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
Oliver Kelley

Oliver Kelley, Writer

Class of ‘27 | Second-year writer who starts every article with “Once Upon a Time…”

All content by Oliver Kelley
Community service is a simple act that contributes to the bigger picture. Not only does community service look good on college applications and job resumes, but it also strengthens bonds within communities and brings individuals together around a common goal. Many non-profit organizations in Ventura offer Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students a variety of opportunities to get involved in projects that may unlock new passions and career pathways.

Why community service?

Oliver Kelley and Kellen Spears
October 16, 2025
Ecugreen, a store on Main Street that sells handpicked and family made clothes, coffees and comforts, participates in Art Walk by hosting multiple artists including painters, sketch artists and inviting a local Orchestra. The art represented in this store pushed the building of community and the store, with it's live music and diverse art displays, became a sight of interest at Art Walk.

Art Walk Ventura takes over downtown with murals, music and hot rods

Viggo Bortolin and Oliver Kelley
October 2, 2025
Along Telegraph Road, construction for the Telegraph Road Resurfacing Project has been underway. Aiming to improve sidewalks, bike lanes, medians and more, the project began in late July 2025, with its completion expected in early 2026. As one of the busiest roads, Telegraph is experiencing large amounts of traffic as a result of the daytime construction, often at the peak rush hours. Bus drivers for Gold Coast Transportation, one of the main bus lines for Ventura, Calif., are frustrated with the concentration of traffic and the city's planning of the project.

No bus driver likes construction

Layla Solomon and Oliver Kelley
October 1, 2025
Many factors have led to the decision city council made on Sept. 16, 2025. Different opinions and statistics presented to the council members as well as the projected effect of the various courses have all been thoroughly examined before and during the meeting. While the council did finalize their decision, the conversation is not over. The council and the community must stay engaged if they want this ruling to have a lasting and positive impact.

Main Street Moves debate finally settles at the Sept. 16, 2025 council meeting

Oliver Kelley, Writer
September 18, 2025
Ventura residents are split over the future of Main Street Moves. For some, the car-free downtown has created a lively gathering space. For others, the closure has left property owners and businesses struggling. That debate will come to a head Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, when the Ventura City Council meets to hear public comments and cast a final vote on whether to keep Main Street closed or reopen it to cars.

Following up: What does Ventura think about Main Street Moves?

Oliver Kelley, Writer
September 15, 2025
Downtown Ventura has been a point of contention for years. Starting during covid, Main St. has been shut down to cars. Now on September 16, 2025, the Ventura City Council is reconsidering their position. This has sparked action in Ventura's residents to advocate for their preferred position.

Ventura City Council reconsiders pedestrian-centered Main Street

Oliver Kelley, Writer
August 23, 2025
On the cloudy afternoon of June 4, 2025, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) seniors, along with their friends and families, gathered at the Ventura College field to celebrate four years of classes, homework, late nights and extracurriculars coming to an end with the most anticipated event of senior year: graduation. This event is often considered bittersweet for those involved, as it marks the entry into adulthood, where classmates begin to move across the country or beyond to seek education and work. Seen above is Hailey Hall '25, who gave the opening student speech, as she had served as the elected Associate Student Body (ASB) class president for the duration of her senior year. In her remarks, she highlighted the bittersweet notes of moving on from high school, referencing the unique experiences Foothill Tech students have faced throughout their 4 years.

Admist the cheers of family and friends, the Foothill Tech Class of 2025 celebrates their last steps in high school

Viggo Bortolin and Oliver Kelley
June 6, 2025
On May 8, 2025, Robert Prevost, a cardinal of the catholic church, was appointed as Pope Leo XIV. The new pontiff follows in Pope Francis' footsteps after the latter's death on April 21, 2025. The first ever U.S. born pope, Pope Leo has shocked the Catholic world with a break in the pattern of European pontiffs. Pope Leo has also spent many years in Peru working in the city of Chiclayo as the head of an Augustinian seminary. He has gained his Peruvian citizenship and is beloved by many of the residents of not just Chiclayo, but Peru as a whole.

What does the new Pope stand for?

Oliver Kelley, Writer
May 21, 2025
Chick'n Dipp'n sauce, often seen on students lunch trays at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), plays the role of adding rich flavors and savory textures to the meal. The sauce is usually accompanied by chicken sandwiches, burgers or wraps, but can also be as a unusual addition to a side dish, elevating the taste of the school meal.

Satire: Chick’n-Dippin’ takeover

Oliver Kelley and Natalie St. Pierre
April 20, 2025
On a sunny Saturday, a crowd gathers in the parking lot of Arts Corner Cafe, waiting for a seat. The cafe mixes Mexican cuisine into its menu alongside more traditional breakfast options. As well as serving lunch. Arts Corner Cafe switched ownership about a year and a half ago, and has gone through a remodel since then.

Art’s Corner Cafe review

Oliver Kelley, Writer
March 19, 2025
Containing a long history of immigration, California has become known as a popular state for immigrants of all ethnicities and cultures due to its widespread protections and programs available for their benefit. Ventura itself has a diverse background with its population, with many finding success in their journeys with the opportunities presented within the city. Despite the complex system in place for immigrants seeking to enter the United States, many persevere in search of a better life or greater opportunities they may not have had before in their home country. Immigrants also contribute to the culture of the state and city in a variety of ways, overall benefiting everyone involved.

Immigration in Ventura: Past, present and future

Julia Geib and Oliver Kelley
March 18, 2025
As the sun sets, the Channel Islands National Park visitor center closes up shop. The Channel Islands are less than two hours by boat from the Ventura Harbor and are home to many unique plants and animals. This is just one of the 63 amazing national parks across the country.

The threat to our national parks

Oliver Kelley, Writer
March 6, 2025
Ventura High School (VHS) students, as well as many others across Ventura County, walked out on Jan. 31, 2025 in protest of the new executive orders from President Trump. The mural of Dolores Huerta on the side of the Main St. Gym at VHS is a symbol of Latinx pride and advocacy. By standing up for their rights, many VHS students honor Huerta's name.

Students walkout in protest of Trump’s immigration crackdown

Oliver Kelley and Natalie St. Pierre
February 8, 2025
Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 20, 2025, sees the closure of many public facilities in Ventura, Calif. including E.P. Foster Library. The holiday honors Martin Luther King Jr., an important figure in America's history who paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. King valued peaceful protest and was a powerful orator who inspired change across the country.

Martin Luther King Day: A yearly reminder

Oliver Kelley, Writer
January 20, 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
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
The IDEA Academy is a three year math and science pathway at DATA, described by many to be reliant on aspects like coring and block schedule. On Nov. 26, the student site council at DeAnza voted to keep block schedule, a win for IDEA and its supporters.

New schedule changes at DATA have left VUSD and families divided

Viggo Bortolin, Oliver Kelley, and Kellen Spears
January 2, 2025
Following the 2021 album “Call Me If You Get Lost” as the seventh studio album, “Chromakopia” was released on Oct. 28, 2024, through Columbia Records as the eighth studio album from the artist Tyler, The Creator. The album contains 14 songs, beginning with “St. Chroma” and ending with “I Hope You Find Your Way Home.” Earning well over 85 million streams on Spotify within the first day of its release, as well as selling 142,000 albums in the first week. Topping the charts in several categories, the album has surpassed “Call Me If You Get Lost” as Tyler’s biggest first week sales and the biggest debut by units for a rap album released in 2024.

“Chromakopia”: Tyler, The Creator’s new sound

Oliver Kelley, Writer
November 22, 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.

The Santa Anas: A local phenomenon

Oliver Kelley, Writer
November 4, 2024
October is a month for festive celebration and fun. Ventura County offers a wide variety of activities to choose from during the Halloween season. From pumpkin patches to haunted houses, there is no shortage of entertainment to be found for all.

Halloween in Ventura: What to do

Oliver Kelley, Writer
October 11, 2024
Tasty China may have an unsuspecting exterior not likely to catch your eye, but really, it is home to many Szechuan (Se-Sh-Wan) delicacies and friendly faces.

Tasty China: House of Szechuan delicacies

Oliver Kelley, Writer
October 7, 2024
Waymo's cars have proved to be much safer than a human driver. While the mode of transportation has several downsides and flaws, they have arguably saved lives and made roads safer in the short time they've been on the streets in various cities.

Waymo: The first self-driving taxi service

Oliver Kelley, Writer
September 24, 2024
This chart shows the average percentage of students at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) who are driven, walk, bike or take the bus to school. The sample size is considerably small, approximately 70 people, compared to Foothill Tech's 980.

Pros and cons: How to, and how not to, get to school

Kellen Spears and Oliver Kelley
September 7, 2024
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Oliver Kelley