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The student voice of West Potomac High School

The Wire

The student voice of West Potomac High School

The Wire

The student voice of West Potomac High School

The Wire

Ruth Dean, Writer

Ruth Dean is a senior and co-editor-in-chief for The Wire this year, her third year in a row in this position. She is in her 4th year of Journalism and takes the class to learn more about the media process and loves writing. Her favorite subject in school is history because she likes to understand how events lead to where the world is today. She loves to listen to music and hopes to travel in the future after college. 

All content by Ruth Dean
Pictured is Senior Co-Editor-in-Chief Ruth Dean.

Commencement Letter from the Editor

Ruth Dean, Writer
May 25, 2021

After four years, all of them on staff of The Wire, I am nearing graduation just like all of my fellow seniors. This is an event often referred to as “Commencement.”  Commencement means beginning...

Varsity Girls Lacrosse post win 4/26. The field that Sherrer recalls having memories playing on and wanting to graduate on it.

In Person Graduation is Set for West Po This Year

Ruth Dean, Writer
April 27, 2021

This story has been updated due to significant changes over the past few weeks.  After months of discussion and confusion, senior graduation has finally been planned. On June 3rd, graduation will be...

Senior Ticket Lottery for Home Football Game Friday 3/19

Ruth Dean, Writer
March 16, 2021

There will be a raffle for any Senior interested in going to the home Varsity football game this Friday against T.C. Williams. A google form was sent out to the Senior Class of 2021 Google Classroom for...

Data provided by the Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccine and Registration page on the county website as of 2/17.

Some Teachers Face Vaccination Hardships Amidst Back to School Preparations

Ruth Dean, Writer
February 17, 2021

As schools are planning to open for in-person learning on March 2nd, 92% of Fairfax County educators have signed up to get the vaccine in order to make school safer for themselves and the students coming...

News seen after school on CNN of inside the Capitol building. Photo credit to Ruth Dean

Wednesday, January 6, 2021: Students and Teachers Recount the Day

Ruth Dean, Writer
January 8, 2021

After the events of Wednesday’s insurrection by the attendees of the pro-Trump rally on the Capitol, students still remain shocked. At around 2:25 p.m., rioters broke their way into the Capitol building...

Copyright to AMC Theaters logo.

The New “Normal” of Movie Theaters

Ruth Dean, Writer
December 17, 2020

Some local movie theaters have recently opened back up with new expectations for the experience that has been long awaited. The AMC Clean & Safe Initiative has created social distance guidelines to...

Photo credit to Mr. Bakke.

Teacher Feature: Mr. Bakke

Ruth Dean, Writer
December 1, 2020

New science teacher Peter Bakke begins his first year in a virtual environment, coming from across the country in Seattle. This is a not-so-new area for Bakke, as he began his formal teaching career in...

SGAs Spirit Week flyer

SpOOky Spirit Week Coming Soon

Ruth Dean, Writer
October 23, 2020

This coming week, the SGA will be hosting a virtual “Spooky” Spirit Week for the week leading up to Halloween. Although it is online learning, students are encouraged to dress along with the daily...

Photo credit to Juliette Fore. Fore is pictured at the front of the Supreme Court.

West Potomac Students Say Goodbye to RBG One Last Time

Ruth Dean, Writer
October 1, 2020

After the passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the 18th, thousands visited the Supreme Court in D.C. to honor her, including West Potomac students. She served on the Supreme...

Thoughts from the Editor

Ruth Dean, Witer
February 14, 2020

Last year in English, my teacher assigned a project where we had to research something that we deemed a problem in the world, then represent it in creative way and teach it to the class. Someone presented...

Juniors Jake Cooper and Sean Curtin in team huddle during game.

West Po Students Coach the Next Generation

Ruth Dean, Writer
February 14, 2020

If you love the game, besides playing, sometimes giving back to others is the best part. While some students play for the West Po basketball teams, others play in the Fort Hunt recreational league in a...

Picture was taken in 2017 at Zoo Lights. Photo credit to Ruth Dean.

Holiday Happenings in the Area

Ruth Dean, Writer
December 3, 2019

The holidays are a time to venture out and see the beauty in the things around you that you don’t normally notice. As the holiday season rolls around, there is plenty to do and places to see. Here are...

West Po selected to join FCPS’s Free Feminine Products Program

Ruth Dean, Writer
November 18, 2019

West Potomac is one out of the  group of 37 elementary, middle, and high schools that have been funded by the school board to start a new free menstrual products pilot program this year. Ryan McElveen,...

Cultural Exchange Program Offered

Ruth Dean, Writer
November 8, 2019

Some students are interested in a 10 day Japanese cultural exchange program hosted at Princeton University. (HSD) or High School Diplomats is cultural program divided into two parts HSD U.S. and HSD Japan....

Football Game 10/11 Announcement

Ruth Dean, Reporter
October 11, 2019

Just a reminder that the Marching Band will perform at 6:30 instead of halftime, and during halftime there will be inductions to the sports Hall of Fame. So arrive early to see the Wolverine Marching band!

Photo from Senior Nicole Booth. Junior girls before last years powder puff.

Powder Puff is Kicked Out

Ruth Dean and Lila Reidy
October 10, 2019

The Powder Puff football game has always been a part of spirit week at West Potomac, and within Fairfax County. It’s a game of Juniors vs. Seniors girls flag football where the boys are the coaches and...

Christine OHara, West Po Senior, Wins Prestigious Journalism Award for Parkland Commentary

Christine O’Hara, West Po Senior, Wins Prestigious Journalism Award for Parkland Commentary

Ruth Dean, Reporter
May 24, 2019

West Potomac Senior, Christine O’Hara, brought home the Jacinta Marie Bunnell Journalism award for commentary for her perspective piece on gun violence, “We were fine-until the fire alarm went off.”...

Pictured is the Cherry blossoms last year in full bloom along the basin.

Cherry Blossom Festival takes the spotlight in D.C.

Ruth Dean, Writer
March 25, 2019

The 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off its celebration in Washington D.C. on March 20th and extends through April 13, which is the period which the Cherry Blossoms are predicted to bloom within....

The Government Shutdown Reached West Po Familes

The Government Shutdown Reached West Po Familes

Ruth Dean, Writer
February 25, 2019

The record long 35 day partial government shutdown affected 800,000 federal government workers all over the country. Now, there have been many actions being taken to relieve the stress that the past partial...

Mr. Reves pictured next to some of his many movie posters around his classroom.

Teacher Feature: Mr. Reves

Ruth Dean, Writer
February 12, 2019

Zachary Reves is in his eighth year here at West Potomac, teaching 10th grade English and the elective film studies. He labels himself as an "Army brat" because his father was in the military, so he has...

Dress Rehearsal day in the main auditorium. Pictured are (bottom left to right) Rylie Heiser, Anna Penkiunas, Paige Schoeffel. (Standing left to right) Halley Roy, Grace Bauman, Eva Hunter, Fiona Walsh. Photo credit to Charlotte Krell.

Nutcracker Leaps Its Way Into The Spotlight

Ruth Dean, Writer
November 28, 2018

West Potomac will host the 10th annual Alexandria Community Nutcracker starting November 28th and ends December 1st. Vigorous practices for five months have led up to this weekend of five shows. The Nutcracker...

Midterm Mania for Election Day

Midterm Mania for Election Day

Robert Stewart, Ruth Dean, and Vivian Baxter
November 6, 2018

Today, November 6, 2018, the American electorate will take to the polls and vote for who they want to represent them in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. For some West Potomac High...

Peace, Love, and Groove: Hippie Homecoming Coming Soon

Peace, Love, and Groove: Hippie Homecoming Coming Soon

Ruth Dean, Reporter
September 20, 2018

It’s time for West Potomac Homecoming Spirit Week, Powder Puff football game, the Homecoming football game, Homecoming Court, and more all culminating with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, September...

Kuznetsovs bird celebration after his overtime game winning goal to clench the series victory.

Capitals Curse Breaks, West Potomac Rejoices

Ruth Dean, Reporter
May 11, 2018

The curse has been broken for Washington, D.C. sports fans! This is the first time that the Washington Capitals have advanced to their conference championship round in twenty years. On Monday night, the...

Teacher Feature: Dr. Sukalo

Teacher Feature: Dr. Sukalo

Ruth Dean, Reporter
April 12, 2018

Dr. Althea Sukalo is new to West Potomac this year, but she quite familiar to student antics--her love for teaching came from her love for teenagers. “Teenagers help you enormously to stay young,...

Movie Review: Love, Simon

Movie Review: Love, Simon

Ruth Dean, Reporter
March 28, 2018

Love, Simon came out in theaters this weekend, and really surprised me and many other watchers. I came in with the expectations of just another sappy romance movie, but came out thinking it was so much...

Snow, School, Students: A Struggle

Ruth Dean, Reporter
January 25, 2018

January comes with many holidays to start with, but the three snow days and a two hour delay are really adding up to the stress put on students who are worrying about their grades for this quarter. Freshman...

Freshman Lauren Koelsh doing homework before her JV basketball game.

School+Sports=Struggle: Freshmen Perspectives

Ruth Dean, Reporter
December 16, 2017

Every freshman is full of nerves when they first enter high school: will it be hard? Am I going to get lost? But this stress is magnified when sports enter the picture. Practice every day after school...

Dickeys BBQ iced tea

A Mission to Find the Best Iced Tea

Ruth Dean, Reporter
November 3, 2017

Iced tea originated from Asia and Africa, but is now served at most restaurants all around you. The question is, which place has the best? The search is on to find the best place in the area to get iced...

Fort Belvoirs 21st Annual Oktoberfest One of the best ever

Fort Belvoir’s 21st Annual Oktoberfest “One of the best ever”

Ruth Dean, Writer
October 25, 2017

Starting in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer and travel festival. Luckily, those living in Virginia don't have to travel 5,000 miles to experience the event. Each year, the Fort...

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