West Seattle High School

West Seattle High School (known to students as "Westside") is a comprehensive public high school in Seattle's West Seattle neighborhood that serves grades nine through twelve as part of the Seattle School District.

History and Facilities

Historic Entry Door

New Courtyard Entry

The school opened in 1902 and it was first called "West Seattle School." In 1917, the current building was opened and the school was renamed "West Seattle High School." The mascot was an Indian Chief, and the athletic teams were known as the Indians. A change in the nickname was considered several times beginning in 1974. The mascot was changed to a Wildcat in 2004.

The current neo-Renaissance building was designed by architect Edgar Blair on 3.5 acres. Various expansions of the site increased the property to its current 8.6 acres. Additions and renovation included the 1924 expansion by School District architect Floyd Naramore, a 1930 annex, a 1954 addition by architects Naramore Bains Brady Johansen, by Theo Damn in 1958, and major interior renovations in 1972. At various times portable classrooms had been installed on the site. The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board designated the building a Landmark in 1981.^[2]

There was a major remodel in 2000-2002 by Bassetti Architects. This involved featuring the historic building while doubling the size of the facility. The addition was arranged to provide a new entrance to the school surrounded by a new gymnasium, theater, and Commons spaces. The main entrance was restored, the central auditorium was converted to the Commons, and a gym was converted as the library. Awards for this renovation included: 2001 Excellence in Masonry, Honorable Mention; 2004 AIA Washington Civic Design Awards, Merit Award; and 2004 Masonry Institute of Washington Merit Award - Rehab/Restoration.^[3]

Athletics

West Seattle is a member of the 3A metro league. The 2006 Senior Varsity Baseball Team was Metro League Champions. The 2004 and 2005 Varsity volleyball team were Metro League Champions. The 2004 Wrestling Team was the Metro League Champions. The 2007-08 Men's basketball team made it to the State championship playoffs for the first time in 38 years, losing 1st round to Squalicum. Most recently the Wildcats were the champions of the 2008-09 metro sound football season with a record of 9-2, the team made it to the second round of the state playoffs beating Enumclaw and then losing to Ferndale. The team graduated 3 division one players.

Notable alumni

• Aaron Grymes (2009) former Canadian Football League player for the Edmonton Eskimos and current football player for the Philadelphia Eagles
• Ed Bahr, Former MLB player (Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Fred Beckey (1941), Mountaineer, Naturalist and author
• Byron "By" Bailey, former NFL and Canadian Football League player; Canadian Football Hall of Fame member
• Dyan Cannon (1954), actress ^[4]
• Dow Constantine (1980), King County Executive
• Frances Farmer (1931), actress ^[4]
• Ivar Haglund, founder of Ivar's ^[4]
• Steven Hill (1940), actor ^[5]
• Rosanna Pansino (2003), actress and YouTube personality
• Mark Small, Former MLB player (Houston Astros)
• Maurice Smith (kickboxer), World Champion kickboxer and former MMA fighter^[6]
• Lou Whittaker (1952,) mountaineer, founded Mt. Rainier guide service ^[4]
• Jim Whittaker (1952), first American to climb Mt. Everest ^[4]
• Gregory C. Johnson (1972) NASA Astronaut, STS-125 Atlantis (May 11–24, 2009), the fifth and final Hubble servicing mission ^[7]
• June Preston (1947), RKO child actress debut in Anne of Green Gables and went on to become a Metropolitan Opera Singer (inducted in WSHS Hall of Fame 1992) ^[4][8]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Seattle High School.

• Official website

Coordinates: 47°34′36″N 122°23′04″W / 47.57667°N 122.38444°W / 47.57667; -122.38444