Panther Pulse

Happy First Week of School, Panther Families!

If you haven’t seen our 2025-26 Back to School newsletter yet, you can find it linked above.

This Year Is About Connection

WHS is better when students are involved! Ask your student if they attended the club fair and about extracurriculars they may be interested in joining here at WHS.

Freshman IGNITE & Welcome Back

IGNITE leaders (aka the Good Energy Club) were on patrol Wednesday morning to help welcome the class of 2029 to WHS! Thank you to all of the fantastic returning students who sacrificed the end of their summers to make IGNITE the best it could be.

To our Freshmen, WELCOME! To all of our returning students, welcome back! Everyone at WHS is excited to see the amazing things you’ll do during your time here, and we’re grateful to be a part of your journey.

Reminder! Labor Day - No School

Please remember that there will be no school on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy your three-day weekend, and we'll see you on Tuesday!

FFA kicked off its fair season last week at the NCW Fair in Waterville. Congratulations to all of the students who participated and an extra shoutout to students awarded:

Fitting and Showing

• Beef: Trevor Goodwin - Grand Champion

• Poultry - Call Ducks: Wesley Beach - Grand Champion

• Poultry - Sebright Bantam: Lindsay Sutton - Reserve Grand Champion

• Rabbit - Holland Lop: Natalie Smeller - Grand Champion

Market Classes:

• Beef: Trevor Goodwin - Reserve Grand Champion

• Meat Goats: Dalylah Mukai - Grand Champion

This summer, WHS students Luisanna Esquivel (12) and Kylah Sparks (11) travelled to Orlando, Florida to compete at the National FCCLA Conference. The Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national organization of students making a difference through their work in Family & Consumer Sciences and their local community.

During the Fashion and Design competition, Kylah presented an original design titled “The Modern Belle”, which paid homage to Beauty and the Beast with a modern spin. She placed in the top 20 nationally, and was highly recognized by other national participants as having "The prettiest dress we have seen!"

Luisanna currently serves as the Washington State FCCLA Vice President of Finance where she assisted the state officer team in planning and executing a successful program for the upcoming year, as well as helping lead meetings for Washington State at Nationals. In addition to her state officer responsibilities, she also competed in the Leadership category and earned a top 20 national placement.

This trip not only provided valuable competition experience but also lasting memories. Congratulations to Luisanna Esquivel and Kylah Sparks for their achievements and for representing Wenatchee High School with excellence!

The WHS Drama & Choral Departments are excited to announce that the 2025 fall musical will be Little Shop of Horrors! Come experience the sci-fi smash musical featuring the songs of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, including "Somewhere That's Green" and "Suddenly Seymour".

Auditions will be held the week of September 8-12 in the WHS Auditorium. All students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to audition! Show dates will be November 13-15 and 20-22.

Check out WHS Presents on the WHS website and their social media for updates.

Wenatchee High School is now a phone-free environment through the use of Yondr pouches. The pouches allow students to keep their phones at all times and lock securely during the school day. At the end of the day, students will unlock the pouches at one of several stations located throughout the building.

* Please note that even if students choose to leave their phone at home or in their vehicle, they will still need to show a closed pouch along with the student ID at the doors to enter the building. *

How to use the pouch:

• Place your phone, Bluetooth earbuds, and/or smartwatch inside the pouch.

• Close the top flap and secure the pouch by pressing the button. Don’t worry – you will keep your phone throughout the school day.

• The pouch will be unlocked when you leave the WHS campus.

Thank you for the continued support we’ve seen from families and the community as we all work to adjust to this new policy. WHS students have been fantastic this week while adjusting to such a huge school-wide change.

Remember that you can always reach out to us between 8 AM and 4 PM at (509) 663-8117 with any questions or concerns. Additional information about phone-free schools can also be found on the WSD website and in the 25-26 Back to School newsletter.

Wenatchee Athletics is hosting the annual Fall Sports Kickoff happening on Tuesday, September 2nd at 7:00 PM at the Apple Bowl!

Families of students participating in athletics this fall are invited to join us to learn about Wenatchee Athletics, the Panther Booster Club, and everything they need to know about the upcoming season.

WHS has officially entered the national Friday Night 5G Lights competition presented by T-Mobile. From now through September 12, community members are encouraged to show their support by posting on social media and rallying behind the Panthers. Every post with the hashtags #FN5GL and #Sweepstakes, and tags to @TMobile and @WenatcheeAthletics counts as an entry toward $5,000 weekly prizes - and boosts Wenatchee's shot at the finalist round.

Tips to help:

• Post photos or videos showing Panther pride: game days, pep rallies, band, cheerleaders, students, fans
• Add the hashtags: #FN5GL and #Sweepstakes
• Tag @TMobile and @WenatcheeAthletics
• Encourage others to do the same - families, businesses, alumni!

The top 25 finalist schools will be announced in late September, with community voting to follow. The grand prize winner will be announced October 30, 2025.

The AppleEttes dance team is bringing back the first dance of the year: Hot Western Night! Come to the New Commons this Friday, September 5th at 9 PM to celebrate the start to a brand new school year. Get your tickets for $7 in the ASB office.

Tickets are presale only! Students attending must show their student ID to enter the dance.

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