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  • FINALS WEEK 11/19-21
  • 11/19: Girls wrestling @ City
  • 11/21: Girls wrestling vs. Liberty @ Home
  • 11/21-23: All-State Music Festival
  • 11/22: Girls basketball @ Solon
  • NO SCHOOL 11/22
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

Jude Salten ’28 poses for a photo while at school in his wheelchair.

Hey Jude

Henry Timmer-Hackert and Sophie Singh November 20, 2024

He holds his microphone close, looking out into the dark sea of people eagerly waiting for his performance. Most teenagers would be nervous in this scenario, but Jude Salten ’28 remains calm as he prepares...

A glimpse into the future through the ICCSD’s apple logo.

A new vision for elementary education

Evelyn Kraber, Managing and Features Editor November 19, 2024

In July, the Iowa City Community School District proposed a plan to “Re-Envision” the district’s elementary schools. Since then, this plan has developed three main proposals: academy schools, paired...

SSBU is played during the fall season.

West High Esports team qualifies for finals

Yeju Seol, Artist and Reporter November 18, 2024

Rupture of cheers and claps could be heard after school in room nine from players cheering after a tough game that qualified them to go to the finals.  Science teacher Jeff Conner is the coach of the...

Camille Dungy '91, the 2024 winner of the Paul Engle Prize, reads her poem "Ceremony" to the creative writing class on Nov. 15.

What it feels like: winning the Paul Engle Prize

Marie Stier, Print Co-Editor-in-Chief November 18, 2024

Camille Dungy '91, once a West student and Feature Editor for the West Side Story, is now a University Distinguished Professor in the English department at Colorado State University. Dungy is the 13th...

Victor smiles for the camera. Photo courtesy of Jessica St. John

Victor’s secrets

Marie Stier, Print Co-Editor-in-Chief November 17, 2024

While walking through West’s halls, one may have to watch their feet for a stray tennis ball. And, following the ball, watch out for Victor, West’s service dog. Victor is adored by the West community,...

With technology use rapidly increasing in the classroom, WSS explores how teachers use technology and students' opinions about technology use.

The digital classroom

Technology fills every aspect of education in the modern American classroom; much of it takes place online, ranging from test-taking to research. The SAT is now exclusively online, and 28 AP exams are...

BPA advisor Diane Fickel and Pump it Up staff celebrate the grand opening of Pump it Up's new location.

Pump It Up coffee shop moves to new location

Jake Beneke and Ella Ciliberto November 15, 2024

West’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) student-run coffee shop, Pump It Up, has moved from its previous location in the business wing—near rooms 120 and 121–to its new location in the new...

See what news West created with the November news briefs.

November news briefs

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

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,...

WSS explores the impacts of climate change and explores sustainable solutions.

Finding green in the gray area

Lydia Cruce, Waad Dafalla, and Shanza Sami November 15, 2024

Helene, Kirk, Milton and Oscar — for some, these names may seem like they were pulled from a classroom roster. However, for others, these names signify four major hurricanes that recently have ravaged...

Black excellence at West: Eva Willis and Eyad El-Fadil

Black excellence at West: Eva Willis and Eyad El-Fadil

Minna Abdalla, Sports Editor November 15, 2024

West High School prides itself in its longstanding tradition of excellence, embodied in its motto “Where Excellence iS Tradition.” A vital part of this success is the thriving black student community...

Beth Fettweis stands in front of the finals schedule for her English classes.

Beth Fettweis: the best of both worlds

Maya Mueller and Anna Greenlee November 14, 2024

Although she has spent 25 years teaching English, Fettweis didn’t always have a love for the subject. In fact, she hated it in high school. Being a teacher, let alone an English teacher, wasn't even...

Boba, bubbles and bliss

Boba, bubbles and bliss

Josie Nabhan-Warren, Photographer November 14, 2024

Teamo - Rose black with honey pearls Teamo Tea is the star of bubble tea in Downtown Iowa City. Their menu consists of various teas, boba, snacks and even slushies. One of their most popular flavors...

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