On Jan. 14, 2026, an arrest of a male individual was made by masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Ramona Street in view of a school bus of elementary-age students on their way to school. This event, along with other recent ICE actions, particularly the temporary detention of a ten-year-old U.S. citizen in Oxnard on January 13, prompted the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) to inform parents of students at schools in the district about the situation and the creation of supervised spaces on campuses before school hours.

On Jan. 9, 2026, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) held its yearly Program Faire in the quad during F.I.R.E. and lunch. Some of the programs Foothill Tech offers include, yearbook, film, Makerspace and many more. Students, especially freshmen, are encouraged to walk around and look at the various booths representing each program and get information on which ones they may want to apply to for the following school year.

Many students are enrolled in at least one program, and enjoy learning about others. Here, a student is checking out the film booth. Foothill Tech offers both Film One, an introductory course and Film Two, a slightly more advanced film class.

One of the most popular programs available at Foothill Tech is the BioScience Academy. BioScience is a program designed for students who are interested in exploring a career involved with medicine or biotechnology. The BioScience academy also plans numerous events at Foothill Tech, like the annual blood drive.

Elizabeth Geib ‘28 (number 21) is a starter for the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) girls’ soccer team. Geib plays center back and is seen here controlling the ball after it was thrown in from one of her teammates. She is a key component of the team, and she shows determination and hard work on and off the field. She had an amazing game against Saint Bonaventure (St. Bonnie) with multiple great steps and footwork skills. She was able to dominate the back line and get the ball to her teammates.

Jocelyn Morales ‘28 (number 15) prepares to shoot a free throw after being fouled by a member of the opposing team. Throughout the game, Morales shot six free throws and made four of them, contributing to the Dragons’ final score of 36 points.

On the night of Jan. 8, 2026, the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) girls’ soccer team faced off against Saint Bonaventure (St. Bonnie). They played hard and showed passion on the field. The Dragons lost to Saint Bonaventure (St. Bonnie) with a score of 1-0. Although the Dragons had a tough loss, they will continue to give it their all the rest of the season, and will continue to have support from family and friends.

On the chilly night of Jan. 7, 2026, Foothill Tech’s Boys’ Basketball team took on Highland High School in a close game, ending 50-40, in favor of the Dragons. This game was a nice refresh for the Dragons after their previous loss to Rio Mesa. Pictured is Nick Turner ’26 (number 5) driving into the paint and getting a shot off over one of Highland’s players. Turner had a great game, showcasing his endurance and skill through his impressive plays on both offense and defense.

Erik Hernandez ’26 (number 24) is driving to the basket on a fast break after getting a steal. Erik was able to make the basket and draw a foul, taking him to the free-throw line. He was able to make the free throw, gaining his team a total of 3 points off his steal. Plays like this show why Erik is a valued and loved member of the team.

On the chilly night of Jan. 7, 2026, Foothill Tech’s Boys’ Basketball team took on Highland High School in a close game, ending 50-40, in favor of the Dragons. This game was a nice refresh for the Dragons after their previous loss to Rio Mesa. Pictured is Nick Turner ’26 (number 5) driving into the paint and getting a shot off over one of Highland’s players. Turner had a great game, showcasing his endurance and skill through his impressive plays on both offense and defense.

On the night of Jan. 8, 2026, the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) Dragons faced off against the Bishop Garcia Diego High School (Bishop Diego) Cardinals. The Dragons gave it their all but ultimately lost to the Cardinals 36-61. Jocelyn Morales ‘28 (number 15) dribbles into the key, trying to secure a basket for the Dragons, while being defended by the other team. Morales helped the Dragons score by making 18 of their 36 points.

Clara Smith ‘26 (number 2) drives to the basket, trying to push past a Cardinal player. Smith played great defense against Bishop Diego and helped the Dragons defensively by guarding the other team and offensively by getting rebounds.

Nov 3, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani acknowledges the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

As the new year approaches, trends have faded, cycled back or found new life. From baby doll tops and miniskirts to the continued rise of vintage fashion, 2025 has been a year to remember. Now more than ever, people are finding comfort and authenticity in expressing themselves through fashion, which also brings people together through shared looks and interests. The question remains: Will these trends continue into 2026?

2025 has come to a close, marking another year of creativity, shared experience and inevitable change. The Foothill Dragon Press’s Best of 2025 compilation looks back on the moments that defined the year across books, albums, movies, fashion trends, video games and life at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech). From breakout hits to lasting influences, join us as we reflect on what captured our attention in 2025 and what made these stories, sounds and trends matter so much.

Each school year brings new memories and unexpected moments, especially during the short time students spend in high school. In 2025, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) students saw new additions to the cafeteria menu, an unexpected guest performance at winter formal and a first-of-its-kind athletics rally organized by the school’s new ASB adviser and athletics director. As the school transitions into 2026, these moments stand out as the highlights of 2025 at Foothill Tech.

The year 2025 delivered standout films for audiences, ranging from bold, original standalone projects to long-awaited sequels. Movies such as “Sinners” and “Begonia” captivated viewers with fresh, memorable storytelling, while “K-Pop Demon Hunters” set new benchmarks for animated films, drawing audiences in with its hit original soundtrack. After months of anticipation, fans of “Wicked” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s” were rewarded with long-awaited sequels.

Each year comes with its own unique soundtrack, and 2025 is no exception. Every year, talented creators release albums of all varieties, catering to the musical tastes of their followers. This year featured albums such as “Don’t Tap the Glass” by Tyler, the Creator, which landed at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and sold 197,000 album-equivalent units within the first week of its release. Other widely popular albums from 2025 include “Addison” by Addison Rae and “Bite Me” by Renee Rapp. With the year drawing to a close, it’s time to reflect on the playlist of 2025 and look ahead to what the new year will bring.

From gripping suspense to thoughtful introspection, 2025’s standout books invited readers to engage with new ideas and moral complexity. “Not Quite Dead Yet” by Holly Jackson kept readers on edge with its sharp twists, while “The Happy Writer” by Marissa Meyer offered a candid exploration of burnout and the emotional costs of creation in an increasingly demanding literary landscape. “Thief of Night” by Holly Black closed the year with a compelling narrative that reinforced the power of fiction and dark fantasy to both entertain and provide meaningful discourse. Together, these works reflect a year in literature characterized by emotional depth, risk-taking voices and stories that are sure to stay with readers long after they’ve closed their books.

As the new year comes to pass, it is time to look back on the events of 2025. This year saw significant success for the video game industry, with long-awaited titles earning critical acclaim and fresh new releases shaking the core of the industry itself. From turn-based RPGs like “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” to action roguelikes such as “Hades II,” this year also saw fierce competition between contenders for the title of Game of the Year.