March news briefs
Travel through this timeline to learn more about what events West students have been through this winter.
March 3, 2023
House Files 8 and 9 were introduced in the Iowa Legislature Jan. 12. HF 8 would make it illegal to teach K-3 students about sexual orientation and gender identity, while HF 9 would prohibit schools from recognizing a student’s gender identity without written consent from parents.
![Iowa House Capitol with a gold dome and white stone building.](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iowa-laws-475x356.jpg)
SPIT, Student Produced Innovative Theater, put on two shows Jan. 12 and 13: “The Layover” and “The 10 Worst Breakups of All Time.”
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/spit-475x317.png)
During the week of Jan. 24, AFT classrooms participated in a door-decorating contest to commemorate influential Black leaders. That Friday, underclassmen listened to a talk by Andre Wright, co-founder of Humanize My Hoodie, while upperclassmen attended a jazz concert performed by blues musician Kevin Burt.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/mlk-day-activities-475x316.jpg)
Members of show choir and show band competed together in five competitions against other Iowan schools throughout January and February.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/show-choir-comp-317x475.jpeg)
Science Olympiad members participated in their regional competition in various science events Feb. 2.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/science-olympiad-475x356.jpeg)
Liberty High Doubleheader: The girls basketball team lost 60-72, and the boys basketball team won 72-57 in an at-home doubleheader against Liberty Feb. 3.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/liberty-double-header-475x317.jpeg)
During IGHSAU girls wrestling state tournament at Xtreme Area in Coralville Feb. 3, Jannell Avila ’23 was runner up in the 155-pound class.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_3D97889FE62C-1-475x356.jpeg)
Aria Warren ’26 won the Iowa Miss Amazing Pageant, a pageant for girls and women with disabilities, in Des Moines Feb. 4.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aria1-475x356.jpg)
West High’s dance team competed at ESPN World Wide Sports in Orlando, Florida Feb. 5 and were one out of 16 teams to make it to the semifinals in jazz.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/poms-475x356.jpeg)
The boys swim team placed eighth overall at the state championship meet Feb. 10.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/boys-swim-475x316.jpg)
The West High Symphony Orchestra was one of five orchestras to be selected from across the nation to perform at the Kennedy Center for the Capitol Orchestra Festival Feb. 18-21.
![](https://wsspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screen-Shot-2023-02-18-at-8.03.26-PM-453x475.png)