The Lakes

SLHS Alumni - Defining Excellence with Sally and Ayesha

In this episode of the South Lakes Alumni Series, host Mr. Watts welcomes two exemplary graduates, Sally (Class of 2025) and Ayesha (Class of 2021). Both guests share a unique honor: they are recipients of the Bruce Butler Award, South Lakes High School’s most prestigious recognition for students demonstrating outstanding character, scholarship, and service. Bridging the gap between a college freshman and a college senior, this conversation explores the evolution of confidence, the necessity of resilience, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people. This episode is a masterclass in self-belief. It serves as a reminder that awards are not just about grades, but about the resilience to keep going when things get hard and the heart to serve others along the way.

SLHS Alumni - Service, Leadership, and Resilience with Bryan and Maybelline

In this powerful episode of the South Lakes Alumni Series, host Mr. Watts is joined by two distinguished graduates, Bryan (Class of 2019) and Maybelline (Class of 2022). Both are recipients of the prestigious Bruce Butler Award, an honor recognizing students who exemplify character, scholarship, and service. Their stories are remarkably parallel yet distinct. Both immigrated to the United States as children—Bryan from El Salvador and Maybelline also from El Salvador—and navigated the challenges of learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and overcoming significant personal and financial obstacles. This episode is a testament to the power of mentorship, the strength of the immigrant spirit, and the enduring impact of the South Lakes community. It is a must-listen for anyone needing a reminder that you don't have to navigate life's challenges alone.

SLHS Alumni - Direct your own Path with Sara (Class of 2022)

In this episode of the South Lakes Alumni Series, host Mr. Watts catches up with Sara (Class of 2022), a recent graduate who is already making waves in the transportation industry. Sara’s story is one of self-awareness and strategic thinking. As an "overachiever" in high school who took every elective imaginable—from ceramics to auto tech—she realized early on that the traditional four-year college route wasn't the only way to success. Instead, she chose Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to fast-track her career, leveraging their specialized two-year degree programs and the "G3 Initiative" (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back). Now working full-time in transportation data analysis, Sara shares how her love for numbers and her ability to "let go" of perfectionism led her to a fulfilling career shortly after graduation.

SLHS Alumni - Unafraid to Fail, Eager to Serve with Renato (Class of 2019)

In this inspiring episode of the South Lakes Alumni Series, host Mr. Watts is joined by Renato (Class of 2019), a graduate whose path through higher education led him to a profound realization about what it means to be successful. Renato shares his journey from South Lakes High School to James Madison University (JMU), where he initially pursued Computer Science in search of financial stability. However, realizing that path didn't align with his true self, he made a courageous pivot. Renato switched his focus to World Languages and Cultures, immersing himself in his heritage and graduating with a degree in Spanish and minors in Medical Spanish, Business Spanish, and Translation. Now serving as a Family Education Specialist for the Shenandoah Valley Migrant Education Program, Renato opens up about the power of serving his community and the liberation found in embracing one's culture.

SLHS Alumni - Finding Community with Connor (Class of 2020)

In this episode of the South Lakes Alumni Series, host Mr. Watts sits down with Connor Poole (Class of 2020), a graduate who turned a pandemic-era high school exit into a thriving career in information systems. Connor’s journey is a masterclass in leveraging community and soft skills. After starting at Old Dominion University, he transferred to VCU, where he navigated a campus of 20,000+ students by reconnecting with fellow South Lakes alumni—proving that finding "your people" is the key to settling into new environments. Now a holder of a Master’s degree through a 4+1 program and a full-time employee at Northrop Grumman, Connor shares how he moved from student to professional.