• 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
Yaya Orszula '24

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor

(she/her) Yaya is a senior and this is her second year on staff. She is the sports editor and enjoys running cross country and track, making bracelets and rock climbing.

All content by Yaya Orszula
A collage of the teachers retiring.

Faculty Farewell: A final goodbye

Yaya Orszula and Vera Tanas
June 5, 2024
Class of 2024 senior columns

Class of 2024 senior columns

WSS Staff
May 30, 2024
A lunch bag of nostalgic snacks gets eaten.

The taste of nostalgia

Yaya Orszula, Samuel Rosenthal, and Joe Corlette
May 19, 2024
The students and boys' soccer team celebrate after the win against City High May 15.

Soccer teams split games against City

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
May 19, 2024
The Community Inclusion Club poses for a group picture after a few days at Camp Courageous. Photo courtesy of Lydia Petoskey.

Community Inclusion Club hosts its annual talent show

Yaya Orszula, Ethan Tisdale, and Evelyn Kraber
May 7, 2024
Cade Towler ’27 runs as the anchor leg for the 4x110-meter shuttle hurdle relay, placing second overall.

[Photo] Trojans host track and field Mississippi Valley Conference Championships

Erinn Varga, Print Design and Opinion Editor
May 10, 2024
The distance medley relay team celebrates on stage after their historic win at the Drake Relays on April 26.

Trojans impress at Drake Relays

Zoe Smith and Yaya Orszula
April 30, 2024
Maya Mozena '24 kicks the ball toward her teammates April 23 against Cedar Rapids Washington.

Girls soccer overwhelms Cedar Rapids Washington in 9-0 win

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
April 28, 2024
Izaiah Loveless '24 and Mason Woods '25 race the 100-meter race on April 13 at Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival.

Boys track and field takes home team title in rival’s Forewald-Coleman Relays

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
April 21, 2024
Izaiah Loveless sprints his portion of the sprint medley relay on April 13.

Drake Blue Oval Standards bountiful at track and field meet

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
April 15, 2024
Bennet Luethje works as a performance analyst for the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) San Diego Wave.

From the local spotlight to the international stage

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
April 15, 2024
Many athletes face pressure in their respective sports

Getting an A in sports

Yaya Orszula and Anna Gibson
March 25, 2024
WSS recap the 2023-24 winter sports.

No Cap Recap: leaving snow days behind

Yaya Orszula and Anna Gibson
March 6, 2024

[Video] West High Weekly 2.29.24

Abby Guo, Podcast and Tech Editor, Video Co-Editor
February 29, 2024
Peyten Van Dyke '27 goes for a cross-face Nov. 30 at the Donnybrook tournament.

Rising star: Peyten Van Dyke ’27

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
February 21, 2024
Justin Avila '25 pins his opponent Jan. 11 against City High.

Three Trojans take the podium at state wrestling meet

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
February 20, 2024
Jacob Koch '24 moves past defenders and goes in for a shot Jan. 19 against Linn-Mar.

Trojans shine in recent games and tournaments

Yaya Orszula and Minna Abdalla
January 29, 2024
Paraeducators are the beating heart of West High.

Unsung heroes: exploring the challenges faced by paraeducators in the West community

Zoe Smith and Yaya Orszula
January 17, 2024
Wrestlers often go to great lengths to rapidly lose weight.

Losing to win

Neema Ash and Yaya Orszula
January 16, 2024
Athletes should not have to compete during the holidays regardless of their professional or amateur status.

Competing in the cold

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
December 20, 2023

[Video] West High Weekly 12.19.23

Abby Guo and Haneen Eltyeb
December 20, 2023
Max Gerke ’24 qualifies in the 500 freestyle Feb. 10.

Winter sports athletes to watch

Yaya Orszula and Minna Abdalla
December 12, 2023
Dylan Colleran '26 attempts to turn his opponent on his back Dec. 7 against Western Dubuque.

Girls and boys wrestling compete in their first home dual of the season

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
December 11, 2023
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

Yaya Orszula and Anna Gibson
November 16, 2023
Peyten Van Dyke '27 attempts an arm bar against her opponent Nov. 14 at the Little Hawk Invitational.

Trojans reach the podium in first girls wrestling meet of the season

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
November 16, 2023
West High competed in the girls sophomore swimming and diving championships Oct. 28 at Mercer Park Aquatic Center.

Girls swimming and diving continues tradition of excellence at the state meet

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
November 15, 2023
West High seniors must make the difficult choice of whether or not to apply early decision.

Gambling on the rest of your life

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
November 4, 2023
Autumn Squash and Tomato Soup are classic fall flavors.

Ranking Panera soups

Eleanor Weitz, Yaya Orszula, and Jules Keranen
November 1, 2023
The offensive line gets set against Prairie Oct. 20.

Back-and-forth game ends in a loss for the Trojans on senior night

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
October 25, 2023
The girls cross country starts their race Aug. 28 at Ashton Cross Country Course.

Two trojans earn first-team honors in divisional cross country meet

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
October 18, 2023
Both Taste of China and Luna's Tacos have found family and community through their businesses.

Recipe to success

Josephine Schwartz and Yaya Orszula
October 5, 2023
Offensive lineman Jeffery Karr '24 lines up against City High Sept. 15 against City High.

West falls to City in Battle of the Boot

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
September 19, 2023
Guidance secretary and assistant cross country coach Brittany McConnell stands beside her desk while holding running medals she earned decades ago.

Running home

Yaya Orszula and Anna Gibson
September 18, 2023
The Trojan football team runs out to the field Sept. 8 against Muscatine.

Football team shows offensive power in win over Muscatine

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
September 13, 2023

[Video] West High Weekly 9.12.23

Abby Guo, Podcast and Tech Editor, Video Co-Editor
September 13, 2023
The cross country teams travelled to Ashton Cross Country Course to participate in the Trojan Early Bird meet Aug. 28.

Cross country teams take on Ashton

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
August 31, 2023
As girls golf comes to a close, see how the team has made memories throughout the season.

Family in unfamiliarity

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
June 2, 2023
Female athletes have to make sure they receive enough food to perform at their best.

Ironed out

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
June 1, 2023
Special education social worker Elizabeth Lilly at the end of her career.

Elizabeth Lilly

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
May 30, 2023
Darci Witthoft stands in front of a board in her classroom

Darci Witthoft

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
May 30, 2023
Rob Melsha stands with his arms crossed

Ron Melsha

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
May 30, 2023
A girl prepares to snap the football.

A fumble for equality

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
April 17, 2023
Kate Van Waning '26 finishes first in the 1,500-meter run March 28 at West.

[Video] On the right track

Laney Prelle, Profiles Editor
April 6, 2023
Annie Schwartz '23 leads off the 4x400-meter.

New talent emerges in girls first outdoor track and field meet

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
March 31, 2023
Love is all around west high. Is that love genuine?

High School sweethearts and heartbreak

Yaya Orszula, Abby Guo, and Elena Garcia Van Auken
March 8, 2023
The volleyball team cheers during the Battle for the Spike.

50 years later

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
March 8, 2023
Jannell Avila pins her opponent during the state wrestling tournament.

First of the first

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
February 10, 2023
Alex Pierce '26 wins by major decision against his City High opponent on Jan. 12.

Rising Star: Alex Pierce ’26

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
February 8, 2023
Alex Pierce '26 looks to win by fall at 106 at City High, Jan. 12.

Wrestling teams come up short against City High

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
January 19, 2023

[Video] West High Weekly 12.23.22

Alaina Greenlee, Camille Gretter, and Zoe Smith
December 23, 2022
Listen as Helen and Yaya Orszula '24 along with Eleanor Weitz '24 list their top three favorite cold entrées the school has to offer.

Cool cold entrées

Yaya Orszula, Helen Orszula, and Eleanor Weitz
December 22, 2022

Girls slide past Liberty in a nail-biting match

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
December 11, 2022

Boys sail past the Bolts

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
December 11, 2022
West High lost to Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 44-31.

Boys’ wrestling falls to Kennedy

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
December 2, 2022
Jade Roghair '23 prepares for her leg of the 400 freestyle relay at the regional swim meet Oct. 5.

Girls’ swimming places 6th at state

Yaya Orszula, Sports Editor
November 15, 2022
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Yaya Orszula