News Briefs
Heritage Festival
From April 14 to April 17, the Newbury Park Choir competed in the annual Heritage Festival in San Francisco. Women’s Ensemble won second place gold, Advanced Women’s Ensemble won second place gold, Concert Choir won first place gold, Men’s Choir won first place gold, and Chamber Singers won second place gold. The choir as a whole received the Spirit of San Francisco Award.
Day of Silence
On April 15, Newbury Park High School’s Gay Straight Alliance club (GSA) held their fifth annual Day of Silence. The event mirrored the social silence of LGBTQ+ community members with actual silence. To help further spread awareness, GSA walked through the quad at lunch, holding signs which told the stories of LGBT+ members of our community that have been lost to suicide.
Panther Palooza
On April 15, Newbury Park High School’s Associated Student Government held their first ever Panther Palooza music festival. The event garnered performances from local student bands and performers as well as food trucks, carnival games, and henna tattoos.
Water Assassins
The popular student-run game Water Assassins, in which teams of students attempt to “assassinate” one another by firing water guns at each other, was played for. The competition began on March 21 but, due to a car accident on March 24 involving competitors, came to an end on April 4. Students involved in the competition had the opportunity to receive a refund before April 10, while the remaining money was donated to the Bernard Moon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
FBLA and FHA Hero
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) attended its State Leadership Conference at the Ontario Convention Center from April 15 to 17.FHA Hero, which changed its name to Family, Career, Community Leaders of America attended a state level competition, April 15 to 19, in Riverside. Several students won awards.
Speech and Debate
Speech and Debate participated in the California High School Speech Association State Debate from April 15 to 17 at Mission College in Santa Clara. Seniors Jessica Han and Brian Buchanan competed in Public Forum on the April topic: “To alleviate income inequality in the United States, increased spending on public infrastructure should be prioritized over increased spending on means-tested welfare programs.” They lost their first two rounds in a double elimination.
Bernard Moon
On April 4, TOHS senior Bernard Moon passed away while testing a rocket-powered skateboard for a science fair. The explosives in the rocket malfunctioned, killing Moon and injuing another TOHS senior, Ryan Clydesdale. Students organized the Bernard Moon Memorial Scholarship Fund and have raised over $30,000. “Our goal shouldn’t be to live forever. Rather it should be to create something that will last forever,” Supreet Shah, TOHS senior and friend of Moon, said. “Bernard created friendships and memories that can never be taken away from us.”
Wizarding World
On April 7, Universal Studios opened an addition to the Hollywood branch of their theme parks: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The extension to the park has been under construction since December of 2011, and includes themed restaurants and gift shops, along with two new rides: An atmospheric dark ride called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the roller coaster Flight of the Hippogriff.
You Matter Week
You Matter Week was held on campus from April 18 to April 22. The week spreading appreciation for Newbury Park High School’s athletes, artists, and educators as well as helping individuals discover respect for themselves.
