The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
  • No School: 09/22 and 09/23
  • Homecoming Week: 09/15 to 09/19
  • Picture Day: 09/03
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
Tianwen Gao

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor

Class of 2027

Hey everyone! I’m super excited to finally join the Student Press team! Since the day I joined Yearbook in 8th grade, I’ve been in love with photography, design and writing. In my free time you can find me crocheting, writing calligraphy, or trying to learn K-pop dances.

All content by Tianwen Gao

Courtside Conversations: Avery Chen ’26

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
September 18, 2025
Painting the vision, Student Council (StuCo) Junior Class Secretary Sheerali Talati references the design for the float decoration board. The Class of 2027 decorated their float from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Floats and Festivities

September 15, 2025
Jumping energetically, SunDancer Major Elliott Richards '26 begins the performance dynamically. The SunDancers performed to a mashup of songs.

First Pep Rally of the Year Fires Up Students

September 1, 2025
Jisoo displays the different stages of love in her newly released album, 'AMORTAGE'.

Jisoo Takes Listeners Through Stages of Love with ‘AMORTAGE’

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
April 19, 2025
Kneeling, Dhiya Reddy '27 poses as she frames Jillian Riethmiller '27, Bella Wen '28, and Siya Majmundar '27 during their performance of 'Whiplash' by aespa. Reddy gave it her all as this was the only performance she participated in. "You’re expected to know the choreography when you come into your first practice," Reddy said. "You have around a month or three weeks to learn the choreography before the first practice where we set formations."

Spring Has Sprung: K-Pop Club Stuns At Annual Spring Showcase

April 15, 2025
Listening intently to the guide at the Oasis, junior class Student Council officers scout the restaurant for placement of Prom activities. The officers spent hours both on-site and on campus to ensure a seamless and memorable event.

Student Council Plans Prom

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
February 24, 2025
At the start of the 2024-25 school year, the Westwood administration introduce a new ban on phones, aiming to increase grades and focus among students. However, after one semester, it's clear that the policy has not achieved its objective.

The Phone Policy Has Failed to Achieve its Objective

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
February 2, 2025
Eager to inspire others, Pranav Balakrishnan ‘25 and Ethan Andrew ‘26 work hard to make the most of their final years in scholastic debate, and leave a legacy that promotes success and passion. In addition to winning the Glenbrooks Tournament, the largest, non-championship tournament of the year, they have also been ranked 2nd best Policy Debate team in the world. “As a senior, I don't have much time left to improve,” Balakrishnan said. “But I have been preparing for the past four years, so it's now my time to succeed.”

Pranav Balakrishnan ’25 and Ethan Andrew ’26 Leave Unprecedented Legacy for Debate

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
January 13, 2025
Chatting with friends, Freshman Class President Apple Ma adds peanut butter to her birdseed feeder. The birdseed feeders were given out to volunteers to take home and give to family and neighbors. "I think it's important because it kind of is a good way for you to represent how you want to change the world," Executive Vice President Josie Sun '26 said. "It's not something that I think people are really rewarded for a lot, but I still think choosing to serve others is something that really encapsulates what Student Council is."

Student Council Contributes To Spirit of Thanksgiving

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
November 26, 2024
Focused on perfecting the preparation of their crafting materials, StuCo Junior Class Vice President Reva Chandane and Secretary Ryan Gu work on constructing their Minecraft-themed float. The volunteers worked hard to ensure that their float effectively portrayed the desired theme, and was fun and interactive in anticipation of the upcoming parade.

Classes Collectively Construct Homecoming Floats

October 16, 2024
Taking off, varsity girls lead the 5,000 meter run. The varsity girls team placed 5th overall in the district competition. "My favorite thing about cross country is the girls and how much we have gotten to each other," Captain Theresa Bell '26 said.

Varsity Cross-Country Shows Out at District Meet

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
October 15, 2024
Hoping to express his passion for robotics through his new role at Westwood, Mr. Rodelio Creer strives to work alongside his students through the learning and creating process.

Robotics Teacher Mr. Rodelio Creer Looks Forward to Working Alongside Robotics Teams

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
September 18, 2024

Class of 2025 Enters Final Year With Senior Sunrise

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
September 12, 2024
Hyping up the crowd before the beginning of the pep rally, cheerleaders Lauren Patterson '26, Aliyu Yu '27, and Leah Kleinman '25 move in a synchronized combo. The varsity cheer team was later spotlighted in the pep rally during their performance to Chappell Roan's "Hot to Go."

Pep Rally Kicks off School Year

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
August 31, 2024
Janya Tellabati ‘26 prepares to hit the ball backhand. She won both her single and doubles matches. “Personally I think I could calm down a little bit during matches,” Tallabati said.

Varsity Tennis Destroys Alamo Heights in First Home Game of the Season

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
August 24, 2024
Fishbowl Frenzy (COMIC)

Fishbowl Frenzy (COMIC)

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
August 7, 2024
Seniors Ishan Sharma and Ayush Tripathi hold the golden Tournament of Champions trophy after defeating Montgomery Bell Academy students and winning finals on a 2-1 decision. Sharma and Tripathi competed at the University of Kentucky for three days with a total of 11 rounds and only one loss. “It means everything to win the TOC and it's a testament to the sacrifices and the time we have put in for the past four years,” Tripathi said.

Speech and Debate Makes History at Tournament of Champions

Tianwen Gao and Ellen Chuo
April 28, 2024
Observing the evening festivities, English teacher Samantha Lozano and Student Council officers Iris Chen ‘26, Rheya Kurian ‘26, and Aiden Wen ‘26 sit behind a prom court voting booth. The booth was open right until the prom king and queen were announced, allowing students to cast their votes throughout the night.

Students Enjoy Enchanted Forest Themed Prom

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
April 23, 2024
Standing together before their dance began, God's Menu performers pose, setting the tone of the dance. K-pop Club members rehearsed for six weeks for their second to last performance, the Spring Showcase, offering ample opportunities to perfect their choreography. "I was excited to dance with complex group formations and movements," dancer Ninju Prem '25 said.

K-Pop Club Displays New Dances at Spring Showcase

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Sports Editor
April 22, 2024
Forming a pyramid formation, the Cheer team conclude their performance. Some members held the "sko wood" symbol, amplifying school spirit.

Students Showcase Spirit at First Pep Rally of the Semester

Tianwen Gao and Vedanti Patil
February 8, 2024
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