• 11/11: Girls basketball, boys swimming and bowling practices begin
  • 11/13: Signing day
  • 11/15: Cadenza concert @6:30 in West High commons
  • 11/15: Girls swimming state championship @ Marshalltown
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story

“The Futon”: a senior farewell

Listen to WSS seniors look back on their last four years in this installment of The Futon.
Byline photo of Zoe Smith
Byline photo of Eleanor Weitz
Byline photo of Jules Keranen
Byline photo of Zaira Ahmad
Byline photo of Elena Garcia Van Auken
Zoe Smith, Eleanor Weitz, Jules Keranen, Zaira Ahmad, and Elena Garcia Van Auken
May 16, 2024
The Futon

The graduating class of 2024 had a whirlwind start full of isolation and uncertainty. The hybrid schedule, mask regulations and quarantines may not have been much fun at the time, but they make for great stories now. Tune into the latest episode of the classic West Side Story podcast, The Futon, to hear the highlight reel of five seniors differing high school careers. From senior assassin betrayals to football game etiquette, these seniors have been through it all right here in the halls of West High. 

Join seniors Elena Garcia Van Auken, Eleanor Weitz, Jules Keranen, Zaira Ahmad and Zoe Smith as they recount their days from COVID lockdowns in freshman year to sitting front row at football games senior year.

“I hated junior year so much I decided to graduate early,” said guest Elena Garcia Van Auken ’24.

You’re not going to want to miss it! Click the link to hear even more funny stories and weird experiences from a few seasoned students. 

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About the Contributors
Zoe Smith
Zoe Smith, Editor-in-Chief
(she/her) Zoe Smith is a senior and entering her third and final year on staff. She is so excited to be this year's Web Editor-in-Chief. Although you can usually find her in the newsroom; you may also find her on the soccer field either playing or coaching, working at Maggie's Farm Pizza, hanging out with friends and much more. If you can't find her she is probably petting a dog somewhere.
Eleanor Weitz
Eleanor Weitz, Managing Editor
(she/her) Eleanor is a senior and this is her third year on staff. This year, she's the managing editor for the online newspaper. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and going thrift shopping.
Jules Keranen
Jules Keranen, Entertainment Editor

(they/them) Jules is a senior and this is their second year on the West Side Story. They are the entertainment editor for the online publication. After school they spend most of the time with their cat, Baby, watching movies.

Zaira Ahmad
Zaira Ahmad, Print Editor-in-Chief
(she/her) Zaira Ahmad is a Senior at West High. This is her third year on staff, and she is the Print Editor-In-Chief. Outside of the newsroom, you can probably find Zaira at show choir rehearsal or volunteering with Rotary. She also loves spending time with her friends and family, reading, and watching movies.
Elena Garcia Van Auken
Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
(she/her) This is Elena's second year on staff. This year she is news editor and social media co-editor. When she's not at school she is either working, reading or listening to music.
Alaina Greenlee
Alaina Greenlee, Video Editor
(she/her) Alaina Greenlee is a senior at West and is in her second year as the WSS Video Editor. Between creating half-decent videos and being below average at volleyball, she enjoys boating and watching IndyCar races with her family.
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