Woodbridge Middle School Celebrates Excellence with Fun

Update 6:33 p.m.: A statement has been released from Prince William County Schools regarding the Usher mix-up.

A school employee who was helping to organize the “School of Excellence” event at Woodbridge Middle School on May 6 was apparently working with someone who was not an authorized representative of Usher. While it was announced at the event that Usher would be in attendance, the artist was not aware of the event. Woodbridge Middle School is sorry for this miscommunication and apologizes for any negative publicity about Usher and for the disappointment to students.

Original Post: 

Friday was not a typical school day for students and teachers at Woodbridge Middle School. There were no desks, classrooms or teachers lecturing – instead, it was a party.

In 2010, the school won a fifth School of Excellence award; making them one of three middle schools in Prince William County to receive such an award this year.

As a reward for their hard work and positive SOL test results, the students took part in a School of Excellence celebration Friday complete with hip hop music, former NFL players, local representatives and even a few celebrities.

The air was electric inside WMS’ gym, with students wearing special t-shirts for the occasion with the phrase, “Yes we did in 2010, In 2011 we’ll do it again” surrounding a Seminole, the school’s mascot.

Students streamed in through the gym doors Friday morning and danced along to the music provided by local radio station, WPGC 95.5.

Students laughed with one another, anxiously chatting about who would be among the day’s guests.

“Don’t let anyone tell you want you can’t do,” said Principal Skyles Calhoun after congratulating the seventh and eighth graders for their hard work while pepping the sixth graders up for the challenge of following in the WMS tradition. ‘The staff here believes in you.” 

Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank J. Principi was present in “Seminole Country” today and he pledged to donate $500 to the Student Council Association in honor of the school’s achievement.

Also in attendance were school board representatives Denita Ramirez, Grant Lattin and President of the Hip Hop Caucus, Reverend Yearwood.

When Principial Calhoun announced that entertainers LOSAIDAS, Prince Royce and potentially Usher were going to be at the day’s festivities, the crowd erupted in a roar of excitement.

“I knew there were going to be girls screaming,” said Principal Calhoun.

At the end of the day, Usher and Prince Royce were not at Woodbridge Middle School to celebrate the students' achievement. Usher has a concert in Atlantic City, NJ Friday evening but was not scheduled to be at the school. 

A representative for Prince Royce said that he was not scheduled to be at the school, or even in Virginia, as he has a concert in Puerto Rico on Saturday. 

"We are sorry if the kids were given false information and hope Prince Royce can visit in the future," said the representative. 

Several former NFL players were at the day’s assembly to share their experiences of growing up and achieving. The message across the board was the same: you are not alone, people care for you and you can achieve anything you want. 

After the assembly, students poured out onto the football field for lunch, games, autograph sessions and music.

Check back with Woodbridge Patch later today for video from the event.