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
Cyrilla Zhang

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief

Cyrilla Zhang is a senior at West High, spending her third and final year on West Signals as Editor-in-Chief. She aims to continue the legacy of West Signals by publishing the unknown stories of fellow students, giving them a chance to be heard. Beyond writing, she hopes to share her passion for reporting and ignite a light in others, inspiring them to pursue the tricky but extremely rewarding art of journalism. During downtime, Cyrilla enjoys sleeping and eating with friends.

All content by Cyrilla Zhang
In a surprising move to many, West Capitaneus, the school yearbook publication, will be discontinuing the popular, longstanding tradition of senior quotes. Citing logistical concerns, the West High administration has maintained this restriction, prompting petition by nearly a quarter of the student body.

Say Goodbye to Senior Quotes

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • March 21, 2024
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
From left to right: Hridhya Sukumaran (11), Rithika Yalla (11), Simran Bhattacharya (11), Pranati Anna (11). Adorned with various competition medals, Speech and Debate encourages curious students to join their club at West Fest. After selling root beer floats and passing out flyers, Captain Rithika Yalla (11) explained that the highlight of the night was bonding with her fellow members: “For me, it's really just the memories that you make with that . . . That’s what stood out to me.”

Bringing West Torrance Together With the First Annual West Fest

Cyrilla Zhang and Alexssa Takeda • December 15, 2022
Students wave their flashlights in time with music to show support for the Football Team at West High’s first football game.

Welcome to the WARRZONE

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • November 1, 2022
As the sun moves across the sky, many intense games take place all at once on the tennis courts. In their game against Beverly Hills, many of West High’s athletes had difficult matchups against players much more experienced than they were: “Yes, I was nervous! They were 6-foot-3” and wore Air Force Ones,” sighed Shoaib Hasnain (10).

League Game Win For Boys’ Tennis

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • March 16, 2022
Athletes make their final dash to the finish line, pushing themselves to their limits with adrenaline pumping through their veins. After delays caused by COVID-19 in previous years, Track and Field was glad to finally return to normal.

Track and Field Sprints into New Season

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • March 8, 2022
West High's Foods Class cooking competition is a fun and flavorful fight between contestants! A competition for all types of cooking, these skilled chefs showed off all they had learned about their unit on mass-producing food and cooking delicious goods to appease the appetite of other students.

Warrior Chef

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • February 28, 2022
In the middle of a fierce match, West High Games Club members compete against each other in a chess tournament hosted on February 4, 2022 after school. All skill levels were welcome and winners received gift cards to Target. Tournament participant Elizabeth Kim (10) shared that “when I heard there was a chess tournament I was like – woah! And it just seemed like a fun after-school thing.”

Checkmate!

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • February 15, 2022
After being handed out for free, students in Torrance were advised to take self-tests and report their results to the district. In an email update sent out to all parents and students, they explained that the purpose of this was so they could “have an idea of where we are as a school community at present.” Courtesy of The Hour.

Omicron Cases Continue to Rise

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • February 1, 2022
Players on the West Girls’ Basketball team have their eyes on the ball, waiting to reach for a missed shot from South. Among them is Varsity team captain Ella Estabrook (12), voted Southern California’s Girls Athlete of the Week as well as the Daily Breeze Girls Athlete of the Week!

Girls’ Basketball Shoots Way to Victory

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • January 19, 2022
The West Warriors Cross Country team celebrates their state championship victory on top of a double decker bus. The celebration led by Coach Druten and his runners was well-deserved after a long and hard season. Varsity Runner Matthew Frey (12) felt amazed by what the team had accomplished, recognizing how “it feels great to be a part of the fastest team ever at West High, and [the] second fastest team time in the whole state.”

West High Celebrates Cross Country State Championships

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • January 5, 2022
Butting heads, wrestlers Michael Barretto (12) and David Lee (12) practice their skills. They have prepared hard to win their competitions and have a successful season!

West High’s Winter Sports!

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • December 10, 2021
Designer and Artist Peter Cepeda (12) showcases his hand-painted shirt and tote bag. Cepeda has designed and painted many pieces of clothing, art, bags, and other accessories for many years. He has come across many great opportunities to grow and even started selling his clothing to showrooms. “I feel like I need to go farther, do more and reach more every time I accomplish something,” remarked Cepeda.

Senior Spotlight: Peter Cepeda

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • November 20, 2021
Two students get lunch at the Red Cart located in Cafe 5. Giving free food to students is crucial, especially in a time of high financial stress for many families. TUSD has been providing free meals since COVID-19 hit last year.

West High and the National School Food Shortage

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • November 16, 2021
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, Editor-in-Chief • October 13, 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, Editor-in-Chief • October 8, 2021
The freshman of Group 29 at Warrior Welcome sit down with their Warrior Focus leaders to get a picture for a photo scavenger hunt. Group 29 is named the “Lilo & Stitch” family. Lots of work was put into Warrior Welcome to pull it off successfully. Photo courtesy of Claire Perry (11).

Warrior Focus: Two Clubs Combined

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • September 24, 2021
Behind the doors of the health office are West High’s Assistant Nurses ready to help those feeling ill or injured. They have everything from band-aids to Advil on hand ready for those who need it!

Everything is Pulse-ible With West High’s Health Aides

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • September 22, 2021
Students make their way through the gates of West High School on their first day of class, wearing masks and presenting their cleared COVID-19 screeners. Photo courtesy of Gaby Nieraeth (11).

Teachers Help Reopen West High

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • September 8, 2021
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