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
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...

For students aiming to be officially recognized as bilingual or multilingual, the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Multilingual Seal is available for application for graduating seniors until March 1, 2024. While taking at least two years of a language other than English is an A-G requirement for the University of California and California State Universities, it is also important to be able to connect to others within other cultures. Speaking another language opens up a wide variety of opportunities within a plethora of industries where being fluently multilingual is valuable and can place you above another candidate. It is also possible to receive more than one seal, for each language the student applies for.

Bridging cultures: The impact of the California State Seal of Biliteracy

Bailey Basurto, Writer • March 3, 2024

Every year, high school seniors across the state of California are provided with the opportunity to apply for the State Seal of Biliteracy, and more locally, the Multilingual Seal in Ventura Unified School...

The Matilija Dam is located in Ojai, Calif. and was first opened in 1947. Since then, it has accumulated approximately eight million cubic yards of sediment and the condition of the dam itself has deteriorated to the point that it no longer serves its purpose. After decades of careful planning and environmental research, it has been decided to remove the dam. Writer Beatrice Barnes explains how they plan to execute this large project, expected to end in 2030 with sediment release and removal.

Pulling the plug on the Matilija Dam

Beatrice Barnes, Writer • February 29, 2024

Imagine a Ventura, Calif., where soft sand replaces abrasive rock on our beaches and endangered steelhead trout can freely migrate to their head water habitats. Sounds ideal, right? Well, removing...

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