the
LANCER
Volume LVII, Issue 4 » February 6, 2020 » Thousand Oaks High School » 2323 N. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 » www.tohsthelancer.org » thelancer.tohs@gmail.com » Circulation 2,100
COURT COLLABORATION Girls basketball credits their current standings to chemistry on and off the court. pg. 23
PHOTO » RYAN HONG » THE LANCER
SOLE(R) POWER
TRICKY TRACKING
TEAMWORK
Plans for a new outdoor classroom bring options for eco learning.
A look into the downsides of parental control and tracking apps.
A Q&A with new track and football coaches highlight collaborative efforts.
pg. 05
pgs. 12-15
pg. 20
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NEWS
STAFF EDITORIAL
The Phone-Addicted Gen Z
Hits and Misses What’s Up and Down with The Lancer Hit: The Full Snow Moon of February will be happening on the ninth. It’s going to be astronomical.
Miss: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez kicked off Superbowl halftime show, and fans didn’t want them to “Dance Again.”
Hit: Boys Varsity soccer beat Calabasas high school last Friday, you could say they kicked the Cyotes.
GRAPHIC » CHLOE BUSCHOW » THE LANCER
Should kids under 13 have their own smartphones? EDITORIAL BOARD
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13
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Has your parent ever nagged you about using your phone? Have your siblings ever complained about how you got a smartphone at an earlier age than they did? Well, research has shown there may be consequences to owning a smartphone at an early age. A survey of elementary and middle school students in the U.S. by Pearson found in 2015, 55% of 4th and 5th-grade students and 66% of middle school students regularly used a smartphone. According to NPR in 2019, that statistic has changed: 53% of all children in the U.S. now own a smartphone. It is undeniable that smartphone use and ownership has increased in elementary and middle school students. Unfortunately, smartphones can often be unhealthy and addicting. Phones can be a negative influence especially for elementary and middle school students, who are building skills and knowledge that will shape their high school and college experience. It is important for children to develop good life habits at a young age, especially in elementary and middle school. However, smartphone ownership can lead children to develop bad sleeping habits. According to sleep.org, 71% of people sleep with their smartphones nearby, which makes it extremely tempting to check texts, scroll through social media or stay up watching videos and playing games. Since most smartphones have a clock built-in, having them nearby can make it difficult to fall asleep, since time-monitoring is linked to increased stress. Calculating the amount of sleep you are losing from being unable to sleep just makes you more stressed out and less likely to fall asleep. Additionally, smartphones emit blue light, which
causes the brain to suppress melatonin, a hormone that helps the brain to know when to sleep and when to wake up. Blue light can also damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration, which is a leading factor in blindness. Combined, these factors can lead to an increased risk of insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Insomnia can negatively impact students’ performance in academics and sports, as well as their overall health. Not only can phone ownership affect physical health, but it can also influence a student’s mental health. Smartphones have been linked to increased anxiety, stress, and depression. Countless times parents have proclaimed to their children too much phone usage can be addicting, but there may be more truth to that statement than children anticipate. Some researchers believe phone overuse is a psychological disorder that is characterized by impulse problems. Because young children often are unable to exhibit discipline over their bad habits, many people believe it is better to avoid giving elementary and middle school students their own phones until they are in high school. Another reason children should not have phones is because phones and cell plans can be expensive. New generations of phones come out every year, and children can feel pressured to have the latest phone. Giving children smartphones in elementary school can also spoil them and make them less able to delay gratification. The earlier you hand a child a phone, the more damage you create.
Miss: Elon Musk wrote a song called “Don’t Doubt Ur Vibe,” and it’s as weird as his tweets.
Hit: This Friday is National Bubble Gum Day, it’s going to blow your mind.
Miss: Tom Brady trolled all Patriots fans with a Hulu commercial, teasing his retirement from the NFL.
Hit: Selena Gomez started her own makeup brand called Rare Beauty, and everyone should “Come and Get it.”
THE LANCER STAFF 2019-2020 WEBSITE EDITOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sierra Smith
SPORTS Sydney Hale Kendall Fleming Aiden Marschner Micah Rodriquez Grace Machell
IN-FOCUS Madeline Convy Taylor Olgin Sophie Crivier Finn Swanson
NEWS
ENTERTAINMENT
Grace Williams Ally Melton Charlotte Fetch Molly Norton
Ryan Hong Tanner Patterson Gabrielle Lopez Millie Alba-Sommers Cooper Goyette
OPINION Nola Valdez Devyn Wagner Rose Wang Camille Weltman
Ryan Schefferine
ARTISTS Chloe Buschow Seirra Smith Kendall Fleming
FEATURES
BUSINESS MANAGER
Natalie Venable Kianna Porter Darby Adema Andrea Balcan Isabella Moreno
Copy Editor
Anna Norton
The Lancer is the official school publication of Thousand Oaks High School, created and produced by students in Advanced Journalism. This publication as well as additional stories can be found online at tohsthelancer. org. The Lancer reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed inappropriate for high school publication. Guest editorials and “Letters to the Editor” are welcome, but must be signed and are subject to editing for length, libel, obscenity and grammar. They can be sent to thelancer.tohs@gmail.com. The Lancer is a member of the Journalism Education Association (JEA), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and NSPA All-American Hall of Fame.
Lucas Langford VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.tohsthelancer.org
NEWS
Tip, Tip, Hooray! PH OT O
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This year the boys varsity basketball team recognizes respected members of the TO community by honoring them at each home game tip-off. GRACE WILLIAMS
News Editor
TOHS Boys Basketball helps honor strong Thousand Oaks citizens at each varsity home game. The tip-offs were started this year as a chance to honor these special people in our community. A tipoff is where the two teams go for a jump ball to see which team will start the game with the ball, it is similar to a face-off in ice hockey. The idea for the honorary tip-offs was started by TOHS teacher Kristin Benioff, and her husband. “Our goal is to celebrate amazing people in our community,” said Benioff. The first of the honorary tip-offs was dedicated to former Thousand Oaks High School activities assistant, Lisa Solis at the first home boys varsity basketball league game vs Newbury Park on January 10th. Solis was hit by a student driver in the school parking lot during a playoff contest on February 8th of last year. She was critically injured, with a few broken bones, a punctured lung and a brain injury. Solis had to stay in the intensive care unit and
a rehabilitation center to help her recover from her severe injuries. “My husband and I felt strongly that Mrs. Solis deserved a welcome back full of the love and support that makes the Lancer community so special,” said Benioff. This was her first time back in the TOHS gym since the night she was run over. “My favorite part of the tipoff was seeing the players give Mrs. Solis the signed ball and taking pictures,” freshman Paige Witham said. When she stepped on the court Solis received a standing ovation from the crowd as she participated in the honorary tipoff. “People were so happy to see her and were cheering really loud,” Witham said. The second honorary tip-off recognized the owner of Borderline Bar and Grill, Brian Hynes at the basketball game against Westlake on January 21st. Borderline has been working hard since the shooting in November of 2018 in hopes of re-opening its doors soon. While continuing construction at the original Thousand Oaks location the owners have opened the new Borderline Dance Hall and Saloon on Friday, January 24th in Agoura Hills, CA. The third and final honorary tipoff recognized TOHS graduate Anthony Melia at the home game on January 31st. Melia was killed in Iraq in 2007, serving in the United States Marine Corps. Seniors on the varsity boys basketball team were chosen to be apart of honoring these community figures in each tipoff. “Being apart of them was really exciting and I was extremely grateful that the boosters let me and the other seniors take part in it,” said varsity boys basketball player Justin Stanziano. Their last home game was on Tuesday, February 4th against Oaks Christian High School. Which was senior night, so there was no honorary tip-off at that game. Starting the Honorary tip-off tradition allows the Thousand Oaks community to recognize and respect important people in the community.
PHOTO » TOLANCERBASKETBALL.COM
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COMMUNITY SPIRIT SPIRIT—(Middle right) Caleb Chin (left) starts the home game against Newbury Park with a tip-off. (Top) Veteran Anthony Melia’s family recieves a signed ball at the honorary tip-off on January 31st.
PHOTO » TOLANCERBASKETBALL.COM
HONORABLE MENTIONS—(Bottom right) Lisa Solis (right) and Linda O’Heirok hug after Solis gets flowers at the honorary tipoff dedicated to her on January 10th. (Bottom left) Hayden Sellers (left) and Justin Stanziano (right) participate in the honorary tip-off, thrown by Solis.
04
NEWS
An Honorable Title, A Bright Future
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SETTING UP SHOP—(Left) SHOP At the competition the students set up their booth and prepare for the day.
ETHOS Entrepreneurship Academy honored with the title “California Partnership Distinguished Academy”. for the Thousand Oaks High School community as only 10% of schools are honored with this title. The California Partnership Academies deem “It really shows that we [Thousand Oaks High certain programs “Distinguished Academies” after School] are a good school,” freshman Hannah Kjarval the considered programs complete an audit following said. a check-list provided to them by the California PartThe ETHOS program at Thousand Oaks High nership Academies. Thousand Oaks High School’s School is one of three in all of California. ETHOS ETHOS Entrepreneurship Academy has been honored is project-based learning and is open to all grades. with the title of “California PartnerFreshmen start with a course called ship Distinguished Academy”. “Pre-ETHOS” while other grades ETHOS was first notified of the participate in the full program. Students nomination on Sept. 17 and then the “Us students are ba- who are interested in ETHOS must Visiting team from the California Dell out an application. The application sically a family now as ficonsists partment of Education came on Dec. 9. of basic Thousand Oaks High School and other information and a question asking seniors” schools that received a nomination had you would be fit to join —senior why to take part in an auditing process of ETHOS. the program. ETHOS not only has high Jamila Khambati There were multiple steps that were graduate rates, but the protaken in order to complete the auditing gram also connects students process. The first review was of the with careers after high school. program’s records for the past three years. The records The program is proven to help students gain a were viewed to see if there was a consistency in the better understanding of quality and continuity of the program. business and public speaking. The programs that survived the first cut were then “ETHOS will teach us how to budget, be inassessed for additional programs that are available to charge,” freshman Aly Payton said. students. These additional programs include articuETHOS focuses on meeting new people and learnlation agreements, dual credit, and industry certificaing how to work as a team. tions. “Us students are basically a family now as seniors,” The qualifying academies were then placed on a senior Jamila Khambati said. list and required to provide class rosters, integrated This award as a distinguished academy is a great project curricula, meeting agendas and minutes, and honor to the students participating in ETHOS and staffing schedules to the California Department of EdThousand Oaks High School community. ucation. The programs were visited by The California Department of Education, College and Career Academy Support Network, and Lighthouse Academy Staff. OPPORTUNITIES FOR The ETHOS entrepreneurship academy provided SUCCESS—(Top) The students stand all of these requirements and was able to be labeled before their poster for the enterprise as a “Distinguished Academy”. This is a great honor trade show.
MOLLY NORTON
News Editor
TEAMWORK FOR SUCCESS—(Top) The students use teamwork to have successful competitions.
ENJOYING THE PROCESS—(Left) Students enjoy the process of setting up for competitions.
NEWS
TOHS wants to start a movement in California by becoming the first school in California to have a sustainable outdoor learning environment (SOLE) on campus. By the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, TOHS hopes to have completed the construction of the SOLE. Students will be able to take advantage of its features and the opportunities it creates. ALLY MELTON CHARLOTTE FETCH
News Editors
The future of learning has come to TOHS. TOHS will receive a Sustainable Outdoor Learning Environment (SOLE) between the D and E buildings by the first day of school in the fall of 2020. The SOLE will act as an outdoor classroom. It will run off of renewable energy and contain a rainwater harvesting system and a solar rooftop. The project has an estimated value of $250,000 and due to a generous donation from Schneider Electric, TOHS will be able to build it. TOHS is the first school in California to receive a SOLE, and it could influence other schools to include outdoor classrooms on their campuses, too. “Not only [will] we become the only school to have a SOLE but we [will] also become essentially a showcase school,” science teacher Heather Farrell said. The SOLE is an important addition to a school’s campus because it will be better for the environment than regular classrooms. The solar panels on the roof will allow the SOLE to produce energy all day long, more than enough energy to sustain the classroom all day long. The SOLE plans to send less to landfills by using recycled materials and compacting waste. The beautiful vertical gardens not only separates the workspace, but they also contain drought-friendly plants in order to save water. Another feature is the rainwater harvesting system. It works by storing water and then using it for the garden or for plumbing. The SOLE includes battery storage, LED lighting and fans. The SOLE’s design allows it to reduce its negative impacts on the environment. Not only is the SOLE environmentally friendly, but it is also a functional and useful classroom space. Several STEM and science classes can be held there. “The science classes will benefit greatly from having the outdoor space. It is also a great opportunity for AP Environmental Science classes to… bring class discussions to reality,” Farrell said.
An outdoor classroom can make learning exciting and interesting for students. It’s an important addition that allows students who use it to do work in a new and stimulating environment. “Research has shown that outdoor learning environments... are effective tools to help students learn. Getting outdoors can help
reduce stress and engage students resulting in increased productivity, focus and creativity,” Farrell said. The SOLE will have the greatest impact on the students. Starting next year, students will be able to take classes that use the outdoor learning space while experiencing the many benefits that the SOLE provides. “I’m excited for it because I think it’s important for our school and the environment,” freshman Makaila Junkunc said. The SOLE is a learning space that makes the school’s campus modern and sustainable. “An outdoor classroom is good because it could constitute a fresh new look towards the school’s appearance, and it might even attract a broader range of students,” sophomore Quinn Fetch said.
The SOLE represents the future of learning. It is environmentally friendly and it also works as a completely functional and useful learning environment. Several classes and students will benefit from being able to put learning into action in this
sustainable and inventive classroom. TOHS will be able to model the SOLE for other schools and display the effects that an environmentally advanced classroom can have. SOURCE » CONEJOUSD.ORG PHOTO » SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
LEARNING REINVENTED—(Top and Bottom) Both pictures depict what the SOLE plans to look like after being built, showcasing its features and innovative style.
The Future of Lancer Learning
PHOTO » HEATHER FARRELL » WITH PERMISSION
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06
OPINION
... That’s Debatable Could Life360, the location-based services app, be considered an overbearing parenting tactic?
NO Life360 is beneficial and gives a parents peace of mind. LAURA WELTMAN Tracker/Mom It seems that apps such as Life360 have come to be a blessing to many parents and a curse to their teenagers. While many teenagers may see this as an invasion of their privacy, I query their position. Today kids have immediate and almost constant access to technology and social media, this access allows them to have a private world often immune from the interference of their parents. It is this fact that gives teens this false sense of autonomy and maturity that exists in millennium. Having the ability to know where your kid is located is an important and often useful tool for parents who no longer have certain safeguards that were in place prior to the use of these apps. When I was a kid, there was no question that I had no privacy from my parents. If you wanted to make a call it was made in the kitchen and the parents were always in charge. There weren’t many aspects of our lives which were considered free from the watchful eye of our parents and many teenagers did not drive by the age of 16, for that matter, have their own car! There was also a greater sense of community and neighborhoods that acted as a “village.” Which I believe allowed parents a greater sense of security in the whereabouts of their children. Using Life360 is not a reflection on a parent’s level of trust in their child in most cases. It is more a reflection of the type of world we now live in today, and its benefits go both ways. While a teenager may desire to roam where they choose without their parent’s knowledge in their high school years, the peace of mind it gives their parents to know where they are is not a trade-off. I think there is a distinction between the desire to know your teen is safely located and following their every movement. While my teenager may find this invasive, they can and do track their parents as well! Having this ability, may come in handy for a teenager. Life360 is mutually beneficial for both the child and parent that provides peace of mind. While kids today may balk at the use of tracking mechanism, they are also privy to a private world that never existed in my younger years. Life360 is a practical app that provides a peace of mind for parents. You also may be surprised to know that your parents are not watching as closely as you may think!
Life360 was released in 2010 but didn’t really take off till years as recent as 2016. The apps more advanced services drew people in, but is the Life360 technology so extreme that it could be considered invasive parenting, or does it simply keep teenagers and parents alike, safe?
90% of geosocial services are location based
242 million People in the US use a location based service in 2018
The number of people with drivers license has increased by 200 million in 40 years
5 billion place alerts sent from Life360 in 2017
Families open Life360 an average of 12 times each day
12% of adults use “geosocial” services to share their locations with their friends Life360 had 18 million monthly users at the end of 2018
In 2016 Life360 enabled car crash detection SOURCE » CDC.GOV GRAPHICS » KENDALL FLEMMING » THE LANCER
16yr olds with driver’s licenses was roughly 25% in 2014
YES Life360 is an invasion of privacy and freedom. Opinion Editor CAMILLE WELTMAN Apps like Find my iPhone or Find My Friends have been circling the electronic world for years now. They have helped people find phones, or be aware of friends general locations. Within the past couple years, there has been a peak in this tracking system with an advanced app called Life360. And I, like others, have been stripped of privacy because of it. Life360 took the understandable, “wanting to know of one’s whereabouts,” to an extreme. From being able to see a person’s every traveled route for the past 30 days, their top driven speed and how hard they break their car. These unnerving levels of accuracy are not child protection, they are an invasion of privacy. A level close to stalking. Life360 is a restrictive system that parents are implementing onto their kids who they claim they trust. It’s reasonable if a child has repeatedly been deceitful and Life360 is a last resort to keep them safe, but putting this on a teens phone who a parent is responsible, seems contradicting. “Location tracking can, without question, damage the connection between parent and teenager.” Says Professor Cranor from Carnegie University. There are many stories about kids who leave their phones in bushes or mail boxes when going out just so their parents won’t track them. Not having a phone entirely can lead to a situation more serious than not being able to know where your child is at 7:39PM on any given Wednesday. When is an appropriate time to stop stalking your child? Do you take the app off when they are 18 and go to college? Not in all cases. “Ivy, a freshman at a religious university, wrote a post on Reddit saying that Life360 was extending a troubled childhood with controlling parents. She told The Post that her parents insist she has Life360 turned on at all times at college as a condition of paying for her to go” When it comes down to it, Life360 is not an app about making sure a child is safe. It is an extreme stalking measure that violates a trust that is important between a parent and teen. This app is a leash tying child to parent in a time when we need to be exploring and learning about freedom. This app is past “Wanting to know your safe”. It’s a privacy invasion that parents use against their children, not for safety.
OPINION
07
CANCEL CULTURE #CANCELLED
The internet today has changed lives, some for the better and some for the worst. NOLA VALDEZ
Opinion Editor
Social media has a big influence on today’s high school population and most of us follow or are fans of some social media influencers. People use different platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Tik Tok and others almost everyday. Most of the social media standouts have an account for every app. These social media influencers consider social media a job. Every Instagram post, Snapchat video, Twitter joke, TikTok dance and Youtube video makes them money. When their entire income comes from ads online through displaying their everyday life to fans, it is important for them to have the perfect image online. Everyone has to deal with hate online, famous people often deal with it on a larger scale. In recent years, more social media influencers have been “canceled” by their fans or from other influencer’s fans. It usually begins with someone random finding conserval from their past, maybe something they have said or done. Some of these people include, beauty gurus James Charles and Laura Lee but even music artists have been canceled. Youtubers have explained why being canceled is hard for them to go through, and how it is challenging to come back from. Beauty youtuber Manny MUA described being canceled as the equivalent to drowning and not being able to come back to life. To these influencers, being canceled is like being fired from their job, because their income comes from the internet. The hate comments also have an effect on these influencers. Almost all of these social media influencers have merch, or products they sell to their fans. When they get canceled fans don’t hesitate to destroy these products. When youtuber James Charles was canceled
some of his fans destroyed his eyeshadow pallet called “James X Morphe” and posted it online. Destroying the pallet had nothing to do with the quality of the makeup, they did it because of the rumors that were shared about James Charles. This has also happened to other influencer’s products as well. They often apologize with a heartfelt video explaining their remorse and disappointment in themselves. In other scenarios like the cancelation of youtuber Logan Paul, a serious mistake was made and sometimes people need a reality check. He definitely got the reality check he needed when the online world turned against him. He took a break from his social media life as well. To come back from his cancelation he made an apology video explaining his guilt. The apology video helped him come back onto people’s good side, yet even today he is hated for the mistake he made. Most would describe the cancel culture as unreasonable and toxic for the internet. Some believe these influencers deserve what they get, that they asked for it by putting their whole life on the internet. Anyone should be able to have a social media account without having to worry about cyber bullying, or the drama of the internet. Cancel culture is just another way to create drama on the internet, to spread hate around the world. People can agree humans make mistakes, everyone has made tons of mistakes so we can’t expect anyone to be perfect. Even those who call out others on their faults have done wrong before. But in some other situations the influencer really did make a bad mistake, but only realizes after. Even if someone gets millions of followers, and receives millions of likes, it doesn’t mean they are a perfect person, like their Instagram profile makes them out to be.
“Cancel culture is just another way to create drama on the internet, to spread hate around the world”
GRAPHICS » SIERRA SMITH » THE LANCER
08
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ENTERTAINMENT
MILLIE ALBA-SOMMERS Entertainment Editors GABRIELLE LOPEZ Get your trumpets shined and your violins tuned, the California Lutheran University mariachi band is celebrating its second year as a class. Mariachi is a unique music style with a Mexican spin on standard instruments. Originally from the Mexican state of Jalisco, its unique sound and upbeat tempo has helped it spread across North America. At CLU, for one semester, the mariachi band was just a club on campus. But in the fall semester of 2018, it became a proper class, giving the students and instruments somewhere permanent to call their own. Thousand Oaks High School junior Mikiko Inayama plays the violin in the band. Her eight years of violin experience have helped her in the one semester she has been in the band. “My mom has wanted me to play for a really long time, so we found [the CLU mariachi band] and I was finally able to get my schedule to work with the rehearsal times,” Inayama said. “I like being able to experience a different facet of my culture, and I also really like making my mom proud.” CLU sophomore and TO alum Curran Fleming has been in the band for a year and a half. He was drawn into joining when he saw their interest table at an activities fair. They said they were offering a “large” ($30,000) scholarship, and they were in need of a trumpet player. Having played trumpet since the fifth grade, he felt it was the right next step. “I wanted to be in a music class that taught me something I did not have any experience with before,” Fleming said. “The hardest part for me personally has been learning a new genre of music and playing songs
in a style I was not familiar with before starting the mariachi band.” Rocio Marron, director of the CLU mariachi band has been the director since it became a class. Before, he taught at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. He also gave after school music classes for Los Angeles Unified School District. He heard about CLU’s need for a mariachi director from the chair of CLU’s music department, who also happened to be his college professor at the University of Southern California. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching. Cal Lutheran is such a nice campus. The students and staff are all really friendly,” Marron said. “It’s been a little challenging starting the program from scratch. With time we are working on building the program and getting the word out about our mariachi scholarships. We are hoping that by opening our doors to the community, our campus will become a destination point for students considering colleges.” With their next show coming up on March 21, the band is working to perfect their skill. Practicing for three hours every Tuesday evening, they put in effort to make sure their shows are topnotch. While it might not be as popular as other styles of music, mariachi has touched the hearts of the students who play, and the people who take the time to watch and listen.
“I like being able to experience a different facet of my culture, and I also really like making my mom proud.”
MARIACHI MAGIC
In their second year as a class, the California Lutheran University’s mariachi band, including TO junior Mikiko Inayama, is preparing for their next show on March 21.
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CAPTION—The CLU mariachi band poses with their instruments. Second from left: TO junior Mikiko Inayama on violin. Sixth from left: CLU sophomore Curran Fleming on trumpet.
GRAPHIC » PXFUEL.COM » WITH PERMISSION PHOTO » CURRAN FLEMING » WITH PERMISSION
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ENTERTAINMENT
GRAPHIC » RYAN HONG » THE LANCER
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Travis Scott’s autoThe hype reached it’s peak last year, HIGHEST with his late 2018 hitTravis albumScott Astroworld maintaining single, IN THE ROOM, withofLilthe Baby songs of 2018’s Astrowold, which is actually partdistinct of style isScott’s very apparent and of to be turning enjoyablewhat single his lateall 2018 hit album Astroworld it’s popularity with throughout of 2019 and the Cactus maintaining Rosalia takinghands, the vocals theblunt, song into theiranown makes it tune-heavy successful. Travis distinct in au-this song, with him and Donapparent Toliver in sharing verses and a short cameo it’s popularityreaching throughout all of 2019 Cactus with a lotturning of potential into a song that makestotune-heavy you want style Jack x Nike collaborations thousands of and the hands, and to be blunt, an enjoyable single is very this song, with from Sheck Wes. A huge what makes it enJack xmarket. Nike collaborations reaching thousands to pressinto the skip button. Lil Baby’s verses are solid dollars on the resale withofa lot of potential a song that makes you want him and Don Toliver sharing verses andfactor a shortincameo dollars on the resale market. andbutton. fit well, Rosalia’s style singing mixes joyable is afactor stronginchorus, whichitisensomething mostly to press the skip Lilbut Baby’s verses are of solid from with Sheck Wes. A huge what makes Entering 2020,Entering Travis Scott withteamed a talentthe autotune and synthesizer-based beat about as well absent from nearly every other song on the album. 2020,teamed Travisup Scott up with a talentand fit well, but Rosalia’s style of singing mixes with joyable is a strong chorus, which is something mostly ed roster of artists in hisoflatest collaborative Rounding out the album is maybe as gasoline and a lit match. ed roster artists in his latestproject, collaborativethe project, autotune and synthesizer-based beat about as well absent from nearly every other song on the album. the worst song as JACKBOYS. JACKBOYS. a whole. GATTI tries it’s best to be a chaotic song with next song on the album, GANG GANG, fits its as gasoline and aThe lit match. Rounding outa the album is maybe songit sounds messy choppy lyrical flow,the butworst in reality, Here’s the thing though, despite sporting big names bland title well. It’s a (relatively) lyrically strong song Here’s the thing though, despite sporting big names The next song on Travis the album, GANG GANG, fion ts its asbasic a whole. GATTI tries it’sthe best to beThere’s a chaotic song such as Sheck Wes, Don Toliver, and Quavo, JACKwith Scott and Sheck Wes top of a beat and all over place. too much happening in such as Sheck Wes, Don Toliver, and Quavo, JACKbland title well. It’s a (relatively) lyrically strong song with a choppy lyrical fl ow, but in reality, it sounds that’s simply nothing special and is an accurate indica- the background of the song to focus on the main verse, BOYS more like an advertising for the BOYS feels more likefeels an advertising campaign for campaign the with Travis Scott Sheck Wesof onsongs top oftoa come. basic beat messy and place. tooinmuch whichthemay be aThere’s blessing disguise considering the merch drop rather than a fully cooked tionand of the quality The potential in all over accompanyingaccompanying merch drop rather than a fully cooked that’s simply nothing special and isbut an the accurate indicahappening in the background of of thethe song to are focus on lyrics and chorus song lackluster at best. this song was there, execution was not. album release. album. tion of the quality of songs to come. The potential in the main verse, which may be a blessing in disguise In the end, JACKBOYS really is the definition of Released alongside the project was a merchandise OUTWEST has an entertaining beat, as well as thisincludsong was there, the on execution considering lyrics potential. and chorusAnytime of the song Released alongside projectof was a merchandise you are see names like Travis set withthe a variety seemingly random items, Youngbut Thug the trackwas as anot. feature. There’s not a lot thewasted lackluster at best. set with a variety there other than an interesting woodwind-based beat, Scott and Sheck Wes you expect some hits from the ing of anseemingly auctioned random off 1988items, BMWincludE30 M3, neon green OUTWEST has an entertaining beat, as well as ing an auctioned 1988subwoofer, BMW E30mirror M3, neon but the song is overall a good listen despite falling a album, but this one feels like it tried skioff mask, dice,green racing helmet, racYoung Thug on the track as a feature. There’s not a lot In the end, JACKBOYS really is the definition of to be so much ski mask, subwoofer, mirror racing helmet, despite falling sosee short. It’s like disappointing to see a colshort vocally. There’s just not much to the track other ing gloves, cardice, cover, and for someracreason orthere another, other than an interesting woodwind-based beat, wasted potential. Anytime you names Travis ing gloves, caracover, and for reason or another, lection of well respected and well-liked artists put out than that. riot shield. Allsome of these items come adorned with a but the song is overall a good listen despite falling a Scott and Sheck Wes you expect some hits from the a riot shield. All of these items adorned with a and most seem an album that seems so unfi nished. It’s easy to look at stylistically crudecome “JACKBOYS” logo HAD ENOUGH seems to have the most in terms of short vocally. There’s just not much to it other than album, but this one feels like it tried to be so much stylistically crude “JACKBOYS” logo and mostculture. seem the hype and excitement generated to take aim at car and motorsport big names artists, and it definitely shows. Quavo, that. despiteOff falling so short. It’s disappointing to see a by col-the accompanyto take aim at carAll and culture. set, and Don Toliver all come together on the vocalsof welling merch drop and expectartists someput great of motorsport the press and media around the album seemed lection respected and well-liked outsongs from this HAD ENOUGH seems to of have most in terms of album. The to create one thethe better songs on the project, but the edgy logo and bright slapped to focus more on the merch rather than the actual an album that seems so unfinished. It’s easy to look colors at All of the press and media around the album seemed big names artists, and it just definitely shows. Off- as a song, on these limited-edition items are nowhere near an elements seem to work Quavo, well together album, which adds to the general feeling that Travis the hype and excitement generated by the accompanyto focus more on the merch rather than the actual set,aand Don Toliver all come together theofvocals representation of the quality of the album. something missing from on most the album.ing All merch three dropaccurate Scott saw this as a marketing stunt rather than and expect some great songs from this album, which adds to the general feeling that Travis to create one ofartists the better the album. The potential this project makes you wish Travis chance to put out a genuinely enjoyable album. have songs strongon verses duringThe the song that come but the edgy project, logo and in bright colors slapped Scott saw this as a marketing stunt rather than a elements to work well something together ascatchy a song,and enjoyable. When you get past the flashy advertising and start tojust seem together to create Scott would have focused more on these limited-edition items are nowhere nearonanthe actual music chance to put out a genuinely enjoyable album. something missing fromTO most of isthebyalbum. three WHAT DO? far theAll most entertaining songrepresentation and less on histhe merch. actually listen, the problems become apparent. accurate of advertising the quality of album. artists have strong verses during the song that come When you get past the flashy advertising and start together to create something catchy and enjoyable. The potential in this project makes you wish Travis to actually listen, the problems with Jackboys become Scott would have focused more on the actual music even more apparent. WHAT TO DO? is by far the most entertaining song GRAPHIC » SIERRA SMITH » THE LANCER and less on advertising his merch.
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IN-FOCUS
Trust or T Why You Should
While many parents trac using cell phone apps t their safety, some feel invasion of priva
GRAPHICS » SOPHIE CRIVIER » THE LANCER
IN-FOCUS
Tracking? Care
ck their kids to ensure this is an acy.
Common Tracking Apps:
One of the most notorious tracking apps, Life 360 allows a person to track everything from location to speed to battery percentage.
Find my Friends is a feature of the Find My app on all Apple devices that allows one to see the location of their friends and family if they own an iPhone.
On Google Maps, one can choose to share their location with others, allowing themselves to be tracked. It is a less invasive tracking app that can be used by an Android or iOS device.
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IN-FOCUS
From Location Sharing to Crash Detection: Should Parents Use Tracking Apps? These days, almost every teenager has heard of certain tracking apps, namely Life360. So, what is all the fuss about? While some parents feel comforted having constant access to their child’s location, it is no surprise many teens see this as an unnecessary invasion of privacy. FINN SWANSON MADELINE CONVOY
In-Focus Editor In-Focus Editor
It is clear that parents today are more anxious and overprotective than past generations. While the fears remain similar over the years, there is more information out in the world than ever on parenting and keeping children safe. Back in the day, kids could leave the house without a trace and come back hours later, no questions asked. However, in this age of technology, parents have far more tangible means of keeping track of their children. With the rise of smartphones and now smart cars, almost every aspect of our lives has become digital. While these technological advances exist to make everyday tasks more convenient, it creates new paranoias for parents all over the country. Because parents can now have unlimited access to what their child is watching, who they are talking to, and where they are going, it is only reasonable for them to wonder what their teen is up to. Tracking apps have become widespread in recent years, such as Life360, while other parents use features on less invasive apps like Google Maps or Find My Friends to monitor children’s whereabouts. Many adults use the popular app Life360 to receive alerts about their teen’s location, routes, speed and battery percentage. It can also provide help alerts, crime reports, driving reports, crash detection and roadside assistance with membership. This app is appealing because family members can be updated 24/7 so parents can avoid worrying and teens no longer have to bother with “where are you?” texts. This is a parent’s dream, but often a teen’s nightmare. “My mother tracks me on Find My Friends,” senior Avery Benitez said. “I’m pestered the second my location isn’t updated or if it doesn’t load fast enough.” The Lancer surveyed 390 students and found that 76% of teens who have a family tracking app on their phone feel that their privacy is being invaded, and
33% say an app would make them feel safer. Many believe that it is a matter of trust between children and parents and such an elaborate app is not necessary to ensure the teen’s safety. “It can be helpful for emergencies, but some adults abuse the system and become a helicopter parent,” student Giulia Colella said. “[They should] let the kid live a little.” Apps like Life360 can make navigating family life simpler, as parents no longer have to call or text to check on their child. While parents might get peace of mind knowing their child is safe, some people question the problems and ethical issues these apps may cause. “Life360 detected a crash that did not happen, causing the Fire Dept. to show up to the school for no reason,” student Braden McComb said. Even though parents download these types of apps to keep their children out of harm’s way, many teens put themselves in more danger by finding loopholes. Of the students surveyed, 78% said tracking apps make them more secretive. “My parents have used Life360 for four years,” senior Sarah Poff said. “It’s definitely made their neurosis about me worse, as well as making me more sneaky.” Many adolescents leave their phones at a friend’s house or in their car while they go somewhere their parents may not approve of, potentially putting the child in more danger as they will not have a form of communication. Tracking apps are designed to make life simple and secure, and in many situations it does, but in others, it can lead to more anxiety, secrecy and even long-term effects. “I would leave my phone somewhere and say it was charging,” student Crystal Arreola said. “It invades my privacy too much.” Studies on controlling parenting, such as one by Chris Segrin, show that “helicopter parenting” can lead to narcissism and ineffective coping skills like
internalizing and distancing, leading to anxiety and stress. He noted that “excessively involved, controlling, and rigid parenting that is developmentally inappropriate can impede that realignment and result in negative outcomes, despite good intentions on the part of the parent”. Because of this, the relationship between parent and child can be severely damaged because of the pressure on the teen’s end to live up to their parent’s expectations. “I think it’s good for parents to be able to know where their kids are, but when it gets obsessive it can destroy relationships,” senior Jay Lesny said. “As long as it’s not obsessive, it’s positive.” While most young people don’t particularly agree with these apps, they do benefit from being able to track their parents. Teens can view when their parents get home and receive the same notifications their parents would. From our survey, 45% of students said they could track their parents. Tracking apps don’t have to be a one-way street, as both the adult and child can benefit. Sometimes, the parent and child have a trusting enough relationship to where a form of tracking isn’t necessary. “My parents trust me enough to not track me and because of that, I don’t feel the need to lie to them,” student Kiran Bengard said. Tracking apps and features are often used merely for keeping tabs on family members, but in the end, it comes down to what the person’s intentions are. Are parents using these apps to check up on their child every once and a while or making sure they get home safely? Or are they downloading these apps for the sole purpose of getting their children in trouble, since they assume they will be doing something wrong? It seems to be less about the app’s features and more about the reason behind the app. As long as parents and teens are working together to decide what the boundaries are, tracking apps can be used to bond, connect and strengthen the relationship between parent and child.
“I think it’s good for parents to be able to know where their kids are, but when it gets obsessive it can destroy relationships,.” —senior JAY LESNY
We asked 390 students their opinions... Do you feel that tracking apps invade teens’ privacy?
18% NO 81% YES
GRAPHICS » SOPHIE CRIVIER » THE LANCER
Do your parents use a tracking app?
56% NO
44% YES
Do you feel that being tracked causes teens to become more secretive? 23% NO 77% YES
IN-FOCUS
“Life 360 makes me feel as if I am not trusted due to how much my parents look and refer to it.” —Senior Leah Levy
“I like it because I am able to know where my parents are at.” — Junior Silje Squires
“It is unneccessary and invades personal space.”
—Sophomore Braeden Sanders
“It breaks the trust between kids and parents by allowing parents to monitor their kids every move, which tells the kid that they don’t trust them.” —Junior Colin Walton
“I dislike Life360 because it invades my privacy and it shows me that my parents don’t trust me. I would rather my parents believe where I go.” —Sophomore Leah Forde
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Ways kids get around Life360: The use of Life360 led many students to search for ways to get around their parents tracking their movements. Here are some that The Lancer found: Option 1: Leave your phone where you told your parents you are. Option 2: Pause your location: Turn wifi off, cellular data off, turn off background app refresh, turn on low power mode, and make sure the app is closed and not running. Option 3: Change your location: open menu on Life360 and tap places. Click on the place you want to edit and move the pin. Verify that the radius between where you placed the pin and where you are going do not overlap. Finally, press save. Option 4: Access Life360 on your laptop and leave it where you said you are. Connect your computer to Wifi and delete the app off of your phone. GRAPHICS » SOPHIE CRIVIER » THE LANCER
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Order Up A group of breakfast food lovers formed a club where they recreate popular menu dishes from Denny’s in a monthly club. “I think it’s a good club for anybody that likes breakfast food,” Benioff said. A group of students from Thousand Oaks High Along with learning cooking skills and socializing School created a club called Denny’s club to create with other peers, Denny’s club also teaches students Denny’s food. They explore their culinary talents in about organization and preparation. monthly meetings. In order to prepare a delicious dish per month, a lot In this club, students get together to make a menu of preparation goes into the process. item from Denny’s together. They collaborate together “They’re having a lot of fun just making stuff and have fun while cooking delicious food. together, planning, organizing, executing and then Clubs involving cooking brings great rewards to the meeting,” Benioff said. students. Members learn an important life skill that To be able to create the dishes, the club splits into will be useful throughout their adult lives. In addition small groups. to this, club members have fun while preparing and “We meet once a month and we separate it into eating tasty dishes. groups and each group makes a Denny’s Rather than just buying Denny’s food menu item. We bring in a griddle and we “We shouldn’t limit cook up Denny’s food,” Mikelonis said. to eat, the students have to figure out how to make the dishes. However, the process is not always the Denny’s experi- perfect. “We just have to figure out how to Cooking can be difficult to do make the food so it’s fun,” junior Hamil- ence to just being at and is often not a calm process. ton Mikelonis said. “We’ve only done it once so far and it Denny’s.” Mikelonis is the club president. was frantic but fun,” Mikelonis said. —senior MYLES GUDE The club has only met once during The reason Denny’s club was created was to bring the unique Denny’s cuisine this school year, but they will continue to TOHS. throughout the whole year. Club members “Going to Denny’s with me and the boys has been a may visit Denny’s at the end of the year. pastime for a while and we decided we shouldn’t limit Benioff believes the club is a great opportunity for the Denny’s experience to just being at Denny’s. We students to get together and have fun collaborating want to offer it to all the students at TOHS,” senior and making breakfast food together. Myles Gude said. “I think they like it a lot. There’s a lot of laughter,” The club is held in J3 and the advisor is Ms. BeBenioff said. nioff. She believes it’s a great opportunity for students Students love participating in this unique cooking who are interested in culinary arts to have fun while club where students get together and cook. cooking up tasty breakfast food.
ANDREA BALCAN
Features Editor
Ingredients: - I 1/2 cups buttermilk - 3 tbs cooking oil - 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour - 1/2 tsp baking soda - 2 1/2 tbs granulated sugar - 2 tsp baking powder - 1/4 tsp salt - 1 egg- slightly beaten - 1 dash of vanilla extract
Preparation: - Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl - In a different large bowl, mix together the wet ingredients - Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients gradually to form a lumpy batter - Pour the batter onto a greased griddle - Cook on both sides on medium heat - Add your favorite toppings to your pancakes and enjoy! PHOTO » ANDREA BALCAN » THE LANCER
PHOTO » WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Denny’s Pancake Recipe
FRESH FROM THE GRIDDLE—(Below) A GRIDDLE classic Denny’s buttermilk pancake sits on a plate topped with maple syrup and butter.
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Freshman filmmaker and director Austin Simpson shares his experience of creating a documentary on plastic waste. ISABELLA MORENO
Scan this QR code with your device to visit Austin Simpson’s YouTube channel.
EXPLORING THE WORLD— (Top) Austin Simpson begins the process of filming an edit of the beautiful forests of Yosemete National park. (Left) Austin Simpson gazes the hidden gems in France as he continues yet another project. PHOTOS » TRISTAN SIMPSON» WITH PERMISSION
Features Editor
“We don’t have to have a life completely free of plastic,” Freshman filmmaker, Austin Simpson said. “We just need a bigger movement where people are living imperfect plastic-free lives not a handful of people living completely plastic-free.” Austin Simpson has studied digital production since his early years in elementary school. As he grew older and began advocating for a decrease in plastic pollution, he decided to put his filmmaking talents to good use. “I always wanted to be a YouTuber but I didn’t start getting serious about it until 6th grade when my school had a digital production class. That is when I really knew I wanted to do something with film making and that is when I started making the big documentary project,” Austin Simpson said. During his last year in middle school, he started the process of creating the largest film he has made so far, a documentary on plastic waste called “The Plastic Wave.” In this film, he introduces a factor in worldwide pollution that is often overlooked by many people, which is the abundance of microplastics in the Earth’s oceans. By interviewing experts and conducting fieldwork, Simpson was able to create a film that introduced new ideas about pollution. “I think Austin’s documentary comes from a younger person that hasn’t been over-influenced by outside information and opinions. The purpose and point of view are simple and real. The points made in his documentary are clear and understandable for all ages,” Austin’s dad, Brett Simpson, said. Like most teenagers living on the California coast, the ocean plays a big role in their everyday lives. But very few pay attention to what damages their activities in the ocean could be causing. “I thought maybe I need to think about where plastic pollution is making the most impact. I love the ocean, the ocean is what makes me the happiest. Swimming surfing and being in the ocean is what I love to do. So I decided to try and make a difference and spread awareness about the place that I love the most,” Austin Simpson said. Although Simpson’s work has gotten recognition locally, it has also received attention from internationally known organizations. “There is an Instagram account called the Green Teen Team that I emailed asking them if they could repost my documentary. Then they soon asked me to be an ambassador for their company,” Austin Simpson said.
The Green Teen Team is a widely known organization with the sole purpose of bringing young generations together to help protect the environment. This government-funded organization works in many different ways to save both endangered plants and animals and reducing non-biodegradable waste. Getting support from a large organization like Green Teen Team means that not only will Simpson’s documentary gain more attention, but his intentions and passions for helping the planet will broadcast on a larger platform. After both his school peers and family helping him through the backbreaking process of creation, Austin Simpson says that the biggest supporter he want’s to thank is his dad. “I had a lot of support from my teachers, my whole school, my parents, and especially my dad who helped me to get Bob Ballard interviewed,’ Austin Simpson said. Bob Ballard is known for being a part of the finding of the Titanic. As an experienced oceanographer and explorer, Austin Simpson and his family felt that his assistance would help further spread awareness about ocean preservation. “I supported Austin documentary by encouraging him to do whatever was needed to get his message across. I drove him to do interviews at Cal State Channel Islands. But Austin did all the work including filming, editing, and setting up interviews” Brett Simpson said. Along with sharing his passion for nature preservation, Austin Simpson wanted to show his skills in both editing and filming. With only a few years of editing experience, he says thanks to the long hours put into his documentary, he knows more about the editing process than he did before. “My favorite part was the editing process because through doing that I learned the most,” Austin Simpson said. Looking back on his work, he has some simple advice for people his age looking to step into the digital production and promotion industry. “Don’t put out a lot of projects that don’t have enough effort, put small projects that you put all your effort into,” Austin Simpson said. Austin Simpson’s work demonstrates that at any age, achievement and taking action in important universal issues is possible. And as young generations grow older and become tomorrow’s leaders, it is never too soon to start making a difference.
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SAFE PASSAGE COMMUNITY GATHERS AT BARNES AND NOBLE — First responders,
ALL PHOTOs » OFFICIAL VENTURA COUNTY MEDICAL EXPLORERS TWITTER » WITH PERMISSION
volunteers, community members, and children in the Safe Passage Program take a trip to Barnes and Noble for Literacy Day.
Safe Passage Support Students speak to the experiences they have had working and volunteering with the Safe Passage Youth Foundation and the impacts they have made in their community. DARBY ADEMA
Features Editor
Ac was there along with his younger sister who is in The Safe Passage Youth Foundation, and organizathe Safe Passage program. Ac’s sister chose him as a tion that is tied to helping at-risk youth with positive person who inspires her. reinforcements and using supportive role models. The “My little sister went up and started saying that I’m foundation helps to reduce gang violence and support her hero so I had to go up there explain what I did children with art programs, field trips and positive role because she broke down crying,” Ac said. models. In communities where gangs are prevalent, Shoy Chen, a junior, volunteers through Ventura children are likely to move into that lifestyle when County Medical Explorers and Los Robles Hospital, they are older. Safe Passage focuses on stopping that which is partnered with Safe Passage. Medical explorcycle and supporting the community. ers have helped the children involve themselves The students that volunteer and with medical workshops as well as lending “My favorite part istheir support and time to the foundation. work as a part of the program impact the children they are spending time taught [the children] sidewalk CPR when I get to hang outand“We’ve with to make a change in their lives. went through a robotic surgery training The Safe Passage program incorpo- with the kids. I lovewith them,” Chen said. rates arts and crafts, academics, menAlvarez, a senior, volunteered with encouraging them andSafeLizbeth torship and many other initiatives. Passage throughout middle school and Wilbert Ac, a senior, has worked making sure they havehigh school. Currently, Alvarez is in the prowith the program for two years and as cess of getting hired by the program in order well as growing up with the program. a future.” to work and be involved more frequently. Safe Additionally Ac is currently employed —senior LIZBETHPassage supports the students and children in by Safe Passage and works special program by connecting them to their comALVAREZthe events and field trips. munity through local resource. “I basically work with the kids, play “[Safe Passage] was created so the youth games with them craft, set up before don’t follow those steps,” Alvarez said. they come,” Ac said. A large amount of the focus For students who may be interested in in the program is on the acronym STEAMO, which volunteering with Safe Passage in the future or want stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, medto learn more about the organization, the official Safe icine and outdoors. Passage website is safepassageyouth.org. “I’m happy [the children] have something to not “My favorite part is when I get to hang out with the involve themselves with the gang violence,” Ac said. kids. I love encouraging them and making sure they Children in the program also are mentored five have a future,” Alvarez said days each week in the community. On Jan. 20, Safe The Safe Passage Youth Foundation provides an Passage took children to the Ronald Reagan Library opportunity for children who would likely become for the Rotary Club Peace Day. The day’s activities familiarized with gang presence, to explore their comincluded arts and crafts, performances, and tours. munity and encourage creativity.
READING WITH PURPOSE —(Above) Safe Passage children gather at Barnes and Noble to discover new books and read to volunteers and the community for Presidents Day. The children have the opportunity to pick out books and read them to others.
FLIPPING THROUGH THE PAGES —(Above) Ventura County Medical Explorer volunteers gather a collection of books to read together with a child.
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Two Coaches, Two Teams, One Goal
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS— Coach Yabu and Coach Wilcox discuss during their collaborative workout session.
New track and football coaches Marlene Wilcox and Evan Yabu give insight about their collaborative workouts, and goals. KIANNA PORTER
Features Editor
Where did you coach before coming to TOHS? Evan Yabu: I actually when I first started coaching I started at TOHS with my old high school coach. Then from there, I coached a season while I played in Germany. After that, I came back home to California and coached three seasons at Moorpark College. I also helped out for a year at Camarillo High School. Marlene Wilcox: I coached at Calabasas high school for four years, El Camino High School for four years, and for a couple of years I coached privately. TL: Why did you both start collaborating on workouts for the TOHS football team? EY: We started collaborating because for one I think we both are aligned with the understanding of the value of speed in football. We’re also aligned in understanding the value of having successful programs in more than one sport so we felt like there was a good opportunity for us to help each other. I felt like the football team could benefit tremendously from working with an ex-Olympian athlete in regards to gaining general team speed. I think Coach Marlene felt that football could contribute some points scores to the track team. MW: The wonderful thing that I think is happening is that it’s creating a winning culture. It’s creating a culture of hunger and commitment from both teams now that we’re collaborating because now we’re actually connected and numbers create power so the more numbers you have going in the same direction, the more power you have. TL: Does your coaching style change when you collaborate?
MW: No it’s the same for me. I coach from love so if I don’t love what I’m doing and I’m not coaching from that passion, then it’s not going to work for me. I think that was my biggest attraction [to collaborating with Coach Yabu] was along with his knowledge, [Yabu] is a very passionate, committed, and perceptive coach. I think what makes Coach Yabu stand out from many coaches I’ve been around is he is not ego-based driven. His ego is not attached to the performance of the kids and that to me from my history of watching what good coaches are or what good athletes are, I think that’s a game-changer. TL: Which positions/ events in football and track don’t get as much attention? What steps are you taking in order to increase their exposure? EY: I think in football the linemen are typically the position that doesn’t get a lot of the glory that skilled position guys typically get. I think on my end something that I would like to create is initially a culture of appreciation for those role player type of players within the program and help the guys who have a little bit more eyes on them understand their successes really channel through the role player linemen type of guys before everything. MW: Well, track and field is technically not a team sport it’s an individual sport. So I guess the ones that maybe go without notice are the ones that are maybe not as genetically gifted, but work hard and still achieve amazing things for what their gift is. Some that are very genetically gifted get all the attention while somebody who isn’t as genetically gifted does something just as sensational and I love those athletes.
ALL PHOTOS» RYAN HONG » THE LANCER
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ALL PHOTOS » MICAH RODRIGUEZ » THE LANCER
It’s almost time. League championships begin Friday and anyone who’s been here long enough knows that also means it’s time for the bottles of hair bleach to come out. Next up, CIF. MICAH RODRIGUEZ
Sports Editor
The Varsity Wrestling team’s season is almost over. The Lancers finished Marmonte League play undefeated and they met undefeated Newbury Park Panthers in the Marmonte League Championship. The match against Newbury Park was highly anticipated. It was senior night and they were honored at their last home match in their wrestling careers. Tons of family, friends and alumni were there to support Thousand Oaks in their efforts to defeat Newbury Park. “The atmosphere gets them (the players) pumped up, I mean it’s fun. People knew this was going to be a big match so they turned out, and the players like it, I think the atmosphere helps a lot in our favor.” Coach Lyne said. Freshman players were at the match as well to support the varsity team. “The atmosphere was positive, and there was a lot of cheering going on and I think it helped our players,” freshman wrestler Tanner Cardenas said. The atmosphere was electric and the fans helped hype up the players.
“Yeah, the fans helped. They gave us a huge ego boost and a lot of confidence,” junior wrestler Obed Garcia said. Thousand Oaks was ahead early and extended their lead over the Panthers 20-11 due to big performances by Juniors Mark Sullivan and Dean Drello. The gym was going rocking and the fans were fully behind them during this event. “Dean’s match was like light work for him like he was going to win obviously. But, Mark was fighting in an upper weight class, so it was exciting to see him win that, and it was a close match, a nailbiter, and I’m really glad he came out on top.” Garcia said. But in the end, they fell just a bit short of winning their 12th Marmonte League title in team history. Thousand Oaks lost to Newbury Park by two points, with the final score being 34-32. Losing by two points to your rivals can be upsetting, but Coach Lyne thought his kids played really well. “It was disappointing to just lose out on a two-point match to Newbury for the league title, but the kids stepped up and played well,” Lyne said. Even though Thousand Oaks wasn’t able to defeat Newbury Park, Coach Lyne could not have been
prouder of his players and their performance. “I’m extremely proud of them, they worked hard and had good character throughout the entire season,” Lyne said. The players also feel that their coaches and themselves have done a great job. “My players and coaches have done a great job this season and worked hard.” junior wrestler Nickolas Brady said. The wrestling season isn’t over yet for the team though, with the team still having the league championships on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, before heading off to the CIF championships for the final matches of the season. Coach Lyne has the utmost confidence in his team heading into the final matches. “I’m proud of them and I’m sure they are going to do things in the next couple of weeks to make me proud again,” Lyne said. The Lancers are having an incredible season. Even after their loss to Newbury Park in the Marmonte League championships, the team has played well and can still prove a lot in the few upcoming matches remaining.
ON THE MAT(Left) Thousand oaks Varsity wrestling for the champion ship against Newbury park high school met on January 23 2020 for the final show down to see who would win the final championship (Top Left) Thousand Oaks wrestler off head to head with a wrestler from Newbury park (Top right) Varsity Coach of the wrestling team Coach Lyne cheering on his team (bottom right) The match is starting and Wrestlers from both sides are shaking hands getting ready for their next match against each other.
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SPORTS
Goal-Oriented Girls Varsity Soccer Win 2-0 agianst Newburry Park, hoping to make it into playoffs. KENDALL FLEMING SYDNEY HALE
Sports Editor Sports Editor
The Girl’s Varsity Soccer team uses teamwork, perseverance, and dedication to make their way to third place in the league. Two seasons ago was the first time they had reached the playoffs in 9 years, but the team is hopeful and determined to make it further this season. The win against Newbury Park was crucial to getting closer to reaching the playoffs, and the Varsity team delivered with a 2-0 win on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Isabella Holland and Jasmine Krostag led the team to victory with one goal each. This season the girls have a varied overall score, including two tied games, four losses, and two wins. Of the games that count in the league, they have tied two games and won one. They haven’t lost a game so far, putting them in the top three. Thousand Oaks stands in third, close behind Oaks Christian and Westlake but they hope to dominate in their last few games of the season. Taking first will prove to be difficult but the girls and their Coach, Clay Cameron, are optimistic. “The better the team chemistry, the more that you play for each other. Generally, the effort and the attitude are lifted to another level and it can only push you to greater lengths.” Clay said. The positivity on the team creates an environment where all of the players can practice and try their best while not being afraid to make mistakes. The girls have pasta parties before every home game and they often go out to eat afterward, creating a better relationship that will affect their teamwork on the field. The team consists of experienced players, the majority being lowerclassmen giving them a greater advantage. In previous years, the team lacked commitment, but with new teammates, the once unreachable goal of
getting to the finals seems much more attainable. The girls have three games left in the season and they aim to continue on in the league, possibly reaching the finals. “By the end of the season, we I believe will be prepared enough to get to the playoffs,” Sophomore Chloe Cole said. Cole plays in the forward wing position on the field and she is among the talented lowerclassmen that played on Varsity her freshman year. The forward wing usually dribbles the ball on the sidelines of the field trying to break away and kick a goal or pass it to the center forward. Now that the season has begun, the team is proving that their skills and talent will help them succeed and reach their objective. Aaliyah Porter is one of the many talented seniors playing this year. She was unable to participate in the previous season due to her club team restrictions. “I’m really happy I was able to play this season especially since it’s my senior year. I love playing with my friends and I’ve made a lot of memories,” Porter said. The team practices for two hours, from Monday to Friday, leaving them prepared to compete. Many of the girls train prior to the season, maintaining their skill and focus. This season, Porter is hopeful they will take the win. “This season I really want to make it to playoffs with my team and beat Westlake!” Porter said. In past years the team hasn’t made it this close to playoffs. They have three more games left in the season, playing the high schools that are in first and second in the league. If they win, then they will take first against the other schools and move on in the league. As of Feb. 2, the team hasn’t lost a league game and they hope to continue this streak to eventually enter the playoffs and possibly even the finals.
TEAM BONDING — (Left) Allison Mosher gives advice to her teamate during a drill. ALL PHOTOS » KENDALL FLEMING » THE LANCER
“This season I really want to make playoffs with my team and beat Westlkae.” —senior AALIYA PORTER
SPORTS
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CHEMISTRY ON THE COURT With the girl’s basketball season going smoothly, the team credits their success to the bond they have as a team. GRACE MACHELL Sports Editor
UP THE COURT COURT—(top left) Senior Katie Messerlooks to pass the ball. (bottom left) Sophmore Samantha Sobel dribbles up the court. (top right) Senior Jesika Magallanes takes the ball to the basket. (bottom left) Seniors Jordyn Daniel and Sierra Smith come together to talk about the game during halftime.
With the basketball regular season almost over for the girl’s varsity basketball team, the playoffs seem in reach. The team has a 13-6 record overall and is 2-3 in Marmonte League play. Coach Dave Goosen sites the teams’ success to their amazing chemistry and improvement as the season has progressed. “We have great team chemistry. Probably the best I’ve seen in my coaching career. The girls are all great friends on and off the court and genuinely enjoy playing together. I believe this will take us far in the playoffs,” Goosen said. Teamwork goes hand in hand with friendship which runs strong within this team. Players of all grade levels can be seen together around campus. Though other teams may get along well, The Lancer team seems to have a special bond that goes beyond basketball. Their connection to each other and the game makes things on the court easier. “I think we work together really well in a way that other teams don’t really connect. We have a lot of fun on the court when we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing and together we have a mutual understanding of the game,” sophomore Samantha Sobel said. Throughout the season, it has been obvious the players work well together. Leadership from older members of the team like seniors plays a role in the long term success the team has been seeing. Younger players, like the singular freshman on the team, contribute as well. The credit for the chemistry on the court goes to the fact all of the girls are friends outside of basketball. “We’re all really close and when we’re
out on the court we work really well together just because of the chemistry we have off the court,” freshman Madilyn Palosi said. They all have worked really hard to get to this point in the season as individuals, but their continuous teamwork is what has gotten them this far. Along with their unity as a team, all the girls are skilled and knowledgeable in their positions. The harmony only comes in handy if all of the players have something to offer, which in this case they do. “I think we know more about basketball than the majority of teams I’ve been on.” sophomore Samantha Sobel said. Basketball is a team-oriented sport. Players must be good at communicating with other teammates and their coach as well as keeping a competitive spirit to face the other team. The balance of these two things is fragile but it seems their cooperation with each other and the guidance from Coach Goosen keeps it in check. “I have really enjoyed coaching this team. We have a really hard-working and very coachable team,” Goosen said. With the season coming to a close, Lancers can be hopeful their varsity girl’s basketball team will make it to the playoffs. Their alliance as a team and constant improvement as individuals gives them a leg up on the competition. With the playoffs only a few steps away, the girls are making a layup for victory.
ALL PHOTOS » ISABELLA MORENO » THE LANCER
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