Upcoming events
  • Walk it out- Saturday in Auditorium
  • Girls soccer vs. Wash- Tuesday @home
  • Drake Relays this weekend- Drake Stadium
  • Class president elections later this week
  • Choir trip to Chicago- Thursday-Saturday
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
Vivian Polgreen

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor

(she/her) Vivian Polgreen is a senior at West and it is her third year working on staff. She is the news editor and co-managing editor for the online publication. In her free time, she enjoys reading Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, rowing and playing cello in the orchestra.

All content by Vivian Polgreen
Kay Dileo smiles while sitting in her chair

Kay DiLeo

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 30, 2023
Paul Breitbach is a retiring West High School counselor

Paul Breitbach

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 30, 2023
Michelle Wikner teaches Chemistry and AP Chemistry at West High

Michelle Wikner

Vivian Polgreen and Vera Tanas
May 30, 2023
Prom this year will be on Saturday, May 6

[Photo] Everything you need to know about Party After Prom

Audrey Parrish, Copy Editor
May 5, 2023
Caiden Sweeting, Grace Miller, Ms. Witthoft, and Sophia Deyak prepare for their first socratic seminar discussion over F. Scott Fitzgeralds, The Great Gatsby.

Faculty farewell: Ms. Witthoft

Vivian Polgreen and Vera Tanas
April 26, 2023
ICCSD loses 45 before-and-after-school program scholarships

ICCSD loses 45 before-and-after-school program scholarships

Vivian Polgreen and Rosemary Timmer-Hackert
April 26, 2023
An enrichment experiment

An enrichment experiment

Vivian Polgreen and Rosemary Timmer-Hackert
March 1, 2023
The Iowa House Capitol in Des Moines during the winter.

[Photo] March news briefs

Mrudani Ramkumar, Print News Editor
March 3, 2023
Michelle Wikner stands in front of a poster of the periodic table

Faculty Farewell: Ms. Wikner

Vivian Polgreen and Vera Tanas
February 20, 2023
Mr. Neuzil, a social studies teacher at West High, announced his retirement earlier this year

Faculty Farewell: A look into Mr. Neuzil’s 37 years at West

Vivian Polgreen and Vera Tanas
January 30, 2023
The ICCSD receives millions of dollars each year to pay for food, building renovations, student activities, and much more

School budget breakdown

Vivian Polgreen and Abby Guo
January 19, 2023
WSS recaps the latest ICCSD school board meeting.

School board updates: Dec. 13

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
December 14, 2022
Iowas election results for the 2022 midterm election were released on Nov 9

Iowa’s election results

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
November 10, 2022
A protester holds up a sign urging people to vote during the protests on June 24, 2022.

What are midterm elections?

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
November 4, 2022
Here is a sketch of what West will look like after the renovations have been done.

ICCSD confirms a new construction plan

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
October 26, 2022
This year, the midterm elections will take place on Tuesday, November 8

How to vote in the midterm elections

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
October 23, 2022
Every year, as prices rise, a dollar is worth less.

What’s up with inflation?

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
September 27, 2022
Many colleges are no longer requiring applicants to submit standardized test scores.

Test optional?

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 31, 2022

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
May 31, 2022
West Highs new mental health website

Center for Wellness website

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 20, 2022
Audrey Parrish 23 poses for News wrap-up featured image.

Weekly News Wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
May 14, 2022
Audrey Parrish 23 poses for News wrap-up featured image.

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
April 16, 2022
Junior highs in the ICCSD will be transitioning to a middle school model in 2024

ICCSD School Board combines sixth grade with junior high

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
April 12, 2022
Weekly News Wrap-Up

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
April 10, 2022
The debate continues on masks and the official end to the pandemic.

Is it over yet?

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
April 4, 2022
The last day of school will be June 1

10 things you can’t miss to end the 2021-2022 school year

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
March 30, 2022
Jonathan Fan ‘23, Jayden Shin ‘23, and Lilly Graham ‘24 won awards at the Iowa State Science Fair on March 24.

West High students named winners of Iowa State Science Fair

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
March 29, 2022
Weekly News Wrap-Up

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
March 25, 2022
Audrey Parrish poses for photo on March 4, 2022.

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
March 4, 2022
Audrey Parrish 23 poses for a photo on Jan. 28, 2022.

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
February 26, 2022
Homecoming will be West Highs only all school dance of the school year.

West High winter formal canceled in planning stages

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
February 24, 2022
Weekly News Wrap-Up

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Helelia Wa Kalala, and Katherine Shoppa
February 19, 2022
Weekly News Wrap-Up

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
February 11, 2022
Many people in our community struggle with mental health and are unaware of the resources available to them

Combatting a mental health crisis

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
February 8, 2022
Weekly news wrap-up

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
February 4, 2022
Audrey Parrish 23 poses for a photo on Jan. 28, 2022.

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Helelia Wa Kalala, and Audrey Parrish
January 28, 2022
News Wrap-Up host Audrey Parrish poses for a photo.

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
January 22, 2022
Martin Luther King Jr. was incredibly influential in his work for Civil Rights and racial equality. (File Photo)

Remembering Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
January 17, 2022
Weekly news wrap-up

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
January 14, 2022
Class times will change with the new West High bell schedule, which will be introduced on Jan. 24.

West High set to implement new bell schedule

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
January 14, 2022
The West High parking lot sits empty as snow removal crews start to clear the snow on Feb. 7, 2021.

The return of snow days

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
January 7, 2022
Iowa winters mean two things: cold weather and snow days.

How to spend your snow days

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
January 6, 2022
News Wrap-Up host Audrey Parrish poses for a photo.

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
December 31, 2021
Omicron, the most recent COVID-19 variant, was recently named a variant of concern.

Don’t overlook Omicron

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
December 17, 2021

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
December 10, 2021
Audrey Parrish 23 poses for a photo on Jan. 28, 2022.

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
December 3, 2021
Audrey Parrish poses for photo on March 4, 2022.

West Side Story weekly news wrap up

Audrey Parrish, Vivian Polgreen, and Helelia Wa Kalala
December 3, 2021
News wrap-up host Audrey Parrish 23 poses for photo.

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
November 12, 2021
West High English teachers in 2019 dressed up as famous fictional teachers.

Staff’s spooky spirits dampened after limiting Halloween costumes

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
October 29, 2021

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
October 29, 2021
News wrap-up host Audrey Parrish 23 poses for photo.

Weekly news wrap-up

Vivian Polgreen, Audrey Parrish, and Helelia Wa Kalala
October 23, 2021
A sign taped to the West High front door tells students, staff and visitors about the new mandate on Sept. 15.

ICCSD mask mandate extended

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
October 10, 2021
Outside the new lunch room in City High is an entrance way with a Little Hawk statue standing proudly in the center. This statue was donated by a family in memory of Calder Wells and other students who have passed away.

Construction at Iowa City’s three high schools

Audrey Parrish and Vivian Polgreen
September 18, 2021
Volunteer Julie Peters prepares and serves a plate of pancakes, eggs and sausages as a part of the annual Booster Club Pancake Day for athletic funding in Iowa City Schools on Sat. April 8, 2017.

Iowa City Athletic Booster Club’s annual Pancake Day is canceled

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
September 15, 2021
West High students have the choice to wear face masks while on school property as of May 20.

ICCSD updates COVID-19 quarantine policy

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
September 14, 2021
The Theatre West cast and crew poses for a picture after being a part of Into the Woods in the West High courtyard on May 13.

Audition for Theatre West’s fall production “Footloose”

Audrey Parrish and Vivian Polgreen
August 26, 2021
Bill banning diversity curriculum in Iowa

Bill banning diversity curriculum in Iowa

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 26, 2021
April 30, 2021, marked Joe Bidens 100th day in the White House

A look into the Biden presidency

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 22, 2021
AP testing started on May 15, and students will be testing both online and in person through June 3

AP Testing in 2021: What you need to know

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 18, 2021
The yearbook staff celebrating the completion of the 2021 yearbook on April 2. This years staff is combined in-person and online students.

Trojan Epic yearbook releases distribution dates

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 8, 2021
8,500 students across the Iowa City Community School District have been fully in person since February 15

In-person school and the COVID-19 ripple effect

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
April 16, 2021
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
As more and more people get vaccinated, the slow of the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming a reality.

Iowa’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Where we are now

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
March 29, 2021
WSS recaps the latest ICCSD school board meeting.

School board recap: 2/23/21

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
February 26, 2021
WSS recaps the latest ICCSD school board meeting.

School board recap: 2/9/21

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
February 12, 2021
The COVID-19 vaccine is slowly making its way through the state of Iowa.

Iowa’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out explained

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
February 10, 2021
WSS staffers Carter McLaughlin 23 and Vivian Polgreen 23 break down the latest in Disney entertainment.

Disney’s plans for 2021

Carter McLaughlin and Vivian Polgreen
February 2, 2021
West students recap 2020 and predict whats 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
Mando and Grogu travel to Tatooine in the premiere episode of season two.

Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” is an amazing continuation of the first

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
December 14, 2020
WSS recaps Gov. Kim Reyonolds new COVID-19 guidelines.

Overview of new Iowa COVID-19 restrictions

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
December 6, 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
The flu and COVID-19 may seem similar on paper, but in reality the two illnesses are vastly different.

Finding the difference: COVID-19 and the flu

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
November 12, 2020
Applying to colleges is a source of stress every year, and 2020 is no exception.

The college question during COVID-19

Vivian Polgreen and Maddy Smith
November 5, 2020
New job, new normal

New job, new normal

Carter McLaughlin and Vivian Polgreen
October 15, 2020

Organizing online school

Vivian Polgreen, Cassandra Michaels, and Helelia Wa Kalala
October 10, 2020
Pandemic pastimes

Pandemic pastimes

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
October 4, 2020
On the side lines: how two students are living with fathers on the front lines

On the side lines: how two students are living with fathers on the front lines

Vivian Polgreen, Managing Co-Editor, News Editor
May 4, 2020
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Vivian Polgreen