2023 Yearbook Supplement

CENTER FOCUS Senior Benjamin Menard dances in the center as his fellow classmates gather around him.

STRIKE A POSE Senior Maya Gonzalez dances alongside her friends on the third floor of the yacht.

GET TOGETHER Seniors Keilah Mora and Jackson Morris embrace as they head to the outside deck.

SHOUT Tyler Foucrier cheers on his friends as they hit the dance floor. CRUSIN’ Seniors gather on the top deck as they wait for the cruise to take off. JAM Senior Keilah Mora and John Butler dance on the third floor of the cruise.

Dance the Night Away

On Aug. 20, the class of 2023 gathered on Sir Winston’s Yacht in Long Beach.

Quality Over Quantity

Photos by Jenessa Gomez

On Thursday, Oct. 20, Shortsfest was held in the Little Theater after school. Shortsfest is an annual theatre event hosted and showcased by students involved in Honors Theatre. The evening is composed of a series of 30 skits written and acted out by the students, but the challenge is to be able to complete all shorts in under 60 minutes.

However, the shorts did not run in chronological order. The audience had the privilege of choosing which short they wanted to see next. Once the majority of the audience shouted out a number, the hosts would take it into their own hands to pick out the short requested.

This year’s hosts were seniors Kenzo Philip Osmena, Benjamin Thai, Jillianna Le, and Elle Zolie Pham. Their primary duties consisted of entertaining the audience in between skits by telling jokes, referencing the skits, and using o techniques. The hosts were also actors in several of the shorts.

The Shortsfest student actors performed several comedic thrillers in anticipation of Halloween along with showcasing their collective creativity as members of the Theatre Program. Although the actors did not beat the timer this year, the event was such a success they decided to have a second showing the following day.

On Oct. 20, Honors Theatre IV presented Shortsfest in the Little Theater after school.

THE EVENING BEGINS The first group of Shortsfest starts off the performance by acting out short number 13. COOTIES KILL Honors Theatre IV students act petrified after a member of the group gets killed off as they perform a thriller skit, The Cheese Touch UP NEXT Senior Benjamin Thai, one of the actors and hosts of the evening, removes the skit number after the audience votes which short they want to see next. CAFFEINE CRAZIES Senior Claire Riss acts as a stressed barista who must adjust to the variety of clientele personas. PLAYGROUND BULLIES Senior Jillianna Le

Senior

as they pretend to be young children in their scene, Robot Nanny

mocks

Kenzo Philip Osmena

Rematch at the Rose Bowl

Rematch at the Rose Bowl

On Nov. 25, the Mater Dei Football team faced off against St. John Bosco in the CIF-SS Championship at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. After the hard-fought and thrilling rematch of the two top teams in the country, the Braves barely edged out the Monarchs with a score of 22 - 24. Despite the loss, the team was proud of yet another excellent season of Monarch football and the last season for Head Coach Bruce Rollinson.

Photos by Nate Chu

Ring-ing it Home

On Feb. 25, Boys Varsity Basketball won the CIF final against Etiwanda at The Honda Center.

Mater Dei Etiwanda

TEAM WORK Senior Zach Davidson walks off the court during the first quarter. SHOT Freshman Brannon Martinson jumps around his defender to get the shot.

MDTV Junior Scott Belnap answers post game questions from MDTV’s Skylar Ensign after the big win. LAYUP Senior Zach Davidson lays up the ball around his defender. HYPE Cheer performs in front of the student section at the Honda Center. DUNK Freshman Brannon Martinson dunks the ball during the game against Etiwanda.

37th Annual Special Games

On Saturday, Mar. 18 Campus Ministry held the 37th Annual Special Games. Athletes come from near and far to participate in the event.

AIMING HIGH Senior Ezra Funa and sophomore Brandon Thomas encourage their athlete to throw the sponge in the hole. GOAL Seniors Ganon Carr and Rio Jester help an athlete score a goal. THUMBS UP Senior Adrian Flores poses with a buddy.

PHOTO TIME SMILE BIG Senior Caia Elisaldez and sophomore Hanna Garcia pose and smile with their buddy. BLOCK HIM One of the buddies blocks senior Ben Hubie.

SHOW YOUR MUSCLES Senior Cali Mazzuckis poses with her buddy.

Photos by Emily Guzman, Aiden Halderman, and Avianna Echelmeyer

WALKING TOGETHER Students hold up the Special Games banner at the start of the event. BIG SMILES FOR THE WIN

As Director of Christian Service and Outreach, Maurissa Talarico poses with students in order to make their buddies smile.

HELPING HAND Junior Fredrick Adams tosses the ball to his buddy. GROUP PHOTO Seniors Recce Robb, Joann Fanticola, and Quinn Bosley smile big with their buddy for their group photo. FRISBEE A Special Games athlete is getting ready to throw the Frisbee.

Spring Singing

Spring Singing

On Mar. 21, Choir, Instrumental Music, and Dance performed at their yearly Spring Concert.

Photos Courtesy of Steve Wylie

HARMONY Bristol Boys and the Rubies sing together in the Spring Concert.

SING Vocal FX performs as they sing in unison.

VOCAL Bristol Boys sing their rendition of Lullaby by Billy Joel. FAMILY Rubies pose for a photo after their performance at the Spring Concert. POSE Choir members pose for a photo before their performance in the spring concert.

March Madness

Photos by Rachel O’ Sullivan

On Mar. 29, the annual Spring Sports Rally took place in the Meruelo Athletic Center celebrating all spring teams.

SINGLE LADIES Senior Gavin Williams, Juniors Ryan Iverson, Derek Gonzales, and Brody Connors all perform to the song Single Ladies. GROOVIE Senior Willow Laws performs Coachella alongside the Hip Hop Team. KINGS Senior Benjamin Menard and Jackson Morris are selected a part of the Prom Court.

FINISHING STRONG Junior Breeana Cortez performs with the Hip Hop Team during the Spring Rally. TOO DRIPPY Sophomore Brandon Gorski, junior Nathaniel Frazier, and senior Kai Remigio walk out together representing the Track & Field Team amidst loud applause. IN SYNC The Song Team finishes their performance with a strong final pose. GO MD Junior Laney Fletcher waves to the Monarchs in the stands.

synthesis

Presented by the Mater Dei Dance Conservatory

REACHING OUT Dancers from the Dance I Elective Class perform Glitter in the Air by P!nk. THE DANCE Senior Tara Mohtashami moves through a complex pose while dancing to music by Charlotte Martin. TIP OF THE ICEBERG Dancers align behind each other as they continue to perform to the tune Glitter in the Air. COACHELLA GREATNESS Seniors Keilah Mora and Willow Laws along with juniors Jazelle Ruiz and Breeana Cortez perform for the Hip Hop Team to tunes by Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, O.T. Genesis, and Usher. LIKE FLYING Senior Tara Mohtashami and sophomore Ava Nunez are seen leaping through the air during the piece Dissident.

Photos by Aidan Halderman and Rachel O’Sullivan

Many Pieces, Put Together

On Friday, Mar. 31, lights dim in the Irvine Barclay Theater, and the stage explodes with color and movement. Again and again, the audience witnesses the beautiful result of over a year of hard work, preparation, and talent coming together to create something new- Synthesis. What viewers might not have seen or realized is what it took behind the scenes to present this production.

According to Director of Dance Rochelle Mapes, planning started a year in advance.

“At the concert, the audience doesn’t see the calm but fast process of changing costumes, entering and exiting the stage quietly, theatre tech crew responsible for the lighting, sound, and curtain cues... A whole lot of effort, planning, and heart from the dance faculty to guide their students to dance their best!” Mapes said.

Choreographies were set and costumes purchased in December. With a large and experienced dance faculty helping to teach and clean choreography, students began preparing to perform in January.

“Dance Conservatory has the largest faculty including adjunct faculty that train the dancers weekly in jazz, ballet, and contemporary [dance],

and rehearsal assistants who aid in cleaning dances and preparing for performance,” Mapes said. “In addition, we have guest choreographers who work with the dancers for a short time to set a new piece for them”.

For the show, dancers are asked to learn a minimum of two dances, up to an impressive maximum of six pieces. Seniors were also given the opportunity to work on an extra dance for the show’s finale.

“Several of the dances were performed prior to Synthesis either at competitions or at dance festivals,” Mapes said. Prior to the performance, these dances must be adapted to the dimensions of the theater stage, which is often much smaller than the competition gym floors they were choreographed for. Additionally, many of the dance teams had to prepare for Synthesis during their own competition seasons.

“We had to finish working on our dances in the middle of our competition season and work extra hard to make sure all of our effort paid off,” junior Hip Hop Team member Janelle Ruiz said. “This was a production in the making from the very start of the school year and every team spent so much time trying to elevate each dance.”

JUST DOLLARS Performers in the Dance Conservatory’s Gray Company come together to compose a complex form.

DISSIDENTS Senior Tara Mohtashami and sophomore Ava Nunez are seen reaching upwards as senior Mia Montes rolls between them. PAUSE FOR A SECOND Junior Kelly Delaney spins during the piece Pale Damp Cheeks. RAISING MY GLASS Sophomore Emily McMills, senior Mia Montes, and freshman Morgan McCormick spin together while dancing to the song The Dance by Charlotte Martin.

Story by Aidan Halderman

Dodge for Donations Dodge for Donations

On Mar. 21, faculty and students gathered in the MAC during office hour to participate in the Dodgeball Tournament, a fundraising tournament to raise money for the victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Photos by Jenessa Gomez

Una Volta en Italia

Apr. 5-16, the Mater Dei Choral and Vocal Music Program took their trip to Italy.

MAMMA MIA! Seniors Nathan Nguyen, Jacob Sanders, Noah Bettencourt, Andrew McClave, Zachary Quattrocchi, and junior James Campbell sit together as they eat pizza in Italy. TOURISTS BEING TOURISTS Choir members stand together, posing in front of a chapel in Italy. ST. MARK’S SQUARE Seniors Zachary Tran, Noah Bettencourt, Hubert Tran, Zachary Quattrocchi, Nathan Nguyen, Andrew McClave, and sophomore Timothy McKeever pose for a photo in St. Mark’s Square. RIALTO BRIDGE Seniors Luca Bredehoft, John Riss, Nathan Nguyen, Zachary Tran, sophomore Adrian Antonio, and freshman Evan Nguyen wait to board a cruise in front of the Rialto Bridge. CHAMBERS’ CHEESY SMILES Seniors Andrew McClave, Benjamin Thai, Nathan Nguyen, and Kenzo Philip Osmena take a selfie while waiting on the docks. GOOD LUCK Juniors Emma White, Bella Reed, Audrey Nguyen, Carter Immel, Brock Reed, and Gianna D’Alessandro stand in front of Trevi Fountain.

- Andrew McClave

“In Assisi, we found a hidden museum depicting important stages in Mary’s life in a hand-sized relic, representing how you can always hold Mary close to you.”

“My favorite memory from Italy was singing our song, Ave Maria, in the Vatican Lobby.”

- Timmy McKeever

“My favorite part of Italy was going to all the different cathedrals and hearing the whole choir fill the space. It was amazing hearing the choir come together and being like a family.”

- Bella Reed

“My favorite memory was going to a bunch of different churches all around Italy and seeing all the beautiful different architecture.”

- Sophia O’Hara

Easter In Spain

Over spring break, World Language students traveled to Spain. Photos courtesy of Mrs. Zeyda Marsh

BREATHTAKING The Mater Dei World Language students pose in front of the El Palacio in Madrid, Spain. FOOD LOVERS

Sophomores Ava Velastegui, Bella Holguin, Halle Hombrecher and Junior Armen Cholakian adoring the magnificent Spanish churros. LOVING IT Junior Daniella Kagasoff and Sophomore Bella Holguin loving the scenery of Granada, Spain.

SHOPPING SPREE Seniors Alexander Douglas and Meghan White shopping for souvenirs from the historic area. PANORAMIC Juniors Naydine

Lopez, Charles Bosecker, and Senior Meghan White pose in Granada, Spain.

Swingin Start to Spring

“My favorite memory from La Primavera was ... watching my friends perform and having a good time with them backstage.”

- Catherine Morales

(12)

“My favorite memory at La Primavera was signing Dancing Queen and seeing how the audience was singing the song with us.“

- Alyssa Esparza (12)

“My favorite memory from La Primavera this year was getting to play Linger by The Cranberries, a band from Ireland, on St Patrick’s Day.“

VIOLIN Violinist Xavier Luna plays on stage at Chapman University. SING FROM THE SOUL Catherine Morales and Alyssa Esparza sing Dancing Queen by Abba during La Primavera on Mar. 17. SOLO Junior Patrick Cardullo solos on the guitar during Code Red’s performance of Everybody Wants to Rule the World. SAX SOLO Jacob Elizalde plays the saxophone during the Jazz Band’s performance. SUNSHINE Senior Cassidy Butcher sings Sunshine of MyLife on stage at Chapman University alongside the Jazz Band. LINGER Senior Jackson Morris plays Linger by The Cranberries, with Code Red, Mater Dei’s rock band. DRUMS Drummer Johnyoel Yap plays during La Primavera.

- Jackson Morris

THE LIGHTING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL

On Saturday, Apr. 22, the Honors Musical Theatre Program performed their version of the Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at Phillips Hall at Santa Ana College.

IN CHARACTER Senior Henry Erhard acts as lead character Percy Jackson. A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON Senior Keilah Mora and Junior Marieke Erhard hug it out. TALKING IT OUT Seniors Ethan Fergason and Henry Erhard face each other to talk. HUDDLE IN Senior Henry Erhard and the cast huddled up for the ending of the show.

Photos by Rachel O’Sullivan

ARMORED UP Senior Sarah Castillo holds a spear at senior Henry Erhard. HANDS UP Senior Dagny Canzoneri sings while having her hands up in the air. UP IN THE AIR Senior Jilliana Le is lifted up to represent an underworld

ONE LAST SHOW

Thursday, Apr. 27 was opening night for the 2023 Senior Musical, Footloose was held at Godinez High School. The two-hour musical consisted of singing, dancing, and faculty cameos.

Photos by Jenessa Gomez

COSTA’S CAMEO Ms. Jeanette Costa appears as a faculty guest star on stage as a high school teacher in the senior musical. STEALING THE SHOW

Seniors Katherine Mills, Jillianna Le, and Dagny Canzoneri lead an all-female musical number. MOTHER KNOWS BEST Senior Leah Bostic sings a solo as she plays the role of Ren’s mother. REN AND WILLARD AGAINST THE WORLD Seniors Ethan Ferguson and Kenzo Osmena perform the roles of two best friends, Ren and Willard. LOVING ACTORS Seniors Andrew McClave and Claire Riss hug as husband and wife in the musical. FINAL NUMBER The entire senior cast gathers on stage to dance the last musical number of the night. STOP, WATCH, AND DANCE Senior Ethan Ferguson sings and dances as he plays the male lead, Ren McCormick. HOT DIGGITY BOB Senior Jacob Sanders partner dances with senior Dagny Canzoneri. PE UNITY The Footloose cast stands together to fight for the art of dance. FOOTLOOSE Male leads dance to Footloose at their prom.

Annual Art Showcase

May 9-11, the Student Art Show was held in the Monarch Pavilion displaying the splendid art pieces created by the visual art students.

Photos by Oliver Yang and Joshua Barrera

DISCOVERING Senior BJ Tolo looks at art pieces on the computer LET’S GET IT Dr. Sixta looks at the unique pieces made by students in Ceramics. OBSERVING Freshman Nathan Orton observes the beautiful art creations. EYING GREATNESS Freshman Marcus Sai tries to decide which art piece is his favorite. CONTEMPLATING Freshman Kaylee Zavala ponders the various works focusing on those that speak most to her.

On Friday, May 12, the Guitar Program held their annual spring concert in the

ROCKING OUT Juniors Micheal Delgado, Xavier Godinez, Patrick Cardullo, and Zachary Lutgen rock out to the song that they are playing. GUITAR Sophomore Andrew Garcia plays the guitar as he is performing. SINGING AND PLAYING Junior Patrick Cardullo plays his retro-shaped guitar as he is singing. DRUMS Senior Jackson Morris plays the drums to the beat of the song.

DRUM STICK Junior Xavier Godinez lifts up his drum stick before he hits the symbol.

MUSICA MEXICANA Junior Micheal Delgado plays his guitar as he sings a Mexican song. DOUBLE SAXOPHONE Senior Joseph Yocam and junior Brendan Mulholland play the saxophones together BAND Juniors Patrick Cardullo, Zachary Lutgen and sophomore Andrew Garcia get together as a band to perform.

Patroness Who Reigns Above

Photos by Rachel O’Sullivan

On Thursday, May 18, the traditional Marian Mass was held in the Grotto for the whole school. The presided for the Mass was Bishop Kevin W. Vann.

PROM 2023

Juniors and seniors danced the night away at the Long Beach Aquarium during Prom Night on May 18.

Photos by Rachel O’Sullivan

Under the Sea

Baccalaureate Mass

Photos courtesy of Parker Shoaff

On Thursday, May 25, seniors attended the Baccalaureate Mass held at Christ Cathedral. The Mass served as another school tradition before bidding farewell to the Class of 2023.

RESPECT Senior Melanie Ochoa bows in front of the altar before heading to the pews to take her seat. A HOLY WALK Seniors Collin Hinz, Jadyn Coulter, and Andrei Pacheco carry in the cross and candles, marking the commencement of the Mass. PRAYERFUL MOMENTS Seniors kneel and fold their hands, staying attentive as the Mass proceeds. BREAD AND WINE Standing at the altar, Father Mark holds the bread over the chalice during the Preparation of the Gifts. HOLY COMMUNION Senior Erynn Sweeney extends her folded hands to receive the Eucharist from Father Mark. AMEN Senior Kayla Yap smiles at the Eucharistic minister as she is about to receive the Holy Communion. VOICES FROM ABOVE Senior Jacob Sanders stands among other choir members, leading the Mass in song.

Mom-ents With Mothers

Mom-ents With Mothers

On May 7, senior students and their mothers gathered in the Grotto for the annual Mother-Son Mass and Mother-Daughter Tea Party.

Photos by Jenny Tran and courtesy of Campus Ministry

Senior Benjamin Thai leads the choir in delivering a beautiful Senior Charles Kull receives Communion Senior Emily Guzman and her mother pose for Senior Jake Cousino gives a heartwarming speech about his relationship with his mother and their love for one another. Senior Jacob Sanders gives a speech about his mother, expressing his love for her and thanking her for all she has done for him. POWER Senior Kori McKeever delivers an outstanding performance to Staffs and volunteers help mothers and Senior Nolan Jacobsen and his

Smiles and hugs were plentiful as the Monarch community celebrated the Mater Dei Senior Class of 2023. On Saturday, May 27 the annual graduation ceremony took place at the Bren Events Center at UCI for the first time in over three years.

MD Class of 2023

HONOR. GLORY.

GLORY. LOVE.

SU P P L EMEN