What’s Up With Waters?
Dear GW Community –
A commitment to the promise of every one of our students is at the heart of what GWHS is about. Equity drives all of our instructional methodologies and choices. As I prepare to transition, I am heartened by the overwhelmingly positive feedback I’ve heard from students and teachers participating in programs like our English Honors for All and our open IB courses. I am pleased to see students engaging, achieving, and choosing rigorous courses for their next school year. We know there has been recent dialogue questioning some of our instructional moves; I assure you that our choices are based in research, reflection and study. I reaffirm to you our school’s promise to best serve our students through programs that promote equity and community, while continuing the academic rigor needed to position students for their future success.
With our spring semester in full swing, we already have much to celebrate! From the most National Merit Finalists we’ve had during my tenure at GWHS, to both our girls’ and boys’ basketball teams qualifying for post-season competition, our students continue to inspire and impress with their accomplishments and commitment.
Our students have engaged with two new resources as well. First, our brand-new Pulse Health and Wellness Center, Denver Health Pediatrics at George Washington High School, has opened its doors to support our first student patients with wellness visits, chronic care management, sports physicals, immunizations, therapy services, and more. Also, our virtual African-American Heritage Assembly gave all students the opportunity to celebrate African-American culture and participate in deep discussions about the African-American experience.
As always, please do reach out if we can support you in any way.
Kristin Waters, Ph.D.
Principal | George Washington High School
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Learner Profile Trait of the Month: Open-Minded
Each month we will be highlighting an attribute from the Learner Profile. The Learner Profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. Each characteristic implies a commitment to help all members of the GW community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them. For March, we want to highlight open-mindedness. Being open-minded means we critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, while also respecting the values and traditions of others. Open-minded people seek and evaluate a range of viewpoints, and are willing to grow from this experience.
Take some time to think about how you might practice open-mindedness in your everyday routines. Do you listen to others’ perspectives and ideas? Have you learned something different from another culture or place? Consider watching a movie that is not in your primary language, or reading a book about a culture or place with which you are less familiar!
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Winter Sports Highlights
Congratulations to all our Winter Sports teams on their fantastic seasons. Every team represented GWHS in Regional and State tournaments!
Girls swimming was once again a dominant force in Denver Prep League and beyond. Our swimmers beat many personal best times, and 10 swimmers competed at the State meet. The team finished 11th at State, with Paige Reilly taking home a 5th and 7th place finish.
Wrestling continued it growth trajectory this year, both for boys and girls. The team brought home three trophies from the Lincoln Invitational, and sent 10 wrestlers to the regional tournament. Carter Bergman placed strongly in regionals and represented GWHS well at the State tournament, with 1 win and 2 near-win matches!
Girls basketball won the DPL title for the second consecutive year with a final big win over cross-town rivals Denver East. The girls finished their season with an incredible 20-2 record, and were ranked 4th in the state in the 4A bracket. This earned the girls a bye for the first round. The second round game was a nail-biting thriller, with the GWHS girls narrowly edged out by 3 points.
Boys basketball had another tremendous season, with an impressive 14-9 regular season record while playing one of the toughest schedules in the 5A bracket. The boys entered the 5A State tournament as the 17 seed, and had a blowout victory over Pueblo West High School in the first round. Taking on number 16 Air Force Academy in round two, the boys were behind by only 4 points after a fantastic game.
Nicholas Chadd and Calvin Stone also represented GWHS on the Denver East boys hockey team, supporting their 5A State Championship win over Valor Christian, 6-3!
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United States Presidential Scholar Candidate
Join us in celebrating Katie Jack, who has been invited to participate in the United States Presidential Scholars program! Established by Executive Order in 1964, the program invites over 5,000 high school seniors each year to compete for this prestigious award based on their SAT or ACT scores and their exceptional academic, artistic or career/technical achievements. Candidates go through a rigorous selection process, culminating in up to 161 students being named U.S. Presidential Scholars. Good luck, Katie!
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Coca-Cola Scholarship Recipient
Kalina Kulig was recently named GW’s first Coca-Cola Scholar, a highly prestigious award that often receives as many as 1,000,000 applicants, from which 150 students are named as finalists. With this award, Kalina receives a $20,000 scholarship to the college or university of her choice. The Coca-Cola Foundation looks for students who are well-rounded and involved in their schools and communities. Congratulations, Kalina!
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National Merit Finalists
We are thrilled to announce that all thirteen of our National Merit Semi-Finalists have advanced to the final round of the National Merit Scholar competition! Congratulations to Annika Abramson, Quinn Booth, Andrew Busch, John Cian Capacci, Maia Chapin, Sanford Goldstein, Bryce Holmes, Katie Jack, Thomas Newell, Braedon Rudolph, Kailey Sieja, Finn Watson and Alexandra Williams. Our finalists will learn in mid-March whether they will be named National Merit Scholars.
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Boettcher Scholar Semi-Finalist
GWHS has learned of an additional Boettcher Scholar Semi-Finalist: Maia Wang! The Boettcher Scholar Program provides highly qualified students with full scholarships to attend in-state, four-year higher education institutions to encourage them to stay in Colorado so they can positively impact their communities.
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AVID Students Climbing High
The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Class of 2023 has found inspiration from the book “The Adventure Gap,” by James Edward Mills. With their teacher, Narissa Stahl, they will be attempting to summit Mt. Bierstadt, a fourteener outside Georgetown, Colorado, on June 13. To make their outdoor adventure happen, AVID is seeking equipment donations, including hiking boots/shoes/socks, hiking and rain gear, and hydration packs. Students are also hoping to livestream much of their ascent on multiple platforms! If you are interested in donating equipment, please contact Ms. Stahl.
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Chess Players Outwit Competition
On January 22, Henry Dole, Jameson Daly and Ryan Zarezadeh Mehrizi displayed impressive strategy at the Dakota Ridge Chess Invitational, with Dole finishing fourth. Patriot skill was also showcased on February 19, when GW hosted its own Invitational! In the five-round Swiss-style tournament, Cameron Hukari, Ezra Caplan and Henry Dole finished first, second and third, respectively, and Gabri Notov finished in fifth place against chess rivals Regis and Smoky Hill.
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JROTC Highest-Ranked Battalion in DPS
On March 3, our JROTC 6th Battalion underwent their Program Accreditation, which happens every three years. The JPA has four components: in-ranks inspection, two marching demonstrations (platoon drill and color guard), CIP and SLP briefings, and Cadet Portfolio interviews. Cadets were evaluated by retired Army instructors and recruiters, and given the highest score in the district at 99.5 (Denver East was second with a 99.1)! Congratulations to our Gold Star JROTC program.
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Geometry in Construction Projects For Sale
Geometry in Construction, which is in its first year at GWHS, teaches a standards-based math curriculum while also introducing students to the practical application of mathematics in the principles of construction. Students in this two-period class spend half their time learning the math that underlies their woodshop projects, and the other half applying their learning through building projects. Students are reading plans, measuring and cutting with accuracy, and constructing products, including convertible picnic tables with benches and 4’x8′ playhouses! The picnic table sets and two playhouses are for sale, with the purchase price covering the cost of materials. Suggested donations are $200 for the picnic table sets, and $1000 for each of the playhouses (which are in the final stages of construction). Email Steve Bonansinga or Mike Hammond to make a purchase, and watch for more information about upcoming projects for sale!
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Patriot Singers Participate in DPS Choral Showcase
On February 24, the Patriot Singers performed at the DPS Choral Showcase. This was a non-competitive event where different schools sang for each other and a clinician. Jim Farrell was the clinician who worked with our Patriot Singers, and the positive feedback they received was exceptional!
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GW Speech and Debate Returns to In-Person Competition
After two years of competing online, GW Speech and Debate is finally returning to in-person tournaments. A handful of competitors ventured out to a tournament on February 12 at Strive Prep SMART. GWHS then finished out its online schedule with a strong showing over President’s Day weekend at the Harvard Invitational. GWHS also hosted the CHSAA Region 3 State Qualifying tournament February 25 and 26. For many of our freshmen and sophomores, this was their first experience with in-person competition.
Click HERE to see a list of our students who qualified to advance to the State tournament March 18 and 19 at Cherokee Trail High School!
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Ethnic Studies Class Creates Zero-Discrimination Day Projects
March 1 is designated as Zero Discrimination Day. To celebrate and support this day, the Ethnic Studies classes created cultural awareness projects to highlight different issues that are happening across multiple communities. Students not only researched issues occurring in society, but they also explored community supports, searched for allies, and investigated reliable sources of information. Students then made posters or digital flyers to spread awareness by placing them in the hallways at GWHS or on their social media platforms.
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