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 Feb. 8, 2025, the Ventura Downtown Lions Club ran the annual Bowl To Strike Out Cancer fundraiser at Buena Lanes. This year's fundraiser was the largest in its 17-year history, raising $9,000 from the nearly 200 attendees' purchase of day passes, raffles and engagement in silent auctions and donations. This money went to local services that support cancer survivors and patients in the Ventura area, including the Ronald McDonald Family Room and the City of Hope.

Communities come together at Bowl To Strike Out Cancer 2025

Viggo Bortolin, Reporter • February 10, 2025

On Feb. 8, 2025, Ventura Calif.’s local bowling alley, Buena Lanes, welcomed a capacity filling crowd for the 17-year-old annual cancer treatment fundraiser: Bowl To Strike Out Cancer, dedicated to supporting...

Ventura High School (VHS) students, as well as many others across Ventura County, walked out on Jan. 31, 2025 in protest of the new executive orders from President Trump. The mural of Dolores Huerta on the side of the Main St. Gym at VHS is a symbol of Latinx pride and advocacy. By standing up for their rights, many VHS students honor Huerta's name.

Students walkout in protest of Trump’s immigration crackdown

Oliver Kelley and Natalie St. Pierre • February 8, 2025

Throughout history, students have advocated for justice and political change. New policies, written by recently inaugurated President Trump, are cracking down on undocumented immigrants and have sparked...

On Feb. 4, 2025, the Board of Education met to deliberate and discuss Resolution #25-02, a plan to reduce and discontinue classified service positions, as a result of major budget cuts in the district. Drained one-time federal and state funds, learning loss, current and ongoing enrollment decline and maintenance of competitive salaries for staff are all elements that have impacted the recent cuts, as explained by Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro in a message to VUSD families on Jan. 30, 2025, on VUSD's website.

VUSD faculty at risk of losing their jobs: The Board of Education passes Resolution #25-02 in response to major budget cuts

Maggie Lay, Assignment Editor • February 6, 2025

On Jan. 30, 2025, Superintendent, Dr. Antonio Castro sent out a message to staff, teachers and Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) families with disheartening news. As a result of drained one-time...

Here at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students have officially finished with the first semester of the 2024-25 school year, meaning that freshmen at Foothill Tech have completed one eighth of their high school career. Moving up from middle school is a pretty dramatic change to the pressure and expectations of high school. From fun fridays and low expectation classes, to the dreaded AP test and SAT prep soon to come, the bar has been raised. Along with the difficulty of education being raised, so are the challenges of a student's social life. Through this time many friendships go through ups and downs, and people change, it is a part of the high school experience. At this time the new freshmen are going through all of these changes emotionally and physically.

Freshmen reflect on their first semester

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer • January 29, 2025

For many students at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), the end of December means just another semester completed, but for freshmen, this means concluding their very first semester of high...

Once customers entered the sale room, they were greeted with one large table in the middle and another small table to the side. Both tables had much to offer including various types of goods such as rings and necklaces, pendants, etc.

Betty Belts Closet Clean Out Sale brings the community together while helping fire victims

Aubrey Alderman, Reporter • January 27, 2025

On Jan. 14 and 15, 2025, Betty Belts hosted their annual Closet Clean Out Sale. The event was from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., with only ten people allowed in the salesroom at once. Betty Belts throws this...

For years, U.S. officials and lawmakers have issued warnings about the potential threat that the massively popular social media app, TikTok, could pose to national security, particularly regarding its ties to China through its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The app clashes with U.S. security interests in two ways: First, since Chinese organizations are required to comply with intelligence gathering per the country’s national security laws, the Chinese government could use it to spy on American citizens. Second, the concern was raised that by manipulating its content, the Chinese government could also subtly influence the app’s 170 million American users to further its agenda. These accusations led to a bipartisan majority in Congress moving to enact a nation-wide TikTok ban to be implemented on Jan. 19, 2025. Despite the Supreme Court ruling on Jan. 17, 2025 that the ban does not violate the first amendment rights of TikTok or its users, the subject remains a hot topic for the American public.

Censorship or safety?

Shea Stevenson and Lyla Huff • January 25, 2025

Over the years, TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon for people all around the world; nonetheless, after a Supreme Court decision on Jan. 17, 2025, TikTok was intended to soon come to an end. TikTok...

Shown above is Wayne Powers' room, in this moment shrouded in darkness as it had been during the on and off power outages from Jan. 13-17, 2025. The environment shows the conditions Powers, and many others, had to learn and teach in during the week of power outages.

Dry Santa Ana winds bring high fire risk and mass power outages to Foothill Tech

Viggo Bortolin, Reporter • January 22, 2025

On Jan. 9, 2025, only days after their warm welcome back to school following winter break, students at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) were met with an unwelcome, yet warm, series of...

On Jan. 14 and Jan. 15, 2025, program leaders, students and teachers alike welcomed underclassmen into their classrooms, providing information about their program through demonstrations and presentations. In the Bioscience Academy classroom, students in the program were spread throughout multiple classrooms, demonstrating skills and showing off equipment to the students touring. Many of the demos were interactive, encouraging students to engage and acquire a sneak peak at what they would be learning if they decided to apply for the program.

Dragons explore new opportunities at elective open houses

Bailey Basurto, Reporter • January 16, 2025

On Jan. 14 and 15, 2025, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) Dragons explored the variety of programs and classes offered on campus during the open houses following the Program Faire. In darkness...

On the sunny afternoon of Jan. 10, 2025, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) is hosting an exciting Program Faire in the quad, designed to showcase the elective opportunities available for underclassmen. This event features clubs and programs, inclduing the D-Tech pathway where students are taught to design, master technology as well as learn entrepreneurship. D-Tech's objective is to be able to produce a self-made product and sell it to consumers whether it is in school or around the city. Whether it be for this pathway, or the numerous others that are highlighted through the event, students are encouraged to pick up brochures and chat with the leaders of each to learn more about what is offered.

Foothill Tech students explore elective options at annual Program Faire

Ella Asher, Reporter • January 12, 2025

As Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) dives into 2025, preparation for student electives and academic programs for the 2025-2026 school year are already underway. On Jan. 10, 2025, Foothill...

The IDEA Academy is a three year math and science pathway at DATA, described by many to be reliant on aspects like coring and block schedule. On Nov. 26, the student site council at DeAnza voted to keep block schedule, a win for IDEA and its supporters.

New schedule changes at DATA have left VUSD and families divided

Viggo Bortolin, Oliver Kelley, and Kellen Spears • January 2, 2025

The principal at De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts (DATA), Clara Ortiz, recently made the decision to un-core classes at DATA Middle School. This was prompted after warnings from the Ventura...

The week of Dec. 16, through Dec. 20, 2024 marks the end of the first semester for Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students. With this week comes the pressure of finals, last-minute studying, completing projects and reviewing months of material. Despite the stress, students persevere, looking forward to a well-earned two-week winter break after their rigorous exams.

Foothill Tech students wrap up finals with a bang before holiday break

Aubrey Alderman and Bailey Basurto • December 22, 2024

From Dec. 16, through Dec. 20, 2024, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students begin semester one finals to conclude the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year. Along with the new yearly...

At the winter holidays approach, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) held its annual candy cane drive. Candy canes, the perfect holiday treat, were dispersed in decorated jars in every science classroom, from Mrs. Anderson to Mr. Weldele. Students in these classes were encouraged to donate a dollar and receive one of these treats in return, a donation that goes to the National Marrow Donor Program, formerly known as Be The Match.

Sweet with a twist: The annual candy cane drive at Foothill Tech

Shea Stevenson, Reporter • December 17, 2024

On Nov. 22, 2024, the Bioscience Academy began its annual candy cane drive at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), a fundraiser dedicated to raising money for the National Marrow Donor...

Load More Stories
Menu
Activate Search
The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School
News