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Los Angeles Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach environmental advocate asks ‘What's Going On?' with new podcast
Christine Mulholland can trace her environmentalist roots back to when she was about 5 years old. On rainy days back then, she would put on her boots and grab an umbrella. She'd also round up the other kids on her block. 'I would put this worm-saving committee together,' Mulholland said with a laugh. 'I would make everyone help me rescue the worms out of the gutter, and put them back in the grass and the soil. That's where my passion for animals literally extended to worms, OK?' She was the kid who cried when — spoiler alert — Mufasa died in the movie 'The Lion King.' Other experiences also shaped her along the way, like reading the book 'Ishmael,' by Daniel Quinn, which explores life through the eyes of a gorilla. As an adult, Mulholland sees ecosystems that are more and more out of whack, and animals that have their population numbers dwindling. It's a lot for the Huntington Beach entrepreneur, or anyone really, to digest. But she created a podcast this year to help try to make sense of it all. The 'What's Going On?' podcast dives into global challenges, but also spirituality, health and wellness tips and more. It asks questions of a world that Mulholland sees as chaotic and uncertain. 'The world is talking to us,' said Mulholland, 38, a graduate of Fountain Valley High School and Cal State Long Beach. 'There are so many different events that have happened that are showing that the Earth is talking to us, she's telling us that this is not the way. We've got to change our ways, and quickly, and I don't think that a lot of people understand — or they feel apathetic and they don't know how to help or what to do. Compounded by all of this war stuff going on, the political divide, it all feels like such a distraction from what's really important and really threatening our survival as a species on this planet.' Mulholland in 2012 co-founded an environmental and wildlife conservation nonprofit called Generation Awakening. In 2018, she put on a 5K 'Race Against Extinction' locally that raised more than $40,000 to protect endangered species and their habitats. A bit tired of constantly fundraising, she wanted to earn more income herself to fund her passions. She teamed with Chef Matthew Kenney to launch 'Veg'D,' a vegan drive-through restaurant in Costa Mesa that opened in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic during the pandemic but closed in February 2024, a victim of what Mulholland said was sky-high rent that made it difficult to turn a profit. 'The numbers didn't work,' she said. 'Then, I realized I had nothing left. I lost all of my savings and everything, and all I had left was my voice. It just all came back full circle. I started Veg'D to help causes that I care about, but I could just do that using my voice, which is free. That's how the podcast was kind of born.' She has released a few episodes of 'What's Going On?' already on Spotify and YouTube, featuring Mulholland interviewing guests passionate about the environment and other issues. She has already recorded about 20 episodes, and those released so far include talks with renowned photojournalist and conservationist Paul Hilton, personal development leader Kute Blackson and Hongxiang Huang of 'Agent C,' who goes undercover to expose illegal wildlife poaching in black markets worldwide. Mulholland's younger sister Tracy, a writer and science teacher, has served as her sounding board as the podcast has gotten off the ground. 'I think it's great that she's trying to bring awareness to all of these wildlife situations,' Tracy Mulholland said. 'I actually left publishing research because I was like, it's falling on deaf ears. So, I think she's got a good platform in that she's relatable and young and fun and this cute girl, but she also cares deeply about animals and wildlife and our planet. It's a good combination, and I'm hoping that people will actually listen.' Christine Mulholland resists the use of a loaded word like 'activist' in describing herself, adding that she rejects the two-party political system that too often is funded by billionaires pulling the strings. 'This is very common sense, just someone who loves our planet and animals and wildlife and wants a thriving ecosystem for our children and grandchildren,' she said. 'To be like, oh I'm a radical environmentalist for not wanting to cut down the trees that give us oxygen, for wanting a healthy ocean, that's crazy … Our planet needs more people speaking about the atrocities going on, and trying to change the way that we operate.' Upcoming guests on the 'What's Going On?' podcast, which will release episodes once or twice a week, include anti-whaling activist Capt. Paul Watson, breathwork and somatic therapist Alyssa Stefanson and more. She said she doesn't want the environmental conversations to be overly depressing, so she seeks to balance them out with other voices and topics. Mulholland has recorded podcast episodes both at her home in Huntington Beach and at Dream X Studios in Newport Beach. Her goal is to become a wide-reaching, top 1% podcast with millions of listeners worldwide. She appreciates a well-known quote attributed to the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs praising the misfits and troublemakers, the round pegs in a square hole who see things differently. Nowadays Mulholland no longer rounds up worm rescue committees, but she tries to use the air conditioning sparingly in her home — thinking of the Arctic ice pack when she does — and always recycles. According to the World Wildlife Fund's Living Planet Report 2024, there was a 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations from 1970 to 2020. 'I want to start a global conversation with all of the good people of the world,' Mulholland said. 'We need to band together, you know? There's more good people than bad. It seems so bleak, but if we all came together, [the bad people] would be outnumbered. Let's come together, make better, sane decisions and have better global conversations than the ones we're having right now.'
Los Angeles Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Students unknowingly changed in camera-equipped gym
Three new cameras were placed in the gym, mounted on the west wall above the exit doors, and providing full visibility of each basketball court. Unlike the gym's existing 'Huddle Live' cameras, which can be activated by coaches to broadcast volleyball or basketball games, the new cameras are constantly recording for security purposes. Neither athletic nor performing arts coaches were notified that the cameras had been installed. 'I thought the cameras in the gym had always been there. I did not know they were installing new cameras in the gym,' badminton head coach Long Hoang said. 'I don't have any email interaction with the school about the update,' girls' basketball head coach Camryn Hamaguchi said. 'I was under the impression that the gym always had security cameras, even before I started coaching at the school.' Assistant Principal of Supervision Elliot Skolnick confirmed to Baron Banner that no formal notification of camera installation was sent out to athletic coaches until the end of March. According to FVHS dance team coach and advisor Kelela Batinga, the FVHS dance team has used the gym's back courts as a makeshift changing area during their winter and spring showcases for the past 18 years. A curtain, used as a performance backdrop, served to divide the changing area from the main stage located in the middle courts. The existence of the cameras was first discussed at a meeting between Batinga, Assistant Principal of Activities and Athletics Hayato Yuuki, and dance team booster parents. While dance team members were informed about the new cameras at the meeting on March 25, they had already performed and changed backstage at the winter showcase on Dec. 15, 2024, unaware of the surveillance. 'We didn't know anything until our meeting. We did not know this for our winter show, and that's why we did change back there,' Batinga said. Senior dancer Olivia Armedilla noted that using the back courts during showcases as a changing area is crucial for maintaining the event's flow. 'Changing in the back part of the gym instead of running back and forth to the locker rooms is way easier because some of the dancers have a lot of routines to perform,' Armedilla said. 'They also have to change their costumes or dance shoes, and it would be too hard for us as dancers to run back and forth [between the gym and the locker rooms]. Otherwise, we waste our energy before performing.' Members of Pep Squad, another performance group that also utilizes the back court of the gym as a changing area, stated that they were not informed of the cameras before their annual spring showcase on March 22. Fountain Valley High School's Pep Squad also utilizes a similar stage setup at their Spring Showcase. (Emma Nguyen) 'Many people on our squad have changed, and we weren't aware there is a [recording] with us partially dressed,' senior cheer captain Emily Rostomian said. 'We also have had practice there many times only in sports bras and shorts, so the addition of that information is unsettling to me.' Changing behind the backdrop during showcases has been a long-time practice for the FVHS dance team. 'We were horrified. Honestly, we've changed [on the backside of the gym] for every year I've been here, including when I was on the team,' Batinga said. 'If there was ever a change in cameras or policies, I have no problem working with that. But we should have been told and it's pretty outrageous that we were not notified, because this is young girls changing. My goal is to always keep the dancers safe, and that is just not okay.' All athletic and performance coaches were officially notified of the existence of the cameras in an email sent out by Yuuki on March 26. 'Barons, as a reminder, please make sure that no one is changing their clothes in the gym, even if the curtains are down,' Yuuki wrote. 'Please utilize the boys' and girls' locker rooms for all changing purposes. As a side note, if you're using the locker rooms, please make sure the rooms are being supervised and that they are locked at their use.' At the Dance Team's spring performance on May 4, Batinga made changes to the dancers' changing process backstage in order to improve the performers' privacy. 'For our spring show, we brought easy-up tents with lots of big bed sheets, so we put that in front of where the cameras were and the dancers were able to change in a hidden area,' Batinga said. According to Lopez, the HBUHSD Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation (MOT), Mark Hansberger, the director of IT, Derek Kinsey and the school administration team have access to the footage, which is not regularly monitored or pulled unless needed for disciplinary action. Yuuki told Baron Banner that he confirmed with Hansberger that the camera footage is only retained for 30 days. Afterwards, Verkada, the security camera company, permanently deletes the footage, which can no longer be accessed by any district personnel. At the time of publication, neither Hansberger nor Verkada has returned Baron Banner's request for independent verification that the footage is deleted after 30 days. Moving forward, FVHS administration plans to implement a privacy policy before the start of the 2025–2026 school year. 'There will be no changing in the gym,' Yuuki said. 'We want to make sure [that changing policies] are included in our student handbook for the upcoming year and make sure that all of our coaches, performing arts, dance, pep squad are aware that you shouldn't be changing in there at all.' The policy will require all changing to occur in locker rooms, which will be monitored by an adult at all times. Athletic or performance coaches are to request a key for access to these locker rooms if needed outside of school hours. HBUHSD is currently ordering 'video in progress' signage to ensure students and staff are aware of surveillance. These signs will be installed for the upcoming school year. '[Changing in the locker rooms] will make our shows go a little bit slower, but we will work with it, because the safety of the kids is most important,' Batinga said. Related
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Fountain Valley High School to discontinue theatre course offerings
Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) will discontinue its theatre course offerings at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, following the reassignment of FVHS Theatre teacher Robert Zick to Ocean View High School. Zick, who currently teaches theatre part-time at both schools, will teach English and Social Theater at Ocean View in the fall. 'It was not my decision … I didn't get a real reason for why it's happening, with the exception of the sections that are not available here [at Fountain Valley],' Zick, who found out about his reassignment last week, said. 'I believe what's happening is that they're trying to deal with declining enrollment through the district and the permanent contracts for teachers.' FVHS Principal Paul Lopez cited declining enrollment districtwide and declining student interest in theater as the reasons for the discontinuation of theatre course offerings. In the past few years, FVHS has offered theatre classes with enrollment at what Lopez described as 'low numbers.' In a transfer announcement email obtained by Baron Banner and sent by Director of Human Resources Dr. Morgan Smith, Ocean View currently has at least one opening for an English teacher. Zick is credentialed to teach English and previously taught English classes at Fountain Valley. 'We're in a situation where [Huntington Beach Union High School District] is not hiring teachers because of declining enrollment,' Lopez said. 'So there's a person that has a credential that has low numbers in other classes, and there's a need at another school.' As a permanent status teacher, Zick is an employee of HBUHSD, meaning he is only guaranteed a job matching his credential at one of six school sites — not a particular school. 'It's a move at district level to allocate personnel and get the numbers where it needs to be for the students in our district,' Assistant Principal of Guidance Casey Harelson said. 'It's not something we're celebrating or happy about, but we understand it has to happen when there's declining enrollment.' Due to the low interest in theatre courses, including fewer than 20 upperclassmen for the next school year, Lopez confirmed FVHS is unable to hire a new teacher for these theatre sections. 'I don't know why interest is declining,' Zick said. 'I know theatre can be scary to students when they're first coming into high school, but I've had seniors wish they did it earlier. A lot of students find their home and their voice here in a safe place to be whoever they are.' The program's future When Zick first arrived at FVHS as a theatre teacher, he slowly built the program up to five sections before the COVID-19 pandemic. Declining interest, Zick's part-time assignment between two schools and the relocation of the Social Theatre class, a unified theater class for special education students, have created challenges at FVHS. Currently, FVHS students have the opportunity to take either a fourth-period Theatre 1, 2 or 3 class or a seventh period Theatre Production class. Theatre 1, 2 or 3 are designed to develop an actor's knowledge and understanding, while Theatre Production is where students rehearse and design the program's various productions. This year's productions include 'The Play That Goes Wrong,' 'Pippin: The Musical' and 'She Kills Monsters.' The program has two final productions for this school year: 'The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals' and 'Check, Please!?' Although Zick says he understands elements of HBUHSD's position, he believes there are other paths to consider for FVHS Theatre's future. This includes utilizing Proposition 28, the California Art and Music in Schools Initiative, which provides additional funding for arts education, to build robust arts programs at each school site that incorporate various forms of visual and performing arts. Proposition 28 funds have been used to hire various new performing arts coaches at Fountain Valley. 'I think the theater community here right now is going to do whatever we can to ensure that there is a path for theater to continue, whether it is through a club or if there can be a class or pooling resources from the community to ensure these students here have an opportunity to continue to do theater,' Zick said. 'It's just figuring out what is the best path forward.' FVHS is currently exploring various alternatives to continue the theatre program on campus, including an after-school format. According to Harelson, there are other theatre classes still available in HBUHSD. This includes Marina High School's zero period and after-school production classes or the Academy for the Performing Arts, the arts magnet program at Huntington Beach High School. It's possible for students' schedules to be accommodated by pursuing theater at another site and academics at FVHS. 'I know Lopez and I are both committed to do everything we can to support the small but passionate group of theater students we have here, and we are currently still exploring alternatives,' Harelson said. 'People should know it's not an intentional thing. It's not that we needed to shut down the theater because they had low numbers,' Lopez added. 'We've been running it with low numbers, which is hard to do with declining enrollment. It's a matter of the whole system working together.' Theatre students' response FVHS Theatre students learned of the news on Monday afternoon through an announcement from Zick himself. Both a petition and a social media account have been created by members of the theatre program to advocate for their concerns for the future of FVHS Theatre. At the time of publication, the petition has received over 2,900 signatures from current and former Theatre students, as well as other community supporters. 'Theatre at FVHS has not only been a space for artistic expression but a crucial safe haven for countless students. Unlike any other space within the school, it provides a nurturing environment where creativity thrives, students find their voices, and a unique sense of belonging is cultivated,' senior Lizzy Doan, author of the petition, wrote. 'We understand that due to low enrollment and issues outside of our control as students, these classes and the theatre program overall are being cut. However, there are still many students currently at FVHS, and incoming students as well, who benefit from the theatre program.' According to comments on a recent post, the 'Save FVHS Theatre' group is planning to organize a dress-up day, contact HBUHSD officials, speak at an upcoming board meeting next Thursday and advocate on social media. 'It's been affecting me emotionally. [Theatre has] been a home, a home away from home for me as much as it is for the students. We had our banquet on Friday, we had an award ceremony [Sunday] and we've got a series of shows that we'll do this week,' Zick said. 'I'm holding on to that mantra 'the show must go on,' so we're going to finish the year strong.' Related
