West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
SPORTS
Students celebrate the return of fall football with the Spartans home opening victory against Mount Vernon High School. After a year and a half of virtual learning, students show their excitement to be back in-person for school sporting events.
Return of fall football
Robert Morrison, Sports Editor • September 29, 2021
While WS athletic facilities have reopened to the public again, mask mandates indoors and other COVID-19 safety protocols are still in effect.
COVID-19 protocols spark discussion for student athletes
Brendan Talbot, ETC. Editor • September 29, 2021
Senior Ashley Smith high jumping.
Stellar seniors
Robbie Kugler, Staff Writer • May 23, 2021
  • West Springfield HS
    29
    Robinson
    44
    Oct 7 / Varsity Football
  • West Springfield HS
    42
    Oakton
    28
    Oct 1 / Varsity Football
  • West Springfield HS
    31
    Hayfield
    28
    Sep 24 / Varsity Football
  • West Springfield HS
    35
    Washington-Liberty
    14
    Sep 17 / Varsity Football
  • West Springfield HS
    56
    Thomas Edison
    3
    Sep 3 / Varsity Football
  • West Springfield HS
    4
    Mt. Vernon
    2
    Aug 31 / Field Hockey
  • West Springfield HS
    24
    Mt. Vernon
    14
    Aug 28 / Varsity Football
  • West Springfield HS
    0
    George Marshall
    1
    Aug 25 / Field Hockey
  • West Springfield HS
    9
    Thomas Edison
    0
    Aug 23 / Field Hockey
  • West Springfield HS
    11
    South County HS
    3
    Jun 6 / Girls Varsity Lacrosse
VIEWPOINT
Many students crowd stairwell A which demonstrates how the overcrowding within WS is very unsafe for students.
Administration’s safety protocols are not enough
Editorial • September 29, 2021

WS has not established enough safety protocols to keep the students safe from COVID-19. Compared to hybrid learning, the rules and restrictions...

A pie chart demonstrates the almost equal three-way split between the learning environment preferences. 5 days in-person comes first, a close second with 4 days online, and hybrid comes in last.
Students split over learning environments
Emma Goldkopf, Scoop Editor • September 29, 2021
Hundreds of people are seen protesting in Washington D.C. at the Peace Monument in front of the Capitol Building.
Palestine and Israel: humanitarian crisis, not conflict
Anisha Iqbal, Scoop Editor • May 29, 2021
FEATURES
As a common courtesy, many teachers took part in asking students what their preferred name and pronoun was within the first day of school, to ensure that no one was being referred to in an incorrect manner and felt comfortable in the school, like Mrs. Hicks. This isn’t the first time teachers have done this, but it was a popular choice this year. The choice was met with positive feedback from the school LGBTQIA+ community and allies, particularly of its efficient and private way of doing so.
New regulations open doors for LGBTQIA+ students
Saharla Mohamoud, News Editor • September 29, 2021

FCPS has recently updated its handbook to include policies that protect LGBTQIA+ students from experiencing harassment in school and establish...

Last year, Spartans for War Victims ran a winter clothing drive for internally displaced individuals in Afghanistan. Now, the number of displaced Afghans within the country as well as fleeing refugees has substantially increased.
Afghan students share perspectives
Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief • September 29, 2021
Statistics show that verbal harassment is the most common form of hate faced by the Asian elderly. To help the Asian community, consider visiting a few resources, supporting small Asian businesses, donating, and spreading the word. Visit the @wshs.aasa Instagram for such resources and posts highlighting the work of Asian-American entertainers, artists, authors, and activists.
The AASA takes action against anti-AAPI attacks
Jemmima Faruque, Staff Writer • May 21, 2021
ENTERTAINMENT
Dixie Damelio, Tik Toker, attended the 2021 Met Gala dressed by designer Valentino. Charli Damelio, her sister, was notably absent from the Met since she doesn’t meet the minimum age requirement of eighteen.
Influencers invade the Met Gala
Anne Foote, Jr. Sports Editor • September 29, 2021

A rumored list of the Met Gala attendees has spread like wildfire among Spartans and evoked different perspectives over social media influencers...

Blake Lively, or Serena Van Der Woodsen in “Gossip Girl”, who might make a cameo at the second half of the season along with her other castmates. None of them, however, will be having permanent roles.
“Gossip Girl” reboot instills nostalgia within long-time fans.
Saharla Mohamoud, News Editor • September 29, 2021
Following a disagreement before the album was released over the image’s use as the cover, lead Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain offered the phrase, “if you’re offended by this, you must be a closet pedophile,” be put on a sticker over Elden’s genitals. 
Iconic naked Nirvana baby sues for child pornography
Christina Nies, Features Editor • September 29, 2021
ETC.
Besides vegetables, Hogan has also planted herbs such as basil, oregano, and rosemary in his garden.
Students acquire new hobbies over long quarantine months
Christina Nies, Features Editor • September 29, 2021
Koyyalamudy’s Schoology showed that she was in both Jones’s and Davies health and PE classes. The glitch in Schoology successfully worried Koyyalamudy as she realized she would have schedule conflicts she needed to resolve.
Schedule conflicts plague Spartans
Anne Foote, Jr. Sports Editor • September 29, 2021
The return of Brood X.
The return of Brood X.
Dominic Freay, Staff Writer • June 9, 2021
Besides hands-on gardening skills, teamwork is a fundamental lesson gauged from the renovation, as students work together to plant trees, dig holes, and otherwise beautify the courtyard.
Special education students learn vocational skills by renovating the courtyard
Claire Perlak, Staff Writer • June 9, 2021

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