Author: Habeba Mostafa
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Habeba Mostafa

Habeba Mostafa is a staff reporter and photographer for The Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Having received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her graduate degree from Cal State Northridge, she has experience in writing, photographing and creating social media content for CSUN's official platforms. She also interned at Fox Entertainment. Have a story? Email her at [email protected].

Senses: ‘Alice in Wonderland’

May 18, 2024 10:29 am

Residents gathered for a hypnotic time at Senses Block Party: “Alice in Wonderland,” where attendees could take photos with The Cheshire Cat, throw plates and dance the night away on

Bowman celebrates poets and artists By Habeba Mostafa Signal Staff Writer One by one, students mustered the courage and came up to the podium at Bowman High School to read aloud a poem from “The Redemption of You” — a collection of their own poems. Marking Bowman High School’s 31st annual Day of the Artist and Poet festival on Wednesday, the front lawn welcomed attendees with not only live musical performances and poetry recitation, but also art projects created throughout the year by the school’s creative writing, art and music students. The anthology is composed of creative writing pieces, compiled by teacher Michael Mansfield. “Every story of redemption is a story of hope and struggle. Through our hardest times, we discover things about ourselves that we never knew …. Any student at Bowman High School can tell you they know all too well about redemption and second chances,” Mansfield wrote in the book’s introduction. Over 180 pages, this year’s anthology saw the most poetry submissions in the high school’s history. “This is actually a landmark year for us. This is the largest volume of poetry ever produced, it’s 182 pages of poems by leaps and bounds,” Mansfield said to the crowd. “It’s a record breaker, and it’s been a record-breaking year for us as well in the poetry program. It’s really impressive the talent that’s coming up here and we’re really happy to share it.” For first-year Bowman 11th and 12th grade art teacher Olivia Hondrogiannis, who was experiencing the festival for the first time, impressed is an understatement. “The art here today is a selection of things we did throughout the year. We did paper mache. Students designed an animal that they chose parts from other animals. We did Sacred Hearts, that was a painting with a combination of the clay heart — and was inspired by either a passion or a quote or something they’re devoted to,” Hondrogiannis said. Hondrogiannis takes pride in knowing that the students are taking the initiative to not only express themselves creatively, but with others, as well. “As far as the creative writing class goes, that’s all Mike Mansfield. I don’t know how he gets his kids to come up and read their poems. He’s a great motivator for these kids,” Hondrogiannis said. “It’s really exciting to see all the kids’ work and to let them have their parents and friends come see it.” Senior Kevin Matias, 18, reflected on his art throughout the year, and how Hondrogiannis inspired him and his peers to create. “I describe myself as an artist. I like creating stuff. I like putting what’s in my head onto paper. I like that our teacher’s very helpful and passionate about her job,” Matias said. “Everybody likes to communicate with each other, and when it's time to get work done, we get work done.” Matias’ favorite thing to create was a scratch board, using photos of a classic car and a rapper as reference photos. While the academic year, and overall high school experience, is concluding, Matias can envision a future in art. “I see myself doing art in the future, where it be designing a logo, or doing something to help advertise,” Matias said. “It’s amazing having my work presented today. I feel special because I get to show what I did in class and what I liked doing. Bowman is great.”

Bowman celebrates poets and artists  

May 15, 2024 5:35 pm

One by one, students mustered the courage and came up to the podium at Bowman High School to read aloud a poem from “The Redemption of You” — a collection of

Karina Medina, one of the artists featured in the gallery, has animal makeup done by Sally Van Swearingan. Habeba Mostafa/ The Signal

Photos: Faces

May 8, 2024 5:28 pm

The Santa Clarita Artists Association held its opening reception of the exhibition, “Faces,” at the SCAA Gallery in Old Town Newhall on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. While the

Mary Jane Mitchell, who was born on May 4, 1924, celebrates her 100th birthday at Atria Senior Living on Saturday. Habeba Mostafa/ The Signal

Mary Jane Mitchell celebrates 100 years  

May 8, 2024 4:08 pm

Decades after driving across the country to California in her parents’ car from Ohio, and never looking back, Mary Jane Mitchell celebrated her 100th birthday at Atria Senior Living on

Quarter-acre brush fire reported in Acton  

May 8, 2024 11:30 am

A quarter-acre grass fire was reported on Wednesday morning on the 8000 block of Soledad Canyon Road in Acton, according to Kaitlyn Aldana, a spokeswoman with the Los Angeles County