On Tuesday, September 3rd, Patrick Surtain II visited George Washington High School for a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. He donated $50,000 to George Washington, which was used to remodel our Broadcasting and Speech and Debate room. We also purchased new furniture and equipment. He donated through the Patrick Surtain II Foundation; a nonprofit charity designed to provide opportunities for students in financially disadvantaged communities. This gives financially disadvantaged students the same opportunities that their suburban peers have. Patrick Surtain II is twenty-four years old, the son of former NFL player, Patrick Surtain, and an American professional football cornerback for the Denver Broncos. He was selected in the first round, with the 9th overall pick.

The process of remodeling and setting up the room was lengthy, it began with a podcast. The podcast provided a platform for student-athletes to share how they are more than just athletes, highlighting their goals and aspirations beyond the standards they are expected to meet. Mr. Netherton and Dr. Davis were thinking of remodeling the Speech and Debate room and buying new furniture so that our speech and debate team as well as the Ten Toes Down podcast could have a more lively and just overall better environment. Soon after coming up with the idea, the Patrick Surtain II Foundation reached out to George Washington High School about a year ago, near October or November to give George Washington the opportunity to put together a group of kids to create a presentation to explain why George Washington high school deserved the $50,000 grant. They were given around two days to gather a group of kids and put together a presentation. Afterward, they went to a high-end hotel to give a presentation to a board of forty people about why George Washington deserved the money. The presentation went great and George Washington High School got the money. The process of putting together the room lasted from January to the day before the Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

The remodel as well as the new equipment has benefited our students in a variety of ways. We received more cameras, which makes it easier to take pictures for events around the school such as spirit week, Homecoming, sports games, and more. The new furniture also gives the room a cleaner feel. Previously, our patriots would record on a ping pong table with three mics and a GW backdrop. Now, we have couches, more mics, and the room is decorated.