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Student Newspaper of Merrill F. West High School

The Zephyr

Student Newspaper of Merrill F. West High School

The Zephyr

Student Newspaper of Merrill F. West High School

The Zephyr

2023-2024 Staff

Ellie Chiles
Editor-In-Chief

Ellie Chiles

Ellie Chiles is in her fourth year with The Zephyr, and sixth year in TUSD journalism programs. This is her fifth year as an editor-in-chief, doing a year at Monte Vista Middle School and starting as Editor-in-Chief her freshman...

Jaelyn Randolph
Copy Editor

Jaelyn Randolph

Jaelyn Randolph is a sophomore born in Tracy, California.  Her hobbies include swimming and baking. In the future, Jaelyn plans on going to a college at UC Irvine so she can get her Business and Marketing Degree. Later, wantin...

Jessica Navarro
Copy Editor

Jessica Navarro

Introducing senior, Jessica Navarro! This year, she's excited to share her voice and enthusiasm with her fellow peers. During her free time she likes to listen to music, coordinate outfits, write, and play videogames.  Jessica...

Rachael Musharbash
Features Editor

Rachael Musharbash

Rachael Musharbash is a senior and the feature editor for this year. It is her first year in journalism and second year attending west as she's originally from San Jose! When she’s not busy, Rachael enjoys making jewelry, watching shows like...

T'Aijah Crockett
Features Editor

T’Aijah Crockett

T’Aijah is a sophomore at West High. She was born in Hayward, California. She is part of journalism because she enjoys writing and photography. T'Aijah participates in volleyball and softball. As the Features Editor, she over...

Daneya Cruda
Opinion Editor

Daneya Cruda

Daneya Cruda is a sophomore born in Walnut Creek, CA. Her favorite color is pink. Her favorite song is Nothing by Bruno Major. Her experience at West High so far is really good and she's made lots of new friends. She joined journalism...

Joel Rodriguez
Sports Editor

Joel Rodriguez

Mia Batres
Sports Editor

Mia Batres

Mia Batres is currently a sophomore and a cheerleader at West High School. She was raised in Tracy. She plans to do cheer all 4 years and become a Sport media manager after graduating. On her free time she is a Junior coach for...

Fabiana Salazar
Staff Reporter

Fabiana Salazar

This is Fabiana Salazar. She is a senior here at West High. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and her favorite food is any type of pasta! In her free time she enjoys watching movies and shows. She joined Journalism because...

Valeria Rizo Franco
Staff Reporter

Valeria Rizo Franco

My name is Valeria Rizo and I'm 16 years old. This is my first year in journalism and I'm excited to be apart of the bulletin and do other journalism activities. On my free time I love to work out and go out with friends. My f...

Soiyon Mallilin
Staff Reporter

Soiyon Mallilin

Hi my name is Soiyon Mallillin and I’m 16 years old. I enjoy our campus because it has a lot of diversity and I find it fun. My favorite class is math because I find it challenging and psychology because of how interesting it i...

Taanvi Lal
Staff Reporter

Taanvi Lal

Introducing freshman, Taanvi Lal! This is her first year in journalism, and she's excited to participate and share her passion for writing with all of West High. She was born, and is formally from Fiji, where she later moved to...

Mia Gulden
Staff Reporter

Mia Gulden

Mia Gulden is a freshman. She was born in Hayward which is located in the bay. Her favorite class is journalism because she likes writing and she never gets bored in that class. She was born in 2008. Her dream pet is a Maine coon!...

Adrian Garza
Staff Reporter

Adrian Garza

Adrian loves to live in the moment and likes long walks on the beach. Writing stories has been a dream of his and he is happy to be doing so for The Zephyr.

Linda Crockett
Staff Reporter

Linda Crockett

This right here is Linda Crockett, a junior at west high school! She was born in Antioch, CA. Her favorite class is history. Giving the option to either go back in time, or into the future, she would choose to go 6 years into...

Riley Cerda
Staff Reporter

Riley Cerda

Junior Riley Cerda is entering his first year in Journalism. He was born in San Jose with a personality that will light up any room. He enjoys playing video games such as Apex legends. His favorite holiday is Halloween and hi...

Valeria Carrillo Vilchis
Staff Reporter

Valeria Carrillo Vilchis

Valeria Carrillo is currently a senior and her favorite class is Child Development. It's her first year in journalism. She is 16 years old, and her favorite color is purple. She was born in Modesto, CA and raised in Tracy, CA....

Danna Aguilar Lopez
Staff Reporter

Danna Aguilar Lopez

Danna Aguilar is a West High freshman born in Oakland, California. She is the oldest of two siblings. Danna describes herself as "kind and informative." Danna enjoys the school food, but dislikes the fact you have to pay for ice...

Dylan Ozturk
Staff Reporter

Dylan Ozturk

Ms. Alana Eheler, J.D.
Advisor

Ms. Alana Eheler, J.D.

Ms. Alana Eheler has advised Journalism at West High for seventeen years. She is most proud of the improvements to the program in the production of print copy as well as earning American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) awards...

Hazel McCurdy
Photography Editor, Media Secretary

Hazel McCurdy

Hazel McCurdy is currently a sophomore at West. She formerly was an editor during middle school and was responsible for the production of the newspaper. She loves reading, being with friends, and playing sports. She is dedicated...

Janessa Hallman
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Janessa Hallman

Janessa Hallman is a West high sophomore born and raised in Tracy, California. She is the youngest child of three, Jazzy her 18-year-old sister and Jada the 22-year-old sister. Her favorite class here at West is Journalism because...

Miguel Carrillo
Staff Reporter, Video Editor

Miguel Carrillo

Miguel Carrillo is a senior and entering his second year in Journalism. He was born in Castro Valley, California. His favorite color is red and his favorite holiday is Christmas. Miguel listens to hip hop and rap. He enjoys video...