The student news site of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

tjTODAY
The student news site of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

tjTODAY
The student news site of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

tjTODAY
Christina Lu

Christina Lu, Print Editor in Chief

Christina has taken Journalism class every year in her high school career, taking on roles from Staff Writer to Team Leader to Editor in Chief. Her favorite part of the process is interviews — journalism has made her realize that everyone has a story. Outside of the newsroom, Christina loves the technique that goes into sprinting as well as baking treats as spreadable forms of happiness.

All content by Christina Lu
Freshman collect cookies at Cookiepalooza, an event that introduces them to Student Services. “It's a safe place for them to come,” school counselor Kerry Hamblin said. “There's tables and chairs where they can wait, puzzles to do, coloring books, things to read, and we just want to promote a welcoming atmosphere.”

Student services hosts Cookiepalooza for freshmen

Christina Lu, Editor-in-Chief
December 7, 2022
Student Services organizes small groups of students to support their needs, including an executive functioning group. “Up until last year, I taught skills for organizing, planning, time management, study skills, working memory, and we had minimal results,” School Social Worker Danielle Armstrong said. “So last year, I tossed out everything and revamped it and started calling it the Block.”

Student services launches student support groups

Christina Lu, Editor-in-Chief
November 17, 2022
Ms. Chrystal Benson returns for her second year at Jefferson as Assistant Principal.

Crossing boundaries

Christina Lu, Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2022
The JV Field Hockey team poses after a win against Edison. Coach Andrew Ssekikkubo’s teaches a mentality of playing every game like it’s the final game. “Yes, we want to win every game but are we learning from our mistakes? Are we learning from new opportunities? Are we growing in the game?” Coach Andrew Ssekikubo said.

Stepping up, filling in

Christina Lu, Editor-in-Chief
September 19, 2022
PTSA conflict timeline

PTSA conflict timeline

Rachel Lewis, Aafreen Ali, and Christina Lu
August 9, 2021
Top 10 of 2020: Food Trends

Top 10 of 2020: Food Trends

Christina Lu, Team Leader
January 17, 2021
Despite students learning virtually, the FCPS plans for school cancellations under specific weather conditions.

[Photo] FCPS announces new snow day guidelines

Ethan King, Staff Writer
December 20, 2020
Virtual school has forced us to contend with a drastic decrease in social interactions, providing yet another mental hurdle for students to overcome during an already stressful time.

There’s a light at the end of this tunnel

Christina Lu, Team Leader
October 26, 2020
Sophomore Sahiti Kota, a class council presidential candidate, records her campaign speech. The changes to campaign rules have led both candidates and voters to take the election more seriously. “Last year, not a lot of people read people's platforms and it was more of just voting for who had the funniest speech,” Kota said.

Online class council election introduces new campaign guidelines

Christina Lu, Team Leader
October 11, 2020
Looking at a computer, students collaborate on a partner assignment in an Astronomy class during the 2019-20 school year. Distance learning has made it harder for students to build and maintain relationships with their peers. Social Emotional Learning activities during Eighth Periods will attempt to address those gaps.

FCPS introduces Social Emotional Learning activities during distance learning

Christina Lu, Team Leader
October 5, 2020
5 easy recipes to make in a time crunch

5 easy recipes to make in a time crunch

Christina Lu, Team Leader
September 26, 2020
Junior Arul Nigam prepares to bring food into a hospital as part of his initiative ‘Heroes of COVID’. Courtesy of The Connection.

Helping our heroes

Christina Lu and Nathan Mo
May 22, 2020
Freshman senator Rushil Umaretiya announces a movie night on May 8.

2023 class council hosts virtual movie nights

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
May 11, 2020
Recognition video celebrates spring sports seniors

Recognition video celebrates spring sports seniors

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
May 4, 2020
Designed by Aumena Choudhry

Medical music therapy

Christina Lu and Keertana Senthilkumar
April 5, 2020
Contagion steps back into the limelight

Contagion steps back into the limelight

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
March 31, 2020
The tweet from FCPS that schools would be closed through April 10

Coronavirus cancellation: better safe than sorry

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
March 19, 2020
Dr. Ann Bonitatibus makes the first move for senior Praveen Balakrishan, who placed first at the tournament. ”It is usually customary for a famous person to start off a chess tournament by making the ceremonial first move on the top board. As States was held at TJ, I was delighted when principal Dr. Bonitatibus made the first move for me at the beginning of the tournament.” Balakrishnan said.

Chess Team wins the Virginia Scholastic Chess Championship

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
March 12, 2020
An announcement on Google Classroom about the assistant principals' new shadowing program.

Shadow a Student opportunity extended to Assistant Principals

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
March 9, 2020
Club founder Hasita Nalluri introduces TJ Give to attendees.

TJ Give holds first club meeting

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
February 28, 2020
As junior Jenaly Dizon gives instructions, junior Niko Economos and freshman Priya Ray demonstrate for attendees

Jazz Band and Swing Dance Team host Valentine’s dance

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
February 19, 2020
Julia Chen dances in the front row of the 2019 KCC iNite performance.

Discovering the art of dance

Christina Lu and Nirja Divekar
February 10, 2020
Writing his name down, a student registers to vote on Feb. 3.

Voter registration drive held at Jefferson

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
February 6, 2020
An upperclassmen gives contradictory advice that further stresses out his freshman friend.

Course selection advice for freshmen is more confusing than helpful

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
January 29, 2020
Locks secure many of the cubbies at Jefferson, including this one in the audlob.

New policy bans overnight lock usage

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
January 19, 2020
Photo Courtesy of Fabienne Lang

Top 9 Social Media Apps of 2019

Christina Lu and Jeremy Kim
January 17, 2020
The “Course Request” tab in StudentVUE allows students to see which classes they’re enrolled in and request courses for next year.

Course selection now available on StudentVue

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
January 16, 2020
Locks secure many of the cubbies at Jefferson, including this one in the audlob.

To lock or not to lock?

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
December 16, 2019
Stiff arming a defender, running back Niko Economos (5) charges towards the end-zone

News Brief: Varsity football triumphs in final game of season

Christina Lu, Staff Writer
October 30, 2019
Rushing ahead of the Centurion defender, halfback Sherzoy Jan (10) rushes for a 43-yard touchdown. The score brought the Colonials within one touchdown of the Centurions.

Colonials lose Back To School Bash Football Game

Ayush Das and Christina Lu
September 17, 2019
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