Journalism has always been an important aspect of student life at West Springfield High School. The Oracle is the award-winning student-run newspaper for the school. In the 1980’s, students aimed to discuss global and local current events, such as attempts to raise the legal drinking age in Virginia or the success and failures of the president at the time. Students also tended to debate controversial issues in the newspaper, as well as voicing their opinions on school news. Student struggles with adapting to the renovations and detailing important school traditions played a major role in the makeup of the beloved school newspaper. The Oracle is able to give a clear insight into what high school students in the 1980’s thought and cared about, ranging from issues such as smoking privileges being taken away from students of the legal age to dating in high school.