Local High School Publications Grill School Board Candidates
The Lancer, the Panther Prowler and the Westlake Wire arranged a panel with the 2024 school board candidates to find out what their campaigns and candidacy are all about
With the desire to share student voices and understand how candidates plan to address key issues within the school community, the Panther Prowler staff provided nearby cohesive high school journalism programs with the opportunity to question the board candidates for the upcoming 2024 local school board election in their first panel of this election.
Incumbents Lauren Gill and Karen Sylvester are defending their seats in Area 1 (Westlake) and Area 5 (Newbury Park). Both have served on the board since 2020 and are being challenged by Nancy Van Volkinburg in Area 1 and Frank Enderle in Area 5.
A total of 13 student journalists participated in the panel, pressing the candidates on topics that will shape the experience of students and parents in the district over the next four years and beyond. Issues such as equity, inclusion, school safety and student experience took center stage as the candidates shared their visions for the future.
The panelists were asked to outline their backgrounds and how their experiences influenced their desire to serve on the school board.
Gill emphasized her commitment to providing all students with a safe and supported path to success. She highlighted her work in implementing programs for multilingual
FIRING QUESTIONS - Local Conejo Valley Unified School
journalism students gathered in Room B-9 at the Newbury Park campus on September 9, 2024 to question the candidates for the upcoming school board election.
learners and expanding arts education, pointing out the district’s accomplishments such as the dual language immersion program at Conejo Academy and the recently launched Visual and
New carbon dioxide monitors appear in classrooms
Performing Arts (VPA) strategic plan. Enderle expressed concerns about declining academic performance, particularly with test scores. He criticized the board’s handling of the
The district moved forward this past summer to install carbon dioxide sensors per state requirements
This past summer, carbon dioxide monitors were installed in all district classrooms including classrooms at Thousand Oaks High School.
In 2022, CVUSD received a $2.9 million grant from the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency (CalSHAPE) Program, to improve school heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
These monitors light up one of three colors based on the CO2 levels measured in the room, reading parts per million (ppm). A green light indicates below 1000 ppm and is considered to be healthy CO2 levels. A yellow light indicates the level is between 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm, this is still a safe level. A red light indicates over 1500 ppm, and teachers should notify the Maintenance Department to evaluate the performance of the ventilation system. Now that these monitors have
been installed, students’ and staff’s awareness of this issue has increased.
During any breaks, it is recommended to keep doors open to decrease the accumulated levels of CO2. Also, placing a fan in front of an open door facing a classroom can provide more fresh air as well.
“If CO2 is building up in a classroom and we realize the air system is on but CO2 levels are rising we obviously have to make adjustments,” said Principal Eric Bergmann. “Once doors are open and windows are open, the amount of air we are pumping to classrooms should dissipate relatively quickly. If it’s not, it gives us the information to go back and make adjustments.”
COVID-19 pandemic, stating that it negatively impacted students’ learning, and that Newbury Park High School, in particular, has not been performing to its potential. Enderle strives for more fiscal responsibility and efficiency in the district.
Sylvester focused on her efforts on the board to increase diversity and inclusion. She discussed her role in creating advisory councils for LGBTQ+ and African American students, along with the initiative to diversify literature and provide representation in the curriculum. Van Volkinburg expressed a more traditional stance on education. Volkinburg focuses heavily on returning to “the basics,” such as reading, writing and math. Additionally, Volkinburg believes that the topics of sexual education and sexuality should not be taught in school.
The 2024 election will be extremely significant for both local and national politics. The future of CVUSD will be at stake. Direct questions on technology, safety, curriculum and equality, all revealed significant differences between the incumbents and the opposing candidates.
The candidates also met in an open forum hosted by the League of Women Voters in Ventura County at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center Scherr Forum on Sept. 16. Van Volkinburg was absent from the forum due to a previous conflict. Therefore, Sylvester was unable to participate, per forum rules.
For more candidate perspectives on issues, see page 4
Heatwave tests CIF regulations
New bylaws changed the ability for outdoor sports to participate in the sun during extreme heat conditions
ALAN KO Digital Editor
Extreme heat in Southern California is disrupting sports, causing delays and schedule changes for schools across Ventura County.
With temperatures throughout September increasing to highs over 90 degrees, the Friday night lights have shone 30 minutes later than expected.
Thousand Oaks High School sports have been impacted by policies issued by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Athletic practices and activities were limited or halted throughout the month.
The Lancer football team rescheduled its game against Agoura on Friday, Sept. 6, from the traditional 7:00 p.m. kickoff to 7:30 p.m., corresponding to the excessive heat warning the National Weather Service issued Monday morning of Sept. 2.
In the Agoura game week, practices for various outdoor sports across the county were limited on Wednesday and completely paused on Thursday.
Assembly Bill 1653, enacted on Jan. 1, 2024, mandated schools to have a “written emergency plan” covering situations such as extreme heat and concussions.
These protocols are based on WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). CIF requires that schools use the WBGT to dictate if it is safe for athletes to participate in activities in the sun.
The Conejo Valley falls under a category 1 area, meaning all athletic activity must cease if the WBGT measurement is equal to or greater than 86.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
“We do our best to find alternate solutions,” Assistant Principal of Athletics Ken Nishya said.
ALAN KO Digital Editor
Isabelle Cipriano - Panther Prowler - with permission
FEAR OF RED - Senior Alex Swanson reads A Doll’s House in English teacher Kelly Abram’s classroom while the carbon dioxide monitor blinks red.
Alan Ko - The Lancer
STAFF
LIST
ALYSSA KISZCZAK
Editor-in-Chief
ABIGAIL TRIPP-BULLOUGH Editor-in-Chief
JOSEPH GOODNIGHT Managing Editor
RILEY KEELER Managing Editor
COOPER LESTER Business Manager
ALAN KO Digital Editor
JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor
GEMMA SPRAGGINS Opinions Editor
REBECCA GLAUBKE Features Editor
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
KAILAH SPENCER Assistant News Editor
GABRIELLA MULLER
Assistant Opinions Editor
ADDISON ANELLO Assistant Features Editor
LILAH SWAVING
Assistant Sports Editor
Staff
GWENETH BULGER
DORATHEA BURTON
SADAYA KEAYS
HAROUT KILEJIAN
DORAN LAWRENCE
TYLER LAPPIN
EMILY LIRA
MYA MESSERVY
JOSEPHINE MILLER
SOPHIA MUNHALL
TARIK NOORZAI
JAXSON RECTOR
LAILAH SERNA
LIAM SMITH
Advisors
JOANNA OTEY
JON GOLD
The Lancer is the official school publication of Thousand Oaks High School, created and produced by students in Journalism.
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 senrt to thelancer.tohs@ gmail.com.
The Lancer is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association (NPSA) and NPSA All-American Hall of Fame.
are greeted with change on day one Out with the old and in with the new; these are some of the new things on campus
JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor
This school year, students have been presented with many changes: a stricter cell phone policy, new CO2 monitors installed in every classroom, the reconstruction of the school locker rooms, the use of the 5-Star app for bathroom passes, and the convenience of bike racks around campus being reduced.
The long-awaited reconstruction of the locker rooms began at the end of the last school year and was projected to finish toward the beginning of the 24-25 school year, yet at the time of this article, students were still waiting.
“When kids walk in there, they won’t recognize what they’re walking into,” principal Eric Bergmann said. “There’s new floors, new lockers, there’s a whole new design layout.”
The previous locker rooms had been here since 1962, and with the help of funds from the Measure I Facility Improvement Bond, the school was able to give the students what they desperately needed: the modernization of the locker room design.
“In 2015 when we started planning out how we wanted to use all these funds, redoing the locker rooms was top on that list,” Bergmann said. “It’s been talked about now for nine years.”
Although the reconstruction of the locker rooms was discussed for many years, the action was delayed due to a lack of funds and other important projects that were also considered a priority, such as the air conditioning system, the library and the CORE.
In the locker room, the back end of the facilities were converted into two separate team rooms that will be available for competitions or can even be used as a place to hang out during half-time. In addition, “a third weight room [has been added], so teams have another place where they can go and lift weights,” Bergmann said. This new weight room is sealed off from those two new facilities, making it available to all genders.
Students no longer have to worry about
ceiling panels falling down or having to deal with rusty, dirty lockers, but can instead enjoy the safety that they deserve.
“The goal of the school is to try to provide a facility that’s modernized and clean, and something that we can be proud of,” Bergmann said.
Since the start of the year, advancements in daily life on campus have changed, including the way students leave class. Following other campuses, TOHS decided to abandon the traditional random hall passes, and switch to the 5-Star Students app for help. One reason the school decided to switch to the 5-Star app is due to past abuse by students.
“There’s been some hall pass abuse,” Bergmann said. “Kids [would] take hall passes and disappear for half an hour.”
Physical hall passes allowed the opportunity for students to leave the classroom for unmonitored lengths of time, hurting their learning. Another reason for this switch is consistency.
“[The 5-star app] is an opportunity for us to use technology that kids have available to them, to try and use technology to generate a lot of school spirit,” Bergmann said. “When we have real-time information, it allows us to make decisions based on facts and statistics.”
The data collected from the 5-Star app will help the faculty make accurate decisions when needed.
As technology continues to grow, even transportation from one place to another has changed. Riding a bike, scooter, electric scooter, or electric bike are some of the common ways students get themselves to school every morning. In the past, they would arrive at school and lock their bike on a rack convenient to where they arrived whether this be near the swimming pool or the PAC.
It was a shock for some students when they arrived at school and saw that the bike rack once located near the pool was replaced with a smaller one. Students with larger bikes and scooters had to walk to the rack at the front of the school because the new one is too tall for scooters.
Some students who once relied on the
availability and convenience of the bike rack near the pool had to find extra time in the morning to lock up their bike.
“Now I have to figure out some way to get to the racks from the tennis courts, walking my bike through the entire campus,” junior Kelly Hoolboom said. “It adds an extra five to ten minutes to my morning. It’s a little irritating.”
Adjustments have been made, however, and students are finding ways to lock scooters on the new rack by the neck of the scooter. Overall, the TOHS campus isn’t the same since June when students left for summer break, and with these changes comes responsibility, accountability, and hope for a better school year.
SMILE FOR 5-STAR - With a quick scan of the QR code posted in his teacher’s room, sophomore Andrew Guerrero Calixto can use the bathroom and get back to class before the pass expires.
Meet the council for change
Insight into School Site Council and what members do for the school
KAILAH SPENCER Assistant News Editor
While most students at Thousand Oaks High School know Sarah Burns as the school librarian, it’s lesser known that she’s served on the TOHS Site Council (SSC) for the past 17 years.
The SSC is a group–made up of TOHS administrators, counselors, teachers, parents, caregivers, and students–whose mission is to create a yearly School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), budgets and goals to make sure that the SPSA is effective. So, what has the SSC done for TOHS?
“Every year our goals change depending on what we feel our students need,” Burns
MASS SHOOTING IN ALABAMA
Shots were fired Sunday, Sept 22 in Birmingham, Alabama killing four and injuring 17 or 18 others (number varies in different reports of the incident). While no suspect was apprehended, local law enforcement seems to believe that this was a target hit on one person and that the others injured or killed were unplanned. Further intense investigation into who the shooter is and the intended hit is in progress.
said. “For a few years both parents and students were a little frustrated with what they thought was a lack of communication--
“Communication became one of our driving goals.”
SARAH BURNS
from the school itself, from administration or teachers--so that became one of our driving goals for a couple years.”
Off Campus Pass
TWO SEATS TO AFRICA
It was announced that the United Nations has a plan to expand and add two permanent seats for African nations. This move is in hopes of diversifying the council as well as a move to do what is just. Despite this big step forward, there is a caveat; the new seat-holders will not be able to use the veto motion for UN conflicts. While the African Union is not fond of that limitation, the seats that are opening for them will be very beneficial to the union. Whether these seats will actually be given to the African Union is yet to be said.
The SSC worked on coming up with a plan for better communication throughout the school, thus creating principal Eric Bergmann’s weekly Green Sheet newsletter.
The Green Sheet is a weekly document emailed to both students and their families every Sunday, discussing upcoming events, the school schedule, changes on campus, posters for clubs, and more. The Green Sheet allows students and their families to get all the information they need in one place.
The SSC meets the last Tuesday of every month to monitor the school’s progress on goals and come up with ways to ensure students are supported and heard and questions are answered.
A NEW ROYAL
Following Māori leader Kiingi Tuheitia’s death, his daughter, 27-year-old Ngā Wai hono i te pō, was crowned and sworn in on a historical bible on the same day of her late father’s burial service. After 18 years of the previous reign, this power shift is expected to have a new influence on younger Māori members as Ngā Wai hono i te pō is in her twenties and is closer to the new aspects of culture emerging. While the loss of a great monarch will be felt across New Zealand and Māori country, the hope for a prosperous future is sweeping in.
Joanna
OteyThe Lancer
A few “new” friendly faces appear in old classrooms
From alumni to returning teachers, several new faces are walking the halls
NO INTRODUCTION
NEEDED - English teacher
was a familiar face to former LCMS students.
JOSEPHINE MILLER Staff Writer
As a new school year begins, so do the journeys of several teachers at Thousand Oaks High School. Give a warm welcome to Kayla Spitsen, Hayden Cronenbold, and a welcome back to Daniel Bell.
Spitsen is not only an alumna of CSU Channel Islands, but of TOHS as well. Formerly a student walking these halls, she now joins the English department and takes charge of the school yearbook.
“It was just nice to be back on campus,” Spitsen said.
Not only has Spitsen been able to see her old teachers again, but also old students from Los Cerritos Middle School, where she taught previously. She describes her teaching style as an “interactive experience” where she tries her best to make sure her students are having fun. The feeling of home at this campus drew her back to teach alongside the individuals who once taught her.
Cronenbold makes his debut as the Lancer Baseball Coach this year. Also a TOHS alum, he has greatly enjoyed being back on campus.
DAY 1
of their education before the sport.
“In our program, education comes first. If you ever have to miss practices because of homework or tutors, that’s always going to come first in our program,” Cronenbold said.
This season, he plans to push the baseball team to the best of their abilities and help them improvethemselves on and off the field.
Returning from a one-year hiatus, Bell, the construction technology teacher, was eagerly welcomed back.
“Education is always going to come first in our program.”
Hayden Cronenbold
“[I want] to help [the team] develop and get ready whether it’s to compete at a high level in high school,” Cronenbold said. “Or if they want to play a high level in college baseball.”
Cronenbold puts great importance on “respect on both levels” between the players and coaches, but also the importance
“[High school] is a curious age,” Bell said. “There are so many possibilities.”
Bell had taught in the Conejo Valley district for 13 years before leaving to teach college students. During his year away, he expressed how he became worried about the program he built in room A-2.
“I was worried that no one would continue it,” Bell said.
Bell was kept in the loop while away, and just as quick as
Milestone moments:
CAREER OPPORTUNITIESWoodworking teacher Daniel Bell is also the Architecture, Building and Construction Majors advisor.
he left, he returned. Bell takes it upon himself to foster curiosity in metal and woodworking at TOHS, something he couldn’t do among college students who had already chosen their paths. The chance to build interests in the younger generation is what drew him back to campus. All construction and woodworking students earn an OSHA10 safety certificate. Make sure to give a warm welcome to the new staff on campus.
Enjoy the “first” experiences in high school
High school is full of firsts. Some are significant, and some are not. Here are the ones that you should look out for
First day of school
There’s something in there that you will remember. Frankly, for me, it was the neon shorts and oversized shoes causing me to trip and fall going to football
First high school game or performance
I didn’t see the field until my sophomore year but cherish that feeling of being on the field/court/ track... whatever you do. I got my first start against Segerstrom and caused a fumble and it’s one of the highlights. Later in the season, I got a pick-6 as a defensive lineman which was one of my best moments.
First AP test
Your first AP test is something that you likely won’t experience until sophomore year, but it’s something that is a milestone because you’ll spend hours under
TWO ASTRONAUTS STILL STUCK IN SPACE
practice. You already experienced it but there’s that moment that transpired that first week or even at Lancer Launch that you will always remember.
First high school dance
My first homecoming experience consisted of falling on the ground after being pushed in the back while in the middle of the mosh pit. “Goosebumps” by Travis Scott played while someone stepped on my finger and it bent in the opposite direction.
First time being behind the wheel
My first drive occurred on a Friday night two months before my 16th birthday. I drove slowly in the parking lot of a Vons, my dad freaking out in the passenger seat. Obtaining your license is your first move to becoming an adult and freedom. Spend a lot of time driving after you get your permit and the test will be a breeze.
pressure, endlessly studying, and fearing that score. My first AP test was AP Human Geography and I fell asleep during the free-response section–the best 20-minute nap of my life. I got a 3 on the test.
Off Campus Pass
For the past two months, astronauts Sinta Williams and Barry Wilmore have been stranded on the International Space Station. Originally, they had been sent to space in the Boeing Starliner on what was intended to be an eightday trip, but are now said to be returning in a SpaceX rescue aircraft in February of 2025. As seen in many beloved space exploration movies, though fortunately not as extreme in this case, the original spacecraft experienced helium leaks and propulsion issues. This is not a good look for Boeing, considering this was the company’s first crewed mission.
The signing of a new bill by Gavin Newsom, means California grocery stores will no longer carry plastic shopping bags. This ban will supposedly go into effect Jan 1, 2026. This decision is one of many steps forward to banning single-use items and cleaning up the environment. Plastic bags have been the number one disposed of items found in dumps and landfills, specifically in California, for over a decade. On average, Californians use and dispose of about 19 billion plastic bags per year, about 6 billion in Los Angeles County alone. This ban is just one step, but certainly a powerful one, on the path to a cleaner state.
Three freshmen’s first day of school sets them up for a promising year filled with memorable
moments.
LAILAH SERNA Staff Writer
For most students, the first day of school is exciting, however, the there is a lot pressure for incoming freshmen.
Luckily, for Amelie Mueller, her first day of freshman year went easier than expected.
After building up the anticipation for her first day, Mueller adjusted quite well.
“My first day was actually easier than I thought,” Mueller said. “I had to use my phone to find my classes, but it was easier.”
If you were to ask any freshman, they would probably all agree that the first day is easier when you know people. Luckily, Mueller was fortunate in this situation.
“I know a lot of people,” Mueller said. “I don’t have that many classes with my friends this year, but it’s okay because I can meet them at lunch.”
Kayla Johnson felt prepared for this year and left feeling even more confident about her freshman year.
“I was more excited than nervous,” Johnson said. “I knew I had my friends here and I would be able to make new friends with the people next to me in my classes.”
Besides knowing people from her middle school, crowds of students made Johnson more confident walking through the halls.
“It is a big school, but when you’re walking through and there’s all of these people around, it’s cool to know that everyone’s more focused on themselves and their friends,” Johnson said. “You feel less judged, which is really comfortable when you’re at a new school.”
After a long first day of school, Johnson eagerly waited for her first day on the TOHS Track and Field team. It was a perfect way to end her already successful first day.
“Everyone was really nice when I joined,” Johnson said. “And the track team here at high school is very welcoming.” Courses in high school are more rigorous than in middle school, with larger workloads and more classes. Further, the weekly schedule which switches from six classes on anchor days to three classes on the remaining days of the week adds to the craziness. However, Brooklyn Climer is one freshman who is up for the challenge.
“Most of the things that scared me was my teachers saying that the class[es] [were] going to be hard,” Climer said. “They stressed that you’re going to have to put in work, you’re going to have to study every day. For me, [it was] going to be an adjustment, but I think I’ll be okay.”
Climer decided to take an extra step and enroll in all honors classes and one AP course. Nevertheless, this packed schedule did not scare her. Climer is excited for this next step, that will give her just the right amount of change and risk to prepare her for the next three years.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese-based militant group, has been exchanging intense attacks with Israeli militant groups. Israel planned, sourced and used wireless pagers and walkie-talkies made to explode to target members of Hezbollah, filling up Lebanese hospitals, and in return, Hezbollah sent various projectiles into Israel. A year deep into the Isreal-Palestine War, the bloodshed and numbers are increasing drastically each and every day. The conflict has only been predicted to grow, even without these recent Lebanese-Israeli attacks.
Kayla Spitsen
ALAN KO Digital Editor
Jaxson RectorThe Lancer
Jaxson
RectorThe Lancer
Club Corner
Whether you’re into Latin culture or dodgeball, watching movies or gardening, there’s a club at Thousand Oaks High School for you. Clubs are a huge part of student life at TOHS because they allow students to network and meet peers with similar interests. Not only are clubs helpful when meeting new people, but club participation also looks great on a college resume.
“I think clubs are really important on campus because a club is connected to an interest,” Assistant Principal of Activities,
WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER-
Holding up ones, the Powdered Donuts pose after winning 3-2 in a best out of five game versus the Ice Cubes in the Intramural Sports Club inuragural season of dodgeball.
A first look at a few of the many clubs offered on campus
RILEY KEELER Managing Editor
Jeniffer Modolo said. “I strongly believe that the social component of school is very, very important for our students.”
Unlike school sports teams and electives, there’s no limit to how many clubs you can be a part of, and you’re never forced to stay in a club. The beginning of the school year can be hectic, especially for a freshman or a transfer student, but being part of a club is a great way to get acclimated.
“I barely remember what I learned on Sep. 5 in my math class, but I do remember the clubs that I was involved with,” Modolo
Intramural Sports
President: Alan Ko
Advisor: Michael Cowley
Meetings: Second Wednesday of Every Month in G5
Intramural sports is a club centered around sports. Students get to form teams and compete against each other in different sports, such as dodgeball or soccer. Games are held during lunch and schedules are formed by the Intramural Sports Board.
Lancer Sparkles
President: Adriana De Higes
Advisor: Jennifer Jeziorski
Meetings: Every Wednesday in G4
Lancer Sparkles is a club in partnership with the TOHS cheer team. Students with disabilities can join Sparkles and enjoy the experience of cheering alongside TO cheerleaders at football games, basketball games, and school rallies.
Environmental Club
President: Olivia Johnson
Advisor: Heather Farrell
said. “I really do encourage all students to join at least one or two clubs to get that sense of community and that experience here at Thousand Oaks High School.”
Clubs are a great way to get involved within your community, work with peers and even learn new skills. For students to learn about new clubs that have formed this year, the annual Club Hello Day will take place on the quad on Friday, October 18 at lunch. Here are just a few of the active clubs in which you can get involved:
Key Club
President: Carter Eich
Advisor: Brian Cummings
Meetings: Wednesdays or Thursdays in E4 at lunch
The Environmental Club at TOHS focuses on creating a better, safer planet for current and future generations. The club does recycling projects, trash pick-ups and works hard at creating sustainable alternatives for everyday activities.
Red Cross Club
Presidents: Chokee Weezer and Aubrey Naranjo
Advisor: Jeff Lewis
Meetings: First Monday Of Every Month in E9
The Red Cross Club (RCC) is a volunteerbased club where students get to serve and lead their community in partnership with the American Red Cross. RCC regularly hosts blood drives in which the community to participates.
Candidate Q&A
Karen Sylvester Area One Incumbent
Q: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan was brought forth by students in 2020. How do you believe the resolution should or could be modernized to pertain to 2024?
A:We’ve diversified…We try to have an inclusive curriculum. We’ve expanded how we hire and staff so that our teachers might be more reflective of the students they teach. We have expanded learning programs, we’ve added two additional DACs, an African-American DAC and an LGBTQ+ DAC…I go to all those meetings and listen to the stories that these parents are relaying about the experiences of their children… these kids are being harassed. They’re being bullied. They do not feel comfortable in their school. I don’t want to hear those stories anymore.
Q: There have been many discussions about banning cell phones. What are your opinions on this topic and how do you plan to implement or do you plan to implement a new policy?
A: We do have a policy in place. We signed and we put [it] in place in 2021 which does restrict cell phone usage during instructional time, but it really has been up to the school site and up to the teacher how they implement it…I think a couple things you want to look at, and I do agree...creating a policy for a kindergartner or a second grader versus a high school student. I do think we need different policies for different grade spans. This law requires us–it doesn’t suggest–it requires us to get information and input from all of the stakeholders, what students...teachers think.
Nancy Von Volkinberg Area One Canidate
Q: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan, was brought forth by students in 2020. How do you believe the resolution should or could be modernized to pertain to 2024?
A: I’m not really a fan of diversity, equity and inclusion in the sense that you have all been taught. I went to school with Asians, Hispanics, blacks, you name it–I didn’t even think about it. I feel like we’ve gone backward. So, how I plan to deal with it is probably not what you want to hear. I feel like that’s one of the fluffy things that we don’t need to do. When you look at your classmates, do you see what color they are? Does it bother you? So it’s pretty low on my priority list.
Q: What are your views on including LGBTQ+ and non-binary gender topics in CVUSD’s sex education curriculum? How does this affect what you plan to do, if elected?
A: Sexuality, in my opinion, is not something that we need to talk about in school. That’s something that is truly sacred. It should be saved for someone that you care about. I’m not saying you have to wait until marriage, but you should wait until you’re in a relationship. You’re going to learn how to do it on your own. Trust me; I have six children. So the books being “age appropriate,” well, not every student develops at the same rate, so what’s good for her might not be good for him. I just think that it’s a topic that really should remain behind closed doors, because you will learn from your siblings, your friends, whatever. It’s taking away from precious classroom time.
Meetings: Every Other Monday in I5
Key Club is a service club that allows students to volunteer in the community while earning leadership skills. Key Club does numerous community service projects throughout the year such as volunteering at elementary schools or volunteering at the annual Relay For Life fundraiser.
Latino Connection
Presidents: Jaquelin Pacheco and Marilyn Garcia
Advisor: Sandra Martinez
Meetings: Every Wednesday in I8
Latino Connection is a club where students, whether or not they are of Latin descent, can meet at lunch and learn about Latin culture while connecting. The club doctors field trips, hosts community events and spreads cultural awareness.
Conejo Valley Unified School District school board candidates reveal their stances on student-centered issues in their first panel on Sept. 9, 2024 at Newbury Park High School
Q: Given the recent school shooting in Georgia, how do you plan to ensure that students at CVUSD feel safe?
A: At the board level, we have passed resolutions about safe firearm storage, so I hear the question about feeling safe. I think the best that I can say is that the board is well aware; the commitment that we have to wellness services at every single level, every single school, is intended to make sure that, again, we employ prevention if somebody is not feeling particularly well and they can’t focus on their studies. We try to address that before it becomes a critical situation…we are constantly monitoring and trying to upgrade oursafety procedures and equipment and infrastructure at the school sites while we ask for the legislation at the state and federal level that will truly take those weapons out of our communities.
Q: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan, was brought forth by students in 2020. How do you believe the resolution should or could be modernized to pertain to 2024?
A: Two and a half years ago, I got a phone call over a Memorial Day weekend. And I went down to Maple Elementary School where someone had scrawled hate speech in very big letters...I spent the next several hours scrubbing the walls of our beautiful elementary school. The fact that I spent Memorial Day weekend scrubbing hate speech from the walls of our elementary school tells me we’re not where we need to be, and I will work hard until we get there.
ALAN KO Digital Editor
JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor
Q: What are your views on including LGBTQ+ and non-binary gender topics in CVUSD’s sex education curriculum? How does this affect what you plan to do, if elected?
A: Do we really need to teach what sex you’re going to do? When I was in school, we didn’t teach about who’s sleeping with who. You know, I kind of think that that’s kind of left to the parents. I read AB1955; it talked about LGBTQ, but then it said, “Don’t out them to their parents.” When the government tells you that you shouldn’t tell the parents what the kids are doing? Run. It’s totally not good. We’re not teaching who you’re doing it with, how you’re doing it–that’s what you’re going to learn on your own. And I’m not making any judgement, except for: you should never as a man hit a woman–ever. And to have an Olympics that an Olympic athlete was disqualified from boxing because she tested as a man in a ring for sport to hit a woman is unheard of.
Q: How should the board go about budget cuts and what items do you see being cut?
A: The finance is really in the toilet; as they said, we were going to break even this year. The numbers show that we’re in a hole, in a deficit, or we’re in a positive because we get grants. It’s real simple, guys...there’s no oversight. Why is it that we do not have solar on our campuses? Co-ed bathrooms, which I’m totally against–we don’t need co-ed bathrooms–use some of that money. Because under that measure, it does say “utilities.” So you can do upgrade our utilities to save the cost.
Lauren Gill District Five Incumbent
Frank Enderle District Five Canidate
Alan Ko - The Lancer
THE JOUST through MY EYES
As a member of the TFT dance team here at Thousand Oaks High School, this music is an important part of our practices and routines. The music gets us hyped and provides us with the beat we need to go over our steps. Even if it is a little loud, when has a little music ever hurt anyone?
Many Lancers on campus already have airpods, so who is a little extra music hurting? I can understand how the teachers can get frustrated when they hear the music playing during the day, but it can mostly be drained out by the sound of teachers talking or laptops typing in class.
Most people are dramatic when explaining how loud the music is. Saying often that they can hear it on the other end of the I- building, but even with the door open or closed, it’s not much of a disruption.. Dance classes throughout the day have just as much of a right to play music, as the drumline has to practice outside the math classes during fourth period.
Dancers are just another sport trying to get their practice in like every athlete on campus. Who cares if you hear some random pop song playing, don’t kill the vibe just go with it! Class is boring anyway, the dance room is just adding some more fun to your day.
Also, the dance teacher and the dancers are considerate when it matters. On occasion, teachers will interrupt our classes to walk in and tell us our music is too loud. Instead of getting upset and giving off the same negative energy, we often compromise by turning it down and continuing with rehearsal. We are also most considerate when it matters most, such as during finals or testing, when we keep it at a certain volume. Obviously, if you ask the I-building teachers what they think, most of them will hate the music and find it annoying. If it was that serious of a disruption, then something would have been done by now, such as placing an order on us to keep it at a certain level or moving us down to the Boys Activity Room (BAR). But since nothing has happened by now, I don’t think the dance room music is leaving that much of an impact on anyone’s day.
I love music as much as the next person, but hearing one song on repeat for an hour during study hall is such an aggravating feeling.
The dance room blasts obnoxious music during their rehearsal time and the classes in the I-building are able to hear it, disrupting class time.
English teacher Kelly Abrams, who teaches in classroom I-7, can hear the music playing during her class, which leaves her to close off her room.
“I’m the furthest away, but I still can hear it and I’ve had to close my door and windows,” Abrams said.
And now, the new CO2 monitors in classrooms, the teachers are now required to keep the doors and windows open.
I’m very confident that the dance students would still be able to hear the music if it was turned down low enough to where it doesn’t reach the classrooms.
“The water polo team doesn’t attack the dance team with water guns. We are aware of how our actions can affect the school.”
GEMMA SPRAGGINS
The original school formatting for the activity rooms was for the Girls Activity Room (GAR) to be where the current Boys Activity Room (BAR) is. That would have prevented the loud music from even reaching the classrooms. The dance members and teachers are obviously going to be fine with the music, because they aren’t listening from the point of view as everyone else. As a student, it’s disruptive and disrespectful. Everyone comes to school for the same thing, to learn. Whether it’s in dance, or in the classroom, it’s all impactful and important.
As someone who is involved in the Water Polo and Swim programs here at Thousand Oaks High School, I am all for the sports teams. Each program does what we have to do to be a team and get to the level we need, but the water polo team doesn’t attack the dance team with water guns. We are aware of how our actions can affect the school.
GEMMA SPRAGGINS Opinions Editor
In mid June I walked into the almost-finished locker rooms. It was a completely empty room, with the lockers torn from the ground. Knowing that it wasn’t the finished product, I had some hope for how the renovations would turn out. Two months later, I’m still disappointed.
As the locker room renovations are still taking place, Thousand Oaks High School student-athletes on campus must make a new adjustment for the new reopening. Locker room renovations began at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Cutting off our access to changing rooms for all sports during the seventh period, forcing us to cram into bathrooms to change, causing everyone to show up late to practice.
Let me paint a picture of what the locker rooms now look like, they have taken away most lockers, the changing stalls, and the extra changing area in the back. Plus new shower stalls, and extra closed door locker rooms for the visiting sports teams. That is the dumbest part of all of this.
Our locker rooms have always been big enough for visiting schools to have plenty of space. Now that all the lockers are gone, we have no other choice than to give our space to teams that do not even attend TOHS.
As someone in the Water Polo and Swim program, we already lacked the privacy needed to change into our swimsuits, the new locker rooms have made it 10 times worse.
The away team rooms should be for the water program to change, or for
specific sports teams at TOHS. Most of the girls on the teams, including myself, would rely on the changing stalls to have more privacy. Without them, our team has been changing in our storage bin on the pool deck. That will now be our go to spot with the new locker rooms.
In a world of media and cameras, exposure is everyone’s biggest fear, especially in an open locker room. With the lockers being against the walls, every sense of privacy is gone, leaving students to feel even more vulnerable then we already do.
With the new renovations, phones should be used with much more caution in the locker room. Privacy is the most important part of the locker rooms, and that’s the one thing that feels the most targeted.
Many other aspects on campus need renovation and should have been done before the locker rooms. For example, the bathrooms. The locker room bathrooms are especially small and there is always a line of people waiting to use them. The new locker rooms have less space than before, which will cause everyone to resort to changing the bathrooms again. Causing traffic and tardies to practice, the bathrooms will be packed with people who rely on the changing stalls. This all contributes to the idea of keeping our priorities straight when renovating our school. Students’ voices should matter; it’s us who have to adjust to the changes.
If you have time to argue that the dance room music is too loud, maybe you are just looking for excuses to get “distracted’ during class so you “can’t” do your work.
In the end, the dance room music isn’t that big of a deal, life continues, and the music keeps on playing.
The dance team members seem to also feel strongly about their music not being a distraction. The most obvious and effective solution is to have the music turned down to an appropriate level. The dance team now has a limit for the music volume during finals, because of past years disruptions. In doing so, it would affect everyone for the better.
I respect the dance program and all the effort that they put into having a great program. As they are not the only loud programs on campus, it’s important to take one step at a time for a peaceful school experience.
Is Homecoming worth it?
Homecoming is a welcome dance for new and old students. Yet year after year, people continuously wonder if it’s worth it. Well, I’m telling you it is.
“Homecoming is so high school, especially for freshmen,” ASB leader Devyn Grecian said.
It’s a highlight of your freshman year because it is a dance to which the whole school is invited. Steeped in high school traditions of parades, halftime court crownings, and a football game, the dance is the icing on the cake.
Personally I like homecoming; my freshman experience last year was amazing. I was excited about being a high schooler and looking forward to my future. Getting to dress up and having my
mom do my hair was so special, I felt so pretty and grown up.
But that was just my experience, and are some downfalls to the dance.
“It was just one big mosh-pit and no one was actually doing anything,” sophomore Layla Lewis said of last year’s dance.
There are also some things ASB can improve on to make the dance more accessible and fun for all students.
One major downside to the dance is how expensive the homecoming tickets can be. All students should be able to go at a comfortable price. Students may not be able to get clothes and a ticket. If they do lower the prices, more students may go, allowing them to make the same amount of money with more students participating.
Phones should remain on campus
The removal of devices on campus will not assist students.
Last school year, Thousand Oaks High School facility decided to step up the no phones policy. This comes after mass discussions nationwide about the usage of phones and its impact on student’s learning and well-being.
The removal of phones is not the correct step forward to move schools and students forward. Technology is the epiphany of the future. If we censor students of the right to technology, how can we effectively prepare the future civilians of the world?
In an interview with the American Psychological Association, Doctor Gloria Mark, a psychologist and the chancellor’s professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, states attention spans are indeed decreasing.
Currently, some teachers have cell phone pockets, and their effectiveness has been put into question as well. Students have gotten a ‘bait phone’ to put in the pocket and or even just only put the phone cover in the pocket.
“Our research indicates that the
frequent use of phones and other digital devices contributes to shorter attention spans, as constant notifications and the lure of social media can disrupt our focus and hinder our ability to engage deeply with tasks,” Mark said.
Primary school is the place where students learn to become adults. If schools are restricting their ability to learn about an influential part of their life they will struggle.
According to the California Department of Education, the average enrollment of a High School is 1,282 students. Let’s be real, it’s not the 80s anymore, cell phones via social media and messaging apps are the way that people check in on each other and find each other. Removing communication is the literal first step when you fight an enemy in war.
The Los Angeles Unified School District has already approved banning cell phones all day on school campuses, starting in January 2025.
Removing phones will not remove a student’s addiction. That want for the release of dopamine will still be there and students will aim to receive it through a different avenue.
GEMMA SPRAGGINS Opinions Editor
GABRIELLA MULLER Assistant Opinions Editor
DORATHEA BURTON Staff Writer
ALAN KO Digital Editor
SUMMER RECAP
Lancers traveled across the country and across oceans on vacation over the summer
said.
ASB introduces new leaders
The Lancer puts a face to the names and learns the aspirations the leaders on campus have for the year
“I want to pass down my knowledge to future classes so that they can continue the ASB tradition, and to leave my legacy through the last
“I want the upcoming classes to learn what TO is all about and what we’re trying to accomplish. Also encourage them to become involved and find a place here.”
- ASB President Sam Greenburg
“I
Since eighth grade, music has defined Merrick Jacobus. Jacobus created his first song “Metals” in 2021, and in the summer of his freshman year, he hit his big break. His song “Fall on Me” jump-started his music career, hitting 23,000 streams on Spotify. Now, in his junior year, Jacobus continues pushing forward.
For Jacobus, school comes first. All of his music is made on breaks and weekends. Jacobus described balancing school and music as a very fine line that has taken him many years to walk properly. However, he makes music efficiently thanks to his artistic process. It takes him no more than an hour to write a song.
collection of feel-good and motivating songs in the style of melodic rap. Some of Jacobus’ main inspirations for this album were artists such as J. Cole and Jack Harlow.
All of his music is made through software that he connects to a keyboard, however, Jacobus does not usually work alone. Junior Brennan Dickson is his partner-in-crime and helps Jacobus thrive. These two have been friends for over three years and never imagined they would be working side-by-side creating music. While Jacobus is strong with his words, Dickson is a powerhouse with a drum set.
“It means a lot to me to see him thrive in something that he loves doing and to be a part of this journey,” Dickson said.
“I sit down with a piece of paper and I just write it,” Jacobus said.
He also explains how the rhyming component of rapping isn’t what challenges him when writing a song but, rather, the story he is trying to tell through the lyrics.
After being in the works for almost three years, Jacobus put together his debut album “Thanks 4 Nothing” which was released on Aug. 13. Following the first edition, a deluxe version of the album was released in early September with four new songs. It consisted of a
Jacobus gets a lot of criticism in the music industry, especially for being only 16 years old. “It only makes me stronger,” Jacobus said, “It takes a lot of toughness starting out.”
He hopes that he can inspire newer artists to push through the criticism that comes along with being a new, young face in such a vast industry.
When high school is over and he has less to navigate, he plans to dive straight into a music degree to continue his career.
“Keep doing you, don’t let people change who you are,” Jacobus said.
Freshman June Neale went to a Colorado Rookies game. “My softball team went to a Colorado Rookies game on the 4th of July during the Colorado Sparkler Softball Tournament,” Neale said.
Junior Finneas Kerns was an intern at the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office. “My supervisor Olivia Hudnut taught me everything to know about public defense,” Kerns said.
Senior Serene Panga visited Tokyo, Japan for a week in the summer. “In Tokyo, my family and I visited landmarks and explored the city,” Panga said.
Senior Valeria Lamadrid Amaya spent part of July in Boston, Massachusetts. “While in Boston, I saw the fireworks from the Esplanade,” Lamadrid said.
Sophomore Aella Keays took a trip to Tempe, Arizona this for her travel volleyball tournament. “My family and I hiked and went off-roading in the Sedona mountains. It was beautiful out there,” Keays
Senior Josh Bradley took a trip to Philadelphia and New York City. “Yankee Stadium is so historic and famous. My family and I really enjoyed it,” Bradley said.
Sam Greenburg - ASB President
Kinley Morehead - ASB Secretary
Milana Stolwhorthy - ASB Treasurer
Bella White - ASB Sergeant at Arms
JOSEPHINE
Homecoming: A week in the four seasons
HOMECOMING ROYALTY
Class of 2026:
Yinon Harel and Victor Tomas
Class of 2027:
Landon Carson and Lily Unthank
Class of 2028:
Lucca Belmontes and Connor Barwick
All hands are on deck for the annual halftime show in Lancer Stadium
GEMMA SPRAGGINS Opinions Editor
ALAN KO Digital Editor
Thousand Oaks High School’s Homecoming week featured the different seasons as dress-up days: summer Hawaiian/beach day, fall jersey day, spring florals/pastels day and winter blackout day. On Friday, the Homecoming halftime parade presented season-themed floats, featuring student groups such as clubs and teams.
The parade started strong with Grand Marshals English teacher Kelly Abrams and math teacher Zachary Hammond–voted for by their peers–leading the court nominees around the track. Closely followed by the Color Guard and the Marching Band as they performed.
The home stand got a chance to support the band, which plays music for all of our home games. Members of Sparkles and Latino Connection carried banners and represented some of our favorite groups on campus.
The Associated Student Body (ASB) began preparing for the Homecoming parade at the start of the school year. Elected student representatives led the way with ideas related to their theme.
Seasons themed rally kicks of the spirited week
JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ
News Editor
KAILAH SPENCER
Assistant News Editor
On Monday, Sept. 16, students gathered in the Thousand Oaks High School gym to participate in games and watch performances by the cheer team, varsity dance team, drum line and Sparkles to start this year’s Homecoming week.
“[The performances were] all really fun to watch,” junior Hilary Manalang said. “The students give off so much energy, it gets the crowd really hyped.”
Students from each grade were chosen to participate in Hungry Hungry Hippos, where they went neck and neck to collect the most balloons, and in an obstacle course where they completed challenges such as skateboarding and running circles around a cone, competing against the other classes and showing their school spirit.
In addition, a new game, Guess the Baby: Teacher Edition was introduced in which baby pictures of James Corbett, Heather Austin, Eric Kamm, Eric Bergmann, Ben McEnroe, Melissa Rimpa and Andrew Bowler made an appearance on the big screen.
“My friend and I were hoping to see Mr. Cowley as a kid. Sadly we didn’t,” freshman London Hoffman said. “[Attending] a high school rally was very fun and I like laughing with my friends.”
“ASB worked really hard to make sure the night would be amazing,” senior ASB Vice President Ella Neale said.
ASB efforts came to fruition with the class floats, represented by members from each grade level. These were followed by the dance team, whose performance got the stands to show their spirit just in time for the Homecoming court appearances.
Following the underclassman and junior Homecoming floats, seniors Devyn Grecian and Jack Hadvina were separated in two cars before climbing out and getting crowned Homecoming Queen and King.
Students watching from the stands are astonished by the work and effort put into the parade. Senior Jose Hernandez, first-year ASB member, was instrumental in building the senior class fall-themed float and participated in the parade on the float itself.
“It was very exciting seeing everyone in the stands be happy to be there,” said Hernandez. “There were five or six of my ASB classmates that had their ghost costumes on which was a time I will never forget.”
Despite the team’s loss, students still had Saturday’s dance in the gym to which they looked forward.
Unfortunately, no TOHS staff members participated in any of the games during this year’s Homecoming rally. However, English teacher Kelly Abrams and math teacher Zachary Hammond were honored as this year’s Homecoming parade Grand Marshals on Friday night.
Lancers’ Homecoming spoiled by Pioneers
The Thousand Oaks Lancers had their three-game win streak snapped by the visiting Simi Valley Pioneers
The Thousand Oaks Lancer football team was defeated by Simi Valley Pioneers 42-28 in the Lancers Homecoming game on Sept. 20.
The loss routed the Lancers to a record of 3-2, heading into their bye week.
Junior quarterback Jackson Taylor recently received the Champion of Character award from CIF. He went 24-42 for 278 yards with three touchdowns. Two touchdowns were from connections with junior wide receiver Hayden Vercher.
“It’s a tough thing, we got a good team for Homecoming, but that’s what makes good football,” said Taylor. “[I’m] happy about the plays we did make.”
The Lancers held the score to 7-7 in the first
quarter, but Simi Valley quickly ran away with the game. Poor defensive tackling and special teams play were the root of the loss.
“We put them on a short field,” head coach Ben McEnroe said after the game. “We just didn’t tackle very well... didn’t come out with the right energy and I’ll take full blame for the loss.”
This matchup was the first game the Lancer defense didn’t secure an interception.
The Pioneers had 619 all-purpose yards, almost doubling the Lancer’s 335.
The Lancers were banged up in the first four games. They will use the bye week to recover. They will begin league play afterward.
Post-bye week, the Lancers will play Calabasas at home on Saturday, October 5.
ALAN KO Digital Editor
SOOTHING WORDS - Junior running back Justin Lewis walks off the field upset after going 3-and-out, greeted by defensive line coach Anthony Weak during the Lancer’s Homecoming loss against Simi Valley 42-28 on September 20.
Alan Ko - The Lancer
IT’S GOOD TO BE KING - Senior Homecoming queen Devyn Grecian and senior Homecoming king Jack Hadvina celebrate after being crowned. Class of 2025 court was Emma Riss and Boden Adema.
SPIRIT IN A STEP - Four-year dancer senior Riley Speed poses in an arabesque during the Varsity Dance team’s performance at the homecoming rally on September 16.
PARADE TRADITION - One of the largest clubs on campus, the Latino Connection club walks every year in the annual Homecoming halftime parade on September 20.
Alan KoThe Lancer
Rochelle HultgrenLancer Legendwith permission
Abigail Tripp-Bullough - The Lancer
D2 is the place to prepare for your future. The CCC provides information on various post-secondary paths, including two-year colleges, four-year universities, military pathways, and career technical pathways.
Mary Ippolito, College and Career Guidance Specialist, lives in the left half of the room. She offers resources monthly to ensure that students get accustomed to what’s next before they reach their senior year.
“You want to have a foundation for yourself, whatever your next step will be,” Ippolito said. “Every Lancer has the opportunity to build their own story and present themselves the best way they can be, the CCC is the way to do that.”
Ippolito plans college visits, locates scholarships, and helps students prepare for the next step of their life.
The Majors program, run by David Harris, lives on the right side of the room. The Majors Career Exploration program at TOHS is the only one like it in the county. Students join one or more of 15 Majors to learn more about future career opportunities from monthly speakers in the field.
Students in any grade can join Majors in any year and, after finishing a yearly project and an internship in their senior year, will earn cords to wear at graduation.
The K-1 computer lab is the place
The Wellness Center
With the commotion of the first few weeks of school, Lindsey Yount is busy keeping classroom C-2 as tranquil as possible.
During a time in which one in seven adolescents suffer from some kind of mental struggle, providing a space for mental health in schools has never been more important.
Yount, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is in her fourth year of running the Wellness Center on campus, a place where students can access social and emotional support throughout the school day.
The Wellness Center is in charge of reaching students here on campus in a multitude of ways; this includes guided lessons in class by teacher request or through small group therapy. However, their most utilized service is walk-in support.
“If a student is having a difficult day, or needs a safe space or person to talk to or is in distress, they can ask their teacher for a pass and come talk with someone in the Wellness Center,” Yount said.
If asking to leave class feels too difficult for students, the Wellness Center also leaves QR codes around campus, with which students can request a blue slip to be sent to call them to the Wellness Center for an appointment.
The support doesn’t end when class time is over; the Wellness Center also provides a series of lunch activities
every week with Mindfulness Monday, Talk About it Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Workshop Thursday and Friendship Building Friday. During these activities, students can find space to decompress through guided meditation with “Mindfulness Monday” or can find fun activities to connect through.
“Last Friday, we did rock painting and had over 30 kids join the activity,” Yount said. “It was awesome” Though ideas like stress and coping skills might come to mind when thinking of mental wellness, the Wellness Center is there to talk about absolutely anything.
“There is no right or wrong thing to come into the Wellness Center to talk about…the Wellness Center is a totally judgment free and confidential zone on campus. It’s free for absolutely anyone to access as needed,” Yount said.
Students share a range of struggles and experiences with faculty who are trained to help lighten the emotional burden. Students can go in to discuss topics ranging from coping skills to anxiety and depression, even family issues and grief. Students who aren’t interested in opening up are also welcome to simply enjoy the calming activities and quiet atmosphere in the room.
“We don’t force kids to come in here and talk to us until they’re ready. It’s just a safe space if you need it. You can just say Hi–we would love to meet you,” Yount said.
JOSEPH GOODNIGHT Managing Editor
BEST
CHOCOLATE DONUT in T.O.
JOSEPH GOODNIGHT
Managing
Editor
The Lancer staff put four donut stores in Thousand Oaks to the test to see which one has the best donuts. In a blind taste test, students compared the simple chocolate glazed donuts from Fresh Donuts, Donut Depot, Star Donuts, and Foster’s Donuts. Discussed was the donuts’ consistency, appearance, frosting, and overall taste.
After tasting and comparing each of the four donuts, the first donut shop to be removed from the competition was Donut Depot, with most of the staff pointing out its minimal frosting, dry texture and general blandness of flavor as their reason for voting it out first.
The second donut shop to be kicked out of the running was Star Donuts. This chocolate glazed donut had the opposite issue of Donut Depot’s, with many of the staff regarding the donut as being overly sweet and overly frosted.
The competition between the last two donut shops was close, but in the end our local Fresh Donuts came out in second place, with a generally positive review for the very fluffy texture, though some felt the donut was a little too greasy for them.
This left us with our over all winner: Foster’s Donuts on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The staff collectively agreed that this donut had no flaws–the perfect level of sweetness and frosting that you would expect from a chocolate glazed donut. Foster’s is The Lancer’s pick for best donuts in T.O.
T P O
Anything But a Backpack Day
Despite the administration’s restrictions, it remains a top spirit day, debatably the best. The 22-23 year featured microwaves, RC cars and even a shopping cart. After the administration saw the “chaos,” they enforced rules. #bringbaacktheoldanythingbutabackpackday
Adam Sandler Day
Oversized shirts, backward hats and baggy shorts are what to expect–this day is all about finding your inner hipness. It’s one of the most relaxed spirit days, as essentially you just have to wear oversized clothes. It’s perfect for anyone who loves comfort.
Jersey Day
a musical deep-dive
Cooper Lester compiled by
Charli XCX’s “Brat” is the perfect “punch you in the face” album. Charli uses her bold and dynamic style of music to showcase her unique pop prowess. Mixing electronic and house sounds with incendiary hooks, Charli delivers an energetic and rebellious vibe that hasn’t been seen since the Billie Ellish pop revival. “Brat” solidifies Charli’s role as a genre-defying artist, offering an old but new take on modern pop.
Destroy Lonely’s “Love Lasts Forever” disappoints with its repetitive and uninspired sound. Despite high expectations, the album lacks variety with each track feeling similar. With every track being produced by Lil 88, the project struggles to innovate, offering a plain experience that fails to capture the creativity seen in Lonely’s previous work, like his 2019 hit “No Stylist.”
Drake’s “100 Gigs” fell somewhat flat as it reflects his ongoing rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. While the album largely maintains Drake’s smooth, introspective style, there are moments that seem to address tensions with his nemesis. This underlying edge adds an intriguing layer to the album as it widens the interpretation of every lyric. Of course, Drake does this whist showcasing his evolution and continued relevance in hip-hop.
SO FRESH
The fall fashion of freshmen is at an all-time high
ADDISON ANELLO Staff Writer
Bring the retired basketball season jersey out. After your favorite team doesn’t make the playoffs, this dress-up day allows disappointed fans to rep their jersey. Or, according to psychology teacher Jordan Daigneault, make a jersey if you don’t have one. “Take a white shirt and draw a number on it,” Daigneault said.
Hawaiian/Beach Day
Let the dogs breathe, and dress up like a day at the beach. Hawaiian/ Beach Day packs sandals, Hawaiian polos and relaxed shorts. This dress-up day allows you to feel like you are strolling at the beach even though you are walking to your next class.
Pajama Day
Rolling out of bed and going straight to school is what pajama day is all about. Flannel pants are what you will see all over campus as students embrace the
day of comfort. D R E S S U P D A Y S
Throughout seventh grade, Madylan Harris experimented with various clothing styles, trying to figure out what best represented her personal taste. She went through different trends and outfits, each choice helping her learn more about what she liked and felt comfortable in. By the time 8th grade came around, Harris had improved her fashion preferences and found a style that suited her. Harris’s style is inspired by her love for vibrant colors. She wants her outfits to bring a smile to anyone who sees them, especially
kids. She puts it as “basically dressing for my younger self,” meaning she picks clothes that would have made her happy as a child. Harris’s friends might not dress exactly like her, but some of them have a similar vibe. She describes her style as constantly changing—one day she might wear a band t-shirt with a skirt, and the next, she could be in a tank top and jean shorts. She calls this her “Maddy core.” So while her friends each have their own unique styles, Harris’s evolving wardrobe sets her apart with her
own distinct look. Harris’s seventh grade year was a bit tough for her because she felt a little out of place with her constantly changing style. She went through phases where she’d like her outfits one day and second-guess them the next. But as time went on, she grew more comfortable with her fashion choices. Now, Harris loves standing out and being different, even saying, “I like to feel like the most overdressed, unique person in a room.”
spirit
ALAN KO Digital Editor
Alan Ko - The Lancer
JADEN GRAY senior
AMELIA McELVANY freshman KATRINA REPPERT staff
GWENYTH BUTLER junior
LUKAS MONFORE junior
song: Banana Pancakes by: Jack Johnson favorite artist and why: Drake. He does a little of everything.
song: Taste by: Sabrina Carpenter favorite artist and why: Taylor Swift. I liked going to her concert and her old country music.
song: Mariners Apt. Complex by: Lana Del Rey favorite artist and why: Billie Eillish because she is so talented
song: It Boy by: bbno$ favorite artist and why: Ham Sandwich. He makes funny and upbeat songs
song: Octopuses Garden by: The Beatles favorite artist and why: Michael Jackson. He reminds me of my childhood.
SO FRESH, SO CLEAN - Freshman Madylan Harris stands in front of of the freshman Homecoming week poster wall.
How to T.O.: Advice for the Class of 2028
FROM A SOPHOMORE
JULIA PINEDADOMINGUEZ News Editor
The transition from middle school to high school can be nervewracking for many, especially if you spent all of middle school in one place, with the same teachers, friends, and classmates. Here are a few tips to make your transition smoother.
First, make a good first impression on your teachers because they’re the ones you’ll go to when you need help in class or desperately need an extension.
Second, ask for help. Sorry to break the news to you but it’s true–high school
is nothing like High School Musical. There’s no singing or dancing, but there is, unfortunately, homework. High school classes can be a lot harder than what you expected. If you find yourself stuck on the first question of an assignment, don’t be embarrassed; ask for help. It’s better to ask for help than to go home and try to figure it out yourself. But, if you’re anything like me, you won’t ask for help and spend hours teaching yourself with YouTube.
Third, don’t procrastinate doing your homework. Everyone always says “don’t procrastinate,” but try not to. It’s not fun waiting until the last minute to do your homework and barely meeting the deadline. Procrastination can often lead to missing assignments piling up. Homework can be the majority of your grade and even one missing assignment can create a huge dent in your grade. Some teachers might let you submit homework late for half credit, so if you find yourself in this situation, email your teacher
or read the syllabus, and take the opportunity, even if it doesn’t seem worth it–it is.
The last tip I’ll give you is when deciding whether to see school rallies in the PAC or the gym, go to the gym. Yes, the gym can sometimes reek of teenagers who desperately need deodorant or a shower, but it also reeks of school spirit. Students have fun participating in their school community. If there’s something I don’t regret doing my freshman year, it’s this. I love cheering with my friends for our favorite teachers as they play musical chairs or basketball and making predictions about who will win. Luckily, we are given rallies to breask up the year, so enjoy them and laugh with your friends. Put effort into learning new skills, making new friends, and participating during your freshman year and you’ll survive. Challenges will be thrown at you but get back up and try again. You only have one freshman year so make it count and have no regrets at the end.
“Enjoy it now while you still can because it’ll be over before you know it.”
REBECCA GLAUBKE
FROM THE SENIORS
You’re either going to have the best four years or the worst four years, but only you have the power to make the best of it. Surround yourself with people you know you can trust, go to school events, dress up for dress-up days (yes, it’s cool to dress up), find what you’re passionate about, and please, do your school work. I know it’s cliche, but just be happy; walking around with a smile on your face and a positive attitude will help you out more than you know. It’s not hard to be nice. Finally, get your license as soon as you can! Being able to drive yourself=freedom=more fun.
FROM A JUNIOR
JOSEPH GOODNIGHT Managing Editor
Sometimes in high school you’re going to have to make it a point to nurture your friendships, especially at the beginning of new school years. Really consider which friends in your life make you happy, and make sure they know that, even if it’s just giving them a call every other week–especially if you don’t have any classes with them. Good friends who make you happy make all the difference in your high school experience. However, you’re also going to have to do the opposite; it’s OK to admit that sometimes you have friends who are an active hindrance to your own happiness, and that’s totally normal. I think every single high schooler feels that way at some point, and it’s OK to make distance between yourself and people who don’t make you happy.
I’m obviously not saying to cut off every friend who’s ever made you upset, but friendships just like anything else aren’t linear, and friendships have to dwindle for a little after a rough patch for things to end up being normal in the end. The people who you are meant to be in your life will come back, and that takes work on both ends, but it always ends up being worth it when it’s reciprocated.
COOPER LESTER Business Manager
Freshman year can be intense, so here’s some advice. It’s harder than you might expect, but there’s no reason to be scared; that’s for junior year. Focus less on what others think and more on your own growth. Music can be a great escape, listen to a lot of it. Be respectful and kind to your teachers as you’ll be seeing them frequently over the next four years. Avoid rushing into things or making important decisions that you might regret–think before you do. Lastly, get involved! Get involved in activities, sports, and clubs. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people and find out what makes you you.
AROUND T.O.WN
Reign of Terror
275 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks
Sept. 27-Nov. 4, 7 p.m.-11 p.m.
Walk through various bone-chilling rooms and exhibits including The Fun House, The Asylum and others.
Featured performances from about a dozen high schools in the area.
Walk for the Heroes of Childhood Cancer
Calabasas Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Way, Calabasas Sept. 29th 9 a.m-11:15 a.m.
The kids dash begins at 9am for $25 per child, the 5K starts at 9:30 am for $45 per person. The Calabasas 5K Run/ Walk is to raise charity for the children with cancer in the community.
Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Rd., Moorpark Oct. 6th, 9 a.m.-6p.m.
With a giant pumpkin patch, it’s the perfect fall harvest experience with games, rides, photo oops, and themed weekends.
The annual Halloween themed events feature animal shows, trick or treating, scavenger hunt for kids, food trucks, with kids crafts and more.
Community Swap Meet
5005 C E. Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley Oct. 19th, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
The Junk in the Trunk swap meet has nearly 50 local vendors. Location is at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center parking lot. The events take place in April, September, and October.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Oct. 26th, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.
Enter the contest on Saturday, October 6th at noon. The first 75 dogs are accepted into the contest. Preregistration is open on October 19th.
Downtown
Halloween Hunt
500 S. C St, Oxnard
Oct. 28th, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Come in your best costume and compete against others for best costume and prizes.
REBECCA GLAUBKE Features Editor
New faces help propel TOHS to hot start
After struggling to find offensive identity, Lancers reel off three straight wins to bounce back from season-opening loss
Junior Jackson Taylor is in the driver’s seat, and his curfew got extended. After a phenomenal 9-4 season, and trip to the CIF-SS Division 5 semifinal in Coach Ben McEnroe’s Lancer debut, the Lancers saw multiple key pieces graduate.
“It’s the difference between siege warfare and guerilla warfare. Brolin would pop one or Cory would make a huge block or Silas would get it. This year, we can put up points fast if we’re clicking,” McEnroe said.
After losing four of the five starting offensive lineman, 2023 team MVP and running back Brolin Harrah, a two-headed monster at tight end, and 2 star outside receivers, returners Taylor and senior Cory McEnroe look to step up in a big way.
“Offensively, Taylor will have a new cast of targets, including newcomer running back Justin Lewis and tight end Hayden Vercher,” McEnroe said.
Reinforcements arrived; junior Justin Lewis transferred from Oaks Christian and has taken on the task of being the Lancer RB. He has delivered and already accumulated over 500 all-purpse yards and five touchdowns in the opening weeks of the season. Coming with Lewis from OC is two seasons of high school football remaining and a D1 level body with elite physicality and speed–he brings all of the tools to the trade.
For Lewis, it’s been a family business; since the time he began playing tackle football when he was in kindergarten, he’s had the same man behind him, coaching him on the gridiron and in life–his father Fred Lewis, who has taken on
Lancers were defeated by El Modena 41-34 in overtime.
an assistant role this season with the Lancers to continue coaching his son.
After suffering a 41-34 loss in overtime to El Modena at home, the Lancers were able to bounce back on the road. Junior Hayden Vercher tallied 100 yards and two touchdowns as the key contributor in the 20-13 win at Ventura and
junior Jordan Johnson shined bright as he had an early interception in his first career start. Then, on the road once again at Agoura the following week, senior James Luderer brought in two interceptions and Lewis was able to find the endzone on three occasions, shining bright under pressure and bringing the Lancers to a
Lancers leap to new league
A look at the Coastal Canyon League key opponents, matchups and players to watch
ALAN KO Digital Editor
The Lancers, previously in the Canyon League, are now in the Conejo Coast League after the Ventura County football coaches approved league realignments after meeting in March 2023.
A total of 29 Ventura and Santa Barbara county teams have been separated into five competitive leagues based on CalPreps.com rankings in 2021 and 2022. The realignment aimed to improve competition and increase the available playoff spots in the area. CalPreps is the way CIF-SS creates divisions and playoff matchups for football, which convinced coaches and administrators that aligning leagues according to these rankings
Calabasas Coyotes
2023 record: 2-8 (overall), 0-5 (Marmonte League)
Last time against the Lancers: 34-20 Calabasas win (2020)
Inside story: Smigiel is regarded as one of the top high school quarterback prospects in the country, currently committed to Florida State
When they meet: Week 9, Oct. 25
would be beneficial.
The Marmonte League is the most competitive in Ventura County with only the highest-ranked teams being realigned into it.
“The winner of the Marmonte makes you the best football team in Ventura County,” Simi Valley coach Jim Benkert said to SBLive Sports. “That’s why we did this, so the best teams in the county play each other.”
The new leagues are as follows, the higher the league the harder the difficulty:
Marmonte: Bishop Diego, Camarillo, Oaks Christian, Pacifica, Simi Valley, St. Bonaventure
Conejo Coast: Calabasas, Newbury Park, Rio Mesa, Santa Barbara, Thousand Oaks, Westlake
Channel: Buena, Moorpark, Oak Park,
Rio Mesa Spartans
2023 record: 7-4 (overall), 5-3 (Channel League)
Last time against the Lancers: 38-31 Rio Mesa win (2005 CIF playoffs)
Inside story: A fiery Santa Barbara offense that scored 22 points in the first quarter against the Lancers last year has several new players When they meet: Week 10, Nov. 1
positive 2-1 record.
The road wins were just as crucial for the Lancers last season as wins at Camarillo and a huge comeback win at Moorpark in backto-back weeks last October put the Lancers in the driver’s seat for the Canyon League title which came down to a tie between the Lancers, Newbury Park Panthers and Moorpark Musketeers.
“Last year’s group, with our style of offense, you had to be able to run, hit, hit on the run. This year, there’s a little more finesse. Some things are more physical, but they don’t have to be as overpowering as we were at times last year,” McEnroe said.
While coach McEnroe brings new stars to the gridiron for year two, he also brings in a new play calling scheme. This new RPO style started off hot; on the opening play of the season, Vercher lined up in wildcat formation at quarterback, with Lewis lined up behind him, and Vercher took it himself for a gain.
This new playbook and style is putting critical decision making power in the hands of the athletes, this trust gained from the coaches comes from the team’s ability to be a tight-knit family.
“I came in a couple months ago and I consider these guys family. Everybody is looking to see everybody win; there’s no rivalries–it’s always competitive but there is no hatred among us–it’s all love,” Lewis said.
The Lancers are once again in a great place heading into the remainder of the season as two of the four away games have already been played, with the last two away games being close to home at Westlake and Newbury Park in Coastal Canyon League play.
Remembering a legend
Oxnard, Royal, Ventura
Tri-County: Agoura, Dos Pueblos, Fillmore, Hueneme, San Marcos, Santa Paula
Citrus Coast: Carpinteria, Channel Islands, Del Sol (starting in 2025), Grace Brethren, Nordhoff
The Lancers will begin league competition in week five going head-to-head against Calabasas at home. Thousand Oaks has faced all league opponents in the past.
The Conejo Coast League has gone 16-8 in four weeks of non-league play. Teams in the league have outscored opponents by 336 points in the first four weeks, showing the stifling offensive and defensive play the league is suiting up to be.
Westlake Warriors
2023 record: 2-8 (overall), 1-4 (Marmonte League)
Last time against the Lancers: 27-3 Thousand Oaks win (2023)
Inside story: Once the dominant program in the region, Westlake has been rebuilding for the past five years with a combined record of 11-33
When they meet: Week 7, Oct. 10
Thousand Oaks Lancers
2023 record: 9-4 (overall), 5-1 (Marmonte League)
Last time against the Lancers: N/A
Notable Players: Senior S/WR Jack Steinberg, Senior LB/FB Cory McEnroe, Junior RB Justin Lewis
Inside story: After adding key transfers, the Lancers have a good skill group despite only retaining three four-year seniors When they meet: N/A
Former Lancer captain and fallen Marine Anthony Melia’s number retired in ceremony
JACOB BRADLEY
Sports Editor
The Lancers won their first home game of the season on Sept. 13, but that wasn’t close to the most important part of the night. Half an hour before kickoff, the jersey retirement for Anthony Melia began. Friends and family came from all over to remember Melia. Coach Ben McEnroe along with the team captains paid their respects. Rather than the standard green home jerseys, the Lancers wore special black jerseys.
Melia was a freshman in high school when the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks took place. Following his high school graduation in 2005, the former TOHS football player traded in the green and white number 6 uniform for the blue US Marine Corps uniform.
On Jan. 27, 2007, Melia was shot and killed while on patrol in the Anbar province of Iraq, he was 20 years old.
His jersey retirement ceremony was a chance for his family, teammates and friends to remember him.
“He never fair caught a punt or kick,” said Andrew Frey, his Class of ‘05 teammate. “He was completely fearless, willing to catch the ball with people bearing down on him. One game he separated his shoulder and popped it back on the sideline and went back on defense. A total team-first guy. And outside of football, he was everybody’s friend. Everybody wanted to be friends with him and he reciprocated that.”
Despite it being due to a heartbreaking tragedy, the whole town came out to support the Melia family, all of Thousand Oaks came together as one.
Coach McEnroe had a vision to give the ultimate hero the ultimate recognition for the sacrifice he made for his country. McEnroe retired Melia’s number to once again show the Melia’s how much the community loves and supports them.
The same night that saw a ceremony to honor Anthony Melia forever, ended with a blowout victory for the Lancers over West Ranch with a final score of 30-7.
“Thank you for honoring that uniform tonight,” coach McEnroe told his team in the post game huddle following the victory.
EYE ON THE ENDZONE - Thousand Oaks High School senior athlete Cory McEnroe takes the ball to the red zone in a wildcat play in the first quarter during the Lancers’ season opener at home. The
Alan Ko - The Lancer
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
Your guide to the Green Hole
New Green Hole leaders look to continue prestigious tradition of unwavering support
As the years come and go, one of the constant reminders of Thousand Oaks High School’s spirit that will always stick out is the Green Hole, the awardwinning student section at sports contests.
Students go for two or three hours, every football or basketball game, to show Lancer pride and support their favorite sports teams. Each week there is a new dress-up theme and students are advised to cheer as loudly as they can with their closest friends in hopes of a Lancer win, and not losing their voice.
The Green Hole is notably the heart of the Lancer Stadium on Friday evenings during football season. It defines Thousand Oaks High School and it is one of the few things that gets hundreds of Lancer students to come together and support their school. The loud and positive energy also helps fuel our student athletes to keep fighting for another win.
“I love the energy and the spirit and everything about the school and I want to be there to support football and basketball for our school,” senior Gabriel Torreblanca said.
As much fun as the Green Hole is, there are rules students are expected to follow to help make it a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
To start, know your place–each class has a section in the stands dedicated for them. The very front row is for the senior Green Hole leaders only, and you may see them standing on the rails. This year those leaders include Gabriel Torreblanca, Madison Geisler,
“I wanted to be a Green Hole leader for the students to show that we can be crazy and that we are the best school here.”
GABE TORREBLANCA
Jack Hadvina, Bryson Saint, Madison Coleman, and Caden Stephens. After the leaders are the rest of the seniors, followed by the juniors, then the sophomores, and essentially ending with the freshmen at the top of the bleachers.
Tradition makes the Green Hole stand out. The main tradition, once again displayed in this season’s home opener on August 23, were the Green Hole leaders running out of the Lancer tunnel
with flags that spell out TOHS.
The other popular tradition is right before the second half begins, when the student section chants, “I believe that we will win” before the entire section throws up colored flour and commences in celebration. These simple things help empower our athletes and fuel their drive.
Importantly, with crazy spirit comes responsibility. The railings are for the Green Hole leaders to stand on only. There is no throwing of objects allowed. And in addition to these rules, there is no pushing or shoving allowed whatsoever.
“I wanted to be a Green Hole leader for the students to show that we can be crazy and that we are the best school here,” Torreblanca said.
While home games are where the Green Hole attracts the best, the new era of the Green Hole is comimg up. At last year’s Westlake and Newbury Park away games, the Green Hole showed out well, and at this season’s first away game in Ventura, the Green Hole once again delivered despite the further drive than Newbury Park. This strong presence in the visitors’ stand helped the Lancers earn their first win of the season 20-13.
Meet Your 2024-25 Green Hole Leaders
BRYSON SAINT
Q: Favorite part of leading the GH?
“Dressing up as crazy as possible so other people feel comfortable, and also making myself look ridiculous and being loud.”
JACK HADVINA
Q: Favorite part of leading the GH?
“Just the environment. The Green Hole is such a fun place to be and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
GABE TORREBLANCA
Q: Goals for this year?
“Impact all the students and show everyone we are here to have a good time and cheer on our football team.”
Jake's Journal
College football is back, but it looks drastically different after conference realignment threw the sport into complete chaos
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
College football is autumn’s pastime, one of the best parts of fall in its entirety, and it has always been one of my personal favorites.
But this upcoming season in particular is going to be significantly different than any other.
For the first time since it was formed in 1915, the Pac-12, formerly known as the Pac-10 and before that the Pac8, no longer exists.
For the first time in my college football fandom, there is no “Pac-12 After Dark” , the show that would recap that day of Pac-12 football. It was such a simple thing that I took advantage of.
CAIDEN STEVENS
Q: Goals for this year?
“Just be able to hype up the school and make sure the student section is cheering the correct way. The wild way.”
MADISON COLEMAN
Q: What does being a GH leader mean to you?
“It means a lot. It means carrying on the culture, it meansbleeding green, and it means Friday night lights.”
MADISON GEISLER
Q: Advice for all Lancers?
“Please dress up to the themes, and if you are going to be in the Green Hole, please cheer!”
to see which blue blood UCLA would be playing…. I saw the Indiana Hoosiers, UCLA is opening their conference play against a team traveling from across the country instead of Tempe, Arizona? Why? UCLA is traveling to Nebraska and Rutgers this year. This isn’t the NFL and these are not pro-athletes, these are students. There’s a reason why it’s student-athlete and not athletestudent.
Ten of the 12 teams fled to the Big Ten, Big-12, and ACC conferences, while Oregon State and Washington State were alone. Just as conference play is beginning, four teams have been announced to join the Pac-12 starting in July 2026: Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Boise State, all of which come from the Mountain West Conference.
As I checked the ESPN app this week
While football is the college sport I watch and follow the most, what about baseball and softball where these athletes will be traveling across the country for a threegame series. And this does not just affect all the former Pac-12 schools, but also the teams in the Big Ten, Big-12 and ACC, such as the ACC’s Virginia Tech and the Big Ten’s Michigan who will have to come all the way to California come spring for multiple days.
While it was always cool to see teams like UCLA and USC go play Ohio State or LSU and even Florida, that was cool to see as a non-conference game and even better as a bowl game, but not league play.
The pre-game arrest of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill – one of the best players in the NFL – should cause red flags to go up for any football fan
LILAH SWAVING Assistant Sports Editor
Tyreek Hill was ready to face his ninth NFL season on the Miami Dolphins, as the team was set to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. On his way to Hard Rock Stadium, Hill was speeding and got pulled over. Players from the team came to the scene to help Hill, but both Hill and defensive lineman Calais Campbell were put in handcuffs.
Bodycam footage captured Hill face down on the ground, with officers’ knees on his back. Hill could have strictly gotten a speeding ticket, but was arrested and detained for “officer’s safety,” as the officer claimed he wasn’t being cooperative.
After being detained on scene, Hill was released and rushed to the stadium to play against the Jaguars. He even scored an 80-yard touchdown in a narrow win.
Although I am not a person of color, this upsets me because I feel that even if
you are the most driven person, the most famous person in the world, or, in Hill’s case, one of the fastest men in the NFL, all people should be treated the same. And that’s not happening.
“As a human being, [I was] shocked, dismayed, disappointmend, angry, and frustrated that here they are, guys about to go to their place of employment and work and you’re getting thrown to the ground, dragged out of your car, you’re kissing asphalt,” executive director of the NFL Players Association Lloyd Howell said. “That’s not, I think, good for anyone.”
Hill’s attorney commented that although Hill was adamant about his desire for officer Torres’ termination, he said he would not be protesting and did not want to “defund the police.” He reiterated that he “loves” the police and wants to be an officer one day but he hopes that, as with football, people can watch the tape and “get better from it.”
Hill’s experience needs to be a lesson to everyone.
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
BLEEDING GREEN - The Green Hole leaders show the opposing team the spirit for which TOHS is famous.
Alan Ko - The Lancer
SPORTS ROUND-UP
GIRLS GOLF
Coach: Ryan Geisler
2023 Record: 5th place in league
2024 Record: N/A
Top Players: Seniors Claire Kirby, Ella Neale, Summer Reith
Notable: Dual sport athlete Claire Kirby of the softball team looks to have a significant senior season as she attempts to lead the team into the CIF playoffs. Kirby is hungry for the taste of a CIF championship in golf as well as hopefully making the playoffs in softball.
Quotable: “After a loss I try and think about the areas I can improve on, for example, chipping or putting and put more work into those before the next match. I try not to over think and just focus on the good areas which can be the distance of my irons or having good putting,” Claire Kirby said.
Inside Story: The team is unique because of the small environment they share. They are all very close, and since there are not a lot of girls on the team, they enjoy being together and getting to know one another.
CROSS COUNTRY
Coach: Andrew Thompson and Sarah Fitzgerald
2023 Record: Girls’ XC qualified for CIF
2024 Record: Moorpark 5K; Boys 3rd overall, Girls 2nd overall
Top Players: Junior Maggie de la Rionda, sophomore Charlotte Reyes, senior Oliver Clippinger-Zimmermann
Notable: Stars Liam Papavasiliou and Cassidy Kajita graduated in June and will run at the college level.
Quotable: “It can be really difficult to have a bad race, but keeping a positive mindset is so important,” sophomore Layla Ward said.
Inside Story: There is always a pasta dinner the night before meets to hype each other up and make sure the athletes eat properly. This helps the team feel more connected.
GIRLS TENNIS
Coach: David Dewing
2023 Record: 2-12-4
2024 Record: 2-4
Top Players: Sophomore Emi Yu, Junior Sandra Li, Senior Audrey Li
Notable: Sophomore Emi Yu has been playing tennis for seven years, and is using all of her tools of the trade to contribute to the team. After losing multiple seniors to graduation, Yu and other returners look to play a big role as the Lancers have a promising 2024 season.
Quotable: “The whole team is really nice and welcoming and we have never had drama,” Yu said.
Inside Story: After the Calabasas game, the bus forgot the team at Calabasas High School and the team was stranded for 2 hours in the cold. Ultimately, the team was able to make it back to the school that night. While this moment was very scary for the entire roster and the coaches, it also stood as a key team bonding moment that certainly has played a role in the girls chemistry as this season.
GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL
Coach: Mike Leibin
2023 Record: 4-8
2024 Record: 3-5
Top Players: Seniors Morgan Casillas, Lexi Lewis and Zipporah Kemp
Notable: After a successful first year of the program, girls’ flag football at TOHS has expanded and introduced a JV team for the 2024 season.
Quotable: “Football has always been known as a male sport but now that we have flag football, it is an inclusion for us girls at the school,” Casillas said.
Inside Story: After starting the season with a couple tough losses, the Lancers won on the road at Westlake.
DORAN LAWRENCE
MYA MESERVY
SOPHIA MUNHALL Staff Writers
GIRLS
FIELD HOCKEY
Coach: Alan Scally
2023 Record: 1-11
2024 Record: 1-5
Top Players: Sophomore Gabriella Montiel, juniors Violet Rodriguez and Ava Kamoei
Notable: After graduating multiple 4-year varsity seniors and college athletes, Sydney Korkoz and Coach Scally’s twin daughters Bianca and Moira Scally, the team finds themselves in search of a new leader
Quotable: “Learning the basics can be a bit difficult. It’s a very hard sport and people don’t notice how much effort goes into understanding the basics; but the coaches are really nice and patient they help you through every single step and help correct your form and just the tiniest things,” senior Greceldy Hau said.
Inside Story: The girls have a rule that whoever makes a goal gets to tell the coach to do something funny during one of their games.
BOYS WATER POLO
Coach: Craig Rond
2023 Record: 8-9
2024 Record: 6-8
Top Players: Senior Sean Henry, junior Eric Shea, sophomore Luca Bazerkanian
Notable: There are multiple members of the 2024 Boys CIF Champions team returning for this year’s water polo season, including junior Eric Shea, and they are hungry and ready to bring TOHS its second aquatics title in program history. Coaches Craig Rond and Austin Gregory also coached the CIF team and are using their edge from past experience to bring Lancer aquatics to the top.
Quotable: “We lost a few really good seniors but we’ve been able to pull together this year and we’ve been working hard to get it done,” senior Equis Moya said.
Inside Story: In 2021, the varsity team got all the way to the CIF finals but ultimately lost in the final game. However, it was a great start to the Coach Rond era; the freshman from that 2021 team are now seniors, and the entire roster is hungry following the spring’s CIF swim championship.
New Pickleball Club a Racket for Lancers
TARIK
Seniors Jackson Ross and Bryson Saint are both part of the boy’s volleyball team at Thousand Oaks High School, while their friend senior Ethan Lee plays soccer.
But during their free time, they enjoy playing pickleball with each other, a passion that gave them the idea to create a new club on campus.
“My friends and I played pickleball in the summer, and we just wanted to start something to play more,” Ross said. “Over summer we would play so much, almost every day, so we all just agreed [to
start the club].” Ross, Lee and Saint all shared a mutual love for pickleball and noticed that there were no other clubs on campus that included playing the sport.
“The intramural sports program was cool but did not include pickleball, so we felt we needed to fill the void.”
“The Intramural Sports program was really cool but did not include pickleball, so we kinda felt we needed to fill the void of pickleball in there,” Saint said. Pickleball Club is open to all
BRYSON
students and is an interactive club consisting of studentplayed pickleball tournaments. The club meets at the on-campus tennis courts, and the advisor is biology teacher Toni Young.
SAINT
Tennis and pickleball are often mixed up because of their similar use of rackets and a ball, but there are a few differences, such as the court size and net height. Due to these contrasts, Ross expresses
how he may need to make some adjustments to the tennis courts by putting duct tape down to ensure the players follow proper procedure.
Pickleball Club, like many other TOHS clubs, offers a way to meet peers who enjoy the same hobby in a stressfree and friendly environment. Plus, this club offers exercise for its members.
“We do it more for fun than competitively,” Ross said. Ross, Lee and Saint hope that their club continues after they graduate and provides other pickleball lovers with a comfortable community in which to compete at school.
CORNER SAVE - Junior Ava Kamoei makes a diving effort to defend Lancer territory against Huntington Beach High School.
KITCHEN DEFENDER - Senior Jackson Ross defends the “kitchen” in an intense relay.
Jaxson Rector - The Lancer
ON THE ATTACK - Junior Eric Shea sets up a counterattack in the game against Grover Cleveland High School.
Jaxson Rector - The Lancer
Jackson Rosswith permission
LANCERS AT WORK
Students revisit their first, worst–or most hilarious–work encounters.
their website and asked my friend questions about the position.”
Balancing school, a sport, and work can be stressful, but senior Zipporah Kemp has got everything under control. Working while in high school, any students needs to be responsible and have a good work ethic. Doing all this while still having an amazing attitude without being overwhelmed throughout her entire day, Kemp is truly admirable.
Jobs with larger companies require you go through an interview process and it’s usually very tedious. However, Kemp works at a small family owned restaurant called Viva la Pasta.
“I didn’t get interviewed because I was lucky enough to have a friend who already worked there who put in a good word for me,” Kemp said. “I was prepared to be interviewed though and I looked at
Kemp works very hard in her position as hostess and is respected by those around her. Juggling school, work, and flag football
“I love my job because I get to interact with new people every day.”
ZIPPORAH KEMP
would be overwhelming for many students but this senior is well organized.
“The restaurant I work at is a small, family-owned business with many employees,” Kemp said.
“So we all work two hour shifts, about three days a week to keep it fair. For me, work is not very time consuming, but more of a side
hustle to earn a little money.”
Working as a hostess you have to be personable and welcoming to everyone. Having to remaining calm and composed even if things go wrong teaches you how to handle pressure and pesky situations.
“Yes, I love my job because I get to interact with new people everyday,” Kemp said. “While it doesn’t align with my future career, it is a great opportunity to gain experience in the work force and get comfortable having a job.”
When you work as a high school student, your place of employment does not necessarily correspond with your future plans, however, it’s a great experience to be involved in real work environments. Working teaches responsibility, time management, and communication skills students will not attain in a classroom.
Campus Scavenger Hunt
Your Task:
• Ask around campus to find the answers to all 8 questions.
• Add all the numbers from all the answers together for a final total.
• The first person to confirm the correct answer in room I-4 during 1st period wins a prize!
Questions:
1 What year did TOHS open?
2. How many TOHS alumni teach on campus?
3. At how many different schools has Principal Eric Bergmann worked?
4. How many league championships titles does TOHS have?
5. How many classrooms are in use this year?
6. What year did math teacher William Gemberling graduate from TOHS?
Every Lancer Has a Story
If you had to turn into any food, what food would you want to turn into and why?
“I would be a coconut because some of them are grown in Hawaii and I could just be like living my best life.”
If you could bring anyone in the world to dinner, who would you bring?
“I would bring Sydney Sweeney to dinner because I would get hella famous because she’s hot.”
If animals could talk, which animal do you think would be the rudest and why?
“I think probably a squirrel would be the rudest because they can steal nuts.”
HADLEY MAYS
DANE HOLT
JACOB WEISBERG
BUONASERA - Working her shift at Viva La Pasta, senior Zipporah Kemp packs a customer’s to-go order.
