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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

As minorites' voices are being amplified in modern times, privileged groups feel they are being singled out. The reality is that they have to understand and deal with the discomfort the loss of privilege gives them.
Reverse discrimination debate reignited by Supreme Court case
By Leon Weiss, Staff Writer • Mar 6, 2025
The Supreme Court reviews an Ohio woman's claim of reverse discrimination, sparking debate over diversity, equity, and the perceived victimization of privileged groups.
Whether marijuana should be legalized throughout the United States has been hotly debated for a long time. It's time to settle the issue and admit that the substance has no business being widely available.
Risks of marijuana outweigh medicinal benefits, experts claim
By Joel Nam, Opinion Editor
Marijuana poses significant health and safety risks, including mental health issues, increased traffic accidents, and workplace safety concerns, outweighing its perceived benefits.
Pop culture update: Viral trends and celebrity feuds dominate social media
Pop culture update: Viral trends and celebrity feuds dominate social media
By Addison Cudd, Arts and Entertainment Editor
GloRilla’s song ILBB2 has taken TikTok by storm, inspiring over 250,000 remixes. Meanwhile, Duolingo's marketing stunt with Duo the owl captures attention.
Oscars spotlight: Star-studded tributes and red carpet glamour
Oscars spotlight: Star-studded tributes and red carpet glamour
By Deven Martinez, Staff Writer
The Oscars night dazzled with "Anora" sweeping top awards, historic wins, star-studded tributes, and fashion statements that lit up the red carpet.
Sports prediction for the week of March 3/3-3/7
Sports prediction for the week of March 3/3-3/7
By Athena Cepeda
Van Nuys sports teams face a challenging week with matches against Golden Valley, Canyon, Eagle Rock, and Canoga Park, aiming to improve their records and secure victories.
Van Nuys High School students receive Yondr pouches in a district-wide effort to reduce classroom distractions.
LAUSD enforces cell phone ban with Yondr pouch distribution
By Alyson Cerna, News and Features Editor
The Los Angeles Unified School District has rolled out a phone ban using Yondr pouches, aiming to limit classroom distractions. Students and teachers are adapting to the new regulations.
Block Blast captivates Gen Z with strategic puzzle gameplay
Block Blast captivates Gen Z with strategic puzzle gameplay
By Argem Alipio, Staff Writer
Block Blast, a mobile game drawing Gen Z's attention, combines relaxation with strategic challenges, sparking debates about its appeal and influence on gaming habits.
Van Nuys High transitions to new phone-free policy
Van Nuys High transitions to new phone-free policy
By Joshua Cazares
Van Nuys High School and other LAUSD schools have started enforcing a phone ban during school hours, aiming to create a distraction-free learning environment.
Students show off their handmade posters to express and give meaning to their intentions.
PHOTO STORY: Students lead protest walkout over deportation policies
By Brian Batres, Photographer
Students across Los Angeles walked out of class, uniting against deportation policies. Supported by teachers, their protest aims to amplify voices of those unable to speak.
School often feels like a never-ending cycle of boredom and stress for many students. However, by shifting their mindsets and attitudes, students can transform their educational experiences.
How mindset change boosts student school experiences
By Joel Nam, Opinion Editor
Students often find school stressful, but a mindset shift can improve their experience. Discover how perspective impacts enjoyment and academic performance in unexpected ways.
The purpose of block scheduling is defeated if student athletes continue to be limited to six classes.
Block scheduling creates hurdles for Van Nuys athletes
By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer
Van Nuys High's new block schedule aims to provide flexibility, but athletes find their options limited, as sports require two class periods, affecting their academic and extracurricular choices.
Viral trends on TikTok lead to impulsive buying behaviors
Viral trends on TikTok lead to impulsive buying behaviors
By Ocean Threats, Staff Writer
TikTok and influencers fuel overconsumption, persuading young audiences to buy unnecessary products. Financial health suffers as viral trends create pressure to conform.
The confirmation hearing of Kash Patel sparked heated conversations and sharp divides between Democrats and Republicans, showing how difficult it is for our government to reach a bipartisan agreement.
Patel faces scrutiny at FBI director confirmation hearing
By Leon Weiss, Staff Writer
Kash Patel's confirmation hearing for FBI director highlighted partisan divisions in Congress, with Democrats questioning his qualifications and Republicans praising his potential leadership.
As the whistle blows, junior Aidyn Kinchen tosses up the ball to serve it over.
Wolves fall to Vipers in a competitive 3-1 volleyball match
By Athena Cepeda
The Wolves volleyball team fell to the Vipers 3-1, with standout performances from Kinchen and Lauraya. The team looks to improve communication ahead of their next game.
Wolves' impressive offense overwhelms Regents, 15-5
Wolves’ impressive offense overwhelms Regents, 15-5
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
The Wolves baseball team clinched a decisive 15-5 victory against the Reseda Regents, thanks to Joel Enciso's home run and a strong pitching performance from the Enciso brothers.
With all eyes on her, freshman Isabella Espinoza steps up to make her first swing.
Wolves battle hard but lose to Hoover High School
By Ennio Muhi, Staff Writer
The Wolves' softball team opened their season against Hoover High School, showcasing potential despite a 15-7 defeat. Players remain optimistic, focusing on teamwork and improvement.
Man down! Sophomore Byron Lim falls to the floor as he chases the ball.
Senior night success as boys basketball edges out Kennedy
By Natalie Herrera and Ennio Muhi
The boys varsity basketball team celebrated senior night with a thrilling 59-57 victory over Kennedy High School, highlighted by standout performances and a strategic team effort.
Scoreboard
THE MIRROR | Courtesy of YouTube
QUIZ: Which Minion are you?
By Addison Cudd, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Discover which Minion character you resemble by answering a series of fun, playful questions. Your choices in scenarios like heists and superpowers reveal your Minion alter ego.
JUMPSCARE When scrolling through movies to watch at a
theatre, it seems like every option falls under the horror genre.
Horror dominates film industry amid rising social anxieties
By Isaura Garcia, Staff Writer
The surge in horror films highlights societal anxiety and economic pressures, with low production costs and high returns making the genre increasingly appealing to audiences and filmmakers.
 CALLING THE SHOTS  Senior
Kayla Balikyan-Davis has
worked for four years to earn
the top spot for each show,
Production Stage Manager.
Balikyan-Davis focuses on
helping other crew members,
organizing the cast and most
importantly calling the show
during performances.
Van Nuys High’s theater department transitions to new leadership
By Melissa Ocegueda, Staff Writer
Kayla Balikyan-Davis steps into the role of Production Stage Manager at Van Nuys High, bringing years of dedication and a passion for theater to the position.
Pop Culture Update: TikTok and CapCut make App Store comeback
Pop Culture Update: TikTok and CapCut make App Store comeback
By Addison Cudd, Arts and Entertainment Editor
This week in entertainment, Duolingo's Duo 'dies' in a viral twist, SNL marks 50 years with iconic reunions, Sabrina Carpenter releases a deluxe album and TikTok returns to app stores.
Explore thrilling weekend activities nearby
Explore thrilling weekend activities nearby
By Argem Alipio, Staff Writer
This weekend offers exciting activities: catch a movie, explore the mall, or test your skills in an escape room for a memorable experience.
Misleading flyers prompt senior package clarification
Misleading flyers prompt senior package clarification
By Skylie Molina and Elizabeth Escobar
Despite a misleading flyer warning, senior packages remain available. Assistant Principal Strassner explains the error and confirms most packages are sold until graduation.
Exploring the cultural nuances of Black and African Americans
Exploring the cultural nuances of Black and African Americans
By Olamide Olumide, Editor-in-Chief
The terms "Black" and "African American" are often used interchangeably, but they hold different meanings. Students share insights into the unique cultural identities within these communities.
The Van Nuys High School Academic Decathlon team won 27 medals at the Regional Competition at Roybal High School. Team members (L) to (R) Mariana Poghosyan, Suhani Mehta, Daisy Cruz, Tiffany Marin, Reynold Finnegan, Drew Herbst, Priya Surajbonsi and Abby Zeng standing behind Coach Jonathan Mitchell.
Academic Decathlon team wins 27 medals at regional competition and advances to State
By Skylie Molina, Staff Writer
Van Nuys High School's Academic Decathlon team earned 27 medals at regionals, securing a spot in the state competition where they will compete against top teams in California.
Los estudiantes de Van Nuys High School se manifiestan por los derechos de los inmigrantes
Los estudiantes de Van Nuys High School se manifiestan por los derechos de los inmigrantes
By Ocean Threats, Staff Writer
Los alumnos del instituto Van Nuys organizaron una marcha para protestar contra las redadas del ICE en los centros escolares, poniendo de relieve el impacto personal de las deportaciones en su comunidad y mostrando solidaridad y resistencia.
Van Nuys High School transiciones a una nueva política sin teléfonos
Van Nuys High School transiciones a una nueva política sin teléfonos
By Joshua Cazares
Van Nuys High School y otras escuelas LAUSD han comenzado a aplicar una prohibición de teléfono durante el horario escolar, con el objetivo de crear un ambiente de aprendizaje libre de distracciones.
 TIME OUT  From illness, to burnout, to finding new passion, dozens of students leave sports for various reasons every season.
Los deportistas de secundaria encuentran una nueva alegría tras su retirada
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Tras retirarse de sus deportes, Nataly Martínez, Camila Guzmán-Alvarez y Silvia Salazar encontraron la algería en nuevas actividades, demonstrando cómo los deportistas pueden prosperar tras la jubilación.
Protests against mass deportations have taken place across schools across Los Angeles all week, and plan to continue into next week.
Noticias de última hora: Estudiantes abandonan la escuela secundaria Van Nuys en protesta masiva por la deportación
By Madison Thacker, Editor-in-Chief
Los estudiantes organizaron una marcha en protesta por las deportaciones masivas propuestas, demostrando su apoyo a las comunidades inmigrantes y ejerciendo sus derechos de la primera enmienda.
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