The Pilot Press Edition 5 (October 2014) by pilotpress

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

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Issue 5 | October 2014

THE PILOT PRESS Dance ‘til You Drop...Or Faint! By Gemma Caretta ‘17 and Julia Isbell ‘17 The gym was deserted of all life. We found ourselves slowly pacing in time with our heaving breath. The dead silence was expansive, swallowing us up. After what seemed like hours, a light shone faintly in the vast emptiness, drawing us in, like a moth to the flame. The light was coming from the other side of an old wooden door. We looked at each other and slowly turned the handle to find…. Freshmen! To be more specific, Our Lady of Peace girls putting on makeup and fixing their hair in the Saint Augustine High School girls’ bathroom not ten minutes after school got out. With some detective skills, my reporting partner and I determined this could mean only one thing - it was the week of Freshman Dance Lessons! The freshman dance lessons: A horror known throughout the land that haunts every OLP girl from the moment she receives her acceptance letter until after the treacherous right of passage has ended. Although all of the girls were terrified of what would happen, they were also very excited. Many hoped that this experience would make them more confident dancers, opening opportunities for guys to ask them to dance. Some hoped that they would make good friends; others wished to find their first boyfriend in the long line standing stretched out in front of them. No one admitted it, but maybe a few were even searching the crowd for their future husband. If future husbands were hidden in the sea of freshman, there was a lot of pressure to make a memorable first impression. When asked about their morning routine to prepare themselves for this special day, many ladies admitted to applying more makeup and taking extra time to curl their hair perfectly. It was obvious that the guys had put some thought into how they looked as well. When waiting anxiously for the OLP girls to arrive, several guys absentmindedly started straightening their ties, fixing their belts, and slicking back their hair. All of them wanted to stand out as the “James Bond” of the group. But before the ladies even set eyes upon their dance partners, they asked about Photo by Julia Isbell ‘17 rumors and advice that had been floating around campus: Are the boys’ palms really sweaty? Is the gym hot, and if so, what color shirt would hide sweat stains? But the most important and prevalent question was “do we really get food afterwards?” When discussing the dance lessons a few minutes before they began, several girls confessed that they were afraid of not remembering their dance partners’ names, what dance moves they would have to do, and most frighteningly of all, being dropped in front of all her classmates. All of the girls were asked, “On a scale from 1 to 10 - 10 being absolutely going to happen - how likely is it that you will be dropped?” 100% replied with either an 8, 9, or 10! While the ladies were trying not to panic, the guys wore a more confident persona, saying that it was very unlikely that they would drop one of the girls (claiming they are far too muscular for that). During the lessons, the dance instructors gave a little bit of background as to why these “tortures” (as one girl called them) are recommended to all incoming freshman. He discussed how important it was to meet members of the partner school, and that this is just a fun way to get to know some of the freshman, and have something in common to talk about during the school dances “because being able to do the Salsa at homecoming is super cool!” After the dance lessons had ended, the ladies of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace summarized their experience in three words: awkward, fun, and super sweaty!

Oh The Places She’ll Go... Our new series on the life and times of OLP girls in the world at large

The Pilot Link Crew

By Jess Meehan ‘15, Paola Guerrero ‘17, Analucia Esparza ‘17

By Shannon Doran ‘16

For the last six months of my sophomore year I studied abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand. I attended a co-ed public school called Logan Park High School and I was in year 12 since the grades over there go up to 13. Even though it was public, we still had uniforms. In fact, all schools, private or public, had a uniform that consisted of blazers and kilts with each of the school’s colors. At my school the upper classmen (years 11-12) got to wear blazers while the lower classmen (year 9-10) had to wear fleece jackets. Then the year 13s got to be in mufti, which is their word for free dress, everyday. Since the beginning of the school year is in February, my and family road tripped for about a month from Auckland in the North Island, to Dunedin where we stayed in the South Island. Every town, every city, every view was spectacular and breathtaking. We had a new adventure every day: jumping off the Auckland sky tower, zip lining through the rainforest, zorbing, and just enjoying the views. Continue reading on page 6. Around Campus

Our Artists (Pg 7)

A sampling of the projects completed by Mr. Stringer’s talented AP Art students for their portfolios.

New Faculty (Pg 6)

Get to know the six new teachers that have joined to OLP staff this year.

Entertainment

Netflix Finds (pg 3)

If you’re struggling to find something to watch over the weekend, here are six suggestions of all genres.

The Music Corner (pg 2)

Last year’s serial has expanded - you’ll find exclusive interviews with three local artists!

Backrubs, pizza lunches, and pajama parties – what do these three things have in common? Well, besides all screaming “FUN,” these activities are a regular occurrence at Pilot Link Crew meetings and events. But organizing fun get-togethers isn’t the only thing this new club does; it is also in charge of welcoming incoming students into our ranks. Pilot Link Crew is a club comprised of forty-six upperclasswomen and three teachers – Mrs. Oseguera, Ms. DeVore, and Ms. Hanley – dedicated to making freshmen and transfer students feel at home in the OLP community. Though the Link Leaders’ reasons for joining the club vary from person to person, all are enthusiastic about making new students feel welcomed. Senior Link Leader Chilan Nguyen joined because “it seemed like a fun way to become more involved and meet new people… As a freshman, I was pretty lost about everything…I wanted to be able to help the freshmen if they needed it because I remember how it felt to be a new student.” Pilot Link Crew works diligently to ensure that feelings of intimidation, confusion, and disorientation that usually accompany new students during their transition to a new school are minimized so that each student can feel comfortable in the OLP environment. Continue reading on page 4. Celebrity Alma Maters (pg 5)

Famous people are just like us - they get perfect SAT scores and attend Ivy Leagues!

Around the Neighborhood Restaurant Review (pg 5)

An inside look at the family-run Mariposa Ice Cream, on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights.

Athletics

Varsity Tennis (Pg 4)

The 2014-2015 tennis season is in full swing. Read more to see how the girls are doing this year and a detailed account of their match against La Jolla High.

Just for Fun (pg 6)

A short story by Writing in Literature student Tiffany Allen.

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

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Issue 5 | October 2014

Local Music Corner JARA

By Amaris Leal ‘17 San Diego is a city full of local musicians whose hearts are filled with dreams and ambition, all filled with amazing talent and potential. Jara is an example of one of these local talents with a very indie-pop feel that will fit any emotion. Jara is a 20 year-old singer-songwriter who is a native San Diegan. Jara began playing the guitar at the age of 8 when his father taught him the “beginning stages and a few songs” and he is a self taught pianist and uke player who has been playing since the age of 18. Jara has big ambitions, wanting to become “the best musician in the world” and wanting to inspire everyone with his music. When he was in High School Jara listened to a lot of hardcore “unfortunately” (he laments), soul, R&B, Michael Jackson, the Neighborhood, the Pixies, and the Clash, which is one of his favorite bands. Basically, Jara has a very eclectic playlist. These artists and genres also inspire him to write his own songs, because, as Jara says, it is hard for him to stick to one genre: “I can’t make up my mind,” he states. Personally, I think it’s a good thing that he isn’t glued to one ideal stamp of music genres. So far, Jara’s professional accomplishments include playing his music on 91x, and even being named the #1 Pop Artist in San Diego. “I feel like if I accomplish something my standards just increase,” he says, “I think I need to enjoy [it] more.” Overall, Jara is most proud of the art that he has created and “that it can affect people” and make them feel any emotion. There is definitely a lot going for this ambitious artist. Hopefully one day, we will see his name under flashing lights with a title that reads, “Sold Out”. Be sure to listen to Jara’s music and check his upcoming gigs on his website, jaraofficial.com.

STREET JOY

By Pitrina Gilger ‘15 Street Joy is a Los Angeles based Rock ’n’ Roll duo with Jason DeMayo on guitar and vocals and Scott Zimmerman on drums and backup vocals. The two guys met in high school, where they played on the same roller hockey team; but they confess that they weren’t really friends until later in life. They both wound up at the University of Oregon, where they bonded over (you guessed it) having gone to the same high school, as well as their mutual love of music. Scott Zimmerman grew up playing music in school bands, jazz programs, and symphony orchestras. He started playing the trumpet for his school band when he was nine, and took up percussion in high school. He admits he probably wouldn’t have made the transition to rock music if it wasn’t for Jason DeMayo, the shy bedroom guitarist of over fifteen years, who had always dreamed of being in a band. In 2012 Zimmerman and DeMayo decided to start a band, naming themselves after the White Denim song that was stuck in DeMayo’s head one night as he was pondering band names. Zimmerman thinks of the name Street Joy as the happiness felt by “kids playing in the street on a sunny suburban day.” DeMayo laughs at this cheesy description and argues “There’s more to the song than that.” So a friendly disagreement, but the guys are more than thrilled to be making music together. Soon, Zimmerman and DeMayo moved to Los Angeles with their engineer roommate, Michael Coleman, who helped them to record an album at their house. “It took forever, basically.” They created their own record company, Trick Pony Records, through which a series of singles was released during the summer. Speaking about the record company, Jason says, “We would love to make it on our own.” They have talked about possibly doing a co-release in the future. Their musical influences include Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Tame Impala, and the Strokes. With regards to their sound, the guys believe that the music they listen to is separate from their own sound, but “maybe it kind of seeps in unknowingly.” The spontaneous nature of the guys is revealed as they retell the story of their craziest gig to date, which took place in an actual cave. The guys went up to San Francisco for a show at the Depot, but when it was cancelled the day of, they did not let that stop them. They rented a generator and climbed down a cove into a cave where they were able to put on a great performance and have an unforgettable experience. The band’s goal is to be able to put out more records after their first one, which shouldn’t be difficult given their amazing talent and unique sound. Check out the band on Facebook and soundcloud, or visit their website, www.streetjoymusic.com. Head over to iTunes to purchase their singles, “Wandering in Your Mind” and “Laurel Hill,” and browse through their other songs.

MY SECOND MIND By Pitrina Gilger ‘15

My Second Mind is a fivepiece Alternative Rock band from north county San Diego. It consists of Austyn Meyers, Logan Elstermann, Ian Geckeler, Major Wynn, and Charlie Lemasters. Singer Austin Meyers and pianist Logan Elstermann sat down with us in a little coffee shop in La Jolla to discuss their band’s achievements and aspirations.

by a string of gigs at a variety of venues, from school festivals to coffee shops. They have had some troubles: drum sets falling apart, venues so loud they left Meyers unable to hear what key he was singing in. They recently played at House of Blues San Diego, which they consider their biggest gig to date. Perhaps one of the most admirable things about My Sec-

The group formed in 2011, and following a few farewells to old members and welcoming of new members, reached its current musician lineup in the summer of 2012. The name came about when Elstermann and drummer Charlie Lemasters were trying to come up with something that hadn’t been heard before. Elstermann describes “My Second Mind” as a certain consciousness of what you are doing with your life. Combined with the fact that the name was cool and original, the band decided it was a keeper. The band has a variety of influences, from Jeff Buckley to the Foo Fighters, which may explain why each song on their album seems to stand on its own, each one unique. The repetition of “each” is awkward - maybe “unique in their own ways” Another explanation may be the diverse background of each group member. Singer Austyn Meyers was trained in musical theater, while Elstermann was trained in classical piano and Lemasters in heavy metal drumming. Each member certainly brings a unique perspective to the process of music-making. Elstermann reflects that writing each song is “a new adventure.” Their self-titled album was recorded entirely in a makeshift studio in Elstermann’s house, with the help of his father, the album’s stand-in guitarist. The band’s first gig came in fall of 2012 at Epicentre, followed

ond Mind is their work with PCI, a non-profit organization whose mission is to “prevent disease, improve community health and promote sustainable development worldwide” (PCIglobal.org). The band played at the organization’s Walk for Water, a charity walk to raise money to provide water to developing nations. The band even donated most of the profits from their CD release party to the organization. This is great NEWS. Good work here. When writing music, Elstermann starts with a simple piano composition, then guitar and drums are added, the band finds a melody, and lyrics come from there. Lyrics are inspired by day-to-day life. The band has grown up with music, and Meyers reflects that “music is a part of life that you can’t go a few days without… it becomes like breathing.” You can certainly see the passion the guys have for their music making. Over the summer, the band focused on getting out and performing more. They suggested that they have some songs ready for recording, and expressed interest in recording in studio. Check out My Second Mind’s Facebook page, where their band goals are simply put: “Making music and playing live shows.” Also, check out their full album on Spotify, and keep your eye out for upcoming shows.

Scan this QR Code on your phone to check out the band’s Spotify.

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

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Issue 5 | October 2014

FILM REVIEW:

WHAT TO WATCH The Best Films and Series on Netflix

The Fault in Our Stars

By Marin Musicant ‘18, Sabrina Sekander ‘18, Dunia Sekander ‘18

By Riley Stenehjem ‘15 Copyright Google Images.

Electrick Children (2012) Genre: Indie Coming-of-age story For those of you that like strange independent films, check this one out. It follows the journey of a fifteen year girl from a strict Mormon community. There is little evidence of technology, save for a scarcely used truck and a tape player the protagonist Rachel finds in her family’s basement. After listening to the tapes, Rachel believes that she has been impregnated by the music, and runs away with her brother to Las Vegas. As the two are introduced to 21st-century culture, Rachel meets a boy by the name of Clyde, and comes to learn about herself and her family. New Girl (2011 - present) Genre: Sitcom New Girl isn’t necessarily a hidden Netflix gem, but this fun series will surely have you addicted - seriously, I watched all three seasons in under a week. It all begins with Jess (Zooey Deschanel), a quirky elementary school teacher, after she and her longtime boyfriend have had a nasty break up and she moves into a new apartment - with three male roommates. Schmidt, a womanizer, Nick, a lazy bartender, and Winston, a former professional basketball player, all have to adjust to having the eccentric and emotionally distraught Jess moving into their home. If you get through the three seasons on Netflix, the fourth season is currently airing on FOX.

The People Under the Stairs (1991) Genre: Psychological Thriller This early 90’s film is perfect to watch when you’re home alone at night. It features a young boy, called Fool, who gets trapped in the home of his wonderfully scary and psychologically messed up landlords. Fool then meets the landlord’s adopted daughter, and (suspenseful music intensifies) the people under the stairs - oh, and the guy who lives in the walls. The end of this horror flick is surprisingly cathartic, so don’t worry - you shouldn’t have too many nightmares...but it’s a good thing houses don’t have basements in San Diego. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000) Genre: Teen Comedy-Drama Freaks and Geeks was cancelled after one season on NBC, but the Judd Apatow-produced series has since become a cult favorite. Set in the 1980’s, the show revolves around the lives of Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini) and her younger brother Sam (John Francis Daley), as they both take on high school. Lindsay pushes her way into the group of rebellious “freaks”, led by bad-boy Daniel Desario (James Franco), while her freshman brother and his geeky friends set off rockets in parking lots, get rejected by the popular girls, and play Dungeons and Dragons. The cast also features Seth Rogen and Jason Segel. The show will leave you wanting more after you finish its mere 18 episodes.

Donnie Darko (2001) Genre: Science Fiction Although labeled as a Sci-Fi movie, Donnie Darko isn’t your average aliens and spacecraft film. A young, beautiful Jake Gyllenhaal plays Donnie. The film follows Donnie over a course of 28 days, as he is tormented by a giant bunny, named Frank, who informs him that the world’s end is imminent. If dark films that leave you asking “Wait, so what just happened?” interest you, then this is right up your proverbial alley.

Stuck in Love (2012) Genre: Indie Rom-Com If you’re not into horror or psych-thriller films, then try this independent romantic comedy, directed by Josh Boone. The film traces the lives of three members of the Borgen family - the delusional father (Greg Kinnear), who is convinced that his estranged wife is going to come back, hopeless romantic Rusty (Wolff), and Samantha (Collins), who is determined to avoid love at all costs. Throughout one year, each character finds - or loses - love and learns to take second chances. If that doesn’t convince you, Logan Lerman is also in the film.

SPOILER ALERT! This amazing heart-warming story first captured our hearts in the novel by John Green. This tragic love story features Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, also featured in Divergent. In the story we follow the main character, Hazel Grace Lancaster, on her journey battling cancer. She and Augustus Waters, or as we call him Ansel Elgort, meet in a cancer support group. They meet while he is there to support his friend who is about to have eye surgery and lose his vision. Throughout the movie, Hazel and Augustus continue to fall in love and go through some ups and downs. The characters have to deal with battling cancer and having to say goodbye. A surprise ending occurs and sadly, Augustus passes away. Many people have had a hardship where they lose someone that they love. This tragedy is something that everyone will one day go through. During the movie you share tears and laughs with the characters. One thing that sets this movie apart from all the others is that it is relatable to all of us. We will all go through our first love and have to endure the pain of saying goodbye. This story has gripped us and kept people reading and watching it ever since it came out.

Restaurant Review: Mariposa Ice Cream By Gemma Caretta ‘17

In the center of bustling Adams Avenue rests the very popular Mariposa Ice Cream. The owners, Dick and Anna Magana, opened their store in June of 2000 and last year opened up another store in Temecula, which is run by their nephew Tim. Dick has been making his own ice cream and sorbet for the past sixty years and was first introduced to the trade by his Grandpa Pete in New York when he was twelve years old. When Dick met Anna, he shared with her his love for conjuring his own unique and famous flavors. Some of their most well known flavors include Mexican Chocolate, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Pumpkin. Their business started in Mariposa, California but then moved down to San Diego, where the business has thrived on word of mouth. Readers of San Diego City Beat Magazine voted Mariposa as the Best Ice Cream Shop in 2012 and they have received stunning reviews from the New York Times. While Dick and Anna are business people, they are much more than that to the community. Their welcoming nature has embraced local events and schools by rewarding the hard-working students of St. Didacus Parish School for various academic achievements and providing a reviving treat for the hot tourists at the Adams Avenue Street Fair. Mariposa has also had an influence on our school. For the past couple years they have supported our school by buying magazines from the Magazine Drive. Their giving nature is most clearly highlighted when they have customer appreciation days where every single customer that walks through the door receives a free scoop of ice cream. Dick and Anna’s enthusiasm and passion for their work is ever present in the close friends that are hired, the energy you feel when you walk in the door, and in the way that their stores are displayed. When you walk into Mariposa Ice Cream, the first thing that will make an impression on your senses, besides the delicious smell of freshly baked waffle cones, is the huge montage of Beatles posters and Charger signs that fill the walls from floor to ceiling. Dick and Anna have deep ties with the Chargers, and football in general. Every year their famous chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream is shipped up to the San Francisco 49’ers, where safety CJ Spillman (a friend and former Charger) swears that “this cookie dough ice cream will help the team win the Super Bowl.” If you are still not convinced to try a delicious scoop for yourself, Dick and Anna hired two teenage boys who are currently juniors that will be working during the weekends this year. If you want to meet some sweet guys, go try a scoop or two at Mariposa Ice Cream on Adams Avenue.

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

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Issue 5 | October 2014

Pilot Link Crew

Continued from Page 1

Love Means Nothing to Tennis Players By Eva Curiel ‘16

Mrs. Hanley with senior Link Crew Leader Chilan Ngyuen.

The club began this process with Freshmen Orientation. After spending three days over the summer training, planning, and preparing for the event, the Link Leaders welcomed the class of 2018 with music, icebreakers, team-building games, tours of the school, a prayer service, and a lovely luncheon on North Terrace. But the club’s involvement with new students didn’t end there; each link leader partnered up with another and was assigned to guide a group of ten freshmen for the duration of the school year. Once of month, these groups meet up during section and discuss life at OLP, which can include anything from teachers to the homework load to upcoming events. These meetings offer freshmen an intimate and comfortable environment in which they can discuss any problems or obstacles they may be facing and ask for help. If, say a student is struggling with a particular subject, the Link Leader is able to listen to the student and get her whatever help she may need, such as tutoring, so that she may overcome that particular obstacle.

Link Leaders also give new students lessons on important life skills, such as decision making or time manag ment. These sessions are designed to help freshmen adjust to the OLP workload and learn how to balance eschool, sleep, social life, and extracurricular activities. But Pilot Link Crew isn’t all work and no play; Link Leaders believe that having fun is one of the most essential parts of easing the transition of new students into a new school community. The club makes fun in a variety of ways. For example, on Pajama/Twin Day during spirit week, the crew organized a pajama party, complete with bagels, donuts, fruit, music, games, and a chance for the freshmen to check in and meet up with their Link Leaders. The group promises that more fun events are in store for the freshmen. Pilot Link Crew is truly a wonderful organization and excellent resource for incoming students. Dedicated to doing all that it can to help freshmen and transfer students become adjusted to the OLP community, this club is a blessing. Thank you to the Link Leaders for the work you have done so far!

Hard Work Pays Off Tennis is a really fun sport to play, especially at OLP. The tennis team has the privilege to practice and play at Morley Field at Balboa Park. Practice runs from 2:30 to 4:30 each day unless there is a match. Practices usually begin with dynamics - running around the courts, stretching, and many workouts. Then players hit the tennis ball with a partner; first half court and then full court. The rest of practice usually consists of drills led by the coaches. The competition against other schools such as Cathedral, Bishops, and La Jolla this year is extremely high since the other schools have players with lots of experience. Some opponents have no fear when they hit the tennis ball. They don’t give up; they fight for the win. We also fight for the win even though they have p l a y ers with more experience. Luckily the OLP tennis teams have always done their best, which has lead them to their success as a team. Being on any kind of team is pretty tough because everybody is counting on you to try your best. Being on a Varsity team is just as I thought it would be - coming up from JV is pretty nerve-wracking because I am not used to the tough competition and the skills of other players. It is rigorous and sometimes scary! However, I have realized that if I work hard every day then success will come sooner or later. There’s no fooling around on Varsity. You come to practice to become better than you were the day before. But overall it is fun. You get to hang out with a group of 12 to 13 girls and share many memories with them. There is a sense of community in a team. You make many friends, which are there to support you when you are feeling down, to congratulate you when you win, and to laugh with you when someone tells a hilarious joke. Tennis Is Social! Every year the OLP and Saints tennis teams have a “mixer”. This mixer consists of a friendly competition between OLP players and a Saints players. You get randomly paired with a boy and if you’re lucky, you get a cute partner. This is one of the ways to get to know Saints boys, so if any of you ladies want to meet a

Saints boy, just join the team! It is that easy ! A Match To Remember On Thursday September 25 the OLP Varsity team had a match against La Jolla. OLP and La Jolla have been competing against each other for a long time but they have never won in all the years of tennis at OLP. That day history changed. For the first time in OLP history, the OLP Varsity team finally beat - in a nice way - La Jolla. It was a very close victory. In order to win we needed more than 9 sets. SET (noun): A set consists of a different number of games in total but one team must win 6 games in order to win. There are 18 sets total (9 single sets + 9 double sets = 18 sets!). A ny w ay, the score was 9 sets to 9 so if it’s tied then they count the number of games each school won. Again, it was tied! Each school had 66 games. Then they counted the number of games in all the double sets and the results were that OLP had more double games than La Jolla! The girls freaked out and jumped up and down when they realized we had won. We all accomplished that victory by working together as a team and supporting one another. We followed the number one rule of tennis: don’t beat yourself.

Join OLP’s Book Club!

By Lauren Glevanik ‘16 The book club is currently reading Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and any short story or poem by Edgar Allan Poe. Join us for our next meeting on November 20 to talk about great books and to enter a book raffle!

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

Issue 5 | October 2014

Celebrity Alma Maters

By Gabby Ashenafi ‘15 Many of us have rocked out to Vampire Weekend’s single Horchata. We have laughed alongside John Krasinski from the television show the Office and we have even fawned over James Franco’s gorgeous features. But do you know what all of these people have in common? They are all graduates from America’s most selective universities! Vampire Weekend formed while the band members were attending Columbia University in 2006. John Krasinski graduated from Brown University in 2001 and James Franco received his MFA degree from Columbia in 2010. He is currently working towards his PHD at Yale University.

Life After OLP By Ale Wehber ‘15 and Adriana Olivares ‘15 Ever wonder what your life will be like after OLP? What college you attend? What your major will be? These are all things that, as OLP students, we all question sooner or later. Like most OLP girls, Regina Alvarez, class of 2014, certainly asked herself these questions more than once during her time here. As a senior Regina struggled with her college process. She was not sure what she wanted to do after graduation, and she didn’t want to throw herself into a specific major without knowing what her passion is. When asked for advice on how to handle these questions, she said, “Don’t rush. Keep your mind open regarding the college or university you want to attend, because ultimately you will end up where you are meant to be.” Regina is currently a student in Mesa College and she plans on transferring to USD after finishing her general requirements. At USD she wants to major in business and minor in marketing. However, this decision took Regina an extra year after graduation; Regina’s transition from high school to college was not easy. She confessed to us that what she misses the most about OLP is the teachers. “I miss the personal relationships you build with teachers and faculty. College is much less personal, it is more about building your academic life rather than intrapersonal relationships.” She also misses her friends and the liberty of not having to wear makeup every day. If we could only take one piece of advice from our fellow graduate it should be that high school is a time to enjoy. So ladies, take your time, clear your mind, and do what you love! Like Regina said, you will always end up right where you are meant to be.

The Blood Moon Eclipse By Julia Isbell ‘17

Photo from Google Images.

While this is truly impressive, John Krasinski and James Franco are just two names in a long list of famous ivy leaguers. The list ranges from Lupita Nyongo, a Yale University graduate, to Natalie Portman, a Harvard University graduate. It even includes Bill Nye the science guy, a University of Pennsylvania graduate! Before many stars moved to Hollywood and joined the lives of the rich and famous, they were your average college kids, cooped up in small dorm rooms and studying hard. They crammed for midterms and suffered through cafeteria food. Some even participated in Greek Life, such as Alicia Keys at Columbia University. Among the parties and scandals, Hollywood is crawling with elite college graduates. Even though Ivy league schools are prestigious, they are only one out of many college options. To many celebrity families’ dismay, some celebrities have even dropped out of college! You can read more about celebrity ivy league drop outs in the next issue but here’s a hint: one drop out once played the role of a janitor at MIT who was actually a genius with a gift for mathematics!

Photo by Julia Isbell.

On Wednesday, October the 8th, at 2:30 AM, most of you were probably sleeping or cramming for a test. However, I was not. I was standing in my friend’s front yard with my handy dandy camera, watching an amazing ‘blood moon’ lunar eclipse. This past eclipse was the second in a tetrad, or series of four blood moons over a period of a year and a half. During a regular lunar eclipse, the Earth’s shadow falls on the moon, blocking the sun’s rays and making the moon appear dark. But during a blood moon, the sun’s rays are bent by the Earth’s atmosphere, filtering from the rays all the colors but red. Then, these red rays reflect onto the moon, giving it a copper color. I highly recommend that you see this cosmic phenomenon for yourself! The next blood moons of this tetrad are April 15 and September 28 of 2015. After that, the next tetrad isn’t until 2032!

An example of the April 15th blood moon. Photo copyright AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco.

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The Pilot Cafe Takes Off By Chilan Ngyuen ‘15 and Ale Ramirez ‘15

Photo by Ale Ramirez ‘15

There are no longer clusters of ravenous girls roaming the halls of OLP looking for food! The new Pilot Cafe opened its doors on August 18. On the first day of school, there was already a boisterous crowd waiting to sample what the cafe has to offer. The cafe, powered by Chartwell School Dining Services, offers a great selection of healthy foods. Chartwells promotes healthy eating through awareness of food choices, information, and education. Chartwells places an emphasis on utilizing the freshest ingredients in order to create the highest quality food service. There is a plethora of grab and go food to choose from. The selection varies day to day offering a great medley. The cafe offers a selection of sandwiches, salads, lettuce wraps, parfaits, and much more. There are plenty of snacks to choose from, delicious fresh pastries, and sealed beverages. The most exciting part about the new cafe is the coffee and tea portion. There is a fantastic selection of iced teas, coffees, lattes, and macchiatos. Perhaps this is the most exciting aspect to many students because the caffeine provides a boost of energy to stay awake during class after pulling yet another all nighter. Senior Jessica Meehan says, “I love how it’s extremely accessible. The food is really good, especially the coffee for when I need a pickme-up amidst the stress of school.” The cafe has really taken off and become extremely popular. This new cafe enables students to finally purchase delicious, yet healthy food on campus. If you haven’t had the chance to check it out, you should definitely do so soon! Also for more information on the Pilot Cafe’s future plans be sure to visit OLP’s school website at www.aolp. org/about-us/pilot-cafe-chartwells.

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

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Issue 5 | October 2014

plaid problems By Olivia Palid ‘15

I really want to go on this overnight retreat, but I’m scared that I’ll fall behind on my homework and college apps if I do. What do I do? -Stressed Senior First of all, you might want to take a step back from the situation. How much homework do you get each night? And be honest, kid,is the “book” you’re reading during homework time actually Facebook? Do you take bathroom breaks that are really just excuses for you to go on your phone for ten minutes. If you answered yes to either of these questions, it is possible that all you need is a dose of self-discipline. Instead of chatting with your friends on the bus to your retreat, plug in some earphones and boost up the iPod you haven’t touched since, like, seventh grade (instead of your iPhone, which can become an unwelcome distraction at the speed of Safari). With appropriate study music filtering out the convos around you (I’m thinking Enya, or Justin Timerlake)DO. THAT. HOMEWORK. Don’t let a little fear of homework keep you from doing something that could possibly change your life. I don’t have a date to Homecoming! Is my life over? I think it’s over. -Hopeless High Schooler Okay, calm down. Deeeeeeeeep yoga breaths. Your life is definitely NOT over. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: you’re not going to die if you don’t go to Homecoming (thank God). You missing this dance won’t shatter any relationships or make-or-break your social life, because this is OLP and not whatever that school is they went to on Gossip Girl. There’s always next year, and if you can’t wait that long, there’s Miss OLP, Junior Boat Dance, MORP, Prom, etc. etc.But if you’re truly worried about missing out, or if this is your last year, why not ask your friends if they know of someone who wants to go and could be your date? Enlisting help might be your best bet. Just remember, if you don’t manage to get a date, there’s nothing saying you can’t buy yourself flowers and chocolate, get all dressed up on the day of the dance, and then be a virtual presence at the party via Facetime. There’s this person I like, but our families won’t let us be together, I already know it. Advice? -Desperate Daughter Direct any questions about Romeo and Juliet to the Freshman English teachers, please.

OLP’S NEW FACES

Get to Know the New Teachers on Campus

Ms. Stanko was interested in learning what an all girls school was all about and liked the small community feeling to the Academy when she took the job. She teaches algebra and geometry, algebra 2, and pre calculus. She says that OLP is different from her last job because, “it is smaller, it has more of a community feel. I feel respected and appreciated by the students.” She really enjoys how everyone is very welcoming and helpful at the Academy. She is a USD alum. After teaching at Cathedral Catholic High School, Mrs. Brannman loved the idea of being part of a smaller school. Not only is she in charge of our service department, but she will be teaching New Testament next semester. When asked how OLP has been different from Cathedral so far, Mrs. Brannman said, “OLP is more peaceful than my last job and it is not as stressful.” When asked what her favorite part of OLP has been, she couldn’t decide, “everything... the campus, the students.” Mrs. Brannman is an alum of University of Saint Mary Photo by Riley Stenehjem ‘15 in Leavenworth, KS. Mr. Garriepy came from another faith based school prior to moving to San Diego, which lead him to choose his next job to be at the Academy. He has a packed schedule as he teaches geometry,

By Isabella Alexander ‘18 geometry honors, and intermediate girls school, [girls] can really focus algebra. In high school, he was a on being on [them]selves.” The stupart of the swim, tennis, and soccer dents are her favorite part of her job teams. He was also a part of the Na- because, “they are so hardworking, tional Honors Society and intelligent, kind to each other, and environmental club. During high they make me feel comfortable to school, Mr. Garriepy worked 3 be myself.” Ms. Schorr is an alum jobs. What he likes about OLP so of Cal State Chico, where she got far is, “[the]fact that students are her undergraduate, and SDSU highly motivated and conscious where she received her masters in of their grades. [They] want to do fine art. well and have high expectations of Mrs. Lewis, a PE and themselves.” Before beginning his Health teacher, said that she wanted teaching career, he spent 3.5 years to teach at OLP because she had alat the Coast Guard Academy and ready been a part of the OLP coachthen transferred to secondary edu- ing staff for two years. She feels at cation at Rhode Island College. home at the Academy because she M s . went to Catholic school and lives S h n o r r in the community. In high school, says that she was a member of the volleyOLP be- ball, basketball, and track and field ing an teams. Also she was in the choir. all girls When asked how OLP differs from s c h o o l her last job she says, “OLP is very got her different from my last teaching job. attention The class sizes here are a lot smallw h e n er. At my previous school, my class l o o k i n g sizes ranged from 35-60 students for a new where as here, my classes range Photo by Isabella Hoang ‘17 job be- from 16-30 students. I also did not cause she has a passion for empow- have a gymnasium at my last so I ering young women. She is think- spent my days getting sunburned ing of building local women's artist out on the blacktop.” Her favorite group. Ms. Shnorr teaches Art 1. During high school she swam and did water polo. She also did photography, animation, and drawing. While she taught at Palomar College, she found that she was teaching a diverse group of students age wise, yet while at OLP she feels that,” it’s interesting because I’m reconnecting with what it’s like to Photo by Isabella Hoang ‘17 be in high school.” She also said part about the Academy so far is that she likes the idea of an all girls the amazing group of students she’s education because,”being in all been able to get to know through

her classes. Mrs. Lewis attended SDSU where she received her BS in Kinesiology with an emphasis in physical education. Ms. Will wanted to teach at OLP because of its all girls, Catholic education. She had a Catholic upbringing and wanted to have the opportunity to serve and inspire young women.This year, she teaches Government and Psychology. Ms. Will participated in cross

Photo by Isabella Hoang ‘17

country and was on the soccer team while in high school. Also, she did Youth and Government, Amnesty International and the Christian Community Awareness Program (CCAP). She previously taught at a public, co-ed school which is very different from OLP. When asked what her favorite part of OLP is so far she responded, “My favorite part of being at OLP is the community atmosphere; everyone is always loving, positive and supportive toward one another. I also really love how hard-working and conscientious my students are. Every day I feel truly blessed to be here.” For her undergraduate, Ms. Will attended Towson University and USC for her grad. She is currently the assistant coach of the cross country team and will help coach the track team in the spring.

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

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Issue 5 | October 2014

OLP’s Own Artists: Work from the AP Art Class

Oh The Places She’ll Go... Continued from Page 1

These are various projects from the three separate AP portfolios. AP Drawing, 2-D Color and design, and 3-D. Engine project, done by all three AP portfolios. The Drawing and 2-D students crop out an interesting overall composition using a view finder. They use various mediums such as oil paint, prismacolor pencils, and acrylic. The 3-D students use a variety of mediums including, cardboard, wire, paper roles. bike parts, etc. The 3-D students are tyring to create engine like objects utilizing different elements of 3-D art such as volume (empty 3-D form), mass (solid 3-D form), line, texture, and balance. The pepper projects is done by both the Drawing portfolios and 2-D Color and Design. The students cut open a pepper and then do a close-up view of the inside.

My high school, Logan Park was a school where numerous exchange students end up studying. I met many people from Germany, Switzerland, France, Norway, Brazil, and Italy who were there from 6 months to a year. I was the only American; the one with the odd sounding accent! By the time I left, their Kiwi accent grew on me. The best way to describe it is that it is half Australian and half British. Then they have their own slang: chips are french fries and tomato sauce is ketchup, carpark is a parking lot, and a reliever is a substitute teacher. Bathing suits are togs and flip flops are jandals. Everyday conversation also includes mate, keen, a wee bit, and heaps. Dunedin is such a small college town that everyone walks everywhere and everything is within a 30-minute bus ride. Buses were the favored transportation since there are not too many cars around. I would have to take the bus to and from school everyday, or to a friend’s house, to the mall, and to the beach on my own. There was actually only one mall in the center of town by the center of town, known as the Octagon, but they also have McDonalds and Burger King, KFC, Dominos Pizzas, Starbucks, and Kmart! The one thing that was strange to go six months without was Mexican food; there was absolutely no Mexican food to be found!! I got to do numerous things that I would never have the opportunity to do here. It was the most insane and memorable experience of my life. It was a whole other way to live and just being on the other side of the world seemed unreal. I got to see and learn about a variety of cultures and languages and it is a semester that I will never forget.

Throwback Thursday

Can you match these OLP teachers to their baby photos? 1. Ms. Boettger 2. Mrs. Antolin 3. Mrs. Danaher 4. Mrs. Gascho 5. Mrs. Rayner

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

6. Mrs. Turner 7. Mrs. Herb-Baker 8. Ms. Pippin 9. Mrs. Longobardi

_____ _____ _____ _____

Answers: 1-E, 2-A, 3-G, 4-F, 5-B, 6-C, 7-I, 8-D, 9-H

Academy of Our Lady of Peace

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Issue 5 | October 2014

Proudly Introducing... Our New Editor-in-Chiefs! Pitrina Gilger: Print Editor - According to Riley You’ve probably seen Pitrina Gilger around campus, and may recognize her as the smart, friendly editor of the newspaper, but little do you know about her true identity. When she’s not editing copy for Pilot Press or catching up on her endless piles of homework, she’s probably sitting in a dark corner of her family’s Italian restaurant, silently making pasta. For Pitrina and her family, pasta isn’t just a carb-rich food that us commoners enjoy with tomato sauce and cheese, but it is a way of life. In her family, children begin their training in the art of pasta making at the age of five. It begins with a two-hour long test, used by the elders of the family to evaluate a child’s potential. Even at five years old, Pitrina was already talented - during those two hours she crafted a pasta dress, which she wore to her first day of kindergarten (photos coming in the next issue). Since then, she has spent long nights making spaghetti and penne and rigatoni and lasagna, waiting for the day when she is named the Pasta Laureate, and can preside over all of the pasta making in the world. She only sleeps 1.5 hours every night, and during that time she dreams of her future acceptance speech for the Nobel Pasta Prize. Rumor has it that her hair is, in fact, made up of angel hair pasta, but this has not been verified by any credible source. Keep your eyes peeled for updates in the upcoming issues of the Pilot Press.

Riley Stenehjem: Layout and Photography Editor - According to Pitrina Riley Stenehjem, a senior at the Academy, grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. Since she was a quiet child, she didn’t have many friends besides her siblings and pet fish Deirdre. Luckily, when she was thirteen, a bear holding a surfboard brought her a letter from a magical place called the Academy of Our Lady of Peace: a place where young girls make lifelong friends and advance in the topics of feminism and leadership. Riley established a newfound love for water, even competing with the Academy’s surf and swim teams. She also began to excel at photography, which she used to capture moments of magic around campus and San Diego in general. You could say that Riley has become a true Californian. She enjoys street fairs, beach days, and adventure. But since she will never get to experience a juicy burger from In ‘n’ Out or Hodad’s (vegetarians, right?), she will never be eligible to become a California prefect, the most coveted position of them all. She currently serves as one third of the editor-in-chief team of the Pilot Press, OLP’s highly-acclaimed student newspaper, where she is accepted as a dear neighbor even though she’s not a true California native.

Ane Holland: Communications Director - According to Riley Just over seventeen years ago on the misty island of Kaua’i, the tribal princess Ane Makana O’Kalani I’olani Holland was born. Sadly, she was separated from her mother, the mystical Queen of the Tribal People, but was found by two kindly Californians hiking through the jungle. They brought the young tribal princess back to the mainland and raised her as their own. The Tribal Princess lived a double life, like a Hawaiian Hannah Montana. Half the time, she was just like you and me, attending school and spending time with her loving parents, sister Abby, and dog Nelson, while her second persona as Kauaian Princess involved hula lessons, speaking Hawaiian quietly to herself, and frequently returning to her homeland to fulfill her duties to her tribespeople. It was there, in her native land, that she learned to surf - just two years ago, what kind of Hawaiian Princess is she? - in the clear, warm waters off of Kaua’i. She continues the mysterious double life even now, as she attends the Academy for her fourth and final year. The nice girl you know as Ane, senior class student council-woman, surf team captain, Souplantation lover and Pilot Press editor has been leading us on the entire time. Her true identity has been exposed at last - and you read it first here, in the Pilot Press.

I Want to Eat a Book. By Tiffany Allen I want to eat a book. To devour them cover to cover like those around me. To eat a book like a child eats his first bowl of chocolate chip ice cream, quickly yet somehow still catching all the flavors. Books. They must taste so nice, so full of excitement and laughter. It must be fun to eat books. Yet I’m stuck here chewing every corner of the page. Carefully, taking months to finish just one. How nice it would be to just gobble one up in a timely fashion like the rest. I can’t eat that way. My mind doesn’t let me. So here I sit, page by page, hour by hour slowly finishing my book. Savoring every word I taste.

Staff Writers In This Issue

Adriana Olivares

Ale Wehber

Gabby Ashenafi

Not Pictured: Marin Musicant, Sabrina Sekander, Dunia Sekander, Isabella Alexander

Ale Ramirez

Julia Isbell

Jess Meehan

Amaris Leal

Analucia Esparza

Lauren Glevanik

Paola Guerrero

Eva Curiel

Gemma Caretta

Shannon Doran