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
Audrey Szijj

Audrey Szijj, Writer

Second year journalist and professional thrifter.

All content by Audrey Szijj
Every piece of local art comes with a fragment of the community’s story. Unlike mass-produced items, local art is unique, crafted by hands that pour creativity into every detail. Each work features facets of the local culture, such as Ventura, Calif.’s beachy landscapes. Buying from local shops not only supports artists and their craft but also helps sustain small businesses that may struggle to compete against larger corporations. Though it may cost more, the value ultimately lies in the quality materials, time and personal touch behind each piece – a connection that big chain stores simply cannot offer.

Opinion: Ventura’s art scene deserves better recognition

Audrey Szijj, Writer
May 23, 2025
Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) is known for their extravagant lunch time events, but Foothill Tech's Wellness Center always does it best. The Wellness Center's second annual Blender Bike event takes the school by storm, creating a large line to try out this contraption that makes smoothies with the power of peddling.

Pedaling for a purpose: Foothill Tech’s Wellness Center blends health and fun

Audrey Szijj, Writer
April 23, 2025
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
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
New out of class passes have been introduced to students of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech). This new system enforces how students spend time out side of the classroom during class time. The two different types of passes are the restroom pass and the office pass. Each pass has a time limit and requires teacher signature to allow a student to use the pass.

With passes in hand, the students and staff at Foothill Tech share their opinions on the new bathroom policy

Audrey Szijj and Lyla Huff
March 9, 2025
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 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
Right in front of Foothill Technology High School's campus stood a glaring orange sun, and a chalky grey sky representing the devastating fires all over LA County. While still at school, students of Foothill Tech faced a snowstorm of fallen ash from the fires, and poor air quality, as depicted in the image.

Opinion: Amber waves of grain? No, a wildfire

Jane Kim and Audrey Szijj
February 4, 2025
As of January 2025, the recent strong winds combined with extremely low humidity levels have bred optimum fire weather conditions in California. This is evident by the numerous wildfires currently blazing through the Los Angeles area. One of them, the Palisades Fire, is the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history, having scorched an estimated five thousand structures. In addition to that, six other smaller fires in the Los Angeles area, including the Kenneth, Lidia, Sunset, Woodley, Archer and Olivas fires, have already been contained by the valiant efforts of firefighters. For those who lived through the devastation of the 2017 Thomas Fire and 2024 Mountain Fire, these Los Angeles fires are an unwelcome flashback to hasty evacuations, smothering fumes and the smoldering remains of homes on the hills.

Devastating Los Angeles fires dredge up past memories in Ventura County

Jane Kim and Audrey Szijj
January 18, 2025
Fashion trends come and go, developing and evolving quickly, and for 2024, it was no exception. From ballet flats to barn jackets, a variety of different fashion trends have risen over the past year. Join our writers as they look back on some of the styles that rose to popularity.

Best of 2024: Fashion Trends

Emmanuel Takaya, Morgan Houston, Lyla Huff, and Audrey Szijj
January 9, 2025
Throughout the year, 2024 has gifted the musical world with any number of incredibly well done albums and impressive songs. Popular artists such as Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar's albums gained a large amount of traction after release, earning a spot on the best of 2024 list. Other artists such as Charli XCX, Wallows, and beabadoobee's albums are similarly featured as the highlights of 2024.

Best of 2024: Albums

Morgan Houston, Ruby Jenkins, Oliver Kelley, Audrey Szijj, and Layla Solomon
January 9, 2025
2025 has begun! And with that, it's now time for us to look back on 2024 and remember all that has come to pass. Join the Foothill Dragon Press's writing section as we review a variety of popular topics from the year, ranging from albums and movies to fashion trends and books. It's sure to bring back memories from the past year and let us appreciate all the change and excitement we've experienced.

Best of 2024: A year in review

Emmanuel Takaya, Lyla Huff, Audrey Szijj, Morgan Houston, Jane Kim, Amber Duhs, Layla Solomon, Julia Brossia, Oliver Kelley, Ruby Jenkins, Kalea Eggertsen, and Kellen Spears
January 9, 2025
How much is to much? Even with rush into Christmas decor and holiday music it has become clear that, in some way or another, the holidays have began to fade. The infamous "Black Friday" has started to just be a memory, being traded in for online shopping or just fully being traded out. As "Cyber Monday" starts to take the forefront of post thanksgiving shopping, it can easily influence the top season products.

Opinion: Over-commercialization has taken over the ho-ho-holiday season

Audrey Szijj and Fiona Aulenta
December 25, 2024
When you click "I agree" to all those terms and agreements, what does it really mean? Are those targeted ads just a bit too targeted? Although there is no definitive evidence that phones are listening to us and our every conversation, it is not completely far fetched. The mix between location data, search history and frequented sites lets algorithms get a good idea of what you are interested in and what gets your attention. This often manifests itself as targeted ads, recommended videos and recommend accounts.

Opinion: How much do our devices actually know?

Audrey Szijj, Writer
December 6, 2024
Jason Noufal '25, Angel Sanchez Moreno '26 and Loren Romero '25 proudly present their "Recipe for Resilience" slideshow. Using a cake analogy to show how they've been layering mental health activities this school year.

The Foothill Tech Wellness Peers attend and present at the Y2Y Conference

Audrey Szijj, Writer
November 21, 2024
Certain colleges that made the SAT optional are now reinstating the test for future applicants. Though this topic has been in discussion since the return of in person learning after the COVID-19 pandemic, students now wonder if they should pay to take the test and how much it really affects an applicant's profile.

Shifting back from test-optional to test-required: Some colleges reinstate the SAT

Audrey Szijj, Staff Writer
November 13, 2024
The advancement of technology has been getting more and more complex as well as more users getting involved. Schools have both digital and paper options for students but only if used in a correct manner. Using digital technology can help students with researching facts and databases making them more successful. However, teachers manage to balance by using paper as it prevents distraction and plagiarism from Artificial Intelligence (AI). By using paper, it is proven that students hang onto information better when it is physically in front of them and have the ability to express their understanding by writing their knowledge.

Paper vs. digital in schools: Which has the best results?

Audrey Szijj, Staff Writer
October 19, 2024
Sung by music artist Beabadoobee, the "This is How Tomorrow Moves Tour" takes place around various cities throughout North America. Starting in Philadelphia Pa. on Sept. 8, 2024, and ending in Los Angeles Calif. on Sept. 28, 2024 at the Greek Theater, the show follows a tracklist of 14 songs from the artist.

Beabadoobee delivers an unforgettable performance at the Greek Theatre

Audrey Szijj, Writer
October 3, 2024
Drivers education is just one part of the process in learning how to drive on the road properly. Available in person and through online classes certified by the state's DMV, there's a variety of methods to attaining the necessary prerequisite for a teenage license. Covering everything regarding the law of the road, the importance of this class for high school students seeking to hit the road hasn't faded.

Opinion: The issue with Drivers Education

Audrey Szijj, Writer
September 22, 2024
“Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion” is a documentary that came out in April, 2024. This documentary touched on many things, including the racism and bodyism that is a foundation in the Brandy Melville company, as well as their problematic sizing and questionable ethical choices. The Brandy Melville company uses “one size fits all/most” which is, for the most part, not true. This harmful sizing makes it seem like if you don't fit, you are the problem and that it makes you different from the people who can fit into this unrealistic standard. This is even more harmful when you take into consideration the targeted age demographic: middle and high school girls. This documentary also shows a day in one of the biggest second hand markets in Ghana, highlighting the over consumption of clothes and how fast fashion is impacting people all over the world.

Opinion: “Brandy Hellville, & the Cult of Fast Fashion”

Audrey Szijj, Writer
September 15, 2024
In the afternoon of June 11, 2024, seniors of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) and their family and friends gathered together on the Ventura College football field to celebrate one of the most momentous occasions for each senior: graduation. Pictured above, Sarah O'Neil '24 waves at her family and friends in the audience after making the long anticipated trek across the stage to receive her diploma. Decorated with scads of chords to celebrate her high school achievements, O'Neil plans to continue achieving her dreams by attending California State University, Chico in the fall.

Saying a final goodbye to our seniors: Graduation 2024

Aubrey Alderman and Audrey Szijj
June 13, 2024
Technology is an integral part of students' school supplies. Chromebooks or other school-issued devices are constantly restricting arrays of information. Students' access to information, both useful and recreational, is subjectively blocked for being "controversial." However, most of these device parameters are overcome in order to play browser games to combat boredom in the classroom.

Opinion: Censorship on school devices

Audrey Szijj, Writer
May 21, 2024
Girlhood has evolved from a term that just meant growing up as a girl, to something that can be shared with a community that experiences the same things and connects with them.

Opinion: Girlhood

Audrey Szijj, Writer
April 30, 2024
"TikTok" is a top platform used for entertainment by students at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech). With endless videos, students often spend hours scrolling mindlessly. Recent news of the ban on "TikTok" may affect those students who use this platform.

Opinion: Potential ban on TikTok

Lily Toreja and Audrey Szijj
April 18, 2024
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a popular method for many couples dealing with infertility to have children of their own. It is a process that involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body, and then placing the egg inside a uterus, allowing it to grow and develop into a baby. However, there have been debates about the legal status of embryonic children, such as the law passed in Alabama on Feb. 16. Join our writers as they discuss the situation around IVF in Alabama.

Navigating IVF: Challenges in Alabama’s reproductive landscape

Kalea Eggertsen, Bailey Basurto, and Audrey Szijj
April 13, 2024
Social media has long since harbored influencers of all types and kinds, including skincare product sponsorships. Especially in 2024, skincare products and routines are rising in popularity on various social media platforms. The routines featured in the videos often outline a long process involving multiple products and steps. However, some brands and products have earned more prestige and popularity among skincare enthusiasts. While some may vouch for a complicated routine, others are beginning to promote simpler, more affordable alternatives.

Opinion: Is a 10-step skincare routine worth the cost?

Audrey Szijj, Writer
March 22, 2024
Burch Studio is located in Downtown Ventura, Calif. It's tucked away, and the entrance is lit with a LED sign. The studio provides a space for musicians to bond and create art together.

“Rock and Roll High”: The teen collective program at Burch Studio

Audrey Szijj, Writer
February 28, 2024
The Teach 5 Proposition and the end to VUEA negotiations impacted many teachers and staff throughout the Ventura Unified School District. With Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) faculty reflecting on this scheduling inequity, the struggle is ongoing for a final solution to benefit all parties, including students.

VUEA closes Article VIII negotiations with VUSD

Amber Duhs and Audrey Szijj
February 15, 2024
Binge-watching; one of the most popular weekend activities to indulge in after a long week of tedious work. But is spending hours of your time invested in these shows worth the mental and physical health risks? Or, is it a great way to de-stress? There is much controversy surrounding this topic, which is why its important to discuss the positives and negatives of this activity.

Opinion: Binge-watching: The latest debate in entertainment

Audrey Szijj, Writer
February 9, 2024
After a well needed break, students may struggle to get back into the flow of school. In this opinion piece, join writer Audrey Szijj as she talks about the strain on students that comes after winter break.

Opinion: The academic strain on students after break

Audrey Szijj, Writer
January 25, 2024
2023 was a year to remember! Join the Foothill Dragon Press's writing section as they discuss popular topics such as movies, concerts, video games, books and fashion, along with year-shaping events at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech). The Best of 2023 series has everything from old favorites to newcomers.

Best of 2023: A year in review

Ruby Jenkins, Camilla Lewis, Isheeta Pal, Beatrice Barnes, Julia Brossia, Amber Duhs, Paula Gonzalez, Emilie Huovinen, Kelly Quinn, Layla Solomon, Audrey Szijj, Kalea Eggertsen, and Jane Kim
January 1, 2024
Time sure is flying by fast these days! As we transition into the new year of 2024, it is time that we look back on 2023 at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech). Go along with writers Beatrice Barnes, Audrey Szijj and Emilie Huovinen while they review the new additions to campus, best events and cafeteria food at Foothill Tech from 2023.

Best of 2023: Best of Foothill Tech

Audrey Szijj, Emilie Huovinen, and Beatrice Barnes
December 31, 2023
Fashion was constantly changing in 2023, with old trends coming back from the dead along with new takes on old favorites. Combined with old classics and vibrant newcomers, 2023 has set itself up to be one of the most fashionable years in recent memory.

Best of 2023: Fashion trends

Lily Toreja and Audrey Szijj
December 31, 2023
This picture is a collage of my favorite items I have thrifted over the past year from various thrift stores like Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, the Coalition Thrift Store and others. Thrifting may take a lot of patience due to the need to sift through the racks of clothes, but the end results are worth it.

Opinion: The benefits of thrifting

Audrey Szijj, Writer
December 12, 2023
Inspired by the Humans of New York project, the Foothill Dragon Press staffers aspire to highlight students pursing their passions and interests.

Humans of Foothill: Naomi Schwartz

Audrey Szijj, Writer
November 23, 2023
Students from the garden club work tirelessly to keep their plants alive. Between watering during lunchtime to planting new seeds, the club is a wonderful way to experience the Foothill Technology environment.

The Foothill Tech Garden Club continues to grow in more ways than one

Audrey Szijj, Writer
November 10, 2023
The Love Ventura event took place on Oct. 7, 2023 at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura. Companies and individuals gathered together to support the city of Ventura and volunteer at different locations.

Love Ventura’s annual Serve Day

Jane Kim and Audrey Szijj
October 11, 2023
Ticketmaster is a widely used website where music fans can purchase tickets to their favorite concerts, but with The Eras Tour and Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS” World Tour, there have been a few controversies regarding this website.

Opinion: Why Ticketmaster is unreliable

Audrey Szijj, Writer
October 5, 2023

Hey! Friends shows Ventura why shopping locally matters

Audrey Szijj and Layla Solomon
September 19, 2023

Meet Foothill Tech’s three newest teachers

Amber Duhs and Audrey Szijj
September 9, 2023
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The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School
Audrey Szijj