• FINALS WEEK 11/19-21
  • 11/19: Girls wrestling @ City
  • 11/21: Girls wrestling vs. Liberty @ Home
  • 11/21-23: All-State Music Festival
  • 11/22: Girls basketball @ Solon
  • NO SCHOOL 11/22
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
Katherine Shoppa

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief

(they/them) Katherine Shoppa is a senior in high school and this is their third year on staff. They are the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the West Side Story news magazine. In their free time, they like to read, write (duh) and cook.href=”https://wsspaper.com/journalism-staff-certifications/”>

All content by Katherine Shoppa
A snapshot into Iowa City Pride 2022.

A preview of Pride

Tessa Gibson and Katherine Shoppa
May 31, 2023
Another day, another slay

Another day, another slay

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 24, 2023
Students share their experiences with buying things they see on TikTok.

#tiktokmademebuyit

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 22, 2023
Art club member Adeline Lasswell '24 describes their passion for art.

Artist of the month: Adeline Lasswell ’24

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 11, 2023
WSS explores modern hookup culture at West and its impact on teenagers’ relationships.

(No) strings attached

Ella De Young, Katherine Shoppa, and Marie Stier
March 2, 2023
Various Colors Club members describe why they joined and their favorite parts about the community.

Meet the members of Colors Club

Tessa Gibson and Katherine Shoppa
February 27, 2023
When they're not in the classroom, teachers find other ways to do things they enjoy while making some money.

Double life

Katherine Shoppa and Jane Lam
January 21, 2023
In this installment of The Radish, WSS discusses Ticketmaster, Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, "Clue!" and the tardy policy.

The January Radish

Katherine Shoppa and Jack Furlong
January 21, 2023
In the first installment of Artist of the Month, WSS features freshman Polina Avdonina.

Artist of the month: Polina Avdonina ’26

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 13, 2023

The Melodies of Midnights Ep.1

Tessa Gibson, Elena Garcia Van Auken, Ashlyn Brady, Vera Tanas, and Katherine Shoppa
December 2, 2022
You don't have to be a "villain" to be direct.

Am I the villain?

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
November 19, 2022
Being an ally is more than knowing the pride flag.

How to be a good ally for students and teachers

Tessa Gibson and Katherine Shoppa
November 7, 2022
Jack Wallace '25 avoids a tackle while running with the ball versus Prairie on Oct. 14, 2022.

[Photo] West football falls to Prairie High on senior night

Helelia Wa Kalala, Social Media Editor
October 18, 2022
Catch up on the latest news you might have missed.

October news briefs

Katherine Shoppa and Jack Alden
October 9, 2022
The WSS' satire series is back for its first installment this year.

The Radish

Katherine Shoppa and Rosemary Timmer-Hackert
October 8, 2022
The road to recovery from trauma is not easy, but in the end it is worth it.

Overcome

Katherine Shoppa and Ella De Young
May 25, 2022
Highly sensitive people often have a visceral connection to nature and the arts.

Life as a highly sensitive person

Kailey Gee and Katherine Shoppa
April 28, 2022
Students for Environmental Action is a club at West dedicated to finding more ways to help the environment.

SEA to hold Earth Day celebration

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 16, 2022
Caroline Mascardo '22 addresses the ICCSD school board.

Former West girls varsity tennis players speak out against current coach

Kailey Gee and Katherine Shoppa
April 14, 2022
Taxing the rich is more necessary than many people think.

Radical reputation

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
March 5, 2022
Weekly News Wrap-Up

Weekly News Wrap-Up

Vivian Polgreen, Helelia Wa Kalala, and Katherine Shoppa
February 19, 2022
WSS takes a look at the reformation of the BSU at West.

We are the BSU

Katherine Shoppa and Ruba Ahmed-Abdelmutalab
January 21, 2022
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

West High graduate accepting donations for wildfire relief

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
January 4, 2022
There are many stigmas surrounding periods and students discuss what they believe should be done to break these.

SHHHH…

Katherine Shoppa, Kamakshee Kuchhal, and Jack Alden
November 20, 2021
New teachers at West recall how they ended up teaching here.

Welcome to West

Katherine Shoppa and Zaira Ahmad
October 6, 2021
After a journey full of trial and error, Spanish teacher Javier Montilla has found a home in Iowa City.

Journey to West

Katherine Shoppa and Zaira Ahmad
October 6, 2021
When the opportunity to teach at West arose, Michael Clark was ready to take it.

Michael Clark

Katherine Shoppa and Zaira Ahmad
September 28, 2021
After coming back to West shortly after graduating, Camille Crossett has already been enjoying her experience this year.

Camille Crossett

Katherine Shoppa and Zaira Ahmad
September 28, 2021
Amari Nasafi describes his transition from teaching 7th grade Language Arts to teaching African-American Literature at West.

Amari Nasafi

Katherine Shoppa and Zaira Ahmad
September 28, 2021
Emily Magnuson discusses her journey from being an artist in New York City to becoming a teacher in Iowa City.

Emily Magnuson

Katherine Shoppa and Zaira Ahmad
September 28, 2021
A new phase of the pandemic approaches with 295 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered.

Post-vax facts

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
June 4, 2021
Follow WSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date coverage concerning West High.

ICCSD to continue COVID-19 quarantine protocols

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 27, 2021
Dasia Taylor '21 introduces Dr. Terrence Roberts on April 6, 2018.

Dasia Taylor ’21 appears on Ellen for infection-identifying sutures

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 27, 2021
The WSS explores the culture and effects of excessive caffeine consumption and sleep deprivation.

Caffeine culture

Katherine Shoppa and Rosemary Timmer-Hackert
April 25, 2021
Over time, many holidays have become "Hallmark Holidays," existing primarily for commercial purposes.

Hallmark holidays

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
February 27, 2021
Finding fun things to do during the cold winter days can be hard, especially in the midst of a pandemic.

Winter what-to-dos

Katherine Shoppa and Misha Canin
December 21, 2020
With a pandemic, extreme weather and inequality, 2020 hasn't shaped up to what everyone thought it would be.

Can we call 2020 the worst year ever?

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
December 14, 2020

Winter what-to-dos instructions

Misha Canin and Katherine Shoppa
December 3, 2020
How to make DIY snow globes

How to make DIY snow globes

Misha Canin and Katherine Shoppa
December 3, 2020
How to make a pine cone bird feeder

How to make a pine cone bird feeder

Misha Canin and Katherine Shoppa
December 3, 2020
How to make chocolate pretzel snowmen

How to make chocolate pretzel snowmen

Misha Canin and Katherine Shoppa
December 3, 2020
Hot cocoa recipe roundup

Hot cocoa recipe roundup

Misha Canin and Katherine Shoppa
December 3, 2020
Teaching virtually has presented many challenges to the teachers of West High School.

The virtual reality

Katherine Shoppa and Audrey Parrish
November 23, 2020
The early snowfall was a subject of debate for West High students.

A not-so-heated debate

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
October 23, 2020
Super strangers

Super strangers

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
October 20, 2020
Why it's important to vote in 2020

Why it’s important to vote in 2020

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
July 25, 2020
Social distancing and lockdown measures put in place due to COVID-19 are resulting in a series of environmental changes.

Environmental side effects

Katherine Shoppa, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief
May 16, 2020
Some purple phlox started blooming in our backyard on April 7, it shows the signs of spring coming by blooming from nicer temperatures, sunlight, and rain. The flowers are blooming as spring comes.

[Photo] Signs of spring

Foundations of Journalism students
April 10, 2020
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Katherine Shoppa