T.C. Williams High School’s “First Class” of Freshman Celebrate 50 Years After 1969 Graduation

90 members of the high school’s graduating class attended

By Rosemary O’Brien

ALEXANDRIA,VA- Fifty years after donning their caps and gowns, over 90 class members from the T.C. Williams Class of 1969 returned to their stomping grounds for a reunion weekend, May 31- June 1, 2019.

This class entered as freshmen in 1965 when T.C. Williams when was brand new, so theirs was the first graduating class to spend all four high school years at the new school. They graduated two years before the triumphant football season documented in the popular film, Remember the Titans and as many in the class contend, “we consider ourselves the original Titans.”

First stop for the classmates was Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastropub in Shirlington, near where they used to gather after football games at the Hot Shoppes. Harry Katrivanos, who along with his son owns New District Brewing Company, organized the fun evening.

On Saturday afternoon, the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria hosted a tour of the new T.C. Williams building since most alums had not seen the school’s new campus. The Lead Administrator for the 9th Grade campus, Mark Eisenhour, led the tour. Everyone enjoyed seeing the Hall of Fame and learning the new directions the school is going. Rosemary Giammittorio, whose grandson starts at T.C. this fall, worked with the group to organize the on-site visit.

The main event included cocktails and dinner at the Westin Alexandria Old Town. “Very quickly, 50 years seemed to disappear as everyone reconnected,” said one former student. The 1969 Student Government President, Joe Bourdow, was the Master of Ceremonies and provided the sounds of the 60s and 70s music (as well as a redo of his graduation address). He introduced Bill Alexander, Class of 1969 President, who spoke about how special the early years at T.C. were. Bill thanked the reunion committee led by Peggy Welch Williams (daughter of Frankie Welch) for their efforts.