The Student News Site of Waterloo West High School

Wahawk Insider

Wahawk Insider

The Student News Site of Waterloo West High School

Wahawk Insider

You see us on the track, mat and court cheering on our athletic programs, but who cheers for us? Why do we not see the same appreciation and support that other sports do at West High?

Who Cheers For The Cheerleaders?

Ali Parkhurst, Reporter March 8, 2023

“Sometimes we get caught up in all the problems and forget to see the good things around us,” says Dr. Thomas Ulses, West Highs Athletic Director, as he wraps up the winter activity assembly on Monday...

One of the stalls in the first floor boys bathroom during the homecoming dance earlier this year.

A State of Disarray: West High Bathrooms

Tyler Hall, Reporter March 2, 2023

West High has several bathrooms and, from student observations, nearly all of them are trashed. Students complain about them quite often, a good testament to the horrid state of West's bathrooms. While...

Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, proposes a bill that puts the lives of trans youth in danger. Proposed bill 1145 is an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parents or guardians right to make decisions affecting the parents or guardians child, according to the bill.

Dear Kim, Trans Kids Are Still Kids.

Ali Parkhurst, Reporter February 23, 2023

In the twenty-first century, the LGBTQ+ community has become less of a target. Though they may face ‘less’ discrimination than they did decades ago, the fight for equality still persists. In high school,...

The celebration and appreciation of African Americas throughout February is crucial, it shows black creators, business owners, and community members that they belong.

28 Days Of Black History

Karma Goodson, Reporter February 15, 2023

Since 1986, February has been known as Black History Month. 28 days being spent with acceptance and education. What is black history month? Why is it so important, why should I celebrate, and how can...

In a sport that has been ran by men for as long as anyone can remember, girls do not get the respect they deserve for joining in. At West High, across the state and all throughout the country, female wrestlers are struggling to gain the attention they deserve for the history they are making.

What About The Girls? Girls Wrestling is Not Gaining The Recognition it Deserves.

Ali Parkhurst, Reporter February 9, 2023

The weekend of Feb. 3 and 4, Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa hosted Iowa's first sanctioned High School Girls Wrestling State Tournament. In an arena that only seats 5,100 people, tickets for seats were...

This is Wahawk Insider: An Inside Look into Our Publication

Ali Parkhurst, Reporter January 11, 2023

Wahawk Insider is one of the newest additions to the English department at West High. Starting in the 2022-2023 school year, students came together to create a publication that informs, entertains, and...

A closer look at the microphone part of an FM system used in Amanda Masts English 9 classroom.

Accommodations for All: FM Systems and Subtitles

Tyler Hall, Reporter January 10, 2023

Frequency modulation systems, FM systems for short, and subtitles are typically thought to be used exclusively for deaf and hard of hearing students. While it is true, they do benefit the deaf and hard...

Approximately 11.5 million people in the United States suffer from mild to severe hearing loss. There are over 1,000 schools around the country that offer sign language yet the WCSD has none.

Should Sign Language Be A Foreign Language?

Tyler Hall, Reporter January 6, 2023

When signing up for a foreign language at West High, students are given three options; French, Spanish and German. While the selections are relatively prominent languages, Kaitlyn Hall, a freshman and...

Photo via Flickr under Creative Commons license.

Plants vs. Zombies Where Is The Franchise Today?

Josian Turner January 4, 2023

Plants vs. Zombies, a franchise known by many and beloved by few. Most people know about the “original” Plants vs. Zombies (PVZ) app game, a 2d tower defense strategy game where you play as crazy...

Your Mental Health Matters.

Your Mental Health Matters.

Cassie Graff January 4, 2023

Mental Health and the many disorders that come with it are something that many students at West High struggle from. As a student-athlete myself, there are many times when I start to lose grip on my positive...

Should We Have To Lose An Hour Of Sleep Every Year

Should We Have To Lose An Hour Of Sleep Every Year

Josian Turner, Reporter December 21, 2022

Each year we have two days where the time changes by an hour. Most people don’t mind getting an extra hour of sleep in the fall, but hate losing an hour in the spring. I think that there should not be...

Photo via Raw Pixel under Creative Commons license.

The Holidays and Mental Health Go Hand in Hand

Kiersten Bateman, Reporter December 21, 2022

Holidays and your mental health go hand in hand. Around the holidays it can be hard to have the energy to celebrate when you just aren't feeling yourself. It's okay to not feel okay all the time. There...

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