STUDENT NEWS SITE OF WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

THE FEATHERDUSTER
STUDENT NEWS SITE OF WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

THE FEATHERDUSTER
STUDENT NEWS SITE OF WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

THE FEATHERDUSTER
Kristie Min

Kristie Min, Editor-In-Chief

Senior Kristie Min is an Editor-in-Chief and Webmaster for her third year on staff. Kristie’s goal for her final year on staff is to continue improving her writing and photography. She loves all types of music and her favorite artist is the Black Pumas. Outside of class, she loves journaling and animating.

All content by Kristie Min
These Memories Aren't Mine

These Memories Aren’t Mine

Kristie Min, Editor-in-Chief
September 3, 2025

Kristie Min

Kristie Min, Feature Writer
May 29, 2025
Juniors Presley Davis, Adriana Vallejo, Lola Rogan, Landon Blackbird Austin Knape andColton Fuir celebrate a first place spot and $15,000 funding with their fellow Job Z teammates April 30.

Business Incubator Team Job Z Wins Grand Prize

Kristie Min and Jake Strelitz
May 7, 2025
As they raise their $8,000 check above their heads, the Fantasy Funds team accepts second place April 30 at pitch night. Fantasy Funds, a wild card team, walked away with an investment to further their plan for an app to gamify financial literacy.

After winning the People's Choice award, juniors Worth Kieth and Don Paul Powell accept a $2,00 check from assistant principals Dianne Parks and Casey Ryan. With their check in hand, EcoGlow celebrates their earnings. Their product, EcoGlow, was an eco-friendly sunscreen.

Standing in front of the audience, business incubator group Fantasy Funds pitches their idea to the judges. After delivering their pitch, they secured second place and won $8,000.

Notes in hand, the judges question the group members. The team members present thorough business plans to the judges and then answer follow up questions to help judges determine whether they will invest in their product.

Shaking hands with the judges, the PoliticAid team gets ready to deliver their final pitch. “I was super nervous,” team member junior Anna Galatzan said. “But I was very excited and ready to present.”

Explaining her team's business, junior Brooklyn Lee competes for a place in pitch night April 30. Her team HireUp was one of the Wild Card teams that competed for a place on Pitch Night.

Working together to secure votes, juniors Jesse Ramos, Allie Khan and Ian Dumitrescu pitch their idea: Live Eyes. “Being a part of Team Live Eyes has been a great experience,” Ramos said. “It’s been awesome to get to know and become close with my group.”

Behind her team's display, junior Ava Henry pitches her business idea to spectators April 30. Her team, Vtours, competed as a wild card team for the chance to pitch to the judges.

With the logo on display, pitch night begins April 30. After a year of working on their businesses the Business Incubator teams compete for startup money.

Senior Rio Thomas and senior Natalie Yung make bracelets with community members. Chinese students hosted a Chinese Culture Night April 17, 2025 where attendees could get food and fresh boba, and participate in games and crafts such as Chinese Monopoly and bracelet and lantern making.

Night of Community and Culture

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
May 5, 2025
Austinites gathered infront of the capital April 5 to protest government influence.

Hands Off!

Kristie Min
May 2, 2025
Orchestra members gather for a photo at the 2025 National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. Orchestra students who went on the trip began preparing for the competition at the beginning of the school year for their competition March 20, 2025.

Chaps Orchestra Competes at National Orchestra Festival

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
April 23, 2025
Dawned in pink and white fabric, sophomore Adrita Roy portrays Rhada in Nritya Mandala’s performance of Shringar at Black Box Theatre, Jan. 24, 2024. The production marks the second performance by the South Asian dance club at the Black Box Theatre.

The Making of Shringar

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
February 13, 2025
Established in 1981, Valley View Elementary School will be closed in the 2025-26 school year, with students moving to Barton Creek Elementary School. Closing the elementary school is projected to save around $2 million. The motion to blend the two campuses passed Tuesday 7-0 at the board meeting.

Valley View, Barton Creek Elementaries to blend, Spanish Immersion Program to discontinue in 2025-26 school year

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
January 16, 2025
Professional Learning Communities To Be Removed in 2025

Professional Learning Communities To Be Removed in 2025

Kristie Min and Lennon Riedie
December 22, 2024
Chaps Orchestra rehearses Nov. 20, 2024 with the Technical Entertainment Crew (TEC) to prepare for the Nutcracker Spectacular. Although the orchestra plays most of the music live, TEC recorded the orchestra playing the overture for the Nutcracker Spectacular, which will be played at the beginning of the six shows, Dec. 12 to 15.

Orchestrating a Spectacular Show

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
December 13, 2024
Chaps Orchestra rehearses Nov. 20, 2024 with the Technical Entertainment Crew (TEC) to prepare for the Nutcracker Spectacular. Although the orchestra plays most of the music live, TEC recorded the orchestra playing the overture for the Nutcracker Spectacular, which will be played at the beginning of the six shows, Dec. 12 to 15.

Chaps Orchestra rehearses Nov. 20, 2024 with the Technical Entertainment Crew (TEC) to prepare for the Nutcracker Spectacular. Although the orchestra plays most of the music live, TEC recorded the orchestra playing the overture for the Nutcracker Spectacular, which will be played at the beginning of the six shows, Dec. 12 to 15.

Chaps Orchestra rehearses Nov. 20, 2024 with the Technical Entertainment Crew (TEC) to prepare for the Nutcracker Spectacular. Although the orchestra plays most of the music live, TEC recorded the orchestra playing the overture for the Nutcracker Spectacular, which will be played at the beginning of the six shows, Dec. 12 to 15.

Chaps Orchestra rehearses Nov. 20, 2024 with the Technical Entertainment Crew (TEC) to prepare for the Nutcracker Spectacular. Although the orchestra plays most of the music live, TEC recorded the orchestra playing the overture for the Nutcracker Spectacular, which will be played at the beginning of the six shows, Dec. 12 to 15.

Chaps Orchestra rehearses Nov. 20, 2024 with the Technical Entertainment Crew (TEC) to prepare for the Nutcracker Spectacular. Although the orchestra plays most of the music live, TEC recorded the orchestra playing the overture for the Nutcracker Spectacular, which will be played at the beginning of the six shows, Dec. 12 to 15.

Senior Ronok Ghosal, representing the U.S. at the International AI Olympiad, receives a bronze medal in September.

AI Real World Application

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
December 5, 2024
James Spradley speaks to Susanna McConnell's first period Micro Economic class about the role recapture plays in the budget crisis Nov. 15, 2024. The board met earlier in the week Nov. 11 for a budget workshop to address the deficit and possible solutions.

Board of Trustees Holds Budget Workshop

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
November 18, 2024
Chaps orchestra performed a concert with a spooky twist Oct. 23, 2024 at the Performing Arts Center. The Halloween concert included scores from movies including Nosferatu, special performances with Chaps Theatre and Hill Country and West Ridge Middle School students and a costume contest. "The concert is such a great way to engage the whole [orchestra] community and celebrate together," junior Miranda Xu said.

A Symphony of Tricks and Treats

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
October 31, 2024
Chaps Band performs their show, Nouveau for the public Sept. 27, 2024 at the Chaparral Stadium. The band competed the week prior at the Bands of America Round Rock Regional where they placed 6th.

A New Chapter of Success

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
October 23, 2024
Senior Phoebe Lingan (front left) and junior Livia Neas (front right) pose with student staff members for a picture at Celebration 26 Sunday, Sept. 2. Lingan was the moderator for Celebration 26, while Neas was the observing moderator and will lead Celebration 27.

Youths Learn About Connecting with God at Celebration 26

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
September 18, 2024
Beyond Struggle, Beyond Grief, Beyond Expectations

Beyond Struggle, Beyond Grief, Beyond Expectations

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
September 17, 2024
New Year's Day

New Year’s Day

Kristie Min, Feature Editor
September 10, 2024
Freshmen Amber Hoffman and Catherine Browne and sophomores Caroline Leath and Sabrina Sprangle play Brahms Waltz No. 2 at Harpeque Wednesday, May 22. Along with ensemble pieces, harpists from the middle schools and high school played solos and duets.

Que the Music

Kristie Min
May 24, 2024
Seniors Lily Dennis, Giada Mennucci, and Tess Beathard perform “Glimpse of Us” at the PAC Tuesday, April 16. The piece is performed by Hyline Officers only and highlights many lyrical aspects throughout the dance.

A Record Breaking Performance

Charlotte Boren and Kristie Min
May 3, 2024
Future City Engineering team Ampere, made up of freshmen Aditya Gullapalli, Arya Gullapalli, Arnav Srinivasa and sophomore Miranda Xu, coached by Taryna Patel and Carol Reese with the first place trophy at Future City Engineering Global Finals in Washington D.C. Feb. 20, 2024. Winning the grand prize, Ampere received $3,500 for the school’s STEM program and $10,000 of scholarship money per student.

Building a Better Future

Kristie Min
April 25, 2024
Going Against the Stream

Going Against the Stream

Julianna Wolff and Kristie Min
February 28, 2024
Art students are recognized Jan. 28 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. Students entered pieces in a variety of categories including Ceramics and Glass, Drawing and Illustration, Digital Art and more.

The Key to Success

Kristie Min
February 6, 2024
Students build electric currents to power an LED light Jan. 17. Students only used coins, salt and vinegar to build them.

Learning that STEMs from peers

Kristie Min, Reporter
January 23, 2024
From the Concert Hall’s stage, junior Keith Loboprabhu dismisses the audience at the end of the assembly Nov. 10.

Honoring those who have served

Sydney Stasio, Kristie Min, and Neko Bade
November 13, 2023
Art by Sophomore Vanessa Law

Generative AI: Friend or Foe to Art?

Kristie Min
October 2, 2023
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