A cornerstone of Normal West is using the past to improve the future.

A new program, West Improvement Pledges, or WIP, give West alumni the chance to live through this tradition and reconnect with the school they once spent so much time at. 

Founded by Dr. John Bierbaum, class of 2001, WIP was launched earlier this year during the school’s 30-year anniversary celebrations that took place during homecoming week. 

“WIP is to celebrate West and provide some opportunities for different projects, teams, activities, and other entities to get funding for things they need to better serve our students,” Bierbaum said. 

The main focus of WIP is to help alumni give back to an area of West they felt connected to from their time here.

“Being an alumni himself, [Bierbaum] keeps in contact with several of our alumni and has a pulse on their connection to West,” West principal Angie Codron shared. 

After completing the form that goes along with the donation process, alumni can donate money to help a certain part of our school community. 

And even though WIP is a new addition to West, it is already gaining some traction. 

From the donations that have been made, there will be things starting back up this Spring involving the money to tie back in on the school’s 30-year anniversary.  

There haven’t been any improvements made with the money so far, but there are plans to give the go-ahead to projects waiting to be done. 

 The Wall of Fame committee is in charge of reviewing the pledges made.

“This spring, [the Wall of Fame Committee] will meet to go over the ideas that have been proposed and allocate money to these projects,” Bierbaum added. 

With all the things WIP will continue to bring to our school, it is all possible because of the lasting positive impact this community shares.  

“I am honored to do my part in supporting the legacy of a school that has been a large part of my family’s life,” WIP donor Jeff Bush shares in a meaningful letter about his connection to West.