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

The manleaders work together to lift several of their teammates into the air during the halftime show of the Powderpuff game. In spite of their short training period of mere weeks, the manleaders did not fail to deliver on their promise of an entertaining and impressive performance that kept the crowd invigorated.

Flying High at Powderpuff

Alexandra Arnold, Staff Writer March 8, 2024

   Doubtlessly, the Powderpuff game was an event eagerly anticipated by many West students as the highlight of this year’s winter rally. Featuring solely seniors, the Powderpuff players were split into two teams: the Pink Pancakes and the Maroon...

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The Theatre Department’s 2023 fall musical “Changing Keys” was performed Wednesday, Nov. 15 to Friday, Nov. 17.

Changing Keys: A Fall Musical!

Alexandra Arnold, Staff Writer March 8, 2024

   When people attend a West High theater production, they can always expect the promise of a wonderful time. And the theater department’s 2023 fall musical “Changing Keys” certainly delivered. After auditions early in the school year, practices...

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The movie stub of The Boy and the Heron. Acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement to make this movie, but was it any good?

Miyazaki’s New Movie, Marvelous or Maddening?

Christian Robledo, Staff Writer March 1, 2024

Hayao Miyazaki is an acclaimed director for the Japanese film company Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli has made many great films that are arguably better than most Disney movies. In 2013, Miyazaki discussed his retirement plans after making the film The Wind...

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The Surprising History Behind Valentine’s Day

Alexandra Arnold, Staff Writer February 26, 2024

Although many of us now associate Valentine’s Day with red roses, chocolates, and oversized teddy bears, the holiday actually has much different, much darker origins- and has changed dramatically over history. Which begs the question; how has a day...

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The phrase “May the odds be ever in your favor” is one of the most well-known Hunger Games sayings, and in the original movies became a means of mocking the Capitol, like depicted above.

Snow Lands On Top

Alexandra Arnold, Staff Writer January 8, 2024

It’s a somewhat rare occurrence when a sequel, let alone a prequel centered around the backstory of an especially despised villain, lives up to the thrill and excitement of seeing the original film for the first time. It’s extremely difficult to reignite...

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On Friday, Oct. 20, participants pose right before being soaked on the second day of the event. Senior Soak was a great way for ASB not only to raise money but also to promote camaraderie between students. From left to right: Sena Kobayashi (12), Kostadinos Loukatos (12), Cameron O’Neil (12), Aeonn Rubi (12), Micah Taw (12), Darren Chang (12), Ryan McBride (12), Isaac Sanles (12). Photo courtesy of Jordan Seiler (12).

West High’s First Ever Senior Soak

Joshua Lee, Staff Writer December 12, 2023

  In Oct. 2023, West High held its first-ever Senior Soak. This new excursion was planned out by West’s ASB, in which  students paid money to dunk volunteers with different-sized water buckets for three days.  Both the “soakers” and the “soaked”...

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Entrance to The Last of Us attraction in the lower lot of Universal Studios. One of the park’s most popular attractions, so be prepared for a long line!

A Survival Guide to Halloween Horror Nights

Jackson Mancilla, Staff Writer November 12, 2023

With Halloween just around the corner, there’s a big chance that West High students will be heading down to Universal Studios Hollywood to celebrate Halloween Horror Nights. Horror Nights is an annual tradition in which the popular theme park is decorated...

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A picture of the Homecoming Court Top 15 (from left to right, top): Aeonn Rubi, Kostadinos Loukatos, Cameron O’Neil, Darren Chang, Haruto Asami, Isaac Sanles, Jackson Mancilla,  Jonathan Valot, Kainalu Barricklow, Lawrence Pong, Micah Taw, Noa Wada, Philip Lam, Sean Toomey, and Saul Hernandez. Bottom: Aastha Kashyap, Amaya Sanles, Avery White, Chloe Kang, Danielle Wissler, Maddy Heineman, Gracie Ito, Karsen-Reese Takenaka, Cyrilla Zhang, Masami Fumimoto, Sadie Hopkins, Richa Thakre, Simran Bhattacharya, Tiffani Yoshimura, and Yumiko Kasai. Nominee Chang said, “I do not think I will become Homecoming King but I’m also fine with that because I feel like there are other people who are more deserving of that title.”

The 2023 Homecoming Court

Katelyn Baba, Staff Writer October 21, 2023

Eyes On Them: The Homecoming Top 15    On Friday, October 6, the entire student body of West High gathered in the gym for the annual Homecoming Rally. The seats in the gym transformed into seas of purple, blue, green, and red while the main event...

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After a bitterly fought one hundred and forty-eight day long strike, the strike is officially over. The new labor agreement is going to be set to an official vote October 2 through October 9 for WGA members to ratify. With writers officially cleared to return to work, the future of studio writers is looking considerably up.

WGA Strike Officially Ends

Alexandra Arnold, Staff Writer October 15, 2023

   Whether you’re an avid follower of recent news or not, you’ve likely heard of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike that began May 2, precipitated after negotiations between writers and major Hollywood studios for a new labor contract failed....

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Members of the SAG-AFTRA march to support the WGA on strike. Many workers can be seen walking together in peaceful protest. Some of the subjects of conflict are portrayed on the signs waved by the marching protesters.
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times

2023 Hollywood Strike Delaying Popular Films, What’s Behind It All?

Joshua Lee, Staff Writer September 18, 2023

  On May 2, the WGA went on strike over an advancing labor protest against the AMPTP, the entertainment industry’s trade association of executives and lawyers that manage contracts. Barely two months later on July 14, the actors’ Union SAG-AFTRA...

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Ready at a moment’s notice, West High’s Advanced Dance team holds their stance in preparation to dance to SZA, Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem’s “Family Ties,” a performance dedicated to their family and friends who had supported their dance journey throughout their years.

West’s Dance Department Dazzles at May Showcase

Natalie Ou, Sports Editor July 7, 2023

Awash with indigo light against a heavy blue-draped curtain, the Performing Arts Center roared to life as the curtains lifted to present West High’s Dance Department from May 4 to 6. With performances from all levels of dance — as well as a segment...

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) is one of the hottest topics of conversation. Mario’s status as such an integral pop culture character has led to intense scrutiny about the movie’s quality, but has since received generally positive reviews.

Critics Smash The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Anthony Parker, Entertainment & News Editor May 23, 2023

   On April 5, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” hit theaters with an overall mixed response. Critics slammed the movie for multiple issues, whilst audiences praised it for its unique take on the Mario series. It recently became the highest grossing...

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