2017-2018 Staff
Sean Brown
Photographer
Sean Brown is a photographer on staff and a junior at West High. When school isn't taking over all of his free time, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, listening to rock on his record player, and spontaneous adventures with...
See Sean Brown's profile
Nick Pryor
Anchor, Feature and News Producer
Nick is a senior at West and it will be his second year on staff. He is an Anchor, Feature and News Producer.
See Nick Pryor's profile
Frances Dai
Designer
Frances Dai is a junior at West High. She is a Designer on staff due to an addiction for aesthetically pleasing things. While she's not designing things that make her eyes happy, she instead brightens her soul with bubble tea.
See Frances Dai's profile
Thomas Duong
Designer
Thomas Duong is a junior at West High. It is his first year on staff and he works for the print publication as a designer. When he isn't preoccupied with school or extracurricular activities, he enjoys playing percussion, sports,...
See Thomas Duong's profile
Selina Hua
Designer
Selina Hua is a sophomore and this is her first year as a designer on the West Side Story staff. She enjoys the rain, music, grapes, sightseeing, and lots of art supplies. When not spending time on the internet, she can be found...
See Selina Hua's profile
Lydia Guo
Designer
Lydia Guo is currently a junior at West High and a designer on staff. When she isn't struggling with inDesign, Lydia loves oil painting, listening to top hits, and spending weekends chilling with her friends.
See Lydia Guo's profile
Hae-joo Yoon
Videographer
Hae-joo Yoon is a senior at West High. This is her first year on staff, and she is a videographer. When she finds spare time, she likes to draw, hang out with friends, and in the summer, travel.
See Hae-joo Yoon's profile
Natalie Katz
Reporter
Natalie Katz is a sophomore at West High. It is her first year on staff as a reporter. She loves to read in her free time, as well as water her grape vine, which has many large leaves and no grapes.
See Natalie Katz's profile
Jenna Wang
Reporter
Jenna Wang is a sophomore at West High. It is her first year on staff and she is a reporter for the print publication. When she isn't busy with articles and homework, Jenna enjoys writing stories, singing on her YouTube channel,...
See Jenna Wang's profile
Fatima Kammona
Reporter
Fatima Kammona is a junior at West High. This is her first year on staff and works for the online publication as a reporter. When she isn't at school or extracurricular activities, she enjoys eating and sleeping.
See Fatima Kammona's profile
Natalie Dunlap
Reporter
Natalie Dunlap is a sophomore at West High. She is a reporter and this is her first year on staff. In her free time she enjoys reading, listening to music, walking around downtown Iowa City.
See Natalie Dunlap's profile
Ken Wilbur
Reporter
Ken Wilbur is a sophomore at West and a first-year staffer on West Side Story. While not interviewing sources or writing articles, Ken can be found running along trails and through parks or spending time with his family and two...
See Ken Wilbur's profile
Teya Kerns
Photographer
Teya Kerns is a sophomore at West High. It is her first year on the staff of the West Side Story newspaper as a photographer. In her free time Teya enjoys volunteering at the food pantry and doing show choir.
See Teya Kerns's profile
Ivan Badovinac
Photographer, Videographer
Ivan Badovinac is a junior at West High and it is his first year on staff as a Photographer and Videographer. When he isn't drowning in homework and tests, Ivan enjoys playing soccer and running, sleeping, and blasting music in...
See Ivan Badovinac's profile
Carmela Cohen Suarez
Reporter
Carmela Cohen Suarez is a sophomore at West High and this is her first year on staff. She is on the online publication as a reporter. She enjoys reading and writing, swimming, spending time with friends and family, and listening...
See Carmela Cohen Suarez's profile
Eman Elsheikh
Videographer
Eman Elsheikh is a senior at West High. It is her first year on staff and she is a Broadcast videographer. When she's not working on videos, Eman watches K-Dramas and cries about college applications.
See Eman Elsheikh's profile
Ting Gao
Reporter
Ting Gao is a junior at West High and first-year staffer. She works for the online publication as a reporter. When not occupied with school or extracurricular activities, she enjoys photographing nature, reading, wasting time...
See Ting Gao's profile
Sophie Stephens
Online Feature Editor
Sophie Stephens is a junior at West High. This is her first year on staff, and she is the Feature Editor for the website. When she isn't working on the publication, Sophie enjoys reading and writing, volunteering, and spending...
See Sophie Stephens's profile
Anna Brown
Reporter
Anna Brown is a junior at West High. This is her first year on staff and she is a reporter for print, as well as a drum major for the West High School marching band. When she isn't working on WSS or occupied with school, Anna...
See Anna Brown's profile
Lucy Polyak
Reporter
Lucy Polyak is a junior at West High. This is her first year on staff and she is a reporter for the print publication. Lucy spends most of her time onstage in choir, show choir, and theatre but also loves to sit in her room watching...
See Lucy Polyak's profile
Jessica Moonjely
Reporter
Jessica Moonjely is a sophomore at West High. It is her first year on staff, and she is a reporter for WSS. Jessica is also a member of the tennis team, show choir, and student government. She loves eating chocolate, cheese, and...
See Jessica Moonjely's profile
Abbie Callahan
Reporter
Abbie Callahan is a sophomore at West High and a first-year staffer. She works for the print publication as a reporter. In her free time, she loves to sing and play guitar.
See Abbie Callahan's profile
Luke Reynolds
Copy Editor, Anchor, Reporter
This is Luke's first and only year as a member of West Side Story. He'll be kept busy with anchoring, editing and reporting, but he's gonna have fun while doing it. Luke can be found reading, writing, taking part in Anime Club,...
See Luke Reynolds's profile
Maddi Shinall
Photographer
Maddi is a junior at West and this is her first year on staff as a photographer. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends. She can often be found making bad puns and sarcastic comments.
See Maddi Shinall's profile
Caecilia Shoppa
Reporter
Caecilia Shoppa is a senior at West High. This is her first year on staff and she is a reporter for print this year. Outside of newspaper, Caecilia enjoys participating in show choir, baking and binge watching Americas Next Top...
See Caecilia Shoppa's profile
Kara Wagenknecht
Photographer
This is Kara's second year on staff and is super pumped for this year. She is a photographer and loves taking sports photos. When she is not taking photos, she can be found with her dogs or watching Netflix.
See Kara Wagenknecht's profile
Allie Schmitt-Morris
Social Media Editor, Photographer
This is Allie's second year on staff and first year being social media editor. When she has free time she enjoys hanging out with her cats, dog and tortoise. ...
See Allie Schmitt-Morris's profile
Megan Boland
Designer
Megan Boland is a senior at West High. This is her second year on staff as a designer. Outside of newspaper she enjoys participating in show choir and theater. She is excited for you to see all the work West Side Story does this year. ...
See Megan Boland's profile
Sadie Rhomberg
Reporter
Sadie is a senior at West High. This is her second year as a reporter on staff. She enjoys participating in show choir, theater and tennis at school. Outside of school, Sadie likes to spend time with her dog or watch shows on Netflix. ...
See Sadie Rhomberg's profile
Kristina Rosebrook
Online Entertainment Editor, Videographer
Kristina Rosebrook is a junior at West High, and this is her second year on staff. She is the Online Entertainment Editor and a Videographer. Kristina enjoys riding horses and playing tennis when she isn't working on videos; and when she's feeling a bit lazier...
See Kristina Rosebrook's profile
Crystal Kim
Designer & Ad Representative
Crystal Kim is a junior at West High. It is her second year on staff as a designer, and is excited to start exploring videography and broadcast this year. Crystal enjoys reading Harry Potter, eating pizza at the Bread Garden Market, and working with kids. ...
See Crystal Kim's profile
Alyson Kuennen
News Editor, Photographer
This is Alyson's second year on staff where she is a news editor and photographer. As a senior she spends her time working, working and working. "College is expensive folks," she said. "I mean no regrets, but maybe I should've had one less trip to Pancheros." ...
See Alyson Kuennen's profile
Samalya Thenuwara
Broadcast Editor-in-Chief
Samalya Thenuwara is a senior at West High. This is her second year on staff and she is the Broadcast Editor-in-Chief as well as the Broadcast Managing Editor. In addition to running about Iowa City with a tripod and camera, she is happily buried in an AP text...
See Samalya Thenuwara's profile
Mary Vander Weg
Reporter
Mary is a junior at West High, and she is excited for her second year as a reporter for the West Side Story! In her free time, she can almost always be found writing - whether it be for the website or just for fun - or sleeping for disconcerting amounts of tim...
See Mary Vander Weg's profile
Deniz Ince
Assistant Sports Editor
Deniz Ince is a junior in her second year on the West Side Story staff as Assistant Sports Editor. In her free time, Deniz likes spending time with her dog and rewatching Friends on Netflix. ...
See Deniz Ince's profile
Lauren Katz
Copy Editor, Editorials Editor
Lauren Katz is a senior at West High, this being her second year on staff, and is a Copy Editor and Editorials Editor for print. When she isn't writing articles, swimming, or playing piano, Lauren loves reading mystery novels--especially Louise Penny's latest ...
See Lauren Katz's profile
Angie Zirbes
Arts Editor
This is Angie's second year on staff as an artist and arts editor. In her free time she enjoys making art and other artsy art kiddo things. ...
See Angie Zirbes's profile
Grace Christopher
Videographer
Grace Christopher is a junior at West High. This is her second year on staff and she is a videographer. When she isn't editing video's she enjoys hanging out with friends, helping with costumes for theatre and baking. ...
See Grace Christopher's profile
Anjali Huynh
Reporter
Anjali Huynh is a junior in her second year as a reporter on West Side Story. When she's not writing, you can find her in the band, taking photos, or finding ways to steal food from friends. ...
See Anjali Huynh's profile
Ian Prescott
Reporter, Anchor
Ian Prescott is a junior at West High. This will be his second year on staff. He will be broadcasting basketball games during the fall and winter season, and encourages everyone to watch when they can. Outside of the West Side Story Ian still reads and writes,...
See Ian Prescott's profile
Jessica Doyle
Reporter
Jessica Doyle is a junior at West High. This is her second year on staff as a reporter. Aside from newspaper, she enjoys naps, Netflix, Nabisco cookies and other things that begin with the letter "n." ...
See Jessica Doyle's profile
Olivia Dachtler
Photographer
Olivia Dachtler is a junior at West High, this will be her second year on staff as a photographer. If she is not out shooting, she can likely be found downtown or down at her farm. ...
See Olivia Dachtler's profile
Harry Westergaard
Reporter, Film Critic
Harry Westergaard is a junior at West High. This is his second year on staff, where he works as a reporter and film critic. When not pouring his heart out for the paper, he enjoys reading books, listening to music and watching films. ...
See Harry Westergaard's profile
Reagan Hart
Reporter, Distribution Manager
Reagan Hart is a senior at West. It is her second year on staff and she is a reporter and distribution manager. Besides newspaper, Reagan is also part of the Trojan Marching band as a saxophone player. In her free time she researches history facts and practice...
See Reagan Hart's profile
George Liu
Reporter
George Liu is a West High junior who is on his second year on staff. As a reporter, he specializes in converting print stories to the web, and also writing articles for both mediums. When he's not doing school work, he enjoys playing videogames, reading and pr...
See George Liu's profile
Jenna Zeng
Designer
Jenna Zeng is a junior at West High. It's her second year on staff and she is a designer. In her free time, Jenna likes to swim, play piano, go on walks outside, or watch Netflix. ...
See Jenna Zeng's profile
Will Conrad
Reporter
Will Conrad is a junior. This is his second year on staff and he is a reporter this year. In his free time he enjoys running and showchoir. ...
See Will Conrad's profile
Pareen Mhatre
Photo Editor, Online Managing Editor
Pareen Mhatre is a senior and she is the Photo Editor and Online Managing Editor. This is her second year on staff. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and taking #artsy photos. ...
See Pareen Mhatre's profile
Ethan Goers
Broadcast Anchor, Sports Producer
Ethan Goers will enter into his second year on staff as a senior. Ethan will be a broadcast anchor and sports producer this year. Ethan is a guy who appreciates the art of napping, biking with friends, and running... for fun. Hit Ethan up at etgoe18@icstudents...
See Ethan Goers's profile
Tyler Thomasson
Designer
Tyler Thomasson is a senior at West High. It is his second year on staff as a designer for the print publication. When he isn't designing, Tyler enjoys singing in West Singers and doing backstage work for Theatre West. ...
See Tyler Thomasson's profile
Emma Brustkern
Print Entertainment Editor
Emma is a senior at West High and this is her second year as the Print Entertainment Editor. When she isn't writing, Emma is busy helping Theatre West as the Head of Props, assisting the show choir as a crew member, or spending...
See Emma Brustkern's profile
Ellie Gretter
Sports Editor
Ellie Gretter is a senior at West High. It is her third year on staff and she is Online and Print Sports Editor. When Ellie isn't covering a sporting event, she enjoys online shopping, going on runs, and spending time with her...
See Ellie Gretter's profile
Fenna Semken
Online Editor-in-Chief
Fenna Semken is a senior at West High. It is her third year on staff and she is Online Editor-In-Chief this year. When she isn't working on the website, Fenna enjoys taking long hikes at Macbride, listening to live music on Friday nights, and going on road tri...
See Fenna Semken's profile
Catherine Ju
Design Editor
Catherine (pronounced Katherine or Kathryn) is a senior here at West High School. This is her second year as design editor, and third year on staff. ...
See Catherine Ju's profile
Nina Elkadi
Print Editor-in-Chief
Nina Elkadi is a senior at West and a third-year staffer. She is the Print Editor-in-Chief this year and would like to thank Kanye West for helping her get there. She enjoys being outside and on the water, but can also enjoy a...
See Nina Elkadi's profile
Wingel Xue
Columns Editor, Designer
Wingel Xue is a senior at West High. She is the columns editor and a designer for the West Side Story. ...
See Wingel Xue's profile
Junhee Lee
Business Manager, Print Copy Editor, Designer & Reporter
This is Junhee's third year on the West Side Story staff. He would greatly appreciate it if you go to the homepage (wsspaper.com) and read some actual stories instead of this bio. ...
See Junhee Lee's profile
Prateek Raikwar
Print Profiles Editor
Prateek Raikwar is a senior at West High. It's his third year on staff and second year as the print profiles editor. Beyond the walls of the newsroom and West High, he enjoys watching and playing soccer, exploring nature, and running. ...
See Prateek Raikwar's profile
Shawn Thacker
Print Managing Editor, Feature Editor
Shawn Thacker is a senior and the Print Managing Editor and Feature Editor. This is his third year on staff. When he isn't busy with the West Side Story, Shawn enjoys drinking coffee and judging people who use Oxford commas.
See Shawn Thacker's profile
Mason Wang
Broadcast Copy Editor
Mason Wang is a Broadcast Copy Editor. This is his third year on staff. If you’re reading through staff bios right now, you must be really bored. Since nobody will read this, I like attaching a toilet paper roll and pretending...
See Mason Wang's profile