Every scholarship tells a story. Students from Fairfax County Public Schools share how scholarships, mentors, educators, and community support have helped shape their futures. From aspiring educators and social workers to cybersecurity professionals, engineers, entrepreneurs, and healthcare providers, these students represent the incredible potential found throughout FCPS. Their stories are inspiring, but they also highlight a growing need. Each year, Educate Fairfax receives far more scholarship applications than available funding can support. Currently, only about 1 out of 5 applicants receives a scholarship, meaning many deserving students still face financial barriers as they pursue college and career goals. Through scholarships and student support programs, Educate Fairfax works to ensure every FCPS student has a path to success. But without additional community investment, many students who qualify for assistance will continue to go without the support they need. Learn more about Educate Fairfax and how you can help invest in the next generation of leaders: https://www.educatefairfax.org About Educate Fairfax: Educate Fairfax is the official nonprofit foundation supporting Fairfax County Public Schools. Through scholarships, grants, partnerships, and student support programs, Educate Fairfax helps remove barriers to learning and expand opportunities for more than 183,000 FCPS students.

On June 13, 2026, Porsche Tysons Corner hosted a sophisticated, garden-inspired evening in support of Educate Fairfax, bringing together community leaders, educators, advocates, and supporters who share a commitment to the success of Fairfax County Public Schools students. The Garden Party celebrated the power of community investment in public education and highlighted the impact Educate Fairfax is making across FCPS. Guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks, meaningful conversations, and the opportunity to learn more about how Educate Fairfax works to expand opportunities, remove barriers to learning, and strengthen student success. As the official nonprofit foundation supporting FCPS, Educate Fairfax raises private support for programs and initiatives that address critical needs throughout the school division. From providing school supplies and addressing food insecurity to funding innovative classroom experiences, scholarships, and student opportunities, Educate Fairfax helps ensure every FCPS student has a path to success. The evening also served as an opportunity to cultivate new partnerships and strengthen existing ones, bringing together people who believe that strong schools create strong communities and that our students are our greatest asset. Learn more about Educate Fairfax and how you can support FCPS students and educators: https://www.educatefairfax.org

On Tuesday, 55 students from South County Middle School took part in the powerful Blankets for Veterans project, greeting Honor Flight veterans at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. with handmade blankets, heartfelt cards and personal messages. Twenty-four veterans from Arizona and 86 veterans from Kentucky were welcomed with warmth, appreciation and connection. Students were each assigned two veterans, creating meaningful one-on-one moments that made the experience even more personal. Students didn’t just hand off blankets, they shared conversations, gratitude and even recorded messages through QR codes embedded in their cards. Now in its eighth year, this project, led by educator Lisa Reaves and retired teacher Cindy Downing, continues to teach students the true meaning of service, empathy and respect. With support from a grant from Educate Fairfax as well as donations from other generous community partners, students were given the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and make a real impact.

On May 28, 2026 Educate Fairfax celebrated the Class of 2026 at our second annual Beyond the Tassel event, an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring students and the bright paths ahead of them. This year, we awarded a record $91,500 in scholarships to 47 graduating seniors representing 18 Fairfax County Public Schools high schools. Each scholarship reflects not only academic achievement, but also perseverance, leadership and the promise each student carries into their next chapter. The evening brought together students, families, educators, donors and community partners in a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community comes together to invest in its young people. From heartfelt remarks to student stories, the celebration highlighted both the impact of these scholarships and the collective support behind them. Scholarships were made possible through the generosity of our community and partnerships with organizations including Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, the Irene Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship, ITServe Alliance, the John R. Lewis Leadership Program, the Juliana Kai Russell Memorial Scholarship, Love Like Adam Foundation, REACH IN US Foundation, Think Big For Kids and Educate Fairfax’s own Imagine! Believe! Achieve! Scholarship. As one student shared, the support they received was not just financial, but deeply personal, a reminder that an entire community believes in their future. Beyond the Tassel continues to grow each year, expanding both opportunity and impact. More importantly, it reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every FCPS student has a path to success.

Our FCPS Alumni Trivia Throwback Showdown on May 6 was a huge success! With more than 50 people in the room, the energy was high, the competition was friendly, and the memories came rushing back. It was so much fun to see alumni come together, reconnect, and celebrate their shared Fairfax County Public Schools experience. A big shoutout to our incredible emcee, Eric Kinne, who truly rocked the mic and kept the night moving with humor and energy.

On April 27, 2026, the Crestwood Elementary community came together to honor the life and legacy of Irene Rosenbaum, a beloved community member whose compassion and commitment to students made a lasting impact. In her memory, the Irene Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship was established to support Lewis High School students who demonstrate academic excellence, resilience, and a dedication to serving others. This video highlights the tribute, the scholarship announcement, and this year’s inspiring recipient, Thu Vo (Dina), whose story reflects the values Irene championed.