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WO Alumni

West Ottawa’s male cheerleaders

February 28, 2020 12:53pm | Jocelyn Sweeney

West Ottawa alumnus Sam Beetham got ready for the University of Michigan home game against Penn State in November 2018. Both teams are ranked and excited to play each other.    Between the 3rd and 4th quarters, everyone turned on their phones’ flashlights. “I couldn’t […]

Kind of famous

February 11, 2020 1:41pm | Jocelyn Sweeney

WO alumna Avery Warsaw has always admired how kind actor Timothee Chalamet is to his fans, and her recent experience only increased her admiration. Warsaw likes to experiment with fashion. She learned to embroider in August 2018 because she wanted to “design my own clothes […]

“It’s all about attitude”

January 9, 2020 9:02am | Alyssa Karner

Cory VanRhee is a West Ottawa High School graduate and assistant girls Varsity basketball coach. Ask VanRhee how he is doing today, his answer will always be “I’m fantastic.”  When someone asks a friend how their day is going, a typical response might be a […]

“He is definitely living his dream job.”

October 17, 2019 6:51am | Jocelyn Sweeney

In the spring of 2010, then Sr. Gavin Bade wrote the longest articles ever published in The West Ottawan.    “He would write these huge articles,” Instructor Ken Strobel said, “then argue effectively that they were huge because he was dealing with big ideas. He’d […]

From the art room to the stage

March 27, 2019 9:24am | Jocelyn Sweeney

WO alumnus Blake Rhein plugs the cable into his trusty guitar. The bright California sun shines over the crowd waiting for the band to kick off The Santa Barbara Polo & Wine Festival. Dressed for the heat, Rhein pushes back his blonde hair, adjusts his […]

Erica Francis: From WOBN to FOX 17

October 15, 2018 10:34am | Maddy Eppard

In 2011 Erica Francis sits cross-legged in front of the camera in the WOBN studio reporting about Vocalaires auditions and giving information on club meetings. She speaks smoothly and entertains the audience with her bubbly personality; it is evident she is comfortable in front of […]

Dancing at Disney

January 10, 2018 9:29am | Qwaymont Burton

On day one of the biggest dance competition of their lives, Nick Ybarra and his crew of all girls were standing behind the stage at the 2017-2018 World Finals in Disney world.     “I can tell everyone is nervous” Ybarra said, “but I was just […]

Evil side of college athletics

May 23, 2017 12:12pm | Travis Bethke

College athletic programs grab high school students, lure them with scholarship money, and watch them chase after the education they so generously offered. This is not what colleges want the public thinking, but it is the reality.   The reason for attending a college is to […]

Alone in America: Yessica Garcia

March 28, 2017 6:46am | Lexi Manning

“As we speak tonight,” President Donald Trump said in his speech, “we are removing gang members, drug dealers, and criminals that threaten our communities and prey on our innocent citizens.” March 1, 2017.   It was 5 o’clock Saturday evening when I met with her. […]

WO alum Paige Trujillo pursues theater at Hope

December 22, 2016 4:46pm | Erin McDonald

In 2012, the West Ottawa Orchestra went on a trip to Disney World. At the time, Paige Truijillo was a sophomore. Disney World is known for guests being able to meet their favorite characters. On that trip, Truijillo saw that there were so many jobs […]

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