The Mountain Lion Messenger

The Student News Site of Sierra Vista High School
Political Opponents. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. (Uploaded for Creative Commons License by FMT)
Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: Global Policies
November 2, 2024
America's voters work to fill out their ballots. To find more voting information visit https://www.vote.org/ Photo credits: flickr
Every Vista Vote Matters
November 2, 2024
City Rubble. A Somali boy standing atop rubble in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. (Taken on November 18, 2012 by Tobin Jones for Flickr Creative Commons License)
Somali Civil Strife
October 15, 2024
Civil Strife. Protesters holding a banner of the "Walk for Peace" march against Maduro's regime on October 14, 2014. (Credit: Carlos Díaz; Creative Commons License.)
Venezuela: Corruption Crisis
September 19, 2024
Donald Trump's mug shot, taken on August 24, 2023, during his arraignment in Fulton County, Georgia.
Donald Trump’s Four Separate Criminal Trials and 88 Felony Charges 
May 14, 2024
 The 2022 World Cup  
February 7, 2023
Turns to the West  
February 7, 2023
Seoul’s Halloween Tragedy
February 7, 2023
Venezuelan Anti-Immigration Protests 
February 7, 2023
Mass Shooting in Buffalo, New York
February 7, 2023
Nothing but smiles for Ariella Maika (12) as she holds up her “1K” balloons celebrating her 1,000th high school career kill.
Ariella Maika: Setting New Records
October 15, 2024
Homecoming Football Game
Homecoming Football Game
October 15, 2024
Sierra Vista High School's 2024 swim and dive team and their coaches join together before beginning their practice.
Sierra Vista High School “Dives” Into a New Season
May 14, 2024
Reagan Foglia (11) throws a thundering pitch against Desert Oasis Diamondbacks on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
Clawing the Way to Victory
April 22, 2024
In the middle of an intense match, the Mountain Lions huddle up to coordinate their next move.
SVHS Mountain Lion and DOHS Diamond Backs Battle for the Bell
April 22, 2024
Puissant President. Incoming President Donald Trump set to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025. (Uploaded by Regfollower for Creative Commons License on November 6, 2024).
Donald Trump’s Re-Election: The Positives
December 18, 2024
A pro-Palestinian demonstration on November 4, 2023, at the Freedom Plaza in Washington D.C.
Israel-Palestine Student Protests
May 14, 2024
"Teenagers need a lot of sleep, and I feel like the average student does some sort of extracurricular, 6-7 hours of school, another few hours of homework ... school should ideally start at 9." - Javen (Junior)
School start time legislation at stalemate 
April 22, 2024
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis receives a ceremonial "Liberty Sword" at the 2022 "Moms for Liberty National Summit" in Tampa, Florida. (via Florida Governor's Office)
The Extremist Wave in Florida Education
December 28, 2023
The Rise and Fall of the Superhero Genre
The Rise and Fall of the Superhero Genre
October 29, 2023
Coming together for the NHS blood drive—one donation at a time.
National Honor Society 
December 18, 2024
Vista Royale: The Ultimate Fortnite Duos Tournament
Vista Royale: The Ultimate Fortnite Duos Tournament
December 18, 2024
Enjoying some time away from her second year in the classroom, Ms Balon poses with another lover of literature, Belle from "Beauty and the Beast"
Vista Alumni Returning to the Den
November 22, 2024
Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness
November 20, 2024
Building leaders, fostering teamwork, and embracing discipline-- Sierra Vista High School's JROTC shapes the future one cadet at a time. Cadets Kaia Santos (12), Jacqueline Grote (12), Carson Rose (12), Niko Monto (12), Issac Henry (12), And Aryn Crooks (12) proudly demonstrates JROTC excellence.
JROTC Shaping Cadets Today For America’s Tomorrow
November 20, 2024
Wednesday, December 4, Alex Vegas (9) and Ashton Vega (9) dress as Santa Clause for twin day.
 Vista’s Festive Holiday Spirit Week
December 18, 2024
Fashion Club President Maliq Wyatt (12) talks about his journey and shares his vision with the club.
Sierra Vista’s Fashion Club
December 18, 2024
“A Group Photo”- After the show, the Theater Department actors and stage crew finalized Sierra Vista’s Comedy Night on December 5th, 2024.
Comedy Night at Vista
December 18, 2024
Coming together for the NHS blood drive—one donation at a time.
National Honor Society 
December 18, 2024
Dueling Club Historian Alex Vega (9), and Zavyn Biniek prepare to duel with each other.
Vista Dueling Club
December 18, 2024
Review: Wicked
December 18, 2024
Fallout
Fallout
May 14, 2024
Dune promotional photo featuring stars Zendaya and Timothy Chalamet
Dune Part Two the Sci-Fi of the Future
April 22, 2024
Cast X and O (joined by Technical Theatre students) celebrate a successful production.
Legally Blonde
March 28, 2024
And the winner is . . .Cillian Murphy, for Best Actor for his role in Christopher Nolan's groundbreaking film Oppenheimer.
2024 Oscars 
March 28, 2024

The Mountain Lion Messenger

The Mountain Lion Messenger
Wednesday, December 4, Alex Vegas (9) and Ashton Vega (9) dress as Santa Clause for twin day.
Showcase
 Vista’s Festive Holiday Spirit Week
Farrah Ford, Staff Reporter • December 18, 2024
“A Group Photo”- After the show, the Theater Department actors and stage crew finalized Sierra Vista’s Comedy Night on December 5th, 2024.
Showcase
Comedy Night at Vista
Maegan Lumsdaine, Staff Reporter • December 18, 2024
Vista Royale: The Ultimate Fortnite Duos Tournament
Showcase
Vista Royale: The Ultimate Fortnite Duos Tournament
Danica Macaalay, Social Media Editor • December 18, 2024
Puissant President. Incoming President Donald Trump set to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025. (Uploaded by Regfollower for Creative Commons License on November 6, 2024).
Showcase
Donald Trump’s Re-Election: The Positives
Amanial Ftwi, Editor in Chief • December 18, 2024
Dancing into the spotlight, Synergy members, Christian Rebolledo (12) and Francine Andrion (12), are crowned Homecoming Kind and Queen, making Homecoming a truly unforgettable night for the both of them.
Showcase
Lovers and Friends at Homecoming
Arissa Garcia, Assistant Editor • October 15, 2024
On Friday, September 27, Assistant Principals Mr. Padilla and Ms. Galloway go all out for 'Rock Your School' day. Mr. Padilla dressed as Elvis Presley, and Ms. Galloway dressed as Madonna.
Rock Your School
Lyric LaFasto, Features Editor • October 15, 2024
Senior Sunrise 2024
Senior Sunrise 2024
Averi Costa, Sports Editor • September 19, 2024
News
Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: Global Policies
Amanial M Ftwi, Editor in Cheif • November 2, 2024
Every Vista Vote Matters
Gabriella Frey, News Editor • November 2, 2024
Somali Civil Strife
Amanial Ftwi, Editor in Chief • October 15, 2024
Venezuela: Corruption Crisis
Amanial Ftwi, Editor in Chief • September 19, 2024
Donald Trump’s Four Separate Criminal Trials and 88 Felony Charges 
Nash Anderson, Opinion Editor • May 14, 2024
Sports
Ariella Maika: Setting New Records
Danica Macaalay, Social Media Editor • October 15, 2024
Homecoming Football Game
Averi Costa, Sports Editor • October 15, 2024
Sierra Vista High School “Dives” Into a New Season
Gabriella Frey, Sports Editor • May 14, 2024
Clawing the Way to Victory
Lyric LaFasto, Student Life Co Editor • April 22, 2024
SVHS Mountain Lion and DOHS Diamond Backs Battle for the Bell
Arissa Garcia, Features Co-Editor • April 22, 2024
Opinion
Puissant President. Incoming President Donald Trump set to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025. (Uploaded by Regfollower for Creative Commons License on November 6, 2024).
Donald Trump’s Re-Election: The Positives
Amanial Ftwi, Editor in Chief • December 18, 2024

Although a highly controversial and often outright problematic figure, President Trump won the 2024 election and will serve as the 47th president...

A pro-Palestinian demonstration on November 4, 2023, at the Freedom Plaza in Washington D.C.
Israel-Palestine Student Protests
Amanial Ftwi, Global News Editor • May 14, 2024

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an offensive into Israel, instigating another bloody conflict over the disputed Gaza Strip and West Bank....

"Teenagers need a lot of sleep, and I feel like the average student does some sort of extracurricular, 6-7 hours of school, another few hours of homework ... school should ideally start at 9." - Javen (Junior)
School start time legislation at stalemate 
Nash Anderson, Opinion Editor • April 22, 2024

On September 28, 2023, the Nevada State Board of Education announced potential regulations to push back high school start times to 8 A.M. On...

Coming together for the NHS blood drive—one donation at a time.
Features
National Honor Society 
Kaylah Latu, Staff Reporter • December 18, 2024

At Sierra Vista High School, the National Honor Society (NHS) is a worldwide  organization that recognizes high school students who excel in...

Vista Royale: The Ultimate Fortnite Duos Tournament
Vista Royale: The Ultimate Fortnite Duos Tournament
Danica Macaalay, Social Media Editor • December 18, 2024
Enjoying some time away from her second year in the classroom, Ms Balon poses with another lover of literature, Belle from "Beauty and the Beast"
Vista Alumni Returning to the Den
Danica Macaalay, Social Media Editor • November 22, 2024
Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness
Lyric LaFasto, Features Editor • November 20, 2024
Building leaders, fostering teamwork, and embracing discipline-- Sierra Vista High School's JROTC shapes the future one cadet at a time. Cadets Kaia Santos (12), Jacqueline Grote (12), Carson Rose (12), Niko Monto (12), Issac Henry (12), And Aryn Crooks (12) proudly demonstrates JROTC excellence.
JROTC Shaping Cadets Today For America’s Tomorrow
Arissa Garcia, Assistant Editor • November 20, 2024
Student Life
Wednesday, December 4, Alex Vegas (9) and Ashton Vega (9) dress as Santa Clause for twin day.
 Vista’s Festive Holiday Spirit Week
Farrah Ford, Staff Reporter • December 18, 2024

During December 2nd-6th, 2024 Sierra Vista High School celebrated the Holiday season with their annual holiday Spirit Week filled with dress...

Fashion Club President Maliq Wyatt (12) talks about his journey and shares his vision with the club.
Sierra Vista’s Fashion Club
Victoria Petroni, Staff Reporter • December 18, 2024

Dreams of creating a fashion club at Sierra Vista High School became a reality. At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, fashionistas at Sierra...

“A Group Photo”- After the show, the Theater Department actors and stage crew finalized Sierra Vista’s Comedy Night on December 5th, 2024.
Comedy Night at Vista
Maegan Lumsdaine, Staff Reporter • December 18, 2024

On December 5th, starting at 5:30 PM, Sierra Vista High School’s theatre department hosted Comedy Night, an event of humorous one-act plays,...

Meet the Staff
Kaylah Latu
Kaylah Latu
Staff Reporter

Kaylah Latu is a sophomore student at Sierra Vista Highschool. This is her first year at Sierra Vista and her first year taking Journalism. She was born in Utah and moved to Las Vegas in December of 2016.  Kaylah plays volleyball for school and club.

Danica Macaalay
Danica Macaalay
Social Media Director

Danica Macaalay is a sophomore at Sierra Vista High School, and a second year journalist. This is Danica's first year writing for the Mountain Lion Messenger and is currently the Social Media Manager. Born in San Diego and raised in Las Vegas, Danica...

Averi Costa
Averi Costa
Sports Editor

Averi Costa is a senior at Sierra Vista High School. This would have been Averi's final year in journalism after a successful term as Editor in Chief 2023-2024. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Averi could not enroll into the class during its scheduled...