West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle
Ben Bradfield

Ben Bradfield, News Editor

Ben Bradfield is a junior and the News Editor for The Oracle. He enjoys writing songs, reading, listening to music, and participating in theatre.

All content by Ben Bradfield
English teacher and department chair Katie Newman instructs and scores a seventh period freshmen English Honors class during a socratic seminar.

[Photo] Educators reflect, offer insight on the profession

Kalki Legesse, Social Media Manager
April 11, 2024
Senior Tavin Schulke plans to bring service dog Juna on campus this school year. “She’s supposed to come to school in April. I’ll be the only student with a service dog, so I will definitely get stares,” said Schulke. “That’s something I’m prepared for, but I feel like my school performance will improve when she gets here.”

A pawsitive snapshot

Ben Bradfield, Managing Editor-in-Chief
April 11, 2024
Plazio and select members of administration can administer Narcan. “The clinic, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Adams and I carry narcan,” said Plazio.

Under pressure: drug abuse surges

Ben Bradfield and Clara Keeton
April 11, 2024
“Just the tip of a pencil or pen is [equivalent to] as much fentanyl that is needed for a fatal overdose,” said Plazio. According to Fairfax County data, fentanyl was involved in 86 fatal overdoses during 2022.

Episode four | Students' views and the news

Episode four | Students’ views and the news

Ben Bradfield, Christina Nies, and Brendan Talbot
February 29, 2024
George Mason University cheerleaders lead the crowd in a “George!” chant. Other spirited traditions at the game included an alumni camera, spotting George Mason alumni throughout the crowd.

George Mason University pulls ahead of George Washington in close game

Ben Bradfield, Managing Editor-in-Chief
February 21, 2024
Episode three | Students' views and the news

Episode three | Students’ views and the news

Ben Bradfield, Christina Nies, and Paula De Megret-Murray
February 16, 2024
On December 11, 2023, the Springfield area experienced the snow FCPS may continue to encounter. Students experienced similar weather patterns on snow days January 16 and 19, which could be more frequent in the new year. “In fact, the way that I see things coming together, it does look like we should have a window when conditions are there for a good snowstorm,” said Sterling.

FCPS discontinues virtual learning during snow days

Ben Bradfield, Managing Editor-in-Chief
February 14, 2024
Groundhog Day predicts early spring

Groundhog Day predicts early spring

Ben Bradfield, Managing Editor-in-Chief
February 3, 2024
A slippery slope on the road

A slippery slope on the road

Ben Bradfield, Managing Editor-in-Chief
January 17, 2024
Episode two | Students' views and the news

Episode two | Students’ views and the news

Ben Bradfield
December 8, 2023
"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd"

“Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd”

Ben Bradfield and Nat Phillips
November 29, 2023
The Stanley Cup has not only provided excitement for Spartans due to its exterior, but also has helped users reach their water intake goals. “Ultimately, I really like it, and I’m more hydrated,” said Nash.

Rise of the Stanley Cup

Ben Bradfield, Managing Editor-in-Chief
November 29, 2023
Episode one | Students' views and the news

Episode one | Students’ views and the news

Ben Bradfield and Christina Nies
November 13, 2023
Although extremely crowded, the stands were the place to be throughout the game. Encouraging chants from both students and the cheerleading squad made for an uplifting and spirit-filled experience as the Spartan football team clinched a Homecoming victory.

Homecoming victory makes waves

Ben Bradfield and Christina Nies
October 8, 2023
An additional way AP Precalculus differs from the Honors version of the class is its focus on rates of change. Rates of change are introduced in the very beginning of AP Precalculus, while they are barely mentioned in Honors.

[Photo] The launch of AP Precalculus peeves

Christina Nies, Copy Editor-in-Chief
October 3, 2023
The ongoing air quality hazard has visibly impacted various recognizable areas of the school, especially the athletic complex.

A decrease in air quality, a decrease in athletics

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
June 9, 2023
South Run Recreation Center offers multiple summer sports camps and programs. Some of these include tennis, baseball, and basketball camps.

Spartan summer sports

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
May 31, 2023
ECHO food drive in Springfield has been opening doors for local food-insecure communities for around 50 years. ECHO helps distribute food, blankets, and nonprescription medications; they can be reached through the phone number 703-569-7972.

Hunger looms, but community rises

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
May 31, 2023
The cast and crew of “It Makes You Think” gather shortly after their regional performance. “Overall, I loved working with everyone that was a part of VHSL. We formed a great bond!” said sophomore Dia Tafilaj.

VSHL One-Act makes you think

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
March 29, 2023
Spartan rappers chasing stardom

[Video] Spartan rappers chasing stardom

Robbie Kugler, Viewpoint Editor
February 15, 2023
North Anna Nuclear Generating Station in Louisa County, Virginia is a local fission-based power generator; if fusion energy is to become mainstream, it would likely phase out these stations, along with fossil fuels.

Is fusion power our future power?

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
February 15, 2023
Tri-M members senior Tatiana Mancilla, junior Crystal Kitburi, senior Aila Koch, and senior Kanna Yerks (as seen from left to right) pose for an audience after receiving rounds of applause for their moving performance.

Music to one’s ear: Tri-M holds holiday concert

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
December 16, 2022
Senior Neena Kirlew flies to her Thanksgiving travel destination. Breathtaking scenery is not all travel has to offer; new cultures and experiences are shared as well.

Holiday travel without restrictions

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
December 15, 2022
Swift’s tenth album features a distinct vision and newfound sonic cohesivity, which all 13 of these tracks showcase.

“Midnights” album ranked

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
November 10, 2022
Junior Madeline Brumbaugh sits fatigued in her LS. The current learning seminar contributes significantly to boredom among students.

[Photo] The not-Learning Seminar

Editorial
November 10, 2022
Pictured above is student Alex, who partook in a quest to see how many suit jackets he could wear.

Homecoming: a fun-filled excursion

Madison Bell and Ben Bradfield
October 7, 2022
Andrew Tate may have been banned from most social media platforms, but he still has a growing audience on Rumble, a site centered on shared experiences from cancel culture.

Andrew Tate: influencer, kickboxer, misogynist

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
September 29, 2022
The former Queen of England passed away a year after her husband, the previous Prince Consort and Duke of Edinburgh.

Queen Elizabeth II Passes

Ben Bradfield, News Editor
September 29, 2022
Due to the attacks, gas stations, border crossings, buses, roads, and railines have faced masses of people as they are trying to protect themselves by leaving Kyiv and the country.

Putin launches militarized attack on Ukraine

Ben Bradfield and Anne Foote
September 22, 2022
Jon Batiste's eighth studio album "We Are" won Album of the Year at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

2022 Grammy-winning albums: last year in music reviewed

Ben Bradfield, Staff Writer
June 6, 2022
The infamous moment of Will Smith gifting a smack in the face to Chris Rock has gone viral, spawning internet memes across the globe overnight.

Will Smith packs a “punch” at the Oscars

Ben Bradfield, Staff Writer
April 12, 2022
Pictured above is Piper Rigsby and Amelia Birch, one choosing to and one not choosing to wear a mask at school, respectively. While some choose to no longer wear masks because of recent changes to CDC guidelines, others still do not feel as if it is safe enough to do so.

Masks no longer required at WS, causes divisiveness

Ben Bradfield, Staff Writer
April 12, 2022
Overthinker’s new extended play, “The Feast of Fools/Trotto,” features four songs, “The Feast of Fools,” “Trotto,” “Farmer’s Lament,” and “California Dreamin.” Two of these songs, embedded with original melodies, are visibly featured in the title and portrayed in the cover art.

Musical artists find comfort through song

Ben Bradfield, Staff Writer
February 28, 2022
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