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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

Leanna Bernish

Leanna Bernish, News Editor

Leanna Bernish began writing for the Zephyr as a news writer during her junior year of high school. She wrote occasionally for sports and features as well, finding personal stories to be her favorite. In 2019, her senior year, Leanna was given the position of News Editor. You can most often find her singing in her car, making friendship bracelets, or running with her team. She prides herself on her undying love for the color yellow and her affinity for dark chocolate covered mangos.

All content by Leanna Bernish

Zephyr Jams: Quarantine Edition

Leanna Bernish, News Editor March 31, 2020

For me music is always the answer. No matter what mood I’m in, I know music will make me feel better. The past week has been a complete upheaval of life as we know it. These next few weeks will continue...

What decade would you like to be a teenager in? Check out what fellow students say!

Students Say What: Other than the 2010s, which decade would you want to be a teenager in?

Leanna Bernish, News Editor December 19, 2019

With Spotify Wrapped inundating everyone’s Instagram, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the decade is ending. The 2010s have brought everything from Post Malone to a scrunchie resurgence to the fourth...

Chick-fil-A 2020 Budget Cuts Support for Anti-LGBTQ+ Organizations

Leanna Bernish, News Editor December 19, 2019

Vegetarians and carnivores alike can equate the cheerful phrase “It’s my pleasure” with Chick-fil-A. What isn’t as cheerful is the company’s storied past of donating to organizations with histories...

Zephyr Jams, Volume 1

Maggie Estes and Leanna Bernish November 20, 2019

A playlist for someone is the modern mixtape, the cassette crafted with love. It is a window into the maker's personality, a vignette of their life and interests. Take a listen to the first volume of Zephyr...

A Clemmons Tradition: What is your fondest memory of the Tanglewood Festival of Lights?

Leanna Bernish, News Editor November 18, 2019

Whether it be running under the arches or driving through them to 99.5’s Christmas music, almost every kid in Clemmons has experienced the Tanglewood Festival of Lights. Established in 1992 this local...

Officer Latrina Campbell

Leading with compassion: Officer Campbell joins West

Leanna Bernish, News Editor October 30, 2019

In a time when relations between teenagers and the police seem especially frayed, it can be hard to see an officer as more than just an authority figure. However, assumptions rarely lead to good insight....

Senior mance team members Liam Patterson and Mason Ellis hype up the crowds.

Homecoming court celebrated

Leanna Bernish, News Editor October 25, 2019

Friday, Oct. 18 the homecoming court was celebrated at 3:15 in the bus lot amidst a cheering crowd of more than 2400 students and teachers. After the homecoming pep rally was canceled due to a lack of...

Stephen Langford teaches one of his English IV classes in the afternoon. West as welcomed a handful of new teachers this school year.

They May Be New, but They Like Disney too: West welcomes new teachers

Leanna Bernish, News Editor September 27, 2019

Being green on a new job is often met with scorn, but here, bleeding green is revered. West has gained several new teachers this school year, and they are all eager to encourage and learn along with their...

Scholarship Athletes: Jacob Burgess-Baldini

Scholarship Athletes: Jacob Burgess-Baldini

Leanna Bernish, News Writer May 30, 2019

School: Greensboro College Sport: Baseball Best Athletic Memory: Conference championship Favorite Athlete: Mariano Rivera Role Model: My parents

Senior Cameron Gravely sails down the Yadkin River in a homemade rowboat. A crowd of students and friends cheered him on with Beethoven's 5th as he rowed away.

Cam built a boat

Leanna Bernish, News Writer May 21, 2019

Many kids nowadays take days, weeks or even years to plan their next ventures. They often fall into the trap that for something to be deemed worthy or good enough, it takes hours of preparation or scheduling....

Boys cross country placed first at cross country regionals this year. Coach Jeff Thompson will retire this spring after 30 years.

A man of upmost character: Thompson retires after 30 years

Leanna Bernish, News Writer May 13, 2019

A bespectacled man always found with a smile and a kind hello, world history teacher and coach Jeff Thompson is retiring this spring. After 30 years of coaching cross country, track and field and several...

The winter guard performs their show to Lady Gaga’s ‘Million Reasons.’ The team has worked tirelessly with their partner school, Reagan, this season.

An Unlikely Pair: Winter color guard teams up with Reagan

Leanna Bernish, News Writer April 22, 2019

Every West student knows of the inherent rivalry with Reagan. Just seeing that signature black and teal can stir up anger. However, the winter color guard, more commonly known as winter guard, joined ranks...

The Titans celebrate their win. The girls basketball team won the NCHSSA 4A State Championship game March 16 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh.

Remember, You’re The Titans: Girls basketball wins 4A state championship

Leanna Bernish, News Writer March 18, 2019

Senior Callie Scheier stands off against the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs. The stadium admires her confidence and holds its breath, perched on her next move. She brings the ball down, and the noise of the...

The swim and dive team breaks new records at states. They competed in Raleigh Feb. 8.

Swim and dive team glides past competition at state meet

Leanna Bernish, News Writer February 14, 2019

Being heavy in both freshmen and seniors this season, with 12 and 11 respectively, the swim and dive team achieved balance between the varying levels of experience. This balance created confidence in...

U.S. government reopens after 35-day closing

Leanna Bernish, News Writer February 11, 2019

After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 35 days, the government has reopened. The shutdown ended when President Donald Trump signed a bill Friday, Jan. 25, allowing for a three-week...

Government shutdown third of Trump presidency, end is unclear

Leanna Bernish, News Writer January 14, 2019

The current government shutdown of Donald Trump’s presidency began midnight Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 after Trump and Congressional Democrats couldn’t reach an agreement on funding for border security....

Every year the Tanglewood Festival of Lights puts on a grand show inside the park. However, it makes for bad traffic and business slowdowns in the area.

Tanglewood traffic alters holiday travel

Leanna Bernish, News Writer December 18, 2018

The driving golfer, the sea monster on the lake, the dashing squirrel and the old-fashioned gentlemen and ladies perched atop the hill are all part of the Clemmons tradition of the Tanglewood Festival...

Merry Sockmas: Souza’s got cheer from his head to his toes

Leanna Bernish, News Writer December 18, 2018

Christmas has many traditions, but this one will knock your socks off…or it will make you want to go buy another pair. Evan Souza, junior and famed thespian of the West Theater Department, has 25 pairs...

Student services has created an easy to use website to make appointments.

New online calendar solves counseling conundrum

Leanna Bernish, News Writer November 22, 2018

High school students have very hectic lives. It can be hard to fit in time to greet your friends, much less schedule a guidance appointment, especially if you’re dashing from the 300 to the 1000 building....

Griffin Watkins swims year-round and on the West team. He is one of the co-captains this season.

Athlete of the Month: Griffin Watkins

Leanna Bernish, News Writer November 21, 2018

Junior Griffin Watkins is the big brother of the swim team. Playing music on the way to meets, helping the younger swimmers improve and encouraging his teammates to always do their best, he is a source...

Maddy Brandon

[Photo] Maddy Brandon

November 6, 2018

Shuler Stemper, Alexa Russell and Lexi Tomlinson man the concessions booth at the Key Club fall festival. The festival donated its profits to the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina.

The Best Fest Of All: Key Club fall festival makes big impact

Leanna Bernish, News Writer October 31, 2018

The music of the Kona Ice truck floats through the air with the fall leaves. Bean bags are tossed, baked goods are consumed, and laughter permeates the crisp fall afternoon. The third annual Key Club Fall...

Takin’ Care Of Business: Business 40 gets revamp

Leanna Bernish, News Writer October 24, 2018

Beep, beep. Local news is moving into your lane. Beginning in the fall of 2017, Winston-Salem’s Business 40 began undergoing improvements in order to revitalize and future-proof the roads and bridges,...

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