The class of 2021 is wrapping up their last year at AHS. Finals and classes are over for seniors, but one big milestone is yet to be completed. Graduation will be held on June 1 on the AHS stadium field.
Seniors are now allowed six tickets for family and friends thanks to the updated guidance from Governor Northam. Seniors must register for their tickets. More information is on the AHS student portal.
AHS is asking students to park at the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale and enter the stadium through the back gate. FCPD is also suspending the parking permit requirement for June 1.
Students are expected to dress in formal attire. Due to the graduation being held on the stadium field, heels are not allowed as they could puncture the turf.
“I’m really happy that we are able to have our graduation this year considering that the seniors from last year could not have one. All in all, I am looking forward to graduation and the future of my class!” senior Andy Zepeda said.
The commencement speech has always been a tradition during graduation. The speech is usually given by a staff member who is voted in by the seniors.
This year’s speaker will be Mario Villanueva Ramos. Ramos is a graduate of Annandale Transitional High School and is currently serving as a classroom monitor here at AHS. He emigrated from El Salvador to the United States in 2007, looking for opportunities to better the circumstances for himself and his fiancé.
Ramos worked at McDonalds and other local businesses to support himself while attending Annandale Transitional High School and later, graduated from W.T. Woodson Adult High School. After his graduation, he brought his fiancé of five years from El Salvador to Annandale where they married.
Ramos is currently a classroom monitor and supports students in double-block Math. Since his arrival at AHS, he has also started an after-school Spanish language tutoring program and supported additional classes for students on Mondays.
“Nothing seems more fitting in this year unlike any other, than to have a classroom monitor who has had such a tremendous impact on the school community as this year’s graduation speaker,” AHS principal Shawn DeRose said in an email to senior families.