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

The Pearl Post
  • 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
  • May 12Field trip to the CA Science Center with Mr. Hughes on Wednesday, May 21
  • May 12No school on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day

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
Rikka Dimalanta

Rikka Dimalanta, Online Editor-in-Chief

Rikka Dimalanta is in her third and final year on staff, this time as the Online Editor-in-Chief. In addition to working for The Pearl Post, she is a performer and director for the school band. She hopes to build a future in music, which is one of the things she is most passionate about. She is also looking forward to having an unforgettable senior year with her friends.

All content by Rikka Dimalanta

[Video] That’s a wrap for the Class of 2024

Rikka Dimalanta, Jenny Marquez, and Alan Ruiz
June 10, 2024
Seniors from the Class of 2024 and their guests attend the Senior Dinner and Awards Night on May 30.

[Photo] New senior contract aims to improve senior attendance next school year

Aidan Lia
June 10, 2024

[Video] Students react to potential ban of popular color-dyed snacks

Rikka Dimalanta and Jenny Marquez
April 30, 2024

[Video] The role of feminism in pop culture

Rikka Dimalanta and Jenny Marquez
March 22, 2024
In the midst of an ongoing war, students use social media to stay updated about the events happening in Gaza and express their opinions on the situation.

[Photo] Students keep up with Israeli-Hamas war through social media

Emma Rosenberg
February 29, 2024
Math teacher Gonçalo Sousa tutors students on how to solve systems of equations on Jan. 31. Sousa is hosting after-school SAT tutoring sessions in his classroom to prepare juniors for the exam to be taken in March.

[Photo] Juniors to log on for fully digital SAT in March

Serena Elkins
February 26, 2024

[Video] How digital footprint affects Gen Z

Rikka Dimalanta and Jenny Marquez
January 31, 2024

[Video] Fiesta Friday: The Full Breakdown

Rikka Dimalanta and Jenny Marquez
November 27, 2023
V is the last of the BTS members to deliver his solo album. Released on Sept. 8, “Layover” is a modern jazz and R&B EP consisting of six total tracks, with one being a piano version of the title track.

V’s solo journey takes flight with “Layover”

Rikka Dimalanta
September 19, 2023
Senior Madyson Phillips writes “Happy Birthday Constitution” with chalk during the period 2 AP Government class on Sept. 18. For the activity, students drew words and pictures with chalk in observation of Constitution Day. Every year on Sept. 17, the official ratification of the Constitution in 1787 is remembered through this holiday.

[Photo] Photo of the Week

May 13, 2025
Seniors Gabrielle Lashley and Jenica Felicitas hug each other after the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony on June 8.

[Photo] Class of 2023 graduation a bittersweet sendoff

Satenik Ayrapetyan
June 9, 2023

[Video] Goodbye Class of 2023

Gabrielle Lashley and Rikka Dimalanta
June 8, 2023

[Video] Pearl Con makes a comeback after three years

Gabrielle Lashley, Rikka Dimalanta, and Sabrina Robertson
May 19, 2023
Print Editor-in-Chief Delilah Brumer was named a runner-up for national Journalism Education Association (JEA) 2023 Journalist of the Year at the spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism in San Francisco on April 22.

Print Editor-in-Chief Brumer announced as runner-up National Journalist of the Year

Rikka Dimalanta
May 1, 2023

[Video] Climate activists on campus campaign for change

Rikka Dimalanta and Alan Ruiz
April 22, 2023
Freshman Sebastian Olfatmanesh plays a guitar in a rented music studio on March 21 to prepare for the upcoming spring concert and rescheduled open house performance.

Students take advantage of time off campus as strike continues

Rikka Dimalanta and Keira Van Der Molen
March 22, 2023

[Video] AI bot sparks chatter among students

Gabrielle Lashley and Rikka Dimalanta
February 28, 2023
Senior Delilah Brumer sharpens her photography skills during a lesson at her WKU Xposure Workshop.

Print Editor-in-Chief Brumer wins state Journalist of the Year award

Rikka Dimalanta
February 24, 2023
“505” by Arctic Monkeys is an alternative rock song about the longing to go back to an era when the relationship was still young and romantic.

Listen to these 12 love songs to shine for your valentine

Jenica Felicitas and Rikka Dimalanta
February 8, 2023
The Pearl Post conducted a survey of 55 Daniel Pearl Magnet High School students about their experiences with online safety and misinformation.

[Photo] Online threats, misinformation grow along with new generation

Elizabeth Rose
February 6, 2023

[Video] Teens discuss antisemitism on social media

Gabrielle Lashley and Rikka Dimalanta
January 25, 2023

Schoolwide assembly raises awareness of fentanyl crisis

Rikka Dimalanta and Jenica Felicitas
January 18, 2023

[Video] Stock Market Game inflates student interest

Gabrielle Lashley and Rikka Dimalanta
December 7, 2022

Deadly fentanyl crisis plagues teenagers, concerning students and school district

Rikka Dimalanta and Jenica Felicitas
November 29, 2022

[Video] College application concerns

Gabrielle Lashley and Rikka Dimalanta
November 2, 2022
Long-term math substitute teacher George Padgett explains a concept to his period 4 statistics class on Oct. 3.

Math teacher position still vacant after eight months

Rikka Dimalanta
October 4, 2022
Magnet Coordinator Natalie Berghoudian starts off the behavior expectations meeting for freshmen during 1st period on Aug. 29.

[Photo] Berghoudian seeks to build community on campus

Sabrina Robertson
September 15, 2022
Junior Anthony Jimenez shows an aide how to reset her Schoology password on Sept. 7.

[Photo] District-wide cyberattack disrupts online systems

Delilah Brumer and Gabrielle Lashley
September 7, 2022
Los Angeles Unified School District has adjusted its COVID-19 protocols for the 2022-23 school year.

[Photo] Students return to DPMHS, adjust to relaxed COVID-19 protocols

Angela Ledesma and Jenica Felicitas
August 19, 2022
English teacher Dejanae Sharp reads to her 10th grade honors English class.

[Photo] English teachers Sharp and Baer transfer schools

Delilah Brumer and Nathalie Miranda
June 10, 2022
Senior Cameron Frank smiles at a fellow graduate during the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony. Frank was the ASB President during his senior year and held many different school activities for fundraising.

Caps off to graduating Class of 2022

Naamah Silcott, Alan Ruiz, Emily Short, Rikka Dimalanta, and Delilah Brumer
June 10, 2022
Sophomores Valeria Negev and Khalel Gillen, both of whom have more than a year of songwriting experience, practice the techniques they learned from weekly Songwriting Club meetings sponsored by music teacher Wes Hambright. "(My music) used to be very chaotic," Gillen said. "Now it's like in a nice package."

Club Corner: Songwriting Club provides musical outlet, instruction to student performers

Rikka Dimalanta
May 24, 2022
After two years without a prom, seniors are excited to have this festivity before they graduate high school.

‘Putting on the Ritz’ after two year pandemic

Rikka Dimalanta
May 14, 2022
Junior Vince Gillen and senior Spencer Vance perform "All I Want" by Kodaline during the Blackbox show on April 27.

Musicians prepare for spring concert tomorrow

Rikka Dimalanta
May 3, 2022
As the new superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, Alberto Carvalho has a responsibility to listen to student input. We hope that, as he gets adjusted to his position, Carvalho will respect student press freedom, work with the teachers union and prioritize COVID-19 safety by maintaining district pandemic protocols.

[Photo] Editorial: Dear Mr. Carvalho: Hear us out

April 27, 2022
Two ball knockout competitors slam dunk school spirit

Two ball knockout competitors slam dunk school spirit

Delilah Brumer and Rikka Dimalanta
April 6, 2022
Varsity outfielder Danielle Gonzalez fields a pop-fly during softball practice at Birmingham Community Charter High School.

Athlete of the Month: Gonzalez strives for self-confidence in softball abilities

Rikka Dimalanta
April 1, 2022
Students work independently, while wearing masks, during third period Spanish 3 on March 22.

LAUSD to lift indoor mask mandate tomorrow

Rikka Dimalanta and Gabrielle Lashley
March 22, 2022
On March 15, Magnet Coordinator Leah Pevar discusses her upcoming departure from DPMHS with sophomore Daniel Hernandez during lunch lunchtime in the Grove.

[Photo] Magnet Coordinator departs from DPMHS after 7 years

Emily Flores and Valeria Luquin
March 22, 2022
An aesthetic pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunny days and compliment your outfit.

[Photo] Essentials for wacky weather you should have on stand by

Jazmine Valerio
March 16, 2022
Black Student Union President Tia Jarret and Vice President Naamah Scott brainstorm during a club meeting about things the club can do to help out on campus.

Club Corner: BSU helps students learn more about Black community

Rikka Dimalanta
March 11, 2022
History teacher Francisco Ortega leads a discussion in his third period AP World History class on the different perspectives of the World War II bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Students and teachers discuss lack of diversity in curriculum

Rikka Dimalanta
February 28, 2022
Juniors Giselle Khalil, Vince Gillen and Nancy Medrano hang out outside during lunch without masks on Feb. 23.

LAUSD lifts outdoor mask mandate, student reactions mixed

Jessica Melkonyan and Rikka Dimalanta
February 23, 2022
Junior Jiszelle Arana scrolls through her social media during lunch time. Recent revelations have revealed that algorithms of some social media platforms are harmful to teens.

Social media addicts, influences teenagers

Rikka Dimalanta
January 28, 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.

World Music Day performers shine

Rikka Dimalanta
December 16, 2021

[Video] Students share what they’re grateful for after the pandemic

Rikka Dimalanta, Elishava Ibarra, and Nickalas Lembo
November 19, 2021
Junior Jiszelle Arana adopts a fierce stance in her Freddy Krueger costume.

Students, staff show off haunting Halloween costumes

Delilah Brumer, Rikka Dimalanta, and Elishava Ibarra
October 29, 2021
Musicians Alejandra Iniguez, William Myers and Jose Arcilla rehearse the song "Across the Universe" by The Beatles during fourth period on Sept. 30 with music teacher Wes Hambright.

World Music Day performance postponed

Rikka Dimalanta
October 29, 2021
Senior Spencer Vance practices during lunch on Oct. 6 for his piano solo of Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude.”

Musicians prepare for first in-person World Music Day performance in over a year

Rikka Dimalanta
October 8, 2021
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