West High’s 2022-2023 year is nearing completion and soon enough will be over. Summer is soon and students are eager to get out and enjoy their time away from school. This school year was very eventful and full of activities and memories that will definitely last a lifetime. Now that May is rolling around, let’s look at some of the best moments that happened this year at West.
Let's start off the year with all the new teachers that have joined the West High crew this year!
Mrs. Carrie Chambers-Clowney, she is one of the new assistant principals here at West High!
Mr. Terry Davenport, he is the new student safety coordinator.
Mr. Ryan Haun, he is a new special education teacher here at West.
Mrs. Jessica Patrick, she teaches business and economics classes.
Mr. Davin Hatfield, he teaches principles of manufacturing.
Mrs. Andrea Wice, she teaches economics classes.
Dr. Shannon Collins, he teaches English.
Mr. Ronald Russ, he teaches 9th grade social studies.
Mrs. Stormie Minor, she is an ESL teacher, and helps students whose first language is not English.
Now that the new teachers and staff that have joined the Trojan army are out of the way, Let’s move onto the exciting and important events that have happened this impactful school year!
1. In the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year here at West, a new statewide grading scale was put in place that may have raised some controversy from students and parents alike. Tennessee had been using the seven point grading scale since 2006, but as of 2022, it had been changed to a 10 point grading scale so a grade of 90 that would have been considered a B in 2021 would now be considered an A.
2. At the beginning of the school year Mr. Todd introduced multiple fine art classes. Todd introduced a new fine arts program, Media Arts, a combination of film studies and filmmaking. Todd has also taken over the Theatre Arts program, formerly taught by Ms. Terry.
3. West took the win once again after winning with a score of 24-7 in Football against East High!
4. Students and teachers shared their favorite memories of late 9th grade social studies teacher and Football coach, Mr. Marcum, to honor his life and teaching career at West.
“Having known the Marcum's for several years, I knew. Brian's dream job was to teach here at West High School. When Brian applied for the open position here, I remember praying with them that it would work out. On June 14, 2016, Rebecca sent me a message saying " Brian was recommended for the position"! I was so excited to hear the news and knew Brian and Rebecca were too! They always supported each other's hopes and dreams. I am so thankful for this memory and to have shared in their joy. Brian definitely left his legacy and he will be missed by so many. of us.” - Darlene Atkins, teacher
“Mr. Marcum was funny and nice and knew how to make everyone feel welcome. He gave second chances and always challenged people to do their best.” - Mikaela Mello, student
5. The West High Senior Homecoming Court was announced!
6. Morristown West created the Random Acts of Kindness Club led by Aarya Patel. Patel shares that the objective of the club is to “provide positivity on the campus of Morristown West High School and provide an environment of inclusiveness for all students in the student body of Morristown West High School.”
7. Five new members were inducted into the Trojan Army Hall of Fame.
Michael, “Mike” Abbott
Dr. Ashley Campbell Lindley
Frank McGuffin
John Litz
Suzanne Cox
8. Arely Molina was hailed as West High’s Homecoming queen and was crowned by last year’s Homecoming queen, Evie Dalton. Molina was escorted by Jorge Mazariegos.
9. For the first time since 2016, the Trojans Varsity football team will played in District play at home. Congratulations to the MoWest Trojans football team for a playoff berth in district play at a home game. Morristown West is prepared for the first round of Class 5A playoffs against Sevier County on Friday Night. The Trojans finished the regular season at 6-4.
10. Morristown West High had a great first international night event. The event included food, dancing, traditional wear, and more and celebrated the different cultures of students. Spanish teacher Kevin Parker stated, "Our International Night was an amazing opportunity to celebrate the cultures and diversity within our school community. We were excited and stunned by the turnout! It was a wonderful evening!”
11. During West High’s carnival event, sponsored by the cafeteria, Mr. Tim Landerfeld, assistant principal, got pied in the face a total of five times Nov. 18. A total of $340 was raised in all four lunches to pay off the student debt. Keagan Purkey was the first person to pie Landefeld in the face. The first lunch raised $116. The second person to pie Landefeld was Kaitlyn Stout. This lunch raised $50 . Third lunch’s winner was Fayda Hayes, cafeteria worker, and they raised a total of $72. Cameron, a freshman, was the winner of the fourth lunch along with Jake Stitt who raised $60.
12. The West High Theatre program debuted its first productions under the supervision of Mr. Michael Todd. The plays debuting were “Newsies Junior” and “Peanut Butter Christmas,” a play written by Todd. The production was a labor of love for everyone involved. Students attended numerous hours of out of school rehearsals to ensure the play went off without a hitch.
12. Mr. Parker received West High’s 2022-2023 teacher of the year. He also was crowned Hamblen County’s High School Teacher of the Year. Parker has been teaching at Morristown West for five years. He is the sponsor of the newly-formed Cultural Appreciation & Awareness club.
13. In celebration of the end of Homecoming Week, West High hosted its first Homecoming Formal. Jan. 21st, 2023, students spent their 7-10PM dancing the night away with friends and peers alike.
14. Tison Johnson was elected as West High’s 2022-2023 Homecoming king! He was escorted by Aviah Bunsic.
15. The West High Trojan Boys’ Basketball Team landed an astonishing win in the regional tournament against West Ridge. The tournament ended 66-61.
16. The Trojan Nation’s Speech and Debate team participated in a competition at Cookeville High School. Out of the various members, three earned a high enough ranking to make their way towards the national competition, which will be taking place during June in Phoenix, Arizona. Abigail Snider earned first place in oral interpretation, Jeffrey Glover earned first in dramatic interpretation, and Joseph Parrott earned fourth place in program oral interpretation.
17. The West High School Beta Club attended a Leadership summit in Gatlinburg on March 9 and 10. The West High Beta Club competed in the Community Service Proposal, Lead Outside the Box, and Collaboration Connection competitions. All of these projects qualified to compete on the national level. Eleven students represented West High School at the Leadership Summit and competed in three events. Among those students, Zoe Kraus, Catherine Lomot, Katie Tran and Kristen Davis participated in the Project Proposal competition. Michaela Sigler, Lily Hale, and Tyler Williamson competed in the Lead Outside the Box event. Derek Gammel, Gage Livesay, Nick Barber, and Drew Anderson also qualified with their Communication Connection Project.
18. DECA held its annual competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee on March 11 and 12. Eighteen West High students competed, those being Brie Blevens, Caroline Brady, Isabella Forte, Lauren Gray, Philip Lotivio, Raylie Lykens, Adison Manuel, Allie McKenna, Pierre Novus, Aarya Patel, Harsh Patel, Jaiden Rohe, Tania Roque Castro, Chloe Seal, Lillian Sturm, Isabella Swanson, Zeke Swearengin, and My Tran.
Raylie Lykens and Chloe Seal both won 4th place in the state DECA Competition for the Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making event and secured themselves the chance to compete in the DECA International Competition (ICDC). Chloe Seal also received first place on the Marketing Management Career Cluster Exam.
Aarya Patel placed 4th in the state DECA Competition for the Hotel and Lodging Management event and qualified to compete in the ICDC.
Lauren Gray and Isabella Swanson placed in the top eight of the Marketing Management Team Decision Making event.
Brie Blevins placed in the top eight of the Retail Merchandising event.
19. The HOSA state competition, Tennessee Leadership Conference, for 2023 took place in Knoxville Tn. Several HOSA members were selected to go. Katie Cranford was honored as State Membership Ambassador of the year and also placed 5th in Medical Assisting. Madyson Derry placed 5th in Medical Spelling. Dayan Hernandez Guareros placed 1st in state for prepared speaking and will represent Tennessee in the HOSA International Leadership Conference to be held in Dallas, Texas in June.
20. West High’s FBLA had the opportunity to visit Chattanooga, TN to participate in the state competition April 3-5. They had an amazing and productive time touring, competing and attending conferences. Tania Roque Castro placed in top eight advertising, Kaila Evans placed fifth in business communications and Charlie Fitzgerald placed top eight in journalism. Isabella Swanson and Lauren Gray placed top eight in Hospitality and Event Management. Gray also won a Dr. Bill Raliff $500 scholarship at the FBLA state competition.
21. West High’s 2023 prom is about to take place! It takes place on April 29 and its official theme is a red carpet affair! Put on your best dress and suit and tie.
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