The School Newspaper of West High School

West Signals
The School Newspaper of West High School

West Signals
The School Newspaper of West High School

West Signals
News
Indoors and masked, Adaora Enyekwe (12) meets with her fellow Yearbook editorial staff. Enyekwe, who is involved with UNICEF, Key Club, and Yearbook, has seen first-hand how COVID-19 guidelines have changed club meetings. The way Key Club has run its board meetings is to “start in the very beginning, and then leave early to have lunch.” Photo courtesy of Kaila Uyemura (12).
Lunchtime Club Meetings in a COVID World
Ashley Kim, Editor-in-Chief • October 2, 2021

   The bell rings, and within seconds, the halls fill with students fresh out of fourth period. The quads of Buildings 4 and 5 are punctuated by the...

Celebrating the Top 5 Homecoming Nominees, ASB hosted a Homecoming rally last Friday on September 24, where they announced the winners. Pictured from left to right: Elliot Kim (12), Cathy Lam (12), Garrett Eguchi (12), Leah Sullivan (12), Lindsey Park (12), Meileen Taw (12), Austin Jones (12), Robbie Murata (12), and Sanjana Ganti (12). Not pictured: Hayden Green (12). Students could vote for Homecoming King & Queen from September 27 to October 1 on Naviance.
Homecoming Top 5 Court
Rebecca Yan, Entertainment & Spotlight Editor • October 1, 2021
Last Wednesday, all clubs were gathering between buildings 3 and 4 for Club Rush. After almost two years, students got to experience Club Rush again and sign-up for different clubs.
Club Rush Makes a Comeback!
Luciana Duke, Staff Writer • September 22, 2021
A balanced diet is being served to students to keep them moving through their classes, and that is aiming to make in-person schooling more fun and less stressful.
Newsom’s Free Meals Program in California: How Effective Is It?
Anika Agarwal, Staff Writer, Staff Photographer • September 16, 2021
Science teachers’ expensive supplies typically get replaced periodically. However, because of COVID-19, many materials bought for the 2020 school year have expired, leading some science teachers to find another way to fund their classes.
Test Tubes and Mushrooms: Science Labs at West
Sarah Han, Staff Writer • September 15, 2021
Mr. Phelps works with students at home while those in-person are reading an article on the topic of discussion. With some students being at home, teachers are trying to do most in-class activities online so that students both in-person and at home can get the same experience.
We're Back...On Zoom?
Luciana Duke, Staff Writer • September 14, 2021
Sports
Varsity Football takes a knee minutes before the game, receiving words of encouragement from their coach. “Youll be fifteen years down the line and youll remember that one Homecoming game … when you have kids you will be able to tell them how it was for you,” Varsity player Juan Garcia (12) joyfully said.
Last Homecoming Game for the Class of 2022
Luciana Duke, Staff Writer • October 13, 2021

   Loud chants, colorful banners, and excited students: the West High community gathered at Fred Peterson Stadium on Friday, October 1st, 2021 for the Homecoming football game. It was definitely a night...

Sports everywhere have felt the hit of the pandemic. In the larger wrestling world, masking and protection are required as shown. Until the pandemic is over, this will be the norm. Photo courtesy of Sean Simmers on pennlive.com
COVID and Wrestling
Sophia Yoshimura, Staff Writer • October 8, 2021
Brilliantly Shooting the ball, Boys Varsity Water Polo senior Tyler Reed (12) scores a point for his team in a heated battle against Culver City. Reed plays club water polo in addition to highschool water polo and this season, all those hours of dedication are paying off. Not only is he a valuable player, but according to Ian Noe (9), “he always acts like a team leader” and “brings positive energy to the team.”
Athlete of the Week: Tyler Reed
Sullivan Kolakowski, Staff Photographer • October 7, 2021
Charging through a poster, West High’s Varsity football team arrives in style to the first football game of the season. On August 27th, West High welcomed hundreds of spectators and Culver City’s football team to Fred Peterson Stadium. Linebacker and receiver #22 Elias Overstreet (11) described the excitement of running out on the field: “It was like adrenaline because I knew it was game time.”
West Football Season Kicks Off with Excitement
Lauren Ng, Sports & Opinion Editor • September 14, 2021
Fiercely spiking the volleyball, opposite Abby Witzansky (11) gives Vistamar’s Girls’ Volleyball team a run for their money. Witzansky is a worthy opponent this volleyball season with 160 kills in 10 games. She said the best part about volleyball is “how fast the game is,” and that she loves “competition and winning.”
Athlete of the Week: Abby Witzansky
Kate Phan, Staff Writer • September 14, 2021
For the West High Girls’ Tennis Team, First Serve was an event filled to the brim with suspenseful games. During their first set, Sarah Han (11) and Jasmin Cuaresma (11) played to a tiebreaker against Rosemead. “It was super stressful, but we were still proud of ourselves since we put up a fight,” Cuaresma said.
West High Girls’ Tennis Team Victorious at First Serve
Elise Fauni, Staff Writer • September 14, 2021
Spotlight
FCA (Fellowship of Chrsitian Athletes) met for the first time in person last Thursday to have fellowship and build relationships with one another. They played games, ate food, and listened to a message by a leader. Photo courtesy of Eva Brandt.
Club Feature: FCA and Young Life
Sarah Han, Staff Writer • October 13, 2021

   The best thing about school is the community that comes with it ― whether students find their...

Both Future Health Professionals (HOSA) and American Red Cross are designed to aid students hoping to go into medical fields by providing education and activities. People like Catbagan and our community servers are proof of those efforts.
Meet West's Future Health Experts!
Sophia Yoshimura, Staff Writer • October 11, 2021
Handing out fliers, shouting out to students, and holding up signs, TCAA and VSA use their opportunity at Club Rush to attract new members. Now that students are back in person, clubs like these can finally resume activities as usual. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wang (11) and Vanessa Le (12).
Club Spotlight: Taiwanese Chinese American Association and Vietnamese Student Association
Cyrilla Zhang, Staff Writer • October 8, 2021
Brilliantly Shooting the ball, Boys Varsity Water Polo senior Tyler Reed (12) scores a point for his team in a heated battle against Culver City. Reed plays club water polo in addition to highschool water polo and this season, all those hours of dedication are paying off. Not only is he a valuable player, but according to Ian Noe (9), “he always acts like a team leader” and “brings positive energy to the team.”
Athlete of the Week: Tyler Reed
Sullivan Kolakowski, Staff Photographer • October 7, 2021
  • West High School
    13
    La Sierra
    8
    Oct 16 / Boys Varsity Water Polo
  • West High School
    6
    Sage Hill
    14
    Oct 16 / Boys Varsity Water Polo
  • West High School
    0
    Lawndale
    34
    Oct 15 / Varsity Football
  • West High School
    221
    Redondo Union
    217
    Oct 14 / Girls Varsity Golf
  • West High School
    6
    El Segundo
    20
    Oct 14 / Boys Varsity Water Polo
  • West High School
    3
    North Torrance
    1
    Oct 13 / Girls Varsity Volleyball
  • West High School
    2
    El Segundo
    8
    Oct 12 / Girls Junior Varsity Tennis
  • West High School
    7
    Torrance
    5
    Oct 12 / Boys Varsity Water Polo
  • West High School
    224
    Redondo Union
    227
    Oct 12 / Girls Varsity Golf
  • West High School
    3
    El Segundo
    15
    Oct 12 / Girls Varsity Tennis
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Opinion
​​Bringing the club back to West High after a one-year hiatus, GSA/SAGE board members promise a safe, judgement-free space for LGBTQ students in school. ICC Representative Rachel Pham (11) encourages LGBTQ students of West High to join: “SAGE creates an environment for those who need to connect with people that are in similar situations. Fellow LGBTQIA+ students can help each other out by joining!” Photo courtesy of Bethany Shim (11).
Creating LGBTQ Safe Spaces in Schools
Elise Fauni, Staff Writer • October 13, 2021

   Every first and third Friday of the month, dozens of students fill Room 3204 of West High to the...

COVID-19 vaccines have been a controversial topic among many school districts. TUSD has taken steps to track down student vaccine records without mandating that students must be fully vaccinated, and contact tracing has been strictly enforced to make sure that the COVID-19 virus does not shut down TUSD schools again. TUSD has required mask-wearing in all indoor settings and social distancing, which has helped tremendously with COVID-19 cases in TUSD schools. Students and parents anxiously anticipate the day when schools will return to normal; but whether we take that first step of vaccinating all students is for TUSD to decide.
Implementing COVID-19 Mandates Could Truncate the Pandemic
Anika Agarwal, Staff Writer, Staff Photographer • October 1, 2021
Right after her 16th birthday, Paityn Yamasaki (10) made it a priority to get vaccinated. She explained how getting a vaccine is a simple procedure: “It’s a very easy process and can go by quickly depending on how busy they are. Make sure to bring your school ID and birth certificate so they can identify you.”
Why Students Should Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
Lauren Ng, Sports & Opinion Editor • April 25, 2021
Asian American hate is not new. And with the normalization of abusive and racist comments and stereotypes, its become harder and harder to recognize racism and hate. But hatred has no place in this country. Now is the time to embrace our differences, not turn them down. So speak out, make your voice heard, and educate yourself.
Enough is Enough
Shrutika Ezhil, Staff Writer • April 2, 2021
Keep up with the latest
Entertainment
West High, the host of the SBI Battle of the Bands, brought together bands from all over the South Bay to start off their marching band season.
West Wins Third in the Battle of the Bands
Cyrilla Zhang, Staff Writer • October 13, 2021
Preparing for this year’s Fall play, Play Production members Taylor Gulbrandsen (11), Jade Leone (11), and Natalia Torres (11) study their lines as they prepare for rehearsal. “I’m excited to have an in person audience,” Leone expressed. “It’s been a while since we have been able to have people watch [the plays] in person!” West students, staff, and families will be able to enjoy the show live in the West High Performing Arts Center on November 18, 19, and 20.
A Closer Look Into Play Production
Elise Fauni, Staff Writer • September 21, 2021
Ending the school year with a Spring Show, West’s Dance Department put on a marvelous performance that left a profound and meaningful impact on the virtual audience. A member of Advanced Dance and one of the Teacher Assistants for Beginning Dance, Hanna Blair (12) expressed how “Intermediates hip hop brought an instant smile to my face while the Advanced senior soloists brought me to tears.
WHS Dance Puts Their Heart and Soul Into Spring Show “20-21 And Done!”
Lauren Ng, Sports & Opinion Editor • May 7, 2021
Netflix Documentary “Seaspiracy” tackles the controversial fish market and the impact it has on the world’s oceans. The fishing industry is accused of wiping out fish in the sea, destroying habitats, and illegally hunting for whales. The filmmakers have expressed a desire to save the oceans from the fishing industry, but they have also come under fire for presenting a sensationalized version of the truth.
On Demand: Seaspiracy Takeaways
Shrutika Ezhil, Staff Writer • April 30, 2021
Visual
COVID-19 vaccines have been a controversial topic among many school districts. TUSD has taken steps to track down student vaccine records without mandating that students must be fully vaccinated, and contact tracing has been strictly enforced to make sure that the COVID-19 virus does not shut down TUSD schools again. TUSD has required mask-wearing in all indoor settings and social distancing, which has helped tremendously with COVID-19 cases in TUSD schools. Students and parents anxiously anticipate the day when schools will return to normal; but whether we take that first step of vaccinating all students is for TUSD to decide.
Science teachers’ expensive supplies typically get replaced periodically. However, because of COVID-19, many materials bought for the 2020 school year have expired, leading some science teachers to find another way to fund their classes.
Charging through a poster, West High’s Varsity football team arrives in style to the first football game of the season. On August 27th, West High welcomed hundreds of spectators and Culver City’s football team to Fred Peterson Stadium. Linebacker and receiver #22 Elias Overstreet (11) described the excitement of running out on the field: “It was like adrenaline because I knew it was game time.”
Fiercely spiking the volleyball, opposite Abby Witzansky (11) gives Vistamar’s Girls’ Volleyball team a run for their money. Witzansky is a worthy opponent this volleyball season with 160 kills in 10 games. She said the best part about volleyball is “how fast the game is,” and that she loves “competition and winning.”
For the West High Girls’ Tennis Team, First Serve was an event filled to the brim with suspenseful games. During their first set, Sarah Han (11) and Jasmin Cuaresma (11) played to a tiebreaker against Rosemead. “It was super stressful, but we were still proud of ourselves since we put up a fight,” Cuaresma said.
West High students made their way to their classrooms on the first day of school. Recalling the exhilaration, Isis Kim (10) said, “I was so excited to meet my friends I haven’t seen in a year!”
An early start, freshman students make their way to their first periods in West High’s Building Five, ready for learning. Finding their classes is a breeze after already having a few days of instruction.
West High’s Summer Workshops will offer five different enrichment opportunities on campus for students between mid-June and early August. Theater Director Ms. Orabuena encourages students to give her workshop a try “if you think you might want to be involved or you just want to come back to school and have fun for a couple weeks.”
West High School
20401 Victor St.
Torrance, CA
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