Third ‘Highlander Showcase and Expo’ held at WMHS

More than 250 families attended the third annual "Highlander Showcase and Expo" on Oct.7, celebrating the vast array of programs their hometown high school has to offer.

The expo was geared toward West Milford students in grades 5-8, but all district students and families were welcome.

WMHS student representatives and club advisers set up displays in a vendor-marketplace-style fashion in the WMHS gym, cafeteria and several "specialty" classrooms.

The high school students were eager to speak with the younger students and their families about their programs, provide information and engage in fun activities with their visitors and possible future members.

“Future Highlanders were able to watch a band or chorus practice, participate in theater games, decorate and eat a cupcake in culinary, solve problems in mathematics and science and maneuver a robot through an obstacle course,” Organizers of the event said in a joint statement. “The wood shop and auto shop were open for visitors, while in graphic arts the new laser cutter was at work making wooden Halloween ornaments. Students were invited to create a painting in art, play mini-golf and practice being on television. The gym and cafeteria were bustling with academics, clubs and athletics. Makerspace was open in the media center, school counselors were in the guidance suite ready to chat with prospective students, and 'the Cove' (the school store) was open for future Highlanders to start their collection of school logo T-shirts and sweatshirts.”

The student visitors were visibly excited and enthusiastic about the event while having fun with their friends and with the older students.

They explored the many programs on display and participated in sampling the activities the program coordinators arranged for them.

“It was an exciting evening that underscored the hometown pride that is the hallmark of West Milford High School.” the event organizers said in the statement.