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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

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...

Nestled between the glitz and glamor of Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles, and the picturesque peaks of the San Inez mountains in Santa Barbara lies the hidden treasure trove that is Ventura, Calif. With various prime surf spots, Ventura's glassy waves and warm weather make it the ideal surfing destination, thriving with an uplifting community rallied around the popular beach sport.

From board to barrel: The ripple effect of surfing

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer February 22, 2025

Imagine looking at the soft sand awaiting you as a breeze blows through your hair and a sunset glimmers off the water, carrying you as if you were flying. Ventura, Calif. has always been known for...

Directly after gathering at noon, and listening to a few rousing speeches, the protesters embarked from Constitution Park, and headed toward the Tesla Dealership. In unison, crossing the street and walking along the sidewalk, the group was determined to spread their message and peacefully protest their cause.

Marching for Change: Voices of Ventura County speak out in Camarillo against Trump and Musk

Audrey Szijj, Writer February 19, 2025

The right to protest has always been a way for people to express concern or objection to political issues, environmental concerns, social justice and more. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people unite together...

The Grammy 2025 recap! The Grammy is a top tier award given to all sorts of different music artists various different genres. It is not only sought after as an award, but as an experience. The Grammys feature live music, with some of this year's live performances including guest artists such as, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and Charlie XCX.

67th Annual Grammy Awards recap

Bailey Basurto, Reporter February 16, 2025

On the music industry’s biggest night, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards were hosted in Los Angeles, Calif. on Feb. 2, 2025. Artists in every genre are recognized for their talents in performance, lyricism,...

The phrase "Fear the D" has circulated campus, with many not knowing its origins. Used in sports chants, the daily announcements, and more, this chant has gained popularity, impacting the culture of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech).

The history of “Fear the D”

Audrey Szijj, Ian Toreja, and Ruby Jenkins February 12, 2025

Since the dawn of time — or at least since 2014 — the phrase “Fear the D” has been a classic saying to the students of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech). As a popular chant at sports...

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