What’s Up With Retro Fashion?

I decided to explain how I became introduced to the fashions of the years past. Then I realized I have no idea, which is when the research began.
By Sarah Heath
     When did retro fashion sneak back into the closet of America’s teens? When my editor approached me with the direct quote, “Sarah you dress about how I’d imagine your mom dressed when she went to high school, but when your mom went to high school they didn’t show up in poodle skirts. I want you to explain that, what’s up with retro fashion?” I’ll admit to a little apprehension…after all, my mother went to high school in the early 1970’s. This happened to be the week of Halloween and I began to realize the point of this article when I showed up as Janis Joplin and everyone wanted to know why I hadn’t worn a costume.
    I’m a sixteen-year-old from downtown raised by Quakers and who attended a liberal arts school for junior high. To me this explains everything and I became very excited to turn in a two-paragraph editorial on why I look like how my mom might have looked like in high school. So I decided to explain how I became introduced to the fashions of the years past. Then I realized I have no idea, which is when the research began. Read more

East Dominates Spartans

Fast break too much for the TJ girls.
by Keenan Moore

    The lady Spartans took on a powerful team from East and they weren’t able to pull out a win, as they lost 63-40.
    This was the start of the league schedule for the Spartans, as the rest of their season will consist of teams from the Denver Prep League. The Spartans seemed ready to play as the boys’ game ended and they came out to the court. The scene seemed set, as the Spartans were to play one of their first games of the season at Manual’s Thunder dome. As the first few minutes of the game played out, the contest went back and forth between the two teams and continued that way until the first quarter ended with the two teams having a tie score 12-12. However, the second half was a different story as the Angels got the better of the Spartans. The scoring was one-sided as the Angels almost doubled the score of the Spartans, 32-18.
    The second half seemed to show some promise for the Spartans as they came out firing and put a quick six points up on the board. However, for whatever the Spartans put on the board the Angels were able to match it, and then some. The Angels proved that they were worthy of their high ranking in 5A. The fast break was once again the major culprit in this game. It seemed like the Angels were able to run up and down the court with ease. The Angels proved to be too much for the Spartans in the end, despite a late comeback by the TJ girls.
    The Spartans head over to Kennedy to take on the Commanders this Friday at 7:00.
 

Patriots Too Much For Spartans

18-2 run in Second Quarter Puts Game Out Of Reach.
by Keenan Moore

    The Spartan girls started their league play on Friday as they took on George Washington and they were not able to pull out a win as they lost 67-43.
    The Spartans started out strong as they pulled out to an early lead as they made the first six points of the game. It seemed that the Spartans were ready for the challenge that the Patriots had proven to be over the past couple of years. The first quarter ended with the Spartans holding to a three-point lead, 15-12.
    The second quarter started with the Spartans scoring a quick two baskets and continuing their lead 19-14. However, the Patriots seemed to rebound strongly and went on an 18-2 run in the second quarter. The second quarter ended with the Patriots taking the lead from the Spartans, 30-17.
    The second half has proven to be disastrous for the Spartans, but there was always a possibility for them to mount a comeback. They started out strong, as they were able to score a quick basket, followed by a three pointer. However, they were not able to pull it together, as the Patriots seemed to have an answer for everything the Spartans threw at them. The Patriots were always able to get points off of the fast break. The Spartan defense is critical to success of the team and they will need it as they head off to play the DPS juggernaut East tomorrow at 7:00.
 

Angels Handle the Spartans

Denver East beats TJ 99-69, extending the Spartan losing streak to four.

by Philip Karlberg

    In an intense, fast paced match, the East Angels beat out the Thomas Jefferson Spartans by a defining final score of 99-69 on Tuesday night.
     In the first quarter, the Spartans seemed to have an edge, gaining a two-point lead to bring the score to 22-20, favoring TJ. But as the first half progressed, TJ began to lose their momentum. In the second quarter, East turned the game around by pumping up both their defense and offense. In the second, East more than doubled TJ’s score, outscoring the Spartans 28-13. By the half East had pulled ahead to 48-35. In the second half East continued its assault on the Spartans.  TJ managed to build up a little momentum in the third, making 20 points to East’s 24, but In the fourth East picked up the intensity again and held TJ to only 14 points while making 27 of their own. When the dust finally settled, East ended up 30 points ahead, the final score being 99-69. Read more

Out Clubbin’:Chess Club

"My life was missing some edge."

by Manuel Perez

Going incognito as an actual person who does things and cares about stuff, reporter Manny Perez will be exploring and documenting the many clubs and organizations here at TJ so you don’t have to; because that would be, you know, work.

Club Statement
"Chess is an exercise of infinite possibilities for the mind, one which develops mental abilities used throughout life: concentration, critical thinking, abstract reasoning, problem solving, pattern recognition, strategic planning, creativity, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, to name a few." – The Connecticut State Chess Association

The Setting
    The Chess Club collects in the bright and spacious room 108, or more commonly known as the place we all had to line-up to enter and get our ID photos taken. With a bust of our namesake (Thomas Jefferson) watching from a corner, the environment is anything but ill-equipped to serve the needs of any small organization, maybe even two or three at the same time. Sprawling over a wall-to-wall stretch of gritty, DPS sanctioned but still contemporary carpet, lies a little over half-a-dozen haphazardly arranged rectangular tables and more than three times as many chairs. The place is usually spotless and light-filled, ideal for any kind of planned meeting, and barely offset by the presence of horizontally stacked tables, leaning together on one stretch of the wall. Read more

Nuggets On Track

The Nuggets should have a chance to make it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in four years.

 by Scott Bruskin

    Now that the Denver Nuggets are nearly halfway into the 2007-2008 basketball season, it’s time to measure their progress.
    So far, the Nuggets have been what most people, including myself, have come to expect. Everything except… they are not in first place. Instead, the Portland Trailblazers are. Where did this come from? I don’t know one person who could have expected this, and if they did, they are certainly no expert. The Trailblazers are the youngest team in the NBA, and they were expected to take this year off, especially without first overall pick Greg Oden by their side. Oden, a former Ohio State Buckeye, declared for the NBA draft after only his freshman year in college. Obviously winning an NCAA championship is not important to him, as he sprinted for the NBA after only playing the required one-year of NCAA ball. However, not having Oden has not affected the trailblazers, who have been the NBA’s hottest team besides the Boston Celtics over the past month or so. Read more

New Semester, New Location

Sperry and Preston offer same excellent tutoring services in room 108.
by Ben Gilliland

   Last semester there were several different tutoring options for students at Thomas Jefferson High School, and starting the week of January 14 one of them will be moving to a different location.
     For the past five months Math teacher Mark Sperry and English teacher Marybeth Preston held tutoring for student’s everyday during 8th period in the lunchroom. However, due to the noise and distractions in the lunchroom this semester, Sperry and Preston have decided to move to room 108. “The lunchroom was just way too busy; we want to give the students a better and quieter environment to study in,” said Preston.
     The two teachers will help students with English, Math, or almost any other subject. “Just because we are English and Math teachers does not mean we can’t help students with other subjects as well,” said Preston who, along with Sperry, will be in room 108 every day during 8th period, so students who do not have an 8th can stop by for help. Students who have a class have to have a pass from a teacher with permission to go. Without a pass they won’t be allowed to enter.
     “This is not a study hall. We are not going to babysit kids. This time is meant for students who want to get help in their classes,” said Preston.

VolunteerMatch.com Offers a New Way of Volunteering

Donating Money can Support Others Desire to Volunteer.

by Julia Harrington

    It is a constant struggle for students and parents who juggle time between a job, homework, sports, and whatever  else they have going on to also find the time to volunteer; but Volunteermatch.com offers an innovative solution, wherein those interested can offer their money instead of their time.
    VolunteerMatch is one of  Time Magazine’s top 10 websites, and is set up to match people with places they would like to volunteer in their neighborhood. They are now looking for donations to support their cause. The money that is donated to VolunteerMatch will go to help nonprofits find volunteers. People can choose an organization close to their hearts, such as environmental, medical or educational volunteer opportunities, and the money will go to helping them find volunteers. According to the VolunteerMatch website, “For every dollar you give, the VolunteerMatch network delivers nearly $100 in volunteer time.” This year alone the network has earned 16 million hours of volunteer service.
    To donate to this tax-deductible cause go to their website. There are different increments that can be donated, from $35 to $500, and there is also another option for people to donate any amount they wish. Those Spartans in the community with limited time to volunteer can use their money to support the noble volunteering cause. 
 

 

2008 Presidential Election Coverage

Introduction to the TJ Journal coverage of the 2008 Presidential Election:  We’ll supply the facts, you make the decision.
by Morgan Dorn

    The 2008 Presidential election marks a turning point for the United States of America.  This country is faced with issues ranging from stem cell research and social security, to the war in Iraq and nationalized health care.  The outcomes of these issues hold deep consequence for the future of young America, and each candidate has a position on the issues.  Every student here at TJ has the opportunity, and the right, to support who and what they believe in.  In view of the fact that many of us will be able to vote, the time is now to support the candidate who represents your values and who will best make decisions on these important issues.

    In the upcoming election, TJ students who will be 18 years old will be able to directly impact the presidential election by casting their own ballot; however, they are not the only ones who can make a difference.  Younger students can discuss with their parents the issues and candidates who they think best embody their values, and will do the best job in representing them.  In doing this, they can represent themselves through their parent’s vote. Read more

Patriots Outlast the Spartans

Third quarter 14-3 GW run puts game out of reach for TJ.
by Scott Bruskin

    The boys’ basketball team hung in for a while but could not pull off the win on Friday (January 25) losing to the Patriots of George Washington by a score of 69-53.
    TJ led 14-12 after a very fast paced first quarter, but the second quarter settled down as both teams got adjusted to each others styles. George’s height advantage was somewhat contained by TJ’s big men. However, the Spartans went into half time trailing 27-24.
    The third quarter started with a George Washington seven point run; their big men down low appeared to be unstoppable as their offensive rebounds and put backs were killing the Spartans. The Patriots then went on a 14-3 run before TJ cut the lead. Read more

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