• 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
Elena Garcia '25

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor

(she/her) This is Elena’s second year on staff. This year she is news editor and social media co-editor. When she’s not at school she is either working, reading or listening to music.

All content by Elena Garcia Van Auken
Daniel Fuentes '25 celebrates his goal against City High May 15.

[Photo] Soccer teams split games against City

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
May 19, 2024
Who knows what's going to go down in The Futon?

“The Futon”: a senior farewell

Zoe Smith, Eleanor Weitz, Jules Keranen, Zaira Ahmad, and Elena Garcia Van Auken
May 16, 2024
"Dune: Part 2" early fan showing at IMAX theaters. Image credited to Legendary Pictures.

‘Dune: Part Two’ in review

Jules Keranen, Elena Garcia Van Auken, and Samuel Rosenthal
April 24, 2024
The West and City High mascots display the intense soccer rivalry between the schools.

West vs. City soccer rivalry: More than just a game

Minna Abdalla and Elena Garcia Van Auken
April 22, 2024
Many athletes face pressure in their respective sports

[Photo] Getting an A in sports

Yaya Orszula and Anna Gibson
March 25, 2024
Pink is the signature color of Valentine's Day.

Top ten Valentine’s date spots in Iowa City

Eleanor Weitz, Jules Keranen, and Elena Garcia Van Auken
February 14, 2024
snow day cancellations

Snow days and where the ICCSD is standing

Josephine Schwartz and Elena Garcia Van Auken
January 19, 2024
Jazz Lab opens up for the Jazz Cafe.

[Photo] West High School hosts yearly Jazz Cafe

Samuel Rosenthal and Joe Corlette
December 13, 2023
Your start to saving for this Black Friday

2023 Black Friday guide

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
November 24, 2023
WSS interviews students to determine how much young adults spend on artists.

Worth it or wasteful?

Ashlyn Brady and Elena Garcia Van Auken
November 20, 2023
Mason Goering '26 and Izaiah Loveless '24 lead the Trojan team onto the field for their first home game of the season Sept. 8. The boys dominated Muscatine High school winning 42-20.

[Photo] October news briefs

Zaira Ahmad, Print Editor-in-Chief
October 6, 2023
Daniel Robinson '24 stands on the sidelines during the Muscatine game.

[Photo] Last chance

Minna Abdalla, Assistant Sports Editor
October 3, 2023
ICCSD Board Members met on Sept. 19 to discuss changes.

Education Committee meets Sept. 19

Josephine Schwartz and Elena Garcia Van Auken
September 29, 2023
The student section throws flour and baby powder in the air Sept. 15 against City High.

[Photo] West falls to City in Battle of the Boot

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
September 19, 2023
Butali Butali '25 celebrates in the end zone as he scores a touchdown.

[Photo] Football team shows offensive power in win over Muscatine

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
September 13, 2023
Got a burning question on your mind? West Side Story can help.

Advice Column

Muhammad Cikmaz and Elena Garcia Van Auken
September 7, 2023
West football lines up to run on the field

Battle for the Principal’s Bell

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
August 29, 2023
Summer is almost here! How are West High students spending their summers?

Summer Bucket List 2023

Tessa Gibson and Elena Garcia Van Auken
June 2, 2023
After passing the ball, Erwann Charles '25 maintains his stance in order to secure a goal.

[Photo] Sharing the Field

Reem Kirja, Print Profiles Editor
June 2, 2023
Double win at the doubleheader: West vs. City Soccer

Double win at the doubleheader: West vs. City Soccer

Gianna Liu and Elena Garcia Van Auken
April 19, 2023

Girls

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
April 19, 2023
Adam Salem '26 beats a defender to the ball.

[Photo] Boys soccer wins season opener against Cedar Falls

Heidi Du, Print Copy Editor
April 10, 2023
The Jazz Ensemble acknowledges the audience after their performance at Stephens Auditorium.

[Photo] West Jazz Ensemble competes at Iowa Jazz Championships

Audrey Parrish and Sachiko Goto
April 5, 2023
Tiffany D. Jackson speaks about her journey to becoming an author.

[Photo] Tiffany D. Jackson visits West High students

Audrey Parrish, Copy Editor
March 29, 2023
Daniel Kwak '24 boots the ball up the field.

Love is all around west high. Is that love genuine?

High School sweethearts and heartbreak

Yaya Orszula, Abby Guo, and Elena Garcia Van Auken
March 8, 2023
Jannell Avila '23 pins opponents arm behind back at girls state wrestling.

Saying goodbye

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
March 7, 2023
New face on the mat

New face on the mat

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
January 30, 2023
Spotify wrapped is finally here! Students throughout West High are eager to find out their results for 2022.

Spotify Wrapped 2022 breakdown

Vera Tanas, Tessa Gibson, Eleanor Weitz, and Elena Garcia Van Auken
December 14, 2022
Knowles and Lasansky '11 perform "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" in between Jazz Ensemble's tunes.

Minou Emmad '23 performs with the Jazz Ensemble.

Lasansky '11 performs a solo with the Jazz Ensemble.

DSC_9846 edited

[Photo] West High jazz bands host Jazz Cafe

December 19, 2022
The Jazz Ensemble saxophone section during the Jazz Ensemble's clinic.

IMG_9325 edited

Jazz Ensemble trumpets Sachiko Goto '23, Kyle Chi '23 and Audrey Parrish '23 perform during Jazz Ensemble's clinic.

[Video] The Melodies of Midnights Ep.1

Tessa Gibson, Elena Garcia Van Auken, Ashlyn Brady, Vera Tanas, and Katherine Shoppa
December 2, 2022
Emma Stammeyer '24 eyes are on the ball preparing to block.

Digging into the volleyball season

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
November 28, 2022
DSC_9244 edited

[Photo] U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors visit West High

Sachiko Goto, Design Editor, Photographer
November 10, 2022
Elena Garcia '25 and Aiden Van Iddekinge '23 while they discuss who makes Aiden happy.

Who makes West High happiest?

Eleanor Weitz, Tessa Gibson, and Elena Garcia Van Auken
November 7, 2022

[Video] Perfectly pressed

Elena Garcia Van Auken, News Editor, Social Media Co-editor
October 11, 2022
Weighing it up Ep.3

Weighing it up Ep.3

Elena Garcia, FOJ Intern
April 19, 2022
Weighing it up Ep.2

Weighing it up Ep.2

Elena Garcia, FOJ Intern
April 19, 2022
Weighing it up Ep.1

Weighing it up Ep.1

Elena Garcia, FOJ Intern
April 19, 2022
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Elena Garcia Van Auken