Redha k Times t
Westwood High School
January 2013
180 Turkey Farm Road Blythewood, SC 29016
t
www.richland2.org/wh
First Edition
Vol. 1, No. 1
Wishes of Westwood showcases Redhawk spirit of giving, community A semester of cer to the camp this fundraising, donations summer. and community service Before the winter by Westwood students holidays, classes and and faculty proved that individuals banded toRedhawks have trugether and adopted 54 ly giving spirits. The foster children and, on Wishes of Westwood December 10, threw assembly, held Dea party for them with cember 14, served as a presents, dinner, games showcase for the new and Santa. school and its philanA canned food thropic accomplishdrive, sponsored by ments. Student GovernOver the course ment, after much of its first semester in A festive gym, decorated for the holiday assembly, features a canstruction built Grinchiness, eventuexistence, Westwood from donated food goods spelling out W.O.W. -- Wishes of Westwood. ally brought in 12,682 exceeded expectations. canned goods (5883 One of the first fundraisers, this one for Coaches Cur- pounds of food), surpassing the 12,500-can goal. The ing Kids’ Cancer and led by Head Football Coach Ran- freshman class dominated that drive. dy Summers, raised $1100 towards cancer research. At the assembly, performances by the band, orchesThe CURLS club hosted a pancake breakfast and tra, chorus and dancers from the Soaring High Dance raised money to create care packages for the women Company made the gym, decorated in festive colors and and children of Hannah House. HOSA students or- lights, ring with seasonal joy. ganized a blood drive in memory of Principal Ralph Chorus students from Longleaf Middle School sang Schmidt’s wife, Jeanne Schmidt. They exceeded their songs to entertain the crowd filled with students, faculty, goal of 70 pints, garnering 74 pints total, despite a the superintendent, several members of the school board small number of students old enough to donate (the and representitives from each organization helped by the senior class is just over 100 students). school’s donations. Also in memory of Jeanne Schmidt, a longtime Santa, of course, made an appearance and those crasupporter of Camp Kemo, Westwood raised almost zy elves loaded students up with sugary treats, just in $3500. That was enough to sent seven kids with can- time for winter break.
Inside the Times:
Redhawk Spirit, Page 4
Sports, Pages 6 & 7
Chromebooks, Page 8
Cheerleaders hold up a sign with the Camp Kemo symbol and a “We Love You” in Jeanne Schmidt’s memory
Organizations Helped: sHarvest Hope Food Bank sDepartment of Social Services sRed Cross sCamp Kemo sCoaches Curing Kids’ Cancer sThe Giving Tree sHannah House sSalvation Army
As Westwood’s first year hits halfway mark, time to assess what works, plan for future by David Sears & Kyanna Samuel
Miss Westwood, Page 2
Service by the numbers: s12,682 cans collected s54 foster children sponsored s74 pints of blood donated s7 kids sent to Camp Kemo (almost $3500 raised) s$1100 for cancer research sBaskets to Hannah House
With a brand new school, comes opportunity. Principal Ralph Schmidt came to Westwood because he wanted to start a school from scratch and to start many new traditions with students. His goal is to have the spirit of “We Are Westwood” to rub off on everyone who walks through the front doors. Schmidt believes that three things need to happen to make the school successful. First, he wants to give students a 21st century education that will provide them with necessary job skills. Second, he wants students to participate in their school community and to get active in service, clubs and groups. Third, he wants students to step up and become leaders via programs such as student government and ROTC. As Student Activities Director, Janet Frick is in charge of events for students including pep rallies, dances, community service projects, spirit weeks and more. Her role
is to get students more involved in school and the activities. Her vision for Westwood includes more student pride and involvement. “We can only change one student at a time,” she said but she and her team of students plan to continue to encourage students to get involved and improve the school. Junior class president and Senate member Whitney Johnson said, “If I had to give our student government a grade, I would grade it with an A. Starting our very first year at Westwood, we have accomplished so much.” She added that Freshmen First was the beginning along with successful pep rallies, the Fall Harvest Festival, Miss Westwood pageant and representatives winning two awards at the Southern Association of Student Councils. Future plans include Mr. Westwood, Coming Home week, prom and more. Future continued on page 3