WHS Stories

Stories:

WHS Students Participate on Team 1675 Robotics Team

Youth of the Year for Boys &Girls Clubs of Milwaukee:  Larsharae Hooker '2012

Washington High School and the 2011-2012 School Year and Moving Forward

 


 

WHS Students Participate on Team 1675 Robotics Team

Milwaukee USFIRST Robotics Competition will be March 23 and March 24, 2012

 

Perhaps a bunch of alumni could attend sometime during the day on Friday, March 23 between 9am and 5pm or on Saturday morning and into the afternoon to cheer on the team.  It's free and you can come anytime and stay as long as you want.  Here'a message from Scott Kempen, the lead WHS instructor for the robotics team.

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the students and mentors of FIRST Robotics Team 1675, The Ultimate Protection Squad, I would like to invite you to attend the upcoming FIRST Wisconsin Regional Competition to see the excitement of robotics competitions and witness first-hand how we are putting your support and contributions to good work. The Wisconsin regional is being held from March 23 through March 24.

This year Washington High School of Information Technology has joined an alliance between two additional Milwaukee Public High Schools, Rufus King and Bradley Tech, in an effort to practice gracious professionalism and demonstrate the benefits of robotics to a growing number of students.  In addition we have a student from Milwaukee School of Languages and also from Wisconsin Lutheran High School. We feel it is our responsibility to open our doors for any and all students to enjoy this wonderful activity. We also are continuing to display the robot at many community events in an effort to encourage additional support for robotics and science, technical, engineering and math careers.

I hope you will find time to visit our team’s booth in the Pit Area during the Wisconsin Regional Competition, held March 23 and 24 at the U.S. Cellular Arena, 400 West Kilbourn Ave, in Milwaukee.  The full schedule of events can be found at www.wisconsinregional.com. Feel free to post the enclosed flyer at your workplace, or forward it to others.

If you have any further questions about the program, you can contact me at kempensp@milwaukee.12.wi.us or Paul Jutrzonka atjutrzopx@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414)-267-0851. 

Thank you again for your ongoing interest in these amazing students.

 

Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs

Larsharae Hooker '2012

Macintosh HD:Users:josephkmoch:Desktop:mjs-hooker29_mug.jpgWHS Senior Larsharae Hooker was recently named the Northwestern Mutual Foundation’s Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.  She has an opportunity to compete for the Wisconsin Youth of the Year and a $1000 scholarship.  Northwestern Mutual and its foundation have worked with WHS students and staff since about 1975.  She is also participates in the Stein Scholars Pre-College Program which was started by WHS HS grads Marty (’55) and Barb (’57) Stein.  Here is a link to this article: < http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/once-timid-girl-becomes-a-leader-and-wins-youth-award-kj3vgld-138265134.html>.  Go Larsharae!  Go Purgolders!


Washington High School and the 2011-2012 School Year

By way of introduction, my name is Steven Brown and like many of you, I am a proud graduate of Washington High School.  Many might say, a “Purgolder” for life!   I have remained close to the school, administrators and the students since graduating in 1985.  I currently serve as the president of the WHS Alumni Scholarship Board and co-chair of the 100th Celebration planning committee. 

Over the last several weeks there have been many inquiries about the future of Washington High School.   Please note, the reported closing of "Washington High School" is inaccurate.  As you may or may not be aware, In 2005, Washington High School divided into 3 separate and smaller schools.   The three schools shared the same building.   This change was somewhat transparent and many people did not know the change had occurred.  In fact, even the Alumni Scholarship Board continued to view Washington as "one" school.  And, while I think the idea of smaller class sizes and focused specialty programs is an interesting concept, I am excited that beginning this Fall, Washington will become a single school again.  I understand all of these changes may have caused some confusion.

The future of our school:

Washington High School of IT (Information Technology) which was borne out of the highly successful Computer Specialty program will continue going forward.    The Computer Specialty program began in 1975 as a response to new technology and the need to have students experience the new and ever-growing computing technologies.  In fact I was one of hundreds of graduates who participated in this program when I was a student there. I openly admit that I am excited that the "new" Washington High school will continue growing with a focus on Technology.

I believe these changes are necessary to provide students with appropriate experiences beyond the halls of Washington.  To be sure much needs to be done to increase and expand the level of learning for all students which is at the core of district efforts to improve education within MPS.   The Washington Alumni community can be justifiably proud of its many accomplishments.

With that said, I look forward to seeing each of you come October 22, 2011 at the Wisconsin Expo Center as we celebrate 100 years of Washington High School.  The theme of our celebration is "Washington High School: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" - very appropriate given all of the pending changes.

Once again, Washington High School has reinvented itself in order to remain relevant and competitive.  This is good news and we should spread the word. 

Steven Brown

Class of 1985