Jacksonian Voice
Volume 5, Issue 8
May – June 2007
Message From the Principal
If the Class of 2007’s contribution to Stonewall Jackson High School is any indication of
their success in the future, I have no doubt that this group of talented students will only
add to the community in future years. I want to thank the Class of 2007 for all you have
done for Stonewall Jackson High School.
I ask each of you to cherish your friends and memories from Stonewall Jackson. The
high school years are a special part of one’s life because there are so many beginnings
and it all comes down to one end. Your future begins now.
Thank you!
I also have come to an ending of sorts. My first year as Principal was also the class of
2007’s freshman year. I always tell the upcoming freshman how quickly the high school
years go by. I, like the class of 2007, will remember and cherish the many parents,
students and teachers who make-up the best school and its community in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. It was an honor to be the principal of Stonewall Jackson
High School. I, too, will remember my four years forever.
Thank you,
David Huckestein, Principal
I am excited to introduce myself to the Stonewall Jackson High School community as the
Principal effective July 1, 2007. I started my teaching career at Stonewall Jackson High
School in 1994, and I have served as an assistant principal since 2002. Stonewall
Jackson is a dynamic learning community that has been innovative in its approaches to
educating a diverse student population. Over the last 13 years, I have been at Stonewall
Jackson, it has earned tremendous recognition on a local, state, national and international
scale. I look forward to continuing a “commitment to excellence” that has been a motto
at Stonewall since I first arrived. My goal is to engage all members of the Stonewall
community in assisting with the educational pursuits of our students. Together, we can
make a difference and continue to be the type of school and community I have known
since I first arrived 13 years ago. I hope you have a wonderful end to the school year and
relaxing summer!
Sincerely,
Richard D. Nichols
Newly Appointed Principal
IB News
IB Extended Essay, Class of 2008 — Juniors (rising seniors): a reminder that you
should now be in the research and reading phase of the EE process. The working
bibliography and note cards are due May 25th. The detailed outlines will be due June 1114. Each student was provided a folder of assessment criteria, helpful tips on developing
a research question, and a detailed calendar to help guide the process. The International
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Baccalaureate Organization suggests that students spend about forty hours preparing the
Extended Essay, including establishing a topic and a research question within an IB
Extended Essay subject, completing their research, drafting a rough copy and submitting
a final version. Faculty advisors are responsible for guidance in the Extended Essay
process and spend a maximum of two to three hours with their advisees.
IB/AP Exams — From Wednesday, May 2 through May 23, Stonewall students sat for
IB and AP exams. This year 277 students took IB and/or AP exams. Good luck to all
students who participated in the examination process. Mrs. Watts extends her thanks to
everyone — exam takers, assistant proctors, teachers and administrators without whom
the process would not continue successfully. Students who sat for an AP exam will
receive their exam results in the mail by mid-July. Please refer to the AP student pack
received during AP exams for more information. IB exam results will be released to
students via the internet. Each student has received from Mrs. Watts a pin number that
will give access to the exam results online (http://results.ibo.org.). These results may be
accessed on July 6, 2007 at 13:45:00 Greenwich Mean Time.
CONGRATULATIONS, IB DIPLOMA CANDIDATES, CLASS OF 2007 — We
extend our sincere congratulations to the 23 students in the class of 2007 who have
completed the requirements for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Each student
has enrolled in six or more IB classes and has written an externally evaluated
examination for each course; each has written and submitted for assessment a 4000 word
Extended Essay, participated in and documented a minimum of 150 hours of community
involvement for CAS, and successfully completed the Theory of Knowledge course.
Each student will receive an IB medal at the Senior Awards Ceremony. This medal will
be worn at graduation with the traditional cap and gown.
These students include the following: Kevin Anderson, Morgan Baxter, Laetetia
Bergeron, Whitney Bullock, Ryan Calonder, Soshana Clerizier, Rachel Cottine, Kristen
Crowder, Shaina Duecaster, Zachary Fabian, John Mark Giragosian, Cristina Goldchain,
Carla Gutierrez, Aaron Henecke, Irene Kan, Taran Kaur, Allison Ko, Dylan Lee, Rohini
Manaktala, Steven Nguyen, Lindsay Sackett, Pooja Shah, Melissa Yacur.
IB Advisory Council — The last meeting of the IB Advisory Council will be held on
Monday, June 7 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 3028. All students, parents and teachers interested
in the International Baccalaureate program at Stonewall are invited to attend.
IBMYP AND IB SCHEDULE CHANGES — Students who were unable to register for
a desired IBMYP or IB course because of low semester grades may change their
schedules for 2007-2008 upon completion of the course in question with a FINAL
GRADE of C or better. Course request changes must be made in writing to Mrs. Watts
immediately after receiving the final report card. The letter of request may be mailed or
faxed to Mrs. Watts. FAX NUMBER: 703-365-6987. Changes will be made depending
upon the availability of the class.
IBMYP AND IB SUMMER ASSIGNMENT REMINDER — Students enrolling in
IBMYP or IB English or Math (and in some cases science and foreign language) class for
2007-2008 are reminded that summer assignments will be distributed by teachers before
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second semester exams begin. If you do not receive a copy of the assignment, please
request one from an IBMYP or an IB English or math teacher. Most assignments will be
posted on the Stonewall web site, www.sjraiders.org. If you have any questions, please
contact Mrs. Watts at 703-365-2900.
Town Meetings
Mr. Milt Johns, Brentsville magisterial district member on the Prince William County
School Board, will be hosting a town meeting on Tuesday, May 22 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
in the library at Osbourn Park High School. He will be presenting a brief update on
School Board activities and events, then spend the remaining time answering questions
from the floor. Parents, students, taxpayers, teachers, administrators and school
employees are welcome and invited to attend.
If you need additional information, please call the Prince William County School Board
office at 703-791-8069.
NHS Induction
The following students were inducted into the National Honor Society on April 26, 2007:
Amanda Annatone, Vineela Ayyagari, Morgan Baxter, Erin Berry, Challee Blackwelder,
Taylor Blackwelder, Emilie Bouchet, Christopher Carr, Soshana Clerizier, Scarlett,
Coffman, Elise Conklin, Kirsten Costello, Monique Crowder, Kristen Davis, Niranga
DeSilva, Kelly Fini, Carlos Flores Garay, Victor Gamez, Taylor Gentry, Ted Jackson,
Andrew Kirby, Lauren Kyser, Victoria Lang, Stephan Lemmar, Nika Leonard, Christine
Long, Jon Matiuk, Princess McCorvey, Ashley Meinhardt, William Moore, Feben
Nigatu, Onyeka Nnanyelugah, Kyra Orr, Anneliese Peredo, Alexis Pierson, Mehul Sahni,
Rachel Sandoval, Chris Shea, Hana Slevin, Cassandra Swartz, Nadia Tanoli, and Abigail
Wittig.
Governor’s School
Four students have been invited to the Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s Schools
held on college campuses throughout the state. Four more students are on the alternate
list. Congratulations to these students: Math/Science/Technology: Vineela Ayyagari;
Humanities: Heben Nigatu; Agriculture: Onyeka Nnanyelugoh; Spanish Academy: Ruth
Thorne.
The alternates include these students: Visual Arts: David Hong; Vocal Music: Hana
Slevin; Russian Academy: Candice Riddle; Japanese Academy: Brittany Flowers
Sophomores and Juniors are eligible to apply for this highly competitive opportunity.
Students receive an all-expense-paid, month-long education in a specific academic,
language, or arts specialty.
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Guidance News
SUMMER SCHOOL — Any student interested in repeating a course her or she has
failed or taking a course for the first time in summer school should pick-up a form in
Guidance beginning May 2. All forms and payments are due to the Guidance Office by
June 14, 2007. Summer school will be held at Stonewall Jackson High School and the
cost is $425. Late registration will be held on Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22,
2007 at Stonewall Jackson High School from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Classes will be
offered on a space-available basis and students may encounter closed classes. NO
PERSONAL CHECKS OR CASH will be accepted at late registration only cashier’s
checks or money orders. Classes will be held from 7:30 a.m.—12:40 p.m., June 25—
August 3. SOL remediation and testing, as well as the English research paper, will also
be offered in summer school. Please contact your student’s counselor for more
information.
GRADUATION INFORMATION — Parents of seniors—please remember the
following:
 Students who have not completed all graduation requirements by June 13, 2007
will not be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies.
 Seniors need to remember that attendance and continued effort is important to
receive a credit in a course. Prince William County regulations contain a “shutdown clause” which states the specifics regarding senior academic requirements.
See your counselor if you have questions.
SCHEDULING INFORMATION — In early May, your student will receive a copy of
his/her course requests for the 2007-2008 school year. Students will be given the
opportunity to change any course request at that time. Please be sure that your student’s
course selection reflects the classes he or she wish to take next year. We will plan
offered courses based on what students select. We will make changes to schedules after
grades are posted for students who did not successfully complete a class at the end of the
year.
AWARDS CEREMONIES — The senior awards ceremony will be held May 31st at
7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. The underclassmen awards ceremony will be held June 6th
at 2:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Invitations to those recognized in these ceremonies will
be arriving home in May. All are welcome to attend.
The Guidance Department wishes all Stonewall families a safe and relaxing
summer!
SHNS & the Ecology Club
The Stonewall Jackson Science National Honor Society and the Ecology Club are hosting
an event on Monday, June 4, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stonewall Jackson auditorium
featuring Dr. Susan Crate. Dr. Crate has been specially trained by former Vice President
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Al Gore to facilitate a detailed presentation in order to educate communities about the
effect of global warming. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Come learn about
the drastic consequences of global warming and how you can help reduce the problem.
IBMYP News
All community service books are due to Mrs. Carter by May 15. Turn in your books with
40 hours to the IB office in the marked box.
Stonewall Jackson Students Published
Bryan Chabrow, a junior at Stonewall Jackson, will have an original poem published and
Nicole Payne, a senior at Stonewall Jackson, will have her photography published in the
2007 edition of The Apprentice Writer. The Writers’ Institute of Susquehanna University
in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania publishes a compilation of original poems, short stories,
essays, drawings, and photography by high school students from around the United
States. Bryan’s poem , “Family Ties, “ and Nicole’s photography entitled,
“Crawling/Climbing Ivy” were only two of the 65 selected for publication from the
nearly 4,500 submissions the Writers’ Institute at Susquehanna University received.
Bryan, Nicole and their sponsoring teacher Mrs. T. B. Patterson, an English teacher at
Stonewall Jackson High School, will receive a copy of The Apprentice Writer in July. In
addition, several copies of this magazine will be sent to Stonewall Jackson High School
for possible classroom use.
Bryan Chabrow, the son of Michael and Andrea Chabrow, is a Stonewall Jackson High
School Creative Writing I student. Bryan is an active and versatile Stonewall Jackson
student; he performed one of the major roles in the school’s spring drama production.
Nicole Payne, the daughter of Lynne and Michael Payne, is a Stonewall Jackson High
School Creative Writing II student. Nicole enjoys writing and is also an avid
photographer.
AFJROTC Ball
The Air Force ROTC cadets held their first military ball on April 14th at the American
Legion Post #10 in Manassas. Over 75 cadets, their dates, family members and
Stonewall Jackson faculty and staff were in attendance. This formal event included
dining and dancing.
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The guest speaker for the affair was Master Sergeant Lawrence Lewis, a former
aerospace science instructor here at Stonewall. He gave a motivational speech designed
to challenge each cadet to always do his or her very best to overcome any obstacles that
may be placed in his or her paths and always aim for excellence in all they do.
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of the King and Queen of the AFJROTC
unit for the 2006-2007 school year. The cadets chose Cadet Captain Heben Nigatu,
Queen and Cadet 1st Lieutenant Richard Bowman, King. Colonel Harvey also
recognized Cadet Captain Carly Smith and Cadet 1st Lieutenant Britney Nesbitt for their
outstanding efforts in organizing the military ball.
FBLA
FBLA members and officers attended the State Conference in Reston, Virginia the first
weekend of Spring Break. State Conference was a good opportunity for them to meet
other FBLA officers and members and communicate about some the different activities in
which they take part at their local chapter and learn from their past experiences.
Congratulations to all the participants who won places in the state competitions. Our
chapter won FBLA Honors recognition and 4th place in the Partnership with Business
competition represented by Harry Gao and Christopher Douglas. Harry Gao also
received a nomination to Who’s Who in Virginia FBLA. Amanda Grivnovics placed
Fifth in Accounting I and Matthew Keaton placed Third in Networking Concepts.
Most recently, FBLA has been involved in several activities such as the Data Match
Fundraiser and the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon. Data Match survey results can be
purchased for $1.00 in the business office. FBLA raised $150+ to donate the March of
Dimes.
Senior members of FBLA are encouraged to apply for two scholarships being offered by
SJHS/FBLA. See the FBLA page of sjraiders.org or Mrs. Hayden for more information.
Applications are due by May 18.
Underclassmen need to visit sjraiders.org or Mrs. Hayden for information about applying
for officer positions for the 2007-2008 SJHS/FBLA. Officer applications are due May
18.
BOOSTERS
The 9th Annual Raider Classic Golf Tournament is just around the corner! The date
for this event is Monday, June 18th and for the second year in a row, it will be held at
the beautiful Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville. We always need golfers, but we also
need sponsors to make this fundraiser a success. Do you have a business that likes to be
involved in the community? To register to play or for more information, please see the
flyer included in this month’s newsletter. If you have any further questions, please email
us at jmullinax@sjhsboosters.org or call 703-361-5709 or 703-615-9029.
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The 2006-2007 school year is flying by and graduation day is fast-approaching! We
would like to wish all of our seniors good luck and godspeed as they enter the next phase
of their lives — which ever direction they might take.
We would like to send a BIG thank you to Mr. Degrood and all the coaches, teams, clubs
and club sponsors who have come out on Sunday nights to learn all about Bingo! The
response has sometimes been overwhelming. Bingo has become very profitable for
Stonewall Jackson High School and we believe this will mean big things for our school.
Be assured that we continue to need your help to make this fundraiser a success. The
service that we provide to the people who come to play at our games is very important.
Some of the most positive feedback we have received is how friendly and helpful the
people at the Stonewall Jackson High School Bingo have been to everyone. That is a
reflection on you and your school and shows people in the community what we already
know — how fantastic the SJHS students, staff and teachers are! That is what will
keep people coming back.
If your team or group has not signed up for bingo, please contact Mr. Degrood to
schedule a date. It won’t be long until we will all be benefiting from the proceeds made
at bingo each week.
Please don’t feel like you have to wait to come to training to experience bingo night —
you are welcome to come and play anytime. The location is American Legion Post 10
Hall located at 9950 Cockrell Road, Manassas. Playing is actually a wonderful way to
see how the whole process works. You can play bingo for about the same amount it
would cost you to go to a movie and get a snack and it is a lot of fun. You might even
win!
As the school year comes to an end, we hope you have had an opportunity to see our fine
athletes and coaches in action throughout this school year. Please check the booster
website www.sjhsboosters.org in the summer for important news about summer training
schedules and dates for fall sports tryouts and informational meetings.
On a positive note, although we still need a lot more help, the boosters have grown in
number this year and hope that trend will continue in the next school year. We would
also like to thank all of you (and you know who you are) who gave up many a relaxing
evening at home to come out and help in our concession stands this year. We truly
appreciate all that you do and thank you for your time and support!
YEARBOOK
Attention students and parents, yearbooks are being sold before and after school in the
Journalism Room 2033. They will also be available during 4th block lunches for
students. The yearbook room is located directly next to the cafeteria on the second floor.
Please remember to purchase yours soon, as the price will be going up by the end of the
month to $70. Thank you!
The Yearbook Staff