2016-2017 Issue 3 (October 28, 2016)

PANTHER

PROWLER

Friday October 28, 2016 Issue III Newbury Park High School 456 N. Reino Rd., Newbury Park, CA 91320

Across borders Student Immigrants start a new life at NPHS

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4 @npprowler

Check out our website @ pantherprowler.org

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2 Halloween costumes: scary for the wrong reasons staff editorial

Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

Alyssa Boedigheimer/Graphic Artist

Offensive halloween costumes lead to false representation of cultures, and only fuels the stereotypes, ignorance, and insensitivity in America.

Despite what Halloween costumes may lead you to believe, Native Americans are not uncivilized, Mexicans are not for your entertainment and women are not sex objects. Halloween costume companies will sexualize or stereotype anything in order to make it sell. Cultural appropriation and sexism have become unavoidably present in Halloween costumes, and it needs to stop.

Cultural appreciation becomes appropriation when the wearer misrepresents and trivializes the race or culture.

Making a culture sexy or perpetuating stereotypes resides in the category of appropriation. When persons of a culture wear their traditional dress, people often ridicule them, but when other cultures wear the same thing, they get called fashionable or entertaining. This double standard is the reason why cultural appropriation has permeated our nation and desensitized its citizens. Usually stemming from ignorance, these costumes contribute to a society laden with racism.

Sexy, uncivilized, drunk: all three are staple features of the Native American Halloween get-up. All three are insulting stereotypes, whether Halloween enthusiasts care to admit it or not. Native Americans are not a trend or fashion statement.

The Halloween costumes simplify and degrade the meaning of their culture and traditions. Costumes like Sexy Tribal Native or Drunk Indian create an untrue version of what it means to be Native American. Their history is not a costume. To represent Natives’ culture in derogatory costumes sends the message that it’s okay to invalidate their heritage.

People try to ridicule the Mexican culture by dressing up as

their stereotypes, further reinforcing xenophobia in our society.

People dress as Mariachi bands, wear sombreros with oversized mustaches and even wear the Mexican flag in a promiscuous dress. Costumes following this theme allow racism to flourish where it should’ve been halted. They serve no other purpose besides poking fun at Mexican culture. Typically out of ignorance, people adorn themselves with sugar skull costumes and celebratory outfits for Day of the Dead. This holiday is deeply tied into Mexican culture to honor those who have passed away. This celebration is defaced by others, taking away it’s actual purpose. Trying to turn Day of the Dead into something it’s not is a disrespectful and unfair to those who celebrate it.

Although Halloween is not related to Day of the Dead, it still holds religious value to Catholics. Halloween is a holy day also known as All Hallows’ Eve, which celebrates All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1st). Considering that Halloween is a Catholic holiday, a Naughty Nun outfit is extremely crude. This shows how corrupt our understanding of Halloween is. An attempt to find humor in sexualizing a religion exemplifies how misleading our interpretation of Halloween is.

Halloween costumes oversexualize everything about women’s appearances. An online Halloween costume shop displays a Women’s American Beauty costume as being dressed in a skin tight bodysuit and modeled by a blonde haired, blue eyed woman. America is a variety of different traits that cannot be branded. To try and tell people what the American Beauty image should look like, sends a biased message that encourages

stereotypes in our society. Why should women have to be dressed in tight clothing to be considered beautiful? Why was it a blonde woman with blue eyes to display the costume?

Perhaps unintentionally, but not so discreetly, this Halloween costume represents the typical ignorance of America.

Furthermore, Halloween’s obsession with sex appeal has reached a ridiculous extent. Costumes like Sexy Goldfish or Sexy Squirrel are completely unnecessary, yet, similar costumes litter the stores. When young girls see that all the costumes come at the expense of her body, the misogynistic ideology that women are nothing more than their bodies is perpetuated and instilled.

Many people have justified cultural appropriation and oversexualized Halloween costumes by saying they look cute or that it’s for fun. However, you cannot just pick the parts you like in a culture, and neglect the other traditions and customs that come alongside. Halloween costumes takes one aspect of a culture and twist it into something completely different. This leads to misrepresentation of the minority groups’ heritage.

Oversexualizing Halloween costumes tells women that they have to wear these provocative costumes in order to feel attractive or of value. The circumstances change if they want to wear it for themselves, but society’s pressure to dress a certain way is misogyny. Halloween was once a holiday of fun and fright, but it now has been manufactured into a racist and sexist sentiment.

There is still an abundance of Halloween costumes that aren’t offensive. Choose one of those.

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table of contents.

2 3 4 5 6

Editorial: Halloween Costumes Zachary Young Mock Election NPHS Club Day Trump vs. Clinton

Brangelina Breakup DPS: Student Immigrants

New Campus Police

Last-Minute Costumes

Blair Witch Project Zombie Run Cross Country Dario Longhetto #NPHSHoco2016

news Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

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Remembering Zachary Young Emily Nagamoto Photographer Somber silence sits on the crowded church like a blanket as Robert Young collects himself on the podium. He continues his emotional eulogy, making people laugh and cry as he recalls stories from when his son was alive.

Zachary Young passed away on Sept. 9 at the age of 16.

His memorial was held on Oct. 8 at St. Julie’s Billiart church, where friends and family gathered to share their memories of him. The heartfelt service began with his father describing his life with Zach, and how he should never be forgotten.

“There will never be another Zach, he was one of a kind and can never be replaced. We as parents loved every inch of him including his butt crack,” said Young.

Almost all who knew Zach describe him as a positive person, trying to spread happiness and laughter everywhere he went. Many people at his memorial expressed the warm friendliness Zach showered everyone with.

“It felt like every time you walked in you’d see a smile on his face and you’d get a smile on your face. It was just very positive, it was always happy. He’d always be cracking jokes, like he’d always try to make you feel comfortable,” neighbor and longtime friend Joshua Covington said.

Baylee Hubert, junior, knew Zach since middle school, and felt the same warmth Covington described.

There will never be another Zach, he was one of a kind and can never be replaced.

“[He] just made everyone laugh and was always there for me, always love, we never fought. It was just constant love. He was like my brother, like my family,” Hubert said.

The 16-year-old was known for playing football and wrestling. His mother, Stephanie Young, said her favorite moments with Zach were watching him play sports.

“He just loved playing sports. That was his passion and he gave it 100%,” she said.

Playing left tackle in football, his team went undefeated their freshman year, and were league champions in his sophomore year. Still, after growing up playing football, he

Jaycen Sussman Staff Writer

ion iss

colleges change application prompts

and what he has meant. Use him as strength to make better choices in your life. If one person could be saved from Zach’s death, then that means he didn’t die in vain,” Young said.

While drugs led to the end of Zach’s life, they should not define it. The many people who crossed their paths with Zach treasured his warm and kind spirit. Mitchell Vansant, junior, who met Zach through football and had become close this past summer, echoed this sentiment.

“I don’t want people to look at him and just think that he was a bad kid because he made a bad choice. Everyone makes bad choices, some people just get caught up in the wrong place. Just know that he was a good kid,” Vansant said.

Zach accepted everyone as they were, and those who are close to him want everyone to do the same for him. They mourn his loss, but are happy they got to know him, and refuse to let go of his memory.

“I don’t want people to remember that. . . ‘Oh, he overdosed on drugs.’ I just want people to remember who he was and remember the good and the smile and the way he always laughed.,” Hubert said.

Visit his website, zacharyyoung.net, to learn more about Zach, read stories shared by those who knew him best, and keep his memory alive.

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University of California

More than meets the eye- On Oct. 8, Zachary Young’s friends and family gathered to commemorate his life. Stephanie Young/With Permission

Well, it is that time of year again: college application season! For many Many believe that the new insight questions benefit the students and seniors, the University of California (UC) school system is a popular choice. give colleges a variety of ways to get to know the applicants.

This year, they must deal with changes that were made to the UC application Ben Yang, senior, has applied to many UC schools, and believes the changes process in March. made were “not necessary, but decently good.” n s o / W it h mm Pe What used to be two essay prompts that applicants must respond a Co Yang stated that the new questions “help you self reflect in a r i to in 1000 words, was revised to eight short answer questions, much easier way than it was with the original essays. It helps or “personal insight questions ,” that students must answer in you think about what you want to write about, and it guides fewer than 350 words. The questions request insight on favorite you to exactly what you’re answering.” academic subjects, leadership history and other subjects Shiv Sompura, senior, agrees that the changes are regarding students’ education. beneficial, but challenging for students to express themselves Counselor Richard Napora believes the UC School System concisely and effectively. changed the prompts to these new insightful questions because “I like it because it’s short and you can get through it “...there were a lot of complaints from both applicants and from fairly easily. What I don’t like is that you have to put a lot of information into a small amount of words, and that’s a bit harder readers that the former applications weren’t capturing the information the colleges were looking for. They wanted the questions to be more reflective to do in my opinion,” Sompura said. of the student’s genuine voice, and they thought that, by changing them to While their opinions may differ slightly, Napora, Yang and Sompura all feel insight questions, they would be able to get more information that was relevant that, at the end of the day, the new UC Prompts may have been unnecessary, but will benefit applicants and colleges alike. to the students applying to the campuses.”

Wiki me d

Robert Young Father

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decided to begin wrestling on the off season of football, putting in hard work and effort, and moving up to varsity in his first year. Zach even made it to the end of season competition, CIF, representing the district against thousands of other high schools in the state.

“He put his fears aside and took on the challenge knowing it was going to be tough. It was another proud moment,” his father said about his development in wrestling.

Among the athlete’s other pastimes was his love of surfing. At the memorial, there was a surfboard signed by all of his friends to commemorate this passion. He loved anything to do with the beach, and shared this bond with his father and grandfather.

His family was about to go on a surf trip up the coast when everything changed, and would never be the same.

It was the demon that Zach had continuously struggled with in his short life. His addiction to drugs first became noticeable in middle school, when he began doing marijuana. Zach’s father said it was his worst nightmare, but he tried to help and be vocal about it, never hiding anything from his son, or those around him.

There seemed to be recurring cycles; Zach doing drugs, becoming clean, then falling back into his deadly habits. In Oct. of 2015, Zack had ventured into the drug that took his life, heroin. Asking for help from the sheriff, Zach’s father learned that heroin use was on the rise, with very few survivors, and that the family should seek help and fight against it. Immediately, they enrolled Zach in therapy, but after five months of staying clean, he relapsed and overdosed, ending up in the ICU. “I asked him one day in rehab, ‘Zach, I can’t wrap my head around this addiction you have with heroin. Why would you take it knowing it could easily kill you at any time?’ He said, ‘Dad, you’ll never understand. It’s something I think about every single minute every day. Unless you do it you’ll never understand, that’s all I can tell you.’”

“I began to realize this horrible addiction could take my son’s life. . . his mother and I did the only things we could do, and that was to keep him busy with sports, transfer him to a different high school in attempt to distance him from his temptations, and put him in outpatient rehab,” Young said.

Zach never fought going to therapy, and had actively taken on the challenge of ending his addiction. But despite all the hard work he and his family put in, it soon got the better of him, and altered their lives forever.

Like his outspokenness during Zach’s life, his father continues to stress the importance of getting help, and that Zach’s death could be a wakeup call for those who are addicted.

“Life is about decisions. Please remember Zach on this day

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news Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

Students participate in voting simulation Maya Chari Staff Writer Alyssa Boedigheimer Sports Designer Students lined up at the cafeteria with voter guides in hand. After meticulously studying the propositions and evaluating the different candidates, this past tuesday students finally got to cast their fake ballots for the NPHS mock election. For students under 18, the mock election was an event in which they could see what participating in democracy is like. With the presidential election coming up in just over a week, there is an ever increasing buzz over who will be the new leader of the United States.

Sponsored by Ventura county, this school wide event allowed students the chance to experience what the voting process entails.

The school was equipped with voting booths and ballots which mimicked the legitimate ones used for the national election, including an option to “vote” for the upcoming president as well as propositions.

“We (had) the entire ballot available for students,” Steve Johnson, social science teacher, said. “So it’s not just for president of the United States. We want them to know that their vote counts at the state level and locally.”

The mock election projects the student body’s ideas about national leadership and legislation.

The election took place during classes and was open to all students who had teachers willing to participate in the event.

History teacher Mr. Bradley, has organized the event for three years and is proud

to say that NPHS is the only school in the county that hosts an event like this. “(We had) several hundred if not close to a thousand students” who voted in the election, said Bradley. Many students were inspired to vote in the mock election because of the tumultuous political situation, and many who will be eighteen by November 8th plan on participating in the actual election.

The results of the poll favored Clinton enormously. However, they may not accurately represent the student body because the majority of underclassman didn’t get the chance to participate, and some students did not take voting seriously. “ I’m very excited about the upcoming election and very passionate about the two upcoming candidates, and so I wish I could have made a difference in my school’s politics” said sophomore Eesha Chattopadhyay, who didn’t get a chance to vote.

It is unfortunate for underclassman who didn’t get to participate, because the mock election for presidential candidates is only held every four years.

Though the mock election has been held in the past, two, four and eight years ago, “it’s been getting bigger every year, because Mr. Bradley has been doing a really good job getting the word out and making it into a bigger event,” Calaba said.

Mock Election Results House of Representatives

President

Brownley 60.70%

Dagnesses 39.30%

Clinton 56.70% Trump Johnson Stein La Riva

31.80% 6.80% 3.20% 1.40%

Senate Harris 60.00% Sanchez 40.00%

Propositions and Results 51

YES 60.00%

57

YES 68.70%

63

YES 66.60%

52

YES 61.50%

58

YES 68.70%

64

YES 66.30%

53

YES 52.60%

59

YES 52.50%

65

YES 63.50%

54

YES 56.80%

60

NO 51.40%

66

YES 53.40%

55

YES 57.50%

61

YES 59.80%

67

YES 63.30%

56

YES 77.40%

62

YES 53.50%

All American High School Film Festival honors NPHS students in New York Angela Shwartz Opinion Designer

Hard work pays off-Owens, offMeinhof, and Nuno pose before the premiere of their films in Times Square. Steven Owens/With Permission

Planning out scenes, finding the right lighting, and spending hours editing film, film students, Alex Meinhof, senior, Steven Owens, senior, and Andres Nuno, senior, are the stars behind the camera. All three entered the All American High School Film Festival last spring with the aid of film teacher Derek Grimes. Out of thousands of entries from across the country, Meinhof, Owens, and Nuno were finalists and were given the opportunity to travel to New York to see their film.

Meinhof and Owens were required to enter into the competition as a part of their grade for Advanced Digital Video Production, while Nuno, who was in Mass Media at the time, entered by himself.

“I was a little surprised Andres entered because he never told me… But it was great that he got the motivation to go out and do that on his own,” Grimes said.

Grimes encouraged the students to enter so they would try their best.

“I think it’s part of knowing someone is going to see your work outside of this class gives you motivation to do the best you can do. You know you’re going to have to enter it in and people will be judging your work,” Grimes said.

Meinhof created a music video for the song,“Fog Lake” by Dog Years, a Canadian alternative band.

“It was really weird music. But the song was my inspiration. The way he approaches the music, it instills some kind of emotions in yourself that you want to express,” Meinhof said.

Owens also created a music video, but for a local band called

Static. The music video was based on their song, “Can’t You See.” He was surprised to find out he was a finalist in July.

“It was a pretty good feeling. I was actually pretty surprised to be honest; it was pretty awesome… My friends and family were (also) very excited for me. My mom got very interested in it and did some research on whether or not we could go to New York or not,” Owens said.

Nuno chose to enter the Jostens Yearbook Time category, where the film must tell a story while featuring a yearbook.

“The inspiration came from my nephew. He has a disability in his leg and i wanted to show how people grow when they are different and feel like an outsider… It starts off with a 20 year old guy who goes to his attic and looks at a yearbook and he’s remembering the parts of his life going through school,” Nuno said.

The finalists’ films were shown at the AMC Times Square movie theater in New York City. Nuno and Owens attended the premiere of their films.

“It was crazy and little bit overwhelming. The AMC theater is a big theater in New York and you just see that they are showing your film. It was a really fun experience” Nuno said.

While neither Meinhof, Owens and Nuno left New York with the first prize, Grimes is proud of the students for making it so far in the competition.

“Competing against students across the country so that was a good experience for them. Just being chosen for a finalist is a pretty big accomplishment,” Grimes said.

news Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

Club Day jumpstarts the new year

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Olivia Luby Staff Writer Aditya Vunnum Staff Writer As you walk into the quad, countless tables and chairs spread out across campus, each featuring their very own ideas to improve the school and community. On Oct. 11, Club Day, students had the opportunity to see, and possibly join, any club that interests them.

Some of the biggest clubs here on campus, such as Key Club and Science Olympiad, participate in Club Day to advertise their clubs to attract students with similar passion.

Key Club, an organization within Kiwanis, is a club in which its members participate in numerous projects throughout the year to help improve the environment and community. Their new treasurer, Grace Hsu, worked the stand on Club Day. “We had a lot of freshman join this year, but I’m hoping more sophomores, juniors, and seniors will join too,” Hsu said.

In order to prepare for club day, the Key Club board typically, “has a short meeting and bake treats to sell at club day,” Hsu said.

In addition to Key Club, Science Olympiad also finds Club Day significant as it is a way to help raise money for their club.

Jack Smith, president of the Science Olympiad club, said that on Club Day their “first priority is trying to fund [their] team’s competition. The materials for building the projects [for the competition] and the books needed to prepare for the tests are quite expensive, so Club Day helps raise money for materials, too.”

Although boosting membership is an important factor, the funding is what allows Clubs to participate in competitions, conventions, and other activities. The Science Olympiad Club is an example of clubs that stress funding more than recruiting members on Club Day. “Although, building membership is always a huge part of the club.” Smith said.

Startups have a completely different task on club day. For example, the Zonta Club is new to NPHS and on Club Day they are trying to establish its name and recruit as many students as possible.

Isha Suresh and Erin Duffy, the co-presidents of Zonta Club, are looking for students that are passionate about helping women in other countries and hope that Club Day helps them out with this.

“Club Day is definitely going to help us get some sign-ups and we’ll get an idea about how

many people are interested in joining our club, “ Suresh said.

Zonta Club believes the best way to get the students’ attention is to shows what the Zonta organization is all about, and selling some treats is a good way to jumpstart its fundraising as well.

Whether the clubs are trying to get off the ground or just keep going, club day is an opportunity they don’t want to miss. Suresh said, “we’re hoping we’ll have good support and feedback from Club Day!”

New year brings new clubs- Students gather in the quad to experience the possibility of new oppurtunities and friendships on Club Day. Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

- ADVERTISMENT -

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opinion Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016 Caitlin Henderson/Prowler

I’m with

er

Maya Chari Staff Writer In the race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, voters are conflicted; disliked are both candidates. As result, some contemplate voting third party. But supporting Jill Stein of the Green Party and Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party would not help the national situation.

Americans want to vote third party in attempt to break the democratic-republican binary. It’s believed that a substantial Green or Libertarian vote would make a statement against the inaccessibility of a two party system.

They are right in that such a statement would be made but wrong in that an impression would be made.

The Libertarian platform is based upon individual rights and the minimization government influence.

The mission is to grant citizens sole dominion over their lives. Libertarians overlap on some policy with republicans such as taxation, education, and domestic policy. However, some views are more liberal such as the support of abortion, gay marriage and the rejection of the death penalty. Although some Republicans will vote libertarian as they don’t believe that Trump is a positive representation of their party, many will stick with voting republican because of some of the liberal policies. More conservative Democrats against Hillary may also vote for Johnson. The Libertarian party, therefore, would take away votes from both major candidates.

Unlike the Libertarians, the Green party is more leftwing than Democrats. Supported is public schooling, the government as a leading entity in environmental cleanup, LGBT equal rights, and Social Democratic economic

policy. Voters farther left who do not support Hillary will vote for Stein; the Green Party will not attract republican votes.

Therefore, democrats who dislike both major candidates are more likely to vote third party than republicans are. Democrats voting for Stein or Johnson to start a claimed third party revolution will result in fewer votes for Hillary and may make a short lived statement against governmental corruption. However, an advantage will be gained by Trump.

Voting Third party as neither major candidate is favorable is not the solution. If the voter dislikes both Hillary and Trump equally then the vote should go Hillary. Not because her policies are stronger or ethical but because Clinton as president is a realistic choice. Few of her policies, such as on gun control and abortion, will not be enacted as both the House of Representatives and the Senate are majority Republican. By voting for Trump, as his platform is similar to that of the House and the Senate, most of his policies will be enacted. The House and Senate are likely to support some of Trumps most conservative plans: a wall around Mexico and rejection of Syrian refugees. In addition, the short list for Trump’s top supreme court justice choices consists of candidates who embody the conservative, Trump spirit.

Hillary is a capable president who will keep the country stable, almost dormant. If a person is on the fence, don’t vote Green party, don’t vote Libertarian, and don’t vote for Trump. Vote for Clinton because she is our country’s smartest option.

Juice Cleansing is Terrifying John MacMillen Copy Editor The culture of Juice Cleansing is bizarre. It’s a bubbling location of the produce is even more so. syrup of colorful vanity and a fear of defecation.

Local Westlake juice bar Juice Ranch advertises that A juice cleanse is a temporary diet (three to seven days) its juice is “100% Organic. No Pesticides. No GMO. of cold pressed or unsweetened fresh juice--no Sunny D or 90% local. 10% tropical.” So I asked for a list Welch’s Grape. An important staple of a cleanse is the lack of farms or suppliers Juice Ranch buys from of claimed impurities: “Pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, to confirm their claims. Owner and founder preservatives, and various difficult to pronounce Scott Walker responded with a simple, single MOND chemicals disguised as food” as described by word answer: “No.” AY juice supplier Project Juice.

There’s a term for the negative side effects I was originally planning to do a of a juice cleanse: a healing crisis. “[Your body] juice cleanse for this article, but the breaks down toxins and fat cells and causes price for doing so was too much for my a release of poisonous compounds Y family or I to support. A juice cleanse into your bloodstream,” says Project A D TUES consists of six juices per day. However, one Juice. “Diarrhea, aches or pains, bottle of cold pressed or fresh juice, which rashes, headaches, and fatigue.” and to can be purchased either online or at a juice “feel irritated, anxious, fearful, angry, WEDNE SDAY bar, ranges from $10 to $20. Therefore, one depressed or foggy.” day of cleansing costs about $60, and a three I see the popularity of juice cleansing as day cleanse (the minimum recommended the desire to be too clean. On a juice cleanse, period) is about $180. For perspective, a bottle the user is meant to stop defecating after of Soylent 2.0 (a vegan, 400 calorie, pre-bottled initial diarrhea. In fact, Project Juice Y SDA THUR drink of all necessary nutrients) is $2.69. A day’s recommends warm water enemas to worth of nutrition from Soylent 2.0 is $13.45. help with said healing crisis.

Wealth is a necessary component for the juice Should the average person do a FRIDA cleanse culture. There are no juice bars in Newbury juice cleanse? Probably not. The health Y Park, one juice bar in Thousand Oaks, two in benefits of a cleanse are blurred but the Camarillo, yet five in Westlake. side effects aren’t. Unless you’re an adult And what kind of benefits come from a juice cleanse? actor or a self conscious lover, a juice The definition of a toxin is vague, and the growing cleanse is pointless.

Sifting through

facts and fiction Bella Robakowski DPS Designer Fact checkers have kept very busy during the recent political debates.

According to the New York Times, in the second presidential debate, Donald Trump made more than twenty two comments that were either lies or mis-statements. Hillary Clinton, by comparison, was tagged with four. We relied on fact checkers to seek and correct false information we are fed during the debates and clear up all the lies and mis-statements.

It’s truly a shame we aren’t able to have our own personal fact checkers to look into everything we hear throughout our day; high school can get pretty nasty with rumours flying around, and it’s not like we all have time to investigate every piece of gossip we hear.

There is nothing I hate more than being a topic of conversation.

The thought of people talking about me, good or bad, just makes me uncomfortable. However, recently, I got to be center stage of a conversation that my friend was listening to in which untrue rumours were being spread about me.

Questioning the validity of these rumours, instead of instantly taking them for fact, my friend texted me and asked me what was up with those comments. My friend gave me a chance to explain myself and shoot all the rumours down, the way it should be.

I had a similar experience my freshman year with Yik-Yak, the anonymous app that was super popular for about a month. It was so terrible that even crazy high schoolers like us figured out it was awful and stopped using it, which just goes to show you how bad it really was…

My name tended to pop up on the feed and I got quite a bit of attention for a little freshman. People really took the time to discuss rumours about my personal life, which surprised me since my life is pretty boring and I was a pretty insignificant freshman.

The experience was wild, however it taught me some great lessons about life. I learned to appreciate and respect the people who took the time to come to me and get the truth straight from the source. I also realized that I should do some fact checking as well before I believe everything I hear.

Those two epiphanies still influence me today. When rumours spread like wildfire and I find myself accepting them as true, I have to try to remember what I learned, choose to ignore the gossip, and pick a better topic for conversation. But, I’m not gonna lie, I sometimes catch myself being part of the problem, and when I realize it, I am embarrassed.

High school is absolutely crazy, and it’s easy to get caught up in the recklessness of gossip and whatnot. However, what is truly important is to strive to be the type of person you would respect. We may be in high school but the golden rule still applies: treat others the way you want to be treated.

Whether you are watching a presidential debate, browsing your Twitter feed or listening to stories around the lunch table in the quad, take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Do your own fact checking, because if we have a presidential candidate lying over twenty two times on national television, you probably can’t completely trust what the people sitting behind you in Spanish class are saying either.

opinion Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

On Sexuality

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John MacMillan Copy Editor Sexuality is a spaghetti. It’s a pile of randomly scattered noodles all supporting and leaning onto each other to complete a yellowish mess. I’m beyond understanding how the lump stands as it does, but I can enjoy it. However, those who say they have the answers to the toss-up terrify me.

When I was a small, impressionable child of ten, I kicked my legs in the pews of my local church. My mother sat to my left. My teenage sister sat to my right. I held my mother’s hand.

The preacher, stomping the stage with spiritual wrath, waved his arms toward his flock. It’s as if he was throwing theology at us like tennis balls.

“We are under attack!” said the preacher.

“Christianity is being abandoned--yes, abandoned!” His cadence was a spiking mountain range. His voice was a booming blast, and even

the few atheists’ hearts were rushed.

“And for what? Degeneracy! A man with a man, a woman with a woman?” His questions seduced us. His answers gave us climax. “It’s revolting!” My mother shook her head up and down. Her eyes and mouth were peeled open.

She squeezed my hand. The older women whooped. “God doesn’t make mistakes with his children. The serpent is in these sodomites, and only we can save them!” At the age of ten, I didn’t kick my legs any more. I sat in a still fear. I was a mistake. There’s a serpent inside of me.

But no more. I grew up. I learned that sexuality isn’t a virus or a snake slithering in my gut. It’s just spaghetti. I can string it through my hands and it won’t bite me. I wish the world was as comfortable with spaghetti as I am.

Brangelina is Dead. Get Over It. Nidhi Satyagal Staff Writer Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, dubbed Brangelina by the adoring public, are iconic, practically synonymous with modern Hollywood royalty. Their twelve-year relationship has been documented fervently by paparazzi and followed obsessively by fans. This glorification of celebrities and their relationships and the toxicity of the tabloid culture are an unhealthy obsession Graphic by: Angela Swartz/Prowler that speaks to the

larger truth of what we value as a society: material wealth and beauty.

No couple has ever inspired so many devoted followers with the allure of their beauty and fame. From Brad Pitt’s divorce with Jennifer Aniston, Brangelina’s wedding in France, to their untimely divorce, neither the tabloids nor the crazed fans have missed a thing. So naturally, when one member of a couple filed for a sudden divorce, rumors of infidelity and child abuse ran rampant.

Angelina Jolie filing for divorce has exploded into what might just be the biggest tabloid story ever told.

Celebrities are put on pedestals. They are transformed from everyday people to larger than life characters. And no pedestal was higher than Brangelina’s. So many people are guilty of apotheosizing celebrities, and it seems completely harmless until a celebrity’s personal freedoms and privacy are compromised.

Angelina Jolie’s probably devastating decision to file for divorce from Brad Pitt is nobody’s business but her own. People sit and watch them through a glass wall, pretending to know everything that occurs behind the scenes. However, the reality is we can never truly know everything about others, as much as we might try.

Instead of spending time judging and labelling Angelina Jolie as a “homewrecker” and Brad Pitt as a “bad father”, focus on things that truly matter.

For the record...

On page 4, we misidentified “Checkpoint Charlie” in Berlin as “Saint Point Charlie”.

On page 11, staff writer Megan Vlietstra conducted the “Student Vs. Teacher” article, not Caitlin Henderson.

On page 13, sports designer Alyssa Boedigheimer wrote the “Reign of Terror” article, not Jaycen Sussman and Rahul D’Souza.

The Panther Prowler deeply regrets and apologizes for any errors we have made. If you spot any errors we have missed, help us correct them by sending mistakes to: prowler.newspaper@gmail.com

PANTHER PROWLER 2016-2017 staff Editors-in-Chief Nina Chiuchiarelli Victoria Juan Entertainment Designer Lindsay Filgas

Ad Manager Megan Joshi Opinion Designer Angela Swartz

Copy Editors Rachnca Deshpande Connor Keep John MacMillen Clare Wang

Photographer Chief / Caitlin Henderson Sarah Lu Emily Nagamoto Farhaan Pathan Megan Vlietstra

Cover Designer Gianna Longo

Features Designer Nelson Kappas

Online Lindsay Filgas Nelson Kappas Sports Designer Alyssa Boedigheimer Graphic Artist Alyssa Boedigheimer DPS Designer Bella Robakowski

News Designer Kessa Chavez Clare Wang

Staff Writers Daria Azizad Maya Chari Rahul D’Souza Olivia Luby Kavita Rai Nidhi Satyagal Jaycen Sussman Aditya Vunnum Broadcast Lindsay Filgas Caitlin Henderson Connor Keep Jaycen Sussman Angela Swartz

The Panther Prowler is the official publication of Newbury Park High School, and is created and produced by the Advanced Journalism students. The newspaper is funded by advertisements from local companies. The Panther Prowler staff makes all final decisions on information published in its newspaper, its website and its publishing in other social medias. While Mrs. Michelle Saremi advises the Advanced Journalism students, the staff is solely responsible for what is printed.

The Panther Prowler is published every four weeks throughout the school year by American Foothill Publishing Co. For advertisement information, visit www.pantherprowler.org.

The Panther Prowler is accepting letters to the editor. To submit your feedback, please provide your full name, email and a letter about 300 words in length. Letters are subject to discretion and editing for taste, length and libel. Letters can be submitted to the email posted below.

Newbury Park High School 456 North Reino Road, Newbury Park, California 91320 (805) 498-3676 x 1110 prowler.newspaper@gmail.com

Adviser Michelle Saremi

8 Student immigration Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

The land of opportunity:

GOING THE DISTANCE TO BECOME AN AMERICAN Caitlin Henderson Chief Photographer

At the crack of dawn, the rising sun shines orange through the dust in the atmosphere, kicked up from the parched ground. Shouts and chatter from the orphanage pierce the air as children mill about, getting ready for the day.

A young girl shoulders her belongings, and looks back at the building behind her.

This was her home. This was her life. But she’s leaving now, for an adoptive family with a different language and a different lifestyle. The destination? The United States.

It’s been about six years since that move and Ruthie Cosarelli, sophomore, now has a full schedule. She heads to ESL 3 in the morning, where she is the only non-native English speaker that does not speak Spanish. Though she attends NPHS now and takes classes such as World History, for the first decade of her life she was accustomed to an entirely different situation, culture, and lifestyle altogether.

When Cosarelli was eleven years old, she and her biological brother moved to the United States from an orphanage in Ethiopia to live with an adoptive family. Neither of them spoke any English.

“When I needed something, I couldn’t say anything, or when I was scared, it’s hard because I could only speak one language to my brother, and it was scary coming here,” Cosarelli said. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. I have to learn English. And then I have to forget my language.’ Because it was too hard to keep them all together. English is tough to learn because there are so many words that are similar.”

Though Cosarelli has lived in the United States for several years, she still remembers life before her adoption, and how different life is on another continent, let alone another hemisphere. According to The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ethiopia has one of the largest orphan populations in the world. 13 percent of Ethiopia consists of children missing at least one parent, estimating to about 4.6 million children. 800,000 of those children lost their parents from AIDS. “When I compare (Ethiopia to the United States), it’s not fair because where I used to live, I used to work a lot to get food and farming and stuff for water,” Cosarelli said. “The American people get a lot. So when I compare, it makes me upset. It’s unfair that some worlds are poor and some worlds are like here. When you know both ways, it’s weird and scary.”

Now, Cosarelli’s routine consists of different activities, such as cross country, where she practices until 5 p.m. each day of the school week. In the future, Cosarelli plans to attend college and become a nurse. She dreams of one day returning to Africa to help others.

“I want to be a nurse and then go back to Africa and then maybe help and stuff, because you know, I would love to visit Ethiopia,” Cosarelli said. “If it doesn’t work, I would like to travel around and help out people who are like me.”

Cosarelli was legally adopted, however it is still difficult for her to pass between borders. This challenge does not stop her from travelling on mission trips to help orphans outside of the United States.

“I went (on) Mexico trips and it was really scary to come back because it took a few minutes to let me pass, but I’m working on (my citizenship) because it’s really frustrating,” Cosarelli said.

Cosarelli is not alone when it comes to learning a new language and living in a foreign country. Daniel Beraza, senior, came to the United States three and a half years ago, searching for better opportunities and education. Unlike Cosarelli, he knew small amounts of English before traveling to the United States.

“My experience the first time (traveling to the US) was very tough and difficult. The first time, I didn’t know anything about English. I only knew,

‘hi, hello, good morning,’” Beraza said.

Immigrant students, which according to the Pew Research Center, make up 26 percent of the US population, face difficulty adjusting to American high school life, especially when dealing with resettlement, classes, and American students who only speak English.

“Sometimes the people treat you different,” Beraza said. “It’s hard (to make friends) because I’m afraid of what other people will think.”

Cosarelli also encountered obstacles when it came to her peers in other classes.

“When I’m in class, sometimes I’m afraid to write on a board because some people see me a little bit different, or maybe it’s just because I’m adopted,” Cosarelli said. “I used to care before a lot more, but now I’m like, ‘You know what?’ ...There’s nothing I can do about it.”

The challenges these immigrant students face begin long before they enrolled in school.. José Ireta, counselor, explains the situation not uncommon for refugee students who flee violence.

“Many (students) had to come here by themselves traveling for 30 days or more through three or four countries. It can be traumatic,” Ireta said. Some come because it was dangerous in their home country. Some have been separated from family and are reunited with a parent who may have come here a decade ago. They don’t know how to adjust to their new family.”

Beraza, who left his uncles, cousins, and grandparents behind in Mexico, is currently a US resident who hopes to one day become a citizen.

“I think (the United States is) a great nation, and (has) better opportunities for the people, better studies,” Beraza said. “(You can’t) break the laws to be a citizen. Follow the rules.”

After graduation, Beraza plans to study aviation in college and then join the US navy. “I always dreamed to be a fighter pilot,” Beraza said.

Alexandra*, junior, came to the U years ago. Upon her arrival, she, like B such as colors and numbers. “(Learning English is) a little difficu English when I can. Because of my fam I have the opportunity to speak Englis the United States to meet with her fa and career. “(I don’t miss my home country) b and in Guatemala I don’t have any o future,” Alexandra said.

According to the Office of Stude Guatemala has one of the “highest hom and according to the Global Education are not enrolled in school.

The Plyler v. Doe ruling cited, “ is not like the deprivation of some o undocumented children the right to a The case dealt with a Texas law that from attending school, and the Supr children, and impose(d) its discrimin characteristic over which children can Alexandra now has her green card, and apply to San Francisco University “I think the United States is the said. “Here, I feel safe, and I like to live free, so I don’t have to pay. In Guatema

*Name kept anonymous for source’s pri

P RUM

T

im

VS. m i g ra t i

CLIN on

TON

Build a wall

Illegal immigrants can become citizens

Extreme vetting

End three/ten year bars

Deportation task force to remove criminals

Protect Obama’s executive action

No pathway for non-criminal illegal immigrants to gain legal status

Teach ESL but support other languages

”he promised to repeal President Barack Obama’s executive orders shielding some younger undocumented people, including those born in the United States -- so called Dreamers, from deportation.”

-CNN

”She promised to go further than President Barack Obama, whose unilateral moves to keep more undocumented immigrants in the United States have infuriated conservatives.”

-CNN

7/10 students know an

Do illegal immigrant right to public educa YES 67%

N 13

Is Immigration a seriou YES 52%

YE 21%

Student immigration Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE HISTORY OF IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act

1982

Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202

ult, but I like English, so I love speaking mily, I can only speak Spanish, but when sh, I try,” Alexandra said. She moved to amily, and to recieve a better education

because in Guatemala it’s a lot of crimes, opportunities for work or get a good

ent Access and Completion (OSAC), micide rates in the Western Hemisphere,” n Fund, 2 million Guatemalan children

“The deprivation of public education other governmental benefit,” and gave a public education in the United States. prevented undocumented immigrants reme Court found it “directed against natory burden on the basis of a legal have little control.” , and plans to take her citizenship exam to be a designer. country for opportunities,” Alexandra e here with my family, and the school is ala, I have to pay.”

ivacy

n immigrant student

students deserve a ation?

Neutral 20%

us issue?

ES %

Revised version of the Dream Act

2001

The latest version of the DREAM Act does not grant legal immigrant status to anyone for at least two years. Other limitations include the removal of access to healthcare benefits and limits to chain migration

2012

1996

United States from Guatemala just two Beraza, knew small amount of English,

No 3%

The reform states those who are not “qualified aliens” are ineligible for federal public benefits. The act also gives states discretionary power to determine public school tuition rates and the authority to provide state financial aid

9

Neutral 27%

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down both a state statute denying funding for education to undocumented immigrant children and a municipal school district’s attempt to charge undocumented immigrants a tuition fee

Immigrant reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 Prohibits public higher education institutions from giving undocumented immigrants postsecondary education benefits that are not being given to U.S. citizens

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors The DREAM Act provided a mechanism for undocumented students of good moral character to become legal permanent residents

Learning a Foreign Language in a Foreign country

Angela Swartz Opinion Designer Imagine that, at the age of 13, you have to leave behind everything that you know: all your friends, your family, your habits, your lifestyle. You embark to a land where you don’t know the people or their know the language. Everything is left behind.

Most students attend local community schools. Immigrant students, however, travel thousands of miles to learn from the American educational system. But an unknown obstacle is in the way: learning English.

John Abney, English Language Development (ELD) 1 teacher, describes the English known by immigrants as limited.

“They may be able to count to ten. They may be able to know days of the week, say hello and goodbye, but aside from that they come in with very little knowledge into my class,” Abney said.

Immigrant students are placed in one of the three levels of the ELD program based on how much English they know. Students come from unique backgrounds and education. This makes it difficult for teachers to teach one standardized lesson plan.

“All these students come in at their own levels and they may not have gone to a formalized school before they got here, which makes it harder for them to learn,” Abney said. “It could also be (that) they have lived in California their whole lives and they have just been in the ELD program for all of school, and they haven’t got out for whatever reason, but this just illustrates the different levels students could be at. It demonstrates how I have to tailor the lessons for each individual student.”

Even though many immigrant students have a minimal understanding of English, classes are taught in English, which can be problematic.

“It is very difficult to learn a new language, especially English. English doesn’t sneak up on you from around the corner; it kicks down the door, punches you in face, and kicks you in the back,” Brandon Janes, ELD 2 teacher, said.

The language barrier isn’t just a problem for students, but also for the teachers.

The ELD teachers all know very little to no Spanish, which makes it hard to understand and converse with students.

“There have been issues before in the classroom between two or three students and I don’t know what is going on,” said Janes, “But based on body language, I know that something isn’t right, so I have to pull in Mr. Ireta or someone else who speaks Spanish.”

Even though the students and teachers within the ELD program struggle with communication, it is a positive learning experience for both parties. Students improve speaking and teachers learn more about their students’ and experiences.

“I’ve heard some amazing stories from my ELD students based on what

2010

The Obama administration presented an executive order for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding young people who came to the United States as children and currently reside as unauthorized immigrants

they’ve come from,” Janes said. “When they do share, it is very interesting; they do come from some varied backgrounds and challenging situations. Hearing that from them gives you a whole new respect for them.”

Their stories give the teachers a first hand experience with an unknown world.

“Overall, I think that most fellow students don’t know the plight of refugee students. I think all parties, such as students, staff, etc., need to be aware of what families sacrificed to get here and that even you could be seated next to someone in class who worked the last 4 years 10 hours a day earning 50 cents an hours,” José Ireta, school counselor, said.

In order to be considered English Proficient, students must pass all three levels of ELD along with the California English Language Development Test (CELDT.) Students are then deemed English Learner (EL) students and are entered into college preparatory classes.

“They are held to the same standards as everyone else. It can be really difficult for EL students when they are reclassified because there is a big gap they have to fill in order to catch up. It is really important for teachers to recognize that when they have an EL student in their class.,” Abney said.

Along with taking an ELD class, students are placed in other classes taught in English in hopes of completing the student’s graduation requirements.

“I’m taking World History, and World History is (about) a lot of Americans, and it’s a little bit different because the teacher will only speak English. But, he understands I don’t speak English well, so he tries to do the class more easily and more good,” Alexandra , junior, said.

Even though students take classes that count towards their diploma, many are still unable to graduate due to the language barrier and their entrance into public school. According to the Center for Immigration studies, as of 2011, 28.5% of immigrants did not receive their high school diploma, which is four times that of natural born citizens.

“If they come here later, it is nearly impossible to take required classes because they do not have enough time to learn English well enough to take classes like Biology, Geoscience, etc. NPHS only offers ELD classes to learn English and social science classes at the SDAIE (Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English) level. All other classes are only in English. When a student is seventeen and half, we refer (he or she) to adult school where they can earn a GED,” Ireta said.

But with the removal of the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE), as of two years ago, it has become easier for immigrant students to receive their diploma.

“The CAHSEE was a huge hurdle before, so we are seeing a lot more students now getting their diploma as opposed to the certificate (of completion of high school), so it is actually better for the students,” Janes said.

The ELD program has also implemented iLit this year, a reading program that incorporates technology to improve the student’s understanding. Teachers and students are now able to access numerous resources at school and at home.

“The program has been really helpful so far. They are all at a slightly different level and with this new program, they can all get their individual book assigned electronically,” Paula Anderson, ELD 3 teacher, said.

Although they come from different countries, immigrant students are the same as any other student.

“They are like most other teenagers: they are funny and they joke around. It’s just like any other class,” Anderson said.

10

features Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

Law enforcement & the students

Joe Ramirez stationed at NPHS to protect and support

Nelson Kappas Online Editor Deputy Joe Ramirez, of the Ventura County Sheriff ’s Department, has replaced Officer Web as NPHS’ school resource officer.

While Web has moved on to become a detective, Ramirez hopes to further bridge the gap between law enforcement and students.

“I’m here as a resource to you guys. My number one (priority) is not always to arrest, its to provide certain things to you guys, whether it be a mentor, someone to talk to if you are having issues, that’s what I’m here,” he said.

Ramirez has been working in law enforcement for 15 years and recently won the Kiwanis Officer of the Year Award for Thousand Oaks.

Ramirez described that while being a police officer was a childhood goal of his, he definitely faced obstacles along the way.

“I had the choice, or the opportunity, to go the good direction, or the bad direction … trust me, I came across a lot of peer pressure, but I was able to go with the right friends, talk to my parents, talk to my teachers, you know, hey, I’m getting pulled this way or that way,” Ramirez said. “Back in my day, we didn’t have school resource officers to talk to, so I think it’s a positive thing here.”

Joshua Eby, school principal, explained the history behind school resource officers.

“It started again maybe 8 years ago, maybe 9, and it came out of how they changed the funding and changed the DARE program … and put it into the school resource officer program,”

things

5 you d id n ot kn ow ab o ut

Megan Vlietstra/Prowler

Rick Sagerman // Campus Supervisor Emily Nagamoto Photographer

1

He has two grandchildren whom he loves to paint with.

2

For much of his life, he has coached and played baseball and football. He was even on a minor league team, the St. Louis Cardinals.

3

His favorite season is summer.

4

He has a passion for snow skiing and tries to ski 12-15 days a year.

5

He enjoys fishing, going to the beach, and boating.

he said.

Eby expects Ramirez to play a more active role as time goes on and students get to know him better and feel more comfortable approaching him.

“Deputy Web had been her for four years, and students knew him, so students would approach him with concerns or questions all the time,” he said.

A noticeable change from last year is the addition of body cameras on Ramirez’s uniform. This is likely in response to the increased strain between police departments and their communities. Conrad Jones, senior, believes that this is a welcome addition.

“Before these cameras came along it was the officer’s word against whoever,” Jones said, “(and) I respect law enforcement greatly, I do think the majority of the officers we have in the U.S. are very good, truthful and such, but then again, there are always a few bad eggs in the basket. So i do think the cameras are good at combating discrepancies or law enforcement problems that can arise.”

Jones also likes the idea of having an officer on campus.

“Overall I think it does contribute a lot to safety on campus, because there is a cop right there if anything goes wrong. Quick Response,” he said.

The Ventura County Sheriff Department’s SWAT team also has quick response in mind.

They can be seen occasionally taining here on campus and at other schools in the county. Ramirez explained the reasoning

behind this “Our SWAT team needs to be aware of what goes on at each campus, how the layout in each campus is. We have certain things set up so in case of an active shooter the teams know what they are doing,” he said.

A more noticeable aspect of on-campus law enforcement is the use of drug dogs on student backpacks. This practice is in fact not run by the school resource officer, but rather the administration itself.

Eby explained that “we (the administration) outsource to a private company. There job is to bring in the dogs and we do it randomly.”

Eby dismissed concerns that such tactics violate the privacy of students.

“When you are on our campus, we have full rights here (by law), just as parents do, to search you at any time.”

Jones is not too concerned with this issue, and is not against the use of the dogs.

“The bigger problem is people bringing those substances on campus, which is against the rules and the laws anyway. I think if anything it is not invading my privacy.”

Ultimately, as school resource officer, Ramirez stressed the most important aspect of his duties on campus.

“My biggest role here is safety and security, The kids, students, staff, they are my number one priority. Making sure they are safe,” he said.

New store turns Ragz to Richez Meghan Joshi Ad Manager Olivia Luby Staff Writer As you walk into the store, there lies an abundance of items: record players, clothing, jewelry and more. This new store, Ragz 2 Richez, doubles as a thrift store with numerous antiques and a consignment store for sports. Ragz 2 Richez opened earlier this month and has attracted numerous Newbury Park inhabitants.

They sell everything from vintage clothes to books to furniture. The only requirement is that everything comes secondhand, and to Ava Blanke, junior, that is the most appealing part of the store.

“You get all sorts of different furnitures and books from all sorts of different backgrounds; it makes for a really interesting, cultural place,” Blanke said.

She also bought a novel from the store,The Odyssey by Homer, “because it looked really vintage and the pages themselves had a history.”

Allison Gennette, junior, has been working at this store for over a month. She calls Ragz 2 Richez a “classy, high-end store with many cute clothes and vintage trinkets.”

“We don’t really have a store like it in Newbury Park,” she says. That’s what drew her initially to working there. There’s something for everyone, as the clothes “are more vintage, hipster, indie and the trinkets are really cute,” Gennette adds.

Blanke was drawn into the store by the bookshelves near the window. She also “spotted a really cool trunk and a couple of other furniture pieces”. She plans on going back soon “to explore and see what I can find next”.

Another employee hired about two weeks ago said she came about the store while on a run and became intrigued to check out the inside.

“I was on my run and when I passed it, I thought to look inside and it was super chill. I asked if they were hiring and that’s how I got the job.” Stacy* said about her first time in Ragz 2 Richez.

After working there only for a short time, Stacy finds the store “breathtaking because when [customers] think they are done looking around [they] always find something else that captures their eye.”

The items that contribute to this experience are from storage

lockers. “The owner buys the storage lockers like in storage wars and then sells the things in them in the store,” said Stacy.

Stacy also said Ragz 2 Richez was an important store to have in Newbury Park because “it’s an exciting adventure. You never know what you’re going to find.”

Ultimately, the future goals for the store are to “just make people smile with what they are buying,” Stacy said. * name changed upon request.

Up for sale - A wide variety of items can be found at the store.

Farhaan Pathan/Prowler.

features

STUDENT Andie Huff/Junior

1Which chess piece can only move diagonally?

Huff: The one I don’t know the name of. I’m gonna say horse.

Skaff: I so don’t play chess. The knight?

A: A bishop At least Skaff said a name of a chess piece. But good effort Huff!

Skaff: 0, Huff: 0.

2

VS

11

Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

TEACHER Kristen Skaff/Math

Megan Vlietstra Photographer

5 - 4 Huff Wins!

won the Super Bowl in 2016?

5Huff:Who The Broncos Skaff: Obviously my team The Broncos. Thanks to our defense.

A: Denver Broncos The Broncos won against the Carolina Panthers 24 to 10. Skaff: 3, Huff: 3.

When is Chinese New Year?

4 Huff: January 21st

What quote is Neil Armstrong best known for?

Skaff: This is like impossible. Is it soon? Ummm. February 25th A: January 28 Huff had the month but Skaff was closer to the date. However, neither of them knew the exact answer. Skaff: 3, Huff: 3.

Huff: It’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

Skaff: One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

A: That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

This historic moment has made its mark in both Skaff and Huff’s minds. Skaff: 1, Huff: 1.

3 Huff: The Nile

Megan Vliestra/Prowler

What is the longest river in the world?

Skaff: The Nile A: The Amazon Huff and Skaff were both short by 87 miles.

Skaff: 1, Huff: 1.

Approximately, how much do Disneyland tickets cost?

4Huff: Is it $99?

7

Who was Henry VIII’s first wife?

Huff: Catherine Skaff: Catherine of Aragon A: Catherine of Aragon Both Skaff and Huff remember the first in the long line of Henry VIII’s ex wives. Skaff: 4, Huff: 4.

of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient 8 Which World is still standing?

Huff: The pyramids?

Skaff: Is it the Stonehenge?

A: The Great Pyramids at Giza, Egypt Although Stonehenge is ancient, Huff takes the point. It was a close race, but Huff wins 5 to 4 with the final question.

Skaff: Exactly?? Like around $105.

A: $105 for one park for 10 and older and $99 for children.

Both Huff and Skaff seem to know their Disney trivia. Skaff: 2, Huff: 2.

Last minute Halloween costumes solve the end-of-October search Clare Wang News Designer Alyssa Boedigheimer Spots Designer Halloween is here again, and (for the dozenth time in a row) you have forgotten to get a costume. As always, everything from the costume store to the grocery store are completely out of their supply of costumes, and you are looking at the produce aisle wondering if wearing a bag of lettuce on your head would count. Well no worries! Here are some of the best last minute costumes you can make (lettuce is optional).

G HOST

A Halloween classic, the bedsheet ghost will leave a haunting impression, unless of course you are going as Casper.The costume has lots of potential: ghost, scared ghost, funny ghost, bored ghost, sad ghost - the list goes on and on! Highly modifiable simply by changing the sheet, this costume will pose the question: Who ya gonna call?

S T IC K FIG U R E

T OIL ET PAPER MUMMY

A rather unique choice, the stick figure costume will give you a healthy glow, using only a black outfit, tape, and LOTS of glow sticks, this costume is also very slimming (which is fortunate because of all that candy). The stick figure man is also great for long exposure photos and videos, but not too long as the glow sticks will expire.

Featuring toilet paper and tape, this costume will have you running to your mummy. Ideal for all weather (excluding rain, wind, hail, and tornados), the scramble for a last minute costume will stop dead for this one. Although movement is slightly impaired, this costume can double as a stormtrooper or a full body cast.

Caitlin Henderson/Prowler

12

entertainment Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

The horror film that had audiences raging Kessa Chavez News Designer After the 1999 box office hit, “The Blair Witch Project”, audiences were anticipating a rebooted version of the franchise for years. On Sept. 16 of this year, fans received just that with the release of the movie, “Blair Witch.” However, despite the hype, the remake was extremely underwhelming.

Throughout the one hour and twenty-nine minute movie, directed by Adam Wingard, a young man named James ( James Mccune), accompanied by friends Ashley (Corbin Reid), Peter (Brandon Scott), and Lisa (Callie Hernandez), venture into the Black Hills Forest of Maryland, led by locals Lane (Wes Robinson) and Talia (Valorie Curry), in order to investigate the disappearance of James’s sister, who had mysteriously vanished years prior in this forest. Lisa decides to record their experience and make it into a movie in order to fulfill her filmmaking dreams, thus revealing the film’s focus on lost footage.

As a remake movie, it lacks any kind of originality, containing many horror movie cliches

including the classic flashlight battery dying at the worst time, and the all too predictable jump scares.

The film does not provide any blood curdling suspense until the predictable ending that anyone could have guessed five minutes into the movie. The film also contained a copious amount of faulty ‘movie logic’, with many plot details not adding up. Seriously, how did that camera never run out of battery?

The characters are underdeveloped as they are extremely one sided and flat. James took the role of the grief stricken younger brother, Lisa was the aspiring filmmaker, and Ashley and Peter the oblivious couple. As a result, it is easy to not become attached to the characters due to the fact that they lack any kind of personality. The actors also delivered an overall disappointing performance with no on-screen chemistry between them as they performed the

yawn worthy dialogue. All things considered, the soundtrack goes well with the scenes in the film where the audience is engaged with the moods. As with the original film, “Blair Witch Project”, the general idea of the film, mystery surrounding lost footage, is noteworthy, however, the way it was executed downplays how novel the initial concept was.

For those who are disappointed when a remake is completely different from the original, it will not be an issue as this movie has a strong correlation with “Blair Witch Project”.

The cinematography, characters, and general storyline are similar to the original.

With numerous holes in the plot and onedimensional characters, it is clear that whether you are an average movie goer or a horror movie fanatic, you should save your money and skip out on the Blair Witch.

Alyssa Boedigheimer/Graphic Artist

oogle Pixel hits the market Rahul D’Souza Staff Writer Aditya Vunnum Staff Writer Google released their newest smartphone, the Pixel, on Oct. 4. With several new features, it is a step up from past Android products. The Pixel is the first smartphone designed completely by Google, software and hardware alike.

The Pixel comes with Google Assistant, an artificial intelligence software that allows you to stay on top of your schedule, and enables the user to use most of the phone’s features purely through voice control.

The standard phone is 5 inches diagonally ($649) and the XL is 5.5 inches ($769), which is the same as the iPhone 7. The Pixel competes directly with the iPhone 7 with the same price, targeting the same potential users. Furthermore, there are several similarities between the phones.

For example, the case is almost the same, the only difference being the fingerprint sensor on the back. However, there isn’t a home button on the Pixel: Instead, it is on the screen itself.

The phone comes in a choice of 32GB or 128GB in Quite Black, Very Silver, and limited edition Really Blue. It comes with several other perks as well, offering users free unlimited storage for pictures and videos with a 12 megapixel rear facing camera and an 8 megapixel front facing camera. It has 4GB of RAM and a Qualcomm

Snapdragon 821 processor. It will run Android 7.1 Nougat, the newest Android operating system.

The phone was unveiled along with a string of other new products including the Daydream, Chromecast Ultra, and the Google Home. The Daydream is the newest virtual reality device meant for casual VR users but is only compatible with the Pixel so far. Chromecast allows you to stream content from phones and laptops to the TV screen. And the Google Home is a home assistant device like the Amazon Echo, but cheaper.

Overall, the Pixel seems to be well made, having many features that are on par or better than current products of other leading brands in the market. However, it is still unknown as to how it will fare against the iPhone 7. Most Apple users have high brand loyalty and won’t switch to the Pixel. There are also other competing Android brands like the Samsung Galaxies and Android’s own Nexus. However, for virtual reality users, the Daydream might be a deal breaker. If the phone doesn’t take off at first, it most likely won’t pull in much for the company. But if it does, it has the potential to become more popular and do very well.

A new design- Google released its newest smartphone, Google Pixel, on October 4. The phone is available in multiple colors, including very silver, quite black, and for a limited time, really blue. Google/with Permission

entertainment Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

Zombie Run shocks audiences

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Megan Vlietstra Photographer

A deadly attack- Student volunteers acting as zombies “feed” on the security guard outside a classroom where runners learn from an acting doctor about the origin of the disease that infected the zombies. Megan Vlietstra/Prowler

As you walk on to campus on Oct. 22, screams filled the cool air. You were led with a small group away into the PAC where you are given instructions: find the cure to the zombie apocalypse. This was the zombie run.

What began as a bit of Halloween fun four years ago, turned into an annual event put on by the NPHS Theater department.

“There were publicity issues in the past,” Kathryn Schroeder, the senior in charge of putting on the zombie run said. “But this year we are going to improve on everything.”

Though Schroeder and Ashley Berreth, the head of the design team, found flaws in the zombie runs in years past, they worked hard towards preventing those issues from reoccurring.

“In the past, they focused on jump scares,” Berreth said. “This year, there are going to be a lot more of things rather than ‘boo’”.

Schroeder explained that the zombie run this year focused more on interactive scenes rather than running people through the course as fast as possible.

The ideas of scenes were well received. Madison

Kasper, junior, ran through the zombie run. “I really liked the doctor scene and how she explained to us what was happening, and how they kept us in the loop the whole way through,” she said. “It had a whole storyline and that was cool!”

The seniors put in all of their extra time towards putting this event on.

“We honestly think it is going to be possibly the best one,” Berreth said. “This is both of our senior years and this is quite possibly the last zombie run because it’s more of an upper classman kind of thing.”

In total, Berreth and Schroeder put about a month’s worth of effort towards this event before the Saturday event.

“It’s one big collaboration between a big group of people,” Schroeder said.

Both Schroeder and Berreth were looking forward to Oct 22 when they finally were able to see their hard work pay off.

“We are the theater department on campus. We are going to put on a show for people that they can actually be a part of,” Schroeder said.

Miss Peregrine’s Children live up to their peculiarity Olivia Luby Staff Writer Based on the book by Ransom Riggs, ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ proved to be nothing less than intriguing with unique characters and gripping conflicts throughout the story.

Despite being gruesomely murdered by a giant slenderman-type being called a hollow, Jake’s grandfather (Terence Stamp) still manages to inform Jake (Asa Butterfield) that he must flee to Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, where children with unique abilities are secluded from society. He also entrusts Jake with the mission to save the children from these hollows. Although it seemed impossible, Jake follows through with his late grandfather’s orders. Once he arrives, he is introduced to children with unimaginable abilities, one in particular named Emma (Ella Purnell) with whom he develops a special relationship. Literally lighter than air, Emma has an edgy personality with innocent inner spirit. On their mission to stop the creatures who took Jake’s grandfather’s and other peculiar children’s lives, Jake discovers his own ability to see the otherwise invisible hollows.

As Jake, Butterfield seemed to fit the role naturally, as if his character was his everyday self. His heroism was revealed as his character lead the children to battle the impossible, giving viewers hope and inspiration that even if you’re different from everybody else and smaller than those around you, you can do anything.

Along with interesting characters also came creative plot details such as the “loop” in which time

is reset everyday during World War II when Miss Peregrine’s home gets repeatedly demolished by a missile plummeting from the sky. This “loop” is significant because without it, there would be no way to access Mrs. Peregrine’s home or the past, and the world outside would otherwise stay in the present. Pretty peculiar, right?

The diverse settings contribute to the eerie mood displayed throughout the film. At first, the journey begins in sunny Florida, but soon the story takes the viewers to distant Wales. Once Jake and his father (Chris O’Dowd) arrive there, gloomy and mysterious fog hugs the ground.

From this, the audience gets the premonition that things are about to take an interesting turn.

Overall, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is many types of movies in one: romance, mystery, thriller, horror, and action. With the unique plot, characters, conflicts, and settings, the film was far from a failure. Tim Burton successfully continues his theme of keeping things peculiar.

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sports Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

Boys’ Cross Country ranked 11th in state Linsay Filgas Entertainment Desginer This year, the boys’ cross country team had three goals: 1) Be the fastest team in school history, 2) Be Marmonte League champions, and 3) Make it to the state meet.

“We’re trying to basically, as a coaching staff, help those kids achieve those goals that they set for themselves,” Martin Maciel, coach, said.

So far, the team has achieved their first goal of being the fastest team the school has ever seen. The team speed is determined by adding up the times of the top five runners for the three mile race. The previous school record was 78 minutes and one second. This year, the team’s top speed is 77 minutes and 15 seconds.

Low scores in recent meets have lead the team to high rankings across the board. Currently, the team is ranked number one in the Marmonte League and number 11 in the state of California.

In a recent Cluster Meet on Oct. 13, the team did not run as well as they had hoped to, according to Ethan Ronk, sophomore. “But it’s more motivation to run better at our next meet, which is Mt. Sac,” Ronk added.

At the Mt. Sac meet on Oct. 22, the runners raced against top teams from across the country. In order to attend Mt. Sac in the first place, Maciel had to submit running times for approval so that the team would be invited to the meet.

They placed 18th out of 19 teams.

In the final league meet on Nov. 3, the team must place either first or second in order to win the league overall.

The last time the boys’ cross country team has made it to the state level was in 1991. At this time, the school was still a Division 3 school. “For us to get in as a Division 1

The race begins - Ethan Duffy, senior, begins the race on Oct. 22 at Mt. SAC, followed by Ethan Ronk, sophomore, and Nico Young, freshman. Ethan Duffy/ with permission

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school would be a phenomenal feat,” Maciel said. “When Ethan (Duff y) was a sophomore, the team wasn’t that good … And then last year they got a little bit better and they were runner ups in league, and then this year to be where they’re at, against people in our league … I think is pretty amazing. But it really speaks to the kids, their goal setting ability, and their ability to come together as a team to really work towards achieving that goal.”

Ethan Duff y, senior, explained that this year in particular, the team has many strong runners that are all working together to bring the team success.

“We have some really good runners,” Duff y said. “Ethan Ronk, who is a sophomore, is going to be probably one of the fastest runners in our school history. Nathaniel Garner, junior, is a number two runner. He really pushes the younger guys to run harder in practices and then also is kind of ushering himself into a leader position on the team.”

Ronk commented on the amount of freshmen and sophomores currently running on the varsity team. The top five runners are Duff y, Ronk, Nate Garner, junior, and Nico Young and Jace Aschbrenner, freshmen. “It’s just crazy how young the team is and how well we’re doing, and that we’re just going to keep getting better in the years in the future,” Ronk said.

Although the team is in a good position now, they must keep up their streak of success in order to make it onto the state round, which Duff y described as the “ultimate goal”.

“We’ve all improved a significant amount from the start of the season,” Ronk added. “We put in a lot of hard work this season and it’s starting to pay off.”

sports Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

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Sports injuries “Just Suck It Up and Win!” Jaycen Sussman Staff Writer

Kicker - Dario Longhetto walks on the side of the field on Oct. 21 during a game against Calbassas. Megan Vlietstra/Prowler

Dario Longhetto excels under the radar Connor Keep Sports Editor Farhan Pathan Photographer As the time in the game runs down and the scores are tied, Dario Longhetto, Newbury Park’s Varsity kicker, lines up to take the kick. He pauses, then runs and kicks the ball, and it flies end over end: the field goal is good. The Panthers win the game and the crowd goes wild.

Dario Longhetto, senior, has played football for three years now. As a sophomore, he started out on the Junior Varsity team, and during that first season, he was quickly moved up to play on Varsity. His role on the team is to do kickoffs, field goals, punts and extra points for the team.

Scott Ellis, history teacher and coach of the running backs and kickers, has been coaching at NPHS for ten years.

He started coaching football because of his own football experience in high school. Ellis has been training Longhetto since his sophomore year and has been very impressed by his performance. “(Longhetto got his chance to shine when Varsity’s) kicker got hurt and he ended up not only playing a few games but the championship game, kicking a field goal in the mud as a sophomore,” Ellis said.

Longhetto, now a senior, hopes to do big things with his kicking. During the summer, he attended Chris Sailer kicking camps, and they have helped him get exposure.

“Because kickers don’t get that much recognition, so that’s where colleges like come to, so they can see everyone and see their potential and see what they can do,” Longhetto said.

In addition to football, Longhetto also plays varsity soccer for the school. Soccer has helped with him train his best attribute. “Dario’s leg strength is the biggest improvement.

You can hear the ball explode off his foot,” Jason Klein, head coach of varsity football, said.

The combination of soccer and football leaves him in the best possible position for his leg strength and agility, making him a great kicker.

“He’s got some guts, which is awesome for a kicker. He’s got some courage, and I think that’s one of the biggest things a kicker needs to have. He has a short memory, he needs to have good habits, but you got to have some courage because it’s a lonely position sometimes and I think he knows that, and to not be afraid of moments. I think that is a strength of Dario,” Ellis said.

Overall, Longhetto has had a great season this year and will continue to aspire to get better at kicking in the future with other teams.

“I like the pressure, being the person to do one thing. I like all of it,” Longhetto said.

The sports industry is an amazing place. Every second is an unpredictable one. Your amazing fantasy team? It can take a turn for the worse in seconds. A team could have an flawless season and quickly go downhill *cough cough the Carolina Panthers*. It’s important to keep in mind that these drastic changes do notdon’t occur for no reason.

Every week, players in the NFL get injured, but what most people overlook is that the injury itself is nowhere near as important as how the coach deals with it. If a player is kept in the game after a potential injury, not only does he risk further injury, but he will not play up to the standards we know he can. Let me think of an example of this… hmmm maybe Cam Newton?

To start off this football season, Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers lost to the reigning champions, the Denver Broncos, in a Super Bowl rematch on Thursday, Sept. 8, and I was furious with the Panthers coaching staff. Newton was hit countless times by the Broncos defense, even in the head, yet the Panthers coaches did not n’t even think to pull him out to check for a slight concussion. After the game ended, I was nervous, not just because he’s on my fantasy team, but also because a top tier player continued to get hurt throughout the game and was not pulled out. I sat in my room and thought to myself, “This was only the first game of the year season; are the coaches and medics going to allow this throughout the season?”

My question was answered a few weeks later when the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Miami Dolphins. In a loss to the Dolphins the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tore a meniscus… and you guessed it! He stayed in the game.

Team medics claimed he could play and there was no further injury risk even though he would need surgery, but after the game, other doctors stated that with Roethlisberger’s Ben’s circumstances, he could have further injured his torn meniscus.

So what’s the point of keeping an athlete in the game even if they are injured? Short answer- there isn’t one. It is a coach’s responsibility to make sure their players are safe at all times and allowing them to play with the risk of further injury is ridiculous. This entire issue as a whole, forces a reality on us whether we are ready for it or not. Even though these players may be 6 foot 6 and made of 95% muscle mass, they are NOT superhumans. They will get hurt, just like me and you.

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#NPHSHoco2016 Panther Prowler • Oct. 28, 2016

@andrew3noble last night was lit #nphshoco2016

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