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The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

Courtside Conversations: Shrishti Mahajan ’25

Shivani Kondubhatla, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
October 14, 2024

Music by Ahjay Stelino (Mixkit)

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Shaking hands, Associate Principal Sarah Lowery and Izzy Horonzy '26 smile for a picture. Each new member took a picture with the associate principal as a celebration and certification of their induction.
NHS Celebrates Inductees at Yearly Ceremony
Coming together for a photo, sophomores Arhaan Jafri, Ali Aslam, Yonnie Yang, and Rupal Jain celebrate the conclusion of the volunteering event. After weeks of planning, Team Slingshot members were relieved that their plans had gone smoothly.
Robotics Team Slingshot Spreads Spirit of STEM Through Catalyst Program
Smiling with friends, Tisya Dave '27 poses for the photo booth. A new aspect of the conference was a photo booth with Area 1 pink-themed props, where members could capture their memories.
HOSA Members Excel at Spring Leadership Conference
Speaking to an executive from Jefferies, Siyona Jain '25 asks questions regarding the nature of municipal bonds. Jefferies is an independent investment bank that worked with JPMorgan Chase to sell the district's bonds.
GALLERY: DECA Members Watch Sale of RRISD Bonds on New York Stock Exchange
Slowly walking through the array of hanged art pieces, students observe at the paintings and drawings, admiring their intricate composition. NAHS officers spent numerous hours preparing the exhibits to ensure the seamless success of the event.
Drawn In: NAHS Highlights Art Appreciation at Winter Art Show
As the intense music pauses, members rapidly find a seat for survival. The last game of the was musical chairs, similar to the last game 'Mingle' from the Squid Game series.
HOSA Bonds Members With Squid Game-Themed Social
More in Humans of the West
Enthusiastic about programming, Ruhan Gupta '27 puts immense time into his coding projects to create the best possible user experience. Algo, his most successful project, has gained a global audience and is useful to aspiring coders of all ages. "My goal is to help people really strengthen their skills from a younger age," Gupta said.
Ruhan Gupta ‘27 Gains Global Audience with Algo
Eager to inspire others, Pranav Balakrishnan ‘25 and Ethan Andrew ‘26 work hard to make the most of their final years in scholastic debate, and leave a legacy that promotes success and passion. In addition to winning the Glenbrooks Tournament, the largest, non-championship tournament of the year, they have also been ranked 2nd best Policy Debate team in the world. “As a senior, I don't have much time left to improve,” Balakrishnan said. “But I have been preparing for the past four years, so it's now my time to succeed.”
Pranav Balakrishnan '25 and Ethan Andrew '26 Leave Unprecedented Legacy for Debate
As the newest addition to Westwood's administration, Assistant Principal Mr. Michael Wuensch looks to creating a safe space for all types of students. Enjoying Westwood's unique student diversity, he believes in promoting unity through diversity.
Mr. Michael Wuensch Takes on Role as Assistant Principal
Blending her bilingual skills and journalistic abilities to share the stories of American culture, Lena Boas ‘25 crafted a video package documenting American life for German audiences. “[A German TV station] wanted me to do this video diary so that I could show my personal life and what it's like going to school here [US].”
Through Two Lenses
Aiden Wen '26 serves as the DECA president of one of the largest chapters in the state. Throughout his term, he's had to navigate many changes regarding chapter operations due to budget cuts.
Beyond the Blazer
With a heart for teaching AP Environmental Science and a commitment to inspiring future educators, Ms. Mihealsick was honored for her service by being awarded the Texas Teacher of the Year position.
Awarded for Excellence
More in NEWS
On stage, Jody Gaffney '25 addresses the inductees. Each officer approached the podium to speak to the attending NTHS members.
Three Years in the Making: NTHS Holds Inaugural Induction Ceremony
Donning a wig and mustache, Mr. James Cox lip syncs to 'Beautiful Things' by Benson Boone. Mr. Cox did a knee slide at the end of his performance as the crowd waved phone flashlights to the beat.
Students Showcase Renewed Energy at First Pep Rally of Semester
Lighting a candle, Arden Choi '26 takes part in the ceremony. After swearing the induction oath, members blew out the candles as a symbol of their induction into the organization.
NSHS Hosts Induction Ceremony for New Members
As Austin continues to experience its annual winter freezes, community members' perspectives have evolved with the times. Many express their opinions regarding not only the nature of the freeze, but what this pattern reveals about climate and infrastructure.
Community Members Speak Out On Recurring Winter Freezes
Industrious, Alyssa Santos '26 looks at her child's interests on the CC4C website. To make cards more personal, members were given information about their child's interests and hobbies. "[I really liked] getting to know the kids and realizing how similar like their hobbies and personalities are to me," Santos said.
Cultivating Care: Outreach Club Writes Valentine's Day Letters to Children
Rapidly typing on their computers, Pranav Balakrishnan '25 and Ethan Andrew '26 finalize their rebuttal speech at the University of Emory's elimination rounds. After two days of fierce competition, the team knew that this win could help propel them to the final round of the tournament.
Speech and Debate Puts Skills to Test at Emory University's Barkley Forum
About the Contributor
Shivani Kondubhatla
Shivani Kondubhatla, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
Class of 2025  Feeding my ardent love for journalism, I am beyond excited to serve as the Horizon Editor-in-Chief to not only give a voice to the students of Westwood but also to those in our buzzing community. Outside of the newsroom, I am most likely spending time with friends, watching sit-coms (probably Modern Family), or sustaining my unhealthy coffee addiction. Welcome to the Horizon!