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The official student news site of Westview High School

The Nexus

The official student news site of Westview High School

The Nexus

The official student news site of Westview High School

The Nexus

Phoebe Vo

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief

Phoebe Vo (12) is in her third year as part of The Nexus. If ever in pursuit of a Phoebe, you can almost always find her in L104, either engrossed in silly conversations with her fellow Nexans or stressing out about the next issue. And, if she runs, you can most certainly catch her (she’s wearing heels). In her free time, she loves to read (a range from classical literature to philosophical texts to fanfiction), play chess at Peet’s, and sleep!

All content by Phoebe Vo
Anvit Watwani (12) listens to the Quiz Bowl moderator's question, deliberating his response, at the CCA tournament, Nov. 16. The team qualified for playoffs with a score of 5-2.

Quiz Bowl makes playoffs in CCA tourney

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 22, 2024

Tightly clutching the small black buzzer in his hands, Anvit Watwani (12) stared intensely at the moderator as they read a question from this round’s Quiz Bowl packet, Nov. 16. Asking for the name of...

The Pursuit of Meaning

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 22, 2024

Calvin and Hobbes   “Life is like topography”  The day of the election, I hosted a small gathering. My friends and I sat around my little firepit, taking in the cool November air, with my...

Shayna Mehta (12) [front] and Dylan Deng (12) [back] work in a glove box, filling cartridges with hydrogel, Monday. They both work at Solutions Matter.

Mehta, Deng work at Solutions Matter, create medical devices

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 22, 2024

Shayna Mehta (12) tried her best to keep her hand steady. She picked up a narrow tube, slowly and carefully placing it into a giant laminator in her company’s laboratory. Millibar by millibar, degree...

Heidrick-Barnes teaches her first period class how to tell time, Nov. 19. She has been teaching special education for 22 years.

[Photo] Heidrick-Barnes raises over $14,000, wins Best Buddies Champion of the Year

Juliana Hong, Staff Writer November 22, 2024

Heidrick-Barnes teaches her first period class how to tell time, Nov. 19. She has been teaching special education for 22 years.

Photo and Art by Ella Jiang, Aspen Cotton, and Evelyn Shoemaker

A house divided

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 8, 2024

  Amidst one of the most intense, devastating conflicts in U.S. history, just before the Confederates seceded from the Union, subsequently splitting apart the young nation, Abraham Lincoln, in...

Connecting with underclassmen heals my inner freshman

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 8, 2024

Even though I am currently  experiencing my last year of high school, I just can’t seem to view myself as a senior. Of course, I’ve changed and grown as a person; I’ve abandoned the tennis shoes,...

The Pursuit of Meaning

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 8, 2024

Solipsism “The self is all that can be known to exist.”   As of late, I’ve felt a profound sense of disillusionment. Perhaps, in reference to my earlier columns, this discontentment,...

The Pursuit of Meaning

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief October 11, 2024

Taoism  “Take on the interests of other people”  Recently, I confided in my mother about my existential dread for my future and my desperate attempts to search and create meaning in my life....

Talking to strangers forms friendship

Talking to strangers forms friendship

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief October 11, 2024

I’ve never been one to approach a stranger. Perhaps that might be because the word most commonly paired with the term is “danger,” constructing a catchy rhyme that has been used to scare kids for...

Maheshwari dominates the chess board, rises to 56th place in California

Maheshwari dominates the chess board, rises to 56th place in California

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief October 11, 2024

Vedant Maheshwari (9) knew his loss was imminent, Dec. 6, 2023. Black and white pieces intertwined with one another on a chess board in front of him, each previous move having sculpted a display of careful...

bowden citi3yeuk

[Photo] Bowden: Adventure Bound!

Abby Siu, Final Focus Editor September 20, 2024

Conner Pietsch (11) films the Oceanside football game, Sept.13. He is the official Westview football videographer.

Pietsch films football games, creates player highlight clips

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief September 20, 2024

Connor Pietsch (11) felt a faint tremble in his hands as he shifted his Sony a6700 camera ever so slightly to capture the first play of Friday’s football game, Sept. 13. Surrounded by a crowd of Westview...

The Pursuit of Meaning

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief September 20, 2024

Dostoevsky “Beauty will save the world.”  The sky is bleak against the bright, artificial lights that emanate from nearby houses. It's gray, tinged ever so slightly with the undertones of a...

Crystal Chen (12) prepares to hit the ball in her doubles match against Canyon Crest Academy, Sept. 17. She has been captain for two years.

[Photo] Girls tennis faces CCA in first match of the season

Phoebe, Vo September 20, 2024

Crystal Chen (12) prepares to hit the ball in her doubles match against Canyon Crest Academy, Sept. 17. She has been captain for two years.

Radosevich, Doniye welcomed to campus community as librarians

Radosevich, Doniye welcomed to campus community as librarians

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief August 30, 2024

As the familiar sound of the scanner permeated the quiet of the library, Librarian Teacher Jennifer Radosevich smiled as she  picked up a copy of the “Patron Saints of Nothing” and handed it to the...

My plans towards self-improvement

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief August 30, 2024

It’s been three years since I stepped foot on Westview’s brutalist concrete. Trees have been planted, benches have been painted, and the budget has thoroughly decreased. Yet, I cannot help but wonder...

The Pursuit of Meaning

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief August 30, 2024

Absurdism  “To live without appeal”    As I approach the precipice of adolescence, leaning on the very cliff before adulthood, I find myself in quite the unnerving position. Usually,...

Measuring Movement: Mehta, Nayak, Lee research physics in USC project

Measuring Movement: Mehta, Nayak, Lee research physics in USC project

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief August 30, 2024

As Shayna Mehta (12) steadied the softball bat in her hands, gripping intensely to prepare for the pitch, the grassy field that usually lay beneath her feet was nowhere to be found. Instead, the soft surface...

Final Focus Art for Web

[Photo] Crippled by Compulsion

Abby Siu, Final Focus Editor August 30, 2024

Helpful Honda honors Hester with $5K

Helpful Honda honors Hester with $5K

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief May 31, 2024

Dawn Hester was recognized during Teacher Appreciation Week and received $5,000 worth of school supplies from Honda, May 6. Disguised as a celebration for the Option 16 team’s participation at World’s,...

Battle of the Classes

[Photo] Sopmores, juniors win Battle of the Classes

Athena Schmelzer, Staff Writer May 31, 2024

Battle of the Classes

Maganti finds his beat in Mridangam drumming

Maganti finds his beat in Mridangam drumming

Phoebe Vo and Jason Kim May 3, 2024

Vamsi Maganti (11) listened carefully to the singer next to him, closing his eyes to feel the gentle rhythm of her voice as he tapped softly on his drum, blending the two sounds together, April 13. Dressed...

Construction of new engineering building to begin August

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief May 3, 2024

Construction for a new building on campus with amenities specific to engineering’s Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways and the robotics program is slated to begin in August 2024 and will be completed...

The Death of Deep Thought

The Death of Deep Thought

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief April 5, 2024

Alex Kun (9) doesn’t know exactly when he stopped reading books. With childlike excitement, he used to derive wondrous enjoyment from skimming his hands over the spine of a book, flipping its pages,...

Review: Unheard (EP) by Hozier

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief April 5, 2024

Hozier’s extended play album Unheard is a beautifully composed set of four songs, which had me utterly enthralled from its very first note. Like a siren’s call, Hozier’s voice is enchantingly alluring,...

PUSD plans for budget cuts due to funding deficit

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief April 5, 2024

PUSD has made its own fiscal projection following governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of the state’s $68 billion deficit: a district-wide $28 million shortfall. Multiple factors have contributed...

Earlier dismissal to be implemented next school year

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief March 15, 2024

For the 2024-2025 school year, all PUSD High Schools will implement a new bell schedule, shifting the 3:45 p.m. end time to 3:35 p.m.. Principal Ernie Remillard said that due to the California-mandated...

Graphic by Phoebe Vo and Aspen Cotton

I really love annotating books

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief March 15, 2024

Today is finally the day. I know I can do it. A foe that has so long evaded me will finally meet its end. Its very existence has taunted me so, pervading my life, a constant in my thoughts and dreams....

nyt games cartoon

[Photo] NYT games bring us together

Haven Teudt, Staff Writer March 15, 2024

Classroom phone holders

Classroom phone holders

Zeina Nicolas and Phoebe Vo February 16, 2024

Yes Zeina Nicolas I couldn’t tell you the number of times I’ve been in class and could see someone near me on their phone playing a video game or scrolling on social media. Whether...

ASB introduces new Canvas page for clubs to aid communication

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief February 16, 2024

The ASB Interclub Committee launched a new Canvas page, Feb. 3.  Kai Synder (11), Alexia Johnson (9), Valerie Hsu (11), and Landan Karetny (9) put together the system in an attempt to better manage the...

Hester battles cancer, keeps positive spirit while teaching

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief February 16, 2024

Science teacher Dawn Hester has always had enthusiasm for learning. Whether it was watching her robotics students build and program machines out of nothing more than loose parts or teaching her physics...

barnesandnoble

[Photo] Barnes & Noble heals my soul

Ella Jiang, Features Editor February 16, 2024

Kicking it in France: Chung plays in international futsal competition

Kicking it in France: Chung plays in international futsal competition

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief January 26, 2024

From Dec. 26 to Jan. 4, Arthur Chung (11) participated in the International US Youth Futsal competition in France. Competing in a series of four rounds against the top teams in the country, it was a showcase...

State budget loses billions in funds

State budget loses billions in funds

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief January 26, 2024

Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled the first draft of the 2024-2025 California budget, Jan. 10, which had been projected by the Legislative Analyst’s Office in December of 2023 to have a $68 billion deficit....

Parting Ways

Parting Ways

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief December 22, 2023

There was an air of blissful carelessness that permeated the elementary school playground as 6-year-old Kailyn Donnelly (11) giggled, her face stuck in a wide grin, watching her three friends...

Review: Sabrina Carpenter’s fruitcake

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief December 22, 2023

Sabrina Carpenter’s album fruitcake, released on Nov. 17, is the perfect record to get you ready for the Christmas season. A mixture of pop and holiday music, its six songs are the perfect accompaniment...

Elena Tran (12) works on matching audio to a PUSD broadcast news video for her internship with studio 701

[Photo] Tran interns at district broadcast, Studio 701

Aspen Cotton, Editor in Chief December 22, 2023

Elena Tran (12) works on matching audio to a PUSD broadcast news video for her internship with studio 701

ROTC prepares for first field meet competition

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 17, 2023

UNARMED EXHIBITION Haven Reed (12) could not contain her excitement when it was announced she had been chosen to be Unarmed Exhibition captain last year. Having been participating since her sophomore...

Song plays final 18 of high school career in CIFs second round

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 17, 2023

Positioned at the tee box of the 18th hole at Torrey Pines golf course on the morning of Nov. 1, Samantha Song (12) grasped her driver tight in her hands as she tweaked its position ever so slightly behind...

Dance Troupe performs at Halloween Festival

Dance Troupe performs at Halloween Festival

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief October 27, 2023

Westview Dance Troupe performed the song, “Thriller,” by Michael Jackson, in the Rancho Penasquitos Halloween Community Festival, Oct. 21, at Hilltop Park in the event’s local flash mob. Coach...

Choi finds comfort living with Rentz Family in U.S

Choi finds comfort living with Rentz Family in U.S

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief October 27, 2023

Claire Choi (11) always felt at home in California. It’s the place where she was born, where she grew up, and where her fondest memories of childhood took place. So, when she found herself sitting...

Vivian Roberts (10) leaps into the air to strike the volleyball that was set by Ava Zamora (11), scoring a point for Westview, Oct. 20. The team was celebrating their senior night together at their latest home game against San Marcos, and after an intense match, the team lost 3-1.

[Photo] Girls volleyball smashes competition

Haven Teudt, Staff Writer October 26, 2023

Vivian Roberts (10) leaps into the air to strike the volleyball that was set by Ava Zamora (11), scoring a point for Westview, Oct. 20. The team was celebrating their senior night together at their latest...

New Mandarin courses foster cultural awareness

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief October 6, 2023

The recently implemented Chinese Language curriculum, teaching Mandarin, having started this year, is a new option for language and culture acquisition at Westview. The class kicked off with an auspicious...

Mackenzie Huynh (12) prepares for next week’s Homecoming rally, Oct. 1. ASB is preparing Spiderman-themed decorations and props for the Homecoming dance.

[Photo] ASB seniors plan their last Homecoming rally

October 6, 2023

Mackenzie Huynh (12) prepares for next week’s Homecoming rally, Oct. 1. ASB is preparing Spiderman-themed decorations and props for the Homecoming dance.

Reynolds enters his ninth year as a piano accompanist

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief September 15, 2023

Westview’s official accompanist for the Musical Theatre class Andrew Reynolds played the piano for the very first time at the age of six; a simple action that would become his lifelong pursuit. He was...

COMPLETE COLOR ff shower art

[Photo] Thoughts Trickle Down

Zeina Nicolas, Final Focus Editor September 15, 2023

The Ins and Outs of The Nexus

The Ins and Outs of The Nexus

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief August 25, 2023

As Westview’s official student newspaper, The Nexus aims to bring light to intriguing stories about our students and campus. Publishing every three weeks, the press cycle begins with the staff...

Trivedi explores India with foreign exchange program

Trivedi explores India with foreign exchange program

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief August 25, 2023

Thousands of miles away from the suburbs of San Diego, having traveled for 15 hours over land and ocean alike, Nirja Trivedi (12) found herself in the crowded, metropolitan city of Dwarka, India, June...

Cross country trains in Big Bear

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief August 25, 2023

From July 30 to Aug. 4, Shayna Mehta (11) and eight other runners from the cross country team attended summer training camp in the mountains of Big Bear. Coach Amanda Sandstrom began hosting the camps...

Behind the Curtain: An in-depth look into theater's backstage crew

Behind the Curtain: An in-depth look into theater’s backstage crew

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief April 7, 2023

Lighting: In contrast to the dark room that Thomas Hurd (12) sat in, the stage in front of him was lit with vibrant colors. He watched Beauty and the Beast unfold in front of him, his lighting controls...

Lee, Zhang, Shi compete in USA Math Olympiad

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief April 7, 2023

Nine hours. Six questions. Two days. Infinite pressure. Daeho Lee (12), Justin Zhang (11), and Eric Shi (11) sat at the shiny desks of a USCD classroom, March 21-22. Their demeanors were calm, but their...

In-depth: NJROTC military inspection

In-depth: NJROTC military inspection

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief March 17, 2023

Mia Tran (11) scrambled to retrieve her phone after being woken up at seemingly the dead of night by her blaring alarm, March 8. The sky was still pitch black outside and her illuminating phone screen...

Spoilers are great

Spoilers are great

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief February 10, 2023

Spoiler alert: I absolutely love spoilers. Whether it be for movies, books, or television shows, I love being able to know what is happening beforehand. Knowing a crucial part of the story or a plot...

Athletes train for college recruitment

Athletes train for college recruitment

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief February 10, 2023

Jaden Nisperos (11) could feel an intense stare directed at him as soon as he stole the soccer ball. When he glanced up, his eyes caught hold of a college recruiter, who scribbled down notes on his...

 Kyla Ho (10) stirs in an extra cup of cheese, an essential step to make Red Lobster biscuits.  She plans to give them to her peers during finals.

Baking connections: Ho’s bread raises spirits

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief January 26, 2023

Kyla Ho (10) yawned as she retrieved the pan out of the oven, having woken up at 6 AM to bake the dough she had made the night before. As the smell of freshly baked bread overwhelmed her senses, she...

Art by Phoebe Vo

Don’t support AI “art”

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief January 19, 2023

To continue on my saga of procrastination, I was again on my phone, scrolling through Instagram posts. I noticed video after video of people trying this new “AI art generator,” which allows users...

TV shows should end

TV shows should end

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief December 16, 2022

The talent of binging shows non-stop for hours, even days on end, takes drive and motivation. Call it a lack of self-control, and perhaps even sleep, but fixating and consuming one TV show over a matter...

Adrian Welton (11) ran 3.1 miles at CIF states, Nov. 26. Welton had the fastest race time on the team and placed 24th out of 180 runners.

Boys cross country places ninth at states

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief December 16, 2022

As the boys cross country team’s first-place win in the CIF League Finals was announced, captain Adrian Welton (11) felt extremely proud. This was the first time in eight years that the boys team...

Jaden Nisperos (11), Autumn Kelly (11), and Mina Hurt (11) perform a comedic bit at GOLD's Winter show, Dec. 13. They entertain the audience while giving stage crew time to set up behind the curtain for the next performance.

[Photo] Behind-the-scenes look at GOLD’s annual Winter show

Ella Jiang, Features Editor December 16, 2022

Jaden Nisperos (11), Autumn Kelly (11), and Mina Hurt (11) perform a comedic bit at GOLD's Winter show, Dec. 13. They entertain the audience while giving stage crew time to set up behind the curtain for...

Polaroids: a charming way to live more in the moment

Polaroids: a charming way to live more in the moment

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 18, 2022

Homecoming night entails many things. Dressing up, going out to eat, dancing, hanging out with friends—but most time-consuming is picture-taking. It is an essential part of the event, and to honor...

Ryland Arciaga (12) discusses strategies with teammates at League Finals, Nov. 3. These pre-race talks help to calm the runners’ anxiety for the run.

Arciaga manages pre-race anxiety

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 18, 2022

The sun burned on Ryland Arciaga’s (12) skin as he stepped onto the starting line beside the other runners. His eyes focused on the long path ahead of him as he took a deep breath, trying to calm...

Student Endorsement: Rebecca Kanter for Superior Court Judge (Office 35)

Student Endorsement: Rebecca Kanter for Superior Court Judge (Office 35)

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 2, 2022

​​San Diego Superior Court judges are an essential part of our legal system and who we choose to endorse with our votes in the midterm elections has large implications for the future of our county....

Student Endorsement: Summer Stephens for San Diego District Attorney

Student Endorsement: Summer Stephens for San Diego District Attorney

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief November 2, 2022

Running unopposed, Summer Stephan will continue serving as San Diego’s district attorney. Having served since 2016, she plans to continue her career with another four-year term, focusing extensively...

Young Kpop idols under extreme amounts of stress

Young Kpop idols under extreme amounts of stress

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief October 14, 2022

Scrolling through the depths of TikTok, as one does when procrastinating on school work, I came across an audio that had recently become popular. The song was called “Attention,” and it was from...

Crystal Chen (10th)

Girls tennis faces CCA

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief September 16, 2022

Winning three doubles and three singles games against CCA, on Sept. 1, proved to be not quite enough as Westview fell to the Ravens, 12-6. The loss was the team’s first of the season, dropping them...

Art by Ella Jiang

Romanticizing Criminals in the Media

Phoebe Vo, Editor in Chief September 16, 2022

In the midst of another late-night search for good web novels and comics, I came across a psychological-thriller-horror-romance story. Among this handful of genres,  the word romance seems out of...

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