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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...

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...

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...

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
Photo Credit: S. Fleming
The American Experience
Sydney Fleming, Photo editor • December 20, 2024
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Graphic credit: Sydney Fleming
JUCO Changes the Game for College Athletes
Sydney Fleming, Reporter, Page Designer • January 24, 2025

   As college signings are just around the corner, the NCAA has decided to put a new rule into place called the JUCO law. The JUCO law states that high school graduates...

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Stars of Hit Movie Feud Following Press Tour
Stars of Hit Movie Feud Following Press Tour
Lainie Rintala, Podcast Coordinator • January 22, 2025

  The movie, It Ends With Us, based on the bestselling book by Colleen Hoover, has taken the world by storm. However, the feud between the two stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively...

"Nosferatu" movie poster. Photo Credit: IMBd
2024’s Nosferatu: 5,000 Real Rats? Really?
Tess Tarchak-Hiss, Assistant Editor • January 16, 2025

     In a world of uncanny CGI Lion King remakes and live-action nightmares, Robert Eggers’ reimagining of the 1922 silent film Nosferatu lived up to my initial expectations...

Christmas Crossword Puzzle KEY
Christmas Crossword Puzzle KEY
Lainie Rintala, Podcast Coordinator • December 20, 2024

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...