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

Students gather at a club meeting during the first semester. Even as COVID-19 seems to have eased its effects on classroom procedure, it continues to affect the school system, even at Westwood.

The Effects of Teacher Shortages on Both Students and Staff Continue to Loom Large in the New Year

Jayant Bettadpur, Reporter January 11, 2023

Through all the struggles of COVID-19, the effect on teachers has been among the most significant. Many teachers felt as if the pressure placed on them as their classes went online was a drastic change,...

I predicted that the largest sandwich ever made Guinness World Record will be broken. Whether or not the sandwich records will cross headlines this year, well just have to wait and see.

Predictions for 2022!

Chloe Boyd, Dreamcatcher Editor-in-Chief January 24, 2022

After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the general expectations for 2022 can best be described as hesitant. Since 2021 didn't end the virus-ridden streak of bad years, the only thing we can do is hope....

The Omicron variant continues to spread in school, and case numbers have risen significantly since the start of the second semester. Students have expressed concerns about the RRISDs current safety protocols regarding the new variant.

Students Plan Walkout As Concerns Rise About Omicron in School

Shreya Selvaraju, Horizon Editor-In-Chief January 18, 2022

Amid an unprecedented rise in COVID-19 cases after winter break, many parents and students have expressed concerns about the safety of returning to in-person school. While the Round Rock Independent...

Attending school in-person is crucial to many students mental health and learning needs.

Schools Shouldn’t Shut Down Amid New Variant

Lucia Santaolalla, Dreamcatcher Editor in Chief January 15, 2022

For the past three weeks, and with winter break traveling, the new COVID-19 variant Omicron has made its place in the world. By being the most contagious variant of all, Omicron has expanded throughout...

The CDC announced on Thursday, May 13 that there had been a change to COVID-19 mask guidelines.

CDC Announces that Vaccinated Can Now Go Outside Maskless

Yunoo Kim, Community & World News Editor May 19, 2021

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday, May 13 that they have changed their guidelines regarding Covid-19. After over a year since the use of masks was first recommended,...

India is battling to control its recent COVID-19 outbreak that is devastating the nation. Westwoods population of Indian students have reacted to Indias current state of crisis.

Westwood Students React to COVID-19 Surge in India

Amoli Agarwal, Horizon Editor-in-Chief May 3, 2021

After over a year since COVID-19 spread across the world and triggered a global pandemic, India is facing a national crisis with a devastating wave of new infections. Though the country had previously...

RRISD has set up a website to provide daily Covid-19 information.

RRISD and Westwood Open COVID-19 Testing Stations for Students, Staff

Zoejane Ostebo, Opinions Editor and Extras Editor February 10, 2021

Since Feb. 2, Round Rock ISD has begun to give free drive-through COVID-19 testing to all staff and students. Testing is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all appointments...

Front line workers continue to give out COVID-19 tests. Patients who fall into the 1A and 1B category have been starting to get notified of available vaccines. Photo courtesy of Konstantin Ventslavovic.

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Hits Early Snags in Austin

Amy Simon, Sports Editor January 14, 2021

Providers in Austin have started to notify patients who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Patients must fall into the 1A category which includes healthcare workers and first responders or the...

A new COVID-19 vaccine has been released to the media. Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE believe that this vaccine will be available by the end of Nov.

New Vaccine Shows Promising Signs in Fight Against COVID-19, Draws Caution From Experts

Amy Simon, Sports Editor November 16, 2020

Drugmaker companies Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE released a vaccine on Monday, Nov. 9 that has proved to be 90 percent effective for protecting people from COVID-19. Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort...

Lacey Mase, a former RRISD teacher, and lawyer is running for Board Trustee Place 2.

Lacey Mase Takes Aim at Student Success in Trustee Campaign

Shrika Paramasivam, Reporter November 2, 2020

As a new election cycle has arrived, candidate signs have filled Westwood communities and many of these signs are for the four open Round Rock ISD Board of Trustee Places. Lacey Mase, a former teacher...

Dr. Mary Bone is running for the RRISD Trustee Place 2 position this year. With her background in systems engineering, she hopes to implement data driven policies and bring accountability front and center to the Board.

Mary Bone Brings Accountability Front and Center During Final Day Before Election

Amoli Agarwal, Horizon Editor-in-Chief November 2, 2020

As the November election approaches, candidates running for local and national office are rounding up undecided votes and trying to put their best foot forward for the final push. A mother of two children,...

Pandemic Spreads Chaos Within Foster Care

Pandemic Spreads Chaos Within Foster Care

Savannah Estabrook, Yearbooker October 30, 2020

Fighting for children’s safety, foster care systems have been struggling more than ever this year due to COVID-19. Recent changes have made it challenging for social workers to provide placement, future...

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