Zach Wahls Speaks About Family

Research and Projects at TJ

I want to create a website (or even just a Google Doc) that includes all of the research/projects that are going on at TJ. That way, students can come up with new projects. They can also band together with people who share their interests, skills, and/or goals. They would be able to collaborate better. If an actual website was created, there could be forums on which students can communicate (that could just be a Facebook page for each tech lab).

I'm planning on going into the CS lab, so maybe my senior tech lab project could be the creation of the website I described above.

I want to create iOS applications for Intranet, and a desktop application for Intranet. Students can also created software to rival BlackBoard, Turnitin, WebAssign, LoggerPro, and grading systems. They can contribute to open-source communities such as SourceForge, Linux, Google Code, Intranet, TJ's websites, and TJ's computer systems (well, I suppose those aren't open-source). Students can design new hardware and software that can benefit all other students in all fields of study.

Daniel Perkes, SGA Communications Coordinator

SAC

Today at Woodson High School, the FCPS Student Advisory Council chose next year's student representative to the FCPS school board. I believe that this is the fourth year that the position has existed, and three of those terms have been served by TJ students: Arvin Ahmadi (two terms, now at Colombia University) and Keegan Cotton (Class of 2011). I didn't win the election. I lost to one of the twelve or so other candidates. Eugene Coleman won the election, and I completely agree with the decision made the SAC. The election was very close and I had a fantastic time speaking and meeting people from all around the county. It was a truly rewarding experience and I hope to attend school board meetings and participate in the SAC in the future.

Daniel Perkes
Class of 2012
SGA Communications Coordinator for TJHSST, 2010-2011 school year

Politicians in Safety

Should politicians surround themselves with more security in order to prevent injury or death? Mark Warner, Senator from VA, doesn't think that they should separate themselves further from constituents. I think that maybe it is a good idea to have security. At least hold your speeches in buildings where the audience has been security-screened, people.

Degas

I just visited AChou's blog for the first time, and saw her latest post about Degas. I Googled him and realized that his work is absolutely beautiful.

Me

I'm a highly successful individual who is motivated by whipped cream, free gasoline for my car, and mugs that hold my coins together in a nice way.

JLC Library Use at TJ

Daniel Perkes 1/6/11

It’s a bad idea to limit all computers (or all library computers?) to 20 minutes, because now instead of some people not getting computer use, now more people will get computer use but nobody will get anything done. A better idea is to set 5 or so computers aside for printing only.

Maybe in the lab you get it long enough to do something or other. Make it so that people don’t have to sign in to the printing computers.

Printingstudent
Library

or, just Student
Student

Use those dividers to separate documents. On the special printing computers, you should be able to tell it what your name is.

Mrs. Carpenter said that there’s a problem with too many students in the library (during JLC). That’s a fire hazard. That’s why Mr. McCormick was standing at the door today limiting flow.

Maybe we should have a system in which students sign up for use of the library during JLC, just as we do for 8th period. That way, we could regulate how many students are in there at a time, allow students to get more done with less stress, and regulate who gets to use the library.

Communication

I've created a Facebook page for the TJ Student Government Association (SGA) and a Twitter profile @tjhsstsga

I've created a Facebook event: Back to Broadway: TJ's Choirs Perform Songs of the Stage. Our concert takes place on January 11, 2011 at TJ's auditorium (6560 Braddock Rd. Alexandria, VA). It's at 7 PM.

Innovation at TJ

TJ students could make computers, tablets, and phones. All of the tech labs use and create technology, so the connection of all of that would be incredible. Computer science can go very far allowing student scientists to study and share quickly and effectively. Computer science is the key to an amazing Intranet, with iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X applications as well as mobile sites.

The Poetry of Music - Poems needed!

Each year, Fairfax Choral Society does a partnership with FCPS. One school is chosen, and that school holds a contest to determine which poem will get sent to FCS so that a piece of music can be commissioned. This year, nobody applied. I think TJ can do it. I'm going to write poetry when I get a chance, but you should write some!

Contact fcsyouth@gmail.com to submit your poem. Or, just send it to me! danperkes@gmail.com

South Africa

During Winter Break I travelled to South Africa, where my dad grew up. He was born in Johannesburg, and moved around a bit. He lived in places such as George, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town (all of which we visited on our trip). Originally, we were scheduled to fly to Jo'burg through London. However, because of the snow, our flight was cancelled and we had to fly through Sao Paulo, Brazil. I've posted 70 pictures to my Facebook profile (facebook.com/danielperkes), and my sister posted 80 to hers. She took 1,000 photos, so I still need to upload her pictures to my Facebook profile.

Twitter and YouTube username: musicman0494