The Squire
VOLUME
7 ISSUE 1
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL
Riordan ranks fourth among SF private schools in UC acceptance rates
By Noelle Trout Grade
8
Lipman Middle School
The San Francisco Chronicle’s latest article on San Francisco private schools’ acceptance rates puts Archbishop Riordan High School in the top four and top two of Catholic High Schools in the City.
Riordan came in at number four, with an overall acceptance rate to the University of California’s most competitive schools (Berkeley, UCLA, Irvine, San Diego, and Santa Barbara) at 17 percent.
Convent of the Sacred Heart was number one with 22 percent, followed by Proof School and International High School at 21 percent, and Lick-Wilmerding at 20 percent.
This means that Riordan outperformed St. Ignatius and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in acceptance rates to top UC campuses for the Class of 2025.
For comparison, Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep had an acceptance rate of 15 percent and St. Ignatius was 17 percent.
Although the percentage of acceptance rates at SHC and SI are close to Riordan’s, the ranking is also based on the number of applicants who are accepted.
For example, Riordan students submitted 413 applications to
the top UC schools and received 72 acceptances while SI students submitted 959 applications and received 161 acceptance letters.
For SHC, the rate was 98 acceptance letters for 652 applications.
Among Catholic high schools in the City, Convent of the Sacred Heart was first, followed by Riordan and Immaculate Conception Academy Cristo Rey. English teacher Susan Sutton, who teaches seniors at Riordan and graduated from ICA, said, “I’m extremely proud of both of my
schools–my home and my alma mater.”
She continued, “The senior English teachers at Riordan have been working very closely with each other and the counselors the past five years to push our students to aim high while providing them with the best opportunity to succeed, including new courses, new novels, and new, challenging assessments.”
Please see “UC acceptance rate” on Page 3
Graphic by The Squire staff
The Squire
Archbishop Riordan High School
The Squire: Summer 2025
Staff members of The Squire consisted of fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students as reporters, and Riordan students and alumni as photographers and editorial assistants.
The Squire
Staff Reporters
Madeleine Abanto
Isabella Burke
Soleil Ceili Campbell
Olivia Elsbernd
Zosia Gotlib
Liam Hwang
Jeremy La
Alvin Liu
Annika Noto
Juliana Ragaza
Miles Ragaza
Bridget Salomon
Noelle Trout
Vivian Yee
Editorial Assistants
Dani Lainez ’26
Joseph Zuloaga ’23
Adviser
Susan Sutton, MJE
Note: The name of the Camp Crusader newspaper was changed from The Crusader Junior to The Squire in 2018. A squire is “an attendant to a knight before becoming a knight.”
3 Campus News
The Squire Archbishop Riordan High School
Continued from Page 1
Riordan ranks fourth among SF private schools in UC acceptance rates
Assistant Principal of Academics
Nate Simon ’99 noted that Riordan saw a dramatic increase in applications and acceptances after becoming co-ed in the fall of 2020.
The UC acceptance rates of the Class of 2024 were surpassed this year by the record-breaking Class of 2025. This trend is expected to continue from the promising incoming seniors at Riordan High School.
Sutton added, “This is not the peak of our success, it’s just the beginning.”
These results highlight Riordan’s growing academic impact and demonstrate how the school is emerging as a top feeder for competitive UC schools, especially UCLA and Berkeley.
Naomi Lin ’24, currently
“Expand your horizons… think about where you’ll be challenged to grow. The jobs our current 7th and 8th graders will eventually apply for don’t currently exist. Learn how to learn, and embrace change.”
-Nate Simon ’99 Assistant Principal of Academics
studying at UC Berkeley, said, “I definitely do not think I would have been as competitive of an applicant for UC Berkeley had it not been for Riordan’s newspaper, which I had the privilege of leading during my senior year.”
She added, “During my time on staff, I discovered new interests and explored different facets of my personality, which greatly helped frame the narratives of my UC application essays.”
Simon advised students: “Expand your horizons… think about where you’ll be challenged to grow. The jobs our current 7th and 8th graders will eventually apply for don’t currently exist. Learn how to learn, and embrace change.”
“Let us create a journalism of peace . . . a journalism that is truthful and opposed to falsehoods, rhetorical slogans, and sensational headlines. A journalism created by people for people, one that is at the service of all, especially those – and they are the majority in our world – who have no voice.”
-Pope Francis
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Archbishop Riordan High School
Riordan drama announces upcoming performances
By Isabella Burke and Olivia Elsbernd Grade 7
St. Philip School
In May, the Riordan Drama Department announced its upcoming productions for the 2025-2026 school year. The spring musical will be “Hadestown” and the winter play will be “They Promised Her the Moon.”
Each production will take about 10 weeks, with the actors rehearsing four days a week, one to two hours a day. The auditions for “They Promised Her the Moon” will take place the last week of August, and the auditions for “Hadestown” will be the first week of December.
In regards to choosing a cast, Drama Director Greg Callaghan wants “People who can be another person. I’m looking for someone who can change their voice, be an older or younger person,” he said.
“Hadestown” is a Greek mythology story about two mortals, Orpheus and Eurydice, who fall in love with each other, but Eurydice dies. Hades allows Orpheus to go to the underworld to retrieve Eurydice, but the catch is, he can’t turn around to see if she’s still following him.
No spoilers, but remember, this is a Greek tragedy.
“They Promised Her the Moon” follows the story of Jerrie Cobb, who wanted to be the first female astronaut to go to the moon. She had to go through many
trials, but even after doing better than the men, she did not get the chance to go to the moon.
Callaghan chose this play because he is committed to showcasing female playwrights as Riordan mostly produced male written shows for its first 70 years.
He chose “Hadestown” because no other Catholic school in San Francisco had done it before and he loves the play.
Ciarra Mangibuyat ’27, Arts & Entertainment Editor for The Crusader newspaper, said, “I am excited for the upcoming play and musical that Riordan will have to offer! I have never seen ‘Hadestown’, but have heard many great things about it.”
“As for the play, ‘They Promised Her the Moon,’ I am intrigued to see how Mr. Callaghan intends to portray it on stage. This is a fairly new play that most people do not know of so I think it will be a fun change of pace for Riordan’s performers,” Mangibuyat added.
“I am excited for the upcoming play and musical that Riordan will have to offer!”
-Ciarra Mangibuyat ’27 Arts & Entertainment Editor
The Squire
Archbishop Riordan High School
Pen and paper rule over phones in classroom
By Zosia Gotlib Grade 6
All
Souls Catholic School and Bridget Salomon Grade
5
St. Finn Barr School
Cell phones are everywhere–even in the classroom– and are becoming as common as pen and paper, but students and teachers alike agree that phones are more of a distraction than a helpful tool.
Vice Principal of Academics
Nate Simon ’99 and David Lin ’99, Director of Boarding and Camp Crusader, said that phone use shouldn’t be allowed in the classroom.
Simon said, “There is a time and place to use phones, but classrooms are not one of them.”
At Archbishop Riordan High School, students are allowed to use their phones in certain classes, but most teachers do not allow them.
Simon said the school has a “One to One” rule, which states that each student must have a device for schoolwork, like a laptop or iPad, but phones are not to be used for schoolwork in the classroom.
Riordan students are allowed to use their phones at lunch and after school.
Nora Lee ’27 said, “In class we normally use our computers and only in some classes we are allowed to use a phone.”
When teenagers use their phones in class some teachers think that it is not useful and prevent phone use in the classroom by having
Miles Witte ’27 uses his phone during lunch at Camp Crusader.
a “No Phone Rule” and provide phone holders or pockets where students must put their phones until the end of class.
Simon said, “The students are allowed to use their phones during lunch and extracurricular activities, but we encourage students to spend more time interacting with their classmates.”
Many have argued about what to do with phones in the class. Ignore them? Prohibit them? Allow them?
In the end, phones are not going away, but neither are the restriction rules and so students will have to learn how to manage without them in a classroom environment.
“There is a time and place to use phones, but classrooms are not one of them.”
-Nate Simon ’99 Vice Principal of Academics
Photo by Dani Lainez ’26
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Archbishop Riordan High School
Summer reading encourages education, empathy
By Liam Hwang
Grade 7
Hoover
Middle School and Alvin Liu
Grade 7
West Portal Lutheran School
At Riordan High School, students are reading the book titled Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay.
The book Patron Saints Of Nothing follows Jun, a Filipino American teenage boy, who has to get over the guilt and grief of his cousin’s death.
English Department Chair Richard Sylvester ’01, a Filipino American, said, “The story of this fictional Filipino family is important because it gives readers a chance to gain a new perspective. I share the same cultural background as the narrator, and the characters and their values in this book feel accurate to experiences from my life.”
He added, “The book touches on a variety of issues and conflicts that many of have faced and will face involving identity, social class, assimilation, and more.”
During the summer, students have to make a Balikbayan Inspired Box. In the box there should be five physical items that represent their family tradition, interests, or to represent someone in their family.
A Balikbayan box is filled with items that relatives in the United States send to family members in the Philippines and includes
Karen Ngan ’27 catches up on her summer reading during a break.
treats and essentials that are not available there or difficult to find.
After making the box, they have to make a video about it and show the five items.
Patron Saints of Nothing was chosen because “it’s an engaging story with mystery and moments of tension that the committee thought Riordan students would enjoy,” said Sylvester.
He added, “When something doesn’t feel just right, Jun does something about it. I hope students are inspired by his journey and also gain a new perspective on the privileges we
are blessed to have here in the United States versus in other countries.”
“I’d recommend Patron Saints of Nothing,” said Loghan Hwang ’27. “I think this book will affect students by giving them an open mind of what’s going on in the world.”
Sylvester said, “ To me, all reading is beneficial whether you’re reading novels, short stories, comic books, graphic novels, poetry, or even articles like this one! Reading makes you think, makes you imagine, makes you empathize.”
“I hope students are inspired by his journey and also gain a new perspective on the privileges we are blessed to have here in the United States.”
Photo by Dani Lainez ’26
The
Squire Archbishop Riordan High School
Camp Crusader celebrates 45 years of summer fun
By Madeleine Abanto Grade 6 Notre Dame Elementary
Since 1980, Camp Crusader only consisted of sports. Students played games in the parking lot, on the field, and in the gym. Everything was about sports, until one year they switched to focusing on mornings for academics and the afternoons for sports and enrichment.
This leads to the question: Are the changes all good or do some have a negative impact?
David Lin ’99, Director of Camp Crusader, said the changes had a very positive impact because not everyone likes sports, and this gives people who don’t like them the opportunity to do an activity that’s a better fit for them.
The hope is that if they try something new and decide they don’t like it, they have the opportunity to switch.
“We hope families and students get to connect, and make new friendships,” said Lin.
Greg Callaghan, Drama Director and teacher for the Camp Crusader drama enrichment course, said this is the first year there’s been a theater elective at Camp Crusader. Callaghan did Camp Crusader when he was in fourth grade, and said the change was
“I’ve had a great week at camp, learning and making new friends.”
-Julian Abanto 8th grader at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
positive because “Not everyone’s an athlete.”
He added, “As the theater director, this gives me a good chance to see what talent is out there.”
Camp Crusader student Julian Abanto, an 8th grader at Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School, said that he enjoys the balance between academics, and sports, and especially
enjoys all the nice people at Camp Crusader.
Abanto said he likes the opportunity to try something new, and how inclusive everyone at camp is. For instance, he appreciates how the coaches help make it easy for all students to participate. He said, “I’ve had a great week at camp, learning and making new friends.”
Photo by Dani Lainez ’26 Students use microscopes in Camp Crusader’s science class.
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Archbishop Riordan High School
Valkyries vault into WNBA with violet vengeance
St.
By Alaina Escobar Grade 8
Dunstan Catholic School
As the 2025 NBA Championships come to an end, many people around the Bay Area are now focused on the new WNBA team that has just been created.
The Golden State Valkyries have been taking a lead and showing off their amazing capabilities as the Bay Area’s new favorite team.
Recent news reports indicated they are the first professional women’s basketball franchise that is valued at $500 million. This value is nearly double the average WNBA value for other franchise teams.
According to Drama teacher Greg Callaghan, who has season pass tickets to all Valkyries games, “It’s amazing and definitely not what anyone was expecting.”
With the energy that the Valkyries are showing this season, fans around the Bay Area and world think that they have lots of potential that could possibly lead them to being WNBA Champions.
The Valkyries have had an amazing run this season so far with their recent winning streak of five games and most likely many more to come.
The creators of this franchise Joe Lacob and Peter Guber seemed to have made one of the best decisions in the sports world and lots of people have been delighted with this new team and all their accomplishments so far.
Former basketball player
by Greg Callaghan
Drama director Greg Callaghan and Regina Moore, Director of Communications at the SF SPCA, on the Valkyries’ opening night.
for Saint Ignatius and University of the Pacific Maddie Ennis, who is now the assistant coach for the girls basketball team here at Riordan, pointed out some tips and tricks that could be useful for players during a rough game.
“What I tell my players a lot of the time is to stay poised, stay calm, trust their training, and be confident.”
Many players might also agree that the energy of the crowd also helps your mindset during a game and might boost your confidence.
“I think that the energy and just feeling the support from a community is what’s really important,” Ennis stated.
Members of the Valkyries and every other team in the WNBA,
are breaking records left and right and truly showing what they’re capable of.
The WNBA has been alongside the NBA for many years and not many people have appreciated it as much as they do for the NBA. Some people might think that they don’t have what it takes to be equal to an NBA team.
Having this much pressure is just as hard as the pressure an NBA team has, which proves that WNBA teams should also have the same respect every other sports team has.
This sport may be what younger girls in the world need in the sports world as something to look up to and inspire them to be like these groundbreaking women in the future.
Photo
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Archbishop Riordan High School
Who is the GOAT of the goals? Messi or Ronaldo?
By Miles Ragaza Grade 6
Holy Name School and Jeremy La Grade 6
A.P. Giannini Middle School
As the anticipation for World Cup soccer in the Bay Area increases, so does the debate: Messi or Ronaldo?
After conducting research and several interviews with students and teachers at Riordan, there is a tie–5 and 5– between Messi and Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi, who represents his home country of Argentina, is the team’s all-time leading scorer. In addition, he has played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, which competes in the Major League Soccer in the Eastern Conference.
Cristiano Ronaldo, from Portugal, has played for his home country’s team as well as Manchester United and Real Madrid. In 2024-2025, Ronaldo finished the Saudi Pro League season “with 25 league goals, becoming the league’s top scorer for a second consecutive time,” according to goal.com.
Those who picked Ronaldo did so because of his celebration and speed, which some say is better than Messi.
“On the other hand, Messi has something that Ronaldo does not. Messi has won the World Cup. But, Ronaldo has a lot of valuable trophies,” said Miles Witte ’27, Boys Sports Editor for The Crusader newspaper.
Those who chose Messi note his numerous awards for teams and as an individual.
In 2024, David Beckham, Inter Miami co-owner, was quoted on FIFA.com as saying, “One of the reasons why we bought him was to inspire the next generation of soccer players in America to want to be soccer players. So bringing him does that and it’s an important thing for us. Someone like that changes the game. Someone like that inspires another generation of soccer players.”
In regards to the FIFA Ballon d’Or, an award presented by France, since 2010, Messi has
won it eight times, and Ronaldo triumphed five times. The Best FIFA Men’s Player has gone to Ronaldo twice and Messi three times since 2016.
It is unclear whether they are friends, but they respect each other and they play with different styles. For instance, Messi is better at dribbling and Ronaldo is better at shooting. Both are hard workers and respect the sport, so others respect them.
People have different opinions about who to choose, but it is clear that both Messi and Ronaldo have many fans and supporters who are hoping to see them play in the 2026 World Cup.
Photos by Wikimedia Commons
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal are considered the best soccer (fútbol) players in the world.
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Archbishop Riordan High School
Live action dragon tale flies into theaters
By Olivia Elsbernd Grade 7
St.
Philip School
The new “How to Train Your Dragon” live action version came out on June 13 and in only two weeks has made upwards of $369,500,000.
The film has been praised by many for being faithful to the original movie, but came out with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 77 percent and fell short to the original movie, which had a 99 percent in Rotten Tomatoes. However, where the movie fell short in critics’ eyes, it made up for in the audiences’ eyes with the movie getting 98 percent in the Popcorn Meter.
The actors themselves were praised for their performance, especially Mason Thames who plays Hiccup.
“A strong ensemble cast – particularly Thames, who showcases both a sympathetic vulnerability and an endearing quiet strength as the sensitive Hiccup,” according to Nikki Baughan of Screen International.
I agree with what critics are saying about the acting of the cast, as it was spot on and I actually felt like I was watching something that was really happening, not just people acting.
The movie itself had everything that the original had, but something that I appreciated about the remake was that it added the character of Hiccup’s mother, and even mentioned her many times. In the original, she was never mentioned.
I also think that the visual effects crew did a great job. Going into the movie I assumed that the CGI dragons wouldn’t be realistic looking, but luckily I was wrong. They looked like they were right beside the actors.
The score for the movie was well-written and it added another layer of sound and emotion to the movie.
However, I do think the movie was just made to make money.
Chloe Lei, a 7th grader at West Portal Lutheran, said, “They just wanted to make money. There’s no more original movies anymore.”
And I do agree with her. When you look at the recent movies that Disney is making, it’s clearly true. With Pixar’s new movie “Elio,” which is expected to not meet expectations, I wonder which beloved movie will be remade next.
I think that the essence of the original film was there, with many of the same lines and scenes being similar, and I even laughed at a few of the jokes.
I am really glad that the filmmakers stayed true to the original movie, and I like the addition of Hiccup’s mother, which helped fix the main plot hole in the original.
My ticket cost $18.68 on a random Wednesday night. I bought it on Fandango, which adds money to the total, so if you buy tickets in person, it will
probably be cheaper.
If you are a fan of the original movie, I’d recommend this live action version, even if you have not seen the original. This movie is great for families of all ages and best for people ages 7-13.
The “How to Train Your Dragon” film (live action remake) is now in theaters.
Universal Pictures