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Westwood Horizon
Beyond the Horizon: Performative Activisms Stage Presence Grows Stronger and More Dangerous
Beyond the Horizon: Performative Activism’s Stage Presence Grows Stronger and More Dangerous
Beyond the Horizon: Does Cancel Culture Promote a Toxic Society?
Beyond the Horizon: Does Cancel Culture Promote a Toxic Society?
The Westwood Horizon crew reveals the secrets of Westwoods latest math wing.
Reviewing Westwood’s New Wing
Beyond the Horizon: A Look Into Ukraines Crisis
Beyond the Horizon: A Look Into Ukraine’s Crisis
What Are Westwood Warriors Thankful For?
What Are Westwood Warriors’ Thankful For?
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
Hannah McDonough

Hannah McDonough, Reporter

Class of 2024

When I'm not at school, I love to play soccer, read, write, listen to music, and play guitar. I'm also a member of the Westwood color guard.

All content by Hannah McDonough
Prom king Youngchan Kang 22 poses with other prom king nominees. Attendees were able to vote throughout the night on prom royalty, voting Kang for prom king and Eva de Guelle 22 for prom queen.

Students See Light at Prom

May 8, 2022
Prom attendees talk along the edges of the dance floor with their friends. The last real prom occurred in 2019, so this prom gave attendees a sense of normalcy with their friends after the pandemic.

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Students gather on the balcony overseeing Lake Travis before heading to the dance floor. The Oasis provided many views for students to remember the night by.

[Photo] Breathalyzers, COVID-19, and the Importance of Slow Dances: Reflecting On Prom 2022

May 1, 2022
The saxophone and flute sections of the Symphonic Band play in harmony with the rest of the band. They were led by Mr. Brandon Winters at their pre-UIL concert.

Concert and Symphonic Band Play Pre-UIL Show in Preparation For Evaluation

April 14, 2022
The french horn section of the Symphonic Band focuses intently on their music as they perform for family and friends. The concert gave them a way to practice with an audience before a UIL evaluation.

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Assistant Band Director Mr. Brandon Winters leads the Symphonic band as they begin another piece. The Symphonic Band played their pre-UIL concert on Thursday, April 7, in preparation for their upcoming UIL evaluation.

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The saxophone section of the Symphonic Band begins to perform another piece at their pre-UIL concert. The band played three songs throughout their pre-UIL concert for friends and family.

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Former Band Director Mr. Jack Green offers the band feedback on their performance. The band will be going to their UIL evaluation on April 20, utilizing the commentary they received at their pre-UIL show.

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The varsity winter guard team links their hands together as their captains lead them in a pep talk. The team placed ninth at the TCGC State Competition on Saturday, March 26 with their lullaby-themed show. “[Going to State] was new for all of us and it felt really good,” Joaquin Schere ‘25 said. “We got to State and thats what matters.” Photo courtesy of Westwood Color Guard.

Varsity Winter Guard Ends the Season by Placing Ninth at State

April 2, 2022
As National Womens History Month comes to an end, here are some books to read in celebration. With inspirational female leads and strong female protagonists, the characters of these books are paving the way for the next generation of young women. Graphic by Hannah McDonough.

Five Books to Read in Celebration of National Women’s History Month

March 30, 2022
Current band members, incoming freshmen, alumni, and parents watch in excitement as a video summarizing the 2022 marching show plays. They got to see what next year’s show will be about and hear some of the show’s music.

Band Attends Show Reveal for 2022 Marching Band Season

March 11, 2022
Band director Ms. Brittany Dacy explains some of the details of next year’s show and introduces who will be working on the show design and music behind the scenes. The music, design, and choreography will all come together when the band begins working on the show during summer band camp.

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Eighth graders coming into the band program next year play a game of Simon Says led by the current drum majors. They got to attend the show reveal to get a taste of what band is like and meet their sections. “There was a good amount of people there, all excited for next year’s show,” future warrior Martina Ciacci siad. “The show reveal was a fun experience of watching new members join with the vets.”

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Incoming freshmen in the band program raise their hands in a game of Simon Says. The game was a team bonding exercise led by current drum majors to introduce new members to their future sections.

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Current and incoming band members participate in a game of Simon Says as a fun way for current eighth graders to get to know their future band members. Current members were able to give eighth graders insight about band experiences. “Band is hard, I’m not going to lie about that,” Sadie Cortez ‘25 said. “I am excited to see if the eighth graders are able to handle that, and if they are, see what they can do.”

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JV color guard begins their show with a dance feature. JV placed second and varsity placed fourth at their competition on February 12.

Color Guard Competes at Second Competition of Winter Guard Season

February 25, 2022
Positive Drug Test Raises Questions About Kamila Valievas Historic Olympic Skate

Positive Drug Test Raises Questions About Kamila Valieva’s Historic Olympic Skate

February 17, 2022
The JV and varsity color guard teams each placed third in their respective classes at their first competition of the winter guard season. The varsity team begins their lullaby-themed show by dancing with pillows.

Color Guard Places Third at First Competition of the Season

February 11, 2022
As of Monday, Jan. 31, Round Rock ISD has opted to continue in-person learning. Several other districts across the nation switched to virtual learning in January due to the spread of the Omicron Variant. Photo courtesy of Brian J. Matis

School Closures Restart Across US Due to Omicron Variant

January 31, 2022
With a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, COVID-19 testing availability is inadequate at a time when testing is essential. Graphic courtesy of Hadley Norris.

COVID-19 Testing Availability is Inadequate

January 24, 2022
2021 has been full of excitement in the music industry with artists new and old releasing new music.

A 2021 Music Wrap-Up!

December 31, 2021
COVID-19 booster shots are now available to anyone over 18 and should be taken advantage of in order to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Photo courtesy of fernandozhiminaicela

Receiving a Booster Vaccine is The Next Step For Preventing The Spread of COVID-19

December 9, 2021

Friday Flex: Local Musician Sophia Johnson Shares Her Journey Through the Music Industry, Inspiring Students

December 2, 2021
The band performs at the Bands of America (BOA) San Antonio competition. They placed 17th in the 4a class and 20th overall at the competition. I enjoyed getting the experience and I feel like it was just a really good performance that we all had, Keira Humphries 24 said. Photo courtesy of Westwood Band.

Westwood Warrior Marching Band Takes the Big Stage at BOA San Antonio Preliminaries

November 21, 2021
Prop A revolves around fixing the issue of an understaffed police department, but it isnt well planned. Photo courtesy of Free-Photos.

A+ For Effort, but Prop A Needs Reconstruction

November 3, 2021
Mei Chiu 24 uses her chromebook for schoolwork. The purpose of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to teach students how to stay safe while on the internet.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Stresses The Importance of Online Safety

October 31, 2021
Neel Kotichintala 25, Pierce Williams ‘22, and Caroline Zhuang ‘23 play the marimba in the front. The percussion were in the front while everyone moved around behind them.“[Playing percussion] is really interesting because you kind of get a perspective that the winds don’t,” Williams said. “As percussionists, you’re much more concerned with the rhythm of the show, and you’re always trying to keep tempo. The winds kind of rely on you to keep the tempo while they do whatever else they do.

Band Earns Division One Ranking at UIL Region 26 Marching Competition

October 23, 2021
Trinity Castro ‘25, Natalie Opiela ‘25, and Mia Ippolito ‘25 hold up their finished and nearly finished mums. “The mum-making party was a really good experience,” Ippolito said. “It was really nice getting to make a mum for someone else on the team.”

Color Guard Attends a Mum-Making Party in Preparation For Homecoming

October 19, 2021
Sophomores and Juniors across the school took the PSAT test on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Photo courtesy of Ben Mullins

Sophomores and Juniors Take Schoolwide PSAT

October 15, 2021
The recent Justice for J6 rally argued against the arrests of those who participated in the riot on January 6, condoning the actions of those who broke into the capitol. Photo courtesy of Andrew Van huss.

Participants for the Justice for J6 Rally Need to be Held Accountable

October 6, 2021
Round Rock ISD has been struggling to continue its mask mandate in spite of the restrictions posed by government officials.

RRISD Fights To Keep Mask Mandate

September 28, 2021
Kacey Musgraves released her latest album star-crossed revolving around the topic of her recent divorce. Photo courtesy of MCA Nashville and Interscope Records. Graphic by Hannah McDonough.

Kacey Musgraves Surprises Listeners With Her Latest Album, ‘star-crossed’

September 28, 2021
Drum Majors and Color Guard captains wait for the announcement of how well the band placed at the finals award ceremony. Photo courtesy of Ms. Julie Pitner.

Band Makes Finals at BOA Austin

September 27, 2021
As of Monday, Sept. 6, certain unemployment benefits specific to the pandemic have ended, leaving millions unemployed and with little to no unemployment compensation. Photo taken by Miguel Gutierrez Jr.

Getting Rid of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits is a Mistake

September 11, 2021
Students practice showing emotion through their movements in the theatre room. Ms. Lydia Coats, theatre director, gives directions about different emotions and movements to portray as students walk around the room trying them out.

As Theatre Program Returns From Virtual Setting, Togetherness is at the Heart of Rebuilding Efforts

September 8, 2021
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is essential to keeping everyone safe, and the FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine should influence people to do so. Photo courtesy of Gabriel C. Pérez of KUT.

The FDA Approved COVID Vaccine Should Encourage People to Get Vaccinated

September 2, 2021
The Balfour publishing company recently recognized the 2020 edition of the Heritage for excellence.

2020 Yearbook Recognized for Excellence

May 31, 2021
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