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
Valeria Luquin

Valeria Luquin, Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief

This is Valeria Luquin’s third year on The Pearl Post staff. She is excited to be back on campus and working with everyone in person. Outside the classroom, she is very active in her school community as ASB Vice President, part of LAUSD’s Board District 3 Student Advisory Council and President/Founder of the Bullet Journal Club. She plans on making the most out of her senior year.

All content by Valeria Luquin
Former Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief Valeria Luquin and former Sports and Tech Editor Branden Gerson attended the 64th annual Los Angeles Press Club’s Southern California Journalism Awards on June 25.

The Pearl Post places second in three categories at 64th Annual LA Press Club Journalism Awards

Valeria Luquin
June 29, 2022

Saying goodbye

Gabrielle Lashley and Valeria Luquin
June 10, 2022
Over the course of the past five years, enrollment at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School has steadily decreased. However, there was a huge drop in enrollment during distance learning in the 2020-2021 school year. As seen in the graph, the number of students who registered for enrollment at the beginning of the school year remained about the same at the end of the year.

[Photo] DPMHS enrollment continues to decline

Delilah Brumer
June 2, 2022

[Video] An ode to teachers: part 3

Gabrielle Lashley and Valeria Luquin
May 10, 2022

[Video] An ode to teachers

Valeria Luquin and Gabrielle Lashley
May 2, 2022
On March 15, Magnet Coordinator Leah Pevar discusses her upcoming departure from DPMHS with sophomore Daniel Hernandez during lunch lunchtime in the Grove.

Magnet Coordinator departs from DPMHS after 7 years

Emily Flores and Valeria Luquin
March 22, 2022

Students share SAT concerns, goals

Valeria Luquin and Gabrielle Lashley
March 21, 2022
"Hamilton: An American Musical" cast members line up on stage for applause at the end of the play at the Pantages Theater on Feb. 9.

Students visit the room where it happens during ‘Hamilton: An American Musical’

Valeria Luquin and Nathalie Miranda
February 11, 2022
Senior Derek Calderon swabs his nose in the gym during weekly district COVID-19 testing on Feb. 3.

Pandemic prompts event postponements, updated district protocols

Alan Ruiz and Valeria Luquin
February 4, 2022
Seniors Lauren Mills, Geraldine Suniga, Allison Puc and Nathalie Miranda admire Puc's bullet journal for inspiration.

[Photo] Club Corner: Bullet Journal Club makes space for creative freedom, new friendships

Nickalas Lembo
February 2, 2022
Freshman Alia Galvan melodically sings and senior William Myers plays the bass and nods his head while performing “Reptilia” by The Strokes during World Music Day recording. Students worked tirelessly for weeks to produce this year’s COVID-19-safe livestream, which premiered on YouTube at 6 pm on Dec. 15.

[Photo] World Music Day performers shine

Rikka Dimalanta
December 16, 2021

Behind the scenes of World Music Day

Valeria Luquin and Gabrielle Lashley
November 9, 2021
The Pearl Post Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief Valeria Luquin, Managing Editor Gabrielle Lashley, Online Editor-in-Chief Delilah Brumer and Sports/Tech Editor Branden Gerson attend the 63rd Annual Los Angeles Press Club Awards gala.

[Photo] The Pearl Post takes 2nd place at 63rd Annual LA Press Club Journalism Awards

Branden Gerson
October 18, 2021

Students Reflect: A festive tradition as old as time

Valeria Luquin and Gabrielle Lashley
September 27, 2021

Students Reflect: First week feelings

Valeria Luquin and Gabrielle Lashley
September 1, 2021
From a national applicant pool of 7,663 students, Luquin felt extremely proud to be one of the 480 students selected to participate in Youth Leadership Insitute.

Summer institute instills value of ‘paying it forward & paying it back’

Valeria Luquin
August 30, 2021
Features Editor Valeria Luquin and her mother, Lorena Luquin, volunteered at the Self-Realization Fellowship Books & Gifts giftshop in Encinitas in September 2020. They scanned items around the giftshop in order to update the store's inventory.

[Photo] Club Corner: NHS continues to help community despite pandemic restrictions

Delilah Brumer
April 21, 2021
Print Editor-in-Chief Itzel Luna was accepted to five Ivy League schools including Harvard University and Stanford University.

Print Editor-in-Chief sets new record at DPMHS with five Ivy League acceptances

Valeria Luquin
April 13, 2021
Click on the house icon to read what each student has to say about the year in distance learning.

Reflecting on one year of distance learning during pandemic

Valeria Luquin
March 12, 2021
In February, 69 DPMHS students responded to a survey about how their sleep schedule has been disrupted during distance learning.

[Photo] Students’ sleep schedule out of sync

Jessica Melkonyan
February 19, 2021
Features Editor Valeria Luquin attended the National Journalism Convention and won fourth place for Best Digital Story of the Year on Nov. 21.

[Photo] About The Pearl Post

November 12, 2009
There are numerous clubs students at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School can join. Meeting times vary for each club.

[Photo] Countless clubs to join despite distance learning

Nathalie Miranda
November 19, 2020
Talia Guppy and Frances Marion are Mental Health Practitioners with the Los Angeles Unified School District Human Relations, Diversity and Equity department. They gave a presentation during the Pride Club meeting on Oct. 1.

[Photo] Club Corner: Pride Club a place to connect

Branden Gerson
October 1, 2020
Freshman Andrew Arevalo logs in into schoology to work on the instructional assignments of his advisory class.

New school year kicks off with distance learning format

Sara Marquez and Valeria Luquin
August 21, 2020
Senior Julissa Jaco played on the girls water polo team for three years. She won a CIF championship during her last year on the team.

[Photo] Senior athletes look back at their athletic seasons

Dashiell Caloroso, Emily Short, Naamah Silcott, Jeffrey Vasquez, Ashley Harrison, and Nathalie Miranda
June 12, 2020

Class of 2020 makes history with 3 valedictorians and 3 salutatorians

Valeria Luquin and Nathalie Miranda
June 4, 2020
Staff writer Valeria Luquin works on her online classes during the pandemic.

Students struggle with distance learning during quarantine

Valeria Luquin
May 26, 2020
Sophomore Valeria Luquin’s take on the popular LAUSD coffee cake.

[Photo] Students sharpen culinary skills by baking during quarantine

Chareena Pascua
May 22, 2020
The Advanced Placement exam structures have been modified to fit the new online testing format.

AP exam format changes to fit new online testing structure

Valeria Luquin
May 5, 2020
Reflections of life in the time of coronavirus: Spending quality time with family and journaling

Reflections of life in the time of coronavirus: Spending quality time with family and journaling

Valeria Luquin
March 31, 2020

Aotm- Eden Kolber from The Pearl Post on Vimeo.

Athlete of the Month: Kolber strives in both gymnastics and cheerleading

Valeria Luquin
March 25, 2020
The coronavirus has rapidly spread throughout the United States, with 53,794 cases in the country and 2,484 cases in California.

Coronavirus spread causes LAUSD schools to remain closed until May 1

Valeria Luquin
March 24, 2020
Due to the coronavirus, many events, including the spring music concert and PearlConV, have been canceled or postponed. These photos were taken at the events last school year. Photos by Christopher Sarenana and Itzel Luna

Events canceled, postponed because of coronavirus

Valeria Luquin
March 20, 2020
Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer was available for student use in journalism/English teacher Adriana Chavira's room on March 13. Many teachers had sanitizing products in their classroom as a way to keep students safe.

[Photo] LAUSD closes all campuses in response to rapid spread of coronavirus

Valery Barrera
March 13, 2020
Varsity players Julissa Jaco and Annabella Powell embrace each other after winning the City Championship game against Palisades High School on Feb. 20. The Lady Patriots won with a score of 16-17.

[Photo] Photo of the Week

May 20, 2025
Varsity Team Captain Amelia Sanchez prepares to aim the ball into the net during the City Championship game against Palisades Charter High School on Feb. 20. The game was held at Los Angeles Valley College.

[Photo] Lady Patriots take home CIF title against Palisades Dolphins

Cj Gorospe
February 21, 2020
Junior Jeffrey Vasquez Ceron tries to sign onto Checkology on Feb. 7.

Checkology is ironically restricted at a journalism school

Valeria Luquin
February 18, 2020
Students at DPMHS celebrate the spirit of Valentine's Day by wearing red, pink and white on Feb. 14.

[Photo] Love and friendship surrounds DPMHS on Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2020
Climate change has massively impacted our environment as 2019 was reported the second warmest year on record.

Students help fight climate crisis

Valery Barrera and Valeria Luquin
February 7, 2020
Sunday night at the Grammy's, Finneas O'Connell became a five time winning producer.

Artist of the Month: Rising artist Finneas becomes five time Grammy winner

Valeria Luquin
January 28, 2020

Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander visits DPMHS

Valeria Luquin
December 16, 2019

AOTM- Emily Flores from The Pearl Post on Vimeo.

[Video] Athlete of the Month: Flores sprints her way to the finish line

Sara Marquez
December 12, 2019
Junior Ariana Islam studies for finals at the library on Dec. 5.

Get ready for finals week with these helpful study tips

Valeria Luquin
December 10, 2019
Sophomore varsity player Audrina Murphy strategizes on who to pass the ball to during practice on Nov. 13.

Girls water polo starts season off with high expectations

Valeria Luquin
December 9, 2019
This infographic information was obtained through a poll conducted on 231 DPMHS students. The poll was collected by DPMHS Student Media Staff.

The rise of stress among teens

Valeria Luquin
December 5, 2019
Get Lit poet Vanessa Tanay pours her emotions into performing her classic poem, “Elena” during the Get Lit assembly on Nov. 21.

[Photo] Get Lit brings inspirational poets to DPMHS

Daniela Rangel
December 5, 2019
Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander displays his identification tattoo on his forearm during a presentation he gave at Monroe High School on Nov. 14.

[Photo] Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander shares his story with high school students

Daniela Rangel and Evan Gleason
November 22, 2019
Speaker Chris Aguilar talks about the effects of drug abuse to Daniel Pearl Magnet High School students during the Red Ribbon assembly on Oct. 29.

Students learn about substance abuse at Red Ribbon Week assembly

Valeria Luquin
November 7, 2019

Utopia is reached in 10th annual Daniel Pearl World Music Day

Sara Marquez and Valeria Luquin
November 6, 2019
California's new late start law would require most schools across the state to start later beginning in 2022.

California becomes first state to implement late start time in schools

Valeria Luquin
November 4, 2019
Print Editor-in-chief Parampreet Aulakh and Online Editor-in-chief Alondra Nuno hope this year is as successful as last year for the publication.

[Photo] Editorial: New year, new goals

Alondra Nuno and Parampreet Aulakh
October 3, 2019

Aotm- Ryan from The Pearl Post on Vimeo.

[Video] Athlete of the Month: Nevsky swims his way to varsity

Jonathan Spahr
October 2, 2019
Junior Maria Strake sits on the steps inside the Leverett House tower with her proctor group on the last day of the program.

Strake attends summer program at Harvard

Valeria Luquin
October 2, 2019
Junior Om Patel, senior Alex Gonzalez, junior Vache Katabyan and senior Sepehr Kordbacheh play a game during the first Fiesta Friday.

[Photo] First Fiesta Friday of school year kicks off with new activities

September 6, 2019
Science teacher Stephen Schaffter will be the keynote speaker for the Class of 2019"s graduation. The graduation ceremony will be held at Mulholland Middle School on June 7 at 5 p.m.

Caps off seniors, graduation is almost here

Valeria Luquin
May 22, 2019
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