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
On May 8, 2025, Robert Prevost, a cardinal of the catholic church, was appointed as Pope Leo XIV. The new pontiff follows in Pope Francis' footsteps after the latter's death on April 21, 2025. The first ever U.S. born pope, Pope Leo has shocked the Catholic world with a break in the pattern of European pontiffs. Pope Leo has also spent many years in Peru working in the city of Chiclayo as the head of an Augustinian seminary. He has gained his Peruvian citizenship and is beloved by many of the residents of not just Chiclayo, but Peru as a whole.

What does the new Pope stand for?

Oliver Kelley, Writer • May 21, 2025

May 8, 2025 saw the election of Pope Leo XIV (Pope Leo). Pope Leo replaced the previous Pope Francis when the latter’s 12 years of service to the Vatican came to a close on April 21, 2025 due to health...

At Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura sit nine beach volleyball courts, which are used by schools and clubs across the county, as well as recreationally by the public. However, as of recently, the courts may face possible removal or relocation. The California Coastal Commission stated that the courts are unpermitted and established on land that should be restored to dunes.

Dune restoration in the Ventura Harbor threatens the removal of local volleyball courts

Morgan Houston, Writer • May 14, 2025

At Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura Calif. lie several volleyball courts, which have been established and used by the community for around 10 years. These courts, however, are unpermitted and sit on dune land,...

Mental health is the thread that weaves through every facet of daily life, often overlooked – until it frays, that is. A weight that shifts with the seasons of our lives, sometimes light, other times unbearably heavy. Invisible, and yet it colors the way we see the world and the way we perceive ourselves. It is the foundation of our thoughts, emotions and behavior, influencing everything from how we cope with stress to how we celebrate joy. This May, help create an environment where mental health is valued and addressed with the same urgency as physical health by embracing self-care and seeking support.

The green of spring makes way for Mental Health Awareness Month

Jane Kim, Writer • May 7, 2025

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shared that in the United States, an astounding one in five adults live with a mental health condition, a number that has grown significantly in recent years....

All across the coast of California, large masses of blue creatures resembling jellyfish are washing up onshore. These are not in fact jellyfish but Velella velella, or commonly referred to as "by-the-wind sailors." With the arrival of spring and the changing of wind patterns and currents, velella wash up on shore all over our local beaches.

Thousands of mysterious blue creatures wash up along the California coast

Morgan Houston, Writer • May 6, 2025

If you’ve been to the beach recently, you’ve probably noticed abnormally large amounts of odd, blue creatures resembling jellyfish washed up on shore. These mysterious creatures are Velella velella...

Where do monsters come from? Where did these urban legends originate, and how have they changed? Whether they reside in the shadows in your closet or under the bed, monsters were made for a reason. They were made to teach lessons and cope with things that were hard to understand at the time. Parents would tell stories of their untrue nature to protect their kids from real world threats. Even in the modern day when some of these previous questions have been answered, people still find comfort in horror movies and games.

What do the monsters we make tell us about ourselves?

Kellen Spears, writer • May 5, 2025

Superstition: “excessively credulous belief in and reverence for supernatural beings.” From the Jersey Devil in the early 1700s to the maze bound minotaur wreaking havoc in Ancient Greece, there...

Students engaged in the viral challenge created by the University of South Carolina's Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) Club. The Speak Your MIND Ice Bucket Challenge aims to raise awareness and funds for the mental health non-profit Active Minds. Through a simple video, Active Minds has raised more than $370,000 to help youth and young adults struggling with mental health. The trend serves as a commitment to further advocate for mental health through public participation.

The USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge raises over $370,000 for mental health awareness

Natalie St. Pierre, Reporter • May 3, 2025

The ¨USC Speak Your Mind Challenge,¨ also known as the #SpeakYourMINDChallenge, is a viral ice bucket social media trend that aims to spread awareness for mental health. Much like the Amyotrophic lateral...

The automobile industry has been a prevalent factor in American culture for a long time, resulting in the sprawling expanse of roads covering the country. With cities planned in the image of cars, pedestrians face significant dangers traveling without one in various places all across the country. The busy metropolis was the model from years ago, one that has since become outdated and requires a replacement. With future adaptation towards more urban settings, the importance of cars is downsized. These urban settings will put the pedestrian first, aimed at providing safer human interactions without the threat of an accident lurking at every corner.

The state of urban planning

Jane Kim, Writer • May 1, 2025

Cars have always been an integral part of American culture. Or have they? Although it’s hard to imagine the United States (U.S.) without the prevalence of the automobile industry, there was a time...

Each year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day to honor the beauty of our planet that we call home. This collage captures landscapes and our divine ecosystems that make our planet unique. This global event is to raise awareness about our environment and some of the issues it faces. This Earth Day, we're celebrating the movement toward a cleaner and greener future. Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day

Lyla Huff, Writer • April 22, 2025

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, first established in the 1970s as a response to the environmental crises that had gained traction in the decade prior. It is a day to remind ourselves how...

Two presentations were held in the courtyard of the adobe during the festival. Each demonstration featured information about local owl species, such as diet, anatomy, habitat and ways to protect them. At 11:30 a.m., the Ojai Raptor Center presented with real owl specimen. At 1:00 p.m., Ventura Katie Adams handled a live Eurasian eagle owl named Periwinkle.

Ventura’s annual Owl Festival was a hoot, celebrating local nature and history

Layla Solomon and Julia Brossia • April 16, 2025

Families and curious locals gathered at the Olivas Adobe Historic Park in Ventura, Calif. on April 13, 2025, for the annual Owl Festival. Centered around resident  Olivia, a great horned owl who nests...

In San Diego Calif., off the coast of La Jolla, many sea lions are seen lying on the beach. Normally, one would look at these animals and think they're just sleeping or resting. However, after taking a closer look, it was clear to see that the behavior of these sea lions were anything but normal. Many were swaying, hyperventilating and even becoming violent. As a result, residents and tourists have needed to call animal control and marine-life services on their trip to the beach.

California’s recurring toxic algae bloom is destroying Ventura’s local beaches

Audrey Szijj and Layla Solomon • April 12, 2025

As the days get longer and the summer sun grows closer, beachgoers flock to enjoy tanning, catching waves and walking along the sand, but under the ocean’s picturesque waves lies a toxic problem: domoic...

Inspired by the Humans of New York project, the Foothill Dragon Press staff aspires to highlight students around campus pursing their passions and interests.

Humans of Foothill: Alex Lawson

Aidan Gomez, Photographer • April 5, 2025

Alex Lawson '25 is an avid member of the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) community. As a worker in the cafeteria, member of the track and field team, yearbook reporter, member of the Overcome...

Max Fielder '25, a senior at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), truly represents Dragon pride. Well-known as a dedicated and friendly upperclassmen, Fielder loves video games, befriending new people and organizing events through ASB (Associated Student Body). Fielder enjoys his free time at the beach or gym with friends, highlighting how extroverted this Dragon is at heart.

Get to know our seniors: Max Fielder

Peyton Fox, Reporter • April 1, 2025

If you’re ever in a bind or a lost freshman in the halls, Maxwell Fielder '25 is a perfect senior to turn to. Even with so little time left in the school year, Fielder still makes an effort to help out...

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