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
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New Traditions

Class of 2026 Participate in Senior Sign Out
Aaliyah Wright-Borel, Staff
May 22, 2026

On Wednesday during homeroom, seniors made handprints on a banner reading “Senior Sign Out, Class of 2026,” which was then displayed in the hallway.

“It was really fun to see the reactions on the underclassmen’s faces when they saw the banner hanging up with the seniors’ handprints,” counselor Shelby Piersch said. Piersch plans to continue this as a new tradition.

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Addisyn Koontz
Starting the banner, Kaylynn Goranson (12) puts down the first handprint.
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More in Student Life
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
Ryan Jolley (9) writes Bloom with Friends on the side walk with chalk.
Chalking Up the Sidewalk
During tat the staff Friday, teachers Jennifer Huehnergarth and Dale Sperfslage show their tattoos.
Temporary Thoughts
About the Contributors
Aaliyah Wright-Borel
Aaliyah Wright-Borel
Hello, my name is Aaliyah Wright-Borel, and I am a sophomore at West Delaware High School. This is my first year in Journalism. Outside of school I like to do many things. This includes drawing, reading, and watching videos of my favorite YouTube group, and I have even started to write my own fictional book. I am excited for this class because I love being creative and taking pictures. I am also excited to learn many new things. I also love to listen to music whenever I am able to. My favorite song writer is “Girl in Red.”
Addisyn Koontz
Addisyn Koontz
Hi! I’m Addisyn Koontz, and I’m a junior at West Delaware High School. This is my first year in Journalism. Outside of Journalism, I am involved in volleyball. Outside of school, I work at Subway and babysit during the summer. I love hanging out with my friends, shopping, and going on trips. I’ve traveled to the Bahamas, California, Mexico, and Texas. After high school, I plan to go into interior designing. I am so excited to be a part of Journalism this year!
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.
Eli Shipley
Eli Shipley
Hey! I’m Eli Shipley, and I’m a junior at West Delaware High School. This is my first year of journalism! Outside of this class, I’m involved in musical, speech, choir, and play. When I’m not doing something at school, you can usually find me hanging out with my friends, playing a video game, or you might run into me at Chuong Garden, where I’m a waiter. I love to be creative and explore new things, so I’m excited about journalism.