Students hold the can tops that were collected for the NHS Pop Top fundraiser. Photo by Rachel Uyemura

On April 26^th, Thomas Jefferson High School National Honor Society had their annual induction ceremony at the Wellshire Inn and inaugurated 25 new members, as well as a new advisor, for the 2013-2014 school year, as they wrapped up yet another tremendous year.

This year NHS took on many projects, such as the Pennies for Patients and Ronald McDonald pop tops foundation. The members, help from fellow classmates, raised over $400 for patients with Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Another project they took on this year was collecting pop tabs to raise funds to help children and their families at the same time. “We had many projects throughout the year, but this one was really great because we go to meet an amazing kid, with a great view on life,” said Sadye Hazan.

Two NHS officers, Halen Alemseged and Sadye Hazan, even had the opportunity to interview Max, a 5^th grader from Lowry Elementary battling cancer, who is committed to raising money for the Ronald McDonald house by collecting pop tops. “It was a pleasure meeting such a young boy with a lot of motivation. He was an inspiration to all of us because even through all his battles, he still cares to help others that are less fortunate,” said Hazan.

In other big NHS news, current NHS Advisor, Eileen Adair, announced that she would be stepping down from lead role after seven years, due to time constraints. “I felt it was time to find a new leader for NHS who could dedicate themselves more fully. After seven years, it feels like the right time to pass the torch,” said Adair, who says that since robotics-of which she is co-sponsor-is a time consuming club, she is dedicated to focusing her energies in one area.

The torch is now passed on to Intervention Specialist, Elizabeth Buffington, who says she is excited to work with motivated kids. “When I was asked if I was interested in becoming advisor, I said yes!” It is such a great opportunity to see how community work is a way of life.”  Next year she will be advising 25 members, Shawg Ahmed, Redet Dejener, Marcos Descalzi, Sydney Egeler, Nancy Enriquez, Alisse Fullerton, Tatianna Gerlits, Brianne Gutierrez, Jessical Holeman, Tim Knudsen, Sabrina Kohrt, Gerri Kutz, Conner Langeberg, Elizabeth May, Josh Neuhart, Jacob Neumann, Dylan Pietrs, Sarah Puckett, Quinn Roder, Caitlin Rogers, Evan Scarborough and Megan Stone.

Next year officers, Gerri Kutz and Josh Neuhert, plan on continuing to make Thomas Jefferson, National Honor Society an amazing chapter. “As we continue to make NHS great, I also want to make things more efficient, such as working on communication and taking on more chapter projects throughout the year,” said Junior, Josh Neuhert.

“I’m very pleased that Ms. Buffington will take my place next year. She is motivated and excited to work with the incoming NHS students. My hope is that next year’s officers will bring some new and unique ideas to the table so that it feels like a fresh new approach for everyone,” said  Adair.

TJ’s library becomes state-recognized. Photo by Savannah Orth.

“The Highly Effective School Library Program is something that was created by the Colorado Department of Education to recognize schools that are basically reaching out to all the students and teachers, finding opportunities for collaboration, and provides resources online and physical resources for all students,” says Michelle Jensen, TJ’s full-time librarian. TJ’s school library has been recognized by the state of Colorado as a highly effective school library, an honor given to only fourteen schools in the entire state. A “highly effective school library” is a library that, according to the Colorado Department of Education, has several essential attributes in which it should excel: the instruction and learning environment, leadership, staffing, program advocacy, resources, and administration.

In recent years, libraries have come to be known to many as places that exist only to check out and return books, but in reality they function as much more. “Of course, we check out the books; we push the books because the more you read, the better you become at reading, which is going to help you in all of your subjects… Beyond that, we have a lot of resources for research, and with all the different classes, especially Social Studies and English, you’re going to have to do research papers and do research. Those are skills you need to go on to college, and they’re skills you need for everyday life.” Jensen also says that the library isn’t limited to physical materials. “We have wonderful online databases in DPS. We have newspapers online, and we have books online. Those are all things that can be accessed from home, so even though the library is a physical place, much of it is also accessible from other places, such as smartphones.”

Another purpose the library serves is as a center for student activity. “I like it to be a place where kids can relax during lunchtime, as long as they don’t eat! But they can come in here and play games– some kids come in here after school and play games as well– we have a gaming group that will come in and play card games, chess, and video games after school.” In addition to the lunchtime gaming, the library hosts a number of different activities, such as book club, and students can access any of the computers at lunch, as well.

The library is certainly a hub for student activity, and many students use its resources frequently. Junior Josh Balay says, “I come here during my off period to work on the computers and do homework, and also to check out books.” Sophomore Bryan Wright has a class in the library because the original teacher left. “I come here to get my work done and use the resources available in the library.” As a librarian, Jensen is always ready to help students. “I’ll provide help with any type of research, doing citations, how to use different computers in ways beyond e-mailing and social networking, so there are also a lot of things that I can provide as services,” she states.

Jensen says that while TJ’s library received the award for being highly effective, there are still many libraries throughout the district that are equally effective, though she says that there are specific reasons that TJ stood out to the CDE. “I think they saw how many students come to this library, how busy it can be, the fact that our database usage has gone up, the fact that we have the mini laptops that are going out; we have a lot of different things that we’re doing that are reaching out to students, to classrooms, to teachers.”

Jensen says that she’s excited for the library’s future, and hopes that receiving this award will help to break the stereotype that libraries are only for checking out books. “To have the recognition is a wonderful thing. I think it makes people realize that the library is here, and it makes more students, more teachers, maybe even more community members interested in taking a look at the library and using the resources that are available… For TJ as a whole, it gets our name out there, and anything that’s positive having to do with our school is a wonderful thing because it builds us up and encourages people to come to our school.”

The library can be an invaluable resource to any student, and can be utilized by anyone, anywhere, at any time through a smartphone, computers, or even a visit to the room, located on TJ’s top floor. TJ’s library has proved itself to be one of the best, with many resources and purposes, along with people who are always ready to help. Being named as a Highly Effective School Library by the CDE is just one way to show how great it truly is.

After five great years of teaching, Mallaney says goodbye to TJ. Photo by Savannah Orth.

“Before coming to Thomas Jefferson I taught at other schools for many years,” said Spanish and AVID teacher Mark Mallaney. “I originally taught in Oaxaca, Mexico for the 07-08 school year as an IB English teacher. I also student taught at Erie High School for a year and was a history teacher,” said Mallaney, who has a storied history with language and teaching.

“I studied Spanish in college at CU. I also spent a semester in Chile and worked at a Mexican restaraunt there for several years,” said Mallaney, speaking about his history with the spanish language. “I learned a lot in my travels; probably more than in my classes, (don’t tell my teachers),” he chuckled.

Mallaney ended up teaching at TJ after interviewing over the phone. “When I was returning to Denver from Mexico I had job offers from a few Denver High Schools, and TJ seemed like the best fit. Back then I had never heard of TJ, but when I got here I was very happy with my choice,” said Mallaney’s who teaches Spanish 1 through Spanish 3, plus AVID.

“Although I’ve loved the time I’ve spent here at TJ, I was offered an opportunity to work at the Denver School of the Arts. As a musician and a strong supporter of the arts, I feel as though DSA will be a great fit and a new challenge for me personally and professionally. I do not feel as though I am abandoning TJ, so much as starting the next chapter of my career. I love Thomas Jefferson and I will take many great memories with me,” said Mallaney, talking about his new career move. “I plan on teaching in the best way I know how and to continue to learn and develop my skills as a professional.”

Junior Payton Tymn, who has had Mallaney as a teacher since her freshman year, said, “Mallaney is my favorite teacher and I’m sad he’s leaving this year.”

Leaving was not an easy decision for Mallaney, who said, “I have mixed emotions about leaving TJ. On one hand I am very sad and sentimental about leaving this place that has been home to me since I returned to the USA from Mexico in 2008. I will miss my students, my colleagues, and the traditions of this great school. I am very happy to see my senior AVID class graduate and I feel proud of each and every one of them as they start the next leg of their lifes’ journey. On the other hand, I am excited about the new opportunities and experiences that await me in my new school. Change is often a good thing, and I am enthusiastic about seeing a different side of Denver Public Schools and continuing to grow in my profession,” explained Mallaney.

Troy Fangmeier, who is also sad about Mallaney leaving Thomas Jefferson said, “He is one of the best, if not the best teachers here at Thomas Jefferson. I’m sad he’s leaving because I was looking forward to having him my senior year. I’m glad DSA offered him a job though, because he deserves a great opportunity like that.”

Mallaney is happy, though, that he had a full and enriching experience here at TJ.  “There are so many great memories that I have here at Thomas Jefferson High School. My greatest memory may have been created on senior check out day this year for my AVID class. After signing them out and telling them how proud I was of them, I read them one of my favorite Dr. Seuss stories, Oh the Places You’ll Go! It was very bittersweet, but it felt great to bring closure to that very important chapter of my time here at TJ.”

This reporter has had Mallaney’s class since freshman year, and he has made spanish interesting and enjoyable to learn. He is the best teacher at Thomas Jefferson, in my opinion. It’s sad to see him go but I’m glad to have spent at least two years with him. Mallaney brings laughter and large participation to his class everyday, it will be hard to find a teacher to take his place when he leaves.

Adios Mallaney, you’ll be missed by staff and students. Thank you for a great five years!

Lispin Kuruvilla says goodbye to TJ after five years of teaching. Photo by Savannah Orth.

Math Teacher Lispin Kuruvilla announced earlier this year that this would be her final year teaching at Thomas Jefferson. She has decided to move to Maryland this summer, to be with her fiancé, after receiving a marriage proposal in 2013.

Kuruvilla has been in the Thomas Jefferson Math department for five years, teaching Algebra 1 and Advanced Algebra, but before teaching here at TJ she was an Elementary School classroom aide in several Jefferson County Elementary schools, and also a para-professional at Falcon Bluffs Middle School. “My experience at TJ has been nothing short of incredible. From the people I worked with to the students I taught, I have always felt like I was surrounded by good company and not a day has passed where I did not recognize that I was blessed to be here. Though teaching can be challenging and exhausting, I love what I do because every day I go home with a story to tell and believe that my work is important.”

More than just an Algebra teacher, Kuruvilla also helps council any student of hers who comes to her with a request for any amount of assistance. Whether it is for help with school, personal issues, or even just to vent, Kuruvilla is available as a friendly ear.  “I only hope that the impact I have had on my students has been as positive as the one they have had on me, and that they understand that every time I pushed them and challenged them, it was because I believed in their potential to do great things,” she said.

Kuruvilla states that her husband is a consulting teacher. This means that he travels to different schools in his district and helps beginning teachers. Consulting teachers are available to help with instruction, academic and moral support, and to help set goals for the classroom of the teacher who they are assisting.

Kuruvilla isn’t ready to retire just yet, however. She mentions that she will look for another job teaching math when she gets to Maryland, to continue teaching and helping students, all of the things that she loves to do.

Kiote Clemens, teacher assist to Kuruvilla for the 2012/2013 school year, had nothing but nice things to say about her. “She is a great teacher, and she helps everybody that asks for help. I’m glad I got to be her assist this year, but I wish she didn’t give me so much work to do.”

Even though the Thomas Jefferson community loses a great teacher, Kuruvilla is moving to be happier and follow her dream, which is an opportunity that nobody can ask her to pass up. Wherever Kuruvilla ends up, she will be able to remember the students whom she has helped and fondly think of all of her successes in Colorado.

Longtime Wrestling Coach Mike Laurita will remain TJ’s Dean of Students, but step down as wrestling coach after a celebrated career on the mats. Photo by Savannah Orth.

After eight years of coaching wrestling at Thomas Jefferson, Michael Laurita is stepping down from the position, but will remain the Dean of Students.

Laurita graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 1982 where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and continued at the University of Phoenix where he received his Master’s Degree in Administration in 2002.  He spent 18 years in Denver Public Schools, where he taught 6th grade math and science at Martin Luther King and Place Middle Schools.  In addition, he taught Physical Education at Place.  Once they cut his PE position, he moved into the office as Student Advisor.   He had the opportunity to coach, which is what brought him to TJ when the Dean of Students position opened up.

Laurita began wrestling when he was in third grade.  “My older brother was wrestling at that time and I have been involved ever since,” explained Laurita.  He continued to wrestle throughout high school at John F. Kennedy and into college at Mesa State University.

Throughout the years Laurita has been very involved in the wrestling community.  He has been associated with USA Wrestling and Colorado USA Wrestling.  “My son wrestled from about the time that he could walk.  We went to about 10 different states to wrestle and he became a Youth All-American,” says Laurita.

Laurita got the TJ position eight years ago when it opened.  “I had a lot of coaching experience, and when the position came open I spoke with Ms. Nobles about it.  We decided that I would take the position as long as I had a good chance at a teaching position in the building,” Laurita commented.  With wrestling being such a rigorous sport, Laurita’s philosophy is to “treat everyone like a family and have high expectations for all.”

Wrestling is a lot of things for Laurita.  “It’s rewarding, frustrating, and any other emotion that you can feel.  It is a full time job during the season and a part time job every day of the year,” said Laurita, who also says he enjoys teaching young adults discipline and life skills.

Senior Corey Hernandez, one of Laurita’s wrestlers for the past four years, said that Laurita was a great coach.  “Laurita was the one that got me into wrestling and the one that encouraged me to continue wrestling throughout high school.  He is really good at seeing potential in people and he’s really good at helping you become the best you can be,” said Hernandez, who mentioned that Laurita was good at explaining things, which helped him become a better wrestler.

As his time winds down as wrestling coach, Laurita looks back on the memories. “My fondest memory was coaching my first state champions.  We had two kids make the finals in 1994 and both of them won to become state champions,” said Laurita.

After 29 years of coaching wrestling, Laurita said it was a good run and it was time to give it a rest.  “I run a business (Mass Destruction MMA) and do not have as much time to devote to wrestlings as is needed for us to have the success I want,” Laurita explicated.

With his new freedom next year, Laurita says he hopes to bring his business to a bigger status.  Although he will no longer be the wrestling coach, he will continue to be the Dean of Student, so he isn’t leaving TJ quite yet!

Student athletes listen as new coach Jesus Escobedo talked about his plan for the TJ football program. Photo by Tori Wallace

Growing up in Northeast Denver- in the Stapleton neighborhood- Jesus Escobedo became quite familiar with Denver Public Schools at a young age.

In elementary and middle schools, Escobedo played for an organization called Powell, (similar to pee wee football). His football coach growing up was Manual Hernandez, who also was his Sensei for Karate. “Coach Hernandez pushed me in the right direction as a young kid and really helped shape who I am today,” says Escobedo, who attended John F. Kennedy High School, due to the busing situation, even though TJ was his home school. His sister, however, did go to TJ along with many of his friends.

At Kennedy, Escobedo participated in football, basketball, and baseball, along with track during his senior year, when he went to the state competition and threw the discus and shot put. He also achieved all-state honors his senior year as a linebacker for the Commanders. “My favorite football moment was my senior year at Kennedy where we ended the season 10-0 in league. Just being able to go out on top as a player was pretty special,” states Escobedo, who is married and has 7 children. He says it’s easier to coach high school football when you know the different attitudes the kids will have. Thanks to his personal life, Escobedo says he is very prepared for the day-to-day problems that go on with high school students.

After high school, Escobedo was asked to coach at Powell by his previous coach, Hernandez, where he spent a full season. He then took an internship at Kennedy in 1998 and has been there ever since. During his tenure at Kennedy, Escobedo was a Freshman Coach, JV head coach, Assistant Head Coach, and Defensive Coordinator. During his most successful year at Kennedy in 2011, the commanders made it to the state semifinals in 3A under Escobedo, being ranked #1 or #2 throughout the entire season, only to lose to Palisade in a tough match-up. After a year of not coaching, Escobedo applied for the Spartan head coaching vacancy.

When asked why TJ seemed like the right fit for Escobedo, he stated, “I wanted to stay in DPS. When I put my name out there for the coaching position, I was also looking at other schools that had me as one of their top candidates. I knew that TJ was the place for me and I wanted it to be. Being from another DPS school I knew what kind of kids would be coming to TJ and I want to continue the TJ tradition and legacy.”

After a long process with many well qualified candidates, TJ found their new football coach. “Our committee of teachers, parents, and alumni all came together and felt Escobedo was the right fit for TJ. He had a track record within DPS which we felt was crucial for this position. We feel like Coach Escobedo will sustain the high expectations TJ has while developing positive relationships with our students and players,” stated TJ Athletic Director Andrew Skari.

Moving forward with TJ football, Escobedo expressed his thoughts about his viewpoint on the program. “A lot of people expect you’re going to do something right away. I have no doubt that we have the talent to compete, but first I will need the players to buy into what me and my coaching staff are trying to do. We need them to be committed, know the expectations and be willing to work. My expectation is to win league, and once we do that then we can move forward.”

Some of the football staff will stay intact, including Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach, Matthew Nicolo, who has been at TJ for 12 years. “I think Jesus is a really motivated person. He is really stressing bringing the program back to where it needs to be at the top of whatever division we are to be playing in. We have the same expectations we’ve always had for our football program, and that is excellence, and Jesus will help us get there with his football background,” said Nicolo.

Coach Escobedo steps into his first head coaching role with high standards set by the TJ community. He has proven in the past he knows how to win and will surely bring TJ a spark for many years to come. “Jesus will bring back our program to where it needs to be, and I have total confidence he can succeed at TJ,” states Skari.

Seniors Layth Dieyleh and Shelby Anderson are all smiles after winning the Daniels Fund Scholarship. Photo by Tori Wallace

On April 24, 2013, two senior Spartans, Layth Dieyleh and Shelby Anderson, were awarded the prestigious Daniels Fund Scholarship. This scholarship is given to 250 outstanding seniors in four states: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico. Over 3,000 students applied for the scholarship this year, and  Colorado had 176 scholarship recipients.

The Daniels Fund is a legacy originating from the well-known entrepreneur Bill Daniels. This fund has aided over 2,000 high school seniors since the year 2000. This scholarship covers four-year or two-year college tuition, the entire cost for room and board at the college of their choice, the fees, books and supplies, and any miscellaneous educational expenses. The Daniels Fund believes that a Daniels scholar has character, leadership, and service.

Layth Dieyleh, who also placed third in state for wrestling, plans on using his scholarship to attend the University of Denver. “I am not quiet sure about what I would like to study, but I know that I would like to take a semester at DU and then transfer over to Stanford,” said a hopeful Dieyleh, who said completing the process of getting the Daniels fund is enough stress on its own. Applicants must fill out an application and write four essays. The biggest part of the whole process is that they have to make sure that they are eligible financial aid wise. Before students can even finish the application they have use a calculator, enter in how many are in their household and how much money their family makes, and then, if they are eligible, they can continue on. “Writing the essays was one of the hardest parts to me, not to mention the anticipation of waiting for your answer. I just wanted to find out my answer.  Even if it was a ‘no,’ I still just wanted to know,” explained Layth, who was in disbelief when he found out he got the scholarship. “My first reaction was that it wasn’t real. The whole day I was thinking to myself that this isn’t real, and that I would wake up soon. It is a life changing opportunity,” said Dieyleh. “If I could give anyone who is interested in applying for the scholarship advice it would be that you need to start building your resume now. The more experience you have the easier it is to write and to talk about. If you make it to the interview process, don’t be nervous. The people who are interviewing you are just people. They have feelings too. Don’t do what every one else does; be your own person and you will be set,” exclaimed Layth.

Shelby Anderson, who is the President of the Interact Club here at Thomas Jefferson High School, says she plans on attending the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. “I plan to attend this school primarily for their journalism program,” said a very excited Anderson, who said she believed that the interview process was the hardest part of the whole application. “These people hold your entire future in their hands, and you are worried about saying the right things or the wrong things, and so you stress out a whole lot more than you would expect,” explained Shelby.  Anderson is a little different from Layth. She can’t wait to move out of Colorado.  “I was so excited when I heard that I got the scholarship; I just can’t wait to get out of Colorado because that’s what I want, and I want a brand new start for everything. I was also really excited because I know that Mizzou is one of the top journalism schools and that’s what I want to do,” stated a very excited Shelby. Anderson’s older sister was almost a semi finalist, which is the process before getting to the interview, but she didn’t quite make it. “I think that watching my sister go through the process, I definitely wanted to try, too. I told myself that I had nothing to lose. Either you get your whole tuition paid for or you don’t. Applying wouldn’t hurt anything, and obviously it didn’t,” joked Shelby. “My advice to future applicants would be that it is a big deal, but always have a ‘Plan B’. Never give up on your dreams, as long as you really want it, nine times out of ten you’ll get it,” said Shelby.

Thomas Jefferson usually gets scholarship winners every year. “We normally get one or two people who win the scholarships every except for last year, which was a bummer, but I am glad that two of our very own Spartans won it this year,” said Tabitha Rocha, who works in the Future Center at TJ and worked very closely with Layth and Shelby during the application process.

“I think that it is an amazing opportunity for them. I also think that any time we have winners of Daniels and all kinds of wonderful things, it is a motivator to other students here because they believed that if it happened to somebody else at TJ it could happen to them. I think that it feeds excitement not just for scholarships but college as well,” stated a proud Principal Sandra Just.

All of the Spartans at TJ are very proud of Layth and Shelby for representing their school so well, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

Freshman Celeste James brought her a-game and played well to be named All American. Photos provided by Henry Jackson and Jerry Esparza.

As of December 18, 2012, Freshman Celeste James was confirmed by MaxPreps- an online hub for high school sports- to be one of the top freshman volleyball players in the country. “James had excellent numbers for the 20-4 Spartans with 311 kills, 239 digs, 49 blocks and 39 aces,” states the blurb written by Tom Mauldin of MaxPreps.

After the Spartans’ season ended with a heartbreaking loss, they thought their history-making was over for the year after they were named as one of the top ten teams in 4A, won the DPS league, hosted the regional tournament, and went soaring beyond everyone’s expectations before falling in a 5-set loss (that went into extra points) to Mountain View one step short of the State tournament; but on December 18, James was selected as one of the top players in the country by MaxPreps, a site specifically designed for high school sports.

“I was at volleyball practice when I found out about it,” said James. “We were getting all our stuff off and my coach said, ‘Celeste, come here,’ so I walked over there expecting something about practice. Then she said, ‘You’re an All-American,’ and I freaked out a little bit.” This prestigious award is only given to twenty freshmen throughout the United States each year.

The whole volleyball program at TJ showed support and excitement for James upon hearing about the award. “She’s helped me grow as a player and as a person,” says Sophomore Sabrina Kohrt, who played on the Varsity team with James. “She made me more competitive, and she challenged me. I had to work up to her level, and be able to compete.”

Sophomore Essence Reece, also a Varsity player, adds, “I think it’s very good that Celeste was able to get All-American. She deserves it– she works really hard.”

Sophomore Jessica Jackson, TJ Varsity player and one of James’s teammates from her club team, Colorado Volleyball Association, (a competitive volleyball team whose season starts as the high school season ends) says, “It’s a really good opportunity for her. She worked really hard to get it, and she deserves it.”

Only two players in the entire state of Colorado were named to an All-American team: James, who is on the Freshman team, and Haleigh Washington, a Junior from Doherty High School, who was named to the Junior team, and helped Doherty win the 5A State Volleyball Championships. Athletic Director Andrew Skari says, “She (Washington) was at Middle Park when I was at Bruce Randolph, so I’ve seen her play since she was a freshman. She’s great, but I think Celeste has the chance to be every bit as good.”

Of course, Varsity Volleyball Coach Kathleen Nickless was bursting with excitement, saying, “To have the privilege  of coaching an athlete that is the first Thomas Jefferson volleyball player to earn All-American honors is almost surreal.  It’s an incredible feeling, and is huge for our program.”

James’ honor will have both immediate and future impacts on the whole TJ Volleyball program. In the wake of their record-setting year, the team seemed excited for its next season, but also ready to have a break. James’ achievement seemed to reignite their excitement and boost confidence throughout the program. “I feel like next year will be an amazing year again,” says Reece. “We’ll have an even better opportunity to go to the State tournament. It should be a good year—I’m really excited!”

Jackson adds, “I think it (James’ award) is really going to have a good impact on us, because we have really strong hitters, and I know that everybody’s stats are going to go up because they’re working really hard now, and next year we’ll keep working hard… It’s going to be a good year!”

After coming into the spotlight in the beginning of the school year as a volleyball star and now receiving this honor, James has stayed humble. “It was overwhelming for me, because it’s such a high honor… It was really nice to see my mom and my grandma so proud of me, and to know that no matter what we’ve been through, good things can come out of it.” She says that she won’t let the award affect her playing, either. “If anything, it makes me want to play harder, so I think I’ll come out twice as strong, just knowing that when people see me, there’ll be a big target on my back. People will want to block me even more, and things like that. So I’ll play harder and stronger, and it’ll make me become a better volleyball player. I just want to become better at what I do.” Above all, she says that she wouldn’t have been able to achieve what she has without the help of her teams, both for school and for club, her coaches, and her family. “My school team gave me a lot of support. They pushed me to do better, and I don’t know where I’d be without their support and the support of my family,” said James.

James has also done some planning for the future, and has one big goal set for herself, one about which nearly every young athlete has dreamed. The only difference with Celeste is that she’s already focused on making it her reality. “My big goal is really the Olympic team. I’m really working toward that. Finishing school is a big part of it, and going on to a Division One college. To be known worldwide would be amazing.” So far, James says she doesn’t know what college she’ll attend, but she has had offers from several schools. She says she’d love to play for the University of Texas, because that’s where she’s from and they won the Division One Championship last year, but she hasn’t made any decisions yet.

Celeste James has stormed onto the volleyball scene, capturing the attention of people nationwide. After an enormously successful freshman season and being named to the Freshman All-American team by MaxPreps, James has a bright future set up for her, and a long career ahead. She has amazed the volleyball team and the whole TJ community, and she has made the team determined to succeed in its upcoming season. As Coach Nickless said, “This is a tremendous honor for Celeste, the volleyball program, the Spartan community and for Denver Public Schools! Way to go Celeste!”