Day 4 -- Friday Night Lights

Today's post is from Michael Abegglen, junior at MWHS

I am a junior at Mound Westonka High School and I am proud to call myself a White Hawk! Today I was walking through the halls of MWHS and couldn’t help but notice all the brand new football jerseys scattered throughout the halls. You could just feel the energy and excitement carried by all the members of the team and I couldn’t help but feel excited for them. 

Everyone knows that Mound Westonka isn’t known as an athletic powerhouse and whether we accept it or not, all of different sport athletes hear that and experience those feelings every game. Although we have those challenges of playing better teams and bigger schools, not one Mound Westonka athlete gives up. The pride and commitment that all athletes give for this school is unmeasurable and tonight when the students and community fill the stands of Haddorff Stadium those guys will be giving everything they have. 

Win or lose tonight I will walk out of that stadium with pride for Mound Westonka and pride for all of our athletic programs. I can’t imagine going to school anywhere else but Mound westonka and that is why I am proud to call myself a White Hawk! #MWHSpride

Day 3 - What's historic about 2013-14 at MWHS?

Today's post is from Keith Randklev, Principal of MWHS

The first day of the 2013-14 school year is an exciting one, and in truth, a historic one!

It is exciting not only because we get to welcome back all our students and staff and re-connect with them, but because there has been no real opportunity to utilize MWHS this entire summer as the remodeling and reconstruction took place.  Tuesday, September 3, marks the first day all of us can safely say we are in!!

The most obvious difference for students will be the totally remodeled locker room and weight room, though many will notice the considerable work that went into refurbishing the pool deck and pool area.  The weight room, in particular, will lend itself to the "wow" factor!

Students and families will also notice a change in the main office.  The Activities Department offices have moved closer to the Guidance Office area, creating more space and privacy for that department, whil freeing the main reception area for parents, students, and community members to access our Super Aides and Adminstrative Assistants.

So, what's historic about 2013-2014?  The answer is the district-wide initiative to launch the three-year plan to have a mobile learning device, Chromebooks, in every student and teacher's hands by the end of the 2015-2016 school year!  The goal is to ready our students for the 21st Century Skills they will need to succeed once they graduate from MWHS.  The transformation of the classroom instruction and learning has begun at MWHS, and we couldn't be prouder of this historic moment!!

Day 2 -- I Survived My First Day of High School

Today's post is from Zach R, a new 8th grader at MWHS

Hey this is Zach here and guess what -- I survived my first day of high school. Despite the fact that I tripped on 2 staircases, had to sit next to a sink in science because they ran out of desks, dropped my chicken patty sandwich and almost got run over by seniors in the hall. Now that I look back on my first day, quite frankly, I liked it a lot and it made me proud to think that high school isn't some dreadful place after all.

What made me the most proud is that now I'm officially a White Hawk! I’m proud to be a Westonka student for many reasons. The main reason I am proud is friendship. Yes, I did get lost going to one class like every other new 8th grade student at MWHS, but what amazed me was that there was always someone willing to help me out. It didn't matter if it was a friend or some random upperclassmen, they were always willing to help you through your problem until you got it solved.

I’m proud to be a Westonka student for many other reasons as well like how we have some of the top MCA scores in the state. Our sports teams are stellar, and we have some pretty good cookies too.  There’s a lot of things we should be impressed about. Overall I am very proud to be attending MWHS and I look forward to my next 5 years here.

Day 1 -- I am a White Hawk!

Today's post is from Corey Bulman, English teacher at MWHS

Greetings and welcome back! I was recently asked to write this blog post addressing what being a part of the Westonka community means to me. At first I thought this would be easy. I’m an English teacher so the ideas are supposed to tumble out of me perfectly polished, right? Well, as many of you know, that’s not how it works. I’ve been mulling it over this weekend trying to sum up my ideas in one catchy sentence that will grab your attention and leave you waiting on pins and needles for more. So, without further adieu, here you go . . .

I AM A WHITE HAWK! Now, I know some of you might be disappointed. You’re thinking, really, that’s it, that’s all the insight you’ve learned in fourteen years at MWHS? Well, when you think about it, it’s a pretty profound statement. I’ve been here almost my entire adult life and have shared some of my most joyous moments with fellow White Hawks. I planned how to propose to my wife with a group of seniors 12 years ago (we did good work; she said yes). I finished my Master’s in Education with my AP English class by my side. I received the call that both of my kids were about to be born while sitting in classes with cheering students wishing me good luck. I’ve had some of the best discussions I’ve had in my whole life here at MWHS and I’ve laughed harder than I ever thought possible. I’ve met hundreds of White Hawks when they were small eighth graders and proudly watched them walk, adult-sized across the stage at graduation five years later.

Life is sometimes rough though, and I have been lifted up by other White Hawks during difficult times. Together we have watched building collapse in New York, boots hit the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq, and water pour into New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. My fellow White Hawks have always helped me make sense of it all. They were also there for my toughest moment ever. Three years ago I missed almost the whole school year when I found out my son was sick with cancer. I received hundreds of White Hawk messages during that dark time. I was humbled by the support and encouragement. In the end, I learned that when the chips are down, I’m sticking with the White Hawks because they have my back. 

So, there it is: I am a White Hawk. I am a part of something bigger than myself. I am part of a community. I am ready for the laughs, discussions, drama, and the craziness of school. I hope you’re ready too. Have a great year.

 
Mr. Bulman with his daughter Avery