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“A man may well bring a horse to the water but he cannot make him drink.”

-John Heywood

Volume LXXIII Edition III

New year, new learning options An update on the reopening of VUSD schools.

Yasmin Myers Logan Wilkov

As we delve into the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year, both students and families are faced with varying decisions to make regarding the methods of learning for the remainder of the school year . Small groups of students have already gathered and have experienced little to no complications regarding the health of individuals.

Sophomore Jack Gordon commented, “I feel that I and many other students are having a hard time focusing and getting the same learning experience online versus in person.” Gordon continued, “I know it would be very difficult to enforce the protocols for COVID-19 but I am hoping the students, would be respectful and be grateful to be able to come back to school.”

Music programs and dance teams have begun collaborating in small groups. Such small groups are unable to extend to clubs in order to maintain the safety protocol. Certain sports have already commenced

VUSD’s basic opening guidelines for elementary schools, with them applying secondary re-openings as well. Infographic by: Greta Pankratz light conditioning. Football has recorded no positive cases among athletes and has practiced safety guidelines.

Students as well as parents were sent emails regarding their learning preferences for the following semester on Dec. 10.

Students who did not respond to the survey are automatically continuing 100% distanced learning.

Junior Inman Costa is not interested in going back

to in-person school for reasons unrelated to health. “I feel that my day online is five times easier than it was at school,” Costa said.

Cost also explained he feels as though schools run at high risk of spreading COVID-19 even if the necessary precautions are taken.

The option of returning also poses the risk of possible outbreaks resulting in closures. When asked about the situation, senior Jordan Wagoner responded, “I am not interested in going back to school in Jan. I

live in a very high risk household and I do believe students who do not think COVID-19 is a big deal will be wearing masks correctly or at all without staff [enforcement].”

Ventura Unified School District’s plans for maintaining safety protocols include plexiglass barriers placed in areas six feet apart, directional walkways in order to minimize contact, along with informational signs dispersed throughout. Masks will be given on an “as needed” basis per request but bringing one to school is preferred. Other items that will be provided in classrooms include touchless thermometers, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies.

Students are expected to wear their approved masks over the mouth and nose while waiting to enter the campus, waiting for the bus, on the bus and upon entrance and exit from the campus.

If a student or family does not want to wear a mask to school or is found to be out of compliance consistently, they will be moved to a 100% distance learning option.

Continued on thecougarpress.org

Despite there being some objection to restarting games, it’s clear Ventura athletes want sports to reopen fully again.

COVID-19 has halted sports across the county and beyond since March 2020. ‘Let Ventura Play’ is a movement that advocates for sports activities to resume. A rally was held on Nov. 13, 2020, in front of the Ventura County Gov. Center. Their goal, according to freshman VHS football player Nick Thomas is, “To get all the sports open in Ventura County so we can all play.” The founders of this movement are Sarah Thomas, Jason Maxwell, Kim Ledesma and Gim Mcgee are all parents of VHS athletes.

One of the founders, Sarah Thomas, stated, “The four of

us are on the booster club for Ventura football and seeing that sports in Ventura schools and youth sports weren’t getting opened up, we decided to start ‘Let Ventura Play.’ We have seen that multiple other states have safely opened up youth sports and student athletes have been able to compete safely in their sport. We know that Ventura County can do the same.” Seeing that other school sports have reopened safely, Thomas reasoned that VHS can do the same.

According to Thomas, “The main goal is to get kids back to sports responsibly and safely.

Studies have found that since the pandemic, kids need sports for their mental health.”

Senior football player Farbod Mohsenian shared, “Sports are the most important thing in my life and for most people I know it’s something they’re persuing as a full career.” Photo from: @venturacougarfootball on Instagram

Dec. 18, 2020

What’s Inside?

Graphic by: Peyton Redmond

Tennis practices in-person Pg 2

Graphic by: Greta Pankratz

Sports scholarships Pg 2

‘Let Ventura Play’ takes it to the streets Alex Hernandez

@thecougarpress

Graphic by: Livia Vertucci

(From left to right) Junior O’Neil Drury, and seniors Josilus Bowers, Simon Brown, Caleb Barajas and Andres Gonzalez gathered on Nov. 13 to rally for games to open again. Photo from: Cade Ledesma Some people may think it’s selfish to reopen sports in the midst of a pandemic. To this, Thomas said, “There is so much at risk with our children not having them in school or sports.

Mental health, teen suicide, teen drug abuse, child abuse have all seen a dramatic rise. Sports are voluntary, every family needs to decide what is best for their families.”

Student athletes at VHS have varying opinions. Henry Hammel, a freshman student athlete with the cross country team said, “I personally would like to reopen sports but at the moment I believe the right thing to do is wait until it is safe to compete, and just be patient.” Dash Lopez,

a freshman baseball player said, “I think that they should let us play because in 38 other states they have played successfully and safely, and letting us play is a way for us to get out and create friends and express ourselves by playing.” Taylor Sovich, a senior on the cross country team said, “As much as I’d love having sports reopen and get[ting] to play again, I think right now it’s not the best idea due to the high amount of COVID-19 [cases]. But I’m hoping the [numbers will] go down so things can start getting back to somewhat normal.”

Continued on thecougarpress.org

Opinion: Bibles in hotel rooms Pg 3

Graphic by: Yasmin Myers

Controversy Corner: Astrology Pg 3

And so much more!

Sports

The Cougar Press Page 2

Sports skills, but nowhere to show them High school athletes are forced to pave a new path to obtain sports scholarships.

Greta Pankratz

COVID-19 has overall complicated the college admission process for high schoolers around the country, but one particular category has been inevitably halted: athletics. Students have had to adapt to at-home or virtual training, which can make motivation difficult. Recently, Ventura High School athletes have been given the chance to train in person, but with strict protocols; masks, social distancing, no shared equipment, etc. The most impactful, however, is the absence of games.

The lack of playing, substituted by conditioning, is what makes sports scholarships especially difficult, if not impossible to obtain. Recruiters usually determine their teams by watching players and examining stats. However, with no real playing time, students are left with nothing new to show. While scholarships are still happening, and some schools in more remote parts of the country have started to play, VHS athletes are left in a tough situation.

Many teens have put tremendous time and effort into their sport, only to be cut off in the home stretch. Junior Alexis Howery expressed her concern with finding a way to stand out to schools. She explained, “I would like to play basketball or track to hopefully get a scholarship. I still am trying to get a scholarship for the sports, but with COVID-19

Now that athletic scholarships have an unforeseeable future, athletes watch as years of training go uncompensated for. Drawing by: Greta Pankratz happening, it’s preventing me stricter than private organizations, from getting noticed and I’m such as private schools or club sure others would say the same. sports. Similar to Studt, senior In order to be noticed, we would Nevada Knowles, who plays have to play games and we can’t indoor volleyball, commented, get noticed if everything is shut “Club has been a godsend in this down. We should open practices time.” Knowles has found this source to be a way to keep a good and games back up to Ventura.”

Howery is ready for mindset and stay in shape.

Some students have changes to be made, and she isn’t alone in that opinion. made the decision to turn their Carson Studt, a junior at VHS focus away from athletics for voiced, “I think the restrictions college. Knowles has changed on opportunities to be seen are her attention to work towards a ridiculous.” Studt plays baseball scholarship based on academics. at Ventura and conveyed, She explained, “I do not plan on “I am still looking to gain a aiming for a sports scholarship. scholarship and play in college, If it happens that would be great, but my opportunities are limited. though I have been focusing now COVID-19 has made it hard to get on my academics, just as I plan to in scouted and I’ve had to go out of the future. COVID-19 has turned state to attend showcases.” Due my focus to academic scholarships to the increased liability of VUSD as I no longer have the exposure to and Ventura High being a public be seen or recruited for volleyball. school, the regulations are much If it were to happen, I would be receiving a scholarship through club sports as that is my only outlet to play at the moment. The steps are not all that different. The only thing is having to work around restrictions and regulations. For instance, I can no longer go to the gym and thus must find ways to stay in shape and progress outside of usual training. I think everyone is doing the best they can; I believe this is a test and not only will power but adaptability as well.

Obviously, like my fellow athletes as I’m sure you’ll find, I miss my sport tremendously. However, I am incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to play at all.”

Senior Nevada Knowles (above) is opting to take the path of an academic Continued on scholarship now that athletics have become unreliable. Photo by: Ashlynn thecougarpress.org Velarde

Print Editor

Media Editors

Yasmin Myers

Caroline Marsden Greta Pankratz

Serving back into practices

Boys and girls tennis practices are starting up.

The pandemic may have Jocelyn Wood put a pause on playing actual

Though quarantine matches with other schools, Moga has kept the majority of sports stated, “I don’t think we’ll have unable to practice, the Ventura a season from the pandemic.”

High School boys and girls tennis Gordon expressed the same teams were given the ‘ok’ to feelings, “I think tennis is the best start practicing recently. There is sport to have a season because I still some concern about having think we’re the furthest apart. But practices right now however, I’m thinking probably not because sophomore Jack Gordon stated, “I we’re heading towards the purple feel good about going to them as long as everyone maintains social tier.”

According to sophomore distance and wears a mask.” The Katie Rundle, the players were boys and girls teams do practice excited to play but everyone was on separate days to make social still a little nervous.

Rundle said, distancing a bit easier. As of right “I’m nervous about accidentally now both boys and girls teams are eating my mask while practicing.” practicing just once a week. A lot Rundle has been attending of players were unable to play for practices as frequently as possibly the past few months due to courts being closed but luckily they have and shared her appreciation for practices starting up again. the opportunity to play again.

Sophomore Katie Rundle (above) shared that, “I’m nervous about accidentally eating my mask while practicing.” Photo by: Jocelyn Wood With the new school

All tennis players must year, Ventura High was also wear masks to participate. They introduced to a new tennis coach, are also required to fill out a health Alyson Mandle.

Mandle so far has form before every practice. The main goal of practices right now is been working on what to do for to get kids back out on the court. practices. Mandle stated, “I love it In the beginning they weren’t so far, it’s definitely an adjustment even allowed to touch the same because I have previous experience tennis balls. That has been lifted coaching little kids, so this is my thus making it easier for players first time with a high school.” to play. Majority of the practices Mandle expressed that she was players are seen playing singles happy practices were allowed instead of doubles to make social because she was excited to meet distancing easier. With the start the players. “I wanted to start up of practices, sophomore Bella with once a week just to make sure Moga shared, “Yes, it was very nice everybody was comfortable.” As meeting my teammates in person, of now, there is not a set decision and it was also very nice meeting on whether there will be a tennis season this year. the coach for the first time.”

Editorial Staff Assistant Editor

Online Editor

Managing Editors

Peyton Redmond

Anna Guerra

Katie Medina Riley Ramirez

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

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

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

Opinions

The Cougar Press Page 3

Separating church and hotel?

Let’s talk about Latino (mis)representation

BYOB (Bring your own Bible).

Latinos have and continue to be historically underrepresented and misportrayed in film and TV.

Livia Vertucci

Religion has been around for thousands of years.

With thousands of different faiths and beliefs, why is it that only one religious text is provided in hotels? Over the break, on a trip with my family, I noticed that only Christian bibles were supplied in hotel rooms. It didn’t sit well with me as someone who doesn’t align with any religion. In fact, it made me a little uncomfortable, feeling a mixture of pressure and longing to expand my knowledge of other religions. Bibles have been a prevalent part of my world, we

bible, neglecting those who don’t identify with a specific faith.

The Gideons International Association, hoping to spread the good faith to travelers, pays for and distributes Bibles to hotel rooms. Not all rooms have a Bible, but most do.

Knowing this, I wondered, if there is a Bible, shouldn’t there also be a Quran or Torah, or should religious texts even be a part of a hotel visit?

Ventura High students have varying opinions on this subject.

“Considering how Christianity is a popular religion

Should all religious texts be offered at a given hotel or should we continue to tolerate a single text making an appearance? Photo by: Livia Vertucci learn and sing songs related to in the U.S., it only made sense christianity, but we never received that the Bible is provided,” said information about other religions sophomore Miles Becker. that are just as important. With so many different faiths, it seemed Continued on unfair to only provide a Christian thecougarpress.org

Anna Guerra

As activism, equality and inclusivity continue to grow in our society, they must also be present in the media. Media is often seen as a reflection of society, but according to a study conducted by The Center for Media and Public Affairs in Washington DC, Latinos have been in the two percent range of representation in Media for the past 30 years. Adding on to that, when the Latino community is represented, it is often based on harmful stereotypes: criminals, illegal immigrants, maids and characters with heavy accents and broken english. In 2012-2013, 17.7% of Latino film characters and 24.2% of TV characters were shown as involved in criminal activities. Between 1996 and 2014, 69% of maids in television and film were Latina.

Senior Marileen Estrada shared her disappointment with film and TV in representing Latino people. “One of the biggest problems that the entertainment industry has is capitalizing on Latino struggle which feeds the stereotypes of Latino people.

Shows like “Narcos” and “On My Block” have Latino characters, but their stories are centered around drug use, the cartel, gang violence and living in the hood. What kind of representation is that truly?”

The New York Times cited that in addition to a lack of Latino actors, there is a lack of Latino executives, producers, and directors as well. Graphic by: Peyton Redmond

Rita Moreno, a legendary industry the way every other white award-winning Latina actress, has person does.” also expressed her disappointment Another study reported with Hollywood many times. by the New York Times found that Moreno has said many times that Latino actors represented only “Hollywood didn’t know what to three percent of lead or co-lead do with a Latina girl” and that she roles in top-performing movies became the house ethnic, playing over the last 12 years. These various ethnicities on the big numbers do not nearly represent screen but never being offered the the number of Latinos living in the United States (18.1 percent). The role of an American girl. Moreno U.S. Census Bureau estimates that boycotted Hollywood by not by 2045, one in four Americans making movies for seven years will be Latino. after “West Side Story.”

“I would say there is

“I am tired of stories of definitely a lack of representation struggles being produced by white for Latinos in film, TV and media,” people,” continued Estrada. “It’s said senior Kimberly Lara. “We’re time to cast people of color in the always represented in a very same roles that white actors are stereotypical way.” normally cast in and for black and Continued on brown people to exist in the film thecougarpress.org

Controversy Corner

Graphic by: Yasmin Myers

Astrology: A hoax or method for self-evaluation?

Against Alex Hernandez

Astrology is an idea that has been around for thousands of years. The definition of astrology according to dictionary.com is “The study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs.” This is a pseudoscience.

There are twelve astrological signs and 12 constellations assigned to these signs. The theory is that when you are born you are under a certain sign that influences your personality. Unfortunately for astrology believers, these observations are extremely outdated and the signs have changed because the sun isn’t at the same place in the sky at the same time every year, leaving ancient observations obsolete.

Also, constellations aren’t official, they are cultural. Astrology is based on western constellations that they thought looked like things that were relevant in their society. In the east, constellations were interpreted as different things than in the west.

Some might be asking, why is my horoscope so accurate then? This is a result of the Barnum effect, which is “the tendency to accept certain information as true, such as character assessments or horoscopes, even when the information is so vague as to be worthless.”

My horoscope on Nov. 22 was “Deep inside, don’t you have an urge to breathe new spirit into your love life? Of course, some things are more easily said than done. Currently, you don’t have much time to devote to yourself, much less your partner. Affection could thrive if given half a chance.

The day suggests that you commit yourself to making some decisions that will help bring you and your mate closer.” This horoscope could apply practically to anyone. It is never specific enough because that would make it impossible to be true every single time.

Of course, diehard believers of astrology who base their social lives and their days off their horoscopes won’t want to believe these arguments, but there is one big question. Why does the sky care about your personality? Shouldn’t the date of conception matter more than the day you moved from inside the womb to outside the womb? Why are astrology magazines placed right next to the tabloids at the store? Why does every astrology publication have a different horoscope for your sign, shouldn’t they be talking about basically the same thing? Here’s an idea, the next time you meet an astrology enthusiast, tell them “I’m (x sign)” and listen to them say they knew it. Then tell them “Just kidding I’m (y sign)” and watch their reaction.

Just a thought.

Fraser firs are the ultimate Christmas tree

For Anna Guerra

Unfortunately, when people think of astrology what usually comes to mind is the Buzzfeed quizzes titled, “What pasta shape are you according to your zodiac sign?” Or perhaps you hate it because some obscure Tiktok told you that you and your crush are not compatible.

In reality, astrology is a complex practice that dates back thousands of years. And contrary to what astrology opposers say, astrology isn’t pseudoscience. In order for it to be a pseudoscience, one would have to claim that astrology is a science, and no one is claiming that.

Most people only know the most basic part of astrology, which is their sun signs. This is the sign that people can calculate on their birthday alone, like Aries, Gemini, Scorpio, and so on. But did you know you have a whole chart of planets and signs? And if you know your birth time you also have a full chart of astrological houses. Not only that, but there are degrees, aspects, and transits between all of your charts, so if you don’t relate to your sun sign, that’s because there’s a lot more going on.

Astrology isn’t overgeneralized, it’s just that the Internet often only offers a watered-down, stereotypical

version of astrology. Many seemingly real astrology websites and apps present you with simple horoscopes that can apply to anyone because they want you to come back to their content and cling on to every word they’re saying, not because they actually care about you or your life. Tactics like these are what may create the Barnum effect, and that’s why it’s important to actually do some research on the topic instead of taking everything at only face value.

Another common misconception that people have about astrology is that astrology enthusiasts base their entire lives and existence based on their horoscope. No true astrologer does that. Astrology isn’t meant to be used as a coping mechanism for life or as an excuse that someone is a bad person. If you know someone that does this, consider asking them if they are okay.

Conclusively, astrology isn’t something you “believe” in, it’s not a religion. It is a recognition of patterns and connections. This practice is so much more than its stereotypes. Astrology forces you to self reflect and become selfaware, and that’s probably why some people hate it. If you’ve decided that it isn’t for you, that’s okay, but don’t bring down those who take an interest in it.

Graphic by: Yasmin Myers Katie Medina Riley Ramirez

The kind of Christmas tree you decide to display in your living room for the holiday season says a lot about your character.

The most popular, as well as the cheapest is the Douglas fir.

While these get the job and will get you through the holidays, that’s pretty much all they’re good for.

Between the inconsiderate amount of pine needles spread all over the living room and the lack of fresh pine scent, they’re really not worth the trouble. We love Christmas, but not enough for those needles to get in every crevice of my house.

If you love cleaning, this tree will give you the best Christmas of your entire life.

If your favorite tree is a white artificial tree, you have a serious problem. They are the absolute most hideous excuse of a Christmas tree and serve no other purpose besides being a complete eyesore.

Messy trees aside, there is one that stands out from the rest.

For many reasons, Fraser firs are the elite Christmas tree. Ever find yourself with a dead Douglas fir before Christmas day even comes?

Frasers will never do that to you, and that’s a promise.

Distractions

The Cougar Press Page 4

Cougar Catnips

The Cougar Press December Playlist Sweet Caroline

Stronger

Loba/She Wolf

Last Christmas

Neil Diamond

Make like the universe and give me space between assignments

All I want for Christmas is a tree that doesn’t die

Yasmin Myers

Jocelyn Wood

Britney Spears

Shakira

Wham!

Drummer Boy

This Charming Man

Justin Bieber

The Smiths

Timber ft. Ke$ha

Night Fever

Pitbull

Bee Gees

Let’s Dance

Hey There Delilah Plain White T’s

David Bowie

Dreams

Eenie Meenie

The Cranberries

Graphic by: Yasmin Myers

Graphic by: Jocelyn Wood

You know how annoying it is to see 10 assignments due before a holiday break? Seeing that is so inconsiderate that it makes me want to drop kick my computer to that one planet NASA found that has some water so that just in case it survives the wrath of my foot, it wouldn’t withstand the water damage. Who made that seem acceptable for teachers to do? And it’s not that I’m procrastinating till the last day either, they all just magically appear two days before they’re due. Would spacing out due dates be so bad? ‘Tis the season to not treat me like I’m a reindeer capable of carrying multiple academic “presents.”

Ever since I was little my family and I would always go out and pick a nice, lively Christmas tree from Green Thumb or Big Wave Daves. We tend to get them at the beginning of December but then a couple weeks later it’s literally dead! Like what the heck we just bought a $115 Douglas fir for it to die in two weeks, two weeks!! That’s outrageous, I almost should just light the tree on fire at that point. I could literally buy so many other things with that money. Perhaps a Gucci perfume?

Though I am a sucker for the fresh pine smell in my home, I see it as a waste of $115 for a dead tree.

That’s a no from me.

Cancel “cancel culture”

Daylight saving can save its breath

Peyton Redmond

Anna Guerra

Justin Bieber

Graphic by: Yasmin Myers

Quiz by: Katie Medina

Graphic by: Peyton Redmond

Photo by: Anna Guerra

“Cancel culture,” or in other words, attempting to ruin people’s lives based off of mistakes from the past and/or present regardless of an apology is one of the most toxic trends I’ve ever seen.

While I agree that holding people accountable for their mistakes is very important for growth, do we really think “cancelling” them is going to help them do that? Or get anyone anywhere? I mean is a society sending death threats going to progress us as a whole any further? This has proven to be a new form of cyberbullying and expressing hatred and it needs to go. So please, choose empathy.

What monster decided that we should change our clocks forwards and backwards like a fun little game. I start getting ready for bed and then see that it’s 5:30 pm and go into shock. All that only for the sun to come out at the buttcrack of the morning the next day. I don’t care if daylight saving was started to “make better use of the daylight,” this pandemic has me inside my room drowning in Canvas assignments anyways.

In fact, I feel like Edward Cullen, not supposed to be going outside and all, except I am not sparkly and overwhelmingly attractive. If I have to change my clock one more time it will be the last straw.

Graphic by: Jocelyn Wood

Graphic by: Greta Pankratz