Author: Zoha Konkader

  • “Die my Love” bored me to death

    “Die my Love” bored me to death

    Walking into the theater, I was genuinely excited. I am a huge fan of both Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, and because Pattinson was attached, I expected something indie, strange, maybe even original— perhaps similar to “The Lighthouse” or “Good Time.” What I didn’t expect was a film that was simultaneously jarring and mind-numbingly…

  • Riley Shin races towards creative goals

    Riley Shin races towards creative goals

    High school is often a journey of discovering one’s interests and possible careers. What someone wants as a freshman may be wildly different by the time they graduate as they explore different sports, clubs, or other interests.  For Riley Shin, junior, this year has been defined by a shift away from resume-building and toward…

  • Simi Valley teenagers face detention after hate crime

    Following an alleged attack in Simi Valley on Michael Robinson, 18, on Oct. 10, two teenagers charged with felony assault and hate crime allegations in connection to the incident have been detained at Ventura County Juvenile Facilities. The detention comes after an Oct. 15 court ruling. The teenagers are accused of assaulting Robinson at…

  • NPHS athletes take on coaching future generation

    NPHS athletes take on coaching future generation

    For many NPHS athletes, their love for their sport began at a young age— often through recreational leagues, clubs or youth programs. Now, some of those same students have returned to where their journeys began as coaches, helping shape the next generation of young athletes. In stepping into leadership roles as youth coaches, these…

  • College representative visits inform potential students

    College representative visits inform potential students

    For some, the most daunting challenge of applying to college is the first step—the college list. With nearly 4,000 universities in the United States, creating a balanced list of schools to apply to can be a large task. At Newbury Park High School [NPHS], the College and Careers Center [CCC] provides access to numerous…

  • Labubus, matcha and Dubai chocolate create community

    Labubus, matcha and Dubai chocolate create community

    My room is a museum, littered with ancient items from the past and modern artifacts. In my closet sit my old Crocs and checkered Vans, and under my bed, my first-generation iPod is in a cracked pink case. But beyond this collection of mementos are physical reminders of the past. I refuse to believe…

  • NPHS football attracts new talents

    NPHS football attracts new talents

    On the heels of Newbury Park High School’s [NPHS] electrifying CIF Division II championship win, the buzz around the football program has grown louder than ever. NPHS is now emerging as a magnet for athletes hoping to wear black and gold under the Friday night lights. Attracted to the program’s reputation for elite coaching,…

  • JV athletes exhibit dedication all around the field

    JV athletes exhibit dedication all around the field

    At NPHS, most sports are offered at both the junior varsity [JV] and varsity level. While some JV athletes may have different athletic goals than varsity players, their accomplishments or dedication are no less significant. Playing on JV often goes beyond the stereotype of simply not “being good enough.” For many, JV teams provide…

  • Students address concerns about new deportation policies

    Students address concerns about new deportation policies

    Names indicated with asterisks are pseudonyms for individuals who prefer anonymity due to concerns for their safety.  As deportation rates increase in the U.S., many Ventura County students have encountered Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] on and off school grounds.  ICE was established in 2003 by the Bush administration as a part of the…

  • IB Middle Years Programme sparks changes in NPHS academics

    As students begin to pick their courses for the next school year, many will notice classes such as IB Literature and AP European History are missing from the selection. The change comes as Newbury Park High School follows Sequoia Middle School and Cypress Elementary school’s steps in integrating the International Baccalaureate’s [IB] philosophy into…