West Side Story

12/23/2022

Cool cold entrées

Listen as WSS staffers rank their top three school cold lunches. Click here for podcast:

Helen and Yaya Orszula ’24 along with special guest Eleanor Weitz ’24 rank their top three cold lunch entrees! From turkey and croissants to pretzel buns, find out what to get when the hot lunches aren’t your favorite!

12/23/2022

West High Weekly 12.23.22

Don't have New Year's plans? Now you do. Be sure to catch the last of the 2022 West High Weekly before the new year starts.

News anchors Alaina Greenlee ’23 and Zoe Smith ’24 run through the last school news of the year including Theatre West‘s auditions for Beauty and the Beast, recap Jazz Cafe and more. Additionally, Coach Camille ’23 dishes out sports updates on basketball, bowling, boys swim and wrestling to ...

12/21/2022

Join WSS editor Helena Wa as she dives into the cyclical nature of personality development. The first link in our bio takes you to the full article.

Photography:
Helena Wa

Art:
Rosellyn Rubio
Helena Wa
Tessa Gibson

12/20/2022

They say great art comes in all forms, but throwing tomato soup probably isn't one of them. Find out why people are using art to protest climate change. https://wsspaper.com/82195/news/tomato-soup-or-r…oose-your-weapon/

12/20/2022

New place, same game

Nomi Wang '23 moved from Shanghai, China to Iowa City, Iowa. Learn about her experience at West High and how she has found community through the girl's basketball team.

To the American high schooler, attending a traditional American public high school filled with student sections, sports teams and spirit week was always on the agenda. For senior Nomi Wang, packing up and moving 7,010 miles away from where you were raised, to a city in the heartland of America with....

12/19/2022

Spotify Wrapped 2022 breakdown

If you love listening to music you’ve surely heard about Spotify Wrapped. The 2022 results have just arrived and WSS staffers ask students at West to share their results.

Click here to see West High Students’ Spotify Wrapped 2022 results! Spotify Wrapped is an annual summary of how users listened over the year. The 2023 Spotify Wrapped included features such as an “Audio Day” showing how a user’s music taste changed throughout the day, statistics like how man...

12/18/2022

Trojans take on Linn-Mar in double-header

The trojans hosted a double-header last night against the Linn-Mar lions. For full article and photos:

Last night, the West High gym was filled with fans for another boys and girls doubleheader. This time the Trojan squads were taking on our neighbors to the north, the Linn-Mar Lions. The girl’s game was underway with free admission and popcorn courtesy of ImOn Communications and a spirited student...

12/16/2022

🚨GAMEDAY🚨

The Trojans will battle the Linn Mar Lions tonight at home. Girls start it off at 6:00 p.m and boys will follow. Admission and popcorn are free courtesy of ImOn Communications.

12/15/2022

1440 Interact Club holds hygiene product drive

West High's 1440 Interact Club is holding a personal hygiene drive during the weeks before winter break. Read the article below to learn more on what to donate and where.

This winter, the 1440 Interact Club is holding a hygiene product drive at West High. Items can be donated Monday, Dec. 12 through Friday, Dec. 23. All products will be donated to the Coralville Food Pantry. Donations boxes are located in the main and guidance offices and in every world language clas...

12/14/2022

Wordle Wednesday

It's Wordle Wednesday West High! Solve this week's puzzle below.

​ Click the links below to play previous Wordles! Dec. 7 Nov. 30 Nov. 16 Nov. 2 Oct. 26 Oct. 19 May 4 April 27 April 20 April 6 March 30 March 23 March 9 March 2 Feb. 16 Feb. 23

12/13/2022

Honor your senior and help fund scholarship yearbooks by purchasing a tribute ad in the 2022-2023 Trojan Epic. More info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13tP2EZ1nht-GLhvWr9ir3y0HOTebGqskqQkYnfayUt4

12/13/2022

Read the third installment of the Black Excellence at West and Beyond series. Click the link in our bio for the full article.

12/13/2022

Click the link in our bio to read about how the passage of Name, Image and Likeness policy could bring unforeseen negative impacts to the already declining mental health of student athletes.

12/12/2022

District changes to tardy policy produces mixed feelings at West High

West High recently made a significant change to the tardy policy. Click the link to read more!

Shortly after Thanksgiving break, it was announced to West High students that there would be a change in district policy. This time, the change would involve tardiness. “No Tardy December” was invented and enacted near the start of the second trimester. The policy outlines that teachers must loc...

12/11/2022

Both basketball teams dominate Liberty in crosstown matchup

Both basketball teams came up on top in a crosstown matchup against Liberty.
Click here for the full story and photos:

First-year head coach Nate Frese got his first crosstown rivalry win against Liberty on Dec. 9. In a tight, defensive battle, West came up on top 42-40. While the Trojans couldn’t make many things happen in the paint, they got the job done from beyond the arc.

12/09/2022

West High Weekly 12.9.22

Didn't keep up with Trojan news this week? No fear West High, the Weekly is here. Tune in to this week's episode for bell schedules, the tardy policy and sports updates.

Senior news anchors Alaina Greenlee and Camille Gretter look to Theatre West’s spring musical, “Beauty and the Beast”, and recap the new bell schedule and tardy policy. Coach Camille turns over to her Corner and reviews the successful start of both Trojan basketball teams, as well as boys swim...

12/09/2022

🚨GAMEDAY🚨

Both boys and girls varsity basketball teams head north to face Liberty High in a doubleheader. Girls start off the night at 6:00 p.m. and boys will follow at 7:30 p.m.

12/08/2022

A fatal balancing act: New power adds pressure to stressed college athletes

A fatal balancing act: New power adds pressure to stressed college athletes

Student-athletes are tasked with managing a complex and demanding schedule: balancing practices, class work, and physical therapy, along with maintaining their sleep, fitness, and diet. We see them almost as superhuman machines, pushing the limits in all aspects of their lives. However, when student...

12/07/2022

Road to regionals: recapping dance team state

Road to regionals: recapping dance team state

The state dance team competition was held at Wells Fargo arena, dance teams from across the state compete against schools of similar size for state titles. West High moved up this year in a school-size division to the largest possible class, making the competition this year much more intense. Teams....

12/06/2022

All West High students can sign up for a yoga class using the link in our bio.

12/02/2022

Boys’ wrestling falls to Kennedy

In their first home meet of the season, the boys' wrestling team couldn't get it done against Cedar Rapids Kennedy.
Click here for the full story:

Losing some big seniors last year showed in West’s loss to Kennedy on Dec. 1. With no seniors in the varsity lineup, several freshmen made their high school varsity debut including Campbell Janis and Alexander Pierce who won by major decision and fall respectively. Sterling Warren ’25 started of...

12/01/2022

Theatre West presents ‘Clue’

Theatre West presents 'Clue' starting tonight

Based on the classic board game Clue, Theatre West presents ‘Clue’. ‘Clue’ tells the story of a murder at Boddy Manor. Through many twists and turns, the cast discovers bodies and finds the murderers. The production will begin with its first show on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and then follow...

11/30/2022

Here are some details about the Winter Dance and the new tardy policy

11/30/2022

Before you head to your seats for Theatre West's performance of "Clue," why don't you take the time to get to know the characters by finding out which one you are?
https://wsspaper.com/81821/ae/which-character-from-clue-are-you/

11/28/2022

Zebulon’s full circle: returning to West High

Zebulon Hurst '13 was a student at West High and now works here as a paraeducator. He shares his experiences from West, into the world and back. Read here to hear his story:

The experiences people have in life can lead them in many unexpected directions, far from where they started. However, sometimes they might just find their way right back to where they began. Zebulon Hurst, a paraeducator here at West and an alumnus of this school show how this path can take shape.....

11/24/2022

West Side Story thanks our advertisers and Friends of Journalism for supporting student-produced journalism.

11/19/2022

West High Weekly 11.18.22

See what WSS is thankful for and hear about Clue ticket sales, sports updates plus more in the Thanksgiving edition of the West High Weekly.

In the Thanksgiving edition of the Weekly, news anchor Camille Gretter and Alaina Greenlee walk through food drives, Clue ticket sales, extracurriculars showing out at the national level and more. Coach Camille also discusses the Dylan Salge and Owen Skelly memorial apparel which can be purchased he...

11/17/2022

2022-11-17

It's WSS publication day! Didn't get a hard copy? Check Issuu to read the second issue of the year.

Read 2022-11-17 by West Side Story on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

11/17/2022

A lifetime of discovery

Brad Wymer, a science teacher at West for 29 years, has grown his passion for the outdoors and education over a lifetime of adventures, discoveries and hardships. Read more about Wymer's life story below:

When West High students hear the name Mr. Wymer, they likely think of the biology teacher with the multitude of plants in his classroom or the AP Environmental Science teacher who often takes students outside to the prairie at West. However, much less known is Brad Wymer’s journey developing an un...

11/17/2022

No-cap recap: 2022 fall sports review

No-cap recap: 2022 fall sports review

As all of the fall sport have come to a close this weekend after the girls’ swim team competed as at the IGHSAA state swim meet, placing sixth, Sports Editor Zoe Smith ’24 and C0-Managing Editor Paige Albright ’23 recap the seasons of West’s six fall sports. Hearing from manager Annie Schwar...

11/16/2022

Best of West: students helping students

You've seen the Best of West posters around school, but what is it? Find out more below.

After more than 10 years of searching for a system where students can help their peers who are struggling with their classes, English teacher Kerri Barnhouse and senior Kara Thomas have formalized a way for students to give and receive help through Best of West. Originally, Barnhouse invited student...

11/16/2022

Overachievement: a double-edged sword

How do students set expectations for themselves and deal with pressure at the high school level? The double edged sword of expectations plagues students at West High.

Two AP classes, four high-commitment clubs, a sport and a job. The heavy workload is barely manageable, especially for a freshman. However, it seems like everyone else around you is somehow doing more without feeling overwhelmed. So, what do you do? Instead of taking a step back, you try to do even....

11/16/2022

Don’t miss Grapevine submissions Nov. 28th! Submissions are accepted from anybody and there will be submission boxes outside every English classroom as well as a google form. If you want to officially join the club, email Zaria Ahmad at [email protected]

11/16/2022

From the sidelines: a peak into West basketball’s 2022-2023 season

Both the boys' and girls' basketball teams have been working hard to prepare for their seasons. Learn about their goals for the season, and how they are working to get there.

West Basketball is back. Learn how the boys and girls are preparing for their upcoming seasons, and how they are getting ready to make it back to Wells Fargo Arena for another state tournament run.

11/14/2022

WSS website, newsmagazine place in Top 10 at national journalism convention

WSS’s social media accounts receive first place promotion award, WSS staffers win 10 other individual awards.

The National Scholastic Press Association Best of Show awards were presented at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention awards ceremony, Nov. 12 in St. Louis. Wsspaper.com received fifth place website, and the October print edition received 10th place newsmagazine. Camille Gretter ’23 ...

11/11/2022

Model UN: What is it?

Model UN: What is it? is up on WSS.

In the first podcast installment of Club Connection series for the 2022-23 school year, we discuss Model UN. We cover various aspects of the club, such as how to get involved, what the membership looks like, time commitments and other things.    

11/11/2022

From service to service dog

Today is Veteran's Day. Take a look at how teacher Jessica St. John found her way from the Army to the halls of West High.

Most people only see her as the woman with the service dog, but there is more to English Language Learners (ELL) teacher Jessica St. John then meets the eye. She didn’t like high school when she was a teenager, but she has a unique story that led her back to school. Teaching and service After...

11/11/2022

Baking through the seasons: Fall

Baking Through the Seasons is officially back! In this episode, Tessa Gibson '24, Eleanor Weitz '24, and Jules Keranen '24 will be baking fall treats to celebrate the new season. Get ready for sweet treats, laughs, and reviews of this episode's recipes.

Baking through the seasons is officially back for the 2022-23 school year! Fall is the second most popular season for baking (second only to winter) because of the cozy vibes and iconic fall flavors. Pumpkin spice is by far the most popular fall flavor. From pumpkin spice lattes, candles and lotions...

11/10/2022

The United States Army Jazz Ambassadors visited West High Nov. 10. They will be performing tonight at 7:30 at the Voxman Music Building.

Photographer: Sachiko Goto

11/10/2022

The new era of the West High Jazz Ensemble

West High, specifically the West High Jazz Ensemble, welcomes new band director Ryan Middleton. Check out the story here:

As far back as 1998, the Iowa City West High Jazz Ensemble has been an active member of the Iowa High School jazz community. The trophies lining the shelves in West High’s south band room attest to this fact. The legacy of the Jazz Ensemble was upheld by its former director, Rich Medd, who retired...