Signs of love through the vines of valentines
Joseph Potts, Reporter
February 16, 2019
On Feb.14, Valentine’s Day, a group of students covered the hallways with sticky note hearts filled with uplifting messages like “Be the Change” and “Embrace the Journey.” The event was a service project done by Youth Mental Ambassadors as way to celebrate the holiday and make fellow Falcons...
The appeal of JROTC
Thomas Yates, Reporter
February 15, 2019
Filed under Features, Showcase
“Present colors!” The cadet wielding the saber issues the command for you and your fellow Color Guard members to move into the next position. Carrying a decommissioned rifle, you change your hold on the rifle, sweat forming under the brim of your cover as you feel the eyes of the hundreds of onl...
Battle of the Books
Tyler Newman, Reporter
February 12, 2019
Battle of the Books is an Iowa Quad Cities regional competition that involves students reading a wide variety of books. At the competition, there are a series of questions asked about the books’ author, setting, story… There is a level for each grade ranging from third grade to seniors. In addition t...
Wrestling at West
Joseph Potts, Reporter
February 11, 2019
Filed under Showcase, Sports, Wrestling
As the winter sports season is getting closer to a conclusion, the wrestling team will be competing to qualify for state in their next tournament. Currently they are getting themselves ready to be in their best shape to end a successful season. As of Feb. 11, Travis Hodges came in second place in the dis...
2019 Gala court candidates
Laurence Walker and Sophia Iniguez
February 8, 2019
Filed under Features, Humans of West, Showcase
Carson Kahley Carson Kahley is involved in many activities at West including band, drumline, show choir pit, and jazz band. He’s president of the National Honor Society, a Junior Rotarian, and West’s school board representative. His favorite memories at West are his experiences in drumline. ...
From success to scholarship
Emma Bernick, Media Editor
February 6, 2019
Filed under Features, Senior Spotlight, Showcase
Maintaining good grades, leading a world class robotics team, and still finding time for typical teenage activities may seem impossible to some, but senior Alyssa Rodriguez seems to balance everything with ease. Even colleges are taking notice of Rodriguez's efforts, as Iowa State University has...
Snow days pile up, cause school year to end in June
Sarah Bernick, Reporter
February 4, 2019
Filed under Award Winners, News, Showcase
The Davenport Community School District has taken six days off this year because of some of the most dangerous wind chills in years. Due to recent life-threatening temperatures and extreme travel conditions, the district has had to shorten and cut days out of the school year for the safety of all staf...
Gala gets a fresh new look
Mackenzi Burns, Reporter
January 18, 2019
Update: Gala has been re-scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9 from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. at CASI. The theme is Starry Night. Tickets are $15 and and can be purchased before or after school and during lunch in the activities office. Students attending this year’s Gala dance should expect to see signi...
Unstoppable despite the obstacles
Tyler Newman, Reporter
January 17, 2019
Filed under Features, Senior Spotlight, Showcase
He is a student who always has the biggest smile on his face. He is a passionate soul who loves writing. He is an energetic young man ready to overcome the odds any minute of the day. He is a student who never lets his struggles stop him from being successful. All of these characteristics symbolize seni...
Dance team dismantles gender stereotypes
Tori Dierikx, Reporter
January 16, 2019
Filed under Dance, Showcase, Sports
Those who attended the Jan. 4 basketball game may have been expecting a fun 15 minutes between the second and third quarter due to the annual dance to be put on by the dance team. This time, however, there was a major change that would surprise the audience. Instead of the typical all female team, fr...
District special education approach being revisited
Timothy O'Leary, Reporter
January 15, 2019
The Davenport School District has recently been under scrutiny by the state due to failures in the current special education programs provided. The district has received several audits across 2018, multiple relating to the special education department, namely being out of compliance with disproportio...
Catastrophically cautious cuts
Joseph Potts, Reporter
January 11, 2019
On Nov. 29, the Davenport School Board agreed to a two-year budget plan to remove 83 positions and cut $13 million for the 2019-2020 school year. The district was hoping to have to make less cuts due to retirements and attrition. Thirty-one teachers have taken the early retirement incentive, however, ...
Reporter
Sarah Bernick is a freshman whose knack for writing and interest in journalism lead her to the Beak 'n' Eye and WHSToday. Her hard work has payed off as she recieved a Best of SNO recognition with her...