Whether verbal or nonverbal, communication is the basis of human connection. However, it is not limited to symbols and syllables. Even games, like chess, can be a medium for communication — through its…

After student-athletes took the leap and left their hometowns to dive for the University of Iowa, they were met with unexpected frustration. Following the 2021-22 school year, the University of Iowa cut…

In February, tenured Columbia University math professor Michael Thaddeus published an investigation challenging the accuracy of data Columbia submitted to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges…

Immigration can be a difficult process, with immigrants facing hardships such as navigating complex legal systems, leaving friends and family behind and sometimes learning a new language. However, hope…

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…

High school is the stage of life where the concept of sex is a touchy and sensitive topic— at the same time, it’s something most teenagers explore in-depth, naked and bare during this period. They…

A person’s name, appearance and personality are all qualities that others remember them by. But in this competitive day and age, it is unlikely an individual will make money based solely on those attributes….

Not many 14-year-olds are training for the Olympics — even without a disability. Four years ago, freshman Hannah Longmire didn’t think she would be either. Longmire was born with a congenital limb…

Fight or flight — it’s often one or the other. The choice can be difficult, and your answer may differ when you have to make a split-second decision versus when you have time to process the situation….

Kaylee Gibson ’23 once had to tap a rhythm on her computer for three hours before she was able to begin her homework. When passing through doorways, she always steps with her right foot first. She must…

Black students make up 24.1% of the student body at West, the second highest percentage after white students, which is 49%. The West Side Story started this series to showcase Black students at West and…

For almost a century, standardized tests have been an important part of any student’s college application in the US. However, in the last two years an increasing number of colleges and universities have…

Tapping out the rhythm with her sparkly boots against the band room carpet, the strumming of a guitar and piano notes fill the air. She grins ear-to-ear as the opening lyrics of her favorite song, “Write…

To some, shoes are just another accessory, something to wear to protect your feet. For others, collecting shoes is a fun hobby, and their footwear brings out a sense of pride. From Yeezys to Crocs, shoes…

West High’s tradition of excellence spans over five decades, with hundreds of students coming and leaving, and hundreds of teachers departing and staying. It is no wonder that some teachers might have…

One quick click and a piece of art worth millions is now yours. However, you will never hold it in your hands. This is the reality of Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs.

NFTs represent ownership of a piece…

There are approximately 330 million people in the U.S., yet only about one in 18,000-20,000 have a form of albinism, according to the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation. Pierre Rutagaya…

Iowa nice: the term describes the overwhelming kindness members of the Hawkeye State practice. It refers to Iowans’ tendency to greet strangers on the street or make conversation while checking out at…

One step into Iowa City’s CrossFit Kilo 2 and all you can hear is Eminem’s ’Till I Collapse, barbells rattling, stationary bikes roaring and sweat hitting the floor as it drips off of everyone’s…

In the last few weeks mask mandates and other COVID-19 regulations have been curtailed or dropped entirely. Overall, worldwide cases have steadily decreased in recent months. So is the pandemic almost…

The stress of school tugs you down with every step you take. Your body itches for some relief from the tension. During online classes, the black screen could easily hide the stench and smoke. Now, the…

Math class made no sense. You stayed up late studying, and the lack of sleep made focus impossible. Upcoming tests ensure that you will need to put in hours outside of class to catch up. Feeling overwhelmed,…

As the winter comes to an end, so does one of the most opportune times of the year for volunteering. Numerous opportunities for community service arise during the holiday season. But this year, COVID-19…

It is the final meet of the season — hundreds of hours dedicated to a three-minute race that determines whether her team takes home the state title. A disqualification in the form of a false start or…

West High at work

She took a step back as the customer launched into a rant about the wait time, letting her manager step in to deal with the situation. They tried to assure the customer that the…

A school district in southeast Iowa is probably not the first place someone would think of as “diverse.” But the ICCSD, with a white student population of just under 57%, is a notable exception. From…

Ripping out pages from her notebook in the Little Theatre, Nisreen Elgaali ’22 decided it was time to turn students’ words and emotions into action. Following a meeting with West administration…

From cult classics like “Mean Girls” to Oscar-nominated films like “Ladybird,” there is no questioning the cultural impact teen media has. American shows and movies in particular have a habit glorifying…

The Omicron variant is one of many COVID-19 variants that has developed over the course of the pandemic. Omicron was named a variant of concern on November 26, only a week after it was first discovered…

The House of Representatives passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill Nov. 5, which includes $47 billion designated to climate resilience and preparing communities for natural disasters that have been…

Friendship. Camaraderie. Sense of belonging. High school athletics offer students a built-in community, support system and the chance to represent their school. Unfortunately, many students with talent,…

Sixty years ago, three-quarters of Americans trusted the government, according to the Pew Research Center. This percentage has not managed to exceed 50% since 2001 and has not exceeded 25% since 2008….

You fill with dread as your alarm blares repeatedly. Under the heap of honors homework and AP review books, you groggily reach out your hand to find your phone: 8:47 a.m. You feel panic threatening to…

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. But does hard work beat monetary resources? Without proper financial investments, success in sports, music and other extracurriculars becomes far…

Confident. Humorous. Athletic. Wrestling coach Tom Lepic saw all of these traits in one person walking down the hallways of Northwest Junior High. Lepic approached the student while trying to find recruits…

Despite a clear sky and shining sun, a somber cloud hung over the Pentacrest lawn. Speakers stood on the steps of the Old Capitol behind eight buckets of flowers — one for each life lost. 

“Everybody…

On a typical morning at West, it’s no surprise to see a stream of cars pulling into the parking lots, followed by dozens of students walking into school, jangling keys in hand. For many, being able to…

As your classmates settle down into their cozy nooks and crannies, the noise in the once chatter-filled room dwindles down to near silence, with the exception of an occasional page flip. So drawn into…

The rainbow is fading.

Like many other states in the country, the Iowa Senate and House of Representatives saw the introduction of a historic number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. These bills range from intrusive…

In response to a year full of political activism and pushes for a more diverse curriculum, the ICCSD is offering a new English course starting in the 2021-2022 school year: African American literature….

In the classroom

You walk into the sixth grade classroom, refreshed after a recess break. But now the room feels different. Your classmates go silent as the dimly lit projector reveals the elusive…

Throughout high school, math teacher Hanan Rahmatallah was ambitious. She was involved in a diverse range of activities from singing to playing sports. She especially enjoyed the wonders of creating. Inspired…

It’s been over a year since the novel coronavirus made its first appearance. Although the pandemic has felt never-ending, with the introduction of two COVID-19 vaccines released by companies Pfizer and…

In the world of sports, there’s no in between.

The ball is either in or out. You make the shot or miss it. You win or lose. Even the way sports teams are categorized is firmly rooted in the binary:…

Six foot nine Pete Moe ‘22 is easy to spot in the hallways, regardless of the recently crowded West High halls. Knowing almost no one beyond his new teammates on the basketball court, Moe found himself…

When parents first sign their children up for a recreational soccer league or for tennis lessons, kids probably don’t think of it as much more than an activity that takes up a couple of hours of their…

West High special education teacher Alex Michenfelder started losing the upper ranges of his hearing in sixth or seventh grade. Hearing loss has always run in his family, so he wasn’t that surprised….

Recap

Following a rally for former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump supporters formed a mob and made their way to the Capitol to protest Congress’ certification of the presidential…

The college application process is always a new and stressful experience for high school seniors. This year, however, admissions officers are also finding themselves in uncharted territory. With testing…

With school shifted online, many students are finding it harder to focus and get their work done. This is especially true for students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental…