Mental fatigue, overconsumption of short-form content, and drastic changes in attention span— if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, I am sorry to report that you have the condition “brain rot.” Brain rot is the common slang term accounting for the daily overconsumption of seemingly shallow, mindless content for the sake of entertainment. With the rise of social media, countless...

   The Grammys. A giant awards ceremony celebrating the monumental achievements of musical talents. On February 2, 2025, this year’s Grammy Awards Celebration was a large milestone for the music industry. It showcased a reflection of 2024 and the artists making it so great.     The Grammy Awards, initially introduced in 1959, were formed to annually recognize major achievements within the...

   Since President Trump’s recent reelection, American citizens have been bombarded by bold new policies. From mass deportations, attempts to end birthright citizenship, and tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, economic and social welfare concerns have spread everywhere in merely 2 months. Consequently, it is vital to understand President Trump’s recent actions and their potential...

     Luck, fortunes, and success — the festivities of Saint Patrick’s Day on the 17th of March are dedicated to such qualities, with tales of leprechauns and shamrocks throughout the festive season. With the concept of luck eagerly discussed throughout the holiday season, people may be struck with the question: what is luck, and what does it mean for this holiday?     Saint Patrick’s...

   The opening notes of “Turning Page” by Sleeping at Last pacified the Friday night crowd’s screams and cheers. It introduced a serene contemporary dance choreographed by Advanced dancer Karina Amezcua (12). Her dance kickstarted the electrifying dance show that was “Dance Army,” West High Dance Department’s awaited January show. “Dance Army” consisted of performances by Advanced,...

So, it’s another one of those leadership things?”    The prospect of applying to Kizuna Leadership in Action during the fall semester of my junior year wasn’t a thrilling one. Between academic coursework and my desire for restful weekends, committing to a ten-week program with a 90-minute long commute to Little Tokyo seemed completely out of the question. In the days leading up to my first...

   To use the common cliche, the ability to “think outside the box” is highly prized as an integral part for the development of independent thinking. Despite this, West High’s educational curriculum seems to place a far greater value on churning out an elusive 6/6 score on timed writes than encouraging the growth of creative writing styles outside the conventional grading system. This begs...