West Ashley High School

Members of the Class of 2024 recently celebrated a milestone in their high school careers by receiving their class ring during the Junior Ring Ceremony.

Students chose a teacher or staff member who has made an impact on their high school careers to present them with their ring.

This time honored tradition is one of the many special events that West Ashley hosts each year to celebrate our students and make their high school experience one to remember.

Congratulations to the November 2022 Female Athlete of the Month, Piper LeHew!!

Piper, a member of the Varsity women’s cross country team, holds the school record for cross country with her personal best this year of 20:04.

"Piper is an extremely hard working athlete,” said Head Varsity Cross Country Coach Travis Dowdy. “She placed 4th in the Region Meet with a time of 20:15, which earned her All-Region Honors. Piper has been the top girl for the cross country team for the last three years, since her 7th grade year. She has also been an All Region Athlete in cross country for the past two years. Her personal best is 20:04 and she placed 32nd in the State Cross Country Meet last week. As for academics she makes excellent grades and works very hard to learn everything to the best of her ability. She also volunteers to help out for other athletic events and is very involved in supporting other sports and student-athletes.”

Congratulations Piper!!

Congratulations to the November 2022 Male Athlete of the Month, Terry Grant!!

Terry, a member of the Varsity football team, has been invited to play in the High School Blitz All Star game.

"Terry started off the season at Linebacker for the Wildcat football team helping lead them to a regular season record of 7-3 and a first round playoff game against Goose Creek,” said Head Football Coach Donnie Kiefer. “Terry led the team in tackles while also developing into a team leader on and off the field. He was one of the MCs for the Fall Pep Rally and also helped lead the Memorial Service for Coach Fipps. Terry has stepped outside of his comfort zone many times this year in helping lead the student body and his teammates in the right direction.”

Congratulations Terry!!

For Whom the Bell Tolls - West Of

Check out this great article by the WestOf Newspaper about West Ashley High School, Mr. Cumback, and all the great things coming our way in the new year!

For Whom the Bell Tolls - West Of Under the guidance of principal Ryan Cumback, West Ashley High School continues to make big strides by Lorne Chambers | editor Over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, distance learning placed a strain on parents, teachers, and students. Drops in nearly every major aspect of learning were reported....

There’s still time to register to join us for the West Ashley CTE Showcase on Wednesday, January 11th if you are a rising 9th grader or their parents!

We are looking forward to highlighting all that the CTE Department and Center for Advanced Studies have to offer!

Please RSVP in advance by clicking the Google form link attached to this post.

Rising 9th grade students and their parents — Mark your calendars!!

On Wednesday, January 11th, West Ashley High and the WA Center for Advanced Studies are hosting a West Ashley CTE Showcase!!

Incoming students and their families will have the opportunity to learn all about the 14 different careers pathways, from Marketing to Mechatronics and from Health Science to Welding (and more!), offered on the West Ashley Campus.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with an information session in the WAHS Auditorium followed by tours of West Ashley and the CAS.

Register for the event using the link below. See the flyer for more information.

2022 was filled with so many memories!!

From the excitement of a new school year to honoring Coach Fipps — from football games on Friday nights to our first Fall Dance, it has been one to remember!

Here’s to 2023 and all of the unforgettable moments it will bring!!

Happy New Year from the Wildcats!!

Rising 9th grade students and their parents — Mark your calendars!!

On Wednesday, January 11th, West Ashley High and the WA Center for Advanced Studies are hosting a West Ashley CTE Showcase!!

Incoming students and their families will have the opportunity to learn all about the 14 different careers pathways, from Marketing to Mechatronics and from Health Science to Welding (and more!), offered on the West Ashley Campus.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with an information session in the WAHS Auditorium followed by tours of West Ashley and the CAS.

Register for the event using the link below. See the flyer for more information.

The Holiday Season would not be complete without the proper decorations!

Our Teacher Cadets helped dress up the Front Lobby this year by putting up items which celebrate all December holidays — Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Happy Holidays from the Wildcats!!

Students in our French and Spanish classes have been studying about World Cup soccer and keeping up with this year’s games.

As a fun way to end the study and head into Winter Break, the classes held a mock World Cup finale game where students were only allowed to communicate with and cheer for each other in French and Spanish (France vs. Argentina).

Wildcat Winter Week is here!

This is the last Spirit Week of 2022 so get swaggy before the new year!!

Check out this year’s theme and come dressed to show your Wildcat Spirit!!

See the graphic for the full list of this week’s themes with a description to help you know how to dress out.

West Ashley High School Live Stream

Join us for the 2022 Winter Concert featuring members of the West Ashley Band, Chorus, and Orchestra.

Don’t miss this year’s holiday event streaming on our YouTube channel. Make sure to subscribe for access to other great events!!

West Ashley High School Live Stream

"I'm feeling better"; Mary Ashley Barbot home after kidney transplant in September | WCIV

We are so excited Mary Ashley is healthy and back home to recover and get stronger after her kidney transplant!!

Check out the great feature by ABC News 4 to find out more about her story!

"I'm feeling better"; Mary Ashley Barbot home after kidney transplant in September | WCIV For nearly 10 years, Mary Ashley Barbot has been waiting, hoping and praying for a new kidney. Three months ago, the prayers were answered.Now, 19-year-old Barb

The West Ashley Speech & Debate Team hosted its first Open Mic Night recently.

The event displayed the talents of numerous singers, songwriters, musicians, and performers within our building (both staff and students) in what is sure to become an annual event.

Classics from “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” and “You’ll Be Back” from the musical “Hamilton” to original pieces entitled “Destiny” and “Turbulence” were just a few of the night’s performance pieces.

Great job to all of this year’s performers and to the WA Speech & Debate Team!!

It’s beginning…

Join us on Thursday, December 8th for a Winter Concert / Visual Art Show featuring students in our Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Visual Arts programs.

The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. in the WAHS Auditorium so make sure you come early to grab your seat before they’re all gone!

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments are on sale in the Cafeteria starting at 5:30 p.m.

We are looking forward to this great Fine Arts showcase and hope to see you there!

Congratulations to the October 2022 12th Grade Student of the Month, Maliya Castillo!!

“Maliya came to West Ashley for her senior year and she has quickly become an integral part of our West Ashley community," said French teacher Julia Royall. "She is a student who can always be counted on to help and encourage her classmates. In addition to being a stellar student and classmate, she is also a member of the Cross Country team and I witnessed her cheering on and supporting all of her teammates at her Cross Country meet. Maliya is a student who gives her all to her school, peers and community and I can think of no better candidate for Student of the Month!"

Congratulations Maliya!!

Congratulations to the October 2022 11th Grade Student of the Month, Livia Cherubino!!

“Livia lights up our English 3 classroom with her generosity and dedication," said English teacher Matthew Nuccio. "Each day she builds upon the past to achieve excellence for herself by synthesizing class texts to her experience, remarkable writing, and tutoring students who need extra help. Most recently, Livia collaborated with a partner to create a stunning inaugural address that she delivered masterfully."

Congratulations Livia!!

Congratulations to the October 2022 10th Grade Student of the Month, Antwon Burt!!

“Antwon is a wonderful student and has excelled in class during the month of October," said English teacher Tegan Bondy. "As we finished our reading of Macbeth, he was always willing to take on a speaking role, respond to questions in class and participate in discussion, and complete assignments on time. He is kind to his teachers and classmates and is an overall positive spirit. Antwon works hard in and out of the classroom and is an excellent model of our West Ashley student body!"

Congratulations Antwon!!

Congratulations to the October 2022 9th Grade Student of the Month, Mary Katherine Selvidge!!

“Mary Katherine is one of the most hard-working and empathetic students I have ever met,” said Science teacher Mackenzie Hill. “She is kind and respectful and always has a positive attitude. Mary Katherine is a leader in the classroom and other students know they can always count on her to help them out or to encourage them.”

Congratulations Mary Katherine!!

Tickets are on sale now!

Don’t miss this great fundraiser / community event to support the West Ashley Baseball Team and all of their great sponsors!!

Don’t miss out on this great event!
Get tickets from any Wildcat baseball player!
Great Holiday gift 🎄🕎!

They sell fast so get yours today!

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Interim Athletic Director Joe Quigley!!

Coach Quigley will assist the West Ashley Athletic Program for the remainder of the year and help us find our next AD once we advertise for a permanent replacement for Coach Fipps.

Quigley was named the South Carolina AAA Classification Athletic Director of the Year for 2007-2008 and the SC AAAA Athletic Director of the Year for 2013-2014.

In 2017, he was named the South Carolina State Athletic Director of the Year and was a six-time Athletic Director of the Year for South Carolina Region VI and VII.

Welcome Coach Quigley!!

On this , we look back at this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony.

The program, planned by our NJROTC unit as a tribute to all veterans, contained readings and poems highlighting all branches of the U.S. military and the history of the POW flag.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps by Ben Schell, a member of The Vanguard of West Ashley, and Passing of Old Glory, a time honored tradition where an individual or the group they represent is honored.

The flag was given to Master Chief Loring, an instructor with the West Ashley NJROTC, to symbolize the success of future cadets in the program.

Congratulations to all of the Wildcats who participated in National Signing Day!!

Ryan Bozard (Men’s Golf), Jack Frost (Men’s Soccer), Kaky Sears (Women’s Soccer), and Mary Kathryn Smoak (Women’s Soccer), all signed to continue their athletic careers at the post-secondary level.

Ryan Bozard signed to play Men’s Golf at Francis Marion University in the Fall.

Jack Frost will play Men’s Soccer for USC Lancaster.

Kaky Sears signed to play Women’s Soccer at Anderson University in the Fall.

Mary Kathryn (MK) Smoak will play Women’s Soccer for Brevard College.

Congratulations!!

West Ashley mourns the loss of Wildcat alum and coach, Catheryne (Porter) Santos.

Santos graduated from West Ashley in 2004. During her time here, she held several records in track & field and was a member of the volleyball team.

She attended Clemson University, where she was a part of their track & field team as well, before returning to West Ashley as a coach.

Santos last served as the shot and discus coach for track & field and as a volleyball coach during the 2019-2020 school year while working at Stiles Point Elementary and Murray-LaSaine.

We will remember Catheryne for her humor and the genuine kindness she had for everyone she met.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family.

The West Ashley Speech & Debate Team is hosting Open Mic Night on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center.

Tickets are $5 at the door. **If you purchase your ticket in advance (Wed. or Thurs. in the Cafeteria during all lunches) you get $1 off!! This means you have more money to spend on food and raffles!**

There will be coffee, pastries, and raffle tickets available for purchase. Cash only!

We are already looking forward to the great lineup of performances by WA students, teachers, and staff!! Cannot wait!!

Life is better when you dance!!

West Ashley held its first ever Fall Dance recently and had a phenomenal time!!

There was lots of great food, a DJ, photo booths, and an excuse to get dressed up and have fun! How could you resist?!

Happy Veterans Day!

We would like to recognize the veterans on our staff who served in a branch of the armed forces.

U.S. Air Force
- Paul Fazio, Mathematics Dept.

U.S. Army
- Denicee Becker, World Language Dept.
- Jeffrey Joiner, Physical Education Dept.

U.S. Marine Corps
- Anne Ostapiej, Media Center
- Roger Roberg, CTE Dept.

U.S. Navy
- Fredrick Davis, NJROTC
- Thomas Johnson, NJROTC
- David Loring, NJROTC
- Jason Wheless, CTE Dept.

Thank you for the sacrifices you made and the courage you displayed to honor and defend our country.

Happy Veterans Day to all who served!

The West Ashley Family Support Team is hosting a Cook-In for Veterans on Thursday, November 17th at 5:30 p.m. in the WAHS Cafeteria.

Scan the QR code included on the flyer or click the link below to RSVP.

Thank you for your service to our country!

This goes to the time when the League of Women Voters helped students register to vote.

Representatives visited during lunches to help students over the age of 18 (or who would be 18 by November 8th) complete the required paperwork so they could vote in the next election.

Happy National Principals Month to Mr. Ryan Cumback

In a month that celebrates principals (October) and bosses (October 16th), we couldn’t miss the opportunity to shout out and show appreciation for our leader!

We appreciate Mr. Cumback for his vision, leadership, and guidance. West Ashley would not be the same without him!

We are thankful for all that he does each and every day to be an all around positive influence on our staff, students, and school!

“True leadership lies in guiding others to success—in ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well.” — Anonymous

Congratulations to the October 2022 Female Athlete of the Month, Emma Crow!!

Emma, a member of the Women’s Tennis team, has been named All Region for each year of her high school career.

"Emma went 6-2 leading the women's tennis team to an undefeated season,” said Head Varsity Women’s Tennis Coach Jaima Kennedy. “She is vice president of National Honor Society with a 4.8 GPA. She also is Choir President and a member of the West Ashley Student Ambassador Program. Emma led the team to an undefeated season playing #2 on the ladder. She has played Varsity tennis for West Ashley for three years and was an All Region selection all three years. She was also nominated for the North / South All-Stars Tennis Tournament."

Congratulations Emma!!

Congratulations to the October 2022 Male Athlete of the Month, Carson Owens!!

Carson, a member of the Varsity Swim Team, finished the season by placing in the top three in several competitions at state and breaking a few of his own records.

“Carson finished 3rd in the State Meet in the 200 Freestyle,” said Head Varsity Swim Coach Brad Blake. “In doing so, he earned All Region and All State accolades. Carson also finished 2nd in the State Meet in the 100 Fly. Again, he earned All Region and All State accolades. Carson improved his school records in both events."

Congratulations Carson!!

Join the West Ashley Orchestras in the WA Cafeteria on Thursday, November 3rd for a Chili and Cornbread Cook-Off at 6:00 p.m. before their concert at 6:30 p.m.

Families can enter their chili or cornbread in the competition by visiting the link in bio.

As part of a fundraiser for the WA Orchestras, you can pay $10 to eat chili and cornbread during the event.

You don’t want to miss this event!

Wildcats!!

We are so looking forward to this year’s Fall Dance!!

Due to the large number of students wanting to attend, we have added ONE more day to purchase a ticket — Tuesday, November 1st during ALL lunches!!

Make sure to have the following with you at the time of purchase:
- $15 CASH to buy a ticket (students can only purchase one)
- Your permission form signed by a parent / guardian (check your email for a copy of the form)
- A hard copy of your current Student ID (temporary IDs not accepted)
- Money to pay any outstanding fees (check PowerSchool to make sure you’re clear)
- Textbooks to return or money for pay for them if you’ve lost them

Students, check your email for reminders and additional information.

Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight for Trunk-or-Treat!!

Over 42 clubs, athletic teams, departments, business partners, and other school groups run trunks, games, decorated pumpkins, and made it a great event.

This this one of our favorite events because it’s all about the West Ashley Community!

We had a great time hanging out with everyone and are already looking forward to next year!!

📸 credit - B. Lee Photography, Charleston, SC

More great news from our amazing Cheer Team. Congrats, Riley, Emma, and the rest of our amazing cheerleaders.

Congratulations to our West Ashley Cheer team on a great performance last night at the Region 7 - AAAAA Championship! At the event, two of our Seniors, Riley Alexander and Emma Steinmeyer were selected to the All-Region Team! Congrats ladies! Way to rep !

Way to go Mr. Wald and the Wildcat Chorale!

We are excited to see everyone at Trunk-or-Treat in just a few hours!!

Xperience Kulture and Barista Bear Coffee are joining us tonight.

Check out the menu for both trunks so you can pick out what you want to eat in advance!

Don’t forget — Trunk-or-Treat is tomorrow night!! We have over 40 trunks, games, food trucks, and more ready for the West Ashley Community!!

Please join the Wildcats for what is sure to be a great time!!

We hope you’ll join us for a spooktacular time on Thursday, October 27th for Trunk-or-Treat!!

Many of West Ashley’s clubs, athletic teams, groups, and departments are coming together to decorate trunks, play games, and give out candy to the community.

All are welcome! Join us from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. for what is sure to be a great time!!

If any businesses are interested in decorating a trunk, please email [email protected] by Tuesday, October 25th.