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
Morgan Houston

Morgan Houston, Writer

First year writer with a passion for matcha, lip gloss and making playlists on Spotify.

All content by Morgan Houston
As ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools take a front seat in day to day life, it's important to ask, what's the impact? AI is helping in many capacities. It is the newest search engine, the smartest and only getting smarter. It is tracking carbon and methane emissions and helping to keep climate change in check. However, does AI also play a part in the acceleration of climate change? To run these huge AI programs, it takes an enormous quantity of resources and money. Big data centers have to be built, and then these data centers require extensive amounts of water and energy to function. Inevitably, the consumption of these precious resources adds up over time.

Opinion: Is AI bad for the environment?

Morgan Houston and Julia Brossia
May 20, 2025
At Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura sit nine beach volleyball courts, which are used by schools and clubs across the county, as well as recreationally by the public. However, as of recently, the courts may face possible removal or relocation. The California Coastal Commission stated that the courts are unpermitted and established on land that should be restored to dunes.

Dune restoration in the Ventura Harbor threatens the removal of local volleyball courts

Morgan Houston, Writer
May 14, 2025
All across the coast of California, large masses of blue creatures resembling jellyfish are washing up onshore. These are not in fact jellyfish but Velella velella, or commonly referred to as "by-the-wind sailors." With the arrival of spring and the changing of wind patterns and currents, velella wash up on shore all over our local beaches.

Thousands of mysterious blue creatures wash up along the California coast

Morgan Houston, Writer
May 6, 2025
Starting in 2020 as an Apple TV+ exclusive, "Severance" is an ongoing thriller show following a Mark Scout and his team after undergoing a procedure that separates their memories between their work at the Lumon Industries and their personal lives outside of it. As each episode goes on, the deep conspiracy hidden beneath the company slowly unravels as the main cast must struggle to find the truth. Currently, the show has two seasons, with a third one confirmed shortly after the season two finale.

Review: “Severance” is back for season two

Morgan Houston, Writer
May 2, 2025
The United States cherishes 63 total National Parks, ranging from valleys to forests. The Trump administration fired over 4,000 National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service employees combined, on Feb. 14, 2025. With the decrease of staff, protecting the natural beauty of the National Parks will become more of a challenge than ever.

Opinion: The future of National Parks endangered by mass layoffs

Morgan Houston, Writer
March 21, 2025
Looking for a novel to cozy up with? Or maybe a quick beach read for the summer? Before looking towards a corporation or online site, check out these local independent bookstores of Ventura, Calif.

Independent bookstores of Ventura

Ruby Jenkins and Morgan Houston
March 10, 2025
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, thousands assembled at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. to witness the 97th presentation of the Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, to the best movie actors, directors, producers, writers and technicians of the preceding year. Millions more tuned in on their televisions to snatch a glimpse of Hollywood's legendary glamour, in addition to the flashy red carpet looks of hundreds of celebrities. Broadly considered the most prestigious honors in the film industry, the Oscars are bestowed annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize outstanding achievements in cinema.

Hollywood’s biggest night: The 97th Annual Academy Awards recap

Morgan Houston, Writer
March 5, 2025
As Valentine's Day passes, it is time for some refreshing anti "love" media. There is no holiday more split than Valentine's Day, and it is time for a change of pace. This list of movies may solidify some beliefs that love isn't real or maybe it just wasn't meant to be in this life-time/time-line. Get a blanket, a stuffed animal, some half-off chocolate and watch your feelings away.

An Anti-Valentine’s Day film guide

Morgan Houston, Writer
February 18, 2025
As more people move to Ventura Calif., there has been a rising issue coming with it: gentrification. Many find the beautiful coastal view as a desirable place to live, leading to the price of living increasing so much that it has started to price people out. Long term residents and families that have living in Ventura for decades are being forced out of the area.

Gentrification and its impacts on Ventura

Morgan Houston, Writer
February 9, 2025
Full of excitement and anticipated releases, 2024's film reel contains a wide variety of genres and plots, including several sequels such as "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," "Inside Out 2," and "Twisters." By contrast, "Heretic," "Challengers," and "It Ends with Us" were all standalone films ranging from psychological horror to sports and romantic drama. With many films still in development through 2025 and beyond, the best reel from 2024 will surely leave a lasting mark.

Best of 2024: Movies

Julia Brossia, Amber Duhs, Morgan Houston, and Oliver Kelley
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
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
This locally owned bookshop brings the comforting and cozy feeling back into bookstores in Ventura. The earthy aesthetic allows the costumer to really dive into books without any outside distractions. the location is right next to a plant shop and coffee shop which gives a all around shopping experience on the block.

Timbre’s book club brings together community to discuss literature

Morgan Houston, Writer
December 29, 2024
"We Live in Time" is a 2024 film featuring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh. This romantic comedy explores the difficulties of living with a cancer diagnosis, yet still trying to make the most of the time you have together. Experimenting with non-linear storytelling, the movie makes you piece together the story through its various scenes. It came out to mixed critical reviews, with generally positive audience reception.

Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield stun in A24’s latest romance film

Morgan Houston, Writer
November 25, 2024
Every year seniors are faced with the same struggles upon returning to their final year of high school. Almost immediately after returning to school, seniors must begin college applications of varying length and effort. Those who want to go to college must apply quickly after the school year begins, alongside managing their primary coursework and maintaining their grades. Providing insight into the process, Foothill Technology High School’s (Foothill Tech) class of 2025 shares their perspective on the college season and where they may end up going in the following years.

College application season at Foothill Tech

Morgan Houston, Writer
November 8, 2024
Tables were situated on the left of the van, making it the perfect place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or matcha. Pictured from left to right: iced matcha, hot mazapan latte, and pumpkin spice horchata latte.

Stay Golden Coffee Company: Ventura’s latest hidden gem

Morgan Houston, Writer
October 18, 2024
The Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) media center offers lots of options for students to use as a study hall or joint study time with other students during breaks. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sebastian Houvinen '27 reads his favorite book in the media center while surrounded with resources like Cesar Chavez's autobiography and many more.

A deeper dive into the Media Center: A hub of resources for all

Morgan Houston, Writer
September 29, 2024
The Santa Barbara Bowl sits upon the Santa Barbara hills, displaying the open ocean and channel islands in the distance. Any seat in the venue is a sight to see, as well as getting a great view of the stage. The band Wallows dazzled said stage with various background images and strobe lights, which made the concert visually and vocally beautiful.

“Model” Tour: Wallows astonish crowd at Santa Barbara Bowl

Ruby Jenkins and Morgan Houston
September 11, 2024
As Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) starts a new school year, new rules have been implemented, including mandatory free menstrual products in all California school bathrooms. This applies to all gender restrooms, women's restrooms, as well as at least one men's restroom on campus. This law includes students that are in the vicinity of grades 3-12. In addition, Foothill Tech's cellphone usage during class has become a growing concern over the last couple of years. The school aims to improve this issue during the 2024-2025 school year.

Behind the new and updated campus policies implemented in the 2024-2025 school year

Morgan Houston, Writer
September 5, 2024
Luke Sides '25 has a personal style that reflects his everyday life. He is found relaxing and sun bathing at the park in his overalls, which are a staple clothing item in his wardrobe.

[Photo] Highlighting Foothill Tech’s best dressed students

Beatrice Barnes and Maggie Lay
December 23, 2023
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Morgan Houston