{"id":528766,"date":"2025-11-19T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northernvirginiamag.com\/?p=528766"},"modified":"2025-11-19T07:53:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T12:53:23","slug":"get-to-know-some-of-the-impressive-students-and-teachers-from-novas-top-high-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northernvirginiamag.com\/family\/education\/2025\/11\/19\/get-to-know-some-of-the-impressive-students-and-teachers-from-novas-top-high-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know Some of the Impressive Students and Teachers from NoVA’s Top High Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Northern Virginia is passionate about education. In our 2025 Top High Schools list<\/a>, we showcase the 25 best public high schools in the region. See how these students and teachers from a selection of those schools are making a difference in their schools and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marilyn Bush<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Student<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lightridge High School: Loudoun County Public Schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Marilyn Bush is a paradox. The Lightridge High School junior is a tough-as-nails athlete who made history as the school\u2019s first female wrestler to earn an all-state placement, finishing sixth overall. Yet behind her fierce competitiveness lies a gentle soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI sleep with a teddy bear,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m really a sweet person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bush\u2019s achievements extend beyond the wrestling mat. An academically gifted student, she has also earned all-state honors in track and field for shot put. Her days begin at 5:30 a.m. to squeeze in extra study time for her four Advanced Placement classes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She lives by a few simple values \u2014 trust, hard work, and perseverance \u2014 and follows the golden rule. \u201cTreat others how you want to be treated,\u201d Bush says. \u201cThat\u2019s just how I live \u2014 by showing respect, being polite, and paying it forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers and staff at Lightridge in Aldie say Bush\u2019s positivity and dedication inspire those around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMarilyn is a tremendous leader in our school,\u201d says Lightridge Principal Ryan Hitchman. \u201cShe leads by example and has recruited other students to join our wrestling program. Marilyn not only challenges herself athletically, but also in the classroom by taking multiple honors and AP classes. She is a friend to everyone she meets, and our school culture is better because Marilyn is a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Bush hopes to channel her compassion and work ethic into a medical career. \u201cWhen I was little, my parents and I used to volunteer at homeless shelters,\u201d she says. \u201cWe met people from all different backgrounds, and I really enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bush aspires to work in community health, geriatrics, or travel nursing \u2014 any role where she can combine her academic drive with her passion for helping others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notes her mom, Talia Bush: \u201cDeep down, she just has a heart for people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Kenny
Kenny George, teacher at Meridian High School (Photo by Jeff Heeney)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Kenny George<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teacher, Career & Technical Education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Meridian High School: Falls Church City Public Schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Meridian High School career and technical education (CTE) teacher Kenny George brings innovation and passion to his Falls Church classroom. With experience in visual art, business, and technology education, George works to blend creativity with purpose. A former art major who joined the Peace Corps, George holds degrees from the University of Akron in Ohio and George Washington University in DC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cUsing design to foster empathy and care for people and the planet is my driving force,\u201d says George. \u201cI want students to know they\u2019re creative and have something meaningful to share with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his 20th year of teaching, George exposes students to architecture, industrial design, engineering, drafting, carpentry, and manufacturing \u2014 with sustainability as a central emphasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe try to focus on the idea that you should leave as little behind as possible,\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s what we strive to think about in the inventing process in 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The admitted pinball nerd\u2019s impact extends far beyond the classroom. He leads the school\u2019s sustainability team, channeling student creativity into initiatives that make the school more eco-friendly, including leading a daily \u201cbike bus\u201d to school with up to 30 students. George also heads the school\u2019s Precious Plastics chapter. Members collect plastics like lunch trays and bottle caps, then shred and mold them to create new items like chess sets, jewelry, and Frisbees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you make it and it came from your own community, it has a story to tell. It has importance,\u201d George says.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amid innovation and enthusiastic student engagement, the married dad of two stands out as an exemplary educator and earns praise from colleagues. \u201cHis room is a hive of creativity where all learning is project-based, individualized, and connected to the world around us,\u201d says Meridian High School Principal Peter Laub. \u201cMr. George is so unique and invaluable to our school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Langley
Langley High School’s Model UN team (Photo by Jeff Heeney)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Dedicated to Diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Langley High School\u2019s Model UN ranks No. 1 in the country.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Talk about diplomacy in action: Langley High School\u2019s Model United Nations (MUN) isn\u2019t just a club. It\u2019s the top-ranked high school MUN program in the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re all amazing students, and they work really well together as a group to lead the club,\u201d says Jen Stocks, adviser for the Langley program. \u201cThey care about not just their own success, but everybody\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the school\u2019s largest extracurricular club, Langley\u2019s MUN boasts roughly 80 active members who regularly compete \u2014 and win \u2014 at high-profile college and high school conferences. Their consistent victories reflect a combination of skill, teamwork, dedication, and preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cWe try to embody all the ideals that a real UN delegate would,\u201d says senior Shivam Papneja, the club\u2019s student communications director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond awards, MUN offers students the chance to sharpen public speaking skills, think critically under pressure, and build confidence. Members admit the experience can be intimidating, especially at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a young person entering high school, I definitely wasn\u2019t great at public speaking,\u201d says senior Josselyn Gould, Langley MUN\u2019s secretary general. \u201cThat\u2019s not something a lot of teenagers are naturally good at \u2014 being eloquent and capable of speaking to hundreds, if not thousands, of people when we host our own conference. It\u2019s an ability I\u2019ve really developed here, and I\u2019m grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many high school students spend downtime gaming or scrolling through social media, MUN members are researching global issues: human rights, drone warfare, access to clean water, climate change, and more. Add that to juggling multiple Advanced Placement classes, sports, and other extracurriculars, and time management becomes an essential skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany of our students have to balance their academic workload with traveling to conferences, which are often out of state,\u201d says senior Kriesh Tivare, MUN\u2019s operations counselor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, Langley\u2019s MUN members don\u2019t dwell on trophies or time constraints. What keeps them coming back is the sense of camaraderie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cIt\u2019s really just fun,\u201d says senior Sohil Kadam, the club\u2019s under-secretary general. \u201cWe\u2019re low-key a family \u2014 we\u2019re very connected. We go out for meals together, stay up late, have fun on the bus. That culture is what really sets Langley apart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Alvin
Alvin Chapital, student at Battlefield High School (Photo by Jeff Heeney)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Alvin Chapital<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Student<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Battlefield High School: Prince William County Public Schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Battlefield High School senior Alvin Chapital stands out in many ways \u2014 most notably for his strong sense of leadership and commitment to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think an effective student leader is one that prioritizes others\u2019 needs above their own and realizes that they still have a lot more to learn from other people,\u201d Chapital says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapital leads by example. He serves as president of Battlefield\u2019s National Spanish Honor Society and competes on the school\u2019s indoor and outdoor track teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cWhat truly sets Alvin apart is his humble attitude; he leads with quiet strength, never seeking recognition, but always focused on impact,\u201d says Battlefield Principal DeLores Lucas. \u201cHis humility, paired with his unwavering drive, makes him a respected and inspiring presence in any environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapital lives with his parents and fraternal twin brother, Addison, with whom he shares a vision for making a difference. Together, the brothers founded Twin Ancestry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring COVID, we started researching our ancestry and our family tree,\u201d he says. \u201cWe started a nonprofit to basically provide more about the topic, and to also learn more about it ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a student athlete, Chapital helped Battlefield\u2019s boys 4×400 relay team earn third place at the state championships and break a 47-year-old indoor track school record. \u201cAlvin Chapital exemplifies a steadfast commitment to excellence \u2014 not only in his own pursuits but in the way he uplifts those around him,\u201d says Lucas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To promote school inclusion, Chapital also developed a committee to train student ambassadors. The program ensures that every new student feels supported from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was something that I was proud of,\u201d he says. \u201cIt made me realize that I can have a tangible impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Sarah
Sarah Wilson, teacher at Yorktown High School (Photo by Emily Campos)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Sarah Wilson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teacher, Special Education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yorktown High School: Arlington Public Schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Wilson pours her whole heart into her work as a special education teacher at Arlington\u2019s Yorktown High School. She recalls one moment that reaffirmed her calling: When a former student delivered an inspiring speech before thousands at a commencement ceremony. The student spoke candidly about her transformation in high school from a shy, uncertain girl into a confident young woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI remember I was bawling my eyes out,\u201d Wilson says. \u201cThis is what I was meant to be doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now in her 10th year as an educator, Wilson strives to build community through her Functional Life Skills classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo create these inclusive spaces for kids is really the best way for us to ensure that they have the best life possible long-term,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s what motivates me and keeps me going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NoVA native often reflects on the deeper purpose behind her work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m part of a generation of educators who are ensuring that kids are getting access to a meaningful education \u2014 that they are really learning,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s dignity and respect, and they\u2019re getting the opportunities they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Wilson didn\u2019t originally plan for a career in special education. While studying political science at Clemson University, she was recruited into Teach for America and began her teaching journey in eastern North Carolina. That experience sparked a lifelong passion. She later earned her master\u2019s degree in special education from George Mason University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her colleagues see every day how deeply that passion translates into her classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer students thrive through community-based learning and instruction that challenges them in a caring, compassionate, and rigorous learning environment,\u201d says Yorktown Principal Kevin Clark. \u201cShe\u2019s an incredible teacher and wonderful person who lifts people up and brings the best out of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature image of Marilyn Bush, student at Lightridge High School, by Suz Redfern<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This story originally ran in our December issue<\/a>. For more stories like this, subscribe<\/a> to Northern Virginia Magazine.<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"These Northern Virginia students and faculty members ago above and beyond at their schools.","protected":false},"author":1002043,"featured_media":528768,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41333],"tags":[54756],"class_list":["post-528766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","tag-top-schools"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMeet the Students and Teachers of NoVA's Top High Schools<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These faculty members and students, from a selection of our Top High Schools list, go above and beyond to make a difference in their schools.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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