As the “big names” of Hollywood actor Ben Affleck and U.S. Senator and presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton headlined graduation ceremonies at neighboring high schools, there was no bigger name in the history of George Mason High School in Falls Church than the man who spoke its commencement last Thursday. English instructor, department head, school newspaper and senior class advisor and dean Michael Hoover culminated a remarkable 37-year classroom teaching career at the school by delivering his second commencement address in 12 years to 160 seniors who were graduated at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
