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3 Years of Outbreak: A Flashback to COVID-19

This spring marks the three-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in America.  While over a year has passed since Governor Kim Reynolds declared an end to the coronavirus public health emergency, the detrimental effects of COVID-19 are still seen today. School is a significant part of…

by Avery Herman  •  Mar 30, 2023
Culture

Volunteering During the Holidays

Volunteering is something that many people do, and most often, they get a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of satisfaction after giving their time. Volunteering is something that many people do, and most often, they get a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of satisfaction after giving their time.

by Amari Myers  •  Dec 20, 2021
Opinion

Encanto Movie Review

On November 24th, 2021, Walt Disney Studios released its 60th animated film, Encanto. This article contains minor spoilers for Disney’s film Encanto.  On November 24th, 2021, Walt Disney Studios released its 60th animated film, Encanto. Encanto is set in a village in Colombia where the Madrigal family lives. Every Madrigal…

by Tyler Pittman  •  Dec 15, 2021
Sports

Girls Basketball

The Girls Basketball team has shown prominence to be a State contender again this season. The Girls Basketball team has shown prominence to be a State contender again this season. After an easy blowout against Ames 84-14, many believe that Northwest is taking off where Waukee Girls Basketball left it…

by Caden Sammler  •  Dec 15, 2021
Opinion

Holiday Music

Every year holiday music is covered by many music artists, but many artists who create original songs do not gain as much popularity.  We’ve already heard the song 30 times, who wants to hear John Legend do it again? Every year holiday music is covered by many music artists, but…

by Jack Andersen  •  Dec 13, 2021
Sports

Waukee Northwest State Dance

The Dance team at Waukee Northwest heads to state. The Dance team at Waukee Northwest has had a rollercoaster of a season, starting off with some work that needed to be done, and ending up with a 1st place in contemporary and a 2nd place in pom at the State…

by Amari Myers  •  Dec 7, 2021
Culture

Americanization of Asian Culture

With social media heavily influencing teens, trends are constantly changing and growing in popularity. Ever since the 2010s, Asian culture has become incredibly popular with today’s teens. From K-pop to anime, fashion and makeup styles, right down to the beauty standards, America is exploding with Asian influence. Many people trace…

by Molly Campbell  •  Dec 6, 2021
News

Meet the Band Directors

Mr. Friesleben and Mr. Strohmaier are waukee northwest’s two band directors. Even though the Northwest Royal Brigade is just two months old, Chris Strohmaier and Chad Friesleben, the directors of the marching, jazz and concert band are proud to be leaders of the pack. In high school, Mr. Strohmaier played…

by Emma Goode  •  Dec 2, 2021
Culture

Zodiac Signs – All You Need to Know

Zodiac signs are an interesting way to find out more about yourself and other people. Zodiac signs can also determine who you are compatible with and where you are at in life.         If you were born on December 22nd-January 19th, you are a Capricorn. Capricorns are ambitious, determined and strong. They…

by Presley O'Neill  •  Dec 1, 2021
News

Band Player Shortage

Due to the split, Waukee Northwest High School is suffering from a shortage of band students. Because Waukee High School is splitting into two, this has caused large instrument groups, like the clarinets, to fall to a small group of eight and double-reed instruments, like oboes and bassoons, only have…

by Felicity Menning  •  Dec 1, 2021
Features

International Club: Dance Night

One of the outstanding clubs and an off-shot in Northwest High School is the club whose membership consists of people from different cultures all over the globe. International Club, a club established to encourage students to share their culture and also learn about other cultures. International club offers the best…

by Benedicta Droh  •  Dec 1, 2021
News

School Troubles

With just a few weeks under Northwest High School’s belt, students have already discovered several problems that have arisen, ranging from traffic to the sound of the dismissal bell. As suspected, things at Northwest High School wouldn’t run smoothly in the first weeks. Many students have pointed out the various…

by Ariana Aponte  •  Dec 1, 2021
Features

Meet The Librarian

The contagious smile behind the Waukee Northwest library doors belongs to librarian Ms. Rechkemmer. She is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and had previously taught middle school Language Arts for seven years. This year is Ms. Rechkemmer’s first year as a school librarian. Ms. Rechkemmer loves riding horses and credits that to…

by Amela Medinoski  •  Dec 1, 2021
Culture

Study Room Review

At Northwest, students use the group study rooms, located upstairs above the lunchroom, to work on projects, study for tests, and more. At Northwest, students use the group study rooms, located upstairs above the lunchroom, to work on projects, study for tests, and more. The students think the rooms are…

by Felicity Menning  •  Dec 1, 2021
News

Jay Vigon and Margo Z Nahas: The Artists Behind Rock’s Greatest Album Covers

Margo Nahas and Jay Vigon are the artists behind some of the most iconic album covers of all time. They have worked with some of the biggest names in rock and roll, including Prince, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, The Doobie Brothers and Tom Petty.  The couple is now working at…

by Lucas Ressler  •  Mar 14, 2025
News

Don’t Shoot the Messenger: Staff Editorial

Written by: Krista Giltner and Ava Hansen Since President Trump’s win in the 2024 election, he has modeled behavior showing a lack of care towards the United States Constitution by attempts to censor the media and individuals, a direct violation of the First Amendment right. What is the First Amendment…

by Krista Giltner  •  Mar 13, 2025
News

It Takes a Village: First Time Moms of NWHS

The expectation for women to balance a family and a full-time career is no easy task; however, Northwest High School has many faculty members navigating not only a demanding career but also adjusting to the lifestyle of being a new mother.  In the last century, the social norm for women…

by Ava Hansen  •  Mar 13, 2025
Photos

Boys Wrestling State Title Day

Eddie Woody (Southeast Polk) 41-1, Fr. over Cruz Gannon (Dowling Catholic) 27-4, Fr. (Pin 1:19), “the game plan was kill, just go at it, just go for it.” Nico DeSalvo (Southeast Polk) 38-0, So. over Alexander Pierce (Iowa City, West) 47-3, Jr. (Decision 4-1), “I feel great… just visualizing every…

by Ava Flores  •  Mar 13, 2025
Photos

Ava Flores Photographer Of The Year

Triple Triumph   Tenth Street Times Photo story State Wrestling Jacob Hegelson yells to the crowd after winning his third state title, losing the his opponent earlier that season at the ed winger tournament, on February 22. Nikon Z6II, 70-200mm, 4.5-6, 1/5000, ISO 6400 Rival’s Rush Tenth Street Times Instagram…

by Ava Flores  •  Mar 13, 2025
Culture

The Effect Of Diversity

As small Iowa towns like Des Moines and Waukee experience shifting demographics, they face a pivotal question: how can they preserve their unique community identities while welcoming greater racial and cultural diversity? In communities like Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, local identity is often defined by close-knit, mostly white populations.

by Samantha Pineda  •  Mar 13, 2025
Features

Feature: Zuri Patterson’s Comeback

The recruitment process is tough for anyone, but for those navigating it while battling an injury, the challenge becomes an exhausting test of resilience and determination. Senior Zuri Patterson committed to play Division I softball at the University of Washington next fall, but that journey was not easy. The summer…

by Laurel Richards  •  Mar 11, 2025
News

Ms. Winston: Teacher Feature

Ms. Winston, a Family Consumer Sciences (FCS) teacher at Prairieview School in Waukee, is also a doula outside of school and strives to create a classroom where everyone feels welcome. Winston grew up in a small town in Missouri, then moved to Iowa. In school, she did not take any…

by Krista Giltner  •  Mar 10, 2025
Opinion

Abortion Rights

In the event of a domestic abortion ban within Project 2025, the rights of Northwest High School female students are at stake.  The Heritage Foundation stated, “Project 2025 is a historic movement, brought together by over 100 respected organizations from across the conservative movement, to take down the Deep State…

by Mya Farwell  •  Mar 10, 2025
Sports

Athlete’s immunity under the law

Sunday, September 8, 2024, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was pulled over for reckless driving and was let off with two tickets. Hill was caught going 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, along with him not wearing a seatbelt. For many, that would result in a…

by Brayden Strobel  •  Mar 7, 2025