Renaissance

Renaissance is a club that rewards students for doing well in school, avoiding tardies, and keeping a positive attitude throughout the school years. The sole purpose of Renaissance is to give recognition to students for their academics and reward excellence in education. Becoming a member of Renaissance is not easy. Students must receive good grades and maintain those grades both semesters. The grades were taken each semester giving the students two chances to be a member of Renaissance. Having requirements that influence students to work hard in their classes is very important. To some students, Renaissance may seem absurd but the rewards are worth it. Being rewarded for doing well in school is a very good feeling for students, and teachers are happy for the students because of all the work put into to each and every one of their classes.

__CONTENTS__
 * History
 * More Modern
 * Renapalooza

The picture to the right shows a faculty member assisting a student with stuffing folders to be distributed to the lucky Renaissance members.

Renaissance began in 1993 when Principal Dr. Phillip Silsby wanted to recognize students that were doing well in school. He was convinced that starting the Renaissance program would encourage students to work harder and to attend school regularly. During the beginning years of the program, rewards were given to students: such as academic student of the month, academic patches and a letter, and a t-shirt. To make awareness of the club, Dr. Silsby would hold assemblies in the auditorium and hand out packets to the students who attended. These packets contained a pen, some coupons, a key chain, and their Renaissance cards.
 * __[[image:renaissance3.ak.jpg align="left"]]HISTORY__**

To earn a letter, a student must be able to maintain a Maroon Card throughout the entire year, both semesters. In order to earn a patch, a student must maintain a Gold Card the entire year. If a student keeps receiving a Maroon Card, then the student can earn bars for their letter. Another reward for students is having an off campus lunch, where the students may leave the campus, during their lunch hour, to eat with friends or meet up with family. The requirements for Renaissance are kept the same. To receive a Maroon Card, a student needs all A's or a 4.5 GPA. To receive a Gold Card, a student needs all B's or a 3.5-4.4 GPA. To receive a Silver Card, a student needs a 0.5 increase in GPA.

Members of the Renaissance Committee met the first Monday of each month in the picture like in the picture above. The meetings promoted academic excellence.

The requirements since 1993 have remained the same. Renaissance is very popular throughout the school, and students work very hard to achieve their goals and receive a card. The rewards still include an off campus lunch but the rewards also include free admission to Belleville West home athletic events, and free admission to all Little Theater performances. The free admissions come in handy to a lot of the students that attend those events.
 * __MORE MODERN__**

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors get their Renaissance card, for that year, at the end of the first semester, and receive the second at the end of second semester. Freshman have to wait until the end of second semester to get their cards because there must be a comparison between the first and second semester grades to see if some of the students qualify for the Silver Card. Checking the grades for the students first and second semester is a great way to encourage the students not to slack off toward the end of the school year.

There are many students in Renaissance which means that the faculty is very involved. The staff is in charge of organizing events, making the cards, and sending them to the students. Without the involvement from the staff and faculty, Renaissance is a very successful event.



The photo to the left shows a member of the Renaissance Committee distributing Maroon, Gold, and Silver cards during lunch hours. Along with the Renaissance cards, t-shirts and folders with coupons were also passed out.



The picture to the right shows a class of students smiling with pride. The picture was taken during the 2001-2002 schoolyear. Front Row: Lindsay Irwin, Brandon Zollner, Becky Randolph, Brandon Webster, Courtney Tiemann, Meagan Gebhart, Jackie Morrison Second Row: Pia Denzmore, Stewart Calhoun, Katie Williams, Suzy Fitzgerald, Jon Monteith, Sponsor Mrs. Musselman, Julie Ehret Third Row: Dea’Shantea Bester, Erin Connor, Tara Altmansberger, Ryan Frank, Jenny Mueth, Sponsor Mrs. Washburn Fourth Row: Sponsor Mrs. Kathy Baldus, Erik Dronen, Jon Brough, Briana Kassebaum, Sponsor Ms. Jan Bellm

Renapalooza is one of the most well-known events in Belleville West. Renapalooza is the biggest reward/ celebration for the members of Renaissance. Renapalooza is scheduled for a certain day within the second semester and during the 5th, 6th, and 7th hours of school. The students who are holding a Maroon, Gold, or Silver Card are able to leave class and come to the event. The event, depending on the weather, can be held inside or outside.
 * __RENAPALOOZA__**

Renapalooza contains multiple games, similar to arcade games like Dance Dance Revolution, Pac Man, and air hockey. Some of the other games held during Renapalooza are playing guitar hero, jousting, riding a mechanical bull, and music is played for everyone to enjoy. Along with being able to leave class, the students attending Renapalooza are able to wear the themed t-shirt for that year. Not only does Renapalooza have games, but Renapalooza has food. Waters, hot dogs, chips, and popsicles are available to the students.

If students want to have a really great time during school then it is suggested to work hard and get good grades. The recognition of hard work always is a great feeling, and students should want that feeling all the time. Overall, Belleville West finds great joy in rewarding their students for the excellence they strive for.



The celebration to the left shows the Belleville West student body cheering with pride. Rallies were held throughout the year and were always a good time. The students of Belleville West are truly Mighty Maroons.

This page was created by Amanda Hobbs ('11) and Katie Doerr ('11).