The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
  • No School: 09/22 and 09/23
  • Homecoming Week: 09/15 to 09/19
  • Picture Day: 09/03
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
Catharine Li

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief

Class of 2023

Ardent advocate of em dashes, pastel cardigans, and above all, the written word. Amoli and I are honored to lead a publication by students, for students. Thank you for supporting the locally reported and authentic storytelling that is scholastic journalism!

 

All content by Catharine Li
Conducting the Westwood Symphony Orchestra during their "send-off" concert to preview their trip to the Midwest Clinic in 2019, Mr. Anderson looks to cue soloist Laoise Matsumoto. Matsumoto was a student Mr. Anderson taught as a first-year teacher at Grisham Middle School.

Associate Orchestra Director Mr. Justin Anderson Reflects on His Time At Westwood

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
May 25, 2023
Spraying disinfectant, night custodian Pedro Minan wipes down tables in a classroom. Minan is new to Westwood, having worked at the school for less than one year.

The Faces of Resilience and Routine: Custodians Care for Westwood Like Second Home

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
May 9, 2023
Trumpet player Brandon Yuan '23 rehearses with the Wind Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble is the top performing group in the Westwood Band program, who recently earned an invitation to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in December 2023.

Bond 2018 Project Bolsters Music Department Facilities, Conditioning Longstanding Program Excellence

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
April 24, 2023
Synchronized while performing, Garage Band adds to the relaxed ambience of Warrior Fest. The members prepared a diverse set list for event.

Annual NHS WarriorFest Carnival Brings Community Together to Benefit Thirst Project

Prakrit Sinha and Lilybeth Dooley
April 15, 2023
Excited, Daniel Goolsbey '24 jumps from the crowd of players, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Goolsbey and other members of the JV soccer team were present to show their support.

Varsity Mens Soccer Clinches District Champion Title Following 1-0 Win Against Vipers

March 12, 2023
Matching style. the trumpet section emphasizes key dynamics in their part. Each section of the jazz orchestra added a layer of distinct sound.

Westwood Jazz Orchestra Debuts With Vibrant Performance 

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
March 8, 2023
Conducting the Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Joshua Thompson cues the second violin section. Finding balance across sections was key to rehearsals held in preparation for this performance.

Full Orchestra UIL Preview Concert Spotlights Student Collaboration in Music

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
March 2, 2023
Anna Rudnik '24 adds the finishing touches to her thank-you card. Students collaborated to brainstorm kind messages for each teacher and custodian.

Spanish Honor Society Members Express Appreciation for Teachers and Custodial Staff

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
February 25, 2023
Collapsing under the weight of ice, a downed tree leaves debris on the driveway of an Austin residence.

Students Face Extended Utility Outages and Downed Trees During Bitter Winter Storm

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
February 5, 2023
Graciously receiving audience applause, String Orchestra clinician Mr. Bingiee Shiu smiles following the students' performance. Shiu, along with the other ensemble conductors, lent their time to rehearse and refine pieces within a short three-day period.

Orchestra Students Demonstrate Technical Skill and Attentive Artistry at Region Clinic and Concert 

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
December 12, 2022
16 Westwood orchestra students qualified to participate in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Clinic and Convention in February. Reaching the highest honor in scholastic music, this group makes up the largest number of finalists from a single school. Photo courtesy of Westwood Orchestra.

With 16 Total All-State Finalists, Westwood Orchestra Musicians Make Up Largest Number of Qualifiers in Texas

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
November 16, 2022
Sorting through her items, Selin Anilturk '24 contributes to the donation drive. IBSO officers also collected monetary donations to go towards the family. "I know that my family can help, and we have the opportunity to help," Anilturk said.

Honoring Program Values, IB Students Come Together to Collect Donations for Spicewood Family Affected by House Fire

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
November 15, 2022
Laughing, freshmen Ella Steinheider and Hadyn Espinoza interact with trick-or-treaters. Students from each organization represented were eager to greet the attendees.

Campus Organizations Strengthen Community at ‘Trunk-or-Treat’ Halloween Event

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 2022
Turning to give a cue, Associate Director Mr. Justin Anderson aids the cello section of the Philharmonic 4th Block Orchestra in making a defined entrance during their performance of 'Mourão.' Written by Brazilian composer César Guerra-Peixe, the piece features a lively central theme alongside isolated figures that highlight different instruments.

Orchestra Delivers Radiant Performance at Fall Concert, an Evening of Diverse Music

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
October 20, 2022
Terin Score '23, Allie Shepard '23, Claire Delane '23, Julia Hopkins '24, and Trinity Woods '23 wave from the front of the volleyball team's float. The float's theme was Britney Spears.

Warriors Showcase School Spirit and Style at Annual Homecoming Parade

Hannah Ashtari, Catharine Li, Prakrit Sinha, Michelle Faghih, and Shivani Kondubhatla
October 20, 2022
Attentive to the screen, Aditi Dalal '23 reclines as she enjoys the film. Students were also treated to a variety of snacks and candy, along with hot chocolate.

IB Diploma Programme Comes Together to Celebrate End of Grading Period with Movie Night

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
October 10, 2022
School lunch typifies the complexity of discourse surrounding food access, and the role of public education in working towards equitable solutions. Through post-pandemic recovery, the continuity of certain longstanding issues prove glaringly clear.

Space at the Table: Plating Politics and Perspective in School Lunch

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
October 2, 2022
Drawing attention to the stem of a particular Spanish word, Anisha Aslesh '23 explains associated conjugation rules to French teacher Madame Anne Macharia and Chinese teacher Ms. Helen Wang. Many members of the Languages Other Than English (LOTE) department participated in the lunch event, demonstrating interest in a friendly opportunity to learn Spanish.

Learning Reciprocated: Teachers Gather Spanish Basics at Spanish Honor Society Lunch

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
September 30, 2022
Making contact with the ball, Devon Zhang '26 finishes a deep cross-court backhand shot. Zhang was down 2-3 in his singles match as the full team victory was called.

Commanding Rhythm of Play, Varsity Tennis Wins 10-2 Over Dripping Springs

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2022
Working together to paint the viola section poster, freshmen Magnolia Hance and Saanika Parikh chat amongst themselves, getting to know each other in the process. Interactions between different sections were also facilitated in the form of friendly competition.

Orchestra Fosters Community and Friendly Competition at Section Poster Social 

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
September 12, 2022
Socializing before the start of the first general meeting, Spanish Honor Society members talk amongst themselves. In addition to receiving information concerning upcoming events, students were introduced to the new leadership team, composed of five student officers.

Spanish Honor Society Announces Upcoming Events at First General Meeting

Catharine Li, Horizon Editor-in-Chief
September 8, 2022
Sprinting through a tunnel of students, Rishi Baranga '23 smiles as he is cheered on by band upperclassmen. In addition to a blockhead, many members, including Baranga, were given candy and other additional treats.

Band’s Exhibition Performance Endures

August 28, 2022
Load More Stories