The Lancer

The Lancer

The Lancer

Parting Words
Jake Bradley, Becca Glaubke, Aandrea Pineda-Dominguez, and Julia Pineda-DominguezJune 6, 2024

Lancer Mascot
Lancer Mascot
Cole Howard and Cory McEnroeJune 6, 2024

From the Philly Phanatic to Benny the Bull, mascots have played an energizing role in bringing an exciting atmosphere to any game they rally...

INTRAMUR-ALL-STARS
INTRAMUR-ALL-STARS
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor ♦ June 6, 2024

It was April 23, and Gabriel Torreblanca hit the shot of his life. It was not CIF-sanctioned and did not count for any competitive league, but...

SWIM WINS FIRST C.I.F. TITLE
SWIM WINS FIRST C.I.F. TITLE
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor ♦ June 6, 2024

The TO swim team was down six points with one event left in the CIF championships, and the pressure was on. With one relay race to go, the goal...

Two-sport star Ivy Williams leads the way
Two-sport star Ivy Williams leads the way
Kailah Spencer, The Lancer Staff ♦ June 6, 2024

With an incredible 2023-2024 season, senior Ivy Williams made an impact at TO that will last a lifetime. Serving as captain of the girl’s...

Kajita goes the distance for Lancers
Kajita goes the distance for Lancers
Gemma Spraggins, Assistant News Editor ♦ June 6, 2024

After a terrific senior season and a thrilling career, Cassidy Kajita is off to compete for UC Davis next season. Before she leaves, she caught...

Papavasiliou sets record pace
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor ♦ June 6, 2024

With one lap to go in the most important mile race of his career, Liam Papavasilou wasn’t sure if fate was in the cards. “We came through...

Chin bids goodbye with trifecta of records
Chin bids goodbye with trifecta of records
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor ♦ June 6, 2024

Elias Chin will be honored for years to come for his Lancer school records in points, rebounds and assists. But what about for speaking Greek? “He’s...

Controversy Brews Over Barred Owl Removal to Save Spotted Owl
Controversy Brews Over Barred Owl Removal to Save Spotted Owl
Kimberly Jerez, The Lancer Staff ♦ May 2, 2024

Wildlife officials are in a bitter dispute over the removal of the invasive Barred Owl from forests along the West Coast to save the Northern...

TOHS Springs to Europe over the Break
TOHS Springs to Europe over the Break
Alyssa Kiszczak, Managing Editor ♦ April 22, 2024

The scary sight of the most monstrous cheese you can imagine was sitting in the display case, calling their names. The stench was wretched, like...

Morge returns to mound after road trip of a lifetime
Morge returns to mound after road trip of a lifetime
Lilah Swaving, The Lancer Staff ♦ April 16, 2024

It finally became unbearable for Daniel Morge when the Thousand Oaks High baseball team went to go sing the national anthem, and he couldn’t...

Kirby pulls off rare double play for TO
Kirby pulls off rare double play for TO
Riley Brown, The Lancer Staff ♦ April 16, 2024

Junior Claire Kirby leads the TO softball team as not only an elite pitcher but also as an elite hitter. But she plays a third role that is...

The Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors
Alan Ko, Guest Writer ♦ April 16, 2024

Outdoor school counseling might not sound like the best thing to do with a packed schedule but it is arguably one of the best experiences that...

Off-Campus Pass
Momo Sonoda, Editor-In-Chief ♦ April 16, 2024

Celebrities catastrophic effect on the environment
Joseph Goodnight, Opinion Editor ♦ March 27, 2024

With our current understanding of the climate crisis, it’s safe to say that everyone is trying to be more sustainable for the sake of the environment,...

It’s Valentine’s, Baby

The good, the bad, and the ugly of having a V-Day B-Day
It’s Valentine’s, Baby

St. Valentine’s Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine, but for others, the holiday marks a day of birth. Junior Chokee Weezer was born on Feb. 14, 2007. 

For most, sharing a birthday with a major holiday is an unlucky coincidence, characterized by overshadowing and shared presents, but Weezer wears the badge with pride.

“I love my birthday because it’s a day of love; people are so happy,” she said.

Though Weezer may not have been as satisfied with her birthday if it was on a different holiday, being a Valentine’s baby is a blessing to her, and she cites seeing I love yous written in the sky as one of the catalysts for her appreciation for her birthday.

However, sharing a birthday with a holiday also has its downsides. Restaurants are packed with couples, so Weezer cannot eat out for her birthday dinner. 

“Before, I thought [my birthday] was cute, but now it’s just ‘eh,’ because how am I supposed to go eat dinner on my birthday?” she said.

Instead, she chooses to celebrate her special day with friends prior to or after her birthday, and spends the actual day privately with family. There is also the worry that as she and her friends grow up, they will no longer be able to spend time together on Valentine’s Day as they choose to celebrate the holiday with their significant others.

But despite the mishaps that can occur on a V-Day B-Day (like her fifth birthday when Weezer was presented with a vanilla cake, instead of a chocolate one), Weezer states that she will continue to love her birthday, and she hopes that others can share her joy.

“If I could ask the world for one favor [on my birthday], it would be for everyone to eat chocolate strawberries.”

This year, Weezer will be celebrating her birthday at the beach, making chocolate strawberries. The theme of romance, the anticipation and the happiness that surrounds the day will always make her birthday special — even if she’s sharing it with a monumental holiday.

“But, if my future boyfriend only gets me one gift for my birthday and Valentine’s day,” she said, “that’ll be a problem.”

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About the Contributor
Momo Sonoda, Editor-In-Chief