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The Student News Site of Traverse City West Senior High

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

 “[She is First will] do the craft show which is in the fall at West it’s run in like the commons and some of the class wings and we usually just make stuff or we sell baked goods so it’s kind of like a combination of ornaments for Christmas and then just different like knickknacks and stuff that students make and then like cookies,” Polk said.
Out with the Old, In with the Bold
Olivia McNitt, Reporter • June 8, 2026

 In many clubs there needs to be new leaders to step up. In many clubs at West, the positions for president, vice president and more have been open because of the seniors...

Pilafias raises the victorious Tate Frost’s hand; spectators take videos and some sit atop lockers.
Building a Mog Cabin
Elijah Wynn, Section Editor, Reporter • June 8, 2026
Keeping Summer on Thin Ice
Keeping Summer on Thin Ice
Olivia McNitt, Reporter • June 1, 2026
Brooke Brayton playing middle on West’s varsity volleyball team at the
2025 Pink Out Game against Cadillac.
Lifting the Weight of Determination
Stephanie Dyke and Ruby Anderson June 8, 2026

  Titan Training is an important program at West throughout the summer. It focuses on ways for students and athletes to gain strength and improve skills in their growth—for...

Kicking the ball, sophomore Noelle Peron plays center back keeping the ball away from any opponents. Peron and her teammates work together to try and score a goal against the other team.
Girls Soccer Team Wraps Up Season
Harper Burkholder and Mackenzie Schwandt June 8, 2026

  West’s girls soccer team has wrapped up another exciting season filled with hard work, teamwork, and determination.Throughout their season, players competed in challenging...

Baumann and Profe Tamara standing together at the retirement ceremony.
Spanish Teachers Saliendo
Jacob Douglas, Section Editor, Reporter • June 8, 2026

  After teaching for decades, two of the only three Spanish teachers at West are retiring this year....

The three retiring staff members and a little about them.
Beloved Choir and Office Staff Take Their Leave
Jacob Douglas, reporter • June 8, 2026

  For anyone lucky enough to get to know any of these incredible people, you will be sad to learn this...

Graphic Courtesy: Cavan Cosgrove Samuel Sluiter
The Backrooms Are Dank
Cavan Cosgrove and Samuel Sluiter June 8, 2026

  The highly anticipated “Backrooms” movie premiered on May 29, 2026, to audiences all around the...

Graphic Credit: Elijah Wynn, Composite
Star Wars for the Sake of Star Wars
Elijah Wynn, Section Editor • June 8, 2026

  The Ship of Theseus is a paradox which goes like this: if someone’s boat has its planks rotting,...

Graphic Courtesy: Madeline Gartland
Foreign Director, Local story
Madeline Gartland, Section Editor, Reporter, Website Manager • June 8, 2026

  At West, there are a variety of different creative outlets for the student population. Students are able to take art classes, music classes, or explore their passions through...

Photo caption: Volunteers are a key part of getting the Cherry Festival running, the search for volunteers is important. If you can volunteer we would love to have you help out! Check out cherryfest.org for volunteer positions.
The Summer for Service
Coral Cravey and Riley Burkholder June 8, 2026

  For many students, summer means swimming, tanning, and sleeping in, while for others, it means more time to give back to the community. All across Traverse City, there are...

Graphic courtesy Marshall Collins
With Liberty – and Juneteenth – For All
Lillyan Flora and Sioma Abdul-Karim June 8, 2026

  “I pledge allegiance to the flag of…” The United States of America has a history with many dark topics including–but not limited to– lynching, the Trail of Tears,...

Graphic Courtesy: Cavan Cosgrove Samuel Sluiter
The Backrooms Are Dank
Cavan Cosgrove and Samuel Sluiter June 8, 2026

  The highly anticipated “Backrooms” movie premiered on May 29, 2026, to audiences all around the world. Directed by Kane Parsons and produced by A24 Studios, the film was...

Graphic Credit: Elijah Wynn, Composite
Star Wars for the Sake of Star Wars
Elijah Wynn, Section Editor • June 8, 2026

  The Ship of Theseus is a paradox which goes like this: if someone’s boat has its planks rotting, which need replacing, until eventually none of the ship’s planks are original,...

The Great Divide Album Review
The Great Divide Album Review
Tessa Gryc, Section Editor and Reporter • May 29, 2026

  On April 24th, world famous folk singer, Noah Kahan, released his fourth studio album, The Great Divide. The album features 21 tracks in total, with four being added to the...