In this issue:
- From the Principal
- Testing Corner
- South County Theatre Arts
- Senior News
- From the Yearbook Staff
- From the Library
- Boys Summer Basketball Camp
- From the PTSO
-
Stallion Spirit Store
- Important Upcoming Dates
From The Principal
Family,
I hope this message finds each of you safe and well as we celebrate another great week of awesome experiences that we hope will hopefully help in shaping our students for years to come.
Some of you were physically on hand this week (the rest of you spiritually I am sure) as we acknowledged the efforts of our teachers and other staff during Teacher Appreciation Week! I get lots of credit for the work that is done in our building, and I try my best to ensure that everyone knows that it is the work that is being done by our fabulous staff of educators who should be receiving that praise. That is because this group of teachers is amazing and they love the work they do; not to mention that they love sharing their passions for their content with our students. Members of the PTSO and other volunteers laid out an amazing spread for the teachers on May 5th and served it with a Cinco de Mayo theme that everyone enjoyed. We even had a Mariachi Band in the cafeteria for the students to enjoy.
We were also able to do some raffles for our teachers and deliver them to them. We randomly selected students from the halls and asked about teachers who have impacted them the most. The stories we heard were so touching. We asked those students to accompany us as we delivered the prizes to them and allowed the students to share a bit about their experiences with that teacher and to hand them their gift. It was amazing! While I know that we can’t do all these things for our teachers every day, I do realize that they deserve something like this for the work they put in to ensure our students receive a great experience! Thank you for all you have done to support their work all year long!
As we wind down the time that we have together, it becomes more and more evident that my time at South County HS has been so, so worth every moment. I was able to participate in a number of Senior Nights this week. I got to see this group in their “four years later” garb and every handshake or hug was heart tugging. These are my babies! To our Senior parents I just want to say, thank you for sharing your students with me/us and for trusting me/us to get them through! That has meant so much to me. I appreciate you for it.
I was able to peek my head in to see a bit of Mamma Mia this weekend and will take in the entire show next weekend. We all want to think we can act, but the vast majority of us don’t have the courage nor the skill that our amazing cast members do. The support they get from their team members, producers, and our set designers and theatre technicians goes a long way also I am sure. But what these students along with the help of Mrs. Molly Rumberger have been able to put together is nothing short of amazing. I hope you take the opportunity to put your eyes on this show! One more weekend left. Don’t miss your chance to see the show. It will be where all the cool kids are hanging out!
Speaking of amazing experiences, the South County HS Crew Mens-2 boat, with 4 rowers and one coxswain, won the Virginia State Championship in this category on May 7th 2022. The Virginia Scholastic State Rowing Championship (VSRC) is split between two weekends on May 7th and May 14. South County Student Athletes Jae Wan Jung, Andrew Contreras, Shawn Rashidi, William Ngo, Connor Matier won their race by over 6 seconds on a rainy and cold day at the Sandy Run Regional Park in Fairfax Station, Virginia. South County High School is one of 39 member schools with the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (vasra.org). This is our 2nd State Championship in Crew. The first was in 2018 and here we are again! Congratulations to our Crew participants! Each team has represented South County well!
Congratulations to Yasmin Mirghani who earn a National Scholastic Gold Medal for her sculpture entitled “Emergence”. More than 100,000 students submitted more than 260,000 works of art and writing to the 2022 Scholastic Awards. Her work was selected by some of the foremost leaders in the visual arts for excellence in originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Less than 2,000 works received a National Medal, which places her within the top 1% of all submissions!
South County Visual Arts Department also had a tremendous showing at the Annual Tech Arts Competition. Only 9 entries from each school were permitted and South County had 7 total works of art recognized as finalist. The work will be on display at the ARTS HERNDON Gallery with an awards reception on May, 15 from 2-4pm. Way to Go Stallions!
Digital Photography:
Olivia Mitchell – “Against the Wall”
Karma Thanyachareon – “Lights, Camera, Action”
Caleb Martz – “Cloud of Lightning”
Digital Art:
David Griffith – “Disconnected”
Other Digital:
David Griffith – “Safety On”
David Griffith – “In Dead of Night”
David Griffith – “One Stroke”
All of these works will be on display and much more at the Annual South County Pyramid Art Show which will be held at the Lorton Workhouse Muse Gallery from May 25th through June 5th.
Lastly, I would like to share that we are in the midst of our end of year assessments. These assessments show the work that our students and staff have put in over the course of the year. Please ensure that your child is getting the much needed rest they should have in order for them to be able to perform to their potential. I know how putting the 5 year old down to bed can be a battle. Putting the 15 – 18 year old down is like a world war! But I have faith in every one of you to deliver for us! Good Luck!
Thank you once again for another great week of Family! You can’t find this kind of stuff just anywhere. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, and I look forward to chatting with you again next weekend! Take care and continue to be safe! #OneStallion
Gary
Testing Corner
The Testing Office is in need of parent volunteers to help support Advanced Placement (AP) Testing from May 2 through May 17. Volunteers would support the Student Services staff in checking in students, distributing tests, and supporting test security during the exams. To avoid conflicts of interest, we ask that parents do not volunteer during their own student’s exam. Please go to the Sign-Up Genius linked below to volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FABA82FA0FE3-advanced
If you have any additional questions, please contact Chris Bird, AP Test Coordinator, and cwbird@fcps.edu or at 703-446-1643.
 The SCHS Theatre Arts Department
is proud to present their spring musical,
Mamma Mia!
On a small Greek island, Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is! Her mother, Donna, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam, Bill, and Harry. She secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought! Told through the legendary music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! such as Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, and the classic Mamma Mia!, this musical has become a worldwide sensation that has audiences everywhere dancing. Please be aware this show contains mature themes. It may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
Performances are on May 13, and 14 at 7 pm and tickets are $15.
Tickets can be purchased at schstheatre.com or directly at this link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15597/.
If you have any questions, please reach out to
Molly Rumberger, SCHS Theatre Arts Director,
at mdrumberger@fcps.edu.
Attention Class of 2022
Parents/Guardians!
Link to the Senior Information section
https://sites.google.com/view/schs-class-of-2022/home
FINANCE INFORMATION:
All Seniors will need to clear all financial obligations to the school before graduation in June. Different types of obligations have different payment methods available. Students and families may check debts in MySchoolBucks, and ask about debts and lost books in the Main Office.
- Senior dues ($75) should be paid using MySchoolBucks, through the School Store, by May 1.
- Fees for this year’s courses should be paid using MySchoolBucks, in the Invoice section, by May 1.
- Lost chargers or laptops can be paid using MySchoolBucks, through the School Store, by May 1 OR by bringing cash or a check* to Finance. If you return the item, you do not have to pay for it.
- Fees for courses you took in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade must be paid in the Finance Office, using cash or check.*
- FCPS-On Technology Support Fee for 2019-20 must be paid in the Finance Office, using cash or a check.*
- Books from past years, both textbooks and novels from English class, must be returned to the Finance Office, OR paid for using cash or a check.* If you return the book, you do not have to pay for it.
- Books from this year should be returned to the teacher who checked them out to you, or paid for in the Finance Office if they are lost, using cash or a check.*
- Athletic uniforms returned late must be returned to the coach, who must email the Finance Office to have Finance clear the obligation.
- Other fees or charges must be paid in the Finance Office, using cash or a check.*
*Prior to May 1, students and parents can pay obligations with cash or a check (payable to South County High School).
After May 1, obligations can only be paid using cash. No checks will be accepted for senior obligations after May 1.
GRADUATION ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION:
Thank you for inquiring about handicapped seating at Eagle Bank Arena for graduation. Below is the information we have been provided by the arena. There is no reserved seating that we can provide. Everything is first come, first served.
There is handicapped seating in the arena at each of the entrances built in. They are clearly marked on the concourse and are located at each section entrance. The entrance to the seating is on the concourse level so there are no stairs or challenges to reaching the seating. There will be ushers who work for the arena who are able to direct you to the seating when you enter the arena. There is typically one seat marked for each seat that is available for a companion to the wheelchair seating. This seating is first come, first served.
Anyone in need of sign language interpretation at graduation for guests/family members of graduates, please email Kaitlyn Price at kaprice1@fcps.edu.
From The Yearbook Staff
If you want to pre-order a yearbook, you need to do so by Sunday, May 8. Sales close at midnight. There is a limited supply of books, and we are close to selling out, so if you want one, the sooner you buy, the better. All yearbooks need to be bought online at www.yearbookforever.com.
From the Library
All library materials checked out to seniors must be returned to the library by May 23rd. Library materials checked out to underclassmen will need to be returned by May 27th. Please ask your student(s) to continue to check their FCPS Gmail on Monday mornings for email reminders of any overdue library materials checked out to them. Seniors will need to clear their library account before receiving their cap and gown. Students can contact Ms. Strong or Ms. Romney in the library with any questions.
2022 BOYS BASKETBALL CAMP
June 20th-24th & June 27th-July 1st
Who | Basketball Enthusiasts Ages 7 - 15 Time | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Cost | $190 Save $15 if you sign up for both sessions Sibling Discount - $15 off first sibling Location | South County HS Gym (Entrance #11)
To Register: https://www.stallionsboysbasketball.com/basketball-camp.cfm
Camp Includes:
- Daily Skill Instruction from SC Coaches & Players
- 5 on 5 League Play & Championship Tournament
- 1 on 1 Tournament
- Hot Shot Contest
- Free Throw Contest
- Individual & Team Awards
- Free Camp T-Shirt
What to bring
- Basketball shoes
- Athletic shorts & t-shirt
- Water bottle
- Campers may bring a lunch or purchase one from the CONCESSION STAND
From the PTSO
Many Thanks!
We recently hosted a Craft Fair at SCHS and could not have done it without your support! Thank you to our committee chairs Carla Olivo, Renee Flynn, and Elena Jordon, Dena McCoy, Kidada Bivens, Administration and Transportation teams, and our many parent, guardian and student volunteers.
We also hosted a Staff Appreciation Luncheon and were overwhelmed by your generous donations. Thank you for showing our staff so much love and appreciation. Thank you to Doris Straughn and the Foreign Language Department, our Administration team, and our Amazing Committee chairs Karen McGuinness and Kasey Hill and their dedicated volunteers Katie O’Donnell, Jessica Herrington, Amy Biehl and Sandra White for ensuring our Cinco de Mayo themed luncheon was a success!
All Night Grad Party Amazon donation list!
Anyone can donate prizes for our Seniors!
SOCO All Night Grad Party Wish List
When you get to the checkout page, please choose the shipping address of:
South County ANGP Prizes - ATTN: Kidada Bivins. This will ensure all prizes go to the same location.
Thank you for your support of the South County Class of 2022!
They will all do amazing things and we are so excited to celebrate their accomplishments!
SENIOR PARENTS: All Night Grad Party Tickets
All Night Grad Party Tickets (ANGP) may be purchased at: https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/angp
The cost is $75/person. Please email angp@southcountyptso.org with questions. Please see your counselor if financial assistance is needed.
Our All Night Grad Party (ANGP) will be at The ST. James Entertainment Complex on June 6, 2022 from 11:00pm - 5:00 am.
Come join the fun! There will be a casino, ice skating, virtual reality, golf simulator, rock climbing, BINGO and so much more!
Grad Seat Raffle
Buy a chance to win 10 reserved special seating for graduation! Tickets are $10 each or $25 for 3! Purchase tickets here! Drawing will take place at Graduation Rehearsal!
If you are interested in learning more about the PTSO, please visit our website here. If you would like to make a donation to help us continue our programs that serve your children and/or become a member, please create an account (if you don’t already have one) and log in. Thank you!
SoCo Merchandise Available at the
Stallion Spirit Store
Website, Kiosk and Vending Machine!
South County’s Stallion Spirit Store has a variety or ways you can purchase items for the school year. We have a website where you can browse our spirit wear and find a PDF Order Form for download; invoicing for payment on MySchoolBucks will be sent after your order is fulfilled. You can also find our kiosk in the cafeteria during lunches on odd days (5th period) as well as in the gym lobby by way of a retail vending machine!
Thank you in advance for supporting the Entrepreneurship & Marketing program as well as the Work and Transition program here at South County. The students from these programs typically work the Spirit Kiosk at lunches to build customer service skills as well as count inventory, review financial records and create promotional plans. These work-based learning opportunities allow students to connect classroom lessons to actual scenarios.
If you are interested in learning more about the PTSO, please visit our website here. If you would like to make a donation to help us continue our programs that serve your children and/or become a member, please create an account (if you don’t already have one) and log in. Thank you!
Important Upcoming Dates
May 30 Memorial Day
June 6 Graduation 2pm Eagle Bank Arena/Early Release
June 10 Last Day of School/Early Release
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