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The Student News Site of Traverse City West Senior High

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

The Occidentalist

Aubrey Lawless

Aubrey Lawless, Assistant Editor, Page Desigern

Aubrey Lawless is a junior in her third year as a member of the Occidentalist staff. She originally joined newspaper because she thought it would be fun to try a different style of class, and has remained in it ever since because she enjoys the community. She is currently an Assistant Editor and aims to be Editor in Chief her senior year, something she’s hoped for since freshman year. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her friends and on the water.

All content by Aubrey Lawless
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 close to the Great Lakes...

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

  The first couple weeks of school can be an adjustment period for everyone, especially so for the German exchange students who participated in the program. This program consists of exchange students...

Students Take the Stage for Cabaret

Students Take the Stage for Cabaret

Aubrey Lawless, Section Editor June 4, 2024

  Cabaret is an annual end of the year choir concert and celebration held at West. It’s essentially the final farewell for seniors in the choir program, as well as a chance for younger members to shine...

Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Aubrey Lawless April 16, 2024

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on Tuesday, March 26, around 1:30 a.m. after being struck by a cargo ship weighing 213 million pounds. Moments before colliding with the bridge, the ship,...

Celebrating Women's History Month

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Aubrey Lawless and Tessa Gryc March 21, 2024

  March is recognized nationally as Women’s History Month, a month dedicated to celebrating women's accomplishments throughout history and the impact that they have had on the world around them. At...

Student Voice Brings About New Changes

Student Voice Brings About New Changes

Aubrey Lawless, Section Editor, Podcast Coordinator March 20, 2024

  Student voice has been influencing the school environment here at West for nearly 15 years. Changes that have been made in the past include, but are not limited to, student and staff member of the...

Bleacher Creatures Take on Italy

Bleacher Creatures Take on Italy

Aubrey Lawless, Editor March 8, 2024

  From March 21 to March 30, students and chaperones will be traveling to Italy for the duration of spring break. The trip will include visiting many classic Italian destinations including Milan,...

Students Gain the Opportunity to Fundraise for the Trip of a Lifetime

Students Gain the Opportunity to Fundraise for the Trip of a Lifetime

Aubrey Lawless, Section Editor, Podcast Coordinator December 17, 2023

  Students participating in the trip to Mexico have the opportunity to fundraise to help cover the cost of their trip. One of the fundraisers ran until Dec. 15 and included selling gift cards for the...

Preparing for Final Exams

Preparing for Final Exams

Aubrey Lawless and Emma Howell-Leman June 9, 2023

  With final exams right around the corner, both students and teachers alike are finding ways to prepare. By completing study guides, participating in class and spending time reviewing, students are...

Making the Most of Staying Local for Spring Break

Aubrey Lawless, Staff Writer March 21, 2023

  Although some people look at spring break as a time to get away from home or go on some sort of tropical vacation, a lot of people actually enjoy just staying home. Some decide to stay because of sports...

Debate Team Gains Recognition Being One of Few in the State

Aubrey Lawless, Staff Writer January 11, 2023

  The Debate Team is a competitive club that includes members from all grades. Many of the members choose to participate in the team because they are taking the debate class as well and it is a good...

Freshman Anna Beers and sophomore Raegan LaCross selling bracelets to peers to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.

Student Adapts to Epilepsy Diagnosis

Aubrey Lawless and Jocelynn Schoenlein November 29, 2022

  Nearly five million people all over the world are diagnosed with epilepsy each year. Epilepsy can become prevalent in a person at any age, unexpectedly occurring at any point in their lifetime. For...

Holt and Oswald smiling after hearing they won homecoming king and queen

Kindness Matters When it Comes to Homecoming Royalty

Emma Howell-Leman and Aubrey Lawless October 20, 2022

  The 2022 Homecoming king and queen are seniors Morgan Holt and Evan Oswald. They were announced the winners at the homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 7, after the final votes had been taken into...

Fiebing with her horse, Moonstar, during English Showmanship during Regionals on Oct. 2.

The Equestrian Team Races to the End of Their Season

Aubrey Lawless and Jocelynn Schoenlein October 13, 2022

  The Equestrian team is a unique club that students can join. The club has many different options for riders, including both English and Western styles of riding. On Sept. 25 and 26, the team competed...

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