Each year, the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s Achieve Gala brings our community together to celebrate the power of public education and invest in the success of Denver Public Schools students. The evening reflects what’s possible when students are supported, seen, and given opportunities to thrive – and at the heart of it are the voices of students themselves.
This year, we’re honored to have two exceptional student leaders from George Washington High School serving as emcees to kick off the evening. As student speakers, Maggie and Diego will open the program, helping set the tone for an evening grounded in A Community of Possibility: In School and Beyond.
Get to know the students who will take the stage and help bring this year’s Achieve Gala to life:
Meet Maggie:
Maggie, a senior at George Washington High School, has spent her entire academic journey within Denver Public Schools—from Carson Elementary School to Hill Middle School, and now as an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma candidate.
At George Washington High School, Maggie is deeply engaged both in and out of the classroom. She is a Head Captain of the school’s nationally recognized Speech and Debate team where she competes in Public Forum Debate. Through debate, Maggie has traveled across the country, engaging in thoughtful discussions on domestic and international policy and building skills that connect complex issues to everyday life.
Beyond debate, Maggie is a three-sport varsity athlete, competing in softball, swimming, and soccer, and serves as President of the Model United Nations club. Her academic interests span biology, history, and Spanish, and she plans to study biochemistry in college with aspirations of becoming a doctor or working in drug development.
Meet Diego:
Diego, a senior at George Washington High School, joined Denver Public Schools as a freshman and has since become a leader across his school community. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma student, he has developed a strong interest in history and politics—subjects that align closely with his future goals.
Diego is one of four Head Captains of George Washington High School’s nationally ranked Speech and Debate team, where he competes in Public Forum Debate alongside his team partner, Maggie. In addition to debate, Diego serves as President of his school’s Students Demand Action chapter and DECA chapter, and is the Senior Team Lead of the Student Ambassadors program. He is also a member of DPS’s Superintendent Student Advisory, contributing student voice to district-level conversations.
Diego captains the Denver East Ultimate Frisbee team and has been playing the piano for over a decade. He plans to study political science and business in college, with the goal of pursuing law school in the future.
We are excited to have Maggie and Diego leading the way on April 16th at Achieve Gala 2026! Hearing from student leaders like Maggie and Diego is a powerful reminder of the voices that shape our schools and the importance of continuing to invest in students across Denver Public Schools.
Tickets for Achieve Gala 2026 are still available, with limited spots remaining. For questions about attending or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact jmartin@dpsfoundation.org. Learn more about Achieve Gala 2026 and how to be part of the evening on April 16: https://dpsfoundation.org/get-involved/events/achieve-gala
