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Two Alexandria students honored for winning George Washington essay contest

By James Cullum
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Two Alexandria students were recently awarded $500 prizes for their submissions to the 2026 George Washington Legacy Foundation Essay Contest.

Garrett Wagman of George Washington Middle School and David De Costa of Bishop Ireton High School won the middle school and high school contests, which were open to all students in the city. This year’s 700-to-1,000-word essay contest focused on America’s 250th anniversary and Washington’s role in uniting the colonies.

As contest winners, Wagman and De Costa rode through the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town on Saturday, Feb. 14.

They were also highlighted at a Presidents Day celebratory breakfast at the Friendship Firehouse Museum (107 S. Alfred Street) on Monday, Feb. 16. The event was attended by former Mayor Allison Silberberg, as well as City Council Members John Taylor Chapman and Jacinta Greene.

Alexandria was Washington’s hometown, where he recruited and trained soldiers for the French and Indian War, was member of Christ Church and had a townhouse in Old Town.

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.