TJHSST Students Finish in Top Ten at Talent Search

Two students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) finished in the top ten in the country in the 2009 Intel Science Talent Search.

The fourth-place finisher was Narendra Tallapragada of Burke, who received a $25,000 scholarship for his project to find ways to simplify complex models of atomic and molecular interactions. Seventh place went to Alexander Kim of Fairfax, who received a $20,000 scholarship for researching the variation and diversification in populations of the giant American river prawn, the largest freshwater invertebrate in North America.

J.E.B. Stuart Bands Land High Scores at Festival

The J.E.B. Stuart High School Bands gave distinguished performances at the District Band Festival this last weekend at West Potomac High School. The Concert Band received an overall rating of “Excellent,” and the Wind Ensemble received an overall rating of “Superior,” the highest rating available.
For the fourth year in a row, Stuart has been named a Virginia Honor Band, the highest honor for a band program in the state, which is obtained by earning superior ratings in both marching band and concert band.

Marshall Theatre to Perform At One Act Play Competition

George C. Marshall High School theatre students will perform “Reflex Action” at 12:15 p.m. on March 21 at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) One Act Theatre Competition that will be held at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville. Marshall Theatre placed second in both District and Regional Competitions held earlier this year. “Reflex Action” is co-directed by seniors Curtis Cooper and Zach Popkin-Hall. Marshall Theatre has received first place awards at VHSL competitions five times in the last decade.

Area High School Mulch Sales Deadlines Approach

An annual spring fundraising event provides the Falls Church High School graduating seniors a safe, alcohol- and drug-free all night graduation celebration on one of the riskiest nights of the year. This celebration costs over $20,000 each year. The deadline for orders is March 23, and the pick-up/delivery date is March 28. Another upcoming mulch sale deadline is George Mason High School’s. This sale will benefit the school’s athletic boosters. Deadline for the orders is March 21, and delivery is March 28. Visit masonathletics.org or e-mail pduncan@civicatalyst.com for order information.

McLean Band Students Earn Commendations

Jaehong Song, alto saxophonist in the McLean High School Concert Band received an honorable mention this past weekend in the 2009 Army Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition. The McLean Concert Band received an overall “Superior” rating. Symphonic Band received a “Superior” rating from all four of the judges and A’s or A+’s in every judged caption.
The following McLean Band students made it into the All-State Band: Mesum Mathison, Natalie Allen, Gabriel Planas, Natalie Manitius, Eva Graham, Jack Hughes, Tyler Quinn, Chris Mangis and David Fontenot as an alternate. These students will participate in the event in the beginning of April.

Students Seek Local Support in Winning Contest

A team of students representing Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County has been named as finalists this week in the annual “Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Awards” now underway. Team members include Luke Cheng, Daniel Wang, Judy Zeng, and Allison Koenecke. The team advisor is Jay Cheng. The title of their project is: Modular Wave-Powered Ocean House (MWOH).

Parent’s Coffee to End Drug Abuse

The McLean High School Parent Coffees are scheduled for next week on March 24 and 26. The first coffee is at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, for Grades 9 – 10, and at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, March for Grades 11 – 12.
Guest speaker Miguel Torres, a substance abuse counselor with Fairfax County, will discuss alcohol and drug warning signs and trends with parents.

Marshall FBLA Members Earn High Accolades

The students of the George C. Marshall High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) were successful at the Regional Awards Ceremony, which was held Monday, March 9 at George Mason University.
Thirty-three Marshall students placed first, second or third in 20 categories. Twenty-eight students, first and second place winners, have advanced to the State Competition to be held from April 17 – 18 in Reston.