VHS Journalism
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February 1, 2019
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” - Robert Frost
Is senior ball only for ballers?
Senior Ball 2019
As Senior Ball is approaching, twelfth graders need to consider: Is spending over $100 on a school dance worth it? Avenlea Russian Summer Yovanno For a couple ticket, it is 125 dollars and ten dollars off with an ASB stamp. A single ticket is 70 dollars and with an ASB stamp, it is 65 dollars. But what if that is too much? To put it into perspective, the ball is hosted at Spanish Hills Country Club, an elegant venue that is also providing food. The menu for the evening is a choice of salad, entree and side. Comparing the meal to a nice restaurant in Ventura, you would be looking at 30 to 50 dollars alone. Along with this, one must consider the preparation to attend. We are going to look at the cost of a formal dress, a tuxedo, shoes, hair, makeup and a corsage and boutonniere. We went down to Santee Alley in the Los Angeles Fashion District. There we found “ideal” dresses from 80 to 180 dollars, depending on the complexity of the gown. One must take into consideration the drive and time to
find a dress down there. Senior Olivia Monarres shared, “I went to Macy’s with my mom in the [Thousand Oaks] mall and I have to pay for 200 [of my dress] and my mom is paying for the rest.” Alternatives would be borrowing a dress from a family member or friend or thrifting a second hand dress. Senior Paris Carmody bought her dress from a thrift store downtown for only five dollars while senior Claire Ortiz got her dress for 30 dollars off Depop, a mobile app where you can sell and buy used clothing. If you are looking for a tuxedo, the Senior Ball ticket came with a coupon for a 59 dollar suit or tuxedo rental at Mission Tuxedo that includes a coat, pants, a shirt and a tie. But you can also rent a tux, for 100 dollars or more without a discount. Another small thing to consider is corsages and boutonnières. In the Senior Ball ticket envelope there was another coupon for five dollars off a set, three dollars off a corsage and two dollars off of a boutonnière. If this extra bit of
Infographic by: Avenlea Russian
Eras of Education Acacia Harrell Archer Herring The high school experience… a pillar of American education. Many students experience similar things throughout their high school years, but the experiences are all different depending on the years they grew up.
money doesn’t seem worth it, the easiest alternative would be to not get them. They aren’t anywhere near essential. Other things to consider are shoes, hair, makeup and gas. These can all add up. On average, the cost of a pair of heels at Charlotte Russe is around 20 dollars. Charlotte Russe is a convenient option to shop from, considering it’s in the Pacific View Mall, a mile away from Ventura High School. If you are looking for dress shoes, a brand new pair of Vans is about 50 dollars but for more of a “classy shoe,” Macy’s sells some averaging the cost of 100. Senior Kaitlyn Berry went to Senior Ball last year, she shared, “[Last year] I went to Michael Kelley [Salon] for both hair and makeup. Hair was 50 [dollars] and makeup was 60 [dollars],” Berry concluded, “People have the choice to do it themselves, which could save a lot of money, [but the price] was worth it in my opinion because doing it myself would just stress me out, and it’s easier for someone to just do it for you.” For someone who gets a dress, gets their hair and makeup down and gets a single ticket, this may average out to 300 dollars. For someone with a tux and a single ticket, it may be 200 dollars. VHS students share their own opinion on the price of the whole event, Monarres commented, “It’s difficult because I have a boyfriend who won’t let me pay for half, and it just makes it harder on him to pay for the whole price so it’s [kind of] unfair in a way.” continued on... thecougarpress.org
Photo by: Jezel Mercado (From left To right) Seniors Kyle Schneider and Paris Gaston smiling after receiving their senior best award for “Biggest Flirt.”
Volume 71 Edition 05
Photo by: Jezel Mercado (From left to right) Seniors Peyton Erickson and Eddie Pacula. “The tri-tip was really good,” commented Pacula. Photo by: Jezel Mercado
Photo by: Jezel Mercado (From left To right) Seniors Kylie Garcia and Cassidy Hubert. “I thought it was really fun, the venue was really nice, the food was good and the music was good too.” commented Garcia.
(From left to right) Seniors Mary Sinclair and Bryce Weinell smiling after receiving their senior best award for “Cutest Couple That Never Was.” Photo by: Jezel Mercado
Photo by: Jezel Mercado (From left to right) Seniors Cy Tritschler and Tatum Teel. “The food was really good! I loved the potatoes and the veggies were bomb, and I had three pieces of bread.” Commented Teel on the food that was served.
(From left to right) Seniors Ian Mcweeney and Serena Ropersmith. “I thought everone looked really good and I liked how a lot of people wore what they wanted even if it was different than the typical long dress of suit.” commented Ropersmith.
VHS teacher on leave after arrest for alleged sexual battery
VUSD appoints Dr. Roger Rice new Superintendent
Swinging into the new year: three ensembles showcase their jazz
Listening to music in class: helpful or a disruption?
Miles Bennett
Sam Coats
Lola Bobrow
Trinity Taylor
On Dec. 30, Ventura High School German teacher David Reich was arrested for alleged sexual harassment of a 22-year-old employee at Industry Horror, a clothing store in Downtown Ventura.
The Ventura Unified School District Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday, January 8, to select Dr. Roger Rice, the current Deputy Superintendent for Student Services at the Ventura County Office of Education, as VUSD’s next superintendent.
On Jan. 16, 2019 VHS and BHS’s music departments showcased their three jazz ensembles. This was the vocal jazz ensemble debut performance featuring soloists junior Molly Sturgeon, senior Mikayla Williams, and El Camino senior Bridget Boland.
Go to thecougarpress.org to read the full articles!
For me, music has always been an essential part of studying. It helps me focus during long hours of homework and keeps me awake when I’m studying late into the night.
Sports
The Cougar Press Page 2
Ventura wrestling takes down Buena Luc LeVasseur is crowned winner, giving his team three more points.
Gilbertson looking to finish his opponent off, after going out of bounds once.
Garcia is in control of his opponent, as he holds him behind his back. Zach Jensen(170) takes a quick win, by giving his opponent a head injury, preventing him from wrestling.
Ventura High Schools wrestling team who is 17-0 prepares for another wrestling duel against Buena.
Beeson looks to the referee, waiting for the pin to be called.
Photos by: Doug Sanford
Cougars scrape by Bulldogs to tie for second
On Saturday Jan, 26 the Ventura Cougar’s girls basketball team faced off against their cross town rivals, the Buena Bulldogs. Diego Roberto Malik Hibbler VHS won by a score of 43 to 37, lead by junior point guard Samie Henley (number 25) who shot for 18 points and freshman center Amaya Fuentes (number 42) who shot for 14 points. The Cougars held the lead for the majority if the game, but the Bulldogs were always close by. The first quarter ended with the VHS only two points ahead of BHS, 10 to eight. However, by the end of the first half the Cougars had a lead of 23 to 13.
Freshman Amaya Fuentes (number 42) shoots a layup in the second half of the game. Fuentes had 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Photo by: Malik J. Hibbler
During the third quarter Buena had score near twice as much as VHS, scored 16 points to Ventura’s 9. At the end
of the third quarter the score was 32 to 29, the Cougars were only winning by one shot. In the final quarter the Cougars were able to hold the Bulldogs to 8 points, while they continued to score another 11. While the Cougar’s had their scoring spread out, the bulldogs suffered due to junior Kayden Mew (number 22) scored 16, while the other 7 of the Bulldogs scored a collective 21 points, and 25 percent Field Goal percentage. The Cougars struggled with 15 turnovers during the game, but made up for it with 40 rebounds lead by 11
rebounds from Fuentes (number 42) and 10 from Freshman Alexis Howery (number 22). With this win against Buena VHS stands six and three in the Pacific View League, tied with Buena for second. They face off again on Tuesday Jan. 29, the winner of the game will place second in Pacific View League, and will hope for a playoff berth. After asking senior Alexis Brady (number 33) about Tuesdays game she stated, “ Tonight will definitely [be] a high intensity game…. I hope we come out tonight playing hard and secure second place for league and
Editorial Staff
advance to the first round of playoffs.”
Senior Alexis Brady (number 33) pulls up for a three pointer late in the game. Photo by: Malik J. Hibbler
Staff Janelle Chavira
Tatum Luoma
Samuel Coats
Caroline Marsden
Gavin Cross
Nathan Marshall
Julia Davies
Billy Maxwell
Saida Delgadillo
Sally Niebergall
Archer Herring
Diego Roberto
Malik Hibbler
Brooklyn Ross
Samuel Hicks
Doug Sandford
Our Mission Statement
Garrett Jaffe
Jack Schatzman
The Cougar Press is a completely student-run public forum of the Ventura High School community. We strive to present all sides of an issue fairly and without bias while being as resourceful to our readers as possible. 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 for the The Cougar Press. We welcome all submissions, but may edit them for clarity and brevity. This public forum is only as good as the community support it receives. You can email us at thecougarpressvhs@gmail.com.
Juliana Jacobson
John Studebaker
Jessica Johnson
Trinity Taylor
Liliana Lara
Tanya Turchyn
Editors-in-Chief Ryan King Avenlea Russian
Video Editor Summer Yovanno
Managing Editors Sarah Clench Bailey Peck
Print EIC Sailor Hawes
Broadcast Editor Social Media Editor Acacia Harrell
Jezel Mercado
Assistant EIC Lola Bobrow
Podcast Editor Miles Bennett
Online EIC Micah Wilcox
The Cougar Press Page 3
Sports
Cougars win the rivalry matchup they have been waiting for On Monday, Jan. 14, the Ventura High School Cougars faced up against the Buena High School Bulldogs at their house. Gavin Cross Malik Hibbler
2018-2019 Girls Varsity soccer captains, (from left to right) junior Kambria Haughten, seniors Eliah Boyd, Kylie Garcia, and Peyton Erickson.
VHS soccer wins PVL On Tuesday evening , Jan. 29, the Ventura High School girls varsity soccer team played against their cross town rival Buena High School. Diego Roberto The game took place at Buena High School at 6 p.m. and the defending CIF Southern Section champions of VHS started off in the lead. Senior captain and striker Peyton Erickson (number 17) scored during the sixth minute, the first goal of the game. Then, only 8 minutes later, senior Alex Kwasny (number eight) scored the second goal for the Cougars, giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead within the first 14 minutes of the game. Within 22 minutes of the game, Erickson (number 17) scored her second goal of the game with an assist from senior Cassidy Hubert (number four). Junior Alyssa Cornwell scored her first goal of the game in the first five minutes of the
second half. After this, the game became a more defensive game for both teams, with no other goals being scored. With her two goals in this match-up, Erickson (number 17) broke the VHS scoring record over a four year career with 63 goals. This was the Cougar’s second win against Buena this season, making the team’s record 8-0-1 in the Pacific View League. With their only tie being against Pacifica High School. However, in the second match up between VHS and PHS the Cougars won 4-0. The Cougars last match of the regular season will be against Channel Islands High School on Friday, Jan. 31. Girls soccer is set to go on to playoffs to defend their title, but will not know the playoff bracket until Sunday, Feb. 2.
In the first quarter, the Cougars and Bulldogs faced off, bouncing back shot after shot. With four minutes left in the first, the score was 9-7, Buena. A foul was called on Buena and VHS senior Cade Auster (number 21) stepped up to the free throw line and nailed both shots. VHS senior Derrick Young (number 41) was able to come away with a steal with 50 seconds left in the first quarter and a block shortly after. Junior Andrew Ramirez (number 20) made a three pointer with 20 seconds left and the first quarter ended with Buena up, 15-14. Right off the bat, VHS senior Isaiah Montano (number 22) came in with a three pointer. Another foul was called on Buena and Montano made both of his shots. Number 21 on Buena made a layup, moving the score up to 1917, Cougars up. After another foul was called on the Bulldogs, unfortunately, Young did not make either of the free throws. On their next drive, the Cougars displayed a strong passing game which ended with Young scoring two points. The score was now 21-17, VHS. A foul was called on the Cougars and Buena made one attempt, and on the second,
Young came up with the rebound. Buena made two more points which brought the score to 21-20. Sophomore Liam Cameron (number thirty five) scored two points, extending Ventura’s lead. Another foul was called on the Cougars and Buena made both free throws and then scored two more points, putting Buena on top 25-23 with two minutes left in the first half. Ramirez scored another three points then was able to come up with a steal. One more foul was called on Buena before the end of the first half and Auster shot two for two on his free throws, putting the Cougars on top at 28-27. Junior point guard Drew Ramirez started out the second half with a three pointer to make the score 31-29, with the energy of a Buena Ventura basketball
game, anything can happen. Right after Ramirez scored with a three pointer to start out the second half, the Bulldogs immediately answered back with a three pointer of their own. With the third quarter being a very competitive quarter, senior Cade Auster (number 21), senior Derrick Young (number 41), and senior Isaiah Montano (number 22) all contribute points to end the third quarter with a tied score of 42-42. Going into the fourth quarter with a tied score at 42, anything could happen. Ramirez, Montano and Auster came out strong and all contributed points to give the Cougars a lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter with a score of 51-43. continue on thecougarpress.org.....
Sophomore Caleb Gilbert (number thirty-three) got a break from defense and jumped up to lay the ball in the net. Photo By: Ashlynn Velarde VHSBlackGold
Girls water polo slams Oxnard 12-7 in varsity game Senior Paige White (number 10) sprints for the ball to start the second quarter. White is a fourth year varsity water polo player.
White (number 10) prepares to shoot over two Oxnard players during the third quarter. White scored two goals during Thursday’s game.
Tenaya Romero (number 15) attempts to block a shot in front of sophomore goalie Lindsey McDermott (number 1). McDermott is a first year varsity player. Cherrie commented, “[Lindsey] made a lot of great saves and fantastic blocks tonight.” Kailey Garcia (top) (number 11) ready to receive a pass from junior Izzy Tenison (bottom) (number 2). Garcia’s total number of goals for the game was five.
Findlay (left) (number 12) prepares to pass to a teammate.
Junior Megan Findlay (left) (number 12) and senior Paige White (right) (number 10) give two thumbs up before the start of the second quarter.
Photos by: Lola Barbrow
The Cougar Press Page 4
Distractions Destress by unscrambling these words related to finals!
Free advice: Lessons from Lola and Luoma Lola Bobrow Tatum Luoma Photo Photo by: by: Sally Sally Niebergall Niebergall
“I’m failing math. What do I do?”Anonymous
Word scramble by: Sam Coats
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Maze by: Jack Schatzman
Infographic by: Lola Bobrow
Find your way through the maze
We hope 2019 brings you
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Well, my poor fellow student, first figure out why you’re failing. Are you not paying enough attention in class or are you simply not comprehending the material? If it’s the first, start by sitting in the front of the classroom away from people who you know distract you, and don’t be afraid to ask the teacher questions when you’re confused. If you’re wondering what’s going on, we guarantee five other people are asking the same question. Math is cumulative, so when you gloss over a subject that seems too hard to learn, it will come back to bite you in another module. We know we all hate Carlos and Clarita but DON’T SKIP THE TASK portion of the lesson. It’s where you’re learning the theory behind the equations you’re doing. Get organized: do your homework every day right when you get home so you don’t forget about it, write down when your tests are so you don’t get caught off guard, and keep your old assignments so that you can remember what you learned back in October when the final rolls around. Need extra help? Go on YouTube and subscribe to the Organic Chemistry Tutor (he gives helpful math and chemistry lessons).
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Crossword by: Lilianna Lara
Cougar Catnips
Application, not an essay
Parking not permitted
Are you really safe in the halls?
Seriously, we need soap!
Rain: hit or miss? I guess we always miss, huh?
Diego Roberto
Billy Maxwell
Doug Sandford
Tatum Luoma
Archer Herring
Photo by: Billy Maxwell
Why do colleges take so long to reply to students about whether they got accepted or not? Colleges have the staff size to get it done quickly. If I apply in November why does it take three-four months. The next four years of my life depend on this one letter/ email. Like bro come on, it takes five minutes to read over an entire application and make a decision. Not three months. I’ve got things to do. My time is valuable. I got to apply to financial aid, and quit my job and other things before I
Photo by: Billy Maxwell
What is the point of parking permits? If people aren’t allowed to park in the parking lot without one, how do people go use our public track? Are our hall monitors going to get the people off the track and make them move their car? If you do not have one you are forced to move to the street, but soon they will not let people go to their cars during break. How are seniors who do not have a locker supposed to get their books and other necessities? A BIG WASTE OF TIME JUST FOR A STICKER.
Photo by: Doug Sandford
I asked to use the restroom and I was told to grab the new pass. Expecting a nice, painted, wooden bathroom pass, I see some piece of colored paper connected to a lanyard, with my teachers name, room number, and the name of a security guard. Intimidation raced down my spine, as I entered the realm of “Triana,” looking both ways assuring I was safe. But seriously, what’s the deal with these new passes, it’s like the VHS students are being sectioned into P.O.W. camps. Those things are repulsive and at least explain why we have them! This is Tyranny!
Photo by: Tatum Luoma
Photo by: Avenlea Russian
High school bathrooms don’t have a reputation for being sanitary, but VHS should have enough decency to supply soap. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen people wash their hands with only water, or not wash them at all because there’s no soap. Disgusting. Every time you share a pencil or high five someone, you’re touching hands that may have touched that soggy burrito in the sink. I’m not a germaphobe, but walking into a bathroom with food in the toilets and literal s#@% on the floor means we should be able to wash that nastiness away with something more than just water.
When it rains shouldn’t we be prazing and preserving? I mean, if it was raining money everyone would be scooping that s*** up, and it would turn into The Hunger Games, The Purge or even Black Friday. I mean we are in a FRICKEN drought we need all the water we can get. Why would we allow all this water to go straight into the ocean, making it UNDRINKABLE? Our school should be more environmentally friendly because once we are in a deep drought, there is no going back and everyone will be sorry.