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
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly influencing the way in which students interact and learn through the school environment. From writing essays to apps that allow students to track their every move to share with others, AI is an important aspect in every hour of every day. One of the main problems is how students are incorporating it in their schoolwork. With extensive apps such as ChatGPT it has become extremely easier for students to simply type in their assigned problem and receive an answer without having to put any thought into said problem. Many teachers and staff members have found a way around students using AI for school work, but they are still holes in the system as long as there is technology involved with the students' learning. As AI is constantly improving so is the access to it as well as the usage in school between students and teachers.

The roaring 20s of AI in education

Jane Kim, Writer • April 16, 2024

Just a decade ago, the word “artificial intelligence” (AI) would have brought up images of futuristic, googly-eyed robots like WALL-E and EVA. However, the onset of a new kind of technological revolution...

Despite great improvements in women's rights movements across decades of progression, modern society has been stagnant towards recent feminist movements. While the physicality of such past improvements can be seen, the long-standing psychological impact of stereotyped gender culture is the greater conflict to fight.

Women’s History Month and the stagnance in gender progress

Jane Kim, Writer • April 11, 2024

March is a month of prominence. Along with the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day and the spring equinox is Women’s History Month! A culmination of the efforts of American women and men throughout...

The arrival of the Promethean boards has affected staff and students of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) in many different ways, whether that be positively, negatively or a little bit of both. Essentially bulky TV screens on wheels with many features allowing users to draw, annotate and share their screens, these boards have often been seen as a replacement for projectors as well as whiteboards. Is this a good or bad thing? How will it influence the learning experience of students? Stay tuned to learn more about how this new technological upgrade will forever alter the future of education.

The Promethean board: Teacher’s perspectives on Foothill Tech’s latest technological upgrade

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer • April 1, 2024

On Feb. 29, 2024, teachers at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) received the latest technological upgrade. As the hybrid between Hitachi overhead projectors and whiteboards topped with...

Drug use, particularly vaping or smoking marijuana, is a prevalent issue among high schoolers. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that 23.2 percent of 12th graders had vaped nicotine in the past year, and 29 percent of 12th graders had reported using cannabis in the past year, according to the 2023 NIDA Monitoring the Future annual survey. While drug use among teens is not rising dramatically, the dangers of doing so have. With deadly synthetic drugs like fentanyl contaminating drug supplies, drug use in teens has been more dangerous than ever before.

Investigating student drug use at Foothill Tech

Ella Asher, Reporter • March 29, 2024

According to a fact sheet collected from the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) in 2021, the percentage of drug use among high school students has decreased over the last number of years. Nonetheless,...

In the past few years, rather than opting for more traditional ways to get around town, pre-teens and teenagers around Ventura, Calif. have chosen electronic bikes (e-bikes) as their preferred mode of transportation. The rise of e-bikes in Ventura County has lead to some serious concerns among citizens in regard to how these newly popular motorized bicycles should be treated and which laws should apply to their use.

The rise of e-bikes among middle and high school students in Ventura

Ella Asher, Reporter • March 27, 2024

The streets of Ventura, Calif. have seen a large increase in the use of electric bikes (e-bikes). Among the city’s youth, especially middle and high school students, e-bikes have become a common sight...

March 8, 2024, marked the return of the well-known and highly-anticipated event: Night to Remember. Held at Ventura County Fairgrounds, Night to Remember served as a way for people to connect with those around them, while honoring those with disabilities. In this photo, one of the many guests walks down the red carpet waving at those around him, while his host enthusiastically helps him toward San Miguel Hall.

A Night to Remember returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds

Rihanna Samples, Writer • March 21, 2024

After five years, the highly-anticipated Night to Remember — a prom for young adults with disabilities — returned to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Calif., on March 8, 2024. Ranging from ages 12 to...

These three Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students represent the minority of students that prefer fast food over school cafeteria food. By using apps such as Doordash, GrubHub, Uber Eats and more, some students choose to enjoy a tasty meal with a high price. This prompts the discussion of whether or not ordering food is a sustainable way for students to eat a delightful meal.

From the comfort of a lunch table: Food delivery at Foothill Tech

Bailey Basurto, Reporter • March 18, 2024

Once a student moves beyond the title of underclassmen and takes on the privilege of owning an off-campus pass as a junior or senior, the world seems like it's wide open. But what about those who stay...

Though Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) has done away with its previous 60-hour community service requirement, students play a key role in contributing to local causes, offering them field experience, industry connections and future career ideas.

From 60 hours to a lifetime of good: Community service at Foothill Tech

Lily Toreja, Writer • March 15, 2024

In October of 2021, administration announced that the 60-hour community service graduation requirement for Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) had been lifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic...

On Feb. 28, 2024, the Party for Socialism and Liberation held a vigil for Aaron Bushnell outside the United States Army Recruitment Center in Ventura, Calif. Many gathered to honor Bushnell's death and bring attention to the Israel-Hamas War.

Aaron Bushnell’s protest through self-immolation shines light on the Israel-Hamas War

Julia Brossia and Maggie Lay • March 10, 2024

On Feb. 25, 2024, Aaron Bushnell lost his life in an act of self-immolation outside the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. as he screamed the words “Free Palestine” in protest of the war in Palestine....

The start to the California March Primary means a new chance for new beginnings for laws and propositions in California. Which begs the question; is it worth it to vote? The importance in voting has never been more crucial. By including the younger generation's opinions in the polls, it gives a bright perspective into the future of our state relating to climate change, reproduction rights and women's rights.

Foothill Tech’s student voters and why they matter

Jane Kim, Writer • March 7, 2024

Is it time for Taco Tuesday? Wait, it’s Super Tuesday! The much anticipated March 5, 2024 was the California primaries, which include primaries for the U.S. California senators, representatives, California...

With elections currently taking place in the community of Ventura, Calif. it is more important than ever for people, including students who are first-time voters, to cast their ballots. There are resources such as ballots mailed to citizens to fill out their opinions and ballot drop off boxes placed conveniently around town. With a wide variety of candidates, students 18 years of age of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) are eager to use their voice to impact their future.

A guide to voting for students on Super Tuesday

Emilie Huovinen, Writer • March 5, 2024

Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) requires each high school senior government class to reserve time for students to either pre-register or register to vote. This ensures that all students who are...

In the aftermath of COVID-19 and the lockdowns that followed, schools struggled to get into the swing of things and return to a new sense of normalcy. This was seen directly with the graduation rates across the nation, and more closely across the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD). Of the class of 2023 in VUSD, 87.1% of students graduated, and here at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), 94.5%, which was lower than the graduation rates previous to the shutdown. That being said, the graduation rates are continuing to grow, leaving hope for the future.

Graduation rates: How do VUSD schools compare?

Paula Gonzalez, Writer • March 4, 2024

Ventura County high school graduation rates have risen slightly from pre-pandemic levels, an indication that across-the-board improvements made in 2022 are working. However, Ventura Unified School District...

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