Advice Column

By Sophia Jones

Hey Sophia Jones, I need your advice on this situation I'm in. My mom and dad are getting a divorce and they said I could choose who I live with. I don't want to hurt my mom and choose to live with my dad, but I don't want to hurt my dad and choose my mom. I'm really close with my dad, but I love my mom. I don't know what to do. 

    ~Anonymous

Hi! I am happy to hear from you, you can email me at any time! Personally, I think you shouldn't worry about who you will be hurting. As bad as that sounds, I think that you should worry about yourself. Your mom and dad will love you either way. You are in a difficult situation as are they. Go with your gut, and in the end everything will be okay. It's very natural to feel the way you are feeling. I understand that you do not want to hurt your mom or your dad. You need to remember that they do not need to be taken care of. They are adults and should be taking care of you. If you know that the best place for you to live is at your dad's house then you should make the best choice for yourself. Or maybe vice versa. Be strong and lots of love,

         -xoxo Sophia Jones 

Upcoming Winter Sports!

By: Alexandria Nelson

In the up coming season of winter, west has many sports teams that are looking for returning and new students to participate in sports such as, basketball (JV and Varsity girls teams and freshmen, JV and varsity boys teams), wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, cheerleading, indoor track and field (girls and boys teams) and hockey. Never thought about sports being for you? Think about it now! Give something a try! Be able to tell yourself you gave something a shot whether you liked it and were good at it or not, at least you gave it a try! You might think that maybe you aren't the best at a sport but you like doing the sport and working with the people, why not stick with it and enjoy your time a bit more here at West High! Any student can do any one of any of these sports, no one is limiting you except, maybe, yourselves.

Helping out, one can at a time.

By: Miya Gagne
West High School hosts many different events throughout each school year. Between pep rallies and the infamous prom, West High covers it all. Each year we host the canned food drive. This year the canned food drive will be going on from November 2nd through the 23rd. Last year it was a huge success donating 529 canned food items and $900 to the New Horizons Food Pantry. The food will be donated the day before Thanksgiving Wednesday, November 25. Helping others in need by donating food has strengthened our community.
 Students at West enjoy participating in the canned food drive and are preparing for an upcoming one. Students can donate cans in their period B class. During the time of the food drive, students can find out information about helping the cause by listening and watching West View. There will be current information updated regularly. Another way to access information would be to look for the posters that will be hung up all around the building. 
Every year West High strives to beat the number of cans donated the previous year. Our goal keeps increasing because each year we manage to contribute more and more cans. Do you think we can beat last years goal? We would hope your answer would be yes. We can by helping out, one can at a time. 

NJROTC Of 2015

Since last year ROTC has made numerous changes and improved. Now under the command of senior , Cadet Lieutenant Commander Laura Svitak, the Unit has already completed a lot of fantastic and fun filled events this school year.

Recently the unit underwent a challenging Basic Leadership Camp, a weekend to challenge the new incoming cadets capability to join as well as for the staff and troop leader to test them in a leadership role. Overall the majority of the cadets said it was the best B.L.T. they've had so far.   

[Here we have cadet Lieutenant JG Sebastien Jean-francios

Troop Leader of Delta Platoon, listing off names of cadets for the nights fire watch.]

[ Early morning PT, all the platoons reported to the meeting for exercise, and we do not go lightly on them, we put them through a very challenging Physical morning to build them up physically and mentally]

[ TL’s and A.T.L’s are the Jr versions of our nation’s military Drill instructors. Although not as Strict or Strenuous. These cadets are not to be taken lightly.

A platoon of new cadets is assigned to each pair of T.L and A.T.L where they will eat, sleep and learn for a full weekend from these experienced cadets] [ Middle: Bradley Ewing Right: Sebastien Jean-francois left: Mike Jones

National Honor Society 

By Emily Guiffra

  Also known as "NHS" is the club that is ran by Mrs.Passanisi, who has been running this club for three(3) years now. She is the state advisor for this particular association. This is a great club to be involved with, they host many different events and then some. They host the Charity Ball, which is their biggest event. Then they hold a fall and spring conference for NHS members around the state. They also sell popcorn every Friday in the cafe!
    In order to be a member of the National Honor Society you have to a junior or senior with a 3.5 accumlitive GPA. You also go through an applicaton process, and also get reccomendations from teachers, employeers, and coaches. An essay is also required.
   In order to stay in NHS you need regular community and NHS service and regular attendance to peer tutoring. You get rewarded with field trips and it looks really nice on a college application!
  If you have any questions ask Mrs.Passanisi in room 328!

West's Halloween Spirit

By Kelvin Nguyen

Halloween, a holiday full of ghosts, costumes, tricks, treats, and more importantly, candy, is a super fun and spooky time celebrated by many. This year, West High's Senior Class is hosting a trick-or-treat event on Halloween day, October 31 at West from 2:00-4:00 PM. People will walk through the spooky hallways that have been decorated for the event. There will also be students positioned in the hallways to scare and give out candy to the people walking by. Even the marching band gets to participate in the merriment. On October 23, for their last half-time show performance, the band got to dress up in their costumes and play in them.

pictures courtesy of Becka St. Cyr and Alexandria Nelson

West High Blood Drive

by Becka St. Cyr

On October 22, 2015 the Senior Class held a blood drive run by the Red Cross in the West Gymnasium. They had pizza, bagels, soda, water, juice, and many other snacks for people who donated and helped out. Many juniors and seniors donated, as well as faculty here at West. 

A junior named Sarah answered a few questions for the newspaper, "I donated because it's a good thing to do. It can save someone's life. I drank two bottles of water before and all this week I have been eating beef. It didn't hurt much, it felt like just a little prick and the woman who took my blood made me very comfortable. I am very happy I did this and I would do it again."

A senior named Hannah also answered some questions before she donated, "I haven't donated yet, I'm still waiting my turn but I'm donating because it helps everybody. If you have healthy blood, you might as well share it with someone in need. I did it last year, it didn't hurt then. This morning I had a good breakfast and drank four bottles of water. Also, while waiting for my turn I have been doing homework."

The new student-teacher, Ms. Frisella, answered questions while she was donating, "I feel it is an important thing to do. I mean, my Dad is alive because someone donated blood that he needed and he was able to get it. The feeling wasn't awful, but it wasn't pleasant. I wasn't scared because it wasn't my first time and I probably would do it again."

"I did not donate this year because I am helping run it. We are doing very well, some no shows, but we aren't done yet. I think this is a great thing because it brings the school and community together," senior class officer Lauren reported.

From New Hampshire, the Red Cross gets about 200 pints of blood daily. They get 1 pint of blood from each person. They only have 1 location in New Hampshire but they travel to high schools, colleges, town halls, and anywhere that has a big room. They send their bood to their ab in Massachusetts. There, they seperate the blood and this can take up to 3 days. From there it gets brought to the hospitals. You are only eligble to donate every 56 days because thats how long it takes for your red blood cells to replinish in your body. If you have low iron or an illness you cannot donate. Also, if you have traveled or gotten a tattoo, you cannot donate within a year.

Overall, the Blood Drive was a huge success. They did run a little late, but they were also short staffed. In the end, there was approximately 100 people who donated. There were even people there just for their friends as moral support. It was fun, people were laughing, talking, eating food, and having a good time. 

West High Boys Varsity Soccer

- Sanjay Gurung

Soccer at west is very unique and diverse. We have players from different parts of the world with different background, culture and traditions. With all these players coming together to share their perspective and the love for this beautiful game of soccer, it makes them more than just a team. It's more like a family. Everyone seems to enjoy themselves, whether they are at practice, game or even at school.
West started their season with 3-0 win at home vs. Portsmouth but they fell short in making the playoffs with the record of 3-12-1. Most of the players said " It was an unlucky season, as most of the players did their best but couldn't get the result they wanted. It's a season that taught us lot of lessons and hopefully we can look back and learn from it."
West may not have a big success in a recent years but they are definitely working harder under coach Hector to reach their goals. Coach Hector, who is from Colombia started coaching varsity soccer last year, wants to help the kids and introduce the culture of soccer in Manchester, especially West side, as many kids don't have the opportunity to show their talent.
If you are planning on playing soccer for Blue Knights  next year, I would strongly recommend you to attend indoor soccer at Parkside Middle School, which will start on Nov. 9th.
You don't need to pay any fees, because is all FREE!!.

-Middle school starts from 5:30 - 7 pm.
-High school starts from 7-9 pm.

West Boys Hockey

By Brigitte Boss

Enjoy watching Ice Hockey? Have you ever thought of playing? West is looking for boys and/or girls willing to!! Don't worry if you've never played before, we can teach you! It's a fun sport regardless if you're new to it or not. Beginning November 30th, 2015, West will be holding tryouts for the JV team at JFK (located on 303 Beech St. Manchester, NH 03103). Soon after, the first game will be held at home, JFK, on December 16th against Pinkerton. For more information talk to Mrs. Dumais, West's athletic director- sdumais@mansd.org.

Make The Grade

                                                                          Brittany Prive

   Wouldn't it be crazy to win a free car? Well now you get a chance to! If you get good grades you get a chance to enter into a raffle for a chance to win. You have to be attending a high school in Manchester. One student from one school will win. No one will know the official winner until the name is drawn.
   In order to win you must make honors or high honors or principals list. The raffle is hosted and sponsored by Auto Fair. The 2016 winner will receive a brand new Honda Civic. The remaining 11 finalist will receive an iPad mini,a bose soundlink color, and a $100 NBT bank gift card.
   In order to enter you must bring original letter of recognition from the Mayor to Auto Fair Honda, Ford or Hyundai.You must also get a photo copy to sales associate and fill out the entry(s) forms. Manchester West, Memorial and Central High School all have a chance to win if grades are up to par. 
   The dead line to submit original letter of recognition from the mayor is May 22nd 2016 at 6:00pm. The better grades you have the more likely you are to win. Principals list will be nominated 3 times, high honors will be nominated twice, and honors will be nominated once. The winner is responsible for all taxes, registration and associates costs. The winner must also have a valid drivers license and if the winner is under 18 years of age the car must go in parent/guardians name.

New Advice Column

By Sophia Jones

Welcome to West's new newspaper! We would like to introduce the advice column! If you need someone's advice on a situation you're in or having any problems with things at school or at home, Sophia will help! Just email her at askingsophiajones@gmail.com! 

Theatre Knights

    On November 18th-21st the Theatre Knights will be putting on their fall production. This years fall production is "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean," by Ed Gracyk."Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean," is about an all-female fan group called the disciples, that worships James Dean. They all meet together at an old five and dime restaurant to commemorate the 20th anniversary of James Dean's death. On Wednesday the 18th, the show will be at 3:00 in the auditorium. On the 19th-21st the show will be at 7:00p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets cost $5 for students, and $10 for adults. Senior citizens are free on the 18th, with a spaghetti supper that follows.
    The all-female fan group is made up of six people. Juanita is played by Peya Urena, Mona is played by Hannah Simpson, Joanne is played by Hannah Perdue, along with others. Come by to see the amazing talent and hard work.

WHS Cross Country

By: Alexandria Nelson

On October 20th, not far from our home, the West High Cross Country team traveled to Saint Anselm College for an 8 team meet. West's top finisher for the boys is the well know senior, Ehsun Farooq, placing 2nd out of 79 boy runners with a time of 17 minutes 21 seconds! West's top finisher for the girls that you may not know very well now but definitely will soon is, freshmen, Julia Robitaille, who placed 4th out of 54 runners with a time of 20 minutes 25 seconds! Great job to everyone on the Cross Country team for their work to get where they are today! The team has one more regular season meet, the Division 2 Varsity Meet, being held at Derryfield Park (Louis Israel Martel Dr, Manchester, NH 03104)on Saturday, October 31st. Girls race, gun goes off at 11:30 am and the boys race, gun goes off at 12:10 pm, come support the team and especially the seniors, being that for most of them it will probably be their last cross country meet for West.

WELCOME TO THE NEW WHS NEWSPAPER!


VERY EXCITING!