• 11/11: Girls basketball, boys swimming and bowling practices begin
  • 11/13: Signing day
  • 11/15: Cadenza concert @6:30 in West High commons
  • 11/15: Girls swimming state championship @ Marshalltown
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
Maddi Shinall

Maddi Shinall, Photo Editor

Maddi is a senior, this is her second year on staff and she is the Photo Editor. If she’s not taking photos, she is probably engaging in a lively political debate whilst drinking an iced chai latte.

All content by Maddi Shinall
Lawful good

Lawful good

Maddi Shinall, Photo Editor
May 24, 2019
Members of the South Asian group perform a Bollywood Dance as a special act for their section of the show on Saturday, March 9.

[Photo] Dancing across the world

Alex Carlon, Online Editor-in-Chief
May 22, 2019
Kara Wagenknecht '19, Lucy Polyak '19, Maddi Shinall '19 and Sophie Stephens '19 pose at the West High sign outside of the school.

West Side Radio: seniors reflect on 4 years at West

Lucy Polyak, Sophie Stephens, Maddi Shinall, and Kara Wagenknecht
May 16, 2019
Ting Gao '19 ranks every book she has read in high school English in her four years at West.

[Photo] Disasters and delights: the 5 best and worst required reading books

May 15, 2019
Simon Jones '19 discusses the importance of knowing geography.

Annabel Hendrickson '21 discusses the discrepancy between high school girls and boys track distances.

[Photo] Going the distance

April 17, 2019
Ken Wilbur '20 is joined by Baraa Suleiman '19 to talk about world politics in his latest podcast.

WSS staffers recommend songs for the April edition of West Side Story's latest playlist.

[Photo] WSS Staff Recommends: music April 2019

March 31, 2019
Prisca Namutchibwe '19 poses for a photo outside of West High on Wednesday, March 27. She is currently working on a poetry book which she hopes will come out before she graduates.

[Photo] Amplifying the voices of a nation

April 25, 2019
Opinion Editor Lucy Polyak '19 talks about the importance of gratitude in her latest installment of Lucy's Lowdown.

[Photo] Lucy’s Lowdown: gratitude is rad-itude

March 28, 2019
Online Managing Editor Sophie Stephens '19 writes about the recent national college admissions scandal and why it's unfair that students and their parents can pay their way into a good college when they didn't work hard in high school.

[Photo] Hard work pays off, but money does too

March 14, 2019
Caleb Kwok '20 displays the college spreadsheet he made to help compare colleges from across the country.

[Photo] Streamlining the college search

March 24, 2019
Kenneth Wilbur '20 is joined by Wylan Gao '20 for his latest podcast.

[Photo] West Side Radio: Breaking borders with Wylan Gao '20

March 12, 2019
Mayela Pelayo '18 spins on stage to show her skirt as she models during the Latin American section of the show on Saturday, March 9.

[Photo] Students host third annual 'Walk It Out' celebrating diversity

March 11, 2019
Aditi Borde '21 dances as she models on stage during the South Asian group's section of Walk it Out on Saturday, March 9.

Dasia Taylor '20 dances down the runway during the black American group's section of the show on Saturday, March 9. She gave high fives to audience members in the front row as she made her way across the stage.

Soha El-Fadil '20 models during the Middle Eastern group's section of the show on Saturday, March 9. The Middle Eastern group was a new addition to the Walk it Out show this year.

Ahijana Walker Garcia '20 raises a fist in the air as she sings "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday on Saturday, March 9. She is joined by members of the black American group as they make a tribute to Black Lives Matter. They were given a standing ovation by the audience.

Mayela Pelayo '18 spins on stage to show off her skirt as she models during the Latin American section of the show on Saturday, March 9.

Melissa Diaz '21 walks the runway in a quinceañera dress during the Latin American section of the show on Saturday, March 9. This year, the group decided they wanted to show off quinceañera dresses in addition to other traditional Latinx clothing.

K-pop dance group Seoul Connections performs as a special act during the East Asian section of the show on Saturday, March 9.

Ahjiana Walker Garcia '20 poses at the end of the runway during the African group's section of the show on Saturday, March 9.

Prisca Namutchibwe '19 poses for a photo outside of West High on Wednesday, March 27. She is currently working on a poetry book which she hopes will come out before she graduates.

[Photo] Amplifying the voices of a nation

Natalie Dunlap, Online Editor-in-Chief
April 25, 2019
News Editor Fatima Kammona '19 talks about mental health in her column.

[Photo] Tell me I am human

March 31, 2019
Friends Roberto Machado Guzmán ’21, Evelyn Correa Longino ’21 and Doroteo Ortiz Cruz ’21 pose together in the West High courtyard. They’ve been friends since freshman year.

[Photo] Friend crush: Doroteo Ortiz Cruz '21, Evelyn Correa Longino '21 and Roberto Machado Guzmán '21

February 27, 2019
Guest columnist Sumner Wallace '20 smiles for a portrait in the West High courtyard. She writes about the need for communication in her piece.

[Photo] Let’s focus on communicatin’

March 4, 2019
Editorials Editor Jenna Wang '20 smiles for a portrait in the West High courtyard.

Sisters Mami Selemani ’20 and Jacqueline Selemani ’19 pose together in the West High courtyard. They moved to the United States in 2007 from Africa.

[Photo] The Selemani sisters

February 21, 2019
Photo Editor Maddi Shinall '19 poses for a photo as she displays her feminist slogan sweatshirt on Friday, Feb. 15.

A woman’s place is in charge

Maddi Shinall, Photo Editor
February 17, 2019
Online Editor-in-Chief and Co-Sports Editor Kara Wagenknecht '19 shoots a photo while covering a basketball doubleheader at West High on Saturday, Jan. 5.

[Photo] A race to be picture perfect

February 8, 2019
Online Managing Editor Sophie Stephens '19 talks about the the issue of owing people explanations.

Ken Wilber is joined by Wylan Gao in his latest podcast.

Lucy Polyak '19 talks about why people should be allowed to like whatever they want without being judged for being "basic".

[Photo] Lucy’s Lowdown: like whatever you want

January 30, 2019
Will Conrad '19 describes the costs of the college admissions process and how it affects lower-income students.

[Photo] Price of admission

December 26, 2018
Emily Hill '20 joins WSS staffers to discuss how comedy has impacted their generation in this episode of the West Side Radio.

West Side Radio: A very Mulaney podcast

Jessica Doyle, Natalie Dunlap, Lucy Polyak, Maddi Shinall, and Sophie Stephens
December 21, 2018
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Anjali Huynh '19 talks about name pronunciation in her column.

[Photo] The name game

December 30, 2018
Rain Richards '19 and Harry Westergaard '19 are joined in this episode of their recurring podcast by Ken Wilbur '20.

[Photo] Citizen Rain (and Harry): Sherlock Holmes with Ken

January 10, 2019
Lucy Polyak describes why wanting to stay out of politics is inherently privileged in her latest installment of Lucy's Lowdown.

[Photo] Lucy’s Lowdown: the importance of being political

December 16, 2018
Sean Brown '19 passionately explains Macedonian politics to Ken Wilbur '20.

[Photo] West Side Radio: Breaking borders with Sean Brown '19

December 14, 2018
"I was determined to get an education because I know that that was the only way for me to get out of poverty and make my world better, because I did not want to live in the same situation. I wanted a better life for me and my family," Veronica Kharunda '19 said.

Lucy sits on the stage of the Little Theater and ponders the fear of change in her newest installment of Lucy's Lowdown.

[Photo] Lucy’s Lowdown: “Well, I’ve been afraid of changing”

December 6, 2018
Staffers discuss the show "Friends" as they sit on the couch and assume the role of one of the show's characters.

West Side Radio: The one with the podcast

Sean Brown, Jessica Doyle, Natalie Dunlap, Sidney Kiersch, Maddi Shinall, and Sophie Stephens
December 5, 2018
Tony Abdel Malek '22 talks to Liam Edberg '22 and Claire Loussaert '22 about how they plan to beat last year's record of eating outside during lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

[Photo] Freshmen vs. the freeze

Natalie Dunlap, Online Editor-in-Chief
December 3, 2018
This school year, students at West had to register for AP tests by Nov. 1 due to the new AP pilot program being tested.

[Photo] Behind the new AP

December 7, 2018
Reporter Ken Wilbur '20 discusses privilege in his column.

[Photo] Person of privilege: the Trump card

November 29, 2018
During a "Support Trans Lives" protest on the Pentacrest, a woman holds up a sign in support of transgender rights on Thursday, Oct. 25.

[Photo] Push for progress

November 15, 2018
Breno Sader '19 poses for his portrait in the courtyard.

[Photo] Gaining ground

November 15, 2018
A spectrum of perspectives: despite progress made toward treating LGBTQ+ individuals equitably, challenges and stigmas still remain.

[Photo] A spectrum of perspectives

November 15, 2018
Erin Netolicky '20 smiles while sitting in the West High courtyard.

[Photo] The locker room

November 15, 2018
Aaron Lidral '19 poses for his portrait.

[Photo] Breaking barriers

November 15, 2018
Film Club members discuss ideas for their upcoming film at their weekly club meeting on Friday, Nov. 9.

[Photo] A haven for aspiring student filmmakers

November 15, 2018
Samina Naz poses for a portrait outside of West High School. Her journey to the United States has not always been an easy one.

[Photo] What you missed at the end of first trimester

WSS Staff
November 13, 2018
Columns Editor Lucy Polyak '19 shares her opinion on why she's not sorry.

[Photo] I’m not sorry you’re scared

November 14, 2018
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[Photo] Canvassing

November 6, 2018
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[Photo] The Current Issues

November 6, 2018
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[Photo] Why should you care?

November 6, 2018
Former Columns Editor Lucy Polyak ponders the changes to the FAFSA paperwork. (File photo)

[Photo] FAFSA set to make changes for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year

November 8, 2021
Co-Design Editor Lydia Guo '19 takes a photo of the Bean in Millennium Park during free time while at the convention.

[Photo] WSS travels to Chicago for national journalism convention

November 3, 2018
Online Feature Editor Natalie Dunlap '20 records Web Editor-in-Chief Kara Wagenknecht '19 while she films a Snapchat video entailing West Side Story's schedule for the day.

WSS staffers sightsee in Chicago in between media tours and workshops.

Designer Selina Hua '20 looks out over the Chicago River on the River Walk while sightseeing before heading to her design workshop on Thursday, Nov. 1.

A watertaxi floats down the Chicago River as WSS staffers walk by while sightseeing on Thursday, Nov. 1.

Joy Li '22 tries a s'more for the first time.

ELL students roast marshmallows over the fire at their after-school event on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

[Photo] Bonding over the bonfire

October 25, 2018
ELL students roast marshmallows over the fire at their after-school event on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

[Photo] Bonding over the bonfire

Natalie Dunlap, Online Editor-in-Chief
October 25, 2018
Victor, ELL teacher Jessica St. John's service dog, waits for his ball to be thrown at the event in Willow Creek Park on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Joy Li '20 smiles for a photo. She will be attending West for only a month before returning to China.

[Photo] Joy at West

October 28, 2018
Tech addiction is a growing problem among teenagers.

Jessica, Natalie and Sophie are joined by Makenna Hendrickson '19 to take a quiz about "The Office" on their podcast.

[Photo] West Side Radio: How well do you know 'The Office?'

October 21, 2018
Abdul Turay '20 smiles for a photo.

[Photo] Abdul Turay '20

October 14, 2018
Nic Stone discusses her book "Dear Martin" with students in the library on Sept. 19, 2018.

[Photo] Novel conversations

Sophie Stephens, Online Managing Editor
September 21, 2018
Ken Wilbur and Rain Richards discuss Elon Musk, Donald Trump and the NFL in this podcast.

[Photo] West Side Radio: Discussing Elon's mid-life crisis and Trump's inescapable self-sabotage

September 17, 2018
The U.S. Capitol building, located in Washington D.C.

[Photo] West graduate observes Kavanaugh hearings in person

Natalie Dunlap, Online Editor-in-Chief
September 11, 2018
Nic Stone will be coming to visit West High on Sept. 18 in the library.

[Photo] Author to visit West

September 5, 2018
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[Photo] Lucy’s Lowdown: female leaders and the other b-word

September 24, 2018
Luke Reynolds '18, Jessica Doyle '19 and Natalie Dunlap '20 listen to music in the podcast lab. In this episode, the trio attempt to guess popular songs.

[Photo] West Side Radio: Play that song

Jessica Doyle, Natalie Dunlap, and Luke Reynolds
May 12, 2018
Sophie and Jessica used Flora for five days to find out if it would help them to concentrate better while studying.

[Photo] Technology in control: a Flora review

May 8, 2018
Mrs. DeVries will be transferring to Liberty High School next year to be a guidance counselor.

[Photo] Building connections across the district

May 27, 2018
Natalie and Jessica are joined by Maddi and Sophie to discuss promposals and the AP Vine test.

West Side Radio: It’s prom season, my dudes

Jessica Doyle, Natalie Dunlap, Maddi Shinall, and Sophie Stephens
April 30, 2018
Goats roam around as people do yoga on Sunday, April 22.

[Photo] Unlikely exercise companions

Natalie Dunlap, Online Editor-in-Chief
April 25, 2018
A couple dozen protesters showed up to participate in the die-in on Friday, April 20.

Students hold ‘die-in’ to protest gun violence

Maddi Shinall, Photo Editor
April 20, 2018
Demonstrators lie in a circle on T. Anne Cleary Walkway in front of Gilmore Hall.

Protesters laid on the ground for six minutes and 20 seconds, the amount of time the Parkland shooter opened fire on the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Students lie in the die-in on Friday, April 20. The demonstration was held in conjunction with the nationwide protests on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting.

Students lie on T. Anne Cleary Walkway in protest across from the Old Capitol building as pedestrians walk by, looking on.

Students pause at a crosswalk as they make their way from Van Allen Hall to T. Anne Cleary Walkway, where they held the die-in.

The South Lawn of the White House, the summer after Donald Trump was elected president.

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, two WSS staffers made two different St. Patrick's Day treats: pretzel shamrocks and leprechaun hats.

St. Patrick’s day treats

Sophie Stephens and Maddi Shinall
March 14, 2018
Photographer Maddi Shinall shares her opinion against the proposed heartbeat bill.

Keep your laws out of women’s bodies

Maddi Shinall, Photo Editor
March 2, 2018
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Maddi Shinall