(Above: Rasheeda Creighton ’95 gives the Commencement address to the Class of 2021).

 

Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School (MLWGS) has defined what excellence looks like in secondary education. 

From its founding in 1991, the Governor’s School has built a reputation as one of the nation’s top public high schools, a place where the region’s most motivated and gifted students immerse themselves in a rigorous curriculum while embracing what’s now commonly known as the 4 pillars of the Walker Way: creativity, collaboration, compassion and courage. 

That legacy has flourished in large part because of the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School Foundation, which has been committed to providing the “margin of excellence” that transforms classroom learning into something extraordinary. For the 2024–25 academic year, the Foundation committed its largest annual support yet: $239,00—nearly $60,000 more than just two years ago—and provided 67 enhancement grants for MLWGS teachers and students.

These dollars ensure that every student, regardless of their family’s financial situation, can take advantage of the experiences and opportunities MLWGS offers and  fund the “extras” that make Maggie Walker unique: international travel, dual-enrollment courses, guest artists, fieldwork, teacher and staff professional development, support for academic clubs and teams, unique classroom tools and equipment and so much more. Without them, as administrators often say, the school still could function as a high school, but it could not deliver the transformational opportunities that distinguish it from other schools.

“Our students (and alumni) are doing amazing things—and the Foundation’s support helps to make that all possible,” said Ginger O’Neil, Foundation Executive Director.

Here’s a look back of the Foundation’s impact, as captured in the latest Annual Report,  in the past year:

Providing the Margin of Excellence

From underwriting student travel to eight U.S. cities and four foreign countries to paying for professional memberships, books and even yearbooks and prom tickets, the Foundation ensures that no student is left behind and every teacher can continue to grow. Last year alone, Foundation funds allowed students to visit the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre in  Oklahoma, explore cultural norms in Morocco, travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in “We the People,” and carve wood alongside visiting artists. 

Supporting Teacher Development and Gifted Endorsements

One hallmark of Maggie Walker’s teaching excellence is that every faculty member earns their gifted education endorsement within four years of joining the faculty. The Foundation relieves the financial burden by providing up to $1,000 annually per teacher for courses and materials. Last year, 17 teachers received more than $14,000 in support for courses that covered topics ranging from innovative strategies for teaching gifted learners to supporting gifted students’ unique social and emotional needs.

“Earning a gifted endorsement helps teachers better understand and support our unique learners,” said Max Smith, MLWGS associate director. “It ensures we’re all equipped to help them thrive.”

Using the Foundation’s 2025 Patricia E. Taylor Teaching Award for International Experiences, social studies teacher Christine Anderson traveled to France to explore the intersections of gender, politics and national identity – work that she said underscores “why identity matters and why it needs to be a lens used to study history and politics.” She plans to incorporate trip insights into her Gender, Politics and Consumerism in a Global Context class as well as share insights with her colleagues. 

 

Academic Competitions: Brains in the Game

At Maggie Walker, competition season isn’t only about athletics: It’s about academics. Teams in fields ranging from Model UN to Quiz Bowl, We the People, Japanese language and even baseball analytics took center stage this year, many traveling cross-country with Foundation support.

  • Model UN (GSMUN XXVII) hosted more than 500 delegates from across the state, The team also participated in VAMUN at UVA, garnering many awards and accolades, including several best delegate awards
  • Quiz Bowl finished as state runners-up and was invited to two national competitions,.
  • We the People won the state competition and added a seventh-place national finish to its five national titles.
  • Japan Bowl teams competed at Johns Hopkins University, tackling topics from haiku to the Osaka World Expo.
  • Sabermetrics teams, the only high schoolers in a mostly college field, once again impressed at the SABR Diamond Dollars Case Competition in Phoenix.

“These opportunities empower MLWGS students with independence and responsibility,” said Sonia Chornodolsky ‘25, who served as GSMUN Secretary-General. “They are truly the heart of the Maggie Walker experience.”

Connecting Parents Across the Region

Because the school draws students from across Central Virginia, parents often start their journey without a built-in network. The Foundation fills that gap with signature events – including the New Parent Welcome and Senior Parent Sendoff – where families can build lasting relationships, share advice and connect across county lines.

“Parent activities not only foster a sense of community but give parents a chance to talk about any issues or concerns,” said alum parent Anne Ewald. 

For Crystal Johnson of Goochland County, attending the Welcome event was a turning point: “I felt disconnected at first, but volunteering and attending Foundation events introduced me to other parents and made the transition so much easier.”

At the end of the journey, the Senior Parent Sendoff provides a meaningful closure. As parent Anikka Moore noted, “For those whose child will attend the same college as my son, sendoff wasn’t the end—we’ll continue down the road together.”

Senior Seminars and Mentorships

In their final year, students can dive into faculty-led Senior Seminars or partner one-on-one with mentors in a field of interest. This year’s courses spanned everything from Photojournalism in the Digital Age to Wilderness and the American Mind, where students read Thoreau, explored policy and conducted independent research on global production’s environmental toll. Foundation support allows Senior Seminars to go in depth by taking their learning outside the classroom, whether that best happen at a local park or across the globe.

The year culminates in the Senior Showcase, where students presented projects on topics as varied as sabermetrics, African American literature, urban planning and zoo ethics. Alumni often cite these experiences as defining moments, blending academic rigor with self-discovery. As senior Amelia Adcock ‘25 said of her seminar: “Having a teacher so knowledgeable on the subject and classmates equally interested in it has made the class a very worthwhile experience.”

Exploring Greek Tragedy through Art

Foundation support also fuels creativity in the classroom. In an English 9 unit on Oedipus Rex, students worked with teacher Kayleigh Conner to design, sculpt and paint masks that captured their characters’ personalities and struggles. Each student paired the mask with a written rationale linking artistic design to literary analysis. With Foundation-provided art supplies, this project gave students a hands-on way to step into the world of ancient drama.

Sneaker Ball: Night of the Dragon

The Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser – Night of the Dragon – got a stylish twist this year with the theme “Sneaker Ball.” Parents, faculty, alumni and friends swapped formal shoes for sneakers in a lively night of community celebration. Held at The Faison Center, the event raised more than $80,000, with highlights including a spirited auction, student performances and a $15,000 paddle raise. Every dollar supports the enhancements that make Maggie Walker extraordinary.

Alumni Giving and Student Support

From funding enrichment activities for students whose families could not otherwise afford them, to stepping in within minutes to cover fees that nearly kept a senior from graduating, Erin Ortiz ’06, Maggie Walker’s school social worker, has seen firsthand how the Foundation changes lives. 

“We often talk about breaking down barriers to success, but support from the Foundation does more than that. It creates spaces where students feel safe, seen and supported,” said Ortiz, who also chairs the Alumni Advisory Board. “They tell our students: You are not alone. Someone believes in you.”

In her daily role, she sees how parent and alumni generosity transforms the Maggie Walker experience. For today’s Dragons, that support means leaving MLWGS not just smarter, but, as Ortiz puts it, “stronger too.”