Jefferson High School - Jeffersonian Yearbook (Alexandria, VA)

Page 11 text:

Riding the crest of the wave of publicity couldn’t last forever — the second year at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was definitely ebb tide in comparison to the space finalist com- petition, presidential visit, and the opening that made the 1985-86 school year a hot news item. That first year reporters lurked behind every corner, and stories ran across the country about how extraordinary the school was. Creating a first year magnet school at- tracting the brightest kids in Northern Virginia was no modest achievement. The school was in the limelight for an entire school year. This year, however, the lights dimmed. The community was still interested in the ac- tivities pursued at the school, and scant media coverage was present, but the School Publicity Drifting Away for Science and Technology was not so new anymore. It had entered into the realm of familiarity instead of its first year fascina- tion. Out of the lights of the flash and televi- sion cameras, the school did not lose its charm, but paled compared to the spec- tacular year before. This is not to say that the first year was unworthy of such attention — great things happened. Yet significant events at the school were to be expected this year, and they were handled without the gaping amazement of press and public. A wave must always splash down, and the 1986-87 school year seemed to be the surf. It was sur- rounded by ripples of intense excitement, but had lost the majestic force of the first year’s wave. by Anees Shaikh David Norton leads the pack in track.

Page 13 text:

Breaking Traditions For many students, the Thomas Jef- ferson High School for Science and Technology was the place where, at least academically, we had met our match. No longer did an average school day consist of a few un- challenging tests and then arriving home to mess around for three hours. We welcomed the new freedoms associated with high school, but less joyously received was the academic challenge the school demanded. For many of us, this was the first time we had ever even considered asking for extra help. This sudden shock caused a lot of pressure for many of us, and we were forced to find new ways to handle it, be it through a ‘stress managment” course, eating, taking a hot bath, or listening to the radio. The new problems upon us, however, seemed to bond together a group of kids who often had not even known each other a year before. Through it all, one might think the student body would not find much time to lead a normal teenage life. However, whether we were fooling around or showing off, an observer would have to say that we led an unusual, if not different, student life. by Mike Widener Cheering the team onward is very much a part of Student Life. David Norton and Tom Song enthusiastically support the football team. Studerd Life