75:06 March 17, 2023

Friday, March 17, 2023

Calling all seniors: apply for financial aid to graduate

Only 60 percent of seniors have applied for financial aid, despite it being a requirement to graduate

instructors in order to show students how to fill out the application. The first workshop, Cash 4 College, took place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Ventura College Main Campus.

As of the 2022-23 school year, seniors at VHS must apply for financial aid in order to graduate. However, only 60 percent of VHS seniors have applied as of Feb. 27, meaning that only 60 percent of seniors are eligible to graduate, and the other 40 percent are at risk of not graduating. Seniors had to turn the application in before the deadline of March 2 to receive California priority for a chance to get more money. Ella Bartlett ‘23, a financial aid applicant, said, “I think [making the application a graduation requirement] is not good. Some people aren’t planning to go to college, so for it to be a requirement to actually graduate high school and to have that high school diploma is a little dumb.”.

There were three financial aid workshops this school year that were taught and led by different

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 25, another Cash 4 College workshop was held at the Ventura College East Campus in Santa Paula.

Like last year, a competition is being held between the VHS government and economics classes to see who can turn in more financial aid applications. Last year, Christian Gallo’s economics class won the competition and a burrito party.

In the 2021-22’s California state budget, California Gov. Newsom and the state legislature included a new policy which requires public, private and charter schools to confirm that all of their high school graduating class have applied to financial aid or that they have filled out an opt-out waiver, which came into effect for the 2022-23 academic school year. The period to apply spanned from Oct. 2, 2022 to March

2, giving students exactly five months to apply to the Free Application for Federal Aid and the California Dream Act Application to ensure that they will graduate high school. College and career counselor Patricia Roberts said, “About 60 percent of our seniors have applied for financial aid. Assembly Bill 132 was passed which requires school districts in California to confirm seniors have completed the

What’s inside?

FAFSA or California Dream Act application before graduating, or opt-out of the process.”

The opting out option allows a student to opt-out of receiving financial aid. In order to do so, they must be 18 years or older to sign the form or have a parent or guardian to sign the form.

Senior Ball: Throwback to the 20’s

Ventura High School Mock Trial takes it to court

Sophia Denzler

On Feb. 7 and 8, Mock Trial, a VHS class, went to the Ventura County Government Center Hall of Justice to compete with the skills and knowledge they have gained about the world of law. The premise of their case were counts of robbery and battery, and their team was split into prosecution and defense. VHS’ team faced off against teams from

Simi Valley, Newbury Park, Nordhoff, Sanna Suzana and Fillmore high schools. VHS placed three spots short of making it into the final round of eight. They were ranked number 11 out of 25 teams in Ventura County.

Violet Hurguy ‘24, a defense lawyer, said, “It was a very good experience. It was very intense. It felt like everyone had very high expectations. We were really expected to own up to what we were working

towards. It was very fun. My favorite part was doing cross examinations, because during cross [examinations] you get to be aggressive towards your witness, to prove your case, and you get to ask leading questions which is always very fun to prove why you are right and they [the other team] are wrong.”

The Mock Trial process is very similar to a real courtroom where lawyers are expected to prove their case and defend their client or prosecute them.

Miriam Arichea, the mock trial advisor, said, “My favorite part was being back in the courthouse after two years of Zoom Mock Trial. Also, having Melinda Johnson as our judge in round three, who was the first woman appointed as a Ventura County Superior Court judge.”

Arichea said, “What surprised me the most is that we won the second day’s [Tuesday’s] first trial, despite having two people [one witness

Opinion: Are girl or boy best friends harming your relationship?

and one attorney] fall ill between Monday night’s competition and Tuesday day. I imagine our scores would have been through the roof if we had those two people in that trial… I think we were prepared, especially because I had the help of three attorney coaches, two deputy district attorneys and one public defender, all of whom I’ve worked with in my job as a deputy district attorney.”

Arichea is a graduate of Duke University, where she got her Juris Doctor degree. Prior to the competition, she assisted her students every Monday and Wednesday for two hours, where they formulated their claims and prepare their witnesses.

Arichea said, “The most difficult part for my students is having to react to the different schools’ questions or objections, which sometimes are completely unexpected or even bizarre. It’s almost like doing improv except that it’s not a comedy.”

Opinion: Rihanna scores big at the 2023 Super Bowl

The deadline to receive California priority for a chance to receive more money was March 2.

Photo by: Weston Blackburn

VHS students and Mock Trial participants gather during their break before returning to the court room.

Photo by: Miriam Arichea

Graphic by: Lourdes Almalab

Weston Blackburn

Alexis Segovia

VHS Mock Trial competes against surrounding schools

“If you can dance and be free and be embarassed, you can rule the world.”

- Amy Poehler

Brody Daw

Graphic by: Isabel Andrade

Graphic by: Kinda Meheal

Isabel Andrade

Rockets launch at Ventura High School

Diego Sid ‘24 pumps his Fiji bottle rocket. The VHS Rocket Club held its first annual bottle rocket launch competition during lunch on March 3 on the senior lawn, which was spearheaded by the club’s president Daniel Smiley ‘24. The competition featured eight students vying to win club president Smiley’s mother’s sourdough bread, determined by whose rocket could stay in the air the longest.

Daniel Smiley, right, pours water into the rocket of Mateo Konieczny ‘24, left, named Apollo 13 3.0. Konieczny said, “Essentially you have water and you pump up air into it and once it gets to enough pressure, the thing kind of just blows up, and the bottom of the water is released with the pressure and it goes in the air.”

Konieczny pumping his rocket for launch. He said, “I chose the design to have a parachute because I thought it [would] really maximize my chance of winning.”

Daniel Smiley helps his younger sister, Findley Smiley, left to right, in pumping her rocket. Findley Smiley said, “I think rockets are super. My rocket’s name is Rocket Club Rules.”

De

launched his rocket, Little Rocket Man. Vivian said, “I participated in this event because I love rockets.” Photo

Ventura High School hosts third blood drive of the 2022-2023 school year

ASB and the American Red Cross partner for VHS’ quarterly blood drive

On March 1, VHS held its quarterly blood drive in the ASB room. The blood drives are typically held in the Main Street Gym, but this quarter it was held in the ASB room. The blood drive was open to not only VHS students but also general community members who wished to donate blood.

Former VHS student Dima Alawil has donated blood four times and often encourages others to do the same. Alawil said, “I came here for the blood drive. I already graduated from high school. When I was [a student here] every time [there was a blood drive] I would come and donate blood.”

Anyone 17 years old or older is eligible to donate as long as they meet the weight requirements of at least 114 pounds. All 16-year-olds are required to have signed parental consent forms. Students who signed up got a call slip and were excused from class to go to the ASB room. Once arrived, students would check in and receive a sticker with their name written on it.

Danny Cardenas ‘25 said, “It’s my first time [donating blood].” Cardenas decided to donate so he could get out of class and because he felt donating blood helps people. His friend Sav Marin ‘25 did not donate but accompanied Cardenas.

Marin said, “[Donating blood] is a very selfless act […] People are

Editors

in need of blood, and it’s a really good thing to do for people.”

Seniors can also earn a cord at their graduation by donating blood three times. This was the reason for Ella Strong ‘23 donating blood. This was Strong’s third time donating at the VHS blood drive. She said, “[The blood] goes towards the people that need blood […] it saves lives.”

Jacqueline Nixon is an account manager for the American Red Cross and is responsible for helping plan the blood drive.

Nixon said, “I work with the biomedical side of things. A lot of my role involves setting up the blood drives, making sure it runs smoothly the day of [the blood drive] and preparing and planning and doing

meetings before.”

According to the ARC, donated blood is used for clinical purposes such as the process of blood transfusions, or it may be used to treat patients

suffering from conditions like anemia.

Continued on. . . thecougarpress.org

Lourdes Almalab

Isabel Andrade

Jane Armstrong

Weston Blackburn

Samantha Castañeda

Leslie Castro

Adi De Clerck

Davin Dedman

Kendall Garcia

Halle Gentry

Jayden Gentry

Santiago Gonzales

Lia Hersh

Belen Hibbler

Ruby Lacques

Julian Martinez

Angelica Matehuala

Kinda Mehael

Christian Montecino

Christopher Morrison

Hugh Murphy

Miles Newman

Anastasia Nisky

Savanna Nustad-Franzen

Brianna Ramirez

Ace Rico

Katie Rundle

Alexis Segovia

Soraya Stegall

Jocelyn Wood

Ella Strong ‘23 and Abby Strong ‘25, left to right. Abby Strong said, “I hope I can help, you know, victims who have been in an accident and need more blood, I hope this helps them.”

Photo by: Emily Nguyen

Name Adi De Clerck

The rocket club’s first annual bottle rocket launch competition took place on the senior lawn

Ava Mohror

Avery Cameron Sophia Nacu

Editor-in-Chief Print Social Media

Alejandro Hernandez

Managing Editor

Sophia Denzler

Assistant ME Online

Brody Daw

Assistant EIC

Emily Nguyen

Assistant ME

Isabella Fierros

EmilyNameNguyen

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Morgan Gambill ‘26 pumps his two-liter bottle rocket. Gambill said, “I named [my rocket] The Bottle.” Photo by: Adi De Clerck

Photo by: Adi De Clerck

Photo by: Adi De Clerck

Karsten Vivian ‘25

by: Adi De Clerck

Photo by: Adi

Clerck

Photo by: Adi De Clerck

Club feature: The Black Student Union continues after decades

A club geared toward the needs of Black students at VHS

Alejandro Hernandez

The Black Student Union, a VHS club dedicated to providing a place for Black students on campus and raising awareness about issues facing their community, began on campus in the 1990s. Today, it is led by president Gwen Withers ‘24, who has been involved in the BSU since her freshman year. The club has six members and meets during lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays in room 64.

Withers said, “[The purpose of BSU is] to create a safe space for VHS’s

black students and to bring attention to the fact that we are here all the time - not just Black History Month.”

In addition to creating a safe space and raising awareness, the BSU participates in community service, fundraising events, the food fair, distributing Black History Month information and volunteering for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, a youth mentorship organization.

BSU Secretary Jayden Johnson ‘23 said, “I joined BSU because [I’m] new to this school this year

and wanted a place to belong and a place to fit in. BSU is that place where I can go and talk about the racial injustice I was facing.”

Johnson said, “I think there is a lot of racial discrimination against Black people [at VHS]. Unfortunately, it isn’t talked about much, but that’s also because it’s normalized. People that are not Black are walking around and saying the N-word knowing that they shouldn’t, but nobody is telling them any different.”

The BSU is considering organizing a field trip based on the Pinkard Youth Institute’s Black College Tour, where Black students travel to other parts of the U.S. to visit historically Black colleges or universities.

The club created an HBCU poster located in the College and Careers Center.

BSU Vice President Jazmin Kinchlow ‘25 said, “I joined the BSU last year during my freshman year. I knew the president, Gwen, and it was just something that seemed really cool. It’s good to have a place

where you can just talk about stuff that you can’t really talk about with other people in your life and with people who have the same background and similar experiences.”

The BSU hosted an open mic slam poetry event during lunch Feb. 28 in room 64. In addition, the club has partnered with ASB to host a classroom door contest for Black History Month through the end of February.

To join the BSU, students can join the club’s Remind or attend the weekly meetings. All students are welcomed into the club

Slam poetry open mic: A collection of poems

A collection of poems read out at the open mic slam poetry event hosted by BSU and Dead Poet Society on Feb. 28 “My wandering mind,”

by Gwen Withers ‘24

Tap..tap tap..tap tap tap tap tap tap tap. . . tap. Dang, I’m so good at this/ Oh my gosh, stop that is so weird/tap tap/ No, I am not doing that again/ What to do. . ./ Oh, I can do that wavy thing with my pencil so it looks like it’s bending/ Wow that is cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, so cool/ Okay done with that/ Hey look at that box/ That is a nice box/Appletopia box/ Sounds like a theme park/ Appletopia, where you have fantastic fruity fun/ I wonder how many apples you could fit into that box?/ Probably a lot, it’s a nice box/ Okay, it has to been at least fifteen minutes/ Seriously, it’s only been one minute?/ One freaking minute?/ That has to be wrong/ It’s been one minute.

“Trapped in my head,” by Malani Del Rosario ‘25 Do you ever feel lonely?/Because you just can’t get out of bed in the morning?/ And you just don’t know why?/ You know you should leave but you can’t/I have that every day/And I should be able to cope with normal life/But I can’t/ And I don’t know how to fix it either/Maybe it’s because I don’t feel normal/ I have this burning desire to do something/ Help someone/ Get out of bed/ Be better/ But I can’t even help myself/ I am incapable/ I am confined in my own mind/

irrespective of their race or ethnicity.

Withers said, “I urge everyone who even considers joining BSU to do so. We are one of the few places where Black students won’t feel completely out of place on our campus, and [we] are proud of that, not to mention that we have a great time doing it. We welcome everyone - no matter their race - to join our team. I believe VHS needs to embrace and encourage our Black students and will continue to advocate for that through BSU. I hope others will join me.”

“Catching dreams,” by Carson Peterson ‘23, an adaption of Maya Angelo’s “Still I Rise” You will write me down in history/ Hidden

in the past/ ‘Cause I’ve got dreams to catch and I’m catching them fast/ You might have heard my name/ Histories shamed my past/ Chocolates bitter

And I don’t know how to get out/ I am sick of it/ I am just sick of it sometimes/ Just pretending to be okay/ Okay with myself/ Pretending to enjoy this happy life/Pretending to be happy for the in all matters of light/ For it may have seemed easy/ But all my life I have had to fight/ I hope my boldness upsets you/ While you are stuck sake of everyone else/ What about me/ I just wanted to help myself/ I just wanted to be okay/ I’m not/ And now I am still trapped pretending/ To be everything I am not and will never be.

bold vanillas sweet contrast/ It’s a shame a young face never reflects a young soul/ So I walk in shoes of greatness/Curling the courage down to my socks/ Can I be stopped/ I’d have to say no/ I may be young in years/ But I have faced many a foe/ I have faced naysayers/ I have faced pessimists/ Feared selftied around me/ And I won without my fists/ Stumbling is not falling/ And I stumble a lot/ Even if I fall stay down I will not/ Is your cup half empty/ Mine is half full/ Chasing dreams with hungry eyes/ Like a reg flag to a bull/Ambition rising like steam and I’m catching it fast/ King said I have a dream and I’m catching it fast, fast, fast.

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 Cougar Press and to submit photos and videos. 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.

From left to right, Jazmin Kinchlow ‘25, Gwen Withers ‘24, Ella Bartlettt ‘23 and Jayden Johnson ‘23 are among the Black Student Union’s members. Photo by: Alejandro Hernandez

Graphic by: Alejandro Hernandez

Students gathered in room 64 at lunch on Feb. 28 for the open mic slam poetry event hosted by BSU and Dead Poet Society. Photo by: Ava Mohror

Senior Ball: Throwback to the 20’s

Catherine Aviles and Corrine Garo sat together at the pictured table. Garo 23’ [far right] said, “I think [Senior Ball] is really nice, [the venue] is like a wedding reception. I think this experience is unique to seniors and since it’s my senior year, I want to try to do as much as I can before I leave.” Aviles ‘23 said, “I decided to come to the senior ball because I wanted to enjoy my night with my friends. I came with my date, my best friend. So I was just really happy to come. So far [Senior Ball] is going so well the lemonade is the bomb.”

Emily Sehati ‘24 said, “I think Senior Ball is one of the coolest dances of the year. It’s a special chance for all the seniors to have like their last final event before college besides prom and it’s just unique and celebrates being a senior. [I decided to come to Senior Ball because] I’m here for ASB. I have to work but it’s really great for the upcoming seniors next year to get an idea of how Senior Ball works.” Photo by:

Lucas Romero ‘24 said, “[Senior Ball is] pretty good. I’m having a lot of fun. [I decided to come to Senior Ball because] I thought it would be really fun and really cool.” Photo by:

Students wait in line for their dinner consisting of chicken cacciatore, Caesar salad, penne pasta, toasted bread and a chocolate fountain.

Ventura High School varsity baseball celebrates walk-off win

VHS’ baseball match against Grace Brethren on Feb. 16 continued into the eighth inning. A standard high school baseball game is seven innings but may continue into extra innings if the score is tied at the end of the seventh. Jon Gurrola ‘24 was the starting pitcher for VHS, and pitched four innings, threw 59

out four batters.

Photo by: Alexis Segovia

Alexis

Viviann Ruvalcaba ‘23 and Isaac Ramirez ‘23 [left to right]. Tickets were sold at the student store. Couples ticket prices ranged from $115-$130. Singles ticket prices ranged from $65-$80. Photo by: Alexis Segovia

Alexis Segovia

Photo by: Alexis Segovia

Aiden Marin ‘23 and Mya Murillo ‘23 [left to right]. The Great Gatsby included women who wore these crystal headbands pictured on Murillo. Many students wore these crystal headbands to reflect The Great Gatsby theme of this year’s Senior Ball. Photo by: Alexis Segovia

pitches and struck

Photo by: Emily Nguyen

Bauerlein, right, pitched one inning, threw 23 pitches and walked one batter. The one batter Bauerlin walked was on a hit-by-pitch. Photo by: Isabella Fierros

Pitcher McKale Bauerlein ‘24 entered the game in the seventh inning in place of pitcher Shane Farrell ‘24, left to right, after Farrell gave up two runs on one hit. He threw 28 pitches over two-point-one innings.

Photo by: Isabella Fierros

Dylan Kaiser ‘23 led the Cougars to victory with his two-run double in the eighth inning with a final score of 6-5. Kaiser said his highlight of the game was the walk-off. Photo by: Isabella Fierros

Josh Woodworth ‘25 is the second sophomore on the team and is also playing in his second season with varsity. Woodworth had one hit in four at-bats and drove in two runs. Photo by: Isabella Fierros

Pitcher Dylan Elizondo ‘23 entered the game in the eighth inning as a relief pitcher for VHS. Elizondo walked in the go-ahead run to give Grace Brethren the lead of 4-3. Photo by: Isabella Fierros

Alexis Segovia Isabel Andrade Weston Blackburn

Emily Nguyen Isabella Fierros

Opinion: Rihanna scores big at the 2023 Super Bowl

very beautiful with her nice pregnant belly. I love RiRi.”

On Feb. 12, Rihanna performed her well-awaited halftime show at the 57th Super Bowl. While people were betting on her opening song, outfit color and the number of songs she would perform, we were ready to watch our girl go off.

Dylan Garcia ‘23 said, “I want to acknowledge her red dress. She looked

She opened her performance with “B*tch Better Have My Money,” followed by, “Where Have You Been,” “Only Girl (In the World),” “We Found Love,”

“Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Wild Thoughts,” “Pour It Up,” “All of the Lights,” “Run this Town,” “Umbrella” and lastly, “Diamonds.”

Deniyah Alvarado ‘24 said, “I didn’t like the songs that much. They were good

songs, but not for a Super Bowl.” This was her first performance since 2018 when she sang “Wild Thoughts” at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, so there was heavy discourse around the special songs she would select. Her choice to open the show with “B*tch Better Have My Money” was a powerful one. Many fans were hoping she would open with a different song, such as “What’s My Name” featuring Drake. Opening with that famous line, “Ooh na na, what’s my name?” would have been iconic, considering she was reentering the spotlight with this performance. But her actual opening song choice was much more striking, letting everyone know what she was there for.

By touching up her makeup in the middle of her performance with her Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder, she drew attention to her makeup brand, and without even saying a word. It made everyone want to go out and get it. It’s clear that Rihanna is a marketing queen because she knows how to make her money the smart way. Even we wanted to go buy some.

There have been so many aspects of the

performance that have gone viral, ranging from her pregnancy to the backup dancers to the ASL interpreter. Before the Super Bowl, RiRi teased the public with a hint at her second pregnancy with the announcement of a special guest in an interview with CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson. Her special guest disappointed many but was honestly clever. She let everyone know that she and her baby were the stars of the show. She definitely left everyone shocked when she came out, and her baby bump was showing. This subtle

Opinion: Spotify vs. Apple Music: which is really better?

Music is a necessity for teenagers of this generation. As of November 2022, 82 percent of teens say they listen to music every day according to Headphones Addict, so it isn’t a surprise that there is debate on which music streaming platform is superior.

The most common two platforms for music

streaming are Spotify and Apple Music. Spotify launched April 23, 2006 and Apple Music launched on June 30, 2015, a notable amount of time later. Apple Music has still managed to keep up in the ranks as Spotify’s number one competitor since 2015, behind Spotify by 98 million users.

When considering which platform is superior we must take

into consideration the subscriptions each platform offers to their users. Spotify has a premium subscription that costs $9.99 monthly for an individual plan but has remained unchanged in price since it originally launched in the U.S. in 2011, and it is still as low as any competitor. The premium plan includes a no-ad benefit, improved audio quality, the ability to download music for offline listening, device compatibility, family mix, unlimited skips and access to new releases.

Tanner Bilby ‘23 said, “I use Spotify [but] I still like the Apple Music platform. I think [Spotify] very consistent with everything that it provides and I think it’s an easy, organized platform to use. But I have just been using Spotify for forever so I just stick with that.”

Apple Music’s subscription costs $10.99 per month, which as of recently was raised by one dollar. The Apple Music subscription offers a noad benefit, improved audio quality and the ability to download music for offline

method of announcing her pregnancy was right on brand for her lately because she’s been keeping it lowkey as she is starting her family with A$AP Rocky.

Parris Goebel choreographed all of the dance moves for the show. The dancers that were in the Super Bowl are known as The Royal Family dance crew. They have danced for a variety of other artists, such as Jennifer Lopez, Jason Derulo and Justin Bieber.

Continued on thecougarpress.org

listening. A major difference between these two platforms is what is offered without paying. On Spotify you can listen to any song or podcast for free but with

have it. I have heard that there has been controversy between people saying that Apple is better than Spotify because it has more, but Apple has everything that Spotify has. But also,

The debate regarding whether Spotify or Apple Music is better is a discussion that many students can’t help but talk about. Graphic by:

occasional advertisements. On the other hand, Apple Music does not have any way to listen to music without paying, you can buy songs individually for $1 to $2 or listen to the radio but that’s it. You also cannot make any playlists on Apple Music without a subscription unlike Spotify.

Clover Higgins ‘23 said, “I mean [Apple Music] is fine, I just don’t

Apple is a mixture of a little bit of SoundCloud too. They have some stuff Spotify doesn’t have. So it’s not bad, I just don’t have it.”

Each of the user bases on these platforms tend to have strong opinions on which is better for digital music.

During the show, Rihanna quickly touched up her makeup with one of her Fenty Beauty products while the song “All of the Lights” by Kanye West played. Graphic by: Lourdes Almalab

Rihanna was shining bright her entire performance. Alvarado said, “My favorite song was ‘Diamonds.’” Graphic by: Belen Hibbler

Tanner Bilby ‘23 prefers Spotify over Apple Music. Photo by: Ella Duncan

Lourdes Almalab

RiRi and her special guest stole the spotlight from whoever was playing

Spotify and Apple Music are the two most popular music streaming platforms but which ones best is finally up for debate

Ella Duncan

Ella Duncan

Belen Hibbler

Cougar critique: “Layla” by Colleen Hoover

No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover came out with the book “Layla” in December of 2020. The book begins when Leeds meets Layla. It’s love at first sight, and Leeds immediately knows he has to spend the rest of his life with Layla.

Soon into the relationship between Leeds and Layla, Layla is attacked. She’s left with severe brain damage and is no longer herself. She doesn’t remember parts of her life, which means that she also can’t remember

parts of her relationship with Leeds. This leaves Leeds feeling empty, making him question whether this is the same Layla he originally fell in love with.

Leeds knows he needs to figure something out. He needs to do something that will make Layla remember exactly how happy she once was. So he decides to surprise Layla with something special, a trip to the bed and breakfast they first met at. However, when Leeds tells Layla about the trip, she can barely remember why the place was once important to her.

Once the pair arrives at the bed and breakfast,

something immediately seems off. Layla starts acting strange. She begins blacking in and out of conversations. Leeds isn’t much better, as he starts seeing things move throughout the house and hearing things as well.

This all comes to a stop suddenly after Leeds meets a girl named Willow. Leeds spends many late nights talking to Willow, and he finally feels peaceful for the first time since Layla’s accident.

The book “Layla” blends mystery, romance and the paranormal all together. Like many of Colleen Hoover’s other books, this one is hard to put down. This is the perfect story of love and pain.

The relationship between Layla and Leeds is quick to face one of the ultimate tests of love. When Layla gets injured, Leeds has to go from her carefree lover to her full-time caretaker. Things never really go back to the way they were, but Leeds stays hopeful for their relationship. Unfortunately, his heart is officially shattered when Layla’s behavior at the bed and breakfast becomes more and more out of place.

As Leeds pushes Layla farther away he gets more and more attached to another one of the bed and breakfast guests, Willow. As Leeds gets closer to Willow, the ultimate question arises as to whether he will stay with Layla or leave her for his newfound love interest.

This book was unlike anything I’ve read in the past. It’s especially different from Colleen Hoover’s other books. I’m not sure if I’d love to recommend this book to anyone. However, the book did keep me entertained while reading.

Cougar critique: Is the new The Garden album “HORSES**T ON ROUTE 66” a hit or miss?

their music. The Garden consists of two members, a set of twins, Wyatt and Fletcher Shears, who have always been in love with music and everything to do with it.

debut album “HAHA.” Since then, The Garden has had small musical projects and have definitely made a statement with their newest album, “HORSES**T ON ROUTE 66.”

they had to wait for an OK album. On the other hand, there’s some who really love it for having a semi-new Garden sound and trying new things. There are definitely very

new album. This begs the question of what they’re gonna do next, with them having little to no social media presence and not sharing what their upcoming plans are, fans

The Garden is a musical duo that has been making music since 2011, consistently having a unique style and spin on

They played around with their sound till 2015, when they found something that really worked, and released their

This new album has many fans, and ourselves, going crazy. It definitely has big shoes to fill after their last album, “Kiss My Super Bowl Ring.” While some may say it’s better than the last album in ways such as production and quality, we think that it’s OK compared to other albums in different ways such as general songs and creativity wise, although it’s missing the same punk rock feel as “HAHA.”

We feel that this has to be our favorite The Garden album for its vocals and just overall creativity. We like that there are new takes and differences in many ways. Sure there’s some OK parts, but as a whole it’s just better than the last album, and feels more complete.

The long wait and general theme of the album has left many The Garden fans feeling like

mixed reviews compared to their other albums.

The Garden has always been known for having a “don’t care mentality’’ with their music, which is still definitely the case even now.. Many have compared their music to a heaving almost punk style.

The Garden have been on tour all over the U.S. promoting their

are left hanging. With both members having side projects, will the band split and go their own ways or continue to make music we love?

We would love for them to come back to perform in Ventura, where they have come to perform in the Ventura Music Hall.

A quote said by Leed in Colleen Hoover’s book “Layla.” Graphic by: Kendall Garcia

“Layla” is psychological book that will leave the reader guessing and wanting more. Photo by: Kendall Garcia

The Garden drummer Wyatt Fletches is depicted in this illustration.

Illustration by: Brianna Ramirez

Kendall Garcia

A novel that shows life and love after tragedy

How do VHS students feel about The Garden’s new album?

Santiago Gonzales

The Garden performing in 2017 for their world tour, featuring their two newest albums, “HAHA” and “U want the scoop.” Photo by: Jeff Marquis

Christopher Morrison

Brianna Ramirez

Anastasia Nisky

Dual enrollment wins any day compared to AP classes

Stop taking AP classes and start taking them at a college

that all students who enjoy rigorous classes should consider.

As an advanced placement student that has done Dual Enrollment at Ventura College to get ahead, I often question myself on why I do so much work in my AP classes when I could be learning these topics in online or in person classes that range from four to eight weeks and dont require an AP test grade to get the same college credits. Dual enrollment is something

Dual enrollment is an option offered to VHS students, where they can take classes at Ventura Community College, while AP classes are classes that count as college credit if you pass their exam from the College Board in May.

To apply for dual enrollment, you have to fill out a form and then get a parent’s

as well as a counselor’s approval, which is so much easier compared to the tight spaces in VHS AP classes that are sought over. After doing this, you can join a collegelevel class at Ventura College, Oxnard College or Moorpark College. You can do dual enrollment in the spring, summer or fall seasons, making it so that you can take the class even when you are in school if you have busy summers, or if you just want to have time to relax in the summer. The summer classes are the best option because they are usually short, they last from four to eight weeks and you get to choose how long you want them when you register.

Trevor Garcia ‘24 said, “I like dual enrollment classes because they are faster and give you automatic college credit.”

Another thing that is super nice about taking your classes at the college is that you get the college credit if you just pass the class, meanwhile with the AP classes, you have to be in the class for the whole year and not only be able to retain that information, but also be able to get a three or higher on the $100 AP test. That is just stupid. I don’t

understand why so many people don’t use the option of dual enrollment when it is such a simple process.

Owen Siegmund ‘24, who took a U.S. History course over the summer of 2021, said, “[I prefer] dual enrollment over an AP test because who would want to take an AP test? Only the people that have taken an AP test know that an AP test is probably the worst thing you could do.”

When you enroll for dual enrollment you do not have to pay the college enrollment fee which is $46

per unit which is a huge plus. Fees you do have to pay are the health fee which is $21 dollars for the fall and spring semesters but only $17 for the summer, and a student center fee which is up to $10. These fees are nothing compared to the $100 AP exam that does not even give you guaranteed college credits. Since the first two years of college are prerequisites anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone?

Continued on. . . thecougarpress.org

Dual enrollment is much more beneficial than AP classes because it stops you from doing busy work and allows you to get straight to the point in the class you decide to take. Graphic by: Lourdes

Are girl or boy best friends harming your relationship?

Relationships in high school are already hard enough as is, but the debate regarding whether partners are allowed to have a girl best friend or a boy best friend seems necessary in terms of communication and boundaries.

The Urban

Dictionary defines a girl best friend as not “just anyone, it’s the person that tops everyone off, the girl that you want to watch series with and stay on call with all night, the person you say ‘goodnight’ and ‘good morning’ to, the one who knows you better than anyone and knows your favorite food and favorite shows [...] she’s almost like your sister and you treat her like a princess.”

Bella Long ‘24 said, “I don’t think that your girlfriend or boyfriend should have a girl best friend or boy best friend because you should be their girl best friend or boy best friend.”

Having a girl or boy best friend requires a certain amount of trust that, let’s face it, most high school relationships don’t have. People can try and say that they are okay with the friendship between their partner and their partner’s opposite sex best friend but when it comes down to it, a friendship like this usually leads to many more problems later on in the relationship.

Miles Becker ‘23 said, “If you’re in a relationship, your best friend should be whoever you’re dating. You’re hanging out with them so much it only makes sense. I mean, people are definitely entitled to have a girl or boy best friend, but they should never take priority.”

dated someone who had a girl best friend and it ended badly.”

One of the biggest problems that come up with having a girl best friend would definitely have to be complaining about your

especially if [your partner and their opposite sex best friend] were best friends before the relationship, but overall I think that your significant other in the relationship should be your best friend.”

Can straight men and women really be bestfriends? Their partners are almost always left wondering. Graphic by: Kinda Mehael

In high school, we see many opposite sex friendships where the pair is considered to be “best friends,” but what you rarely see is either of those people having a healthy relationship with a girlfriend or boyfriend.

Long said, “I have

Boyfriends, girlfriends and their bestfriends always seem to be connected in a way that doesn’t make sense. Opinions from people like bestfriends who are only close to one person in the relationship can cause a lot of issues. Graphic by: Kendall Garcia

relationship problems to her in particular. No girlfriend wants you to talk about your relationship negatively with another girl. Another main issue with a girl’s best friend is history. Was your girl best friend ever your girlfriend? If so, how can your new girlfriend trust the fact that you’re fully over that relationship, especially if they’re still in your life now?

Jason Romero ‘23 said, “I feel like it depends

There are, on the other hand, some ways that having a girl best friend or a boy best friend while being in a relationship can work. Usually, a girl or boy best friend can work if they are friends with your girlfriend or boyfriend, you guys have never had a previous relationship and if you don’t talk to them about relationship problems.

Continued on. . .

The list goes on and on for why dual enrollment will always beat AP classes. Graphic by: Lourdes Almalab

Almalab

Lourdes Almalab

What VHS students think about the person they told you “not to worry about”

Sophia Nacu

Kinda Mehael Kendall Garcia

Spot the difference!

Graphic by: Angelica Matehuala

Graphic by: Ruby Lacques

Graphic by: Leslie Castro and Angelica Matehuala

Graphic by: Jane Armstrong

Graphic by: Sophia Nacu

Graphic by: Sophia Nacu