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The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

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The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon

Opinions

At Westwood it's no secret that students are known for taking on large workloads and multiple extracurriculars. But Westwood's competitive culture severely harms students and will only get worse if nothing is done.

Locked In: The Cost of Westwood’s Burnout Culture

Editorial Staff May 11, 2025

Monday, 8:09 a.m. Bloodshot eyes flicker open, and a student crosses the threshold between cold outside air and the musty scent of sleep-deprived high schoolers. Everyone else is already there, Chromebook...

Project 2025 is a far-right policy initiative launched prior to President Donald Trump's election. Among many policies, Project 2025 details anti-transgender legislation. Upon Trump's administration, he has wasted no time implementing numerous pieces of transphobic legislation that seem to draw inspiration from Project 2025.

“I Don’t Have Any Rights”: Project 2025 is an Affront to Trans Youth

Vedanti Patil, Reporter May 5, 2025

This story contains mentions of transphobia, assault, and gender-based violence.  *Due to identity protection, some individuals have been granted anonymity, and their names have been replaced with...

Despite cultural and political barriers, IShowSpeed's streams have been a crucial step in broadening American people's views of China.

Breaking Barriers: IShowSpeed Dismantles Stereotypes About China

Charlie Hui, Reporter May 5, 2025

Popular YouTube streamer Darren Watkins, known to viewers as “IShowSpeed” or “Speed,” for short, has recently concluded his China tour, livestreaming to millions of Americans a side of China that...

In the age of social media, "canceling" someone, or the mass public shunning of a person for perceived wrongdoing, has become all too common. However, cancel culture is often selective and can even benefit one's career while harming others'.

Cancel Culture is Counterproductive

Leah Kardonik, Reporter April 28, 2025

Cancel culture is a part of our society that is now seen all over social media, where public figures’ careers can end in a night for actions that seem unacceptable. This phenomenon can lead to celebrities...

In the midst of a slew of funding and staffing cuts, America's parks are more vulnerable than ever.

Protect America’s Parks: Why President Trump’s Onslaught on the NPS is Woefully Misguided

Anagha Alluri, Reporter April 23, 2025

America’s national parks are more than just tourist destinations. Since Yellowstone National Park became the nation’s first national park in 1872, these sacred spaces have been a symbol of America’s...

After President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education the future of American education is still unknown. But while much yet to come, it is clear that students and teachers everywhere, especially in Texas, will suffer without it.

Texas Needs the Department of Education

Charly Obermiller, Reporter April 12, 2025

I am the daughter of a teacher. The fact that the government is disrespecting her is ridiculous. Teachers everywhere are working hard to provide and make sure your children have a good education and this...

President Donald Trump's second term started with a flurry of controversial policies, including sweeping tariffs on multiple countries. However, these isolationist policies are an issue for both parties and need to be addressed as such.

Isolationism is a Two Party Problem

Charlie Hui, Reporter April 3, 2025

Just barely a week before Christmas Eve, the longest-serving Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, wrote an article denouncing the trajectory of American Foreign Policy. Two months into the second Trump Presidency...

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and world's richest man has involved himself with the US government with the implementation of controversial Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. But Musk's ability to control government policy is the beginning of a dangerous descent into oligarchy.

The Price of The POTUS

Conall Coats, Sports Editor March 25, 2025

The United States has taken its next step towards oligarchy. An oligarchy is defined as a form of government controlled by a small group of people, normally aristocrats, hold the majority of power over...

It's no surprise that AI has exploded recently, with its wide ranging abilities and innovations. However, conversational AI has potentially dangerous implications and Is destroying fundamental human expirience.

Conversation with a Computation

Aarya Kale, News Editor March 5, 2025

It’s no surprise that the creation of AI has gripped everyone in a suspenseful trance.  Even the supposed critics remain hooked to every mention of the innovation if only to dispute it, a phenomenon...

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony marked yet another year where only one woman was nominated for best director. This lack of diversity and representation needs to be addressed to reflect the true influence women have in filmmaking.

More Women Should Win Best Director

Katie Ring, Reporter March 4, 2025

The Oscars. The oldest of the four major entertainment awards, and largely considered the most prestigious of all movie awards. It’s no surprise that almost 20 million people watched the Academy Awards...

The Metal community is notorious for its radicalization of labelling its music and judging artists for how “heavy” their music sounds. But this trend of labeling has led to stifling creativity among musicians.

The Confining Nature of the Metal Music Industry on Creativity

Sabareesh Dinakaran, Reporter February 28, 2025

Ever since the inception of hard rock from Black Sabbath in the 1960s to the innovation of progressive metal from Periphery in the early 2010s, the metal community has been subject to constant change and...

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