West Ranch hosted its annual Open House on March19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open House allows parents to experience their student’s daily routines at school and gives incoming eighth graders a sneak peek into high school life. With various performances, incoming students were able to experience the multitude of talented programs at West Ranch.
The evening officially kicked off when the ASB E-Board welcomed the class of 2029 and their parents in the amphitheater. Once everyone settled down, the event began with the National Anthem, performed by the West Ranch choir who was accompanied by JROTC presenting the colors. After the performance, Principal Fisher, Cheer Coach Mrs. Coe, ASB Director Mrs. Priske, Dance Coach Mrs. Johnston, Percussion Coach Mr. Diaz and Athletic Directors Mrs. Konrad and Mr. Livermont all delivered a welcoming message to those in the audience, wishing them a successful first experience in high school. Following the welcoming messages, West Ranch cheer, dance , color guard and drumline all gave performances, giving the incoming students a lot to look forward to. Eighth-grader Charlotte Dorio shared, “I’ve enjoyed all the performances by the teams. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I knew I’m going for new experiences. I’m excited. I got to see some of the clubs and teams that West Ranch has.”
After the introductory message and performances, parents and students were encouraged to explore the campus to learn about different electives and take a peek into various classes. The gym hosted all of the different sports teams that students could join, like tennis, lacrosse, dance, football, flag football and many more. A variety of clubs also set up booths, allowing students to learn about extracurricular opportunities ranging from academic clubs to performing arts and service organizations.
In the classrooms, teachers set up their rooms to display the work their students had completed throughout the year. English teacher Mrs. Koskie transformed her classroom into a vibrant showcase of student projects. “Throughout the year, I try to keep in mind certain projects and assignments that I would like to display,” she explained. “For example, the maps that you see around the room, I had those laminated weeks ago, as well as the masks on the wall. So it’s really about planning ahead.” By carefully curating these projects, she not only wanted to celebrate her student’s hard work but also create an inspiring learning environment.
For many incoming students, Open House was an eye-opening experience. Rancho Pico eighth-grader Ken Reyes was impressed with his first experience. Reyes remarked, “The school size is pretty big compared to Rancho Pico. I expected the school to be a lot smaller since my elementary and middle school weren’t that big. But, I am excited for all the opportunities that are available at this school.”
As the night concluded, the excitement and energy of the event left a lasting impression for both current and incoming Wildcats and their families. Whether through watching performances, visiting classrooms or meeting teachers and coaches, Open House proved to be a valuable experience for students preparing for the next chapter in their education.
