Catch up on February’s notable events.

February news briefs

Feeling stressed about next week’s finals? Take a break from studying to catch up on the latest news.

Colin Wehrle, Print Photo Editor

March 1, 2025

February news briefs

Trump Inauguration

January 20, 2025

Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second non-consecutive term as the 47th President of the United States Jan. 20 inside the nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C. The onset of Trump’s presidency has been marked by 65 executive orders as of Feb. 18, most notably withdrawing from the World Health Organization and Paris Agreement, issuing pardons for the 2021 U.S. Capitol rioters, deporting illegal immigrants, imposing tariffs on other countries and working to tackle inflation. In addition, Trump signed an executive order postponing the national TikTok ban, granting a 75-day extension to the media platform.

Donald Trump will serve his second term 2024-2028. Artwork by Sean Kearney.

West students lead “Pathways to Purpose”

January 24, 2025

On Jan. 24, 22 West students traveled to the Center for Innovation to lead “Pathways to Purpose,” an event that provided middle schoolers insight into career paths through classes at West. West students presented brief slideshows regarding their respective fields of interest throughout the day for hundreds of eighth-grade students. This was the first event of the ICCSD’s plan to employ a career-centered curriculum for high school students, where eighth-grade students will sign onto a four-year plan that will determine their classes based on what career path they’re most interested in.

Junze Sun ‘25 and Jack Twait ‘25 present to a group of eighth-graders Jan. 24 in the Center for Innovation. Photo courtesy of the ICCSD Communications Team.

West Jazz Ensemble records for KCCK 88.3

January 27, 2025

The West High Jazz Ensemble traveled to Cedar Rapids Jan. 27 for the annual Corridor Jazz Project. The project brings together local high school jazz bands and pairs them with local professional musicians to produce a recording that airs on KCCK Jazz 88.3. This year, West recorded “Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey!!” by Jason Marshall, accompanied by Dr. Damani Phillips, an award-winning saxophonist and Yamaha performing artist. They will travel to the University of Iowa Voxman Music Building March 11 to perform their recorded piece alongside other local schools.

West students perform in Lunar New Year Gala

February 2, 2025

West High students traveled to the Englert Theatre Feb. 2 to watch and perform in the annual Lunar New Year Gala. The event marked the beginning of the Year of the Snake and celebrated culture and heritage through both traditional and modern performances. It opened with an act inspired by the Chinese folk romance of the White Snake Spirit, followed by other notable performances, including a traditional song performed by students from the ICCSD elementary schools and dance routines performed by West’s K-pop club.

Boys swimming places second at state meet

February 14, 2025 — February 15, 2025

After qualifying multiple individuals and relays, West High boys swimming took home hardware — including the overall runner-up title — at the IHSAA State Swimming meet Feb. 15 at the University of Iowa Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. The Trojans garnered 181 points, falling short of Dubuque Hempstead’s 213.5-point first-place finish. West’s relay team of Ethan Landon ’27, Winston Fan ’26, Hayden Hakes ’25 and Oliver Mikulski ’26 placed first in the 200-medley relay with a time of 1:30.48 and placed second in the 400-freestyle relay with a time of 3:05.76. In addition to taking the win in the 200-medley relay, Hakes, a University of Arizona commit and Olympic Trials qualifier, won co-Athlete of the Year and placed first in the 200-freestyle and the 500-freestyle in 1:37.29 and 4:25.54, respectively.

Mitch Gross announced 2025 Iowa Principal of the Year finalist

February 17, 2025

West High Principal Mitch Gross was announced as one of four finalists for the 2025 Iowa Principal of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa. After teaching AP U.S. History and American Government for 15 years at West, Gross took on the role of principal in 2020. With West being named the top public high school in Iowa, Gross attributes his success to the school’s diversity and faculty. “Diversity is a strength; it makes a community [and] the school better, and we're very proud of that," Gross said in an interview with The Press-Citizen. "I'm very proud of our team. The faculty and staff are second to none. They make me a better educator by questioning or raising different points, and I welcome and appreciate that.”

Trojan wrestling competes at state meets

February 19, 2025 — February 22, 2025

West High girls and boys wrestling competed in the IHSAA State Wrestling meets in February. After placing second at the Class 2A Regional Meet in the 120lb weight class to qualify, Trinity Myers ’25 competed in her final state meet Feb. 6 at Xtream Arena. With a 1-1 match record, Myers fell in her third match to Bettendorf’s Quendresa Selmani 10-0, concluding her high school wrestling career. The boys team qualified five individuals for the state meet at the regional meet: Alexander Pierce ’26 (113lb), Matthew Tran ’27 (120lb), Cole Krutzfeldt ’25 (138lb) and Justin Avila ’25 (150lb), who all took first for their weight classes at the regional meet, and Randale Kelly ’25 (285lb) who took runner-up. Krutzfeldt and Tran took 5th and 6th respectively at the state meet. For the second year in a row, Pierce took runner-up, barely missing the championship title, where he fell to Southeast Polk's Nico DeSalvo. Avila took home the championship, marking the end of his career with Iowa City West wrestling.

Trump Inauguration

West students lead “Pathways to Purpose”

West Jazz Ensemble records for KCCK 88.3

West students perform in Lunar New Year Gala

Boys swimming places second at state meet

Mitch Gross announced 2025 Iowa Principal of the Year finalist

Trojan wrestling competes at state meets

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About the Contributor

Colin Wehrle, Print Photo Editor

Colin is a sophomore at West High and is excited for his first year on staff. This year, he serves as the Photo Editor for the print edition of the West Side Story. When he’s not fidgeting with a camera, you can find him running cross country or track, playing saxophone in West High’s numerous ensembles or relaxing at the Java House.

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