West Turns 100!

By Rachel Ford

This year, our school, West High School is turning 100! Established in

1923, West began as a smaller, one building high school that served a

growing community of industrial working families who lived on the

West Side of Manchester. In the time of 100 years, teachers have taught

the minds of tens of thousands of students and helped tens of thousands

cross the threshold as West High graduates.

Surrounding the building of West, 20th century life and technology

grew up around it. From the closure of the Amoskeag Mills to the

advent of automobiles traveling along Interstate 93 and to the hustle

and bustle of Manchester night life on Elm Street, our school of West

has stayed constant. The city of Manchester has changed, the building

of West has changed, the staff of West has changed, and the students

have changed, but the purpose of our school as a place to learn, to

grow, and to become have remained the same.

As we move forward in the celebration of our school's history and the

impact West has had on the greater community of Manchester,

especially on the West Side, I urge you to get involved. Share your ideas

about how we can honor our school. Help out with planning of an event.

Help peruse 100 years of yearbooks as we start to put together a photo-

story about our history.