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

With over 12 million copies sold, Hogwarts Legacy is one of the top selling video games on the P.C. distributing platform Steam. With the open-world fantasy costing $59.99, there has been renewed debate as to how much of the sales goes toward J. K. Rowling. Emerging as a prominent social reactionary within recent years, Rowling has faced sweeping condemnation for her views widely deemed as transphobic. The release begs two questions: how might Rowlings presence have impacted the game, and what might this say about its consumers?

No, Buying Hogwarts Legacy Doesn’t (Necessarily) Make You a Bigot

Philip Lam, Staff Writer March 3, 2023

   Ever since its Feb. 10 release, the open-world fantasy video game Hogwarts Legacy has sold over 12 million copies and generated over $850 million in global revenue amid controversies surrounding J. K. Rowling, creator of the beloved Harry Potter...

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The inaccurate portrayal of  romantic ideals and healthy relationships normalized on-screen can have detrimental effects on impressionable demographics.

Soured Valentines: How Media Misconceptions Can Leave Viewers With a Warped Sense of Romance

Natalie Ou, Staff Writer February 22, 2023

   When it comes to romance, our first thoughts are typically chocolate valentines, walks on the beach, and cringe-worthy rom-coms. On the screen, the sun always seems to shine on picnic dates and adorable stuffed animals. However, reality can be far...

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According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), every packaged food is required to have nutritional information published on the package. Kelly Brown (10) stated that wrestlers take great importance of nutritional labels: “We choose what we eat based on our calorie intake.”

Are Calorie Labels Lying to You?

Anthony Parker, Staff Writer February 8, 2023

   Nutrition labels can be found on nearly all packaged foods. Many people who strive to be healthy pay close attention to the nutritional information on food packaging. It may even be a factor in deciding whether they eat specific foods. What if these...

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Though he’s no stranger to controversy, Andrew Tate’s latest rise to fame in 2022 raises relevant concern to the development and views of young men and individuals under his influence. Enticed by his exploding charisma, self-help advice, and astonishing views on male supremacy, this self-made multi-millionaire, former kickboxing world champion, and media personality was able to rake in millions of fans, online supporters, and dollars.

Who Andrew Tate Really Is

Sean Toomey, Staff Writer January 12, 2023

   Late into the night on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, Romanian authorities arrested social media influencer Emory Andrew Tate. Among his charges were six counts of human trafficking and one count of rape.     The arrest concludes the latest chapter...

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Though Thanksgiving is normally seen as a time of joy and celebration, AP World History Teacher Ms. Hignight believes that it should be a solemn time of reflection due to the problematic history behind it. Despite this, she believes that it doesn’t make Thanksgiving any less of a time to be grateful.

Myth-Busting the Origins of Thanksgiving— and the Problematic History Behind It

Natalie Ou, Staff Writer November 30, 2022

   When students imagine Thanksgiving, the thoughts of turkey, squash, and a week-long break inevitably come to mind. The appeal of stuffing yourself with roasted turkey and drinking holiday season special Starbucks drinks is an inviting one, even more...

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West students celebrate the school’s annual Homecoming dance, an event tied to the decades-old tradition of Homecoming King and Queen. Photo courtesy of Marina Soen (12).

Homecoming Court and LGBTQ Inclusivity

Eli Fauni, Opinion Editor November 16, 2022

Every year high school students await homecoming season to nominate their peers for the much anticipated court. Students involved in school activities like sports, clubs, and leadership race for the chance at the titles of Homecoming King and Queen. But...

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In order to prepare for the SAT and ACT, many students purchase prep guides and workbooks, dedicating precious time to studying in hopes of scoring well on these standardized tests. Test prep was once a universal part of the high school experience: The SAT and ACT were previously regarded as absolutely necessary for anyone going to college. It would take six years and a global pandemic to change the test’s mandatory status.

Me, Personally, I Wouldn’t Take That (the SAT and ACT)

Sean Toomey, Staff Writer November 16, 2022

After nearly 60 years, the University of California has decided to stop requiring SAT scores in its admissions process. Good.     The writing was on the walls. For years, talk of a "test-blind" world rumbled in board meetings and classrooms, bolstered...

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The Little Mermaid is a Disney classic, a household name with a special place in popular culture. Its live action remake, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel, is being criticized heavily for using a Black woman to portray Ariel. However, there are also many that say that her skin color does not detract from the value of the source material.

Disney’s Casting Controversy Over “The Little Mermaid” Live Action Remake- and the Racism Rooted Behind It

Natalie Ou, Staff Writer November 7, 2022

   Disney movies are a beloved staple for many children across the globe. The beautifully hand-drawn animations, charming characters and comedically wicked villains have won the hearts of millions across America, with their influence being spread to...

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As the summer heat simmers, fall drinks come back to play. Pumpkin spiced lattes and all classic seasonal fall flavors are welcomed back as winter waits its turn.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

Bella Levinson, Staff Writer & Photographer September 21, 2022

Starting on August 30, the most wonderful time of the year returns. No, I am not talking about Christmas; Pumpkin Spice Season is back! Saying goodbye to summer and hello to autumn, the pumpkin spice drinks are officially back in action. After a long...

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Consumers wrestle with the reality that, while buying from fast fashion companies may offset costs, the industry is corrupted by humanitarian and environmental issues.

Paying the Price of Fast Fashion

Alexssa Takeda, Co-Editor-in-Chief May 7, 2022

  The breathtaking lands of Chile’s Atacama Desert, known for towering volcanoes, stretching sands, and limitless skies, are corrupted by pollution. Dunes of discarded clothes pile high, looming at around 39 thousand tons. This is only a fraction...

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Masked and distanced students take notes in Mr. Collins’ Biology class as he presents a lesson. Just because Omicron hit its peak, it doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet: Masks should still be on and distancing regulations should still be in effect. The sooner we all cooperate, the sooner that classes can return to normal.

The Challenge of Teaching in a Pandemic

Sophia Yoshimura, Staff Writer February 18, 2022

   For two years now, our teachers have faced extreme pressure and changes that no employee of their importance should have to endure. We know this issue originates from the pandemic, and all the circumstances that came with it: for some this included...

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As cases spike due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, many are wondering whether or not schools should stay home. However, cases will continue rising unless school goes back online, and student voices fight against staying open. Dominic Disloquez (11) commented, “I understand that education is important but this is one of the worst times for COVID, and there are too many families that are suffering from this.”

Should We Go Back Online?

Sarah Han, News Editor February 15, 2022

   There’s nothing I can say about the pandemic you haven’t heard before. I never want to hear the words “unprecedented” or “new normal” ever again. At this point, we’re all sick of it. Even still, the number of cases are rising and COVID...

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