Skip to Main Content
The Student News Site of West Forsyth High School

The Zephyr

The Student News Site of West Forsyth High School

The Zephyr

The Student News Site of West Forsyth High School

The Zephyr

Ella Ashby

Ella Ashby, Photo Editor

Ella Ashby is the 2-year Photography Editor of the Zephyr. She loves spending time photographing events around the school, helping out in the library and has the Zephyr’s camera attached to her at all times. Outside of school, Ella likes video games, creative writing, and art.

All content by Ella Ashby
Groscars awards

Groscars awards

President Joe Biden and Shou Zi Chew

[Photo] TikTok clocks out

May 30, 2024

President Joe Biden and Shou Zi Chew

A lively club meeting, photographed in 2022.

Rest in Peace: The death of West extracurriculars

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer May 28, 2024

For the seniors taking a trip down memory lane, the 2021 school year was a gift for some, and a nightmare for others. I, personally, was desperate to go back to in-person learning throughout all of the...

A lively club meeting, photographed in 2022.

A lively club meeting, photographed in 2022.

Students wait in line to purchase Prom tickets during lunch.

[Photo] Ooh La La!: Students get ready for Evening in Paris Prom

April 25, 2024

Students wait in line to purchase Prom tickets during lunch.

A shot from an ad by Donald Trump, poking fun at President Joe Biden’s age.

It’s time to shut down the political nursing home

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer March 7, 2024

A political voice speaks for the country, and represents what the people collectively want. Whether it’s enforcing our laws or changing our Constitution, who we put in the driver's seat right now matters...

West student section supporting the football team

[Photo] Give Credit Where Credit Is Due: Giving the entire athletic department recognition

March 12, 2024

West student section supporting the football team

Sports Marketing teacher Scott Armstrong instructs a class.

[Photo] Master of Marketing: Armstrong named Teacher of the Year

February 29, 2024

Sports Marketing teacher Scott Armstrong instructs a class.

A student ready to drive home after a long day of school.

Ap-parent safety risks in our student lots

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer December 3, 2023

It’s 3:40. The bell rings, and the scramble begins. Just as I think I’ve got an opening, I’m suddenly cut off, not by a student, but by somebody’s… dad? Any student who drives themself to and...

Halloween costume ideas for different squads.

Halloween costume ideas for different squads.

Windell and Wild official poster

Wendell and Wild: The stop-motion horror you’ve never heard of

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer October 26, 2023

This review is spoiler-free! Looking for more spooky movies to enjoy during October? Do you find yourself watching “Corpse Bride” or “The Nightmare before Christmas” every Halloween season? You...

Senior Mallory Hearn

[Photo] Ava Angle

September 8, 2023

Senior Mallory Hearn

Official cover art for “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”

Tears of The Kingdom: What fans are saying

Ella Ashby, Photography Editor June 2, 2023

This article is spoiler-free! “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” the long-awaited sequel to “Breath of the Wild” released on May 26, and the positive reviews are already flooding in....

Some TV show themes go deeper than the surface.

[Photo] Hitting Deep: Top 5 Times TV shows dug deeper

May 2, 2023

Some TV show themes go deeper than the surface.

"The Super Mario Bros." official movie poster.

Mixing the Mediums: Adapting video games into movies gets better and better

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer May 2, 2023

A film by Nintendo? It’s more likely than you think. “The Super Mario Bros.” movie premiered on April 5. and while movie critics had a mixed response, the film had the biggest five-day opening of...

Construction on the facility making progress

[Photo] Lower Fields Score New Facility

March 28, 2023

Construction on the facility making progress

Mr. Robbins gears up for the game.

[Photo] Dodge Class: Attend SGA Student-Staff Dodgeball Game

March 22, 2023

Mr. Robbins gears up for the game.

Rock announces the upcoming musical, "Bye Bye, Birdie"

[Photo] Blast from the Past: Drama Department welcomes alumni for 20 year reunion

March 22, 2023

Rock announces the upcoming musical, "Bye Bye, Birdie"

A student uses ChatGPT. What are the capabilities of this AI language model?

Friend or Foe? Artificial Intelligence is what we make of it

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer March 20, 2023

When you think of Artificial intelligence, or AI, the positives aren’t always the first thing you think of. Some might think of the movie “Terminator,” which features an apocalyptic future where...

The Chick-fil-A cauliflower chicken sandwich isn't the meal for me.

Veggies Are for Salads: Cauliflower is not a replacement for chicken

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer February 27, 2023

I’m no stranger to cauliflower substitutions for different foods. Cauliflower rice, cauliflower mashed potatoes, cauliflower ‘teriyaki chicken,’ and it’s honestly my worst nightmare. I’ll admit,...

Tavia Gilmore, Teacher of the Year

[Photo] A New Main Character: Gilmore wins Teacher of the Year

February 16, 2023

Tavia Gilmore, Teacher of the Year

Nick Paugh, vocals

[Photo] Titans Got Talent: Titan Talent show returns

February 15, 2023

Nick Paugh, vocals

Two people argue over Valentines Day

[Photo] Point vs. Counterpoint: Valentine's Yay or Valentine's Nay?

February 12, 2023

Two people argue over Valentines Day

“Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” is the sequel no one expected and everyone wanted.

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is the sequel we all deserved

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer January 19, 2023

Spoiler warning! This article contains spoilers, so save the read for after you watch the movie! How late is too late for a sequel? Twelve years ago the first “Puss in Boots'' movie was released,...

Arabella Hernandez caught being tardy, punished accordingly.

[Photo] How Have New Policies Affected Titans?

January 30, 2023

Arabella Hernandez caught being tardy, punished accordingly.

“The Artful Escape” features colorful and bright scenery.

The Best Video Games You’ve Never Heard Of

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer January 19, 2023

It’s great to relax with a good video game, especially if you’re bored of TV. There are tons of amazing genres out there, but something different lies in the indie category. Usually made by small developer...

Kevin Spainhour poses with former West student that he wrote about in the opening chapter of his book, "Dads, Leaders, & Father Figures."

[Photo] The Principal, the Leader, the Author: Kevin Spainhour publishes his first book

January 17, 2023

Kevin Spainhour poses with former West student that he wrote about in the opening chapter of his book, "Dads, Leaders, & Father Figures."

Kevin Spainhour poses for a photo with former West student that he wrote about in the opening chapter of his book, "Dads, Leaders, & Father Figures."

Kevin Spainhour poses for a photo with former West student that he wrote about in the opening chapter of his book, "Dads, Leaders, & Father Figures."

Animated child happily opens gifts

[Photo] Calling All Last Minute Shoppers: Holiday gift guide

December 19, 2022

Animated child happily opens gifts

Movie posters of some of the most popular and well-known Christmas movies.

[Photo] Top 5 Christmas Movies for your Holiday Break

December 16, 2022

Movie posters of some of the most popular and well-known Christmas movies.

Just Stop Oil’s logo

Climate Crisis: Why throwing food at famous art doesn’t work

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer November 29, 2022

First it was cake on the Mona Lisa, then it was tomato soup on Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.” Over a short span of time, outrage has been sparked over the defacing of famous works of art by climate activists....

Joe Biden, edited to stand in front of marijuana leaves.

[Photo] Legalize It! The US government needs to take the high road and legalize marijuana

November 17, 2022

Joe Biden, edited to stand in front of marijuana leaves.

Senior Yasmine Paige poses for a photo.

[Photo] Athlete of the Month: Yasmine Paige

October 19, 2022

Senior Yasmine Paige poses for a photo.

A child sits beneath an isolating spotlight.

All eyes on me: The entertainment industry isn’t child-safe

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer October 7, 2022

A life of fame isn’t easy. Sure, you’ll be rich and famous, but even adult celebrities talk about how stardom has permanently changed their life, but what can be said for the many child stars seen...

The West Forsyth Titan poses for a photo.

[Photo] West Ranked No. 62. Public High School in State

September 12, 2023

The West Forsyth Titan poses for a photo.

Titans take the field to face Weddington

[Photo] Riding The Wave: Surging Titans seek playoff spot after recent wins

October 13, 2022

Titans take the field to face Weddington

Daniel Figueredo

[Photo] Daniel Figueredo

September 19, 2022

Daniel Figueredo

Varsity Cheerleaders and Dance Team take a picture with Chris Paul

[Photo] From Student to Star: Basketball court is named ‘Chris Paul Court'

September 9, 2022

Varsity Cheerleaders and Dance Team take a picture with Chris Paul

Seeing is Believing: Photos impact perception

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer May 31, 2022

Taking a simple picture of something is extremely easy, especially with the technology we have today, Photography is everywhere. Being one of the best ways to capture a moment for any kind of purpose,...

A person using TikTok on their phone.

Be Concerned: TikTok is tracking you

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer May 12, 2022

Currently sitting at the top of the App Store’s entertainment ranking is TikTok, a video sharing app that anyone and everyone has at least heard of that’s currently making millions of dollars every...

A bitcoin cracked in half to represent their damaging effect.

Say “No” To Crypto: Why cryptocurrency is bad

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer March 10, 2022

More and more people are hopping onto the cryptocurrency bandwagon, most seeing it as a way to make quick money. Unfortunately, crypto has its dark side. There are a plethora of reasons why cryptocurrency...

talenttitans

[Photo] Titans got Talent

Mallory Hearn, News writer February 15, 2022

Our world is adapting and our classrooms should too

Our world is adapting and our classrooms should too

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer January 26, 2022

If you walk into a public school in America, upon entering you can immediately see how different things are than they were in the past. Now we have things like new technology and access to use of the internet...

Earth Comes First: Space tourism is hurting our planet

Ella Ashby, Opinion Writer November 5, 2021

We’ve all seen it displayed on every TV screen in America: “Space tourism,'' known by some news networks such as MSNBC as the “New space race.” From Richard Branson to Jeff Bezos, every couple...

If you're wondering what fall activity best suits you, this quiz is for you!

Fun Fall Activities Quiz

Ella Ashby, Features Writer October 11, 2021

1. What is your favorite way to decorate a pumpkin? a. Carving it into a scary monster b. Making it a cute critter c. Painting designs on it d. Giving it a funny face 2. What do you enjoy doing...

Patti Snyder jumping right into teaching her apparel class.

Stitching up loose seams: Patti Snyder starts her career at West

Ella Ashby, Features Writer September 23, 2021

With the return to school, students enjoy learning things about their teachers, especially if they’re new. If you’re taking apparel and textiles production, it could be Patti Snyder, who just began...

Load More Stories