Principal's Update

For the second year in a row, the West Boca High School Culinary Academy took home the first place trophy at the Third Annual South Florida Fair Kid’s Bake Off held on January 23rd at the South Florida Fairgrounds! This two-time, first-place award winning team featured seniors Emily Leswing, Vasyl Hlynskyy, and Alexandra Spikes and they charged to victory with their Coconut Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta. This year, the West Boca High School Culinary Academy, under the careful direction of Chef Michael Angnardo, also fielded a sophomore team featuring Adrian Menezes and Ethan Foreman. In their first-ever competition, this high-achieving team took the second place trophy with their Apple Tarte Tatin! This is the second time in their competition history that West Boca’s Culinary Academy has swept first and second place as they continue to prove to be each other’s best competition. Said Chef Angnardo of his triumphant teams, “I love that students are willing to compete in a competition against other schools using their skills in an environment that is totally different from the school setting.” Of the students, Junnell Hughes of the Palm Beach County School District’s Choice and Career Office stated, “It was truly inspiring to see their exceptional teamwork, communication, problem solving, and leadership shine throughout the event.”

Over the weekend they competed at their first VEX V5 Robotics tournament held at Don Estridge Middle. Over 24 middle and high schools competed. Despite having only 2 weeks to build their robot, as opposed to the usual 5 months, our Bulls came in 7th place and made it to the quarterfinals.

Today our students did an amazing job at the regional health occupational students of America competition! With 29 students placing 1-5th place and 18 moving on to states after placing 1-3rd!! Please congratulate the following students tomorrow for a job well done!

Get your commemorative State Champs Hoodie NOW! Inventory is limited! Print this order form and bring a check made out to West Boca Raton High School for $60 and turn it into either Coach Albert or Coach Fine while supplies last!

Deadline to order is Friday February 14th!

he Parkland Community High School Bulls wrestling team kicked off their home season with a resounding victory over John I. Leonard High School, winning 72-12.

The Bulls showcased impressive dominance across multiple weight classes, with several wrestlers pinning their opponent. Which earns the most points for the team and ends the match.

Key Highlights:

• Kathleen Ciaccio (106 lbs.) led the charge, securing the first pin of the dual match.
• Brenden Benner (113 lbs.)
• Chad Joseph (126 lbs.)
• Arthur Machado (132 lbs.)
• Drake Hiller (138 lbs.)
• Hayden Scheider (144 lbs.)
• Christian Gilmore (150 lbs.)
• Jason Lapadatu (157 lbs.)
• Felipe Palhares (175 lbs.)
• Xavier Reid (285 lbs.)

This dominant victory sets a strong tone for the Bulls' season. Next up, the team will travel to Jupiter Christian School for their next dual match on Friday, January 24th.

Sharing with you results from the 2025 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District Competitions. 65 FBLA members from our school entered this competition earlier this month. 54 students made the Top Awards List; second highest after Suncoast High School. The Awards Ceremony was held in Palm Beach Gardens HS yesterday afternoon.

Here's a brief summary of our students' placement in their respective events:

• 1st Place: 7 students
• 2nd Place: 8 students
• 3rd Place: 8 students
• 4th - 7th Place: 31 students

All 54 students are advancing to the State Competitions on March 28-March 31 in Orlando. This number is a new record for our school; 29% increase from last school year's competitions.

Please support West Boca's newest published authors: Mike Norek and Patterson Kelley! Their books are now available for pre-sale. Please see the flyer for more details on how to order.

Most items on this newsletter are clickable and will open to a website for more information.

2024-2025 PTSA Board

Gabriele Bauer, President

Adriana Salcedo, Vice President

Viviane Jardim, Treasurer

Orshi Galantai, Secretary

Business Sponsorship Opportunity
Visit https://westbocaptsa.memberhub.com/store or email ptsawestboca@gmail.com for more information.

Because we can do more together, than apart!
Website: https://westbocaptsa.memberhub.com/| Email: ptsawestboca@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

Hello West Boca Raton Community,
Below is a link to the Spring 2025 Testing Schedule. All State, AICE & AP test dates are listed in chronological order. We hope this provides guidance for when our lovely students are ready to test. Please bring pens, pencils and charged laptops for all the days listed. It is a requirement.

The free and reduced lunch has an exception- Cambridge AICE Tests are not included. We still encourage everyone to do the paperwork though if they are eligible.

SAT/ACT Fee Waivers - SAT and ACT offer a test fee waiver program to eligible students that covers the regular registration cost of the exam. To determine eligibility, you must complete the survey at this link EVERY YEAR, so please visit the link today. Once you receive your eligibility letter, please contact your child's school counselors for your waiver.

Emails sent with important testing information will always have IMPORTANT in the subject line. Please be sure to read them! Please email cassandra.bray@palmbeachschools.org for the fastest response to your testing questions. We hope you have a great year!

PSAT Scores are now available through the student's collegeboard account.

For more information understanding your scores, please click on the links below.

PSAT NMSQT Understanding Scores for Students & Families

PSAT NMSQT Score Information

Understanding Your Digital PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Video

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today officially released the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), 10 days before its Dec. 1 goal. The online FAFSA form is available to all students and families at fafsa.gov, and the Department is processing submissions and sending them to schools. The paper form is also now available for students to submit.

See announcement from U.S. Department of Education

Student Resources (resharing):

• “Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account” Page—A new resource that explains what families and partners need to know about creating a StudentAid.gov account.
• Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA Form—Updated tips for preparing to fill out and submitting the FAFSA form. This resource will also be linked from the StudentAid.gov Dashboard to promote easier access for students and their required contributor(s).
• Federal Student Aid Estimator—Provides an estimate of the 2025–26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Federal Pell Grant eligibility calculation.
• “Who’s the Parent on the FAFSA Form?” Wizard—A new, stand-alone tool to help students and families determine who will need to provide contributor information on the 2025–26 FAFSA form prior to starting the application.
• Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: FAFSA Videos—Updated videos to help students and families understand the importance of the FAFSA form, who is a FAFSA contributor, and what happens after submitting the

Students can now submit their community service hours through SIS. Students must complete the entire form and upload supporting documentation in order to get approved.

Please see attachment for further information.

Tap below to view our Underclass info night presentation.

Attention Seniors, the Bright Futures application is now open. Please make sure you apply by August 31, 2025 in order to qualify. It will only take about 10 minutes so please do not wait. You are able to apply and continue testing until August 31, 2025. Even if you plan on attending out of state, please make sure you apply as you are eligible for up to 5 years after you graduate high school.

• Our mission as counselors is to provide services for students to meet their academic, career, and social/emotional needs. We also aim to create a nurturing and safe environment by creating inclusive spaces and advocating for diversity. This is accomplished through collaboration with parents/guardians, staff, and community members to ensure the success and achievement of all our students
  

• Counselors

  Please join the Guidance Department Google Classroom! It is a GREAT way to keep up with ongoing announcements, student opportunities, and useful information! We are consistently updating our Google classroom, so please sign up!
  
  Jodi Mochel
  (A -C)
  Lauren Marciante
  (D-H)
  Lindsay Wolfe
  (I-M)
  Suzanne Prince
  (N-R & W-Z)
  Fallon Canepa
  (S - V)
  ESOL
  

  Elena Singer
  (Coordinator)

  Daniel Keller
  Academic Coach, Grades 9-10
  Daniel Keller
  Graduation Adviser, Grades 11-12

  
  

-Yearbooks are currently on sale on yearbookordercenter.com using the school code 831. The cost is $100. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. T at rachel.tomaszewski@palmbeachschools.org