News

Fundraiser at Old Town bar to benefit Scholarship Fund of Alexandria

By James Cullum
Chadwicks at 203 Strand Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

An annual Alexandria City High School alumni fundraiser at Chadwicks (203 Strand Street) on Oct. 22 (Wednesday) will benefit the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, and will feature some special guests.

Starting at 6 p.m., former ACHS Executive Principal Pete Balas will act as bartender, along with current teachers Andrew Orzel and Matt Zahn. The event, which includes raffles, is a great way to reconnect with former classmates, according to the online event announcement.

Balas was principal at ACHS from 2017 to 2023.

Principal Peter Balas speaks at the Alexandria City High School graduation at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena, June 4, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Chadwicks is owned by Trae Lamond, an ACHS graduate.

“It’s always a great night to connect with old friends and make new ones,” according to the event listing. “When we all give what we can, we can create a scholarship and help change a student’s life.”

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria has awarded more than $20 million in new and renewed scholarships to more than 5,700 students since 1986, according to its website.

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.