Lorton, Fairfax Station, Clifton: South County Welcomes Stallions
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Lorton, Fairfax Station, Clifton: South County Welcomes Stallions

South County High School principal Matt Ragone looks at class schedules with students during the first day of school.

South County High School principal Matt Ragone looks at class schedules with students during the first day of school. Photo by Tim Peterson.

Viewpoints

What are you most looking forward to today, this year?

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Jenna Huber, junior: “Meeting new people. I went to West Springfield High School last year, and before that was in school in Korea.”

South County High School principal Matt Ragone has been having “a blast” since he got to the school in the middle of last year. This being his first first day with these students, he said standing at the doors to the school “reinvigorated” him and other faculty with a reminder of their purpose in education.

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Katelyn Crafts, senior: “Graduating, then becoming a teacher for either elementary school or preschool.”

Among the principal’s goals for this school year are “making sure everyone feels welcome and has a place,” and “breaking out of department silos.”

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Nakkara Hess, senior: “It’s my last year of reckless youth -- I want a STOP sign. Also being happy with friends during our last year together.”

“Everyone sees it, says it’s a challenge,” Ragone said, referring to “pockets” of disconnected students in years past.

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Sarah Benson, senior: “Getting our literary magazine “Xanthus” off the ground has been my project after getting inspired by Creative Writing teacher Mr. Ketch. We started an online page this summer: The website is schsxanthus.wordpress.com.”

To accomplish the latter goal, he’s hired the school’s first “instructional coach” to work with teachers on collaborating and coordinating curriculums.