Contributions from MLWGS Athletic Boosters Brings New Scoreboard and Plans for an Outdoor Concession Stand Are in the Works
by Alex Bergman and Grant Euen, Jabberwock Staff Reporters
Many at MLWGS have noticed the newest addition to the athletic department: the outdoor scoreboard.
Visible both from the athletic field and the eastbound lane of Richmond’s I-95/64 interchange, the new scoreboard is now fully functioning.
“We’ve been waiting eight years for this so it’s pretty exciting,” said MLWGS Co-Activities Director Ms. Paige Hawkins.
Construction on the scoreboard began near the end of last year and was finally completed during the second week of September.
Funding for the scoreboard was provided by MLWGS Athletic Boosters organization.
Recently, the controls used for changing the score were made portable by jerry-rigging a rechargeable car battery.
This invention allows scorekeepers to change the score without walking over to the board after every goal.
On another note, MLWGS Athletic Boosters are considering another improvement to the track, field, and tennis court complex.
MLWGS administrators and athletic booster board members hope to building a concession stand for use during sporting activities.
The snacks stand would be situated next to the track near the bottom of the stairs extending to the double gates.
“Currently it’s on a drawing board,” said Mr. Hunt, Director of MLWGS, “though there are plans sketched out.”
At the moment, the planned concession stand would possibly stand sell food and drinks in addition to selling also tickets to sporting events. It would also have restrooms for athletes and spectators and could be used for storage.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Fall Festival ’08, A Tribute to Mrs. Charity
From 3:30 until 8 o’clock tonight, hundreds will gather on the MLWGS front lawn for the annual Governor’s School fall celebration. More than 50 clubs will sell food, tee-shirts, and dessert. For some, however, this year’s festival will bring memories of a beloved MLWGS faculty member who passed away this summer.
Ms. Joyce Charity, MLWGS Regional School Board Clerk and Administrative Assistant, passed away in July. Ms. Charity’s hard-working attitude and steadfast dedication to MLWGS during her seven years of service will be forever fondly remembered. For everyone who was close to Ms. Charity, these first four weeks of school have been quite difficult. Ms. Charity’s beaming smile, her helpful spirit, and reassuring voice no longer greet visitors to the front office.
Ms. Joyce Charity, MLWGS Regional School Board Clerk and Administrative Assistant, passed away in July. Ms. Charity’s hard-working attitude and steadfast dedication to MLWGS during her seven years of service will be forever fondly remembered. For everyone who was close to Ms. Charity, these first four weeks of school have been quite difficult. Ms. Charity’s beaming smile, her helpful spirit, and reassuring voice no longer greet visitors to the front office.
At Fall Festival today, the Richmond Boy’s Choir will perform several songs in honor of Ms. Charity and Mr. Tharp will read a tribute on the stage at 6 pm. Additionally, MLWGS community members can stop by the Key Club booth. At this table, Key Club members will be accepting donations for the Richmond Boy’s Choir, an organization that Ms. Charity loved dearly.
MLWGS faculty members have also made a special donation to the Carter Brightwell Memorial Fund, an organization that tries to prevent child abuse. This donation is especially fitting, since Ms. Charity was a godmother to Carter Brightwell, a Richmond toddler who died last year after repeated incidents of abuse.
So today, as you enjoy the food, friendship, and fun, please remember to keep Ms. Charity and her family in her prayers.
83% Of the Freshman Class Turn Out to Elect Officers
Fifteen candidates ran for freshmen offices this year by hanging posters, making speeches, and giving out sweets.
About 83% of the freshmen class voted in the election, and Abbey O'Farrell and Catherine Miller won the office of co-presidents.
Eileen Wang won the office of secretary, Margaret Beirne won the office of treasurer, and Charles Fricke won the office of Historian.
After being asked if she was satisfied with the election results, Ms. Kerri Sheppard, Freshman Class Advisor, responded favorably.
"Very. I believe that the students have chosen a strong set of officers and we will get a lot done this year," said Ms. Sheppard.
MLWGS Seniors Recieve College Financing Help From "GRASP" Advisors
Some MLWGS seniors may experience confusion when thinking about college financing later this school year. Here to help is Ms. Paula Powell, representative from the Greater Richmond Area Scholarship Program (GRASP).
Ms. Powell is available for one-on-one meetings with students and parents alike to help them get on track financially.
"She helps people understand that college is for everyone, even if it does require loans," said Ms. Rachel Loving, senior counselor, describing what Ms. Powell does for students at the school.
GRASP does not directly provide money to students, but it does help them understand some of the more confusing aspects of college financing.
The school pays $1000 a year to have Ms. Powell and this is the second year that MLWGS has had representation from GRASP.
MLWGS Young Dems Campaign for Obama on Mondays
MLWGS’ Young Democrats have begun "Maggie Walker Mondays," a new program in which members of the club volunteer at the Obama Campaign’s Richmond headquarters on Marshall Street every Monday afternoon.
"We started going this summer," said co-President Courtney Stewart ('09), but the official launch date was the first Monday of the school year, September 8th.
Their work includes making phone calls, during which they poll people and ask if those polled are registered to vote.
It also includes canvassing the Richmond neighborhood, and "going around the VCU campus" to register students. The club is sponsored by Ms. McKay.
MLWGS Budget Remains the Same Amidst Economic Crisis Worries
The MLWGS budget is not expected to undergo any major changes as a result of the current economic crisis, said Mr. Phil Tharp, Assistant Director of Administration.
It is also unlikely that the districts will be cutting funds. "The school divisions have been very supportive of [MLWGS] in the past," said Mr. Tharp.
While utility rates have gone up significantly this past year, the budget has also experienced an increase, and a pre-existing contingency should take care of any extra costs.
Rising prices of gasoline and natural gas are not projected to have any negative effects on finances, either.
A finance committee meeting has been planned for Monday, October . The meeting will bring together representatives from all four of MLWGS larges supporting districts. No budget cuts are anticipated.
MLWGS Drama to Present "Much Ado About Nothing"
This year's production of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" is off to a fast start.
Students were able to audition on September 22 and 23.
"We had many students turn out last week," said Emma England ('09), student assistant director for the play," and we were able to fill all of the parts."
This year's play has 23 main parts, with 8 people performing musical ensembles as well. "We're planning on having a band of 20 to 30 costumed performers to accompany the play," England said.
When questioned about possible teacher roles in the play, England said that "Mr. Von Klein [MLWGS Band Director] may be playing with the band on stage, but there are no teachers on the casting list."
Girl Scout Goes for the Gold
by Karthik Ilakkuvan, Jabberwock Staff Reporter
Did you see 30 kids last week playing tennis on Maggie Walker’s tennis courts, and think to yourself … these kids don’t go to our school?
Well, you’d be right.
From September 22 – 27 from 4:00 – 5:45, Kameron Adams (’09) hosted a tennis camp for neighborhood kids and Carver Elementary students.
“Well, I gave a flier out to the PE teacher at Carver, and the kids who came to play were from the after school program, there,” Adams said.
Running the camp in order to get her Gold Award for Girl Scouts, Adams has been working on this project since June 30, which is when she got it approved by Girl Scouts.
“It’s actually not too hard to get a project approved,” Adams said. “You go to this interview, tell [the Girl Scouts committee] about the project, and they give you suggestions. Then, they okay it that day.”
So, the wheels were in motion. A short, three months later, after going to places, getting donations, getting volunteers together, finding the materials and resources, and meeting with Coach Kelly, project advisor and the MLWGS Boys’ tennis coach, about how to run the camp, Adams was ready to start camp.
Her many volunteers came from the MLWGS Boys’ and Girls’ tennis teams.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the tennis team, my mom, Kroger, or Dick’s Sporting Goods,” Adams said.
“Kroger donated all the snacks I had for the kids, and Dick’s donated all the prizes.”
The prizes were given out on the last day of camp, with certificates and all. Livestrong bands, books, and water bottles were among those given out.
“I was so impressed on Saturday,” Adams said. “Some of the kids who couldn’t hit the ball at all, at the end, they had to play a mini-point, and the improvement was just incredible. They had to hold the racket with two hands, but they could still hit the ball.”
During the clinic, Adams, Coach Kelly, and the numerous volunteers taught kids, ranging from four to 16 years old, the basic strokes – the forehand and the backhand. They also introduced the volley, along with explaining what the lines on the court meant and how to score points.
“Well, most of the kids had never picked up a tennis racket before, and this gave parents a way to send kids to learn the sport without charge,” Adams said. “And since I know tennis, I could pass my skills off. I’m really proud of them, especially the kids who had never picked up a racket before and now are making contact with the ball. Now, they’re not just sitting on the couch.”
Adams turned in her final report to Girl Scouts on Monday, so she should know whether she achieved her Gold Award in about four weeks.
“If I could do it again and I would have the time, I’d definitely make it longer,” Adams said. “So many kids were asking me, ‘Are we going to do this again next week?’”
Did you see 30 kids last week playing tennis on Maggie Walker’s tennis courts, and think to yourself … these kids don’t go to our school?
Well, you’d be right.
From September 22 – 27 from 4:00 – 5:45, Kameron Adams (’09) hosted a tennis camp for neighborhood kids and Carver Elementary students.
“Well, I gave a flier out to the PE teacher at Carver, and the kids who came to play were from the after school program, there,” Adams said.
Running the camp in order to get her Gold Award for Girl Scouts, Adams has been working on this project since June 30, which is when she got it approved by Girl Scouts.
“It’s actually not too hard to get a project approved,” Adams said. “You go to this interview, tell [the Girl Scouts committee] about the project, and they give you suggestions. Then, they okay it that day.”
So, the wheels were in motion. A short, three months later, after going to places, getting donations, getting volunteers together, finding the materials and resources, and meeting with Coach Kelly, project advisor and the MLWGS Boys’ tennis coach, about how to run the camp, Adams was ready to start camp.
Her many volunteers came from the MLWGS Boys’ and Girls’ tennis teams.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the tennis team, my mom, Kroger, or Dick’s Sporting Goods,” Adams said.
“Kroger donated all the snacks I had for the kids, and Dick’s donated all the prizes.”
The prizes were given out on the last day of camp, with certificates and all. Livestrong bands, books, and water bottles were among those given out.
“I was so impressed on Saturday,” Adams said. “Some of the kids who couldn’t hit the ball at all, at the end, they had to play a mini-point, and the improvement was just incredible. They had to hold the racket with two hands, but they could still hit the ball.”
During the clinic, Adams, Coach Kelly, and the numerous volunteers taught kids, ranging from four to 16 years old, the basic strokes – the forehand and the backhand. They also introduced the volley, along with explaining what the lines on the court meant and how to score points.
“Well, most of the kids had never picked up a tennis racket before, and this gave parents a way to send kids to learn the sport without charge,” Adams said. “And since I know tennis, I could pass my skills off. I’m really proud of them, especially the kids who had never picked up a racket before and now are making contact with the ball. Now, they’re not just sitting on the couch.”
Adams turned in her final report to Girl Scouts on Monday, so she should know whether she achieved her Gold Award in about four weeks.
“If I could do it again and I would have the time, I’d definitely make it longer,” Adams said. “So many kids were asking me, ‘Are we going to do this again next week?’”
One young participant of the tennis clinic tries her hand with a racquet. Photo courtesy of Kameron Adams.
MLWGS Senior Kameron Adams organized a tennis clinic for Richmond students from Carver Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Kameron Adams.
Fall Festival Favorites
Aya Kellam ('11): "I like being able to see the whole school come out and have fun."
Rachel Dobbs ('10): "I like the dunking bootha lot; but it would've been better if Senor Jenkins did it."
Hillary Hurd ('09): “I like being able to hang with people from other grades; it’s the only time I’m at school and not stressed.”
Ms. Sherri Arnold: “The food; anybody who knows me knows I am going to talk about food, everything else is enhanced by the food.”
Fall Festival 2008 - Today
More MLWGS club are participating in today’s Fall Festival than ever before.
From 3:30 until 8 pm , more than 50 student-run organizations will set up booths on the front lawn in hopes of successful fundraising.
This year’s festival may also draw a larger crowd than previous years, since the MLWGS field hockey team will play a home game at 4:30.
"I think the one problem with Fall Festival is I wish I could freeze it... there is so much going on," said Joan Yates, this year's festival coordinator.
ASL Club performs at Fall Festival 2007. Jabberwock File Photo.
From 3:30 until 8 pm , more than 50 student-run organizations will set up booths on the front lawn in hopes of successful fundraising.
This year’s festival may also draw a larger crowd than previous years, since the MLWGS field hockey team will play a home game at 4:30.
"I think the one problem with Fall Festival is I wish I could freeze it... there is so much going on," said Joan Yates, this year's festival coordinator.
ASL Club performs at Fall Festival 2007. Jabberwock File Photo.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)