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Ventura High School
2 North Catalina, Ventura CA 93001 (805) 641-5116 www.thecougarpress.org Instagram: @the.cougar.press Twitter/Snapchat: @thecougarpress Facebook: @thecougarpressvhs
The Cougar Press Friday, August 25, 2017
“The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.” -Henry Ford
Volume 70 Edition 01
Dear Superintendent Cresswell: voices from VHS CAUSE students Brooke Newman Micah Wilcox Ventura Unified School District’s new superintendent was revealed on July 25 at an evening school board meeting following the March dismissal of former superintendent Dr. Michael Babb.
Photo from: VC Star
Dr. Babb was VUSD’s superintendent from 2015, following the retirement of former superintendent Trudy Arriaga, until March of this
year, when he was removed from by the school board in a 4-1 vote. New superintendent, David Cresswell (pictured left), was selected in a unanimous vote out of 51 applicants in a process that included multiple special school board sessions, five candidate interviews, and callbacks for two candidates before Cresswell was chosen. Cresswell’s biography on VUSD’s website notes that he is “a recognized Human Resources leader having received the Association of California School Administrators HR Administrator of the Year award for 2016.” His biography also notes his degrees from California State Long Beach, Azusa Pacific and La Sierra Universities, and mentions his work with a non-profit organization that “works to prevent human
Photo By: Lucia Marquez
From Left to Right: senior Desiree Estrada, CAUSE leader Lucia Marquez, junior Jordan Pollock, senior Maya Espinoza, senior Maritza Duran, junior Kate Marsden, and senior Maria Palomino.
trafficking.” After the board approved the employment and contract of Mr. Creswell, there was a brief intermission before the floor became open for speakers to address their concerns to the board members and new superintendent. Six Ventura High School students spoke, occupying six of the 16 slots available for public comment.
The students were members of the youth organization Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy. CAUSE is a grassroots organization in Ventura and Santa Barbara County that works to empower community members to influence change on various issues. VHS seniors Maya Espinoza, Desiree Estrada and Maria Palomino
advocated for making ethnic studies a graduation course requirement for high school students in VUSD to increase cultural awareness and appreciation. VHS juniors Kate Marsden and Jordan Pollock spoke to address environmental and health concerns with Cresswell that they believe could be improved upon at VHS. Both Marsden and Pollock urged the board to consider increasing the amount of fresh drinking water available to students on the VHS campus. Finally, VHS senior Mariza Duran spoke on ensuring that LGBTQ+ students feel safe and comfortable at VHS and other district campuses. continued on... www.thecougarpress.org
Fall sports kick off the school year Diego Roberto
swings,” said senior Lacy Soleil. Asked how the team was looking for the upcoming season, Soleil said, “My coach told us [that] we’re going to smoke Buena again this year because our team is looking really
good… We have a lot of new freshman on the team, some of which have never played before but have great potential.” Over the course of their season they will play 14 matches against ten different teams, including Royal, Simi
As the new school year begins, so does the fall season of sports for Ventura High School. Throughout the summer, football, boys water polo, girls tennis and golf, dance, cheer, girls volleyball and cross country all began to prepare for the fall season. The girls golf team is preparing for their season opener on August 24, the second day of school, at BuenaVentura Golf Course. This year, the team had almost twice the number of girls tryout for the team than last year, including incoming freshmen. Photo From: Instagram @venturacougarfootball The girls have been From left to right: senior Seth Hense(#65), junior Carlos Aviles(#75), and senior practicing every Tuesday Jesus Ochoa(#91) have had summer practice everyday except Sunday all summer and Thursday through the long. summer, “perfecting our
Valley, Calabasas, and the four other teams competing in Channel League. On the first Friday of school, August 25, the best of VHS’s Cougar spirit will come out as VHS watches the first football game of the season against Thousand Oaks. VHS Cougar football has been practicing since last school year, starting with weight room, moving to seven on seven scrimmages in the spring, and then, in July, they received their football pads and began practicing. Football has practiced ever yday but Sunday all summer, r unning routes, learning coverages, and conditioning to be the best team to represent the Channel League in the playoffs.
In a tweet on Thursday August 10 @VCSPREPS wrote, “Ventura FB coach Tim Garcia thinks his team is the fastest and most athletic Cougars squad since 2000,” considering the fact that the team from 2000 was the first team to win a CIF title in 49 years. With the football season beginning, the cheer and dance seasons have begun as well. The VHS cheer team started summer practice on July 20, and have been practicing MondayThursday from 4 to 5:30 since. Cheer has performed for football and school events throughout the summer as well. continued on... Page 7
Table of Contents ASSETS HOURS School days 2:30-5:30 p.m.
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Calendar...........................................3 News................................................4 Features........................................6-7 2017-2018 Staff List.........................5 Campus Map..................................8 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Bell Schedule
The Cougar Press The Cougar Press is a student-run public forum of the VHS community. We strive to present all sides of the issue fairly and without bias. From time to time, we make an error. When this happens, we try to correct it as soon as possible. Students and community members are encouraged to write letters to The Cougar Press. We welcome all letters, but may edit them for clarity and brevity. This public forum is only as good as the community support it receives. Any letter submitted also may be published on our website www.cugr.org. Send letters to: Editor, The Cougar Press, Ventura, CA 93001. The Cougar Press supports student free speech.
The Cougar Press Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Brooke Newman
Editor-in-Chief
Avenlea Russian
Managing Editor Micah Wilcox
Layout Editor Clayton Currie
Photo Editor Diego Roberto
Wednesday Bell Schedule
Staffers Lola Bobrow Paris Carmody Sarah Clench Hailey Cox Emily Distefano Alicja Fowler Samantha Franks Harley Gagnon Acacia Harrell Sailor Hawes Hector Heredia Ryan King Billy Maxwell Bailey Peck Kylie Torres Summer Yovanno Andrew Welsh
Calendar
The Cougar Press Page Three
August-September Calendar Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
25 Football vs Thousand Oaks, home, JV at 4, V at 7 p.m. 29 30 28 Fall Play Auditions, Veg United Club, rm 275, Life Touch Photos, CSU, Girls Tennis vs. Saugus, Little Theater, 6-9 p.m. 4 7a.m.-2:30p.m. home, 3-6 p.m. 1 The Thirst Project, rm 90 Photo by: Hailey Cox Boys Waterpolo Jazz class, Band rm, 3:30Tournament, home, 5:30 p.m. 1:30-8 p.m. 5 Jazz class, Band rm, Jazz class, Band rm 3:303:30-5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 8 Girls Volleyball vs La Girls Tennis vs Hart, Reina, home, F/S at 4, JV home, 3 -6 p.m. 7 6 at 5, V at 6 p.m. Jazz class, Band rm, 12 Aspire Club, rm 207 Girls Volleyball vs 3:30-5 p.m. The Thirst Project, rm 90 Thousand Oaks, home, F/S Football vs Rio Football vs Rio Mesa, Boys F/S Water Polo, F/S at 4, JV at 5, V at 6 Mesa, home, 4-6:30p.m. home, JV at 4, V at 7 home vs Moorpark, 3:15-6 p.m. p.m. p.m. 14 13 15 Girls Tennis vs. Buena, Aspire Club, rm 207 Back to School Night, Football vs Saugus, home, 3-6 p.m. Jazz class, Band rm, 6:30-8:30 p.m. home, JV at 4, V at 7 Jazz class, Band rm, 3:303:30-5:30 p.m. 20 p.m. 11 5:30 p.m. F/S Football vs Saugus, 22 Veg United Club, rm 275 ASSETS, Drama rm, 3:30- Girls Tennis vs. home, 4-6:30 p.m. Moorpark, home, 3-6 Jazz class, Band rm, Jazz class, Band rm, 3:30- 5:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball, vs p.m. 5:30p.m. Girls Volleyball vs Rio Santa Barbara, home, 3:30-5:30 p.m. 27 29 ASSETS mtg, rm 51, 4 -5 Mesa, home,F/S at 4, JV at F/S at 4, JV at 5, V at Girls Tennis vs Santa Boys JV Waterpolo, p.m. 5, V at 6 p.m. Barbara, home, 3-6 p.m. 6 p.m. home, 1:30-8 p.m. 21 19 18 Junior/Senior Parent Jazz class, Band rm, Jazz class, Band rm, 3:30- Girls Tennis vs Dos Night, CSU, 6:30-8 p.m. NO SCHOOL 3:30-5:30 p.m. Pueblos, home, 3-6 p.m. 5 p.m. ASSETS mtg, rm 51, 4-5 ASSETS, Drama rm, 3:30 -5:30 p.m. p.m. Jazz class, Band rm, 3:3025 Veg United Club, rm 275 5:30 p.m. Jazz class, Band rm, 3:30- 26 Boys Waterpolo vs Dos 5:30 p.m. ASSETS mtg, rm 51, 4-5 Pueblos, home, 3:15-6 p.m. ASSETS, Drama rm, 3:30p.m. Photo by: Colleen Smith 5:30 p.m. Photo from: Avenlea Russian 28 Jazz class, Band rm, 3:30Aspire Club, rm 207 5:30 p.m. Jazz class, Band rm, Girls Volleyball vs San 3:30-5:30 p.m. Marcos, home, F/S at 4, JV Girls Volleyball, vs Dos at 5, V at 6 p.m. Pueblos, home, F/S at F/S Parent Night, CSU, 4, JV at 5, V at 6 p.m. 6:30p.m. - 8p.m. 21
23 22 To guest write for The Cougar Press, stop by rm 104 at lunch for more info.
Labor Day-District Closed
“This is the beginning of anything you want” -unknown
24 Aspire Club, rm 207 Fall Play Auditions, Little Theater, 6-9 p.m. 31 Aspire Club, rm 207
Saturday
Girls soccer tryouts Larabee Stadium Freshman & sophomores 8/28 Juniors & seniors 8/29 Call backs 8/31
2 Boys F/S Waterpolo, home, 1:30-8 p.m. Girls Volleyball Alumni Game, home, F/S at 4, JV at 5, V at 6 p.m. 9 ACT Exam, 7a.m4:30 p.m, in rooms 85,90,91,92,93 Dance Team Youth Clinic, Main St Gym, 10a.m-1 p.m.
Upcoming dances FTHS (all district) 70’s Dance 8/25 VHS Neon Dance 9/8 Photo by: Diego Roberto
30 Boys JV Waterpolo, home, 7:30a.m -6 p.m.
Drawing by: Kai Torres
Drawing by: Harley Gagnon
News Is our turf causing cancer? School, Ventura College to human health and to and Harvard-Westlake High Ventura’s environment. School; the Forest Hills, “We do core and MD-based Synthetic Turf stretch on the fields,” said Larrabee Stadium’s Council, an industry group River Winn, a junior and synthetic turf field may face says that there are over a member of the crosschallenges this October 12,000 artificial turf fields country team. “Sometimes when the Environmental across the United States. after track meets people Protection Agency Field-goers are even say they find turf at announces whether artificial exposed to these chemicals random places in their house turf fields are linked to when the crumb rubber like in their bed and such!” health problems, including cancer. Artificial turf, or synthetic grass, has been the focus of an EPA-led investigation since 2016, following accusations that the “crumb” rubber pellets used to soften the fields contain carcinogens and other chemicals of potential danger. Photo by: Avenlea Russian Larrabee’s original Governor Jerry Brown sued artificial turf producers as attorney general in 2008 for artificial turf was obtained “excessive lead levels” in the paint used to color the plastic blades. from Calhoun, GA company “outgasses,” a term referring FieldTurf, one of FieldTurf USA, and installed to the process where the the industry leaders, has not between 2003 and 2004 at a pellets, heated by the sun to yet responded to a request cost of $580,000, according high temperatures, release for comment by The Cougar to FieldTurf ’s website. A their chemicals as gasses Press. Their website, in a new field was installed in into the atmosphere. statement from October 2017. Wear and tear breaks 2015, reminds readers The Cougar Press down the pellets, creating that no causality, or direct reached out to athletic dust that can be breathed, links, exists between crumb director David Hess and ingested or absorbed rubber and health issues. former Superintendent through skin. The statement also says the Trudy Arriaga for comment Of further concern company supports an EPA but has not yet received a is crumb rubber travelling investigation. response from either. off fields, presenting continued on... Artificial turf was further potential challenges www.thecougarpress.org also installed at Buena High Micah Wilcox
The Cougar Press Page Four
Parking permits change again Avenlea Russian
led to the reversing of the parking permit system this year.
For the 2017 and 2018 school year, Ventura “In my opinion, High School will be this isn’t an returning to the parking improvement,” permit system that was in place prior to the 2016-Philip Riley 2017 school year. The decision to return to the Philip Riley also states prior system was made by that, “[I don’t think] a lot of last year’s senior class at the seniors will be happy having to end of the year. park at the upper lot. Seniors aren’t given lockers and many of The student them use their cars to store their stuff for the day, so it’s much parking lot is more efficient to not have to go back to a first on a hike to get them.” To get a parking come, first permit, you can go to the served system. student services desk in the office and get the required The new parking form. permit system that was implemented last year, was designed to give seniors, who don’t get lockers, priority parking passes designated for the lower lot, and juniors and sophomores designated parking permits for the upper lot. According to ASB president Philip Riley, Photo by: Brooke Newman there was a “multitude of When getting a parking permit, make issues and complaints with sure to have a valid drivers license, school ID, and vehicle registration and insurance last year’s system,” which
Just like the moon, we covered it Photos by: Ryan King
Ryan King The total solar eclipse was Monday, August 21. Sixty different locations were spread across the U.S. inside the path of totality with the same telescopes and equipment to later compare the corona from each official location. The eclipse began at 9:13 am and the moon slowly started to cover the sun. And at 10:30 am, the moon had covered the sun for two minutes and 13 seconds. The surrounding landscape became dark, the temperature dropped, a 360 degree twilight filled the sky, and above was a black disc with a ring of vibrant white light exploding from its edge.
2017-2018 Staff List Administrators Carlos, Cohen Cornwell, Charles Eberhart, Susan Murphy, Chris Counselors Castillo, Francisco Dath, Teri De La Cruz, Ena Dodge, Joan Frias, Sonja Raney, Kathryn Richards, Bobbie Roberts, Patricia Teaching Staff Anderson, Kory 118 Belshe, Lauren GYM Bergfeld, Linda 58 Biller, Preston 61 Blackwell, Karen 102 Bogdanich, Stephen 93 Chamaa, Pierre 51 Cherrie, Matthew 170 Clobes, Mera 212 Cohen, Elektra 103 Cruz, Tyree 100 Culp, Logan 51 Diebolt, David 53 Dietz, Mary 211 Donnelly, Nathanael 23 Elliott, Courtney 86 Fox, Marilyn 134 Gacha, Michael 130 Gaeta, Maggie 94 Gallo, Christian 278 Garcia, Cynthia 85 Garcia, Tim 31 Grall, Chrisopher 124 Hays, Scott 36 Hazan, Samantha Dance Henning, Francisco 50 Hernandez, Alejandro 121 Hernandez, Kayla 83 Hess, David 71A Hunt, Paul 312 Jaquette, Chris 66 Johnson, Lorilee 67 Jones, Erin 60 Knowles, Gary 68 Koontz, Joshua 276 Lange, Carmen 59 Larson, Ann 113 Larson, Dan 173 Lawton, Wendy 101 Lewandoski, Amy 30 Litten, Debbie GYM Litten, Gary GYM Locher, Jay 208 Lonardo, Claudio 135 Mainz, Elizabeth 172 Manley, Adriana 125 Marshall, Matthew 109 Martinez, Ralph 110 Maxey, Dan 62 Maxwell, Woody 63 McEntyre, Jared 207 Miller, Max 275 Minadeo, Lauren 20 Miyata, Heather 65 Nguyen, Thithien 95 Olson, Courtney 213 Pacula, Edward 52 Parisi, Amanda 133 Perry, Alex 128 Pimentel, Stefanie 92 Polo-Dixon, Angela 209 Reich, David 131
Reynolds, Sean 122 Reynosa, Karen 64 Rivera, Rigoberto 56 Rollins, Judith 112 Rossiter, Stefoni 314
Sellers, Margaret 104 Sovich, Schatzi 206 Spellman, Evan 108 Steward, Brad 50 Strong, Steve 35
The Cougar Press Page Five Volic, Damira 210 Votruba, Erik 91 Weber, Justin 90 White, Sharon 54 Withers-Schroeder, Terri 126
Dear New and Returning Cougar Students, Welcome to a fabulous new year at Ventura High School! Ventura High School is a beautiful school with really kind people who attend and work here. We are all on this campus because believe that education for ALL students is an incredible opportunity. I hope you will take your four years here and enjoy what the school has to offer. You can join any group you choose; be it sports, clubs, music, politics, anime, drama, robotics, or a number of fabulous opportunities presented on club week. Most of us have worked here for many years, attended the high school, or had kids that attended the high school. We are committed and proud to be a part of YOUR team. Please ask for help and know that we are here for you. Have a terrific, productive, and happy year, and do your very best to obtain a great education for your future. We believe in each of you, Ms. Karen Kirschenbaum Reynosa
Dear Cougars, Welcome back to Cougar Country! On behalf of the entire staff and faculty of VHS I want to wish you the very best year possible. In the last couple of years our school has been growing academically, athletically, artistically and activities wise. That has been possible because of your active participation in what VHS has to offer and for making it to school day in and day out. I know that high school can be challenging sometimes. I know that staying connected and balanced can be tough if it’s your first year or you are getting ready to prepare for graduation. But I want to encourage you to find the classes, programs, and people on campus that will bring out the best in you and that will encourage you to keep reaching for your dreams and goals. You are so valuable, smart and unique and your time is so precious- so make appropriate choices. I want you work as hard as possible in all your classes and extracurricular commitments, but just as importantly, I want you to make choices that will brighten your day and the day of others. So, as you start the new year know that we are all here to support you. I look forward to seeing you on campus, at games, dances, musical performances, theatrical performances, and in your classroom. I’m here to cheer you on and to help guide you to your goals so feel free to approach me with questions, concerns or ideas. Let’s make it the best year yet. As always….Make it a great year Cougars! The Choice is yours! Carlos V. Cohen
Dear incoming Auto Shop Students, I have been busy during the summer getting “OUR” Classrooms & Shop in order for an exciting 2017/18 year in Auto Shop. You have a great opportunity to learn some valuable “LIFETIME” skills you can put to use on your own personal vehicle, knowing the basics when you take your vehicle in for service to avoid being taken advantage of by a dishonest shop, or possibly you may be considering a career in the Automotive Industry. The possibilities are limitless if you are willing to apply yourself and keep an open mind. The Automotive Industry is my passion, especially the restoration of classic cars. We are very fortunate to have an Auto program here at VHS, together we can make it one of the best around!! Sincerely, Mr. Hays VHS Auto Shop
Rubalcava, Raul 123 Schmidt, Mark 171 Schuck, Lani 127 Scoggin, Julia 24 Scovell, Helen 119
Tackett, Todd 279 Togneri, Paul 69 Tokar, William 55 Ulfers, Linda 22 Verdades, Alicia 277
Zero, Meghan 120 Media Center Adamich, Susan Psychologists Beley, Katherine
Muska, Sarah Speech Therapist May, Aimee Vision Specialist Berry, Adam Assets Program DiPaolo, Charlotte Foley, Angela Classified Staff Alcala, Gloria Banales, Domenica Ceja, Tiffany Dilley, Phyllis Gilden, Bonita Hulce, Patricia Kelsch, Betty Lowe, Marie Mijares, Danielle Park, Sandy Ramirez, Rose Ryder, Doris Sandoval, Peggy Smyle, Sheree Tipton, Cathy Toddarello, Robin Tropper, Betty Velasquez, Tish Villegas, Genevieve Special Ed Para Educators Batausa, Paul Elizarraras, Anthony Goodner, Brenda McLaughlin, Irina Nava-Maynez, Jeri Ornelas, Don Zermeno, Fabiola Bilingual Para Educators Lopez, Erika Perez, Rachel Braille Translater Detmer, Jesse Special Populations Liaison Perez, Rachel Campus Aides Gallegos, Jaime Lopez, George Lorenzana, Linda Neeper, Bonnie Triana, Aaron Athletic Equip. Cortez, Felix SRO Officer Gomez, Tony Cafeteria Staff Barrios, Rhonica Brown, Lisa Casey, Kate Hughes, Tina Klein, Danna Nguyen, Myhanh Plucinak, Robin Schuette, Virginia Smith, Louise Lorenzana, Linda Wilson, Susan Custodial Staff Lassich, Shari Lorelli, Darrell Morrales, Ray Robledo, Luis Sanchez, Jose Sandoval, Daniel Strickland, Gary Grounds/Kirby, Roman
Features
The Cougar Press Page Six
Working students of VHS Claire Ortiz
Photo by: Hailey Cox
Paris Carmody Evan Cox (pictured right) a senior at Ventura High School, has to manage playing football and running track for VHS while working at a local restaurant, Social Tap.
While he has only been working there for about two months, Cox said he is learning how to manage a busy schedule that includes work and sports. Cox enjoys working at Social Tap because “pretty much everyone who works at Social Tap
Mikayla Robinson
Photo by: Bailey Peck
bar, and other little things” according to Beeh. Along with Senior Caden Beeh managing school and work, (pictured right) works as he also balances being on a busser and runner at the VHS varsity soccer Rhumb Line - The Sunset team, where he plays a Restaurant. Rhumb Line is a variety of positions. waterfront restaurant at the “Balancing soccer Ventura Harbor with fresh with work is actually pretty fish and local produce. difficult because in the Beehs job entails restaurant business you “setting tables, clearing have to be able to work tables, taking people’s food whenever you get put on and drinks, helping out the the schedule,” said Beeh. Avenlea Russian
job at A Beautiful Day, in downtown Ventura, so she could work when Claire Ortiz she’s not at practice. (pictured left) is an A Beautiful Day is incoming junior who a full ser vice florist and has been r unning cross a gift and home shop. “I countr y and track for the wanted to get a summer last two years. Her other job to save up for a car hobbies include singing in the future, and also to and playing the ukulele. get some extra spending Although she money,” Ortiz said. enjoys r unning and hopes At A Beautiful to continue r unning Day, Ortiz works as a after high school, she cashier, and helps set up needed something to do the displays and clean in the meantime to make up around the shop. She money. typically works three to Over the summer, four days a week, each Ortiz decided to get a shift being about four Hailey Cox
is the same age, and it’s cool to meet new friends through something that isn’t school.” Cox also enjoys making his own money, and hopes to be able to continue working at Social Tap throughout the school year.
Bailey Peck For many high schoolers, summer is the time where they decide to take on a job. Mikayla Robinson (pictured left), a rising junior, currently works at Surfin’ Yogurt in Pierpont. Robinson said that, “buying a car and having gas money,”
“So if I can’t work because of soccer I have to find someone who can cover me. Most of the time, though, my work is really chill about my schedule and they help me out as much as they can,” commented Beeh. Along with Beeh, VHS seniors Brooke Newman and Nicole Andell and junior Emmersen Moore aslo work at Rhumb Line.
hours long. Ortiz described working at A Beautiful Day as a “great learning experience and a ver y mellow job.” Ortiz hopes to be able to manage both work and cross countr y during the school year.“[Although] managing both cross countr y and my job can get challenging at times,” she said, “my boss is pretty lenient with my s ch ed u le wh ich a llows it to b e ea s ier to d o b o th .”
Evan Cox
Photo by: Hailey Cox
inspired her to take on the job. Discussing her job at Surfin’ Yogurt, Robinson said, “my favorite part of working is that my friends come in and visit me. My least favorite part about working there is dealing with customers who cause problems.” While Robinson suggests job-searching high
schoolers apply to various businesses, Robinson also recommends only applying to places students are interested in working at. Believing it teaches responsibility and provides experiences for future working opportunities, Robinson thinks that her fellow students would benefit from high school jobs.
Caden Beeh
Photo by: Brooke Newman
Features
The Cougar Press Page Seven
Riled up for ASB president Philip Riley Sarah Clench
As this year’s associated student body president, senior Philip Riley has very explicit hopes and goals that he looks forward to working on. “My ultimate hope would be for every student at Ventura High School to actually wake up and say “I WANT to go to school today because of [blank.],” he said. “To me, it’s ASB’s job to try and fill in that blank.” Riley has been in ASB all four years at Ventura High School. He started as a freshman class representative, then he became the sophomore class
VP and he was part of the communications committee his junior year. With the exceptions of a few new events, Riley anticipates that the biggest change this year will be the switch in ASB advisors from Sam Hazan to Ann Larson, who he states that he is looking forward to working with. As for now, however, Riley shares that his goals are “To create a sense of community on campus. Also to create more events that celebrate the diversity of students we have, and to have as many students involved in something at VHS Photo by: Avenlea Russian that they are passionate Four year ASB student, Philip Riley, looks forward to the 2017-2018 about.” school year as president. In order to ensure
Welcome to the cougar den “Mentor” is in charge of ten to twelve students. A Den Mentor is in As the 2017-2018 charge of making sure their school year starts, Ventura Mentees feel as if they have High School’s second year someone there for them if using the Den Mentor they, the Mentee, doesn’t feel Program begins. The Den comfortable going to a staff Mentor Program was member, friend, or parent initiated for the first time for help. They also make last year by principal Carlos sure to notify the Mentees Cohen, with the goal of about upcoming events such making incoming freshmen as dances, sports, and club more comfortable at their activities. Natali Vazquez, new school. There are ten “Dens” a senior at VHS and first this year, the same number time Mentor, shares that as last year, with around “we work with the staff at 600 incoming freshmen. VHS, and try to make the Each den has around three incoming ninth graders to four “Mentors” and each feel welcomed and safe at school. We are basically an Clayton Currie
older sibling trying to help them out.” Mentors are usually juniors or seniors, although a sophomore could be a Mentor as well so long as they prove that they are responsible enough. To those interested in becoming a future Den Mentor, there is no application form or sign up sheet. VHS Principal, Carlos Cohen, will send out an email to VHS teachers who are responsible for picking students that they feel are good candidates for the job, however, students that are nominated have the option to decline being a Den Mentor if chosen.
Photo from: Natali Vazquez
From left to right: Chanelle Irabien, Natali Vazquez, Carlos Cohen performing the Backpack Dance for incoming freshmen.
that ASB does what is best for the school, Riley explains that ASB will make efforts to reach out to the student body itself, potentially through twitter polls, or through feedback from The Cougar Press. With ASB consisting of many individuals from various backgrounds, Riley believes that ASB has the potential to make a large impact on campus, with each ASB student working to help spread positive energy and excitement pertaining to on campus activities and events. Riley hopes that his efforts this year as president will create an ideal environment for VHS students.
Fall sports kick off the school year
Photo from: Instagram @kate.marsden
From left to right: juniors Autumn Brown, Caitlin Espetia, Alisann Tolosa, River Winn, Claire Ortiz, and Kate Marsden after a long run in Mammoth.
Diego Roberto continued from... Page 1 The VHS dance team has competed for the first time this season at the Ventura County Fair Parade on August 5, where they won 2nd in their division for high school spirit, with many of the newcomers having never performed or competed before. The dance and cheer team also made an appearance at freshman orientation August 15. The sport that has the latest season opener is cross country, with their first race on September 2, at the Greg DeNike Invitational in Arroyo Grande. Both boys and girls have been very strong in the previous years, and they have high hopes for this season. Cross country has been practicing Monday
through Saturday all summer long, and they recently went on their annual Mammoth week long training during the first week of August. In Mammoth they run at high altitudes, which allows them to increase their lung strength and being able to intake more air at one time --potentially resulting in passing the other competitors. Junior River Winn commented, “We lost a lot of seniors last year, but a lot of the younger girls are stepping up.” Junior Claire Ortiz added, “we have high expectations for the season, but overall hope to keep working hard and progressing as the season goes and hopefully match or be better than last years team.” With all of these athletes and the hours of preparation they’ve put into their sports, make sure to keep up with the VHS Cougars and their standings throughout the fall.
Campus Map
Map By: Kai Torres
The Cougar Press Page Eight