2022-2023 Issue 1 (Sept. 23)

PANTHER

WHAT’S INSIDE

The reign of Queen Elizabeth II comes to an end

Queen Elizabeth II of England died on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The Queen’s title will now be passed on to her eldest son, previously known as Prince Charles of Wales, but with a current title of King Charles III.

Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953, ruling from the age of 25 to the age of 96, just over 70 years, making her the longest reigning monarch in British history. It is unlikely that any following monarch will rule for that long.

She was a mother of four, grandmother of eight and great grandmother of four. She was preceded in death by her husband Prince Philip, to whom she was married to for 73 years. He passed only a year prior on April 9, 2021.

With her death, the national currency in England will be withdrawn and changed, the national anthem will become “God Save The King”, and her previous title of head of the Commonwealth will need to be passed on to a successor who will be chosen by the leaders of the Commonwealth.

As queen, Elizabeth took charge of opening every new session of Parliament, granting royal assent to legislation and approving orders and proclamations through the Privy Council, a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign of the foreign kingdom. The Privy Council helps enact powers within Parliament.

The Queen had met all of the 14 most recent presidents except for Lyndon Johnson, missed only two Parliament meetings in her 70 years on the throne, and maintained a good relationship with the United States throughout her rule.

The funeral took place on Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey in Central London, being the first royal funeral there since the 18th century. She will be laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel alongside her husband and parents.

Over 100 world leaders were in attendance. Also in attendance were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, two years after their controversial step-back from the royal family. Following her casket were the Queen’s four children, King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.

Queen Elizabeth’s death will bring on change and challenge for the country, and it may just be the beginning of the end of the monarchy, and the start of a new time.

Biden announces student loan forgiveness program

On Aug. 24, President Joe Biden announced his three part plan to help federal student loan borrowers transition back to regular payments, which includes forgiving up to $20,000 of student loans. The first part of this plan is to extend the pause through Dec. 31, 2022. Since the BidenHarris administration took office, they have paused payments on student loan repayments due to complications caused by the pandemic. After the pause, payments will resume in January 2023.

The second part of this plan is to provide debt relief to low and middle income families. Individuals earning under $125,000 a year or households earning under $250,000 a year are eligible for up to $20,000 worth of loan forgiveness.

Over the past 40 years, college tuition has skyrocketed, but the support from the federal government has not kept pace. As a result, the cumulative federal student debt is currently at $1.6 trillion, with over 45 million people currently having student debt across the country. One-third of those people do not have a degree due to the high cost of attendance.

The applications for the student loan forgiveness program are set to open in early October where borrowers can apply to have their debt forgiven. The White House estimates that 43 million people will be eligible for student loans and that 20 million people will have their debt fully cleared. The total cost of this plan is predicted to be around $600 billion.

However, this announcement has been pushed back by the Republican party. “A high-cost degree is not the key to unlocking the American Dream — hard work and personal responsibility is. For many borrowers, they worked hard, made sacrifices, and paid off their debt. For many others, they chose hard work and a paycheck rather than more school and a loan. Americans who did not choose to take out student loans themselves should certainly not be forced to pay for the student loans of others,” 22 GOP governors said in a letter to President Biden. The money that the taxpayers would have to pay for this plan ranges from $190 for taxpayers with incomes less than $50,000, and up to $11,940 for taxpayers making $200,000 - $500,000 a year.

On the other hand, some say that the amount being forgiven is not enough, specifically for Black borrowers. Four years after graduation, the average Black borrower owes $53,000, while the average White borrower owes $28,000. The plan is also criticized for using income as a measure of whether or not someone is eligible to have their debt forgiven. The borrowers that were previously of lower class, but now are of middle class may still have massive debt, but cannot apply for forgiveness due to their income.

President Biden ended his remarks about his student loan forgiveness plan by saying: “That’s what today’s announcement is about. It’s about opportunity. It’s about giving people a fair shot. It’s about the one word America can be defined by: possibilities. It’s all about providing possibilities.”

Nikhil Satyagal Staff Writer

Josie Gardner News Editor

Fancy!- Queen Elizabeth celebrates her Platinum Jubilee on Feb. 6, 2022, becoming the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne. Photo courtesy of Page Six.

Press rights help to express student voices

Coming out of a major pandemic and social unrest, 2022 has been a year for healing. However, amid the recovery, hate and fear still festered within the community and country. Student voices are needed to combat this disorder and to help influence the world to be a better place for the future generations.

Although our ability to freely speak in our student press is protected at the present, it took a very long time to get to where we are today. In the winter of 1969, one of the most well known cases of free speech started in the town of Des Moines, Iowa. The gathering of students and parents, and a discussion about protest on the Vietnam War led to a direct repercussion from the school officials, placing immediate policies to stop these kids from expressing their voices. Students who wore armbands to protest were immediately sent home and suspended the next day.

However, even with the students being censored, their freedom of speech prevailed in the long run, with the case of Tinker v. Des Moines. This 1969 US Supreme Court case solidified students’ free speech, ruling that students did not give up their freedom of speech when they entered the schoolhouse gate.

Shortly after the Tinker v. Des Moines case, the California Education Code 48907 was passed

in 1977. This Ed Code ultimately protects student journalists rights, granting the students the same expression freedoms as their professional counterparts.

Using these protections, the Panther Prowler’s objective is to report national and local news, giving the public a student perspective on these issues. Many might not always agree with the topics we discuss, but the protections we are granted allow us to report on these topics freely and truthfully. Although our student voices have been suppressed in the past, we have always fought to spread the truth and fight censorship.

We do not aim to push a political agenda or the values of our adviser or the administration. We aim to write with honesty and integrity, reporting about the news to the best of our ability. From government arguments to school board disputes in our community, it is extremely important to cover all news no matter how controversial.

Here at Newbury Park High School, the Panther Prowler is a completely student run publication. The student editors at the Panther Prowler are completely responsible for the news we report on, and to sustain the values of proper journalism. Together as a staff, we will forever dedicate our time to reporting and elevating student voices throughout our entire community.

Allison Nguyen

Dhruv Patel

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza

News

Kira Ivarsdottir

Josie Gardner

Opinion Editor

Melissa Geher

Ariela Behar

Melina Wagner

Ava Prapaniku

Back Cover Editor

Hayden Meixner

Social Media Leads

Hayden Meixner

Nandini Patro

Téa Sklar

Copy Editors

Ariela Behar Melissa Geher

Kira Ivarsdottir

Dylan Kaseno

Hayden Meixner

Nandini Patro

Ava Prapaniku

Nandini Patro

2022-2023 staff

Staff Writers

Isabella Boggs

Jason Kiang Gwen McCarthy

Kai Mekari Jack Ranney Nikhil Satyagal Cameron Winick

Online Editors

Josie Gardner Hayden Meixner

Nandini Patro

Téa Sklar

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 Print 365 co. For advertisement information, visit www. pantherprowler.org.

Rohit Ukkan

Dylan Kaseno

Rohit Ukkan

Taylor Gibson DPS Editor

Nandini Patro

Chief

Isabella Boggs

Gwen McCarthy

Cameron Winick

Movie Reviewer

Vincent Bennet

Melina Wagner Cameron Winick

Graphic Artists

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza

Kai Mekari Téa Sklar

Rohit Ukkan

Cameron Winnick

Managing Editor

Téa Sklar

Adviser Michelle Saremi

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.

NewburyParkHighSchool 456NorthReinoRoad,NewburyPark,California91320 (805)498-3676x1110 prowler.newspaper@gmail.com

Trump faces 33 years in prison

Jason Kiang Staff Writer

Former president Donald Trump faces 33 years in prison if convicted of violating the Espionage act and two other criminal statutes. The ongoing investigation began in February of 2022 when classified information on White House records was found in 15 boxes at Trump’s mansion, Mar-A-Lago. Federal laws do not permit removing classified documents to unauthorized locations. This led to a search revealing that Trump had stored 11 sets of classified documents, which were removed without the permission of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Some folders were empty, and some of the documents recovered had top secret information relating to nuclear weapons.

Trump has claimed his innocence throughout this investigation and maintains that his rights were breached. The Trump team claimed there was nothing to find, going as far as saying Obama did the same thing. “President Barack Hussein Obama kept 33 million pages of documents, much of them classified. How many of them pertained to nuclear? Word is, lots!” said Trump. On August 22, he filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) demanding the seized documents be reviewed by a special master. Four days later, a redacted version of the search warrant affidavit was released to the public revealing 184 classified documents including 25 marked “top secret” found in the boxes at Mar-A-Lago.

On August 30, the DOJ responded to Trump’s request for a special master, calling it “unnecessary” as its “filter team” had already gone through the documents.Trump’s legal team claims the FBI took documents that were protected by the executive government as they came from during his presidency and therefore could not be used against him in an investigation.

On September 2, Trump appointed judge Aileen Cannon approved Trump’s request for a special master temporarily pausing the FBI’s investigation.

On September 8, the DOJ appealed the order for a special master arguing that it put US National Security at risk as the investigation had been halted and asked for Cannon to allow for the investigation to continue. Cannon however confirmed Trump nominee Raymond Dearie as special master, denying the DOJ’s appeal. Dearie is a senior district judge for the eastern district of New York. The DOJ has said it does not

oppose Dearie, who has until November 30 to review the documents. The Trump team will be covering the costs of the special master.

The outcome of this case may prove pivotal to the trajectory of American politics. If Trump were to get convicted, he would become the first American President to get indicted for a crime and serve prison time and if not, he will have once again escaped from trouble like he has before.

NASA to launch Artemis 1 Mission

Nikhil Satyagal Staff Writer

On Sep. 27, at Kennedy Space Center, NASA will launch Artemis 1, the first in a series of missions that aims to test NASA’s new technology for exploring deep space. In this mission, the Orion Spacecraft, which is the first spacecraft in history capable of carrying humans on long-duration missions in deep space, will launch using the Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful rocket in the world. This spacecraft will fly farther than any spacecraft has ever flown, going 280,000 miles away from Earth and 40,000 miles away from the far side of the moon.

Artemis 1 will break records when it comes to space travel, but it will also begin a new age of human exploration of deep space. The Artemis 1 mission is a test flight for new technology that will eventually be used to send astronauts to test systems near the Moon.Hopefully it will also be used for future missions on the surface of the Moon as well as destinations even farther from Earth, such as Mars.

The Artemis missions will be a set of 3 missions. Artemis 1 is an unmanned test

Mikhail Gorbachev dies at 91

Jack Ranney Staff Writer

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, died at the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow due to an unspecified illness on August 30, 2022.

Several major leaders have offered mourning for the late Gorbachev. According to Politico Magazine, U.S. President Joe Biden said, “It was easy to understand why so many in the world held him in such high esteem.”

Current Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his condolences, although he has stated that he will not attend Gorbachev’s funeral. Also according to Politico Magazine, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “In a time of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, [Gorbachev’s] tireless commitment to opening Soviet society remains an example to us all.”

Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the USSR on March 10, 1985.

He instituted a number of reforms dedicated to opening up Soviet society. He co-signed a nuclear arms treaty with Reagan that played a fundamental role in ending the Cold War. Gorbachev also withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan, ending a decade-long war that cost the lives of 15,000 Soviet Soldiers and roughly 1.2 million Afghans, almost nine times the death toll of NATO’s war in Afghanistan.

However, many in Russia view Gobachev’s legacy with disdain rather than admiration. Although previous Soviet leaders had been extremely authoritarian, they had been able to effectively govern the Soviet Union and maintain control of its satellite states in Eastern Europe. Due to Gorbachev’s policies, when anticommunist factions— such as the Solidarity Party in Poland— began demanding freedom from the Soviet Union, Gorbachev had to give in.

The anticommunist movement did not stop in the Soviet Bloc. Many of the SSRs (Soviet Socialist Republics), which are federal subdivisions of the Soviet Union, began demanding sovereignty. An ambitious politician named Boris Yeltsin got himself elected the President of Russia, the largest SSR, and went behind Gorbachev’s back to dissolve the Soviet Union.

Russia suffered greatly over the loss of its former empire. While Russia today is a regional power which enjoys influence over Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Russia’s military in the 1990s was a dysfunctional paper tiger, as was evident from their humiliation in the First Chechen War from 1994-1996.

Thus, although he is viewed as a liberator by the West and many living in former SSRs, those in Russia view him as the man who caused the collapse of their military empire.

flight, Artemis 2 will take humans the farthest they have ever been in space, and Artemis 3 will be the first moon landing since 1972. Artemis 2 is expected to launch no earlier than 2024 and Artemis 3 is expected to launch in 2025. The Artemis missions intend to keep people on the Moon for weeks to months rather than just a few days. It will also be one of NASA’s first large-scale collaborations with commercial companies.

Originally, the Artemis 1 was scheduled to be launched on Aug. 29, however due to a problem in the engine, it was delayed to Sept. 3. However, at the new launch, a fuel leak occurred, so it was delayed again. Recently, NASA has announced a new launch date of Sept. 27, with Oct. 2 being a backup date. If neither of these launch dates work, the next launch period will be between Oct. 17 and Oct. 21. Tests to ensure the success of the mission took place on Sept. 21.

Development for this project started in 2010, and Artemis 1 was originally supposed to launch in 2017, but the launch was delayed and the budget has risen from an initial $7 billion to $23 billion. With this increased budget and its overall purpose, this mission, and the Artemis missions overall may change the course of human history.

Busted! Classified files found at Trump’s mansion were removed without permission of the National Archives and Records Administration. Photo courtesty of CNA

Blast off! The Artemis 1 rocket is preparing to launch on Sept. 27, after numerous delays in its launch time. The Space Launch System and the Orion Spacecraft are seen above on launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the site of the launch. Photo courtesy of NASA

The End- Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985. He is pictured here in December 1991, just after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He is often blamed for the collapse and the turmoil that followed. Photo courtesy of The Globe and Mail

Senate and House of Representatives Seats Up for Election

Rohit Ukkan Features Editor

This November, all eyes will be on the upper chamber of the Senate to tip the balance of the current 50-50 split between Democrats and Republicans. 28 total Senate seats will be up for grabs, with 15 incumbent Republicans and 13 incumbent Democrats. With the recent major Supreme Court decisions, the Senate races are more competitive than ever due to the chamber’s role in confirming Supreme Court Justices. On top of the already competitive Senate elections, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs this November as well. With a larger lead in the House of Representatives, Democrats hold eight more seats over Republicans with a split of 219 seats to 211 seats.

The recent 2020 census information has led to the reapportionment of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives as to reflect the populations of the 50 states. This 2022 reelection will be the first election in the House of Representatives since the apportionment in 2020. The representatives in the house hold very important jobs as they are responsible for voting in new bills and laws alongside the Senate. The representatives also have a as well as a range of other duties such as deciding matters of national interest, examining committee issues, as well as judging and scrutinizing the actions of the executive branch of government. Although more than one-fourth of the seats in the Senate are up for grabs, several states are

undoubtedly going to swing toward Democrat, with others swinging towards Republican just due to the nature of the state. However four seats have been predicted to be toss-up seats, meaning that those elections could lean either way. Mark Kelly, retired astronaut and Arizona Senator, was elected into the Senate in 2020 after winning a special election against Republican Senator John McCain and is looking to fulfill a full term. Several other senators such as Ron Johnson, Raphael Warnock and Catherine Cortez Masto face toss-up elections which in turn will decide the fate of the Senate for years to come.

Senate reelections are just as important as House of Representatives elections if not even more important. While the House of Representatives has 435 seats, the Senate only has 100 seats within its chambers. This means that every seat in the Senate is worth more than in the House of Representatives as the number of total seats in the Senate is less than one-fourth of the seats in the House. Senate duties also include voting on bills, resolutions, amendments, motions, nominations and treaties. This makes the elections of both the House of Representatives and the Senate important as those who are voted in make impactful decisions that can affect the livelihood of all those in the United States of America.

Permanent supportive housing funding has been paid by the state

Dylan Kaseno Features Editor

$27 million dollars was granted to Ventura County on Aug. 24 from the Governor’s office in an effort to help the unhoused gain permanent supportive housing. Helping many unhoused people in the area to have housing.

Thousand Oaks Mayor and member of the City Council, Bob Engler, worked on making this a reality. “This is very low income housing aimed at people who are experiencing homelessness. And it has permanent supportive housing, which means they have support in the facility.” Engler said. “They have people who will be able to come in and who will come in.. to help them reintegrate into having a house.”

This project is years in the making; in 2018, the city council officially prioritized the development of supportive housing for the city. Claudia Bill de la Peña, another city council member and former Thousand Oaks Mayor, helped to organize the process, along with her fellow council members. “[The] city council secured a non-profit partner to create a permanent supportive housing facility. It was a truly historic vote,” Bill de la Peña said. “The City then applied for state and county funding through Project Homekey. We received more than $7 million from the county and nearly $27 million from the state.”

The goal is for the construction to be done in 6-8

NPHS Reacts to Heatwave

Parker Bohl Chief Photographer

On Sept. 4, the temperature in Thousand Oaks reached 109 degrees fahrenheit, creating a a significant spike in a week and a half long heatwave. NPHS Principal Stephen Lepire explained how this affected the school. “We’ve been advising the PE teachers to be cautious about what [they’re] doing. We had a power outage over the weekend in Newbury so the [AC] system shut off and it takes a while to get it working again,” Lepire said.

Lepire explained further effects of the heat. “The only event that was canceled was a girls JV tennis match,” Lepire said. Frosh/soph football coach Darin Erickson described how most sports continue in spite of the heat. “We are just trying to be very cognizant to be prepared, so the kids are hydrating a lot, they’re

putting a little extra salt on their foods, but CIF is careful to watch the temperature,” Erickson said.

ASG President Sophia Di Stephano outlined the difficulties of holding events in this weather. “The heat [and] the wind definitely affects our plans.” Di Stephano said, “It was hard to get students to participate [in games] because everyone was hiding in the shade.”

Most plans and school events resisted the heat and remained unchanged, but the school is prepared in the event that the AC stops working, as it did in some classrooms. “When we have an issue arise, we just work with the school district and our custodial team to get it fixed as quickly as possible,” Lepire said.

months, with the hopes of opening in Spring 2023. Ingrid Hardy, the Assistant City Manager for Thousand Oaks, worked with the city council in order to finalize the project. “Once the project… is completed, it will house 77 homeless persons. These onsite services and programs are designed to support residents in attaining or restoring a greater sense of stability and dignity in their lives, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to our community in ways that otherwise would not be possible,” Hardy said.

In regards to future plans, there are plenty more ideas on how to expand affordable housing. The city is now working on looking for interim supportive housing, an alternative form of housing also known as an “emergency shelter.” It will provide local and temporary housing to address the immediate need of our unhoused population by providing a safe place to sleep, a place for meals, and case management services to help them navigate housing options.

Now a major problem around the country, homelessness, has a potential solution in Thousand Oaks. While it’s not an end all be all, it’s a start to a future. “And now we have that money coming into the city. So we can help address off some of [our] folks who are out there experiencing homelessness,” Engler said.

Téa Sklar/Prowler

Vote! - Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, addresses the House of Representatives in the United States Capitol. Congresspeople of the House deliberate on whether to vote in the newly proposed bill. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Funded! -The Quality Inn and Suites on Conejo Blvd.has recently been given money from the state in order to convert it into a permanent supportive housing shelter. The location was retrieved months before the money, it was necessary to find a location in order to get money in the first place. Dhruv Patel/Prowler

New schedule is not necessary

Starting this school year, all California schools, by the command of Senate Bill 328, have a mandated start time of no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Even though this is just a short 15 minutes later than NPHS’ previous start time, our day to day schedule has been changed in what seems like the most drastic way possible.

The block schedule students have enjoyed for the past years has been replaced with an A day, B day model. Additionally, instead of one short day completing school at 12:40 p.m., NPHS students now have a later release time, 2:25 p.m, for the first three days of the week and 1:45 p.m release for the final two days of the school week.

This new schedule was introduced by the California chapter, Start School Later, an organization of scientists and psychologists with a mission to create a “more developmentally appropriate school schedule.” Though the extra 15 minutes of sleep may be paramount to some students, it is confusing as to why the entirety of the previous schedule had to be changed to accommodate for these few extra minutes.

The old block schedule has been discontinued and replaced by the new model because of required school hours as well as a voted desire to try something new. NPHS’ infamous college-like block schedule was claimed to not be able to hold up these requirements, yet some schools in Santa Barbara districts (who are affected by the same mandated start time) still boast a similar block schedule, proving that it is still indeed possible to achieve under the new mandates.

The downside of this new schedule is its class load; now all classes for the entire year are taken at the same time, making more class work and homework for students, many who are used to only having to juggle three classes at a time. Additionally, the later start and finishing times make our schedule hard for working parents who have

to drop their kids off of school and student athletes who must now stay later in the day for after school practice. The new schedule includes a time set away for student “CPT” but it is still not clear to me what students should be doing during this time. I think that further communication to parents as to these details of the schedule would have created a smoother transition.

On the contrary, the schedule does create some advantages, each Thursday and Friday students get out at an earlier time of 1:40 p.m., creating more time to get homework done on those days. Additionally, zero period students, such as myself, enjoy a 30 minute later start time which has proven crucial to my modified morning routine.

With some small adjustments to comply with the new required start time, NPHS would be able to bring back the old block schedule. It is something that has been proven to be possible and would be much preferred by many students because of the lesser homework load and class load. Though, if the current schedule is decided to be kept, efforts to explain its benefits and new aspects should be made public and easy to access, as an understanding may generate better results.

Becoming comfortable in my own skin

Kai Mekari Graphic Artist

From a very young age, I knew I was gay. To be exact, I am a nonbinary pansexual, which means I don’t identify as a boy or a girl, and I am attracted to everyone. As a kid who grew up in a very heteronormative household, I never thought about anything outside of that. Looking into my future, I saw myself wearing a white dress, walking down an aisle where I would find myself in a situation where I would have to kiss a man. Although, little me wasn’t thinking about who they wanted to kiss; all I knew was that I didn’t want anything to do with wearing a dress.

Newsom should be reelected

Following his victory in the recall election in 2021, Gavin Newsom seeks to be reelected as Governor of California on November 8. His opponent is Republican Brian Dahle, a current member of the California State Senate.

In the wake of the overturning of Roe V. Wade, many states have banned abortions leading to desperate Americans traveling hundreds of miles to abortion clinics in other states. As if this wasn’t enough already, many Republicans such as Dahle are quickly moving towards banning abortions by voting against bills that would protect and expand abortion rights.

The states that have outlawed abortion, such as Ohio, have set an example to the rest of us of the detrimental effects of such a ruling. Desperate Americans are going out of state seeking abortion leading to a skyrocketing number of abortions in many states.

We must be the state that helps those seeking an abortion, and not become one of the states that have deprived its residents of the right to abortion. Republicans such as Dahle who vote against abortion rights are threatening the future of our state and country. We must reelect Newsom as he continues to expand abortion access and protect out-of-state Americans seeking an abortion.

Another important issue in California is climate change. Newsom has made it a top priority of his to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has called on California water agencies to take action to reduce water usage, which is already in effect.

However, Dahle doesn’t believe in imposing mandatory water regulations. He wants to increase water storage by building the Sites Reservoir and thinning forests.

“When the snow lands on the trees, on the limbs, it evaporates. When the snow lands on the floor, when you have the spacing of the trees, it actually goes into

our watershed and is purified, and it’s good, clean water for the habitat and for us,” Dahle said. Dahle and many Republicans would rather spend more money to “fix” a problem rather than change old norms in America that are proving to be damaging to our country. Instead of teaching Americans to build the habit of water conservation, Dahle proposes ridiculous ideas to increase our water source. But as the population increases and Californians continue poor water usage habits, our drought crisis will continue to worsen, along with Republican policies.

One of the most pressing issues in our country, gun violence, is at an all-time worst, and politicians must take action now to suppress gun violence. Newsom and most democrats understand the severity of this issue and are rapidly proposing and passing bills to prevent gun violence such as restricting ghost guns. In fact, California has the 44th lowest gun death rate in the United States due to Democratic policies.

However, our seemingly low gun death rate doesn’t mean much when kids are still dying en masse due to shootings. We must continue working on decreasing gun violence. However, Dahle who votes with the National Rifle Association has voted against numerous bills that would help control gun violence in America. It almost seems as if Dahle and many Republicans are more concerned with keeping the NRA happy and “protecting our second amendment” than protecting the lives of innocent students. Republicans have long preached “law and order” but their policies have not been helpful in decreasing gun violence. In fact, the states with the highest gun death rates are all run by Republican governors and have a Republican majority. If elected governor, Dahle would only make this crisis worse.

When it comes time for the election in early November, it is important for all those eligible to vote for Newsom for a better California.

Emerson Fuentes Alabanza/Prowler

I remember at the ripe age of ten, I began to avoid mirrors at all costs. I could no longer go in the pool with just a pair of swim trunks and a flat chest. I started to develop a body that was beautiful but wrong. I was becoming a “woman.” I hated the idea of being stuck in a body that couldn’t be changed. I would always tell myself, “There’s nothing you can do, you are a girl. Nothing can change that.” I didn’t know there was a way out. I felt trapped. Sooner or later, ace bandages and hoodies would become my best friend. I developed a beautiful body that I couldn’t stand to look at. The older I got, the more difficult it became to hide the fact that I was born a female.

The hardest part about top surgery isn’t the actual surgery, it’s the process of having to wait for it for years. I have wanted a flat chest for about four or five years now, ever since I started developing my chest. I did everything in my power to compress my chest and make myself appear flat, but no matter what I did, it never fully worked.

One of the biggest challenges I have had to face in the past 4 years is trying not to injure myself while also compressing my chest. This is something that many people don’t understand about trans masculine people. I have used binders, ace bandages, etc, and although they have somewhat worked in the past, they have left permanent damage on my health.

The consequences of these actions are more severe than most might imagine. For example, binding has left me with back issues, fabric burn, and issues breathing correctly due to the pressure on my rib cage. Even though I know I understand the risk of binding, I disregard it because I’d rather be in pain and have a flat chest, than uncomfortable in my own skin.

I am now 15 years old, which means I will be able to get this gender affirming surgery in about 7 months when I turn 16. Now that the date of my surgery seems so close, it’s difficult to say whether I am happy or not. Looking at the obstacles I have overcome to get where I am today, I am so incredibly proud of myself and I am genuinely excited about finally being able to wear a t-shirt in public.

Although, being happy doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a lot of change and it is terrifying. I’ve never done well with change, and getting a permanent surgery even if it is something I’ve wanted and needed for years, it is incredibly nerve wracking. I have come so far with how I present myself, and learning more about how I want to change my appearance permanently that I can finally feel comfortable with who I am.

Jason Kiang Staff Writer

Hayden Meixner Backcover Editor

Cameron Winick/Prowler

Climate change is beyond questioning

Téa Sklar Managing Editor

If you’re ever interested in what climate change is really doing to our planet, watch the National Geographic documentary, ‘Chasing Ice.” In 2005, photographer James Balog documented the effects climate change has on major glaciers.

This documentary is spectacular for many reasons, but there are two that I feel are important to point out. First, this documentary was a dangerous project. Balog, at the beginning of his expedition, was unaware of the important things he would capture on camera, and once he understood the history he was documenting, he went to great lengths to get the best footage possible. He climbed down steep glaciers and put up with harsh conditions just to get the best shot.

The second thing that I found particularly interesting was that the results were far more dramatic than anyone on the team expected them to be. I wanted to point this out because I felt this sliver of knowledge truly speaks to human nature altogether. We struggle to believe things we can not easily see or rationalize.

The concept of climate change is interesting because, to me, it’s one of the most straightforward concepts I will ever understand. It just makes sense to me. There are close to eight billion people on this planet and almost all of them are somehow using the Earth’s resources, while also sending most of the resources back into the Earth’s atmosphere. Of course, there would be side effects to that.

In previous years of learning about climate change, my question has always been the same: “How could anyone possibly not believe climate change is real?” There is solid evidence

proving that these side effects are real and, more importantly, dangerous. How can people actively ignore it?

I eventually answered my own question when the COVID pandemic hit America. With as much sense as it made to me that this pandemic was killing people, there was still a gigantic group that didn’t so much as entertain the idea that this virus is real. Once the vaccines came out, the number of skeptics grew immensely. Human nature and how we, as individuals, deal with issues is so interesting. You can have all the evidence in the world that something is real, throw it at someone’s feet, and there is still a distinct possibility that they won’t believe you or understand.

Balog knew people would criticize his work. He knew of the mass amounts of skeptics that would question his evidence. That’s exactly why I find it so inspiring that he continued with his research despite it all. The evidence is impossible to misinterpret, even if it’s from 17 years ago.

Throughout the week of Sept. 11, President Biden and Vice President Harris took major steps in the fight against climate change. The most major step, on Sept. 13, was that President Biden passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which is determined to be the most forward action the United States has done to reduce climate change.

We all have a factor to play in this ever-changing planet. The question should no longer be, is climate change real? The question should now be, what can my generation do to fix it? What can I do to help my worldly community and save my planet?

Tourism negatively tackles society

Melissa Geher Opinion Editor

International travel reached a record 1.4 billion tourist arrivals in 2019, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. By the year 2030, tourist arrivals are expected to reach up to1.8 billion. These rising numbers call for such growth to be managed responsibly to seize best the opportunities tourism can generate for communities worldwide.

Tourism negatively impacts our already dying environment affected by climate change. Overconsumption of natural resources due to tourism is a common problem in areas where there are already limited resources. Tourism significantly impacts local land use and can result in soil erosion, a rise in pollution, increased pressure on threatened and endangered species and the loss of natural habitats and ecosystems. In fact, tourism contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, with transportation accounting for 90 percent of this.

While tourism can aid in the preservation of cultures, it mainly dilutes them through commercialization and cookiecutter ideas. In its advertising, for instance, Airbnb, a common American vacation rental agency, has criticized the uniformity of hotels genuine people’s homes in actual areas as an alternative place to stay. Staying at a hotel with a staging of an indoor Hawaiian luau featuring acrobatic fire dancers or the gondolas that go inside artificial lakes inside the Venetian in Las Vegas, fail to provide the social and cultural benefits that a truly genuine vacation experience provides.

In Hawai’i, one of America’s most popular travel destinations, culture is being diminished from mainlanders. With the rise of military facilities, luxury apartments and lavish resorts,

the rich culture of Native Hawaiians are slowly being diminished. Popular tourist destinations such as Makua Beach in the island of Oahu are extremely overpopulated with resort guests who leave behind excess waste and disregard culture and the fragile environment. Aside from tourist culture, non-Hawaiians are responsible for the state’s high cost of living, as they run lavish resorts and other businesses. Meanwhile, Native Hawaiians are disproportionately employed by the tourism industry in low-paying service jobs.

Even though tourism is a great way to expand a country’s economy, there is no doubt that cause harm. Luckily, there are some ways to stay mindful while traveling. If you are staying at a hotel, Airbnb, or another form of lodging, hanging the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door saves the staff from changing the bedsheets and towels each day. In addition, hiring local tour guides, eating at local establishments, and spending money on people who live in the community you visit help preserve local culture.

It’s important to remember that as tourists, we get to experience the best a destination has to offer without dealing with the harsh realities of everyday life for those who

So before jumping on the next plane for your next getaway, take some time to reflect on the role you would play on your travel destination. As our world advances, tourism continues to evolve based on people’s needs. One of the most important things we can do as visitors is respect the wishes of the locals who want to preserve their previous community, culture and environment.

The struggles of medical debt and healthcare

Melina Wagner Entertainment Editor

While others struggle to pay for a single doctor’s appointment, my family and I are able to pay for multiple appointments, with our privilege to have access to healthcare coverage. Approximately half of the U.S. population doesn’t have health insurance or medical debt, making the possibility you know someone who falls in this category very high.

Caroline Reilly, a 26-year-old female, suffers from endometriosis, a chronic reproductive health condition that can cause infertility, pain, fatigue and organ damage. After undergoing an ineffective ablation surgery, Reilly found out she needed an excision surgery. This type of procedure is a very high standard in endometriosis care, therefore limiting the access to find a surgeon to successfully perform an excision surgery. Because of this, most people who suffer from endometriosis are, “looking at tens of thousands in out-of-pocket costs,” Reilly said.

After searching, Reilly finally found a specialist two hours away from her. However, she still struggled to get the health insurance coverage for the hospital. “My surgeon was literally on the phone with insurers at the airport while on vacation with his family, fighting to make sure I wouldn’t be charged tens of thousands for my hospital care,” Reilly said.

Ultimately, the insurance company ended up covering the cost of the hospital care, but Reilly still paid thousands of dollars out of pocket for the surgeon’s care and office visits. In spite of this, some people aren’t as

lucky as Reilly. “I have friends who aren’t on insurance plans that cover hospital fees, as mine did, and some are out tens of thousands of dollars for surgeries that saved their quality of life,” Reilly said.

My grandparents are one of the many people in the U.S. who feel the pressure of medical debt. My grandparents, Eleni and George Hioureas, came to the United States from Greece in the year 1963. They didn’t speak a word of English nor knew anyone but they still came to America for better opportunities and a better life. My grandfather worked every day and every night doing any job he could obtain, even if they were dangerous. He worked building train stations for 35 years, where he inhaled toxic chemicals that would eventually lead to health issues.

Now, at 84-years-old, George requires intense chemotherapy and around five urgent care trips every month. This is already really hard for me and my entire family to see, but it’s even harder for my grandparents who have to pay for any extra charges their insurance doesn’t cover. My grandparents did everything they could to provide a better life for themselves and their family but are still facing serious debt. There are millions of stories just like my grandparents’ stories where medical debt can overtake one’s life. An easy solution is to provide access to basic healthcare for all and therefore eliminate any potential risk factors in someone’s life.

Caroline Reilly’s story was taken from the “Vice.”

Kai Mekari/Prowler

Melissa Geher/Prowler

The Panther Pit roars with energy

Ariela Behar Entertainment Editor

With its never ending spirit and rowdy chants, there is no doubt that any student or faculty member is unaware of the iconic Panther Pit. The student section that attends and cheers on a multitude of school sports has become an integral part of NPHS culture as it only seems to grow every year.

Desmond Perez, senior, was destined to be a Panther Pit leader. He has a passion for school spirit that he hopes to pull out of other students in the Pit. “In previous years when I’ve been in the pit, I haven’t really been able to like, see like all of the energy that’s feeding off of the people. But then when I was actually in the Panther [suit], or when I was the Panther Pit leader, I realized how much more exciting it is for everybody else because you can see everybody chanting back at you and you can see their energy coming back,” Perez said.

Pit leaders are not the only people who are responsible for such a successful student section. The ASG president, Sophia Di Stefano, senior, helps run football tailgates and lead students to their designated side of the bleachers. “I think we’re crazy. Like, I’ve heard so many times that people get scared of us because we’re so intense and have so much energy. I think we have this kind of organized chaos that brings this energy [out] that other schools just can’t bring,” Di Stefano said.

Brady Craven, senior, is also an ASG member that tailgate-going students have no doubt begun to recognize. Craven is often found in the Panther Pit himself to cheer on the football players who have been on a winning streak

this season so far. “Once we score one time, the pit goes crazy. We seem to score like 20 more times and the pit goes even more crazy. So I think it just kind of perpetuates itself. And it’s kind of a cycle in a way and you see the football players coming and sitting on the throne and it’s really nice I feel for the players to have known that they have that support,” Craven said. The senior also has a favorite chant which seems to be a popular one among the students. “I like Sagerman Chant because I just feel like he’s someone that everyone at the school supports. And it’s just nice that we all have a common interest and that’s Sagerman and that chant just really gives me life,” Craven said.

It is clear that the majority of students radiate positivity towards the Panther Pit not just for its one of a kind energy, but for connecting individuals of all kinds. “I think having that relation between the general public and ASG is really important for bringing together the culture of the school. Otherwise, I don’t think anybody would be spirited. If we didn’t have a Panther Pit, if it was just ASG, I don’t think anybody would be spirited for these football games. So I think it brings everybody together,” Perez said.

Extra sophia quote just in case: “I think it’s really a representation of school spirit and school camaraderie. There’s a lot of energy. There’s a lot of people. I think it’s really fun for people to get together and get excited about football and that energy is really appealing to students,” Di Stefano said. While there may be other schools with their respected student sections, Di Stefano also notes what exactly makes the Panther Pit superior.

Candidates Running for County Supervisor

Jack Ranney Staff Writer

On Nov. 8, Ventura County Supervisor candidates Jeff Gorell and Claudia Bill De La Peña will compete for Ventura County’s second district.

The district, which encompasses Newbury Park, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, is a swing district where neither Republicans or Democrats have a strong lead. So far, Claudia Bill De La Peña, city council member, is estimated to win 49 percent of the vote and Jeff Gorell, a former state assemblyman, is estimated to win 37 percent.

Political scientist, Tim Allison, called Bill de la Peña’s strong finish the only surprise in the election, given that Jeff Gorell has worked in Sacramento as a state assemblyman.

Bill de la Peña has detailed her intentions clearly if she wins office. “The Board of Supervisors is charged with overseeing 16 departments and 10,000 employees. Every decision a supervisor makes must take into account all interests in the county, not just special interests. So it is the social services programs such as mental health treatment programs to end homelessness that require the most

Get to know your teachers

Gwen McCarthy Staff Writer

This year, Newbury Park High School welcomes a plethora of new teachers, each teaching their own unique subjects. Ranging from English to Social Studies, the new teachers are working hard to make sure their students are successful and learning to the best of their abilities.

Jeanette Zollinger is a special education teacher, who teaches grades nine through 12 English, Social Science and Social Emotional Special Education. When she’s not teaching, Zollinger enjoys spending time outdoors. “I love hiking. My husband and I go out into nature and take pictures of birds,” Zollinger said. “I also get to have fun reading books and diving into history…I make sure that their accommodations and needs are being met.”

When Zollinger was growing up, her dream job was to become an English teacher. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Utah. Zollinger has been working as a sub at Newbury Park High School since 2018. “I started subbing and after COVID, I decided it was time to get my credential. I think teenagers are phenomenal human beings…and [students] are so smart and creative and insightful,” Zollinger said.

Another teacher with a passion for nature is Vanessa Lane Rosiles, English teacher, and teaches freshmen, sophomores and juniors. A Ventura County local, she grew up in the community and now lives closer to Newbury Park. “I just

wanted to be living in the community where I work, giving back [to the community],” Rosiles said. As a kid, she has always wanted to be a teacher. “I have a little sister and I used to go to my little sister and pretend to be her teacher. That was always fun for me,” Rosiles said.

Eager to continue her interest in teaching, Rosiles studied hard to achieve her dream job. “I went to Moorpark college and then I transferred and did my bachelors and my teaching credential at Cal State Channel Islands,” Rosiles said. Before working at NPHS, she developed her teaching skills in another community. “This is my first year teaching in my own class but I did my student teaching at Hueneme High School,” Rosiles said.

Miles Minton, 10-12th grade Social Studies teacher, also enjoys exploring the great outdoors. “I enjoy going to the beach, going camping, surfing and mountain biking, anything really outdoors,” Minton said. He graduated in 2007 from Cal State University Channel Islands after transferring from University of Tennessee and earned his teaching credential. Minton then earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degree from Grand Canyon University. “I was teaching in Monterey for a while and wanted to move home to be closer to friends and family. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was probably half way through my sophomore year of college,” Minton said.

attention, along with policies to protect our environment,” Bill de la Peña said. “My motto is ‘Community Interests, Not Special Interests!’ because we must be able to stand up to big oil and developers who may not always have our health and interests in mind.”

Jeff Gorell has also described the action he would take if he wins. “I believe we need a five person board of supervisors that is committed to working together strategically to solve the problems of homelessness, crime, water, and the lack of higher wage jobs in the county. We have not had that level of vision and collaboration on the board in decades,” Gorell said. He has also stated that he wants to fund public safety and mental health services.

Both candidates’ campaigns cover a wide range of issues. Bill de la Peña primarily focuses on pollution and maintaining a clean environment, while Gorell focuses on homelessness, crime, and unemployment. Given the wide range of issues, Ventura County voters will have to make a choice on which issues they believe are the most important.

Go Panthers!- The Panther Pit roars with energy during the white out game where the NPHS football team won 63-6. “Once the pit erupts, you know it’s exciting. It’s really contagious to the players and vice versa, like when they score a touchdown. So I think they really work hand in hand,” Di Stefano said. Parker Bohl/Prowler

Vote!- Jeff Gorell (left), and Claudia Bill de la Peña (right) are currently running for Supervisor in Ventura County. Both have experience in politics. Gorell has served as a state assemblyman while Bill de la Peña has served as a city council member. Claudia Bill de la Peña and Jeff Gorell/With permission

Jeanette Zollinger (left), Vanessa Lane Rosiles (upper right), and Miles Minton (bottom right) Cameron Winick/ Prowler and Parker Bohl/ Prowler

Introducing the School

Area 3

Bill Gorback Karen Meyer

Q: Why are you running for school board? How do you hope to represent your area’s concerns?

A: I’m running because I believe I feel that in the Conejo Valley that our students are our most important asset. I’ve been a teacher for many years and after that as a school counselor for many years. And so I wanted to see the school policy from this perspective. I’ve been on the board for four years.

Q: What are some goals/ plans that you would like to accomplish if you win this election?

A: Our theme has been diversity, equity and inclusion so I want to help that continue to grow. I also want the best for our students as far as academically as far as socially, and emotionally. I think our schools reflect our community. I want to make our community as good for our students and our families as possible.

Q: How do you plan on promoting equity and inclusion on our school sites?

A: I believe that some people are saying well let’s work on our core subjects. Let’s work on our standards. Our testing scores are not as important as each and every child feeling engaged on their campus.

Q: How do you plan on promoting equity and inclusion on our school sites?

A: In the past year, our District has made major improvements to equity and inclusion. Adding two new Directors, building SEL into class times, and forming DAC committees to get input from parents were just a few of the changes made in the last few years.

Q: Do you have any plans to further boost the influence of student voices in our district?

If so, what specifically do you plan to do?

A: I know we have a student DAC, and there are various clubs on campuses that support different cultures and interests. This is something I would have to discuss with students throughout the District. Maybe a student “town hall meeting” would be a way to gather ideas from the student population.

Q: What are some goals/ plans that you would like to accomplish if you win this election?

A: I would like to improve school security to prevent vandalism and potential threats. I will also be inspecting fiscal expenditures to avoid issues I have witnessed in the past where money was wasted because decisions were made hastily. And I would like to establish informal town hall meetings.

On November 3, 2022, the election for the Conejo members will take place. This year, CVUSD will use the voting and placement of each elected board for each candidate to run for, and those six candidates Goldberg, Bill Gorback, Joelle Macuso, Karen Meyer

Area

Q: Why are you running for school board? How do you hope to represent your area’s concerns?

A: It’s been something that I’ve thought about for a while and I think it never had seemed like maybe the right time. I really see it as a way for me to use my skills, and my abilities to serve my community and just keep making our public schools strong, even stronger awnd better.

Q: How do you plan on promoting equity and inclusion on our school sites?

A: I think there’s a number of different pieces to it. I think we continue with the involvement of a wide range of partners on these issues. We’re also seeing movement on this front that I’m very supportive of the work that they’ve been doing so far.

Q: Do you have any plans to further boost the influence of student voices in our district? If so, what specifically do you plan to do?

A: I think it’s a very important role. I know that we have SDAC. And I think that making sure that that is still is a voice in our district is important. That is providing input into decisions which is also really important.

Lisa Powell

Dhruv Patel Editor in Chief Allison Nguyen Editor in Chief Josie Gardner

School Board Candidates

News Editor Hayden Meixner Backcover Editor Taylor Gibson Editorial Editor

Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) board use a By-Trustee Area Election System to conduct board member. There are four different areas candidates include Sophia deDomenico, Cindy Meyer and Lisa Powell.

Area 2

Joelle Mancuso

Q: Why are you running for school board? How do you hope to represent your area’s concerns?

A: I am running for school board to give parents and teachers a voice in our public schools.

Q: What are some goals/ plans that you would like to accomplish if you win this election?

A: I would like to support the families in Conejo Valley by being responsive to their concerns. I’d like to create a more effective communication “bridge” by offering informal town hall-style meetings for my area. The current board rarely responds to public comments which has created high frustration in the community.

Q: Do you have any plans to further boost the influence of student voices in our district? If so, what specifically do you plan to do?

A: I would like to see more opportunities for students to be mentored by local leadership so they can learn through experience. High school is a time for exploring interest and we have many industries in Conejo Valley that would like to work with our students.

Area 4

Cindy Goldberg

Q: What are some goals/ plans that you would like to accomplish if you win this election?

A: I want to continue some of the great things that we have been doing over the past, providing new opportunities for students to be their best selves. One of the things that I’m really excited about that we have started doing, what I would consider a little bit better, is communicating all those different options to students and their families.

Q: Why are you running for school board? How do you hope to represent your area’s concerns?

A: You guys actually represent why I am running for the school board. I have been involved as a parent, and then in a former professional capacity, trying to make the lives of students better, since I got here in the Conejo Valley. So I hope to continue to be able to help students and parents.

Q: How do you plan on promoting equity and inclusion on our school sites?

A: So by making it a priority, right, I think schools are doing that naturally. I think your generation is naturally more inclusive, or tends to skew that way, because you think about things differently. I want to encourage that across the board.

Sophia Dedomenico

Q: What are your thoughts on social and emotional learning in the classroom, also known as teaching self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making?

A: I think that anytime we can bolster skills of emotional intelligence and mature decision making is a good thing.

Q: What are some goals/ plans that you would like to accomplish if you win this election?

A: I would like to get back to prioritizing our student’s needs above anything else. Right now our students are struggling both academically and emotionally. If we haven’t done our best to prepare students academically for their individual path forward after high school graduation, we’ve failed them.

Q: How do you plan on promoting equity and inclusion on our school sites?

A: All students deserve to feel included in every way on our campuses and through our programs. I want to work with schools to have a diverse representation on each school committee. While racial representation is important there are also other aspects we need to include.

features

Student

Lauren Cary/Sophmore

1 What are the first ten digits of pi?

Cary: 3.14159276

Erickson: 3.1415927

Answer: 3.141592653

Don’t keep trying to think of the answer. You’ll be thinking forever...

0-0

2

Can you name all of the Beatles?

Cary: George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney

Erickson: John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul Mc Cartney and George Harrison

Answer: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison

Congratulations, you both get a golden Starr!

1-1 VS

Isabella Boggs Staff Writer

Erickson Wins! 3-4

Darin Erickson/NPHS Teacher Teacher

5

Who wrote The Hunger Games trilogy?

Cary: I have no idea, Katniss Everdeen?

Erickson: Fred Flintstone

Answer: Suzanne Collins

This competition is the equivalent of a fight to the death.

2-2

6

True or False: Bats are blind.

Cary: True Erickson: False

Answer: False - bats usually use ultrasound but their eyes do work, just not well.

It seems like Cary BATter step up her game! 2-3

3

Which animal has the largest eye in the world?

Cary: The giant squid

Erickson: The blue whale

Answer: The giant squid

It seems that Cary has got her eye on the prize.

2-1

4

Cary: “Beauty and the Beast”

Erickson: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

Answer: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Hi-ho Hi-ho it’s off to a tie we go!

2-2

Isabella Boggs/Prowler

7 How many wives did Henry VIII have?

Cary: Like 12

Erickson: I thought it was eight

Answer: 6

King Henry VIII would have your heads!

2-3

What is the Grinch’s dog’s name?8

Cary: Max Erickson: Max

Answer: Max

Instead of stealing Christmas, both Erickson and Cary have stolen the correct answer. 3-4

NPHS welcomes new foreign exchange students

Isabella Boggs Staff Writer Ava Prapaniku Sports Editor

A loud hustle and bustle filled the airport, muffling the sound of Riana Thur, sophomore, and Victoire Thomas’, junior, beating hearts. Excitement sparked as they prepared to travel to California where they would spend the 2022-2023 school year studying abroad. Thur flew from Switzerland and Thomas from France in hopes that this year will be filled with the exhilaration of meeting new people, exploring all that California has to offer and improving their English.

After Thomas attended a conference at her school three years ago, she was inspired to go on an exchange year. “First you have to find a program, so my program is Education First [EF]. Once you get a program you fill out an application about what you like, what you don’t like, and like lots of questions,” Thomas said. “Then the program sends your application to potential host families in the U.S., then one family chooses you and then the high school [has] to accept you.”

Thur hopes to create friendships that will last even after she returns to Switzerland. However, she has noticed differences in the U.S. that make it challenging. “It’s difficult to make friends because everybody has different classes and after class everyone goes a different way,” Thur said. “In Switzerland, you have a fixed class where you move with the same 20 people the whole day.”

Incoming freshmen often hope high school will be like the films, and for Thomas, school in California is. “The high school here is like in the movies because

you have different groups of people. You have the athletes and all of these groups so it’s actually kind of funny,” Thomas said. Another societal difference Thomas has noticed is the emphasis of manners. “The culture here is really different, here you have to say please and thank you all the time. We do this in France, but it’s not that much,” Thomas said.

Owen Meli, sophomore, is Thur’s host brother. Meli has always found the idea of hosting exciting. “My parents had [Thur’s] mother as a foreign exchange student when they were younger, so we’ve just been connected that way. She reached out to us and asked to come out,” Meli said. “We do everything together like she goes out with us, she hangs out with our friends with us, [and] we’ve gone to the beach a few times.”

Although Thur is sufficient in English, a challenge she has to overcome is constantly needing to interpret directions. “I actually thought [the classes] were easier but now that I got here it’s not even that much easier [because] I have to translate everything first in my head,” Thur said.

Moving from one country to another is a daunting task, however sometimes hitting the ground running is the most effective way to adapt. “Just trust yourself and trust the process and it takes a long time to be totally comfortable and it’s totally normal. I’ve only been here for two weeks, but I knew that it’s not going to be easy everyday but you just have to trust the process,” Thomas said.

What was the first animated Disney princess movie?

Goodbyes- Riana Thur, sophomore, has been a foreign exchange student in the U.S. since the middle of Aug. 2022, and will not be back in Switzerland until June of 2023. Thur’s family is not allowed to visit her during this time, for fear of disrupting her ability to adapt in a new home. “I know that if I go to see them, it’s gonna be really hard to come back here, so it’s better to stay here for the whole year and I see them after,” Thur said. Adapting to a new life can be very challenging, however, Thur feels that over time, she will get more comfortable and want to visit the U.S. again in the future. Isabella Boggs/Prowler

Summer movies encapsulate audiences

Cameron Winick Photographer

Summer blockbusters have been a staple of American culture for a long time, dating all the way back to the 70’s with Steven Speilberg’s “Jaws.” With all the films that come out over the summer, I see it as a great opportunity to recap some of the season’s most popular films.

First on the list is Baz Luhrmann’s flashy biopic about the king of rock n’ roll, “Elvis.” The film covers Presley’s life from his childhood to his eventual downfall. With a story that large for an icon that massive, it’s no surprise that the film comes out to a whopping two hours and 40 minutes. This may be an aspect that turns people away from it, but I assure you that this is one of the most lightning-fast movies in the past decade. Luhrmann’s hyperactive, maximalist filmmaking is on full display here, and I don’t even particularly know what to make of it. As of now, I would recommend “Elvis” to anyone interested, and highly recommend to those looking for a terrific leading performance by Austin Butler.

Next is the new Jordan Peele thriller that explores both cosmic and human horror, “Nope.” It follows two siblings, played to perfection by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, on the hunt to capture an unbelievable phenomenon on camera. While the comedic elements to this movie are funny, it’s how

they blend those elements with horror where Peele gets to shine as a writer. The film has themes of grief, exploitation and the danger of spectacle all conveyed expertly through the guise of a fun thriller. With a star-studded cast and aweinspiring visuals, “Nope” is one of the best movies of the year, and I’d check it out if you’re looking for a good scare.

Rounding off with what was arguably the most popular film of the summer, “Top Gun: Maverick” is incredibly mpressive. The story continues the adventures of Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, once again portrayed by Tom Cruise, as he navigates the job of teaching a new generation of top gun fighters. From the scenes of comradery with the new cast of characters, to the jaw-dropping scenes of flight, almost everyone is bound to leave with a smile on their face.

Overall, this past summer season was definitely a strong one, with something for everyone to enjoy. Though I only managed to cover three, there were countless other movies that captured the audience’s imagination. From superhero movies like the second “Doctor Strange” or “Thor: Love and Thunder,” to original ensemble action blockbusters like “Bullet Train,” the lineup of films over the break has been a

Phoebe Bridgers touches hearts with her music

Nandini Patro DPS Editor

Phoebe Bridgers, indie artist, continues her journey as a songwriter following her release of the album “Punisher’’ in 2020, as she began her Reunion Tour this summer. Bridgers is an emotional singer inspired by her favorite singer, Elliot Smith, an American songwriter who wrote music for the Oscar award winning movie, “Good Will Hunting.” Eilliot Smith is deemed one of the most “intimate and emotionally convincing songwriters of all time,” a theme readily detectable within Bridgers’s own music. Her penultimate show was at Paso Robles’s Vina Robles Amphitheater, where I was lucky enough to taste the world she’s created through her music.

As an avid listener of “sad indie” music myself I can confidently say “Punisher” is unlike any other album. It tells the story of girl battling the internal struggles of validating her sadness. Bridgers has explained several times that while she’s achieved success, she still isn’t happy. Her album is about accepting the intrinsic flaws we are born with. Bridgers is easily identifiable by her seemingly timorous singing voice which ironically contributes to the delivery of her emotionally disarming music. The artist describes her own music as “candid, multidimensional, slyly psychedelic, and full of heart.” To those who struggle with anxiety, Bridgers provides tangible meaning to the words “music therapy.”

Kai MekariProwler

Bridgers went into the first song “Garden Song,” a story of forgiveness and acceptance. By her famous line, “The doctor put her hands over my liver, she told me my resentments getting smaller,” every audience member was screaming their progressed through other heart-breakers such “ICU,” and “Savior Complex.” It was my “Graceland Too” that made me sob.

By the end of the two hours, there was not a dry eye within the theater. Bridgers sings with such devastating sorrow and yet her music is a reassuring hand, a shoulder to cry on. She doesn’t rid her listeners of their problems, but teaches them the valuable lesson that it is okay to feel

The ineffable feeling Bridgers left me with is one that everyone deserves to experience: To be one with the quiet yet ear-shattering truth she shares through her music, to feel the self-sufficiency she encourages her fans to take on, to be imparted the strength to push forward against all odds. I left the concert with the purest feeling of content. Thank you Phoebe Bridgers for one of

The Inheritance Games Finally Concludes

Kira Ivarsdottir News Editor

Published Sept. 30 of this year, Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ beloved series “The Inheritance Games”, came to an end with the final installment of the third book of the series. The final text “The Final Gambit” left fans bittersweet after finally being able to hold the book in their hands after waiting a full year for the novel to come out.

The series’ beloved storyline encompasses the life of 16-year-old Avery Kylie Grambs, following the news that she is set to inherit Texas billionaire, Tobias Hawthorne’s, entire inheritance despite not knowing the man personally following his death. While being present at Hawthorne’s will reading, it is made apparent that Avery will inherit all responsibilities that come with inheriting Hawthorne’s billions with the one condition that Avery has to spend at least one year at the Hawthorne Mansion with the accompaniment of Hawthorne’s grandsons, all half-brothers; Jameson, Grayson, Nash, and Xander.

While living at the Hawthorne Mansion in Texas, Avery is not only tested through a series of her own mental processes following the change in scenery, but also through social hierarchies of the household’s members. Through her residence, Avery quickly realizes that her role in the Hawthorne’s Inheritance may indeed have a purpose that was eloquently concocted by the late billionaire himself preceding his death.

Through the series’ first two books, readers follow Avery’s journey in finding her purpose. Avery slowly uncovered the mystery behind her origin and the role she unintentionally played before stepping foot in the mansion. Avery not only searches for her purpose in the series, but the main character also finds herself constantly questioning her self worth while navigating subjects such as love, teenage angst, and, of course, managing billions.

Attempting not to spoil aspects regarding the outcome of topics

such as romance, Avery finds herself in an unexpected, but deeply intriguing, love triangle between the second oldest Hawthorne grandson, Grayson, and second youngest Hawthorne grandson, Jameson. Though romance novel enthusiasts such as myself were deeply fascinated by the rollercoaster of events that seemed to unfold in response to pure teenage love, I even more deeply enjoyed the role in which the idea of self-worth played in Avery despite being interested in the two.

Although I enjoyed the ratio between family, love, and mystery in the second novel to a tremendous extent; tissues were prominently used, I felt as though the idea of allowing the reader to figuratively “breathe” was missing in the third installment. As Avery attempts to solve a wide-scale puzzle at the Hawthorne residence, she describes, “It felt like watching fireworks. Like magic. But I hadn’t come down here for magic. One touch turned off the fountain” (Barnes 163) which sums up my feelings towards the third novel. Though the mysterysolving aspects of Barnes’ finale were extremely well done, I longed for more moments in which Avery had room to breathe and settle with her thoughts. This could have allowed the character to become more humanized in the story which could have lead to a more immersive story for readers to follow and relate to.

Though the ending of “The Final Gambit” filled readers, as well as myself, with a deep sense of closure and happiness, I wish that the third novel’s contents did not feel so rushed and puzzle-heavy; though maybe that is only because I live for the little moments of connection and love between the characters that could bring a tear to your eye. Nonetheless, Barnes’ characters will invariably hold a special place in my heart, and fans all over the world are bittersweet with the end of the beloved tri-novel series “The Inheritance Games”.

Téa Sklar/Prowler

Emerson

MOVIE CORNER

Bullet Train gives a thrill ride

The third solo directorial outing by David Leitch is bathed in flashy style that entertained me from beginning to end.

To start off with the positives, this movie is stacked to the rafters with star power that makes it pop. Stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Joey King, Michael Shannon, and Hiroyuki Sanada; as well as glorified cameos from Sandra Bullock, Zazie Beetz, Karen Fukuhara, and Channing Tatum. The standout to me, however, was still the lead Brad Pitt as Ladybug, he is situationally funny in how he reacts to the people and situations he gets mixed into while on his own mission on the train.

All the characters are distinct and memorable due to the actors, their names and how they navigate themselves through the larger than life events that take place. I must mention the final cameo that anyone who keeps up with modern action movies would describe as perfect.

To compliment the charismatic characters, the costume design highlights their personalities in sharp and simple ways that was a great visual collaborator with the cinematography. I really appreciate the effort that went into the script, it’s beefy, distinct, and ridiculous in a way that’s very unique to 2-hour action movies. It includes many fleshed out characters that are analyzed through everyone’s backstories and how they

Barbarian creates an unhinged experience

One of the most intriguing horror movies of the year is finally out and getting great reviews and box office revenue. I’m happy to say this has got to be the most bonkers movie of the year in the coolest way.

This is my introduction to the director Zach Cregger and I’m antsy to see what he does next, because he showed so much promise for the future. In this movie there is a strong, complete vision on superb display. The cast has a few familiar faces that I really loved seeing: the icon Bill Skarsgård (who also executive produced the movie) portrays a very fun character. As a big fan of Jeepers Creepers, I loved seeing Justin Long. I also still declare Richard Brake as one of the most underrated actors working today.

This was also my introduction to Georgina Campbell and she was so effective as a lead who’s situationally smart. Lastly, there’s Matthew Patrick Davis in an excellent key role that you all will have to discover for yourselves. To be vague, the writing is very clever and pleasantly surprising with twists and strong dialogue. What is also surprising

about “Barbarian” was how funny it is. It leaned more towards situational humor but for the wacky places this movie goes, it works.

This is a beautiful movie to look at, with its scarceness of light. The music does a great job amplifying all the thrills that come with the stunning visuals. This plays into the costume and set design making dramatic changes confidently in a way that really impressed me as a Set Design head for Technical Theatre.

I have one slight issue with the movie that is likely a result of my own expectations. I wish the ending had more of a kick to it; it felt like it was building to something bigger than what we get. With that, the ending felt slightly abrupt. To be fair, this could be resolved with a rewatch, so please take that with a grain of salt.

We’ve truly had a great year for horror movies and this ranks high amongst those, as well as the whole year thus far. Go see this knowing as little as possible at a local movie theatre. I give this movie an 8/10.

intertwine.

Leitch really directed the heck out of this movie. Visually, I see tons of bright colors from the location that are very pleasing to look at. The editing is smooth and seamless so it feels nonstop from start to finish. The movie, regardless if I like everything in it or not, feels and looks like a complete director’s vision . I’ll take an ambitious vision that may not reach the stars it shoots for over a safe movie that I’ll forget about soon after watching it.

Speaking of which, a few things did leave me a little dissatisfied. Although I praised the script for being unique for this kind of movie, it can be a little exhausting by the end which delays me from watching it again. I didn’t notice much of a musical score and there’s an excess of licensed songs throughout the movie. There’s some aspects to the characters where I see the attempt to add something quirky to them but they felt like they were trying a little too hard.

My final critique is in the music. There’s not much of a musical score that was present throughout the movie, but there were a plethora of licensed songs that I got a little tired of hearing after a while.

That being said, I really dug this movie and I encourage those of age for a hard R-rated action movie to check this out at a theatre nearby. I rate it a 7.5/10.

Vincent Bennett Movie Reviewer

Vincent Bennett Movie Reviewer

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza/Prowler

Megadeth releases sixteenth studio album

Jack Ranney Staff Writer

On Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, the famed metal band Megadeth released “The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead!” At the time of release, it had been six years since 2016’s “Dystopia,” making this the longest period Megadeth has gone without releasing any new music.

“The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead” was finally released on Sept. 2, 2022 by singer Dave Mustaine, guitarist Kiko Loureiro, bassist James LoMenzo and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. Overall, it honors the band’s legacy well despite being the band’s 16th album, and is on par with some of their classic releases. I enjoyed this album and would highly recommend listening to it, especially the song “Dogs of Chernobyl,” my personal favorite off of the album.

Megadeth released the album’s first single, “We’ll be Back,” in early July 2022. Later that month, they released “Night Stalkers,’’ which featured rapper Ice-T, followed by “Soldier On” in August. These gave fans high hopes for the new album, as one could hear the same energy Mustaine had on the band’s classic albums such as 1986’s “Peace Sells” and 1992’s “Countdown to Extinction.” The album shows how a band that has been around for nearly 40 years is still able to continue touring and releasing great music.

Fans were excited for this album after a prolonged absence. In June 2019, Megadeth’s frontman, Dave

Mustaine, was diagnosed with cancer. He made an announcement later in the summer that he planned to start working on the band’s new album. According to Mustaine, his battle with cancer was aided by support from his loyal fans. “I want to thank all of you for the support and well wishes these last few months. I can’t express enough gratitude as it has made this hard road easier knowing you are in my corner fighting with me!” Mustaine said. By February 2020, Mustaine had beaten cancer and was free to continue working on the band’s new album.

Megadeth also parted ways with longtime bassist David Ellefson due to sexual misconduct after inappropriate messages between Ellefson and a young female fan surfaced, a move which Dave Mustaine described as difficult. “It was a hard decision that had to be made,” Mustaine said. With the firing of Ellefson, Dave Mustaine is now the only original member to remain in Megadeth.

“The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead!” has done exceptionally well with fans and critics alike. According to MetalInjection, a website that critiques metal bands, Megadeth’s new album maintains the reputation that the band acquired from their earlier works. Plenty varied and still full of trademark fire and swagger, “‘The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!’ marks another solid addition to the Megadeth selection,” MetalInjection said.

Heartstopper breaks standards and inflates hearts

Kira Ivarsdottir News Editor

Originally a comic on Webtoon, “Heartstopper” by Alice Oseman has grown into a 4 book franchise as well as a number one show on Netflix as of the summer of 2022. Since the comic’s online debut in August of 2019, the popular LGBTQ+ franchise has become a widespread phenomenon; and rightfully so.

As Webtoon has become a widespread app that encompasses handwritten online comics that include genres such as romance and drama, the concept of a hand-written story developing into a published series is generally rare due to the app’s vast amount of stories. However, what started as Oseman’s hand-drawn comic, quickly gained popularity due to its lovable characters and heartwarming yet realistic messages that incorporate heavy LGBTQ+ themes that fans around the world find achingly relatable.

The base of the story follows Charlie Spring, a 15 year old boy, who attends an all-boys school in southeastern England where Spring struggles with his mental health and self-worth after being outed due to his homosexuallity. The character is originally found in a secret toxic relationship with Ben Hope, a boy who doesn’t respect Spring and later assaults him, but gets saved in the process by 16 year old Nick Nelson.

After meeting Nelson in math class at the beginning of the term, the two become quick friends and even develop romantic feelings towards each other. Though Spring is familiar with his attraction to other boys, Nelson’s attraction to Spring is something new for him, which influences Nelson to dive deeper regarding his sexuality, where he later discovers that he is bisexual.

Through the story of Nelson and Spring’s relationship, readers meet Spring’s friends including Elle Argent, a transgender woman, Tao Xu, and Isaac Henderson, who replaces Oseman’s original asexual character in the comic, Aled. During the story’s additional perspective of Argent, readers not only are exposed to the everyday lives of Nelson and Spring’s homosexual relationship but are also exposed to Argent’s life as a transgender woman in her teens which additionally deepens

the relatablility of the show for various fans. With Argent recently transferring from Spring’s school to an all-girls school, she meets two other characters, Tara Jones and Darcy Olsson, who share a newly formed relationship with each other. This romance sparks struggles for the two characters to try and fit in amidst gossip regarding their relationship.

Not only does Oseman’s Webtoon comic provide a symphony of LGBTQ+ relatability for numerous fans of the series, but the Netflix adaptation also provides a visual representation of the best parts of the characters’ stories which shocked fans of the comic as well as viewers who were not familiar with the original series. Oseman’s beautifully curated story continues to flourish in the Netflix adaptation directed by Euro Lyn. Stunning cinematography and a soundtrack which features mostly LGBTQ+ artists as well as the acting performances with Kit Connor playing Nick Nelson, my personal favorite character, and Joe Locke playing Charlie Spring are just some of the amazing features of the adaptation.

Through mastery in film techniques, which is a rarity in Netflix originals, initially heart-wrenching scenes such as the moment in which Nelson discovers his bisexuality is even more tear-inducing in the adaptation with the accompaniment of Connor’s heart-felt acting and Ezra William’s original song “My Own Person” playing in the background.

Though some fans were initially upset regarding the replacement of Heartstopper’s only asexual character, Aled, I believe that the show’s overall display of Oseman’s original characters and stories does an unexpectedly tremendous job in encompassing not only LGBTQ+ representation, but also teen struggles as a whole. Despite being snubbed in the Emmys for best young adult series, Heartstopper has won Best LGBTQ+ TV Show in the 14th Dorian Awards as well as The Goodreads Choice Awards in the Best Graphic Novel & Comic category, and fans, including myself, could not be more proud.

Kai Mekari/Prowler

Melissa Geher Opinion Editor

On Aug. 24, South Korean girl group TWICE released their eleventh mini album, “Between 1&2.” The mini album’s overall theme is to serve as a bridge between TWICE and their fans known as ONCE. With seven total tracks, the girls explore styles such as ballad, pop, and dance, which allows each song to sound different from the other. Their title track, “Talk That Talk” incorporates a Y2K concept in the music video, with the overall sound of the song being in a retro style. Though the retro-sounding music is evident in prior songs, “Talk That Talk” ties together their previous tracks to make them identifiable, like the choral background shouting phrases. The third track, “Basics’’ is arguably the second strongest track, as it intertwines TWICE’s stable rap verses and 90s-influenced pop. The final song, “When we were kids” reflects back on their journey as a group with a conventional balladic arrangement to see how far they have come. Between the first and second stages of their career, “Between 1&2” draws back to the group’s previous discography, but also adds new stylistic details to spark interest for their future releases.

KaiMekari/Prowler

Téa Sklar/Prowler

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza/Prowler

NPHS football continues with their winning streak

Editor

The Newbury Park Varsity football team shocked fans with a smashing victory against El Camino Real High School on Aug. 26 with an ending score of 51-0. Their victory did not end there, with another huge victory against Crespi High School on Sept. 2.

Brady Smigiel Parker Bohl/Panther Prowler

Carson Berry, junior, and the starting right tackle for the varsity team, has been playing football ever since he was little. “I’ve been around football my whole life, ever since I was little…it helps me get out my aggression and [helps] me when I’m stressed… it helps me take my mind off things,” Berry said.

Berry comments on the recent success that has found the team, saying that most of that success comes from their new coach, Joe Smigiel. “Coach Joe Smigiel came in and really changed everything…there’s pretty much a whole new culture in our locker room,” Berry said. In addition to Smigiel, coach Austin Cevita has created a whole new training regimen to help encourage the players’ success.

“We also brought in coach Austin Cevita. He really gets on us for lifting and conditioning, so we’re a lot better conditioned than we’ve been in years past,” Berry said.

As Berry mentioned, coach Joe Smigiel has been a huge asset to the team this year. Coach Smigiel believes that the secret to being successful is about the team playing for each other. “Being successful so far is really about them playing for each other and believing in the process, believing in the team, believing in the coach and staff and believing in one another,” Smigiel said.

In addition to teaching his athletes how to play the best they can, coach Smigiel also encourages his team to give back to their community. “We do a lot of nonprofit stuff where we volunteer our time,” Smigiel said.

Coach Smigiel’s son, Brady Smigiel, freshman and quarterback for the varsity team, says one of his favorite National Football League (NFL) players of all time is Ben Roethlisberger, former quarterback for the Pittsuburg Steelers. “I love the Steelers, and that’s why I wear number seven, because of Ben Roethlisberger. I’ve been playing tackle [football] since a really young age and I’ve played seven, because of Ben,” w said.

Colin Lorentz, sophomore, who plays receiver and corner, is most excited for the Homecoming game this year. “I am most looking forward to the Homecoming game and just everything in general,” Lorentz said. He believes that a collection of aspects have made an impact on the team. “We changed almost everything and it has been successful,” Lorentz said.

Overall, the team’s success this year has not only helped school spirit, but it also gives the community something to look forward to. Berry mentions that he is most excited for the game against Thousand Oaks High School, coming up in a few days. “I’m really looking forward to the match against Thousand Oaks. We’re really fired up to play that team…We’re also excited for playoffs and just seeing how far we can go,” Berry said.

Water polo descends into a new season

Gwen Mcarthy Staff Writer

The varsity boys’ water polo team kicked off the season Sept. 5 with a win against Long Beach, scoring 13-7, and have continued to work hard, presently having won five more games. The team plans to work very hard this season and have high hopes for CIF, anticipating to get a ring

Jack Germann, senior goalie and captain of the team, has already started working with his team to prepare them to win in their next game. Recently they lost 12-13 to Santa Barbara, but Germann believes it was still a good game. “Though it wasn’t my best game by far, I did fairly well at leading the defense and saving what I could. I had a few solid blocks that I’m genuinely proud of, but I’m glad I learned from it and did better the following weekend,” Germann said.

Chet Hardy, the water polo coach for Newbury Park, has been coaching for 2 years and believes they played well against Santa Barbara. “It was our first game of the season so obviously there were some mistakes. But overall, I thought it was a very good game,” Hardy said. To Hardy, one of the most important rules to water polo is being able to keep your emotions in check and not let the game get too overwhelming.

Hardy played water polo in high school and felt he still had more to give to the game after he graduated, which is what inspired him to become a coach. “I felt I still had more to the game. And I really enjoyed the sport and the people,” Hardy said. He looks forward to this year and has high hopes for their next games. “I am looking forward to giving my seniors the best last

season as possible, seeing how far we can go and giving them one last memorable season,” Hardy said.

In efforts to bring more wins home, Germann is working to improve their rankings this season. “We can improve our rankings by taking on better opponents while consistently playing at a high level without letting our emotions take over,” Germann said.

Grayson Ing, senior and attacker, has a strong spirit about coming together as a team and winning CIF this year. “If we play as a team and keep our emotions in check, we have a real shot at winning CIF,” Ing said. He has formed a strong connection with the water polo players as they have been playing together for a while now. “The best part about water polo for me is playing with my close friends. We have been playing water polo for years and it is so much fun,” Ing said.

Germann also feels they have a solid chance of winning CIF Division 2 this year. “We have a group of experienced guys in the water that have been playing for almost half their lives all wanting to take CIF. It’s going to be tough, but our collective experience and ability to play together could take us there...and I would love to come home with a ring,” Germann said.

Germann is looking forward to a solid final season of High school and water polo. On Oct. 20, the team will play against their biggest rival, Westlake HS. “Our senior night against Westlake, our biggest rival, is going to be one of the greatest and most competitive games I will have ever played, surely one to watch,” Germann said.

Splash!- Jack Germann throws the ball in an attempt to guard away from his opponent. “I’m looking forward to our game against Ventura on Friday as it will be another team in our division, with a hopefully sizable crowd coming to watch before the football game. I’m really just looking forward to playing against a solid team and hopefully improving our rankings,” Jack Germann said. They are looking forward to the rest of their great season, improving their rankings and with their talent to play the game they have very high hopes of winning CIF this year. Cameron Winick/Panther Prowler

Touchdown!- Nolan Story, senior, heads towards the end zone to keep the team ahead, ultimately scoring a touchdown. Newbury Park vs. Crespi and Newbury Park took home a massive win. Parker Bohl/Panther Prowler

Sports Column

Volleyball sets up for another season

After taking second place in league for the first time in 18 years, girls’ volleyball is making moves to build a lasting legacy for future panthers.

works,” Forrest said.

Serena Williams transcended tennis

Serena Williams’s story is often portrayed as the “American Dream”, a severe misinterpretation riddled with phrases like “unique work ethic” and “visionary father.”. In reality, Williams’s story is one rare, almost impossible, outcome of the countless low-income black families with the same determination.

On Sept. 2, 41-year old Williams played the last tennis match of her long, challenging career - challenging only because we live in a society that actively prevents the success of black women, to the point where it seems impossible that a little black girl from Compton could grow up to dominate a rich, white sport.

Over the course of her long challenging career, Williams has faced hate for the color of her skin, her muscular build, her hair, her family, her demeanor on court, and just about everything else. Countless theories were made conspiring how Williams was supposedly born a man, just because she is strong. She has even entered matches to boo-ing crowds with shouts of the n-word. Despite the countless incidents of hate and racism throughout her career, she always tried to stay composed.

Williams transcended the tennis world not just with her skill on court but with her humanity off court. Not only that, Williams serves as an example that black women can excel. Her legacy carries on through new successful black female tennis players who can now look through history and see someone that looks like them.

Williams leaves the court not only as a 23-time grand slam champion, but as a symbol of resilience who has shown the world she is a force to be reckoned with. Let us not forget Serena Williams has achieved the title as one of the greatest players of all time in spite of the world’s effort to stop her.

Serena Williams may no longer be a tennis player but she will have never truly left the tennis court. Her figure reassures young women everywhere that having muscles does not make you less feminine. Her hair, nails, and outfits encourage young girls to embrace their individuality.

In her August 2022 Vogue interview she said, “I’ve built a career on channeling anger and negativity and turning it into something good. My sister Venus once said that when someone out there says you can’t do something, it is because they can’t do it. But I did do it. And so can you.”

Chris Forrest, coach of the varsity girl’s volleyball team, has been impressed with the turnout from the team last year and anticipates another great season. “These girls want to try to continue that legacy…The seniors that are here, especially the returning seniors on varsity, they want to leave a legacy for the next group,” Forrest said.

Addison Benson, senior captain of the varsity team, has been looking forward to seeing everyone learn and grow as a team. “We started off very disconfigured and we’re starting to really build it as a team. We’re starting to bond a little more and we’re starting to get kind of a structure to our team and how we play,” Benson said.

With only four returning varsity players, the team has learned how to play with the newer members. “So the difference with this team is there’s a lot more girls that came up from JV. So there’s a lot more teaching that’s required and the four girls that are returning have really set a pretty good example of what the expectations are and how the team

Even though they lost their game to Ventura, Faith Mineo, a senior setter, explained how they were able to learn and improve from the game to help set them up for success in the El Camino matches. “And then when we played Ventura it also went to five. But that game we lost because we didn’t get our energy back up. So that was what changed between the Ventura game and the El Camino game, as we actually were able to get our energy level back up and be more supportive,” Mineo said.

Team spirit and bonding is a huge factor of success on this team. “The team is amazing. Everyone on the team gets along. We all have come from different friend groups, most of us and all still manage to become closer through spending as much time together as we have,” Mineo said.

As for that legacy, Benson has some great advice for the younger players. “Working hard and grit, because that is what has gotten me to where I am. I know it’s really difficult sometimes to get up and go to practice, to go work out, but everything counts. Each touch, each play, counts and it’s your mindset that’s gonna get you to the best place you want to be,” Benson said.

Girls’ tennis defends the court

The anticipation rises as the final ball is served and the crowd eagerly awaits to display their cheer of victory for the final point. Peeking into the girls’ tennis match, teammates are seen giggling and cheering from the sidelines. On Aug. 30, the girls’ tennis pre-league season kicked off to a tight scoring match against Foothill Technology but lost 8-10.

Rachel Hu, senior and co-captain, looks forward to being back out on the court to face down tough opponents. She has been playing tennis since fourth grade and has grown up loving it. “It’s so fun to get out of school and go play tennis instead of going home and just sitting doing homework all day,” Rachel Hu said. “Honestly sometimes when you’re frustrated, you can just go up to the courts, hit a bunch of serves and it helps you improve at the same time and you get to release all your anger at the world onto the ball that you’re hitting across the court.”

Due to the rising heat wave, players like Makayla Hu, senior and co-captain, worry that the high temperatures will affect their play. “[This season’s] been pretty good except that since the heat has been kicking in, I haven’t been playing my best but other than that it’s been pretty great,” Makayla Hu said. Aside from the heat, she has faith that the team will do well this season as they have paired up many strong doubles.

Sometimes all it takes is a little pressure from parents to end up finding the perfect sport, for example, Chloe Um, sophomore, who heads into her first year on varsity. “Being on the team has definitely benefited me with my skills because I can tell our coach cares a lot about each person and works really hard to make sure everyone does their best and works on what they might not be as good at,” Um said.

Although athleticism may seem like the key to playing a sport, Makayla Hu has found that although she isn’t the most athletic, tennis has provided her with the opportunity to have fun and stay active throughout the years, as she practices every weekday from three to five. “Practices usually consist of warming up and stretching and then playing a set or two against other people on the team, and then sometimes the coaches would also go around and drill each court on whatever they wanted to be drilled on,” Makayla Hu said.

As she goes into the role of co-captain, Rachel Hu hopes to uplift the team in practice and become a role-model for the younger girls.

“[I try] to keep a positive attitude about practice, matches, and whatnot because honestly it just helps uplift people when they feel like complaining,” Rachel Hu said. “I think that that doesn’t help you improve so I generally just try to encourage everyone on the team. Last year our team captains were so inspiring, they set the bar really high and I’m just trying to match that. Knock on wood, hopefully [the season] goes really well and hopefully we make it to the playoffs.”

Ava Prapaniku Sports Editor

Whack!- Rithu Velu, junior, holds her stance strong as she prepares to strike the ball. “I’m looking forward to seeing how well we do during this season and seeing if we can make CIFs again this year because we have for the last two years,” Makayla Hu said. Isabella Boggs/Panther Prowler

Spike!- Sage Denham, junior and a captain on the junior-varsity team, springs up to score a point for NPHS girls’ volleyball. “Either way, whether you’re on the court or not, you’re having fun with the girls around you,” Faith Mineo said. Parker Bohl/Panther Prowler

Emerson Fuentes-Alabanza

Front Cover Editor

Nandini Patro DPS Editor

Serve!- The ball soars through the air when Revi Goren, junior, smacks it across the court. “I feel more stressed when tennis isn’t going because the tennis season forces me to have good time management,” Rachel Hu. Isabella Boggs/ Panther Prowler

Parker Bohl/Panther Prowler

Homecoming

From freshman to seniors, this year’s homecoming was absolutely one of a kind. With a variety of new games, more food, and music to dance to, students could be themselves and take a break from the stressful reality of school. Homecoming night is definitely a night for making exciting memories, especially when you get caught up in the craziness of high school. Parker Bohl/Prowler

Let’s dance! - Shriya Rajesh, junior, had a blast at this year’s homecoming dance due to her lack of care for judgment. “I just really liked dancing. I know people say, ‘hey, you know, I don’t really wanna dance. It’s not really my thing’ but honestly, no one is like really watching you.” Rajesh said. Rajesh was able to let loose and dance the night away without the fear of people watching her. Rajesh had a much better homecoming experience than last year, she states, “I was basically dancing the whole time compared to last year where I literally played air hockey for like two hours.” Parker Bohl/Prowler

Food, fun and friends! - Nicole Bailey, junior, got to go to her first ever homecoming dance this year. She got to enjoy the music and moshing with friends, and make memories for years to last. “It was definitely new. I don’t know. It kind of made me realize that I knew more people than I thought I did.” This was a brand new experience for Bailey, and although she didn’t know the do’s and don’ts of school dances, she managed to have a great time. “It was awkward at first. I think I got there too early, but like once It got later it was really fun.” Bailey said. Parker Bohl/Prowler

Bows and ties! - Tyler Lacy, junior, brought a good attitude to homecoming, and it paid off as he danced and had a fun time with his buddies. “I just felt like the energy was cool. I mean, everyone was pretty happy about being there and the music was good and it was just all around really fun.” Lacy said. Getting all dressed up to go mess around with your friends can make some of the best memories. Parker Bohl/Prowler

Capturing moments! - Lauren Scully, senior, had an amazing time at this year’s homecoming, although it was her last one at NP. Scully not only took pictures and played games with her friends but she had a great time dancing as well. “I think my favorite part was definitely moshing.” Scully said. Being a senior, she made her last homecoming worth the while creating long lasting memories Parker Bohl/Prowler

Looking back - Isabella Ashamalla, senior, reminisces on old memories as she dances at her last homecoming at NP. “I feel like it’s most exciting in your freshman year, and as you’re approaching senior year, it’s like, you know, it’s just kind of more nostalgic than anything else.” Ashamalla said. Although this was her last homecoming, she will move forward in life with the memories she made. Parker Bohl/Prowler

Making memories! - Grace Younes, senior, took advantage of the fun and games around her at this year’s homecoming. “We took photos in the photo booth, we danced, we ate some food and then after we went back to somebody’s house, so yeah, it was overall a pretty fun night,” Younes said. She came to homecoming to have a great time, and that’s exactly what she did. Parker Bohl/Prowler

Kai Mekari