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{{Infobox Secondary school
{{Infobox school
| name = West Aurora High School
| name = West Aurora High School
| logo = [[Image:West Aurora HS blue with red logo.png|Logo of WAHS]]
| logo = [[Image:West Aurora HS blue with red logo.png|Logo of WAHS]]
| streetaddress = 1201 W. New York Street
| motto = "A Tradition of Excellence"
| city = [[Aurora, Illinois|Aurora]]
| established = [[1867]]<br>[[1953]] (current building)
| state = [[Illinois]]
| principal = Dan Bridges
| zipcode = 60506
| type = Public secondary
| country = United States
| grades = 9–12
| coordinates = {{coord|41.765|-88.3456|display=inline,title|format=dms|type:edu_region:US-IL}}
| city = 1201 W. New York St<br>[[Aurora, Illinois|Aurora]]
| district = [[West Aurora Public School District 129]]
| state = [[Illinois]]
| superintendent = Jeff Craig
| country = [[United States|USA]]
| ceeb = 140185
| enrollment = 3,292
| us_nces_school_id =
| faculty = Approximately 300
| principal = Chuck Hiscock<ref name=administration>{{cite web | url = https://westhigh.sd129.org/about-us/administration | title = Administration | website = westhigh.sd129.org | publisher = West Aurora High School | access-date = July 4, 2019}}</ref>
| campus = [[Suburban]]
| faculty =
| mascot = [[Black Hawk (chief)|Chief Blackhawk]]
| avg_class_size = 23.3
| free_label_1 = Nickname
| ACT = 20.3
| free_1 = Blackhawks
| gender = [[Co-educational]]
| colors = Blue, Red
| fundingtype = [[State school|Public]]
| newspaper = ''The Red and Blue''
| schooltype = [[High school (North America)|high school]]
| yearbook = ''EOS''
| grades = [[Ninth grade|9]]–[[Twelfth grade|12]]<ref name="nces_sch" />
| website = [http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/ www.sd129.org/westhigh]
| campus = [[Suburb]]an<ref name="nces_sch" />
| picture = [[Image:westaurora.jpg|280px]]
| conference = [[Upstate Eight Conference]]
| fightsong = ''Roll On, You Blackhawks''
| motto = ''A Tradition of Excellence''
| accreditation = [[AdvancED]]
| mascot = [[Blackhawk (chief)|Chief Blackhawk]]
| nickname = Blackhawks
| school_colours = {{Color box|Red|border=darkgray}} Red<br />{{Color box|Blue|border=darkgray}} Blue
| yearbook = EOS
| publication = ''Muses''
| newspaper = Red and Blue
| opened = {{Start date and age|1868}}
| teaching_staff = 245.81 ([[Full-time equivalent|FTE]]) (2022–2023)<ref name="nces_sch" />
| enrollment = 3,818 (2022–2023){{NCES School ID|170471000174|school_name=West Aurora High School|access_date=November 9, 2024|do_not_render=y}}
| ratio = 15.53 (2022–2023)<ref name="nces_sch" />
| footnotes = <ref name="Class of 2008 school report card"/><ref name="AdvancED">[http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=18301 Institution Summary], AdvancED, Retrieved 2012-07-11</ref><ref name="IHSA school info">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ihsa.org/school/schools/0135.htm|title=Page Not Found|website=www.ihsa.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/activities/clubs.asp?id=26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927163356/http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/activities/clubs.asp?id=26|url-status=dead|title=''EOS'' homepage; accessed 21 June 2009|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/activities/clubs.asp?id=39|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927163339/http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/activities/clubs.asp?id=39|url-status=dead|title=''Muses'' homepage; accessed 21 June 2009|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/activities/clubs.asp?id=44|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927163344/http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/activities/clubs.asp?id=44|url-status=dead|title=''Red and Blue'' homepage; accessed 21 June 2009|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/aboutus/index.asp West Aurora High School] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703200445/http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/aboutus/index.asp |date=2013-07-03 }} about us page; accessed 14 April 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.sd129.org/aboutus/about.html District 129 About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407101440/http://www.sd129.org/aboutus/about.html |date=2013-04-07 }} page, with 2010 enrollment numbers; accessed 14 April 2013</ref>
| picture =<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:westaurora.jpg|200px]] -->
| website = {{Official website}}
}}
}}
'''West Aurora High School''', or '''WAHS''', is a public four-year [[high school]] located in [[Aurora, Illinois]], a western suburb of [[Chicago, Illinois]], in the [[United States]]. It is part of [[West Aurora Public School District 129]]. The school is also referred to as "West Side High School," "West High School," "West High," and "Aurora West".


'''West Aurora High School''', or '''WAHS''', is a public four-year [[high school]] located in [[Aurora, Illinois]]. It is part of [[West Aurora Public School District 129]]. The school is also referred to as "West," and "West High,".
==History==

== History ==
{{more citations needed section|date=July 2019}}
High school classes were first offered in 1867 at Stone School (now defunct). The first graduating class of five students had their commencement in 1870.
High school classes were first offered in 1867 at Stone School (now defunct). The first graduating class of five students had their commencement in 1870.
From 1905 until the 1950s the high school was located in a building (still standing) on Blackhawk Avenue (so named after the school's athletics mascot). This same building was [[Benjamin Franklin]] Junior High School until the 1970s, when it was sold to [[Aurora Christian School]], which used it as their school building until 2004. The current WAHS structure was built in the early 1950s, and was dedicated in 1953 as "West Side Senior High." From 1978-1981 the building was briefly known as the "West Aurora South Campus," when two buildings existed on Aurora's west side to house the high school population. The building formerly known as the "West Aurora North Campus" now houses the [[Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy]]. The present building has had multiple additions and renovations.

The major additions occurred over four phases. The first added classrooms to an existing two-story classroom wing in the early 1960s. The largest addition, to the north and east sides of the building, added the auditorium, classroom space and other amenities in 1966-1967. This addition was responsible for the creation of the building's first two courtyard spaces. The 1997-1998 addition was constructed as a two-story wing on the south end of the building, giving it a new facade, and closing a portion of New York Street. This addition included a new library, a technology center, a new cafeteria, and additional classroom space. The most recent addition was completed in time for the 2004-2005 academic year. This included a new fieldhouse, a new single-story classroom wing on the northwest corner of the building, and a new choral rehearsal space.

{{sample box start variation 2|West Aurora High School Fight Song}}
{{Listen|filename=West Aurora High School - Band O Rama 2005 - Roll On.ogg|title=Roll On, You Blackhawks|description=A 2005 performance of the school fight song by the West Aurora High School Marching Band}}
{{sample box end}}

The school's fight song, "Roll On, You Blackhawks," dates from the 1940s, and was written by Sten Halfvarson. A plaque commemorating the composition of the song hangs in a hallway just south of the auditorium, where the opening bars of the song have also been placed into the floor tile.

==In the media==
In June of 2007, West Aurora High School garnered national media attention as a result of a massive [[food fight]] which resulted in the injuries of one police officer and multiple staff and students. The incident was evidently the result of a [[senior prank]] for the 2007 graduating class, for which the food fight occurred on their last day of classes. Felony charges against the instigator and multiple misdemeanor charges against other various individuals were filed by prosecutors.

==Academics==
In 2006, West Aurora had an average composite [[ACT (examination)|ACT]] score of 20.1, up slightly from the previous year's 19.8, and graduated 80.5% of its senior class, down 3 percentage points from 83.7%. The average class size is 19.7, down slightly from the previous year's 21.0. West Aurora has not made [[Adequate Yearly Progress]] on the Prairie State Achievements Examination, a state test part of the [[No Child Left Behind Act]]. The school is on the State of Illinois Academic Watch List for 2006-2007.<ref>[http://www.sd129.org/reportcards/pdf/2005/WestHighRC.pdf 2005 Illinois School Report Card]</ref><ref>[http://www.sd129.org/reportcards/pdf/2006/westhigh.pdf 2006 Illinois School Report Card]</ref>

==Athletics==
[[Image:WAHS Staff Pin - Chief Blackhawk.png|left|Chief Blackhawk, school mascot, as depicted on a 2006 staff pin.]]
West Aurora competes in the [[DuPage Valley Conference]] and [[Illinois High School Association]]. Prior to 1997, it competed in the [[Upstate Eight Conference]]. Officially, [[Black Hawk (chief)|Chief Blackhawk]] serves as the mascot for the school. The red and blue logo of the chief is painted on the back of the school's football stadium, as of 2006, replacing the school's WA logo. Use of the "Chief" character has been controversial, as it has been for other area schools (e.g. [[Waubonsie Valley High School]], [[Naperville Central High School]]) that use or have used a mascot derived from Native Americans. For a time, the school strictly used the WA symbol, which appears in place of the logo of Chief Blackhawk on all official [[DuPage Valley Conference]] logos. The school also invented new characters named "WA Man" and "WA Woman" as mascots, but has recently reinstated the Chief as official mascot. Teams continued to compete as "Blackhawks" during this time.

As of 2007, the school's Athletic Director is Andrew Lutzenkirchen, formerly the assistant athletic director.

The 2006 football game with rival [[East Aurora High School]] was the 114th played between the two schools, and was won 33-0. The rivalry between these two public high schools is the oldest in the state of [[Illinois]]. With the 2005 win in that year's "East-West Game", West Aurora became the third high school in Illinois with a varsity football team to achieve 500 or more wins.


From 1905 until the 1950s the high school was located in a building on Blackhawk Avenue (so named after the school's athletics mascot). This same building (demolished in February 2015) was [[Benjamin Franklin]] Junior High School until the 1970s, when it was sold to [[Aurora Christian School]], which used it as their school building until 2004. The current WAHS structure was built in the early 1950s, and was dedicated in 1953 as "West Side Senior High." From 1978 to 1981 the building was briefly known as the "West Aurora South Campus," when two buildings existed on Aurora's west side to house the high school population. The building formerly known as the "West Aurora North Campus" now houses the [[Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy]].
===Fall Athletic Season teams===


The present building has had multiple additions and renovations, with the major additions occurring over four phases. The first added classrooms to an existing two-story classroom wing in the early 1960s. The largest addition, to the north and east sides of the building, added the auditorium, classroom space and other amenities in 1966–1967. This addition was responsible for the creation of the building's first two courtyard spaces. The 1997–1998 addition was constructed as a two–story wing on the south end of the building, giving it a new facade, and closing a portion of New York Street. This addition included a new library, a technology center, a new cafeteria, and additional classroom space. The most recent addition was completed in time for the 2004–2005 academic year. This included a new fieldhouse, a new single–story classroom wing on the northwest corner of the building, and a new choral rehearsal space.
*Boys Cross Country
*Boys Football
*Boys Golf
*Boys Soccer
*Girls Cross Country
*Girls Golf
*Girls Swimming and Diving
*Girls Tennis
*Girls Volleyball


Today West High is a diverse school, with several academic and athletic programs available.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatschools.org/illinois/aurora/530-West-Aurora-High-School/|title=Explore West Aurora High School in Aurora, IL|website=GreatSchools.org}}</ref>
===Winter Athletic Season teams===


== Academics ==
*Boys Basketball
{{more citations needed section|date=July 2019}}
*Boys Swimming & Diving
In 2008, West Aurora had an average composite [[ACT (examination)|ACT]] score of 19.3, and graduated 79.1% of its senior class. West Aurora has not made [[Adequate Yearly Progress]] (AYP) on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, a state test, which with the ACT, are the assessment tools used in Illinois to fulfill the federal [[No Child Left Behind Act]]. All four of the student subgroups at West Aurora failed to meet minimum expectations in reading and math, as did the school as a whole.<ref name="Class of 2008 school report card">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sd129.org/aboutus/pdf/WestHigh2008.pdf|title=Class of 2008 school report card; accessed 21 June 2009}}</ref>
*Wrestling
*Girls Basketball
*Girls Bowling


== Athletics ==
===Spring Athletic Season teams===
Starting in 2019, West Aurora competes in the [[Upstate Eight Conference]]. West Aurora previously competed in the [[DuPage Valley Conference]] and the [[Southwest Prairie Conference]],<ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-west-aurora-conference-st-0907-story.html "West Aurora votes to join Southwest Prairie Conference,"]. WAHS is a member of the [[Illinois High School Association]] (IHSA) Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, 6 Sept. 2018, visited 7 Sept. 2018</ref> which governs most interscholastic sports and competitive activities in the state of Illinois.


Officially, [[Black Hawk (chief)|Chief Blackhawk]] serves as the mascot for the school. The red and blue logo of the chief is painted on the back of the school's football stadium, as of 2006, replacing the school's WA logo.
*Boys Baseball
*Boys Tennis
*Boys Track & Field
*Boys Volleyball
*Girls Badminton
*Girls Softball
*Girls Track & Field
*Girls Soccer


The school sponsors interscholastic sports teams for young men and women in [[basketball]], [[Cross country running|cross country]], [[golf]], [[soccer]], [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]] & [[Diving (sport)|diving]], [[tennis]], [[track & field]], [[volleyball]], and [[Scholastic wrestling|wrestling]]. Young men may compete in [[baseball]], [[High school football|football]], while young women may compete in [[badminton]], [[bowling]], [[cheerleading]], [[softball]], and flag football. While not sponsored by the IHSA, the Athletic Department also sponsors a [[Pom-pon|poms]] team for young women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://athletics.sd129.org/index.aspx|title=Aurora School District 129|website=athletics.sd129.org}}</ref>
===Multiple Seasons===
*Cheerleading
*Poms (also known as the Dance Team)


The following teams have won their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament or meet:<ref name="IHSA season summaries">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ihsa.org/school/records/sum0135.htm|title=Page Not Found|website=www.ihsa.org}}</ref>
==Activities==
The West Aurora band program is a member of district nine in the [[Illinois Music Educators Association]] (IMEA). The West Aurora High School band program is known throughout the Chicago area for its accomplished musical ensembles. However, with Melody Balicki's resignation at the end of the 2005-2006 school year (to become the Director of Education for the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic), the Jazz Ensemble will be directed by both Stephen Orland and Patty Sampson. The Jazz Ensemble performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival on [[1 September]] [[2006]], becoming only the second high school group ever invited to perform at the Festival.<ref>[http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/top/2_1_AU02_WESTJAZZ_S10902.htm Aurora Beacon News] story on the Jazz Ensemble's performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival.</ref> Stephen Orland was the president of the IMEA's ninth district until 2006. The current West Aurora High School band directors are Stephen Orland, Patty Sampson, and John Sierakowski. The band participated in festivities and performed at the 2006 [[Chick-fil-A Bowl]].


* Basketball (boys): State Champions (1999–2000)
The school's "Madrigal Singers," an a cappella choir under the direction of Meg Papadolias, are also well-respected locally, and have made a few recordings. Choral music and keyboarding classes are taught by Mrs. Papadolias and Jon McLear.
* Tennis (girls): State Champions (1996–97, 1997–98)
* Track & Field: State Champions (1905–06)


The rivalry between West and [[East Aurora High School]] is the second oldest in the state of [[Illinois]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ihsa.org/activity/fb/records/agen.htm|title=Page Not Found|website=www.ihsa.org}}</ref>
The school's drama troupe is an official member of the [[International Thespian Society]]. Its charter lists it as troupe #2013, which has been incorporated into the official name since becoming a member. The "Theatre Troupe 2013" had already established a high local profile and following, particularly with the production of annual musicals such as ''Carousel'' and ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' in the late 1990s, and ''Les Misérables'', ''Jesus Christ Superstar'', ''Beauty and the Beast'', and ''Cats'' from 2003-2006. The school was only the second high school in Illinois to stage ''Beauty and the Beast'' and the third to stage ''Cats''. In May 2007, the school became the first high school in Illinois to perform a fully staged production of ''[[Miss Saigon]]''. In August 2007, the school's production of ''Miss Saigon'' was named a USA Weekend High School Musical Showstopper runner-up. <ref>[http://www.usaweekend.com/hsm/index070812.html USA WEEKEND Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In Spring 2008, West Aurora will be the fifth High School in the Nation to perform ''RENT''. Some productions have been restaged in the same summer at the Paramount Arts Center in downtown Aurora. Drama at WAHS is led by Donna Letzter and Ken Ruffalo.


The 1951 Girls' Golf season saw great controversy which nearly resulted in a cancellation of the season. The issue began when a member of the team refused to wear the required uniform, which consisted of a polo shirt with the West Aurora Blackhawks logo and a pleated, knee length skirt. The aforementioned team member arrived for the first tournament at the [[links (golf)|links]] wearing a pair of men's golf [[trousers]], stating that if she had worn the required skirt, she would either have to sacrifice a full force swing or her modesty. Wanting to keep his player's femininity as well as their ability strike the ball 200 yards at the same time, the coach came up with the idea of dressing his girls in [[culottes]]. These split, pants-like skirts were designed to provide women more freedom to do activities such as gardening, cleaning, bike riding, etc. and still look like one is wearing a skirt.<ref>[http://www.athletics2000.com/westaurora/Documents/Hall%20of%20Fame%20member%20list.pdf]{{dead link|date=August 2013|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>[[Culottes]]</ref>
Other activities include the school's "Step Team" dance ensemble, and many clubs, including:


==Music program==
*African American Heritage Club
The West Aurora band program is a member of district nine in the [[Illinois Music Educators Association]] (IMEA). The Jazz Ensemble performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival on 1 September 2006, becoming only the second high school group ever invited to perform at the Festival.<ref>[http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/top/2_1_AU02_WESTJAZZ_S10902.htm Aurora Beacon News]{{dead link|date=August 2013}} story on the Jazz Ensemble's performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival.</ref> The band participated in festivities and performed at the 2006 [[Chick-fil-A Bowl]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121102214823/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-116ACDD0A1075280.html Moyer, Christine S; ''West Marching Band will play at Atlanta bowl game''; 29 December 2006; ''The Beacon News - Aurora''; accessed 22 June 2009]</ref>
*Anime Club
*Chess Club
*French Club
*Games Club
*Multi-cultural Club
*Science Fiction and Fantasy Club
*Spanish Club
*Student Council


==Notable alumni==
== Notable alumni ==
<!--Please do not insert Kanye West unless you can provide a reliable reference to his attendance here. -->
*[[Kenny Battle]],[[1984]], Former NBA player 1989-1993
{{div col}}
*[[Jason Bauman]], [[1994]], Assistant Sports Editor, Aurora Beacon News
* [[Marger Apsit]] (class of 1926), former [[NFL]] [[running back]]<ref>{{Cite web|work=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/ApsiMa20.htm?redir|title=Marger Apsit NFL Football Statistics|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref>
*[[Rich Becker]], [[1990]], Former Major League Baseball Player 1994-2001
* [[Kenny Battle]] (class of 1984), former [[NBA]] player<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11838393B7E53FF8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102214833/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11838393B7E53FF8.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2012|title=Battle jumps at challenge to run ABA Rollers team - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL) &#124; HighBeam Research|date=November 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/battlke01.html |title = Kenny Battle Stats | work = [[Basketball-Reference.com]] | access-date = July 4, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Sun-Times High School of the Week">{{cite news | title = West Aurora: High School of the Week | date = September 11, 2007 | newspaper = [[Chicago Sun-Times]] }}</ref>
*[[John Drury]], 1945, local news anchor (WGN, WLS)
* [[Rich Becker]] (class of 1990), [[Major League Baseball]] [[outfielder]] (1993–2000)<ref name="Sun-Times High School of the Week"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=8642|title=Rich Becker - The Baseball Cube|website=www.thebaseballcube.com}}</ref>
*[[Eric Halfvarson]], [[1967]], World-Renowned Opera Bass
* [[Lauren Carlini]] (class of 2013), volleyball player on the [[United States women's national volleyball team|United States women's volleyball team]]<ref>{{cite news |title=West Aurora grad Lauren Carlini sees dream pushed back by decision to delay 2020 Tokyo Olympics: ‘I got home and I cried for a little bit.’ |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/03/25/west-aurora-grad-lauren-carlini-sees-dream-pushed-back-by-decision-to-delay-2020-tokyo-olympics-i-got-home-and-i-cried-for-a-little-bit/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |publisher=Aurora Beacon-News |date=March 25, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Shaun Pruitt]], [[2004]], [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]] basketball player 2004-
*[[Tom Skilling]], [[1970]], ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' and [[WGN-TV]] [[meteorology|meteorologist]]
*[[Jeffrey Skilling]], [[1971]], Convicted [[Enron]] ex-CEO


* [[Bob Carney]], NBA player<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carnebo01.html | title = Bob Carney stats | website = [[Basketball-Reference.com]] | access-date = July 4, 2019}}</ref>
==References==
* [[John Drury (television anchor)|John Drury]] (class of 1945), Chicago news anchor ([[WGN-TV Channel 9|WGN]], [[WLS-TV|WLS]])<ref name="Sun-Times High School of the Week"/><ref name="Distinguished alumni">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sd129.org/alumni/awardhistory.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616122527/http://www.sd129.org/alumni/awardhistory.asp|url-status=dead|title=Distinguished Alumni Award history for WAHS; accessed 21 June 2009|archive-date=June 16, 2009}}</ref>
<references />
* [[Andrea Evans]] (1967), actress{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}
* [[Ruth VanSickle Ford]] (class of 1915), [[commercial illustrator]] and art teacher<ref name="Distinguished alumni"/>
* [[Bruce_Franklin_(guitarist)|Bruce Franklin]] (class of 1979), guitarist for heavy metal band [[Trouble_(band)|Trouble]]<ref>1979 West Aurora High School yearbook, page 220.</ref>
* [[George H. Garrey]], mining geologist and engineer<ref name="EMJP-1922">{{cite journal|title=Mining Geologists of Note: George H. Garrey|journal=Engineering and Mining Journal-Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IdY2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA492|year=1922|volume=114|number=12|page=492}}</ref>
* [[Phillip E. Johnson]] (class of 1958), [[University of California-Berkeley]] law professor and founder of [[Intelligent design movement]].<ref name="WA Alumni Assn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sd129.org/alumni/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723091331/http://www.sd129.org/alumni/|url-status=dead|title=West Aurora Alumni Association; ''West Aurora Inducts 6 Alumni into Hall of Honor''; accessed 21 June 2009|archive-date=July 23, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Stana Katic]] (class of 1996), actress, star of television series ''[[Castle (TV series)|Castle]]''<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110516/entlife/705169912/ | title = Aurora's Stana Katic wraps up 'Castle' season, moves on to 'Big Sur' | newspaper = [[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]] | date = May 16, 2011 | last = Gire | first = Dann | url-access = subscription | access-date = December 16, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110519084312/https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110516/entlife/705169912/ | archive-date = May 19, 2011 | url-status = live}}</ref>
* [[Preston Larrison]], baseball player<ref>{{cite web|author=Scott Merkin&nbsp;/&nbsp;MLB.com |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20030713&content_id=425853&vkey=allstar2003&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Larrison honored for experience &#124; MLB.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=2013-07-16}}</ref>
* [[Lester Larson]], collegiate football coach<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/annualregister00chicgoog |page=[https://archive.org/details/annualregister00chicgoog/page/n355 393] |publisher=[[University of Chicago]]|year=1906|access-date=January 14, 2018|title=Annual Register}}</ref>
* [[Don Laz]], silver medalist [[pole vaulter]] at [[Athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics|1952 Olympics in Helsinki]]<ref name="Sun-Times High School of the Week"/>
* [[Jim Marzuki]] (class of 1943), Illinois state representative, teacher, and sculptor<ref>'Teacher, Environmentalist Jim Marzuki,' '''Chicago Tribune,''' Mickey Ciokajko, July 12, 2000</ref>
* [[Nicole Narain]] (did not graduate), actress, model, [[Playmate]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11CFFE9EC8C116C0.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102214857/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11CFFE9EC8C116C0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2012|title=Aurora native dishes about her boyfriend's ex - Britney Spears - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL) &#124; HighBeam Research|date=November 2, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Richard Olson (politician)|Richard Olson]] (class of 1947), politician<ref name=beacon>{{cite news |first=Rick |last=Armstrong |title=West Aurora booster Richard 'Dick' Olson loses life in traffic accident |url=http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/2014/08/07/west-aurora-booster-richard-dick-olson-loses-life-traffic-accident/ |work=[[The Beacon News]] |date=2014-08-07 |access-date=2014-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115310/http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/2014/08/07/west-aurora-booster-richard-dick-olson-loses-life-traffic-accident/ |archive-date=2014-08-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Shaun Pruitt]], professional basketball player<ref name=bio>{{cite web | url = http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/pruitt_shaun00.html | title = Shaun Pruitt Bio | work = FightingIllini.com | access-date = November 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111173847/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/pruitt_shaun00.html | archive-date = November 11, 2014 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
* Alvin Ross (class of 1981), NFL [[running back]] (1987–88) for [[Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotowire.com/?ilkid=ROSSALV01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218203837/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=ROSSALV01|url-status=dead|title=RotoWire Fantasy Football, Baseball, Basketball and More|archive-date=February 18, 2010|website=RotoWire}}</ref>
* [[Randy Shilts]] (class of 1969), journalist and author<ref name="WA Alumni Assn"/>
* [[Jeffrey Skilling]] (class of 1971), CEO of [[Enron]], [[The trial of Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling|convicted of crimes]] related to [[Enron scandal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0F1E7D9548BEE736.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102214919/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0F1E7D9548BEE736.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2012|title=Former Enron CEO has Aurora past - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL) &#124; HighBeam Research|date=November 2, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Tom Skilling]] (class of 1970), [[meteorologist]] who works with WGN-TV and ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''<ref name="Sun-Times High School of the Week"/><ref name="Distinguished alumni"/>
*[[Billy Taylor (basketball)|Billy Taylor]], college basketball coach<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/12/30/west-aurora-interrupts-peoria-manual-streak/ | title=West Aurora Interrupts Peoria Manual Streak | publisher=Chicago Tribune | date=December 30, 1990 | access-date=December 16, 2013 | author=Hymon, Steve}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/03/16/west-auroras-taylor-has-big-fan-in-dad/ | title=West Aurora's Taylor Has Big Fan In Dad | publisher=Chicago Tribune | date=March 16, 1990 | access-date=December 16, 2013 | author=Young, Linda}}</ref>
{{div col end}}


==External links==
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
* [http://www.sd129.org/westhigh/ Official Website]
* [http://www.sd129.org/athletics/ Official Athletics web page]


== External links ==
{{DuPage Valley Conference}}
* [http://westhigh.sd129.org/ Official website]
* [http://il.8to18.com/westaurora Official Athletics web page]
{{Aurora, Illinois}}
{{Upstate Eight Conference}}
{{Native American mascot controversy}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1867]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1867]]
[[Category:High schools in Illinois]]
[[Category:Public high schools in Illinois]]
[[Category:Education in Aurora, Illinois]]
[[Category:Schools in Kane County, Illinois]]
[[Category:1867 establishments in Illinois]]

Latest revision as of 17:41, 9 November 2024

West Aurora High School
Logo of WAHS
Address
Map
1201 W. New York Street

Aurora
,
Illinois
60506

United States
Coordinates41°45′54″N 88°20′44″W / 41.765°N 88.3456°W / 41.765; -88.3456
Information
School typePublic, high school
MottoA Tradition of Excellence
Opened1868; 156 years ago (1868)
School districtWest Aurora Public School District 129
SuperintendentJeff Craig
CEEB code140185
PrincipalChuck Hiscock[1]
Teaching staff245.81 (FTE) (2022–2023)[2]
Grades9–12[2]
GenderCo-educational
Enrollment3,818 (2022–2023)[2]
Average class size23.3
Student to teacher ratio15.53 (2022–2023)[2]
CampusSuburban[2]
Colour(s)  Red
  Blue
Fight songRoll On, You Blackhawks
Athletics conferenceUpstate Eight Conference
MascotChief Blackhawk
NicknameBlackhawks
AccreditationAdvancED
PublicationMuses
NewspaperRed and Blue
YearbookEOS
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

West Aurora High School, or WAHS, is a public four-year high school located in Aurora, Illinois. It is part of West Aurora Public School District 129. The school is also referred to as "West," and "West High,".

History

[edit]

High school classes were first offered in 1867 at Stone School (now defunct). The first graduating class of five students had their commencement in 1870.

From 1905 until the 1950s the high school was located in a building on Blackhawk Avenue (so named after the school's athletics mascot). This same building (demolished in February 2015) was Benjamin Franklin Junior High School until the 1970s, when it was sold to Aurora Christian School, which used it as their school building until 2004. The current WAHS structure was built in the early 1950s, and was dedicated in 1953 as "West Side Senior High." From 1978 to 1981 the building was briefly known as the "West Aurora South Campus," when two buildings existed on Aurora's west side to house the high school population. The building formerly known as the "West Aurora North Campus" now houses the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.

The present building has had multiple additions and renovations, with the major additions occurring over four phases. The first added classrooms to an existing two-story classroom wing in the early 1960s. The largest addition, to the north and east sides of the building, added the auditorium, classroom space and other amenities in 1966–1967. This addition was responsible for the creation of the building's first two courtyard spaces. The 1997–1998 addition was constructed as a two–story wing on the south end of the building, giving it a new facade, and closing a portion of New York Street. This addition included a new library, a technology center, a new cafeteria, and additional classroom space. The most recent addition was completed in time for the 2004–2005 academic year. This included a new fieldhouse, a new single–story classroom wing on the northwest corner of the building, and a new choral rehearsal space.

Today West High is a diverse school, with several academic and athletic programs available.[11]

Academics

[edit]

In 2008, West Aurora had an average composite ACT score of 19.3, and graduated 79.1% of its senior class. West Aurora has not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, a state test, which with the ACT, are the assessment tools used in Illinois to fulfill the federal No Child Left Behind Act. All four of the student subgroups at West Aurora failed to meet minimum expectations in reading and math, as did the school as a whole.[3]

Athletics

[edit]

Starting in 2019, West Aurora competes in the Upstate Eight Conference. West Aurora previously competed in the DuPage Valley Conference and the Southwest Prairie Conference,[12] which governs most interscholastic sports and competitive activities in the state of Illinois.

Officially, Chief Blackhawk serves as the mascot for the school. The red and blue logo of the chief is painted on the back of the school's football stadium, as of 2006, replacing the school's WA logo.

The school sponsors interscholastic sports teams for young men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling. Young men may compete in baseball, football, while young women may compete in badminton, bowling, cheerleading, softball, and flag football. While not sponsored by the IHSA, the Athletic Department also sponsors a poms team for young women.[13]

The following teams have won their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament or meet:[14]

  • Basketball (boys): State Champions (1999–2000)
  • Tennis (girls): State Champions (1996–97, 1997–98)
  • Track & Field: State Champions (1905–06)

The rivalry between West and East Aurora High School is the second oldest in the state of Illinois.[15]

The 1951 Girls' Golf season saw great controversy which nearly resulted in a cancellation of the season. The issue began when a member of the team refused to wear the required uniform, which consisted of a polo shirt with the West Aurora Blackhawks logo and a pleated, knee length skirt. The aforementioned team member arrived for the first tournament at the links wearing a pair of men's golf trousers, stating that if she had worn the required skirt, she would either have to sacrifice a full force swing or her modesty. Wanting to keep his player's femininity as well as their ability strike the ball 200 yards at the same time, the coach came up with the idea of dressing his girls in culottes. These split, pants-like skirts were designed to provide women more freedom to do activities such as gardening, cleaning, bike riding, etc. and still look like one is wearing a skirt.[16][17]

Music program

[edit]

The West Aurora band program is a member of district nine in the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA). The Jazz Ensemble performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival on 1 September 2006, becoming only the second high school group ever invited to perform at the Festival.[18] The band participated in festivities and performed at the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl.[19]

Notable alumni

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Administration". westhigh.sd129.org. West Aurora High School. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Search for Public Schools - West Aurora High School (170471000174)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Class of 2008 school report card; accessed 21 June 2009" (PDF).
  4. ^ Institution Summary, AdvancED, Retrieved 2012-07-11
  5. ^ "Page Not Found". www.ihsa.org. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  6. ^ "EOS homepage; accessed 21 June 2009". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  7. ^ "Muses homepage; accessed 21 June 2009". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  8. ^ "Red and Blue homepage; accessed 21 June 2009". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  9. ^ West Aurora High School Archived 2013-07-03 at the Wayback Machine about us page; accessed 14 April 2013
  10. ^ District 129 About Us Archived 2013-04-07 at the Wayback Machine page, with 2010 enrollment numbers; accessed 14 April 2013
  11. ^ "Explore West Aurora High School in Aurora, IL". GreatSchools.org.
  12. ^ "West Aurora votes to join Southwest Prairie Conference,". WAHS is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, 6 Sept. 2018, visited 7 Sept. 2018
  13. ^ "Aurora School District 129". athletics.sd129.org.
  14. ^ "Page Not Found". www.ihsa.org. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  15. ^ "Page Not Found". www.ihsa.org. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  16. ^ [1][permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ Culottes
  18. ^ Aurora Beacon News[dead link‍] story on the Jazz Ensemble's performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival.
  19. ^ Moyer, Christine S; West Marching Band will play at Atlanta bowl game; 29 December 2006; The Beacon News - Aurora; accessed 22 June 2009
  20. ^ "Marger Apsit NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
  21. ^ "Battle jumps at challenge to run ABA Rollers team - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL) | HighBeam Research". November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
  22. ^ "Kenny Battle Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c d e "West Aurora: High School of the Week". Chicago Sun-Times. September 11, 2007.
  24. ^ "Rich Becker - The Baseball Cube". www.thebaseballcube.com.
  25. ^ "West Aurora grad Lauren Carlini sees dream pushed back by decision to delay 2020 Tokyo Olympics: 'I got home and I cried for a little bit.'". Aurora Beacon-News. March 25, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  26. ^ "Bob Carney stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  27. ^ a b c "Distinguished Alumni Award history for WAHS; accessed 21 June 2009". Archived from the original on June 16, 2009.
  28. ^ 1979 West Aurora High School yearbook, page 220.
  29. ^ "Mining Geologists of Note: George H. Garrey". Engineering and Mining Journal-Press. 114 (12): 492. 1922.
  30. ^ a b "West Aurora Alumni Association; West Aurora Inducts 6 Alumni into Hall of Honor; accessed 21 June 2009". Archived from the original on July 23, 2009.
  31. ^ Gire, Dann (May 16, 2011). "Aurora's Stana Katic wraps up 'Castle' season, moves on to 'Big Sur'". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  32. ^ Scott Merkin / MLB.com. "Larrison honored for experience | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  33. ^ Annual Register. University of Chicago. 1906. p. 393. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  34. ^ 'Teacher, Environmentalist Jim Marzuki,' Chicago Tribune, Mickey Ciokajko, July 12, 2000
  35. ^ "Aurora native dishes about her boyfriend's ex - Britney Spears - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL) | HighBeam Research". November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
  36. ^ Armstrong, Rick (2014-08-07). "West Aurora booster Richard 'Dick' Olson loses life in traffic accident". The Beacon News. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  37. ^ "Shaun Pruitt Bio". FightingIllini.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  38. ^ "RotoWire Fantasy Football, Baseball, Basketball and More". RotoWire. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010.
  39. ^ "Former Enron CEO has Aurora past - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL) | HighBeam Research". November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
  40. ^ Hymon, Steve (December 30, 1990). "West Aurora Interrupts Peoria Manual Streak". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  41. ^ Young, Linda (March 16, 1990). "West Aurora's Taylor Has Big Fan In Dad". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
[edit]
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