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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
In this first installment in a recurring series of columns, columns editor Helen Zhang argues in favor of casting age-accurate actors in the media’s dramatization of teenage life.

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor

Helen Zhang is a senior at West. She is the columns editor and this is her second year on print staff. In her free time, Helen enjoys baking, reading and sleeping.

All content by Helen Zhang
In the column series’ finale, Helen Zhang ’22 reflects on how being part of West Side Story has impacted her.

Helen’s Hot Takes: Epilogue

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
May 19, 2022
Decisions, decisions

Decisions, decisions

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
May 16, 2022
City Circle Theatre Company’s productions of “Legally Blonde the Musical” are happening in the coming weeks.

City Circle presents ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ this month

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
May 4, 2022
Columns Editor Helen Zhang ’22 discusses the importance of recognizing toxic positivity and how to avoid it.

Helen’s Hot Takes: Problematic positivity

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
April 27, 2022
Columns Editor Helen Zhang ’22 criticizes the academic culture that classifies extracurricular activities as necessary elements for college applications rather than opportunities for fun and passion.

Helen’s Hot Takes: Exhausting extracurriculars

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
March 23, 2022
Companions come in many forms. Sometimes, they are green, leafy and hungry for sunlight. Meet the plant parents of West High.

Plant parents

Ginger McCartney and Helen Zhang
March 7, 2022
In this first installment in a recurring series of columns, columns editor Helen Zhang argues in favor of casting age-accurate actors in the media’s dramatization of teenage life.

Helen’s Hot Takes: Putting the ‘age’ in ‘teenager’

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
January 17, 2022
Junior Bryan Chuong expresses himself through the art he creates and the music he composes, both of which have become integral parts of his life.

Notes of creativity

Misha Canin and Helen Zhang
November 24, 2021
For some students, their high school years become a balancing act between their interests and what they believe colleges want from them.

The college conundrum

Lilly Graham, Kamakshee Kuchhal, and Helen Zhang
October 5, 2021
WSS looks into gun violence and its impact on students.

Call for control

Ruba Ahmed-Abdelmutalab and Helen Zhang
June 3, 2021
Helen Zhang '23 discusses losing her native tongue.

Fading tongue

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
April 28, 2021
African American literature is being offered for the first time to ICCSD students in grades 11-12 for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Elevating untold stories

Helen Zhang, Print Columns Editor
February 28, 2021
COVID-19 has altered the college application scene for prospective students to the class of 2025.

Class of COVID

Maya Chu and Helen Zhang
December 22, 2020
West students and staff members share their experiences with COVID-19.

COVID in our community

Fareeha Ahmad, Helen Zhang, and Maddy Smith
November 25, 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.

The hybrid gap

Bess Frerichs and Helen Zhang
November 14, 2020
7 socially distanced activities to do this fall

7 socially distanced activities to do this fall

Helen Zhang, Sila Duran, and Zoey Guo
October 19, 2020
On April 8, a flower on the magnolia tree in my neighbor's backyard has begun to bloom. This photo represents spring because many forms or life, not just flowers, are "blooming," or starting in spring.

[Photo] Signs of spring

Foundations of Journalism students
April 10, 2020
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Helen Zhang