Videos
Bringing the beat, making the community complete
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Hip-hop is more than music. It’s a community. CJ Carter '24 rekindled a lifelong passion for it through West High’s Hip-hop Club, and is beginning to take his talents to the stage and the world.
Published on wsspaper.com 2/27/23
Click the headlines to read the full article on wsspaper.com
West High Halloween fundraiser haunted with success
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West High’s athletic booster club has already written an $80,000 check with the athletic department’s name on it, but scarily, that wasn’t enough. On Oct. 22, an extra $12,000 was raised in the second ever Club West Halloween fundraiser. Plenty of family fun was had at the haunted hayride, costume contest, raffle and more. The prosperity of Club West’s frightfully fun fundraiser is certain to return in the future.
Published on wsspaper.com 11/2/22
Behind the curtain of 'Beauty and the Beast'
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‘Beauty and the Beast’ is finally taking the stage, but what goes on behind the scenes of a West High musical? With nearly two hundred cast and crew members, Theatre West has had a profound impact in its members’ lives, including promoting future careers and inspiring others. Under the direction of the cast and seven student-led tech crews, the final product is beyond astounding for the department’s hands-off directors. Get to know the cast and crew behind the highly anticipated spring musical, ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Published on wsspaper.com 4/13/23
Recruiting Trail with Meena Tate
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This episode of West Side Story's college recruitment series follows Meena Tate ’23 as she walks through her recruitment process with Dartmouth College, her memories as a Trojan and what she's looking to accomplish in her collegiate career. From Tate's unexpected come up to her astounding work ethic, her successful basketball career came as no surprise. Listen to both her and former varsity women's basketball head coach BJ Mayer reflect on her remarkable time at West.
Published on wsspaper.com 3/27/23
New school year prompts policy changes
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As West High students settle back into the five-day academic schedule after the first month of the 2022-23 school year, something feels different than how the building was left in May. Other than new students, classes and routines, the Iowa City Community School District and administration issued several policy changes in the district. In pursuit of higher levels of student motivation, attendance, and well-being, changes are being made within the walls of West. Published on wsspaper.com 9/27/22
West High Weekly 3.24.23
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This episode of the West High Weekly, WSS' bi-weekly news show, features news anchors Alaina Greenlee ’23 and Isabella Tisdale ’24 highlight school events as West High returns from Spring Break. Coach Camille Gretter ’23 also previews spring sports in another round of the sports segment, Camille's Corner. Finally, catch a sneak peak of this year’s first edition of Recruiting Trail, showcasing senior point guard Meena Tate's recruitment journey to signing with Dartmouth College.
Published on wsspaper.com 3/24/23
about ME
My name is Alaina Greenlee, and I am now concluding my senior year at Iowa City West High School. This is my third year on the West Side Story staff as a videographer, and second year as the broadcast Video Editor. Ever since my freshman year, my passion for videography has grown deeper every day, and I've grown my skills and learned crucial lessons. I never thought I would be able to share people's stories in ways words never could or aid younger staffers in their own videography experience when I first joined. Today, I am so grateful that I have that opportunity.
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My leadership position also grants me the ability to work in other areas of journalism. While managing the West High Weekly news show and compiling my own projects, I am able to work on sports coverage, photography and contribute to editorial stories. My time in the newsroom has also been integral in teaching me collaboration in a bustling environment. With numerous ideas being carried out every day, it has shown me the importance of mastering effective communication. Additionally, my attention to detail has led to many late nights in a very time-consuming craft. During my time working with younger videographers, I have learned to let go of the reins and allow others to take over. As a result, they continuously teach me new approaches to journalism and editing. In turn, I will always internalize and benefit from my learned lesson that quality genuinely is superior to quantity, and will only come from experimenting and learning from other perspectives.
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As I look back on my work throughout the years, I am very proud to have grown as a videographer and to learn how to bring my work to a new level. Being mainly self-taught due to COVID, I have surprised myself with this improvement since starting journalism. Yet with my advancements in capturing audio, honing my editing skills and my ever-growing eye for b-roll, I have made massive strides from the novice videographer I once was. I believe my excitement for the craft alongside my team of fellow video creators have collectively elevated the depth of our website through this year’s new dedication and love of broadcast journalism. It was beyond rewarding after being named the 2022 and 2023 Iowa High School Press Association Videographer of the Year to see that my progress can be seen and that my drive had paid off. I am thrilled to continue to expand my skills, and to pursue a sports broadcasting career.
achievements
2021 IHSPA Emerging Journalist of the Year
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2022 IHSPA Videographer of the Year
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2023 IHSPA Videographer of the Year
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2022 NSPA Runner-up Broadcast Journalist of the Year
Several 'Best of SNO' journalism awards
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National Honor Society & Honor Roll Member
4.20 GPA
Student Advisory Council Member
Quill and Scroll Honor Society Member