The Student News Site of West Delaware High School

Inklings
Having fun, Grace Sleper (12), Reagan Reeder (12), Brooklin Ante (12) and Alaina Bardgett (12) press their hands on the banner together.
New Traditions
Maggie Lyness's 2026 graduation tassel on stage.
Caps and Confetti
On stage, Alaina Bardgett (12), Grace Sleper (12), and Makayla Seeley (11) sing “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver for the dinner show.
When Talent Meets Tables
Kaiden Haas (12) skates at the Manchester, Iowa skate park.
School. Skate. Repeat.
Jaxson Garcia (10) winds up to throw a Frisbee.
Outside Lunch
Switching up the Schedule
Switching up the Schedule
Kooper Waugh (11) and Avery Schmitz (11).
Fashion Show or Prom?
Reading off of a card, Kaci Reth (10) participates in the Cell Cycle Game.
Mitosis Meets Monopoly
Teacher Dale Sperfslage prepares to teach Spanish class.
33 Years of Memories
All State nominees: Front Row: Kaidyn Robbins (10), Baylea Hutchinson (11), Adler Mormann (11), Lilith Hutchinson (10), Makayla Seeley (11), Claire Hegland (9); Second Row: Gwenyth Hough (10), Bridget Heideman (12), Kile McNelly (12), Brynn Kartman (11), Reagan Reeder (12), Avery Kartman (11), Keizel Rivera Lopez (11), Grace Sleper (12); Back Row: Kaci Reth (10), Rhett Heidenman (10), Lucas Zieser (12), Joshua Sleper (10), Trent Menard (12), Eli Shipley (11), Alaina Bardgett (12), Maya Pennington (12), Emma Millenkamp (12).
All State Large Group Speech Results
Avery Schmitz (11) competes in shuttle hurdle relay.
Hawks Fly to State Competition
Senior Trayvn Sullivan cheers after they punched their ticket to state.
The Impact Beyond the Lanes
Putting the ball on the green, Malorie Putz (12) focuses on the hole.
Pushing for Par
Abbigail Stoffel (10) guards the opponent in a game against Vinton-Shellsburg. Photo By Helen Temeyer
Girls Basketball Team Shapes a Rebuilding Season
Two Brothers Make Waves in High School Swimming
Two Brothers Make Waves in High School Swimming
A collage of different trendy and vocabulary words that are being used today. Photo generated through ChatGPT.
From ‘Geek’ to ‘Sus’
Abbey Zanker (12), teacher Jennie Seabold, and Taelyn Thomsen (9) hold their favorite NeeDohs.
Could NeeDohs Be The New Fidget Spinner?
Kate Wenger (12), Paige Woellert (12), Jax Miller (12), and Kirstyn Kolbet (12) pose with a picture of their future roommate. Image designed on Canva by Hannah Cantwell.
Rummaging for Roommates
A Team Full of Cuties
A Team Full of Cuties
Students' Secret Likes or Dislikes
Students’ Secret Likes or Dislikes
On the deck, Reagan Reeder (12), as the Purser, listens to Trent Menard (12), as Captain Creeg, talks about his fear of June 10.
Let the show begin
Performing her solo mime at the All State Speech showcase, Claire Hegland (9) points at the moon. Hegland earned the ability to perform her piece at All State.
Once in a Blue Moon
During a dress rehearsal, Lucas Jolley (11) and Josh Sleper (10) practice their roles for the spring play.
From Backstage To Spotlight
Students utilize the new weight room before and after school while Matt Seabold supervises.
Artificial Intelligence Should Guide Ideas, Not Replace Them
Zach Jolley (4) and Eli Shipley (10) warm up for a performance. Jolley was filling in for in Sam Mejia, who was missing that rehearsal.
Senior. Sophomore. Junior. Elementary School?
Mia Moreno (12) portions out the M&M's in a measuring cup.
Down Syndrome Doesn’t Define Her
Fighting Mental Health With Yoga
Fighting Mental Health With Yoga
Senior Hallie Knutson shows off one of her many paintings.
Hallie Knutson Paints a Plan For Her Future
Technology specialist Gary Lubben prepares to launch a toilet paper roll in a game of TP Dodgeball during the Homecoming Olympics last fall.
Where’s Gary Lubben?
After many years of collecting rocks, Shae Loecke's collection display slowly increases in size.
Shae Loecke Rocks
First-year head coach Jake Voss and assistant coach Jeff Voss lead the West Delaware wrestling team to a second-place finish at the Dual Team State Championships. Photo contributed by Lisa Yonkovic.
All For the Team
Braden Wenger competes at a swim meet. Photo contributed by Hattie Peterson.
Five Schools Combine for Swimming
The cast of WDHA Radio performs their final scene.
WDHA Radio Takes Center Stage
Zach Wenger looks ahead during the state cross country meet, finishing the race with a 20:33.
Boredom Fuels Success
As a member of the panel, senior welding apprentice R.J. Helmrichs answers a question at the Work-based Learning Tour held at Henderson Products on Monday, Sept. 11.
Work Based Learning Tour
The Student News Site of West Delaware High School

Inklings
The Student News Site of West Delaware High School

Inklings
Categories:

When Talent Meets Tables

Students play instruments, sing, and perform acts for sit-down meals.
Kaden McNelly, Staff
May 21, 2026

On May 15, students took the stage at the Hanson Auditorium, performing songs and skits for an audience of friends, family, and staff. Guests gathered to support the performers while enjoying a salad, dinner, and dessert.

IMG_8083
Keizel Rivera Lopez
Tamara Pittman (10) and Natalie Weber (10) perform “Me Too” by Meghan Trainor for the dinner show.
Tags:
More to Discover
More in Music
The band Silverware performing at dinner show.
Start of Silverware
Freshman Claire Hegland hangs up dresses in preparation for the sale
Money for Music
At the Swing into Spring concert, Makayla Seeley sings a solo.
Making Music
Addisyn Kintzle (10) waves to the audience during the opening number "Bon Voyage."
West Delaware High School Musical
Senior Claire Manson and sophomore Eli Shipley sing with emotion to each other as they perform their duet.
Music Magic
On Nov. 15, A group of thespians gather in the UNI auditorium to watch “Zombie Prom.” with other theater troupes. Front Row: Claire Manson (12), Jeanne Bargette (9), Makayla Seeley (10), Baylea Hutchinson (10); Back Row: Jennifer Lamb, Tina Ostrander, Eli Shipley (10), Kaidyn Robbins (9), Keizel Rivera (10), Sophia Hegland (11).
Thespians Go to Festival
About the Contributors
Kaden McNelly
Kaden McNelly
Hi, I’m Kaden McNelly. I am a senior at West Delaware High School. This is my first year in Journalism. Outside of this class, I play guitar and soccer. I have a dog named Godzilla/primrose. I’m in a band, and we usually practice every Wednesday after school. I enjoy driving, playing video games, and hanging out with my friends. After high school, I’m going to Hawkeye and going into electrical work.
Grace Sleper
Grace Sleper, Staff
Hi! My name is Grace Sleper, and I am a senior here at West Delaware. I am very involved at school, from cross country and the fall musical, to student council, wrestling cheer, and soccer. I am also involved in speech and the spring play! I love to read, hang out with friends, sing at my church, and spend money on coffee. Throughout the year, I have three jobs: lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons at the Kramer Aquatic Center, cashiering at Fareway, and helping with the social media for the Finery in town! This is my first year of Journalism, and I am so excited for my last-first semester!
Keizel Rivera Lopez
Keizel Rivera Lopez, Staff
Hello! I’m Keizel Rivera, and I’m a junior this year. This is my second year in Journalism, and I’m so hyped. Outside of school, I’m heavily involved in All State, Musical, Cross Country, Student Council, NHS, Wrestling Cheer, and Speech. I love taking photos and attending the sporting events, and I hope to see you around!