Band Receives Superior Ratings at V.B.O.D.A.

The Marching Spartans received straight “superior” ratings from all judges at Saturday’s V.B.O.D.A. State Marching Band Festival.  Only 8 of the 23 bands earned a superior rating.  WSHS is half way to earning the designation of Virginia Honor Band once again!

In addition to a superior performance, the Marching Spartans, their parents, and many Marching Spartan alumni, did an outstanding job in hosting the festival here at West Springfield. 

Congratulations and a job well done to all who participated.

Congrats to Cross Country Teams

The Girls Cross Country team won the Patriot District Girls Cross Country Championship, breaking a 29 year drought!  Congratulations to Coach Baird and Coach Pellegrini and the entire Girls’ Varsity Team, especially Paige Kvartunas who was the overall Patriot District champion, and Alex Watt and Anna Barber, both top ten finishers.  The entire team also qualified as a team for the Northern Region Championships next Thursday (November 5th) again at Burke Lake Park at 3:15p.

The Boys’ Team also qualified as a team for the Northern Region Championship with their 4th Place overall finish.  The boys will race at 4p.

Here are the individual results for the Spartans:

Girls
1 Paige Kvartunas
4 Alex Watt
10 Anna Barber
12 Lauren Blackburn
17 Marlena Allen
21 Maddie Wittich
37 Sarah Lepley

Boys
2 Colin Taylor
14 James King
26 John Locke
28 Connor Burke
39 Niko Sward
44 Brian Jones
48 Chris Dolan

Congratulations again to both the girls and boys teams for representing WSHS so well today!

Cheerleaders Win 4th Straight Patriot District Title!

Congrats to Betsy Fawsett, head coach, and Jenny Walker, assistant coach, and their Varsity Cheerleading Team for winning their 4th straight Patriot District Championship Title last night at Lake Braddock Secondary.  The team fought through serious flu issues all last week and a tough first round performance, but prevailed in the end with a dominating last performance when the pressure was truly on.  They will now move on to the regional competitions being held this Saturday, October 31st, 11a, at Robinson Secondary.

Congrats again cheerleaders!!

Cardinal Shell gives back to West Springfield High School! 

The Cardinal Shell Station, at 8334 Old Keen Mill Road, will donate 5% of your total service bill to WSHS.  When you visit their Service Center for inspections, oil change, tire rotation or any service purchase, tell them you are a West Springfield High School supporter.  That’s all you need to do!  Thanks for your participation in this effort…every dollar makes a difference.

Oracle Staff Wins Statewide Awards

Congrats to the following Journalism students, who won individual statewide awards in the AAA VHSL State Writing/Photo/Design contest.

Krista Pedersen (Class of 09)-News-1st Place
Jake Serwin (Class of 09)-News-3rd Place
Katie Kinzel (Class of 10)-News Photo-3rd Place
Inderbir Bal (Class of 09)-Advertising-2nd Place
Inderbir Bal (Class of 09)-Advertising-Honorable Mention
Sydney Quigley (Class of 09)-Sports Photo-3rd Place

2009 Champions of Character Awards

Congratulations to WSHS Senior, Paige Kvartunas, a member of the Cross-Country and Track Teams has been selected in the Female Athlete category to receive the Fairfax County Athletic Council (FACC) and Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services (CRS), Champion of Character Award for 2009. Ms Kvartunas was recognized for her superb sportsmanship and character in youth sports.

Athlete Award Criteria—

• Being respectful to opponents and game officials
• Treating all team players fairly, giving attention to all players regardless of skill level
• Giving respect and consideration to other team members
• Helping teammates with words of encouragement and inspiration
• Playing true to the spirit and rules of the game, and promoting friendly competition
• Exhibiting courage in defeat, and moderation in victory
• Showing a willingness to sacrifice personal goals for those of the team
• Giving back to the team or program by helping out when able

Additionally, Ms Kristy Kellogg, WSHS Swim Team, Team-Parent, was also selected to receive an award in the Parent category.

Parent Award Criteria—

• Being respectful to players, coaches, and game officials
• Treating all players, coaches and parents fairly
• Recognizing the efforts of individual team members and opposing team members
• Motivating parents, teams, coaches, and fans in a positive manner
• Promoting the concept that success is measured by individual and team effort, not by the scoreboard
• Demonstrating good sportsmanship by approving and applauding good team play, individual skill and good sportsmanship exhibited by players and coaches on both teams
• Accepting volunteer roles to improve the communication and the needs of the coach and team  

We are very proud of both of these individuals! Congrats again!

Congratulations Speech Students!

Congratulations to two WSHS students who competed at the national speech invitational recently, held at Yale University.  The duo team of Justin Strickland (Senior), and Jessica Friedel (Junior), advanced to the final round.  They placed 7th overall.  Justin also advanced to the quarter final round in poetry and prose.

 

WSHS Parents:

In honor of Substance Abuse Awareness Week, we invite you to participate in Operation Medicine Cabinet Clean Out!  Between October 19th to the 24th , the Mount Vernon, Mason, Reston, and Sully District Police Stations  will be collecting unused or expired medications.  Proper disposal of these medications helps prevent accidental poisoning and abuse by others, and also protects the environment.   Disposal is free and confidential.  For more information and for medicine cabinet safety tips, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/prevention or call the WSHS Student Assistance Coordinator at 703-913-3975.  Thank you for doing your part to keep our students and our community safe!

Congratulations WSHS Orchestra

The following Orchestra members successfully auditioned for the Northern Region “Senior Regional Orchestra” recently at Lake Braddock SS. These students will be participating in the Senior Regional Event at West Potomac HS on November 13 and 14, 2009.

Gabriel Manion – violin  - senior
Christopher Yi – violin – freshman
Nathan Wong – violin – sophomore
Andrew Ma – violin/1st alternate - junior

Congratulations Olympian Staff

The 2009 Olympian yearbook has two finalists in the 2008-09 VHSL Yearbook Writing/Photo/Design contest. Competition is fierce in the AAA category, so we are very proud of our Finalists.  Winners will be announced at the end of October.

GROUP AAA – YEARBOOK FINALISTS

Clubs/Organizations Spread
Kaitie Harrison & Emily Morgan, SGA and SCA Giter’ Done, West Springfield

Sports Photo
Sydney Quigley, p. 168 Seen Kara Crompton, West Springfield

 

Congratulations Oracle Staff Members

The Oracle has six finalist in five categories in the VHSL Newspaper Writing/Photo/Design Contest. Inderbir Bal (Class of '09) is nominated twice in the Advertising category. FYI, this is the largest number of WSHS finalists in the VHSL competition since its inauguration four years ago.

Krista Pedersen: Straight News
Jake Serwin: News Feature
Veronica Adams and Jessica Wohlers: In-Depth/Informative
Katie Kinzel: News/Feature Photo
Inderbir Bal: Advertising (two nominations)

All of these students graduated in June, except for Katie Kinzel, who is in the class of 2010. Inderbir Bal has ranked either 1st or 2nd in the state in advertising since the contest's beginning. It should be noted that our finalists are all in the more "serious" categories, where the competition is much stiffer.

Combined with the nods to Kaitie Harrison and Emily Morgan (Clubs/Organization spread) and Sydney Quigley (Sports photo), in the VHSL Yearbook competition (all three graduated in June), the Spartans are very well-represented in the contest. Results will be announced the last weekend in October.

We can't emphasize enough how difficult it is to secure a finalist's position in this highly competitive contest. Mrs. Nelson and the entire WSHS community couldn't be prouder!

 

Semifinalist  Named in the 2010 National Achievement Scholarship Program


Kara Gadeken is one of 15 seniors from Fairfax County who have been named as a 2010 National Achievement Semifinalist.   Only 1% of  160,000 Black American seniors nationwide qualify for the 2010 National Achievement  Scholarship Program by taking the 2008 PSAT Test. To become a Finalist, Semifinalists will be evaluated by his/her high school academic record, subsequent SAT tests and recommendations by school staff.  Finalists will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for scholarship awards totaling almost $2.6 million.

Congratulations Cristian Benavides

Cristian was selected to the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP). The NHRP was initiated in 1983 to identify outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students and to share information about these students with interested colleges and universities. In order to be eligible, a student must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino as defined by the NHRP, meet the minimum PSAT/NMSQT cutoff score for their state, and achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement. Congratulations again, Cristian!

 

Congrats to the Varsity Golf Team

Last week, the Varsity Golf Team came in second place as a team in the Patriot District Golf Tournament. However, since SCSS had an undefeated regular season and LBSS won the tournament, we got bumped from the Northern Region tournament as a team. The positive news is two of our golfers will compete individually in next week's tournament. Congratulations goes to Sophomore Matt Spooner, who came in 2nd place overall and Junior Bobby Bradshaw who came in 3rd Place overall. The future looks bright! Congrats again to our entire team for their tournament finish, first year coach, Rachael Malenich, on a great debut season, and to Matt and Bobby as they head into regionals next week.

Congratulations Marching Band

On Saturday afternoon, September 26, the Marching Spartans took first place in their class and first place overall, winning “Best Music”, “Best Marching” and “Best Overall Effect” at the U.S. Scholastic Band Association Competition at Methacton H.S. in Norristown, PA.  Later in the evening the Spartans competed at U.S.S.B.A.’s “Drums in the Valley” at Perkiomen Valley High School in Collegeville, PA.  The West Springfield Band finished first in their class and second overall, winning “Best Music” and “Best Overall Effect”.  Even more importantly, the students conducted themselves in a professional manner at all times and were exemplary ambassadors of the West Springfield community.  Congratulations to the students, parents and staff on a very successful weekend.

West Springfield Parents:

WSHS understands that you worry not only about helping your children to succeed academically, but also how to keep them physically and emotionally safe through these challenging four years of high school.  The best way to protect your child is to have information on current trends and pressures that teens experience and to know how to discuss them with your child. 

Have you ever heard of car surfing?  Waterfall bongs?  Sexting?  We invite you to join us for an informative evening on October 6, 2009, 7-9pm in Spartan Hall for a program entitled, "Keeping Your Teen Safe.”  The program will address Driving Safety, Alcohol and Drug Prevention, and information on the disturbing and popular trend known as Sexting.  You will learn about commonly practiced high risk behaviors, how to spot and address warning signs, and evidence based data on the most effective practices for protecting your child from high risk behaviors. 

Presenters for the evening are Ashley El Zein from the Inova Reality Check Program, Officer Joseph Plazio, our School Resource Officer and Sharon Driscoll, M.Ed., CSAC, our Student Assistance Coordinator.  Please extend this invitation to other parents and encourage them to attend.  Refreshments will be provided by the West Springfield HS PTSA.  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Semifinalists Named in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program


Five academically talented WSHS seniors have been named as 2010 National Merit Semifinalists.  Congratulations to Lauren Brown, Megan Fraedrich, Maya Halthore, Gabriel Manion and Emily Pope.  More that 1.5 million students are entered in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2008 PSAT Test.  Lauren, Megan, Maya, Gabriel and Emily are among 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide who have an opportunity to continue to compete for National Merit Scholarships worth more than $36 million. To become a Finalist, Semifinalists will be evaluated by his/her high school academic record, subsequent SAT tests and recommendations by school staff.  Final finalist status will be announced by February, 2010

 

Congratulations Varsity Field Hockey!

The Varsity Field Hockey team won the Westfield Bulldog Field Hockey Invitational Tournament earlier this season. Last year, our team did not win a game in the same tournament, but this year we returned to win them all and were crowned the champions. Congrats ladies!

 

Welcome Back to the 2009-10 School Year!

Important Upcoming Dates:

Spartan Spree, Tuesday, Sept 1st, 3-7p

Freshmen and New Student Orientation, Friday. Sept. 4

First Day of School, Tuesday, Sept. 8

Back to School Night, Tuesday, Sept. 22

3rd Annual Fall Beautification Day, Saturday, Sept. 26 8a-12p

Homecoming Weekend, October 16-17th

Spartanfest, Saturday, October 24th

ACT Explore for 9th Graders/PSATs for 10th and 11th Graders, Senior Meeting for Seniors plus Early Release at 11:10 for all students! October 14th

Touching Bases (mini parent conferences), Wednesday, November 11th, 7:30-10a; 3-hour Late Opening for students!

 

James Percoco, a history teacher at West Springfield High, has been named the Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year by George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.  Percoco, who created the nationally recognized Applied History course at West Springfield, received a cash reward and a field trip to Mount Vernon for his students.  The award, which honors excellence in history education, is supported by an endowment established by the Robertson Foundation and is open to teachers in the Washington metropolitan area who teach American history in grades 3-12 and have at least two years of teaching experience.  Finalists in this year’s competition included Catherine Collins, a social studies teacher at Mountain View Alternative High, and Allison Rozycki, a fourth grade teacher at North Springfield Elementary.

 

Archives from the 2008-09 school year

Congratulations to the Wind Symphony and Band Director, Larry Einuis!  We are pleased and proud to announce that the West Springfield Wind Symphony has been selected to perform at the prestigious 2010 National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This event is another milestone in our band program’s journey toward musical excellence. 

Again, congratulations!

 

Graduation for the Class of 2010 is set: Thursday, June 17th, 2p, GMU's Patriot Center

 

Main Office Hours for the month of July: 9a-2p! Please plan accordingly!

 

Debate Team members keep winning!

Just wanted to update you on the results from Nationals held in Birmingham, Al. Erik Bakke and Christine Ching made it to the Semi-Finals in Student Congress. 
This is the top 60 out of 450 entered in Student Congress.
Christine Ching went onto the Finals, ( first time for WSHS), this is the top 24 in the Nation. She placed 10th in the Nation!  What a fine accomplishment!!


Edmund Brown and Gabe Manion ( competing in Public Forum) made it to the 10th  Round out of 16 Rounds. This was great for their first time at Nationals.

Congrats!!

FCA Honors Students and Coach

Fellowship of Christian Athletes has recognized Joey DeSantis (Football) and Danielle O'Brien (Field Hockey, Soccer, and Gymnastics) as West Springfield Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Scott Settar was selected Coach of the Year. He is the Boy's Lacrosse coach at the High School. These student-athletes and coach were selected for their integrity, service, and teamwork on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Some past winners have be Joe Saunders, Bryn Renner, Peter Lalich, Kara Lawson, and Meghan Ogilvie to name a few.


Congrats!

Forensics and Debate teams both win Virginia High School League State Titles--only the second high school in VHSL's 92 year history to win both in the same year!!

Congratulations!!! It just proves we are truly a well rounded school!

 

WSHS State Track Qualifiers

Girls:                                           
Kim Boeckmann - 300m hurdles
Paige Kvartunas - 1600m, 3200m, 4x800m relay
Anna Barber      - 4x800m relay
Alex Watt          - 4x800m relay
Sara Lepley       - 4x800m relay
Lauren Blackburn - 4x800m relay

The girls 4x800m relay placed 4th in the state--congrats!!

Boys:
Daniel Tobin        - 1600m
Corey Gonzalez   - 400m

 

Boys Lacrosse Players Honored

All Region

1st team: Eric Schauder and Sean Phelan

2nd Team: Hunter Bragg and Andy McGregor

All District

1st Team: Hunter Bragg, Corey MacRae, Ben Myers, Eric Schauder, Sean Phelan, AJ White, Andy McGregor

2nd Team: Zach Hart, Reese Mullins

District Coach of the Year--Scott Settar

 

Congratulations to the following Japanese National Honor Society members:

 * indicates new inductees and **indicates 08-09 Officers.

• Bae, Edward  (9)*
• Beale, Marissa  (11)**
• Buzan, Nichole  (10)
• Candelaria, Rafael  (11)
• Changanaqui, Sandra  (11)
• Chung, Ye Jin  (10)
• Chung, Yeon Ho  (9)*
• Davis, Erin  (12)**
• Delaney, Meagan  (10)*
• Freeman, Matthew  (11)
• Fu, Kevin  (9)*
• Gorham, Emily  (10)
• Grillot, Paul  (12)
• Jang, Yoon Seon  (10)
• Jeong, Hae Sung  (10)*
• Jeong, Suk Oh  (11)*
• Kim, Ye Jin  (11)
• Kim, Michelle  (12)
• Kriebel, Kathleen  (12)
• Kwan, Brian  (11)*
• Lee, Elizabeth  (11)
• Luo, Jane  (11)
• Palmer, Alison  (9)*
• Panjshiri, Nealofar  (11)
• Phung, Tram  (11)
• Reinhold, Michelle  (12)**
• Rizvi, Batul  (10)
• Sham, Chung  (9)*

WSHS got 4 Cappie nominations for "Annie Get your Gun"!! 

Erin Cafferky - Lead Actreess in a Musical


Stage Crew - Briana Barnabas, Steven Cox, Amanda Husch & Alex Shidlovski,


Costumes  - Julie Lisowski & Ruth Rada

Returning Critic - Megan Fraedrich

 

VHSL Wachovia Cup--WSHS comes in 2nd Place in the state!

First awarded in 1990, the Wachovia Cup represents 20 years of excellence. Six cups are presented, one for academic activities and one for athletics in each of VHSL’s three enrollment classifications. The winners for athletics will be announced in June, following the completion of spring championships.


Winners of the Wachovia Cup are determined by a point system based on performance in VHSL state competitions. Schools can earn academic activity points for outstanding participation in scholastic bowl, creative writing, theatre, forensics, debate, newspaper, yearbook and magazine.

For the five activities involving team champions — Scholastic Bowl, creative writing, debate, theatre, and forensics — points are awarded on the following basis: first place, 50; second place, 45; third place, 40; fourth place, 35; fifth place, 30; sixth place, 25; seventh place, 20; and eighth place, 15.

Scoring for publications is based on the ranking earned in the League’s evaluation service: Trophy Class, 35; First Place, 20; Second Place, 5.

Chantilly, the point leader in Group AAA, scored 155 points, 15 points over second place West Springfield (140).

Girls Soccer--Northern Region Team Selections

1st Team:
Amalya Clayton (Sr.)
Lauren Sipple (Sr.)
Beth Anne Nowak (Sr.)

2nd Team:
Julia Stejskal (Jr.)

Honorable Mention:
Jessie Gonzalez (Sr.)

Also, the coaches selected first year varsity head coach, J.T. Alukonis as the Northern Region Coach of the Year!

 

Barbara May Named April News Liaison of the Month

Barbara May, special education teacher at West Springfield High School, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for April by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO). This new recognition program rewards school news liaisons for submitting newsworthy media tips and creative photographs. May has served as West Springfield’s news liaison since 2002.

During April, May submitted news about the West Springfield High counseling department earning a nationally recognized ASCA (American School Counselor Association) model program known as RAMP; dedication of a memorial garden planned and constructed by a West Springfield High senior that honors graduates who have died while on active duty in the military; and the results for WSHS students from the Virginia History Day competition. May, who has been employed by FCPS for 18 years and at West Springfield for seven years, received a $25 gift card from Starbucks for being named April’s News Liaison of the Month.

 

WSHS Student's Cappie Review on Red Apple Channel 21

1. The Water Engine at Falls Church HS – Cappies Review by WSHS student, Megan Fraedrich

http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/streaming/ss16_caps_waterengine.asx

 

TSA State Competition Winners

The Technology Student Association (TSA) held its annual state competition in Tyson’s Corner. The WSHS chapter had 22 students compete at this state competition.  Please help us in congratulating the following students for their efforts.

Architecture and Animation: (2nd Place) Joe Denker

F1 Engineering Concept Car: (3rd Place) Mike Howard,James Crumpacker,Robert Crumpacker, Chris Prohoda

Manufacturing Prototype: (3rd Place)      Glenn Feinberg, Sam Garris,Robert Ippolito,Brock Heruth

 

Girls Soccer Athletes and Coach Honored

The following WS girl soccer student-athletes were selected All-District players for the current season:

First Team
Lauren Sipple (Sr.)
Jessie Gonzalez (Sr.)
Julia Stejskal (Jr.)
Amalya Clayton (Sr.)
Beth Ann Nowak (Sr.)
Maggie McGavin (Sr.)

Second Team
Bekah Adams (Sr.)
Katie Scanlon (Sr.)

Honorable Mention
Katie Harrison (Sr.)
Paige Babel (So.)
Danielle O’Brien (So.)

2009 Patriot District Player of the Year:  Amalya Clayton

Coach of the Year: JT Alukonis

DuPont Challenge Winners Announced

Katherine Mary Lee Scheetz, an 11th grade WSHS student in Honors Physics, was recently announced as one of the 33 winners in the DuPont Challenge, a national competition among high school science students from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Guam.  Katherine’s essay, “Is There Hope to Combat Tendonitis in Ballet Performance?”, was selected from over 10,000 entries in this year’s contest. 

Katherine is the daughter of David and Amanda Scheetz.  Her research was conducted as part of the Honors curriculum and reflected several months effort.  This is the second year in a row in which WSHS has had winners in the prestigious DuPont Challenge competition – the only school in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. to have done so, and only one of a few in the entire country. 

 

The Third Quarter Honor Roll is posted at http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs/yr08-09/hroll/hroll3.shtml

There were 620 students!! Congratulations!

 

WSHS School Counseling Department Wins National Recognition!

We are pleased to announce the national recognition awarded to the school counseling department at West Springfield High School. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has named West Springfield High School’s department a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP). The WSHS school counseling department joins an elite group of just over 200 K-12 schools nationwide with this newly achieved status.


ASCA is the national organization that provides the model, support, and ethical guidelines for school counseling programs, and the organization will now look to WSHS as a model school counseling department. Through this newly achieved RAMP status, WSHS counselors will collaborate with ASCA to share ideas, collect data, and promote comprehensive counseling programs throughout the country.


WSHS achieved this RAMP status through an intense application process. The school counselors worked diligently throughout the year to prepare a comprehensive overview of all of our programs.  The application met ASCA’s strict requirements and documented alignment of our school’s programs with the ASCA model.


Sincere congratulations to Beth Cohen, Director of Student Services, and the school counselors for all of their hard work on this application and for their continuous efforts to support the academic, personal/social, and career needs of our students!


Virginia State History Day Competition Results

Historical Paper -
1st place - Emily McDougall
3rd place - Chris Wink

Group Documentary -
2nd place - Moira Lennon, Kristina Scollins, and Jordyn Stuger

Website-
1st place - Rita Zevallos (also won the Sons of the American Revolution Liberty Award and a $100 savings bond)

Emily. Moira, Kristina, Jordyn, and Rita all advanced to the Nationals.  So for the third year in a row we are sending WSHS students to the national competion.  It will be held June 14-18 at the University of Maryland.

Congrats!! 

Social Studies teacher, Ms. Cathy Boivin, won the VA History Day Teacher of the Year Award 2009! She will officially receive the award this Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the awards ceremony at the VA State History Day Competition at Williamburg Christian Academy in Williamsburg, VA. Congrats Ms. Boivin--well deserved for years of hard work and dedication to the History Day program!

Governor’s School Selections Made

We have four students who were invited to attend:

Humanities:
Erik Bakke
Kara Gadeken
Gabriel Manion

Visual Arts
Jin Sik Park

Alternates:  (which is still a great honor and we are very proud of)
Erin Cafferky
Doug Dunphy
Ashley Ferraro
John Goetchius
Catherine Kitrinos
John Novalis
Anthony Olund
Ruth Rado
Kelly Wilson

 

Giant has posted final totals for the Bonus Bucks program. WSHS will receive $8,090.56 this year! Thank you all who shop at Giant and signed up for this year's program!

 

The third quarter’s Students of the Quarter has been posted.

http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs/yr08-09/stuquar/student3.shtml

Cappie Show Reviewer Sets New Heights

Megan Fraedrich, a junior, here at West Springfield HS published 11 times out of the 15 Cappie show reviews she has attended, with her last 6 show's reviews all going to the Washington Post!

Keep up the good work, Megan!

3rd Quarter Honor Roll Data

9th Grade

All A's 24

All A/Bs 172

10th Grade

All A's 15

All A/Bs 141

11th Grade

All A's 13

All A/B's 125

12th Grade

All A's 12

All A/B's 118

Totals

All A's 63

All A/B's 556

 

 

Congratulations to Jenny Goransson, English Teacher, on her nomination for FCPS Outstanding First Year Teacher Award. Results will be announced on April 22nd. Good luck, Jenny!

 

National Latin Exam Results!

Congratulations to the following students on their accomplishments on this year's National Latin Exam:

Gold Medal: Steven Cox, Latin I; Lauren Brown, Latin III Poetry

Silver Medal: Brigid Byrd, Allie Colella, Youngsoo Jang, Julia Staron, Elisa Perez, and Amanda Vercruysse, Latin I; Taelim Kim, Monica Evans, and Alice Fuller, Latin II; Margherita Azzalini and Jeanie Wong, Latin IV Poetry

Magna Cum Laude: Madeline Spencer, Susie Cho, Adil Ahmad, Nathan Wong, and Katrina Trompeta, Latin I; Sarah Scaptura, Latin IV Poetry

Cum Laude: Katie Kenny, Anna DeMarr, and Christian Tran, Latin I; Ashton Jakcsy and Andy Gholson, Latin II; Kelly Patterson, Latin III Poetry; Allison Van Gilst, Kelly Wilson, and Kellee Farris, Latin IV Poetry

Scores equal to national averages (deserving of an "honorable mention," though the NLE committee does not give certificates): Tricia Goldberg, Latin I; Trevor Blackwell, Latin II; and Nikki Anderson, Latin IV Poetry

 

Performing Arts Groups get Highest State Honors by the VMEA!

By virtue of the Madrigals great success (straight SUPERIOR ratings), the Chamber Strings (straight SUPERIOR ratings) and the Wind Symphony’s (straight SUPERIOR ratings), the West Springfield High School Music Department is a Virginia “Blue Ribbon Music School”, as recognized by the Virginia Music Educators Association.  This is the seventh consecutive year for this award for West Springfield High School.

Criteria:

Superior performance as evidenced by the district festival rating from each of the top performing groups of each ensemble course taught at the school (band, choir, and orchestra).

Congrats!!

Congrats Choral Program!

Last weekend, the Fairfax County Public School held it's annual District Chorus Festival at Thomas Jefferson High School.  Three ensembles from West Springfield High School attended and performed exceptionally well.  The complexity of the music performed ranged between level 3 and level 6 (level 6 being the highest for High School standard reportoire).  The Ladies Select performed level 3 and 4 music, and received Superior and Excellent ratings.  The Women's Chorus and Men's Chorus went to District Festival for their first time, performing level 3 music, and also received Superior and Excellent Ratings.  The Madrigals performed challenging level 5 and 6 music, and received straight Superior ratings.  By virtue of the success of the Madrigals, as well as the Chamber Strings and the Wind Symphony, the West Springfield High School Music Department has been deemed a Virginia "Blue Ribbon Music School", as recognized by the Virginia Music Educators Association.  Congratulations to the Chorus Department for their admirable success at District Festival. 

Technology Student Association

On Saturday, 17 WSHS students competed at the Virginia Technology Student Association Northern Region Fair.  Of the seven events that our students entered, they won trophies in four and finished fourth in two others.  The students who won trophies and will advance to VATSA Technosphere in May are:

Joe Denker - CAD Architecture with Animation – 1st Place
Glenn Feinberg, Robby Ipolito, Brock Heruth, and Sam Garris – Maunfacturing Prototype – 2nd Place
Ryan Tran, Ted Richards, Josh Dike, and Jasmeet Bath – Electronic Research and Experimentation – 3rd Place
Vic McGowen, Sarah Ummen, and Chris Ummen – Film Technology – 3rd Place

Robert Crumpacker, Ryan O’Connor, Johana Panana, and Chris Prohoda also competed at the Regional Fair.

If you see any of these students, please congratulate them for their efforts and success, and wish them luck at Technosphere in May!

 

Congratulations to the following FBLA students on their achievement at the FBLA regional conference:

• Mustafa Gardizi, Client Services – 1st place
• Kara Gadeken, Personal Finance – 3rd place

Mustafa and Kara will represent West Springfield at the FBLA State Conference in April.

District Band Festival Results

Our bands did a great job at Festival this weekend.


Thursday: The Concert Band received a II on stage and a I in sight reading for an overall rating of II


Friday: The Symphonic Band received a I on stage and a I in sight reading for an overall rating of I


Saturday: The Wind Symphony received a I on stage and a I in sight reading for an overall rating of I


This, plus the Superior rating at the marching festival, means that West Springfield will be named a Virginia Honor Band for the fourth consecutive year, and the fifth time in school history!


Please help me congratulate all of our students.

 

The DECA Spartans did very well at States this past weekend!!!

We have three 1st Place Overall Winners!!  They are:

Adam Bloom - Job Interview
Chelsea Kopf & Chelsea Miller - Hospitality Services Team Decision Making

Please announce our first place winners on the PA as this is a BIG deal!  I will also be submitted powerpoint announcements of all the winners to go on the slide show.

The following students were Runner Ups and they will be attending ICDC in Anaheim as well:

Daniel McCartin - Sports & Entertainment Marketing Series
Alex Watt - Advertising Campaign
Carolina Aragon & Elaine Vazquez Jorge - Travel & Tourism Marketing Team Decision Making
Lena Nelson, Miraim Zaazhoa & Fiyori Negussie - Retail Merchandising Research
Liz Bognanno & Carley Warden - Creative Marketing Project

WSHS has a total of 12 competitors going to ICDC!! 

Other awards included:

Neisha Berger - Annual Report Award
Katie Scanlon - Business Services Marketing, Top 5 in Role Play
Natalie Berko - Food Marketing Series, Top 5 in Role Play
Nshira Turkson - Retail Merchandising, Top 5 in Test
Chelsea Miller - Hospitality Services Team Decision Making, Top 5 Test 

25 competitors received Competency Awards!
5 manuals had no penalty points, so they were perfect!

We're very proud of all the students. 

Regional National History Day @ GMU

WSHS took twelve teams and nine of them placed!!  The first and second place winners advance to the State Competition in Williamsburg on April 25.

Congratulations to all of our student participants!!

RESULTS:
Senior level Individual paper:
1st place - Chris Wink - Carl von Clausewitz
2nd place - Emily McDougall - Wernher von Braun

Senior level websites:
1st place - Rita Zevallos
2nd place - Jaemin Yoo, Amin Lake, Allen Jo

Senior level group documentary:
1st place - Moira Lennon, Kristina Scollins, Jordyn Stuger - John Wesley
3rd place - Anna Lees and Brianna Beale - Walt Disney: the Maker of Dreams

Senior level individual documentary:
1st place - Erik Bakke - C.J. Hambro

Senior Group Exhibits:
3rd place - Lena Nelson and MaiVi Nguyen - Coco Chanel

Senior Individual Exhibits:
3rd place: Jasmine Saini - Akbar and the City of Victory

Rita Zevallos, Moira Lennon, Jordyn Stuger, and Kristina Scollins also received the Sons of the American Revolution Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for their projects.

 

All-Virginia Band

The All-VA audition were held at JMU on Saturday 2/28 and the following West Springfield students were selected for All-Virginia Band and Orchestra:

Kristen Stryker, senior, flute
Shannon Yi, senior, flute
Bryan Terrazas, senior, clarinet
James Gilbertson, senior, tenor saxophone
Kurt Franke, senior, trumpet
Margherita Azzalini, junior (exchange student from Venice, Italy), harp


Congratulations to these students on their outstanding All-Virginia achievement!

 

WSHS Debate Team

West Springfield placed third in Patriot District Debate.


Abby Perlin (10) Samantha Skobel (09) advanced to the final rounds.

Abby placed third and received a medal.

Congrats to all!

 

The WSHS Winter Guard won first place this past weekend at the Potomac Falls Atlantic Indoor Association competition. The guard received a score of 59.9 – 12 points higher than the previous weekend and only 0.1 points from bumping to the next level! The guard won championships last year and they are very excited about doing so well in their new division.  The Indoor Drumline finished second in their class with a score of 63.65 eight points higher than their first performance.  The drumline is enjoying some early success especially for such a young and inexperienced group (only one senior and only 3 students who were in the group last time we had one).  The next competition for both the Guard and the Drumline is this Saturday, February 28th, at Deep Run HS outside of Richmond.

Please congratulate the following students if you see them:


Guard
Kimberly Langlais (captain)
Lebby Moran (captain)
Olivia Demsko
Julie Burkhardt
Julie Dunham
Sam Park
Taylor Whitney
Nicole Buzan
Lizzy Colandene
Mhairi Terra
Sarah Adams
Rachel Brittenham

Drumline
Zach Fleegal (captain)
Alice Fuller
Jacob Everett
Rebecca Kronz
Alex Pastino
Chase Larson
Tanner Larson
David Kim
Nick Farrar
Ally Whitney
Cameron Wheeler
Won Jung Choi
Tim Saitta
James Brittenham

 

WSHS PTSA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM 2008-2009:
WOW!
FILM/VIDEO
Arden Scott  - Film entitled “What A Beautiful View”, won 1st Place for WSHS; Outstanding Interpretation (1st Place) at council level; Award of Excellence (2nd Place) at district level!
Alex VandenBerghe – 2nd Place
LITERATURE
Megan Fraedrich – Story entitled “A Charming Problem, won 1st Place, judged at council level
Drew Bigelow – 2nd Place
Emily Ellis – 3rd Place
Cynthia Holden – Honorable Mention
Rita Zevallos – Honorable Mention
MUSIC
Bryce Quinn – Musical Composition entitled “My Own Way”, won 1st Place for WSHS; Award of Merit (3rd Place) at council level
Nicole Buzan – 2nd Place
PHOTOGRAPHY
Samantha Norwood – Photograph entitled “Follow Your Mind”, won 1st Place for WSHS; Outstanding Interpretation (1st Place) at council level
Lauren Giery – 2nd Place
Abby Perlin – 3rd Place
Brittany Arnold – Honorable Mention
Kristina Rader – Honorable Mention
VISUAL ARTS
Erin Davis – Work entitled “Ian”, won 1st Place for WSHS; Outstanding Interpretation (1st Place) at council level
Joon Kee Hong – 2nd Place
Brittany Arnold – 3rd Place
An Na Kim – Honorable Mention
Megan Metts – Honorable Mention

Spring Beautification Day

March 28th, 8a-12p

Rain date: April 18th, 8a-12p

More details coming soon!

 

Updated: Second Quarter Results:

Posted at: http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs/yr08-09/hroll/hroll2.shtml

All A Honor Roll--63 students

9th 25 students

10th 7

11th 12

12th 19

A-B Honor Roll--551 students

9th 159 students

10th 116

11th 136

12th 140

 

Debate Team Wins More!

Saturday February 7th- WACFL Student Congress Debate
It was a first place sweep for WSHS!
There were 3 chambers with 20-25 students in each one.


Chamber 1- First Place  Erik Bakke
Chamber 2- First Place  Jay Friedel  plus Best Speaker
Chamber 3- First Place  Christine Ching

They are a talented and wonderful group of students.

In the past week, WSHS has been crowned District Champions in four events:

Scholastic Bowl

Forensics

Boys Swim/Dive

Girls Swim/Dive

It just goes to show we are truly well rounded at WSHS between academics and extra-curricular activities!

Congrats to all our students and their coaches/sponsors!!

 

Congratulations to our Students of the Second Quarter. The list has been posted on our main webpage.
Here is the link:  http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs/yr08-09/stuquar/student2.shtml

National Forensic League
Virginia State Championship Tournament 2009
West Springfield High School Results

Debate: Student Congress
 
1st Place in the State House of Representatives:  Erik Bakke

1st Place in the State Senate:  Christine Ching

Public Forum Debate:

1st Place in the State: The team of Edmund Brown and Gabriel Manion

Advancing to the National Forensic Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama:
Erik Bakke, Christine Ching, Edmund Brown and Gabriel Manion

Speech:

Original Oratory:  3rd place in the State :    Erik Bakke
Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking:  3rd Place in the State :  Christine Ching
Duo Interpretation:  5th place in the State:  Jessica Friedel and Margaret Fuller

Advancing to the Semi-Final Rounds in:
Original Oratory and Dramatic Interpretation:  Justin Strickland  
Humorous Interpretation:  Jessica Friedel

Advancing to the NFL Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama for Speech:
Erik Bakke and Christine Ching

School Award: WSHS receiving 3rd Place for the George Mason University                           

Excellence in Forensics Award

Overall Individual Sweepstakes Award:
2nd place in the State   Christine Ching
3rd place in the State    Erik Bakke

Congrats Speech and Debate Team and Coach Hagy!!

AP Information Night Coming Soon!

West Springfield High School will be holding the annual Advanced Placement Night on February 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria.  Parents and students are encouraged to come find out more about the AP Program offered at West Springfield.  Information will include courses offered, course selection, and college credit.  Departmental representatives will also be on hand to answer questions regarding specific courses.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Forensics Team wins District!

Congrats to team members:

Erik Bakke, Taylor Carter, Christine Ching, Jessica Friedel, Margaret Fuller, Cody Grogan, Elisabeth Havinga, Ashton Jakcsy, Nicole Lipka, Emily McDougall, Brooke Mueller, Justin Strickland and Destiny Sweeney

Also congrats to our coaches Madeleine and Kevin Deliee!

WSHS inthe news:

From Lincoln to Obama (Washington Post)
The seniors at West Springfield High School in Fairfax County have been studying Abraham Lincoln, the nation's 16th president, and the civil rights movement. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/02/01/ST2009020102221.html

SMITHSONIAN TRAVELING MOBILE MUSEUM VISITS WEST SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will tour “Abraham Lincoln:  Self-Made in America,” to West Springfield High School on Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7.  The mobile museum explores the life and accomplishment of the 16th president of the United States of America.

The only exhibit of its type in the country, the mobile museum is in a 53-foot-long, double expandable trailer.  It uses an engaging mixture of interactive elements, photographs and maps, facsimiles of one-of-a-kind manuscripts and documents form the library’s collections and reproduction artifacts made especially for the exhibition to commemorate the Lincoln Bicentennial.

“Self-Made in America” examines Lincoln’s life from his poor beginnings to his ascension to the presidency and his assassination.  Highlights include a visual recreation of Lincoln’s 1861 Farewell Address from a train car in Springfield, Illinois, as he left for the White House and the award-winning “The Civil War in Four Minutes” video presentation.

SITES has been sharing the Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people for more than 50 years.  Exhibition descriptions and tour schedules are available at www.sites.si.edu.

This local tour is part of the Smithsonian’s celebration of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and is supported by The Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009.  For up-to-the-minute tour dates and locations, supplemental educational materials and information about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, visit www.abelincolnmuseum.org.

Please note the hours of operation while on site at West Springfield High School:

Friday, February 6

8:30 am to 2:00 pm              Guided school tours (WSHS Students and Faculty only)
2:00 pm to 4:30 pm              Open to the general public

Saturday, February 7

10:00 am to 2:00 pm     Open to the general public

2009 Fairfax County Scholastic Art Competition. Congratulations WSHS students!

Christopher Airgood 12 Silver Key Animation Macbeth: The True
Nelson Benavides 12 Silver Key Animation Late
Nelson Benavides 12 Gold Key Animation The Apple Tree
Chelsea Blahut 12 Silver Key Painting Issue
Lindsey Gregg 12 CM Photography Portfolio Photo Portfolio
Michael Hoang 12 Silver Key Computer Art Chasm
Catherine Katrinos 10 Silver Key Painting World Peace
Anna Kim 12 Silver Key Drawing Confinement
Samantha Norwood 12 Silver Key Photography Portfolio Photo Portfolio

Show Details:

The gold and silver key winners will be on display February 13-26 in the Ernst Gallery of NVCC, Annandale Campus. The award ceremony will be held on February 24th at 7:30.

 

Fairfax County School Board Invites Public Comment on School Start and Dismissal Times

The Fairfax County School Board invites parents and interested citizens to comment on changes to school start and dismissal times that are under consideration by attending one of seven upcoming community dialogue meetings in February and by completing an online survey.

A report from the School Board’s Transportation Task Force offers recommendations to change school start and dismissal times and to improve the overall effectiveness of Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) transportation system.  The changes would affect elementary, middle, and high school students.  Because changing school start and dismissal times could affect work schedules, child care arrangements, and after-school activities—including athletics—the School Board wants to hear from the public about the pros and cons of the changes.

Seven community dialogue meetings will be held in February:

Tuesday, February 24, 7 to 9 p.m.
      Annandale High School, 4700 Medford Drive, Annandale
      Longfellow Middle School, 2000 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church
      Oak View Elementary School, 5004 Sideburn Road, Fairfax Wednesday, February 25, 7 to 9 p.m.
      Herndon High School, 700 Bennett Street, Herndon
      Rocky Run Middle School, 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly Thursday, February 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
      Providence Elementary School, 3616 Jermantown Road, Fairfax
      Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria

In the event of inclement weather, a makeup dialogue session will be held on Tuesday, March 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County.

Citizens are encouraged to complete an online survey, available beginning Monday, February 9, at www.fcps.edu, to share their opinions about school start and dismissal times.

Additional information about the proposed changes to school start and dismissal times and the Transportation Task Force’s recommendations may be viewed at www.fcps.edu.

 

Due to Inclement Weather: Report Cards will be distributed Tuesday, February 3

WSHS Wins 2009 VA Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence

I could not be prouder of all of our staff for their outstanding work that they do daily for all our students and for all of the effort that our students and their parents do as well to make our school so great!  This honor is truly based on a school-wide effort by everyone at WSHS!  It’s nice to be recognized by an outside organization for all the excellent education that goes on in our building throughout the year.   Our physical building might not be best in the county, but what counts most—a quality education for our students—is one of the best not only in the county, but state, and congrats to all of you for a job well done!  It is a true pleasure to be the principal at WSHS!. 

GOVERNOR KAINE RECOGNIZES HIGH-PERFORMING VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
~ 162 Earn Governor’s Excellence Awards ~


RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that 162 Virginia public schools have earned the 2009 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence. The award is the highest honor under the Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program created by the Board of Education to advance Governor Kaine’s “competence to excellence” agenda to encourage advanced learning and achievement in the Commonwealth’s public schools. Last year, 89 schools received the award.

“The fact that nearly twice as many schools met or exceeded the rigorous criteria for the award this year speaks to the progress Virginia’s public schools are making,” Governor Kaine said. “It also speaks to the wisdom of the Commonwealth’s approach of including in its accountability program incentives for schools to exceed minimum expectations for student achievement.”

To qualify for the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, schools and school divisions must meet all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and achieve Governor Kaine’s goals for elementary reading; enrollment in Algebra I by grade 8; enrollment in college-level courses; attainment of advanced diplomas; increased attainment of career and industry certifications; and participation, if eligible, in the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Schools and school divisions also earn bonus points for other performance measures, including the Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard.

 

Fairfax Schools Nab State Awards (Sun Gazette)
Thirty-one Fairfax County public schools have earned the 2009 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, and 45 county public schools have also been recognized by the State Board of Education for 2009 Board of Education Excellence Awards.

http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2009/01/16/fairfax/news/fe989a.txt

 

THURSDAY’S LATE BUS REINSTATED – We just received word from Transportation Services that WSHS will NOT be losing late bus transportation this year after all.  Transportation will be running our normal Wednesday & Thursday afternoon late bus runs without interruption at the semester and also through the end of this school year. Thank you, Mr. Dean Tistadt!

All District Band!

The following West Springfield Students qualified for All-District Band!


Symphonic Band:
Shannon Yi* - senior
Kristen Stryker* - senior
Meredith Zettlemoyer - sophomore
Bryan Terrazas* - senior
Won Jung Choi - junior
James Gilbertson* - senior
Danny Fraedrich* - freshman
Kurt Franke* - senior
Evan Furth* - freshman
Michael Yonkers* - junior


Concert Band:
Ye Jin Chung - junior
Kelsey Oppler - freshman
Marina Andrawis - senior
Trevor Blackwell - sophomore
David Anderson - senior
Tyler Knickerbocker - sophomore
Perry Shands - freshman
Evan Middleton - senior
Bailey Knickerbocker - junior
Isabel Zaru-Roque* - freshman
*= possible All-State Audition


Congratulations to ALL students who auditioned!

New Program from our School Counseling Office: Depression Screening in February

The teen years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions-difficult for teens, their parents, and educators. Normal adolescent turmoil can be easily misread as depression. Yet, depression appears to be occurring at a much earlier age and is one of the most frequently occurring mental health challenges adolescents face. We also know that the teen suicide rate has nearly doubled over the past decade. However, depression is a treatable problem and effective treatment of depression helps prevent suicide. To proactively address this issue, West Springfield High School is offering its first annual depression screening on February 5, 6, and 9, 2009. This free, voluntary and confidential screening is offered to help students assess whether or not they may have symptoms consistent with depression. Students must have parent permission in order to be screened and are asked to also provide their written consent to the screening. Please contact the School Counseling Office for additional information, permission forms, and so forth.

National English Honor Society Sponsors After School Skill Workshops

The National English Honor Society and The English Department are sponsoring their annual after school skill workshops every Wednesday from 2:20-3:20 PM. The workshops run through May 20, in room 206 in the English hall.

Students take two end-of course English exams their junior year. They must pass both exams to graduate from high school. The first test, administered in March, is a two part exam consisting of objective questions covering grammar, usage, mechanics, writing and editing. The second part is an essay that students write to a prompt. The second exam, administered in May, covers reading, literature, and research.

The skill workshops are designed to help eleventh graders succeed on the English Writing and RLR SOLs, but all students are invited to attend. A letter will be sent home to parents who have students in danger of failing eleventh grade English.

These workshops are run by English teachers and National English Honor Society members. They consist of computer-based lab programs, paper/pencil practice tests, and direct instruction. Teacher and student mentors work individually with students. Each week students focus on one or more aspects of English skill areas to be tested on the Virginia end-of-course Standards of Learning (SOL) English exams.

Students who attend must commit to the entire hour of the workshop, and they may attend as many workshops as they wish.

Please contact Marilyn Harriman, coordinator of the program, at Marilyn.Harriman@fcps.edu, if you have questions about the workshop.



Congrats Varsity Girls Basketball Team--Pohanka Chantilly HS Winter Tournament Champions. Sam Landers Tournament MVP!

 

Studio Art Students

The National Gallery of Art has a January workshop showcasing their new Photography Exhibition.
There’ll be a NGA gallery lecture tour, a guest artist presentation, and a studio project for the students.
The advanced studio art classes will all do a photo or print transfer in class at a later date! WSHS has 6 studio art students who will be attending:
April Kelley, Dylan Serres, Rebecca Jo, Michelle Lee, Samantha Samuels and Drew Bigelow.

Congrats and enjoy!



Digital Sports selected a hand-full of athletes for each Fall Sports to be named the All-Beltway Team. Very similar to All-Met, or the idea of having an individual athlete honored past the Region level. Athletes were selected for competing teams in the MD/DC/Northern Virginia area. Congratulations to the following athletes. Thank you for representing the Northern Region so very well!

Mariah Rivera - Centreville
Bria Mitchell - Westfield
Colby Streb - Chantilly
Ben Carroll - Herndon
Carli Perrin - West Springfield
Ashley Brigham - West Springfield
Megan Bayne - Fairfax
Yesle Soh - Fairfax
Valeria Cartagena - Fairfax
Sierra Ellis - Stone Bridge
Shelly Cross - Stone Bridge
Valeria Rubenstein - Stone Bridge

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to Nick Marchio, Stone Bridge High School Head Cheer Coach, for being selected as Digital Sports Coach of the Year.

Thank you to all the coaches are working so hard year round!


 

Congrats to the Students of the First Quarter:

here is the link on the main WSHS webpage under "For Students": http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs/yr08-09/stuquar/student1.shtml


Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Program Update

Our new total for the Giant A+ Bonus Bucks program is $2,416.76!!! Thanks to everyone for supporting this important program. The program continues until April 2, 2009, so it is not too late to register your Giant Bonus Card. Simply go to www.giantfood.com/aplus. Remember our official school code is 02095. Please let me know if you have any questions about this program.

Special Holiday Tip: Buy your holiday gift cards at Giant and help WSHS!

Football District Honors:

First Team All-District


Offense:
Will Mallon - Center
Henry Dodge - Guard
Corey MacRae - Tackle
Andy Stallings - Wide Out
TJ O'Connell - Wide Out
Bryn Renner - Quarterback
Brandon Bailey - Running Back
John McConnell - Place Kicker


Defense:
John Lockwood - Lineman
Joey DeSantis - Linebacker
Hayden Angulo - Back

Second Team All-District


Offense:
Mike Justice - Tackle
Daniel Collins - Running Back


Defense:
Malek Diaw - End
Ben Lockwood - Back
John Lockwood - Player of the Year

Honorable Mention


Offense:
Tucker Tobin - Wide Out
Auggie Tsibu-Gyan - End
Cesar Sanchez - Lineman
Matt Rose - Lineman
Peyton Davey - Linebacker



Virginia Junior Classical League (state Latin convention/competitions) awards:

Erik Bakke: 1st place English Oratory, 10th grade; 1st place Storytelling, 10th grade; 4th place Ancient Sports, Latin III; 5th Place Latin Oratory, Advanced Level. Erik was also nominated for Best in Show in Storytelling, which is quite an accomplishment.

Allie Colella: 2nd place Mosaic, 9th grade; 8th place Vocabulary, Latin I.

Tricia Goldberg: 10th place Ancient Sports, Latin I; 9th place Latin Sightreading, Latin I.

Julia Staron: 1st place Costume, Lower Division Girls; 4th place Ancient Sports, Latin I.

Congrats!!


Congratulations to the following WSHS Orchestra students who successfully auditioned for the District XI Junior District Orchestra:

Scheetz, Alexander – cello
Thayer, Zachary – viola
Haddad, Lexi – violin
Trompeta, Katrina – violin
Jang, Youngha – violin

Freshmen all………



Additional Fall Sports Honors:

Field Hockey All-District & All-Region:

1st Team All Region: Jessie Gonzalez
2nd Team All Region: Mariah Peters
1st Team All District: Jessie Gonzalez, Mariah Peters, Monica Evans
2nd Team All District: Danielle O’Brien, Haley Mara


Congrats!!

Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Update

We have earned $1,180.91 after the first month of the Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Program! Thanks to all of you who have registered for this year's program. If you have not registered yet, please take a minute and do so by clicking on www.giantfood.com/aplus. Be sure to designate WSHS using ID #02095. You will be helping our school earn cash that we need now more than ever!

720 Students make First Quarter Honor Roll!

First Quarter Honor Roll Data:

All As

9th Grade 29 students

10th Grade 11 students

11th Grade 8 students

12th Grade 20 students

 

A/B Honor Roll

9th Grade 182 students

10th Grade 174 students

11th Grade 131 students

12th Grade 165 students

Additional Fall Sports Honors:

Cross Country
Team
Boys 4th in District 10th in Region
Girls 3rd in District 6th in Region

Individuals
Boys
All District
Daniel Tobin 4th
Colin Taylor 8th

All Region
Daniel Tobin 8th

Girls
All District
Paige Kvartunas 2nd
Alex Watt 13th

All Region
Paige Kvartunas 13th

…………………………………………………………………………….

Here are the all district awards for Volleyball.


Second Team: Lauren Sipple, Alyssa Hager, Erin Battle, Sarah Smith

Honorable Mention: Nikki Anderson


Congrats Varsity Cheerleading

9th Place in the State Tournament

All-Region Cheerleaders:

Junior Carli Perrin

Junior Ashley Brigham

 

West Springfield High School Ice Hockey Team:

The team returned home from Frederick, Md, victorious, after winning their division championship at the Frederick Cup Tournament this past weekend. They played 3 games, winning 2 of the 3. Then the nail biting began as there was a 3 way tie between West Springfield and 2 other teams. They waited for the other game results to come in and then through a complicated point calculation system, and finally the official word came. West Springfield had made it to the championship round! As they did in the earlier games, the team played with a lot of heart and a tough fighting spirit. The end result was a 9-2 win over their competitor and the title of Champions! This is the first time that the West Springfield Hockey Team has won the Frederick Cup Tournament. The players and their families are extremely proud of this achievement.

 

Special Recognition for WSHS!

We just learned that the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has named WSHS an official "Lincoln Legacy School." We received a certificate acknowledging this accomplishment. This designation is based on a number of things including the special Black History Month Assembly with a visit from Abe Lincoln and Mr. Percoco's Applied History class participating in the National Teach-In.

 

Nineteen Fairfax County High Schools Win VHSL Journalism Awards

Students from 19 Fairfax County public schools won awards for journalistic excellence from the Virginia High School League (VHSL) for publications produced during the 2007-08 school year.


In the newspaper competition, winners included:
• First place: The Oracle, West Springfield High School, Brooke Nelson, advisor;


In the yearbook competition, winners included:
• First place: The Olympian, West Springfield High School, Brooke Nelson, advisor.


In the writing-photography-design journalism contest, Group AAA Newspaper, the winners were:
• News: Straight News-News Feature-Sports News: honorable mention, Monica Evans and Sam Landers, West Springfield High School
• Feature: In-Depth-Informative (Including Sports: honorable mention, Jake Serwin and Rebecca Naramore, West Springfield High School.
• Photo-News-Feature: honorable mention, Kelley Williams, West Springfield High School.
• Advertising: first place, Inderbir Bal, West Springfield High School; second place, Sara Wink and Erica Wink, West Springfield High School


Congrats Marching Band!!

On Saturday, October 25, the Marching Spartans received straight "superior" ratings from all five judges at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association State Marching Band Festival. The band performed magnificently and received superior ratings from all five adjudicators, and a grade of "A" in all categories. Congratulations to all of the parents, students and instructional staff members who worked diligently to attain this result. The band will conclude their competitive season at the U.S.S.B.A. Northern States Championships at Hershey Park Stadium on Sunday, November 2.

 

Marine Marathon

Congratulations to Jenny Goransson, English teacher, for doing a stunning time in the Marine Corps Marathon (26.2 miles) yesterday!!!! She was the 76th woman overall if the statistics are right!!! (24,000 people ran it) And she was in school the next day ready to teach - no limping, no complaining - pretty darn chipper for doing a grueling race in a great time!!!

Way to go, Jenny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Change in Date:

December's staff development early closing date has been changed from Tuesday, December 9, to Tuesday, December 16. December 9 will be a FULL day of curriculum. December 16 will now be the early closing date for students with dismissal at 11:10 am.

 

SpartanFest – Thank you to everyone who participated this past Saturday, especially with the weather!

Congratulations to the Varsity Cheerleading Team--Patriot District Champs!!!

On Wednesday night they competed in the second round of the Patriot District Cheerleading Tournament and won! What is truly impressive is they were in first place through out the entire two day tournament, all four rounds! That is a true demonstration of determination, focus, talent, and athleticism.

 

(Elliot Mess and "The Unflushables" -- a PSA from Fairfax Wastewater Management)


Coming soon to a cable station near you! -- Channel 16
West Springfield advanced theatre arts students working hand-in-hand with Laura Mathias, producer and director of cable communications for the Fairfax County Government and cable Channel 16, recently designed sets for and performed in a televised public service announcement.


The PSA was the idea of the Fairfax Water Authority and WastewaterManagement specialists who wanted innovative new ways to educate the Fairfax County community about protecting Fairfax's public water supply. The PSA is intended to curb citizen use of household and commercial kitchen drains for disposal of cooking fats and oils.


The creative team of West Springfield's advanced theatre arts students and advanced technical theatre students, working alongside the creative team from the county government sector, produced the two minute announcement due to air soon on cable television.

WSHS theatre director, Mary Jo Levesque coordinated the shoot with student actors Rachel Veenstra, Cameron Albert, David Halle, Dan Dick, Matt Eissler, and Austin Barbera. The student actors are featured in the black and white "retro 50s" video along with the "golden professional voice" of senior Sean Cafferky, the featured voiceover of the PSA.


Advanced technical theatre students designed the set, props and makeup for the commercial which was taped in the classroom kitchen of Ms. Katie Turner, a consumer science teacher.

WSHS theatre tech students involved in the video shoot were: Levi Barraclough, Sam Norwood, Elisa Perez, Batul Rizvi, Ashley Romeo, Steve Siveroni, Kara Whipple, Wayne Wolfgram, Alex Hantke, Wayne Hawkins, Julia Lisowski, Matt Maginn and Alex Shidlovsky.


Congratulations Flossie Hoy, Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair!!

I received the following email this week about our own Flossie Hoy. I hope you will take a moment to congratulate her on this honor, but also if you get a chance, visit the exhibition at the Ernst Center on the campus of NOVA in nnandale.

"Dear Paul—

For many years one of our primary goals in Fairfax County Public Schools has been to seek out and hire candidates who are not only great art teachers, but also great artists. Today there are more than 300 art teachers in FCPS, many of whom continue to practice art-making while sharing their expertise with students. This year, for the first time, the Fine Arts Office is organizing an art exhibition to showcase the amazing talents of our artist-teachers. The first annual Artist Teacher Exhibition will be on display at the Ernst Cultural Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus, from November -15, and an opening reception will be held on November 5th from 6-7:30 p.m. Dr. Dale will be speaking. We will have 61 artist/ teachers represented by 86 artworks in the exhibition. These artworks were selected from over 300 submissions by juror JJ McCracken.

One of your art teachers, Flossie Hoy, will be featured in the exhibition. We are so excited and proud of our teachers and are eagerly looking forward to the exhibition."


 

2008 NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing


Senior Jake Serwin has been recognized as a recipient of the 2008 National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing. Because his superior achievement is also a reflection of the teachers and the English program at West Springfield, a certificate of commendation is being forwarded to Principal Paul Wardinski, as well as a certificate for the winning student.

Of the 1,789 juniors nominated for the 2008 program, judges chose 525 individuals as “outstanding writers.” In Virginia, Jake, who is also Editor-in-Chief of The Oracle and a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, was one of 18 NCTE ompetition finalists. According to Executive Director Kent Williamson, these winners are among the “best student writers in the country.”

A complete list of finalists is posted on the NCTE website at http://www.ncte.org/about/awards/student/aa


Congrats Forensics

If you see the following students, please congratulate them on their early-season success. ALL of our team placed in the top five for their events.

Erik Bakke (’11), 1st place, Impromptu, 3rd place, Poetry
Chrissy Ching (’09), 2nd place, Foreign Extemp Speaking
Jessica Friedel (’11), 1st place, Humorous Interpretation
Cody Grogan (’12), 1st place, Extemp Commentary
Eleanor Lamb (’12), 2nd place, Storytelling
Emily McDougall (’11), 1st place, Storytelling
Brooke Mueller (’10), 1st place, Prose (tie)
Tereza Sholokh (’09), 4th place, Domestic Extemp Speaking
Justin Strickland (’10), 1st place, Prose (tie), 5th place, Poetry


Congratulations to our West Springfield HS Orchestra students who auditioned for and were accepted into the Northern Region "Senior Regional Orchestra" last Monday afternoon. They will be rehearsing and performing at West Potomac HS on November 14 and 15. This also qualifies them to audition for the Virginia All-State Orchestra in February.


Successful auditionees are:
Nathan Wong - violin
Jeanie Wong - violin
Gabriel Manion - violin
Margherita Azzalini - harp
(side note…Margherita is our exchange student from Italy!)


WEST SPRINGFIELD STUDENT ATTENDS SUMMER ACADEMY AT NASA

HAMPTON, Va. – A student from West Springfield High School spent this week planning a mission to Mars at the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) Academy at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

West Springfield High School rising senior James Crumpacker was one of 43 students who took part in the VASTS Academy July 27 to August 1 hosted by NASA Langley in a partnership with the Virginia Space Grant Consortium.

Prior to the academy, Crumpacker completed a three-month interactive online program that challenged him to help create a plan for sustaining a human presence on Mars. Crumpacker worked with a team that dealt with a specific challenge of operating an outpost on the red planet.

“I've always been interested in aerospace and engineering, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out more about careers in these areas,” said Crumpacker.

Crumpacker and his teammates also built, programmed and tested robots, toured NASA labs and facilities, and interacted with NASA researchers, scientists and astronaut D. Thomas Jones. Crumpacker said that this program was a good opportunity to learn more about a career in engineering.


Students from 10 Fairfax County high schools, including our own WSHS, have been named finalists in the 2007-08 Virginia High School League (VHSL) Writing, Photo, Design Contest.

Finalists include:
• Group AAA Newspaper:
o Monica Evans and Sam Landers
o Jake Serwin in the Feature: In-Depth, Informative (Including Sports) category.
o Kelley Williams in the Photo: News, Feature category.
o Inderbir Bal, Sara Wink and Erica Wink in the Advertising category.

Congrats!!


Based on the spring 2008 SOL scores, some highlights:

• All 11 exams had pass rate of 90% or above

• 4 out of 11 exams had pass rate of 98% or above (reading, writing, US/VA history, world history 1)

• 5 out of 11 exams increased their overall pass rate (reading, writing, algebra 2, chemistry, US/VA history)

• 7 out of 11 exams had higher percentage of students attaining pass advanced level (reading, writing, algebra 1, algebra 2, chemistry, world history 1, world history 2)

It's Academic Team faces tough competition, but makes us proud!

A team of outstanding students from West Springfield High School competed with teams from Blake High School of Silver Spring and John F. Kennedy High School of Silver Spring on IT'S ACADEMIC, the nation's foremost high school quiz program. The competition was spirited, and Blake High School won the match. The program will air Saturday, October 25, at 10:30 am on NBC4, Channel 4.

The West Springfield High School team consists of Captain Jake Serwin, Paul Grillot, and Marissa Beale, and alternates Jimmy Chen, Jace Courville, Jodi Yim, Morgan Stutz, and Nealofar Panjshiri . Our faculty coach is Margaret Tran.


IT'S ACADEMIC has been recognized by Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s longest-running television quiz program.” The program is sponsored by GIANT FOOD and the US ARMY. Mac McGarry is the long-time host of IT’S ACADEMIC.

AP Lit Students' work is published!

WSHS is delighted to announce that three of Martha Beall's 2007-2008 AP Literature students' poems have been published in George Mason University's Summer 2008 Falling for the Story, an anthology of writing by students of Northern Virginia Writing Project Teacher Consultants. Students' poems were originally composed as part of a creative writing unit in which they applied poetic techniques that we studied to their own writing.

Those whose poetry was published are as follows:

Lindsay Carlin "Kamikaze"

Kelsey Clinton "Pencil Carvings"

Alexandra Knabe "Independence"

Congratulations to our three students and to their teacher, Mrs. Martha Beall!


Lunch Shift Assignments--2008-09

A Lunch – Social Studies and Science

B Lunch – CTE, English, and Foreign Language

C Lunch – Health & PE, Fine and Performing Arts, and Math

Senior Capstone Project--2009

Members of the Class of 2009: Don't forget that you will get to experience the Senior Capstone Project this year! You will get all the information that you need in your English and Government classes in the fall, and you will attend a project approval session in September to make sure your ideas for your project hours and research paper will fit within the parameters of the project. At this point, you might just want to start thinking about ideas for what you might like to do to help your community during your senior year.

 

Graduation Class of 2009 Date Is Set!

Monday, June 15th, 9:30a, Patriot Center

Mark your calendars!

 

Family Connection Goes Live!

FCPS and West Springfield High School are pleased to introduce Family Connection, a web-based service designed especially for students and parents. Family Connection is a comprehensive website that you can use to help your student make decisions about academic plans, colleges, and careers.

Parents who have registered for an FCPS 24-7 Learning Parent View account are now able to click on the Family Connection link to view information about their students’ postsecondary plans, interests and opportunities. If you do not have a Parent View account, you may register by going to http://fcps.blackboard.com Login using the following information: Username: parentreg, Password: newuser.

To learn more about Family Connection and its many features, visit http://www.fcps.edu/ss/CareerConnections/fconnect/fconnect.htm
or use your FCPS 24-7 Learning Parent View account to directly access Family Connection.

 

Blackboard or 24-7

Since so many teachers use FCPS 24-7 Learning, an Internet-based learning system, to post homework, assignments and other communications with your child – Parents now have the opportunity to create an FCPS 24-7 Learning account of their own.

There are three steps to get your own FCPS 24-7 Learning Parent View account:

1. Online Registration – (which can be done at any computer)

• Using your Internet browser, go to http://fcps.blackboard.com
• Log on using username: parentreg and password: newuser
• Under the Parent Portal Registration heading, click on Click here.
• Fill out the online form and follow the prompts.
• At the end of the process, print or write down your unique registration key.

2. Onsite Verification – (which can be done during school days from 7:00 – 3:30)

• Bring a photo ID and the unique registration key to the front office your child’s school. Do not send this with your child. You must do this in person.• The school will give you your FCPS 24-7 Learning Parent View username and your password
will be emailed to you.

3. Log in to the FCPS 24-7 Learning Parent View (Blackboard) Portal

• Using your new username and password, you can log in to the FCPS 24-7 Learning Parent View and have access to all of your children’s Blackboard accounts. If you need assistance contact the FCPS 24-7 Help Desk at 1-866-434-8880.

We hope you will make use of this new opportunity to be involved in your child(ren)’s academic life in Fairfax County ublic Schools.

*FCPS 24-7 Learning is also referred to as Blackboard.


Please remember to sign up for all the grocery store education programs. We received over $9500 from Giant Food alone (www.giantfood.com/aplus). It is such an easy way to contribute doing something you will do anyway without costing you any money. More details will follow. Thank you in advance.