Paul Laufman ('56), inducted into the R. A. Long High School Hall of Fame class of 2013, gave a presentation on his career in engineering and rockets Friday, March 22 to a packed school assembly.  Laufman worked on a variety of propulsion systems used by the US military and NASA.  He cofounded and has retired as Chairman of United Paradyne Corporation.

In a surprise inclusion into the 2013 R. A. Long High School Hall of Fame class, Ty Morris was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the end of the program.  Ty Morris has served the students of R. A. Long High School for more than 30 years as teacher, coach, Athletic Director, and Assistant Principal.  Ty Morris helped kickstart the idea for the Alumni Association.  AD Morris induction into the Hall of Fame is well earned.

The 2013 R. A. Long High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Friday, March 22.  This will be the eigth annual induction.  The ceremony will begin at 5:30 PM and will be in the Dana Brown Mainstage Theater (the R. A. Long Auditorium).

The Archive Room will be open as well.  The Archive Room is on the second floor near the elevator (yes, R. A. L. does have an elevator; no tickets required).

Just a reminder:  the 2012 R. A. Long High School Alumni Association Annual Meeting is to tonight, Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at 7:00 PM.  The meeting will be held at R. A. Long High School in room 115.  We hope to see you there.

The RAL Alumni Association once again has a booth at Longview's Go Fourth Festival.  If you are in Longview July 2, 3, or 4, stop by the booth and say "Hi!"  While you are there, please take the opportunity to pick up a hat, a mug, a tote bag (new), a visor (new), or something else to show your pride in being a Lumberjack or Lumberjill.  The money we raise through membership dues and merchandise sales help fund projects that the school would not be able to fund including artwork restoration, the Hall of Fame, interior painting, science equipment, and other teaching aids.

The R.A. Long Class of 2012 graduated June 9, 2012 in a ceremony at Longview Memorial Stadium.  The Daily News reported that RAL is shedding its image as a "ghetto school".  Principal Rich Reeves ('86) credits the class of 2012 with helping to change the image.  We think Mr. Reeves has contributed significantly to the positive changes.

R.A. Long alumnus and Hall of Fame member Sonny Estes ('55) died on May 26, 2012.  He has been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice:  first in 2006 as an individual and then in 2012 as member of the 1952 football team. Estes is considered by many to be among the best, if not the best, male athletes from R.A. Long.

Students at R.A. Long High School have been holding the Mr. Lumberjack Pageant since 2005.  The pageant raises money for a variety of charitable purposes.  Organizers expanded the 2012 pageant to include couples.  The 2012 Mr. and Miss Lumberjack Pageant raised $3259 to help the family of family of Myah McElligott.

The Daily News featured a story on the installation of permanent seating at RA Long Baseball's Lumberyard today.  Elden Alexander has been working for many years to improve the Lumberyard.  The Association is pleased to have contributed to this project.

RAL Baseball will be having a fundraising auction March 24.  The Daily News article has details on how you can participate in the auction.