Our Siouxland Tour Winds Towards the End of the Trail With a Visit to Sioux City West High

The air was full of humidity and the skies were overcast as we headed into our final day in Siouxland. Our first school visit on Thursday, March 29th took us to Sioux City West High School. Here we were greeted by local leader Leslie Dake. Leslie is an association leader in Sioux City Educational Support Professional's Association (SCESPA) and a member of ISEA-PAC Central Committee. Leslie is a Bookeeper and Prom & Graduation Secretary here at West High.


We were first whisked off to one of the school's gyms where long-time association leader, Math teacher and Dance team coach Julie DeGroot was holding practice with her team. Julie has led the dance squads at West High for the last 34 years!

Julie shared she has 100 students involved in her dance squads. Her teams annually compete in state competition and every other year compete at the national level. This year her squads placed in nine events--bringing home eight first place awards and one second place award.

The most touching part of our conversation was when Julie shared the story of Marcus Williams. Marcus (surrounded by a new set of "fans") is like too many of our students--having more challenges in his personal life then any young person should have in a full-life. One area of Marcus' challenges was his struggle with some areas of academics, but found the dance squad was a true passion. It was his involvement on the Dance Squad that motivated him to stay in school. And as we know, there is no "bubble test" that checks for understanding for activities such as the Dance Squad. Both Wanda Synhorst, retired Council Bluffs EA leader and Donna Walsh, Sioux City EA president were moved to give generous contributions towards the cost of Marcus' "bill" for Dance Squad so he can continue his part-time job to pay off the bill and graduate this spring.

Also joining us in the gym before the first bell to mark the start of the school day was Amy DeGroot, Julie's daughter. Amy is a Counselor here at West High and joins her mother as a Dance Squad coach.


We next had a few minutes to relax in a conference room to enjoy Leslie's homemade coffee cake and coffee. Stopping by before heading to class was Jody Kennedy (pictured at left). Jody is a Math teacher--teaching Algebra, Geometry II, and Consumer Math. Amy also finds time to be an assistant Dance Squad coach. She shared how she is a graduate of West High and was a member of Amy DeGroot's Dance Squad in her high school years.


We next had the chance to stop by classrooms and greet some local leaders. Steve McHugh is a Math teacher here at West High, Treasurer of the Sioux City Education Association and a veteran of the War in Iraq. It was a treat to get to thank Steve personally for his service to our country as well as stepping up to take a leadership role in the SCEA!

We had the chance to stop by the classroom of West High Math teacher Ron Colling. Ron and his wife Katie are long-time friends. Ron continues to volunteer as a member of the Sioux City EA Negotiations team. It was great to see Ron again!




Our tour of West High ended in the school's Media Center. The murals (below) depict the regional Siouxland history. These photos really don't do justice to the beautiful work.

In the school's Media Center we met Director and teacher-Librarian Shelley Sweeney. Shelley (pictured with white sweater) shared how this is her 3rd year as a member of the West High staff. She shared just a few of the many activities that take place here in the Media Center.

Jan Fridley, Media Center Secretary and past president of SCESPA, joins her colleague Leslie Dake for a photo. Jan was generous with her praise for the work of Shelley Sweeney in increasing usage in the school's Media Center. Jan said that usage has increased ten-fold under Shelley's leadership. I think this team of Shelley and Jan is a great example in continuing to find ways to meet the ongoing needs of students and staff!

Thanks Leslie Dake for your continued great leadership on behalf of students and the association. Thanks, West High for your warm hospitality! You do indeed have great things going on!