The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

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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

Act Like You Care by Susi Vasquez-Lara, Milbridge Elementary, 5th grade.

Quiz: Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

The average fifth grader can answer at least 10 of these questions. Can you match their score?
By Abigail Kim, Viktoriya Khanliyan, and Joel Nam Apr 20, 2024

A FORCE FOR GOOD  Human Rights Watch Student Task Force (STF) allows high schoolers in California to amplify their voices on human rights issues. The schools STF is focusing on how climate change impacts human rights on marginalized communities. LAUSD is making a change by converting their school buses to run on electricity.

Student Task Force fights for a greener future

The Human Rights Watch Student Task Force at the school aims to educate students and staff on how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities and their access to clean resources.
By Baron Kim, Staff Apr 19, 2024
The Human Rights Watch Student Task Force at the school aims to educate students and staff on how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities and their access to clean resources.
The Armenian Club sold zhingyalov hats, a flatbread filled with herbs, vegetables and spices, during Multicultural Day.

A day of diversity: Multicultural Day

On April 12, 2024, the school hosted Multicultural Day, an event that granted students an extended lunch break and a chance to experience different cultures as presented by various clubs.
By Lindsay Han, Staff Apr 12, 2024
On April 12, 2024, the school hosted Multicultural Day, an event that granted students an extended lunch break and a chance to experience different cultures as presented by various clubs.
From L to R: Jake Champana, Reynold Finnegan, Dwayne Famenia, Jasmine Varkey, Yanitzy Alatorre, Jaima Murshed and Adrianna Bean (and Diego Serrano, not present in the photo) make up this year’s award winning VNHS JSA Speech and Debate team, taking home seven Best Speaker gavels.

Chasing championships: JSA

JSA, or Junior State of America, is a non-partisan youth organization focused on Speech and Debate and Civic Leadership. From “Should Trump be able to run for President?” to “What is the worst place for a first date?”, students battled it out to not only convince the audience of their argument, but also to win the coveted “Best Speaker” gavels, awarded to the audience’s favorite speaker of each debate.
By Adrianna Bean, Staff Apr 11, 2024
JSA, or Junior State of America, is a non-partisan youth organization focused on Speech and Debate and Civic Leadership. Students battled it out to not only convince the audience of their argument, but also to win the coveted “Best Speaker” gavels, awarded to the audience’s favorite speaker of each debate.
Back Row L-R: Elizabeth Hernandez, Mr. Joseph Agruso, Yanci Alba, Farah Alsibai, Andrew Salazar, Anthony Sanchez, Mario Rodarte and James Herrera. Front row L to R: Adrian Hernandez, Jonathan Cristobal, Io Gaytan, Sebastian Spiridon and Francisco Pastor.

Chasing championships: SkillsUSA

Every April, California hosts the SkillsUSA championship alongside the State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC). Beginning at a local chapter level, competitors progress through district and regional competitions. Each student is able to choose the competition they would like to showcase their skills in and adhere to different guidelines outlined in the competition of choice.
By Delmis Vaquerano, Staff Apr 11, 2024
Every April, California hosts the SkillsUSA championship alongside the State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC). Beginning at a local chapter level, competitors progress through district and regional competitions.

Why didn’t we get glasses during the solar eclipse?

During second and third period on April 8, 2024, the Wolves experienced part of a solar eclipse that traveled across the nation. We asked students what they thought of the rare astronomical event.
By Jalyn Bautista and Daimler Koch Apr 11, 2024
During second and third period on April 8, 2024, the Wolves experienced part of a solar eclipse that traveled across the nation. We asked students what they thought of the rare astronomical event.
A HISTORIC WIN  (L to R) William Schnider, Hudson Mirsky, Kaela Longboy, Andre Ruiz and David Lara work on their project for National History Day. they won first place at the regional competition with their documentary film Americas Dissonant Harmonies and are advancing to the State Competition.

National History Day documentary team advances to state contest

By Skylie Molina, Staff Apr 9, 2024
With the aid of history teacher Ms. Aditi Doshi, the team created a ten-minute-long documentary film on John Hammond, an American record producer, music critic and civil rights activist who worked on incorporating Black musicians into the segregated music industry
From L to R: Sports Editor Isabel Valles, Opinion Editor Joel Nam, Design/Layout Editor Brianna Alvarado, Online Editor-in-Chief Daimler Koch, Arts and Entertainment Editor Madison Thacker, Executive Editor Angelina Gevorgyan and News/Features staff writer Delmis Vaquerano prepare to write their wills shortly before taking off on Spirit Airlines. They celebrate the newspapers Best of Show award, landing in first place among hundreds of other high school newspapers from across the country.

Chasing championships: The Mirror

The editorial staff headed to Kansas City to attend the JEA/NSPA's National Spring Journalism Convention and ended up winning several top national awards
By Daimler Koch, Online Editor-in-Chief Apr 9, 2024
From April 4-6, 2024, the Mirror's editorial staff headed to Kansas City to join the JEA/NSPA's National Spring Journalism Convention, and ended up winning many impressive awards.
Ms. Peggy Shim has taught at the school for the past 24 years. During her tenure, she has seen both improvements in teachers salaries and a decline in students motivation to receive an education.

The trials and triumphs of teaching

The after-effects of the UTLA strike have left LAUSD teachers with a better salary than before. Nevertheless, pupil problems still plague them, especially among newer teachers.
By Olamide Olumide, News/Features Editor Apr 2, 2024
The after-effects of the UTLA strike have left LAUSD teachers with a better salary than before. Nevertheless, pupil problems still plague them, especially among newer teachers.
WONDROUS WOMEN From L to R, top to bottom: Emily Chavez, Ceanna-Marie Feliciano, Kayla Balikyan-Davis, Teagan Greer, Penny Epstein, Melissa Ocegueda and Amelia Probst form the board of the Women’s Make Change club.

Observing Women’s History Month with the Women Make Change club

The Women Make Change (WMC) club helps women find their inner confidence and teaches them about important female figures. The club’s members participated in the International Women’s Day event on March 7.
By Olamide Olumide, News/Features Editor Mar 30, 2024
The Women Make Change (WMC) club helps women find their inner confidence and teaches them about important female figures. The club’s members participated in the International Women’s Day event on March 7.
Students measure the distance between the doll and the ground.

Barbie girls in the AP Stats world

AP Statistics students in period 5 drop Barbie dolls off the 300s building on Wednesday, March 20.
By Abigail Kim and Marcello Chester Mar 21, 2024
AP Statistics students in period 5 drop Barbie dolls off the 300s building on Wednesday, March 20.
William Billy Ridder is a janitor at the school who dresses in the emo style. He embraces the lifestyle, enjoying a vibrant clubbing nightlife that led him on a journey of self-discovery.

Custodian Billy Ridder: embracing the emo lifestyle

Exploring the style and life of William "Billy" Ridder, beyond the label.
By Baron Kim, Staff Mar 19, 2024
Exploring the style and life of custodian William "Billy" Ridder, beyond the label.
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