The Write Side

With their win over Waverly, PWHS Senators secured their first conference championship in school history. Congratulations to our girls' basketball team on their historic season and best wishes in tournament play!

Portsmouth West High School celebrated the 2022-2023 Basketball Homecoming on January 20, 2023 when our West Senators hosted the Northwest Mohawks. The theme for the evening’s ceremonies was “A Kind of Magic.”

Chosen as Homecoming Queen is Sydni Callihan. Sydni is the daughter of Randy and Stephanie Callihan of West Portsmouth. Escorting Sydni was Mitchell Irwin, son of Kenny and Christina Irwin of West Portsmouth and Brayden Vernier, son of Ryan and Sheena Vernier of West Portsmouth. Sydni is a member of the PWHS golf and tennis team and has participated in the Ohio Mock United Nations.

Senior Attendant is Hannah McLaughlin. Hannah is the daughter of Seth and Kristyn McLaughlin of Minford. Hannah was escorted by Trevor Fike, son of Brandi Russell of Portsmouth and Darren Fike of Minford. Hannah is a member of the PWHS Beta Club and Varsity Cheerleading squad.

The Scioto County Career and Technical Center Attendant is Jasmine Sargent. Jasmine is the daughter of Justin Sargent of West Portsmouth. Jasmine was escorted by Jerry Holsinger, son of Brandon and Stephanie Thoroughman of West Portsmouth. Jasmine holds a position on both the track and soccer teams at PWHS.

Junior Attendant is Jordan Graham. Jordan is the daughter of Joey and Amy Holsinger of West Portsmouth. Jordan was escorted by Miklo Quirasco, son of Christian and Yolanda Quirasco of West Portsmouth. Jordan participates in the PWHS varsity cheerleading squad.

Sophomore Attendant is Ava Potters. Ava is the daughter of Meghan Ratcliff of West Portsmouth and Joshua Potters of South Webster. Ava was escorted by Jack Jordan, son of Joe and Becky Jordan of McDermott. Ava is a member of PWHS Beta Club, basketball, softball, and volleyball teams.

Freshman Attendant is Rileigh Miller. Rileigh is the daughter of Ryan and Stacey Miller of West Portsmouth. Rileigh was encored by Max Bell, son of Eric and Jackie Bell of West Portsmouth. Rileigh is a member of the PWHS Beta Club, Jr. Varsity basketball, softball and volleyball teams.

Following the basketball game, a dance was held in the high school cafetorium for West High School students and their approved guests.

Photos from Impressive Studios Facebook Page, Kevin Hoops

During their first lab in CCP Biology 1120 college credit plus students participated in a simulation where a communicable disease was spread from a single unknown sample to others in the class. A random student was given a "positive" sample while all other students were given a "negative" sample. Both samples were clear and students could not "see" who was affected. Students then moved around the room and randomly exchanged "fluids" with other students. After multiple exchanges with random classmates and by the end of the class all students were infected with the "communicable disease." Students then looked at the number of infected persons over time to create a line graph showing the exponential growth of communicable disease infection rates. After this activity, CCP students truly understood the value of personal protective equipment as well as the need for frequent hand washing.

If you love the movie National Treasure, you will LOVE this lab activity. In their second lab CCP BIOL 1120, students learned how to use dissecting microscopes. On the back side of a new penny below the shield there are two hidden clues! If you sign up for CCP biology, you too can learn this amazing secret.

Students completed this lab activity by looking at microscopic worms and creating scientific diagrams. Students also made critical observations and learned how living things respond to stimuli. If you want to learn how to use a dissecting microscope, just ask a CCP biology student or better yet sign up for this amazing class.

CCP students finished the week strong learning about compound microscopes. They learned about the parts of the microscopes and how to use the low, medium, and high power objectives. Students also learned how to make dry and wet mount slides. They extracted their own check cells and used different types of stains needed to identify the parts of the cell. They finished this lab by looking at microscopic organisms in wet mounts that they created. If you want to join the fun, sign up for CCP Biology in the spring!

In their third lab, CCP Biology students (pictured below) prepared wet mounts of potato slices. Students then used iodine to dye the plant cells in order to differentiate cell organelles.

Tenth-grade Biology students (pictured below) are learning about DNA structure and function. In this whole class activity, students were given original DNA codes from a healthy child and then mutated codes and were asked to apply their coding skills to determine if the child would be affected by the mutation. Students also applied this new knowledge to the COVID virus and how mutations occur. They also learned how vaccines are made from RNA and why boosters are necessary for disease prevention.

Students used “pop beads” and created a model of the DNA structure. Students used a key to assemble the correct DNA sequence and then had their DNA checked for mutations. Students completed this activity by twisting their “DNA ladder” into a double helix. Such fun!

Portsmouth West Vocal Department and Thespian Troupe #5739, Principal Players, will be presenting their winter show, The Music of Queen. Directed by Mrs. Tieman and choreographed by Heather Cate, The Music of Queen will feature song and dance to 24 of Queen’s most iconic hits such as Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, No One But You, and Under Pressure. The shows are Friday, February 10th at 7:30 pm and Saturday, February 11th, at 7:30 pm. The shows will be right here on the high school stage. Tickets are on sale NOW! They are $12 for the public and $10 for students. Contact any choir member or call to order them at 740-858-3956. We hope to see you there because WE WILL ROCK YOU!!

PWHS competed in the district competition Jan. 27, 2023. Congratulations to seniors Emily Scaff and Macie Jones(pictured above and below, left lower picture also includes Logan Ralstin) on earning the awards of Outstanding Attorney and OUtstanding Witness.

Congratulations to Karlee York for earning 2nd team SOC honors for her performance in the 100m Butterfly! At the time of this publication, our swim team has not competed in sectionals, so results are not available.

Financial Literacy will partner with The OSU Extension Office for its “Real Money, Real World” curriculum to teach personal finance and budgeting with a real-world simulation component so that the students experience making money decisions. There are 5 lessons that include 1 Training, Income and Jobs; 2 Deductions; 3 How to Use Financial Services Wisely; 4 Making Choices; and 5 What did you learn? (Following Simulation). The simulation is 10-12 stations where students circulate and make financial decisions such as career choice, salary, and number of children. OSU Extension Educator, Abbie Mowen, will come to the high school to administer the program on four or five different Fridays in February and March.

Congratulations to junior volleyball player Emma Sayre (pictured above) for her 1,000 digs, which was the first time in program history that a player earned that feat. She also received Defensive Player of the Year for SOC II, 1st team All-Conference and 2nd team All-District in volleyball. Senior Maelynn Howell also received 2nd team All-Conference and 2nd team All-District. Senior Haley Coleman received 2nd team All-Conference. In addition to these individual awards, the volleyball team won back-to-back sectionals.

In addition to the football team's conference championship, the following players earned awards:

Ryan Sissel: SOC II Offensive Player of the Year; Soc II First Team; Division 5 All-District First Team Offense; Division V All-Ohio Football First Team Offense

Kade Woods: SOC II Lineman of the Year; Soc II First Team; Division 5 All-District First Team Offense; Division 5 All-District Lineman of the Year; Division V All-Ohio Football First Team Offense

Mitchell Irwin: SOC II First Team; Division 5 All-District First Team Offense; Division V All-Ohio Football Honorable Mention Offense

Jeffery Bishop: SOC II First Team; Division 5 All-District First Team Offense; Division V All-Ohio Football Honorable Mention Offense

Cole Tipton: SOC II First Team; Division 5 All-District First Team Offense; Division V All-Ohio Football Honorable Mention Offense

Cole Windsor: SOC II First Team; Division 5 All-District Special Mention Defense;

Brandon Anderson: SOC II First Team

Trevor Fike: SOC II First Team; Division 5 All-District Special Mention Defense

Mason Parker: SOC II Second Team; Division 5 All-District Special Mention Defense

Carson Horner: SOC II Second Team

Jacob Cole: SOC II Second Team

Coach Todd Gilliland: SOC II Coach of the Year; Division 5 All-District Co-coach of the Year

Cross Country senior Kodi Burton received SOC First Team Honors as was Portsmouth West's first-ever Regional Qualifier!

• First Mandatory Baseball Practice is February 20, 2023 @ 2 PM
• PWHS Softball tryouts will be February 20, 2023 at 3:30 in the athletic facility. Weightlifting and conditioning are three days a week at the facility from 3:15-5:15

Students from Ms. Hall's class from PWHS and Lana Brown's class from the PWMS participated in a basketball game Monday, January 30 versus the Vern Riffe School Cardinals.

Email: kristie.copley@westsenators.org
Website: https://www.westsenators.org/o/portsmouth-west-high-school/
Location: 15332 U.S. 52, West Portsmouth, OH, USA
Phone: 740-8581103
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePWHS/