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W. F. West High School

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Coordinates: 46°38′59″N 122°56′57″W / 46.64972°N 122.94917°W / 46.64972; -122.94917
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W. F. West High School
W.F. High School Bearcats
Address
Map
342 SW 16th St.

United States

Chehalis, Washington
,
Lewis
,
Washington
98532
Coordinates46°38′59″N 122°56′57″W / 46.64972°N 122.94917°W / 46.64972; -122.94917
Information
Former nameChehalis High School
School typePublic high school
Motto"Preparing Students for the Journey Ahead"
Established1892 (renamed W. F. West High School 1951)
School districtChehalis School District
SuperintendentRick Goble
School code302
PrincipalRegina Carr
Teaching staff54
Grades9–12
Age range14 - 19
Enrollment1,009 (2024–25)[1]
 • Grade 9237
 • Grade 10253
 • Grade 11250
 • Grade 12234
Classes145
Average class size19.2
Student to teacher ratio19.10[1]
Classes offered30 Honors, 8 Advanced, 14 College in the High School, + electives & core
Schedule7:40am - 2:10pm
Color(s)Crimson & Gray
   
Slogan"The Bearcat Way"
AthleticsYes
Athletics conferenceEvergreen 2A
MascotBearcat
RivalCentralia, Tumwater, Black Hills, Aberdeen, Shelton
USNWR rankingUnranked
NewspaperThe Crimson and Gray
YearbookChehalin
Feeder schoolsChehalis Middle School
AlumniOrin C. Smith
Websitechehalisschools.org/wfw/

William F. West High School, commonly referred to as W. F. West High School, is a public high school located in Chehalis, Washington, United States. It is the only high school in the Chehalis School District. It was named after a local businessman, William F. West, who donated money and land to the school district. The school prides itself in the amount of scholarships given out yearly ($3.2 million in scholarships in 2024). Many students travel out of district to attend. The school added a brand new science wing in 2018. The school also renovated its baseball field, breaking ground in August of 2024, beginning construction in October, and completing before the 2025 baseball season.[2]

History

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The school opened a combination gymnasium-music room in February 1954. Considered one of the largest in the state, it was constructed at a cost of $450,000. The addition to the campus officially held an open house with a ceremony and a basketball game between the Chehalis and Centralia boys' basketball teams. The gym, days later, held an Amateur Athletic Union tournament, with a game played that helped to raise funds for a local cerebral palsy charity. The music space, which contained a 1,800 square feet (170 m2) rehearsal room that accommodated up to 110 practice seats, was soundproofed and offered smaller areas for choir practice.[3] The school was expanded in 1971 to include an additional three rooms. One classroom was for laboratory use and included a darkroom for photography students undertaking a journalism course. The $500,000 project also included a resource center in the library and a choir room.[4]

The W.F. West Tennis Courts were renamed in February 2024 to Coach Jack State Tennis Courts in honor of coach Jack State. The process began under the district's Facility Naming Committee, with a recommendation passed to the Chehalis School Board which approved the name change unanimously. State, who died in January 2024, was both a teacher and coach at the high school, serving 50 years as the tennis coach.[5][6] In an additional remembrance, a small sign was placed above State's usual coaching position at the courts and a sign measuring 6 ft × 8 ft (1.8 m × 2.4 m) was installed, mirroring State's nickname that was based on his height, "Six-Eight Jack State".[7]

Academics and graduation rates

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Academics

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Students receive free access to the PSAT due to funding provided by a local organization, the Chehalis Foundation. With help from school officials, each senior is required to submit an application for acceptance to Centralia College, a program started by the school district to achieve high rates of graduation, college admission, and career opportunities for the students.[8]

The high school has been host to a University of Washington STEM camp since the early 2010s. A weeklong summer day-camp, the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes are held at W.F. West's STEM wing and are open to all students of high school age, regardless of school district. The educational opportunity is based on a partnership between the university and the Chehalis Foundation.[9][10] To bolster the STEM program further, the school purchased an electron microscope in the mid-2010s.[11]

Beginning in early 2023, students can participate as cashiers and baristas at the "Crimson & Gray", a coffee shop in the school, through the Business and Marketing class. The shop, part of a business and marketing class supported through the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), is run in-full by the students.[12] The shops ingredients and products are supplied from a local coffee shop, L.C. Coffee Company.

Graduation rates

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In 2019, the four-year graduation rate was 95%, bettering the state average by 14 points.[13] The graduation rate in 2024 was 97.6%. In 2010, the level was 77% and 1/3rd of those students achieved admission into a university or training school.[8] In 2018, 73% of seniors who graduated went on to further higher education.[13] That rate increased to 100% in 2019, beginning a six-year stretch in which all graduating senior classes were accepted into college.[14][15]

The school district initiated a program to increase the percentage of students who received a postgraduate credential that led to a career with a living wage. With a goal to expand the number from 20% to 60% by 2022, the achievement was done quicker than expected and was further repurposed to accelerate the percentage to 75% by 2035 under an initiative known as "75 by 35". The overall education efforts to prepare students for graduation and be accepted into college, military service, or technical training was thought to be the only such type in the state and a rarity in the United States.[15]

Extracurricular activities

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The school sponsors the following sports and extracurricular activities:

Sports

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The school's athletic teams compete as the Bearcats as a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) in the 2A Evergreen Conference. The school has been home to state hall of fame coaches, including Mike Keen, who was elected into the Washington Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Keen won 333 games and three championships under his W.F. West tenure in the early 21st century. Denny "Doc" Daniels was elected to the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013 for Lifetime Service to Wrestling. He coached 61 State Placers during his tenure as head coach from 1985-2001 (assistant coach 1971-85) and his teams earned 9 League Championships and 4 Regional Championships. "National Wrestling Hall of Fame: Denny Daniels". nwhof.org. [16]

The high school is home to an annual track meet known as the Chehalis Activators Invitational and Classic. The competition features a range of schools from Class 1B up to Class 3A.[17]

Basketball

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The high school's gymnasium hosted the first-ever meeting between the rival Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics in an NBA pre-season exhibition game on September 30, 1970.[18]

Football

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Millett Field was used as home turf for the Chehalis Bearcat's football team until 1932, moving to new grounds after flooding issues and the loss of the grandstand prohibited large crowds from attending the games.[19]

A football game, known as the Thanksgiving Day Game, was an annual event between Chehalis and Centralia from 1907 to 1963. The competition between the "Crimson & Gray" and the "Orange & Black" was hosted at Millett Field, various high school fields in the Twin Cities, and a few occasions at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. A rivalry that was at times heated, fights broke out between spectators in the stands, with one instance of the fire department using fire hoses on the crowd during a game.[20] When the games were played on the Bearcat's home turf of Millett Field, the Chehalis teams never lost to Centralia.[21][22] The Bearcat's biggest win was in 1926, winning by a score of 61-0.[20] The Chehalis team lost the final Thanksgiving Day Game 22-6 in 1963.[23] W.F. West still plays Centralia every year, with the rivalry now known as "The Battle of the Swamp" or "The Swamp Cup." Ever since the year 2008, the W.F. West has won over Centralia in the "Swamp Cup" match-up.[24]

State titles

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Below is a list of state championships won by W. F. West High School in team sports. Individual Bearcat athletes have won numerous individual state titles in golf, tennis, track and field, and wrestling.

State Championships
Season Sport Number of Championships Year Notes
Fall Cross Country, Boys 1 1968 The first track-and-field title in school history, the state championship was won by a score of 99 to 143 over Mead High School.[25][26]
Winter Basketball, Boys 4 1960, 2013 The boys basketball team won the first ever Southwest Washington Class A district title in 1958, going on to record consecutive titles in 1959 and 1960. A similar three-peat was not recorded until La Center in 1995.[27] The 1960 state title was achieved by defeating Sumner High School by a score of 70-56.[28]
Basketball, Girls 2 2014, 2018 Appearing in a second consecutive final against Mark Morris High School, the team won its first championship in 2014 by a score of 48-37.[29] The two teams met again in 2015, the first such instance of three consecutive basketball title games between the same opponents in Class 2A.[30] The 2018 championship was achieved by overcoming Archbishop Murphy High School by the score of 64-52.[31]
Cheerleading, Girls 1 2025 The cheerleading team won the 2025 WIAA 2A State Cheer Championship non-tumbling title.[32]
Spring Baseball 2 2010, 2013 The Bearcats defeated R. A. Long High School, 8-1, to win the 2010 title.[33] The 2013 team defeated Tumwater High School, 12-0.[34][35]
Equestrian 1 2008 The 2008 equestrian title was under the "small team" division.[36]
Fastpitch Softball, Girls 5 1999,[37] 2000,[38] 2012, 2015, 2017 The softball team had an undefeated stretch in conference play between 2012-2017.[16] The Bearcats team won the 2012 title by outscoring their opponents by 41 runs during the tournament. The 2015 championship was obtained with a 3-2 victory over White River High School[39] and the 2017 title over Port Angeles High School, 5-1.[40]
Track and Field, Boys 1 1978 Scoring 48 points in the 1978 championship meet, the Chehalis team broke a 4-year title run by Franklin Pierce High School.[41]
Wrestling, Boys 4 2007, 2023 (2), 2025 The 2007 team championship included two individual wrestling titles.[42]
Wrestling, Girls 1 2025
Total 22
State (Runner-Up) Placings
Season Year Sport Placing # Opponent W / L Score
Spring 2022 Fastpitch 3rd Lynden W 14 - 4
Winter 2022 Basketball, Girls 5th Prosser L 42 - 54
Spring 2019 Fastpitch 2nd Woodland L 0 - 3
Spring 2017 Baseball 2nd Ellensburg L 1 - 5
Winter 2017 Basketball, Girls 3rd Black Hills (Tumwater) W 51 - 50
Spring 2016 Fastpitch 3rd Selah W 12 - 7
Winter 2015 Basketball, Girls 2nd Mark Morris (Longview) L 53 - 69
Winter 2013 Basketball, Girls 2nd Mark Morris (Longview) L 44 - 56
Winter 2012 Basketball, Girls 6th Burlington-Edison L 33 - 44
Spring 2011 Baseball 3rd Clarkston W 12 - 4
Winter 2011 Basketball, Girls 5th River Ridge (Lacey) L 29 - 51
Spring 2009 Baseball 3rd Othello W 13 - 6
Winter 2008 Basketball, Boys 8th Sehome L 47 - 48
Winter 2002 Basketball, Boys 8th Ballard L 64 - 74
Spring 2001 Baseball 4th Selah L 2 - 3
Winter 1995 Basketball, Boys 5th Bishop Blanchet (Seattle) W 69 - 55
Winter 1995 Basketball, Girls 8th Mount Vernon L 45 - 48
Winter 1994 Basketball, Girls 7th Sehome L 45 - 62
Winter 1989 Basketball, Girls 3rd Prairie (Vancouver) W 51 - 44
Winter 1959 Basketball, Boys 8th Lynden L 49 - 54
Winter 1923 Basketball, Boys 7th Almira (Coulee City) L 16 - 17

Facilities

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The grounds include Bearcat Stadium which was renovated between August 2023 and May 2025. The project was 80% funded by donations organized by the Chehalis Foundation and efforts included new drainage systems, lighting, and "professional-grade turf". Students in the school's career and technical education program also participated in the effort, helping to build concrete formwork, improving the dugouts, and installing metal roofing. The improvements allowed the stadium to be open and used throughout the year.[43]

Traditions

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The graduating class of W.F. West High School holds a local parade that traverses through several neighborhood and business districts in Chehalis, ending at Stan Hedwall Park. It is customary for seniors to receive various gifts, including monetary, during the senior year and at graduation. The contributions are paid for by a fund raised by parents.[13] The graduating class also participates in a "Senior Walk", visiting the elementary and middle schools in Chehalis. Begun in the late 2010s, it allows seniors to meet with younger pupils and reconnect with previous teachers and staff.[44][45]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b "OSPI K012 Report Card".
  2. ^ "In focus: New turf installed at W.F. West High School's Bearcat Baseball Stadium". The Daily Chronicle. October 23, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  3. ^ "Chehalis Opens New School Plant To Open Wednesday". The Daily Chronicle (Centralia, Washington). February 16, 1954. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "New Chehalis Facility In Use". The Daily Chronicle. January 22, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Fitzgerald, Emily (February 21, 2024). "Chehalis School Board votes to rename W.F. West tennis courts after Jack State". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Mittge, Brian (January 12, 2024). "Remembering tennis coach Jack State, a true ace". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Chehalis School District (May 3, 2024). "Next generation takes up tennis coaching torch at W.F. West". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Zylstra, Matthew (September 29, 2022). "'This Doesn't Just Happen by Chance': How the Chehalis School District Became a Jewel in Public Education". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  9. ^ The Chronicle staff (July 28, 2023). "Chehalis, Aberdeen schools to co-host University of Washington for STEM camp". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  10. ^ Heldring, Thatcher (August 12, 2018). "Lewis County students see biomedical research firsthand". UW Medicine Newsroom. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Long, Katherine (June 2, 2017). "Just 20% of kids got 4-year degrees, so Chehalis schools changed everything". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  12. ^ Fitzgerald, Emily (September 29, 2023). "Crimson & Gray: W.F. West High School students learn business skills in school-based coffee shop". The Chronicle. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Long, Katherine (June 6, 2020). "Small towns find new ways to celebrate high-school graduation amid coronavirus restrictions". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Every Graduating W.F. West Senior Has Been Accepted Into College, District Announces". The Chronicle. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  15. ^ a b The Chronicle staff (June 20, 2025). "For the sixth year, the entire W.F. West graduating class was accepted into college or vocational programs". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  16. ^ a b The Chronicle staff (February 26, 2020). "Former Bearcats Softball Coach Enters Hall of Fame". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  17. ^ "Naselle girls win big at giant Activators meet". The Chinook Observer. April 26, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  18. ^ "Chehalis NBA Contest Viewed Historic Event". The Daily Chronicle. September 26, 1970. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Voie, Brittany (December 22, 2017). "Voice of Voie: Remembering Millett Field, a Former Crown Jewel of Chehalis". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Kiuchi, Ats (November 21, 1963). "Sport Shorts - Obituary Notice". The Daily Chronicle. p. 9. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Twin City Football Teams Battle To Tie Score". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. December 5, 1930. p. 6. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Chehalis High School Football Team Defeats Centralia". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. Vol. 50, no. 21. December 2, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "Centralia Wins Last Thanksgiving Day Grid Classic". The Daily Chronicle. November 29, 1963. p. 7. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "Bearcats blow out Tigers in 15th straight Swamp Cup win". The Daily Chronicle. October 27, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  25. ^ "Chehalins Nab State Title". The Daily Chronicle. November 18, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  26. ^ "1968 A State Invitational Cross Country Meet". WIAA. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  27. ^ McCorkle, Rick (February 21, 2007). "Class A district final celebrates 50 years". The Daily News (Longview, Washington). NewsBank 13CF9B8567DFB7C8. Retrieved July 16, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  28. ^ VanTuyl, Aaron (January 28, 2010). "Breaking Down the Past With the 1960 Bearcats". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  29. ^ Spruill, Scott (March 9, 2014). "CLASS 2A GIRLS FINAL - Spencer caps emotional day with state crown, MVP". Yakima Herald-Republic. p. 4C. NewsBank 14C989D46D5B09C8. Retrieved July 28, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  30. ^ Spruill, Scott (March 5, 2015). "Monarchs, Bearcats teams to beat in 2A girls bracket". Yakima Herald-Republic. p. 6C. NewsBank 1544C1C6ED9A9750. Retrieved July 29, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  31. ^ Ringer, Sandy (March 3, 2018). "Archbishop Murphy girls come close, but late run ends state-title dreams". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Barker, Cade (January 27, 2025). "W.F. West High School cheerleading team wins state title". The Chronicle. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  33. ^ Underwood, Roger (May 30, 2010). "2A BASEBALL - Chehalis cuts down R.A. Long". Yakima Herald-Republic. NewsBank 13010FBEED3BB258. Retrieved July 31, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  34. ^ "Sports Briefs 5/28". The Daily World. May 28, 2013. NewsBank 14693C281B6AB128. Retrieved July 28, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  35. ^ VanTuyl, Aaron (December 31, 2019). "A Decade in Review: Looking Back at the Best of the 2010s". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  36. ^ The Columbian staff (May 27, 2008). "Hockinson equestrian team brings home seven gold medals from state". The Columbian. p. B8. NewsBank 120F11514A4BE128. Retrieved July 22, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  37. ^ "Camas 5, Chehalis 1 in Class 3A fastpitch final". The Seattle Post-Intellingencer. Associated Press. May 24, 2002. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  38. ^ VanTuyl, Aaron (June 7, 2017). "W.F. West Softball Coach Mike Keen Retires". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  39. ^ Sandsberry, Scott (May 31, 2015). "W.F. West back on top in 2A softball". Yakima Herald-Republic. p. 4C. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  40. ^ Carman, Michael (May 28, 2017). "STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: Disappointment, but no gloom for second-place PA girls". Peninsula Daily News. NewsBank 164AF68E2EEDF250. Retrieved August 4, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  41. ^ "Pullman, Chehalis nab state AA track crowns". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Associated Press. May 28, 1978. p. 27. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  42. ^ Wood, Gail (February 18, 2007). "A day of champions". The Olympian. NewsBank 1176C7BFDB371250. Retrieved July 16, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  43. ^ Fitzgerald, Emily (May 6, 2025). "Chehalis Foundation and school district dedicate Bearcat Stadium after renovations". The Chronicle. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  44. ^ "W.F. West Graduates Complete Rite of Passage With Senior Walk". The Chronicle. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  45. ^ "In focus: W.F. West class of 2024 continues senior walk tradition". The Chronicle. June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  46. ^ "Dahlberg To Be Athletic Coach". The Centralia Daily Chronicle. April 30, 1936. p. 4. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  47. ^ "Jiggs Dahlberg Efficient Coach". The Centralia Daily Chronicle. February 18, 1937. p. 8. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  48. ^ Van Tuyl, Aaron (January 28, 2010). "Editor's Notes: Breaking Down the Past With the 1960 Bearcats". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  49. ^ Zylstra, Matthew (April 26, 2023). "Nazi Germany Refugee, Famous Ad Campaign Executive, W.F. West Grad Speaks About Life". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  50. ^ "Chamber Host To Grid Eleven". The Centralia Daily Chronicle. December 28, 1932. p. 3. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  51. ^ The Chronicle staff (August 6, 2014). "Olson Wraps up Third Season as Shock Head Coach With Second Trip to Postseason". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  52. ^ Rosenbaum II, Cary (April 27, 2010). "Overbay Signs On With Broncos". The Chronicle. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  53. ^ Martin, Zach (July 27, 2024). "The Ultimate Underdog: Brock Peterson grows as a baseball player, snares pro opportunity out of W.F. West". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  54. ^ Clarke Wilson, Dorothy (1980). Apostle of Sight. Christian Herald Books. p. 47. ISBN 9780915684540. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  55. ^ Schwartz, Eric (March 4, 2018). "Orin Smith, Dedicated Donor and Hometown Hero, Dies at 75". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  56. ^ "Former Grid Star Dead". The Daily Chronicle. September 27, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
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