Harper Travis
Editor
The annual Athletic Hall Of Fame ceremony took place in the ACHS auditorium on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 2 a.m. ACHS held this ceremony to welcome the new additions to the Hall of Fame and celebrate their achievements. ACHS focuses on honoring and showcasing the extraordinary talents of athletes, teams and coaches through the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.
The 2022 ACHS Athletic Hall of Fame opened with a presentation from the JROTC Cadets. Following this presentation of the colors, speeches from ACHS Principal Peter Balas, as well as Hall Of Fame organizer and school board member Meagan Alderton, were conducted. Principal Balas said, “This recognition helps to maintain the spirit of pride and a sense of community as well as serving as a historical account of the great athletic traditions throughout ACPS.”
24 outstanding athletes and two award-winning basketball teams were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame this year. Since the Athletic Hall of Fame started in 2014, seventy-five athletes and four teams have been awarded recognition and plaques placed throughout the ACHS campus.
The 2022 inductees were honored for their hard work and dedication throughout their high school careers. Former T.C. Williams track and field state champion Yolanda Brown said, “I am very pleased and honored to be recognized for the hard work that coaches, teachers and other track members poured into me during my high school track career.”
The energy throughout the indoor ceremony was ecstatic. Athletes’ families and friends erupted into cheers and claps when their names were announced. The love and admiration for every single inductee were felt throughout the whole ceremony. A former cheerleader at T.C. Williams’ Kathy James-Lorton said, “The energy I felt walking across the stage was unmatchable; it felt great to hear.”
After the awards were given, the ceremony was moved outside where the plaques were revealed and showcased. People started to converse with each other immediately. Former cheerleader of T.C. Williams Lesa Diggs-Moore said, “It feels great being back at my high school and seeing so many familiar faces!”
Influential Athletic Hall of Fame inductees such as Olympic track and field medalist Noah Lyles and his brother Josephus were full of smiles and hugs, immersing themselves in conversation among fellow inductees. Just as Alderton said, “It is their achievements and inspirations they provide for today’s students that we will be grateful for always.”
Through their participation in sports, these distinguished athletes contributed to the integrity, promotion and growth of athletics at ACHS. The inductees continue to represent high standards of character and citizenship at ACHS. Former track and field star Sherri Funn said, “I’m honored to be here with all of these other astonishing athletes.”
Principal Balas said, “I look forward to nurturing the next generation of ACHS students to follow in these athletes’ footsteps and to strive for excellence.”
Photo by Harper Travis
