SENIOR INFORMATION
Senior Picnic: Thursday, June 13, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
The Senior Picnic is the first official alumni event for the Class of 2019; it is sponsored by the Governor’s School Foundation and Alumni Office. The event will take place at the Carillon Shelter at Byrd Park, and students are asked to sign-up to bring desserts, drinks, paper goods, and chips. The Foundation will assist in providing the main meal. Any parent who wishes to help serve at this event, please contact the class sponsor, Kerry Sheppard 804-354-6800 ext. 3304 ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us.
Baccalaureate Service: Thursday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m.
The Baccalaureate Service will take place at Reveille United Methodist Church (4200 Cary Street Road). Sponsored by the MLWGS PTSA, the inter-faith service begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately one hour.
Baccalaureate is a traditional service celebrating seniors and wishing them success in their future endeavors. Families and friends of the graduates are most welcome to attend. Seniors are asked to bring both cap and gown for the ceremony as are to arrive no later than 6:15 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact
If you have any questions, please contact
Jennifer McCluskey mccluskeyjennifer@gmail.com or
Julie Hendricks juliebhendricks@hotmail.com
Graduation Rehearsal: Friday, June 14 at 9:00 a.m., Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street
Graduation rehearsal is held at the Altria Theater. Parking is available at the VCU parking deck for a minimal fee (entrances are on Cherry and Laurel Streets). Please adhere to posted street parking signs as ticketing and towing are strictly enforced. Seniors must arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. and report to the downstairs ballroom (enter through the Main Street entrance towards the rear of the building). Rehearsal will begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp. ANY STUDENT WHO MISSES REHEARSAL WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WALK IN THE ACTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY, so parents are asked to please work with your student to make sure he or she is on time. Practice is usually completed by 11:30 a.m. or so, but given that we will take as long as needed to perfect the process, please do not plan anything that requires your student to leave early or be gone by a certain time. This run-through is crucial to the success of the graduation ceremony.
Graduation: Friday, June 14 at 3:00 p.m., Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street
Graduates must arrive at the downstairs ballroom by 2:00 p.m. For organizational reasons, this area is off limits to parents, relatives, and friends; we appreciate your understanding. Cap, gown, and tassel are the most required items for the day, but students are asked to dress appropriately: dark dress pants, collared shirts with ties, or dresses. Students may wear cords earned as part of their membership in our Honor Societies (as has been our custom). Students may wear one piece of additional pre-approved regalia, which they have earned as a member of an enduring MLWGS organization. All pieces of regalia will be distributed by sponsors in the days leading up to graduation.
Perhaps the most important clothing decision for the day, however, is shoes. Remember, you are walking up and down steps and across a long stage. Dress shoes with socks or low-heeled dress shoes are the most appropriate; “flip-flops” and athletic shoes are not permitted.
Doors to Altria Theater will open at 2:30 p.m. Guests should enter through the front doors and must have a ticket to attend graduation. Seating is not reserved. Handicap seating is available in multiple locations; please see one of the ushers at the door upon your arrival if you need this seating. Parking for graduation is available at the VCU parking deck for a minimal fee (entrances are on Cherry and Laurel Streets.) Please adhere to posted street parking signs as ticketing and towing are strictly enforced.
During the ceremony, parents may only take photos from their seats. Altria Theater will not permit us to spill into the aisles for this activity, and they enforce this quite seriously. Wendell Powell Studio will be taking pictures of each individual student as he/she receives his/her diploma. After graduation, go to https://wendellpowellstudio.shootproof.com/gallery/8780793 and use the password MWSR19 to find the proof and ordering instructions for your student’s photograph.
Graduation activities should conclude by 6:00 p.m.
As a special year-end privilege, juniors will be able to use the student parking lot June 3-14. Juniors are reminded not to park in faculty or visitor spots. We have approximately 150 student parking spaces.
NEXT STEPS FOR SENIORS- CONGRATULATIONS!!!
SOCCER- MW GIRLS WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations MW Dragons and Coach Jim Thomas on winning the 2019 2A VHSL State Championship breaking George Mason High School's 11-year winning streak.
TENNIS- 2019 VHSL 2A BOYS ANS GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONS
Both Dragon tennis teams had a fantastic season. Last weekend the teams competed at Virginia Tech indoor tennis facility with both winning the state title.
BOYS:
BOYS:
Congratulations team members and coaches Jenn Todd and TQ for an outstanding season on the court. The MW boys team has won the State Championship 5 out of the last 6 years.
Great run seniors William, Lawrence, and Ian!
Boys Roster:
Rohit Bhagavatula* (Chesterfield '20)
Tyler Coffey* (Chesterfield '20)
William Hobbs* (Henrico '19)
Ronit Jain (Henrico '22)
Larry Jia (Chesterfield '19)
Michael Kish (Henrico '22)
Jacob Lee (Chesterfield '21)
Nathan Lord* (Richmond '20)
Andrew Park (Prince George '22)
Casey Pridgen* (Chesterfield '20)
Rahul Ramesh (Henrico '21)
Ian Switzer* (Chesterfield '19)
Alan Watts (Richmond '22)
*Top 6 who competed for team at StatesCongratulations team members and volunteer coaches Mike Miller and Julie Finnegan for an outstanding season on the court. This win is the third consecutive 2A State title for the Dragons!
Samantha Finnegan (Hanover '20) and Natalie Kim (Chesterfield '20) won the 2A Doubles championship; Samantha also won the Singles title.
Farewell to seniors Libby McCoy, Narmeen Rashid, Yashnoor Sandhu, and Kathryn Werwath. Thank you for four great years.
Girls Roster:
Minji Cho (Chesterfield '21)
Samantha Finnegan* (Hanover '20)
Alessia Giusti (Henrico '20)
Abigail Joyce (Chesterfield '20)
Natalie Kim* (Chesterfield '20)
Grace Liu* (Henrico '21)
Frances McCoy (Richmond '21)
Kyra Murphy (Henrico '21)
Narmeen Rashid* (Chesterfield '19)
Yashnoor Sandhu (Henrico '19)
Ananya Shah (Henrico '21)
Ivory Tang (Chesterfield '21)
Kathryn Werwath* (Richmond '19)
Kirby Westerfield* ('Henrico '22)
*Top 6 who competed for team at States
MW track finished the year with championship titles at State and earned five team State titles across three seasons.
Boys and Girls Track Teams are the 2019 2A VHSL State Champions! With these results, the Dragons won six state team titles during the 2018-2019 season.
Individual champions:
Josh Pei (Henrico '19)- Pole Vault
Kaitlyn Baker (Henrico '22)- Pole Vault
Michael Schweiker (Richmond '19)- 800-Meter
Adam Sachs (Henrico '19)- 1600-Meter
Relay team champions:
Relay team champions:
Boys 4×8 include Ben Blanchard (Henrico '22), Nat Gregory (Hanover '19), Carter Morgan (Henrico '20), and Michael Schweiker
Girls 4×8 include Megan Bale (Chesterfield '19), Kathleen Russo (Chesterfield '21), Josie Greer (Richmond '20), and Mary Kemp (Richmond '21)
Thanks go out to our superb coaching staff- Jim Holdren, Deborah Snagg, Ryan Webb, Bob Disse, and Bill Powers.
Up next- Nationals in North Carolina during mid-June where the coaches are taking Mary Caroline Heinen (Richmond '20), Ross Bazzichi (Chesterfield '22), Kaitlyn Baker, and Ben Blanchard.
Thanks to WTVR CBS 6 for producing this lovely video about the recently completed collaborative mural project celebrating Maggie L. Walker. Artist Colleen Hall wanted to bring people together to honor the many contributions of Maggie L. Walker. Over 325 people helped paint the mural at 11 paint parties. Participants included alumni of the original Maggie L. Walker High School, along with current students, faculty, parents, and alumni of the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
Parents of rising Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen-
As the school year winds down and we look forward to the summer, please consider volunteering for the Fall Festival 2019 committee. The committee begins its work as the 2019-20 school year starts. The festival is scheduled for Friday, October 4, 2019.
The festival relies on the help of parent volunteers. The festival showcases and funds the clubs and activities that enrich the student experience at MLWGS.
Two types of parent volunteers are needed- organizing committee volunteer and full day volunteers on the day of the festival. The full day volunteer is a new sub-group for parents who would like to participate on the committee but have limited time availability.
If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Gopal Bhagavatula gopalx@live.com
Thanks so much to all of the parents who contributed during the Foundation throughout the 2018-2019 school year. Parent participation is key, not only in helping us to raise the funds needed to support our students, but also to assist our efforts as we go into the community to seek funding. If you have not had a chance to make your gift there is still time to donate to the 2018-2019 Annual Fund. The Foundation still needs to raise over $20,000 by June 30th to meet our goal for 2019-2020
Current parent participation is as follows:
Girls 4×8 include Megan Bale (Chesterfield '19), Kathleen Russo (Chesterfield '21), Josie Greer (Richmond '20), and Mary Kemp (Richmond '21)
Thanks go out to our superb coaching staff- Jim Holdren, Deborah Snagg, Ryan Webb, Bob Disse, and Bill Powers.
Up next- Nationals in North Carolina during mid-June where the coaches are taking Mary Caroline Heinen (Richmond '20), Ross Bazzichi (Chesterfield '22), Kaitlyn Baker, and Ben Blanchard.
MAGGIE L. WALKER MURAL ON CHANNEL 6
Thanks to WTVR CBS 6 for producing this lovely video about the recently completed collaborative mural project celebrating Maggie L. Walker. Artist Colleen Hall wanted to bring people together to honor the many contributions of Maggie L. Walker. Over 325 people helped paint the mural at 11 paint parties. Participants included alumni of the original Maggie L. Walker High School, along with current students, faculty, parents, and alumni of the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
FALL FESTIVAL 2019 COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Parents of rising Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen-
As the school year winds down and we look forward to the summer, please consider volunteering for the Fall Festival 2019 committee. The committee begins its work as the 2019-20 school year starts. The festival is scheduled for Friday, October 4, 2019.
The festival relies on the help of parent volunteers. The festival showcases and funds the clubs and activities that enrich the student experience at MLWGS.
Two types of parent volunteers are needed- organizing committee volunteer and full day volunteers on the day of the festival. The full day volunteer is a new sub-group for parents who would like to participate on the committee but have limited time availability.
If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Gopal Bhagavatula gopalx@live.com
Thanks so much to all of the parents who contributed during the Foundation throughout the 2018-2019 school year. Parent participation is key, not only in helping us to raise the funds needed to support our students, but also to assist our efforts as we go into the community to seek funding. If you have not had a chance to make your gift there is still time to donate to the 2018-2019 Annual Fund. The Foundation still needs to raise over $20,000 by June 30th to meet our goal for 2019-2020
Current parent participation is as follows:
Senior parents (2019) 47%
Junior Parents (2020) 40%
Sophomore parents (2021) 43%
Freshman Parents (2022) 45%
We look forward to all that we can accomplish together for MLWGS!
Junior Parents (2020) 40%
Sophomore parents (2021) 43%
Freshman Parents (2022) 45%
We look forward to all that we can accomplish together for MLWGS!
SMOKE AND SCALES WISHES YOU A SAFE AND HAPPY SUMMER!
"See" you in the first 2019-2020 school year edition, scheduled for Wednesday, August 28; submission deadline is Sunday, August 25, 2019.
From your co-editors-
Kim Lee (Megan Lee '18, Jacob Lee '21, Chesterfield)
Christine Wampler (Lucy Wampler Richmond '20)
Christine Wampler (Lucy Wampler Richmond '20)
