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PHOTOS: More than 800 Alexandria City High School seniors graduate at GMU’s EagleBank Arena

By James Cullum
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More than 800 Alexandria City High School students walked the stage at today’s graduation at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena.

ACHS executive principal Alexander Duncan III said that the day marked a defining moment in the lives of the 841 graduates.

“Well graduates, this is the end or the beginning, depending on how you look at it,” Duncan said. “Today when we say your name, this will be a proclamation to the community of your achievement. It will symbolize your transition from one season of your life to the next.”

The students began their high school experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and physically entered ACHS on their first day as sophomores three years ago.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said that ACHS graduating Titans will attend 135 different colleges and universities, that 30 have signed letters of intent to compete in collegiate athletics, 19 have committed to serving in the U.S. military, 21 will take a gap year and 15 will attend trade school.

Student speaker Hayat Abdurahman Ismael told her classmates to not be selfish with their aspirations.

“As we step into this new chapter of our lives, let us not forget that our dreams do not remain intertwined with the dreams of countless others, forming a collection of aspirations that binds us together as a global community,” Ismael said. “It is recognizing and embracing the interconnectedness that truly allows us to understand the power of our actions to shape the world around us.”

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.