top of page
Search

Educate Fairfax Announces Inaugural “Beyond the Tassel” Celebration to Honor Graduates, Alumni, and Community Leaders

  • alexis10428
  • May 13
  • 3 min read


Fairfax, VA – Educate Fairfax is proud to announce its inaugural Beyond the Tassel  – Honoring the Moment. Investing in Our Future. celebration—a community-powered event honoring Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) graduates, distinguished alumni, and the broader FCPS community. 


This first-of-its-kind gathering will take place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Justice High School, and promises to unite generations in celebration of education, leadership, and community connection.


“Beyond the Tassel was born out of a simple but powerful idea: to celebrate our students’ success while also reinforcing the lifelong value of the FCPS experience,” said Dr. Lynette Henry, Executive Director of Educate Fairfax. “This event is about more than a milestone—it’s about momentum. We’re investing in the future by building stronger bridges between our schools, our alumni, and our community.”


The evening’s program features an inspiring lineup, including:


  • Co-emcees and FCPS Alumni Joseph Green and Marjan Naderi. Green is a storyteller and educator with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and organizations harness their stories to inspire change. Naderi is a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, author, performer, and educator.

  • Remarks by FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Educate Fairfax Executive Director Dr. Lynette Henry.

  • Keynote address from FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Sumeet Shrivastava, distinguished business leader and graduate of Robinson Secondary School, Class of 1984.

  • Scholarship awards for graduating FCPS seniors, totaling more than $50,000.

  • A networking fair with business and community organizations. 


Every student crossing the stage this spring represents both a personal victory and a community achievement. Beyond the Tassel is a chance to reflect, reconnect, and recommit—to education, to each other, and to the bright futures that lie ahead. 


The celebration will spotlight outstanding FCPS seniors through scholarship presentations made possible by community partners such as the Love Like Adam Foundation, the John Lewis Leadership Program, ITServe Alliance, Think Big for Kids and Educate Fairfax (Imagine! Believe! Achieve!). Scholarships range from $500 to more than $2,500, honoring leadership, academic excellence, and resilience.


Designed as a multi-generational experience, Beyond the Tassel invites alumni, community members, and organizations to invest in our future by participating in a networking fair. Graduating seniors are invited to bring their resume and connect with business and community partners who will share career insights, experiences, and potential opportunities with graduates. 


“Fairfax County gave me the foundation to dream big, work hard, and lead with purpose,” said the keynote speaker Sumeet Shrivastava, an FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame inductee. “I’m honored to return, not just to reflect on that journey, but to invest in the next generation of leaders.”


Event Details:


Where: Justice High School – 3301 Peace Valley Lane, Falls Church, VAWhen: Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Main program from 6 - 7 p.m.)


Reserve Your Spot Today:


With limited capacity at Justice High School, we strongly encourage attendees to register in advance by filling out the Registration Form here: sqr.co/BeyondtheTasselAttendee/ 


Employers, business and community organizations with ties to FCPS are invited to host tables at the networking fair, which will happen at 5 - 6 p.m. and 7 - 8 p.m. No networking will happen during the scholarship presentation from 6 - 7 p.m. Interested parties are encouraged to apply today, and applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis.



We also welcome and encourage those who are participating to make a donation to Educate Fairfax to help grow and expand its impact on FCPS students and educators. Every gift makes a difference and empowers the 501(c)3 nonprofit to fuel public educational excellence in Fairfax County.




ABOUT EDUCATE FAIRFAX

Educate Fairfax is the 501(c)(3) education foundation solely supporting Fairfax County Public Schools. Through strategic grants, scholarships, and community partnerships, Educate Fairfax drives innovation, advances equity, and expands opportunity for nearly 183,000 students across one of the nation’s largest and most diverse school districts—where more than 35% of students face economic challenges. 

bottom of page