Arlington Public Schools has rescinded a plan to have Washington-Liberty High School graduates’ names read by artificial intelligence during next month’s graduation ceremony.
Christina Arpante, the school system’s communications director, told ARLnow the decision was made after students “expressed a preference for having their names read by a familiar voice.”
“Our focus remains on creating a meaningful experience that reflects what matters most to our students while also ensuring names are read accurately and respectfully,” Arpante said.
Last month, Washington-Liberty principal Alexander Duncan III announced plans for a partnership with Tassel, a company that uses AI coupled with the support of professional readers to provide automated name-reading services at high school and college commencement ceremonies.
School leaders said going that route would allow for clarity in name pronunciation and expedite the process of reading hundreds of names.
Arpante acknowledged swift pushback against the proposal:
“As planning progressed, students shared feedback about the importance of the personal nature of graduation and their preference for names to be read by a staff member. School leadership listened carefully to those perspectives, which played an important role in the decision to no longer consider the technology for this year’s ceremony.”
As a result, graduates’ names at W-L will be read the way they appear to have been for the preceding 99 graduation ceremonies — by a faculty member.
In a note to W-L families, Duncan said the feedback had been “thoughtful and consistent.”
“In response, we have adjusted our plans,” he wrote, adding:
“Our goal is to create a graduation experience that reflects what matters most to our students. This moment marks an important milestone in their lives, and we remain committed to making it personal, meaningful and memorable.”
Washington-Liberty’s 2026 graduation ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. June 13 at EagleBank Arena on the campus of George Mason University. Wakefield’s graduation ceremony is slated to follow at the same location at 2 p.m.
Yorktown High School will hold commencement exercises at 3 p.m. June 10 at DAR Constitution Hall. Specialized county schools and programs will hold graduation ceremonies at a variety of venues from June 5-13.
