West Parking Lot of All City Stadium @ South High • $2 FREE Hot Dogs & $1 FREE Soft Drinks for all Spartan Alumni who sign in.
Fun Games Sponsored by The Broncos
7 p.m. Football Game – TJ vs South
Designated alumni seating. Alumni will be recognized at halftime.
9-ish Post-Game
Alumni can get together at one of the many Spartan-owned establishments. (Locations TBA.)

Plan ahead for next year…

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2011*
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tailgate & Homecoming Game
Saturday, September 17, 2011
50 Years of TJ Mega-Reunion &
Presentation of the TJ SPARTAN HALL OF FAME
Sunday, September 18, 2011
First Annual TJ Spartan Alumni Golf Tournament

*These plans are tentative.

Please register for the Alumni Association today so that we can inform you of upcoming events. Go to: www.alumni@tjjournal.
com, or log on directly through the school’s website: www.tjournal.com. There is no fee, and your information will remain confidential.
The Thomas Jefferson Spartan Alumni Associa tion is the only official alumni organization affiliated with Thomas Jefferson
High School in Denver, Colorado. (Be ware of imposters!)
We need your help connecting with alumni, coordinating these events, organizing the Alumni Association, establishing the TJ
Spartan Hall of Fame & more! If you would like to join our effor ts, please contact Kendra Valis Black
(kendrablack@pioneergrp.com, 303-877-7912) or Judy Roorda Francois (swtjudyblus@yahoo.com, 720-472-1920).
All correspondence can be mailed to Thomas Jefferson High School, 3950 S. Holl y St., Denver, CO 80237. 720-423-7000.

Each year, 9th and 10th grade students at TJ take the dreaded state-mandated CSAP test.   The CSAP is not loved by students, nor is it a favorite of teachers, yet it remains an important measure of student achievement and school effectiveness.

TJ administration and faculty are always trying new and innovate ways to motivate the students to attend the tests and to put forth their best effort.  This year, some TJ alumni have joined with staff to design and fund a CSAP incentives and rewards plan.

Thanks to alumni donations, students can be compensated up to $40 for improving their scores from 2009.  In addition to earning cash, students will also be entered into a raffle to win some really exciting prizes like iPods, Skullcandy headphones, other electronics, and fun Spartan gear.  It is our hope that the students will shine and show their Spartan pride.

We need your help!  If you would like to join us in this effort, please contact Kendra Black @ kendrablack@pioneergrp.com.

Here is the message that I gave to the current Spartan freshmen and sophomores by way of The Spartan Edition, TJ’s daily televised video news broadcast:

On Thursday August 20^th, Alumni and Parent Volunteer Kendra Black and the 2009 Thomas Jefferson boys’ soccer teams showed their appreciation to the school by devoting their labor and know-how to help enrich the TJ appearance.

Through sweat and strength, the boys were able to squeeze in some team bonding time while digging holes, planting trees and laying mulch in the front of the school. “While performing their civic duty, the soccer team embodied this year’s goal: This is the standard to which we rise above,” Soccer Coach Jon Poole commented. Poole found out about the tree planting opportunity through the Spartan Alumni Association and the School Culture Committee. The two groups teamed up to help create and build on the culture of the school and show respect for the surroundings, with a common goal of improving the school’s image.

Kendra Black has been the backbone of these efforts. Her guidance and energy was key in helping to get the trees planted in an effective and efficient way. “Many of us put in a lot of hard work to help improve these aspects of the school,” said Black, as she continues to show her dedication as she waters the trees daily.  Black is a TJ alumnus (class of 1982) and currently has a sophomore, Griffin Black, attending TJ, which keeps her linked to the school’s community.

Black was able to connect with the City and County of Denver Million Tree Program, which donated five trees (four ornamental pear trees and one London Plane tree). Her goal was to create a pleasant and welcoming entrance to the school building. “I wanted the front of the school to look better,” Black said.

During the summer these efforts began to take place when many members of the TJ community came together to install benches and lay fresh paint. “These community work days increase school pride and better our building and grounds,” Black said.

“It’s critical to understand and value the importance of the community. They [student athletes] need to show their appreciation to the school,” Coach Poole commented as he reflected on the team’s efforts. He hopes that they understood the significance of their actions and were able to embrace the opportunity and gain respect for their school community.

“It was cool to see them working hard to plant and interact with each other and their coach. They were able to leave their mark while making the school a better place for their fellow students,” TJ Principal Sandra Just remarked. Just believes that so far these beautification efforts have had a very positive outcome not only on the TJ appearance but on the students and staff as well.

The boys made it evident that they were able to come out of this project feeling like they gave back to their school.   Keith Warren, a TJ soccer player say, “It was nice to be able to make the school look pretty. It was a great bonding experience for the whole team; we learned a lot about each other and nature.”

Tommy Moehlman, also a soccer player and DECA officer, said, “We got to show our school pride because we helped contribute towards making the school look better for everyone.”

These efforts will all go towards promoting the TJ Summit Retreat, which will be taking place on Saturday, September 12^th from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. held at TJ. The Summit will be a day-long retreat where different members of our TJ community will come together to brainstorm and create a plan to, “Build a Community around respect and school beautification and pride.” Save the date TJ! The community hopes to see you there.

The TJ community joined forces on June 27 for our first annual Community Work Day. Over one hundred volunteers—including students, parents, alumni and Sharefest volunteers—dedicated an entire Saturday to improving TJ. The front of the school looks remarkably better with a fresh coat of TJ brown paint on the fence, new benches, improved landscaping, flowers and new mulch. The parking lot was swept, the stage and storage were cleaned out, auditorium seats were cleaned, the insides of lockers cleaned, and many years worth of sports photos were hung throughout the building.

This Community Work Day has begun what will surely be a new tradition at Thomas Jefferson High School. Principal Sandra Just and Assistant Principal Scott Lessard plan to hold one or two Community Work Days each year and bring our TJ community together to build relationships, increase school pride and to better our building and grounds.

All alumni are invited to participate in the planning of these work days and on the days themselves. For more information, please contact Kendra Valis Black @ kendrablack@pioneergrp.com or 303-639-5453.

March 24, 2010

My name is Brian Berge, and we are trying to get info out on our 40th class reunion for the class
of 1970. The dates are August 6th and 7th, 2010 and anyone can contact me for more information at bcberge@aol.com

January 11, 2010

TJHS Class of 1990 20-Year Reunion will be August 13-15, 2010.  Update your contact information, help with the planning and get more details at http://www.tjclassof90.com.

November 8, 2009

We are helping the class of 1980 with their reunion this coming summer.
http://www.weplanreunions.com/www/reunion_info/reunions_tj80.html

A group of 100 dedicated volunteers will be coming to TJ on June 27, to help TJ improve the campus and grounds. Sharefest is a faith-based organization that desires to help out local teachers, administrators, and school board members. It was created out of successful church-wide assignments that encouraged church members to be more generous with their time and money.

Sharefest will be coming to TJ on June 27, to help participate in the first Annual TJ Beautification Day. All TJ students and parents are more than welcome to come out and help support the school. “The idea of this all is to spur interest in the TJ community,” said Assistant Principal Scott Lessard. The volunteers who come out will be doing several things to improve the appearance of TJ.

The main objectives of the day will be to clean out lockers, weed the grounds, trash collection, mulching, and painting. “We welcome everyone who is interested in coming, including kids who need community service hours for their specific clubs or sports,” said Parent Volunteer Kendra Black.

This Beautification Day will not be the first one in DPS. George Washington High School held a similar day on April 19th of this year. “It was a great thing. A lot of seniors came out, and everyone just had a common goal to improve the appearance of their school. It gave the kids something to take pride in, and it made everyone happy,” said Black, who has children at both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington High Schools.

The opportunity to host Beautification day is a very special honor for the entire Thomas Jefferson community, “We have a unique opportunity, and I think all parties involved will benefit from this experience,” said Lessard.

Beautification Day will take place on Saturday June 27 from 7:00-3:00 at TJ. All students, parents, and faculty members who are interested in taking part in Beautification Day are asked to contact Scott Lessard with any questions at scott_lessard@dpsk12.org.

When the clock strikes 2:45 on May 29th, it will be the end of the year for many high school students, but in the case of Gordon Heaton it will be the end of an era; the culmination of a well respected and decorated teaching career.

Heaton, a teacher at TJ for the past 14 years, has mixed feelings about his journey coming to an end. “On one hand I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with my family; that is something that always has been and always will be dear to me. On the other hand, I love instructing kids; but I feel very comfortable with my decision,” said Heaton.  In those 14 years at TJ Heaton has taught many courses in the social studies department. “When I was a senior in high school, I had a talented, yet fun teacher who taught history. Same thing happened when I went to college; I had two professors who taught the courses with great enthusiasm, and I think that’s when I got my fervor for history. About half way through college I decided teaching was something I wanted to do. I hope I made the right decision,” commented Heaton, a smile from ear to ear.

In 1943 Heaton was born into humble surroundings in the state of Illinois to a farming family. As a kid he learned the values of hard work, getting up each day at five o’clock in the morning to help with the tending of their fields. Once graduated from high school in 1961, Heaton chose to attend Illinois College, in Jacksonville Illinois to play baseball and further his education. While in college he discovered his interest in history and began considering teaching as a possibility.  After graduating college he began teaching middle school English at Horace Mann in Denver. In the next seven years Heaton saw his family expand with the addition of his first three children, daughters Angela and Melissa, and son Rob. Over the next 30 years Heaton became an active leader in multiple teacher unions and was elected president of both the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and the Colorado Education Association. Now, in 2009 after his first semester, Heaton made it public knowledge that he will be retiring at year’s end.  True to his classic work ethic, he will end his career with 320 days of unused sick leave and the utmost respect for his career from everyone who has met him.

The list of what Heaton is hoping to do with his soon-to-be increasing spare time has already begun to fill pages rapidly in his monthly planner. “I am a huge baseball fan, so I will definitely take in some Rockies games. I am also a Golf hobbyist; I enjoy playing, but Tiger doesn’t have to worry about me coming out of retirement to challenge him or anything, I just do it for fun. One thing I used to do a lot, and I sorely miss, is running. I used to run in my spare time to keep in shape, but that is something that has eluded me in the past few years. I have no reason for not doing it, and it’s something I definitely will be interested in doing in the near future. But definitely the biggest thing is spending time with family. I have six kids, one of whom is going to Jacksonville University to play soccer, and the twins who will be freshmen in high school next year, so seeing them compete in their athletics will be a priority. I have plenty of grand kids who will now get to see Grandpa Gordon a lot more, but I will also likely travel back to my home state of Illinois to see my mother and brother as well,” said Heaton.

When a person like Heaton dedicates so much time and energy to something, it is difficult so say goodbye, as he acknowledges. “When it is all over on the 30th, I am sure there is going to be… a lot of emotion, a lot of past memories racing through my head. I probably will think of every school I have ever taught at. I expect there to be tears of plenty. It’s just – don’t get me wrong I am excited about retiring – but I will just miss the kids. This school has become a place for me where I feel completely comfortable. Part of that was the staff, but also the kids along with the parents…they have always shown me the utmost respect, which made things much more enjoyable, too,” stated Heaton.

Dictionary.com defines a teacher as, “A person who teaches or instructs as a profession.” Such bland words are not sufficient for Heaton’s students – past and present – when they think of what Heaton has done for them in the defined role. Ivory Allen, a graduate from the class of 2007, feels that Heaton’s class was much more valuable in life lessons, more so even than in history. “Heaton’s class was so amazing. He always went 110% and expected pretty much the same from us. He taught me such a great work ethic, and never let us students ease up. It has really helped me, especially in college. He has touched me and so many other people with how caring he is. I really hope he will enjoy retirement and he will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Allen.

Students who have graduated as recently as just one year ago are still singing Heaton’s praise. “Mr. Heaton is one of those teachers that is just so involved in the school. He knew when all the baseball games were and who the athletes are, and he really cared about how the teams did on the field as well as how well they did in his class. He is just a good guy overall and is a teacher that 30 years from now you talk about with your friends and tell your kids about,” said Michael Mankoff, class of 2008.

Christina Danek, another graduate from 2008, talked about Heaton’s ability to draw students’ interests into the subject he is teaching. “Before Mr. Heaton I never was really interested in history. Yet I remember on the first day walking into his class, he was so passionate about everything he was doing, and it made me more interested in the subject just because of his body language. The entire time we were in his class we spent our time learning about great Americans and what they have done to build our country; but, in reality, the great American was right in front of us,” said Danek, tears accumulating in her eyes.

Many of this year’s seniors feel lucky that they were able to be in Heaton’s class in this, his last year. Krystal Kelley, one of those seniors, expressed her gratitude for Heaton. “Mr. Heaton is the definition of an outstanding teacher. The environment which he creates, as well as just his style, is unique. He never gives us busy work, which is really nice. However, what I will never forget about Mr. Heaton is how he is just an amazing person. I remember a story where he was dealing with some racist people in college. They weren’t discriminating against him, but against a ‘colored’ classmate of his. Mr. Heaton chose not to associate himself with those people again, even though it was common back in the sixties,” said Kelley, also in tears.

Some students, as in the case of Derek Martin, Corner-Back for the Baltimore Ravens, learned more important things just by observing Heaton. “The first day of Mr. Heaton’s class I was late. He kind of just gave me a look, and from then on I knew I had to be on time. Another thing I learned from Mr. Heaton – other than history – is how to be a good father. He was always talking about his kids, and kept them high on his priority list, and it was something that I learned to do now that I am a father,” said Martin, Class of 2003.

However, Heaton’s influence was not just felt by the students who took his class; many faculty members have gained from their experiences with him, as well. Mark Smith, the man who will be taking over Heaton’s AP U.S. History class, came to TJ when Heaton was the Social Studies Department Chair, and felt very comfortable in his new role because of Heaton’s support. “Gordon has basically been the mentor to every social studies teacher in the building. We all kind of look up to him and try to be like him. Since I have been here he has been the glue, I guess you could say, that holds us as a department together,” said Smith.

Jon Poole, another TJ teacher who was mentored by Heaton, feels TJ is losing a part of itself. “I have actually told quite few people this, but what I say is, when Mr. Heaton retires, it will be like losing an institution here at the school. He, to me, has been TJ, represents what TJ is, and does it with excitement. So to see him go will be a sad loss for the school. He has also taught me a lot about organization; not necessarily how I keep my desk, but how I run my lesson plans and such. While I’ll be losing a teacher, the biggest thing I will miss, and hope to try and carry on, is his sense of humor. Every year at the teachers’ luncheon he is the emcee, and every year without fail he has the place in stitches with all his jokes,” commented Poole.

One of only a handful of people to have student taught under Heaton’s supervision, TJ Tutor Wauneta Vann, feels honored by the fact that Heaton entrusted her with his classes. “I remember, Mr. Heaton and I had been acquainted for a little while, and I was beating around the bush about asking him if I could student teach under his direction. About a quarter of the way through what I was trying to say, he stopped me and just told me ‘Wauneta, if you want to student teach with me, I would be more then happy to have you work with me.’ Once it was all done I recall telling my parents, if I could just be one half of the teacher he has been, then I would turn out to be successful, because he has accomplished so much in terms of the respect from his students and peers, that just a portion of that same amount of respect would be enough for me,” said Vann.

A testament to Heaton as both a person and a professional is his friend and colleague, TJ Teacher Matt Spampinato. “When Gordon came to TJ, we hit it off right away. We are both big baseball fans, and more than anything we are optimists about the Rockies every season. Almost every day we see each other and talk baseball, and he is just a good guy. To me though, what I will remember him by, is how great a teacher he is. What sets him apart is that the knows his subject so well, and it comes through in how he teaches. As far as I am concerned he is right there at the top of the list of teachers I have worked with,” said Spampinato.

Yes when the clock strikes 2:45 there will be the end of an era: 44 years of hard work and dedication to his students by one man will be concluded with a smile, a rush of memories, a good joke, and perhaps a tear or two.

Two commemorative alumni banners hung proudly in the TJ gym before the TJ-East basketball game on February 10th: those of Daniel Graham and Andre Woolfolk.  Derrick Martin, Cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens and 2003 TJ graduate, joined this elite group of Spartans-turned-pro on the south wall of the Thomas Jefferson gym.

Martin was a standout football, basketball, and track athlete at TJ and went on to continue his success at the University of Wyoming on an athletic scholarship.  At UW Martin played football and recorded 134 tackles, 21 pass deflections, two sacks, and six interceptions in 30 games.  Of the 30 games in which Martin played, he started in 24, clearly making a strong and immediate impact on Wyoming’s football program.

Prior to the game, Martin was introduced by Head Coach Grant Laman and welcomed by a packed house in the TJ gym; a gym where Martin spent much time during his high school days. (Martin was the TJ Memorial Randy Brewer Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year Award recipient in 2003).  His wife, Alexa – who is also a TJ graduate – and their 11-month-old son Derrick Jerome Martin III accompanied Martin.

“I encourage all of the students in here to keep your grades high and do well in school. School should be your first priority,” said Martin as he addressed the crowd.  “I am honored to be recognized with the banner and I hope to see you all at my camp this summer.”

Martin declared for the 2006 NFL Draft after his junior season at Wyoming and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the final pick of the 6th round.  Martin is the only player to be drafted from Wyoming.  In his three years in the NFL Martin has posted 46 tackles and two interceptions in 28 games.

TJ Athletic Director Lani Nobles fondly remembers Martin’s ambition when he still roamed these halls as a Spartan.  “I remember Derrick pointing to the banner of Daniel Graham hanging in our gym, and telling me to save the spot next to it for him. At the time I laughed out loud and said, ‘Sure Derrick, I will save that spot for you,’” recalled Nobles. “He grinned his huge Derrick Martin smile and said, ‘I mean it Ms. Nobles, that spot will be mine.’”

Six years later, accompanied by a successful time in college and a blossoming NFL career, Martin’s wish came true.  His Spartan legacy now hangs with the cream of the crop for everyone who comes into the TJ gym to see. “I have to say a lot of kids dream big, but I believed Derrick.  Now we can hang him a banner in his honor,” said Nobles.

Since Martin made it big in the NFL he still hasn’t forgotten where he came from.  In 2008 Martin hosted the inaugural Derrick Martin Sportsfest in Denver to benefit the athletic department at TJ.  The Sportsfest included free football and cheerleading clinics, a celebrity basketball game and celebrity bowling.  Martin is planning on hosting the event again in 2009.

“He has already done some nice things for the community of Thomas Jefferson High School and we appreciate his support greatly,” said Nobles.

‘08! ‘09! ‘10! ‘61! Wait, is that 1961? That’s right, the graduating class of 1961 and 1962 came to revisit Thomas Jefferson High School, and some of the visitors hadn’t seen the school for over 45 years. 

There were people from all over the country coming back to reunite with old classmates and rekindle the flames of TJ pride that seem to have never been extinguished.

While the original Spartans gathered in the front of the school next to the trophy case, brother and sister, Paul and Marian Pierce, were more than happy to share their experiences. They recalled the first Spartan assembly where their school mascot was chosen; not by the new high school students, but by the middle school kids who had originally been going here. The younger kids thought the name TJ Spartans was better than the Crusaders, or the Advocates. The Pierces also talked about how South High School was TJ’s number one rival in those days. Originally, most of Thomas Jefferson’s high school students had gone to South and had to be bussed over. “At the South vs. TJ games we would mostly be cheering against our old classmates,” remarked Paul.
As the retro-Spartans toured their former school, led by several student ambassadors and Rose Romero-Young, they were amazed at how high school life had changed. Romero-Young particularly enjoyed showing the visitors the modern weight room. “They were really impressed with the new addition, especially the men,” she said.

The alumni were also surprised by the current students’ clothing. One woman remarked, “I can’t believe these kids today are wearing all these t-shirts. When I was going to school, those were to be worn under your clothing.”
Another former student reflected on the appearance of the gym. “These are the same bleachers we used to cheer from!” he said.
The original Spartans came back to TJ for more than just a look around; they are hoping to start an alumni association.  Pam Shepard, class of 1962, told the Jefferson Journal, “What we hope to accomplish with the alumni association is to have a support system for the school in various ways. We would like the group to be not just graduates, but one that includes teachers, parents and friends who would like to reconnect with one another to promote the past, present and future of Thomas Jefferson.”
With work on the Alumni Association underway, Principal Sandra Just says progress is being made. “Mrs. Young is working closely with them to create the alumni association; we blocked out some time each day to give her a duty period for working on the alumni association, ” said Just.  Therefore, this is not the last time you’ll be hearing about Thomas Jefferson’s roaring classes of 1961 and 1962.