- The Wall of Pride Class of 2026;
- $25,000 Matching Gift Challenge;
- Your Impact on the Backpack Program;
- A preview of the next Devil’s Advocate newsletter;
- Be sure to visit wlsef.org to learn about the many other exciting initiatives of your West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation!
West Lafayette Alumni Association Announces
2026 Wall of Pride Honorees
The next West Lafayette Wall of Pride class has been announced by the West Lafayette Alumni Association. Five distinguished alumni and one educator will be inducted into the Wall of Pride during events on April 9-10, 2026, marking the eighth class of honorees. The newest class includes:
- Todd Citron ’76 – Chief Technology Officer, The Boeing Company
- Mike Gery ’62 – Indiana State Senator from 1974-1998
- Honorable Susan Golding ’62 – Mayor of San Diego from 1992-2000
- Yi-Ching Ong ’99 – Associate Vice Provost, Stanford University
- Andrew Scharenberg ’81 – Professor of Pediatrics and Immunology, University of Washington; Founder and CEO, Umoja Biopharma
- Gene Valentine, Educator – WLCSC Music Teacher from 1972-2006, awarded posthumously
The Wall of Pride honors celebrated alumni and educators whose actions or achievements in their chosen fields bring admiration and distinction to the heritage of West Lafayette High School. Members are nominated by fellow alumni, parents, current West Lafayette students, faculty, staff and administrators, and citizens from the community. Nominations can be submitted at any time but only those received by October 1st will be considered when selecting the next class. It’s also important to note that the committee works one year ahead. To date, 38 alumni and 8 educators have been inducted into the Wall of Pride. The 2026 Wall of Pride honorees will be featured in the summer 2026 issue of the Devil’s Advocate.
Double Your Impact: End-of-Year Matching Gift Challenge!
As we close out another incredible year of supporting West Lafayette students and teachers, the Foundation is excited to announce a special opportunity to make your generosity go even further. Thanks to the commitment of one of our distinguished alumni from the 1970s, every dollar you give to the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation’s General Fund will be matched—up to $25,000!
This matching gift challenge means your contribution will have twice the impact on programs that enrich learning, provide essential classroom resources, and ensure every student has the tools to succeed.
Why the General Fund Matters:
Your support helps sustain vital initiatives—from innovative teaching programs to student wellness resources—that benefit every child in our schools. When you give, you’re investing in the future of West Lafayette Schools. Gifts to the General Fund give the Foundation flexibility to put dollars where they are needed most.
How It Works:
- Make your gift before December 31.
- Every dollar will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000!
- Together, we can unlock the full match and make a lasting difference for West Lafayette students and teachers.
The Foundation is grateful to the alumnus who challenged the Foundation to “be bold” in asking the West Lafayette School community to make a gift and meet this challenge. Join us in honoring the legacy of our alumni and building brighter futures for today’s students.
Give now and double your impact!
You can donate online today or mail your gift to the Foundation. Thank you for your contribution!
Impact Report: Backpack Program
Last month, we shared an urgent need and you responded … in a BIG way.
With the government shutdown and the uncertainty of when or if SNAP benefits would be distributed, the number of families enrolled in the West Lafayette Backpack Program more than doubled in less than a week. Volunteers stepped forward to help with the additional backpack deliveries, and you responded with over $3,500 in contributions to assist in purchasing additional food. Thank you very much!
The Foundation’s executive committee challenged board members to also make a donation. Board members passed the hat at their November board meeting, and several board members offered to contribute individual items for the Thanksgiving week backpacks, including homemade pumpkin bread loaves. Wow!
In this season of Thanksgiving, the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation shares our heartfelt gratitude with all those who helped to meet this need for some of our most vulnerable students.
Donate to the West Lafayette Backpack Program
Next Issue of the Devil’s Advocate
The next issue of the Devil’s Advocate newsletter will be hitting mailboxes next month. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s included in this issue.
- The West Lafayette Alumni Association was established 25 years ago. Readers will learn about its early beginnings and what the organization does today. Plus, hear from Ron Moore ’48, who helped to shape the Alumni Association.
- Also featured is Rachel Larsen ’99, an Emmy-winning animator for Outstanding Preschool Animated Series, The Tiny Chef.
- Plus, class reunion photos, class notes and more!
Upcoming Events
- December 4, 2025 | WLHS Career and Trades Expo
- February 2, 2026 | WLSEF Scholarship Application Deadline
- March 27, 2026 | Founder’s Day
- March 28, 2026 | Scarlet & Gray Dinner and Auction
- April 9-10, 2026 | Wall of Pride events
Keep in touch!
Planning a class reunion? Receive a job promotion? Win an award or receive recognition? Share your news with your alma mater! The West Lafayette Alumni Association would love to share your news in the Devil’s Advocate newsletter. Visit the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation website and submit your update today!
Want to help?
Get involved today with a donation to WLSEF!