SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE
VOLUME XXVIII, NO. 3 // JUNE 2026
The Senior Issue
By Caroline Sieling & Reese Silva
KAROL G MAKES COACHELLA HISTORY
By Dylan Benson
When I reflect on my four years in journalism I do not take its impact on me lightly. It has helped me grow creatively, academically and socially; however, none of that would have been possible without the community.The editors that came before us welcomed me in and made me stick with it because of the passion that I watched them pour into every issue and lesson.That community cannot be pinned to one person, but a collective environment that inspired me and welcomed humor, creativity and room for mistakes.As editor-in-chief, this year has come with a unique set of challenges as well as creative opportunities. I am so grateful to have been able to work alongside Reese and with the help of Ms. D, their hard work has made everything that we’ve produced this year possible. Leaving something you love behind is difficult, but throughout the time I’ve spent working with the underclassmen I could not feel more confident with the hands that we are leaving it in.
Beginning in my sophomore year, my time with the Raven Report has been incredibly multifaceted and bittersweet. From being a staff reporter and feature editor to the editor-in-chief alongside Caroline, I couldn’t have imagined anything more. Seeing the people in the class grow over the years has been incredibly rewarding and something I wouldn’t trade for the world. However, what has been even more enriching is learning from those before me and taking their skills with me as they left the class. Journalism has given me unbelievable con- nections, friendships and lessons that I will carry with me into the next chapter of my life. I’m going to miss this community, but I feel so grateful to do so, as it means this experience was meaningful and has left a lasting mark on my life. I can’t wait to see how this publication flourishes after Caroline and I.And now, we present the final issue of the Raven Report 2026!
Art by Reese Silva
Reese Silva
University of Washington (4)
Lewis and Clark (1)
Oregon State (1)
University of Oregon (2)
Boise State (1)
University of Utah (1)
UVU (1)
BYU (1)
Arizona State University (1)
University of Tasmania (1)
CU Boulder (5)
Colorado State (1)
University of British Columbia (2)
Alanus Hochschule für Kunst und Gesellschaft (1)
McGill University (1)
University of
(1)
Oklahoma
Texas Christian University (1)
University
IU
Syracruse (1)
Fordham (1)
PACE (1)
Lehigh (2)
Dickinson (1) Carnegie Mellon (1)
Boston
Boston
Brown
Connecticut
Long Island University (1)
NYU (1)
Art by Caroline Sieling & Reese Silva
Tufts (2)
University (1)
College (1)
Northeastern (4)
Bowdoin College (1)
Dartmouth (1)
(1)
College (1) Quinnipiac (1)
UMich (3)
Clemson (1)
Emory (1)
of Wisconsin (1)
UMiami (1)
Sewanee (1)
Tulane (1)
Case Western Reserve (1)
(3) Purdue (1)
University of San Francisco
San
College of San Mateo
(18)
UC Berkeley (8)
Francisco State (6)
Santa Clara University (3)
San José State (4)
(1)
Cañada College (4)
Saint Mary’s (1)
*Maps are based off of the Raven Report survey and are not reflective of the entire senior class.
Cal Poly SLO (18)
CSU Fullerton (1)
UCLA (3)
UC San Diego (4) San Diego State (4)
UC Davis (4)
UC Santa Barbara (3)
UC Riverside (1)
USC (2)
Chico State (4)
Pomona College (1)
Occidental College (1)
UC Merced (2)
University of the Pacific(2)
Santa Barbara City College (1)
CSU Long Beach (1)
University San Diego (1)
Sacremento State (1)
Fresno State (1)
LMU (1)
CSU Stanislaus (1) Chapman University (1)
BY NATALIE AGUILAR, COLIN CHOW, EVAN INMAN & NEVAEH JAUREGUI ~ LILY LUCAS & REAGAN YANG Staff Reporters ~ Feature Editors
Q: Tell us about yourself
“I’m a high school senior interested in tech and social justice. Easy going personality, adventurous, positive, hilarious, witty and just amazing in general.”
Q: What’s your favorite memory about Sequoia?
“My favorite memory about Sequoia is the tennis team, playing with teammates until after the sun sets following a long game. The court becomes dark and you can barely see the ball, blindly swinging and laughing.”
Q: What are your future plans?
“For research, I’m interested in exploring caste through a global and technological lens-how social hierarchies manifest across different contexts and how current technological advances will alter or maintain these landscapes. I want to examine caste sociopolitically–how it develops and causes harm under different power structures, and how international politics engage with caste-based oppression. I’ll also focus on AI data bias, which reinforces and amplifies systemic inequities.”
Q: Who is your favorite teacher and why?
“My favorite teacher is Mr. Mora because he has always helped me with school work and when I had problems, he helped me deal with [them]. Having Mr. Mora in a few of my classes made me feel more comfortable and confident in class.”
Q: What similarities and differences do you see between yourself now and yourself in freshman year?
“Some similarities I see from now and freshman year would be that I am still learning about myself and about others. I’m building connections with my peers and colleagues. Some differences I see from now and freshman year is that I’m no longer shy with myself, I finally built confidence and [I am] more open to meeting new people and being myself. I grew my social circle and expanded it to people who I wouldn’t usually talk to. That also helped me build my passion for cosmetology and inspired me to build a business and a better future.”
Q: What is your favorite high school memory?
“I’ve had a lot of good memories from sports. I play water polo and run track, and I enjoyed the games and meets. I was tied for first [in CCS for pole vaulting], so that was pretty sick and felt great. I had a good meet at St. Francis, and ended up winning that meet with a jump of 14 feet 6 inches. It’s an inch and a half off the school record, so I’m going for that.”
Q: What are your post-high-school plans and what has driven you towards them?
“I’m planning to go to Cal Poly and study [mechanical] engineering. I’ve always been interest ed in building stuff, and Cal Poly is pretty hands on. It started with remote controlled cars, and then I saw people building remote control planes, which I thought would be super hard, but I learned from my mistakes, and after 15 or so iterations, I finally built one that was able to fly.”
Q: What are some of the goals that you have for the next couple of years?
“I have several different goals. As for academic goals, I definitely want to get involved in a bunch of clubs at Cal Poly and continue making stuff. I also want to have time to pursue my own passions like chess, juggling and making new friends.”
Q: What roles have you had at Sequoia over the past 4 years?
“At Sequoia, I’ve held many roles but the ones I am most proud of have come through ASB. In ASB, I was one of our student body athletics commissioners my junior year and then one of our co-student body presidents this year! I have grown so much in my leadership capabilities through these roles. I’ve become a stronger communicator, learned to listen to others better, and grown in my confidence. It’s been so cool to be a part of the student life experience–making the high school experience the best it can be for all students.”
Q: How similar/different would you say you are to your freshmen self?
“I would say that I am quite different from my freshman year self. I am so much more confident than I was, especially in advocating for myself and others. Speaking publicly or with people I don’t know feels second nature. I’ve definitely matured and I get excited to try new things, learning along the way. I’ve learned that making mistakes is truly part of the learning process and you have to fall and get back up in order to keep going. I know it sounds cringey but it’s true. Making these mistakes is really what allowed me to get to the place I am today which is something I am very grateful for.”
Q: What inspired you to study in Germany?
“I did a semester there in 10th grade, and really loved it. I have spent a lot of time learning German, so I want to be able to use it. I’ve also always wanted to live in Germany since I was little, because I had friends from there and it seemed cool. It’s also a lot cheaper to go to school there than here, and overall a prettier and more fun place to live.”
Q: What sparked your interest in wanting to do equestrian vaulting?
Q: What a moment in high school that really shaped who you are today?
“A moment that shaped me considerably was the first time I ever played water polo. My first real experience at Sequoia was at the pool, doing pre-season training with the team. That was when I realized that for the first time, I had found a sport that I thoroughly enjoyed playing. It proceeded to take up much of my time over the next several years as I played club and did swim team to improve my skills for water polo. It also introduced me to some of the first friends I would make at Sequoia, and allowed me to form early connections, many of which I value today.”
Q: What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter of your life?
“I am looking forward to college. I’d like to continue to make friends and connect with people, while also pursuing my dream to become a doctor. I also want to continue to enjoy nature by going on camping trips and hikes near me. Most importantly though, I am looking forward to continuing the friendships I have now, staying in touch and frequently hanging out.”
Dominic Sweet
Q: What is one memory from high school that you’ll never forget, and why is it so important to you?
“I’ll never forget the bubble lab from regular chemistry because it was a crazy mental trip to hold bubbles on fire.”
Q: What is something you’re proud of accomplishing during your time in high school?
“I am proud of joining the swim team as part of a CAS experience in the IB Diploma program because I had almost no swim knowledge beforehand.”
Q: What are your plans for after graduation, and what are you most excited about for the future?
“I am most excited to be attending University of California, Berkeley to study in a joint major program for Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.”
Q: Who has had the biggest impact on your high school journey, and why did they influence you?
“Mr. Holcomb; tons of fun labs and freedom to explore chemistry, which furthered my interest in majoring in a related field.”
Liam Antonissen
Q: Why do you enjoy atv cage riding?
“It gives me a good feeling of adrenaline. The movement and the speed and just risking it all makes me feel free. Also, it gives me the opportunity to meet new people of different cultures that also have love for the same hobby. ATV riding has given me many opportunities to explore the world and bond with my family, bringing us closer together.”
Q: Who motivated you on your high school journey, and how did they influence you?
“Who motivated me throughout highschool are my DAA teachers and my Study skills teacher. Throughout high school I felt like I always had a shoulder to lean on because of how much they pushed me to succeed. Thanks to them I feel ready to enter the real world with a little less weight on my shoulder.”
Q: What is one memory from high school that you’ll never forget, and why is it so important to you?
“One memory from high school that I’ll never forget is probably the memories I’ve created in the DAA. Joining the DAA brought me a new opportunity to explore my creativity and not only that but also brought me closer with a few people. Honestly, there’s nothing I would change about my high school experience. It had its ups and downs but I feel it shaped me into the person I am today.”
Melissa Aguayo
Art by: Evan Inman, Caroline Sieling, Reese Silva and Reagan Yang
BY TATUM CHAUDHRY & TERI SULLIVAN Staff Reporters
As the 2025-26 school year comes to a close, soon many seniors will be moving away for college, leaving their homes behind. What places near Sequoia will be remembered?
What
are the most nostalgic local hangout spots?
“My favorite place to go in Sequoia Station was The Habit. My friends and I would stay in The Habit for hours just goofing around and talking [during finals week of sopho- more year]” senior London Dunlap said.
“Before COVID, I would go to Laurel Street after school on Wednesdays and get lunch. My friends and I liked to go to Maverick Jack’s before it closed. It was nice to be downtown, and this was the main time I would hang out with friends,” senior Athena Haberlach said.
What are the most nostalgic local food spots?
“It’s nostalgic to think about how I have been going downtown for almost all four years of my high school experience at Se quoia. I’ve made so many memories down town while getting Chipotle with friends,” ....senior Genna Pravdin said.
“I used to go to Burton Park after school in middle school and eat ice cream with friends. We used to sit on the grassy hill by the tree, which I used to climb. I love climbing and ice cream, and I haven’t been to an ice cream ..truck since,” senior Blake Piovesan said.
If you were to return later in life, where would you visit?
“Throughout high school, my friends and I always gravitated towards hanging out at Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay. I’ve been there when it’s 60 degrees and when it’s 90 degrees, and it’s enjoyable no matter what,” .....senior Skye Klinke said.
“I used to love going to the Starbucks Reserve in downtown Redwood City. I’m so sad that they closed it down, but downtown is still so nostalgic because of all the time I spent there in my earlier years of high ...school,” senior Keira McNally said.
Adapted from J.K. Rowling’s book “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone” the film follows 11-year-old orphan Harry Potter, who discovers he is a wizard, famous for surviving an attack by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. Attending Hogwarts, Potter makes friends, learns magic and thwarts a plot to steal the immortal Philosopher’s Stone, ultimately defeating a possessed Professor Quirrell.
“This movie is very personal to me because when I was younger I used to read all the books, also my Dad and I always watch them together,” senior Hazel Crofts said. “It has a cozy winter feeling that makes it enjoyable.”
The film follows Tiana, a hardworking waitress who dreams of opening her own restaurant in New Orleans. However, she turns into a frog after kissing a frog, named Prince Naveen. Together, they go on adventure through the Louisiana swamps searching how to become human again, ultimately falling in love. “The Princess and the Frog” has powerful themes of determination that continue to make the movie a comforting watch for students with childhood dreams.
“It showed me at a young age what a successful woman of color looks like, which was really inspiring,” senior Katie Lombera said. “I loved how Tiana worked hard for her dreams and never let anything stop her from achieving that. Plus, the music is so memorable and definitely one of the best in any Disney princess movie.”
As a senior Lombera finds herself relating even more to the movie than she used to.
“While she’s working toward opening her restaurant, I’m working through my college journey,” Lombera said.
When a young girl, Matilda, learns she has psychokinetic abilities, she uses them to deal with her abusive family and strict school principal.
“Growing up, it was one of the movies I watched over and over again, and each time I fell more in love with the story and characters,” senior Ashley Ogden said. “It taught me the importance of school and helped me appreciate strong relationships with friends and family.”
Matilda’s loving relationship with Miss Honey, later adoptive mother, allows Ogden to connect to the movie today, as it reminded her of her own experience with school teachers.
“I’ve been lucky to have Ms. Vaughan during my junior and senior year’s, she is my real life Miss Honey,” Ogden said. “Her class is always fun and she makes school a more positive and memorable experience for me.”
DYLAN BENSON Staff Reporter
In “The Parent Trap”, Lindsay Lohan plays two long lost sisters who meet for the first time at Summer Camp. Once they find out they are related, they plan to swap places on opposite sides of the world to get their divorced parents back together. “The Parent Trap” mixes humor, relatability, adventure and nostalgia, making it a favorite among seniors.
“It’s heartwarming and has such a wholesome ending,” senior Kennedy Silva said. “It’s also really funny, and as a twin, it feels more personal and relatable to me, which makes it even better to watch.”
The movie follows Remy, a rat, who hopes to be a professional cook at Gusteau’s restaurant. To achieve this, he teams up with the restaurant’s garbage boy, Alfredo Linguini. Overall, it’s a combination of creative storytelling and taste tied to memory, creating nostalgia for seniors.
“I love this movie because of its old animation style and its focus on cooking and restaurants, topic I really connect with,” senior Nick Henderson said.
“It’s also very nostalgic because of its iconic soundtrack, which I still hear today. But, the biggest rea son why I love “Ratatouille” is that movies like it just aren’t made anymore, especially ones with unique sto ries,” Henderson said.
The story follows Scotty Smalls, a new kid who learns to play baseball with a neighborhood team, going on adventures with them. Led by Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez, the group plays daily at a local sandlot but, when Smalls hits his stepfather’s Babe Ruth-signed baseball into the yard of “The Beast,” a ferocious dog, they must try and retrieve it.
“It reminds me of growing up and getting to hang out with my friends. We would always go on crazy adventures, sometimes even getting in where nior
Senior Soundtrack
BY NOAH PEGNA & HARRISON ROBERTS Staff Reporters
As the school year comes to a close, it is once again time for the seniors to wave goodbye to Sequoia and move on to what awaits them in the next chapters of their life. Throughout their time at high school, students undergo many different pivotal experiences and music can serve as a great way of defining these moments and encapsulating the phases which students undergo in their high school years.
“Music has shaped my identity, because, [...] a lot of songs you can resonate with and so [...] they can help you get through things, especially if you really listen to the lyrics and understand their meanings,” senior Amar Evans said.
Senior Ruby Miller feels similarly about music and its emotional properties.
“I think [music] gives you a lot of perspective into emotions and how to deal with them. Especially in high school, where you go through a lot of emotions,” Miller said.
Music can also serve as a medium for connecting with others, being individuals with similar musical preferences. However, it can also have the opposite effect. In the modern high school environment, many of these musical trends have become more popular than others and sometimes students may feel judged or unwelcome due to having music tastes that contrast with what is seen as normal by high school standards.
“I feel like, if I listen to country music or [other less common genres] [...] people will find it a bit weird. So I think, [...] a lot of times, people expect you to listen to certain types of music” Evans said.
Music can most also serve as a way of preserving phases of one’s life and can greatly encapsulate the feelings and memories one feels during these times. Miller agrees with this outlook.
“Music holds a lot of memories. Growing up, I’ve always been surrounded by music. My family’s always playing music in the house. [Because of that], specific memories of mine are tied to specific songs,” Miller said.
As this year’s seniors move on to the next chapters of their lives, the music which they listened to will serve as distinct reminders of what they have once done and who they once were.
“I think the music [I listened to earlier in high school reflects who I am today], because [...] the musical journey that you take builds upon itself. So what I listened to back in [...] my freshman year, I might not listen to now, but it has helped me build up to what I listen to now,” senior Charlie Cooney said.
To celebrate the memories which music can hold, a soundtrack has been compiled of most nostalgic and highschool defining songs, chosen by this year’s graduating class. This can be accessed through the QR code on the previous page.
TRACKLIST:
Lorde – Ribs
Mac Miller – Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza
Taylor Swift – Shake It Off
Ramones – Rock ‘n’ Roll High School
French Montana, Swae Lee – Unforgettable
Kiiara – Gold
The Wanted – Glad You Came
Zara Larsson – Lush Life
Taylor Swift – Fifteen
Miley Cyrus – Party In The U.S.A.
Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt – Super
Rich Kids
Mac Miller, Empire Of The Sun – The Spins
CORTIS – GO!
Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Drake – The Resistance
Ava Max – Kings & Queens
Kristin Stokes, Rob Rokicki – My Grand Plan
Harry Styles – Satellite
The Killers – Mr. Brightside
Far East Movement – Like A G6
Pitbull – Hotel Room Service
Drake – Flight’s Booked
Playboi Carti – Long Time - Intro Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
Imogen Heap – Headlock
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
America, George Martin – Ventura
Highway
Bad Bunny – DtMF
Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone
The Smiths – Nowhere Fast (2011 Remaster)
Hozier – Eat Your Young
The Backseat Lovers – Watch Your Mouth
Tyler, The Creator – Sucka Free
Beastie Boys – Time To Get Ill
Sleeping At Last – You Are Enough Chavo – Michigan
Trevor Daniel – Falling
C418 – Aria Math
PSY – Gangnam Style
Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne – Rather Be Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MØ – Lean On
Katy Perry – Teenage Dream
Taylor Swift – Blank Space
System Of A Down – Prison Song
Juana, Canticuentos – Mi Burrito Sabanero
Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition
GROUPLOVE – Tongue Tied
Neon Trees – Everybody Talks
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
MKTO – Classic
Current Joys – Kids
Dr. Dog – Where’d All the Time Go?
Earth, Wind & Fire – Let’s Groove
Black Eyed Peas – Rock That Body
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Tame Impala – The Less I Know The Better
Travis Scott, Playboi Carti – FEIN
THACKER
Illustrations by Emiliana Thacker & Reese Silva
Nostalgia, now connoted with bittesweet memories, was once labeled a medical or neurological disease, coined accompanied by maladaptive symp toms such as anorexia, fever, pain and despondency. By the turn of the 20th century, symptoms had expanded to anxiety, sadness, pessimism and insom nia, and was recognized as a form of depression. It wasn’t until the late 20th century when nostalgia began to be seen as what we consider it today.
“Some specific triggers of nostalgia for me are songs. Since I’m a musician, my life is filled with songs and being in a choir means there are lots of rehearsals. Songs get ingrained in my head which not only makes it more memorable, but more emotionally fused,” senior Liam Lowitz said.
However, nostalgia can differ from person to person. While some are especially nostalgic for earlier years of high school, others find more nostalgia in early childhood memories.
“Elementary school is the closest to me… I have the most positive memories from that time. I remember being so happy. Life was so simple, the biggest problems were friend drama and fighting with my brother. My worries
Now, psychologists describe nostalgia as help-seeking, enhancing to psychological health and well-being, as well as being able to reduce dys phoric states such as loneliness, bore dom, stress or death anxiety. Nostalgia can even be used with older adults to maintain emotional and memory func tions, and help psychological well being.
As seniors begin their next chapters beyond high school, many find them selves reflecting on the past.
“[Being in] senior year, everything seems like a ‘last time’ which automat ically makes me feel nostalgic. I think that the closer we get to graduation, the more memories we start thinking about from when we were young er,” senior Erin Chow said.
Elicited by a variety of trig gers, like objects, events from childhood, music or songs, photographs and even odors and taste, nostalgia can get to anyone.
The closer we get to graduation, the more memories we start thinking about from when we were
senior Erin Chow
those surrounding music.
Neuroimaging has shown that music stimulates many different areas of the brain while giving a hit of dopamine. For songs repeated often in memorable and formative times, the brain makes a strong association with specific emotions, triggering similar dopamine responses for years to come.
“[Performing Lux Æternat at the Battle of the Nations Monument] was the most nostalgic because it was almost like a perfect bookend to a decade long journey with people I consider my brothers who were moving on to college. Everything was perfect; the acoustics, the sound, the looks we shot at each other of pride and love made it a moment I remember and think back to. Every time I listen to Lux Æterna, I remember this moment, I feel the emotions I felt, remember everything I saw and reminisce on moments with my brothers,” Lowitz said.
Nostalgia is an inevitable part of senior year, and will be for the rest of our lives. Enjoy these moments with your friends, family and classmates. Before you know it, you’ll be nostalgic for what’s to come.
Lowitz, these are the most nostal gic memories of them all. In particular,
Art by Clara Horrigan
Running On Empty
BY SARA FLORES & JACQUELINE ROJAS Staff Reporters
That long-awaited senior year should be full of excitement, but in reality, it can feel nearly impossible as there is so much to juggle and major decisions to make. While it may feel overwhelming, this feeling of burnout is not uncommon.
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion that can occur when you feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained and unable to meet expectations. These situations often happen to high school seniors due to the stress of IB exams, extracurricular activities and jobs, as well as the mental and physical preparation for post-graduation plans such as committing to a college, college rejections, the military, trade or anything else. With this also comes the messy feelings of leaving and entering a new page in one’s life. Many seniors also have stress with meeting A-G requirements and ensuring they are on track for graduation. Fortunately, there are many ways to cope with stress and reach the accomplishments that seem so far away.
A common sentiment among many seniors is that they wish the workload wasn’t as excessive as it is in their senior year, especially given the amount of homework for IB classes. But non-IB classes, on top of juggling extracurriculars and possibly a job, can also quickly cause fatigue, as can mental strain. Many don’t have time to pursue hobbies or other extracurricular activities, as they don’t find enjoyment in them anymore.
“I’ve not had that much time to do what I actually want to do, which is really unfortunate to me. And in other years, I used to [rock] climb three or four times a week, and now I can only go once a week because I have so much homework,” senior Blake Piovesan said.
Academic burnout is real, and it can bleed into a person’s personal life, too. What doesn’t help is that the weekend seems too short to get all the work done.
“It can get really hard, especially with lots of homework. And then you have extracurriculars, so you don’t have time. Then you have homework you need to make up, and homework you already have to do, which can be difficult,” senior Caitlin Christman said. “So you get burnout a lot, especially when you’re still at school all day, and the weekends are only two days long and there’s no breaks.”
Not only because of the workload, but also issues with a certain teacher’s style of teaching, which can clash with a student’s style of learning. It can lead to stress when trying to perform well in class.
“The teacher has a lecture style of teaching and doesn’t really explain the information well which doesn’t really fit the way I learn,” senior Christel Pupunu said. “I’m a visual learner. I’d rather learn through seeing the steps for assignments than just hearing about it.”
Because of these factors, seniors are more than eager to put an end to all of this once they graduate.
“It’s just been a lot of work, and it’s been [several] years of me doing this, and I’m ready to move on, but it’s been a good experience,” Piovesan said.
However, the feeling is also bittersweet.
“I”m happy I’m graduating. I can go out more but I’m also scared and sad,” Pupunu said. “I feel like I didn’t do much in high school and regret it. But there will be more in the future to experience.”
There are many ways to cope with this stress; it can be as simple as spending time with friends, listening to music, watching movies or doing art.
Art by Sara Flores
BY EMERSON SINAY Staff Reporter
With graduation for the class of 2026 right around the corner, many seniors are thinking of what legacy they will leave behind and what advice to give to upcoming students.These can either be about personal or important experiences gained throughout high school.
Senior Luca Steiner stated that his main message for future upcoming freshmen is based on his experiences and personal growth throughout his past four years at Sequoia. One of the things Steiner has learned throughout these past four years is how to cope with stress.
“On a more personal level, I learned how to stay focused in class [and] how to again recognize when you need to stop [playing around and be serious], which I still struggle with but it’s gotten a lot better,” Steiner said.
Not only has the academic pressure helped Steiner grow academically but it has also helped him grow on a personal level including socially.
“Interacting with other people and my friends [has] helped me build an understanding of what is appropriate. What isn’t appropriate.When do I have to stop. What barriers exist. With the help of my friends and their [advice I have learned to respect boundaries] ” Steiner said.
Senior Maeva Guillaume bases her advice for upcoming students on her academic journey and involve ment here at Sequoia. Some of the things that she has learned throughout these years are multitasking, speaking up and becoming more social.
One of the ways Guillame learned to become more social and get in volved was by trying out for sports, clubs, ASB and other elec- tives offered. However, although Guillame learned to become more social, some of the most recent academic challenges she has faced are starting IB classes and learning how to deal with the new system of classes.
“[I realized] that it’s okay to do things by yourself especially [since] it’s such a big school, [so] you need to learn to advocate for yourself,” Guillame said.
Throughout these past years at Sequoia, senior Damaris Brizuela has built her advice around her own academic improvement, involvement and social development. Brizuela’s experience at Sequoia was at first sometimes overwhelming due to everything being new. Looking back to herself at the start of high school, some of the ways she believes she has grown are by learning
how to manage her involvement and schoolwork.
“I feel that I [have] grown a lot because my friends have influenced me to like getting to be more responsible and getting more involved [at] school,” Brizuela said.
One of the things that has helped Brizuela grow personally and become more social was her friends influencing her to join certain clubs and participate in other activities.
“Since the start of high school, I’ve grown a lot, both as a student and as a person. In the beginning, everything felt new and sometimes overwhelming, but over time, I learned how to manage all the work,” Brizuela said.
ROADS TO SUCCESS
BY GIO CARICIO Staff Reporter
After high school, students have many different paths they can take depending on their goals, interests and financial situation. One popular path is attending college, which typically provides more education, better job opportunities and possibly higher earning potential in the future. However, this is often an expensive and time consuming plan, and is not necessary for success. For students seeking immediate earning opportunities, trade schools, the military and direct employment, alternate paths offer accelerated, handson ways to career success.
The desire to have high earning potential is a very important goal for many, especially considering the cost of living in the Bay Area for a new college
to work and attend community college in an effort to maximize his future paycheck.
“I’m choosing to go to college because having work experience and a college diploma is something not a lot of people can say they have when they are fresh out of college. I’m doing all of this for money. This is the way I think I can get the most money with the highest success rate,” Northern said.
Another option that sets students up for higher wages is trade school, which focuses on specific crafts like construction, electrical work or mechanics. These programs are usually shorter and can be less expensive than attending college, but the real drive for trade school is that graduates are on a path to a six-digit income quicker. In many cases, vocational trades are less likely to be replaced by AI and many people find this path better if they prefer
“What made me not go into college after high school is I want to go straight into work and make money. I plan on going into an electrical apprenticeship. What excites me about this is that
I like doing hands-on work.” senior Alonso Herrera said.
Since traditional college curriculum often fail to align with the career goals of hands-on learners, trade schools offer a valuable alternative that combines practical skill acquisition with career preparation.
Another career path that leads to unlimited career opportunities, hands on training and an immediate paycheck is the military. The military also offers Tuition Assistance for active-duty members, covering up to 100% of college tuition costs while serving. Additionally, the Government Issue Bill provides veterans with 36 months of in-state public tuition, housing stipends and book money.
“I think joining the military will not only allow me to stay disciplined, but I can point myself in the right direction of what I’d like to do once I return to civilian life. Being able to provide for yourself, be independent and live a stable life is not taught in school, and most people will have to learn these things with time,” senior Samantha Palmerin said.
There is no “right” path after high school. Each option depends on the student and what they want for their future.
SENIOR CHECKLIST
BY CESAR JIMENEZ & RYANT PERALTA Staff Reporters
Senior year is the last step in every high school student’s journey. Since this is the high school “Finale”, seniors are excited to participate in all kinds of end of year activities with friends and classmates. There are many senior events, some that are aimed at fun, and others that are rewarding because of the effort they entail. Seniors shared their thoughts on which activities they were looking forward to the most.
Gio Caricio
“I’m really looking forward to graduating, because I’m ready to open up my life to new opportunities, and grow in every single aspect of my life. I am kind of stressed about the IB tests because I’m hustling and staying in a room for 3 hours is stressful.”
Movie night
Maéva Guillaume
“I’m really looking forward to the last week of activities, like Signing Day and Senior Ditch Day because at that point no one would have any homework or schoolwork and it’s our last chance to really enjoy each other’s company. I’m also really looking forward to Prom because I love our venue, it’s our last one, and I’ve had the chance to help plan it so it’s got a special place in my heart.”
Pie a senior Senior superlatives
Senior
soakers
Spring break
Prom night IB tests
Senior
sunset
Senior
ditch day
Commitment day
Graduation
Genna Pravdin
“I don’t have a formal checklist, but I definitely have some things I want to do before I graduate. I want to hang out with friends doing certain things, whether it’s a simple as just like going to the mall, or going somewhere like a little senior trip. Maybe go on a California adventure, hangout in the pool or maybe drive down to the bay.”
SENIOR SOAKERS
BY WILL HERRO Staff Reporter
Senior Soakers, also known as Senior Assassin, is a high-stakes competitive game of elimination played via water gun. While it is not a school affiliated activity, it is a rite of passage for the senior class, with 164 Sequoia students competing this year.
The competition starts in March, with seniors pairing up in duos and creating unique and often pun-filled team names. Some notable names from this year’s teams include: Splash and Dash, Squirt Squad and Fat Juicy and Wet.
Teams buy into the game with a $10 fee and the winning team takes home the grand prize of the combined money. The goal of the game is to eliminate other teams and be the last team “standing”. A tell-tale sign of a student competing is a small pool floaty around an arm or leg, which acts as a shield, giving a person immunity from being soaked. Participants go to great lengths for a “kill”; some wait hours for their target, while others use crafty tactics. Every participant has a unique story of strategy, betrayal or soaked clothes.
TECHNICAL FOUL ON SABASTION LADERMAN - JONES
Sebastian Laderman Jones: “Oli [Linden] and I were going to get our targets before my lacrosse game, but our targets were at the game. During the game (without Oli or I noticing), they took my water gun from my bag so I couldn’t use it on them. After the game, I asked my target if it was ok if I gave him a friendly tackle as an after-game gift. He said sure. Before the huddle ended, he and his partner sprinted away and I ran after them. I caught up to my target and tackled him on the field, and Oli was able to spray him on video. I was stupid and forgot that you couldn’t just tackle someone, so it didn’t count.”
A FLOATIE WON’T SAVE YOU FROM THIS ONE LUKE
Charlie Cooney: “First day of senior soakers… Luke went to camp out our target’s house… he hid in a bush at 6am with his bright blue and transparent water gun and the neighbor called the police saying he had a real gun and was waiting at the door. The police showed up, arrested/patted down Luke and then let him go once they found out he had a water gun.”
LUCIA’S GOT THE INSIDE SCOOP
Lucia Niño-Sears: “The first week we got lucky by getting our friends Lilian and Charlotte. I have several classes with them, and they weren’t aware that I had them so I was able to get a lot of information out of them about what their weeks were looking like. I remember Lilian telling me that she was thinking about putting her car in her garage which made me scared because I had already planned on staking out outside her house and that would have prevented me from getting her. That morning of purge though, I found her car outside and hid behind it and caught a really funny moment when Lilian realized that she had been feeding me information all week about her schedule and was shocked to see me as the person that had her.”
BY HENRY GIARDI Staff Reporter
For seniors, graduating high school often means leaving classes, friends and family behind as they move on to pursue further education and careers. For many, this transition means hobbies and sports meet the end of their road. In high school, sports mean teammates, experiences, wins and playing games with your classmates. Although it can be hard to move on from these sports, seniors can look back on good memories and lasting connections made in the games, practices and events across their athletics.
“My favorite part of running cross country was the really difficult practices where we would run to Clifford and do 1000 [meter runs]. We would all be together, being sad together. It really felt like we were a team there,” senior cross country runner, Brennan Sherman said.
“I think the moments off the court were definitely my favorite ones. [...Over] winter break, we went to Palm Springs, stayed in Airbnb together and played a tournament. I think those moments are the ones I’ll remember even more than the games themselves,” senior basketball player, Isaiah Hahn Tapper said.
“I started in my sophomore year, and I already knew a couple people on the team, and [the team] just felt like family, from the day I joined. That’s what kept me sticking with it,” senior wrestler Luca Steiner said.
“For badminton, I started out as a beginner player, and then I worked my way up to captain. Not because I’m good, but because I was able to communicate with others and gather others,” senior badminton player, Ava Curry said.
“I practice a lot with my club, but I compete with Sequoia, [...] I think that makes it a lot more special, because when I come to Sequoia I can see the different communities, [of] club versus high school. And I also think just like being with a lot of the underclassmen that might not know as much about the sport, I can really help them, and that’s really special to me,” senior swimmer, Erin Chow said.
“I think the thing that I’m most proud of and that I’ll take on to college [and] future endeavors, is who we became as a group. This team became super close, and that closeness we built made us better on the field, but it also made us showing up every day to practice, which can be a challenge because it’s a winter sport. That’s something the team was willing to do in order to support each other and better the team overall,” senior soccer player, Kate Dutton said.
“The people and experiences were the biggest things for me, because a lot of them I’ve been friends with for years now, and people I can depend on. That really helps with making all the great memories from playing sports,” senior softball player, Jamie Elkington said.
“One important lesson I learned from high school sports that I’ll take [with me] was learning how to stay patient through tough and long rounds of golf. It’s important to forget the past and focus on your next shot. It’s helped me learn discipline and mental control which I can carry into other things like school,” senior golfer, Alex Kodl said.
“I’ve made some, really long time friends now that are really close to me that I probably will stick with even after I graduate. I think friendships are like the best part about sports, because not only are you working together, but you’re also meeting people who have the same interests and like the same skills as you,” senior tennis player, Kylie Ho said.
Every year seniors get the chance to play their sports one last time, sports that many had played for most of their lives. Some athletes continue to play in college but for most, senior year is their last chance to take the field. In high school sports, a pretty universal theme is apparent: athletes aren’t remembering scores, they are remembering connecting with teammates and connecting with each other through
1. University of Southern California
2. Dickinson College
3. University of Oregon
4. UC Berkeley
5. UC San Diego
6. College of San Mateo