The last of the dynasty for now…
A Freshman, an art teacher and a senior walk into high school..what do they all have in common?
“Owen represents a new generation of West kids who are more inclusive than ever.” — Noah Aanestad
Owen Aanestad ’22 looks ahead at this year attending West High differently than other students because, since the 1980’s, there’s been a constant stream of Aanestad attending West. Owen Aanestad ‘22 will be the last..for now.
For Aanestad, his family legacy is tied with being a student at West High due to his father’s position in the Art Department and all five relatives attending West since the 1980s.
“Owen is like the Chicago Bulls in ‘98,” Noah said. “It’s an end of a great dynasty of basketball. For us, it’s the ending of generations at West.”
Owen is prideful of the school, and it shows. He’s attended every football game since he can remember, his whole closet is decked out with green and gold merchandise and Aanestad always brags about West High to others.
“If you were to go to rural Iowa, you would understand how good the education is at West,” he said.
“My grandparents know every faculty member who has stepped here since forever,” Owen said. “My dad is close friends with former faculty member Mitch Gross; we helped him canvass to be a councilman.” The Aanestads have a history of being involved with the local community, and it roots from his grandpa owning a construction company. Formerly known as “Aanestad Construction” Grandpa Aanestad has owned a construction company and it was used to help the community by charging a fair price.
Besides the last name tied with the dynasty, Owen also wants to make a difference at West High the way his parents have being a teacher and working in hospice care. Owen wants to become an athletic trainer, and he, like his family, is inspired by his grandpa to go into a profession that helps people in need.
“My grandpa owned a construction company, and would always charge his clients a really steady price,” Owen said, “It’s not about the money, in the long run, it’s about the friendships one makes.”
Owen’s has thrown the leather ball before he could read or write and looks up to his grandpa as a hero since he played baseball in the Minor Leagues. “If I had a dream team my grandpa would be on it…he’s blind in one eye now, but he can still do things like drive. I would want him in his prime, I look up to him,” Owen said. Owen has a lot to live up to and wants to follow the tradition after college coming back to Iowa City and starting his life just like his dad. “Iowa City is a great place to live and raise kids, unlike other places, Iowa City has a spark.”
