Ways to spend your Valentines Day.
Feburary 2024
Mr. Ammann: Teacher, Economist, Historian, and Basketball enthusiast.
An inside look on the audition process for Talon Theater’s “The Pirate Queen”.
Students debate on whether Basketball or Football season is better.
Volume XXXVI, Issue 3
WCEA, or Western Catholic Educational Association, recently visited our campus for our six-year accreditation visit. WCEA is a smaller category within WASC , or Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
This accreditation program is when schools create attainable goals with action plans to further improve the school’s atmosphere and then rate themselves in each category of accreditation.
WCEA received a draft report of our school’s action plans and ratings to ensure we are constantly growing in Catholic identity, operational vitality, leadership, and academic excellence.
Since this year was our accreditation year, a committee put together by the superintendent came to visit our school to confirm the accuracy of the draft report sent to WCEA.
This committee visited each class and got an inside look at what our school’s community is like.
“The committee said that we were off-the-charts in terms of our draft. While it wasn’t a surprise, it was nice to know that we are keeping up with our school’s impressive reputation,” Principal Cheri Wood said.
Evaluation starts with the self. In anticipation of the accredidation year, Wood put together a group to evaluate SMCHS in accordance to WCEA and WASC standards. Everyone gave their input and had an opportunity to share their opinions. They went through every criterion and Wood listened to their valuable input.
With the help of Peer Ministry and ASB, Wood not only finished the report, but has a better and more valuable understanding our school’s strengths.
The WCEA rubric has four domains for evaluation: Mission and Catholic Identity, Governance and Leadership, Academic Excellence,
Photos by SMCHS WCEA
and Operational Vitality, with each domain earning a different score. Each section describes a different aspect of what being a high-achieving Catholic school means.
The first domain, Mission and Catholic Identity, focused on demonstrating how SMCHS infuses charisms into everyday learnin.
The second domain, Leadership, stated that SMCHS will improve communication with stakeholders.
The third domain, Academic excellence, will improve the practice of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Finally, the fourth domain, Operational Vitality,
worked to create a plan to retain teachers. With COVID, keeping teachers has been difficult.
“During our accreditation, we complete our action plan along with new ones we’ve created along the way,” Wood said, “COVID was never in the action plan but we adjusted.”
As COVID was within the last six years of accreditation, the action plan had to change a lot. COVID shocked everyone and provoked more out-of-state moves for teachers. Wood works diligently to reatin good teachers while giving them benefits and fair pay.
Constantly improving can be a challenge. People are pushed to their limit to help SMCHS be its best. Now that we are out of COVID times and starting a new cycle of six years, we will create a new action plan to help our school reach its full potential.
“Catholic schools have a special model compared to independent schools which sets us apart in terms of helping students search for their spiritual, emotional, and moral compasses in our world today,” Wood said.
Although most California schools participate in WASC, only
five high-schools in the Diocese of Orange partake in the WCEA accreditation. Accreditation impacts our school because it compels everyone to be limitless. We set goals and SMCHS thrives in result. This accreditation just proves everything we already know about our school and the standards we set for ourselves.
“We obviously know that SMCHS isn’t perfect,” Wood said. “But we’re always on the search to find out what we need to change to better serve our students.”
It’s that stressful time of year again: when high school seniors finish finalizing their college applications. The application process might feel like a maze full of deadends, with constantly changing requirements and potential ways to get disqualified. Students today applying for the 2024 fall semester face an especially confusing landscape: balancing extracurriculars, grades, awards, and achievements.
In recent rounds, standardized testing has become more and more optional for U.S. colleges and universities. Students can choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application without being penalized; colleges are promising this will not impact their decision.
A good idea for a prospective applicant is to research the median score at the school of their choice. Should they fall in the upper 50 percentile, they might want to consider submitting it. However, it should be noted that it costs $12 to send official SAT reports and $18 to send the ACT.
Admissions offices claim test-optional policies help expand access and equity. However, critics argue it has unintentionally made the admissions process more complex to navigate. Students also complain of unclear messaging on which tests remain mandatory or optional depending on the college - this can be fixed with a quick Google search, so be sure to do your due diligence.
What this all means: the lack of testing places heavier emphasis on more subjective criteria like essays, extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation.
To aid in organizing materials and editing essays, some students consider hiring college counselors.
This is absolutely not a necessary step due to the subjectivity of the modern admittance process and the cost of hire. It is sufficient to have a trusted adult or friend review your essays and use checklists/spreadsheets to stay on top of everything.
On top of that, early decision and early action application deadlines loom especially large this season. Applying early decision (which is binding, meaning if you get accepted, you must enroll) gives a boost in terms of acceptance rate, sometimes even doubling your chances. The early decision pool is smaller and often more competitive, but you gain an edge over regular decision and other pools. For students deciding if they want to apply early decision to one school should consider if this is the place they would turn down every other university for. Competition feels fiercer than ever for coveted early spots, further heightening senior year stress levels.
Overall, here are some tips:
1) Know your deadlines
2) Mark all deadlines for different colleges on a calendar and prepare backward. Many schools now have early decision or early action options with fall deadlines. Getting applications in early even by a few weeks will, at the very least, keep your stress down as you get more time to revise.
3) Tailor your essays. START EARLY! Many students make this mistake.
4) College essays require real self reflection, not just bragging about achievements. Admissions officers want to learn who you are beyond grades and test scores. Take time to creatively reflect on meaningful life moments that capture your personality.
5) Grammar mistakes are application killers. Review essays line by line multiple times over days to catch errors your eyes may initially gloss over. Better yet, have both friends and adults proofread from a fresh perspective.
6) Double check requirements. Many students miss key application components like forgetting to send scores, filling out the SRAR, or missing financial aid paperwork (FAFSA has become a shorter form, however, it now requires a guardian account). Create checklists for each school and confirm you have submitted everything required to avoid quick rejection.
7) Colleges look closely at senior year classes. Allow enough time for core subjects instead of cramming too many electives. Remember to maintain involvement with meaningful extracurricular activities instead of constantly adding new ones.
Planning - Checklists are a great option for the college application process
Many colleges offer scholarships. For example, USC automatically considers applicants for scholarships if you apply early action (another option of rounds/ pools you can apply with). Other schools, like Boston University, will require an additional essay or a special deadline for merit scholarship consideration.
While building a college list can be difficult, don’t shy away from dedicating hours to it. Aafter all, this may be where you land for the next four years of your life! You can consider location, distance from home, size, sports, greek life, atmosphere, food, dorms, and traditions.
Finally, in terms of writing
essays, arguably the most important component, you should draft in your own voice. Admissions officers will appreciate this authenticity. Avoid common essay topics; rather, a subject that sparks your passion (making Jell-o, paper mache) or an impactful experience you had will be a stronger, more captivating essay. While nothing eliminates application anxiety, staying organized, tailoring essays, and focusing on genuine self-reflection can help anxious students power through the process successfully. With smart planning and creativity, your right college match awaits!
It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year, class scheduling! Starting from mid-January, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are able to start picking their classes for next year, and look towards their futures.
Students are able to fill out their class choices using a Microsoft-powered form, and also have the opportunity to meet with their designated counselors if they want to schedule a meeting to discuss next years’ schedules.
Counselor Brianne Yazdizadeh encourages students to read the coursebook to see what kind of classes are offered.
“I would also have students look at what they’re passionate about,” Yazdizadeh said.
From dance to AP Statistics to to marine biology, there are numerous options offered for classes.
“Some students look for different APs, but students do the best when they are passionate about what they want to do, or something of interest.” Yazdizadeh added.
As students near college and start thinking about possible college majors and their career paths, it is important for students to take classes that align with their interests.
However, some students can be unsure of what they want to do when they’re adults, especially when these decisions are asked to be made when they’re just teenagers. Any questions about what classes to take next year regarding their future career interests can also be answered by the counselors to provide guidance.
“It’s great when students come to counselors with a bunch of different questions, because that way is when we can answer things directly, kind of help steer and guide as best as we can.” Yazdizadeh said.
As the scheduling window progresses, students and parents alike are encouraged to leverage the resources offered by counselors, ensuring informed decisions aligning with individual aspirations.
The parking lots can be notoriously difficult to get out of after school but with the recent implementation of a “no backing-in” rule it makes mornings just as bad and afternoons worse. While the idea of pulling into your spot makes sense to many students in the busy morning, for many this rule has caused upset and extra stress.
Students who arrive early to a nearly empty lot feel like this rule is unfair and they should be able to park however is easiest for them to leave after school, which in many cases means being able to pull straight forward after the bell. Junior Carolina Muratalla explained,
“I have experienced getting out of the backlot as well after school since the new rule has been put in, and it takes just as long if not longer to get out of the lot as it did before. With all due respect to the opinion of our faculty, the parking rule is not favorable at all.”
For late students, waiting for a car to back in can make the difference between a tardy or not, so it is no surprise that for some students this rule makes sense. Some students explained in the morning that they think backing into spots can cause more accidents and agreed that the rule helped morning traffic. We conducted a survey to see what 25 random students thought about the new rule. 65% said no, 22%
said yes and 13% were indifferent. However, for all the students that get here early and park near the exit, being unable to back out could be dangerous and more time-consuming at pick up! Many students believe we should compromise and implement a time where backing in stops such as 1520 minutes before school begins. This way all who get to school early can still pull out of their spots safely and quickly but later students in the morning get the benefit of pulling in quickly. Sabrina Hamra 25’ was asked how she would fix the issue saying “I would implement a
no backing in system after a certain time, like 7:40, for example.”
Other students had more to say, Senior Tatum Schuck explained “The purpose of no backing in is to keep traffic from happening in the morning, but there is still traffic because students need to adjust their parking when they pull into a spot. Because of this, traffic has not improved even with the no backing in rule. What has changed is that traffic has become worse in the afternoon because it is harder for students to get out of their spots with ease, so the rule is first of all not having a positive effect on the
issue it originally is meant to solve and is adding a new negative effect on traffic after school.” In addition, Muratalla chimed in, “The rule made no difference to the efficiency affecting traffic flow in the mornings. It has made it worse to exit campus at the end of the day. With cars parked in lines to leave, new drivers still learning how to back in and merge into lines, and students and parents in a rush to leave campus.” She continued “If people want to leave the lots faster in the morning, they should schedule their time to drop their students off earlier, instead of en-
forcing a rule on how the students decide to park. We as students should have the freedom to park however way we want in the parking spots that we have paid for.”
Overall, with respect and understanding to the faculty and staff that implemented the rule, the overwhelming majority of students believe that this new rule is not the most efficient or safe way to beat morning traffic yet do believe that we can propose better alternatives by working together to create a solution for everybody that can be implemented next asap or at the very least next semester!
Four words used to make people stop whatever they were doing to snap a picture in the allotted two minutes after the notification airing the infamous words. Now, “Time to Be Real” amounts to almost nothing. The mobile app BeReal’s debut in 2020 did not initially catch the spark of millions of users until two years later, when people would hop on to update a timely picture of what they were doing in the moment on the app.
A wave of popularity occupied the app for the next year with new updates on notification formatting, post times, and reaction features. Many saw BeReal
as a way to express their authenticity since there are no filters or warning when a notification will come. Unlike typical social media where photos can be edited, BeReal does not offer any photo editing, and one can never be sure when they will get notified to post.
Participants receive an alert on their phones once a day indicating time to take a photo in the moment, or within two minutes before the submission is considered ‘late’. The picture would capture a front-facing selfie and back facing photo at the same time. After posting, users then have access to their friends’ posts, and can react to other BeReals with a selfie.
However, as 2023 came to pass, BeReal began to lose its once high admiration among teens as large amounts of users stopped posting their day-to-day activities on
the app. Larger social media companies such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Tiktok quickly adapted the popular concept of taking a front and back facing photo at the same time, in turn causing teens to slowly wane off use of the app. Although there are still millions of people on the app, many teens have abandoned it. This decrease in application leaves the question: Do teens not want to be real anymore?
An artist shrouded by mystery and anticipation. What’s the history behind the infamous Frank Ocean, and what’s coming next?
By Kelly Lu, Staff EditorFrank Ocean has cultivated an air of mystery ever since emerging onto the R&B scene in the late 2000s. After ghostwriting songs for major artists like Justin Bieber and John Legend, Ocean joined alternative hip hop collective Odd Future and began crafting his own unique brand of soul-tinged tracks. Most popular amongst the younger generations, people most highly praise Ocean’s emotional lyricism, captivating melodies, and even his public image (or lack thereof).
With his breakout mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra in 2011, Ocean began gaining attention for his introspective songwriting and powerful but soft voice. His 2012 debut album Channel Orange was universally acclaimed, earning Grammy nominations and signaling the arrival of a major talent.
Claiming he wrote the entire album in just two weeks, Ocean has expressed anxiety about not being able to live up to his past works in future releases.
In a Guardian interview, Ocean staed, “With my art, it’s the one thing that I know will outlive me
and outlive my feelings. It will outlive my depressive seasons.”
Ocean often avoids the media spotlight, preferring to let his music speak for itself.
In the aftermath of Channel Orange, Ocean took an over four-year hiatus from releasing solo music as he dealt with writer’s block and shifting record labels. It won the Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2013 Grammy, and in that year, was denoted by Time as one of
the world’s most influential artists. His 2016 visual album Endless, fulfilled his contract obligations but was seen as more of an avant-garde piece, only streaming on Apple Music. In the same year, he independently surprise-released Blonde, which debuted at number one despite no official promotion. Winning huge awards, like holding number one on US Billboard’s 200, Blonde remains a great piece of musical art to this very day.
True to form, Frank Ocean has given few hints of future projects in the works. He spends most of his time secluded from public life. For a brief period, he was hosting a radio show on Apple Music, called “Blonded”, giving fans a rare glimpse into his idiosyncratic musical taste. In the past few years, Ocean has popped up sporadically at high-fashion events but revealed little else of note in interviews. Beyond his musical life, Ocean
launched Homer, his own jewelry brand. This brand faced some controversy, as people didn’t agree with his design choices and the high prices. Adorning creative, bubbly shapes, his pieces are immediately recognizable.
Most recently, Ocean’s stunt at Coachella, at which he was a head-liner and showed up late, then performed a low-energy set, generated widespread discussion. Fans, who’d paid hundreds of dollars and waited hours for the artist to come on stage after a long hiatus were outraged and disappointed.
Across all social media platforms, people were voicing their opinions: had Ocean’s careless front gone too far? Did he care about his listeners at all? After the heat had died down, Ocean’s statistics hasn’t been marginally damaged-- he still attracts over 30 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone and is a well-known household name in the R&B scene.
Frank Ocean remains a man of mystery. Fans anxiously await his next inspired musical offering, never knowing when Ocean may emerge again with breathtaking songs from his solitary creative zone. For now, the reclusive artist stays mostly hidden, perhaps allowing his legend to only grow.
The beloved story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been a staple in many of our lives, and has made an impact on the film industry, with two films released in 1971 and 2005. In December 2023, a third film relating to the original story was released.
Wonka (2023) follows young Willy Wonka on his journey of creating his own Chocolate business, rather than focusing on Charlie Bucket’s story as shown in Roald Dahl’s novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and both Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movies.
Wonka is a new twist on the original story, giving the audience the backstory of the witty and eccentric future candy giant played by Timothée Chalamet, who is quite popular among moviegoers and the general public today.
Chalamet is known for starring in major movies such as Little Women, Dune, Call Me By Your Name, Interstellar, and more, where he is more known for portraying characters who lean more
on the mysterious and reserved side. However, in Wonka, Chalamet portrays a character who is aspiring and outgoing, contrasting the characters in his usual roles.
In addition, Wonka is also a musical, with Chalamet singing upbeat and optimistic songs. To many, Timothée Chalamet doesn’t look like the singing type, but like most actors, he possesses musical capabilities.
Before Wonka, I thought it would be cringey to watch Chalamet sing, but his singing was not too bad. I feel like his singing definitely matched the character he was playing, witty and eccentric in a good way.
I especially appreciated the realistic backstory of a pioneering entrepreneur in a world of ‘big bosses’ that run the business, and the way of life. Wonka is not only the backstory of the famous chocolatier, but a story of determination and hard work. A lesson that can be learned is that continued optimism and grit will lead to success,
and to of course, never give up.
Not only did Wonka explore themes of relentlessness, but it also explored themes of family and relationships. Wonka’s inspiration for pursuing a chocolate career from his late mother also puts emphasis on the important role of parents in their children’s lives.
The cinematography was pretty good, with colorful visuals, and I thought the use of CGI in the movie to animate the candy further reveals the magical and playful identity of the film. The dialogue was lighthearted and witty, and the acting of Chalamet and the supporting cast was natural and flowed well.
Although I had my doubts about the way Chalamet would portray Willy Wonka, Chalamet performed wonderfully, encompassing the lively humor and brilliant nature of Wonka. Wonka is a heartwarming story that definitely surpassed my expectations for the movie and had me leaving the theater lighthearted and inspired.
In the bustling halls of education, where history meets economics and basketball courts echo with the sounds of competition, Mr. Ammann stands as a dynamic figure shaping young minds.
Through a blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, Ammann delves into the life of a teacher whose passion for meaningful work extends beyond the classroom.
Ammann’s journey began at Concordia University in Irvine, where he majored in history and political thought while minoring in businesssetting the stage for an unconventional path into the world of teaching Econ.
“I always wanted to do something where I could make an impact,” Ammann reflects, highlighting the transformative role a physics teacher played during a challenging senior year.
Teaching, for Ammann, is not just about imparting knowledge but fostering connections.
“My favorite part about teaching is definitely the interaction with students,” Ammann notes, emphasizing the unpredictability and variety each day brings.
His youthful perspective, coupled with a deep understanding of current trends, injects energy into the classroom and keeps him eagerly anticipating each day.
Reflecting on the balancing act between meaningful work and financial stability, Ammann encourages students to explore diverse
fields through internships and experiences, drawing from his own revelation in commercial real estate.
“Meaningful doesn’t mean you can’t make money,” Ammann advises, echoing the idea that a purposeful career can be both fulfilling and lucrative.
Beyond the academic realm, Ammann shares a lighthearted tale of his high school antics during the “senior assassin” game, revealing a high-spirited side that complements his serious academic pursuits. His journey unfolds further as he recalls a head injury that sparked a deep appreciation for teachers, ultimately steering him toward a career in education.
Away from the textbooks, Ammann’s passion for basketball, nurtured by his father’s influence as a college basketball coach, adds another layer to his persona. He finds joy in the camaraderie and competition, relishing the highs and lows that come with being part of the team.
Intriguingly, he shares his historical figure of interest -- Genghis Kahn, a mysterious and powerful character from the past. This fascination with the unknown mirrors his approach to teaching, where every day brings fresh challenges and discoveries.
As Ammann enters his third year of teaching, his enthusiasm remains undiminished. His ability to intertwine the complexities of history, economics, and basketball speaks to a life dedicated to diverse pursuits.
A teacher, a historian, an economist, and a basketball enthusiast - Ammann embodies the spirit of a modern educator, shaping the future one lesson, one game, and one meaningful interaction at a time.
Peer Ministry, also known as Campus Ministry, is a great way to get involved within SM’s faith-filled community. Peer Ministry offers students a chance to share in God’s love through service to Him and a community of believers.
Seniors in the peer ministry class, taught by Mr. Visconti and Mrs. Poyar, have the opportunity to grow in their faith by serving God. Throughout the course, there is a strong focus on Christian leadership and world spirituality while also simultaneously training students to become peer ministers.
As peer ministers, students have important roles during Mass including administering the Eucharist to all guests, lectoring, and guiding both students and guests to their seats.
"Besides helping out during Mass, we are responsible for giving Freshman Prep presentations about upcoming events and how they relate to SM’s faith," said Peer Minister Makenna Wilson.
Not only is Peer Ministry a great way to serve God during Mass, it is also a fantastic way to get volunteer hours and leadership. Through activities within the class, students have the opportunity to serve and dedicated their hours towards their Lumen Christi service requirements.
The first semester of the class foucses on Christian leadership and in the second semster, students will learn about the world spiritually.
"Whether together in the Sacred Heart Chapel or in our respective classrooms, peer min students are always learning about God through studies and service," Wilson added.
Peer Ministry is an excellent way to grow in faith and develop a closer relationship with God while simultaneously preparing students to be leaders in their local parishes and communities.
"For me, the Peer Ministry experience has been very fulfilling. My favorite part of peer ministry is being able to serve my school alongside my fellow classmates and I definitely recommend the class to underclassmen," Wilson concluded.
There are many club opportunities at Santa Margarita, from casual clubs to service clubs. Service clubs provide students with the opportunity to earn service hours required for graduation and the opportunity to engage in the community for a greater good.
Service club Buddies Beyond Boundaries, led by senior Rachel Phillips focuses on working with the down syndrome community. With around 200 members in the club, Buddies Beyond Boundaries. In the club, members work with individuals of all ages who have down syndrome to provide them with confidence, a support system, and most importantly somebody to connect with.
The club works with organizations DSAOC (Down Syndrome Awareness Orange County) and GiGi’s Playhouse, which is a space where people with down syndrome can go and have fun. Both organizations strive to bring awareness about down syndrome to the community and focus on building a support system for individuals with down syndrome.
“I first started [working with the down syndrome community] when I volunteered at a bike camp and I really found fun and joy in helping kids learn how to ride a bike because they can use these skills later on in life to have fun, to connect with others, and I just saw how happy they were that we were there and giving them so much of our attention and talking to them so genuinely,” said Phillips.
One important upcoming event planned for the club is an event to mark the significance of Down Syndrome Day, which is on March 21.
In addition, Buddies Beyond Boundaries will also
participate in fun events like a Red Carpet Ball, bowling, and karaoke events.
Phillips hopes to keep the club running even after she graduates. Currently, her and the club’s board are searching for the next generation of students to lead the club. Students are welcome to reach out to her or to Mr. Green.
Phillips plans on transferring her GiGi’s certification to another playhouse across the country after she graduates to continue her work with the down syndrome community in the future.
“I really like being with the kids, honestly, they’re really nice people,” said Phillips. “They’re so down to earth and they just want to be included.”
Through her work in Buddies Beyond Boundaries, Rachel was honored with the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award from the government service agency, Points of Light. In addition, she was also featured on KNX 97.1 FM radio as a Hero of the Week.
“I looked at my email one day and I saw I was nominated for it from DSAOC and the work I’ve done with them,” Phillips explained. “It was really exciting and not expected.”
After two years of running Buddies Beyond Boundaries, Phillips has seen the people at Santa Margarita involved in the club gain a greater sense of empathy and a better sense of community and what it feels like to make a difference. She thoroughly enjoys being with the kids and taking the time to give them something.
“As long as I leave the school and this [club] here and everyone has a greater understanding that people with down syndrome aren’t different than usthey’re also people- that’s my main goal,” Phillips concluded.
If you would like to join the club or have any questions, message Rachel Phillips on Teams!
Photos by Rachel Phillips Impact - Buddies Beyond Boundaries is an amazing club that students can join to involve themselves in the community and help support people with Down Syndrome. Students can discover multiple yet rewarding oppurtunites to help make a difference in many lives.
Santa Margarita’s Model United Nation students recently attended a conference located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. This conference is one of the many conferences that Santa Margarita students have the opportunity to attend during their high school careers, including conferences held in London, England; Berkeley, California; Georgetown, Washington D.C.; and local areas around Orange County.
Model United Nation conferences can last from one to three days, and students represent a country in a committee that models the real United Nations, to address a topic that is present in the real world.
Before a conference, students are expected to write a paper, commonly called position papers, and prepare a speech. During the conference, delegates will join a group to create resolutions to address the topic at hand. After the conference, awards are usually handed out to some of the delegates who stood out the most.
Sophomore Kathy Yu attended the conference and represented the country of Norway in the economic and financial committee, ECOFIN.
Yu described meeting students from around the world saying, “There wasn’t much of a language barrier. Something that
surprised me was that a lot of the students were from military bases. I got close to the only other Americans in my committee.” The students and teachers left on January 11 and returned on January 22. The conference lasted three days long, with a youth forum before, and a general assembly on the last day.
When asked about her favorite memory made on the trip, Yu said, “One night we went out with just the Prague students for dinner and got to eat American food.”
Differing from a ‘traditional’ conference, the Prague MUN conference was non-competitive, meaning that no awards would be handed out. In addition, students pre-wrote their resolutions before the committee, and when they got there, they merged, edited, and approved the resolutions with other delegates.
“Having no awards does make it harder to gauge how you did,” Yu said, “The people were a lot fiercer, but in some ways, the conference was more lightheart-
ed. The topics were super interesting and international style mun was a new experience.”
Being a MUN student requires students to have the skills to engage and collaborate with different people, usually strangers. Being exposed to a completely new way to handle the conference has also come with new lessons that will ultimately help students change their approach to the next conference and learn how to improve.
“I think that Prague taught me to be more assertive, and
that confidence attracts people. When people can only judge you by a 30-second speech, it’s important to go out of your way and make connections,” Yu said.
Not only did Yu come out of the conference learning a lesson that will help her in her MUN career, but she also learned a valuable life lesson that will ultimately help her in her career past high school.
“Prague widened my view of the world and taught me that competition isn’t everything in MUN.” Yu concluded.
After a long day of school, many students look forward to relaxing and hanging out with their friends. But where can they find some good food places to satisfy their hunger? Here are some of the best options in Rancho Santa Margarita that offer delicious and affordable meals.
1. The Blind Pig: This place is perfect for foodies who want to try some creative and tasty dishes while enjoying some soft drinks and music. The Blind Pig has a cozy and rustic atmosphere, a full bar, and live entertainment. They also have a rotating menu that features items like pork belly tacos, truffle mac and cheese, and duck confit sliders.
2. Poke Bowlz: If you are looking for a healthy and fast option, Poke Bowlz is the way to go. They serve fresh and customizable poke bowls with your choice of rice, salad, protein, toppings, and sauces. You can also order sushi burritos, miso soup, and seaweed salad. Poke Bowlz uses high-quality ingredients, no MSG, and no artificial flavors. They also have vegan and gluten-free options.
3. Sushi Stop: For those who love sushi, Sushi Stop is a must-try. They have a wide variety of rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and bento boxes. You can also order ramen, udon, teriyaki, and tempura dishes. Sushi Stop is known for its fresh and flavorful sushi, reasonable prices, and friendly service. They also have a happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. on
weekdays, and a lunch special from 11 am to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays.
4.Taco Mesa: If you are craving some Mexican food, Taco Mesa is a great choice. They serve burritos, tacos, nachos, salads, and quesadillas, made with organic and natural ingredients. You can also choose from a variety of salsas, from mild to hot, at their salsa bar. Taco Mesa is a casual and colorful place to grab a bite with your friends.
5. For the more tired students, you might instead want to go home, eat a quick snack, and go to sleep for a couple hours. According to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, napping can boost your memory, creativity, and mood. It can also help you reduce stress, improve your alertness, and enhance your learning.
In the realm of musical theater, “The Pirate Queen” promises a journey into 1500s Ireland, with the daring Grace O’Malley at its helm. An exploration into this vibrant world wouldn’t be complete without delving into the experiences of the cast, with one talented performer sharing her insights without uttering her name.
The audition process, a pivotal stage for any actor, became Scarlett Johnson’s canvas for unveiling the intricacies of preparing for a role. From vocal lessons to dance rehearsals, Johnson’s journey echoed dedication and determination.
“I took a few vocal lessons, and that’s never necessary, but I’m not in TAPA, which is an after-school program for theater, and they offer dancing and singing lessons,” Johnson explained.
Johnson’s meticulous approach involved getting familiar with the material and understanding the character’s motivation, emphasizing that knowing the character was key.
The challenge of dancing, especially Irish dancing, added a layer of complexity to the audition process.
“I always find that the hardest part of the audition process, especially since you get one day and an hour or two to learn your
dance audition portion, and then you must perform it with the group,” Johnson confessed.
Despite the difficulty, the communal joy of performing as a group added a thrilling dimension to the experience.
For her audition piece, Johnson strategically chose familiarity over novelty.
“I usually go for something that I’m really familiar with so that most of the time leading up to the audition, I could just practice getting the tone right as opposed to learning the music from the start,” Johnson revealed, underscoring the importance of honing her vocal range.
The unexpected elements of sword fighting and singing in Gaelic during the audition were not lost on Johnson.
“The most surprising part of the audition was the sword fighting... and the music was surprising. We did one part of the song in Gaelic,” Johnson recalled.
The challenges, however, were met with determination, showcasing the diverse skills required for this unique production.
The audition day itself became a moment of both solitude and connection for Johnson. “I usually like to be one of the first people to audition so I don’t spend a lot of time
thinking and just get it done,” Johnson shared, highlighting the importance of mental preparation and the opportunity for introspection.
Engaging with fellow performers in the band room before auditions provided a sense of camaraderie.
“It’s nice to just be in the same situation as everybody. Everybody’s nervous and a little unsure of how it’s going to go,” Johnson noted, emphasizing the shared experience of anticipation and excitement.
Feedback from the panel, though not overly critical, proved invaluable for Johnson.
“I found that really helpful just because I like to get a lit-
tle bit of something from the panel,” Johnson expressed.
The collaborative nature of the feedback allowed her to refine her performance and approach each audition with an open mind.
As the cast looks forward to the opening night on April 18th, Johnson’s journey serves as a testament to the dedication, challenges, and surprises that intertwine to create a stellar musical theater production. “Pirate Queen’s Pursuit” not only reflects the essence of “The Pirate Queen” but also encapsulates the commitment and artistry of the actors who bring this historical tale to life.
As movie lovers venture into the plethora of cinematic universes of 2024, they can be prepared to see a healthy mix of remakes and new movies.
One remake being the highly anticipated Mean Girls. The first Mean Girls hit theatres in 2004 and took the world by storm.
The comedy followed Cady Heron and her transition into a real high school after being homeschooled in Africa all her life. Audiences are then introduced to the “plastics” or the typical high school mean girls; Queen Bee Regina and her two best friends: Karen and Gretchen. The film was instantly a success with parody’s, music videos and references quickly following suit.
The famous movie was turned into a musical in 2018. The musical also gained success leading the creators to bring it to theatres.
The 2024 Mean Girls movie is in the same musical form but on the big screen instead of live actors.
Stars in the movie included Re-
nee Rapp, Tina Fey, Christopher Birney and Avantika Vandanapu.
Another movie to look forward to in 2024 is the The Kitchen. Directed by Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares, this is another movie fans are buzzing to see in theatres.
Despicable Me 4 is also set to come out in 2024. This animated film has a star studded cast includ-
ing Steve Carell playing the lead role of Gru, Kristin Wiig as Lucy and other actors such as Russel Brand, Will Arnet and Sofia Vergara. Stephen Colbert and Will Ferrell will also guest star as new characters. When talking to our own Eagles, they shared movies they are most anticipating.
Sophomore Sophia Duar-
te a said she is looking forward to the Bob Marley movie, One Love. This was a popular answer. This film is set to come out on Valentines day staring Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley, Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley and James Norton Chris Blackwell.
This movie will be based on the life of singer songwriter Bob Mar-
ley and his rise to fame until his death (1981). The movie is PG-13 and will be showing at Cinepolis, Regal and Regency Theatres. From Despicable Me 4 to Mean Girls 2 to Bob Marley’s One Love, viewers can look forward to a plethoral of films of all genres. In all, 2024 might be the greatest year of Entertainment yet!
Entering its readers into a fictional world of curses, powers, and mysteries, Alex Aster’s Lightlark left readers wanting to know more about the magical world entailed in the book. Isla Crown, the main protagonist, teaches the concept of working smarter, not harder- inspiring change in readers’ lives. The plot was magnificent; however, some of the stylistic choices by Aster interrupted the fluidity of the novel. One of these disruptions is exemplified in the constant use of nicknames throughout the book, which were questionable. However, the book’s details and character development leave a lingering feeling of excitement, and once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down.
- Sabrina Hamra
Hunger Games fans had long awaited more content about the cruel and scary world developed in Sussane Collins’ books and were thrilled when The Ballet of Songbirds and Snakes was published. Instantly a hit because of its unique concepts and creative twists, a film adaptation has already hit theaters. Although the movie was an immense success, the book better captures the feelings and excitement of the characters. It is a prequel to Collin’s other books and set a solid foundation on the basis of the creation of the Hunger Games.
- Sabrina Hamra
Apenniless heroine rises from the slums of London to fight pirates, defeat controlling authorities, and find her true love along the way. L. A. Meyer flawlessly exemplified Jack’s character development by writing the first book with misspelled words and British slang to the last book with sophisticated description and advanced grammar. This series consists of twelve books, all of which enthralled me completely in the span of a month and a half. I had a feeling of loss when the nautical and terrestrial misadventures of Jacky Faber came to an end.
- Peri Feldman
If you want to become a permanent vegetarian, this book is for you. A horrific telling of the behind-the-scenes of booming fast-food companies singlehandedly convinced me to convert. Schlosser and Wilson preach that you are what you eat while letting you in on secrets that the food industry would never spill. For instance, the secret ingredient to make a drink pink (hint: it has legs), the special ingredient often found in meat, insight into the 6-week life of a fast-food chicken before it becomes a chicken nugget, and what happens inside your body when you eat too much junk. Not only will this book scare the carnivore out of you, but it will also inspire you to make an environmental difference.
- Peri Feldman
In 2023, music fans saw a number of releases from huge artists including Morgan Wallen, Nicki Minaj, Drake and Taylor Swift. However, critics are saying 2024 is the year for music with diverse and innovative releases charting rapidly. Mega artists have already promisted their loyal fans new albums, songs, and music videos.
For example, Ariana Grande’s “Yes And?” charting number one of Billboard Hot 100 for weeks after its release. This topped “Loving On Me” by Jack Harlow and “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift. Grande is also expected to release her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, on March 8. This is a big and exicting event for fans, as her last album, Positions, was released in 2020.
Another song was “Redrum” by 21 Savage. This song charted at number 5 only a week after its release right below “Greedy” by Tate McRae and above “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan.
A new artist, Tyla, released the song, “Water,” and is gearing up to release her debut album this year. Another emerging artist, Flo Milli, is said to also release an album this year.
Jennifer Lopez is also said to release an album. This would be her first album since 2014. The inspiration behind her album is her rekindling with ex-husband which is why she is titling her album “This is Me…Now”. She had an album in 2002 about her ex-husband called “This is Me…Then” making “This is Me…Now” the sequel. This also made headlines for it being paired with a short film style music video.
Billboard 100 labeled Warren Zeiders as their top emerging artist with Tate McRae following close behind. Other emerging artists include Akai Solo, Ayra Starr, Grace Ives and Sunroom.
Sunroom is a band originating from the SoCal area that has quickly risen to fame.
They are set to play at the Beach Life Festival with headliners Sting and Incubus.
Coachella 2024 has huge headliners this year as well. For example, Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, Tyler the Creator and Lil Yachty are said to perform.
At the recent Grammy’s Taylor Swift announced her new album coming out on April 19 titled “The Tortured Poets Department”. The Grammy’s also brought controversy over the lack of awards for Lana Del Rey despite her 11 nominations over the course of her career.
Miley Cyrus became a first time winner for her song “Flowers” which she also performed.
Needless to say, the music industry is hard at work this year.
Whether you are a pop, rock, R&B, country, or alternative music fan, there is guranteed an exciting new release coming in 2024. This year’s music journey promises that listeners can anticipate diverse and innovated sounds for the new year.
Tired of physicality in sports?
Feeling left out of traditional play? E-Sports might be the right fit. Sports are translated to the digital world with E-Sports, where creativity is expressed in a whole new means. Varying from Valorant to Overwatch, the possibilities for matches are endless.
Junior Ivanka Hankus-Zhou has been gaming competitively for SM since her freshman year, playing Overwatch for the team. Enriched in the sensory aspects, she enjoys the nonphysical constituent of the play.
“It’s nice because it’s more in your mind,” Hankus-Zhou explained, “you still get as much out of it as a physical sport.”
Online sports give students new opportunities that might not be as easily accessible for physical sports. Its flexibility is exemplified by the diverse opponents. Players aren’t restricted to one league, providing exposure to more intense opposition from across the country and amping up the difficulty.
“I’ve always been a very physically weak person, so that’s why I wasn’t able to get into a sport,” Hankus-Zhou shared, “because of that, doing a digital sport has helped me have that competitive fun that comes with doing a sport, like the teamwork.”
Compared to other sports, gameplay is much faster paced, and harbors several modes of play. There is a copious amount of
different mechanics only offered online, such as certain weapons and special abilities to master. Roles on the team are expansive, as the options range from damage-dealing characters to healing helpers. The wide range of personalities and potentialities give way to mixed playing styles.
“When you’re playing Overwatch, there’s things that you can only do in a game,” said Hanus-Zhou.
As E-Sports offers a unique chance for those who don’t click with physical sports to find their calling, it also fosters a unique environment. As a niche sport, the community holds similar interests.
Many of the members are in the same friend group on the computer and outside of school. The team hangs out after practice or sports different game modes together on school breaks to bond.
“Everyone who’s there is an absolute vibe,” told Hankus-Zhou, “as we play, we definitely grow closer. I remember as a freshman, I was really awkward and shy, but as I got to know people longer, they are some of my best friends now.”
Together, the players connect through their gaming styles but also their gamer tags (username). Each tag is unique to the person behind the screen, offering a
chance for creative expression beyond the typical forms of gameplay. It is how one presents themselves to the world. HankusZhou’ s username is ‘berryeevee’, and it represents her to the tee.
“A lot of people have told me my username fits me well because a strawberry is a sweet and cute fruit, and that’s how my personality is. As for Eevee, that was a nickname I had as a child; it is one of my favorite Pokémons, and it sounds a lot like my nickname Iva. Because of that, I’ve created this cute username that shapes who I am,” Hankus-Zhou explains. Along with personal style, the username can be something
silly or completely random. For instance, one of the player’s name is ‘AwesomeChicken’.
Aside from names, the players dedicate time to improving their strategy and technique. Depending on the team they are on, they can meet up to three times a week in preparation for game play. On a typical gameday, the members show up to the E-Sports room in the library at SM an hour to half an hour before their competitions begin.
Warmups consist of a few matches against randomized people, before they use Discord to contact the opposing team to commence the match. Once connected, both teams head to a virtual lobby together and then play, regardless of the location of the other team.
“We haven’t launched this yet, but we’re planning on going to other trinity league schools and going there in person to play them,” revealed Hankus-Zhou, “we’re planning to do an in-person Valorant and Overwatch match with J-Serra.”
Members are excited that colleges are committing for E-Sports, and there are many promises for a good season ahead. With tryouts ending recently, participants are ready for an intense but entertaining season. The current coach was once on the SM team, before getting committed to a college and returning to SM to coach.
Dedication runs deep within the E-Sports community; one of close friends, positive energy, and exciting digital gameplay.
As February 11th has passed, the “Big Game” has concluded with the Kansas City Chiefs as Super Bowl Champions.
The Chiefs have become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in 19 years and have cemented themselves as an NFL dynasty.
The NFL’s first Super Bowl in Las Vegas initially seemed like a low-scoring defensive snooze of a game until the back-and-forth quarter and overtime brought the public to the edge of their seats. Both teams were stifled by the opposing defenses and found it difficult to generate drives that would end in the endzone. The first three quarters were headlined by two turnovers from each team, two fumbles from the 49ers and a fumble and an interception by the Chiefs.
Both offenses immediately picked up after the fumble by 49ers special teamer Darnell Luter Jr placed the Chiefs in the red zone, which ultimately led to their first touchdown of the night. From there, both teams went back and forth matching each other blow
for blow until the final drive of the game. After the 49ers had gone down to kick a field goal with the first possession in overtime, the Chiefs were faced with a critical drive where they would either win, extend, or lose the Super Bowl.
On their first set of downs, the Chiefs were faced with a 4th and 1 on their own 34-yard line. With
the weight of the season on his shoulders, Patrick Mahomes ran for 8 yards and kept the Chiefs rolling down the field. From there, the Chiefs were not to be stopped and they eventually capped off the 75-yard drive with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Mecole Hardman who had had a season filled
with numerous challenges up to this point. This abrupt ending to what had been an extremely competitive game has now changed the history of the NFL forever.
The Kansas City Chiefs, the victors of the game, have elevated into a dynasty that will continue to chase the legacy of the most recent NFL dynasty of the New England
Patriots led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Patrick Mahomes, still only 28 years old, is a 3-time Super Bowl champion and will continue to strive to beat the NFL record held by Tom Brady of 7 Super Bowls.
“It’s the start of [a dynasty]. We aren’t done,” Patrick Mahomes said.
Looking at the other side of the field, the San Francisco 49ers have now lost two Super Bowls to the Kansas City Chiefs in the past four seasons.
Outside of their two turnovers, the 49ers did not play a bad game of football and were in control for the majority of the game.
Unfortunately, this was the same story of the last Super Bowl matchup the 49ers had against the Chiefs as well. Both times the 49ers have gone up by at least 10 points and have ended up losing the game. The 49ers do not have many blatant flaws on their team but they will hope to make minor adjustments this offseason to hopefully finally get over the hump and win the Lombardi Trophy for the first time since 1995.
Despite the rapidly changing NFL, both teams expect to contend again in 2025 and might see each other again in February of 2025.
As we head into another season of high school sports, many students question: which season is better: basketball or football? While both sports have their own unique appeal, there's little doubt that football comes out on top as a fan favorite.
“I love how exciting football is. I never played football but all of the hard work they put into it is impressive. The games are always fun and there’s always people around to talk to,” sophomore Brendan Relvas said.
First and foremost, there's the sheer spectacle of football. From the getting ready with friends to the cheerleaders with their spectacle tricks, football is a sport that knows how to put on a show. The physicality of football is also hard to match - there's something thrilling about seeing a running back steamroll through a wall
of defenders or a quarterback launch a deep bomb downfield.
“Getting ready for football games with all my friends was the highlight of the beginning of the year. Everyone comes together and football is just so big. Everyone knows about it and everyone loves it,” sophomore Olivia Fiore said.
What makes football truly special is the way it brings communities together. High school football games are a true communal experience, with fans from all walks of life coming together to cheer on their team. Whether it's pep rallies, tailgating, the Friday night lights, or getting ready at someone’s house in anticipation of the big game, football is a sport that brings people together in a way that few others can match.
Of course, basketball has its own charms - the fast-paced action, the graceful athleticism, the last-second buzzer-beaters. And for some fans, the intimacy of basketball and crammed stands of basketball games are just better to them, instead of the large
stadium of Saddleback College.
“I just love how in basketball games everyone is so close and you can feel the energy. The players are all so great and being squished into the bleachers makes it so much easier to meet new people and make new friends. Basketball games will always be better,” sophomore Malia Mazer said.
At football games, everyone is mostly in their own group since most choose to just walk around. At basketball games, the stands are packed with most viewers choosing to stay in the bleachers. It gives more opportunities for people to reach out and creates more high school memories. However, when placed face-toface, high school football just has that extra spark - that sense of drama and excitement that can make a whole community come alive. No matter which sports you prefer to watch, let's take a minute to appreciate everything that makes high school sports so special.
A recap of the AFC and NFC championship games leading up to the re-match of the Super BowlBy Jayden Yokota, Photo Editor
In the American Football Conference (AFC) Championship, the Kansas City Chiefs fortified their dynasty once again with their victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite being favored by four points, the Chiefs showed off their dominance throughout the game. Their offensive dominance was evident in their possession time, where they controlled the pace of the game and nearly doubled the possession time of the Ravens.
While the Ravens’ defense put on a commendable effort containing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to below their season average of points, their offense was too powerful, and it became a historic day for Travis Kelce, catching his 152nd postseason reception, surpassing NFL legend Jerry Rice.
While the Ravens produced more offensive yards, they ultimately lost the turnover battle, and the offense could not convert in the red zone and get the ball in the endzone.
Now going over to the National Football Conference (NFC) Championship, the Detroit Lions faced off against the San Francisco 49ers in a drama-filled comeback.
The Lions have appeared in their first NFC Championship since 1991 and are facing the top-seeded 49ers, who are in their fourth NFC Championship in five years.
The first half was dominant on the Lions side, roaring ahead with a 17-point lead going into halftime. Their offense was firing, and the defense held the 49ers to just seven points while Jared Goff led their offense to 24 first-half points. Coach Shanahan sparked life into the 49ers’ locker room, and they came out as a different football team.
The defense held the Lions to zero second-half points until a minute left in the 4th quarter, and Brock Purdy led the offense to 27 second-half points, advancing the 49ers to a Super Bowl after a 34-31 victory.
This year's Super Bowl was a 2020 rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. The prior game resulted in the Chiefs victory of 31-20.
The MGM odds for 2024's Super Bowl favored the 49ers by 1.5 points leaving football fans anticipating a re-match and a competitive game.
This rematch resembles the age-old debate of offense ver-
sus defense between the Patrick Mahomes-led offensive powerhouse against Nick Bosa and the 49ers defense juggernaut.
This Super Bowl was a battle between football philosophies, and we saw some of the two greatest minds in football, Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan, going after each other from the sidelines.
With the sudden surge of Chiefs fans due to Taylor Swift’s new relationship with Travis Kelce, it is safe to say the Chiefs had momentum with the Swifties on their side.
This game was a must watch for football fans, regardless of the team they support. Records were broken with this game being the longest Super Bowl at 74 minutes and 57 seconds of play time and the previous NFL field goal record being kicked out of place (literally) with the 57-yard kick by the Chief's kicker, Harrison Butker.
Needless to say, this year's football season did not disappoint. The Chiefs had an amazing season and fans cannot wait to see how they and the rest of the NFL teams perform next season!