Lakota West High School

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Lakota West High School is a high school in the Lakota School District which is comprised of both West Chester Township and Liberty Township in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio.

From what once was a unified Lakota High School came both Lakota West and Lakota East. The two physically identical schools were built in 1997 when severe over-crowding forced the district to expand. The two high schools have an inter-district rivalry which culminates each year in the East/West football game. This game usually draws record crowds and was once held in Oxford, Ohio because of this factor. The game, which is usually televised, was brought back to the school district in 2004. Both high schools take turns hosting the game. The school year is divided into two semesters with two quarters each. The Firebird (pl. Firebirds) is the mascot of Lakota West. This was derived from the original mascot, the Lakota Thunderbirds, which became the Lakota West Firebirds and the Lakota East Thunderhawks. The school is classified a Division 1 school under OHSAA standards and is a member of the Greater Miami Conference (GMC).

1 Music Program
2 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships
3 Trivia
4 External Links
5 Notes and references

[edit] Music Program

The school has a world-renowned music program with the school's top band, Lakota West Symphonic Winds recently playing at the annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Only six high school bands from around the world are invited to play there each year, and Symphonic Winds has performed there twice, in 2000 and in 2006. Winds has also performed in Europe. In addition to the concert program, the marching band has consistently earned I's at OMEA state competitions and has won numerous Grand Champion awards. The Lakota West Marching Firebirds were invited to perform in the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade, the first such invitation offered to any Southwest Ohio marching band. The jazz program has also performed at the North Texas Jazz Festival.

[edit] Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships

Boys Golf - 2000
Boys Basketball – 1992 *
Boys Cross Country – 1983 *
Girls Cross Country – 1984 *
Girls Golf - 2006
Girls Soccer - 1999
Girls Volleyball - 1994 *

^[1]

* indicates titles won as "Lakota High School", prior to the opening of Lakota East.

[edit] Trivia

The school principal is Richard Hamilton.
There are three assistant principals: Jason Jackson, Tim Shaffer, and Gerry Weisgerber.
The school's student run newspaper, the Voice runs 8 regular issues a school year, and recesses over the summer break.
The school's radio station, WLHS 89.9 FM is comprised of students from both Lakota East and Lakota West and is physically housed at Lakota East.
West holds grades 10-12 with around 2,000 students currently enrolled.
Under Ohio criteria, Lakota Local Schools is rated as an excellent school district-- the highest rating possible.
There are 145 teachers and 140 different course offerings.
The school colors are red and white with black trim.