The Scarlet Scroll | December 2018

thescarletscroll.com

December 2018

FEATURE

Josef Day in April will celebrate life, legacy of ‘the heart of Mater Dei Josef D’Heygers Yahaira Rodriguez Managing Editor Ellie Crabbe Staff reporter

Many students might not notice that Campus Ministry is a two-story building with stairs that seem to lead nowhere, but actually lead to a small apartment that used to be the home of a Mater Dei custodian and caretaker. Many students might not realize that, almost every day as they Josef D’Heygers walk through the 400 wing, they catch a glimpse of a portrait of an elderly man with his walking stick or a glass case filled with the recognizable accessories of this

same man. These many students who do not know who this man was will have the opportunity to learn about him on April 17 on the first-ever “Josef Day.” Josef Day will celebrate Josef D’Heygers, a humble custodian who dedicated his life to the school and its community. From sweeping the halls to donating a large amount of money to support a campus building, D’Heygers is known as the “the heart of Mater Dei,” Director of Campus Ministry Helen Steves said.

“Josef reflects Mater Dei’s core values of honor, glory and love,”

SPORTS

Girls’ volleyball team reigns victorious with first state title

said Director of Estate and Alumni Giving Allison Bergeron, class of 1996. “His humility, generosity and unwavering sacrifice to his Mater Dei family is inspiring and worth honoring.”

In 1957, when D’Heygers was working as a shoemaker in Belgium, one of his close friends approached him and said that a school was opening up in the west. Quickly after that conversation, D’Heygers basically “packed everything up, left Belgium and came here on just that,” President Patrick Murphy said.

JOSEF D’HEYGERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 NEWS

Deaf for a Day provides insight into experiences of people who are deaf, hard-ofhearing

Melanie Villasin Staff reporter

Kristen Castillo Editor-in-Chief

Hayley Skonienczney | CROWN Yearbook JUMPING FOR JOY: As the scoreboard hit 25 in the fourth set of the CIF SoCal Open Division Championship game, the varsity team storms the court to celebrate. The final point was scored by senior opposite/setter Brielle Mullally at Cerritos College on Nov. 3. This was Mater Dei’s sixth appearance in the southern section CIF Finals and second consecutive win against Marymount for the title.

For the second year in a row, the girls’ varsity volleyball team headed to the state championship after battling Marymount High School for the SoCal Regionals title. On Nov. 10 at Santiago Canyon College, the Monarchs defeated Central High School Grizzlies for the open division state championship for the first time in Mater Dei history.

Using their momentum from triumphing CIF once again, along with recent wins against Long Beach Poly High School and Redondo Union High School, the team was motivated and ready to compete. Coach Dan O’Dell, who came off his 200th win with the Monarchs, led the top-seeded team and worked to remind the girls that their preparation was crucial for success in every game.

“I think, hopefully, our takeaway is that we can’t show up without a ton of energy andexpect to come out victorious as we continue to go through,” O’Dell said.

O’Dell said that the girls’ routine procedures are what help them stayed consistent throughout this competitive stretch of their season.

The team was “preparing as [they] would for any game: practice, film, and strategies.” As every game became increasingly difficult, their routine preparation had been consistent throughout their

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entire season. The girls focused on each game individually and tried to not concentrate on future events.

“Our goal is just to do the best that we can with the rest of our season,” senior and setter/opposite Brielle Mullaly said. “I don’t think there’s any added pressure because we don’t have anything to lose. Every game we play is for each other at this point and winning just means we get to play together one more time.”

The team shared a mutual goal to cherish these last few games they have left and play their hardest every day.

“State is kind of like playing CIF all over again with a couple of better teams…,” O’Dell said. “We’re shooting to try and win a state title, but we understand the challenge in front of us and we just hope we can take it one game at a time and just be better than who we’re playing each night.”

Senior and co-captain Natalie Berty said she is prepared to lead her team during her last season before playing for Stanford University next fall, saying The girls grown to enjoy every opportunity to play rather than felt increasing pressure.

“Our team is very close and we all have each others’ backs through each game,” Berty said. “We love the sport and enjoy each game, making it more of a gift to play rather than a job.”

NEW THEATRE TEACHERS PAGE 3

STRESSFUL TESTING PAGE 5

YELL LEADERS BUILD SPIRIT PAGE 6

WEIGHT LIFTING PAGE 7

Kristen Castillo | Editor-in-Chief SILLY SMILES: Wearing sound eliminating headphones, Senior Maithu Tran laughs as a friend sitting across from her, senior Claire LaFont, demonstrates a silly dance while at lunch in the LeVecke Center on Oct. 3.

Wearing black sound-eliminating headphones, 11 seniors went through the school day experiencing what it might be like to be a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing individual.

This experience was part of Deaf for a Day, which took place for the first time in school history on Oct. 3. The seniors are students in Jennifer Battaglia’s block 7 American Sign Language (ASL) IV class.

Used by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, ASL is a language that uses hand motions and facial expressions. As one of the foreign languages offered at the school, students are taught how to use correct gestures while learning about the culture and history of the deaf community.

“I want the ASL IV students to experience this to better stand up for their friends when they see that they are being discriminated against, to stop it and to educate,” Battaglia said. “I also think that this is a good learning experience for their classmates and the teachers too to realize their behavior and hopefully change their behavior.”

During Deaf for a Day, all teachers on campus were advised to continue their lessons as planned so the students’ experiences would be as authentic as possible. Before the event, AP Government teacher Josh Dutra spoke to Battaglia about her expectations for the students and teachers.

DEAF FOR A DAY CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

BLUE BOWL BONAZA PAGE 8

COFFEE CRAZE PAGE 9

TEENS AND TECH PAGE 10

THOUGHTFUL TWEETING PAGE 11

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NEWS December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

Water polo teams host the Down Syndrome Association’s ninth Boo Bash

Alex Audette Opinion Editor

At the entrance, a sign reads “Beware enter at your own risk” as costumed guests enter the LeVecke Center, which has been transformed into a spooky soiree. Halloween-colored balloons hover above the floor and festive streamers fly around the room as students, visitors and volunteers dance with one another to DJ Willpower’s sick beats. With food, fun and games, Boo Bash was a “graveyard smash”!

For the ninth year in a row, the water polo program partnered with the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County (DSAOC) to host Boo Bash, an annual Halloween dance for teens and young adults with Down Syndrome. The dance was held in the LeVecke Center on Oct. 6.

According to DSAOC Executive Director Kellie Perez, the purpose of this event is to to help individuals with Down Syndrome with social skills and behavior.

Boo Bash is hosted by the water polo athletes in charge of providing the food, the setup, and the theme planning. In addition, Campus Ministry provided the decorations and the space, while DSAOC brought the guests and DJ Willpower, a national rapper with Down Syndrome.

According to Perez, Boo Bash grows each year. This year, more than 100 guests attended the event, each dressed in their favorite Halloween costume. She said this event is very beneficial for young adults and teens in the down syndrome community because it “helps them claim confidence, learn the appropriate social skills, [and] help with their mental wellness,” Perez said.

Boo Bash was led by senior water polo players Maisie McPher-

son, Hannah Constandse, Warren Loth, Cameron Reagan and Ian Minsterman. Each of these students have been members of the varsity water polo team since their freshmen year.

“We love dressing up and working and planning this event, not only because it gives us service hours ... and it teaches us that community service can be so much more than donating an item,” McPherson said.

In preparation for the event, these students met during multiple office hours and lunches since early August to plan the dance.

They would meet consistently to discuss details such as the theme of the event, which was spooky skeletons and pumpkin patches, and the amount of food needed such as a decorative desserts, popcorn, and tangerines crafted into mini pumpkins The leaders also took the time to put together favors and things such as Frankenstein cups, and monster hands for the guests to decorate.

In its first few years, Boo Bash was organized by the basketball team, but when a scheduling conflict arose in 2013, the water polo team took on the responsibility to ensure that this Halloween tradition continued, Head of Campus Ministry Stephanie Hopkins said. After hosting Boo Bash for the first time, the water polo team fell in love with the outreach, Hopkins said, and they’ve been hosting the event ever since.

“The guests are looking forward to this event all year long,” Constandse said. “The water polo team has a great time hosting this event, and we love having the opportunity to some of the same faces year after year.”

Perez has been with the association for 13 years and was ec-

static when the opportunity arose to work with Mater Dei students nine years ago.

“When I first started working there, we had volunteers that would come into the center and they were Mater Dei students,” Perez said. “We merely had to say that we would love to have this dance and would Mater Dei be interested in helping us with it…

Mater Dei jumped all over it.”

Alex Audette | Opinion Editor JUMP IN LINE: Senior Hannah Constandse leads a conga line of volunteers and guests around the dance floor in the Levecke Center during Boo Bash. The event was held on Oct. 6 for teens and young adults in the down syndrome community.

Students, faculty adjust to switch from Blackboard to Canvas during first semester of school year Kristen Castillo Editor-in-Chief Christian Ramirez Staff reporter After six years of technical and iPad compatibility issues with Blackboard, the school implemented the learning management system Canvas at the start of this school year. Administration believed that it was time for an update.

“Things would change, updates would break things, and we were unhappy with the experience students and teachers were having on Blackboard,” Head of Technology Lewis Francis said.

One of the reasons Blackboard was introduced to Mater Dei was because the program is used by many colleges according to the Head of Technology Lewis Francis. However, in light of technological advances, newer programs like Canvas are being implemented into students’ curriculum. According to Canvas, the program is used in many U.S. colleges, including popular schools like the University of California at Berkeley, Davis and Irvine.

The main difference between Blackboard and Canvas is that Canvas has more features like being able to write on documents in the app and submitting assignments with ease because student

can complete work in the app or upload it directly from Notability.

“We piloted three or four systems [and] Canvas worked so well on the iPad. The Canvas app has so many functions that we wanted for our students like being able to annotate direction in the app … and it’s iPad friendly and clean and modern looking and simpler to use.”

During the 2017-2018 school year, specific teachers were put in charge of learning the basics of the program and teaching teachers in their department. One of the teachers to help with this pilot was Marine Biology teacher Eric Wendland.

“The teachers are having an easier time adapting,” Wendland said. “The app works a lot better. It’s faster to grade. It’s easier to organize.”

Students, especially seniors, found it difficult at first to navigate through the app after using Canvas for much of their high school career but quickly adapted to the new program.

“At first it was difficult to navigate, but once I got used to it,

it became easier than Blackboard,” senior Christina Nguyen said.

Some students still favor Blackboard over Canvas because of their familiarity with the program.

“Canvas is great, but I still like Blackboard more, which is probably an uncommon opinion, but I just like it because it was easier for me” junior Gwen Smith said.

However, many students find Canvas easier to use and that it assists in time management and organization.

“I like Canvas a lot more than Blackboard actually,” junior Matthew Real said. “I think the new calendar is a lot more helpful and a lot in submitting the assignments… I love the daily notifications and emails.”

Administration hopes that Canvas is able to solve the many issues students and teachers were experiencing with Blackboard.

“I think it is a big step forward in terms of the platform that we have,” Francis said.

New 1950 Day invites community to make ‘collective impact’ by giving $50K

Cecilia Lopez Photo Editor

In hopes of increasing need-based financial aid, Mater Dei kicked off its first “1950 Day” on Oct. 5. The event invited the school community and beyond to donate any amount within 24 hours.The school was able to raise $82,000, and with a $50,000 match from an anonymous donor a total of $132,340.18 was raised.

“Fifty-five percent of our students are on financial aid,” said Allison Bergeron, director of estate and alumni giving. “We’re nothing without our students and we want to keep Mater Dei diverse, inclusive and welcoming, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The event was named after the year of the school’s establishment and will be a new addition to the annual Homecoming traditions.

“We always talk about how long the school has been here and it’s evolved, but even as it has evolved we have always been rooted in the mission, philosophies, and traditions of our school,” Bergeron said. “Through 1950 Day, we are taking it back old school and celebrating our founding year. We are also acknowledging the value of each and every student, and the culture that has grown from this school and this institution.”

Pulling out her calculator, Kathleen Kelly, director of alumni relations and giving, estimated that if each student on campus were to donate $1.95, they would raise $4,200 just from the student body alone. If every student donated $19.50, they would be able to raise $43,000. Although it may not seem like much, Bergeron said, this is close to four months of school tuition.

“A lot of people think ‘I don’t have a lot of money, so I can’t give.’

Courtesy of materdei.org FAB FIVE: (From left to right) Principle Francis Clare, Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Gary McKnight, Director of Campus Ministry Helen Steves, Varsity Footbal Coach Bruce Rollinson and President Patrick Murphy pose with signs showing the total amount raised from the fundraising event. “Our success with 1950 Day is just another reflection of the ownfer of this amazing community,” Director of Alumni Allison Bergeron said.

But what we really want to inspire in our community is the understanding of collective impact,” Bergeron said. “We want to teach

our students while they’re here of this culture of giving back and paying it forward.”

The class with the most donations were the sophmores. As a reward for their accomplishment, the class received spirit dress on Oct. 16.

Behind the scenes, the Advancement team, have been planning 1950 Day over the past year. The project first came about after the team invited the community to donate on the national Giving Tuesday, which follows Cyber Monday. Kelly had always talked about the school having its own giving day, however, the initiative did not take off until the Advancement team attended a conference this past summer at the University of Notre Dame.

At the conference, about 30 other schools from across the country with their high school advancement directors discussed giving days and how they created and executed them.

Bergeron explained that 1842 Day at her college alma mater Villanova University also served as a model for 1950 Day. “My college alma mater Villanova launched their giving day two years ago, called 1842 Day…” Bergeron said. “They had a million-dollar challenge grant and really wanted a wide level of participation from undergraduates, graduates, faculty, staff and alumni, so we were pretty inspired by that.”

Kelly hopes that 1950 Day will become a new school tradition.

“I don’t think current students realize how many alumni, past parents, current parents and people in the community give back to create their everyday Mater Dei experience,” she said.

NEWS 3

December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

News Briefs

MODEL UNITED NATION WINS 7 AWARDS AT COMPETITION

The Den cheers their way to OCVarsity’s #1 Student Section of the Week

Lexi Perez Assistant Photo Editor

Kristen Castillo Editor-in-Chief The Model United Nations (MUN) team won seven awards at the annual Tustin High School conference on Nov. 18.

“Some students make MUN look easy because some, I think, are just naturally diplomatic and naturally can problem solve on the fly,” MUN moderator and social studies teacher Charisse Kitsinis said. “But for most students and even the ones that make it look easy, it is a lot of work and it is a lot of preparation.” The team is currently on a break from competing but is scheduled to attend a conference at El Toro High School in March.

GIRLS’ SOCCER WINS FIRST PLACE IN BUTCH LEE TOURNAMENT FOR FIRST TIME Ainslee Lehner CROWN Yearbook

The varsity girls’ soccer team played Torrey Pines in the Butch Lee Classic Tournament on Dec. 8 and won first place. This is the first time the team had ever won this tournament. “During last year’s tournament, we played Torrey Pines and lost to them in the finals, so this year coming in and playing them again we weren’t going to settle for second place,” said senior Megan Shillington, who was named the tournament MVP.

COMPOSER WRITES SONG FOR MADRIGAL FEAST PERFORMANCE Emily Evans CROWN Yearbook The performing arts department held its 28th annual Madrigal Feast this weekend and introduced a special addition to the program. Composer Richard Burchard composed the song ”Flos Carmeli” specifically for the MD choirs, and at Friday’s feast, the song made its world premiere. “It was an amazing experience that was so special because we’ve never been able to experience that opportunity before,” said sophomore Cloe Hughes, a member of concert choir.

Courtesy of Olivia Rangel|CROWN Yearbook FAN LOVE: Students cheer on classmates Mike Martinez (#80), Sean Dollars (#21), and Shakobe Harper (#3) at the IMG Academy game on Sept. 21. During football’s mid-season the school’s student section was awarded,”#1 Student Section of the Week,” by the OC Register on Sept. 22. With the new additions of the Yell Squad and the Sack Shark, The Den is trying to be better than ever. Sophomore Rachel Dennin attends games frequently and said she has seen the growth in The Den. She said that this year’s student section has “shown more pride and spirit as a whole compared to the previous years,” Dennin said.

New theatre director, teacher join school faculty to support, inspire students Kristen Castillo Editor-in-Chief Over the summer, the school’s theatre program began a revamp: The Little Theatre was completely reorganized, and new faculty were hired, including the new Director of Theatre Lissa Slay and theatre teacher Andrea Fouts.

DIRECTOR SLAY SUPPORTS STUDENTS ON AND OFF STAGE

Prior to coming to Mater Dei, Lissa Slay said she struggled to find a career that accommodated her passions of teaching and managing theatre. But then the position at Mater Dei opened up. “[I heard] the Lord knocking at my door and saying, ‘This is the thing you said you wanted, here it is.

Are you going to take it?’” said Slay, who teaches four blocks of theatre classes in addition to directing the program. ” [And] here I am and it’s been a ride, oh boy. Mater Dei never sleeps, but that’s fine. Neither do I.” Lissa Slay During the summer, Slay began Courtesy of materdei.org her new role by cleaning the Little Theatre and simultaneously working at Vanguard University as the education director of American Coast Children’s Theatre. At Vanguard, she continued her practice of supporting young thespians. “…These kids come from everywhere,” Slay said. “They are hungry, they want to do theater, and they want to do it in a place where they feel valued, loved, and respected.”

Slay’s students have seen this through her support of their career paths during and after high school.

“I have always wanted to do theatre for a long time,” sophomore Rory Dahl said. “Coming to Mater Dei and having such a wonderful department to work with and taking this step in high school and hoping to continue it in college, Mrs. Slay has made sure that I look at the colleges that have my intended major and look at grad schools and look at monologues that I should use for auditions.”

In addition to helping direct and produce theatre productions

like November’s all-school musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Slay said she plans on continuing renovations for the little theatre and “chartering the international thespian group,” a honors society for theatre.

Slay first began her theatre career by performing, directing and writing plays and musicals in high school while also managing her high school’s theatre department with a friend. Slay continued her education at California State University Fullerton where she received her bachelor’s degree in theatre. Later, she toured with a children’s theatre company in Montana for several years and realized that her passion was in teaching. “… After I did three tours with the children’s theatre, I came home and I realized I want to keep doing this. I want to keep working with kids,” Slay said.”…This is what’s getting me up in the morning. It’s not about working with adults, I’m really here for the teaching part. I want to teach.”

FOUTS FACILITATES THEATRE PRODUCTIONS, STUDENTS’ FUTURE ASPIRATIONS As a new Theatre I and Theatre II teacher, Andrea Fouts hopes to support students’ careers and give them the opportunity to be a part of productions that they take pride in and enjoy.

Though only at the school for one semester, Fouts said he has observed that the school community supports students and their goals.

Fouts plans to be a part of this support system and help students excel in their productions.

“My goal for my students would Andrea Fouts be to get to a place in their career Courtesy of materdei.org that they are proud of, that they can feel confident in,” said Fouts, who also choreographed the allschool musical. “That they can get the adrenaline rush and have a wonderful time on the stage, knowing that they have put in the

hard work and that they are prepared and that they earned their role, and that they did a job well done.”

Fouts has worked to complete this goal by encouraging her students on and off the stage personally and in their craft.

“Theatre in general has made more confident as a person and as myself,” junior Gwen Smith said. “The new theatre teachers definitely help add to that confidence of just being a general human being.”

Fouts began her career performing on stage but realized during her time at Chapman University that she had a passion for the work that goes on behind the scenes. After earning her bachelor’s degree in film and television, Fouts became the creative director for an independent theatre company in Yorba Linda where she oversaw major elements of production such as direction, set design and fundraising for 14 years. Before Mater Dei, Fouts was a theatre and voice teacher at Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana. “I used to find joy performing on stage, but now I find joy when my students are successful and when they have a break through and they accomplish something on stage that they have never done before,” Fouts said. “I get just as much joy out of seeing my students grow as I did actually performing myself, so that’s how I knew I was meant to be a teacher.”

Kristen Castillo |Editor-in-Chief SINGING STUDENTS: Students in Andrea Fouts’ Block 4 Theatre I class mimic celebrities and stereotypes in improvised scenes.

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FEATURES December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

Guide Dogs for the Blind club serves local community Ellie Crabbe Staff reporter If you attended this year’s club fair, you might have been one of the many who took a double take at the sight of Corky, the Lab/ Golden mix sitting by the Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) booth.

The GDB club was started this year by sisters senior Melita Kalczynska and sophomore Olivia Kalczynska. With help from social studies teacher and club moderator Brittany Machian, the club serves people beyond the school community by informing students about how they can get involved in training a guide dog.

Melita serves as the club’s president and GDB host to Corky, who is in the process of being trained as a guide dog.

“Starting this club is rewarding because it gives me the opportunity to make a difference in the community now,” Melita said. “A lot of what I do in my academics is geared toward the impact I can potentially make in the future. By starting GDB Club, I can make a difference now in my high school community.”

Through the club, Melita hopes to spread awareness and get some of her peers informed on how to do host a dog.

“The Guide Dogs for the Blind Club adds values to the Mater Dei community by showing the students who choose to sign up how interesting it is to be able to raise a guide dog...” senior and club member Angeliki Kitsinis said.

The organization The Guide Dogs For The Blind is a nonprofit

founded in 1942 by Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson. After going through an interview process and being accepted by the organization, the individual applying will adopt a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or a Lab/Golden cross. The individual will then raise the dog and train them with basic commands until the dog is about 1 and a half years old. Eventually, the dog will graduate, leave the training home, and continue a more intensive training specifically for the blind on the GDB campus in San Rafael, Calif.

“Many people see service dogs in the community but may not understand the intensive training they go through and how many important services they can provide to their owners. It’s also helpful for the club to teach people how to interact with service dogs they may encounter while out and about and also give anyone interested further information on how they can help raise a puppy to be a guide dog for the blind,” Machian said. “We are planning on having individuals with visual handicaps who use service dogs come in to speak to Mater Dei students, and I think that making these personal connections is vital to understanding the importance of the club.”

The club already has more than 50 students signed up with new members signing up everyday. If you are interested in joining, email kalczynskam.19@stu.materdei.org for more info.

EveryDei debuts as Monarch Television’s new morning show Pauline Nguyen Marketing Manager

Pauline Nguyen|Marketing Manager

New robotics lab creates STEM opportunities for students

DYLAN DIRECTS: Senior Dylan denDekker begins the countdown to cue the Monarch Television crew as they record “everyDei.”

join in the future.”

In an effort to increase the techThe new robotics space maker nology and engineering opportuis an example of how the school is nities provided to students, a new emphasizing and increasing the robotics space maker has been built STEM opportunities offered on camin room 707. The room renovation pus. Samantha Olsen, STEM coorincluded the addition of whiteboard dinator and a science teacher, exdesks, 3D printers, CNC printers and plained that her colleagues and her new tools. have been pushing for more STEM Mel Morallos, the robotics team curriculum, as well as resources coach and science teacher, has been such as the lab to support the robothelping his students learn how to ics team. use the technology and will be un“Students will probably agree dergoing training himself to under— there are countless athletic, perstand the workings of some of the forming arts, club, and even acanew equipment. demic offerings, but STEM is lacking “A 3D Printer is a fabrication considerably, particularly technolwhere it adds material, so it uses ogy and engineering,” Olsen said. plastic, melts it, and then it puts it “As an Apple school, where students down layer by layer to create someare using iPads for nearly everything thing,” Morallos said. “A CNC does they do, this should not be the case.” the opposite; it’s 3D but you start off Although not all robotics team with an object and it removes matemembers plan on pursuing a career rial.” in STEM, they believe that this expe“The organization allows for the rience will provide them with necesteam to be more efficient,” he said. sary opportunities to learn vital life “The new whiteboard tables are Photo courtesy @monarchrobotics instagram long lessons. Joshua Mock, a former beneficial to both students and the team. These are used for designs, WORKING HARD NOT HARDLY WORKING: Senior robotics team member and Mater problem solving in programming captains (from left to right) Stacy Phan and Ralph Dei graduate shares how this experience has greatly affected his life. and much more. A great example is Gastelum work alongside each other to collaborate on ”One of the greatest skills, I’ve my ability to write on the table with ideas for a new robotics project. Both students have learned through Mater Dei robota student and troubleshoot or solve been a part of the program for three years. ics was working with other people,” a problem.”

Mock said. “Learning how to get past differences and disagreeSenior Stacy Phan, one of the robotics team captains, said that the new layout more organized and helpful because they have ments for a common purpose is crucial in any engineering job, and learning that early on has put me in a better spot than a lot more control of the space. of my peers.”

“The new peg boards are really helpful because we can put the The robotics team competes every year in the First Robotics tools there. We’re also able to better organize, so that we know what kind of resources we have for the robot,” Phan said. “The new Competition. According to the Mater Dei website, ”FRC combines white board tables are also a nice feature because you can just the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.

Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limit, teams of 25 draw directly on the table, and later take a picture of your sketch students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team without having to worry about loosing your paper.” ‘brand,’ hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to Senior Ralph Gastelum, another team captain, said that he believes the CNC printer will be very beneficial for the the team by perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors.”

“It’s really exciting to be part of something that’s growing and making the building process much simpler. With the new addition, expanding,” Morallos said. “When I was a student here, I was part now they have the ability to create their own parts rather than of the Mater Dei web committee where three of us worked on the waiting two weeks for the manufacturer.

“During my freshman year, we only had the room and not much sixth page on the Mater Dei website. Now students are 3D Printpower tools. We were not really able to grow as a team, and we ing, working with Spheros, using power tools, and the list keeps were still a club,” Gastelum said. “Now that we have all of these growing. It’s an exciting time to be a Monarch.”

Follow along with the robotics team by checking out their Instaresources, we are being recognized as a team. It’s helping people come into the room and see what we actually do. It also allows us gram, @monarchrobotics. to organize and make it look professional for people who want to

In the weeks leading up to Oct. 1, Monarch Television’s Morning Show featured suspenseful teasers reminiscent of behind-the-scenes vlogs. Students like junior Megan Quiggle and senior Payton Poissant produced short clips hinting at something new coming in the program. When Oct. 1 arrived, students experienced a brand new morning show in the form of “everyDei.” “I find our new name ‘everyDei’ is a great title since it’s something we can live up to, waking up and doing our thing for the better of ourselves and the world,” said Dylan denDekker, a senior who has been in the Monarch Television program since his freshman year.

Originally just a morning announcements show, Monarch Television now acts as a network that is host to various segments focused on topics like interesting members of the community, school events and student life. The change came about after the Film and Media Arts department decided to “shift the dynamic and look of the previous years’ shows,” according to Andrew Roberts, who is the AV Events Technical Director and Monarch Television adviser. “...we decided that we want to look at Monarch Television not as a singular show because we really do more than just the ‘morning show,’ Roberts said. “Monarch Television already allowed students to become very involved in the work they produced. With this new change, students are able to produce their own segments and be responsible for all aspects of production.”

For example, juniors Kelly Flores and Jolie Gustave recently started their own segment, “Health and Wellness.” “...[we are] giving everyone at MD tips to keeping themselves healthy by getting more sleep, stressing less, eating right, etc.” Gustave said.

Roberts stressed the students’ interest in building an engaged audience and how inconsistency can potentially disrupt the process. To prevent this from happening, segments have a designated time slot - whether weekly or bi-weekly - during which they will air. An exception to the schedule depends on whether the segment is about timely school events, such as senior Jude Zavala’s Campus Ministry segment, which will only run on the days on which there is a school mass, a Campus Ministry event, and other similar activities.

Monarch Television has significantly changed in the past few years, and Roberts said that being able to help contribute to the growth of this program is rewarding.

“To watch the program grow, to watch it affect the community in a different way, ... [to know] that there are students ... [now saying], ‘We’re watching it differently,’ ‘We’re paying attention to it differently’, or ‘We’re connecting with it differently’ - that’s a huge thing,” Roberts said.

Cecilia Lopez Photo Editor

FEATURES 5 December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

New nurse plans to make changes to the school physical, mental health Curran Nielsen News Editor Shannon Brown, class of 1992, joined the Mater Dei community this year as the new school nurse. After working at multiple hospitals as a nurse and an executive administrator, Brown chose to come back to her alma mater to make a difference in a way that she was not able to when working in administration.

“I was at a point in my career where I wasn’t reaching patients or wasn’t making connections and the opportunity presented itself and it sounded like the perfect place to work in a closer relationship with people in need instead of a leadership position,” Brown said.

As the new school nurse, Brown hopes to inspire change within the school. One of her main goals is to educate students in proper health and personal hygiene. “…I want to be able to do student education on good handwashing.” Brown said. “Another big reason that students are going home for is nausea and vomiting or they have abdominal cramps, so I want to provide education about digestive health, things they can eat to stay healthy and those are the kind of things that I’m trying to track and trend and do more to help students learn about their body and make good, healthy decisions.”

Students who have needed to go to the new nurse have already noticed changes as far as the atmosphere and the way that Brown treats the health office and her position as a whole.

Sophomore David Nisson recently got a concussion from playing football and had to see Brown because he noticed the symptoms during school the next day.

“I felt that she was very knowledgeable on how to help me with

my injury,” Nisson said. “She really took initiative in her work.”

Feeling nauseous, sophomore Gianni Palazzolo also visited the nurse and felt that her experience was extremely professional and that she was in good hands.

“She made sure that I was comfortable when I was lying down,” Palazzolo said.

“She was really nice and I knew that she wanted to make me feel my best while I was there instead of just saying, ‘Here’s your medicine.’ I knew that she cared and wanted to help me in any way that she Shannon Brown could.”

One main idea that Brown really emphasizes is hydration. She makes sure that all the students that enter her health office know to drink plenty of water because she believes it’s the key to a good health.

“As a nurse who’s worked in a hospital, dehydration is a really big indication for a lot of medical issues, so keeping students hydrated is the first kind of principle of success for healthy living,” Brown said. “I recognized that students want cold water and we have it in the health office, so I really encourage for students to come and fill up their hydro flask, to keep themselves healthy… I want to make water accessible to students because I think being hydrated is the key to overall health.”

To ensure that the health office is always improving and that

the school continues to adapt to the new injuries and illnesses the students and faculty might have, Brown keeps records and statistics of all the cases she sees in the health office. Brown uses these statistics to use as a reference during meetings with administration so that she can add new additions to the health office in order to better improve the medical attention the students and faculty receive.

One new addition Brown has added is a Trendelenburg position chair, which is a hospital chair that will make not only Brown’s life as a nurse easier but any emergency responders that need to escort a student out of the school using a gurney. Before this new chair, there was only flat, low “beds” that made giving attention and help to the students nearly impossible to accomplish. The chair reclines and is adjustable, allowing Brown and anyone who needs to to raise or lower the seat depending on the situation. The armrests also go down so if needed, paramedics can easily move a student or faculty member directly from the chair to a gurney without having to pick up or further injure the student.

Brown said she wants to receive feedback from the students and faculty so that she can better improve the health office to their needs.

“I hope to hear from the students on what they think they need from the health office because I think that this is a relationship that [I want to create],” Brown said. “I’m here to serve the students and the facility so I need to know what it is they need in order to serve them in the best way possible.”

Students seek ways to alleviate stress during finals Mia Hawkins Sports Editor Valerie Kramer Staff reporter It’s that time of year again. But sadly, that’s not a reference to the holiday season.

With finals just a few weeks away, stress and anxiety are common feelings shared by most students. However, even when it may seem bleak, there are a multitude of coping mechanisms and strategies that students can utilize in order to make it through.--Prior to a test, there are many ways for students to remain relaxed so that they can do their best. In addition to deep breathing and counting to 10, Kathleen Montemagni, the executive director of learning services, recommends “…visualizing a place or a time when you were really happy and calm.”

There are also strategies students can use right now in order to reduce future stress and prevent feeling overwhelmed.

“Eating healthy always lowers my stress; I get plenty of water before studying,” freshman Ignacio De La Torre said in a survey.

Looking ahead to next semester, there are ways to reduce stress before spring final exams. By starting to study earlier and maintaining adequate grades through the entirety of the semester, students will likely feel less stressed once finals roll around. ”In addition to Canvas ... I find that having a to-do list daily is really helpful,” Montemagni said.

She also recommended completing the easiest tasks first, so

students do not deplete all of their energy on the more difficult assignments.

Students can also begin managing stress as early as the class selection process, which happens in March every year.

“When we’re talking about students finding balance not only in their lives but in their schedule as well, that’s where I think consciously you really have to make a decision on your schedule and the types of classes your taking,” said Kelly Troisi, one of the school counselors. “Yes you want to challenge yourself, but not at the cost of your overall health and wellbeing and I find that students have a tendency to bite off more than they can chew.”

New Options program diversifies student community, provides support and mentorship Curran Nielsen News Editor

Curran Nielsen|News Editor HOMEWORK HELPER: Block 8 student mentors, seniors Hannah Waldron, Sophia Chriaramonte, and Jeremy Thellman, spend time doing homework with freshmen Charlie McGee and Lauren Heald. “I love being able to work with Lauren and Charlie as they have different perspectives when it comes to high school,” Chiraramonte said. “They look at everything with a positive sense and I want to be just like them.”

Students with intellectual disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, are now able to join the Mater Dei student community as part of the new “Options” program this year.

The Options program focuses on helping these students suc-

ceed in high school and prepare them for college. Two students with intellectual disabilities, Lauren Heald and Charlie McGee, both freshmen, are the first students to be admitted to the school through the program.

Heald and McGee are taking college prep classes as well as multiple electives. Heald is involved in theater, art and dance and McGee is in wrestling, theater and choir. Denise Senzig, the coordinator of Options and special testing, said that the plan for the students is to follow the curriculum they’ve created and to apply to colleges that have similar programs like Options.

“They want to go to college and there are a lot of four-year colleges for students with intellectual disabilities, so I looked to see what the colleges were requiring and we developed the curriculum around that to have them college ready when they leave,” Senzig said.

Senzig runs the new Options program with the help of seniors who have been selected to help mentor the students in their everyday student lives.

Heald and McGee said that the school experience so far has been exciting, new and interesting.

“I like all my classes. I don’t have a favorite one,” McGee said. “I like the friends that I have made.”

Heald also enjoys her extracurriculars like theater and dance.

“My favorite class is theater because I love drama,” Heald said.

Senior Emily Maahs, Heald’s block 6 mentor, believes that being selfless and putting Lauren’s and Charlie’s needs before her own are key components for the job.

“To be part of Options you need an open mind, positive attitude, and true desire to be a part of the program,” Maahs said, ”Our job is to help Lauren and Charlie become the best versions of themselves and it is our responsibility to guide them in the best

way possible. Responsible, outgoing, and loving students would be great for the program.”

One of Heald’s block 8 mentors, senior Sophia Chiaramonte, chose to be a peer mentor because she wanted to give back to the school and experience being a peer mentor.

“Being able to be with Lauren and Charlie is such a blessing and I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in high school and in their futures,” Chiaramonte said.

The Options program began when administration was notified that there were two students in the incoming freshman class who had older siblings at the school and who were interested in attending the same school that their siblings did. Knowing these students had intellectual disabilities, the school wanted to accommodate to them, Senzig said. Senzig, as well as other members of the faculty, researched and determined that the best way to accommodate to these students is through a mentor program.

“There are about 20 Catholic schools in the U.S. that do this and research has shown that this is the best way to accommodate students,” Senzig said. “Instead of having them with an adult aid or put them off by themselves in a special classroom, being with the entire community is the best way for them to learn.”

The school plans on welcoming more freshman students into Options in the future and in order to do this, they need current juniors to consider if they would like to take this path at the school and be a student mentor. Toward the end of the school year, Senzig will put on a presentation in juniors’ religion classes. After the presentation, interested students can apply to be a mentor. “…the community benefits greatly from [having these students in our community] and that’s our Catholic calling: to be inclusive,” Senzig said.

6 SPORTS December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

Yell leaders make debut with chants, cheers Pauline Nguyen Marketing Manager and Valerie Kramer Staff reporter

Olivia Rangel | CROWN YEARBOOK MEGAPHONE MEMORIES: Seniors Arman Kayhan-Mahd, Hannah Waldron, Brooks Massey and Maisie McPherson, all yell leaders, pose for a photo on the sidelines at the La Mirada game on Aug. 31.

As the Monarchs kicked off the season against the Bishop Amat Lancers on Aug. 17, several students decked out in red and tropical-themed spirit gear climbed atop wooden boxes typically used by cheerleaders. Standing over the student section, the squad of students - the new yell leaders - led the crowd to sing along to iconic songs playing on the speakers, from Drake’s “In My Feelings” to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” These yell leaders are the most recent addition to the athletic community. The ASB-sponsored group, made up of 11 spirited students, made their debut at Freshman Orientation early in the fall semester and have since been seen at multiple football games and the Fall Sports Rally. The leaders have the responsibility of getting the MD student section active and excited at sports events.

This year’s yell leaders are five juniors - Kylie Eggers, Natasha Hill, Cindy Ho, Tatiana Marocco, and Victoria Romero - and six seniors - Arman Kayhan-Mahd, Brooks Massey, Maisie McPherson, Joey Nicolai, Hannah Waldron, and Nick Barq.

“I wanted to become a yell leader because I’m already a really outgoing person, and I thought it would be really fun,” junior

Victoria Romero said.

So far, many have said that this year’s student section is considerably louder and more engaged than previous years.

“I thought [the] first game was one of the best games,” school president Patrick Murphy said. “I’ve been at Mater Dei for 29 years [and] it reminded me more of the championship game at Angel Stadium against Long Beach Poly years ago.”

According to Activities Director Diana Neustadt, the yell leaders’ efforts help support student athletes. “...a lot of times when you’re playing, that excitement really can motivate you,” Neustadt said. “So it is important that the kids are there, that they stay, and that they’re engaged. It’s great when we have students there, but when they leave during the third and fourth quarters, it’s hard for a team to keep that momentum up.”

Senior Taylor Morales thinks that the yell leaders “help unite the student section.”

“It’s a lot easier to follow yells and cheers that are called by people [with] a microphone rather than just having students yell within the student section,” Morales said. “The incorporation of music by the yell leaders also brings the student energy up. Now the student section is like its own team.”

The yell leader position was originally an idea brought about by administration, who reached out to Neustadt in order to start looking for candidates.

“The idea came as kind of a challenge from me to the students to come up with some good ideas ... [to] try and build our ... student section into what you guys want it to be,” Murphy said.

Neustadt said about 20 students applied for the position.

“Mrs. Neustadt wanted us to try out during the junior and sophomore orientation, so she had us teach the classes chants,” senior yell leader Arman Kayhan-Mahd said. “Whoever [was] the most loud made the team.”

Neustadt hopes that the yell leader position will continue to grow this year and in the future. This year she hopes that the leaders will begin cheering at the boys’ basketball and volleyball games. Neustadt said that she has already had several students approach her about how they can become a future yell leader.

“I think it’s terrific,” Murphy said. “I think the kids enjoy seeing their friends out there supporting them ... if they’re there, enthusiastic, involved, having fun and spirited ... it just makes the atmosphere so much better.”

Team managers assist coaches, become part of team family Mia Hawkins Sports Editor Mater Dei’s dozens of records and championships are proof that student athletes have some of the best coaches and support systems out there. But behind the scenes, team managers, which are students, help coaches make sure athletes stay on their game.

“I’m honestly here to keep the girls motivated,” said senior Hayley Skonieczny, a junior varsity girls volleyball team manager. “...I assisted my head coach in a lot of different aspects during games, during practice, during tournaments.”

While keeping the team players in line and motivated is key, team managers are also in charge of keeping score, organizing documents, and putting together uniforms. Managers also attend all games, tournaments, and other events with the teams.

“I was here in the summer. I had credit recovery classes to take too, so I would [do my manager duties] in the morning, go to my classes, and then [manage] again,” said senior Allegra Mistitano, a varsity boys basketball team manager. “That’s one thing: It’s a time commitment.”

All that time never goes to waste. According to the managers, time spent with the team leads to strong friendships that may not have been formed otherwise. “...at first you could tell they don’t want anything to do with me cause I’m an upperclassmen,” Skonieczny said. “I’m a senior [so] they think I’m just either bossing them around ... and then by the end of the season you just see - even in the middle of the season - you see how much the relationship grows between you and the players.”

The job of team manager is a job for most, but it’s more than that for junior Kyla Martinsen. Martinsen was injured while cheering at a football game during her sophomore year. Her injuries proved to be so severe in her neck and leg that she has not been able to cheer since. However, since becoming a varsity boys basketball manager, she’s been able to put her athletic skills and interests to use in a new way.

“Coach McKnight and the team gave me a new school sport family and helped me out of a very dark time,” Martinsen said. “I will forever be grateful to Coach McKnight for his kindness and giving me a new team to be a part of.”

Baseball team welcomes new coach

Yahaira Rodriguez Managing Editor Mekala Valentin Culture Editor Rodrigo Gonzalez Staff reporter

Richard Mercado, class of 2001, has been appointed head coach of the varsity baseball team.

Former coach Burt Call had been coaching at Mater Dei for 19 years, but his contract was not renewed for the current school year, according to the OC Register. With this new change, Mercado hopes to lead the Monarchs to victory after having a difficult season last year, ending with a 10-19 record.

“I think hiring the new coach is a wonderful opportunity for the team to rebuild and bond with each other and learn some new things that can helps us get back to CIF,” relief pitcher senior Anthony Chiaramonte said.

Having been a part of last year’s team, Chiaramonte said that having Mercado motivates the team to create a strong and united clubhouse.

“My first goal is to get these guys to bond as brothers and [try] to bring back that winning tradition,” Mercado said. “[This] is always on the forefront of my mind.”

Previously, Mercado was the baseball coach at Saddleback Valley Christian School. Before that, he played professionally for nine years with the Arizona Wildcats, where he was a two-time all-country honoree and named the Serra League MVP. He also played in college at the University of Arizona. While he was there, he was named to the Mid-Summer All-Star Team as the starting catcher and honored with the Daniel J. Silva Sportsmanship Award. Mercado was also honored several times during his career at Mater Dei: He was named baseball team captain twice and broke the record for having the most hits in the season. As a Monarch, he was a three-position player: catching, pitching and outfield.

“I’m really excited that we have a coach that has experience playing in the professionals,” senior pitcher Michael (MJ) Gabaldon said. “I think he can help the guys who have a dream of making it [in the MLB].”

Mercado hopes to “get these guys to bond as brothers and try

to bring back that winning tradition.” Even though they may have had a rough last season, Mercado hopes that if all his players work hard enough they will be able to get into a winning mentality not only as a team but as a family.

“I hope and ... think we have what it takes to make it a good one,” Gabaldon said.

Mia Hawkins | Sports Editor COACH’S ORDERS: Juniors Kyla Martinsen and Sofia Zerza work together during their block 8 to create the rooming list for the varsity boys basketball tournament that will take place in Santa Barbara. Tasks like this are standard for the team managers.

“Coach will write stuff up for us, and then we basically type them into a computer and print them out,” Zerza said. Many team managers hope to pursue athletic management in the future.

“I would love to be an administrative assistant for basketball in college,” Martinsen said. “I have always been a huge basketball fan.

This job has helped me learn all the technical sides of the sport.”

Mekala Valentin | Culture Editor TIGHT SHIFT: New baseball coach Richard Mercado makes the frosh-soph team run together in consequence of a poor performance on the field. Even in the toughest times, Mercado’s biggest objective is that everything the teams do is done together.

“I want them competing for each other and build that team unity and family spirit that I grew accustomed to here at MD,” he said.

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SPORTS 7 December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

New weight lifting coaches plan to change environment Curran Nielsen News Editor

Emily Evans | CROWN YEARBOOK LEADING THE WAY: Assistant strength and conditioning coach Bubba Reynolds instructs the girls volleyball team on the proper form for their workout. Reynolds helps coach many teams during the many weight lifting blocks. “I always think strength and conditioning is all like swim lessons, so if you can’t tread water I’m not going to have you go into the deep end.” Reynolds said, “So it’s just as you guys continue to take on new skills then we can continue to work on more complex skills.”

Many coaches agree that weightlifting is fundamental to becoming a better, stronger athlete. In an effort to continue this trend, the school hired two new weightlifting coaches this year, Chris Holder and Bubba Reynolds.

Holder, the new head strength and conditioning coach, has been a strength coach at many different schools including Eastern Kentucky University, Cal Poly SLO, Appalachian State University in North Carolina, and San Jose State. Reynolds, the new assistant strength and conditioning coach, started out as a student assistant at his college at Humboldt State, completed a five-month internship at the University of Notre Dame, and then coached at the University of Nevada Reno and later at the University of Hawaii.

Holder took the job as an opportunity to get back to his California roots.

“When the job was open, Dan O’Dell, our girls’ volleyball coach, reached out and wanted to know if I would be interested, and I am a Southern California born and raised and getting back home was one of those things that it was always something that I wanted,” Holder said. “I have always known about Mater Dei and the athletic success and history ... [so] being a candidate for the job I was like, absolutely, I would love to work at Mater Dei.” Similarly, Reynolds always wanted to come back home to southern California. He said he felt that the school’s environment was the biggest draw to accepting the job.

“Growing up in southern California, Mater Dei always had this prestige in culture that made you want to be a part of it,” Reynolds said. “...when the opportunity arose I was in between jobs, it just kind of made the most sense and ... I knew the culture and the kids and just kind of everything would fit me well as a person and so I was very attracted to that, to the point where I could see myself working here.”

Through his personal experiences, Reynolds said he has real-

ized that weightlifting is a successful way to improve athletic performance.

“For me as a kid, I was always undersized. I was always ... a decent athlete but I knew in some way I could level the playing field among the more athletic,” Reynolds said. “I knew the harder that I worked in [the weight room], the better I knew I was going to be out there on the field.”

Weightlifting also has extreme benefits of helping decrease injuries.

“We can attribute the decrease of injuries to the change in the program,” Director of Athletics Tia Meza said in an email. “With decreased injuries, athletes spend less time off the field and more time contributing to team’s successes.”

The coaches said that, while they walked into a great, established program, they have plans to implement some changes to help student athletes further. So far, they have changed the warmup exercise for the weightlifting class and added more kettle bell workouts, a weight that previous coaches did not emphasize.

“The warm up is completely different ... because we wanted to strengthen that part of every session ... [so it’s not just something] that means, okay, it’s time to begin,” Holder said. “For me, the kettle bell stuff is kinda my thing, so bringing the kettle bells in was obviously a big change for everybody but it’s something that everyone sort of picked up and adapted to well.”

In order to see these changes through, Holder and Reynolds have been working with the other assistant strength and conditioning coach Katie Guizar, who has been at the school for five years. Guizar hopes to add on to Holder’s and Reynolds’ changes by incorporating sandbag workouts to students’ routines. “...I think we’re just going to continue to progress how [students] train,” Guizar said.

Athletes have already started to notice change in the weight room compared to previous seasons.

“Before [fall season], it was more technique and just learning how to lift and now its actual heavy weight and a lot harder,” said sophomore Brooke Demetre, a varsity girls’ basketball player.

“I think with the new coaches, it’s a lot better and we’re actually sweating and it’s harder. We’re using different muscle groups.”

They hope that the new changes in the weight room will change the athlete’s perspective on lifting and how it can have a key role in their success.

“I think getting the kids and everyone to understand that lifting weights is not just lifting weights, it’s kind of like running track - it isn’t just running there’s more. There’s beauty in the simplicity of it but it can be very kind of complex,” Reynolds said. “Having you guys pay attention and be great in here and watching that transfer on the field ... is especially amazing, and, it sounds kind of cliche in the strength world, but getting you to understand the ‘why’ behind everything that we do ... gives you purpose and drive...”

The coaches also said they want to create a community in the weight room and make it a place where teams can become family and grow together in their strength.

“What we’re trying to build here is a culture that understands that we can be an incredibly valuable asset to you guys as you’re developing in your sports and help building team culture, and we’re looking to a be a centerpiece to that...” Holder said. “Bubba and I also bring in and emphasize the idea that we can really help teams improve and we can really help teams win and build a type of culture that Mater Dei is about and hopefully what we all kind

Varsity football wins CIF state football championship

Olivia Rangel | CROWN YEARBOOK

BACK-TO-BACK: With a CIF trophy by his side, Bruce Rollinson proudly looks over his players after winning their second consecutive state championship and Rollinson’s 300th win. The game was played against De La Salle at Cerritos College on Saturday Dec. 8. “I’m in it for the kids and I’m really, really happy and gratified that I got to get my 300th win with this team because there were times when it was looking shaky and how they did overcome adversity.” Rollinson told the Orange County Register.

MEET THE 2018-2019 STAFF of the scarlet scroll

Kristen Castillo Yahaira Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

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Ellie Crabbe Staff reporter

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Curran Nielsen News Editor

Alex Audette Opinion Editor

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newspaper of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA. Our mission is to serve as an open forum that showcases the diverse backgrounds, interests, and talents of the Mater Dei student body. We plan to achieve this by providing credible, impactful and engaging content that provokes conversations and upholds the First Amendment.

8 CULTURE December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

Blue Bowl offers unique açaí, superfood bowls

Alex Audette Opinion Editor

Mekala Valentin Culture Editor

Alex Audette | Opinion Editor SCOOP THERE IT IS: A Blue Bowl employee scooping pitaya base to prepare a customer’s personalized bowl. There are a variety of toppings to choose from at Blue Bowl, including three different types of nut butters and coconut shavings.

The smell of fresh açaí fills the restaurant as light shines through the windows and lands on the fruit laid out. Young children and adults put their hands on the top counter, peeking at the assembly process as they await their colorful and nutrient-packed Blue Bowl.

Blue Bowl, located on Main Street in Orange, is an açaí bowl shop that is one of the most popular spots among students.

The restaurant is a superfoods powerhouse that puts a twist on your typical açaí bowl. Blue Bowl offers a variety of different bowl bases, such as matcha, active coconut, and the typical açaí base, with unlimited toppings which includes cacao nibs, goji berries, and an array of nut butters. It’s not uncommon to see people line up around the block just to get their hands on one of these bowls. Blue Bowl has received thousands of five-star Yelp reviews with many customers praising the bowls’ great flavor and customer service.

“Blue Bowl is different than other açaí places because it lets you choose what you want on your bowl,” said senior Maisie McPherson, who is an active customer. “I like that there are so many combinations you can make and the fact that the ingredients are uncommon.”

Blue Bowl features an assembly line setup. To begin, customers first choose a bowl size of either 12 ounces, 16 ounces or 24 ounces, and each bowl has one set price ranging between $7 and $13. Next, customers choose the base from açaí, active coconut, pitaya or matcha; customers also have the option to make their own combination of all or a few. After the base is scooped into the bowl, customers can top the base with an assortment of granolas

Boba tea bursts in popularity

and with their famous cold Blue Bowl chia pudding. To finish the bowl, it is topped with the fruits of choice and with any toppings the restaurant offers.

Blue Bowl has attracted a wide audience of Mater Dei students.

According to senior Giana Danese, many Monarchs have made it their spot for a quick dinner before a Friday night football game, a pre- or post-practice energizer, or simply for an after school snack.

Junior Sophia Thomas agrees and calls Blue Bowl her “go-to meal” before volleyball practice.

“It fills me up and is guaranteed to keep me energized for a long practice,” Thomas said.

Blue Bowl has two locations in Orange and Huntington Beach.

The restaurant was originated by co-founders Teague Savitch and Ish Lozano. According to their website, Savitch is a military veteran constantly on the search for healthy but quick and accessible foods.

This inspired him to create a product which provides an abundance of health benefits, while at the same time giving customers the liberty to personalize their bowls to their liking within minutes. Lozano, a former salesman with a background in organic superfoods, later crossed paths with Savitch and joined him on his Blue Bowl journey to head the supply-side of the business.

“It’s the culture that definitely sets us apart from everybody else, and it is the people who work here who make it such a great açaí bowl place,” said Blue Bowl employee, Nevada Gibson.

Blue Bowl is located at 417 S. Main Street in Orange. Visit their website for more information at mybluebowl.com.

It’s no secret that boba shops have been opening left and right in Orange County. In the past two months, Freshbo teaespresso has opened in Westminster, OMOMO Tea Shoppe in Irvine and Capputeano Cha in Newport Beach.

These new shops join boba favorites like Sharetea, Dragonfly Tea Bar, Snow Monster and Lollicup.

Originally from Taiwan, boba is a chewy tapioca pearl that is an add-on to drinks like chilled coffee, hot tea, and cold slushes. It adds a gummy feel to drink favorites.

“I like that boba has a jello texture and that it is sweet,” said sophomore Megan Nguyen, who named Tastea, Ding Tea, Roasting Waters, Bloomz and 7 Leaves as some of her local favorite boba shops.

For sophomore international student, Kanchna Chhay, boba reminds her of home.

“I drank a lot of boba back in Cambodia and I think that the difference [in the boba sold here] would just be the type of tapioca pearls they use but aside from that, it’s just tea with milk and pearls,” Chhay said.

Compared to coffee or tea places, boba drinks have more variety. One variation includes popping pearls, which hold fruit juice in the middle and add a nice burst of flavor.

They can be any color from green to pink. There are also regular pearls that are most commonly found in milk teas because of their bitter taste.

Students don’t have to travel far to get a taste of this popular beverage. The school’s Key Club, as well as Team NEGU (Never Ever Give Up), a club that raises money for cancer patients at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, sell milk tea and boba on campus about once a month.

Mekala Valentin | Culture Editor BURSTING WITH FLAVOR: A jasmine tea, house coffee, and matcha tea are seen here. To make it easy, fast, and convenient for their customers, some locations now have a drive-through such as boba shop, 7 Leaves.

Research says music can aid in increasing productivity along with cognitive thinking Cecilia Lopez Photo Editor Music can serve as a form of expression, promoting creativity and relaxation along with the power to evoke emotion. But a question still stands: Does music boost productivity?

A recent study by Dr. Teresa Lesiuk, an assistant professor in the music therapy program at the University of Miami, focuses on how music affects workplace performance. According to The New York Times, she discovered that people who listen to music complete their tasks faster and come up with better concepts than those who don’t because music improves their mood.

“When you’re stressed, you might make a decision more hastily; you have a very narrow focus of attention,” Lesiuk told The New York Times. “When you’re in a positive mood, you’re able to take in more options.”

With the growing use of technology in the classroom, many students have begun to incorporate music into their regular study routine, and some teachers even allow their students to listen to music as they work independently in class.

“I think that for some students it helps them focus better be-

cause it kind of drowns out all of the extraneous noise and activity, so they are able to listen to music and focus. And for others it can be a distraction making this very individual depending on the person...” said Dr. Kathleen Montemagni, who has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is the executive director of learning services in the school’s Muth Family Center for Learning. “But in terms of the brain, we’re talking about auditory processing so if a person has ... difficulty with auditory processing and attention sometimes, music will help them a little better.”

Acccording to Montemagni, about half the people in the Learning Center listen to music with headphones while completing work because it helps create a calming and neutral environment.

When choosing music for productivity, Montemagni said, individuals should consider selecting songs that share a similar tone and cadence of a white noise.

“If you choose music that has lots for words, goes up and down it’s probably going to be a little more distracting, so I think you want to be mindful of what your listening to,” she said.

Junior Nathan Matas believes that music is an effective tool for him conducting daily work because it changes his mood, serving as an adrenaline rush at times.

“Rhythms with a steady rock beat, singing in a higher octave attracts me because when a voice has that energy and feeling, it sharpens my mind and cognitive abilities,” said junior in the marching and jazz band,” said Matas, who is a member of the instrumental music program.

For sophomore Madison Warnock, listening to music while working on math is highly beneficial. Being an auditory learner, having something in her mind to think about allows her to retain information, challenge and pace herself.

“It is very effective for me because I find that it does push me to finish my homework or focus more. It helps shut out the world a little bit to focus on other things,” Warnock saidwww.

Check out The Scarlet Scroll staff’s Spotify account, which has many playlists composed of students’ favorite study songs at

bit.ly/scarletscrollspotify.

Culture 9 December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

Anaheim Packing House food hall serves a wide array of flavors from sweet to savory

Curran Nielsen News Editor

Built at the edge of downtown Anaheim and along the Southern Pacific rail line in 1919, the Sunkist Packing House was a hub of commerce for Orange County. Local farmers arrived to unload trucks of freshly picked oranges at the Packing House to begin the process of washing, grading and eventually packing into wooden crates. Once completed, the oranges would be loaded onto trains parked on the side of the building to be shipped across the nation. The Packing House is just one of the few remaining fruit packing houses in Orange County, for which the county is named after.

Today, the two-level Packing House has been converted into a food hall where a variety of different restaurants are located with creative spaces for people to eat and dine out. It contains a large center surrounded by cafes and restaurants of varying sizes and cultures as well as a few outdoor picnic areas and a building-length dining porch looking out to the outdoor marketplace, Farmers’ Park. Live music, game nights, and yoga in the park offer an atmosphere that makes the Packing House more of a community center for the city of Anaheim.

Greg Alvaro, 45, is a frequent visitor at the Packing House and enjoys spending his time experiencing what the Packing House has to offer.

“I like the fact that there’s a wide variety of different kinds of foods that you can get from different places, it’s not all the same kinds of food it’s many different varieties,” Alvaro said.

The assistant manager at the Black Sheep Grilled Cheese Bar, Miguel Rodriguez, enjoys his work environment and the ways that the different restaurants and stores can connect with each other.

“I love the environment and I also love the barter system,” Rodriguez said. “We tend to trade pretty often with everyone around and it’s pretty awesome getting free food and such.”

Rodriguez as well as other employees believe that the Packing House is a one of a kind place where you can’t get food like it anywhere else.

“I think it’s one of those kind of places where you get to see new things and explore a lot of new things about cuisine especially since you have a lot of things here that are different,” Rodriguez said. “Like Indian food paired up with Mexican food downstairs or like something simple like grilled cheeses but at the same time still pretty fancy grilled cheeses.”

Students at the school also visit the Packing House and find it to be a unique and trendy place to order great food and spend time with friends.

“My favorite place at the Packing House is the Pop Bar because you can custom order unique and yummy popsicles,” sophomore Lily Kunde said. “My friends and I like to go there because we enjoy the food, and take pictures at all the unique photo oppor-

Curran Nielsen | News Editor ROOM OF GREEN: Located on 440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA, the Packing House is a unique environment with lots of plants and fun decor. A regular at the Packing House, Greg Alvaro enjoys how different and unique the place is. “I like the fact that there’s a wide variety of different kinds of foods that you can get from different places, it’s not all the same kinds of food it’s many different varieties,” Alvaro said. tunities it provides.”

When senior Corbin Utley visited the Packing House for the first time, he was impressed by the creativeness and efficiency of the Packing House as a whole.

“I could tell how hard all the different restaurants worked to make their food the best it could possibly be and it really showed when I got my food and it tasted delicious,” Utley said. “I also noticed how the employees would visit each other on breaks and it showed me how they all had a strong bond with each other, even

if they weren’t working at the same restaurant.”

The Packing House stays true to its original roots as a fruit packing house, but at the same time is unique on its own and offers a new flavor to Orange County that can’t be found anywhere else.

“I think if you’re interested in food, different cultures, and enjoying meals with your friends and groups of people then you should definitely come here,” Alvaro said.

Local coffee shops produce artisanal food and drink choices unlike typical branch chains Melanie Villasin Staff reporter In need of a jolt to wake you up while driving to school?

Check out these local suggestions that are a change from your usual visits to Starbucks or The Coffee Bean.

HOPPER & BURR, SANTA ANA Many students are drawn toward simplistic, aesthetically-enticing environments, and Hopper & Burr is the perfect setting for taking a mental break while enjoying a caffeine boost.

“The environment is clean and minimalistic unlike other places that seem chaotic and busy,” employee Timber Charter said.

Everything Hopper & Burr offers to customers is made inhouse, and employees have dedicated shifts for creating every product, from almond milk to pastries, making the establishment highly respected by frequent customers.

“We have a simple menu and it’s small, but everything is intentional and well-made,” Charter said.

The seasonal drinks are popular options, such as the Campfire Cappuccino for winter. But since these drinks are only available for a limited time, their lattes are well recommended year-round.

Additionally, the employees are always cordial and inviting, making it feel like a safe haven when the pressures of life and school become overwhelming.

Hopper & Burr is located at 202 W 4th St. in Santa Ana. Visit their website for more information at hopperandburr.com.

MILK AND HONEY, COSTA MESA Senior Ruby Corbett’s favorite place to unwind with a cup of

joe is Milk and Honey in Costa Mesa.

“I always order the Spanish Latte; it’s definitely my favorite thing to get from there,” Corbett said.

In addition to the Spanish Latte, there are also the highly recommended tea lattes and shaken iced teas. Milk and Honey offers a variety of drinks in addition to coffee, which is perfect if you’re looking for a healthy decaf option.

The rustic feel of Milk and Honey is very popular among students and many take the time to go after school whenever they are stressed and need a coffee break to unwind.

The environment is usually busy so working on homework may not be ideal, but it’s perfect for relaxing with friends.

Milk and Honey is located at 2981 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. Visit their website for more information at milkandhoneycosta-

came about in an interesting fashion.

“It started out very scientific with lots of chemistry involved, hence the Lab part of the name, and originally everyone wore lab coats when we worked to connect with the theme,” employee Erin Aguirre said.

Portola has transformed over the past few years, becoming increasingly popular among high school and college students.

“The branch really evolved in 2015 when [we] received the Roaster of the Year award and transformed from a scientific coffee lab into roasters that are more guest service oriented,” Aguirre said.

Melanie Villasin | Staff reporter At this particular coffee spot, there is only INTERNATIONAL COFFEE: Santa Ana’s one barista working at a time, which may be Hopper & Burr serves mochas made off-putting for a time-constrained person.

The engagement with individuals who dewith widely-sourced beans, making their shop unique. “Multi-roasters have cide to come to Portola Coffee Lab is what more fun; which is why we purchase makes her passionate about her job, making mesa.com. coffees from around the world, serving the experience enjoyable for all.

“I love how I get to engage with everyone whatever catches our eye,” according to PORTOLA COFFEE LAB, ORANGE who decides to come here,” she said. “Even their website.

If a laid-back, casual environment to if the line goes all the way to the back of the spend time with friends entices you, the Portola Coffee Lab in room, I try to make their wait more than just wasted time.” the Orange Circle is the place to be. While there are a few Portola Portola Coffee Lab is located at 143 N. Glassell St. in Orange.

Coffee locations throughout Orange County, this specific branch Visit their website for more information at portolacoffeelab.com.

10 CULTURE December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

Increase in use of technology sparks differing opinions on physical learning effects Valerie Kramer Staff reporter Ellie Crabbe Staff reporter

The average Mater Dei student spends about four to eight full hours on a screen whether it’s a tablet, cell phone or computer.

This constant use of technology leads to questions about possible negative effects that using technology so many hours a day can have on student health, more specifically, eye health and also on whether technology provides a suitable substitution for the traditional pen and paper.

Even though there is speculation regarding technology’s negative health effects, Dr. Gregg Feinerman, a Newport Beach optometrist said, “...I don’t think it will have any adverse effect on your eyes. There is no proven evidence that it really does…”

An upcoming trend for students that attend technology-based schools are blue light glasses. Blue light glasses are described to be glasses that remediate “digital eye strain; [they are] computer glasses that block the blue light [which may] increase comfort,” according to allaboutvision.com .

The website describes blue light as an electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 400-495 nm (nanometers) that is emitted from computer, tablet and mobile device screens. A person’s naked eye is not effective at blocking out the blue light and that’s where the glasses come into play. The glasses have mixed reviews: Some studies show the glasses avoid eye strain, and others say the glasses have negative effects.

“Honestly, I like [the glasses] a lot,” said sophomore Kelly Nguyen, who has been wearing blue light glasses for a year and wears them about 4 hours a day. “I feel like they reduce the eye strain I usually got before I wore them.”

Although there are many different opinions on the effects of glasses, the product is on the rise considering the overwhelming amount of technology that the average person consumes per day.

Despite its potential negative effects, technology, for the most part, has been received positively by both the Mater Dei student body and staff and will most likely continue to see growth and development in the future. For example, the school has been named an Apple Distinguished School since 2012 and this appellation was

Ellie Crabbe | Staff reporter CLASS BY THE GRASS: Freshmen Cameron Sidney, DJ Henry, Isaac Peralta, and Quincy Craig work on their iPads to complete classwork. renewed in 2017, according to the Mater Dei website.

“Besides the cost savings, the iPad allows students access to information 24/7,” Geri Campeau Assistant Principal of Academics and Technology said in an email. “Because of this, teaching practices are changing and today’s students need a different set of skills than prior generations. The iPad allows students to learn how to find, evaluate and apply information while taking ownership of their own learning.”

However there isn’t a lack of differing opinions.

“I enjoy learning on traditional paper more... it feels easier on the eyes. Spending a lot of time staring at the glare gives me fatigue,” sophomore Allie Thai said. “My eyes get that sizzling feeling

Local vegan bakery serves healthy treats with a cup of culture Cecilia Lopez Photo Editor The warm and sweet smell of Mexithat it tasted just like regular pan dulce, can pan dulce bread comforts customif not even better.” ers as they enter Victoria’s Bakery in Through his bakery, Lopez wants Santa Ana. With more than 400 breads people to experience the same excitebaked daily, the bakery offers a wide ment and joy that he felt visiting his favariety of options including, conchas, vorite pan dulce bakery every morning orejas, empanadas, elotes and pueras a child. For those who are trying pan quitos. However, what sets this bakery dulce for the first time, he hopes that apart from most is the unique vegan they can enjoy this traditional Mexican options offered, such as customers’ fatreat while also staying healthy. vorite, bolillo with vegan cream cheese Senior Cecilia DePasquale, who also and jalapeños. follows a health-conscious diet, said Victoria’s Bakery opened in 2010 as a she believes that communities can small family business. At first, the fambenefit from these types of food opily only served non-vegan options until tions in order to be stronger, happier the owner, Earvin Lopez, became vegan and healthier. for health and ethical reasons in 2016.

“Enjoying your favorite foods, such The bakery has since then transitioned as pan dulce, does not have to end betoward a culture of veganism. While cause they are unhealthy. Anyone can creating his vegan bread, Lopez mainfind a middle ground by simply substily sought inspiration from family recituting certain ingredients in a recipe Courtesy of @veganbyvictorias pes by experimenting with alternative, for better, more nourishing ones,” DeTHE CLASSICS: Empanadas, conchas, besos and healthier and vegan ingredients that Pasquale said. “I really believe that you cookies in packed in a box ready to eat. With more worked well. This process took about are all the more enriched when you get than 23,000 followers on Instagram, Victoria’s six months until he mastered the recto enjoy the staple foods of your culBakery hopes to serve as a model for the vegan ipes. ture in a healthy and delicious way.” community. “I try to support as many vegan vendors “I think that it’s really important to In the future, Lopez plans to open as I can, because as a fellow vegan Latino, it makes provide healthier alternatives in Santa a second location in Los Angeles and me so proud seeing the rise in Latino vegans,” Ana because people need these opalso hopes that Victoria’s can soon ofLopez said. tions in the local community, instead of fer shipping options out of state. For having to drive far,” Lopez said. “Before I started, there were little businesses attempting to make this same transition into veganto no vegan options, but now I am starting to see veganism really ism, he encourages them to pursue their goals and not be afraid. grow in Santa Ana. It thrills me to be a part of this.”

“There will always be people who don’t like your stuff, but don’t According to Lopez, 80 percent of his customers are vegan give up. Hopefully when others begin to become more familiar and mostly come from within the Santa Ana community. With the with veganism they’ll look at it not just as a ‘diet,’ but a lifestyle,” growing prevalence of vegan opportunities offered locally, even Lopez said. “This is important because it concerns us all and the non-vegans have begun to enjoy the bakery’s goods and learn wellbeing of animals, as well as our environment and ultimately more about the vegan diet. what we wish to put out in this world.”

“We have lot of families come to the bakery and they’ll try the Victoria’s Bakery is located on 709 N Bristol St in Santa Ana. For bread and be pleasantly surprised.” Lopez said. “One customer more information, visit their Instagram @veganbyvictorias. told me that he didn’t even know that the bread was vegan and

but I guess it could be in my head,” she added jokingly.

This technology has since been integrated into all facets of student learning both in school and at home.

“I really like it,” Nguyen said. “To me it’s better than the alternative which would be a really heavy backpack. At my old school we had regular pen and paper and personally I like typing better.”

Mater Dei’s technology program will continue to develop as they continue to incorporate technology into the learning environment. Conflicting opinions regarding the use of technology in schools can be confusing, but until there is conclusive evidence to the contrary technology seems to have little negative health effects and can be used as a tool to prepare students for the future.

Stressed seniors, relax Rod Gonzalez Staff reporter

December is a time for trips to Disneyland and for hosting family Christmas paties. But for seniors, it is primarily a time for completing Cal State and common app college applications, visiting universities and making decisions that will shape their futures. Seniors already undergo serious stress when balancing their academics, sports and extracurriculars with applications. Senior year is undoubtedly more intimidating compared to previous high school years.

“The college application process has been stressful due to my choice of major,” said senior Emily Maahs, who is a varsity track runner. “I have many supplemental essays to write and finding time completely focus on my applications has been difficult. It is extremely hard to come home and work on such important applications when I must also manage my time with sports, homework, and wellness.”

The school’s guidance counselors advise students to only take on what they can handle.

“The way I see it, join something only if you know you are physically and mentally capable of giving 100 percent … quality over quantity,” Director of Counseling Kellie Bauer said. “Normally after the first day of school, we have seniors changing their schedules, usually from the more advanced courses.”. Along with the new experience of applying to college, seniors said they look forward to leading their student section at games and becoming closer to friends they’ve gotten to know the past four years.

“The college application process has been time consuming and laborious,” said senior Lauryn Lilly. “Despite the stress, I have also enjoyed it, because it really has allowed me to express myself through my writing and put my future into my hands.”

Don’t fret, stressed out seniors. There are definitely days where I feel like quitting, but I understand that my work and efforts will pay off. If you haven’t started your college application, you still have time. What is most important is to remember to be proactive and understand the thoughtfulness that apps require. Just take it day by day.

Opinion 11 December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

California teen driver laws create problems for teens and parents Curran Nielsen News Editor

Graphic created by Alex Audette | Opinion Editor CRASHES PER AGE GROUP: The infographic shows how teenagers do not cause crashes as often as other age groups. Individuals between the ages of 20-24, 80-84 and 85+ cause more crashes than teens. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Grease, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, American Graffiti - all these classic films depict a teen driver piling their friends into their cars and going out to have fun. This may have once been a reality, but today’s teens may never be able to live out these memories with their own friends due to the strict laws that are in place for teen drivers.

In the state of California, new drivers under the age of 18 are to follow certain laws that restrict them from driving at certain times and with certain people. These laws include a curfew of not being allowed to drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., as well as being unable to transport passengers under 20 years old unless accompanied by a California-licensed parent or guardian, a California-licensed driver 25 years old or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor. I think that these laws are unnecessary not just because they can be a problem because they prohibit teens from going places with peers, but it mostly a problem for parents who are unable to drive their kids and need someone to drive them.

I personally live in a neighborhood where most of the kids all go to Mater Dei; naturally many carpools have been created because of this. When I got my license over the summer, I was asked by numerous parents about taking their kids to school because their work schedules made this difficult to do on their own.

However, being a minor and a new driver, legally I am not allowed

to take them to school. Being unable to help other students due to these stringent laws puts a burden on parents who have busy work schedules.

Junior Morgan Jennings believes the law is unfair but understands that it is in place to keep teen drivers from distractions caused by having peers in the car with them.

“I feel that it gives us boundaries but at the same time I feel that we have other things going on at different times so it can be annoying,” said Jennings, who just earned her license a few months ago. “But I think it’s there for a reason so I respect it.”

Currently, the licensing age is 16, but public opinion favors an increase in the licensing age to 17, but why? I don’t understand what a 17-year-old would do differently behind the wheel than a 16-year-old, or even someone in the is much older.

Many other states are making even more difficult for teen drivers by imposing new laws that further constrain their driving capabilities. In a New York Times article, reporter Kate Zernike writes about how, in New Jersey, minors are forced to put a sticker on their license plate to show that they are under 18. This requirement is in addition to curfew laws and passenger restrictions like in California. “...in New Jersey, which has long had the nation’s highest licensing age, 17, lawmakers are pushing further, requiring teenage

drivers to attach a red decal to their license plates to make it easier for the police to enforce a curfew and passenger restrictions,” Zernike said.

This decal may make the lives of law enforcement easier, but it is putting many minors at risk for predators to pick them off and possibly put them in danger. One source on Zernike’s article was concerned for his teenage daughter’s safety.

“He has instructed his daughter not to use the decals, saying he feared, as others do, that they would make her the target of sexual predators,” Zernike wrote.

These laws are said to be justified by the fact that, for teens, car accidents are the leading cause of death. However, this statistic feels illogical: What else could be leading cause of death for an age group that is reported to be the first generation to be able to live long past 100 due to advances in modern medicine? And why would it be the leading cause of death of adults when their leading cause of death is cancer and heart disease?

Zernike describes how one parent says that the law doesn’t make sense because of the fact that most of the military consists of young men and women, including teens.

“We have young people flying Apache helicopters in Afghanistan to protect us; you’re saying you can’t drive a car past 11?” Mr. Trautmann, one of her sources said.

In fact, teens undergo intensive training in order to drive legally.

Before getting your license, you are required to undergo several hours of drivers education in order to just get your permit. I personally used a program that required you to log 30 hours of online training in order to finish drivers ed. This took me a few months because of the requirement, but it also made me extremely prepared for my permit test, and I passed with only two questions wrong.

After receiving your permit you have to meet with a trained professional three times for two hours of behind-the-wheel training.

My instructor was extremely informative and really helped me as far as learning the rules of the road and the proper ways to react to situations that could lead to an accident or to my own personal safety being at risk. This training prepares anyone who later gets their license with the proper tools to use while behind the wheel.

When you first get your license you’re more likely to remember these tips than those who have had their license for years. If this is the case, then why are new drivers seen as untrained and unable to drive the same as any other driver? Does society not believe that the training they’ve received and the hours of behind-thewheel practice they’ve done is not enough? If this is the case, then what’s the point of even having training if it’s not enough to have the same freedom as other drivers?

These laws are unnecessary and problematic, it’s important that we do something to change them for the future.

If the law is to continue, I think that it should be applied to all new drivers because I believe that anyone with a new driver’s license is at risk to cause an accident, not just minors. Why should minors be the only people with strict laws put on?

Think before you tweet; students should be aware of what they post Lexi Perez Assistant Photo Editor Melanie Villasin Staff reporter Social media is a ubiquitous element in the lives of all teenagers.

The idea of everything posted onto the Internet lasting forever is a daunting thought, and there are consequences people should consider when sending a Snap, posting on Instagram or Tweeting a thought.

In hopes of informing the student body about responsible social media use, Activities Director Diana Neustadt, ASB Vice-President Peyton Smith and Sophomore Class President Kailia Utley attended #Digital4Good on Sept. 17. The event is held at the Twitter Headquarters in San Francisco and unites student leaders and social media experts to celebrate and promote positive leadership online.

“Remember, everything that you post is a reflection of you,” Neustadt said. “That reflection should be a positive one. And, if you post something, you should stand behind what you say.”

Recently, many celebrities have come under fire for potentially insensitive posts from their past resurfacing. These reemerging social media posts have caused some to lose their online following

or even put careers in jeopardy. This is a good reminder to students to be careful about what they post on an everlasting forum.

Kathleen Immel, dean of students, advises that students should be cautious of their widespread audience when posting on the Internet.

“You shouldn’t put anything on social media that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to read,” Immel said.

The constant reminders can feel redundant and unnecessary, but instances similar to those of James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, and most recently, Laura Lee, YouTube creator, make the message even more significant and imperative to tell. It is never bad to have a reminder about the precautions necessary when dealing with the Internet.

It is as common for regular people in society to hurt their careers as a result of damaging social media posts as it is to those in the Hollywood spotlight.

According to The New York Times, “The consequences for offensive comments now come quickly in Hollywood, which has be-

come hypersensitive to offensive behavior. And slaps on the wrist and apologies no longer suffice.”

As a senior looking to play Division I Track and Field in college, Sophia Chiaramonte encourages fellow classmates to always keep in mind the content of their posts and possible repercussions in the future. With colleges constantly looking into Chiaramonte to recruit her, she said it is crucial that her presence on social media is only positive and favorable.

“Be careful about what [you] post and for it to always be appropriate as it could hurt [your] future,” she said.

The Internet should not be viewed as a terrible place because it can truly transform people’s lives for the better, but just as quickly as success can surmount, the opposite can result just as quickly if used in a foolish manner.

“Be safe with social media and it could only benefit you,” Chiaramonte said.

continued 12 December 2018 | THE SCARLET SCROLL

JOSEF D’HEYGERS CONTINUED

DEAF FOR A DAY CONTINUED

Ellie Crabbe Staff reporter

Courtesy of Allison Bergeron

Ellie Crabbe | Staff reporter

BIRTHDAY MASS: D’Heygers doesn’t fail to make Rollinson laugh as he assists D’Heygers to his seat at his birthday mass in April of 2010. “He was just my friend. And he was always there for me,” Rollinson said.

TAKE A LOOK: The school has placed multiple homages to D’Heyegers for future generations to remember his legacy. “He loved the kids so much and would just do anything for them,” Hopkins said.

Upon his arrival in southern California, D’Heygers quickly made Mater Dei his home. He started off by serving as a custodian and carried two large rings of more than 200 keys, which granted him access to every room on campus. D’Heygers also cared for several stray cats, which he all named “Lady Monarch.” He would often place small dishes of cat food all around the school.

D’Heygers enjoyed watching soccer and would spend some afternoons watching the school’s soccer teams play.

“I was sitting there and I had just gotten out of soccer practice. While I was waiting for my mom to come get me, I would pet the cats and [Josef] would sit and talk to me,” said Bergeron, who was a Monarch soccer player. “I really couldn’t understand because he had a speech impediment [but] I just remember that kindness…”

Christian Service Director Stephanie Hopkins also remembers how D’Heygers was “kind and very social.”

“He loved the kids so much and would just do anything for them,” she said.

After his first years of working at the school, D’Heygers saved up money and bought his own trailer located on the land that now houses the teacher’s lounge. Years later, when all the trailers had to be removed for a redevelopment plan funded by the Lee family, who are lifetime parents. Bergeron said the plan was a mutual decision between the Lee family and Murphy to build D’Heygers an apartment above Campus Ministry.

Rollinson worked in the Advancement Office at the time and saw Murphy’s plan for D’Heygers’ new apartment, which would be located upstairs above the school’s chapel.

“I will be always be grateful that I work for a man like Patrick Murphy who had the force to say ‘we are going to take care of our caretaker,” Rollinson said.

When the apartment was completed in summer 2001, D’Heygers moved into his new home above the chapel.

In the late ’90s, when the school began the renovation of the chapel and the construction of the newest academic wing – which is now home to the 400 and 700 classrooms – D’Heygers approached Murphy with a significant donation.

“[Josef said,] ‘I’m donating everything, I have no relatives and I’m donating it to the school.’” Murphy said. “When he showed us how much it was, I said, ‘Oh my!’ because this is one of the biggest gifts we had ever received.”

Bergeron said D’Heygers gave the school its first seven-digit donation, but he wanted to keep the total amount discreet.

Rollinson was stunned.

“I thought, ‘Wow’ … It was the largest gift of that time,” Rollinson said. “I remember coming to tears. He just gave every dime that he had saved back to his employer.”

The school put the funds toward building the academic wing, which includes various English and science classrooms. After the construction of the new academic wing in 2002 was completed, D’Heygers asked Father Steve and Murphy to visit the building.

“He walked to the window [in his apartment] and pointed at the clock tower and said ‘You did it. My name. The kids will know,’” Murphy said. “And that was it.”

D’Heygers passed on April 3, 2010, just two weeks before his birthday, which is on April 17, the day reserved for the new Josef Day. The school honored his life and legacy with the first-ever on-campus funeral service. Bergeron said that the mass was one of the most unifying Monarch events due to the fact that many Monarch generations came together to celebrate D’Heygers’ life.

“ASB were the honor guards, and the pallbearers where generations of Monarchs, employees and fellow caretakers,” Bergeron said. “It was very beautiful and we were sad to let him go, but it was really beautiful.”

On Josef Day, the school will commemorate this beloved man who frequently traveled around campus jingling with hundreds of keys at his belt and greeting all those who walked by.

“It’s such big shoes to fill. I don’t come close to him. I don’t know many people that come close to him. He was 24/7 caring and giving. It wasn’t about the money, it’s about his humility and the way he held himself and his faith in the Lord,” Rollinson said.

“Now my question is to everybody: Who knows a person like that? I am able to say that he was a friend of mine and it’s just a special, special thing.”

MEET THIS SEMESTERS’ MONARCHS OF THE MONTH

Every month throughout the year, one senior boy and girl were nominated by the faculty and staff for their academic and personal successes.

“One of my best memories as a high schooler, I think would be all the sporting events and rallies.”

ANH Phan

Lily Schuda

Kristen Castillo Editor-in-Chief “My biggest takeaway was a reminder to me to make sure that I am creating a learning environment that is open to all students with all different learning types and abilities,” Dutra said.

Some of the participating ASL students expressed their concerns about potentially missing content and understanding instructions for activities in class.

“I really hope that this is a positive impact on Mater Dei so that we do understand that we as hearing people, take our hearing for granted and that deaf people already struggle so much trying to function in a world made for hearing people,” Battaglia said. “Our behaviors and what we do, especially in the classroom, just makes the struggle even harder.”

Despite their concerns, students were eager to use this event as an opportunity to spread awareness about deaf and hard of hearing people.

“We do have a couple of deaf students on campus and I have heard so many stories of them being yelled at from across the room, or teachers turned around facing the wall lecturing where they can’t hear them, or classes being super noisy and they can’t hear the teacher talking,” Battaglia said.

For example, senior Katie Flathom was diagnosed as deaf when she was 4 years old and was given hearing aids. Now in her fourth year as an ASL student, Flathom participated in the event by removing her hearing aids. By taking part in Deaf for a Day, she hopes to spread more awareness about the struggles of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

“I hope [my classmates] take that … when classrooms are loud, it’s really stressful for me because I cannot hear what’s going on and it’s a lot of things going on and even with my hearing aids, I can’t process it … and it’s stressful and very tiring and exhausting to concentrate on what’s going on in the classroom,” Flathom said.

Other ASL students who participated found that the experience was educational and helped them begin to understand the every day struggles for those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

“I know that we have deaf students on campus … and I also have deaf people I talk to and I communicate with regularly, but I’m hoping to gain a new understanding of them and really sort out how I’m going accommodate for a deaf person,” senior Angie Phu said. “I would like to treat them just as I treat you … [and] I want to be as understanding and as accommodating for them as I possibly can...”

Students said they learned that understanding the challenges of these individuals is very important to contributing to a positive change in society’s view of the deaf and hardof-hearing community.

“I don’t think I can ever really know what they experience,” senior Juliet Vo said. “Sure, this is me putting in headphones and people seeing the headphones, but, for them, it’s like a constant experience they go through and this is their reality. They don’t get support from teachers … I think it’s a good representation and I think it got the point across.

It was a good project.”

“Being a leader at Mater Dei means guiding the student body, setting examples and bring your best to be a role model…”

“I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to attend Mater Dei where students come from so many different backgrounds.”

Cecilia Lopez “Being a leader at Mater Dei means that you have to work harder than anybody else, and leading by example, rather than talking about it.”

“I hope [underclassmen] learn the same things I learned and they gain the same benefits that I [did].”

“When I came to Mater Dei, I figured why not dive in and get involved in as much as I can.”

Nick Van Dalsem

Dominic Rovere

Luke O’Hara

September

October

November