• WEDNESDAY 11/12: Signing day
  • THURSDAY 11/13: State swimming & diving
  • FRIDAY 11/14: Cadenza Harvest Harmonies concert, Girls bowling vs. Wahlert, Finals (periods 2, 4 and 6)
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
Emma Lai

Emma Lai, Podcast Editor

Emma Lai is a sophomore and this is her first year on staff. She’s the podcast editor for West Side Story and loves singing, painting and learning!
All content by Emma Lai
The West High legacy is passed through families and generations of talented musicians, inspired athletes and avid community volunteers.

The West High Legacy: Where excellence is passed down through generations

Emma Lai and Tada Goto
November 2, 2025
With Mr. Kirpes being away, student presenters Eddie El-Fadil '27, Yasha Durnev '27, Skylar Ajax '27 and Aydan Thomas '27 help teach the material to their AP Calculus BC class.

Student presenters step up for James Kirpes

Emma Lai, Podcast Editor
October 18, 2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims that the amounts of ultra-processed foods in schools are harming children and teens.

Should school lunches be political?

Emma Lai and Ethan Ding
September 26, 2025
A visualization of what lunches looked like through the different years

[Photo] Should school lunches be political? Comparing lunches through the years

September 20, 2025
West's 1440 Interact Club held their annual Trivia Night fundraiser on May 27.

WATER wins: 1440 hosts annual trivia night

Emma Lai, Podcast Editor
June 5, 2025
Iowa Public Radio journalist and former West Side Story Online Editor-in-Chief Natalie Dunlap ’20 (left) returns to her roots alongside IPR veteran Charity Nebbe (right), host of "Talk of Iowa."

[Photo] On air, in print, in person

Loren Barjis, Print Assistant Copy Editor
May 9, 2025
The co-chiefs of the lights technical crew Anna Greenlee '26 aims the spotlight at the stage below and Evelyn Kraber '26 adjusts the brightness and size of the beam.

Protected: Above every great show: the crew that brings the stage to life

Emma Lai and Gracie Liu
February 14, 2025
Lights crew's equipment.

[Photo] The Lights Crew’s Command Center

February 14, 2025
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Emma Lai