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Volume LXXIII Edition II

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“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”

-Robert Louis Stevenson

Voting for our future

With the presidential election right around the corner on Nov. 3, political signs and flags have been scattered throughout the city of Ventura. Regardless of age, students have chosen to speak their mind.

At Ventura High, there are a selection of seniors who have come of age right before the election. “Personally, I think this election is very unprofessional and I don’t love either of the candidates, but I think we should settle for the candidate we believe will do the most for the minorities and people as a whole,” said senior Grace Endaya, “I’m 18 and I’m definitely going to vote. I think everyone who is eligible should!”

Jocelyn Lee, a senior who is also 18 years of age, commented about her personal preferred candidate, “To be honest, I haven’t been

keeping up with the debates as much as I should, but from what I’ve seen and heard I think both candidates have their good and bad qualities.

Personally, I hope that Trump does not get a second term in office because I do not agree with many of his ideas. I think that there are many other people out there that would be a better fit for president rather than Trump or Biden, but I personally lean towards Bidens more because I agree with most of his views.”

The majority of VHS students have not met the requirement of 18 years of age to vote, however they still share opinions about the race and have chosen to speak up for others. “I know that most people at our school would highly disagree, but I think it’s important for young people, like myself, to be open and honest about it. I personally would think Trump would be best in office. He’s progun, pro-life, and cares about

Oct. 23, 2020

What’s Inside?

VHS students respond to the presidential election.

Katie Medina Riley Ramirez

@thecougarpress

According to BBC News, more than 22 million Americans have registered early to vote either in person or by mail, a record-breaking turnout. Graphic by: Peyton Redmond

our country a lot. He’s done things such as signing a bill to restore funding for black colleges and African American unemployment has recently achieved the lowest rate ever recorded,” stated a VHS student who wished to remain anonymous.

Regardless of political preference, students at Ventura High have recognized the importance of the election itself. “I think everyone including citizens and the candidates themselves need to

take this way more seriously,” commented Endaya.

Senior Rory Bruton also spoke his opinion towards voting, “People should vote so that our elected officials reflect the ideals of our whole nation, your ballot is your voice in democracy. This election is important because it occurs at a tipping point in our history, the outcome of this election will not only affect our nation for the next four years, but will change the course of our world forever.”

Zoom sabotage; the latest classroom disruption VHS students share their experiences with Zoom class disruptions. or interrupting the teachers that’s the mic and camera off allows for Greta Pankratz not the best.” After staring at a this level of zoning out. While not

The average high school screen day after day, losing interest directly harmful to the teacher and classroom has its share of jokes in zooms isn’t uncommon. In a classmates, tempting opportunities and disruptions, but they seem to rating scale posted on the Cougar like this could potentially be be following students through the Press Instagram on Oct. 6, 2020, damaging to students’ grades and switch to online learning. Due to the question “Do you ever find it understanding. the new virtual platform, people difficult to take zooms seriously?”

As many students may can now hide behind turned off was asked with the levels of “nope,” have experienced, poor connection cameras and, in more severe cases, “sometimes,” and “definitely.” Out can play a large role in feeling even fake names. Responsibility of 139 VHS student responses, disconnected from the class and can be hard to assign, and therefore punishment doesn’t pose as great of a threat as before.

Not only this, but because teachers are still navigating the new virtual world, their classes are vulnerable to security issues.

Disruptions can be anything from personal obstacles, such as a cell phone or siblings, slow technology, or even zoom sabotages from troublesome students. Zoom sabotages can include students who join a class they don’t belong to, or even just disruptive kids on their own zooms. By blurting out Online schooling is filled with disruptions. This includes things like inappropriate words or noises, the cellphones, bad wifi, and zoom sabotages from disruptive students. Photo interruptions waste time and make by: Greta Pankratz the other students and teachers the average result was directly teacher. Being too glitchy to speak, feel uncomfortable. Although between sometimes and definitely. not being able to hear, or watching it’s hard to expect complete While this doesn’t necessarily a lagging screen share are all focus from students at all times, mean a complete loss of respect factors that can lead to frustration junior Tess Luoma described the for the Zoom class, it can be and a lack of motivation. difference as, “When someone is inferred that small at-home Sophomore Carlos Garcia-Benitez obviously on their phone or talking distractions are prevalent. Senior expressed, “In zoom, I’ve been to someone or always has their Jordan Wagoner even commented, kicked out of meetings due to my camera off, I think that’s rude. “I think it’s funny when kids internet connection. I once had a Being on your phone sometimes just join the call and go back to presentation on google slides and is ok, but when it’s out in the open sleep.” The simplicity of turning when it was my turn, I was on mute

for the first two slides I presented.”

Wagoner has experienced similar technological obstacles. When asked what problems she has faced, she said, “When zoom went down and all of the teachers had to use Google Meets, or when my Spanish teacher got kicked from the call and one of the students was the head of the call.” Disruptions like these are issues that students have never had to deal with during in-person learning, and they may be a factor in why students have trouble taking zoom classes as seriously as traditional school.

A distraction that seems to have adapted to fit online learning is disruptive students.

Kids can hide behind a grey screen and act out before a teacher has the chance to kick them out.

Gwendolyn Neger, a junior, stated how she felt, “It’s pretty immature but I guess people are bored and want to have some ‘fun.’ I experienced disruptions from a few boys that thought it was funny to talk, make noises, and shout inappropriate things in the middle of math class. These boys were especially rude to one of the girls in my class that was just trying to learn.” It has come to the point where classes are not only being interrupted, but students and teachers are being harassed with crude language.

Continued on www.thecougarpress.org

Photo by: Yasmin Myers

Opinion: Best October movies Page 2

Graphic by: Yasmin Myers

Opinion: Screen time Page 2

Photo by: Logan Wilcov

Main St. closure Page 3

Photo by: Jackson McRea

Car concerts Page 3

Opinion

The Cougar Press Page 2

Opinion: Best movies to watch in October Spoiler alert: Johnny Depp is the king.

Anna Guerra Yasmin Myers

It’s that time of the year again, when days are getting shorter and we’re once again facing the strangely varying weather of hot and dry Santa Ana winds.

Although some may not be Trick or Treating the conventional way this year, we are still able to rest on the couch, warm blanket wrapped around, watching Halloween movies till we fall asleep.

Now the question for debate—what is the best Halloween movie? Luckily for you, dear reader, I have watched a significant amount of Halloween movies over the years and I am here to tell you which one is the best.

One can never go wrong with the classics. “Scream 1” and “Scream 2” are the best way to go if you just want some light viewing with minimal scariness.

“Scream” had four movies in the series, but there’s no need to go past the second film. “Scream 3” is absolutely terrifying, solely for the fact that it looks like Edward Scissorhands had a go at Courtney Cox’s bangs (would I even call them bangs?)...no seriously, go look it up. As for Scream 4, the trailer had enough red flags, branding itself on being “new” and “different” only to have pretty much everything we had already seen before in the series.

From horror films to tales of the strange, there is something for everyone to watch during the transition from summer to fall. Photo by: Yasmin Myers

I can’t talk about the “Scream” series without bringing up the subsequent parody films.

The “Scary Movie” series are ones I would rate by the order they came out. The first being first and so on and so forth. The first “Scary Movie” was ridiculous in the sense that it pretty perfectly captured how corny the acting was in “Scream”. They also managed to replicate the same ranking of relevance to the “Scream” movies, meaning that as you got closer and closer to the last film, they decreased in quality.

Now going back to “Edward Scissorhands”. You can never go wrong with Johnny Depp in a horror-esque film. Not ever. Same goes for Tim Burton films, they so elegantly capture

all the feelings that come with the month of October. Edward Scissorhands combined so many different elements, horror, romance, and gothicism, to reveal a film more romantic than, dare I say, “Twilight”? Move out the way Edward Cullen, there’s another Edward in town, one that may not sparkle the same, or have the same ridiculously fast cars, but one that has some lovely scissors and is more than just a tad bit misunderstood.

Senior Julianna JacobsVargas shared that, “I absolutely adore Winona Ryder, she will forever be my celebrity crush. I definitely lean towards confort movies [more than horror movies] like Tim Burton films. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horror movie, fun fact, very very sad fact.”

Opinion: What happened to screen time guidelines?

Online learning is racking up the amount of hours VHS students are staring at a screen everyday. period) and add up a grand total of by itself is already exceeding the Anna Guerra at least three hours of screen time AAP guidelines by an hour. Add in

You wake up tired and before lunch time rolls around. homework and recreational time bleary-eyed. Shoot, it’s almost This has become a like texting, social media and the eight, you’re gonna miss your new normal for students. For hours spent in front of a screen first period. Since you’re rushing years the American Academy exponentially increase.

“I find myself staring you don’t even bother getting out of Pediatrics has recommended of bed–your laptop is right next no more than two hours of at a screen about eight times the to you anyways since you were screen time for children and amount that I used to,” said senior up until 11 p.m. last night doing adolescents. Has online school Benet Bouchard. “It’s pretty crazy Canvas work. Nobody has their completely disregarded these to think about when it wasn’t like this. I probably spend 15 plus hours [on a screen] with school and college applications.”

When asked if she had any negative effects from staring at a screen so much, Bouchard said, “Yes, all of the above. I get headaches, sore eyes and all around pain from sitting uncomfortably most of the time.

All of these things make it very hard to focus.”

The effects that Bouchard mentioned are common symptoms of having too much screen time.

More serious symptoms include sleep deprivation, increased susceptibility to chronic health As distance learning remains in place, students have found more of their conditions, imparied socializing time being spent on electronic devices than when in-person learning was skills and loss of cognitive ability. happening. Photo by: Anna Guerra.

The amount of screen time that cameras on, but everyone’s staring guidelines? Students on average students are engaging in is clearly a at the teacher’s shared screen will spend three hours minimum cause for concern. regardless. After your first period in synchronous learning, where Continued on is over, you go to your other two they are with their peers and www.thecougarpress.org classes (three if you have a seventh teacher on Zoom together. That

Our Mission Statement The Cougar Press is a student-run, community forum of Ventura High School and the surrounding community. As a publication, we strive to fairly report on the issues and happenings that occur throughout our school and community. We encourage involvement from our readers, as support from our community only improves the quality of our reporting. We can be contacted at thecougarpressvhs@gmail.com

Continuing on the Johnny Depp train, if you’re looking for something gruesome, “Sweeney Todd” is the way to go.

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are simply an unmatched duo. Forewarning though, there is a lot of blood in the film. The best part though? It’s based on a true story.

Another fantastic Tim Burton movie featuring Depp and Bonham Carter is “Corpse Bride”.

It’s one you simply can’t go wrong with. Nothing beats Burton’s character style, droopy eyes, pale appearance to give you that ever so slight feeling of satisfaction.

Senior Elliot Feingold stated, “My favorite Halloween movie is probably Corpse Bride because it reminds me of being little,” he continued, “A good Halloween movie is one that makes you feel like it’s really Halloween and [also] makes you happy.”

Next up “The Craft,” tells the tale of a few high school girls who were pretty much outcasts.

It’s safe to say that Fairuza Balk made this movie what it is. The clothing and outfits in this movie?

Phenomenal. However, there’s a remake of this movie underway and my best advice to you would be to not even watch the trailer.

Your eyes will need to be cleansed afterwards and it’s simply not worth your time.

“The Shining” is likely one that most parents remember.

Good for them. It’s terribly dull until that one scene that everybody knows where Jack is pounding the door with an axe. To summarize what I remember from watching it last would be maze, snow, twins, and a solid amount of kool aid in the hallway. I don’t even think I would consider this one to be a “horror” movie. The only thing that made a slightly scary impression was the combination of Jack Nicholson’s forehead wrinkles and the dreadful wallpaper around the hotel.

“Coraline” is slightly spooky without having the theme of Halloween. Who would have thought that a children’s movie where characters had buttons for eyes would leave such an everlasting impression on children, teens and adults alike.

The 2002 “Scooby Doo” movie is one that touches the hearts of many people, myself included.

There’s nothing I personally enjoy more than watching the mystery gang get together to solve crime.

Scooby’s little “hehehe” gets me every time. Not to mention the fact that the actors of Fred and Daphne are married in real life. How cute is that! Also the soundtrack? Chefs kiss.

Continued on www.thecougarpress.org

Editorial Staff Print Editor

Media Editors

Yasmin Myers

Caroline Marsden Greta Pankratz

Assistant Editor Peyton Redmond

Online Editor

Managing Editors

Anna Guerra

Katie Medina Riley Ramirez

Staffers Michaela Cuellar Charles Dwyer Julian Fernandez Molly Greene Alejandro Hernandez Savannah Marsicek Alexis Mendoza Marcus Muñoz

Savanna Nustad-Franzen Samuel Plasch Jack Schatzman Elise Sisk Osvaldo Unda Bahena Livia Vertucci Logan Wilkov Jocelyn Wood

Features

The Cougar Press Page 3

College apps and quarantine season intertwined Drive-ins are coming back COVID-19 has made for a unique college application process.

Peyton Redmond

As usual, here in midfall it is also college application season. When applying, seniors must consider factors such as one’s major, tuition cost and desired location. The application process is time-consuming and potentially stressful as it’s usually piled on top of advanced placement classes, sports and extracurricular activities including the general weight of ultimately deciding where one would want to go to college. This year has abnormal circumstances due to COVID and online learning where most sports and extracurriculars are not in session, which has made for a unique college application season.

For students like senior Liliana Ramos, COVID hasn’t had much of an effect on their application process, “If anything, applications have been easier since I’m stuck at home with a lot of free time that I use to work on them. Nevertheless, the process has been super stressful and makes me question if I’m good enough or capable to get into college.”

Staying in the west, Ramos is applying to UC Davis, Cal Poly SLO, Oregon State, Montana State and Colorado State which in total requires her to apply with the UC (University of California) App, CSU (California State University) App, Common App and independent apps. All these apps have different requirements. Some, such as the UC App and Common App, include

College Applications have become an added stress onto the graduating class of 2021. Graphic by: Peyton Redmond essay prompts selected to gather more information about applicants that isn’t given through a transcript, while others like CSU simply ask for a transcript. The independent apps’ criteria is tailored to whatever the school you’re applying to and what they are asking for.

Along with Ramos, senior Riley Meagher hasn’t felt much of an effect from COVID on her applications, “I think I actually have more time to work on my college apps because of the shorter school days. I also like that the SAT isn’t required in applications because I think standardized testing does a poor job at representing one’s intelligence or fitness for college.”

Unlike the previous years, this year’s seniors aren’t required to take or submit an SAT or ACT score due to

the mandated quarantine that wiped out last school year’s fourth quarter and summer break which is typically high school juniors’ optimal time to take these tests.

Meagher continued on about the effects the process has had on her, “Applications have definitely been stressful since online school has made it really difficult for me to stay on top of my school work, and college apps have become another thing on the checklist.

It’s also a little strange thinking about how the responses I give on my apps right now could literally determine how my future plays out.

I always knew that this time of year was stressful for seniors, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

Continued on ww.thecougarpress.org

Rolling back to the 50’s with Ventura County’s drive-in. did, but a projector can cost Jocelyn Wood anywhere from $39 to over $1000

In May, with the for a nice one. Meanwhile, normal cancellation of the 2020 Ventura concerts can cost anywhere past County Fair, Ventura was able to $700. Though for the Drive-in, bring in “Concerts In Your Car.” the movies cost $30 per car and The event debuted in June at the concerts up to $100 per ticket. You Ventura County Fairgrounds, and purchase them before arriving, has events of either comedians, and people can fill the vehicle with concerts or movies. With the as many individuals as they’d like. arrival of Covid-19 and rise From the pricing, it’s been such of boredom in teens, many of Ventura High’s students have been an appeal for many teens and attending the events. It is a curated families. From “Despicable Me” event intended to fulfill peoples to “Scream” and the diversity in movie watching and concert music played there, it’s clear why the event is always packed. People needs.

With everything having to be at home lately many VHS students are trying new ways to have at home movie theatres.

People have resorted to purchasing projectors to up the experience.

This was an idea that some people

Photo from: CBF Productions have been enjoying the time spent with others and a chance to get out of the house.

Continued on www.thecougarpress.org

Main Street moves along

The spooky Hallow’s Eve history

The closure surrounding downtown Ventura promotes small businesses. guidelines are posted all around Logan Wilkov provided by “Main Street Moves.”

The City of Ventura has Social distancing measures are come together to close down Main provided throughout downtown to Street from Fir Street to Ventura help maintain safe distance between Avenue. The expansion of businesses others. You can find sanitizers in and restaurants outdoors into the all stores and restaurants and the streets have been extended till Feb. regulated use of mask wearing.

15 or until the county’s pandemic Kristi Greysen-Bates, health order expires. The closure is behind Greysen Jewelry, recently open to pedestrians and cyclists only. opened her business to the fronts

“Main Street Moves,” downtown this October. Greysenthe temporary business expansion Bates stated, “Blocking the streets program, was originally launched off [in] downtown Ventura has on June 16. The program strives to created an amazing dining and promote small businesses who may shopping experience for all locals have been at a default during the and out of towners.” She continued pandemic shutdown. In addition, it with, “The best part of opening my further encourages people to “safely business is that I share a storefront

From carved beets to eerie rituals, our modern day Halloween is rooted in ancient traditions.

Kristin Greysen shared, “I was a little nervous to open up a brand new business during Covid but it has turned out to be the best decision!” Photo by: Logan Wilkov shop, sip, dine and stroll in the streets during Main Street Moves (and beyond, with more food and shopping options on side streets and emerging Front Street area).”

If you walk along the closed streets, you may notice stations to wash hands and health

with two other local businesses that are women owned. Shopping locally owned businesses has become the new norm and I’m loving it!”

Continued on www.thecougarpress.org

Yasmin Myers

The Halloween holiday we know today has changed quite a bit from the Celtic celebrations that took place 2,000 years ago.

All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween can be best described as a quilt comprising different religious, cult and cultural aspects.

The celebration back then, called Samhain, consisted of people who would light bonfires to honor the dead during the new start of their new year on Oct. 31 according to www.history.com.

The Celtic celebrators believed that the veil between the physical world and the spirit world would cease to exist during Samhain, thus allowing interaction between humans and Otherworldly spirits.

They would sometimes wear costumes and masks to scare away or confuse evil ghosts.

The association of bats when referring to Halloween can also be traced to the ancient celebration. The bonfires Celtics would light attracted a variety of bugs which additionally attracted bats, as bugs were and remain one of their food sources.

By 43 A.D., most Celtic territory was conquered by the Romans. The Romans had a similar holiday to remember the dead named Feralia. Feralia took place in February, and Romans would place offerings and gifts on gravestones.

Sophomore Reece Pickett shared that he was familiar with the Celtic history behind the holiday. Pickett also added that, “I love Halloween! Not only is it [a] time to decorate your house with carved pumpkins, fake graveyards and spider webs, but it’s also the

Our modern day Halloween descended from various ancient traditions and festivals from nearly 2,000 years ago! Graphic by: Yasmin Myers time when you can eat a ton of candy and people won’t think you’re weird.”

Sophomore Olivia Roman shared that she remembers, “Going shopping with my friends for a costume and watching scary movies,” from past Halloween years.

The Catholic churches’ influence upon Europe rose during the 7th century, and Samhain was frowned upon as it was considered a pagan holiday. The Vatican then merged Samhain with another religious holiday--All Saints Day--to honor the deceased.

All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, was initially forbidden to observe among early American colonists and puritans, as they also believed it was far too pagan. However, by the 1800’s, significantly more American harvest festivals began to incorporate certain elements of Halloween.

From the 1700’s to 1800’s, some women would perform rituals on All Hallow’s Eve

in hopes of finding a husband. One of the rituals consisted of throwing apple peels over their shoulders and speculating the shape of the peel to determine the initials of their future husband. Women also believed that standing in a dark room in front of a mirror would allow for their future husbands’ faces to appear. Spooky!

Our modern jack-olanterns descend from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack. According to Irish folklore, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. Staying true to his name, Jack didn’t want to pay for his drink and convinced the Devil to turn into a coin so that he may pay for his drink. The Devil complied, and Jack quickly put the coin into his wallet which bore a crucifix, stripping the Devil of his powers, and only released him after he promised not to take Jack’s soul.

Continued on www.thecougarpress.org

Distractions

The Cougar Press Page 4

Cougar Catnips

Wealth is measured in senior wallet photos

Karen, sit down

Yasmin Myers

Riley Ramirez

The Cougar Press October Playlist UPDATED SUNDAY

Dancing With Myself

Rock Lobster

Billy Idol

The B-52’s

Graphic by: Yasmin Myers

Most seniors like me have already taken their senior photos.

I assumed that by paying for the appointment and picture amount, the company would automatically send you all the photos they took.

To my shock, when my proofs were ready, I learnt that you have to pay a minimum of $164 just to get the minimum of 24 wallet photos, and 6 regular sized pictures...24 wallet photos?? Do these people think I want to hand out 24 wallet photos of me grimacing to 24 people??

The second most expensive package “deal” costs $439. Now the bargain lies in the fact that you receive not 24, but 88 wallet photos, nearly 4 times as many, oh joy!

Graphic by: Riley Ramirez

As a fast food worker, I have the utmost honor of dealing with screaming “Karens” over something as simple as waiting five minutes in the drive-thru.

While this can be expected, no fast food worker, especially those under 18 years of age, should ever have to deal with entitled customers. We’re here to serve you, not to babysit you and your highly ridiculous attitude over getting your cheeseburger a minute over your expected wait time. I’m not sure about you, but in this world the customer is not always right. Especially when you think you have the power to fire an employee.

Yes, I’m still watching

No, we don’t need help

Anna Guerra

Savanna Nustad-Franzen

Photo by: Anna Guerra

For the streaming platform CEOs that are reading this, stop asking me if I’m still watching every other episode. Yes, I am also concerned that I watched two seasons of “Selling Sunset” in one day. But seeing the screen go black as I inevitably stare into my sad, eyebag ridden face reminds me of the culmination of my poor life choices that led up to this moment. And yet I always hit the ‘Yes, I’m still watching’ option, with the same amount of shame my dog has when he potties on the floor yet again. How about next time I tell YOU when I’m done watching.

Superstion

Spiderwebs

Stevie Wonder

No Doubt

Zombie

The House of the Rising Sun

Adam’s Song

Rapture

Bad Moon Rising

Ashes to Ashes

The Animals

The Cranberries

Blondie

blink-182

Creedence Clearwater Revival

David Bowie

Witchy Woman

The Chain

Thriller

Gimme Three Steps

Eagles

Fleetwood Mac

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Michael Jackson

Playlist by: Yasmin Myers

Graphic by: Peyton Redmond

‘Do you need help, I’m here live right now ready to help.’

We hear this at least 1000 times a day in our zoom classes, like we get it you’re here, and you can help us.

I promise that if I have a question, I will ask, but your constant asking us to ask questions is just a tad bit annoying. I know we’re all trying our best, and you really want to help us, but sometimes we don’t need help, or sometimes we don’t want your help, as harsh as it is. I know you’re desperate for student teacher interaction, and one day I promise you will get it.

Graphic by: Katie Medina

Quiz by: Caroline Marsden

Infographic by: Peyton Redmond

Graphic by: Savannah Marsicek