We are preparing the ballot for the 2021-22 TJ PTSA EC Officer Election. The ballot will show each candidate’s name, their student(s) classes, a photo (if provided), and their answer to the following 2 questions:

1. Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role.
2. Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself.

Candidates appear in alphabetical order by last name, under the position they are running for. The information below is what will appear on the ballot, so please take some time now to familiarize yourself with all of these candidates that are willing to volunteer their time to serve the TJ community.

Click here for the TJ PTSA Nominating Committee Report

President-Elect: 2 Candidates

Candidate 1 of 2: Harry Jackson

Class(es) of: 2024

Video Introduction

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

The father of a TJ Class of 2024 student, I have been a volunteer in my children’s schools for the past decade, volunteering countless hours in athletics, parent groups and school activities. This year, I served as a member of the TJ PTSA Diversity Committee and have established key partnerships and initiatives to improve TJ diversity. In addition to supporting the TJ PTSA’s Diversity Talks, I have collected a database of STEM providers willing to offer free and reduced-fee services to socio-economically disadvantaged children, partnered with the Black Student Fund to provide summer STEM enrichment for children from low-income households, and established a conference to put families in contact with these resources. I am also a former board member of the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted. I would be an ideal candidate for this position as I believe in openness and transparency and am committed to diversity and excellence within the TJ community, and believe I could be the first Black president of the TJ PTSA, a historic precedent for our school.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

Dr. Harry Jackson has over 15 years of federal government experience in Information System Security, including risk assessment, Information Assurance and Compliance, Security Test and Evaluations, System Security Engineering, Systems development, test and evaluation, and project management. Possess considerable experience implementing federal cybersecurity compliance, including NIST 800 series, NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), FEDRAMP+, FISMA, OMB, and FIPS guidance. Understanding all the various elements in the A&A processes, including system security plan, security testing and evaluation (ST&E), penetration testing, risk assessments, contingency planning, and continuous monitoring. He has comprehensive and detailed knowledge in Information System Security Project Planning, Strategies, Policies and Regulations, Systems Integration and Administration, Change Management impacts and Security Awareness Training/Support. Dr. Jackson is currently an IT Consultant specializing in support to the Intelligence Community (IC) and the Department of Defense (DoD). Dr. Jackson is also a WALOA member and official with fifteen years of experience, and US Lacrosse Certified Observer and Trainer.

Before supporting the IC, and Dr. Jackson worked in the Risk Management Division (RMD), Information Technology Services Organization (ITSO), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) for Homeland Secure Data Network (HSDN). Dr. Jackson have also worked as the ISSM supporting the DHS headquarters unclassified network, LAN A, as well as the unclassified systems for the St. Elizabeth’s campus and the DHS BioWatch program.

Dr. Jackson is also an Assistant Professor at National Intelligence University, and an adjunct professor at Champlain College, Southern New Hampshire University, Northcentral University, and American Business and Technology University. In this capacity, he provides instruction in a variety of cybersecurity topics ranging from emerging cyber threats and defenses, digital forensics, to military ethics and leadership.

Dr. Jackson has Bachelors in General Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence Studies from American Military University, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, a Master of Science in Government Information Systems from National Defense University, and Doctorate in Strategic Security from Henley-Putnam University.

Dr. Jackson also possesses information assurance certifications as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional – Information Systems Security Manager Professional (CISSP-ISSMP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional – Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (CISSP-ISSEP), Healthcare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH), Certified Forensic Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), CertNexus Cyber Secure Coder, and TOGAF v9.2. He also possesses several project and project management certifications such as Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CSSMBB), Project Management Professional (PMP), ITIL v3 foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation, and Federal Acquisition Program Manager Level III.

Candidate 2 of 2: Yvette Soliz Rivers

Class(es) of: 2023

Video Introduction

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

Yvette Soliz Rivers is a proud parent of a TJ Class of 2023 student. Since her boys started Kindergarten, she has actively volunteered in a variety of ways to ensure an excellent school experience for all. From serving as PTA Board Secretary at Lake Anne Elementary, leading major fundraisers, being “Room Parent”, and organizing numerous school events, she learned what it takes for a PTSA to successfully create a positive, supportive, and enriching environment for students. For the last three years, Ms. Rivers has served on the Board of the Yale Club of Washington, DC—first as Vice President of Programming, and for the past two years as Club President. In this time, she organized more than 50 educational and community service events raising nearly $50,000 for local charities, increased membership by 50%, and increased Club financial reserves by 400%. As a result of Ms. Rivers’ leadership, the Club was recently recognized by Yale with an Excellence Award “for embracing Yale values of openness, inclusion, collaboration, and impact.” As a Latina and first-generation college graduate, Ms. Rivers understands the difference an exceptional school environment can make in the lives of students. Her goal in running for this position is to work with the school and fellow parents to create a student-focused PTSA. Ms. Rivers is excited by the prospect of leveraging her significant experience leading nonprofit boards to help TJ parents and teachers create the exceptional, supportive, and positive school community our students deserve.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

Ms. Rivers is a Senior IT Program Management Consultant possessing more than 24 years of experience in information technology management consulting for 25+ government and commercial clients. She is currently an independent consultant providing program management services for a $30 million IT program at the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Her professional expertise is in IT program and project management, strategic planning, and IT performance optimization. Ms. Rivers graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with Psychology and from George Washington University with a Masters of Business Administration, and she is currently serving a second consecutive year as President of the Yale Club of Washington DC (term ending June 2021).

First Vice President: 1 Candidate

Candidate 1 of 1: Li Yang

Class(es) of: 2024, 2022, 2021

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

As the current treasurer of the TJPTSA, I’d like to continue to serve the TJ community. With my experience in the PTSA Executive Committee (EC) this year, I can help train and form a strong EC to better serve our parents, teachers, and students in the coming year.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

I am a statistician at NIH Clinical Center. I have been volunteering for schools and multiple organizations for over ten years. I am currently the TJPTSA treasurer and an adult leader for Boys Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 55G. My three children are current TJ students (class of 2021, 2022, and 2024). In my free time, I enjoy playing with our energetic goldendoodle, hiking and camping with scouts, watching TV shows and movies, running, reading, and playing Ping-Pong.

Second Vice President: 2 Candidates

Candidate 1 of 2: Ranoj Ranjan

Class(es) of: 2023

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

To assist PTSA in restoring some normalcy for our kids high school experience next year.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

My son graduated last year (Class of 2020) from TJ. I also have a daughter as a Sophomore (Class of 2023). My 2020 student was involved with many school activities (Honor Council, Class Council, Mental awareness, Cultural & Sports activities) and he felt honored to serve as SGA president. I was very supportive of all his activities at TJ by driving him and his friends around. On a few occasions, when tough situations arose, I was a sounding board for my son and his friends. TJ was my 2nd home before COVID changed our life since March 2020. I always had fun driving TJ kids in my Van. My drive and interactions while driving, was my quality time with them. I grew and learned from them which helped me as a parent.

All these years at TJ I was volunteering and was a key member of a few activities like ANGP and PTSA liaison for new Loudoun families. I, as a Class of 2020 parent and a few other families actively supported the Class of 2023 and 2024 to help them adjust to TJ’s lifestyle. My twin daughter is at the Academy of Loudoun and a home high school. So, I was doing similar volunteer work at Loudoun schools on their special days like – Movie night, etc. But TJ was my preferred place due to two kids being there at the same time. One notable thing related to school that I will feel good rest of my life will be my association with the movement to keep TJ high school’s option on for Loudoun’s families. We attended and spoke at Loudoun School board meetings and made it a movement by involving and encouraging other families to join too. Our efforts paid off and the new Loudoun School board is supporting the continued association with TJ.

The world has had a rough last year and it is still rough for many people (lost life, job, or businesses) and many countries including India from where I immigrated in 1993. The next school year looks promising for the USA. We need to adjust from our COVID experiences and try to bring as much normalcy as much possible by working together and trying to be more understandable on disagreements. This we have to do for our kids who have lost almost 1.5 years of normal school years. I would like to be your 2nd Vice-President and if elected will help with whatever work I am assigned.

Candidate 2 of 2: Jun Wang

Class(es) of: 2024

Video Introduction

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

I have been volunteering with FCPS Schools, including TJHSST, and Hope Chinese Schools for nearly 15 years. I want to make more contributions to the TJ community and serve the interests of TJ parents, teachers and students, and keep the community united during this period of drastic changes.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

I was born and grew up in a rural area in the Beijing region, and did farm and construction work from elementary school through college on weekends and summer breaks. Even though I lived in a disadvantaged environment in terms of education, I managed to make progress step by step, participated in chemistry and physics competitions, and entered Tsinghua University, one of the top colleges in China, especially in engineering. I hesitate to use myself as a role model, but I certainly understand what helps the students from disadvantaged families need to make progress and succeed. I have BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering, and have over 20 years’ experience in software engineering and web development with Oracle, SQL Server, Visual Studio.NET, HTML, CSS, Java Script, AJAX and JSON, and can help with technology work of PTSA with little difficulty.

I volunteered at Hope Chinese Schools since 2008 and was in charge of registration and big party organization (600-800 participants), and served as an assistant principal and board member in 2012 and 2013. I have coached the MATHCOUNTS teams of Greenbriar West ES, Churchill Road ES and Cooper MS. I chaperoned school field trips at Churchill Road ES, Longfellow MS, Cooper MS and TJHSST many times in the past. I also volunteered as an AP exam proctor at TJHSST in the past several years (except year 2020 due to COVID-19). I drove my Toyota Tundra pickup truck to haul food boxes, watermelons, and water for every party at Hope Chinese Schools Chantilly Campus, and haul instruments for TJ I-Nite and ice cream cakes for TJ students. I am a business owner and I am good at helping people with different opinions and interests find common ground to work together and get things done. I was active in the PPE donation drives for New York Javits Center, local hospitals, COVID test stations, nursing homes, shelters and individuals during COVID-19 pandemic.

People often see optimism, grit and open-mindedness in me. I believe that I have the passion, commitment, capabilities and experiences to be a contributing TJPTSA EC member of our TJ community.

Treasurer: 1 Candidate

Candidate 1 of 1: Himanshu Verma

Class(es) of: 2024

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

I run a data analytics company, so, I have a good understanding of managing accounts and account automation. I have also been on the board of a housing association for about 4 years, so I understand the accounting requirements for non-profits. If selected, my goal will be to automate as many processes as possible and provide PTSA members data visualizations that will improve the transparency of PTSA accounts.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

I am a father of TJ 9th grader. I have my B-tech in engineering physics from IIT-Bombay and have a masters in information systems from University of Akron, Ohio. My family has been living in Fairfax county since 2006. I specialize in data analytics and AI application development. My current interests include developing covid-19 apps, mental health AI apps & reading about theories of missing dark matter & dark energy. I have also recently started supporting Black Students Fund (BSF) & WHEELS global foundation for Covid-19 India relief. With BSF my goal is to help increase the number of underrepresented populations at TJ. I look forward to be part of TJ family for next few years, and I am happy to volunteer my time to support the TJ PTSA.

Secretary: 2 Candidates

Candidate 1 of 2: Laura Marschoun

Class(es) of: 2024

Video Introduction

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

I would like to serve on the TJ PTSA Executive Committee because I strongly believe in working towards building a more positive, welcoming and collaborative PTSA. The TJ community (parents, students, teachers and staff) deserve a conflict-free, cohesive and task-oriented PTSA. If elected, I would be highly motivated to work with all stakeholders, with differing opinions, to reach consensus on how best to benefit the TJ community, through PTSA programming and outreach.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

I’m a proud mother of two boys, one a freshman at UIUC Engineering and the younger one a freshman at TJHSST. I have been actively involved in all of my boys’ academics as well as extracurricular activities. Over the years, I have assumed many roles, including being a ‘room parent’, organizing numerous PTO events, serving as a head coach for the Colvin Run ES Science Olympiad team, and serving as Cooper MS PTO Parliamentarian.

Currently, I am serving as treasurer for TJ Academic Boosters. I am also an assistant head coach at Cooper MS Science Olympiad team. Even though I do not have any students at Cooper Middle anymore, I volunteer my time because I believe in the mission of Science Olympiad and science in general. I’m trying to do my part so as to minimize the adverse effect on students in this pandemic. In this role, I am able to be a neutral coach when assigning events, partners and ultimately helping decide who would represent Cooper to the State and National Competitions.

Additionally, I have been active in my boys’ Boy Scout troop for the last 9 years, holding several positions, often simultaneously, on the troop committee. These include webmaster, outings and transportation coordinator, scout support committee, recording secretary backup, adult leadership for monthly outings and summer camps. I am one of the three executive adult leaders for our upcoming Scotland backpacking and UK trip scheduled in August 2021.

I was born in Indonesia and immigrated to the US after receiving my Masters in Food Engineering from Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. I worked as a computer programmer for a few years and decided to dedicate my time to being a full time mother right after my first son was born. I love outdoor activities and spend much of my leisure time hiking, kayaking, camping, and backpacking.

I would be honored to receive your vote so we can work to build a more positive and constructive PTSA in the coming school year.

Candidate 2 of 2: Ying McCaskill

Class(es) of: 2023

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

I am a skilled communicator in writing and verbal communications and very detail oriented. As an immigrant from China, I am very skilled in cross-cultural communications and cultural sensitivity. As a high school teacher in China, I developed extensive skills recording details, progress, activities and goals, along with other information, managing communications with numerous members of the community. I believe that it’s very important that the TJ PTSA communicate clearly with the TJ community, especially during these challenging times with distance learning.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

A former high school teacher from China. I have been volunteering in all my three children’s schools and classes over the decade. With my youngest child graduating from elementary school this year, I will be able to volunteer more of my time to serve the TJ community. I have worked as a recording secretary on a part-time basis early in my career. I am very systemic and well-equipped to document and share minutes, news and announcements from PTSA activities to the TJ community.

Corresponding Secretary: 2 Candidates

Candidate 1 of 2: Hanning Chen

Class(es) of: 2023

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

I am Hanning Chen, a TJPTSA member and a parent of TJ student of Class 2023. I am writing to you to nominate myself as a candidate for the second vice president of TJPTSA.

Since the enrollment of my eldest daughter into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) nearly 10 years ago, I have been a parent volunteer for various school events, such as Fun Fair of Spring Hill Elementary School, International Night of Cooper Middle School, and Welcome Greeters of Thomas Jefferson High School. In addition, I have been volunteering in numerous sports competitions as record keeper and officiating staff. Most recently, I served as the co-organizer of the Summit 2021 of the Chinese American Parents Association-Northern Virginia Chapter (CAPA-NOVA) that attracted more than 500 parents, students, educators, community leaders and elected officers across the Washington metropolitan area to have a constructive discussion on the most pressing issues related to education. My specific roles as the co-organizer were (1) to communicate with potential panelists via emails, phone calls and in-person meetings to convince them to join the summit; (2) to set an one-hour agenda for the virtual panel discussion with ten panelists and hundreds of participants; (3) to summarize the content of the panel discussion into a two-page report shared with all panelists and other organizers of the summit. Through my work with the TJ PTSA Diversity Committee, I am also trained in how to use AtoZ to send communications to TJ PTSA members. I am sending out the next “Faces of TJ” email to TJ PTSA members.

I believe my extended experience on community service will benefit TJPTSA to better serve our talented students of the nation’s No. 1 high school.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

My name is Hanning Chen. I was born in China. After receiving my undergraduate degree in China, I moved to the United States to pursue my doctoral degree in chemistry. As a college professor of chemistry, I have managed a productive research group that has persistently secured financial support from many federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and industrial partners over the past decade.

Candidate 2 of 2: Khurrum H Khan

Class(es) of: 2023

Video Introduction

Please write a short paragraph explaining why you would like to serve in this role:

The past year has been difficult on students, parents, teachers and administration. It has been a learning experience for everyone, and taught us to cope with a pandemic and upheaval in TJ admission process. I want to volunteer to be part of the committee to ensure a non-political, non-judgmental environment and to foster a supportive environment and build community with the TJ community.

Please write a short one paragraph bio about yourself:

The father of TJ tenth grader (TJ class of 2023), Khurrum Khan has a Bachelor’s in Engineering from Bangalore University in India and an MBA from University of Delhi. He has lived and worked in India, Japan and the USA – experiencing a broad range of culture – East Asian, South Asian and American.
He works in sales of IT software, and is a big proponent of open source software. Khurrum also volunteers on the board of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders commission where he was nominated to the board by former Governor Terry McAuliffe.
He moved to Fairfax County from New York in 2011 and has seen both his daughters grow up in the county which he calls home. His wife is a high school teacher in Fairfax County, and he understands the pressures of parents, teachers and students in the FCPS system, and also with the TJ community.
Khurrum has volunteered his time at TJ helping with the JLC (monitoring the corridors). He has previously volunteered with his daughter’s Elementary school teaching history at Hunters Woods Elementary and was the Math AMC coach for 6th grade students at McNair Elementary School.
The past year has been difficult on students, parents, teachers and administration. It has been a learning experience for everyone, and taught us to cope with a pandemic and upheaval in TJ admission process. Khurrum wants to volunteer to be part of the Executive Committee to ensure a non-political, non-judgmental environment and to foster a supportive environment and build a nourishing environment for the TJ Community. His belief is that a positive school environment and community is paramount for the continuous excellence at TJHSST.