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The Student News Site of Traverse City West Senior High

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

Photo courtesy: TikTok
Zipper Trend Making Its Way To School
Lainie Rintala and Riley Burkholder November 12, 2024

  TikTok has taken over the world and occupies the minds of many teenagers. Something that comes with...

Senate leadership and other senate members lead the student section at West's first football game. Photo courtesy: Sophia Shuff
Student Senate and NHS Leadership Face New Responsibilities
Kallie Jaquish and Audrey Kohler October 8, 2024

  Student senate and National Honor Society (NHS) work around the school to try to make it better not...

Students gather around the flagpole outside of the school for prayers. Photo Courtesy: Kaylyn Habers.
Fellowship Of Christian Athletes Club Brings New Beginnings
Riley Burkholder and Abby Comeaux October 8, 2024

  Finding a group of people who believe in the same thing as you do within school can be hard. In B203,...

Pickleball Club members pose for a group photo at their first meeting. Photo Credit: Henry Stachnik
New Pickleball Club Creates Inclusive and Fun Environment
Lainie Rintala and Ellie Maniaci October 8, 2024

  Pickleball is becoming an increasingly popular sport for people of all ages. Players and fans of the sport alike have been using their love for the game to form clubs where...

Weston shows off her Western skills in the ring. Photo Courtesy: Peyton Weston
West’s Equestrian Team: Riding Solo
Tess Tarchak-Hiss and Lila Swan October 7, 2024

  When many think of high school sports, they imagine a rush of football players running toward the end zone on a Friday night, volleyball players celebrating simultaneously when...

David Dee Takes on Shoe Customization
David Dee Takes on Shoe Customization
Alexa Bageris October 8, 2024
West and exchange students gather together around the banner for a final goodbye photo with all of them. Taken on Sept. 20. Photo courtesy: Kerry LaBonte.
German exchange students Participate in Daily Activities Alongside West Students
Aubrey Lawless and Molly Jasman September 27, 2024
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TCAPS Students Need a Fall Break
TCAPS Students Need a Fall Break
Riley Burkholder and Madeline Sweeney November 13, 2024

  As the days continue to get shorter and the workload from classes gets piled up, students are in desperate need of a fall break. Students with sports and extracurriculars...

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Halloween Crossword Puzzle KEY
Halloween Crossword Puzzle KEY
October 31, 2024

Theater two works on setting up for the play "Murder on the 518"
Behind the Scenes of “Murder on the 518”
Ashlyn Cummings and Megan Dyke October 7, 2024

  Before the crew raises the curtains on the school’s latest play, the cast and directors are already working full-time behind the scenes. Preparing for the performance on Jan....

Photo Credit: Darkroom/Interscope Records
“Hit Me Hard and Soft” Album Review
Coral Cravey and Olivia Kandow June 5, 2024

  Billie Eilish, an American singer and songwriter, recently released a new album named, “Hit Me Hard and Soft” on May 17, 2024. Eilish first gained attention in 2015 from...

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...

Traverse City Horse Show Dates
Traverse City Horse Show Dates
Emma Howell-Leman, Podcast Coordinator • June 5, 2024

NMC Offers Various Opportunities for High School and College Students
NMC Offers Various Opportunities for High School and College Students
Sydney Fleming, Podcast Coordinator, Photographer • June 5, 2024

  Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is the local community college stationed here in Traverse City. After high school graduation, many students attend this local college. Also,...