• 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
Hanah Kitamoto

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief

(she/her) Hanah Kitamoto is a senior at West. This is her third year on staff and she is the Print Co-Editor-in-Chief with Kailey Gee. She enjoys meeting new people, along with reporting about West High and the surrounding communities. In her free time, she loves to travel (virtually) on Google Maps and is constantly astonished by how many cornfields Iowa has.

All content by Hanah Kitamoto
TIMSC

TIMSC

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 16, 2022
WSS explores houselessness in Iowa City and how community members can help.

Home

Ella De Young, Kailey Gee, and Hanah Kitamoto
April 21, 2022
UNICEF club to hold UNICEF Olympics

UNICEF club to hold UNICEF Olympics

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 20, 2022
Six seniors signed their National Letters of Intent in the West High cafeteria April 13.

Six Trojans sign National Letters of Intent

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 14, 2022
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

Prom set to be held May 7

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 13, 2022
Students from Sudan showcase a tradition done for couples at weddings.

Students host Walk it Out for first time since 2019

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
March 31, 2022
Daylight saving time will be on March 13.

Changing clocks

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
March 13, 2022
The Iowa City Community School District will no longer require masks as of March 1.

ICCSD drops mask mandate

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
March 1, 2022
Keiko Ono-Fullard '23 pushes the ball up the floor against Cedar Falls in the regional semifinal on Feb. 19.

Girls basketball takes control of Cedar Falls in regional semifinal

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
February 19, 2022
Max Gerke '24 dives into the pool to start the 500 freestyle state final on Feb. 12.

Trojan Bolts place second at state

Hanah Kitamoto and Heidi Du
February 12, 2022
The boys swim team placed second at the state meet with a score of 232 points.

Keiko Ono-Fullard '23 makes a free-throw against Liberty on Feb. 4.

Trojan basketball splits with Liberty

Hanah Kitamoto and Zoe Smith
February 5, 2022

Girls take down Liberty

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
February 5, 2022

[Video] West High Weekly 2.4.22

Alaina Greenlee, Video Editor
February 4, 2022
Bodie Williamson '22 works on a colored pencil drawing during his third period AP Art and Design class on Oct. 20.

8 West High students receive Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 28, 2022
Kirk Brotherton '22 and the rest of the boys swim team celebrates the Trojan Bolts' 400 yard freestyle relay win during a dual meet against Waterloo on Dec. 14, 2021.

Boys swimming has record-breaking day at MVC

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 22, 2022
The girl basketball team's bench celebrates a Lucy Wolf '24 three pointer against City High on Jan. 21.

Basketball teams sweep City

Owen Aanestad and Hanah Kitamoto
January 22, 2022

Girls basketball gets revenge against the Little Hawks

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 22, 2022
From “Footloose” to the omicron variant, the winter months have had their fair share of news.

January news briefs

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 22, 2022
Gavin Keeney '22 swims the 100 yard Breaststroke during the annual Battle for the Golden Speedo on Jan. 18.

Trojan Bolts dominate in Battle for the Golden Speedo

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 19, 2022
The emergency lights went on as West High lost both the power and internet Jan. 12.

West High experiences power outage

Hanah Kitamoto and Mishka Mohamed Nour
January 12, 2022
Advika Shah giving the first section of her debate in the semi-finals round on Oct. 19, 2019.

Debate team defends state title

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 9, 2022
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Kareem Earl '24 focuses in while shooting a free throw in the second game of the doubleheader against Xavier on Jan. 4. Earl finished the night with eight points.

Brady Simcox '23 scans the court in the second game of the doubleheader against Xavier on Jan. 4.

Jacob Koch '24 drives to the basket in the second game of the doubleheader against Xavier on Jan. 4.

Christian Barnes '22 and Jacob Koch '24 celebrate freshman Jack McCaffery's and-one to give the Trojans the lead in the second game of the doubleheader against Xavier on Jan. 4.

Basketball teams win low-scoring thriller over Xavier

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 4, 2022
Sam Ruelas '24 swims the 200 yard freestyle during a dual meet against Waterloo on Dec. 14.

Trojan Bolts fly past Cedar Falls

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
December 21, 2021
Here are a few things West High students are thankful for as fall comes to a close.

Autumn appreciation

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
November 27, 2021
Scarlet Martin '22 swims the 100 yard butterfly during the IGHSAU State Swimming and Diving Championships in Marshalltown on Nov. 13.

Trojan Bolts place third at state meet

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
November 13, 2021
Kerry Wang '25 celebrates a students bucket during the PALS and Community Inclusion Club's annual basketball game against the faculty on Nov. 11.

PALS and Community Inclusion Club defeats faculty in annual basketball game

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
November 11, 2021
The Thanksgiving food drive ends Nov. 13.

West High to hold annual Thanksgiving Drive

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
November 1, 2021
Alex Mckane '22 starts off the race strong with an early lead on Sept. 28.

Trojan cross country teams impress at MVC divisional meet

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
October 15, 2021
Students give their opinions on recent state laws and how these laws relate to local control.

State law debate

Hanah Kitamoto and Jack Alden
October 1, 2021
Nicolo Schianchi '22, Alex McKane '22, and Caden Noeller '22 sprint off the start line during the state cross country meet on Nov. 2 in Fort Dodge.

Trojan cross country teams races at Spartan Challenge

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
September 5, 2021
Jade Roghair '23 takes a breath as she swims in the 500 yard freestyle on Sept. 2 in a dual meet against Waterloo at the Coralville Rec Center.

Trojan Bolts fly past Waterloo in first home meet

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
September 3, 2021
The boys soccer team stands while starters are announced before playing Pleasant Valley in the state championship game on June 5 in Des Moines.

Boys soccer hosts alumni game

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
August 16, 2021

Softball sweeps Dubuque Wahlert on senior night

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
July 2, 2021
Marcus Morgan '21 delivers a pitch in the Trojans' season opener against Bettendorf on May 24.

Baseball team falls to Cougars

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 17, 2021
The girls tennis team qualified for the team state tournament May 22.

Girls tennis qualifies for state

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 22, 2021
Eli Young '21 eyes the ball as he prepares to make a play while playing singles at the IHSAA Boys District Tennis tournament on May 12.

Boy tennis wins districts

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 13, 2021
Aurora Roghair '21 waits to jump into the water to swim her leg of the 400 freestyle relay at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center on Oct. 17.

Roghair qualifies for 2021 U.S Olympic Trials

Hanah Kitamoto and Owen Aanestad
May 1, 2021
Owen Smith '21 heads the ball into the back of the net to put the Trojans up 2-0 against City High at Ed Barker Field on April 23.

Boys soccer fights past City

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 24, 2021
WSS investigates the long-term effects of separating students into different learning programs.

The division decision

Hanah Kitamoto, Misha Canin, and Ruba Ahmed-Abdelmutalab
April 23, 2021
This photo of Dylan Salge '23 was taken on his birthday, January 27, 2020.

Remembering Dylan Salge

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 10, 2021
Good Time Company rehearses their performance in the West High cafeteria.

GTC to hold performance on Zoom

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
February 27, 2021
Despite progress made toward the inclusion of transgender and non-binary athletes in high school sports, challenges and stigmas are still prevalent in athletic programs throughout the state.

Beyond the binary

Hanah Kitamoto and Caroline Mascardo
February 26, 2021
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

29 West High seniors named National Merit Finalists

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
February 14, 2021
The boys swim team placed third at the Iowa high school state swim meet in Marion on Feb. 13. The team finished with 208.5 points.

Boys swimming places third at state

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
February 13, 2021
Kareem Earl '24 is the latest shining star on the Trojan boys basketball team.

Rising star: Kareem Earl ’24

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
February 10, 2021
Pete Moe '22 calls for the ball on an inbounds play against Xavier on Jan. 29.

Boys basketball falls in rematch against Xavier

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 29, 2021
Liam Edberg '22, Bivan Shrestha '22 and Jonathan Chen '22 perform in a virtual trio.

Cadenza to hold second virtual concert

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 27, 2021
Phoebe Burt '21 looks to drive her opponent downward during her final match Jan. 23.

Girls wrestling competes at third annual state tournament

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 24, 2021
Andy Luo '22 swims in the 100 butterfly during a dual meet against Cedar Rapids Washington on Jan. 14.

Trojan Bolts show off young talent on senior night

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 14, 2021
Advika Shah giving the first section of her debate in the semi-finals round on Oct. 19, 2019.

Debate team named IHSSA state debate champions

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 10, 2021
Emma Ingersoll-Weng '22 looks to score against Linn-Mar on Dec. 22, 2020.

Girls basketball flies past Linn-Mar

Hanah Kitamoto and Alyssa Skala
December 22, 2020
Ryan Bys '22 bowls a strike against Kennedy on Dec. 18.

Bowling teams fall in season opener

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
December 19, 2020

Behind the Cover: Detached

Kailey Gee, Hanah Kitamoto, Heidi Du, and Soomin Koh
December 18, 2020
WSS examines how the disadvantages students face during online instruction can hinder their ability to learn.

Detached

Heidi Du, Hanah Kitamoto, and Soomin Koh
December 18, 2020
Students for Environmental Action is a club at West dedicated to finding more ways to help the environment.

Students for Environmental Action club holds first meeting

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
December 16, 2020

Behind the Cover: Indigenous in ICCSD

Kailey Gee, Ella Rosenthal, Hanah Kitamoto, and Rosemary Timmer-Hackert
November 20, 2020
The Lukachukai Mountains in Arizona are located on the Navajo Nation.

Indigenous in ICCSD

Kailey Gee, Hanah Kitamoto, and Rosemary Timmer-Hackert
November 20, 2020
The girls swim team placed second at the state meet in Marshalltown with a total of 277.5 points Nov. 14.

Trojan Bolts swim team makes history at state meet

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
November 14, 2020
Aurora Roghair '21 announced her commitment to Stanford University Aug. 7.

Life in the fast lane

Hanah Kitamoto, Owen Aanestad, and Tosh Klever
November 4, 2020
The offensive linemen take position to prepare for the next play Oct. 23.

Football team advances to third round of playoffs

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
October 23, 2020
A three-week pause in West High athletics has impacted team atmospheres and athletes' mentalities.

Broken season

Krisha Kapoor, Hanah Kitamoto, Tosh Klever, and Alaina Greenlee
October 17, 2020
Lauren Trent '22 swims breaststroke during the 200 IM Sept. 29 against Dubuque Wahlert. Trent finished with a time of 2:21.88.

Trojan Bolts dominate Golden Eagles in first home meet

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
September 30, 2020
The Iowa City West High School was established in 1968 and the school motto is "Where Excellence is a Tradition."

Students return to in-person learning after six months

Hanah Kitamoto and Heidi Du
September 28, 2020
ICCSD granted an additional two weeks of fully online school

ICCSD granted an additional two weeks of fully online school

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
September 11, 2020
Head Volleyball Coach Keeley Arnold, talks to her team during a Cedar Rapids Jefferson timeout.

Women of Troy beat J-Hawks in hard-fought battle

Hanah Kitamoto and Alyssa Skala
September 7, 2020
Katie Hoefer '21 fights towards the finish line during the 2018 Earlybird Invite at the Ashton Cross Country Course on Aug. 23.

Cross country teams compete at Spartan Invitational

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
September 6, 2020
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

School board votes to start school year fully online

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
August 29, 2020
Department of Education grants ICCSD permission to start year fully online

Department of Education grants ICCSD permission to start year fully online

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
August 27, 2020
Student Senate to hold first monthly webinar

Student Senate to hold first monthly webinar

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
August 26, 2020
Six current and former West High students share their experiences with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Standing in solidarity: protester profiles

Hanah Kitamoto, Kailey Gee, Misha Canin, and Fareeha Ahmad
August 5, 2020
Naeji Washington '22

Naeji Washington ’22

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
August 5, 2020
Josh Hurtado '22

Josh Hurtado ’22

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
August 5, 2020
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

ICCSD board members unanimously vote to delay start of school

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
August 4, 2020
Tamiah Teran '23 swings the bat in the regional semifinal on July 18.

City overpowers Women of Troy in regional semifinals

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
July 18, 2020
The Iowa City West High School was established in 1968 and the school motto is "Where Excellence is a Tradition."

School board votes no in-person classes to begin 2020-21 year

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
July 14, 2020
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

ICCSD releases survey results regarding back-to-school plans

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 26, 2020
Ben Vander Leest '20 makes contact with a ball on June 25.

Trojans sweep J-Hawks in doubleheader

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 26, 2020
Freshman Lexi Nash tries for a double play after an out at first base by Liv Williams '21.

Baseball and softball teams fall to Liberty

Hanah Kitamoto and Alyssa Skala
June 24, 2020

Trojans fall to Liberty at new field

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 24, 2020
Marcus Morgan '21 swings towards a ball while playing against Xavier.

Baseball and softball teams host highly ranked Xavier and Prairie in home opener

Camille Gretter and Hanah Kitamoto
June 19, 2020

Women of Troy host doubleheader against Prairie

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 19, 2020
Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih speaks at the Speak Up, Speak Out event. "African American and people of color are dying not just by the police. They are dying mentally, they die emotionally," she said.

Second Speak Up, Speak Out event held at Pheasant Ridge

Hanah Kitamoto, Caroline Mascardo, and Paige Albright
June 6, 2020
6 things that bring us joy despite tough times

6 things that bring us joy despite tough times

Kailey Gee, Alex Carlon, Hanah Kitamoto, Marta Leira, Abby McKeone, and Alyssa Skala
June 3, 2020
The joy of the little things

The joy of the little things

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 3, 2020
Seniors Kaitlyn Hansen, Khlood Saeed and Elena Koogler pose for a photo during the senior car parade on May 31.

Car parade held to congratulate class of 2020

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 1, 2020
Social distancing has impacted students' mental health both positively and negatively.

Trapped

Hanah Kitamoto and Misha Canin
May 21, 2020
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

Iowa high school sports given permission to resume June 1

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 20, 2020
Yard signs that honor the class of 2020 were placed in seniors' yards on May 15.

Seniors honored with graduation yard signs

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 16, 2020
Sophie Stephens '19 poses as she writes a letter on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Interrupted tradition

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 11, 2020
English Language Learners at West face a language barrier while adjusting to the new environment.

Overcoming obstacles

Hanah Kitamoto and Isaac Young
April 28, 2020
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

West High lunch meals site moves to new location

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 21, 2020
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.

Iowa schools to close for remainder of school year

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 17, 2020
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Hanah Kitamoto