









Isabelle Gelles — Central Michigan University — Music Education
Lucian Hentschel — Central Michigan University — Horn Performance
Jonathan Kirby — Interlochen Arts Academy 13th Year Program — Vocal Performance
Tayen Petoskey — Central Michigan University — Music Education
Sebastian Pickard — Northwestern Michigan College — Saxophone Performance
Luke Shumaker — Western Michigan University — Vocal Performance
Kate Zuidersma — Eastern Michigan University — Vocal Performance
Special thanks to the TC Music Boosters for organizing this event and celebrating these outstanding students! Congratulations graduates!







Reminder: There is no school today, Monday, May 25.


Mrs. Brisbois’s class traded their desks for the great outdoors on an exciting field trip to the Environmental Nature Center (ENC)! 🦅🎒
Our students became real-world scientists as they explored the trails, learned about local wildlife, and discovered the beauty of nature firsthand. From studying native plants to observing habitats up close, it was an unforgettable day of hands-on learning.
A huge thank you to the fantastic naturalists at ENC for guiding us, and to our wonderful chaperones who helped make this day possible!
Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the day! 👇📸
#FieldTrip #NatureIsCalling #HandsOnLearning #OutdoorEducation #ClassroomAdventures #ENCOutdoors









Please join us in celebrating three incredibly talented Traverse City West High School students who have been recognized in the 2026 National Writers Series Awards!
Not only did these students place at the national level, but all three of their pieces will be published in the upcoming National Writers Series Literary Journal. 📖✨
Here are the amazing writers making us Titan Proud:
Tess Tarchak-Hiss – 1st Place, Journalism. Tess won the prestigious Judith Lange Journalism Scholarship ($1,000) for her powerful piece, "We Need to Talk About the Lack of Eating Disorder Treatment Up North." (Bonus: Her work was also featured in the Northern Express!) https://www.northernexpress.com/news/feature/lack-of-eating-disorder-treatment-up-north/
Ava Hickman – 2nd Place, Nonfiction, for her deeply moving piece, "The Night 6 Years Ago."
Elijah Wynn – Honorable Mention, Poetry, for his beautifully crafted poem, "Widow of the Pecos (B Minor)."
Read the winning submissions here: https://nationalwritersseries.org/raising-writers/scholarships/2026-scholarship-winners/
#TCWest #TitanPride #NationalWritersSeries #StudentWriters #TCAPS Proud




Huge congratulations to Karlee Tenbusch of TC West Senior High for being named a 2026 Outstanding Educator! Selected from a pool of peer and community nominations across five counties, Karlee is being recognized for her incredible dedication to student success and excellence in the classroom. In addition to being an amazing social studies teacher, Karlee's work as the Global Communities advisor and Occidentalist advisor have supported our students in making an impact throughout our community. Karlee also sits on the board of the National Writer's Series. This prestigious honor is a partnership between North Ed, Traverse Connect, and TBA Credit Union.
Join the Celebration! Want to cheer Karlee on? The awards ceremony is open to the public.
When: Wednesday, June 3 @ 6:30 p.m.
Where: City Opera House, Traverse City

The May 2026 edition of TCAPS District News is officially live! 🗞️✨
Stay connected with the latest stories, student highlights, and important updates from across our schools.
Mobile Version: 📱https://itl.ink/DistrictNewsMay26
Desktop & Print Version: 💻 https://aptg.co/YbKds7
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools




Big congratulations are in order for our incredible students! We are beyond proud to celebrate the Traverse City West Senior High students who earned a spot on the Northwestern Michigan College Dean’s List for Fall 2025.
Balancing high school life while excelling in college-level courses is no small feat. These students have shown incredible dedication, grit, and academic excellence.
Take a moment to scroll through the names and celebrate these hard-working Titans!


Our Staff Appreciation Week was a resounding success, and we couldn't have done it without the incredible generosity of our community. From delicious treats to thoughtful gifts, our teachers and staff felt truly celebrated and valued.
We would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to the parents, families, and local businesses who donated their time, resources, and products to make this week so special. Your kindness reminds us why TC West is such a wonderful place to work and learn.

