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The Student News Site of Traverse City West Senior High

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

Purdy to Principal
Purdy to Principal
Ava Hickman June 9, 2025

  In a highschool, an assistant principal is more than just an authority figure. They are someone trustworthy,...

 Sophomore Cal Cole utilities table saw during 6th hour innovation and design. In this class,  students are using heavy machinery that requires a lot of rules and regulations.  
  “If it feels like it's getting a little dangerous, you gotta stop immediately, and the rest of it is just following directions, don't think that you know how to do it, just take your time, and learn how to use the tool right, and then everything basically takes care of it.” STEM teacher Paul Meyers said.
 “I'm amazed at how much there is that is cheap and accessible, so like all of the program that we use companies that want you to use their software so that's awesome, the machines are what's expensive, but people are also willing to invest money,” Meyers said.
Scouting the Stem Wing
Molly Jasman June 9, 2025

 

Graphic Credit: Madeline Gartland
On to New Adventures
Madeline Gartland, Reporter • May 28, 2025

  The average student in TCAPS will have about 48 teachers during their schooling. Every year, each...

Stoops Goes to IMG
Stoops Goes to IMG
Harrison Gapinski, Reporter • May 21, 2025

Senior multi-sport athlete Caden Stoops is set to go to IMG academy and taking a post grad year to keep developing as a baseball player. Though it may sound out of the ordinary,...

Senate Member and Soccer Player Committed
Senate Member and Soccer Player Committed
Sydney Fleming and Alexa Bageris May 20, 2025

  Sadie Wares is a remarkable and dedicated soccer player who will be continuing her soccer career at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH, where she also plans to major in...

Graphic Credit: L. Rintala
Experiences Across Borders
Lainie Rintala, Podcast Coordinator • June 9, 2025
Ava Zeratsky plays the trumpet with the marching band during the halftime performance of a football game. Photo Courtesy: A. Zeratsky
Marching to a New Beat
Ellie Maniaci and Mariah Herrington June 9, 2025
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Cover graphic for Sunrise on the Reaping by Tim O'Brien
Sunrise On The Reaping
Megan Dyke, Reporter/Section Editor • June 9, 2025

  Almost 20 years ago, Suzanne Collins came out with her first Hunger Games book which quickly became one of the most popular dystopian novels of all, blooming into a trilogy...

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Cover graphic for Sunrise on the Reaping by Tim O'Brien
Sunrise On The Reaping
Megan Dyke, Reporter/Section Editor • June 9, 2025

  Almost 20 years ago, Suzanne Collins came out with her first Hunger Games book which quickly became one of the most popular dystopian novels of all, blooming into a trilogy...

Shooting Their Shot
Shooting Their Shot
Lila Swan May 20, 2025

  Anyone can pick up a camera and snap a quick shot, but not everyone can capture a perspective worth sharing. While this ability can be taught, for some, such as senior Sebastian...

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Framing the Future
Riley Burkholder, Social Media Manager • May 20, 2025

  Nora Neidorfler is a senior who has been very passionate about dance throughout her whole life. Due to numerous injuries and health problems, Neidorfler decided to end her dance...

Athletes from both the marathon and the half marathon run down East Shore Road during the Bayshore Marathon. Photo Credit: M. Gartland
Volunteers are the Key to the Bayshore Marathon
Madeline Gartland, Reporter • June 9, 2025

Old Mission Peninsula provides scenic views of both East and West Bay of Lake Michigan. The Peninsula has paved roads that are an ideal spot for runners and athletes. The TC Track...

Graphic Credit: UpNorthLive
Michigan’s Hunting Dilemma
Brody Weston and Ashlyn Cummings April 1, 2025

  With the new year comes new Michigan hunting regulations. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently issued a series of rules and outlines for the new year with...

Ticket found on a downtown employee's vehicle after working a shift. Photo Credit: A. Lawless
Downtown Traverse City’s “Pay-To-Park” Policy Frustrates Employees
Madeline Sweeney, Reporter • April 1, 2025

  Traverse City, like most popular cities, enforces a pay-to-park policy downtown. This prevents people from leaving their cars in a parking spot for too long, making space for...