News Archive
2001-2002

Students Recognized for Special Achievement
June 11, 2002
On June 6th Principal Robert Snee and Assistant Principal Monika Bilby presented awards of special merit to the following graduating seniors.

Va. Secretary of Education
Dr. Belle S. Wheelan to Address Class of 2002
June 6, 2002
Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, the first African American woman to serve as the Secretary of Education for the state of Virginia, will address George Mason’s class of 2002 at their commencement exercises at D.A.R. Constitution Hall on Thursday, June 13.

Cordova Does it Again
By Tammy Ashworth (May 10, 2002)
George Mason High School senior Viviana Cordova has been awarded first place in the painting category of the Arlington Public Schools Juried High School Exhibition 2002 Visual Arts Show.

Thar She Blows: White Whale Helps Odyssey of the Mind Team Capture State Title
By Juliana Pearson (April 19, 2002)
The Falls Church B.I.E Odyssey of the Mind team, consisting mostly of George Mason High School students, narrowly edged competition to emerge as the first place victor in the state competition on Saturday, April 13, earning a coveted spot at the world competition in Boulder, Colorado on May 22-26.

Venimus, Vidimus, Vicimus
Latin Team Came, Saw and Conquered
April 19, 2002
Five members of Ms. Cathy Caridi’s Latin class earned second place honors at the Certamen Contest at Woodson High School last week

Model UN Club Attends Final Conference of the Year
By Sara Kaplow (April 11, 2002)
This past weekend, George Mason Model United Nations members attended the final conference of the season at Thomas Jefferson High School.

It’s Academic’ Closes out Great Year; Comes in Second to Richard Montgomery
By Juliana Pearson (April 4, 2002)
George Mason’s It’s Academic Team finished a strong season Saturday March, 23 at NBC 4 studios in Washington DC, placing second behind Richard Montgomery High School in a game against the Montgomery County IB magnet and Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School. 

Bon Voyage!
24 French Students Head for Toulouse
March 22, 2002
In front of a mountain of luggage, a few of the 24 French students prepare for today’s departure for Toulouse, where they will hone their language skills while living with their host families.

CNN Visits Mason in Search of Integrity Answers
By Juliana Pearson (March 22, 2002)
A camera crew from CNN visited George Mason Tuesday to tape footage for a three-minute segment on issues of cheating, plagiarism and honor in high school.

1999 GM Alum
Seth Johnston to Receive Prestigious Truman Foundation Award at West Point
By Becca Parson (March 21, 2002)
Seth Johnston, a 1999 graduate of George Mason High School, today will be awarded the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Award by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where Seth is currently a junior. 

Hashi Sisters Earn Pan-Hellenic Honors
March 21, 2002
Seniors Kaha Hashi and her sister Fatima Hashi have been named Black Scholars by the Pan-Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia.

A New Spin on an Old Tale
‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Runs Tonight Thru Sunday
By Sara Kaplow (March 14, 2002)
What do you get when you combine a bossy queen, a quirky princess, a mute king, ten mattresses, and a pea? This year’s musical, Once Upon a Mattress.

15 Compete, Nine Win in Language Tournament
By Tammy Ashworth (March 13, 2002)
Fifteen George Mason French students participated in the Fairfax County Modern Foreign Language Tournament this past Saturday. Of those who competed, nine received trophies or medals for their efforts, and five received first place within their category. 

Crayon Box Celebrates Diversity Among Us
By Juliana Pearson (March 11, 2002)
Several times this year, colorful hand-drawn announcements for the Crayon Box, one of George Mason’s newest student organizations, have been a prominent feature in the halls. Perhaps they have left some to wonder: what exactly is the Crayon Box?

GMHS Band Takes Top Honors at District Festival
By Curt Nette (March 5, 2002)
The George Mason High School concert band received four perfect #1 rankings from the four judges at the three-day District 10 Band Festival, Friday night at Jeb Stuart High School in Arlington. 

Annual Senior Class Charity Fashion Show to Open Tonight
By Liz Twentyman (Feb. 28, 2002)
Opening tonight is "Lights on Broadway," the annual senior class fashion show for charity. This fashion show, which is in its fourth year, raises money for the Falls Church Winter Shelter.

Scholastic Bowl Team Triumphs at States
By Juliana Pearson (February 25, 2002)
The George Mason High School Schlolastic Bowl team placed first in the state competition at the College of William and Mary on Saturday, ending a nearly perfect season with a flawless win.

Senior Josh Singer Crowned Mr. Mason In Spirited Annual Competition
By Liz Twentyman (Feb. 12, 2002)
After a grueling competition Saturday night, including a talent competition and interview, George Mason senior Josh Singer was crowned Mr. Mason for 2002. 

Reflections Contest
Cunningham, Gould Win "Outstanding’ Awards
By Juliana Pearson (January 18, 2002)
Sophomores Evan Cunningham and Steven Gould have won "outstanding interpretation" awards at the council level of the Reflections Contest sponsored by the PTSA

Scholastic Bowl Team Crushes Competition
By Juliana Pearson (January 15, 2002)
At a home meet on Monday the George Mason High School Scholastic Bowl Team defeated teams from Strasburg and Rappahannock, with scores of 200 to 55 and 185 to 95 points respectively, continuing the team’s season-long winning streak.

Students Return to Mason to Receive IB Diplomas, Certificates, and Olom Memorable Medals
By Sara Kaplow (January 5, 2002)
Mason graduates from the class of 2001 returned to the school last night for a ceremony in which they were presented with IB diplomas and IB certificates.

Mason Quizmasters Win ‘It’s Academic’;
Beats Sidwell Friends, George Marshall 
By Jamie Scharff (Dec. 10, 2001)
George Mason’s academic competition team came away victorious Saturday when they defeated neighboring Fairfax school George Marshall and DC private school Sidwell Friends in a hard-fought close game of the TV quiz show It’s Academic.

Annual JV Show This Thursday and Friday Features
Change in Format; Variety First, Bands Second
By George Huff (Dec. 3, 2001)
This Thursday and Friday, December the sixth and seventh, at 7:30 pm the Las Vegas themed JV show will be held in the George Mason auditorium. The JV show is an annual talent show at George Mason held to raise money for the junior prom. 
 

Bracken Leaves GM for Fairfax Position
By Juliana Pearson (November 28, 2001)
After more than 2 years of service to the George Mason High School community, Judy Bracken, the school’s college and career counselor, reported to work for the last time today. Bracken is leaving George Mason to do similar work at Fairfax High School.

'Kindergarten' One Act, Off to States as Regional 2nd Place Winner
by Lasso Staff (November 27, 2001)
Frank Marino’s theater arts class will compete at the state level this coming Monday as they perform "All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten" in the one-act play competition at the University of Virginia.

Mock Election Right on Target
Mustangs Overwhelmingly Elect Warner, Kaine
By Sara Kaplow (November 8, 2001)
Tuesday’s mock election that took place during TA was a fair indicator of the actual results of the Virginia elections held on the same day. Mason students elected Mark Warner, the Democratic candidate, as Governor with 63% of the vote.

Homecoming Week 2001 Comes to a Close with an Enchanting "Once Upon a Time" Dance
By Sara Kaplow (October 31, 2001)
Another homecoming game, dance and spirit week have come and gone. This year’s dance is sure to be remembered for its spectacular decorations, courtesy of the senior class.

Homecoming Update
Sophomores Lead After Sci-fi Day
By Juliana Pearson  (October 25, 2001)
After the third day of spirit week, the point total climbed to first place status. The sophomore class had a total of 600 points. The second place senior class trailed behind with a point total of 475. The third place freshmen had accumulated 450 points and the juniors 350.

Spirit Week Heats Up as Inter-Class Rivalries Abound
By Juliana Pearson (October 24, 2001)
At the end of the second day of Homecoming Spirit Week sophomores and seniors were tied for the position of first place. As usual, the week before homecoming is filled with the hustle and bustle of inter-class rivalry, and the competition remains fierce.

International Picnic Attracts 250, Called ‘Huge Success’
By Paige Dorsey (October 23, 2001)
George Mason’s International Club held its annual International Picnic last Sunday afternoon at Cherry Hill Park. An incredible attendance of 250 people from all over the world made the day "a complete success" in the words of ESL teacher Grace Rissetto

Is He Real or Not?
‘Harvey’ Opens Tomorrow for Three-Night Run;
Director Marino Promises An Evening of Laughs
By Alexis Baker (October 17, 2001)
"Harvey," a comedy in three acts, will be presented by the George Mason drama department this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 on the GM stage.

At Community Center
First-Ever Battle of High School Bands Features 2 George Mason Groups
By George Huff (October 17, 2001)
The Falls Church Community Center will play host to the first-ever Battle of the High School Bands on Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Mini Conferences  Mighty Successful
(October 16, 2001)

Garrison Named New Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach
(From press release) October 11, 2001
George Mason High School’s junior varsity basketball coach David Garrison has been elevated to head coach of the varsity boys’ basketball team, following the departure of coach Chris Capannola.

Lasso Online
By Juliana Pearson (October 3, 2001)
Lasso, the school newspaper that George Mason students know and love, is undergoing a make over. Instead of issuing a printed paper, Lasso is pioneering into the New World of online publishing. 

MUN Hosts 268 Delegates from 11 Schools
By Sara Kaplow (October 3, 2001)
This past weekend, George Mason hosted its 14th annual Model United Nations conference. The conference, which included 268 students from 11 different schools, was one of the largest ever. The conference lasted from 6-9 PM on Friday night and resumed from 9-4 PM on Saturday.

SCA Retreat Mixes Business, Fun
By David Oglethorpe (October 3, 2001)
Whether you enjoy team building activities, hay -rides, or cooking "weenies" over an open fire, the SCA retreat was the place to be. On the 23rd of September 43 students piled into two busses and headed off to the annual retreat grounds.

Snee, Others Protest VHSL’s Choice of Liberty U.
By Betsy Breen (October 3, 2001)
George Mason High School Principal Bob Snee along with a number of parents in the community, have once again petitioned the Virginia High School League (VHSL) to change its state basketball tournament from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, to another site.

Debate at George Mason - Two Views

Virginia House Candidates Debate at GM
By Irene Farrow (October 3, 2001)
Incumbent Delegate Jim Scott and challenger David Snyder met yesterday in George Mason Auditorium and engaged in a lively debate, adjudicated by Seniors Meghan Baer and Josh Singer. The government students of Mr. Peloquin and Mr. Pikrallidas, and voting seniors were present, as were various members of the community.
Candidates Collide on Center Stage
By Gordon Daisley (October 3, 2001)
On Tuesday, October 2nd, 200 Mason students from grades 10 – 12 filled the auditorium to see the candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates square off in a heated debate. Incumbent Delegate James Scott (Dem.) and his district opponent, former Falls Church mayor David Snyder (Rep.), were given the chance to present their platforms and argue over key issues of the November 6 election.