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The Cougar Press @the.cougar.press
Volume LXXIII Edition V
@thecougarpressvhs
@thecougarpress
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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@thecougarpress
June 10, 2021
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The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 2
The Cougar Press Staff
Katie Medina Riley Ramirez Managing Editors
Yasmin Myers Print Editor
Anna Guerra Online Editor
Caroline Marsden Greta Pankratz Media Editors
Peyton Redmond Assistant Editor
Avery Cameron Staffer
Alex Hernandez News Lead
Alexis Mendoza Staffer
Rowan Muñoz Staffer
Sophia Nacu Staffer
Savanna Nustad Sports Lead
Samuel Plasch Staffer
Jack Schatzman Arts & Entertainment Lead
Elise Sisk Staffer
Livia Vertucci Staffer
Logan Wilkov Staffer
Jocelyn Wood Features & Opinion Lead
About the artist
Letter from the senior Editors Thank you all for the support and positive contributions that you have sent our way throughout the school year. It is your continued support that motivates us to publish our stories at your viewing leisure.
Photo from: Ben Pace Guest writer Ben Pace My name is Ben Pace and I’m a senior at VHS. I’ve been doing art since it rubbed off on me from my dad when I was really young and I was always so stoked to do it with him. I never really saw my potential until COVID-19. That’s when I had time to just be at home and let my mind be free and express it in my art. My art is a reflection of my mind and the life I grew up living. Whether I’m thinking of a rad perspective of a wave, something in nature, a trippy idea, thought, or vision that I want to come to life in front of me. I grew up going outdoors all the time with my family; surfing and swimming, hiking and exploring. I’ve always loved everything out in the wild and made it a huge part of me. It’s my life! I have a lot of visionary art in my work because I’m always so curious about the patterns in nature, consciousness, awareness and the higher states of mind that nobody seems to talk about enough. My overall message and goal with my art is to stoke people out on the real stuff in life and even make them wonder about the things that they might not have even thought about yet. We are all capable of so much and our minds have lots of power!
@benpace.art on Instagram
Over the years of our high school experience, we’ve dealt with many hardships; a pandemic, natural disasters, and the loss of loved ones to name a few. But at the end of the day, the strength of our community shone through the darkest of times. We couldn’t be more grateful for our community’s understanding of the importance of the free press. We take great pride in being VHS’s outlet to amplify student’s voices. This school year, a great majority of the Editorial Board will be graduating and setting off to continue our individual endeavors. Rest assured, we leave with great confidence in knowing that the prolonged legacy we and others prior built will not be lost. The Cougar Press could always use an extra set of hands to tell the abundance of stories waiting to be shared. We encourage you all to stop by anytime and get involved. The door to Room 105 is always open. Hugs and kisses xx, Yasmin, Katie, Riley, Anna and Peyton The Editorial Board
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
Staff letters to the Class of ‘21
Photo by: Logan Wilkov Christian Gallo Dear Senior Class of 2021, Beginning in March of 2020, all of our lives would be changed. Socially, academically and economically. Change, with a little bit of fear of the unknown, was, and is, in the air. As you grow into young adults and eventually into adulthood, you’ll begin to understand that the changes and challenges that life brings are, whether we like them or not, the things that we can count on to always be with us on this journey. The true test of character is
how you face these challenges, embrace them, deal with them, and ultimately grow from them. It’s not easy, but it’s a necessary part of the human condition. Growth. Life will return to normal one day and you will look back on this time of your life that, in retrospect, was a little crazy and filled with challenges that you, your friends, and your family endured. Certainly, I will do the same. Rest assured, there will also be triumphs and times of joy. Although we all didn’t get to know each other and learn from each other as much as I, or perhaps you, would have liked, I have confidence that the class of 2021 will move forward with the lessons learned from these last couple of years and enjoy great success. I wish you the best of luck and happiness in your future endeavors, truly. Mr. Gallo
Margaret Sellers
Class of 2021: I love you. To those of you I know, I hope I remembered to tell you every time I saw you. To those I haven’t met, I’m telling you now. I love you. You are hope. You are light. You are joy. You are wonderfully weird and unique and odd in all the right ways. You are smart and creative and funny. You are our everything. Thank you for sharing these years with us. It’s been an honor: To think with you. To read and write with you. To talk and dream with you. To listen to you. To learn and laugh and cry and process life with you. But now you’re off into the world. It gives me cheesy Hallmark tears; I’m just so excited! At the tail end of a rough go, we’re about to get a darn fine dose of goodness joining the adulting ranks. Thank goodness. We need your light, your creativity, your quirkiness, your hope. We need your questions, your enlightened perspectives, your demands that we do better. And please, stay you—even (especially) when we push back. We need YOU. This is the poem I read to my students every year, and post over our bookshelves, and frame by our door. Maybe, hopefully, I read it to you. If not, here it is, my dream for you:
Sébastien DeClerck
Seniors, It has been a privilege to teach you. Despite media reports of a world gone wrong and despite the historical struggles of your four high school years, you represent a fortunate generation in a fortunate time. You still live in the most prosperous country on the planet. You still reap the benefits of a free, public education and classrooms filled with teachers who can pretty much teach you what they want. Whether or not you believe it now, I assure you that that liberty has enriched your experience at Ventura High. As you enter the world as adults, you are charged with protecting the prosperity, the liberty, and the opportunity that Stefoni Rossiter
Dear Seniors, I’ve been a teacher for 25 years, and I can honestly say that I have never encountered a group like you. Life teaches us many lessons, if we are willing to learn. Through the significant challenges you have faced, you have been offered extraordinary circumstances (in many painful ways) to grow and thrive. I know it has not always felt like it was an opportunity, and this past year has been so very difficult for us all, but I KNOW IN MY HEART that the lessons you have learned about the preciousness of life will stay with you forever. I, too, have learned a lot about myself; we all have. Some of those things I have learned, I’m
To You By Langston Hughes To sit and dream, to sit and read, To sit and learn about the world Outside our world of here and now— Our problem world— To dream of vast horizons of the soul Through dreams made whole, Unfettered, free—help me! All you who are dreamers too, Help me to make our world anew. I reach out my dreams to you.
Photo by: Alexis Mendoza Jay Locher Dear Seniors, Over the past eighteen months, the world has shown you its terrifying capacity for horror, suffering, fear, hate, falsehoods, indifference, and division. However, simultaneously, the world has also demonstrated its inspiring ability for beauty, healing, trust, love, truth, compassion, and unity. As you mature and continue your journey into the future, your life’s path will be
Photo by: Logan Wilkov Erin Jones
Photo by: Logan Wilkov
have been made available to you over the course of the last twelve years. It has been a pleasure to teach you. Though you have smiled and you have laughed a lot, you have not been fooled. You know that the world is a difficult and sad place and you have often encountered that darkness yourselves. You have often overcome it. Sometimes, your laughter and smiles were misinterpreted as a lack of seriousness in your approach
not particularly happy about, and you may feel the same way…... but guess what? We get to make changes about ourselves as we grow and learn. What a gift. This school year, I have heard a common theme from my students, and especially from my seniors, and that is that they will no longer take simple pleasures and
Photo by: Logan Wilkov
privileges for granted. That lesson may be more important than anything else you have learned in your studies throughout your entire education. We WILL move beyond this pandemic, and if you pay attention, you will find that although life is fragile, it is also beautiful, brutal, unfair, amazing, mind-blowingly unpredictable, ever changing, surprisingly simple and complex at the same time, and endless in its opportunities.
to your studies, a silly, youthful naïveté, a foolishness. But, despite your pleasure—or more likely because of it—you have learned and you have grown. In enjoying your time with us here, you have invited us to enjoy teaching you. Thank you. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to teach you and it has also been a challenge. By demanding of me that I prepare lessons that challenge you, by not permitting me to be mediocre in my teaching, and by pushing me to always provide you with more, you have caused me to think beyond myself and my realm, you have allowed me to come to new understandings and you have enriched my own personal exploration of who I am and my place in this world. Thank you. Sébastien Paul DeClerck
The world needs all of us to move it forward and toward a tomorrow that we can be proud of. To my production kids, I love you. I am blown away by your commitment, your courage, your creativity, and your absolute and complete dedication to our drama family. I have been amazed with your willingness to share your ideas, to bravely walk down new avenues of theater production, to hold my hand as I struggled to learn those new ways, and to support each other in ways we never imagined we would need to. To my classroom seniors, it has been a pleasure to walk this path with you, whether I’ve known you for four years, or whether this was my first year with you and I might not really know what you look like because you didn’t turn your camera on. I wish you ALL the best. Every exit is an entrance elsewhere….. Go make your big entrance! (And then come back and give me a big hug when it is safe.) Love, Ms. Rossiter
Justin Weber
Dear Class of 2021,
Class of 2021,
shaped by how you understand and respond to the uncertainties and challenges posed by this dual reality in human nature and the human condition. Your character will be defined by where you choose to stand, what you choose to believe, and how you choose to act. I believe in your potential to travel that journey successfully and to create moments of meaning, purpose, fulfillment, and service - for yourself and others. And I - and my colleagues - are here to support you in that endeavor. We are rooting for you because your progress and success will lift us all. Congratulations on your perseverance through four challenging years of high school and upon your upcoming graduation! Thank you.
In the last year-anda-half of crazy times with fifty million different schedules, too many emails to count, and changes galore, there has been one constant—you, my students. Despite everything, you have been wonderful—flexible, resilient, and kind. Whether I had you as juniors in AP Lang or Seniors in ERWC, you showed up for Zoom meetings, AP Prep, writing conferences, and after-class chats. We still had the chance to share weekend stories, sports victories, and college decisions. We have discussed cows, the pros and cons of an island civilization, and living in a bus in Alaska (you know, totally normal topics for an English class!). I have enjoyed your weekly book chats and having some of you back in my classroom! I wish you all the best in life. As we discussed from Into the Wild, “Life is only real when shared,” and I am glad we had the chance to share a bit of our lives with one another over the past two years.
Take a deep breath. Take a moment to focus on the sights and the sounds. Look around… what do you see? Pause and take note, because you only get to graduate high school once, and your time is right now.
Peace, James R. Locher IV
Love, Mrs. Jones
Photo by: Alexis Mendoza
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 3
Photo by: Logan Wilkov
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know some of you, and I sincerely hope that I have been able to, at least, make you smile and, at most taught you something about our world. I have enjoyed our time together. I have indeed learned from you throughout our experience. And I plan to employ those lessons learnt in my own life, to make myself a better student, teacher, friend, and human. Thank you for your time. Now you are off—onto the rest of your lives! How exciting! Don’t waste a minute thinking
Photo by: Logan Wilkov
about how this year wasn’t what you had always thought it would be. Hopefully, you have learned by now that some things are simply just out of our control. But, as you go forward, focus on what you can do, and what you can control. Make the most of your time. Recognize a unique opportunity, and take it! Know your own truth, and be prepared to examine it from time to time. Listen to others. Find your extreme and rest in your balance. I hope you find what you are looking for, and I hope that you find what you weren’t. Take your time, you are young, and there is plenty of life ahead. Slow down and have fun. You have a lot to be grateful for. There is much to appreciate. See y’all around. Welcome to the rest of your life. Respectfully, J. Weber
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 4
Arts & Entertainment Recaps
Music ends the school year on a high note VHS seniors share their musical triumphs of the year. Anna Guerra Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, what commenced as small, remote practice groups for the music department ended in a series of melodious concerts and even a collaborative music album. Because of hybrid learning, the various music classes couldn’t meet as a full orchestra until April. Instead, students opted to participate in chamber groups, which are small groups of musicians without the presence of a conductor.
pieces that we practiced in the chamber groups were performed at our concerts in the past week. My favorite part of music this year has 100% been coming back to inperson rehearsal. I really missed the group dynamic, it’s been great working with everybody again.” This year, the VHS Department of Music released an album, having never done so before, titled “Roots and Rhythms.” This album features recordings from the Spring Concert Series, various ensembles, solos and original compositions by student musicians.
Music department students prepared for the final concerts of the year beginning from the end of spring break. Photo from: Julienne Cormier “The silver lining was definitely getting close with our groups and getting through this challenging pandemic,” said senior Talia Wilcox. “Many of these
“The album was something that we [had] been thinking about since the first semester, and having it come together has been a really cool
experience,” continued Wilcox. “Each group recorded their chamber pieces, and as a full orchestra we recorded our concert repertoire to put on the album.” “Personally I am in the saxophone chamber group pieces and also [all] of the ones played by Honors Wind Ensemble,” said senior Riley Meagher. “There’s a really cool selection of music on it and I thought it was pretty awesome that former students created the album cover and helped with marketing. I hope that the department continues to make albums each year because I think it was a success!” Having experienced mostly remote learning, this year’s students had the opportunity to expand their musical knowledge in more than one area. “Some of my favorite parts of music this year have been learning more about music history and the music industry while we were online,” added Meagher. The VHS Department of Music also hosted a Spring Concert Series, the first in-person concert of the school year. The Strings and Percussion Concert took place in the VHS auditorium while the Wind Ensemble performed on the senior lawn. Meagher concluded, “Playing at my last concert was a very bittersweet moment. I’d love to give a huge thank you to the music department and Mr. Hunt
Oops, Zoom did it again VHS Drama Department discusses the technical challenges faced with Zoom performances. Riley Ramirez Unlike years prior, the 2020-21 school year began entirely online in an effort to remain safe from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the VHS Drama Department continued to write plays and carry out traditions, beginning with “Zoomdunnit” in Jan., the spring musical “Quest for Quinonium” in April and ending the year with “The Toby’s,” their own annual awards ceremony for the drama/ theater department. The department wasn’t able to put out a play following the initial school closure March 2020 and with budget costs in mind, the department was able to put out their first play of the year via Zoom. Due to financial reasons, drama students thought it would be best to write the play themselves to avoid the costs of purchasing one. “We had meetings for weeks before the show just brainstorming ideas for the play,” said senior Angie Flum, “We eventually settled on the idea of a murder mystery and the writers began mapping out the plot. It was written entirely by Ramsey Dillon, Kylie Pence, Jaidyn Sellers and Chloe Wastell.” Rehearsals were held online, where Flum soon learned the “Many real technical problems that made rehearsals difficult in a way we had never experienced before. It was extremely difficult re-learning everything we thought we knew about theater
“Quest for Quinonium” was the Drama Department’s spring musical that was set in the future in space. Photo from: Margaret Sellers for this new format, but it was design for “Zoomdunnit” was great practice for the musical to whatever the cast had available in come.” their homes. The cast had to learn For both the play and to act without being able to see the musical this school year, the the audience and without any students connected to a third physical connection to their party provider that set up a website fellow cast members. “It was for VHS Theater, sold tickets and definitely an adjustment,” said streamed the shows to those senior Kylie Pence, “Usually who bought tickets. The spring drama is a very fun class where musical, “Quest for Quinonium,” you get really close with everyone was no different. With the success because you have a lot of time to from the fall play, the department talk and put yourself out there. I decided it was best to pursue the think Rossiter tried to keep that same online streaming service even over Zoom and really did the with the musical, which was once best she could.” Costumes and again completely written by VHS props were handled mainly by students Jack Zilles, Kylie Pence, Ms. Rossiter and the costumers Ryan Palmisano, Chloe Wastell, on set. They picked out each piece Mya Sherman and Ramsey Dillon. for the characters--if the actors Unlike the fall play, this was a didn’t already own them--and the musical, which meant that the cast picked up their costumes and music would have to be written brought them home. As for the by hand as well. All music was set, the VHS auditorium could composed and produced by Gage not be used at the time. The Burgi. The production of “Quest
“Creating the music album was mostly just recording it and then giving it to the professionals,” said senior Talia Wilcox. Photo from: Tess Luoma for being so amazing these past four to step up and make the changes years. Music is often the highlight in the department that you of my day and I am always so want to see,” finalized Wilcox. “Leadership is such a big part of honored to be a part of one of the this department… I am really sad best high school wind ensembles!” to be leaving, the department has “My advice to future provided such a home for me for seniors would be to not be afraid the past four years.”
The Wind Ensemble played at their outdoors spring concert series on May 20 in the Senior Quad. Photo from: Tess Luoma for Quinonium” was much more complicated, as it was set in a futuristic timeline in space. “Almost every single character used a virtual background for the entirety of the show, because of this Ms. Rossitter bought green screens and ring lights for almost everyone in the cast. The stage-managers and Ms. Rossiter spent many meetings deciding on costumes and prop pieces and Ms. Rossiter spent many more hours customizing each costume for the cast,” said Flum, “The prop pieces that weren’t purchased were made by a group of volunteers in the cast that spent a lot of time putting each thing together by hand. Makeup [and hair] was decided on by the stage managers and each individual cast member.” The production included acapella versions of the songs that the singers would play, as they sang live each night. The cast members were also in control of their own sound effects, which is
something that differed from the traditional play where the sound crew was in control of all sound effects. The shutdown last March took its toll on the department, and in its closure, halted the progress of students’ performances. “Last year, right before lockdown, I was really breaking out of my shell in the musical and the lack of exposure to performing was kind of destructive to my confidence in theatre. Thankfully, I am getting back into it now that I’m inperson and it’s really exciting,” said junior Alina Reitz. However, in spite of all this, the students in the drama department have gotten nothing but closer. Pence said, “Surprisingly, the cast got very close this year, which I was worried wouldn’t happen, but we had Snapchat group messages and lots of time online together. We ended up becoming a little family just like how it’s been in [the past].”
The fall play “Zoomdunnit” was the first virtual play written and performed by the department students. Photo from: VHS Black and Gold
I bequeath...
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 5
Graphics by: Yasmin Myers Adeline DeLamar: The one stupid seagull to my sister. If he’s still alive Aidan Marquez: My goldfish to Dorian so he doesn’t get hungry at school Aislin Calderon: I bequeath my Utah acceptance letter to Jaylene Alexis Mendoza: I bequeath absolutely nothing Alyssa Onstott: The scripts to all of my favorite scenes I’ve done in drama to Quinn McMurtry: As well as my chemistry notes in case she ever ends up getting Ms. Sovich (in that case I’m sorry Quinn) Alyssa Henderson: Julia Jones and Avery Kightlinger my spot on the varsity soccer team
Devin Larsen: I bequeath Wyatt Mojo my gayness
Jesse Olivo Charco: Never listen to haters
Madeline Ramirez: Varsity cheer captain to Sam Carr
Rory Bruton: Nothing, they don’t deserve it
Devin McNulty: Do not procrastinate
Jessie Landeros: I bequeath my activism for LGBTQ+ rights
Melissa Flores: The breadillo to Simone and to future piccolo players
Russell Rodrigues: My series essay
Jisel Luna: The senior year experience to the new oncoming seniors
Meriah Torres: I bequeath my favorite pencil to Kayla Washington
Diego Alvarez Castrejon: I bequeath the weight room to the people who actually want to work out and not to the ones who sit in the corner by the yoga balls Dillon Brontsema: Tell freshman to enjoy high school Dominic Doud: MY parking permit
Joe Lowry: The blue chair in my Garage to Mick Lowry John Terrones: I bequeath someone to strive to be the best and face all their fears no matter the outcome
Emma Lisle: My unattainable swag to Justin Lisle
Jordan Wagoner: Become friends with your teachers, it’ll help you out a lot
Farbod Mohsenian: I bequeath my drip to Logan Bobis
Katie Medina: My dog Scout to literally anyone who will take him
Michael Giordano: The art of procrastination to Christopher Giordano Mya Conboy Rodríguez: I bequeath my school spirit to Ellie Anestos Nataly Ortega: I bequeath the senior year I didn’t have to those who are next Nevada Knowles: My varsity letter to my little brother :)
Anna Guerra: I bequeath my crippling anxiety disorder to the class of 2022
Bailey Malcolm: Being the teacher’s pet to Aivan Malcolm Benet Bouchard: Best dressed to Wyatt Mojo (keep it up) (From left to right) Juniors Emma Hoeffliger, Lizzy Rodriguez and senior Madeline Ramirez. Photo by: Felix Cortez
Charles Lively: My senioritis
Frances Kayser: My Mock Trial team captainship to Gabriel Ornelas: I pass on a gift of wisdom to you upcoming Seniors. Enjoy every minute as the year will go by in a flash
Kayden Kapp: I wish the best for everyone ! Thank you for the memories !! Kylie Pence: My dump truck to Mya Sherman
Grace Mansfield: The jazz band to Kyler
Lauren Hansen: I bequeath my AP Euro exam score to Lushka
Christian Theobald: Knowledge
Gustavo Hinojosa: Kobe Hernandez
Leilani Grijalva: Take things one step at a time
Chyna Crowell: I bequeath money for food to Madi
Jackson Zilles: An unhealthy amount of McConnell’s ice cream to Lilia Duque
Liam Cameron: I bequeath my giant status to Tobias Raymond
Chloe Wastell: The bench, to the next nervous kid who just moved here
Connor Loughman: Academic Eligibility to Micheal Leighton Daniel Hrabak: Nothing get ur own drip David Johnson: I bequeath the Jazz Band to Kyler Shinn
Savannah Marsicek: To all the lowerclassmen: Please be kind to each other. You’re all going through similar things and odds are, the person you think doesn’t get it, actually does Sergio Sandoval: I bequeath the title of slowest mile time in the group to Juan Martinez
Sofia Mastroianni: I bequeath Wyatt Mojo the official account of @ niallstravels, Inman Costa I bequeath best hair to you and Alina Reitz I bequeath you my Depop clout. Love you guys so much <3
Ava Hall: Ms. Withers to Pitas and Clover Higgins
Cade Ledesma: My legacy to Ayden Triana
Samantha Hirschhorn: I bequeath Morgan Hirschhorn and Jillian Zollar Mine and Taylor Nichols shared junior year locker
Shantae Marie Williams: I bequeath my sedulous character to all those who have struggled in school because of their problems at home
Alyssia Troutman: Dancing to THE SONG every time it comes on to jjswagger
Breanna Burke: My truancy letters to Jennah Burke
Ryan Augusta: My clone of a brother who is now a freshman
Jaclyn Brodersen: The ability to (somehow) manage a ludicrous schedule to Emily Sehati <3 Jaylene Lozano: I bequeath my horrible taste in boys to anyone...literally anyone
Logan Wilkov: My lack of punctuality to Bailey Tanner Maddie Huot: I bequeath my hope that the rest of the classes will be able to experience VHS again before they graduate
Noah Johnson: Club Key Owen Bouwman: Mr. Cherrie was interested in one of my belt buckles. Which was a cougar. Peyton Redmond: My overwhelming sex appeal to Wyatt Mojo, most athletic to Inman Costa, mermaid powers to Chelsea Ochoa, and senior captainship to Becca Locher. Best of luck to you all <3
Sydney Long: I bequeath the honors flute section to Kylie Cloutier, Simone Sykes, and Ella Strong Talia Wilcox: The Model UN team and being the coolest Jew on campus to Emily Sehati Tarah Martin: Enjoy your high school experience because it goes by so fast. Participate in all the activities like football games and dances Taylor Sovich: My mermaid powers to Chelsea
Ramsey Dillon: My test answers
Tomas Mountcastle: XC Team Captainship to Mason Jekogian, he’s a little confused but he’s got the spirit
Riley Meagher: Wyatt my fat *ss and Inman my swag
Tyler Miller: My parking spot to JT
Riley Ramirez: McDonald’s management to Nathan Pennington
Yasmin Myers: My halfempty coffee drink to the Art Soup trash can
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 6
Graphic by: Miles Bennet
I’ve always had a crush on...
Graphic by: Yasmin Myers
Aidan Marquez: Coach Triana
Christian Theobald: Someone
Farbod Mohsenian: Sofia macaroni
Kylie Pence: Charlie Richard
Owen Bouwman: (Classified)
Aislin Calderon: The eye candy that drives the White Toyota Tacoma
Chyna Crowell: Someone at school
Frances Kayser: Joseph Campbell
Lauren Hansen: Emma Lisle
Peyton Redmond: Natalie Portman
Connor Loughman: Sydney Long
Gabriel Ornelas: Delaney
Leilani Grijalva: Myself
Grace Mansfield: My boyfriend David
Lena Alvarez: Carolyn Caulkins <3 ;)
Gustavo Hinojosa: Some girl
Liam Cameron: Madeleine Scheer
Jackson Zilles: Max Eulenhoefer
Logan Wilkov: Leeto
Alina Calamia: Señor Grall
Jaclyn Brodersen: Pans (and Otto)
Makayla Good: Mollee Green
Riley Ramirez: Katie Medina Rory Bruton: Natalie Portman Russell Rodrigues: Dominic Doud, Gregory (Ramsey) Dillon, Deagen Hendrix, Marcus Burdick
Jason Hepfer: The person reading this ;) Jaylene Lozano: Big Ed
Seniors Georgia Rowley and Dylan Nicodemus. Photo from: Georgia Rowley Alyssa Onstott: Jonathan Montejano, since I met him in the 6th grade. I know it sounds dumb, but I have loved him since the very beginning, and I wouldn’t change any of our memories together for the world Alyssa Henderson: Mr. Chamaa Anahí García: Myself
Daphne Bullock: Joseph Lopez David Johnson: My girlfriend, Grace Devin Larsen: Myself Devin McNulty: ... Diego Alvarez Castrejon: Me, myself and I
Jesse Olivo Charco: Someone Jessie Landeros: Johnny Depp Jisel Luna: Benny Soliven John Terrones: To be honest I’ve never really had a serious crush on anyone. I try to focus on myself and see what comes in the near future Julianna Jacobs-Vargas: Anna Guerra
Andres Gallegos: My soccer ball
Dominic Doud: RUSTY RODRIGUES, GREGORY (RAMSEY) DILLON, MARK
Katie Medina: Riley Ramirez
Angel Ramirez: Hector Alvarado
Emma Lisle: Breanna Bombshell Burke
Kayden Kapp: Vincent Esposito <3
Melissa Flores: Jacob Sommer
Shantae Marie Williams: Caleb Barajas
Meriah Torres: Myself
Angie Flum: Katie Medina
Michael Giordano: The Chair Model
Anna Guerra: Julianna Jacobs-Vargas
Naomi Quandt: Theo Warren
Ava Hall: Jack Sales Benet Bouchard: Mrs. Jones Breanna Burke: Emma “juicy a$$” Lisle Caleb Gilbert: Miranda Holguin Charles Lively: Lola bunny Chloe Wastell: Jim Morrison
Seniors Fernando Ochoa and Maddie Huot. Photo from: Maddie Huot Marileen Estrada: Ryan Augusta: Your mom Marileen Estrada cuz she’s super sexy and cool and Sergio Sandoval: Angel funny Ramirez
Seniors Marley Sapp and Lindsey McDermott. Photo from: Lindsey McDermott
Sofia Mastroianni: Mr. Weber Talia Wilcox: Captain America
Nataly Ortega: I’ve always had a crush on young Ian Somerhalder
Taylor Sovich: Tjm
Nevada Knowles: Noah Johnson
Tyler Miller: McEntryre...
Noah Johnson: Neri
Xavier, Terminello: Alice McCoy
Oliver Hernandez: Gustavo Hinojosa
Tomas Mountcastle: Tms
Yasmin Myers: Paul Rudd
Something I would tell my freshman self would be... Adeline DeLamar: Colleges didn’t care about honors classes in your sophomore year, chill out Aidan Marquez: Take in every moment of high school
Chyna Crowell: Everyone will judge you no matter what you do so just do whatever you want Connor Loughman: Please do ur homework Daniel Hrabak: Get ur license
Aislin Calderon: Don’t wear tube tops ever again Alexis Mendoza: WHY WERE U SO ANNOYING Alina Calamia: Girl! Uncross your arms and put a smile on your face! Alyssa Onstott: Remember that the bad times are just times that are bad. life can be unfair at times, but it isn’t a reason to give up on it. You got this. Just hang on, okay? Alyssa Henderson: Don’t wear a ponytail every day to school Anahí García: Why are u so slow Andres Gallegos: Live ur freshman year then best my was the best ever Angel Ramirez: Do your work Angie Flum: I luv u <3 stay cool Anna Guerra: You had to be ugly then so you can be hot now Ava Hall: Go outside more Bailey Malcolm: You don’t have to try so hard, have some fun and mess around Breanna Burke: You don’t need to try so hard for community college
Daniela Contreras: You don’t need your biology textbook... David Johnson: Senior year isn’t gonna be normal bud Devin Larsen: It only gets worse! Devin McNulty: Get ready miss girl Diego Alvarez Castrejon: Do your damn work Dillon Brontsema: Don’t take it for granted Dominic Doud: U r going to meet someone called ramsey dillon. DO NOT engage with this individual. HE IS NOT HUMAN. HE IS AN INSTAGRAM BOT. (This is a joke, I am not bullying Ramsey Dillon. He is a great dear friend. Actually, he told me NOT to write this. That showcases how good of friends we are. Not the beginning part, this parenthesis part. Thanks)
Jesse Olivo Charco: Don’t let someone bring you down Jesse Zapata: Get your stuff together and challenge yourself Jessie Landeros: Influence yourself, don’t let others make decisions for you Jisel Luna: everything is going to be worth it in the end. Joe Lowry: Teachers want you to pass just ask for the help John Terrones: Something I would tell my freshman self would be that you’ve made it this far and to be proud of himself. One chapter has come to an end and another one is only just getting started
Meriah Argueta: It’s okay to be scared of the future, just be yourself and try your best! Meriah Torres: Take the sat’s junior year instead of senior year! Mia Monsour: Your future you is gonna hate you if you keep on procrastinating
Samantha Hirschhorn: Something I would tell my freshman self would be please set your alarm earlier Savannah Marsicek: Think really hard about any big decision you make, so you don’t regret it later
Joselyn Espinoza González: Just focus on school Kayden Kapp: Throw the skinny jeans away
Naomi Quandt: You won’t get any taller
Kylie Pence: Girl
Nataly Ortega: Something I would tell my freshman self would be not to procrastinate, it does a lot of damage with time
Lauren Hansen: That’s literally not your shade Leilani Grijalva: Be yourself and know who will be by your side
Nevada Knowles: Loosen up a little bit, try not to take it so seriously:)
Frances Kayser: Don’t dye your hair black, you’re too pale for that
Liam Cameron: She’s way outta your league bro
Noah Johnson: BTC
Gabriel Ornelas: Take your time wisely. I believe in you
Logan Wilkov: Stop worrying and overthinking. Get on meds early
Caleb Gilbert: Keep grinding
Madeleine Scheer: Don’t “kick it” in the locker room
Cayden Chappell: Try things even when you don’t want to
Jaclyn Brodersen: To live, not just be alive
Madeline Ramirez: You’ll end up being best friends with rhino
Charles Lively: Get out more, join a sport
Jaidyn Sellers: An A- isn’t the end of the world
Makayla Good: It goes by faster than you think enjoy it will you can
Chloe Wastell: Shhhh
Jason Hepfer: Invest in Tesla stock Jaylene Lozano: Don’t wear skinny jeans. Ever
Salvador Guevara: To don’t be messing around
Shantae Marie Williams: To not worry so much about what other people think
Farbod Mohsenian: Don’t do drugs kid
Grace Mansfield: Always plan ahead
Sabrina Westrich: Get familiar with a computer, you’ll need it a lot your senior year
Mya Conboy Rodríguez: Don’t act stupid, or talk about my life lol
Jordan Wagoner: Don’t take German, it’s useless
Jackson Zilles: You don’t get much taller bud
Christian Theobald: Do your homework and don’t procrastinate
Melissa Flores: That online school is gonna suck a**
Ryan Augusta: Appreciate your true friends
Michael Giordano: Don’t try so hard
Jonathon Fleming: Get out while you can
Gustavo Hinojosa: Work Harder
Cade Ledesma: You only live once
Melissa Aguayo: Don’t date until senior year or at least no one from your school
Graphics by: Greta Pankratz
Sergio Sandoval: Do more! It’s easy to give up but taking a class twice isn’t wise. Push yourself because your success starts with you. Your future starts now!
Maddie Huot: Something I would tell my freshman self would be don’t stress about the little things and don’t be afraid to do things that scare you
Brian Genhart: Everything will be okay and stop being immature
Melisa Reyes: Do smarter decision, and focus on the brighter things life has for you in the future
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 7
Matthew Champagne: Cherish your time in Mrs. Blackwell’s class because you will never have an easy English class again
Oliver Hernandez: Echamos Peda? Owen Bouwman: You’ll rap in front of an entire Track N Field team Peyton Redmond: Bestie I’m afraid to tell you this... Ramsey Dillon: Do what you want to do, don’t do it for others Riley Meagher: Do your homework
Sofia Mastroianni: You shouldn’t care so much about what people think, because they aren’t really thinking about as much as you think they are! Talia Wilcox: Stop crying Tarah Martin: Why did you put a mannequin head on for “Meme day”...SO CRINGE!!! Taylor Sovich: Joining xc and track was such a good move Tomas Mountcastle: The perfect Trader Joe’s Pot Pie is microwaved for 12 minutes and 30 seconds. Additionally, leave the rice covered for 5 minutes after cooking to ensure optimal fluffiness. (Use garlic salt, no plain a** regular salt) Tyler Miller: There’ll be opportunities don’t worry
Riley Ramirez: Don’t worry you will get braces
Xavier Terminello: Keep being yourself -- don’t be defined by your morals but uphold them
Rory Bruton: Join more clubs
Yasmin Delgado: Keep it going
Russell Rodrigues: Don’t wear a fedora on the first day of school
Yasmin Myers: Don’t give your email to the College Board
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 8
Graphic by: Yasmin Myers
Aidan Marquez: When a bird pooped on my white football polo Aislin Calderon: El numero dos during a xc race Alexis Mendoza: Walking through a senior class while I was a freshman Alina Calamia: After taking a fat s**t I walked out and found a group of girls laughing and talking about how bad it smelt. They proceeded to spray me with perfume. I’m not mad about it, this experience has shaped me into the person I am today Alyssa Henderson: Was sophomore year we were
My most embarrassing moment...
Connor Loughman: Anderson calling me out in front of everyone Daniela Contreras: Pretending to fall down the stairs and actually falling Devin Larsen: Crashing my car in the lot! Devin McNulty: Participating in meme day freshman year Diego Alvarez Castrejon: Never had one Dillon Brontsema: Missing a layup in basketball Dominic Doud: Watching someone watching south park in Miller’s class Emma Lisle: Winter junior year
Photo by: The Cougar Press
doing a project thing in class and I slipped on the grass and fell really hard in front of my whole class Angel Ramirez: When Luis Peralta dropped me with his backpack sophomore year Angie Flum: Being super hot all the time Anna Guerra: Farbod telling I do not possess enough “drip” Ava Hall: Running track and the freshman lockers Bailey Malcolm: Singing in the locker room after track practice while someone was in there Breanna Burke: Sending a pic in the AP euro group chat with my coochie in it Cade Ledesma: Cheerleading for the powderpuff game Cayden Chappell: Walking into the wrong classroom Charles Lively: when I didn’t get the hint from one of my friends Chloe Wastell: I don’t know I blocked them all out Chyna Crowell: Messing up a cheer routine during a rally
Farbod Mohsenian: That one girl Frances Kayser: Slipping in the mud on the senior lawn while running to Mr. Locher’s room Gabriel Ornelas: My grandma found out I am batman Grace Mansfield: Tripping up the stairs to the band room Gustavo Hinojosa: Nothing Jackson Zilles: Locher telling me my fly was down Jaclyn Brodersen: Running into a glass door in front of 40+ people Jaidyn Sellers: Getting stuck between two cars in the parking lot, surrounded by a bunch of people trying to direct me out, then having Hailey send a video of the whole thing to the cheer group chat Jason Hepfer: Began at birth and is an ongoing occurrence Jaylene Lozano: Is my White Chicks moment in the school bathroom
Jesse Olivo Charco: Not asking a girl in person Jessie Landeros: Purchasing a book by Ogerestsu Tanaka and my card declined Jisel Luna: Was walking into class late sometimes and watching everyone stare at me Jocelyn Lee: When I had to go to the E.R. for having a tampon stuck inside of me Joe Lowry: Yacking in the lot during 6th John Terrones: Burning my cookies in beginners cooking class. I remember it like it was yesterday. Good thing only a few people were in class Jordan Wagoner: Slipping in mud in the senior lawn Julianna Jacobs-Vargas: Accidentally closing my panties in my locker and coming back the next day to find them hanging out for everyone to see xD Kylie Pence: Friday’s for the girls Lauren Hansen: All of sophomore year Leilani Grijalva: I’ve had a lot Liam Cameron: Ripping a fat one in class Logan Wilkov: Falling down the bleachers in the student section during a varsity volleyball game Maddie Huot: Getting really nervous during a presentation Madeleine Scheer: Dating my ex Madeline Ramirez: Walking up to the upper lot and having the wrestlers blasting and singing I love it by Kanye West Makayla Good: My first race for track I threw up Marileen Estrada: From the second I first stepped foot on campus to the second I left Matthew Champagne: When we forgot it was going to be our group’s turn to present our Animal Farm presentation in Mr. Locher’s class and we had the whole thing written in Greek as a joke so we told him we hadn’t finished it yet
Melissa Flores: Getting pooped on by a seagull and it dripped from my forehead Meriah Argueta: When I thought someone was waving at me but turned out to be the person behind me they were trying to wave at Meriah Torres: The time I forgot my project at home when it was my day to present Mía Monsour: Probably shaking like crazy as I was presenting my word essay in AP Lang because all I had for breakfast was coffee Michael Giordano: I’d say probably at a concert when we (the low brass section) had a part of a piece where we had to play random notes to build tension but we weren’t in sync at all so it didn’t sound menacing or tense, just bad Mya Conboy Rodríguez: Losing my homecoming crown AFTER I won Naomi Quandt: All of the guys I’ve dated Nataly Ortega: Tap dancing right front and center without any emotion, having people notice, and confront me about it Nevada Knowles: Any school dance that I attended Noah Johnson: 4AM little house
Graphic by: Peyton Redmond
Riley Ramirez: When the civic scraped over the speed bumps every day Russell Rodrigues: I used the restrooms Ryan Augusta: Getting man handled by Luc LeVasseur Sabrina Westrich: Bleeding through my pants my first day of high school Samantha Hirschhorn: My most embarrassing moment was dropping my invisalign retainers on the floor of Pete’s and the waitress giving them back to me in front of my entire 10th grade English class Sergio Sandoval: Scoring a perfect zero after a night of studying Shantae Marie Williams: Air balling some shots during warm-up Sofia Mastroianni: Peeing my pants in Mr. Locher’s class during the parody videos Talia Wilcox: Watching the Locher parody video in public Tarah Martin: Walking around with a mannequin head-on and being posted on “Ventura High School Meme Page” on Instagram Taylor Sovich: The entirety of the parody video in 10th grade
Photo from: VHS Music Department
Oliver Hernandez: Saying 9/8ths Owen Bouwman: Raging out loud in class Peyton Redmond: Unknowingly sleeping with my camera on in Econ for a grand total of 10 minutes (sorry Gallo) Ramsey Dillon: Watching South Park in Mr. Miller’s class Riley Meagher: Barfing
Tomas Mountcastle: Picture this: It’s the day of the Animal Farm presentation for Locher’s class sophomore year. Our entire presentation is still translated into Greek and I’m on the verge of losing my B in the class Tyler Miller: Falling asleep on the wall next to the 50’s building Yasmin Myers: Running to journalism with Riley and having Sellers chew us out for being 3 minutes late
Adeline DeLamar: Grocery store parking lot, for a group project check-in Aidan Marquez: The kitchen
The weirdest place I’ve been during a Zoom is...
Devin Larsen: Only at my desk or it wouldn’t happen Devin McNulty: The gym bathroom
Joe Lowry: In my garage making the best of a short day. Ha John Terrones: The weirdest place I’ve ever been during a Zoom is at home. I never expected to be at home for so long but we just have to cope with being at home and hope for the best Jonathon Fleming: On a bike ride
Photo by: Tess Luoma
Aislin Calderon: The shower Alexis Mendoza: Bathroom
Diego Alvarez Castrejon: No answer to this one because I just stayed in my room for Zoom classes
Alina Calamia: El baño Alyssa Onstott: The Taco Bell drive thru
Dillon Brontsema: Bathroom Dominic Doudin: My desk
Alyssa Henderson: Work Alyssia Troutman: In the shower
Jordan Wagoner: Waiting in line at a grocery store Joselyn Espinoza González: The mall
Angel Ramirez: The bathroom
Graphics by: Peyton Redmond
Madeleine Scheer: Walking
Owen Bouwman: In my
into work on zoom
messy bed
Madeline Ramirez: In the
Peyton Redmond: The toilet
shower Ramsey Dillon: In the Makayla Good: On the toilet
bathroom
Matthew Champagne: The
Riley Ramirez: McDonald’s
VHS swimming pool
bathroom stall
Melissa Aguayo: With cows
Rory Bruton: Your mom’s house
Melissa Flores: In a Dentist appointment
Russell Rodrigues: In shower
Meriah Argueta: When I
Ryan Augusta: At the wedge
went camping Salvador Guevara: My boss Meriah Torres: A trailer
house working
Joseph Lopez: My toilet
camping at Rincon
Katie Medina: In my grandma’s bathroom
Mia Monsour: Driving in my
The weirdest place I’ve ever
car
been during a Zoom is the
Samantha Hirschhorn:
Emma Lisle: Hobby Lobby
bathroom
Farbod Mohsenian: On a chairlift snowboarding
Sergio Sandoval: At a Kendrick Lamar concert. I was
Anahí García: Bathroom Andres Gallegos: Target buying a ps5
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 9
sleeping does that count?
Frances Kayser: The Starbucks drive-thru
Shantae Marie Williams: The bathroom
Gabriel Ornelas: Mexico Taco Shop
Shawn Danebrock: Riding
Grace Mansfield: The DMV
dirt bikes
Anna Guerra: Toning my hair in the shower whilst having a wee little tinkle
Gustavo Hinojosa: Bathroom
Sofia Mastroianni: On a ski
Bailey Malcolm: Costco
Jackson Zilles: In the ocean
lift
Photo from: Joe Lowry
Breanna Burke: A Vegas casino
Jaclyn Brodersen: In “the cloud”
Kayden Kapp: Working out w Alexis
Cayden Chappell: Bathroom
Jaylene Lozano: The bathroom
Kylie Pence: Catalina
Charles Lively: The bathroom
Jesse Olivo Charco: My bathroom Jesse Zapata: Dining room
Christian Theobald: In class Chyna Crowell: New Mexico Daphne Bullock: Driving David Johnson: Your moms house
Jessie Landeros: Covid vaccine waiting room Jisel Luna: On a 14 hour drive to Oregon Jocelyn Lee: The shower
parking lot Mya Conboy Rodríguez: I
Leilani Grijalva: My bed
Nataly Ortega: The weirdest
Utah Tomas Mountcastle: My
place I’ve ever been during a Zoom is at a dental office room
Logan Wilkov: In the shower Maddie Huot: The weirdest place I have ever been during Zoom is at work in the break room
Taylor Sovich: A pizza place in a random little town in
never went to classes
Liam Cameron: Massage therapy with Joseph Opolka
Francisco zoo
Michael Giordano: The Vons
Lauren Hansen: Dunkin
Chloe Wastell: My roof
Talia Wilcox: The San
Noah Johnson: Atlantis
orthodontist’s office Tyler Miller: Sh*tting Xavier Terminello: A basement in Wisconsin Yasmin Delgado: Store
Oliver Hernandez: Bathroom taking a fat dookie
Yasmin Myers: The shower :P
Senior Map
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 10
Aidan Marquez Alexander Dorsey Alexis Mendoza Alyssa Onstott Alyssa Henderson Angel Ramirez Brian Genhart Cara Morphis Charles Lively Chloe Wastell Christian Theobald Connor Loughman David Johnson Dominic Doud Farbod Mohsenian Jayden Chapman Jessie Landeros Jisel Luna Joe Lowry Jordan Wagoner Joselyn Gonzáles Katelyn Moon Katie Medina Kayden Kapp Leilani Grijalva Liliana Ramos Logan Wilkov Maddie Huot Melisa Reyes Melissa Aguayo Meriah Argueta Meriah Torres Naomi Quandt Natalie Wood Nataly Ortega Nevada Knowles Owen Bouwman Russel Rodrigues Ryan Augusta Savannah Marsicek Sergio Sandoval Shantae Williams Tarah Martin Yesenia Cruz
Alina Calamia Ava Hall Benet Bouchard Daphne Bullock Devin Larsen Emma Lisle Kylie Pence Lauren Hansen Peyton Redmond Riley Meagher
Devin McNulty John Terrones
Jesse Zapata
Lena Alvarez
Joseph Lopez
Grace Mansfield
Ramsey Dillon
Cade Ledesma
Cayden Chappell
Haley Sabo Sofia Mastroianni
Chyna Crowell Hunter Leija
Makayla Good Yasmin Myers Brynne Stevens Jackson Zilles Noah Johnson
Andrew Strong Anna Guerra Dylan Nicodemus Julianna Jacobs-Vargas Matthew Champagne Taylor Sovich Tomas Mountcastle
Angie Flum Lindsey McDermott Mia Monsour Tyler Miller Elliot Feingold Jaye Duckhart Sydney Long
Jonathon Fleming
Joce
Senior Map
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 11
Liam Cameron Mya Conboy
Talia Wilcox
Frances Kayser
Jaidyn Sellers
Jason Hepfer
Samantha Hirschorn
Jaclyn Brodersen Rory Bruton Sabrina Westrich
The
Data
TM
Erik Maxwell
Daniela Contreras Marileen Estrada Andrea Cordero Melissa Flores
elyn Lee
Bailey Malcolm
Riley Ramirez
Alyssia Troutman
28.5%
Going to a public university
11.4%
Going to a private university
85.7%
Staying in California for college
14.2%
Going out-ofstate for college
1%
Enlisting in the military
55.2%
Going to a community college
3.8%
Going to a trade-school or other organization
0%
Joining a TikTok hype house
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 12
Adeline DeLamar: Monsieur DeClerck
My favorite teacher is...
Christian Theobald: Tolkmitt
Aidan Marquez: Mrs. Sovich
Chyna Crowell: Mr. Gallo
Aislin Calderon: Mr. Larson
Connor Loughman: Mr. Raney
Alexis Mendoza: Mr Rivera Daniel Hrabak: McEntyre Alina Calamia: Heidi House Alyssa Onstott: Mr. Miller, & Ms. Rossiter. The two people who have watched me grow into the person I am today since my freshman year & who have always accepted me in their classrooms
Daniela Contreras: Mrs. Volic !!
Jesse Zapata: Mr. Grall the best Spanish teacher ever
David Johnson: Mr. Weber
Jocelyn Lee: Tolkmitt
Devin Larsen: Mrs. Guerrero
Joe Lowry: “Stew”
Dillon Brontsema: Mark Tolkmitt Dominic Doud: Mr. Jaquette
John Terrones: I personally don’t actually have a favorite teacher. I respect all my teachers because of the advice they give me. Their advice has helped me succeed and made me become the person I am today
Alyssia Troutman: Ms. Rossiter
Emma Lisle: Mr. Larson
Andrea Cordero: Mrs. Sovich
Farbod Mohsenian: Mrs. Guerrero
Joselyn Espinoza González: Mrs. McKee
Andres Gallegos: Mrs. Griffin
Frances Kayser: Larson, Reynosa, Locher, Jones, Sovich, Grall, Steward, Arichea, Verdades
Julianna Jacobs-Vargas: Mrs. Jones
Gabriel Ornelas: All my teachers were amazing!
Kayden Kapp: GATCHAAA
Angie Flum: Stefoni Rossiter!! Anna Guerra: DeClerck of course
Grace Mansfield: Mr. Hunt
Leilani Grijalva: Mr. Larson
Benet Bouchard: Mr. Tolkmitt
VHS teacher Justin Weber. Photo by: Lola Bobrow bPy: Anna Guerra
Breanna Burke: Spellman
Gustavo Hinojosa: Mr. Culp
Caleb Gilbert: Mr. Culp Cayden Chappell: Mr. Cruz
Kylie Pence: Rossiter!
Lauren Hansen: Jaime
Bailey Malcolm: Mr. DeClerck
Brian Genhart: Mr. Tackett
Katie Medina: Mrs. Volic
Lauren Hammond: Mr. Votruba
Ava Hall: Pierre or Ms. Withers or Mr. Tolkmitt
Jackson Zilles: Ms. Rossiter and Mrs. Reynosa Jaclyn Brodersen: Ms. Baenosa, and def not M. DeClerck :)
Charles Lively: Ms. McKee
Jaidyn Sellers: Mr. Locher
Chloe Wastell: I like them all
Jason Hepfer: Ms. Reynosa
Madeline Ramirez: Mr. Grall Makayla Good: Mrs. Reynosa
Lena Alvarez: Mr. Hunt Liam Cameron: Mr. Rivera Logan Wilkov: Seller$ Maddie Huot: My favorite teacher is... well I have a few. Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Reynosa & Mrs. Larson have helped me throughout my high school journey by always being a strong support and mentor to me
Rory Bruton: Mr. McEntyre Russell Rodrigues: Mrs. Bergfeld Ryan Augusta: Mr. Votruba Salvador Guevara: Mrs. Griffen Samantha Hirschhorn: Mr. Tolkmitt
VHS teacher Linda Bergfeld. Photo by: Juliana Jacobson
Marileen Estrada: Jared McEntyre <3
Savannah Marsicek: Too many. But shoutout to Ms. Rossiter for being the amazing and supportive drama teacher that she is
Matthew Champagne: Ms. Bergfeld
Sergio Sandoval: Mr. Culp the world’s greatest world history teacher in the history of world history
Melissa Aguayo: Paul Togneri
Shantae Marie Williams: Mrs. Dipaolo
Melissa Flores: Ms. Withers
Shawn Danebrock: Hays
Meriah Argueta: Mrs. Minadeo!!
Sofia Mastroianni: Mr. Locher
Meriah Torres: Ms. Reynosa
Sydney Long: Mr. Hunt
Jonathon Fleming: Bergfeld Jordan Wagoner: Señor Grall
Angel Ramirez: Mr. Hays
Madeleine Scheer: Mrs. Sovich
Jessie Landeros: Saltzman and Minadeo Jisel Luna: Mr. Larson
Diego Alvarez Castrejon: Mr. Miller
Alyssa Henderson: Ms. Reynosa
Jesse Olivo Charco: Ms. Clobes
Daphne Bullock: Mr. Gallo
Devin McNulty: Mrs. Reynosa
VHS teacher Mark Tolkmitt. Photo by: Anna Guerra
Jaylene Lozano: Mr. Tolkmitt
Graphics by: Katie Medina
Mia Monsour: MRS. JONES FOR SURE Michael Giordano: Mr. Hunt Mya Conboy Rodríguez: Mr. Tolkmitt Naomi Quandt: Mrs. Reynosa Nataly Ortega: Ms. Guerrero
VHS teacher Jared McEntyre. Photo by: Yasmin Myers
Talia Wilcox: Locher, Schmidt, Jones, Reynosa, DeClerck, Hunt
Noah Johnson: Rubacalva
Tarah Martin: Mr. Grall and Tackett
Oliver Hernandez: Mr. Votruba
Taylor Sovich: Ms. Reynosa, sorry mom
Owen Bouwman: Mrs. Rossiter, Mrs. Bergfeld, Mrs. Pimentel
Tomas Mountcastle: Coche Cruz
Peyton Redmond: Mr. Biller
Tyler Miller: ...
Ramsey Dillon: Mr. McEntyre
Xavier Terminello: Mrs. Clobes
Riley Meagher: Da Mac and Hunt
Yasmin Delgado: Mr. Tackett
Riley Ramirez: Mrs. Volic
Yasmin Myers: Mr. Pacula
My biggest regret is ...
Aidan Marquez: Never playing another sport
Brian Genhart: Not trying hard my first 2 years
Aislin Calderon: Joining the softball team
Cade Ledesma: Not joining track freshman year
Grace Mansfield: Not applying myself enough
Cayden Chappell: Not doing more
Jackson Zilles: Selling my $TSLA
Alexis Mendoza: Not taking school seriously for the past 4 years Alina Calamia: Crap talking like there was no tomorrow
Charles Lively: Not joining a sport freshman year
Gabriel Ornelas: Not making more friends
Jaclyn Brodersen: Not spending enough time enjoying life
(From left to right) Seniors Marley Sapp, Aydan Jennings, Casper James and Blaise Basile. Photo from: Rory Bruton
Alyssa Onstott: My last long term relationship should have ended sooner than it did, I regret being in it for so long. I also regret meeting some of the people I did. They really ruined a lot of things for me. I wish I made better friends, who would have given me more memorable fun experiences Alyssa Henderson: Not talking more and putting myself out there
Chloe Wastell: Don’t have any Christian Theobald: Procrastinating
Angel Ramirez: Staying in Chamaa’s class
Melissa Aguayo: Not enjoying my last years of school
Shantae Marie Williams: Not playing basketball senior year
Mya Conboy Rodríguez: I regret nothing
Sofia Mastroianni: Staying in XC and track
Joe Lowry: Nothing I have no regrets
Kayden Kapp: No regrets ever Kylie Pence: #noregrets #girlboss
(From left to right) Seniors Kylie Pence and Emma Lisle. Photo from: Emma Lisle
Naomi Quandt: Not making more friends Nataly Ortega: My biggest regret is not making school work top priority, I should’ve dedicated myself more
Lauren Hansen: Meeting bonc
Angie Flum: Not kissing my friends everyday
Nevada Knowles: Not having the time to be in a musical or play
Dillon Brontsema: Not being more talkative
Leilani Grijalva: Not going to enough games
Noah Johnson: Height
Anna Guerra: Going inside the portable’s bathrooms
Dominic Doud: Graduating during COVID-19
Ava Hall: Not taking a drama class
Emma Lisle: Letting Breanna drive my car in upper lot
Liam Cameron: Going through high school without a license
Breanna Burke: Not streaking :/
Frances Kayser: Leaving my chemistry homework to the last minute sophomore year and pulling all-nighters
Sergio Sandoval: Nothing I live to the fullest I try to live as every day is my last
Jocelyn Lee: My orange hair junior year
Jordan Wagoner: Taking German as my foreign language freshman year
Farbod Mohsenian: Not taking more chances
Samantha Hirschhorn: My biggest regret is not going to senior ball, powderpuff or prom as an underclassman
Michael Giordano: Not making more time for fun things
Devin McNulty: Not having enough fun
Bailey Malcolm: Not participating more in extra curricular activities
Salvador Guevara: Not going to prom
Jisel Luna: Procrastinating
Daniela Contreras: Not trying out for any sports
Devin Larsen: Not seeing more things from the drama department
Ryan Augusta: Believing a high school relationship could last
Mía Monsour: Not putting myself out there more
Jonathon Fleming: Not starting high school earlier
Andres Gallegos: Failing one class
Marileen Estrada: Going to the 2019 neon dance
Jaylene Lozano: March 16th
Daniel Hrabak: Not having a car
David Johnson: Not trying harder in jazz band
Russell Rodrigues: Graduating during COVID-19
Meriah Torres: Not doing cross country
Connor Loughman: Not caring about college
Anahí García: Thinking boys from school were cute
Makayla Good: Not hanging out with my friends enough bc of homework, etc.
Jason Hepfer: Attempting to socialize
John Terrones: My biggest regret is not trying to beat my own personal mile time record 5 mins and 54 seconds. If I would have tried to beat it I would have succeeded
Chyna Crowell: Not doing what I wanted to do
Riley Ramirez: Freshman year
Jaidyn Sellers: All of freshmen year
Jessie Landeros: Not meeting enough people during my 3 months at VHS as a new student before covid hit
Graphics by: Katie Medina
Madeline Ramirez: Hanging out with Joseph and Tho
Melissa Flores: Not going to more social events when I had the chance. And to go to more parties and gatherings
Jesse Olivo Charco: Doing drugs
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 13
Logan Wilkov: Staying in the locker room Maddie Huot: My biggest regret is not playing a sport at VHS Madeleine Scheer: Dropping math
Oliver Hernandez: Not staying posted up with my homies
Talia Wilcox: Not getting someone to take me to prom as a freshman or sophomore since prom didn’t exist junior or senior year Taylor Sovich: Being the mask demo in HLA-10, awkward Tomas Mountcastle: Not getting to dissect a frog in AP Bio, literally the only reason I took it. Smh
Owen Bouwman: Having a crush
Tyler Miller: Sophomore year at the wall next to the basketball courts
Peyton Redmond: Getting injured
Xavier Terminello: ? I have no regrets lol
Ramsey Dillon: Using the VHS bathrooms
Yasmin Delgado: No regrets
Riley Meagher: Fridays for the girls
Yasmin Myers: Not taking Farbod to hoco
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 14
Adeline DeLamar: How often
I hope my parents never find out...
Cade Ledesma: Summer
Riley Ramirez: They always
I was actually off campus
going into sophomore year
find out
Aidan Marquez: That I fell
Charles Lively: The red
down the stairs at football
notebook
practice after I got knee surgery
Chyna Crowell: A lot of things
Jason Hepfer: Who Joe is
Jaylene Lozano: That I have a long-distance boyfriend Jesse Olivo Charco: I smoke Jesse Zapata: I got a F on a quiz Jessie Landeros: My crippling obsession with anime Jisel Luna: I would leave for lunch without telling them while they would think I was in school all the time for lunch
(From left to right) Seniors Mark Phouiphiphath, Itzel Martinez, Shantae Williams, Priscilla Nunez, and junior Diane Villaloboz. Photo from: Shantae Williams
Aislin Calderon: That I got into Harvard, but denied their offer
Connor Loughman: As if
Alexis Mendoza: About all those ripped report cards
Devin Larsen: The Davey Wavey incident
Alina Calamia: Me graduating is the result of crying to my teachers about my bad grades. It worked:)
Devin McNulty: ...
Alyssa Onstott: About any of the times I hung out with Adam, Jacob, Ronnie, or Sawsha. They would be very unhappy to hear those stories about what we did Alyssia Troutman: What goes down by the side gate Andres Gallegos: Nun Angel Ramirez: I cheat on tests
Daniel Hrabak: Lunchtime
Diego Alvarez Castrejon: Who my friends really are(just a bunch of idiots) Dillon Brontsema: About me sneaking out Dominic Doud: VHS Bathroom card games Emma Lisle: The third drawer on the left Farbod Mohsenian: What happened in their bed
Joe Lowry: Find out what? We are always chillin here! John Terrones: I hope my parents never find out that one time I lost 40 dollars. It doesn’t sound too bad, but “that’s 40 dollars worth of dollars” Jonathon Fleming: About the tunnels beneath the school Jordan Wagoner: How many times I’ve slept in class
Matthew Champagne: The reason I would stay up until 3am doing homework was because I would start at 12
Melissa Flores: That I cuss like a sailor at school and talk crap about Mormons Meriah Torres: I turned in my science fair project two weeks after it was due Michael Giordano: How bad of a driver I really am
Graphics by: Peyton Redmond
Rory Bruton: What happened at my house Russell Rodrigues: About the VHS bathroom fight club Ryan Augusta: Why the neon dance was so fun Salvador Guevara: That I missed around through high school
Mya Conboy Rodríguez: Everything “going on a drive” consists of Naomi Quandt: How many times I’ve cheated and still got a bad grade Nataly Ortega: I hope my parents never find out I wouldn’t do my homework at most times Nevada Knowles: That I was actually as unrebellious as I seemed, how lame is that?
Samantha Hirschhorn: I hope my parents never find out the “minor details” I conveniently left out of every story Shantae Marie Williams: How late I used to stay up to get my homework done Sofia Mastroianni: What really happened on the night of the crime Talia Wilcox: That I never did
Joseph Lopez: Any of it
Noah Johnson: Trim Shop
anything
Katie Medina: I have nothing to hide, Wendy and Victor know everything Kayden Kapp: How many times I ditched Kylie Pence: I’m an open book Lauren Hansen: All of sophomore year
Frances Kayser: Why I broke my ankle junior year
Leilani Grijalva: I’m a bad student sometimes
Angie Flum: About my tramp stamp
Gabriel Ornelas: I am Batman
Liam Cameron: What really went on at Farbod’s
Oliver Hernandez: That I’m gay
Taylor Sovich: Find out
Anna Guerra: I can’t speak, she’s reading this right now
Gustavo Hinojosa: That I broke a drill bit
Logan Wilkov: About the girl’s locker room
Owen Bouwman: I raged out loud in class
Tomas Mountcastle: I never
Ava Hall: They already did
Jackson Zilles: What really happened homecoming 2020
Madeleine Scheer: Why I get $25 cashback
Peyton Redmond: :D
(From left to right) Seniors Sofia Mastroianni and Benet Bouchard. Photo from: Sofia Mastroianni
what?!
requested that grade bump in Spanish freshman year. Ruba por favor no digas a mi mamá
Bailey Malcolm: The guys I dated sophomore and junior year
Jaclyn Brodersen: How high I’ve climbed sans belay
Madeline Ramirez: About my whole junior year
VHS bathroom fight club
Breanna Burke: What my chargers are actually for
Jaidyn Sellers: What happens on the side of Sammy’s house
Makayla Good: That I sneak out more times than they think
Riley Meagher: About the
Yasmin Myers: The obscene
night of the crime
amount of Ke$ha I listen to
Ramsey Dillon: About the
Tyler Miller: What getting ice cream with Hailey really meant
Aidan Marquez: All the staff and fellow students Aislin Calderon: The pan dulce that made my taste buds scream with joy
What I’ll miss most about VHS...
Daniel Hrabak: Seeing people Daphne Bullock: The people David Johnson: The friends and teachers
Jesse Zapata: Kicking it with the bois Jessie Landeros: The lovely teachers and staff
Nevada Knowles: My coaches
Logan Wilkov: The free domes
Noah Johnson: JAIME
Maddie Huot: What I’ll miss most about VHS are all of the teachers, sitting in the student section at games and all of the relationships I have created with many friends as well
Alexis Mendoza: The teachers and hang out spots
Devin Larsen: The trenchcoat kids
Alina Calamia: Ventura Unified School District show choir
Devin McNulty: Sports and school dances
Jocelyn Lee: Owen Bouwman
Madeleine Scheer: Prom... oh wait
Diego Alvarez Castrejon: Lunchtime with the lads
Joe Lowry: Parking lot skate sessions
Madeline Ramirez: Lunch time with my friends
Dillon Brontsema: The people
John Terrones: What I will miss most about VHS is kids I saw around campus. At one point in my life they seemed like strangers and after the past 4 years they don’t seem like strangers at all. I consider them like companions who are a part of my memories that I will forever cherish
Alyssa Henderson: The dances and some people
Dominic Doud: Vending machine Emma Lisle: Valentino’s 8” Vals Veggie Farbod Mohsenian: Keeping trucha for Jaime
Makayla Good: The casual morning cougar anthem
Christian Theobald: The long breaks from school Chyna Crowell: The occasional school fights Connor Loughman: Track team
Salvador Guevara: The ppl and the fun I had there Savannah Marsicek: The memories. Both the good, bad and ugly Sergio Sandoval: Is standing under the tree in the senior lawn during break, that was the spot where about 30 of the boys used to hang out precovid. During lunch we’d head out to the weight room and pump some iron. Shout out to Mr. Knowles for having the weight room open Shantae Marie Williams: Playing for Coach Ann Larson and Coach Anderson
Bailey Malcolm: The faculty
Chloe Wastell: Friends, teachers, metal club, drama class, simplicity
Rory Bruton: The people
Sabrina Westrich: My friends
Ava Hall: Being silly with the classmates
Charles Lively: The teachers
Riley Ramirez: K-9’s at homecoming 2019
Melissa Aguayo: Socializing with everyone
Anna Guerra: Seeing how many cheese sticks the seagulls could fit in their gullets
Cayden Chappell: My teachers
Ramsey Dillon: Lunchtime in the parking lot with my friends
Ryan Augusta: The baseball team
Angie Flum: The bomb threats </3
Caleb Gilbert: Rivalry games
Peyton Redmond: Homies, track team and Jaime
Matthew Champagne: Mr. Murphy’s disturbingly joyful greetings
Angel Ramirez: Mr. Hays’s class
Cade Ledesma: Buena vs. Ventura rivalry games
Owen Bouwman: The teachers
Russell Rodrigues: The vending machine
Andres Gallegos: Soccer
Brian Genhart: PE with my friends
Oliver Hernandez: Nothing
Marileen Estrada: Not a single thing
Andrea Cordero: Is the sport events
Breanna Burke: Valentino’s 8 inch
Graphics by: Peyton Redmond
Liam Cameron: The librarian
Jisel Luna: Is all the memories I had made there with old and new friends
Alyssa Onstott: The theatre department. Everyone in it became my family, and the stage became my second home. Ms. Rossiter helped me get over my anxiety, and my fears and I am forever thankful for the experiences I made in that classroom
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 15
(From left to right) Seniors Cade Ledesma, Simon Brown, Camilo Aviles and Jordan Tanner. Photo from: Cade Ledesma
Frances Kayser: The amazing students, teachers, and staff I’ve gotten to know :)
Jordan Wagoner: Snack bar food
Melissa Flores: Is the random rants and adventures we go through at school
Gabriel Ornelas: My teachers and my coaches
Joseph Lopez: The breakfast burritos
Meriah Argueta: My friends
Grace Mansfield: Music classes and seeing my friends Gustavo Hinojosa: Nothing Jackson Zilles: Cardboard boat races Jaclyn Brodersen: The fascinating people Jaidyn Sellers: Being out in public in my cheer uniform and having random people start conversations with me Jaylene Lozano: The not so hot boys Jesse Olivo Charco: Football
Kayden Kapp: Seeing people I’ve grown up with Kylie Pence: Drama department Lauren Hammond: The water polo team Lauren Hansen: The student service lady Leilani Grijalva: The football games Lena Alvarez: The music room
Meriah Torres: Seeing all of my friends in the parking lot Mía Monsour: All the memories and friends I made Michael Giordano: The music department and also that the campus is outdoors Mya Conboy Rodríguez: Seeing everyone Naomi Quandt: Playing in volleyball games Nataly Ortega: What I’ll miss most about VHS is my freshman year, it really was the Golden Year
Sofia Mastroianni: Going to lunch in the best forerunner at VHS Sydney Long: The music department Talia Wilcox: The music room Tarah Martin: The dances and the football games :( Taylor Sovich: The xc and track team!! Tomas Mountcastle: The ungodly number of seagulls that congregate after lunch, also the cross country team to a lesser extent Tyler Miller: Everything Xavier Terminello: The people and friendships forged in these hallways Yasmin Delgado: Friends Yasmin Myers: Ms. Adamich
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 16
In 10 years...
Aidan Marquez: I will be a teacher/football coach
Christian Theobald: I hope to have a stable job
Jesse Olivo Charco: I will be in the army
Mía Monsour: I hope I still am able to live in California
Aislin Calderon: I’ll be at my sugar daddies funeral
Chyna Crowell: I will own a business
Jesse Zapata: I would be somewhere great in life
Alexis Mendoza: Hopefully I’ll be successful
Connor Loughman: I will still be based
Jessie Landeros: Pursuing a career in forensics
Michael Giordano: I will be 28, hopefully alive, probably married, and living “Very Far Away from Anywhere Else” ;)
Alina Calamia: Hopefully on a beach with a margarita
Daniel Hrabak: Rich
Jisel Luna: I hope to be successful.
David Johnson: I hope to still be making YouTube videos
Jocelyn Lee: I will be a sorority girl
Alyssa Onstott: I’ll hopefully have gone to college, moved out from my parent’s house, and have my own car and be more independent. I just want normal struggles like everyone else and to be a bit happier Alyssa Henderson: I will be a pediatric nurse, traveling, and probably have kids Anahí García: Imma be a millionaire Andrea Cordero: I hope I will be a registered nurse and working at a hospital Andres Gallegos: Wanna make my own floor company
Devin Larsen: I better be doing something I like Devin McNulty: I’ll own a house and have a cute firefighter family Diego Alvarez Castrejon: I’ll have traveled to Tokyo, New York City, and to somewhere in France Dillon Brontsema: I want to have a family and a stable job
John Terrones: In ten years I might be working in a nice beautiful restaurant as a chef. I don’t know my future but I believe our future is based on the choices we make in life Jordan Wagoner: Hopefully I have a job, maybe a cat Katie Medina: I’ll live in the English countryside with lots of dogs
Emma Lisle: I’ll be six feet under
Kayden Kapp: I will be rich Kylie Pence: I will be hot, famous, and enlightened Lauren Hammond: I’ll find out what the long term effects are Lauren Hansen: Pls don’t have a kid Leilani Grijalva: I hope I have my dream job Lena Alvarez: I’ll be dancing in Europe Liam Cameron: I’m gonna be the best big brother you could ever ask for
Angel Ramirez: I will be 28 years old
Farbod Mohsenian: Imma be on your tv screen
Logan Wilkov: I expect to be living on a farm with chickens.
Angie Flum: I will be working in a botanical garden and petting cats every day
Frances Kayser: I hope to be in my medical residency! Gabriel Ornelas: I will be happily married with many children
Maddie Huot: In 10 years I hope to be finished with college, and hopefully be traveling to many places such as Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and more!
Grace Mansfield: I want to be a vet
Madeleine Scheer: I hope I can breathe
Gustavo Hinojosa: Ima be posted with the homies
Madeline Ramirez: Driving my white G wagon with red interior
Breanna Burke: Dude idek, you tell me
Jackson Zilles: Hopefully I didn’t drop out of college
Makayla Good: I will have a big ranch and probably have a bunch of cattle and horses
Brian Genhart: I’ll have a family with my girlfriend and have a good life
Jaclyn Brodersen: I hope global emissions of greenhouse gases grow by less than < 37 (and that I can help attain that goal)
Anna Guerra: I’ll be relaxing in my mansion wearing a vintage Juicy Couture tracksuit Ava Hall: I’ll be on a sick one Bailey Malcolm: I hope to be living in the PNW with my dog
Cade Ledesma: I won’t be working a 9-5 Cayden Chappell: I’ll be old
Jaidyn Sellers: I’ll have finally hit my growth spurt
Charles Lively: “I will have a successful life”
Jason Hepfer: I hope to have graduated medical school and be attending residency.
Chloe Wastell: It’ll be ten years from now
Jaylene Lozano: I’ll be a stay at home mom
Savannah Marsicek: I hope I can live comfortably
Joe Lowry: I hope to be a firefighter
Dominic Doud: It’ll be 2031... 2032... I think
(From left to right) Seniors Devin Larsen, Peyton Redmond and Riley Meagher. Photo from: Sofia Mastroianni
Mya Conboy Rodríguez: I’ll be a teacher and a farmer
Graphics by: Peyton Redmond Samantha Hirschhorn: In 10 years I will be sitting, drink in hand, admiring the nyc view from the floor to ceiling windows of my home
(From left to right) Seniors Katie Medina, Riley Ramirez, Elliot Feingold, Angie Flum and Yasmin Myers. Photo from: Yasmin Myers Sergio Sandoval: I will be a Naomi Quandt: I’ll be living in billionaire. Maybe a Formula 1 Hawaii world champion. I will definitely have at least 3 businesses up within Nataly Ortega: In 10 years I want my first 2 years. I will be a wellto have a secured life. I want my recognized music producer, singer career, a place to live, and maybe and influencer. I don’t plan to do someone to live it with just these things. I am going to do these things and more. So in ten Nevada Knowles: I would like years I can look at taking it down a to have made some crazy pants notch and starting a family memories:) Shantae Marie Williams: I’m Noah Johnson: Finding Waves on going to be graduated from a university working to help impact Mars other people’s lives Oliver Hernandez: I’m going to be posted with my homies Owen Bouwman: Have a successful experience
Talia Wilcox: I’ll be either working at the UN or Disneyland
Peyton Redmond: I will be a milf
Tarah Martin: I will hopefully finished schooling to be a Dermatologist
Ramsey Dillon: I’ll be 28 years old
Photo from: Jordan Tanner Riley Ramirez: I will literally still be in school
Marileen Estrada: I will still be a communist
Rory Bruton: In April 2031 a large volcano in the Mediterranean will erupt...
Melissa Aguayo: I will be living in Texas
Russell Rodrigues: I’ll be 28
Melissa Flores: I hope, that I traveled to Asian countries and camped around the USA
Ryan Augusta: I’ll be a nurse, who also just happens to be really good at skiing
Meriah Argueta: I would like to be somewhere where I am happy and can help others
Sofia Mastroianni: The one who brought 1D back together
Salvador Guevara: I’ll be having a family
Taylor Sovich: I better have a dog Tomas Mountcastle: I will own at the very least one dog, if I have multiple (this is highly likely) one of them will be an Australian Shepherd named Roscoe Tyler Miller: I will be rich Xavier Terminello: I hope I don’t forget to treasure and feel gratitude towards all the people in my life— especially me... Yasmin Myers: I’ll be a milf
My quarantine coping song/album is...
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 17
Aidan Marquez: Legends Never Die by Juice WRLD
Chyna Crowel: Digital Druglord
Jaidyn Sellers: Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift
Melissa Flores: Hot pink album by Doja Cat
Russell Rodrigues: Saint Bernard/ Lincoln
Aislin Calderon: Big Time Rush
Connor Loughman: Kawakiwoameku
Jaylene Lozano: Be happyDixie Damelio
Meriah Argueta: BTS- Best of me!
Ryan Augusta: Luv is Rage 2
Alexis Mendoza: AM - Arctic Monkeys
Daniel Hrabak: Savage Mode 2
Jesse Olivo Charco: F*CK LOVE
Meriah Torres: Good news by Megan the stallion
Alina Calamia: Sugar daddy by Queen Herby
Daniela Contreras: Candy by Rico Nasty and the Zeroes album by Declan Mckenna :p
Jesse Zapata: My oldies playlist
Mía Monsour: Anything by A$AP Rocky or J Cole
Alyssa Onstott: Rebelution’s peace of mind album, or the courage to grow album
David Johnson: Sad to say, BILLY by 6ix9ine
Jessie Landeros: Mild High Club Timeline album
Michael Giordano: Society Eddie Vedder
Alyssa Henderson: American Boy
Devin Larsen: Anything from the icon that is Olivia Newton John
Jisel Luna: Immortal Kid Cudi
Mya Conboy Rodríguez: Does to me
Alyssia Troutman: Cotton Eyed Joe
Devin McNulty: More than a woman
Jocelyn Lee: Kill Yourself by $uicideboy$ <3
Naomi Quandt: Is This It by The Strokes
Joe Lowry: Stone Love by Pepper
Nataly Ortega: My quarantine coping song is Maneater by Nelly Furtado
Sergio Sandoval: POWER Kanye West
Nevada Knowles: Too many sad love songs to choose just one haha:)
Shantae Marie Williams: 2014 Forest Hills Drive and How to Save a Life
Noah Johnson: Blonde on Blonde
Sydney Long: Sweet Night by V
Oliver Hernandez: En El Refuego - Grupo diez 4tro
Talia Wilcox: Fearless by Taylor Swift
Owen Bouwman: Breaking Benjamin - Phobia
Tarah Martin: Supalonely by BENEE
John Terrones: Somewhere I belong by Linkin Park Julianna Jacobs-Vargas: Ventura by Anderson Paak Katie Medina: All five of One Direction’s albums Kayden Kapp: All the oldies but goodies Photo from: Chyna Crowell
Anahí García: Anything by Ssgkobe
Diego Alvarez Castrejon: Young-Vacations
Andres Gallegos: Corridos tumbados
Dillon Brontsema: Luv is rage
Angel Ramirez: La Feria de Cepillin Angie Flum: Ctrl SZA Anna Guerra: The Twilight soundtrack #teamEdward Ava Hall: Don’t Stop the Rock Freestyle Bailey Malcolm: Bury Me at Make out Creek/ Mitski Breanna Burke: Fearless (Taylor’s Version) Cade Ledesma: Stinkfist by Tool Charles Lively: Boys will be bugs Chloe Wastell: “Toys In The Attic” Aerosmith
Dominic Doud: Boilermaker- Royal Blood Emma Lisle: Block your number - Maude Latour Farbod Mohsenian: Couchie land by yn Jay Frances Kayser: Good Days by SZA Gabriel Ornelas: From Shrek, True Love’s First Kiss Grace Mansfield: Father of The Bride by Vampire Weekend Gustavo Hinojosa: Los Hermanos- Grupo Diez 4tro Jackson Zilles: Silver Warehouse by Silver Warehouse Jaclyn Brodersen: V.3: Subliminal Verses -Slipknot/ Lateralus -TOOL
Kylie Pence: Miss Megan
Salvador Guevara: All eyes on me Samantha Hirschhorn: Freakin’ Out On the Interstate by Briston Maroney Savannah Marsicek: Honestly, Burning Pile by Mother Mother, just because it gives the vibe of just contributing to the chaos and not caring anymore. Of letting your cares float away
Lauren Hansen: Pitbulls entire discography Leilani Grijalva: One wishRay J Liam Cameron: Say So, Doja Cat Logan Wilkov: Chinese Fountain — Growlers Maddie Huot: Any song on the “Van Life” playlist on Spotify Madeline Ramirez: Sneaky link Makayla Good: Tennessee whiskey by Chris Stapleton Marileen Estrada: The Little House on the Prairie opening theme
Seniors Breanna Burke (left) and Emma Lisle (right). Photo from: Emma Lisle
Peyton Redmond: Mo Bamba by Sheck Wes
Taylor Sovich: Plume by Caravan Palace
Ramsey Dillon: Black Pentagram by Coldrain
Tomas Mountcastle: GoneJRJR and Video Killed the Radio Star (The Bugles)
Riley Meagher: Afycso
Matthew Champagne: Folklore by Taylor Swift
Riley Ramirez: Day Off Trees and Lucy
Melissa Aguayo: YHLQMDLG- Bad Bunny
Rory Bruton: Darling Come Back Home
Tyler Miller: Whole Lotta Red Xavier Terminello: A & X Yasmin Myers: Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
Sports Recaps
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 18
Boy’s Volleyball Girl’s Volleyball From backyards to sweating side-by-side.
Photo from: Valerie Paris
A small, but mighty and memorable season.
Photo from: Grace Quandt
Boy’s Soccer Kicking it into high gear.
Photo from: VHS Cougar Athletics
Girl’s Soccer
Varsity Football
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Varsity football looks back on their victories this season.
Photo from: @venturagirlssoccer on Instagram
Photo from: Felix Cortez
Greta Pankratz
Greta Pankratz
Alex Hernandez
Alex Hernandez
Yasmin Myers
The boy’s volleyball season began on March 8, but well before the season was cleared to officially begin, the boys spent the preseason staying in shape and practicing. Due to the restrictions of COVID-19, practices started outside, three days a week. Eventually, practices moved indoors in the gym, five days a week. The season consisted of a couple months of matches, from March 8 until May 14, in which the team ranked fifth in the Pacific View League. Head coach, Tim Mays commented on the season, “It’s been a challenging season for us but the boys were very resilient and improved every single week.” Although the year brought many challenges, a highlight, according to senior Kai Paris, was the home game against Channel Islands. This game was their first win of the season, finally rewarding them for the hard work they had put in all year. Paris said, “It was awesome to see everyone from the new freshmen to the returners to get so hyped after an amazing game.” Finally, the team could celebrate together.
The varsity girl’s volleyball season was short, but sweet, lasting only two weeks with two games. The year started off with outdoor workouts on the softball field. These were a chance to reconnect until the team had their one week of real practice before their two games. For the two games, they played Thousand Oaks, who they lost to, and Buena, who they beat. According to senior Grace Quandt, the highlight of the short season, “Was definitely beating Buena.” Within such a short season, the team still found time to beat VHS’s rival team. Senior Julia Horstmeyer commented, “I will forever remember rushing onto the court with the people I had spent the last four years with celebrating because that was what we had spent so many practices, tournaments, and long hours working for.” The senior night took place on the night of the Buena game, giving the seniors and positive and memorable way to finish off their four years.
The varsity boys soccer team placed sixth in the Pacific View League, with three wins, eight losses, and one draw. As many VHS seniors experienced and can attest to, students’ sports seasons were unprecedented during the 2020-2021 school year. “My senior year was really weird, I thought we wouldn’t have a soccer season,” said Chris Gonzalez. Despite the unusual circumstances, the team still managed to have a memorable season and push through the obstacles. Senior Camilo Aviles said, “Our season did not go the way we planned and wanted it to be like but we worked hard every single game with only little time to develop with each other.” Aviles shared the highlight of his season was during the team’s second game against Buena High School. “It was unreal to score two goals that night and the second one being an unforgettable bicycle kick that left everyone in that stadium shook.”
The girl’s soccer team placed fifth in the Pacific View League, with three wins and seven losses. The coach of the team, Todd Tackett said, “We didn’t do as well as we wanted to. We didn’t think we would have a season but then all of a sudden we had a season.” Senior Devin McNulty also found the season to not go as planned “due to not being able to practice and connect like we normally could pre-COVID-19.” Despite the outcome of the season not being ideal, the team persevered and ended the year on a high. “I have to say though this was by far my favorite season I’ve ever played during my high school years. I’ve never felt more connected and comfortable with a team than I did with this one. I felt proud to be a part of a strong group of girls and I’ll never forget our laughs! Saving a [penalty kick] was definitely the highlight of my playing time!” said McNulty.
Varsity football gathered a total of 4-1 wins this season, including the very 28-25 win that placed the bulldogs back in their doghouse for the 11th consecutive year. Senior Dorian Dawson shared, “My favorite moment was when we beat Buena and held the trophy.” Scoring an average of 4.2 touchdowns per game, and a total of 21 touchdowns this season, varsity football came to win regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the season. Senior Erik Maxwell shared his thoughts on his final high school games, “What I’m going to miss the most is being with the team every day and playing under the lights every Friday night.” Maxwell commented on the obvious differences between this year’s season and the years prior, “[COVID-19] took away a lot of time that we could have spent together as a team. It also felt really weird during the games with the stadium being so empty.” Empty stadiums or not, families and friends still gathered to watch the games held through Zoom and cheered for a successful season.
Boy’s Cross Country
Girl’s Cross Country
Baseball Varsity baseball steps up to the plate.
Photo from: Felix Cortez
Boy’s Basketball Girl’s Basketball Despite COVID-19, varsity The varsity girls are finally boys slam dunked this season. back on the court.
Photo from: Felix Cortez
Photo from: Felix Cortez
A team that’s in it to win it.
Photo from: Mason Jekogian
Running through the deep.
Photo from: Mason Jekogian
Alexis Mendoza
Alex Hernandez
Alex Hernandez
Sophia Nacu
Sophia Nacu
The VHS varsity baseball team is currently placed second in the Pacific View League with eight wins and two losses. The team has had a batting average of 127, while also having 87 runs batted in. Senior Robert Velasquez said, “I love how the team performed throughout the season, even though the pandemic really took a toll on us. We were still able to push through and work hard, it just shows how resilient these guys can really be.” This season has also come as a surprise to players in the VHS baseball team, one of them being senior Taylor Ruby. Ruby said, “I wasn’t expecting to play this season at all, but when it was announced sports would be returning, we all played great and it couldn’t have been achieved without the players.”
“Our season is going well. My favorite part is spending time and playing games with my team which is really fun,” said senior Caleb Gilbert. The varsity boys team’s most recent game was a 53-61 loss against Buena High School and are currently 3-3 in the Pacific View League. Senior Shlim Simone’s favorite part of the season was practice where he could, “Mess around while still getting the work in.” The coach of the team, Dan Larson said, “We adapted as well as we could. Things changed so quickly. We went from strict protocols being outside only to playing indoors within a week. I am optimistic. At this moment we have four league games left and five games overall. We can still accomplish a lot. I certainly want to finish strong for our school, our team and our seniors.”
The girls are currently 5-1 in the Pacific View League and number two overall. “I think our season so far has been going really well and our team has had a really strong bond since we have all been playing since we were kids,” said junior Alexis Howery. Howery’s favorite part of the season has been the team’s bonding, especially during road trips to games. The coach of the team, Ann Larson, said, “Anything that can get our world slowly back to normal is good. We started the year doing zoom workouts on computers and phones, later we got to practice six feet apart outdoors at Cabrillo Middle School, and now we are actually playing games and enjoying true basketball. They have adapted really well over the course of the school year! I am very proud of them!”
Although COVID-19 had a huge impact on the boys cross country season, the team did not let that get in the way of enjoying their year. Although the first eight months of not being able to train with one another was a challenge, the boys proved that they were up to it. VHS senior, Tomas Mountcastle, said “I really enjoyed being able to watch all of my teammates race and excel this season. Even with such barriers to competitions and running, they all really stepped up to the place and killed it out there.” Mountcastle continued, “having people to share the love of running with is something spectacular. Andrew Martinez, Matthew Champagne, and Willeam Mendez for being there since day 1.” Of course, they couldn’t have done it without the help and guidance of their coach, Tyree Cruz. “Finally, I want to thank Coach Cruz for being such a stellar coach.”
The girls cross country team is something special! While they only got to compete in three races this year, the team made sure to make the most of it. 2020 has definitely had its ups and downs, but the team made sure to never let it affect their ability to persevere and work through hardships, such as social distancing and very rarely seeing one another at the beginning of the season. VHS senior, Taylor Sovich spoke on this topic, “I think COVID-19 did impact this season socially. We definitely used to have more XC girls on our team, but nonetheless, we still had a great little group and new girls who decided they wanted to come out and run for us during the pandemic, which was so awesome to see!” Although lacking in numbers, the team proved themselves worthy as they raced and got close with one another this year.
Sports Recaps Girl’s Golf Swing low, sweet chariot.
Softball Hey batter batter, swing!
Photo from: VHS Softball
Photo by: Anna Guerra
Logan Wilkov
Jack Schatzman With the varsity girls golf team on a winning streak, they are set to be winning their season with no losses to date. With the team playing six matches against all schools in the Ventura league, they won each match ending their season 6-0 in the league. “We’ve been doing really good this season and I’m really happy at how we’ve been doing this season. We’ve won all of our matches and that makes me really proud of my team,” said senior Breanna Burke. The team had to encounter a lot of obstacles and challenges in this new COVID-19 landscape for sports, and that made them closer, while also deepening their appreciation for golf and the people they are surrounded by. “This year has been really tough but I’m happy that I got to evolve with the team but also as a person,” said sophomore Belen Hibbler. The varsity girls are hopeful to be part of CIF Championships next year.
Track Not a jog, but a sprint to the finish line.
The girls Varsity softball
team stands fourth in the Pacific View League with a 2-6 and overall 4-7 record. Senior team co-captain Kayden Kapp said, “For softball, I feel like we improve more every year. All of the girls are so fun and amazing to play with. I love them so much and will miss them.”
Junior team co-captain
Bella Peinado continuously applied pressure at the pitching mound with a total of 27 strikeouts across the ‘21 season according to MaxPreps. “This year was by far the best experience I had in all four years of high school. I can’t wait to see them in the future balling out,” senior team co-captain Jade Leoffler said.
The varsity girls just kept on swimming.
Boy’s Tennis And the tennis balls kept on flying.
Photo from: Grace Endaya
Photo by: Livia Vertucci
Elise Sisk In the 2021 swim season, the Ventura High School swim team placed first overall. They stood undefeated in the season and have come in first place in all five meets. In the Buena v. Ventura swim meet, they came in first. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of sports have been forced to change, swimming was no exception. Senior Jonathon Fleming said, “This year’s swim dynamic hasn’t been too different from previous years. We pretty much practice and go to meets like normal. The only slight difference is the lack of personal interactions with other teams.” The social interaction was a large part of the swim meets, but that lack of interaction this year did not hinder the swim team’s ability to compete. Senior Grace Endaya said, “This team is second to none and I have loved every second of this season with them. Everyone works so well together and there’s never a lack of hard work and laughter at practice.” Overall, the 2021 swim team did not let the pandemic stop them from winning.
Livia Vertucci
There have been many
changes this year, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the hard work of the boy’s varsity tennis team. This year has been tough, but the boy’s tennis team has been staying consistent. “The season was fun. I was glad to have one,” said varsity player Jack Gordon, “COVID-19 made the team a lot smaller, but overall we had a good season.”
On May 6, the boy’s
team went against Buena. “We won the game against Buena. It was hard work, but I was super proud of us. It’s definitely harder having such a small team, but we work really hard,” said Gordon. The varsity boys also qualified for CIF. COVID-19 had a major impact on so much, but the boy’s varsity tennis team ended with an undefeated season.
Girl’s Tennis Varsity girls tennis team ballin out.
Photo by: Livia Vertucci Livia Vertucci While this tennis season hasn’t been the most normal, the girl’s varsity tennis team turned the adjusted covide season and made it as normal as possible. “Overall, I felt super good about this season. It was definitely an adjustment and completely different, but we won most of our games!” said senior Tess Luoma. Recently, the varsity girls went up against cross-town rivals Buena, winning the season’s biggest game 15-3. The varsity girls have been working hard to make up for the lost time after starting their season late because of the pandemic. “I love being on the tennis team. It has been a nice break from COVID-19. I also really love the community,” senior Talia Wilcox said, and went on, “We had a full season, and luckily it’s pretty easy to socially distance in this sport, so we’ve gotten to practice.” While other sports had to stop training due to COVID-19, tennis has been able to meet their entire season. Along with beating Buena, the girls have made their mark in the competition field by qualifying for CIF, one of their many achievements.
Boy’s Waterpolo Girl’s Waterpolo Boy’s Wrestling Girl’s Wrestling Masked and splashed.
Photo from: Liam Genkel
Photo from: VHS Cougar Athletics
Jocelyn Wood While this season looked a bit different from others, the varsity boys and girls track and field teams still persevered and made their way to the top. As they did not lose a single meet this season, they won their biggest meet this season against Buena. Senior Julia DiSilvestre broke the school record in triple jump, which was last set in 1982. DiSilvestre said, “Although this season wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for, I am so grateful to have gotten a chance to compete at all. We couldn’t go to some of the bigger meets but what we have done has been a blast! The team has really come together and given it everything they’ve got. COVID-19 took away a few months of our normal training but we did not let that affect our performance.”
Swim
The Cougar Press Senior Edition Page 19
Riley Ramirez
Varsity boys waterpolo
had 8-2 this season, which also just marked the 25th consecutive year that varsity boys had won against Buena High.
Senior Rory Brutton
chose to speak on a highlight of the season, “[My] favorite moment was when Jack Zilles blocked two penalty shots in one game.” Senior Charlie Richards also commented on some highlights, “My favorite moment of the season was beating Buena in our last game of the season, and I’d like to shout out all the boys that decided to come back and finish off our last year of water polo.”
Drown? More like dominate.
Wrestling through a unique season.
Photo by: Logan Wilkov
Photo by: Caroline Marsden
Riley Ramirez Varsity girl’s waterpolo went three wins and five losses this season. The girls beat Buena twice, as well as Newbury Park in overtime 14-12. They, however, lost both games to Oxnard and Rio Mesa, and lost a game to Thousand Oaks as well. Co-team captain senior Taylor Nichols said, “I want to shoutout my fellow [co] captain Ashley Roberts, as she was an amazing teammate to have by my side and I don’t think I could have done without her. Water polo was a remarkable experience and I have met some pretty outstanding people because of it. I will never forget the endless battles we fought as a team and especially the obstacles we faced this year. I’m proud of every one of my teammates for staying hopeful and willing to adapt to such a unique situation. I will never forget my water polo experience here at VHS!”
Caroline Marsden
Boys wrestling had a
short but victorious season. The team won against four schools, Channel Island 72-6, Pacifica 4133, Rio Mesa 48-30 and Buena 43-38. “Wrestling season for us was very scrambled and filled with last minute decisions but with such a headstrong coach we made worth out of the little we got for a season and got business done,” said senior Stormie James. Senior Jesse Zapata also shared his thoughts, “Wrestling season this year was odd of course, a struggle of getting back into shape. But the team was strong together and we were prepared better than the other teams.”
Girls fight their way out of a season like no other.
Photo from: D. Hanson Caroline Marsden Senior Selena Garcia spoke for the girls wrestling team on her overall experience, “Although I didn’t take my opportunity to wrestle this season, my girls worked harder than ever. They all surprised me. I’m so proud of everything they’ve achieved. My coach, he’s given us everything. He’s done so much for us, for himself, for our parents. I’m so grateful to be a part of something like that. They have no idea how much they’ve truly pulled me out of a corner I thought I would never leave. That’s my family. ‘4lifers.’” The varsity girls went up against Channel Islands, Pacifica, Rio Mesa and Buena. Sophomore Hannah Benson loves wrestling because, “It allows me to vent.” Hannah’s favorite moment was, “When I placed 8th in CIF.” Sophomore Elsa Safranski said, “Why do I wrestle? It’s because I don’t want to be in PE class and I just want to try something new,” Elsa added, “It sucks that sports are being delayed and at the same time I’m trying to stay safe and stop COVID-19 from spreading.” This year, girls wrestling trained through an unusual season but gained lots of experience.
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11 1. (From left to right) Seniors Elliot Feingold, Angie Flum, Katie Medina, Riley Ramirez and Yasmin Myers. Photo from: VHS Yearbook 2. Seniors Casper James (left) and Emma Lisle (right). Photo from: Emma Lisle 3. Seniors Sofia Mastroianni (left) and Riley Meagher. Photo from: Sofia Mastroianni 4. Art by: Ben Pace, see page 2 5. (From left to right) Seniors Aryssa Ozuna, Cade Ledesma, Devin Larsen, Caleb Gilbert, Charlie Richard, Rory Bruton, Joe Lowry, Blaise Basile, Jake Nichols, and Dylan Nicodemus. Photo from: Joe Lowry 6. Seniors Anna Guerra (left) and Yasmin Myers (right). Photo from: Yasmin Myers 7. (From left to right) Seniors Devin Larsen, Riley Meagher, and Peyton Redmond. Photo from: Sofia Mastroianni 8. (From left to right) Seniors Joe Lowry, Blaise Basile, and Jake Nichols. Photo from: Joe Lowry 9. (From left to right) Seniors Alyssia Troutman, Angie Flum, and Samantha Hirschorn. Photo from: Alyssia Troutman 10. Art by: Ben Pace, see page 2 11. (From left to right) Seniors Peyton Redmond, Riley Meagher, Devin Larsen, Breanna Burke, Kylie Pence, and Emma Lisle. Photo from: Emma Lisle 12. (From left to right) Seniors Benet Bouchard, Abigail Martinez, and Paulina Perez. Photo from: Benet Bouchard
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Bon Voyage Cougar Class of ‘21