WestSide High goes all out to help young cancer patient Ewan MacPherson
There is something really special about WestSide High School and the commitment to bettering the community that has been fostered by the staff and administration and that the remarkable kids who attend that school have wholeheartedly embraced.
On Thursday, March 28, from 6-8 p.m., WestSide High will hold its 5th annual spaghetti feed and auction with all of the proceeds going to support Ewan and his family. Tickets for the food are only $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Kids ages three and under are free.
Community members donate some really amazing art, gift baskets and other items for the auction, which will be held at the school at 1510 9th Street. Tickets are available at the school and at the door.
The annual fundraiser is so inspiring that a musician from Seattle, Steven Curtis, drives the 250-mile round trip at his expense to play his music for the benefit.
WestSide High has a pretty remarkable group of teachers and staff who have created a true sense of community at the school, which has spilled out to include caring for and contributing to the entire community. Sheena Zacherle, who teaches career and technical education and robotics, is the graduation specialist and advises the leadership group at the WestSide, has a knack for finding ways to engage and inspire students. She’s the point person for the fundraiser. The school has benefited from the enthusiastic leadership of principal Kory Kalahar who creates an infectious can-do atmosphere at the school. But in truth, that sense of caring has always existed with those who have chosen to serve students there. WestSide is a very special place that is giving students an opportunity to flourish.
Not so many years ago, WestSide was not appreciated by many in the community. What many of us didn’t understand was that it is a special place of learning that allows kids who don’t fit in well at traditional schools to flourish. There is a strong emphasis on accountability, individual responsibility and accepting everyone as they are. The sense of belonging created there is essential in helping kids overcome the sense of disconnection that is growing in our society.
Several years ago, the Wenatchee Rotary Club recognized WestSide’s unique value and dedicated significant funding, mentoring and other support to help the rest of us recognize the true value of this alternative school. That was a game changer for WestSide, which was not fully appreciated for its value at the time. The sense of pride that Rotary helped create in the school is evident when you walk through the halls and is also apparent in growing community esteem and support for its unique learning environment.
We could all learn lessons in the value of contribution from the example of WestSide’s students, faculty and staff. These kids and this school will make our community proud for years to come.
Let’s show our support for their efforts to help out Ewan MacPherson in his challenging journey to overcome cancer.
