07/07/2020
"The universe is supposedly governed by chaos and physical law, but maybe it’s actually all random. We all had expectations for this year that we have been forced to readjust. This singular random virus has changed everything. But if the universe really is random, then we could not be more grateful for the luck of our draw. How lucky we are for the opportunity to attend Thomas Jefferson and the opportunity to make something of ourselves. How lucky we are for the hard-working teachers, custodians, and administrators, who uphold the pride and integrity of our school. And how lucky we are for you.
When we were blessed with happy times, you celebrated with us, soaring together to new heights. When we fell on hard times, you were there for us, mending our hearts and strengthening our spirits. And herein lies the essence of what unites us, what makes us all Colonials. It is not our academic excellence. Nor is it our industry. It is our refusal to give up on each other.
We are a community united both by struggle and success. We have poured our hearts out into our games, and whether our jerseys were soaked with the sweat of triumph or tears of defeat, we would put them on once more unfailingly, ready to do it again. Together, we persevere through the frustrations, the fatigue, and the lessons learned the hard way in IBET. We navigate the twists, turns, and titrations of sophomore year. We weather the storm of standardized tests and second thoughts in junior year. We will all emerge victorious from senior year too.
As a school, we have chased justice and progress in various forms, from restorative discipline to new homework policies, from walk-out protests to D.C. marches, from academic Olympiads to improving our already state-of-the-art intranet. We have invested ourselves into Homecoming, and we have laughed at its various scandals. We have watched one beloved principal leave, and we have embraced the arrival of another. We have seen the Weyanoke trailers fade away and our newly renovated school come to life (but what happened to the umbrellas?).
And so what do we take away from it all? After all, while it is important to look towards the past, it is most important to look to the future. We should strive to make amends and forgive our brothers and sisters, and to not get caught in the weeds of selfishness, smallness, or malice. We also should strive to be brave. We should face the world with arms open, and when faced with adversity, we should not cower in fear but rather meet it in omnia paratus. In the moments when it matters most, you must be able to speak. So stand up for what you believe in. Push the limit. Push your limit. We love you all, and we will support you always.
We joined student government to do right by you—to bring the changes you deserve. This year, SGA has worked diligently towards a mental wellness room, a school-wide study bank, a recycling initiative, a school mural, a larger Big Sibs program, bigger sports tournaments, and record election participation. We couldn’t be more proud of the work our team has done.
So even if the universe is random, some things never change. Time goes on. We’re older than we used to be, and we’re younger than we’ll ever be again. And so, as things come to a close, we would like to thank everyone who came in along the way, whether you stayed the journey or popped in for only a moment. It’s been good."
- Ronith Ranjan and Tommy Park
//TJ Today 2020 Senior Issue
https://issuu.com/tjtoday/docs/tjtoday_senior_issue_2020
The official page for the TJHSST Student Government Association (SGA)
