Author: Caroline Nese

  • Newbury Park observes Ramadan during challenging times

    Newbury Park observes Ramadan during challenging times

    From the evening of Feb. 17 to March 19, Muslims around the world observed Ramadan. Widely regarded as the holiest month in Islam, Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Quran, the central religious text of Islam. In this month of religious dedication, many Muslims fast from food and drink during sunlit hours and participate…

  • NPHS community honors Siena Maturo

    NPHS community honors Siena Maturo

    Friends and family of Siena Maturo describe her as kind, compassionate and intelligent. Maturo was a dedicated student, twin sister, track and cross country runner and friend to many NPHS students. Although Maturo tragically passed away on Feb. 27, 2025, her legacy lives on and is now going to be captured in a memorial…

  • Perfection has its pitfalls

    Perfection has its pitfalls

    I have often wondered what it truly means to be a good person. My life experience thus far has taught me the importance of treating others with kindness, serving one’s community, being grateful and admitting to one’s failures. I would like to say that I am a good person, but of course, I have…

  • Teacher aids assist in elementary classrooms

    Teacher aids assist in elementary classrooms

    Although most people will never return to their elementary school, several NPHS students take a trip back to their past by volunteering in an elementary class. In doing so, students are able to earn a Teaching Assistant [TA] class credit while being responsible for preparing homework, organizing students’ classwork and helping teachers manage their…

  • Valentine’s Day hate is performative

    Valentine’s Day hate is performative

    Valentine’s Day has come and gone, and despite the fact that it is a day meant to celebrate love, I have noticed with each passing year that it brings up many negative emotions for those who do not have a romantic partner. Indeed, I would venture to say that many people feel a distinct…

  • Shirley Temples are surely enjoyable

    For many years, I have been fond of the refreshing mocktail known as a Shirley Temple, which typically consists of lemon-lime soda, grenadine and a Maraschino cherry on top. Whether I find myself at a wedding, or a restaurant with my friends, this concoction always quenches my thirst. My ideal Shirley Temple would consist…

  • NPHS community flows through yoga

    NPHS community flows through yoga

    As the lights begin to dim and class commences, the yogis meet in a child’s pose, ready to flow through various movements throughout the hour, including the mountain pose, cat-cow or chaturanga. Yoga, a spiritual practice which originated thousands of years ago in ancient India, is accessible for yogis of many different abilities. In…

  • NPHS athletes sign with universities

    NPHS athletes sign with universities

    On Nov. 12, thousands of student athletes across the country signed a Letter of Intent to play their sport at the National College Athletic Association [NCAA] level. Four athletes from Newbury Park High School [NPHS] participated in the first National Signing Day, including Jack Laubacher for baseball, Sophia Grant for cross country and track…

  • “Once Upon A Mattress” enchants audiences

    “Once Upon A Mattress” enchants audiences

    Roses pile upon the edge of the stage as glistening specs of light dance on the rich burgundy satin as the curtains close for the final call. From Nov. 6-9, the NPHS PAC was transformed into a magical kingdom, transporting its audience into the musical “Once Upon A Mattress” written by Marshall Barer, Dean…

  • STEM is not the only equation for success

    STEM is not the only equation for success

    Throughout the majority of my life and academic career, one subject has always haunted me. I’ve suffered from nightmares, many tears shed and all nighters pulled because of the one thing I cannot seem to understand: math. As I progressed through high school, and my math classes only got harder, I noticed myself internalizing…