SENIOR INFORMATION
Presentation sessions will be held throughout the day from 8:30 a.m.- 3:15 p.m. Each MLWGS senior will present his or her research to students, faculty, parents, and guests. Each mentorship student will give a 25-30 minute talk on his or her research and mentorship; each seminar student will participate in a group presentation of their research. All senior parents were mailed invitations to the event. An RSVP is not required to attend.
All students are encouraged to log onto their ItsLearning accounts to register for the sessions they wish to attend (registration session will be available on May 20). This is an incredible event, and it is an expectation that all MLWGS students will attend. Attending Senior Showcase is an excellent way for undergraduate students to learn more about the Senior Seminar/Mentorship program. Showcase attendance is one of the factors that will be considered when students apply for the Seminar/Mentorship Program. If you have questions, please contact Les Cook, Senior Seminar/Mentorship Coordinator at tcook@gsgis.k12.va.us.
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 one hour. Students are not required to attend, but this traditional and memorable event celebrates finishing one chapter in their lives and beginning the next. Information regarding line-up and parking will be included in the official invitation from the PTSA, which will arrive by mail. Seniors are reminded to bring both cap and gown for the ceremony.
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, on a first come first served basis with the exception of Monday, June 10, the day of Senior Showcase. Juniors are reminded not to park in faculty or visitor spots. We have approximately 150 student parking spaces. STUDENTS WHO PARK IN THE LOT BEFORE JUNE 3 MAY BE TOWED!
No Bus Transportation Service for Henrico Students on June 11
On Tuesday, June 11, Henrico County Public Schools will not be providing bus transportation to MLWGS. This is due to Henrico’s decision to close for Primary Day. As MLWGS is not a polling station we will be open for normal educational operations on June 11. Students coming to MLWGS from Henrico will be responsible for arranging their own transportation. If they are unable to do so, they will be given a school excused absence for the day. They will, however, need to reschedule their Block 2 and Block 8 exams if this is the case.
Want to Hone Your Research Wizardry Skills in 2019-20?
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, on a first come first served basis with the exception of Monday, June 10, the day of Senior Showcase. Juniors are reminded not to park in faculty or visitor spots. We have approximately 150 student parking spaces. STUDENTS WHO PARK IN THE LOT BEFORE JUNE 3 MAY BE TOWED!
No Bus Transportation Service for Henrico Students on June 11
On Tuesday, June 11, Henrico County Public Schools will not be providing bus transportation to MLWGS. This is due to Henrico’s decision to close for Primary Day. As MLWGS is not a polling station we will be open for normal educational operations on June 11. Students coming to MLWGS from Henrico will be responsible for arranging their own transportation. If they are unable to do so, they will be given a school excused absence for the day. They will, however, need to reschedule their Block 2 and Block 8 exams if this is the case. Want to Hone Your Research Wizardry Skills in 2019-20?
Complete this Interest Survey!
Genealogy, health research, balanced news searching, research resources for writers, accessing literary journals and/or popular magazines without subscriptions or clutter. If you’d like to learn more about one of these topics (or another research topic) in library workshops either before or after school next year, please answer this brief interest survey:http://bit.ly/curiousdragons
MUSIC IN THE PARKS COMPETITION
On Saturday, June 1, the Maggie Walker Jazz Ensemble traveled to Lafayette High School to compete in the Music in the Parks competition. The ensemble received first place in their division with a superior rating. Additionally, student guitarist Nathan Neuwirth received the superior soloist medal. Congratulations to our hard-working student musicians for their recognition!
Delaney Cotton (Hanover '21)
Samual Hodges (Richmond '21)
Helen Hopkins (Chesterfield '21)
William Kelly VI (Powhatan '21)
Kyra Murphy (Henrico '21)
Keriann Slayton (Hanover '21)
Noah Welenteychik (Henrico '21)
Ankit Agrawal (Henrico '22)
Alexis Bartee (Chesterfield '22)
Brianna Bartlett (New Kent '22)
Matteo DeLuca (Henrico '22)
Ryan Eklund (Richmond '22)
Lorenzo Galang (Chesterfield '22)
Catherine Garrison (Hanover '22)
Timothy Graff (Hanover '22)
Emma Hunter (Richmond '22)
Ronit Jain (Henrico '22)
Devon Jebo (Henrico '22)
Nathan Neuwirth (Henrico '22)
Anna Pulaski (New Kent '22)
Albert Tang (Chesterfield '22)
Zachary Wooden (Henrico '22)
MW Senior Taha Shaikh achieves High School Diploma and Advanced Bach Plaque with The Piano Guild
Attending: Virginia Tech
Congratulations Taha Shaikh for the achievement of High School Diploma in Social Music with The Piano Guild, a division of the American College of Musicians. Less than 50 students earned this Diploma across the entire United States. These prestigious awards earn him membership in the International College of Musicians.
The Guild’s primary function is to establish definite goals and awards–in noncompetitive auditions–for students of all levels, from the earliest beginner to the gifted prodigy. With the exception of “special” programs, teachers have the flexibility to choose all repertoire for student auditions. Students are judged on individual merit, by a well-qualified music professional, in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique. The Guild’s purpose is to encourage growth and enjoyment through the study of piano.
Instructor, Barbara Muldowney of Muldowney Studio, said “Taha has achieved awards in piano on the National level. He has competed in the National Piano Guild auditions for the last 3 years. He was first awarded the High School Diploma in Social Music in May of 2017 and awarded the full Diploma in May of 2018. Wishing to further challenge himself, Taha studied for the Advanced Bach Plaque this year and was awarded this medal 2 weeks ago. He played a 15 piece program of advanced Bach pieces, memorized. The judge was so impressed with his playing, she asked him to play more when his audition ended. Taha is a very talented pianist, if he wished to major in music, he would be accepted at all the major music conservatories.”
The Piano Guild is a rigorous test that there are only about eight teachers in the area who even participate. Students are graded on all elements of their music.
Instructor, Barbara Muldowney of Muldowney Studio, said “Taha has achieved awards in piano on the National level. He has competed in the National Piano Guild auditions for the last 3 years. He was first awarded the High School Diploma in Social Music in May of 2017 and awarded the full Diploma in May of 2018. Wishing to further challenge himself, Taha studied for the Advanced Bach Plaque this year and was awarded this medal 2 weeks ago. He played a 15 piece program of advanced Bach pieces, memorized. The judge was so impressed with his playing, she asked him to play more when his audition ended. Taha is a very talented pianist, if he wished to major in music, he would be accepted at all the major music conservatories.”
The Piano Guild is a rigorous test that there are only about eight teachers in the area who even participate. Students are graded on all elements of their music.
Current parent participation is as follows:
Senior parents (2019) 46%
Junior Parents (2020) 37%
Sophomore parents (2021) 42%
Freshman Parents (2022) 45%
We look forward to all that we can accomplish together for MLWGS!
