West Carteret High

The annual county wide art show is open to the public this week through the end of next week. Students from all over the county have incredible artwork on display sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County. WCHS Art students work so hard to share their talent and creativity, and we would love for Patriot Nation to show support for visual arts in our schools!

West Carteret Patriot Update: 2.22.26 Good afternoon, here is your Weekly Patriot for Feb. 22. I would like to provide the following schedule reminder for this week. This Wednesday, February 25, our Junior class will be taking the ACT. Due to the length of the test and a regularly scheduled CCPS early release day, we will operate on a modified schedule. Juniors: Please report to the gym at the start of the day. After a brief kick-off meeting, you will move to your assigned testing rooms. All other students: You will follow the modified half-day schedule. Please note that the 900 hallway will be closed for testing. Teachers will communicate any location changes for the day. The modified bell schedule for Wednesday is in this email and posted on social media: ACT Early Release Schedule 1st Period 7:50-8:45 2nd Period 8:50-9:45 3rd Period 9:50-10:45 4th Period 10:50-11:45 All Lunches 11:45-12:15 We will also have an ASVAB scheduled for administration on Monday of this week. In other schedule updates, we will host the first round of the boys and girls basketball state playoffs on Tuesday starting at 6pm. Spring sports kickoff with a parent meeting at 6pm on Monday in the cafeteria. Home matches include Wednesday with Softball at home, Tennis at home on Thursday and Friday Soccer is at home. Our teams also travel this week, please check our Athletic Social Media for details on locations and start times. Our students were on display with art as our 15 gold and silver award winning artworks from West were honored at ECU's Jenkins Fine Arts Center. West Carteret students represented two thirds of the award winners in Carteret County at this state competition and many will advance to National Competition in New York. On Wednesday, our students will have local recognition at Art from the Heart in Atlantic Beach. We will also have a Chorus Concert on Thursday of this week. In support of the Arts, please also mark your calendars on Friday for An Evening of Jazz, Melodies, Masquerades, and Mardi Gras Magic at the Dunes Club. This event kicks off at 7pm and is a great opportunity to enjoy West Carteret Bands and Ensembles through sponsorship. Please enjoy the rest of your evening and let us know if we can support you in any way at the schoolhouse.

This Wednesday, February 25, our junior class will be taking the ACT. Due to the length of the test, we will operate on a modified Early Release schedule. Juniors: Please report to the gym at the start of the day. After a brief kick-off meeting, you will move to your assigned testing rooms. All other students: You will follow the modified half-day schedule. Please note that the 900 hallway will be closed for testing. Teachers will communicate any location changes for the day.

West Carteret Patriot Update: 2.8.26



Good afternoon, I am pleased to bring you a regularly scheduled Weekly Patriot for Feb. 8.

As you prepare to enjoy the Superbowl, I am grateful to share that we are prepared to welcome Patriot students to a regularly scheduled workweek. Our SGA has designated days for Valentine Spirit week, please see our social media posts for details.

I want to recognize a few outstanding members of our team. Last week was National School Counselor Week, and we look forward to celebrating them in the building this week. Our counselors play a vital role in supporting students, families, and the success of our school-from long-term academic guidance to immediate social and emotional support. Thank you to Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Sharkan for everything you do for West Carteret.

I also want to recognize School Bus Driver Appreciation Week here in North Carolina. We are grateful for the dedicated drivers who safely transport our students each day and help ensure a strong start and finish to every school day. Thank you to our bus drivers for your professionalism, care, and commitment to keeping our students safe-we truly appreciate all you do.

We will have some adjustments to our schedule for ACT Blitz sessions to prepare our Junior class. Tuesday and Thursday we will be running an ACT Blitz Schedule. On Tuesday, Juniors will report to the cafeteria after their first period for a one hour Blitz session on Reading. On Thursday, Juniors will be assigned to either the media center or the cafeteria after their first period for a Blitz session to focus on Math.

Our Swim and Dive Team will compete this Thursday and Friday at State Competition and our Wrestlers will compete at Regionals on Friday and Saturday. Basketball will travel to Swansboro on Tuesday and Northside on Thursday.

This month is also CTE month. We have excellent opportunities for career exploration in these pathways. We extend our congratulations to NJROTC as both of our academic teams secured 1st and 3rd place at the Myrtle Beach High School Brain Brawl on Saturday. Our Health Sciences classes are hosting a Blood Drive on Wednesday from 9-2, so please consider supporting our community by donating.

Please enjoy the rest of your evening and let us know if we can support you in any way at the schoolhouse.

🎯 ACT BLITZ STARTS THIS WEEK! 🎯We’re gearing up to support our juniors as they prepare for the schoolwide ACT at the end of the month. ACT Blitz kicks off this week to help all Patriots feel confident and ready!

📅 ACT Blitz Schedule This Week:

🔹 Tuesday - Juniors report to the cafeteria during Blitz time. All other students remain in 1st period

🔹 Thursday - Juniors report to the cafeteria or media center (assigned). All other students report to 2nd period.

This focused time is designed to give juniors extra support and practice so they’re fully prepared. Let’s make the most of it, Patriots!
#WestCarteretHS #ACTBlitz #PatriotsPrepared

Let’s show the love, Patriots! Join us for Valentine’s Spirit Week NEXT WEEK and dress up each day to celebrate school spirit and community. 🎀 Monday: Hearts & Bows 🏈 Tuesday: Heart of a Fan 💖 Wednesday: Pink Day for Breast Cancer Awareness 🎨 Thursday: Class Colors 💚🤎💛 Friday: Show the Love for Our East Carteret Friends on Young Waterfowler’s Day Let’s go all out and make it a fun, meaningful week at West Carteret! #WestCarteretHS #PatriotPride #SpiritWeek 💙🤍💘

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Spring Track Season kicks off February 23! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ There are no tryouts and no cuts, so if you’re interested, come be part of the team. 📌 Important reminders: • Practice begins February 23 • A current physical is required (bring one or have one on file) Let’s go, Patriots! 💙🤍

West Carteret Patriot Update: 2.5.26 Good afternoon, this is a special Patriot update for Feb. 5. This update comes in light of the many changes due to our inclement weather. As you know, Carteret County Schools has designated Friday, February 6 as a remote learning day. Please ensure students are checking their virtual classrooms both for daily attendance forms and instructional materials. Students should complete one attendance form for each class period. Other scheduling updates that I'd like to share include a reschedule of tomorrow's basketball game, which will now take place on Monday, February 16th. Also mark your calendars for this weekend. Please come out to support our student athletes as our Booster Club hosts the Captain's Mess at the Dune's Club. This fundraising event is from 6:30-10:00 and includes live music, great food, and a silent auction. A QR code supports registration and is available on our social media pages, as well as by contacting our Athletic Director Michael Turner. Our Swim and Dive Team will compete next Thursday and Friday at State Competition and our Wrestlers will compete at Regionals next Friday and Saturday. Patriot Athletics continue to make us proud and we appreciate your support, let's go Patriots! Please enjoy the rest of your evening and we look forward to welcoming students back to the schoolhouse next week.

❤️ Comfort & Care Drive ❤️

We are collecting new underwear, socks, and toiletries to support students in our community in collaboration with the National Charity League Class of 2027.

🩳 Morehead City Primary School Needs:
• NEW underwear (boys & girls, sizes 4–12)
• NEW youth socks (boys & girls)

🧼 WCHS Food Pantry Needs:
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste & toothbrushes
• Feminine hygiene products
• Soap / body wash
• Other basic toiletry items

📍 Drop-off Location: West Carteret High School Library
📅 Collection Dates: February 9–18
📦Drop offs also available at other high schools - see them for dates and locations.

These simple items help students feel comfortable, confident, and cared for. Thank you for supporting local schools and families! #Patriotsserve

National School Counselor Week? Say less. We've got the BEST at West! Shout-out to our four school counselors for serving the Patriot Nation so well. Ms. Sharkan, Ms. Smith, Ms. Turner, and Mr. Lancaster, ChatGPT captured just a fraction of what makes you all West Carteret legends, but iykyk! #PatriotNation

🎨✨ Student Spotlight & Congratulations! ✨🎨

With holidays, exams, and snow days behind us, we don’t want to miss the chance to celebrate an outstanding accomplishment by Rachael Cox

Rachael’s incredible artwork from Honors Beginning Art, taught by Mrs. Catherine Olander, was selected from student submissions across the fall semester and earned top recognition as the Fall 2025 Superintendent’s Choice Winner.

We are always excited to celebrate the meaningful work our students create in the classroom, and Rachael’s talent truly stands out. In addition to being a gifted artist, she is an active band member and a dedicated scholar at West Carteret. Congratulations, Rachael! We are proud of you and can’t wait to see what you create next.

West Carteret Weekly Patriot: 2.2.26 Good afternoon, your Weekly Patriot for Feb. 2 is focused on Remote Learning Days. I sincerely hope that this message finds you safe and that you have been able to find enjoyment in this weather event. As a reminder, the following announcements were made by Carteret County Public Schools: Tuesday, February 3rd and Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, will be remote workdays for all staff, and remote learning days for students. All extracurricular and athletic activities remain cancelled until further notice. All schools and CCPS buildings remain closed until conditions improve. I want to provide the following information as guidance for students and families on these remote learning days: Teachers will post lessons/assignments by 9:00 am on the learning management system (such as CANVAS or Google Classroom) that is used with their students . Questions and clarifications can be addressed directly to the student's teacher through the learning management system or through the teacher's email. Teachers will regularly check email and the learning management system to help students and parents during the designated remote learning day(s). Attendance will be taken by using a google form that each teacher will provide for students. High school students will submit ONE form for each class period (anytime from 12:01 am until 11:59 pm) to be counted present for the day. An update for our Junior class regarding ACT preparations: We are updating ACT Blitz Plans based on the changes to weather. Additional resources to help you prepare for the ACT can be found in the ACT Canvas Page. Please enjoy the rest of your evening and stay safe over the next few days. Of course please let us know how we can support you at the schoolhouse.

ACT Practice Still on EVEN WITH DELAY! Students with off campus classes, note times!

On Tuesday, January 27, all 11th-grade students will take a Practice ACT during the school day.
🕗 Where to report at the start of the day:
Last names A–L: Cafeteria
Last names M–Z: Media Center
📝 The practice test will take place during 1st and 2nd periods. Once students finish the exam, they will be dismissed back to 2nd period.
Please be sure juniors come to school on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best. This is a great opportunity to practice before the real ACT! 💪📚

West Carteret Weekly Patriot: 1.25.26



Good afternoon, here is your Weekly Patriot for Jan. 25:

I trust that all are staying warm as we appear to have dodged the worst of the storm that has hit much of the country. Please be sure to take care of yourself in these cold mornings this week.



I trust that students have settled into the second semester. We look forward to preparing our Junior class for upcoming ACT testing, which will occur on February 25th. We will plan some preparation activities for our students on the ACT over the coming weeks.

This Tuesday, January 27th, all Juniors will take a Practice ACT.

Students with last names A-e L should report to the cafeteria at the start of the day, and students with last names M-e Z should report to the media center.

The practice test will be completed during first and second periods. Once students finish the exam, they will be dismissed back to second period.

A few Athletic updates:

We won the Swim Conference Championships on Wednesday and our Wrestling team competed well in Conference on last Friday. We wish the best of luck to our swimmers this week competing on Friday in Regionals in Cary.

We had an epic double overtime win for the Women's basketball game last Friday night as well as a Men's victory. We look forward to hosting rival Croatan on Tuesday. On Wednesday our Track Conference Championship is at Home. Please come out and support our teams.

As a new semester begins, please take time to check in to your SCHOOL CASH ONLINE account for any outstanding fees or dues. A reminder that all fees must be paid before you receive a prom ticket or diploma. Please take care of these now if you still have outstanding fees. Sign into your School Cash Online account. PAYING ONLINE IS THE BEST OPTION.

I want to also recognize the great work of our students under the direction of our fantastic Art Department. We had a Gold Key winner in the Scholastic Art Awards for 2026. Ella Summers Photographic work took this award. Another fourteen students took a Silver Key award and more than two dozen received Honorable Mentions. We have a talented group of students and outstanding Art teachers; great work Ms. Swanger and Ms. Olander!

Please enjoy the rest of your evening and as always, let us know how we can support you at the schoolhouse.

📣 Attention Juniors & Families📣

On Tuesday, January 27, all 11th-grade students will take a Practice ACT during the school day.

🕗 Where to report at the start of the day:
Last names A–L: Cafeteria
Last names M–Z: Media Center

📝 The practice test will take place during 1st and 2nd periods. Once students finish the exam, they will be dismissed back to 2nd period.

Please be sure juniors come to school on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best. This is a great opportunity to practice before the real ACT! 💪📚

We are thrilled to announce our outstanding Students of the Month for their exceptional achievements and contributions. We are in desperate need of prizes and cards to give to these students to recognize them! Please see below if you can help.
WCHS Student of the Month program recognizes students who exemplify Patriot Values in and out of the classroom. They are chosen by faculty each month. This initiative highlights students who demonstrate:
✅ Individual Achievement
✅ Personal Development
✅ Community Involvement/Service
✅ Outstanding Attitude/Disposition
✅ Notable Consideration Towards Others
✅ Leadership
✅ Marked Improvement in Grades, Character, or Work Ethic
✅ Significant Progress in the Classroom
We are asking the community for "prizes" to give these students. In the past, the packages have included pens, free ice cream, t-shirts, cups, and other small "swag." If you or someone you know could contribute anything like this, please have them reach out to Tiffany.mayo@carteretk12.org Thank you to the West Carteret Community Partnership Academic Booster Club and the WCHS PAC for their support of this program!
#StudentsoftheMonth #PatriotPride #westcartereths West Carteret Community Partnership Academic Booster Club

West Carteret Weekly Patriot: 1.19.26 Good afternoon Patriots, here is your Weekly Patriot for Jan. 19: I want to wish all of you a happy Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. On this day that we recognize service, I also want to take this opportunity to honor the service of a great West Carteret Patriot. Many of you may know that Mr. Gordon "Gordy" Patrick passed away last week. Mr. Patrick was a long time educator for Carteret County Schools and West. He taught PE, coached wrestling and football, and served as Principal from 1991 to 2007. We are proud to honor Mr. Patrick by continuing the tradition of excellence that he cultivated. I want to thank our students for their excellence in academic preparation as evidenced on their exams last week. We demonstrated growth in all of our state tested subjects. Based on mid year performance we are on target to exceed our stated goals. We had 100% attendance and students gave maximum effort. I also want to recognize the outstanding job that our educators have done to prepare students, and of course the important role that our families play in supporting our students and our school community. As a few reminders, we will have Teacher workdays on Tuesday and Wednesday as we prepare for the beginning of the second semester. A few Athletic updates: Our Swim Conference Championships are Wednesday at Aquaventure 5 pm (Diving competes today at UNC at 7:30 pm). Wrestling Conference Championships at Havelock HS all day Saturday (1/24). I look forward to continuing our successful academic year when we welcome students back on Thursday. Please enjoy the next couple of days for your semester break and as always, let us know how we can support you at the schoolhouse.

Reminder for students and families Please take a moment to check and pay any outstanding school fees using the School Cash Online system. Taking care of fees now will help everything go smoothly later, especially as prom tickets will be available soon, and the last semester before graduation is upon us! Staying ahead of these payments saves time and avoids last minute stress. Thank you for your help in keeping things on track. #westcartereths

Today we say farewell to Gordon “Gordy” Patrick, a true Patriot whose impact on West Carteret High School spans generations. Our hearts are with his family and the Patriot family during this difficult time. Mr. Patrick began his career at West Carteret as a PE teacher in 1965 and went on to build one of the most successful wrestling programs in eastern North Carolina. He served as head wrestling coach from 1965 to 1984, compiling a record of 201-26-5 and leading his teams to 17 conference championships, 7 sectional titles, state champions, and undefeated stretches that became legendary in our community. His coaching emphasized sportsmanship, discipline, character, and goal setting, values he carried into every role. Gordy also coached football for several years, and his leadership reached far beyond the mat and the field. After years of service in the classroom, athletics, and as an assistant principal, he returned home to West Carteret as principal in 1991, earning recognition as Carteret County Principal of the Year multiple times. Throughout his career spanning 4 decades in education, he led with steady guidance and heart, always reminding us, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Even after his formal roles in education ended, Gordy continued to serve West Carteret as an advisor and volunteer, always present, always supportive, and always proud to be a Patriot. In recognition of his lifetime of contributions, he was inducted into the West Carteret High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the NC High School Athletics Hall of Fame, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lasting impact on students, athletics, and education. Gordy Patrick’s legacy is woven into the fabric of West Carteret as a coach, educator, administrator, mentor, and steadfast supporter. We will miss his words of wisdom, his quiet dignity and integrity, and his care for all students, staff, and the West Carteret family. We are deeply grateful for his decades of commitment, leadership, and service. West Carteret is stronger because of him, and he will always be one of us. Thank you, Mr. Patrick. We salute your lifelong dedication to our school and our students. Because of you, it is always a beautiful day in Sequoyah.

Save the Dates, Patriots! Spring Semester 2026 will be here before we know it. Mark your calendars now for these important upcoming events, including cap and gown delivery, prom, spring exams, and graduation. More details will be shared as each date approaches. Get ready for an exciting Spring 2026!