George Mason High School's Lasso On-Line

Mason Awarded Major Grant
To Combat Risk Factors
By Christie Ankeney (May 26, 2006)
Sports Illustrated Magazine and the Oregon Health and Science University has announced that George Mason is among four high schools in Virginia to receive a grant equivalent to $30,000 to start a drug and steroid prevention program in their schools.

Waiting for the Epidemic
U.S. Bird Flu: Closer Than We Think
By Sarah Van Buren (May 25, 2006)
With avian influenza edging closer and closer to the United States it is now officially a matter of time until we begin to live the epidemic. Avian influenza – a fatal disease with no known cure has already reached parts of Europe, Asia and Africa.

‘I Wonder Why’
5 Earn Awards in Reflections Contest
(May 23, 2006)
All five students whose submissions to the annual PTSA Reflections contest were submitted to the Fairfax Cluster for judging in December have earned awards for their artwork at that level.

Darfur: Pointers about Genocide
By Sarah Van Buren (May 11, 2006)
You’ve seen it in the newspaper; you’ve watched it on the news. The Darfur genocide has been getting a lot of attention these past few weeks, especially with the rally held on Sunday, April 30

Never Again?
Save Darfur Rally to Stop Genocide
Tries to Raise World’s Awareness
By Julie Dorsey (May 6, 2006)
Right here in our nation’s capital, an estimated 50,000 people, including a number of George Mason students, gathered on the Mall last Sunday to hear several speakers address the genocide that is taking place in Sudan’s Darfur region.

First Ever Career Expo a Success
By Dana Cazan (May 6, 2006)
Twenty different exhibitors gathered in the Cafe for the first ever George Mason High School Career Expo Wednesday after school.

After One Year on GMHS Staff,
McCarty to Replace Retiring Friedman
GMHS Administrator Ann McCarty Hired as Middle School Principal
(April 5, 2006)

Downey Elected VP in Only Contested Race
Candidates, Officers-Elect Discuss Qualifications, Plans for SCA
By Sarah Van Buren and Margaret Lipman (April 4, 2006)
Six uncontested officers-elect and three candidates for vice president of the Student Council Association gave speeches to the student body on Thursday about their qualifications for office and their plans for the upcoming school year.

60+ Students Cut Class, Join March Against
Pending Immigration Bills
Snee Offers Two-Pronged Amnesty
(April 1, 2006)
Over 60 Mason students walked out of school Thursday to join with hundreds of other Northern Virginia high school students who were intent on protesting certain immigration bills in front of Congress that they felt would be overly punitive toward immigrants.

Hugs, Tears, and Everything in Between
Students, Faculty Open Up
At ‘Memorable’ Challenge Day
By Margaret Lipman (April 1, 2006)
Over two-thirds of the junior class and over 30 teachers participated in the first GMHS “Challenge Day” Wednesday and Thursday, March 22 and 23, a memorable experience that many students and faculty members feel was highly worthwhile.

D.C. Area IB Students Attend
‘Just World Festival’ at Annandale
By Alex Holachek (March 29, 2006)
Nearly 150 International Baccalaureate students from the Washington area, including several from George Mason, gathered at the 1st Just World Festival at Annandale High School last Friday afternoon.

Winning Design Revoked
Concern Prompts 2nd Contest
For Senior T-Shirt
By Gregg Curtin (March 28, 2006)
A second senior T-shirt design contest will be held at the beginning of April matching the original four contestants who submitted designs, after the winning design created by senior Sean Nannery failed approval by Principal Bob Snee.

Widely Acclaimed Program Hopes to Encourage
Compassion, Eliminate ‘Social Oppression’
Juniors to Participate in First
Class-Wide ‘Challenge Day’ This Week
By Margaret Lipman (March 21, 2006)
More than two-thirds of the junior class will be participating in a special event known as “Challenge Day” tomorrow and Thursday in the auxiliary gym.

Robotics Team Comes in 43rd
At Naval Academy Competition
By Bjorn Westergard (March 21, 2006)

Spring Play
Neil Simon’s Farcical ‘Fools’
Opens Thursday for 3-Night Run
By Katie Gordon (March 21, 2006)
Imagine that you can't remember your first name, you don't know how to sit, and, worse yet, love doesn't exist.

Robotics Team Girds for Battle
By Bjorn Westergard (March 16, 2006)
Today, tomorrow, and Saturday the Robotics Team will compete in its first competition of the season. Core members of the robotics team spent the weekend before last “spectating” at the Virginia Commonwealth University FIRST robotics regional, one of 30 regionals being held around the world during the six-week competition season.

Musical Prowess Proved Yet Again
Symphonic Band Earns Superior
Festival Rating 5th Consecutive Year
By Margaret Lipman (March 16, 2006)
For the fifth year in a row, the George Mason High School Symphonic Band received an overall superior rating at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association District X Band Festival, despite playing their most challenging music to date.

Scholastic Bowl
Mason Concludes 22-2 Season as
Runner-Up to Radford in State Finals
By Margaret Lipman (February 27, 2006)
The Scholastic Bowl team finished off its very successful season in Saturday’s state finals at the College of William and Mary by placing second to four-time state champion Radford High School.

Mardi Gras in the Halls
Carnival-Themed Week Aims
To Raise Funding and Awareness
By Gregg Curtin (Febuary 25, 2006)
The effects of last fall’s Hurricane Katrina – one of the worst natural disasters in United States history -- have energized a GM effort to help rebuild a city that has had an enormous impact on American culture.

In Fond Memory
Mr. Lewis Edward Aylor, 1929 - 2006
(February 22, 2006)
Family and friends packed the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Brightwood, Virginia, Saturday to pay their last respects to Lewis Aylor, a retired loyal George Mason High School employee of 37 years.

Students Paint, Write, Draw, Photograph
Their Way to ‘Reflections’ Success
By Alex Holachek (February 10, 2006)
The Reflections program recently rewarded the creative endeavors of George Mason students by recognizing a number of student works.

$1,050 Raised for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Bumgarner, Zaccor Named Mr.
And Ms. Mason 2005-2006
By Margaret Lipman (February 6, 2006)
Seniors Bob Bumgarner and Jackie Zaccor were named Mr. and Ms. Mason at the Sixth Annual Mr. Mason competition on Saturday, which was expanded to include Ms. Mason last year.

Arrest Made In Killing of 1993
Mason Grad Margaret Muller
(January 28, 2006)
An arrest has been made in the long-running investigation of the stabbing death of Margaret Muller, a 1993 graduate of George Mason High School, who was brutally attacked nearly three years ago while jogging in east London’s Victoria Park in February, 2003.

Mason Loses to Holton-Arms,
Bullis on 'It's Academic'
By Margaret Lipman (January 19, 2006)
Members of the George Mason Scholastic Bowl team competed on the television quiz show “It’s Academic” last Saturday at NBC 4 Studios, but were defeated by Maryland private schools Holton-Arms and Bullis.

Annual IB Forum
Grads Offer Advice to Masonites
By Dana Cazan (January 14, 2006)
A buzz of anticipation engulfed the auditorium as sophomore EmilyPerry conveyed her personal thoughts to all those assembled.

Vae Victus Begins New Season
Robotics Team Given Its Tasks
By Bjorn Westergard (January 11, 2006)
The Robotics Team started its much anticipated third season in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition last Saturday.

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!
‘ Mason Madness’ Propels Varsity Basketball Team to Victory
By Margaret Lipman (January 9, 2006)
Have you noticed all those flyers that have plastered the school’s walls for the last week?

Scholastic Bowl
Mason Ups District Record to 9 – 0;
Looks Towards Districts, Regionals,
‘ It’s Academic’
By Margaret Lipman (January 5, 2006)
The Scholastic Bowl team upped its winning streak to an undefeated 9 – 0 last night in their third district -- and only home match -- of the season.

Senior Class Annual Drive
70+ Donors Yield 50+ Pints of Blood
(December 10, 2005)
From the beginners to the experienced, blood donors turned out in force last Friday to help those in need of blood in the metropolitan area.

Gettysburg Field Trip
Over 100 Students Enrich Their
Civil War Study with Battlefield Visit
By Margaret Lipman (December 8, 2005)
Over 100 juniors visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Monday to gain a better understanding of that pivotal July, 1863, battle, a respect for the countless thousands who fought and died there, and an appreciation for the enormity, importance, toll, and impact of the Civil War.

Kiss Me Kate
Curtain Rises Tonight, As Do Tempers
By Olivia Farrow (December 1, 2005)
Why are there trails of terra cotta paint outside the stage doors? Is there any reason why Andy Parker is walking around with poofy pants and a goofy hat, or does he just like the fabric? Did Katie Gordon’s hair miraculously grow two feet overnight?

SACS CASI Team Finds GM 'Highly Effective'
Accreditation Committee Visit Yields Commendations and Recommendations
By Margaret Lipman (November 25, 2005)
Following an intensive examination of all of Mason’s programs, a three-person accreditation team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) has termed the high school “highly effective” and recommended continued accreditation.

Debate Team Starts Up;
Tackles Euthanasia First
By Stephen Finley (November 25, 2005)
Should euthanasia on humans be morally acceptable to the US culture? This controversial question was the topic of the first debate recently held by the brand new debate team.

Funds Enable Regional Competition
Aurora Flight Sciences Awards
Robotics Team $5,000
By Bjorn Westergard (November 23, 2005)
The Robotics Team was awarded $5.000 last Saturday for completing five (out of a possible seven) building challenges at Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation’s research and development facility in Manassas last Saturday

Play Preview
‘ Kiss Me Kate’ Rehearsals Show
Promise for December Debut
By Olivia Farrow (November 17, 2005)
Hopes are high as rehearsals, which began in early October, continue apace for the theatre production of the winter musical Kiss Me Kate which is scheduled for December 1, 2, and 3.

Faculty Share Unique Expertise
In Professional Development Conference
By Margaret Lipman (November 10, 2005)
As Mason students enjoyed the last day of their four-day weekend on Tuesday, over 60 GM staff members participated in an unorthodox and unusual professional development workshop.

JV Show Tonight, Friday
Are Mustangs Ready for Malagasy Rap?
By Bjorn Westergard and Alex Holachek
(November 3, 2005)
Malagasy rappers are going to prove that English language-rap is obsolete. George Mason's most venerable garage band is going to play without its lead singer for the first time.

At Hemlock Retreat
SCA Reps Select ‘Around the World’
As 2005 Homecoming Theme
By Susanna Sullivan (October 5, 2005)
Nearly 40 students and several faculty members spent two days working to plan crucial decisions for the year, especially those related to Homecoming and Spirit Week, at the Student Council Retreat at Hemlock Overlook the weekend before last.

Model United Nations
18th Annual Model UN Conference
Largest in GM History
By Margaret Lipman (October 6, 2005)
The George Mason Model United Nations Club hosted the largest Model UN Conference in GM history last Friday and Saturday, as over 360 student delegates from 13 Maryland and Virginia schools gathered to represent the nations of the world in 10 different UN committees.

'Cappies' Program Slated for Encore
By Alex Holachek (September 29, 2005)
By all indications “The Cappies,” a program in which students review theater productions of other high schools, is returning full force to George Mason after several years’ absence.

Annual Grounds Party
250 Mustangs Paint 5 Mustangs
Designed by Lin on Spirit Wall
By Margaret Lipman (September 26, 2005)
An estimated 250 Mason students turned out at the annual Grounds Party to help paint a new mural, munch on hot dogs and brownies, and celebrate the conclusion of the third week of school last Friday afternoon.

Katrina Relief Efforts
Mixed Emotions Collide in
Second Meeting to Plan Help
By Alex Holachek (September 17, 2005)
The second meeting of students interested in planning for relief for victims of hurricane Katrina featured a mix of frustration and hope, as students expressed concern that the movement was steadily losing viability, yet expressed enthusiasm for a possible plan of action presented by assistant principal Tim Guy.

Can We Match Tsunami Effort?
First Planning Session Held to
Assist Hurricane Katrina’s Victims
By Alex Holachek (September 9, 2005)
The efforts of the students and faculty to provide aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina were jump-started Wednesday at a quick but productive after-school meeting. The gathering attracted about 50 students and several faculty members, many of whom suggested diverse ways of assisting the evacuees.