• 12/16: Pajama + stuffed animal day
  • 12/17: Jersey day
  • 12/17: Girls basketball vs. Wahlert Catholic
  • 12/17: Boys basketball @ Wahlert Catholic
  • 12/17: Boys swimming @ Linn-Mar
  • 12/17: Band concert in Arganbright Auditorium
  • 12/18: Pink out day
  • 12/19: Throwback Thursday
  • 12/19: Boys wrestling @ Linn-Mar
  • 12/19: Girls wrestling @ Solon
  • 12/20: 2 HOUR EARLY RELEASE
  • 12/20: Ugly sweater day
  • 12/20: Boys and girls double-header vs City
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
Bess Frerichs

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor

(she/her) Bess Frerichs is the online managing and feature editor. As a senior, this is her third and final year on staff. She enjoys reading, writing and playing the harp.

All content by Bess Frerichs

By the windowsill

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
June 2, 2021
Paras Bassuk '21 advocates for students to have a say in Iowa government.

2021’s Last Story: Paras Bassuk ’21

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
May 30, 2021
Gwen Watson '21 is the online entertainment editor for WSS.

Staff Spotlight: Gwen Watson ’21

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
April 11, 2021
ICCSD students reflect on COVID-19 after a year in quarantine.

A year of COVID-19

Bess Frerichs, Carter McLaughlin, and Maddy Smith
March 31, 2021
Maddy Smith '22 is a photographer, writer and editor for the Trojan Epic and the West Side Story.

Staff Spotlight: Maddy Smith ’22

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 28, 2021
West teacher Alex Michenfelder used to teach music before switching to special education after losing most of his hearing.

The music of teaching

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 12, 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
Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL), an organization centered around helping students of all ages, is helping families get presents for their children for the holidays.

PALs spreads holiday cheer amidst pandemic

Bess Frerichs, Renee Gould, Maggie Huang, Alyssa Skala, Cassandra Michaels, Jack Harris, Nao Oya, and Owen Aanestad
December 27, 2020
Many students at West High had to learn how to manage their ADHD in an online setting.

The ADHD impact

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
December 21, 2020
Español

Español

Marta Leira and Bess Frerichs
December 8, 2020
Français

Français

Marta Leira and Bess Frerichs
December 8, 2020
English

English

Marta Leira and Bess Frerichs
December 8, 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
West High musicians auditioned for All-State band, orchestra and choir online this year.

All-State musicians selected amidst pandemic

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
November 1, 2020
Students in the ICCSD speak out about discrimination they have faced.

District discrimination

Bess Frerichs, Maggie Huang, and Abby McKeone
October 16, 2020
West High hosts a multitude of different clubs for all students.

A guide to West’s virtual clubs

Bess Frerichs, Alex Carlon, Alexis Dick, and Emma Hall
October 8, 2020
West Side Story Staffer Bess Frerichs and her mother, Dannye Frerichs, pose for a photo on September 28.

Surviving cancer: five years later

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
September 29, 2020
Elementary students use the app DreamBox to practice their math skills online.

Working from home: teaching while parenting

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
May 21, 2020
Community members place signs in their yard that say "We stand together" to show their support for the rest of the community.

How to help essential workers

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
May 6, 2020

Achieving success in biliteracy

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
March 12, 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.

A dedication to education

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 28, 2020
English teacher Kerri Barnhouse has had multiple students from previous years end up teaching with her at West.

From students to colleagues

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 14, 2020
The final reveal for the amount of money raised for the kids is celebrated.

For the kids: why they dance

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 11, 2020
Katherine Yacopucci '20 shows off the reason she is involved with West High Dance Marathon: for more fighters.

Katherine Yacopucci ’20

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 11, 2020
Karen Meyer poses by the stairwell near her classroom Monday, Dec. 16, before returning to teach her Algebra II Honors class.

The winter blues

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
December 22, 2019
Students at West have many different traditions that they celebrate each winter.

West’s winter traditions

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
December 18, 2019
John Boylan, father of Emilia "Emmie" Boylan, is an English teacher at West High.

Emmie Boylan: living with spina bifida

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
December 9, 2019
City Council member Bruce Teague speaks about his experience as a gay man in Iowa City.

Human Rights Campaign announces Municipal Equality Index in Iowa City

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
November 21, 2019
Seven candidates vie for school board positions

Seven candidates vie for school board positions

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
November 5, 2019
Guidance counselor Kelly Bergmann explains what her role as counselor is.

School counselors: the one-stop shops of high school

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
November 1, 2019
Mia Dillingham '20 and Mary Woodward '21 pose for a photo in the library.

Friend Crush: Mia Dillingham ‘20 and Mary Woodward ‘21

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
October 24, 2019
Students from all over Iowa City participate in an 11 minute die-in. The 11 minutes symbolize the estimated 11 years we have until the earth reaches its tipping point.

Students attend climate strike

Bess Frerichs and Renee Gould
September 23, 2019
Lizzy Slade '21 posing after she finishes her halftime performance with the marching band.

Twirling through the ages

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
September 21, 2019
All of the younger Schmidt-Rundell kids doing their individual scout salutes.

Following family traditions

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
September 11, 2019
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.

Fashion Friday: socks

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
May 24, 2019
Darci Witthoft leads a Mindful Minute in her class.

Mindfulness and mental health

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
May 9, 2019
West Side Story has compiled a periodic table of items found in the Lost and Found.

Periodic table of lost items

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
May 5, 2019
As spring gets in full swing a mallard stands in the grass looking for food in Iowa City.

Green hope

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
April 21, 2019

Not seeing double

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
April 19, 2019
Twenty West students move on as National Merit Finalists

Twenty West students move on as National Merit Finalists

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
March 10, 2019
School was canceled nine times this year due to weather conditions created by the polar vortex.

Bill introduced into Iowa House to limit makeup school days

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
February 28, 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.

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.

The pronoun problem

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
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.

Starting the New Year with nothing

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
January 20, 2019
Unlike Christmas, which is celebrated on a specific day, Hanukkah takes place over the course of eight days. The start and end dates vary each year, but typically fall in the month of December.

Celebrating Hanukkah in a Christmas-crazed school

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
December 27, 2018
West janitors Ron Melsha and MJ Plank pose for a photo in the middle of the school hallways.

Custodial company

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
December 15, 2018
Student Senate is a way for students to gain leadership skills.

Student Senate starts switching systems

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
November 30, 2018
Learning targets are listed in the daily announcements on science teacher Jeff Connor's Canvas page.

On target

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
November 15, 2018
Friends stand together at a “Support Trans Lives” rally at the Pentacrest on Oct. 25.

“Support Trans Lives” rally at the Pentacrest

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
October 29, 2018
No costumes, no jack-o’-lanterns, no candy corn

No costumes, no jack-o’-lanterns, no candy corn

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
October 27, 2018
Perry Heredia '21 walks down the hallway with her viola on her back.

All-State auditions showcase students’ hard work

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
October 20, 2018
West High's library is a place where friends can hang out before school, students can study and classes can meet.

West High library by the numbers

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
October 11, 2018
Welch forms Orchestra Council

Welch forms Orchestra Council

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
September 23, 2018
Mr. Welch poses for a photo in his office.

Welch family welcomes baby boy

Bess Frerichs, Online Managing and Feature Editor
September 14, 2018
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Bess Frerichs