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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

Van Nuys High School readies for spring musical 'Mamma Mia!
Van Nuys High School readies for spring musical ‘Mamma Mia!
By Addison Cudd, Arts and Entertainment Editor • Nov 22, 2024
The auditions for Van Nuys High School's "Mamma Mia!" showcased exceptional talent, with students eagerly awaiting the cast list following strong callbacks.
Lin-Manuel Miranda reimagines 'Warriors' with a powerful concept album
Lin-Manuel Miranda reimagines ‘Warriors’ with a powerful concept album
By Melissa Ocegueda, Staff Writer
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis's 'Warriors' concept album uses diverse musical styles to tell a compelling story, exploring themes of loyalty and female empowerment.
The picks for Donald Trump's cabinet are brainless. Some, including Elon Musk, Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard, have little or no experience for their roles.
Controversy surrounds Trump’s new cabinet appointees
By Leon Weiss, Staff Writer
President Trump's recent cabinet selections have sparked controversy due to their qualifications and alleged past conduct, raising concerns among lawmakers and the public.
Violence in sports raises concerns about athlete safety and fan influence
Violence in sports raises concerns about athlete safety and fan influence
By Natalie Herrera, Staff Writer
Violence in sports affects athletes and fans, normalizing aggression and posing safety risks. Media coverage and inadequate discipline contribute to ongoing issues, impacting cultural ideals and youth perceptions.
"Mamma Mia!" dance auditions challenge Van Nuys students
“Mamma Mia!” dance auditions challenge Van Nuys students
By Melissa Ocegueda, Staff Writer
Forty students at Van Nuys High School auditioned for "Mamma Mia!" by showcasing their dance skills, marking the beginning of the casting process for the spring production.
November brings focus to critical health awareness campaigns
November brings focus to critical health awareness campaigns
By Joshua Cazares
November is packed with health awareness events, emphasizing diabetes, lung cancer, epilepsy, and prematurity, encouraging prevention, early detection, and support for affected individuals and their families.
LAUSD targets focus with new phone ban policy
LAUSD targets focus with new phone ban policy
By Isaura Garcia, Staff Writer
Los Angeles Unified School District introduces a strict phone ban to improve student focus. Starting February, all smart devices will be restricted during school hours.
Exploring the Menendez brothers' controversial case in 2024
Exploring the Menendez brothers’ controversial case in 2024
By Isaura Garcia, Staff Writer
The Menendez brothers' case, involving the 1989 murder of their parents, remains a complex chapter in criminal history, recently reigniting public interest through documentaries and discussions.
What students need to know about the 2024 election
What students need to know about the 2024 election
By Elizabeth Escobar, Staff writer
Breaking down what happened leading up to Donald Trump defeating Kamala Harris and winning a second term as president
Debunking the myth of photogenic perfection
Debunking the myth of photogenic perfection
By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer
Many feel unphotogenic, influenced by societal pressures and self-critical biases. Photogenicity is an illusion shaped by lighting, angles, and psychological factors. These elements cause harsh self-judgment and comparison to idealized images. Recognizing these influences can foster a more compassionate self-view, moving beyond unrealistic beauty standards and embracing authentic appearance.
Spiders are often wrongfully perceived as creatures to fear. On the contrary, spiders are very helpful and relatively harmless.  You might even find that some, like this jumping spider, are surprisingly cute.
Spiders offer unexpected benefits to homes
By Leon Weiss, Staff Writer
Despite common fears, spiders are beneficial allies in pest control. Consuming thousands of insects each year, they help maintain healthy environments. Understanding their role can shift perceptions from fear to appreciation.
Celebrities like Britney Spears, Aaliyah and Christina Aguilera served as the trendsetters of the 2000s, paving the way for Y2K trends today through their iconic styles.
Nostalgia on sale: The Y2K aesthetic
By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer
The rise of the Y2K aesthetic is both a nostalgic trend and a testament to the power of consumerism, fueled by emotional connections, social media amplification and clever marketing strategies.
 Elections are exhaustingly long
Elections are exhaustingly long
By Isabella Mendoza, Staff Writer
With election day approaching, it’s time to discuss the longevity of the race for who runs our country.
Wolves stretch on the field as they get ready to tackle the Taft Toreadors.
Wolves advance after defeating Taft in a close playoff battle
By Natalie Herrera, Staff Writer
The Wolves narrowly defeated Taft High School in a thrilling playoff game, winning 59-56. Star players made crucial plays to secure the victory.
Coaches inspire athletes with life and sport philosophies
Coaches inspire athletes with life and sport philosophies
By Isabel Valles and Ennio Muhi
Coaches across sports highlight the importance of personal growth, teamwork, and education, believing these elements foster both athletic and academic success for student-athletes.
Wolves get ready to make a defensive stand as the opposing team lines up for the play.
Wolves triumph over Cobras in first playoff game
By Natalie Herrera, Staff Writer
The varsity Wolves football team celebrated a commanding 31-6 win against the Contreras Cobras, showcasing standout performances and setting sights on the next playoff challenge.
Enhanced Games allow drugs to redefine athlete potential
Enhanced Games allow drugs to redefine athlete potential
By Albert Hernandez
The Enhanced Games, debuting in 2025, allow athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs under strict safety protocols, sparking debate over fairness and health in sports.
Scoreboard
(From L to R) Sophomore Ellie Steinberg and Amelia Probst sing their rendition of "Throwing in the Towel" from "Outsiders" the musical
Unconventional roles steal spotlight at the miscast showcase
By Addison Cudd, Arts and Entertainment Editor
The WolfPack Theatre Company delighted audiences with a musical miscast showcase, featuring students performing songs from a range of genres and challenging traditional casting norms.
 TikTok fuels theories on Beyoncé's influence in music industry
TikTok fuels theories on Beyoncé’s influence in music industry
By Skylie Molina, Staff Writer
Artists' public gratitude toward Beyoncé sparks conspiracy theories linking their success and safety to her influence, as social media users debate the phenomenon's validity.
All three choir periods combine to sing the show's finale song, "Ad Astra," a latin choral piece. The song gives a message of hope and moving forwards, with its title meaning "to the stars."
Choir students shine in “Falling Through the Genres” show
By Melissa Ocegueda, Staff Writer
The VNHS choir program, led by Ms. Tejada, delivered an eclectic performance, "Falling Through the Genres," uniting students and audiences through a shared love of music.
Rom-coms lose their charm as tropes dominate the genre
Rom-coms lose their charm as tropes dominate the genre
By Addison Cudd, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Romantic comedies often recycle familiar tropes, leading to predictable plots. This lack of originality stifles creativity and leaves audiences yearning for fresh stories.
Three things to do this weekend to kick off Thanksgiving break
Three things to do this weekend to kick off Thanksgiving break
By Isaura Garcia, Staff Writer
Visitors to Echo Park can enjoy scenic boat rides, while Hollywood offers tours of famous landmarks, and Ripley's museum amazes with its eclectic exhibits—all happening this November.
Suzanne Osman blends passion for teaching, reading and libraries
Suzanne Osman blends passion for teaching, reading and libraries
By Isaura Garcia, Staff Writer
Librarian Suzanne Osman, with 32 years of experience, inspires students at Van Nuys with her passion for reading and critical thinking, and her published book "Almost a Witch."
Enjoy three unique winter experiences this weekend in L.A.
Enjoy three unique winter experiences this weekend in L.A.
By Elizabeth Escobar
This weekend, Los Angeles offers three captivating winter activities, from enchanting lights at Descanso Gardens to ice skating by the beach in Santa Monica.
The Real Humans - Is on stage theatre or film better in this digital age?
The Real Humans – Is on stage theatre or film better in this digital age?
By Aidyn Kinchen and Gianmarco Razuri
Battle of the thespians: In this episode our host, Ocean Threats, asked students on campus if they prefer on stage theatre or film better. Featuring our editor, Gianmarco Razuri and an impromptu preview of our theatre company's program's Miscast Matinee.
Ahora presidente electo, pero entonces candidato Donald Trump se dirige a un mitin en Arizona.
El atractivo de Trump: Poder, promesa y personalidad
By Alyson Cerna, News and Features Editor
En medio de la polarización política, Anthony Pasqualone destaca los logros económicos y de inmigración de Trump, defendiendo su apoyo al expresidente para 2024.
ATURDIDOS Y CONFUNDIDOS El i-Ready ha sido criticado por ajustar los planes de lecciones de los estudiantes basándose en su rendimiento en la prueba diagnóstico. Muchos estudiantes nunca vuelven a la sitio web para tomar los cursos proporcionados.
Listo o no, aquí viene: El nuevo examen estandarizado de LAUSD incita controversia
By Baron Kim and Delmis Vaquerano

Sustituyendo la evaluación STAR de la plataforma educativa, Renaissance , los estudiantes de LAUSD han estado tomando este examen de forma rutinaria desde 1998. La evaluación i-Ready se administró a...

A pesar de la gravedad del conflicto, la guerra entre Israel y Hamás ha sido vista por las redes sociales como una moda más. Muchos publican información inexacta en un esfuerzo por seguir la moda.
Tendencias: la guerra Israel y Hamás
By Mia Ramirez, Maya Diaz, and Delmis Vaquerano
La presencia de la guerra de Gaza en las redes sociales se ha convertido en otra tendencia que muchos desechan a pesar de su gravedad.
Donna Hubbard fue la primera directora femenina del preparatoria de Van Nuys High School. Se unió a la facultad como profesora de español en 1920 y  continuó trabajando su camino hasta convertirse en la vicedirectora de las estudiantes femeninas en 1924, antes de ser la directora de toda la escuela en 1935. Aquí es la vicedirectora de las chicas en 1929.
LA HISTORIA DE ELLA: El legado de Donna Hubbard en el instituto Van Nuys
By Abigail Kim and Maya Diaz
En este Mes de la Historia de la Mujer, Donna Hubbard destaca como la antigua directora del colegio, madura, sabia y compasiva.
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