Onion domes! Caviar! Bears! All of this and much more will be there for your enjoyment on the 2019 MLWGS summer trip to Russia. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our students to explore the natural and man-made riches of the world's most fascinating country. Visit St. Petersburg, Moscow, and the historic cities and towns of the Golden Ring, and experience the delights of Russian hospitality during our one-week home-stay in the Southern city of Rostov-on-the-Don. Meet, travel, and live with Russian high-school students who have been studying English for 8-10 years. Because all tours will be translated and our Russian hosts speak English, you do NOT need to know any Russian to get a tremendous amount out of this three-week trip! Be sure to attend the informational meeting (where free Russian candy will be there for the taking!) on Wednesday, November 14, at lunch in the Forum, or contact Mr. White mwhite@gsgis.k12.va.us for more information.
CLASS UPDATES
Attention Senior Parents!
Attention Senior Parents!
The November issue of the Senior Newsletter is now available! This newsletter contains important college and scholarship-related reminders and deadlines.
ALL transcript request forms are due to counselors by November 15 (regardless of when students are applying). Seniors need to stop by the counseling office to verify the name that will be printed on their diploma. Students must sign off on their name by December 7.
Attention Sophomores and Juniors!
Summer Residential Governor's School Programs for Sophomores and Juniors!
Visual and Performing Arts Programs- areas of study include Dance, Theatre, Visual Art, Instrumental Music, and Vocal Music. We can send a nominee for each area of study. Interested students must speak with their fine arts teacher.
Foreign Language Academies- full-immersion Academies in French, Spanish and German; partial-immersion in Japanese and Latin. We are able to have one nominee from our school. If interested, please contact your language teacher.
Academic Programs- areas of study include Humanities; Mathematics; Science and Technology; Agriculture; Life Sciences and Medicine; Engineering (NASA- must be 16 by June 24, 2019); Marine Science. Interested students should contact Ms. Davis in the counseling office.
Please see Ms. Davis or visit the website for more information.
The High School Diplomats Program is now accepting applications for the 2019 High School Diplomats (HSD) program (July 24 - August 4) at Princeton University. We are a true scholarship opportunity (no costs or add-on fees) and our best students learn about HSD from their teachers and counselors. The online application is available on our website: www.highschooldiplomats.com until January 8, 2019 and all current sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply.
Applications Are Open for the 2019 Bronfman Fellowship
Every year, twenty-six outstanding North American teenagers are selected as Bronfman Fellows. The highlight of the Fellowship is a free transformative and intellectually adventurous summer in Israel, where Fellows engage in thought-provoking study and conversation and make lifelong friends with a pluralistic group of peers. Our high-caliber educators focus on teaching a broad range of traditional and contemporary Jewish texts at a university level. Fellows encounter the land and people of Israel, study major issues in contemporary Jewish life, meet with some of today's most influential figures, and learn about themselves and each other. The Fellowship year continues with monthly virtual meetings and a seminar in the spring. Fellows continue their association with the Fellowship through our extraordinarily active, 1200+ alumni community.
Applicants must be in 11th grade, self-identify as Jewish, and live in the U.S. or Canada. The deadline is November 30. Click here to apply.
Attention Students in 10th-12th Grade!
Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) provides STEM opportunities. All of our programs are FREE to all Virginia students. Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS)- Program for 10th grade students focusing on the missions flown or managed by NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, with a Summer Academy program at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. http://vscs.spacegrant.org/
Every year, twenty-six outstanding North American teenagers are selected as Bronfman Fellows. The highlight of the Fellowship is a free transformative and intellectually adventurous summer in Israel, where Fellows engage in thought-provoking study and conversation and make lifelong friends with a pluralistic group of peers. Our high-caliber educators focus on teaching a broad range of traditional and contemporary Jewish texts at a university level. Fellows encounter the land and people of Israel, study major issues in contemporary Jewish life, meet with some of today's most influential figures, and learn about themselves and each other. The Fellowship year continues with monthly virtual meetings and a seminar in the spring. Fellows continue their association with the Fellowship through our extraordinarily active, 1200+ alumni community.
Applicants must be in 11th grade, self-identify as Jewish, and live in the U.S. or Canada. The deadline is November 30. Click here to apply.
Attention Students in 10th-12th Grade!
Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) provides STEM opportunities. All of our programs are FREE to all Virginia students. Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS)- Program for 10th grade students focusing on the missions flown or managed by NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, with a Summer Academy program at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. http://vscs.spacegrant.org/
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)- Program for 11th or 12th grade students focusing on NASA’s human spaceflight missions and the Journey to Mars with an online course with a Summer Academy program at NASA Langley Research Center. Students can earn up to 4 free dual enrollment credits. http://vsgc.odu.edu/VASTS/
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS)- Program for 11th or 12th grade students, VESSS is an interactive, on-line Earth System Science Course featuring NASA scientific research and data. The students can earn up to 5 transferable, free dual enrollment college credits and can also compete to attend a Summer Academy program at NASA Langley Research Center. http://www.vsgc.odu.edu/VESSS
Suicide Prevention Program
Our school is committed to supporting the social/emotional well-being of our students. That is done in a variety of ways and has included implementing the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program through the 9th grade Health/PE classes. This program is designed to teach our freshmen that suicide can be prevented through treating mental health disorders such as depression. It encourages students to support one another but to also reach out to trusted adults if they have concerns about themselves or friends that may be at risk to self-harm.
Another component of the SOS Program that we added last year is the parent portal. This site has information on the SOS Program and mental health topics that can be of use to all parents. It provides information about national resources that are available. Parents can complete an anonymous depression screening on their child to help determine if there is a need to connect with a mental health professional. We are choosing to make this available to all MLWGS parents and not just our 9th grade parents. Questions? Call Lisa Ebeling, School Psychologist at 354-6800, ext. 3260 or your child’s school counselor. The link and sign on information for the parent portal is as follows:
Login: http://sossignsofsuicide.org
User Name: mlwgs-par
Password: EbelingDragon2017
Abundant gratitude from Ms. DeGroat to all parents and teachers who contributed spare cards to restock the library’s gratitude box! It is now filled again with a fresh selection of colorful, appealing blank, thank you, friendship, birthday, get well, sympathy, and thinking of you cards! There are more cards in the drawer near the creativity and calm cabinet, as well as paper, stickers, and fancy scissors for students who prefer to design their own cards. Thank you for supporting a culture of kindness, compassion, and gratitude at MLWGS.
Once again, I find myself shouting out the virtues of our students. The picture that you see is just a few of the students who participated in the first and very worthwhile event on Saturday, November 3.
This was a Walkathon for Brain tumor research. Our students walked/ran and worked this event. They also contributed to the donation which was earmarked for research into the oligodendroglioma tumor, a slow growing tumor that my daughter has been battling for 11 years. We have a student body that steps up and delivers all the time. I am so proud of them and all the support at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
Susan Hefty
On Wednesday, November 7, Maggie Walker’s Tri-M Music Honor Society induction 11 new members:
Minji Cho (Chesterfield, 2021)
William Davis (Chesterfield, 2021)
Mira Eisenhauer (Henrico, 2021)
Helen Hopkins (Chesterfield, 2021)
Varun Mandgi (Richmond, 2021)
Kyra Murphy (Henrico, 2021)
Rahul Ramesh (Henrico, 2021)
Keriann Slayton (Hanover, 2021)
Lily Walsh (Henrico, 2021)
Noah Welenteychik (Henrico, 2021)
Daniel Xue (Chesterfield, 2020)
Tri-M is an honor society recognizing secondary music students for their musical ability, academic excellence, school involvement, and community service. Congratulations to these students for their achievement and their continued commitment to music at MLWGS!
Nick Merillat
MLWGS Band Director
CONGRATULATIONS TO BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY!
2018 MLWGS BOYS Cross Country 2A first place champs
2018 MLWGS Girls Cross Country 2A second place champs
On Friday November 9, on a rain flooded, mud covered field at The Great Meadow Event Park in Warrenton the Maggie Walker Boys' Cross Country team made history. Lead by senior Adam Sachs's (Henrico, 2019) 2nd place individual finish and bolstered by 3 additional top 15, All-State finishes from juniors Ben Neuwirth (5th-Henrico, 2020), Carter Morgan (7th – Henrico, 2020) and Nathaniel Gregory (14th -Hanover, 2019) the boys were dominant en route to their 6th consecutive VHSL 2A State Championship. This victory breaks the long standing mark of 5 consecutive team titles that the boys equaled last year. As the school moves from group 2A to group 3A next year, they will leave their 2A competition having won every Cross Country State Championship contest during their time.
On the girls' side, Mary Caroline Heinen (Richmond, 2020) left little doubt in her defense of her 2A individual title, winning by nearly 90 seconds. Sophomore Mimi Kemp (Richmond, 2021) added a 2nd top 10 finish (6th) but it wasn't enough to hold off an incredibly strong team from Clarke County. The girls did not go down without a fight though as the teams 3rd, 4th, and 5th finishers (Kathleen Russo- Chesterfield, 2021), Madelyn Campbell – Chesterfield, 2022), and Josie Greer – Richmond, 2020), all ran the fastest 5k times of their lives. The team was a very secure 2nd place, and will add a 6th and final piece of XC hardware to the 5 State Titles already resting in the trophy cases in Richmond.
REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENTS LUNCHEON
Beginning Friday, November 3 and continuing through Friday, November 9, the Dragons of Maggie Walker Governor’s School dined with their division superintendent and/or division school board member(s) during their lunch block in the school conference room/boardroom.
Students were asked to share ideas or any concerns they encounter on an everyday basis on this campus. The students, representing twelve divisions, enjoyed a box lunch prepared by local vendors.
The Dragons responded impressively and discussed a wide variety of topics that included their insights on the MW admission process and what the divisions could do differently to better prepare students for Maggie Walker. Mrs. Ogburn, Henrico School Board, remarked that her group shared perceptions from their middle school years telling her they felt isolated in a specific group, whereas here at MW, there is no group distinction and all student peers are equal learners. She added, the students stated they felt they fit in more at MW.
The luncheons allowed the superintendents and school board members to hear directly from their students. It was also a great opportunity for students to listen to the opinions of other classmates.
The MLWGS Regional School Board is very grateful to the students who generously participated in this series of luncheons.
View photos here:
EXCITING NEWS FROM THE MATH-ART SENIOR SEMINAR
During the first 9 weeks, students were encouraged to submit their work to the curated exhibit at the 2019 Joint Math Meetings, to be held January 18-20 in Baltimore, MD. This is essentially the U.S. edition of the international Bridges conference exhibit, and is put together by the same people.
Derek Chen (Henrico, 2019), Virginia (Ginny) Fielding (Chesterfield, 2019), and Pallavi Natarajan (Henrico, 2020) are the first three MW students to have work accepted to this exhibit. Ryan Webb (Math teacher, MLWGS) also had work accepted as well.
EXCITING NEWS FROM THE MATH-ART SENIOR SEMINAR
During the first 9 weeks, students were encouraged to submit their work to the curated exhibit at the 2019 Joint Math Meetings, to be held January 18-20 in Baltimore, MD. This is essentially the U.S. edition of the international Bridges conference exhibit, and is put together by the same people.
Derek Chen (Henrico, 2019), Virginia (Ginny) Fielding (Chesterfield, 2019), and Pallavi Natarajan (Henrico, 2020) are the first three MW students to have work accepted to this exhibit. Ryan Webb (Math teacher, MLWGS) also had work accepted as well.
2019 NIGHT OF THE DRAGON
Roll Out the Red Carpet for the 2019 Night of the Dragon-
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019!
The Night of the Dragon Auction is one of the highlights each year for Dragon parents (past and present), staff, and alumni. The evening includes live and silent auctions, dinner, drinks, student entertainment, Heads and Tails, and more. This fun-filled event is also MLWGS’ single largest annual fundraising event.
Here’s how you can help make the upcoming 17th Annual Night of the Dragon the best ever!
·Save the Date and get your tickets when they become available.
·Donate an item(s) for the Live or Silent Auctions. Popular items include unique experiences hosted by MLWGS families and friends, event tickets, vacation home rentals, artwork, local adventures—GET CREATIVE! To donate or help solicit, contact Liz Blue eeablue@gmail.com
·Become a Sponsor. Individual and corporate sponsorships are available at many levels. For sponsorships, contact Suzannah Stora. sstora@mlwgsfoundation.
·Lend a Hand. If you want to help with putting on this amazing event, contact Ginger O’Neil gingeroneil@gmail.com about committee options.
Stay tuned for more information about this wonderful event in the coming weeks!
