Virginia Peninsula Community College’s 2026 Commencement will double as a milestone moment for one group of deserving high school seniors. The May 14 graduation will highlight a growing partnership between higher education and public schools.
During the event set for 2 p.m. at the Hampton Coliseum, nearly 70 dual-enrolled high school students will receive associate degrees in either social science or science. That’s about a month before they walk across the stage to collect their high school diplomas.
It’s all thanks to the Academy of the Advanced CollegeExperience (ACE) housed at Phoebus High School in Hampton. The competitive program blends high school and college curricula, giving students early exposure to rigorous coursework.
This year’s record 69 students are the largest cohort since ACE’s first graduating class in 2021.
Of graduating students, 18-year-old Sadie Pingitore is continuing her education at VPCC. With plans to enter the Nursing program, she said ACE helped her build confidence and sharpen time management skills.
“When I first got into high school, I didn’t really know how I was going to figure everything out. I have a lot better study habits now that I’ve gone through like college-level classes, and it also showed me that I could succeed in college-level work,” said Pingitore, adding she was initially interested in teaching until science courses sparked a new passion for healthcare.
“I just wanted to pick a career helping others, and the classes that I took definitely played a role in that. I think at VPCC, I’ll definitely get the training that I’ll need to become a successful nurse,” she stated, who enjoyed an active high school experience as an athlete and member of the National Honor Society and principal’s advisory board.
Like Pingitore, class valedictorian Kaleb Lucas is excited about graduation day. He credits family support for helping him stay focused as he navigated demanding studies while balancing a full slate of school activities. The senior class president and Phoebus High marching band drum major is a National Honor Society member, principal’s advisory board vice president and student government participant.
Although Lucas is still crafting his valedictory speech for his June graduation, the 18-year-old stressed the message will focus on purpose.
“Remembering your end goal helps to maintain academic excellence. We can get caught in the storms of life, the whirlwinds that life presents us but just remembering why you’re doing what you’re doing is very vital,” said Lucas, recipient of the Harry F. Byrd Scholarship Award for the Third Congressional District.
For Antwan Pannell, another National Honor Society member, reaching this milestone still feels unbelievable.
“It’s kind of surreal. Growing up, this wasn’t something we were taught was possible. To actually do it shows how far we can go,” said 17-year-old Pannell, whose activities included Drama Club (president), peer tutoring and ACE student advisory committee (president), among others. “Programs like this inspire us, show that we are capable and that these things are possible.”
Troy Solomona, a National Honor Society member and Phoebus football team captain, echoed that sentiment.
“Having the experience of taking college courses as well as playing a sport has definitely given me the experience I need to go on to the next level,” said Solomona, 18, whose activities included Drama Club, the Phantom Reads program and chorus, with selection to all-state as second tenor.
Earning a college degree is especially poignant for Solomona. He’ll be the first in his family to do so. He noted although ACE demands discipline, it also rewards persistence. As for strategies to succeed in the program, he said:
“I would say good time management and self-discipline,” noted the athlete. “Just being able to balance everything from the high school courses to the college courses to any extracurriculars you may have, just good prioritization on what we need to get done when it needs to get done.”
The group agreed, adding ACE reshaped how they view their futures and it set a good foundation.
Dr. Cristie Lovedahl-Steele, a dual enrollment instructor (political science and psychology) and former ACE team lead, commended the group and their 2026 ACE classmates. Now coordinator of secondary programs at VPCC, Lovedahl-Steele serves on the ACE advisory board as a community partner.
“The whole idea behind dual enrollment is to bridge that gap between high school and college career … following the three E(s) for the state of Virginia to make sure all students are enrolled, enlisted, or employed upon graduating high school,” she stated.
“Taking dual enrollment, even coming (to VPCC) to do the nursing program, that speaks volume to me because that’s the intent of the entire program,” added Lovedahl-Steele, beaming about the students’ success much like a proud parent.
College and school district leaders agreed ACE’s growth reflects demand and impact while validating the value of community investment in access to higher education. Hampton City Schools officials note the program remains highly competitive. Its increasing numbers (from 64 last year to 69 this year) signal expanding interest in early college opportunities.
Thanking all VPCC, Phoebus High and school district contributors while acknowledging fellow classmates, the four soon-to-be college graduates are looking ahead to bright futures.
In addition to Pingitore enrolling at VPCC, plans include Lucas studying political science at North Carolina A&T State University, Pannell pursuing a BFA in musical theater at Virginia Commonwealth University and Solomona continuing his studies in music and economics at Christopher Newport University while also furthering his football career.
