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

The Pearl Post
  • November 5Shelter in Place Drill at 11:45 a.m. on Nov. 13
  • November 5Field trip to JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention from Nov. 12-16 with Ms. Chavira
  • November 5No school due to Veterans' Day on Nov. 11
  • November 5College Tour Field Trips to CSUN, UCLA, Pepperdine and CalArts from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 10
  • November 5J-Day competition at CSUN on Nov. 8
  • November 5PTSA Family Star Gazing and Movie Night on Nov. 7
  • November 5Coffee with the Principal at 9:00 a.m. in the MPR and via Zoom on Nov. 6
  • November 5Submissions for the “Reflections” PTSA Art Competition are due on Nov. 5.
  • October 16Fiesta Friday during lunch in The Grove on Oct. 31
  • October 16World Music Day Concert from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the MPR on Oct. 30

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
Alex Salcedo

Alex Salcedo, Visual Editor

Alex Salcedo is this year’s Visual Editor for The Pearl Post. As a junior in his second year on the DPMHS Student Media staff, he is focusing on capturing moments that speak louder than words. This year, he aims to grow his portfolio and take the photojournalism aspect of The Pearl Post to the next level. Outside of school, you’ll find him refining his camera skills. He also enjoys playing music, going to the gym or catching up on much-needed sleep.

All content by Alex Salcedo
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) employees and families hold up signs to protest at the LAUSD Local District Northwest rally on Nov. 6.

UTLA rallies together for raised employee salaries and healthcare benefits

Jenny Marquez and Alex Salcedo
November 10, 2025
Seniors Delilha Trujillo and Serena Elkins perform the song "Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles during the World Music Day performance on Oct. 30.

World Music Day brings students together through song

Louise Gaguet, Alex Salcedo, and Jasmine Thompson
November 4, 2025
Senior Sebastian Olfatmanesh and junior Mateo Zazueta perform “Blow Up the World” by Soundgarden during the World Music Day concert on Oct. 30.

Senior Sebastian Olfatmanesh plays “Bound to You” by Christina Aguilera on guitar during the World Music Day concert on Oct. 30.

Junior Mateo Zazueta performs “Blow Up the Outside World” by Soundgarden during the World Music Day on Oct. 30.

Junior Jesus Macias performs the national anthem “Star Spangled Banner” on the trumpet as the opening to the World Music Day concert on Oct. 30.

Senior Diana Abgaryan sings “All I Wanted” by Paramore during the World Music Day on Oct. 30.

Senior Delilha Trujillo performs “Bound to You” by Christina Aguilera during the World Music Day concert on Oct. 30.

World Music Day showcases student voices through global songs

Amelie Graves, Jade Gramajo, Victoria Lopez, Alex Salcedo, and Silas Hinkle
October 29, 2025
Thousands gather to participate in the No Kings Day protest in Downtown Los Angeles on Oct. 18. Protestors stood against the Trump administration and their actions.

Protestors gather in downtown Los Angeles for No Kings Day protest

Alex Salcedo and Valerie Sanchez
October 23, 2025
Students resort to forms of artificial intelligence for mental health assistance instead of meeting with a licensed therapist.

[Photo] Effects of AI usage on students’ mental health

Cecia Herrera and Andrew Pulido Gonzalez
October 28, 2025
Seniors Serena Elkins, Jenny Marquez and Kaleigh Tapaoan crown juniors Jasmine Thompson and Giancarlo Valdez during the homecoming dance on Oct. 17. They were crowned as homecoming princess and prince.

Students enjoy homecoming dance under the walk of fame

Alex Salcedo, Brenden Rosenthal, and Isabella Tolosa
October 20, 2025
Students and staff come together for the first-ever homecoming pep rally

Students and staff come together for the first-ever homecoming pep rally

Louise Gaguet, Alex Salcedo, Desirae Carns, and Brenden Rosenthal
October 16, 2025
Seniors Guadalupe Martinez and Julia Garcia create posters during their period 4 leadership class in room 7 on Oct. 16.

[Photo] Homecoming dance will take you to Hollywood Boulevard tomorrow night

Desirae Carns
October 16, 2025
Students watch the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" during Movie Night on Sept. 5.

[Photo] Photo of the Week

August 19, 2025
The Pearl Post Online Editor-in-Chief Tania Lopez and Print Editor-in-Chief Jenny Marquez look forward to a productive and exciting year with the DPMHS Student Media staff.

[Photo] Editorial: Aspiring staff, enthusiastic plans

September 2, 2025
Counselor Virginia Morales speaks to parents about college classes during Back to School Night on Aug. 26.

[Photo] New counselor aims for new successes this school year

Valerie Sanchez
August 28, 2025
Executive Producer of EyeWitness News morning show Enrie Amezcua, gives advice to the graduating Class of 2025 during his speech on June 10.

[Photo] Class of 2025 celebrates with music and heartfelt speeches

Nadia Buer
June 11, 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

Alex Salcedo
June 4, 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.

[Photo] Athlete of the Month: Galdamez building momentum, one mile at a time

Brenden Rosenthal
June 2, 2025
Freshman Liam Salazar trains at practice as the spring season comes to an end, on May 28. This 2024-2025 school year, Salazar played on the Birmingham Community Charter High School junior varsity track and field team and hopes to continue playing next year.

[Photo] Athlete of the Month: Salazar launches his future to new heights

Dayana Harutyunyan
May 30, 2025
Seniors Vanessa Gonzalez, Daniel Arevalo and Jacklyne Gomez film a take for a short film in the Sora School stars competition. In Sora School Stars, students competed to film the best advertisement for Sora, a digital library application free to students at the school and across Los Angeles Unified School District.

[Photo] Students’ short film wins in Sora School Stars competition

Isabella Tolosa
May 29, 2025
Sophomore Emma Bullock practices her swing in the batting cages on April 1. Bullock plays on the varsity softball team for Birmingham Community Charter High School and wishes to play for the next two years of her high school career.

[Photo] Athlete of the Month: Bullock swings to success

Andre Arcilla
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.

[Photo] Trump’s immigration crackdown sparks fear and protests among students

Vanessa Morales and Sophie Ortega
March 28, 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.

Student boxer finishes second nationally, looks to improve

Student boxer finishes second nationally, looks to improve

Alex Salcedo
February 27, 2025
Junior Marianna Alvarez kick a long pass to her teammate during the last game of the season on Feb. 7. The game ended with a score of 2 to 1 with the Birmingham Community Charter High School junior varsity girls soccer team defeating Cleveland High School’s team to end the season off with a hard fought victory.

Athlete of the Month: Alvarez kicks back as the season ends

Alex Salcedo
February 24, 2025

Students walk out demanding awareness, advocacy toward immigration policies

Andre Arcilla, Satenik Ayrapetyan, Linus Bossardt, Tania Lopez, Jenny Marquez, Genesis Cuellar-Figueroa, and Alex Salcedo
February 10, 2025
Students hold speeches in protest of anti-immigration policies in front of the Van Nuys West Courthouse on Feb. 10.

Students from Reseda Charter High School sit outside the Van Nuys West Courthouse after walking for about two hours to protest on Feb. 10.

Students from Daniel Pearl Magnet High School walk in protest of current immigration policies in front of Van Nuys High School on Feb. 10.

A student holds up the Mexican flag in protest of immigration policies during a walkout on Feb. 10

Junior Julia Garcia and freshman Alexa Franco practice their photography skills in their Adriana Chavira's period 5 photography class on Jan. 29.

DPMHS continues to succeed with a school of excellence award

Alex Salcedo
January 30, 2025
Sophomore Ava Weinstein sharpens her underhand shooting skills during half-time on Jan. 17. Weinstein prepares for the girls' junior varsity team's future games.

[Photo] Athlete of the Month: Weinstein jumps into the new season with passion

Benjamin Recinos
January 29, 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent leader in the civic rights movement in from 1955 to 1968. He also known as an American Baptist minister, activist, and political philosopher

4 speeches for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Alex Salcedo
January 17, 2025
Science teacher Ani Zhorabian guides students through the AP environmental science curriculum on Jan. 13. After closing schools the previous week due to wildfires throughout the Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District resumed classes for most of its schools.

Student safety ensured amid wildfires

Alex Salcedo
January 14, 2025
Plant Manager Salvador Rivas and Los Angeles Unified School District landscapers remove a large branch from the grove on Jan. 8. When high-speed winds caused it to fall, Rivas jumped to action and cleared it from becoming a hazard to students.

[Photo] Wildfires spread fear and worry across Southern California

Jenny Marquez and Tania Lopez
January 8, 2025
Watch “Home Alone,” the first part of a six part movie series featuring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci, available on Disney+ and Fandango At Home.

Cozy up with these 5 holiday movies

Alex Salcedo
December 13, 2024
Math and Portuguese teacher Gonçalo Fino De Sousa and Pearl Ambassador Mateo Zazueta discuss what Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) has to offer for future high school students. During events such as Magnet Night, student ambassadors and teachers come together to promote the school, especially to increase low enrollment.

Pearl Ambassadors promote school to increase enrollment

Alex Salcedo
December 9, 2024
The Pearl Post staff participate in a game of trivia for Student Trivia Night on Nov. 8. The event was hosted for students to bond with their staff and enjoy a fun evening of trivia.

[Photo] Staff bonding through memories, experiences at the National High School Journalism Convention

Tania Lopez
November 21, 2024

World Music Day musicians perform golden melodies

Alex Salcedo, Isabella Tolosa, and Valerie Sanchez
November 18, 2024
Junior Delilha Trujillo, senior Genesis Cuellar-Figueroa and senior Leeron Nakash protest for the reinstatement of music teacher Wes Hambright and Spanish teacher Glenda Hurtado. The protest took place at the Los Angeles Unified School District's Region North office on Sept. 23. The three helped organize the walkout, which drew about 150 attendees.

[Photo] September protest organizers reflect on walkout

Andrew Pulido Gonzalez
October 28, 2024
Alumna Madyson Phillips presents her research project in her AP African American Studies class during period 3 on Feb. 22. Students had to make a presentation on African American culture and present it to the class.

Improved AP test scores excite students, teachers

Alex Salcedo
October 25, 2024
Freshman Alina Knayzan and Silvi Khevoyan dress up in pajamas for Pajama Day on Oct. 7.

Creativity shines throughout campus during Spirit Week

Alex Salcedo, Tania Lopez, Andrew Pulido Gonzalez, Emma Rosenberg, Jasmine Thompson, and Isabella Tolosa
October 14, 2024
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