Elizabeth Barnes

  • “The Housemaid” thrills unsuspecting audiences

    Over winter break, I had the privilege of seeing “The Housemaid,” a best-selling Freida McFadden psychological thriller novel, which was adapted into a movie and has significantly exceeded its projected box office earnings. Typically, movie adaptations of popular books fail to live up to the hype of the book. However, the Housemaid was the…

  • Makenna Koffee caffeinates Ventura County

    Makenna Koffee caffeinates Ventura County

    Filled with beachy decor and the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans, Makenna Koffee offers handmade drinks and employment to students at Newbury Park High School [NPHS]. From its beginnings as a coffee truck primarily in Simi Valley, California, Makenna Koffee has now expanded to 7 locations along with another arriving soon in Newbury…

  • Lemonade and hot chocolate stand caters to students

    Lemonade and hot chocolate stand caters to students

    As the winter months approach, the local lemonade stand on Reino Road transitions to a hot cocoa cart. Sarah Smith, along with her 9-year-old daughter Andreen Smith and 5-year-old son Elliot Smith, sells beverages in order to raise funds for Miracles for Kids. Miracles for Kids, a non-profit based on the West Coast, provides…

  • My identity is in my name

    My identity is in my name

    As summer came to an end, the inevitable ring of the first school bell brought a new year of teachers inquiring about my name. While my name is definitely not unique, it is slightly long and has a variety of nicknames. “Elizabeth,” they call, followed by “any nicknames?” Every year, my response is the…

  • Día de los Muertos celebrates ancestors and traditions

    Día de los Muertos celebrates ancestors and traditions

    The festival of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated all around the world, primarily in certain parts of Mexico and other latino countries, as well as right here in Newbury Park. Día de los Muertos is a vibrant holiday celebrated in remembrance of those who have passed on. On…

  • Prowler staff attends CSUN Journalism Day

    Prowler staff attends CSUN Journalism Day

    On Nov. 8, Newbury Park High School advanced journalism students, also known as the Panther Prowler staff, competed in various article writing and photography competitions and attended workshops at the J-Day Convention at California State University, Northridge [CSUN]. The competitions included timed, handwritten article writing events, while the workshops taught what journalism looks like…

  • Environmental activism grow in Newbury Park

    Environmental activism grow in Newbury Park

    Introduction It is all around us all the time, it has always been here, it is always changing and we only have one of it. This is not a riddle; it is our environment. While the majority of the waste thrown into the garbage bin ends up in a landfill, a portion of the…

  • Palisades fire suspect faces for 45 years prison time

    Palisades fire suspect faces for 45 years prison time

    Nine months following the Palisades Fire, Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, a suspect in the arson of the Palisades fire in January of 2025, has been indicted by a federal grand jury and will face up to 45 years of jail time. Rinderknecht was previously arrested on grounds of arson, with the recent indictment adding charges…

  • Local art paints a picture of community

    Local art paints a picture of community

    Art is all around, provoking not only thought and emotion, but also fostering community. In Newbury Park, local artists have unique opportunities to display their talents, and on campus, art takes form in a multitude of ways. Newbury Park High School [NPHS] students can foster their love for art or explore a new passion…

  • A hot new controversy enters the villa

    A hot new controversy enters the villa

    The producers and creators of “Love Island” need to be pulled for a chat. “Love Island,” the most streamed show of the summer, has sparked controversy over its encouragement of superficial relationships and its social experiment-like design. While it may appear to be all fun and games, “Love Island” promotes one of the biggest…