West Springfield High School (Virginia): Difference between revisions
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== Demographics == |
== Demographics == |
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In the 2007-08 school year, West Springfield High School was 58% White, 7% Black, 17% Asian, 11% Hispanic, and |
In the 2007-08 school year, West Springfield High School was 58% White, 7% Black, 17% Asian, 11% Hispanic, and % .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:13:645657200707824:105:NO::P0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID:150|title=FCPS - School Profiles - West Springfield HS - Demographics|accessdate=2009-01-25}}</ref> |
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==Athletics== |
==Athletics== |
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Revision as of 22:19, 7 April 2011
38°47′15.16″N 77°14′22.34″W / 38.7875444°N 77.2395389°W
| West Springfield High School | |
|---|---|
| File:Spartan logo.jpg | |
| Address | |
 | |
6100 Rolling Road , 22152 | |
| Information | |
| School type | Public, high school |
| Founded | 1966 |
| School district | Fairfax County Public Schools |
| Principal | Paul Wardinski |
| Staff | approximately 220 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 2,258 (2009) |
| Language | English |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Blue and orange ██ |
| Mascot | The Spartan |
| Feeder schools | Washington Irving Middle School Lake Braddock Secondary School |
| Rival schools | Lake Braddock Secondary School Robinson Secondary School South County Secondary School Robert E. Lee High School |
| Athletic conferences | Patriot District Northern Region |
| Website | http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs |
West Springfield High School is a public high school located in Springfield in Fairfax County, Virginia, at 6100 Rolling Road, and is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools system. West Springfield (often referred to as WSHS) enrolls students from grades 9-12, offers the Advanced Placement program and currently enrolls over 2,200 students.
History
The school opened in 1966. A planetarium was added in 1967. A school renovation was completed in 1991, which included the construction of new classrooms in a courtyard and remodeling the library, Auditorium, Spartan Hall, and the Career Center.
Publications
The school has three student-run publications, whose names appropriately are in keeping with the Spartan mascot: The Oracle, The Olympian and The Symposium. The Oracle, the school's newspaper, has won countless national, state and local awards for outstanding reporting, writing and layout. In fact, this student-run newspaper was second in the nation in 2001 for its reporting on an administration attempt to encourage students to forge their parents' names on a Federal Government form that determines budgetary allotments. The Olympian, the school's yearbook, consistently wins scholastic journalism awards as well, along with The Symposium, the school's literary magazine.
Layout
The school is laid out on two stories with the library, planetarium, administration offices and cafeteria in front and auditorium and gymnasiums in the back. The school shares a layout with Herndon High School, located in the western part of the county and Oakton High School, located in the central part of the county.
SOAR
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2008) |
Because West Springfield High School is the oldest Fairfax County Public School that has not been renovated,[1] complaints have been raised about the condition of the school's facilities, including its heating and cooling, as well as its computer network. SOAR (Spartans Organized for Action on Renovation) is an organization formed with the purpose of reconciling the issues.[2] The renovation process has been slow and sources say that it could take until 2022 to start renovations.[3]
Demographics
In the 2007-08 school year, West Springfield High School was 58% White, 7% Black, 17% Asian, 11% Hispanic, 5% Other, and 1% Vulcan.[4]
Athletics
WSHS participates in a wide variety of high school sports. West Springfield's school mascot is a Spartan soldier and school colors are orange and blue.
The school competes in the Patriot District which is in the AAA Northern Region of the Virginia High School League. Major rivals have traditionally been Lake Braddock, Robinson, and Lee, based on their geographic proximity. Top ranked WSHS athletic programs include its boys and girls soccer teams, girls basketball team, girls softball team, boys baseball team, and boys and girls cross country teams.
Alumni of note include Jeremy Kapinos (punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers), James Dexter (former NFL offensive lineman with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals), Kara Lawson (Guard for WNBA Sacramento Monarchs), Ryan Speier (Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals), Joe Saunders (Baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks), Brian Carroll who plays for the Columbus Crew, and Jeff Carroll who plays for D.C. United.
Debate and Forensics
The Spartan Debate Team and Forensics Team won its first Group AAA crown in 2006 and Forensics won again in 2009. Until this year the Forensics Team was coached by both Mrs. and Mr. Deliee. This year Mrs. Deliee is the only coach. The Debate Team is coached by Mrs. Hagy. Students from both Forensics and Debate compete in Washington Arlington Catholic Forensics League tournaments in the Diocese of Arlington. Students also compete in invitational tournaments at universities along the East Coast, including Yale University, St. Joseph's University, and George Mason University.
Varsity baseball
The Spartan baseball team, coached for 26 years (1974–2000) by Ron E. Tugwell (father of Philadelphia Phillies 3B prospect Marc S. Tugwell), has won:
2 Virginia AAA State Championships (1991 & 1998)
6 Northern Region Titles (1983, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2009)
12 District Championships (1974, 1975, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2005)
Current Spartan baseball coach, John James (2005 to present)
1 Virginia AAA State Championships (2010)
2 Northern Region Titles (2009 & 2010)
2 District Championships (2009 & 2010)
The Spartan Baseball motto is "Furnulum pani nolo" (From Season to Season, the Tradition Continues.) Current head baseball Coach John James has been leading the Spartans since the 2005 season, in which the Spartans won the Patriot District Title, defeating the Lake Braddock Bruins 4-2. In 2009 the Spartans were crowned district and regional champions, and compiled a record of 23-5, and going undefeated in the northern region. Coach James won the Northern Region again and also won his 1st Virginia AAA State Championship with a 24-4 record in 2010 defeating the then undefeated Woodbridge High School who finished (27-1). Coach James is assisted by Jason Olms (Outfield/Hitting Coach), Tim Alley (Infield/Hitting Coach), Julio Rivas (Pitching Coach), John Batchelor (Head JV & Catching Coach), Joey Tinsley (Asst Coach JV), Matt Thorn (JV Pitching Coach) and Spencer Askin (JV Outfield and Baserunning Coach).
Varsity football
The 1978 West Springfield Spartan varsity football team won the Northern District Championship with a regular season record of 10-0. The Spartans lost in the regional playoffs to James Madison High School.
The 1980 West Springfield Spartan varsity football team went to the Virginia AAA State Championship Game, losing to the Hampton Crabbers. The game was played at W.T.Woodson High in Fairfax, VA.
The 93-94 West Springfield Spartan varsity football team won the Northern District Championship with an undefeated run through the district schedule. The Spartans defeated crosstown rival Lake Braddock SS twice during the season and were the only team to score a touchdown on the Bruins the entire year. West Springfield beat Lake Braddock 24-7 during the regular season and 41-14 in the first round of the regional playoffs. The Spartans would fall to the eventual state champs from Annandale High School in the Northern Region Championship game.
The 06-07 West Springfield Spartan varsity football team holds the Virginia State High School Football record for most combined points for two teams in a single game with West Potomac High School. The West Potomac Wolverines won the game 81-74 in 4 overtimes. The Spartans' losing score of 74 has the notorious distinction of being the highest score by a losing team in the history of high school, college, or professional football.[citation needed]
The 07-08 West Springfield varsity football team (10-3) won the Patriot District Championship for the first time since 1994, but went on to lose in the Northern Region Final against the would-be 15-0 State Champion Westfield Bulldogs.
The 08-09 West Springfield Spartan varsity football team (10-3) won the Patriot District championship for the second year in a row. They lost two games into the playoffs to undefeated Oakton High school.
The 09-10 West Springfield Spartan varsity football team (4-6) did not win the Patriot District championship. After the 08-09 season, head coach Bill Renner retired, to be replaced by JT Biddison, who formerly coached at Marshall High School, with a combined record of 29-34.
Varsity wrestling
The West Springfield Spartan wrestling team has claimed three individual state champions; 1982, 1988, and 1990.
Dance Team
The Spartan Dance team has numerous titles under their belts. One of those being NDA National Champions in Medium Varsity Hip-Hop. It is coached by notorious Tara Perez and Jason King. From 2000-2010 the team has won 1st place at every local competition as well as numerous choreography awards.
Cheerleading
The Spartan Cheerleading squad won the AAA state title in 2003 under the direction of Rita Robinson and Betsy Fawsett. They also won the Patriot District Cheerleading Competition in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 beating out a major rival, the Lake Braddock Bruins. The Spartans are the only team in the state to have held their district title for five straight years. Many WSHS Cheerleader alumni have gone on to cheer at colleges including Clemson University, Oklahoma State University, NC State University, Hampton University, Marshall University, Old Dominion University, The College of William and Mary, Radford University, Ithaca College, Gardner Webb University, Lenoir Rhyne College and Ohio University.
Cross Country & Track and field
The West Springfield Track team has seen AAA State Championships in 1996 and 1998. West Springfield set a national record in 1998 in the distance medley relay with a time of 10:10.30, breaking a record that stood for over 15 years with Pat Conway, Peter Lukens, Matt Scherrer, and Doug McMillan.For the first time in recent history, the West Springfield boys team took home the indoor track Patriot District Championship in 2007. The Girls 4x800m relay consisting of Maddie Wittich, Alexandra Watt, Anna Barber and Paige Kvartunas took the State Outdoor Championship in 2010, setting the Virginia State Meet Record. At Outdoor Nationals, they set the record for the entire State of Virginia. In 2003, Steven Tobin won state's for cross country with a time of 15:47[5] . Notable coach(es) in the past have been Vic Kelbaugh, Duke Baird, and Chris Pellegrini, coaching multiple state champions in track and field and bringing Patriot District, Northern Regional, and All-State honors to the boys and girls cross-country and track teams over the past 30 years.
Swim & Dive
The West Springfield Swim and Dive teams has won AAA State Championships in 1994 and 1995. Most recently the Girls got fifth place in 2010, the Boys got 35th.
Music
The Wind Symphony has, under the baton of Laurence J. Einus, Jr., received consistent ratings of "Superior" at band festivals for the past several years, and the Symphonic and Concert bands, while playing lower grade pieces, continue to receive "Superior" ratings. The Jazz band has received "Superior" ratings in all of their recent competitions, and received several awards during their last spring trip. The school's marching band, the Marching Spartans, has won multiple USSBA Group 5 (A and Open classes) championships, and are Virginia champions and All-States champions. The band earned its fifth Honor Band title in 2009.
The Symphonic Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Steve Fraser, played as an honor orchestra in the 2005 Virginia Music Educator's Association. There is also a Concert Orchestra, an orchestra below the level of the Symphonic Orchestra. A third orchestra is the Chamber Orchestra, a level above the Symphonic Orchestra, which was established in the 2008 school year for the elite players.
WSHS has a Guitar program, with school-provided guitars for students to use. Their Jazz Guitar Combo is one of few high school groups of its kind in the region. They receive consistent ratings of "Superior," as does the Advanced Guitar Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble. The current director is the legendary Mr. Keith Owens. He's the Boss. The Guitar Program is currently the largest music department in terms of population, with their 5 different levels of difficulty. Many freshman begin with Guitar 1 to learn the basics of the guitar, with many going on to Guitar 2, and many still go on to other ensembles. Members of the guitar program frequently show off their talents in West Springfield's Battle of the Bands, which every year proves to be phenomenal.
The choral program at WSHS features five classes, three of which require auditions. Treble Choir is an unauditioned all-women's choir. Men's Choir is also an unauditioned choir, but it is composed entirely of men. The three audition choirs are Ladies' Select, Madrigals and Personality. Ladies' Select is an all-women's choir that sometimes sings a capella. Madrigals is a mixed a capella choir. Personality is a mixed dance choir. The all-women's show choir, Pizazz, was disbanded at the end of 2007, despite its numerous awards. At competitions, the Choral Department has received many awards and recognitions, as well as many "Superior" ratings over the past several years. All choral classes were taught by Michael Dombrow from Fall 2002 through Spring 2008, and all show choir performances are choreographed by John Gonzalez. Choral director Erin Huss became the new chorus teacher in the 2008-09 school year.
Theatre
The West Springfield Theatre Department has taken part in the Cappies Critics program since it began in 2002. The department is known for its high quality shows that have garnered many positive reviews[6] . In 2010, West Springfield's production of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" won a Cappie for Best Make-up.[7]. Kelsey Rose was also nominated for Creativity for composing music and Megan Fraedrich was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a play [8]. In 2009, West Springfield was nominated for Best Costumes, Best Stage Crew, and Best Lead Actress in a Musical (Erin Cafferky) for "Annie, Get Your Gun".[9] In 2008, Sara Meinhofer won a Cappie for Best Choreography for "The Music Man."[10] In addition, the school was nominated for Best Sound, Best Sets, Best Stage Crew, Best Orchestra, Best Ensemble in a Musical, and Best Lead Actress in a Musical (Sara Meinhofer).[11]
References
- ^ "WUSA News 9 Conditions Video". Retrieved 12-3-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "SOAR Website". Retrieved 2008-11-27.
- ^ "Renovation and Conditions Website". Retrieved 2008-11-27.
- ^ "FCPS - School Profiles - West Springfield HS - Demographics". Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ^ "Virginia State Meet". DyeStat.
- ^ "Reviews". Cappies Critic Program. Cappies Critic Program.
- ^ Cappies Critics Awards Winner 2010 http://www.cappies.com/nca/awards/2010winners.php.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Cappies Critics Nominees 2010 http://www.cappies.com/nca/awards/2010nominees.php.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Cappies Critics Nominations 2009 http://www.cappies.com/nca/awards/2009nominees.php.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Awards 2008". Cappies Critics Program.
- ^ "Nominees 2008". Cappies Critics Program.
External links
- http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=70976 WUSA News 9 School Conditions Video
- http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=77656&catid=188 WUSA News 9 Renovation Video
- http://www.soarwestspringfield.com/ West Springfield Renovation Website
- http://www.davealbo.com/West_Springfield_High_School_Renovations.html West Springfield Renovation Website
- http://spartans.metroamericanvbc.org/ West Springfield Volleyball Program
- http://wshs.furrfu.com/ West Springfield Alumni Site
- http://www.classreport.org/usa/va/springfield/wshs/ Another Alumni Site
- http://spartansports.org/ West Springfield Sports Site
- http://wshsband.org/ West Springfield Bands Site
- http://wsbaseball.org/ West Springfield Baseball Site
- http://www.spartantdclub.org/ West Springfield Football Booster site
- http://www.spartansports.org
- http://www.vhsl.org
- http://www.dyestat.com/3state/VA/3xc/statemeet.htm