Welcome to all that's news-y from the Westmont Hilltop Development office.

We support the Westmont Hilltop Education Foundation in its mission to enhance opportunities for students, staff, and families within the Westmont Hilltop School District.

Letter from the Director of Development

Welcome to Our Home on the Hill, 5th edition.

As 2025 comes to a close, I am nostalgic for my own days as a student at WHHS – rushing through the halls as fall turned to snow, anticipating school dances, and cheering on friends at games.

These memories make this place feel timeless - and they are also a reminder that while much has changed, the spirit of Westmont Hilltop remains strong.

In this issue, we revisit the annual student and staff-run Senior Citizens' Thanksgiving luncheon, the NYC student adventure (featuring 60 students!), student achievements, current and past sports highlights, and the latest gift to the Hilltopper Archives. 

On Friday, November 21, WHHS hosted the Annual Senior Citizens' Appreciation Luncheon.

A Thanksgiving feast, provided by Metz Culinary, a legacy sponsor of the Education Foundation, was served to over 200 community senior citizens by our Varsity Club students and staff. 

The WHHS orchestra and choir filled the auditorium with music, and the 4th-grade class added an unforgettable rendition of 'We Will Rock You!' For the dining room, elementary artists designed the placemats while faculty lined up to greet our neighbors as they arrived. It was a true team effort, and a heartfelt way to show our gratitude to the senior community that gives so much to our district.

Thank you to all who made giving back to the Westy Community a 5-star experience!

The New York trip for 60 students from Grades 9-12, organized by Jr.-Sr. High School teacher, Bethany Carney and partially funded by our generous supporters, had a huge success: Broadway! Museums! Lady Liberty! Ellis Island! and many more sights and experiences. YOU helped raise over $17,000 to reduce the cost of this trip, offering an opportunity for many who would not have otherwise experienced NYC with their classmates. 

Ms. Carney noted that a trip highlight was being in New York for the first BIG snowfall of the year. "It just so happened to be the morning we got to walk through Central Park. It felt like we were in a Christmas movie!" As for attending 'Rag Time' on Broadway, "A lot of the kids also loved the show, and I hope the message of tolerance and hope stays with them for a long time!"

Thank you, Ms Carney!

Congratulations to Westy Sophomore, Rylee Kohan, for earning Swimming All-American status for 2025!

Rylee is the Hilltop's FIRST female All-American swimmer.  Rylee is a 2x All-State swimmer and is in the running for Academic All-American. As a freshman, Rylee earned her first PIAA PA State Championship in the 50-yard freestyle, a 5th place medal in the 100 backstroke at States, and is a multiple-event record breaker at Westmont Hilltop and within the district.

Pictured (left) after breaking the pool record at Westminster College in the 100 back, Rylee's 3rd collegiate pool record!
Stay tuned for more from this rising star!

Join Hilltopper Nation to recognize none other than Gary Pagano - Class of 1970, ALL-TIME leading scorer in Westmont Hilltop history - 1,968 POINTS!

Gary will be honored before the game, which will tip off at either 7:00 PM (if we reach the championship), or 5:00 PM.

All Hilltopper Basketball Alumni in attendance will be recognized during the event.

Stay tuned for final game time and more details about a postgame get-together at a local venue.
Let’s pack the gym and celebrate one of Westmont’s finest!

Once a Hilltopper, Always a Hilltopper! 

A 1986 alum has donated a literary treasure from Westmont - Upper Yoder HS (WUYHS), circa 1919-20. It is full of poems, book lists, letters to authors-past...

On December 12, 1919, WYUHS opened its basketball season with a decisive victory over Salix High School, 63-16.

*Note: The Education Foundation is working on a permanent exhibition space to preserve historical items donated by our alumni and community. The Foundation hopes to acquire more of these extraordinary glimpses into the past. Also note! This entry, shared on the WH Alumni Facebook page, initiated a discussion as to the historical timeline of buildings in our history. We continue to fact-check and will report back in the next newsletter and on Facebook.

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