• 12/16: Pajama + stuffed animal day
  • 12/17: Jersey day
  • 12/17: Girls basketball vs. Wahlert Catholic
  • 12/17: Boys basketball @ Wahlert Catholic
  • 12/17: Boys swimming @ Linn-Mar
  • 12/17: Band concert in Arganbright Auditorium
  • 12/18: Pink out day
  • 12/19: Throwback Thursday
  • 12/19: Boys wrestling @ Linn-Mar
  • 12/19: Girls wrestling @ Solon
  • 12/20: 2 HOUR EARLY RELEASE
  • 12/20: Ugly sweater day
  • 12/20: Boys and girls double-header vs City
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
Alyson Kuennen

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.”
 
All content by Alyson Kuennen
After a pass from Lauren Zacharias '19, Katie McGrane '17 takes the ball at half court in the second quarter of the game.

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As Emmma Koch '19 drives in for a basket, Waukee's Carlie Littlefield '17 steals the ball.

Logan Cook '18 hugs Cailyn Morgan '19 after winning their game against Waukee in the girl's state quarter finals 40-38.

Emma Koch '19 fouls on Waukee's Rebecca Corbet '17 after a rebound. It was Koch's first foul and the team's fifth by the beginning of the second quarter.

Senior Ali Tauchen hugs Rachel Saunders '18 after the girls won against Waukee in the girl's state quarter finals 40-38. Saunders, pictured in crutches, suffered from a knee injury in the first quarter where she also scored a three pointer.

[Photo] Girls basketball team finishes season in state semifinals

March 4, 2017
Shaver shows her inspiration for some future art projects, including paint swatches which will soon turn into Vincent Van Gough's face. This project will take roughly 360 swatches.

[Photo] Constants in a time of change

February 27, 2017
looking up

Shaver walks into her new home which holds her new family, including Drey's younger brother whom Shaver now acts as an older sister to.

Shaver enjoys spending time outside in the small patch of forest outside her apartment complex.

Shaver puts on her shoes to get ready to head outside. She keeps many of her important possessions behind the couch, such as an Arctic Monkeys vinyl and a stained glass project she completed at school.

Occasionally, Shaver arrives home sometime between 12-3 a.m. from her job. Each night she sleeps on the couch in Drey's living room.

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In the fourth quarter, Nate Disterhoft'17 reaches for a pass with Seybian Sims'18 at his side. Disterhoft will make an assist to Devontae Lane'17 for two points.

Janitor Tyrone Benson replaces the control panel for the scoreboard after it malfunctioned in the third quarter.

On the offensive, Jake Anderson'18 subs in during the end of the fourth quarter.

Seybian Sims '18

In the second half, Hakeem Odunsi '18 makes a pass to teammate Devontae Lane'17.

Connor McCaffery'17 drives past Pleasant Valley's defense in the second half of the game.

Connor McCaffery '17 is fouled by Trevon Montgomery '17. McCaffery will score one point at the free throw line and further West's lead against Pleasant Valley to 5-0 in the first quarter.

[Photo] Boys basketball to play in substate five final Tuesday

February 25, 2017
Patrick McCaffery '19 dunks a second basket in the first half of the game against City High School. In the third quarter Patrick will make a third dunk, an alley-oop with assist from Izaya Ono-Fullard '17 bringing the game to 74-32.

[Photo] West defeats cross-town rival in double header

Isabelle Robles, Digital Editor-in-Chief
January 26, 2017
Patrick McCaffery '19 dunks a second basket in the first half of the game against City High School. In the third quarter Patrick will make a third dunk, an alley-oop with assist from Izaya Ono-Fullard '17 bringing the game to 74-32.

In the second half, Ali Tauchen '17 wrestles to possess the ball.

After Cailyn Morgan '19 passes a defensive rebound to Ali Tauchen '17, she takes it up for two points at the end of the first half.

In the first half, Devontae Lane '17 goes for a two pointer against City High School.

Connor McCaffery '17 keeps West in the lead after scoring two points for a foul in the first quarter.

Cailyn Morgan '19 jumps into the arms of Rachel Saunders '18 after teammate Logan Cook '18 is fouled and seals the win for West against City at 63-58.

Emma Koch '19 reaches for a layup in the second half of the game.

Rachel Saunders '18 keeps the ball from going out of bounds while on the offensive against City High's Sydney Schroder '17.

Cailyn Morgan '19 goes for a layup at the buzzer after a toss up at the end of the second quarter leaving West in the lead at 32-27.

On the offensive, Logan Cook '18 dives for the ball with the Little Hawk's Ashley Joenes '18 at her feet.

Dominic Weston '18 rehearses his solo in the SEIBA Jazz Band before lunch in the Choral rehearsal room.

Daniel Burgess '18 performs in the SEIBA Jazz Band with his cherry red guitar.

Keeping the swing of things, Sean Chi '19 drums in the Jazz Band just before noon.

The Jazz Band trumpet section practices.

[Photo] Band students show talent in SEIBA band concert

January 24, 2017
From percussion to brass sections, six West High students perform in the SEIBA Jazz Band.

Ashley McMahon '17 plays the bass clarinet in the SEIBA Concert Band.

Taylor got a hold of Thenuwara's, the writer's, phone. Her fingers quickly found their way into the Music app and she played HandClap by Fitz and The Tantrums.

[Photo] Simone's story

January 31, 2017
Simone Taylor '20 is looking to the side, seemingly at nothing. The picture doesn't show the commotion that is actually happening. Two videographers were messing about in attempt to fix up a stubborn tripod. To anyone who is concerned, yes the tripod was eventually assembled.

[Photo] National Scholastic Press Association recognizes WSS in Multimedia Story of the Year contest

October 4, 2017
Simone Taylor '20 plays a tile matching game from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Taylor has a special liking for the green square with ear of corn on it; she picked it up more than any other tile.

[Photo] More information

January 31, 2017
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Taylor's hand movements are sometimes stiff and jerky. Picking up small things and other fine movements are often difficult for her. Things simple that are simple to peers of her age, things as simple as screwing on the cap of a water bottle, are tricky for her.

[Photo] Living life with Rett Syndrome

January 31, 2017
Listening to students, Frieder is open to questions regarding his experiences throughout life.

[Photo] Through the eyes of a Jew

Anjali Huynh, Print Managing Editor, Co-Copy Editor
November 20, 2016
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Students enjoy a lunch with Frieder after the event.

Frieder lists the third condition for the cause of the Holocaust. "... the group of perpetrators has the technology, the capability, the logistics, to affect the victims."

Holocaust survivor, Gideon Frieder speaks to students in the Little Theatre.

Pointing towards the door, Frieder describes the impact of the Holocaust. "Every minute, the door will open, and a Holocaust victim will come. And that will happen every minute of every hour, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, constantly, until six million have passed."

Jade Merriwether '17 displays a sign expressing her concerns for equality among people.

Ala Mohamed '17 cuts tape for a fellow peer joining the sit-in.

Wala Siddig '18 sits among friends to protest hate and discrimination.

Anaya McCutcheon '17 voices her ideas without saying a word.

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Tayshauna McGee '20 turns to face her friend in solidarity.

Moving only to join hands, seniors Meldia Sharpe, Ala Mohammed, and Jade Merriwether unify together.

Cousins Wala Siddig '18 and Safeya Siddig '18 sit with each other.

Sitting in silence, Raneem Hamad '17 wears a safety pin on her hijab. "To me it's a symbol of unity," Hamad said.

[Photo] 40 students leave class for sit-in protest

Taylor Shelfo, Broadcast Anchor
November 15, 2016
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Hand in hand, protesters sit soundlessly in the commons during

Protestors remain silent while students and faculty members walk by after school is dismissed.

Julie Watkins '17 and Lujayn Hamad '18 hold hands during the protest.

Students oppose hateful rhetoric with afternoon protest

Harry Westergaard, Caroline Young, and Alyson Kuennen
November 12, 2016
Forming a circle, students voice their experiences with discrimination.

Unfolding a poster, Xena Makky '18 displays "Love Trumps Hate."

Luayn Hamad '18 and Shati Cooper '18 shout chants with the crowd.

After sharing her experiences as a victim of harassment, Erin McCain '17 receives support from Isabele Miene '17.

Katherine Toft '17 stands before the crowd.

Students take charge as protestors against discrimination.

Bernie supporter John Macatee introduces himself to the Senator.

[Photo] Sanders returns to Iowa City

Nina Elkadi, Print Editor-in-Chief
November 6, 2016
At the start of a newly formed human tunnel, Sen. Sanders greets a young boy after his speech.

High school and college students attend Sen. Sanders' event at College Green Park.

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Senator Bernie Sanders visits Iowa City on Friday Nov. 4 to rally support for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Transfixed on Sen. Sanders, a young girl clasps her hands together after cheering from the makeshift nook she made at the base of a crowd divider.

Sen. Sanders' progressive ideas for college tuition have left him popular among millennials in the Iowa City area.

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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Alyson Kuennen