On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 5 to 7, the Arlington Career Center’s Commencement occurred. Parents, teachers, friends, and family gathered on the bleachers to watch their student graduate from high school. The weather was perfect: warm but not stifling. As the sun began to set, it cast a golden glow across the stage, showering the graduates in light. A sea of purple robes and caps walked single file across the field, then filed neatly into their chairs. Their personally decorated and unique caps helped the parents spot their children. 

It started with a welcome speech from Ms. Chung. Then the Junior ROTC led the Presentation of Colors. Julian Eichers sang the National Anthem while playing his guitar. For the opening remarks, Ms. Chung talked about how proud she was to see everyone graduate and that they’ve become a part of ACC. Our honored guests included:

School Board Members:

Mary Kadera, Chair

Bethany Zecher Sutton, Vice-Chair

Kathleen Clark, Member

Zuraya Tapia- Hadley, Member 

Miranda Turner, Member

APS/ACC School Administrators: 

Dr. Francisco Duran, Superintendent

Kim Graves, Chief of School Support

Dr. Gerald Mann, Chief of Academics

Margaret Chung, Principal, Arlington Career Center

Rachel Bowerman, Assistant Principal, Arlington Career Center

Cory Mainor, Assistant Principal, Arlington Career Center

Kathy Brewster, Director of Counseling, Arlington Career Center

NVCC/ DE Partners:

Dr. Anne Kress, President, Northern Virginia Community College

Dr. Eun-Woo Chang, Vice President, Northern Virginia Community College

Malcolm Pace, Director of Dual Enrollment

Kristen Carter, Associate Director of Dual Enrollment

Angela Hightower, Dual Enrollment Coordinator

Katie Aimone, Dual Enrollment Coordinator

Deirdre Margo, Career Coach/Counselor/Instructor

To represent everyone graduating, there were student speakers from each program. Madeline LaSalle Frazier from The Academy introduced Christopher Vasquez Monjaraz. He shared his struggles and challenges throughout the years, along with his growth as both a student and a friend.

Dr. Michelle Van Lare from Arlington Tech introduced Akshay Kuchibhatla. His inspiring speech was paired with humor and numerous puns that left the audience in laughter.

Amanda Trevino from the English Learner Institute (ELI) introduced Yanirah Hernandez Velasquez, who shared her story of coming here 2 years ago and how hard it was to learn English.

Shane Johnson from the Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP) introduced Yulisa Guevara, whose heartfelt speech inspired everyone.

Then were the awards and diplomas. National Honor Society (NHS) students, an extracurricular where students are given the opportunity to give back to their community.  NVCC degrees and certificates, those 19 students who earned a NOVA degree, were again recognized for their accomplishments. The presentation of diplomas, each row would stand and line up. They would hand a slip of paper with their name on it to whoever was doing the announcing. Students names were called, and they would walk onto the stage to receive their certificate and take a photo with Ms. Chung. Then they would have another photo taken with their diploma before going back to their seat, where they would remain standing until everyone in their row was back.

To conclude, Ms. Chung did the conferring of graduates (officially declaring the students graduates). The moment of students moving their tassels from the right to the left and throwing their caps in the air was a beautiful scene, marking the start of their new journey. The football field filled up with the new graduates who met up with family, posed for photos with friends and teachers, and said their goodbyes.

This was a moment full of joy for the now graduated seniors, ready to step into the world. They would be starting a new chapter in their life, moving to different places, studying different things, meeting new people, and developing new interests. While they’ll no longer be close by, they will always have a home at ACC.