Coming back from Arts in the Park with my college student and his girlfriend, I was walking past a storefront when I noticed the signage advertising the Maggie Walker Senior Art Exhibition and its opening. It was a reminder of just how much is happening during this stretch of the school year and how many different ways our students are showcasing their talents.
For months, and in some cases more than a year, the seniors at Maggie Walker Governor’s School have been preparing for their final art presentation. In the Maggie Walker art program, Art 4 and 5 students focus on building a body of work through the development of a personal theme. Through critiques, gallery visits, and long hours in the studio, they have created an exhibition that reflects both their growth and creativity. This year’s show is titled Migration, with the work of 21 seniors exploring a wide range of ideas and perspectives.
This show is a testament to the hard work of these seniors and their commitment to the art program at Maggie Walker, and we hope the community will join us for the opening from 6 to 8 pm on May 8th at Artworks Gallery (320 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224). The exhibition runs through May 16th.
It feels like the perfect theme for this time of year. We are in the middle of AP testing, SOL testing, coursework planning, awards ceremonies, spring athletics, and now prom season. Every corner of the building seems to hold another milestone, celebration, or countdown toward what comes next.
High school is such a unique chapter because you can actually watch transformation happen in real time. Students who once walked in unsure of themselves are now preparing for college, careers, service, and whatever path comes next. There is excitement, nerves, confidence, nostalgia, and possibility all mixed together in these final weeks.
This week has also been a reminder of how fortunate we are as a school community. During Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, we were spoiled by the PTSA and the Foundation with breakfast bars, an “out of this world” lunch spread, ice cream treats, and the annual barbecue cookout. We also celebrated Nurse’s Day and National Lunch Hero Day, recognizing those who care for and support our students each day in ways both big and small.
We also had the chance to hear from last year’s Taylor Teaching Award winner, Dr. Christine Anderson, who shared with the staff. Thank you to the Foundation for making this award and so many meaningful opportunities possible for our staff and school community.
We still have another week of AP testing ahead, and then we move quickly into the final sprint of the year. Congratulations as well to Jeff Hall for being honored with the Taylor Teaching Award this year. We were fortunate to have both of Pat Taylor’s daughters present to help recognize the meaning and legacy of that award.
Right now, this season feels a lot like migration. There is movement everywhere you look. Students are growing, changing, and preparing to take flight. Like butterflies emerging and moving toward what is next, these final weeks remind us that change can be beautiful, exciting, and worth celebrating.
Go Dragons!
Warmly,
Kristin K. Janssen, Executive Director
Additional Announcements below:
Go MLWGS PTSA! Congratulations to Dr. Ben Pearson-Nelson and all the PTSA volunteers and partners. MLWGS will be recognized for… The 700 Membership Benchmark achievement! It is a goal few schools can achieve, with 192% growth compared to last year.
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Attention RPS Families! RPS is offering Health/PE 10 through Virtual Virginia in summer school. To register, you will need to complete this form- Virtual Virginia HPE 10-Summer 2026. Additional information can be found at- summer session handbook.
Summer Economics and Personal Finance Information
Summer Online Economics will take place June 3rd- June 26th
Summer Online Personal Finance will take place July 6th- July 27th
Families will receive an email from the Counseling Department by the end of the day on Friday, May 8th, if a student has been registered for a summer course. If you do not receive an email, but plan to take Economics or Personal Finance during the summer, please contact Ms. Cobb at [email protected].
AP Testing at MW, May 4-15. AP Exams will be mostly digital or hybrid this year. Exams with listening portions will use the same format as previous years.
Students should check their MyAP accounts before their testing dates to ensure all planned exams appear in their accounts.
Remember that afternoon exams run past the end of our school day, so please plan transportation and work schedules accordingly. See the AP Testing Schoology Group for additional details about what to bring and not bring to your exams and exact room locations once they are determined.
Family Reminders for AP Testing:
- Families and students should take a look at the AP schedule and make sure they know where and when to be: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KNVyZ9Xou4xBaA9aQBki7ArJ7pv7BMyy/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107178821893099947385&rtpof=true&sd=true
- AP Testers have been made members of the AP Testing Schoology group, where reminders are posted.
- Families should be aware that students must report to their testing rooms at 8:15 (riding buses that typically arrive by 8:30 is okay) and afternoon exams run past the end of the school day and bus departure. Families should arrange alternate transportation home. AP Exams must adhere to national start and end times, and students cannot start late or leave early, even if finished early.
- Students should bring a pencil with them (most exams are online, but scratch paper is provided in each exam), an approved calculator (if needed), a sweatshirt (temperatures can vary in testing rooms), and, if desired, a water bottle and snack for the break.
- Students who have two exams in one day may wish to pack a lunch as they will have approximately 20 minutes to eat between exams.
- For morning testers who wish to buy lunch, lunch will be held open until about 20 minutes after the exam releases. Students will get a 20-minute break before being required to report to class.
- Cell phones are not permitted in testing rooms and must be off and away in a backpack that will be stored in designated areas. Students may not wear/have smart watches or any other devices that can take pictures or access the internet. (A complete list of prohibited items is available in the AP Terms & Conditions, which is linked to the AP Testing Schoology group.)
- Students will test on school devices and, therefore, must have their College Board login credentials memorized to access the Bluebook App. Log-in credentials cannot be written down or stored in a phone. Only exams with listening components will be given in a paper format (these require a pen for the FRQ’s).
- Students with approved accommodations for a documented disability should have received an email from Ms. Joy Cobb with their exact testing location. If any student is scheduled for two extended time exams in one day, please reach out to Dr. Rachel Loving to have one moved to late testing.
- Although it is past the deadline for a refund, if any student decides not to test (i.e., seniors who have discovered they have maximized all possible transfer credit to their selected college) they must still complete the cancellation form so attendance can be adjusted: https://forms.gle/8zuUM4xZFCjw6K2a8.
- Absences on testing day require documentation to qualify for late testing.
Please reach out to Dr. Rachel Loving ([email protected]) with any questions.
Senior Showcase Invitation to all Senior Parents and Guardians:
On May 20, 2026, all senior students at Maggie Walker will be taking part in our Senior Showcase. This day is designed to allow all seniors to share presentations of research generated in their Senior Seminar classes or in their Mentorship. All students at MLWGS will be invited to register to attend sessions throughout the day. Parents and Guardians of Seniors are also invited to attend their student’s session on May 20. Please use the link below to see the schedule for the day. There is no need for Parents/Guardians to RSVP or register for sessions. We hope you are able to attend. More information will be coming regarding overflow parking in a future message.
Senior Showcase Schedule: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Hl6i9meg3gnw5TrLx0ZQKboBy5MmHIx/view?usp=sharing
On August 10-12, MLWGS counselors Dr. Rachel Loving and Ms. Kim Forquer will host a College Application Boot Camp for rising MLWGS seniors. Registration is now open, and spots are limited. Juniors can find links to both a SignUp Genius and OSP in the “College Information for the Class of 2027” Schoology group. (To reserve a spot, a student must select the morning or afternoon session on the SignUp Genius and pay the $75 fee via OSP no later than May 29th.)
It’s Prom time! Night at the Disco
The Junior/Senior Prom will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 7:00- 10:00 p.m. at the Hippodrome Theater, located at 528 N 2nd St., Richmond, VA 23219. This year’s theme is Night at the Disco.
Seniors are not charged admission, but each senior must pick up their complimentary ticket during ticket sales. If juniors or seniors plan to bring a guest from outside the MLWGS community, they must submit a guest form, which can be found on Schoology or can be picked up in Ms. Valenta Williams’ office in room 100. Only one guest per senior is permitted. Off-campus guest tickets are $35.
Tickets are on sale via OSP. The ticket window closes Thursday, May 14th, at midnight. Ticket pick up will be during lunch on Wednesday and Friday, May 13th and 15th. No tickets are sold at the door.
We recommend making dinner reservations early enough so students can arrive in time to enjoy the prom (this is particularly important if students plan to dine at a restaurant where meals typically take over an hour and a half).
If you have questions, please contact the Junior Class sponsor, Amy Maxey, at [email protected].
SOL Testing Information for Parents
The End-of-Year SOLs will be held during the last week of May. Students attending only their testing window must have a parent notify the school of their late arrival and/or grant permission for early dismissal. The tentative schedule is below, but students will receive the final schedule in May.
Schedule:
- Morning Block: 8:40 am – 11:30 am
- Afternoon Block: 12:30 pm – 3:10 pm
Test Schedule:
- May 26th – Biology (ALL 9th graders)
- May 27th – US History (select 10th graders) & Reading SOL (ALL 11th graders)
- May 28th – World History 2 (select 10th graders)
- May 29 th – SOL Makeups
Contact Kelly Ndayizigiye at [email protected] for any questions.
Senior Parents–Celebrate Your Dragon and Leave Your Mark @ MLWGS
The Governor’s School Foundation invites families of seniors and alumni to commemorate their time at Maggie Walker by purchasing a custom-engraved paver. These permanent tributes honor your student’s achievements while supporting the Foundation’s ongoing work.
Choose the location that’s most meaningful to you:
- Bluestone paver inside the school lobby
- Brick paver on Walker Plaza along Lombardy Street
Order Deadline: June 1, 2026 (All pavers will be engraved over the summer.)
- $1,000 — Bluestone Lobby Paver
Up to 6 lines, 13 characters (including spaces) per line - $500 — Exterior Brick Paver (Walker Plaza)
Up to 3 lines, 13 characters (including spaces) per line
Your purchase is more than a tribute—it’s a long-lasting investment in our beloved school. (All funds exceeding engraving costs are tax-deductible.)
Chesterfield student-athletes: VCU Health Sports Medicine will be hosting physicals for Chesterfield County Public High Schools in May. Below is a list of host sites and schools that can participate on each date. Check-in will begin at 3:30 pm. The cost of each physical is $20 and only cash will be accepted. All money collected will be donated back to Chesterfield County Public High Schools’ Sports Medicine budgets to help purchase new supplies for the upcoming sports seasons.
Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
Time: 3:30 pm-6:00 pm. Please arrive no later than 5:30 pm
Location: Clover Hill HS, 13301 Kelly Green Ln., Midlothian, VA 23112
Schools to Attend: Cosby
Cost: $20 cash only, NO checks will be accepted
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 3:30 pm-6:00 pm. Please arrive no later than 5:30 pm
Location: Meadowbrook HS, 4901 Cogbill Rd., N. Chesterfield, VA 23234
Schools to Attend: LC Bird, Carver
Cost: $20 cash only, NO checks will be accepted
Student/parent portions of the VHSL physical form must be completed in their entirety and signed by a parent/guardian. Incomplete/unsigned forms will not be accepted.
Please join us for the gala opening of the 2026 MLWGS Senior Art Exhibition: Migration at Artworks Gallery, Friday, May 8, from 6-8 PM.
The show, which is the capstone event of our visual arts program, will highlight the collected works of 21 Maggie Walker seniors including:
| Ananthu Anish | Maddie Bridges | Rachel Carlson | Elijah Chen |
| Lillian Davies | Amelia Downey | Sunjana Finn | Cypress Julien |
| Alex Le | Emma Lindsey | Stella McCormack | Demari Mitchell |
| Shreeya Patel | Ansley Plaisted | Sophia Runberg | Caitlyn Smith |
| Missy Stephenson | Miles Swenson | Lily Voorhees | Caroline Walton |
| Ella Wiatt |
Come meet these amazing young artists, faculty, and mingle with others in the Maggie Walker arts community. The exhibition is free and held at Artworks Gallery which is located at 320 Hull Street, RVA 23224 in the Manchester area of downtown Richmond. The exhibition will continue daily through May 16.
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Senior Graduation Ticket Distribution: Week of May 11th, at lunch
Anyone planning to attend the graduation must have a ticket to gain entrance to the Altria Theater. (These are tickets for admission to the graduation exercises and are not the announcements students may have ordered from Herff Jones). Each graduate will receive 12 tickets for the ceremony (the graduate does not need a ticket). If you need additional tickets, please first ask other senior families before contacting Ms. Sheppard. Don’t forget that we will be streaming the ceremony; more information is available below, along with the other graduation details. Tickets may be picked up from Ms. Sheppard in room 330.
Senior Class College Shirt Group Photo: Monday, May 11th 1:15 PM
We’re inviting all seniors to participate in College Decision Day by wearing a T-shirt (or sweatshirt) representing the college, university, community college, or military branch they plan to attend this fall.
Mr. White will be taking the picture on the Lombardy Street steps at 1:15 pm before the start of the Senior Awards Assembly.
This is one of MLWGS’s traditions for students to share their plans and celebrate their hard work! If your student is still finalizing their plans, they are welcome to wear a shirt representing any school or path they are considering.
ATHLETICS:
Any student participating in fall sports starting on August 3rd, please be sure your physical and paperwork are up to date and on file. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Hawkins at [email protected]. The paperwork is here if needed. https://mlwgs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VHSL-Forms-25.pdf
