Wilton High School

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Wilton High School
Magnet School No
School District Wilton Public Schools
School Colors Blue and White
Coeducational Yes
Year Opened September 1971
Charter School No
Grade Levels 9-12
School type Public
Principal Timothy H. Canty
Location 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut, 06897, USA
Year-round schedule No
Phone Number 203-762-0381
Enrollment 1216
Sports Teams The Warriors
Mascot Warrior
Homepage wilton.k12.ct.us/whs/

Wilton High School is a public high school in Wilton, Connecticut, and considered " one of Connecticut’s top performers" in various measures of school success.[1] The current principal is Timothy H. Canty, who also attended the school in the 1970s.[2][1]

School enrollment increased 29 percent from 2001 to 2006. [3] In Fall 2001, a major multi-million dollar construction project was completed, significantly expanding the square footage of the school.

In 2005-2006, Wilton High School students in 11 groups took part in the North American Music Festival in which eight schools and 1,300 students took part. Several ensembles from Wilton finished in first place and all 11 were rated "superior" or "excellent". Wilton won best overall instrumental and best overall choral program.[3]

Contents

[edit] Student body

Reflecting its location in a wealthy, nearly all-white community, the school has little racial or economic diversity.

Ethnicity/economic status indicator.[3] Year Wilton Similar
schools		 State
Eligible for free/reduced price meals 2005-06 0.9% 1.0% 22.4%
Eligible for free/reduced price meals 2002-03 0.6% n/a 17.6%
Juniors, Seniors working 16+ hrs./week 2005-06 n/a 6.5% 21.7
Juniors, Seniors working 16+ hrs./week 2000-01 15.8% n/a 31.7
K-12 students, non-English home language 2005-06 4.7% 2.7% 11.4
White 2004-05 92.7% 67%[4]
Hispanic 2004-05 1.9% 15%[4]
African American 2004-05 1.3% 14%[4]
Asian American 2004-05 4.0% 3%[4]
American Indian 2004-05 0.1% >1%[4]

[edit] 2007 cancellation of school play on Iraq War

In mid-March 2007, school Principal Timothy H. Canty canceled an original school play about the Iraq War, saying he was concerned the play might hurt Wilton families “who had lost loved ones or who had individuals serving. He also cited problems of political balance.[1]

The play, "Voices in Conflict", had been written and practiced by some students in an advanced acting class and planned to present it in April during the school day. The play was made up of reflections of soldiers and others involved in the conflict, including a letter from a 2004 graduate of the school who was killed in Iraq in September 2006, at age 19. Although the drama teacher and another teacher revised the play in an attempt to meet the objections, Canty again decided the play should not be shown.[1] One rationale was that a high school stage was an inappropriate forum for such a discussion.

Canty's cancellation of "Voices in Conflict" was fully legal, despite notable uproar. The story achieved recognition on national television programs such as "Good Morning America." Yet, some of the students sympathized with Canty, recognizing that the situation had spun out of control. These students saw thousands of people around the world with no first-hand knowledge of the situation quickly become Canty's biggest critics, even ganging up on one student who had suggested cancellation.

First Amendment lawyers contacted by a New York Times reporter said the principal "had some leeway to limit speech that might be disruptive and to consider the educational merit of what goes on during the school day", according to a news article. But the cancellation became controversial in town, particularly among students.[1]

The principal had restricted student speech at the school in previous incidents. The administration required that yearbook quotations come from well-known sources in order to prevent coded messages. (This was motivated by incidents occurring in nearby school districts.) Posters from the school's Gay Straight Alliance on stairwells prompted the administration, citing concerns over public safety, to require that all student posters be approved in advance. An initial decision to ban bandanas because they could be associated with gangs, prompted hundreds of students to start wearing them, and officials backed down.[1]

Wilton Bulletin's March 29 issue contained an op-ed and many letters to the editor calling for either Canty's resignation or to allow the play to continue. Some letters, however, asked whether the Times article had been biased. The Bulletin's editorial supported Canty, stating that he "made a tough call...while at the same time reaching out to students in the hopes of finding a way to a middle ground." The editorial did criticize Canty and the drama teacher for not handling the situation better from the start so that bias issues could be addressed and the play could go on. [5]

Days after the controversy became public, Music Theatre International, a 54-year-old company that supplies scripts and musical materials to theaters, created a "Courage in Theatre" award for the students in the class and announced the granting of the award.[6]

The students have gone on to perform at the Fairfield Theatre Company, The Vineyard Theatre, The Culture Project, and The Public Theater.

It is likely that this play will be featured in a documentary about the first amendment on HBO.[7]

[edit] Andrew Yi's Wok for Warriors

Andrew Yi's Wok for Warriors is an annual concert held at Wilton High School featuring local and student rock bands. The first Wok for Warriors occurred on April 18th, 2006 in Wilton High School's Little Theater, and the second and most recent Wok occurred on February 28th, 2007. Both Woks featured a local band called "Freedom Fries." In 2007 the Wok saw the debut of "Dumble's Door." Both Woks suffered from a mysterious absence of town favorite "Fabric" a local electronic band spearheaded by DJ Technotron.89 and DJ Soup3

Andrew Yi's Wok for Warriors was created by WHS junior Evan Paul in 2006 in an effort to raise money for WHS. The Wok For Warriors was originally hosted by WHS junior Andrew Yi and was spearheaded and organized by Evan Paul. Andrew Yi hosted the Wok in 2006, and most recently in 2007. Evan Paul organized the first two Woks before graduating in June of 2007.

The third Annual Wok for Warriors will occur sometime in early 2008. Several emcees have been considered for the spot vacated by Andrew Yi, including rising senior and Student Body Treasurer Tim Leary.

[edit] History of secondary education in town

[edit] Before 1959

Even though Wilton became an independent town in 1802, separating from Norwalk[8], its education system was highly unorganized until the late 1950s. Prior to the 1959 academic year, all students seeking public secondary school education had to attend Staples High School in Westport. Although it must be noted, students who did not want to attend a public institution had many options. A Montessori School has existed in the town for many years, which originally catered to a high school curriculum,[9] among others.

[edit] High School shuffle 1959-1971

The WHS class of 1959, which consisted of 57 seniors, is universally recognized as the first publicly educated class the town has ever produced; this was only the formation of a period of constant transition for Wilton students. These students were taught in the building known as the Cider Mill School, which is presently a post-elementary, pre-middle school institution, educating children in grades 3, 4 and 5. The facility was being used as a junior high school prior to 1959. In 1962, the public secondary education building moved again. This time the destination was a brand new structure presently known as the Middlebrook School. The first graduating class of this new high school, the class of 1963, was comprised of 170 seniors and an overall 615 student enrollment. Although this was a new facility, it was quickly deemed as inappropriate due to its diminutive size, in the wake of the "baby boomer" education era. The present day Wilton High School opened its doors in September 1971, reaching a maximum student population of 1646 during the 1976-77 academic year. WHS has graduated nearly 12,500 students as of the 2006-07 academic year. [10]

[edit] ProjectAsha

ProjectAsha is a sister city program with Kannauj, India[11] which was established in October 2005 by Wilton students and run from within the school. WHS seniors Liz de Moll and Purvi Sarup run the organization, providing computers for girls in India.

[edit] Athletics

[edit] Boys lacrosse

The Wilton High School boys lacrosse program is perennially regarded as a powerhouse in the northeast United States, as it is one of the most decorated programs in the country. In the 36 years since the sport gained school-sponsorship, the team has won 21 Connecticut state championships, and 13 FCIAC titles.[12] Guy Whitten, who was already employed by the school as an algebra teacher and the varsity football coach, was hired in 1969 to field a competitive group of athletes from the schools club and intramural programs. Whitten, who is regarded as an influential figure to the popularity that the sport enjoys today throughout the state, would end up coaching boys lacrosse at WHS for 26 years before his retirement following the conclusion of the 1995 season. He was also chosen to represent his country as the Head Coach of the USA U-19 National Team, who won the World Championship in Adelaide, Australia in 1988. Upon retirement, Whitten had tabulated 410 wins versus only 77 losses for a career winning percentage of %.812. At the time, he was one of only four coaches in the history of the sport to reach the 400 win plateau. In the history of Wilton Lacrosse, the varsity team has never had a losing season, the lowest record ever by the Warriors was in 2007 when they went %.500. Many of the program's athletes have gone on to compete in collegiate teams on the NCAA division I level;

Season W L Pct. FCIAC tournament CIAC (state) tournament National Ranking
2007 10 10 .500 lost Semi Finals to Greenwich High School Won Quarter Finals to Branford High School
2006 12 8 .600 Lost Semi Finals to Darien Lost Quarter Finals to Daniel Hand
2005 16 5 .762 Lost Semi Finals to New Canaan won to Darien
2004 20 3 .870 Lost Finals to Darien Won State Championship over New Canaan Ranked #21 in nation
2003 13 8 .620 Lost Semi Finals to Glastonbury
2002 11 7 .611 Lost Semi Finals to Darien Lost Quarter Finals to Cheshire
2001 12 9 .571 Lost Finals to Darien Lost Semi Finals to Fairfield Prep
2000 15 8 .652 Lost Semi Finals Lost Finals to Darien
1999 20 2 .910 Won Championship over Darien Won State Championship Ranked #8 in nation
1998 19 3 .863 Won State Championship
1997 14 7 .667 Lost Finals to Darien Lost Semifinals to Darien
1996 21-0 100 Won Championship Won in Finals
1995 23 0 1.000 Won Championship Won State Championship Ranked #2 in nation

[edit] Girls lacrosse

The girls varsity lacrosse program, established as a school sponsored sport in 1982, was invariably mediocre until a breakthrough 1995 campaign under first year coach Joanie Tripp that culminated with a 10-4 record and three athletes named to the all FCIAC team. After a few seasons of disappointing losses in the state and FCIAC tournaments, the Lady Warriors finished the 1999 season with a 17-3 record and claimed their first FCIAC crown, along with the distinction of taking second place in the state tournament. The Warriors would reclaim themselves as FCIAC champions in the 2004 season, which also saw the team take home its first state title in a come-from-behind win over rival Darien.[13]

During the most recent 2008 season, despite the loss of eight players who graduated and went on to play college lacrosse, a young Wilton team with four sophomore starters returned to the top of the FCIAC by winning the league championship with a 15-14 victory over New Canaan.

[edit] Ski Team

The Wilton High School Ski Team consists of over thirty students who compete in state and regional competetitions. In 2008, Wilton won the Connecticut State Championships, making the Boys Ski Team the 2008 State Champions.

[edit] Notable alumni

{{succession box | title=Principal, Timothy H. Canty | before=Deborah Low,
1998–2004 | years=2004–present |}

v • d • e
Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Cowan, Alison Leigh, "Play About Iraq War Divides a Connecticut School", news article in The New York Times Metro section, March 24, 2007
  2. ^ Wilton High School official website http://www.wilton.k12.ct.us/whs
  3. ^ a b c [1] state "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006" for Wilton High School, accessed March 25, 2007
  4. ^ a b c d e [2]Student/teacher Web page for Wilton High School at Great Schools Web site, accessed March 25, 2007
  5. ^ "The Show Must Go On", Wilton Bulletin, March 29, 2007
  6. ^ Chamoff, Lisa, "Censored student play commended by Broadway agency", article in The Advocate of Stamford, March 30, 2007
  7. ^ wilton villager - Film featuring "Voices in Conflict" still in production
  8. ^ Town USA - Wilton, CT http://www.town-usa.com/connecticut/fairfield/wilton.html
  9. ^ The Montessori School - About http://www.themontessorischool.com/about/index.htm
  10. ^ WHS Student Handbook http://www.wilton.k12.ct.us/whs/adm/stuhandbook.pdf
  11. ^ Project Asha homepage http://www.projectasha.com/
  12. ^ Wilton Lacrosse History [3]
  13. ^ Our History
  14. ^ Funkhouser, David (September 6, 2006). "Bomb Claims 'Son of Wilton.'" Hartford Courant.
  15. ^ IMDB.com Paul Dano Bio http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200452/bio
  16. ^ Women's Soccer World Online - Kristine Lilly http://www.womensoccer.com/biogs/lilly.html
  17. ^ All About Jazz - John Scofield Bio http://www.allaboutjazz.com/artists/scofield.htm

[edit] External links