The Student News Site of Niles West High School

Niles West News
The Student News Site of Niles West High School

Niles West News
The Student News Site of Niles West High School

Niles West News
Ava Hortega

Ava Hortega, Opinions Editor

Ava Hortega is a senior and has been on NWN for 3 years. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends and family and play softball.

All content by Ava Hortega
Singer-songwriter Zach Bryan stands strumming his guitar in front of his fans with his band members behind him. He begins to play the song "Burn Burn Burn" released in 2022.

Review: Zach Bryan Performs at Notre Dame Football Stadium

By Ava Hortega, Opinion Editor
Sep 15, 2025
Singer and songwriter Zach Bryan stands strumming his guitar in front of his fans with his band members behind him before he begins to play popular song "Burn Burn Burn" released in 2022.

A rope tied around cones separates the students' spots from the staff parking lot.

Construction Leads to Parking Headaches for Students and Staff

By Ava Hortega, Opinions Editor
Sep 11, 2025
Ava Hortega

Opinion: Let Me Go to the Restroom

By Ava Hortega, Opinion Editor
Sep 10, 2025
After the team warms up, the cheerleaders and dancers hold up the banner for the team to run through before the game starts. Starting quarterback Nick West, senior, leads his team through after breaking the banner while yelling for the team to get hyped for the first home game of the season against Riverside-Brookfield.

Boys Football Loses Season Opener to Riverside-Brookfield

By Ava Hortega, Opinions Editor
Sep 8, 2025
Love Island season 7 contestants discuss what happened while they spent their time in Fiji.

Review: Love Island Season 7 Reunion

By Ava Hortega, Opinions Editor
Sep 3, 2025
After eating dinner, students make their way to the dance floor. The DJ plays songs to get the students excited and ready to dance with their friends.

Niles West Prom: “Tangled in Memories”

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
May 14, 2025
Chief Equity Officer La Wanna Wells, Niles North biology teacher Suzy Trzaskus, West special education paraprofessional Mohammed Vohra and West junior Jade Alao present to the D219 School Board at its April 7 meeting.

The Multicultural Student Achievement Network (MSAN) Opens Doors For Students Of Color

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
May 5, 2025
NHS members pictured holding the lit candles with smiles on their faces as they pledge to the Society. Photo via Instagram.

National Honor Society Mistakenly Sends Acceptance and Rejection Notices to the Wrong Students

By Suha Siddiqui and Ava Hortega
Apr 21, 2025
Ava Hortega

Opinion: School Security Needs to be a Priority

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Apr 17, 2025
Ava Hortega

Opinion: Cleaning is the Best Way to Relieve Stress

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Apr 2, 2025
Officers of each class stand together and pose for a pictures (names)

Student Government’s Possible Period Change is “Not Of Student Concern”

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Mar 21, 2025

The Niles West Pop Culture Podcast: Tell-All on Ruby Franke S1 Ep3

By Holly Korzun, Hanna Schneider, and Ava Hortega
Mar 19, 2025
St. Charles resident Alicia Manzanares was crowned Mrs. Illinois American 2024 on June 15, 2024. Alicia represented Illinois in the Mrs. American pageant in Las Vegas on Aug. 27, 2024. She uses her platform to further highlight her long-standing commitment to education advocacy. (Sandy Bressner)

Alumni Alicia Manzanares: Mrs. Illinois American 2024

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Mar 13, 2025
The teams wrap up the games.

Boys Tennis is Ready to Serve

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Feb 27, 2025
The Showdown at Halftime: Was It Worth the Wait?

The Showdown at Halftime: Was It Worth the Wait?

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Feb 13, 2025
Ava Hortega

Opinion: Physical Books Are Better Than Online Books

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Feb 6, 2025
Sophomores Sara Pekovic and Antonia Schneider hand out flyers encouraging students to take German. Potential students also receive gummy bears and guess German words.

Curriculum Night Shows Future Freshmen What West Has To Offer

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Jan 28, 2025

The Niles West Pop Culture Podcast: Talking About TikTok Featuring Emro Perocevic, S1 Ep2

By Holly Korzun, Hanna Schneider, and Ava Hortega
Jan 27, 2025

The Niles West Pop Culture Podcast: Things To Do Over Winter Break

By Holly Korzun, Hanna Schneider, and Ava Hortega
Dec 17, 2024
Ava Hortega

Opinion: Starbucks Is Overrated

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Dec 17, 2024
Sophomore Minela Spahija joins preschoolers on the playground bridge.

Early Childhood Classes Spend Time With Preschoolers

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Dec 16, 2024
The cafeteria cookie is chewy and perfectly cooked.

[Photo] Opinion: The Cafeteria Cookie Reigns Supreme

By Hanna Schneider, Staff Writer
Dec 13, 2024
At tipoff, Niles North senior Darryl Toney jumps to get the ball on his team's side.

Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Fall Short Against Niles North

By Isabela Valencia, Ava Hortega, Holly Korzun, and Hanna Schneider
Dec 12, 2024
From left, seniors Anna Baesel and Nichelle Thomas rummage through the tables of clothing items.

[Photo] Dance Marathon Holds Annual Thrift Store Fundraiser

By Suha Siddiqui, Opinions Editor
Dec 11, 2024
Ava Hortega

Opinion: Black Friday Just Isn’t The Same

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Dec 6, 2024
Ava Hortega

Opinion: Christmas Music Needs to Wait For December

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Nov 30, 2024
A table filed with December themed items that represent the Holidays.

Things To Do This December

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Nov 27, 2024
From left, juniors Ellie Kim and Ammara Vadiwala sit together in front of a sign showing off their victory of their first bid at Meadows.

New Debate Partners Aim to Compete at the Tournament of Champions

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Nov 22, 2024
Voting Stickers Handed To In-Person Voters. GPA / Photo Archive / Flickr Creative Commons

Students Prepare to Vote In Their First Election

By Holly Korzun and Ava Hortega
Nov 1, 2024
The fountain at Six Flags is decorated for Halloween, including water dyed blood red.

Haunted Houses at Six Flags Are Spooky…and Stinky

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Oct 30, 2024
Senior Austin Mulingbayan, varsity football defensive tackle, walks with his parents and younger brothers, including freshman football player Chase Mulingbayan (left).

The Loss Didn’t Stop The Senior Night Celebration

By Ava Hortega, Staff Writer
Oct 18, 2024
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