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Friday June 10, 2022

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“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up” -Thomas Edison

Majority of approved class novels represent only 18 percent of student body

Volume 74 Edition 09

What’s online?

Required reading part one: As VHS teachers are required by the state to teach novels from a “broad range of cultures and periods,” class novels remain consisting of 81 percent white authors.

Avery Cameron VHS English teachers have access to teach over 74 novels according to the VHS core approved novels list. Of the 74 novels, 14 (19 percent) have been written by authors of color (non-white), which leaves 60 novels (81 percent) written by white authors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the white race is defined as “a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.” While a person of color is defined as “a person who is of a race other than white or who is of mixed race,” according to Merriam Webster. The VHS core approved novels list logs all approved and available novels VHS teachers may teach. If teachers would like to teach different books, they must go through a multi-step process. “There’s a form to fill out, you have to get teachers from other schools to look at the book and sign and [the] administration has to sign off on it. Not everyone wants to take the time to [do it] but some of the teachers do,’’ said VHS librarian Susan Adamich. As VHS teachers must choose from the VHS core approved novels list, they also must follow state standards and select novels according to the California Common Core State Standards (CCCSS) for reading literature for grades six to 12. These standards mandate that all taught novels must be from a “broad range

of cultures and periods” and include “works by writers representing a broad range of literary periods and cultures.” CCCSS mandates additional standards within “English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects,” that all VHS teachers are required to integrate into their classes, in order to “help build creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration, and communication.” With these standards of diversity and relevancy in California public schools’ taught novels list, VHS is obliged to follow suit with its novel list. In addition to its 81 percent white author rate, the list also reports that white males have written 67 percent of the novels on the list; while only 18 percent of VHS students are white males, according to US News. This is because white students make up 36 percent of the VHS student population and 52 percent of VHS is male. While 54 percent of VHS students are classified as Hispanic or Latino according to US News, there are only two Hispanic or Latino authors’ novels on the list: “The House on Mango Street” and “Bless Me, Ultima.” “People of color and women should be more represented on the list, especially in our school that is so diverse, they should be represented in our novels we

Photo by: Alejandro Hernandez VHS Librarian Susan Adamich (pictured) in the back room of library, where VHS core reading novels are stored for teachers to use to teach to their classes. Photo by: Avery Cameron

read. It’s important to have representation so that the students can feel represented,” said junior Jane Armstrong. Linda Bergfeld’s third period AVID class of freshman and sophomores were surveyed on their opinion on the lists statistics. Out of 36 students, four were surprised by VHS core approved novel author statistics, while 32 expected them (50 out of 74 by white men, 14 out of 74 by authors of color, 16 out of 74 by females). When asked if the VHS core approved novels list should have a wider range of novels, all 36 students said yes. VHS English teacher James Locher teaches 11 novels to his English 10 honors classes. Locher said, “I choose [to teach] books that I enjoy reading, that I believe students will enjoy reading, that are examples of works of literary quality and merit, that are diverse in time, gender, voice, etc. and that connects to our curricular goals. I think that students need to read a variety of texts - classic, modern, international, etc. from different genres, times, cultures, voices, etc.” Because Locher is a California teacher, he

Graphic listing all 74 core approved novels at VHS, books in due text where written by authors of color. Graphic by: Avery Cameron.

is required to follow the CCCCSS and its standard to teach novels from “broad range[s] of cultures and periods.” Even so, two of the 11 novels he teaches in his sophomore classes are by nonwhite authors. Additionally, one of his chosen novels has been written in the twenty-first century: Sherry Turkle’s “Alone Together,” which was published in 2011. Turkle is one of only two female authors on his list, alongside Ursula K. LeGuin, who leaves over 81 percent of novels in Locher’s English 10 honors classes written by men. On the subject of gender diversity, 16 out of the 74 novels on the VHS core approved novels list have been written by female authors. This leaves 21 percent of the novels written by females, in contrast to 79 percent male, while 48 percent of VHS’ population is female, according to US News. “I think that the list has just an unnecessary lack of diversity and I feel like at this point in 2022, [the diversity] can be improved,” said junior Ruby Laques. “Even as the world works towards a more progressive future, the sphere of education has yet to make significant steps towards progress. Literature choices are limited for students and require them to view our society through a certain lens — the lens of white men in particular. English classes need to diversify the literature that students are obligated to read,” said California high school journalist Yejin Heo in her opinion article “A change in education — diverse books for diverse students.” “An increase in multicultural literature around the world can provide self-empowerment in students, cultural pluralism and fresh perspectives for students and teachers alike… Focusing on how [minorities] act in relation to others and events [in literature] provides an opportunity to examine different behaviors and characteristics across cultures,” said Heo.

Banner Bold boldly releases to the public

Photo by: Alejandro Hernandez

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On Campus

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What is the rationale behind Ventura High School campus security cameras? An overview of security cameras at VHS

Ava Mohror Alejandro Hernandez The Ventura High School campus has been home to security cameras for many years, with its current system in place since 2019. But what do the cameras do? How does the VHS administration use these cameras? Assistant Principal Mara Clobes said, “There are at least 20-25 cameras on campus. They do not have audio.” The cameras are

always on and recording at a resolution of 1080p, with all administrators having access to their footage. The VHS administration utilizes security cameras in several ways. Principal Marissa Cervantes said, “We´re able to refer to them if we are conducting investigations, if we want to support law enforcement with maybe calls. If there’s an issue detected we´re able to refer back to them. We are able to see what the trends are and

Campus security cameras are often placed in less-visible areas, such as stairwells (like the camera pictured). Photo by: Ava Mohror

A recap of COVID at VHS

How has the 2021-22 year gone in terms of COVID safety?

collect data for investigation purposes. We do also use them if there’s a need based on a particular situation. The cameras are in areas for added security and supervision in order for us to maintain a very safe activity or event.” Security cameras are placed throughout the VHS campus, mostly concentrated in high traffic areas (areas with a high flow of students and staff). However, there is no designated person constantly supervising the cameras’ footage. Cervantes said, “I think the primary purpose [of school security cameras] is safety. We don’t have someone on them 24/7 trying to be like ´gotcha.´ The camera can reveal some additional information to allow us to address it or if we have a student discipline issue, we can monitor that to place staff to provide the best supervision. It´s used to enhance our safety protocols not to try to snag anyone or catch them in an act. We don’t have time to be able to place one person [to supervise] due to all the areas of responsibility that we have.”

Security cameras at Ventura High School are placed in high traffic areas, such as the 90s wing hallway. Photo by: Ava Mohror

Sophomore Angelica Matehuala said, “There are some cases in which [campus security cameras] could be useful, so long as they are not in every part of the school or private areas like the restroom.” Cervantes said, “All administrators have access [to the cameras]. Our school resource officer has access. We have also placed campus supervisors to monitor them based on what the game plan is for an activity or an area of concern that we

want to monitor and make improvements. They are helpful. We have seen that in some of the incidents that we´ve had to deal with like the intruder earlier in the year.” Administration intends to continue using the cameras placed around campus as a means to help increase the safety of students and staff, by using the cameras in high traffic areas and checking them when needed in a situation concerning the safety of VHS staff and students.

the beginning of the year. I wasn’t really too worried about catching COVID, but I was worried I might spread it to the people I am close to.” Experts argue that COVID may be moving towards becoming an endemic, Instead of a

pandemic. Between multiple variants, new vaccines and record peaks, the future of COVID has yet to be predicted, the VUSD COVID resources, along with the school dashboards can be found at the student dashboard.

Sophia Denzler The third year since the very first COVID-19 shutdown has recently passed. With the first COVID case popping up in late 2021, the world became in a state of pandemic a couple months later. The first shut down for VUSD was issued March 12, 2020, which stayed in place for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year and the beginning of the 202021 year. On April 1, 2021, VUSD opened a hybrid learning plan, forming A, B and C groups to divide how many students are at school. The 2021-22 school year started back fully in-person. The 2021-22 year went through a large jump in numbers after winter break. Events such as the Senior Ball were postponed, but no major changes in guidelines

were made. California Governor Newsom made public schools unable to shut down fully due to COVID, this made VHS unable to transfer online during the 2021-2022 winter surge, when there were almost 3,000 cases on a seven day average in Ventura County. After masks had been required indoors for the beginning of the school year, on March 14, 2022, mask mandates were dropped in school settings. Currently, in health and safety protocol papers around campus, masks are still advertised as strongly recommended by the district. Senior Breahna Roark said, “I think VHS/ VUSD handled the pandemic as well as they could, they took a very strategic approach in keeping their faculty and students safe in

which I’m sure we are all grateful for. I don’t wear my mask anymore because I’m boosted and you know, it’s just a personal choice that I’m comfortable with.” In the beginning of January 2022, the COVID-19 booster shot was approved by the FDA for 12-17 year olds, right when the cases were starting to peak. The booster offered additional protection, but it is still possible to have a ‘breakthrough infection’ after being vaccinated and/or boosted.” Senior Ryan Palmisano said, “Personally I was more cautious, but it did feel like it was up to the individual if they wanted to follow precautions or not.” Palmisano said, “I think that we handled it [the pandemic] fine, personally I would’ve preferred a little bit more enforcement at

Editor in Chief

Managing Editor

Assistant EIC

Assistant Managing

Avery Cameron

Alejandro Hernandez

Brody Daw

Sophia Denzler

Social Media

Broadcast

Online

Sophia Nacu

Adi De Clerck

Ava Mohror

Isabella Fierros

Editors

The past six months graph for positive cases in Ventura County, showing the winter omicron surge from January to mid-February. Photo by: New York Times

Staff

Avea Baker Samantha Castañeda Halle Gentry Belen Hibbler Olive Kranzler Tyler Lopez Julian Martinez Emily Nguyen Jossy Wood Livia Vertucci

Features

The Cougar Press Page 3

Student feature: Tobias Raymond tackles his future Junior Tobias Raymond on his football career and scholarship offers

Alejandro Hernandez On May 2, junior Tobias Raymond received a scholarship offer from Yale University. He also has received offers from UC Berkeley, Oregon State University, San Diego State University, Washington State University, the University of Arizona, Colorado State University, CSU Fresno and the University of Nevada. Raymond, “It was pretty exciting [to receive offers from colleges]. I never really thought about it, so I wasn’t expecting it. Right now two of my most top interested colleges are Yale and Berkeley. Yale and Berkeley have a very good education system and they both are very good football teams so they give me good academics and a better chance to make it to the NFL.” Raymond has been playing football since eighth grade. In Nov. 2021, he received the CIF Lineman of the Year award. Then in Dec. 2021, he was selected for the All-Ventura County Football Coaches Team as an offensive lineman.

Previously, Raymond has also played basketball, soccer and baseball. Raymond said, “I started with O-line and D-line [in eighth grade]. Then during my freshman year, I played tight end, long snapper and defensive tackle. Then I got pulled up to varsity for the last game of the season in the playoffs. I got two sacks on varsity. I have started on varsity since.” During the 20212022 VHS football season, Raymond played an offensive tackle and defensive lineman position on the varsity team, with his jersey number being 76. He will play the left tackle and defensive tackle positions for the 2022-2023 season. He also hopes to play defensive end. Junior Nick Thomas, a friend of Raymond, said, “I’ve known Tobias for 11 years. I think the offers Tobias has are really deserving, everything he’s been through to get where he is has paid off and it’s inspiring to everyone else. Tobias is a leader on and off the field and he’s like a brother to the whole team.” VHS head football coach Tim Garcia said, “I’m

happy for Tobias. He is blowing up with offers to play Division 1 football. Because of that, he will have great options to choose from as he goes through the recruiting process. He is mature for his age, and faces adversity head-on. He is well-liked by his teammates, classmates and staff on campus. He is a positive leader and individual.” Raymond said, “By my senior year I hope to be committed to a college. I haven’t committed to a college yet, but I will go undeclared my first year because I’m not exactly sure what I want to do. Once I get there I’m just going to work hard to get my degree and possibly get a chance to play football after college.” Junior Aiden Marin, a friend of Raymond, said, “Tobias has a bright future. I can’t wait to see my friend at the best D1 college in the nation playing football and dominating everyone. If Tobias keeps working hard and pushes himself to be the best possible person he can be, he will go far, not only in football, but in life. And I truly believe Tobias is NFL

caliber but that’s for him to keep on grinding.” Raymond aspires to become a professional football player. If that doesn’t come to fruition, he would like to work in sports medicine or a career related to football. Raymond said, “[Sports medicine is] something I’ve thought of before. It’s just a way I could stay around athletics and it seems like an

Sessa, used to mentor for [the] VHS’s robotics team. He decided to go a separate way, so he started his own team, HighTide. It took over a year to get running.” Sessa, along with freshman Alisha Ali both are a part of team 4414. Ali said, “I was in robotics throughout middle school and heard about 4414 through that.” Team 4414 has high school students from around Ventura and has three students from Ventura High School. The team is also sponsored by companies like The Lawrance Thomas Memorial Fund, Sessa MFG, Google and Gene HAAS Foundation. “High school robotics competitions [is] basically [where] 60 teams go to a competition for a regional. They compete with a robot you make over the span of like six weeks,” said Sessa. Participating in these events

can help participants’ explore engineering fields and help students earn scholarships. The game that teams were assigned to compete in this year was called RAPID REACT. How the game works is that there are two alliances of three teams, they each compete to get balls into an upper and lower hub (like a basket). The upper hub is two points and the lower is one, teams can earn extra points if their robots can travel on the rungs of their hanger (where the robot climbs). To see a visual animation of the game check out their Youtube channel FIRSTRoboticsCompetition. “At Worlds, I think there are about 457 teams [that compete],” said Sessa. They release what the game is going to be in the Jan. of each year the competition takes place. They have time to design, build and

interesting job.” Raymond said, “I think I can thank my coaches [for the CIF award]. They helped a lot. I was also lucky because of how good my team was. My family really pushes me to be better. I know they all want me to do well so I push for them. Also, football is something I love and I really want to succeed.”

Many colleges have contacted Raymond, including the University of Southern California (USC). Photo from: the University of Southern California

What’s rolling with Ventura’s local robotics program? A look into Ventura’s Team 4414 HighTide robotics program

Jocelyn Wood Team 4414, also known as HighTide, is a robotics team that was created in 2018. On their website, they state, “[HighTide] provides opportunities for high school students from all around Ventura County, CA

to participate in a competitive and meaningful way through the FIRST [For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology] robotics competition.” Junior Burton Sessa said, “The backstory of this team is that my brother, J.J.

Freshman Alisha Ali said, “[The] main goal is to iterate as fast and efficiently as possible. 4414 members gain real world design and manufacturing experience, especially during rigorous off season training. The team is successful when synchronized.” Photo By: Burton Sessa

Mission Statement

test their robots before the competition. Thousands of teams from all over the world compete in the competitions each season. The 4414 team competed in three regional events. One is the Hueneme Port Regional where they won multiple events. They started in the FIRST Robotics Competition, proceeded into the 2022 FIRST Championship and then they were in the Einstein Final Tiebreaker. “We competed in our division and won at Worlds [FIRST Championship] and then we almost won Worlds, we were finalists,” said Sessa. They earned four banners as well this season and will be participating in three offseason tournament this fall. One of these tournaments will be locally at the VC Fairgrounds on October 2830.

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.

Distractions

Graphic by: Emily Nguyen

Graphic by: Sophia Denzler

Cougar Catnips

Livia Vertucci

Samantha Castañeda

These hands detest hand dryers

Where did the time go?

The hand dryers in the VHS bathrooms are repulsive. They work 10 percent of the time so students are left with soaking hands and they leave the bathrooms. Along with that the dryers are never cleaned, if you look down where your hands are supposed to go you can see gunk and moist sludge all the bottom, which is probably invested with milliomas on germs. Instead of being more sanitary the hand dryers have become a gross nuisance. Why would I waste my time with nasty hand dryers instead of a nice crisp paper towel? Give us paper towels back!

School went by so quickly! I don’t have to wake up at six in the morning to get ready for school. Summer 2020 and 2021 weren’t that great because some places were closed and I couldn’t really do things while being stuck inside because of COVID-19 requirements. Now that things have slowly been getting a little bit better, I can finally go out and have some fun while still being safe of course. Last year the fair wasn’t that fun. It was really small and had few rides. Hopefully this year’s fair will be back to how it used to be.

Graphic by: Sophia Nacu

The Cougar Press Page 7

Sports

The Cougar Press Page 4

VHS Track and Field runs to the CIF-Division two preliminaries

On May 7, 2022, the Ventura High School Track and Field hosted their very first CIF-Southern Section Division 2 Prelims meet. Photo By: Samantha Castañeda

Freshman Peyton Mendez’s high jump was cleared at the height of four feet and 10 inches, which made Mendez place 18th in the high jump event. Photo by: Samantha Castañeda Sophomore Jack Baffa cleared his pole vault at the height of 11 feet and nine inches, which made him 19th place in the pole vault event. Photo by: Samantha Castañeda

Over 50 California high schools competed at the CIF event held at VHS. Track and field coach Kory Anderson said, “We had a lot of new faces [this year] and a lot of new roles and it took up some Sophomore Valentina Fakrogha placed sixth with the time to learn those pieces but the kids worked really hard to [figure Senior AJ Monarres placed sixth in the 400 meter with the time of 49.15 seconds. Photo by: time of 58.02 seconds in the 400 meter event. Photo by: out those pieces] and they helped each other a lot.” Photo by: Samantha Castañeda Samantha Castañeda Samantha Castañeda

Seniors’ sports come to an end

With summer drawing closer, nostalgia runs through many in the senior class as they commemorate their years spent at VHS

Brody Daw With spring season sports coming to an end, many senior students face the end of their high school careers and sports for good. To further share their experiences and memories are seniors Emily Wright, Luke Anestos, Ben Cruzen and Grace Morton. Senior Emily Wright, who has been swimming with VHS Swim and Dive since her freshman year, said, “My

working hard and getting ready for league champs, CIF and possibly State. I am going to be sad about the ending of this season because it will be the end of my high school swim career but I couldn’t be happier to have spent it as a cougar. As for the future, I am happy about graduating since that is something that I have worked really hard towards and we will see what adventure comes next. Fortunately I will be continuing my swimming career at a the

The Ventura High School track team is home to many seniors graduating this year. Including Luke Anestos, who is committed to Cadwell University. Photo by: Steve DeGeorge

senior season has been going great so far, I was really excited to race at Ventura County Champs since that meet hasn’t been held since my freshman year which brought back a bit of a deja vu because I won the 100 Breast which was the event that I won freshman year. I love being team captain and being a leader overall; helping with coaching and technique work is something that I have really enjoyed. Next is just

Division 1 level representing the Wildcats at The University of New Hampshire. Swimming has been such a large part of my life that I couldn’t even imagine hanging up my cap and goggles quite yet.” Wright said, “My favorite memory from this season was at Ventura County Champs Finals during our 200 Medley Relay. This relay included Macy Dall racing the backstroke leg, myself racing

breaststroke leg, Ella Montano racing the butterfly leg, and Sarah Beckman racing the free leg. We went a time of 1:49.57 which got us our auto cuts for CIF. My favorite part about that race was screaming my lungs out as Sarah was coming into the wall and watching the clock tick knowing we had to go under 1:50.00 to get CIF along with watching one of my favorite freshman Macy Dall start off the relay, racing in my old tech-suit from freshman year that I wore back in 2019 at the same meet. Things like cheering on your team with everything you have left in you even after you just raced or watching a young swimmer race in a passed down suit really makes me think about how grateful I am to have been a part of this team for 4 years.” Senior Luke Anestos is currently finishing up his track and field season as a captain. He said, “My senior season started off rough due to me breaking my ankle during basketball season. It was one of the toughest things I’ve mentally gone through but as a captain of the track team, I stayed positive and was there for the team. All is well now though, as I was able to qualify for a couple of events in my last meet! I’m really going to miss my coaches and my teammates. With my ankle healed as well, I’m looking forward to the future of my track and field career as I have so much room to grow as a person and a teammate! My favorite

memory of the season was just watching my teammates, I couldn’t run and have fun. So the only way I could was to cheer on my team and watch them all grow. We set a lot of goals for the team and we hit them all. I couldn’t be more proud of our program.” Senior Ben Cruzen, a tennis player, is nostalgic towards his four years playing with his team. Cruzen said, “Our senior season has been extremely dominant with an undefeated record. I’m very proud of the way everyone performed on the team this year. My favorite memory from this season has to be having a team dinner at Toppers after defeating Pacifica in our first away match. This is my sixth year of tennis, fourth year on the team. I got into tennis because my mom had always played it and when she laid down her racquet due to illness

I felt it was my place to pick it up and play.” Grace Morton, a phenom on the Beach Volleyball team, has played since she was 13 and plans to continue to play in college. Morton said, “I’d say my senior season was fun. I haven’t experienced a real sports season in a couple of years so it was fun to be playing again and be on the bus with the team going to away games. Also just getting to go to the beach all the time. I’m definitely looking forward to the future. It is kinda bittersweet that my high school volleyball career is over but I wasn’t anticipating playing in college so I’m honestly just excited to see where the future takes me. I didn’t know the rest of the team super well but over the course of the season I got to know them and I’ll definitely miss some of them when I leave next year.”

VHS Swim and Dive team practice at the pool. Senior Grace Morton claimed that it is a bittersweet feeling to be saying goodbye. Photo by: Brody Daw

The Cougar Press Page 6

Arts & Entertainment

The ghastly ghoul that supposedly haunts the drama department All about Toby the ghost who’s supposedly stuck haunting the drama department for eternity

Livia Vertucci Adi De Clerck

For close to two decades, the story of the ghost of a teenage boy named Toby has haunted the drama department. “Toby the ghost is supposed to be a ghost that haunts the Ventura High School theater and it’s been a long story before I was even here,” said Ventura High School Drama Department Head Stefoni Rossiter, who’s been in charge of the department for 18 years. Rossiter,

who’s heard Toby’s story retold by the drama department’s upperclassmen every school year, said, “The story that’s most often told to incoming drama departments goes like this, ‘Toby went to school here and there was some sort of accident in the theater and he’s haunted the theater ever since.’ What I do know is that when we researched it, we found some article from a long time ago and had something to do with a woman and that she had been seen in the theater.” Senior Bre Roark,

“I believe that Toby is real, not literally real, but what Toby actually is, and personally I believe it’s the spirit of every performer on stage,” said senior Ryan Palmisano, who recently starred as Charlie Brown in the play “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” which was put on the very stage Toby supposedly haunts. Photo by: Livia Vertucci

who’s been a part of the drama department since her freshman year, has heard Toby’s story many times. Roark said, “I’m super into paranormal stuff and scary stories. And while there is no actual evidence of Toby being a real ghost in the theater, it’s fun to believe and be a part of it.” Rossiter has also had some supposed Toby encounters. She said, “I’ve seen doors shut or whatever and I have been here many nights locking up and I have never run into a ghost, but I have seats go up, is that gravity? Perhaps. Was it a draft that pushed the curtain open? The scariest one I saw, as I was in the theater and everybody was there and all the technicians were there and the curtains were down. It was during a show and the technicians were on stage and I kept thinking I saw someone moving their hands along the back of the curtain and I kept saying on the headset, ‘tell whoever’s stage left to stop doing that,’ and they said, ‘Ms. Rossiter, there’s no one there.’ Then I was like, I am

The story of a teenage boy who supposedly haunts the Drama Department has been told over and over for close to 20 years now. Drawing by: Belen Hibbler

watching it. I was so mad.” “The story has stuck around so long because everyone in both the music and drama departments likes sharing the story from class to class. It’s a special story that holds so much meaning to those who hear it, and share it,” said senior Ryan Palmisano. Roark said, “I think it’s stuck around for such a long time cause it’s a part of our theater and our history and it gives people something to be a part of. We have tons of traditions and things in the depart-

ment and it just wouldn’t be the same without Toby.” At the beginning of every school year, new drama students are led into the haunted auditorium by returning drama students, where they hear Toby’s story for the first time. “I can tell you that in the department, it’s been a tradition to retell the story every year, and we haven’t told it in the last few years for various reasons, so I don’t know if we’ll bring back that tradition. Many students say they have felt things or seen things,” said Rossiter.

A walk to look at chalk

2022’s chalk festival showed off VHS art student’s creative talent

Brody Daw Sophia Denzler VHS’ annual chalk festival was held on May 11 and 12, 2022. The festival allowed students to use chalk and recreate a painting or picture. Art students from all grades participated to showcase their skills. Art teacher Lauren Minadeo provided a selection of photos and paintings for her students to recreate during the chalk festival. The chalk festival has been running for about 30 years, only being interrupted by COVID-19 school shutdowns. Around 60 to 70 art students ended up participating in the chalk festival, choosing to either work alone or with a group/partner. Pieces ranged from colorful kaleidoscopes to portraits of people. Minadeo said, “They

The annual VHS chalk festival emerged once again after a two year break due to COVID-19. The festival was an opportunity to advanced art students to stretch their creative limits and create something special. Photo by: Brody Daw

are my two favorite days of the year. It is such a happy time, the students love it so much and they love to get out there and be with their friends, create art, making a mess, getting all dirty and being out in the sunshine. It is just so fun to see what everyone creates.”

Senior Kayla Washington worked on drawing the human face in their chalk piece of artwork. Photo by: Brody Daw

Minadeo said, “It is a fundraiser for the art department so we take orders from all over the school district, teachers from elementary, middle and high schools send us orders from all over. We get a wide variety of what people are creating from dog portraits, to reproductions of fine art pieces, to portraits of grandkids, or grandparents.” The drawings are not counted for an art student’s grade. Junior Ella Bartlett said, “We have been in art class practicing with different chalks for the last two or three weeks just to get a feel for what we are going to use. We have been working on this since 8:00 a.m this morning, we are working on it as a trio.” Minadeo said, “[The time it takes to complete each

The Mr. Softee ice cream truck was a vendor at the chalk festival. Photo by: Sophia Denzler

project] varies per student, of course some students finish faster than others, I start prepping long before. But the students start prepping their pieces maybe a day or two before. They dont usually start drawing their piece until the day we start.

Usually it is expected that they complete it within those two days but sometimes if it is a super big project then they don’t finish it until after. I have a student who started on their piece about two weeks before because it was super complicated.”

Junior Ella Bartlett said, “I chose this piece because it was super cute, and it seems simple enough. We have been working on this since 8:00 a.m this morning, we are working on it as a trio. I wouldn’t say chalk is the best medium but it is fun to work with, so it is one of my favorites.” Photo by: Brody Daw

Opinion

The Cougar Press Page 5

Wait…college can be affordable?

The ongoing benefits of community college and why any stigma around community college should be erased

Brody Daw Educational elitism is the cause of many stigmas that run rampant in high schools and our society. The clear message being sent, even though the levels of education may be similar, the colleges are not. There are paths to a higher education that are seen as respectable, whereas some are viewed as lower quality. This feeds into the marketing schemes of ‘better’ schools that, in turn, charge more money than ‘worse’ schools. Many people believe that attending a university is superior to a community college. However, students should not be taught that one pathway to higher education is inferior. Components to having a successful education can come from any school, not just Ivy Leagues. Community colleges offer great education opportunities, not only for lower-income students or first-generation students, but for everyone. Universities are increasingly expensive, a decision that should not have to factor into a student’s decision for higher education, but of course, it does. Often, when deciding between going into 200,000 dollars debt or not, you would choose not. That is why community college is affordable and offers the opportunity to transfer to a

Ventura College is a great example of the benefits community college offers, including offering a fantastic theater program, excelling in sports, and residing in the perfect location. Photo by: Brody Daw

“better” college after two years for a lesser cost and higher acceptance rate. Unfortunately, community college is often viewed as inferior because of misconceptions about its origin that still exist today. Working to abolish these misconceptions will pave the way for a brighter future that will allow more students to explore the opportunities within a college environment. Sophomore Olivia Arriaga said, “I would [consider going to community college]. The cost of going all four years to a UC or a private college is very high, so going to a community college for a while helps save so much money and could help me so much.” Patricia Roberts, the college and career counselor and a graduate of Santa Barbara City College, said, “I think there has been a stigma.

From my perspective, it seems like it has been becoming less and less so, and I hope that that is the way it continues to trend. Community colleges have come a long way from where they were in the past, as far as they have gotten a bad rap as far as people have always been concerned about their statistics as far as students completing, graduating, or transferring have always been low. However, now their funding is tied to their results; they get all this funding from the state, but to get this money, they have to be able to show positive results. So they have put a lot of things in place for students to be more successful, and I think that that is helping. So I think it’s going in the right direction. If not half, at least a third of our teachers went to a community college.”

Book Review: Down and Out in Paris and London Alejandro Hernandez

Photo by: Alejandro Hernandez

“Down and Out in Paris and London” is a memoir written by British author George Orwell, published in 1933. The book details accounts of poverty in Paris and London during the late 1920s. The first half of the book takes place in Paris, where Orwell tells his story of working menial jobs while undergoing poverty. The second half is dedicated to Orwell’s experiences living as a tramp (long-term unhoused person) in London. In Paris, Orwell first works in a restaurant at “Hôtel X,” and later at the “Auberge [inn] de Jehan Cottard.” He works as a dishwasher, which he refers to by its French name “plongeur.” Surrounded by abject poverty, Orwell is trapped in a vicious cycle between wage and survival, without social mobility.In London, Orwell is jobless and lives in and out of homeless shelters. He finds the same cycle as Paris, except between commodities and survival. London proves to be more hostile, as even idling on the street is illegal. Orwell’s writing may be sometimes difficult to understand, but it becomes simple after an adjustment to interwar British lexicon. It is a great book that provides a look into lower-class life during the interwar period.

Book Review: My Body Sophia Nacu

Graphic by: Sophia Nacu

“My Body” by Emily Ratajkowski is my favorite book. To keep this simple, this book is a series of essays regarding the complexity of womanhood— the ins and outs of what it means to have a body that is seemingly more important than who you are. Ratajkowski recalls experiences that are unique to her and experiences that most, if not all women, face in their lifetimes. Whether that be being dubbed “the most beautiful girl in the world” or getting harassed whilst working, Ratajkowski does not hold back. She gives way to relatability and togetherness within women all around. This is one of my favorite books in the sense that it gave me something to look forward to. It allowed me advice on the real world that I haven’t yet experienced. I’ve always known that womanhood wasn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows all the time, but this book gave me insight into a world larger than myself, and how people have the ability to take advantage when given the chance to. Misogyny, sexism, greed and wanting more to be more than what you are labeled. Her stories give way to explaining the versatility of womanhood.

That’s another thing; acceptance rates for colleges are insane and are getting increasingly difficult to get into. With many UCs having a lower than 20 percent acceptance rate and many students applying have similar admission statistics, competition has significantly risen from 10 years ago. On the other hand, community college serves more students than any high education sector. Roberts speaks of the benefits surrounding community college, too, including the stress level. She said, “[It is] less stress because it is more affordable, and less stress because they can continue living at home. It depends on the student, but preparing for the switch is easier because you don’t have to

have all the A-G requirements. We would still recommend them to students so they could be prepared. However, the whole application process is much less stressful than when applying to competitive universities. It also gives you a chance to explore what you really want to do, take some classes, figure out a major and where would be a good fit to transfer to, and have more time to figure that out. There are definitely benefits where the stress is concerned.” As a school and a society, we should discuss the stigma about the prestige of different colleges.

Continued on... thecougarpress.org

As stated in the graphic, enrollment in 4 year community colleges has drastically rose in the last 50 years. Two years full and part time have remained similar with small spikes. Graphic by: Brody Daw

Book Review: The Glass Castle Brody Daw

Photo by: Brody Daw

“The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls is arguably one of the best memoirs that has ever been published. Beginning at the impressionable age of three, Walls recounts her beautiful and heartbreaking story that follows her family of nomads and her eventual decision to join civilization, leaving her parents behind as she flourished. The central themes of community and family weave the pages together. Walls’ father, when sober, is charismatic and vibrant towards his children but when money runs low he turns to whiskey. Her mother, a free spirited artist, loves the world of paint more than the responsibility of children. Walls’ family has spent their lives running, often escaping in the middle of the night from dusty mining towns on the run from invisible FBI agents. There is only one unspoken rule, never acknowledge that the life that is filled with empty fridges and uncertainty is anything but a glorious adventure. As their life of broken promises begins to fracture, the Walls’ children develop the unwavering resilience and persistence that only comes alongside hardship. Walls has a story to tell, a story of childhood innocence, forgiveness and above all connection.

Book Review: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Belen Hibbler

Photo by: Belen Hibbler

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ” is a play by Edward Albee. The comedy is set to impress but also disturb as the dark climax is revealed in acts two and three, “Walpurgisnacht” and “The Exorcism.” The plot follows two married couples gathered for a night of drinks after a university faculty party. Middle-aged George and Martha are hosts, while young Nick and Honey spend the night wrapped up in their persecuting relationship. George and Martha get more hostile towards each other and it starts to affect the sanity of their innocent guests. From the energy in the house you would think Nick and Honey would eventually leave, but they don’t. Their stay seeps into the dark hours of the night, as if they were being held hostage. Yet they weren’t. The title is a parody of “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” The older couple loved to revel in jokes together despite their grand differences. Someone at the party had sung this parody earlier in the night, so it was hilarious to them. The hosts continue to torment each other with games and teasing. By the end of the book you’ll question who to trust, what the truth was and other miniscule details.

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VHS on... Summer plans

“I’m not quite sure maybe hangout with friends, maybe take a trip somewhere,” said sophomore Aubrey Vasquez. Photo by: Belen Hibbler

“I’m going to Europe with Mr. Norris and I’m also going to Disneyland,” said junior Chantelle Troutman. Photo by: Belen Hibbler

“I plan on doing some volunteer work and getting an internship hopefully with the DA. I also plan on living it up and spending lots of time with my friends and driving to Ojai and stuff like that. I also plan on shopping and getting a job.” said junior Soraya Stegal. Photo by: Julian Martinez

“I’m going to Colorado with my family and I’m going to Young Life camp. I also have cross country practice,” said junior Chelsea Ochoa. Photo by: Belen Hibbler.

“For summer I’m planning on working at Westpark and going to Vegas with my friends,” said senior Julissa Fernandez. Photo by: Belen Hibbler

“I am going up to Washington state to stay at my grandmother’s house out there. I will be kayaking, going on bike rides and getting ice cream. I am also going on a couple week long camps with my church. I am also going to be on the hip-hop team, so I have a bunch of practices.” said freshman Katie Smiley

“Probably just football practice,” said sophomore Jayden Gentry. Photo by: Belen Hibbler

“I am taking a history class to get it out of the way for next year, and I’m going to be on the dance team so I’m making space for that and I’m looking forward to the beach and looking forward to seeing all my friends again in a place where we can just chill out.” said freshman Adeline Cagnacci. Photo by: Isabella Fierros