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The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

vnhsMIRROR.com

The student website of Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys, California
The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

R-RATED Pop stars, including Sabrina Carpenter, have become famous for their provocative lyrics and on-stage performances.
The cost of clicks: Social media is erasing childhood innocence
By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer • Aug 27, 2025
Celebrities and big tech cash in on hyper-sexualized content, while kids pay the price. Protecting children's innocence means demanding accountability now.
The Valley Girl accent is not a recently emerging phenomenon, its existence was documented before the 80s and was only popularized by Frank Zappa.
‘Valley Girl’ accent: Myth or reality?
By Skylie Molina, Staff Writer
Those with the 'Valley Girl' accent are perceived as being dumb or materialistic, but whether the accent exists or is a collective hallucination is still up for debate.
Children's mental health suffers
Children’s mental health suffers
By Ocean Threats, Staff Writer
One in five children suffer from mental health issues and many of those don't receive the mental health counseling or support they need.
Internet drama forces Kit Connor to come out as bisexual
Speculation invades celebrity privacy
By Leon Weiss, Staff Writer
Constant speculation about celebrity sexuality, fueled by social media, has caused harm to public figures like Kit Connor and Billie Eilish, highlighting the need for online accountability.
Between unrealistic expectations from movies and increased couple presence causing jealousy online, social media has taken over modern day romance culture.
Internet intimacy and digital love
By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer
Relationships center around real life interactions, but social media threatens this, causing people to question their partners and miss out on true connection.
A man standing on top of a rock meant to illustrate the difficulty of reaching some goals.
The myth of instant success
By Isabella Mendoza, Staff Writer
Rome wasn’t built in a day — yet perfectionism pushes students to expect instant results. Studies show that such unrealistic standards can harm mental health and strip the joy from learning.
 BOOSTING BRAIN POWER  Despite program waning, experts say that language programs in high school help stimulate brain usage.
Foreign language learning in decline
By Skylie Molina, Staff Writer
As enrollment in foreign language classes plummet, experts warn it could have negative effects on children's cognitive development and threaten the future of foreign language learning.
LAUSD's advocate for education
LAUSD’s advocate for education
By Joshua Cazares, Staff Writer
From Spanish teacher to LAUSD Board President, Scott Schmerelson has dedicated his career to improving schools and supporting the students, teachers and staff who make them thrive.
Immigrant students weigh education against fear in an era of ICE patrols and policy shifts
Borderline unsafe
By Madison Thacker and Olamide Olumide
Students and families face new challenges in education as immigration policies create fear, disrupt attendance, and force difficult decisions about safety and future goals.
A man's distorted image seen through a glass ball.
Self-belief above all
By Joel Nam, Opinion Editor
Believing in yourself can be scary, but letting doubt stop you is worse. To reach your potential, you must face your fears and risk failure.
A man standing on top of a rock meant to illustrate the difficulty of reaching some goals.
The myth of instant success
By Isabella Mendoza, Staff Writer
Rome wasn’t built in a day — yet perfectionism pushes students to expect instant results. Studies show that such unrealistic standards can harm mental health and strip the joy from learning.
Racial slur misuse persists in student community
Racial slur misuse persists in student community
By Olamide Olumide, Editor-in-Chief
The misuse of racial slurs by students highlights the need for respectful dialogue and understanding about language sensitivity in school communities.
Students are often regarded as nothing more than data points, as schools prioritize numbers over humanity.
Stop treating students like data points
By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer
Education systems often prioritize data over personal growth, reducing students to mere numbers. True success requires focusing on critical thinking, empathy, and individual development.
Experts highlight ACL injury prevention for women in sports
Experts highlight ACL injury prevention for women in sports
By Ennio Muh
Female athletes face a higher risk of ACL injuries due to biological and hormonal factors, but targeted prevention programs offer hope in reducing these occurrences.
Grecia Barrera shines with dedication to softball and teammates
Grecia Barrera shines with dedication to softball and teammates
By Natalie Herrera, Staff Writer
Junior Grecia Barrera draws inspiration from her mother, excelling in softball with determination. Balancing multiple sports, she embraces challenges and motivates her teammates.
Bronny James joins Lakers, sparking nepotism debate in NBA
Bronny James joins Lakers, sparking nepotism debate in NBA
By Alyson Cerna, News and Features Editor
Bronny James' selection by the Lakers ignites debates over nepotism in the NBA. Critics argue that family legacy may overshadow talent and fairness in the league.
Is there such a thing as a right friendship?
Is there such a thing as a right friendship?
By Joel Nam, Opinion Editor
The people you surround yourself with can either push you forward or hold you back. Keeping that in mind, finding a balance between shared goals and genuine connections is key to developing priceless bonds that will last a lifetime.
Scoreboard
The Real Humans of VNHS - Join Journalism!
The Real Humans of VNHS – Join Journalism!
By Aidyn Kinchen and Gianmarco Razuri
In our final episode of the 2024-2025 school year, we take an introspective look at the award winning journalism program at our school, The VNHS Mirror. Host Hudson Mirsky inquires about editors and writers' experiences with the program, and encourages you to join The VNHS Mirror.
Senior Ceanna Feliciano and Xavier Martin-Porter stick together as they gracefully dance on the auditorium.
VNHS dancers captivate with emotional “Present Tense” performance
By Deven Martinez, Staff Writer
The VNHS dance department's "Present Tense" performance captivates audiences with its blend of emotional and joyful pieces, highlighting themes from love to environmental concerns.
Recycled plots in Hollywood spark calls for fresh storytelling
Recycled plots in Hollywood spark calls for fresh storytelling
By Deven Martinez, Staff Writer
Hollywood's reliance on familiar tropes and plots leaves audiences desiring originality. Critics argue for fresh narratives that engage viewers and spark emotional connections.
The Strings Winter Concert took place on Dec. 6, showcasing the strings classes' skills that they have developed over the past few months.
Van Nuys students seek audience for overlooked performances
By Ocean Threats, Staff Writer
Van Nuys High School's arts programs offer a variety of captivating performances, yet many remain unnoticed due to insufficient promotion. These talented students deserve a larger audience.
A man's distorted image seen through a glass ball.
Self-belief above all
By Joel Nam, Opinion Editor
Believing in yourself can be scary, but letting doubt stop you is worse. To reach your potential, you must face your fears and risk failure.
A man standing on top of a rock meant to illustrate the difficulty of reaching some goals.
The myth of instant success
By Isabella Mendoza, Staff Writer
Rome wasn’t built in a day — yet perfectionism pushes students to expect instant results. Studies show that such unrealistic standards can harm mental health and strip the joy from learning.
Guiding students into the future
Guiding students into the future
By Skylie Molina, Staff Writer
From essays to financial aid, College Counselor Jo Duke guides VNHS seniors through every step of admissions. Her support helped double college enrollment in her first year.
Self-improvement sells hustle, not balance
Self-improvement sells hustle, not balance
By Joel Nam, Opinion Editor
The self-improvement industry promises transformation but often delivers stress, isolation and disappointment. True growth requires balance, meaningful connections and understanding, not endless grinding or costly solutions.
Los estudiantes inmigrantes sopesan la educación frente al miedo en una era de patrullas de ICE y cambios en las politicas.
Casi inseguro
By Madison Thacker and Olamide Olumide
Las familias inmigrantes enfrentan nuevos desafíos mientras las políticas generan miedo, interrumpen la educación y obligan a tomar decisiones sobre la seguridad y las oportunidades futuras.
La gripe aviar se extiende y afecta a las aves de corral y a los consumidores estadounidenses
La gripe aviar se extiende y afecta a las aves de corral y a los consumidores estadounidenses
By Elizabeth Escobar, Staff Writer
El brote de gripe aviar en curso está afectando el suministro de alimentos en Estados Unidos y provocando un aumento de precios. Las industrias avícola y láctea enfrentan desafíos a medida que el virus se propaga, impactando a los consumidores de todo el país.
Aumenta la preocupación por la privacidad de los datos a medida que los gigantes tecnológicos recopilan más información
Aumenta la preocupación por la privacidad de los datos a medida que los gigantes tecnológicos recopilan más información
By Joel Nam, Opinion Editor
En la era digital, los datos personales se recopilan y venden con frecuencia, lo que plantea importantes problemas de privacidad. Se necesitan normas más estrictas para proteger a las personas del uso indebido y la manipulación.
PITCH PERFECT The graduating class of 2025 will have had
five different choir teachers in
their four years in the program.
La armonía prevalece a pesar de los cambios en la dirección del coro de Van Nuys
By Deven Martinez, Staff Writer
El programa de coro de la escuela secundaria Van Nuys se enfrentò a numerosos cambios de director, pero los alumnos demonstraron resistencia y liderazgo, asegurando el éxito del programa en tiempos difíciles.
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