From the Desk of Dr. Davis

Dear GWHS Community,

Coloradoans are wondering: did we even HAVE a winter? The season was uncharacteristically warm and dry. Despite this strange winter season, things were all aligned as usual at GWHS: our nationally-ranked Speech and Debate team won the 5A CHSAA State Championship again, and our 6A boys and 5A girls basketball teams made impressive appearances at the State Championship playoffs (with our boys putting up an amazing performance in the Elite Eight).

So much more is happening at GWHS, too! We were all treated to a performance of "Urinetown," the spring musical, and we celebrated top performances by our students involved in DECA.

With spring break just days away, we want to remind you how important it is for our students to end their school year with perseverance and dedication. We have mandatory assessment days on the horizon:

** Wednesday, April 8: CMAS Science for all grade 11 students

** Monday, April 13: SAT for all grade 11 students (no school for grade 9, 10 or 12 students)

** Tuesday, April 14: PSAT 9 for all grade 9 students and PSAT 10 for all grade 10 students (no school for grade 11 or 12 students) 

We firmly believe in our students' ability to demonstrate their learning, and we look forward to seeing them all on their mandatory assessment day. We also have amazing special surprises planned for testing days!

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 caring, we show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.

National Merit Finalist and Commended Students

GWHS is extremely proud to announce its National Merit Scholarship Program 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 Regional Finalists

GWHS is extremely proud to be the ONLY high school in the state of Colorado with two Coca-Cola Scholar Regional Finalists! 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%!). After phase two of writing essays and obtaining letters of recommendation, our students, Diego Holguin and Luella Schlosser, joined 250 Regional Finalists.

Not only were they the only two students in DPS to make it to the Regional Finalist round, but our students were two of only five total students in all of Colorado to make it this far out of over 107,000 applicants across the country. Reaching the Regional Finalist level in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program distinguishes Lulu and Diego as extraordinary and accomplished students and leaders and is an outstanding accomplishment worthy of celebration! 

Two GWHS Seniors Named DPS Retired Employees' Association Foundation Scholarship Recipients

For the second year in a row, GWHS has had two students awarded the prestigious DPS Retired Employees' Scholarship. Only eleven total students across all of Denver Public Schools are awarded this scholarship each year, so we are very proud to see two GWHS Patriots among the winners again. Congratulations to Lulu Schlosser and Cade Ramirez on this outstanding achievement. Recipients will receive a $10,000 annual scholarship, renewable for an additional three years for a total of $40,000. This scholarship is awarded to students for outstanding academics, leadership, and school and community involvement. 

Winter Sports Recap

This winter season was filled with outstanding performances, championship-level competition, and well-deserved recognition for our student-athletes and coaches. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance demonstrated across all of our programs. Below are some of the highlights from an exceptional winter season for the Patriots.

Unified Sports

2026 GWHS Unified Team: Recognized as a National Banner School for Unified Sports, an incredible honor that reflects our commitment to inclusion, teamwork, and community. See our team in the first photo, below!

District Recognition

2026 DPS Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year: Laura Ault. See Laura accepting her award in the second photo, below!

Boys Basketball

* Overall Record: 17–9

* League Record: 6–4

Season Highlights:

* Advanced to the Great Eight in the state playoffs

* Finished second in the City League Tournament

* Ranked seventh in the state

All-League Selections:

* First Team: Jordan Dotson, Tre Borne

* Second Team: Jeremiah Trimm

* Honorable Mention: Kris Redwine, Jack Young, Ke’Von Taylor

Girls Basketball

* Overall Record: 18–7

* League Record: 10–0

Season Highlights:

* City League Champions

* Advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the state playoffs

* Ranked fourteenth in the state

All-League Honors:

* Coach of the Year: Khari Wallace

* Player of the Year: Brittany Booker

* First Team: Brittany Booker, Madisyn Honeycutt, Jordan LaGasse

* Second Team: Michele Cain, Nala Jordan

* Honorable Mention: Addysen Melton

Boys and Girls Wrestling

Team Results:

* Girls Wrestling finished ninth overall in league standings

* Boys Wrestling finished eleventh overall in league standings

State Qualifier: Demetrius Wedgeworth

All-League Selections:

Girls – First Team: Katelyn Klinowski, Stella Harmon, Elisabeth Neloumgaye, Amara LeGrone

Boys – First Team: Demetrius Wedgeworth, Elijah Crowley, Joaquin Hernandez

Girls Swim and Dive

The Girls Swim and Dive team had a strong and competitive season, showcasing depth and determination throughout the year.

Team Result:

* Third Place – 2026 City League Championship

State Qualifiers: Greta Bellamy, Evelyn Merson, Leah Proctor, Ema Perak, Maya Stone, Audrey Sly, Sophie Walczak

All-State Honors:

Second Team: Maya Stone (100 Breaststroke)

Honorable Mention: Ema Perak (100 Breaststroke), Sophie Walczak (100 Breaststroke)

The Patriot Players Make a Splash in "Urinetown: The Musical" (Not the Place)

The Patriot Players spring show, "Urinetown: The Musical," ran down the leg of the Nancy Priest auditorium from Thursday, March 19 through Saturday, March 21, and it proved a royal flush of song and satire. Ok, no more toilet talk. The show, directed by teacher Nacho Nason and student Hannah Sills-Feerst, wowed the audience and told the story of a world in which everyone has to pay a corrupt corporation to use the bathroom or face dire consequences. This dystopian comedy, leaning more heavily on the comedy, but not without its significant social themes, featured an amazing cast including talented seniors Adin Kobrin-Brody (Bobby Strong), Alison Pellet (Hope Cladwell), Mateo Pacheco (Caldwell B. Cladwell), Cora Wetherby (Penelope Pennywise), Syd West (Officer Lockstock) and Eva Perak (Little Sally). The ensemble of twenty-one additional students carried the show with comical performances and electrifying dance.

Meanwhile backstage, a tireless crew of more than twenty-five students ran lights, sound, costumes, props and sets to make the production come alive. Led by Nathan Lupo (Stage Manager), and rounded out by Brenton Burness (Sound), Nolani Frazier-Ingram (Lights), Ella Wise (Props) and Savannah Cooper (Run-Crew and Set), the tech crew added an array of creative components to complement the storytelling-  even dropping a full-sized dummy from the rafters to simulate the death of one the main characters.

Greg Cooke conducted an orchestra of pros, including contributions from student Micah Dion (Keyboard) and Mr. Cooke’s 13 year-old son Elliot (percussion).

Audiences were unanimously impressed with the quality of the music, and the hilarity of the performances, and agreed this show was a privilege to see. No doubt, everyone gave a “number one” performance.   

GWHS Receives Grant for New Golf Equipment

The girls and boys golf teams - and the whole GWHS community - will soon be using brand new equipment thanks to support from Drive Fore the Future, a nonprofit started by golf journalist Ryan French and former professional Chris Gallagher. Coach Soisson applied for the grant in early March, and was approved for five sets of Callaway Strata clubs, new shoes for each golfer on the team, and twenty-four dozen balls. We will use this equipment to increase access to anyone who wants to learn about the game of golf. Please join us in thanking Drive Fore the Future for their incredible generosity!

An Update from GWHS Model UN

The GWHS Model UN club is winding down another fun and productive year and is eagerly looking forward to next year! They have one more conference slotted for this school year, where members will either engage in diplomatic efforts to end the Sudan Civil War or will revisit the Japanese surrender at the end of WWII. Model UN team members are gearing up for a committed and engaged club next year. Any students interested in hearing about, learning about, or joining GWHS's Model UN should definitely stop by room 133 to chat with Mr. Parker. Remember, there is no time commitment to be a part of the club. If you want to participate in one, two, or all events, you can!

GWHS Succeeds in DPS Model UN in Spanish

This year was our first time having GWHS participate in the Fifth DPS Model UN in Spanish. Our wonderful group of students competed on Saturday, March 21 at Denver North HS, representing our school with two delegations:

Guatemala: Eva Aldinger, Janelis Ruiz and Stiven Gonzalez
Japan: Katherine Peasley, Gael Saldana and Finn Graham

All delegates did an incredible job representing their delegations. The Guatemalan delegation brought home the Best Vocabulary award, and our senior Gael Saldana earned his Model UN recognition cord for graduation. Huge shout out to both delegations for their hard work!

Patriots Excel at State DECA Competition

GWHS DECA had an amazing showing at the Colorado State Tournament, with over twenty students representing GWHS. Nine students qualified for Nationals.

Claire VanRemortel and Crosbie LaCasse ARE STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

Crosbie LaCasse and Claire VanRemortel: First Place Marketing Team Decision Making 
Diego Holguin and Sophia Stambuck: Second Place Marketing Team Decision Making
Nico Franco: Sixth place Principles of Finance 
Yoale Amanuel: Third Place Principles of Finance 
Nadav Yaakobi: Third Place Principles of Marketing
Aiden Gillard and Blu Novak: Seventh Place Financial Service team decision making

Please join us in congratulating these incredible competitiors. They worked hard this year and put in a lot of time to prepare.

GWHS Speech and Debate Claims 5A State Title

On Saturday, March 7 GWHS Speech and Debate were crowned the CHSAA 5A State Champions. This title came from the combined number of rounds all fifty-four of our competitors accrued in the two days of competition. Individual championships went to Kat Walsh and Graeme Elson in Duo Interpretation, Naomi Nicholson in Program of Oral Interpretation, and in a four-way close out at the semi-final level, Yoale Amanuel and Cade Ramirez, Kamila Jenkins and Ingrid Zuniga-Boyle, Gabi Sanchez-Heller and Reese Fleisher, and Olson Batchelor and Coltrane Weaver in Policy Debate.   

The next two weekends, GWHS qualified sixteen competitors to the National Tournament which will take place in June in Richmond, Virginia. GWHS SD's 2026 National Qualifiers include:

Adin Kobrin-Brody and Mateo Pacheco in Duo interpretation, Gabi Fox in Humorous Interpretation, Riyan Smith in Original Oratory, Annalisa Smith in US Extemporaneous Speaking, Cade Ramirez and Yoale Amanuel in Policy Debate, Kamila Jenkins and Ingrid Zuniga-Boyle in Policy Debate, Penelope Stewart and Ava Stout in Public Forum Debate, Sophia Stambuk in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Charlotte Hunter in Congressional Debate, Hudson Weyls in Congressional Debate and Maggie Duffy and Diego Holguin in World Schools Debate. 

Please watch for "Patriot Post - Spring Edition," coming in May 2026!