WHEREAS, W. T. Woodson High School, named for Wilbert Tucker Woodson, the superintendent of Fairfax County Schools from 1929 to 1961, celebrated 50 remarkable and proud years in 2012; and

WHEREAS, W. T. Woodson High School first opened its doors in 1962 to 1,800 students; with 79 acres of land, it was Virginia's largest school at the time, featuring a full planetarium, a vocational wing, cutting-edge sports facilities, a 5,000-seat stadium, and a 1,200-seat auditorium; and

WHEREAS, W. T. Woodson High School's early years, like its later ones, were supported by incredible community generosity and involvement, such as the Light Brigade, led by director of athletics Patrick J. Cunningham, which raised money for stadium lighting; and

WHEREAS, W. T. Woodson High School saw many significant changes in its first decade, including the integration of 150 minority students in 1965; the development of the Cavalier Corps hall monitors; protests of the nearby tank farm; the drama department's Spring Extravaganza, led by Joan Bedinger; and the expansion of the student body to over 3,000; and

WHEREAS, the 1970s brought continued growth to W. T. Woodson High School, including the beginning of the school's annual Earth Day celebration, commemoration of the United States Bicentennial, and the establishment of a championship Latin Team, led by Maureen O'Donnell; and

WHEREAS, during the 1980s and 1990s, the school's reputation grew further, bolstered by the modernization of the school's library and the addition of its business wing, the introduction of gifted and talented and advanced placement classes, 19 state athletic titles, and several grand prizes at the county science fair and academic championships; and

WHEREAS, W. T. Woodson High School's latest progress includes the construction of a science wing and the opening of centers for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and for students with emotional disabilities; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, W. T. Woodson High School has continued to excel in academics, athletics, and the arts, continually ranking in Newsweek's top 100 public schools; it has persisted in playing an integral role in the greater Fairfax community by offering adult education classes and night school; and

WHEREAS, W. T. Woodson High School's many extraordinary alumni have made important contributions to the Commonwealth and bring honor to the school's dedicated faculty and staff; and

WHEREAS, alumni of all backgrounds return to W. T. Woodson High School each year for homecoming in order to witness the annual parade; reunite with classmates, teachers, and administration; and take part, once again, in the "Woodson Way"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That W. T. Woodson High School hereby be commended on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jeff Yost, the principal of W. T. Woodson High School, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the school's invaluable contributions to Fairfax County and the Commonwealth and best wishes for continued success.