Good old Plano West, Home of the Wolf Pack. I had the honor of spending the last two years of my high school career here along with 1388 of my closest friends (and that was just MY graduating class, the year below me is bigger than that). Yet despite it all I am and always will be a proud member of the Wolfpack.
1. Kathy King can automatically make your day better no matter what.
With her immense pride in the Wolfpack and always being there to lend an ear and to be excited for you with any small accomplishment. Not to mention we all know if we went to a pep rally it was because of her.
2. El Queso
No matter what El Queso was always packed during lunch, and especially on double point Tuesday. From the huge burritos to that yummy chipotle dip that came with every meal, as a West student it would be sacrilegious if you have never been at least once.
3. You would love rainy days until it was a passing period
If you had to go from E to G in the rain it was even worse!
4. You didn't know what C building was unless you were a Fine Arts kid
As a theater and choir student this baffled me when I heard countless students asking where the auditorium was when it came time to go to our graduation meeting.
5. Willowbend mall is the place to be
With food options for everyone it wasn't surprising if you'd find yourself at the food court for lunch.
6. Not knowing the Alma Mater
Unless you were part of an organization that required you to learn the Alma Mater like choir, band, cheer, or drill team you would be lost while swaying along linked up with countless other students who couldn't remember it either.
7. Getting to school early only to have all the good parking spots taken
And then being forced to park in Africa and walk, fingers crossed it wasn't cold, windy, or rainy; God help you if it was all three.
8. That slight freak out you would have if you heard they were towing
This would even happen if you knew you weren't parked illegally, but you would still have to rack your brain to try and remember if you were or not.
9. Getting your daily exercise walking from G to E
Hopefully you wouldn't have to do it more than once a day.
10. Having to navigate your way through the throngs of people in the foyer
But, after a few weeks you could be able to tell how long was left in a passing period based on who was left in the foyer or halls.
11. Believing the HYPE
And Heaven help you, you are going to do that dance and yell it at the top of your lungs.
12. HATING Wuck Fest
And then being angry that Puck Flano never sounded anywhere near as good.
13. Having that one teacher that's your favorite
They were probably Mrs. Pettit, Mr. Sato, Mrs. Council, Goble, or Coach Rienberg.
14. Wanting to climb up on the wolf statue that's in the foyer
Or maybe that was just me...
15. Having skipped class at least once for some J's or Chicken Minis
There's no harm in doing it as long as you knew you'd be okay in the class missing a day, or if you were really hungry, or if you just didn't care, or if you didn't need the class to graduate.
16. Seniors keeping track of their absences for exemption as if their lives depended on it
Because there's nothing worse than having to take your exam at the end of the year.
17. Having the slight twinge of jealousy at the Collin College kids
Only having class 3 days of the week and finishing classes a month before the semester gets out, plus not having any AP testing to see if they get the college credit.
18. Trying to become friends with one of the sub school teachers...
And chances are, failing miserably.
19. Seeing that one person multiple times a day
But never knowing their name, but still making eye contact and smiling or doing a polite head nod. OR seeing someone new every single day and never seeing them again
20. Having your automatic response to hearing "Can I get a Wolfpack" be to yell it louder and in unison with everyone around you.
21. Having that one teacher who won't count you late after lunch
Shout Out to Coach Leraas because I was for sure late every day.
22. Deciding to risk it all and park in staff
You'd either get towed or be spared, and there's no better feeling than waking outside and seeing your car still there way closer than it would be if you parked in student parking
23. Hearing the names that people call the different lots and automatically knowing which is which
Backfrica= back of Africa, Europe= the lot to the side of C and G, far= Africa or the back of the SAC
24. Making the walk across the wooden plank near the tennis courts
Always good when it just rained, thank you to whoever put that little bridge out there, you've saved countless shoes and socks.
25. You know 80% of the UT Austin and UTD Freshman classes
Plano West University!!!
26. You don't care if it looks like a llama, the Wolf hand sign is a classic go to for any picture at a West event.
27. You have countless clothing items in royal blue and black
Just hope that you go to a college where they share at least one color as West so you don't have to totally replace your wardrobe.
28. You get slightly excited when you see someone walking around outside of school in a West shirt
Then you remember that there's enough of us to make up a small town, so the excitement wears down after a while.
29. The Conversation with non-Plano people about what a senior high is
"Yes Grandma, it is a two year high school, no, not four year, we aren't with the Freshmen or Sophomores."
30. You'll back the pack no matter what
Last year the Wolfpack faced a lot of hard times, but we came together and helped each other through. I will always be proud to call myself a member of the Wolfpack.
