• WEDNESDAY 11/12: Signing day
  • THURSDAY 11/13: State swimming & diving
  • FRIDAY 11/14: Cadenza Harvest Harmonies concert, Girls bowling vs. Wahlert, Finals (periods 2, 4 and 6)
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
Epigenetics is a meeting of many factors, ranging from inherited conditions to current environmental surroundings
Hidden inheritance: the intersection of environment and health
The more chatbots continue to develop beyond basic text generation and coding, the more they are being used to supplement human connection.
Meet my friend, Chat
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims that the amounts of ultra-processed foods in schools are harming children and teens.
Should school lunches be political?
Although period products, medication and education have come a long way, there are still current issues and stigma.
Breaking the cycle
WSS dives into vaccine debates
The vac-scene
West’s Community Connect Club held a food drive at the beginning of November to stock up the school’s pantry.
Only partial SNAP benefits to be sent out in November
Iowa City residents protest the arrest of Jorge Elieser González Ochoa on Sept. 26 after he was arrested at Bread Garden Market the day prior.
Frozen with fear
Protesters held signs with messages such as “free Jorge now!” and “ICE is not welcome here” at the rally Sept. 26.
“We all belong here:” Iowa City rallies against ICE
The truth behind Trump's tariffs
The truth behind Trump’s tariffs
Placed in between the Old Capitol Museum and Iowa Avenue, a barricade stands to separate the demonstration and traffic April 22, with the preamble of the U.S. Constitution draped over it. Later, demonstrators signed this preamble in protest of current government policies, such as mass deportations and contentious following of legal orders.
Downtown demonstrators return with another protest over current administration
Follow WSS to explore the lives of four Coralville Public Library staff members: Sara Glenn, Emily Kriegl, Karen Stierler and Erika Binegar.
A chapter into the lives of the Coralville Public Library staff
Drew Bonner specializes in low brass instruments, specifically the euphonium, whereas Ashley Hatland teaches the drumline and used to play the bass drum.
Meet the Trojan Marching Band’s new staff: Drew Bonner and Ashley Hatland
Sports manager Thad Longmire ’28 inspires athletes on and off the field — and peers inside and outside the classroom — despite the hurdles he faces.
Playing the long game: Thad Longmire’s sports journey
Sonja Bruxvoort moved to West last year after teaching at Northwest Middle School. After becoming the coach for the Trojan Bolts, she is learning how to balance the two jobs.
Sonja Bruxvoort makes waves in the pool and in the classroom
Walking through the halls of West, freshmen explore their fears of entering a new school and advise that has helped ease their worries.
The fears of high school
After receiving the ball Campbell Janis '26 breaks through Cedar Falls players attempting to score for the Trojans.
Trojan football advances to second round of playoffs
After the game, the Trojans finished the tournament as state quarterfinalists.
West volleyball heads to the 2025 state tournament
Players from West and Linn Marr gather at the line of scrimmage before the start of the play.
Trojan football ends regular season with a sweeping victory over Linn-Mar
Kinnick Stadium and the Savannah Bananas gear up for their meeting during their 2026 season.
The Savannah Bananas set to play at Kinnick
After winning the match 3-1, team captains Sophia Austen '27 and Lila Eastvold '27 celebrate their qualification for state.
Volleyball qualifies for state after winning regional championship against Liberty
Starting the race, the boys varsity team takes off on Ashton Cross Country Course Oct. 2. The team placed first in the Iowa City West Invitational with a score of 20 points.
Boys cross country teams sweep final home meet
Preparing to start their race, the girls varsity team lines up at the start of the Seminole Valley Park Course. The team placed second in the Eastern Iowa Classic Sept. 25.
Cross country teams compete in Eastern Iowa Classic
Moustafa "Moose" Tiea '25 poses with his medal and plaque after the awards ceremony. On Nov. 1, Tiea took ninth in the state meet, running 15:38.2 in Fort Dodge, IA.
West girls and boys cross country compete at the state meet
Kalli Titus '25 leads a pack of runners Oct. 17 at Seminole Valley Park.
Girls cross country competes in MVC Mississippi Divisional
October started off with three Trojan home wins: girls swimming and diving, girls volleyball and boys cross country.
Trojans start October with three home wins
Sonja Bruxvoort moved to West last year after teaching at Northwest Middle School. After becoming the coach for the Trojan Bolts, she is learning how to balance the two jobs.
Sonja Bruxvoort makes waves in the pool and in the classroom
Boys swimming celebrate after setting a new record at the state meet Feb. 11.
Winter sport athletes to watch: boys swimming
A collage of the different athletes in their sports.
A look into winter athletes off-season
West High sports on the left versus club sports on the left. (All photos used with permission).
Finding a balance: club vs. high school sports
Max Gerke '24, Dillon Croco '24, Serene Hamzeh '24 and Emma Pottoff '25 will continue their atheltic career in college.
The next level
Elsie Gross '27 soars over the court.
Girls tennis season switches to fall
The girls tennis team smiles as they celebrate senior night for captain Audrey Crawford ’26 after defeating Washington 7-2. Photo courtesy of Nina Marquardt
West girls tennis ends regular season 14-3
Iris Vasi '28 returns the ball during a singles match against Cedar Falls Aug. 28.
Girls tennis wins big against Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Seniors Claire Hahn and Marie Stier high-five after winning the first point of 1 Doubles against Dubuque Hempstead May 20.
Girls tennis falls short in team regional finals
Seniors Sasha Postnikov and Marie Stier prepare to return a serve during the semi-final match. Postnikov and Stier won the match 6-0, 6-0.
Girls tennis qualifies a doubles team for individual state tournament
After the game, the Trojans finished the tournament as state quarterfinalists.
West volleyball heads to the 2025 state tournament
After winning the match 3-1, team captains Sophia Austen '27 and Lila Eastvold '27 celebrate their qualification for state.
Volleyball qualifies for state after winning regional championship against Liberty
Before the game starts, team captain Sophia Austen '27 breaks it down.
Trojan volleyball ends regular season with a senior night win over Liberty
The team poses with the Spike after their hard-fought victory against the Little Hawks. The Trojans came back from losing the first two sets to win the match 3-2.
West makes a comeback to take home the Spike
Players celebrate after winning a set.
Newcomers bring new energy to the West volleyball team
Known as "Mental Health Awareness Night," the West High and Liberty basketball teams showed their support by wearing "OS14" shirts that read "Bigger than Basketball" to honor Owen Skelley, a beloved student who died by suicide three years ago.
Trojans sweep the Liberty Lightning in a doubleheader matchup
Mason Goering '26 jumps up to take a shot while players from City attempt to block it on Dec. 20.
Boys basketball mid season update
Jack McCaffery '25 attempts to gain possession of the ball as the referee throws it in the air.
Winter sport athletes to watch: girls and boys basketball
Grace Fincham '26 waits for the jump ball Nov. 22nd at Solon.
Girls basketball season starts with a win over Solon
A collage of the different athletes in their sports.
A look into winter athletes off-season
Releasing the ball, a Regina bowler goes for a strike Jan. 10 at Colonial Lanes
Girls and boys bowling battle Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Rachel Wombacher-Hess '25 bowls a clean ball, finishing with a 240 series during the Battle for the Pins Feb. 9, 2024.
Winter sport athletes to watch: girls and boys bowling
WSS recap the 2023-24 winter sports.
No Cap Recap: leaving snow days behind
Carston Guess follows through after hitting his mark, finishing with a 437 series.
West High Bowling Teams take home the King Pin against City High
Jacob Koch '24 moves past defenders and goes in for a shot Jan. 19 against Linn-Mar.
Trojans shine in recent games and tournaments
Liberty's Jack Tunwall '28 swims the 100-yard breaststroke preliminaries.
Trojan Bolts secure second place at state championship
Nikolai Paulson '26 races in the 500-yard freestyle, clinching a time of 5:05.04.
Trojan Bolts place second at Linn-Mar Invitational
Boys swimming celebrate after setting a new record at the state meet Feb. 11.
Winter sport athletes to watch: boys swimming
A collage of the different athletes in their sports.
A look into winter athletes off-season
WSS recap the 2023-24 winter sports.
No Cap Recap: leaving snow days behind
Trinity Myers ’25 walks to the mat, preparing to wrestle her final match at the state tournament on Feb. 6.
How women’s wrestling found a home in Iowa City
Trinity Myers '25 wins her second match of the girls state wrestling tournament on Feb. 6.
Trinity Myers ’25 competes at girls state wrestling
Trinity Meyers ‘25 stands ready for the match to resume.
Winter sport athletes to watch: boys and girls wrestling
After beating his opponent, Justin Avila '25 is declared the winner Dec. 7 at Xtream Arena. Avila placed second in the 150lb weight class.
Boys wrestling impresses at Donnybrook
Trinity Meyers ‘25 stands in wait while her opponent fixes her headgear.
Trojan girls wrestling team falls to Liberty
Coach Mary Goodfellow maps out the course to Lily Schmid '26 and Lily Collier '26
Girls who golf
Tate Genkinger '26 scans the green on Sept. 16 at Finkbine Golf Course.
Boys golf places second at Dubuque meet
Max Gerke '24, Dillon Croco '24, Serene Hamzeh '24 and Emma Pottoff '25 will continue their atheltic career in college.
The next level
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
Cole Collier walks on the golf course, preparing for his next swing.
Q and A with West High golfer Cole Collier ’24
Soccer head coach Brad Stiles walks with his head down while he mentally prepares for a game against West's crosstown rival, the Little Hawks.
Brad Stiles: championship caliber coaching
Caden Crabtree '25 lines up to kick the ball across the field.
Senior night ends in strong victory for Trojan soccer
Paz Martinez '25 turns past a Western Dubuque player as she falls to the ground from Martinez's fake.
West High girls soccer defeats Western Dubuque on senior night
During halftime the girls sit together with their coaches to hear feedback and game plans.
Trojan takeover: West High soccer sweeps City High
Amaia Martinez '27 hugs Sofia Fuentes '28 after a goal against Wahlert Catholic on April 22.
Girls soccer defeats Wahlert Catholic 8-1
Moustafa Tiea '25 prepares for the 800-meter race April 25 at Drake Stadium.
Trojans take on Drake Relays
Coach Travis Craig congratulates Neil James '27 after his race during the Hollingsworth Relays March 29.
Travis Craig: the philosophy behind coaching
Max Gerke '24, Dillon Croco '24, Serene Hamzeh '24 and Emma Pottoff '25 will continue their atheltic career in college.
The next level
Reveling in their individual victories, Aidan Jacobsen '24, Izaiah Loveless '24 and Moustafa Tiea '25 hold their state champion flags. At Drake Stadium, Jacobsen, Loveless and Tiea won the 400-meter hurdles, 200-meter dash and 800-meter dash respectively, scoring 30 points for the Trojans at the state meet and taking home gold.
Trojans take home hardware at state track
Mason Middleton ’27 clears 5-10.00 in the high jump to tie fourth.
West track and field qualify nine relays and 23 individuals for state
Seniors Junze Sun, Ishan Harwani and Derek Hua pose with State Team qualifying flag.
Boys tennis senior reflections
Pierce Hribar ’28 and Derek Hua ’25 prepare for the serve in their match against Cedar Rapids Washington May 6.
Boys tennis completes regular season with 2 wins
After the starting serve from a Wahlert player, Junze Sun '25 readies himself to return the serve.
Boys tennis caps off home opener with win against Wahlert
The boys pose for a photo after beating City High on May 15 to qualify for state. Photo used with permission of BJ Mayer
Tennis teams compete in state tournaments
Samir Singh '24 serves as Shivy Mannengi '23 prepares for the return during their match for seventh place at the state singles/doubles tournament at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex May 24.
Three boys tennis players place at state singles/doubles tournament
The Good Time Company's 51st theme for the 2025-26 year is "Minecraft," with choristers singing tunes like "Steve's Lava Chicken" from “A Minecraft Movie.”
West show choirs open season with annual Works in Progress
Grapevine's winter 2024 issue features work from 16 different student contributors. Art by Naomi Lai '27, photo by Sadie Frisvold '25, writing (bottom left) by Lydia Cruce '27, writing (top right) by Endrit Ramku '27.
A first look at Grapevine 2025
During rehearsal for "Chicago" Nov. 17, Luke Reimer '27 danced onstage. He plays William "Billy" Flynn, a corrupt and greedy lawyer.
In the limelight
The Grapevine Writing Club poses for a photo during their Tuesday morning meeting. Back row: Nicholas Davis '25, Orion Shaw '25 Front Row: Darien Robins, Eva Esch '25, Gabe Mangan '25
The two Grapevines
The Trojan Marching Band performs a dance during their closer, "Thriller."
Marching forward: one year later
Halloween is a time filled with creativity. From decorations to stories to costumes.
A heartfelt homemade halloween
This week, Trojans traveled across Iowa for state playoffs and conferences.
News Quiz: Nov. 7
The West High legacy is passed through families and generations of talented musicians, inspired athletes and avid community volunteers.
The West High Legacy: Where excellence is passed down through generations
From government shutdown to show choir to state qualifiers, check out West High news with a quiz.
News Quiz: Oct. 31
With Mr. Kirpes being away, student presenters Eddie El-Fadil '27, Yasha Durnev '27, Skylar Ajax '27 and Aydan Thomas '27 help teach the material to their AP Calculus BC class.
Student presenters step up for James Kirpes
This week, Trojans traveled across Iowa for state playoffs and conferences.
News Quiz: Nov. 7
From government shutdown to show choir to state qualifiers, check out West High news with a quiz.
News Quiz: Oct. 31
West has almost 50 clubs that allow students to perform, compete, learn and be active in their community. Which club will you join?
Take this quiz and find a new club to join
Icons representing the different theater crews set on a stage
Which Theatre West crew are you?
A graphic of a living room with a person getting ready to watch Netflix.
Find your next Netflix binge watch
Editorial: AI 101
Editorial: AI 101
Food for thought
Editorial: Food for thought
The removal of the Department of Education will cause trouble for schools across America.
Editorial: Education in the new administration
The Iowa City Community School District needs to support their schools across policies.
Editorial: Policy to practice
The WSS Editorial Board urges students to remain informed and safe
Editorial: Safety first
Admin of West High, including principal Mitch Gross, prepare to open the homecoming parade in Galway Hills Sept. 22.
Homecoming ’25 highlights
Protesters held signs with messages such as “free Jorge now!” and “ICE is not welcome here” at the rally Sept. 26.
“We all belong here:” Iowa City rallies against ICE
Cyan Blommer '29 and Audrey Small '28 block a hit from Mid-Prairie.
West places third in annual Live Like Line home tournament
Author Samira Ahmed spoke in West High’s Little Theater during second and third period on April 29.
Samira Ahmed visits West for biennial author visit
The Jazz Ambassadors held a concert in Arganbright Auditorium on April 18. The 19-member ensemble featured a vocalist or jazz combo in various songs, and their performance was accompanied by a video presentation.
West High’s Jazz Ensemble opens for the US Army Jazz Ambassadors
The West High legacy is passed through families and generations of talented musicians, inspired athletes and avid community volunteers.
The West High Legacy: Where excellence is passed down through generations
The 2025 Formula 1 season will feature five rookies, the most since 2010.
Paddock behavior: 2025 predictions
The outside of the UAY building in downtown Iowa City.
Discrimination in Iowa: a talk about the LGBTQ+ community in Iowa City
The 2024 season draws to a close
Paddock Behavior: Wrapping up a silly season
The West student section celebrates a touchdown by throwing up chalk.
No Cap Recap: fall sports rundown
Farmers Market vendors line East Washington Street selling food, drinks and handmade goods.
Cultivating community: the Iowa City Farmers Market
The ICCSD issued its students new Chromebooks at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. Though they seem to be better, students still had some complaints.
Are the new school Chromebooks any better?
Spilling secrets with Sophie: Ashlyn Brady and Evelyn Kraber
Spilling secrets with Sophie: Ashlyn Brady and Evelyn Kraber
Finnley Bonfig '26, Grace Fincham '26 and Mayar Aliwaisi '26 participate in a friendly debate in light of the upcoming election.
Student Government holds presidential elections for the 2025-2026 school year
Former WSS Editor-in-Chief Zoe Smith ‘24 started the series “Christian’s Corner” last year. WSS editor Anna Greenlee ‘26 continues the series; in the second episode the two throw pottery while discussing art, advice and life.
Christian’s Corner: episode 2
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story
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
Apr 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
Mar 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
Feb 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
Feb 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
Feb 8, 2021
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
Dec 21, 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
Nov 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
Nov 1, 2020
Students in the ICCSD speak out about discrimination they have faced.

District discrimination

Bess Frerichs, Maggie Huang and Abby McKeone
Oct 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
Oct 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
Sep 29, 2020
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The student news source of Iowa City West High
Bess Frerichs