Auction Items Value Reaches $22,500

It’s our last push to spread the word about the Casino Night and Auction that takes place this weekend, Sat. Apr 12th.
Tickets are available at the HTHS office for $10. There are still auction items coming in, but the amount and quality of stuff that we’ve got so far is awesome! As of this moment the dollar value for everything in both silent and live auction is a whopping $22,500!

Remember our live auction event starts up at around 9pm, and we’re pleased to welcome back Tom Badger as our auctioneer. We’ve brought back some past favourites, like 2 Wildcats Flex packs and Grad Dorm Package and the VIA rail package and the Molson Room Tour. In addition we’ve added some very exciting new items this year. We’ve got a Patriot ticket bundle for 4, a pair of Montreal Canadian tickets for next season, a Dentist Teeth Whitening package, and a 21 Speed Mountain Bike.

Our “Pick of the Lot” draw is back again. Only 100 tickets are sold, and the winner gets their pick of any of the auction items. Recall last year’s winner took “Wine For A Year”; well, this year the prize is back, only new and improved – we have a Home Bar Kit valued at $1000 that includes a wide assortment of fine wines, spirits and bar accessories…everything you need to stock the bar of your dreams.

You can check out the complete list of auction items received so far.

With your ticket you’ll receive $100 Casino chips to play with. At the end of the night you’ll be able to use those Casino chips to bid for some very nice auction items in our first ever Casino auction.

And before you ask, yes we still have tickets available. It seems every year we have way more stuff to give out then there are people in attendance, and this year is no different. But less people equal more savings!

Casino Night & Auction Tickets Buy Now For $10

Last year the Friends of the Trojans hosted their first ever Casino Night and Auction. By the end of the night we were pretty sure we had a winning formula; guests stayed later then ever, the bar was crazy busy, the casino tables were packed. Someone said it was the best party ever held in a high school gymnasium (admittedly that same lady had to be helped to their car), but I think her slurred comment was dead on.

It was such a great time we knew we had to do it again. But we couldn’t just settle for keeping things the same, this group is all about raising the bar. We were determined to make this year’s Casino Night and Auction even better than last year, but how? The Friends of the Trojans got together at Cheers and debated all the ways to make this happen. It was the third round of drinks and we were getting nowhere, when someone burped and said, “how about dropping drop the price to 10 bucks?” What a great idea!

The Casino Night & Auction is being held on Saturday, April 12th. It’s at the Harrison Trimble Gymnasium, and the doors open at 7:00 pm. If you buy your tickets before the event they’re $10 ($15 at the door). With each ticket you receive $100 dollars of Casino money to play with. You can gamble and try to increase your loot, or maybe you just want to hang on to it, because at the end of the night that fake money could win you real prizes. This is how: we’re offering items up for bid in our first ever Casino money auction!

We love to have fun, but as always this event is all about raising funds for the students of Harrison Trimble. So we encourage HTHS parents and alumni to come out and support us, and in turn support our favourite high school! Go to http://friendsofthetrojans.ca/2013/06/06/casino-wrap-up/ for a look at last year’s event

Cyrus Visits HTHS, Gives Students A Sneak Peak

The students of HTHS had a visitor today! Cyrus The Hypnotist took time out to drop by the school, and everyone in attendance was treated to a sneak peek of his upcoming show. He took the stage in the auditorium and had the students enthralled, as he led them through an exercise that demonstrates the power of hypnosis and the mind’s imagination.

Master Hypnotist Cyrus with Student Council rep Alex Eastabrooks

Cyrus it so entertaining to watch, when he’s on the stage he just grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. The HTHS auditorium is the perfect venue for his show, and based on the reaction from the people in the seats, I’d say today was a great teaser for the real thing! Can’t wait for next Saturday, January 18th.

Reminder to the students that Grad Council will be selling tickets at lunch hours. Tickets are only $20 when you buy early ($25 at the door), and some of the proceeds for each ticket sold by the Grads goes directly to them!

Hypnosis No Joke: Secrets of the Mind Part 1

What if I said that the most potent and sophisticated entity in all the universe is known to exist right here on Earth? In fact it can be found in the very room you’re reading this in! It’s something so amazing it’s considered to be the crowning glory of all creation. This thing, this fantastical arrangement of atoms, is in your possession right now. Heck, I have one too. No, it’s not the new iPhone! Rather it’s the human mind, and when it comes to an understanding of how it accomplishes what it does, scientists are pretty much baffled.

What makes this such a delightful irony is that it shouldn’t be so difficult should it? It’s not like you need an expensive lab, or a Large Hadron Particle Collider in your backyard to do experiments. Everyone, scientists and laypersons included, comes with a mind that they know inside and out, and they are able to study it any time they like! So what is it about how the mind works that is such a mystery?

Now when I say that science can’t explain how people’s minds works, I don’t mean in the pseudo-psychology sense, as in “What’s wrong with Cindy’s brain! She won’t break up with her boyfriend even though it’s obvious that he’s all wrong for her!” One example of what I’m referring to is the phenomena of consciousness.

Consciousness is that aspect of mind that I don’t have to explain, because unless you’re a zombie you know what I’m talking about. It’s our awareness, not just of the outside world as it is filtered through our senses, but also of what’s going on between our ears. It’s that sense of self, and our free will: our ability to control what our bodies do, but also to seemingly direct our thoughts too. I can even point to the place where it seems to be, the so-called “seat of consciousness”: inside my skull and just behind my eyeballs! It’s weird if you consider how absurd it would be if instead it was someplace else, like in my big toe!

What is much harder to explain is why we are conscious at all. Is it something you must possess to be intelligent, (because we are Earth’s super-geniuses don’t you know)? Or is it merely a byproduct of our brain activity, like the creme foam that sits on top of my latte (pleasant but unnecessary)? Does consciousness come in degrees, like a consciousness scale, where presumably I score higher than my dog, and he’s comes ahead of say, a mosquito? Or is is consciousness something that either you have it or you don’t (like a butterfly tattoo on your left cheek)?

Most of us would probably concede that consciousness is crucial to our survival as human beings. So it would be insightful to gain a better understand of how it works. One way is through hypnosis, a very special, altered form of consciousness. When you see first-hand how hypnosis changes the rules that govern how our minds normally work, it’s like lifting the curtain and peeking at what’s going on backstage.

I’ll explain how in Secrets of the Mind Part 2, and until then a reminder to get your tickets for Cyrus Master Hypnotist. He performs at Harrison Trimble High on Saturday, January 18th. Hypnosis is no joke, but it will definitely be a lot of laughs!

Cyrus The Hypnotist Set to Perform At Harrison Trimble

The Friends of the Trojans promised a big announcement when we released our upcoming event calendar, and this is it! Cyrus The Hypnotist is bringing his amazing stage show to the HTHS auditorium. His show is a huge hit in venues all across Canada, and he won rave reviews just recently when he packed Casino NB. How we ever managed to convince him to squeeze us into his busy schedule…well, let’s just say there was some begging and pleading involved.  But it’s gonna be so worth it. Cyrus said he’ll infuse some maroon and white in the show to tailor it specifically to the Harrison Trimble community. This show is destined to go down in the school’s history, and I wouldn’t wait too long to get tickets because it looks like the event will be sold out.

For those you that haven’t seen Cyrus perform before, I can tell you from personal experience the show is both hilarious and mind-blowing. You will be on the edge of your seat for the entire time, as you truly can’t wait to see what is going to happen next. I saw him perform in an intimate setting, where it was more stripped-down then his big stage shows, but that didn’t matter. I watched him make a room full of people laugh so hard I thought they might be sick after!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=650m6rWMLyU

Part of the magic of these shows is that so much of the entertainment comes from the volunteers. Who is going to go up there and be hypnotized by Cyrus? Some people can’t wait to give it a try, others are more timid. I think I’m in the timid category, but part of me would still like to do it. Because what goes on up there in such a mystery, I’d love to “peak behind the curtains” so to speak, and see for myself. It definitely ramps up the entertainment factor when you know one of the volunteers. You get to pepper them with questions afterwards, to try to get some answers to explain, “how can this be?”

A little secret – if you or someone you know wants to hypnotized, then your best bet is to be in the front rows. But how do you get those precious seats? If you buy tickets as a group of ten or more,  you’ll be glad to hear that we have reserved the first 5 rows for you! Again it’s the first 5 rows only, so I wouldn’t wait too long to get you 10 pack and reserve your seats.

It’s going to be a great night of entertainment at HTHS. The students are going to love it, and it’s a great opportunity for student and their families to go together and share in the fun.

The show is 7:30 pm on Saturday, January 18th in the Harrison Trimble auditorium. Tickets are $25 at the door (if there’s any left), but they’re only $20 if you buy your tickets now.

How do I get my tickets? You can always contact the Friends of the Trojans by phone 850-2893 or by email  <mail@FriendsOfTheTrojans.ca>. Tickets are available in the HTHS office, and if you happen to be out doing your Christmas shopping, you can drop by Sears Hair Studio in Champlain Mall during their business hours and get tickets there.

Remember that all the proceeds to this show goes back to the students to support activities for them, so here is a chance to support the school while having fun!

It’s That Time Of Year Again! Homecoming Tailgate Party!!!

If you attend only one party all year, well frankly we think you should get out more…and what better occasion than homecoming! Of course homecoming refers to the Thanksgiving break that’s just around the corner, when those who’ve gone off to school come home to feast and do laundry.

It’s also when Moncton High and Harrison Trimble renew their fabled rivalry on the gridiron (gridiron…that’s the big green patch with all the white lines running across it…)

If you were at the Homecoming football game last year you heard the same questions over and over;  “who are those lucky people watching from the balcony? Why do they have beer? How come I’m not up there with them?”

Well those lucky people are us! It’s the Annual Homecoming Tailgate Party hosted by the Friends of the Trojans. The doors open at 6pm prior to game time. You can drop by anytime before, during and after the game. With your ticket you get…

• Beer. One complimentary Molson beverage to get you started
• Pizza courtesy of Vito’s
• After game entertainment by DJ
• Door prizes
• Appreciation from HTHS students because all funds go towards them
• Joy from thwarting the Purple Knights fans that can’t get in if we’re all sold out of tickets by then 😉

Get together with your friends and make plans to come out and join the party.

Tickets are $25 and you can get yours at Harrison Trimble High School or contact us <mail@FriendsOfTheTrojans.ca> or call 850-2893.

New School Year Begins and the Friends are Recruiting

The first meeting of this new school year will be held Wednesday, Sept 25nd at 7 PM in the staff room (2nd/main floor) of Harrison Trimble High School. The inaugural meeting is when we invite anyone and everyone to come out, and we explain what it is we do and discuss ways parents can get involved. We’re eager to find some helpers, as we have an ambitious line up of events we’re looking forward to putting on.

Here are the events we’re planning, and if there is one that you’d be interested in pitching in with, then drop by on Wednesday and say hi. It’s fun, and a great way to contribute to our favourite high school!

If you’d like to help out, but can’t make it to the meeting on Wednesday, no problem. You can contact Darlene Tozer, President by email at mail@FriendsOfTheTrojans.ca or call 850-2893.

Event calendar for the 2013-2014 school year

Large Crowd Enjoys Grad Reception

It’s been a tradition that every year the Friends of the Trojans host a reception for the graduates and their guests following the graduation ceremony. There’s a little bit of work to it, but it’s well worth it to be able to offer some refreshments and snacks to the large crowd that gathers after the graduation ceremony. Thanks to those that helped out – some Grade 11 parents, and also some former Trimble grads. Kudos to the Friends members that organized this event and ran it like they’d been doing it for years.

Crowd enjoying the grad reception at the Wesleyan Celebration center

Overview of the beautiful Celebration center.

Trays of sandwiches, snacks and sweets

Very popular was the cold refreshsments

Friends members busy setting out trays

Maybe graduating was no piece of cake, but this is!

Grad reception is a full house

Here comes another tray of sweets

HTHS grad cake

Sweets for the guests.

True trooper-injured Friends member temporarily not able to walk but still helping out!

Grad reception banquet Lots to choose from.

Bursary Winners Announced At Grad Reception

There is no duty more rewarding for us then presenting the annual Friends of the Trojans  $500 bursaries to ten deserving graduates. Usually our giving is from a distance- we listen to a request from a group, and after a sober discussion of the merits, we’d reply by writing out a cheque. That’s fine, but it doesn’t come with the same warm feeling that we get during the graduation ceremony, when we get to single out a single student, give them a pat on the back, and say “here’s a little something in appreciation for your being an outstanding Trojan.”

The downside is the painful process of deciding who to grant them to, because we only have 10 to give out. This year the task was made much harder-there were over 30 student applications! All of these applications were top-notch, from deserving students. There was very little to separate them-good grades, school involvement, community service, most of the applicants nailed all of these categories.  There has been years in which applicants of this quality would have been an easy choice, but apparently 2013 was a bumper crop of excellent grads. So it is with a tinge of sadness that we announce our ten bursary winners from the grad class of 2013.

Elizabeth King, Baylee Stockford, Evan Fitzsimmons, Eibhlin Storey, Katelyn Gillis, Lirah Steeves, Mallory Dalrymple, Kelsey Foster, Rachel Hawkes, Tyler Pavlovic

Presentation to Eibhlin Storey

Baylee Stockford receives Friends of the Trojans

Lirah Steeves

Grad class of 2013 at the grad ceremony

Bursary winner Tyler Pavlovic

Elizabeth King gets a hug and bursary from Friends’ President Darlene Tozier

Bursary winner Rachel Hawkes

Katie Gilles receives bursary on stage at the grad ceremony

Kelsey Foster

Evan Fitzsimmons presented by President Darlene Tozier

Casino Wrap-Up

If the comments from our guests are any measure, I’d say that our first ever Casino night and auction went over splendidly. The place looked fantastic, the crowd had a great time playing the casino games, and we raised the MOST MONEY EVER!

(The only downfall is the sore arm’s we have from patting ourselves on the back!)

It was such a great success that we’re already looking forward to hosting the event again next year.

For those of you that were at the event we’d welcome any comments you might have about the occasion. (And even if you weren’t there we still love to hear your comments too!)

Live auction items were displayed in a roped off area center stage

Always popular, the gift certificates were smartly displayed in a single row

Prior to doors opening the Friends take a sneak peak at the items up for bid

President Darlene Tozer takes notes of the live auction items

Lloyds of Moncton provided the decor and lighting including the cool high-top tables

I wonder how much $$$ the winner of the lotto tree got from the tickets?

Complimentary popcorn was a big hit and helped keep the bar the busiest it’s ever been.

Guests fill the casino area

HTHS Teacher helps out by operating the prize wheel

People had a blast playing Casino games

Pick of the Lot winner Chad Gautreau with Auctioneer Tom Badger, HTHS President Scott Steeves, and Friends President Darlene Tozer

Pick of the Lot winner Chad Gautreau (HTHS alumni) selects ‘Wine For A Year’ from the live auction table after careful consideration.

Darlene presenting the VIA Rail Getaway prize to winner