November news briefs

As the school year’s first trimester draws to a close, check out what West has been up to.

Henry Timmer-Hackert, Print Opinion Editor • November 15, 2024

See what news West created with the November news briefs.

West Football

On Oct. 18, West football beat sixth-ranked Pleasant Valley 49-35 in their last regular season home game. The night marked the 100th win on the Trojan field and featured senior cross country, cheer and dance athletes alongside football players to celebrate Senior Night. The night’s theme was “pink-out,” an October staple for the student section, to raise awareness for breast cancer. In the first round of playoffs on Nov. 1, West won 21-16 against Bettendorf, qualifying them to play Southeast Polk Nov. 8.

Linemen from both teams react to the snap Oct. 18 at Trojan Field. The Trojans beat Pleasant Valley 49-35, marking their 100th home win. (Colin Wehrle)

Halloween Orchestra Concert

West Orchestras held their annual Halloween concert in the Arganbright Auditorium Oct. 22. Northwest Middle School’s orchestras joined them: The seventh-grade orchestra performed with West’s Philharmonic orchestra, then the eighth-grade orchestra performed, and lastly West’s Concert Strings and Symphony Strings orchestras. The orchestras performed in costumes ranging from Sponge Bob to pickle. For the finale, Symphony and eighth-grade students combined to play “Monster Mash,” a Halloween tradition.

Emery Crawford ‘25 leads the cellos through “October”. On Oct. 22, West High’s orchestras held their annual fall concert in the Arganbright Auditorium. (Colin Wehrle)

All-State Qualifications

50 West students, including alternates, qualified for the annual All-State Music Festival. Auditions for All-State were held Oct. 26 at Washington High School. Of the West students who auditioned, nine from band qualified, six from choir qualified and 26 from orchestra qualified. These students, along with talented musicians from high schools across Iowa, will perform at All-State in Ames Nov. 23.

Senior violinists Anjali Lodh, Andrew Chen, Anna Song, Sabrina Du, Jessie Li and Flora Zhu qualified for All-State four times. (Jon Welch)

MVC Girls Swimming and Diving Championship

The Trojan Bolts attended the MVC Championships at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center; the divers competed Oct. 24 and the swimmers competed Oct. 26. Of the 11 schools at the conference, West placed second with 321 points, losing only to Cedar Falls with 475 points. West swimmers took seven podium finishes and diver Rowan Russell ’26 took third with 356.8 points. After their postseason regionals on Nov. 7 and Nov. 9 the top 32 in each event will qualify for the state meet Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.

Junior Gretchen Gerke races competitors in the 500Y Freestyle during the girls swim conference meet Oct. 26. (Marie Stier)

Journalism conferences

On Oct. 24, 61 West journalists attended the annual Iowa High School Press Association fall conference at the Iowa Memorial Union. The West Side Story was named a 2024 All-Iowa News Team of the Year and the Trojan Epic won first place cover with “It’s Our Moment” among other awards.

Seven West journalism students traveled to Philadelphia Nov. 6-9 to attend the National Scholastic Press Association’s Fall National High School Journalism Convention. Staffers received 10 individual awards, and the West Side Story website received second place website for schools with a student population <1800. Additionally, the West Side Story also received honorable mention for Social Media Promotion. Click here for the full list of awards.

The 2024-25 Trojan Epic and West Side Story staff members at the Iowa High School Press Association state journalism conference on Oct. 24. IHSPA named the WSS a 2024 News Team of the Year. (Sara Whittaker)

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About the Contributors

Henry Timmer-Hackert, Print Opinion Editor

Henry is a junior at West High and he is now the Opinion Editor for the print West Side Story. Outside of the West Side Story, Henry runs with the cross country and track teams along with competing in math.

Kavya Bhatt, Print Designer

This is Kavya's first year on staff as a designer for the print publication!

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.

Marie Stier, Print Co-Editor-in-Chief

Marie Stier is a senior at West, and this is her third year on staff. She is the Co-Editor-in-Chief for WSS Print. Outside of journalism, Marie spends her time playing tennis, reading (add her on goodreads!) and eating ice.