Duke Update February 22, 2026
Hello GHS Dukes!
Congratulations to our new State Wrestling Champ, 215 weight class Kenneth Hamilton! and 4th place State Wrestling Champ 165 Weight class Karl Dean,
Charlotte Kirby who also participated in state finals after finishing 3rd in the all girls wrestling tournament. We are proud of them!!
Congratulations to Asst. Principal Mrs. Shantell Thomas on her acceptance to the SET Sail STEM Educator Training program! She has been awarded a week-long, stipend-paid space at the training, which will be hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in July. We are proud of her achievement and commitment to expanding STEM opportunities for our students.
Congratulations to the yearbook staff! For the first time ever, the yearbook has been featured in the Varsity Yearbook Portfolio which only showcases the top 10% of yearbooks in the country. The 2024-2025 cover was chosen as a highlight.
Congratulations to all 3 ESports teams for securing victories on Wednesday and Thursday. MVP went to Ryan Clay for landing 5 misfire knock outs.
Congratulations to the Students of the Month:
9th grade: Kingston Combs & Kailah Jimoh
10th grade: Logan Eltzroth & Destiny Loftin
11th grade: Jakob Rothenberger & Katherine Peterson-Stevens
12th grade: Tovah Ramos & Cameron Palas
Congratulations to the Teachers of the Month:
Mr. Cullison
Chef Winchester
Mr. Jeffrey Burns
Congratulations to the Staff Member of the Month:
Mr. Stark
Crochet Club will be meeting next Monday, February 23rd, from 2:50 to 4:30 in Mrs. Fernandez's room, 138. New members are always welcome! Chill and chat, practice your stitches, learn new ones, and collaborate to create fun projects! See you there!
Last chance to enroll to Costa Rica & Panama this summer of 2026! Please enroll by March 12th if this adventure trip interests you. Some of the activities include Whitewater rafting, Ziplining, and a Limonese cooking class. See Ms. Falkenberg in room 139 for a detailed brochure or the pricing information. You can also log onto the link provided in our daily announcements.
Link: https://www.eftours.com/2814681HK
Athletics
Spring Track & Field tryouts: Begin on Wednesday, March 4th thru Friday, March 6th, and Monday, March 9th thru Tuesday, March 10th from 3:00pm until 5:15pm. Parents & athletes who will be trying out must attend the SPRING SPORTS- ALL SPORTS PARENT & PLAYERS MEETING March 4 GHS auditorium at 6:00pm Attendance to all Tryout dates are mandatory and will be tracked!
GHS Fall Cheer Open Gyms begin Wednesday, March 11th. Open to current 8th–11th grade students. A valid VHSL physical must be on file, and athletic clothing is required. A Flyer can be found in the main office.
Tryouts for spring sports will start 2/23 – dates, times and locations are posted on the GHS athletics page. All students must meet GCPS eligibility requirements and have a valid sports physical on file and approved in the new Arbiter Registration Program – steps are on the GHS website under athletics. Coaches emails are listed on the GHS Athletic page.
All student-athletes currently playing or planning to play a sport must complete the Arbiter registration to be eligible to participate in conditioning, tryouts, practice, or competition. The registration link and tutorial can be found on the GHS athletics website, and info flyers are located outside room 314. See Dr. Croft or Ms. Hunter in the athletic office if you have any questions. Anyone that has already completed Arbiter registration for this school year does not need to do it again.
Counseling
Attention Seniors: Now is the time to apply for scholarships!
The GHS Scholarship Application can be accessed from your Naviance account. The application with all needed forms has been sent to your school based e-mail and paper copies are available in the Counseling Office. This application enables you to apply for multiple local scholarships with just the one application. If you are thinking of attending any trade school or a 4 year or 2 year college, you should apply for local scholarships using this application. The deadline of March 11th is quickly approaching. No late applications will be accepted. See the Counseling Office with any questions.
Please remember to check your Naviance account regularly for additional scholarship opportunities that are not listed on the GHS Application. Several scholarships have recently been added with February and March deadline dates.
Also, please stop in the Counseling Office and check out the scholarship table just inside the door.
Beginning February 24th, the Homework Club will be staying after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Homework club is a peer tutoring and homework help program. Please encourage your students that may need extra assistance or a quiet place to do homework to stay after. For questions please contact Ms. Watkins or Ms. Hammack in counseling.
Are you looking for healthier ways to manage anger or practical tools to calm yourself when you’re feeling worried, overwhelmed, or sad?
Starting March 4th, our Anger Management and Managing the Uncomfortable groups will begin meeting. If you’re interested in joining either group, please email your school counselor or Ms. Morris or you scan the QR code on Canvas to sign up. We’d love to have you participate!
Seniors
The senior class is selling tickets to win one of 7 raffle baskets. This money is to help raise money for prom and senior week events. Tickets are 1 ticket for $2 and 3 tickets for $5. There are three ways to buy! Tickets will be sold during all three lunch breaks, you can locate a Senior class officer or come by room 249A to purchase tickets. The winner will be drawn on Friday, February 27th.
Daily Reminders:
The GHS cafeteria will offer Second Chance Breakfast for students who have a late-in or may have missed breakfast earlier in the morning. The cafeteria doors will open from 9:10 a.m. until 9:20 a.m.
Yearbooks are available for pre-order at yearbookordercenter.com using code 4758. Less than 50 copies are available, so order soon!
📣 Attendance Notes Now Accepted Online! Parents and Guardians — GHS now accepts digital attendance notes. If your student is absent or tardy, visit the GHS website, click the “Digital Attendance Notes” button in the top right corner, complete the form, and submit. Notes are received instantly and can be submitted 24/7 for your convenience.
If you need to pick your student up early, please arrive PRIOR to 2:20 PM.
Parking passes for the 2nd semester have been reduced to $25.00 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking pass application forms may be picked up in the Main Office or found on the GHS website. Please bring your completed application along with a screenshot or printed copy of your receipt to the Main Office.
The Care Closet will only be accepting new, high school appropriate clothing for the remainder of the school year. The Care Closet can not accept perishable food items or food items in glass containers. Thank you for your generosity.
Lost and Found: Students, check the Lost and Found daily if you have misplaced any items.
Bus Notes Reminder: All students who need to submit a bus note must turn it in to the Main Office in the morning to allow time for review and approval. Submitting notes later in the day may result in delays or the note not being approved.
The Activity Bus departs GHS at 5:30 p.m. for the remainder of the school year. The bus runs Monday through Thursday only. Please see the link for scheduled Activity bus stops: https://5il.co/3sjxt Parents/guardians must be at their student’s designated stop when they arrive. If a student will not have a ride from their stop, a completed permission form must be turned in. Copies of the form are available in the Main Office, and completed forms should be given directly to the Activity Bus driver.
Safety: All GCPS students go through security and weapons detectors each morning. Students, Follow the Duke Way! Don’t give in to social media trends that encourage behaviors that violate the code of conduct.
Please check GCPS social media for updates regarding inclement weather for school closings and remote learning.
That concludes our Duke Update. Let’s Go Dukes!!