2020-2021 Issue 2 (Oct. 16, 2020)

PANTHER

PROWLER

Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 • Issue II • Newbury Park High School 456 N Reino Rd, Newbury Park, CA 91320 • pantherprowler.org

2 Editorial 3 RBG 4 Thrive Conejo 5 CA Props 6 Roe v. Wade 7 Kamala Harris 8-9 School Board Candidates 10 Unity Conejo 11 CASC 12 Outdoor Dining 13 Social Dilemma 14 Football 15 Scouting 16 IOS 14 Wallpaper

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editorial Panther Prowler • Sept. 16, 2020

Everyone can make a political impact Voting is fundamental to the process of creating change in our country.

Simply abstaining from voting takes away your power to help elect representatives and enact legislation that reflects your values. Without your vote, the US fails to be a truly representative government. The individuals in positions of power are put there by us, the people, and their actions should reflect the wishes of everyone, not just a select few.

According to a CNN study, only 55 percent of citizens of voting age cast ballots during the 2016 election, the lowest voter turnout since 1996.

While registered youth voters have increased by 16 percent between 2014 and the 2018 election, this is still not representative of the American people.

Voter suppression is actively silencing people of color, poor, and disabled citizens through voter ID laws, poll closures, long lines and a lack of accessibility at polling locations, preventing all populations from having equal opportunity to cast their vote.

Although often overshadowed by the intensity of the presidential election, positions on the Thousand Oaks City Council and CVUSD School Board are also on the ballot. These local

governing bodies have the ability to enact serious change, but eligible voters must educate themselves on who will best represent our community, and vote accordingly. (To learn more about the school board candidates and how their stances will impact students, look towards our interviews with the candidates running on pages 8-9.)

Now is the time to step up. Educate yourself on the platforms of our local, state and federal candidates and make an informed decision. Check and then double-check that your voter registration is submitted by October 19. Go to https://covr.sos. ca.gov/ to get started, or to pre-register if you are at least 16 years of age.

In an election cycle as historic as this one, you are especially responsible for fulfilling your civic duty. With our country more polarized than ever, the incurrence of our individual rights is more important now than ever before.

And for those of us who are not yet of voting age, not all hope is lost. Continue to use your influence and speak out about the issues that affect you and your peers. While it can be frustrating to not be able to directly participate in the democratic system, your voice has the power to influence those who can.

Prasheetha Karthikeyan/Prowler

Front Cover Caption:

Support - Each School Board candidate has their own law sign for residents to express support. Lawn signs can be found on just about every street as election day draws closer. These signs can be obtained by contacting the candidates through their websites of social platforms Reese Kelem/ Prowler

For the Record from Issue I:

Adalia Luo also wrote “Do not defund the USPS” on page 7.

PANTHER PROWLER Editors-in-Chief Manas Khatore Jessica Zhou

Features Editor Carter Castillo

2020-2021 staff

Copy Editors Staff Writers Gwen Buchanan Parker Bohl Carter Castillo Hayden Meixner Abby Gorman Nandini Patro Sarena Kabir McGlauthon Fleming IV Prasheetha Karthikeyan Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza Adalia Luo Sera Mohammed Emma Schoors Allison Nguyen

Sports Editor Front Cover Editor Prasheetha Karthikeyan Reese Kelem Back Cover Editor Gwen Buchanan Editorial Editor Abby Gorman Online Editors Graphic Artists Carter Castillo Photographers News Editor Carter Castillo Prasheetha Karthikeyan Chief// Reese Kelem Sarena Kabir Prasheetha Karthikeyan Adalia Luo Parker Bohl Opinion Editor McGlauthon Fleming IV Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza Managing Team Emma Schoors Lead// Cynthia Gao Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza Adviser Hayden Meixner Dhruv Patel DPS Editor Michelle Saremi Nandini Patro Adalia Luo Social Media Leads Follow us: Allison Nguyen Gwen Buchanan Entertainment @npprowler on Instagram/ Sera Mohammed Prasheetha Karthikeyan Editor Twitter Allison Nguyen Anna Johnson NPHS Panther Prowler on Nandini Patro Facebook

The Panther Prowler is the offical 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 other 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 three weeks. For advertisement information, visit 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 can be submitted to the email posted below.

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

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news Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves a historic mark on society Sarena Kabir News Editor Emma Schoors Opinion Editor Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known for championing women’s rights and fighting for abortion access across the United States, passed away on Sept. 18 at the age of 87.

Ginsburg, nominated to the court by President Bill Cinton in 1993, was elected by the Senate following the retirement of Justice Byron White. She was the second woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court, and held a strong belief that she would not be the last.

Voting Rights Ginsburg made her support of voting rights clear by writing the dissent in the 2013 case “Shelby County v. Holder,” which marked two provisions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that require preclearance in order for the Justices to weigh their opinions before changing voting practices as unconstitutional. “Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet,” Ginsburg said.

Women’s rights Before working on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Women’s Rights Project. After becoming a Justice, she continued to fight for the rights and equality for women from the court. In the case “Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.,” Lilly Ledbetter had filed a suit against her company when Ledbetter noticed that she was being paid thousands less than her male peers.Ginsburg voted against the grain, arguing in favor of Ledbetter. However, the final verdict, of 5-4, ruled that Ledbetter did not file the claim in a ‘more reasonable time frame,’ with Justice Ginsburg in the minority.

Her dissent brought awareness to many people about how this issue is seen as unjust in people’s eyes. In 2009, Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which equalized pay for men and women.

Abortion rights Ginsburg was a passionate supporter of Roe v. Wade, the ruling that granted women access to legal abortions in the United States. “It is essential to women’s equality with man that she be the decisionmaker, that her choice be controlling,” Ginsburg said on the topic of abortion.

“If you impose restraints that impede her choice, you are disadvantaging her because of her sex.”

Ginsburg’s Life In the past two decades, Ginsburg has dealt with numerous health problems: namely colon, lung and pancreatic cancer. The official cause of her passing was complications from pancreatic cancer.

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Open Court Seat Ginsburg’s planned replacement, nominee Amy Coney Barrett, is a pro-life lawyer nominated by president Donald Trump, eight days after Ginsburg’s death. If confirmed, Barrett would be the fifth woman to serve on the Supreme Court and put the court in a 6-3 conservative majority.

In her dying letter to her granddaughter, Ginsburg expressed her last request: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”

Thousand Oaks plans for a sustainable future Sera Mohammed Staff Writer Cynthia Gao Managing Editor The city of Thousand Oaks held their tenth meeting on Sept. 24 with the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) working on the planning and policy document that guides development, enhancement and conservation in Thousand Oaks.

Walker Wells is an employee of Raimi + Associates, an urban design and research firm assisting in the development of the city’s General Plan. He started the meeting by asking the attendees what sustainability meant to them. Fred Fukunaga, long time resident and homeowner in Thousand Oaks, said, ”Sustainability to me is working with our environment to create or maintain a good quality of lives for ourselves, our fellow residents and for those who come after us.”

Others such as Victor Hayek, CVUSD Deputy Superintendent, spoke about the importance of self-reliance within the city and said, “To me, sustainability is our ability to be self-dependent, self-supportive, for things like water [and] utilities.”

Wells followed the members’ explanations with a brief history of sustainability efforts at both the local and state levels, citing Burbank as a success story where clean air efforts were implemented.

“I grew up experiencing this, and it’s really a positive environmental story that through collective action we’ve been able to clean up the air and really sort of turn things around,” Wells said.

The city’s sustainability division manager, Helen Cox, provided a breakdown of Thousand Oaks’s greenhouse gas emissions and outlined current and future efforts towards a cleaner environment. “In 2019, the city council adopted a municipal energy plan that focuses on specific action that the city is taking to reduce energy use that has a goal of 15% reduction over the next 5 years,” Cox said. She then discussed the consequences of climate change on the natural landscape. “Conditions that have supported our habitat and our oak trees in the past are not persisting and will not persist in the future.”

Another key speaker at the presentation was Matt Raimi, founder of Raimi + Associates.

He focused on how a city’s layout influences the citizens’ willingness to forego driving in favor of environmentally friendly modes of transportation. “People who live in more compact areas where there’s places to walk to and good environments and destinations tend to drive less and they have lower per capita greenhouse gas emissions than people who live in more drivingoriented environments such as Thousand Oaks,” he said.

The meeting concluded with small group discussions and Raimi’s overview of upcoming events. Raimi announced that the next GPAC meeting would be on arts and culture on Oct. 22.

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza/Prowler

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news Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

School board candidates speak at THRIVE Forum Sarena Kabir News Editor Emma Schoors Opinion Editor

Inform During the THRIVE Forum, candidates are asked questions from the public to help the voters get more of a general idea Informon who should be elected as the school board candidate. Candidates speak upon what their goals for their term will be and what they hope to accomplish during their time on the board. Sarena Kabir/Prowler

Lee Anne Holland spoke with the four school board candidates to lay out their plans for the future of CVUSD at the THRIVE Forum on Sept. 30.

The four candidates were Lauren Gill (Area 5), Karen Sylvester (Area 1), Patti Jones (Area 1) and Sandee Everett (Area 5).

Gill focused partially on injustice in the district. “We have to address the justice gap that exists in our district and all districts, so we are providing the high quality we can to each and every student in our district,” Gill said. She also put a spotlight on the importance of unity. “Our schools are the one thing that we do together... what drives us in every circumstance is what is best for our children.”

When asked about her experience in bringing people together, Sylvester laid out her qualifications and how she learned from her experiences. “I spent 15 years as a management consultant...What I found is that there was often lots of conflict... but if you treat different people with different viewpoints respectfully, then you wind up with a better decision with all the people,” Sylvester said.

Jones emphasized the importance of believing in children with disabilities, and including them in as much as possible. “You never assume that a child cannot accomplish greatness,” Jones said, while speaking of her experience with a child with disabilities. Jones also spoke about the quality of literature in schools. “We want our kids to be exposed to the finest, best quality literature to make them empowered, resilient, strong learners,” Jones said.

A big part of Everett’s campaign is re-opening up schools as early as possible. In order to keep the school as safe as possible for the teachers, Everett believes that the district needs to hire more custodians for the schools. “Get those classes scrubbed down,” Everett said. “The teachers need to feel that we will protect them.” Everett expands on her thoughts about ELL students in the district. “There are some students who make it through our schools and cannot read when they are finished. When some of their inability to do certain skills are becoming more obvious, students need to have groups to make sure they are getting one on one reading attention,” Everett said. “They need to be empowered to achieve their dream and their goal,” Everett said.

All four candidates gave concluding remarks, summarizing their priorities and plans for schools in the district. The elections for the school board will take place on Nov. 3.

District adopts the Learning Continuity Plan Adalia Luo DPS Editor Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza Staff Writer The 2020-2021 CVUSD Learning Continuity Plan (LCP), was adopted by the school board on Sept. 29, following an hour and eleven minute board meeting. The LCP is an indepth plan that describes the district’s direction, goals, actions, services and expenditures in order to support students through the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to combat concerns regarding learning continuity in education that have been largely exacerbated as a result of the pandemic, district workers developed the LCP under the guidance of the state. “It was developed in concert with all the professional staff and all the stakeholder groups to get feedback and input,” Cindy Goldberg, president of the CVUSD Board of Education, said. “[The whole plan] talks about things like how are we going to address certain learning loss, how are we going to move forward with blended learning, what’s the plan for remote learning, all kinds of supports that we’ve put in place, like the wellness room,” Goldberg said. “It’s sort of a catch all document that’s posted online.”

Following the announcement made on Oct. 6 that Ventura County had moved into the red zone, the LCP is more relevant than ever. TK-2 is scheduled to open on Oct. 26, grades third through fifth on Nov. 2, high school on Nov. 9 and middle school on Nov. 16.

“We did receive approval for that waiver, which happened to kind of coincide actually with the time when our county moved into the red tier,” Jenny Fitzgerald, current CVUSD Board of Education vice president, said. “Really, [after that], the focus became, how are we addressing learning loss and what changes are we making just for this year to, you know, to support students, to maintain the education, maintain the curriculum, that kind of stuff,” Brian Mercer, director of high schools and assessment, said. “[The LCP is] very comprehensive, very thoughtful and very intentional in what is included in here,” Goldberg said. “ I would say [the LCP] is a much more specific document as it relates to learning continuity in the COVID-19 environment,” Fitzgerald said.

Discuss The CVUSD Board of Education met on Sept. 29 to approve this school year’s Learning Continuity Plan, as Discusssubmitted, following hours of hard work by district workers and community members. “The board’s job is to talk about what we need, what needs to happen. The ‘how it happens’ is up to the professional educators with input from board members and teachers and parents and students,” Cindy Goldberg, current president of the CVUSD Board of Education, said. Adalia Luo/Prowler The URL to the LCP: https://www.conejousd.org/Portals/0/School%20Open%20and%20Safety%20Plan_10.13. pdf?ver=2020-10-13-171754-650

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Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Read about the California propositions Nandini Patro Staff Writer Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza/Prowler

With November almost here, it should not be forgotten there is more on the ballot than just two presidential candidates. For all Ventura County residents, there are 12 California propositions to vote on.

Proposition 14: AUTHORIZES BONDS CONTINUING STEM CELL RESEARCH. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Yes - The state would sell $5.5 billion in general obligation bond backed by credit and taxing power for stem cell research.

No - The state will not sell $5.5 billion in general obligation bonds.

Prop 15: INCREASES FUNDING SOURCES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES BY CHANGING TAX ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Yes - Property taxes on most commercial properties worth more than $3 million will be enforced in order to provide new funding to local governments and schools.

No - Property taxes will stay the same on commercial properties and local governments and schools would not get new funding.

Prop 16: ALLOWS DIVERSITY AS A FACTOR IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND CONTRACTING DECISIONS. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Yes - State and local entities will consider race, sex, color, ethnicity and national orgin in public education, employment and contracting.

No - The status quo of no consideration of race, sex, color, ethnicity and national origin in public education, employment and contracting.

Prop 17: RESTORES RIGHT TO VOTE AFTER COMPLETION OF PRISON TERM. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Yes - People on state parole who are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age and residents of California will be able to vote if they register.

No - People who are on state parole would continue to be unable to vote in California.

Prop 18: AMENDS CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION TO PERMIT 17-YEAR-OLDS TO VOTE IN PRIMARY AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS IF THEY WILL TURN 18 BY THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AND BE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Yes - Eligible 17 year olds who will be 18 by the time of the next general election will be allowed to vote in the primary election and any other special elections before the general election.

No - No one younger than 18 years of age may vote in any type of election.

Prop 19: CHANGES CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RULES. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Yes - All homeowners who are over 55 are eligible for property tax savings once they have moved but only inherited properties used as primary homes or farms will be eligible for property tax savings.

No - Only some homeowners would continue to be eligible for property tax savings when they move. The inherited properties continue to be eligible for property tax savings.

Prop 20: RESTRICTS PAROLE FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY CONSIDERED TO BE NON-VIOLENT. AUTHORIZES FELONY SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY TREATED ONLY AS MISDEMEANORS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Yes - People who committed theft-related crimes would receive an increased penalty such as longer jail times. Other factors would be considered for California’s process for releasing certain inmates from prison early. DNA would be collected by law enforcement from adults convicted of certain misdemeanors.

No - Penalities for those who commit theft-related crimes would not be increased and the status quo of law enforcement taking DNA samples from adults only if they are arrested for a felony, or registered as sex offenders or arsonists will stay.

Prop 21: EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Yes - State law allows cities and counties to apply more rent control to more properties than under current law.

No - State law would maintain current limits concerning rent control laws.

Prop 22: EXEMPTS APP-BASED TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY COMPANIES FROM PROVIDING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TO CERTAIN DRIVERS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Yes - Drivers would be hired as independent contractors by app-based rideshare. These drivers could decide when, where, and how much to work but would not receive standard benefits and protections that the business provides to their actual employees.

No - Drivers would be hired by app-based rideshare companies as employees - Less choice as to where and when and how much they work but would receive stand benefits and protections of the company.

Prop 23: ESTABLISHES STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR KIDNEY DIALYSIS CLINICS. REQUIRES ON-SITE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Yes - Chronic dialysis clinic would require a doctor on site during all treatment hours.

No - No doctor would be required on site during treatment hours at dialysis clinics.

Prop 24: AMENDS CONSUMER PRIVACY LAWS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Yes - Existing consumer data privacy rights and laws will be expanded, businesses are required to meet the new privacy requirements, a new state agency and the state’s Department of Justice would be responsible for overseeing these laws.

No - Businesses would continue to be required to follow current privacy laws.

Prop 25 - REFERENDUM ON LAW THAT REPLACED MONEY BAIL WITH SYSTEM BASED ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND FLIGHT RISK. Yes - No one would pay bail to be released from jail before trial. People would only be released based on assessed risk of committing another crime or not appearing in court or released automatically.

No - Some people would be released from jail before trial and others would continue to be released without paying any of the bail.

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opinion Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Roe v. Wade protects reproductive rights Abby Gorman Editorial Editor Gwen Buchanan Backcover Editor The right to a safe and destigmatized abortion is essential. It is not a matter of religious or political values, but rather a personal choice. This right that protects our population is in danger of being overturned, putting babies and adults in danger all around America.

Access to safe and legal abortion was made a constitutional right after much controversy and deliberation through the 1973 Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade. However, the recent nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s spot on the Supreme Court has presented a dangerous situation. Barrett’s strictly conservative record could have serious consequences on the fight for reproductive rights.

Roe v. Wade is essential to maintaining the individual’s right to bodily autonomy. Healthcare should not be a politicized issue, and the right to a safe and legal abortion is healthcare.

Accessibility of legalized abortions quite literally means life or death: according to Planned Parenthood, illegal abortions were the cause of at least one in six pregnancy-related deaths prior to legalization. What those against abortion fail to realize is that abortions will continue to happen regardless of legal status. Instead, individuals will return to the unsafe methods rampant before regulation, putting the health of many at risk.

While anti-abortion opinions range from strengthening restrictions to banning abortion entirely, arguments often depend on declaring it sinful and murderous, with their reasoning in morality and religion. However, whether your political or moral values align with abortion is irrelevant in the discussion about reproductive rights.

The fight for legalized abortion should not be about religion or ethical justification. You do not need to “agree” with abortion

to be pro-choice. The pro-choice movement is about giving individuals the right to make choices for their own bodies, whatever they deem best for them (and their child, should they choose to continue to pregnancy.)

If an individual is not financially, physically or mentally prepared to have a baby, there is no justifiable reason to force them to carry to full-term. No matter the reason, the choice of abortion should be their choice alone.

In our current climate, the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned should scare you. Now is the time to speak up.

We cannot sit silently as these decisions are being made in our government without our input.

Even if you are not somebody who is capable of receiving an abortion, there are many in your life who are. Fight to give them control to make this life-changing decision for themselves. Reproductive rights are so much more than just a pawn to further a sick political agenda.

Parker Bohl Staff Writer

Prasheetha Karthikeyan / Prowler

Trump lied, people died Carter Castillo Features Editor Adalia Luo DPS Editor It is no secret that the United States has failed in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have not been unique to the United States, but our response has. The actions of our country and federal government have been in blatant ignorance of the advice of scientists and medical professionals.

With the recent news that Pres. Donald Trump and top members in the White House and Congress have all tested positive for COVID-19, it is glaringly clear that America’s response has been insufficient and inadequate. While the news of his contraction is a national tragedy, his positive test does not give him immunity from fair and valid criticism over his administration’s handling of the coronavirus.

The White House’s relaxed treatment of mask-wearing and social distancing is especially evident in Trump’s performance at the presidential debate, where he mocked Biden for doing both. It’s hard not to see the irony when just two days later, Trump tests positive for COVID-19.

Trump’s consistent ignorance of CDC guidelines about social distancing and his criticisms on the efficacy of mask wearing have validated the harmful and callous actions of Americans who continue to flaunt them under his leadership.

On Sept. 26, Trump hosted an event in the White House Rose Garden where he nominated judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court. Photographs released saw most attendees without masks and some even hugging one another. Already, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Thom Thillis, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and others that attended the Rose Garden event have tested positive.

Other world leaders such as New Zealand Prime Minister

Film making makes the world make sense

Jacinda Ardern and President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen, have responded with humility and empathy, prioritizing safety and transparency in the name of making the tough but necessary decisions for their citizens. They took informed proactive action to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and they have been notably prominent advocates of mask-wearing and social distancing, following scientific recommendation. It is telling that while they have managed to largely overcome the struggles of the pandemic, Trump has continued to do what he does best: bluster and fumble his way through a national crisis.

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza/Prowler

As a pretentious camera enthusiast, I am required to enjoy the cinema. However, my love for this form of storytelling stems from a necessity to distill reality.

Without being too cliché, recent world events have been difficult to decipher as a freshman. I’m trying to find firm footing in a complex battlefield I can’t possibly understand.

I consume massive amounts of bias-soaked information daily, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to avoid that. This has left me asking the same question posed centuries ago: “what is truth?”

Fiction is defined as “invention or fabrication as opposed to fact.” The very nature of fiction is a selective abstraction of reality, thus less than fact. However, I would argue, due to its nature of abstraction, fiction has the potential to be truer than fact. An abstract painting may use splotches of color more to represent a scene rather than to realistically depict it. A film can capture emotion and thought from life, making it clearer by excluding elements.

Film is a unique medium for storytelling. It combines so many different independent art forms: writing, photography, music, acting, and whatever others are provided in the script. Each of those can stand independent from cinema, but if combined correctly can resonate so strongly with an audience to the point something very rare is achieved - a perspective is considered.

The reason this is so important to me is because the clarity achieved in cinema via abstraction helps me understand complicated truths about the world, or discover how something I believe may be false. This is especially true for older films I have seen. They explore themes much differently than modern movies do. Their characters tend to have more integrity, and even if they don’t tend to more candidly reflect on modern life better than the newer films. For example, Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” beautifully and clearly portrays the importance of community.

My passion for making films is intrinsically linked to all of this. I absolutely love storytelling, but even more, I love people. If I think something is true and important, I want to share it. I am fascinated by the process of filmmaking, particularly the distillation of reality. Having the mindset of making a film has helped me make sense of current world events. Simplifying it has helped me understand it.

opinion

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Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Student voices should translate into student votes Prasheetha Karthikeyan Sports Editor With the CVUSD school board election quickly approaching, many parents and teachers are educating themselves on the candidates through various forums, panels and news sources. The outcome of this election will affect the student body directly, yet ironically, students don’t have a say in the matter. It is only fair that the voices of these CVUSD students contribute just as much to the election. It is imperative that the voices of high school juniors and seniors are prioritized and given the right to vote in school board elections.

Students are already aware of the school board meetings, with many tuning in themselves or reading live coverage from local reporters. Students regularly provide public comments at the board meetings on issues they are passionate about as well. Whether they are representing the goals of an organization they are a part of or expressing individual concerns, students are consistently advocating for their educational futures just as much as adults in our community.

While parents make up a large percentage of the school board voters, unaffiliated community members play a significant role in who will win the election; many have not even attended school in the CVUSD or had children who did so recently. However, high school juniors and seniors have gone through the entirety of the school system recently and know from personal experience the nuances and changes they believe need to be implemented.

Beyond this, allowing voting at a younger age can increase a willingness to participate in democracy later, which is something lacking in our country. Only about 31% of people ages 1829 voted in the 2018 election, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Allowing the votes of 16 and 17 year olds in local school board elections promotes a civic engagement culture within the community which translates into a willingness to

participate in democracy later.

The main argument against lowering the voting age to 16 lies in the misconception of a lack of maturity within these older teens, often expressed in the idea that a 16 year olds brain is incapable of making valid decisions in tense, emotion-ridden situations. This is a roadblock students face regularly when expressing essentially any opinion, causing immediate dismissal. Science has disproved this, however. Methods of decision making can be separated into two categories: hot and cold cognition. Hot cognition involves decision making directly due to emotions, while cold cognition involves decision making with little or no emotional bias.

A study done by a professor at University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development found that the necessary cold cognition is almost fully developed by age 15, and although it continues to grow until about the age of 20, there is no significant difference between the decision making abilities of a 16 year old compared to that of an 18 year old. This, combined with the enormous engagement with social issues that older students are involved with negate any claims regarding immaturity.

Students are well informed on the issues in our district and hold the largest stake in the outcome of the school board election, as it affects them directly. Lowering the voting age to 16 to allow high school juniors and seniors to vote is compulsory to create a Prasheetha Karthikeyan/ truly democratic election that is representative of the community. Prowler

Let women of color guiltlessly criticize Kamala Harris Panther Prowler Women of Color The 2020 election will make history for a number of reasons, the most notable being the nomination of Kamala Harris, a half-Black, half-Indian woman of color as the Democratic Party’s vice president.

As coming-of-age women of color, we have two options in this election cycle: make valid criticisms of Harris’s record and risk turning our back on someone setting a historical precedent for our people, or blindly show a WOC politician we disagree with “unity and solidarity” in the name of avoiding hypocrisy attacks. We cannot criticize Harris without it being thrown back in our faces.

Fundamentally, Harris’s actions should reflect her beliefs as a politician, not be weaponized as basal actions for all women of color. We are not allowed the same individual dimension that white men are.

While our competency is never out of question, our inept white counterparts are barely scrutinized.

Take the Oct. 7 vice presidential debate: Harris was held to a higher standard, unreasonably torn apart by those searching for reasons to slap the “angry black woman” stereotype on her, while Pence sat idly by explaining how systemic racism did not exist and no one batted an eye. The racism and sexism she faces is unbearable.

Emerson FuentesAlabanza/Prowler

However, we are uninterested in combating it by putting her on a pedestal, the knee-jerk reaction most white liberals have resorted to. Harris should not be presented as the pinnacle of WOC success, not after climbing up the backbone of white supremacy.

At best, Harris is a powerful WOC who overcame every barrier to get to where she is today. But, at worst, Harris is an ex-cop with a dicey history of transphobia. In exchange for upholding a justice system built against the success of her and millions of WOC like her, she proudly and continually sacrificed us for misplaced incremental “change.” Harris spent her career fighting despite the systemic injustices she faced, instead of fighting because of them. The representation she could potentially provide in our government would be misguided.

That being said, there is another consideration, that Harris’ actions up until now have been a ploy to try and fix things from the inside. Perhaps, Harris believed that the ends would justify the means, that if she sabotaged her identity then, it would all be worth it now. But as WOC, we are all constantly pitted against each other in the fight for the one seat we are offered at the white man’s table. Our responsibility to one another is to fight together, not against each other, so the table has space for more than just one of us. It cannot be fought the way Harris chose to: taking the low road, where the cost of her success is WOC. Settle for blue, but remember that voting is not enough. Continue to criticize your politicians, and continue to criticize the institution. Change is made by the people.

Make something original McGlauthon Fleming IV Staff Writer Do you like imagination? Well, too bad. We’re killing it. But, imagination is important for us to advance society and to keep ourselves entertained. How many people put their own spins on the same meme or dance or stupid TikTok while barely adding their own thing? And it’s not just trends on the internet - seriously, how many times can you make the same movie, but just change basic plot details?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) made billions of dollars by making multiple movies a year from the same template for a decade. All of the MCU movies are the same with a basic layout and little changes. For example, in their first films, Thor and Iron Man have the same arc, but it takes Iron Man to escape from the cave for his arc to resolve while it takes Thor to get the hammer back for the same to happen. Same concept, just one thing slightly different.

Singular creative thoughts, that millions of people will copy, can shape our culture. People can still make creative things, but they are likely either going to be copied or copied with a tweak. Don’t get me wrong, these copies can be better than the original, or even fit a separate purpose, but we need to see more original ideas.

One original idea should produce other original ideas, instead of just tweaks. Some people may debate that a tweak makes the idea become its own; tell that to your favorites’ bad adaptation or sequel. You can’t critique it based on the merits of what came from before because it is its own thing.

The fact of the matter is that an idea tacked onto something original doesn’t make a new idea.

That is when you see what has been done and do what you can to stand out.

Making a robot ninja and putting it in Star Wars is something new. Using the same meme template but changing the picture or three words is not something new. The ideas that have been done are extremely easy to find, especially with the Internet. Even making a big-budget movie is a do it yourself project now.

So, please, for the love of creativity and to help people not be bored, go out and make something that makes your own brain explode. It doesn’t have to be good, but it has to be yours.

Carter Castillo/Prowler

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q&a with school board candidates Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

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Trustee Area 1 - Westlake

Karen Sylvester “Every grade level should include a BIPOC author, and I do believe that should go back into middle school as well. I also think that when books, or even in elementary school level, when you’re talking about books that younger kids read or being read too, I would like to see the books they’re also reflecting on various students and their backgrounds, even in elementary school.”

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Karen Sylvester - Formerly in the management business, Karen Sylvester has spent her last eighteen years as a parent leader and volunteer in multiple schools. With her experiences around the school district and passion for helping on campuses, Sylvester found the opportunity to run for a seat on the school board as a chance to give back to her community. Her previous business skills set her goals for helping the different schools around our district and providing an equal environment for all students. Karen Sylvester/ With Permission

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“The decisions made back then, and I don’t think they were bad decisions, but decisions made back then to prioritise social emotional health and not have kids worry about their grades, that had a negative impact on attendance...So I wholeheartedly think imposing and having some synergenic learning is absolutely critical. Having kids go to class is absolutely critical grading. So I think all of those improvements have been made.”

“I believe we need to be compliant with the California Healthy Youth Act period... a key component of the California Healthy Youth Act is to teach kids about gender, gender expression, gender identity, different types of relationships, sexual orientation [and] all that needs to be included. And it needs to be included not just because it’s the law of the land, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

“The more input I can get from you guys to me the better of a Trustee that can be, if that makes sense...I mean most of the students I’ve come into contact with, you guys are diverse in [your] narrative...If I had to pick between an informed 16 year old to make a decision versus a 65 year old who really has no idea what is going on then obviously I think you guys would make a better choice.”

Patti Jones

“If it’s a really good piece of literature that’s been around at least a little while, it’s going to have literature about the literature. You’ll actually have all kinds of papers that have been written about it and just studies that have been done it’s been dissected and you can go in and you can read what professors or teachers have have discovered about that piece of literature and so what I look for in a piece of literature is I look for major thematic elements, I look for, you know, what motivates the characters and what you know what’s you’re going to learn from this book.”

“It’s not the best but I am grateful for, for the teachers giving it their best shot...I think the best thing to do is that the parents need to stay involved and need to be positive and we need to just do our best to keep the kids online and feeling actively involved and also try to keep them in touch with their friends, and as best we can without, obviously, you know, getting too close.”

“There are some things that we aren’t currently teaching that we do need to upgrade and also parents. They really want to be involved with that upgrade a lot and so I know. I don’t know if you’re aware that they already, they wrote their own curriculum, Dr. Lichtl and some other people wrote their own curriculum, and they presented it and I reviewed every single page, like, I mean I sat down because I am an English major and I do, edit, I do.

Patti Jones - As a full-time mom to her seven kids, Patti Jones has been volunteering around the school district for the past 23 years. From attending school board meetings for a year and a half, Jones saw the reactions of parents and realized that people could benefit from a fresh perspective on the board. With her experience around the school community, she hopes to bring unity onto the school board with her openminded personality and close the bridge between students and parents together.

Patti Jones/With Permission

“Oh my gosh, I love to hear from the students. I’m so grateful that we have the SDAC. I am so grateful that we have a ...student trustee. Isn’t that amazing? And I’m so grateful that our students come in and speak at the school board meetings. You know what I want the students to know? I want them to know that they’re, they’re almost adults and they have they have a voice, and that it needs to be heard.”

Meet the Board Ca Carter Castillo Features Editor

Emerson Fuentes-Alaba

This year’s election season is a crucial one, at both a national level and a decisions on the ballot. The journalism students of Newbury Park High S online forum for the prospective school board candidates. Upon the expir Lauren Gill, Karen Sylvester and Patti Jones being new candidates and will be voting by district; the two open seats are in Area 1, Westlake, who candidates are pictured on the right. Voters will only be able to vote on m below and answered by each candidate, and the full transcripts of each q pantherprowler.org.

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What is your thought p for core literature titles What are your thoughts you think there are any district?

CVUSD is currently no Healthy Youth Act. Ho CVUSD is compliant?

How do you plan to bo district?

q&a with school board candidates Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Trustee Area 5 - Newbury Park

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e School 4 andidates

anza Graphic Artist

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Prasheetha Karthikeyan Sports Editor

a local level. The CVUSD School Board election is one of the most cardinal School, Thousand Oaks High School, and Westlake High School held an ration of two school board members’ terms, four people are running, with Sandee Everett running as an incumbent. This is the first year voters ose candidates are pictured on the left, and Area 5, Newbury Park, whose members based on the area they reside in. There are four questions outlined question and the candidates’ responses will be on our website: www.

process when evaluating books s? s on distance learning and do areas of improvement for the

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Lauren Gill “I don’t want my son, who is a white male, to feel like only people who look like him are capable of creating great art. That’s not a message I want him to take away at all. We have work to do in the curriculum, we have so few titles that sometimes when you hit twelfth grade, the only title available for you to read is one that you read in ninth grade. It might be To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“I think it’s been painful, the isolation is difficult. There are absolutely populations and communities of students who have not been served well by remote learning and those are our youngest learners, you know the, the students that are just learning to read for example. Our most vulnerable learners, so students whose housing is unstable, foster youth students with disabilities, our bilingual learners have really, really struggled and we need to find a way to restore them to the fullest possible environment where they can learn well and repair whatever damage has been done by these past months.”

“The previous board majority kind of slow walked anything that they felt was controversial and certainly the Healthy Youth Act fits into that category, so we’re out of compliance, that’s too bad, we need to move forward. We need to make sure that the curriculum we adopt is medically accurate, scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, inclusive and respectful...It’s incredibly important, especially in the area of health.

A subject like Calculus really hasn’t changed a great deal in the past 400 years, but health has.”

“Student voices have been very important in my campaign. I’ve learned a tremendous amount in my conversations. We are in the process of organizing in another Listen-and-Learn session, and I’ll invite all of you as soon as I have details on that. I’m very very pleased that we have a student member of the board, and I’m very very pleased that we have a Student District Advisory Council. Those are very important building blocks we can add to and expand upon...

I absolutely will be relying on you and your peers should I be fortunate enough to be elected.”

Lauren Gill - Working for Pearson Education, Lauren Gill strives to help college students transition to college and find a suitable path and career choice that meets their desires. Gill is running for a position on the school board as a chance to return her gratitude towards public education. As a child of educators, she hopes to use her authority and skills to leave the community and district better than it was before. Lauren Gill/With Permission

Sandee Everett

“There’s just a handful that contain graphic descriptions of child rape, like one of our books, describes a father, for example raping his nine year old daughter and the detail is so graphic that it’s it’s very, very troubling...we need to be mindful of that when we’re handing kids books...I will always bring up if I have a concern with how rigorous it is, or if it doesn’t, you know, the vocabulary is low, like the part time Indian book that we voted on a couple years ago only had a third grade reading level, and it’s for ninth graders, I didn’t think that that was appropriate.”

“We’ve spent a lot of money, millions of dollars on programs to do distance learning. And it’s been a big learning curve for not only the teachers but the students and the parents. A lot of parents are concerned because they’re trying to learn Canvas as well. And it’s, it’s, it’s challenging...frankly, nothing can replace in-person instruction, especially for kids with disabilities and for their services and things like that. It’s just really difficult for some students to actually learn and have it be effective online.”

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“I support a curriculum called HEART. It’s fully compliant with the law. It’s very respectful of all worldviews. In fact, what it does is it has the students go home, after each lesson, it covers all of the areas, the required areas, and then it has them go home and interview their parents on what their family values are on those issues. And so it doesn’t need to, the classroom does not need to prevent present values to the children. The parents would do that.

And then the kids come back as with the homework completed, and they’ve discussed it with their parents.”

“You know, the little kids, their parents are usually their advocates.

Um, so for elementary school, I think we need to look to the parents and even for middle school. For high school, the students want to have more of a say, but I feel like even with the current, you know, student groups that not every voice is represented.”

Sandee Everett - Currently a CVUSD School Board Trustee, Sandee Everett is a full time mom and licensed school counselor. Being on the board for the past four years, Everett’s goal is to bring her experience and expertise to the community. She believes that her eyes on budgeting leads her to understand district programs thoroughly. Her kids were raised around the Newbury Park area.

Sandee Everett/With Permission

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features Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Unity Conejo inspires NPHS students Sera Mohammed Staff Writer

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza/Prowler

Founded by CVUSD parent Megan Goebel, Unity Conejo is an organization of parents, students and teachers dedicated to implementing change in schools for the LGBTQ+ students throughout Conejo Valley.

Unity Conejo has been meeting virtually since it was formed in the beginning of September.

The goal of the organization is to effectively train teachers to support members of the LGBTQ+ community in the classroom, create safe spaces like Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in all CVUSD schools and provide LGBTQ+ sex education. “Our main goal is to make Conejo Valley a more inclusive community for everyone and also be able to make it a better safe place for everyone to go to,’’ Sophia Resnick, junior, explained.

Michael Lindroth, Ava Ahlberg and Resnick are currently the three NPHS representatives in Unity Conejo. Unity Conejo encourages its members to take action in everyday life outside of the organization as well, which has proven to have a positive effect on its members. “This organization has encouraged me to be more active in my community,” Lindroth said. “I have been inspired to help

implement change in CVUSD. I cannot wait to see what we will be able to do.”

For Ahlberg, being in Unity Conejo has changed how she sees Thousand Oaks. “We have a lot of improvement to make in LGBTQ issues. It is sad to see so much homophobia in my own town, people just need education and understanding,” Ahlberg said. According to Resnick, Unity Conejo has impacted how closely she was tied to the LGBTQ+ community. “A lot of my friends don’t know how closely tied I am to the community, so then I ask them to think of it in a different way and help them form a more positive opinion [about LGBTQ+],” Resnick said.

At the CVUSD board meeting on Oct. 6, Lindroth and Ahlberg made public comments on behalf of Unity Conejo. Lindroth talked about his personal experiences with homophobic behavior in CVUSD: “As a gay student at CVUSD, I have experienced homophobia at CVUSD. I have been called homophobic slurs in locker rooms, walking around campus, and online”. Lindtroth’s experiences support the call for action of Unity Conejo to accommodate for the LGBTQ+ community in CVUSD.

Davis Armstrong breaks both legs Parker Bohl Staff Writer Four months into quarantine, Davis Armstrong, sophomore, broke both his legs while out running. Armstrong started running for NPHS early in high school.

“I started running freshman year with no running experience,” Armstrong said.

“I wanted to become [a] varsity [runner], so I just put in as much work as I could, with the time that I had, trying to improve myself,” he said.

Near the end of the season when he was preparing to start training for track and field, the coronavirus struck. Due to the quarantine, Armstrong trained alone for months, until practice started again in August.

“I just started running with my friends and about like two miles in [I felt] just a

really sudden pain come [on] my right leg,” Armstrong said. “I just couldn’t run, I couldn’t even walk on it.” Two weeks later, after an MRI, the true cause of his pain was revealed. “It turned out I had three stress fractures... I had two in my right leg … and then I had one on my left and it didn’t hurt ever so I didn’t even know I had it,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong was required to wear boots over his injured legs, making him essentially immobile. “I couldn’t do any physical activity...so I was just kind of sitting around,” Armstrong said. “It was just summer so I just dusted off my guitar and then I started playing. I would just sit and play for hours a day, and...I started writing a few songs.”

As Armstrong’s legs began to heal, he no longer had to wear the boots. His right leg healed faster than his left. Once his doctor cleared him for activities such as swimming. “I would just swim every day... do laps back and forth and I eventually learned that I actually really liked to swim,” he said.

“I would always think in the moment when I was running, but I actually think I need to think more in the future.” he said, “I was taking [running] seriously before but... this has… brought the way I look at physical activity, especially…view it with… utmost importance of how I do it,” Strum- Davis Armstrong strums his guitar on a family camping trip. “Once Armstrong said. “It was definitely one of Strum the biggest experiences and hardships of I got hurt I was just kind of sitting around.” Armstrong said, “It was [still] summer, so I just dusted off my guitar, and then I started playing.” Davis my life so far.”

Armstrong/With Permission

Michael Valdez connects with Car Culture Parker Bohl Staff Writer

Vroom Vroom-Cool cars fill the parking lot of the MB2 Raceway to participate in Michael Valdez’s car show. “I host, every Monday at eight at the empty[MB2 Raceway] parking lot” Valdez said. Parker Bohl/Prowler

Often we hear criticisms of social media, but the rapid change social media has caused in car culture has given Michael Valdez, senior, his dream job.

His fascination with cars began when he got his first job, working at MB2 Raceway, an indoor go-kart track.

“All the guys that work there were kind of into the cars, and then I watched a lot of YouTube, and it kind of got me into cars also,” Valdez said. Valdez’s interest in cars has offered many opportunities.

Valdez is a full-time media manager for Diamond Auto Salon. He manages all photos that go up on their Instagram, Yelp and Facebook pages, “and I make YouTube videos for them,” Valdez said. Social media has not only provided Valdez with his job, but it has also connected car enthusiasts to thousands of like-minded friends. Ben Katz, NPHS alumnus, said, “I remember when people used to have Instagram just for their personal profiles and like that’s it. And then eventually

[people got] a bit more creative... in the last [...] probably like six or seven years now, it’s like every car has a page.’”

“I got my job through social networking... the company saw my photography on my Instagram account and reached out to me to work for them,” Valdez said.

Angel Rivera, a friend of Valdez commented, “It’s a lot easier to find what kind of car you’re into locally. So for me, I had a Gulf, and the Gulf social media situation is insane. There’s a group called SoCal Mark Seven, and they have over 2000 people,” Rivera said. “We started that group two years ago, with just a couple buddies, and now it’s over 2000 people in the local area that have Gulfs.”

The car culture of Newbury Park is open to new people and growing quickly. As the interest in cars continues to expand, Valdez’s favorite part of his job is the ability to meet new people everyday.

features Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

with Lexi

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Hodder

Anna Johnson Entertainment Editor

How have you been handling school?

It’s honestly been off to a rough start because I think that not only do the students not know what they’re doing but also the teachers because I think everyone is just a little confused. Obviously these are very unprecedented times, but I think everyone is just trying the best that they can. It’s definitely not ideal, if anything this is as hard as it gets. I’m handling it, so I think it’ll be smooth sailing after that.

How do you make sure to give yourself free time?

Honestly I do procrastinate, but I have this calendar/planner thing that I keep track of what needs to be done. I give myself breaks so I can talk with my friends, sometimes I’ll talk with my friends while I’m doing my homework or I’ll work on homework with a friend who has a class with me. I’ll just get what I need to get done first and then if I have free time then I might get started early on something. I’m definitely balancing my social life especially with clubs.

I hear you are the social media chair for Interact club. Can you tell me about that?

I am the co-publicist for Interact. I co-run the Instagram for Interact. We did interviews with each of the board members of the club to get to know who’s in charge and create a sense of familiarity. We meet every other Thursday at 10:50 so we are just working on getting that information out to everyone. People can join because it’s a really fun club, I really do like that club.

Have you been listening to any good music lately?

Yes. Taylor Swift‘s “folklore” came out in July and I’m still jamming to it. It’s good stuff. I do really like that album and I think it’s one of her best. It’s very nostalgic. It’s kind of like old Taylor meets new Taylor. I’ve been listening to a lot of music. I’ve been listening to classical music a lot lately, it’s good music to listen to while you’re working. It’s especially good to listen to when I’m working on stuff for my art class, it just puts me in a creative mood.

What art classes are you taking?

Lexi Hodder/With Permission

I’m taking AP art which is very fun, but it’s definitely a weird structure with social distancing. You don’t have the art kit that they have at school so I have to run around the house to find whatever I have. We’re doing watercolors so I had to just pull out this horrible Crayola six color watercolor pan that’s crusting over and I haven’t touched since the fifth grade but you have to work with what you got.

Students in CASC make a difference in community Nandini Patro Staff Writer

Dhruv Patel Ad Team

The California Association of Student Councils (CASC) brings together many enthusiastic students with diverse backgrounds. CASC helps to encourage and promote youth expression within the educational system and create a positive change within the community.

What’s unique about CASC is the students who run it. Similar to many other leadership based clubs or organizations, CASC is completely student-run.

They are the people who work behind the scenes and make the magic happen.

Eliana Morris, junior, feels strongly that a student-led club truly makes the difference. “This allows students to see that they themselves have the ability to create change without the guidance of adults,” Morris said. “This ties into CASC’s goal as an organization to empower students by fostering self esteem and allow them to see the change they can make.”

Not only does CASC allow students to see their true capabilities, but it also creates a more comfortable environment since it is completely student-led. “This allows every student an opportunity to take charge and become empowered especially because you know

you’re in a safe environment,” said Erin Tak, junior.

CASC also has an interesting effect on students by showing them what they’re truly capable of even as teenagers. David Cho, junior, believes CASC amplifies the voices of students by giving them an outlet for advocacy.

Cho became an Outreach Director for Region 7 because of CASC. “It puts [students] in front of people who can make change, such as state legislators, and gives them the opportunity to take hold of their education and mold it into a system they want to see.”

CASC gives students opportunities they would not normally come across and provides them with the necessary abilities to make a change. “It helps the school through the programs we offer such as SABE where students are able to create and voice recommendations to the California State Board of Education,” Tak said.

CASC helped these students realize what they are capable of even as teenagers. The power is within the students. “CASC has completely changed my thought process,” Morris said. “Even as students, we have the power to create positive change.”

Lead- The CASC members meet Tuesdays weekly to talk about the CASC curriculum which includes a variety of topics. The club is comprised completely out of students besides the teacher advisor, Stephen Johnson. The students have learned a lot through CASC and will continue learning in the coming years. “[CASC] has provided me with the opportunity to hone my leadership skill and to be part of a bigger picture,” Cho said. David Cho/With Permission

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entertainment Panther Prowler • October 16, 2020

Students experience outdoor dining Hayden Meixner Staff Writer MacGlauthon Fleming IV Staff Writer

Many restaurants have had to reinvent almost every aspect of their dining experience as a result of COVID-19. Seeing that indoor dining is limited at the moment, local restaurant owners have been searching for months to find a solution to the problem they have been given: finding a safe way for people to enjoy meals, while still experiencing the luxuries that come with eating out.

Zoey Blair, freshman, believes that outside dining is a bad idea. “I wouldn’t personally do it but as long as it’s safe I guess.

Some people can do it, just not too many at a time,” Blair said.

However, when it comes to taking precautions, Grace Vilella, freshman, thinks that local restaurants have done a good job when she went out to Islands in Newbury Park. “Due to COVID, we were supposed to keep our masks on while walking out to our seats on the patio and the table was all spaced away from each other,” Villella said.

Feeling safe from the virus that continues to rage throughout the country is a top priority, and a key defense is social distancing.

With outdoor dining, families must depend on restaurants to establish appropriate distance from other families, “I think that there was enough space because [Islands] used the parking lot but I still would like for there to have been more seating inside of the restaurant,” Vilella said Kelly Centeno, freshman, has eaten out on several occasions since quarantine, using outdoor seating in restaurants. “It’s definitely different and I never thought that I would ever have to be eating outside in a parking lot,” Centeno said.

Ventura County recently moved into the red tier, which means that businesses can choose to allow limited indoor dining. However, outdoor dining still continues to be an option for people who want to eat out in a safe manner.

Although there are some pros and cons that come with eating at a local restaurant during this time, restaurant owners have worked long and hard to give customers a good dining experience all the while keeping people safe.

Dine Mandarin Bistro provides a socially distanced outdoor environment to enjoy Dinemeals while awning and umbrellas keep customers cool and protected from the sun. Hayden Meixner/Prowler.

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” teaches about politics Parker Bohl Staff Writer

Carter Castillo/Prowler

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” encapsulates the spirit of the golden age of Hollywood in the 1930s. In this film, a corrupt judge is persuaded to nominate James Smith ( Jimmy Stewart), an average joe that his superiors think will be easy to control as the new senator. However, Mr. Smith holds tightly to his convictions and will not be easily manipulated by corrupt lobbyists.

This film best portrays the founders’ intent for our nation’s government and how it has been corrupted. The climactic crescendo of the film never fails to erupt some kind of deep passion in me. It is an inspiring political commentary that uses the names of no political parties or actual legislative issues, yet captures perfectly the essence of where both sides consistently fall short.

However, the film starts off a bit slow and takes a while to kick

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into gear. The film’s outdated prelude contained much comedy and brief drama that fell flat for me, but it is more than balanced out by the clever performance of Jimmy Stewart.

His character’s enthusiasm was almost contagious through my screen. The government is respectfully and passionately critiqued by an enthusiastic everyman trying to convince the corrupt officials to change their ways. This film deals with politics better than any other I have seen. It manages to be direct and unbiased, communicating a message anyone can apply to their lives in that there are things you should not compromise on. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in a unique look into the inner workings of U.S. politics, as well as a climax with a punch.

13 The “Social Dilemma” did not satisfy entertainment

Panther Prowler • October 16, 2020

Reese Kelem Chief Photographer

After hearing people rave about the “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix and seeing way too many ads for it, I was ready to watch a new perspective on how social media affects society and politics.

It only took me about five minutes to realize this was not the case.

The “drama-documentary” opens up with a plethora of visual concepts ranging from interviews to displaying animations to a cheesy plotline. These three aspects rotate all around during the movie with some further odd scenes all centered around the evil power of technology. A constant eerie music played in the background as if it was a horror movie and the villain was social media. This dramatization escalated more as they portrayed phone use as an addiction by using scenes of people shooting drugs, eyes dilating and people gasping.

The film gave off the mood of a corny anti-smoking ad. The film uses common scare tactics and drama used by anti-smoking campaigns to make people fear cigarettes, but in reality nobody cares because it’s so cheesy. It’s almost as if it comes from a parent’s perspective of how everything going wrong is because of those darn phones.

About halfway through the movie I wanted to give up on it because I became annoyed by these over exaggerations, but it finally came to some points worth listening to. One interesting statistic brought up was the suicide rates of teen girls, which correlates to social media growth over the years. This relates to

how Generation Z is more likely to be depressed, be admitted to hospitals for self harm and is less willing to take risks. This was the first part of the documentary where I related, because like many girls at our high school, social media heavily influences body image and can cause a lot of mental struggles.

tesn Fuen Emerso /Prowler za Alaban

Despite the terrible formatting of the film, the movie highlighted important effects of algorithms and political influences that have become extremely relevant to politics in recent months. One major issue was the increasing division

between the two political agendas. A reporter even mentioned that fake news spreads six times faster on Twitter and this biased propaganda has led to radical actions such as the PizzaGate Conspiracy.

All points brought up were extremely critical information about how the media can easily manipulate agendas, but unfortunately these messages were still brought up in the same dramatic, unattractive style. For instance, the rabbit holes created by algorithms were represented through three cynical looking men controlling a person’s feed as if they were electronically puppeteering the man, but in reality, we know that our every interaction is watched over by people trying to corrupt us. The irony is that the documentary speaks on media-driven conspiracy theories, but the documentary is presented as if it is some radical conspiracy theory itself.

In the end, the movie attempts to make some call to action that we need to regulate the power of media platforms, or just get rid of it all together, or else we are going to destroy the world. The reality is we can’t just erase something that may be bad but is also extremely beneficial to the world, but regulation may be a plausible solution. Despite the immature dramaticness of the film, it does highlight some extremely important themes that, especially in this chaotic time of fake news and political division, need to be heard by the people.

“Enola Holmes” brings a strong new female heroine Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza Staff Writer Most people know the famous duo of Detective Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson. Since first appearing in a 1887 print “A Study in Scarlet” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes and Watson have since been the focus of many media projects, from books to movies and television shows.

Adapted from the book series “The Enola Holmes Mysteries”

by Nancy Springer, the new Netflix original film “Enola Holmes” tells the story of Sherlock’s estranged sister Enola, played by Millie Bobby Brown. The film follows Enola’s adventures on her search to find her mother who mysteriously vanished, leaving only a peculiar note.

The young teen is then put in the care of her two older brothers Mycroft and Sherlock. When they meet with her, Mycroft says she is “a wild child” and intends to send her off to a boarding school for young ladies while he finds their mother with Sherlock. Enola then decides to run away to find her mother

on her own. Her journey is spent evading Mycroft and Sherlock, accompanied by a young lord she met along the way, who has it out to kill him and Enola by association.

The movie shows a strong female heroine with a brilliant mind. It reflects characteristics of wit and fierceness in a woman, which are not often portrayed in period pieces of the late 1800’s. Throughout the film, the young woman continually challenges gender norms of the time and shows that a woman can do anything a man is capable of. The story itself also focuses on women’s suffrage and equal rights, which were a much more foriegn concept in the time period the story takes place.

“Enola Holmes” is a fun movie with thrill, lots of adventure and a dash of suspense. It leaves the viewer with a new look at the classic characters while introducing a fresh, new feminist-oriented protagonist that young girls can look up to.

Prasheetha Karthikeyan/Prowler

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Emma Schoors Opinion Editor Legendary guitarist and co-founder of Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, passed away on Oct. 6 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

The musician was one of the most innovative and talented individuals music has ever seen, and his influence on rock and roll will inarguably stand the test of time. Van Halen revolutionized the tapping technique and paved the way for countless guitarists after him with his grit and devotion to his craft.

“Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine, that no one could take away from me,” Van Halen said. Eddie Van Halen was a rock star, no doubt about it, and his name will forever be etched in history. But much more importantly, he lived and breathed music. “Rock stars come and go. Musicians play until they die.”

Rock stars come and go.

Musicians play until they die.

-Eddie Van Halen

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14 Football tackles COVID-19 sports

Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Allison Nguyen Staff Writer

From an open field to an empty stadium, NPHS’s football team has gone through many adjustments trying to adapt to their new training habits. Conditioning during a pandemic has been difficult, but members of the team have been working hard, practicing every week to prepare them for the return of their season.

For many of the seniors on the team, this football season has been quite an unfortunate turn for their final year. Christian Middleton, senior, has been playing football since he was a kid, this year being his fourth year playing at NPHS as a back defence and wide receiver.

Due to COVID-19, him and his team have been slowly transitioning their practices back to the field. “At school, we haven’t been allowed to actually touch the footballs...when we come to practice, the coach checks our temperature every day so we have to make sure we meet a criteria that fits so we can actually practice,” Middleton explained.

From past years, this season has been a complete change. “Games have always started in August, so the fact that the seasons pushed back, like, five months or whatever it was kind of weird. We might not be able to play with a lot of fans this year which is also going to be weird because every year there’s always fans of the game so it would just be a different setting,” Middleton said.

The team has overcome many obstacles at the start of this season.

Dane Germann, senior, has been playing football for the past seven years and as a receiver and defensive back for the NP team. With this being his last season, practice has never changed

Touchdown- Last year, the NPHS football team led the school to many victories as they trained and played with each other for the entire year. However, with COVID-19 spreading, the team has restricted practice hours during their sessions. “We’re only practicing two times a week for an hour and last year we practiced every day for like two and a half hours,” Ramirez said. This time difference may affect the team, but the football team will do their best to make sure they practice as hard as they can..Alyssa Ramirez/With Permission

so drastically from past years. “We start with five to ten minute warm ups, like stretching and then we do defense for about 30 minutes, and then we’ll condition for, like, 20-25 minutes, and then on Thursdays it’s just offense,” Germann said.

Communication has been extremely difficult to get through with social distancing. With new faces joining the team, members find it difficult to get to know the underclassmen.“ We’ve communicated a little [with the freshmen] mostly over Zoom or text messages. We’ve had challenges for assignments where we messaged our underclassmen or just a teammate we don’t know and get to know them,” Germann said.

Last fall, Alyssa Ramirez, sophomore, joined the freshman team as the only girl, playing running back and linebacker. With this being her second year on the team, she has grown close to many of her teammates. “Last year we didn’t really know [other team members], but we were able to interact and get closer to each other. This year, there’s new people in each group but we don’t all get to meet each other because we’re separated. It’s kind of hard to start the chemistry between the team,” Ramirez said.

With Ramirez being the only girl on the team, her experience has brought her a lot closer with her teammates. “It was a lot different [last year] because it was awkward. This year, it honestly just feels like I’m one of the guys because they don’t treat me any different,” Ramirez said.

Slowly easing into the changes, the team hopes to start their official season, gearing up early December and starting their first inperson game at the beginning of January.

Girls water polo splashes into another season Allison Nguyen Staff Writer

Splash- Sophia McClanahan, senior, passes the ball off to her closest teammate. Playing on her last season for the team, McClanahan won’t let the pandemic stop her from getting back into the water. “I thought I might be able to improve my skills to get better at being a goalie because I’ve only been the goalie for two years,” McClanahan said. Though this season has been the strangest to adjust to, her and her teammates have been practicing every week to condition and train. Sophia McClanahan/With Permission

With a handful of new swimmers for the new season, the NPHS girls water polo team has not let the pandemic get in the way. From swimming laps to perfecting their treading water skills, these girls hope to return as a team as soon as possible.

Ella Blackburn, senior, has been playing water polo for the school all four years. However, this year practice looks a little different. “Other than freestyling in the pool, we’ve also been learning and practicing treading which has been kind of hard,” Blackburn said.

She and her teammates were picked by their coach to help slowly bring members back to condition. “We all swim in different lanes, doing laps going back and forth for two hours,” Blackburn said.

Bryanna Gregory, senior, is one of the few who have returned to the pool.

The team has been doing a variety of different workouts. “We’re doing lots of leg drills and we do something called a pyramid, where we work our way up and back from 30 seconds [a type of swimming exercise],” Gregory said.

From meeting new members to bonding during games, the girls have lost a lot of the social parts of playing to social distancing. “We can’t meet the incoming freshmen,” Gregory said. “It’s always fun to meet up with your friends and you tend to want to give them a hug or a handshake or something after a game or scrimmage. And it’s just really unfortunate that you can’t have that contact.”

Sophia McClanahan, senior, returned to the pool this season with a drastic change in practice.

“There’s only 10 allowed per day for practice… so some groups will go at one time and another group will go to another time zone. I have only seen the girls that were on my team last year,” McClanahan said. “There is no ball passing or any physical contact with each other, which is kind of sad.”

With this being their final year on the team, seniors are sad they cannot return back like a normal team, but anything could happen these next few months. “I’m trying to remain hopeful, but we probably won’t have a normal season,” Gregory said.

sports Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

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Colleges scout for students amid COVID-19 Dhruv Patel Ad Team

coaches that attend, and prior to the showcase you email whoever colleges you are interested in your game schedule to come watch,” Mia Nicole, junior said; she has been playing soccer for 13 years. These showcases would be three days long, and athletes would play one game a day.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of colleges coming to the students, their only option is to look at virtual submissions. “As of right now, the only way for college coaches to see you play is through game footage,” Caden Prater, junior, said. Prater has played soccer for 12 years and is still playing today.

Before COVID-19, colleges would meet with the students through meetings in person.

However, colleges had to adapt this year to find new ways to contact the students and interview them virtually. “Now, the main way to be able to talk to coaches and be scouted is by emailing them back and forth,” Prater said. This is a stark contrast to meeting the student in person and getting to know them face to face.

Universities have adapted quickly to new situations, and they did not fall short with sports.

They found new ways to communicate with students and watch them compete. Students and colleges both have to change their methods to fit these new times, but they continue to rise up to the challenge. “I think they are still adapting and figuring it out,” Nicole said. “But they are doing a good job at checking emails for possible players so when they can watch, they know who to look out for.”

Kick Caden Prater, senior, plays soccer for the NPHS team. With new COVID-19 restrictions, Prater cannot play on Kickthe team just yet, and coaches cannot see him play with his teammates. However, he can show his skills even if he can’t play with the highschool team. “The only way for college coaches to see you play is through game footage or if you go out of state to play in a tournament,” Prater said. Caden Prater/With Permission

Most colleges rely on scouting as a form of recruiting high school students to play on their sports teams. They scout students by going to their games and observing their ability to play. When COVID-19 struck, many of these games were cancelled or postponed until late into 2020. Colleges around the world have had to change their scouting ways to find students with extraordinary skills without seeing their games in-person.

Before the pandemic, colleges would always find ways to see students in action. “Sometimes they’ll come to large tournaments to see lots of players,” Chris Shen, senior, said, who has been playing tennis for five years. In these tournaments, players would compete to see who is the best, so the colleges can Dash- Chris Shen, senior, tosses the ball to hit a solid serve. He along with others has to find new ways Dash really see the athletes’ skill there. to show colleges his skill. “Lots of people are making recruiting videos,” Shen said. Chris Shen/With Colleges would also scout at showcases taking place all over the country. “There are many college Permission

Online PE keeps students active from home Hayden Meixner Staff Writer When school was shut down due to COVID-19, there were many unanswered questions on the process of school being held virtually. Among those was how PE classes were going to resume while students are forced to stay home. Although it looks much different, PE teachers have found a way to continue their class, even if their students take it from their bedrooms.

Chris Soury, NPHS PE teacher, explained that every teacher runs their class differently. Whether that be set workouts on zoom or independent work, the main goal is to make sure that students are moving and getting exercise.

“Every teacher may have a different approach to remote PE. Some teachers have been doing physical activity/dance with students during zoom meetings. Others have been using the zoom classroom to teach content and have students perform physical activity during the reinforcing time.” Soury explained.

Just like every class, online PE has had its fair share of complications. Emma Safier, freshman, said that the biggest problem has been the lack of equipment. “One skill for fitness testing was to dribble two basketballs at a time. I don’t have 2 basketballs, so I just stood in front of the camera bouncing one yoga ball up and down.”

Michael Giles, another PE teacher, said that one of the biggest changes between regular PE class and online PE class was the lack of the social aspect as well as less room in the curriculum for students to move freely and be outside. “Normally my classes would be very physical, out in the sun, socializing with friends,

while learning new skills and improving old. All while getting in shape through walking, running, lifting, fitness testing, and constant moving,” Giles said.

As for what to expect during a regular PE class, Safier explained that students are given their set assignments for the week and are expected to complete their work throughout the week. “[PE assignments] usually includes a health lesson, a fitness test, and our fitness logs. We have 3 fitness logs to do each week and we complete them after at least 1 hour of physical activity.

For example, I am a dancer so I usually do my fitness log after classes or rehearsals” said Safier.

During Zoom meetings, teachers are working with students to create a ‘4-week fitness program’ This program teaches students “warm-up and cool-down with dynamic and statistical stretching. Plus, training principles of overload, progression, and specificity, as well as cardio fitness and muscular strength and endurance,” Giles explained.

Clearly, students are not only doing physical activity during the class but also learning about the academics that comes with physical activity. Teachers have worked hard to come up with a fitting curriculum. “Online teaching has made us all better, teachers, students, and admin,” Giles said. “We are all improving next level in education and preparing our students for a future that could include more online and remote work both in the classroom and in their future life work.”

Prasheetha Karthikeyan/Prowler

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iOS 14 Pages Panther Prowler • Oct. 16, 2020

Students personalize iOS 14 Backgrounds

Brady Craven, sophomore, followed a “color theme” for his home page.

“It took me around 45 minutes. I would’ve done my app logos but I don’t have that much patience or skill. My inspiration was music. I just looked for aesthetic pictures in my phone that fit the color theme,” Craven said.

Brady Craven/With Permission

Sarena Kabir News Editor On Sept. 16, Apple came out with a new update, iOS 14. This new update allows its users to customize their home screens in any way they want, using different widgets that can either be photos, the time, date, weather, etc. People can now change their app icons to fit with any specific theme one desires. Many people spend countless hours to decorate their home screens and allow their creativity to shine.

Molly McNulty, junior, took a few days to design her new home screen, and went in with a specific aesthetic in mind. “I tried to go for a granola aesthetic for my home screen. I’m a very outdoorsy person and I wanted to make my home screen kind of reflect that. I saw a few TikToks that inspired me and I tried to make mine similar to those,” McNulty said.

Molly McNulty/With Permission

Ellie Stark, junior, focused her design on the dark counterpart of her favorite color, which is pink. “It took me about an hour or two, I created all the icons for the apps myself. I also had to find out which apps to use for the widgets and which designs would look best together. I chose my wallpaper first and designed my layout based on the color of my wallpaper. I wanted a darker color wallpaper because I prefer my phone in dark mode so it just looks better that way,” Stark said.

Ellie Stark/With Permission

Emma McCoy/With Permission.

Isabel Garcia/With Permission

Emily Ho/With Permission