End-of-Year Student and Staff Recognitions
Alexandria City Public Schools is proud to honor the success of our students and the guidance our staff provides that has contributed to it. As we wrap up the 2022-23 academic year, some of the latest division achievements are included in our June recognitions article.
ACHS Students Selected as 40 Under 40 Youth Honorees
Two Alexandria City High School students have been named as Youth Honorees to the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40. Emily Milton, a 2023 graduate, and Chloe Yokitis, a rising senior, were selected by the program, which recognizes individuals under 40 in various fields who are shaping Alexandria’s future.
Milton served as a student representative to the Alexandria City School Board, was a Theogony editor and plans to attend Pennsylvania State University. Milton has also been involved in The Miracle League of Alexandria, Key Club and Girl Up.
“Emily is a supreme talent and it has been my pleasure having her on my editing staff for Theogony! She excelled as a sophomore in my Honors English class and I personally invited her to join the newspaper staff in her junior year,” English Teacher and Theogony Adviser Kamilah Lawson said. “She's caring and considerate and has something to add to this world! I could not be more proud of this accomplishment for her. It’s well deserved!”
Yokitis will be the co-Editor-in-Chief of Theogony during the 2023-24 academic year. She holds leadership positions in the Asian and Pacific Islander Student Union, Bee Club, Garden Club and Watershed Warriors. “Chloe is an all-around go-getter! Her energy is infectious! She's the perfect mix of intelligence and good spirit. She's a fearless go-getter and multi-talented. I'm lucky to have her serve as co-editor-in-chief next year for the newspaper,” Lawson stated. “It's a good feeling to have two current students receive this honor!”
The Alexandria 40 Under 40 honorees will be celebrated at a July 20, 2023, event.
ACHS Student Recognized by Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities and Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
Alexandria City High School (ACHS) senior Katherine Radt is among winners recognized by the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) in collaboration with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. Radt received the Gerry Bertier Scholarship which is awarded to an Alexandria resident or student with a disability who is seeking post-secondary education. Radt, a member of the National Honor Society who received a National Merit Scholarship Commendation, plans to attend American University.
At ACHS, Radt gained a new platform by becoming the first student representative to the School Board Special Education Advisory Committee. She was also co-founder and co-president of the Disability and Illness Alliance, an advocacy community for disabled and chronically ill ACHS students. Radt also served as co-president of Girl Up.
In her personal statement as a Gerry Bertier Scholarship recipient, Radt stated, “I look forward to further strengthening my advocacy skills and reach with the American University Disabled Student Union. I intend to pursue disability studies to gain an understanding of how people like me have reached this construction of our identities and the policy surrounding them so that I can go on to push us forward. After university, I hope to attend law school on the path toward a career in disability civil rights law.”
Awards were presented during a reception on June 13, 2023, to honor residents and businesses making significant strides in the area of disability empowerment. The event also included a panel discussion on the value of disability inclusive hiring practices and talent management.
Minnie Howard Student Selected as AVID Summer Institute 2023 Speaker
Allyson Castillo, a ninth grade student at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Minnie Howard Campus, has been selected as an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Summer Institute 2023 speaker, an honor granted to only a handful of students across the United States. “The Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) AVID program is proud to have Allyson Castillo represent the school community at AVID Summer Institute 2023, and we will continue to support her dreams of becoming an educator,” AVID Co-Site Coordinator at ACHS Rhea Butler said.
Castillo was part of the first cohort of Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology students to participate in AVID elementary. She was accepted into the AVID elective at George Washington Middle School in sixth grade.
In March, Castillo delivered the welcoming speech at the ACPS AVID Family Event. At the AVID Summer Institute in Orlando, Florida, she will share her inspiring story with thousands of educators who have dedicated their lives to closing the opportunity gap and ensuring students are prepared with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their dreams. Castillo received a $500 honorarium from AVID Center.
Jefferson-Houston Band and Orchestra Take First Place at Music in the Parks
Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School (Jefferson-Houston) is celebrating its Middle School Band and Orchestra program as it took top honors at Six Flags Music in the Parks in Bowie, Maryland, on Fri., June 2, 2023. Not only did Jefferson-Houston’s students get first place honors in both of their respective competitive groups, but they also received best overall for all bands and orchestras that took part. This was the school’s first time competing in the festival.
“We are incredibly proud of our students, as they worked exceptionally hard to attain this hallmark of an achievement,” Jefferson-Houston Transformational Head of School Dr. John McCain exclaimed. “What an amazing accomplishment! Way to go, Jaguars!” McClain also expressed his thanks to Band Teacher Charles Roth and Orchestra Teacher Howard Vandersluis. He added, “We would like to share a big thank you to all our donors, families and the Jefferson-Houston School PTA who contributed and donated to this moment. We couldn’t have done it without you!”
George Mason Fifth Grade Modern Band Earns First Place Honor at Music in the Parks
The George Mason Elementary School (George Mason) fifth grade Modern Band delivered a stand out performance at the Six Flags Music in the Parks festival in Bowie, Maryland, in May.
“We brought a unique ensemble with a new vibe into this more traditional music setting. The kids really nailed it. They were well-received by the judges. Not only did they get first place, but they received the Esprit de Corps Award,” Band Teacher Heather Rosner said.
Only one ensemble at the event receives the Esprit de Corps Award, which recognizes an exemplary attitude of positive support and outstanding personal behavior throughout the festival weekend. The cornerstone qualities for receiving this award include personal integrity, quality character values, a desire for excellence and a spirit of cooperation. Rosner proudly stated that in addition to the band’s honor, Tihitina Eskinder was recognized as an outstanding soloist.
General Music Teacher Curtis Donohue, Art Teacher Victoria Krieger, Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher Kara Mehrman and Principal Dr. Seazante Oliver attended the festival to support their George Mason Dragons.
“A big congratulations to Heather and our fifth grade band students,” Dr. Oliver said. “Many thanks to our teachers and countless volunteers and chaperones who gave of their time and hearts to support our fifth grade Dragons. Thank you for being a part of our village!”
ACHS German Program Awards Ceremony Honors Student Achievements
The Alexandria City High School (ACHS) German program put the spotlight on student success at its May 18, 2023, annual awards ceremony, honor society induction and senior recognition night. Graduating senior Rutger Winters has been selected for a fellowship as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals. This fellowship provides the opportunity for American and German young professionals to spend one year in each other’s countries to study, intern and live with hosts as part of a cultural immersion program. Two ACHS juniors, Anais Joubert and Jack Ryder, were selected to the prestigious Virginia Governor's World Language Academies. This three-week residential program is held in the summer at Washington and Lee University. As a full immersion program, students speak only in their target language the entire time.
Fifteen ACHS German students received senior honor cords: Henry Bingman, Henry Carey, Ben Davis, Sophie Dechant, Cole Dickerson, Hunter Harris, Evelyn Ipsen, Carson Kohout, Malik Kunata, Tori Medearis, Ellery Reinholtz, Lily Seestedt, Lily Van Goethem, Rutger Winters and Katherine Witebsky.
Fifteen students were inducted into the German Honor Society: Samantha Adams, Louisa Barrett, Andrew Bell, Alena Cooper, Norah Curry, Allison Goetz, Taylor Hoganson, Ingrid Jones, Charlotte Keeler, Quinn Lindsay, Katherine Ludke, Macon Malone, Patrick Ostermann-Healey, Jack Ryder and Madeline Sleeter.
More than 70 ACHS students took the National German Exam and 15 earned medals, including eight gold, three silver and four bronze, as well as 18 certificates of achievement. Gold medal winners were Alena Cooper, Patrick Osterman-Healey, Merle Siebert, Alannah Sue, Ellen Teichert, Lily Van Goethem, Rutger Winters and Katie Witebsky. Silver medal winners were Norah Curry, Cole Dickerson and Erik Scharnweber. Bronze medal winners were Louisa Barrett, Ruth Christino, Thomas Newill and Lily Seestedt.
The National German exam is administered to more than 25,000 high school students across the United States each year and ACHS World Languages Teacher and Department Chair Adam Levine noted it is highly competitive. “Congratulations to all of our Titans as well as our German teachers, Herr Levine and Herr Kirchner, on a job well done,” Levine said.
Twenty ACHS Athletes Signed Letters of Intent
Twenty Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students signed Letters of Intent to play college sports. Fifteen were recognized during the spring of 2023 signing day presentation and five were recognized in the fall of 2022.
"I am super proud of the hard work and dedication that our Titan student athletes have put into the sports that they love,” Executive Director of Athletics and Student Activities James Parker said. “Now they are living the fruits of their labor by receiving scholarships to play at the next level.”
The athletes participating in the spring signing day were:
- Xavier Battle, football, Albright College.
- Morgan Fraser, track and field, Virginia Military Institute.
- Amor Harris, basketball, Longwood University.
- Keion Hawkins-Simms, football, Misericordia University.
- Kenneth Jarvis, football, West Virginia Wesleyan College.
- Bodie Lauinger, water polo, The California State University Maritime Academy.
- Daniel McGinnis, baseball, Eastern Mennonite University.
- Mia Medearis, soccer, Ithaca College.
- Adrian Nunes, soccer, Stevenson University.
- Eduard Reyes, soccer, Alderson Broaddus University.
- Kullen Robinson, basketball, Hood College.
- Chris Saunders, football, Wagner College.
- Anna St. Jean, swimming, Wheaton College.
- Calvin Wiedemer, wrestling, Washington and Lee University.
- Eli Wilson, track and field, Christopher Newport University.
The athletes participating in the fall signing day were:
- Ellie Goodrich, soccer, Old Dominion University.
- Olivia Kruse, rowing, Old Dominion University.
- Avery Miller, softball, Longwood University.
- Milan Rex, volleyball, The University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Chloe Wilmot, volleyball, Duquesne University.
ACHS Earns Five Cappies Nominations
Alexandria City High School (ACHS) was represented at the Cappies of the National Capital Area Gala on June 12, 2023, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The ACHS spring musical “Sister Act” was nominated for five Cappies, a high school awards program for theatre and journalism students.
The nominees included:
- Maria McLemore for Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Musical.
- Naeem Scott for Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical.
- Nuns for Ensemble in a Musical.
- Matias Chase, Owen Maccubbin, Ilona Boehm O'Connor and Elijah Solomon for Sound.
- Abigail Gerstein for Student Directing in the Creativity Category.
"I am very happy for our students that received acting, technical and creativity Cappies nominations this year,” ACHS Drama teacher and Executive Producer Leslie A. Jones stated. “We could not have great programming without the support of the ACHS students, parents and colleagues and, of course, our Alexandria community.”
For this production, Hope Bachman was the executive director, Leslie A. Jones was the executive producer and Theodore Thorpe was the musical director.
- 2022-23
- Student and Staff Recognitions