There are many notable alumni that have gone to McLean and pushed themselves to greatness. Whether it is sports, politics, or designing, all infamous Highlander’s should be recognized for their achievements. For more information on noteworthy alumni go to The Highlander features article McLean Alumni leave their mark.

Interview with HGTV designer Yip Vern

• How were your years at McLean and how did your experiences here contribute to where you are today?
  I loved my years at McLean High School and am so grateful for the top-notch education provided to me. McLean High School was a globally diverse school when I attended…as was McLean in general…and having classmates from all over the world really opened up my eyes to a more international point of view that has been critical to my career as a designer and a columnist for The Washington Post. The most important thing, however, were the teachers who always encouraged and supported my development. I’m eternally grateful to them for making me excited to come to school every day.

Interview with US Olympic rower Giuseppe Lanzone

• Did you enjoy your time at MHS?
  My time at McLean was great. I came straight from Peru knowing a little English I was able to get involve with many sports and therefore making friends along the way.
• Best memory of MHS?
  I have great memories from McLean. From playing football to meeting great friends, to winning a national championship in rowing, to having some of my teachers wear my football jersey on Fridays.
• How did McLean influence you and your accomplishments as a rower?
  I was lucky enough to find the right coach in rowing (Jim Mitchell) that guided me through high school and every summer while I was at the University of Washington till becoming a US citizen and making the US Olympic team.

 Interview with 60 Minutes: Sports Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi

• What is your best memory of McLean High School?
  I was a cheerleader and loved all the pageantry of the Friday night football games. We pretty much had to rely on pageantry, because we were 0 and 10. I remember everyone getting really geared up for the Langley game each year like it was the State Championship game or something. Both schools rocking that “oh-so intimidating” tartan plaid. How seriously can you really take that?! Hardly Friday Night lights…but it felt like it at the time. As far as memories, I used to run off campus to get lunch every day my junior year. One of the “guards” at the time was also the track coach…she used to run after me and try to catch me. Finally, she cornered me in the hallway between classes one day. She said she wouldn’t turn me in if I joined the track team, so I did. I was a sprinter. A champion was born! (Laugh here)
• What did you enjoy to do most while you were there?
   I played a ton of sports…and loved to compete. I was also arguably the worst class President, ever. Three years of very ineffective leadership but I had a tremendous time and help to organize some really fun retreats in the “country” somewhere. At that point, Reston was considered “the country”…who knows where we were. There was a zip-line, roasted marshmallows and I recall considering a career in forestry for a solid 10 minutes. It was life changing.
• How has McLean contributed to your overall success as a journalist/correspondent?
  I had a teacher/coach rat McLean who literally changed my life. Deborah Huggins. I was sort of zipping through books in English class…bored with the reading lists. One day she handed me a Eudora Welty book and said “try this”. It began my love affair with Southern writers. Funny, smart, storytellers with a really distinctive voice. I knew I wanted to tell stories after that….I just had to figure out a way to do it and be paid. I also had (and proudly still have) the ability to imitate anyone. The principal at the time, Elizabeth Lodel was this lovely woman with a really unique southern drawl. She found out I could imitate her and would let me do the morning announcements as her. Everyone laughed…including her…she was a really good sport. I think that was the beginning of my broadcast career. I liked having a captive audience.