West Ranch’s drive-thru graduation is still pulling through: here’s what you need to know
Alexa Empleo, News Editor
June 3, 2020
It is no secret that the coronavirus is still a major problem despite the efforts of officials across the state and the nation. According to the Los Angeles Times, both Sonoma and Lassen County actively eased stay-at-home orders in early May and both have recently seen a spike of new cases, forcing...
The murder of George Floyd: What you need to know
June 3, 2020
46-year-old George Floyd was murdered on May 25 by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin while being arrested. The officer sat with a knee pressed against Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, restricting his airway, while Floyd pleaded “I can’t breathe.” The murder was caught on tape a...
Students struggle with the 2020 online AP exams
Gaby Lesmana, Staff Writer
June 3, 2020
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 AP exams looked a little different than previous years. Students were obligated to take the exams remotely online with their own devices, though there were many variables that could have affected the results because testers were not in a formal te...
While many protestors peacefully march, groups of looters rampage through stores
Alyssa Chang, Lauren Guss, and Jasmine Wongphatarakul
June 3, 2020
On Monday, May 26, George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man was killed by Minneapolis police officers after being accused of forgery. Although Floyd did not resist arrest, officers still handcuffed and pinned him to the ground. Floyd passed away while pleading “I can’t breathe” as Offi...
SpaceX successfully launches first crewed spacecraft, making history
Reya Mehta, Staff Writer
June 3, 2020
On Saturday, May 30, astronauts were sent to space from US soil for the first time in nine years. This was a historic moment, as it also marked the first time that a private company launched a manned spacecraft. After NASA ended their space shuttle program in 2011, the age of privatized ...
The Coronavirus devastates the national and global economy causing homelessness, job loss and plummeting stocks
Jaeeun Park, Staff Writer
June 1, 2020
The Coronavirus crisis is leaving devastation behind in the form of endless debt, exacerbating the already-present issues that have been plaguing countries. According to the Pew Research Center, the income inequality in the U.S. is the highest of all G7 nations with the top 10% of wealthy households...
Antarctic experiment results suggests a parallel universe exists
Reya Mehta, Staff Writer
May 31, 2020
When people think “parallel universe,” the picture that most likely comes to mind is a twisted mirror image right out of a science fiction novel: one where personalities could be flipped, or where everything is the opposite of what it seems. They think that the closest these theories can come...
Santa Clarita Valley surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 cases as the U.S. passes 100,000 deaths
Alyssa Chang, Staff Writer
May 29, 2020
As of May 29, there have been 5,950,088 COVID-19 cases and 362,989 deaths worldwide. In the U.S. alone, there have been 1,772,355 confirmed cases and 103,418 deaths. In the Santa Clarita Valley, at least 1,160 cases have been confirmed with at least 20 individuals passing away, while a to...
Quarantine marks a significant change in students’ academic ethics
Mia Ouyang, Staff Writer
May 27, 2020
It’s safe to say that the coronavirus lockdown has affected everybody. Work has been replaced by Zoom calls (if one’s job was kept at all), and school has been replaced by online assignments and testing. As students settle into the transition from classrooms to websites, there has been...
2020 cap and gown pickup will certainly be one to remember
Lauren Guss, Staff Writer
May 20, 2020
With the losses the class of 2020 has endured these past couple of months, teachers and staff at West Ranch wanted to honor the seniors. On May 15, teachers provided a special surprise for the graduates on cap and gown pick-up day. On the way to the pick up station, students were greeted with bubbles,...
Murder Hornets arrive in the United States: have the potential to diminish bee population
Lauren Guss, Staff Writer
May 18, 2020
Asian Giant Hornets, otherwise known as “Murder Hornets,” have arrived and established in the US from likely East, South and Mainland Southeast Asia and parts of Russia in the far East. They have been witnessed decapitating honey bees in Washington State, and nests have been found and demol...
Six feet Supplies, a local non-profit, gives back to the community during global pandemic
May 16, 2020
COVID-19 has affected many worldwide, with countries being forced into lockdown, schools shutting down and people living in constant fear. People with compromised immune systems are forced to stay at home in fear that they will get the virus if they make contact with the outside world. Despite the...