| Shawnee Mission West High School | |
 the Viking Voice
8800 West 85th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
Phone (913) 993-7800
"50 years of Excellence and Viking Pride" 1962-2012
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| Volume 16, Issue 3 | October 12, 2011 |
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| Academic Awards Program
Monday, Nov. 7th, 7 p.m.
SM West Auditorium
Students who will be recognized at this year's program will receive an invitation in the mail in October.
Academic letters are awarded to students who earn at least six semester A's during the previous school year with no semester grade lower than a B and/or a 4.0 GPA or above.
These grades must be earned within the Shawnee Mission School District. A list of all students who will be recognized is posted near from Room 101. Contact the Counseling Office if you have any questions.
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Your newsletter from Shawnee Mission West, part of the award-winning Shawnee Mission Public Schools. 
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Message from Dr. McLean...
We have had an excellent start to the school year. As we celebrate our 50th year of service to the community, I hope you will check our website for upcoming activities that you would like to attend. As we've progressed through the year, I have been amazed at the number of Vikings that still live in the community and the important roles Shawnee Mission West Alumni are playing in Overland Park and Lenexa. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, April 15, 2012, for the culmination celebration of West's 50th birthday, an Open House at SM West.
I am extremely pleased with our West Way program which continues to have a positive impact on our students and teachers. The West Way is designed to specifically spell out for students the faculty's expectations regarding how to be a safe, responsible and respectful citizen. The teachers and administrators look for ways to reinforce positive student behaviors. Data over the past three years has shown fewer suspensions and expulsions from West. The teachers and students are to be congratulated for working hard to make sure West is a SAFE place where students are taught to be RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE.
It truly is a great time to be a Viking. Our performing groups such as band, choir and orchestra are doing very well and preparing for fall and winter concerts. Our parent support groups are active and helping to provide resources and support to our coaches and sponsors for extra-curricular programs. Our PTSA members are busy providing valuable assistance to students and staff. I am happy to report that every member of the West faculty is a member of PTSA this year. I am proud to announce that over 800 of our 1843 students are involved with an athletic team, extra-curricular activity or club at West.
There are many, many wonderful things happening at West this year. Do you ever stop and wonder why so many good things happen at our school? The answer is really pretty simple. It's the people. Students that come from homes that value education and parents willing to make sacrifices of time and money to ensure their child and other children have what is needed for each student to excel. Parents not willing to settle for mediocrity from their children or their school. Teachers that care about students and develop positive relationships with them make the difference between mediocrity and excellence. Teachers that are willing to put in the time and energy to improve their skills and working hard to make their lessons exciting and intellectually challenging.
West is a great school and I am very proud to serve as its Principal. We should never forget that it takes good people working together that makes West great. Please encourage members of the West family to strive for excellence and never settle for second. If each of us always strives to do our best, West will continue to be a great school serving a great community.
This year we are again fortunate to have members of the Class of 2012 recognized as Semifinalists and Commended Scholars for their performance on the PSAT taken during their junior year at West. This fall our Semifinalists will go through a process to determine how many will become finalists. I am proud to recognize Conner Henderson, Megan Smith, Layne Viets and Jackson Wallace as Semi-Finalists in the National Merit program. Michelle Willis was recognized as a recipient of the Outstanding Black American participant. I am also proud to recognize the following students for being recognized as Commended in the National Merit Program: Nathan Bahnmaier, Devin Mitchell, Danielle Neighbor, Erin Newman, Molly Norburg and Jeb Stewart. These students and their families should be extremely proud of this wonderful accomplishment. The school will be hosting a reception in November to honor these students, their parents and teachers.
Dr. Charles McLean
Shawnee Mission West High School "50 Years of Excellence and Viking Pride" 1962 - 2012 |
Looking for the Upcoming Schedule?
Check out the complete 2011 - 2012 SM West Calendar online
Click on the  " School Calendar" link near the top right side of the SM West website: |
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FOOD SERVICE ... Did you know ...
Breakfast served at SM West!
Did you know that breakfast is available each day at your student's school?
Breakfast is a good indicator of doing well at school. Studies show that students who eat breakfast perform better academically and behaviorally. Students who eat breakfast have healthier overall eating habits and better weight management than those students who don't.
If it is difficult to fit breakfast into your morning routine, breakfast is available in 31 elementary schools and all middle and high schools.
A student must choose a full portion of at least three of the four components to receive a reimbursable school breakfast. The components include:
entrée / toast / fruit or juice / milk
If your school does not have a breakfast program, crackers and milk will be available to any student, regardless of ability to pay, who is hungry upon arrival at school in the morning.
The school breakfast menus, lunch menus, and other nutrition information are available on the district's website at www.smsd.org/parents/foodservices.htm
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 ATTENTION SENIORS
Senior Class Meeting at 8:55 a.m. on October 19th in the Auditorium.
Information on caps and gowns and announcements will be sent home with students at this time.
Herff-Jones representatives will take orders and answer questions on the bridge the following week:
- Tuesday Oct. 25th from 5-7pm
- Wednesday Oct. 26th during all lunches
- Thursday Oct. 27th during all lunches
All students MUST purchase a cap and gown for $30 if they are planning to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Announcements and other purchases from Herff-Jones are optional.
For questions about ordering, call Herff-Jones at (913) 952-5132
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News From The Counseling Dept
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Our website is filled with information about college counseling and scholarships, academic counseling, personal/social issues, and upcoming dates. Please visit our Web Backpack often to keep current on important information for you and your student. You can access it from the SM West homepage or the district website under students, then teacher web pages.
www4.smsd.org/SMWCounselors
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Students Honored in the National Merit Scholarship Program
Congratulations to the following students for their performance on the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT test last October. The semi-finalist students continue in the competition for scholarship consideration.
National Merit Semi-Finalists
Connor Henderson
Megan Smith
Layne Viets
Jackson Wallace
National Achievement Semi-Finalist
Michelle Willis
National Merit Commended
Nathan Bahnmaier
Devin Mitchell
Danielle Neighbour
Erin Newman
Molly Norburg
Jeb Stewart |
West students earn AP Scholar Awards
The College Board recently announced the AP Scholar Awards. Shawnee Mission West had the highest number of AP Scholars in school history - 52 students were recognized for their performance on AP Exams. AP Scholar honors are given in recognition of achievement on Advanced Placement exams, which are administered after the students have completed AP courses. Students can earn college credit from most colleges and universities by taking the AP courses and performing well on the exams. In 2011, 245 students took 422 exams at Shawnee Mission West. Congratulations to the all of these students!
National AP Scholar (awarded to students who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams):
Mary Lipp
Sukhindervir Sandhu
Megan Smith
Evan Williams
AP Scholar with Distinction (awarded to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams):
Connor Henderson
Christine Hruska
Andrew Humphreys
Spencer Jones
Katherine Kramer
Mary Lipp
Christina Ralston
Sukhindervir Sandhu
Megan Smith
Travis Thomsen
Brenden Whittenburg
Evan Williams
Victor Zaharopoulos
AP Scholar with Honor (awarded to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams):
Nathan Bahnmaier
Connor Bowman
John Ceballos
Yuanxiang Feng
Devin Mitchell
Erin Newman
Lauren Scanlan
Nicholas Scobee
Elizabeth Stephan
Andrew Trogden
AP Scholar (awarded to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams):
Joshua Ball
Kaitlin Beeman
Jessica Chambers
Tanner Clow
Canaan Coker
Jazmine Davis
John Gaumnitz
J Geracie
Jonah Heng
JJ Higgins
Michael Higgins
Jessica Himes
Yuqi Hou
Sydney Johnston
Cole Karsten
Whitney Knightly
Ryan Kohlman
Dani La Londe
Lauren Lanigan
Ryan Lansdon
Alexandra Marschman
Xivianne Matos
Danielle Neighbour
Molly Norburg
Raffaella Prevot
Jeb Stewart
Ryan Trueblood
Layne Viets
Jackson Wallace
Shai Washington
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Financial Aid Overview (at SM Northwest)
Wednesday, Nov. 16th
7 - 8:30 p.m., SM Northwest
Junior and senior students and their parents - if you want assistance in helping to understand financial aid for post-secondary education, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School is offering a Financial Aid Evening on Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
This worthwhile evening will be moderated by Jeanne Mott, Financial Aid Officer at Baker University. Ms. Mott will give an overview on the FAFSA. The FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the form the federal government uses to determine your eligibility for student aid. This aid includes grants, scholarships, work study and loans to help pay for college. The form collects financial and demographic information. In some cases the form is required to fill out prior to receiving any other monetary funding.
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| Enrollment for 2012-2013
Choosing classes for next year is just around the corner. In January, students will be given enrollment materials according to the following schedule. Students have about one week to look over the materials with parents and then have them ready to return when their class visits the Counseling Office. Students should begin thinking about enrollment, asking teachers questions, and speaking with their counselors in November or December if they want help in planning for enrollment.
* Juniors - Materials distributed Jan. 17
Finalize enrollment with counselor Jan. 23 & 24 (in US History classes)
* Sophomores - Materials distributed Jan. 18 & 19
Finalize enrollment with counselor Jan. 25 & 26 (in Eng.10 classes)
* Freshmen - Materials distributed Jan. 20
Finalize enrollment with counselor Jan. 27 & 30 (in World Geo. classes) |
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Transfer Request Procedures
Students may request to transfer to another Shawnee Mission high school. The application deadline is January 5, 2012, to request a transfer for the 2012-2013 school year. Requests will not be honored after that date. Transfer request forms may be obtained from any school office in the district. Students must re-apply when changing levels - elementary to middle school and middle school to high school. Requests for transfers need not be renewed annually once a student is attending a school, but shall be made subject to annual review. Once a transfer is approved, students may remain at that school for the duration provided they are in good standing academically, behaviorally, and in regard to attendance. A transfer may be rescinded at any time if a student fails to meet the requirements. District guidelines require that students attending on an approved transfer must maintain satisfactory grades (for secondary students a minimum of 2.0 grade point average), maintain a minimum of 95 percent attendance record, and maintain an acceptable discipline record.
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College Planning
Have you taken the ACT yet? The deadline to take the December 10th ACT test is Friday, November 4th.
Register at www.actstudent.org
Juniors should also consider taking the ACT on this test date. The next ACT is February 11th. Registration deadline for this test date is January 13th.
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Pre-College Checklist for Seniors:
November/December:
- If you are applying to KU or K-State (and many other colleges), do so before November 1st to qualify for scholarships.
- Look at college deadlines for admission, housing, and scholarships. Are you meeting all the deadlines? This should for the most part be done before the winter break.
- Send transcripts and test scores to colleges.
- Contact schools to make sure they have received all records.
- Some colleges require a "counselor form" to be filled out as well as the application. If they do, students should provide those to their counselor as soon as possible.
- Retake the ACT if necessary.
- Keep your grades up!
- Collect information for the Financial Aid Application
January:
- Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1. You will need parents' 2011 income tax information.
- Complete individual college financial aid forms if required.
- Submit Mid-Year Reports to private colleges if required.
- Continue to apply for scholarships.
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Viking Athletics
Winter sports tryouts begin November 14 after school. Sports offered in the winter are: Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys/Girls Bowling, Boys' Swimming, Wrestling. Feel free to contact coaches with any questions.
In order to be able to participate in tryouts, a complete physical form and a concussion and head injury information release form must be on file in the athletic department prior to tryouts. No student can participate without these documents being handed in.
Conditioning has already begun for winter sports. For more information, contact the coach.
Watch the announcements for information on meetings and conditioning for spring sports or contact the coaches with any questions. You can also find information on meetings and games at our new website, sunflowerleague.org.
Winter Coaches
Spring Coaches
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Youth Friends
As a YouthFriends mentor, you can choose from a wide range of in-school activities to assist students, including serving as a lunch buddy, sharing special talents or career interests, tutoring in math or reading, or simply being a good friend who listens.
YouthFriends accommodates your interests and busy schedules. Volunteer for as little as thirty minutes per week and select a school close to your work or home. To complete an application, go to youthfriends.org.
For more information, contact your YouthFriends building connector Mary Lea Kieffer at 913-993-7836, or the district volunteer and community partnership coordinator Rachel Larsen at (913) 993-6411 or rachellarsen@smsd.org.
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After Party - Volunteers Needed
 
West hosts five after parties and two formal dances annually. We need about 30 adults at each party, so please consider volunteering at least once this year. Upcoming dates: October 21 - after party (Halloween theme) December 2 - after party January 13 - after party February 18 - WPA (sweetheart dance) March 31 - after party (after Spring Show)
- Grab your friend and come help us serve pop, work coat check, or serve cookies. We need YOU or the party doesn't happen!
- YES, we have both dads and moms at the dances!
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Student Council News
ELECTIONS A significant portion of our student body turned out to vote. We had large campaign involvement from our freshman and sophomore classes. Our new freshman officers and class representatives are as follows:
Freshman Class Officers President: Matt Connell Vice Pres: Meredith Clark Secretary: Carter Grissom Treasurer: Paige Henderson
Freshman Class Representatives
Delaney Griffin Hanna La Londe Hope Erickson Houston St. John Jack Snyder Juliane Francia Katie Streit Kaylyn Olson Lucie Rogers Peter Dring
Sophomore Class Representatives Alex Elliott Abby Banning Andre Maloney Cooper Arner Dylan Crow Leah Knobel Marleah Campbell Matt Spellman McKenna Stout Mitchell Wade
Junior Class Representatives Annie Troester Brandi Sites Jake Vance Kathryn Martin Kayla Rogers Kira Cravens Kyle Becher Natalie Stephens PD Delaney Swedi Ntakirutimarua Tomos Ridenhour
Senior Class Representatives Erin Miller Jacob Schnackenberg Jordan Gregory Karla Montoya Paige Wolfe Sarah Hockla Sarah McGreevy Skylar Mann Terry Jackson Whitney Crow
BIG STUCO
We had our first Big Stuco meeting September 8th. We decided on the Homecoming theme and t-shirt design. The next big Stuco meeting will be October 20th in the little theater.
Stuco Regional Conference
All of Stuco Exec. Board traveled to Spring Hill High School to attend a regional conference with student councils from all over Kansas. They participated in team building activities and shared ideas with students from other schools. Our Exec. Board also had the unique opportunity to hear from guest speaker Laymon Hicks.  HOMECOMING
This year's homecoming theme will be "West's 50th birthday bash!" There will also be a spirit week October 10th-13th to pep everyone up for Friday's game! The Homecoming football game will be played against the Shawnee Mission South Raiders. Hopefully, we will be celebrating a victory as we dance the following Saturday night away on October 15th in the main gym, from 8-11pm. The famous SMW Homecoming Parade organized by StuCo will take place on Thursday afternoon, October 13th at 1:30pm. The parade begins in the Circle Drive in front of SM West and will end at Santa Fe Commons gazebo area in Old Downtown Overland Park. Support West's 50th Homecoming by gathering along the parade route and by joining us at the football game Friday night to cheer on your Vikings!
CAN FOOD DRIVE
It's never too early to start putting aside canned goods, boxed pasta, and peanut butter for the annual canned food drive helping the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, which aids people needing food this holiday season and beyond. The best thing about this charity is that the support helps those in need here in our own area! Donation pick-ups will be starting in November.
PTSA
Thanks to the partnership with the PTSA for always helping Student Council host the best Homecoming and several other events. StuCo encourages both parents and students to join PTSA!
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after party
October 21st, 9-11pm SMW Bridge & Cafeteria "Halloween" theme - Prizes for best individual costume, best couple, best twins, most original, and much, much more.
- DJ (stuco requested playlist)
- FOOD
 Admission $3, West Students ONLY (must have West Student ID) |
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Hi West families.... 
Hope your year is going well. The PTSA would like to thank the parents who have volunteered their time to make this 50th Birthday Party Homecoming Celebration a very special event for our students!!! It truly will be wonderful. From the parade to the game and then on to the dance!!! It is a very busy and memorable time in your student's life.
Our next All School Party will be October 21st from 9 - 11 p.m. and I am happy to say it will be a fun filled "Halloween" event. There will be prizes for students in the best individual costume, best couple, best twins, most original, and much, much more. Please encourage your student to attend!
Our next PTSA meeting is Thursday, November 3rd in the Library at 7:00pm. Our special guest will be student Logan Tritt. He will be sharing with us his wonderful Eagle Scout Project of updating the SMW Concession Stand!! Please come and support one of the many wonderful students we have at West.
Please join us!
Val Barth and Teri Kelly
Co-Presidents SMW PTSA
Upcoming PTSA Meetings (7:00 PM in the SM West Library)
November 3rd January 5th February 27th April 23rd |
PTSA Membership Update
Thank you to ALL of the teachers at SM West High School for joining PTSA. Because of you we have achieved 100% teacher membership. We are well on our way to achieving our overall Parent, Student, and Community membership goals and it's not too late to join to help us in supporting our programs that benefit students and teachers. These programs include all School After Parties, Teacher and Staff appreciation functions, Senior Scholarships, Heart of the West Week, Landscaping and much, much more. Click here for PTSA Membership Form. Remember, at high school level, the students also join PTSA. Through PTSA, they can receive volunteer hours for helping with events like Registration, Landscaping, Party Prep, etc... Student PTSA members are also eligible for scholarships their senior year. A PTSA Membership form (see link above) is also available on our website at: www.smwestptsa.org. You can mail the form to the SMW office (address on the form), bring it into the SMW office, or we will be accepting memberships at the PTSA meetings. Thank you for your support of SMW PTSA!! Paula Dougherty & Ann Foster Co- 1st Vice Presidents - Membership |
News from the Journalism Department
yearbook purchase Yearbook orders are due Dec. 2. We will not order extra yearbooks to sell in May, so be sure to reserve your copy of the 2012 Saga now. Yearbooks are $55 and can paid with cash or check (payable to SM West). Please see Mr. Pennington in the bookkeeper's office or Mrs. Morgan in room 11 to order yours today. If you would like to set up a payment plan, contact Amy Morgan at amymorgan@smsd.org or 913.993.7911 -- a $30 deposit is due Dec. 2 and the balance is due March 2 (click here for payment plan form).
yearbook senior ads You still have time to get your senior ad in the 2012 Saga...the final deadline is Oct. 21. After that, if we have space available, there will be a $25 late fee. Ad information is available at www4.smsd.org/amymorgan/ or by contacting Amy Morgan at amymorgan@smsd.org or 913.993.7911 or (Click here for the senior ad form). underclass yearbook pictures Retakes/last chance pictures are scheduled for Oct. 25 in the library. yearbook group photos Clubs and organizations will be photographed Oct. 28 in the auxiliary gym. A schedule will be posted prior to the date, and club sponsors will have passes to give to students. Sports photos were taken separately, and band, choir and orchestra photos will be taken prior to their winter concerts. newspaper advertising If you would like to advertise your business in the student newspaper, the Epic, contact Amy Morgan at amymorgan@smsd.org or Scott Aldrich at scottaldrich@smsd.org. Epic ad forms are available by clicking here as well. important dates Friday, Oct. 21: senior ads deadline Tuesday, Oct. 25: underclass retakes, library Friday, Oct. 28: group photos, auxiliary gym Friday, Dec. 2: yearbook orders due, full payment or payment plan form & deposit due Friday, March 2: final yearbook payment due for payment plan |
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Visual Arts update ...
Happy autumn from the West Visual Arts Department. Here are some things we have going on this month.
Art Sonia
Shawnee Mission West has its own online gallery with Art Sonia, a website that helps promote student work! If you would like to see some of the fabulous artwork from our department please visit artsonia.com and type in Shawnee Mission West High school. You can become a fan of a student's work or purchase the artwork on mugs, tee-shirts & more! Please email Rosie Riordan at rosieriordan@smsd.org for more information.
SM West Patrons Gallery
We just hosted the artist opening and gallery talk for Greg M. Stowell's work currently on display in the gallery. This show of New York street photography will be on display until October 26th. The next artist, sculptor Robin Richardson, will be on display from November 1st until December 16th. The gallery opening will be held from 5-7 pm on Monday, November 7th and the gallery talk will be held on November 9th during 7th block. Please contact Greg Schieszer at gregschieszer@smsd.org for more information.
Gallery Gala
Our third annual gallery gala will be held in March and we need donations from local businesses and artists for our silent auction! We are also excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Shawnee Mission West and would like to display former West graduates artwork in the gallery for this event. If you would be interested in participating, please contact Jennifer Nicklas at jennifernicklas@smsd.org
Thank you for all of your support! West is best!
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And the band marches on ...
The West Marching Band and Dance Team is in the middle of a very busy season of competition and shows.
On Sept. 24 the band and dance team marched in the Downtown Overland Park Fall Festival parade. The band performed Oct. 4 at the South Stadium during the Shawnee Mission Marching Festival along with marching bands from the other high schools in the district. 
The band's performance this season is, "Phantom of the Opera." The band started work on the program in August and now practices before school, during class and on Monday evenings.
Director Bill Thomas will lead the band at competitions on Oct. 15 at Kansas State University in Manhattan and Oct. 29 at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. Last year, West ranked in the top 10 at the Warrensburg competition, which draws top bands from throughout the region.
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West Pride Marching Band
Heading for London
Final plans are being made for the West Marching Band's visit to London. The band will leave Dec. 26 for London and return on Jan. 2 to Kansas City. Band members will march in the 26th Annual New Year's Day Parade. The parade theme is the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee. Next year marks Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee as England hosts the 2012 Olympics.
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Trick-or-Treat Event
Sponsored by SMW FCCLA
Children in grades PreK-3rd are invited to trick-or-treat and participate in fun activities & games!
 This event is FREE, but please
bring a canned food item to donate.
SMW student organizations are teaming together to provide fun activities & treats for this event!
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Senior Parents - Sr. Sizzle 2012 
Candy on the bridge fundraiser Every Wednesday we are selling candy and pop on the bridge. We need donations... Best selling items to look on sale for are: POP: Coke, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Rootbeer, Pepsi GUM: all kinds, fruit and mint, Orbit has less pieces so other brands are better CANDY: Sour Punch Straws (Sam's Club in bulk-Red, Blue, and Extreme flavors, Extreme goes quickly), Starburst, and Skittles. Chocolate is always popular too. 
Please drop off items at the school office or at the homes of Allene Eland, Laura King Hagan, Karen Robb, Susan Holcomb, or Sarah Clayton. For questions, please contact Allene Eland at deland@everestkc.net *********************************************************** Sr. Sizzle is selling Panera coupons for discounted bakery items. Please contact Mary Beth Meier at dmeier2@kc.rr.com *********************************************************** FLOWERS for Homecoming, WPA, and PROM Lenexa Hy-Vee and SM West are teaming together for FLOWERS! Hy-Vee will contribute 10% of ALL FLOWER SALES (boutonnieres and corsages) ... to this year's Senior Sizzle Event! Please be sure to mention you are from SM West when placing your flower order. Call Hy-Vee (87th Street & Pflumm) at 913-438-8308 *********************************************************** Poinsettia Sale 
to benefit the SMW Senior Class Beautiful 6.5" and 4.5" plants for your friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers! All proceeds go to Senior Sizzle whose goal is to create a safe, alcohol-free celebration for all graduating Seniors of Shawnee Mission West High School. Order yours today through December 3rd! d
$15 each -- 6-1/2" Red
$10 each -- 4-1/2" Avant Garde (Variegated Light Pink and White)
$10 each -- 4-1/2" Cortez Burgundy (Deep Burgandy Color)
Two Poinsettia Pick-Up Times @ Shawnee Mission West:
Wednesday, December 7, 5-8 pm &
Thursday, December 8, 5-8 pm.
Additionally: The poinsettias that are being used for the Winter Concerts will be available after the Thurs. Dec. 15th Orchestra Concert or Friday Dec. 16th 5-7 pm. Contact Susan Lohman @ 913-648-8631 or
Susan Hocker @ 913-385-0563 for more information.
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The Gingerbread 5K Run is Coming
As a child, you probably remember having heard the story about the Gingerbread Man who hopped out of the oven and spent the rest of the story fleeing from a whole cast of characters intent on chasing him down and eating him. As he fled from each one he would always call out, "Run, run, as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man."
This year the Valkyrie Running Club (the parent booster club for the SM West Cross Country team) and STUCO are working together to stage our first ever Gingerbread Run 5K race at 9:00 AM on Nov. 5th. The four-loop course will start and finish on the SM West track and cover the grounds behind the school incorporating some natural and man-made obstacles. The race is open to one and all, and we'd obviously love to have a strong contingent of SM West students, staff, parents and families join us to find out who's the fastest Gingerbread Man and Woman on campus. We're even baking up some special prizes for the top finishers.
The race is being put on as fundraiser. Part of the funds will go to support the Viking Cross Country squad, but we are really excited to be partnering with STUCO's annual can drive at school which helps to support the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. This organization works each year to support the needy within our community. While the Gingerbread Man was running to avoid being eaten, we'll be running so that other's in our community can eat during the holiday season. It should be a fun way to support a great cause.
You can register for the race and order your Gingerbread Run t-shirt online by using the following link on or before Nov.1. After that point you can register for the race on the track from 7:30-8-30 on race day, but we can't guarantee you a shirt.
Join us on Nov. 5th to run, run as fast as you can. We promise - you won't get eaten, just don't get beaten!
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Band spaghetti dinner offers food, fabulous finds and fun
What do pasta and sauce, an autographed t-shirt from the GEICO caveman and wonderful music have in common? They will all be at West Band's Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 22.
The Spaghetti Dinner - a highlight of the fall season - will be held from 4:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the school. This is the 19th year for the event , the band largest fundraiser of the year, that brings together the community and the band.
The event has something for everyone - music, food, vendor tables, and a silent auction of donated items and services.
Auction items include a t-shirt autographed by John Lehr, an actor who plays a caveman in the Geico commercials and a West graduate. There is also donated artwork from local professional artists, donated autographed CDs from the Elders, spirit wear, items from area colleges, event tickets, crafts, homemade foods, autographed sports photographs, portrait packages, a prom package that includes a beauty makeover and many more items.
The vendor tables will feature many locally made food, items and crafts, along with national companies. Pre-sale tickets are $8 for adults 13 years old and older, $4 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and younger. Tickets can be purchased from band members. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $6 for children.
Scheduled to perform are the: Westridge Eighth Grade Jazz Band, the West Jazz Lab, the West Drum Line and the Overland Express.
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| Get your spirit on ...
The Shawnee Mission West Booster Club will have spirit wear for sale before the Homecoming football game on October 14 and the final home game on October 28.
We have black and gold pajama pants, West hoodies, lanyards, caps, long-sleeved and short-sleeved t-shirts and polos. Prices range from $5 to $40.
Contact Laura King Hagen at kinghagen@everestkc.net or Jan Ochsner at janlandon@everestkc.net for more information.
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| Get a Snack Sack for your Winter Finals ...
The Dance Team is selling snack sacks for winter finals.
For only $5.00 per sack your student will receive your words of encouragement and a bag filled with several snack items plus a drink.
Orders are due on December 8th (click here for an order form).
Please contact Betsy Ring at bagring@kc.rr.com with any questions.
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Look for the next edition of the Viking Voice
in January.
Submit your articles by January 13, 2011 to:
westvikingvoice@gmail.com
The next publication is scheduled for January 19, 2011.
Upcoming Viking Voice dates:
Submission Deadline Publication Date
January 13, 2012 . . . . . . . January 19, 2012
February 24, 2012 . . . . . . . . March 1, 2012
May 25, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 31 2012
Thank you.
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