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
Philip Lam

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief

Philip Lam is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor of West Signals. A senior at West High, this is his second year as a contributor. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the West Horizons literary magazine. Philip hopes to inspire his fellow journalists to report with conviction, to take ownership of their stories, and to defend the Fourth Estate in a climate where truth can be fleeting. For leisure, Philip enjoys training calisthenics, reading up on the latest news and politics, and dabbling in graphic design.

All content by Philip Lam
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.

[Art/Photo] Say Goodbye to Senior Quotes

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief • March 21, 2024
Philip Lam (12), along with Jonathan Valot (12), Isaac Kim (12), Alex Matsuoka (12), Yuhan Jia( 12), Luke Chiang (12), Aaron Hui (12) and Hank Cao (12) walk to the stadium just in time for their senior panoramic. Their ironic “Illiter8” shirts remind them of the friendship they’ve created, knowing that soon they will go their separate ways. But for these (very much literate) guys, there seems to be no fear as they approach the beginning of the end of high school.

[Art/Photo] No Need to Panic Panic, it’s Just the Senior Panoramic

Christian Robledo, Entertainment/Opinion Editor • March 20, 2024
With delegates organized into mock cities of around 50 residents, my hometown of Chandler prepares its tent ahead of a city exposition where groups contend for the “Model City” recognition. Nico DeSesa (12), a fellow resident and city council member, remarked that “it was incredible how well put-on the event was,” referring to Boys and Girls State as a whole. “Students ran the event and it felt very freeing, a micro-community formed in . . . the week we were there,” he shared.

To the 2024 Cohort: Lessons I Learned From Boys and Girls State

Sponsored by the veterans' organization the American Legion, the highly selective summer leadership and civics program touts itself as “a week that shapes a lifetime.”
Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • January 16, 2024
What the Bell Is Going On?

What the Bell Is Going On?

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • July 7, 2023
Honors Decathlete Qinghan Jia (10) and Varsity Decathlete Kyle Chung (10) share their jubilation after having won 7th at the state competition and several individual medals. The 44th Annual California Academic Decathlon was held at the Santa Clara Marriott venue near San Jose in Northern California. Photo courtesy of Michelle Zhang.

Academic Decathlon Wins 2nd In County, Top 7 At State

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • May 19, 2023
Though firmly embedded into AP English curriculum, timed writes can encourage rushed, single-draft essays, leaving students little opportunity for improvement in grammar conventions and professional writing.

DOes timed writing teach you how to to right correctly?

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • May 11, 2023
Pictured here are the various digital poster designs advertising the campaigns of Secretary of Athletics nominee Jonathan Valot (11) and newcomer Avery White (11). Although Valot, an ASB veteran, seemed poised to retain his position, he was ultimately succeeded by White. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Valot and Avery White.

The 2023 – 2024 ASB Election Results Are In

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • May 1, 2023
The bustling 24-acre Getty campus, which comprises the Getty Museum, Research Institute, and Conservation Institute, overlooks the canyons of the Sepulveda Pass. The Brentwood complex boasts a modern steel and concrete finish complete with travertine tiling that juxtaposes the immaculate gardens and fountains, uniting sculpture and nature. The architecture compliments, if not rivals, the very artworks housed inside, from Impressionist works by Édouard Manet, to court paintings of King Louis XIV, to classical and intricate pottery. Photo courtesy of Ethan Lam (10).

English Class Trip to The Getty: Recollection, Renewal, and Novelty

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • March 25, 2023
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle give a standing ovation in apparent consensus at the 2023 State of the Union after President Biden’s rally to “ stand up for seniors [to] show them we will not cut Social Security; We will not cut Medicare.” This move came after a tense exchange between President Biden and Republicans concerning the fate of these two entitlements. One Republican proposal stipulated that Social Security should expire every 5 years, requiring Congressional renewal each time. Such a move would be steeply unpopular among older Americans who constitute a sizable cohort of Social Security and Medicare recipients. Photo courtesy of MSNBC.

Biden Projects Hopeful, Forward-Looking Posture at State of the Union

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • March 7, 2023
Kyle Cajigal (12) walks on court with his family for the Basketball Senior Night ceremony.

Boys’ Basketball Clinch Entry Into CIF Playoffs

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • March 3, 2023
Co-Artistic Director Misa Cohen (12) gets lifted by fellow members of Advanced Dance during the “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” Dance Department show. West High and Dance Department alumna Zoe Kono expressed how “every piece had such different themes and costumes — I could never predict what was going to come next.”

“Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” at West High Dance Department’s Winter Showcase

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • February 26, 2023
The 2022 midterms posed a tight race for the House of Representatives. The Republican Party ended with 222 seats, a slim majority over the Democrats’ 213. Data displayed from nbcnews.com.

The 2022 Midterms: Before, After, and the Little Red Ripple

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • November 10, 2022
Pictured here is the number of Democrat- and Republican-held seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. As of November 15, the balance of power stands at 209 Democrat-held seats and 217 Republican-held seats, per the Associated Press. A party needs 218 seats to win the majority. Based on popular projections leading into the 2022 Midterms and historical trends from previous elections, West High student Raphael Rebucas (12) anticipated that “Republicans are poised to claim . . . both houses of Congress.” It seems that only time will tell.

How to Lose $32 Billion in 10 Days

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • January 31, 2023
Co-Artistic Director Misa Cohen (12) gets lifted by fellow members of Advanced Dance during the “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” Dance Department show. West High and Dance Department alumna Zoe Kono expressed how “every piece had such different themes and costumes — I could never predict what was going to come next.”

“Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” at West High Dance Department’s Winter Showcase


Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • January 22, 2023

The World Cup Controversies Are Nothing New in the Realm of Sports

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • December 5, 2022
During Club Rush, Ukrainian Russian Club representatives hope to assist and provide information for both potential members and casual passersby alike. Remarking on one of the most pressing reasons for founding the URC, President Leah Ho (12) explained the growing imperative “to engage the local community to assist Ukrainian refugees coming to the U.S. every day.” From left to right: Skye Nuesca (10), ICC Representative Sophie Gelinas (10), Julia Huffstutter (10), board member Morgan Tan (10), President Leah Ho (10), Kai Nakajima (10), and Ivy Choi (10). Photo courtesy of Sophie Gelinas (10).

Culture Knows No Boundaries: Meet the Ukrainian Russian Club

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • November 22, 2022
DC Comics’ Black Adam was released domestically on Oct. 21 starring Dwayne Johnson as Teth Adam, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate, Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone. Commenting on his overall experience, West High student and moviegoer Ethan Lam (10) recounted that “compared to other DC movies, Black Adam was better.” Lam’s enthusiasm lends credence to the resounding success the latest DC installment has had at the box office, holding the top spot for over two consecutive weeks.

DC Comics’ Black Adam is Finally Here — With a Vengeance

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • November 16, 2022

New Revelations Emerge from Latest January 6th Hearing, Including Trump Subpoena

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • October 26, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II: A Checkerboarded Legacy

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • October 4, 2022
A West High student, Adrian Lopez Castillo (10), drinks water to stay hydrated in the scorching and displeasing weather. Lopez Castillo expressed his thoughts on the weather: “This hot weather has definitely been hard to get used to over the past week or two, and I hope we go back to our normal temperatures soon.” With the lack of air conditioning and ways to stay cool at school, many other students have started to feel the same.

Record-Shattering Heat Wave Symptomatic of Climate Change

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • September 19, 2022
To kick off the school year, students from all grades came together on the first of September to discuss their summer reading books. In Mr.Cheung's room, a special guest visited the class: Phil Yu, co-author of Rise, to discuss contemporary Asian-American culture through graphics, illustrations, and text.

West High’s Summer Book Talk Features Special Guest

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief • September 12, 2022
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