News
News
The Latest
3 Years of Outbreak: A Flashback to COVID-19
This spring marks the three-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in America. While over a year has passed since Governor Kim Reynolds declared an end to the coronavirus public health emergency, the detrimental effects of COVID-19 are still seen today. School is a significant part of…
Volunteering During the Holidays
Volunteering is something that many people do, and most often, they get a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of satisfaction after giving their time. Volunteering is something that many people do, and most often, they get a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of satisfaction after giving their time.
Encanto Movie Review
On November 24th, 2021, Walt Disney Studios released its 60th animated film, Encanto. This article contains minor spoilers for Disney’s film Encanto. On November 24th, 2021, Walt Disney Studios released its 60th animated film, Encanto. Encanto is set in a village in Colombia where the Madrigal family lives. Every Madrigal…
Girls Basketball
The Girls Basketball team has shown prominence to be a State contender again this season. The Girls Basketball team has shown prominence to be a State contender again this season. After an easy blowout against Ames 84-14, many believe that Northwest is taking off where Waukee Girls Basketball left it…
Holiday Music
Every year holiday music is covered by many music artists, but many artists who create original songs do not gain as much popularity. We’ve already heard the song 30 times, who wants to hear John Legend do it again? Every year holiday music is covered by many music artists, but…
Waukee Northwest State Dance
The Dance team at Waukee Northwest heads to state. The Dance team at Waukee Northwest has had a rollercoaster of a season, starting off with some work that needed to be done, and ending up with a 1st place in contemporary and a 2nd place in pom at the State…
Americanization of Asian Culture
With social media heavily influencing teens, trends are constantly changing and growing in popularity. Ever since the 2010s, Asian culture has become incredibly popular with today’s teens. From K-pop to anime, fashion and makeup styles, right down to the beauty standards, America is exploding with Asian influence. Many people trace…
Meet the Band Directors
Mr. Friesleben and Mr. Strohmaier are waukee northwest’s two band directors. Even though the Northwest Royal Brigade is just two months old, Chris Strohmaier and Chad Friesleben, the directors of the marching, jazz and concert band are proud to be leaders of the pack. In high school, Mr. Strohmaier played…
Zodiac Signs – All You Need to Know
Zodiac signs are an interesting way to find out more about yourself and other people. Zodiac signs can also determine who you are compatible with and where you are at in life. If you were born on December 22nd-January 19th, you are a Capricorn. Capricorns are ambitious, determined and strong. They…
Band Player Shortage
Due to the split, Waukee Northwest High School is suffering from a shortage of band students. Because Waukee High School is splitting into two, this has caused large instrument groups, like the clarinets, to fall to a small group of eight and double-reed instruments, like oboes and bassoons, only have…
International Club: Dance Night
One of the outstanding clubs and an off-shot in Northwest High School is the club whose membership consists of people from different cultures all over the globe. International Club, a club established to encourage students to share their culture and also learn about other cultures. International club offers the best…
School Troubles
With just a few weeks under Northwest High School’s belt, students have already discovered several problems that have arisen, ranging from traffic to the sound of the dismissal bell. As suspected, things at Northwest High School wouldn’t run smoothly in the first weeks. Many students have pointed out the various…
Meet The Librarian
The contagious smile behind the Waukee Northwest library doors belongs to librarian Ms. Rechkemmer. She is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and had previously taught middle school Language Arts for seven years. This year is Ms. Rechkemmer’s first year as a school librarian. Ms. Rechkemmer loves riding horses and credits that to…
Study Room Review
At Northwest, students use the group study rooms, located upstairs above the lunchroom, to work on projects, study for tests, and more. At Northwest, students use the group study rooms, located upstairs above the lunchroom, to work on projects, study for tests, and more. The students think the rooms are…
Weather Cancellations and Delays in the WCSD
Nearly every winter the Waukee Community School District faces harsh weather conditions that require delays and cancellations, impacting students, families and staff. When growing up in most areas of the Midwest, extreme winter weather can determine quite a bit in the day-to-day routines of many. For school-age children and their…
Jim Duea Retires After 26 Years
On April 9, 2025, the Waukee Community School District announced that longtime activities director Jim Duea would retire. Duea began his career in education at Valley High School, where he taught math and served as the head coach of the boys’ track and field team and the assistant coach of…
New Pope Announced
On May 8, 2025, around 12:15 p.m. CST, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States was announced as the 267th pope. Prevost, age 69, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and is the first pope to hail from the United States. He has chosen the papal name Leo XIV. Papal…
Iowa Men’s Basketball Hires New Coach
On March 24, the University of Iowa announced that they had hired Ben Mcollum as their new men’s basketball head coach. McCollum, the former head coach of Drake men’s basketball, led the Bulldogs to their first round of 32 appearance in 54 years. He coached only one season at Drake,…
Broken Bones
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, hospitals worldwide treat roughly 170 million broken bones each year. Behind every fracture is a story—a person, a split-second decision and the moment a parent realizes that casts, boots and splints cost, quite literally, an arm and a leg.
Impacts of social media on teens
In today’s digital age, youth around the world have to navigate the effects of social media, which has impacted their communication, mental health and self-perception. Most social media platforms have become a way for the youth to communicate with their peers, to share their experiences and to express themselves. However,…
Jay Vigon and Margo Z Nahas: The Artists Behind Rock’s Greatest Album Covers
Margo Nahas and Jay Vigon are the artists behind some of the most iconic album covers of all time. They have worked with some of the biggest names in rock and roll, including Prince, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, The Doobie Brothers and Tom Petty. The couple is now working at…
Don’t Shoot the Messenger: Staff Editorial
Written by: Krista Giltner and Ava Hansen Since President Trump’s win in the 2024 election, he has modeled behavior showing a lack of care towards the United States Constitution by attempts to censor the media and individuals, a direct violation of the First Amendment right. What is the First Amendment…
It Takes a Village: First Time Moms of NWHS
The expectation for women to balance a family and a full-time career is no easy task; however, Northwest High School has many faculty members navigating not only a demanding career but also adjusting to the lifestyle of being a new mother. In the last century, the social norm for women…
Boys Wrestling State Title Day
Eddie Woody (Southeast Polk) 41-1, Fr. over Cruz Gannon (Dowling Catholic) 27-4, Fr. (Pin 1:19), “the game plan was kill, just go at it, just go for it.” Nico DeSalvo (Southeast Polk) 38-0, So. over Alexander Pierce (Iowa City, West) 47-3, Jr. (Decision 4-1), “I feel great… just visualizing every…