Waterloo West High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Waterloo West High School
address = 425 East Ridgeway Avenue
type = Secondary High School
established = 1955
grades = 9-12
students = 1735
principal = Dr. Gail Moon
website = [http://westhigh.waterloo.k12.ia.us westhigh.waterloo.k12.ia.us/]
affiliation = Mississippi Valley Conference
colors = Old Rose and Black
mascot = Wahawk
city = Waterloo
state = Iowa
country = United States of America Waterloo West High School is a high school located at the intersection of E Ridgeway Ave. and Baltimore Ave. in Waterloo, Iowa. It enjoys a rich and successful history especially in the music and sports departments. The West High band, choir, and orchestra programs have remained near the number one spot in the state of Iowa for the past 20 years, winning numerous awards in all fields of music. [ [http://www.communityfoundationneiowa.com/db/newstopics.asp?S=4 Community Foundation of Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa ] ]

Music Department

The marching band (headed by Director Steve Citta) has come in the top two in the state for the past four years, competing in competitions from Iowa to Minnesota.Fact|date=September 2008 The marching band's repertoire for the past few years has consisted of: Danny Elfman's: Music For a Darkened Theater vol. II (1994), The Wizard of Oz (film) (1995), The Magical Mystery Tour (1996), Danny Elfman's: Music For a Darkened Theater vol. III] (1997), Miss Saigon (1998), Tommy (1999), Danny Elfman's: Music For a Darkened Theater vol. IV (2000) Fantasmic (2001), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (film) (2002), Waterworld (2003), Miss Saigon (2004), and Danny Elfman's: Music For A Darkened Theater Vol. V(2005) ,"Cirque du Soleil" (2006), and Doctor Who (2007). The show for this season (2008) is The Phantom of the Opera. The marching band has received Division 1 ratings for 18 consecutive years.Fact|date=September 2008

The concert bands, wind symphony and symphonic band, are headed by Director Steve Citta and Assistant Director Nicholas Mixdorf. Over the past 9 years the band has taken a trip to the Heritage Festival three different times, each time earning 1st place in all categories.Fact|date=September 2008 The Wind Symphony has received Division 1 ratings for 16 consecutive years.Fact|date=September 2008 In the 06' season, the Jazz Band came in 4th place for all 4A schools at the Iowa Jazz Championships. In the 1980 Season, the Jazz Band, under the direction of Robert Schaefer, came in 1st place at the Iowa Jazz Championships.

The choir is directed by Kathrine Ruegg. The Concert Choir has competed in the Heritage Festivals in Chicago four times over twelve years, each time taking 1st in all of its categories. The Concert Choir has received Division 1 ratings for 20 consecutive years.

The Symphony is directed by Erin Gaherty. The ensemble sends several players each year to compete for chair placement at All State in Ames, Iowa. Many members of the ensemble regularly travel to the Dorian Music Festival located at Luther College each year.

Mascot

The school mascot is Westy The Wahawk. The name "Wahawk" is a portmanteau of the city name (Waterloo) and the county name (Black Hawk). Much controversy has surrounded the mascot, which was once an Indian chief thought to be politically incorrect. It is currently the "Flying W," a capital "W" with a feather hanging off of it. This is also the only school in the United States with "Old Rose" as it's school color.

Notable alumni

*1966 - Dan Gable, Olympic champion wrestler and collegiate coach.Fact|date=September 2008
*Bob Bowlsby, Athletic Director Stanford University (2006- ) University of Iowa (1991-2005)Fact|date=September 2008
*Don Perkins, running back for the Dallas Cowboys.Fact|date=September 2008
*Emily West, country music singer-songwriter signed with Capitol Records.Fact|date=September 2008

References

External links

* [http://westhigh.waterloo.k12.ia.us Waterloo West High School website]