Issue 1, 2021-2022

the

LANCER

Volume LVIII, Issue 1 » October 24, 2021 » Thousand Oaks High School » 2323 N. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 » www.tohsthelancer.org » thelancer.tohs@gmail.com » Circulation 1,900

CRUCIAL CATCH With one game left in the season, two injured starters must be replaced for a chance at playoffs. pg. 20

HELP WANTED

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

HOW THE COOKIE “CRUMBL’S”

TOHS students reflect on having a job while in school.

The TO City Council approved a recent purchase of land for affordable housing.

pg. 10-13

pg. 5

TOHS students give their opinions on the recently Tik Tok famous cookie brand. pg. 8 PHOTO » RYAN HALVORSEN» WITH PERMISSION

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NEWS

Hits and Misses

STAFF EDITORIAL

RETRO REVOLUTION

What’s Up and Down with The Lancer Hit: Giants fan rage over their loss against the Dodgers- Wikipedia recognizes the umpire who called the game ending check swing, as “legally blind.”

Miss: Our school celebrated Unity Day with three fights.

Hit: This year lunches are free. Too bad they’re still terrible.

GRAPHIC » KENDALL FLEMING » THE LANCER

Is retro fashion trending?

EDITORIAL BOARD

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yes

2

no

Vintage clothing originates from a previous era while retro refers to new clothes imitating old styles or patterns, although these terms are often used interchangeably and both have become popular in recent years. While the trend has been memed upon like everything on the internet, it has met an overwhelmingly positive response that sent industries, as well as individual sellers, rushing to capitalize.

This pop culture obsession mainly focuses on the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. ‘80s clothing trends like leather jackets, acid wash jeans, flare pants, and bright hues are making a comeback.

Melissa Blair, associate professor of history, says widespread, romanticized nostalgia can be seen in cycles throughout history.

“People tend to be very selective in their memories, so people remember the 1980s as a much more stable time in American society than it necessarily was,” Meyer said.

But how long does it take for last year’s trend to become a pop culture presence?

These time period trends tend to come about 20 years after their original time. Now, in 2021, we see the return of early 2000’s heeled flip flops, tie-dye, and tube tops. Nonetheless, 80’s fashion and vibes still remain modernly iconic despite being past their expected age of renewed popularity. While older generations can connect nostalgically, Generation Z’s fixation might be best explained by psychology.

Nostalgia, even for a time we never lived, can give us comfort as a world that feels safer, happier, and brightly colored. Color psychology, how colors make people feel, suggests this neon palette may play a role

in the positive associations with the time period.

Jules Standish, a style and color consultant, explains how bright colors have a positive psychological effect.

“Looking at warm, bright colors, such as red or pink, releases dopamine,” according to Standish.

Bright, saturated colors make us happy, and that was a big part of the 80s.

With the increase in clothes of the past, thrift shopping has become a popular activity for teenagers.

Although many reports show the trend rising in popularity for years, such as in consumer surveys by Global Data, they also found a dramatic rise in thrift shopping in 2020. The pandemic habit is expected to stick, with thirty-three thousand consumers having bought secondhand apparel for the first time in 2020.

This trend also aids the movement of sustainable and ethical fashion. Second hand buying seemingly impacts the prominence of the fast fashion industry, businesses built to make cheap, disposable clothing known for large environmental impact and questionable worker treatment. According to the Waste and Resources Action Program (WRAP), a sustainability advisory group in England, by extending the active use of clothes by just three months would lead to a 5 to 10 percent reduction in their carbon, water, and waste footprints.

The past decades of trends are here to stay—at least until they become outdated again. With the joyful escapism of bright colors, positive environmental impact, and push against fast-fashion, I’ll welcome this trend, even if it means unfunny social media memes everywhere I look.

THE LANCER STAFF 2021-2022 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Molly Norton Finley Swanson NEWS Becka Glaubke Chase Patterson Momo Sonoda Ella Wauchope

OPINION Jasmine Chang Jake Crandall Nathan Yang ENTERTAINMENT Kendall Fleming Riley Keeler Griffin Lester IN-FOCUS Miles Cleary Nazo Niazi Kai Tripp-Bullough

FEATURES Alex Aguilar Madeline Convy Karla Garcia Sara Guy SPORTS Boden Adema Hayden Mckinney Bella Moreno WEBSITE EDITORS Dylan Cockerill

BUSINESS MANAGERS Remington Beaudoin Grace Williams PHOTOGRAPHER Dylan Cockerill ADVISER Tasha Beaudoin

Miss: The only things weirder than Kanye’s new name, Yew, are his masks.

A definite nay.

Hit: Students rejoice as many UC’s and CSU’s denounce the SAT and ACT. That’s countless hours of our lives studying wasted.

Miss: Weekend Forecast: Rain. Bring your bathing suits for Lake TO!

Hit: Drug lord Pablo Escobar’s hippos recognized by US courts as legal persons.

Hip! Hippo! Hurray!

The Lancer is the official school publication of Thousand Oaks High School, created and produced by students in Advanced Journalism. This publication as well as additional stories can be found online at tohsthelancer. org. The Lancer reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed inappropriate for high school publication.

Guest editorials and “Letters to the Editor” are welcome, but must be signed and are subject to editing for length, libel, obscenity and grammar. They can be sent to thelancer.tohs@gmail.com.

The Lancer is a member of the Journalism Education Association (JEA), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and NSPA All-American Hall of Fame.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.tohsthelancer.org

OFF-CAMPUS PASS

National Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15 to October 15 There are 23 Nobel Laureates of Hispanic Herritage

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Four-in-five Latinos are US citizens.

There are roughly 62.1 million Hispanics in the United States as of 2020, making up 19% of the nation’s population

Hispanic Heritage Week was started in 1968 by Congress, and was later expanded to a month in 1988

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the US Latino and Hispanic communities.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court

by President Obama in 2009

October 26, 1999

Elena T. Medo granted her ninth US Patent for improving the Breast Pump System Spanish artist,

In California, latinos account for 39% of the total population

Roughly 14% of all people 5 years and over speak Spanish in the United States.

Pablo Picasso is one of the most famous Latin American artists in the modern art world.

In the last decade, Hispanic women attending college went up 45% and men by 39%.

Approximately 6% or 322 thousand businesses in the United States were Hispanic-owned in 2018

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/09/09/key-facts-about-u-s-latinos-for-national-hispanic-heritage-month/ https://www.lung.org/about-us/diversity-inclusion/hispanic-heritage-month https://www.history.com/topics/hispanic-history/hispanic-heritage-month https://www.cwu.edu/latino-latin-american/nobel-prize-winners https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-influential-hispanic-americans-in-u-s-pol https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/inventors-entrepreneurs/hispanic-heritage-and-inventions https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/hispanic-heritage-month.html https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/09/23/who-is-hispanic/ https://americascollection.com/blog/the-top-7-hispanic-artists-to-impact-western-culture/

PHOTO »BALLET FOLKLORICO EHECATL»WITH PERMISSION

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NEWS

Let the Adventure Begin The annual pumpkin patch on Thousand Oaks Boulevard draws in a large croud from friends to families. Many students from Thousand Oaks High School have visited, and reminisce on their childhood while getting into the fall spirit.

FALL FUN—(Left) Scarecrow cutout at the Seasonal Advertures Pumpkin Patch welcomes guests at the front gate.

PHOTO » SEASONALADVENTURES » INSTAGRAM

BECCA GLAUBKE

Staff Writer

The leaves are changing color, the weather is colder, stores are smelling like cinnamon, and of course, the pumpkin patch is up and running.

This year, Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Trees’ is open from October 1st through October 31st. The owners, Greg Cole and Rob Lambert have worked hard to continue the family friendly tradition full of mechanical rides, petting zoos, inflatable activities and pumpkins in every shape and color.

Seasonal Adventures was established in 1967 origionally selling christmas trees, and has had a pumpkin patch in Thousand Oaks every year for over a decade. With over 10 locations in California, many people visit a location every october.

We asked students at Thousand Oaks High School whether they were going to visit this

year, considering the younger audiencce a pumpkin patch attracts.

Out of the 100 people who voted, 61 people said they were going to visit the pumpkin patch at least once this season and 39 people said they were not.

Freshman, Ryleigh Dains has previously visited the pumpkin patch and reminisced on her memories from her childhood.

“I was 7 and I would go with my grandma,” Dains said. “I would go up and down the slide 100 times and I never got tired because I was having the time of my life.”

The appeal to younger children and families is the many entertainments they provide, the pumpkin patch is not the only thing drawing a crowd, they also have a petting zoo with live goats you can feed.

Seasonal Adventures is a kid friendly place with many exciting fall activities that make enjoyable memories to look back on.

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed

1,140 pounds Pumpkins are

90% water

80% of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October

Are you going to the pumpkin patch?

The latest U.S. record (2019) for the largest pumpkin ever grown weighed in at 2,517 pounds PHOTO » NAZO NIAZI » THE LANCER

NEWS

PROPERTY LINES—Map of the former Hillcrest Christian school campus.

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DR. BERGMANN’S THOUGHTS How does the lack of affordable housing affect student enrollment at TOHS? Enrollment at this high school has been going down steadily for the past, probably, eight years.

How do you think that a healthy housing sector would directly benefit our school?

GRAPHIC » MOMO SONODA » THE LANCER

EQUITABLE HOUSING IN THOUSAND OAKS The $10 million purchase of a 4-acre plot of land marks the start of an increase in affordable housing in our community.

MOMO SONODA

Staff Writer

After several months of negotiating the purchase of a plot of land, the Thousand Oaks City Council meeting unanimously approved the $10 million purchase of the former Hillcrest Christian School campus.

Valued between $9.3 million and $11 million by Haider Alawami, the economic development manager of Thousand Oaks, the 4-acre piece of land will provide affordable housing in our community. The land is the largest purchased by the city since 2010.

Its location in the center of Thousand Oaks allows families residing on the property to have access to surrounding stores, workplaces, and schools. This benefit of location is central to affordable housing, as it makes it cheaper to reside in the homes while also reducing transportation costs and providing more job opportunities. Not only this, the plan for the housing development is unique in that the units are for-sale rather than for-rent. Once the owner of the unit decides to move out, they will be able to sell the house at a capped price and buy a market-rate home. Put forward at the same meeting, the city council members voted four to one to take this route. While there were concerns about this plan of action, with Councilman Kevin McNamee saying that this would allow those who no longer require affordable housing to stay in the units, Alawami offered a different perspective on the issue.

“Through the required Development Agreement, [the city] might set up regulations regarding the selection process of the future owners, and how long they can own the unit based on their income,” Alawami said.

The lack of affordable housing has been spoken about nationwide for years. The gap between the housing wage that someone in California would need

to afford a two-bedroom rental unit and the actual wage of low-income workers has made affordable housing essential in building equity in communities. For years, this responsibility lay on redevelopment agencies, agencies that fund affordable housing with the purpose of supporting and improving the community. In 2012, however, California dissolved the Thousand Oaks redevelopment agency, as well as 400 others. As the workforce moved to more affordable areas, the need to commute long distances increased, a contributing factor to traffic congestion and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

To combat this, the city put aside $16 million for affordable housing and housing for the homeless.

“The council has set a goal of creating [an] environment for a city with a variety of housing for all income levels. A healthy housing sector leads to a healthy city overall,” mayor pro tem, Bob Engler said.

While the development at Erbes Road and Hillcrest Drive is underway, we may see developments for affordable housing increase soon.

“The City of Thousand Oaks is planning to introduce a revamped Inclusionary Housing Ordinance which will require developers to provide a certain percentage of affordable housing units in their projects,” Mayor Bill de-la Peña answered when asked about what we can expect in the future from the Thousand Oaks City Council regarding affordable housing.

With the purpose of creating a housing environment for all Thousand Oaks community members, the purchase of the property on Erbes Road and Hillcrest Drive is the first glimpse into the future of our city.

Despite multiple correspondence with Councilman Kevin McNamee, we were unable to connect prior to publication of this story.

It’s harder and harder for younger families, that is families with kids who are, you know, five to eighteen, to be able to afford to move into the area. So, by having housing that is available, (a), and (b), affordable, that’s gonna only mean good things for us ‘cause that means eventually, students will be coming to our school.

Will an increase in students affect funding for financial aid, clubs and activities, or sports?

No, not necessarily...there are 25% of our students [who] are low income, there are 75% of the community who’s not, and they recognise the fact that there are people in this community who don’t have the luxury of being able to spend tons of money on things like activities or sports or arts, but they’re more than happy to help pitch in.

Do you think that an increase in transfer students will affect school spirit because they might not participate as much?

Another did-you-know fact is that we already have a huge number of students that are here because they transferred here from elsewhere...I think our school spirit is top notch, and the fact that it hasn’t been compromised yet is an indication to me that I don’t see it changing.

Define affordable.

Affordable housing is defined as housing that costs less than 30% of one’s income, including housing costs and utilities.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Did you know?

The housing wage of a fulltime employee in California is $24.06 per hour. Minimum wage in California is only $14.00.

National Low Income Housing Coalition California Department of Industrial Relations

6

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OPINION

07

Wendy the Frog Price: $27

Tally the Cat Price: $21

Squishable Companions PHOTO AND GRAPHICS » FINLEY SWANSON » THE LANCER

Squishmallows are popular plushies, but does their hype compare to the quality that offer?

NATHAN YANG

Bernice the Boba Tea Price: $30

Angie the Shiba Price: $15

Staff Writer

Squishing these blissful entities could be considered ethereal, or even cloud-like if only clouds weren’t mist.

The softness of Squishmallows is unparalleled, with the normal fabric and cloth pillow feelling like rough sandpaper against the multitude of furs that the pelts of Squishmallows have to offer. Bean Bag toys such as Beanie Babies feel chunky and bristly against the firm yet squeezable inner stuffing of pillows. As “themed” stuffed toys, Squishmallows come in a large variety of shapes from cats to hamburgers. In addition to the diversity that Squishmallows boast, they also come in different sizes, with the official Squishmallows page displaying Squishmallows ranging from two to 24 inches. The smallest Squishmallows are typically used as keychains.

As for their accessibility, Squishmallows can be obtained from stores such as Costco, Walgreens, and Walmart. They can also be conveniently ordered online from their respective sellers where the prices typically differ depending on size.

Due to their perks of fluffiness, variety, and widespread accessibility, Squishmallows have garnered much popularity with some passionate fans starting their own collection. In order to further their variety, collectors are also on the hunt for rare Squishmallows.

For example, a limited-edition Squishmallow known as Jack the Black can be found on Mercari.com for as high as $1,800. However, do Squishmallows live up to the praise and price?

Squishmallows are supposed to work both as a

plushie and as a pillow yet they fail to work well as a pillow. When too much pressure is applied to the Squishmallow for extended periods of time, the Squishmallow begins to lose its shape and may have issues regarding its fluffiness. For example, normal pillows can withstand hours of pressure and can return to their original shape when relieved of such pressure. However, Squishmallows tend to be skewed and can lose their shape drastically if slept on or if pressure is applied for long periods of time. Even if overall squishability can be restored by scrunching the Squishmallow a 90 degree angle from the original, the maximum squishability may be reduced.

Pricing may also come to be an issue for some as well, as Squishmallows can range from a mere $3 to a whopping $60. Even if the lowest pricing is $3, the Squishmallow will come in around two inches, smaller than the size of someone’s palm, making one wonder if it is truly worth the money.

Overall, most Squishmallows make for great plush companions. With a wide selection of choices, it is highly likely that a person will find a Squishmallow that they fancy. Don’t want an animal? Don’t worry, there are also foods or even characters to choose from. In addition, their softness is unlike any other pillow, making for a unique experience when owning a Squishmallow. Consistency is also maintained in terms of softness across all Squishmallows. Finally, Squishmallows last for a long time and aren’t prone to breaking apart at the seams, making them a very cost-efficient option as well. If treated right, the pros of Squishmallows far outweigh the cons.

Over 1 million Squishmallows have been sold since its original debut in 2017

SOURCE » NBC11NEWS.COM

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ENTERTAINMENT

Cookie Craze Crumbl Cookies is the fastest growing cookie company in the nations after receiving explosive social media attention.

KENDALL FLEMING

Entertainment

With their marketing taking place almost entirely on social media, the cookie company, Crumbl Cookies, gained 1.6 million followers just six weeks after posting their first viral video in February of 2021. With over 150 flavors and a unique business model that rotates the menu weekly with four new specialty cookies, many, including TOHS students, are flocking to the nearest location: almost 2 hours outside the city Thousand Oaks.

“The uniqueness of the different flavours was really original. It takes a classic cookie and adds a fun twist to it and I think a lot of people gravitated to their business for that reason,” senior Erin Kaufman said.

She was given the cookies by a friend, but is adamant about visiting the bakery herself. Many, including Kaufman, believe the source of Crumbl’s skyrocketing fame was Generation Z and their presence on the social media platform, TikTok. “Especially in the younger generations, kids wanted to try their cookies, so their parents ended up trying their cookies. This only helped grow their business,” Kaufman added.

Influencers across all platforms began posting their experience with Crumbl, reviewing the flavors of the week, and even going as far as recreating the delicious desserts in their own homes. And while the changing menu adds a level of excitement for returning customers, their famous chocolate chip

and chilled sugar cookies are offered year round for those that prefer to stick within their comfort zone.

“I feel like it was a more organized and controlled store, making sure that the quality was amazing,” Thousand Oaks High School student, Brianne Morris said. Like many others, she learned about Crumbl through the internet and the unconventional cookie flavors caught her attention.

Ranging from exotic cookie flavors you’ve never heard of, to the most classic and universally loved flavors, a worldwide favorite at Crumbl, deemed by the social media platform, TikTok, is the chocolate oreo cookie.

“I loved the vibe that I got from there, it lifts your mood…. Go try Crumbl and it will make your day better,” Morris said.

Starting their business three years ago, the family-owned company preaches customer satisfaction and is set to open stores in 50 more locations this year to satisfy the cookie cravings of individuals throughout the country. Even taking feedback from those online, the Crumbl team is constantly adjusting their cookie flavors and improving older recipes.

The rapidly growing popularity of this company can be supported by the thousands of positive reviews and comments on social media. With their viral video, this tasty trend’s rise to fame may have been the luck of the draw, but hey, that’s just how the cookie crumbled.

BEHIND THE COOKIE—(Above) With over 3 million followers, the Crumbl TikTok page consists of weekly flavor reveals, fan favorite cookie recipes, and even pranks! (Below) Crumbl’s flavors change weekly, including Lemon Drop, Milk Chocolate Chip and Classic Sugar.

PHOTO » KENDALL FLEMING » THE LANCER

ENTERTAINMENT

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“Free Guy” is amazing in the matter that it is one of or maybe the most energetic and funny films of the year helped by the fact that the films lead Ryan Reynolds helps give it great comedic timing.Most of the jokes are delivered in ways that allow the jokes to work the way they do in the film. Even the action is really consistent and entertaining. The movie’s villain is very standard but effective mostly because he is played by Taika Waititi who always brings enthusiastic charisma and consistently cartoonish jokes which give the movie a very fun energetic energy. The movie as a whole has a slight pacing problem near the middle section which slows down a little bit of the film and may take the audience out of the film for a bit but that slight speed bump does not stop “Free Guy” from being one of the funniest films of the year.

”Shang Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings” is the newest movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and critics and audiences agree it is one of the best.

The film’s lovability seems mostly due to Simu Liu as Shang Chi who delivers constant charisma when on screen or Tony Leung Chiu-wai villainous turn as Xu Wenwu a Marvel villain who could rival Thanos with how well written he is as a character. This allows “Shang Chi and The Legend Of The Ten Rings” to be one of the best movies of the year.

“It didn’t feel like the typical Hollywood video game movie where it was written by people who’ve never played video games in their lives, but felt it was wirrten by people who know somewhat of waht goes on in the gaming community.”

Photo » Free Guy’s Official Facebook Page » With Permission

—senior SAM AMES Photo » Shang-Chi’s Officical Facebook Page » With Permission

Lancer Movie Lovers “I thought the combat is really good, especially the fight scene with Shang Chi and his father. I found how they used the ten rings to split between him and his dad caused a compelling and visually appealing fight.”

These are your top three favorite movies to watch from 2021 Griffin Lester

—freshman CHASE NORRIS

“The fight scenes were sick and the graphics were a lot better than past movies so overall it was pretty good” —junior LUCAS KEELER

Entertainment

“Godzilla versus Kong” is a tribute to everything we love about the monster action film genre”. The movie itself is the third movie of both the “Godzilla King Of Monsters” and “Kong Skull Island” with both of those being big budget franchises. Because of the big budget franchises the movie was able to develop on a larger and more grand scale than most movies that have come out recently. It’s non-stop action and likeable characters create a movie many find amazing and with great fight scenes. The use of CGI, which has become common in movies, is realistic and fluid. These effects help to make it one of the most exhilarating movies of the year and one of the most creative and original monster fight movies overall.

Photo » Godzilla Vs. Kong’s Official Facebook Page » With Permission

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IN-FOCUS

The Act of Balance There are many challenges and precautions that must be taken into consideration when a high school students desires a job.

MOLLY NORTON

Infocus Editor

As students re-enter a full day of school, we can’t help but wonder how students’ return to full school days interacts with their outside commitments such as jobs. Balancing homework, extracurriculars, and work may seem like a daunting task, but the truth is, most of our upperclassmen students face this reality every week.

It is not uncommon for students and their extracurriculars to overlap and often cause the sacrifice of either activity, and students apart of sports teams are not immune.

“Certainly, there are families and students that need to prioritize certain things in their lives,” Assistant Principal of Athletics Brian Banducci said, “And if the job is one of those things, then sometimes they have to make tough decisions.”

Students’ participation in the workforce all depends on their priorities and the rigor of their course load. These pressures to “do it all” may conflict with what the student actually wants to do, but some TOHS students have found creative ways to balance school and employment.

Many students have small businesses that allow them to be employed, as well as balance school.

“Teachers will say that at this age, school is your job, but sometimes it feels like school is more of my side-hustle and my website is my real job,” owner of Fable and Hawke and junior Gabrielle Lopez said, ”Any chance I get that I don’t have a lot of homework, I’m either working on social posts or reading or writing my review.”

Many teachers are supportive of students finding a job, some reasons for a student wanting a job may have to do with outside pressures such as social media or the TV and Film industry.

“I think because of technology and that access to seeing what everybody else is doing, there’s that urging that you want to grow up and be independent and start earning that money,” Career Education Coordinator Ashley Cooper said.

Time-management skills are also critical for holding a job while attending school and students may find themselves scrapping for a break that isn’t occupied by homework or working a shift for a job. It is important to find a balance and not just a balance that allows the student to

“function”, but one that is healthy. Using our counselors and the Wellness Center at TOHS may allow students a way to communicate their stressors and create a useful plan to straighten their priorities.

As upperclassmen search for jobs, some underclassmen may feel pressured to search for companies that hire minors under 16. These pressures may arise from a need to grow up quickly or rushing into multiple changes at once after changing school settings.

There are multiple precautions that must be taken for any minor to have a job; such as minor labor laws.

Minor labor laws in California require all students under the age of 18 to acquire a work permit to supply to their employer. These are used to ensure the minor is being protected and verified to work their particular job. The work permits ensure minors, and their employers, understand the legal amount of hours a minor is allowed to work during the typical five-day school week, weekends, and summer hours.

Minors ages 16-17 are allowed to work 4-hours during school, but they cannot take place within their schooling hours or before. On weekends, 16-to 17-year-olds are allowed to work an 8-hour shift.

These hours tend to vary depending on the time spent in school, as in summertime, 16-to17-year-olds are allowed to work 8-hours every day for at most, six days a week. Minors are also not allowed to work certain hours, such as the so-called “graveyard shift” and for minors under 16, they are prohibited from working from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

A typical work week for most students may consist of 4-hours a few days after school and possibly two shifts on the weekends.

These child labor regulations are controlled under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which overviews labor laws such as the Minimum Wage Law, Overtime Pay Law, and of course, the Child Labor Law. While the majority of students at Thousand Oaks High School work in food service and retail, those working entertainment or agriculture-specific jobs in California have another set of regulations their place of work must follow.

IN-FOCUS

AN EDUCATIONAL BALANCE— Senior Renee Fournier tutors a younger student at the Newbury Park Library. They work through the TO Tutoring Program.

PHOTO » MOLLY NORTON » THE LANCER

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IN-FOCUS

Strain on the Brain Stress in several aspects of life can be a lot to deal with KAI TRIPP-BULLOUGH

Staff Writer

There are so many things that come into play with the high school experience: homework, classwork, sports, jobs, and extra activities.

Students spreading themselves too thin tends to be overwhelming to their mental health. All students have different schedules and levels of weekly, and even daily, stress. Sometimes it’s even hard to remember to prioritize one’s own mental health.

The Wellness Center strives to help students.

They want to make sure that the students of TOHS are taking care of themselves.

“I think that a lot of students, from what I’m seeing, are struggling with remembering to make themselves and their mental health a priority.” Thousand Oaks High School Wellness Center Therapist Linsdey Yount said.

Sometimes it’s good to deescalate and take time for oneself. Meditation and taking walks in nature are two other helpful de-stressing activities. Going somewhere quiet can also be quite beneficial.

“Self-care is always something I tell students to incorporate more.” Yount said.

Everyone sees self-care as something different. It most often includes taking time off for oneself and doing something that one

enjoys. Listening to music, reading, spa days, and playing a sport are just some of the many ways that people can take time to themselves and clear their minds.

“I’m a very workaholic person. So if I achieve a lot of things in school, and the things that I do, in my mind that fulfills my own personal needs.” junior Erika Datu said.

Forgetting and being too busy to worry about mental health aren’t the only factors. A student’s personal life or home life can also feed into the quality of their mental health.

“Friends.” Freshman Casey Sillors said, “[It gets] pretty stressful to maintain relationships.”

Don’t forget to take a break, take time to think, and keep a healthy mindset. High school is a lot to manage, so it is quite easy to forget about staying healthy mentally.

“We offer a variety of different services... walk-in and crisis counseling. So if a student is experiencing anxiety or needs a quiet place to just de-escalate, want someone to talk to, they can come in here and we will provide support to them,” Yount said, “We also do individual and group counseling.”

“We’re open Monday through Friday,” Yount said, “I’m here everyday, and I have three grad school students who are here...two days a week”

COWORKER FUN—(Center) Senior Gavin Springer at Jamba Juice with his coworkers and a Fourth of July smoothie.

PHOTO » GAVIN SPRINGER » WITH PERMISSION

IN-FOCUS

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Chase the Age The struggle of young teens to experience work life and gain independence NAZO NAIZI

Staff Writer

Many freshmen and sophomores entering high school take on big responsibilities. Whether it’s colleges they want to get accepted into, a major they want to take, or having a job, students over the years seem to want to grow up quickly, as they have more to do and think about.

Underclassmen come into high school to start figuring out their future as adults, but these pressures seem to be making them want to grow up faster. It starts off with wanting to get a job to feel that stability of having their own money but also having experience of going into the real world.

“I think when I did have some early work experience, it was very eye-opening. And it was just learning how to deal with people, learning how to take on responsibility,” former Thousand Oaks High School College and Careers teacher Ann Sobrino said.

Jobs create experience for underclassmen early on, which allows them to grow and be in better management of their time and teaches them responsibilities of balancing work life and school.

“For some students, taking on

those additional work responsibilities for paid work during their school years is a great idea. It provides them those first steps, but without the pressure of all the responsibilities that can go with it,” Sobrino said.

There is also another side of underclassmen growing up too quickly and taking on too much. They may put work above all else and may miss out on other life experiences they would have in high school.

“So if you’re trying to go to school, do your homework, keep up all your relationships with family and friends. I’m not quite certain how much time there is for ninth and 10th graders to add in employment as well.” Thousand Oaks High School Career Education Coordinator Ashley Cooper said.

Students can feel the pressure of wanting to have their independence and start looking for work, as a way to be able to gain some freedom and experience a world that is not supported by a guardian.

With a job comes responsibilities and sometimes it can be overwhelming for freshman or sophomore students to be able to work that into their lives, especially with balancing school work.

“I think at this age, it can be beneficial to like, give yourself a sense of responsibility and start having your own schedule,” freshman Kennedy Green said. “It can be stressful to manage that and your schoolwork and everything else in your life.”

WORKING AT MARMALADE— (Left) Senior Amanda Gonzales, pictured at right, poses for a picture while taking a ToGo order at Marmalade Cafe in Westlake Village.

PHOTO » AMANDA GONZALES » WITH PERMISSION

14

FEATURES

Love For Literature The Book Club has just started back up after sometime in a decline, with Co-Presidents Kyr Goyette and Henry Balwin as well as their 12 other members who can finally enjoy book discussions and debates.

The Book Club doesn’t only use books for discussions in the book club, they also talk about a variety of other literature, such as Shakespeare. The book club’s Every Thursday, in J1, about a dozen avid readers goal is to get Thousand Oaks High School students meet up to discuss books they are interested in.. The excited about books, so they can enjoy these pieces of literature together. Every Thursday any club consists of Co-Club Presidents sestudent can come in to read, make new niors, Kyr Goyette and Henry Baldwin. friends, and discuss their favorite books.

Over the summer, Kyr Goyette and “We try to read a book every three weeks,” Henry Baldwin, had joined a book Baldwin said. “We have discussions, but we club that a teacher had hosted. With try to make it not too formal so everyone the teacher asking Kyr, Henry took up gets to talk and share what they are thinking the role of being the book club’s presabout.” ident during the school year. The Club They also do fun activities related to not only has its members read on their what they are reading such as Kahoots. own but they also read and discuss as a “Book Club is super fun and enjoyable,” group.

—senior /Co-President senior Erin Kaufman said. “It is something The Club is also very vocal about litKYR GOYETTE that I look forward to every Thursday.” erature and stories that people read as For TOHS students interested in reading, they also debate the opinion of books the book club is a great outlet for them to with others. The book club encourages share their interest with others who enjoy books as new members to join and share their love of reading.

“I think our goal is to get everyone excited about well. It allows students to meet up and have discusbooks, and I guess that makes the discussions more sions on a wide range of topics in a friendly setting. fun.” Goyette said.

ALEX AGUILAR

Staff Writer

“I think our goal is to get everyone excited about books, and I guess that makes discussions more fun.”

CAPTION— (Bottom) The Book PHOTO » ALEX AGUILAR » THE LANCER

Club posing for a group photo, after they had done a Kahoot on Christlike figures in stories.

FEATURES

Brendan Hemphill, 12 THE LANCER: If you could change something about your physical appearance or a characteristic about yourself what would it be and why?

BRENDAN HEMPILL: Would definitely change something about my characteristic self and it would be not having ADHD.

Caleb Chin, 12 THE LANCER: If you could give a hug to anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

CALEB CHIN: If I could hug anyone in the world I would hug [actress] Natalie Portman and I think that speaks for itself.

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Jazzlyn Orozco, 10 THE LANCER: Would you be more scared if you had 30 missed calls from your mom or dad, and why?

JAZZLYN OROZCO: I would be more scared if I had 30 missed calls from my mom because she is way more strict and would probably whoop me when I get home.

EVERY LANCER HAS A STORY Every Lancer Has A Story is a reoccurring feature in The Lancer about students who are selected on campus at different times and places. Each student is asked a different question about their unique life experiences.

KARLA GARCIA

o, 10 r e m o ngel R

A

Staff Writer

am, h t i W Paige

11

, 11

obs c a J o dig

In

THE LANCER: If someone offered you a pickle what would your first reaction be?

THE LANCER: What is one thing quarantine taught you that you wish you had always known about.

THE LANCER: Do you prefer chunky peanut butter or smooth peanut butter and why?

ANGEL ROMERO: My first reaction would definitely say no because pickles in general are gross and just absolutely disgusting.

PAIGE WITHAM: Quarantine has taught me time management because when I did school online I would do my work on time because I would slack off but then I learned how to manage my time and turn all my work in.

INDIGO JACOBS: I prefer chunky peanut butter because it adds texture to my food and it’s not just smooth.

ALL PHOTOS>>KARLA GARCIA>>THE LANCER

16

FEATURES

When in Doubt, Improvise By definition, improv is a form of theatre in which the performances are created spontaneously by the actors. This year, students have the opportunity to join an improv troupe as another option for drama experience. Focusing on comedy, rehearsals consist of games and activities to prepare for their first show on Oct. 29.

SARA GUY

Staff Writer

Every Monday and Wednesday, the Performing Arts Center (PAC) serves as the place of rehearsal for the Improv Troupe at our school. On these two days of rehearsal, the teams play improv games at lunch.

The yellow and green teams prepare for their show this fall on Oct. 29, where they will go head to head in a competition of improv. The audience’s applause determines the show’s “winner”.

The improv troupe’s main focus is to learn the ways of professional improvisation as seen in Los Angeles or Chicago. Their rehearsals consist of games that help students learn the art of acting without a written script.

“It starts off with one big group game where everyone has to sort of think on the spot and come up with ideas,” improv advisor Breanna Mack said.

The troupe attempts to achieve great skill in acting without a scripted dialogue, also well known as improvisation in the world of theatrical arts.

“Improv [is acting] without a script and so I think of it as saying ‘yes and’, that’s our number one rule,” Mack said.

Using the rule “yes and” makes students have to add on to whatever was previously said, and they must adapt to the storyline’s changes. It is common

for most high schools’ improv to focus on comedy.

Students get the opportunity to master not only the landing a joke but also the timing of a joke.

To start participating in this troupe, prior experience is not a requirement. The auditions for a new group are in the spring after their first show has passed. This troupe is an outlet for anyone interested in comedy, performing or storytelling.

“Don’t be embarrassed, say whatever comes to mind no matter how crazy it sounds,” improv troupe member Caroline Crandall said.

Students have the opportunity to use this troupe as a new experience and or environment that otherwise may not be very familiar to them.

“High schoolers are so funny and they rarely get the experience to be funny.” Mack said.“It’s this idea of [having] this natural skill that [we] get to share...”

The skill applied to activities within this group produces out-of-the-ordinary scenarios that audiences get to enjoy, while also adding to the experience of the high school students. “[We] don’t have control over everything and improv has taught me that. It’s important to anticipate that things aren’t always gonna go [our] way,” yellow team captain Sarah Guerette said.

This newfound improv troupe will impact the school and it’s students for the better. We all get to see it unfold on stage at 7:00 p.m., Oct. 29 in the PAC.

PHOTO » SARA GUY » THE LANCER

CAPTION—(Both) The teams meet at lunch for their rehearsals. These rehearsals will prepare and ready them for their competitive show at the end of this month.

17

ENTERTAINMENT

PARKING PREDICAMENT PREDICAMENT— For the past four years, the owner of the account has passed it on to an upcoming senior at Thousand Oaks High School. The anonymous senior receives student submissions to post on the account, photos of vehicles that have been poorly parked in the student parking lots throughout the school year. The account lost popularity due to the absence of students on campus last year, but now the account is up and running again with over 700 followers.

PARK AT OWN RISK

An Instagram account known as tohscantpark has been dedicated to documenting the poor parking jobs of students since 2017.

REMINGTON BEAUDOIN Business Manager

18

FEATURES

PUMPKINS FOR THE WIN The Stop Drowning Now Club participated in a “floating pumpkin patch” on Oct. 16-17 at Daland Swim School, giving an opportunity for community members to dive in for the pumpkin of their choice while fundraising for the organization’s mission of spreading water safety awareness.

MADELINE CONVY

Features Editor

To get a jumpstart on the giving season, the Stop Drowning Now (SDN) Club participated in a Floating Pumpkin Patch hosted by Daland Swim School the weekend of Oct. 16.

Founded in 2008, SDN is a national organization dedicated to drowning prevention with immersive classroom curriculum as well as city programs sprinkled throughout the country. With the swim and water polo team making up the majority of the members, the TOHS chapter is marked by its contribution to water safety knowledge on campus.

“The purpose of SDN is to help people establish a positive relationship with water,” SDN Club vice president junior Jordyn Schwartz said. “I decided to join the club because I thought it would be a good idea to help others while also learning more about water safety.”

Community members had the opportunity to dive in and buy a pumpkin of their choice from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 16-17, with sizes ranging from small to jumbo and prices ranging from $6-$20.

“The pumpkins were dumped into the small pool

to float in,” junior club member Brayden Kiszczak said. “Each individual had a shift to sell pumpkins to people.”

The SDN clubs from surrounding high schools competed to see who could earn the most money during the fundraiser. Newbury Park high school took the victory with $417 raised, while Thousand Oaks trailed behind at $209.

“Although the SDN club at TOHS didn’t beat Newbury’s club, it was still great to have contributed to the organization,” sophomore club member Maya Campo said.

Part of the funds raised will be used to improve the SDN club’s engagement on campus, while the rest will be donated to the national organization.

“We raise[d] money for things like bill boards, costumes, and assemblies,” Kiszczak said.

“The experience was great.”

To get involved with water safety awareness on campus and in the community, SDN club meets on the first and third Thursday of the month on the pool deck.

CAPTION—Pumpkins prices and sizes are displayed on a table with information about SDN’s mission, while dozens of pumpkins float in the Daland Swim School pool ready to be purchased.

All PHOTOS »MAYA CAMPO » WITH PERMISSION

SPORTS

19

Shoot to Score Thousand Oaks High School water polo starts the new school year with a recent winning streak of eight games.

BODEN ADEMA

Staff Writer

The Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity team are performing outstanding this season and have beaten Royal Highschool 21-7. “We have been performing a lot better this season compared to the last two years,” Coach Ujszaszi said “We’ve also defeated our big opponent Camarillo 19-7”. Boys varsity water polo with a staggering count of sixteen wins and onlytwo losses. Despite the team having the inability to practice for several months due to Covid-19 and how high contact the sport is they have had the ability to jump back into the pool like nothing ever happened. This team gives it their all every chance they get to be in the water.

“The average water polo player swims below a mile per game and can have to tread water for minutes per game” according to insider.com so it’s no wonder these players have rigorous workouts. The Thousand Oaks team relies on the team’s cooperation and commitment. and they succeed at this like no other.

“We have no star players, our team strength is our star,”Head Coach Ujszaszi said. “ We are so much better as a team now” Ujszaszi has been a coach at Thousand Oaks for only two years and his team has seen significant improvement in this season alone.

The varsity team has a record of sixteen wins and two losses so far. The varsity team has also beaten their biggest competitor in the league, Camarillo in September which is a promising landmark for the

team. After hard work and practice it has finally paid off with their recent winning streak of five games in a row.

Although the Varsity team has recently performed very well this season the Junior Varsity has also exceeded past expectations for it’s team. The junior varsity team looks to continue the trend of new records and team work from it’s varsity team. The water polo team would be little to nothing without it’s phenomenal Junior Varsity team. “ We must only go up from here” says Sean Henry, a Freshman on the Junior Varsity team. Henry has also received athlete of the month for September. Henry has confidence in the Junior Varsity team despite the team’s rocky start. The Junior Varsity’s team looks to improve on their past mistakes in previous games and turn those mistakes into ways to succeed. “ We are definitely finding our groove and working better as a team,” says Sophomore Junior Varsity player Keith Warner.

“I’m confident that we will do great for the rest of the season.”

Both Junior Varsity and Varsity water polo teams commitment and endurance has led to an outstanding performance throughout the season by all players alike on both teams. Junior Varsity and Varsity teams are now looking to win their league and even statewide championships. The Water Polo team now hopes to carry this year’s morale and optimism into next year’s season.

REACH FOR THE GOAL— (right) Junior Cole Belavic dodges his opponent to keep the ball in play in a game against Camarillo High School.

PREPARE TO PASS—(below) Senior Varsity player Tyler Hearst reaWdies for a pass in game against Camarillo High School.

JUMP TO VICTORY VICTORY— (below) Senior Varsity goalie Braeden Sanders leaps for ball in game against Camarillo High School.

17 WINS FOR BOYS VARSITY WATERPOLO ALL PHOTOS » RYAN HALVORSEN » RYAN HALVORSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

SPORTS

20

Set Backs on the Field Varsity football charged into the game with high spirits against rival, Newbury Park.

Amid the thrilling victory, two starting players were injured, forcing the team to adjust.

ISABELLA MORENO

Sports Editor

So far, the varsity football team has played a solid season with a current standing of 4-3 overall, compared to the 2020-21 season where they ended with a 2-3 overall standing and a 1-3 standing in league. One of the more recent games played was against crosstown rival Newbury Park High School. Our fans were eager to cheer the football team to victory and prove the strength of the school’s spirit, as well as the team’s commitment to coming back stronger than last season.

The largely awaited game ended with a close score of 27-24, a well-needed step forward into making the playoffs. Although the Lancers got to celebrate their success throughout the night, some were dealing with the physical toll the game had put on their bodies. Two starting players, wide receivers and defensive backs Dean Harrington and Silas Kemp, obtained injuries by the same player on that night. Harrington and Kemp are sophomores who have been playing together for years, both working hard to earn a place on varsity as an underclassman.

“Dean and I have been friends for a very long time.

We played flag football together as kids and we have a very strong connection…” Kemp said. “The funny thing is that we got injured by the same guy in the same game. My injury is a broken collarbone which is a six week recovery.”

Just like many committed athletes, both players are actively doing whatever they can to speed up recovery in hopes of not missing the rest of the given season and possible championships.

“I got injured on the two point conversion towards the end of the game where one of their players directly landed on my shoulder with most of their weight...I

have been icing my shoulder and doing certain movements to keep the muscles engaged.” Harrington said.

With two valuable starters unable to play, the team made adjustments to accommodate. Sophomore Andrew Lacombe, who plays as a wide receiver, has taken on the responsibility of filling their spots while they recover. “...Since I was a starter on offense, we won’t have trouble filling my spot at all because we have Andrew Lacombe. He is a very skillful player and probably the fastest kid I have met. With him in and our team doing pretty well right now, I am not worried about missing the rest of the season,” Kemp said.

“I had to just be myself and do what I do on the field,” Lacombe said.

The remaining season holds many surprises that will determine whether the team makes it into the playoffs. Two league games remain, all of which are happening in October. The most recent game against Simi Valley High School held the team to higher expectations as they competed against their undefeated standing. They will have to keep their efforts strong for the following two games against Agoura, with an overall standing of 7-1, and Oak Park, with an overall standing of 4-4.

“I feel like all we have to do is stop their offense and we’re set. I think we have a good chance of making the playoffs,” Lacombe said. “I know I will play well for those games and I know the team is going to play our hardest.”

As the team continues to reset and prepare for the challenges ahead, Harrington and Kemp continue to support their team in hopes that they make the playoffs, giving them a second chance at dominating the field for the 2021-22 season.

PHOTO » RYAN HALVORSEN » RYAN HALVORSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

BROTHERLY CELEBRATION-(top) Players celebrate after an important touchdown with high intensity as they inch closer to gaining a lead on Newbury Park. (Far left) Chase Martin, (middle left) Silas Kemp, (middle right) Dean Harrington, (right) Raphael Davis.

RIVALS IN ACTION-(bottom) Juniors Andrew Banuelos (56) and Dom Lavorato (69) come face to face with the Newbury Park Panthers on the line of scrimmage.

PHOTO » RYAN HALVORSEN » RYAN HALVORSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

SPORTS

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STARS OF TOMORROW Many feel it is an accomplishment to be a well-recognized player on any team. There are many underclassmen who have claimed their spot on a Varsity team and have spent their season working hard to show off their true athletic talent to their coaches, fellow teammates, and competitors.

HAYDEN MCKINNEY

Staff Writer

Playing varsity-level sports is no joke. With the extra conditioning, the pressuring situations, and the experienced players you face, the chance of being able to play at that level as an underclassman is very slim. Many high school athletes may value playing time over playing at the next level. Playing at a higher level challenges the athlete and pushes them to become the best they can be which separates the athletes that care from the ones that don’t. Being an athlete takes a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. Thousand Oaks High School features some very talented players from several sports.

Some very young and on their varsity team.

One of those players is Claire Kirby, a freshman starter on the varsity golf team, who has proven to be quite the golfer. “I went in with the mindset that I’m gonna try my best and see what happens and continue to work hard,” says Kirby. Furthermore, the upperclassmen seem very helpful. “The older kids make me feel very welcome and are always talking to me and helping me at practice,” says Kirby.

Thousand Oaks High School girls Golf may only have one team, however, becoming a starter is a big accomplishment, and competing against juniors and seniors is a challenge on its own. Their current record is of four wins and six losses, but that won’t stop Claire from continuing her hard work to become the best golfer and athlete that she can be.

The golf team is not the only program that has young talent. Alyssa Hunnicutt, who is also a freshman, is currently playing for the girls varsity volleyball team. “Alyssa is a contributor by doing what the coaching staff asks her to do,” says volleyball coach James Park, “Alyssa is a good server, passer, and does a good job playing defense.”

Being the only freshman, playing at this higher and more competitive level proves to be a struggle.

“It is very intimidating to play on a higher level such as varsity. It’s not common to have freshmen on the volleyball team and that’s something that any person will have to overcome when playing at the juniors and seniors level,” Hunnicutt said, “It helps to have some girls on the team that were also freshmen on varsity so they know what it’s like.”

Besides the work ethic, having support and people to relate to does make challenges easier. All the help she has had with the sport shaped her as a player, gave her the winning mindset, and allowed her to translate that onto the court. “The most important thing that has gotten me there is the coaching that I have had over the years. That has shaped me into the player I am today,” says Hunnicutt.

Challenges are always placed in front of these athletes. These athletes in the Thousand Oaks High School sports programs are an example of the idea that the right mindset and support can make anyone overcome obstacles, reach goals, and even go beyond the goals that they made for themselves. So far, these athletes are on the path to great success.

PHOTO » CLAIRE KURBY » WITH PERMISSION

SWINGING FOR SUCCESS—(top) Freshman Claire Kirby practices her swing in preparation for an upcoming tournament.

PERFECT FORM— (bottom) Kirby works on her perfected form off the competitive putting ground.

AWAITING THE PASS(left) Freshman Alyssa Hunnicutt confidently waits to deflect a pass competing against Santa Barbara’s varsity team.

PHOTOS » CHASE PATTERSON » THE LANCER

PHOTO » CLAIRE KURBY » WITH PERMISSION

Dancing with the TO Stars

HANG TIME—(Below) Sophia Munoz is lifted into the air by freshman basketball player Bryson Saint whilst performing their broadway jazz routine.

OWN THE SHOW— (Left) Siblings Blake and Whitney Lauritzen wow the crowd with their boyband jazz mash-up.

ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK— (Above) Junior basketball star Ian Maloney and varsity dancer Amelie Hengst put their own twist on the 1950’s swing dance.

TWO TO TANGO—(Left) Taylor de Bruyn dances alongside Laike Van Item as they showcase a modern touch to the classic tango.

PHOTO » ROCHELLE HULTGREN THE LANCER