West Franklin graduates first senior class

POMONA — It’s the first graduating class of West Franklin High School.

They’ll be walking up to take their diplomas and take their futures in hand this morning.

Last year, it was the Pomona High School Indians and Williamsburg High School Panthers.

This year, new school colors, a new mascot and new locations.

“You can’t tell us apart now,” senior Sam Shaffer, Pomona, said. “We didn’t think anything of it once we started the year.”

Students from the two high schools already knew one another and in some cases, attended classes or played on joint athletic teams together, she said.

Facing heavy budget shortfalls and declining enrollments, the West Franklin to combine the two high schools and three middle schools beginning this year. The decision set off a political firestorm, and angry parents pulled students from the district and took them to neighboring schools.

Mike Dorst, Pomona High School principal who was named the West Franklin High School principal, and the new teaching and administrative staff prepared thoroughly for the first year but kept their fingers crossed.

“I kept my expectations high and the kids far exceeded my expectations,” he said. “... People, I think, have embraced the idea of West Franklin High School.”

This year, when they walked through the doors of the new high school, which is the former Pomona high and grade school building, students were given new caps and T-shirts with the new school mascot and colors, graduating senior Dakota Frack said.

Although some parents took the consolidation harder, most students accepted it, he said.

“It’s been pretty much a success,” senior Tanner Webb said.

Being in charge of a first-year high school is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that few principals ever experience, Dorst said.

“And I’ve had that opportunity,” he said.

Given the emotions that swirled about the plan to close the old high schools, the teachers and staff worked hard to ensure there were few bumps as possible, especially for the incoming seniors, Dorst said.

“No one wants to change schools when you’re senior,” Dorst said.

One of those students who would rather be graduating from the high school she started in is Michelle Harris.

Her father graduated from Williamsburg High School and she misses the chance to follow her family tradition, she said.

Nor was she as impressed with how the consolidation worked out.

“I’m not one of the optimists,” Harris said. “I don’t think there was as much school spirit as everyone says.

“You would go to the pep rallies and everyone would just sit there.”

However, the first year will be a good foundation for West Franklin’s future years, Dorst said.

People decided to make the first year work, he  said.

“It’s been successful because we have great parents, great kids and great support from the community.”