The Leadership class collects artifacts to display in the front hall trophy cases.
Photo by Hanna Kazlouskaya
Every six weeks Jon Poole’s Leadership class works on different projects to improve the school. This six weeks two students were assigned a project to search for and collect artifacts from the teachers to represent the five decades of TJ history, starting from the 60’s to the present.
The change that the students will see is the trophy cases being filled up with artifacts. The trophies will be moved around to give space for the various objects representing the time period.
Senior Anna Becker and Junior Tori Perez have been working on the project and are planning on amplifying the TJ spirit in the school. “This project will help the school by showing what went on at the school during that certain time period,” said Becker.
The students sent out e-mails to all the teachers at TJ asking them to bring items such as old cameras, records, clothing, pictures, yearbooks and any artifacts or mementos that are representative of a particular era in TJ’s past.. “This will helps us ramp up our Spartan pride and draw attention to our school’s history,” said Becker.
The idea for the artifacts to be placed in the display cases was originally suggested to the Leadership class by Assistant Principal Lani Nobles. “I have to admit this wasn’t my idea entirely,” said Nobles. “Recently I went to my old high school, Brighten High School, for my 30th year anniversary. As I was walking through the halls I noticed that in their trophy cases they had school artifacts representing the time period.”
The creative idea was then passed down to Leadership to be put into action and get the students working on it. The showcases are supposed to be a capsule of when the school opened in 1960 and show the growth of the school throughout the decades. “It is great to combine the awards that we have won with what was going on in that time period, especially in the state, nation, and our school,” said Nobles.
The idea was supported by Poole, the Leadership Teacher. “This is a great idea, especially honoring the 50th year anniversary, and this is something that will represent that very well,” said Poole.
The project is strongly supported by the whole faculty. All of the teachers have been asked to bring in an artifact that they may possess of a certain time period. History Teacher Mark Smith is one of the teachers who wants to pitch in and help. “I think it’s a good idea to preserve the history of the school. It contributes to school pride, and allows the students to pass on the traditions through many years. For those who have things that they can bring in, they definitely should consider it,” said Smith.
To donate a historical artifact, please contact Poole at Jonathon_Poole@dpsk12.org.
