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The student news site of Davenport West High School

WHS Today

The student news site of Davenport West High School

WHS Today

“I was more shocked when I found out that I made the team, I genuinely thought I didnt make it,” Hicks said.

A True All-Star

Makenna Burt, Editor-in-Chief November 1, 2023

For the past 4 years, nobody has been able to do what senior Torrance Hicks accomplished. She made the All-State Cheer team, a very selective team of the best cheerleaders across Iowa. A team of 20-45...

Angele Hill ‘23 sits with her Chromebook. Hill applied to many colleges this year, none of which were in Iowa. “Obviously a lot of people here go to like UNI or Iowa…so, it was [scary],” Hill said.

What Next?

Morgan Ware, Print Editor March 29, 2023

The dreaded question of ‘what will I do after high school?’ looms high over the heads of many Falcons. As the 22-23 school year winds to a close, seniors are having to make serious decisions. If, where,...

“I’m so grateful for the amazing friendships Ive made not only with my peers but with the staff as well,” Martens said.

Busy Izzy

Addison Aleksiejczyk, Reporter December 6, 2022

Have you ever met someone who's been Freddy the Falcon? Well senior Isabella Martens was our school mascot for our Homecoming football game this year. School spirit isn’t the only thing Martens is passionate...

Ramp spends much of her time walking dogs at the Humane Society. This husky, Jay, was a surrender. He got adopted in early 2022.

A Good Cause

Morgan Ware, Print Editor September 27, 2022

For many, volunteer hours are a slog. Another load dumped onto one’s already incredibly busy schedule. Just something that they need to get into college, or to be in the National Honor Society. Something...

Johnson keeps herself busy with a good work ethic. “She’s dedicated to everything she does,” Oates says.

Can’t sit still

Katie Giebelstein and Morgan Ware September 24, 2021

People always say to get involved in high school. Who can agree to that more than senior Gabriella Johnson? During her time in high school, Johnson’s been involved in a handful of activities, including...

 “If I could describe Matt in one word it would be driven. His work ethic, his leadership, his constant goal setting, and never settling for anything less than perfection,” Oates said.

Music to My Ears

Sarah Bernick, Editor-in-Chief April 7, 2021

Name one person you know that can play the tuba, euphonium, french horn, bass clarinet, and the bass trombone...don’t worry, I’ll go first.  Matt Reis is a senior at Davenport West who has a special...

 Kathy Truong ‘21 manages to stay upbeat amidst her heavy course load. “I definitely will miss just being a kid during high school because I know during college there will be a lot of pressure and responsibility, whereas during high school you can still have fun with your friends and mess around.”

Striving under pressure

Tiara Soppe, Reporter April 5, 2021

Throughout high school, senior Kathy Truong has been one to stay behind the scenes but make moves in silence; Truong has maintained a cumulative GPA (grade point average) of a 4.0, challenged herself in...

Lantz still holds Kansas close to his heart. He has been a fan of Kansas athletics his whole life. “Nothing is going to change. [I will cheer for Iowa] if I go to the games, but I was born a Jayhawk,” Lantz said.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Luke Loving, Reporter March 31, 2021

The butterfly effect is the phenomenon whereby a small localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere. Life is full of decisions and some of those decisions are more life changing...

On the grind

On the grind

Alec Shipley, Reporter February 26, 2021

254 points, 47 assists, 46 rebounds, and 39 steals, all in just fifteen games. These are just a few of the accolades that senior John Miller accounted for during the 2020-21 season as a member of the basketball...

Erwin shares some qualities with his older brother, Brett Erwin, who graduated from West in 2018. They both played basketball all four years of high school. “They’re both hard working. They were obviously raised really well so they’re both great kids. I think Derek is a little more outgoing towards everyone else,” Paulson said.

Never give up

Luke Loving, Reporter February 10, 2021

Imagine climbing a mountain, but every time you almost reach the top, you trip and fall right back down to the bottom. Imagine having to rehab through the whole off-season leading up to your senior year....

Kennedy Wink smiling on a game day! She has stayed positive and working hard throughout the year even with obstacles in her way. “Im proud of the relationships I have established through the years and how I have such a good support group and such good friends,” Wink said.

A unique senior year

Isabella Martens, Reporter February 3, 2021

With many struggles happening right in the middle of her senior year, Kennedy Wink still persists. Wink’s senior year has been very different than she expected. She still continues to be a source of...

Denny Dang is a person who wants to put himself out for others to see. With the influence of engineer teacher Jason Franzenburg, The main thing is hes happy, he is the person who you want to be around, Frazenburg said.

Oh, Dang

Vu Tran, Reporter January 27, 2021

Picture a freshman going through high school, having no complete idea of what he wants to be in the future. Then engineering comes along and that is what sparked an interest to become an engineer as a...

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