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
Shea Stevenson

Shea Stevenson, Reporter

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All content by Shea Stevenson
With over 100 million downloads worldwide, "Block Blast" is a mobile game published by Hungry Studio available on a variety of platforms across the internet. Rated as a 4.9/5 on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, the game has exploded in popularity near the end of 2024 despite being initially released in 2022. Aimed at solving unique block puzzles in the pursuit of a higher score, the main objective is to clear the board of colored blocks. However, it serves a dual purpose of helping users pass the time, while still engaging the brain.

Addiction or Entertainment?

Shea Stevenson and Lyla Huff
March 3, 2025
On Feb. 25, 2025, Foothill Technology (Foothill Tech) boys volleyball faced off against Cate School (Cate). Taking place at Cabrillo Middle School, Foothill Tech's own terrain, the match began at 6 p.m. Unfortunately, this second home game of the season ended in a 3-1 loss. Foothill Tech secured the first set, yet fell to Cate in the last three. In the image above, the team gathers in a tight huddle during a timeout, strategizing for the following sets. Coach Dave Benedik urges the team to communicate more efficiently, as many lost points were attributed to a lack of communication on passes and set balls. The team listens intently, hoping to garner more points as they return to their positions on the court.

[Photo] Boys volleyball takes a loss in their second home game of the season

Kyra Bouchard and Peyton Fox
February 28, 2025
On Feb. 25, 2025, the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) opened the floor to the public at the Board Meeting discussing Resolution #25-03. The resolution debates for reduction of certain certified services at the elementary, middle and high school level to help allocate money for budget cuts. The meeting garnered attendance of students, teachers and families, many of whom came with signs or wearing red to show support for those who were targeted by Resolution #25-03. Though the final decision of the budget cuts was to save elementary and secondary school counselors as well as teacher librarians, the Board and the district still have a long way to go before all the issues become resolved.

The Board of Education passes controversial Resolution #25-03 due to budget cuts, leaving students and faculty in uncertainty

Maggie Lay, Bailey Basurto, Viggo Bortolin, Ella Asher, Shea Stevenson, and Aubrey Alderman
February 27, 2025
One of the many scenic views the San Buenaventura beach trail gives access to is Ventura's iconic pier. Despite the cold winter weather, locals and tourists alike stop to admire the waves and walk the wooden pier.

Nature excursions in Ventura

Shea Stevenson, Camilla Lewis, Diana Hixon, and Conor White
February 13, 2025
The final score was 3-1: a tap-in by Christophe Issa '25, a penalty kick by Stefan Hubner '25, and a set piece by Kaizer Castillo '28. In the image above, Connor Bursek '25 (number 18) races down the side of the field, dribbling effortlessly around two of Bishop Diego's players. As he reaches the top of the pitch, he crosses the ball, hoping to score another tap in.

[Photo] Girls water polo defeats Cate, 7-5 on Senior Night

Ian Toreja, Reporter
February 3, 2025
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
On Nov. 22, 2024, HOSA service, a committee within the Bioscience Academy, began the annual candy cane drive. In exchange for a dollar as a donation, students received a festive candy cane in return. The donations were promptly collected and donated to NMDP, an organization aimed at matching bone marrow donors to those in need of a transplant. Pictured above is Aditi Shanbhag '25 and Aadhya Bavkar '25, the senior co-presidents of the Bioscience Academy. Between them is Mrs. Anderson, the advisor of the candy cane drive and one of the instructors of the academy.

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

Shea Stevenson, Reporter
December 17, 2024
"Smile 2" hit theaters on Oct. 18, 2024, a sequel to the previous film "Smile" released on Sep. 30, 2022. Skye Riley, the main character played by Naomi Scott, is about to embark on a world-tour when she begins to experience increasingly disturbing events before appearing on stage. Lasting two hours and 12 minutes, the movie is rated R for its use of blood and violence and has generated $137.7 million in box office admissions since its release.

“Smile 2”: A frightening, twisted horror sequel

Shea Stevenson, Writer
December 12, 2024
As of May 2025, 12 Advanced Placement (AP) tests will be transitioned from the standard paper testing to a hybrid format. Coordinated by College Board, this shift will combine aspects of both methods of testing. Classes affected at Foothill Technology (Foothill Tech) include Calculus BC, Calculus AB, Physics 1: Algebra-Based, and Precalculus.

AP exams expected to go digital May 2025

Shea Stevenson, Writer
November 9, 2024
On the sunny afternoon of Oct. 25, 2024, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) participated in the annual Trunk or Treat event hosted by students in the parking lot. In the picture above, Jaden Abara ‘25 hands out candy to roaming students and shows off her costume for Halloween.

Trunk or Treat: A festive celebration of the incoming Halloween

Bailey Basurto and Shea Stevenson
October 27, 2024
As of August 2024, the celebrated stop-motion movie “Coraline” has returned to theaters in remastered 3D to commemorate its 15th anniversary. Initially released in 2009, the film was a trailblazer for stereoscopic 3D, animated motion pictures and captivated audiences all over the globe with its vivid storytelling and creative vision. Following the credits of this newly remastered version, fans are treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the movie’s original team recreating the “Coraline” puppet and exploring how 3D technology has progressed since the release of the 2009 film.

15th Anniversary of Coraline: A review of a nostalgic, delightfully creepy film

Shea Stevenson, Writer
September 18, 2024
On the sunny afternoon of Sept. 4, 2024, a group of seniors enjoyed the lunch that was catered by Urbane Cafe. Smiling for the camera, they enjoyed one of the first senior events during their last year of high school together. The event was hosted by Associated Student Body (ASB), who fenced off the quad area to celebrate the special event: senior picnic.

Class of 2025 enjoys annual senior picnic

Shea Stevenson, Reporter
September 6, 2024
From the first day of school at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), students have come face-to-face with strict new enforcement towards Foothill Tech's phone policy. Students have been asked to not have cellphones or earbuds out at during class, and if students fail to comply, a new disciplinary action will taken. If students are caught with any devices out after the first three weeks of school, students will be required to hand over their device. The new policy enforcements have had a mixed reaction among students.

Electronic device policy: A noteworthy adjustment for the 2024-2025 school year

Shea Stevenson, Reporter
August 23, 2024
Aug. 14, 2024 marked the first official day back to school for the 2024-2025 school year for all Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students as well as the whole Ventura Unified School District (VUSD). Students flooded the gates a few weeks earlier than anticipated due to the schedule change, which prompted a new school calendar. Nevertheless, students still arrived with all the first day jitters, new school supplies and fresh outfits to show off in this new school year. Along with this excitement, the Associated Student Body (ASB) took extra time out of their summer break to prepare the school and decorate the buildings to match the year's theme of “Year of the Records”. With posters and decorations, as well as staff members dressing up to match said theme, students were inspired for the new year even if they were not totally ready to end their summer break.

Kicking off the first day: Foothill Tech prepares for a record-breaking year

Maggie Lay, Ella Asher, Shea Stevenson, Bailey Basurto, Aubrey Alderman, Viggo Bortolin, and Natalie St. Pierre
August 15, 2024
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Shea Stevenson