Graduation Diploma Honors Alexandria Senior Killed In Stabbing

ALEXANDRIA, VA — About 800 seniors in Alexandria City High School's class of 2022 celebrated graduation Saturday while paying tribute to a classmate who was killed.

The graduation commencement was held Saturday at EagleBank Arena, the first indoor ceremony since before the COVID-19 pandemic. While graduation was a celebration of graduating seniors' accomplishments, it was a somber reminder of senior Luis Mejia Hernandez's death. Hernandez, 18, died May 24 amid an off-campus fight at the Bradlee Shopping Center.

"The loss of Luis 10 days ago is heartbreaking, and for his family, his friends, classmates, teachers and staff and all of us who are part of this close-knit Titan community, graduation is a milestone that all families look forward to, and we are shocked and saddened by this tragic loss," said Executive Principal Peter Balas. "We share our deepest condolences and love with Luis's family, who are here with us today to accept his diploma."

At graduation, Hernandez's name was called first. His family came up to accept his diploma from Balas.

"Today, we honor Luis Mejia Hernandez's memory as part of this graduating class," said Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. "We were looking forward to seeing Luis cross the stage today — and I know his parents were too, who are here with us — with his fellow Titans, to receive his diploma, a milestone that we know Luis was striving to achieve with the support of our International Academy."

Class Of 2022: Share Your Graduation Photos From Alexandria

The class of 2022 also recognized milestones, including the school's renaming and return to in-person learning.

"You are the first graduating class of our newly named Alexandria City High School," said Hutchings. "We're all so proud to stand here to watch you all receive the first-ever diplomas from Alexandria City High School and to graduate today as ACHS Titans."

Balas praised the resilience of the senior class during the challenges they faced.

"I am so glad that we were able to have your senior year in person, and that you could enjoy all of the rites of passage: homecoming, Friday night lights, prom, the musical, concerts, in-person graduation and so much more," said Balas. "And I know this task here was all a little different: masks, daily symptom checklists, temperature screenings, isolating, delta, omicron...but despite the challenges, you still made it. That, my Titans, is resilience."

The class of 2022 includes 809 graduates. There are 403 who are receiving Advanced Studies Diploma, or 43 percent of the graduating class. This is the highest percentage of students who received Advanced Studies Diplomas at the school.

As of last week, 562 reported they applied to a college or university, according to Alexandria City Public Schools. Collectively, they are receiving $1,734,500 in merit scholarships from HBCU Week Foundation, Inc., Questbridge College Match, POSSE Foundation, Akerson Family Foundation, Beat the Odds Program, Army ROTC, Alexandria Sportsman Club, Educational Opportunities for Alexandrians, United Fund, Dell Scholars Program, Alfred Street Baptist Church Foundation, Cooley-Moore Scholarship and Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria alone provided $600,000 in scholarships to 205 students with renewals for each year of undergraduate study.

Aside from those attending colleges, 22 students committed to serve in the U.S. military, 30 students will have gap years through Year Up, Americorps, employment or internships. Another 15 students will attend trade schools to study technical, HVAC, dental assistant, electrical apprenticeship and automotive service trades.

Hutchings noted the diversity of the senior class, with students from the school district coming from 110 countries and speaking over 121 languages. The class includes 37.8 percent Hispanic students, 28 percent white students, 25.4 percent Black or African American students, 5.7 percent Asian students and 2.9 percent multi-race students.

Along with Balas and Hutchings, other graduation speakers were Class of 2022 president Grace Williams, senior student speaker Ana Reyes Araujo and Student Government Association President Sabine Mead. Students Erin Burns and Caroline Davenport sang the national anthem and Class of 2022 Treasurer Margaret Irvine presented the class gift, which is funding for the Classes of 2023-2025. Alexandria City School Board Chair Meagan Alderton, other School Board members, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and City Council members also attended.

See the full recording of the graduation commencement here. See the 1 hour, 12 minute mark in video to see the late Hernandez honored with his diploma.