T.C. Williams High School’s “First Class” of Freshman Celebrate 50 Years After 1969 Graduation
"We Consider Ourselves the Original Titans"
By Rosemary O’Brien, Class of ’69
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 T.C. when it was brand new. In September 1965, they came as freshmen, so theirs was the first graduating class to spend all four high school years at the school. They graduated two years before the triumphant football year documented in the popular film, Remember the Titans and as many in the class say, “we consider ourselves the original Titans.”
The reunion began on Friday night with a gathering at 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 was a dinner held at the Westin Alexandria Old Town. The evening began with a cocktail mixer and a group photograph by Zebra staffer, Lucelle O’Flaherty, followed by a fabulous buffet. “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.
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