Alexandria City High School

PHOTOS: 25 years after the movie, Alexandria remembers the Titans

Published September 19, 2025 at 9:52PM | Updated September 20, 2025 at 5:59AM

Members of the state championship-winning 1971 T.C. Williams City High School football team sign autographs at the 25th anniversary celebration of the film Remember The Titans, from which the movie is based, Sept. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The story of how coach Herman Boone transformed a newly integrated team of Black and white high school athletes into champions is legendary in Alexandria.

On Friday, 40 of the remaining real-life heroes that the film Remember The Titans is based on, commemorated the movie’s 25th anniversary. The 2000 film recounts the story of the 13-0, 1971 state champion T.C. Williams High School football team (now Alexandria City High School). The players in the newly integrated school overcame racial adversity to become state champs.

News

Alexandria pastor’s Charlie Kirk comments lead this week’s top stories

By James Cullum

Published September 19, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated September 19, 2025 at 3:47PM

The Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley delivers his Sunday sermon at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., on Sept. 15, 2025. During the sermon, Wesley criticized the decision to fly flags at half-staff for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling Kirk "an unapologetic racist." (Screenshot via YouTube)

It’s been quite a week, Alexandria. Here’s a look at our top stories.

Our most-read story this week is on Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley sermonizing against President Trump’s decision to fly flags at half-staff across the country for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Speaking at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church, Wesley condemned the Sept. 10 assassination, but said he should not be expected to honor Kirk, who he called an “unapologetic racist who spent all of his life sowing seeds of division and hate into this land.”

News

Former Alexandria City High swimmer Emil LaSida, 21, dies; held college records

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 4:15PM

Former ACHS swim and dive team captain Emil LaSida (via Facebook)

Emil LaSida, 21, a record-holding swimmer at Case Western Reserve University and a former captain of the Alexandria City High School swim and dive team, died Sept. 15.

Case Western Reserve University announced Sept. 17 that LaSida had died, but the cause of his death has not been released. A fourth-year student majoring in engineering, LaSida set the school record last year in the men’s 50 freestyle with a time of 19.98 seconds at the NCAA Division III Championships and earned All-American Second Team honors, according to the university.

News

Alexandria high school library receives crowdfunded LEGO kits for student makerspace

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2025 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus (staff photo by James Cullum)

The library at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard campus has successfully gotten crowdsource funding for LEGO architecture kits.

The school librarian raised $755 from a dozen givers via Donors Choose for kits that include Malfoy Manor from the Harry Potter book series, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the Statue of Liberty.

News

Alexandria City High School students stage walkout protesting gun violence in schools

By James Cullum

Published September 5, 2025 at 12:52PM

Students staging a walkout at Alexandria City High School's King Street campus, Sept. 5, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds of Alexandria City High School students held a walkout on Friday, Sept. 5, demonstrating against gun violence in schools.

The walkout at ACHS’s King Street and Minnie Howard campuses started at 11:30 a.m., and lasted for less than a half hour. The demonstrations are part of a national walkout, were organized by Titans Demand Action and held on school grounds. Media was not permitted to observe, except from the public sidewalk. Students held signs, threw water bottles and chanted, “End the violence!”

News

Titans ready for battle: Alexandria City High School football looks to rebound in 2025

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 20, 2025 at 6:00AM | Updated September 21, 2025 at 3:52AM

Alexandria City High School's homecoming football game against West Potomac on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City High School’s football program continues its 2025 season Thursday when the varsity Titans host Meridian High School at 6:15 p.m. for their home opener, following last week’s season-opening road game at Langley High School.

Head coach Rodney Hughey and his staff are working to improve on last season’s 3-7 overall record and 3-4 Division 6A regional mark. The Titans finished 39th in the state division rankings, providing motivation for the program’s rebound efforts this fall.

News

Alexandria City High School to host 25th anniversary celebration of ‘Remember the Titans’

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 12, 2025 at 4:30PM

Remember The Titans: 25 Years Later (via ACPS)

Alexandria City Public Schools will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the beloved football film “Remember the Titans” with a special celebration at Alexandria City High School on Sept. 19.

The ticketed evening event promises “special guests, fun surprises, and a whole lot of Titan pride,” according to a school district announcement. Activities will include a student pep rally, Titan tailgate, and a tribute to the 1971 Titans team that inspired the Disney film.

News

Alexandria seeks resident input on Housing 2040 plan at Monday open house

By James Cullum

Published August 12, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated August 12, 2025 at 4:50PM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is seeking feedback on its 15-year plan to address affordable housing issues. Once approved, the Housing 2040 Master Plan will provide City Council and staff with clear goals, strategies, and direction on the city’s housing plans. The city is hosting an open house this Monday (Sept. 8) to get feedback on Housing 2040 draft recommendations for landlord-tenant rights and resources, and homeownership programs in the city. The event will be held at the Minnie Howard Campus of Alexandria City High School (3775 W. Braddock Road) from 6 to 7 p.m., and registration is encouraged.

The current master plan is set to expire in 2025. The new plan will require a 2024 housing needs assessment from the city, and input from residents to “establish new housing affordability goals and examine housing policies, programs, and tools to support all Alexandria residents and workers,” according to the city.

News

Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility celebrating one-year anniversary on August 29

By James Cullum

Published August 4, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated August 4, 2025 at 7:49PM

The swimming pool at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, May 29, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Sometimes getting all wet can be exactly what you need.

On Friday (Aug. 29), Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility. The family friendly event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes free activities, live music and giveaways.

News

Notes: Alexandria City High School student wins statewide essay contest

By ALXnow.com

Published July 31, 2025 at 8:00AM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Thursday, July 31, the 212th day of 2025. There are 153 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Increasing clouds, with a high near 93 degrees. Heat index values as high as 106 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around six mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.

News

Notes: Alexandria High School Senior wins National Merit Scholarship

By ALXnow.com

Published July 30, 2025 at 8:00AM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Wednesday, July 30, the 211th day of 2025. There are 154 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98 degrees. Heat index values as high as 107 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around six mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 77 degrees. South wind around five mph, becoming calm in the evening.