Kendra Swaenepoel Exam

It is graduation season and issues concerning graduation conduct and dress come to the forefront during this time of the year. One particular question is, “Can we decorate our caps? And if not, why?”

Sadly for some Western High School students, decorating your cap for graduation has been an interest but, is not a choice.

Western High School Principal Sue VanRiper says, “Because the tone that we set at Western High School is a formal tone, we get to set the type of graduation we have. While of course we want to provide students with going off with pomp circumstance and tradition, we get to set the parameter of that. So, we choose to have it be a formal ceremony and with that we choose not to have caps be decorated.”

While it is nice that WHS enjoys the tradition of having all students look the same for formality reasons, many students find that not being able to express creativity is stifling.

Madison Whiting a Western High School senior said, “I was really hoping to decorate my cap. I have always been very creative and had something really cool in mind to make me stand out in pictures at graduation. I’m kind of disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to do so, especially since I had thought up an idea all year long.”

Schools like Northwest and Jackson High find the decorating their caps is a reward of sorts for all they have accomplished in high school. It also has became a tradition in which many students even decorate their caps together in large groups.

“I looked forward to decorating my cap all year. I felt like I was able to throw in my something that reflected my personality in a gym full of people dressed the same. My cap became a keepsake for me and something that I can look back on.” said Kendall Rooney, Northwest High School alumni.

Unfortunately, Western will miss out on this opportunity but, don’t let it ruin your day Western students we can still enjoy graduation despite not being able to have this privilege.

Hemisphere: Seniors' Final Broadcast

Interviews with teachers and seniors.

Too Fool for School Vol. 12

Dog Days Final

New Blood

This week at the Western Hemisphere we interviewed to upcoming principle Jared Vickers over what he’s looking forward to when he takes the rains. 

We started the interview by asking Mr. Vickers his thoughts on the dress code. Mr. Vickers explained that he would “like to get into the position and have a better inside look at what’s working and what’s not and look at the expectation and develop it from there.”

After the dress code we asked him his thoughts on the tardy system and how we might improve upon it. Mr. Vickers said he would like to get look closer at things that have worked in the past and things that have not. “That’s stuff that I will start talking with the staff about and continue to talk.” 

Vickers also stated he would like to get to gain an understanding as to why the tardies and dress code problems are occurring and then put a system in place that we don't have these problems. 

We also asked Mr. Vickers what some of his future plans are when he takes the rains. He explained “he's excited about looking into flex and some more career prep ideas through flex, possibly some work study, and more guest speakers.”

Being prepared for life after school is one of the most difficult and harder things to do, just ask any senior this time of year. Which is why Vickers wants to help make sure students will prepared. He states “wether you're going into college, right into the work force, or the military they'll know what they're gonna do when they leave here.”

Too Fool for School Vol. 11

Dog Days

Hemisphere Video News

Westerns Theater department has amazing JV show

9th and 10th graders in the Western Theater arts group have a dress rehersal before the performance of "Up The Down Staircase" The cast and crew included student director Caylee Prater and assistant student director, Aislinn Mezaros.


    

Senior Send Off Party

The 2017 seniors are deciding to take a new direction on how their last day is spent. In recent years the seniors traveled to various elementary schools such as Bean, Warner, and Parma. They walked through those school to show the youngsters what is ahead of them in the future.

There were many variables that went into deciding to change it up this year. The biggest difference was the time that it took to travel to the different schools. The leadership court decided that it was best to try something different.

This year the seniors are planning to skip the elementary school and have a senior send off party instead. The senior send off party will take place in the new gym, and happen on the senior last day, May 26. There will be various events and activities going on during this time for the seniors.

There are waivers that the seniors must sign if they want to participate in the send off party.

Edited by Joe and Jake

Student Council Luncheon

This week on the Western Hemisphere, we decided to join the yearly Student Council luncheon with the Western Board of Education. 

Student Council Co Advisor, Jeanette Park exclaimed that the reason behind the yearly STUCO meeting with the Board is, “It’s a chance for the Board to get a pulse on what’s going on in the building from a students perspective.”

Many hot topics were discussed during the meeting. According to STUCO member Bryn Hendershott, “We discussed a multitude of issues ranging from dress code, to Flex, as well as previous and current favorite teachers.” 

We do not know what the board will decide to take action on, but according to Mrs. Parker “the Board seemed very interested in the dress code and Flex.”

As to what Student Council plans to do in the near future, Student Council co adviser Kimberly Shore had this to say, “I would to get more underclassmen involved in student council. I believe having more younger members will allow for more insight as to what all grades of students believe is going on at the school.”

Next week we will be sitting down with upcoming principle Jared Vickers to gain more insight as to what he thought about the luncheon, his future plans, and ideas for our great school. 

Too Fool for School Vol. 10

Dog Days