Theogony

News

ACHS student journalists earn statewide awards as school board to review publication policy

By Katie Taranto
Theogony's 2024-2025 editorial board. Back row from left: Rozalia Finkelstein, James Libresco, Maxwell Jones-LaChance. Front row: Nadja Duss, Casey Donahue, Pablo Cruz Rivera, Julia Gwin and Max Carpenter (courtesy of Chloe Yokitis/Theogony)

It’s been a lively year for the student journalists of Alexandria City High School newspaper Theogony, who were recently named some of the best in the state.

Just months after Theogony staff made national headlines for their enterprising Voices Unbound campaign, the student newspaper was one of five in Virginia to win top-ranking “Trophy Class” honors from the Virginia High School League. Former co-editor James Libresco, who spearheaded the anti-censorship campaign, was also named Virginia’s Student Journalist of the Year.

Go to ACHS student journalists earn statewide awards as school board to review publication policy Read more
News

Q&A: ACHS interim principal discusses 16-hour days, campus transitions, and supporting 4,000+ students

By James Cullum
ACHS Interim Principal Lance Harrell speaks at Alexandria City High School's 25th anniversary celebration of the film Remember The Titans, Sept. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Lance Harrell has a big job, overseeing Alexandria City High School, the largest high school in Virginia.

Harrell says he’s working 10- to 16-hour days, with the longest days being Fridays, when there are football games. “I think the biggest change is just the added hours that I’ve been working,” Harrell told ALXnow in an interview on Wednesday.

Go to Q&A: ACHS interim principal discusses 16-hour days, campus transitions, and supporting 4,000+ students Read more
News

Facing backlash, School Board shelves editorial oversight changes to Alexandria City High School’s student publications

By James Cullum
ACHS students protest policy changes to restrict publication of the high school newspaper and other publications, at the Alexandria School Board meeting on May 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What started as a simple policy change has erupted into a full-blown fight over the First Amendment in Alexandria City Public Schools.

Facing backlash from city leaders, the Alexandria School Board officially went back to the drawing board Thursday night (May 8), by announcing that its intended policy changes on the oversight of Alexandria City High School’s student publications have been put on hold. The announcement was made as more than a dozen student journalists held signs and demanded their editorial independence from ACPS administrators. So far, their Voices Unbound plan has the backing of City Council members and Mayor Alyia Gaskins.

Go to Facing backlash, School Board shelves editorial oversight changes to Alexandria City High School’s student publications Read more
Opinion

Poll: Who should have final say over content in the ACHS student newspaper, Theogony?

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

The debate over editorial control at Alexandria City High School’s student newspaper, Theogony, has drawn input from students, city leaders, and school officials after proposed policy changes raised concerns about censorship.

As the School Board committee sends the issue back for more discussion, we’re asking our readers to weigh in: Who should hold the authority to approve or reject student articles?

Go to Poll: Who should have final say over content in the ACHS student newspaper, Theogony? Read more