Western High School (California)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Western High School
logo =
city = Anaheim
state = California
country = USA
colors = Blue and White
color box|#106bb4 color box|white
district = Anaheim Union High School District
mascot = Pioneer
grades = 9-12
established = 1954
type = Public high school
enrollment = 2200
faculty = 110
motto = Home of the Pioneers
principal = Paul Sevillano
yearbook =
newspaper =
website = http://western.auhsd.k12.ca.us/
address = 501 South Western Avenue
campus =

Western High School is a 9th–12th grade public high school in Anaheim, California, and is one of ten high schools in the Anaheim Union High School District. It is located in north Orange County and primarily serves middle income students. It was established in 1954. The school's mascot is the Pioneer. In 1979, the administration building was destroyed by a fire believed to be started by disgruntled former students.Fact|date=June 2007

Accomplishments

Western High is a California Distinguished High School. In over fifty years, it has produced numerous students and alumni who have achieved national and international recognition in medicine, business, politics, sports, and entertainment. Most notable is the large percentage of former students who have pursued careers in education through the inspiration of the faculty of Western High School.

The administration and faculty of Western High School are focused exclusively upon the academic and social needs of the current students. The official alumni association (WHS Alumni Association) works closely with the school to support all former students and promote continued involvement between the school and alumni of Western High School. As an IRS recognized 501c3 non-profit organization, the WHS Alumni Association provides free membership to all current and former students of Western High School, and provides free e-mail accounts to all members. Freshmen of Western High School are encouraged to join the alumni association to receive the free e-mail account since other free e-mail services, such as Hotmail and Yahoo are often blocked by the district firewalls and limit their ability to access designated educational or school websites.

In June 2002, three Western High School students were honored for their outstanding designs for the Anaheim Beautiful Harmony Garden. [cite news |title=Anaheim Public Utilities Congratulates Western High School Students for their Winning Harmony Garden designs |url=http://www.anaheim.net/utilities/news/article.asp?id=241 |date=2002-05-31 |accessdate=2007-05-17 ]

Athletics

School teams compete in several sports including:
*Baseball
*Basketball
*Cross-Country
*Football
*Golf
*Soccer
*Softball
*Swimming
*Tennis
*Track
*Volleyball
*Water Polo
*Wrestling

The Pioneers won the 2007 California Interscholastic Federation Wrestling Championship.

The annual football game between Western and its rival Anaheim High School is referred to as the traditional "Bell Game", with the winning school receiving the Victory Bell.

Notable alumni

*Joey Dean Little - (ASB President 1973-1974) City of Placentia Police Officer National Law Enforcement Memorial
*Dayna Benson - LPGA Golf Pro
*Frances Lee McLain - TV Actress
*Andy Messersmith - Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves - first free agent in baseball
*John Moses - Outfielder, Seattle Mariners
*Dana Nafziger - Linebacker, American football player, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*Eldrick "Tiger" Woods - No. 1 ranked golfer in the world, 14 career major victories, 3x U.S. Amateur winner, 3x U.S. Junior Amateur winner

References

Western High School Alumni Association

External links

* [http://western.auhsd.k12.ca.us/ Western High School website]
* [http://www.whspioneers.org Western High School Alumni Association]
* [http://www.whspioneers.org/pages_from_history.pdf History of Western High School]
* [http://www.auhsd.k12.ca.us/ Anaheim Union High School District website]
* [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/ca/3618/ Great Schools - Western High School]
* [http://www.nocrop.tec.ca.us/tech/western_campus.htm/ Campus map]