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Westwood Horizon
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The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
Hadley Norris

Hadley Norris, Graphics Editor

Class of 2024

I look forward to designing graphics this year, you can always find me in the caption :)

All content by Hadley Norris
Read on to decide if you also find these products overrated!

Overhyped: Trends That Shouldn't be Trends

April 30, 2024
With prom season in full swing, take this quiz if you don't know what to wear to prom!

What Should You Wear to Prom?

Lauren McLain, Reporter
April 13, 2024
Consistent in its calm sounds of acoustic guitar and soft vocals, Kacey Musgraves' latest album entitled 'Deeper Well' was released on Friday, March 15. The album is beautifully done and touches on themes of curiosity, love, and overcoming doubts.

‘Deeper Well’ is Too Good to be True

April 1, 2024
Priming for the NFL draft, each year players gather in Indianapolis to show off their skills at the NFL combine. This year the wide receiver class presented themselves as one of the best in recent memory, with University of Texas wide receivers Xavier Worthy, and Adonai Mitchell being no exception.

Longhorns Shine at NFL Combine

Sawyer Grimaldi, Sports Editor
March 20, 2024
Take this trivia test to find out how much you actually know about Saint Patrick's Day!

How Much Do You Know About Saint Patrick’s Day?

Lauren McLain, Reporter
March 13, 2024
With Spring Break right around the corner, take this quiz to figure out where you should spontaneously travel to!

Where Should You Vacation this Spring Break?

Sydney Fuller, Reporter
March 9, 2024
With 14 Grammy wins under her belt and many more sold-out stadiums, Taylor Swift is one of the most popular pop icons ever. While many have varying opinions on Taylor Swift, her sheer influence and impact undebatable.

Taylor Swift: Overhyped or Overhated?

March 26, 2024
First administered on June 23, 1926, the SAT was designed as an intelligence test for high schoolers. The test has gone through many changes throughout its 98 year history, and starting this year, will be completely virtual.

EDITORIAL: The SAT Isn't Standardized

March 6, 2024
Read on to find out what concert you should attend this year!

What Upcoming Concert Should You Book Tickets To?

Trinity Osmer, Reporter
March 5, 2024
With spring right around the corner, take this quiz to find your aesthetic for the new season!

What Is Your Spring Aesthetic?

March 19, 2024
Which celebrities sported the best and worst Grammy outfits?

From Flop to Fabulous: Top Grammy Fashion Picks

Katie Ring, Reporter
February 29, 2024
Take this quiz to see which one of the 12 Godly Parents is your parent!

Who is Your Percy Jackson Godly Parent?

Ashna Karthik, Marketing Director
February 18, 2024
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, take this trivia test to see how much you know about this holiday!

How Much do You Know About Valentine’s Day?

Mina Stephens, Heritage Sports Editor
February 7, 2024
Released on Oct. 27, 1989 (Taylor's Version), specifically the vault tracks, explores everything about relationships -- from falling in love to saying goodbye.

1989 Revamped: Taylor Swift Explores Relationships With New Vault Tracks

Katie Ring, Reporter
November 13, 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
Ariana Grande released her single Yes, and? for her upcoming album, Eternal Sunshine. Grande has already released six albums and a variety of singles, leaving fans to anticipate how this one will be.

Fans Say Yes to Ariana Grande’s ‘Yes, And?’

Mahek Sureka, Heritage Staff
January 28, 2024
With the release of the Mean Girls movie and Westwood's musical production, take this quiz to find out if you're Cady, Regina, Gretchen, or Karen!

What Mean Girl Are You?

Lauren McLain, Reporter
January 26, 2024
Have you ever yearned to visit Arendelle and experience a magical winter wonderland? Continue reading for a list of cold weather approved activities in Austin that can transport you into Anna and Elsa’s kingdom.

Feel the Festivity With ‘Frozen’: A Winter-Themed Itinerary of Austin

Aarya Kale, News Editor
January 17, 2024
Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennel, premiered in theaters on Nov. 17, 2023. It follows the perspective of Oxford student Oliver Quick during his stay at his wealthy friend's estate.

‘Saltburn’ Brings Visually Rich Portrayal of Privilege and Hedonism to Screen

January 17, 2024
Take this test to see if you are a true fan of the classic Christmas movie "The Polar Express."

How Much do You Know About ‘The Polar Express’?

Trinity Osmer, Reporter
December 24, 2023
Test your knowledge about the hit holiday movie Elf with this trivia test!

How Much do you Know about Elf?

Katie Ring, Reporter
December 19, 2023
If you had to compete in the Hunger Games how would you do? Would you survive or die in an embarrassing way?

Would you Survive the Hunger Games?

Sydney Fuller, Reporter
December 13, 2023
Sophomores Sophia Cortes, Faith Mason, Chiara Pellegrino, and Tyler Galaviz showcase their different styles. Each student could express themselves with their aesthetic - not just with clothes but also accessories like shoes, belts, and jewelry.

Fashion Forward: Popular Aesthetics Sweep the Student Population

Charly Obermiller, Reporter
November 30, 2023
For all the Swifties, read on to see Taylor Swift's newest album and re-record songs ranked.

1989 Taylor’s Version: Top 5 Songs

Mahek Sureka, Heritage Staff
November 16, 2023
If you are a fan of the classic horror movie Scream, then take this test!

How Well do You Know the Scream Movies?

Lauren Mclain, Reporter
October 31, 2023
The United Auto-Workers' strike is set to end soon, having reached a tentative agreement with Ford. The auto workers' union has been on strike since September in hopes achieving demands for higher wages, reinstated benefits, and better working conditions.

Auto Workers Deserve Better

October 30, 2023
Take this quiz to get a good movie recommendation for Halloween night!

What Halloween Movie Should You Watch?

Isabelle Horonzy, Reporter
October 28, 2023
With Halloween just around the corner, take this quiz to find out what iconic horror movie character you are.

What Horror Movie Character are You?

Trinity Osmer, Reporter
October 22, 2023
The Rest, the third release from indie supergroup Boygenius, is an astounding companion piece to their debut album.

Boygenius’ New EP Rises to New Heights

Mayla Montgomery, A&E Editor
October 19, 2023
Courtside Conversations is a series of interview-style podcast episodes conducted with members of Homecoming Court.

Courtside Conversations: Simryn Jacob '24

October 15, 2023
The hit series Gilmore Girls is known for its iconic New England autumn scenery, and Austinies can enjoy similar fall activities with these recommendations.

How to be a Gilmore Girl in Austin

Aarya Kale, News Editor
October 14, 2023
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How Much do You Know About Tim Burton’s Movies?

Trinity Osmer, Reporter
October 9, 2023
In October of 2022, Elon Musk purchased X, formerly known as Twitter for 44 billion dollars. Musk's purchase was followed by a slew of controversial decisions and implementations that have caused X's downfall.

Elon Musk is Leaving X in Ruins

October 11, 2023
Continue reading for a ranking of the Twilight movies!

Twilight: Ultimate Ranking

Ashna Karthik, Marketing Director
October 5, 2023
With the start of October, fall is coming into full swing. Take this quiz to find out what fall dessert you are!

What Fall Dessert are You?

Anna Ruan, Reporter
September 29, 2023
Olivia Rodrigo, a singer-songwriter and actress, has just released her sophomore album, GUTS.

Olivia Rodrigo Spills Her ‘Guts’

Katie Ring, Reporter
September 29, 2023
Raising their red, white, and black signs, WGA strikers gather in protest. The union has been on strike since July, advocating for better pay and improved regulations on AI.

Hollywood Needs to Listen to Worker Unions

August 24, 2023
After the Spanish Women's Soccer team won the Women's World Cup, former Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales cast a shadow over the accomplishments of the Spanish Women’s team by kissing player Jennifer Hermoso without her consent. Rubiales has yet to face major consequences.

Spanish World Cup Controversy Highlights Issues With the Culture of Spanish Soccer

September 19, 2023
If you're a fan of autumn, take this quiz!

What’s Your Fall Aesthetic?

Mina Stephens, Heritage Sports Editor
September 7, 2023
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How Much Do You Know about My Little Pony?

Rifah Mirza, Photo Editor
September 2, 2023
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Which Barbie are You?

August 22, 2023
Students respond to a Westwood survey about the sexualization of teenage girls in media.

Surveying Effects of Oversexualization of Girls in Society

May 1, 2023
The release of Chat GPT could have a great effect on education nationwide and change how students access information.

ChatGPT Enters the Classroom as a New Form of Generative AI

March 27, 2023
Who? Wath! Warrior. is a podcast centered on students. Each episode is focused on a different student, and their respective pursuits, ranging from small businesses to niche sports.

Sophomore Harshadha Chaganti's Learnology Creates Opportunity for Youth

May 18, 2023
Who? Wath! Warrior. is a podcast centered on students. Each episode is focused on a different student, and their respective pursuits, ranging from small businesses to niche sports.

“Who? What! Warrior.”: Junior Olympic Fencer Joyce You

Shreya Selvaraju, Horizon Editor-In-Chief
March 22, 2023
Following a state-wide camping ban signed in 2021, the Austin homeless population continues to grow.

Austin’s Homeless Resurgence After Camping Ban: A Look Into Long Term Solutions

Chloe Oakley, Campus News Editor
March 19, 2023
In recent years, celebrities have been releasing brands at a breakneck rate, but what is the significance behind this movement?

Combating Celebrity Brands: The Responsibility is Ours

Chloe Oakley, Campus News Editor
February 22, 2023
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MLK’s Legacy: Rooted Deep in the United States

Valeria Tijerina, Reporter
February 8, 2023
Kavi Sharma is American Girl's 2023 Girl of the Year. She has numerous interests like Indian dance, Hip-Hop, and songwriting.

Ramping up Representation: American Girl Makes History with First South Asian 'Girl of the Year'

January 26, 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

January 11, 2023
Girl From Nowhere is a Thai horror anthology series about karma, vengeance, and corruption within the Thai educational system. The show currently has two seasons on Netflix. Graphic courtesy of Hadley Norris

Girl From Nowhere: How a Thai Mystery Series Thrills Viewers With Darkness

Prima Changwatchai, Assistant Editor
January 11, 2023
Futurama was a popular animated TV show from the same creators as The Simpsons. It ran from 1999 to 2013.

Why a Futurama Reboot Is a Bad Idea

December 7, 2022
As evidenced by her campaign slogan, mayoral candidate Celia Israel seeks to be "A mayor for all of Austin." Imperative to this pursuit is inclusion, which Israel hopes will yield space for all Austinites. "When I look back on my time as mayor, I want to be able to say that we did creative things with land — that we repurposed land and created housing for teachers and bus drivers and nurses," Israel said.

Celia Israel Campaigns For Change

November 1, 2022
Gilmore Girls is a popular show from the early 2000s that is centered around outgoing & spunky Lorelai Gilmore and her bookish & introverted daughter, Rory Gilmore, in a small town called Stars Hollow.

The Downfall of Rory Gilmore

November 4, 2022
The SAT seems to have quickly lost importance in recent years, mainly due to most colleges being test-optional. However, it can still be a helpful way to estimate a student’s performance in university, given that access to resources is provided and colleges continue to evaluate applications holistically.

The SAT Isn't the Problem

October 5, 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

October 2, 2022
Teachers and students rate their experiences with both Flextime Manager and Edficiency on a scale of one to five.

Edficiency: Teachers and Students Reflect on New Flex System

September 27, 2022
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What Fall Activity Should You Do?

September 26, 2022
Amid threats of violence at Westwood High School, students are questioning the importance of education over safety.

Sense of Safety Shattered in a Day: The Cruel Reality of Schools in America

September 26, 2022
California lawmakers are to ban the sale of all new model gasoline-fueled cars by 2035, a major step to reduce carbon emissions and fight against climate change.

California’s Ban on Gas-Fueled Cars: A Roadmap for Future Actions Against Climate Change

September 10, 2022
Gerald Helcel '26 spent a Gru-eling eight hours in costume. There's a one-in-a-minion chance of seeing this again.

Howdy Week: Warriors Wear Their Wackiest Attire

Tara Kurkal, Tiktok Account Manager
September 8, 2022
The aspect of Jane Austen's work that has moved readers for generations is the spirit of her characters and how profoundly they experience emotions. While other Austen adaptations have captured this essence, Persuasion (2022) fails to encompass the complexity of the original story. Graphic by Hadley Norris.

A Dubiously Received ‘Persuasion’

Hannah Ashtari, Managing Editor
August 18, 2022
In all of the questions that loom regarding the state of school safety, there are a variety of perspectives that illuminate a necessity to reject familiarity in paving a path to change.

On the Precipice of Change

June 20, 2022
There exists a magnificent synecdoche between poetry and journalism, two writing forms that seem to deeply contrast. In exploration of these powerful forms, I understand their conjunction and how they vitally garner strength from one another. Graphic by Hadley Norris

Poetry and Journalism: The Unlikely Pairing Serving as Advocacy’s Greatest Triumph

Keana Saberi, Editor in Chief
May 10, 2022
The second part of Attack on Titan first premiered on Sunday, Jan. 10. Graphic by Hadley Norris.

‘Attack on Titan’: The Final Season Colossally Exceeds Fans’ Expectations

Mallory Milner, Reporter
April 27, 2022
Season two of Bridgerton provides South Asian Representation in a respectful manner.

South Asian Representation In Netflix’s Bridgerton Depicts A Positive Trend in Television Media

Selena Molinari, Yearbooker
April 25, 2022
Comic: Everything You Missed At the 2022 Oscars

Comic: Everything You Missed At the 2022 Oscars

Hadley Norris, Graphics Editor
April 4, 2022
Social media has had a multifaceted impact on Westwood students today. From increasing the importance of body image to facilitating community interactions, social media has redefined normalcy in every way.

Reckoning With Authenticity: Social Media as a Platform for Student Multidimensionality

Amoli Agarwal and Catharine Li
April 2, 2022
The parking lots were used to host the student walkout. Photo courtesy of Hadley Norris.

School-Wide Walkout Highlights Student Voicing Concerns

March 30, 2022
Rising concern about firearms policies continue following an unfortunate shooting at this year's South by South West festival. Photo courtesy of Hadley Norris.

Gun Issues Violently Resurface Following Festival Shooting

March 29, 2022
Popular teenage drama 'Euphoria' glamorizes many issues teens face today. Photo courtesy of Hadley Norris.

A Less Euphoric Perspective On Euphoria 

March 2, 2022
The controversial SAT exam has promised substantial changes. Photo courtesy of Hadley Norris.

New Changes to the SAT are a Step in the Right Direction

February 23, 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
America needs to address its gun safety issues. Graphic created by Hadley Norris '24.

Kyle Rittenhouse and Ahmaud Arbery: Why Relating These Two Cases Misses The Point

January 14, 2022
High school students all across the country showed high levels of academic dishonesty during the first year of the pandemic. While many Westwood students participated in this, some did choose this opportunity to stick to their morals.

How Westwood Academic Dishonesty Has Evolved Through COVID

January 7, 2022
The newest members of the SunDancers pose for a picture following the ribbon pinning ceremony. Students were welcomed by their teammates, beginning the getting-to-know-you process.

SunDancers Celebrate Newest Members

Hadley Norris, Graphics Editor
December 15, 2021
On Nov. 12, Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated version of 'Red.' An expressive vignette of heartbreak, 'Red (Taylor's Version)' intensifies the magic of the acclaimed album. Graphic by Hadley Norris.

All Too Unwell: 'Red (Taylor's Version)' Resurfaces Decade-Old Emotions

November 23, 2021
The popular TikTok trend, coined "Devious Lick," encourages students to steal, vandalize, and destroy school property. While the challenge has been an obstacle in many other schools, the viral trend is not as much of a problem at Westwood.

Westwood Students Rise Above A Devious Challenge

November 15, 2021
Bathroom passes are outdated, unnecessary, and unsanitary. Photo courtesy of Hadley Norris.

Bathroom Passes Are Unnecessary and Unsanitary

Hadley Norris, Graphics Editor
November 4, 2021
The Sundancers use the parking lot for practices in the morning. Students have needed a better solution to this problem for a while. Photo courtesy of Hadley Norris.

Westwood Parking Needs to be Easier and More Accessible

Hadley Norris, Graphics Editor
October 4, 2021
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