Atoms Athletics 25-26 Recap

FALL

The cheer team worked hard every day to show their school spirit on Friday nights while also preparing for the National District Cheer Championships. The Atoms delivered another incredible performance on both days of the championships but fell short of qualifying for the regional meet. Despite the outcome, the team has been much to be proud of and is excited to return to the sidelines as they already been working hard in the off-season under new coach Olivia Sheperd in preparation for 2026. 

Boys and Girls Cross Country saw the Atoms run with passion and desire to be better with each race. The girls weren't necessarily led by one individual but ran many of their races as a team and improved with each and every race.  The boys program continued their growth from 2024 with several runners improving on their performances and their team mindset again led them to a Occoquan Region qualifying finish in the district championship meet. The Atoms graduate several seniors who have been key to the success and growth of the program under Coach Nic Salazar including first team district runner Connor Uzokoff. The Atoms return a great core of runners who will look to hit the path running in 2026.

This season the Atomic Dance Team continued performing their halftime routines + sidelines at each home football game, along with dancer-choreographed routines at home basketball games. They also competed at UDA (Universal Dance Association) Regionals, along with the  Brooke Point Invitational – where the team placed for the first time since the dance team program started in 2021 AND surpassed their overall point improvement goal between the two competitions. The team got special recognition from the judges on their growth and improvement. Seniors Astrid and Zii will be greatly missed, along with head coach Dorothy Edwards, who will be stepping down at the end of this year after serving as coach for the past 4 years.

Freshman Football had one of its largest teams in recent memory and the team developed and played well throughout the season to end with a 6-2 final record. Varsity Football had several games that could have a different result if one or two plays went the Atoms way. The Atoms had several games that showed great promise of the team including the second game of the season that saw the Atoms score their season high of 42 in a dominant win at Freedom-Woodbridge. The Atoms played Falls Church hard but an unfortunate bounce off a receivers knee in the endzone on fourth down allowed the Jaguars to slip away at the end. The Atoms didn't play well vs Park View but followed it up with an exciting double OT win over Justice a week later! Despite losses to Edison and Hayfield, in which the scoreboard didn't depict how close the game actually was, the Atoms had their chances to get a win vs both teams. The Atoms completed their home slate with a huge home win over Lewis on Senior Night. The Atoms are graduating several key members of the team including first team selections Adnan Abdul-Haqq, Connor Delaney, and Zade Kreshi but return a strong core of players that include all district selections Nahom Eshete, Alhassan Mattia, and Zach Plank to go with a rising sophomore class looks hungry to improve in 2026.

Atoms Golf continued to climb up the district ranks and it showed in 2025 with the Atoms finishing with a 4-3 district record and coming in fourth in the district tournament. It was the first time since 2010 that the Atoms completed a district season with a winning record and finishing fourth or higher. The Atoms were led by region qualifiers Carter Demers and Sophia Sewall who both qualified for a second time. Several golfers on the Atoms had personal best scores at different times throughout the season which helped lead to the record they had. Carter and Sophia represented the Atoms well in the region tournament at Twin Lakes but fell short in their attempt to qualify for the state tournament. Sophia was a couple shots short of qualifying for the women's state open as well. The Atoms graduate several contributors but return two time region qualifier Carter Demers and up and coming golfer Zach Noyes. 

Freshman and JV played hard and continuously improved with every match as many of them prepare for the next level within the program. Varsity Volleyball followed up their 2024 season where they qualified for the region tournament for the first with an even more impressive season in 2025. The Atoms were a team that brought a lot of noise this year to the National District as they completed their season with a 12-4 record that included a stretch of seven straight wins that were all 3-0 sweeps! They completed the season with an 11-3 district record and secured the number two seed in the tournament. The Atoms were unfortunately bounced in the semifinals of the district tournament and lost their first round region game to bring the season to a close. The Atoms were highlighted by many individuals including National District Player of Year and first team region selection Kiera Jordan. The Atoms graduate five seniors that include first team all district and second team region player Esther Jung but return a young hungry core of players including second team district players Miah Henderson and Rachel Bauer along with Kiley Foster to a team that is poised to continue to climb the district ladder.

The Boys Volleyball team took a step back this season following the graduation of several key contributors from the 2024 squad that finished as district runner-up. The Atoms welcomed a number of new players into the program, many of whom saw significant varsity playing time for the first time. Despite their inexperience, the team competed with grit and determination throughout the season, coming up just short in several closely contested matches.

The Atoms earned the No. 7 seed in the district tournament and saw their season come to an end with a quarterfinal loss to Hayfield. The program graduates several seniors, including Honorable Mention All-District selection Sylar Simmavong and two-year starter Andrew Banks. However, the future remains bright as Second Team All-District selection Khang Huynh returns to lead a young and motivated group eager to climb back to the top in 2026.

Field Hockey did it again this year! This time it was sheer dominance throughout the season as the Atoms completed their regular season with a 14-3 record including once again going 7-0 in the district, outscoring their opponents 38-2 on their way to securing the number one seed for the fourth year in a year. The Atoms steamrolled through the district tournament, outscoring their opponents 17-0 to win their third National District Championship in four year! However, the Atoms were not done as they dominated Robinson and Lake Braddock in the Occoquan Region Tournament to secure their spot in the region finals and a state bid for the first time in over 20 plus years. The Atoms took on defending state runner up Fairfax in the region final. The crowd was treated to an exciting game that saw the Atoms tie the game late in the fourth quarter to send the game to OT. The Atoms had their chances throughout but it was Fairfax who was able to sneak the game winning goal in to win it. Despite the loss the Atoms traveled to Independence for the state quarterfinals. The Atoms played hard vs a team that was only two years removed from a state championship but unfortunately fell to the Tigers to bring their historic season to a close. The Atoms graduate several seniors who have been vital to the success of the program including first team all district and region players, Sofia Saavedra, Lilly Flores, and Lily Rumpf as well as four time district player of the year, two time region player of the year, and two time first team all state player Callia Uviedo. The Atoms do return some players with great experience including all district selections Ana Crittenden, Miriam Popp, Amalka Benvides, and Josie Robinson who look to continue the success of Atoms field hockey in 2026.

The Atoms Girls Flag Football team made history this season, competing in the program's inaugural year. After opening the season with a split against Falls Church and Lewis, the Atoms battled through early challenges and steadily improved each week. They earned key victories over Justice, TJ, Falls Church, Lewis, and Justice again, including a dramatic last-second win over TJ and a dominant 26-0 revenge victory over Falls Church. Finishing the season on a five-game winning streak, the Atoms closed their historic first campaign with an impressive 6-2 record and established a strong foundation for the future of the program.

WINTER

Boys Basketball The Annandale Atoms boys basketball team battled through a competitive 2025–26 season highlighted by resilience, improvement, and several key victories. The Atoms opened the year with a dominant 30-point win over Fairfax Trinity before facing tough contests against Fairfax Home School and Lake Braddock. Back at Robert Hardage Gymnasium, Annandale earned an exciting 62–57 victory over Fairfax and later picked up a convincing 69–25 district win over Lewis. Throughout the season the Atoms faced several challenging road matchups against district rivals and regional powers but continued to compete hard, including a strong defensive performance in a win over Mount Vernon where they held the Majors to just 24 points. The team closed the regular season with back-to-back victories over Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson to secure the fifth seed in the district tournament. Annandale’s season concluded in the region tournament at West Potomac after a competitive first half before the Wolverines pulled away. The season was highlighted by individual honors as Nathan Pewett earned First Team All-District and Second Team All-Region recognition, while Jeremiah Nelson was named Second Team All-District, recognizing their strong contributions to the Atoms’ season. The Atoms return several contributors including all district player Esay Ghirmay and a young core of rising juniors looking to contribute.

Girls Basketball The Annandale Atoms girls basketball team showed resilience and determination throughout the 2025–26 season as they competed in a challenging schedule of district and non-district opponents. The Atoms opened the season with tough matchups against Fairfax Home School and Lake Braddock before picking up their first win of the year against Gar-Field. Despite dealing with injuries and missing key players at times, the team continued to battle throughout the season, playing several close contests including a narrow 37–36 loss to Lewis before the holiday break. After winter break, the Atoms continued to compete hard in district play, highlighted by strong team efforts in wins over Mt. Vernon and Falls Church, the latter serving as redemption for an earlier loss. Annandale also celebrated its seniors during the season while continuing to show growth and improvement each week. The season concluded with a trip to Edison for the first round of the district tournament, where the Atoms hung tough early before the Eagles pulled away. Following the season, several Atoms earned postseason recognition, including Matilda Moreland and Fatmata Musa being named Second Team All-District, while Megan Murray received Honorable Mention All-District honors.

Gymnastics The Annandale Atoms gymnastics team showed steady improvement throughout the season, highlighted by strong individual performances and continued growth at every meet. The Atoms opened the year with a second-place finish at West Springfield and continued to build momentum as the season progressed. After winter break, the team traveled to Edison where several gymnasts placed in events, led by Kate Hanlen and Miah Henderson. Hanlen continued to perform well at Lake Braddock as the team prepared for the National District Championship. At the district meet at Mount Vernon, Henderson tied for first on the bars to become a National District Champion and placed third in the all-around, while Hanlen added a third-place finish on the vault. Both gymnasts qualified for the Occoquan Region Championship and represented Annandale well but came up just short of qualifying for the state meet. The Atoms graduate senior Kate Hanlen but return a young core that gained valuable experience and will look to continue its growth heading into the 2026–27 season.

Indoor Track The Annandale Atoms indoor track team showed steady improvement throughout the 2025–26 season as athletes built conditioning early and continued to progress with each meet. Several athletes recorded personal bests at the Montgomery Invitational as the team prepared for postseason competition. At the National District Championship meet at the Prince George’s Sportsplex, a number of Atoms achieved personal best performances, highlighted by Jeremiah Nelson winning the National District Championship in the high jump. Nelson continued his outstanding postseason run at the Occoquan Region Championship by clearing 6’6” to claim the regional title and qualify for the VHSL State Championship. At the state meet in Virginia Beach, Nelson once again cleared 6’6” to win the state high jump title, completing an impressive sweep of District, Region, and State championships and capping off a memorable season for Annandale indoor track.

Wrestling The Annandale Atoms wrestling team showed growth and determination throughout the 2025–26 season as a young roster continued to improve with each match. The Atoms competed in several challenging tri-meets throughout the season, battling district opponents including Edison, Falls Church, Justice, Lewis, and TJ while gaining valuable experience and picking up a win over Thomas Jefferson. As the postseason approached, the Atoms continued to show progress, highlighted by Darling Saravia winning the 145-pound weight class at the Region Zone qualifier. At the National District Championship, Annandale narrowly missed a fourth-place team finish but had several standout performances as Vera Puna and Ana Jenson were crowned National District Champions in their respective weight classes, with Jenson also earning the honor of Most Outstanding Wrestler of the National District Tournament, while Blaise McNeill finished as a runner-up. Puna advanced to the VHSL State Championships in Virginia Beach where he battled hard to close out his career. On the girls side, Jenson and Saravia represented the Atoms at the VHSL State Championships in Richmond, where Jenson competed well and Saravia delivered an outstanding performance, advancing to the state finals and finishing as the VHSL State Runner-Up, becoming the first Annandale wrestler to earn a state runner-up finish since before the COVID era and setting her sights on a state championship next season.

Swim/Dive put together an impressive 2025–26 season highlighted by strong team performances, multiple district champions, and several state qualifiers. The season began with a strong start as both the boys and girls teams defeated Edison in the opening meet and continued their momentum with convincing victories over Justice and Hayfield to remain undefeated early in the year. The boys team maintained its undefeated record through much of the season, while the girls consistently competed at a high level, highlighted by a competitive meet against Falls Church on senior night and a dominant performance against Mt. Vernon. As the regular season concluded, the Atoms turned their focus to the postseason and delivered an outstanding showing at the National District Championship at Audrey Moore. Annandale crowned multiple district champions including the girls 200 medley relay (Samantha Decareau, Melanie Decareau, CC Corbett, Delaney Spencer), CC Corbett in the 200 free and 100 fly, James Chilton in the boys 50 free and 100 fly, Melanie Decareau in the girls 50 free, Samantha Decareau in the girls 100 free and 100 breaststroke, and the girls 200 free relay team of Corbett, Spencer, and the Decareau sisters. At the Occoquan Region meet, James Chilton, Samantha Decareau, and CC Corbett placed in the top five to qualify for the VHSL State Championship, while Melanie Decareau and the girls 200 free relay team qualified by time. At the VHSL State Meet at Jeff Rouse Rec Center in Stafford, Chilton (100 free), Corbett (500 free), and Samantha Decareau (50 and 100 free) advanced to the finals and finished the season as state placers. The girls 200 free relay team of Samantha Decareau, Melanie Decareau, Delaney Spencer, and CC Corbett placed 10th in the state while breaking the Annandale school record with a time of 1:39.05, capping off a memorable season for the Atoms program.

SPRING

The Annandale Atoms baseball team showed resilience and growth throughout the 2025 season, highlighted by several key victories and a postseason appearance. The Atoms opened the year in impressive fashion with a 12-1 victory over Lewis. Despite several tough losses early in the season, the Atoms continued to battle and found their stride late in the year. Annandale put together one of its best stretches of the season with victories over Lewis, Immanuel Christian, and a memorable 8-4 win over Edison, who will play for the region title, avenging an earlier loss. The Atoms also earned dramatic victories down the stretch, including a walk-off Senior Night win over Mount Vernon and a crucial 1-0 victory over TJ behind a dominant pitching performance from Cole Cardwell that secured the sixth seed in the National District Tournament. In the district quarterfinals, Annandale pushed Justice to the limit before falling 3-2, but still earned a berth in the Occoquan Region Tournament. The Atoms concluded their season with a hard-fought effort against Woodson in the regional tournament, battling throughout before falling 5-0. The Atoms graduate second team all district player Andrew McGee but return second team pitcher Zach Plank and a core of young players who saw significant time to the field in 2027.

The Annandale Atoms softball team put together an exciting 2026 season highlighted by explosive offense, resilience, and a postseason appearance. The Atoms opened the year with an 18-3 victory over Lewis, powered by a home run from Tilly Moreland, and went on to earn key district victories over Justice, Mount Vernon, and Lewis throughout the season. Annandale's offense was a strength all year, regularly producing double-digit run totals, highlighted by a remarkable 37-26 victory over Meridian that saw Freshman KK Supple provide a three-home run performance. Supple didn’t stop there with the “dingers” as she added an exciting game-tying home run against Falls Church in the district tournament. The Atoms battled several district powers closely, including improved performances against Edison, and advanced to the Occoquan Region Tournament. Their season concluded with a first-round regional loss to South County. The Atoms graduate a key contributors in Sophia Sewall, Zoe Ligairi, Tilly Moreland, and Saara Farahmand but return 2nd team all district players KK Supple and Riya Vlcan for 2027. 

The Annandale Atoms boys lacrosse team showed determination and growth throughout the 2026 season while competing against a challenging schedule. The Atoms opened the year by earning a 7-3 victory over Osbourn behind four goals from Samy Cheikh and later added victories over Wakefield and Lewis, including a dominant 11-1 district win over the Lancers. Annandale consistently competed hard against some of the area's strongest programs, with several contests decided by narrow margins, including a 7-5 loss to Justice, a 6-4 loss to Mount Vernon, and a heartbreaking 7-6 overtime defeat to TJ on Senior Night. The season came to a close with a  loss toHayfield in the district tournament. The Atoms graduate first team player Samy Cheikh, 2nd team Logan Barberis, and HM player Jack Barnes but return a young core ready to take the reins under a new coach as this year also marked the final season of Coach Bill Maglisceau's distinguished career, as he retired following decades of dedication to Annandale lacrosse and its student-athletes. 

The Annandale Atoms girls lacrosse team continued to develop and compete throughout the 2026 season, showing growth while facing many of the National District's top programs. The Atoms earned district victories over Lewis and Mount Vernon, with the 12-10 Senior Night win over the Majors serving as one of the season's highlights. The team's determination was evident in a hard-fought 6-4 win at Lewis and several competitive stretches against district opponents. The Atoms qualified for both the National District and Occoquan Region tournaments, advancing to the regional postseason before their season concluded against Woodson. While the team graduates several seniors, the program returns a talented group of younger players including Emily Fields  and Rowan Readinger, who gained valuable experience this spring and are poised to continue the program's growth heading into next season. 

The Annandale Atoms girls soccer team showed a steady hand throughout the spring while competing against a demanding schedule, completing it with a 7-4-1 record. The Atoms began the year with an impressive 4-1 win over Westfield and later earned a strong 8-0 shutout over Lewis. The team showed it’s ability to control matches on both ends of the field, including a three game stretch of shutouts while outsourcing the opponents 11-0! The season continued into the postseason, where the Atoms suffered a narrow 1-0 upset loss to Mount Vernon in the National District quarterfinals before falling to Woodson in the first round of the Occoquan Region Tournament. The Atoms graduate many key pieces including all district players, Melanie Decareau, Callia Uviedo, and Sofia Saavedra along with contributors Lilly Rumpf and Lilly Flores, but do return All District players Ana Crittenden, Sofia Castilla Pena, Maddy Duran, and goalie Anna Salamon and a strong freshman class who looked to continue the success of this program. 

The Annandale Atoms boys soccer team competed through a challenging spring schedule and continued to battle from start to finish. The Atoms opened the season with a strong 2-1 win at Westfield and followed with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Langley in a tight non-district matchup. Throughout the regular season, Annandale showed resilience in several competitive contests, including comeback wins and close losses against district opponents and top programs. The Atoms earned a postseason spot and finished their year with a tough 1-0 loss to Falls Church in the National District quarterfinals, ending a season defined by grit, growth, and competitive play. The Atoms graduate first team all district player Omid Al-E-Jalil but return some hungry underclassmen in Alberto Rivas and Yaw Boateng who look to get back on track in 2027.

The Annandale Atoms boys tennis team grew stronger as the season progressed, gaining valuable experience against a competitive district schedule. The Atoms opened with matches against Falls Church and Hayfield, then continued to improve through tough battles with Lewis, TJ, Edison, and Mount Vernon. Annandale earned several key wins, including a dominant 9-0 sweep of Lewis and a strong 7-2 victory over Mount Vernon, while also showing toughness in close matches and against top-level opponents. The Atoms finished district play with a sixth-place standing, earning a spot in the Occoquan Region Tournament. Their season ended with a hard-fought team loss to Fairfax in region play. The Atoms graduate all district player Andrew Banks but return his doubles mate in Elliot Rekstad and Jurgen Callejas who look to lead the program next season.

The Annandale Atoms girls tennis team had a strong spring marked by growth, determination, and several impressive team performances. The Atoms opened the season against Falls Church and Hayfield before finding their rhythm with victories over Lewis, Edison, and Mount Vernon. Annandale played several tight matches down to the final courts, including comeback wins and narrow setbacks against top district teams, showing resilience throughout the year. The team’s progress was rewarded with a top-six district finish and a berth in the Occoquan Region Tournament. In postseason play, the Atoms were defeated by West Springfield, but Lizzie Gronberg provided a highlight by advancing through the National District Singles Tournament and earning a spot in the Occoquan Region Singles Tournament. Second team all district player Lizzie Gronberg will graduate but her running mate of Josie McElveen returns to continue the success the program had in 2026.

The Annandale Atoms outdoor track and field team continued to build momentum throughout the spring, with athletes posting personal bests and qualifying marks at nearly every meet. The Atoms used their early meets to get back on the track and steadily sharpen their performances, highlighted by strong relay efforts and standout individual runs and field events. As the postseason approached, Annandale continued to improve, and the results showed at the National District Championship Meet, where several Atoms earned qualifying marks for the region meet. Jeremiah Nelson led the way by winning the National District Championship in the high jump, while the boys 4x800 relay and several other Atoms advanced as well. At the Occoquan Region Championship, the team delivered multiple personal best performances and strong individual efforts, including a ninth-place finish from Connor Uzokoff in the 800m.

Atoms Athletics Booster Club Meeting

The Atoms Athletics Booster Club will hold their monthly meeting in August for the first meeting of the 2026-2027 school year! Please join us, in person or virtually, and hear more about how the Atoms Boosters supports all the athletic programs at Annandale.

Be on the lookout for the Atoms Boosters Passes that will come available at the end of July!

Atoms Recognized for Postseason Teams

Winter seasons have come to a close several Atoms have already received post-season recognition. Check out the recipients using the link below:

Fall 2025 All District, Region, and State Recognition

Winter 2025-2026 All District, Region, and State Recognition

Spring 2025-2026 All District, Region, and State Recognition

**Spring Region and State voting will come in the next few weeks**

SAVE THE DATE!

Fall Sports Tryouts

Fall sports will start Monday, August 3! For more information around a programs tryout, reach out to one of our coaches below. Stay tuned as tryout schedules will be in an upcoming newsletter!

Annandale HS Summer Camps

Looking for fun activities for your child this summer? Annandale High School is offering a variety of summer camps this year for current elementary and middle school students led by our own Annandale coaches. Help spread the word to friends, family and neighbors! More information on signups upcoming!

See descriptions of the various camps below. More information can be found at AnnandaleAtoms.net. 

Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp, and they should bring a snack and a water bottle each day. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to “Annandale Athletic Boosters”.

Payment is due on the first day of camp or can be made online by clicking on the camps link below

Save the dates for our camps below!

Camp Information

Olympics Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 22-26th 8:30am-3pm ($150): Campers will have fun playing a variety of sports including basketball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and touch football. They will participate in fun contests and win medals! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. To register for Olympics Camps, click HERE. For questions about Olympics Camp, please reach out to Christopher Bagot.

Volleyball Camp - Rising 3rd-9th Graders - June 29- July 2 ($120): Campers will spend each day focused on developing their volleyball skills and playing small sided games. Campers will work on improvement and understanding how to play volleyball. Campers will have a 30 minute break from 11:00-11:30am for snacks or eat lunch. Campers should bring their own snack/lunch or purchase items at camp. Hours are 9:00am-1:30pm. To register for Volleyball Camp, click HERE. For questions about volleyball camp please reach out to Camp Director, Girls Head Coach AJ Witkofsky,

Wrestling – K-12 - July 6-10 ($295): Annandale is hosting a 5-day camp with Purler Wrestling Academy! Open to ALL Wrestlers age 7-18; THERE ARE ONLY 100 SLOTS! It is recommended that your child pack their lunch; however, the concession stand will be open during both breaks and will be selling pizza and other items.

Participants will get 20 Hours of Drill time and 40 Matches worth of live competition. These small-group, drill-intensive camps have a proven track record! Camp includes FREE access to the Purler Wrestling Video Series for all those that complete camp ($200 value)!

Purler Wrestling Academy began with Nick Purler whose career highlights include a #1 rank in the country at his weight class; he is the 1994 NCAA All-American, Big 12 Champion, U.S. Open All-American, University Nationals Finalist, Olympic Sports Festival Champion, and was part of three National Championship teams.

To register for wrestling camp, click HERE. For questions about the wrestling camp, reach out to Josh Damico.

Boys & Girls Basketball - Rising 3rd-9th Graders - July 20-24th 9am-4pm ($250): Campers will spend each day focused on developing their basketball skills. They will also receive a t-shirt and a chance to win trophies. Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 9am to 3pm. We accept early pickups at 8am and late pickups at 4PM. To register for basketball camp click HERE. For questions about Basketball Camp please reach out to Jerome McAvoy and Chelsea Harrison

Donate to Annandale Athletics and Teams Annandale Atoms Sports' Fundraiser is to help generate financial support for our programs. Our participants spend many long hours preparing to be the best they can be and are very deserving of your support. Your donations goes to helping our programs obtain the necessary equipment they need to get their seasons up and running!  We appreciate any amount you can give and thank you in advance for your generous support! GO ATOMS!!! To donate click HERE

Spring Sports Pictures

Spring sports pictures were taken on March 5 and 6. To order your pictures use the the information below. Ordering info:

• Images can be accessed via this link: Legacy Studios Events or by going to events.legacystudios.com. 
• Please use code 454226 to view your images on the website. 

* Please allow 7 days for pictures to be uploaded *

Track pictures have been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 7

ATOMS ONLINE STORE!!

We’re thrilled to share that we have a new Atoms online store! The new store has a variety of brands like Nike, Under Armour, Lululemon, and more. You will find hundreds of different design options, kids and toddler clothing, new accessories, and direct to your door shipping. Grab your gear now and give a gift for the holidays! 

ANNANDALE ATOMS ONLINE STORE 

Annandale Legacy Wall  **Updated picture of the wall below** Annandale High School has a rich history of success, community support, and strong alumni base that stretches back to its cre