West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief

Anisha Iqbal is a senior and Editor-in-Chief for The Oracle for the second year in a row. Anisha wishes to pursue journalism as a professional career and interns at a local newspaper, the Fairfax County Times. Anisha is also one of 25 students selected by the Asian American Journalists Association for JCamp 2022 in Los Angeles. Outside of journalism, Anisha loves reading and watching Studio Ghibli movies.

All content by Anisha Iqbal
Night before Eid festivals (AKA Chand Raat) are the perfect place to finalize an Eid outfit. The Grand Mega Eid Bazaar at Waterford in Springfield offers many vendors to choose from with a wide variety of cultural clothing, such as lehengas, salwar kameezes, and kurtas. End the night prepared to celebrate!

Ramadan scenery

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
April 12, 2023
Though online resources such as the YouTube channel Psych2Go offer a starting point for those unsure how to recognize mental illness, it cannot be relied upon to officially diagnose or treat individuals. Instead, please reach out to professionals through the school or healthcare providers.

Social media is not a licensed therapist

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-In-Chief
March 29, 2023
Members of the Bengali diaspora in America continue to celebrate Bangladesh’s independence in Jackson Heights, New York. The death of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is honored, his impact continues to live in Bangladesh through Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Mujibur’s daughter.

[Photo] 1971: Becoming Bangladesh

Jemmima Faruque, Staff Writer
March 29, 2023
Members of the Young Democrats Club participated in the Women’s March in Washington D.C.. Attending protests for critical issues is an impactful way to spread awareness.

To participate or to not participate

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
December 15, 2022
Last December, students walked out in support of Fairfax High School student Ekran Mohamed who had her headscarf taken off while assaulted by another student. Students stood in solidarity with the notion that a woman’s choice to wear hijab should never be met with violence.

Keep politics away from the hijab

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
November 10, 2022
Senior Solyana Kumlachew poses with her water bottle that is adorned with stickers of Sanrio character My Melody. She is also holding a Kuromi sticker as well.

Sanrio’s characters strengthen relationships

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
September 29, 2022
Heather Kendrick teaches her American Sign Language 2 class during fifth period. Her classroom is arranged so the chairs and tables surround the edges. This orientation is so everyone can easily watch others sign and communicate effectively.

Voices off, signing on

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
September 29, 2022
Reagan Alpanap, Emily Cramer, Emma Goldkopf

Senior Picnic pictures!!

Abigail Beyene, Anisha Iqbal, and Brendan Talbot
June 3, 2022
Some teachers have alternative methods of curbing phone usage in their class, such as collecting phones and returning them when the bell rings.

Students stuck on cell phones

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
May 26, 2022
CHA Tea House is known for more than just its high-quality tea. The crispy chicken Zinger Burger happens to be a best-seller from the menu.

From CHA Tea Truck to CHA Tea House

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
April 12, 2022
The reason behind junior Rikki Evans's love for synchronized swimming stems from her former coach Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi, who was a member of the Malaysian national team.

Atypical athletes

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
April 12, 2022
The Supreme Court is the next and final destination of the FCPS appeal to reinterpret Title Ⅸ and reestablish the law’s scope in regards to the accountability of schools for sexual assault and harassment cases. The appeal’s deadline for a response by the court is set for April 8.

FCPS wishes to reinterpret historic Title Ⅸ

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
February 28, 2022
Bhapa pitha

Bhapa pitha

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
December 16, 2021
In Ethiopia, Orthodox holidays are a means for people to give back to their community. Junior Elysia Wossen’s family arranged annual soup kitchens for the homeless during their holidays. The sense of togetherness created by important holidays must be preserved.

Religious observance requires rethinking

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
December 16, 2021
Tisa Frederick is the College and Career Center Specialist and has been working at WS for eight years. Her email is tsfrederick@fcps.edu for anyone with questions regarding post-secondary planning or opportunities.

Staff Spotlight: Tisa Frederick, College and Career Specialist

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
December 16, 2021
The large statue centered at the back is a South Korean children’s textbook character named Younghee. The statue’s eyes have motion detectors in them to see if any of the players are moving whenever she turns her head around during the redlight-greenlight game.

Squid Game: South Korea’s unexpected success story

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2021
The choir sings the national anthem at the Homecoming football game, showcasing their skills on the field as they performed.

Musical arts makes its return

Anisha Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2021
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
Many students crowd stairwell A which demonstrates how the overcrowding within WS is very unsafe for students.

[Photo] Administration’s safety protocols are not enough

Editorial
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
On H Street in Washington, DC, signs commemorating the Black Lives Matter movement fill the streets in solidarity for the Black community after all the losses they have faced.

Students react to Chauvin’s verdict

Anisha Iqbal, Scoop Editor
May 7, 2021
While in the INOVA waiting room, patients get to enjoy musical entertainment after the administration of their vaccine.

Teachers trial the vaccine

Anisha Iqbal, Scoop Editor
March 3, 2021
Sophomore Tenzin Werner and her sister celebrate the Buddhist holiday, Bodhi Day, together while wearing the traditional clothing of the Kinnaur tribe in Himachal Pradesh, India.

The holiday season means more than just Christmas

Anisha Iqbal, Scoop Editor
December 18, 2020
Celebrations among friends continue in a virtual setting as games like Among Us help to connect others together despite the ongoing pandemic.

Among Us: the most popular game among Gen Z

Anisha Iqbal, Scoop Editor
November 20, 2020
Mulan sends critics and fans into a frenzy after multiple controversies surround the film.

The controversy surrounding new live-action “Mulan”

Anisha Iqbal, Scoop Editor
October 3, 2020
Figure skater Mirai Nagasu poses with her parents at their family restaurant, Sushi Kiyosuzu, amidst the pandemic.

Celebrities during the pandemic

Anisha Iqbal, Staff Writer
June 9, 2020
Tourists gather in crowds in Washington D.C. on March 26 despite social distancing guidelines from the city.

Social distancing is more important than you think

Anisha Iqbal, Staff Writer
May 19, 2020
Timeless classic Spirited Away still excites

Timeless classic Spirited Away still excites

Anisha Iqbal, Staff Writer
March 12, 2020
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