• September 2022

    College Prep

    By Mikayla Shults Last month I asked seniors how they were preparing for college. I assumed most students would be in the same boat- writing essays and applying for scholarships. For some reason, I thought I was the only senior choosing to take a different path and go to Cabrillo. The results were pleasantly surprising! It turns out many people are taking advantage of community college, and if they aren’t, plans for next year are not 100% clear. A few of the people I spoke to have worked extra hard since last year and know exactly what education and career suits them. One person went to Cabrillo for the last…

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  • February 2022

    Fave part of Preschool

    By Mikayla Shults This month, I spoke to kids from Green Acres preschool and Natural Bridges Children’s Center. Because of COVID, I was worried schools would never be swarming with happy children again. I was pleasantly surprised to see the kids at Green Acres filling the air with laughter. Immersing yourself in little kids’ lives is the best way to get to know them. It’s also a way to get some perspective when your communication methods need to be adjusted. While visiting Green Acres preschool, I helped build castles and learned the names of a few dinosaurs, and it did help me connect with these kids. Something was missing, though.…

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  • December 2021

    WTKS Travis Scott

    By Mikayla Shults Friday, November 5, 2021 Travis Scott was preparing for his Astroworld concert in Houston. He had encouraged reckless behavior from his fans before, and did the same that night. According to CNN, about 50,000 people attended the concert. People brought their friends and spouses and children. When the crowd broke past the barriers and ran toward the stage, everyone in front of them was pushed, trampled, or crushed. Eight people died; two of which were minors. There were countless injuries and video evidence of people in the crowd trying to get attention from anyone who could help. This went on for 30-40 minutes before the concert was…

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  • November 2021

    Practice Gratitude

    By Mikayla Shults It’s November! This is a time that we start thinking about what we are thankful for, and it might be the first time in a while for some people. I certainly don’t think about gratitude on a daily basis, but I hope to change that. Something that I’ve been working on is telling people I appreciate them. You’ll see how many of the people I spoke to do the same. If that’s out of your comfort zone, I suggest expressing your gratitude for nature. Start paying attention to how the seasons change, the feelings you get at sunrise or sunset, and notice what the earth can do…

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  • October 2021

    Kids Halloween

    By Mikayla Shults Last October was not what anybody had hoped for, yet all of these kids and their families found a way to make Halloween memorable. The most popular places around San Lorenzo Valley were Riverside and California Dr. in Ben Lomond, which isn’t different from any other year. Almost everyone took a stroll around their neighborhood, where families created contactless forms of trick-or-treating; shooting candy down tubes, throwing treats at kids, and the classic: leaving a bowl on the front porch. Some went to a Halloween parade with masks and social distancing in Santa Cruz. Now that older kids and parents can be vaccinated, don’t fear the Covid,…

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  • September 2021

    Mental Health and Sports

    By Mikayla Shults In July the Olympics started a national conversation about mental health amongst Americans. Michael Phelps has been open about his struggles in the past, but now we are seeing young women speak up. Sha’Carri Richardson is only 21 years old Simone Biles is 24, they’re two black women who are the best in their leagues and the reason for these conversations. They stood up for themselves and spoke up about the challenge of mental health in sports. Julia Bradford she/her Age 16 I have had my fair share of coaches who did not understand mental health and its importance. That being said, the coaches I have for…

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