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Alexandria City High School graduation next month to use AI name-reading for second year

By James Cullum
Proudly displaying a diploma at Alexandria City High School's graduation at George Mason University's EagleBank Arena, June 3, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds of Alexandria City High School seniors are set to graduate next month.

Graduation will be held the morning of Saturday, June 6, at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena (4400 University Drive) in Fairfax. The processional begins at 8:45 a.m. and the ceremony lasts approximately two hours. This is the second consecutive year that Alexandria City Public Schools will use Tassel, an artificial intelligence company, to provide automated name-reading services.

While ACPS continues to use AI name-reading for graduation, neighboring Arlington Public Schools has rescinded its plan to use Tassel’s AI to read graduates’ names.

For guests who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed.

The last day of school for seniors was May 6, a full month before graduation, and on May 22 for seniors participating in internships and service projects. The last day of school for non-seniors is June 12.

All graduating ACHS seniors should receive seven graduation tickets for the event, and a DVD/Blu-ray of the ceremony is also available for purchase.

After graduation, there will be a party at the ACHS King Street Campus gymnasium from 8 p.m. to midnight. The event promises food, a casino, music, games, a magician, caricaturists, a palm reader and prizes.

“Don’t miss this opportunity for one last blast with your Titan Class of 2026,” ACPS said.

Additional graduation details from ACPS:

  • Graduation Parking and Entrance at GMU — Both become available at 8 a.m. at George Mason University.  You will be required to walk through George Mason’s metal detection devices before entering the EagleBank Arena.
  • All bags will be searched upon entry. Please refer to the EagleBank Arena A-Z Guide for more.
  • Prohibited Items —  Outside food/beverage, bottles, cans, coolers, noisemakers, air horns, projectiles, inflatable beach balls, Frisbees, fireworks, weapons, drugs, signs, balloons, silly string, flags, non-service animals, monopods, tripods, selfie-sticks, poles
  • Etiquette —  All attendees must remain seated during the ceremony. Aisles and doors must remain clear.
  • Individual Pictures — Lifetouch Studios will be taking individual pictures. Ordering information will be available at graduation.

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.