The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
  • Last Day of School: 05/21
  • Submit to the Dreamcatcher!
  • Graduation: 05/22!
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

Courtside Conversations: Isabella D’Alessandro ’25

Lilybeth Dooley, Assistant Managing Editor
October 14, 2024

Music by Ahjay Stelino (Mixkit)

Tags:
Donate to Westwood Horizon
$625
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal

Now, more than ever, the education of young journalists with integrity is critical to our democracy. Westwood Student Press works hard to bring you award-winning coverage of our school and community. Please consider showing your support for the student journalists of Westwood High School by making a donation in any amount. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
More in Campus
After moving their tassels to the left side of their cap, graduates gleefully throw their caps into the air. This final gesture symbolized the seniors' release from an arduous but meaningful high school journey.
GALLERY: Class of 2026 Bids Farewell at Graduation
VIDEO: Seniors Celebrate End of High School at Annual Senior Sunset
VIDEO: Seniors Celebrate End of High School at Annual Senior Sunset
Engrossed, Adriana Cheng '26 and Aaron Fan '27 solve the Daily Integral. Similar to games like Wordle and Semantle, the Daily Integral lets aspiring mathematicians riddle out a challenging integral — a difficult endeavor that Cheng and Fan find joy in undertaking.
Divide and Conquer
Huddled together at the end of the competition, Westwood Robotics teams Orange Dynamite and Slingshot celebrate the end of the Worlds competition. Working closely together throughout the season, the team members had become close knit and used the competition as a way to celebrate their hard work.
Westwood Robotics Teams Showcase Culmination of Journey at FIRST Championship
Westwood's priority of academic success over learning has created a toxic culture of stacking schedules with classes meant to prioritize GPA over interests. Not only does this create more pressure on students, but it also fuels competition, anxiety, and stress about ranking.
Maxed Out: Westwood GPA Culture Values Perfection Over Learning
Smiling warmly, NAHS Sponsor Elizabeth Gross hands Sahana Suryanarayan '26 her certificate of accomplishment. Speaking through the microphone, Mr. Jesus Ramirez called the names of each senior member to the front of the Great Room to receive their certificates.
National Art Honor Society Celebrates Artistic Accomplishments at End-of-Year Banquet
More in Humans of the West
Looking on, Justice Moore '26 stands at second base. Justice's time as baseball team captain was exemplified by his constant drive for success and dedication to teammates.
Passion and Pride: Captain Justice Moore ‘26 Inspires Warrior Baseball
Eager to design her fashion piece, Sofia Varela '26 was working to bring her vision to life. She executed this by using the resources around her such as the Westwood fashion course supplies. Allowing, her to produce a high quality design furthering her chances of success at the University of the Incarnate Word's competition.
Fashion Forward
Pencil tucked behind his ear, Amogh Akella '26 surveys his scratch paper. As one of 300 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars, Akella harnessed his long-standing passion for mathematics, honed through sweeping various math competitions across the country and proving multiple theorems utilizing graph theory and theoretical computer science.
Traversing Through Graph Theory
Carefully inspecting the drone's wiring and components, Sol Mahajan ’26 examines his ISEF project. The project, built over months of testing and iteration, reflects his focus on engineering design and problem-solving beyond what’s visible in the moment.
From World Cup to World Stage: Sol Mahajan '26 Takes Autonomous Drone Innovation to ISEF
After working with a smile for four years as a receptionist, Ms. Kelley Toney received the award of Paraprofessional of the Year. Her journey reflects dedication to brightening the day of others.
Through Kindness and Faith
Smiling, new Assistant Principal Ryan Hart was welcomed into the faculty in early February. He brings experience in human studies and a wide smile, eager to pass on his love for learning to students all around.
Struggling to Striving
More in NEWS
Listening to Erin Shin '28, Dalia Ahmed '28 pays close attention to the K-Pop Club Bake Sale. Along with assorted sweets, the club offered blind boxes for sale as well, adding a layer of intrigue that helped them stand out among other fundraisers.
Blind Bags and Baked Goods Boost K-Pop Club Fundraiser
Smiling widely, Josephine Martinez '29 contributes the first wildflower seed planting a blooming tradition.
Library Faculty Honors Earth Day With Blooming Wildflowers Activities
Dressed their best, officers Zarah Wetter '28, María Rodriguez '26, Mainor Josue Lainez '26, Maria Rincon '27, Alan Castillo '27, and Miguel Torres Jaramillo '28 stand behind their crafted mural "Rhythms of Latin America" for a group picture. Since its creation in the previous year, the mural served as a physical symbol of cultural inclusivity through recycling.
Hispanic Student Association Celebrates Culture and Community at Annual End-of-Year Banquet
Confused, students and staff gather in the Warrior Bowl following a sudden evacuation during third block. As the temperature rose to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, students found out that the evacuation was caused by a bomb hoax, speculated by officials to be part of a larger series of swatting incidents.
Bomb Threat Triggers Student and Faculty Evacuation
Presenting her dog on stage, Yappy Hour participant shows off her golden retriever. Her dog wowed the audience with adorable looks.
Paws For a Cause
Skinning the rabbit of its fur, Megan Luo '27 stabilizes the rabbit as her partner Shreya Chejara '27 holds it open. Luo and Chejara attend every dissection as partners due to their shared interest in biomedical sciences.
Into the Rabbit Hole: Anatomy & Dissection Club Rakes Over Rabbits in Final Meeting
About the Contributor
Lilybeth Dooley
Lilybeth Dooley, Assistant Managing Editor
Class of 2025 Hi! I’ve had a passion for writing for as long as I can remember and I’m excited to be working with a group of people with similar passions. When I’m not busy writing you can find me dancing, listening to music, baking away my problems, and volunteering around Austin.
Donate to Westwood Horizon
$625
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal