West Springfield High School (Virginia)

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West Springfield High School
File:Wspringfieldhs.jpg
Address
Map
6100 Rolling Road

Springfield
,
Virginia
22152
Information
School typePublic high school
MottoSpartan Pride means Spartan Honor
Founded1966
School districtFairfax County Public Schools
PrincipalPaul Wardinski
Staffapproximately 220
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,198 (2006)
LanguageEnglish
CampusSuburban
Color(s)Blue and orange ██
MascotSpartans
Feeder schoolsIrving Middle School
Rival schoolsLee Lancers

Robinson Rams

Lake Braddock Bruins
Athletic conferencesPatriot District
Northern Region
Websitehttp://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs

West Springfield High School is a public high school located in Springfield in Fairfax County, Virginia, at 6100 Rolling Road, and is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools system. West Springfield (often referred to as WSHS) enrolls students from grades 9-12, offers the Advanced Placement program and currently enrolls over 2,200 students.

History

The school opened in 1966. A planetarium was added in 1967. A school renovation was completed in 1991, which included the construction of new classrooms in a courtyard and remodeling the library, Auditorium, Spartan Hall, and the Career Center.

Layout

The school is laid out on two stories with the library, planetarium, administration offices and cafeteria in front and auditorium and gymnasium in the back. The school shares a layout with Herndon High School, located in the western part of the county and Oakton High School, located in the central part of the county.

Demographics

White: 62%, Asian/Pacific Islander: 17%, Hispanic: 10%, Black: 7%, Native American: less than 1%. 4% are unspecified.

Athletics

WSHS participates in a wide variety of high school sports. West Springfield's school mascot is a Spartan soldier and school colors are orange and blue. The school motto is, "Spartan Pride means Spartan Honor."

The school competes in the Patriot District which is in the Northern Region of the Virginia High School League. Major rivals have traditionally been Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School and Robert E. Lee High School, based on their geographic proximity. Top ranked WSHS athletic programs include its boys and girls soccer teams, girls basketball team, girls softball team, and boys and girls cross country teams. Alumni of note include Jeremy Kapinos (punter for the NY Jets), James Dexter (former NFL offensive lineman with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals), Peter Lalich (Dual playing Quarterback at UVA), Kara Lawson (Guard for WNBA Sacramento Monarchs), Ryan Speier (Baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies), Joe Saunders (Baseball pitcher for the LA Angels of Anaheim), and Brian Carroll and Jeff Carroll who plays for D.C. United.

Music

The Wind Symphony has, under the baton of Laurence J. Einuis Jr., received consistent ratings of "Superior" at band festivals for the past several years, and the Symphonic and Concert bands, while playing lower grade pieces, continues to receive "Superior" ratings. The Jazz band has received "Superior" ratings in all of their recent competitions, and received several awards during their last spring trip. There are also the Marching Spartans who have won USSBA Group 5-A Championships, are Virginia champions and All-States champions. The band earned its second Honor Band title in 2006.

The Symphonic Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Steve Fraser, played as an honor orchestra in the 2005 Virginia Music Educator's Association.

WSHS also has a Guitar program, with school-provided guitars for students to use. Their Jazz Guitar Combo is one of few high school groups of it's kind in the region. They receive consistent ratings of "Superior," as does the Advanced Guitar Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble. The current director is Mr. Keith Owens. The Guitar Program is currently the largest music department in terms of population, with their 5 different levels of difficulty. Many Freshman begin with Guitar 1 to learn the basics of the guitar, with many going on to Guitar 2, and many still go on to other ensembles.

WSHS also has a choral program, featuring five classes, three of which are auditioned for. Treble Choir is unauditioned all women's choir. Men's Choir is also an unauditioned choir, but it is comprised entirely of men. The three audition choirs are Ladies Select, Madrigals and Personality. Ladies Select is an all women's choir that sometimes sings a capella. Madrigals is a mixed a capella choir. Personality is a mixed dance choir. The all girl's show choir, Pizazz, was disbanded at the end of 2007, despite its numerous awards. At competitions, the Choral department has received many awards and recognitions, as well as many Superior ratings over the past several years. All choral classes are taught by Michael Dombrow, and all show choirs performances are choreographed by John Gonzalez.

Spartan Sports Teams

Varsity Baseball

Of the three main sports, baseball has the longest tradition of success. The Diamond Spartans, coached for 26 years (1974 - 2000) by Ron E. Tugwell (Father of Phillies 3B Prospect Marc S. Tugwell), has won:

2 Virginia AAA State Championships (1991 & 1998)
6 Northern Region Titles (1983, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998)
12 District Championships (1974, 1975, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2005)

Reflecting this tradition of continued success, the Spartan Baseball moto is "From Season to Season the Tradition Continues". Current Head Baseball Coach John James has been leading the Diamond Spartans since the 2005 season, in which the Spartans won the Patriot District Title, defeating the Lake Braddock Bruins 4-2. Coach James is assisted by Jason Olms (Outfield/Hitting Coach), Tim Alley (Infield/Hitting Coach), Julio Rivas (Pitching Coach), John Batchelor (Head JV & Catching Coach) and Eric Cohen (JV Piching Coach).

Varsity Football

The West Springfield Spartan varsity football team holds the Virginia State High School Football record for most combined points for two teams in a single game with West Potomac High School. The West Potomac Wolverines won the game 81-74 in 4 overtimes. West Springfield could not extend the game when QB Peter Lalich fumbled at the goal line and the ball was recovered by West Potomac to end the game.

Varsity Basketball

Behind a strong core of seniors, led by captain Kevin Kilday, the Spartans made it to the Northern Region Semifinals in 2007. In a hard fought semi-final game against the Wakefield Warriors, the Warriors on a turn-around jumper at the buzzer, defeated West Springfield 56-55. For the season the Spartans went 20-8, and finished tied for 2nd in the district.

Varsity Wrestling

The West Springfield Spartan wrestling team has claimed three individual state championships; 1982 Chip McArdle (119#), 1988 David Wilderman (138#) and 1990 Ross Iaci (125#).

Cheerleading

The Spartan Cheerleading squad won the AAA state title in 2003. They also won the Patriot District Cheerleading Competition in 2006 for their second time, beating out a major rival, the Lake Braddock Bruins.

Track and Field

For the first time since in recent history, the WS boys team took home the indoor Patriot District Championship in 2007. The team was led by Seniors Andrew Hurst, Mike Spooner, Andy Adell, Leo Walker, Anthony Trueheart, Alex Martis and Sean Hogan.

Boys Tennis

The boys tennis team finished the 2007 season with just 3 wins under coach Craig Hamilton. Their coach retired at the end of the season.

External links

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