FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALEXANDRIA, VA – On Saturday, June 28, more than 200 parents, educators, and guests gathered at Riverside Elementary School in Fairfax County to celebrate the graduation of 25 young scholars from Hopkins House’s James L. & Juliette McNeil Preschool Academy and Helen Day Preschool Academy. The joyful ceremony honored the accomplishments of these preschoolers as they prepare to begin their elementary school journeys across the metropolitan region.
The graduates recited poems, sang songs, and shared their dreams for the future — including aspirations to become chefs, firefighters, artists, and teachers. They proudly demonstrated the skills and knowledge gained during their time at Hopkins House, reflecting the academic and emotional growth fostered by the academies’ high-quality early education programs.
The celebration featured remarks from keynote speaker Shaun Amend, an Army veteran, father of a Helen Day alumna, and member of the Hopkins House Board of Trustees. Alumna Aurora Makarevich (pictured in blue), a 2023 McNeil Preschool Academy graduate, shared a heartfelt message about her experience as a current Hollin Meadows Elementary School student. McNeil Principal Brandon Peel and Helen Day Principal Cheryl Butler encouraged families to remain actively engaged in their children’s educational journeys. The event was also attended by academy patrons James L. McNeil and Brenda Moore, along with several members of the Hopkins House Board of Trustees.
Hopkins House President J. Glenn Hopkins praised the ceremony as “a powerful reflection of the children’s growth and the dedication of the educators and families who support them.” The graduation marked an important milestone in the lives of the young scholars and served as a vibrant celebration of community, perseverance, and the transformative power of early childhood education.
About Hopkins House
Hopkins House is a nonprofit organization providing high-quality early childhood education and family-focused services in Northern Virginia since 1939.
