The MLWGS Foundation Fellows Program has started its second year, and we’re excited to welcome a new cohort of student leaders!
Launched last year, the Fellows program gives students an opportunity to connect classroom learning with civic engagement, public education advocacy, and real-world community leadership. In their inaugural year, the Fellows helped bring student voices to the forefront, including organizing the Legislators Forum on Education and Civic Participation, which brought 8 Virginia legislators to Maggie Walker for a student-centered conversation about education and civic engagement.
As we introduce this year’s Fellows, we’ve invited each student to share a more personal side of their Maggie Walker experience by reminiscing about one of their favorite Foundation memories. We look forward to sharing their stories—and seeing what this new group of Fellows will accomplish in the year ahead.
Tayyib Ali ‘26
One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had at MLWGS has been going to after-school quiz bowl practices. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of answering a question on something you learned in class that day or conversations with teammates about random geography facts that might come up at a tournament. The quiz bowl room exhibits the curious and inquisitive nature that is evident at Maggie Walker, for which I am so grateful.
Hadley Walder ‘26
One memorable experience from my time at Maggie Walker is when I went on the school trip to Belize with EF tours. We got to experience so many new cultures, learn about the history of the country, and enjoy all of the fun activities they had planned for us! I made so many amazing memories with the other students on the trip and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to explore Belize!
Chris Qian ‘26
One of my fondest memories from Maggie Walker was actually from my first day during freshman year. While walking around the school looking for a place to eat lunch, a group of upperclassmen invited me to have lunch with them. Though it was a small moment, it left me with a deeper appreciation for the inclusivity and community that the school strives to foster.
Anoushka Anand ‘26
As a school that brings together students from 14 districts, MLWGS provides a unique environment in which people who may have never otherwise crossed paths can consider themselves friends. My time with the One Small Step program reflects this experience as it brings together individuals from differing political beliefs in order to foster a more inclusive environment at MLWGS. This energy is what makes me so excited to be a Dragon!
Amy Sun ‘26
One unforgettable part of being at Maggie Walker has been going to Senior Regional Orchestra with many of my friends in the school orchestra and Mrs. Barnes, our orchestra director. From rehearsing different pieces for hours to eating mozzarella sticks at Chili’s or playing card games in the hotel, I had so much fun being part of the orchestra!
In addition to assisting with Foundation events, thanking donors for their support, and serving as ambassadors for the Foundation with our current Dragons, this year’s Fellows will be choosing a signature project of their own to promote and support MLWGS through the Foundation. Stay tuned for information about how they choose to give back to the school that has given them so much!