Featured

App Review

by Ashley Pacheco

Sarahah is an app made in 2017. The app is a social media app that allows people to anonymously be asked questions and for you to present the answer. Most parents are very concerned about how this app is not appropriate. It lets teens and children anonymously talk to people and get questions by people they may not even know. Which in my opinion is really scary. Especially for a  parent not knowing who may be looking at their child’s social media site. This app honestly has no good reviews. There are not many positives to this site other than meeting new people. It only seems to have one star and as I have been looking over the information about it; most people state that it is not a good app. It is known to cause many cases of cyberbullying because of how anonymous it is. It is so easy for people to cyberbully because the person that gets the question doesn’t know who it is and don’t know who’s behind the screen. Overall I‘d just say Sarahah is not at all an app that has many positives to it. In my opinion don’t use it or download it. And especially do not let your young teens or children have anything to do with this app. All it will do is cause problems. So, don’t worry I’m sure we’ll see it gone from the app store very soon.

Featured

App Review

by Sarah Shields

I chose to review the app Sarahah. Basically Sarahah is an app for anonymous comments that one can’t reply to. This app was created to be a site where users could leave positive feedback and remain disguised. The app will give you a link you can post anywhere so anyone could visit your page and post a comment to the user’s page. The owner of the page can visit it and see what people have commented but can’t see who had posted the comment. The app is named after the arabic word for frankness or candor. Sarahah arrived in the Apple Store in June and skyrocketed to number one among the app stores free apps.

Some users of the app believe it is the perfect tool for anonymous bullies. People are able to remain anonymous while posting hurtful and mean comments. Many parents and other adults highly suggest other potential users to not download the app because of its numerous potential dangers. Parents of an user see that app as a perfect setting for hate and bullying to occur. Many users receive hateful and mean comments almost immediately after downloading the app and one parent even describe Sarahah as “a breeding ground for hate”. The user’s ability to remain anonymous on the app provides that person with great power to say whatever they want. A lot of people take advantage of this opportunity and abuse this power by freely saying whatever they want.

Despite the opportunities Sarahah gives the bullies the site can also bring friends closer together. The true intended purpose of the app is positive feedback between users. Contrary to some parents other users love the app and the interactions they are able to have on it for many of the  users the app serves as a place for friends to connect to complement one another.

The app was originally created for workspace. It was a place in hopes where employees could give Anonymous feedback to their employers, but it has taken a new Purpose with Snapchat. The app encourages users to share their own link to their page on Sarahah in order for their friends to comment nice things. Numerous friend groups love to use it as a way to share inside jokes and compliments with one another. Although there are many other ways for them to do that. Sarahah is a fun and interesting way to do so. Despite its harmful users, Sarahah is a great app if it is used in the right way.

Uncategorized

CYOA

by Skye Finnestad

This picture represents today’s society and their priorities. Notice that they’re all focused on their phones while in an electronics store. The back TV represents the real issues and worries of today’s world, but the people do not notice it because they are too focused on their phones. In the bottom of the picture you see a fast forward button, a play button, and a replay button. I feel that this is the way people live their lives. People trying to fast forward and just get through the day, pressing “play” to begin their day rather than actually enjoying the life they’re living and replaying the same day over and over again in their life routine.

 

Featured

CYOA

by Alyssa Jenkins

For this CYOA I took a survey on school campus life, by asking students in some of my classes, who were mostly seniors. I asked 25 people five different questions. It was pretty interesting to see how involved the people are in the school life. 3 out of 5 people said they were planning on going to most of the football games this season. 4 out of the 5 people said that they were planning on buying a parking spot. 3 out of the 5 people said that they drive. 1 out of the 5 people said that they are involved in clubs. 5 out of 5 say that they have friends in most classes. I was not very surprised by these results because not all the students I asked we’re seniors. But it was interesting to see how independent students are by driving themselves to school everyday.

Featured

CYOA

by Sarah Shields,

A poll of questions involving 30 West Hills students.

What grade are you in?
9th: 10 10th: 5 11th:8 12th:7

Do you bring lunch, buy it, or not eat at all?
Bring it: 15 buy it:11 don’t eat: 4

Do you drive yourself to school?
Yes: 19 no: 11

How many periods are you taking?
5: 10 6: 17 7:3

Are you planning on going to college?
Yes: 18 no: 5 idk yet: 7

Through this poll I have come to a realization. I have noticed most West Hills students are ambitious. They are also hard working. They are prepared for school, most drive themselves, and bring a lunch. It is very smart to bring a lunch. Most aspire to go to college and that’s great! West Hills has amazing students, who strive to be better. These kids are going above and beyond. Great job wolf pack!!

Sports, Uncategorized

The Indie way of Life

by Olivia DiSabatino

Indie is not the way you dress, the music you listen to, it is how you think and your personality. The Indie population is based upon people who do not follow everything mainstream that the public  expects one to follow. Indies do not dress a certain trend because it is popular, but because they like it themselves. The Indie Lifestyle is very interesting. They are a just typical people who double think about their environment, surroundings or what they choose to support; whether it is political leaders, movies, entertainment in general, brands, and social issues.  There are many different categories that fall under the Indie genre, whether it is music or movies. I personally love the Indie music genre and this article will be a bit like a review of Indie music.

    About seven months ago I started getting involved with Indie music because I was tired of the constant tunes playing on the radio and wanted to try something a bit different. The main reason of what sparked my desire to get involved with the genre was Harry Styles debut album, ‘HARRY STYLES’, his album was a rock alternative and I really enjoyed the album and wished I was familiar with more bands like this. I will be honest, Indie music is definitely not for everyone, especially those who listen to pop 24/7. There are many different Indie bands. My personal favorite would include ‘Foster the People’, a french band, ‘Phoenix’, ‘Bahamas’, and ‘Vance Joy’. Of course, I listen to so many more artists, but these are my all time favorite artists. If you are a newbie and are interested in some new Indie tunes, I recommend getting the free Spotify app and listening to the ‘Ultimate Indie’ album that Spotify creates for its listeners!

 

ASB & Academics

ASB

by Sandiela Dimatulac

As the beginning of the school year kicks off, we celebrate in numerous ways across campus. From football games to spirit assemblies, pep rallies and dress up weeks; we come together as students and staff to show our excitement for the 2017-2018 school year. But who, you ask, is responsible for the endless school events that take place? Well, that would be our student body government, ASB. I spoke with ASB’s Commissioner of Student Affairs, Natalia Nasrawi, to get insight on upcoming events and the experiences she has had in her last two years of ASB.
When asked about anything exciting currently going on in ASB, Natalia informed me of two events going on this friday: the Mayor’s Cup football game against Santana High School and the Alarm Clock Pep Rally. Though both of these will be all fun and games for the students, it is hard work ASB students. I asked Natalia what it’s like to be in ASB while balancing her time with her other classes as well. She responded with, “It gets a little too much sometimes, but in the end it all pays off.” Natalia enjoys ASB very much and says that preparing for homecoming, football games, and pep rallies have been her favorite aspects of this year’s ASB.

Sports, Uncategorized

Beat Report

by Sara Willis

Tragedy has struck our women’s varsity golf team this season. Sara Willis has sustained a career ending knee injury and Victoria Nease has had back pains that have become worse. Our six starters this season where Sierra Streit, Victoria Nease, Sara Willis, Camille Torre, Alainna Bolton and Haley Tritthart. Due to the injury Willis sustained early on in the season Alyssa Borbolla has filled her spot. Monday, August 28th the girls faced off against University City on the Torrey Pines south course. What a treat it was to play on such a course and claim the win. Tuesday was Coach Armstrong’s birthday and the team had a short practice to celebrate! On Wednesday the team played through the heat against Cathedral Catholic. Victoria Nease was unable to play due to her back injury and newcomer Tara Bandi filled in. August 31st was the league opener against El Capitan. It was a good match, but the team lost 274-266. Next week the team will play Helix and Valhalla. The team is also having a scramble golf tournament with a shotgun start on Tuesday, September 5th at 4pm. There will be prizes for the winning team and other games. The proceeds will go to support the team.

Another sport in the spotlight is Cross Country. The team is having their annual Wolfpack Invite on September 1st. Around thirty schools compete in this event and everyone gets to race. The first heat starts at 4pm and it is the freshman girls. The heats go youngest to oldest, girls then boys. Each event is 20 minutes apart and they start behind the visitors bleachers and end on the track. Girls and freshman boys run 1.5 miles and boys run 2.1 miles.

Boy’s Varsity Water Polo has a great starting lineup this year with Keith Patrick, Jackson Lettow, Cody Breshears, Skylar Pelant, Garrett Fernandez, Tyler Grady and Cameron Canotal in goal. The team has added 5 new players to the team with 8 returning. The boys won their most recent game against Monte Vista with an astonishing score of 18-3. It is early in the season for these sports, but we have great athletes willing to give it their all for our school!

Sports, Uncategorized

Interview with Dutch Schaefer

by Zion Reyes

For one of my beat contacts I had Dutch Schaefer, cross country team captain. Upon asking him what it was like to be team captain, this is what he had to say. “Being team captain is a big responsibility in my eyes. I’m in charge of keeping the team in order and doing the right thing when Naranjo (CC coach) isn’t there. Trying to organize stuff with the girl’s and guy’s team can get hectic but it’s worth it.” When asked what he wanted to achieve as team captain; he wanted to have the team be more communicative as a whole, even when it comes to small things. Dutch believes that communication is key to every team sport and he believes that if he is there for everyone, then the team can go far.

I also asked him about what attitudes he has seen from people throughout his many years on the cross country team. He had a lot to say. He said that it’s really a downer when he sees people on the team that don’t take it as seriously as they should and just mess around during practice. Cross country is a sport that takes a lot of dedication and time. If you don’t come to practice every day with the attitude of bettering yourself and acknowledging that cross country is not a walk in the park but rather a hard sprint in the desert. All you’re doing is wasting your time and the team’s time.

Sports

Beat

by Star Gaylord

This week I interviewed  the quarterback of the varsity football team, Jordin Young. I asked him some questions for information about this season and this week’s upcoming game the Mayor’s Cup.

The Mayor’s Cup is the football game between Santana High School and West Hills High School. This game is a big deal to everyone in Santee because it is a “cross-town” rivalry. Everyone knows each other on both teams and they probably grew up playing football together when they were little. In this game the teams will fight until the end to prove they are the best football team in the city.

When asked about the team, Young said, “The team we have this year is pretty young despite our key players being seniors. We have an athletically good team with big kids where we need them.”

I asked Young if he thinks the Wolfpack will come out on top this week and he responded, “We will most likely win. According to Santana, every year is their year although they haven’t won it in a while. But the team we have should destroy Santana.” He stated showing confidence in his team.