The student news site of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Lake Balboa, CA

The Pearl Post
  • June 9Grad Nite for the Class of 2025 on Wednesday, June 11
  • June 9Graduation of the Class of 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at Mulholland Middle School on Tuesday, June 10
  • June 9Senior Breakfast at 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10
  • June 9Last day of instruction on Tuesday, June 10
  • June 9Minimum Day on Monday, June 9
  • May 12No school on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day
  • May 12Senior/Junior Prom at The Odyssey on May 24
  • May 12Minimum Day on Friday, May 30
  • May 12Fire Drill during period 2 on Wednesday, May 21
  • May 12Field trip to UCLA/Fowler Museum with Mrs. Helfing on Wednesday, May 21

The Pearl Post

The student news site of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Lake Balboa, CA
The student news site of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Lake Balboa, CA

The Pearl Post
News
The Pearl Post places second place at the 67th Annual LA Press Club Journalism Awards
The Pearl Post places second place at the 67th Annual LA Press Club Journalism Awards
Jenny Marquez • June 27, 2025

The Pearl Post placed second in one category at the Los Angeles Press Club’s 67th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards on June 22.  Online Editor-in-Chief Jenny Marquez and sports editor...

The class of 2025 throw their caps in the air at the end of their commencement ceremony on June 10.
Class of 2025 celebrates with music and heartfelt speeches
June 11, 2025
Math teacher Goncalo Fino de Sousa performs various of his magic tricks during Pearlapalooza on May 31.
Community Shines at Pearlapalooza with Film, Fun and Festivities
June 9, 2025
Seniors gather together with their awards to take a photo at the end of the senior award ceremony on May 29.
Class of 2025 get ready for graduation
June 6, 2025
History teacher Brenda Helfing speaks to her third period AP US History class on May 20 after their presentations. Students presented on affluent figures from the Harlem Renaissance as part of their Service Learning, a graduation requirement.
History teacher begins new chapter full of rest, travel
June 4, 2025
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Special Reports
In light of the possible closure of the Department of Education (DOE) by President Trump, schools across the country face a massive cut to federal funding. Such cuts would affect programs that provide financial assistance to students, enforce racial equality, fund special education and contibute about $8 billion of general funding. Resources currently available to students who depend on these programs could quickly disintegrate, forcing many students to look for alternatives to public guidance.
Effects of Trump’s cuts on educational funding and the Department of Education
Benjamin Recinos • June 3, 2025

Disheartened by President Donald J. Trump’s proposal to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE) and slash educational funding, senior Keira Van Der Molen laments for her teachers. “I think it's...

Fast fashion has taken the world by storm, creating blurred lines between ethics and accessibility. Alongside president Trumps recent tariffs rising prices in all convenience of clothes creates a concerning problem for all.
Fast fashion vs. sustainability: How tariffs are reshaping the fashion industry
May 29, 2025
Many students have trouble focusing on social interaction due to social media. Spending large amounts of time on personal devices instead of socializing may limit one's conversational and communication skills. The recent phone ban in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) acts to combat the overuse of personal devices and encourage connections between students.
Navigating social pressures: Gen Z’s ability to form real connections
April 23, 2025
Students protest with signs as they walk in front of the Van Nuys High School Center for Performing Arts on Feb. 10. Students from several schools, such as Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, Birmingham Community Charter High School, and Reseda Charter High School, walked out of their campuses in the morning to protest President Donald Trump's administration's current immigration policies.
Trump’s immigration crackdown sparks fear and protests among students
March 28, 2025
Librarian Alain Cruz sells Valentine's Day grams to junior Julia Garcia and freshman Jake Galdamez on Feb. 11. Valentine's Day grams were sold in the library during the weeks leading to Feb. 14 as a way to fundraise for school events.
ASB faces fundraising hurdles due to strict food regulations
February 26, 2025
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Features
Juniors Abraam Grigorian and Jordan Viviano, who are both set to graduate one year earlier than their peers.
2 juniors walk the graduation stage 1 year early
Guadalupe Martinez • June 6, 2025

Juniors Jordan Viviano and Abraam Grigorian have taken a big step and decided to walk the stage a year early. They are now a part of the Class of 2025 graduating class. “I have felt like I've been...

A plate of the Spaghetti Carbonara from Topanga Pizza Cafe. Hidden away in the West Valley, Topanga Pizza Cafe serves some of the most nostalgic and comforting Italian-American dishes for customers to enjoy such as the Spaghetti Carbonara, the Lobster Ravioli and the Lemon Garlic Chicken.
Restaurant Review: Topanga Pizza Cafe delivers with delicious meals and amazing deals
June 6, 2025
As the school year ends, seniors are getting ready to part and delve into their adult lives. See how seniors enjoyed their time on the publication.
Student journalists share their last piece of advice as their senior year ends
June 6, 2025
Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe displays their variety of delicious baked goods. Beside each pastry is a card showing a cute illustration along with the name of the pastries and its prices.
Restaurant Review: Sweet treats and delicious drinks at Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe
June 5, 2025
Senior Satenik Ayrapetyan reminisces on her high school years and what all of her hard work has built up to. She looks forward to a future at UCLA, majoring in history and Russian studies. “I sacrificed everything for this,” she said. “I skipped moments I could have supported my friends or hung out with friends to favor studying and going to class.”
Valedictorian succeeds in long-term academic goal
June 5, 2025
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Sports
Senior athletes look back on their high school careers
Senior athletes look back on their high school careers
Sabrina Salek-Hovatter, Amelie Graves, Kaleigh Tapaoan, Emma Rosenberg, and Silas Hinkle • June 9, 2025

Karissa Aguilar A wrestler from age six, senior Karissa Aguilar persists through injury to spend a final season on the mat.  Due to her experience in wrestling, Aguilar automatically made the...

Sophomore Daniel Salazar receives a medal for placing first in the boys frosoph 1600m race at the CIF West Valley League Prelims located at Birmingham Community Charter High School on May 9th.
Athlete of the Month: Salazar runs through the competition
June 5, 2025
Training until the end of the spring season, freshman Jake Galdamez runs 100-meter dashes at practice on May 28. Galdamez runs for the Birmingham Community Charter High School track and field team.
Athlete of the Month: Galdamez building momentum, one mile at a time
June 2, 2025
Athlete of the Month: Salazar launches his future to new heights
Athlete of the Month: Salazar launches his future to new heights
May 30, 2025
Sophomore Mateo Zazueta puts a golf ball on May 7. Zazueta is a part of the varsity golf team at Birmingham Charter Community High School.
Athlete of the Month: Zazueta swings through the season
May 29, 2025
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  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    4
    Centennial
    6
    May 15 / Baseball
  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    1
    Granada Hills Charter
    5
    May 2 / Baseball
  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    2
    Granada Hills Charter
    6
    Apr 30 / Baseball
  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    7
    Chatsworth
    6
    Apr 25 / Baseball
  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    1
    Chatsworth
    0
    Apr 23 / Baseball
  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    7
    Liberty
    5
    Apr 14 / Baseball
  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    3
    Palo Verde
    9
    Apr 14 / Baseball
  • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    9
    Taft
    0
    Apr 11 / Baseball
Opinion
Print and Online Editor-in-Chiefs Satenik Ayrapetyan and Jenny Marquez hold up some of the awards their staff achieved, including a pacemaker finalist award from April.
Editorial: The Pearl Post reflects on a defining year for student journalism
June 4, 2025

This year, The Pearl Post staff overcame challenges and breaking news with dedication and rigor. We are endlessly proud of our team’s amazing work ethic and dedication to journalism.  During the...

Due to the recent Los Angeles Unified District phone ban, students have struggled to focus on their classwork without listening to music, which can help with focusing.
Due to the district’s phone ban, students struggle to focus without music
June 2, 2025
Students should develop greater awareness of the environmental impacts and the unjust pay for workers of the clothing companies they support. Their purchasing decisions can influence unethical labor practices.
Editorial: The underlying problem with relying on fast fashion
May 29, 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an important institution that recently lost a majority of its employees. According to The Guardian, it is estimated that 50-75% of the current workforce, which is about 17-18 thousand people, will be laid off.
Editorial: New executive orders put the environment under turmoil
April 22, 2025
The current administration has been intruded by the wealthy elite that have manipulated laws and legislation to favor them. These practices have been demonstrated years before the 21st century, showing the true colors behind our democracy.
The state of regime is shifting towards the rich and wealthy
April 21, 2025
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Entertainment
With her hit single "see you later (ten years,)" pop artist Jenna Raine enchants listeners with her realistic and heartfelt lyrics.
Artist of the Month: Jenna Raine blooms brightly with new EP “Only Started Growing”
Daryna Hriaznova • June 9, 2025

Jenna Raine, an artist who released her first extended play (EP) at 14, is soon to write her first album.  Jenna Raine Simmons, known as Jenna Raine,...

"Jurassic World Rebirth" is set to release in theaters on July 2.
Splash into summer with these upcoming blockbusters
June 4, 2025
Metal artist "Poppy" and her band perform "push go" at The Wiltern on April 23. The show was the last stop of the U.S leg of her "They're All Around Us" tour in support of her "Negative Spaces" album.
Metal Artist Poppy’s Concert will make you want to “Sit/Stay”
May 1, 2025
"Tunnel Vision" was released on April 24 with 10 tracks and a total runtime of 29 minutes. Beach Bunny will embark on a 27-stop tour starting on April 30 at the History located in Toronto, ON.
Album Review: Beach Bunny steers into emotional depths with newly realeasted album, “Tunnel Vision.”
April 30, 2025
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Blogs
DPMHS Student Media staff hold up the publication’s Finalist Online Pacemaker Plaque, Best of Show award and individual awards from the National Student Media Contests on April 26 after the Journalism Education Association awards ceremony.
DPMHS Student Media take a fun, memorable trip to the National High School Journalism Convention
Daryna Hriaznova • May 6, 2025

I went to the National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle knowing only two things. First, Seattle had good chocolate. Second, I knew about the people I was...

Media club students and chaperones take a photo outside of the Student Television Network Convention on March 1. The photo was taken right after the opening ceremony where the convention officially kicked off.
‘A new experience that I was ready to uncover’
March 10, 2025
Sophomore Daryna Hriaznova spends time with her family in November 2021. Hriaznova attended a family celebration at the restaurant and had a chance to spend the last months before war with her family.
‘My mother was cooking noodles in our apartment, when a few air raid alarms interrupted us’
February 28, 2025
Junior Jenny Marquez and her mother Maria Interiano pose together for a photo at Universal Studios Hollywood on December 4, 2023. Coming from Guatemalan immigrant parents, Marquez values the importance of advocating and supporting immigrants.
A life without immigrants would be unimaginable
February 10, 2025
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Trending Stories
1
The class of 2025 throw their caps in the air at the end of their commencement ceremony on June 10.

Class of 2025 celebrates with music and heartfelt speeches

2
Junior Gracie Huaman gets lunch from the cafeteria as Food Service Manager Arlene Gamboa supervises the line.

New cafeteria manager aims to cook up student success

3
Kirby Lauryen Dockery is an independent R&B artist who has written songs for artists like Rihanna, Kanye West, Ariana Grande, Paul McCartney, Childish Gambino, Beyoncé and Demi Lovato.

Artist of the Month: Kirby Lauryen Dockery writes her own music career

4
Math teacher Goncalo Fino de Sousa performs various of his magic tricks during Pearlapalooza on May 31.

Community Shines at Pearlapalooza with Film, Fun and Festivities

5
The excessive homework amount has caused students across the globe to be condemned to grueling routines. Homework has been a mandatory occurrence in schools but in recent years, students feel the homework adding on and becoming something that negatively affects their mental health and increases anxiety.

Ease homework overload to improve student mental health

The Pearl Post June 2025
Photo of the Week
Senior Leeron Nakash plays the synth during sound check for Pearlapalooza’s live performances on May 31. At Pearlapalooza, students were able participate in competitions for video production and photography, a magic show and an exclusive panel with directors and artists.
Photo of the Week

Every week, staff members of The Pearl Post send in the best photo they've taken that week. After an in-class vote, the most popular picture...

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Podcast
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
Jenny Marquez and Jasmine Thompson • April 30, 2025

 In this episode of the Room 22 podcast,  co-host Jenny Marquez and guest co-host Jasmine Thompson interview student journalists at the spring...

Spotify: Class of 2025 Playlist
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Multimedia Excellence

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Multi-Media
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