To celebrate the Xpress and Ralston Valley’s tenth anniversary, we published a history of the decade. Here are two stories featured on that list:

Ralston Valley celebrates opening: New challenges and opportunities abound at JeffCo’s newest high school

By Kacey Mulder (News Editor ‘00-’01, Editor-in-Chief ‘01-’03)
September 28, 2000

On August 14, Ralston Valley decided not to open with the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, but instead opened its doors with a bang.

Though there was some concern that construction would not be completed, RVHS opened on schedule, ready for students.

The marching band played as 850 students walked into the 27 million dollar school. The new RVHS students were greeted by a roar of applause from the faculty and cheerleaders.

Students proceeded to the gym for an assembly and a welcome address from Principal Donladson.

At the assembly, Donaldson expressed his desire to make Ralston Valley the “best high school in the district”. He believes RVHS can achieve this goal because “we have the best students as well as the best staff”.

After the assembly, each class block met for 10 minutes. This was just a chance for students to find their way around the new school and meet with their teachers briefly.

It was also a chance to see just what RVHS has to offer.

Within each classroom there are several modern conveniences including computers with internet access and mice without rollerballs, telephones, whiteboards, and eventually a television and a VCR.

Ralston Valley will reach new heights in technology, being one of the few schools with a 3 to 1 ratio of computers to students. Meaning more access for each student.

The newest technology, enthusiastic staff, eager students, great location and view; these are the attributes that will make Ralston Valley an impressive school for years to come.

Hail to the Chief

A look at some of the men who have taken the highest office in the U.S.

By Michael Auslen (Staff Writer ‘07, Editor ‘07-’08, Managing Editor ‘08-’09, Editor-in-Chief ‘09-’10) and Caitlin McConnell (Staff Writer ‘07-’08, Copy Editor ‘08-’09, Freelance Reporter ‘09-’10)

February 6, 2009

On April 31, 1789, President George Washington stood on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York and became the first man in history to speak the words of the Presidential Oath and step into the office of the President of the United States.

On January 20, 2009, nearly 120 later, the American people celebrated a new first: Barack Obama recited that same oath and became the first African-American to become a member of the most elite group in history.

Between 1789 and 2009, 43 different men have ascended to the top job in American politics.

GEORGE WASHINGTON (1789-1797) was the first president of the United States. He is known for his service in the American Revolution and the myth (no, it wasn’t true) that he chopped down a cherry tree. He turned down the title “Your Highness,” in favor of, “Mr. President.”

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON (March-April 1841) was not a very significant president, due to the fact that he died thirty days into office. He is credited with giving the longest inaugural address (nearly two hours) on a cold, wet day without a coat or hat and then leading the inaugural parade. He caught cold and died a month later after making a few appointments.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1861-1865) is remembered as one of the greatest men in American history. he presided over a nation torn in half, led one of the bloodiest wars in the nation’s history, reunited it and began the process of freeing the oppressed and enslaved black man. He was the first president to be assassinated when the Confederate John Wilkes Booth shot him at Ford’s Theatre.

ANDREW JOHNSON (1865-1869) was, quite honestly, one of the worst presidents in American history. Johnson took office as Lincoln’s successor and presided over Reconstruction (the reintegration of the southern states after the Civil War). Johnson’s reconstructive policies were very lenient and probably did not achieve what Lincoln (or others) could have in the same circumstances.

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT (1909-1913) wasn’t known for being a particularly amazing president, but, rather, his reputation in history has become associated only with his weight…his outrageously high weight, which at times was as high as 355 lbs. He once got stuck in the White House bathtub and had to have a larger one lifted in by crane.

FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT (1933-1945) was president during one of the most tumultuous and horrific times in American history. Roosevelt created the New Deal to help pull the country out of the Great Depression and began America’s involvement in World War II after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. FDR died in office of polio.

JOHN F. KENNEDY (1961-1963) called on his country to fight “common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.” He encouraged Americans to exist as citizens of the world and, in the process, inspired a nation. During his short term he managed to establish a national space program and the Peace Corps and to deal with the Cuban Missile Crisis.

RICHARD NIXON (1969-1974) is best remembered for the Watergate scandal. He was one of three presidents to be impeached (Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were the other two; both acquitted), but resigned the presidency before he could be convicted of anything. His remark, “I am not a crook,” will go down through history.

GEORGE W. BUSH (2001-2009) will likely be remembered as one of the least popular presidents, but he was also in office during some of the most difficult times in American history, including the terrorist bombings on Sept. 11, Hurricane Katrina, wars in the Middle East and an economic recession.

BARACK OBAMA (2009-present), drawing on the acclaim Kennedy received and the hope Martin Luther King, Jr., inspired, became the first African-American president. Obama rode on the shoulders of great Americans who strived to make their country better and become a hero to a world disillusioned by current events. He first gained national recognition at the 2004 Democratic National Convention when he made a stirring speech, saying, “I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.”

During the campaign, despite brutal attacks on his character by both parties, Obama rose above the typical partisan politics and ran a campaign that inspired hope in a country, faith in its system, and promised a return to Camelot.

Thus far, Obama has signed an executive order that promised an end to Guantánamo Bay; worked with Congress to form a bailout package that would both work and find support within both parties; has condemned Wall Street and banking firm CEOs for giving themselves huge bonuses while they continue to take money from American taxpayers; and established himself as a respectable leader on the world stage.