SUMMER ‘25
By Douglas Cube Sophomore, Editor
As the end of the year slowly creeps closer, the slump for many of us only continues to grow; the only thing keeping us going is the idea that in a few short days, we will be freed from our school duties and be out on summer vacation For our seniors, this summer will be their last before they go off to college, and begin their lives as adults Senior Valerie Arredondo says, “This summer, I’m turning 18, [and] seeing my favorite band, Pierce the Veil for my birthday” Valerie also plans to enjoy her summer by “filling my summer bucket list with my best friends and have fun, [as well as] prepare for my next years at CBU!” On the other hand, other seniors, such as Josephine Schmidt, plan on spending their summer working, as she plans to “work at the store at my mom’s work [and] apply to programs in/around San Diego once I turn 18 for more internship opportunities based in the nuclear science career field!”
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For the other Notre Dame Students, this next summer will be filled to the brim with fun plans, and academic opportunities One example of this is Junior Ana Sofia Ramirez “This summer,” Ana Sofia says, “I will be participating in several programs as I approach my senior year I will be attending the Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s
Youth Leadership Institute at USC in hopes of gaining access to opportunities and to take away some stress from the college application process Additionally, I will be a part of a Computer Science Program at UCR in order to fill in some gaps within application regarding my major I will also be taking two classes at a community college, prepping for my last attempt on the SAT I am doing my best to prepare for college applications, and I am excited for doing fun things over the summer but also getting a little bit of rest”
While not everyone is spending their summer at academic camps, some people are still taking time to keep their minds fresh, as Sophomore Emma Senn says, “I want to prepare myself for next year by studying for the SAT, and reviewing math, [along with] spending time with my family and taking little trips”
Despite these students’ plans for excellence and education over the summer, it is still important to remember that summer is only about three months, and the way you decide to spend it is completely up to you, whether it be by keeping your mind sharp and studying, or lollygagging and adventuring with your friends With this, all I have to share is that this summer should be maximized however you see fit, and I wish that you, the readers enjoy yours, with whatever you may be doing!!
By Zoey Johnson Sophomore, Writer
The Catholic Church has officially welcomed a new leader, Pope Leo XIV Chosen by the College of Cardinals in the most recent conclave, Pope Leo XIV brings a calm presence and a reputation for humility While his name name might sound bold, there have been thirteen Popes named Leo before him, and his approach so far has been anything but flashy
In his first public address, Pope Leo
A New Pope Elected Senior Plans!
By Lubianca Gaitan Senior, former Editor-in-Chief
As the year comes to a close, there are many changes that come with it Freshmen transition into sophomores, sophomores become juniors, juniors roll into their last year as seniors, and our beloved seniors graduate into adulthood
Senior Year serves as a sort of wakeup call that is known as reality Those little students are finally reaching the end of their high school careers and becoming adults
God puts many paths in our way for us to choose after high school, some being higher education like college (whether that be community or a fouryear university), serving our country through a branch in the military like the marine corps, army, air force, etc, or maybe directly joining the workforce and getting a job right after graduating
asked people to see him not as a ruler, but as someone there to serve That really stood out At a time when the world feels divided and complicated, his message of putting others first feels honest and important It reminded me of what we were taught in religious class how Jesus led not through sturdy authority, but through love and service
Pope Leo has also made it clear that he wants to focus on the challenges of today He’s already spoken about protecting the environment, helping the poor, and listening to young people That last part especially matters to students like us; it’s encouraging to hear a Church leader say that our voices matter, too
While it’s still quite early in his papacy, and no one knows exactly what changes might come, there’s a sense of hope in the way he speaks and carries himself Whether you’re deeply connected to your faith or are still figuring things out, this moment in history is one worth paying attention to Pope Leo’s leadership feels like the start of something new, and not just for the Church, but for all of us who are apart of it
This year’s conclave concluded rather quickly, starting on the 6 of May and ending on the 8 , which is comparable to the timespan of Pope Francis’ in 2013 The 267 head of the Church had been chosen at around 6:00 PM Roman time, just before the bells of St Peter’s Basilicia began to ring, with his ascension marked by the traditional white smoke that rises from the Sistine Chapel after every election th th th
Born Robert Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, Leo XIV will be the first ever American-born pope in history
Senior Signing Day was celebrated on May 13 and was a symbolic moment that demonstrated the determination to excel in life Along with this, seniors shared what and where they planned to continue their education th
Now, let’s see what some of our seniors are planning to do after high school!
“I plan on attending California Baptist University to study biology” - Valerie Arredondo
“I will be going to RCC for two years to get my general education, and I will be majoring in psychology and criminology to
pursue a career in law enforcement” - Natalia Gomez
“I plan on moving out to El Paso and playing hockey for the next two years out there” - Valos Owen
“This fall I will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo” - Sofia Flores
“I’m going to California Baptist University to pursue a career in nursing” - Kaitlyn Nguyen
“I’m going to Riverside Community College to study communications” - Annika Rocha
“I’m going to Oregon State University and I’ll be studying animal science” - Mahim Govender
“I will be going to UC Irvine and majoring in History” - Jacob Olivier
“I’m going to Riverside Community College and I’ll be majoring in engineering but I’m going to be there for two years and transfer out” - Justin Martinez
Well, whatever path we decide to take, we will know that God is guiding us and is always with us This is your former editor-in-chief, Lubianca Gaitan, and I will be attending University of Oregon to major in Business administration with a minor in philosophy and journalism, and this is me signing off
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Mother’s Day Swinging For Glory
By Minh Lai Sophomore,
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On May 11 , millions of people acrsoss the globe celebrated Mother’s Day as part of the annual commemoration of the women who shaped their lives A holiday like this honoring the mother for her role in nurturing her child(ren), offering unwavering love and support, and making countless sacrifices for their well-being is always fraught with extended heartfelt activities reflecting deep gratitude and affection It isn’t uncommon to hear about early morning breakfasts being prepared by
in molding good, kind, and thoughtful children
No doubt even the most hardworking and steadfast parents have their low moments, or times when they feel their work is unappreciated A day like this offers them the chance to see the reality of things; we show mothers the love we feel, recognizing them for all they’ve done, and allowing them a chance to rest and reinforce the maternal bonds that binds families together
By Sydney Cramer Sophomore, Writer
The 2025 spring season has been unforgettable Both our softball and baseball teams finished with impressive records, demonstrating the talent and determination of Notre Dame athletes
As a player on the varsity softball team, I can vouch to the hard work and dedication every player has poured into this season Our journey to the CIF Southern Section Division VII semifinals was filled with memorable moments
May 15: We secured a 9-2 victory against Bell Gardens High School
the tiny yet eager hands of kids wishing to surprise their mothers, or vibrant handwritten cards with elaborate messages and thoughtful drawings Some households are accustomed to the tradition of going out to a fancy restaurant so as to indulge in a celebratory feast, or going out for a relaxing excursion Whatever the case may be, it is always important to recognize that the essence of Mother’s Day lies not in grand gestures or expensive outings, but in the sincerity, appreciation, and selfless love reciprocated, and which assures the mother of her successes as a parent, and of the fruits of her tireless efforts
In many parts of the world, the holiday is celebrated most commonly in March or May Its modern origins date back to 1858, when a young American woman named Ann Jarvis organized “Mother’s Work Days” as designated occasions for improving household cleanliness and sanitation Later on, she would go on to organize “Mothers’ Friendship Day” to promote solidarity between Union and Confederate soldiers The first observed Mother’s Day, however, was in 1908 as part of a Church service and by 1914, it was recognized by Woodrow Wilson as a national holiday Since then, Mother’s Day in the United States has been celebrated every year on the second Sunday in May
May 17: We continued our winning streak with a 5-1 win over San Bernardino High School
May 21: We battled Lakeside High School and came on top with a 8-5 score
Our playoff concluded on May 24th when we faced Culver City High School and fell short with a loss of 60 Making it to the semifinals isn’t easy and we did it together Overall, our team finished with a record of 13-12-1
Here’s a huge shoutout to our top performers this season:
#03 Teresa Avila (9) - Our shortstop and power hitter She crushed 4 homes run this season, all over the
fence
#01 Mickey Rodriguez (11) - With her 476 batting average, and ranking of top 13 in Division VII Not to mention, dominating on the mound
While we were making our mark in softball, the baseball team was carving their path to the CIF Southern Section Division VII championship
The championship game was scheduled for Saturday, May 31st, at 1:00 PM at Long Beach State, where they would face Mary Star of the Sea High School
Shoutouts to our baseball standouts:
#03 Daniel Hernandez (12) - With a 0512 batting average, and 0613 OBP, he is ranked in the top 116 in California for 1 stat and top 5 in Division VII Daniel has been extremely valuable at the plate this season
#10 Brandon Sanchez (12) - With a 0556 batting average and 0600 OBP, this has made him one of our biggest hitters Not to mention his ERA of 154, proving his strength on the mound
This has been one of the most exciting spring sports seasons ND’s seen in a while Win or lose, we showed up, and we showed out
Who was the youngest American woman to win a gold medal in the Olympics fencing tournament?
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Awards Night Mr. Garcia
By Minh Lai Sophomore, Editor-in-Chief
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May 14 was Notre Dame’s final Awards Night ceremony for the 2024-2025 school year From 6:00-8:00 PM, students were recognized for their “accomplishments in academics, leadership, extracurricular involvement,” as well as for their “grade-level distinctions, [and] club honors”
At around 5:00 PM, attendees were queuing up in front of the gymnasium, and a few minutes before 6:00 PM, the doors were opened, and all the seats were quickly taken
The ceremony began with an opening prayer by Father Paul, which was then followed immediately by short speeches from Mr Cardoza and Mrs Arguelles
Afterwards, students were called up for scholarship awards and then for perfect attendance by Mr Johnson Subject awards came next for both core classes
and electives, and teachers personally handed them out to the recipients One notable portion of the event was also when the Community Service Award had been received by Nathan Hott, who attained over a staggering 700 hours worth of volunteering, altar serving, and participation in Theater! When that was over, there were a great deal of seniors recognized for
their roles in extracurriculars, and who received club tassels and sashes to wear to graduation And, since this was their last Award’s Night, Notre Dame subsequently announced the valedictorian of the Class of 2025; congratulations to Cali Gonzalez!
Fanfest Nights
By Zoey Johnson Sophomore, Writer
Universal Studios Hollywood’s FanFest Nights turned the park into a celebration of pop culture, with themed areas dedicated to some of the biggest franchises in entertainment Each section offered its own atmosphere, complete with live characters, interactive shows, and detailed sets The event felt more like a multi-genre fan convention than a typical night at the park, and that’s what made it work
By Minh Lai Sophomore Editor-in-Chief
Appreciating history takes patience in addition to a willing mind Those who enjoy history, however, often have the most fun and interesting opinions or facts to share So, for this week’s Teacher Feature, we’re bringing in Mr Garcia to answer some questions
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Firstly, for Harry Potter, Hogsmeade took on a new life at night The castle came alive with the “Hogwarts Always” light show, which played through a full school year in just a few minutes Magical creatures roamed the area, and the attention to detail made it feel like more than just a movie set; it felt like stepping into the story
Back to the Future had the Courthouse Square, which was fully transformed into 1955 Hit Valley with period music, dancing, and actors playing characters from the film The lightning strike scene at the Clock Tower and the live Enchantment Under the Sea danced added energy and nostalgia, standing out as one of the most immersive parts of the event
“Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunter of the Cursed” was
an anime-inspired section featuring a 4D show with high stakes action and powerful visuals Characters like Gojo and Sukuna appeared in a short, intense presentation that combined motion seats, lighting effects, and surround sound For fans of the show, it delivered a strong, cinematic experience
FanFest Nights stood out not just for its variety but for the effort put into making each fandom feel unique The night felt thoughtfully designed with a balance of entertainment, fan service, and immersion It was an event where longtime fans could connect with their favorite worlds, and newcomers could discover something new
Q: What’s one high and one low of teaching students?
A: I think a high is definitely seeing you guys grow and not only as students, but also as human beings Working with students who may be struggling at the beginning of the year and then genuinely seeing them progress towards the end is great At the same time, one con would definitely be trying to accomodate my teaching style to all of you, and addressing individual needs for every student can be a challenge
Q: What made you want to pursue history?
A: I think my background and growing up as a mixed child required me to understand my way of life and my culture, and that ultimately made me passionate about learning other peoples’ traditions, cuisine, religion, and background That curiosity made history a perfect fit for me
Q: What’s your favorite part of history?
A: It might sound basic, but probably the Renaissance, or early 20 century American history especially when dealing with migration patterns th
Q: Do you have a favorite historical production?
A: I’d have to say Schindler’s List In historical circles, that movie is basically the gold standard for a lot of other World War II movies that truly gives justice to the names of the people mentioned as well as their lives
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Is the Snow White Movie a Flop?
By Xitllali Ortiz Freshman, Photographer
As we all know, the infamous movie “Snow White” released in theaters on March 21 of this year Starring Rachel Zeglar as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, this film takes a different approach to retelling the classic story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Unlike the success from the 1937 animated film, this adaptation wasn’t too lucky Back in 2016, news started to spread online about a live-action Snow White adaptation coming to theaters Then in 2021, the cast for the two main roles of this film were released Disney faced backlash and fans were upset about the casting During an interview with Rachel Zeglar in 2022, she stated that the film would focus less on her love story and more on Snow White finding herself The movie’s release date then got pushed back from March 2024 to March 2025 On August 9, st
2024, the official teaser released, gaining over 1 million dislikes The official trailer followed three months later Finally, the film released, earning $43 million dollars on opening weekend (USA and Canada) Even though Snow White is no longer available in theaters, it is most likely going to be added onto Disney+ in the following months I personally haven’t seen the film, so I cannot give my opinion on the movie The
Graduation Vibes
By Matthew Baculo Senior, Music writer
Well, Titans, Summer is almost here and that means that the end of the school year is also nearing For freshman, sophomores, and juniors, one of their years of high school is coming to an end For seniors, their final year of high school is coming to an end from which they will go on to pursue the career path that they want to go into, whether it be going to college, the army, or something else entirely As a fellow Senior myself, I wanted to shortly talk about two songs that I think of when I think about graduating, since they talk about goodbyes and reminds us that we have our whole life ahead of us
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
This song by Wiz Khalifa and
Charlie Puth was originally written for Fast and Furious 7 but as time went on, it also became a go-to anthem for farewells
Charlie Puth’s emotional piano melody combined with Wiz Khalifa’s verses strikes most listeners with a deep sense of nostaliga
We Are Young by fun. ft. Janelle Monáe
This song doesn’t dwell on the sadness of goodbye that seniors might feel but instead embraces the moment and tells you to make memories, making use of your youth while you have it
Whether you’re crying in your cap and gown or blasting music with your friends one last time, these songs are great for it Thanks for reading, Titans! This is Matthew Baculo, signing off
trailer doesn’t look horrible, so when it releases on Disney+, I will for sure watch it and make my own opinion about it Here are what students at ND are saying about the film:
“I honestly don’t like the live-action adaptation It’s not the same as the original film In the 1937 version, Snow White is portrayed as dainty, and in the recent one, that daintiness is removed from her character”
Sent in anonymously by a 9 grader th
“They took away the magic of the movie It feels stale and dry Some songs were good”
Sent in anonymously by a 9 grader th
“Honestly the movie is not as good as the original because it didn’t capture a lot of the iconic moments The dress bothered me a lot They had so many options to choose from The hairstyle did not do Rachel justice! It just wasn’t a good movie”
Alyssa Tinajero (9)
Tech Talk
By Minh Lai Sophomore, Editor-in-Chief
Will flying cars be a thing of the future, or remain struck in fiction? That’s a question many people are wondering Back then, very few thought the concept of a flying car would actually take off, and most interpretations of it existed only in TV shows, cartoons, and illustrations
Throughout the 21 century, however, there’s been a ton of companies and engineers who have produced a few prototypes with the most notable one being Klein Vision, a Slovakian company who developed the AirCar in 2021 st
The two-seated vehicle is powered by a 16 BMW road car engine, fitted with four wheels, and able to hold both automative petrol and gasoline It can fly as fast as 600 miles per hour in the air, and on land can exeed speeds of 120 miles per hour With a range of 500 miles and the ability to reach an altitude of 15,000 ft, the AirCar is certainly a formidable prototype which, while still in testing, demonstrates humanity’s willingness and success in reaching for what used to seem
impossible
Of course, there are still many challenges for flying cars that need to be addressed before they’re available for commercial use The AirCar, for example, requires both a driver’s license and a pilot’s license to operate, and at a staggering cost of around $800,000 to $12 million dollars, it certainly won’t be in the average person’s household for a very long time Additionally, more laws and regulations will have to be passed by governments before such vehicles can be used in large numbers
However, the AirCar has been approved as a functioning and operable vehicle in Slovakia Anton Zajac, the co-founder of Klein Vision, says that the AirCar is not only aesthetic, but has practical purposes, as it can be used to bypass areas with poor infrastructure and land traffic or for sight-seeing
Lafufus
By Gael Campos Junior, Editor
In today’s social media-driven world, the chances of you going up to any random person on the street, asking them whatever Labuburelated question you conjure up in that moment, and them not knowing what you’re talking about is slim to none The seemingly monstrous-appearing plush dolls have been all the rage these past couple of months So much so, in fact, that they have been completely sold out in virtually all
A
Pop Mart stores across southern California As with almost all trending merchandise and paraphernalia, the perfect remedy to this trinket drought is counterfeits
From the Santee Alley in Los Angeles’ Fashion District to the much smaller kiosks stationed along Galleria at Tyler’s narrow pathways, distributors of these inauthentic imitations have taken advantage of the craze for these figures, and their scarcity, by selling fake ones referred to as “Lafufus” Many who have fallen victim to this deceptive marketing have expressed their frustrations, and rightfully so, considering the ethical implications However, if you’re buying something that would normally cost $30 for only $10, that might be a telling sign to steer clear of finalizing that purchase Although, at the end of the day, it might not even matter Fake or not, if buying something regardless of its legitimacy brings you happiness, that’s all that matters
Heart of Steel?
By Minh Lai Sophomore, Editor-in-Chief
Now bringing along some real world news, we have the story of a man in 2025 who survived the first 100 days since his heart transplant While this may not seem notable at first, if not anything more than the usual heartwarming triumph of modern medicine, just wait until you hear more about the conditions of his surgerical procedure and what it could possibly entail for the scientific community
An anonymous Australian man in Feburary of this year became the first person to leave a hospital with a heart made entirely of metal While not steel as the title may have suggested it was constructed as a functioning pump with an even more interesting material: titanium, and which according to ScieneAlert, was the “size of a fist” This makeshift organ had been able
to keep its patient alive for about 105 days until an eventual real heart was available for a more permanent fixture Doctors had claimed this metal heart was instrumental in allowing the patient to live long enough to receive the donor’s, and that otherwise he would have died earlier Additionally, his old heart only allowed him to walk for about ten to fifteen meters before he experienced fatigue, whereas when using the metal heart he experienced no abnormalities in daily activities
Letter to the Editor! Share your voice!
Do you have something you want to share with the rest of the school? Maybe an opinion on media, want to share your love for an artist, maybe write a letter to a friend through the paper? Up to you! Write a letter to the editor and get it featured in our next issue!
It turns out that this technology had been in the works and in trial runs for nearly two decades, and last year it saw its first usage on a 58 year old who was able to survive for eight days before receiving a donor heart Produced by BiVACOR, the artificial organ was engineered to be anatomically structured the same way a real heart was That was with valves and connecting pipes that could imitate the human circulatory system Fitted with a long-term battery and able to resist wear and corrosion, it also lasted far longer than other artifical hearts Clearly, this is a remarkable achievement, and if BiVACOR’s product continues to perform well, it’s only a matter of time before it’s approved for commercial use Its success could help tens of thousands of people with failing hearts or nervous patients who’ve yet to have their needs addressed
Unpopular Opinon, but...
“Minecraft movie was fire
What are some of your summer plans?
“Volunteer work”- Adrian Gonzalez, 10
“Going to Mexico for my quinceñera and spending time with my friends!”- Alyssa Tinajero 9
“Hanging out with friends, going to the beach, and visiting my sister!”- Ximena Gonzalez, 11
“Going to Hawaii and New York”Natasha Singh, 12 “Going to Rome” - Mr Norman, Philosophy & Theology
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Behind the Scenes
People Featured (from left to right going down): Douglas Cube (10), Sydney Cramer (10), Gabriel Lopez (10), Honors Biology Period 2, Zoe Raykowski (9), Loreli Walls (9), Genevieve Belleza (9), Sofia Navarro (9), Abigail Tullis (9), Addison Tullis (9), Teresa Avila (9), Gabriela Jablonski (11)
Advice Archives
Q: I think I have a crush on my best friend Should I say something or keep quiet?
A: Oof, that’s tough If you say something, it could change the friendship forever though If you don’t, the feelings might not go away Just think about how strong the friendship is and how they might feel And if they end up not feeling the same, could you handle that? Be honest, but be ready for any outcome Sometimes it’s worth the risk and sometimes it’s not, and only you know what feels right
Q: What should I do if my friend never texts first, but always replies when I do?
A: Ok, so you have two options One: keep texting first and accept that that’s just the way they are And two: stop texting and see if they ever reach out If they don’t, you’ve got your answer Not everyone shows friendship the same way, but good friends usually meet you halfway
The Titan Times
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Editor-in-Chief
Minh Lai
Moderator
Mrs Arguelles
Editors
Jude Cramer
Gael Campos Minh Lai
Sydney Cramer
Doug Cube
Staff
Writers
Lubianca Gaitan
Elyza Lansang
Matthew Baculo
Sebastian Bou Harb
Social Media
Doug Cube
Photography
Lubianca Gaitan
Xitllali Ortiz
New Issue bi-weekly on Tuesdays
Questions regarding the Titan Times should be directed our email at titantimes@ndhsriverside org
