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Black History Month 2025
This February Arlington Public Schools proudly recognizes Black History Month. APS is committed to continuing to celebrate our diversity as a strength and upholding policies and practices that honor, uplift and empower every student in our care. This includes our tradition of recognizing cultural and heritage months that educate and enrich our students.
The theme for APS Black History Month 2025 is African Americans and Labor. This focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people. Visit blackhistorymonth.gov for a list of events and other resources.
Throughout February, our schools will explore the rich, diverse heritage of African Americans and their contributions to our schools and the Arlington community. It is also an opportunity to appreciate the rich diversity of the African American community in the development of our nation while promoting a more inclusive and compassionate world.
As part of the month-long celebration, the School Board will recognize high school students who serve as exemplary “Models of Excellence” at the School Board meeting on Thu, Feb. 13. Follow along on Instagram and X (Twitter), as we use #APSBlackHistory and share links to events and activities hosted across APS.
2025 Models of Excellence Student Leaders
The School Board is proud to recognize the 2025 student Models of Excellence, chosen by their principals for their contributions in and out of the classroom. These students stand out through collaboration, mentoring, getting involved in causes and activities, and academic excellence, and have demonstrated a serious commitment to addressing issues of social justice in their schools. The recognition will take place on Thu, Feb. 13, at the School Board meeting.
Arlington Tech – Blen Fisseha
Blen Fisseha is a junior in Arlington Tech. Her contributions are wide and significant both in and out of the classroom through consistent collaboration, mentoring, and leadership. Academically, Blen has demonstrated excellence and remarkable growth, excelling in a schedule filled with Dual Enrollment classes. Beyond academics, Blen has shown a strong commitment to social justice, working tirelessly to address issues within the school community. As a member of the APS Strategic Plan Steering Committee, Blen has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of education. Additionally, Blen holds key leadership positions, including Deputy Commander of JROTC, Vice President of PBL Scholars, and Vice President of Kits for Kids, while excelling on the JROTC Drill Team and Academic Team. Blen also participates actively in extracurriculars like the Dance Committee/Cultural Leadership, Sister Circle as Scholarship Director, and as an APS DEI representative to the National Multicultural Students Achievement Network Conference. As a member of the Student Advisory Board and leader in the DEI office, Blen has been instrumental in fostering inclusivity and driving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, such as facilitating Diversity Chats and researching ways to help Black and Latino students access and succeed in rigorous courses like DE, AP, and IB. With a strong commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable school environment, Blen has proven to be a passionate leader and advocate for change. She is fun, empathetic, joyful, and driven. We are so excited to celebrate Blen!
Arlington Community High School – Nahom Mandefro
In his first year at Arlington Community High School, Nahom Mandefro has already distinguished himself as a leader, role model, and dedicated scholar. Selected as ACHS’s Black Student Leader and Model of Excellence, Nahom exemplifies the values of perseverance, academic achievement, and community engagement. Nahom’s enthusiasm for learning and his commitment to uplifting his peers make him a standout student. He consistently goes beyond expectations in his coursework, as highlighted by his teachers. Ms. Livelli praises his academic excellence in English, while Mr. Reese notes his high achievement in Economics, Personal Finance, and U.S. History, stating that Nahom “goes above and beyond on assignments” and “motivates his peers to stay focused.” Dr. Salazar further recognizes his excellence in online courses, reinforcing his dedication to academic success. Beyond the classroom, Nahom has shown resilience in overcoming challenges, using his experiences to inspire others. His willingness to support and mentor his peers, along with his strong commitment to social justice, makes him a true leader in the ACHS community. We are proud to recognize Nahom Mandefro for his hard work, perseverance, and outstanding contributions.
H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program – Bryony Mittman
Bryony Mittman has shown herself to be a model student in our community with her responsibility, kindness, care, and positivity. Her academic excellence is evident in her ability to keep up with coursework as she independently manages her responsibilities, all while maintaining a level of academic achievement that exceeds expectations. One of the courses that Bryony has particularly enjoyed is African American Studies, where she demonstrates a deep passion for learning more about black history and culture. She engages consistently, asking questions and participating in discussions. This class has given her a strong sense of purpose as well. Her enthusiasm for Black History extends beyond the classroom as she played a role in last year’s Black History Month show and is once again contributing her talents to this year’s production. Her dedication and passion for learning makes her an outstanding member of our school community and a great representation of a student leader. We are proud to have her as part of our school and look forward to seeing all that she continues to accomplish.
Langston – Darla Nchamaondo
Darla is an amazing student at Langston High School. She is extremely hard-working and ambitious. Darla cares about others, often offering support to her classmates. Although born in the United States, Darla lived most of her school years overseas and just entered Arlington Public Schools this year. Darla demonstrates what we wish for all of our students: she is respectful and kind. She is also eager to learn about other cultures and gladly shares about her own. Darla is resilient, overcoming challenging personal circumstances and she shines as a star. She is a model student and a great asset to Langston High School.
Wakefield High School – Brianna Gilbert
Brianna Gilbert, a junior at Wakefield High School, exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to social justice. Taking the most rigorous courses available, she maintains an impressive 4.05 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. A dedicated leader, Brianna has served as class president for the past two years, co-president of the Black Student Union, captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team, and vice president of the History Honor Society. Earlier this school year, she represented her district at the Multicultural Student Achievement Network student conference. She is now working with fellow attendees on an initiative to encourage middle school students of color to enroll in Advanced Placement courses in high school. Her achievements extend beyond the classroom. Brianna earned a state silver medal in rowing, the Virginia Tech BLAST People’s Choice Award for Best Design, and the DAR Youth Citizenship Award. Brianna’s passion for service is evident in her volunteer work with the Arlington Food Assistance Center and the Feed the 5000 initiative at Alfred Street Baptist Church. Her dedication to global education extends to the SEGA Girls School in Morogoro, Tanzania, where she spends her summers teaching. With her exceptional leadership, academic dedication, and commitment to service, Brianna is an inspiration to her peers and a true model of excellence.
Washington-Liberty High School – Sean Allen
Sean is not only a high-achieving student, taking four advanced level courses, but he is also an athlete who excels both on and off the basketball court, demonstrating leadership, discipline, and dedication to his education. He works weekly with a small cohort of 9th graders, committed to mentoring the younger students as they have navigated the transition to high school. This ongoing mentorship highlights his passion for giving back and uplifting those who follow in his footsteps. Sean is always polite and respectful and can always be caught with a smile. He carries himself with integrity and serves as a role model within the school community. His strong character, academic excellence, and dedication to service exemplify why he was selected as Washington-Liberty’s Black History Month student representative.
Yorktown High School – Chandler Brown
While Chandler Brown has faced challenges, what stands out most is how he has responded to adversity. Rather than allowing difficult situations to hinder his progress, Chandler has consistently shown strength of character and an admirable ability to maintain a positive attitude. He doesn’t allow negativity to define his day or deter his focus. This resilience is something that is inspirational to those around him. In addition to his personal strength, Chandler is a hardworking and determined individual. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, or in other extracurricular activities, he approaches every task with diligence and commitment. His dedication to improvement is evident in everything from his academic performance to his contributions as a valuable team member on the football team and on the track team. Chandler is always encouraging others, showing respect for teammates and opponents alike, and putting the team’s success above individual accolades. For these reasons, Chandler Brown is Yorktown’s Model of Excellence recipient for Black History Month.