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Talk:Westfield High School (Virginia)/Archive 1

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Archive 1Archive 2Archive 3

Picture

Hey All:

I went to last years graduation, and scanned in the picture of the "formal" crest. I'm trying to resize it so it fits better on the article. If you attended gradutaion in past years, please try to scan in your program -- my program was misprinted (the blue part of the American flag shifted over).

Also, I'm trying to put up the more familar "informal" crest, ie of the Bulldog. And another of westfield high school from the bus parking lot. If you have any that are sutiable, please put them up. Thanks!!

Zidel333 03:40, 14 March 2006 (UTC) Class of 2006

I have the uncolored version of the crest which I cut out from a PDF file of the Course Offering Booklet for 05-06. Perhaps we could color that one.
User:Arsonal (Class of 2005) - 16:05, April 5, 2006 (UTC)
Hmm. I plan on getting a bunch of programs for the Class of 2006 Graduation with a correctly printed crest on the cover. If you want to, feel free. It's my plan by the end of June, the correct version will go up. :)
Zidel333 00:11, 6 April 2006 (UTC)

I have added a satellite image of Westfield from 2002. Unfortunately there are no newer images to show the trailers and new wing. Let me know if anyone does have pictures though. Arsonal 10:23, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Alumni

Removed

"*Jivon Simmons (Class of 2007) - All national Wushu finalist. "

as Jovon is not an notable "alumni" for the section (note he is Class of 2007). Notable yes, alumni no. Looking at other High school and college articles, VERY FEW list current students (usually in the case of celebrities, or the children of noted indiviudals). As such, Jivon was removed.

Thinking about adding a Notable Current Students, but this gets VERY subjective, and may result into a popularity contest; something that is is completely out of place for this article.

Please respond User:151.188.16.32 if you disagree.

Zidel333 22:09, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

Michael Kennedy

A few days ago, Michael Kennedy was added to the notable alumni list, then I reverted the edit the next day. I had my reasons for this. When I think of a notable alumni list, I don't have the image of someone like him in mind. Usually a list like that is for achievements. You might not see it that way, but that's just my opinion. I do remember him last year though, and he was a member of Calliope according to my yearbook. I just don't think he should be notable for the crime he committed because with a short list such as ours, there's a likelihood it's going to give a bad image to Westfield for those who don't know how good the school really is despite this tragedy.

Arsonal 23:51, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

Like it or not, his crime was pretty darned notable. And Wikipedia isn't about putting on a good face or hiding our problems - that's the point of NPOV. RossPatterson 02:58, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

I'd leave him on there, but the curret wording is terrible. I'll fix it, but I don't want everyone yelling at me. He is notable and an alumnus, but maybe have a new section on him, shooting, lockdown, student reactions, etc.? KeepOnTruckin 03:36, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

New info

"It was also notable that Westfield opened the same year as two other Northern Virginia schools, Forest Park Senior High School opened in Prince William County, and Stone Bridge High School opened in Loudoun County; all three schools regularly played against each other in many sports in their inaugural year." Zidel333 15:25, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

Reverted to original; info should not be in overview, as does not pertain to Westfield. May add in later section if deemed pertinent. User:20176 please respond if you disagree.

Zidel333 15:32, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

Something else is kind of new, 4 Westfield students were arrested for robbing people at gun-point a while back. Shouldn't anything be said about that?

I look for citations, and add if possible. Thanks for the help! Zidel333 15:04, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

Trivia

"Westfield High School is located within Fairfax County, which has the second-highest median household income in the US"
I think Fairfax county is the highest median household income in the US. See Highest-income counties in the United States and go to median household income; and here
KeepOnTruckin 21:15, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the update. This data seems to be pretty recent, as neither the Fairfax County nor the Douglas County pages have been updated to reflect the latest figures. Arsonal 23:30, 8 June 2006 (UTC) Actually, I take that back. Well, not really. We have the figure for Fairfax County, but not the figure for Douglas County. The list on Wikipedia was only recently adjusted, and apparently only the figure for Fairfax County was adjusted and none of the other counties were, which would present a problem. The original numbers are from the 2000 census. Arsonal 23:44, 8 June 2006 (UTC)
Ok, see the external link to fairfax county website. True, the census is 6 years old, bt the next one won't be until 2010, so the 2000 census should be good unless you know someone in the county government to ask. I guess we can't really use the wikipedia page as a reference, but I would trust the county site.
KeepOnTruckin 14:54, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
I've looked into this, it gets rather confusing, but we are 2nd highest in median houshold income alone, but when this figure is adjusted to reflect the number of housholds in Fairfax, we are the highest. I've tried to edit other articles that has Douglas County has number 1, but these get edits get reverted in a day, and usually with a sharp reply.
Zidel333 16:09, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
That's where it's a problem because the Fairfax County site has 2004 figures, but the Douglas County doesn't. The problem is, when you edit one, you're gonna have to edit the entire table, and we don't have that data. Arsonal 22:38, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
If people on wikipedia say that Fairfax is the richest in terms of median income, then we might as well say that on the WHS page. Douglas County has 1999 figures, which say they are number one, but the population is what changes it, I think. FFX county has over 1,000,000 (one million) people while Douglas County has 266,739. That throws off the median. Argh! All these mesures of central tendancy! I don't know what to say. KeepOnTruckin 01:16, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

to Zidel333

The stuff I added is probably most pertinent to the "Trivia" section. It was kind of interesting for Northern Virginia to open a new high school in the same year in each of the three biggest school districts (Fairfax, PW, Loudoun). I can understand why it was deleted in the first part.


--20176 17:02, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

LoL, I see your point; if you'd like to rewrite it somehow, and put it in the "Other" section, feel free. Maybe relate it to Northern Virginia's booming population?
If you have any other information, feel free to contact me, or try to write it it. I want this article to be more of a collaboration :)
Also, next time, if you're replying to a message on a Talk Page, just click on the "edit" link in blue above the title, write under the last message, and added a ":" before your reply (it will indent your message). Oh, and get a sign in Name please? I'd love to send messages to you on your personal Talk Page.
Zidel333 23:58, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

Lists

I'm going to start removing elongated lists and putting them into paragraph format. To me, it seems like all these lists are just making things much more confusing. For example, I don't think it's necessary to list all the AP courses that Westfield offers, and especially the location and uses of each hallway letter. Most users aren't going to be interested in that information.

Arsonal 5:43 UTC, April 6, 2006

I agree, I think there are way too many lists. Look at Centreville High School it doesn't have huge lists of awards and junk like that. It just seems like you're touting WHS as better than a lot of other FCPS schools that don't have huge pages. Arsonal and Zidel, do either of you actually go to WHS?
KeepOnTruckin 03:41, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes I do go to Westfield, I'm graduating in two weeks, and Arsonal is a 2005 grad. Do you go to Westfield or are interested in FCPS as a whole?
As for the lists and "junk", with the exception of Thomas Jefferson, FCPS high schools articles, Centreville included, have very little information; and so focused that the article is good to only those who attend the school, and dare I say it, are crap. But then so are most high school articles on Wikipedia, few high school students have the patience, and the understanding to write a semi-competent article. I started the Westfield article in the fall, and have worked untold hours to make a decent article in honor of this school. Look at any college article, understand and emulate their ideas, and work it in on a high school level, this in essence is what I have tried to do with Westfield.
I will be doing sweeping edits in upcoming weeks.
Zidel333 13:52, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
OK. I suppose when I look at it your way, the other school articles are a bit confusing to an outside person. I'm an FCPS employee, so I'm interested in FCPS as a whole, but I do work at CVHS occasionally. Hope I didn't come across as saying that the WHS article sucks.
KeepOnTruckin 21:05, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
Not at all, thanks for the input, KeepOnTruckin. Arsonal 22:37, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
Hmm, OK. Try to keep the pertinet information, as the orginal reasoning behind the lists was to help incoming Freshman who have no idea where everything is. As for the AP classes, they are up there as demonstrative of what WHS offers for new/interested students. Maybe list the total number of AP classes, in each department, with a link to the 2006-07 WHS Curriculum offerings PDF?
I think this page is a bit much. Schedules and map info that is only intended for freshman students would be better of on the school page rather than on Wikipedia. Also the controversies about drinks and tardies are more like things you'd see on a blog and could be deleted entirely. The music section is long and has too much trivia. Finally, the trivia-section items could be merged into the various paragraphs of the article which would look better. Keep the helicopter story maybe. Howdybob 20:52, 28 April 2006 (UTC)
I was lookting into the helicopter story, all I find is broken links and archives. Is there more info on it?
KeepOnTruckin 21:05, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
None that I have been able to find. This news was probably a blurb in a bigger article in the newspaper. I even forgot about it until I read it here. It's possible that this news was recorded in The Watchdog (Westfield's newspaper), but the newspaper has no online version, and the copies I saved during my 4 years in high school are packed away in a storage box. Arsonal 22:37, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
Also, look to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology for ideas to improve WHS article. I want to put up a diverstiy section. What do you think? Any other ideas? I also think we need to work on: theatre, list of State Championships, more sports info overall, music needs tweaking, esp. Guitar, and Chorus, Lit. Publications awards and info.
Zidel333 13:52, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
In that case, see if perhaps we can scan a good quality copy of the school map? It would also probably be good if you know anyone in yearbook (or I could ask, since I was on staff for 2 years). If they have any aerial photos on file of the school, that would be awesome. You might want to try looking at the old yearbooks or old issues of the Watchdog and see if there's anything worth noting, especially unique stories that we can put up. I do look a lot at the TJ site since one of my friends works on it periodically.
Arsonal 17:31 UTC, April 6, 2006
Good job on the edits, and the B&W crest; it looks a lot nicer. As for the school map, I can get one after Spring Break, and see what I can do. The aerial photo for the school you mentioned, this Google Map is good, but doesn't show the massive new wing being constructed at all. Sometime by May, I'm going to borrow a friend's digital camera, and take some photos of the front of the school, the Bulldog Statue, and the Outside of the Sports Complex. If you think it's a good idea, we can also add some WHS Marching band, orcherstra, and some football photos.
Zidel333 02:06, 7 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks! I don't think we need sports photos. The only one that would be worth posting is the 2003 football championship. But just get any photos you can take together and we'll take a look at them and pick which would be appropriate.
Arsonal 19:31 UTC, April 8, 2006

I've split up the School Songs section and put them in related sections as side boxes. Hopefully that'll make the page look cleaner. Arsonal 03:56, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

Dates (Awards and Championships)

On the subject of listing the years of awards of championships, we should only list the year if the award or championship is for something very special and doesn't get awarded more than once to Westfield. For example, things we should date would be like the AAA Football championship, but things like winning regionals/districts and winning awards multiple times shouldn't be dated. In the end, we'll just be adding year after year that we win these things.


OK, I have tracked down the following Virginia High School League [1] Awards for Westfield High School. Included are "competitive teams" (as opposed to the more limiting "sports teams").


Virginia State Champions (Individuals)
Name Year Sport/Competition Event
Laura Ullrich 2001 Swim Butterfly
Rick Eddy 2001 Swim Breaststroke
Yeng Lan Beller 2003 Swim Backstroke
Yang Lan Beller 2004 Swim Butterfly
Kathryn Pettine 2003 Indoor Track and Field Pole Vault
David Groff 2004 Indoor Track and Field 1000 Meter Run
Scott Seymour 2004 Forensics Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
Scott Seymour 2004 Debate Student Congress
Louis Corum 2004 Track and Field 300 Meter Hurdles
Betsy Alder 2005 Track and Field Pole Vault
Lauren Burt 2005 Debate Student Congress
Virginia State Championships (Teams)
Year Sport/Competition
2003-2004 AAA Football Division VI
2003-2004 AAA Boys Track
2003-2004 Theatre One Act Play Festival
Westfield has won as of April 27th, 2006 30 District Titles, 19 Runner Up Regional Titles, and 11 Regionals Titles.
Update on the photos; Will have them in 2 weeks (after Prom :) )
Zidel333 20:15, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

Principal

Hey Mike Campbell is not the principal of WHS anymore, he went to CVHS, where he is now. I changed the Cville page, but I don't know who the principal now is for westfield. KeepOnTruckin 16:37, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I've tried finding who the new principal is since early July with no luck. I'll know for certain in 5 days. Thanks Truckin.
Read in the CentreView today that it's Tim Thomas. I'll put that in.
BTW, whoever added the 'Racism' criticism for 2006, can this be verified? I was at WHS in 2006 and heard nothing of this whatsoever.
Zidel333 13:21, 6 August 2006 (UTC)
i agree, i'm a freshman in 2006, and i havent heard of any past or current allegations of racism, verify that!

Jessica Lardin

There's too much info about Ms. Lardin in the music section. Shouldn't we as well make a new article about her? Arsonal 03:49, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Not going to lie, but some chorus student added all that to inflate Lardin's rep, and that of Chorus in general. An article isn't needed, as there is no real point, nor is there any equvilant for any other teacher (music or otherwise) in the entire WHS article. We just need to seriously cut it down to what is necessary. BTW, the article is getting close to being considered "too large" by the Wikimedia servers, and Admin at large, so all future additions must be kept brief and to the point.
Zidel333 16:05, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
I aggre that there is a lot of information on Ms. Lardin. That could be removed. Also, I think if you were looking to cut anything, becasue the article is large, then the school songs might be a cantidate. Everything else is good.
by Gplpark92 02:54, 16 September 2006 (UTC) (ME)
Another music thing: the songs could be removed, I don't think they add to much to the artclie and won't hurt it by not being there, and they would lower the page size along with teh image next to the songs. Other things neededing references:THe theater section. and what happened to Mike Kennedy? --KeepOnTruckin | my work here 16:20, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
The Kennedy incident died down as it were, although collections are still operating on behalf of those hurt. Songs can be removed; I would argue against this though as these songs are not widely known by the WHS community (and i personally had tracked them down). Refs for Theatre would be hard, but I can work on it. Zidel333 21:40, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
What needs references for theatre? You mean for awards? I think the only way you can get confirmation is through the sites of Centreville Times or CentreView and related local newspapers. Although it's a bit hard to find old articles there. Arsonal 07:08, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
Check the cappies website. And Im sure centreview will ahve somthing on it, use google. KeepOnTruckin Complain to me | my work here 03:23, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

Westfield Sports Trivia

Do you think this trivia is worth keeping (after some rewording at least)? Arsonal 10:26, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

  • Westfield Sports, Produced and filmed by Chip Mathieson, has become a popular weekly show distributed by the Television Production Class. Chip has managed to interview such celebs as Country Singer Willy Nelson and teen favorite Jessica Simpson, among others for this show. However many students find his semi-regular broadcasts boring, stupid, and poorly done overall. Many teachers turn off the news when Chip Mathieson is on because a majority of the student body considers him a joke. Also there has been some controversy how Chip Mathieson got into the T.V. Production Class as a freshman because it is reserved to only sophomores and up.


I can vouch for *some* of the authenticity of this; I did watch his interview of Willy Nelson (in conjugation with the Grand Opening of a Texas Roadhouse; that is to say not Westfeild High School/Academically related per se). Mathieson has posted before/mentioned in the article (check History), and personally I think he has done this as a way to gain some level of popularity, and dare I say it, due to parental interference. Much of it is not Wikipedia worthy, and should be shortened. My major concern however is that there as there are no citations availible for any of this, and thus could easily be vandalized. Your thoughts Arsonal?
Possible new entry:
That's a much better condensed version. We're still going to run into the problem of citation though. If only the Watchdog has an online version... Arsonal 02:44, 13 March 2007 (UTC)
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