Skip to Main Content
The Student News Site of Traverse City West Senior High

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

Ashlyn Cummings

Ashlyn Cummings, Business Manager

Ashlyn Cummings is a sophomore in her first year of newspaper. She chose the class to expand her writing abilities and try something new. Ashlyn is currently a reporter in the newspaper. Outside of school, she enjoys playing softball, spending time with friends and family, and hunting.

All content by Ashlyn Cummings
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 and families begin to take on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or more simply, FAFSA.    “FAFSA...

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. 10-11, the two student...

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

“IF”; The Best in Both Imaginary and Friends

Brody Weston and Ashlyn Cummings June 4, 2024

  “IF”, released in theaters on May 17, 2024, explores young Bea struggling with the death of her mother and her now-sick father. To cope with this, Bea meets Cal, a man who sorts IFs, or “Imaginary...

Teen Pregnancy: Navigating Unprecedented Territory

Teen Pregnancy: Navigating Unprecedented Territory

Brody Weston and Ashlyn Cummings February 29, 2024

  Although teenage pregnancy is becoming less common, (according to the CDC) young parents across the United States suffer from elevated stress levels, financial strain and social stigma. The root of...

Escaping the Twin Flames: Unraveling the Dangers of a Potentially Harmful Cult

Escaping the Twin Flames: Unraveling the Dangers of a Potentially Harmful Cult

Ashlyn Cummings and Brody Weston December 15, 2023

  The three-part documentary, “Escaping Twin Flames”, dives into the debated truth of Jeff and Shaleia Ayan's ideas of finding your ‘twin flame’. A twin flame is an increasingly popular ideology...

Burning Love: "Priscilla" Summary

Burning Love: “Priscilla” Summary

Ashlyn Cummings and Brody Weston December 7, 2023

"Priscilla" unfolds in 1959 in a German diner set within a U.S. army base, with our first introduction to 14-year-old Priscilla portrayed by actress Cailee Spaeny. Priscilla is asked by a close friend...

Brew to The Outpost

Brew to The Outpost

Ashlyn Cummings and Brody Weston October 19, 2023

  In 2022, Brew, a popular and cozy hangout coffee hub owned by Sean and Missy Kickbush in downtown Traverse City, sold their majority share to Fernhaus Studio. The shop saw an abrupt closing and an eventual...

Graphic Credit: C. Copenhaver

NMC Hosts Annual College Night

Brody Weston and Ashlyn Cummings October 3, 2023

  Determining an academic life after high school can be difficult. Even with various resources, pinpointing a college, a major, minors and much more can all be overwhelming. Northwestern Michigan College’s...

Load More Stories