The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press
The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press
The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press
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Cartoon 121: Falling into fashion

Mi Nguyen, Illustrator • October 25, 2025
Mi Nguyen
With fall in full swing, one of the most noticeable changes in our day-to-day lives is the shift in fashion that happens all around us. As outfits transition from shorts and crop tops made to combat the summer heat to long sleeves and leggings for warmth, the change in season gives Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students the chance to express their styles in fun and interesting new ways. Colder weather means more layers, and more layers open up endless possibilities for unique clothing combinations that fully show off the beauty and comfort of fall fashion.
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More in Cartoon of the Week
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a nationally recognized global movement to raise awareness for breast cancer and encourage early detection through screening. Lasting annually through the duration of October, it dates back to 1985, when the first organized attempt to put the subject in national light within the United States was made through a deal between the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries. This deal entailed establishing a week-long awareness week that eventually turned into a whole month of promoting early detection, routine screening, research and supporting breast cancer survivors. Since then, the campaigns have multiplied greatly, and the pink ribbon has become a powerful symbol of support for those who have fought breast cancer. On Oct. 15, 2025, HOSA members within the Bioscience Academy at Foothill Tech organized and held trivia games and other activities to help spread awareness and support.
Cartoon 120: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
As the new school year settles in, it becomes clear to returning students that some things never change — one of those being the infamous lunch line, notoriously long and full. It is the last hurdle for students, as well as staff, to get food.
Cartoon 119: The lunch line
As Valentine's Day rolls around again, it's time to step back from a day that has been widely considered a romantic holiday and think of others you love. One popular way to celebrate Valentines is through doing a "Galentines," where instead of romantic company, you focus on just hanging around with friends and enjoying each other's company. It's a time to appreciate everyone you love, from family to friends, to future love, there is a place for everyone to celebrate Valentine's.
Cartoon 118: Valentine's Day
Falling on January 29, 2025, Lunar New Year is the holiday following the second new moon after the winter solstice. Lasting 15 days, celebrations from different cultures typically corroborate one of the 12 Chinese zodiacs; 2025 is the year of the snake. Associated with general qualities of an enigmatic and uncanny personality, depending on the time of year and conditions of the child’s birth, superstitions may point towards what the child’s personality may be like in the future. During the holiday however, Lunar New Year celebrations will be centered around snake imagery in cultures that support the 12 zodiac signs, also including the traditional exchange of red envelopes and grand festivities that occur otherwise. Common celebrations may include lion dances and dragon dancers, performed by crews of two for the lion and nine for the dragon. There may be fireworks and lanterns hung on the streets, plus a variety of other decorations as each family sees fit to celebrate.
Cartoon 117: Lunar New Year
Celebrated officially on the last Monday of May each year, the origins of Memorial Day trace back to May 5, 1868. Three years after the end of the Civil War, an organization of veterans from the Union side gathered to lay flowers on the graves of the war-fallen. The first declaration of the day of decoration was made by Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, who announced that it should be May 30. In the same year, 1868, the first large gathering of this event was held at Arlington National Cemetery, where flowers were left on both Union and Confederate graves in the cemetery. However, there were still small, local observances before this event. Such as on April 26, 1866, when a group of women decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers lost in the battle at Shiloh. Union graves were also present, however, ignored due to them being the enemy of the time. Disturbed by the bare graves, the women set flowers on their graves as well. However, this was not the only instance of claiming to be the first to have a decoration day ceremony, as 25 other instances tie for the title of the original Memorial Day celebration. By 1900, states had adopted proclamations recognizing Memorial Day as an official day, with the Army and Navy taking on regulations to observe this day properly at their facilities. After World War I, the day began to encompass all deaths in American wars and then was officially declared a national holiday by Congress in 1971. While the national date remains on the last Monday of May each year, many southern states also have separate dates to honor the Confederate soldiers who died. Mississippi has its Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Georgia on April 26, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and North and South Carolina observe the day on May 10, while on June 3 Tennessee and Louisiana recognize the date as Confederate Decoration Day. Virginia claims the last Monday in May as Confederate Memorial Day, while Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day on Jan. 19. A small tradition emerged from Memorial Day, and that is to place small American flags on each grave. As well, in Dec. 2000 the U.S. Congress passed an act named “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” that encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day and have a minute of silence as they honor and remember those who have passed in service of their country.
Cartoon 116: Memorial Day
Lunar New Years is a time for celebration recognized in various places throughout the world. Following the setting of the second new moon after the winter solstice, Lunar New Year in 2024 begins on Feb. 10. After the initial day, the new year period lasts until 15 days later when the next full moon rises and a lantern festival is held on the final day. With celebrations recorded back as early as the 14th-century Shang Dynasty, it's said that the celebration originated from a battle against a Nian, a dragon that would prey on villages and livestock. The Nian would come down to the village once a year, until an old man had advised the village that the Nian was afraid of bright lights and loud noises, along with the color red. The village had hung red banners, lanterns, and decorations of all kinds on their houses as well as lighting firecrackers, then performing a very loud lion dance accompanied by a long dragon dance. When the Nian arrived to attack the village, it was scared off and retreated to where it had arrived from. Now to keep the Nian at bay, every year the Lunar New Year is celebrated. Associated with the lunar new year are the 12 Chinese zodiacs, which work in a 12-year cycle. The order of the zodiacs was decided in an old folk tale of a great race between the 12 animals to get to the Jade Emperor, the order decided by their place in the race. The rat is the first zodiac, as it finished first place in the race by riding along the ox’s back and jumping off at the last second. In last place was the pig, marking the end before a new rotation is started. Lunar new year in 2024 is the year of the dragon, the fifth animal to finish the race. With the dragon as Foothill Technology High School’s mascot, this year is sure to bring good luck and prosperity to the students.
Cartoon 115: Happy Lunar New Year!
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How The Favors turned friendship into its debut album
All over the United States of America, thousands of federal employees have been sent home without pay as a result of the U.S. Congress's deadlock over funding legislation. The political gridlock, driven by partisan disagreements, has left the nation at a standstill. As uncertainty grows, Americans are left wondering how long this shutdown will last.
Editorial: The unseen perils of a government shutdown
Balancing extracurricular activities, household chores, a social life and schoolwork can understandably leave high school students feeling stressed. At Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), academic pressure can be especially heavy due to the rigorous coursework and high expectations from parents, teachers and even students themselves. The addition of honors and AP courses also has the potential to create more stress due to the higher workload and expectations. Additionally, extracurricular activities can significantly impact a student’s schedule. Sports practices, which are typically held daily and run late into the afternoon, often require students to sacrifice sleep to complete assignments on time. Joining the various clubs and career pathways offered at Foothill Tech can drain a student’s time, especially when taking on a leadership role. Managing all of these responsibilities while also keeping track of graduation requirements can be draining, often leading to burnout.
Foothill Tech’s students adjust their pace for second-quarter workload
On the night of Oct. 20, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) Volleyball team kicked off their first round of CIF against University Preparatory High School (University Prep). Making a quick decision to block the ball, Addison Hickey ‘28 (Number 8) and Janelle Nelson ‘28 (Number 12) were successful in stopping the ball's momentum. They both were able to secure many blocks and attacks throughout Foothill Tech’s match, and the Dragons ended up taking home the victory, winning 3-1.
Girls volleyball makes an appearance in CIF for the first time in 7 years
On the afternoon of Oct. 21, 2025, students of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) gathered in the parking lot for the annual Trunk or Treat event. Students with a parking spot were encouraged to decorate their cars and pass out candy to underclassmen. Dragons were invited to dress up in costumes and spend their lunch visiting the decorated cars. Every year, Trunk or Treat brings smiles and joy to eager students, ready to celebrate the upcoming Halloween season.
News Brief: Dragons kick off Halloween with Foothill Tech’s annual Trunk-or-Treat
On the night of Friday, Oct. 17, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students gathered by the stage for the annual Halloween Dance watching the sparklers glow bright and illuminate the crowd while enjoying the music and time with their friends. The Halloween Dance is a school event that students look forward to every year, where they get to make lasting memories with their friends, dancing and enjoying the various activities that are set up by Foothill Tech's Associated Student Body (ASB).
A dance under the “Twilight”: Foothill Tech's 2025 Halloween dance
About the Contributor
Mi Nguyen
Mi Nguyen, Illustrator
Class of ‘26 | Senior illustrator at the FDP. An artist’s greatest motto is fake it till you make it, as they say.