Eight Shots at State Honors: ACHS Theogony Named Finalist in Eight Categories
Alexandria City High School’s student journalists are headed into the state media championships with eight chances to bring home honors.
ALEXANDRIA, VA—From editorials and sports reporting to illustration and front-page design, Theogony is getting statewide attention again.
Alexandria City Public Schools announced that the Alexandria City High School student newspaper has been named a finalist in eight categories in the 2026 Virginia High School League Media Championships.
The competition, presented by the VHSL in partnership with the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers, recognizes strong student reporting, writing, opinion, design and visual journalism from high schools across Virginia. The VHSL says this year’s state competition will be held Oct. 17 at James Madison High School in Vienna.
Eight Finalist Entries
- Comic Strip/Panel: Rozalia Finkelstein, “West End Girls”
- Editorial: Theogony Staff, “ACPS’ Revolving Door of Leadership”
- Editorial: Theogony Staff, “Reinstating First Amendment Rights: An Opportunity for Alexandria Leadership”
- Newspaper Front Page: Isabel Shultz, “The Bullet Spangled Banner: American Song Rings Out with Gun Shots”
- Bylined Personal Opinion/Column: Isabel Shultz, Gemma Pianesi and Byron Libresco, “Bullet Spangled Banner: American Song Rings Out with Gun Shots”
- Human Interest/Personality Feature: Alice Reynolds, “Titan Alum Kye Robinson Leads University of Mary Washington Basketball to NCAA Division III Championship”
- Sports News: Miles Quini, “Damico-Lassman Breaks His Own Records, Makes Titan History in 100-Yard Butterfly”
- Sports News: Alice Reynolds and Lillian Coulby, “ACPS Violates School Board Policy With Football Game Pat-Downs”
The finalist list shows the range of work student journalists are tackling—from school leadership and student rights to athletics, design and commentary. It also continues a strong run for Theogony, which earned VHSL Trophy Class honors in 2025, the league’s highest recognition for student media.
The staff is advised by Kamilah Lawson. Winners will be announced at the Oct. 17 championships.
For Alexandria, the recognition is another reminder that some of the city’s youngest reporters are already doing the kind of work journalism depends on: asking hard questions, checking facts, telling human stories and putting their names on the line.
