2020
CLASS OF 2020
T H E L AS T S TO R Y
2020
2 0 2 0
N O S TA L G I A
PHOTOS BY JESSICA MOONJELY & SUMNER WALLACE DESIGN BY SELINA HUA
COMPILED BY WSS STAFF DESIGN BY JESSICA MOONJELY & SUMNER WALLACE
ABDUL AHMED
Most likely to become a paparazzi photographer
ART BY SUMNER WALLACE
KEN WILBUR
Most likely to prioritize coffee over getting to class on time
NATALIE KATZ
Most likely to beat the world marathon record
JOE GOODMAN
JENNA WANG
Most likely to always be wearing a backpack
Most likely to become a K-pop sensation
NATALIE DUNLAP
Most likely to fangirl over an NPR podcaster
n p r EDWARD KEEN
Most likely to critique every major
JESSICA MOONJELY
Most likely to always get the superlative “most likely to become president” even though she hates it
SELINA HUA
Most likely to animate the next Disney movie
SUMNER WALLACE
Most likely to write her thesis on a meme
CARMELA COHEN SUAREZ Most likely to become a knockout boxer
SENIOR
MAY 21, 2020
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SENIOR SURVEY COMPILED BY SUMNER WALLACE DESIGN BY SELINA HUA
HOW MUCH COFFEE DO YOU DRINK?
66.4% NONE 2 9 % 1 - 2 C U P S A DAY 3 . 1 % 3 - 4 C U P S A DAY 1 . 5 % > 5 C U P S A DAY
HOW OFTEN DO YOU SHOWER?
15.3%>10 TIMES A WEEK 55% 5-10 TIMES A WEEK 23.7%3-5 TIMES A WEEK 6.1% <3 TIMES A WEEK
HAVE YOU EVER...
35.1% VA P E D ?
38.2% BEEN DRUNK?
38.2%
SMOKED M A R I J UA NA ?
56.5%
NONE OF T H E A BOV E
HAVE YOU EVER ATTENDED A...
88.5% S P O RT I N G EVENT
81.5% P L AY / M U S I CA L
WHICH YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL WAS THE HARDEST?
9.2% SENIOR
65.6% JUNIOR
83.8% C O N C E RT
80%
S C H OO L DA N C E
DO YOU BELIEVE IN A HIGHER POWER?
48.1% YES 28.2% NO 23.7% MAYBE
WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION?
20.6% SOPHOMORE 4.6% FRESHMAN
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MAY 21, 2020
87% STRAIGHT 2.3% GAY/LESBIAN 9.2% BI/PAN/QUEER 1.5% ASEXUAL 0% OTHER
3.10%
NONE OF T H E A BOV E
WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOUR POLITICAL AFFILIATION?
64.9% DEMOCRAT 10.7% REPUBLICAN 24.4% OTHER
WHAT WAS YOUR LONGEST RELATIONSHIP IN HIGH SCHOOL?
5.3% >2 YEARS 17.6% 1-2 YEARS 10.7% <1 YEARS 20.6% <6 MONTHS 4.6% <1 MONTHS 41.2% ALWAYS SINGLE
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?
DID YOU CAUCUS?
46.6% YES 53.4% NO
95.4% YES 4.6% NO
HAS A TEACHER HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
HAVE YOU SLEPT THROUGH A ZOOM?
57.3% YES 42.7% NO
84.6% YES 15.4% NO
HAVE YOU EVER CHEATED ON A TEST?
HAVE YOU BEEN SEXUALLY ACTIVE DURING HIGH SCHOOL?
38.2% YES 61.8% NO
69.5% YES 30.5% NO
HAVE YOU EVER SKIPPED A CLASS?
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A CRUSH ON A TEACHER?
29% YES 71% NO
71% YES 29% NO
HAVE YOU EVER PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER STUDYING?
HAVE YOU EVER SNUCK OUT?
33.6% YES 66.4% NO
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SCHOOL ENDING EARLY?
35.9% YES 64.1% NO
DOES TRIPLE G KNOW YOUR NAME?
29% YES 19.8% NO 51.1% MAYBE
HOW DID YOU GET TO AND FROM SCHOOL BEFORE CORONAVIRUS?
6.1% WALK 78.6% DRIVE 1.5% BIKE 13.7% TELEPORT
DO YOU THINK YOUR MORALS HAVE CHANGED SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR?
84% YES 16% NO
HAVE YOU HAD A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL?
75.6% YES 24.4% NO
DID YOU ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL?
86.3% YES 13.7% NO
60.3% 12.2% 27.5% Big sad :( I was looking forward to the end of the year.
Great! I was already checked out.
Indifferent ... itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the end of the world. SENIOR
According to 131 student responses
MAY 21, 2020
32
SENIOR CONFESSIONS COMPILED BY NATALIE DUNLAP & JESSICA MOONJELY One night I had to work a closing shift and also had to study for
I don’t think I retained a
I broke the door lock in the I often brought chocolates to class when I was late so I could avoid being
I used to sneak around the school with a guy friend, chill ing on the roof or in the walls and I would always record I once stayed at school until
guide and listen to that while taking the test…
and I snuck into the tunnels years, but honestly, there isn’t
breath was when I hit the Juul right
Rec Field one night and a car ART & DESIGN BY SELINA HUA SENIOR
MAY 21, 2020
SE N IOR FUTU RES
The 52nd graduating class of West High is looking ahead to what’s after the cap and gown. COMPILED BY NATALIE KATZ ART & DESIGN BY NATALIE KATZ
Emir Abdagic - I will be attending the University of Iowa with a B.S. in either microbiology or human physiology. I will also be on the pre-medicine track. Awelu Abdalla - I will be attending Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids and I will study physical therapy assistances. Jasmine Adams Amin Afangnivo Eliseo Aguirre Abdul Ahmed - I will be attending the University of Iowa and I will major in biomedical sciences on a pre-med track. Amina Ahmed - I will be attending the University of Iowa as a pre-med student. Rabi Alaya - I will be attending the University of Iowa to study computer science. Ana Alcaraz - I will be attending Kirkwood for the nursing program and working at the same time. Ali Alwahdani - I plan to attend the University of Iowa where I’ll study business! Go Hawks! Sinon Amosi Andrey Arshava - In the fall, I will be studying at Brown University where I plan on majoring in chemistry, possibly on a pre-med track. Abele Atresso - I will attend Kirkwood Community College in the fall with an interest in engineering. Then, I will transfer to the University of Iowa.
Harpur Barahona - After high school I’m planning to take a gap year to work and complete my art portfolio and then use it to go to the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and there I can develop my art further and get new ideas for possible ways I could go with my art. Olivia Barker - I’ll be going to Tufts University next year to study women and gender studies or anthropology or English or sociology or some combination of those. I can’t wait to explore Boston! Mamadou S. Barry - I’m planning on going to college. Joseph Bartoszczyk - Move out of Iowa, after that I know nothing. Zenab Bashir Hiba Bhatti Andrew Blake
Daniel Bodin - I am going to attend the University of Iowa where I plan to major in computer science engineering. Taryl Bolisomi - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College, but I want to be a photographer and I don’t know which college I should go to. Louange Botembe Alex Boyer - I will be attending Indian Hills ComMathilde Brandenburg Even Brauns- To attend the prestigious Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee while also playing basketball and studying business. Jackson Brennan - I plan to attend Des Moines Area Community College for one year to complete the electrical construction program and Riley Bridges - I plan on studying computer science at the University of Michigan. Aaliyah Brown Brianna Buckley - I will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall with an interest in nuclear medicine technology and Spanish. Umer Bunkeri Yebal Bunkeri Eva Burbidge - I will be going to the University of Iowa and majoring in social work. Ryan Burbidge - I will be attending the University of Iowa and I haven’t decided what I will study. Andrew Burgess Karissa Burkhardt - I will attend the University of Iowa with a full tuition scholarship to major in vocal performance, dance, theater and elementary education. I’m very excited to be a Hawkeye and to pursue further studies toward my dream of becoming a performer while also getting a backup degree in education. Miria Burns Emma Burzynski - I’m going to expand my horizons — by staying in Iowa City and attending the University of Iowa to study astronomy.
Abbie Callahan - I will be attending Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee! I will be going in as a junior due to the help of the West High counselors helping me get so much college done! I will be double majoring in songwriting and music business, go Bruins! Maggie Callanan - I will be attending Luther College in the fall. I haven’t decided what to major in yet, but I’m very excited to be involved in Luther’s music program!
Anna Carmen - I will be attending the University of Northern Iowa to study zoology and enjoy the bustling metropolis of Cedar Falls. Go Panthers! Gage Carson Mason Carter - I will be attending Dartmouth College where I plan on studying engineering and French and competing for the table tennis team. I’m excited to go to the school I’ve dreamed of since I was six, but, to my grandparents’ disappointment, it isn’t located near them in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Christopher Caruthers Malo Charles - I will be attending the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. I will play on their soccer team and plan to major in mechanical engineering. YanTing Chen - I will be attending the University of Iowa after high school. Zhihui Chen Brett Cherry - I will be attending Iowa State University where I will be studying architecture. Claudia Chia - I will be attending Truman State University where I will study communication disorders. Curran Christophel-Knudtson Wyatt Clark - I will be attending trade school for welding. Carmela Cohen Suarez- I will attend Cornell College where I will double major in English (with a focus on literary analysis) and Spanish. I will also English or Spanish after college. Bronte Collaguazo- I will be attending Wartburg College where I will study psychology. I will also be a member of the Wartburg College cheer squad. Julien Cook - I will be attending the University of Iowa and studying international relations and linguistics. Ethan Cox - I am attending Kirkwood where I will study autobody collision and repair. Tate Crane - I will be playing football and studying business at Truman State University. Matthew Cupp - Studying education at Iowa State University.
Ethan D’Alessandro Paige Dahlstrom - I will be attending the University of Iowa for elementary education. Mason Dains - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College where I will study computer science. SENIOR
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Crandon Davis Creon Davis Yanir Dayan Maia DeGrazia - I will be attending Grinnell College where I plan to double major in French and biology (pre-med). I also hope to participate in the freshman study abroad program. I plan to continue traveling with the study abroad program throughout college, particularly to French speaking countries. Mia Dillingham - I will be attending Green River College in Auburn, Washington, majoring in education. Anu Dokun - I will be attending the University of Iowa where I will study engineering. Jason Donze Edward Dowling - I will be attending Carleton College in the fall where I’m planning on studying chemistry. Manal Duah - I will be attending University of Iowa where I will be double majoring in psychology and medicine. Lilli Duncan - I will be attending Coe College to major in psychology and minor in gender studies. Natalie Dunlap - I will be attending the University of Iowa, where I will major in journalism and work on The Daily Iowan.
- U.S. Air Force Andrews Fajardo Mia (Ezra) Farraj Julian Fender - I will be attending the University of Iowa. Aaron Fennell-Chametzky - I will be attending Cornell College in Mount Vernon with an interest in secondary education. I don’t know what sub-
Luke Hackman - University of Iowa School of Music Makhi Halvorsen - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. After a year or two I plan to transfer to Iowa. Studying something business related! Sydney Halvorsen- Most likely will attend Kirkwood to get the core classes out of the way, and then
Sam Fennell-Chametzky - I will attend the University of Iowa to study history. Dayana Filerio Julia Fink - After high school, I will be attending school at the University of Northern Iowa where I will be studying vocal performance. Madou Fomba Dylan Foraker Jordan Forbes - I will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall. Aside from my studies, I plan to cheer on the Hawkeyes at sporting events, rush for a sorority, volunteer, travel and meet tons of new people along the way. Anthony Forte - I will be attending Kirkwood
major in mental health therapy to become a therapist of some sorts. Sarah Hamed - I’m going to Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City and majoring in business and marketing. Olivia Hames - I’m going to Kirkwood to study anthropology. Hopefully after two years I’ll transfer to a university to study archaeology and anthropology. Michael Han - I committed to Yale University and plan to take rigorous math and physics courses to see the spring oscillate just like my GPA.
plan to transfer to a university to study business. Micah Frisbie - I will be attending Luther College and study business management. Colin Eberl - I will be attending the University of Iowa. Quinten Eberly - I will be attending the University of Iowa and probably study political science and play ultimate frisbee. Robert Egeland Guinevere Eilderts - I’ll probably work for a year to save up some money, and then apply to a community college. Soha El-fadil - I’ll be going to the University of Iowa and studying pre-medicine. I can’t wait to wear all the Hawkeye merch! Ayah ElGaddal - Iowa, the land of corn and love. I will be attending the University of Iowa where I plan to study public health so I could work in global organizations in the future. Erin Elizalde - I will be attending the University of Iowa with an undecided major on the pre-med track. Amin Elkeurti - I will go to Kirkwood and study computer science then with those skills become a video game developer. Lemuel Elliott Madelyn Epping - I’ll be attending the University of Iowa where I will double major in art history and business. I received direct admission into the Tippie College of Business. Lily Ernst - I will be swimming for the University of Northern Iowa with an interest in psychology. Jesus Escalera Rew - I’m taking a year to write music, learn guitar and get money for college. Hopefully music works out but if not I’m going to college to be a choir or math teacher, haven’t decided yet.
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SENIOR
MAY 21, 2020
Wylan Gao - Political Science at the University of Iowa. Dillon Geng Keona Geralds Angelina German - To be honest, never thought I would be repping the cyclones, but Iowa State get my summer adventure in beforehand though. Emma Gibson - I will be attending Luther College to study English in hopes of becoming a librarian. William Gleason - I will be attending the University of Iowa with an interest in physics. As for every other aspect of my future life, I plan to make it up as I go. Austyn Goodale - I will be attending St. Ambrose University where I will study pre-medicine as well as continue cheer and dive! Joe Goodman - Studying journalism at the University of Missouri. Jack Gray - I am going to Iowa State majoring in undeclared engineering. MaryClare Greer - Next fall, I will attend the University of Iowa as a health and human physiology major. Chloe Gretter - I will be attending the University of Georgia at Athens to double major in English and economics, with a pre-law intent.
Kaitlyn Hansen - After growing up a Hawkeye fan, I will be entering Cyclone territory by attending Iowa State University! Ziad Hasabrabu - University of Iowa for pre-pharmacy major. Malaz Hashim Arwa Hassan Laurel Haverkamp - I plan on studying elementary special education at the University of Iowa. Conner Hayes Thalia Heinrich - Work full time, become a badass manager at Domino’s pizza, make lots of money, get rich. Maybe do some college art classes when I have time. Grant Henderson - I will be attending the UniverEmily Hill - I will be attending the University of Minnesota to study economics. Kiahna Hill - I will be attending St. Louis Community College to play softball and study psychology. Katelynn Hillberry - I will be attending the University of Iowa and majoring in environmental policy and planning and possibly minor in economics. Jack Hinman - I was a natural born Iowa Hawkeye and I’ll be studying music education/ performance. Katherine Hirsch - I’ll be joining the writing community here as a creative writing major at the University of Iowa. Once we graduate, I’m Benjamin Hochstetler - I will transfer from Kirkwood into the University of Iowa with a likely interest in a business degree. Will Hoeft - I’ll be wrasslin’ at Harvard. Isabella Hoeger-Pinto Wade Hoffman - Going to Kirkwood for two years then attending another school for two more years. Delaney Holthaus Aidan Holtkamp Robert Hooks Marchaun Hoover Nicolas Hribar
Selina Hua - I will be attending the University of Iowa with a major in neurobiology or biomedical sciences (possibly on the pre-med track) with a minor in graphic design. Clay Hulsebus - I will be attending the University of Iowa where I will study business analytics.
Shahad Ibrahim - I’m planning on attending the University of Iowa with an interest in pre-dentistry. Amar Idris Beyza Illerisoy Fatma Illerisoy
Dominik Jensen Rodnesha Jones Mekhi Johnson - I plan on attending Community Christian College and playing football for UC Vipers while getting my associate’s degree in sports management. I plan on transferring to a university after my two years and get another degree in criminal justice and play football.
neering and basking in the comparatively warmer weather. Shuntaro Kawasaki - I will be attending the University of Iowa and watch myself change my major numerous times Idris Kecira - I will get lost on the path of life. Edward Keen - I plan on not leaving homestead just yet and attending the University of Iowa in the fall, where I will go in with an open major and with plans to go down a pre-med track. Or not. Who knows? Abraham Keita Dquavius Kelly - I plan on attending Kirkwood Community College. Teya Kerns - In the fall of 2020 I will be attending Iowa State University with a major in child, adult and family services. After college I plan to do a term in the Peace Corps before returning to school to earn my Master in Social Work. Pauline Kihura - I plan to attend the University of Iowa to study psychology and business. Chris Kim - I plan on studying biomedical engineering at Case Western University. I hope to be traveling a lot with friends and playing music. Michelle Kim - I will be attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where I will study art and technology and try not to go into crippling debt. Bethany Kinlein Drew Klein - Going to Morton College for baseball, haven’t decided what I’m going into yet. Max Knebel Kirkwood and become a welder. Elena Koogler - I will serve a two year mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and then I will go to BYU Idaho. I want to study psychology or neuroscience. Ahmir Kouangothonh Caleb Kwok - I will be attending the Illinois Institute of Technology majoring in architecture.
Plamedi Kapamba Victor Kariuki Matthew Karwal - I’m headed to the University of
“ EAT TH E R ICH , U N LESS YOU ’ R E VEGAN , TH E N GO-GO SQ U E EZE I S A GOOD ALTE R NATIVE .” - M ICH ELLE KI M ‘20 Natalie Katz - I’ll be attending Duke University, where I plan on majoring in environmental engi-
Alanna Lair - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College in the fall to begin my prerequisite courses before transferring to the University of Hawaii for dental hygiene. Then I plan to go to dental school! Alejandra Lanza - I’ll be attending Kirkwood Community College for two years and then I’ll transfer to University of Iowa. Davis Larson - Next year I will be traveling to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. My maBrody Lassner - I’m going to Indiana University to Jack Laverman Collin Leavy - Next year I will be attending Coe College where I will study kinesiology. Daniel Lee Ryan Leiffert Jimmy Leiva Mejia Mikaley Jordan Lenth - I will be attending Saint Louis University in the fall. I plan to major in international business and minor in Spanish. I hope to study abroad in Spain as well. Isaac Liao - I will attend the University of Minnesota with majors in neuroscience and philosophy.
Allen Liao - Philosophy at University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Isabel Liao Wei Bing Lin - I’m going to Kirkwood Community
“ IT I S WHAT IT I S.” - ALAN NA LAI R ‘20 College to study accounting business. Feza Lipanda - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College. Alexie Little - I will be attending Iowa Central Community College for two years, and then hopefully transfer to Coe College, where I will major in criminal justice. I also will participate in college bowling all four years. Marlen Lizama Max Long Chase Lonngren Nolan Lounsbery - I will be attending the University of Iowa and pursuing a degree in computer science. Lisa Luong - I will be going to the University of Iowa to study neuroscience and later pre-med. #gohawks baby!
Benjamin Madden - I will be attending the University of Iowa and majoring in chemistry. Luma Makawi - I’ll be attending a four-year institution where I’ll study international relations and business. Willy Malala Kayla Mallard Willa Martin - After graduating high school in two years, two trimesters and two weeks, I will be attending the University of California Santa Cruz for computer science and video game design. Michelle Martinez - Attending Kirkwood to help take care of people’s pearly whites (dental assisting). :) Ruby Massey - I will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall. Acheke Mausa Ariadne McClure - I will be attending Washington University in St. Louis where I will be studying chemistry. Luis Mercado - Kirkwood Community College Alexandra Merkle - I will be attending Kirkwood ed courses and earn my A.A. degree, with plans on continuing my education at either UNI or UIowa with an interest in social work and maybe sociology. Alexander Michaels - I am going to Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois to study game design. Catie Miller - I will be taking a gap year but also taking online classes. SENIOR
MAY 21, 2020
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Logan Moel - I will be attending Kirkwood Com-
“CALM DOWN , TH E ROADS WE R E NOT THAT ICY.” - ALEC M U RLEY ‘20 munity College to study some type of education. - I will attend Kirkwood ing the prerequisite of pharmacy school and then I’ll transfer to the University of Iowa to obtain PharmD degree. Dya Mohammad Jonah Mohr Jessica Moonjely - I will be attending Washington University in St. Louis to join the Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology program and drown in pre-med requirements. Zach Morden Charlie Moreland - I will be attending Iowa State University studying software engineering. Cameron Morris - I will be attending Kirkwood where I will study computer sciences and history. Erin Moses - I will be attending South Dakota State University, majoring in psychology with a theater minor. I intend to participate in the Disney College Program during my stay there as well, in hopes of later working in either HR for Disney, or marriage and family counseling. Abdul-Wahab Muhammad KeAsia Mullen - I will be going into the workforce as an HSP/CNA and then continuing my education to become a surgical technician. Alec Murley - I plan to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I plan to major in education. Mussab Musa - I plan on hopefully attending the University of Iowa where I want to learn about business cinematic production and photography and be able to travel around the world to take photos and produce videos. Shahd Musa Ayah Mustafa - There’s lots that I’ve been wanting to learn/study, but when I’ve put much thought into my future learning program, I’ve chosen to study medicine at the University of Iowa.
ton University in St. Louis to study architecture and fashion design. - Following family tradition, I’m going to the University of Iowa where I’ll be studying art history and anthropology! - I will be attending Kirkwood for one year and then transfer to the University of Iowa where I will be studying accounting. - In the summer, I plan to travel. After the summer, I plan to study political science. - I plan to continue being a clown at Lehigh University while studying bioengineering. - U of I
“ H IG H SCHOOL I S M EAL — SOM E PARTS AR E FR E EZI NG COLD, OTH E RS AR E BU R N I NG HOT. ALL I N ALL IT’S U N BALANCE D BUT THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT FU N .” - AH M ED NOU RELDAEM ‘20
Emily Oldman - I will be attending the University of Iowa and will be on the pre-med track. Assen Olivo - Kirkwood and I might do fashion design. Byamungu Omari Salima Omari - I will be attending William Penn where I will continue my wrestling career and study psychology. Piero Ortiz Cruz Taka Oya - My post-high school plans are attending University of Iowa studying in pre-business.
- I will be attending Washing-
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MAY 21, 2020
James Pinter - West Point, studying engineering
LI KE A M ICROWAVE D
- I’ll be attending the University of Iowa with an interest in either pre-law or political science. - I’m not sure where I want to go for college but I’ll be studying ornithology.
SENIOR
I’ll major in economics and hopefully add another major or a minor of interest in the future. Parth Patel - I am going to the University of Iowa for business and pre-dental. Tej Patel Eli Paulsen - University of Iowa engineering Brock Pelfrey - I will be attending a junior college. Bernardo Perez Isaiah Perez Roberto Perez Jawon Perry Caleb Peters - Going to University of Kansas to study architecture. Dylan Philibert - I will be majoring in chemistry at the University of Iowa.
Anahi Paredes Chaitanya Patel - I will attend Boston College where
Kaushik Raghavan - I am planning on attending Iowa State University and studying theater with a focus on scenic design and an unknown second major. I also plan on going to law school so I’m not a total disappointment to my family. Ivan Ramos Jaylynn Reed Leah Rietz - I will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison to major in materials engineering. Go Badgers! Rosa Rodriguez - I’m glad to say that I will be following my dad’s footsteps by joining the military (United States Marine Corps). Kylie Rohm - I plan on working right out of high school. Amber Rose - I will be attending St. Ambrose University to study nursing. I will be a part of the swim team and marching band there.
Khlood Saeed - Too much of a home body to not become a Hawkeye! I am attending the University of Iowa to study public health pre-med track. Osman Salama Damien Sanchez - I’ll be taking a gap year, after that I plan to attend the University of Florida to study accounting. Tomas Sanchez Asha Sandhu - I will be attending Iowa State University (go Hawks), studying kinesiology and dietetics on the pre-diet and exercise track. Ryan Sartain Cora Saunders - I will attend Wartburg College and major in elementary education. Lauren Schafer - I am a direct admit to the College of Education at the University of Iowa and will be studying elementary special education. Tristan Schaffner - I plan to attend Iowa State in the fall.
Martina Schianchi - I plan to study business at Shenandoah University. Brody Schilling Laura Schilling - I will be attending St. Ambrose University in the fall to study mechanical engineering and minor in Spanish and computer programming. Spencer Schmidt-Rundell - I plan to be an entrepreneur of a card based game company. Working towards that, I just plan to work and save up. Grace Schneider - I will be attending the University of Iowa next year and I’m planning on majoring in pre-business. Go Hawks!!!!
“ DON ’T G ET YOU R PANTI ES I N A TWI ST, IT’S J UST H IG H SCHOOL .”
Maureen Stange - I’m going to UNI and double majoring in social work and psychology; that way I can go into psychotherapy as a job. Jared Staskal - I will be attending Iowa State University where I will study software engineering and mathematics. Jacob Steffengs Taylor Steggall - I plan to attend Kirkwood to study nursing, and then once I receive my degree I will enroll into the Psychiatric and Mental Health program at the University of Iowa. My end goal is to become a psychiatric nurse! Chloe Stence - Attend Iowa State. Ja’rri Stephanys Tommy Stevens - I will be attending the University of Iowa and expanding my fermentation station. and hunting morels. Alexis Stumpf - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College and will be majoring in nursing. Hannah Sung - I will be attending the University of Iowa. Mikail Syed - University of Iowa with a major in computer science and engineering, going on a track to earn an MBA.
- ASHA SAN DH U ‘20 Kate Sehr - I am attending Creighton University to major in exercise science on a pre-med track. Mami Selemani - I will be attending William Penn University where I will wrestle and major in political science and secondary education. Colsen Selk Charlie Senft Eric Shaffer - I will be attending Luther College where I will study chemistry on a pre-pharmacy track. I also plan to sing in choir and play soccer. Sydney Sherwood - Iowa State University — undecided major. Julie Shian - I will be attending the University of Minnesota to study psychology on a pre-med track. Emma Grace Shoppa - I will be attending the University of Iowa as an environmental policy and planning major. Kareem Shoukih - I will be attending the University of Iowa where I will major in chemistry on a pre-med track. Devon Skyles - I will be attending the University of Iowa where I will study public health. Vanessa Slattery - I’m excited to say that I plan to attend the University of South Florida, where I will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Ella Smith - I will be attending the University of Iowa where I will study social work. Ronan Smith - I will be attending Iowa State University, where I will double major in physics and something less traditional like performing arts or education. Samuel Sogoti Daniel Song - I will be attending UCLA this fall to study business-economics. Catch me on ‘Forbes’ in ten! Landon Songer Mia Spring - I will be attending Kirkwood to study respiratory therapy. Alexis Stamps- I will attend Kirkwood Community College where I will do nursing.
Farhad Taghizadeh Taoheedul Tanim - Going to Kirkwood to get my gen eds then transferring to Iowa State for aerospace engineering. Addy Taylor - I’ll be going to the University of Iowa to study theater arts focusing on set design. At some point I hope to do the Disney College Program in Florida (I know, big shocker). Patrick Taylor - I will be attending the University of Iowa and will be majoring in geography and also pursue the pre-med track. Lila Terry - I will be continuing my education through the University of Iowa’s honors program on the pre-med track and continuing my Dance Marathon work as a member of UIDM leadership. Bethel Tewabe - I will be staying here in town, attending the University of Iowa under a pre-medicine major. Alan Tezoco-Abundez Sanmati Thangavel - I will be attending the University of Iowa, majoring in human physiology the pre-med track. Justin Thompson Lorena Tran - I plan to manage my family’s farm in southern Iowa. Bonheure Tshibanda - I will be attending the University of Iowa where I will study psychiatry. Paul Turnblom Peyton Tuttle
Zoe Vanatter - I plan to go on and study at Kirkwood Community College for two years before transferring to the U of I in pursuit of a career involving teaching. Greta Vande Lune - I will be attending the University of Iowa to major in elementary education and possibly minor in Spanish. Benjamin Vander Leest - I’m going to Iowa State University and majoring in business analytics. Madilyn Von Harz
Ahjiahna Walker-Garcia Sumner Wallace - Although my indecision makes the future unclear, I think I will be attending Oberlin College where I will major in English and minor in theater or music. Joseph Wan - I’m going to attend Vanderbilt University, studying economics in the College of Arts and Sciences. Jenna Wang - I will be attending Northwestern University to study journalism, business and the performing arts. Go Wildcats! Danielle Warren Briana Washington Ty Waters - I will attend the University of Iowa to study trombone performance with Dr. Johnathan Allen. Christiana Watkins Jacob Wells Julian Wemmie - I will be attending the University
“ I SHOU LD HAVE I NVESTE D I N ZOOM .” - J U LIAN WEM M I E ‘20 of Iowa (hopefully in person!) in the fall, and I will be majoring in chemistry on a pre-med track. Levi Wenck - Much to the dismay of my Hawkeye-loving classmates, I will be attending Iowa State University where I will major in physics. Kora West - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College to work towards getting my A.A. in Liberal Arts, then transferring to a four year college to get my B.A. in secondary education. Caitlyn Wicks - I plan on following in my grandmother and mother’s footsteps by becoming a nurse. I will be attending Kirkwood Community College for two years then transferring to Iowa for nursing school. Wimar Widiatmo - Go to the University of Iowa, become an engineer, and take over the Tri-State area. Ken Wilbur - Attending Washington University in SENIOR
MAY 21, 2020
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Saint Louis and planning to major in economics. Ashley Wilkinson - I will be attending Kirkwood Community College where I will study nursing. Darnell Williams
“ EVE RYTH I NG THAT’S
Marshall Wilson Angela Wong - I will attend the University of Iowa to study neuroscience and minor in psychology. Cam’ron Wortham Chen-You Wu - I will be attending the University of Iowa to double major in psychology and music maybe.
GOOD M UST COM E TO AN E N D. BUT THAT’S TH E BEAUTY
David Xiong
OF IT.”
versity of Iowa to study computer science next fall. In the meantime I’ll be training to run various races across the country (and hopefully across the world). Noah Yetley - I am hoping to work with the conservation corps in our national parks this upcoming year. Cyrus Yoder - Much to the dismay of my Hawkeye-loving grandparents, I will be attending Iowa State University where I will study graphic design. Mohemed Yogue Natalie Young - I will be attending Iowa State University to double major in animal science and biological systems engineering with minors in biomedical engineering and ultimate frisbee. #wingup Andrew Yu - I probably will be at the University of Florida studying comp sci.
- J EN NA WANG ‘20
Levi Williams Simone Willis - Attend Iowa State on a full ride academic scholarship majoring in both hospitality and event management. Magnus Wilson - I will be attending Kirkwood where I will study software engineering.
Katherine Yacapucci - I plan on attending the University of Iowa next fall for pre-child life. I plan on continuing my volunteer work at the UI Children’s Hospital and doing UIDM! Kevin Yang - I will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where I will study computer engineering along with computer science. Raymond Yang - I plan on attending the Uni-
Nikolas Zamora William Zhang - I will be attending Columbia University and will study computer science, as well as philosophy and music on the side. Michael Zuniga-Villasenor
OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO Find out where the class of 2020 is headed next year.
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ADVERTISEMENTS MAY 21, 2020
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BY JOE GOODMAN
PHOTOS BY OWEN AANESTAD & COURTESY OF WILL HOEFT & BRODY SCHILLING
Five athletes from this year’s class will continue their studies and athletics at Division I universities next fall. Enjoy the decorated custom playing cards below to learn more about each student-athlete.
WILL HOEFT ̶ HARVARD Sport: Wrestling Intended Major: Economics/Pre-Med Stats: 182-lb state champion Strengths: Toughness, Low single leg Weaknesses:
“I chose Harvard because of Coach Weiss’ philosophy. He not only wants to make people into great wrestlers, but into great men, too.”
BRODY SCHILLING ̶ DRAKE Sport: Soccer Intended Major: Finance Stats: Strengths: Striking, Instincts Weaknesses: Speed, Right foot “[Drake] has a really good soccer program and they have a really good business program, which is what I will be going for. Overall, the
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LILY ERNST ̶ UNI Sport: Swimming Intended Major: Psychology Stats: Strengths: Weaknesses: “I chose UNI because I love everything about the school — the size, the location, the campus and the people. I am excited to swim at UNI because the coaches and the team are amazing and it’s a
EVEN BRAUNS ̶ BELMONT Sport: Intended Major: Finance Stats: Strengths: Weaknesses: “[Belmont] would call me weekly, along with my parents. That made a huge impact on us when making the decision. They were the most honest and open with me and my family and really made me feel a
JAMES PINTER ̶ WEST POINT Sport: Swimming Intended Major: Stats: Strengths: Weaknesses: “I chose West Point because I wanted to surround myself with some of the hardest working college student-athletes in the nation. The coaches and team immediately made me feel like family. I also want
ART & DESIGN BY JESSICA MOONJELY SENIOR
MAY 21, 2020
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SENIOR COLUMNS DESIGN BY SUMNER WALLACE
ONE LAST ‘HELLOW WEST HIGH’ BY NATALIE DUNLAP
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fter months of writing about myself for applications, I’ll keep this column simple with a few snapshots from high school. Freshman year wasn’t eventful enough to justify a paragraph; I’ll just say I’m grateful that I’ve had some character development since then. Sophomore year, I walked into Breitbach’s office, teary-eyed with defeat, to ask to be removed from honors math. Did you know it’s possible to get a lower grade after a test retake? I learned it’s ok to be bad at things. You find joy in the good, try to fix what you can and let the rest fall at your sides. Junior year, I braved new waters by joining clubs. First, I spent one of the worst weekends of my life at a BPA convention. I quickly realized that was not my place, but a few months later I joined the sound crew for “Sweeney Todd.” If you went to the last showing you might have seen my starring role as “dark figure that changes dead battery in emergency scene hold.” Senior year, I ate tacos on Thursdays with my favorite people, pretended to be productive at
LIFE IS BUT A MEME BY SUMNER WALLACE
Y
ou’d think as the columns editor I’d have something really inspirational and witty to say to reflect on my high school years. I don’t. However, as the self-proclaimed chief meme correspondent, I can accurately describe the past four years as one big meme. First off, I spent half of the first day of freshman year trying to carry my books around like a complete fool instead of wearing a backpack. I don’t know why I thought this would be a good idea. Maybe I took the whole “everybody wears a backpack in high school” thing as a challenge, but either way, I failed. Sophomore year I began to capture my idiocy on video. In Darci Ann Witthoft’s English 10 Honors class, my group and I put together one of the cringiest (yet funniest) reenactments of “Harrison Bergeron” the world will never see. This marked the start of a long legacy of Oscar-worthy video projects. The memery in my life became more literal junior year. I started recreating vines with friends
at show choir competitions and wasted hours photoshopping my choir director’s face onto other bodies #noragrets. Junior year had lit the fuse and senior year started off with a bang. VSCO girls were everywhere. It was my first asksksksignment for WSS to cover them, and I loathed every minute of it. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing for WSS more than anything, but every dropped Hydro made my skin crawl. This was just the first of many stories I would write about internet trends in the following months. In time I would dub myself chief meme correspondent. As far as I can tell, life is just one big meme, too. It’s cringe-worthy, hilarious and sometimes it takes the joke too far. Despite (or maybe because of) all the Ls and sadly rELaTabLe moments, I’ve grown a lot these last few years. I’m grateful for the friends, role models and countless fantastic experiences I have to lean on. High school has been a precious gift, an avocado if you will, and to it I say thaaanksss.
Java for hours and befriended people I never expected to connect with. I spent so many wonderful nights with my people and then drove home with music playing and a nostalgic pit in my stomach. My biggest win was probably when I went to a friend’s house to watch a debate, stayed in their basement until midnight and then school was canceled the next day for inclement weather. My biggest loss was when I sent a typo to the whole school. Through it all, the journalism department was a constant that allowed me to make connections, tell stories and develop a sense of self. The newsroom saw me in my most timid freshman state, as well my most extroverted WSS mom form. It’s hard to believe my time there has come to an end; it’s impacted me more than I can say. P.S. To the underclassmen reading this, enjoy your senior year. COVID-19 proved we lied about wanting to skip the end and jump to college.
I’M JUST A KID BY JESSICA MOONJELY
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hen I think of the phrase “senior column,” I can’t help but groan. Each year, senior staffers craft their SparkNotes of high school, usually complete with an anecdote here, a list there, and a sappy statement to tie it all together. But journalism never prepared me for this. I write about other people, not myself. Oh, how the turn tables. You’d think I would’ve given myself ample time to complete this — given the world is shut down — but apparently procrastination in quarantine is a pandemic of its own. I guess most people would consider me the “Student Senate kid.” And I guess they’re not wrong. Yet little did eighth grade Jess know that running for Northwest Jr. High President would become her brand for the rest of her ICCSD career. In all honesty, it’s been a blast, and room 239 holds a special place in my heart. Initially, hosting an assembly seemed a lot more doable than dancing in heels. Going into high school, I was a little lost — both physically and figuratively. I didn’t know where any staircase led and was scared I wouldn’t make
HEY, YOU BY JENNA WANG
H
ey, you. You thought you could avoid me, Freshman Jenna? Before you mindlessly continue down a long winding journey where you´ll try to define what a tradition of excellence means to you, take some advice from a not-so-distant stranger: 1. I know that you’re scared to take off your glasses. They´re your safety shields and the only image that people know of you. It’s the only way you see yourself because without your glasses, everything is blurry. Literally. But losing your old image opens doors to a new you, with twice the clarity. 2. When you first dance to K-pop in public, you confront fear like never before. Instead of lurking beyond its shadows, you stare in its face. And you. Must. Win! You will be stronger because of it and care less about what people think of you. 3. Please, wake up earlier and stop procrastinating. There will come a day where you will wake up five minutes before the bell and run over to school in three feet of snow with a head of frozen hair and wonder how you are even still
alive. 4. You know how everyone mistakes you for a 12-year-old all the time? Well, theater shows you the versatility that is inside you all along — acting from an eight-year-old to a crazed old beggar woman. 5. I know college apps are on your mind. But, SURPRISE! It takes a global pandemic during senior year to impress upon you that you must learn to live in the present. You have made a family within your violin, choir, theater and journalism communities. You have made a home amongst your fellow classmates walking down the ceiling-less halls, most of whom you may never see again. The beauty of high school is that everyone on all paths and walks of life are gathered in one place, so enjoy the faces and places around you. One day, you will become Senior Jenna. You´ll have your regrets and reflections, but you have found what a tradition of excellence means to you. The world awaits. Peace out West High. Thank you for everything.
any friends #angst. Needless to say, performing on stage was nerve-racking for me. To this day, I definitely don’t consider myself a “choir kid” (yikes lol), but these colorful people have become some of my closest friends. People might be surprised to know that technically I am a student-athlete. Armed with my scrawny 5’2.2” stature, I have been a “tennis kid” every spring. Becoming state champs, serving as captain, and beating Dowling were only so fun because of my amazing teammates. Last but not least, I am a “WSS kid.” Journalism has given me a license to do it all. From covering teen pregnancy to Valentine’s Day horror stories, I’ve enjoyed every article. I’ll miss the people, the couch, and the scattered applause on someone’s birthday. With high school drawing to a close, “this kid” is now “an adult.” And still, I’ll always be grateful to West for showing me sides of myself that I didn’t know existed. I know I promised this wouldn’t be too sentimental, but I guess a little sappy is ok.
FULL CIRCLE BY NATALIE KATZ
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’ve always had a bit of a rebellious streak. Perhaps this is news to those who don’t know me. Quiet, yet defiant, I’ve always preferred to do things my way, especially when advised other-
wise. So, when eighth grade me was filling my schedule, it probably came as no surprise to my dad when I immediately struck down his suggestion of taking principles of engineering. Acting solely with the purpose of defying my father and not at all out of consideration for whether I would even enjoy the course, I admit, I made a rash decision. So, with my sights set on becoming a designer, I signed up for Intro to Journalism — a ridiculous choice for someone who detested writing. I soon realized I wasn’t cut out for the job. My first design, if you can call it that, consisted of one full page of writing with a small headshot in the corner. Throughout the year though, I realized that to my dismay, what really inspired me was telling stories that matter. After that unexpected dip into the wonders of journalism, I was lucky to spend three more
WHAT A RIDE!
BY ABDUL AHMED
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itting here and reflecting on the last four years has made me realize that time really flew by. If I was asked to describe my high school experience in one word, I would say: (one hell of a) rollercoaster. To be honest, the only thing I remember from freshman year is my poor work ethic. I was barely doing the bare minimum, and I simply didn’t care. Freshman year was basically one huge joke to me, and this particular behavior really came back to bite me in the butt. My classes were manageable sophomore year, so I decided to join cross country just for the fun of it. The first weeks were absolutely miserable. There was nothing I dreaded more than changing in the stinky locker room and running for the two longest hours of my life. After a while, I
began to enjoy cross, and I was looking forward to getting a good workout in. I strutted into junior year with a ton of ambition, sick of taking easy classes and with a schedule loaded with AP and Honors classes. Lo and behold, I ended up burning out before January. Unlike many of my peers who became hooked
years on staff. Through them all, while my passion for storytelling only burned brighter, my once burning desire to be a designer dimmed, faint, but always there. But things really do come full circle … look who designed pages 25-30! Next year, I’ll be studying engineering, something I guess my dad foresaw long before I did. And so it seems I made a mistake four years ago, when one small act of rebellion temporarily altered the course of my life. But I don’t regret that decision one bit. I’ve learned how to turn meaningful conversations into meaningful stories that can impact the lives of others: things I never would’ve learned in POE. In the fall when I become a freshman once more, maybe, just maybe, I’ll be lucky enough to make another rebellious decision that’ll lead to four years as unexpectedly wonderful as these past four have been. on coffee, I became dependent on tea. Black tea became a necessity for getting me through countless all-nighters. Shoutout to Lipton for helping me survive the monstrosity that was junior year. When senior year rolled around, I was finally able to relax. Having a maximum of three hours worth of homework felt godly and that meant that I could finally go to bed before 3 a.m.! Of the last four, senior year has definitely been my favorite. This was the year that I realized that hard work really does pay off in school. That might’ve not seemed like a crazy rollercoaster to you, but it was a wild ride for me. Throughout the many twists and turns of high school, I’ve always pushed through no matter what. I learned that being able to go to school is a privilege and something that I should take seriously.
COMMUNITY CHEST BY JOE GOODMAN
I
f you were expecting me to write about sports, you would be exactly right. From the time I could walk, I remember my dad putting a Nerf basketball in my hands and pointing at the rim. The game of basketball, and many others that I played throughout my childhood, created some of my greatest friendships and memories that I will carry with me long after leaving West High. Playing junior varsity golf my senior year (don’t ask) taught me humility. Before joining the team, that little white ball seemed like the easiest sport in the world, but after stepping up and slicing ten straight drives into the nearest trees, you start to rethink your entire life and any shred of athletic ability you claimed to have had.
Running track forced me to face the difficult parts of life. Like the average American, I hate running. Still do. But track practice in the spring was a constant reminder that sometimes you have to do things you hate to achieve your goals (if that wasn’t cheesy enough). For some reason, I still go on runs. Basketball taught me dozens of life lessons, but the one I enjoyed the most was the value of teamwork. I loved working with everyone on our team, and leading the team onto the court on Tuesdays and Fridays provided me with some of the best memories from my time at West. Every single teammate and coach I have ever had taught me something about life, but some of my favorite and most well-respected teammates
work with me on our school newspaper. The West Side Story is home to some of the hardest working and most determined people I have ever met, and I’m so happy they welcomed me with open arms last February. To Mrs. Whittaker and the entire staff, thanks for letting me be on the team.