Potomac Stories

On Monday, June 2, the Upper School held its second EFEB Senior Capstone Project Showcase, marking the graduation of the second class of students to have completed the Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Business concentration. Fourteen seniors presented and discussed large-format posters summarizing their experiences and learnings from their capstone project, as well as from the two years they spent in the concentration. Families, internship sponsors, and research mentors joined in celebrating the seniors.

At the end of the evening, Dyana Conroy presented an award recognizing outstanding work on the senior project to three graduating seniors, Catherine Forster, Alexander Bauer, and Aria Patnaik. The winners were selected by a group of three experienced professionals (and Potomac parents or grandparents) who examined all posters: Dan Akerson, Hudson La Force III, and Carolyn Weimer.

The Chinese Culture Club wrapped up the year with a calm and powerful final meeting on May 14! Students had the unique chance to learn and experience Yang-style 8-form Tai Chi, led by Master Sun and Master Zhang from the Silver Light Senior Association’s Tai Chi team. The session was both energizing and peaceful, allowing everyone to slow down, focus, and connect with traditional Chinese culture hands-on. Students shared that the Tai Chi practice helped them feel more centered and relaxed, which they needed before finals! It was a meaningful, memorable way to end a fantastic year of cultural exploration and community. 

SERC 10 students recently visited the Advanced Surgical Technology & Education Center (ASTEC) on the INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus. While there, students were able to practice with instrumentation for laparoscopic surgeries, test their skills using the Da Vinci robotic surgery system, speak with interactive mannequin patients, and learn about 3D printed models of a CT scan that allows surgeons to visualize tumors and blood vessels before surgery. 

Potomac School's robotics program was proudly represented at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas (May 6–8), where over 800 high school teams from 41 countries gathered for one of the world’s premier STEM competitions. Among just 15 teams from Virginia, three Potomac teams – 12A Absolute Zero, 12C Caffeine, and 12Y Yuun – earned their place on the global stage.

All three teams competed with focus and professionalism, reflecting months of preparation and collaboration. Team 12C Caffeine had a particularly strong showing, captaining their alliance and advancing to the division semifinals, a finish that placed them among the top-performing Virginia teams at the event. Teams 12A and 12Y also held their own in competitive divisions, gaining valuable experience and representing Potomac with distinction.

Potomac Teams at Worlds: 12A Absolute Zero (Helena Backus ’28, Woodley Bohannon ’28, Marissa McEwen ’28, Jasper Majeed-Hall ’28); 12C Caffeine (Santi Cangahuala ’27, Nikhil Kothari ’27, Julian Mankovsky ’27, Brayden Nelson ’25, Trevor Nelson ’27, Cole Peterson ’27); and 12Y Yuun (Adam Bhatti ’25, Luke Brittin ’25, Dominic Cairncross ’28, Andrew Mu ’25, Ben Muhlendorf ’25)

Congratulations to all three teams for their outstanding efforts and achievements at the World Championship. Their performance was a strong reflection of Potomac’s commitment to excellence in robotics and STEM education.

Students in Ms. Searchinger's honors French 4/5 class explored the heart of North African hospitality and culinary savoir-faire as they prepared and shared couscous, then concluded with a traditional mint tea dégustation. The experience not only celebrated the region's culture but embodied its deep values of generosity, community, and meaningful connection through shared meals, offering a rich and flavorful culmination to the students' learning about Algeria. Savor the photos!