Author: Emily Nagamoto

  • Students spend a day with cancer patients

    June, 2 years old, thoroughly enjoyed popping bubbles; Deandra, a year older, preferred creating art with chalk; and Alyssa, 9 years old, was the champion of Candy Land. Each child played like any other, but each child also suffered from a serious disease and was being hosted at the Ronald McDonald House in Los…

  • In loving memory of Sandra Rayl

    Teaching beyond the subject The warm San Marcos air was thick with emotion as the Led Zeppelin song, “Stairway to Heaven,” floated through the atmosphere. Listening to the music, the collection of people were united in their love for one who had left too soon, but touched the lives of many. They were celebrating…

  • Chocolatey disappointment is on the menu

    It’s the hallmark of the West Coast. The iconic yellow arrow wrapping around red letters, lines of people snaking around the white plastic tables, greasy and salty goodness scenting the air and a menu that hasn’t changed in 15 years– until now. In-N-Out has been a part of the Southern California diet since before…

  • Their name is sweeter than their cake

    I have wasted many afternoons sitting on the couch, mouth watering, watching “Cake Boss.” For those that don’t know, “Cake Boss” is a television show on TLC network that features Buddy Valastro’s world-famous bakery, Carlo’s Bakery, in Hoboken, New Jersey. It follows Buddy’s masterful, inventive and expensive creations, many of which I have dreamed…

  • Warner Bros. Studio is a tour of magic

    Unlike Universal Studios up the street, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is not a theme park, although it bears resemblance to the studio tour ride at Universal. This tour supposedly shows you behind-the-scenes looks at Warner Bros. sets, and teaches you how they produce shows and movies. Packed with a camera, water and enthusiasm,…

  • Five things

    Marc Lion, English teacher   He plays the electric bass guitar and is a part of a band. If Lion could go anywhere in the world, he would go to Italy with his wife. Lion’s favorite pun is: “To be honest, I’m always Lion.” Before Lion was a teacher he made a living writing,…

  • Student vs Teacher

    Noah Varav, senior, VS Tiffani Coull, history teacher   What is the deepest part of the ocean? Varav: They dropped Megatron in it at the end of the first Transformers movie, it’s a trench… Coull: Hold on… Continental Basin? Answer: Mariana Trench Transformers can’t help you now, Varav. 0-0   Which city won the…

  • The effect of the ideal body

    What it makes students feel Across the nation, people look in the mirror, and what they see is not what they want. Instead of an ideal body, demonstrated through advertisements, magazines and models, they see a different reflection. Even when they have healthy bodies, these media outlets influence young teenagers’ perceptions of what their…

  • Students embrace their Chinese Culture

    On the lawn of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the Conejo Chinese Cultural Association (CCCA) hosted their annual Chinese Culture Day, welcoming the town to learn more about their heritage while also supporting their association. Grace Hsu, senior and part of Chinese club, has been involved with the festival since its beginning, and…

  • History has never been so sweet

    AP European History and sugar cookies do not seem be related, yet among the interests of Tiffani Coull, they live in harmony. By school day, she is an AP European and CP US History teacher; after 2:05 pm she is the baker extraordinaire of her own business. “It’s (called) Sweet Jane. My daughter came…