TJHSST Named Top High School in U.S.
Four Fairfax County high schools have been named to the list of top 100 high schools in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was named the top high school in the country for the second consecutive year.
McLean High School came in 55th place. Langley High School was ranked 76th, and Woodson High School was ranked at 90. Seven high schools received Silver recognition: Chantilly High School, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Madison High School, Marshall High School, Oakton High School, Robinson Secondary School and J.E.B. Stuart High School.
Stuart’s Kalsoom Spreads ‘Compassion’ in D.C.
Sidra Kalsoom, a senior from J.E.B. Stuart High School, served as one of 12 panelists at the Compassion in Action round table titled, “Next Generation of Social Entrepreneurship,” at the White House on Dec. 5. Kalsoom talked about Milagros, a program she founded to help young children succeed in school and life. Kalsoom founded Milagros in August 2007 to provide safe, fun and productive activities for minority youth by promoting skill building and leadership development skills with a grant from Youth Venture. The community-based program teaches jewelry making, sewing, cooking, and small business skills. Milagros members have created Christmas pillows and jewelry to sell at a local church’s Christmas festival; funds raised will go to future Milagros projects and activities.
Kalsoom also recruited volunteers for a local Spread the Dough venture; the volunteers pick up day-old bread and pastries from local bakeries and deliver the baked goods to homeless shelters and soup kitchens. She also participates in the Culmore Learning Center Partnership and Morning Star Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect. She plans to major in nursing at a local university.
Local Student Journalists Honored at Convention
Local student journalists and publications recently won awards from the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) at the JEA-NSPA Fall Journalism Convention in St. Louis. For Newsmagazine, the Oakton Outlook of Oakton High School (OHS) won eighth place. Matt Johnson, Ethan Doyle and Danielle Holstrom serve as editors. For Newspaper Pacemaker Finalists, Today of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), edited by Teresa Ventura, was honored. Oakton Outlook of OHS, edited by Koorosh Massoudi and Ryan O’Gormon won seventh place for Publication Web Site. TJHSST’s Threshold, edited by Liz Lagerfeld, took ninth for the Literary Magazine category. Superior Awards were given to OHS’ Ethan Doyle for Editorial Writing; Ellie Kaufman for Review Writing; and Asli Durak for Yearbook Copy/Caption for Clubs. Excellent Awards were given to TJHSST’s Carolyn McCallister for Newswriting; Teresa Ventura for Editorial Writing; Carter Lockwood for Sports Writing; Hailey Arnold for Review Writing; Amelia Friedman for Commentary Writing; and OHS’ Erica Wohlleben for Feature Writing; Danielle Holstrom for Commentary Writing; Matt Johnson for Newsmagazine: Layout; Nyssa Wratschko for Advertising; Jill Burke for Yearbook Copy/Caption: Student Life; Megan Baumgartner for Yearbook Cover/Endsheets; and Nathan Smith for Broadcast Commercial/PSA: Short Documentary. Honorable Mentions were given to McLean High School’s Ned Burchfiel for Editorial Writing; Andrew Davis for Sports Writing; TJHSST’s Gloria Driessnack for Copy Editing/Headline/Caption Writing; Arvin Ahmadi for Newspaper Layout; and OHS’ Charlotte Dobry for Literary Magazine: Layout; and Laura Roberts for On-Air Reporter.
Trinity Students to Perform ‘Comedy of Errors’
Members of The Trinity School at Meadow View junior class will be presenting William Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors” on Thursday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Drama is a required class at Trinity for all 11th and 12th grade students. The performance will be held in DeSale Hall at Our Lady of Good Counsel School (8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna). Tickets are $5 at the door or $20 for a family of four or more. For more information, call Christine Vincent at 703-876-1920.
