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

Though the AP Pre-Calculus course may be challenging in regards to self-learning, the struggle isn’t necessarily something to go through alone. According to Mrs. Hettinger, teachers are there to support students rather than intimidate them. However, students must be the ones to take the first step. “Being willing to seek outside help through coming to the teacher or during workshop is important. There’s a lot of personal responsibility involved,” she stated.
West Adds AP Pre-Calculus To Course List
Natalie Ou, Staff Writer • May 18, 2023

   Choosing classes for the upcoming school year can be one of the most methodical decisions of second semester. The catalog of questions are as endless...

JV Swimmer Shirilette Lacusong (12) aims to finish strong as she sprints down her lane for the 50-meter freestyle. With swim meet events ranging from long-distance feats like the 500 free to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 50 fly, knowing how to pace yourself is essential. Swimmers undergo intensive training throughout the entire season to build up stamina and change gears. Photo courtesy of Sally Yuguchi.
Swimming to Success
Natalie Ou, Staff Writer • May 17, 2023

  Diving into spring with an undefeated winning streak, West High’s swim team has swept through the Pioneer League’s competition this season. The team has brought home five successive wins, even...

On Tuesday March 7, Varsity Girls’ Beach Volleyball competed in their first league game of the season at Hermosa Beach 8th Street. Prior to each game, lineups are posted with three different pairs for each level: Varsity, JV, and Frosh-Soph. Each pair combined their strengths and together, compensated for any weakness after every play. After a lengthy season of Fall volleyball, these girls are determined and ready for the intense competition during Spring that Beach has to offer.
West High Dives Into Beach Volleyball
Jacob Usary, Staff Writer • May 10, 2023
From left to right: Ila Krauss (11), Hannah Takasaki (10), Cammi Merendo (10), Kaitlyn Gates (11), Molly Paulson (12), Danielle Wissler (11), and Jaden Mooney (12). Not pictured: Mia Gibson (12). WDAAM’s Lyrical performs at West Coast Elite (WCE) Dance Nationals on Friday, March 10, using the thought of the seniors’ graduation as fuel for their emotional piece. “I really want[ed] to [dedicate this piece] to this team — specifically Lyrical — to these underclassmen, and my friends,” Co-Captain and Lyrical performer Molly Paulson (12) said.  Photo courtesy of Julia Araujo (12).
WDAAM Season Concludes With National Wins
Alexssa Takeda, Co-Editor-in-Chief • April 15, 2023
West High’s All Male elicits shrieks of amazement and fear with their monster themed performance at WCE Nationals on Saturday, March 11. With their final competition quickly approaching, All-Male Captain Koshi Hashinokuchi (12) said they’re determined to conclude their season on a high note: “For MDDT Nationals, we’ll try to make it as perfect as we can. 10 times better than WCE for sure.” Photo courtesy of @westdrillandallmale on Instagram.
WDAAM Dominates at WCE Nationals
Alexssa Takeda, Co-Editor-in-Chief • March 30, 2023
Perfectly in sync, Claire Perry (12) and Amanda Bruers (10) toss their flags in a performance  titled “Medusa.” Photo courtesy of Marina Soen (12).
Flags, Rifles, and Sabres, Oh My!
Triton Prichard and Cyrilla Zhang May 17, 2023

   Although Color Guard isn’t familiar to many, it is a sport that requires just as much hard work...

In the tough game against the Torrance Tartars, Skyler Schultz (12) looks out to her teammates and is ready to work to obtain the lead and prevent the Tartars from scoring. Photo Courtesy of Skyler Schultz.
Senior Spotlight: Skyler Schultz
Ilma Patel, Staff Writer • March 13, 2023
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Though firmly embedded into AP English curriculum, timed writes can encourage rushed, single-draft essays, leaving students little opportunity for improvement in grammar conventions and professional writing.
DOes timed writing teach you how to to right correctly?
Philip Lam, Staff Writer • May 11, 2023

   Have you ever experienced this? You right vary fast during a timed write in AP Lang or AP Lit hoping...

The famous bow scene, depicted above, has become iconic in pop culture. To capture the film’s sunset, it took 8 days to shoot— while any other director would’ve called in CGI artists.
Please, Please, Go Watch Titanic
Sean Toomey, Staff Writer • March 28, 2023
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Perfectly in sync, Claire Perry (12) and Amanda Bruers (10) toss their flags in a performance  titled “Medusa.” Photo courtesy of Marina Soen (12).
Flags, Rifles, and Sabres, Oh My!
Triton Prichard and Cyrilla Zhang May 17, 2023
Japanese dancers line up to perform for West’s accepting and enthusiastic crowd. Gracie Ito (11) thought the event was great, as it gave West’s drill and all male team time “to bond with them since [they were] going to nationals together.”
West Meets Japanese Dance Teams!
Anthony Parker, Staff Writer • May 10, 2023
Within the final moments of the show, Elle Woods and Emmett Forrest (portrayed by Mia Gibson (12) and Brandon Howard (12)) are joined by the cast of West High’s 2023 spring musical, “Legally Blonde.” As Woods emerged victorious from her court case,  Gibson commented that “Legally Blonde” celebrated the importance of “self-expression, self-discovery, and growth.”
“Legally Blonde”: A Spring Musical Like No Other
Sarah Han, News Editor • May 5, 2023
The famous bow scene, depicted above, has become iconic in pop culture. To capture the film’s sunset, it took 8 days to shoot— while any other director would’ve called in CGI artists.
Please, Please, Go Watch Titanic
Sean Toomey, Staff Writer • March 28, 2023