Canyons News

Canyons News Canyons News is the official student news agency of College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita Valley.

07/15/2025

Drum Corps International is proud to present. Gold!

What you are hearing is the vibrant spectacle of sight and sound presented by Drum Corps International.

“Drum Corps International is the Marching Music Major League's elite units. They are all over the United States and abroad. That's why it's international,” said Rick Caccum of Drum Corps International, Events Safety Manager.

A packed Cougar Stadium played host to the Gold Showcase this past Wednesday.

“All the high schools come and look at this, as well as the junior highs and middle schools. It fosters music education, which we all know is a wonderful thing,” said Mark Malone of Nick Rail Music in Santa Clarita.

Marching ensembles compete, showcasing a mix of precision artistic expression, combining synchronized movements with compelling musical elements. The DCI organization attracts brass, percussion and color guard performers from across the globe between the ages of 13 and 22, allowing them to compete for a coveted spot on an elite drum corps team. Staff and volunteers coordinate the extensive tour logistics for drum corps nationwide performances, involving rehearsing, feeding, and transporting numerous performers and their gear.

The Gold Showcase presented local music education businesses such as Nick Rail Musik with a valuable opportunity to connect with spectators and performers.

“Nick Rail loves to sponsor these events because, of course, we're here to encourage people and to help them enjoy the joy of making music,” said Malone.

Drum Corps fans flock to these performances with keepsakes in tow to support their favorite team, rain or shine.

“They're concerned about heat, rain and stuff. I just informed them, hey, it's gorgeous. We're having a good time. Little warm at the beginning, but it cools off,” said Caccum.

The DCI 2025 Summer Tour will culminate at the world championship finals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on August 7 through 9th, where the excitement is sure to hit the right note.

06/12/2025

You might not know that Starbucks brings in $35 billion annually. But despite its success, the company still feels room for improvement. Canyons News Reporter Ciara Hernandez takes us to a local store to see what’s brewing.

06/12/2025

Late last month, young hockey players as young as eight years old laced up their skates and competed in the Spring Hockey Cup Tournament at the Cube.

The Cube, hosting its largest tournament to date, welcomed 47 squads across five age brackets from all over California to play for a trophy and a championship banner.

All teams faced off on NHL, Olympic, and pond-sized ice sheets, with proud parents and siblings in the stands.

"Since it's local, it makes it very convenient for us here, and there's a lot of Flyers teams together in different divisions, so it makes it a lot of fun," said Dario Brebric, a parent of a participant at the tournament.

But even as competitive as the tournament has become, the kids are having fun not only playing the game but also growing it.

While hockey may not be the most popular sport in California, tournaments like the Spring Hockey Cup are seen as big opportunities for aspiring players.

"It's fun because, again, we get to play a new team how we haven't played, and every day there are different games to watch," said Christian Brebric, a local participant of the tournament.

"Well, tournaments in California are a big deal. We obviously don't have the same hockey community as some other states back east or in the Midwest, but hockey is definitely growing in California," said Matt Dugan, The Cube's Assistant Manager.

"And it's getting bigger every year, and tournaments like this help. We've hosted tournaments in the past," said Dugan.

"We've had Labor Day and Memorial tournaments in the past, but we wanted to rebrand our Memorial tournament this year and make it the Spring Hockey Cup, and all the teams will get a cup if they win, and it really makes it something special and a little bit different," said Dugan.

06/11/2025

Over 15 marathons are hosted in Santa Clarita each year. The Forever Brave Marathon had over a hundred runners participate in honor of Memorial Day.

This is a three-mile, six and nine-mile course that lines the hiking trails of West Creek Park in Valencia.

From 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM, participants complete one or more of these courses.

"I've done a lot of 5 Ks. I couldn't even count how many, I don't know, under 10 though," said Diana Harris, a marathon runner at the event.

"Me and my friend here have done a couple of half marathons over the year and a half. Couple 10 Ks," said Harris.

"I've only been into running for about a year and a half now. I did a run with my company last January, and I just fell in love with a feeling when I get done," said Harris.

The initial start time is the same for everyone, no matter the length of the race you decide to run.

This allows families to sit and enjoy watching the runners, but it also naturally draws attention to those who need a sign that their friends and family are watching.

"I had one of my runners, he didn't make it onto the Valley meet, so I told him, Hey, come out, run like a fun 10 k," said Alaya Gomez, Kern High School District Track Coach.

"During college, COVID hit, so I had like another year, and then I had a redshirt year 'cause of a heart surgery. So, um. I wind up having six years, so I'm one of the few college athletes that got six years," said Gomez.

After participants have finished, food and snacks are dispersed along with shiny metals to encapsulate the gratification of finishing their race.

06/11/2025

Whether it's an evening scrimmage or a morning practice, the College of the Canyons Men's Soccer Team is deep into its preseason.

Regardless of the hot weather, coaches and players' energy show up in every drill to keep up the intensity and push everyone to their limits for a competitive and focused season.

"I think last couple seasons, we got a lot of talent, but the results were poor," said Philip Marcellin, College of the Canyons Men's Soccer coach.

"We just didn't seem to be pushing and pushing each other enough, and the training ground, and I think we've been working," said Marcellin.

Their intensity shift is already showing not just in drills, but in real moments on the field. The sophomores especially feel the pressure and responsibility, as this is their last season to make a mark before moving forward and leaving a lasting impact on the program.

“I'm helping them by pushing them because I know what to expect from last season, so I want them to be ready for the upcoming season," said Steve Garcia, a sophomore on the team.

With experience under their belts, the sophomores are stepping into leadership roles and pushing the team and themselves toward something better.

Together, they want to prove what their group is really capable of when they stay focused and push together.

“One goal is that I want us to succeed, I want us to do better," said Garcia. "We just keep pushing ourselves.”

With their renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose, the COC men's soccer team is ready for everything to come together and chase a season full of opportunity.

06/11/2025

The Valencia Country Club hosted the final qualifiers for the U.S. Open, known as the longest day in golf. Eighty-four golfers played 36 holes in one day.

"A grind is a perfect word. It's 36 holes. It's a long day. We're out here probably for 10 to 12 hours," said Joey Herrera, U.S. Open Golfer.

Only four winners are moving on to the U.S. Open. One of those winners, Zachary Polo, placed third overall, shooting six under par.

"I didn't need to go low on the second round. I knew I just needed to stay around par, but I also wanted to make sure I wasn't protecting, so I just wanted to keep doing what I was doing, and it worked out," said Polo.

But for Herrera, 36 holes wouldn't be enough. Herrera finished tied for fourth and needed a playoff round to decide the final spot.

" I try to hit good golf shots. Whatever happens, happens. But I'm just going to try and go through my routine and try and feel like it's a normal round of golf," said Herrera.

After sinking this putt, the playoff ended in a tie, meaning Herrera had to return the next day for another round, which he won.

Over 12 hours of golf later, 80 golfers went home, and four moved on for an opportunity of a lifetime.

06/11/2025

A local tradition is bringing the golden age of Hollywood back to life.

The Newhallywood Silent Film Festival returns to Newhall for its fifth year, offering three days of classic silent films at the Newhall Family Theatre and the Main on Main Street.

The festival embraces the hushed and the historic, screening everything from The Phantom of the Opera to West of Zanzibar for classic movie lovers.

What was once an empty theater quickly fills up as classic film fans pour in to enjoy their favorite old-timey movies.

The silent film festival has been offering these nostalgic screenings for five consecutive years and plans to continue celebrating the art of silent cinema for many more.

"Silent film is so important, not just to the history of film, but to the history of Santa Clarita and the history of Southern California," said Phil Lantis, the Arts and Events Manager for the City of Santa Clarita.

"There basically wouldn't be an 'LA' as it currently exists without that silent film era," said Lantis.

Currently at the family theatre, the Main co-founder, E.J. Stephens, envisions expanding to a larger venue in the future.

"When the city takes over Hart Park, that's gonna be our hub for the film festival," said Stephens.

"That will give us some more options as far as lectures, book signings, and having props on hand," said Stephens.

He sees Hart Park as the perfect location, given silent film legend William S. Hart’s legacy and his deep ties to the early days of cinema.

With its museums, petting zoo, and rich historical backdrop, Hart Park could be the ideal setting to celebrate the city’s history and the timeless art of silent film.

06/10/2025

From the classrooms of College of the Canyons to the city of Santa Clarita, there are plenty of ways to participate and appreciate the art community.

There is no better place to do both things than in the town of New Hall, where the arts are mainly expressed inside this building.

The Santa Clarita Arts Association hosts different art galleries and events yearly.

Their most recent gallery event, "Things with Wings," featured all kinds of art that loves to take flight.

For artists like Kristen Belladi, expressing oneself through painting is universally appreciated in any community,

"Coming out here, it's a different feeling, it's a little more homegrown," said Belladi. "People are so different in their styles, and I really love seeing that."

"I just absolutely love and am inspired by this group of people out here," said Belladi.

Even the Santa Clarita Artists Association president, Naomi Young, opens up about her journey.

"Finding a creative outlet belonging to this association allows me to be a part of a group of other artists, and it's wonderful because we get to show our art," said Young.

"I was born in Jerusalem, Israel. Times were tough for us, so I did not have any art materials, but I guess in my soul, I always loved art," said Young.

Not only can you show off your own unique sense of style in any art form of your choosing, but the association also hosts a plethora of community events and art classes that can help you paint your pictures into a thousand words.

06/10/2025

Underneath Bonelli Hall lies the Intercultural Center—a safe space for historically marginalized and minoritized groups on campus.

The center regularly hosts events that spark conversation and reflection, including a recent matinee screening of the 2022 documentary Liquor Store Dreams, directed by So Yun Um.

The film follows two second-generation Korean American 'liquor store babies,' whose parents ran liquor stores in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods across Los Angeles. It explores their inherited legacy, shaped by cultural tensions and tough decisions.

"The film is done beautifully; it has a lot of different themes," said Preetra Saxena, Dean of Institutional Research at College of the Canyons.

"There is so much to ponder, and so we wanted to highlight that, especially in the intercultural center, because it is a space for intercultural dialogue," said Saxena.

"We hope by doing these events, we’re supplementing a lot of the course content."

After the screening, director So Yun Um visited the Intercultural Center to share her personal journey as an aspiring filmmaker and the daughter of immigrant shopkeepers.

She also offered insight into her path in filmmaking and encouraged students to tell their own stories rooted deep within their culture and community.

"For many, it wasn’t just a film; it was a mirror. A reminder of what’s possible when diverse cultures come together, not in conflict, but in community," said Um.

06/10/2025

Coming to select theaters and Amazon Prime, Mosaic is an independent film project that has been crafted by nearly an entirely Santa Clarita native cast, all of whom fit the film’s narrative.

"Mosaic, honestly, is a mosaic of me," said Jamie-Lee Hyde, the film's director."It's crafted from various stories of my childhood, many stories of my family, my parents."

"There's elements in the script of things that I've said, things that, you know, my best friends have said," said Hyde.

"Santa Clarita really is the essence of the film. It's where majority of it takes place because it's where I come from," said Hyde.

But of course, nothing comes easy.

"Every challenge that you can possibly think of that a filmmaker would have to deal with, we've dealt with," said Hyde.

"The script was written before Covid, and I had initially planned on making it before Covid, and then that happened," said Hyde

However, the show must go on.

"Once I actually met one of the actors, I was like, oh my God, I can do this again," said Hyde.

"In between takes, it's just laughs. It's just a sense, a sense of community," said Finn Franti, who plays Jonas Harding in Mosaic.

"It's the coolest experience for me, being able to see the story that I had in my brain go from brain to paper to screen, to just like having everybody see what I see," said Hyde.

"It's like it sounds cliche, but it's magic."

06/10/2025

Every Saturday, Santa Clarita car lovers wake up bright and early at 6:30 A.M. to come to Cars and Coffee.

A local car meet-up at the McDonald's parking lot on the corner of Valencia Boulevard and Bouquet Canyon Road.

The event has been going on since 2016, making next year their 10th anniversary.

You’ll see old and new cars, people of all ages, and even some animals checking out people's rides.

If you notice a line of Corvettes, those belong to the Corvette club.

A group of Corvette owners and lovers who take their rides as far as Monterey Bay to meet other car lovers.

Some cars have unique stories and designs; showing off their diversity is part of the fun for the car owners and viewers.

"The paint job is unique," said Don Graham, a local classic car enthusiast. "You don't see many like this, but you'll see them on maybe low-rider cars these days."

"But it's actually a panel, this is the panel here, it's a fade job where it's darker around the edges, so it's faded around the edges," said Graham.

"And then the highlight, of course, this is actually the person who did it, this is his grandmother's curtain," said Graham.

"And they hang the curtain over the paint and make it a little bit top all the way around, and spray with a spray gun through the actual cotton curtain, and they get this pattern here," said Graham.

Since the event has been going on as long as it has, people have made connections, and not everyone here has a fancy car.

Some people come just to look at these beauties, or even just to talk to some of the folks there.

"They're friendly and they know their stuff, they know how to work on cars, and they give you good life advice because they're part of the older generation," said Grant Prince, a Hart High School graduate attending the event.

06/09/2025

Silent films started in the 1890s, originally made as short clips to be shown as traveling entertainment.

Its popularity grew over time and attracted more audiences because Thomas Edison and the Lumière Brothers were developing motion picture technology.

The Newhall Family Theater showcased this work of art by inviting people to watch some of the earliest silent films that were made, as it is a hot spot for many other types of performances.

"Lon Chaney is an interesting one because he was a kind of bit player and wasn't super famous, and then he did a film with William S. Hart called Riled Gone," said Phil Lantis, SCV arts and event coordinator.

"So even Lon Cheney, who isn't necessarily famous for being from Santa Clarita or making films here, has a Santa Clarita connection because of William S. Hart," said Lantis.

In relation to Lon Chaney, he was one of the biggest silent film stars and his star in over 13 very well-known movies. To highlight Chaney as an actor and to make this event even more special, the film soundtrack was performed live by a musician.

"I've just always been intrigued by film," said Ashley Vanyo, who attended the event.

"I think it's really cool that everyone can come together in our hometown and see the start of where film came from," said Vanyo.

"It's really cool seeing how, without words, you can portray emotions and storytelling, and it's just really cool getting to explore that and experience that," said Vanyo.

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