West needs more resources for mental health
Dear Editor
Recently, I spoke with my school counselor, Mrs. Meilinger, about how students have been feeling this year. She shared that toward the end of the school year, she sees the biggest number of students coming in for mental health. A lot of it has to do with the stress that builds up from finals, grades, and pressure from outside of school. Hearing that made me realize how serious this issue really is at Greeley West High School.
A current issue at Greeley West High school is the growing concern about mental health and safety. Many students are feeling overwhelmed by academic pressure, social media, and peer expectations. While our school works hard to create a positive environment, stress and anxiety are still affecting a lot of students.
The issue matters because when students struggle mentally, it affects their learning and overall school experience. Students who feel anxious or unsafe may have trouble focusing in class, participating in activities, or even coming to school. A healthy school environment is important for personal growth and academic success
Around finals week, especially, more students seem exhausted and burned out. Based on what Mrs. Meilinger shared, it’s clear that many students are quietly struggling. Providing more access to counselors, offering stress- management, and creating a safe space for students to talk could make a real difference in our community.
Greeley West is a good place to go for education. With more resources for mental health and more safe places kids can feel safe to talk in, Greeley West High School will only become better.
Vida Romero
11th Grader
Black History Month should be celebrated in more meaningful ways
Dear Editor,
I am responding to “STUCO helps celebrate Black History Month” by Sophia Tijerina on February 18, 2026. I think it is good that Greeley West High School students helped organize activities for Black History Month. Events like this show leadership and school spirit.
However, I believe Black History Month should include more classroom discussions, not just activities during one month. Learning about important Black leaders and their impact should be part of our regular lessons. This would help students understand why the month matters.
In my English class, we briefly talked about Black authors, but it only lasted one class period. I remember feeling interested and wanting to learn more. According to Census.gov/quickfacts, only 2.6% of Greeley’s population is Black, but that does not mean their history is less important. Even in a smaller community like ours, representation can make students feel seen and respected.
As a 10th grade student at Greeley West, I hope our school can continue improving how we recognize Black History Month in meaningful ways throughout February. At Greeley West High School, Black History Month could be recognized by having morning announcements about Black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., inviting guest speakers, adding short classroom lessons about the Civil Rights Movement, and creating library or hallway displays about Black history.
Thank you,
Khoa Tran,
10th Grader
Tardy sweep policy is unfair
Dear Editor:
On February 25, West began a new tardy sweep policy. If a student is late they must report to the commons for a pass and to be given a consequence.
I strongly disagree with this new reality because there are times where being late could not be the students fault. For example if a city bus is running late that shouldn’t affect students or there are some students that either have to wait for their siblings to get dropped off or they have to drop off their siblings or simply some students have to find a ride.
I feel like the discipline for being late should not be the way it is. Students should still be let in class even if they are late as they still need their education and being late should not be affecting students’ education. I feel like this is a way to get students to not go to school at all. I feel like students know if they come in late they will get a discipline they don’t want to come in at all. In my opinion, I feel like if this rule continues students will relentlessly skip class. In my opinion I feel like this new policy is unfair and if the school continues with this policy we should at least get longer passing periods so it’s less likely for students to be late. An example would be on Mondays where I have Welding 3rd in the agriculture hallway and after for 4th I have English in the English hallway. I always arrive late to class because the hallways are so full but the time I get across the school to English is already late. I suggest making passing periods longer, giving students more to get to class on time without having to push and shove other people in the way. I also think the policy should not apply in the mornings as the mornings could be unpredictable. As a student, I don’t like this policy and it also doesn’t motivate me to go to class if I know I’m going to get a consequence if I get there a little late.
Sincerely,
Yahaira Ortiz
11th Grader
Hoping to see more school pride without obnoxious comments
To the Editor.
In your article “Student section maintains pride despite complaints” I want to talk about the rude comments that the “Anonymous teacher” reported at the school event. Obviously, name calling, inappropriate language, and offensive gestures aren’t exactly allowed at school events. But at sports events, people can get wild. I’m not perfect. At my uncle’s school hockey game two years ago, me and my family celebrated our uncle’s win in a very competitive crowd.
Regarding your newspaper about student pride at sporting events, or at school assemblies at all, I want to talk on how students are often held back by their peers to show true school pride at events and in school assemblies, such as hesitating to shout whenever teachers come up to the graded bleachers, or when people don’t clap. I had just read this days ago, and it had me thinking about our last assembly, how some sections had no life in them and others were immersed in the event. I’m proud of my school and its spirit, and I’m happy that these students were able to show school pride despite the rude remarks. I’m hoping here that we see more school pride at events without the rude comments to keep our slate clean and our spirits high.
With utmost gratitude,
Hatzlan Mixcoatl Rodriguez
11th Grader
Letters to the editor, guest columns, and story ideas are accepted in Room A107 by anyone in the Greeley West community – students, graduates, faculty, parents, etc. Letters must be 300 words or less. You may submit letters or feedback to dfalter@greeleyschools. Opinions expressed on the Viewpoints page are those of the editorialist and are not those of the West Word, Greeley West High School, District 6, or its faculty and staff.
