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Fairfax County Public Schools earned two nominations for the 68th Capital Emmy Awards during a week filled with student achievements, school visits, community celebrations and discussions about the division’s future.
The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences nominated “Girls Flag Football: Be a Trailblazer – Get in the Game!” in the Content Shorts category. “Touching History” received a nomination in the Historical/Cultural News category.
The flag football production chronicles the sport’s inaugural FCPS season, in which 775 students participated and 25 high schools fielded teams through a partnership with the Washington Commanders. The video highlights the confidence, leadership, teamwork and relationships students can develop through athletics.
“Touching History” documents the renovation of Louise Archer Elementary School and the discovery of a wooden wall that had been concealed behind brick for more than 70 years. The wall came from the original three-room schoolhouse on the property—the Vienna “Colored” School, built during the Great Depression. The project paired modern improvements with preservation of the site’s history.
Art, academics and music fill school visits
The week’s school visits began at Silverbrook Elementary School, where the cafeteria became a gallery for “Sweet Dreams: Celebrating Creativity and Innovation.”
Now in its 16th year, the art gala featured work by every student in kindergarten through sixth grade for the second consecutive year. Art teachers Laura Lajin and Elke Whittle led the event, which was divided between two evenings. Students in grades one, three and five presented on April 13, followed by kindergarten and grades two, four and six on May 11.
Each student contributed an original artwork, an artist statement and a photograph. The exhibition included paintings, ceramics, prints, collages and drawings. School leaders also emphasized how the art program develops creativity, organization, persistence and problem-solving skills.
At Luther Jackson Middle School, Principal Megan Sherrill highlighted academic progress and plans for expanded access to algebra. Students in Sharon Parker’s seventh-grade AVID—Advanced Via Individual Determination—class discussed novels in book groups and used AVID strategies to record detailed analysis in their journals.
The school has significantly increased algebra enrollment compared with last year, while preliminary Standards of Learning pass-rate data was described as promising. Administrators are also preparing to implement Algebra for All for every eighth grader and many seventh graders next year, using differentiated support to help students handle the more rigorous coursework.
The next visit brought a student-led welcome at Franconia Elementary School, where Principal Andrew Smith, Assistant Principal Brooke Nyland, student ambassadors and Waddles the Penguin greeted the superintendent.
In a special education classroom led by Sarah Goings, Melmariam Azene and Scott Vickers, students used assistive technology to complete daily lessons. Christina Tran’s kindergarten students practiced addition and subtraction by counting turtles on a log. In Jennifer Lucius’ music room, third graders played “Peter Rabbit” on recorders only about 10 minutes after learning the song.
Edison Academy students turn technical skills into victories
Three Edison Academy students were recognized for performances at the SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference, where competitors demonstrate practical expertise in areas including engineering, information technology and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Mohammad “Mo” Al-Towaiti of Bryant High School won first place in Program Design and second place in both HVAC and T-Shirt Design. Al-Towaiti arrived at Edison Academy with experience gained in Yemen. After failing to place during his first year, he photographed competitions and studied techniques to improve his work.
This fall, he plans to begin a five-year apprenticeship with Steamfitters Local 602. His goals include earning a journeyman license and eventually opening a company.
“You have to show discipline and work ethic,” Al-Towaiti said. “You have to work hard to earn the success.”
Mount Vernon High School student Ceaser Fetzner took first place in Career Pathways for Industrial and Engineering Technology. His interest in HVAC began when he was 6. He now documents HVAC systems on a YouTube channel, studies equipment from different generations and works with industry partners connected to Edison Academy.
Sam Finnegan earned first place in Internetworking after building and troubleshooting complex network systems under time pressure. He will study cybersecurity at Rochester Institute of Technology this fall.
Students support military-connected peers
The Military Youth Advisory Council held its final meeting of the school year Tuesday afternoon at the Gatehouse Administration Center. High school representatives reviewed the Month of the Military Child and the ways their schools recognized military-connected students.
Among the programs discussed was a mentorship initiative created by McLean High School’s Military Youth Support Club with Longfellow Middle School. High school mentors meet monthly with middle school students, answering questions, sharing resources and leading team-building activities intended to ease the transition into high school.
The council also began preparing for the next school year, including a Military Family Welcome BBQ for returning families and newcomers to the community. Students are expected to lead several service projects benefiting military-connected residents.
That evening, community members and other stakeholders addressed a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. The School Board was scheduled to vote on the final budget Thursday.
Business, teachers and technology leaders look ahead
On Wednesday morning, business and education leaders gathered in Richmond for the launch of the Virginia Business K-12 Partnership. The new initiative, supported by the governor and senior education officials, is intended to strengthen Virginia’s economy and create more pathways to opportunity.
Later that day, the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Committee met at Kilmer Middle School. Every school has a representative on the committee, which gives instructional employees a forum to raise concerns and provide feedback to division leaders. Representatives then report the discussions to colleagues at their schools.
The committee’s work supports the Diverse, Adaptive, and Supported Workforce pillar of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Wednesday ended with a gathering at the Udvar-Hazy Center focused on investment in American space programs. Industry executives, investors and public-sector representatives discussed space innovation and its potential effect on Northern Virginia’s economy. One proposal under consideration is the establishment of a quantum-computing presence at the new Skyview High School.
At Thursday’s All-County Principals Meeting at Willow Oaks, school leaders recognized retiring and newly appointed principals and administrators. They also reflected on lessons from the 2025-26 academic year.
Principals have spent the year working in cross-region “hive groups” to exchange ideas across grade levels and school communities. The meeting looked ahead to continued work on innovation, school improvement, support for the whole child and more equitable access to rigorous and advanced classes.
The superintendent later attended the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Artificial Intelligence Summit in McLean. The event examined the region’s role in developing and adopting emerging technology, as well as the connections many FCPS families have to the area’s technology industry.
Graduate’s path leads back to FCPS
Former FCPS student Arman Nikmorad returned Friday after graduating summa cum laude from George Mason University.
Nikmorad’s career in broadcast technology began while he was a student-producer at McLean High School. His interest led him to volunteer with employees from the FCPS Department of Information Technology as they repaired television equipment. That experience became an internship and, eventually, a full-time position as an FCPS multimedia technician.
He now helps manage major School Board broadcasts, supports livestreams and events across Fairfax County, maintains broadcast systems and trains students to use professional video equipment. His progression from student volunteer to employee illustrates how school-based opportunities and mentorship can lead to careers that serve the same community.
Friday evening continued with Heritage Celebration Night at Jackson Middle School, where students, educators and families shared their cultures and traditions through performances.
The day concluded at Robinson Secondary School with a Football Coaches Showcase organized by the Northern Virginia Coaches Association. More than 250 Fairfax County student-athletes completed workouts and football drills before more than 33 college coaches representing multiple levels of collegiate competition.
More than 40 FCPS coaches volunteered at the combine, giving players from Fairfax County public high schools an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities while pursuing the possibility of playing college football.
TJ rocket team lands among the nation’s best
A five-student team from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology placed 16th nationally at the 2026 American Rocketry Challenge National Finals at Great Meadow in The Plains.
The team reached the top 100 from a field of approximately 1,100 participating teams. It also recorded the best finish by any Virginia team and won the “Out of This World Outfit” Award for its presentation. The students adopted a “God of Storms” theme and named their rockets “Lightning” and “Thunder.”
Preparing for the competition required extensive travel because rocket launches are restricted near the Capital Beltway. Students spent weekends testing and redesigning rockets at launch sites in central Virginia, Maryland and southern Pennsylvania while keeping up with TJ’s academic workload.
Shella Condino, an AP Physics teacher and sponsor of the TJ Rocketry Club, said 1,107 teams competed nationwide. Because TJ finished in the top 25, its team is eligible to submit a research proposal to NASA’s Student Launch Initiative.
If selected, the students would complete a nine-month engineering project to design, build, test and launch an advanced high-powered rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload. The program would conclude with a launch in Huntsville, Alabama, in spring 2027.
A separate TJ rocketry group conducted an exhibition launch Saturday afternoon after placing second in the “Battle of the Rockets” competition.
Chess event raises money to fight hunger
The fifth annual Charity Chess Event at Rachel Carson Middle School raised money for Anna Sudha Community Kitchens, which provides food to people and families in need.
Langley High School junior Ameya Haldankar organized the student-run event. In previous years, proceeds benefited people with disabilities and children recovering in hospitals.
The weekend continued Sunday morning with the Girls on the Run Spring 5K Celebration at Pentagon City Mall. Twenty-three Fairfax teams joined students from other area schools for the season-ending run, which celebrated participants’ confidence, strength and personal development.
On Sunday afternoon, students in the Global Leaders of Fairfax County Class of 2026 were honored during an end-of-year celebration at Falls Church High School. School Board Member At-Large Ryan McElveen joined the event recognizing projects connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The students’ work linked local action with international challenges and reflected their interest in global issues. Families, educators, mentors and community partners were also recognized for supporting their efforts.
As proms, graduations and end-of-year parties approach, the school community was urged to remember that the celebratory season can also bring financial, academic and emotional pressure. Students struggling with graduation requirements, assessments, isolation or household expenses may need additional understanding and support during the final weeks of the school year.