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

The Pearl Post
  • April 22Field trip to Exposition Park/CA Science Center with Mr. Norton on Friday, April 25
  • April 22No school on Thursday, April 24 for Armenian Genocide Observance Day
  • April 22SBAC Testing (ELA) during Periods 3 and 4 on Wednesday, April 23
  • April 22Field trip to the Huntington Library with Ms. Quiroga on Wednesday, April 23
  • April 22JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle from April 23 to April 27
  • April 22SBAC Testing (ELA) during Periods 2 and 3 Tuesday, April 22
  • April 22Field trip to Exposition Park/CA Science Center with Mr. Norton on Friday, April 25

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
Kristin Intal

Kristin Intal, Visual Editor

Kristin Intal is a senior and in her second year on staff. As the Visual Editor, she plans to support other staff members through photography, art and editing skills. Outside of class, she strives to participate in a variety of activities, such as martial arts and volunteering.

All content by Kristin Intal
Sophomore Giancarlo Valdez backhands a tennis ball while practice at Birmingham Community Charter High School on March 3. Valdez is the only Daniel Pearl Magnet High School student on the BBCHS varsity tennis team.

Athlete of the Month: Valdez finds new passion through tennis

Kristin Intal
April 25, 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.

[Photo] Navigating social pressures: Gen Z’s ability to form real connections

Jenny Marquez
April 23, 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.

[Photo] Editorial: New executive orders put the environment under turmoil

April 22, 2025
Seniors Jesse Medrano and Saman Sepehr chat while looking at menus on March 25. Senior students attended Senior Dinner at Wood Ranch in Northridge.

[Photo] Photo of the Week

April 29, 2025
Sexism today takes form in the inequality of pay for women, limited political representation, violence and lack of healthcare access. It’s important now more than ever to advocate and engage in issues that affect women.

[Photo] Editorial: Advocating for women’s rights is more important than ever

March 28, 2025
Since President Donald Trump signed an official executive order closing down the Department of Education, students and those relying on federal funding are left to wonder the lasting effects the order will have.

[Photo] Cuts to the federal budget cut off people’s life-lines

Andrew Pulido
March 27, 2025
Senior Diego Vera Suarez uses a kickboard to better his kicking technique on March 3. Vera Suarez is on the varsity swim team for Birmingham Community Charter High School.

[Photo] Athlete of the Month: Vera Suarez dives into new beginnings

Jasmine Thompson
March 26, 2025
Despite the White House claiming that Donald Trump plans to expand educational opportunities, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights threatened to penalize schools offering race-based programs through a letter sent on Feb. 14

[Photo] Editorial: Abolishing the Department of Education would only hurt students

February 27, 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.

[Photo] ASB faces fundraising hurdles due to strict food regulations

February 26, 2025
Juniors Ariana Lopez Villacorta and Nemesi Morales hold up their Yondr pouches during their period 2 AP Environment Science class on Feb. 18. The district wide cellphone ban was implemented on Feb. 18.

[Photo] Cellphone ban implemented on school campus

Tania Lopez and Daryna Hriaznova
February 19, 2025
Junior Sebastian Olfatmanesh sings “Something” by the Beatles while playing the guitar on Feb. 11. Students rehearsed for the Valentine’s Day concert, which will be held on Feb. 13 in the MPR.

[Photo] Musicians, poets prepare to belt their hearts out for upcoming Valentine’s Day concert

Linus Bossardt
February 12, 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.

[Photo] Student safety ensured amid wildfires

Alex Salcedo
January 14, 2025
The Los Angeles Unified School District implements a winter break for students that stretches from the middle of December to the first weekend of January. However, that does not take into account students who celebrate the holiday in different times of the year. Some students celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7.

[Photo] The need for inclusive holiday recognition in LAUSD: An orthodox Christian perspective

Satenik Ayrapetyan
December 12, 2024
Coach Andrea Rodriguez (far right) leads a dance class for the Keep Youth Doing Something (KYDS) after school program on Nov. 19. Juniors Ariana Lopez Villacorta and Nemesi Martinez Morales enjoy participating in the program’s dance program and use this opportunity to reside in a safe space after school hours.

[Photo] KYDS keeps students busy, engaged

Jasmine Thompson
December 6, 2024
It's important to know that celebrities are their own people and that the screen doesn't automatically connect you to them.

[Photo] Celebrities are not your friends

Andre Arcilla
November 21, 2024
Freshman Cecia Herrera analyzes the volleyball court on Sept. 18. Although she played volleyball before high school, Herrera is excited for her first season at Birmingham Charter Community High School.

[Photo] Athlete of the Month: Herrera bumps into the new volleyball season

Benjamin Recinos
September 30, 2024
Science teacher Ani Zohrabyan teaches her period 2 AP Environmental Science class about the Tragedy of the Commons on Aug. 15.

[Photo] New science teacher takes on unfilled position

Jasmine Thompson
September 4, 2024
Andre Arcilla’s Staff Photo

[Photo] Andre Arcilla

September 3, 2024
Vanessa Morales

[Photo] Vanessa Morales

September 3, 2024
Aidan Lia Staff Photo

[Photo] Aidan Lia

September 3, 2024
Online Editor-in-Chief Jenny Marquez and Print Editor-in-Chief Satenik Ayrapetyan look forward to a successful and productive year with The Pearl Post staff.

[Photo] Editorial: Committed team, ambitious goals

August 29, 2024
Interior of the Grand Palais, decorated for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 2024 Summer Olympics were held in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11 and had athletes from all over the world peacefully competing in a number of games.

Top moments of the 2024 Paris Olympics

Kristin Intal
August 15, 2024
Salutatorian Maggie Simonyan gives a speech during the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony on June 11.

[Photo] Caps off to Class of 2024

Jenny Marquez
June 12, 2024
Senior Derek Vasquez decorates his graduation cap during a cap-decorating activity in the MPR on June 4.

[Photo] Class of 2024 prepares for graduation next week

Serena Elkins
June 7, 2024
Content on social media, garnered for more older audiences, have gained traction to preteens who’ve yet to grasp adulthood. Preteens and younger should cherish their adolescence wholeheartedly rather than being consumed by the pressures of growing up.

[Photo] Amidst the increasing pressure to grow up, kids should value their adolescence

Emma Rosenberg
May 31, 2024
A new plagiarism policy will be installed for the upcoming year. Its purpose is to combat students' use of artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT and Google Translate.

[Photo] New plagiarism policy planned for next school year

Vanessa Morales
May 31, 2024
The need for courses that prepare students after high school are crucial to understand the world past studying. Entwining important life skills, such as learning to save and opening a bank account, should become included in general education.

[Photo] Teach skills that prepare students beyond high school

Donovan Ochoa
May 6, 2024
Junior Genesis Cuellar-Figueroa takes a picture of the April 8 eclipse. By using the special eclipse sunglasses, she protected both her eyes and her camera lens.

[Photo] Students, teachers view solar eclipse

Aidan Lia
April 8, 2024
The House of Representatives determined that TikTok should be banned in the U.S. unless sold to an American company. Uncertain of whether or not TikTok will be banned, its users worry they will lose their platform for self-expression, building an online presence or earning an income.

[Photo] Editorial: TikTok is worth keeping amid potential ban

March 22, 2024
While students get to meet with the school social worker three times a week and psychologist only once a week, there needs to be consistent mental health support throughout students' hectic school lives. Without anyone for students to talk to, this fuels fire to a growing mental health crisis facing schools across the country.

[Photo] Students deserve adequate mental health support at such a small school

Jazmine Valerio
May 1, 2024
Student Press Freedom Day offers a stark reminder for student journalists that their First Amendment rights are guaranteed. Although setbacks in defamation and censorship may intimidate a school's publication, it shouldn't deter from your First Amendment rights.

[Photo] Editorial: Students must recognize their First Amendment rights, especially at a journalism school

February 22, 2024

The Pearl Voice

Kristin Intal
February 16, 2024
Sophomores Ariana Lopez and Serena Elkins play "Brain Games: The Game" on Feb. 8. Due to a power outage, they were not able to log onto their AP World History course taken through the online learning program Edgenuity.

[Photo] Student learning hindered during two-hour-long power outage

Vanessa Morales
February 8, 2024
Students take the push-ups section of the FitnessGram in the MPR on Feb 5. Due to inclement weather, only about one third of the class' 31 students were present.

[Photo] Campus remains open on Monday despite heavy rainfall

Jasmine McNair
February 5, 2024
Students walk past trash cans as they head to their next class on Feb. 5. Due to the rain, numerous trash cans were placed in the hallway to catch water from the leaking ceilings.

[Photo] Editorial: LAUSD neglects student, staff safety amid unprecedented storm

February 5, 2024
Many students base their understanding of the Israel-Hamas conflict on online sources. However, social media posts geared toward teens often contain misinformation fueled by opposing viewpoints, stressing the importance of media literacy skills in teens.

[Photo] Editorial: Devastation in Israel-Hamas war prompts need for teens to use media literacy

February 29, 2024

“Holly-Jolly Holiday” concert kicks off the holiday season

Kristin Intal, Emma Rosenberg, and Jasmine McNair
December 12, 2023
During finals season, students' schedules are filled with exams, studying and projects. Without proper mental health support, many students will be overwhelmed.

[Photo] Editorial: Mental health support during finals season is what we need most

December 8, 2023
Isimene “Naomi” Udu, known by her stage name Hemlocke Springs, is a rising North Carolina musician whose songs are drawn from indie pop, synth pop and lo-fi.

Artist of the Month: Give ‘all ur luv’ to blooming new artist Hemlocke Springs

Kristin Intal
December 5, 2023
Senior Behishta Safi plays Connect 4 with senior Anthony Jimenez during Fiesta Friday in the grove on Sept. 29.

[Photo] Fiesta Friday in need of improvement

Vanessa Morales
November 27, 2023
School Administrative Assistant Jennifer Miranda, School Supervision Aide Martha Vargas, Counselor Martina Torres and Office Tech Lupe Osorio dress as characters from The Wizard of Oz.

Students, staff get spooky in style for Halloween

Jasmine McNair, Kristin Intal, Vanessa Morales, and Marina Nelson
October 31, 2023
Sophomore Mose Judge-Glascock, junior Leeron Nakash and sophomore Sebastian Olfatmanesh perform "Brazil" by Declan McKenna as the opening song for World Music Day on Oct. 25.

[Photo] World Music Day performers take a trip around the world

Aidan Lia and Alexa Garay
October 31, 2023
AI-generative software can assist in correcting spelling, improving grammar and catching mistakes a human may not easily see. However, these softwares lack the ability to replace the creativity and emotion that is expressed through human personality in writing.

[Photo] Editorial: AI must not be seen as an alternative to self-expression

October 25, 2023
AI image generation creates images using data from previously-made artworks. This is often done without the permission of artists. The people who use AI image generation software often sell these images without any permission or consent from artists.

Rise of AI ruins my artistic passions

Kristin Intal
October 24, 2023
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and actors represented by SAG-AFTRA brought their demands to the attention of big-name studios through a strike. The results of the strike will impact these entertainers’ wages, their job security and upcoming productions. While the WGA reached a deal on Sept. 24 and ended the writer’s strike on Sept. 27, SAG-AFTRA continues to strike to meet performers’ needs.

[Photo] Action! Hollywood awaits 1 more deal as writers strike is resolved

Isaac Herrera
September 29, 2023
Freshmen Andrea Arosemena and Ava Weinstein represent their class by wearing pink for Color Wars on Sept. 8.

Spirit Week brings out creativity in students, staff

Serena Elkins, Jasmine McNair, Francesca Sisk, Yusuf Syed, Aidan Lia, Vanessa Morales, Kristin Intal, Alia Galvan, and Donovan Ochoa
September 11, 2023
Students scan through a list of each student's period one class on Aug. 14 before the start of the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.

First day of school welcomes new, returning students

Alan Ruiz and Kristin Intal
August 14, 2023
Junior Arvin Khosravy wrestles with a teammate during a warm-up at Birmingham Charter High School on Oct. 28.

Athlete of the Month: Khosravy wrestles his way to the top

Kristin Intal
December 7, 2022
Senior William Myers and junior Emmanuel Recinos play "My Kind of Woman" by Mac DeMarco on their guitars during the spring concert on May 4.

Spring concert performers awe audience

Elishava Ibarra, Delilah Brumer, Alia Galvan, and Kristin Intal
May 6, 2022
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