History of the Virginia Junior Academy of Science
In 1938 the VAS served as host to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Richmond, Virginia. One important event discussed at this meeting was the rapid development of science clubs in high schools throughout the country, especially the organized associations of science clubs in New York City.
The VAS became interested in these association’s accomplishments, and Dr. Ruskin S. Freer, the incoming president of the VAS, appointed a committee under Dr. L. C. Bird to initiate such work in Virginia. At a meeting in Dean Hortley F. Rudd’s office on June 5, 1940, two committees were formed to direct the activities of VJAS – the Virginia Junior Academy of Science Committee and the Virginia Academy of Science Sponsoring Committee.
Invitations to join the VJAS were mailed to all science clubs that had indicated interest, and charters for the VJAS were printed. On May 3, 1941, the first meeting of the VJAS was called to order in Richmond by Mr. Hubert J. Davis, chairman of the VJAS Committee. More than two hundred high school students, delegates from member clubs, visiting officers of the VAS, and guests were present.
Since this first meeting, the VJAS has initiated and promoted a variety of important programs, including an annual meeting, the presentation of awards, sponsoring radio science quiz shows, publication of scientific documents, and preparation of a VJAS film (now replaced by a video)to encourage science students in Virginia. The VJAS has grown rapidly from a nucleus of 17 clubs to over 100 affiliated schools. Many of the Senior Academy members instrumental in the formation of the VJAS have maintained their interest in its progress and have continued to guide its affairs. Financial support has been provided by organizations and individuals throughout the Commonwealth. WE continued to grow virtually through a pandemic, to a hybrid, to a heterogeneous blended meeting with virtual students, virtual judges, in-person students, and in-person judges. VJAS continues to raise its bar.
To learn more, see:
Selected Highlights from the First 100 Years (pdf)
The centennial issue of the Virginia Journal of Science: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/vol75/iss1/
Appreciation is expressed to the following people who have chaired the VJAS Committee and served as Director, and have labored faithfully through the years to assure VJAS’s growth to its present status.
| 1947-49 | Mr. H. J. Davis |
| 1949 | Mr. F. G. Lankford |
| 1950 | Dr. Boyd Harshbarger |
| 1951 | Mr. B. W. Cooper & Mr. Floyd S. Andrews |
| 1952-60 | Mr. Grover Everett |
| 1960-64 | Mrs. Thelma C. Heatwole |
| 1964-72 | Dr. W. W. Scott |
| 1972-75 | Dr. E. L. Wisman |
| 1975-78 | Dr. Lee Anthony Dr. John L. Hess |
| 1980-92 | Dr. A. B. Neimeyer, Jr. |
| 1992-97 | Dr. R. Dean Decker |
| 1994-1995 | Mr. Donald R. Cottingham |
| 1997-98 | Dr. Eugene Maurakis, Associate Director |
| 1998-99 | Dr. R. Dean Decker & Mr. Donald R. Cottingham |
| 1999-2000 | Dr. R. Dean Decker & Mr. Donald R. Cottingham Ms. Susan Booth, Associate Director |
| 2000-2011 | Dr. R. Dean Decker & Ms. Susan Booth |
| 2011-2013 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director & VJAS Committee Chair |
| 2013-2014 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director Ms. Bobbie Whittier, VJAS Committee Chair |
| 2014-2015 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director & VJAS Committee Chair |
| 2016-2019 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director & VJAS Committee Chair Dr. David S. Torain II, Associate Director Mr. Se W. Jeong, VJAS Committee Chair |
| 2019-2023 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director Mr. Se W. Jeong, VJAS Committee Chair |
| 2023-2024 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director Ms. Robin Curtis , Associate Director Mr. Se W. Jeong, VJAS Committee Chair Mr. Michael Lovrencic, VJAS Committee Vice-Chair |
| 2024-2025 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director Ms. Robin Curtis , Associate Director Mr. Michael Lovrencic, VJAS Committee Chair |
| 2025-2026 | Ms. Susan Booth, Director, VJAS Committee Chair Ms. Robin Curtis, Associate Director |
| 2026, August | Ms. Susan Booth, Director Ms. Cheryl Coronado, Associate Director Ms. Deborah Neely-Fisher, VAS-VJAS Committee Chair Ms. Robin Curtis, VJAS Committee Co-Chair |
| 2026, August – present | Ms. Susan Booth, Director Ms. Deborah Neely-Fisher, VAS-VJAS Committee Chair Ms. Robin Curtis, VJAS Committee Co-Chair |