From the Desk of Dr. Davis

Dear GWHS Community,

Too often, it is easy to get absorbed by the ebb and flow of each week, or stuck in an endless cycle of difficult news. We forget to recognize all the good that takes place within that ebb and flow and struggle.

For those who are newer members of our Patriot family, let me introduce you to our Patriot Post. We publish our Patriot Post three times a year (fall, winter and spring), as a celebration of all the amazing activities and accomplishments of our students. We have athletic feats, academic notoriety, artistic endeavors, and so much more, all worth taking a moment to mention because these are teenagers - yes, your student and their peers - who accomplished these things.

We truly hope you take the time to read through our highlights, and appreciate all our students are doing to make GWHS, and our community, a better, brighter place.

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season!

With Patriot Pride,

Dr. Dackri Davis

Principal | George Washington High School

IB Learner Profile Trait

With each issue of the Patriot Post, we highlight an attribute from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile. The Learner Profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. Each characteristic implies a commitment to help all members of the GWHS community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.

To be a risk-taker, we approach uncertainty with forethought and determination. We work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.

National Merit Semi-Finalist and Commended Students

GWHS is extremely proud to announce its National Merit Scholarship Program Semi-Finalist from the Class of 2025: Sonja Hammond-Smith (top photo, right)!

In addition to its National Merit Scholarship Program Semi-Finalist from the Class of 2025, we have nine Commended National Merit Scholarship Program students! Each year, about 34,000 students who scored in the top 2-4% of students who took the PSAT/NMSQT the previous October are selected as Commended students. Our Commended students are: Zed Hausman (top photo, left), Crosbie LaCasse (second photo, center), Mateo Pacheco (second photo, second from right), Nikhil Poddar (second photo, right), Cade Ramirez (bottom photo), Jack Santucci (third photo, left), Sophia Stambuk (second photo, second from left), Dante Terra (third photo, right) and Claire VanRemortel (second photo, left). 

Students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in October of their junior year (for information regarding this year's administration, please see above). The 16,000 National Merit Semi-Finalists are the highest-scoring students in each state, representing less than one percent of each state's high school seniors. 

Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalists

GWHS is extremely proud to be the ONLY high school in the state of Colorado with two Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalists! Out of over 107,000 applications nationwide, only 1,237 Class of 2026 students were selected as semifinalists after their academic achievements, outstanding leadership and community service were reviewed (that's an advancement rate of 1.12%!). Our semifinalists, Diego Holguin and Luella Schlosser, are now in phase two of writing essays and obtaining letters of recommendation. 250 Regional Finalists will be selected for interviews, and 150 will be named Coca-Cola Scholars, serving as guests of honor at a weekend banquet and leadership institute retreat in Atlanta, Georgia before receiving their $20,000 college scholarship award.

Fall Sports Recap

Our fall 2025 sports season was filled with championship performances, statewide recognition, and strong representation across all programs. Congratulations to all our Patriot athletes, coaches, and families for an incredible fall!

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

** Unified Program – National Unified Banner School Champion
** Brooke Hunter – Selected to represent Team Colorado at the Flag Football National Championships
** Jada McConnell-Ashe – Selected to represent Team Colorado at the Flag Football National Championships

REGIONAL AND LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

** Regional Champions - Boys Tennis
** League Champions - Boys Soccer

STATE AND DISTRICT AWARDS

Flag Football

** Brooke Hunter – First Team All-State
** Jada McConnell-Ashe – Second Team All-State

Softball

** Maggie Duffy – Selected for the 4A CCGS All-State Game

Boys Tennis

** Andrew Rettig – Second Team All-State

** Aaron Whiteley – Second Team All-State

CITY LEAGUE AWARDS

** Elias Garcia – City League Player of the Year, Boys Soccer
** Andrew Rettig – City League Player of the Year, Boys Tennis

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS AND INDIVIDUAL HONORS

Boys Golf

** League Finish: Fourth overall, Top 4A school
** Honorable Mention: Max Resnik, Soren Goldberg-Butler
** All-State Qualifiers: Max Resnik, Soren Goldberg-Butler

Softball

** Record: 6–16 | League: 4–10

** Honorable Mention: Jaidyn Garcia, Beya Burke-Romarine, Sofia Schultz

All-League:
** First Team: Maggie Duffy, Gracie Arellano
** Second Team: Amelia Nelson, Leilani Martin

All-State: 

** Honorable Mention: Maggie Duffy – Selected to the All-State Game

Flag Football

Record: 9–7 | League: 8–2

All-League:
** First Team: Brooke Hunter, Jada McConnell-Ashe

** Second Team: Kera Turner
** Honorable Mention: Michele Cain, Zoey Kelin, Eva Aldinger

All-State:
** First Team: Brooke Hunter
** Second Team: Jada McConnell-Ashe

Girls Volleyball

Record: 11–12 | League: 4–2 — Second Place in League

All-League:
** First Team: Hannah Kenda, Myles Shaw
** Second Team: Ariah Henry, Parker Holthus
** Honorable Mention: Kaleah Wallace, Hannah Nguyen, Cecilia Aragon

Football

Record: 2–8 | League: 0–5

All-League Honorees (7 Total):
** First Team: Isaiah Smith, Demetrius Wedgeworth
** Second Team: Jai’Dan Richardson, Jerald Davis
** Honorable Mentions: (additional honorees to be announced)

All-State: Pending
Lineman of the Year (City League): Jai’Dan Richardson

Boys Soccer

City League Coach of the Year: Head Coach Rodrigo Bello

Record: 9–7–1
League: 4–0 → League Champions

Accomplishments:
First playoff win in 10 years
Advanced to the State Quarterfinals

All-League Selections:

** First Team: Graeme Elson, Elias Garcia, Blu Novak
** Second Team: Aaiden Aguilar-Lemus, Rylan Collver, Humberto Hernandez, Justin Orellana-Avalos
** Honorable Mention: Mason Menshenfriend, Juan Venagas-Vergara, Brander Pulido-Raga

Player of the Year: Elias Garcia

Unified Bowling

League Finish: Third place
All-League First Team: Fredrick Boeing, John Noel-Thornton
Regional and All-State recognitions to be announced

Cross Country

Completed five invitationals and two championship meets

League Results:
** Varsity Boys:  Seventh overall (Second among 4A schools)
** Varsity Girls:  Seventh overall (Second among 4A schools)
** All-League: Josiah Taylor

Boys Tennis

Regional Champions

City League Awards:
First Team All-City:  Sam Eikenberry (2 Singles), Andrew Rettig (1 Singles)

All-State:
Second Team – Aaron Whiteley
Second Team – Andrew Rettig (1 Singles)

City League Player of the Year:  Andrew Rettig
Third consecutive GWHS winner, joining Bryce Dilworth (Class of 2024) and Travis Nguyen (Class of 2025)

Athlete of the Month:  Matt Holliger

Thank you to our athletes, coaches, families, and fans for an unforgettable fall season. The Patriots continue to show heart, dedication, and excellence across every program.

On to the winter season—Go Patriots!

GWHS Named as a Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School

We are beyond excited to announce that the GWHS Unified Program has been named a Special Olympics National Banner Unified School. GWHS is one of only two new schools in Colorado to receive this honor, joining three other amazing schools whose status was renewed this year. GWHS will join twenty-two other schools in Colorado to receive this prestigious recognition.

A National Banner Unified Champion School is a school that has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusion by meeting ten national standards of excellence in the areas of Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. Schools must re-apply every four years and continue to demonstrate the ten National Standards to keep their National Banner status.

GWHS has embodied these ten standards over multiple years, demonstrating sustainability of the Unified Program. GWHS exemplifies commitment to creating acceptance and respect for all students, and building a more inclusive world. GWHS will host a school wide celebration in the coming weeks to celebrate this National Recognition!

Our Community Celebration!

Friday, November 20 was a day of celebration for GWHS! Steve Finesilver, our beloved former coach and P.E. teacher, helped to organize an event designed to recognize everyone in our community and beyond. Long-serving current and former staff members received certificates and watches for their service, including Gina Love, Laurie Buchanan, Sgt. Jacqueline Peterson, Alma Rodriguez, Thad Hildner, Suzi Stein-Shevell and Fred Harris. Coaches Shenae McKelvin, Taryn Jones and Phil and Ken Lemos were recognized for their outstanding contributions to student success. Community members Asia Goens, Jaime Velez-Gerardo and Janylah Arterberry were celebrated for overcoming hardships and serving as inspiration. We had a mariachi band and drumline perform, and even salsa lessons, then Coach Finesilver closed out the event with a head shave for charity! 

National Honor Society Newsletter

Our GWHS chapter of National Honor Society has been busy with academics and giving back to the community! Check out our NHS Patriot Newsletter issue from September.

GWHS Model UN Club

Our Model UN club is set to host GWHS's inaugural event Saturday, February 21! This event will bring students from all across Colorado and Wyoming to our school to compete, collaborate, and defuse international tensions. Our club does not have any set time commitments or requirements to join, so all are welcome to join no matter the circumstance. We meet Thursdays during lunch in Mr. Parker's room (133) to discuss upcoming events, practice coalition building, and pour over the copious amounts of international events happening daily.   

The Patriot Players Battle Big Brother in "1984"

The Patriot Players brought the house down with a powerful theatrical run of the dystopian classic "1984." Student directors Alison Pellet and Ava Stout worked fearlessly to create a terrifying world of government tyranny, fear and control, and our actors were riveting in physically and psychologically demanding roles. We filled the seats with captivated audiences and the feedback was tremendously positive. Our cast and crew, including all of our techies, produced a truly professional and meaningful work of theatre. Next up: "Urinetown, the Musical"!   

Patriot Esports Make State Finals Again!

Patriot Esports is through to the finals for Smash once again, taking on their fierce rivals, Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins. Patriot Esports is ranked #1 in the state out of 180 teams, and they remain unbeaten in all competitions since last spring — over 40 matches!

Please join us in congratulating Gael Saldana Roa, Taveon Williams, Trenton Williams and Lucas Newlove on another fantastic season! Best of luck in the finals!

JROTC Helps Denver International Airport TSA Workers

On Friday, October 24, GWHS JROTC members spent the day at Denver International Airport for a powerful service learning project that made a meaningful impact on the community. Over the course of six hours, cadets provided 1,200 meals to DIA employees working without pay, distributed 1,200 American flags to TSA workers as a gesture of appreciation, and helped raise more than $5,000 to fund gift cards for airport staff in need. Their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to service showcased the true spirit of leadership and support within our JROTC program.

Green Valley Ranch Reserve Veterans Event

On Tuesday, November 11, cadets represented our JROTC program with pride at the Green Valley Ranch Reserve Veterans Event in Aurora. From 2:00 to 6:20pm, cadets Anthony Gonzalez, Jessica Walters, Sonja Hammond-Smith, Nathan Lupo, William Breault, Joaquin Hernandez, Kingston Goos, Kent Pelham, Albert Miranda and Taliha Moulayianis honored local veterans through a series of meaningful service activities. They performed a formal flag-folding ceremony, presented the colors with precision, and connected with veterans through a lively trivia session. Their professionalism and respect highlighted the significance of Veterans Day and our cadets’ commitment to honoring those who have served.

JROTC at the Veterans Day Parade

On Saturday, November 8, fifty-three cadets proudly represented our battalion at the Greater Denver Area Veterans Parade in Denver City Park. From early morning until early afternoon, cadets joined forces with all ten other battalions to present the 13 Colonial Flags in a powerful display of unity and respect. Led by C/LTC Jordan Sawyer and our distinguished color guard under C/CSM Anthony Gonzalez, the cadets marched five miles through the city to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. Their dedication, discipline, and teamwork made this year’s parade a standout tribute to those who have served our country.

GWHS Thrives at DECA Districts

On Wednesday, November 19, GWHS DECA brought 70 students to the District 3 competition. At this competition, students competed against over 700 students for their shot at making the State Conference at the end of February at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Students competed in various individual and team role play events, including:

Principal Events: Principles of Business Management and Administration (PBM), Principles of Entrepreneurship (PEN), Principles of Finance (PFN), Principles of Hospitality and Tourism (PHT) and Principles of Marketing (PMK)

Individual Events: Accounting Applications (ACT), Apparel and Accessories Marketing (AAM), Automotive Services Marketing (ASM), Business Finance (BFS), Business, Services Marketing (BSM) and Entrepreneurship Series (ENT)

Team Events:
Business Law and Ethics (BLTDM), Buying and Merchandising (BTDM), Entrepreneurship (ETDM), Financial Services (FTDM), Hospitality Services (HTDM), Marketing Management (MTDM), Sports and Entertainment Marketing (STDM) and Travel and Tourism Marketing (TTDM)

GWHS had the highest percentage of students qualify for the State Competition at Districts, and the most in GWHS history, with 25 members advancing to the State Competition! The following students will be representing GWHS at the State Competition in February:

Addy Melton and Roxy Thaw
Max Resnik and Andrew Rettig
Aiden Gillard and Blu Novak
Claire VanRemortel and Crosbie LaCasse
Mira Stambuk and Sofia Stambuk
Luke Fountain
Isaac Forstot
Sumaya Mawlid
Katelyn Kelin
Abby Wenig
Nadav Yaakobi
Teagan Lehrer
Brenton Burness
Dante Terra
Mateo Fleischer
Micah Dion
Ben Troy
London Canady
Nico Franco
Yoale Amanuel

Please reach out to Mr. Barotz in room 320 if you are interested in joining DECA!

GWHS Speech and Debate Highlights

GWHS Speech and Debate had a busy fall. Novices got used to competing with the October Novice Season. It was super fun watching the new competitors gain confidence and become part of our community. A small group of older students traveled to a tournament in New York City in mid-October. The whole team was back in action on Saturday, November 1 with the start of the local Varsity season. The team won the Sweepstakes Award at the Mile HIgh Tournament hosted by East High School on Saturday, November 15. Thanksgiving break started with 20 competitors attending a tournament in Chicago, and the semester will finish off with the annual trek to Cheyenne for the Holiday Classic Tournament. 

Please watch for "Patriot Post - Winter Edition," coming in February/March 2026!