accepted to the University of South Alabama upon high school graduation.
There are currently 13 seniors and 5 juniors participating in the program. In the fall, the students successfully completed English 101 and are presently taking English 102. Students have access to tutors through USA and support from the English department here at B C Rain. Students also attend a mini workshop once a month with young professionals on the importance of professionalism, the college experience, interviewing and the hiring process, and scholarships. This program provides great opportunities and exposure to students preparing to enter college upon graduation.
Nine of our Start South Students
Bishop State Scholarship Program
The Bishop State Scholarship webpage is open for the upcoming academic year 2021-2022. The application is now live until March 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm. Students wishing to apply for scholarships need visit the webpage below. Counselors and other high school personnel needing information are welcome to contact the Office of Financial Aid by emailing scholarships@bishop.edu. Follow this link for their webpage: Scholarships - Bishop State
Well done, Red Raiders Battalion Archery Team!!!
Team members:
Jacqurius McDowell (Captain), Lichelle Johnson, Abner Garcia-Portillo; & James Pritchett
Senior Sponsor, Mrs. Demetria Franklin, Recognizes Senior Student Athletes
It is always exciting to recognize our senior student athletes each year. As senior sponsor, I take pride in making sure senior year is not only enjoyable, but memorable. Congratulations Class of 2021! I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors........GO RED RAIDERS!!!!
Basketball Seniors 2021
Demondre Macklin
QuaDarious Greene
Derrick Williams-McGlasker
Cafeteria Champions of B C Rain
During a normal school year, our cafeteria champions play a critical and often under-recognized role in the health of our students. These champions prepare food and serve students for breakfast and lunch; often serving the only meals some students will eat for the day. When we think of school lunch or cafeteria workers, food automatically comes to mind. However, cafeteria workers contribute to students’ education just as the teacher, counselor, or coach, because without food to sustain them, they are not able to concentrate on academics.
When schools shut down last year due to COVID-19, school cafeteria workers were on the frontline preparing meals and helping to distribute them.
Simply put…Cafeteria workers are true Champions!
First Semester Honor Roll Students 2020-2021
Go out and support Red Raiders Baseball!
Black History Month Highlight
Jerome G. Cooper was born on October 2, 1936, in Lafayette, Louisiana.[1] He attended high school at Most Pure Heart of Mary High School graduating in 1954 .[2] He was educated at the University of Notre Dame, receiving a B.A. in 1958.[1]
After college, Cooper joined the United States Marine Corps. During the Vietnam War, he became the first African American to ever command a Marine Corps infantry company.[3] He left the Marine Corps in 1970. During his time in the Marine Corps, he was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, two Purple Hearts and three Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses.[1]
In 1970, Cooper left the Marine Corps, though he continued to serve as a major in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.[1] From 1970, he was director of an insurance company and funeral home that had been owned by his family for decades in Mobile, Alabama. He was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 1973.[3] In 1978, the Governor of Alabama named Cooper to his cabinet, with Cooper becoming Commissioner of the Alabama State Department of Human Resources.[3]
Cooper attended the program for Senior Executives in Government at Harvard University in 1979.[3] He joined David Volkert and Associates, a regional engineering and architectural firm in Mobile, Alabama, as vice president for marketing in 1981.[3]
In 1988, Cooper returned to active duty in the Marine Corps, being promoted to major general and becoming director of personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps.[3] He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989, when President of the United States George H. W. Bush nominated Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) and, after Senate confirmation, he held this office until 1992.[1] In this capacity, he played a role in planning the Gulf War.[3]
Cooper returned to David Volkert and associates in 1992.[3] In 1994, President Bill Clinton named Cooper United States Ambassador to Jamaica, and Cooper presented his credentials to Governor-General of Jamaica Sir Howard Cooke on November 4, 1994.[4] He left his post as ambassador on November 27, 1997.
Cooper returned to his home in Mobile in December 1997.[3] He later became CEO of Commonwealth National Bank, and has served on the Board of Directors of GenCorp, U.S. Steel, Protective Life, and PNC Financial Services.[3]
Looking Ahead!!!
Learn about the Academies of Rain!
Want to learn more? Follow this link.
Signature Academy Specialist, Mr. Sylvester Jones
251-221-3233 sjones5@mcpss.com