The Cougar Press by Dan Nelson

Ventura High School Two North Catalina Street Ventura, California 93001

The

(805)641-5116 www.CUGR.org

Cougar Press December 18, 2009

A Public Forum of the VHS Community

“Sex is on the minds of most people, especially those who shouldn’t be having it.” ~William Glasser

Volume: 62 Edition: 8 4

10 11 13

Sex Survey

out the results In this Edition: Check of our annual survey!

Recent Storms Put On a Rare Surf Contest

Photo by: Michael Rubin

The rain storm has given the Ventura Coast an increase in wave size.

Luke Corley Hawaii is paradise to many people, and to big wave surfers paradise was on in the form of the Eddie. One of the world’s rarest and most prestigious surf competitions, the Quicksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Competition also known as “the Eddie,” was held Tuesday, December 8th on the North Shore of Oahu. The contest is made in honor of Eddie Aikau, who was Waimea Bay’s most famous big-wave surfer and its first lifeguard. He died on March 17, 1978 after a storm destroyed his boat. The invitation only contest has been active for 25 years but has only been held seven times. The last time the big-wave contest happened was in 2004. The Quicksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Competition was given a “go” on December 8th at dawn by its director George Downing, 79. Waves as high as 50 feet have been giving Hawaii and the surfing world much anticipation for the event, which started at 8:00 A.M. local time. The huge waves that allowed the contest to do extremely well were fueled by the huge recent storms in the Pacific. According to the contest’s website, “The past 48 hours of massive surf is the largest sustained episode to hit the Hawaiian Islands in 40 years.” The storm that generated the huge waves that helped the contest has also affected Ventura’s surf. There was a high surf advisory posted because of this storm. During the week of the contest, the storm helped to create big waves. Ventura High School surfer Junior Lorin Moll said “Today [December 9th] was pumping!” A major swell caused by

the storms hit the Northern/ Central Californian coast last Friday, December 11th. Another VHS surfer Bryce Cunningham said that the storm has “made some really great peaks!” At the Quicksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Competition about 50,000 fans cheered as twenty-eight of the world’s best surfers dropped down on 30-50 foot waves as they watched from the shore of Waimea Bay. Some of the professional surfers that competed were Kelly Slater, Bruce Irons, Andy Irons, Sunny Garcia, Jamie O’Brien, Ramon Navarro, and Greg Long. After many perfect and near-perfect scores, the contest and $55,000 was won by Greg Long of San Clemente, California. Ninetime world champion Kelly Slater got a near second, but Long managed to win with 323 points while Slater had 313. Ramon Navarro of Chili won the Monster Drop Award along with its $10,000 prize.

Sex Articles Birth Control? Abortion? We’ve got it covered.

Sex Crossword 16

“Ginger,” it’s not just the root of a plant, but the root of discrimination. National Kick a Ginger Day was derived from the popular Comedy Central cartoon South Park, where the character Cartman showed up at school and presented a speech in class on hate of “ginger kids,” kids with red hair, pale skin, and freckles. Cartman said that ginger kids are disgusting, inhuman, inheritably dumb, have no souls, and are unable to survive in sunlight. Cartman also say’s there is a second class of ginger kids who have red

18 21

22 23

This week’s crossword should be very difficult for those who dare.

34 35 36

The Tiger Woods Scandal 43

45 46

Bobby Oldt

EclipseCrossword.com

Just in time for our special annual edition, famous athlete Tiger Woods has been caught in a festering sex scandal, leaving many wondering exactly what happened. “I still don’t really know what happened,” said Freshman Aidan Kelly. “All I know is he’s having all these affairs. And if it’s actually true…then I don’t like him anymore. You don’t cheat on anyone. Ever.” It all started around the morning of Novem,ber 27thth, 2009, when Woods was involved in a car crash near his home, hitting a fire hydrant and a tree after apparently backing up out of his driveway. The Florida Highway Patrol did an investigation into it, and said it was not alcohol-related but cited him with a ticket for careless driving. When the police chief said that Wood’s wife, Elin Nordegren, had used a golf club to get him out of the car, people began to get interested, as that was a strange thing to do. Two days later the golfer issued a statement saying it was a “private matter,” praised his wife for getting him out of the car, and then announced he would not participate in any more tournaments this year. This story sparked speculation

Photo by: Daniel Goodkin-Gold

Senior Josh Swain frowns down on Tiger Wood’s inappropriate behavior and believes he should change his name to “Cheetah Woods.”

that Woods and Nordegran had a troubled marriage. The National Enquirer sensed a possible juicy piece, and published an article claiming that Woods had an affair with a nightclub promoter, which the promoter denied. Woods openly condemned these stories in a public statement. Even though he attempted to quiet down the gossip circulating around the story, interest kept growing until a woman- a cocktail waitress in San Diegoclaimed she had a two-and-ahalf-year affair with Woods. She claimed she had voice and text messages as proof. The same day, another story came out claiming another woman was involved with Woods, to which that other woman neither confirmed nor denied an affair. Woods released an apology, expressing regret and saying he had “let his family down.”

However, he did not specify what his apology was for. As of now, at least seven women have either claimed or have been claimed to have an affair with Woods. There is a club promoter, a manager of a restaurant and a manager of a nightclub, an aspiring model, an unknown mom, a reality show contestant, and a soft-core porn actress. A good amount of these don’t have a whole lot of evidence to support them, but some- the aspiring model, the reality star, and the nightclub promoter- seem to have some backing. As of now, companies including Gillete and Gatorade have dropped him from their advertising campaigns, and AT&T is “evaluating” the situation. Woods makes 110 million dollars a year, but only a quarter of it comes from golfing- the rest is ad revenue.

One fan of South Park took it too far and made a Facebook group for National Kick a Ginger Day and had over 200,000 fans. People can reach each other from anywhere using online chats, so discrimination can come from anywhere and even to Ventura. Inspired by the National Kick a Ginger day Facebook profile, a few students from Wright Middle School in Calabasas, California attacked fellow 7th and 8th grade students, whom had red hair and fit the description of “ginger kids.” “People shouldn’t be hating or discriminating on kids with red hair,” says Freshman James Bull-Cecil. Eight kids all together were

accosted by their fellow students on November 20, 2009, which is National Kick a Ginger Day. The children had to be treated for bruises and bloody injuries by the school nurse, who reported the attacks to the principal, who then reported it to the police. The Calabasas police interviewed 25 students accused of attacking the “ginger kids” and they found at least eight of them are guilty of the attacks. Many of the students also left messages on the Facebook that they had carried out on the attacks on “ginger kids.” “I think using this form of cyber-attack is not good for the well-being of the students,” freshman Dillan Murray says. Discrimination is prevalent as long as there’s a scapegoat to discriminate.

National Kick a Ginger Day Jacob Blackler

hair and are able to walk in sun called “Daywalkers.” To get back at Cartman, his friends turn Cartman into a “ginger kid” and Cartman gets outcasted for being a “ginger kid,” and becomes a modern day Hitler saying that “ginger kids” are the superior race.

Photo by: Kyle Thille

Senior Joey Odom, a local redhead, fears for the safety of his fellow red-headed population.

Sex Articles

Page Two

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Cougar Press

Better Safe Than Sorry Vanquishing Human Papillomavirus Bobby Oldt

Sophomore Ryan Sohn is shocked by how many people are clueless about STI’s.

Eva Esakoff “If I were having symptoms of a STI, I wouldn’t know where to get tested,” comments Sophomore Ryan Sohn. This is one of the biggest problems forming with adolescents these days: teens are unaware of where they can go for sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy testing. Sex is a touchy subject for teenagers, especially throughout high school. If a student is in dire need of a check up to see if they have a sexually transmitted infection, how can they take action to this if they don’t know where they can run to? For those who do not know, there certainly are places in Ventura that one can go to get tested for such diseases. The beauty of some of these clinics is that they will not tell your parents or guardians anything if you do not want them to, because everything is confidential. Planned Parenthood is a perfect place to get a check up for free and your parents or guardians don’t need to know. You can also get free birth control there if you are sexually active and you find it too personal to ask your parents or guardian for it. The closest one in our area is located at 5400 Ralston Avenue on the east end of Ventura. If you need to reach them or make an appointment, call (805)658-3232. You can also make an appointment at the Ventura Family Planning Women’s Clinic at 133 W. Santa Clara Street, and you can reach them at (805) 641-5711. Also for pregnancy, there is the Crisis Pregnancy Center

Photo by: Eva Esakoff

at 1304 E. Main Street. It’s a friendly place that allows you to get a check up to see if you are definitely pregnant. You can call them on weekends and every weekday except Friday at (805) 648-3301. Home pregnancy tests are always available, but sometimes there is a chance that they will not come out right. So to be extra sure, you would want to go to somewhere that offers this kind of assistance. And as always your doctor is an option, too. You can get tested or checked up by him or her. You are also free to make appointments during school hours. All you need to do is go to the nurse, explain that you have an appointment, and she will write you a pass off campus. When you return to campus, the nurse will sign off on you and say you had “personal business” instead of being absent. That way, your parents or guardians will not know you went to get a check up for pregnancy or STI testing. Sophomore Robert Costigan says, “I would see my doctor if I thought I had a STI.” There is patient-doctor confidentiality when you get a check up from your doctor. If you explain everything to your doctor and ask them to keep it confidential from your parents, they will not say a word. If you think you may need to be checked out for pregnancy or a STI of any kind, do not hesitate to take action. If you are still uncertain about where to go and how to get there, ask any health teacher on campus or check in with the health office. Do not lose hope; you are not alone in these situations.

Of all the sexually transmitted diseases out there, HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a nasty one. It causes genital warts and can lead to cervical and other cancers. Luckily, there’s a shot out there that can protect you from it. “I’ve gotten the vaccine and I’m really happy I did,” said one Freshman. “It’s just good to be safe.” Sophomore Kacy Anderson says that while she has not gotten the shot, “It would be a good idea [to get the vaccine]. I would rather have a quick shot than have to deal with all that other bad stuff.” According to the Center for Disease Control, there are

approximately one hundred and thirty strains of HPV, with thirty to forty of those strains being sexually transmitted. There are types of the virus that cause warts, types of the virus that can cause cancer, and some that don’t have any symptoms at all, and are virtually harmless. In fact, most people who contract the virus do not know they have it. Most infections in teenage girls have no long-term problems and go away quickly. 70% of infections are gone in one year, and 90% are completely gone in two. In five to ten percent of girls, though, the infection does not go away and there is a high chance of developing cervical lesions, which can progress into cancer. That whole process takes

fifteen to twenty years, which means there are more chances to detect the disease and treat it. But since the vaccine only covers high-risk strains of the virus, it is still recommended that female adults get Pap smear screening after vaccination. Recently, the FDA approved one of the vaccines for males, as it has been shown to be effective in preventing warts for men and boys. Gardasil, and the lesser known Cervarix, are the two HPV vaccines on the market. They both protect against the two types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, and only Gardasil protects from genital warts. It is strongly recommended by experts that young girls get the vaccine.

Anything and Everything You Need to Know About “The Pill”

Health teacher Mrs. Mitnick always teaches the importance of staying smart in sexual activity.

Eva Esakoff Myth: Birth control is an absolute safe way of protection. People may often think that since they are using birth control, they do not need to use a condom or any other protection. Sure, it can prevent you from getting pregnant, but it definitely does not protect you from catching a sexually transmitted infection. Here are some of the facts about birth control. Birth control is used only by women, and is generally used for lightening up menstrual

Photo by: Eva Esakoff

cycles, preventing pregnancy and clearing up acne. The most common forms of birth control are the birth control pills. Sophomore Jessica Lane says, “I think birth control is best for girls to use if their periods are irregular.” Besides birth control pills, it comes in patches, shots and rings. Taking birth control is very useful, but students seem to be unaware of what it is and what it does. Birth control can rapidly mess with a girl’s hormones, causing girls to have major mood swings and often feel very depressed. When one

first uses birth control, either it completely stops their period or they can spot for the whole month. It all depends on what kind of birth control you are using. There is not just one particular type of birth control pill- there are actually about twenty different pills. They range into three categories called monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic. Each pill in these categories contains a different combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. According to Teens Health, it is highly recommended that even if you are on birth control, you should still use another form of protection, just to be extremely safe. Health teacher Ms. Mitnick quotes, “Birth control is very effective when used properly and consistently. I also advise that when having intercourse, you always use two types of protection, being a condom and the birth control pill. When a former student comes to me telling me that they are pregnant, or think they’re pregnant, or have an STD, the question I ask if ‘How did this happen?’ And there response is usually, ‘I didn’t use protection because I didn’t think it would happen to me.’ I am always here for students to come and talk to about anything. And if I cannot answer your question, I will find out for you.” You should always be careful with engaging in any kind of sexual activity, especially with taking this birth control.

Friday, December 18, 2009

The The Cougar CougarPress Press

Sex Articles

Page Three

Is Adoption an Option? Sexual Abuse and Rape in the Sam Boydstun According to adoption.org, every year in just the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of teen pregnancies. This shows how it is a big problem in our society today. Often times future mothers are faced with tough paths to follow, whether they be abortion, motherhood, or adoption. One of the best for a teen mother who doesn’t want to keep her child is adoption. Free organizations all over the country are present to help teen mothers with adoption and allow them to go back to a normal life. For example organizations like “American Adoption” help teens graduate from high school and pursue independent study. In the end it can also be hard for potential mothers to go through all the hardships of child birth only to give up their newborns a few weeks after birth. The sad truth of many teen pregnancies is that the problem arises over

money. Abortions can be very expensive and cause a large amount of trauma on the mother even if it is the quickest option to terminate pregnancy. Motherhood and raising the baby is also very costly and a majority of families are not supportive of their teen daughter having a baby. Finally, adoption is the least costly of the options and gives the baby a good home. With organizations to help, such as American Adoptions and The Nation Organization of Adolescent Pregnancy, this can seem like the best alternative to raising the baby and or abortion. Both organizations can be contacted over the internet and over the phone. Many teen mothers would rather have a good home for their child then have it live a life filled with turmoil, and or have its life ended altogether before it is born. Senior Julia Hornbeck said, “Adoption is a great choice, if the baby would be better off.”

Plus Or Minus Sign Luke Corley

You are quietly waiting in your bathroom. You are nervous, scared, and a million thoughts are rushing through your mind. “What am I going to tell mom and dad?” You think to yourself. “How could this have happened to me? How could I have gotten pregnant?” According to DoSomething. org 750,000 teens in the United States will find themselves in this position this year alone. Teen pregnancy in the United States is at its highest level and the number of teens that become pregnant every year is rising. As shocking as it may sound, the United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in developed countries, twice as high as that of England and Canada and eight times as high as that of Japan and the Netherlands. One out of three women in the United States will be pregnant at least once before they turn twenty. About half of these pregnancies will end in birth, the rest in abortion or miscarriage according to the same website. Having a child at such a young age is a very dramatic experience and since about 80% of teenage pregnancies are not planned, and according to DoSomething.org half of the numbers of pregnant teen girls choose abortion. The rest of girls who decide to keep the child most often do not attend college and about one third do

not even earn their high school diploma. When asked what her thoughts on teenage pregnancy were, Senior Margo Georghiou said, “I think people should wait until marriage to have kids for the child’s sake.” Unfortunately a large majority of teenage girls that get pregnant are not married. “They need to be responsible enough to care for an innocent child,” she continued. According to the same site, DoSomething.org, the expenses that come with having a child at such an early age can be overwhelming. Teen pregnancy costs the United States an average of $9 million a year because of child welfare cost and public sector health care. Buying diapers, baby food, clothes, toys and paying for medical services is no easy task and teenage mothers find themselves struggling to pay for all the expenses that having a baby brings. Junior Trevor Monje gave his opinion on the matter and said, “I think people should use contraceptives if they are going to be sexually active.” Teen pregnancy is no joke. The reality is that most teenagers cannot handle being mothers. Being abstinent is the only sure method of not getting pregnant but if you are sexually active, using contraceptives is highly recommended not just because of the risk of pregnancy but also because of the risk of acquiring an STI.

United States Remains an Issue Noel Duarte and Daniel Goodkin-Gold There are many misconceptions about rape. Many people believe that it only occurs to women, but according to the Women’s Rape Crisis Center (WRCC), of the 2,284 victims who reported incidents in 2007-2008, 86% of people who disclosed their gender were female, and 14% were male. Unfortunately, the number of women and men being raped in the United States is growing every year. The WRCC reports a 25% increase in reported cases of sexual violence from 2007 to 2008. More and more men and women are finding themselves being attacked by people they may or may not know. In fact, of the reported occasions only 5% were attacked by strangers, with the other 95% being attacked by acquaintances, family members, figures of authority

(boss, manager, etc.), or former partners. Although in most cases males will not report it, it does happen, and the following are useful hints for everyone, regardless of gender. Every student must keep in mind that they are potential victims. There is no better way of preventing rape than by being aware of one’s surroundings. Rape victims are most often attacked while traveling on the streets. If you are taking a stroll in the streets, make sure to walk on well lit and well traveled areas. Avoid taking dark streets or alleys even if they are shortcuts to your destination. Always make sure to be aware of your surroundings. If you are traveling alone, walk at a brisk pace facing traffic. Listening to iPods or any other audio devices when traveling alone is a not a good idea, since it prevents you from being aware of what is around you. Inform someone of your whereabouts,

and if possible talk on the phone with a friend or relative if you are walking alone. This ensures that someone will know if you suddenly disappear or are attacked. If you suspect you are being followed, cross the street and head for the nearest open business. If you find yourself being chased or attacked, yell such things as fire or help, and draw attention by any means possible. About 50% of rapes occur in or about the home. A large majority of rapes are preplanned and sadly, a large majority of offenders know the victim personally. Locking all doors and windows while you are home alone is highly recommended. Make sure you never answer the door without knowing who is on the other side. If you suspect you are being stalked by someone contact the authorities immediately. Do not confront the offender.

Does Your Mother Know?

Chemistry teacher Karen Reynosa worries about students’ sexual activity.

Luke Corley The topic of high school age sex is uncomfortable enough for the students, but for parents and some teachers it is a whole new field. Many parents and teachers dread the topic, some with the feeling that they don’t want to know. Others parents wish to avoid a confrontation with their kids. Many teachers and school counselors feel that the best way to deal with teenage sex is to have the students educate themselves, treat themselves with respect, and also to think and not do anything where they won’t be able to handle the consequences. Some parents

Photo by: Luke Corley

believe that the school should spend more time educating their children about sex. While some parents believe that the school should be taking a more rigorous course many school officials feel that the most progress can be made at home, with parents talking to their kids about sex. Ventura High School Counselor Francisco Castillo says that the best way for progress to be achieved is for “communication between parents and students to be open and honest.” Although this is a great idea, in practice it can be difficult as many students feel awkward talking to their parents. VHS’s School Nurse Blanca Ortiz says

that many students “come and talk to me because they don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents.” Castillo and Ortiz, along with some other school staff members, feel that communication between the parents and the students has to be achieved in order to fully educate students about sex. They feel that only then they can be assured that teens are completely educated and have the knowledge to make the right decisions. There are numerous programs and online websites that are dedicated to solely helping parents talk to their teens about sex. A local service that can educate parents and students about teenage sex are the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and the Public Health Department which is located at 2240 E. Gonzales Road, Suite 210 Oxnard CA. Some websites that are dedicated to helping parents be able to talk to their children about sex are www. thenationalcampain.org and www.4parents.gov. If parents have any questions that they wish the school to answer, they are free to contact the school counselors, health teachers, or the school nurse. They can also contact their own religious leaders or their own doctors.

Page Four

Sex: Opinion

Sex: Why Rush It? Arielle Brackett

Yes, teenagers are legally permitted to engage in sexual activity. Yes, most teens these days will end up having sex by the time they turn nineteen, according to a survey by the Guttmacher Institute. And yes, the majority of teenagers are physically ready to have sex, meaning that they are physically ready to conceive and carry a child. But does this mean that teens are emotionally prepared to have sex? For Mrs. Linda Brug, a U.S. History teacher on campus, the answer is no. “High school kids are not ready for the psychological consequences of having sex at this time of their life,” she asserts. Sex has its price to pay. If you’re having sex and practicing safe sex, which hopefully you do, you will need to purchase and use either condoms, birth control, or both. While condoms, which are sold for fifty cents to a dollar according to kidshealth.org, may not seem like a lot of

money, if you plan to have sex often, the cost adds up. Birth control pills are even more expensive, ranging from fifteen to fifty dollars for a month’s supply, and to make sure its effective, it needs to be taken regularly. Remember that while you should always use protection, condoms and birth control will not protect you all the time. When these contraceptives fail, the price is heavier to pay. Abortion costs range in the hundreds of dollars and if you decide to keep the baby, there will be more money involved for doctor visits, prenatal vitamins, maternity clothes, and the like. And the baby won’t even be born yet! The truth is that sex is a bigger deal than most high school students think it is. Almost every teenager is doing it purely for the physical aspect- because it feels good and teens are ruled by their hormones. Some choose to have sex because they don’t want to be the only one of their friends that hasn’t done it yet and they think it will

Teenage Sex: Why Not? David Calkins Believe it or not, many of today’s teenagers have engaged or will engage in sexual activity before the age of eighteen. Nationally, about 62% of teenagers have had sex by their Senior year in high school according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. At VHS, 51% of students are currently engaged in sexual activity according to our survey. Is this wrong? Or is it completely fine for teenagers to have sex as long as they are responsible? Sophomore Zach Gwin says, “I think sex is like getting a new car. It’s great and fun, but if used irresponsibly, it can end up very bad.” In fact, it is not against the law for teenagers to engage in sexual activity or to have sexual intercourse. Teenagers have just as much

of a right to have sex as adults do. The one exception to this is statutory rape. In California, this law states that two people may not have sex if one is over the age of eighteen and the other is under the age of sixteen. However, if consenting teenagers want to have sex and they are responsible in the way they do it, who is to say that they are doing anything wrong? In our society, many adults look down upon teenagers who engage in sexual activity. It is generally accepted that it is perfectly fine for adults to have sex, especially after marriage. Adults, though, can be just as irresponsible in their sexual behavior as teenagers. In fact, the number of HIV infections in people over the age of 50 is much more common than in those who are much younger.

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Cougar Press

I Say “Ugh” Dan Nelson, Adviser

Photo By: Arielle Brackett

Junior Noelle Mann believes it’s too risky to have sex early.

make them seem cool. It doesn’t. What most teenagers don’t realize is that sex is considered by many the most intimate thing you can do with a person who you truly love and care about. Teens need to think about whether or not they really want to share that with whoever’s tempting them. Your virginity isn’t something you throw away willy-nilly; once it’s gone, you can never have it back. If you feel pressured by someone to have sex, tell them to back off and let

someone you trust know what is going on. Losing your virginity is not a graduation requirement. Before you have sex, you should be completely sure that it’s what YOU want to do. And if you choose to wait, that is perfectly acceptable. Junior Noelle Mann says, “It’s a personal decision and the consequences are intense. It’s too much of a risk to have sex so early.” There will be plenty of time for sex later in life, but for now, there are better things to be doing.

Of course, anyone who has sex must understand the consequences in order to be considered responsible, no matter what age they are. They must understand that they are at high risk for either them or their partner to become pregnant or contract an STI (sexually transmitted infection), and that it is important to always use some form of protection such as birth

control or condoms.. “As long as teenagers understand the risks, I think that they should be able to have sex if they want to.” said Senior Trent Reeves. Sexual activity is one way to show another person that you care about them, and some people believe that it shouldn’t be looked down upon as long as it is conducted in a responsible manner.

Sophomore Zach Gwin expresses his opinion about teen sex.

Ugh. It’s that time of year again- time for the results of the sex survey. I’m very proud of the staff of The Cougar Press for producing the survey and for spending the time collating the results. I am also very proud of the students at VHS for taking the time to take the survey, and for taking it seriously (and they do take it seriously). What is the reason for the ‘ugh’? The survey makes me uncomfortable. I’m also uncomfortable with the idea of high school students having sex. In my world, you finish up at school, go home and have milk and cookies (or maybe a healthier snack), do your homework, have dinner with your family, then do a little religious studying or maybe play a board game (Scrabble is my favorite) then it’s off to bed at 9:00 PM. Maybe you stay up a few minutes late if the History Channel has a special on Teddy Roosevelt. My vision of what happens after 3:02 PM isn’t realistic. I understand that students are having sex, even though it makes me uncomfortable. My hope is that if you are choosing to have sex, then you are being safe and responsible. I have a difficult time believing that the same students who can’t remember to bring a pencil to class feel they are responsible enough to engage in sexual activity. The survey also shows us that not all students are sexually active. If you’re choosing to wait, good for you! I personally believe that sex is something you should wait for. I have seen a lot of good relationships go bad because the people added the complication of sex too soon. Wait! Get married first!

Photo By: David Calkins

Friday, December 18, 2009

The TheCougar CougarPress Press

Sex Survey

Please Note: All percentages are rounded

Why We Conduct the Sex Survey and its Counterparts Trevor Sherwood

the sexual activity but instead Why? Why even do have self-reported and have information to this survey? Who cares? I reliable don’t like it. It makes me report. In addition, because uncomfortable. Whether you 1,000 random VHS students are a student, staff member, were surveyed in all grade or even just a reader of levels, the information is The Cougar Press, you may widespread and thorough. It be asking yourself these may be argued, rightfully, that questions. I assure you that some students have answered our survey (as well as all other these questions dishonestly, surveys we conduct) are not but because nearly half done without consideration. the school responded, the We feel these surveys do number of students who were serve a greater purpose- dishonest in one direction especially this one. Although could easily be balanced you may disagree with some out by students leaning aspects of the survey, the in the opposite direction. six reasons listed below 2) The survey asks questions STIs (sexual are hard to be argued with. regarding 1) This survey, along transmitted infections). By with all the surveys we have conducting the survey, we conducted this past year and now know what percentage will continue to conduct, of students have contracted have been a reliable source an STI and the number of of information. With the students that use protection. information we gather, we We feel this information could have factual information of encourage students to protect the sexual activity of the themselves when and if they students at Ventura High. engage in sexual activity. We do not have to guess at 3) This survey is not

only an interesting source of information for the students; it is also helpful to the staff. When the topic of sex comes up in the classroom, some teachers may feel uncomfortable. With help from this survey, teachers will have a better understanding of what students know about sexual activity and what they do not know, hopefully allowing the teachers to be better prepared. 4) Along that same line, this survey may also be an important ice-breaker in terms of comfort. The majority of the population feels uncomfortable when sexual activity is discussed. Now this may not hold true for some, but most tend to steer away from the subject. Unfortunately, that is not the best way to address the situation. Our survey, and the articles accompanying it, present information on sexual activity in what we feel is a professional and mature

fashion. We are direct about the situation and we hope to answer any questions that students (or even staff) may feel uncomfortable asking. 5) The information collected is not valuable to only the VHS community. It is passed along to parents/ guardian, administrators, etc. For example, say a parent sees these results and notices that one in however many students are sexual active. This statistic shocks said parent. The parent realizes that he/she has not properly talked to his/her child about sex, and as a result will do so, in a fashion with which they are most comfortable. This information may also be used by Health teachers and the School District itself. The teachers may use this information to refine their teaching curriculum to better accommodate the students. 6) Finally, let it be understood that we are not encouraging the practice of

Page Five sexual activity in any way. We attempt to neither encourage nor discourage any of the information we present in our surveys (ranging from drug use to religion). We at The Cougar Press attempt to take an unbiased stand on all matters discussed in the paper. There is the argument that students may see a portion of their peers are engaging in sexual activity (drug use or practicing a religion for that matter), and may feel pressured to take part themselves. If a student feels compelled to take part in something due to pressure, that is their own responsibility. In the end, it is up to the individual to make his or her own decision on these personal issues. That’s what high school, at its best, is supposed to teach us to do. Whether you want to face the facts or continue to shy the other way is your own prerogative. Thank you for giving The Cougar Press a few moments of your important class time.

Surveys were handed out during second period as to avoid students taking more than one survey. Answers should be taken seriously. Although some students may have lied in one direction, we expect students to have lied in the opposite direction, thus creating a smaller margin of error. *Question one asked what grade the student was in. This information is included in the tables at the bottom of each graph. Each graph is a cumalitive of all four grades.

3. If not, why not? A)Not ready/other personal reasons B)Religious reasons C)Haven’t found the right person

2. Are you sexually active? A)Yes B) No

B 49%

51%

C 39%

45%

16% B

12 11 10 9 2 a 68% 54% 47% 26% b 32% 70% 53% 74%

12 3 a 28% b 30% c 43%

11 44% 12% 44%

10 32% 14% 53%

9 48% 10% 42%

Sex Survey

The Cougar Press

Page Six

5. If not, why not? (Refer to Question 4) A)Not ready/other personal reasons B)Religious reasons C)Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t found the right person

4. Have you had sexual intercourse? A)Yes B) No

62%

Please Note: All percentages are rounded The Cougar Press

6. What grade were you in when you lost your virginity (Remember: you advance to the next grade after the last day of school). A) Middle School B) Freshman C) Sophomore D) Junior E) Senior F) I have engaged in sexual activity but not sexual intercourse

A B

Friday, December 18, 2009

38%

A 37%

49%

22%

11 10 9 47% 47% 21% 53% 53% 79%

7. Have you ever been in a serious relationship in high school? (Serious can be however you define it). A)Yes B) No

a b c

12 43% 29% 28%

22%

E 5%

18%

10%

14% B

12 4 a 30% b 70%

23%

11 51% 12% 38%

10 46% 7% 47%

9 53% 11% 36%

8. Were you sober (free from any form of intoxication) the first time you engaged in sexual activity? A)Yes B) No

12 20% 14% 24% 17% 12% 14%

a b c d e f

11 17% 17% 34% 7% 0% 25%

10 36% 29% 14% 3% 0% 18%

9. How many serious relationships have you had in high school? A)0 B) 1 C) 2 D)3-4 E) 5 or more 3% D E 4%

B B

45%

24%

18%

55% 76%

12 11 10 7 a 70% 57% 49% b 30% 43% 51%

9 30% 70%

a b

12 11 75% 82% 25% 18%

A 39%

37%

10 9 71% 69% 29% 31%

9 26% 19% 0% 0% 0% 55%

a b c

12 24% 41% 29%

11 37% 39% 17%

10 39% 35% 14%

9 65% 27% 5%

Sex Survey

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Cougar Press

10. How often do you engage in sexual activity? A)once a month or every few months B)2-3 times a month C)4-5 times a month D)6 or more time a month

Page Seven

11. Do you believe in long term relationships in high school? A)Yes B) No

12. What is your overall number of partners that you have engaged in sexual activity with? A)1 B) 2-3 C) 4-5 D) 6 or more

20%

Please Note: All Percentages are rounded

23%

40%

17%

14% 37%

77% 22%

10%

39%

10 a b c d

12 39% 23% 15% 23%

11 43% 22% 14% 21%

10 36% 16% 21% 27%

9 45% 12% 31% 12%

11 a b

13. Would you rather be… A)in a relationship B)“friends with benefits” (Engaging in sexual activity with a peer, but not restricted to any one person). C)single

12 11 10 9 77% 73% 74% 83% 23% 27% 26% 17%

14. Are your parents aware of your sexual activity? A)Yes B) No C) I don’t know

12 a b c d

12 30% 42% 11% 17%

9 46% 33% 11% 11%

18% 20%

62%

30%

10 63% 21% 16%

9 59% 20% 21%

12 14 a 39% b 31% c 30%

11 27% 36% 37%

20%

52% 13%

32% B

11 61% 20% 19%

13%

C 38%

12 13 a 66% b 19% c 16%

10 47% 34% 7% 12%

15. Do you feel more comfortable on a date when it is… a)just you and your date b)a double date c)a small group of people d)I do not go on dates

11 42% 34% 10% 14%

10 28% 28% 43%

9 22% 31% 47%

12 15 a 68% b 8% c 14% d 10%

11 31% 22% 27% 19%

10 56% 13% 22% 10%

9 49% 13% 23% 15%

Sex Survey

The Cougar Press

Page Eight

16. What is the relationship between you and the person you last had sexual relations with? A)In a relationship B)“Friends with benefits” C)One time thing

17. Are you currently dating/in a relationship with someone? A)Yes B) No B

A 60%

Friday, December 18, 2009 Please Note: All percentages are rounded The Cougar Press

18. Have you or your partner ever been pregnant? A)Yes B) No C) I am not aware if my female partner has ever been pregnant

40%

C 4% 12 11 10 9 17 a 47% 42% 35% 30% b 53% 58% 65% 70%

C 27%

17a. If yes, are they… A)In your grade B)Older, and still in high school C)Younger, and still in high school D)Older, and out of high school E)Younger, and in middle school

52% 21% B

A 10%

86%

E 4%

16 a b c

12 55% 21% 23%

11 56% 12% 32%

10 40% 28% 32%

D 18%

9 51% 33% 16%

17% C 18% B 17a a b c d e

19. Are your parents aware of your current relationship status? A)Yes B) No C) I don’t know

12 37% 6% 20% 32% 4%

44%

11 45% 25% 13% 14% 3%

10 38% 24% 26% 12% 0%

9 61% 24% 4% 2% 8%

20. Have you or your partner ever had an abortion? A)Yes B) No C) I am not aware if my female partner has ever had an abortion C A 5% 7%

18 a b c

19%

64%

19 a b c

11 66% 17% 17%

10 8% 88% 4%

9 10% 88% 2%

B 19%

82% 89%

12 70% 15% 15%

11 7% 90% 2%

21. Do you think it is appropriate to kiss on the first date? A)Yes B) No

17% B

12 13% 82% 5%

10 58% 24% 18%

9 55% 23% 22%

20 a b c

12 9% 87% 4%

11 3% 92% 5%

10 7% 84% 8%

9 6% 92% 2%

21 a b

12 11 10 9 81% 82% 77% 71% 19% 18% 23% 29%

Sex Survey

Friday, December 18, 2009

The TheCougar CougarPress Press

Please Note: All percentages are rounded Page Nine

22. Have you or your partner every contracted an STI (sexually transmitted infection)? A)Yes B) No B)I don’t know

23. If you had an STI (sexually transmitted infection), would you tell your parent(s)/guardians(s)? A)Yes B) No C) I don’t know

24. If you thought you had an STI, would you see a doctor? A)Yes B) No C) I don’t know B

C A 6% 5%

C 4% 6%

C 24% 15%

89%

60%

a b c

12 5% 92% 2%

11 4% 95% 1%

10 4% 78% 18%

9 4% 96% 0%

25. If you had an STI, would you tell your partner? A) Yes B) No C) I don’t know

25 a b c

12 86% 4% 10%

11 59% 16% 25%

10 61% 14% 25%

9 66% 14% 20%

12 24 a 92% b 3% c 5%

10 80% 8% 12%

9 82% 8% 10%

12 a 92% b 3% c 5%

10 89% 5% 6%

9 85% 5% 10%

C B 4% 6%

86%

83%

11 84% 5% 11%

11 94% 3% 3%

27. In your personal opinion, do you think you are responsible with your sexual activities? A)Yes B) No C) I don’t know

11%

12 a 57% b 16% c 27%

26. Should people with an STI tell their partner? A) Yes B) No C) I don’t know

91%

11 34% 19% 47%

10 89% 4% 7%

9 91% 3% 6%

90%

12 27 a 92% b 5% c 3%

11 89% 4% 7%

10 85% 10% 5%

9 94% 4% 2%

Sex Survey

Page Ten

28. In your personal opinion, do you think your peers are responsible with their sexual activities? A) Yes B) No C) I don’t know

Friday, December 18, 2009 Please Note: All percentages are rounded The Cougar Press

29. What is your sexual orientation? A) Straight B) Gay/Lesbian C) Bisexual D) Unsure B 1%

30. Are your parents aware of your sexual orientation? A) Yes B) No C) I don’t know

D 2% C 5%

C B 7% 6%

C A

23% 49%

92%

29% B

28 a b c

12 44% 32% 24%

11 50% 32% 18%

10 55% 23% 22%

9 47% 26% 27%

29 a b c d

12 92% 0% 5% 3%

11 93% 2% 4% 2%

10 89% 0% 8% 4%

What the Sex Survey Tells Us Kyle Thille Guess what? There is a 38% chance that the student sitting next to you right now has had sex. While the sex survey may be awkward, it’s a good opportunity to see trends within the student population. And while some people might not take it seriously, the large number of people surveyed can show some rather interesting data.

According to the survey, a slight majority (51%) of the student body is sexually active. As predicted, the most sexually active group is the Seniors, with 67% being sexually active. The groups that have had the most sex is the Juniors, followed by the Sophomores. For the entire school however, 38% of the population has had sex. That’s rather low, when compared to the national average,

Photo by: Trevor Sherwood Assistant Principal Mr. Charles Cornwell guessed 10% of our student population has engaged in sexual intercourse. In responce to the actual result, he responded, “Wow. I can’t believe that.”

which says that 46% of all teenagers have had sex at least once. This survey also gives more insight into just how many kids are having sex. It also shows why California is spending so much on abstinence education. California, according to TIME magazine, spends some of the most out of any state on abstinence education. It also have one of the lowest pregnancy rates,

9 96% 1% 3% 1%

30 a b c

suggesting a correlation between education and pregnancy. Pregnancy rates for the school are 10 percent per couple or an assumed 5 percent of the females. This is lower than the 7.5 national average. Ventura High’s pregnant population is similar to the rest of California, which has a lower pregnancy rate than the national average. So it seems like your health class was actually worth it’s while. As well as affecting pregnancy rates, health education has played a role in the reduction of STI’s in

Councelor Mrs. Helene Heinz guessed Photo by: Trevor Sherwood more than 50% of the students have engaged in sexual interource. In responce to the actual result, she commented, “It’s unfortuente that kids are getting into this at such a young age and I hope they are protecting themselves.”

87%

12 90% 4% 6%

11 85% 9% 6%

10 86% 4% 10%

9 84% 7% 10%

teens. Less than 5% of the student population has had an STI, much lower than the 25% infection rate of the national population that NPR reported. So, what to take from all this? Not everyone in the school is having sex. Some people feel pressured into sex because the misconception that “everyone else is doing it”. Assuming that everyone answered truthfully, only 38% of the school is having sex, and the actual number is probably lower than that.

Photo by: Trevor Sherwood

Assistant Princpal Ethan Grey guessed 40% of the schools population is sexual active. In responce to the actual result, he had “no comment” on the matter.

Friday, December 18, 2009

The The Cougar CougarPress Press

Across 2. organization that helps with pregnant teens 6. a doctor who specializes in women’s organs 8. STI commonly attributed with genital warts 9. the lack of the ability to have a child 10. male reproductive organ 13. “smooch” 14. most common form of birth control 18. the tubes that carry the sperm from the testicles to the urethra 20. the area at the top of the vagina 22. the cord that connects to the baby inside the womb 24. mammories 26. someone who has not had sex 27. where the fetus grows 29. what happens when the sperm reaches the egg in either of the fallopian tubes 31. where eggs are produced 33. the hair that is located in the pubic region 35. stage in baby’s life before fetus 36. carry the DNA of both parents 37. a sexual desire for a specific object or thing 40. the act of carrying a baby inside the womb 42. pubic lice 44. aborting a pregnancy 46. female reproductive cell 48. manifestation of herpes around the mouth, viral, can be transmitted to genitals 50. the most effective

Sex Crossword

form of birth control 53. the act of cutting the foreskin from the penis after birth 55. nonconsensual sex, even if one person decides at the last minute 58. Involving the mouth 59. the most common oral contraceptive 61. the act of having sex 62. a ring proclaiming your abstinence 63. female reproductive organ 64. male reproductive cell 65. pleasuring ones self, sexually 68. an attraction to a person of the opposite sex

Down 1. where sperm are created and producers of testosterone 3. friends with 4. the sac that holds the testicles 5. what the fertilized egg travels through from the ovary to the uterus 7. a surgical way to give birth 11. Acute Immune Deficiency Syndrome, viral 12. a liquid that kills sperm 15. the monthly cycle of a woman 16. the tube inside a penis 17. Human immunodeficiency virus 19. STI that causes sores on the genitals,

bacterial 21. infection that can rise 23. an embrace 25. this is the grade that is the most sexually active, according to the sex seurvey 28. a sac that holds the baby inside the womb 30. STI involving bacteria 32. the act of having a baby 34. the surgery to sterilize a man 37. the beginning stage of a baby’s life 38. “going out” with someone 39. used to make sexual actions smoother 41. STI that can cause infertility, bacterial 43. sexually transmitted infection

Page Eleven

45. sexually explicit material 47. the height of sexual pleasure 49. is used to clean a women’s vagina 51. the release of sperm from a penis 52. what babies suckle on for milk 54. test done to women to check for cervical cancer only, doesn’t check for STI’s 56. an attraction to a person of the same sex 57. used to see if a baby is healthy before birth 60. Human papaloma virus 66. sensual desire 67. a common place for sex and where you sleep

Page Tweleve

Spanish

La Razón de Embarazo Entre Los Hispanos Noel Duarte

Aunque suene sorprendente, cada año más adolescentes hispanas se embarazan que de cualquier otra raza. El problema con el embarazo en una edad tan joven no es solamente la habilidad de la madre de cuidar por el bebé si no también los problemas económicos y los problemas de salud que pueden resultar de tener un niño. En el año 2000, el año más reciente para el cual la data esta disponible, 137 de cada mil muchachas Hispanas entre los quince y diecinueve años de edad estaban embarazadas. Solamente 88 muchachas de cada mil de la población general en los Estados Unidos estaban embarazadas. Un estudio hecho en 2002 mostró que casi el 25% de muchachas Hispanas que se embarazaron entre los quince y diecinueve años tuvieron más de dos hijos antes de cumplir los veinte años. El mismo estudio encontró que la mayoría de las adolescentes Hispanas que tuvieron un bebé entre los quince y diecinueve años de edad eran mexicanas. Más mexicanas se embarazaron en esta edad

que cubanas o muchachas de otros países de origen. Adolescentes que se embarazan durante la preparatoria suelen graduarse menos. Solamente una de cada tres adolescentes que tiene un niño se gradúa de la preparatoria. Aún menos siguen a la universidad. Un problema grande con tener un niño en una edad tan joven es el costo de mantener al bebé. La comida de bebé, la ropa, los juguetes, los pañales y todos los gastos médicos rápidamente dejan a los papás sin dinero. Estudiante del decimo grado, Kristen Lopéz comento sobre el embarazo adolescente entre los Hispanos y dijo que “Yo pienso que es un problema porque una gran porcion de muchachas hispanas no estan informadas sobre el embarazo. Deberían buscar ayuda de lugares como Planned Parenthood para no embarazarse de una edad tan joven. Es problem con solución.” Tener un hijo a una edad tan joven sin duda es un desafío. Afortunadamente hay muchas organizaciones que se dedican a darle ayuds a las madres adolescentes.

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Cougar Press

La Violacion y el Abuso Sexual en los Estados Unidos

Noel Duarte

En esta edición de The Cougar Press hay una sección dedicada al sexo que cubre temas controversiales y presenta estadísticas sobre el sexo aquí en Ventura High School. Desafortunadamente la sección solo aparece en inglés, pero un tema muy serio que debería ser cubierto en ambos lenguajes es el tema de la violación y abuso sexual de mujeres y hombres en los Estados Unidos. Según Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), o en Español la Red Nacional de Violación, Abuso e Incesto, una de cada seis mujeres será victima de abuso sexual tan siquiera una vez un su vida. De todos los abusos sexuales solamente 60% serán reportados a las autoridades. Aunque una gran mayoría de las victimas son caucásicas las mujeres de minoría están en un risco más grande de ser violadas o abusadas sexualmente.

En aproximadamente 73% de los casos de abuso sexual las victimas conocen a su asaltante personalmente. En muchos de estos casos las victimas no reportan el abuso a las autoridades por miedo del asaltante. En algunas ocasiones las victimas de abuso sexual tienen miedo de las autoridades porque piensan que los arrestaran por sus estatus legal pero esto no el caso. Las autoridades están más preocupadas en arrestar al asaltante. “Las victimas tienen que reportar a sus asaltantes, aunque sea un familiar o algún conocido para parar el abuso y para arrestar a la persona responsable,” dijo el oficial de policía Jesús Quezada. La mejor manera de prevenir el abuso sexual es reconocer que cada persona es una víctima potencial. Estadísticas muestran que 44% de victimas son menores de dieciocho años de edad. Por esta razón uno debe de tener mucho cuidado cuando

sea necesario caminar a solas. Si es necesario caminar a solas es recomendado no tomar calles o callejones solos o oscuros y en vez tomar calles de mucho transito. Si en caso te encuentras en una situación donde sospechas que te están siguiendo debes de cruzar la calle, entrar a cualquier negocio abierto y llamar a las autoridades lo más rápido posible. Si te encuentras siendo asaltada por alguna persona trata de atener atención de cualquier manera. El abuso sexual y la violación son problemas muy serios. Desafortunadamente, en el año 2007 alrededor de 248, 300 personas fueron victimas de abuso sexual. Según una estimación hecha por RAINN, una persona es abusada cada dos minutos en los Estados Unidos. Hay muchas organizaciones, como RAINN, que se dedican a ayudar a las victimas del abuso sexual. Ninguna persona merece pasar por una experiencia tan traumatizante.

Jurgensen Law Deborah E. Jurgensen caring & committed

Family Law Juvenile Law Estate Planning

570 Ralston Ave Suite 202 Ventura, CA 93003 Oﬃce 805.850.6100 Fax 866.487.8912 debi@jurgensenlaw.com www.jurgensenlaw.com

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Cougar The CougarPress Press

Features & A&E

Page Thirteen

Fantastic Mr. Fox Truly Fantastic Aunt Kitty: How

Photo by: Sahhar Tashakori

Freshman Bryan Lee recommends the film Fantastic Mr. Fox

Sahhar Tashakori The movie Fantastic Mr. Fox opened in theaters on November twenty-fifth, and it had a very unpredictable turnout, with some people positive about it and others reacting negatively towards the advertising. At first glance, the movie seems childish, and seemingly not worth the money, but it was genuinely surprising what kind of quality the movie possessed. Receiving a 92% from rottentomatoes.com, a very harsh critiquing site for movies, television shows, and other media outlets, Fantastic

Mr. Fox surprised and amazed viewers with its witty characters, entertaining dialogue, and action-filled storyline. Based on the book by Roald Dahl and featuring incredible voice-overs by George Clooney (Mr. Fox) and Meryl Streep (Mrs. Fox), this movie truly took theater-goers by surprise with its humor, quick-wit, and loveable characters. Directed and written for the screen by Wes Anderson, Fantastic Mr. Fox features a sly, fowl-stealing Mr. Fox, who promises to leave the theft business to create a

life for his wife and son, Ash after an attempted theft goes bad. However, twelve “foxyears” later, he can’t resist the temptation to start thieving from the three largest poultry farms in the business. That brings the entire industry crashing down on Mr. Fox, his family, and the other animal families in the forest when the three men in charge of these companies, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean, try to dig him out and in doing so nearly destroy the entire forest. “It’s an amazing movie,” junior Darren Mills comments. “It was witty and fun. I enjoyed it.” The character designs are completely unique, with realistic looking fur, amusing animation, and characters that seem to have no sharp, unfriendly edges at all. The puppets used seem round, in the sense that you can relate to the characters they’re used for without getting jarred by any sharp edges of malcontent or unrealistic character flaws. The music is enjoyable, fitting, and highly likeable. It is a family movie that can be enjoyed by all ages, and can be watched many, many times over. People in Ventura can watch this movie at both the Century Sixteen and the Century Ten downtown.

Holiday Cheer for Less

Photo by: Trevor Sherwood

Senior Jesus Felix says, “I’m going to shop smarter this year!”

Alyson Nagel During this time of year, stores are usually jam packed with holiday shoppers scouring stores to find the perfect gift for someone special in their lives. The holidays are one of the only times annually when people feel

comfortable dropping big bucks on gifts. The rest of the year people tend to not spend quite as much money on items that are not necessities. However, this year it is quite different. Senior Mariann Olivarez claims, “this year I am not planning on spending that much on holiday gifts. I usually spend about six

or seven hundred dollars and this year I am planning on spending a lot less.” Holiday shoppers are experiencing the economic hardship by cutting down on their gift lists and the prices of the gifts themselves. People are resorting to purchasing gifts for just their immediate families instead of distant relatives and friends. Some families are having gift exchanges where they pull one name from a hat and only get a gift for that person. They are also turning to much cheaper, sometimes homemade items. Senior Dana Evans says, “My family usually spends about six hundred dollars total on gifts for both friends and family.” She also claims, “this year I am setting a limit on how much I am spending on gifts.” Due to customers’ smart shopping habits this year, many businesses are having a very difficult time. According to Bloomberg.com, most U.S. retailers make one third of their annual profits during the holiday season alone. Small businesses are having the

Do I Deal With My Immature Friend?

Greetings my fellow cougars! Thank you for the many letters I have received. Feel free to keep dropping your anonymous questions and concerns in my box located in the library! Have a great holiday season! Dear Aunt Kitty, One of my friends has been acting like a little brat and it’s been really irritating me. I love her like a sister but sometimes she’ll do or say something really stupid and it really upsets and embarrasses, not just me, but most of our group. What should I say to her to make her stop acting like a fiveyear-old? -Irritated friend Dear Irritated friend, Dealing with an immature friend can be a difficult task. You don’t want to hurt their feelings; however, something must be changed. I recommend

most difficult time in the U. S.’ economic decline. Many local businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. In Downtown Ventura, several businesses including Nicolby’s and Tiki Lounge have closed in the past few months due to the economic downturn. Small business owners do not have the luxury to cut prices or have mega holiday sales whereas

pulling your friend aside one day and telling them about their unappealing actions. Perhaps they are unaware that their immaturity is annoying others around them. It would be best not to have the entire group tell this individual their feelings because she may feel isolated out. If this person truly is your friend, she won’t take your comments in a negative manner, but will thank you for your honesty. Best of luck and best of wishes. Sincerely, Aunt Kitty

much bigger corporate owned stores do. Although, many of the small stores have similar prices to the larger stores after price cuts. This year consider doing holiday shopping in small, privately owned businesses like Downtown Ventura instead of mega stores like Macy’s or Target.

Sports

Page Fourteen

Ventura Suffers Hard Loss Against Santa Barbara Kyle Thille The Ventura Girls Water polo team played a tough game last week, yet still suffered a 17-1 loss against the mighty Santa Barbara Dons. Ventura’s sole point came from Junior Noelle Mann. She said it was “A tough loss for the team” but that there were several factors for Ventura playing off their game. The Cougars were missing two starters, Tess Wardle and Jenna Harmon. As well as being two players down, the pool was out of commission for the week leading up to the game, leading to reduced practice time. As a result of

the loss, Ventura’s record now is now (4-2). When asked about Ventura’s chances in league, Mann realistically said that the girls were aiming for a top three result. Mann added that during the Santa Barbara game “something was missing, but we’re going to bounce back.” The Cougar’s next game is home against Tesoro, on Saturday, December 19th. When asked about Ventura’s chances against the team, Mann said that they have to idea how strong the Tesoro team is, but that the Cougar’s are sure to show up strong. Go watch what should be an exciting game Saturday at 1 pm.

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Cougar Press

Sports

Friday, December 18, 2009

The The Cougar CougarPress Press

Page Fifteen

Big Cougars Hit Cougars Are State Quality Boy’s Soccer is Aiming Some top players are Senior Jacob Blackler

Coach Gacha hopes for another championship ring.

Tyler Ferreria On December 11th and 12th Cougars’ Boys Varsity Wrestling went to the Clovis West Shootout wrestling tournament to see if they could measure up to other schools from all over California. Coach Michael Gacha took twenty varsity wrestlers in hopes of improving his team by having them go up against some of the best wrestlers in the state. A total of fourteen schools competed there. This overnight tournament proved to be a difficult one for some Cougars. There were four injured Ventura wrestlers by the end of the competition. However, Senior

Photo by: Sam Boydstun

Noel Alvarez excelled during this state-wide show of skill by not losing a single match throughout the two days of competing. Senior captain Isaac Archibeque also had an exceptional performance by winning four out of five of his matches. Even with these two athletes contributing, the Cougars as a team were not high in the standings out of the fourteen teams. When asked to comment on the Clovis Tournament, Archibeque explained, “It was humbling to go against those teams. It showed that there was room for improvement.” Hopefully last years’ CIF wrestling champions will get stronger as the year goes on.

Anything is possible for Boys’ Soccer. Even after losing a few Seniors that were great assets to the team, the guys are still solid. As of December 16th, 2009, they have a winning record, and are undefeated in regular season games. The team hopes to make it to the Channel League Finals and win; their ultimate goal is to blast away their competition in CIF and go as far as they can go. The Boys hope to meet all their goals for the season, and train hard for all their games. Their training has definitely paid off, lending itself to a good record. Much of the thanks goes to Coach Todd Tackett, who always keeps the guys in prime physical shape.

Seniors Geoffrey Browne and Andrew Creighton are hoping for a great season.

Girl’s Soccer Starts Off Strong

Senior Shelby Kelsch looks forward to an exciting season.

Daniel Goodkin-Gold The Cougar’s Varsity Girls’ Soccer team has started off the pre-season great, going undefeated in their first three games against Pacifica, Rio Mesa, and Oxnard, and losing the fourth to Moorpark.

Photo by: Sam Boydstun

Rio Mesa and Oxnard were tough opponents, both undefeated at the time of the matchup. However, both were unable to stand up to the Cougar’s aggressive offense and strong defense. The game against Oxnard

Captains Geoffrey Browne, who has been a key varsity player since he was a Freshman, and Andrew Creighton, along with Seniors Evan Remedios and Graham Austin. Creighton said, “…we are going to play strong in Channel League and [the team] is going to make it to CIF.” Many of the players this year are returning and bring needed experience to the team. The new players, however, show promise and potential and are ready to prove themselves on the field. The next game is on December 17th against Channel Islands, and they play Westlake and Rio Mesa on December 29th. The guys will work hard, even during our much-beloved Holiday break, to attain triumph; triumph over the field, their opponent, and themselves.

was one of the girls’ stronger efforts, shutting out the Yellow Jackets 3-0. They started off a little slow, with Oxnard in control for the first few minutes. But the girls quickly rallied, and dominated the rest of the game, with the ball spending the majority of the second half in Oxnard territory. Moorpark handed the Cougar’s their only current defeat, giving them their only win up to this point in the preseason. Senior Mid-Fielder Sierra Garman remains confident, saying, “We’re making a great team effort, doing the best we can, and having a splendid time together.” The rest of the preseason should be exciting, with the Buena tournament starting today and lasting through Monday. Also, they will be

Photo by: David Calkins

inviting back former players who have graduated to see if they’ve still got it in the Alumni game on December 29. And lastly, the last preseason game is against West Ranch on January 5. The first game of the season is against Dos Pueblos at Dos Pueblos, on January 7. The next home games are the Alumni and West Ranch games, so let’s go out and support our Cougars. Hopefully they continue to make us proud with their winning ways. Senior Forward Rachel Henno has high hopes for the team. “I think we have done really well so far, and I am excited to see how the season will turn out.” Garman agrees, commenting, “We are a family of wild cougars, waiting in our den to pounce out and decimate any opponents that come our way.”

The Court Noel Duarte

Winter is here and it time once again for the Ventura High School Girls’ Basketball team to rock the courts. Having started the season on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 the girls are all ready for the challenging season ahead. This year the Girls’ Varsity Basketball is composed of ten players who have proved they have what it takes to make it to this prestigious level. The girls work hard maintain their position as one of the best teams in the Channel League. In fact, the girls have won or shared the Channel League Championship eight out of the last ten years. They devote at least 15 hours a week to rigorous practice where they work on various components. Mrs. Ann Larson has been the head coach for the girl’s Varsity since the year 2000. She commented on the team’s upcoming season by saying, “We’ve made really good improvement recently.” The Ventura Tournament was a huge success for the Varsity team where they went all four games undefeated. They defeated Buena High School in the tournament with a score of 40 to 31 in the title game on Saturday, December 5. Senior player and cocaptain of the Varsity team, Amy Pupa, has high hopes for the season ahead. “My hopes for the season are that we all work hard and get to the CIF Championship, which is very do-able. The team is very young but definitely working hard, improving, and everyone is finding their own important role on the team.” The Buena Tournament which took place on Saturday, December 11 was another success for the team. They defeated Oaks Christian with an ending score of 51 to 46. “We need all ten players to reach our potential. I’m really excited to see how far we can go,” Pupa continued to say. Only time will tell if the girls will be victorious and take the Channel League Championship, but with a record for success the chances are high.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Top Eight

The Cougar Press

Backpage - Page 16

For this week’s sex/dating edition, The Cougar Press asked VHS students for the top songs that get them “in the mood,” and these are the top responses.

When asked what song gets her in the mood, Freshman Aide Perez stated, “definitely Boom Boom Pow by the BlackEyed Peas.”

Junior Pierce Frawley says that the song I Touch Myself by The Divinyls “gets me into the zone.”

Birthday Sex by Jeremiah gets Senior Cindy Tran in the mood because “everyday is my birthday.”

Sophomore Timmy Allen says the song Eye of the Tiger by Survivor gets him in the mood “because it gets me pumped up and ready to go.”

The song that gets Freshman Klaudijus Baltakaitis in the mood is “Glow in the Dark by Chris Brown, because its lyrics are relevant to the situation.”

Senior Maddie Fahan says that the song that gets her in the mood is “Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus, because that is exactly what is happening.”

Sophomore Nick Rudolph says that the song Every Time we Touch by Cascada “puts me in the mood every time.”

Senior Jessica Osman says that she enjoys listening to Love Story by Taylor Swift because it “makes me feel loved.”