2024-25 Issue 2

The LANCER

Kerns campaigns for Kamala, local candidates

Lancer junior joins political efforts in hopes that upcoming election makes lasting impact on both country and community

One election can have long-term consequences, whether it’s the presidential election or a simple school board election. For junior Finneas Kerns, no election is too small, and all should be recognized for the level of importance they hold.

Kerns has noticed a few ways that California citizens and voters can improve in being more aware of what needs to be done when it comes to political issues.

“Most of us can’t vote, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a say,” Kerns said. “There are plenty of organizations that provide opportunities to go out and campaign.”

Kerns believes strongly in the ideas and policies proposed by Vice President Kamala Harris. So much so that her policies influenced Kerns to volunteer for her campaign in any way he could.

Kerns has seen a rift in the

country’s political systems and government. He sees the potential for a great president in Harris, and he is not afraid to voice his opinions.

“[Harris] has a lot of the right policy standpoints,” Kerns said. “I think she is just moderate enough to be able to get things done and be able to compromise, I think that she is one of the more ideal candidates for president.”

Harris’ past as a District Attorney and what she did in that time is what sparked Kerns’ interest.

While he is passionate about Harris’ campaign and what she stands for, Kerns recognizes the small and important factors that go into winning an election. He is contributing to the larger matter at hand, working to educate people about the small components of an election.

“We need more help here in California for our local candidates,” Kerns said. “I understand that [people] are

Student vandals caught on camera

GABRIELLA

MULLER Assistant Opinions Editor

JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor

What started as a normal morning for English teacher Brian Cummings quickly turned bitter as he helped sweep up glass from his classroom floor upon arrival.

“I showed up, and the maintenance guys were out cleaning up the glass and fixing the windows,” Cummings said.

On the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 8, around 1-2 AM, five individuals were caught on camera roaming the halls, climbing on roofs, and eventually breaking three additional windows.

“My first reaction when I saw the maintenance guys was that I was upset for them,” Cummings said. “They have the most thankless job [and] it really sucked that they now have an extra thing they have to do.”

For Cummings, it wasn’t the broken window that made him upset, but the actions themselves. “You’re gonna make mistakes but at least own it and don’t hide in the shadows,” Cummings said.

As a teacher, Cummings is respected by students, however, he was not surprised something like this happened. “I don’t get any major disrespect,” Cummings said.

Vandalism has always been on campus, whether it’s tagging or broken windows. Vice Principal of Attendance Michael Godfrey is

still trying to understand why.

“There are different people who have different reasons. Like what happened with the windows, I’m not really sure why someone would do that. The tagging…they

BOARDED UP - Custodians cleaned up and covered four broken classroom windows before teachers got to campus.

might want people to know that they’re there,” Godfrey said.

Most vandalism on campus is just some teenager with a permanent marker choosing to write on bathroom walls. But the damage done to four classroom windows brings vandalism up to a whole new level.

“One of [the vandals] threw a rock off

of the hallway roof into a room. Two other classrooms seemed to be targeted and one seemed to be random.”

However, Godfrey is certain of one thing, the vandalism of the four windows was not done by current Lancers.

“It’s none of our current students,” Godfrey said. “Which really warms my heart because we have had such a good year overall.”

Within the Lancer community, this year’s vandalism rates are quite low, the main issue being tagging within restrooms. Major vandalism is typically done by individuals who do not go to TOHS.

“We had a big tagging incident not too long ago on a Friday night, but fortunately we had our custodians come in and they did such a great job…and covered it up before any students got to school, so the students I don’t think even knew about it at all,” Godfrey said. “Again, it was nobody within our school.”

But, with this, Godfrey makes it clear they will take initiative to stop tagging done by students within the campus.

“Several students were identified and we followed through with discipline with those,” Godfrey said.

Working to improve the TOHS campus and has been a main goal this year. Even with incidents still occurring here and there, Godfrey and administration remain confident vandalism will come to an end.

passionate about Kamala Harris, but she needs governing partners, she needs the house.”

Kerns could be seen on local corners, holding up signs for CVUSD school board incumbent Lauren Gill. He canvased neighborhoods with Gill, making sure Area 5 constituents in Newbury Park knew of her successes as board trustee.

He also for canvassed for Conejo Recreation and Park District, District 5 (Newbury Park) candidate Ashley Orozco, who is running in the same area but for a new position that was created when the CRPD switched to districts. Once this election is over, there will be a dramatic change in our nation. Knowing this, Kerns put a significant amount of effort and skills into campaigning for the Democratic party. From phone banking to writing postcards to constituents, Kerns hopes his efforts will have positive longterm effects in finding common ground between parties.

To vote or not to vote

Lancer students recognize gravity of an informed vote

KAILAH SPENCER Assistant News Editor

Voting is a privilege and the duty of all American citizens, but some see voting as a laborious and meaningless hassle. For two Thousand Oaks High School Lancers, their views align with the former. Despite their differences in age and experience, senior Davis Hann and sophomore Arianna Perri both recognize the importance of voting for the future of the country.

“I’m very excited,” Hann said. “I registered a couple of years ago.”

Although she can’t vote yet, Perri recognizes the effect this election could have on her, her peers, and the country as a whole.

“The country is in a vulnerable place right now,” Perri said. “Whoever gets elected as president is going to have a lot of responsibilities, so we should all, as a collective, elect someone who will better our nation.”

Since President Joe Biden dropped out of the election in July and Vice President Kamala Harris became the new Democratic candidate, much controversy and discord has been stirred up.

“The rhetoric is really high,” Hann said. “We’re all Americans, and so I think we should focus on moving our country forward instead of violence.”

When making a decision about who to vote for, Perri believes in the importance of voters looking at the morals, beliefs, and values of each candidate.

“But more importantly,” Perri said, “What they plan to do for the country, how their election will

Continued on page 3

Alan Ko- The Lancer

Teaching politics in a turbulent political climate

Two government teachers educate next generation of voters on current political issues 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.

Email: thelancer.tohs@gmail.com

Instagram: @thelancermedia www.tohsthelancer.org

LAILAH SERNA Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, one of the most important days in our country is occurring: Election Day. Participating in our government is important for most but, sadly, not all. For many, there is a lot at stake regarding the results of this election.

For this reason, Thousand Oaks High School teachers, such as U.S. History and Government teacher Eric Kamm and AP Government teacher Krister Swanson, educate future voters on the decisions they are going to make.

“The point of this system is that we use our voice to get people in office who then listen to what we say,” Kamm said. “Sometimes it’s just a couple of years if it’s representatives, sometimes it’s six years if it’s senators but if it’s for president it could be four years or eight years and some of those policies they enact can affect us for a lifetime.”

As a teacher of politics, there is a lot of pressure to educate future voters about how the government is run. What the students learn in class could

significantly impact their political opinions and how much they contribute to their government.

The world of politics often seems overwhelming for young people, with so many people

or there’s too much to understand, or no one is going to listen to them,” Swanson said. “If you don’t vote, you could be ignored in the political process.”

Both Kamm and Swanson have a main goal in common:

IT’S UP TO YOU - AP Government teacher Krister Swanson educates students on the importance of using their voice.

telling you who to vote for and what you should believe.

“All the data shows that the most disconnected people from the world are often young people because they feel overwhelmed

educate students about the government they will soon be participating in. Teaching teenagers about political issues as they prepare to become legal adults can be a challenge in itself.

For seniors Audrey Li and Rami Shalhoub, AP Government brings more to the table than just homework and tests.

“I think just the subject of Government is very beneficial to our everyday lives,” Shalhoub said. “It’s good to know the structure of the U.S. government.”

The future voters of TOHS have been attentive to learning about the structure of their government; they want to be educated on the important topics at hand.

“[The class] teaches me and my peers about how the government works and it makes us more informed about how politics work,” Li said. “[It is setting] us up for when we start voting instead of just following blindly.”

It is undeniable that voting in the United States determines major leaders and law changes that can have lasting effects on all citizens, young and old. Both Kamm and Swanson see to the need to continue informing students about the government to create well-informed future voters that know the importance of voting and sharing their voice.

Students participate in vote

Students eligible to vote in upcoming election take opportunity, responsibility seriously

KAILAH SPENCER Assistant News Editor

With such a historic election on the horizon, the prospect of filling out one of their first presidential ballots excites many eligible voters at Thousand Oaks High School. Students who are currently 18–or will be 18 on Election Day–have the opportunity to vote in an election that may be one of the most controversial in American history. While older US citizens are typically adamant about getting their ballots in, there have been concerns about the impact of the Gen Z vote, specifically the potential lack thereof.

“It’s really important for Gen Z to vote because our opinions are going to be a lot different than the main people [who] are voting right now, which are the older generations,” senior McKenna Rochon said.

Carmen Hurd, co-chair of the

Many Americans are among the middle class who make too much money to qualify for need-based financial aid, but don’t make enough to send their kids to college. This has become much more prominent as inflation has increased.

The net cost of a degree has risen 10% since 2009. College is becoming too expensive and not many people can afford going to college without financial aid. How families will pay for college has caused wide-spread anxiety.

Families that make anywhere from $75,000 to $110,000 get less than half as much financial aid as families who make under $48,000. This can be a struggle for any family; even when both parents work, they still have to worry about other things, especially families with multiple children and other debts to pay off. Some students don’t apply to specific colleges, knowing that they won’t meet the criteria for financial aid. Financial aid has become a universal problem.

Voter Registration Committee for Ventura County’s League of Women Voters, looked back on her first voting experience and how it made her realize why the votes of young adults are so important.

“Well, my first time voting, I was 21, because the voting age at my time was 21,” Hurd said. “Then, when [the] Vietnam [War] came around and they were sending 18-year-olds to Vietnam, all of the young men were saying, ‘Why are we old enough to die, but not old enough to have a say?’”

when the 26th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified.

Since then, the range of voters has broadened, allowing more American voices to be heard.

With many eligible voters, especially those eligible for the first time, the idea that one vote does not make a difference or one vote does not matter is often thrown around.

“People are afraid to talk about political stuff together in fear of conflict...but just talk about it and and educate others on what’s going on in the world today.”

ROCHON

MCKENNA

As a result of protests by young American citizens, the voting age in the U.S. was lowered to 18 on Jul. 1, 1971,

Off Campus Pass

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed on Oct. 16 by a gunshot in the head in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, during a chance encounter with a routine Israeli patrol. He was one of Israel’s most wanted men after orchestrating the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. When Hamas confirmed his death on Oct. 18, Sinwars’ longtime deputy, Khalil al-Hayya, said that their loss changed nothing for the group or its war with Israel.

Israelis and Palestinians just marked a year since the deadliest fighting in their decades-old conflict erupted. Sinwar was the driving force behind Hamas’ refusal to surrender. While some see Sinwar’s death as a possible path to peace, Hamas see it as a drive to continue what Sinwar was doing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the war would continue until Israel’s hostages were returned.

Sinwar’s killing may not signal the end of Israel’s war on Gaza but might symbolize the beginning of the end depending on how Israel and Hamas choose to proceed.

“I feel like everyone’s vote matters especially because we’re all unique in our own ways,” senior Benjamin Chung said. “Everyone’s voice should be heard, and we’re lucky enough to be in a democracy where that’s possible.”

Hurd believes that voting is more than just filling out a ballot,

it’s exercising your rights and authority as an American citizen. Although the student vote is important during this election, more can be done. Chung stresses the value of making your voice heard outside of the polls, such as on social media.

“I think we should be more open to sharing our voices and opinions, even if not everyone agrees with them,” Chung said. “If that’s what you believe in, then you should have the freedom to do that.”

Registering to vote is one of the most important duties of American citizens. To register to vote, one can complete an online registration or visiting their local government center. Registration must be completed at least 15 days before Election Day; you must be 16 or 17 years old, meet all of the other eligibility requirements to vote, and you will automatically be registered to vote on your 18th birthday.

After decades, the Menendez brothers Lyle and Erik have resurfaced in headlines. With the original conviction of their parents José and Kitty Menendez’s murders in 1996, their case is famous. The brothers’ defense claimed they acted out of fear after dealing with years of physical and sexual abuse but the jury did not believe the story; they were each sentenced to life in prison without parole.

However, with the recently released Netflix show “Monsters,” people are gaining interest in the case once again and questions are on the rise. Thanks to discussions held on social media platforms like Tiktok about the justice system, abuse allegations, and family trauma, the case is being reexamined. For now, the Menendezes remain in prison, however, the court reopened the possibility of parole.

Although there’s no guarantee that parole will happen, it will always be debated whether or not the brothers got what they deserved.

The growing interest suggests the public isn’t ready to let this case go any time soon.

Alan Ko - The Lancer

MENENDEZ BROTHERS BACK IN NEWS

Earth’s future on ballot

Active Lancer environmentalists voice concerns about election’s repercussions on life

JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor

As Nov. 5 peeks around the corner, political candidates are faced with a number of various factors that they need to address and voters need to decide on their top priorities. For voter Sarah Smith, a senior at Thousand Oaks High School, one of her top priorities is climate change.

“Climate change…is an incredibly urgent situation that any politician trying to be in office needs to be very well educated on and prepared to partner with environmental experts,” Smith said. “It’s an issue that determines the world that future generations will live in…[that] we will grow old in and our kids will grow up in.”

Climate change, large shifts in weather patterns, are caused by fossil fuel burning and the entrapment of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, in the earth’s atmosphere.

“It’s a really great time to start figuring out what you believe in and start investigating which candidates will have your environmental issues in mind,” junior Olivia Johnson said. “Climate change is accelerating rapidly and cities are already starting to experience problems such as heat waves and flooding, and as that worsens, it impacts everyone people need to look for a candidate that continues to keep us safe.”

Johnson is the TOHS Environmental Club president and is not eligible to vote in this upcoming election because she is under the required age. In this election, government support for environmentalists in their journey to revise and improve the environment we live in today is jeopardized.

“It’s definitely a little bit scary…one of the candidates previously stated that [they] didn’t believe [climate change] was an actual issue,” Johnson said. “If that candidate did win…environmentalists would face more challenges.”

Others who cannot vote have also spoken out about their perspectives on climate change during this election season.

“Adults and older people are making decisions about a world that will only get bad as soon as they aren’t living in it,” freshman Avery Casey said. “They aren’t going to see the true effects for our generation.”

While climate change has been an issue for many years, and efforts to reverse and lower the effects of it have been made, it continues to affect the present and the future.

“To keep living in the way we’ve grown accustomed to, we must take action to prevent climate change, because we won’t be able to do anything if we don’t have the earth,” Smith said.

As a society, the choices made in this upcoming election will affect future and current generations, specially for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, for whom a world affected by with climate change and pollution is all they know.

“Climate change has slowly been happening for many years, but it’s that kind of thing that, I believe, people will just continue to push off till it’s too late,” Casey said. “Humans are killing the earth and that’s not really okay because we’re going to make it unlivable.”

This upcoming election is an opportunity to address the life-changing effects that will eventually occur.

“I hope the people who can vote are using this opportunity and voting to hopefully make a change,” junior Jaqueline Pacheco said. “It’s [fall] and it’s still hot out.”

Students and faculty eligible to vote have many factors to consider, including being a voice for those who may be silent and unable to vote, and also being mindful that the decision they make will impact the country and the earth.

Annual CO2 emissions including land-use change, 2022

Emissions include those from fossil fuels and industry¹, and land-use change. They are measured in tonnes.

Government jobs, pay up for vote in election

Dismantling agencies will mean stress for a million employees

JOSEPHINE MILLER Staff Writer

With the impending United States presidential election, government workers raise concerns for their futures. With every new president, there are changes to the government’s working structure and funding, and this election heralds much more change than usual.

Project 2025 is the backbone of the current conservative campaign. Page 922 of the document contains many proposed changes that will affect America significantly. Often overlooked during campaigns are the changes politicians plan to make to the government workforce.

Project 2025 seeks to dismantle agencies and reroute their funding, putting up to one million government workers out of a job. The project wishes to “dismantle the administrative state,” eliminating many laws that govern federal employment and the rights of those employees. With these laws gone, the pay and benefits of government workers will be altered. Enforcing the removal of the General Schedule and Wage Grade systems, allowing raises and pay to be determined by how well employees follow orders, not their overall job performance. These planned changes also include many new ways of hiring federal workers. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) will no longer be required and the government will be allowed to hide its hiring demographics, including those that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

This plan proposes to dismantle many other important backbones of society, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency. This election is set to strain the livelihoods of government agents worried for their financial future, praying that their agencies will not be cut.

Continued from page 1

affect you, and how their election will affect the world.”

Perri urges voters to analyze the facts and form their own firm opinion before filling out their ballots. With so many ideas and misinformation being pushed onto voters from both sides, it’s easy for uncertainty to affect one’s decision in this election.

“Don’t just look at one [source], as my history teacher Mr. Corbett would say,” Perri said. “Look at at least five different points of view so you can get a better opinion of what the truth is; there’s so much divisiveness and manipulation through these articles.”

Likewise, Hann expresses the importance of researching before voting and considering the effects of your decision. One vote can make a difference.

“It is important to vote for your interest but it’s also important to vote for the interest of the people in your community,” Hann said. “Getting out there and voting is an important step, and is the most American thing you can do.”

Hann and Perri both encourage their peers and all eligible citizens, to cast their vote for the greater good of the country. The results of this election will affect the country for generations to come and, as always, every vote matters.

Off Campus Pass

Famous rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested on Sept. 16 and charged with an on-going scheme to exploit women, using his fame and fortune, and blackmail, to help him commit the crimes.

Combs’ former partner, singer Cassandra Ventura, filed a civil suit against Combs in November of 2023 alleging that he sexually and physically abused her throughout their 11 year relationship. Combs denied the allegations and they settled the suit the day after it was filed.

Ventura coming forward to share her story inspired multiple other women and men to come forward about their abuse at the hands of Combs. Combs is accused of drugging, sex trafficking, abuse, forced labor, and bribery throughout the lawsuits.

Combs pleaded not guilty in September to charges that he abused and exploited multiple victims. He was denied bail and will remain behind bars until his trial, currently set for May 2025.

Former One Direction singer Liam Panye died suddenly on Oct. 16. Payne fell off of a third-floor balcony in a Buenos Aires, Argentina hotel. It was reported by the Buenos Aires police that Payne fell off of the balcony due to a copious amount of drugs in his system; there was no third party interference, but it was still a suspicious death.

Panye’s music career took off in 2010 when One Direction was first formed. It was a boy band started by the U.K.’s famous show “The X Factor” when 5 teenage boys were grouped up to start a band. The band consisted of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Payne. As the boy band blew up, so did all 5 of the members’ careers. Eventually, in 2016, One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus and all of the members pursued solo careers. Some singers’ popularity took off more than others, but they all remained friends throughout the years.

Payne’s death came as a surprise to all of his friends and family.

It was thought that the main source from a deadly E. coli breakout in 10 states was the beef patties on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger. It was discovered the beef was not the source of the contamination; instead, it was the raw slivered onions that caused this outbreak.

The first case that was linked to McDonald’s was found on Oct. 22 in Colorado. The outbreak has caused 75 total illnesses across 13 states, causing 22 hospitalizations and one death. Three law suits have already been filed against McDonald’s.

Taylor Farms, a California-based food producers’ Colorado facility, supplied the onions used on the contaminated burgers. It was announced that the Quarter Pounder will return restaurants in the coming week.

Most people recover from an E. coli infection on their own, but severe cases may need to be treated with antibiotics.

Compiled by Gabriella Muller

Data source: Global Carbon Budget (2023)

Finding community at Club Rush event

Annual event gets new branding, gives TOHS students chance to learn more about on-campus activities and discover new hobbies

Dual citizens will have voices heard

Thanks to parents, some TOHS students have best of two worlds

Dual citizenship allows individuals to have citizenship in two countries simultaneously, staying connected to their roots and families abroad, but with all of the rights of an American citizen, as well.

Nearly seven million Americans of various ages hold dual citizenship, including many students at Thousand Oaks High School and around the area.

“All of my family members have dual citizenship in Mexico and America,” junior Aamir Aguilera said. “Now, if I want to go to Mexico, I just need to show them my passport, and I’m in Mexico. My parents got me my dual citizenship. It took a couple of years, [and] a couple of months ago I got my Mexican citizenship.”

To become a dual citizen, an individual must be born in one place with their parents born in another country, or they would have to live in another country for three to five years. Someone applying for dual citizenship would also need to provide evidence that they legally moved into the country they are trying to become a citizen of and legally lived in it. This process can take up to two years and costs around $750.

Although the application process can be long, rigorous and possibly expensive, the outcome is worthwhile for many, especially for those applying for citizenship in the United States. Once an individual is approved for citizenship in the U.S., they officially become a citizen and therefore are given the same rights as those who were born a U.S. citizen, including the right to vote.

“I was born in Guatemala, and I lived there for 7 years,” junior Franklin Ninos said. “Every year, I go back to Guatemala to visit family.”

Ninos is able to visit family easily, quickly and with less hassle, compared to those that don’t have the privilege of dual citizenship.

The experiences of Aguilera and Ninos highlight the significant benefits of dual citizenship for those who meet the requirements. Not only does it help them travel, but it also helps to keep them stay connected with their families’ countries of origin.

During this heated election cycle, however, not all believe that those with dual citizenship overseas should not be allowed to place their vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. But dual citizens are allowed to vote overseas simply by filling out the correct form that can be found on the U.S. Vote Foundation website. Considering the well-known controversial and tight race between Trump and Kamala Harris, all dual citizens, whether they live in the U.S. currently or live abroad, are encouraged to vote to ensure their views and beliefs are considered when a candidate is chosen.

On Friday, Oct. 11, Thousand Oaks High School’s annual Club Rush event brought out the majority of clubs to the quad at lunch.

The club presidents and members set up tables that represented their clubs in the hope of appealing to others who may enjoy similar interests or hobbies. Each club on campus showed what makes them special.

“We [borrowed] some very old Chromebooks from the school, took them apart and put them out as a display,” Technology Club president, senior Abir Jaaj said.

The goal of this event was for clubs to share information and objectives, but most importantly,

for students to participate in and engage in activities inside school with like-minded peers. To influence students to learn about their clubs, many clubs provided rewards for signing up or through challenges.

“Our plan for Club Rush was to ask people questions regarding [the] four components of a computer, and if they could [answer], they got a reward in return,” Jaaj said.

Although preparing for this event seemed pretty selfexplanatory, club leaders made a lot of effort to make it a productive day.

“I run four clubs, so it was a lot of meeting with the students in the club, developing fliers… [and] custom ordering,” Mock Trial, Lancers in Law, Ate by

Gate and Chess Club president, senior Aidan Light said. “[We] really tried to give each club a big personality.”

While some leaders met during lunch to discuss their ideas and get what they needed by purchasing items to hand out to potential club members, others, similar to Jaaj, used the resources available to them at school.

“We held up plants from our garden, put them in plastic and we put them [on our table],” Gardening Club president, sophomore Miles Chiu said.

The TOHS student leaders on campus benefit from these events, but Club Rush might be even more beneficial for students looking to be a part of something important within their school, or just a place to have fun.

Latino students share culture, memories at fashion show

Latin American Lancers show off stylish and important coming of age tradition

Before the start of Thousand Oaks High School’s 2024 Quinceañera Fashion Show, put on by Latino Connection club, all of the participating quinces and chambelanes were getting ready. The chambelanes were fixing their suits and their hair, making sure they looked good for the show, while quinces were in a separate room getting their full, elaborate dressess ready for the show.

While everyone inside the TOHS multi-purpose room was sitting at their tables, watching the pre-show and eating their favorite cultural dishes, Mayor Pro Tem of Thousand Oaks, David Newman, arrived at the show. As the quinces and chambelanes began walking down the red carpet together, a large board displayed what they wanted to do in their future and what colleges they wanted to attend after high school. Once the ceremony was over, all of the quinces and chambelanes took a big group picture.

After the show, Newman stated that he enjoyed the

dancing and the food, but was very impressed with, “the students being involved in the Westminster free clinic, which is excellent preparation to become a doctor.”

A quinceañera is a traditional party that is common in Latin American cultures, as it celebrates a girl’s fifteenth birthday and her journey to womanhood. A quinceañera

court has damas and chambelanes, which translates to maids and escorts. Traditionally, in a quinceañera court, there are 7 females, referred to as the damas, and 7 males, referred to as the chambelanes. The chambelanes are the escorts of the young quince, and the members of the court represent the age of the young girl before her fifteenth birthday.

Club Corner

Screening Literature Club

President: Alex Swanson and Alyssa Nicholls

Advisor: Kelly Abrams

Meetings: Last Wednesday of every month in I7

Every month, members of the club gather and choose a book to read. Once a book is chosen, members meet again at the end of the month after everyone has finished reading the book, and they watch the film based on the book. Currently, the club is analyzing Anne Rice’s “Interview with a Vampire.”

Gardening Club

President: Miles Chiu and Romero Hunt

Advisor: Dr. Malhotra

Meetings: First Tuesday of every month in E8

Gardening Club encourages sustainable practices such as water conservation, organic gardening and composting. The goals of the club for this year are to “grow plants that are sustainable,” advisor Nikki Malhotra said. Members work together to provide plants, fruits, vegetables and flowers, with a healthy environment.

California Scholarship Federation (CSF)

President: Audrey Li

Advisor: Rhonda Frohn

Meetings: Every Wednesday in E6

The non-profit organization promotes academic excellence.

Exposing its members to leadership and scholarship opportunities, CSF helps students better prepare themselves for the future outside the organization. Applications must be renewed each semester and membership eligibility is based on grades.

While quinceañera parties originated in Mexico, they are now celebrated all around the world. Gifts are often given at quinceañeras, as it shows high levels of respect. The typical outfit for a quince is a large dress with heels, while the typical outfit for a chambelan isa stylish suit or tuxedo.

After the party, a quince from the show, senior Kimberli Yahaira Reyes, and a chambelan from the show, junior Eduardo Fernandez, both similarly explained that at first, they felt nervous, but once the show began, their worry was quickly replaced with excitement.

“We were here for three hours ahead of time, getting our hair done, make-up done, preparing while the workers were decorating,” Reyes said.

Fernandez expressed his joy to share his culture.

“I mean, I love my culture, I love embracing it, I love partying with it,” Fernandez said. “I love Mexican food, I love traveling, especially to Mexico.”

This annual even was a chance for Fernandez to embrace his heritage and share it with others.

Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI)

President: Hilary Manalang and Chokee Weezer

Advisor: Kristin Benioff

Meetings: Last Tuesday of every month in J3

The club focuses on spreading awareness of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions. The club’s goal is to inform members about their culture while they participate in an activity. The club is open to all students, no matter their ethnicity.

TARIK NOORZAI Staff Writer

Jaxson Rector - The Lancer

Jaxson Rector - The Lancer

FOR LOVE OF MATH - Seniors Andrew Coleman and Jihwan Park recruit potential Math Lovers Union members by showing off awards at Club Rush.

TARIK NOORZAI Staff Writer

LIAM SMITH Staff Writer

FORM AND FASHION - Senior Yandel Gonzales escorts junior Lindsay Castro at the annual Quinceañera Fashion Show.

JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor

TARIK NOORZAI Staff Writer

THE JOUST

Guest columnists share perspectives on how their parents’ views do or do not affect their own and why that’s important for voting

OLIVIA COGER

Junior

As I’m getting closer to my opportunity to vote, my mother’s political views still have an impact on my own. Having my mother, who I’ve looked up to all my life, explain to me how certain situations call for certain actions, has helped me gauge right from wrong. Having trust in our parents is always important while growing up, but understanding why we should is what matters.

Every family has its differences. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have the same morals as my mother overall. I understand my mother’s beliefs to the extent of knowing she will always have me and my sister’s best interests at heart.

My mother’s unique beliefs have helped me understand certain situations from a different point of view, regarding politics and controversial topics that affect our society. My mother explains her values in a way I can clearly understand without forcing her beliefs upon me. To her, having my own beliefs is very important and I have formed my own based on similar ones she has, since she opened them up to me in an understanding way.

Both my sister and I have learned and acquired knowledge about our society through our mother’s opinions. The opinions she has based on what is happening in our society have shown me that she has thought long and hard before coming up with a final opinion regarding the topic. I have formed many of my own values based on hers, since my mother’s views make the most sense to me. By giving me the freedom to make my own decisions regarding politics and other morals, my mother’s views have had an impact on my own.

In some situations, we do not share the same beliefs, but I believe this is because we have experienced certain circumstances differently, causing us to form unique opinions. Although it may be different for others, my mother’s views have helped guide me to find my own. As I have gotten older, I have realized that her views and the reasoning she gives helped shape my own, and I will always be grateful for this.

KAYDEN

BERGSTORM

Sophomore

Growing up in a politically active household, my parents instilled in me the importance of being informed and educated. My political views are entirely due to my own independent research from multiple sites, rather than based on my parents’ beliefs.

When I was younger, I was encouraged to not think for myself, but to think what my parents thought, and that wasn’t something I could live by. With the attempt to push their beliefs on me, they ended up only pushing me further away from what they believed. By the time I was old enough to have my own opinion, we were already disagreeing. Where I am now, as a teenager finding my path, I’m making political or daily decisions on my own. The recent war between Israel and Palestine had my family discuss and disagree on many things. My parents listen to the news, and I research independent websites. Researching different views, I came to my conclusions. We ultimately have separate thoughts on many matters. Although we are still split about many ideas, my family is still close and, if anything, it gives us a talking point to help better our understanding of each other.

While I understand many young children, and even teenagers, follow their parent’s beliefs, I refuse to do so. Doing your research is important for everybody as it allows a deeper understanding of the world and both sides of the story. Detaching yourself from how your parents think makes you independently grow on your own and learn how to understand the diversity you will come across throughout life. It’s valuable to not let your parents shape your beliefs and for you to always think for yourself, making you stronger and independent.

I can understand how some may say that parents’ beliefs give you a basis to build off of, and it is okay if you and your parents happen to view something the same. The takeaway I have is that it is important to think for yourself and believe what you choose is right; “to each their own,” as some may say.

through MY EYES

GEMMA SPRAGGINS Opinions Editor

As a 16-year-old girl whose future relies on the outcome of the 2024 election, it’s about time that we have a woman to represent us as president, specifically Kamala Harris.

I’m aware that I can’t yet vote, but that doesn’t mean my opinions are degraded. I live in a world where one election can determine how many rights I will have within the next four years and beyond. The United States is supposed to be a leader in world democracies, yet we still haven’t had a female president.

After everything our country has been through, we still struggle to keep basic human rights alive for women. Our rights have been declining in the past few years, which is the opposite of what we have fought for. Women have only been able to vote for 27 of the 60 elections held in this country. We fought for the right to vote, to ensure that our future generations have a voice. We have worked hard to progress as a world, yet women still have to struggle for control over their bodies–in the U.S.

“I

knowledge.

The first woman prime minister was Jeannette Rankin, elected to the U.S. Congress in 1916. If people in 1916 were secure enough to have a women representative, why have we not made progress in 2024? Our country hesitates to let a woman become president when at this point, it has nothing to do with electing a democratic woman president, since republican women have run for president as well. The first woman to run for president was conservative Victoria Woodhull in 1872. Women have been trying for 152 years to elect a woman as president. It’s so pathetic for the U.S. to keep denying these changes because of fear.

don’t understand why I should repeat it so much, other than the fact that people still believe women don’t deserve the same rights as men.”

GEMMA SPRAGGINS

According to Pew Research Center, only 59 countries in the United Nations have ever had a female leader, which leaves 139 states that have never had a female representative. Out of those 59 countries, the United States should have the first female president, based on how much we gloat about our freedoms and rights.

Our country has never been represented by a female president, which speaks volumes on its own. It’s 2024, and considering how “woke” our generation is, we are seriously lacking intelligence and awareness. The new perspective that hasn’t been explored before is an important factor for our country to experience and gain

Angela Merkel led Germany from 2005 to 2021 as their prime minister. With an understanding of Germany, she was able to negotiate the 2008 European Economic Recovery Plan, which managed funding and investment to counteract the Great Recession. For some reason, people find that surprising, while I see just a strong leader. Being a woman does not diminish the ability to perform the same as a man. Merkel was trusted to create a better nation, which was reflected in her outcome as prime minister.

Women support each other, and encourage revolutionary movements such as protesting for the right to vote. The argument of having a woman as president has nothing to do with my political views, but how I want the quality of my life to be as an adult. I don’t understand why I should repeat it so much, other than the fact that people still believe women don’t deserve the same rights as men.

The United States is known for our individual rights, yet it feels like they are slowly being dragged away of us, one gender at a time.

Every voice, every vote: Young voters turn out

Just shy of voting age, The Lancer assistant editor voices frustrations with lack of power she has over her own rights

Every four years, many American citizens 18 years or older have the right to vote and make the educated choice they believe is right.

But what about three-quarters of the school who don’t get to share their most important opinions.

Even though most high schoolers may not be 18 and cannot vote, our futures are put on the line and our voices deserve to be heard.

These events and ideas are all seen as adult topics, but they jeopardize teenagers’ lives just as much. Project 2025, is a plan to cut women, education, Medicare, and LGBTQ+ communities short, and set the U.S. back in time. On the other hand, some attempt to argue the project is saving American tax dollars for treatments and support they may personally not need. Elections are seen as an adult problem, but they can leave teenagers vulnerable for four years into their future. Always being shoved into the background, speaking on behalf of teenagers everywhere, we want

to have control over our futures. Teenagers should have the right to grow up as they want to and live the lives they choose, without the fear that the next president will cut their dreams short.

Although I am just a 16-year-old sophomore in high school, this election will impact my entire future. Every four years, a

“The fear of growing up in today’s world is already expanding; without the ability to vote, it is so much worse.”

GABRIELLA MULLER

third of the student body is silenced, aside from those 18 year olds, who are just two months older. These 14-17 year old high school voices should be heard alongside everyone else’s. Teenagers are still developing and trying to find their paths. Having the fear of what is going to happen in the next four years of their lives, which they cannot change or control, makes the path rocky and hard to navigate.

Being an assistant editor for the paper,

I have seen and learned many new things while in this position. Some have left me shocked and others have left me scared. Learning about how some people view certain topics and having the availability of world-wide new every day of the week opens my eyes to a new level of maturity I never thought I would experience.

Teenagers all over the nation should take time to have this privilege for themselves, learning on their own and teaching themselves about the world around them. This way, by the time they reach 18, their voice can finally be accounted for and speak for those who are still put on the back burner.

The fear of growing up in today’s world is already expanding; without the ability to vote, it is so much worse. Watching my future from the sidelines, electing a new president means bringing in new ideas, new laws and new plans, while hoping they don’t fumble the ball.

Elections overall are not the problem and the voting age is not the problem either. The problem is teenagers’ lives are being dangled like a carrot in front of a horse, and no one seems to want to pull the string away.

YOUR TURN:

Fill out this mock election form that includes real candidates and propositions as if you are really voting! Results will be anonymously posted for fun on Instagram on Nov. 5. @thelancermedia

GABRIELLA MULLER Assistant Opinions Editor

YOU BELONG HERE.

Highly decorated houses draw fans in droves

Halloween season brings Lancers terror and delight as residents wildly decorate their properties around Thousand Oaks area

SADAYA KEAYS Staff Writer

All around Thousand Oaks, residents showed their spooky spirit with their over-the-top Halloween decorations, and we’ve highlighted some of the best in town.

The Halloween house at Yew Drive, setsthe scene for a haunted cemetery. This house featured bright blue and red lights with ghosts and cobwebs spread across the yard. To enter

death’s garden, the large arch made of twisted branches is a perfect invite. The ghost-like figure in the center, the jack-o’-lanterns and skeletons are scattered throughout. The whole setup created an eerie atmosphere.

The humorously decorated Halloween house on Upper Ranch Road, is a perfect remake of a bone yard. The skeletons that are placed around the grass resembled hilarious life scenarios. Two skeletons featured dramatically react to a skeleton dog relieving itself on the lawn. The

playful irony is amplified by the sign that reads “Please curb your dog,” making the scene both funny and fitting for the season. This decoration was a clever way to mix Halloween spookiness with neighborhood humor.

The Halloween light show display on Valley High Avenue was highlighted in white lights with glowing “RIP” signs resembling gravestones. There were three circular spinning lights that are similar to eerie eyes near the drive and bright lights, which range from red,

Terror house returns to T.O.

Conejo students in for fright can explore 142 different scare rooms

ADDISON ANELLO Assistant Features Editor

The “Reign of Terror” haunted house has developed over the years, but it’s remained a favorite Halloween celebration. Its location has moved several times around the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks but now is on the ground floor in the old Burlington store next to the restaurant Sharky’s.

Inside the haunted house, you’ll come across 10 different themes, including Containment, Infected, Quarantine, Fun House, Miner’s Revenge, Unhallowed Ground, The Asylum, Casa Blood, the Haunted House, and Forest of Fears. In 2012, the haunted

house had only 65 rooms; today it has 142 rooms. ROT also offers both a “Lights On” and “Lights Out” option. “Lights On” is when it opens up at 3pm with no effects or scares. For the traditional visit, there are only a few lights so you can see where you are going, but sit till leaves room for unexpected scares.“Lights Out” puts you in complete darkness, leaving you with only a glow stick to help make your way through–on closing night, Nov. 2, only.

With the growing themes and additional rooms, the Reign of Terror haunted house makes sure you have an adventure; its an amazing way to get out with friends or family and experience the Halloween spirit this season.

How to: Discuss politics with friends

Learn how to listen and respectfully share your political opinions

GABRIELLA MULLER Assistant Opinion Editor

With the election coming up, there are a lot of conversations happening between individuals all around the nation and learning how to respectfully talk about politics with someone you don’t necessarily agree with is a skill everyone should learn.

I’m sure at some point, we have all had to pretend to enjoy a conversation with someone. The first key point is making sure you stay neutral, especially with your facial expressions. Stay mindful of your expressions and attitude throughout the conversation so you don’t begin to show what you might be thinking.

The second thing to keep in mind is to stay respectful of another’s opinions, just as you wish for them to stay respectful about yours. You don’t have to say you agree with them, but try to remain open to their ideas. They believe that their opinions are right,

just like you believe yours are right.

The third factor to having a political conversation with someone is to keep your emotions calm. I know that during some conversations, especially political ones, someone can say something that makes you angry or upset. But it’s important in these conversations that you don’t let your emotions control you or make you take out anger or frustrations on the other person.

All of these factors are crucial parts of having a conversation with someone about politics, especially when you don’t agree on the same things. Following these key points will help you be able to talk to anyone about any political views, while remaining mature and respectful–which is the most important part.

So next time you find yourself in a situation where you have to talk to someone that you don’t agree with, just think about these reminders; maybe you’ll end up having a conversation you surprisingly enjoy, or maybe you’ll even end up changing someone’s mind.

purple, blue, green, and white against the dark background gave it a spooky, graveyard-like vibe.

These and other amazing houses not only brought joy to passers-by, but helped bring the community together. These creative displays of spirit brought humor and that typical eerie and frightful Halloween feel. Thousand Oaks streets this year made celebrating Halloween more fun for everyone, even if you were just driving by.

Sophomore Harmony Pandey helps lead way toward a cleaner environment for years to come

DORATHEA BURTON Staff Writer

Helping the environment has always been sophomore Harmony Pandey’s dream. Harmony reached beyond to make her dream come true by founding a nonprofit organization.

“I really want to help raise money and support organizations like the World Wildlife Fund because they can do more than we can individually,” Pandey said.

Pandey noticed everyone talking about how bad the trash had become but shortly after noticed how no one was doing anything to fix it. So, she gathered her ideas and opinions, and made it her priority to create an organization of people who care.

Cleaning For a Cause TO. This is where the organization shows dates and locations of the clean-ups, in an attempt to spread awareness. Although her nonprofit doesn’t have a lot of recognition yet, Pandey is determined to make people care just as much as she does.

Pandey is motivated to clean and see the joy on people’s faces. She’s excited about the new opportunity and grateful for her experience from an old nonprofit that her parents ran previously in 2016.

On Oct. 20, Cleaning For a Cause helped clean up the beach in Santa Monica, but they want to take the projects a step further and get out to clean homes for those who live with disabilities.

Pandey promotes her business on Instagram, on an account called

“It makes me so sad to see photos of trash in the ocean and it’s plastic I’ve used,” Pandey said.

Pandey believes that if everyone cut down on their plastic usage it would help significantly. With countless goals regarding the cleanliness of the environment, she is taking a major step for someone her age.

The main goal of Cleaning For a Cause is to help the environment to create a world everyone feels comfortable living in, and Pandey is striving to be the first step to make it happen.

SOOTHING WORDS - The “welcome” sign for the famous Ventura Country haunted house greets visitors.

Sadaya Keays - The Lancer

Alyssa Kiszczak - The Lancer Sadaya Keays - The Lancer

Jaxson Rector - The Lancer ALWAYS AWARE - Sophomore Harnony Pandey is found picking up trash on campus.

Gemma Spraggins - The Lancer

Ballot 2024

Democratic nominee for President

Kamala Harris

Democratic nominee for Vice President Tim Walz

Republican nominee for President Donald Trump

Republican nominee for Vice President JD Vance

Constitution nominee for President

Randall Terry

Constitution nominee for Vice President Stephen Broden

An Unaffiliated nominee for President

Cornel West

An Unaffiliated nominee for Vice President Melina Abdullah

Green nominee for President Green nominee for Vice President Butch Ware

Jill Stein

Libertarian nominee for President

Chase Oliver

Libertarian nominee for Vice President Mike ter Maat

Socialism nominee for President

Claudia De La Cruz

Socialism nominee for Vice President Karina Garcia

JOSEPH GOODNIGHT Managing Editor

Prop 2

How the election

Guest columnists share personal insights

Cherish Hall-Taoai Senior

I came this country at the age of 8 from New Zealand. I was told how funny my accent was, or how certain phrases were weird. You see, I came from a country where there were many like me. I come from a strong Samoan family and was around other Pacific Islanders like me. People who came here to work, to start a family and to make a life their parents never has back in the Islands. However, like America, New Zealand had its flaws. I was told stories about the Dawn Raids that had happen in the 1970s, where police went into houses and took Polynesians who were “allegedly” overstayers. Many people went sent back to the islands, including some of my family members. I can’t bear the fact that my Aunties, Uncles and cousins had to experience that. How could a government do such a thing like that?

Today, as I feel as though this election determines the fate of people like me who want an opportunity to feel free. The upcoming election will gives us an idea of what may the next four years look like. We could see a possible future of more opportunities given to immigrants or a possible future where we see families be torn apart. I am very cautious about this election as I have the opportunity to vote this year. As an immigrant, I can’t bare the idea of having to be torn away from my family or having to watch those I love be taken away and never seen again. So let me put it this way: I feel this election will take a toll on immigrants who came here to create opportunities and provide a life they want to have. So let this election be the death of me or not.

William Stephans Junior

Like every four years in America, tensions are high and the nation’s future is uncertain until late on the evening of Nov. 5. With Americans so polarized and divided, this year may turn out to be one of the most consequential elections in American history.

The 2020s have been marked by a surprising rise in LGBTQ+ hate, following such a steady decline in overt discrimination during the 2010s this isn’t something we’d expect to see. Unfortunately, however, this is the reality. More than 510 anti-LGBTQ+ laws were passed in 2023, limiting healthcare, education and workplace protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Cy Gentry Sophomore

I am Cy Gentry and I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community. A year and a half ago I wouldn’t have been able to say that in confidence, and not everyone in the LGBTQ+ community has the luxury to be comfortable in their own skin and be at peace with their sexual orientation. The outcome of the 2024 election could be horribly detrimental to the rights and societal treatment of everyone in the community. Homophobia is already commonplace in our culture and it’s especially prominent in our schools. This could be due to misguided religious belief or just because it isn’t “normal.” And there’s nothing that can be done to stop this from happening. There is no procedure or special type of therapy that can “reverse homosexuality” despite what people have tried to tell me. How the election turns out could erase years off the back of the LBGTQ+ rights movement and remove the confidence I have in how I was born. Homophobia in our society would be even more common than it is.

The state of California wants to buy a bond for $10 billion that would be put towards repair, upgrade, and construction of facilities at K–12 public schools, community colleges and career technical education programs. Specifically, the money would be used to improve health and safety features, plus classroom improvements. While this bond will result in immediate improvement of impoverished schools in need of renovations, the bond will also cost taxpayers $500 million per year for the next 35 years to repay. The argument against this proposition is not only that taxes will end up being costly, but that the state government should already be paying for these education improvements out of the state fund, and not using bonds to pay for it. Those in favor of the proposition say that schools are in need of updated facilities, modern science labs, new books, and more in order for students to learn and prepare properly for their lives ahead of them. According to supporters, the costs that taxpayers will have to pay back are about accountability. About 38 percent of California public school students attend schools that are not up to safety standards. Voting no on this prop means these schools likely never see any updates.

This year, one candidate seeks to divide us and “take us back,” while the other aims to move us forward, a contrast reflected in their campaign slogans. The implications of either candidate’s potential election are obvious. But as we enter November, and the final moments of this election season we must remember a simple promise: When you look at America, you see Americans, different as they may be, held together by the common ideals of this nation. “We hold these truths to be selfevident that all are created equal”, we stay united as a nation not in spite of our differences but because of them.

Homophobia isn’t something people can brush off once they’re affected by it. During middle school, I was called every name you could give someone who was thought to be gay, and I’m not a special case. Trans adults have a disproportionately high rate of suicide attempts, and the young members of the LGBTQ+ community are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. I have no doubt that the laws passed after this election have a chance to lower or raise that statistic. Nobody wants to talk about it, and that’s why it’s so important. These things become taboo and make people feel out of place for how they were born. Gay marriage, trans rights, the removal of anti discrimination protections in our laws; all of these things are in jeopardy this election and if we didn’t start already, this is the part where we take a serious look at the future of LGBTQ+ youth and do everything we can to prevent people like me from becoming a statistic.

How propositions

Prop 3

Prop 3 will affect gay California residents on this years election day. Voting Yes on Proposition 3 would be a vote in favor of amending the California Constitution to change it’s wording regarding the right to marry. They would remove all reference of marriage being between a man and woman, which would put state protections behind the federal right of gay marriage. Voting No on Proposition 3 would be a vote in favor of keeping the current state constitution, which would have no immediate effect on the right of gay people in California to marry, but as parties attempt to challenge the supreme court cases which guarantee the right of gay marriage, it could spell disaster for Gay Californians in the future. Though the major issue that those opposing Prop 3 bring up is that the blanket right of all Californians to marry, depending on the interpretation, could result in a myriad of other types of marriage being allowed, including incest and child marriage. Those against Prop 3 believe that the removal of any control regarding marriage doesn’t truly protect gay marriage and instead puts Californians at risk of allowing much more dangerous marriages to be completely legal. Those in favor of Prop 3 say the proposition doesn’t inherently indicate that, and the rules regarding taking advantage of minors would still be in place, protecting minors from child marriage.

Prop 4

Prop 4 would allow the state government to loan $10 billion for environment related issues including clean air, water, and wildfire prevention. Those in favor of Prop 4 point to the strongly transparent audits of the budget, and the importance of protecting California’s environment and wildlife to prevent damage to the local economy through things like wildfires, and protect the beauty of the California coast. Those not in favor of Prop 4 point out that those expenses should be put in the regular yearly budget for the California government, and that due to the local economic decline in California we cannot afford to put ourselves into that much debt, instead the government should be trying to reallocate funds from other government programs to those focused on the environment. Those in opposition to Prop 4 also point to the cost that this loan will have on taxpayers, as it’s believed that in total California taxpayers will have to pay a total of $20 billion to pay off the debt incurred by this proposition alone. Those in favor believe that the reduction in costs to the government due to wildfires will help alleviate some of this debt and makes the money spent worth the short term dip in government funds.

election impacts ME Project 2025

into election’s most controversial issues

Bryson Saint Senior

Since I was a little kid, I was taught this perfect idea of America, that all people are equal, and that America is the most united country in the world. As I look around at my neighbors, peers and fellow citizens, it doesn’t quite feel like it. In this upcoming election, there are two completely different candidates with two completely different political agendas. I firmly believe that arguing and talking with each other on these agendas is good. Without conversation, there would never be a middle ground or a connection between our fellow Americans. However, these past couple of months, I have experienced one strong feeling: divisiveness. People take political signs off of each other’s lawns, they create false and unjust stereotypes but, worse, they divide each other. People push this false narrative that because one American holds a certain belief, they’re not truly American. We Americans must discuss our ideas and opinions. Find someone you don’t agree with and converse, be open to their ideas and thoughts because if we don’t, the

As a tax-paying, contributing member of society, I want my hard work to go as far as possible to make America the best it can be. As a young adult, I am very concerned about my ability to buy a house in 20 years. If you ask anybody today “Were you better off 5 years ago than you are now?” you would probably get a “yes” from almost everyone. This election will change our country and affect me and you for the next 30 years. The First Amendment should be protected at all costs since I believe it is one of our most important rights as American citizens. I do not want to see strict censorship of people on online platforms, or at all for that matter. I believe the solution to bad ideas is to change opinions through conversation and debate, not silencing citizens by muting them and not letting them voice their opinions. I believe censorship of American citizens is anti-American and not what our founding fathers believed in. I think immigration is a great thing and I believe that people

Brent Smith Junior

This upcoming election is the most important election we have had as a nation in decades, and I don’t think I’m alone in that belief. Many high schoolers, such as myself, eagerly watch the polls, the debates, and the news for information about both candidates. We wonder and think to ourselves if our voices and concerns will be heard and acknowledged as the vital matters they are. This includes: if the elected president understands the current state of global warming, the increased frequency of natural disasters, and the all too common occurrence of man made environmental pollution; will the elected president acknowledge the economic and employment crises that young people face and will face, that influence the ability of future members of the workforce to maintain a stable

writing of “We the People” will represent less and less of what America is coming to be. We might never agree with some people and sometimes we might hold biases, but that is because we are all just human and are in no shape, or form “perfect.” We just have to hear each other out and not be so credulous when it comes to believing rumors about “the other side.” Don’t look at yourself or another as a Liberal or Conservative, look at them as a fellow American. Without conversing respectfully we will become what the founders of America were fighting against, an America where the only bond between us is the ground we walk on, while our ideals may remain miles apart. At the end of the day, no matter the outcome of this election, we need to unite, respect one another, and agree to disagree. I think the election could be very uniting, but the way people have let politics pull strings in their hearts, it has become a bigger animal than we have intended it to be. I hope one day as Americans, we can once again get along.

should be able to come to this beautiful country to make a better life for themselves. However, for a country to function properly, people need to have a social consensus that the law should be followed, and those who break it should be prosecuted. I would prefer if drugs were not being smuggled into my home and sold on the streets, risking the safety of fellow Americans. It would be nice if gas and groceries were affordable, but I also understand under certain circumstances our country has been put through, this is not entirely possible. I think a middle ground has been lost, and that is one of the most important things to have in a country of so many diverse people. I want there to be an understanding between everyone on all sides because I truly want the best for this country that I plan to call home for the rest of my life. I would hate for this election to harm my life. No matter the results, at the end of the day I truly hope the best for everybody and hope that one day we can all find a middle ground.

livelihood and support a family; will they recognize how the cost of education and the median cost of buying a home relative to household income continues to skyrocket; and how for the first time in US history, a 30 year old is no longer doing as well financially as their parents were at 30. The younger generations’ mental well-being, particularly in young men, do not receive the attention or support it needs via programs. Gun control and the effects of gun violence continue to go mostly unnoticed by our leaders in D.C. It is my hope, as a patriotic American, to create a family in my future. I hope that these problems get addressed and rectified by those we entrust with maintenance of our democracy and, by extent, our futures.

propositions impact YOU

Voting yes on Prop 32 means that the California government would raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour, and it would then go on the rise every year, proportional to the rise in inflation in the state. Voting No on Prop 32 would mean that the minimum wage would only rise to $17 an hour, but would still go up at a rate proportional to inflation every year. The major reasoning given by those in opposition to Prop 32 is that the proposition is poorly written, and only over complicates the minimum wage laws of California more than they already were. They also point to the possible dangers of raising the minimum wage too much too quickly, and how that could dramatically raise the price of goods. However, those voting yes on Prop 32 cite that the dramatic rise in the minimum wage is well overdue, as the minimum wage in California is nowhere near the price to comfortably live. Any rise in prices due to the rise in minimum wage would not outpace the way that prices are already rising due to outside factors, since inflation is already hitting our nation hard.

Within the 900 pages of Project 2025 are Republican values and proposed policies on many governmental topics. Here is a brief, heavily summarized run-down of the most important issues at stake.

ABIGAIL TRIPP-BULLOUGH Editor-in-Chief

Labor

The project seeks to make it more difficult for worker’s unions to start and will start to delegitimize unions that are already in place.

Medicare

The project discusses wanting to get rid of the $35 per month cap for Medicarecovered Insulin, making it harder to access and more expensive. The project also wants to get rid of Medicare’s $2,000 per year cap, and give the government the ability to negotiate and mediate medical drug prices. The project wants to either remove the use of the abortion pill Mifepristone. There is also a clause about penalizng states for supporting and requiring that abortion be covered by insurance. The project is also hoping to enact a pro-life task force to replace the Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force.

Education

The project wishes to completely have out with the Department of Education to give parents and schools more control. Under the plans of the project, the Public Loan Forgiveness Program (which helps students pay off their extensive debts) would be eliminated.

Climate

Federal funding of clean energy will be cut as well as downsize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to stop from raising alarm about climate change.

Executive Power

The project calls for a unitary power under the president. Protections for government employees would be eliminated and the employees could be replaced by specially appointed people.

Gender Identity

The Department of Health and Human Services will be required to announce that “men and women are biological realities and married men and women are the ideal, natural family.”

Economy

Massive tax cuts for corporation and personal incomes. The project proposes completely cutting the Federal Reserve and making it so that the U.S. dollar is worth more. Under the project, the Head Start Program would be defunded and removed. The program serves about 833,000 children living in poverty.

Immigration

The project wants to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security and remove the protections of immigrants begin apprehended in delicate places such as playgrounds and churches. The project also calls for the building of a wall along the Mexican border.

Prop 33 aims to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a law from 1995 that restricts the ability of cities and counties to implement local rent control measures. Currently, Costa-Hawkins prevents rent control on single-family homes, condominiums and buildings that were constructed after 1995. If Prop 33 passes, local governments would have a greater freedom to set rent limits for a wider range of properties. This includes newly built housing and single-family residences. Supporters argue that repealing Costa-Hawkins could help address California’s high housing costs, potentially making rent more affordable for residents who are increasingly burdened by housing expenses, to keep the dying California dream alive. A million people have reportedly left California due to being unable to simply live here, and it is Rent Control in America’s goal to put this to a stop. On the other hand, opponents worry that expanded rent control could discourage housing development, limit the rental market, and decrease property values, which could in turn reduce property tax revenue. This side can argue that it is freezing construction of new housing and could reverse dozen of new state housing laws, which is why this proposition has been rejected twice in past years.

Prop 34

This prop is relating to spending restrictions on certain healthcare providers regarding revenue from discounted prescription drugs which would be enforced. This means it is requiring certain health care organizations to spend 98 percent of revenues from federal discount prescription drug programs, on direct patients care. Failure to adhere to this would mean loss of tax-exempt status and licenses in California. Supporters argue that Prop 34 ensures these funds are spent strictly on healthcare, preventing what they see as potential misuse for political activities. It will also protect patients and make sure public health care funds are used on patients who need it most. This prop prevents the ability that allows corporations to stop spending certain funds on multi-million-dollar CEO salaries. Opponents argue that the proposition is an unfair target on certain health and drug organizations and that the cost of enforcement would be costly. Also, it can be argued it is a threat to any non profits and opens the ballots up to any attacks towards non-profits and democracy. Most big corporations don’t have the time or the energy to even put forth a sign of caring about these patients in need anyways.

Jack Hadvina Senior

Best

MILKSHAKES in T.O.

JOSEPH GOODNIGHT

Managing Editor

The Lancer News Staff put the top 4 fast food milkshakes in Thousand Oaks to the test to see which is the best. In a blind taste test, the staff compared the chocolate milkshakes from P & L Burgers, Chickfil-A, Jack in the Box, and McDonald’s restaurants. Comparing their color, flavor and creaminess, we voted to decide which was the best overall milkshake in town.

The first milkshake to be removed from the list was McDonald’s, with many of the staff pointing out its liquid consistency and lack of chocolate flavor despite its darker color.

The second milkshake to be kicked from the running was Chick-fil-A’s; this milkshake had the opposite problem to the McDonald’s shake, with many staffers pointing out its odd grainy consistency in the middle. That shake definitely lacked the chocolaty flavor and color we were looking for.

The competition between the last two milkshakes was close but, in the end, our local Jack in the Box came out in second, with a generally positive review, despite some feeling the shake was too sweet.

This left us with our overall winner: P & L Burgers. The staff collectively agreed that this milkshake had no flaws, with the perfect level of sweetness and chocolate, not too thick, perfectly smooth. P & L Burgers is The Lancer’s pick for best milkshake in T.O.

Costco Guys

The rizzy crew has been on your FYP every afternoon. After taste-testing Costco food items, A.J. and Big Justice have grown beyond the wholesale market and become a viral sensation. Don’t be surprised when the crew asks for double-chunk chocolate cookies at your doorstep.

Chipotle Combo

Chipotle has made a big comeback after former CEO Brian Niccol stated they would provide larger portions, bringing Chipotle back to its glory days. The hip aluminum burrito foil, black plastic fork, drink cup, and bag are a combo that can not be missed this Halloween.

Deadpool/ Wolverine

O S T U M E S

a musical deep-dive

Cooper Lester compiled by

Tyler, The Creator returns from a nearly 5 year hiatus with his 14 track full length LP CHROMAKOPIA. Sporting a new, green look with his new character giving nod to the 1970 phantom tollbooth character ‘Chroma the Great’ for what seems to be a new era of the lauded Tyler, The Creator. Tyler explores themes of fatherhood, his success, and his classic production style in this album. Standout moments include a feature from rising rapper Sexy Redd on “Sticky”, where their chemistry shines, and a memorable guest appearance by

Schoolboy Q, who adds a unique flair to the project. A personal favorite would be “Darling, I” featuring Teezo Touchdown. This song reminds me of the old Tyler that we know and love. “Darling, I” incorporates relatable lyrics and a catchy beat. A fan favorite is the second track, “Noid” with already over 26 million streams. CHROMAKOPIA is already breaking records, earning over 85 million first-day streams on the global Spotify chart, making it the biggest rap album debut of 2024 on the platform and in the top 20 of all time.

What are you listening to?

So fresh

Fall fashion is fresher than ever

ADDISON ANELLO Staff Writer

The R-rated Marvel movie shattered box office numbers earlier this year, overcoming Barbie to become the No. 12 on the list of all-time top-grossing movies. When a superhero dominates something, everyone wants to be them.

Talk Tuah

Haliey Welch is “the biggest meme of all time,” according to the Talk Tuah podcast. The viral sensation has become a popular costume on the racks. Spirit Halloween stores have been stocked with jumpsuits that have the viral “Hawk Tuah” etched on the back.

Raygun

Australian hip-hop break dancer Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, competed in the firstever Olympic breaking (break dancing) competition and placed dead last. In that competition, she headlined with her kangaroo and spinning tricks, but her outfit has been ranked No. 2 on the Google trend list.

Freshman Max Rudy first found his style when he was six years old, dressing up as an astronaut for Halloween. The excitement of wearing that costume had a big impact on him and sparked his style.

That early experience of putting on an outfit society might see as “different” helped shape his uniqueness.

Rudy’s style is largely influenced by his dad, who used to be a pilot. Growing up, Rudy was impressed by the look of his dad’s uniform. This admiration has really inspired Rudy’s fashion sense today.

None of Rudy’s friends dress like him, and he thinks it’s because his style is just so unique.

“My mom always said I

was special, so nobody can copy me,” Rudy said.

This makes him feel confident that his fashion sense is one of a kind, keeping him distinct from his friends and everyone else.

Rudy is into the trendy styles at Forever 21 and Zumiez gives him that edgy, street-wear look he’s going for. Between the two stores, he finds the perfect mix to keep his fashion game strong.

Rudy never feels out of place because of his style. With wanting to be himself while also staying trendy, he’s really confident and comfortable in what he wears, and his strong sense of self-assurance makes him feel totally at ease with his look, always.

Freshman Madisyn Lezandro figured out her style by checking out what looked cute and picking out clothing that caught her eye. She started to really find her look at the beginning of summer, when she began to refine her style and settle into what felt right for her.

Madisyn gets a lot of her style inspiration from Pinterest. She loves looking for clothes in both dark and light colors, especially darker greens and pinks. These colors help her put together outfits that really match her personal vibe and taste.

“[How I dress] depends on which friends I’m hanging out with,” Madisyn said.

Some of her friends dress like her, while others

have their own styles. This means she adjusts her look depending on who she’s with, blending her fashion sense with the different styles of her friends. Whether Madisyn is looking for trendy pieces at Urban Outfitters, casual finds at Target, or classic looks from American Eagle, these stores help her keep her wardrobe fresh with her casual personal style. Madisyn never feels out of place. When asked, she just said, “No,” showing she’s really confident in what she wears. Madisyn’s selfconfidence means she always feels comfortable and true to herself, no matter where she is or who she’s with.

ALAN KO Digital Editor

TANNER BOYNTON junior

GISELLE RODRIGUEZ junior LANCE LEVIN sophomore

JENNIFER COATS staff TREY LEWIS freshman

song: 2007 by: JID favorite artist and why: Kanye West because he is really good.

song: Redbone by: Childish Gambino favorite artist and why: Old Kendrick Lamar because the stories he tells is pretty cool.

song: Wet Dreamz by: J Cole favorite artist and why: Playboi Carti because Trey likes him.

song: FUN by:

song: Late for the Sky by: Jackson Browne favorite artist and why: Jackson Browne because he is iconic and he speaks to me.

IN STYLE - Freshman Madisyn Lezandro smiles to show pride in her outfit.

POSTED UP - Freshman Max Rudy stokes an attitude in a hoodie and jeans.

Celebrities utilize political power of fame

In heated November election, fans turn to their favorite celebrities to help them decide future of country, voting rights

GABRIELLA MULLER

Assistant Opinions Editor

It’s 2024 and with the election coming up, celebrities are beginning to make it known which side they are on. Well loved celebrities such as Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and Olivia Rodrigo are publicly announcing they side with the Harris campaign. Other celebrities such as Kanye, Elon Musk, and Hulk Hogan support Trump 2025. Meanwhile, some are choosing to not use their celebrity to sway voters toward one party or the other, stirring up controversy of their own.

Billie Eilish made her vote clear, posting an Instagram video with her brother Finneas.

“We are voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they are fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet, and our democracy,” Ellish said.

OLIVIA RODRIGO

occupation: Singer, songwriter endorsing: Harris

Taylor Swift endorsed the Biden campaign in 2020 with her famous “Biden Harris 2020” cookies. Taylor also made an Instagram post, making it clear again whose side she is on.

“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election,” Swift said.

Olivia Rodrigo met Biden and Harris in 2021 and continues to support Harris in 2024. Just like the others, Olivia used Instagram to repost a TikTok clip from the Democratic presidential nominee’s very first rally.

Bryce Hall, an American media personality, joined Trump on stage during his rally in Las Vegas. He was called up by Trump himself, and then took the microphone to support Trump.

“We need Trump back, really bad,” Hall said.

Kanye West has supported Trump since the 2016 election. In February of this year, the paparazzi asked Kanye for his thoughts on the

TAYLOR SWIFT

occupation: Singer, songwriter endorsing: Harris

BILLIE EILISH

occupation: Singer, songwriter endorsing: Harris

upcoming election and if he would be endorsing Trump once again. His response was expected.

“Of course; it’s Trump all day!” West said.

During another Trump rally on October 5, Elon Musk got up on the stage with Trump and began jumping up and down as the crowd cheered. After the assassination attempt on Trump, Musk reposted an image of Trump holding his fist up on X.

“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk said.

Musk has been vocal on his social media platform in support of Trump despite supporting Democratic candidates since 2008.

Former entertainment wrestler Hulk Hogan, famous for ripping off his tank top during speeches, did so again at the Republican National Convention, claiming his decision came from someone trying to kill his hero.

“Let Trumpamania run wild, brother! Let

CHAPPELL ROAN

occupation: Singer, songwriter endorsing: Neither

Trumpamania rule again!” Hogan said.

While many celebrities are picking sides, Chappell Roan refuses to endorse either candidate, saying she believes both parties have problems of their own.

“Actions speak louder than words, and actions speak louder than an endorsement,” Roan said.

This opinion stirred up all kinds of chaos, as many fans thought a celebrity as big as Roan should voice her opinion and take an active part in the world around her.

Celebrities everywhere are making it known who they are endorsing with this election. While some still refuse to say anything about who they are voting for, many celebrities do so in recognition of their own popularity, hoping to convince the public to cast their vote in November.

HOGAN

occupation: WWE wrestler endorsing: Trump

WEST

occupation: Rapper endorsing: Trump

occupation: Entrepreneur endorsing: Trump

AROUND T.O.WN

Jean Fruth, Sports Photographer: Inside America’s Favorite Pastime

Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks Friday, Nov. 8 at 8:00 p.m.

One of baseball’s prominent photographers, Fruth spent a decade covering the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco 49ers before helping build the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s archive.

Stagecoach Inn Museum hosts “A Salute to Our Veterans” in Newbury Park

51 S Ventu Park Rd, Thousand Oaks

Saturday, Nov. 9, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Wear red, white and blue or your military uniform and join the Stagecoach Inn Museum for Veterans Day. $10 Seniors, adults and teens; $5 Children 5-12; Free for children 4 and under.

Veteran’s Day Commemoration at the Reagan Library

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Dr, Simi Valley, CA

Monday, Nov. 11 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

To honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces, the day’s activities include live musical entertainment, a civil war encampment, a military vehicle display and a program honoring all branches of our military.

Vitamin String Quartet: Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton and Beyond

Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks Sunday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m.

A concert series featuring the Vitamin String Quartet performing innovative arrangements of Taylor Swift’s music and other hits.

Ventura Turkey Trot 5K

6451 Auto Center Dr, Ventura Thursday, Nov. 28 from 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

This annual run is for the 14 and under crowd, starting at 8:00am. The kid’s run is to follow at 9:15am. The run with have electronic chip timing and post-race food.

Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and 5K

Nyeland Acres to Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard Sunday, Dec. 8 from 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Support the Nyeland Acres community through food distributions, a toy giveaway and scholarships. It’s a day of running for any skill level.

Christmas Parade and Santa’s Village

1605 Burnley St, Camarillo

Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

The annual parade starts at Las Posas Rd and Temple Ave, and ends at the Community Center on Burnley St. The parade features fun floats from local businesses, music, and more. Santa’s Village is at the Community Center.

KAYNE

HULK

ELON MUSK

Bust a move: The ultimate dance battle

The dancers on the Varsity Dance Team worked hard to shape their crews into the best dancers they can be

Assistant Opinions Editor

On Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, different groups of Lancers took their chance on the dance floor to prove which was the best dance crew of Thousand Oaks High School. They showed bravery and they definitely put on a show to remember, making this a day full of all kinds of fun memories.

There were two winners declared at the two different show times. The groups included boys from the track team, a team of students in The Center, JV baseball players, flag football girls and girls soccer player joining forces, ASB and ETHOS, a choir team, a boys soccer and girls water polo group, a Green Hole team, and also group made of seniors, basketball players, football players, and varsity baseball players.

something they wanted to tell the judges, while also providing “sneak peaks” of their dances. At the end of each performance, the judges provided feedback to the teams and give them their final score.

Each show had a different panel of judges, along with a guest judge.

surprise with one back flip after another. Meanwhile, countless groups did a move to throw the athletes into the air, taking the performance to another level.

For the first show featured none other than principal Eric Bergmann as a guest judge for the third year running. At the second show, the much loved Jaleen Murphy, the retired dance coach, was the guest judge.

At the first show, cheer was declared the winner with a perfect score of 30 out of 30; in the second show, football took the win with an almost perfect score of 39 out of 40. Each performance started with a video introducing the team and

The styles dance varied, mostly being jazz or hip hop variations.

Watching these athletes try and move it on stage in costume certainly provided the audience with a good time full of laughter and suspense.

Football gave the audience a

Girls soccer and flag football rocked the stage in shimmery skirts that deserve to be mentioned. Throughout the performances, the audience saw all different techniques and personalities displayed in dance. Each and very time a new group stepped on that stage, the feeling of not knowing what to expect, and then watching JV baseball do TikTokrelated dances on stage or choir’s adorable musical theater poses, made the annual event more amusing than ever before.

Best Dance Crew has been happening for three years and it’s a tradition Lancers can’t wait to be a part of. Each year, this show has been unforgettable, and each year students look forward to this day of watching their friends and voting for the best.

This year’s show definitely lived up to the hype, and provided a performances like no other--and set the bar for next year’s competition higher than ever.

DANCING IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Students from various sports teams and extracurriculars

Singing solo: Choir steps into spotlight

Brave choir participants calm nerves in order to perform in fall’s solo showcase in TOHS Performing Arts Center

GEMMA SPRAGGINS

Opinions Editor

Weeks of preparation brought the choir students to the night to show off their talents; their solo showcase took place on Oct. 17 in the Performing Arts Center.

The solo showcase is a yearly tradition during the fall and spring that lets those who wish to sing solos, duets, and in groups, perform with their fellow choir members. The talent is endless in this group of students.

While some say that performing gets easier with the more experienced you have, others still feel the adrenaline rush when stepping out on stage.

“Honestly, no. Solos never get easier,” senior Kennedy Green said. Green has been doing solos throughout her

high school career, enjoying the community behind the stage.

“The people backstage help calm me down; we all talk and get ready, then we just go for it,” Green said.

All performers have different ways of preparing for the show. Whether it’s taking deep breaths or chewing gum, their preparation sets the scene for the outcome of their performance.

when you give musically inclined students a chance to show off to their friends and family.

Freshman Bayla Klaidman went on stage with confidence to perform with her guitar.

“Honestly...solos never get easier.”

KENNEDY GREEN

“I sometimes do a little dancing before [performing] to calm me down,” junior Aspen Abernathy said.

Being involved in choir since kindergarten, Abernathy found sense of comfort while performing, saying it gets easier the more experience you have on stage.

The possibilities of performances are endless

“I practiced since I chose the song about a month before,” Klaidman said. “Then I practiced whenever I could.”

While practicing was her first priority, choosing her song is the least of her issues when it comes to performing.

“I just went through a playlist of my favorite songs, and I chose one I love,” Klaidman said.

Whether it’s preparing for a month or, for others, filling in for a duet partner at the last minute, giving it her all was the first thing on Brooklyn Climers’ mind.

“We would meet up beforehand and practice

a couple of times,” Climers said. “Then we would call each other and also practice the song so we knew our timing and our entrances. We made sure to practice on our own time so we knew our individual parts as well.”

While most performances are carefully planned, some can be a last-minute exciting favor. Loving the performer’s life, Climers tried to perform her best when her choir classmate reached out for a duet partner.

For Abernathy, music is in her blood. When it comes to choosing her song she simply goes through “the random album of songs that my mom and I both add to for performances,” Abernathy said.

The time and effort the choir students put into their show reveals their passions for performing, singing to entertain their friends and family, and the thrill and excitement of the stage.

worked with members of the dance team to be trained to compete for the coveted trophy. Junior Abagail Garcia and freshman Ella Marino won first place with team cheer in the afternoon. Senior Riley Speed and freshman Addison Holt took home the trophy with team football in the evening.

GABRIELLA MULLER

ALL TOGETHER - MC and dancer junior Niki Krupnick pose with her team ASB and ETHOS after giving a ‘90s hip-hop performance the crowd loved.

BRINGING HOME THE WIN - Varsity group leader senior Riley Speed takes a photo with her football dance crew before taking home a win at the night show.

Carlos Garcia - with permission

Carlos Garcia - with permission

FLIPPING OUT - Senior Rebecca Glaubke and freshman Mya Messervy preform a Gen-Z style hip-hop with varsity baseball.

Carlos Garcia - with permission

Carlos Garcia - with permission

Zachary Reer

Year: Senior Position:

Wide receiver/ defensive back

Jersey number: 2

Notable: Also a star on the Lancers’ soccer team

Justin Reer

Year: Junior Position: Offensive tackle

Jersey number: 79

Notable:

Thrust into lineup after loss of starting tackle Josh Martinez

Reer brothers lead from front

Senior wideout Zach thrives while younger sibling Justin steps up to fill key line position

JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor

On Oct. 10, the TOHS football team took a trip across town to face off against Westlake in their rivalry matchup.

But this game had even higher stakes than it did the previous three years as both teams are now in the Coastal Canyon League.

In the second half, starting right tackle Justin Reer and the rest of the offensive line provided a clean pocket for quarterback Jackson Taylor, who would then connect with wide receiver Zach Reer for a 75-yard touchdown where he showcased his explosiveness.

The Lancers would route the Warriors to an eventual 41-14 victory.

For the Reer family, it was a proud moment.

Between senior Zach, one of the team’s top receivers, and junior Justin, the team’s unsung hero at right tackle, their bond adds a layer to the game. They navigate the pressures of their sibling rivalry to pursue victory together.

“They’re competitive and they’ve always been competitive,” mom Amanda Reer said. “They put their heart into their sport, (but) they’re their own individual.”

While Zach was originally slated as a starter to enter the 2024 season, Justin was the backup to senior Josh Martinez at right tackle. But after Martinez went down with a season ending injury in the season opener — his second straight year with a season-ending injury — Justin stepped in and has been thriving ever since.

“We had a known quantity with Zach — we knew we had a guy with tremendous burst and speed and athletic ability — (but) he’s exceeded some expectations in some regards,” Lancers coach Ben McEnroe said. “With Justin, he’s an undersized offensive lineman, but he works hard in the weight room and does what he’s supposed to do. e’s been a pleasant surprise.”

In the stands, their parents Amanda and Alan watch with pride and joy.

“I’m living my best Mama Kelce life,” Amanda said.

With Zach leading as a senior and Justin stepping up as a junior, their dynamic has evolved. Zach has taken on a mentorship role, and now with their hearts set on making a deep playoff run, Zach and Justin know the road ahead will be challenging.

“I’m trying to make him better,” Zach said. “When I’m out there on the field, I’m telling him

to keep it up and do his thing and even during practice I’m trying to keep him at his highest level so he gets better and the team gets better at the same time.”

Sibling Revelry

“Taking him to all the practices, he’s always making me run late.”

ZACH REER

“We motivate each other when we are playing, he gives me advice.”

JUSTIN REER

Halvorsens get bump from mom

Freshman Saylor joins older sister London as Halvorsen sisters blossom together

BRADLEY

freshman, and she was more than ready for the challenge of serving as one of the Lancer stars this season. Saylor joins her sister and junior outside hitter London Halvorsen, who was a freshman on varsity in 2022, and both sisters have now been playing volleyball for eight years.

“I walked into that gym and they were both warming up facing the net, and an utter joy came over me,” said their father, Ryan Halvorsen. “Two sisters being able to play on the same team together and share joy is special.”

Halvorsen’s rich history of volleyball goes back to when their mother, Carrie, was a star for the University of Arizona as well as the US national team. Carrie was a middle blocker at Thousand Oaks High School just as Saylor, but when she reached the U of A, she switched to outside hitter, like London, where she was named to the All-Pac 10 team. London and Saylor aren’t the first set of sisters in the family to play volleyball at TOHS either, as Carrie played with her twin sister Janie, both graduating in the class of 1994. Janie didn’t follow Carrie to the U of A, rather she’d go on to play at Colorado State.

“They played a couple years of CYBA and then their mom, Carrie, said, ‘OK, time to play volleyball,’” Ryan said.

At the Chatsworth Invitational in early

September, London was named MVP after she had 12 kills in the final as the Lancers topped Notre Dame, while Saylor was named to the all-tournament team. The Halvorsen tandem put up a phenomenal first year together, as they went 28-6 including an upset victory against Oaks Christian and finished second place in the Marmonte League behind Oaks Christian, before losing in the second round of the CIF-SS Division-II playoffs to Orange Lutheran.

Last season, Saylor would come to cheer on London and the rest of the players, who were accepting of her and aware that she’d soon be on the same team as them.

“It’s fun to be there with her and encourage her to get better and to see how well she does,” London said.

Ryan, known throughout TOHS as well as the community for his photography shoots and sports photography as RyanCapture, found himself shooting pictures at another sporting event. But it wasn’t like any other football game where parents he doesn’t know hired him to take pictures of a kid he doesn’t know.

“To take pictures of both of them and freeze that action to share with family and hopefully one day to their kids is special,” Ryan Halvorsen said. “You’ve frozen them in time, never to be repeated again.”

London Halvorsen

Year: Junior Position: Outside hitter

Jersey number: 16

Notable: London was named MVP at the Chatsworth Invitational in September

Saylor Halvorsen

Year: Freshman

Position: Middle blocker

Jersey number: 15

Notable: Saylor had 16 kills in her first ever CIF playoff game.

“We

have something in common that we’re both good at and we can do it together.”

LONDON HALVORSEN

“We do our hair together and I usually do hers.”

SAYLOR HALVORSEN

Freshman middle blocker Saylor Halvorsen took on the massive role of being varsity as a

HALVS OR HALV NOTS - Senior London Halvorsen (bottom) and freshman Saylor (top) carry a big load for Lancers.

JACOB

Sports Editor

REERING UP - Brothers Zach and Justin have stepped up for the Lancers this season.

Lancers look to repeat 2023-24 league championship, long CIF run

Ballers ready for 2024 Jake's Journal

The Lancer gym, buzzing with the sound of sneakers on the hardwood, is ready for basketball season, which is right around the corner.

The Lancers have only four players returning from

last season, with three of them being seniors: Matias Vico, Luke Koren and Jaden Gray. They are joined by junior Gabriel Chin to form a solid core.

But, of course, the loss of key starters Elias Chin and Trent MacLean loom large after the Lancers’ 2023-24 season ended in the second round of the state playoffs.

With only four returners and a plethora of inexperience, in addition to Dylan McCord, a transfer from Calabasas, the Lancers have been searching for a new play style and they believe they’ve found it. They’re practicing to play a faster game than they did last year, and they’ve been working hard with the underclassmen to get them up to the pace.

“Everybody is expecting high things from us since we did so well last year,” Gray said. “We know that. This whole summer and off-season we’ve been preparing for that with our minds.”

The returning players spent all summer training hard but feel the weight of responsibility. A big key will be incorporating McCord as this is his first season at Thousand Oaks.

“My old coach was very old-headed, so a lot of our plays were old-school,” McCord said. “It was great to try something new.”

In the weeks leading up to the season, coach Logan Baltau has been pushing the players hard. Conditioning drills leave the younger athletes gasping for air but the returning players set the tone, unfazed by the intensity. Chin’s quiet leadership shows he is always determined to get better.

“We lost a lot of experience last year,” Vico said. “We have a lot of young guys and our whole offense is new.”

As the start of the season draws closer, the Lancers understand the magnitude of the challenge ahead. But the four returners and the new players have spent countless hours preparing, physically and mentally, for this moment, ready to rebuild the team’s identity from scratch.

Intramural sports club back for round 2

Club leaders excited to grow after successful first year of program

of returners to the club from last year.”

After kicking and dodging themselves into one of the biggest clubs on campus last school year, Intramural Sports looks for an even greater leap in 2024-25.

The first sport of the year is underway, and just like last year, it is dodgeball.

“First sport of year two–I’m pretty excited, I hear a lot of people talking about it,” Jose Hernandez said. “As of right now we have eight teams, so we have a total of 64 players. That’s a pretty good start to the year, with a lot

The club has gained countless sponsorships from locally owned companies that can be seen on the back of the championship shirts. Conejo Recreation and Park District will be sponsoring trophies for every single intramural championship this year.

Both organization and good communication are going to be huge for the club. As a 1st year club there was a lot the board needed to learn, but now they’re ready for obstacles, and ready to dodge them.

Hernandez, Rami Shalhoub,

Isabelle De Santiago, and the entire board are looking to lead the underclassmen and set an example so the torch can be passed to keep intramural sports going for years to come after the senior board graduates in June.

Intramural sports is a fountain of youth and a place where students can go from filling out college applications to playing kickball, like they did at recess when they were in elementary school.

“In elementary school and even middle school, we all loved to play sports at recess and lunch,” Shalhoub said. “This is a great way to get people involved.”

JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor

October is the month of postseason baseball, putting millions of fans across the country on the edge of their seats on a daily basis.

And it is also the month my Los Angeles Angels haven’t played in since 2014–when I was in second grade.

That same season, the Angels led the MLB with 98 wins before getting swept by the eventual American League champions, the Kansas City Royals.

What went wrong?

Where did the time go?

The Angels were formed in 1961, after the Dodgers had already moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

The Dodgers have six World Series victories, while the Angels have just one World Series win over the San Francisco Giants in 2002. The Dodgers sell out nearly every home game, while the Angels have $3 tickets. The Dodgers spent over a billion dollars in the 2023 off-season; the Angels didn’t crack $50 million.

than home runs with the team.

While Pujols played nearly half of his legendary career with the Angels and hit hundreds of home runs, he rarely played in the field. He was slower than molasses, making home runs the only useful part of his game. And he took up that critical designated hitter spot, which was hard to manage come Shohei Ohtani’s arrival in 2018.

It’s not as if they’ve never spent before. The three largest contracts in Angels history belong to center fielder

Mike Trout, designated hitter Albert Pujols, and third baseman Anthony Rendon.

In five years with the Halos, Rendon has yet to surpass 60 games played in a single season and has more suspensions

And for Trout, the greatest Angel of all time, sadly enough, he hasn’t played more than half a season since 2019, the first season after his contract extension when he won American League MVP. Why else are the Angels the overlooked little brother to the Dodgers? Well, the Angels have one of the most despised owners in North American sports in Arte Moreno and have been recycling managers more than starting pitchers since Mike Scioscia left following the 2018 season.

Once the best players in baseball reach the free agent market, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers typically fall as the top spots to land them. The biggest loss was Ohtani, who the Angels let walk in free-agency prior to the 2024 season.

And Anaheim? The only thing anyone knows about Anaheim is that it is home to Disneyland and a baseball team that continues to come up short.

The 2024-25 NBA season is unlike any other in history for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Already brimming with talent, the Lakers welcome a player whose story is as historic as the name on his jersey: Bronny James, the eldest son of LeBron James.

The father-son duo stepping onto the court together isn’t just a headline, it is a dream shared by basketball fans and, most importantly, LeBron himself.

The Lakers have the potential for a strong 2024 season, but their success will depend on a few key factors. Having LeBron and Bronny James on the same team is going to be historic and exciting, but it won’t come without its challenges.

LeBron, entering his 21st season, remains a dominant player, but the Lakers will need to manage his minutes carefully to keep him healthy for the playoffs. LeBron has shown he can still perform at a high level, but at 39 years old, he’ll likely rely more on his basketball IQ and less on his physicality. His leadership and ability to make plays will be needed, and sharing the

court with Bronny will certainly add something special.

Bronny, as a rookie, will likely have his ups and downs as he adjusts to the NBA. He’s shown promise as a smart player with good defensive instincts and a reliable jump shot, but the transition from college to the pros is tough. His development will be crucial for the Lakers, but the team won’t fully rely on him right away.

There’s also going to be some incoming help from All-American Tennessee forward Dalton Knecht, who the Lakers took as their firstround pick. Knecht is already showing his astounding ability to score as he tallied 35 points in his pre-season finale. Knecht will most likely be sharing starts with Austin Reaves. However, this shouldn’t slow down Knecht much, as he could have an award-winning rookie campaign.

Much will also depend on Anthony Davis staying healthy. If he can play at an MVP level and avoid injuries, the Lakers will be serious contenders.

Depth will also play a big role. If the Lakers can get solid contributions from their bench, they’ll be a well-rounded team capable of competing with the best in the west.

Columnist plagued by the Angels’ annual collapse

LILAH SWAVING Assistant Sports Editor

Jaxson Rector - The Lancer

JACOB BRADLEY

Sports Editor

With Bronny on board, Lakers at least interesting

JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor

Alan Ko - The Lancer

SHOT DOCTOR - Team leader, junior Gabriel Chin returns to the court for an anticipated season.

SCREAMING - Seniors Aubrey Naranjao, Hailey Wyngaarden and Madison Coleman celebrate their first win.

SPORTS ROUND-UP

BOYS WATER POLO

Coach: Craig Rond

2023 Record: 8-9

2024 Record: 12-16

Top Players: Senior Sean Henry, junior Eric Shea, sophomore Luca Bazerkanian

Inside Story: Practice makes perfect, and for boys water polo, it makes them a brotherhood. After the boys swim team won TO their first CIF championship in aquatics, water polo looks to repeat that magic.

The team is backed by senior leadership from star player Sean Henry, in addition to Equis Moya and Alex Barrington. The last time the team was able to make a run in the CIF playoffs was in 2021, these seniors were freshmen.

The team practices to be perfect and with team bonding, they become closer, spending more of their time together–with some light messing around. The bonding is a key contributor to turning the team into a family, almost like brothers.

CROSS COUNTRY

Coach: Andrew Thompson and Sarah Fitzgerald

2023 Record: Girls’ XC qualified for CIF

2024 Record: Mount SAC Invitational: Girls, 12th place in 3 mile sweepstakes; Boys, 7th place in 3 mile sweepstakes

Top Players: Junior Maggie de la Rionda, sophomore Charlotte Reyes, senior Oliver Clippinger-Zimmermann

Inside Story: From trails to tracks, the cross country team has had its highs and lows, as well as its scares. For the Lancers, a recurring theme when running trails is a snake encounter.

“We’ve encountered a lot of snakes,” Maggie de la Rionda said. “I’d say it’s pretty funny to have us running a trail, and one of us screams, and everyone just runs for their life.” The Lancers look to capitalize on last season and make a 2024 run.

GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY

Coach: Alan Scally

2023 Record: 1-11

2024 Record: 1-11

Top Players: Sophomore Gabriella Montiel, juniors Violet Rodriguez and Ava Kamoei

Inside Story: After graduating multiple seniors and collegiate athletes last year, the field hockey players found themselves looking for a new sense of leadership and hope.

“Our coach does little cartwheels when he’s excited,” sophomore Gabriella Montiel said.

When scoring or accomplishing a goal, the coach, Alan Scally, does cartwheels in excitement of the team’s success. While this is just a way of him showing his excitement, it also instills joy, hope and confidence into the team as his small act of joy provides a motive for his team to go out and score, and win the game.

GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

Coach: Mike Leibin

2023 Record: 4-8

2024 Record: 5-8

Top Players: Seniors Morgan Casillas, Zipporah Kemp, Alexandra Lewis

Inside Story: While this is only the second year of girls flag football at Thousand Oaks, there are some familiar names. Seniors Zipporah Kemp and Morgan Casillas both have history with their name in correlation to football. Casillas, a returner from last year, is the younger sister of Payton Casillas who was a star linebacker for the Lancers. And for Kemp, her older brother Silas, graduated this past June after three years on varsity football where he excelled. Both Casillas and Kemp will have their names remembered in TOHS sports history.

DORAN LAWRENCE

MYA MESERVY

SOPHIA MUNHALL Staff Writers

GIRLS TENNIS

Coach: David Dewing

2023 Record: 2-12-4

2024 Record: 2-15

Top Players: Sophomore Emi Yu, junior Sandra Li, senior Audrey Li

Inside Story: This year’s tennis team had a big kick off to the season, due to the girls becoming stronger not just as individuals, but as a team. The team as a whole is a lot more competitive this year and they have won more matches so far than last year, showing the improvements they’ve made and that they will continue to grow throughout the season.

“Tennis is important to me because I played tennis when I was younger. It’s just been a really fun sport to play,” Sandra Li said.

Li’s been playing for four years, gaining skills, making bonds with teammates and creating memories.

GIRLS GOLF

Coach: Ryan Geisler

2023 Record: 5th place in league

2024 Record: 8-1

Top Players: Seniors Claire Kirby, Ella Neale, Summer Reith

Inside Story: Birdies, tournaments, league matches, pre-game and post-game team meals...this golf season has seen it all. Seniors Ella Neale, Claire Kirby and Summer Reith have stepped into a major role that credits the success they’ve had this season.

A reoccurring team bonding event is the girls getting some sort of meal or treat on match day. The team got breakfast at Old New York Deli in Camarillo before one of the biggest matches of the season. They also got ice cream following the matches with Hueneme. Since golf is such an individual sport, this is one of the ways the entire team is able to get closer, sharing all the adventures they have been through.

Surf’s Up: Before class, Bart survives the swells

TOHS junior manages school work and ETHOS participation

Junior Cody Bart doesn’t play a sport on campus at Thousand Oaks High School, however he finds himself busy with competitions every week.

Surfing is more than a hobby for Bart, and it isn’t something he just picked up come high school. Bart has been an avid surfer for years and competes in various competitions throughout Southern California.

In April 2024, Bart secured himself a place in the semifinals for the California State Championships.

With Bart’s surfing career began when he was six, and his skills and confidence continue to grow with coaching and practice these last ten years.

Further, aside from his offcampus activities, Bart is a member of the ETHOS program on campus. He proves that a high school student can manage schoolwork as well as an offcampus sport.

“Surfing is always relaxing, like an escape; it’s an escape from school and other stress.”

CODY BART

“Surfing is always relaxing, like an escape,” Bart said. “It’s fun to be in touch with nature and to see the fish. It’s an escape from school and other stress.”

When it comes to suiting up for Bart, there are multiple factors

that contribute in various ways to a good day of surfing: there’s the beach he is at, the weather and the time of day. But for surfers, the locations are often most important. Bart lists off Ventura Harbor and Ventura Point as great spots to surf, however, he has to keep the best spots a secret. Big waves mean even bigger days for Bart and his surf crew. Last winter, they found themselves at Rincon Beach, which soon became a day filled with massive waves. Days like those are the memories that last a lifetime and stick out from the rest, even bigger than some competitions.

Bart uses the app Surfline to track all the conditions at various beaches come time to get back out on the waves, which he does before school and after school, and just about every weekend.

Jaxson Rector - The Lancer

Jaxson Rector - The Lancer

Cody Bart - with permission

JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor

SET UP - Freshman Natalia Stolworthy focuses in an intense rally in a home match against the Oaks Christian Lions on Oct. 10.

POCKET PASSER - Senior Lexi Lewis throws under pressure in a senior night victory against Newbury Park.

GETTING SOME RIDE ADVICE - Junior Cody Bart talks with his surfing coach at the California State Championships in Oceanside in April 2024.

LANCERS AT WORK

Students revisit their first, worst, or most hilarious work stories

lead their own tours. The whole process took Slechta roughly five months to complete.

Senior Colin Slechta is challenging Gen Z stereotypes in the workforce.

Spending his Saturday mornings volunteering as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, guiding guests through history, Slechta is not only defying negative perceptions but also gaining valuable skills along the way.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Slechta said. “The best thing I’ve learned is public speaking skills. Every weekend, I’m talking to guests and other docents, and it really just gets you more confident talking to people.”

Becoming a docent isn’t something that happens overnight, though. The training process consists of classroom learning and reading three books about Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Then comes shadowing other docents to get familiar with the process, and after a few months, docents are able to

Between school, his job and his goal of pursuing a career in law, Slechta’s plate is full. But he says

“The

best thing I’ve learned is public speaking skills. Every weekend, I’m

talking to guests and other docents, and it really just gets you more confident talking to people.”

COLIN SLECHTA

the experience is well worth it.

“I’ve learned that, at the end of the day, everyone is a human and easy to talk to,” Slechta said. “There’s no reason to be afraid of strangers or to shy away from conversation.”

Slechta’s confidence in dealing with all types of people has increased since beginning his journey at the library, which helps in a heated political climate.

With the 2024 election looming, anyone working in a political space has it cut out for them. But Slechta says they’re trained to stay neutral.

“We’re technically government employees as we work for the National Archives and Records Administration, which is a government agency,” Sletcha said. “We are supposed to be strictly bipartisan. A lot of guests will try to nudge you, but we’re supposed to stay hands-off and be bi-partisan.” Slechta plans to take what he’s learned as a docent into his future.

“I’d like to go into a career in law, and a lot of work as an attorney, as you can imagine, involves public speaking,” Sletcha said. “Learning how to talk to people and get them relaxed with a story from the museum will translate well into a career in law.”

Halloween Trivia

1. How many bones are in the average human skeleton?

2. What do you call a group of witches?

Every Lancer Has a Story

How long do you think you would survive in a zombie apocalypse and why?

If you had to, would you rather have vampire teeth or a witch’s mole and why?

Out of all the Halloween movies you know, which is your favorite and why?

3. In 2023, Travis Gienger nabbed the Guinness World record for heaviest pumpkin. How much did it weigh?

4. What does a magician say when performing a magic trick?

5. Who wrote the 1818 classic book “Frankenstein?”

6. Which movie tops Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the Scariest Horror Movies Ever?

7. Are pumpkins technically a fruit or vegetable?

8. Where is Transylvania, otherwise known as home to Count Dracula, located?

9. How long did it take to make the movie “A Nightmare Before Christmas?”

What is having a fear of Halloween called?

What’s up and what’s down

with The Lancer?

We list the hits and misses of the month.

“I would probably survive like four days because I would go to sleep, eat food then die. I don’t like zombies they scare me.”

“I would rather have vampire teeth because they are more sexy.”

“My favorite Halloween movie is ‘Scream’ because I like the main characters. It’s fun to watch during Halloween.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers advanceed to their fourth World Series since 2017, squaring off with their bi-coastal rival, the New York Yankees and their star power hitter Aaron Judge.

The fast food classic McDonald’s is falling off, starting with the E. coli outbreak found in the QuarterPounder and then the Chicken Big Mac being a major disappointment.

With Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, and no school on the Friday after, Halloweekend will be a long four-day celebration. Let’s see what costume trend is the most popular!

Tyler The Creator dropped another album called “Chromakopia.” Just like he does every two years, he’s given fans teasers, us anxious to see what he came up with this time.

ERIC HIRSCH

JACOB ROCHA

ANNA COLE

FLYING HIGH - Senior Colin Slechta poses in front of Air Force One at The Reagan Presidential Library.

Cooper Lester - The Lancer

COOPER LESTER Business Manager

10.

206; 2. A coven; 3. 2749 pounds; 4. "Abracadabra"; 5. Mary Shelley; 6. "The Exorcist"; 7. Fruit; 8. Romania; 9. Three years; 10. Samhainophobia

Compiled by Mya Messervy