Patriot Post May 2023

Posted May 19, 2023

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From the Desk of Dr. Davis

Dear Patriot Family – 


It is hard to believe this wraps up my first year of service as principal. Time has gone so quickly!

We have had some amazing successes this year: athletic teams have excelled, seniors have accomplished so much, and our arts departments have given us musicals, art shows, and a state championship (that’s you, Speech and Debate)! We hosted Chauncey Billups when our gymnasium was renamed after him, and we celebrated with our excited students enjoying Prom (and an amazing After Prom party) just last weekend.

One year’s worth experience in no way means we’ve got everything figured out. My team and I are continually looking for ways to improve the GWHS experience. Our students and staff are remarkable, and they deserve our full, complete support. The summer will be an opportunity for rest, of course, but quieter times allow for deeper reflection. I’ll enjoy time with my family, pets and the golf course, but my team and I will also be thinking of ways to make next year even better.

Without a doubt, I feel truly a Patriot now! Please enjoy your summer, and here’s to a great 2023-2024 school year.

Dackri Davis, Ph.D.
Principal | George Washington High School

IB Learner Profile Trait: Caring

 

With each issue of the Patriot Post, we highlight an attribute from the International Baccalaureate (IB) 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 GWHS community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.

To be caring, we show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.

Speech and Debate – State Champions!

For the first time, CHSAA awarded an overall State title in Speech and Debate, and GWHS is very proud to be the first winner of this coveted award! In previous years, competitors vied for individual titles, but no school team was awarded a championship title. This year, similar to athletics, CHSAA broke the state of Colorado into three classifications for Speech and Debate: 3A, 4A, and 5A. Each division held their own state tournament. From Friday, March 17 through Saturday, March 18, GWHS participated in the 5A championship, and took home the top honors while advancing more competitors to elimination rounds than any other school at the tournament. Fifteen GWHS competitors placed in the top five of their events, and two won their own state titles: Ivan Levitt in Original Oratory and Meg Parent in Lincoln Douglas Debate.  

Twenty-five GWHS competitors will be attending the National Tournament in June in Phoenix, Arizona! 

Also, Coach Maryrose Kohan was featured on the DPS website during Teacher Appreciation Week – check out the video HERE.

Spring Sports Overview


Our Spring Sports season is coming to an end, with some impressive accomplishments to highlight! We currently have multiple student-athletes qualified for the State Track and Field meet to be hosted at Jeffco Stadium Thursday, May 18 through Saturday, May 20:
  • Madisyn Honeycutt (eighth in the 100-meter dash, fifth in the 200-meter dash)
  • Elizabeth Jenulis (tenth in the 800-meter run, eleventh in the 1600-meter run)
  • 4×100 meter relay, currently ranked ninth (Madisyn Honeycutt, Brittany Booker, Quiyara Williams, EmmaJo Locks; alternates: Eris Sanders, Michaela Harris)
  • 4×800 meter relay, currently ranked sixth (Tessa Olsen, Violet Eleson, Grace Farrell; alternates: Sophie Graham, Lillian Schorr-Ratzlaff)
  • Ryan Hajek (300m hurdles) 
  • Peter Neid (800m, 3200m)
  • De’Andre Fabre (long jump and triple jump) 

Ten boys from the GWHS Swim and Dive program have also qualified for the state Swim and Dive championships hosted by VMAC Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13:
 
  • Brody Smith (50 Free; 100 Fly)
  • Jacob Reimer (200 Free; 100 Breast)
  • Keegan Merson (200 IM; 500 Free)
  • Ben Walczak (200 Free; 500 Free)
  • Will Haby (200 Free; 500 Free)
  • Tanner Reed (200 Free; 100 Fly)
  • Edgardo Garcia-Escobar (200 IM; 100 Breast) 
  • Ashden Vicars (Dive)
  • Coleden Vicars (Dive)
  • Macland Taylor (Dive)

Girls Golf will compete at regionals as a team on Monday, May 22. Pending that outcome, GWHS anticipates having several student-athletes qualify for the State Championships!

Baseball had a strong start to the season, and will continue to battle at the plate through the regular season close on Tuesday, May 16. They are currently standing at 6-3 overall in League play!

Girls Soccer ended their season 5-2 in League play, and third overall! 

Our Girls Tennis team held their own Regionals, and our number one ranked singles player Leah Titkin is the 2023 4A Regional Champion. Leah competed at the State Championship Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13, placing third overall in the CHSAA 4A State Championship!

Remember to follow us on Instagram (@gwhsdenver) or Twitter (@gwhs_denver) for more athletic and academic content!
Senior Spotlight: Class of 2023 Highlights

GWHS is thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2023! From Ivy leaguers to hometown heroes, military scholars and student-athletes, our Patriots have big plans for their futures. Highlights include:
  • Students have earned over $11.2 Million (and counting!) in awarded scholarship funds over four years
  • One Jack Kent Cooke Scholar
  • One Coca-Cola Scholar Foundation Semi-Finalist
  • One Denver Foundation Scholar
  • One Denver Foundation/GW Scholar
  • One Greenhouse Scholar
  • One Hispanic Heritage Youth Award recipient
  • Three Sachs Foundation Scholars
  • Ten National Merit Finalists
Our Future Center supported the Class of 2023 by:
  • Helping over 68% of the Class submit financial aid applications (FAFSA or CAFSA)
  • Coordinating visits to GWHS with campus representatives from 73 colleges
  • Helping over one hundred first-generation college students submit college or university applications.
Join us in wishing all the best to our impressive Class of 2023!

JROTC Students Tour U.S. Air Force Academy


Select JROTC students traveled to the U.S. Air Force Academy on March 10. The tour included visiting places of interest like Arnold Hall, Cadet Field House, Falcon Athletics Center, a dining facility and cadet dorms. The students received a guided tour by two U.S Air Force Academy cadets and had the chance to visit the area where gliders are stored and repaired. This field trip allowed JROTC students to visit a military installation and learn more about the many opportunities available through the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
JROTC Raider Team Competes

Two JROTC Raider Teams excelled against 21 other Raider teams at a competition held at East High School on March 18. The female team placed second and earned individual medallions! The male team did well, too, finishing twelfth. Jaylynn Dodson also earned first place in the seated ball throw and third place in the standing power throw. The events at the competition included a 1.5 mile run, two minutes of pushups and sit-ups, standing power throw, standing broad jump, pull-ups/flexed arm hang, sled pull, seated ball throw and a cross-fit course. Well done, Patriot Raider Teams! Pictured from left to right are Master Sergeant Jacquelyn Peterson, Anna Johnson, Cole Ledges, Gregory Knutson, Gavin Weber, Jordan Sawyer, Zachary Lupo, Roxy Thaw and Jaylynn Dodson.
JROTC Students Participate in Service Learning Project

Our GWHS JROTC students planned and organized a service learning project with Denver Parks and Recreation. The JROTC students met staff members from Denver Parks and Recreation and created a plan to help beautify Garland Park in Denver by picking up trash and removing debris from the roadside ditches. The hard work and efforts of our JROTC students were greatly appreciated by the park staff, and helped to improve the appearance of the park and local neighborhood. Thank you, Patriot JROTC students, for a job well done!

Junior Alia Thorn Nominated for Bobby G Award


Congratulations to GWHS junior Alia Thorn for her Bobby G High School Musical Theater award nomination! Alia was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a supporting role for the GWHS musical production of “9 to 5.” The Bobby G awards ceremony is Thursday, May 18, and celebrates outstanding achievements in high school musical theatre throughout Colorado while offering a chance at recognition on the national scale. Good luck, Alia!

PMDs Lead Classmate Competition


Our PMDs (Patriots with Multiple Disabilities) led a friendly competition with AVID students and their peer-to-peer classmates. The students were placed in small groups and had to run/walk laps, build the tallest towers, and make posters, all while maintaining an engaging and enthusiastic dynamic within their group. Ruben Nicolas-Ortiz took the lead when he had his whole group start running laps, but quick on their heels was Jamie Barry-Nyemekye and her team. Ms. Stahl best summarized the event when she highlighted that “Motion changes emotion!” Everyone saw this firsthand when watching all the fun the students had!
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