Vol. 35 | 2021-2022 by West High Review

GRAPEVINE West High School’s student literary magazine VOL.35 | 2021-2022

From the Editor

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

t’s been a few years since our last issue, and West High’s literary magazine is back and better than ever. The 2021-2022 school year has been a transition period of sorts, a bridge between a pandemic-centered world and a soon-to-be post-COVID-19 time. Amid the uncertainty of the last two years, art has proven a source of inspiration and hope for the future. We’ve really enjoyed seeing all the talent of this school and are grateful for everyone who has shared their work with us. It has been a privilege to celebrate such amazing work with this publication. In this issue you will find South Asian art, love stories, and much more. You can spend your summer days flipping through the beautiful creative work produced by West students. We hope you enjoy the issue!

Shreya Khullar Caroline Mascardo Helen Zhang

Best, Caroline Mascardo Helen Zhang Shreya Khullar Editors-in-chief, 2021-2022

DESIGNERS

Zoey Guo Xiaoyi Zhu REVIEWERS

Zaira Ahmad Deeksha Raghavan ADVISOR

Tom Lindsey

WEST HIGH SCHOOL

2901 Melrose Ave Iowa City, IA 52246 westhighreview@gmail.com COVER ART I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning Kailey Gee ’22

Contents Contributors

POETRY

First Love — Anonymous

Untitled — Anonymous

PROSE

Love is a Burden — De’jah Jordan

Concert — Pamela Quintero Rodriguez

Modern Day Romeo and Juliet — Savannah Parker

My First Story — Pamela Quintero Rodriguez

ART Various Drawings — Adeline Lasswell

Starlight — Bryan Chuong

Star Bun Crown — Jade Ritchey

Music in Black and White — Jade Ritchey

Gallery — Mohamed Musa

Funeral — Kailey Gee

Various Drawings — Adeline Lasswell

Moon Song — Kailey Gee

Cigarette — Bodie Williamson

Cameron Reimers’ Art — Cameron Reimers

Three Graces — Bodie Williamson

Wild Horse — Bodie Williamson

Silver Stakes — Bodie Williamson

The Hall of Developing Nations — Amira Qidwai

International Justice — Amira Qidwai

Rearview Mirror — Kailey Gee

Capture — Bryan Chuong

Cameron Reimers’ Art— Cameron Reimers

My Blood, My Wealth — Amira Qidwai

A Hostage of Colonization — Amira Qidwai

PHOTOGRAPHY Gallery — Sadie Frisvold Chicago Charm — Akshethaa Naveen-Kumar Photography — Sachiko Goto Photography — Sachiko Goto Beautiful in the Dark — Cory Fingalsen

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SPECIAL THANKS TO Student Government Grapevine, published in Iowa City, Iowa, is a student literary magazine created to share the excellent work of our students to the community. Grapevine submissions are not restricted to a “regional” theme or setting. Submissions are open for vol 36. Email westhighreview@gmail.com for more details. Thank you for your poetry, prose, art, photography and support. DISCLAIMER: We have edited the following pieces for grammatical issues rather than content. Thank you for your understanding.

Contributors Adeline Lasswell ’24 Nothing specific about this selection of art, just a mixture of fanart and original art pieces that I particularly like. My primary medium is digital art, although I’m trying to learn how to work with alcohol markers and gouache. I love kaomoji and being cringe >:D! If you’d like to see more of my art or to see my commission info, you can email me at adlas24@icstudents.org for more information. Akshethaa Naveen-Kumar ’24 I love to do photography during my free time. It has a satisfying effect when you can portray an ordinary person, place or thing in a totally different way. So much of it is just experimentation and trial & error, but at the end, it’s worth it. Amira Qidwai ’22 Amira’s motivation for creating art originated with her family’s experience as Pakistanis, South Asians, immigrants, Americans, and Muslims. Recently, Amira’s goal has been to take a more holistic view on the cultures she represents in her art by incorporating developing societies from across the world. Expanding upon her experience with South Asian and Islamic motifs and including geographic concepts like development, political geography, and culture has been a major growing point for Amira since the last time she participated in Grapevine. Amira’s goal is centered around creating artwork that highlights unifying characteristics between international societies. Bodie Williamson ’22 is a West High senior and Iowa City Summer Arts Festival veteran. He loves his 2 cats, skateboarding, and penny loafers. His favorite movie is My Neighbor Totoro, and his favorite local snack is sweet potato fries with aioli from Nodo. You can find all of his art @bodies_art_account on Instagram, and his photography @ bodiewilliamson on VSCO.

Bryan Chuong ’23 I am basically a kid in the 11th grade who’s trying and often failing through my art. Practice makes perfect but it also makes a pile of embarrassingly lackluster works in progress; works in progress that will never become out of progress. Regretfully, I don’t spend much time practicing anymore because of this. I often use my free time to do other things like play video games or bake. It’s a shame because it’s genuinely amazing when practice actually makes perfect instead of a mess. I rarely go into a drawing thinking of using the skills that I’ve built up to make something that looks good. I usually go into a drawing with the mindset of practice, just trying to make something visually decent, going into it expecting a forever work in progress. All of my drawings are just practice that turned out, while far from perfect, something I can be proud of for a long time. I draw to get better, nothing deeper than that, but getting the happy accidents in the process is what keeps me going.

Cameron Reimers ’22 I am a senior at West High and I love art, science, and my family. Most of my art is inspired by things that my family and I like to do, or them directly. I am so lucky to have them and my life is complete knowing that they are here for me. Cory Michael Fingalsen ’23 I created this piece because even though something might look like nothing, there is beauty in everything, you just don’t realize it. I like to take pictures in my free time or just hangout with friends. De’Jah Jordan ’24

Jade Ritchey ’22 Why create metal: Lately I have been enjoying hair pieces; a recent love has been very interact crowns with lots of loopy and swirly cut outs. I personally would not wear a full crown all the time (I’m extra but not thaaaaaat extra) so I decided to make a mini crown that would be worn with a bun. Why create Black & White: For this piece I was challenged in graphic design to work with negative space. The goal was to make the viewer question which color was the background color. I decided to do music because it has been something I enjoy listening and making for years. And because of my schedule I could no longer fit in my music class so I brought it into my art. Free Time: In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. One of my favorite ways to spend time with them is playing video games together or bowling. If I am not spending my free time with my friends and family I’m normally reading, making some sort of art, or at the ally bowling. Kailey Gee ’22 is an artist in their free time, creating personal drawings and collages discussing gender identity and mental health. They take inspiration from songs, albums, and life experiences that mean a lot to them. You can find more of their art at @gardengatecollage on Instagram.

Mohamed Musa ’24 I am a realism artist as well as a graphic designer. I discovered realism art about 1 year ago, and when I first saw my first piece in a museum I knew that realism art is what I wanna do, and ever since, I have been doing art and designing. Pamela Quintero Rodriguez ’23 I have a good imagination so I was in creative writing class last trimester. I’m a junior in high school.

Sachiko Goto ’23 is a junior who does photography in their free time. They also enjoy music, art, coffee, and playing with their cats.

Sadie Frisvold ’25 Savanna Parker ’24 I actually thought of this story while listening to a song. It was based on a song called “Love Story” by Taylor Swift. I didn’t think I would be this long though. In my free time, I like to either talk with my friends or play games such as Animal Crossing when I’m not doing school work, and I am in 10th grade.

Love is a Burden DE’JAH JORDAN

oming home from work, I lay in my bed and rest my eyes. Boom, boom, boom, goes knocking on my door as I sat up and check the clock. It was currently 1 am, who could it be? Forcing myself out of bed, I opened the door seeing the most beautiful man I know. Caleb! He has rich, dark brown skin, and full pink lips. He’s tall and lean. His dreads go down into his mid-back. He always keeps them in a neat ponytail. His teeth are like diamonds, ones that only enhance his sharp features. Just looking at him felt euphoric. “Did you walk in the rain?” I laughed as his white-soaked shirt clung to his torso. Caleb loves the rain. He takes walks in it, runs in it, and drives in it with the windows just a little ways down. I always tell him he shouldn’t just go driving in the rain but he doesn’t listen. He just tells me ‘I know my car’ and that’s the end of the conversation. “No, I ran.” He exhaled while coming in for a hug. Dodging it, I jumped on my bed with my newfound energy and crossed my legs. Walking over towards my desk, Caleb starts messing with my highlighters. “Chicken noodle soup?” He asks, looking at me with puppy dog eyes and now spinning in my chair. That was our code word for ‘can I get a kiss?’ Shaking my head was the only response he got as I continued to stare at him. If perfect was a person! “You can get a kiss if you play me in Call of Duty.” He sucks at Call of Duty so there’s no way he was getting a kiss tonight. He shook his head in disbelief and laughed a little. He doesn’t like me playing the game because he says it takes my attention away from

him. “What time did your mom say you have to be home?” I asked. She usually lets him stay longer on weekends but she doesn’t like him over late on school days. She says that Caleb not only has a commitment to me but to Lincoln High school as well. I respect his mother. “She didn’t say, just told me to be safe.” Walking over to him I held my arms out for a hug. He was quick to get out of the chair and over to the other side of the room. “Oh, now you want a hug. Where was all this energy before?” Now sitting on my bed he crossed his legs as a therapist would, waiting for my answer. “Speak now, or forever hold your truth.” He then looked at his wrist like he had a watch on it. Weirdo! “It is 1 in the morning Caleb.” Rolling my eyes, I sat on my desk. “Who has energy at 1 in the morning?” I was now smiling because messing with him always brings me joy. It’s also an inside joke. We had tried sneaking out before around 1 but my mother caught us. She asked ‘who has energy at 1 in the morning?’ and it’s been with us ever since. Suddenly something felt wrong. “Is it cold in here, or is it just me?” Caleb shrugged his shoulders while scrolling through his phone. I felt a cool breeze flow through me. I looked around to see if any windows were open. “I’m going to go check downstairs quick,” I said while walking out the room and closing the door behind me. Everything was fine downstairs. Doors and windows were shut and locked, nothing seemed strange but I still had a feeling. I tried to forget about it. Back upstairs I was looking for Caleb. “Babe,” I sang, closing my room door. He wasn’t here. “Caleb can you just come out please? I’m not in the mood and my mother is asleep.” Still no answer. “Gosh, he’s always trying to scare somebody,” I whispered under my breath. I sat on my bed then heard the toilet flush. Walking out of

the bathroom was Caleb with his dreads out of his ponytail. “Ew, did you wash your hands? I did not hear the water run.” “Yea I washed my hands, smell em’.” He put his hands in my face and sure enough they smell like the lavender soap in my bathroom. I still didn’t let him touch me though. “You want to put my hair up?” Caleb asked, handing me his hair tie. He knows I don’t like doing his hair. He’s very tender headed and I don’t feel like hearing him whine. “No, your hair always smells, just ’cause you got dreads doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them.” I smiled and leaned in for a kiss just as it started to thunder. Then CRACK, lightning. Caleb flowing into the air, gone. Breathing hard and fast I woke up and wept. Sobs coming out in sections, each taking their turn getting caught in my throat. Caleb would forever be gone. He loved the rain but it killed him, he never saw it coming. We never do. Covering my mouth and reaching for my lungs as if I could grab them, grab him, my sobs grew louder. I felt I should have scolded him more about driving in the rain but I never liked annoying him. The love I once knew to be fulfilling became a burden that day. A burden I will always carry in my heart. A burden that’s locked on with no key to release it. A burden so heavy I feel as if even God can’t carry it. A burden that at this moment defines me, but one day will not. A burden that can break a person into a million pieces. A dream turned into a nightmare.

Gallery Sadie Frisvold

Chicago Charm Akshethaa Naveen-Kumar

Gallery Sadie Frisvold

Various Drawings Adeline Lasswell

Starlight Bryan Chuong

First Love ANONYMOUS “What happened to you guys?” It’s easy to become a prisoner to the thoughts in my head Of what we could’ve been, of what we once had You ask the question so easily But a million memories pass through me Watching your eyes change color as you stare Smelling your shampoo as the breeze tousles your hair Hearing your laugh reminds me of dancing in the sand Feeling tears run down your face when you held my hand I fell in love hoping you’d be the one Instead, here I am Knowing the end hasn’t even begun “We broke up.” - your first love

Star Bun Crown Jade Ritchey

Music in Black and White Jade Ritchey

Gallery Mohamed Musa

Concert PAMELA QUINTERO RODRIGUEZ

riday I woke up and I had a guitar in my hands. I went out to the living room and my mom said, “Today is an exciting day, because you have a concert to give.” I was so excited to be on stage singing. My concert was at 6:00 at night. I put on my cowgirl boots, a plaid shirt, jeans, and my hat and we headed out the door. We got there at 5 so I could practice with my band. It was a country music concert—which is my favorite. My parents were in the audience in the second row from the stage. I played and sang 10 songs. Then I went backstage with my band and my band said, “That was a great concert.” I heard other voices saying, “Yes it was.” I turned around and I saw country singers George Strait, Luke Bryan, and Brad Paisley. I said, “I wasn’t expecting you three.” They then said, “Surprise.” George said “We were sitting behind your parents.” I said, “I was looking at my audience but I didn’t see you.” Then I heard the rest of the audience chanting my name. They wanted more. The country singers asked, “Can we join you?“ I said “Sure.” “Great, we got our guitars!” I giggled a little and I said “Come on guys, this is going to be fun.” Everyone in the crowd went wild when I went on stage with them. Each of them wanted to sing some of their songs. George Strait and Luke Bryan wanted me to sing with them. We took turns singing. When we were done, we went backstage where my parents

went. My mom said, “That’s an awesome final!” “It was a change of plans!” Then it was time for my parents and me to go home. The country singers asked my mom, “Can we walk with you?” She said, “Sure.”

Photography Sachiko Goto

Funeral Kailey Gee

Various Drawings Adeline Lasswell

Moon Song Kailey Gee

Cigarette Bodie Williamson

Cameron Reimers’ Art Cameron Reimer

Three Graces Bodie Williamson

Cameron Reimers’ Art Cameron Reimers

Modern Day Romeo and Juliet: Chapter 1 SAVANNA PARKER

ea Mom, I'm just gonna go to the game…Don't talk to the Hawks I know. Bye." Hi, my name is Cat and as you just heard, the hawks are our biggest rival. Not as a sports rival, but in the whole school being rivals. My school is the leopards and we and the hawks have been at each other since as long as I remember. At the moment we are tied in the games 11 to 11. So the stakes are really high because our team is playing the Hawks team at today's game. Not knowing much about sports, I'll probably just stay home and play Animal Crossing or talk to my friends. It takes me about 10 minutes to walk to school since I live a few blocks away, but I'm fine with it since I can listen to music. I was listening to Girl in Red when he popped up behind me. Like he always does. It honestly doesn't scare me anymore because I know that after a walk to his house he'll jump out and scare me. It scared the crap out of me the first few times, but now it really doesn't. "Heyy Cat! Are you coming to the game tonight? We're gonna be playing the Hawks! You gotta see us beat them!" He said, probably already knowing my answer. Great. "Nah, I'm probably just gonna stay home and play games,” I replied. "Really?! You never come to any games. You don't wanna see us win at least?" He sounded desperate. I let out a sigh. "No. Asher, it doesn't interest me so I'm not going." "Please! I'll... buy you boba after!" "Hmmmm... ok fine! But you better keep that promise.”

"I will! Yay! It's like a date!" Oh boy, you don't know do you? Eh, I'll tell him when I'm ready. We walked to school and he talked non-stop about the game. I was already getting tired of it, knowing I'm gonna have to witness it and have no clue what's going on. After we finally got to school we parted ways and I went to the library to chill with my friends, Like I always do. We were planning a sleepover tomorrow after school. And we were all super excited for it. planning what to bring when we heard an argument in the middle of the library. So of course we went over to investigate. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE DATING JAXIE?! SHE'S A HAWK! YOU CAN'T DATE A HAWK!" the first boy screamed. "I-I-I'm not dating her!" the second one said. "THEN WHY WAS HER NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE WITH HEARTS?!" Before I could hear the rest, my friends pulled me away, knowing it would get violent. That's what happens when you get caught with a Hawk. You'll practically be an outcast. My friends, knowing I don't like seeing violence pulled me away and we walked to our classes. I had my first class with one friend but in my other classes I'm all alone. So we talked until we got to class. They mostly talked about boys and I just kinda walked along and nodded every once in a while, just staying silent. When we got to class I was dying inside and Jennie and I went to biology. We had to present a project that class and me and Jennie were pretty good at talking so it was easy and we did well. The rest of the class we just listened to the other presentations while just wanting to do other work. After that class I was on my own. I went through the other 3 classes and then went to lunch. I met up with Asher and the girls and they went and got some food while I just read on my phone. I looked up and saw the one boy from before that was caught dating Jaxie. He was getting pushed around and people were picking on him.

Scan this QR code to read the whole story

Wild Horse Bodie Williamson

Silver Stakes Bodie Williamson

The Hall of Developing Nations Amira Qidwai

International Justice Amira Qidwai

Rearview Mirror Kailey Gee

Capture Bryan Chuong

Photography Sachiko Goto

Untitled ANONYMOUS Loneliness is so strange I could be SURROUNDED by people and feel lonely I could laugh and smile but still feel lonely I never had real friends Or day ones The friends I do have are only around to have a good time, not when it matters It was always me VS everything else in my life My mom did what she thought was necessary Paid the bills, put a roof over my head and fed me. I am really grateful to the utmost extreme, However just because the bills are paid and food is on the table doesn’t mean that our house has become a home Emotions are nonexistent in my household I won’t say in my home because it’s not a home in my opinion Just a holding cell locking me away, my feelings, my voice, and my thoughts

Loneliness was always clinging to me Hiding under my hoodies Following me wherever I went I guess that’s just my life but it sucks Really bad I try to smile but I only end up FAKE smiling and laughing I don’t have a bottle that is bottling up inside me I have a infinite heart It can hold emotion forever and ever and eternity But loneliness always finds a way to fill it to the brim never spilling over That’s the thing about loneliness It’s always lingering there You can feel it’s heavy and dark presence but it never overwhelms you It just stands there looking into your eyes, heart, and soul as it teases you Filling your heart to the absolute top but never ever spilling over

Beautiful in the Dark Cory Fingalsen

Cameron Reimers’ Art Cameron Reimers

My Blood, My Wealth Amira Qidwai

A Hostage of Colonization

Amira Qidwai

My First Story PAMELA QUINTERO RODRIGUEZ

y house smelled like my mom’s amazing cooking. It was also the joy of my brother and sister greeting me when I came home from my grandparent’s house. It was a place at the table where everybody was talking about how school or work went. My mouth was watering at the smell of quesadillas that we were having for dinner. I could already taste the quesadillas as my mom was making them. My brother and sister said hello and my sister gave me a great, big hug. I was so happy to see them after a long day at school. Now it was time to eat. The food was so delicious with the sour cream, cheese, and salsa in my quesadilla. Mom gave me my quesadilla on my plate but before I took my first bite, it had legs and started running out the door. We all ran outside. I told my brother to go catch it. When he got closer to the quesadilla, it said, “Run, run, you can’t catch me. I’m faster than you.” My mom ran after my brother to catch it. The quesadilla said again, “Run, run, you can’t catch me. I’m faster than you.” My sister ran after my mom and brother. Again the quesadilla said, “Run, run, you can’t catch me. I’m faster than you.” Then all of a sudden, I went into my room, got my lasso, and went outside. My dad got the lasso ready. I said, “All right you have no place to run now.” My dad threw the lasso and caught it. We all went back inside. My mom took the quesadilla out of the lasso and put it on the frying pan so it can get crunchy. She put it down in front of me at the table. At last I had my quesadilla and started eating it, yum!

GRAPEVINE