• MONDAY 6/1: Boys Soccer vs. Urbandale, Boys Baseball vs. Linn-Mar @ West
  • TUESDAY 6/2: Girls Softball vs. Xavier, Girls Soccer vs. Dubuque Senior @ West
  • WEDNESDAY 6/3: Boys Baseball vs. Pleasant Valley @ West
  • THURSDAY 6/4: Girls Regional Soccer, Girls Softball vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson @ West
  • FRIDAY 6/5: Last Day of School, Girls Softball @ West, Boys Baseball vs. Dubuque Senior
  • SATURDAY 6/6: Girls Softball @ West, Boys Baseball vs. Clear Creek Amana
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
West High's student body is full of a diverse student body who follow a wide range of dietary habits.
Rethinking diets: how West utilizes different eating habits
West students continue to persevere despite the stigma surrounding mental health.
Road to recovery: the battle against mental health stigma
Recent space missions have been focused on returning to the Moon, including the latest Artemis launch.
The new space age: the race to the final frontier
As Iowa's cancer rates rise, researchers and doctors work hard to develop improved treatments.
Holding up hope: Iowa patients continue to fight as cancer rates rise
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome affects an estimated one to three million Americans, including students at West High.
Circulation misregulation: the teens with POTS
Tirza Overholt '26 and City High student Cantrell Fletcher ‘26 protest among hundreds of students during the "Melt ICE!" protest held Feb. 5.
Reimagining resistance: exploring Iowa’s legacy of student activism
The Trump administration's lies and slander have reached an unprecedented high.
A small selection of the Trump administration’s lies
Socialism has arisen from the American political scene as a result of continued economic and political oppression.
The new American left
Democracy is being threatened across the world.
Democracy’s in a recession
Six years after its last shutdown, the U.S. government has ground to a halt — and its citizens are facing the consequences.
Paralyzing authority
West High senior Scott Matsen had his first seizure in the first grade, and as he has gotten older, they have increased in frequency. But from a young age, he has enjoyed playing football, and epilepsy won’t stop him from chasing his dreams.
Despite setbacks, Scott Matsen ‘26 fought to achieve his football dream
Renee Gibson has been teaching math at West High for five years. But, her journey to get there ranged from designing buildings to saving lives.
The formula for fun: how Renee Gibson came to West High
As the Class of 2026 leaves the halls of West High, WSS shines a light on three outstanding seniors.
Senior spotlight
Luke Reimer '27 is actively involved in the musical department at West. He is beginning his college admissions journey with a dream to walk on Broadway.
Standing in the spotlight: Luke Reimer ’27 shares his musical journey
Amaia Martinez '27 tries to concentrate on schoolwork while also trying to balance her social life and athletic career after suffering several concussions.
The concussion journey of Amaia Martinez
As the school year's end nears, take a look at what West has been up to.
Summer spotlight: May news briefs
West High senior Scott Matsen had his first seizure in the first grade, and as he has gotten older, they have increased in frequency. But from a young age, he has enjoyed playing football, and epilepsy won’t stop him from chasing his dreams.
Despite setbacks, Scott Matsen ‘26 fought to achieve his football dream
Kyle Henkenius ’27 pitches vs. Xavier in game one of a doubleheader on June 9, 2025, at the West High Baseball field. West fell to Xavier 16-4 in game one but rebounded with a 12-2 victory in game two.
Diamond in the rough: how technology is shaping baseball and softball
Kyle Henkenius ’27 makes contact with a pitch when facing Davenport West May 22. Henkenius’ added on to his stellar pitching performance by hitting one single.
West High baseball shuts out Davenport West 3-0
West High's Sophia Austen, 26 doing the High Jump on May 21, at Drake University.
West track and field competes in state meet
Starting the race, the boys varsity team takes off on Ashton Cross Country Course Oct. 2. The team placed first in the Iowa City West Invitational with a score of 20 points.
Boys cross country teams sweep final home meet
Preparing to start their race, the girls varsity team lines up at the start of the Seminole Valley Park Course. The team placed second in the Eastern Iowa Classic Sept. 25.
Cross country teams compete in Eastern Iowa Classic
Moustafa "Moose" Tiea '25 poses with his medal and plaque after the awards ceremony. On Nov. 1, Tiea took ninth in the state meet, running 15:38.2 in Fort Dodge, IA.
West girls and boys cross country compete at the state meet
Kalli Titus '25 leads a pack of runners Oct. 17 at Seminole Valley Park.
Girls cross country competes in MVC Mississippi Divisional
October started off with three Trojan home wins: girls swimming and diving, girls volleyball and boys cross country.
Trojans start October with three home wins
Using his wings, Winston Fan ‘26 flies through the 200 Yard Medley Relay swimming the breaststroke Feb. 14. West conquered the relay, winning gold medals with a time of 1.31.14 and earning 40 points for the team.
Trojan-Bolts bring home state title
Sonja Bruxvoort moved to West last year after teaching at Northwest Middle School. After becoming the coach for the Trojan Bolts, she is learning how to balance the two jobs.
Sonja Bruxvoort makes waves in the pool and in the classroom
Boys swimming celebrate after setting a new record at the state meet Feb. 11.
Winter sport athletes to watch: boys swimming
A collage of the different athletes in their sports.
A look into winter athletes off-season
West High sports on the left versus club sports on the left. (All photos used with permission).
Finding a balance: club vs. high school sports
Elsie Gross '27 soars over the court.
Girls tennis season switches to fall
The girls tennis team smiles as they celebrate senior night for captain Audrey Crawford ’26 after defeating Washington 7-2. Photo courtesy of Nina Marquardt.
West girls tennis ends regular season 14-3
Iris Vasi '28 returns the ball during a singles match against Cedar Falls Aug. 28.
Girls tennis wins big against Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Seniors Claire Hahn and Marie Stier high-five after winning the first point of 1 Doubles against Dubuque Hempstead May 20.
Girls tennis falls short in team regional finals
Seniors Sasha Postnikov and Marie Stier prepare to return a serve during the semi-final match. Postnikov and Stier won the match 6-0, 6-0.
Girls tennis qualifies a doubles team for individual state tournament
After a tight set against the Little Hawks Oct. 2, Cyan Blommer '29 tips the ball over the net. Hitters must adjust to the ball, deciding whether to hit, tip or push the ball over.
Q&A with transfer Cyan Blommer ‘29
After the game, the Trojans finished the tournament as state quarterfinalists.
West volleyball heads to the 2025 state tournament
After winning the match 3-1, team captains Sophia Austen '27 and Lila Eastvold '27 celebrate their qualification for state.
Volleyball qualifies for state after winning regional championship against Liberty
Before the game starts, team captain Sophia Austen '27 breaks it down.
Trojan volleyball ends regular season with a senior night win over Liberty
The team poses with the Spike after their hard-fought victory against the Little Hawks. The Trojans came back from losing the first two sets to win the match 3-2.
West makes a comeback to take home the Spike
From stunning upsets to unforgettable finishes, March Madness embodies the drama and energy of college basketball’s grandest stage.
Bracket breakdown
Grace Fincham '26 runs out, receiving high fives and encouragement from teammates and coaches prior to the game held Feb. 13.
Trojan basketball ends regular season with busy schedule
Ethan Headings '26 celebrates a big play in a game against Iowa City Liberty on Jan. 6.
A look toward the end of winter sports season
Changing direction, Greg Ford '26 moves past a defender in the North Gym Feb. 10.
Boys basketball falls to CR Kennedy
West High's winter athletes and performers in action.
Winter rewind
Ethan Headings '26 celebrates a big play in a game against Iowa City Liberty on Jan. 6.
A look toward the end of winter sports season
Releasing the ball, a Regina bowler goes for a strike Jan. 10 at Colonial Lanes
Girls and boys bowling battle Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Rachel Wombacher-Hess '25 bowls a clean ball, finishing with a 240 series during the Battle for the Pins Feb. 9, 2024.
Winter sport athletes to watch: girls and boys bowling
WSS recap the 2023-24 winter sports.
No Cap Recap: leaving snow days behind
Carston Guess follows through after hitting his mark, finishing with a 437 series.
West High Bowling Teams take home the King Pin against City High
Five senior athletes pose for a picture with their collegiate apparel on. Photos courtesy of Alex Held, Oliver Mikulski, Julia Dorale, Minna Abdalla and Hallei Praska.
Athletes after West: 2026 senior signees
Ethan Headings '26 celebrates a big play in a game against Iowa City Liberty on Jan. 6.
A look toward the end of winter sports season
The boys swim team poses with their newly-earned banner at Summit Middle School Feb. 7. The Trojan Bolts won the IHSAA District Meet with 503 points, qualifying athletes for the IHSAA State Championship Feb. 13-14. “They've really grown a lot as a team,” Assistant Coach Cole Phillips said. “A lot of guys have become really good friends that are going to last forever.”
Boys swimming dominates District Meet
West High's winter athletes and performers in action.
Winter rewind
Swimming the 500-yard freestyle, Nikolai Paulson '26 finishes the race. Paulson placed second in the Little Hawk Invite at Mercer Park Aquatic Center Dec. 20 with a time of 5:02.26.
Trojan Bolts sweep Little Hawk Invite
The referee raises Eva Jara’s hand after she won her quarterfinals match at the IGHSAU State Tournamnet Feb. 5. Photo by Minna Abdalla.
Eva Jara’s journey through injury, loss and success
After defeating the No. 1 seed in the tournament and the previous state champion in the 190-pound bracket, sophomore Eva Jara moves on to the semifinals.
Trojans find success at the state wrestling tournament
After pinning his opponent and getting his hand raised, Kaden Stitt '26 walks over to his coaches Jan. 31.
A final season, a fresh start: Kaden Stitt ’26
Ethan Headings '26 celebrates a big play in a game against Iowa City Liberty on Jan. 6.
A look toward the end of winter sports season
Although cutting weight can help an athlete make weigh-ins, dehydration and glycogen depletion can worsen performance, causing low energy levels, diminished strength, stamina and focus.
Cutting to compete: wrestlers and weight management
Coach Mary Goodfellow maps out the course to Lily Schmid '26 and Lily Collier '26
Girls who golf
Tate Genkinger '26 scans the green on Sept. 16 at Finkbine Golf Course.
Boys golf places second at Dubuque meet
Max Gerke '24, Dillon Croco '24, Serene Hamzeh '24 and Emma Pottoff '25 will continue their atheltic career in college.
The next level
No Cap Recap is a sports podcast with sports editor Yaya Orszula and staffer Anna Gibson.
No Cap Recap: fall sports in the review mirror
Cole Collier walks on the golf course, preparing for his next swing.
Q and A with West High golfer Cole Collier ’24
Striking the ball, Sofia Fuentes '28 takes a shot on goal at Liberty High School May 19.
Photos: West girls soccer falls to Liberty
Five senior athletes pose for a picture with their collegiate apparel on. Photos courtesy of Alex Held, Oliver Mikulski, Julia Dorale, Minna Abdalla and Hallei Praska.
Athletes after West: 2026 senior signees
Stepping out, midfielder Brileigh Thorn '28 blocks a pass at the University of Iowa Soccer Complex April 23.
West High soccer takes on rival City High in a heated double header
Soccer head coach Brad Stiles walks with his head down while he mentally prepares for a game against West's crosstown rival, the Little Hawks.
Brad Stiles: championship caliber coaching
Caden Crabtree '25 lines up to kick the ball across the field.
Senior night ends in strong victory for Trojan soccer
West High's Sophia Austen, 26 doing the High Jump on May 21, at Drake University.
West track and field competes in state meet
Bounding over a hurdle, Savannah Graham '29 races the 100-meter shuttle hurdle relay at Iowa City High School May 14. The quartet placed third with a time of 1:09.85.
Track and field teams compete in state qualifying meet
Leaping over a hurdle, Ryder Gorsh '26 runs the anchor leg of the 4x110m shuttle hurdle relay at Drake Stadium April 25. The relay took first, setting a national record of 55.82.
2026 Drake Relays: live coverage
Jumping over the bar, Evelyn Cornish '27 competes in the high jump at Iowa City High School April 16. Cornish jumped 4-11.00, earning a three-way tie for sixth.
West qualifies 22 athletes for Drake Relays at Forwald Relays
Bounding over a hurdle, Waleed Ibrahim '26 competes in the 110m Shuttle Hurdle Relay at Trojan Field April 11. The quartet placed first with a blue standard of 57.21, setting a new school record.
West High hosts Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival
Aaron Kang ’27 and Jensen Lin ’27 high five after qualifying for State at the West High Tennis Courts May 16.
West High sends singles player and two doubles teams to individual state tournament
Aryan Harwani '29 and Pierce Hribar '28 high five after a rally at the West High tennis courts April 28.
West boys tennis takes down Kennedy Cougars 8-1
Tommy Gao ’29 hits a backhand slice at the West High tennis courts April 23.
Boys tennis strikes down Liberty Bolts 9-0
Aaron Kang ’27 rests between matches at the West High tennis courts April 16. Kang later defeated Prairie's Brodie Cotts 6-0, 6-0.
Boys tennis crushes Cedar Rapids Prairie 8-1
Seniors Junze Sun, Ishan Harwani and Derek Hua pose with State Team qualifying flag.
Boys tennis senior reflections
Principal Mitch Gross congratulates the Theatre West cast and crew for their outstanding dedication.
Theatre West hosts 2025-26 Drama Awards
Director Brian Zeglis conducts the Jazz Ensemble saxophone section during their performance at the Iowa Jazz Championships. The Iowa City West High Jazz Ensemble competed at the Iowa Jazz Championships April 7 at Iowa State University.
Jazz Ensemble places 6th at Iowa Jazz Championships
"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" opens with a foreboding song sung by the ensemble, "Overture / Prologue: A Warning to the Audience." West's production of the show ran from April 16 to April 18 in the Arganbright Auditorium.
Behind the curtain of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
WSS explores the training that Elsie Harms '28, Grace Walker '26 and Carter Wagner '28 undergo at Nolte Academy.
Behind the curtain: exploring dance culture at Nolte Academy
From Jazz Ensemble to Theatre West to Good Time Company, Nathan Butler '27 is a vital part of West’s art scene.
Perfectly pitched: Nathan Butler ’27
Seniors got the chance to submit what they would say to West before they leave.
Class of 2026 says their last words to West
In recognition of the Class of 2026 graduating, play one last game created by Taelim Yoon.
One last game
Principal Mitch Gross congratulates the Theatre West cast and crew for their outstanding dedication.
Theatre West hosts 2025-26 Drama Awards
Plants can be placed on top of the lily pads in water lanes.
What kind of PVZ pool plant are you?
Packs are a cheaper way to get Gims, trails and stickers easily.
What Gimkit pack should you use your GimBucks for in 2026?
Plants can be placed on top of the lily pads in water lanes.
What kind of PVZ pool plant are you?
Packs are a cheaper way to get Gims, trails and stickers easily.
What Gimkit pack should you use your GimBucks for in 2026?
Most of the night plants are mushroom-based.
What kind of PVZ nighttime plant are you?
Players can unlock different cats by using tickets. Afterwards, players can read the interesting description of the cats.
Which normal cat are you? (“The Battle Cats” edition)
With the addition of Exploremores this year, the Girl Scouts offer 11 different cookie flavors.
Which Girl Scout Cookie are you?
The ICCSD needs to hold itself accountable in the wake of several recent financial errors.
Editorial: Budget breakdown
ICE's activity around the U.S. has increased greatly recently, and it is very important to be informed about their actions.
Editorial: ICE is here. Be aware.
In spring, student’s pray for winter’s cold days that bring days off of school.
Editorial cartoon: Please freeze time!
Sometimes a teacher forgets about a frozen screen during class.
Editorial cartoon: Frozen
Spending on holidays has many negative environmental effects. We need to stop spending.
Seasonal spending
Freshman Isaac Ceynar plays a solo on the saxophone in downtown Iowa City. West High's jazz bands played at the Friday Night Concert Series May 22.
Through the lens: jazz bands perform downtown
Blending with the band, French hornists in Freshman Band perform together. The group was the first to go May 21, playing before Varsity Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.
Through the lens: West bands’ spring concert
From wins in 2025's fall sports to achievements by West High's fine arts in 2026, the school year has been very successful. Take a look at some of 2025-26's best moments.
A look back on 2025-26: moments of excellence
West students line up before the DJ for a dance at prom May 2. Prom was held at The Highlander Hotel in Iowa City.
Through the lens: West’s prom
Taking a moment of silence, Barb Gienapp bows her head with other vigil attendees in recognition of the violence in downtown Iowa City the previous day. "I think it's important for us to support the community in any way we can. We're apolitical, and this is an apolitical event, so we're allowed to come out for these events and just be here for our community," Geinapp said. "Gun violence was a part of my early life, and so it's something that has affected me my whole life."
Local faith leaders hold vigil after Iowa City shooting
Behind Iowa's rolling corn fields lies a secret. The agricultural system the state relies so heavily on continues to taint our everyday water with harmful chemicals such as nitrates and pesticides.
Better understanding Iowa’s water quality crisis
Chris Jones advocates for crop diversification and moving out of the corn-soy-ethanol model.
Farming diversification for cleaner water and economic resilience: learn about Chris Jones and his campaign 
As ICE increasingly oversteps legal and moral barriers, increasing comparisons have been drawn between them and the Gestapo.
The American Gestapo
Everyone has stories that connect each other through invisible threads. Two teachers share their own stories in Two Truths & No Lies.
Two truths & no lies: two ICCSD teachers share how their childhood experiences influence their teaching
Every period, the PA goes off with the announcement to put away phones and earbuds into backpacks and purses.
Screen time’s over: the effects of the ICCSD’s phone policy
Candidates Endrit Ramku '27, Eddie El-Fadil 27' with running mate Emma Lai '28 and Aahana Gupta '27 talk about their campaigns for West Student Government President.
2026-27 West Student Government Presidential Debate
"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" opens with a foreboding song sung by the ensemble, "Overture / Prologue: A Warning to the Audience." West's production of the show ran from April 16 to April 18 in the Arganbright Auditorium.
Behind the curtain of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
The theme for the 51st season of Good Time Company is inspired by the world of Minecraft
Creeping into song: Good Time Company’s Minecraft show choir season
Tirza Overholt '26 and City High student Cantrell Fletcher ‘26 protest among hundreds of students during the "Melt ICE!" protest held Feb. 5.
Reimagining resistance: exploring Iowa’s legacy of student activism
The team took on difficult matchups in the tournament.
West High Esports team competes at IAHSEA state
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
Zaira Ahmed

Zaira Ahmad, Print Editor-in-Chief

(she/her) Zaira Ahmad is a Senior at West High. This is her third year on staff, and she is the Print Editor-In-Chief. Outside of the newsroom, you can probably find Zaira at show choir rehearsal or volunteering with Rotary. She also loves spending time with her friends and family, reading, and watching movies.

All content by Zaira Ahmad
Load more stories
Donate to West Side Story
$1600
$2000
Contributed
Our Goal

Menu
Activate Search
The student news source of Iowa City West High
Zaira Ahmad