Meet the Buddies

A thick, bright-orange crayon glides across the page. A semi-circle appears on the blank white paper, then a line. A cyclops forms, almost exactly like the one he saw in “Spongebob” last night. Chase Lonngren ’20 is doing what he does best: art. From a young age, Chase has been interested in art, but the first time he took a formal art class was at Northwest Junior High. Since then, Chas...

In a world that is sometimes only skin deep, not everyone notices the hidden depths of Lucas Locher ’21. With a passion for comedy, community involvement and all things gaming, there’s much more to him than meets the eye. A cheerful presence both in the classroom and in the hallways of West, Lucas is involved in multiple student activities, including his class’ weekly recycling and newspa...

“Buckley!” shouts Byamungu Omari ’20. He’s just seen his best friend, Jaden Buckley ’19, walk through the classroom door and can barely contain his excitement. For the past four years, Buckley and Omari have been best friends. Although the pair’s individual strengths are apparent to all they encounter, the two are undoubtedly at their best when they’re together. “[Omari and Bu...

As one enters the Strike Martial Arts Academy, they are met with a flurry of action: students swiftly kicking and punching their way to success. In the corner stands Hafiza El-Zein ’19, preparing to practice her tornado roundhouse kick. Though many people know El-Zein for her kind and welcoming nature, this is a side of her that not many get to see. El-Zein has studied taekwondo three days eac...