The Write Side
PWHS News Update - 2017 Back to School Edition
Ratliff crowned 2nd Runner-Up
The crystal tiara dulls in comparison to the sparkle in the eyes of Portsmouth West High School senior, Jade Ratliff, after Saturday night. Ratliff was crowned Miss River Days 2nd Runner-Up during the 54th annual Portsmouth River Days Festival Pageant on Sept. 2. She also was awarded 2nd place for her float and voted Outstanding Performer based on her performance in the pageant.
Winning a place in the top three merits more than just a title. Because of her outstanding achievement in the pageant, Ratliff earned three scholarships totaling $700.
Ratliff attributes much of her success to the support she received throughout this past year. "I am so thankful for all of the support I have received. My community helped me out so much by donating items for my community service event and by encouraging me with positive thoughts. I do not know what I would do without being from the 'Best Side!'" she said.
This past year, her role as Miss West included a myriad of time-consuming activities that culminated in the final pageant Saturday night. With her newly won title, she will begin another activity-driven reign representing Portsmouth River Days in various events and parades. However, Ratliff takes on this role with pride and enthusiasm. "I am beyond honored to represent Portsmouth West High School, The River Days Festival, and the great city of Portsmouth! This is going to be a very exciting journey for me this year. From Miss West 2017 to your 2017 Miss River Days 2nd Runner-Up, I would like to thank the West Portsmouth community for supporting me through my fairytale!" she said.
Pageant photo courtesy of Jon's Photos
Parade photos courtesy of Joe Shupert. For more parade photos visit PHOTOJOEONLINE.
Freshmen - Get Involved
Sports, band, and chorus are great ways to be active in high school. However, there are other opportunities Portsmouth West High School provides in order to allow any student to be involved in the high school experience. Remember, high school should be fun, but it also is transitioning student for college and/or careers. Participation in any activity looks great on applications and resumes.
Click on some of the clubs and activities below to view some of their former and current members and endeavors. Note that some clubs are based on grades, while others are based on student interests. Also, interested something you don't see below? Get a few students interested and speak to Mr. Bazler about creating your own club. Other clubs started in the last year based on student interest include the Japanese Culture Club (see senior Dalton Pertuset) and the Bass Fishing Club (see Mr. Estep).
- MOCK TRIAL - see Ms. Moorhead
- HOBY LEADER - see Mr. Conrad
- ROBOTICS - see Mrs. Kuhn
- SCIENCE BOWL - see Mrs. Kuhn or Mrs. Bazler
- CLASS OFFICERS - (campaign among your peers to win)
- BETA - see Mrs. Smalley
- QUIZ BOWL - see Mrs. Callihan
- KEY CLUB - see Mrs. Blevins
- HONORS CLUB - (review your student handbook)
2017 Football Homecoming Court Announced
Congratulations to the 2017 football homecoming court!
- Queen: Madison Shepherd
- Senior Attendant: Emily Hatfield
- CTC Rep: Ana Wireman
- Junior: Amber Kennedy
- Sophomore: Gracie Boland
- Freshman: Kylie Ratcliff
Homecoming will take place on September 29 during halftime of the West vs. Minford game.
Photo of Queen Madison Shepherd courtesy of Royal Photography
PWHS Teacher Selected as Ohio American Legion 2017 Teacher of the Year
Portsmouth West High School American History teacher, Carolyn Callihan, was presented the 2017 Educator of the Year Award by the Ohio American Legion on July 8, 2017. Nominated to represent the 7th legion district, Mrs. Callihan was in a pool of candidates comprising the 14 legion districts in the state of Ohio.
Mrs. Callihan was chosen for the award - which is based on educators’ contributions to the field of education and their involvement in the field of Americanism - because she goes above and beyond for her students, especially focusing on the topic of America and the military, according to Susan Frasher, American Legion Post 23 and 7th District Americanism Chairman. One of Mrs. Callihan’s yearly class projects consists of students researching family members who were veterans and writing a biography focusing on the veteran’s time of service, branch, and life within the military.
Aware of the competitive nature of this state-level award, Mrs. Callihan is proud of the recognition and plans to continue working with the local American Legion Post. “I am very grateful to the American Legion District 7 Post 23 for their nomination and support and very proud to represent the Washington-Nile Local School District for this state award. It was a very humbling experience, one that I will never forget and without a doubt the highlight of my career! I am thankful for the programs that Post 23 provides for our district's students from the flag raising ceremonies before home football games, veterans assemblies, Buckeye Boys' State, Legion Baseball, and the American Legion Government and Americanism test. These programs all model and emphasize good citizenship and patriotism,” she stated.
Announcements & Upcoming events
- Scheduled one hour delay - 9/11
Any 11th-grade student who would like to take the PSAT needs to see Mr. Conrad. The deadline to sign-up is September 15. This is a prerequisite to be a National Merit Scholar.
Voting for Key Club Officers will be held after school in the tiered room September 12. Key Club dues of $10 are due on or before September 29.
Beta induction - 9/27
- Varsity Football - 9/8 @ Coal Grove, 9/15 @ Wellston, 9/22 @ Raceland, 9/29 vs Minford (Homecoming)
- Boys' Soccer - 9/12 @ Clay, 9/14 @ Wheelersburg , 9/19 vs Waverly, 9/21@ New Boston, 9/26 vs Northwest, 9/28 @ Minford
- Girls' Soccer - 9/11 @ Chesapeake, 9/12 @ Piketon, 9/14 @ Wheelersburg, 9/18 vs Waverly, 9/20 vs Peebles, 9/25 vs Northwest, 9/28 @ Minford
- Volleyball - 9/11 vs North Adams, 9/12 vs Oak Hill, 9/14 @ Wheelersburg, 9/18 vs Portsmouth, 9/19 vs Waverly, 9/21 @ Valley, 9/25 @ Clay, 9/26 vs Northwest, 9/28 @ Minford
- Golf - 9/19 vs Waverly, 9/21 vs Waverly [all matches held at Shawnee State Golf Course
2017-2018 Digital Technology Class
Students in the 2017-2018 Digital Technology class contribute to both The Write Side newsletter and the high school web page.
You can also find The Write Side newsletter in the Campus Life section of the high school web page.
Email: kristie.copley@westsenators.org
Website: http://www.westsenators.org/highschool
Location: 15332 U.S. 52, West Portsmouth, OH, United States
Phone: (740) 858-1103