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
Emma Anderson

Emma Anderson, Illustrator

Class of ’26 | I am a second year illustrations editor who may need three to five business days to respond to text messages.

All content by Emma Anderson
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.

[Photo] Opinion: Ventura’s art scene deserves better recognition

Audrey Szijj, Writer
May 23, 2025
Mental health is the thread that weaves through every facet of daily life, often overlooked – until it frays, that is. A weight that shifts with the seasons of our lives, sometimes light, other times unbearably heavy. Invisible, and yet it colors the way we see the world and the way we perceive ourselves. It is the foundation of our thoughts, emotions and behavior, influencing everything from how we cope with stress to how we celebrate joy. This May, help create an environment where mental health is valued and addressed with the same urgency as physical health by embracing self-care and seeking support.

[Photo] The green of spring makes way for Mental Health Awareness Month

Jane Kim, Writer
May 7, 2025
Ensuring that every student has a safe environment to learn in is one of the greatest responsibilities of school faculty and staff, and unfortunately, there’s a reason for that. Even in the most sheltered of communities, school violence persists to rear its ugly head. On campus bullying, sexual violence, gang violence, physical fights and use of weapons or illegal drugs all fall under the mantle of school violence. According to a survey released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2024, 67% of public schools reported at least one violent incident occurring throughout 2021 and 2022, amounting to about 857,500 violent incidents. Despite this, various sources all confirm that more and more preventative measures are being taken to minimize school violence, and violence across the nation is declining as a result.

[Photo] Protecting students: The devastating reality of school violence

Natalie St. Pierre, Writer
March 28, 2025
The stage has been set – and it is irreversible. From the depths of schools and children’s playrooms emerges yet another drama, one to rival the most well-known Greek tragedies, "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone": the usurping of the pen and paper. As the sun rises on a new age of keyboards and screens, so too does it set for the era of parchment and dark velvety ink.

[Photo] A Tragedy: The usurping of the pen and paper

Jane Kim, Writer
March 23, 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.

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

Morgan Houston, Writer
March 5, 2025
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of fear, apprehension and nervousness, but chances are you already knew that. Everyone has to cope with the occasional, invariably unpleasant and vexing, run in with anxiety. In stressful situations, it is a normal reaction that causes alertness, tension and often an elevated pulse, which is intended to stimulate your body’s natural fight or flight response. However, if excessive or all-consuming, it can interfere with your ability to perform day to day tasks. Follow writer Kalea Eggertsen as she explores what it means to have an anxiety disorder, the most prevalent form of mental illness.

[Photo] Anxiety

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer
February 25, 2025
When you’re in the water, there’s only you and the board and your own heartbeat – an experience that most surfers call liberating. It is this feeling that Ventura, Calif. locals find themselves chasing after again and again. Some even center their entire careers and livelihoods around this beloved pastime. When it comes down to it, the local population's adoration for surfing is owed to the city’s bountiful sunshine, breathtaking coastlines and year-round waves, which put it on the map amongst the most iconic surf locations in the world. In fact, Ventura's signature surf spot, California Street (locally known as “C Street”), is famed for its waves that, on a good day, rival those of the best spots on the planet.

[Photo] From board to barrel: The ripple effect of surfing

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
February 22, 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.

[Photo] Censorship or safety?

Shea Stevenson and Lyla Huff
January 25, 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.

[Photo] Devastating Los Angeles fires dredge up past memories in Ventura County

Jane Kim and Audrey Szijj
January 18, 2025
Who doesn’t love curling up with a good book? 2024 has gifted us with a plethora of new literary options for us to get our hands on, from bestselling authors like Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Lauren Roberts, Holly Black and Han Kang. Tag along with writers Kalea Eggertsen and Jane Kim as they discuss the best of these newly published works, including “Games Untold”, “Reckless”, “The Prisoner’s Throne” and "Human Acts".

[Photo] Best of 2024: Foothill Tech

Emmanuel Takaya, Jane Kim, Layla Solomon, and Amber Duhs
January 9, 2025
Is religion an outlet through which one may express their faith in something holy, or is it merely a social construct fabricated by humans to establish some meager semblance of control in an otherwise turbulent world? This is the question at the heart of Scott Beck’s and Bryan Wood’s thought-provoking thriller film, “Heretic”, released in theaters on Nov. 8, 2024. Starring Hugh Grant as the movie’s sinister antagonist, the film follows the story of two young missionaries who are trapped in a series of terrifying trials designed to test their faith.

[Photo] The haunting arrival of A24’s “Heretic” introduces audiences to a new level of existential dread

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer
December 20, 2024
The United States’s reputation as being the home of such a diverse body of people from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds is one that it takes pride in. Every year Thanksgiving rolls around, each of these cultures take slightly different approaches to expressing their appreciation during this important holiday. Join writer, Jane Kim as she explores the unique cuisines and traditions that people of different cultures have adopted to celebrate this day of gratitude with their friends and family.

[Photo] I have never had turkey for Thanksgiving

Jane Kim, Writer
November 28, 2024
With the turn of the season, the nostalgic scent of pumpkin pie and cinnamon spice beckons us to indulge in seasonal fall treats! Craving a salted maple latte from Coffee Bean or an apple pie smoothie from Blenders? See what local eateries and Ventura establishments are offering to satisfy your sweet tooth this fall!

[Photo] Autumn is calling, and so are these delicious seasonal menus

Julia Brossia, Assignment Editor
November 16, 2024
The Santa Ana winds, aptly nicknamed the devil winds, are notorious for their hot, dry nature and tendency to generate critical fire weather conditions in coastal Southern California. They typically blow through the months of September to May and occur when high pressure builds up over the Great Basin (the geographic area framed by the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada) while a region of low pressure is present over the Southern Californian coast. The difference in pressure between the two areas creates a strong pressure gradient, causing the weather phenomenon known as the Santa Ana winds. As the winds flow down slope through mountain passes and canyons, they gradually gain velocity, lose moisture, compress and warm-up.

[Photo] The Santa Anas: A local phenomenon

Oliver Kelley, Writer
November 4, 2024
Currently serving as the vice president of the United States under President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris is the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Before becoming a politician, Harris began her career as an attorney, prosecuting cases related to burglary, robbery, homicide and sexual assault. Harris has leaned heavily into her prosecutor background as a platform for her campaign, which is virtually tied with Donald Trump’s in the polls.

[Photo] The 2024 Republican candidate and running mate

Jane Kim, Writer
October 9, 2024
Written by bestselling author Colleen Hoover, "It Ends With Us" is a popular novel in the romance genre that explores topics of domestic violence and abuse. Despite Hoover’s portrayal of such subjects being the center of much controversy on BookTok, TikTok and YouTube, the book has sold more than 8 million digital and print copies since its publishing in 2016. In 2024, "It Ends With Us" was adapted into a major motion picture directed by Justin Baldoni, starring award-winning actress Blake Lively in the leading role as the novel’s conflicted protagonist, Lily Bloom. The film was released in theaters on Aug. 9, 2024, heralding a new wave of backlash from Hoover’s critics as well as praise from the book’s die-hard fans.

[Photo] It Ends With Us: Accurate or glamorized portrayal of domestic violence?

Kalea Eggertsen and Julia Geib
September 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.

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

Shea Stevenson, Writer
September 18, 2024
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Emma Anderson