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

Varsity field player Leo Garrison (9) handles the ball and scans the pool. West’s loss in last week’s match against Milken Community was largely due to a lack of communication in the pool as well as two dominating players on the opposing team. Despite losing, West continued to play and fight hard until the game was finished. Photo courtesy of David Ventura.

Boys Water Polo Ramp Up the 2023 Fall Season

Joshua Lee, Staff Writer September 20, 2023

   Contrary to what many people may believe, water polo is one of the most physically demanding sports. It is challenging because it requires extreme endurance and full-body engagement. Fortunately for West, the Boys' Water Polo team is ready to ramp...

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Even as a high school student, Kira Erikson (11) (right) has made  a name for herself in the fencing world. Training from a young age, Erikson dedicated herself to daily practices, always pushing herself to improve. Photo courtesy of Kira Erikson (11).

Kira Erikson: A Fencing Star at West

Jacob Usary and Sarah Han June 7, 2023

   Although West High is home to a variety of sports, it does not have a fencing team. Still, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t talented fencers at West. In fact, there is a current West High student, notable for her highly decorated fencing career:...

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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, Sports Editor 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 in the face of howling winds and heavy downpours.    JV...

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Sophomore Shannon Gilman (10) leads off the line, handing the baton off to Caden Matsumoto (10), finishing Mondy’s 4x100 meter relay race with a first place win on March 20. The Sophomores also dominated Tuesday’s basketball competition, proving to be a huge threat in the games. By the end of the week they were named the  winners of the West High Olympics.

West’s Spirit Soars From Annual Olympics

Anthony Parker, Entertainment & News Editor May 17, 2023

   From March 20 to March 24, West held its exciting and competitive annual Olympics. Each day featured a different competition between grades, with the Sophomores taking the crown at the end of the week.     Monday’s sports were tug of rope...

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Micah Taw (11) enjoys practicing his big swings at the driving range. He appreciates that golf is a sport that revolves around teamwork and sportsmanship, as it “does not only offer support, but also offers an opportunity to bond closer with teammates.” Photo courtesy of Micah Taw (11).

Why Golf is Important: West’s Underappreciated Achievement

Anthony Parker, Entertainment & News Editor May 17, 2023

   If you ask someone to name a sport, chances are “golf” isn’t their first thought. But West’s golf team is full of endurance, strength, despite the sport often being overshadowed by other high school sports teams. Golf may appear to require...

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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

    Do you like sports? Do you like spending time at the beach? If so, then West’s new beach volleyball team is for you!    Beach Volleyball offers a fun and exciting experience to both novice and veteran volleyball players alike.    Malia...

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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

   Hearing the wild cheers of the crowd echoing across the gym, followed by the silence of bowed heads and clutched hands, waiting to find out which team came out on top was an experience that all West Drill and All Male (WDAAM) members have grown accustomed...

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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

   With a roaring audience echoing across the arena, West Drill and All Male (WDAAM) gave it their all at West Coast Elite (WCE) Dance Nationals, bringing home the title of National Champion on March 11.      WCE Dance Nationals is a two-day...

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Girls Soccer Takes Home Senior Night Victories

Girls’ Soccer Takes Home Senior Night Victories

March 3, 2023

With an exciting chill in the air, the West High Girls’ Soccer team faced El Segundo on Jan. 31 — a matchup awaited since last year’s exciting final. The team’s seniors filed out onto the field with gleaming smiles on their faces. Spirit and...

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Enoch Joo (11), pictured left, wrestles Coach Diego, a Redondo Union graduate who comes in to help at West practices. As they grappled, three other coaches (out of frame) sat quietly as they observed the room; practice had just begun.

Warrior Wrestling Concludes Pioneer League With Numerous Medals

Sean Toomey, Staff Writer March 3, 2023

   For most students at West High, finals week was hard.     The disciplined few doubled down, locked their doors, and methodically reviewed every subject. The rest stress-binged YouTube videos and preemptively drafted emails begging for a grade...

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Kyle Cajigal (12) walks on court with his family for the Basketball Senior Night ceremony.

Boys’ Basketball Clinch Entry Into CIF Playoffs

Philip Lam, Associate Editor-in-Chief & Opinion Editor March 3, 2023

   After a remarkable season for the Boys’ Basketball Varsity team, seniors were ready to hear one last buzz of the shot clock at Feb. 2’s Senior Night matchup against the North High Saxons, their last home game before advancing to the coveted...

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Boys’ Soccer Takes Home Senior Night Victories

Boys’ Soccer Takes Home Senior Night Victories

Kate Phan, Entertainment Editor March 3, 2023

   On Feb. 1, the seniors of the West High Boys’ Soccer team proudly walked the field with their families by their sides. Ready to play against North High School — some for the very last time — applause followed the game’s kickoff. At the...

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