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The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
Meeting a teacher in the United States Naval Academy, Hansen and Casey Olson, both future members of the Naval Academy are ready for what’s yet to come. “I'm gonna go into the Navy and go to the United States Naval Academy,” senior Hansen said. “I’m going with another one of my peers at Millard West, Casey Olson, and that's pretty cool. We're gonna go there to fly, and I want to major in chemistry.”

Beyond the diploma

Peyten Pruitt, Photo Editor
May 20, 2025
The 2014 journalism classes gather for a photo following their state championship advised by Lisa Lukecart and Mark Hilburn. Millard West dominated the Class A competition, winning the title by 42 points. “I've seen students grow tremendously over the years of teaching them,” Hilburn said. “For some, it's just gaining the confidence to allow others to edit and view their work, and for others, it's getting in front of the camera, behind the microphone or taking on leadership roles on a publication staff. Even if students aren't interested in going on to study journalism in college or pursue this as a career, the skills they learn here will benefit them in whatever they do. I've had many former students return or reach out thanking me as they felt more prepared than many of their college peers during their freshman and sophomore years because of the skills they learned at West with writing, editing, broadcasting, etc.” Photo courtesy of Mark Hilburn.

Headlines to hallways

Sam Whittaker, Editor-in-Chief
May 19, 2025
Around six years ago, senior Marfa Kolesnikova-Cherenkova moved from her hometown to Millard. When she still lived in Ukraine, she would go to a specific park with her grandparents. “We had a lot of friends back in Ukraine,” Kolesnikova-Cherenkova said. “I attended school while I still lived there. I can even remember some of the teachers, it was fun, I loved my town, I wish I could go back.”

Perseverance pays off

Caden Reynolds, Uproar Radio-Station Manager
May 16, 2025
Houser is getting ready to play his song in front of a full house at the last choir concert of the year. He is excited to perform his song in front of many of his friends and family. “I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to perform something I had been working on for so long with people I love,” Houser said. “I can’t wait to continue composing and arranging.”

Rustling leaves and harmonies

Natalie Fink, Managing Editor
May 12, 2025
Junior Jaxon Easdale collects his cap and gown a year earlier than his peers. "I want to get a head start in the IT world," Easdale Said.

Early out

Alex Elgert, Staff Reporter
May 9, 2025
Senior Sam Whittaker is incredibly invested in the Millard West hockey, and has become close with the team. With his being close, he has developed somewhat of a bond with the crew. “Over time, a very deep connection came with covering that team and again that’s what made the final game so hard for me to keep it together emotionally on stream,” Whittaker said. “It means more than the world I got to experience and grow as a person with that team for that amount of time.”

Sam’s story

Jacob Larson, Sports Director
April 21, 2025
Hao is also heavily involved in Forensics. “I truly think Gary is one of the hardest working competitors I have ever met,” Forensics coach Rachel Vanegen said. “Since his freshman year, Gary has dedicated hours of his time each week to practicing his events, researching and filing sources, and hosting peer coaching sessions to help his teammates improve. His work ethic and dedication to Forensics have paid off in the success he has seen so far in his high school career.”

The junior that could

Brooke Samson, Staff Reporter
April 21, 2025
Campaigning to fellow DECA members, junior Marwan Alkhaleel communicates why he should earn a spot on the leadership team. “I can’t wait to bring my ideas to the state level and hopefully make a difference,” Alkhaleel said. “I want nothing more than to make a lasting impact during the year I have with this team.”

From buttons to ballots

Natalie Fink, Managing Editor
April 17, 2025
Sitting at his table Sullivan Kuper writes his story and is determined to finish all he needs to do with it. With finishing edits and revising there were some long nights he had to push through. “It's very long, but it's very exciting. Sophomore Sullivan Kuper said, “I actually find it relaxing because my world is crazy enough so it's fun to go into a world that I made."

Behind the scenes

Peyten Pruitt, Photo Editor
March 7, 2025
Eying down the pins at the end of the lane, junior Anden Sutter, flings the ball out of his grip. Sutter placed first at the NSSA State Bowling Championship for the 2025 season. “It was a pretty crazy feeling to win the whole thing,” Sutter said. “Keeping my cool and staying relaxed even when playing challenging opponents really helped me succeed in the long run.”

Big time bowler

Corgan Perry, Staff Reporter
March 7, 2025
English teacher Michael Davis watches the Elf Christmas movie party at the Alamo with his wife Darci Davis. As they put on fun hats and took their seats, the Davis’s got to experience this wonderful Christmas memory. “We haven't gone every year but when we did it was amazing,” Davis said. “It was a whole experience with a fun party and of course the movie. My wife and I couldn't have had more fun.”

Unwrapping the holidays

Peyten Pruitt, Photo Editor
December 18, 2024
During flex time on December 11, 2024, gifts from the school's angel trees were collected. Students and teachers began to pile gifts together by the band doc, in order to load up a truck that would take the gifts to their destination. “I like that I can pick out items I would have enjoyed as a child,” sophomore Grace Heftie said. “I try to imagine little kids’ reactions to the gifts given to them. I know there's people not as fortunate as me, so I really enjoy trying to help people that might not have much for Christmas.”

Ungrey the holiday

Kyla Riveland, Staff Reporter
December 13, 2024
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