Tradition Continues With Expectations of Excellence Ceremony

The peal of bells rang through the morning mist as each Manassas Park High freshman sounded the Bell of Knowledge in front of the  campus Thursday, during the school's annual Academic Achievement awards ceremony.

For the past 14 years, incoming students on up to departing seniors have begun the school year by attending the ceremony, and this year is no different.

More than 230 students rose to applause during the hour-long presentation, as they were acknowledged for grades, test taking and invitations to join honor societies.

“I like the practice of starting the school year with the recognition of knowledge,” Manassas Park city manager Jim Zumwalt said.  “Sports are nice, but it is good to know that in Manassas Park, education comes first.”

Zumwalt was one of many honored attendees of the ceremony. Principals, city employees and school staff turned out to show their appreciation for the many students who work hard during the school year.

Eric Doyle, the new principal at Manassas Park High School, admitted  he has lost sleep preparing for the ceremony. He wanted the entire student body to appreciate the value of learning and be rewarded at the beginning of the year for past achievements, Doyle said.

Doyle added he feels that it starts the year off on the right foot.

“We value the importance of educational excellence here,” he told the assembly. Not only do grades matter at Manassas Park High School, but test scores are also tracked at the state level, Doyle said. 

He went on to explain that five students scored perfectly during the first year of Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) testing. This past year, 392 students scored a perfect 600, with 27 students scoring a 600 more than once.

“I am surviving my first few weeks here,” Doyle said. “I can not thank the faculty and students enough for their support; it is just amazing.”

To finish off the ceremony, the coveted Most Valuable Cougar Award was presented to Cailyn West, a senior. Students pick the recipient and West was overwhelmed by the honor.

“I am so proud,” Doug West, Cailyn’s father and a teacher at Manassas Park High School, said. “All three of my children went to school here and now most of us are teaching in the school system."

West, his wife, Donna, and his daughter Kelsey are all teachers at Manassas Park schools. Cailyn plans to attend college and go into elementary education.

“I am overjoyed,”  Donna West said. “Cailyn is a wonderful girl and she really deserved this honor!”

While Cailyn and her family celebrated, Doyle felt relief that the first large assembly of the school year was over. But he was quick to say, “Stick around, this year is going to be one fine ride!”