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
Lauryn Shin

Lauryn Shin, Staff Artist

Lauryn Shin is a West High senior and a staff artist for West Signals. It is her first year in Signals and she’s excited to start experimenting with her art. Lauryn is an aspiring animator/storyboard artist who enjoys telling her own stories through animation and illustration. She is always striving to make something unique.

All content by Lauryn Shin
Since the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions in California, businesses such as movie theaters are slowly beginning to reopen. But after Governor Gavin Newsom announced the elimination of capacity limits in these theaters, some movie-goers wonder if it will remain safe.

[Art/Photo] It’s Showtime! But Is It Safe?

Alexssa Takeda, Co-Editor-in-Chief • April 30, 2021
Netflix Documentary “Seaspiracy” tackles the controversial fish market and the impact it has on the world’s oceans. The fishing industry is accused of wiping out fish in the sea, destroying habitats, and illegally hunting for whales. The filmmakers have expressed a desire to save the oceans from the fishing industry, but they have also come under fire for presenting a sensationalized version of the truth.

[Art/Photo] On Demand: Seaspiracy Takeaways

Shrutika Ezhil, Staff Writer • April 30, 2021
Fine Arts is an exciting part of high school, which, like many other subjects, transitioned online. The Fine Arts Assembly highlighted appealing aspects about the fine art classes at West, including theater arts. It also gave hope to students that they can participate in these activities on campus again someday.

[Art/Photo] Behind the Scenes: Fine Arts Assembly

Shrutika Ezhil, Staff Writer • March 16, 2021
At the beginning of the year, the COVID-19 pandemic prohibited most sports and performing arts classes from meeting in person. However, as the situation with the pandemic improved over time, some teams were able to meet in-person again, including, on March 1st of this year, West High’s marching band. Practicing in-person is an important part of the marching band, and Monday night practices were just one aspect, but returning to in-person practices have signalled the beginning of a return to normalcy. Shreshta Kumar (12), the drum major for West’s marching band, defined her experience as “really nostalgic. Especially as a senior, this being my last year in band, I was really sad to not have my final season (being the drum major too), so seeing other people was super refreshing.” Being apart was definitely harder for some more than others, but practicing in-person provided a taste of what students love about band.

[Art/Photo] West High Entertainment Unit’s Return to In-Person Practice

Westley Kim, Staff Artist • March 30, 2021
Elementary Schoolers have been returning to school. To minimize danger to students and staff, meetings are only twice a week. In addition to this, the students are distanced in the classroom.

[Art/Photo] What Returning to School Looks Like for Elementary Schools

Shrutika Ezhil, Staff Writer • March 25, 2021
Though the pandemic wasn’t as unbearable to some students as it was to others, many students yearned to go back to school to further the memories they could make. Victoria Castillo (12), explained her thoughts about missing much of her senior year: “It [her status as a senior] did drive my decision to go back to school, but now it doesn’t have much importance to me because I have my friends and family to help me finish my senior year strong.” The pandemic halted many plans for this year, but there are still plenty of opportunities to make great memories.

Many students are feeling isolated from surviving months of quarantine. This has led many teens to the darkest times in their lives. To suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes. It's hard to look on the bright side in times like these, but the end of quarantine is near. Students are using pets and the outdoors as a way to hold onto positivity.

[Art/Photo] Suicides Surge Amidst the Pandemic

Alexssa Takeda, Co-Editor-in-Chief • March 5, 2021
39 human trafficking victims were rescued this month, 13 juveniles included. “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild” was a combined effort between local and federal agencies which led to 145 arrests. “It’s scary to think that these things happen in our area. I think it’s a good thing that LA is investing more money into the efforts to prevent trafficking from happening,” shared Zoe Jackson Delos Angeles (12).

[Art/Photo] Human Trafficking in LA

February 9, 2021
Vaccines for COVID are something to be hopeful about in the future. There is both a bright side and a side of uncertainty. It is a mystery whether or not distributing the vaccines will guarantee a return to normalcy.

[Art/Photo] New Year, New Vaccine!

Hannah Vickers, Staff Writer • January 14, 2021
People in poverty must choose between survival products and period products. Oftentimes this means some people can’t buy period products at all even though they are just as essential as food or water. Women of West Vice President Olivia Crump (12) expressed, “Period poverty/menstrual equity is something I am very passionate about so seeing a country like Scotland take progressive steps for change is really empowering."

[Art/Photo] Ending Period Poverty: Scotland Creates Period Products Bill

Alexssa Takeda, Co-Editor-in-Chief • December 15, 2020
As the holiday season approaches, families grow worried about the risk that comes with students visiting their homes to celebrate. Even though many are fatigued from quarantine restrictions, West Biology teacher Mr. Collins emphasized that “we have to re-engage some of that caution now because of the time period that we are going into.”

[Art/Photo] COVID-19 Concerns: College Students and the Holiday Season

Alexssa Takeda, Co-Editor-in-Chief • November 25, 2020
It is important to be mindful about how we treat the Earth because our little contributions matter more than we think. Rivers and oceans are tainted with copious amounts of plastic debri. Around trillions of big and small pieces of trash which directly affect the creatures living in it. The fish is depicted as a machine because it is not alive, it can't live in the plastic filled bodies of water. This was a drawing made for the Clearwater Tunnel Project, a 7-mile waterway which hopes to improve LA’s water quality.

[Art/Photo] Catch of the Day

November 20, 2020
Back in the day, video games were known as isolated activities. Since people are restricted by quarantine nowadays and unable to hang out in person, video games are a popular means of connection. “I think it’s pretty nice, because we’re at each other's throats when we’re on different teams...and when we’re on the same team, we cooperate massively” Kasuno (10) commented.

[Art/Photo] The Keys To Gaming Other Than WASD

Hannah Vickers, Staff Writer • November 10, 2020
Izel Arambula (12), a high school senior who voted in the 2020 election, said, “I think by this point in time you have a little more confidence in your political views enough so that you can make an educated vote. However, what worries me is that some high schoolers may not do their research. You’re not just voting for [the] president; you’re voting for Senate and Council members and propositions.”

[Art/Photo] The Future in Our Hands

November 3, 2020
Although TikTok has its fair share of ups and downs, is this ban the way to fix it?

[Art/Photo] TikTok and Teens: A Tug-of-War

Shrutika Ezhil, Staff Writer • October 14, 2020
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