Artwork by Anna Becker

“Open Mic night is a venue for people to share their talents or just general thoughts with their peers,” said Liz Hays, the student coordinator of Open Mic at TJ. Open Mic Night is a time for students and teachers to show off their special skills. At the last Open Mic Jeffrey Almond, an English teacher at TJ, sang a duet with Hays. This is something that is encouraged to occur at Open Mic. “I want people to know that it is a good, open, welcoming environment,” said Hays.

“Open Mic is a time when we invite creative people together to share their art, whether it be poetry, music, drama or any other verbal art,” said TJ Librarian Sudi Stodola, one of two of Open Night teacher coordinators, the other being Gabrelle Gerlits. “The great thing is that you don’t have to sign up for it. You can just show up and perform your art, ” added Stodola.

The atmosphere of Open Mic Night is a place for individuals to show off their talents, with no one there to judge or rate them. “I wanted people to feel like it wasn’t a competition. I know that it is hard enough to get up in front of people and perform anything, let alone something you wrote,” added Hays. With a comfortable atmosphere everyone can come enjoy the art and/or perform.

“I’m proud of the kids for keeping Open Mic Night going.  I was very impressed with the most recent event since it included poetry reading, music (both a capella and instrument–accompanied), and stand-up comedy,” said Jefferey Almond, an English teacher here at TJ and one of the performers at the last Open Mic.

“People usually come prepared with their own work, but some people also do the improv. This past Open Mic people even did some of the skits from the Shakespeare festival that is coming up soon, ” said Stodola.  With everyone welcome, even teachers show up once in a while. “One of the special treats that we got to see recently was Mr. Almond participate and  do a duet with Liz. They sang Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel,” added Stodola.

“I think an emphasis on the variety of talents welcomed at Open Mic Night will help expand the audience and the participation,” added Almond.

“We all hope that Open Mic Night will continue next year, we just have to have the underclassmen also want to continue it, since this year’s seniors were the main participants” added Hays.

“We ended on a high note; I was impressed with the turnout. For next year we will hopefully continue the tradition. I also want to continue combing poetry with pizza as a means to keep the community atmosphere,” said Stodola.

Photo by Anna Becker

AP testing is something that can be very scary for students. But with all 11 AP teachers here at TJ preparing the students all year long, the tests seem a little less frightening. There are many tools to help the students practice for AP Testing.

“We completed content last Friday (from the book), so now we have a week to review.  We are spending a few days with on-line quizzes,” said Linda Estlund, the AP Psychology teacher here at TJ. Also, the AP Psych class is going to be doing vocabulary drills and a few AP practice tests.

“We had a study group on Saturday from noon to 2 pm. Also, a lot of the students had study groups outside of school, on their own time. Also we had a lot of review packets,” said Jon Poole, AP U.S. Government teacher.

“During the class period we are reviewing all topics and I am giving the students practice problems and old AP questions to work through,” said Aimee Witulski, the AP Calculus teacher. She also added that there are study sessions that are either with a specific topic, or some are open for any questions.

Nelson Vore, TJ’s AP Physics teacher, has been having the students practice for the AP Physics test since TJ got back from spring break. “In AP physics we had finished the entire course curriculum by spring break.  The main way we are getting ready for the big day is to practice doing old AP tests for the entire month of April,” he said.  Also, with most of the students having taken more than ten AP practice tests before they take the finally test, the students will have had a lot of practice.

“For AP Human Geography we are giving review packets and practicing multiple-choice exams for the students to complete.  We will also be reviewing released constructed responses from last year’s exam, in order to assist the students in furthering their understanding of writing for the exam,” said Rachel Stutzman who, along with Marsy Robben, teaches AP Human Geography. Also, to add a fun twist to the review for the AP test, Stutzman and Robben are having their students play review games to help them learn the major concepts for the course.

Edwina Herbert, the AP Music Theory teacher said,  “We have been doing practice problems and listening, in order to prepare for the audio portions of the AP Music Theory exam.  The exam is based in large part on aural examples and analyzing their musical content.  We are also holding after-school study sessions.”

Following is the schedule for all TJ AP testing:

May 3^rd- AP Government
May 5^th – AP Calculus
May 6^th- AP Literture
May 7^th-AP U.S. History
May 10^th- AP Biology
May 10^th-AP Music Theory
May 10^th-Physics
May 11^th- AP Psychology
May 12^th-  AP Language
May 13^th – AP World History
May 14^th – AP Human Geography

Artwork by Rebecca Holt

This year TJ has started on the path to having a connection with many Historically Back Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Danny Showers, who is undertaking this project, is a CTE Resource Specialist here at TJ and also is the teacher sponsor for the Black Student Alliance (BSA).

Showers has now started making history at TJ by being the first to make a connection between TJ (or any DPS school) and the HBCUs all around America. This connection will allow students from TJ to be directly in contact with some of the most prominent HBCUs. The some of the colleges and universities with which Showers has made the connection with are Alabama A&B, Howard University, and Lincoln University. Showers reports that there will be more colleges added every semester.

“I took a survey of the underclassmen about the HBCUs and there are not many who knew what they are. It is important for this next generation to know what resources, like HBCUs, are at their fingertips,” said Showers.  This is just another step for empowering black students, not only at TJ but also in the whole DPS community.

“This idea was a collaboration between Mrs. Just (Principal at TJ), the Area Superintendent, Antwon Wilson, and me,” said Showers. The idea was to contact many HBCUs to allow there to be a direct line to these schools. Showers will also make sure to keep the counselors up to date on the information about the HBCUs with which he has made a connection.

“I think a key to increasing the overall success rates of African American students in our schools is to reconnect them with their past in order to give them a context of what this education presented to them really means. Many sacrifices were made and are continually being made so that they can experience the opportunities they have today. It’s unfortunate when students don’t take advantage of these opportunities,” said Nickolas Dawkins, an Administrative Intern at TJ, who also is responsible for coming up with the idea of the connection with TJ and the HBCUs.

“I began conversations with Mr. Showers and Mr. Dawkins about ways that we could lessen the academic gap between students of ethnicity and Anglo students.  This effort was one of the ideas brought forward,” said Sandra Just, TJ’s Principal. “I would hope that we can continue to increase our graduation rate with all students by providing increased post secondary readiness skills and opportunities and connections,” continued Just.

Dawkins believes that growing the cultural awareness is an important step in this collaboration. “I think the partnership between the HBCU and TJHS will further promote TJ’s college going culture. This partnership also adds an important connection for students who may be interested in attending an HBCU!”

Before coming to TJ, Showers was the Director of Admissions at Lincoln University, which is where he started making the calls to make this program come together. “This is just a way to get our foot in the door,” added Showers. This connection with the schools will allow the students at TJ to have an upper hand when it comes to getting into a these schools. “We will have a direct connection with the director of admissions at each school,” said Showers. There will be updates at every BSA meeting and there will also be a current list of the grants and scholarships that are related to these HBCUs kept with Showers. In addition, there will be visits and tours available for the HBCUs which TJ is in partnership with.

“The impact on DPS will be a positive one, in that it builds another link towards getting students to college. This is one of DPS’s major goals, as well as building partnerships,” said Dawkins. “The African American graduation rate will increase. Right now I see a lot between the students and their history.”

Just feels optimistic about the success this will give to the students here at TJ. “I think this allows opportunities for students. There is a chance to interact with universities that students may know about but may believe they would not get accepted at.  The connections are extremely beneficial to student success,” added Just.

There are also early plans for having an HBCU Conference in 2012. This conference will host all of the HBCUs and high schools, helping them come together and connect. “It is in the works right now,” said Showers.  This convention is for students in every state. An invitation to all the superintendents will be given for them to come to hear and be a part of the conference.

“Also, I am going to write to request a grant from the stimulus money from the White House for this conference,” said Showers, who added that Lincoln University has offered to match any funds that are raised.

Artwork by Rebecca Holt

This past decade was filled with a lot of great new bands and singers coming onto the map. Even some old players in the music world came out with some new songs. There are many songs that came out over the last ten years that I could easily have put on this list that anyone would see the name of the song and say, “Oh, I know that song.” These are my top ten picks of the 2000’s.

2000 brought us singers like Destiny’s Child and Christina Aguilera. Yet *NSync’s Bye Bye Bye is the song for which I can sing every word, and I even know the famous dance moves. This was their first hit single off of the boy band’s No Strings Attached.

In 2001 I will have to go with Fallin’ by Alicia Keys. This song expressed how every woman felt about any man that hurt her, but kept her hanging on. Alicia made every woman’s voice heard through this song. This was a good way to jump start Keys’ career that has gained more recognition with every song she releases. With her amazing singing and piano abilities, to our generation, she was a new type of artist.

Cleanin’ Out My Closet is my pick for 2002. This controversial song came out with a bang. Eminem is not the first rapper to have lyrics that explains his harsh childhood, or a parent “Going through public housing systems, victim of Munchausen’s syndrome. My whole life I was made to believe I was sick when I wasn’t ’til I grew up, now I blew up. It makes you sick to ya stomach.” This song gives a whole new insight into Eminem’s life, and an understanding of why he lives and acts the way he does: it is what his music is about.

In 2003 I really loved The Black Eyed Pea’s song Where is the Love? . This song came a year after the 9/11 attacks, and soon after the invasion of Iraq. With every line it is explained how we act and, “Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism but we still got terrorists here livin’ in the USA, the big CIA,
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK.” This song was just a wake up call for all of us about the hate that was not just the terrorism towards us, but the hatred we have within, and towards our fellow American.

It’s hard being the younger sister of a pop music icon, but Ashlee Simpson came out with Pieces Of Me in 2004, and it was a home run. It was on the Billboard top 10 charts for 14 weeks straight. I really enjoyed listening to this song because of the vulnerability she portrays in the song.

In 2005 the new hot trend was Chris Brown, with his first self-titled CD that went Double Platinum. Run It was Brown’s Debut song. With his mix of singing and dancing ability Brown became a hit quickly.

Justin Timberlake. Need I say any more? With his return to the music charts, he came back with a bang. The Sexy Back collaboration with Timberland was on the Top 10 Billboard chart for 19 weeks. With a hip new beat and provocative lyrics this song had to be on my favorite of the decade list for 2006.

“I’m holdin’ on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground.” This is the first line to my 2007 song. Apologize, by One Republic, came out on their debut album Dreaming Out Loud. This song was about a break up; a woman who a man once loved, but she wasn’t who he thought she was.

In 2008 Katy Perry came out with I Kissed A Girl. From the lyrics such as, “Us girls are so magical, soft skin, red lips, so kissable,” this song shows us the beauty of women. Katy Perry has been quoted about her feelings about women. “I can appreciate a woman’s beauty.” With a catch beat that can get stuck in your head and a rather provocative theme, this song was a hit all around the world.

My last song of the decade has to be Single Ladies by Beyonce. This song came out and it told women that it is okay to be single, that if a man doesn’t respect you then its okay to leave him. The whole, “I don’t need a man to be happy” mindset was reaffirmed. With other songs on her I Am… Sasha Fierce CD like If I Were A Boy shows the other side of what women can do. This song was everywhere, including on a SNL skit that Justin Timberlake does of him dancing to the song, and on thousands of the videos on Youtube from little girls to old people doing the famous The Single Ladies dance moves.

This is the music that has been so implanted in our minds from this decade. But, as great as this past decade was for music, I am already impressed with the artists coming out this year so far. This decade will be great for the music world.

TJ joins the country in celebrating the historic accomplishments of African Americans.

Black History Month is not only about celebrating the advances the African American community has achieved, but it is also a time to remember the hardships it went through in order to accomplish them. February 12, 1926 Dr. Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week. It is said that Woodson chose February for the births of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas. He was hoping to celebrate the past, not to necessarily gain another time of celebration; but in February of 1976 Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month.

Woodson not only created Negro History Week but also founded the Association for Study of African American Life and History Inc. He was the son of two former slaves, and from a young age he worked in a coalmine in Kentucky. He was a man who believed in equal rights for everyone. He started the true appreciation for everything African Americans – and other supporters of the movement for equal rights – had to go through to get to where they were in his day. With an even bigger job in equal rights in the new 21st century, African Americans are still doing things to recognize Black History Month.

At TJ we have the Black Student Alliance (BSA). This club is a place where all students can come together and discuss what they can do to help the black community. “We are small in numbers, but we have taken giant steps,” said Danny Showers, BSA’s teacher sponsor.  BSA is a student-run club that is showing people that this generation cares about the past; about what all the joy that they felt every time they broke through a racial barrier.

Showers is making an alliance with nine different Historically Black Colleges and Universities across America. “I am also planning on putting out a call to host a National Conference of all the HBCU’s on the U.S. next summer. We would like to have it at the Denver Convention Center. This will be a way to connect the colleges and universities to the students,” added Showers.

BSA is making sure quotes from famous civil rights activists, as well as facts about Black History Month, are being put on the daily announcements. Also, the group went to the MLK Parade, and they are decorating the bulletin board behind the security desk. “Black History Month is important because it is important to embrace our heritage and remember those who fought for us to be equal. BSA is sending a message that it’s okay to be a part of change. We hopefully are supporting groups like M.E.C.H.A. to do something similar,” said Shanora Ali, the President of BSA. She believes that having BSA at TJ shows students what they can do in their community to empower the next generation of African Americans to be proud of their heritage and their history, taking another step forward in equality. The BSA hopes that Black History Month lets every race know what happened previously, and for the current generation to not repeat the discrimination and hatred that happened in the past.

Every year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) chooses a theme to be celebrated in the African American community. This year the ASALH chose Black Economic Empowerment. The ASALH chose this theme to celebrate the strength and empowerment black people have gotten from this program. Based in New York, The National Urban League is there to help support their economic growth. They have now broadened their program to over 35 other states. The National Urban League has helped more than two million people.

“Black History Month recognizes and celebrates black people for the important things they have done and it shows how great we are as a people,” said Jamee Veasley an African American student at Thomas Jefferson. She said that this month has so many different meanings to different people, yet the main reasons to celebrate Black History Month is to remember the hard working people in history, and to continue the fight for equal rights; to remember this as a time to celebrate the African American freedom from slavery and the civil rights struggle that activists like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. gave their lives to fight for.

Photo by Rebecca Holt

Sophomore Mo Miller’s first year at TJ is highlighted by her position as a female linebacker on the TJ football team.

Miller, who transferred from Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL), was excited to attend a school where sports and club activities are available. “TJ is great. It has a lot of opportunities that my old school didn’t have, like with clubs, sports, and friends,” said Miller.

With football usually considered a more manly sport, Miller’s mother didn’t fully support her decision to join the team.  Her aunt and uncle were urging her to play a sport, but weren’t expecting her to join the football team. “They were expecting me to join more of a girly sport, so they were shocked when I decided on football,” said Miller.

Though Miller does find football difficult and very time consuming, she has always loved the strength and the teamwork football entails. “It’s a good way to relieve stress. I have always been tough so I thought I would try it out. Plus, it’s the only sport that comes with protective gear, ” said Miller, smiling.

Miller has shown a great passion for football, through the summer camp that whipped her into shape. “Mo was very committed and worked very hard on the TJ football team,” said Tim Owens, the Head Coach of the TJ football team. Miller loves to roughhouse,  and continued playing football even after she broke her nose.

Football and school keep Miller pretty busy. With a full schedule and practice from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, she doesn’t have time for much else, but she does what she can to keep up every aspect of her life. “I don’t have any free time, so for now it’s just football and school.  But when I can, I try my best to hang out with friends and go to youth group,“ Miller said.

Aside from football, Miller is also in JROTC.  “I really like JROTC. I really wanted to join the Air Rifle team but I can’t because of football. So I am really excited for the spring practice,” said Miller.

Miller is also an artist whenever she gets a break from the field. She especially loves to sketch portraits. “I love it because there are no rules. With a life full of rules it’s great to do something that is just from your own perspective, “ said Miller. “I really enjoy drawing people, which is a little more restricted, but it’s still my art, so I can add a wrinkle and other characteristics,” she added.

Since Miller is quite busy with sports and school, she doesn’t have time for family events and going to Bloom Church’s youth group. With football practice until 6:00 pm, Miller finds it hard to balance her hectic schedule. “It really is hard not being able to get to hang out with family and my youth group, and also not being able to go to Bloom Church, but I have to make sacrifices because I love football. I really believe it’s worth it,” said Miller.

In the past, Miller and her youth group have gone to The Crossing Denver Rescue Mission, a Christian based, long-term rehabilitation and housing program. The youth group meets with them every first Tuesday of the month. “From playing football to volleyball, it is visible on the faces of the children that they enjoy being able to hang out with the group and love to play games,” said Miller.

“I really miss playing football and volleyball with the kids at The Crossing the most. I loved being able to help them, because their lives are hard, and it was cool to see them just be kids one night a month,” added Miller.

Artwork by Mia Nogueira

On Tuesday November 10^th TJ had the first Cabaret performance at Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge at 930 Lincoln St., in Denver. Dazzle hosts many local artists, with live music performances every night of the week. Dazzle opened up their doors to help TJ raise money for the spring musical Rent. “We decided to have a Cabaret as a new form of raising money,” said Choir Teacher Edwina Hebert. With tickets selling at $15 per person, they had high hopes for the night.

“I was very excited to perform at Dazzle because it is a professional gig. It was a good precursor for my studies in music during college,” said Senior Elizabeth Hays, one of the eight students who performed. A Jazz Trio accompanied the vocalists in the performance.

“Cabaret was saucey. Everyone was having so much fun,” said Senior Cassie Cherry, an audience member. “You could tell that every singer really chose their songs carefully.”

Eight of the best vocalists at TJ performed: Mina Bradley, Taylor Jacobson, Gina Pinson, Anna Romero, London Thatch, D’Aaron Moore, Brittany Ferguson, and Elizabeth Hays.

“I got to sing La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf,” said Hays. “I was really nervous when I got on stage, but once I started singing all the butterflies went away.”

With a sold-out performance that raised The Rent Project $3000, the show was a success. “It was a fabulous show,” said Michael Palmari, the Rent Project coordinator and director.

With TJ Social Studies Teacher Jon Poole as the M.C. those in attendance said that the night was exciting. “Poole did a good job. I think that his presence helped a lot with promoting the fundraiser,” said Cherry.

Artwork by Rebecca Holt

At Thomas Jefferson High School, Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) gives students an opportunity to take college classes for which the district pays. This program gives students the chance to take classes and gain the college experience by taking courses in their major, to see if they really enjoy the subject. The program also gives students the chance to see if the college atmosphere is what they see in their future.

“At some DPS high schools the PSEO classes are at school, so for them it is available for ninth and tenth graders,” said Stephanie Stone, TJ’s PSEO counselor. TJ is following the example of other DPS high schools by deciding to bring the college classes to TJ. With this program now on-site, more students will be lining up to take advantage of it because it will be more accessible to the students who work or have other responsibilities after or during school.

“Here at TJ, we encourage the students to have taken an AP class before enrolling in PSEO. Taking an AP class helps the students to prepare for the college classes,” said Stone. Since AP classes help prepare for the strenuous work, students who take one or more AP classes usually do better.

With DPS paying for the first 12 credits the student takes with this program, they are able to get a head start on college. “It gives students more opportunity,” said Stone.

PSEO is not the only program available to students in DPS that allows them to get college experience and credit. “Students that are in the Career Education Center (CEC) are also eligible to get PSEO credit,” said Stone. CEC is another program that gives students a chance to gain experience in the field they want to pursue.

With the focus on bettering TJ there has been talk of bringing the PSEO program inside the school. With the program here even more students can be involved. “We are probably starting with a social studies class and working our way up from there. We are thinking that the first college we will work with is Arapahoe Community College,” said Scott Lessard, assistant principal.

“So, another possible plan is having CU Succeeds come and either have the Silver program that is a teacher from CU, or the Gold program where a teacher here at TJ-with a-Master’s Degree would teach a class at TJ that the student would get college and high school credit for taking,” said Lessard. CU succeeds is a program that works with University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and University of Colorado at Denver.

The main difference between AP classes and PSEO, other than the location, is that with AP classes students have to pass the class and get at least a three on the AP test to get college credit. But with the PSEO classes, students have only to pass the class. “The hard thing is that the college classes are a lot different than even AP programs. The students have to step up. In the college classes students don’t have that support system of teachers, friends and parents like you have in high school. You have to keep yourself accountable by going to classes and doing your work. The colleges won’t call your house and make sure you show up, so it is harder for us to make sure students are doing what they should be doing,” said Stone.

TJ's newest addition to the curriculum, Hispanic American History, taught by Edward Salazar. photo by Rebecca Holt

TJ Social Studies Teacher Edward Salazar’s new Hispanic American History class is creating a lot of buzz. Chicano studies was first brought into Thomas Jefferson’s spectrum when Salazar  saw in the eyes of some of the Chicano students that they were lost in a world of confusion and needed a way to connect with TJ.

“Basically it is like any normal American history class but with a twist; the history is seen through the eyes of the Chicano People,” said Salazar, who wants his students to see history from a variety of perspectives. Another one of Salazar’s goals is to promote a simple respect for the diversity that exists at TJ. With about 15% Latino students at Thomas Jefferson, he thought the classes would be popular. His expectations were exceeded when the Hispanic American History class ended up being four full classes this semester, with the smallest having 32 students.

Salazar said that many students who are not of Latino descent were confused on what the term Chicano means. The meaning in many dictionaries is, an American citizen who comes from Mexican descent. But Salazar’s vision on Chicanos is a little more specific: “Someone whose ancestors came from the south (in the borders that are now considered the United States). People here prior to the formation of the United States and the Republic of Mexico,” explained Salazar.

Salazar’s mission to have this class come together wasn’t as difficult as he originally thought it might be. When he mentioned it to a few students and teachers, they passed the word on to others -  and so on – and the idea of the class grew from a seed into a fruitful garden.

But this is not where Salazar’s paving the way for minority studies ends. He is also laying the groundwork for an African Heritage class. He is excited about this class because to him this is more than just about teaching Hispanic American history; Salazar feels that it’s about broadening students’ minds to every culture that affects their lives. With TJ having nearly 30% students of African descent he feels the same passion about starting this class as he feels about his Hispanic history because of the importance of expanding our horizons.

The most important thing to Salazar is his vision for the class: “…to connect all the students, not just the Hispanic, but students of all races and to be one student body.” He finds it important, to help raise the graduation rate by making classes more engaging for the students, so that they are not mentally shut down when they walk into the classroom. Many educators feel that this is one of the causes so many students drop out.

The students are also excited for Salazar’s class. They have high expectations for what the class will do to make TJ more inclusive of minorities.  Raquel Opp who is a student in Salazar’s 6th period, backs up what Salazar envisions for the class. “It sounded like a different kind of class, a different way to look at history. And I am really enjoying the fresh look on the same history we have been learning for like the past 10 years” she sad.