The Student News Site of Ventura High School

The Cougar Press
The Student News Site of Ventura High School

The Cougar Press
The Student News Site of Ventura High School

The Cougar Press
Trending Stories
1
The new Minecraft movie will be released on April 4th, 2025. Graphic by: Emma Blackburn

Opinion: Will the new Minecraft movie be worth the wait?

2
Due to students cutting and shoving, the lunch line has transformed into a lunch hoard. Photo by: Jesus Martinez

VHS lunch lines are getting out of hand

3
At the VUSD office, between 300-400 individuals were in attendance, filling the main room, an overflow room, as well as crowds outside the building and hundreds online on the live stream. Photo by: Sophia Denzler

VUSD Board cuts back on budget cuts

4
Lindsay Guzik, new assistant principal said, "I am settling in [at VHS] pretty well. I know a lot of the students, so that makes it a little bit easier coming from Cabrillo, and it's been nice to see them all grown up." Photo by: Abraham Kassa

Assistant Principal changes at VHS

5
"I am glad that I am graduating, so I don't have to deal with a shorter summer," said Violet Hurguy '24. Graphic by: Brody Daw

School will start a week earlier than usual

View Our Most Recent Broadcast
TCP Broadcast: October 6, 2025
NEWS
Jack Cunningham #3 in the midst of a play against Dos Pueblos. Photo by: Felix Cortez
Friday Night White-Out
Marlie West and Brooklyn Delgado • November 12, 2025
The VHS Flag Football team celebrating with a freestyle rap after winning against Buena 33-0. Photo by: Henry Hampton
VHS flag football plays against rival BHS
Jesus Martinez and Henry Hampton • November 12, 2025
Emelia Grubb ‘28 said, “[Trump's] not that much educated on it and as a man he doesn’t really understand the full experience.” Graphic by: Ann Lam
Trump shares his opinions on autism at press conference
Ann Lam • November 12, 2025
Main Street was full of pedestrians at the Art Walk on Sept. 27. Photo by: Patrick LaFave
Main Street stays open for pedestrians
Patrick LaFave and Marlie West • November 7, 2025
Salene Dang '26 said, "I think I would feel a little censored and I would feel a little lost because I think the internet [is] a very valuable tool to get a global perspective." Graphic by: Izzy Zarazua
Internet ban implemented in Afghanistan
Izzy Zarazua • November 7, 2025
FEATURES
"The most stressful part [of college applications] is either the essays for UC applications and common app, or the family history because I have to ask my parents for a lot of information about their education, salary and stuff like that," said Shaylee Torres '26. Graphic by: Brynn Kightlinger.
College application season is now underway
Brynn Kightlinger • November 7, 2025
The album REVENGESEEKERZ was made by music artist Jane Remover and the photo was taken in Oxnard, California. Graphic by: Charlie Facciuto
Top 5 Artists of 2025
November 7, 2025
The budget cuts proposed by the Ventura Unified School District have been implemented at VHS. The budget has progressively been declining throughout the years due to the money going to other school activities. The departments that have been affected the most by these cuts are the art department, performing arts department and science departments. With budget cuts, the number of activities these departments are able to do have been limited. Drama teacher Arden Smith said, “Our budget has dwindled by at least 80%. I know that I have been told that there isn't much budget from the school versus our actual drama ASB account. I have been told that there is practically nothing coming from the actual school.” In a news release from the California Department of Education on July 1, the state superintendent Tony Thurmond and other education leaders called out the actions of the Trump administration. According to the California Department of Education, the administration is withholding billions of education dollars allocated by Congress for the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Thurmond said, “The Administration is punishing children for the sole reason that states refuse to cater to Trump’s political ideology.” Superintendent Thurmond also said, “Courts have already taken action in our favor in these cases… California and other states have already filed suit against the Trump Administration based on prior acts to unlawfully withhold funding because we refuse to conform with the President’s political ideology.” Some science teachers have access to other funds so they are not affected by the budget cuts. AP Earth Science teacher Jared McEntyre said, “My budget personally hasn’t decreased, the environmental resource pathway is funded through a different set of funds.” Certain teachers and staff members are not affected by the school's immediate budget as they get funded by a CTE. This allows them to get grants throughout the year that pays for their expenses throughout the school year. There is a process to gain one, but many teachers don’t have one, like chemistry teacher Karen Reynosa and Rob Lewis. Smith said, “For grants I know the PTSA does a grant and there are other local businesses that can do grants or sponsorships with us. And I am allowed to ask the school for help but they are not able to provide much due to the budget already being low for the school.” This not only affects the staff but also the students. Brendah Medina ‘26 said, “For any subject if we don’t have the proper materials and the money we can’t have the right things to teach us the subjects in the best way possible. And without the money I wouldn’t know as much about the subjects that I need to know about.”
VUSD Budget cuts affect VHS departments
November 7, 2025
How much will you change for another person just to feel loved? Graphic by: Isabel Andrade
Getting your first loves in High school
October 9, 2025
Noah Brace '28 reading "Little Women" while listening to Clairo with his wired earbuds. He is using non-prescription glasses. Photo by: Henry Hampton
Exploring the performative experience at VHS
October 9, 2025
OPINION
The Ballon D'or is one of the most prestigious awards a soccer player can earn in their career. Greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have received this award in the past. This year it was Ousmane Dembélé's turn. Graphic by: Jesus Martinez
Did Ousmane Dembélé deserve the Ballon D’or?
Jesus Martinez and Henry Hampton • November 12, 2025
The album REVENGESEEKERZ was made by music artist Jane Remover and the photo was taken in Oxnard, California. Graphic by: Charlie Facciuto
Top 5 Artists of 2025
November 7, 2025
Downtown Cinemark Theater, the place where many Ventura residents see the newest movie releases. Photo by: Ken Roe
The top ten movies of 2025
November 7, 2025
The poster (left) is the official poster for Bad Bunny's world tour including a original character; "Concho". Graphic by: Joaquin Romero
Bad Bunny performing in U.S is a no-go for his world tour
November 7, 2025
How much will you change for another person just to feel loved? Graphic by: Isabel Andrade
Getting your first loves in High school
October 9, 2025
Recent Stories
Top Five Movies to Watch This October
Top Five Movies to Watch This October
Football Tic-Tac-Toe
November 12, 2025
Did Ousmane Dembélé deserve the Ballon D’or?
November 12, 2025
Halloween Sudoku
November 12, 2025
Halloween Spot the Difference
November 12, 2025
Friday Night White-Out
November 12, 2025
Trending Stories
1
The new Minecraft movie will be released on April 4th, 2025. Graphic by: Emma Blackburn

Opinion: Will the new Minecraft movie be worth the wait?

2
Due to students cutting and shoving, the lunch line has transformed into a lunch hoard. Photo by: Jesus Martinez

VHS lunch lines are getting out of hand

3
At the VUSD office, between 300-400 individuals were in attendance, filling the main room, an overflow room, as well as crowds outside the building and hundreds online on the live stream. Photo by: Sophia Denzler

VUSD Board cuts back on budget cuts

View Our Most Recent Broadcast
TCP Broadcast: October 6, 2025
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Trending Stories
1
The new Minecraft movie will be released on April 4th, 2025. Graphic by: Emma Blackburn

Opinion: Will the new Minecraft movie be worth the wait?

2
Due to students cutting and shoving, the lunch line has transformed into a lunch hoard. Photo by: Jesus Martinez

VHS lunch lines are getting out of hand

3
At the VUSD office, between 300-400 individuals were in attendance, filling the main room, an overflow room, as well as crowds outside the building and hundreds online on the live stream. Photo by: Sophia Denzler

VUSD Board cuts back on budget cuts

4
Lindsay Guzik, new assistant principal said, "I am settling in [at VHS] pretty well. I know a lot of the students, so that makes it a little bit easier coming from Cabrillo, and it's been nice to see them all grown up." Photo by: Abraham Kassa

Assistant Principal changes at VHS

5
"I am glad that I am graduating, so I don't have to deal with a shorter summer," said Violet Hurguy '24. Graphic by: Brody Daw

School will start a week earlier than usual

View Our Most Recent Broadcast
TCP Broadcast: October 6, 2025
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Your donation will support the student journalists of Ventura High School.

Arts & Culture
Emelia Grubb ‘28 said, “[Trump's] not that much educated on it and as a man he doesn’t really understand the full experience.” Graphic by: Ann Lam
Trump shares his opinions on autism at press conference
Ann Lam • November 12, 2025
Main Street was full of pedestrians at the Art Walk on Sept. 27. Photo by: Patrick LaFave
Main Street stays open for pedestrians
Patrick LaFave and Marlie West • November 7, 2025
Trending Stories
1
The new Minecraft movie will be released on April 4th, 2025. Graphic by: Emma Blackburn

Opinion: Will the new Minecraft movie be worth the wait?

2
Due to students cutting and shoving, the lunch line has transformed into a lunch hoard. Photo by: Jesus Martinez

VHS lunch lines are getting out of hand

3
At the VUSD office, between 300-400 individuals were in attendance, filling the main room, an overflow room, as well as crowds outside the building and hundreds online on the live stream. Photo by: Sophia Denzler

VUSD Board cuts back on budget cuts

4
Lindsay Guzik, new assistant principal said, "I am settling in [at VHS] pretty well. I know a lot of the students, so that makes it a little bit easier coming from Cabrillo, and it's been nice to see them all grown up." Photo by: Abraham Kassa

Assistant Principal changes at VHS

View Our Most Recent Broadcast
TCP Broadcast: October 6, 2025
SPORTS
The Ballon D'or is one of the most prestigious awards a soccer player can earn in their career. Greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have received this award in the past. This year it was Ousmane Dembélé's turn. Graphic by: Jesus Martinez
Did Ousmane Dembélé deserve the Ballon D’or?
Jesus Martinez and Henry Hampton • November 12, 2025
Jack Cunningham #3 in the midst of a play against Dos Pueblos. Photo by: Felix Cortez
Friday Night White-Out
Marlie West and Brooklyn Delgado • November 12, 2025
Trending Stories
1
The new Minecraft movie will be released on April 4th, 2025. Graphic by: Emma Blackburn

Opinion: Will the new Minecraft movie be worth the wait?

2
Due to students cutting and shoving, the lunch line has transformed into a lunch hoard. Photo by: Jesus Martinez

VHS lunch lines are getting out of hand

3
At the VUSD office, between 300-400 individuals were in attendance, filling the main room, an overflow room, as well as crowds outside the building and hundreds online on the live stream. Photo by: Sophia Denzler

VUSD Board cuts back on budget cuts

4
Lindsay Guzik, new assistant principal said, "I am settling in [at VHS] pretty well. I know a lot of the students, so that makes it a little bit easier coming from Cabrillo, and it's been nice to see them all grown up." Photo by: Abraham Kassa

Assistant Principal changes at VHS

View Our Most Recent Broadcast
TCP Broadcast: October 6, 2025
ON CAMPUS
"The most stressful part [of college applications] is either the essays for UC applications and common app, or the family history because I have to ask my parents for a lot of information about their education, salary and stuff like that," said Shaylee Torres '26. Graphic by: Brynn Kightlinger.
College application season is now underway
Brynn Kightlinger • November 7, 2025
The album REVENGESEEKERZ was made by music artist Jane Remover and the photo was taken in Oxnard, California. Graphic by: Charlie Facciuto
Top 5 Artists of 2025
Charlie Facciuto • November 7, 2025
The budget cuts proposed by the Ventura Unified School District have been implemented at VHS. The budget has progressively been declining throughout the years due to the money going to other school activities. The departments that have been affected the most by these cuts are the art department, performing arts department and science departments. With budget cuts, the number of activities these departments are able to do have been limited. Drama teacher Arden Smith said, “Our budget has dwindled by at least 80%. I know that I have been told that there isn't much budget from the school versus our actual drama ASB account. I have been told that there is practically nothing coming from the actual school.” In a news release from the California Department of Education on July 1, the state superintendent Tony Thurmond and other education leaders called out the actions of the Trump administration. According to the California Department of Education, the administration is withholding billions of education dollars allocated by Congress for the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Thurmond said, “The Administration is punishing children for the sole reason that states refuse to cater to Trump’s political ideology.” Superintendent Thurmond also said, “Courts have already taken action in our favor in these cases… California and other states have already filed suit against the Trump Administration based on prior acts to unlawfully withhold funding because we refuse to conform with the President’s political ideology.” Some science teachers have access to other funds so they are not affected by the budget cuts. AP Earth Science teacher Jared McEntyre said, “My budget personally hasn’t decreased, the environmental resource pathway is funded through a different set of funds.” Certain teachers and staff members are not affected by the school's immediate budget as they get funded by a CTE. This allows them to get grants throughout the year that pays for their expenses throughout the school year. There is a process to gain one, but many teachers don’t have one, like chemistry teacher Karen Reynosa and Rob Lewis. Smith said, “For grants I know the PTSA does a grant and there are other local businesses that can do grants or sponsorships with us. And I am allowed to ask the school for help but they are not able to provide much due to the budget already being low for the school.” This not only affects the staff but also the students. Brendah Medina ‘26 said, “For any subject if we don’t have the proper materials and the money we can’t have the right things to teach us the subjects in the best way possible. And without the money I wouldn’t know as much about the subjects that I need to know about.”
VUSD Budget cuts affect VHS departments
Isabel Andrade, Patrick LaFave, and Henry Hampton • November 7, 2025
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