Staff Profile

October news briefs

Since the start of the new school year, West has hosted a wide range of events. Read on to see what West’s students are up to.

Carter Houchins-Witt and Sonya Zhu

October 10, 2025

After a tight set against the Little Hawks Oct. 2, Cyan Blommer ’29 tips the ball over the net. Hitters must adjust to the ball, deciding whether to hit, tip or push the ball over. (Anna Greenlee)

Volleyball

This season, the girls varsity volleyball team welcomed new head coach Jaedynn Evans, a Regina volleyball alumna. After several displays of success at local tournaments, West hosted the annual “Live Like Line” home tournament Sept. 13, inviting 11 other teams to play at West. The Trojans finished the tournament with three wins and two losses, claiming third place. They will soon head to the Westside Invite tournament in Cedar Rapids Oct. 11 and the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament Oct. 14, and later to regional and state volleyball competitions in late October and early November. Notably, this season’s varsity team includes seven underclassmen — significantly higher than previous years — some of whom are leading the team in offense and defense.

Club Fair

The annual club fair was held in the cafeteria and commons Sept. 15, with freshmen attending during advisory and grades 10–12 attending during sixth period. The event included over 50 clubs, ranging from the Period Club to the Ultimate Frisbee club. Additionally, several new clubs were present and recruiting, and are now preparing for their first-ever meetings this year. New club options include Stop the Bleeding, a club that will meet to train students on first aid, Babel, a volunteering club to tutor languages and bring them to elementary schools and the Asian Student Union, a new student organization aimed at bringing Asian culture together for all students.

Campbell Janis ‘26 celebrates after a touchdown Aug. 29. (Colin Wehrle)

Football

West started its football season strong, defeating City High in the Battle of the Boot 30–0 Aug. 29. This year’s seniors have reached new heights, with University of North Dakota commit Ethan Headings ’26 scoring four receiving touchdowns during the first home game of the season against Dubuque Hempstead Sept. 5, breaking the school record for most in a game. Additionally, Jack Law ’26 broke a West record for the most sacks in a game Sept. 19 against Bettendorf, after landing five. As of Sept. 30, the Trojans’ record is 4–1, ranking them first in the 5A–6 division. Football’s next stop after the close of the regular season will be the state playoffs, with four rounds held Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.

Cross Country

After summer running, the cross country meet season started alongside the school year. Both teams’ first meets were at Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City Aug. 28, where the boys team placed second out of six teams and the girls first out of five. Since then, both teams have competed at meets approximately every week. On Oct. 2, the boys team hosted the Iowa City West Invitational home meet at Ashton, their second home meet. Soon, cross country will head to the MVC divisional meet Oct. 16, state qualifiers Oct. 22 and the state meet Nov 1.

Homecoming

Homecoming week at West High kicked off with the parade Sept. 22 in the Galway Hills neighborhood, featuring Iowa City Community School District elementary schools, West’s marching band and most West sports. 16 Heroes of Troy — West’s Homecoming court — opened the parade. Spirit Week featured a new theme daily and ended with a pep rally hosted in the North Gym Friday, Sept. 26. That night, the Trojans fell to Liberty 44–31 in the Homecoming game, making the Bolts the first team to defeat West this season. The theme of the Homecoming dance held Saturday, Sept. 27 was “Midnight in the Jazz Age,” inspired by “The Great Gatsby” and the Roaring Twenties.

The new furniture in the library provides spaces for students to study or read during open hours, lunch, before and after school. (Lea Abou Alaiwa)

West updates

Since June, West’s library has undergone a full renovation, with the addition of a new test center above it. Students can access the test center to retake tests during Advisory or free periods. A new intervention time system was also implemented, moving Advisory lessons from Wednesday to Monday and allowing students to leave for other classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, if they are requested by teachers. West has also transitioned from E-Hall Pass to paper passes and bathroom lanyards. Additionally, all students received new Chromebooks to start off the school year and the district implemented a new personal device policy permitting only school-issued computers to be used during class time.

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About the Contributors

Carter Houchins-Witt, Print Opinion Editor

Carter Houchins-Witt is a senior, and this is his third year on staff. He’s working as the opinion editor on the West Side Story for the print edition. You may have seen him doing theater in the community, and he’s the drama board president for Theatre West this year. “It’s all a construct, you see…Government isn’t real, they can’t do anything,” Houchins-Witt said.

Sonya Zhu, Print Reporter

Sonya Zhu is a sophomore, and this is her first year on staff. She’s a photographer and writer on the West Side Story staff this year. In her free time, she likes to play cello and read.

Anna Greenlee, Design, Entertainment and Opinion Editor

Anna Greenlee is a senior and this is her third year on staff. This is her second year as Design, Entertainment and Opinion Editor, and she specializes in graphic design. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, painting and listening to Laufey.

Sophie Bergman, Social Media and Video Editor

Sophie Bergman is a junior and this is her second year on staff. This year she’s the social media and video editor for the West Side Story and Trojan Epic Yearbook.

Tyler Shane, Print Design Co-Editor

Tyler Shane is a senior and this is his third year on staff. This year he’s the print design co-editor for the West Side Story. In his free time he enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends.

Maddux Neukirch, Photographer

Maddux Neukirch is a sophomore at West High and this will be his first year on staff. During the year, he hopes to be as timely and organized as he can for himself and for his peers. In his spare time, you can find Maddux coaching soccer, practicing music or stuffing his face with food.

Colin Wehrle, Print Photo and Sports Editor

Colin is a junior returning for his second year on staff. This year, he’s the photo and sports editor for the print edition. Outside the newsroom, you can find him going on long runs, conducting the marching band or listening to music.