Normal Community West High School has seen many improvements over the past year, like a new mural, an updated scoreboard in the north gym, and much more.
All of these improvements were made possible by West’s new program, WIP, or West Improvement Pledge. WIP was originally promoted to alumni of West, but donations are open to anyone willing to give.
“We felt like there are so many things that happen here that someone might be more willing to [donate] if they thought it would go back to a program they were a part of or an area [they enjoyed],” West’s principal, and project manager of the WIP program, Angie Codron, explained.
Codron described that the goal of improving the areas was to make them look nicer, as well as modernize them, because many individuals, not just students, use these areas.
For example, the West Park will be moved outside of Door D as an extension to the atrium.
“[Students] stand in circles in the atrium, so [improving] it would provide a space that feels a little bit more welcoming and gives them a space to be,” Codron stated.
‘WIP’ is already taking a step into upgrading the atrium, as it got approved to be named after West’s first principal, Dr. Jerry Crabtree, who, according to Codron, “kind of started the culture here.”
“We want to make sure that [the atrium] looks and feels how our original principal intended Normal West to look and feel,” Codron stated.
Codron even encourages students to give feedback on the renovations of the school.
Codron is currently waiting for the refinement of the Wildcat Park, which she hopes to reveal at the Wall of Fame dinner and to start developing it in the spring and summer.
Additionally, she will be meeting with her colleagues about the atrium in a couple of weeks to discuss furniture options.
The IMC is also an area for improvement; however, the IMC upgrades will come in phases because the location is used all year round.
Overall, Codron emphasized how important developing the school is: “Education evolves, and if education is evolving and we are not improving our spaces, (…) It’s not going to match (…) and inhibits [our] education from evolving.”
“[I want to] walk into a space, and I want to see people thriving in the environment for which they spend eight hours or more every day,” Codron explained.
Codron highlighted how much leadership, organization, and teamwork that a project like ‘WIP’ takes.
“I think the culture of Normal West has always been super collaborative and caring. I hope that people would know that any kind of improvement pledged goes to the intention it was meant for, and with the care and collaboration that’s expected,” Codron stated.
