

Western Pride becomes synonymous
with WMHS
IT
was
still here, as much a part
of us as it had been last year,
only this year more people
recognized it and talked about
what it meant. Not everyone,
even at school, had it, but they were
exposed to it and knew its meaning
was constant; Be the best you can
be.
It was advertised on truck's mud
flaps, on three styles of t-shirts, on
bumper stickers, in store windows, and
on hats.
It was felt in the auditorium as a
unity in joining the student body
together; it was a challenge issued by
teachers; it was a community slogan;
it was the title of a song; it was on
a record label; it was here; it was
Western Pride.
Almost synonymous with West
Monroe High School, Western Pride
continued as the dominant theme for
the year, long after the final pep
meeting, and into the final days of the
year. since it offered encouragement to
those involved with the school and its
activities.
For Principal Cecil Pirkey, it meant
being inducted into the ETSU Hall of
Fame in October; to the band,
it
meant
having 10 members in the All-State
band in November; to the cheerleaders,
it meant cheering through both football
and basketball games; to the seniors,
it meant the waning days of school and
ordering caps and gowns and invita–
tion; to the juniors, it meant ordering
their senior rings; to the sophomores,
it meant learning to beocme WMHS;
to the faculty, it meant meeting the
personal objectives of achievement for
the year; to the clubs, it was increased
school and community service; and the
community, Western Pride continued
to mean expecting the best.
It was Western Pride. Western Pride
was West Monroe High School.
LEFT: A crowded stadium was the rule for home ball games.
even though the student section was moved twice before
settling in the west end of the bleachers. ABOVE: Promoters
of Western Pride, the varsity cheerleaders enteratined at pep
meetings and games with pyramids.
Western Pride/25