December 5, 2023 Edition

The NAHS Library just got a “refresh” with brand new books, lots of them.  If you were wanting to read but just could not find the right book, your luck just may have changed.  The District was able to provide libraries in LAUSD schools with a one time special budget. Our school got $60,000 for new  books and Mr. Kent, our school librarian, has been putting that money to use.

Mr. Kent and his team of students have decided to opt for new titles  because they  found in his their  research that the data suggests kids do not read all three books in a series and instead only read one book. This way the library will have plenty of stand-alones for those who do not find series books appealing.

The library will now have new Manga for all of you anime lovers. This library boost includes  the Goosebumps collection  in case you're into horror. In the video game related books are the Halo and Five Nights at Freddy's books. If you are looking to expand your languages, check out the many new Spanish books. Not only will there be new books to expand your knowledge on a language but also new Christianity books joining the identity section. There will be more  sports fiction for anybody who is into sports.

Fall and winter seem the perfect time for love in the air. Why not embrace that love with our new upcoming section, Love Island. Love Island will be a display found in the middle of the library with new shelves for romance.  The romance section  will not be just typical romance books, it will have characters from all communities and identities. This section will diversify the library romance books to include more of every culture so nobody feels left out. Check it out if you're looking to snuggle up in the winter time with a perfect romance book. All the new collections and books will require time to be processed before they will be on the shelves. So Mr. Kent is hoping students will be patient.

Mr.Kent and his team are not only purchasing new books but they are weeding out old ones. They  have been hard at work to change the library into a new and improved library.  Mr. Kent said, “My team and I are working diligently to pick interesting and diverse books and we hope the student body appreciates our choices”  Mr. Kent has up to December 15 to spend the money so here is your chance to leave a recommendation for your dream book. No inappropriate books will be accepted. Don’t worry the old books will not be forgotten about, instead look out this spring because there will be a big giveaway by the library, giving away the old books.

Let’s start with your classic animated movies, perfect for everyone of all ages:

Animated:

-The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): A spooky, lighthearted film about the pumpkin king Jack Skellington’s misadventures while on his mission to make Christmas his very own holiday, perfect to watch on Halloween or Christmas. 

-Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964): An old-timey, stop-motion animated classic that popularized the timeless song. 

-How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966): The original animated film about a certain green menace and his plans to foil Christmas, a great movie that tones it down from Jim Carrey’s version so even your old folks can enjoy it. 

-A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): The quintessential animated Christmas movie, this is the Christmas edition of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang’s slice-of-life stories.

-The Polar Express (2004): Adapted from the book of the same name, this features the story of the iconic train that takes kids to the North Pole to have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Saint Nicholas himself.

These are the perfect films to enjoy with the whole family:

Family Fun:

-National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): A wacky, over-the-top comedy film featuring the Griswalds, a quirky family and their Christmas-related exploits.

-Home Alone (1990): Everyone knows this movie about Kevin, the often forgotten child of his family, and his fight to protect his home from burglars while his family is on vacation.

-The Santa Clause (1994): The beloved story about an average Joe turned Santa Clause that must learn to embody Kris Kringle before the next Christmas.

-A Christmas Story (1983): “You’ll shoot your eye out!” This line comes from this film chronicling the life of Ralphie around Christmas time, and his efforts to obtain his prized Red Ryder air rifle.

-Elf (2003): Will Ferrel stars as Buddy the Elf, a regular human living as an elf at the North Pole and his search to find his biological father.

If you’re feeling the cozy vibes with your significant other:

Romance:

-Love Actually (2003): An edgy, non-conforming romance about the lives of nine people that are all connected by the powerful emotion of love, backdropped by the Christmas season. 

-It’s A Wonderful Life (1946): A heartwarming, emotional story about a man’s journey to discovering the true meaning of life and why the holiday season is so important. 

-When Harry Met Sally… (1989): Can a boy and girl truly be platonic friends? The film asks this question, and tries to answer through the relationship of Harry and Sally as they share a series of chance encounters over the course of 12 years.

-While You Were Sleeping (1995): A girl saves her crush from an oncoming train, and he ends up in a coma. Now his family believes she’s his girlfriend, and she begins to develop feelings for the comatose-man’s brother.

-Last Christmas (2019): A play on the popular Wham! song, a jaded Christmas store worker meets a charismatic man and slowly falls for him—but little does she know, he harbors a secret that will change their relationship.

If you’re not a fan of the traditional holiday movie, these are your go-to’s:

Horror:

-Krampus (2015): A dysfunctional family will learn why the holidays are important when a creature from European folklore pays them a visit, forcing them to join forces to defeat its evils.

-Thanksgiving (2023): A recently released feature about the town of Plymouth becoming besieged by an ax-wielding maniac seeking revenge.

-Gremlins (1984): A Chinatown shopkeeper sells a man in need of a gift for his son a mogwai, a mythical creature that has strict rules for his upkeep, and when those rules are broken, all hell is broken loose.

-Better Watch Out (2016): A kid and his babysitter defend his home from home invaders, however, things quickly take a dark turn when the invader’s intentions are revealed.

-Black Christmas (1974): A group of sorority girls must fend for themselves against a serial killer that can’t seem to leave them alone.

Most of these films can be found on any and all streaming platforms such as Peacock, Netflix, Prime Video, etc. No matter your film preference, these recommendations will get you into the holiday spirit. Who knows, you might even find yourself a new favorite! 

Last school year, before the spring semester came to an end, Mr. Avila’s theater program dazzled us with a hilarious and romantic musical, The Frog Princess. This year, some of the former cast returns to put on yet another show for you, The Miscreants’ Christmas. The production will be held this week on December 6th, 7th, and 9th starting at 5 pm. The tickets will be five dollars for students with ID and eight dollars for general admission. Food and concessions will be sold during intermission with the proceeds going to the theater program.

In this play, Santa is kidnapped and numerous Christmas characters band together to solve the mystery. Comedic shenanigans ensue, secrets are revealed, and even the audience participates. Together, with only a week left, they try to save Christmas.

Last week, the cast executed some final touches before the play hits the big stage: they finished up the set and got the last of the costumes together. They had their dress rehearsal on Friday, where they polished it up and finalized it. Zona Espinosa, who plays Scrooge, says it is to be a really fun play and it is highly recommended for people who are looking for something light and fun to spruce up holiday cheer.

Cast:

• Bryanna Nelson as Want from A Christmas Carol
• Yoemily Yaque as James from Gift of the Magi
• Ray Rosales as Della from Gift of the Magi
• Aslan Avila as Jack Frost from Tiny Tots Book of Christmas Stories
• Dawson Dao as Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol
• Zona Espinosa as Scrooge from A Christmas Carol
• Misty Stolz as Mother Christmas

As the 2023 Cross Country (XC) season comes to a close. Let’s acknowledge the runners who endured the heat and hills that Pierce College offers. It was a long rough season for the Pumas but they were able to persevere.

The season kicked off with high expectations, as returning runners and up-and-coming talents prepared to battle it out on the course. The competition was fierce, with each team and individual athlete vying for the top spot.

A standout moment would be both boys and girls XC teams making it to League Finals where they both placed 3rd in their division. Some individual shoutouts would be to Jesus Artega who had the fastest time of 18:36 out of the boy's team and Hannah Carlson who had the fastest time of 23:00 for the girl's team. A runner-up would be Daniela Velasquez who had a time of 23:04 and showed this amazing performance despite joining XC later in the season. 

Well as a congrats to Di Angelo Castillo, Nathen Hernandez, Jeremiah Nettles, Martin Carpenter, Daniela Velazquez, Susan Antonio, Luciana Esteva, and Divya Kishore who stayed consistent all the way to the end of the season and showed their best performance out on the course.  

Overall, the XC 2023 season was a thrilling ride from start to finish. From the intense team rivalries to the individual talent on display, this season had it all. As the dust settles and all the runners celebrate their victories, the XC community eagerly looks forward to the next season, knowing that it will be just as exciting and full of surprises.

by Sean Hunt

In an unexpected twist at Northridge Academy High School, the Division 2 basketball program experienced a shake-up that left the Puma community surprised. Coach Goosen, who had been a familiar and respected figure leading the varsity team, made a sudden decision to depart for another school.

Stepping into the void left by Coach Goosen, Mr. Hartly took on the mantle of the new head coach for the varsity team. Known for his dedication and passion for the sport, Mr. Hartly is determined to continue the Pumas’ legacy of success on the basketball court. The unexpected change provided an opportunity for a fresh perspective, and Mr. Hartly brings a wealth of experience that positions him as a guiding force for the team.

Adding another layer to the narrative, Mr. Mangione, a popular teacher with a strong connection to the student body, stepped into the role of JV Coach. His decision to take on this responsibility reflects the school’s commitment to maintaining a robust coaching staff despite unforeseen transitions. With his engaging teaching style and rapport with students, Mr. Mangione is poised to bring a unique energy to the junior varsity basketball program. 

In another coaching position filled by NAHS staff, Mr. Bateman, a teacher assistant, had been in the position of varsity softball coach for several years. This dynamic approach underscores the school’s adaptability and showcases the commitment of its staff to providing diverse opportunities for student-athletes. Mr. Bateman’s role as varsity softball coach adds another layer of richness to the coaching staff, emphasizing the collaborative and supportive spirit at Northridge Academy High School.

While Coach Goosen’s departure may have initially created uncertainty, the resilience of the coaching staff and the introduction of the new coaches provide a new season filled with determination, mentorship, and a strong sense of community.