• Follow us on Instagram @MWHS.Catalyst
  • Follow us on Twitter @MWHSCatalyst for Breaking News
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
The updated 10-point grading scale adopted by the school district in 2025, where an A ranges from 90–100, B from 80–89, and so on, aiming to standardize grade interpretation and reduce student stress. “I think this new grading scale would be a welcome change,” English teacher Jack Spady said. "I think standardizing high school with college would make the transition between them easier."

Stepping up the scale

Caden Reynolds, Uproar Radio-Station Manager
May 8, 2025
On April 17, the theater department put on their first-ever talent show. This show was mainly made to fund their upcoming trip to the International Thespian Festival. “I’ve been doing taekwondo all my life basically,” English teacher Mike Catron said. “I started working as an instructor for my dojo after the guy before me retired, so I decided to take this opportunity. When we decided to do a talent show to get ‘Little Women’ to internationals, I thought, why not.”

The talent gala

Caden Reynolds, Uproar Radio-Station Manager
May 2, 2025
Feeling the freezing water, senior Ethan Cole partakes in the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge with his friends. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge inspired this challenge in 2014. “I did the Ice bucket Challenge to raise awareness for mental health,” Cole said. “I hoped my participation in the challenge helped inform a few more people on the importance of speaking up for people dealing with mental health problems around us.”

Minds for mental health

Corgan Perry, Staff Reporter
May 2, 2025
Taking a swing, senior infielder Landon Horst puts a charge into a ball against Elkhorn South. The senior credits a large part of his hot hitting and production to playing summer baseball in Atlanta while also keeping a clear head in the box. “When I go up to hit, I try not to think at all,” Horst said. “I feel I am more successful when I have a clear head rather than trying to do something and having that take focus away from the actual pitch coming at me. I’m looking for pitches that I can handle, especially early in counts like anything belt high and middle in."

Crowned in Papillion

Sam Whittaker, Editor-in-Chief
April 30, 2025
Now more than ever, it is necessary that we are proactively staying informed in the world around us. This practice not only helps us out in our daily lives but also prepares us for our future and teaches us how to consume information.

We listen and we do judge

Brooke Samson, Staff Reporter
April 28, 2025
Procrastination has become a huge issue among high school students, and if its not taken care of now, it’ll have negative effects on them in the future.

More than just a delay

Peyten Pruitt, Photo Editor
April 28, 2025
Taking a shot behind his back, senior David Finnestad goes airborne to take the lead against Grand Cities. Finnestad’s four-goal, four-assist day propelled the Wildcats to a 14-5 win over the Predators. “It was important to take that lead into half,” Finnestad said. “It gave us the momentum going into the second half that we needed after being on break. Having that coming out of half allowed us to cruise to a win.”

Wildcats surge past Predators

Sam Whittaker, Editor-in-Chief
April 18, 2025
Pitching an outstanding game on the mound, senior Brady Ferguson stares then fires the ball down for a strikeout. The Cats traveled to Kansas to play two out of state teams at the beginning of the season. “Being a pitcher I have to help guide the team and if I’m not doing well then it will affect everyone,” Ferguson said. “All of us seniors try to stay positive and remain calm, hoping it wears off on the others.”

Champions play here

Corgan Perry, Staff Reporter
April 18, 2025
Despite improving to 5-5, coach Jacque Tevis-Butler does feel like the record represents the level of her team. This is because of the fact that the team has faced one of the toughest schedules in the state. “We don’t feel our record, nor many scores of our games, is indicative of the quality of our team,” Tevis said. “We’ve played an extraordinarily tough schedule in a short period of time with very few practices to address some of the weaknesses we’ve seen. Frankly, what we’ve experienced would have ‘ended’ the seasons for most teams, but we view it as our beginning.”

Clawing from behind

Jacob Larson, Sports Director
April 18, 2025
Pressure was the privilege

Pressure was the privilege

Corgan Perry, Staff Reporter
March 27, 2025
Leaping above two defenders, senior Luke White fires a shot on goal. White’s multi-goal performance helped lead the way for the Wildcats to overcome an early deficit against the Westside Warriors. “We just weren’t playing our game early on,” White said. “We were playing sloppy and slow and that is what was holding us back. After a couple goals in the second quarter, the ball started rolling and it was wraps from there. This win shows that even after being down a couple goals, we can still come back with ease, as long as we give the effort and put forth the energy needed. This offense is so dangerous, being down couldn’t matter less.”

Wildcat comeback crushes Warriors

Sam Whittaker, Editor-in-Chief
March 21, 2025
Sophomore Sofia Hoegemeyer showcases her toughness and resilience as she pins her opponent to secure a victory. Hogemeyer won the 2025 girls wrestling State championship for the first time in school history. “I find different ways to show how tough I am as a wrestler while on the mat,” Hogemeyer said. “Winning this match was a forever dream knowing how much work I put into it to get to this point.”

Setting the standard

Landen Swift, Staff reporter
March 11, 2025
Load More Stories