Warrior Wire
Walled Lake Western High School Parent/Family Newsletter
We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Aimee Clark has been selected as Walled Lake Western’s 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year! A 27-year veteran of WLW, Ms. Clark is known for her calm, positive presence and her incredible ability to help students believe in themselves.
Students consistently describe her as welcoming, supportive, and someone who “helps me understand” — even when math feels challenging. She excels in both co-taught Algebra and IB Math, and leads our Math Department with steady guidance. Whether she’s collaborating with colleagues, cheering on students, or participating in every Spirit Day, Ms. Clark embodies the true Warrior spirit. We are so proud to celebrate her and grateful for the joy, humor, and heart she brings to our school every day.
Please congratulate the Walled Lake Marching Band on a 34th place finish out of 108 bands at the 2025 Grand National Championships in Indianapolis! We are all so proud of this accomplished and talented group of musicians!
The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) All-State ensembles represent one of the highest musical honors available to student musicians in our state.
We are thrilled to share that Willem Damron, principal cellist in Western’s Symphony Orchestra, has been selected for the High School All-State Full Orchestra, one of the highest musical honors in Michigan. Willem is the only WLW student — and the only high school orchestra student in our district — to earn a spot in an All-State ensemble this year. Over 2,500 students audition anonymously each year for just 400 seats, making this an incredible achievement.
Miles Tucker-Gough, principal bassist in Western’s Symphony Orchestra, also earned an Honorable Mention for his outstanding audition. Please join us in celebrating Willem and Miles for their exceptional talent, hard work, and dedication. We are so proud!
The Red Cross Club will be holding a Blood Drive at WLW on December 2, 2025. Students 16 and older are eligible to donate blood and will be able to pick a time slot for their donation when they sign up at school. Be on the lookout for a permission slip if your student is under the age of 18!
This drive is NOT open to the public but, if you’re interested in making an appointment for yourself elsewhere, you can find a public drive at https://www.redcrossblood.org .
Please take a moment to discuss this life-saving opportunity with your student. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Krista Santana at kristasantana@wlcsd.org.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to help save lives!
Attention Seniors! The local run Legacy Scholarships are now open and students are encouraged to apply. Please remember that these scholarships are primarily for Walled Lake Students, so you have a much better chance of securing some funding for your future plans.
Legacy Scholarship Funds, Inc. currently manages 51 scholarships granting annual gifts to graduating high school seniors. Each scholarship seeks students with different talents and study goals. Annual dollar amounts of scholarship awards fluctuate each year based on our investment earnings. Amounts vary from $250 to more than $2,500.
Scholarship applications open on Monday, November 17, 2025 and the deadline to apply is Friday, January 9, 2026 unless otherwise noted.
Information can be found in the class of 2026 Google classroom as well as on the website: https://western.wlcsd.org/counseling/scholarships-and-financial-aid
In addition, Seniors and their families should be completing the FAFSA to open the door to several scholarship opportunities. You can find information on the FAFSA on the website as well.
As the semester progresses, classes can become more demanding. Encourage your student to take advantage of extra support from teachers, after-school tutoring, or online resources to stay on track and finish strong. It is important that students are in attendance so that they don’t miss out on daily learning.
Finally, as we head into the holiday season, we recognize this time can bring both joy and challenges for families. Please remind your student — and yourself — to practice kindness, take care of one another, and reach out to a school counselor if extra support is needed. We are here to help!
Kits for Kids is a student-run, charitable club focused on supporting underprivileged children in our community. Throughout the year, we organize fundraisers to raise money for supplies, which we use to assemble themed care kits, including school supplies, Halloween costumes, and other essentials. Our goal is to make a meaningful, hands-on impact while helping students learn compassion, leadership, and be involved in the community. Kits for Kids is hosting a Badminton Tournament, $15 per 3 person team, Tuesday Dec. 9th after 2:15p-4p in the Aux Gym.
The National Honor Society at Western has been working on several service-based activities this year. Currently, during the holiday season, we’re running a coin drive to support Western families in need, as well as decorating teachers’ doors for the Holiday Season. In February, we will continue to host our annual blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross. Overall, our club is focused on giving back to our school and community through meaningful volunteer opportunities.
The Forensics Team has kicked off the season with a few fun and informative activities! We hosted a "hot seat" event where old and new team members can ask questions, discuss possible event ideas, and people get to know one another. We also hosted a "game night" where we played games and met potential new team members.
Our next team meeting is Tuesday, December 6th in A222! Everyone is welcome!
Please congratulate team members of the Walled Lake Robotics teams for their excellent fall OCCRA season! Team 308 Monsters were Semi-Finalists at the County Championships, and also won the Spirit of the Competition award. Team 7178 Yeti were Finalists, just narrowly beaten out for the Championship in a nailbiter of a finals match! They also won the Strategic Design award. All told, Team 7178 won 4 awards this season, and Team 308 won 3. Now to take this energy on to the spring FIRST season!
This year marks an exciting milestone for Walled Lake Western! The Class of 2026 will be the first ever to graduate wearing our brand-new, custom cap and gown design.
The updated look features a royal blue gown with a bold silver sleeve stripe, showcasing Warrior pride in a fresh and timeless way. Each senior will also receive a Western graduation medal with their cap & gown. This is another new addition that makes this year’s ceremony extra special.
Because this is a completely new custom design, gowns from past years cannot be reused. All seniors must order the new cap and gown to participate in commencement.
The Class of 2026 will truly be one to remember!
Walled Lake Western High School
Attendance - 248.956.4600
Counseling - 248.956.4440