The West Ottawan

Angel Verdusco walked on stage. The bright lights projected onto his face as sweat formed on his palms. He looked a…
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Nationals

Family and teammates of Frosh. Stephanie Lebster sat tightly packed in the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. They were quit…
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Ballin' for Bryce

Playing for something bigger than yourself, a cliche commonly heard in athletics, does not genuinely occur that often. H…
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Fresh from our newsroom

The unlikely success story of Gavin Temple 11 All-Conference members. 5 All-State members. 3 All-American relays. 1 state championship. These are
“He is definitely living his dream job.” In the spring of 2010, then Sr. Gavin Bade wrote the longest articles ever published in The West Ottawan. “He would write these hu
Sushi for dummies The buzz of chattering students surrounded us. We had just gotten to our third hour on a sunny Tuesday morning, and we were approaching lunc
Soccer Stand Out Ray Mackey He is one of the fastest players on the West Ottawa boys soccer team. Clocking in at 18.56 mph on a new program the soccer team is using thi
Opinion: Comedy special of the year “Good people of Atlanta, we must never forget… that Anthony Bourdain… Yeah!… killed himself. Anthony Bourdain had the grea
Starting a business: an emotional shipwreck Every day, we experience a crazy onslaught of emotion. From the intense dread of school in the morning, to the intense relief of flo
Reel it in “Fish on!” This past weekend, I woke up at four AM to start my morning with a two-hour ride to Betsie River. It was going t
Healthy food…worth it? Scrolling through my Instagram feed after school, I see posts of delicious looking avocado toast, pasta dishes, and bright colored
“I never stop” “Something was missing in my life, that part of education that I didn’t have made me feel incomplete”. Born and raised in Yuri
A lost dream It was the perfect sunny day for the perfect last day of fifth grade. I heard my fifth-grade teacher, Scott Follett, call my name. It was my
Evangelicals support Trump; I don’t get it I turned on my phone. I opened twitter. I scrolled down. I turned off my phone. I sat perfectly still, despite the outraged thoughts ra
Inside look at the girls volleyball team The ball is served and in play, Sr. Anna Harmon bumps it to Sr. Teeghan Sauer, who sets a perfect ball for Sr. middle blocker Loga
Kevin Maas: Continuing the legacy It’s 5:45 in the morning when Soph. Kevin Maas dives into the cold water to begin his grueling day as a swimmer. After swimming 3,150 yard
The beauty of WO Renaissance
You should compost! It’s easy

News

Hiking in Holland – where should you go?

Rounding a bend on the unmarked trail connecting two loops, I grab my mom’s arm and point wildly ahead. A concrete bun
Responsibility much?

On a recent Tuesday, after walking in the pouring rain between buildings, I came into my 2nd hour and slouched into my s
“I am the girl who needs to break the cycle”

On a warm Sunday, my family and I celebrate my birthday. The day with my family is going great. Everyone is gathered
My perspective: Please help yourself

“Bill has 8 apples. Ann gives him 3 more. How many apples does Bill have now?” My 6-year-old little sister reads off
Service dog in training

One hot June afternoon in 2014, 12-year-old Carissa Wooley was going through her Saturday cardio workout at gymnastics p
Angel Verdusco: Youth of the Year

Angel Verdusco walked on stage. The bright lights projected onto his face as sweat formed on his palms. He looked a

Student Life

Sushi for dummies

The buzz of chattering students surrounded us. We had just gotten to our third hour on a sunny Tuesday morning, and we w
Soccer Stand Out Ray Mackey

He is one of the fastest players on the West Ottawa boys soccer team. Clocking in at 18.56 mph on a new program the socc
Starting a business: an emotional shipwreck

Every day, we experience a crazy onslaught of emotion. From the intense dread of school in the morning, to the inte
“I never stop”

“Something was missing in my life, that part of education that I didn’t have made me feel incomplete”. Born a
A lost dream

It was the perfect sunny day for the perfect last day of fifth grade. I heard my fifth-grade teacher, Scott Follett, cal
The beauty of WO Renaissance

“Good morning! Have a great day! Work hard!” On Wednesday mornings, as the buses unload students, there are friendly

Opinion

Opinion: Comedy special of the year

“Good people of Atlanta, we must never forget… that Anthony Bourdain… Yeah!… killed himself. Anthony Bour
Evangelicals support Trump; I don’t get it

I turned on my phone. I opened twitter. I scrolled down. I turned off my phone. I sat perfectly still, despite the out
Responsibility much?

On a recent Tuesday, after walking in the pouring rain between buildings, I came into my 2nd hour and slouched into my s
SAT’s diversity scores will do more harm than good

Surrounded by family members at her kitchen table, a high school senior rips open an envelope from her first-choice
Fake nails are gross

I sat in math class on a cold, dark, and windy winter afternoon. I couldn’t help but watch as the snow whipped against
My perspective: Please help yourself

“Bill has 8 apples. Ann gives him 3 more. How many apples does Bill have now?” My 6-year-old little sister reads off

Sports

The unlikely success story of Gavin Temple

11 All-Conference members. 5 All-State members. 3 All-American relays. 1 state championship. T
Soccer Stand Out Ray Mackey

He is one of the fastest players on the West Ottawa boys soccer team. Clocking in at 18.56 mph on a new program the socc
Reel it in

“Fish on!” This past weekend, I woke up at four AM to start my morning with a two-hour ride to Betsie Rive
Inside look at the girls volleyball team

The ball is served and in play, Sr. Anna Harmon bumps it to Sr. Teeghan Sauer, who sets a perfect ball for Sr. mi
Kevin Maas: Continuing the legacy

It’s 5:45 in the morning when Soph. Kevin Maas dives into the cold water to begin his grueling day as a swimmer. After
Soph. Lily Baker battles back from a concussion

“5, 6, 7, 8, 1, 2, 3, 4, LET’S GO W”–up went a stunt group, and right back down. This stunt group lif

We are The West Ottawan

The West Ottawan is a publication run by journalism students at West Ottawa High School in Holland, Michigan.

WO Alumni

“He is definitely living his dream job.”

In the spring of 2010, then Sr. Gavin Bade wrote the longest articles ever published in The West Ottawan. “He wou
From the art room to the stage

WO alumnus Blake Rhein plugs the cable into his trusty guitar. The bright California sun shines over the crowd waiting f
Erica Francis: From WOBN to FOX 17

In 2011 Erica Francis sits cross-legged in front of the camera in the WOBN studio reporting about Vocalaires auditions a
Dancing at Disney

On day one of the biggest dance competition of their lives, Nick Ybarra and his crew of all girls were standing behind t
Evil side of college athletics

College athletic programs grab high school students, lure them with scholarship money, and watch them chase after the ed
Alone in America: Yessica Garcia

“As we speak tonight,” President Donald Trump said in his speech, “we are removing gang members, drug

The Project for Better Journalism is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening student journalism programs across the country. We support publications just like this one.

The West Ottawan is produced and updated by students at this school, and supported by a faculty advisor.

Learn more about the Project →

Hiking in Holland – where should you go?

Responsibility much?

“I am the girl who needs to break the cycle”

My perspective: Please help yourself

Service dog in training

Youth of the Year