New Development Director
The Hanna Family at The Masters in Augusta, Georgia
We are proud to welcome Terry Hanna to our team as the new Development Director at the Westside Foundation. Terry grew up in the District, attended Sunset Hills Elementary School, Arbor Heights Junior High and graduated from Westside High School in 1992. When approached about the role, Terry described the shared opportunity he saw, “It was perfect timing with my kids in the district, and a place in my career to help District 66 think big. I wanted to take my professional experiences since high school and work with the Westside community and leadership. It is exciting to be part of a district-wide strategy that will give kids the skills to go wherever their passion leads them in their career”. Terry went on to describe the pride and culture of Westside, and the importance of connecting the network of current students, alumni and district leaders to that brand. A true family man, Terry has three kids in the District; with 7th grade twin girls Kaitlyn and Karly who are involved in golf and basketball, and volleyball and dance respectively, and 2nd grade Tyler who is living large at Prairie Lane Elementary School. Terry is raising funds for the many priorities at Westside Community Schools that will impact students across the district. Above all, Terry is devoted to working with our community to continue to make the future bright at Westside Community Schools. E-mail: hanna.terry@westside66.net
“YOUR FUTURE IS WHATEVER YOU MAKE IT, SO MAKE IT A GOOD ONE.” DOC BROWN
SAVE THE DATE
Westside VI-VI 2017 is in your Future
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017 6:00 pm Cocktails & Silent Auction 7:30 pm Dinner | 8:30 pm Live Auction Omaha Design Center 502 Cuming Street | Omaha, NE
EVERY STUDENT, EVERY SCHOOL
Proceeds from Westside’s VI-VI 2017 will be used to invest in the f uture of our students by providing funds for the continuance of educational excellence and innovative learning opportunities.
PRINCIPAL’S NOTE
alumni.wcsfoundation66.org
To Westside alumni and families, My staff and I recently received an e-mail from WCS administrators regarding District news coverage for the month of February. Westside Community Schools was positively featured 23 times; more than half were about WHS students or graduates. Maybe you saw Margaret Larson, who just showed her first collection to a sold-out crowd at Omaha Fashion Week. Perhaps you read about Darlondo Hill, working all season to win a wrestling state championship for Westside. And if you come back to visit us sometime soon, maybe you’ll see one of the 133 pieces recognized this winter with a Nebraska Scholastic Art Award; Westside High had the most awards in the state. Behind every success story and headline-grabbing achievement, there is a proud teacher and successful program here at Westside High School. Fashion Teacher MaryJo Losen has guided five promising Omaha Fashion Week designers; her program averages 100 students every semester. When Darlondo stood on top of that podium at the CenturyLink Center, Head Coach Mike Jernigan had not one, but two state champions after 16 years of tryouts, practices and meets. Art Department Chair Erin Lunsford mentors countless WHS students every year and recently partnered our school with the Kaneko Foundation and Artist-inResidence Therman Statom. We are Westside Community Schools, and the ‘community’ exists as much here at Westside High as it does throughout our District. Our students fuel our drive and passion constantly through their eagerness to learn and pursuit of their goals. Our teachers, sponsors and coaches offer the lessons, support and tools these young people need to make those dreams reality. Our school also relies on you, our alumni and stakeholders to help our exceptional teachers go the extra mile. We humbly request you consider a donation to our Alumni Association or Westside Foundation to fulfill WHS educators’ requests, investments that directly impact young people like Margaret, Darlondo and our talented artists. Du Bois once said ‘Education must not simply teach work - it must teach life.’ Everyday, our educators offer countless young people the guidance and resources to become well-rounded members of our community who offer priceless talents and gifts to the world. We fuel their passions, whatever those interests may be. And when our students succeed, we all as a community celebrate those victories. Thank you for your support of WHS to continue the legacy of personalized learning and success we see everyday in Westside Community Schools. Jay Opperman Principal, Westside High School