The Student News Site of Waterloo West High School

Wahawk Insider
For students in Waterloo, finding NeeDohs has become difficult. Elise Andersen, a junior, says, “I’ve been playing with these toys since 5th grade. It never used to be hard to find them, but now it’s practically impossible.”
Needoh Craze is Sweeping Waterloo’s Shelves
May 22, 2026
Rachel Parker walks in the parade. “I walked for our communities, I walked for our tribes, but I also walked for my sister, Rita Papakee who has been missing for 10 years now. Her anniversary for her missing date was in January of this year and it had been 10 years so I walked for our relatives that we’re still looking for,” said Parker.
Sioux City March Raises Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives
May 5, 2026
A family talks amongst themselves as they spend their time with the Minnesota Twins.
Taking It In: Wahawk Journalists Attend the Minnesota Twins
April 20, 2026
Senior Jay Esmael interviews Shane Zahn the Director of Safety Initiatives in the Nicollet Community Center.
“No Decision About Us, Without Us”
April 17, 2026
The Waterloo Community School District's board of education sits in front of the audience. During this meeting, many members of the district found out that their positions were in jeopardy and had potential to be cut.
Waterloo Community Schools Face Harsh Budget Cuts
April 17, 2026
A family talks amongst themselves as they spend their time with the Minnesota Twins.
Taking It In: Wahawk Journalists Attend the Minnesota Twins
April 20, 2026
The Waterloo United Soccer Team gathers close together in a team huddle before their first home game at Waterloo Memorial Stadium.
The Waterloo Girls Soccer Team Competes in Home Opener
April 14, 2026
Aidin Bajramovic makes a run down the field while defenders follow close.
Strong Start: Wahawks Take Jamboree Win
April 10, 2026
A mockup of football helmets for the Waterloo United Titans.
The Wave of the Titans
April 2, 2026
Westy the Wahawk represents all Wahawk athletes, including our winter sports athletes.
Winter Sports Recap
March 25, 2026
Photo Courtesy of GK Films and Optimum Productions.
REVIEW: The Michael Jackson Movie
June 3, 2026
Star Inde Navarrette gained massive recognition after her performance in "Obsession" for showcasing a range and versatility to her acting.
His Fantasy, Her Funeral: Obsession (2026) Movie Review
May 28, 2026
Mortal Kombat II Movie Poster.
Review: Mortal Kombat II
May 20, 2026
The series' main character, Rachel Harkin, in her cursed wedding dress. -Photo courtesy of Netflix.
Review: Don’t Look: Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
April 30, 2026
"Arirang" Album Cover by BTS.
BTS’ ‘Arirang’: A Love Letter to Heritage
April 14, 2026
Matt, Steve, and Larry pose with Levey's painting of Matt in Washington D.C. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Photo Courtesy of Stephen Levey)
Painting a Dark Time in U.S. History
March 2, 2026
Pantone's 2026 color of the year, 'Cloud Dancer' is a slightly off-white shade.
“Pantonedeaf”: More Than A Color
January 9, 2026
IB arts program sheet front cover describing details with bright colors and unique font.
International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Student Exhibition
March 7, 2025
Jan. 23, 2025, West Highschool held a Large Group showcase for families not able to make it to performances. Delphi, Brooklyn Berumez, Aerz Johnson are performing their Coral Reading called "Radium Girls". Their event was shown in the auditorium at West.
Wahawk Large Group Speech Sends all Events to State Contest: A Clean Sweep
February 24, 2025
West High Marching Band lines up for their performance
Changing The Narrative
November 11, 2024
The iconic pink and white stripes of Victoria's Secret can be seen in the background with a collage of models featured on this years runway. The pink hues contrast with the black and white angels usually referred to as the two cherubs, but it's part of a larger painting called Sistine Madonna by Raphael. Pink tape can also be seen holding the graphic together as it welcomes the message of this years show.
Runway Renaissance
November 21, 2025
Allegiant Stadiums poster advertisement promoting the fight of Canelo and Crawford.
Terence Crawford Dominates the Ring Against Canelo Alvarez
September 17, 2025
Katy Perry's sixth studio album, titled "Smile."
Does it Make You Smile?
December 16, 2024
Horror movie poster collage All posters found on IMDb.com
What Scares West High?
October 31, 2024
Dancing WIth The Stars Photo Art
Who Are This Year’s Stars?
October 11, 2024
Photo Courtesy of GK Films and Optimum Productions.
REVIEW: The Michael Jackson Movie
June 3, 2026
Side by side shot of Zendaya and Hunter Schafer in Season 1 and 3.
The Downfall of Euphoria
June 1, 2026
Star Inde Navarrette gained massive recognition after her performance in "Obsession" for showcasing a range and versatility to her acting.
His Fantasy, Her Funeral: Obsession (2026) Movie Review
May 28, 2026
Mortal Kombat II Movie Poster.
Review: Mortal Kombat II
May 20, 2026
View of the city of Chicago from the highest viewing point of the Hancock Tower.
Dear Journal, I went to Chicago.
May 15, 2026
Junior Mackenzie Johnson looks over her shoulder as the numbers of technology cover her face.
The Last Place for AI is Education
June 24, 2026
Anders Elliott-Ott stares at a cyber security email from the Waterloo district, surrounded by scam pop ups.
If It Sounds Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is
June 4, 2026
Starting in the Gym: Real Advice from Lifters Who’ve Been There
Starting in the Gym: Real Advice from Lifters Who’ve Been There
June 3, 2026
Benjamin Hirdler running Students Against Destructive Decisions meeting as a senior.
Once a Wahawk, Always a Wahawk
June 3, 2026
Short Film students Liam Ramsey, Sofia Gomez and Em Teare take a photo with Short Film Critic Don Hall at the IHSSA All-State Festival. Hall is an American animation film director, voice actor and screenwriter who is best known for directing the films Winnie the Pooh, Big Hero 6, Raya and the Last Dragon and Strange World, and co-directing the film Moana for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo courtesy of Em Teare.
From the Drawing Board
June 2, 2026
Rising Stars: West High's Third Annual Talent Show
Rising Stars: West High’s Third Annual Talent Show
May 15, 2026
Wahawk Journalists Visit Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Wahawk Journalists Visit Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 1, 2026
Junior Esma Krgo Creates New Random Acts of Kindness Club
Junior Esma Krgo Creates New Random Acts of Kindness Club
April 28, 2026
Iowa Regional FIRST Robotics Competition
Iowa Regional FIRST Robotics Competition
April 20, 2026
Safety or Freedom: National High School Journalism Convention Students Show Their Support for Freedom Within the Press
Safety or Freedom: National High School Journalism Convention Students Show Their Support for Freedom Within the Press
April 17, 2026
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The Student News Site of Waterloo West High School

Wahawk Insider
The Student News Site of Waterloo West High School

Wahawk Insider

Awards

Journalism Courses Offered | Apply Now | Awards & Honors

Students who are part of West High Journalism have earned numerous individual honors at the local, state and national levels. In addition to earning individual awards for their work students are also eligible to be inducted into Quill and Scroll, the International Honor Society for High School Journalists.

Highlighting the individual awards are the following:

Iowa Journalist of the Year

2026 – Brooklynn Berumez
2025 – Kaylynn Crawford
2024 – Alisyn Parkhurst

Iowa High School Press Association All-State Journalism Members

2026 – Brooklynn Berumez
2026 – Jay Esmael
2026 – Alyssa Muheljic

Iowa High School Press Association

News Team of the Year – 2024, 2023
News Team of the Year Finalist – 2025, 2024, 2023

Iowa High School Journalism Administrator of the Year

2024 – Dr. Andy Miehe, principal

National Scholastic Press Association

Best of Show
Wahawk Insider Online News Site – Spring 2026 (6th Place)
Wahawk Insider Newsmagazine – Spring 2025 (10th Place), Spring 2024 (8th Place)
Wahawk Yearbook – Spring 2026 (6th Place)

Journalism Education Association

First Amendment Press Freedom Award – 2026

Walsworth Yearbooks

Gallery of Excellence – 2025
Included in the Possibilities Book – 2026

Student Newspaper Organization

SNO Distinguished Site Honor – 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023

To see individual awards, view below:

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