Beyond the Tassel: Scholarship Recipients Share the Stories Behind their Success
- alexis10428
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Every scholarship tells a story. Behind every award is a student whose hard work, perseverance, and determination have helped shape their future and a community that believes in their potential.
At this year's Beyond the Tassel celebration, on May 28, Educate Fairfax awarded a record $91,500 in scholarships to 47 graduating seniors representing 18 Fairfax County Public Schools high schools.
The evening celebrated not only academic achievement, but also resilience, leadership, service, and the many different paths students will take as they begin their next chapter.
The video above introduces several of this year's scholarship recipients and offers a glimpse into the people behind the awards.
For Olivia Harris of John R. Lewis High School, the Lewis Leadership Program transformed her from a shy student into a confident leader whose goal is to make everyone feel welcome. Joshua Sanimo of Mount Vernon High School credits the 1 Brotherhood Empowered program with helping him discover new opportunities and preparing him to study cybersecurity at Old Dominion University. Gretchen Parrott of Lake Braddock Secondary School will attend William & Mary with plans to become a physical therapist specializing in oncology, inspired by her own experiences. Randall Lachapelle of Justice High School will continue both his academic and athletic career while studying engineering and playing college baseball. Bethany Sarina Lindes of Falls Church High School is headed to George Mason University to pursue social work, while Donovan of John R. Lewis High School plans to attend Radford University and one day own his own business.
Although their stories are unique, they all share one common theme: gratitude.
Each student speaks about the mentors, teachers, donors, sponsors, and community members who believed in them and helped make their dreams feel possible.
Their stories also remind us why scholarships matter.
For many students, a scholarship is more than financial assistance. It eases the burden of paying for college, opens doors that may have otherwise remained closed, and sends a powerful message that their community believes in them and is invested in their future.
Yet the need continues to grow. Each year, Educate Fairfax receives far more scholarship applications than available funding can support. While we are proud to celebrate this year's recipients, many deserving students still go without scholarship assistance simply because resources are limited.
Beyond the Tassel is a celebration, but it is also a reminder of what is possible when a community invests in its young people. Every scholarship awarded represents not only an investment in one student's future, but also in the future of Fairfax County.
To our generous donors, scholarship partners, and community supporters: thank you. Because of your investment, students like Olivia, Joshua, Gretchen, Randall, Bethany, Donovan, and dozens of others are taking the next step toward their dreams with confidence, opportunity, and the knowledge that an entire community believes in them.
Together, we are helping ensure that every FCPS student has a path to success.
If you are interested in sponsoring a scholarship or supporting Fairfax County Public Schools students, email info@educatefairfax.org.