Alexandria has two feel-good stories to celebrate this week — one honoring a dedicated local educator and another giving area children a once-in-a-lifetime brush with World Cup soccer.

Heidi Haggerty-Wagner, principal of Alexandria’s Early Childhood Center (ECC), has been named among Virginia’s inaugural class of Principals of Distinction — a brand-new statewide recognition highlighting outstanding school leaders. Being selected for the very first cohort of this honor makes the achievement especially meaningful, placing Haggerty-Wagner in a historic group of Virginia educators recognized for their excellence and commitment to students.

Meanwhile, Alexandria’s younger soccer fans got a thrill when Croatia’s World Cup team paid a visit to Episcopal High School, giving local kids a front-row view of some of the world’s top players. The visit brought the excitement of the global tournament right into the community, offering Alexandria children a memorable and inspiring experience up close.

Together, these two stories reflect what makes Alexandria such a vibrant place to live — a city that nurtures its educators, celebrates its schools, and rolls out the welcome mat for the world.

Sources: The Alexandria Brief, thezebra.org