School Notes
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School Notes

On Sunday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., Langley High School will host a Capitol Steps performance to benefit the school's Class of 2003 All Night Graduation Safe Celebration. Tickets are $25 each for the 90-minute performance. The school is located at 6520 Georgetown Pike in McLean. To purchase tickets, call 703-847-6949.

Five students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County have been selected as semifinalists in the 2003 Intel Science Talent Search. The students are part of a group of 300 semifinalists nationwide who are recognized for excellence in science and mathematics. Alexander Fried of McLean was chosen for his research on "Determining the K-Vector Within a Dielectric Joint."

Langley High School and The Corcoran Gallery of Art celebrated their fourth partnership year with a gala reception at the Gallery in December. Langley High School students, parents and staff were invited to enjoy performances by students. Drama students performed a scene from Shakespeare's "The Duel." The Madrigals sang, the Chamber Orchestra played Rossini, the Flute Quartets played Handel and Pachelbel and the Brass Ensemble played "Amazing Grace" by Villanueva. The evening included a tour of the Corcoran.

Matthew Foust of McLean, a student at Gonzaga High School, was selected to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy from Feb. 4-9 in Washington, D.C. Having demonstrated academic achievement and an interest in a career related to national security, Foust is joining about 400 outstanding high school students from across America at the forum.

The McLean Citizens Association is sponsoring the Teen Character Award to recognize teens with exceptional ethical and compassionate character. Teen who have cared for elderly relatives or younger siblings, or who have helped out in the community, can be nominated for this award. Nomination forms are available at the McLean Community Center, Langley or McLean High Schools, or Cooper or Longfellow Middle Schools. Nominations must be turned in to the McLean Community Center no later than Saturday, April 19. Call 703-734-4944 for more information.

The following students representing four area high schools are the Year 2002 Rotary Club of McLean Youth Service Award recipients:

Jonathan R. Snape of Langley High School originated the program "Wyld Life" at Cooper and Longfellow Middle Schools. He raised funds for the American Red Cross for Sept. 11th victims and families and cares for a young man with cerebral palsy.

Jonathan Donald Boone, Langley High School. Jonathan has participated with his church on trips to various parts of the U.S. to help needy communities. He has volunteered in a local soup kitchen, Habitat for Humanity and Fairfax Ronald McDonald House. Once a week he helps a needy child at Churchill Road Elementary School.

Anthony C. Feghali, McLean High School. As a boy scout, Anthony collected thousands of eyeglasses for needy people in Lebnanon.

Mary Morrison, The Potomac School. Mary tutors at a homeless shelter in Reston. She has participated in the AIDS and Help the Homeless Walk.

Marisa Flavin, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. At her school Marisa is president of the school's community service club. She volunteers in the Arlington Free Clinic and tutors at an elementary school in a very poor section of Washington, D.C. She has participated in Work Camp, a program that brings teens from all over the U.S. to a city to repair homes of the city's most impoverished.

Lauren Chowand and Emily B. Pitler, both seniors at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, have been named as candidates in the 2003 Presidential Scholars program. This is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. The U.S. Department of Education will announce the scholars in May.

Math & Music come together for the forty or so high school musicians from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology that also play an instrument for one of the American Youth Philharmonic's (AYP) four Orchestras

On Sunday February 9th Thomas Jefferson's Band and Orchestra Directors will be recognized by AYP for their outstanding contribution in maintaining an arts program which encourages students to reach their potential as performers.

Awards were given out earlier in the year to Lake Braddock, and Langley High Schools, along with Longfellow and Rachel Carson Middle School in honor of the number of students participating in one of AYP's ensembles. Yet Thomas Jefferson leads the pack with more than 20 TJ student musicians in the American Youth Philharmonic, the organizations premiere ensemble.

According to Mike Blakeslee with the National Association for Music Education. There is a clear relationship between music study and ability in math and science.. Over the past several years, the number of studies that document this connection has grown to the point where we finally understand what teachers, students, and parents have known for years: music study helps kids develop and grow..

So it is no surprise that math standouts Jack Cackler and Eric Price, both sophomores at TJ were two of four French horn players on the nation's first place middle school math counts team in 2001. Cackler, has played for three years in the organization's orchestras, and is currently assistant principal in the American Youth Philharmonic's French Horn section. Price is completing his second season with the organization.

Pamela Walsh, AYP piccolo and Thomas Jefferson senior says: "Because music is so obviously emotional most people don't think of it in connection with an apparently unemotional subject like math. . They are connected though in that both are broken down into very measured elements.

The National Symphony Orchestra's Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef and Principal Violist Daniel Foster will be playing with American Youth Philharmonic on February 9th, 2003 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Performing Arts and Concert Hall at 3 p.m. Thomas Jefferson High Schools orchestras and band directors, Alison Bailey and Mary Ulrey will be honored at that time for their contribution to the program.