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

Roger Ayad

Roger Ayad, Staff Photographer

Roger Ayad is a freelance photographer for Signals and a sophomore at West. This is his second year in Signals. He’s excited to record and describe the life of West High through photography. Roger enjoys wrestling, listening to music, and late night drives.

All content by Roger Ayad
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.”

[Art/Photo] Are Calorie Labels Lying to You?

Anthony Parker, Entertainment & News Editor February 8, 2023
West High’s Girls’ Volleyball seniors huddle up for a group picture on senior night against North High on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Congratulations to (top row from left to right) Amani Flakes (12), Samantha Jiao (12), Mikayla Long (12), Maddy Hancock (12), Kate Amano (12), Rylee White (12), Aaliyah Martinez (12), Maddie Verette (12),(bottom row from left to right) Abigail Witzansky (12), Sheridan Hagedorn (12), Maddie Gloria (12), Mia Koliander (12), and Paityn Yamasaki (12) for representing the Girls’ Volleyball program.

[Art/Photo] One Last Spike

Bella Levinson, Visuals Editor December 1, 2022
Students dance the night away with friends in the transformed courtyard of building five at Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. A photo booth, selfie stand, and snack table were just some of the options open for dance attendees. It was an absolute blast of a Homecoming done by West High’s Associated Student Body (ASB) team. ASB brainstormed the theme of “Saturday Night Fever,” inspired by the disco parties in the 1970’s. An ASB representative, Gracie Ito (11), expressed how she “enjoyed Hoco this year,” and how the “dance floor was fun and the photo opportunities were also great.” (Art/Photo by Roger Ayad)

Saturday Night Fever

Roger Ayad, Staff Photographer October 23, 2022
Kyle Cascalenda (12) prepares for the Varsity Football game against Mira Costa on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. He is this season’s starting running back for West High’s Varsity football team. Cascalenda was awarded “Player of the Week” by Daily Breeze after the Sept. 9 game against Peninsula.

[Art/Photo] Athlete of the Week: Kyle Cascalenda

Ilma Patel, Assistant Social Media Manager October 7, 2022
West High students cheer as they participate in the first rally of the new school year on Friday, September 26, 2022. The Homecoming rally included two student involved games: table surfing and “skin the snake.” In addition, West High’s Dance Department, Drill and All Male performed at the rally, much to the excitement of the student body. To end the rally, the Associated Student Body (ASB) announced the Homecoming Top 5 Court: (Pictured from left to right in middle left row of photos) Ian Chen (12), Beckett Tom (12), Nancy Kim (12), Brandon Howard (12), Lauren Ng (12), Frank Wong (12), John Kang (12), Sullivan Kolakowski (12), Riyana Roy (12), and (not pictured) Jaden Mooney (12).

[Art/Photo] The Final 5!

Bella Levinson, Visuals Editor September 30, 2022
Mrs. Jennifer Milla, or commonly known amongst students as “J Rod,” helps out on the football sidelines as West High’s new athletic trainer. Mrs. Milla loves her job and helping students safely compete and accomplish greatness in their sports. She is passionate about sports and health because “[I] grew up within sports,” adding that she would “like to be able to help out all the other teams and get to know the athletes of other sports.”

[Art/Photo] Mrs. Milla: Jack of all Trades

Grace Lu, Staff Writer September 21, 2022
West Highs Girls Volleyball team huddles up after scoring a point against Palos Verdes  High on September 1, 2022. The team plans their next play to get that “Warrior win”. Outside of brainstorming their next play, the girls build up positive momentum to keep them in the right mindset throughout the whole game. The girls support each other, and when one teammate fails a play, they build each other back up without giving up.

[Art/Photo] Reasons for the Season

Bella Levinson, Visuals Editor September 9, 2022
This year marks the 10-year anniversary All-Male was introduced into West by Adam Burt, son of West teacher Ms. Donna Burt. The West Drill and All-Male Dance showcase saw guest performances from Glendale, Carson Street Dance, Carson Flaggies, Kindreds, Channel Islands, Mira Mesa, and the 1st year alumni of All-Male. This was the last performance for seniors Pierce Vo, Cathy Lam, Leah Sullivan, Saki Matsumoto, Joseph Kim, Sammy Kelley, Nico Villongco, Jocelyn Traub, Chris Fauria, Taylor Benedict, and Breana Maravilla. Drill/All-Male ended their season, winning 3 different National Titles. Drill members Gracie Ito (10) reflects on their past season, “Drill is like a second family to me, and I think everyone did an amazing job this season,” she expressed.

West Drill and All Male Showcase

Roger Ayad, Staff Photographer May 9, 2022
The West High Track Team competed in a Tri-Meet against South High and Torrance High on March 30. In Boys Varsity events, placing first was Tyler Vo (12) in the 100 meters and long jump, Conor Gibson (12) in the 3200 meters, and Karim Grissett (12) in discus. For Girls Varsity: Amor Jones (12) was first in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and long jump, Sophia Rabang (11) in the 800 meters, Lily Ball (12) in the 3200 meters, and Isabel Reynolds (12) in the high jump.

Track Tri-Meet

Roger Ayad, Staff Photographer April 21, 2022
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[Art/Photo] About

August 11, 2009
Seen smiling, spirited students carried along shopping carts, baskets, and buckets on Bring Anything But a Backpack Day! It was definitely one of the more entertaining days as students looked all around to see creative items.

[Art/Photo] A Spirited Farewell Into Winter Break

Kate Phan, Entertainment Editor January 17, 2022
West’s 2021 manleaders work together to build a connecting pyramid –impressive for guys who’ve only had a few weeks of experience. This Winter Rally was jam-packed with entertainment, with special courtesy of the manleaders and Powderpuff players, whose athleticism really got the crowd on their feet.

[Art/Photo] Powering Through Powderpuff

Sarah Han, News Editor 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!

[Art/Photo] West High’s Winter Sports!

Cyrilla Zhang, Editor-in-Chief December 10, 2021
Congrats to the Seniors of West High’s Girls Volleyball team for their awesome run! Along with the rest of their Varsity team, these Seniors played their last game against Peninsula High School on October 15. Despite the unfortunate loss of their last game, they still had an unforgettable season. Reese Verrette (12) reminisced on these past 4 years: “I’ve been looking forward to my Senior year since I saw the Seniors when I was a Freshman. Pictured from left to right: Reese Verrette (12), Alley Frey (12), Alex Ayano (12), and Sophia Quintana (12).

One Last Serve: Girl’s Volleyball Senior Night

Roger Ayad, Staff Photographer November 1, 2021
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