November 2024 Student and Staff Recognitions

The accomplishments of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students and staff are recognized each month. Here are some of the latest achievements within the school division.

ACPS Substance Use Coordinator Receives WRAPPY 2024 Youth Leadership Award

Image courtesy of WRAP

Congratulations to Fredy Martinez, the ACPS K-12 substance use prevention and early intervention services coordinator, on being recognized with a WRAPPY, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) 2024 Youth Leadership Award. Through his service, Martinez has proven to be invaluable to the Alexandria community.

“I have worked with Fredy since 2017 and continue to be in awe of his commitment to educate and support students and families. He is genuine and relentless in his desire to help people,” ACPS Executive Director of Student Services Michael Diggins said.

Chief of Student Services and Equity Dr. Marcia Jackson added, “We are proud of Mr. Martinez and he is deserving of this recognition for his collaborative work to ensure students and families have critical information to avoid substance use.”

Martinez received the Youth Leadership Award for “his steadfast commitment to both prevention and safe and sober youth” at the nonprofit’s annual meeting.

Through public education, innovative health education programs and advocacy, WRAP is credited with helping to keep the annual percentage of metro-Washington traffic deaths involving alcohol-impaired driving historically lower than the national average. WRAP may best be known to area residents via the organization’s popular free safe ride service to prevent drunk driving, SoberRide®. 

ACHS Orchestra Director Awarded High Honor

Photo credit: Harmony of Virginia

Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Orchestra Director Veronica Jackson has been recognized as the Orchestra Director of the Year for the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Virginia String Teachers Association (VASTA). This award recognizes an orchestra director who has exhibited the highest levels of leadership, dedication and achievement as an orchestra teacher and conductor, resulting in major advancement of their program.

"We are delighted that Ms. Veronica Jackson has been awarded the Virginia String Teachers Association's Orchestra Director of the Year Award, which is presented by the Virginia State Chapter of ASTA (American String Teachers Association),” ACHS Executive Principal Alexander Duncan said. “Ms. Jackson is amazing and so deserving of this wonderful achievement. She works hard to lead the program; prepare students for their annual concerts; and make the orchestra program available to all students. We are delighted to have her as a Titan staff member at ACHS!"

Jackson will be recognized with this high VASTA honor at the Virginia Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference this month in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Jackson joined ACPS in August 2012 as the orchestra director at Francis C. Hammond Middle School and in June of 2020 accepted the position of orchestra director at ACHS where she continues to inspire students.

ACPS Receives Award of Excellence at CHESPRA Fall 2024 Conference

Alexandria City Public School’s (ACPS) Department of School and Community Relations was honored with four awards during the Fall 2024 Conference of the Chesapeake Chapter of School Public Relations (CHESPRA) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. An award of excellence was achieved for the School and Community Relations Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) project. The SOPs provide a clear description of tasks and responsibilities of this department within ACPS, serving as a standard for the school division.

Additionally, ACPS earned honorable mentions in the special campaign category for "Building the Plane While Flying It: The Academies at Alexandria City" and the "ACPS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony." Another honorable mention was awarded in the special event category for "Panda Community Conversations Presents Salsa y Salsa: Creating a Sense of Belonging."

These awards highlight our commitment to effective communication and community engagement.

ACHS Alumnus’ Documentary Premieres in New York City’s Times Square

Another Alexandria City High School (ACHS) graduate and former Alexandria City School Board student representative has made the school division proud, this time through her artistic endeavors, as the producer of the documentary “Desperate.”

“I am so proud of ACHS graduate Zahra Rahimi whose documentary film premiered at the All American High School Film Festival at AMC Theatres in New York City’s Times Square on Oct. 19,” TV/Media Production Teacher Vilma Zefran said. “Naturally, Zahra was helped by the TV/Media Production program.”

"Desperate" is the story of three young Afghan women who fled Afghanistan around the time the Taliban took over the country. Entered as a documentary, Rahimi’s film was one of 2,500 submissions from more than 40 countries selected to be viewed at the film festival.

In 2023, Rahimi was one of 15 honorees selected by First Lady Jill Biden for Girls Leading Change. Rahimi is currently attending William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.