Washington, DC – Washington Global Public Charter School (WGPCS) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a grand event at the residence of Her Excellency, Sonia Guzmán, the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United States, on Thursday, June 6, 2024. The gathering included leaders in education, business, and diplomacy for an evening of garden reception, wine tasting, engaging speeches, live music, an auction, and student presentations. Robin Phillips, a Singer, Actress, Producer, and Playwright, actively facilitated the evening, ensuring the event ran smoothly and engagingly.
The evening began with opening remarks from Ambassador Sonia Guzmán, who welcomed the guests. “Welcome to the official residence of the Dominican Republic here in Washington DC,” she said. “Thank you for coming; it is a pleasure to have you here. Today, we focus on the positive things… Education is still considered a fundamental element of production, as it allows us to eradicate many of a nation’s economic problems and serves as a regulatory instrument for social inequalities.”
Following Ambassador Guzmán’s address, a student from WGPCS took to the podium, expressing gratitude for the opportunities provided by the school. “My classmates and I have the opportunity to have a top-tier international education right here in the heart of Washington D.C.,” the student mentioned, praising the dedication of the school’s educators.
Furthermore, Elizabeth Torres, the CEO and Co-Founder of WGPCS, delivered a heartfelt speech. “This event is especially meaningful because it is our ten-year anniversary,” she remarked. “Our school is committed to introducing students to the world around them through unique cultural experiences. Our students, including Jayden, studied Spanish and Global Citizenship, and this past school year, an entire group of students studied in the Dominican Republic. This is why hosting our event at the Ambassador’s beautiful residence is so meaningful.”
Continuing, Torres acknowledged the support of various stakeholders. “Washington Global was founded ten years ago this month. Our goal was to fill the need for a high-quality middle school for all students in Washington D.C. regardless of what ward they reside in. Over a decade ago, we were all volunteers with no corporate backing or access to big funds. But our mighty group had the knowledge and vision to create a truly exceptional middle school. My team and I had deep knowledge of the communities we were serving and we listened to parents and students about what they wanted in a school.”
“Ensuring that our program is relevant and truly world-class. And we succeeded, winning numerous awards this past decade, including being named the number one middle school serving students from historically underserved areas of Washington D.C. And this past year, receiving the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue-Ribbon School Award,” she added. She has also extended gratitude to the Board of Trustees, the host committee, and the various supporters.
Following Torres’s address, Howard Mebane, Principal of WGPCS, opened his speech with: “It is my honor because this is something that I love to do… to make sure that they get an opportunity to welcome and be accepted by all community members.” Thereafter, he introduced Brooklyn, a top-performing 8th grader. “Brooklyn has earned numerous academic awards, demonstrating her hard work and perseverance,” he stated.
Brooklyn then shared her experiences, saying, “Washington Global has prepared me for success in the future and let me know that I am somebody…I know Washington Global has prepared me and given me the confidence to succeed. I hope that you enjoy learning about Washington Global.”
Reflecting on the achievements and plans of WGPCS, the celebration brought attention to the school’s progress since its founding in 2014. Washington Global has made significant strides in providing a high-quality, internationally-focused education to middle school students from all over Washington, DC. With its award-winning curriculum, the school continues to equip its students with the skills and knowledge essential for excelling in high school, college, and their future endeavors.
Rafael Javadov, Electric Acoustic Violinist performing at the event Credit: Diplomatic Watch
As the evening drew to a close, guests were invited to support Washington Global’s future projects, including the creation of an innovative media center. The generous pledges and donations received during the event will ensure that the school continues to thrive and positively impact the lives of its students.
