Upcoming events
  • Seniors vote on faculty speaker later this week
  • Boys soccer tournament- March 29th-30th @West
  • Women of Troy relays- March 26th home@4:30
  • Chamber ensemble concert- March 28th- Band room@7:00
  • Senior poets: send poems to Mr. Robins
  • College fair Wednesday in Cafeteria
  • Girls soccer vs. North Scott- Tuesday JV@5:30 V@7:00
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

A portrait of Kate Wickham is proudly displayed in the main entrance of the school. The Kate Wickham Memorial Trust Fund was established in early 1954.

A dedication to education

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor February 28, 2020

Hosting around 500 students, Kate Wickham Elementary is one of the almost twenty elementary schools in the ICCSD. Opened in 1997, Wickham has had thousands of students pass through, but few know who the...

The display case in the Commons and an exhibit in the library have become the only predominant advertisements of Black History Month at West High this February.

Looking back: Black History Month paid little attention at West

Caroline Mascardo, Editorials Editor and Copy Editor February 28, 2020

  This archive has been modified for clarity and length.   Woodson unacknowledged: Black History Month paid little attention at West Originally published in the February 28, 1997 edition...

Transitioning from high school to college is huge, and adding sports into the mixture creates a different perspective on the college experience.

Looking back: Sports ladder to success

Camille Gretter, Online Editor-In-Chief February 27, 2020

“Sports ladder to success” by Mathis Petrak February 14, 1975 The Super Bowl, the World Series, Wimbledon, the Stanley Cup and all-star competition are the material childhood dreams are made of....

Hayate Mustefa 23 wears a niqab, a garment that incorporates a face covering in addition to a headscarf.

More than a head covering

For some women, leaving the house without having their favorite ring, watch or scrunchie is an abnormality. For many, there is a specific article of clothing that they would not feel comfortable going...

Dan Martin, Dean of Industrial Technologies at Kirkwood Community College and Russ Johnson, Career Center Facilitator, discuss the importance of trade careers and education.

Trading up

Isaac Young, Opinion Editor February 26, 2020

As many students approach the end of their high school careers, they are repeatedly met with the same question from parents, teachers, counselors and even friends: “What are your plans for college?” When...

Advika Shah 22 executes a dance position for the camera. Every gesture and limb carries a unique meaning in this form.

Sampradaya Bharatanatyam Troupe of Iowa City

Paras Bassuk and Caroline Barker February 25, 2020

  Bharatanatyam is a story-based dance form that has been taught for centuries.   Characterized by its meaningful gestures, facial expressions, and coordination, learning Bharatanatyam...

In this profile, Ellie Garcia 20 opens up about her experience with alopecia. She says she is thankful for how it helped me grow.

Regrowing confidence

Fareeha Ahmad, Profiles Editor and Yearbook Copy Editor February 25, 2020

Like any typical teenager, Ellie Garcia ’21 loves sweet treats and spending time with friends. On one hot summer day in Maryland, before her freshman year, she decided to go out and get ice cream with...

Branching out to the military

Branching out to the military

Luke Krchak, Reporter February 24, 2020

From becoming an Air Force Pilot to attending West Point Military Academy, four West students speak on why the military is right for them. “I have been blessed beyond what I can imagine being able...

Katy Nahra, Ann Rocarek and Christian Aanestad pose in front of a sheet stained with fake blood after the 2019 spring musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Friend crush: Katy Nahra, Ann Rocarek and Christian Aanestad

Misha Canin and Natalie Dunlap February 23, 2020

In the morning, the three meet for coffee ahead of their busy days. At lunch, they are gathered around the dining table in room 102, definitely not gossiping about their students. In the evenings, they...

WSS examines the underlying racial disparities at West and within the ICCSD.

Disconnected.

Alice Meng and Jenna Wang February 21, 2020

Introduction It’s a new day at school and you walk in the building with a pair of new shoes and a fresh haircut, a bounce of confidence with every step you take.  Suddenly, someone makes fun...

West High is home to a wide range of students varying in places of birth. For international students, being at West High entails getting accustomed to a new language and school system.

The international student experience

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor February 15, 2020

Imagine walking into a crowded hallway full of strangers laughing and talking among themselves. You do not know where your first period class is or how to ask for directions to get there. The strangers...

English teacher Kerri Barnhouse has had multiple students from previous years end up teaching with her at West.

From students to colleagues

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor February 14, 2020

Having taught at West High for 34 years, social studies teacher Gary Neuzil has had thousands of students. Some of which have gone on to be teachers themselves. An even smaller number, just four, have...

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