the
LANCER
Volume LVII, Issue 2 » October 30, 2019 » Thousand Oaks High School » 2323 N. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 » www.tohsthelancer.org » thelancer.tohs@gmail.com » Circulation 2,056
FIRE IS CATCHING After the devastating Woolsey Fire last year, Californians work to prevent another fire this year amongst strong winds and dry vegetation. pgs. 12-15
PHOTO » RYAN HONG » THE LANCER
INCLUSION IN EDUCATION
THE SPICE OF THE SEASON
TO FINALS AND BEYOND
CVUSD School Board struggles to implement The Healthy Youth Act to include students of all identities.
The Lancer tasted pumpkin spice lattes from local coffee shops to determine the best.
Boys and Girls Cross Country look beyond CIF-SS for their post-season competition.
pg. 5
pg. 10
pg. 23
02
EDITORIAL
Hits and Misses
STAFF EDITORIAL
Not Dancing TOnight
What’s Up and Down with The Lancer Hit: With the spectacular news of Friday off this week, feel free to have a late, spooky Thursday.
Miss: Lady Gaga’s Golden Globe dress was stolen. Bet Gaga wanted to poke some face after that stunt.
Hit: Kylie Jenner’s Tik Tok hit more than a billion views. Kylie knows how to rise and shine.
GRAPHIC » SIERRA SMITH » THE LANCER
Are the cost of school-sponsored dances affordable? EDITORIAL BOARD
4
yes
20
no
5
abstain
Every student should experience a school dance at least once throughout their high school experience. The sea of sweating people jumping and tripping over people, and the questionable music you forgot you knew the lyrics to. But is not wanting to take part in the event what’s keeping students from having one of the best nights of their lives? Or is it the price? The school’s homecoming this year was a success, but the ticket prices have been up for discussion. The tickets started at $40 without an ASB card and skyrocketed up to $80 at the door. As for the prom, one of the most magical nights, of the year, ticket prices begin around $95 with no ASB card and rack up as much as $115. Is it worth it for such a special night? Or could it be considered a couple of hours of expensive dancing? An ASB card costs $65 for the whole year. The ASB card includes a discount to all the dances and games and a discount on the yearbook. You also get free entrance to home athletic games, such as football games and basketball games. While paying anywhere between $40-$80 for tickets may be distressing as it is, students also must take into consideration how they are going to look their best. Homecoming dresses can range anywhere from $20-$200 and a dress shirt and pants can go from $40-$70. Looking your best will cause some stress. Prom dresses can cost 300$ with all the minor costs between it all adds up to quite the sum. Looking at your very best at any dance is important. It could be the best part of the dance, so if you are to attend the dance, you can not skip that part either. There are some kids who are always skeptical
about school events. Especially the dances. Whether they think the dances are lame, or would rather stay home all night, maybe they aren’t convinced that a few hours of jumping around with friends is going to be worth the double-digit tickets. So how do we convince these types of kids to come? Then there are also students who don’t have the extra cash to be spending on a dance. We have students, who must be curious about what a school dance is like, they want to try out a high school dance, like everyone should, and can’t afford it. Our own ASB and administration are in charge of the funding of the dances and setting ticket prices, is there anything they could do to compensate for our students so more could attend when a majority agree that our school dances are not so affordable? When students are staying home at night because they don’t feel like spending so much money on a dance? Administration sets the prices based on the expenses of the dance and how much it will end up costing to make these dances as incredible as they end up being, a lot of time and money goes into them. That being said, homecoming, for example, takes a lot of work to give our gym the Cinderella experience and turn it into the party room for the night. Lights, DJs, platforms to fall off of, and plenty of security. The expenses for it all adds up. The money for the dance comes from our tickets, so how do we get extra money to lower our ticket prices? More school-wide fundraisers? Less fancy lights? Thousand Oaks and the schools within it know how to support. Instead of having students pay to experience we should be helping them experience and pay less.
Miss: Hailey Baldwin and Justin Beiber got married and Selena’s heart went baby baby, no.
Hit: The Pacific Garbage Patch is getting cleaned up, now the fish will actually swim.
Miss: The winds are picking up this week, which means lots of bad hair days ahead!
Hit: Trumps plausible impeachment would give a new republican candidate the opportunity to represent for the 2020 election.
THE LANCER STAFF 2019-2020 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ENTERTAINMENT
Sophie Crivier
Sierra Smith Millie Alba-Sommers Grace Machell Andrea Balcan Bella Moreno
NEWS Molly Norton Kendall Fleming Ally Melton Sydney Hale OPINION Camille Weltman Madeline Convy Charlotte Fetch Grace Williams
FEATURES Nola Valdez Darby Adema Gabrielle Lopez Taylor Olgin
SPORTS Micah Rodriguez Devyn Wagner Kianna Porter Aiden Marschner Natalie Venable WEBSITE EDITORS Ryan Schefferine IN-FOCUS Cooper Goyette Tanner Patterson Finn Swanson Rose Wang
BUSINESS MANAGER Anna Norton
ARTIST Sophie Crivier Sierra Smith Kendall Flemming COPY EDITOR Lucas Langford
PHOTOGRAPHER
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.
Ryan Hong
ADVISER Tasha Beaudoin
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.tohsthelancer.org
NEWS
03
Off Campus Pass What’s happening Disney Announces New “Hocus Pocus” Movie Disney Plus has announced the development of ‘Hocus Pocus 2.’ The writer, Jen D’Angelo, hopes to bring back the original cast for the updated film. The 1993 film has become a classic for viewers during Halloween, but critics agree the original will not be easily replaced. The movie is likely to be released online, rather than a traditional movie, meaning that the release date will likely be sometime in 2020. PHOTO » OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
SOURCE » EMMYS.COM
The Tick Fire The fire in Santa Clarita, also known as the “Tick Fire” broke out Thurs. morning from the Santa Ana winds. Wind gusts were up to 70 miles per hour causing the fire to jump the freeway. Over 50,000 people in Los Angeles County have had to be evacuated because of this fire which is currently 78 percent contained. The fire is over 5,000 acres and is one of the many fires currently burning in California.
PHOTO » CREATIVE COMMONS SOURCE » CNET.COM
Starbucks Spooky Drink Starbucks doesn’t have a Halloween themed drink in the US this year. This is the first time in 5 years that they haven’t had one. In 2016 they had the Frappula Frappuccino, in 2017 they had the Zombie Frappuccino, and last year they had the Witch’s brew Frappuccino. We are missing out on the Phantom Frappuccino a charcoal drink with green slime. No worries. If you still want your halloween-themed drink from Starbucks, its popular to make your own Franken Frappuccino by ordering a Green Tea Frappuccino with added peppermint syrup, white chocolate sauce, java chips and mocha drizzle over your whipped cream.
PHOTO » WIKIMEDIA.ORG
SOURCE » CDC.GOV SOURCE » NYTIMES.COM
Step Towards Impeachment PHOTO » CREATIVE COMMONS The House of Representatives will be voting on the impeachment inquiry for President Trump on Oct. 31 This would make him the third U.S. President to be impeached from office. They will need a few weeks after the vote, but the Democrats hope to have him out of office by Christmas. Republicans are trying to stop this process and keep him in office until the next presidential election in 2020.
PHOTO » CREATIVE COMMONS S0URCE » ABCNEWS.GO.COM
Breast Cancer Awareness Breast Cancer month, held each October, raises awareness about this common cancer. One in eight women have breast cancer at some point in their life. It can be treated, but early detection is key. Help by donating or even just wearing a pink ribbon. This symbol represents hope for the future and is used to help unite women with breast cancer.
PHOTO » CREATIVE COMMONS SOURCE » VOX.COM
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NEWS
Power to the Pupils The new Student District Advisory Council works toward representing the voice of the student and sharing their needs with the district. ALLY MELTON
News Editor
The Student District Advisory Council (SDAC) was made to act as the student’s voice in front of district personnel. The program is a group of students that meet every other month with CVUSD Assistant Superintendents and Directors to talk about different policies, events, and important topics concerning the district. Six students from TOHS were elected to voice an opinion for their school. These representatives include junior Kiara Benioff, senior Cyntia Cruz, senior Akil Selvan Rajendra Janartharan, senior Taylor Stanley, junior Natalie Venable, and junior Danielle Withrow. This year marks the beginning of the SDAC program. The discussions of forming a council of students that would advise the district began at Board Meetings in the fall of 2018. “It was incredibly important to the district to start getting feedback directly from students. You know, so often we’re making these massively important decisions that affect the lives of every student, kindergarten through twelfth grade and I think last year, district leadership finally began to wake up and realize that there’s been one really loud voice that’s been missing from every decision that’s been made for the last sixty years and that’s the voice of the student,” TOHS principal Dr. Eric Bergmann said. Last year, high schools began looking for student volunteers who would represent all areas of the school and who would voice the opinion of all students. There are six representatives from each traditional high school and three students from alternative schools in the CVUSD, which comes out to twenty-four students on SDAC. Student DAC’s mission is to create a safe environment for students to voice their opinion, promote community awareness, discuss and take action regarding concerns with the student body, encourage providing more opportunities through CVUSD, and more.
“I hope that we can build a safer community here at TO and throughout the whole district,” Danielle Withrow, a member of Student DAC from TOHS said. The members of Student DAC are also working towards finding ways to make the program sustainable and prepared for the future. “Right now we just kinda want to set a precedent for future years to make sure that
the program works. We’re drafting a constitution and then after that it’s just gonna be a group of students that voice their opinion to change school policies that will help the school,” Akil Selvan Rajendra Janartharan, a representative from SDAC, said. Not only does Student DAC strive to create a welcoming community, but the members also discuss many other important issues at their meetings. In addition, an elected “Student Board Representative” from SDAC attends district board meetings every other Tuesday. While the student cannot officially vote, he or she can cast an honorary vote on action items. The students who attend the district meetings gets to represent their school and bring problems to the attention of the district representatives. As SDAC works towards creating a safe environment for students to express their opinions and securing the future of the program, students can be sure that their schools’ representatives are telling all points of view and fighting for their schools’ needs.
A LOUDER VOICE—(Middle) Junior Danielle Withrow, who is a SDAC representative, is excited to be apart of the new program. (Middle right) Student DAC members talk to each other at one of their meetings.
PHOTO » ALLY MELTON » THE LANCER
THE FIRST STEPS— (Bottom
PHOTO » BRIAN MERCER » WITH PERMISSION
left) SDAC representatives throughout the district talk at a conference. (Bottom right) Representatives watch the screen for information at a meeting.
PHOTO » BRIAN MERCER » WITH PERMISSION
PHOTO » BRIAN MERCER » WITH PERMISSION
NEWS
05
School Board On A Mission The Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education discusses the best way to integrate the new inclusive Calif. Ed code that is stirring up controversy into its schools. Molly Norton
News Editor
The school board of the Conejo Valley Unified School District debates how the new California education law should be addressed in the health curriculum. The California Healthy Youth Act was first proposed in January of 2016 and has yet to be dealt with in the Conejo Valley school district. The California Healthy Youth Act includes new laws that include the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation. While no direct actions have taken place, the CVUSD school board is deep in discussion on the appropriate way to incorporate this law into the health classes offered in schools. Some members question whether these subjects belong in school, while others would like to make major changes to the approach of these topics, both in order to comply with the California Ed. Code. While there are two separate sets of education codes, all CVUSD codes must follow the California Department of Education standards. Once the California Department of Education establishes the rules, it’s the school boards’ choice on how those rules are implemented in classrooms. Another change that is already in place is the opt-in and opt-out policy. When students are set to enroll in health courses, parents are given a choice to either allow or not allow their students from participating in this section. Thousand Oaks High School principal Dr. Eric Bergmann gave information on how this policy change affected Thousand Oaks High. “The California education code says that parents have a right to opt-out of the health curriculum and up until this year this school district has always had an opt-in policy,” Bergmann said. One curriculum that is available for consideration by the district is Positive Prevention PLUS. This
curriculum claims to be California’s best source for evidence-based learning that complies with the California Healthy Youth Act. Positive Prevention plus has been approved by the California Board of Education but has yet been approved by the Conejo Valley Unified Board of Education. Even though Positive Prevention PLUS has not been approved by the CVUSD education board, health teachers in the Conejo Valley attended a two-day training on how the resources from the curriculum can be used in their lessons and classrooms. A health and biology teacher, Ashley Cooper, helped clarify Positive Prevention PLUS curriculum and was able to provide insight on how the school board is addressing the curriculum. .“We continue to take our direction from the district administration and the school board. As they make decisions to change the curriculum, the classroom teachers will adjust to meet those expectations.” Hu The controversy happening in the CVUSD man d school board has nothing to do with whether the eve l o p m e n t . It m topics of sexual orientation and gender identity ay n should be discussed and included, it is a discussion of ot promote or reflect how schools can integrate the topics into our current classes. The CVUSD must be altered to comply with any the California Healthy Youth Act because all school district Administrative Regulations have to follow California Codes. Freshman, Mia Mcbride, who is participating in health this year shares what an ideal health curriculum It must be medically would entail. accur ate and “Even if students aren’t questioning their identities, current important to just be aware.” Mcbride said. Even though the way the CVUSD education board will address the most recent addition to the California He code eventually, the next school board meeting will althy take place November 5, 2019.
W E N THE h hy Yout
fornia Healtneeds Catlhie curriculum s a to promote sexuality a
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HIT THE BOOKS— (Right) Freshman Paige Witham reads from her health textbook after class. (Left) Freshmen work together to study from their health class textbook.
PHOTO » MOLLY NORTON» THE LANCER
06
OPINION
... That’s Debatable Should high schoolers be allowed to trick-or-treat? As people get older, they make the decision of whether they want to trick-or-treat or not. Some make the decision to still enjoy the holiday despite their age, while others simply don’t want to.
YES
NO
It’s still appropriate for high schoolers to go trick-or-treating. CHARLOTTE FETCH
Opinion Editor
Trick-or-treating is an important part of most kids childhoods. Hanging out with friends and dressing up is fun for many people, including teens. I understand that many people might not want to go out on the night of Halloween and knock on people’s doors, but on the other hand, many people love to still do that. Who doesn’t love free candy? Taking away the fun of Halloween could upset many teenagers. Trick-or-treating is a fun activity for kids of all ages and should never be taken away from them. While you are in high school you should be allowed to enjoy the holiday, but I do think that after you graduate from high school, it may be a little weird. The website, whslionspride.com says it may be intimidating if a 19-year -old came up to your door wanting to receive candy. Although, by eliminating enjoyment, that can lead to worse things such as, damage to neighborhoods etc. Another statement from the website, freep.com says that teens are becoming rebellious and so called “bad apples.” They stay out too late and don’t respect their parents as much as they used to. This is why they should go trick-or-treating because it is such an innocent thing that some love to do. Some teens also might like to hold onto their childhood as long as they can which involves doing things like trick-or-treating. A survey conducted by today.com shows that 40% out of 1905 people think that you should always be allowed to trick or treat. Another 23% said that ages 15-16 should be the limit for trick-or-treating, which is a pretty general age. In my overall opinion, after high school, around the ages of 19, that should be the final cut off. High school is still a fun time, you are still home with your family and why not trick-or-treat when you have the chance.
High schoolers are too old to trickor-treat. GRACE WILLIAMS
66% of people think that there should be an age limit
1 in 3 families have someone in their house trick-or-treating this year
52% of trick-ortreaters prefer chocolate over candyw
73% of parents take their kids trick-or-treating
10% of people do not celebrate it
73% of people say that kids/teens ages 12-17 is when kids should stop trick-ortreating
68% of people are planning to give out candy
SOURCE » USATODAY.COM GRAPHICS » KENDALL FLEMMING » THE LANCER
$2.6 billion is spent
on Halloween candy each year
Opinion Editor
Trick-or-treating is a fun Halloween activity for most kids. They get an opportunity to dress up and get free candy. However, this tradition is meant for younger children not high schoolers. Teenagers walking around while younger children are trick or treating can be intimidating to those little kids. They are often rowdy and loud while walking around neighborhoods on Halloween, which can be alarming to young children. Their behavior can also be a concern to a kid’s safety and worrisome to parents. High schoolers should not be taking away from a young child’s trick-or-treating experience. One example of this is that some houses may put out a candy bowl and sign saying, “just take one piece.” High schoolers or older kids often tend to take more than one piece of candy or maybe even the whole bowl, leaving it empty for the next trick-or-treaters. In addition, whoever is passing out candy would most likely prefer to give it to an 8-year-old rather than a 16-year -old. There is a much greater satisfaction of handing a piece of candy to a young child and seeing the joy on their face, than handing it to teenagers who just don’t want to pay for their own candy. High schoolers can find ways to get candy much easier than little kids can. Many high schoolers can drive and have enough money to buy candy for themselves. Kids are limited to their parents’ ability and willingness to purchase them candy. When you are in high school you also have more options of things to do on Halloween. You can go to parties, a haunted house, or something else like that. When you’re a kid, the only thing you can do on Halloween is trick-or-treat. Trick-or-treating is an important rite of passage for many kids. High schoolers have already had the opportunity to trick-or-treat when they were younger, and should now leave trick-or-treating to the little kids.
OPINION
Gamers, Game On
Contrary to popular belief, video games can be used as a tool to improve your mind, body, and overall well-being, all while doing something you enjoy. If you haven’t already, it may be time to sit back, relax, and get your game on. MADELINE CONVY
TEEN GAMER— Freshman Remington Beaudoin plays Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch.
62% of gamers On average, kids start playing on a console at age 7. Of people who purchase video games, 54% are male and 46% are female.
Opinion Editor
Video games have been given a bad rap for decades now, ever since they reached mainstream popularity in the early ‘80s. However, are these assumptions fair? I will be the first to admit that I have never played video games in the traditional sense, but I know they don’t deserve the reputation given to them by those of older generations. In fact, video games have more social and academic benefits than many may realize. According to The Washington Post, more than 70% of teenagers play video games, and that number continues to rise. Our generation is often defined by our “obsession” with technology, but that so-called obsession may not be such a bad thing. Just like anything, moderation is key. Video games should not be taking control of our lives, but adding to it. For many teens, video games are appealing because they provide a means for players to take their minds off of life’s external stressors while also enabling them to feel like they are part of a larger community. Contrary to popular belief, video games can actually act as a healthy way to help cope with anxiety and even depression. Surprisingly, action games are said to be the biggest stress relievers, with puzzle games coming in second. If not already doing so, playing every once in a while may improve one’s mental health and well-being. Not only can video games potentially help one feel better overall, but they can even help improve performance at school and at work. Video games can actually affect the brain and body in a positive way, allowing one to lead a better life because of this. While teenagers probably aren’t choosing to sit in front of computers or TVs to get healthy, it is an added benefit. If played consistently for short periods of time, video games can help cognitive function and improve problem solving skills. According to Science Daily, research
PHOTO » SOPHIE CRIVIER » THE LANCER
typically play puzzle games.
07
There are about 2.5 billion gamers around the world.
shows that playing video games can change the brain regions responsible for attention and visual skills and make them more efficient. If we can change our brain structure for the better simply by sitting down and playing Mario Kart for 30 minutes, why not? If you’re looking to boost your creativity, video games are a great way to express your artsy side. Now that Minecraft is making a comeback, it’s the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax, and build your dream world in creative mode. Video games improve your mood, which then enhances your artistic ability. Some examples of these imaginative games are Minecraft, Terraria, The Sims, and many, many more. Everyday at school, I hear kids speaking in a seemingly foreign language. This, I suppose, is the language of gamers. If you hear a stranger talking about a game you happen to also play, great, you now have a conversation starter. Video games have this incredible ability to bring people of all backgrounds together. When people think about gamers, they are often stuck with the image of an anti-social, pimple-faced teenage boy playing alone in his basement. However, they have it all wrong. Nowadays, kids often compete with friends during hang-outs, communicate over their headsets from different locations, and even create new friendships with players from all over the country. While there are still many problems and controversies regarding video games, the pros far outweigh the cons. In this case, video games aren’t only misunderstood, but they are underestimated. Who wouldn’t want to improve their health, brain function, creativity, and friendships all while having fun? I’d never encourage someone to become a full-time gamer, but playing occasionally can drastically improve your mental and physical health. Whether you’re an expert or a hater, video games may be the key to living a happier, healthier life.
8 in 10 teens have a game console at home.
56% of teens ages 13 to 17 play video games for 2.5 hours each day.
The gaming industry is worth 78.6 billion dollars.
73% of teens in the United States play video games.
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Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center
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ENTERTAINMENT
A Communal Tradition The Rotary Fair has been a yearly tradition since the early 90’s and it’s popularity has only grown since then. It’s now a popular event for both locals and new incomers to brows small businesses and artwork. Entertainment Editor issues going on in Ventura County and clearly doing things about it and endorsing whatever their beliefs are on the topic,” Ohja said. The 28th annual Rotary Street Fair took many peoThe Rotary fair also teaches younger generations ple by surprise with its success this October. This time about business and entrepreneurship as well as buildinstead of just locals enjoying the event, people from ing social skills and learning how to promote and far and wide come to both promote themselves and advertise. It is a great environment for kids and to experience excellent entertainment, food and eye families to kind new brands to buy from. catching vendors. Diego Salas, who is also a freshman, visited One goal of the Rotary Fair is to advocate small the fair for the third time this year. He offered businesses and out of the ordinary passions. Therefore, the majority of the vendors were expressing their help to vendors that needed an extra hand and other visitors that needed some help artistic ways of living. navigating the fair. Neil Coffman, a craftsman and wand maker from Along with putting others first by Ventura County, decided to come to the Rotary improving the experience of other guests, Fair for the first time to spread knowledge about Salas also noticed something unique about wand making. Coffman and his husband run a small the fair that emphasized the importance of company where they collect a variety of woods from community. different plants around the world and creates mystical “Everybody there is really friendly and wands using paints, crystals, yarn, gems and other unique items. When they are created, each wand possesses its own magical powers. Coffman found his passion for wand making back in 2014 and decided to turn his hobby into a job. “I decided that I had a real skill for wand making. Even if you are an artist, you don’t really think about something like that,” Coffman said. Working with a different set of material compared to the usual modern day artist, Coffman has incorporated his love for magic in his work and seemed excited to show it off to the public. “This is the very first year we have been here for the fair,” Coffman said. “We were searching for October festivals to do this at and this seemed appropriate because it features artists.” Just hours into the festival, Coffman had already noticed that his homemade products were getting a lot of recognition from first time viewers and even returning happy consumers. “A lot of people know us from the other festivals they are we have been doing. We are getting a lot of returning all trying to people we have sold to as well,” Coffman said. do something The Rotary Fair is the largest of its kind in Ventura to help each other. County. With about 370 vendors and free admission, It’s not like a competition, the crowd is extremely diverse. People of all ages, we all benefit from each races, ethnicities and hobbies, join the movement other,” Salas said. “I got to promote people of all types to come together as a to meet a lot of cool community and make the Rotary Fair a safe and fun people and help out place for everyone. a lot.” As well as helping artists get their name out and into From business the public, the fair also allows peaceful protesters and owners to guitar advocates to express their beliefs on controversial players, everyone topics. Some vendors talked about politics, climate can appreciate the issues and religion, while others discussed matters regarding equality to people of all colors and sexualities. fair no matter who they are. Vendors, A community where diversity is praised is something artists, and musicians that the city strives for. help the fair grow every One thing that the fair promotes is bringing the peoyear in both numbers ple of Thousand Oaks together. Although it may seem and popularity, along with strange, a lot of this is done through social media spreading awareness about their and the student body of local schools. Students from occupation, passions, and hopes for around the city either come to the fair to volunteer, the city. Many locals are already awaiting for next advertise or even just sit back and enjoy the food, year’s fair and can hardly wait to see what it has to entertainment, and art. offer next. Sami Ohja, a freshman at Thousand Oaks High Now, it is safe to say that it will stay a tradition for School, was one of the many students that attended. It many years to come for everyone to acknowledge and was also her first time coming to the Rotary Fair. continue to be one of the many annual highlights in “My favorite thing about the fair is just walking Thousand Oaks. through the fair and listening to people talk about ISABELLA MORENO
BUZZING BUSINESSES—(Top) Sami Ohja wears an American flag in her hair after visiting equal rights booths. (Left) Local activists hand out simple yet powerful stickers to all. (Right) People line up at a face painting station to have designs drawn on their faces. (Bottom) A jewelery designer exhibits his work made of crystal to a variety of people.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice It’s finally October, and that means it’s time for hoodies, brightly colored leaves, scented candles and most of all a classic fall treat: The Pumpkin Spice Latte. GRACE MACHELL ANDREA BALCAN
Entertainment Editors
The season of spice is back and over the past years, the pumpkin spice latte has risen to fame at an alarming rate. According to Market Watch, pumpkin spice lattes amassed a total of 200 million sales in their first decade on the Starbucks menu. Many people love the Starbucks latte, but other coffee chains have been creating their own version of this drink. The Lancer staff tried pumpkin spice lattes from four different coffee shops to find out which one is the best. The ideal pumpkin spice latte is not too sweet and overpowering, but still has a depth of flavor ranging from rich coffee to natural tasting pumpkin with distinctive spices. Although this drink is undeniably popular, many people associate a negative stigma to pumpkin spice lattes. Many people think that the drink is basic and somewhat feminine even though pumpkin spice lattes are for everyone. “Despite the stereotypes around the drink, I still find myself going back to get one every fall,” Freshman Abby Coleman says. The classic pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks is great; it has a wonderful balance of pumpkin, coffee,
and spices. The spices included are nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. It costs $4.85 to $5.45, depending on the size. However, the latte was somewhat thin and not creamy enough. Even though the flavors were balanced, they were a bit muted. In addition to the classic hot pumpkin spice latte, Starbucks also offers countless different versions of the beverage, such as the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. This gives customers variety depending on if they want something hot or cold to suit their mood. The less popular Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, offers a “Pumpkin Latte” at a price of $4.29 for their small size, about the size of a “tall” offered at Starbucks. The customer can taste the espresso coffee in the drink Though not artificial tasting, it is overwhelming with conflicting spices making it hard to drink. It is ironic that the word “spice” was not in the name considering that spices are the main flavor of the drink. Even for a pumpkin latte lover, this drink is too intense. Another retailer joining in on the Pumpkin Spice Latte trend is Dunkin’ Donuts. This chain of coffee shops sells a “Pumpkin Coffee” instead of a latte which differentiates it from the others profoundly. Without the strong espresso of a latte, the coffee is
almost tasteless. The main flavors of the drink are a very artificial tasting spice element and extremely sweet milk. There is almost no dept of flavor because of how weak and artificial it is, and yet it is very hard to drink because of the extreme sweetness. The coffee has more sugar than spice and it doesn’t taste nice. Among students and teachers, Starbucks is the most popular destination for pumpkin spice, but does Starbucks really have the best latte? We tried the pumpkin spice latte from Five07 as well to see if Starbucks remains unrivaled. To the Lancer’s surprise, Five07 has the best latte. Their pumpkin spice latte has an incredible pumpkin flavor accompanied by pleasant sweetness. The spices were present but not too intense, so it have the latte a depth of flavor. The pumpkin complimented the rich coffee and made the latte delicious. The latte feels very luxurious and smooth as a result of the perfect amount of each ingredient. This velvety latte is clearly the winner. Though the Dunkin’ Donuts latte wasn’t satisfactory, the pumpkin spice latte from Five07 made up for the lack of flavor elsewhere in this review. Out of all of them, The Lancer recommends the latte from
“Despite the stereotypes around the drink, I still find myself going back to get one every fall” —freshman ABBY COLEMAN
Five07 for all of your autumn needs.
The cult-classic Starbucks pumpkin spice latte delivered a wonderful flavors that were balanced throughout the drink. However, the latte was not creamy or smooth enough.
The Dunkin’ Donuts “Pumpkin Coffee” has an extreme amount of sugar and it has almost no other flavor. Even for someone who loves sweets, this coffee is difficult to drink.
The Five07 Pumpkin latte is the best latte at a price of $5.50. the balance of sweet, spicy and pumpkin flavors make it worth the price.
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf latte is abundant in spice. It doesn’t taste artificial but it is so strong that it’s hard to drink.
ALL PHOTOS » ANDREA BALCAN » THE LANCER
ENTERTAINMENT
SIERRA SMITH
Entertainment Editor
Start your engines racers, get ready to drift and hurl some red shells, because the Mario Kart Tour mobile game for iOS and Android launched this Sept. and has recently become one of the most downloaded apps. The Mario Kart series was first released in 1992, by the name Super Mario Kart for Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The original development for the game was overseen by Shigeru Miyamoto, a Japanese video game designer who created Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Kart resulted from characters previously seen in Mario Bros games, while also being a new type of racing game. Nintendo Entertainment is now responsible for 14 variations of Mario Kart. Since 1992, Super Mario Kart has evolved into games like Mario Kart 64, Super Circuit, Double Dash, Arcade GP, DS, Arcade GP 2, Wii, Mario Kart 7, Arcade GP DX, Mario Kart 8, 8 Deluxe, Arcade GP VR, and now the newest 2019 addition, Mario Kart Tour. Upon launch, the mobile tour game is focused on single-player races and bonus challenges, with competition encouraged via the game’s online leader boards. Although Mario Kart Tour is free to download, the game offers a subscription service, for $5 a month. “Subscriptions are a waste of money,” freshman Remington Beaudoin said. “I just want to play Mario kart Tour.” Similarly to Nintendo’s previous releases on mobile devices, in order to play, a Nintendo account needs to be linked. “All my friends and I didn’t have Nintendo accounts, so we had to sit together and make them,” senior Maya Johnson said. Mario Kart Tour has features that no other version has had before. For example, the game features temporary courses based on real-world locations. Unfortunately, these courses are only made available for two week periods of time. When the game was originally available for download, it kicked off with a two-week stopover in New York City. “I think the new courses are cool, but I wish you could stay on the same “league” until you finish it,” Beaudoin said.
GRAPHICS » SIERRA SMITH » THE LANCER PHOTOS » OFFICIAL NINTENDO FACEBOOK
The game controls are very simplistic, and much like the previous games, it uses auto acceleration. This means that even if a phone is left unattended, the kart will make it to the end of the race. The control comes from sliding your finger from left to right to steer and tapping the screen to fire your items. “I don’t know the difference between the steering options, I’m really bad so I have smart steering on,” Beaudoin said. Mario Kart Tour does have features that use the phone’s gyroscope to control the direction as well. This way of play is nontraditional because of the portrait mode, the steering comes across as unnatural compared to landscape mode. Other new features include Frenzy mode, where a collection of three of the same items on a preferred track, can make a chosen racer invincible for a short period. This advantage increases the speed and drifting skills, while also giving an unlimited supply of the chosen item. “Frenzy mode keeps me from being in last place. It really helps me because I’m so bad at the game,” Johnson said. This adds an element of tactics for racers chosen on specific tracks. There are 16 regular courses and Nintendo has announced five reverse courses to come in the future, that includes the original Rainbow Road (SNES), Kalimari Desert (N64), Luigi’s Mansion (DS), Toad Circuit (3DS) and Waluigi Pinball (DS). “I think all the races are really well done,” junior Elsa Heath said. “My favorite courses are the ones that transition to underwater.” Unfortunately, some features have not been activated yet, a multi-player option was said to be offered a few months ago, but was not available at launch. “I’m waiting for them to add a multi-player option so I can race all of my friends,” Johnson said. Nintendo remains vague on their future plans for the game but have confirmed that Mario Kart Tour multi-player is coming.
TOUR TIME
Nintendo’s Mario Kart has evolved into different versions since 1992, the most recent: Mario Kart Tour.
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IN-FOCUS
GRAPHIC » TANNER PATTERSON » THE LANCER
CAMP FIRE NOVEMBER 2018
RECENT FIRES IN CALIFORNIA
MENDOCINO COMPLEX JULY 2018
KINCADE FIRE OCTOBER 2019
TICK FIRE OCTOBER 2019 WOOLSEY FIRE NOVEMBER 2018 GETTY & SADDLERIDGE FIRES OCTOBER 2019 CONTEMPO FIRE OCTOBER 2019
IN-FOCUS
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The Lancer takes a look at the most prominent and destructive form of natural disaster in California.
PHOTO » RYAN HONG » THE LANCER
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IN-FOCUS PHOTO » RYAN HONG » THE LANCER
CLEAR THE SMOKE
The Ventura County area was hit hard by the destruction of the Woolsey Fire, spreading from Malibu all the way inland past Agoura. Based on how these disasters affected the community we prepare in hopes to prevent these devastating events in the future. In-Focus Editor response teams to locate and extinguish a fire. In 85% of cases, wildfires are caused by humans. In the fall of 2018, Calif. suffered one of the worst Whether it’s from a campfire left unattended, the burnburn seasons in recorded history. In Ventura County, ing of debris, use of defective equipment, or a poorly the Woolsey Fire brought unprecedented levels of discarded cigarette. destruction to the communities in Thousand Oaks, “The Thomas fire, which was two years ago, was Westlake, Malibu and others in the surrounding area. started by power lines in the wind that arced or someWith three people killed, 1.6 billion dollars in damage how ignited a fire. Fires can start by a million different done, and 1,643 structures destroyed, the fire was things. Mostly power lines are near homes and comunlike anything crews were tasked with extinguishing munities where you need electricity, but sometimes before.The burned land totaled 39,234 hectares, and power lines are distributing power from somewhere forced the evacuation of 295,000 residents. else, and those fires can start without anyone notic“For Ventura county the Woolsey fire was one of, if ing them, which they can get bigger without people not the most, destructive fires in our history. Since that responding, so I think that plays a part in it,” Hill said. time there hasn’t been anything I’m aware of, defiHill also mentioned that firefighters follow FIREnitely not in Ventura county, and I don’t think there’s SCOPE, or Firefighting Resources of California anything that compares in southern California.” said Organized for Potential Emergencies, a multi-agency firefighter Brendon Hill. coordination system designed to improve the capabilFires start everyday, and it’s the fire department’s ities of California’s wildland fire protection agencies. job to quickly put them out before they begin to pose a Its purpose is to provide more efficient resources allothreat to life or property. The problem they face during cation and utilization, particularly in multiple or large the months of fall is the Santa Ana winds that cause fire situations during critical burning conditions. even the smallest flames to be whipped into furious The Woolsey fire last year was during a red flag wildfires that can torch thousands of acres. Santa Ana warning. Red flag warnings are forecasts issued by winds are strong, dry, downslope winds that form the National Weather Service to alert citizens and over the mountains in central Nevada in areas of officials of increased fire risk. Red flag warnings are high pressure. based off three main weather components: high winds, Low pressure off the coast of Southern California high heat, and low humidity. During red flag warnings means this wind will travel to these areas, losing people are urged to review fire safety, avoid potenmoisture and increasing in speed as they move to tially fire starting activities, and prepare for possible lower elevations. The canyons in Santa Monica Moun- mandatory evacuation. tains Recreational Area act as funnels which continue If a fire does break out, firefighters first priority is to intensify the winds until they reach the coast. life safety. These areas pose the greatest threat for fire, and the “Life safety. Making sure people get out, they get rough terrain can make it much more difficult for fire out safely, making notifications, evacuations. There’s COOPER GOYETTE
over a hundred thousand people that live in the Thousand Oaks area, and when a fire impacts one area they all have to go someplace. So figuring out one: They need to leave, two: How to get there and where they’re going.” Hill said. Over 250,000 people were evacuated during the Woolsey fire. Red Cross, as well as other organizations, quickly opened evacuation centers, and some animal shelters provided housing for pets. So many people evacuated that the Teen center and the Goebel Senior Center were at capacity. Others fled to friends and families houses, possibly to be evacuated again as the fire spread, and some found refuge in stores or parking lots. “I live right by [a] hill so they really worried about the embers flying over to that hill and it catching on fire. So basically my mom got an alert on her phone, we weren’t on mandatory yet but they told us we should leave before anything serious started happening,” freshman Payton Freeman said. Many people had little time to pack up, taking only essentials and valuables. “I prioritized my Switch and my 3DS. I crammed clothes in a bag to cushion them,” freshman Ryan Weber said. Following the most destructive years for wildfires in Southern California history, 2019 seems to be following close behind. Weather patterns suggest an increase for widespread Santa Ana events, which will only heighten the chances for devastating wildfires. This is an unfortunate new norm for Calif. residents who must be prepared and ready to take action should a fire start. Fires can break out at any time, and preparation is key to safely evacuating during these unpredictable events.
“I live by a hill so they really worried about the embers flying over to that hill and catching it on fire.” —freshman PEYTON FREEMAN
“For Ventura County, the Woolsey fire was one of, if not the most, destructive fires in our history.” —BRENDON HILL
IN-FOCUS
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CAUGHT IN FLAMES—(Left) The Getty Fire rages in a field of brush. (Right) A map showing the extent of the Woolsey Fire in the Ventura County Area. GRAPHIC » FINN SWANSON » THE LANCER
60 8.8 Million Homes destroyed by the Kincade Fire so far
Acres burned in 2018 from wildfires
90% SOURCE » VERISK SOURCE » PATCH.COM SOURCE » CBS NEWS
Wildfires are caused by people
459,123 Acres were burned during the Mendacino Complex Fires
4.5 Million American homes were at extreme risk from fires in 2017
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FEATURES
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EVERY LANCER HAS A STORY Every Lancer Has A Story is a reoccurring feature in The Lancer about students who are selected on campus at different times and places. Each student is asked a different question about their unique life experiences.
Charlie Spencer, 10 Katelyn Edwards, 10
Ella Busch, 11
THE LANCER: Are you happy with the person you have become?
THE LANCER: What makes your eyes roll every time you hear it?
THE LANCER: If you could start your highschool experience over, what would you change?
ADAM WILLIAMSON: Yes, because even though we have had a tough [football] season, it has taught me a lot and made me a much better person.
KATELYN EDWARDS: When someone constantly asks what the homework is.
ELLA BUSCH: I would make more friends. I feel like I went into the wrong group from the beginning, I just wish I put myself out there more.
OTOS
ALL PH
9 , o n a l i n Ch
Dyla
THE LANCER: What is the best advice you have been given?
DYLAN CHILANO: Probably to never give up no matter what is going on in your life
on, s t r e g hE
Sara
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THE LANCER: What advice would you give your younger self?
SARAH EGERTSON: Not to worry about things you can’t control. I have worked on it. It’s a process; Acknowledging it in the moment is really key to preventing it in the future.
Alexis
CER
HE LAN
ITH » T
RA SM » SIER
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THE LANCER: What is your biggest regret?
ALEXIS GREGORY: Being nice to someone that was going to turn on me and I did not know about it.
on, s r a e P Taylor
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THE LANCER: Who is your biggest inspiration and why? TAYLOR PEARSON: My mom because she is a single parent and she does so much for me and my brother and she tries to give us what she did not have.
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Mich
THE LANCER: What traits do you value most in a person?
MICHAEL OSTROW: They need to be caring, loving and they have to be sweet.
, 11 o n i l o Andy P
THE LANCER: When was the hardest you have ever worked?
ANDY POLINO: Last year in Algebra 2, this was either I pass or fail the class, I was missing like 12 assignments and I stayed up until 2am to finish them all and I passed the class.
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FEATURES
A Fashion PHOTOS » DROWZYCLUB.COM » WITH PERMISSION
Movement
PHOTOS » DROWZYCLUB.COM » WITH PERMISSION
Drowzy Embroidered Beanie $23.00
Junior Zane Morgan is going against fashion rules and has created and designed his own clothing brand for the students of Thousand Oaks to wear. NOLA VALDEZ
Features Editor
High school fashion is either important to a student or not even thought about. Junior Zane Morgan has created his own kind of fashion. His fashion brand “Drowzy” is an online website that sells clothing Morgan designed. With his hard work he could finally be creative in his own kind of way. “I hate clothes nowadays, it’s all the same and it’s all over priced,’’ Morgan said. He initially started this with the thought of him buying the clothes and hoping that others at TOHS would enjoy them too. With the idea of making his own clothes that he would enjoy, Morgan created his website, making it easy for people to order items and have it shipped right to their front doorstep. Not much revenue for Morgan is made after the purchases, but that wasn’t his initial hope with the brand. More just something to do with hisb free time. He can be expressive without words and instead with design and art. What he enjoys most about his own website is him working alone. “It’s pretty much only what I would want on a shirt and if other people think its cool and show the same interest in me then they can buy it’’ Morgan said. His whole idea of working on the brand himself was one of the reasons he enjoyed it so much. Morgan does not think he can continue this as a career, however.“If I’m provided with the opportunity, but I never really saw it as a way to make sustainable income,” Morgan said. Morgan’s close friend Flynn Buchanan, junior likes to help Morgan with what he can. “He told me about it just to begin with cause we’re good friends and he asked me if I had any experience with it or if I could just take a look at a couple of his designs and stuff like that for the website”, said Buchanan Just something
he enjoys to do in his free time can turn into something he may possibly see as a future career if he wanted to. He has never done anything like this before so this is pretty new for him but he hopes to improve his work by expanding his brand. With students at TOHS buying Drowzy they will contribute to more clothing being designed for them. Morgan wants to contrast with today’s popular clothing because he wanted something that would look good but differ from other people’s styles. In his eyes, he thought he could make something that was not like anything else and no one else would have it. “Lots of clothes have very little substance with a high price and due to the popularity of these low effort brands, a bunch of copycats started doing the same thing os it became an over saturated market.” Morgan wanted a high substance with a low cost. Since highschool students have a minimum wage job or no job, this low cost idea gives the students even more of a reason to want the clothing Morgan is selling. It also might be something not everyone has in their closet at home. You can go to popular retailers and buy a sweatshirt that can get expensive as eighty dollars. Or you can go to Drowzy and buy a sweatshirt for just thirty dollars. When asked about the prices being reasonable Buchanan said, “Yes, I think it is very fair, he is not trying to do anything for profit. So he’s keeping it relatively cheap and he’s kinda just doing it out of enjoyment.” He is not doing the brand for a profit, instead he is doing it for fun and enjoyment. Find Drowzy apparel at Drowzyclub.bigcartel.com on any desktop or mobile device.
PHOTOS » DROWZYCLUB.COM » WITH PERMISSION
Drowzy Rainbow Unisex Crew Neck Sweatshirt $30.00 - $32.00
ON CAMPUS— Junior Zane Morgan in comfortable yet stylish outfit for a school day.
Drowzy Polaroid - Embroidered Polo Shirt $25.00 - $27.00 PHOTO » NOLA VALDEZ » THE LANCER
FEATURES
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Model Model Citizens Citizens The renewed Model U.N. club is attending the UCLA convention, BruinMUN this Nov. 16 and 17. This is the first year that the club will be taking part in outside conferences, and about forty students have joined. their country for BruinMUN. “I have done something similar, which was the Model United Nations, often referred to as Model Speech and Debate club years ago. So we had verU.N. is a club that mirrors the United Nations confersions of the kind of debate that I think is [going to ences. While the club existed last year, this will be the happen] here,” McGinnis said. first time students will be competing in a convention. At BruinMUN, the club is going to be participating At the Model U.N. Convention at the University of as a novice committee which is one of the beginner California Los Angeles, also known as BruinMUN, levels. The club however has hopes to perform well high schools simulate international relations with each and develop more in the future years. other while role playing different countries. While Walton said “We are looking at doing [one more the Model UN program was established in 1947 at convention] later on in the year and then next year we Swarthmore College, the 27th annual BruinMUN are going to expand to four or five conventions.” alone will host approximately 1,500 students on Nov. This will be the first year that the members have the 16 and 17. BruinMUN is also exclusively for high opportunity to take part in the conventions through school students. Thousand Oaks High School. The program itself uses At Model U.N. club schools will compete and political and diplomatic thinking in working through enact as different countries engaging in political and world problems. As of now, Model U.N. has not been diplomatic affairs that are assigned their country. simulated by the confer“It is our very first convention as a Thouence. Though the club was sand Oaks team. We’re gonna be with be“We are looking at doing ginners.. but I’m excited to see how we do created after the school years’ budget was finalized, [one more convention] later on cause we have some awesome kids on our the funding was produced, team that are quite intelligent.” said junior and the members are able to in the year and then next year Katie Daniels, who joined the club this year. apply and attend the Model we are going to expand to four Any student can join Model U.N. but those United Nations at UCLA. who are interested in politics, diplomacy, or five conventions.” Last year, the club, while and problem solving are encouraged to join. technically on the clu—junior, COLIN WALTON Felix McGinnis said “[Model U.N.] exposbroster, did not enroll in es these kids to issues that they might not be conventions and supposedly aware of if they weren’t. It encourages that did not meet. And while kind of political engagement…” other clubs like Mock Trial and Public Speaking club While there are possible conventions in the future, encompass some of the characteristics of Model U.N., the BruinMUN is largely regarded as the political aspect of Model U.N. is unmatched. the biggest convention. A junior Colin Walton approached Dr. Eric Bergman While Model U.N. has not expeabout creating this club after being inspired by other rienced any convention, they are schools’ Model U.N. programs that he saw while in willing to take on the challenge and China over the summer as a part of the Yale Young develop as a club. The Global Scholars program. BruinMUN Because the school budget had been finalized before convention the club was created, the club needed support to cover will hopefully the costs of admission to BruinMUN. reflect the With the help of Bergman and collaboration from work of the students, the club was able to take off with limited Model time and resources. The club meets in room C2 every U.N. club Thursday during lunch. “[Model UN is] a lot of public speaking, debate and research,” Walton said. The club has been well received as upwards of forty students have joined. While Felix McGinnis, has been the Model U.N. club advisor for years, this will be the first year he is involved in the club’s participation in conventions, like BruinMUN. As of now, Model U.N. has not been assigned Features Editor
ALL PHOTOS» DARBY ADEMA» THE LANCER
THURSDAYS AT LUNCH— (Top right) The club president Colin Walton (far right) answers a question from Kristina Shea during a club meeting in McGinnis’ room. (Bottom) Walton talks to the club about the logistics of BruinMUN after Dr. Eric Bergman addressed the club.
GRAPHIC » SOPHIE CRIVIER » THE LANCER
DARBY ADEMA
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FEATURES
Memories Lost, Memories Gained After a concussion in eighth grade that caused her to lose some of her memory, junior Emily Martinez has been working to get her memory back, while balancing school, doing Alzheimer’s runs, volunteer work, and modeling. She mostly lost things she didn’t think of on a daily basis, like some math and science, dates and names, Junior Emily Martinez isn’t an ordinary EThOS stu- and where she went to elementary school. dent. She’s also a model, an Alzheimer’s runner, and Martinez says her eighth grade choir teacher, a victim of partial memory loss from a concussion she Janice. Hauge, from Los Cerritos Middle School, had in eighth grade. helped her to remember things Martinez has modeled for comduring the months after her panies including A Perfect Event by loss. “I basically can’t look at memory Carmen and Vans, and is currently “We are a family and old memories of my best one of us needs support working on some larger projects that can’t be revealed yet. or help — all of us work friend anymore.” But aside from modeling, Martinez to lift that choir member —junior ANNE LAP up — just as Emily had has been doing runs for Alzheimer’s — both before and after her concuslifted us up with her joy sion. She says it’s a way to support in earlier rehearsals,” friends and family. Hauge said. Between school, homework, shoots, Along with teachers and family, Martinez’s friends have expositions, and runs, Martinez spends time doing volunteer work. She says she is greatly inspired by her also been very supportive for her. They tried to help her remember things she had aunt, and hopes to follow in her footsteps by giving forgotten, and were with her to remind her of back to her friends, family, and community. something if she forgot it. “[My aunt] was diagnosed with cancer at 15, but always “You were really confused about everything. You she was always really brave and she forgot who one of your friends was. I basically can’t had a really good attitude about evfor look at memories of my best friend anymore,” Junior erything. She went and did walks Anne Lap said to Martinez. She was the one Martinez people and she did charity work claims helped her get most of her memories back. and volunteer work So I think Although Emily has forgotten some memories, that’s what I want to do with people, and concepts from before her concussion, she my life.” and her friends, teachers, and family are hopeful that After her concussion, Marshe can get as many memories back as possible. And tinez spent the following years judging by their determination and positivity, that goal trying to regain the memories may be more within reach than one may think. she had lost. She says that sometimes she will get strange “TV-showlike flashbacks” if someone says something, or she goes somewhere that jogs a lost memory. GABRIELLE LOPEZ
Features Editor
RUNWAY QUEEN—Junior Emily Martinez stands at the head of the Perfect Event Expo runway in a My One Design quinceanera dress and crown by A Perfect Event by Carmen.
FASHIONABLE FRIENDS—Junior Emily Martinez (left) poses with Fatima Castillo at a recent event, the Perfect Event Expo, put on by A Perfect Event by Carmen.
Scan this QR code with your camera’s phone to view other photos from the Perfect Event Expo put on by A Perfect Event by Carmen. ALL PHOTOS » A PERFECT EVENT BY CARMEN » WITH PERMISSION
SPORTS
New Goals for Next Year With a league change coming up next year, varsity football hopes to improve. AIDEN MARSCHNER MICAH RODRIGUEZ Sports Editors Boys Varsity football is coming off another rough season this school year, but they are aiming to turn it around next year. This offseason, the team is going to put in the work to get better and to produce better results. “We’re going to focus on strength building in the weight room, accountability and attention to details,” said coach Chris Casillas. They’re not only going to address the big details but the little details, too. “I fully believe that if you take care of the smaller things, the bigger things will turn out better in the end,” said coach Casillas. The players on the team believe that as well. “You can’t really start at the big things because the little things won’t solve themselves,” junior Dominic Nocera said.
ALL PHOTOS » NATALIE VENABLE » THE LANCER
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MOVE THE CHAIN—(Center)
Junior Payton Casillas running down the field during the game. (Bottom Right) Head Coach Chris Casillas working with his team during a time out. (Bottom Left) Juniors Cody Carson and Nick Sloan line up for an offensive play.
“You have to start from the bottom and build up.” The players on the team also told me that they loved being out on the field competing and battling with their “brothers.” “My favorite part is just being with my brothers, and putting the work in with them.” Said junior running back, Levi Hammond. Most of all, Casillas wants success for his players next season. “More success, more success for these guys. Everybody sees what happens on the football field on Friday nights, and we want to prove to everybody that we can win and that this program isn’t dead.” Next season, the program is changing CIF divisions. This year, the program was in the Camino League. Next year, they will be changing to the Frontier League, so the entire football program will be playing teams of more equal competition in their new division.
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SPORTS
CHIP WITH PASSION
SWING WITH PURPOSE Girls varsity golf has continually sought victory this season. KIANNA PORTER DEVYN WAGNER
Sports Editors
This year, girls varsity golf has an overall 8-6 record so far this season, and they’ve shown no signs of stepping off the course anytime soon. Looking back on the first part of their season, the girls feel confident about how they’ve played on the pitch. So far, girls varsity golf has many girls on the road to CIF this year, including junior Emily McCormick and seniors Ginger Libby and Nicole Shin. The girls have won many matches for Lancers, specifically during a tournament at Westlake High School on Wednesday, Oct. 16 where they defeated Oaks Christian High School 249 to 269, guaranteeing their spot of second place in the Marmonte League. “ This season is going really well so far and I’m really proud of [the team],” sophomore Kendall Flemmings said. The girls have a diverse team of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors taking up the pitch. To help guide the younger girls to being the strongest
ALL PHOTOS » RYAN GEISLER » WITH PERMISSION
payers they can be, many of the seniors have taken up positions of leadership on and off the course. Many of the girls look up to the well experienced seniors, especially players Nicole Shin and Ginger Libby, not only because of Shin’s shot of 39 and Libby’s shot of 40 to secure the win against Agoura High School, but for their constant sportsmanship and leadership throughout the season. “Nicole Shin is our number one golfer, she’s actually been our number one golfer for four years now. And then Ginger Libby, who came on as a sophomore and then got better as a junior, and then developed into a solid golfer as a senior,” coach Geisler said. The scores are based on each hole played and the total amount of holes played. To have success and win a match, players aim to score a lower score than their opponents, or have fewer amount of shots taken on the hole in each individual round. To prepare for the tough competition they face, Geisler uses various coaching tactics to get the girls ready not only physically but mentally to take on the courses. He has the girls come to the course before the
game to work on their chipping, putting, driving and many other techniques to warm them up and get in the right mindset for game day. “ I try to keep the girls loose and relaxed because if you put too much pressure on yourself in golf for a lot of girls it just becomes a heavy weight” Geisler said. Also, to ensure the best possible outcome of the match, the girls add their own pre-game rituals in hopes of pumping them up for their match ahead. Many of the girls take up listening to music or stretching while warming up before matches to help them become relaxed and tackle their nerves. With having nerves and pressure to play at their best, the girls make sure they’re supportive of each other on the course. “We’re positive even if we don’t make the shot and we’re really supportive of each other,” freshman Isabella Martinez said. With the season approaching its end and eight wins under all of their belts, the girls are continuously practicing and improving this season to help with many seasons to come.
ON PAR—(Left) Senior Nicole Shin takes her clubs out to start swinging at her practice (Bottom middle) Two golfers smile and get ready to take on the course (Top middle)The golf team groups together to celebrate an accomplishment (Right)Senior Ginger Lee swings at a match on the course
SPORTS
NATALIE VENABLE
Sports Editor
Sun beating down. Legs burning. Time ticking. This is a typical afternoon for a member of the Thousand Oaks High School cross country team. Last year, varsity boys made it to the CIF State Cross Country Championships for the first time in a decade. This year, the girls team aims to make it as well, and the boys hope to place first and advance to the national championships. “The girls would love to join the boys at states,” assistant coach Jordan Daigneaut said. “We’re having a little bit more of a growth process there.” Competing at a higher level than ever before requires dedication and a well-structured program. “The core tenants of our program are three things. One, that we develop a great work ethic. Two, that we’re a selfless team… Then finally, that we believe,” head coach Andy Thompsan said. “If you don’t have the belief, then the work isn’t going to matter. If you don’t run for each other, then the belief in yourself and the hard work doesn’t matter either.” The work ethic development begins before school even starts. During the first week of summer training, the team does bonding activities and introductions, so everyone is familiar with one another going into the school year. Some of the team goes to Big Bear, California for a week during the summer for altitude training. There are time trials leading up to the trip that determine which runners will be going since the training is more advanced. In addition to training, there is emphasis on goal setting and getting clear on what each runner wants to accomplish for the season. “We can look back to what we said in Big Bear, back to what we did in Big Bear and… reflect back on our goals to remind us where we started and where we want to go,” senior Tallula Auman said. Despite having freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams, cross country practices as one unit. The team meets to warm up together before dividing into specific groups to complete their run. Their training week consists of three hard days—long runs or races— with other days being of medium difficulty or recovery.
“They’re running at an intensity we’ve never done, so their practice is really great,” Daigneaut said. Coaches focus on building up intensity throughout the season so their athletes aren’t training too hard too soon. Equally important to training is ensuring an inclusive and supportive atmosphere. “It’s been years of work, years of tweaking things and getting the right kids in leadership positions.” Daigneaut said. This year, cross country has three boys’ captains and four girls’ captains: Seniors Tallula Auman, Ethan Dardem, Jay Lesny, Michael Mireles and juniors Kiara Benioff, Katie Daniels and Mackenzie Kelley. Captains regularly check in with their teammates to make sure they are getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and maintaining healthy eating habits. “I think personally… my biggest contribution is keeping everyone motivated enough so that they’re dedicated,” Benioff said. “They’re making the small sacrifices every day that will eventually add up to making it to states.” Speaking of small sacrifices, at meets the cross country team has a no homework policy, so everyone is cheering each other on. “[Our coaches] like to say that we paint the course green,” Auman said. “We find the places where there aren’t a lot of people, where people need a lot of encouragement… because that’s really what’s one of the most important things on the team is encouraging other people and being there for your teammates.” Regardless of if they are winning race or finishing last, coaches and athletes make a point to celebrate their runners for all of their accomplishments. “The selflessness and the belief, not one of those things says run fast, but all of it says … learn some great qualities you can use for the rest of your life.” Thompsan said.
The typical race at a cross country meet is two miles, three miles or five kilometers. In order to run at a fast pace for that long, the team runs up to 13 miles for training. “Running is kind of crazy, especially how much we do.” Thompsan said. While many would consider cross country to be an individual sport, TOHS runners would beg to differ. “You can easily say it’s an individual cause you’re the only one… that can put one foot in front of the other, but… we train as a team every single day. There’s no individual training, and everything is centered around pushing and pulling to make each other better,” Thompsan said. The team puts emphasis on not just running for a time or to win but running for each other. “Why would we put ourselves through running hours on end … unless we have a big purpose? And that purpose is supporting your teammates and accomplishing your goals together.” Benioff said. Coaches are focusing on ensuring every runner is in the right mindset, particularly during competition because three miles at a pace that is faster than the average person’s best mile not only requires physical strength, but mental strength as well. “Suffering on the course [is] when you need the mental strength to keep going and if you don’t have that mental strength, you’re just not going to succeed.” Benioff said. Marmonte League Finals are Nov. 7 at Peppertree Park in Newbury Park, Calfornia. TOHS Cross Country hopes between the training they have put in and the way they work together as a team, their work will pay off and League Finals will be just another stop on their way to states. “We’ve never had such high goals before,” Benioff said. “It takes pretty much everything to reach them.”
Two Teams, One Goal
After placing seventh at states last year, varsity boys Cross Country aims to return to states and the varsity girls hope to join them.
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ON THE COURSE—
ALL PHOTOS » DANIEL FITZGERALD » WITH PERMISSION
PHOTO » BRIAN LEE » THE LANCER
(Above) Varsity boys begin their race at the first league meet of the season against Westlake, Newbury Park and Oaks Christian. “It takes a lot of focus and a lot of willpower to go three miles when it hurts after the first 200 meters,” senior Ethan Darden said. (Left) Junior Kiara Benioff congratulates freshman Matilda Fitzgerald after a race. (Right) The girls teams do their team cheer, “Thousand Oaks on three...” a tradition before every meet.
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