Loot boxes could soon be banned by federal law under the the Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act sponsored by Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley in an attempt to stop game designers from making micro transactions available to children. Loot boxes, a form of the micro transactions seen in many mobile device apps, are digital grab bags that players have to spend real or in-game currency on, but players never know what’s inside so loot boxes have been viewed as a form of underage gambling. “ I think that the bill is a step in the right direction, especially considering how rampant the video...

Sophomore Matt Kish and eighth-graders Aubrey and Abigail have advanced to the finals of the Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix, which will be held May 24 in the city-state of Monaco, located on the Mediterranean coast. The students built race cars powered by only a mousetrap. They competed in acceleration, endurance, innovation and creativity, as well as creating a video lesson that shows how to make a mousetrap car. Results were sent to the Mousetrap Contest Committee in Monaco where scores were compared with those of students around the world. "I had to read the email three times to...

Cruising in his 2006 Toyota Camry, sophomore Bennett Kent becomes the next victim of a swarm of lovebugs, as these supposedly “adored” creatures invade the front of his car. With the start of May creating a greater sense of romance for these irritating insects, similar cases of annoyance have spawned around campus. Also known as honeymoon flies, these bugs infest highways all over Florida during this time of year, as they enjoy mating in temperatures 84 degrees and higher. Because of their acidic residue, lovebugs pose a threat to cars’ coats of paint. “Lovebugs stink cause they’re...

After completing the purchase on Amazon, sophomore Carlos Zelaya awaits his copy of “Natural Intent,” a collection of poetry pieces composed by former language arts and career research teacher James Peterson. According to Peterson’s biography on the Amazon website, the book intends to provide respite and calm to help ease stress while encouraging the reader to indulge in the pleasures of nature. When his friends shared a link to the Amazon page with him, Zelaya was eager to persuade others to support Peterson and his book. “My first reaction was to spread the word to everyone I knew...

As the audience’s applause rang out through the auditorium, senior Lauren Seifert raced out of the concert with one goal in mind. The district finals lacrosse game was the same night as the chorus and orchestra concert — her final one after six years of West Shore orchestra. “I am a five-year senior letterman on the team, and the goalie, so it was very important to be at that game,” Seifert said. “However, it was also mandatory that I attend the concert, and obviously I would not have wanted to miss it anyway because it was the culmination of six years of orchestra.” She said...

A wrecked car from a DUI accident that resulted in two fatalities has been placed in the student parking lot for the week in hopes of warning students about the dangers of drunken driving before Prom. “We have historically had some issues with Homecoming and Prom because of alcohol,” School Resource Officer Valerie Butler said. “We were trying to think of a creative way to bring awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving, so we came up with this idea.” Butler said she thinks this idea will be more effective than others. “I’ve seen it done in other schools,” she said....