Warrior Wire
Walled Lake Western High School Parent/Family Newsletter
November 14, 2025
Hadestown: Teen Edition is coming to Western!
Join us for an exciting and powerful retelling of one of the oldest love stories of all time. Hadestown follows Orpheus on his journey into the underworld to save Eurydice, featuring unforgettable music, stunning visuals, and a talented cast of Western students. Audiences will meet characters like Hermes, the Fates, and the formidable rulers of the underworld, Hades and Persephone.
Show Dates:
• November 20, 21, 22 at 7:00 p.m.
• November 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets:
Purchase at wlcstickets.com or at the WLW Box Office.
Student Performance – Wednesday, November 19 at 11:40 a.m.
Students must have a permission slip signed by their 4th, 5th, and 6th hour teachers and a parent/guardian to buy a ticket. $10 student tickets will be sold at the box office during lunches and after school through November 18.
We hope to see you there for this incredible show!
Save the Date
*November 17 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
*November 18 - 1/2 Day for Students (10:45 am dismissal)
*November 19 - Hadestown Daytime Performance (4th-6th hours, $10 ticket)
*November 20-23 - Hadestown Fall Musical
*November 26 - 1/2 Day for Staff & Students (10:45 am dismissal)
*November 27-28 - No School, Happy Thanksgiving!
*December 2 - Red Cross Club Blood Drive
PTSA Meeting-Monday, 11/17 @ WLW in B109
Student Blood Drive
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!
As we move into the second half of the semester, this is an important time for our seniors. Students should be finalizing their college, career, or military plans, and we encourage them to connect with their school counselor for help with applications, essays, or next steps. We hope all seniors complete at least one application to keep their options open for next year.
All seniors and families should also complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Many colleges have financial aid deadlines, and filing the FAFSA can unlock scholarships, grants, and opportunities like the Community College Guarantee. Even if students are unsure of their plans, completing the FAFSA ensures they don’t miss out on future options.
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!
Winter Athletics
Winter sports are officially underway, and tryouts continue next week for several teams!
- Wrestling Tryouts: Begin November 17 from 6:00 PM–8:15 PM
- Girls Basketball Tryouts: Begin November 19
- Varsity: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Junior Varsity: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Please remember that all athletes must have a completed physical uploaded to Big Teams before participating in tryouts. Please contact Mr. Goodsell if you have any questions.
Free After School Tutoring
FIRST Robotics Update
Our Robotics Teams, 308 and 7178, have two competitions coming up that are relatively nearby, and they would love support:
Saturday, November 15 at Seaholm High School (Birmingham), from 10 AM to approximately 2:30 PM
Saturday, November 22 at Marian High School (Bloomfield Hills) from 10 AM to late afternoon—this is the OCCRA Championships tournament.
The Robotics Team has a year-long bottle and can drive. They will take any returnables all year long as their ongoing fundraiser and environmental outreach program.
Poker Charity Event - Volunteers Needed!
Senior Cap & Gown Ordering Info
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!
Senior Portraits for the Yearbook
Step 1: Yearbook
Submit your portrait by email no later than December 5, 2025 to wlwyearbook@wlcsd.org. A confirmation email will be sent once the portrait is received.
The portrait submitted must be a digital image. No prints.
- Dimensions: 1 7/8 x 2 7/14"
- Head Size: 1 1/8"
- Format: 300 DPI, TIFF or JPG
- Image Label: Last Name, First Name
A medium gray background is required with a traditional head or shoulder pose. No props, no soft focus, no hands, no cap and gown, and no outdoor photographs will be accepted. Please dress appropriately. No strapless tops or wording on clothes.
Step 2: Composite
Submit your portrait and payment only through Focal Point's website no later than February 28, 2026. You may contact Terri McCrea at tjakackimccrea@fpstudio.net for assistance.
- Dimensions: 2.5 x 3.5"
- Head Size: 1.5", Leave .05" space between top of image and head
- Format: 300 DPI, TIFF or JPG
- Image Label: Last Name, First Name_WLW
A medium gray background is required with a traditional head or shoulder pose. No props, no soft focus, no hands, no cap and gown, and no outdoor photographs will be accepted. Please dress appropriately. No strapless tops or wording on clothes.
Please note:
- No additional charges when photographed at Focal Point Studio.
- There is a $10.60 fee to submit another photographer's composite photo to Focal Point.
- There is a $21.20 fee to submit another photographer's composite photo and receive a copy of the class composite at graduation time.
25-26 Yearbook
Walled Lake Western High School
Attendance - 248.956.4600
Counseling - 248.956.4440