Day 36 - We are a Different Type of Student

Today's post is from senior Cole Seehof

White Hawk pride can stem from many things. Every person has a different reason for loving the school. For some people it’s the teachers and others it’s the students that make Mound Westonka High School so amazing. For me it’s the uniqueness of our school that makes me proud to be a White Hawk. Coming from Minnetonka I noticed a massive change when I first came to Mound. The first thing I noticed was how nice the students are -- surprisingly it wasn’t how well our football team does. 

Unlike students at other schools you are warmly welcomed by the students and staff at Mound Westonka. The small classes make new students stand out so everyone will want to greet the new student. This is much better than walking into a school where everyone is already in their clique and you have to work your way in. 

Since our school is so small it has tons of advantages over most schools. Teachers here at Mound Westonka are able to connect with each of their students on a personal level, helping each student to succeed and meet their full potential. The staff at Mound Westonka High School truly make a unique experience for each student. Like every school there are those who don’t get along well with others, but unlike other schools they are not bullied for this. These kids are simply left to their own. Unlike other schools we understand how to be kind to one another. We, the students of Mound Westonka High School, are a different type of student!

Cole during homecoming dress up days!

Day 35 - Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Today's post is from Kristin Wallace, English teacher at MWHS

There are thousands of reasons I am proud to be a White Hawk, but one that tops my list is working with the amazing educators I get to call colleagues, mentors and friends. The teaching staff at MWHS is second to none and being apart of this flock of White Hawks makes me incredibly proud.

No where is this pride more apparent to me than through the recent technology initiatives at MWHS. As a member of the Technology Integration and Learning Team (TILT), I have the opportunity to work with staff members from all content areas as they integrate technology and 21st century skills into the classroom.

Change is always challenging, but what I love about our staff is they embrace change with an open mind. They are passionately reinventing their assessments, lessons and teaching methods. They spend their evenings, summers and weekends learning from other educators and themselves, because they want to improve student learning. They aren’t satisfied with good and push themselves to be great.

I am proud to be part of this flock of compassionate and dedicated teachers. We support each other, we learn from each other and we inspire each other. They make me the best teacher I can be and MWHS the best place to work.

Kristin & Aaron

Day 34 - MWHS Volleyball Family

Today's post is from Lauren Ehlers, senior volleyball player

Here at MWHS I have never felt more invited or accepted ever in my life. I moved here in ninth grade and I started playing volleyball for the Mound Westonka White Hawks. I was really scared moving here but my volleyball team made me feel like it was home. Moving was a hard thing for me because I had never moved before, and I had the worst thoughts in my head thinking I wouldn't make any friends. But I made so many life time friends on the MWHS volleyball team, and they feel like they are my second family.

When we are at one of our volleyball tournaments we get to know each other really well, and those tournaments are a lot of fun. We make great memories at our tournaments like helping our varsity win because of one of our cheer offs with the other team. You won't meet any team closer then the volleyball team!

MWHS Volleyball Team

Day 33 - What Is White Hawk Pride?

Today's post is from Zak Edington, sophomore at MWHS

At Mound Westonka we rarely ever dominate in sports considering that we are one of the smallest schools in our district. For our football team winning one game in a season is considered good.  What is White Hawk pride? White Hawk pride is people going out for sports year after year trying to improve. When students go out for something bigger than themselves and become a part of a family it doesn't matter if they have a winning or losing season. After losing a hard fought game - being in the weight room the next day with your team family is our pride. Constantly trying to improve, not only to benefit ourselves, but to benefit our team is our pride. The commitment and loyalty we have at MWHS is what we take pride in.

We pay the four dollars to get in a football game to see our team play their hearts out even if a win doesn't come often. The way we cheer after one touchdown when we’re down by three is proof that we take pride in our sports no matter what the record. We are always loyal and will always stay loyal.

Here at Mound Westonka we are a family and even though we may not be the most dominant in every sport, we still take pride in being apart of this family. I think anyone who has ever played a sport here would agree with me. So if you ask me that's what I would tell you Mound Westonka White Hawk sports pride is: family, loyalty, and commitment.

Zak in his Sports Marketing class

Day 32 - Alum Jay Olstad speaks to MWHS WALA students

Today's post is from Pam Tremblay, English and WALA teacher

Today MWHS’s WALA program had the honor of Jay Olstad come in and talk to their classes. Jay came in to help out the class as they start their new Project Based Learning assignment on Media Bias. Jay was an excellent choice to speak as he is an MWHS alumnus, and a successful news reporter for Kare 11. He spoke to each of the WALA English classes about what it takes to be a reporter and the steps leading up to it. He also discussed how to report the news as objectively as you can. He stated that it is his job to be the voice of the subject and get the word out. He talked about long hours and trying times, but loves his job because it is so rewarding. He also mentioned that it is important to get as much information about the subject so that you can be objective when it comes time to report. The WALA students will be reporting on a given topic from two points of view in order to understand how to deal and work with bias information. 

The students were appreciative of his visit knowing that he has been where they are and has had many experiences in life since attending Mound Westonka High School. The most important thought is that where he is from will always be a part of him as it will be for our students!

Jay Olstad and the WALA students