Student Life – Howler News

Need a summer job?

Sharon Roberts, Adviser — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 17:30:20 +0000

Even thought it is the first days of spring, it is not too early to get a head start on your summer employment. The City of Houston Summer Jobs Program offers 16 – 21 year olds residing within the Houston city limits the opportunity to “learn and earn.” While gaining exposure to a wide variety of careers, participants will:

Be on the job from June 12 – August 3
Work 32+ hours per week
Earn $8+ per hour

Some of the options available within the city departments are:

Houston Health Department – Houston Police Department – Library Operations & Support – Pool/Lifeguards – City Council/Government – Customer Service – Finance – Municipal Courts – IT – Parks & Recreation

Just to name a few

You can apply online at www.houstontx.gov/summerjobs

Questions?

Email: [email protected]

Call: 713.773.6004 / 832.393.6148

Deadlines are approaching, so get your application in ASAP

450+ positions available

Senior Nick Doolan Road Racing Season

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 16:19:07 +0000

A Senior here at Westside High School, Nicholas Doolan is well know for riding motorcycles. He started riding motorcycles when he was just eight years old, since then it has become his only passion with the support of both of his parents who are always there for him. His 2017 road racing season starts next weekend February 17-19 in Angleton Texas. Last year Nicholas placed 10th overall when he raced in MotoAmerica series for the second year which is the pro series . This year, Nicholas is fighting for the Number one plate of the Central Motorcycle racing association. His hopes are high, and he is very motivated to achieve his goal.

After interviewing Nicholas Doolan, he stated :

“I’ve been working so hard, and hard work pays off, so hopefully I will earn the number one plate this year. I plan on giving my all, and having tons of fun. I would also like to thank my wonderful parents, friends, and family for all the support they have given me since the beginning and this year.

Please come out and support this Wolf who will be racing this weekend, the schedule of the races are in the picture below.

What Is Young Life?

Daniela Urda, Writer — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 01:23:35 +0000

First CLub

Young life is an organization created by concerned adults that want more: responsible, focus, and sociable teens. It cultivates values and other characteristics that help them prepare to go out in the world. The program is organized to help grow relationships through different activities such as singing positive songs with deep messages, games that help connections between members and others. It takes time, effort, and participation from all of the participants which can happen when teenagers desire to enrich their lives, and the lives of others.

Young Life is open to anybody, no matter their religious affiliations. Originating in Gainsville, Texas, during the 1930’s, there are now chapters all over the world. Westside Young Life meets Monday nights, at Bridgepoint Church on the Katy Freeway. Estefania Arrivillaga, a Westside senior, shares her insight about the program she has assisted for two years now:

“ Young life has helped me open more to others and develop a relationship with god . It teaches me things I would never have thought I could learn before. ”

The Young Life mission is to introduce teenagers to Jesus Christ. In addition to helping them grow their faith, the fellowship councils long lasting relationships, provides support and unconditional love through prayer and inspirational testimony. Chapter’s are organized for young teens and college age young adults, but its Young Life’s unique approach with high school age teens that is the mainstay of the organization. The adventure leads participants toward a more full filled life, goals toward a spiritual future, and tools to succeed in all aspects of life.

Quinlan Meeks, also a member of the Westside Young Life chapter offers this description:

“Young life has given me a different way to hear about God in a really fun setting with amazing people.”

The organization values the well being for their teens, and they develop innovative ideas in order to connect with detached teens around the world that are in need guidance and support.

Kiara Guyton, a junior at Westside and also a member of Young Life offers inspiring words about the organization :

“Through Young life ,I was able to grow closer to God and look at him in a more relatable light. I am also able to experience this with some of my closets friends and grow closer to them.”

To find more information about Young Life, visit their website at https://www.younglife.org

And if you would like to check it out visit the Westside Young Life page at https://westsideyl.younglife.org/Pages/default.aspx

Why I chose prom over senior girls

Estefania Arrivillaga, Writer — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 18:58:20 +0000

Senior girls is a formal dance hosted by the senior girls and parents. This experience is an alternative to prom, except that the senior girls are able to invite two underclassman’s and their dates to the dance. My senior year i wanted to experience going to every event but sadly in order to attend every dance it requires a lot of money in which I had to make a decision and ended up choosing prom. Prom is the night where all seniors go and the night when every single senior wants to shine since its our last dance in high school. Prom over senior girls was a better choice because prom is a dance that us students will never forget. Prom is a staple tradition in every highschooler’s life. The entire class comes together to celebrate their memories made here at West Side. That is why I chose to attend prom over Senior Girl’s. I love the idea of joining my friends at the museum because we can enjoy it together, after prom is another event entangled in prom that Senior Girl’s doesn’t involve. Senior Girls is a very fun tradition here at West Side which is worth it if you can afford to attend, however I think Prom is the best decision.

Daniela Urda ,currently a senior at Westside high school stated:

“Prom is your last dance is one of the most important nights in a persons life because it represents a cloing cycle of senior year. Also its less expensive than senior girls.”

Westside Uniform Leniency

Madison Rice, Author — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 14:31:31 +0000

Since Westside has imposed a fairly strict dress code on its students, there have been fields of black, blue, and gray in halls and classrooms. These fields of Westside colors have replaced the fields of multi-colors that once flooded the halls, but the question in standing is whether Westside is getting slightly closer to these said fields of color since the uniform has been imposed. In essence, it would seem some of the rules have been altered since the time they were imposed. Students are now allowed to wear black jeans and, under some circumstances, their sports wear (such as varsity jackets, JROTC uniforms, etc..). Despite these minor changes, the leniency regarding uniforms has not changed whatsoever and it can be said that the Westside halls have not gotten any closer to that field of colors it once was.

In comparison to the fact that free dress was prevalent in Westside for over fifteen years, being able to wear a new color of pants and certain kinds of sportswear under certain circumstances is virtually nothing. It is stupendous how students are able to now choose between a variety of colors of pants to wear to school, those colors being khaki and black. It is also absolutely mind-blowing how students are able to wear certain types of sportswear under certain circumstances. However, these two factors are not lenient; if anything, they are simply two small components added into the vortex of uniform rules imposed on all Westside students.

Even though the changes were definitely small factors, they were ultimately much more preferable than the previous, moreso austere uniform dress code that was in play. While two small factors might have been added to the Westside uniform, neither of them even remotely incorporated leniency. Girls still continue to struggle with the terrible inconvenience of having a skirt that is an inch or so too short, and most of them will have to face the consequences of having a skirt that is so. Students are still stopped in the hallways on Fridays for having shirts that are lighter than a royal blue. So, while there were changes to the dress code, there is still no leniency and it will most likely continue to be this way for awhile.

When imposing a dress code on students, Westside is full aware that leniency is not tolerated. As awful as the strictness of uniforms might seem to students, it is with the best interest of students and thus it is the student’s obligations to abide by the strictness.

Is America really ensuring the “American Dream?”

Kiara Guyton, Writer — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 19:22:37 +0000

I was only six years old when my family and I moved to Houston, Texas from Tokyo. I remember being scared, but I knew that I had no choice because my dad got a job offer. Not only that but they also believed that I would have a more successful future in the states. Currently, I am a junior writing for my high school online newspaper, asking myself, “Am I really getting the full access towards success in the states?” America claims to ensure the “American Dream,” which is the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, but it is proven that the school system in other countries, such as Japan, is much better.

High schools in Japan require passing an entrance exam to attend. These schools also normally require the students to take a short commute by train. Because they are encouraged to ride the train along with other classmates, Japanese kids are forced to learn what it feels like to really be on your own, with no car or no parents by your side.

Aside from that, in American schools, cafeteria workers are the ones preparing the school lunches and then serving the students. Japan emphasizes the need to look after yourself without relying on others so the cooks cook the lunch, but the students take turns serving lunch to their classmates. There are also no janitors in Japanese schools to clean up after the kids. After school, the students stay behind to clean up every single day. Meanwhile in America, it’s normal for kids to leave their trash on tables after lunch, and they are praised if they actually throw it away.

In Japan, summer vacation is also about five weeks long, while it’s about twice as long in America. During summer vacations, the kids in Japan still have to go to school for their club or team practice and maintain homework like they normally do during the school year.

How classrooms are controlled also differ greatly. I remember my friend from Japan was surprised to hear from me that it is normal to raise your hand while the teacher is still giving instructions. In Japan, it is expected for all students to remain quiet while the teacher teaches. If anyone were to have a question, they would have to stay after class to ask.

There are many other differences such as the way tests are graded and the fact that every student is expected to stand and greet their teacher at the beginning and end of each class. While in America, grading is beginning to become inflated and teachers are disrespected on the norm. It is honestly sad how as the years go by, I see myself learning less in the classrooms. The overall goal is getting good grades and having a higher rank than the person in front of you.

There is no question on why Japanese employees of large companies and government ministries rank among the best-educated workers on earth. As young adults, they are prepped to become successful, polite beings. There is no doubt that education and school life that my friends are getting in Japan is superior to what I currently have as a high school junior in America. Do I agree with my parents’ decision while I was six years old?

Sadly not.

Senior Meeting – 1/10/17

Ramina Nejad, Author — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 19:01:11 +0000

Attention seniors – this Wednesday, January 10th, there will be a senior assembly in the auditorium. You will go to 7th period for about 15 minutes and report to the auditorium at 2:00. The meeting will last until 3:15. You will get sized for your cap and gown and be given more information over graduation and deadlines for senior dues/other fees. The gowns this year will be different from past years; there will be a Westside logo on the sleeves this time. You will also be given handouts informing you about senior quotes and senior superlatives, which you will be expected to turn in this Friday, 1/13 to E244 or the Yearbook box in the library.

Many seniors are excited to be so close to graduation and to start the next chapter of their life.

Westside senior, Nicole Saldivia, says “I expect to get a lot of good information from this meeting since we are nearing the end of the year.”

Another Westside senior, Estefania Arrivallaga, says “I am looking forward to seeing how they’ll be measuring our size for the caps and gowns and filling in the senior superlatives.”

As seniors are getting ready to graduate and pursue their college careers, it is important that they show up to this meeting to get every detail they need to graduate. Make sure to attend this informational meeting and bring your laptop!

Westside High School Trends

Blake Gomez, Editor — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 18:43:35 +0000

There are plenty of new trends that are happening around the world right now. Some have even spread into our very own Westside community! One trend that is popular among Westside students is a new mobile game for iPhone called 8-Ball. If you love the classic pool game then you’re going to definitely enjoy this one since it’s on the go. When asked about what makes this game so entertaining Giselle Fernandez, a junior had this to say.”The most fun part about this game is being able to win and being able to compete against others.”

Another trend going around Westside is the famous Mannequin Challenge. This involves a group of people that are frozen in place like mannequins and a video is recorded with music playing in the background. This is currently the hottest new trend occurring right now as so many people are doing it. Even some friends of mine here at Westside have recorded themselves doing it on social media platforms such as Snapchat for example.

Trends quickly come and go but for now, these two are what is currently popular among Westside students right now. New trends continually pop up unexpectedly so we will have to keep a look out for what is to come in the future.

Soccer Festival 2016

Estefania Arrivillaga, Writer — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 18:39:08 +0000

The Westside soccer teams are having their 2nd annual soccer festival on December 10th from 9 am to 2 pm. This event is filled with many activities such as Zumba Fitness, Volley soccer, Hula Hula Hoop contest and more. There will be a DJ , Raffle tickets and food/drinks. Admission to enter will be only $5. For people who previously purchased a fundraiser, bracelet admission will be free. Come enjoy a fun day with many activities to choose from and support the 2016-2017 Westside High school soccer teams! If you have any questions contact Coach Ospina or Coach Brown.

What is HOSA?

Ramina Nejad, Author — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:51:38 +0000

You hear about HOSA everywhere at Westside, and you probably have friends in it – but what exactly is HOSA and what does it encompass?

HOSA stands for Health Occupations Students of America, and it is a career-oriented organization made up of Westside students from various grades who are planning to pursue careers in the medical field. HOSA exposes students to many different events relating to health and the medical field; They recently took a trip to the Gulf Coast Blood Center, and they also attended the Boot Walk to End Cancer, hosted by the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Westside senior, Karina Herrera, states that one of the benefits of joining HOSA is this: “You get to learn about various careers in the medical field.” When asked about what other types of events HOSA gets to attend, she answered, “When HOSA competition comes around, we get to go to Galveston for 3-4 days and compete.”

HOSA gives its members a head start on their future careers and also provides students with a way of getting involved with their school and community. If you are a freshman, sophomore, or junior and are planning to go into the medical field, then you should not miss the opportunity to join HOSA next year.