The RoboWarriors Finish Strong in First Round of Competition!

The Thurgood Marshall Academy Robotics Team, the RoboWarriors, have completed their first round of qualifying matches.

 

Last Saturday, the team embarked on a journey that began with a 5:30am meeting in room 103. The few, the proud, and the brave (Demetria House, Kaneshia House, Stewart Gray, and Keneon Williams) walked in the dense morning fog to make it to TMA before heading to the US Naval Academy for robot inspection, panel presentations, robot re-inspection, and qualifying matches, accompanied by Vee Nguyen and LaRita Williams, team advisers.  

 

(The following students were not on the competition team but have worked to create the robot.

1. Jordan Morrison

2. Darren Moore

3. Eric Izzard

4. Carlos McKnight

5. Chris Ridout

6. Jasmin Thomas)

Please congratulate our Robotics team for winning 3 of 6 qualifying matches.  The final rank for the day was 10 out of 27, where those teams ahead of us were previous champions, including last year's world champions.  Our competition team remained strong even in the face of a 14 hour day (including traveling).  We walked in with a deficit as we were not prepared to have our robot run autonomously, but the team worked together between matches to make changes and improve the robot.  The students were in awe of the beauty of Annapolis and took some amazing pictures. 

Thanks to all who've supported our team this year!

Please congratulate our RoboWarriors for a job well done and stay tuned for details of the next competition on February 9, 2013.

TMA Students Earn Summer Program Scholarships

This past semester, over 30 Thurgood Marshall Academy 10^th and 11^th grade students applied for OSSE Scholars, a free summer program sponsored by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education. OSSE Scholars helps high-achieving high school sophomores and juniors to attend summer academic enrichment programs at some of the top-tier colleges in the country, including Boston University, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern University and the University of Pennsylvania.

TMA had over 2/3 of our eligible sophomores and juniors apply to OSSE Scholars this fall. Students submitted online applications, including a list of their classes, resume, and current transcripts, and interviewed with OSSE.

This year, Thurgood Marshall Academy had the highest number of applicants to OSSE Scholars out of all DC Public and Public Charter High Schools, and we were tied for the most acceptances (seven) out of any school. All seven TMA OSSE Scholars will receive free application help from OSSE, fee waivers for their summer programs, and have their program travel and housing covered through the program.

TMA’s OSSE Scholars are hard at work completing their final applications for these summer programs, which include writing personal statements, gathering recommendations from faculty, and choosing the courses they’ll take this summer! We wish them all the best as they get ready for their summers! 

Our 2013 OSSE Scholars are:

Lucas Dabney, 11^th grade, who will be attending Syracuse University’s Summer College

Antione Fenwick, 11^th grade, attending Cornell’s Summer College for High School Students

Stewart Gray, 11^th grade, Stanford’s Summer at Stanford High School Summer College

Tanazia Matthews, 11^th grade, attending Boston University’s Summer Challenge Program

Rushawna May, 10^th grade, attending University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academy

Sakina Musa, 10^th grade, Northwestern University’s College Prep IN FOCUS Seminars

Cer'cia Wallace, 10^th grade, attending Barnard College’s Summer in the City

December Mentor Day Recap

Our December Mentor Day was spent serving the community and reflecting on the things in our lives that we are most grateful for. To prepare for this mentor day, the students at Thurgood Marshall Academy participated in a school wide competition where students were encouraged to bring in donations of toiletries, socks, underwear, hats, scarves and similar items. In just two short weeks, the students at Thurgood Marshall Academy showed their spirit of giving by donating over 800 items to the Shoebox Gift Drive to be donated to the organization S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat). Of course we have to give special congratulations to the Senior Class for bringing in the most items for the drive!

The following Saturday, the Mentors and Mentees showed up with EVEN MORE items for the drive and prepared to get to work! Each team worked together to wrap, label and decorate shoeboxes, filled with essentials for a man, woman, or child. Teams also worked together to create Peppermint Christmas Tree centerpieces and snowflake wreaths to bring some holiday cheer to the Homeless Shelter at S.O.M.E.  Mentor teams posed for the camera at our Holiday Photo Booth and they also created picture frames using old school Popsicle sticks and Elmer’s Glue. The day was truly filled with holiday cheer, hard work and gratitude for all that we have and are able to do.

In total, we donated 77 Holiday Shoe Boxes, 23 Peppermint Christmas Tree Centerpieces and 20 Snowflake wreathes. We also donated 4 large bags of clothes, several bags of extra toiletries and supplies, but most of all, we delivered the message that people care about the Homeless in our city.  Thurgood Marshall Academy and the Mentor Program definitely made a tremendous impact this holiday season! 

Student Government

Since electing our Student Government officials on October 12th, SGA has been diligently working to increase school spirit and participation. After the student body elected 11th grade students  Dedric Dowing as student body president and Joey Adams as student body vice-president, as well as two class representatives per grade, our SGA officers immediately began planning their first school event.

SGA officers planned, coordinated, and organized a Mock Presidential Election on Election Day. From choosing among actual state measures up for election to include on the ballot, to advertising and running the election, our SGA officers helped more than 150 TMA students practice their right to vote and engage in the democratic process. Additionally, TMA students accurately predicted the outcome of the presidential election as well as Maryland Marriage Equality and Maryland Dream Act!

In the weeks since the election, SGA has been working with the school administration, Senior Class Committee, and Mentor Program to plan and execute TMA's Spirit Week and Homecoming Dance on December 7th. SGA officers helped choose the Spirit Week themed days, Homecoming dance theme, and will organize the Homecoming Court election and will help decorate the gymnasium before the dance. Additionally, SGA is teaming up with the Mentor Program to promote a TMA wide Shoebox Gift Drive benefitting So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.).

SGA is having a great year so far and has a full plate for the next few months. SGA is starting up the Buddy Program, a TMA mentor program which will pair freshmen with juniors and seniors with sophomores. SGA hopes to have the program up and running by January so that as many students and possible can be paired up with a classmate and begin building a new friendship.

First Law Day of the Year

Friday, October 17th, marked the beginning of this year’s Law Day program, in which 9th grade students travel to local law firms and learn about legal concepts from practicing attorneys! Half of the 9th grade class went to Hogan Lovells and the remaining students were split between Latham & Watkins and Foley & Lardner. Many students opted to wear professional dress for their first Law Day.

Students left TMA for their respective law firms at 12:30 and many students were given tours of the firms once they arrived. Students split into smaller groups and participated in a discussion on negotiation led by a few attorneys. The students learned the importance of preparation in resolving disputes through negotiation, as well as skills to argue their position in a negotiation and to better understand the views and tactics of others in such instances. For example, students brainstormed arguments in favor of and in opposition to introducing school uniforms from the point of view of faculty, parents, and students. Our students were thoughtful, articulate, and were able to effectively argue positions their differed from their personal views.

The first Law Day was an amazing success and many of the attorneys confided that these groups of 9th graders are some of the most engaging and interested students TMA has ever had! All of the students and volunteers had a great time. A special thanks to the chaperones and volunteers at the firms of Hogan Lovells, Latham & Watkins and Foley & Lardner!

Growing Healthy Schools Week Comes to TMA October 15th!

Hey there, foodies, green thumb gardeners, and curious bystanders! Here's an announcement you won't want to miss! On October 15th, from 10am-12pm, Thurgood Marshall Academy will host the kickoff for the First Annual Growing Healthy Schools Week.

There will be cooking competitions using produce from the Great Garden of Anacostia, garden tours, speakers, a farmer's market provided by Whole Foods, and much, much more!

Kadeejah Johnson with TMA's  Funky Pumpkin! 

In preparation for GHSW, TMA students have been cooking during lunch every Thursday. Last week we made Ratatouille, and tomorrow we're making Thai Pumpkin Curry, using the pumpkin that won "Funkiest Vegetable" at the DC State Fair!

If you're interested in attending, please RSVP to jkline@tmapchs.org!

TMA's Writing Center Opens Today!

After training all summer, TMA's inaugural group of Peer Consultants are ready to help their fellow students polish their writing skills. These 11th and 12th grade students can assist with anything from thesis statements to short stories, introductions, conclusions, topic sentences, thesis statements, bibliographies and citations, and MORE!


Students can stop by the Writing Center (located in Room 214) any time after school on Mondays or Wednesdays, OR they can sign up online at:
Writing Center Sign Up. 

See you there!

Students at Thurgood Marshall have been back in school for about month, laughing in the hallways, making new friends, and challenging themselves in fun and exciting new classes. In the last few weeks students have been diligently studying in our new and improved Homework Help and last Thursday TMA hosted its annual Clubs Fair. The Clubs Fair was an amazing success, with over twenty five clubs and after school activities available for students to choose from. From student government, Girl Scouts, and the Anti-Defamation League to Drama, Hair Club, and the Green Club, all TMA students in attendance found a club that fits their interests. The next few weeks are going to be packed with club meetings, sports practice, drama auditions, and more!

TMA's First Monthly Workday a Great Success!

Thurgood Marshall Academy had its first monthly Garden Workday and Plant Sale this past Saturday, June 9^th.

Rising 10^th grader Cer’cia Wallace had this to say about her experience at the TMA Community Garden Workday:

This weekend I spent my Saturday in the garden. I was the first TMA student to arrive to the work day. When I got there Ms.Boehle-Silva greeted me and Ms. Hanson, our librarian, introduced me to her son. I also saw Ms. Wyss and Ms. Kate, our Garden Coordinator. Then it was off to the garden! I pulled out the weeds and assisted with the Savoy kids, helping them in the garden. We pulled and pulled, dirt flying everywhere, Ms. Wyss and I talked about summer plans as we sold some plants, and I got to take one home! The sun beat down and water was a necessity. This day of gardening has made me want to become more involved in the garden next year!

Last Call for 2011-2012 The TMA Brief

The TMA Brief concluded a stellar second year with its largest issue ever. At a whopping 16 pages, the fourth and final issue packs a punch. On the front page, star senior reporter Kendra Atchison reflects on college acceptance and rejection in what is her final article for the newspaper. Also on the front, new up-and-comer Syndi Foshee delves into the intricacies of locker logistics, documenting students’ laments over the treacherous bottom lockers. Senior Justice Long rounds out the coverage of the 2012 graduating class with a pair of faculty interviews about senioritis and its symptoms. Justice also continues her ongoing quest to find the best-dressed faculty and staff by interviewing Ms. Boehle-Silva. In their regular A-C Wars column, Cericia Wallace and Anthonya James go head-to-head, ramping up the rhetoric over whether it’s Twitter or Facebook that dominates the social media landscape. In fiction, Keneon Williams completes his sci-fi epic, The Darkest World, with a thrilling two-part conclusion. More than any other issue, this one brings the culture, featuring humor, poetry, Bryn Baffer’s book reviews, a photo essay, a Spanish-language section and The Queen and Mickey’s regular wrap-up of the latest music and videos.

This issue is the last but absolutely not least. Don’t miss out—click the link below to have a look for yourself!

http://www.thurgoodmarshallacademy.org/file_download/265/TMA+Brief+I4V2+FINAL2+%282%29.pdf

Guest Blog: TMA Community Service Spotlight

Thurgood Marshall Academy and City Year Answer the Call

http://shepherdparkway.blogspot.com/

Additionally, thanks to Congress Heights Community Association!

Guest Blogger Cer'cia Wallace Covers Track Meet

Saturday morning most students and TMA  staff were still turning over in bed. But a select few of the track team members and staff were at Banneker track, for a community track meet. Students met at TMA on a bus to Banneker track, then slowly but surely staff members showed up. Then competition and boasting was in the air. Before the events started the warm-up was made into a mock race.

Then the day got going, with to start with a 50-meter race, in which the students won. Then as student, and male, victories out numbered female and staff wins we turned to relies. The first rely had the boys in led, with Markel coming out for a win, then the girls and Jessie bringinin it home, then Coach Scogin  with the finish for the staff. This was met by cheers and playful jeering by the staff, which swore they were cheated. The accusation the Staff made sent the crowd in an up roar of laughter. Next we had the 400-meter, a race that got very little volunteers, but did send Ms. D and Markel in a hand and hand race with each other. Every one was cheering for the close win, for who one I say they both are winners in that race.  Finally it was the final rely, in which I was the starter for the girls, and was the most heart warming race. In this race the community part came out. When the girls’ last runner finished she was the only one still running. It was her and the race. But instantly she wasn’t alone, the crowd cheered, and some went back to run with her. We all finished together.

Then we ate subway and laughed at the days events. We all entered the race of finishing Mr. Bein’s 6 foot sub. I couldn’t help but poke fun at Ms. Gang because I hadn’t planned on running but beat her once, of course she beat me mutable   times, but is that really important? On the bus ride back I couldn’t help be a mix of happy and sad, happy at the wonderful turn my day took, but sad to know this was the last TMA outing of the year. Also the last one with Ms. D, and maybe Ms. Gang, two staff I’ve grown to love over this year. So for the other 17 hours I was racing staff, and for the next 42 hours I will feel the effects of the race. 

Tricks of the Trade: TMA Two-Wheeled Edition

Master Historian Mr. Pat

Making the most of a sunny afternoon in the courtyard, TMA mountain bikers learned a hard lesson when the trails at Fort Dupont were too wet to ride. The clouds lifted for the dynamic duo of Ken and Pat to lead the group in a maintenance and history class.  Wilderness bikers learned about famous cyclists and watched a demo before trying their own hands at changing a flat tire.   Armed with their new history facts, knowledge of the ABC spin check, and tools to change a flat, the bikers took to the trails this past Tuesday for their final session at Fort Dupont Park . 

Delrico and Ken checking the crank.

Canethia watches carefully how to check the tire.

Joey is pumping it up! Go Joey go!

Missed your chance to get on two wheels?
 Not to worry, there’s a full line-up of summer racing with Trails for Youth and more outdoor activities planned.  Interested in joining the Trails for Youth team over the summer, contact Patrick Childers at race@tfkmetrodc.org.  or see Ms. Gang(rgang@tmapchs.org) in the Programs Office.  

Fort Dupont Park also has free bike rides on the last Saturday of each month.  For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/fodu/planyourvisit/events.htm, contact the Activity center at 202-426-7723 or click here for a downloadable flyer.

 

 Photos taken by student photographers and Trails for Youth.  Special thanks to the entire team at Trails for Youth: Pat, Ken, May, and Julie for actively supporting TMA's Wilderness crew to overcome obstacles! We look forward to getting back on the trails with you in the Fal!

In the meantime, make the most of your summer and get outside on two wheels!

Also, vote for Trails for Youth's picture of Delrico and help even more students get on bikes!

http://bit.ly/IWi2hu

Student Athletes Shine in Awards Video

Congratulations to the many Thurgood Marshall Academy students who participated in a TMA sport this year! Go Warriors! 

Check out this video shown at the 3^rd annual Athletic Awards Banquet last month:

TMA 3rd Annual Athletic Awards Banquet

Many thanks to Ms. Stewart for letting us re-post this video!

2nd Annual TMA Community Track Meet THIS SATURDAY

The Track and Field team will host the 2^nd annual TMA Community Meet THIS SATURDAY at Banneker Track! Faculty, staff and students are invited to compete in races with the track team members from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.

There will be drinks, snacks and lunch provided.

STUDENTS: If you plan to compete and are NOT on the track team, you need your parent/guardian to sign a permission slip. See Coach Bein, Coach Scogin or Ms. Thompson to pick up a permission slip.

Banneker track is located next to the Banneker pool at 2500 Georgia Avenue, by the north end of the Shaw Metro. A bus will take students to Banneker from TMA at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.

See Coach Bein or Coach Scogin with questions.