Westhill High School (Connecticut)

Infobox_School2
name = Westhill High School
established = 1972
type = Public
head_name = Principal
head = Camille Figliuzzi
students = 2300-2800
mascot = Vikings
free_label = Colors
free = Purple and Gold
city = Stamford
state = CT
country = USA
website= [http://www.westhillweb.com/ www.westhillweb.com]

Westhill High School is a high school located in Stamford, Connecticut, United States.

Mission Statement

Westhill High School values learning because it promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and civic responsibility. Our community provides all students with opportunities to acquire, analyze, and apply knowledge.

History

The school opened in 1972, to accommodate the growing baby boom population which had filled Rippowam High School and Stamford High School to capacity. Westhill is located on Roxbury Road, in the northern section of Stamford. Its current principal is Camille Figluizzi and its mascot is the Viking with the colors purple and gold (borrowed from the Minnesota Vikings).

One of the cultural strengths of Westhill is its diverse student body, including students from over 40 countries all over the world.

Famous and accomplished alumni from WHS include Michael Fedele, the current Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, actor John Henson, writer Rob Tannenbaum (1979), former Starwood CEO Barry Sternlicht (1978), Pharos CEO Peter Halloran, Fidelity Contrafund manager Will Danoff (1978), Writers Guild of America Winner and two-time Emmy Nominee Sharon Epstein (1978), Andrew Scherer, and Bob Jones.fact|date=July 2008

Campus

The Westhill campus consists of 6 buildings. Each building has some sort of accommodation that the other building doesn't have. For example, the Finch building is home to the Gym, the small and large auditorium, the Finch cafeteria, and the art department. The Raynor building is home to the media center, the special education program, and access to the new 9th grade building. The Finch building and the Raynor building are connected by the media center creating a bridge for easy access during bad weather. There is also an unconnected, fairly new building for the school's agricultural science program, including some biology classrooms as well. Construction of a new 9th grade building and a new auxiliary gym was completed prior to the 2007-2008 school year.

History of the Campus

The original plan for the Westhill high school campus was for the campus to be made up of two buildings, the Raynor and the Finch buildings. The Raynor building was to serve Freshmen and Sophomores and the Finch building was to serve Juniors and Seniors, but at the opening of the first fall school year the campus opened as a grade-wide campus.

Athletics

The Vikings excel in interscholastic sports. The Girl's Basketball team is the school's best athletic team, making it to the FCIAC Championship in 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and 2007-2008 four straight seasons. Westhill's Boys Indoor Track has also done well, finishing 3rd in the FCIAC Championship meet. In 2006, Westhill's football team (coached by Dick Cerone), reached the 5-5 mark for the first time since 1986, including a massive win over crosstown rival Stamford High on Stamford's own field, 45-23. They have since gone on to repeat that feat, going 5-5 in 2007 and capturing the city championship.fact|date=July 2008

FALL Cheerleading for boys and girls Cross country Field hockey Football Marching Band Soccer — boys and girls Swimming — girls Volleyball — girls

WINTER Basketball — boys and girls Cheerleading Gymnastics — girls Ice hockey — boys Indoor track — boys and girls Swimming — boys* Wrestling

SPRING Baseball Golf — boys and girls Lacrosse — boys and girls Outdoor track — boys and girls Softball* Tennis — boys and girls Volleyball — boys**
* The JROTC Raider Team has won First Place in the Raider Challenge three years in a row.fact|date=July 2008
* The Swim team consists of both Stamford High School and Westhill High School.
* The Boy's Volleyball team is a Stamford-wide team consisting of Westhill High School, Stamford High School, and Trinity Catholic High School.
* The Senior Hacky Sack Team is currently undefeated in the Courtyard Lunch Competition.fact|date=July 2008

Agri-Science Program

The Stamford Regional Agriscience and Technology Center is housed in a spectacular state-of-the-art facility on the rolling campus of Westhill High School. The building has an adjoining greenhouse and has specific Rooms: an Aquaculture Lab, Animal Room, Woodshop, Ag-Mechanics Shop, Floraculture Lab, Forestry Lab and Plant Science Lab in adittion to regular classrooms. It serves students from Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Redding, Wilton, Weston, and Westport. Tuition and bus transportation are provided by the applicant's sending school district.

As freshmen and sophomores, students get an overview of Plant Science, Animal Science, Environmental Science, Aquaculture, and Agricultural Mechanics. Then, as sophomores, juniors, and seniors, they will take "double periods" (approximately 90 minutes) daily in their field of choice. Students also become members of the FFA the second largest youth organization in the U.S..fact|date=July 2008

Extracurricular Activities

Academic Clubsthe david markowitz clubAcademy of Finance
FBLA - The Future Business Leaders of America
JROTC (not obligated to go into military after )
Junior Statesman
NAHS - National Arts Honors Society
NHS - National Honor Society

Performing Arts

Concert Choir
Drill Team
Film Club
Gospel Choir
Northstar Playmakers (Drama Club)
WHS Dance Troupe
Westhill Improv Troupe

Heritage Clubs

Asian Culture Club
Aspira
French Club
Haitian American Club
Italian Club
Jewish Heritage Club
Latin Club
Multi-Cultural Student Alliance
Spanish Club

Special Interest Clubs

Alliance for Cancer Education

Best Buddies
Building with Books
Chess
Debate Team
Gay-Straight Alliance
Interact Club
Mayor's Youth Leadership Council
Mock Trial
Model U.N. Club
Multicultural Book Club
Outdoor Adventure Club
Philosophy Club
Raices
Red Cross Youth Care
Teaching Our Talents
Today's Students, Tomorrow's Teachers

Student Publications

"The Westword/School Newspaper"

The school's newspaper, "The Westword" (a portmanteau of "westward" and "word"), has won several national and state-wide awards. It is also one of the largest high school newspapers in Connecticut. Started in the early 1970's, the paper went on to become a nationally-acclaimed student publication.

Currently, "The Westword" has a staff of over 70 students. The use of quotes and surveys is a trademark of the Westword, along with well researched and edited articles. Its issues, generally 44-56 pages, and are produced monthly. The paper is mailed to a circulation of over 3000 students, parents, and faculty.

The Westhill Saga/Yearbook

Parent Organizations

WPTSO

ee also

*Education in Stamford, Connecticut

External links

* [http://www.westhillweb.com/ School website]
* [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/ct/890/ Westhill High School Web page at Great Schools website]
* [http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/der/ssp/SCH0506/sr110.pdf] Westhill High School "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006", Connecticut Department of Education
* [http://www.westhillweb.com/academics/agscience/index.html] AgriScience homepage