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The Student News Site of Traverse City West Senior High

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

Graphic credit: Aubrey Lawless
Course Selection Approaches Students for the New School Year
Aubrey Lawless and Madeline Sweeney January 22, 2025

  With the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year coming to a close, course selection for the...

Financial aid presentation in the auditorium. Photo Credit: M. Bildeaux
Financial Aid Opportunities for College-Bound Students
Ashlyn Cummings and Brody Weston December 20, 2024

  As college application season comes to a close and the middle of senior year approaches, students...

Graphic Credit: L. Rintala/Staff
Movie Club Sparks Creativity in Students
Lainie Rintala, Podcast Coordinator • December 18, 2024

  West offers many unique clubs based on the interests and hobbies of students. Students who enjoy...

Drew Esper Tackling Another Division 1 Offer
Drew Esper Tackling Another Division 1 Offer
Harrison Gapinski March 19, 2025

  On Jan. 26, junior Drew Esper received a Division 1 (D1) offer to play football at Eastern Michigan University due to his hard work and dedication to the sport. D1 is the highest...

Rugby team comes together on the pitch. Photo Courtesy: Lex Leonard
Girls Rugby Tries to Promote Inclusivity
Tess Tarchak-Hiss November 21, 2024

  Although there has been a rise in inclusivity within the world of high school athletics, some students continue to feel isolated within their respective sports. Whether they...

Seven Seas of Doom Scrolling
Tess Tarchak-Hiss, Assistant Editor • February 13, 2025
Tammy Brunan pictured inside the main office. Photo Credit: Madeline Gartland
Tammy Brunan, Main Office, Moving Positions Within TCAPS
Madeline Gartland, Reporter, Section Editor • January 16, 2025
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Graphic Credit: H. Hoxie
Taking Sides: Trump IS NOT Abusing his Executive Power
Megan Dyke, Reporter • March 14, 2025

  Since Trump first took office on Jan. 20, he has signed a whopping 83 executive orders to implement the many promises he made during his campaign. Though not directly...

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Live from New York, It’s Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary!
Alexa Bageris March 19, 2025

 On Feb. 16, 2025, long-running Saturday Night Live released the episode for the 50th anniversary. The show has been admired by many and for many years. The special was a mix...

Saint Patrick's Day Crossword Puzzle KEY
Saint Patrick’s Day Crossword Puzzle KEY
Alexa Bageris, Social Media Manager • March 14, 2025

Photo Credit: Apple Music
“So Close to What” Album Review
Riley Burkholder, Social Media Manager • March 4, 2025

  With countless teasers and easter eggs hidden inside Tate McRae’s recent music videos and performances, McRae finally released her third studio album “So Close To What”...

Traverse City’s Big Lots holds going out-of-business sales. Photo courtesy - Michigan News Source
Big Lots Shuts Down Nationwide
Ellie Maniaci, Reporter, Section Editor • January 25, 2025

  Traverse City’s Big Lots, located in the Cherryland Center, began its going-out-of-business sales last December and is preparing to close all of its locations throughout...

Climate Change in the Local Community
Climate Change in the Local Community
Aubrey Lawless December 10, 2024

  Climate change has been a major point of contention globally, but that’s not to say it is too grand of an issue to have an impact on smaller regions. In Traverse City, being...

Drop off site for "Cans and Bottles for Cats" in the Petsmart parking lot. Photo credit: Lisa Chimner
TC Paw Collects Money for Cats In Need
Madeline Gartland November 18, 2024

  On the first Saturday of every month, the Petsmart parking lot becomes a collection site for old bottles and cans. These cans are collected by the TC Paw Cat Rescue team and...