"The leaders of the future are being made today," said Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy’s semi-fictitious Deputy Director of Intelligence in his thrilling series of spy-games novels. This very message will certainly be taken to heart by this year’s commencement speaker, John Gannon, who formerly held this very same position as Ryan. 

A selection panel made up of Principal R.W. Snee, senior class sponsor Michael Hoover, and the senior class executive council resolved to tap Falls Church’s own Gannon.

"[John Gannon] is an upstanding member of the Falls Church community. He holds a position of significance both nationally and locally, he is very well respected in his field and his community, and he is quite well known to the seniors," said Snee. "All in all I would say he is a superb choice." 

"This is a talented class that I know well, filled with young people of wit, character, accomplishment, and promise. It is a special honor for me to be commencement speaker," said Gannon.

Gannon is not only a familiar face throughout the city and the school system, he is also the father of senior Liz Gannon. The elder Gannon has served on the Falls Church City Council, the Falls Church School Board and has raised three children in the school system over the course of two decades. Currently, Gannon is the Chairman of the National Intelligence Council at the Central Intelligence Agency.

"Not too many people actually realize just how important Liz’s father is [at the CIA]," said senior Becky Davis.

Although all students may not be particularly familiar with Gannon, many of them know this kind-hearted and witty man quite well. Those who are acquainted with him are eager to have such a dignified person as the commencement speaker.

"I have known John [Gannon] for nearly ten years, and for that entire time, he has been like a second father to me. Hardly anyone has cared for me more, or been a more lasting influence on my life than him. I cannot imagine a more perfect man to address the senior class at graduation," said senior Becky Davis.

When not analyzing top-secret information, Gannon can most often be found relaxing and enjoying himself with his family at Ireland’s Four Provinces. An avid billiards player and dart ace, he actually spends the good majority of what little free time he has at Falls Church’s cozy watering hole.

"I honestly think they could not have chosen a more idyllic person to give the commencement speech to this particular class," said Study Hall guru and Mason alum Chris "Mad Dog" Madison, who has been friendly with Gannon for years.

For the address itself, Gannon will use his many years of experience and interaction with the school and community as the foundation. He will not only reminisce about the past, but also advise the class on how to use their strengths in achieving success in their future endeavors.

"I look forward to participating in their graduation from a great school in [this] wonderful Falls Church community – both of which have been such an important part of my own adult life," said Gannon.