Friday at the the Rock was back last Friday to support students and boost school spirit! Winter sports varsity team members and senior band members were introduced and recognized for their efforts this season.

Biology students just finished up a unit on DNA. Students wrapped up the unit by completing a lab where they extracted DNA from strawberries using common household items. The DNA extraction was completed using both physical and chemical methods by separating the strawberry DNA from cell membranes, proteins, and other cellular components.

Anatomy students students did a great job modeling the muscles of the human body! (sample pictured right)

Seniors in Environmental science are currently studying the effects of climate change on the environment. They are learning about global air circulation, ozone depletion, greenhouse effect and global warming.

The Mock Trial team competed in the district competition on January 14 and advanced to the regional competition that was held on February 18. Outstanding attorneys were Gabe Kouns and Noah Williams. Kara Carter was an outstanding witness.

Pictured are the Mock Trial competition team members: Noah Williams, Kara Carter, Taran Willis, Gabe Kouns, Cianna Newman, Alexa Leist, Macie Jones, Emily Scaff (front) and Connor Gray (back).

Department of Energy’s annual South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl took place virtually on Feb. 22, 2022. This competition is still in progress so scoring and results are not complete.

• Congratulations to PWHS Prima Members - Samantha Gray, Macie Jones, Tabitha Johnson, Kara Carter, Emmaly Damron, and Jacee Carver- who were selected to perform with the Scioto County Honors Choir. The concert will be held on March 1 at SSU's Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.
• The PWHS Advanced Choir (pictured and video above) performed the National Anthem at the Cleveland Monsters hockey game on Feb. 23.
• The PWHS Thespian Troupe #5739, in conjunction with the Chamber Choir, will perform Mamma Mia!, the music of ABBA March 18 and 19. Tickets will be available at the door or by contacting the Vocal Music Department at 74-858-3956.
• Congratulations to Abigail Hazelbaker, member of the PWHS Advanced Choir and Prima who will be performing for the vocal faculty of Eastman School of Music in New York. She will present a Shubert composition in the German language, a Classical period Italian work, and "Silent Noon" by Vaughn Williams.
• Congratulations to the following students who have been selected and will perform with the Scioto County Music Festival on Tuesday, March 1.

  Band members: Connor Gray, John Jones, Noah Williams and
  

  Colton Russell

  Choir members: Emmaly Damron, Kara Carter, Tabitha Johnson, Macie Jones,

  Samantha Gray and Jacee Carver.

As part of the Beyond the Bell Program, a Speech and Debate Club has been organized at the high school for educational purposes.

Some items of discussion over the past month have included:

“Public Speaking 101” - presentation by Emily Scaff

"Body Language in Public Speaking” - presented by Emily Scaff

“School Uniforms? Yes or No” - persuasive speeches by members

Informative Speeches - various topics by members

For the month of March, the club will focus on interviewing:

• Interview Basics: Seven Steps to a Successful Interview
• Interview Questions and Suggested Answers
• Interview Tips
• Interview Skills: Role-play and Practice

Meetings are held on Mondays and Wednesdays in Room #1200 from 2:30 - 4:30PM. Join us anytime, even if you can’t stay the entire time!

~ Mrs. Sites, Speech and Debate Club Advisor

• Sharon Macias, 1st in her 200 Freestyle heat
• Gracie Vernier, 1st in her 50 freestyle heat
• Dalton Hedrick, 1st in his 50 freestyle heat
• Carson Malnar, 1st in his 50 freestyle heat, new school record of 27.70 seconds
• Kyli Osborne, 2nd in her 100 freestyle
• Dalton Hedrick, 2nd in his1 I 00 freestyle heat
• Carson Malnar, 1st in his 100 freestyle event and a new school record of 1:05.37
• Sharon Macias, 1st in her 100 backstroke heat
• Kyli Osborne, 1st in her 100 breaststroke heat, new school record of 1:34.72
• Ethan Hazelbaker, 1st in his 100 breaststroke heat 1:28.55

Note: Track and tennis schedules are still being finalized and will be posted when complete.

Here is Robin's bio:

Hi, my name is Robin Zendejas and I have recently been accepted into The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine where I will obtain my DVM.

I have had opportunities to explore the field of veterinary medicine and diversify my experiences with a variety of species.

I graduated Cum Laude in December 2021 with bachelors in Animal Sciences. My experiences throughout my undergraduate college career include Kennel Technician, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Animal Observation Intern, OSU Equine Reproduction Intern, OSU CVM ICU Volunteer, and OSU CFAES Teaching Assistant for Contemporary Animal Use Issues and Reproductive Physiology.

I am currently the resident veterinary assistant at a small animal clinic where I care and administer treatments to our hospitalized patients during after hours, weekends and holidays. I am also a research assistant at OSU CVM in the department of preventive medicine where we are researching passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves. I am an intern at COSI where I care for the exotic animals in their animal collection and educate guests on the species.

• Tentative schedule of upcoming choir events:
  

  Concert Featuring the music of Abba March 17 & 18

  Toronto trip April 8-11
  

  Spring Musical May 6, 7, 8
  

  Spring Concert May 18

• Juniors take the ACT on March 1 (PWHS will be operating on a two-hour delay schedule; buses will be running at regular times; middle and elementary schools operating on a regular schedule)

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: 740-858-1103
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePWHS