Senior Wins Gold Medal At Scholastics Art Competition

from the Art Department:

Please congratulate Senior Leaf Elhai for winning a GOLD MEDAL for her Mixed Media painting at the NATIONAL LEVEL of the Scholastics Art Competition!



This is an extremely rare honor (one that I had not experienced in 13 years prior to teaching at MLWGS) but Maggie Walker has now had a student win it TWO YEARS IN A ROW!!! Last year, Sarah Thrower won it for her amazing dress.

Leaf will receive her award and have her work on display in New York City in early summer. Last year's award ceremony took place at Carnegie Hall and was hosted by Academy Award winner, Kathy Bates!!!

Please join me in congratulating Leaf for this outstanding accomplishment. All of Maggie L. Walker is so proud of her!

--Jeff Hall, Fine Arts Department Chair

Senior Wins Poetry Challenge

from Smoke & Scales:

The MW Library is pleased to announce that senior Chris Richardson is the winner of the recent Voices of Civil Rights Poetry Challenge.

Over the next few weeks, Chris will be working with Ms. Sellors to design a book featuring his original photographs and poems about the 1968 riots in Washington, DC, a collection he entitled Fires:Set. The book should arrive during April, just in time for National Poetry Month. Congratulations, Chris!

Music News

from Smoke & Scales:

Congratulations to members of the Orchestra for receiving an overall rating of Excellent at the District Orchestra Festival March 20th. By combining wind, brass, and percussion players from members of Jazz ensemble classes, they were the only group in the area to enter as a full orchestra in the festival.

Members of the Orchestra, Chorus, Jazz Improv class, and Senior Seminar group, The Fall Line, provided entertainment for the Night of the Dragon benefit auction March 21st.

Emily Ko performs on the violin with the All Virginia Orchestra April 4th at 1:30 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Virginia.

Members of the Jazz Improv class perform March 28th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Metro Space Gallery on Broad Street.

Mech Tech Dragons in FIRST* Robotics Competition

from Smoke & Scales:

The Maggie Walker Mech Tech Dragons, Team 422, participated with 60 high school teams from the United States, Canada, and Brazil at the NASA/VCU Regional competition, this past weekend at the Siegel Center. The three day event included one day of practice rounds and two days of seeding matches and championship rounds. After competing in their 7 seeding matches, Team 422 was in 11th place. They qualified for the championships rounds when they were chosen by the 6th place team to join their alliance. Despite two hard fought matches, they lost to the 3rd place alliance in the quarter final rounds.

Team 422 ends their season after two exciting and very successful regional competitions. The team would like to thank the administration, team sponsors, mentors, and their families for their support!

*FIRST: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology!

2009 Auction Raises Over $65,000

from Debbie Sawyer, current/alumni parent '05, '09, '11:

THANK YOU to one and all for making this year's auction a huge success. In this economy, we truly beat the odds. We had record donations, almost a sell-out crowd, awesome food and great entertainment. A huge thank-you to the "Faculty Lounge Lizards" (Karl von Klein, Sherri Arnold, Hal Waller, Karl Zweerink, Jeremy Clark and Michael White) who became an overnight sensation with their performance donation which brought in approximately 10% of the auction profits. For those who missed it, we hope you buy a ticket next year.

Thanks to the GENEROUS support of parents, MLWGS staff, students, and other school friends, early numbers indicate that the gross proceeds this year are over $65,000 to benefit the PTSA, Booster groups (Visual Arts, Academic, Athletic, Drama, and Music) and the Governor's School Foundation. The final accounting is still in process.

We appreciate everyone that attended, donated auction items, and/or volunteered to make this event happen. We particularly thank the auction co-chairs Karen Akens, Julie Weissend and Deb Sawyer plus committee members: David Henderson, Belle Bronner, Melissa Shaw, Margie Swart, Beverly Cline, Karen Kasprzak, Maresa Spangler, Ellen Walk, Terri Clifton, Roxanne Sawchak, Bart Mebane, Laura Carr, Amy Goodrich, and Bob Cervarich. A special thank you to the donation solication chairs from each booster group: Reginald and Carla Quick, Dave and Becky Henderson, Missy Benson, Virginia Muse, Rose Ann Janis, Kathleen Hallahan, Mary Kellner, Ann Chenoweth, Ellen Walk, Debbie Sawyer, and Bob Cervarich.

If you are interested in helping with the 2010 auction please contact Debbie Sawyer at Debbiethetwin@yahoo.com.

New Digital Media Lab on WCVE

These pieces about the new Digital Media Lab at the Governor's School aired on WCVE this morning:

• WCVEDigitalMediaLabshort.MP3
• WCVEDigitalMediaLablong.MP3

Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School will cut the ceremonial ribbon on its new, state-of-the-art digital media lab during its Arts and Technology Exhibition from 6 to 7 PM on March 20.

Funded in part by a $25,000 grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, the lab offers students and faculty a variety of state-of-the-art digital resources, including video, music, photography, graphic design and Web design capabilities, which they can integrate into educational projects and curriculum.

Examples of students’ digital work will be on display during the exhibition, which will also feature the Maggie L. Walker’s Youth Art Month visual art displays.

Course Scheduling for 2009-10

Law Seminar Students Advance To MJP Final Round

From Smoke & Scales:

Congratulations to the Law Seminar students for their participation and success thus far in the Model Judiciary Program (MJP). The MJP allows high school teams to participate in a trial simulation, from the trial round to the Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

The trial round took place on January 13 at 5:00 p.m. and involved 16 teams from various high schools in the region. MLWGS’s team (consisting of Megan O’Donnell, Meredith Ritko, Sheria Pettis, LaTonia Kelley, Madelaine Spangler, Courtney Wynn, Arun Moghe and Carson Wang) successfully presented their case before a judge in the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond.

Subsequently, the appellant round took place on February 24th at 1:00 p.m. Each team was allowed to select one or two students to argue their case at the Richmond Court of Appeals.

Congratulations to Megan O’Donnell and Madelaine Spangler for successfully arguing the case, which allows the team to advance to the Virginia Supreme Court on March 17th at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow and any interested students, parents or staff are invited. Please contact Dayna Paxton, Law Seminar Instructor [dpaxton@gsgis.k12.va.us] for information, directions and parking.

Chorus Earns Top Honors

From Smoke & Scales:

Our small, but mighty chorus earned top honors in the VCDA District I Choral Festival held on Friday, March 13th at Tucker High School. Under the direction of Mrs. Storti and accompanied by Lizzie Barnett ('11) on harp and Alex Georgiadis ('12) on piano, the chorus received Superior (I) ratings from all three judges on the panel.

They performed Benjamin Britten's "This Little Babe" from the Ceremony of Carols and Sheldon Curry's arrangement of "Down to the River to Pray."

Comments included "very nice tone quality for a small group", "great sense of unity", "solid intonation throughout", "very good diction, especially vowels", and "very musical interpretation". Even our lone baritone, Tucker Dean ('11), received a commendation: "Way to go for your only guy! Great job!"

Debate Team Wins CFL State Championship

From Smoke & Scales:

On Saturday, February 28th, the Maggie L. Walker Debate team won the Virginia Catholic Forensic League State Championships.

The following individuals placed in the VA Catholic Forensic League State Championship tournament and have qualified for the National Championships to be held over Memorial Day Weekend:

• In Public Forum Debate Kelsie Taylor('10) and Logan Ferrell('11) finished 1st, Mitch Caudill('10) and Elsa Schultze('10) finished 2nd;
• In Student Congress Dallen McNerney('10) finished in 1st Place;
• In Lincoln-Douglas Debate Maryam Patton('10) finished 4th and Kimberly Quick('10) finished in 5th Place.

Kimberly Quick, Elsa Schultze, and Mitch Caudill also attended the prestigious Harker Invitational Debate Tournament in San Jose, California over the weekend of March 6th-8th. Mitch Caudill received a 4th Place finish in Public Forum Debate.

The team, coached by Dan Brown, will be competing in the VHSL Regional Tournament at Cosby High School on March 28th.

Alumnus Wins German Scholarship

Erich Grois, class of 2004, and graduate of the College of William and Mary (’08) has received one of only 75 scholarships awarded by our Congress and the German Bundestag to study and work in Germany for a year.

This program is fully funded and includes two months of intensive German language training in Germany, four months of classroom instruction at a German university, and a five-month internship in a participant’s career field.

Here is a link to the website with more information: www.cdsintl.org/fellowshipsabroad/cbyx.php

Alumni Perform Shakespeare on the UVA Lawn

Five Governor's School alumni will be acting in UVA’s Shakespeare on the Lawn production of All's Well that Ends Well on March 26, 27, and 28 (Th, Fr, Sa) in the Student Activities Building (next to the stadium):

• Alison Walter, '08 (Stewardess)
• Jordan Pridgen, '08 (Second Lord)
• David Sawchak, '07 (Lafeu)
• Angela Pirko, '06 (Helena)
• Doc McConnell, '08 (Parolles)

Please come out and see the show!

Mentorship in Otolaryngology

Natalie Zhao's senior mentorship is with Dr. Michael Armstrong of Advanced Otolaryngology, P.C. In a recent evaluation of Natalie, Dr. Armstrong has this to say: “My employees would like to hire her now! Her grasp of concepts as described in her journal exceeds what I have taught her. She has clearly done a lot of independent reading.”

In addition to observing patient appointments and surgeries,Natalie’s research objective was to “evaluate and compare the long-term overall efficacy in both subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy for reduction of symptoms and medication in patients with allergic rhinitis in Dr. Armstrong’s clinic by way of a retrospective study.”

In this regard, Natalie has been reviewing/analyzing original data. The research, guided by Dr. Armstrong, will provide a benefit in determining which treatment is most beneficial to individual patients and the practice as a whole.

Music Awards

From Smoke & Scales:

Congratulations to Emily Ko ('11) who auditioned and qualified for the All Virginia Orchestra on violin February 28th at James Madison University. Emily placed 21st among a field of the state's top 121 violinists.

Congratulations to Steven Gizzi ('11) who won second place in the Lions of Virginia Bland Music Scholarship district competition, held on Sunday, March 1, in Chester, Virginia. Steven played "Three Piano Preludes", by George Gershwin, and competed against other pianists, cellists, violinists, and guitarists.

Math Team Ranked 2nd In State

From Smoke & Scales:

The Maggie Walker Governor's School was second in the state in the VHSL AAA Scholastic Bowl tournament held on February 28 in Williamsburg. The team lost only to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, who won the state title.

The Maggie Walker players were seniors Matt Kluge and Alan Chang, juniors Sarah Angelo and Greg Tito, and sophomore Tommy Casalaspi.

Maggie Walker advanced to the state championships by winning the Central Region tournament last month. Henrico was runner-up at Regionals and also advanced to Williamsburg. The Final rankings of all the teams in the state championship tournament can be found at http://www.vhsl.org/files/schb-results-2009.pdf.

Eco-Friendly Banner Program for Businesses

From Smoke & Scales:

The Athletic Boosters group is sponsoring a new eco-friendly banners program. Companies can choose an 8x3 ft or 4x3 ft. white banner with green writing that will be displayed prominently on the athletic field for the full academic year!

This opportunity will assist the Athletic Boosters in providing vital support to the Governor's School's athletic programs. It will be replacing the golf tournament that has been held in past years to allow for more community participation. Please help us to keep our athletic programs strong!

For more information, please see the following site:
http://www.gsgis.k12.va.us/document/SmokeandScales/SSLinks/DragonBanners.pdf

Or contact the Athletic Booster Representatives: Anne Napps [anne@anstonhouse.com] or Mathis Kirby Powelson [mathiskp@hotmail.com].

Swimmers Set School Record

The boys swim team received a nice write-up in the Richmond Times-Dispatch recently, including some quotes from the members of the school record setting, 200-yard medley relay team: J.H. Vivadelli, Sam Rairden, Hunter Knight and Ben Catanese.

Here's the link to the entire article: http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_basketball/article/VIVA05_20090304-204203/221958/

Robotics Team Receives Motorola Quality Award

from Smoke & Scales:

The Maggie Walker Mech Tech Dragons had an exciting and successful weekend at the 2009 New Jersey FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in Trenton, New Jersey. The competition included over 60 teams from across the East Coast and Canada.

After two days of competition, the team achieved an impressive 6-1 record and finished the seeding matches in 4th place, qualifying them for the tournament rounds. The competition was very tough as the team battled through five more matches to make it all the way to the semi-finals.

The team was also presented the prestigious Motorola Quality Award. This award recognized their robot, "Redemption", for exemplary robustness in concept and fabrication.

Congratulations Team 422!

Music Department Hosts Piedmont Style Blues Student Assembly

from Smoke & Scales:

Following an astounding student assembly performance of Piedmont Style Blues on February 26th, Phil Wiggins (harmonica and vocals) and Rick Franklin (guitar and vocals) conducted a question and answer session for members of the Jazz Improvisation class.

The duo shared technique methods, personal musical influences, and anecdotes of their worldwide travels spanning the past thirty five years.

Scholastic Writing Awards

from Smoke & Scales:

Two Maggie Walker seniors made a strong showing in the creative portion of the Scholastic Awards earlier this month. Kasia Clarke took an honorable mention in the area of creative non-fiction, and Natalie Zhao achieved Gold Key Award level with her Senior General Writing Portfolio.

Both students were honored at an awards ceremony in late February, and Natalie is awaiting word of her portfolio in the national judging. Congratulations to both seniors!

National Russian Essay Contest Results

from Smoke & Scales:

Nearly 1200 students nationwide competed in the National Russian Essay Contest, administered by the American Council of Teachers of Russian. Honorees have already received their certificates and medals.

In the list below, “B” stands for Beginners (those who’ve completed one year of Russian study), and “I” stands for Intermediate students (two years).

Gold medalists: Deanna Gulick (B), Luke Haushalter (B), Kaitlan Lawrence (B), Patrick Monk (B), Eric Sawchak (I), Lindsey Toiaivao (I), Josh Wilson (I), Ryan Akens (B), Jerry Carlson (B), and Ramin Haidari (I)

Silver medalists: Erik Fox (B), Matthew Childs (I), Leaf Elhai (I), Ese Shaw (B), Ben Eichler (B), Jack Fechino (B), Emma England (I), and Matthew Gizzi (I)

Bronze medalists: Matthew Burnette (I), Winston Wu (B), Karthik Ilakkuvan (I), Caroline Wren Martin (I), John Surface (I), and Hillary Hurd (I)

Honorable Mention: Holly Brown (I), Sarah Johnson (I)

Congratulations to all!