Day 17 - White Hawk Nation

Today's post is from Brock Locker, a junior at MWHS

This is the White Hawk Nation.  We are united.  Our school is a place to prosper academically and athletically.  We congratulate each other on great grades and new times made.  We take pride in what we do and who we are. But we wouldn't be this great school if it weren't for the community that supports our fantastic students and athletes.

Even if we win, lose or draw our community is behind us pushing us forward to achieve bigger and better.  We may be a small school, but we have big opportunities that can create individual students! We create our students, we create our successes, and we create who we are today, tomorrow and in the future.

Adam & Brock

Editor's note: Brock is a student in the MWHS Wake Up Westonka Announcements class. Please watch his fantastic football video that he created for this class! #MWHSPride

Day 16 - Reflections from a School Board Member

Today's post is from Ann Bremer, Westonka School Board Vice Chair and parent of two MWHS grads

Every day as a Westonka School board member, I am incredibly proud to serve this great district. I do not have to stretch for one minute to find a story or an example of how easy it is to brag about our great kids and our great staff.  Yes, I could fill this blog about stories of “best in the state” test scores, awards and achievements from the arts to athletics, our school district’s financial turnaround (although still a struggle), the support from our community members who understand the importance of public schools, and my admiration for those truly unique staff members who understand how important their role is in engaging kids to learn and to strive to learn more.

But this is where my pride in Westonka comes from:  my own daughter’s struggle with a learning disability that required her to receive Special Education services for most of her elementary and middle school years.  Her teacher’s and paraprofessionals believed in her, and did not treat her like someone who just had to “get by”. She graduated from High School,was accepted to the University of Minnesota, graduated in 4 years (on the Dean’s List twice!)—and is now working at Hazelton Foundation. Could that have happened at any school district in this state? I hope so—but it happened right here at MWHS.  It’s my number one reason for running—I want to preserve that same dedication that was shown to my daughter by this staff.  I want that for all kids!

I have served on this school board for 10 years and each time I have run—my inspiration has always been my deep commitment to our kids and my passion for public education.  I will fight every day to give you the tools you need to be the best students and to achieve all of those dreams you want for yourself. I will put this student body and what you do every day to learn and to realize what is truly important in your education up against any student body in this state—and you will shine.  Be proud of being a White Hawk—I am incredibly proud to serve you!

Paige, Ann and Molly

Day 15 - Proud to Sing in the MWHS Choir

Today's post is by Rachel Andres, a senior and proud MWHS Concert Choir member

The thing that makes me the most proud to be a part of Mound Westonka High School is being involved in the choir program. I am a soprano in Concert Choir, one of the three choirs we have here at MWHS.

This is my second year in Concert Choir and before that I was in Varsity Choir and before that, the White Hawk Choir. Over the years I have made new friends who enjoy singing like I do. Together we have learned a lot of great music and performed it to many appreciative audiences.

One of the many highlights was last year when we went on tour to New Orleans. We performed on the streets to a completely new audience and saw many other performers, too. We got to experience the culture in a Cajun restaurant and an evening trip on a jazz cruise ship.  We also got to meet kids with a love of music just like us at the exchange concert at a local high school.

Something to get excited for this year is getting accepted to perform at the American Choral Directors Association.  I am proud to be a part of such a great program, and I would like to give a special thanks to our director Kate Larson for being such a dedicated teacher and making all of it possible.

Chloe, Liz, Rachel, Bobbi and Coco

Day 14 - Being a White Hawk in the MWHS Band

Today's post is from Gretchen Chilson, music teacher and community member

Whew! The first few weeks of school are in the books, and what a great couple of weeks it was! My perspective is from the band room, but I know my sentiments are echoed by other teachers, coaches, and advisors who have had a crazy-but-rewarding first few days here at MWHS. 

Our bands hit the ground running --- our Pep Band had just four days of school to prepare to play for the first home football game two Fridays ago. So, I want to use this venue to thank everyone who made our crazy first few weeks a success: 

Many 9th graders spent the summer learning our school song, and really stepped up to learn a folder full of pep music in only 3 days of rehearsal. 

Our upperclassmen have already showed their terrific leadership, and not just musically. We made some changes to our "usual" pep band routine, and they took it all in stride -- rolling with the punches and keeping an awesome attitude. 

Our amazing parent volunteers, who endured a HOT Fast Start event to do uniform fittings, and then planned a fun tailgating event as a thank-you to the band. 

Terrific student volunteers who helped put the band room back together (again, in HOT, un-air-conditioned conditions) after our room was re-tiled over the summer. 

Our drumline, who learned brand new music at our percussion camp, and performed it at the first day of school assembly.  

Our awesome community and fans -- many of whom took the time to thank myself and/or band members for being at the first home football game. 

...and many more. It really has been a whirlwind, but once again I can sincerely say I'm proud to be a White Hawk! 

Photo by BJ Johnson

Day 13 - You can't take Westonka out of a White Hawk!

Today's post is from Aaron Leschisin, 10th grade student at MWHS

There are many reasons why I am proud to be a student at Mound Westonka High School. One of these reason mainly has to do with my peers. They are always motivated, and thrive to succeed in school. My peers are dedicated to their education and their activities. This helps motivate me, it gives me initiative to want to learn and succeed. 

Another reason I’m proud is even though we may not be the biggest school in Minnesota we definitely make ourselves present - not only in test scores, but also in spirit. Think about our school’s involvement in Celebrate My Drive last year. Our community came together and participated in such a committed way. 

Our students are always thrilled for school events and fundraisers; we always try our best and never give up. Plus, our school is very inviting, everyone takes the time to get to know each other and make sure everyone feels involved. Being in such a positive environment gives me confidence. You can take a White Hawk out of Westonka, but you can’t take Westonka out of a White Hawk. These are some of the reasons why I, Aaron Leschisin, am proud to be a student at Mound Westonka High School!

MWHS Students at Celebrate My Drive - September 2012

Day 12 - MWHS Curriculum Night

Today's post is from Missy Graner, a parent of students at MWHS and Grandview Middle School


After 12 years in the Westonka school district, this year marked something new, exciting and slightly intimidating for our family. It was the first year that we sent one of our kids to MWHS. We had missed the information night back in February and the 8th grade orientation night had been cancelled due to all the construction, so we were feeling a little unprepared for the transition.

The first week of school came and went, and Logan had a great experience. Navigating the school wasn’t as tricky as he was predicting, the workload wasn’t as overwhelming and the school lunch was awesome.  That said - I know nothing about MWHS, nothing about the teachers, the leadership, or the support staff, so when I received notice about Curriculum Night, there was no way I was going to miss it.

I made sure I arrived in the gym for Curriculum Night plenty early – we were warned it was going to start promptly at 7 and we were going to be kept to a tight schedule. When I sat in the gym and watched the staff introduced, I could just FEEL that they were an amazing group and that all four of our kids who will come through the doors of MWHS are going to be in good hands.

As the night went on, things just got better. As I met with teacher after teacher, I couldn't believe how professional, engaged and enthusiastic they all were. MWHS is teaching skills to these eighth graders that will ensure that they are successful in high school, in college and beyond. The teachers are embracing new technology, with all the complications that it brings. This is truly 21st century learning!

I'm so happy and proud to be part of this school district. You are doing amazing things. What a great place. We're so lucky.

Logan and Missy

Day 11 - Future 8th Grade Leaders

Today's post is from Christy Keeley-Zachow, principal at Grandview Middle School and parent of Westonka students

As we begin another year at the middle school, one of the things that makes me most proud is our WEB Orientation that we provide for our 5th grade and new students.  We may be the only school in the country who uses 7th graders as leaders for this program and year after year after year, our 7th grade students amaze me!  They give up 3 of their last days of summer vacation to come in to a sweltering hot cafeteria and train with Ms. Seehusen and Ms. Enger.  Their goal is to do whatever they can to help all our new students make friends, have fun and feel comfortable with their transition to their new school.    Their help has made the first days of school so much easier for all these new students and helps the new students realize that our 7th graders are here to help!   It is a great reminder year after year that we have great kids and great leaders here at GMS!

Day 10 - A New Beginning

Today's post is written by Dacoyta Camp, a sophomore at MWHS

All my life through grade school to middle school I was always kind of alone. It was hard to make new friends all the time. When things got good something changed. 

I'll be honest, at first I wasn't thrilled to move to Mound and go to MWHS, but now I see it was the best thing to ever happen to me! On the first day of school I knew no one but within 20 minutes of walking through the front door I had made five friends. I was immediately accepted. A few days later I joined football. It was an unreal feeling to be honest. It opened up new doors for me. I made more friends there and was encouraged by students and staff to play other sports. 

Not only were the people at MWHS incredibly accepting and kind but the academics were first class! In all my life school had been simple and boring, but here I found a challenge and I loved it and still love it! And all these controversies here are just dumb. The people are amazing, the spirit is amazing, and the academics are amazing. So all I have to say is that MWHS was my light, and I hope someone out there gets the same opportunity I did.

Josh & Dacoyta