Under PRESSURE
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
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
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 sent to thelancer.tohs@gmail.com.
The Lancer is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association (NPSA) and NPSA All-American Hall of Fame. The Oct. 31, 2024 issue of The Lancer won 9th place in NPSA’s Best of Show contest in Philadelphia.
Email: thelancer.tohs@gmail.com Instagram: @thelancermedia www.tohsthelancer.org
Lancers help those in need
Red Cross Club members, students work to aid victims of devastating Mountain Fire
JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor
When the Ventura County Mountain Fire occurred on Nov. 6, 2024, Thousand Oaks High School senior and secretary of the Red Cross Club (RCC), Ryan Shafiei, saw a need to step in. He shared his idea of a sticker sale with club presidents Chokee Weezer and Aubrey Naranjo to gain funds for the victims.
Shafiei distinctly remembers turning on the news that Wednesday afternoon to new information that the wildfire had destroyed around 130 structures, with many civilians losing their homes and recalled that The American Red Cross could help him gather funds for victims evacuating, first responders and needed medical help.
RCC is a partner of The American Red Cross, with the mission to help those in need during emergencies through volunteers, donors and generosity.
“I communicated with both the [TOHS] Principal of Activities, [Jeniffer] Modolo, and the Red Cross Volunteer Recruiter for Ventura County, Micaela [Duarte], in order to figure out how to make the
sticker sale happen,” Shafiei said. “I wanted to help our Ventura County community out from the devastating effects of (the) wildfire.”
The wildfire occurred near Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road in Somis, California, burning around 20,000 acres of land, which caused many to evacuate, become injured, and lose their homes. When Weezer heard about Shafiei’s idea she immediately supported him, as
she was personally able to see the affects.
“I live in Camarillo,” Weezer said. “I saw the impact the fire had on everybody, including animals. This fundraiser helped me feel as though we were helping the problem directly.”
While she did not evacuate she expresses how during this time she noticed a lot of stress among individuals and the fear this fire brought to her community.
With all the support Shafiei
received, he and the rest of RCC were able to host a lunch-time sticker sale on Nov. 22, in the quad, where they sold stickers with a complementary baked good.
“We were able to make $225 in only 40 minutes,” Shafiei said. “With additional donations from officers and their families, we were able to make the final donation to the Red Cross of $545.”
RCC was proud that they were able to contribute to helping those affected by the mountain fire, however, this was not easily achieved.
“Usually you need to submit the activity request two weeks before the activity, but I submitted it around five days before,” Shafiei said. “I completed the process of organizing the sale very quickly so we could send money to help those affected by the Camarillo fires as soon and effectively as possible.”
Shafiei admitted that he did not have high expectations of the sale due it’s spontaneous arrival.
Despite the uncertainty, RCC persevered, and expressed their gratitude to their volunteers and donors, with the goal to continue helping communities in need.
Lancers showcase stages of life in winter play
Students’ hard work pays off as they transform for three nights in this year’s fall play
LIAM SMITH Staff Writer
“Our Town” is the talk of the town as the theater program’s fall play.
“Our Town” was performed at the Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center from Nov. 21-23. In the early spring of last year, the play was selected to be performed in the fall. Unlike last year, it had an original score by Cal Lutheran University student composer Akash Pandey and was directed by theater teacher Breanna Mack and her assistant director, senior October Taylor.
“Our Town” follows life in a small town, Grover’s Corners, in the early 1900s. With the main characters Emily Webb, who played by junior Emily Esau, and a boy named George Gibbs, played by sophomore Marley Due.
The theater program worked
twice a week from 3:30-5:30 p.m in September and then transitioned into three days a week as they got closer to their debut. In November their rehearsals began to change the week before the their first performance as they would now
Off Campus Pass
Eras Tour ends its era
Nearly 20 months after the beginning of the Eras Tour starting in March 2023, Taylor Swift fans are mourning the end of an era.
After 632 days, ‘The Eras Tour’ movie, 149 concerts, 51 cities and more than $2 billion in revenue, the haze is officially over and labeled as the highest-grossing tour of all time for a second year in a row. While she plans on an extended break to recuperate after the marathon tour, Swifties are still waiting for the announcement of her final two rerecorded albums.
practice the play with lights, sound and costumes.
During the production, Due describes their experience in the play as great, despite it being a little stressful.
“It can be a bit stressful depending on how big the role
is,” Due said. “But I always find it to be worth it…theater is something I really love to participate in.”
One thing Due emphasizes is the opportunity given to them to spend time with the rest of the cast and team preparing for the play. Due recalls making jokes and having fun conversations backstage and during rehearsals, allowing friendships and connections to be formed.
“One of my favorite things to do is just talk to people since a lot of the time someone says something stupid which ends up becoming an inside joke,” Due said.
Rehearsing for the show was hard work with the student’s preparing after school and at home to show their best performance, but regardless of its formality, theater is a fun way to bring a community together.
Xi declines inauguration invite Migrant girl survives wreck
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is reportedly likely to decline an invitation to returning U.S. president Donald Trump’s January inauguration. It is highly unorthodox for incoming American presidents to invite world leaders to presidential inaugurations, but Trump is reportedly willing to break tradition. Because of the competitive ties between the US and China economies, political scientists are looking closely at the development.
An 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone was found clinging to tire tubes for three days on the early morning of Dec. 12. A migrant boat, which left over the weekend, hit a storm and was overturned at sea. She told the rescuers that her family had boarded the boat, but rescuers looking for other survivors presumed that the other 44 passengers on the boat were dead. With many migrants seeking asylum in Europe, more than 64,000 people have been rescued in the central Mediterranean between Jan. 1 and Dec. 11 of this year, with 7,879 being unaccompanied minors.
Compiled by Gemma Spraggins
IT’S SHOWTIME - Juniors Ava Daugherty and Julia Bowden and senior Cianna Wilkins perform a scene togther during their portrayal of “Our Town.”
Julia Pineda-Dominguez - The Lancer
SELLING FOR THE NEED - Club members pack up their tables after a
successful day of fundraising for victims of the Ventura County mountain fire.
The Lancer Legend - with permission
Courtesy - Creative Commons
END OF AN ERA - Taylor Swift concluded the most successful tour in the history of music, finishing in Vancouver in mid December.
CCC provides guidance to senior Lancers
Thousand Oaks High School staff works to lower stress that comes with life after high school while also providing support
KAILAH SPENCER Assistant News Editor
When you step into the College and Career Center (CCC) at Thousand Oaks High School, you’ll most likely be welcomed with a warm smile from Mary Ippolito, the College and Career Guidance Specialist.
Before coming to TOHS, Ippolito received a PhD from the University of Southern California, majoring in Sociology and specializing in Education.
“I was really interested in identifying cultural messaging in education and how students understand and make meaning out of their own education pathways,” Ippolito said. “I’m very passionate about making the transition into college and university smoother for students.”
how I got here.”
The CCC is located in D2 and is a place for students to come in if they have questions about college applications, financial aid resources, scholarship information, work permits, or if they need information on joining a union or the military.
“My English teacher, Mrs. Van Ackeren, was a huge influence on me. I just thought she was so intelligent...so when I was writing my application, it was one of those things where I just wanted to make her proud.”
MARY IPPOLITO
While enrolled in graduate school at USC, Ippolito worked in the field of Academic Support, finding employment opportunities at numerous colleges and universities around Southern California. She’s worked for UCLA Athletics, Glendale Community College, Pierce College and the USC Writing Center.
After completing her studies, the perfect opportunity revealed itself to Ippolito when she saw that the CCC was hiring.
“My dissertation was on messages about college and career,” Ippolito said. “So I thought, ‘This is really related to my study’, so I applied, and that’s
Since the 2023-2024 school year, Ippolito has been serving Lancers and assisting them as they plan for their future.
Ippolito has helped many students throughout her time at TOHS, but a proud moment for her was helping a student through a difficult Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Ippolito recalls sitting down with the student many times and trying to reach the FAFSA helpline, receiving no answer.
“The student was saying ‘This makes me not want to go to college,’”
Ippolito said. “I was angry because I felt like this was all so complicated when it should’ve been easier for students.”
Despite continually hitting roadblocks, Ippolito and this student didn’t cease their efforts; eventually, it paid off.
“[The student] went to the FAFSA Help Nights and she kept trying and kept trying,” Ippolito said. “She was able to complete it and now she’s in her first year of college. I’ve heard that she’s doing very well and she’s joining a lot of social activities.”
Ippolito understands the importance of her role at TOHS because of her own “stressful” college application experience. She expressed gratitude for many figures in her life during that time, especially her high school English teacher.
“My English teacher, Mrs. Van Ackeren, was a huge influence on me,” Ippolito said. “I just thought she was so intelligent…so when I was writing my application, it was one of those things where I just wanted to make her proud.”
Despite Ippolito’s current work to decrease the amount of stress applications put on students, she admitted to putting a lot of pressure on herself while applying to colleges, but her hard work proved worth it when she opened the email with her acceptance letter to UCLA.
Ippolito recognizes the tendency to feel competitive when applying to colleges, considering there’s a limited number of spots for the thousands of applicants. However, one thing she believes would help the process and wishes for is more teamwork between students.
“I’d like more social support,” Ippolito said. “More camaraderie, even if you’re going to a different place.”
With the stress that already comes with college applications, Ippolito believes that being supportive of one another can alleviate at least a little bit of that stress.
“The more teamwork, the better, in the college application process, so it doesn’t feel as lonely,” Ippolito said.
Ippolito hopes to help ease students’ transitions into their future after high school for many years, utilizing the skills she was taught, and the attributes she saw in her role models as a student.
Moorpark dual enrollment offers college edge
Help save money and time by getting ahead in your college journey; sign up for dual enrollment this upcoming semester
SADAYA KEAYS Staff Writer
The Moorpark Community College Spring Dual Enrollment Program is an excellent opportunity for high school students in the Conejo Valley Unified School District to get ahead this spring.
By participating in this program, students can simultaneously earn high school and college credits in real college courses while still in high school, providing a head start on their academic journey.
Students can choose from a wide variety of classes, including core subjects such as English and math, but also electives such as digital media and environmental science.
These courses not only help students save money on college tuition but also give them a chance to explore new interests and develop a clearer sense of their academic and career goals.
Participating in dual enrollment additionally helps students prepare for
the challenges in college. By taking college-level courses, students build critical skills such as time management, organization and analyzing. Moorpark College professors are available to help students throughout the process, making sure they gain the most from this experience.
Registration for spring classes is open now, but spots are limited and tend to fill up quickly. To help students, Moorpark College provides counseling services to help students interested select classes that align with the student’s academic and career aspirations.
“It was a great way to take a variety of different classes not offered in high school and familiarize yourself with the way a college class is structured,” senior Jordan Tilles said.
Moorpark Community College’s Spring Dual Enrollment Program is the perfect way for high school students to get a head start on their college journey and a chance to save time and money, learn new things and prepare for the future.
1. Apply to Moorpark College
Is TikTok ban finally here?
Rumors of TikTok getting banned appear every year, but this time it’s a bit more real. The U.S. is reportedly set to ban users starting on Jan. 19, 2025.
While the app can still be accessible, the app stores will face fines if they continue to sell it past the deadline. Without the access to updates, the app will eventually become useless and unusable. While it’s not set in stone yet, the likelihood of TikTok getting banned is increasing every day.
To enroll, follow these steps:
2. Submit an application for the semester on “https:// www.moorparkcollege.edu/apply-and-enroll/ apply-admission” for when you want to take a course. You will create an OpenCCC account, then be re-routed to apply to Moorpark College specifically.
3. Setup a MYVCCCD Account.
4. According to the Moorpark College website, after you apply to Moorpark College, you will receive a “Welcome” email with a link to your “Portal Setup Wizard”. Click this link (within 20 days, because it will expire) and follow the directions to setup your MyVCCCD Portal.
5. This account will act as your online portal to Moorpark College. It will be used to order parking permits, look at grades, receive transcripts, register/add/pay for classes, access your online courses, and connect to student resources.
6. Complete and Submit MOU form.
Off Campus Pass
Assad regime collapses Healthcare CEO murdered
President Bashar al-Assad fled Syria early December 2024 after a controversial reign in the Middle East country. During his presidency over the past 13 years, the Syrian economy declined rapidly, resulting in massive inflation and widespread poverty. Violence has also been a major concern, which the president failed to handle.
Mohammed al-Bashir is currently serving in the role of prime minister as the acting head of state for Syria.
On Dec. 4 in New York City, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down at point blank range while heading to a midtown Manhattan hotel. That set off a nation-wide manhunt that ended just days later, as police arrested a person of interest, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, on Dec. 9. Mangione has been formally charged with Thompson’s murder, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of possessing a forged instrument.
7. Select the class you wish to enroll in. You can select a class from the classes that Thousand Oaks high school is offering for dual enrollment.
8. Next, fill out the Dual Enrollment e-FORM at “https://account.vcccd.edu.”
9. Fill out the whole form, including your personal information at the top, the course code for the class you wish to enroll in, and all required signatures from a parent or guardian (if you are under 18) and a high school counselor.
10. Register Online.
11. Once you have been cleared by Admissions and Records to take the classes listed on your Dual Enrollment e-FORM form, you may register for the course you wish to take.
12. Click the Register/Pay tab after logging into your portal. To register for the class, click Register, select your term, confirm your address, phone number, and account details, and then enter the CRN number in the Shopping Cart.
WHAT’S NEXT? - Guidance specialist hops on her computer to plan for new events, look for helpful resources and answer emails for students on campus.
Alan Ko - The Lancer
Courtesy - Creative Commons
Science shown through art
Future Lancers learn what’s next
get familiar with campus activities
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, eighth-grade students and their parents visited the TOHS campus to learn more about the Lancer experience.
The event began in the gym with performances by TOHS performing arts programs, such as the choir, dance team, drum line and color guard. Once the performances concluded, the potential students and their families could tour the campus and see multiple booths showcasing what the school offers.
Many familiar TOHS faces were in attendance, with teachers and student Lancers talking with the middle schoolers, and answering any questions.
The Ethos program in particular had a successful night at their station. It was reported by the student working the booth that many people were approaching them wanting to learn more about the program. The program displayed some of their senior companies and the competitions they plan on attending.
The academic programs at TOHS weren’t the only ones showing their best qualities at Future Lancer Night. The TOHS band had a table displaying their awards and photos, ready to inform future Lancers about their program. Current band member junior Mateo Ibrra was in attendance at the event and enjoyed showing middle schoolers what they could be a part of.
“The band and the program is just one big family,” Ibarra said. “We’re all connected, and it’s just so much fun to be a part of this program.”
The aspiring band members who visited the band’s booth showed a lot of interest and the band even recruited new members for next year.
The eighth graders had great expectations regarding their futures in high school, and the students and teachers at TOHS seemed to exceed the expectations of those hopeful middle schoolers.
Redwood Middle School student Carissa Germann had a great experience on campus, and her hopes for the next school year remain higher than ever.
“I am really excited to be around a lot of different people and get the full experience,” Germann said. “I want to be very involved in this school.”
After the event, these future Lancers seem to be more excited than ever for their future at TOHS.
JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor
In the Ventura County Office of Education’s (VCOE) 2025 Logo Contest, organizers received around 200 submissions to represent the upcoming Ventura County Academic Decathlon, Science Fair, Mock Trial and Battle of the Books, with only four submissions ultimately selected.
For Thousand Oaks High School sophomore Layla Ward, this competition was simply a fun way to make art; she never thought her logo would be the one selected to represent the Ventura County Science Fair.
“I was surprised [I] [won] because I hadn’t entered very seriously,” Ward said. “I’ve always liked drawing, but I don’t usually do anything but draw for fun.”
The VCOE aims to provide students of various ages with opportunities to promote creativity, critical thinking, collaboration,
and more. The VCOE has successfully done this for many years by partnering with local educational agencies, and government and private sector personnel to create competitions and other events that foster collaboration within many communities.
Ward, despite not usually entering her art into competitions, was encouraged by her ninth-grade biology teacher Nikki Malhotra.
“Malhotra wanted [TOHS] students to enter both the science and art categories of the science fair,” Ward said. “She told me that her goal was for someone from [TOHS] to win the logo contest and the science competition.”
Therefore, Ward decided to enter not only to represent her school but also because she has always enjoyed art, especially because of the freedom to draw anything you want.
“There’s not really any limits on what you can draw,” Ward said.
When designing her logo, she wanted to
include the current works of science while also showcasing society in some way.
“I wanted to show modern science that impacts our world today,” Ward said. “I tried to show different fields of science and technology that are being studied today.”
Ward took a few days to sketch out different ideas and finalized her logo during her art class. Eventually, when she decided what she wanted she submitted it and waited.
“I just submitted a picture of my drawing and emailed it to the organizer,” Ward said. “Then they reviewed all of the submissions and voted.”
After the voting was finalized, Ward was selected and her logo can now be seen on the Ventura County Office of Education website and will be the face of the upcoming Ventura Science Fair. While Ward admits she never truely came into the competition with the mind set of winning she is looking forwarding to seeing her logo being used to in 2025.
Coffee and more: LEAP students begin entreprenurial efforts
Thousand Oaks High School’s Learning Essentials Academic Program (LEAP) launched a coffee cart to teach life skills while raising funds for the program.
The coffee cart was established by Assistant Principal of Student Support Services Michelle Kerrigan, whose vision is for a microbusiness in the special education program.
The cart allows special education students to practice real-world skills and build on their social skills/cues.
Teachers place orders via paper forms, and students take charge of the operation, from delivering orders to gathering supplies to brewing coffee.
“It’s inspiring to see them step up and take the initiative,” special education teacher Klaudia Malpaya said.
Using two Keurig machines, students prepare coffee during nutrition and Malpaya’s fourthperiod Life Skill Class.
The program funds its
supplies, such as creamers and cups, with tips and donations from teachers covering additional costs. In the long run, teachers want the program to be fully student-run with multiple days of service.
The beverage menu is
Club Corner
ROBOTICS CLUB
President: Ari Mayi
Advisor: Tyler Hernandez Meetings: Every Wednesday in E2
Robotics Club is a new club that welcomes any students on campus interested in learning how to build robots and new engineering skills. The members of the club work together to build robots which are then entered into competitions to win prizes. The club is great for tho se interested in an engineering career as they can gain new skills and knowledge within that field.
SECONDHAND SOLUTIONS
President: Sydney Sweeney Advisor: Jeff Lewis Meetings: Every Tuesday in E9
The Secondhand Solutions Club, which was newly introduced, has a goal to raise awareness of waste and the use of recycling. The club focuses not only on recycling cans and bottles but also on informing on how fast fashion and other aspects impact the earth. This club aims to find new ways to reduce the burden on the environment.
delivered on Monday and Tuesday consisting of coffee for $1.50, hot chocolate for $1.50 and iced coffee for $2.
The LEAP students make each cup using visual step-bystep instructions. Each student rotates tasks to ensure everyone
gets a chance to participate, whether it’s brewing the coffee, preparing supplies or delivering orders.
“They’re taking initiative,” special education teacher Lori Faunt said. “They weren’t doing that before. They’re getting more brave about walking into a classroom and delivering the coffee or even just going and taking the orders. It’s something as little as that can be intimidating.”
Teachers and staff have been supportive, with many offering generous tips or paying it forward for others. The first week the program ran, the coffee cart had more than 15 sales from teachers.
“Mid-morning coffee is always a necessity,” English teacher Tasha Beaudoin said. “The high five and the fist bump with the students is what makes it great. It’s serving two purposes, they get to bring us joy, and we (the teachers) are helping to support the program.”
TOHS FENCING CLUB
President: Emma Dankberg
Advisor: James Corbett Meetings: Every Wednesday in D3
The Fencing Club teaches students the basics of fencing and is a great fitness source. The club encourages students to have fun while exercising with others, and meetings usually consist of learning new moves, learning about the history of fencing and having a good time. Fencing is a medieval sport, which contains a lot of footwork and requires good cardio.
UNICEF OF TOHS
President: Finneas Kerns
Advisor: Rhonda Frohn Meetings: Every other Monday in E6
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is a returning club on campus that works to protect the rights of children. UNICEF was originally established in 1946, The club helps children in need by giving them food, shelter, clothes and entertainment such as toys or fun activities. The main goal for the club is to grow and influence more people to join.
Layla Ward - with permission
LAILAH SERNA Staff Writer
TARIK NOORZAI Staff Writer
Alan Ko - The Lancer
LOOKING AHEAD - Math Loving Lancers inform incoming freshmen about opportunities to join their club.
Jaxson Rector - The Lancer
THE JOUST
Guest columnists weigh in on whether adults should lie about Santa or if it creates
long term effects in children’s lives
through MY EYES
GEMMA SPRAGGINS Opinion Editor
As Gen Z is growing up, we are living in a world that is out of our control.
ROCHELLE HULTGREN
Senior
Allowing children to believe in Santa is beneficial and can be a positive part of their childhood experience. Historically, the figure of Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas, a real person who lived in the 4th century and was known for his generosity. He often gave gifts, such as oranges, to those in need. This tradition has evolved over the years into the whimsical character of Santa we know today, who travels the world in a sleigh delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
While some might view this as a deception, it is important to recognize that belief in Santa Claus is rooted in a fantasy that encourages imagination and wonder. Believing in Santa gives children something magical to look forward to during the holiday season. It creates excitement and joy, fostering a sense of innocence and hope. Children learn to dream and embrace the spirit of giving and kindness through stories of Santa. It also encourages good behavior throughout the year leading to Christmas.
The annual tradition of writing letters to Santa, hanging stockings, and leaving out cookies and milk at night can create cherished family memories. It provides children with the idea that anything can be possible. The excitement of Santa delivering presents is connected to visiting a mall Santa to share their wishes and watching Christmas movies. Moreover, the belief in Santa can teach valuable lessons.
A belief in Santa Claus encourages children to engage in the spirit of giving, as they often learn that the Christmas season is not solely about receiving gifts but also about caring for others. By participating in holiday traditions, children develop a sense of community and family togetherness.
Believing in Santa Claus can be a healthy part of childhood. It encourages creativity, fosters magical experiences, and instills values of generosity and kindness. Rather than the idea of Santa being a misleading falsity, it is a cherished part of a rich tradition that enhances the joy of the winter holiday season.
DELILAH O’BRIEN Senior
Kids should not be lied to about Santa. When children grow up and learn that Santa isn’t real, they may question what their parents have lied about and feel that their trust has been betrayed, causing the bond between parent and child to fracture.
Kids will act kinder when told they will get coal if they are rude. This creates the wrong message and introduces the fear of punishment, ultimately taking away the deeper values, like being thankful that their family has bought them something they’ve always wished for. For example, a child who chooses to share their toys during the holiday season might only do so because they want Santa’s approval, not because they understand the importance of generosity.
The stories surrounding Santa have good meanings, but instead of relying on them, parents can have meaningful discussions about kindness and giving.
Parents can teach their children all of Santa’s crucial messages by signing up for volunteering, spending quality time together, baking, and walking around the neighborhood to give out the little sweets they made. It teaches them to truly appreciate the thought and effort behind the gift they have received.
The commercials that show up teach children to focus on materialistic aspects; for example, advertisements with Santa in front of a bunch of presents can make children think Christmas is about receiving and not giving. Another vital consideration is the stress and anxiety children might experience in anticipation for Santa to arrive; the unnecessary pressure caused by the idea of a Naughty and Nice list takes away from the joy Christmas is supposed to bring and causes negative feelings towards that time of year.
The magic of Christmas should not come from a myth but from actual experiences created with family that build trust and memories. My experience with finding out Santa isn’t real wasn’t that surprising to me; I found out about it just by looking at Amazon because I felt he was too good to be real.
Anxiety caused by politics
GABRIELLA MULLER Assistant Opinion Editor
As teenagers, the ongoing pressures of the world are continuously lingering over our shoulders. The pressure of politics is something growing in teenagers’ lives as the attempt to fit in with others grows, while also attempting to understand the world around us.
Teenagers are often pressured by peers into changing the way they think about certain topics. With open discussions about political topics becoming much more prevalent throughout the community, teenagers are stuck in the crossfire and conflicted with whose opinion they should follow. In many cases, teenagers end up falling victim to false beliefs, just so they can agree with someone close to them.
As a teenager, I can say that sometimes we don’t have the best or most reliable sources of information. With social media and AI posts becoming more
mainstream, teenagers’ lack of knowledge on certain topics is a growing epidemic. And we don’t check sources or investigate on our own; we believe what pops up in front of us. We are the future, and we can’t even educate ourselves to form personal values to make that future secure.
“It may not be a lack of interest, but a lack of access, that is preventing a significant number of youth from engaging in political life.”
CIRCLE, 2022
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement reported “only half of youth say they feel they’re ‘as well-informed’ as most people.” Additionally, many teenagers feel pressure from family beliefs and expectations. Some teens are
taught that it is wrong to go against what their family believes in, and even if they strongly disagree, they’re supposed to find a way to be on the same page. Personally, I find it important for teenagers to form ideas separate from what their family members think; I found the confidence to stand strongly against my family’s ideals. But, some teenagers do fall victim to this pressure, and lose themselves in the process of following family values.
As teenagers struggle to find balance in the political world, the idea that their voices are often muted is not helping the matter. Most teens cannot vote yet, so their voice is silenced whenever they try to discuss politics. Teenagers are our future and our voices matter alongside everyone else’s. As we find that oftentimes we are forgotten, many can find it pointless to even educate themselves or try to express an opinion on topics, only leading to a fall in political involvement for the future.
lack of human interaction needed for creating solid relationships.
Generations that have come before us have put us in positions that will be hard to undo. Gen X and Millennials (born 1965-1995), is 30 years of people who were introduced to the new advancements of our time and have no idea how to control them. Ultimately, that led to Gen Z being completely dependent on both the Internet and tech advancements. Technology is great and all, but not when it comes to societal blindness and making ignorant mistakes.
“Gen Z is going to continue to live in a world that’s overheating, and at this point, we don’t have the power to stop it.”
GEMMA SPRAGGINS
Gen Z has gone through obstacles that people like our parents never experienced growing up. The huge pause in all these children’s development during the time of COVID-19 (2020-2022) has left permanent scars; Gen Z will grow up with communication issues and lack of social interactions because of the years spent behind a screen with a
The late 1980’s was the time of realization for the condition of the world. It was brought to scientists’ attention how global warming was becoming an issue–an issue has been growing ever since. Gen Z is going to continue to live in a world that’s overheating, and at this point, we don’t have the power to stop it. The current leaders of our country won’t even live to see 2030, and if our world conditions don’t improve, neither will anyone else. We are using our voices but because we aren’t considered old enough to have our own opinions, we are ignored.
Gen Z and upcoming generations, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, have had their futures planned out for the last 20 years. The Climate Change Clock estimates about five years until Earth’s temperature rises. Gen Z can’t fix that, but we can try to stop it once the world is in our hands. Until then, older generations need to put thought into what our lives will look like in the next 50 years.
Innovation or Invasion?
Apple AI creates a new vice for effortless life
DORATHEA BURTON Staff Writer
Apple’s latest AI offering has been hyped to death, promising to reimagine how we interact with our gadgets.
As people become accustomed to the company’s seamless ecosystem, Apple’s new AI does make everything smarter, from predictive text to more personal responses by Siri. It features a technology that understands context, anticipates needs and improves convenience: a more futuristic, almost effortless user experience.
But this degree of AI integration raises questions of privacy. Apple has built its brand on protecting user data, but the more everyday AI becomes, the greater the potential for data breach. With AI potentially listening in to personal conversations, tracking
browsing history and following preferences, there’s a question about trust and who’s in control.
While it is certain that AI means more personalization and effectiveness, there is, too, a prospect for our becoming so hooked on the tech that it will erode agency. Will we be overdependent on AI so that this creates our life for us? And with just a few big players like Apple literally owning powerful AI, what does this portend for small players and those not plugged in?
Ultimately, it’s a paradox: This new AI will improve daily life or create more societal chasms. A new era has begun in the way we interact with technology. The question is whether we’re ready for a future shaped by algorithms or if we should hold onto more control.
WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL
YOU BELONG HERE.
Lancers rally for winter
Students gather together in the gym to celebrate Winter break with songs, dancing, competitions before Finals Week starts
TARIK NOORZAI Staff Writer
Each rally at Thousand Oaks High School is full of music, performances, games and of course, school spirit.
On Dec. 13 in the TOHS gymnasium, the Associated Student Body (ASB) hosted its annual Winter Rally. The rally included many competitions such as dodge ball, toilet paper wrapping, finish the lyrics and the brand-new Class Cup, which excited many students. The event had a surprise guest make an appearance: Fake snow. The rally featured festive performances from the varsity dance team, cheer team and drumline, but there
was a special performance that topped off the event. A group of senior boys danced to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” reenacting the famous dance scene from the film Mean Girls.
The decorations for the rally included balloons, streamers and posters covering the gym.
The TOHS ASB team worked hard to set up the rally and created excitement with a dress-up Spirit Week in anticipation. There are two more rallies in this school year, one on Mar. 28, and another on June 2, so get ready for more fun.
Dance takes audience through the decades in winter concert
Dancers from all levels come together to spread holiday cheer
“My favorite thing about concert is the memories I make. Although, it can be stressful, being on the team and seeing my mom in the audience is the best thing and since I’m a senior, I’ll miss it.”
Junior Gabriel Duran has found that cutting, styling hair is perfect way to unwind, have fun, earn money
outlet of hairstyling serves as a calming escape.
Junior Gabriel Duran started cutting hair after watching a video that sparked his curiosity.
“It just seemed like something fun to try,” Duran said.
Though he’s not a professional, Duran charges $20 for his haircuts, a price he feels is fair for the time and effort he dedicates to each one.
Cutting hair has become a way for Duran to relax and disconnect from the stress of school.
“It helps me disconnect from everything else, especially school,” Duran said.
It gives him the opportunity to socialize and bond with clients, making the experience more enjoyable. For Duran, the creative
Although Duran doesn’t plan to make hairstyling a full-time career at this point in time, he does envisions a future in the industry, with the hope of one day opening his own barbershop.
“I definitely think I’ll stay in the industry long-term,” Duran said.
Balancing his schoolwork with his passion for haircuts is important to him, so he prioritizes doing homework first, after completing his assignments he then goes and spends his free time refining his hair-cutting skills. As a self-taught stylist, Duran has learned through videos and practice, and he finds that cutting hair not only improves his technique but also helps clear his mind and unwind after a busy day.
TAP-TASTIC - Junior Abagail Garcia, junior Braeden Rice and senior Riley Speed took the audience back to the 1960’s with an intricate tap dance routine.
IN THE MOMENT - Seniors Genesis Couoh and Olivia Charley give it their all.
and Junior Piper Goehner bust a move.
KAMILA LOPEZ
ADDISON ANELLO Staff Writer
ALL THE FEELS - Senior Ruby Ferguson performs in the seniors dance.
LIVELY LEAPS - Junior Trisha Chatterjee, senior Becca Glaubke and sophomore Alexis Jusi celebrate the 1950s.
All photos by Carlos Garcia - with permission
THIS WON’T FADE - Gabriel Duran’s self-taught hair-dressing skills have taught him how to relax and bond with new people as he continues to grow his business through friends and family.
Jaxson Rector - The Lancer
SANTA’S HELPERS - Seniors perform iconic dance from “Mean Girls.”
Cooper Lester - The Lancer
ON A ROLL - ASB plans new and exciting snowman-themed wrapping game.
Cooper Lester - The Lancer
Students reveal pressures,
The science of stress and anxiety
The science behind stress, the difference between stress and anxiety, and what to do when either become too much for you
ALAN KO Digital Editor
Feeling stressed and overwhelmed during times of discomfort is something that everyone experiences, but for many, stress turns into a constant state of being that feels completely inescapable. When it gets to this point, regular stress becomes an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety is more than just a feeling before a game, a test, or that jolt of nervousness before speaking in front of a crowd.
You may have heard of the fight-or-flight response; this is your body’s reaction to what it believes to be a dangerous situation. Even if nothing particularly bad will happen to you if you bomb your English presentation, the signals your brain is receiving are the same as the ones it would receive when faced with a bear 2000 years ago.
During a fight-or-flight response, your body is preparing itself to either attack something or
Applying pressure
RILEY KEELER Managing Editor
Every year, seniors from high schools across the country flood college admissions offices with beautifully written essays that determine the trajectory of the rest of their lives. Not only do seniors have to do college applications, but other life obligations don’t stop. Going to practice every day, having a job and school on top of the application process is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Some students decide to take it easy their senior year and take as few classes as possible. To those few seniors who are taking six to seven classes right now, you are a soldier. After UC and Cal State applications are submitted, the stress is finally over, and the amount of satisfaction you will feel is like none other, all of that stress and weight off your shoulders, finally feeling like yourself again–that is, until you realize that you still have to submit common applications.
Between getting letters of recommendation, editing essays, brag sheets, SAT scores, ACT scores, supplementals and everything else that comes with college applications, it feels like you have no time for anything else.
The mistake I made was waiting until school started to start working on my applications; starting over the summer before my senior year would have made a significant difference. There are so many requirements needed for applications. It may feel like you are so far behind everyone else who has done so much more than you have and has more activities, more volunteer hours, but that doesn’t make you less committed. Some students have sports every day and no room for volunteering; some students don’t play sports so they can volunteer and get a job. No matter what you do, you are no less important or qualified. College apps season makes it feel like what college you get into defines you, but you don’t need to go to the top college; you need to go to the college that is right for you. I’ve spent so much time worrying about what colleges I’m going to get into, comparing myself to the students around me but, after submitting, I’ve never cared less. I’ve realized that I want to go somewhere that is right for me and offers the classes and the campus and the life that I want to live.
Balancing everything in life was hard to do, but I’ve never felt better after submitting my applications–it was amazing–and I could finally focus on my school work again, sports, and work. Everyone who is going to go through this process or will go through this process, best of luck to you! I promise, despite the stress you feel at the time, it will get better.
run for it’s life, which is why doing things like remembering information for a math test suddenly become so difficult.
Fight-or-flight responses are normal and healthy in small doses; without a stress response, we wouldn’t be able to prepare ourselves for important and possibly dangerous situations.
Your fight-or-flight response becomes worrisome and indicative of anxiety when this response is overactive, causing generally mild stressful situations to feel completely unbearable.
disorders occur when feelings of worry or fear become so intense and frequent that they interfere with a person’s ability to function.
“Whether talking to a trusted adult, practicing breathing exercises, going outside, exercising, playing a sport, using some sort of art outlet, everybody copes differently.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that 31.9% of adolescents aged 13-18 have had an anxiety disorder. Anxiety
Symptoms can range from restlessness and rapid heart rate to many physical issues such as stomach aches or headaches.
The brain is the central organ of stress, but it works in tandem with other organs like the heart and the lungs to decide when and how to administer the stress
is to first deal with the symptoms. Taking big, deep breaths will balance your heart rate and tell the brain that the stress is being dealt with, triggering it to slow the release of stress hormones and neurotransmitters.
“Anxiety can come and really stem from anything,” school therapist Lindsey Yount said.
Yount believes there are multiple ways to cope, and finding what’s best for you is key.
“Whether talking to a trusted adult, practicing breathing exercises, going outside, exercising, playing a sport, or using some sort of art outlet, everybody copes differently,” Yount said. “It’s a matter of trial and error. You’ve gotta try a couple
Thousand Oaks High School provides a range of support for students grappling with anxiety and other challenges. Dedicated staff members are available in the Wellness Center, room C-2 to offer guidance and resources, ensuring that students
It never hurts to ask a friend
I need help coping with stress. What idea do you have for me to be able to cope and manage all of my school and work obligations?
I listen to music, I like to listen because it helps and calms me if I’m mad or sad or if I’m having a bad day or a good day, I like listening to music it helps me.
- Junior Adrien Casares
When I’m stressed I talk to my friends and try to see if they can help me with my work and I talk to my teacher to see if I can balance everything. - Junior Gabriella Napoli
I handle stress by doing breathing practices; it helps relax me. - Freshman Dominick Diaz
I deal with stress by trying to focus on just my sports. - Freshman Max Rudy
I like to go outside. - Sophomore Antonio Folmar
pressures, outlets
Lancer stresses revealed, rated, answered
In an anonymous survey, students shared their biggest instigators of stress and asked for help dealing with them
Wellness Center Q&A
In their survey, students anonymously submitted questions to be answered by Wellness Center counselor Mrs. Lindsey Yount
Q: What makes a coping mechanism positive or negative?
A: I think that everybody copes in a different way; what works for me might not work for you, and vice versa. I think if what you’re doing is having a negative impact on your life or making you feel any worse, obviously it is not a healthy coping skill–I don’t think there’s a good or bad way to cope with stress. If it is a physically and mentally healthy coping skill that makes you feel better overall, I don’t think anything makes it necessarily ‘good’ or ‘bad;’ it’s just that what works for some people may not work for other people.
Q: What do I do if I think my friends don’t want me around?
A: That is really though. I feel like that is something a lot of kids experience in high school. This is the time of life where everybody is needing people and trying new things; it’s normal to maybe grow apart from people and connect with new people. I also think if you’re feeling like your friends don’t like you or don’t want you around, it’s good to have a conversation about it. I’m a firm believer in conversation over confrontation, so you’re not being aggressive or interrogating anyone, you’re just simply asking your friends what’s going on.
Q: I feel like I’m either trying too little or too hard in class. How do I balance?
A: That’s a good question. I feel like it’s really important to have balance, not just trying too hard or not trying enough, but balance comes with everything in life, like social situations, family, school, and self-care. I think that every person is going to be unique, especially the classes you’re taking are different, and you just need to find a good motivation to get you going. There are a lot of executive functioning strategies that people can use and learn to help them maintain good balance in class.
Q: Can you suggest ways to cope with procrastination?
A: I feel like everybody, even adults, experience some level of procrastination at some point. This time in the school year, when we’re almost done with semester one, kids could be experiencing a little bit of burnout or exhaustion, which is normal. Hopefully, winter break will give everybody a good reset. At any point throughout school, if you’re feeling tired and procrastinating, it’s just good to take a break. Why are we not doing the work we’re supposed to be doing? What is causing a decrease in motivation? How can we motivate ourselves? Just talking it out can help.
Q: How do I cope with struggling to make friends and meet new people in high school?
A: The older you get, the scarier it is to try and meet new people and make friends. There’s a lot of anxiety about meeting new people but, luckily for this age, there are a lot of different ways to make friends–sports, clubs, lunchtime activities, dances, and all different groups. It’s a matter of being willing to step out of your comfort zone a little and get yourself to do those things or even come to the Wellness Center for Friendship Building Friday. We’re always doing some sort of activity where we are trying to connect people.
Using sports as a coping mechanism, escape
ALYSSA KISZCZAK Editor-in-Chief
It was a Monday afternoon and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Struggling to keep my eyes open, I debated even wanting to go to practice at all. With everything going on, it felt like I was gasping for air, trying to take one thing at a time. However, when I stepped on the diving board that night, all my stresses were washed away with the water I dove into.
Stacks of homework are building up, finals are around the corner, daily to-do lists are not getting done, family drama surrounds the holidays, and finding room to socialize is a
difficult task at hand. These daily challenges make us human, however, they are also what keeps us up at night when trying to catch up on much-needed sleep. Sometimes I like to think to myself: What would it be like to just pause time and have a way to escape?
While the commitment of playing a sport throughout high school might add to one’s stress, most of the time it is a way for high schoolers to do what we love and, for a period of time, forget about all the other chaos that may be going on in our lives.
I’m not sure whether it is being able to spend time with my teammates, the adrenaline rush of competition, or the personal accomplishments
that help clear my mind, but I have found that being a part of a team and playing a sport since I was young has saved me from drowning in my own negative thoughts.
It is scientifically proven that sports help people manage stress. Exercise causes our bodies to release endorphins, which are essentially the “feel-good” chemicals in our brains that help relieve pain and stress. The levels of stress hormones like Cortisol and adrenaline are also reduced, making an athlete calmer than the average person.
No matter the sport, being in a competitive environment allows us to put our worries aside and only focus on the task at hand. In the end, it is
just me and the diving board, not the homework sitting on our desks or the angry customers waiting at work. Nothing else matters at that moment but doing what is muscle memory from our childhood, when life truly had no stress.
If you find yourself overwhelmed, join a sport–either a team at school or an independent workout–to escape.
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
JOSEPH GOODNIGHT
Managing Editor
The Lancer News Staff put the top four chocolate chip cookies in Thousand Oaks to the test to see which is the best cookie. In a blind taste test the Lancer staff compared the chocolate chip cookies of McDonald’s, Subway, Starbucks and Crumbl, comparing their appearance, consistency and overall taste. In the end, there was a vote to see how many staffers preferred each cookie.
The first cookie to be removed from the list was McDonald’s, with many of the staff pointing out its off-putting, almost “sour” aftertaste of the chocolate, and general blandness of flavor in the cookie itself.
The second cookie to be kicked from the running was Crumbl. This cookie was the one with by far the highest price point and expectations, but many of the staff regarded the cookie as being overly sweet, and given its thickness, it was borderline “raw.”
The competition between the last two cookies wasn’t even close. The Starbucks cookie placed second, with a generally darker color and good flavor, but many staff members pointed out that the cookie tasted like it had been previously frozen, and had a hard, brittle consistency.
This left us with our overall winner: Subway. The staff collectively agreed that their cookie looked the best and was sweet and chewy, just as you would expect from a good chocolate chip cookie. Subway’s cookie came out on top and is the Lancer’s pick for best cookie in T.O.
C T I V I T I E S 5 T P O
a musical deep-dive Cooper Lester compiled by
This issue’s needle drop dives into the shock and awe release of Kendrick Lamar’s sixth album, GNX. Lamar dropped the album on a Friday morning with no promotion, no prior announcement–completely cold turkey.
On the first listen, many of the tracks feel repetitive and overly consistent, as Lamar didn’t allow for much variation. However, upon further listening, more of the album’s highlights begin to stand out.
One of the album’s standout features is the return of SZA.
It’s hard to top Lamar’s 2017 magnum opus, DAMN., an album that, front to back, had no
skips and gave the rappers of that era a run for their money. Regardless, GNX is a show of force for Lamar. It’s bold, it’s in your face, and it cleanses your palate every few tracks. Many of these songs have grown on me over time, and Lamar’s Super Bowl performance this year will perfectly capture the bold energy that defines this album.
GNX debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, earning Lamar his fifth consecutive No. 1.
The LP opened with 319,000 equivalent album units in the U.S., marking this year’s sixthlargest debut and the thirdbiggest week of streaming in 2024.
What are you listening to?
Ice Skating
Ice Skating is a fun event to do with friends and family during the cold winter months. Whether it’s an indoor rink or a frozen pond, all skill levels can enjoy the quality time to kick off the holiday season. The holiday decorations will also make the perfect photo op with friends.
Tree Decorating
For any students who celebrate Christmas, tree decorating is a yearly staple for holiday traditions. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with family, kicking off the Christmas season. A beautifully decorated tree helps create a warm, comforting place for opening presents on Christmas morning.
Skiing/ Snowboarding
Skiing or snowboarding down the frosted snowy mountains is the ideal vacation during the winter. With the thrill of going down slopes, it’s never a disappointment how much fun it is to spend time in the mountains with family and friends. The snow and cold weather make for the perfect holiday break. But, don’t forget your sunscreen since we live in sunny California.
Movies
The perfect way of getting into the holiday spirit or soaking up the season, especially with friends and family, is a movie marathon. Movies range from animated classics and thrilling Christmas dramas to cliché Hallmark romances. Holiday movies can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age.
Decorating Cookies
Decorating cookies is a way to spend time with family and friends for whatever holiday you celebrate. The classic Christmas cut outs and decorated cookies with frosting and sprinkles are a must for a late night snack.
So fresh
Winter fashion is fresher than ever
ADDISON ANELLO Staff Writer
Freshman Jason Arenas gets his fashion choices inspired by the music he listens to, his friends and family, and the shows he watches. Right now, he’s not really following any trends, but he’s starting to get into the baggy jeans trend. He likes experimenting with different styles, but he’s also okay with sticking to what already works.
“I enjoy experimenting, but sometimes I’m OK with sticking with the same style already.”
JASON ARENAS
“I enjoy experimenting, but sometimes I’m OK with sticking with the same style already,” Arenas said.
Growing up, his dad was a big influence on his style. His dad has always been into a metal head look, listening to bands like
Slipknot, Korn, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Guns n’ Roses, which has helped shape Arenas style. Arenas gets his clothes mainly from the outlet mall, without a particular store in mind. As for his friends, their clothing styles are usually similar to his, and Arenas admits he sometimes copies them because he thinks they have nice clothes.
“My friends give me ideas on what I want to look like or wear,” Arenas said.
His dad and friends continue to give him inspiration for his style choices, helping him express himself.
For freshman Katherine Hoolboom, who doesn’t have a particular source of inspiration for her fashion choices, the focus is on comfort and she enjoys wearing clothes that make her feel relaxed.
While Hoolboom likes experimenting with different styles, she doesn’t do it often because, as she puts it, “it costs a lot of money.”
Fashion, in her opinion, is about balance, and she enjoys incorporating trends into her wardrobe. But, comfort is always the top priority.
“I also like wearing things that are fun and shiny,” Hoolboom said. “A little pop of jewelry, especially jewelry with vibrant colors, always makes an outfit better.”
One trend she’s really loving right now is fur boots; she
loves the cozy, warm feel they provide and how they add a unique touch to any outfit.
Growing up, Hoolboom was influenced by her older sister, someone she has always looked up to in her life.
Hoolboom learned a lot about fashion and style from her sister’s choices, which helped shape her own sense of fashion. When it comes to shopping for clothes, Hoolboom tends to gravitate toward thrift stores like Goodwill, where she can find unique, affordable clothes to purchase.
She also enjoys shopping at Cotton On and H&M, where she can pick up trendy items without having to spend too much.
Hoolboom’s fashion choices reflect her personal blend of comfort, with a little bit of flair.
SUMMER REITH senior
PRESLEY HARTSON junior PHOENIX ANDREWS freshman
ADRIAN CASAREZ junior JAX BROWN sophomore
song: Taste by: Sabrina Carpenter favorite artist and why: Sabrina Carpenter because her music is upbeat.
song: Maple Syrup by: The Backseat Lovers favorite artist and why: Glass Animals because they have pretty songs with a good meaning.
song: Sierra Leone by: Frank Ocean favorite artist and why: Brent Faiyaz because he’s angelic.
song: Shake it off by: Taylor Swift favorite artist and why: Kendrick Lamar because his music is really chill.
song: Tonite by: DJ Quik favorite artist and why: 2Pac because he spit facts.
MUSICAL MUSE - Jason Arenas’s music taste and fashion sense collide.
CASUAL AND COOL - Katherine Hoolboom likes mixing comfort with trends.
GEMMA SPRAGGINS
Alan Ko - The Lancer
Jaxon Rector - The Lancer
CourtesyCreative Commons
Highly decorated Christmas houses draw attention
Christmas season brings Lancers cheer and delight as residents wildly decorate their properties around the local community
Writer
Want to incorporate a little more spirit into your life? One of the best ways to really dive into the Christmas spirit this season is to visit local decorated houses. Here is a list of some streets around town that have some ‘lit’ houses to visit!
Starting off right here in Thousand Oaks, multiple houses on Shenandoah St. & Flaming Star Ave. (take Lynn Rd. to Avenida de las Flores and head west), brought the Christmas magic out this year with beautiful light displays. See a festive display at 3337 Lang Ranch Pkwy. in Thousand Oaks. The exciting home on Montgomery Rd. south of Janss Rd.
in Thousand Oaks is up this year, just as it is every holiday season. To finish off strong every year in Lynn Ranch, there’s a special house on Camino Dos Rios that goes over the top for Christmas, with different displays every year. There is also an entertaining residential display at 2768 Baywater Pl. in Thousand Oaks.
In Newbury Park there are five different neighborhoods going all out this Christmas season. With the festivities getting crazier as we get closer to Christmas, there is a beautiful display of lights at 3057 Deer Valley Ave. Speaking of extravagant displays, on Via Patricia in Dos Vientos, Newbury Park, the 50,000 light show and music display is back up and running this year. Some say it is, “One of the most entertaining displays around town,”
and “Worth going out of your way for.” This amazing bright and colorful display is going on all winter long.
It’s safe to say, Newbury Park is winning the Christmas magic contest with yet another synchronized light display at 538 Brisbane Ave. in Newbury Park from 5-10PM nightly through Dec. 31. Lastly, on Via Coronado in the Dos Vientos neighborhood of Newbury Park, there is a gigantic Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and other fun decor.
In other neighborhoods of Ventura and LA County, the drive is worth taking to see the Christmas lights. Timberdale and Pinedale Roads in Moorpark, there are dozens of homes decorated in bright lights and decorations. Nightly displays from 6pm to 10pm, F & G
Lighting up the ‘Road’ to Christmas
To help spread the magic of the season, Holiday Road has brought back its infamous Light show in Calabasas for all to see and enjoy
RILEY KEELER
Managing Editor
The magic began in 2018 in Calabasas at King Gillette Ranch. Holiday Road is a spectacular light show put on by Ben Biscotti, the founder of the production company 1iota, and it features a multitude of light shows from Hanukkah to Christmas.
“I loved all the lights and I loved how it looked like it was snowing,” senior Julia Conti said. “Growing up in Thousand Oaks, there’s no snow and I’ve never been to the snow so it was almost like I was really there.”
Since 2023, when Khloe Kardashian posted about visiting Holiday Road, the production has blown up. Tickets sell out faster and faster each year and lines form to see the extraordinary 100foot tall lit-up Christmas trees and pop-up Santa
inflatables. Holiday Road beautifully incorporates the magic of Christmas into an hour-long walk through all the scenes.
This takes weeks to put up every year, and the team really pulls it all together. This year, they’ve added more to
the design, with new art and decorations such as Santa, elves, workshops, reindeer and more.
“My favorite part was the gingerbread village,” Conti said. “There was a little space outside with food you can get and it was really beautiful.”
Not only do they have the light productions, but throughout the walk through, you can stop at various food carts and get yourself a warm cup of hot chocolate and various treats. They also have multiple food trucks set up at the front and tables to sit and enjoy your time.
Visiting the annual Holiday Road with anyone from friends to family offers a special time to embrace the holiday season and share awe-inspiring moments with one another. It offers an amazing time and for only $25, you can experience a world of winter wonder.
Streets between 5th and Palm also known as Christmas Tree Lane, allow you to drive through Ventura County’s largest holiday light display. Reviews saying “It’s a perennially great display you need to experience”. Also in Oxnard, Candy Cane Lane, is a group of homes located in Lubao Avenue at Oxnard Street in Woodland Hills that has been up and running for anyone to drive through for over 60 years. In Camarillo a fantastic family-fun residential light display on Gemini and Waverly Avenue and Saturn Street is taking shape. Viewers say to bring your kids because it has lots of cartoon characters, it’s great to park the car and take a stroll.
Check out some of these light displays this winter season, to get into the Christmas spirit!
AROUND T.O.WN
Jingle Bell Jog 5k/10k Run/Walk
4801 Borchard Rd, Thousand Oaks Saturday, Dec. 21, 8:30-11:45 a.m.
Starting in Dos Vientos Community Park, the run/walk takes you all around the streets of Dos Vientos in Newbury Park. The 10K starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:45 a.m.
Menorah Lighting Event at the Reagan Library
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Dr, Simi Valley Sunday, Dec. 29, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Partnering with the Chabad of Simi Valley, the Reagan Library hosts an outdoor Hanukkah celebration. It includes the official lighting of the Mebira, crafts for children, live Klezmer music, and latkes and doughnuts. Ticket prices range for seniors, adults, youth and children.
Winter Wonderland and Holiday Marketplace at Ventura Harbor
Constitutional Park, Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo Thursday, December 26, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
With an annual Chanukah Celebration comes free admission. In order to hold a spot, you must RSVP. The event includes the lighting of the menorah, free donuts and latkes, music and plenty of activities for kids.
Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting in Camarillo
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.
Wild Lights Event at The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College
7075 Campus Rd, Moorpark
Sunday, December 22, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
With a self-guided 45 minute stroll through the zoo, it will be filled with dynamic lights and photo opportunities.
Sadaya Keays - The Lancer
SADAYA KEAYS Staff
SHINING
TUNNEL VISION - A family enjoys a Christmas display.
Sadaya Keays - The Lancer
Sadaya Keays - The Lancer
Riley Keeler - The Lancer
Riley Keeler - The Lancer
‘Banks’ is out-rageous
Season four of Netflix hit teen show offers incredible twists, turns
crown which led to his tragic death.
Season four of “Outer Banks” was super intense and had some major twists, but the saddest part (SPOILER ALERT!) was the death of JJ Maybank, played by Rudy Pankow.
JJ was always one of the most loved characters because of how loyal and daring he was. This season revealed a lot about his past, including that his real dad is a rich Kook named Chandler Groff. Things got really dark when Groff stabbed JJ in the last few minutes of the last episode after JJ got his hands on the
The creators said this was planned from the start and was meant to finish the final season. Fans are now left wondering how the Pogues will move forward without him.
Rudy Pankow’s exit from the show has been a big topic online.
Some fans think it’s because of the storyline, while others believe it might be related to his personal life, including his girlfriend. A lot of fans are upset to lose him but also understand that he’s ready to try new roles outside of Outer Banks.
Some fans said they weren’t surprised by JJ’s death. Leah Curtin, a fan of the show, explained, “I
kinda saw it coming because when they were on the boat he was all depressed and stuff. I feel like you kind of expected it.”
JJ’s behavior and risky choices throughout the season seemed to hint that he might not make it out alive.
Season four was full of heartbreak and surprises, and now fans are eagerly waiting to see how the Pogues will honor JJ’s memory in Season five. I feel like the rest of the Pogues are going to try and hunt down Groff because he killed JJ. It’s going to be emotional to watch how his loss affects the group and their future adventures.
Wicked has Grande opening
On Nov. 22, 2024, the wellknown and long-awaited film, adapted from the 2003 Broadway musical and originally the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire, Wicked, appeared on the big screen. The film was directed by Jon Chu, with Ariana Grande casted as Glinda, the Good Witch, and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
I have only seen the film ‘The Wizard of Oz” and have never actually seen the musical “Wicked” or even been aware of the Wicked Witches’ back story until now. Despite this, I was still incredibly excited to see if I had been missing out on anything.
After seeing the film, if I had to describe it in one word, I would say amazing. The film was extremely entertaining with colorful images, costumes, singing, dancing, and special effects, and in terms of the performances done by Grande and Erivo, they both went above and beyond my expectations.
Grande was perfect when displaying the Good Witches’ kind, yet bubbly and two-faced personality as the typical ‘spoiled daughter’, with her having me and the rest of the theater laughing specifically when Glinda and Elphaba exchanged secrets in their dorm. In addition, when it came to her singing, she met my expectations as she sang beautifully.
Regarding my prior knowledge of
those casted, I had no idea who Erivo was, and what to expect. However, she played Elphaba perfectly with her strong voice and I could clearly see her confidence through the screen. She sang every song with such depth and brought its meaning to another level. The characters were casted perfectly to portray the story.
Furthermore, when discussing the storyline, the story contained both sad, heartwarming and action events which contributed to my liking of the film. The two main characters start as enemies who envy each other, to best friends with opposite personalities who balance each other out. You never knew what to expect from the characters unless you’ve
seen past productions or read the book. Moreover, before watching this film I viewed the Wicked Witch as the villain, not the victim. The film focuses on showcasing Elphaba’s struggles that arise from being seen as different for merely her complexion and extraordinary abilities before she is known as the Wicked Witch, and eventually, how it is she obtained that name and reputation. Throughout the film, we can see friendships begin to grow between Glinda and Elphaba, a love triangle and betrayal from certain powerful and cherished figures in Oz.
Towards the end of the film, Elphaba arrives in Emerald City to see The Wizard of Oz, when it is revealed that he is not what he is portrayed to be. As he tricks her into doing something horrible and tries to convince her to work with him she rebels, and as influential as he is, turns everyone against her. This causes Elphaba to obtain an unrespectable reputation and the name, The Wicked Witch, with that the film ends with Elphaba singing the song “Defying Gravity” and the words: To be continued.
After watching this film I would strongly recommend others to watch it and I am eager to see what the directors have in store for part two.
Marvel Rivals, the highly anticipated third person shooter came out on Dec. 6, immediately finding massive success, with 10 million players joining within the first three days.
One of the first things I noticed when flipping through the menu of Marvel Rivals, was just how generous their cosmetic model was.
Free-to-play shooter games with this level of community normally take advantage of cosmetics to rack in the money, with singular items in “Overwatch” often being upwards of $40 for a singular cosmetic item, which frankly is ridiculous.
The culture around many of these games also pressures players to spend ridiculous money on skins and cosmetics you don’t actually need to enjoy the game.
“Marvel Rivals,” though definitely still hoping to make a profit on cosmetics, is much less aggressive about it, skins max out at around 25 dollars, which is still steep, but the game does a good job of making it very clear that you don’t actually need to have these items, and the games reflect that.
Throughout every different level of gameplay I’ve seen a good share of people rocking the regular base skins for their characters. I’m seeing a definite difference in the culture surrounding cosmetics which feels like a step in the right direction. I’ve obviously referenced “Overwatch” quite a bit within this review, but it’s difficult not to make the connection when the main criticism of Marvel Rivals is that it doesn’t even attempt to hide that it’s an “Overwatch” clone, and I can’t say I disagree.
From the Menu UI to the map to the character design and powers, to the entire game format as a whole, many fans feel like “Marvel Rivals” didn’t do enough to differentiate itself from the game that it was attempting to emulate. Though I think this criticism is definitely valid, I don’t think it’s a reason to dislike the game.
Obviously if you hated “Overwatch,” you’re not going to like Marvel Rivals, but if you liked both games, I don’t see any reason to be too upset about the similarities. I think there’s nothing wrong with working from a framework like “Overwatch” that the “Marvel Rivals” team knew everybody already loved.
Heart-warming movies are cure for cold weather
As the holiday season approaches, Christmas movies have already started flooding our TVs.
Christmas movies are a staple in many houses. For many, watching these Christmas movies every year is more than just entertainment, it’s a tradition. Every year, starting as early as October, replays of old Christmas movies start to show up to watch again and again up until Christmas day. Some traditional movies like
“Elf,” “The Grinch,” “The Polar Express” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” are a part of what brings the Christmas spirit to life.
Specific Christmas movies have come to represent different things to people through the years, as they reflect on how their childhood memories.
Feeling nostalgic? Watch “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
“It brings me happiness because of the Christmas spirit,” senior Ashley Young said. “It reminds me of my childhood and
brings back that nostalgia.”
Watching Christmas movies with others creates memories that last a lifetime, and it’s something that people get to relive every year, bringing back those same emotions and memories that made them fall in love with the movie in the first place. No matter where you are or who you’re with, Christmas movies will always be there to bring cheer.
“My favorite Christmas movie is ‘The Grinch,’” senior Jaden Gray said. “It brings back a bunch
of memories from my childhood and just makes me feel warm and fuzzy.”
Movies have developed a connection people share all over the world. They are a tradition that will last forever, reminding us all of what’s truly important: family, love and hope. They bring people together, whether it be movie marathons, couples cuddled up on the couch or communities hosting holiday movie screenings. So, watch a movie during break and start a tradition that will continue grow for years and years.
Jolly season is uplifted every year by same familiar Christmas classics such as ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’
LILAH SWAVING Assistant Sports Editor
IT’S GONNA BE POPULAR - The talented Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star beside each other as Galinda and Elphaba in a musical reboot.
JULIA PINEDA-DOMINGUEZ News Editor
Courtesy - Creative Commons
JOSEPH GOODNIGHT Managing Editor
RILEY KEELER Managing Editor
ON
Crandon learns to balance soccer, band
Junior starting goalkeeper plays to a different tune as first-chair tenor sax for Wind Symphony, second-chair in jazz band
SOPHIA MUNHALL Staff Writer
Junior Tristan Crandon has to land all the right notes when it comes to Lancer soccer, club soccer and jazz band. Crandon will be crucial to the success of Lancer soccer this year as he will be serving as the team’s
starting goalkeeper after splitting time last year as a sophomore with then-senior Andrew Johnson.
“It could be very hectic, especially when I get home late at night, I won’t even have a break because after school I go straight to club, and then when club season is over and high school season starts, I go home for about an hour and then I go to high school soccer,” Crandon said. “After all of that, I get home very late at night, and I don’t have much time for homework, but I still balance it all out.”
Aside from being the secondchair tenor sax in Jazz Band, Crandon finds himself as the firstchair tenor sax for Wind Symphony. Crandon began his musical journey when he was 3, playing the recorder. In fourth grade, his mom suggested the saxophone, and seven years later, he is still playing it and on top of his game.
“Playing jazz kind of comes naturally because you have a lot of time to practice, but with soccer,
you have one game, and every single second counts and puts a lot of pressure on you,” Crandon said. “Playing jazz in front of all these people in a concert helps you overcome those fears, and it helps me get used to the pressure in soccer.”
Playing goalkeeper and tenor sax are very different, but Crandon has found similarities that have helped with soccer as well as jazz so he can continue to excel in his passions. He learns how his hard work reflects on soccer and jazz’s contrasting demands and rewards, highlighting how each activity has shaped his skills and perspective.
aspects of how different they are in a way because jazz is very intense and heavy about music theory, but soccer is heavy about everything else,” Crandon said.
“Playing jazz in front of all these people in a concert helps you overcome those fears, and it helps me get used to the pressure in soccer.”
TRISTAN CRANDON
“I would say the things I’ve learned and the two different
Working hard in both jazz and soccer continues to draw parallels between the two, using skills from one to enhance the other. He compares the nerves of performing in a jazz band to the high-pressure moments in soccer games and how one helps prepare for the other. Crandon goes from a clean sheet and leading his team to victory, while the next day he will be playing a competition to help his fellow musicians win a contest.
“My mom, every single practice I’ve had, she’s driven me, she’s
Key transfer McCord gets off to fast start
After missing first three games of season, Calabasas transfer has 25 in T.O. debut
Last season was an historic season for the T.O. basketball team.
They captured the Marmonte League title and followed that up with a trip to the CIF semifinals before finishing the season with a 26-8 record. And, most impressively, record-breaking senior Elias Chin set new Lancer marks for points, rebounds and assists.
But after losing Chin to graduation, star big man Trent MacLean to transfer and a bevy of other seniors, just four players returned for this season.
Enter junior Dylan McCord—a highlytouted transfer from Calabasas.
For McCord, the transition wasn’t as seamless as everyone had hoped. Due to transfer rules, he wasn’t eligible to play for the season’s first few games, all of which T.O. lost. This only added to the mounting stress. As the Lancers played through those early games without McCord, losses piled up. It was clear they were missing something—perhaps that one player who could give them an offensive spark and
leadership on the court.
“It was so stressful,” McCord said. “During school, it was the only thing I’d think about. It definitely affected some of my homework. Once I got cleared it was such a relief.”
After the 0-3 start to the season, McCord was cleared by CIF to play in the team’s home opener against Hillcrest Christian, and the Lancers found themselves their first victory at 62-56. The leading scorer in this victory? McCord, who recorded 25 points along with three steals.
“It was our first win, [so] everybody seemed to be happy and everybody had a smile on their face,” McCord said. “It was just a good time after that win, especially after a home game too. It brought the team together after getting our first victory.”
Over the preseason, McCord grew into a leadership role, despite being a newcomer and just a junior. But not all of McCord’s moments have been about leading the team in scoring or keeping his teammates’ heads up.
One day, the gym floor had been mopped for practice, but McCord, rushed onto the court and hadn’t noticed.
“Dylan didn’t see the floors were wet so he ran on the court and fell on his butt,” senior Jaden Gray said.
McCord has picked himself up, dusted himself off and returned to help lead the Lancers in 2024.
Freshmen on varsity face challenges
The Lancer sportswriter Doran Lawrence highlights obstacles of an early call-up
Starting as a freshman on the varsity girls’ basketball team wasn’t something I ever imagined would be easy. I was excited to be a part of something bigger than myself, but the reality of it all hit me hard in the first couple of games.
Our season opened in the Conejo Valley Tipoff tournament that was co-hosted between T.O. and Westlake High School. The first two games of the season were a blur of nerves, mistakes and self-doubt.
I made mistakes I couldn’t shake off. In those moments, I felt the weight of being the youngest player on the team, like I wasn’t contributing enough like I was failing everyone around me.
After my rocky start, one of our captains, junior Jillian McGillivary, talked to me before the next game and was able to motivate me and push me into the mindset that I needed to be in order to be the player
the team needed me to be. I was able to deliver a respectable defensive effort that gained the trust of my teammates and coaches.
Heading into a matchup against Santa Monica during Thanksgiving break, it was all beginning to come together, the team needed a win and I needed to get my offensive game together. We were able to win the game 47-33 as I tied for most points on the team with 15, and also had 12 rebounds to record my first high school double-double.
Now, as I look back on the first few games of the season, I can see how much I’ve grown. Yes, there were struggles. Yes, there were moments where I felt selfdoubt. But those early challenges made me stronger, and they helped me realize something important: The pressure is part of the process. The real goal isn’t to be flawless from the start—it’s to learn, to improve, and to build confidence along the way.
bought thousands of dollars worth of gear for me over the years,” Crandon said. “So she’s my No. 1 motivator.”
The pressures of leadership
Lancer leaders talk about what it takes to guide the way
Senior Morgan Casillas is in a position few who dawn Lancer Green get to achieve. She plays softball, flag football and basketball and serves as a captain for all three.
When the T.O. flag football team made it to the playoffs for the first time this year, she stepped up to help her teammates manage their nerves.
That’s not always easy.
“One of my teammates was having a mental breakdown before the game, and we had to work together as a team to help calm her down,” Casillas said. “It was about keeping our composure and supporting each other so we could focus on the game.”
For Casillas and other Lancer leaders, holding the title of team captain is more than just a title.
Being a leader isn’t just about calling plays or scoring points. Team leaders are responsible for setting the tone for teammates and serving as role models for underclassmen.
The weight of leading the team often falls on the shoulders of seniors. Leaders must excel in the game and lead by example in academics and attitude.
The pressure to meet these expectations is immense, and captains need to balance both the responsibilities of self and team.
Senior forward Matias Vico has stepped into a leadership role this year for the boys basketball team, earning the title of captain from head coach Logan Baltau.
Playing alongside former Marmonte League MVP Elias Chin for three years, Vico learned the importance of leading by action rather than words.
“I’m more of a verbal leader,” Vico said. “I’ll yell at the younger guys if they’re not doing something right, but I also make sure I set an example. I’m not really a follower anymore.”
Vico believes that being a role model goes far beyond on-court performance; being a leader requires additional effort, but Vico finds there to be less room for error as opposed to his previous years on the team.
“I’m leading my guys now, and they’re kind of falling in my steps,” Vico said. “There’s definitely less room for error.”
For girls volleyball senior defensive specialist Madison Coleman, it’s about tapping into her teammates’ potential.
“Being a team captain is about being a leader on and off the court, maintaining a positive mindset, and encouraging others,” Coleman said. “We all try to hold each other to the highest standard. We know each other’s potential because we’ve seen each other on our best days and our worst.”
BATTLING FOR POSITION - Freshmen Doran Lawrence lines up for rebound during a free throw.
DORAN LAWRENCE Staff Writer
ALL THAT JAZZ - Tristan Crandon excels in Jazz Band and Wind Symphony.
WINDING UP - Lancer goalie Tristan Crandon balances several responsibilities.
Doran Lawrence - with permission
Tristan Crandonwith permission
HANDLING WITH CARE - Transfer Dylan McCord has become a team leader for the Lancers.
Alan Ko - The Lancer
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
ALAN KO Digital Editor
Tristan Crandonwith permission
Lancers
look to make history without legendary former coach Lyne
Wrestling with a fresh start Jake's Journal
After 24 years of leading the Lancers to glory on the mats and in D9 teaching history, Kerry Lyne retired in June. He went out on top after leading the Lancers to a recordbreaking four consecutive titles while putting himself in the history books forever.
“The last one was special because it was the first time TOHS had ever won four in a row and we had 50 alumni come to the league final match against Newbury Park, people from across the country came to watch us,” senior Luke Gublet said.
Over this four-year span, two names repeatedly dominated for the Lancers, Matthew Seigel and James Rocha, both freshmen on varsity when the reign started in the 2020-21
“I’ve definitely seen a lot of seniors step up because they are trying to fill in for the coach that is gone.”
season and seniors this past winter, with Rocha making a run at the CIF championships.
Rocha and Seigel came in at one of the strangest periods in Lancer history, battling on the mat and battling a pandemic in 2020, but this didn’t slow down the beginning of the Lancers’ reign. After their freshman year, not imagining the run they’d have throughout their careers, Rocha and Seigel left the program
the strongest it had ever been. Going into the 2024-25 season the torch has been passed to the seniors and other upperclassmen to continue the streak of championships.
“I’ve learned from [Seigel and Rocha] to not tell others what we expect but show how to lead by example and to give 100 percent all the time,” senior Atom Wroblewski said.
After all the greatness that’s been lost since last season in Lyne, Rocha and Seigel, many senior leaders and other upperclassmen including Wroblewski, Gublet and Wade Drello look to step into the shoes of their mentors and push the team over the hump and into Marmonte League glory to break the Lancers own record for most consecutive league titles that were set this year.
“I’ve definitely seen a lot of seniors step up because they are trying to fill in for the coach that is gone,” junior Jason Frey said. “It’s been hard for us as a wrestling team but we are making it work with a new systematic approach to the season.”
With the scent of competition in the air and a target on their backs, the wrestling team enters this season not just fighting for another record-setting championship, but for their legacy. Over the last four wrestling seasons, backed by coaching excellence in Lyne, Dennis Ritterbush and Manny Valdez, wrestling made history by winning the Marmonte League in each of those four seasons.
“At his [Kerry Lyne] retirement at the banquet, it was nice to give a speech about him and talk about him as a person,” junior Wade Drello said. “He’s been a great influence on me and the team in general.”
Unified Sports has a (bocce) ball
As the first period classrooms filled on Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Unified Lancers rode off to Newbury Park High School, where they would compete in the bocce ball tournament against the Westlake Warriors and the Panthers.
The Lancers sent off 54 students, participants and helpers to face off in the annual tournament against the two rival schools, before arriving back to school during fifth period. The Lancers will host the annual Unified basketball tournament next semester.
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
Soccer is many things, one of the most popular sports as well as an endurance-draining sport, but an education avenue?
Geography has always been an academic subject where I’ve been plagued, from the endless cities, states, capitals, and borders it is easy to feel detached from geography. Yet, for me, geography became something far more memorable when I began studying and memorizing the flags, and this came from an unlikely source: FIFA, Federation Internationale de Football Association, and also the soccer video game.
When I first started playing FIFA, I was mostly attracted by the thrilling gameplay and the competition. But, over time, something unexpected happened: I began to absorb an incredible amount of knowledge about geography, especially countries and their flags.
such as the Premier League in England, or the Bundesliga in Germany but also motivated me to start playing FIFA again.
It’s no exaggeration to say that playing FIFA and watching soccer opened up an entirely new world of knowledge to me. Through the excitement of the game and the drama of European leagues, I learned more about geography, and flags than I could have ever anticipated.
FIFA’s detailed representation of countries also meant each country had its flag in the game, and these quickly stuck in my head.
FIFA, in all its iterations, was filled with an overwhelming number of teams from leagues all around the world. Each team had its own identity, its own flag, and its own place on the map.
As I got more involved, I couldn’t help but notice these elements and start linking them to the countries they represented.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Qatar, jumpstarted my interest in not only watching soccer leagues
Newbury Park welcomed students from TO, Westlake for fun event Tyson, Paul fight an
From Argentina’s striking blue and white stripes to Croatia’s checkerboard and red, white, and blue theme like the US.
Another factor in remembering these flags was matching my favorite players to their nationalities: Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the offcentered light blue and yellow cross of Sweden to Granit Xhaka, and my favorite flag, the bright red and the two-headed eagle of Albania.
Looking back, I can honestly say that my understanding of geography and flags is inextricably linked to my love for FIFA and European soccer. What began as an interest in the sport turned into a profound journey of learning about the world. FIFA’s in-depth representation of teams and their flags, combined with my deepening interest in European soccer leagues, helped me to map the world in ways that no textbook could have.
LILAH
Assistant Sports Editor
The recent fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has gotten a lot of people talking. Tyson is a boxing legend, one of the greatest fighters of all time, and he’s done so much for the sport, no way around it, but did he have glory to gain in this bout?
Now, at 58 years old, he’s clearly not in the same shape he was during his prime as there is a clear difference in physical fitness at 25 and at 58. Paul is 27, meaning the age gap between the two fighters is 31 years that age gap is older than Paul himself.
Paul is significantly younger, in way better shape, and has been training nonstop for fights like this for the last couple of years. He treated the entire fight process as if it was the championship fight, and to not only make money, like Tyson did, but it worked. Paul made $40 million from this fight, as opposed to Tyson’s $20 million.
Instead of honoring Tyson for
everything he’s done for boxing, this fight felt like it was more about making Paul look good and taking advantage of the mentally and physically weak Tyson while adding a little extra cash to his pockets.
Tyson has already proven himself to the world; he proved himself in 1986 when he was only 20 and won his first world championship over Trevor Berbick, this was 17 years before Paul was even born.
Tyson didn’t need to be thrown into a fight like this just to become part of someone else’s story. It saddens me to see a legend of Tyson’s caliber to be put into a situation where his legacy was meant to be tarnished. It wasn’t a fight between equals, it was a fight where a young star could “prove” himself against a 58-year-old legend who was in it for the money.
The fight lasted all ten two-minute rounds, and Paul was victorious courtesy of unanimous decision and then celebrated as if the world championships had been won rather than a fight against someone more than double his age.
Learning the map can be Messi without FIFA game
SWAVING
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
FOUR’S UP - The wrestling team celebrated its fourth straight league title last year.
UNIFYING - The Unified Lancers pose after competing in a bocce ball tournament against Newbury Park and Westlake on Dec. 11.
HELPING HAND - Senior Yahaira Reyes (left) helps sophomore Brayden Moston (middle) line up a shot.
FREEZE FRAME - TO with school spirit at Bocce tournament. DELIVERY - Sophomore Liam Lefko prepares to compete.
Melissa Martin - with permission
Melissa Martin - with permission
JASON FREY
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
Wade Drello - with permission
Melissa Martin - with permission
Melissa Martin - with permission
SPORTS ROUND-UP
GIRLS WATER POLO
Coach: Craig Rond
2023-24 Record: 13-13
2024-25 Record: 7-5
Top Players: Senior Kennedy Green, senior Cheyenne White, sophomore Kira Jones
Inside Story: In August, the team took a trip to Hawaii for a tournament, but outside of playing water polo on the trip, coach Rond taught the team how to surf.
Quotable: “This season is special because it is my last chance to cement a legacy in TOHS by setting the career goal record,” senior Kennedy Green said.
Notable: After missing the pre-season due to injuries, star sophomores Abigail Kerns and Kira Jones are ready to help lead the team back to the CIF playoffs this year.
BOYS SOCCER
Coach: Mark Tietjen
2023-24 Record: 14-9-2
2024-25 Record: 2-2-1
Top Players: Seniors Zach Reer, Jack Steinberg, Gabriel Torreblanca
Inside Story: The Lancers graduated 12 seniors last season after winning the Marmonte league
Quotable: “We lost a lot of seniors so we have a brand new group coming in that wasn’t on varsity last year, coming up and we have a great group of guys,” senior Adrian Sabana said.
Notable: The Lancers led by Steinberg and other seniors look to repeat as league champions this season and go further in the CIF than last season
GIRLS SOCCER
Coach: Clay Cameron
2023-24 Record: 12-3-4
2024-25 Record: 2-1
Top Players: Sophomores Madison Linville, Luchiana Shattuck, Presley Shattuck
Inside Story: Off the pitch, the team bonds and builds strength in their relationships with the team’s “pasta parties” to prepare themselves for the road ahead of them the next day for the upcoming matches.
Quotable: “Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to get better, we are going to go very far this year,” sophomore Luchianna Shattuck said.
Notable: The young team looks to build off of its CIF run in the 2023-24 season and use it’s now-gained experience from the playoffs as well as now collegiate soccer players Sam Ford and Ivy Williams, who both graduated last year.
WRESTLIING
Coach: Dennis Ritterbush and Manny Valdez
2023-24 Record: Marmonte League Champions
2024-25 Record: 1-1
Top Players: Seniors Atom Wroblewski, Luke Gublet, Cherish Hall-Taoai
Inside Story: Wroblewski and Gublet look to take on big roles in place of graduated James Rocha and Matthew Seigel as the Lancers pursue a fifth consecutive League championship.
Quotable: “Everyone has been taking over to try and be the best leader that they can,” senior Atom Wroblewski said.
Notable: After coach Kerry Lyne’s retirement, coaches Dennis Ritterbush and Manny Valdez will be taking on bigger roles for the Lancers.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Coach: Logan Baltau
2023-24 Record: 26-8
2024-25 Record: 4-6
Top Players: Junior Gabriel Chin, senior Matias Vico, senior Luke Koren
Inside Story: After graduating legendary Lancer Elias Chin, the school record holder for points, rebounds and assists, the Lancers three seniors Luke Koren, Matias Vico, and Jaden Gray look to fill in his big shoes, with the help of Chin’s younger brother and junior Gabriel Chin.
Quotable: “We have a super young team with a lot of young guys,” senior Jaden Gray said.
Notable: The Lancers prepare to repeat as Marmonte league champions and a deep CIF playoff run while opening the season with tournaments before league play in January
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Coach: Ashley Ontiveros
2023-24 Record: 12-15
2024-25 Record: 5-3
Top Players: Junior Jillian McGillivary, freshman Raquel Derringer, sophomore Ava Seeger
Inside Story: Captain McGillvary is ready to go for the Lancers, after missing most of last season with injuries following her transfer from Westlake
Quotable: “We have been beating teams now that we have not been able to beat before and since last year I have grown a lot from the coaches and everybody around me,” sophomore Deanna Pham said.
Notable: The team is led by senior captain Morgan Casillas and looks to improve off of their 2023-24 season and make the CIF playoffs for the first time this decade.
Geisler, White enjoy coaching up the kiddos
Senior Cheyenne White has been in the water polo program all four years, making a name for herself as the varsity goalkeeper. Senior Madison Geisler played for the volleyball program for her first three years. Both athletes have found themselves with the opportunity to coach youth teams through their club teams for their respective sports.
Though both had different paths, one thing was certain: White and Geisler are both driven by a love for their sports—and a desire to give back by coaching youth teams.
“I try to incorporate little games to keep things fun and easy,” White said. “A lot of the time they mess up the drill, but you have to let them do what they are trying to do and coach them through it.”
For White, it all began a little over a year ago when her club coach asked if she’d be
interested in coaching the 6 to 9-year-olds in splash ball. From there it all took off. In her first tournament as a coach, White’s team took second place.
“I love their personalities and learning who they are because I feel like each kid is so different. I love listening to them talk to me and watching them play volleyball and grow as players.”
GEISLER
MADISON
Geisler started her coaching career this past summer, helping run Summer volleyball camps through her club volleyball team.
“I love their personalities and learning who they are because I feel like each kid is so different,” Geisler said. “I love listening to them talk to me and watching them play volleyball and grow as players.”
White gets back what she puts in with her team, as she has learned ways to make her a better athlete from her experiences coaching.
“It’s never that serious, a mistake isn’t going to be the end of the world and that’s something I was hard on myself with,” White said. “Once I started coaching, I realized if I bring myself down with every mistake I make, I’m going to hate the sport.”
As the end of high school approaches, White and Geisler find themselves juggling the excitement and pressure of senior year with their newfound roles as youth coaches. Despite graduation on the horizon, college applications to complete, and the usual whirlwind of senior events to attend, both girls have remained deeply committed to coaching the next generation of athletes.
Alan Ko - The Lancer
MYA MESERVY Staff Writer
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
CROSSING OVER - Senior Matias Vico tries to play off of a defender against Hillcrest Christian in a Lancers home victory on Dec. 3.
WARMING UP - Junior Emily Esau prepares to kick the ball at a recent Lancer girls soccer game.
COACHING ‘EM UP - Senior Cheyenne White (left) helped her youth club water polo squad reach the podium.
Cheyenne White - with permission
Jaxson Rector - The Lancer
LANCERS AT WORK
Students revisit their first, worst, or most hilarious work stories
In walked Santa – no, not the jolly, bearded icon of Christmas –but the grumpy, unshaven guy who was struggling to keep up with his costume and even more with his patience.
The holiday icon is struggling to get through his shift, sweating through his suit and nearly falling asleep.
I greeted Santa cautiously. He grunted in return, his face a redder shade than his suit. I thought maybe he was just tired. Who wouldn’t be, spending hours taking pictures with every kid who insisted on sitting on his lap?
But then, the words came. I was frozen for a moment.
Santa was…swearing? Not just swearing, but genuinely furious?
I work at the Oaks Mall at Santa’s Place, where I take pictures of Santa Claus with a never-ending line of kids, and
sometimes work the register. But, as I’ve learned, dealing with Santa is almost like another job in itself. I thought it would be all twinkling lights, the jolly laughter of a man in a red suit
“I’ll never look at Santa the same way again. Maybe he’s still cussing in the break room somewhere, muttering about kids and parents and the unfair expectations of the season.”
JACOB BRADLEY
and children lined up to tell Santa their wishes. However, what I never expected or prepared for was a whole different type
of holiday magic–the kind that involves a surprisingly loud and angry Santa.
When his shift ended, Santa didn’t leave with a jolly laugh or a “Ho ho ho!” He walked out of the break room with a tired sigh, still muttering under his breath. It turns out, Santa is just a regular person, struggling with the pressures of the season like the rest of us. Christmas isn’t always about perfection, flawless smiles in photos, nor even a red suit that makes everything feel magical.
Sometimes, it’s about surviving the chaos, keeping your sense of humor intact and remembering that we’re all just trying our best, even when the holidays are anything but jolly.
I’ll never look at Santa the same way again. Maybe he’s still cussing in the break room somewhere, and muttering about kids and parents and the unfair expectations of the season.
Holiday Trivia
1. What word for the Christmas season derives from an ancient Germanic pagan holiday?
2. What’s the name of Rudolph’s girlfriend in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?”
3. In “Home Alone,” where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind?
4. How many blessings are said on the first night of Hanukkah?
5. In “A Christmas Story,” what happens to Ralphie’s friend as a result of a ‘triple-dog dare’ from another classmate?
6. In the early 1800s, the first gingerbread houses were inspired by what famous fairy tale?
7. Which Hanukkah toy was used as a decoy after learning the Torah was outlawed?
8. According to the folklore of Austria and other countries, what horned figure punishes naughty children at Christmastime?
9. In the classic Christmas movie, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” the Grinch was described with three words. What are they?
What would you say is your least favorite thing about the holiday season and why?
“I would say my least favorite thing is buying people gifts because I spend all my money on them.”
If you were an Elf on the Shelf, what would be your name and why?
“Pebble, because I’m small and get moved around a lot. It would also be hard for people to find me.”
What would you say is the funniest holiday story you can remember and why?
“My funniest holiday story is when I fell trying to put the star on the top of our Christmas tree.”
What’s up and what’s down with The Lancer?
We
list
the hits and misses of the month.
Alex Consani became the first transgender woman to win the Model of the Year award. She rose to fame in 2020, gaining 3.9 million followers. Since she was 15 years old, she signed with big modeling agencies like Victoria’s Secret and IMG Models.
With winter break comes finals week. The excitement of time off from school doesn’t mask the two hours spent in class taking a big test worth half your grade. While getting ready for the holidays is fun, it means cramming for finals two weeks before the holidays.
Winter break means seeing family, celebrating holidays, going to see lights, ice skating and watching festive movies. The most loved part of winter break is the time off from school which, no matter what, students make sure to take advantage of.
Spotify
made its yearly appearance again on Dec. 4, replaying the year based on your most listened to songs,
and artists. Unfortunately it fell short in content, design, and the
use of
was not a hit single in the eyes of many.
MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE - Senior Jacob Bradley poses with the “good” Santa co-worker during a recent shift.
Wrapped
albums
notable
A.I. This wrap
Jacob Bradley - The Lancer
JACOB BRADLEY Sports Editor
Compiled by Mya Messervy
DOMENIC WHITE
JADE LOWE
BRENNAN DICKSON
Yuletide (or Yule); 2.Clarice; 3. Paris; 4. 8; 5. He gets his tongue stuck to a flagpole; 6. Hansel and Gretel; 7. The dreidel; 8. Krampus; 9. Stick, stank, stunk