Principal Bids Farewell To Alexandria City High School, 905 Seniors Graduate

ALEXANDRIA, VA — It was a bittersweet moment as 905 graduates of Alexandria City High School received their diplomas while Principal Peter Balas bid farewell to the high school.

Alexandria City High School held its graduation Saturday at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena. It was the last commencement ceremony for Balas, who is leaving Alexandria City Public Schools to become principal of Wakefield High School in Arlington.

""I would like to say to you all, Alexandria City Public Schools in the wonderful city of Alexandria, where I live and Alexandria City High School, you've been part of my life for half the years I have been alive," said Balas. "You have made me a better person. Thank you for everything."

Balas has been with ACPS for over 20 years, starting as a social studies teacher at the Minnie Howard Campus, to an assistant principal at the high school to principal at Mount Vernon Community School, where he started the school district's first dual language program. He has been principal since 2017 at Alexandria City High School.

Balas encouraged the graduates to embrace change that takes them out of their comfort zones and fosters personal growth.

"Remember, it's not how you respond to challenges. It's how you respond to challenges that defines your character and be agents of change," said Balas. "Always remember that you have the power to influence and shape the world around you, especially this generation. And stay connected with your family, friends and mentors who have supported you through this journey. These connections will provide stability and serve as a reminder of who you are, where you come from."

The class of 2023 includes over 600 graduates who plan to pursue higher education and over a dozen planning to serve in the armed forces, Superintendent Melanie Kay Wyatt said. The graduating seniors represent the class that transitioned to virtual learning as freshman in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The superintendent recognized the various accomplishments of students. Kay Wyatt said those in the governor's health science academy and nursing program are headed to pursue healthcare careers. Other students have received scholarships from organizations like the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, National Merit Scholarship Program and the Posse Foundation.

Student athletes have won district, state and national championships in soccer, volleyball and wrestling. The school's robotics team shined for the second consecutive year, while television and media students won awards for a remembrance project documentary and the C-SPAN StudentCam competition's "Modern Day Slavery" documentary.

Others have shown their entrepreneurial spirit as a blacksmith, a bagel company founder and musicians who have published music on iTunes, according to the superintendent.

"This is a creative group, and I'm sure these are just a few of the examples of the many amazing stories of the class of 2023," said Kay Wyatt. "If there's one thing we can be sure of, we know that our Titans are ready for life, college and career."

Students also heard encouraging remarks from student leaders.

"I'm ecstatic to be here and welcome you all to the one thing we've been looking forward to since we've seen the graduates in our kindergarten years walk in the hallways and their caps and gowns," said My fellow seniors, it's our graduation," said Class President Amna Shamseldin.

And as all graduates have done once diplomas were handed out, the class of 2023 celebrated the end of their high school experience, tossing their red, white and blue caps into the air.

Congrats to all the graduates!

You can send your graduation photos to Patch at emily.leayman@patch.com to be featured in our graduation coverage.