Author: Athena Xilas

  • The Summer I Realized Enjoyment is More Important than Quality

    The roaring question, “Team Jereimah or Team Conrad,” has overtaken every aspect of my life. From hallway chatter to an endless vortex of social media scrolling, the world is obsessed with “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”  Middle school was my first introduction to the series. I had read the complete three-book series released by…

  • Krish Devgania enters his senior year

    Krish Devgania enters his senior year

    With over 2,000 students on campus, each with their own unique interests, passions and motivations, they all have something to offer within the NPHS community. Krish Devgania, senior, enters his fourth year enrolled at Newbury Park High School [NPHS]. Each year, Devgania has taken a course of Chinese taught by Jing Hu here at…

  • Charity bike ride raises awareness for ALS

    Charity bike ride raises awareness for ALS

    On May 3, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS] Network hosted a fundraiser to raise awareness for the disease and money for treatments. The ALS Network, a non-profit based in Woodland Hills, has raised over 900,000 dollars throughout their nine years of fundraising. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], about 5,600…

  • Recognizing the hidden talents of students

    Recognizing the hidden talents of students

    Throughout high school, the accomplishments of students are often recognized, from winning the state championship for football to joining the National Honors Society. However, it is important to acknowledge not only what students are commonly recognized for, but their identities as a whole. High school is a place where people can explore their interests…

  • I am plagued by an irrational fear of death

    I am plagued by an irrational fear of death

    For as long as I can remember, the lingering fear of death has consumed my every waking moment. Uncertainty of what happens after death and feeling as if I have no control has tormented me my whole life. Anxiety surrounding death prevents me from sleeping at night, as each time I close my eyes,…

  • The NPHS swim team glides into the new season

    The NPHS swim team glides into the new season

    Led by a brand new head coach, the NPHS swim team enters the 2024-25 spring sport season. Coach Treci Horowitz aims to bring the team closer together, while also understanding how each individual can grow their skills. Despite being new to NPHS, Horowitz is not new to swimming, as she has coached at a…

  • “Harry Potter” enchants audiences

    “Harry Potter” enchants audiences

    From March 13-16, the NPHS Theater department transported viewers to the fantastical destination of Hogwarts. Following the children of widely beloved characters such as Harry, Ron and Hermione, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” begs the question: what if it was possible to turn back time? Playing the role of Scorpius Malfoy, son of…

  • The Lumineers’ new album was not an “Automatic” favorite

    The Lumineers’ new album was not an “Automatic” favorite

    I, like millions of other folk music fans, love The Lumineers. I was introduced to The Lumineers in early middle school and ever since my first listen, this band has been one of my favorites. So, I was thrilled when in honor of Valentine’s day, the band released their fifth studio album, titled “Automatic.”…

  • “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” made me mad

    “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” made me mad

    “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” tells the story of Bridget Jones, a screenwriter navigating the complications of balancing her life alongside a blossoming relationship. With the completion of this film, there are now four movies within the “Bridget Jones” universe, each taking the viewer alongside Bridget through different stages and obstacles of her…

  • IB Languages open students’ eyes to culture and history

    IB Languages open students’ eyes to culture and history

    From College Preparatory to International Baccalaureate [IB] courses, Newbury Park High School students work to learn languages to their fullest extent. NPHS offers four levels of courses for the Spanish, French and Chinese languages. Jing Hu, IB Chinese teacher, enjoys how the IB curriculum allows her to educate students beyond grammatical rules and standard…