The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
Alessandra Ashford

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor

Class of 2025

When I’m not writing or editing you can find me reading, drawing, painting, listening to music, and ranting. I always love to tell stories and start conversations. I’m so excited to be on Student Press!

All content by Alessandra Ashford
On August 26, a white gunman killed three black victims in a racially motivated attack. The shooting has restarted pushes for stricter gun laws across the country.

The Jacksonville Shooting Shouldn’t Affect Gun Legislation

September 7, 2023
This August, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier released his third studio album, Unreal Unearth. Unreal Unearth is filled with beautiful, poetic lyrics and themes of love and loss.

Unearthed: Hozier Uncovers Another World To Listeners With New Album

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
August 31, 2023
Students respond to a Westwood survey about the sexualization of teenage girls in media.

Surveying Effects of Oversexualization of Girls in Society

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
May 1, 2023
Students who advanced will compete at the International Leadership Conference from Wednesday, June 21 to Friday, June 24 in Dallas.

HOSA Students Succeed at State Competition

Lilybeth Dooley and Alessandra Ashford
April 13, 2023
After two years, Java City, the Westwood Student Cafe, plans to reopen. Java City was previously closed due to staffing shortages.

Java City to Reopen After Two Years

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
March 27, 2023
Juniors Lucy Townsend and Nicole Wang make cards appreciating their art teachers. Students were able to use a variety of supplies, including markers and construction paper, to create their cards.

NAHS Celebrates Art Teachers with Card Creation Event

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
March 6, 2023
Seen from across the paint tables in the teach theatre shop, the TreeDome rests on the cage to dry.

The Show Must Go On: Behind-The-Scenes of Spongebob the Musical

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
February 9, 2023
Damage done to the school due to the ice storm includes a shattered door in the downstairs E Wing.

Winter Storm Leaves Westwood Worse for Wear

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
February 9, 2023
White liberals in America often praise Black voters for saving America after they mobilize to vote in a close election. But the systemic voter supression that keeps Black voters from voting in the first place is rarely discussed.

Black People Are Tired of “Saving America”

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
January 17, 2023
New flex policies have come into action since the start of the semester, changing the approach to Fun Flex Fridays and Flex absences.

Students and Staff Adapt as New Flex Policies Promote Participation

Alessandra Ashford and Lilybeth Dooley
January 16, 2023
As women-loving-women representation in media becomes popularized, there have been many downfalls. While good representation exists, most of it continues to stigmatize WLW relationships.

WLW Representation Still Has a Long Way to Go

Alessandra Ashford and Lilybeth Dooley
January 11, 2023
(From left) Juniors Lucy Townsend, Nicole Wang, Alyssa Beekman, and Eli Song fill their plates with food. The juniors enjoyed food and played games.

NAHS Nurtures Community at Christmas Card Social

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
December 13, 2022
Tiffanie Harrison is running for reelection for Round Rock ISD School Board Place 6. She is running on a platform of equity, community, and transparency. I dont know if Ive always thought that I would stay here, Harrison said. but I definitely feel like Im called to be here for this moment in time.

Incumbent School Board Member Tifannie Harrison Runs on Platform of Equity

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
November 7, 2022
GSA Secretary Wednesday Kolledge 23 tapes decorations to the GSA homecoming decoration. Kolledge provided all the streamers for the homecoming hall. I think that my favorite part of the experience was being able to work together with the other members of the club to create something new, said Kolledge. And add[ing] some color to the plain halls of Westwood.

Homecoming Hallways Master Music Madness

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
October 21, 2022
A defaced statue of Christopher Columbus splashed with red paint and a sign placed at the foot that reads stop celebrating genocide in Rhode Island. The statue was vandalized on Columbus Day in 2019. Columbus Day has been the subject of controversy for decades since it was made a federal holiday in 1937 by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Reconsidering Columbus Day and the Importance of Recognizing Indigenous People

Alessandra Ashford and Lilybeth Dooley
October 9, 2022
Westwood students respond to the new updates to the RRISD dress code. In January 2021, the new, updated dress code went into effect, enforcing new clothing restrictions. “It feels kind of dehumanizing when somebody tells you [that] because of how you look, you have [to be the one] to change, [instead of] the mindset of other people [changing],” Ariba Ahmed ‘24 said.

Students Voice Opinions on Updated Dress Code

Alessandra Ashford and Lilybeth Dooley
September 28, 2022
(Pictured left to right) NAHS officers, Treasurer Chloe Nixon 23, Event Coordinators Najhat Tazim Jalil 23 and Anya Gupta 23, Co-Vice Presidents Aaliyah Khan 23 and Alice Guo 23, and President Arumina Das 23 present info about NAHS.

NAHS Announces Future Plans at First Meeting of Year

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
September 17, 2022
GSA officers for the 2022-2023 school year pose for a photo. (From left) Stuco Rep Alessandra Ashford 25, Treasurer Reyes Irizarry 23, Historian Skye Schulz 25, President Claire Lawrence 23, Vice President Max Lacey 24, and Secretary Wednesday Kolledge 23.

GSA Holds First Meeting of Year

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
September 6, 2022
Dr. Mei Ann Lim is a new teacher at Westwood teaching Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, and Principles of Biomedical Science. Dr. Lim previously worked as a resercher in diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimers. I guess Im just excited just to help the kids get as far as they can, Dr. Lim said.

Dr. Mei Ann Lim Leads Students in Science

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
September 2, 2022
Newly appointed RRISD Police Chief Dennis Weiner brings nearly 30 years in law enforcement to Round Rock schools. Photo courtesy of RRISD

Incoming RRISD Police Chief Discusses Past And Goals For This Year

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
August 11, 2022
In response to Roe v. Wade being overturned, both celebrations and protests have erupted across America as restrictions on abortion rights change.

Roe v. Wade Overturned: Students Speak Out

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
July 1, 2022
Movies and TV shows are essential pieces of media to represent LGBTQ+ individuals and their stories. We have rounded up a few of our favorites for those looking to enjoy these films during Pride month. Photo courtesy of Boris Štromar.

LGBTQ+ Movies and TV Shows to Watch During Pride Month

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
June 23, 2022
Erika Barnes, founder of the Black Makers Market, poses while at the event with her husband. “It felt really critical that we have a space for Black families and businesses to meet the community,” Barnes said. “and then have folks learn about our creative gifts, our businesses, our brands, I feel like we need to bring that all in one space.”

Black Makers Market Highlights Black-Owned Businesses In Downtown Austin

Alessandra Ashford , Opinions Editor
March 28, 2022
Protests against racism and political repression scattered 21st Street in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Photo courtesy of Elvert Barnes.

Appropriating Black History Month is Not Progressive, It is Exploitation

Alessandra Ashford, Opinions Editor
March 18, 2022
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