The Weekly Update

Students who completed all four of the high school Project Lead the Way classes—Principles of Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovations—received their white lab coats at a ceremony on Monday, May 18.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science is a hands-on, four-course high school curriculum that introduces students to medicine, human physiology, and research processes, acting as a foundational stepping stone for careers in healthcare, biomedical engineering, and medical research. In total, 20 East and West students earned the coats, and most will pursue a career in some area of healthcare after high school.

The 45 high school seniors who completed a Youth Apprenticeship this school year were recognized on Tuesday, May 19 for their participation in the program. The Youth Apprenticeship program is a work-based learning experience that requires students to complete a minimum of 450 hours of employment throughout the school year. Each student earned a purple and white cord to wear around their neck over their graduation gown at their graduation ceremony.

Eight students signed commitments to continue full-time employment with their Youth Apprenticeship employers, while two students committed to continuing their training through an adult apprenticeship program.

The West Bend High Schools production of “SIX: The Musical” recently earned three Jerry Awards, a Wisconsin high school musical theater awards program that recognizes and honors excellence in student performances and productions.

East junior Bella Downs received a Spirit Award, which is a specific honor given to cast members, stage crew, or student directors who display outstanding passion, positivity, and dedication to their theater community. Bella portrayed Anne Boleyn in the production. Also winning Jerry Awards were production staff Rich Hawthorne for Outstanding Scenic Design and Blaine Rakowski for Outstanding Lighting Design.

As the spring athletic seasons wind down, the West boys baseball, tennis, and track and field teams all recently secured Glacier Trails Conference championships. WIAA playoffs and qualifying will begin soon.

Seniors from both East and West High Schools were honored at senior athletic awards events on Sunday, May 17. Several prestigious awards were given such as the Carl Pick Memorial Award for Outstanding East Male Athlete and Andy Pick Memorial Award for Outstanding West Male Athlete, as well as the Nancy & Alan Pick Award for Outstanding Female Athletes at East and at West. Read a list of the winners.

Taylor Ripplinger, head coach of the West High School football team, was voted as Prudence Pick Hway Coach of the Year and received his award at the West Senior Athletic Awards event. In the 2025-2026 season, Coach Ripplinger was named WFCA All-Region Head Coach of the Year, North Shore Conference Head Coach of the Year, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Head Coach of the Year, and WFCA All-Star Assistant Coach. Read more about Coach Ripplinger.

The 2026 West Bend Memorial Day program, taking place after the parade at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Monday, May 25 on the north side of the Tower Heritage Center, will feature three East High School students.

Maddie Hesse will read the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution; Tatiyana Patrick will read President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address; and Marianne Roeber will read Lt. Col. John McCrae’s World War I poem “In Flanders Fields.”

Families whose children ride buses or vans may have some items at the lost and found at the Riteway terminal. To browse the current collection and retrieve any items, please visit the terminal located at 1145 Lang Street in West Bend. Pictured below is a sample of the items.

The West Bend School District has several job opportunities in summer school teaching, coaching, nutrition services, and more. Please go to our website to access the WECAN employment website. In WECAN, enter “West Bend School District” in the “Selected Employers” section.

Don’t let any East and West High Schools graduating seniors go empty-handed by completing a Grad Gram for all the seniors you know. Grad Grams are free, short messages to seniors; all you have to do is write a note of congratulations (this is the Grad Gram). Those notes are compiled and presented to each graduating senior on graduation day.

You can fill out an electronic form on the WBSD website or download a Grad Gram from the same webpage to hand write a note and turn it into any school or the district office. All Grad Grams are due by Friday, May 29. Click here to access the details and the forms.

There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!

Athletics

West Bend East Girls Youth Basketball Camp

West Bend High Schools Track Summer Camp

West Boys Basketball Summer Camp

West Summer Volleyball Camp

West Jr. Sparties Fall Volleyball League

East Summer Volleyball Camp

Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Summer Learn How to Skate

Youth Summer Soccer Camp at Shephard of the Hills Church

FC Wisconsin Junior Academy Open House and Minis Fall Program

West Bend Badgers Football Summer Fundraiser

General

Cub Scouts Pack 3787 Pancake Breakfast

Summer Family Nature Counseling

Summer Child Nature Counseling

Musical Masquers Summer Camp

Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Fundraiser

4H Inventors Quest Summer Camp

4H Build It Summer Camp

AFS International Exchange Program

Boys and Girls Club Silver Lining Family Fun Day

MOWA Summer Youth Workshops

Summer Programming

Volunteer Center - Various Events, Etc.

YMCA - Various Events, Etc.