• 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
Gwen Watson

Gwen Watson, Entertainment Editor

Gwen is a photographer and online entertainment editor on WSS. This will be their third year on staff. In their free time Gwen enjoys cuddling with their cats.

All content by Gwen Watson
Gwen Watson got their banjo from a family friend. "The banjo is a weird instrument, I feel like a belong on a farm whenever I play it," said Gwen Watson.

[Photo] Staff Spotlight: Gwen Watson ’21

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
April 11, 2021
Gwen Watson bought their Ibanez Artcore in 2013. It's their only semi-hollow bodied guitar and they believe the Ibanez is the reason they are so passionate about music.

Gwen Watson bought their Fender Mustang 60s’ Vintera Bass at a guitar center in Nashville. They bought it so they wouldn't have to use synths for any bass they wanted to add to their songs.

The Danelectro ‘59 reissue is a guitar that Gwen Watson bought at a used music store in Nashville.

Gwen Watson's Relish Marine A Mary is a very unique guitar. It's a sandwich body construction, so the back of the guitar can be removed for easy access to the electronics. It is one of their favorite guitars.

Gwen Watson got their Gretch Streamliner from a family friend. It is their only hollow-body guitar.

The Fender Squire Stratocaster is Gwen Watson's first electric guitar. Their dad bought it for them as a Christmas present in 2011.

The Breedlove Pursuit Exotic CE Koa-Koa is Gwen Watson's favorite acoustic guitar. They bought it in 2018.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the third COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in America

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine: Explained

Vivian Polgreen, Thayer Abu-Hijleh, and Gwen Watson
April 3, 2021
Students share their opinions of the attack on the Capitol.

A nation divided: Students reflect on the Capitol attack

Bess Frerichs, Tosh Klever, Paige Albright, and Gwen Watson
February 8, 2021
West students recap 2020 and predict what's in store for the new year.

Out with the old: West students recap 2020

Maddy Smith, Luke Krchak, Vivian Polgreen, Carter McLaughlin, Alexis Dick, and Gwen Watson
December 31, 2020
Many students at West High had to learn how to manage their ADHD in an online setting.

[Photo] The ADHD impact

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
December 21, 2020
The holiday season has arrived.

[Photo] Unknown holiday cheer

December 9, 2020
As COVID-19 cases rise across the state of Iowa, many businesses are altering operations in order to keep employees and patrons safe.

Shockwaves: the long-term implications of COVID-19

Vivian Polgreen and Gwen Watson
November 19, 2020
"I think A students will always be slightly ahead in a lot of my classes because of how their weeks start," said B student Howaida Musa '23.

[Photo] The hybrid gap

November 14, 2020
For many students, carving pumpkins is an essential part of Halloween.

West High musicians auditioned for All-State band, orchestra and choir online this year.

[Photo] All-State musicians selected amidst pandemic

November 1, 2020
West Side Story Staffer Bess Frerichs and her mother, Dannye Frerichs, pose for a photo on September 28.

[Photo] Surviving cancer: five years later

September 29, 2020
A portrait of Kate Wickham is proudly displayed in the main entrance of the school. The Kate Wickham Memorial Trust Fund was established in early 1954.

[Photo] A dedication to education

February 28, 2020
Kate Wickham Elementary school first opened its doors on Aug. 25, 1997.

Kate Wickham's rocking chair is currently on display in the media center at Wickham Elementary.

English teacher Kerri Barnhouse has had multiple students from previous years end up teaching with her at West.

[Photo] From students to colleagues

February 14, 2020
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Aaron Fennell-Chametzky ‘19 on behalf of the Yang campaign before the first alignment at 7:00 pm.

[Photo] The Iowa caucuses through the eyes of students

February 7, 2020
Former librarian, Beth Belding, speaks on behalf of the Biden campaign.

Young and old came together on Monday, Feb. 3rd to caucus for their favorite candidates.

A voter in district IC09 holds a sign advertising their support for Andrew Yang. Overall, Yang placed 6th in the popular vote and received no pledged delegates.

Community members attend the Iowa caucuses at West high on Monday, Feb. 3rd.

[Photo] Iowa caucus results

February 7, 2020
Voters in district IC08 wait in line to register for the caucus.

[Photo] Iowa caucus recap: student perspectives and result analysis

February 7, 2020
Students who can vote in the November election will have the chance to caucus on Feb. 3.

[Photo] Iowa caucus preview: how students can get involved this February

January 31, 2020
Students rush to their classes on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 22. Kirkwood's Iowa City campus offers a variety of courses to highschool students.

Karen Meyer and her dogs outside of a small playhouse for kids at Harvest Preserve.

Karen Meyer's dogs, Finn and Scout, sit patiently for a treat at Harvest Preserve.

Karen Meyer walking on a trail at Harvest Preserve with her dog Scout.

On the morning of Dec. 9, Karen Meyer takes her dogs to the Harvest Preserve Foundation to watch the sunrise.

Math teacher James Kirpes passes out information about an upcoming competition to math club members.

[Photo] What have your teachers been up to?

April 3, 2020
Second trimester brings a lot of changes for every member of West’s community. The most noticeable change being the bulk of the construction moving from the courtyard to the front of the building.

Construction continues through second trimester

Gwen Watson, Entertainment Editor
November 26, 2019
Construction crews are hard at work updating rooms for Teachers and students to return to. The third trimester will bring a fresh coat of paint, all new floors and most noticeably, A/C and floor to ceiling windows.

The shifting construction has forced some teachers to move to the temps while others have just moved around the main building. Displaced teachers are scheduled to return to their normal classrooms at the beginning of the third trimester.

Some air conditioning units still need to be installed. On the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 26 construction workers use a boom lift to finish installing air conditioning units in the new classrooms.

Along with a new schedule, students and teachers are getting new classrooms this trimester.

The new windows will bring more natural light into classrooms, reducing the need for fluorescent lights and providing a better learning environment.

English teacher Monica Winterberg moved into room 110 on Wednesday, Nov. 20, but did not have electricity until the following Friday. Many teachers are also using large pieces of cardboard in place of window blinds until they are installed in mid-December.

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[Photo] New job, new normal

October 15, 2020
City Council member Bruce Teague speaks about his experience as a gay man in Iowa City.

[Photo] Human Rights Campaign announces Municipal Equality Index in Iowa City

November 21, 2019
Assistant City Manager Ashley Monroe elaborates on how Iowa City plans to maintain and better their score on the Municipal Equality Index in the future.

Courtney Reyes is the executive director of One Iowa, an organization founded in 2005 to advocate for same-sex marriage in Iowa. One Iowa is now focused on improving the lives of LGBTQ+ Iowans.

“It makes me proud, not only as a gay man but as a gay person of color, knowing that Iowa City will continue to make strides to make sure our city is safe for all people.” - Anthony Sivanthaphanith, President of Iowa City Pride

Mayor James Throgmorton shakes hands with JoDee Winterhof as he hands her a proclamation concerning Transgender Remembrance Day.

Mayor James Throgmorton speaks at the MEI scorecard launch on Tuesday, November 19. “We regularly review and update city policies to protect our residents from harm. And to provide a safe and supportive environment for everybody.”

Cookies specially designed by Deluxe are served at the reception of the MEI scorecard launch on Tuesday, November 19.

Mariam Keita shares her thoughts on the increase of cancel culture on social media.

[Photo] How far is too far for cancel culture

November 8, 2019
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[Photo] Seven candidates vie for school board positions

November 5, 2019
Guidance counselor Kelly Bergmann explains what her role as counselor is.

[Photo] School counselors: the one-stop shops of high school

November 1, 2019
Faculty, students, and visitors alike are greeted by this iconic stairway on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 18.

The West high library celebrates LGBTQ+ history month by highlighting an array of books.

[Photo] Library celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month

October 13, 2019
Signs warning students not to enter the courtyard because of construction (and rain).

[Photo] Upside down and backwards

Ella Rosenthal and Isaac Young
October 7, 2019
Construction workers continue to renovate West High School on Thursday, Sep. 12.

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Participants marched from City Hall to the Pentacrest to call attention to the importance of climate awareness.

Caleb Rainey, organizer of IC Speaks, poses for a photo on Monday, Sep. 9.

[Photo] From the page to the stage

September 10, 2019
Local bands perform every Saturday across from the Chauncey Swan ramp. The Skipperlings, a local cover band perform on Saturday, Aug 31.

[Photo] The magic of the market

Jack Harris, Online Copy Editor and Arts Editor
September 12, 2019
A black dress and windswept hair complete Proud’s outfit.

Proud poses for a photo in the courtyard on May 7th.

McKenna Proud ‘21 flaunts her favorite pair of socks. This pair features Cleopatra and Egyptian cats against a purple background. Proud’s love for Cleopatra stems from her childhood.

[Photo] Fashion Friday: socks

May 24, 2019
Lilian Montilla ‘21 poses for a photo outside the auditorium doors on May 10th.

Coffee is an important part of waking up for many people, luckily for Montilla, there is some right at her feet.

Bagels, like the ones featured on Montilla’s socks, are a quick and easy breakfast food.

McClure completes her outfit with a yellow t-shirt, grey sweater, and black leggings.

Ari McClure ‘20 wears socks portraying The Kiss. The Kiss is a oil painting completed in 1908 by Gustav Klimt.

The bathrooms at the end of the 9th-grade wing have a few faults. The most noticeable one being the lack of a door.

Sporting odd smells and an all brown color scheme, the older bathrooms in the building are definitely the more interesting ones.

[Photo] Best bathrooms of West

May 29, 2019
Sporting odd smells and an all brown color scheme, the older bathrooms in the building are definitely the more interesting ones.

[Photo] Best bathrooms of West

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
May 29, 2019
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[Photo] The wonder twins

Lily Meng, Online Co-Copy Editor
April 18, 2019
Local resident, Lonni Parrot, shows her support for the victims of gun violence.

[Photo] Turn the ballot, change our future

October 27, 2022
Students from all around the district march from College Green park to the Pentacrest in the second annual March for Our Lives on Saturday, March 30.

[Photo] Second annual March for our Lives held in downtown Iowa City

Ken Wilbur, Podcast Editor
March 30, 2019
Sharon DeWitte mixes her childhood fascination of disease with her profession as a biological anthropologist as she presents her research on the Black Plague and its application to todays world at Darwin Days on Feb. 23.

[Photo] Darwin Day: discoveries and diseases

February 23, 2019
Sharon DeWitte mixes her childhood fascination of disease with her profession as a biological anthropologist as she presents her research on the Black Plague and its application to todays world at Darwin Days on Feb. 23.

[Photo] Darwin Day: discoveries and diseases

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 23, 2019
Reporter Bess Frerichs '21 poses for a photo. In her column, she writes about why they/them pronouns are important for inclusivity.

[Photo] The pronoun problem

February 22, 2019
Jennifer Craig and Dante the dog pose for a photo on Sunday, Jan 13. at their new house, bought on Saturday, Jan 12.

[Photo] Starting the New Year with nothing

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
January 20, 2019
Jordan DeMers, a tattoo artist at Indigo Body Art Gallery, holds a tattoo gun after demonstrating how to put it together. First, a needle is inserted into a cartridge, which is then connected to the machine.

A Neotat tattoo machine is set out at Indigo, a needle and cartridge are about to be connected to it.

Several different inks are on display at Indigo Body Art Gallery in Coralville.

[Photo] Stick and poke tattoos

February 7, 2019
Kat Hagan '20 displays her birth year with a "© 2001" stick and poke tattoo.

Kat Hagan '20 shows off her stick and poke tattoo of the female gender symbol.

Erica Buettner ‘21 and Maddy Negley ‘21 intently listen to Jingle Bells. Later, they will play it back on their kazoos.

Kaisa Whittaker ‘21 and Katie Hoefer ‘21 kick off a kazoo club meeting on December 4 with some helpful breathing exercises.

[Photo] Club Connection: Kazoo Club

Alex Carlon, Online Editor-in-Chief
December 18, 2018
Sydney Wildes ‘21 adds the majestic kazoo melodies by spinning two noisemakers.

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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Gwen Watson