Eleven residents at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center in Alexandria’s West End marked a significant milestone as they were presented with their high school diplomas today (Wednesday).
The graduation event was attended by family members, NVJDC residents and staff, as well as City Councilwoman Sandy Marks and Alexandria City School Board Chair Michelle Rief. The jail’s state-operated school is managed by Alexandria City Public Schools, which provides licensed staff to teach 10-to-18-year-old children brought in from across Alexandria, Arlington County and the city of Falls Church.
“It’s an achievement for me because I had people that didn’t think I could achieve something like this,” one of the graduates said. “This is not my endpoint. It’s just the foundation of the future.”
Zachary McBride, the school’s physical education teacher, told the graduates to keep growing beyond the detention center.
“Don’t let this be your stopping point,” McBride told the students. “You gotta keep fighting.”
Marks said that the event highlighted the good work of the NVJDC.
“This is a shining example of the successes we can achieve when the city and the school system collaborate well,” Marks said.
NVJDC director Johnitha McNair told the graduates to leave the past behind and embrace a future full of possibilities.
“I’m so proud of you guys,” McNair said. “You had a lot that you worked hard to get through. A lot was against you, but you stayed focused, and look at where you are today.”
