Back to school event at the Grove! Come out and meet some of our high school fall athletes as well! See you there!
Senior Ava Johnson, member of the Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council, attended the Ohio School Safety Summit this week where she presented her capstone project to Governor Mike DeWine.
The student-led Council falls under the umbrella of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio School Safety Center. Council members, like Ava, work together to identify school safety concerns and develop innovative solutions to address them through strategic engagement that encourages their peers to maintain a safe school experience while focusing on the overall well-being of students. Ava. a delegate for one of the five Ohio School Safety regions, has worked with both Advisory Council members and WLS students, staff, and administration to bring safety initiatives to her own district.
The Ohio School Safety Summit, held at the Columbus Convention Center, offered Ava the opportunity to participate in round table discussions with Advisory members where they shared their own school and regional experiences.
Ava was one of eight members selected to serve a second term on the council. She will serve for the 24-25 school year mentoring new council members and working on community projects at West Liberty-Salem.
To learn more about the Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council and how Ava is impacting her district, region, and state, visit West Liberty-Salem Junior Ava Johnson Selected for Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council | West Liberty-Salem Local School District (wlstigers.org)
It's fall Sports Media Day!
The Tigers officially began their fall season this week, however many of our athletes/band members have been training hard all summer! We are looking forward to a great season with 55 seniors taking the field, court, and course for the last time as Tigers! Come out and support our seniors and all of our student athletes this fall! A full athletic schedule can be found at https://schools.snap.app/WestLiberty
Go Tigers!
Verizon Wireless in Bellefontaine is offering a free back pack to any school age child today until 4 PM! Stop by and spread the word if you know someone who could benefit! 📕🎒
Congratulations to Tiger Cheerleaders Ava Chamberlain, Alaina Irving, Elise Longshore, and Emery Longaberger who are now among the elite group of National All American cheerleaders! They were named today at their final day of Universal Cheerleaders Association Cheer Camp. Ava and Alaina, team captains, are now 2-time All Americans which is a first for the program. Again, congratulations on this great achievement!
Student supply lists are updated for your back-to-school shopping. Links to the lists are attached. If you have difficulty opening the links, you can also visit our website where lists can be found on our menu page followed by the appropriate school (elementary, middle school, or high school)
Elementary: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1083/WLS/4394965/2024-2025_Supply_List_WLS_Elem.pdf
Middle School: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1083/WLS/4354374/6-8th_2024-2025_Supply_List.pdf
High School: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1083/WLS/4394965/2024-2025_Supply_List_WLS_Elem.pdf
We are currently seeking a middle school/high school paraprofessional. This is a part time position, and hours are approximately 8:35-12:35. If interested, please submit resume and cover letter to Greg Johnson at gjohson@wlstigers.org or Andy McGill at amcgill@wlstigers.org.
The Big Orange Cross Country team is hosting the 47th Annual BOSS Summer Run on Saturday, August 17th at Lions Park. There is a One Mile Fun Run and 5K race. Walkers are welcome! For more information visit bornandracedinwestliberty.com
West Liberty-Salem’s Board of Education honors Tiger Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Ann Vogel
West Liberty-Salem’s admired Cross Country and Track and Field coach Ann Vogel was honored by the West Liberty-Salem Board of Education after she announced her retirement earlier this summer. Known for her commitment and advocacy in young women’s sports, Coach Vogel leaves behind a 32 year legacy of mentorship, sportsmanship, and excellence that her athletes, teams and program are known for. In an interview with the Bellefontaine Examiner, Coach Vogel shared that throughout her coaching career, she focused on the importance of recognizing the individual motivations of her athletes. "I learned early on as a coach that even though you are coaching a team, you have to coach the individual," Vogel explained. Developing her athletes individually ultimately developed the team culture that the Tigers came to know and expect from her teams.
During Coach Ann Vogel’s career, she led the Big Orange lady’s cross country team to 26 conference championships, 10 district Championships, 9 Regional Championships, 12 State appearances, and a 2nd place State finish in 2019 followed by a State Championship in 2020. In addition, Vogel is a 3-time Southwest District Cross Country Coach of the Year, 2019 recipient of the OATCCC Fred Dafler Award, and the 2020 OATCCC Sports, Ethics and Integrity Award.
The Lady Tigers Track and Field team boasts similar records with 19 conference championships, 5 district championships, 2 regional championships, and State Championships in both 2019 and 2021. Coach. Vogel is a 2-time Southwest District Track and Field Coach of the Year, and the recipient of the 2019 USTFCCCA Ohio Coach of the Year
Since announcing her retirement, Vogel has been joined by members of the Tiger community, past and present athletes, community members, family, fellow coaches, and so many more to celebrate more than 3 decades of remarkable coaching. Athletic Director Morgan Sullivan shared, “Coach Vogel’s mentorship extended far beyond athletes, the Tigers and Big Orange programs, West Liberty-Salem High School, the community, the state of Ohio, and beyond.”
So, what’s next? Vogel will remain a presence with the Tiger Track and Field and Big Orange Cross Country programs. She will continue to help with meets, media relations, and as a resource for coaching staff. Vogel also plans to remain active in her advocacy for women in sports by continuing her active memberships in the Ohio Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches and the Ohio Women in Coaching Associations.
The Tiger Community has and will continue to be inspired by Vogel’s commitment and dedication to our student athletes. The impact of that commitment, dedication, and mentorship will certainly remain. Congratulations, Coach Ann Vogel! Thank you doesn’t seem like quite enough.
Photo Credit: John Coffman
Congratulations to graduate Ashley Yoder! Ashley will attend and run at Mount Vernon Nazarene University where she will major in Exercise Science!
Congratulations to graduate Jaycee Yelton! Jaycee will attend Clark State Community College and major in Animal Science!
Congratulations to graduate Isabelle Wygal! Isabelle will attend Ohio University and major in Psychology!
Congratulations to graduate Dylan Wing! Dylan entered the workforce upon graduation and will complete and electrical apprenticeship program!
Congratulations to graduate Julia Wilson! Julia has enlisted as active-duty in the United States Air Force. Thank you for your service, Julia!
Congratulations to graduate Nathan Webb! Nathan is employed and will continue work for the Zanesfield Rod and Gun Club!
Congratulations to graduate Brooklyn Wilcoxon! Brooklyn will attend Clark State Community College and pursue her BSN!
Congratulations to graduate Lillian Weaver! Lillian will attend The Ohio State University Main Campus and major in Forensics (Psychology/Criminology)!
Congratulations to graduate Veronica Wall! Veronica will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology and major in Aerospace Engineering!
Congratulations to graduate Xander Waldren! Xander chose employment and entered the workforce after graduation!
West Liberty-Salem is currently seeking bus drivers and a part time food service worker for the 2024-2025 school year. Interested parties should read the descriptions and apply at the attached link. More information can be obtained by emailing departments specifically.
Food Service Staff-3.5 Hours a day
This 3.5-hour food service worker will be a float position for the Food Service Department to provide flexible coverage for food service staff and to assist in daily food service program. Hours will vary.
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT POSITION POSTING:
2 School Bus Drivers
· Must have attended an annual School Bus Driver In-Service
· 3 hours per day plus trips
· Full-time benefits (Family and single options available)
· Paid training reimbursement is available for successfully completed programs and hired licensed drivers, full-time or substitute
