🫣The Write Side😱

Hark, weary travelers! The veil lifts early Oct. 31! We are invoking the 12:30 Rapid Release to ensure maximum haunting hours (and to catch that epic football game!).

Follow this ghoulishly quick timeline to freedom:

⚔️ Tonight's Terror: Take Down the Silver Knights! ⚔️

Gather your spirit and your screaming voice! Tonight, our Senators face off against Cincinnati Summit Country Day (a.k.a. The Silver Knights!).

Dismissal at 12:30 PM sharp means you have plenty of time to fuel up on candy corn and get to the stadium to support our team as they battle the forces of the Knights! See you under the Friday Night Lights!

Ride the Hades-Bound Coach (Pep Bus)!

• Students interested in riding the Pep Bus to the game must sign up using the scroll available in the main office.

• Permission slips need to be signed and returned by Thursday afternoon to secure your ticket.

• If you ride the bus, your ticket to the battle will be provided!

Get ready for the most spirited day of the year! Students are welcome to dress up for Halloween (10/31), but remember that even spirits must follow the Rules of the Realm to keep the day fun, respectful, and safe:

• The School Dress Code Curse: All costumes must adhere to the standard school dress code.

• The Face-Reveal Spell: No masks, face paint, or full face covers allowed (we must be able to identify every mortal and phantom!).

• No Cursed Artifacts: No weapons, toy weapons, or sharp objects of any kind—leave the chainsaws and scythes at home.

• Respect the Spirits: Avoid costumes that could be considered offensive or culturally inappropriate.

• Keep It Scholarly: Costumes must be school appropriate and should not disrupt learning (no giant inflatable T-Rexes in Precalculus!).

Beware, mortals! As the Halloween shadows retreat, a strange and wonderful spell falls upon the land. Daylight Saving Time is ending, and the ancient magic requires you to perform a critical task:

Reverse the Clock! On November 2, Sunday morning, you must set your clocks back one hour!

This magical reversal means the universe is granting you the ultimate treat: One extra, precious hour of sleep (or haunting)! Use this unexpected gift of time wisely. Don't be late for the mortal world come Monday!

⏳Grave tidings, PWHS fright fans! Our annual October 27th Blood Drive, officially dubbed the Blood Moon Harvest, was a monstrous triumph!

Our team of (delightfully) bloodthirsty volunteers bravely faced the challenge. They painlessly poked and prodded our heroic donors, draining every precious drop of life-saving "ichor" with a terrifying efficiency.

💀 The Crypt Keeper's Count: Scholarship Success!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of those who dared to donate, PWHS collected enough precious cargo to guarantee we are well on the way to securing American Red Cross scholarships for one or more deserving seniors this year! That's right—your brave sacrifice directly helps a fellow student!

⚰️ Don't Ghost Us! Your Next Chance to Donate!

Did you miss this round of haunting generosity? Do you want to give the gift of life and help one of our seniors earn a prestigious scholarship?

Mark your tombstone calendars! We're back for our next terrifyingly important blood drive on February 24th. Be a hero, not a horror story!

The Verdict is In! These students have successfully navigated the shadowy secrets of election training and are now certified agents of democracy for the upcoming vote. A huge scream of thanks to our new poll workers - junior Sophie Vernier, junior Kylee McCleese, and senior Kendal Matthews!

October 22, our brave students in Mr. Gilliland's Government and Mrs. Copley's Senior Life classes

journeyed into the mists of time to consult the grand oracles of higher education!

The students arrived at the hallowed halls of Shawnee State University to peer into the future at the massive College Fair. They bravely faced spectral admissions counselors, peered into the crystal ball of program options, and collected ancient scrolls (brochures) that may determine their destiny!

Have you checked the Final Forms scrolls? Students, your email inbox holds the key to the Songbird Competition! The PWHS Media Team is still seeking voices so enchanting they could raise the dead. If you missed the email, speak with Mr. Howard immediately—the submission deadline is Halloween!

Do you possess a voice so enchanting it could raise the dead?

Good Luck, and may your voice be the one that chills us to the bone!

Beware, mortals! HOSA is summoning you to a week of terrifyingly fun dress-up from November 3rd through the 7th! Follow the eerie mandates below to survive the week and show your school spirit!

A GHOSTLY summons has been issued! Forget the candy—it's time to test your knowledge of all things cinema and support your Prom Committee at the Prom Trivia Night!

Trick-or-Treat! The "Treat" is excellence! Sweep through the haunted halls and congratulate the "Boo-tifully" bright students who earned a spot on the 2025-2026 1st 9 Weeks Honor Roll!

12th grade

Straight A: Halie Bays, Max Bell, Kayden Bentley, Carson Carver, Brody Hall, Jack Jewett, Elijah Kasper, Will Kegley, Corbin Miller, Trever Patrick, Levi Pickelsimer, Charlie Pollitt, Cristian Quirasco, Logan Ralstin, Logan Wolfenbarker

A: Erica Barton, Ariana Evans, Michael Grobowski, Zach Holsinger, Payton Howard, Martine Kitts, Grace Lucas, Kendal Matthews, Rileigh Miller, Bralyn Newman, Tabitha Rodgers, Claire Sines, Gracie Thompson, Kayla Throckmorton, Maleah Whitman, Bo Wroten

B: Micah Barnes, Jerry Book, Jeremy Gravely, Kamryn Hedge, Dylan Moreland, Ethan Patton, Isaak Tipton, Tucker Yazell

11th grade

Straight A: Luke Elliott, Max Newsome, Evan Stiles, Macey Whisman, Gavin Veach

A: Ava Baker, Roschelle Cantrell, Adriann Carver, Hailey Carver, Miley Castle, Laiken Caudill, Kayleigh Craft, Chloe Fraley, Rylee Fuller, Camilla Harrison, Rihanna Henderson, Colton Hill, Carter Keyser, Kylee McCleese, Tyson McGinnis, Eric Quezada, Ben Sparks, Maddie Tieman

B: Braden Adkins, Braden Anderson, Levi Bays, Vacilya Begley, Gracelynn Bigham, Shaley Boggs, Chloe Bryant, Kate Cyrus, Brayden Frost-Romero, Blake Jordan, Mollie Morrissette, Lafe Potters, Harrison Richards, Owen Richards, Aubrey Stone, Sophie Vernier

10th grade

Straight A: Lorelei Carver, Isabella Sherman, Gabe Nichols, Scottie Craft, Donovan Eldred, Leo Morrissette, Isaac Ruark

A: Makenna Bentley, Mason Bodmer, Sophia Coleman, Lainey Cook, Morgan Entler, Wyatt Ferrell, Lauren Hannah, Olivia Hannah, Layla Hannan, Allyssa Hedge, Logan Kessinger, John Maynard, Ava McNeil, Haylee Perkins, Keagan Salem, Elyn Shiveley, Braeden Stevens, Mylee Tieman, Lauryn Trinidad, Christopher White, Summer Williamson, Turner Young

B: Jadyn Anderson, Rebecca Bashaw, Ryan Bishop, Grace Conley, David Brickey, Khloe Campbell, Brenna DeLong, Noah Fannin, Lindsey Gifford, Addi Hall, Logan Hatfield, Makayla Hayslip, Bryson Alan Journey, Layla Kamer, Braxton Kammer, Nathan Kammer, Baylee Mathews, Bree Messer, Isabella Nichols, Aaron Patton, Addison Perry, Brayleigh Pistole, Rilee Pollard, Russell Rapp, Humble Moore, Jazlyn Shaw, Ashlyn Stephens, Gracie Stevens, Gracie Vandyke, Kailynn Wiedbrauk, Anna Wyman

9th grade

Straight A: Brycen Bodmer, Audrey Brower, Shella Harrison, Giuliana Hedrick, Maddox Lawless, Chloe Lucas, Kimberly Price

A: Josef Begley, Reece Bell, Eli Blevins, Chase Bryant, Cason Frump, Dannie Galloway, Aubree Hayslip, Cameron Howard, Shelby Hurst, Annabelle Jordan, Lathan Journey, Ava Klaiber, Haley Kleinman, Jace Lore, Braxton McNutt, Brooklyn Mendez-Ledford, Torie Milstead, Tamaja Moore, Kierston Mosley, Noah Mount, Shelby Murphy, Maximus Rosario, Bryson Roy, Sawyer Staggs, Wyatt Terry, Haley Thomas, Molly Whisman, Hunter Maynard

B: Colton Blevins, Lelani Cabrera, Pat Carver, Ryan Cassidy, Damion Castle, Lilly Chapman, Shelbi Day, Mary Estes, Zane Fannin, McKenna Flanagan, Kyler Hammonds, Lucas Hannan, Emily Hunt, Kaitlyn Logan, Mayah Markwell, Myles Mitchell, Makayla Murphy, John Nichols, Roger Plona, Adrian Ramey, Westyn Ratcliff, Bentley Shonkwiler, Easton Simpson, Natalie Snow, Maddox Spencer, Payton Thacker, Alenah Throckmorton, Audrina Turner, Brookelynne White, Farrah Wilson

West Key Club members met with Portsmouth Kiwanis members for a working dinner at Gatti’s Pizza. At the meeting, SSU Project Bear volunteers demonstrated tips to help the volunteers read in a fun and engaging way. This dinner kicked off the season's Cool Kids Read campaign and our Key club members will read the book Smart Cookie to West Elementary 2nd grade.

Interested in helping our community? See Mrs. Callihan for information about joining Portsmouth West Key Club. There are numerous events coming up this holiday season and there will be multiple opportunities to give back to our community.

The boys' golf team ended their season as Conference Champions...again!

Congratulations to the following golf members:

Owen Richards D3 2nd Team All District

Jack Jewett D3 Honorable Mention

Kylee McCleese D2 Honorable Mention

Also, Levi Pickelsimer, Will Kegley, and Jack Jewett were named Academic All District honorees.

Going into their first tournament game tonight, the Senators football team holds a 5-5 record and 4-2 in the Southern Ohio Conference. At the time of this publication, no conference, district, or state level honors/awards have been announced. Best of luck tonight against Cincinnati Summit Country Day School.

Photos courtesy of Joey Shupert

Though young and with a 9-15 record that Coach Brittany Sessor knows will greatly improve next year, the volleyball team had numerous season highlights. They first celebrated the lone senior, Rileigh Miller, with a senior night win over Minford, and then won their sectional championship tournament game with a win over Waterford.

Other highlights:

• Hailey Carver surpassed 500 digs this season.
• Macey Whisman surpassed 500 kills this season.
• Brayleigh Pistole surpassed 500 digs and 500 assists this season.
• Macey Whisman earned All-District 2nd Team and ALL-SOC 1st Team.
• Brayleigh Pistole earned All-District 3rd Team and ALL-SOC 2nd Team.

The Portsmouth West Senator Cross Country Team finished an awesome season on Saturday, October 25th where David Brickey became the first boy in Portsmouth West High School history to qualify for the OHSAA Regional High School Cross Country Meet held at North Pickerington High School. It was a season of personal bests and small triumphs. Every one of our runners improved significantly from the start of the season. Our team took to the trails at Shawnee State Forest, ran the Portsmouth Flood Wall, ran Earl Thomas Conley Park, and the Shawnee State Forest Campground. There was never a dull moment for our Senators. Our runners even participated in the Shawnee State University Bear Run and participated in the Unioto Night Run XC Meet. A notable stand-out this season was our 7th grader, Miss Kyra Adkins. Kyra took many first, second and third place finishes this season in her meets. David Brickey is currently the third fastest XC runner in the history of the program and he has his sights set for next season to be number one. We look forward to building a bigger and better team next year. ~Coach Eric Nichols

The Sensational Senators Marching Band has continually entertained fans with their performances on the field. They had another great season earning a bid at the state competition where they received an excellent rating.

Competing in a strong conference, our soccer team worked hard this season. Seniors players include Isaak Tipton, Max Bell, Zach Holsinger, Michael Grobowksi, Blake Wamsley, Ethan Patton, and Landon Cornell. At the time of this publication, no conference, district, or state level honors/awards have been announced.

Photos courtesy of Joey Shupert

Congratulations to our 2025 football homecoming Queen and her court!
Queen: Ariana Evans
Senior Attendant: Rileigh Miller
CTC Attendant: Eliza Arthur
Junior Attendant: Kylee McCleese
Sophomore Attendant: Kailynn Wiedbrauk
Freshman Attendant: Shelby Hurst

Photo courtesy of Joey Shupert

The undead season begins for Baseball! The team will rise from the grave to start intense workouts next Tuesday.

For the chilling month of November, plan to attend these twilight gatherings every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 PM. Don't be late—the diamond awaits!

The crypt of the new season has opened! Coaches Eric and Carrie Nichols are thrilled to summon the Senators to the deep end. Word "in the chilling breeze" is that our returning athletes and new recruits are bubbling up with terrifying optimism!

Dive into the Depths:

The Senators' first practice was held in the shadow of night on Wednesday, 10-29-25 at 7:00 PM in the dark, mysterious waters of the Shawnee State University natatorium.

This season will demand grit, discipline, heart, and a terrifying desire to be the best. With those spectral powers, this could be the best swim season yet!

First Battle on the Black Water:

Mark your cursed calendars! The Senators' first battle is scheduled for 11-25-25 at the County Sprint Meet, held at SSU.

Welcome to the New Dawn of the Undead Season of PWHS Swimming! Go Senators!