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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

Baron Kim

Baron Kim, Staff

An avid korean drum player, Baron Kim is a news and features writer at The Mirror. He is a junior in his second year of journalism. He enjoys playing the drums, trying new food, and watching sci-fi shows in his free time. Outside of journalism, he is involved in JROTC and National History Day. He plans to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

All content by Baron Kim
From late April to early June, juniors will be facing a barrage of standardized testing, including the SBAC and i-Ready.

Nonstop standardized testing from April to June

Students, especially juniors, face constant mandatory standardized testing from late April through early June.
By Baron Kim, Staff
May 8, 2024
From late April to early June, juniors will be facing a barrage of standardized testing, including the SBAC and i-Ready.

Nonstop standardized testing From April to June

Students, especially juniors, face constant mandatory standardized testing from late April through early June.
By Baron Kim, Staff
May 6, 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 school's 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
 DAZED & CONFUSED The i-Ready has been criticized for adjusting lesson plans for students based on their performance on the diagnostic test. Many never go back on the website to actually take those courses.

i-Ready or not, here it comes: LAUSD’s new standardized test kindles controversy

The i-Ready exam has frustrated many students and staff over its length and irrelevancy.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Apr 16, 2024
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
Black History timeline: The Civil Rights Movement

Black History timeline: The Civil Rights Movement

Learn about how the civil rights movement has affected the lives of millions of Africans Americans living in the United States over the past century through our timeline.
By Baron Kim and Haik Ushaglyan
Feb 23, 2024
MonopolyGO has monopolized the school gaming scene

MonopolyGO has monopolized the school gaming scene

Offering everything from simple entertainment to fierce competition, MonopolyGO has become the latest obsession among students, mainly due to its extremely competitive game layout.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Feb 4, 2024
Estudiante Dwayne Famenia, contrincante en el debate del Sr. Ferrin, argumentando que la Generación Z no es más perezosa que las generaciones pasadas y que, de hecho, la Generación Z es más exitosa que las generaciones anteriores a pesar de las dificultades adicionales.

Debate de la hora del almuerzo: ¿Es la Generación Z más perezosa que otras generaciones?

Dwayne Famenia y el Sr. Ferrin se enfrentaron en el gran gimnasio para debatir la pregunta de si la Generación Z se ha vuelto más perezosa en comparación con las generaciones pasadas.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Dec 11, 2023
Student Dwayne Famenia, Mr. Ferrin’s debate opponent, arguing that Gen Z is not lazier than past generations, and that Gen Z is, in fact, more successful than past generations in spite of extra hardships.

Lunchtime debate: Is Gen Z lazier than other generations?

Dwayne Famenia and Mr. Ferrin faced off at the big gym to debate the question of whether Gen Z has become lazier compared to past generations.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Dec 11, 2023
Senior Nadia Gruhlke practices ballet outside of school, immersing herself in the art and winning competitions and scholarships while she's at it.

Ballet beyond the bell

How “The Nutcracker” led senior Nadia Gruhlke to compete in dance nationally 14 years later.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Dec 5, 2023
RESTLESS NIGHTS Even at low decibel levels, nighttime noise can interfere with brain activity and impact sleep.

Headphones are killing your brain

A not-so-silent threat: Repeated exposure to high noise levels can lead to premature hearing loss and may even be linked to dementia.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Nov 21, 2023
A box of human blood waits to be transported from the small gym during the Blood Drive on Nov. 14.

ASB holds annual blood drive, sees overwhelming turnout

The blood drive, held in the small gym on Nov. 14, saw nearly 105 donors, overwhelming the nurses and ASB members present.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Nov 15, 2023
PLUGGING IN: One of the district's new electric school buses recharges at one of the 18 new charging stations that were recently installed at the Gardena Bus Yard in South L.A. LAUSD plans to completely electrify the fleet stationed in Sun Valley by 2026 by adding 180 new electric buses.

LAUSD’s Electrification Program: Steering into a sustainable future

In a bold move to electrify its bus fleet, LAUSD is bringing a sustainable vision to life. LAUSD Director of Transportation, Daniel Kang, highlights the benefits of electrification for students and local communities.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Nov 15, 2023

Easing back into normalcy: LAUSD relaxes pandemic policies

Superintendent Carvalho recently made the decision to relax pandemic policies, and urged students with mild cold symptoms to show up to school.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Aug 25, 2023
Due to the recent release of generative voice cloning technology, social media platforms experienced a surge in AI-generated music content.

Artificial cacophonies: the downbeat of AI-generated music

As AI voice-generation gains momentum, questions of authenticity and ethics echo in the music industry.
By Baron Kim, Staff
May 31, 2023
The contract, which was years in the making, will give wage increases and appreciation bonuses for SEIU employees.

BREAKING NEWS: SEIU Local 99 and LAUSD reach tentative deal with pay raises, bonuses, and health benefits

After a cold and rainy three-day strike, the SEIU Local 99 members finally reached an agreement with the LAUSD board on March 24.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Mar 24, 2023
One LAUSD staff member balances on his unicycle on the streets of Van Nuys. Behind him, a crowd of people hold signs that read, “PAY US! RESPECT US!”.

Third day’s a charm: Faculty continue strike for fair pay and improved conditions

As the strike's final day approaches, talks between SEIU Local 99 and LAUSD have not concluded. Mayor Bass continues to mediates the talks over failed contract negotiations, unfair labor practices, and low wages.
By Lindsay Han and Baron Kim
Mar 22, 2023
LAUSD staff members carry umbrellas while quickly running across the street while dressed in red.

Still striking: Teachers stand strong on day two of walkout.

While students were cooped up at home, the teachers and staff at Van Nuys High School could be seen rallying. Many faculty members could be seen wearing red, showing the union's coordination.
By Lindsay Han and Baron Kim
Mar 21, 2023
Hundreds of LAUSD staff members make a sea of red while huddling together in the rainy weather. A faculty member happily holds up a peace sign.

Class dismissed: teachers take to the streets on first day of strike

Teachers and service workers alike were seen rallying on the streets, despite the rainy conditions.
By Lindsay Han and Baron Kim
Mar 20, 2023
The L.A. zoo offers captivating exhibits for a plethora of animals.

L.A. Zoo, NHMLAC and La Brea Tar Pits offer free admission to students

Prominent L.A. exhibits began offering free admission to LAUSD students starting March 20 due to the three-day strike.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Mar 20, 2023
Van Nuys High School under lockdown after suspected armed student

Van Nuys High School under lockdown after suspected armed student

A sudden lockdown occurred at Van Nuys High School, after a 911 report was issued for a student in possession of a firearm, which was later confirmed to be a replica firearm.
By Lindsay Han and Baron Kim
Feb 16, 2023
After facing several days of unrest and protest, District 6 City Councilmember and Council President Nury Martinez was forced to resign because of comments that disparaged Blacks, Oaxacans, Armenians and gays.

Racism: Alive and well behind the scenes at City Hall

Openly racist remarks from three Hispanic L.A. City Council members were leaked in a recording, forcing former Council President Nury Martinez, who represents much of Van Nuys, to resign her post.
By Baron Kim, Staff
Oct 13, 2022
(left to right) Students Anthony Sanchez, Helen Sanabria, and Jaslene Fernandez use makeshift devices to cool down.

SoCal heat wave leaves students sweltering

As Southern California experiences one of the longest and deadliest heat waves in the state’s history, students are learning to cope with sweltering temperatures.
By Baron Kim and Cristian Mejia
Sep 9, 2022
ASB hosts the very first pep rally on Friday, Aug 26 during lunch in the Quad area to announce the start of the football season. While  marching band was not able to perform, the cheer team and student body showed up to show support for the Wolves.

The Wolves are back ready to attack

The 2022-2023 football season has kicked off with the first pep rally of the school year, featuring performances by the Varsity CIF Champion Cheer Team and an announcement regarding the Varsity Football Team roster.
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