A special ceremony, music in the school garden and dinner among trees hung with white lights.  Westdale Heights Academic Magnet (WHAM) students, parents and staff celebrated in style Thursday night, November 11, at the school in recognition of receiving the national Intel School of Distinction Award earlier this year.

At the event, Intel Foundation representative Jared Quoyeser (pictured, left) made the check presentation for $10,000 to WHAM Principal Norma Church (middle) and School Board President Jerry Arbour (right).  Other special guests represented Brainware-Safari, Smart Technologies, Dimension, SAS Curriculum Pathways, I CAN, DyKnow, Scantron, Elluminate Blackboard and Dell.  Students also had science demonstrations and displays set up in hallways during the “Magical Evening of Science.”

WHAM is one of just six schools nationwide and the only Louisiana school to receive the Intel Award this year. To receive this prestigious award, schools must develop an environment and curricula that meet or exceed benchmarks put forth by national mathematics and science content standards.
 
WHAM has accomplished so much in the past few years: a national Blue Ribbon award by the U.S. Department of Education and Presidential Awards for their teachers. The East Baton Rouge Parish School System wishes to celebrate the school's Intel Award with this event, which will include administrators, parents, teachers, students, community supporters, business partners and more.