Laura Channell and Lleyton Beinhaker
June 5, 2020
With all the uncertainty that the coronavirus has brought, the WHS journalism department has still been working hard on its most exciting new addition. Over many Google Meet calls and GroupMe conversations, the staff of 2020-2021 has ushered in a brand new magazine for the Westfield community. From logo creations and color scheme choices, the idea of this new publication has been in the works for years. Supervisor of English Language Arts, K-12 Dr. Tiffany Jacobson said, “As far back as...
Recent Features Stories
Summertime blues: a look into a summer without camps
June 5, 2020
Teens serving as essential workers
June 5, 2020
June 5, 2020
On March 12, the NCAA announced the cancelation of the remaining winter and spring athletic championships amid COVID-19. At the start of the shutdown, many schools and athletes were devastated by the loss of championship season. Freshman basketball player Deng Adiang at the University of Vermont called the end of his winter season “heartbreaking.” Adiang and the Vermont freshman team were about to play the conference semifinals before the season ended abruptly. With the end of the...
Recent Sports Stories
Weight room at Kehler gets a makeover
June 5, 2020
Was ‘The Last Dance’ one of the greatest sports documentaries of all time?
May 29, 2020
Xenia Kobori, R3 Op ed Editor
June 12, 2020
The long-awaited return of Lady Gaga is finally here. Chromatica, Lady Gaga’s sixth #1 album, transports listeners to Gaga’s dream world, Chromatica. Unlike her previous projects, A Star is Born and Joanne, Gaga ditches her pop-country stint, to return to her electro dance music roots exhibited in her earlier records. While Chromatica is full of electro-pop beats and powerful vocals, do not be fooled; the album describes Gaga’s life with deep and intimate lyrics. The opening track, “Alice,”...
Recent Reviews Stories
KSI picks up a ‘W’ with his debut record
June 12, 2020
Space Force: One small step for man, one giant leap back for Netflix
June 12, 2020
Noah Metz, R1 News Editor
June 12, 2020 • No Comments
WHS Junior Nala Scott and other WHS students, in conjunction with the No Place for Hate Committee, led a protest on June 7 in Mindowaskin Park following the murder of George Floyd. Floyd was killed on May 25 when police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes. When Scott heard the news of Floyd’s death, she decided she could not sit idly by as another African American was killed by officers at a seemingly routine police stop. Scott is a member of the No Place for Hate Committee at WHS, a program created by the Anti-Defamation League that helps students understand and recognize differences within their community. Scott and senior Morgan Rollins, another member of the No Place for Hate Committee,...
Recent News Stories
Honoring a hero: the campaign to rename WHS after late principal
June 11, 2020
WHS principal Dr. Derrick Nelson passed away in 2019 when donating stem cells to a young boy in need. Nelson was the first black principal in WHS history and was a role model to many for his heroic actions...
WHS plans virtual graduation ceremony
June 5, 2020
Senior graduation is the moment most Westfield students dream of since kindergarten when they were first bestowed their legendary red apple. It’s the time for students to finally launch their caps across...
Caroline Collins and Julia McGann
June 12, 2020
Adam Wachtel, a senior at WHS, recently created a mural in the stairwell of McKinley Elementary School as part of his college art portfolio. The mural reflects the values of the Westfield school system and was a project that required a lot of time and hard work. Even though Wachtel ended up being accepted to college before he finished the mural, completing the project became something more than just an addition to his portfolio; he wanted to do it to give back to the community. Wachtel began working on the mural in December after meeting and emailing with Dr. Marc Biunno, the principal of McKinley school. Dr. Biunno said that when Adam toured the building with him and Art Teacher Danielle Sarnowski, “he listened to what we try to impart...
Recent Iris News Stories
June 12, 2020
The murder of George Floyd has sparked a new era of social change as people from around the country are protesting police brutality and systemic racism. Whether it be donating to causes that support Black...
Student creativity thrives in quarantined art classes
June 12, 2020
Art classes are enriching while in school, but can be lackluster online because they require hands on learning and materials that most people don’t have laying around at home. However, WHS art classes...
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Caroline Bielen, R1 Op ed Editor & Investigative/Longform Editor
June 5, 2020
For as long as I can remember, my family and I have attended church every weekend. It didn’t matter if we were on a vacation or a college tour; we somehow always managed to find a church to go to on Sunday morning. Unfortunately, this tradition has been put on hold as the coronavirus caused our local church, St. Helen’s Parish, to close its doors on March 15. I haven’t attended an in-person mass in 12 weeks. Even though its doors are closed, St. Helen’s and many other religious...
Recent Opinion Stories
Reopening New Jersey: Is It Too Soon?
June 5, 2020
How a pandemic changed the way we speak
June 5, 2020
Kerry Donovan, R2 News Editor
June 12, 2020
During times of reform, many people go to social media in an effort to spread information and join numerous movements. With over 3.8 billion people having some type of account on social media according to smartinsights.com, utilizing social media is an effective way to inform and communicate with others across the world. With protests taking place globally, petitions being signed, countless volunteer services and more, the purpose of social media activism is prevalent now more than ever as a way...
Recent Commentary Stories
Blue light glasses: Are they just a white lie?
June 12, 2020
Caution! Streaming services are more powerful than they appear
June 12, 2020
Claire Campbell, R2 Editor in Chief
June 12, 2020
At a time when many industries are struggling, the RV (Recreational Vehicle) business isn’t just chugging along: it’s in full gear. According to bostonglobe.com, RVshare, a company that connects customers with people who are renting out their RVs, experienced a 1,000 percent increase in bookings between April and early June. While the vehicles were first used during the pandemic by medical workers to self-isolate, as states lift their restrictions, more people are using them to satisfy their...
June 12, 2020
The ultimate guide to a socially distanced summer
June 12, 2020
May 12, 2020