Energy was flowing all around last Friday night at TC Williams High school. A jazz combo from the TC Williams music department performed while people ate dinner, potluck style during the schools end of the year celebration. The celebration honored members of the Building Better Futures program.

The program allows English as a Second Language (ESL) students to be tutored and mentored in college literature. It serves 112 students from grades 9th- 12th. The ceremony awards students for their achievements and community service, which they must complete throughout the school year.

A reward is seeing kids do well in education beyond High school, said Krisha Leyva, director of the program.

It helped me in school, said student participant Edgar Justiniano. In the beginning I was very bad in school and it helped me improve. They helped me with my homework and class assignments. It was really helpful for me. 

In addition to the awards and recognition, the school welcomed remarks from Interim Superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools Dr. Bill Symons and Douglas Garcia, the assistant secretary of education of education along with many others.

– Danielle Battaglia