Dear Maggie Walker Family,
As we close another school year, it feels important to pause and reflect on all this community has accomplished together. This year has been especially meaningful for me as I completed my first year as Executive Director. It has been an interesting and rewarding shift moving from a parent perspective to a school leader perspective, and it has only deepened my appreciation for the students, families, faculty, staff, and supporters who make Maggie Walker such a special place.
This year was filled with celebration, creativity, achievement, innovation, and connection. Our students continued to excel academically and competitively with a second-place national finish in We the People, outstanding performances in language assessments and mathematics and science competitions, state recognition in Quiz Bowl and Debate, and another successful year for our Mech Tech Dragons.
Across campus, students showcased their talents through Orchestra, Choir, Band, theater productions, talent shows, pep rallies, spirit days, and the Fall Festival in true MLWGS style. Student-written one-act plays brought everything from garden gnomes to Shakespearean twists to life on stage, while senior art students proudly displayed their work during the Art Works exhibition.
Our seminars and mentorship presentations once again highlighted the depth of student inquiry and passion across disciplines. From Jane Austen and Vikings to Sabermetrics and Political History, students demonstrated the curiosity and intellectual engagement that define the MLWGS experience. Programs such as GSMUN and MENA Club also continued providing meaningful opportunities for leadership, dialogue, and global learning.
Students also had opportunities to engage beyond the classroom in exciting and creative ways. Student-created films and media projects highlighted the talent within our community, and students had the opportunity to speak with a PBS film crew producing a series on Governor’s Schools in which MLWGS will be featured.
Athletics brought many moments of pride throughout the year as we celebrated Signing Day with three senior student-athletes continuing their running careers at the collegiate level and supported our fall, winter, and spring teams through another successful year of Dragon pride. Several spring athletic teams continue their postseason runs in pursuit of additional state titles, and we look forward to cheering them on through district and regional competition.
This year also marked important growth and planning for the future of MLWGS. We began implementing our one-to-one technology initiative with ninth-grade students while continuing to build upon and expand the MLWGS 101 experience to better support students during their transition into our community. We also strengthened outreach efforts through language fairs, middle school visits, partnerships with Carver Elementary, the Moore Street Project, Newtowne Tutoring, and other initiatives that continue building connections across the region.
Our faculty and staff also received well-deserved recognition this year. We celebrated Connie Hill as a REB Award winner, Jeff Hall as a Taylor Teaching Award recipient, and Sam Ulmschneider for achieving National Board Certification. These recognitions reflect the extraordinary educators and staff members who continue to inspire, challenge, and support our students while strengthening our school.
Our PTSA remained a tremendous source of support and encouragement for students, faculty, and staff throughout the year. From meals during demanding seasons to moments of joy and appreciation when they were needed most, their partnership continues to make a meaningful difference in our school community. Our Foundation also enriched student experiences through programs such as the Shamin Speaker Series, Night of the Dragon, and opportunities for students to engage with distinguished speakers, travel opportunities, coursework, delegates, alumni, and community leaders.
At the same time, we began important work developing the next Strategic Plan for Maggie Walker as we continue building upon the traditions, innovation, and excellence that define our school.
Commencement at the Altria Theater served as a fitting culmination to the year. We were honored to welcome Liza Mickens, the great-great-granddaughter of Maggie L. Walker, as our commencement speaker. Her presence was a meaningful reminder of the legacy, resilience, and leadership that continue to inspire our students and school community today.
As we celebrate this year, we also recognize those whose impact on Maggie Walker has been lasting and meaningful. We extend our deepest appreciation and congratulations to Dr. Tim Donahue, Mr. Mike Brown, and Mrs. Marianne Aronson as they begin their well-earned retirements. We also thank Ms. Paige Hawkins and Mr. Jim Holdren, who may now consider themselves honorary helpers as they step away from head coaching responsibilities while continuing to support our community in countless ways.
In addition, we wish Ms. Kelly Ndayizigiye, Ms. Jaelyn Szerkoman, Mr. Raleigh Browne, Ms. Mia Artz, and Mrs. Rana Khashroom the very best as they continue their professional and educational journeys. You are always welcome here, and we cannot wait to see what is in store for each of you.
I would also like to extend sincere appreciation to our School Board, participating division superintendents, Richmond City, planning committees, families, volunteers, faculty, staff, and community supporters. The success of Maggie Walker is built upon collaboration, service, generosity, and care that often happen quietly behind the scenes.
On behalf of our administrative team, Dr. Smith, Dr. Williams, and myself, along with all of our educators and staff, thank you for your continued partnership, support, and belief in our students and school community. We are grateful for all that you do to help make Maggie Walker such a special place.
As we reflect on this past year, Director’s Snapshots will pause for the summer and return in August as we begin another exciting school year together. I hope each of you finds time this summer to rest, recharge, spend time with loved ones, explore new opportunities, and enjoy moments that bring you joy.
To our graduates, congratulations as you begin your next chapter. You will always have a home at MLWGS, and we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish.
To our returning and rising Dragons, enjoy your summer, make memories, and get ready for another incredible year ahead. We look forward to welcoming you back in August.
With pride,
Kristin K. Janssen, Executive Director
Additional Announcements below:
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 the summer session handbook.
Summer Economics and Personal Finance Information
Summer Online Economics will take place from June 3rd to June 26th
Summer Online Personal Finance will take place from July 6th to 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].
College Boot Camp
On August 10-12, MLWGS counselors Dr. Rachel Loving and Ms. Kim Forquer will host a College ApplicationBoot 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.)
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.)
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
__________________________________________________________________________________________JUNIORS – RISING SENIORS – Vaccine Requirement
It is a public-school requirement that each student provide documentation of receiving at least 2 Meningococcal conjugate vaccines or 1 if given after the age of 16yrs PRIOR to starting 12th grade.
[Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine – Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered before entering 12th grade.
If no doses have been given, one that is given after age 16 is sufficient. ]
Please email the school nurse with a scanned copy of the vaccination record to [email protected] or send in hard copies to drop off at the clinic and it will be added to your student’s file.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Alisa Shapiro, RN at 804-354-6800 ext 1010, in August.
