May Student and Staff Recognitions

Alexandria City High School students are in the spotlight this month. Our May recognition article highlights achievements, recognitions and post-graduation plans.

ACHS Graduates Bound for U.S. Service Academies

Four Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Class of 2023 graduates secured nominations and accepted appointments at United States service academies. A recognition ceremony was held in the ACHS College and Career Center on May 9, 2023, in honor of these students. Representatives from the military academies and the offices of Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Don Beyer attended the ceremony, along with the students’ families.

JROTC members Anais Dellaria and Dominic Evanina will attend the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy, respectively. Joining Evanina at the U.S. Air Force Academy is Maxwell McCormack. In addition, Reid Kidd will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Admission to a U.S. Service Academy is a competitive and rigorous, two-tiered process. “To have even one student earn a nomination in this area is an accomplishment, to have several students earn a nomination and four students receive an appointment is remarkable,” ACHS College Advisor, College & Career Specialist Melissa Harrington said. “Alexandria City High School is proud of Anais, Dom, Max and Reid. We are grateful these four amazing young people will be representing our city and our country, and eager to see what they write in the next chapter of their story.”

Candidates for U.S. Service Academies have outstanding transcripts and resumes and excel in and out of the classroom. Appointees to a service academy must also be committed to leadership and service to their families, communities and our nation. Appointees will serve their country while on a full scholarship and commit to five years of active duty service upon graduation.

C-Span StudentCam and SkillsUSA Competitions Honors ACHS Students

Students in the Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Television and Media Production program made the school division proud by placing in two competitions.

Leo Dienstfrey, Lashelle Sakyi and Marisa Vidal participated in the C-Span StudentCam competition. Their winning entry, "Modern Day Slavery", explores the issue of human trafficking. StudentCam, organized by C-Span and sponsored by Comcast, helps students develop research, interviewing, writing, videotaping and editing skills. It also increases student awareness and interest in politics, as well as in social and civic issues affecting their lives. The high school has participated in this competition for 13 years.

Gryphon Magnus, Mia Mervis and Sarah McBurney participated in the broadcast news category of the SkillsUSA’s television/media production competition. The students placed first at the district level and second at the state level. Their participation in this event helped grow their technical skills as they engaged in collaborative efforts.

"I am constantly amazed with how talented and dedicated our students are,” Television and Media Production Teacher Vilma Zefran said. “Each day is a blessing surrounded by eager and creative minds. These awards are a testament to what our youth are capable of.”

Governor's Health Sciences Academy at ACHS Graduates Second Class

The second class of the Governor's Health Sciences Academy (GHSA) at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) was celebrated at a May 10, 2023, ceremony. Sixty-five students participated in this program which is supported through a strong partnership between Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and The George Washington University that began in 2017. GHSA focuses on biomedical informatics, emergency medical services, medical lab sciences, nursing, sports medicine and surgical sciences. The program provides the opportunity for ACHS students to explore careers in medicine and health services while earning up to 18 college credits.

“Your efforts and newly gained knowledge and experience will be welcomed and appreciated by healthcare workers nationwide as you use and build on those skills all of which will bolster the healthcare system as we know it today,” ACPS Executive Director of Instructional Support Carmen Sanders said at the ceremony.

The GHSA accelerates students' careers in the healthcare industry. Post-graduate options include moving directly into the healthcare workforce as well as attending two- and four-year colleges.

ACHS Students Accepted to Governor’s Schools Summer Residential Program

Fifteen Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students have been accepted into the highly competitive Governor's Schools Summer Residential program this year. ACHS students will participate in various program areas, including academics, visual and performing arts and world language.

Nurses Pinning Ceremony Honors Senior Class Nurse Aide Students

The time-honored tradition of the Nurses Pinning Ceremony was held for Alexandria City High School senior class nurse aide students on May 12, 2023. These students completed at least 230 hours of training over the last two years and 40 hours of direct patient care in a long-term health care facility. The pinning ceremony signifies the students’ dedication to the profession of nursing.

Theogony Names 2023-24 Editorial Team

Theogony, the Alexandria City High School (ACHS) student-run media organization, announced its editors for the 2023-24 school year.

Rising seniors Yahney-Marie Sangaré and Chloe Yokitis will lead publishing activities on three platforms including print, online and social media as co-editors-in-chief. The team also includes rising seniors Ermila Mazariegos and Zoe Sermons, along with rising juniors Casey Donahue and James Libresco. Mazariegos and Sermons will serve as features co-editors. Donahue is a first-time editor on the Theogony staff and will take on the role of news co-editor. Libresco will be joining its leadership team as sports editor and news co-editor.

Theogony has submitted multiple articles for consideration in online and print competitions sponsored by the Virginia High School League and the National Scholastic Press Association.