HOME OF THE
Thomas
JAGUARS
Jefferson
U PC O MI N G
E V E N TS

February 16-20
Mardi Gras
Holiday
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6
JANUARY 2015
Congratulations to Bilal Sarmini and Jazlyn
Johnson !!
The Posse Foundation gives extraordinary high school
students who may be overlooked by the traditional college
selection processes the resources and the support needed
to complete a four-year degree at partner universities.
Posse Scholars are nominated by their high schools in their
senior year for their leadership in the school and the
community, their academic commitment, and their overall
motivation to succeed. The nominees undergo a rigorous
selections process conducted by both Posse staff and their
partner universities before being selected for the
merit-based scholarship. Bilal Sarmini and Jazlyn Johnson
were the two finalist out of many at TJ. With being chosen
for the scholarship, Bilal has decided to attend Tulane
University in New Orleans and Jazlyn has decided to
attend Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson in New York.
Date
Opponent/
Tournament
Location
Time
Wed, Feb 4
Curtis
Curtis
6:30 pm
Sat, Fed 14
N.O. Div III
District
De La Salle
9:00 am
Fri, Feb 20
LHSAA State
Championships
Pontchartrain
Center
TBA
Sat, Feb 21
‘
Our wrestling team has been working very hard to get to where
they need to be for state. State Championships will be held at
the Pontchartrain Center and we would appreciate if you would
take the time to go and cheer our Champion Wrestlers on.
Boys
January was a rough month for our boys, with losses
coming against the likes of Newman and Haynes.
However, a light of life was given to the team following a
big win over Patrick Taylor on January 21st, with a final
score of 5-1. The season will culminate on Monday,
February 2nd, with a game against Belle Chasse. It will
be senior night, so come out and support our team on
their final push!
Girls
Our Lady Jags fought hard this month, and it definitely
showed. After dropping the first two games against
Haynes and Bonnabel, they came out with a big win
over Edna Karr on January 13th. Two losses against
Newman and Lusher followed, as well as two draws
against Higgins and Patrick Taylor, and the season was
wrapped up with a score of 3-2 against Academy of Our
Lady. We are proud of our girls for what they did this
season, and are hoping for another good season next
year!
Boys
On Tuesday, January 27, Dwan Montgomery scored a game-high 28
points to lead KIPP Renaissance to a 65-48 district victory over
Thomas Jefferson. Montgomery scored 12 points in the first quarter
alone, in addition to 11 rebounds and three blocks. Ronald Henderson added 10 points and nine boards for the Bobcats (16-4, 2-1). The
Jaguars (4-13, 0-2) were led by Richard Williams, who scored 16
points and grabbed five boards. The boys played hard and we are
proud of their hard work. Let’s keep fighting and good luck Jaguars..
Girls
On Tuesday, January 20, the Thomas Jefferson girls basketball team
played Dominican. Although our girls fought hard, our defense was
shut down in the District 10-3A matchup. The final score was 59-16
Team
1
2
3
4
Final
Thomas
Jefferson
7
0
0
9
16
Dominican
23
13
16
7
59
Thomas Jefferson High School’s Annual Athletic Banquet
occurred on January 22nd. This year it was announced that the
banquet would no longer be annual. Starting this year, Winter sports
will be recognized towards the end of the year. Dr. Leblanc
recognized that this year was an outstanding year for our sports
teams. Dr. LeBlanc then gave the floor to our athletic director, Dr.
Leighton. Dr. Leighton asked everybody to recognize the
extraordinary amount of effort and time that the athletes put into
preparing and playing sport here at Thomas Jefferson. Dr. Leighton
talks about how the occasion is to celebrate our athletes and then
begans the ceremony. The ceremony starts with Coach Kevin Kelly
praising some individuals who performed above and beyond their
needs as an athlete on the team. The first group of players he
recognized was the seniors. The seniors were allowed to pick a jersey
to savor their memories with the team. The players who received this
were: Tarik Abu-Dayeh, Marco Acosta, Tyler LaVergne, Jesus
Terrazas. Cornell Williams, and Romelo Williams. Afterwards, Marlin
Wilkins was recognized as the defensive player of the year. Then, the
group was recognized as superb players. The coaches award was
given to Romelo Williams this year Then the floor was given to TJ’s
flag team. They recognized each member with a distinct award that
best represents their role on the team. Next the honors were given to
the swim team, which recognized every single player for scoring
points for the team. Special awards were given to Brock Miles, Owen
Martin, Thea Martin, Cooper Chauvin, and Nick Arruebarrena. At
this point in time, the floor was given to the cross country coach:
Robert Gilchrist. He recognized every single player on the team for
making it to district in Natchitoches. Coach Gilchrist recognized
Remi Matherne as MVP for the female team and Kal Landry s the
MVP for the year. Finally, the last group to be recognized was the
Volleyball team. They especially recognized departing seniors:
Danielle Sullen and Ayanna Crawford. They explained that each
played a critical role in the team’s schemes, and that they will be
missed. After that, the night concluded with reorganization to all the
people who lettered this year in each sport.
In Sports:
If
interested
in any
sports for
this year/
future
years, talk
to any of
the listed
coaches.
Softball– Home field, TerryTown Playground
Coach: Kevin Perry
Baseball– Home field, Oakdale Playground
Coach: Kim Minor
Basketball– Home, Thomas Jefferson Gym
Boys: Coach Bill Ureta
Girls: Coach Bobby Henderson
Soccer– Home field, West Jefferson Stadium
Boys Coach: Mr. Jacob and Mr. Bonilla
Girls Coach: Mr. Gilchrist
Wrestling– Home, Thomas Jefferson/Ehret
Gym
Coach: Dean Tessitore
If you have any questions about anything in accordance to college or
recommendation letters, please see Mrs. Jambon.
A Message From Assistant Principal Michelle Burmaster:
The Spring 2015 semester has gotten off to a great start. I
would like to encourage the students to do their best in all of
their classes. Remember that tutoring is available at lunch.
Explore, Plan, ACT, EOC and AP testing will take place in the
fourth nine weeks. The students need to work hard on a daily
basis to get ready for testing. I am hoping for great success in
all of the testing.
BOSS
They call me Boss, a distinguished name for a handsome gent like me. I
can't always say my actions are dignified-sometimes I can been seen
wrestling my blankets or swatting hard kibble around the cage-but I can
say that I know how to have a good time! And that's important, too. I am
skilled at the art of self amusement, but I crave the idea of a human
companion and friend to play with as well. I also get along with other cats,
so if you have other fine felines at home I'll be just what you need to fit
right in. To inquire about an adoptable animal from the
Louisiana SPCA, please call 504.368.5191, ext. 150 to
speak with an adoption counselor. His pet ID number
is: 20950827 .
LOUISE
Poor Louise, her family said they couldn't care for her anymore so left her
at the shelter. It is so hard on a cat like Louise - she's 12 years old and
used to the comfort of a home. Louise hopes someone will see her sweet
disposition and adopt her. Louise has lots of years left in her life. Adoption
fee is $67 and includes vaccinations, spay/neuter, test for FeLV/FIV and
microchip. Available for adoption, foster, or rescue at: Jefferson Parish
Animal Shelter - Westbank . The address is: 1869 Ames Blvd., Marrero, La
70072 , and you can call or email the following: 504-349-5111 or
[email protected]. Her pet ID number is: WO-01-06-08.
A Thomas Jefferson Student has won first place in the
NOMA Odyssey Student Art Contest and Exhibition. We
would like to congratulate SydniCherise Austin, a senior of
Thomas Jefferson, for the win. SydniCherise is also an Art II
student of Mrs. Holley, the teacher who helped her take first
place in the 9-12 category. Her work was on display in the
museum from Nov. 7-Jan. 25. She met several artists featured in the Photorealism exhibit, and spoke on behalf of
Jefferson Parish Schools on Family Day at Noma on
1/24/15. She was presented with a $500.00 award, family
membership to the museum, and NOMA merchandise.
Judging criteria was based on originality and creativity,
personal expression, composition, technique, and
inspiration by Photorealism: The Sydney and Walda
Besthoff Collection. SydniCherise aspires to go to Columbia
University where she will study Biophysics in the fall and
continue to pursue development in the visual arts.