WO Alumni » The West Ottawan

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 […]

A class that makes learning enjoyable?

December 15, 2016 3:34pm | Connor Purcell

Sr. Cristian Gomez sat in the compact cab of a CAT 745C hauler, operating the complex hydraulic steering system that the 10’Hx20’L machine has to offer; the machine was driven across the CTC parking lot at a sluggish pace due to its sheer size and […]

Ashley Backus: swimming in college

November 28, 2016 3:18pm | Caroline Sisson

Sr. Ashley Backus looked up at the clock hoping, wishing, that it would say what she wanted it to say. It didn’t. She had missed a Division One state cut in the 500 free by a mere two one-hundredths of a second; for those of […]

4,193 miles from home

November 18, 2016 3:15pm | Hailey Warsaw

Like most students at West Ottawa, Sr. Lindsey Drost gets up early for school. She gets dressed, eats breakfast, and brushes her teeth. She rides the bus to school, chats with friends, and prepares for her classes. The only difference? Drost is currently going […]

I didn’t go to college yet I am successful

November 8, 2016 2:57pm | Nicole Modders

“What college do you want to go to?” “You need to be ready for college.” “College readiness.” “What career do you plan on going to college for?” In high school, college talk can get pretty overwhelming since we’re hearing these phrases nearly every day, especially […]