Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 | 11:16 p.m.
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Prep Sports Now
Playoff picture starts to form
Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Steve Silver break down last week's lopsided high school football contests and preview this Friday's upcoming games. They also discuss the latest news on the neck injury to Shadow Ridge's Zak Hill.
An early Bonanza rout turned ugly Friday night when a brawl broke out in the middle of the third quarter against Western, Bonanza coach Shawn Dupris said.
The Bengals led the Warriors 20-0 when things started to escalate, Dupris said.
“A pushing match turned into a fist-throwing match,” Dupris said. “It just got bad. The game was suspended. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Dupris said Bonanza loaded its buses returned home. He did not know whether the outcome would officially stand as a 20-0 victory.
A fresh coat of paint and a fresh perspective are among the changes being made around Western High School.
Western is one of five turnaround schools that missed the marks set by No Child Left Behind and now faces the challenge of increasing student achievement.
The school is the third oldest in the district and its campus lies near Decatur Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Highway. The majority of students attending Western are minorities from disadvantaged homes. Western is known for having a rough past, but students are optimistic about the future of their school.
Change is apparent according to students interviewed in September.
“When I was in eighth grade, I was told I was going to get shot or stabbed when I came to Western,” said senior Kole Yanez, 17. “That might have been true 15 years ago, but now, you don’t see that here.”
Rules are tightly enforced on campus. The school keeps a strict dress code policy and cell phone use during class time is not permitted.
Halls are designated by grade level giving students a sense of ownership and community. Pride is clearly visible at pep rallies and sporting events. The newfound pride might just be he medicine needed to alleviate the 8 percent dropout rate, the highest in the district.
“It’s like building a house. You need a strong foundation,” said Neddy Alvarez, principal. “You need those strong relationships. When kids know we care about them, the learning will take place.”
- Year built:
- 1960
- Mascot:
- Warriors
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Neddy Alvarez (2008)
- Mission Statement:
- “The mission of Western High School is to promote scholarship, encourage good citizenship, and embrace our cultural diversity.”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,400
- Notable alumni:
- Frank Hawkins, former NFL player
Capt. Nicole Malachowski, first female Thunderbird
Ronnie Vannucci, drummer of The Killers
Tom Collins, Clark County commissioner - School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
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