In 2025, Potomac Falls High School (PFHS) and its students went through lots of experiences, changes, and growth. Here are the most notable events, accomplishments and transformations that PFHS went through in 2025. 

1. Students Travel From Nimes, France to Potomac Falls, Virginia

In the beginning of 2025, 16 students from l’institut Emmanuel d’Alzon in Nimes, France travelled overseas and stayed with families of students from PFHS. These exchange students spent over a week immersing themselves in American culture and shadowing students from PFHS. They also toured local historical sites like the National Mall, the White House, the Capitol and the Martin Luther King Memorial. This was not only a life changing experience for the exchange students, but also for all students at PFHS. 

2. Travelling to the DECA State Leadership Conference and ICDC

Last school year, numerous students participated in the Virginia Beach DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) State Leadership Conference. One of the most notable performances was from Helena Gabrial and Michael Strein, who competed in the Business Law & Ethics Team Decision Making (BLTDM) category and placed fourth, qualifying for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). Later in the year, the two, along with a few others, road tripped to Orlando, Florida where they competed with 23,000 others from around the United States. 

3. Expanding Clubs

The number of clubs at PFHS has significantly increased over the last year, encouraging lots of participation from students inside and outside of school. Some, but not all, of the new clubs that formed or revived in 2025 are Panther Positivity Club, Pawsitive Falls, Dance Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Health 2 Hearts, and Morgan’s Message. These clubs have shown involvement outside of school walls through restaurant fundraisers, bake sales, sporting event dedications, and more. 

4. Record-Breaking Musical: Hairspray

Last spring, the PFHS drama department successfully presented their musical “Hairspray.” With endless dedication from theater director Corinne Fox, student director Kay Weiss, and the entire ensemble, the musical was a complete success. The audience was highly engaged in all the shows, singing along, laughing, and clapping. The set design, wardrobe, and special effects for the musical were some of the best in PFHS history. Hairspray is definitely one for the books. 

5. Leveling Up

By now, everyone knows that PFHS is entering a new era. With former principal Dr. Brandon Wolfe taking on a new job position after last school year, PFHS was introduced to our current principal, Dr. Tara Woolever. Now that the school year is almost half way through, students and staff at PFHS are beginning to see changes and rebranding around the school, like the new layers of paint and quotes on the walls, for example. If there’s one thing Dr. Woolever wants to take into the new year, it’s that little things lead to big changes. 

6. Phone Ban

One thing students at PFHS didn’t enter the new year with was their personal devices while in school. Last school year, new phone policies were passed to limit the usage of devices in school, and they stayed in place until the Loudoun County School Board adopted a new phone law this past December. Now, instead of placing phones in phone stands and having access to personal devices while at school, there is absolutely no personal device usage during school hours tolerated. PFHS students rang in the new year by adopting this new law, and it may take a while for students to become adjusted to it. 

7. Class of 2026 Undefeated in Powderpuff 

Last school year the class of 2026 (then juniors) defeated the class of 2025 in the annual powderpuff flag football game. This school year, the class of 2026 (now seniors) defeated the class of 2027, making them the second class in PFHS history to ever win both junior and senior year. 

8. Monumental Achievements in Fall Sports

This past fall was one of the most successful years PFHS has seen in fall sports in a long time. The girls varsity volleyball team made it to states and maintained an impressive 20-7 record, sophomore Kyle Majak advanced to states for golf, several cross country runners ran at states, and the football team made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 where they unfortunately fell short to undefeated Riverbend High School. Cross country also became the first team to ever win both the girls and boys Algonkian Cups at the annual Algonkian Cup meet between PFHS, Dominion High School, and Park View High School.