Upcoming events
  • Walk it out- Saturday in Auditorium
  • Girls soccer vs. Wash- Tuesday @home
  • Drake Relays this weekend- Drake Stadium
  • Class president elections later this week
  • Choir trip to Chicago- Thursday-Saturday
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

Many students at West High had to learn how to manage their ADHD in an online setting.

The ADHD impact

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor December 21, 2020

With school shifted online, many students are finding it harder to focus and get their work done. This is especially true for students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental...

Aasiya Ali 22 and Advika Shah 22 are bringing awareness to  issues of racism and inequity in their new podcast Blind Spots.

Checking your blind spots

Fareeha Ahmad and Audrey Parrish December 20, 2020

The best ideas don’t always develop in the shower; they can also unfold in the car. At least they did for friends Aasiya Ali ’22 and Advika Shah ’22. This past October, the pair launched their new...

WSS examines how the disadvantages students face during online instruction can hinder their ability to learn.

Detached

Heidi Du, Hanah Kitamoto, and Soomin Koh December 18, 2020

Reconnecting. In the age of Zoom classes, students are no stranger to this message appearing on their screen as their internet cuts in and out, and they are kicked out of the virtual classroom yet again....

Owner of Vibe Tribe Custom Apparel Dasia Taylor struts in style with fellow seniors Phoebe Burt, Makayla Slade, Lizzy Slade and McKenna Proud.

Vibe Tribe Custom Apparel: Creating a community

Maddy Smith, Visual Editor and Feature Editor December 14, 2020

Some people are just born with an entrepreneurial spirit. For Dasia Taylor '21 that spirit runs in the family. “I am literally from a family of entrepreneurs. My grandad owned lots of businesses,”...

Academy members enjoy an outing to the local bowling alley as a treat.

Club Connection: Green and Gold Academy

Abby McKeone, Graphics and Social Media Editor December 13, 2020

In the fall of 2019, the Green and Gold Academy was formed with the purpose of providing unique perspectives and experiences to students. The Academy was originally started by English teacher, Garrett...

WSS staffers Renee Gould 22 and Annie Schwartz 23 delve into the world of QAnon.

Uncovering QAnon

Annie Schwartz and Renee Gould December 5, 2020

Disclaimer: this article includes mentions of child abuse, sex trafficking and grotesque topics.  Most people have heard of the conspiracy theory known as QAnon, from its coverage by many news sources,...

West students and staff members share their experiences with COVID-19.

COVID in our community

Fareeha Ahmad, Helen Zhang, and Maddy Smith November 25, 2020

Even in the midst of a pandemic, the local effects of COVID-19 may seem distant to some. According to the district’s COVID-19 Dashboard, a total of 393 students and 96 staff members currently have or...

Football team manager Jordan Caperon 23 poses at his house on Nov. 2.

A second family

Maya Chu, Print Feature Editor November 24, 2020

The bright floodlights and cheering crowds of Friday night football games are always met with excitement from many. For one student, however, these games mean more than just entertainment and school pride....

Athena Wu 24 is the founder of The Rocket Times, Van Allen Elementarys school newspaper.

One article at a time

Soomin Koh, Print Co-Profiles Editor November 23, 2020

The world of writing always intrigued Athena Wu ’24. From crafting intricate lines of poetry to illustrating magical worlds through the genre of fantasy, Wu has always been entranced by literature. It...

Teaching virtually has presented many challenges to the teachers of West High School.

The virtual reality

Katherine Shoppa and Audrey Parrish November 23, 2020

Chemistry Challenges With the typical practice of doing hands-on labs in chemistry being taken away, science teacher Megan Bildner is facing many challenges while adjusting to teaching online. Half...

According to many West teachers, online learning has perpetuated a culture wherein students feel cheating is permissible.

Cheating culture

Ruba Ahmed-Abdelmutalab and Krisha Kapoor November 22, 2020

Through a screen, we might feel an inch away from others, but in reality, we are miles apart. With turned-off cameras hiding forbidden resources, the absence of eyes directly watching a student’s every...

Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness Laura Gray works tirelessly serving the ICCSD.

Laura Gray: Iowa City’s unsung community hero

Maggie Huang, Online News Editor November 22, 2020

Every day is an opportunity for ICCSD Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness Laura Gray to bring improvements to the school district. From training the cultural proficiency team, to bringing...

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