• 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
Carmela Cohen Suarez

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor

Carmela Cohen Suarez is a senior at West high and this is her third year on the West Side Story. She is the online Copy Editor and Entertainment Editor. Along with enjoying writing, Carmela likes to spend time with her friends, swimming and traveling to different places.

All content by Carmela Cohen Suarez
Flowers bloom as the sun shines and the weather gets warmer.

Ways to make the most of spring break

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
March 12, 2020
Hayate Mustefa '23 wears a niqab, a garment that incorporates a face covering in addition to a headscarf.

More than a head covering

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Jillian Prescott, Cymry Hieronymus, and Paras Bassuk
February 26, 2020
West High is home to a wide range of students varying in places of birth. For international students, being at West High entails getting accustomed to a new language and school system.

The international student experience

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
February 15, 2020
Mayowa Dokun '22 is exhausted, but holds her hand up in victory after her first win of her wrestling career.

Two sides of wrestling

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
January 25, 2020

Brett Pelfrey ’22

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
January 25, 2020

Mayowa Dokun ’22

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
January 25, 2020
Nicolo Schianchi '22 comes up behind coach Chris Clegg during his first game of the night during Men's League on Dec. 6 2019.

The Men’s League experience

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 15, 2019
Now that it is colder out, taking care of one's mental and physical state of mind becomes even more important in the face of cold weather.

Winter self-care essentials

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 3, 2019
As people grow older, they become more aware of some of the larger lies told them as kids. WSS has compiled some lies people have heard over the years.

Lies parents tell their children: A compilation

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
November 6, 2019
Members of the West High swim team sit as a team to watch the diving portion of the meet on Sept. 17, 2019.

A day in the life of a swimmer

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
November 5, 2019
Carly Norris '21 plays in an ISC soccer game in the 2018 season.

Road to recovery

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
October 19, 2019
Aurora Roghair '21 and Jade Roghair '23 show off their swimming caps before school on Sept. 27.

Sisters in swimming

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
September 29, 2019
Devon Skyles '20 races down the trail to the finish lines at the Creekside CX 2018.

Pedaling through life

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
September 20, 2019
Sporting odd smells and an all brown color scheme, the older bathrooms in the building are definitely the more interesting ones.

Best bathrooms of West

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
May 29, 2019
With this school year coming to a close, students may feel nervous about what the upcoming year will bring. A general tip for all grades would be to try new things and not procrastinate assignments.

Tips for the new school year

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
May 11, 2019
"Lord of the Flies" written by William Golding tells the story of a group of young boys stranded on an island. The 1954 novel has earned itself a Noble Prize in Literature.

Four books to read this summer

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
May 6, 2019
Deluxe features a variety of baked goods and breakfast foods, including fruit tarts, chocolate croissants and brownies.

Hidden culinary gems of the Iowa City area

Anjali Huynh and Carmela Cohen Suarez
March 18, 2019
Displayed are three St. Patrick's day recipes West Side Story made to celebrate the holiday.

3 simply delicious St. Patrick’s Day recipes

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
March 17, 2019
While working in food service may seem mundane, a lot more happens behind the scenes.

Tales from food industry insiders

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
January 28, 2019
Aquaman (Jason Momoa) wields the trident of Atlan.

“Aquaman” is cliche, yet captivating

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
January 28, 2019
James Pinter '20 competes in the 200 yard freestyle race on Saturday, Dec. 16. Pinter placed third in his heat with a time of 1:46.46.

Swimming into a different state

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 17, 2018
With Thanksgiving well on it's way, WSS has compiled three recipes to try out this holiday season. One of these is the caramel and apple cake dessert.

Recipes to gobble up this Thanksgiving

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
November 13, 2018
Being in high school, some may be considered too old to trick or treat. Despite this, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween.

8 Trick-or-treating alternatives

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
October 31, 2018
Austyn Goodale '20 stands on the sidelines as she cheers during the first home game against North Scott on Friday, Aug. 24.

[Video] Diving into a new sport

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
October 25, 2018
Hirsch's final performance on the 2018 Iowa Ambassadors of Music band tour of Europe was in Rothenburg, Germany.

A unique musical experience

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
October 10, 2018
Olivia Barker '20 started her makeup Instagram page in June of 2017 as a way to show her passion to her friends and family.

The art of makeup

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
October 3, 2018
The boys varsity team stands together at the Bobcat invitational meet in Marshalltown on Thursday, Sept. 6.

A new face for Boy’s Cross Country

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
September 21, 2018
On May 4, Orchestra Iowa performed at Voxman Music Building showcasing Joyce Yang on the piano and Timothy Hankewich' s conducting.

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody: an eloquent orchestra

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
May 11, 2018
Prom at West High is quickly approaching and with it comes the question of whether we should offer more dances at West High.

One dance, two dance, three dance?

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
May 2, 2018
Before COVID-19 shutdowns, Theatre West staged shows like "West Side Story" and "Sweeney Todd" with live audiences.

Dancing into the spotlight

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
April 21, 2018

How to: make mochi ice cream balls

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
March 29, 2018
Talking to teachers can be stressful and weird. Read this to learn how to talk to teachers.

How to: talk to teachers

Carmela Cohen Suarez and Jessica Doyle
March 27, 2018
The TV adaptation of "Scream" came out in 2015 and is a more modernized version of the classic "Scream" movies.

Top 5 must-watch horror films

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
March 6, 2018
On and off the field

On and off the field

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
February 16, 2018
Valentine's Day, the love dedicated holiday, is right around the corner. Ways to celebrate it may vary from person to person.

All about love

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
February 13, 2018
For many, a typical New Year's resolution may include exercising regularly to get fit.

How to: keep New Year’s resolutions

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
February 11, 2018
Raiding Plato's

Raiding Plato’s

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
February 6, 2018
Aside from counseling, Greg Yoder occupies himself with other activities. “I actually am a camera operator for Iowa basketball games [...] we provide the in-house feed for the big screen so students may see me there.” said Yoder

Greg Yoder

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 20, 2017
Kelly Bergmann attributes her interest in going into education to both her high school teacher and her mother. “According to my mom, I always wanted to be a teacher. My mom was a teacher so I’d always play teacher.”

Kelly Bergmann

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 20, 2017
“I like to work with people and I like to help people and I see that [my] job is doing both of those,” said Kay DiLeo, who has been a counselor at West for 22 years.

Kay DiLeo

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 20, 2017
Paul Breitbach has been a part of West high academics and athletics since 1995. “It's fun to see what young people want to do and kind of encourage them to dream," said Breitbach.

Paul Breitbach

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 20, 2017
West High class schedule are full of many choices for students during the day.

Beyond schedule changes

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 20, 2017
The completed muffins have been dipped into melted chocolate and decorated with mini marshmallows and candy canes.

‘Tis the season for sugary sweets

Carmela Cohen Suarez and Ken Wilbur
December 18, 2017
Student playlist: Owen Smith

Student playlist: Owen Smith

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
December 11, 2017
The four treats go great together for a halloween party.

A twisted take on Halloween treats

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Ken Wilbur, Fenna Semken, and Jessica Doyle
October 29, 2017
Along with band members, orchestra and choir students will audition for spots into All-State on Oct. 21. Above, Meleah Chang '18 practices for a mock audition at the All-State Strings Workshop on Oct. 14 at the Voxman Music Building.

“Just go for it”

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
October 21, 2017
The current obesity rate in Iowa is 32%, which is 11% more than it was in 2000.

Healthy choices and healthy lifestyles

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
October 15, 2017
Erica Mundt received the IAPHERD award, which recognizes PE teachers who are making a difference through their teaching.

West PE teacher wins noteworthy award

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
September 30, 2017
Sandra Cisneros held a public reading at Macbride Hall on Sept. 11 for college students majoring in literature.

Siempre Sale Bonito – “It always comes out beautiful”

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
September 20, 2017
gggggg

Bookworm approved

Carmela Cohen Suarez, Entertainment Editor
September 14, 2017
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Carmela Cohen Suarez