Principal's Update
West Boca will be competing for the State Championship for the first time in school history! The bulls defeated the South Ridge Spartans in the Sate Semi Finals to improve to 14-0 on the season. A perfect season and State title is on the line as West Boca takes on Osceola at Pitbull Stadium!
WB WRESTLING KICKS OFF DISTRICT DUALS
The Bulls wrestling team kicked off their season with a strong performance at the District Duals on Tuesday.
The Bulls dominated their first match against Royal Palm Beach, winning 66-18. Several wrestlers secured impressive pins, including Chad Joseph (126 lbs.), Matthew Romero (132 lbs.), Joseph Araujo (144 lbs.), Christian Gilmore (150 lbs.), Felipe Palhares (175 lbs.), Daniel Damm (190 lbs.), and Jesse Ross (215 lbs.). Additionally, Kathleen Ciaccio (106 lbs.), Drake Hiller (138 lbs.), and Serif Ozsunar (285 lbs.) contributed to the team's victory with forfeit wins.
In the semi-finals, the Bulls faced a tough challenge against William T. Dwyer. While the match was closely contested, the Bulls ultimately fell short, losing 39-41. Noel Sokoli (113 lbs.), Dylan Lowenthal (120 lbs.), and Felipe Palhares (175 lbs.) secured pins for the Bulls, and Daniel Damm (190 lbs.), Serif Ozsunar (285 lbs.), and Kathleen Ciaccio (106 lbs.) also contributed to the team's score.
Despite the loss, the Bulls finished the District Duals in third place, a solid start to the season. Head Coach Shawn Sheldon expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "It was a great start for the Bulls wrestling team, but we're excited to continue learning and growing as the season progresses."
As the season unfolds, the Bulls wrestling team is poised to make further strides and achieve even greater success.
Pathfinders Nominees
We are thrilled to announce the 18 outstanding WBHS students who have been selected as nominees for the prestigious Pathfinder Scholarship Awards, presented by The Palm Beach Post. This program recognizes exceptional high school seniors across Palm Beach and Martin counties for their achievements in academics, community service, arts, leadership, and more.
Being chosen as a Pathfinder nominee is a tremendous honor, reflecting the dedication, talent, and hard work these students have shown throughout their high school careers. They now have the opportunity to compete for scholarships that will help them pursue their dreams and make a lasting impact.
We are incredibly proud of these students for representing the spirit and excellence of West Boca High. Congratulations to all our nominees!
Winter Concert
Congrats to all of the West Boca band students for a great Winter Concert this past Wednesday night. Here is a short clip of the Wind Ensemble playing "Sleigh Ride".
Vanguard News
Congrats to Olivia Avila Campo, Luis Pancorbo, and Luigi Vechiatto for representing West Boca at the FSU Tri-State Honor Band Festival this past weekend up in Tallahassee.
We've also had quite a few band students selected to represent West Boca for upcoming honor bands over the past week:
MIAMI GARDENS — West Boca Raton football head coach Dylan Potts was selected as the 2024 George F. Smith High School Coach of the Year by the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Most items on this newsletter are clickable and will open to a website for more information.
New Business Sponsors – Thank You!!
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
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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
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
FAFSA is Now Open!!!
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
Register Now for the December 2024 Federal Student Aid Webinar Series
Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, as we host a free one-day virtual event! This live webinar series will guide you through submitting the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and is tailored for both independent and dependent students.
This event is for students, parents, and college/career professionals, and will feature the following:
• A live demonstration of the 2025–26 FAFSA form
• An overview of the financial aid process, available programs, and funding sources
• Key facts and common myths about financial aid
• A guide on creating and accessing your StudentAid.gov account
• A demonstration on where to find certain information on StudentAid.gov
Submitting Community Service Hours through SIS
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.
Bright Futures
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.
School Counselling
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)
ESOLElena Singer
(Coordinator)Daniel Keller
Academic Coach, Grades 9-10
Daniel Keller
Graduation Adviser, Grades 11-12
YEARBOOK NEWS:
-Yearbooks are currently on sale on yearbookordercenter.com using the school code 831. The cost is $90, and prices will increase on 1/1.
-Senior Tribute Ads are now on sale and can be purchased and created on yearbookordercenter.com using the school code 831. Ad sales end on January 12th.
SENIORS: The deadline to have your photo taken and included in the yearbook is December 13th. If you have not taken or scheduled your photo, please do so ASAP with Cady Studios.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Mrs. Tomaszewski at rachel.tomaszewski@palmbeachschools.org or stop by 4-213.
Follow our West Boca athletic program on Twitter
EVENT RULES
- All persons, bags, and vehicles may be subject to search
- Clear bags ONLY inside the stadium. Large purses and other bags are prohibited
- NO Re-entry. If you exit you cannot return
- NO admittance after halftime
- No loitering outside the stadium or in parking areas
- Exit the stadium immediately at the conclusion of the game
- No outside food or beverages may be brought into the stadium
- Unruly conduct, disruptive behavior, use of profane, obscene or abusive language of any type will result in immediate removal from the event
- In the event of an emergency, follow all instructions provided by law enforcement or school staff
This trip will be epic!
Sign up at www.worldstrides.com/register or call us at 1-800-468-5899
You'll need your Trip ID: 214252
Email Jacklyn.Carryl@palmbeachschools.org if you have any questions.