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
Emmanuel Takaya

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer

Class of ‘27 | Ephesians 4:2 :)

All content by Emmanuel Takaya
Back-to-school season highlights a growing issue within our society: overconsumption. With social media trends coming and going in a matter of weeks, the demand for the newest water bottle or backpack rises each year. Students often forget that the purpose of back-to-school shopping is to restock, not pile up.

High school hauls: Dragons’ back-to-school essentials

Emmanuel Takaya and Trudy Ragsdale
September 8, 2025
Taking you through a trip of the most influential movies, this series highlights the classic romance motion pictures that have impacted its decade, as well as many eras to come. These articles showcase brilliant movies as it breaks down the structure, story and significance to its time period.

Romance through the decades of cinema: ‘10s and ‘20s

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
May 26, 2025
Taking you through a trip of the most influential movies, this series highlights the classic romance motion pictures that have impacted its decade, as well as many eras to come. These articles showcase brilliant movies as it breaks down the structure, story and significance to its time period.

Romance through the decades of cinema: 1990s and 2000s

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
May 9, 2025
Taking you through a trip of the most influential movies, this series highlights the classic romance motion pictures that have impacted its decade, as well as many eras to come. These articles showcase brilliant movies as it breaks down the structure, story and significance to its time period.

Romance through the decades of cinema: 1970s and 1980s

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
April 28, 2025
Taking you through a trip of the most influential movies, this series highlights the classic romance motion pictures that have impacted its decade, as well as many eras to come. These articles showcase brilliant movies as it breaks down the structure, story and significance to its time period.

Romance through the decades of cinema: 1950s and 1960s

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
April 17, 2025
Time will always keep progressing and with that, comes change, but just how much do things really change as time passes by each generation of individuals? The older generation and younger generation of Asian-Americans have all lived very different lives, however, there seems to be a common factor that comes along with growing up in a country as a minority. Dive into the lives of specific people expressing their own experience with the beautiful blend of cultures, generational change, and the undeniably constant factor of discrimination. Though the stories of a single man or woman's life are often overlooked, these are stories that should and need to be told.

The Asian-American experience: Unveiling the stories of the old and new generations

Emmanuel Takaya and Jane Kim
March 30, 2025
Campus supervisor, Michael "Mike" Bowen, has impacted students across the district. His empathy and support has allowed students to feel comfortable throughout their day. Bowen’s strong work ethic to make Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) a safer and more supportive environment truly makes him a hero.

Hidden Heroes: Acknowledging the valuable role of Michael Bowen

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
March 26, 2025
Nestled between the glitz and glamor of Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles, and the picturesque peaks of the San Inez mountains in Santa Barbara lies the hidden treasure trove that is Ventura, Calif. With various prime surf spots, Ventura's glassy waves and warm weather make it the ideal surfing destination, thriving with an uplifting community rallied around the popular beach sport.

From board to barrel: The ripple effect of surfing

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
February 22, 2025
With a unique fashion sense and bright smile, Nate Frazier '27, a student at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), is known for walking around the halls with his head up high. Frazier is an avid student, involved in many programs and always looks for a way to help out the school. He faces challenges head on, but also appreciates the small moments in life. With a strong dedication to his passions and enthusiastic personality, it is no secret that Frazier will thrive and excel at Foothill Tech.

Humans of Foothill: Nate Frazier

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
February 7, 2025
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
As another year comes to pass, it's time to look back on 2024 at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) and see what's come to pass. From the arrival of a new principal to the 25th anniversary of our school, join our writers as we review the last year.

Best of 2024: Foothill Tech

Emmanuel Takaya, Jane Kim, Layla Solomon, and Amber Duhs
January 9, 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
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
Sitting in Ventura, Calif., the cool night air blows delicately against cars lined up in front of Chili Basil Thai Cuisine searching longingly for the open sign to be shining bright. In the bustling streets, the parking lots are filled with hungry people anxious to find something appetizing to eat as the title sign’s bright light catches the eye of those walking by. This restaurant welcomes all those eager to try some delectable food inspired by Thai cuisine to come in starved and leave filled to the brim with luscious cooking.

The best food you’ve seen at Chili Basil Thai Cuisine

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
December 11, 2024
With the rise of social media's influence on our economy, trends such as UGG boots, Stanley Cups and Brandy Melville clothing have taken over the internet over the past few years. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok have allowed businesses' products to reach millions of people with just one post. Many people wonder if the influence social media has on business promotion is contributing to society in a negative way or if it is greatly helping buyers find new clothing and brands that they can feel confident and content in.

Is social media fueling consumerism?

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
November 24, 2024
In Ventura, the Starbucks and Coffee Bean inviting exteriors draw you in to taste some of the most unique and mouth watering drinks, satisfying your taste buds whether it be a sweet treat or a morning coffee to kick-start your day. As I follow some of each restaurant's popular drinks, I search to find which coffee place is on top.

Starbucks vs. Coffee Bean

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
November 14, 2024
Since the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, students in Richard Geib's Advanced Placement Government and Politics (AP Gov) class have been preparing for the annual mock elections. Simulating the real election process, three candidates from each period run for the Republican, Democratic and Green Party respectively, vying to see who will be victorious and win the vote of the people.

Civil participation: Class of 2025 holds annual mock election

Emmanuel Takaya and Kalea Eggertsen
October 8, 2024
"Short n' Sweet" has 12 tracks that fans listen to on repeat. From a sample size of 30 females at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), these were their favorite song results from the album placing "Please Please Please" as the most favored tune.

Album Anatomy: “Short n’ Sweet”

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
September 30, 2024
Lyla Huff '27 and Emmanuel Takaya '27 try the weekly cookie line up at Crumbl Cookie during the week of Aug. 25, 2024 to Sept. 1, 2024. Crumbl Cookie is a dessert franchise that specializes in weekly cookie rotations. Recently, the company has gained popularity through social media sites, such as Instagram and Tiktok.

Crispy, creamy, crumble: Crumbl Cookies Review

Emmanuel Takaya and Lyla Huff
September 17, 2024
A sequel to the first "Inside Out" movie, "Inside Out 2" seeks to now focus on the emotional struggles of a teenage Riley as she navigates new social situations. Released on June 14, 2024, "Inside Out 2" introduces the new emotions Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment, who put a new wrench into the old emotion's ways of thinking. The movie is bound to entertain new and old viewers alike, with its colorful cast and engaging plot.

“Inside Out 2” took us all on an emotional roller coaster

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
August 30, 2024
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Emmanuel Takaya