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
Time will always keep progressing and with that, comes change, but just how much do things really change as time passes by each generation of individuals? The older generation and younger generation of Asian-Americans have all lived very different lives, however, there seems to be a common factor that comes along with growing up in a country as a minority. Dive into the lives of specific people expressing their own experience with the beautiful blend of cultures, generational change, and the undeniably constant factor of discrimination. Though the stories of a single man or woman's life are often overlooked, these are stories that should and need to be told.

The Asian-American experience: Unveiling the stories of the old and new generations

Emmanuel Takaya and Jane Kim • March 30, 2025

For some Americans, the word “home” brings up thoughts of white picket fences and Fourth of July barbecues. But for others, home might be known as something entirely different: jiā, ghar, tahanan....

Ensuring that every student has a safe environment to learn in is one of the greatest responsibilities of school faculty and staff, and unfortunately, there’s a reason for that. Even in the most sheltered of communities, school violence persists to rear its ugly head. On campus bullying, sexual violence, gang violence, physical fights and use of weapons or illegal drugs all fall under the mantle of school violence. According to a survey released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2024, 67% of public schools reported at least one violent incident occurring throughout 2021 and 2022, amounting to about 857,500 violent incidents. Despite this, various sources all confirm that more and more preventative measures are being taken to minimize school violence, and violence across the nation is declining as a result.

Protecting students: The devastating reality of school violence

Natalie St. Pierre, Writer • March 28, 2025

Whether a student is homeschooled, attends public school or has already graduated, school violence is a national perturbation. It can occur in any type of setting, from a prestigious boarding school to...

Campus supervisor, Michael "Mike" Bowen, has impacted students across the district. His empathy and support has allowed students to feel comfortable throughout their day. Bowen’s strong work ethic to make Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) a safer and more supportive environment truly makes him a hero.

Hidden Heroes: Acknowledging the valuable role of Michael Bowen

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer • March 26, 2025

When you first walk into a high school, you are immediately met with rowdy students, laughing while enjoying time bonding during breaks. Upperclassmen enjoy venturing off campus for a meal, while the freshman...

Containing a long history of immigration, California has become known as a popular state for immigrants of all ethnicities and cultures due to its widespread protections and programs available for their benefit. Ventura itself has a diverse background with its population, with many finding success in their journeys with the opportunities presented within the city. Despite the complex system in place for immigrants seeking to enter the United States, many persevere in search of a better life or greater opportunities they may not have had before in their home country. Immigrants also contribute to the culture of the state and city in a variety of ways, overall benefiting everyone involved.

Immigration in Ventura: Past, present and future

Julia Geib and Oliver Kelley • March 18, 2025

The golden state of California has the most diverse demographics of all the 50 states, largely attributed to the state's long history of international immigration. Beginning during the Gold Rush of the...

Foothill Technology High School reached a new milestone as of January 23, 2025. Reaching the highest grades in the school’s history since its founding in 2000, 85% of students were reported to have a 3.0 GPA or above or improved their GPA by 0.5 points or more. These students qualify for renaissance, the school’s method of rewarding academic success and showing appreciation for the student’s hard work and dedication. After renaissance acceptance rates fell directly after COVID-19, this new milestone demonstrates a bright future for the students and their continual success.

Breaking records: Foothill Tech celebrates its highest grades in the school’s history

Audrey Szijj, Staff Writer • March 16, 2025

Since the opening of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) in 2000, the students have shown outstanding progress and achievements in their academics. Renaissance, which was created in 2001, has...

Bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow hatched a complete three eaglet brood for the 2025 breeding season. The three previous years, the pair had lost their eggs to weather conditions or ravens. The eagles can be observed via live video feed on the Friends of Big Bear Valley YouTube page, where thousands watch daily to see the birds.

Baby eaglets bring joy from Big Bear

Layla Solomon, Writer • March 12, 2025

On the morning of March 4, 2025, bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow — Big Bear Valley’s only year-round active eagle pair — welcomed two eaglets from a three egg brood. Thousands of viewers eagerly...

Looking for a novel to cozy up with? Or maybe a quick beach read for the summer? Before looking towards a corporation or online site, check out these local independent bookstores of Ventura, Calif.

Independent bookstores of Ventura

Ruby Jenkins and Morgan Houston • March 10, 2025

Independent bookstores are the backbone of the literary community. While it may seem more convenient to shop online or from large corporations such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, supporting your local...

As one-time funds that supported Ventura Unified School District's budget deplete, the district announced the imminent implementation of budget cuts. Staff and faculty alike remain unsure as to what the future holds.

VUSD staff at risk of being pink slipped: Investigating VUSD budget cuts

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer • March 8, 2025

Ever since Superintendent Antonio Castro sent out his message to all Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) staff and families on Jan. 30, 2025, many have been wondering what the budget cuts will mean...

As the sun sets, the Channel Islands National Park visitor center closes up shop. The Channel Islands are less than two hours by boat from the Ventura Harbor and are home to many unique plants and animals. This is just one of the 63 amazing national parks across the country.

The threat to our national parks

Oliver Kelley, Writer • March 6, 2025

Since 1871, The United States of America has signed 63 national parks into law. These preserved and protected areas of pristine wilderness are vital to our country's environmental health, as well as providing...

N93 masks, COVID tests and wipes that advertised killing 99.9% of viruses flooded the markets with the onset of the 2020 pandemic. People overturned grocery stores to stock during the infamous toilet paper shortages, and students sat through online school at dining tables or in bed. Everyone had a complete 180 from any form of normalcy, with the lock downs causing even those who weren't previously germaphobic to become extra cautious. Quarantine and social distancing became normal, emotional bonds were strung together by phone calls, but after five years of all of that, did the world really end?

Half a decade later, Foothill Tech reflects on when the world ended

Jane Kim and Bailey Basurto • March 2, 2025

Beginning March 15, 2020, the world ended.  Well, the world as everyone had known it before had ended; hereinafter, life would never be quite the same. That fateful spring day marked the start of the...

February: also known as Black History Month. Many people may know that it is Black History Month, but where did it start? What is the history behind it? This month-long celebration originally started only as a week, "Negro History Week". Carter G. Woodson believed that people of color were overlooked by historians, so he took charge in changing that. He placed "Negro History Week" in February to correspond with the birthdays of President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both of which helped change the United States for African Americans.

The History of Black History month

Kellen Spears, Writer • February 27, 2025

February is a month filled with festive celebrations such as Groundhog Day, Lunar New Year, Valentine's Day or more obscure days such as Inventors Day or Change your Password Day. But many also know...

Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of fear, apprehension and nervousness, but chances are you already knew that. Everyone has to cope with the occasional, invariably unpleasant and vexing, run in with anxiety. In stressful situations, it is a normal reaction that causes alertness, tension and often an elevated pulse, which is intended to stimulate your body’s natural fight or flight response. However, if excessive or all-consuming, it can interfere with your ability to perform day to day tasks. Follow writer Kalea Eggertsen as she explores what it means to have an anxiety disorder, the most prevalent form of mental illness.

Anxiety

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer • February 25, 2025

If you clicked on this article, there’s a one in five chance you have it. 40 million American adults do, and seven percent of children have it, most of whom develop symptoms before age 21. Everyone experiences...

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