Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Issue 2 December 2013
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Pilot Press
INCLUDED IN THIS EDITION... -Meet Mrs. Bent (Page 2)
-The Pilots and Saints start the Basketball season (Page 3)
-What is college like in Monterray, Mexico? (Page 4) - 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Ms. Nagem (Page 3)
- OLP’s first advice column: Plaid Problems! (Page 7) -Short story, activities, and a comic (Page 8)
Seniors Head to Los Angeles for Service Retreat split into two groups for the jobs that we would do at the Alexandria House. The Alexandria House is a transitional center for women and their children who need assistance recovering from homelessness, abuse, or addiction. It was founded by Sister Judy Vaughan, a Sister of St. Joseph, and houses around 24 people today. The first group was in charge of cooking dinner for the house. Cooking a meal completely by themselves took over three hours and the end result was a delicious meal of mac n’ cheese, salad, vegetables, and cookies for dessert. The second group served as babysitters for after dinner when the moms had meetings with case workers and Sister Judy, who directs the center. The kids range from the age of 1 to 14 and their energy and joy were infectious. Interacting with the families at the Alexandria House was a great experience because we got to witness first Seniors Melissa Stepovich, Jaliza Cancino, Marisa Alexander, Morgan Hazel, Jackie Perez Verdin, Sarah hand the resilience and hard work that goes into Quiñones, Danielle Burner, Jackie Brady, Katie Anastas, Sarah Kenney, Sara Dale, and Grace Nokes (Photo overcoming difficult situations. by Danielle Burner). On November 13th, 12 seniors, along with Mr. Kirschbaum and Mrs. Turner, piled into two vans and drove up to Los Angeles for a service retreat. Over the course of three days, they gained a new perspective of homelessness, poverty, addiction, and the stereotypes that surround them. This was the first Los Angeles service retreat offered to seniors and Mr. Kirschbaum plans to continue in second semester. All 12 girls were in agreement that it was one of the most influential retreat experiences they have had at OLP. Four members of the Pilot Press attended this retreat and recap their experiences at different parts of the trip:
Midnight Mission “Homeless is not a noun, it’s an adjective.”-Ryan, Midnight Mission By Katie Anastas ‘14
Bread and Roses Café “For now, I ask no more than the justice of eating.”Pablo Neruda By Danielle Burner ‘14
Under the guidance of Chef Derek Brandon Walker, former TV star of the Food Network show “Chopped!”, we had the opportunity to give back to the community in a unique way on our second and third days in Los Angeles. Established in 1989, Bread and Roses Café is a not-for-profit restaurant run by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, our OLP founders. The café serves meals to homeless men and women. The main focus of the café is to promote the dignity of human life. This mission is embodied in the café’s name, with Bread symbolizing food and Roses symbolizing dignity. At the café, homeless men, women, and children are treated to a sit-down dinner prepared by Chef Walker, providing a unique service opportunity unlike any other in Los Angeles County. Working at the café as volunteers, we experienced an unusual social-barrier breakdown that local soup kitchens just cannot provide. After being given the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with the clientele at the café, senior Sara Dale commented: “You realize these people are actual human beings like us… everyone has a story”.
When we arrived in Los Angeles late afternoon on Wednesday, our first stop was Skid Row. Skid Row is the only area of Los Angeles where it is legal to sleep on the street, and it is home to the largest homeless population in LA (about 18,000 people out of L.A’s 60,000 total homeless population). We took a tour of Midnight Mission, a rehabilitation center and shelter for men in Skid Row. Our tour guide had formerly been homeless and he described his experience of recovery after battling an alcohol and heroin addiction since middle school. His honesty in “We will meet, all of us, sharing his story was incredibly inspiring and he Alexandria House women of every land. We taught us valuable information about the main will meet in the center, issues surrounding poverty and recovery from make a circle. We will weave a world web to addiction. That night we watched a documentary entangle the powers that called Lost Angels, which follows the stories By Morgan Hazel ‘14 bury our children.”-The of multiple homeless people living on Skid Weather Underground, Row. After learning about the personal lives of 1975 people in the nearby community, we were even more motivated to begin our hands-on work at On our last night in Los Angeles, we locations throughout the Los Angeles area.
CSJ Food Pantry
“Inspired by the profound love of God and love of neighbor wihtout distinction...”- CSJ Mission Statement
By Sarah Quiñones ‘14
The next mission on the list was the CSJ food pantry. We arrived at 9:30 with a ton of prep work to be completed by 10:00, the time of opening. When everything was stacked and we were prepared for the rush of people, Veronica, one of the workers gave us a short speech. This particular food pantry is run by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and helps people who are no longer homeless, yet who are still in need of assistance. After briefing us on some simple rules to keep the line of people moving smoothly, our work began. All the volunteers were standing alongside one rack of items. The job consisted of helping people find what food items they desired and making sure that they did not take too much (which is a complex thing to deal with and taught us to really think about hunger and poverty from different perspectives). Although the flow of people was rushed, I was still able to converse with many guests. Surprisingly, most of the people at the food pantry were elderly. One elderly woman told me that she has no relations with her family members with the exception of her fourteen year old granddaughter, whom she has not seen for eight years. The experience of working at this food pantry made me think about my grandparents and how fortunate I am to not be in this situation. I will take with me an appreciation for what I have and a desire to help those who are struggling.
For more pictures and information about our trip, go to olppilotpress.org.
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Meet Mrs. Bent
Issue 2 December 2013
Q: What are your hobbies? A: I love writing in my blog, sewing, cooking and
By Bianca Gonzalez ‘14
Ever wondered who that stylish, petite, woman is who always has a bright smile on her face walking through the halls of Aquinas? Well, this amazing woman is one of the new faculty members of OLP this year. Her name is Mrs. Rivka Bent. Her office is warm and welcoming and the walls are filled with artwork and historic pictures of the academy. Meeting her was just as welcoming and here are some fun facts to learn more about our new addition to the OLP family. Q: Where are you from? A: Mars! Alright, not really. I was born and raised in Southern California and had duel residency in Southern and Northern California. Q: What role do you play in the OLP community? A: I am the assistant to the Head of School, Mrs. Lek. I help finalize details and benefit the student body, as well as be of service to the Head of School. Q: What’s your family like? Children? Pets? A: I am married with two children, a son and a daughter, and I have two dogs. Q: How do you spend your weekends? A: I like to spend my weekends hiking, studying design and architecture, visiting museums, biking, swimming, and rowing in the ocean. I also like to drink coffee and find coffee shops in town. My favorite destination is a place with coffee and some sort of goodie!
baking, and simply spending time with my family. Q: If you could choose any superpower, which would you choose and why? A: Teletransportaion, because I think that the journey is not part of the fun, the destination is the fun! I would like to be able to save the world instead of being stuck and confined. Q: If you were in a movie/book which character would you play and why? A: I’d play Melanie Hamilton from Gone with the Wind for her natural, Christ-like personality. But, I’d also like to play Jo Stockton, played by Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, because she was innocently pulled into the world of high fashion and was able to travel the world, while experiencing the beauty of design. Q: Describe your favorite summer experience. A: My favorite summer experience would be waking up everyday at Crystal Cove in Laguna Beach to enjoy nature without constraint. Q: What’s your favorite season? Why? A: Summer! I love the warm weather most. Q: Do you have a favorite quote? If so, which one? Why? A: I love verse Psalm 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” This verse helps guide my spirit on my willingness to serve the Lord in every part of my life. It also helps me to see that God’s understanding is greater than mine.
Restaurant Feature: Soda & Swine Last year, many of us would drive down
Adams Avenue and see the construction of a new restaurant called Soda & Swine. OLP students enjoy visiting long-beloved local restaurants like Antique Row and Twigg’s. Would this new eatery stand up to the challenge of earning the approval of the neighborhood’s hungriest diners? Photos by Katie Anastas Within walking distance from OLP, Soda & Swine is a great after-school lunch destination. The restaurant specializes in meatball subs and classic sodas. When ordering, a customer can pick from pork, beef, chicken, or quinoa meatballs and order a slider, a submarine, or spaghetti. Sides include delicious macaroni and cheese, fried pizza knots, garlic french fries, garlic bread, and apple salad. A long list of bottled sodas includes root beer, grape soda, orange soda, ginger ale, and much more. Finally, the dessert menu offers apple pie, strawberry rhubarb pie, and soft serve ice
Pilot Press Staff
Editor in Chief: Morgan Hazel OLP Life Editors: Katie Hammond and Karla Lopez Athletics Editor: Sarah Quiñones
Photo by Stephanie Elliott
Q: Where would you love to travel? A: I would like to travel to a war free Israel. I
am committed that faith is believing, but to touch where Jesus was would be amazing! I encourage any Pilot to introduce herself to Mrs. Bent. She can tell you about her passion for art and love for our school. You may find more interesting details about her too, like how her husband is an artist. Or, you may end up talking nonstop about her favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird! Whatever it is, I guarantee that you won’t regret saying a quick hello to the woman behind the desk in the office of Aquinas.
cream. I ordered the chicken meatball slider with macaroni and cheese and a strawberry soda, and every part of my meal was excellent. One of the most unique parts of Soda & Swine is its atmosphere. Wooden benches with red stools stretch across the room, and an open roof allows natural light to enter the space. Customers order at the counter after choosing a meal from the chalkboard menu. A fireplace stands at the end of the restaurant, heating the outdoor space during the evening. Jazz music fills the room, adding the final touch to Soda & Swine’s rustic atmosphere. Soda & Swine offers the setting for a delicious after-school lunch or dinner. I highly recommend it the next time you are looking for a place to dine after school.
By Katie Anastas ‘14
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Soda & Swine: 2943 Adams Avenue Hours: Seven days a week 11:30 am – 1:30 am
Answer Key (See Page 8 for Activities) Sudoku
Riddles 1. Are you asleep yet?
Peace and Current Events Editors: Danielle Burner and Lillian Kelsey
2. A map
Entertainment Editors: Katie Anastas and Katelyn Fecteau
3. 1:45, it’s a quarter to two
Layout and Design: Danielle Nguyen, Emily Edgin, and Renata Galan Moderators: Mrs. Turner and Ms. DeVore
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Issue 2 December 2013
Free Time During Christmas Time? By Aminah Al-Jaber ‘14
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10 Things You Didn’t Know About... Ms. Nagem 1. I take Zumba classes.
With finals being before Christmas break this year, we can have a really enjoyable vacation. But the question is: what is there to do? Here are a few suggestions of some fun activities to do over break: •Go ice skating. If you want to ice skate outdoors consider the rink in Horton Plaza, Coronado, or Alpine. •Read a book/See a movie. If you were fans of the books, Catching Fire and The Book Thief are great movies to see. And to prepare for the movie premiere in March, pick up a copy of the book, Divergent, which has a similar plot to The Hunger Games. A few movies that have just come out are Disney’s Frozen, Thor: The Dark World, and The Delivery Man. Some other movies that are coming out are Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Saving Mr. Banks, and Justin Bieber’s Believe. Whether you are into comedy, drama, or fantasy, there is a movie for everyone this season. •Drive around and see holiday lights. Get a group of friends together and carpool to see Christmas decorations. There are neighborhoods throughout San Diego that decorate for the holidays. Some go as far as selling cookies, hot beverages, kettle corn, and feature people that dress up as Santa. A quick Google search will find you a list of holiday themed neighborhoods in San Diego! •Bake cookies. Baking and decorating cookies is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Make a few of your favorite cookies and then share some with your neighbors. •Have a movie marathon. If you want to save some money this holiday season, or you just don’t want to get involved in all the traffic, you can always stay home and watch a few movies. Some great holiday movies include Elf, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, the Santa Claus movies, and let’s not forget about all the Christmas cartoons like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. •Volunteer. Helping those in need is something we should do all the time, but during the holiday season there is an even greater need for service to be done. Giving back to the community is the great gift to give this holiday season, and do not forget service hours are almost due. Frosh, Soph, Jr: April 8. Seniors: January 30. •Hangout with your friends and family. Hanging out with friends and family sounds very cheesy, but honestly, spending time with them will turn into some of the best holiday memories. You never know what will happen when you spend time with them. We all wish that the holiday season would never end. Sadly, all great things come to an end, so make sure to take advantage of this Christmas break. May you all have a fun, safe, and blissful holiday season.
2. I love to tap dance. 3. I collect teapots. 4. I entered SDSU as a Nursing major. 5. I saw President Clinton speak and got to shake his hand. 6. I won $10,000 on a television game show. 7. I’d rather be gardening. 8. I met Sonia Sotomayor at the Farmer’s Market. 9. I wanted to be a missionary in Africa when I was in 6th grade. 10. I broke my nose playing volleyball in 8th grade.
Ms. Nagem and her students. (Photo by Morgan Hazel)
Pilots and Saints Basketball Defend Their CIF Titles
By Talia Hill ’15 and Christina Ligi ‘15 This past year has been extremely exciting
for both the Saints and OLP communities in regards to their basketball teams. With two CIF titles and a state championship, the teams from both schools are intensely preparing for another season of success. The expectations for both the OLP and Saints basketball teams are set fairly high and both teams plan to rise to the occasion through the support of both school communities. Because of their outstanding performance throughout the season, the OLP Pilots made it all the way to the CIF Championships where the dedicated girls got the opportunity to play at Viejas Arena against our rivals, the Cathedral Catholic Dons. Not only did our Pilots make it to the championship, but our boys over at St. Augustine did as well! Coincidentally, the Saints also played the Dons. Both teams defeated the Dons, so you could say it was a sweet victory.
Last season, our Pilots held a record of 23 wins and 10 losses. The Pilots are excited to start practicing and bonding as a team. Kayla Hofstee, a junior on OLP’s basketball team, is excited to begin the new season and says, “I think this year our team will have an even stronger bond from last year, considering we are relatively the same team because we only lost three seniors. The expectations for our team to succeed are definitely a lot higher this year due to our achievements from last season. We’re hoping to take home a State title this year.” Moving up two divisions, both OLP and Saints will now be playing in Division 1. This change raises the talent ability, difficulty, and pressure for both teams. Kayla Hofstee quotes her inspiring coach, Coach Carnaje, saying, “A successful team wins its games during practice.” And this is a motto that Kayla and the rest of the Pilot basketball team play by. Hard work will pay off for the Pilots as they soar into a new year of basketball. Last season the Saints basketball team went into playoffs with 29 wins and 4 loses. This was their best season since 2005. In 2005, the team finished with a CIF Title and a 28-0 record, but unfortunately lost in a heartbreaker in the State finals against Santa Cruz. But last year the
men brought home a CIF victory and the State Championships in Sacramento! After losing eight very talented seniors, the young Saint Augustine team is eager to make those graduates proud on the court. Senior Johnny Peterson says, “Our team is young, but our team is talented. Talent and heart is all that we need to succeed and win games.” Creating a special bond is very important to Daniel Caya, a Junior. He comments, “Our team is really working hard to defend our state title and win back-to-back championships. The chemistry is key this year for our team and so far we look as though we’ve got it down.” Recently, Senior Trey Kell committed to San Diego State University on a full basketball scholarship. Big changes and hard work are surrounding the Saintsmen and hopefully it will bring them another year of success. Come out and support both OLP Pilots and Saint Augustine Saints in their 2013-2014 basketball seasons as they play to defend their CIF and State titles!
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Issue 2 December 2013
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Life after OLP: College in Monterrey By Alejandra Wehber ’15 and Adriana Olivares ‘15
From essays and recommendation letters to college visits and application workshops, OLP seniors can almost taste the sweet thrill of college life. Everyone has seen OLP graduates come back to campus to visit old teachers and friends, and some of us have had little chats with them about what being a college student is like. But what about those girls who left the country to pursue an education? OLP graduates Diana Laura Holguin and Ana Lucía Favela, class of 2013, gave us a glimpse of what college life is like… in a totally different country. These two friends graduated last year, packed their entire closet, and left for Monterrey, Mexico. Currently freshmen at Universidad de Monterrey, Diana and Ana seem to be totally thrilled to live so far away from their homes, although it wasn’t that easy at first. Diana told us, “Being in college is completely different to high school. In high school, you know your teachers and maybe have inside jokes with some of them. In college, sometimes teachers are so caught up in their busy lives that they don’t even remember your face. But of course, there are perks to being unnoticed. When you skip class, there is no Mrs. Meador calling your parents! You are on your own, and you learn to be more independent.” However, as Ana mentioned, “Going to school in a different country can take some time adjusting to…I had to start all over, from learning the correct way of heading my essays to finding the right words to express myself in class. Although I am fluent in Spanish, I found it hard to be taught things in Spanish that I already learned in English. Translating back and forth can be a little tricky.” Both Diana and Ana agreed that no matter how much you might want to graduate and leave for college, you will always find yourself missing everything you left behind. Diana told us that now that she is in
How NOT to Study for Finals By Ané Holland ‘15
Well, it’s that time of year again where we all retreat into our little “women caves”, become some of San Diego’s hottest hermits, and spend countless dollars supporting one of the best inventions ever: Kleenex. That’s right ladies, finals are fast approaching and here are some handy dandy study tips! But here’s the twist: these tips will cover how not to study for your finals. I sure hope these tips will bring a smile to your lovely faces. 1) Do not study in the dead of night. Contrary to all those movies showing people pulling out an A+++ on an exam after five hours of hair pulling and sobbing, this will not help you at all! First off, that’s creepy, who wants to read and analyze Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting tales at 2 a.m.? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Second, there is no way you are going to pass your exam if you opt for this late-night tactic. Worst-case scenario: an F on your report card, and an F on your sleep schedule. 2) Do not study at Starbucks… or any other “cute, girly, Tumblr-inspired” caffeine joint. Let me tell you, excess sugar coursing through your body and a string of attractive barista-boys are not going to bring you any closer to that even more attractive report card score. Your blood sugar is just going to crash, and your eyes are going to shut…which is the opposite of your goal! 3) Do not cram. How do I stress this more? DO NOT CRAM. 4) I do not suggest studying with friends. While you and your friends might plan on studying when you get together, you will most likely end up talking about everything but chemistry equations and literary devices. Save the fun get-togethers for after finals, when you can fully celebrate the end of first semester! 5) Finally, do not associate yourself with sick people! It would be awful to put all that amazing work into studying and then catch the flu on the day of the exam. My point? Smile in times of trial. Perhaps it will also motivate you to do well. If I may be so frank as to compare exam time in high school to a monster threatening to ruin your holidays, I hope you prove victorious in defeating the beast with good study habits! Go get them you beautiful, smart warriors. Fight for what you deserve!
Ana Lucía Favela (left) and Diana Holguin (right) graduated from OLP in 2013.
college she looks back on how she lived her four years of high school at OLP and she feels as if she rushed them. Diana’s piece of advice for all OLP students, especially seniors, is to “enjoy the time they have left with their friends, family, and yes even their teachers.” As a final piece of advice, Diana, who is majoring in interior design and Ana Lucía who is majoring in graphic design, want to tell every girl on campus to not be afraid to go to college in a foreign country. Ana said, “Coming to Monterrey was the best decision I could have made. I have met so many friends and learned so many things. Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to realize what you really want.” We wish these girls the best of luck, and we also wish our seniors luck during this hectic time of college applications.
You Have to Watch This! By Ana Maria Rubio ‘15
Do you know any girls at school who always know the latest and greatest T.V shows to watch? Well if not, now you do! I am one of those girls, and in this article I am going to tell you what is hot on T.V. right now. According to Us Magazine, “ABC Family’s Teen Hit Pretty Little Liars is ‘Eerily Addicting’”. I am not just quoting this because a well-known
Nutrition Corner By Gabby Ashenafi ‘15
Are you constantly on the go in the morning? Do you find yourself eating a mediocre breakfast or simply skipping the meal altogether? If you said yes, then try this new green smoothie! It’s easy to make and guarantees a boost to your day! Add kale for a great source of Vitamin A and C. Kale can also improve the immune system, strengthen bones, and protect the skin from ultra violet sunlight. Don’t forget to add the flaxseed, a great source of fiber and antioxidants. Enjoy! Ingredients: • 1 banana (ripe medium) • 1/2 pear (ripe, or apple) • 1 cup kale (chopped, tough stems removed) • 1/4 cup orange juice (cold) • 1/4 cup cold water • 6 ice cubes • 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed
Serving size:1
magazine published it. This series really is addicting: you can never get enough of it once you’ve started. “Pretty Little Liars” (PLL) is highly recommended if you are fond of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers. The show is about five high school girls (Ali, Aria, Hanna, Emily, and Spencer) having a wonderful time during summer, when suddenly Ali, the Queen Bee, mysteriously disappears, and the other four girls try to find out why. The most surprising things happen when you least expect them to. PLL now has three complete seasons and half of the fourth season has already aired on T.V. So if you are thinking of watching this exciting series, do it quickly because the second half of the fourth season airs on January seventh. If you are already a fan of PLL, then you must watch the exhilarating spin-off, “Ravenswood”. The series is about five strangers (Caleb, Miranda, Remy, Olivia, and Luke) whose lives are changed when a dark curse begins to haunt them. They have to dig into the town’s history for answers. Although “Ravenswood” is just starting with their first season, this series is already much scarier than PLL. So hold on to your seats because this series will put you on the edge. Do not worry if you haven’t seen “Pretty Little Liars” before watching “Ravenswood”. The plot of “Ravenswood” is completely different, and it keeps you wanting more. These two series are exceptional. The viewer can relate to each character’s personalities and the adrenaline levels get higher and higher every second. So, trust me when I say, these shows are totally worth watching.
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Mystery and Missals: An Adventure into OLP’s Attic By Katelyn Fecteau ‘14
My nerves are not what they used to be. After thoroughly spelunking through the Academy’s tunnels, I decided it was time for a fresh expedition: preferably one with less spiders and more light. Instead of exploring what was under our uniform shoes, why not look up for an answer? No, I don’t mean pray (although that is never a bad idea). I resolved to take a journey through OLP’s attics, which I thought promised to be far less creepy and puzzling. I was wrong, and the mysteries I discovered would unfortunately really ring a bell from my time in the tunnels. On a warm and pleasant day, my trusty photographer Bianca and I sought out Mr. Ludwig for a long-awaited tour of the attics of the Carondelet building. I was looking forward to a simple story: a little dust, a few old pieces of furniture…nothing mysterious at all. I started
Photo by Bianca Corallino
Saints Newspaper Distributes on Friday the 13th at OLP
By Ian Harkness and Kyle Meneses
The Saints newspaper, The Augustinian, will be distributing its third issue of the year on Friday, December 13th at OLP. If you missed a copy, there will be extras in room 218 and the front office. This issue will cover a wide array of stories including: the recent successes of the OLP and Saints surf team, the FilipinoAmerican Club’s efforts to aid typhoon victims, Saints’ new composting program, and the upcoming construction around North Park. Just as in the previous issue, this Augustinian will feature eight sublime pages. Turn to the last page for a comic and an entertainment section. “We believe The Augustinian is neither a high school mouthpiece nor an antagonistic muckraker, but rather a student-run outlet for both the Saints and OLP communities,” said editor-in-chief Alexander Danilowicz (‘15). “And, of course, we hope that OLP girls enjoy our work,” he said. Recently, The Augustinian and Pilot
Issue 2 December 2013 towards the building, ready to take notes, when Mr. Ludwig cleared his throat behind me. Shaking his head, he chuckled “That’s not the way up. The only way up is the secret way.” As we waded through the bushes and he unlocked a hidden door on the side of the building, all I could think was, “Here we go again.” We climbed the steep staircase and turned sharply to the left. The dust on the steps made them slightly slippery, so we clung to the banister. Through the wall, conversations in the Pilot Productions room could be heard and laughter echoed through the otherwise silent corridor. There were no working lights: only burnt-out and ancient bulbs hung from the ceiling. The old planks creaked beneath our feet—the same familiar and eerie sound as the boards in Aquinas Hall. The hallway abruptly opened to a large room. Cabinets and cubbies lined the walls, a table sat in the center, and chairs lined the walls. Across from where we stood, a green door—the same color as every other door at OLP—remained fastened shut with a deadbolt. A skylight illuminated the room, and the dust dancing through the air became visible as it passed under the light. All over the table, the chairs, and the floor, papers were scattered, as if some unknown reader had taken the binding out of a book and thrown the pages into the air. Gray dust coated everything, rendering the words on the pages almost incomprehensible. Picking the nearest page up and wiping away the dust with my sleeve, I was able to make out the heading: GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. Was this the old religion textbook of a frustrated student? Mr. Ludwig took the sheet from me, and upon examining it, said, “I think these are from old Masses.” All three of us stared at the blanket of paper on the table and the floor. What were they doing up here? Stepping over the papers, we continued to the door in the back of the room. Our guide jingled his keys and unlocked the door, swinging it open to reveal something truly bizarre. An odd rope hung out of a small hole in the wall. There was nothing else on the wall besides the rope: no indication of its purpose, no
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Photo by Bianca Corallino
instruction, no explanation. Just a rope protruding from a wall. It was baffling. We turned and mounted the final flight of stairs. Nothing could have prepared me for the view that met us at the top. We found ourselves in the bell tower of the Carondelet building. Not just a tower, a bell tower. Bell included! Mr. Ludwig explained that when it worked, the bell’s peals would call the students to prayer, and would sometimes even make an appearance at graduation. Fastened to the bell was a rope that led directly to a hole in the wall. To ring the bell, one had to pull the rope from inside the building on the other side of the wall. Mystery solved! As we looked over Mission Valley from the tallest point on campus, Mr. Ludwig mentioned something that gave me chills. “You’ve been in Carondelet’s tunnel, right?” I slowly shook my head. He laughed, the type of laugh that tells all but reveals nothing. “Well, that’s the best one! Let me know when you want to go down.” Visions of cold, damp dirt rushed back to me, but the mystery remained. Those words had sealed my fate by piquing my interest. Now, I had to see it. I had to know what made it ‘the best’. The attic was amazing, but those tunnels called me back to their subterranean suspense as I committed myself one last time to the tunnels under OLP.
Press have been collaborating to coordinate their publications. Featuring articles written by OLP/Saints correspondents, publishing each others’ work and sharing newspaper secrets are just a few of the ways in which the two papers have come together. “I enjoy the idea of The Augustinian and the Pilot Press working together in unison. It’s a mutual arrangement,” said Mr. Vladimir Bachynsky, moderator of The Augustinian. Although only 200 copies will be distributed to OLP, you can always find The Augustinian online at sahs.org. So keep an eye out for the second best paper in town.
Tamagotchi: Tamagotchis were banned from many schools because players would pull their virtual pet out during class to feed it. If you miss playing with your Tamagotchi, visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and download the free Tamagotchi app!
#Throwback
Bratz: These big headed, fashion dolls were all the rage! But, they were also controversial. Bratz were seen as having too much makeup and being materialistic. I just remember wanting to be as fierce as Sasha, Cloe, Jade, and Yasmin!
By Nia de la Peña ‘15 Do you remember rolling down the block on your new pair of Heelys? Or playing Tamagotchi in your bedroom? Here’s a throwback to the early 2000s! Heelys: These roller shoes were the cause of 38% of injuries requiring hospital admission and general anesthesia to reset or manipulate fractured bones. I’m guessing many parents wished they never even bought the shoes after they saw the hospital bill!
HitClips: HitClips were mini boom boxes that you plug a music cartridge into and listen to clips of popular songs. Some songs on the HitClips cartridges were: “I Want Candy” by Aaron Carter, “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child, “Come Clean” by Hilary Duff, “Ultimate” by Lindsay Lohan, and more!
As more and more time passes by in our lives, it is important to remember the memories we made as little kids. It is like taking a picture and capturing a moment. After the picture, the moment is gone forever. If you have any of your own throwbacks you would like to share, send them to pilotpressnewspaper@gmail.com!
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Local Musicians: Tony Ferrari and Krystian Wahl By Pitrina Gilger ‘15 and Riley Stenehjem ‘15 You don’t have to win a radio contest, count down the months for your favorite singer to hit San Diego on tour, or gaze at your computer screen for hours waiting for expensive concert tickets to go on sale in order to enjoy talented musicians in San Diego. There are dozens of singers, songwriters, and musicians right here in our local community. Pilot Press will be featuring these artists in a recurring column. Our first installment features Tony Ferrari, a regular at LeStat’s Coffee House in Normal Heights, and Krystian Wahl, a Cathedral Catholic senior. Tony Ferrari When you hear “Ferrari”, you probably think of an expensive sports car. While that is one type of Ferrari, we’d like to introduce another one – the incredibly talented singersongwriter Tony Ferrari, from Thousand Oaks, California. Tony has been writing poetry and playing guitar since he was a kid. He and his grandfather would write together, but when his grandma died, his grandpa lost his passion for writing. “I just decided it was my time to take the torch and continue what he did,” Tony said. Tony has continued the legacy through his music, and is doing it well. His debut album, Signs, made it to the number eight spot on the iTunes singer-songwriter chart. The album, which Tony recorded and produced himself, is a “good representation of who [he] is as a person and as an artist.” Tony has achieved nationwide success. This past summer, he performed at a festival in South Haven, Michigan. This experience inspired a song that will be featured on his new record, coming out within the next six months. “It’s more relatable, it’s more real life...It was easier for me to put real life instances into song, as opposed to my last album,” Tony says of the
Issue 2 December 2013 upcoming album. His music is a mix of old and new influences. As Tony told us, “I like to call it acoustic soul... I’m influenced greatly by old musicians, like Sam Cook and Ray Charles... but there’s also definitely a lot of pop, today, like Jason Mraz”. Tony plays at LeStat’s Coffee House in Normal Heights about every six weeks, and we’d definitely recommend checking it out. See olppilotpress.org for more information. Krystian Wahl “I’d rather be playing music than playing video games.” This is not the attitude of a typical teenage boy. These are the words of singer/songwriter Krystian Wahl, a senior at Cathedral Catholic High School. He says he got into music when he was a little boy. His dad handed him a Spanish guitar and told him that the best musicians play until their fingers bleed. At 2 a.m. the next morning, his parents found him playing guitar, and when they asked him what he was doing, he responded, “I’m playing until my fingers bleed. I want to be the best of the best.” His passion for music grew with him, and he has been performing in front of people since he was 8 years old, singing songs about his life experiences. Krystian describes his music style as a cross between Jack Johnson and John Mayer, two of his greatest musical influences. When asked who he would pick if he could choose any person to sing a song with, he said, “Bono [of] U2... He’s a musical genius.” Wahl hopes to establish himself in the music industry. When asked about the largest show he's played, Krystian joked, “Can I lie?... 300.” But really? “80.” The furthest he has ever traveled to play music is Los Angeles, but you can expect that to change soon. Krystian has recently been asked to record his music for a record label, and he plans to book a lot more shows if he gets signed. Look out for Krystian in the near future, and check out olppilotpress.org to see how you can hear his music and find out more about him.
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Streaming in Black and White By Katie Hammond ‘14 Do you ever get sick of the lack of plot line, poor acting and overwhelming amount of special effects in some of today’s movies? What happened to actors like Grace Kelly or Bing Crosby who were able to turn memorable stories into unforgettable classics? Or the Hollywood of old that produced some of the best films ever created such as Gone with the Wind, The Sound of Music, and Rear Window? Do you ever wish to watch movies with sharp-edged wit, well-suited men, gorgeous evening gowns, and dancing? The movies listed below embody these characteristics and have become the classics we love so much but don’t watch enough. If you like how they sound, head down to Kensington Video where you can rent them or record them on your AMC channel. Pillow Talk (1959): Brad, played by Rock Hudson, and Jan, played by Doris Day, are two people who have to share a phone line and therefore annoy each other constantly. Jan always needs to make a business call but Brad is constantly on the line with his girlfriends. While Brad knows who Jan is, Jan has no idea what Brad looks like. Until one day he poses as a Texan cowboy in order to win her over. Jan claims she is perfectly content living alone in New York with a successful career, but her meddling drunken housekeeper insists otherwise. When she finally finds out that Brad is the playboy she shares the phone line with, she doesn't allow love to stand in the way of revenge. This Oscar winning success is the perfect romantic comedy without being cheesy or lacking in plot line. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953): While this might not be one of the lessons OLP supplies us with, this movie will be sure to please anyone. Starring Lauren Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Grable, this movie features three women (part time models, full time millionaire hunters) who all rent a luxurious apartment in the hopes of luring and marrying a millionaire. Along the way, their plans go awry as each one discovers true love but only one successfully catches a millionaire. Set in New York City, this film has it all: the fancy cars, the 50’s fashion, well-dressed men, and a surplus of wit and humor. Sabrina (1954): While remade in 1995, you really must stick with the original 1954 version. Plus, I would take Humphrey Bogart over Harrison Ford any day. This classic drama contains two of the best actors known to its era: Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Sabrina is about a playboy who falls for his chauffeur’s daughter, Sabrina, played by Hepburn, after she comes back from Paris more fashionable and accomplished. Sabrina has spent most of her life perched in a tree looking at the extravagant parties and fanciful lifestyle that this playboy and his family have led. Yet, it is the more serious older brother (Bogart) who would be the better fit for her. But it’s going to take a whole lot more reality checks and kisses in the garden for her to see this. This Oscar winning, timeless classic is sure to satisfy any movie craving you have on a Friday night.
Tony Ferrari (Photo by Riley Stenehjem)
Krystian Wahl (Photo by Riley Stenehjem)
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
By Morgan Hazel ‘14 and Katie Hammond ‘14 It’s tough being a plaid skirt wearing, backpack lugging, socks and tights color coordinating Pilot! The Pilot Press fully understands this sentiment and we are proud to introduce you to our first installment of the advice column, Plaid Problems. We are here to answer all of your pressing issues about everything from boy problems to VillIn frustration. Submit your questions, wait patiently for a reply from our very qualified and highly trained advice-givers, and watch in awe as all of your problems instantly disappear! I am a sophomore and walking down to lower plaza each day is so exhausting, walking back up is even worse. My calves are getting way too big, do you have any suggestions to make this trek easier? Sincerely, A Slothful Sophomore Slacker in Santee We’re so glad you asked. This question brings up an important aspect of the OLP tradition that is, unfortunately, often unnoticed. In the front office there is a list of freshmen who have been designated to carry students such as yourself up and down the stairs of lower plaza. If anyone questions you and denies the existence of this list, do not give up. You hold the right to average sized calves and any claims of “that has never existed” and “you are incredibly rude” are completely false. All the best to you and your freshman, and we hope your calves shortly return to normal size.
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I am constantly getting in trouble for my short skirt but I no longer have any hem to let out. I can’t spend any more lunches in detention. What do I do? Sincerely, Bare Kneed Baccalaureate in Bay Park
method, change all of your contacts to “GOD”. When asked to hand your phone over, you can respond, “But I’ve received my calling from God.” If all else fails, don’t fight the power, just give it up. Best of luck.
The answer is very simple. Sew two skirts together so the second skirt is sewn in halfway down the first skirt. For an exciting twist, you can even mix and match by sewing the gray skirt under the plaid skirt! If it reaches your calf, you’ve done it correctly.
What do I do if I pay for one can of soda but two come out of the vending machine? Sincerely, Ethically Unclear Underclassman in University City First, drink them both without hesitation. Second, go to confession because how could you not know that there are dozens of dangerously dehydrated students who could only dream of what you just experienced. Third, on the chance that you are an honorable human being and decide to share the extra soda, we strongly suggest that you give it to a senior in order to gain merit among the upper-class women. This could be a potentially crucial move in your social standing.
I’m petrified of my phone ringing in class and I constantly check to make sure it’s off. What should I do if it goes off? Sincerely, Jumpy Junior Phone Junkie in Jamul First of all, you have a very impressive plan of action. Continue checking your phone during class to clarify that it is off. Don’t be afraid to lift it out of your backpack into clear sight. Your teacher will fully understand that you were just making sure it was off so you wouldn’t disturb class. In times of desperation, you can always change your ring tone to a dog bark or a duck quack and immediately assume the form of the animal complete with noise and motion once your phone starts to ring. This is (almost) guaranteed to convince your teacher that it wasn’t your phone making the noise, but you, a budding actress practicing for an upcoming stage version of “Old McDonald Had a Farm”. But we should warn you, this only has a 43.65% success rate. For a more reliable
Are you a puzzled, perplexed, or possibly paranoid Pilot? Well, your days of worry are over! Submit your anonymous questions about everything from boys and dances to skirt length and moral dilemmas in the box in the library or send your questions to pilotpressnewspaper@gmail. com. Your questions could be answered in the next issue of the Pilot Press!
Eric Monroe, Shannon Daly, Lucas Hazel, Lexi Howder, Isaac Vanderbosch, and Katie Pollakov (Photo by Morgan Hazel)
“Bikes for Kids” Gives More Than Just A Bike
By Morgan Hazel ‘14 What does a bicycle mean to you? For many kids in San Diego, a bicycle means much more than just two wheels, handle bar tassles, and a new status in the neighborhood cul-de-sac. A bicycle brings pride of ownership, a sense of responsibility, independence, and a feeling of unbridled joy that can only be found in a little kid’s experience of pedaling down the street for the first time. Founded 11 years ago by Debbie and Bill Pollakov, parents to OLP sophomore Katie Pollakov, the Bikes for Kids Foundation provides underprivileged elementary school students with a new bike and helmet and subsequently gifts them with those priceless qualities of responsibility and joy. The foundation brings bikes to over 55 San Diego schools and this year, the Saints and OLP community have come together to sponsor a local San Diego school. “We are very fortunate in life and we often don’t think much about the impact of something as small as a bicycle,” says Mrs. Pollakov, explaining how the idea for the
foundation came from her husband’s experience growing up in a poor family and without a bike. Now coming up on the milestone of gifting their 23,000th bike, the Bikes for Kids Foundation has given the ultimate Christmas gift to thousands of deserving children. But Mrs. Pollakov insists, “It’s not about a gift, it really is about so much more.” Katie Pollakov is an active participant in her family’s organization. Thanks to her, St. Augustine High School now has a Bikes for Kids club that focuses on fundraising in San Diego for the Bikes for Kids Foundation. OLP sophomores Lexi Howder, Shannon Daly, Natalie Flores, and Katie are a part of the fundraising effort and while OLP does not yet have a Bikes for Kids club, they encourage all OLP students to get involved. On Sunday December 8th, the Saints and OLP Bikes for Kids team met up at Whole Foods and Albertsons in Del Mar and raised over $390. “There are only so many opportunities in life to give young kids so much happiness through a Christmas gift, and that is exactly what we are doing,” comments Eric Monroe, a Saint Augustine sophomore and Bikes for Kids volunteer. 100% of the funds that Bikes for Kids
Foundation collects will go towards buying and building bikes and helmets. The Saints and OLP team is raising money to surprise the students at a local school on December 20th. The students at the school have been asked to write essays on topics ranging from what their dreams are to how they can impact their community. They are told that one lucky student will be chosen to receive a bike based on his or her essay. The exciting part of this event will come when Mr. Pollokov announces that there were so many deserving essays, he couldn’t possibly just give away one bike! He will then reveal that every student will be getting a bike and a helmet. Recall the emotion you experienced opening a gift on Christmas morning when you were a little kid; multiply your thankfulness and excitement by 10, and you’ll get just a small sense of the screams of joy and laughter that immediately erupt from the crowd of unsuspecting elementary school students. “What I love about Saints and OLP coming together, is that it’s students giving to students”, says Mrs. Pollokov. This idea inspired the Saints and OLP team motto: Students Serving Students. The team recalls this motto as they fundraise and plan for the big event and on December 20th, the gleeful screams and tears of happiness from dozens of children will bring a new definition to something as seemingly simple as a bicycle: a two wheeled toy with tiny hands on the handle bars and a grinning face under a helmet that brings joy, responsibility, and pride with each pedal forward. For information on The Bikes for Kids
Foundation visit www.bikesforkidsfoundation.org.
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
The Giant
A short story by Paulina Sierra, ‘17 My life was a pleasant life. I lived like any other would; I slept at night and lived during the day. My world was one of bounty and prosperity. The lands which I occupied were filled with greenery and life. There were many who underestimate the worth of my existence, but I did not let this bother me too often. I simply pursue the continuous struggle that is my existence. I often found that as the weather turns colder, and the wind began to hit sharply on my back, it was increasingly difficult to locate food. There were hardly any of my usual resources that I can usually find. Long ago, this was a great struggle to our family. The children would often go hungry, and the families would never leave their homes in fear of wasting the precious energy provided by the scraps we were
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able to preserve. We would yearn for some savior, some sort of way in which food could be provided, for the fear of our ends were great. This, many years ago, was a problem, but one year the problem ceased to exist. I lived in a land filled with wonder. The trees grew miles above my head, and were strong guardians of this land. The blades of grass grew high, so high, in fact, that the children were hardly allowed to wander too far, in fear that they wouldn’t locate their way back. The sky shone in its celestial glory above our meek heads. And across this vast kingdom, there stood a fortress. The strange fortress was across a solid river, on the far side of the land. The fortress was made of some sort of strange trees, all lined up. Along the edges of the trees was a border of what seemed to be solid stone. Atop this enormous fortress lived a giant. Fear not, for this was a friendly giant. The giant wore some sort of flowing leaves that covered it.
Sudoku (Key on Page 2)
When the times grow colder, and the famine reaches, the giant reached into what I can assume was a sort of detached cheek, and spread bounties of delicious food upon us. All of my friends scurried to grab as much as they can, and what would have been a horrible famine turned in to the year’s grandest feast. I worried often for the giant; she was never quite safe from these other giants. They seemed to always want her to leave, as if she were to be invading their fortress, yet she was the only giant I had ever seen occupy it, and certainly the only one who bothered to pity the starving creatures of the land. There are many giants who underestimate the creatures of the forest, us lowly squirrels, but we do not let it bother us. Submit your own poetry and short stories to pilotpressnewspaper@gmail.com!
Riddles (Answers on page 2)
By Grace Newton ‘17
1. What question can you never answer yes to? (http://dailybrainteaser.blogspot. com)
3. A man gave one son 10 cents and another son was given 15 cents. What time is it? (http://thinks.com/riddles)
2. I have forests, but no trees. I have lakes, but no water. I have roads, but no cars What am I? (http://answers.yahoo.com)
What’s on olppilotpress.org?
OLP Stress Reduction Kit By Spencer McVeigh ‘16
- Dia de Los Muertos at OLP and Old Town - OLP’s Winter Arts Festival - Overview of the San Diego Mayoral Candidates - Extended editions of articles seen here - More pictures, video interviews, and polls -Questions, Comments, Submissions? Email pilotpressnewspaper@gmail.com