The Oracle at West Springfield High school was a way in which WSHS students were able to keep up-to-date with news, events, and read others’ opinions on various issues of the decade. Additionally, it was an outlet for journalism students to express their beliefs and gain experience in journalistic writing. Furthermore,The Oracle was a collaborative project by nature as it was student-written, teacher-approved, and whose content drew from all WSHS students, often including student poll and survey results. In the 1990s specifically, The Oracle was often considered controversial, but the passionate student-written op-eds and coupons to the hottest restaurants and hangouts made the 75 cents necessary to purchase an issue worth it.

Open Conversations

The Oracle was famously known for its discussion of very progressive topics such as drugs, sex, religion, and politics. These topics were often addressed through student-written op-eds and polls and could include very direct, harsh by some standards, arguments in favor or against various current issues and/or beliefs. Though the inclusion of these controversial polls and op-eds meant the potential to cause division among students, discussion of controversial topics often led to healthy dialogue between opposing sides that ended in respect for the opposition as well as an open mind, further enriching education at WSHS.

Surveys and Polls

Surveys and polls were a fun way to include student opinions within The Oracle that were a little more interactive and inclusive than traditional op-ed pieces. Additionally, they were a great way for students to glean an understanding about the general opinions and biases of the West Springfield High School student body. Overall, surveying and polling was what made The Oracle feel a little bit more collaborative among the student body.

Sponsors / Businesses

Right when students thought they reached the end of the newest issue of The Oracle they would be bombarded by of series of ads, coupons, and promotions for different local businesses that sponsored it. These ads were pertinent to student life as ads for driving schools, hair salons, photography studios, SAT prep, tutoring and local restaurants appear numerous times throughout each issue. They were, and still are, a great way for students at West Springfield to find local businesses that could fulfill their personal and academic needs.