Wakefield Leads in AP Capstone™ Achievements

Arlington Public Schools proudly celebrates 182 students earning AP Capstone™ Diplomas and 50 students earning the AP Seminar and Research Certificates in the 2024–25 school year.

In Spring 2025, Wakefield awarded 102 Diplomas and 33 Certificates, and Yorktown High School contributed 80 Diplomas and 17 Certificates, bringing the district total to an impressive 232 awards. Wakefield High School has consistently led the way in academic excellence, standing out as the only APS high school to award AP Capstone™ Diplomas and Certificates from 2020–21 through 2023–24. Wakefield is among the state leaders in awarding AP Capstone Diplomas and Certificates.

The AP Capstone™ program is built around two year-long courses, AP Seminar and AP Research, that develop college- and career-ready skills in research, critical thinking, collaboration, and presentation. Students explore topics across disciplines, conduct in-depth research, and present findings in written and multimedia formats.

The AP Capstone™ Diploma recognizes students who complete AP Seminar and AP Research courses, score 3 or higher on the exams, and pass four additional AP exams. The AP Seminar and Research Certificate honors students who excel in Seminar and Research courses. Both awards are recognized nationally and globally for the advanced research, writing, teamwork, and presentation skills students gain.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and commitment to academic excellence,” said Wakefield Principal Pete Balas. “The AP Capstone program challenges students to think critically, conduct meaningful research, and communicate effectively—skills that will serve them well in college and beyond. Wakefield’s continued leadership in this program reflects not only the strength of our school community but also the extraordinary dedication, talent, and passion of our staff. Their unwavering support and commitment to student success are the foundation of everything we achieve.”

These accomplishments reflect Arlington Public Schools’ commitment to academic excellence and to equipping students with the college-level skills needed to thrive in higher education and beyond. APS celebrates the achievements of all Capstone students across the division for their dedication, perseverance, and scholarly success.

Additionally, several students have had their work published as part of the AP Capstone program. For the Class of 2025, Yorktown graduate Nathaniel Terres was published in the Critical Debates in Humanities, Science and Global Justice Journal.

Previously published students include:

• 2024: Amma Baffour, Wakefield – How Historical Stereotypes Shape Black Women’s Healthcare Experiences in the United States
• 2024: Nico Combs, Wakefield – Analyzing the Treatment of Invasive Liana Hedra helix in Arlington, Virginia
• 2024: Anneliese Odegard, Wakefield – Femmes, Furs, & Farce: Queer Dress & Art in Early-Mid 20th Century America
• 2024: Holly Purcel, Wakefield – Frequency of Queer Language in American Popular Music
• 2023: Marina Cura, Wakefield – Instrument Sterilization and Surgical Site Infections in Low and Middle Income Countries
• 2023: Brita Hodges, Wakefield – Redistricting in Virginia: Identifying a Gerrymandered Map using County Levels
• 2022: Hannah Libelo, Wakefield – Establishing a Relationship Between Demographic Factors and Students’ Environmental Awareness
• 2021: Kathleryn Lanman, Wakefield – Student Discipline in Virginia: District Spending and Racial Disparities in Discipline

Students Earning the AP Capstone Diploma

Wakefield High School – Misael Acero Esqueda, Ian Alcorn, Nabil A. Alshawafi, Benjamin A. Ardaiz, Grace E. Armitage, Ryan Baird, Ryan M. Beck, Lauren E. Bissett, Justin T. Blagrove, Matthew S. Blaha, Maximillian A. Blake, Mason Bull, Cristian Cardosa, Benjamin H. Chapuis, Graysen H. Colglazier, Hosanna C. Connor, Savannah G. Cook, Lisania S. Cruz, Quincy F. Daigle, Coral M. De la Cruz-Novey, Lidia A. Degaga, Paige R. Douglass, Raphael H. Fernandez, Anna Ford, Vivian A. Galdo Camacho, Landan S. Gallardo, Anujin Gantulga, Tomas A. Garcia, Filmon M. Gessesse, Saili S. Ghate, Sidonie L. Gillette, Ryan S. Goff-Glennon, Sol A. Gonzalez, Ray V. Greco, Sarem Hailu, Binhanzy K. Halid, Benjamin D. Hall, Beckett J. Hampton, Alexis L. Hart, Sam D. Hasson, Paige A. Haydasz, Gabriel C. Henneman, Morgan D. Heyck-Williams, Matthew A. Hilscher, Anfal Hosen, Brady P. Keefe, Caleb I. Kellerman, Hisham F. Kherbouch, Mia W. Kim, Tayt A. Korejwo, Nicholas B. Krug Weinberg, Benjamin A. Kutler, Neila Lindsay, Morgan J. Lips, James P. Littlejohn, Anthony Lizarazu Ampuero, Sydney G. Lowe, Ian B. Maguire, Hadley N. Marston, Anthony M. Martinez, Caroline E. Mason, Arden E. McAvoy, Declan M. McCleaf, Sarah C. McMahon, Mira Meek, Robert Melocik, Diego Mendez Godoy, Andrew G. Middleton, Ayah Mukhtar, Nicola H. Muldowney, Henry G. Nabach, Siena Kaya R. Nesmith, Kathryn C. O’Harrah, Kindu L. Okoko, Zoe M. Pagonis, Xiomara A. Paredes Acosta, Giovanna Pitzer Serrao, Emerson R. Reifsteck, Elise M. Rickard, Elena M. Rochard, Zoe S. Rosso, Nadia C. Rowe, Elizabeth M. Schiaffino, Rylen C. Seeley, Keerthana R. Shivakumar, Morgan L. Smith, Jonah E. Spiggle, Yaninne Tapia-Salas, Ava L. Terrana, Max D. Thompson, Simon Tnaib, Braden M. Tull, Amir Valizadeh Takanloo, Ava M. Vekony, Sophia M. Vekony, Kevin A. Velazquez-Lazaro, Julia I. Vibar, Annika B. Wohlford, Chloe M. Yang, Isabelle S. Young-Smith, Evan R. Yue, Steven Zhang

Yorktown High School – Peter Akay, Kendall G. Amori, David J. Barclay, Kalaya Barlow, Maya K. Batenhorst, Quinn A. Belt, Aryana A. Bhatt, Reed C. Bryan, Evelyn W. Callaghan, Madison R. Cameron, Iris Carvalho, Zachary E. Cohen, Eleanor G. Cooney, Isabel R. Corbett, Lilah P. Dalley, Charlie M. Dantzker, Aydan O. Deach, Isla N. DeGrande, Chloe Dennis, Rachel D. DeSilver, Kenshu Dieguez, Mia Dimina, Ella M. Dunn, Mia M. Edwards, Khaliun Enkhbold, Danita D. Enkhtur, Laurel E. Ensign, Reagan E. Fruzzetti, Joshua M. Gill, Quincy J. Greene, Ines Guellal, Catherine J. Hardwick, Mary L. Hardwick, Joshua R. Harris, Emory J. Haynes, Caden M. Henault, Jackson S. Ingram, Amelia Jekanowski, Anya V. Jolly, Charlie H. Juckett, Sofie Keppler, Carson M. Knowles, Eliot G. Koide, William R. Kusler, Erin E. Lee, Declan J. Leighton, Maren M. Leonard, Virginia H. Lewis, Genevieve G. Lose, Patrick B. Lowery, Serena S. Mansukhani, Julia F. Markowitz, Paige R. McCormack, Erin C. McGeehan, Lillian J. Mitchell, Stella N. Moran, Marissa K. Mucino, Satya M. Nachnani, Isabel A. Nelson, Madeleine J. Nimerala, Jacob M. Owen, Gianna M. Pearson, Eli J. Pilch, Audrey S. Pocrass, Lucy E. Powell, Corinne N. Rigoli, Madeleine G. Roncka, Madeline C. Rubenstein, Elizabeth T. Schwab, Marney L. Shattuck, Naomi S. Smoyer, Avery C. Stell, Nathaniel M. Teres, Philip B. Thevenet, Lillian G. Thornblad, Hanna Vasquez, Lachlan O. Vaughn, Alec S. Wanat, Maren K. Williams, Alexander A. Wilson

Students Earning the AP Seminar and Research Certificate

Wakefield High School – Bersabeh E. Abraha, Kidus Abu, Joel A. Aguilar Bonilla, Bruna Andrade, Melissa Castrillon, Sushmita Chowdhury, Delaney Collins, Awa Dia, Blanca M. Diaz, Hannah G. Driscoll, Matan Ferguson, Nada A. Gamal, Yoan T. Gebremedhin, Brianna M. Gilbert, Charlotte J. Harold, Dominique L. Harris, Cole T. Logsdon, Jacqueline H. Lutz, Edidia T. Medhanite, Meron Mesfin, Charles C. Moore, Clara E. Owen, Ella N. Paris, Eitan M. Polanco, Malika Rakhmatullaeva, Rose J. Romero, Sofia I. Sikorski, Kimora J. Smith, Owen C. Spiegel, Cyana Still, Brayden Strawn, Kidus M. Zewde, Taylor Zimmerman

Yorktown High School – Torsha M. Basistha, Evelyn C. Herring, Hailey E. Hicks, Aidan Q. Ho, Austin D. Humes, Stella E. Kelly, Kelly Keough, Brianna S. Lizarazu, Elise C. Lucien, Jordan Meadows, Demetrios Nicholakos, Easton M. Roorda, Caroline