Day 100 - Reflections of MWHSPride after 100 days!

Today's post is from senior MWHSPride Co-Chairman Courtney Simonson

“Pride: Moments of pride are the stories that you cherish. Often these moments start in high school...when your football team won the homecoming game, when your dance team advanced to state, or when you made it on the podium at International DECA. These are the moments in life when you think back and you're proud of your high school experience.” This will be our opening statement when we present our Public Relations project at DECA State next weekend. We are proud of this project, but we are more proud of how the MWHS students and the community have reacted and responded to this campaign. We can’t believe that we made it to day 100!! It’s been a bumpy road at times, but we knew that we had a community that would step up, and help us make this project thrive!

We are proud of the fact that this Public Relations campaign has inspired other sports and activities to increase pride at their own events. Both the boys’ and the girls’ basketball teams created a “golden ticket” program that granted an MWHS student free admission into any home game. The large student section at home games promoted pride and encouraged teams to play their best. This campaign not only altered the attitudes of students and the community, it also inspired many other sports and activities to start their own Twitter accounts. At Mound Westonka it became the norm to have a Twitter account for any extracurricular activity. It was amazing to see individual sport/activity Twitter pages including the #MWHSPride hashtag.

Overall, we feel that the campaign has been a success and has received a large amount of positive feedback from students, staff members, and community members. For example, we received an email from a guidance counselor after a student wrote an appreciation post dedicated to her. She said that, “it had brought her to tears and reminded her why she had chosen to work at Mound Westonka.” Signs of appreciation like this have motivated us to keep working hard throughout the campaign.

In the beginning of the campaign we were nervous about whether the #MWHSPride hashtag would catch on within the student body. We found that the number of tweets during football games completely exceeded our expectations. People would expect that during a pride campaign, a lot of tweets about pride would be tweeted during football games, but considering out team’s losing record the tweets were unexpected. Mound Westonka students still found things to celebrate, even if were down by 50. This truly indicated how positively the campaign affected our student body.

This blog – “170 Days of MWHS Pride” also got the community involved. Many parents have made reading the blog a part of their day, and requested to write a blog post without any prompting from our team. Every week it has been a challenge to find a new blogger for all 170 days, so this positive response made the challenge of finding bloggers a little easier.

When Alex and I began the MWHS Pride PR Campaign, we knew it would entail a lot of hard work throughout the entire year. In order to connect with students, we had to reach out to them in a way they were familiar with – social media. This was a tough project to get started, but once it was started, it became one of the most rewarding experiences for everyone involved. The key to this project was not only to promote MWHS Pride, but to live and feel MWHS Pride!

Courtney and Alex

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 99 - Pride in my Spanish Class

Today's post is from 8th grader Thomas Rohr

Coming into Spanish as an 8th grader, I thought I would struggle because I didn’t know any Spanish. I started out cruising by not learning much but when the test came I struggled because I didn’t know the material. By the end the quarter, Mr. Bormann, my Spanish teacher, had me stay after school to study with him. 

Eventually, I was doing better on tests. Spanish then became easy and I got my grade up. I managed to do well in Spanish by the end of the quarter! Going into the second quarter, I was a lot more confident about the course content. Even though the Spanish was a lot harder 2nd quarter, I managed to handle it quite well. I actually had an A all quarter and I did well on the semester finals. I was so happy with my Spanish grade. I really want to improve my Spanish and become fluent. I have Mrs. Atkinson this quarter I hope she is as nice and helpful as Mr. Bormann.  I'm sure she will be.

Mr. Bormann & Thomas

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 98 - Cross Country Pride

Today's post is from sophomore Meghan Matt

When I think about my cross country team I think about my second family. Thinking back I don’t know why I joined the team but I can safely say that it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I started the summer going into 7th grade and was immediately welcomed by the team on my first day. I remember walking into the room on the first day and being extremely intimidated by the giant seniors and upperclassman. Kyle Peterson shook my hand and Krista Humbert showed me where to sit and made sure I found my way during that first day.

I just finished my 4th cross country season and was elected captain for next year as a junior. It still amazes me how I love it as much as I did the first day. I hear all of my friends complain about going to their sports and activities after school and I feel so lucky that I look forward to going to practice and being with the team every day. The team is my favorite part about the sport. Everybody is so excited to be there and makes doing the hill intervals on 102 degree summer days fun. Coach Humbert says that our team has a "No jerk rule", meaning quite literally, if you're a jerk we don't want you on the team. I not only learn more and improve on my fitness, but I also become a better person. Coach Humbert is always lecturing us on some kind of life skill or another and it's really cool being able to grow as an individual not only athletically but also personally.

One of my favorite parts of the season is our two night training trip in St. Cloud. As a reward for our hard summer training, and a break before the school year starts, our team spends time together exercising, eating, playing volleyball, swimming, cliff jumping at the Quarries and running. This trip brings the team together and is definitely one of the highlights of my year. Being on the cross country team has helped me to expand the people I socialize with, become more active and fit, and has helped me to become more comfortable with who I am. Having such a positive and accepting place to go to is something I feel really lucky to have found.

Claire, Lilly, Kenzie, Meghan, Addie, Veronica and Hannah

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 97 - The New Top 20 Leadership Program

Today's post is from senior Sami Hales

When I started out at MWHS, I never thought of the opportunities I would be given as a student here. I was just an eighth grader, no idea what I wanted to do after the five years here were up. I think my proudest moment so far as a MWHS student has to be continuing my senior year with pride and joining the Top 20 Leadership program that is new to the school. Being apart of the growth of a new program is always something I will be proud of. The process has been rough, considering it is new and everyone is new to it. It has been fun getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new people at the greetings that were held at Delano High School. Who I am as a person is something I am proud of, and sharing with others is an amazing thing.

I got to know so many people from the meetings and got to show maybe a side of myself that I wasn’t even sure of. I have always been told by my teachers and even got a White Hawk Award for being a natural born leader. I’m not your normal stand out leader though. I kind of sit in the back, observe and try to encourage others to make the right choice. I always tend to be the leader in groups and make decisions when it comes down to it. Even at the meetings at Delano, I tended to be the one who spoke up first and continued the conversations and answered the questions we were told to answer. I never saw myself as a leader, because who I am is generally a quiet girl, who does as she’s told by her teachers, parents, or other authorities. I am proud of who I am, and I am proud to say that being a Mound Westonka student has brought out these qualities that I will always appreciate and that my peers have noticed about me over the time I have been here. I thank those who have been apart of my growth and I know it will follow me to my career.

Sami

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 96 - Nordic Ski Team Adventures at Maplelag

Today's post is from 8th grader Laura Overbo

A few weeks ago, the MWHS Nordic Ski team spent the weekend at MapleLag. We drove six hours north to the Duluth area. I (and the rest of the first-timers) we extremely excited. Once we got there, we all got into our cabin-like rooms and turned in for the night. I felt really proud that night, just being there with the rest of my teammates. They really made me feel like I was a part of a team, and I’m very happy to be a part of such a tight-knit team. 

We did a lot of skiing!  The craziest skiing was when we went down a hill called Suicide Hill. You can imagine the impression that name made on me. As we skied about a half hour down a trail, we came to a sudden intersection, people squirming every which way. We noticed the steep drop about 20 feet away. People were also skiing down a homemade ramp! As I inched forward, someone from behind (a friend) pushed me down the hill. I sped down, wobbling (I’m not the steadiest skier yet…) down and over the ramp. I flew into the air and stuck the landing! Everyone was cheering me on!

I really love the coaches and they make me feel like I’ve accomplished something every day. Being on this team boosted my self-esteem. I’m also a bit sad that a lot of the girls are seniors, and I hope more join next year. This has definitely been one of my best experiences of my 8th grade year!

Laura and the Nordic Ski Team

Nordic Skiing Soccer

Relays

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 95 - Band Superior Success and Pride

Today's post is from MWHS Band Director Gretchen Chilson 

Yesterday, we hosted our region’s band contest. 11 bands, from 5 schools, performed 11 concerts, in 5 hours. With around 400 extra students in the building, that’s a huge undertaking! My students’ primary job was to perform, and they did so – VERY well. Symphonic Band (mostly underclassmen) earned an Excellent rating, and our Wind Ensemble (auditioned band) performed the best I’ve ever heard them, earning the top “Superior” rating from all three judges. They had an awesome educational and musical experience, and learned a lot from the judges who worked with them. Wind Ensemble was so proud of their job well done that they were still glowing the next day in class!

As amazing as the performances were, they are only a small part of why I'm so proud of my students. They also served as hosts for bands from other schools, helpers for the judges, and worked at our concession stand. In short, the students hosted the entire event – and I got countless compliments on their work. Directors from other schools said, “Your kids were awesome -- They answered all my questions.” And, “They were everywhere, just offering to help!”

Did I mention that 3 of the band students found time in between their band responsibilities to go to dance practice so the Hawkettes are ready for state on Friday? Or that at least 3 of them played entire hockey games between band events (and they all won!)? It’s a great day to be a White Hawk, where coaches, advisors, and teachers can work together so the best students in the school can represent all of us.

But what really wowed the folks from other schools? They couldn’t believe that the principal and the activities director were directing traffic, holding doors, and generally helping the event to run smoothly! They loved how helpful our band booster parents were – dedicating countless hours to organize concessions and helpers for supervising homerooms for our guests. It was clear to our guests that Westonka believes in a team effort!

I often complain that we don’t have an auditorium. I mean, we held this major performing arts event in our GYM (displacing countless basketball practices – many thanks to those coaches, too). But, in typical MWHS fashion, the band students were classy, and stepped up to show everyone, including our guests from schools with fancy auditoriums, that we take pride in how we do things here --- and they left a lasting impression. I couldn't be more proud.

Here is a link to the recent Wind Ensemble Contest recording.

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 94 - Proud to Represent the Westonka Schools

Today's post is from Community Education Director Joel Dahl

As the Director of Community Education and Services, part of my job is to promote the Westonka Schools within and outside of our community. Thanks to the amazing students and staff that we have at Westonka, I have found this to be a pretty easy thing to do. I feel very honored and proud each and every time that I get the opportunity to share about all of the great things that are happening in Westonka. From the high test scores and academic success to the athletic and fine arts accomplishments, there is so much to be proud of.

Those of us who live and/or work in Westonka know how special our community and schools are. However, Westonka is still a hidden gem. Many of the people that I speak with and present to have no idea where Westonka is but, most if not all of them have heard about the great things that are happening here.

The entire community education and services team works very hard at providing lifelong learning opportunities to students of all ages from the earliest of learners in early childhood to our adults and seniors. Our programs are a continuation and extension of the great things that happen during the school day and throughout the school year. We are all proud to say that we are a part of something truly special and unique.

I would like to wish all of our students and staff best of luck on the remainder of the school year. Continue working hard and achieving those exceptional results that make us all proud to say that we are from Westonka!

L to R: Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schugel, Mrs. Heyer, Ms. Broich, 

Mrs. Miller, Mr. Dahl and Mrs. Grube

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 93 - Our Leader Recognizes Student Role Models

Today's post is from senior DECA president Matt Hejna

I have pride in this school particularly because of our Superintendent Kevin Borg. Last year, Mr. Borg was incredibly supportive of my suicide prevention campaign for DECA. I wanted to get Dr. Dan Reidenberg to speak at Mound Westonka High School. Dr. Reidenberg is a world renowned Suicide Prevention public speaker. Mr. Borg was instrumental in helping to get Dr. Reidenberg to present in the Mound Westonka area.

Of course, last year was a very stressful year for Mr. Borg as we all know because of a high profile incident that occurred in February. Although Mr. Borg was faced with some tough decisions and public scrutiny, I remained sympathetic to him throughout. Not only does he do a fantastic job managing the high school, but also the middle school, elementary schools, and community education along with that. In addition to being a student at the high school, I am also a staff member at Adventure Club. I know that Mr. Borg has high expectations for the program as I have heard him praise the program in the past.

Above all Mr. Borg is a great leader for the entire district. Despite all of his commitments to making the entire district as superb as it is, he has managed to make time to know my name, and recognize my hard work and effort. However, I know I’m not the only student he recognizes. Mr. Borg made a trip out to the Minneapolis Convention Center on a school day to encourage the DECA Public Relations project done by Courtney Simonson and Alex Rifle. It’s Mr. Borg’s willingness to work with all students, and make sure to recognize the role models that make him a great leader both in our district and in the community. Thank you Mr. Borg!

Zach, Matt, Trevor and Sam

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!