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
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Ava Mohror

Ava Mohror, Print Editor-in-Chief

Ava Mohror is a senior at VHS and in her third year at The Cougar Press. She enjoys dancing with Oakley Ballet Center, reading and writing. Her favorite thing to do is spend her whole paycheck shopping with her best friends. 
All content by Ava Mohror
At the Ventura Unified board meeting, Proposition 28 was discussed. Photo by: Isabella Fierros

Ventura Unified School District convenes to discuss Master Arts Plan

Brody Daw, Isabella Fierros, and Ava Mohror
May 25, 2024
"I am very excited with the direction of women’s sports in our country right now. I think we have been on the verge of this positive change but needed the current athletes, personalities, quality of the overall sport and the 'vibe' in society. I feel the increase of interest shows the openness for change. It isn’t a sharp turn but more of a choice to take a different fork-in-the-road," said Ann Larson. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Opinion: A new dynasty for women’s basketball

Ava Mohror and Christian Montecino
April 26, 2024
The Renaissance certificates were awarded to many students, and they all contained a Mister Softee gift card that students may use on the days Mister Softee comes to VHS. Photo by: Brody Daw

A Renaissance revival

Brody Daw and Ava Mohror
April 11, 2024
"The process was great, I had a really great time calling both my coaches and taking my official visit," said Sarah Beckman '25. Photo by: Andrew Beckman

Sarah Beckman makes a splash into the Ivy League

Ava Mohror and Brody Daw
March 15, 2024
"The Bell Jar" has sold more than three million copies worldwide. Photo by: Ava Mohror

Cougar Critique: “The Bell Jar”

Ava Mohror
March 15, 2024
Factors such as inexperience, nighttime and weekend driving, not using seatbelts, speeding, distractions and being under the influence are all common causes of car accidents among teens. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Let’s talk about teen driving

Ava Mohror
February 14, 2024
"It was a fun experience but being new to it, challenging to keep track of the prompts and storyline. Everyone was very supportive," said Hunt. Pictured is the skit, "Film Critic," where DeBoer and DeClerck discussed "The Friendly Alien." Photo by: Ava Mohror

Faculty Fundraiser Improv Show was a success

Ava Mohror and Elizabeth Gallo
January 19, 2024
"'Waltz of The Flowers' [is my favorite piece], it’s a very pretty piece and I enjoy moving to the Waltz’s feel of the music," said Simpson. Photo by: Emily Sevaatasi

Music Department performs spontaneous holiday concert

Ava Mohror and Emily Sevaaetasi
December 27, 2023
Khaled Hosseini's first two novels, "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" have sold 10 million copies in the U.S. and over 38 million copies worlwide. Photo provided by: khaledhosseini.com

Cougar Critique: Khaled Hosseini’s writing collection

Ava Mohror
December 13, 2023
"VUSD does not hold an official position on this issue other than to say that our priority in this situation is our student-athletes. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure all of our student-athletes have a complete and successful season," said Teri Dath. Photo by: VHS Yearbook

CIF referee strike puts soccer season in jeopardy

Ava Mohror and Isabella Fierros
November 16, 2023
ASB president Emily Sehati '24 and senior class president Scott Vreeland '24 on the senior lawn. "ASB wants to focus on student inclusion within the ASB process and appealing to a wider array of the student body," said Vreeland. Photo by: Ava Mohror

Inclusivity is ASB’s number one goal

Ava Mohror
October 11, 2023
Upcoming Important Dates

Upcoming Important Dates

Ava Mohror
October 3, 2023
The original voice of Ariel in the cartoon "The Little Mermaid" film, Jodi Benson, appeared in the new film as a seller at the town market. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Cougar critique: “The Little Mermaid”

Ava Mohror
June 12, 2023
Cougie Unshrugged: Episode Two

Cougie Unshrugged: Episode Two

Alejandro Hernandez and Ava Mohror
June 9, 2023
Mia Sinclair '24 and Liviya Nascimento '24 , left to right, sit together at a birthday party. Photo by: Ava Mohror

VHS prepares to say “farewell” to its foreign friends

Ava Mohror and Brody Daw
June 7, 2023
Duffey went on an official visit to UCLA on May 5 before officially committing to the university. Photo by: Spencer Duffey

Kate Duffey serves to impress

Ava Mohror
May 23, 2023
Women's History Month takes place during the month of March, where people celebrate the women who made the world the way it is today. How is VHS celebrating women in history? Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Women’s History Month recognized at Ventura High School

Ava Mohror
April 1, 2023
Jayden Secor '20 and Guy Martin '88, left to right, will do a gig March 31 at The Twist in downtown Ventura. Photo by: Julian Martinez

Special guests visit Ventura High School and perform a concert

Ava Mohror, Julian Martinez, and Brianna Ramirez
March 30, 2023
Josh Woodworth '25 said, "[USA Baseball] was great and amazing. There were many things I learned and got to experience with a new team." Photo from: @32josh15 on Instagram

Josh Woodworth is already making a name for himself

Lourdes Almalab and Ava Mohror
March 29, 2023
Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of "Daisy Jones and The Six," was not born or raised in California, yet she writes a large portion of her books set in the golden state. How accurate does she illustrate the state lifestyle? Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Cougar critique: “Daisy Jones and The Six”

Ava Mohror
March 29, 2023
Gwen Withers ‘24 performed a poem she wrote titled, “My Wandering Mind.” Withers said, “Tap..tap tap..tap tap tap tap tap tap tap. . . tap. Dang, I’m so good at this/Oh my gosh, stop that is so weird/tap tap/ No, I am not doing that again/ What to do. . ./ Oh, I can do that wavy thing with my pencil so it looks like it's bending/ Wow that is cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, so cool/ Okay done with that/ Hey look at that box/ That is a nice box/Appletopia box/Sounds like a theme park/ Appletopia, where you have fantastic fruity fun/ I wonder how many apples you could fit into that box?/ Probably a lot, it’s a nice box/ Okay, it has to been at least fifteen minutes/ Seriously, it's only been one minute?/ One freaking minute?/ That has to be wrong/ It's been one minute.” Photo by: Ava Mohror

Black Student Union and Dead Poet Society team up to deliver slam poetry

Ava Mohror and Brody Daw
March 22, 2023
"Ballet-core" consists of a color palette of baby pink and other soft, pastel colors, emphasizing the delicate and dainty persona placed around ballet dancers. The picture on the right shows the reality of a ballet dancer's outfits. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Ballet dancers vs. “ballet-core”: How accurate is the aesthetic to the art?

Ava Mohror and Belen Hibbler
February 10, 2023
As the show ends the dancers take their final bows. Several in the audience gave the performance a standing ovation. Photo by: Brody Daw

Ballet Academy Ventura’s “Nutcracker:” Behind the curtain

Ava Mohror, Brody Daw, and Sophia Denzler
January 25, 2023
“The Nutcracker” begins with a party scene amidst a Christmas Eve celebration held at the Staulbaums’ home. The children dance in many different pieces throughout this scene. Photo by: Emi Pool

A peek into Ballet Academy Ventura’s annual “The Nutcracker”

Ava Mohror, Sophia Denzler, and Brody Daw
January 22, 2023
VUSD teacher and VUEA member Alicia Verdades said, “I think for teachers, part of it [the offer] is the validation that our time and energy is worthwhile as professionals. And part of it is just being able to pay bills."

New VUEA raise: What does this mean for VUSD teachers?

Ava Mohror and Brody Daw
January 18, 2023
Taylor Swift announced "Midnights" and her next stadium tour just two and a half weeks apart, giving fans lots of excitement in just a few weeks. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Music review: “The Great War” caused by Taylor Swift’s new album and tour

Ava Mohror
November 29, 2022
Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Thanksgiving word search

Ava Mohror
November 10, 2022
Ranking Thanksgiving foods

Ranking Thanksgiving foods

Ava Mohror
November 10, 2022
Jake Auster ‘24 (center), the point guard on the varsity boys basketball team, said, "This season, I am most excited about having packed crowds and student sections because a loud student section can affect a game a lot more than people realize." Photo by: Vinhanh Nguyen

Winter sports start in full force after fall break

Ava Mohror and Lourdes Almalab
November 10, 2022
Olivia Arriaga '24 said, “I thought ['It Ends With Us'] was so good and it was funny at some points, but I also thought it was sad. It was just such a good book and I would recommend it to anyone.” Photo by: Ava Mohror

Book review: “It Ends With Us”

Ava Mohror and Halle Gentry
October 21, 2022
Unique Halloween costume ideas

Unique Halloween costume ideas

Ava Mohror and Halle Gentry
October 18, 2022
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Ventura varsity girl's volleyball team held their senior night before their game against Pacifica High School. Photo by: Lourdes Almalab

Varsity Volleyball takes on Pacifica for senior night

Lourdes Almalab and Ava Mohror
October 16, 2022
"Don't Worry Darling" received mixed reviews after high anticipation and drama surrounding the cast and crew days before its release. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Movie review: Don’t Worry Darling

Ava Mohror and Kinda Mehael
October 7, 2022
VHS 2022 Homecoming royalty

VHS 2022 Homecoming royalty

Ava Mohror
October 5, 2022
Chantelle Troutman '23 (left) said, “They’re New Rocks. They make me like three inches taller and they have straps. There are no laces. I love wearing them. I just feel really tall and I love wearing them to concerts.” Photo by: Soraya Stegall

What shoes are VHS students wearing to walk into the new school year?

Ava Mohror, Soraya Stegall, Kinda Mehael, Jane Armstrong, and Ace Rico
September 21, 2022
Carson Peterson '23 said, "I think I'd like to go to my car; I don't think I’ve ever used a locker. Seniors don't have lockers." Photo by: Soraya Stegall

Opinion: We’ve got a LOT to say about the lot!

Ava Mohror, Soraya Stegall, Kinda Mehael, and Jane Armstrong
September 21, 2022
TCP Broadcast 5/31/22

TCP Broadcast 5/31/22

Adi De Clerck, Brody Daw, Sophia Nacu, Jocelyn Wood, and Ava Mohror
May 31, 2022
Spring into summer word search

Spring into summer word search

Ava Mohror
May 27, 2022
Ventura High School's prom took place on May 9 at the Ventura Beach Marriott. After two years of being unable to hold a prom due to COVID, this is VHS's first prom since 2019. This year's theme was "Seas the night." The event offered dancing, a dessert bar, photos and two dollar caricatures. Photo by: Adi De Clerck

VHS students “Seas the Night” at prom for the first time in two years

Adi De Clerck and Ava Mohror
May 26, 2022
Campus security cameras are often placed in less-visible areas, such as stairwells (like the camera pictured). Photo by: Ava Mohror

What is the rationale behind Ventura High School campus security cameras?

Alejandro Hernandez and Ava Mohror
May 20, 2022
The group of art students and chaperones on the field trip, posed in front of the infamous Colosseum. Photo by: Lauren Minadeo

VHS art students say “Ciao!” from Italy

Ava Mohror
April 29, 2022
Sophomore Nathan Hansen Shining Heart fund

Sophomore Nathan Hansen Shining Heart fund

Ava Mohror
April 20, 2022
“My hopes for the season is that everyone has so much fun learning the ins and outs of beach volleyball, and that we catch a few dubs along the way,” said Olivia Sletten. Photo from: @vhs_beachvb via Instagram

The Sletten sisters are the top duo on the VHS beach volleyball team

Ava Mohror
March 24, 2022

Broadcast 96 03/14/22

Rachel Gonzalez, Sophia Nacu, Ava Mohror, Rowan Munoz, and Adi De Clerck
March 14, 2022
March wordsearch

March wordsearch

Ava Mohror
March 11, 2022
Mood swinging weather

Mood swinging weather

Ava Mohror
March 8, 2022
“My favorite thing that we do every year is the chalk festival, because I love chalk art and I love staying out there for like two or three days," said Minadeo. Photo by: Ava Mohror

What’s up with art in room 20 and 22?

Ava Mohror
February 27, 2022
Seniors Caelan Okinaga, Martie Pecht, Emily Ball and coach Matt Cherrie [left to right] celebrating Senior Night at the game against Buena on Feb. 1. Photo from: @vhs_girlswaterpolo via Instagram

Girls waterpolo seniors make a final splash

Ava Mohror
February 22, 2022
"Addiction doesn't seem like the proper word to me, when I am out with friends I don't touch my phone nearly as much as adults make it out to be," said Garcia. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Opinion: Addiction is the wrong word

Ava Mohror
February 17, 2022
The Student Assistance program (SAP) office is located behind the cafeteria, near the big theater in room 41. Photo by: Ava Mohror

New SAP meeting categories announced

Ava Mohror
February 10, 2022
Sophomore Hollis Costa said, "I have heard of flurona, it sounds really gnarly." Graphic by: Alejandro Hernandez.

Flurona complicates the COVID-19 pandemic

Alejandro Hernandez and Ava Mohror
January 19, 2022
The ISPE form that all ISPE students are required to fill out each month. All students are given access to this sheet and have the option to print it out or submit it digitally. Screenshot from: Ventura Unified School District

ISPE or PE class, find the best fit

Ava Mohror
January 11, 2022
Holiday word search

Holiday word search

Ava Mohror
December 13, 2021
Opinion: The “Dr. Seuss' The Grinch” remake is not as bad as everyone says

Opinion: The “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” remake is not as bad as everyone says

Ava Mohror
December 13, 2021
“It [the Pleasing brand release] really caught me off guard when I saw the first ad for it. I had absolutely no idea about it until I saw that first ad,” sophomore Siena Lightcap said her initial reaction to the announcement of Pleasing. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Harry Styles’ “Pleasing” fans with new brand release

Ava Mohror
December 9, 2021
The new bathroom pass for Schatzi Sovich's classroom. By placing a layer of tape over it and adding a lanyard, this paper passed can be reused for multiple students. Photo by: Ava Mohror

Green slips are a go: New bathroom policies in place at Ventura High

Olive Kranzler, Ava Mohror, and Alejandro Hernandez
December 6, 2021
A clear calendar of the proper way to celebrate during the holiday season. Graphic by: Ava Mohror

Opinion: ‘Tis or ‘tisn’t the season?

Alejandro Hernandez and Ava Mohror
November 23, 2021

Rivalry week word search

Ava Mohror
October 22, 2021
Baby tees, lingerie tops, low rise jeans and jean skirts are currently some of the most popular Y2K trends. Graphic by: Ava Mohor

Blast from the past, or stay in the past?

Ava Mohror
October 21, 2021
“I would say that [. . .] it’s kind of just a big family, and we are all just there to push each other. We’re all competitive, so that’s good for the environment. Yeah, I would say that we just hold each other accountable for each workout," Engelhardt stated about working with the Ventura High cross country team. Photo from: @sadie.engelhardt via Instagram

Record breaking XC season

Ava Mohror
October 8, 2021
The large group of predominantly sophomores and freshmen in the senior lawn, for one of the first few times all together. Photo by Ava Mohror

10th graders are returning to campus still feeling like freshmen

Ava Mohror
September 29, 2021
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