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

This includes work created by students enrolled in Foundations of Journalism, the prerequisite course to joining a publication staff at West High. FOJ students are considered interns and are not West Side Story staff members while enrolled in the yearlong English elective. FOJ students can apply to join a publication staff after completing the course.

Pressure On Social Media

The perfectly contoured nose, clear skin with no imperfections, and overall a life that looks flawless. This is what all of the posts we see on social media look like. They follow an unrealistic standard...

Chess Match on Courthouse Square -- Charge at First Light by Jack W. Pearce

Chess is NOT a Sport

Callie Gao, Yearbook Designer, Photographer April 18, 2023

Chess is a intellectual little activity that more than 605 million adults partake in. But, is it more of a sport or a game?  Recently, Chess.com has surged in popularity, seen on computer screens at...

Two pride flags flying proudly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Going Backwards

Evelyn Kraber, Assistant Copy Editor April 18, 2023

“It is our shared responsibility to ensure every member of our school community is valued and respected regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. We encourage our students, staff, and members...

Funding our future

Funding our future

Keith Moody, Yearbook Co-Assistant Sports Editor April 18, 2023

As a child of two public school educators, it pains me to see the prioritization of private schools in current legislation. We go to a school with an enormous and diverse student population. As the public...

Is social media the problem?

Is social media the problem?

Maddy Cook, Reporter April 18, 2023

Ignore limit for the rest of the day, you press. You set a time limit on your social media apps, but every time you’re out of time, you keep ignoring it. Your screen time averages 5 hours. You think...

Accepted or Rejected

Accepted or Rejected

Grace Bartlett, Reporter April 18, 2023

As March comes to an end, the weather gets warmer, spring sports begin, and green is finally returning to the trees. But the end of March doesn't just bring winter to a close, it also brings college admission...

Recess: A Thing in the Past?

Recess: A Thing in the Past?

Minna Abdalla, Assistant Sports Editor April 18, 2023

There was always a nostalgic feeling in my stomach when someone brought up the word “recess.” The first thing that came to mind was the bright, spring school days of 2016 and the anticipation of waiting...

Ozempic is not a miracle drug for weight loss

Ozempic is not a miracle drug for weight loss

April 18, 2023

Ozempic. A medication for people with type 2 diabetes has recently become popular on social media, claiming it's a miracle drug for quick weight loss. But should people without diabetes or who are at...

These are some of the many commonly banned books.

Books Should Provoke Conversation Not Fear

Megan O'Neill, WSS Intern April 18, 2023

Like many books from this century, the book “The Catcher in the Rye” by JD Salinger is a book that has been a frequent target of censorship ever since its publication in 1951. According to the...

A Brawl Stars Review

A “Brawl Stars” Review

Yeju Seol, Artist and Reporter April 18, 2023

“Brawl Stars” is a mobile third-person multiplayer shooter game, and was released to the world on Dec. 12, 2018, by a Finnish game company called Supercell. In the game, you can choose different characters,...

What age is a good age for cell phones?

What age is a good age for cell phones?

Clare Allou, WSS Intern April 18, 2023

How old were you when you got your first phone? 12? 13? According to Child Mind Institute, 42% of kids have a phone by age 10, and 75% of kids have a phone by the age of 12. If kids have unlimited access...

Artificial Intelligence is making it easier for students to cheat

Artificial Intelligence is making it easier for students to cheat

Bonnie Ding, WSS Intern April 18, 2023

AI is a kind of robot used to simulate humans' intelligence by mimicking problem solving skills. Go to ChatGPT and type in any topic you want to read about. It's pretty shocking knowing that a robot...

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The student news source of Iowa City West High
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