The Pride

DECEMBER 16, 2014

ST. PIUS X - ST. MATTHIAS ACADEMY

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The First  PMA Student  Newspaper ISSUE 1

SPIRIT WEEK 2014 STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

CAMPUS LIFE PICTURES AND AURASMAS

SPORTS REPORT VOLLEYBALL AND   CROSS COUNTRY

THE PRIDE TECH THIS OUT

Photo by Audrie Tapia, Class of 2016

Ms. Collins commented, “I think technology does help me teach better because it helps me access to all the students in a different way, and I also think it engages different learning styles. Some people need that tactile ‘touch the actual phone’ type of experience.” Teachers have been undergoing training to use their new iPads and Apple TVs on Wednesdays by Ms. Nicdao. More technology means less paper and more ways to teach content. Educational technology is evident in teachers using apps like Kahoot! Aurasma, Adobe Voice, Google Docs,Drive, and Classroom, Quizlet, Twitter, and iMovie. Students now have school emails used exclusively for educational purposes. The essays students have lost at home can now be found on their phones and tablets and can be shared with and for the teachers to view. “It is useful, especially when I forget my laptop at home because I can just do my work on Google Drive. Then, at home, I can pull up my computer and just work on it” shared junior Deanna Murphy. “Google is really big…those

by Lexi Hernandez, Class of 2018 Those who have recently started the school year as freshmen understand all the technology that has recently been introduced to the school. Older students still have a bit of adjusting to do. So far, we have Edmodo, Google Apps for Education, Turnitin.com, and much more. However, this is not the end of it. This is just the beginning of a technological evolution in education at PMA.

Photo by Andrew Enriquez, Class of 2017

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, IDEAS? EMAIL: NEWSPAPER@PIUSMATTHIAS.ORG

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things help our school a lot, and having our own personal emails with Google while being connected to our school is actually a very smart thing. It’s just that it’s kind of fast trying to think of making our school more evolved and up-to-date with all the technology” stated sophomore Julio Rivas. Technology is more of a tool, a way of learning and not to replace true learning and education and PMA is on the right track.

Meet the   Pride Staff

BEST. SPIRIT WEEK.EVER. Co-Editor In Chief Nicole Valdenor Biley   is a 16 year old who really likes math. She likes to dance too; actually she LOVES to dance. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old so dance is her life. Nicole is someone who loves the feeling of accomplishing goals and getting things done. She knows that she was born to do great things. Being mediocre is not okay with her. Nicole doesn’t have “dreams”, instead she has goals that she is working towards achieving.

by Nicole Biley, Class of 2016

Spirit Week is an annual event students look forward to each year. What really separates our school’s spirit week from other schools is the way each class comes together and puts in a team effort in hopes of winning the SPIRIT STICK. People put their differences aside and worked together as a family to prepare for Spirit Day and would stay as late as midnight after coming in as early as 5am. At the end of the week is Spirit Day; this is when each class performs their skit and sings their song to the rest of the school. This is also the day that one class would be declared as winner of spirit week and be given the spirit stick.

Monday - Red Carpet Day  Tuesday - 90s Cartoon Day   Wednesday - School of Color  Thursday - Ohana Day  Friday - Spirit Day It’s such a stressful time but its actually the most enjoyable time of the school year and the fact that I won’t be able to experience it anymore makes me so sad. I like to think that spirit week is more about unity than competition. It’s not a time for animosity towards others, but a time to get closer to your class. Mae Elefante, Class of 2015 Class of 2018 - Superheroes Class of 2017 -Sandlot   Class of 2016-Peter Pan  Class of 2015-Up! (Winners)

Co-Editor In Chief Jasmeen Joy Ancheta Santos. Class of 2016 Junior. Sixteen. Cool. Yeah, that sounds boring… Jasmeen is NOT boring. She is full of spirit and joy. Her life has been crazy, and it still is. She’s been through more than most people know. Her past is what makes her strive so hard. Dancing is her escape from the world and its problems. School? Jasmeen loves school. Why? Because she loves seeing her friends every day and she also loves the fact that her mom is able to provide her with a good education. Jasmeen is blessed. She feels like she’s the luckiest girl on earth.

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BEHIND THE “SEEN” by Jasmeen Santos, Class of 2016  We all have our thoughts and perspectives on Spirit Week, but I feel that mine is just a tad more unique. You see, I am the Spirit Commissioner, along with senior Jazmin Bueno. We were in charge of putting together the “PMAs,” deciding the themes, games, special guests, and everything in between. It didn’t seem too bad at first, but trust me, it became super stressful. I felt a great amount of pressure knowing that that was the week that we all looked forward to, especially our seniors. Whenever an idea came to mind, I would be frightened; what if the school hated it? The feeling of not being recognized for all of the hard work my partner and I put into the entire week also affected me. Throughout the week, I would be so tired when I came home because I would stay after school for many hours helping not only ASB, but my class as well. There were times when I felt like giving up and just winging the

rest of the rallies. When it came to the middle of the week, I finally came to the conclusion that I had to stop stressing myself out because it was affecting not only my grades, but me personally. I realized these things with the help of a good teacher, Mr. Conroy. I know, it’s hard to believe! No, but honestly, without the talk he gave to our 5th period AP U.S. History class, I would have been breaking down every single day of that week. By the end of each day, I would be so relieved and thankful because of the good comments I would hear from other students. On the last day, when all of it was finally over, I didn’t feel sadness or disappointment, well except for when the Junior class didn’t get that W (win). I felt the weight of a big truck just get lifted off of my shoulders. The week could have used some improvements, but I knew that we put our 100% and dedication into that whole week, and that was all that mattered.

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Girls Volleyball To Varsity Coach: Taaj Lewis  “My coaches are just awesome. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for giving me their time and never giving up on my team or me. I really do appreciate their time and all their patience.”  - Jocelyn Romero, Class of 2015

Senior Night Honoring Mae E. Mady F., Mika M., Jocelyn R and Caroline F.

“Thanks for pushing us through practices.”   -Taylor Noriega, Class of 2017

Staff Writer, Sports Editor Kimberly Hernandez Class of 2016  On April 27, 1998 a revolution began. It was the birth of a queen. Born on Sunset Blvd. was the queen herself, Kimberly Hernandez. “The cutest little pink baby,” the doctor said. He knew when he held her that he was holding royalty. As a child, she had not a worry in the world. She was beyond spoiled- she even convinced her grandmother to stop taking her to preschool because she didn’t feel like attending! Her priorities and mindset changed when she began her high school years. It became so real to her that the grades she would get in high school would affect her future tremendously. She gets good grades and strives to balance her schoolwork and her relationships. Now, she wants to become a successful researcher and doctor. Her aspiration in life is to help find the cure for cancer, or any other terminal disease. In order to attain the lifestyle she wants, she works extremely hard to build towards creating a bright future. Her life goal is to create and nurture an amazing family. Everything she does now, she does with a purpose: thinking always of how it will affect the course of events leading up to her future family. She plans on giving her family everything. Hoping to build a mansion for her and her family in New Jersey. She plans on establishing a more modern Royal Family and passing the crown on to her future children.

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Girls Volleyball Photo courtesy of Mrs. Elefante

Staff Writer Denia Ramos  Class of 2018

The Girls Volleyball team ranked 3rd in the Santa Fe League. Senior Caroline Fuentes took the lead in highest hitting percentage, attacks kills, serving aces and total blocks. Sophomores Isabel Covarrubias, Sam Quinones and Val Lizarraga were not to far behind in leading in hits and serving aces. The seniors, led by Mae Elefante dominated in number of digs with Mae at 68 and Caroline at 66. The girls won 2nd place in the Gabrielino Tournament in October 2014 Complete information can be found in maxpreps.com Congratulations Ladies!

I like food and writing. I'm also into sports and acting.

Staff Writer, Cartoonist Cross Country As a coach, I need to be willing to adjust workout plans to meet the needs of each individual athlete in the program so that they can have success. Also, each athlete must be willing to work to their fullest capability in both team practices and in the classroom. Falling short in either of these areas will create a program that will not achieve any long term success.  - Coach Conroy

Jesrin Redulla  Class of 2018

STAFF WRITERS

Art Blancoromero  Lexi Hernandez

Sports Editor Kim Hernandez caught up with Coach Kerrin Conroy to talk Cross Country: Who has the fastest time? The fastest girl time is by seniors Anahy

Covarrubias on a three mile course at the Woodbridge Invitational with a time of 18:26. The fastest boy time is by freshman Fernando Rodriguez on a three mile course at the second Santa Fe League meet at Hollydale Park with a time of 18:37. What meet was the most successful? The girls team have not had a

complete meet, but I feel that we will at the Santa Fe League finals on November 4, 2014 so that we can defend our league championship. On the boys side, we have only one runner and I feel that the last league meet has proven to Fernando Rodriguez that he can finished the year as an all league runner.

photo by Briza Ramirez, Class of 2016

Ms. Nicdao  Newspaper Adviser  Layout Designer

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PMA in the News

Photo by Genesis Soto, Class of 2017

Next Issue: Soccer, Basketball, Cheer, Track and Field and Softball

Mr. Rubalcava , Advisory Board m e m b e r M r. S t e i n m e t z , Fernando Rodriguez, Jasmeen Santos, Mariah Lora and Art Blancoromero met HRH Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

SEMESTER HIGHLIGHTS

Mr. Rubalcava , Advisory Board member Mr. Steinmetz, and students attended the L.A. World Affairs Council and have the opportunity to see former president Bill Clinton speak. Student attendees included sophomores Abraham Andrade and Taylor Noriega and senior Brianna Murphy. Photos taken from the PMA Facebook site

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Cartoon by Jesrin Redulla  Class of 2018

SCAN THESE PICTURES

Jesrin is the staff cartoonist and will draw and write on occasionally to provide social commentaries. For any ideas for cartoons or to collaborate with Jesrin, send him an email at the Newspaper email address:

newspaper@piusmatthias.org

FOOD IS LIFE

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

by Denia Ramos, Class of 2018 I will be writing about my favorite foods and restaurants in my columns. Food is life. But too much of something isn't always good for you, so I will be showing 2 desserts that are less than 100 calories.

1) Boil the chocolate 2) Dip the Marshmallow into the chocolate 3) Then set in the fridge and wait an hour. Got any cool recipes? Share them with Denia and write to the Newspaper email.

Check out the AFTER DARK school dance hosted by the ASB and Student Council full of LED lights, glow in the dark paint and dancing. Download the Aurasma App, create an account and Follow Pius Matthias to see the Aura. All the side photos have videos on Aurasma!

Scan these pictures with Aurasma and see live videos. This is a sneak peak of the Yearbook to be released in   May 2015. Make sure you signed up for one! For more details, see Ms. Nicdao

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ON FLEEK with ART FAVORITE CELBRITIES Lauren Juaregui. Why? Because she's beautiful and amazing and her vocals slay. She's a member from Fifth Harmony. Fifth harmony slays your faves. - Ashley Cabrera, Class of 2016

Photography Club: Photo by Audrie Tapia, Class of 2016

Kendrick Lamar. He's like the reincarnated Tupac. His music helps me get through the day and is amazing; it's inspiring to me. -Jerry Ceballos, Class of 2017 Schoolboy Q is my favorite artist because his words describe the way I'm feeling and he is very inspirational lyric-wise. My favorite song is “Blessed”. - Manny Padilla, Class of 2017 I like Drake. He makes song thats are about his life and it reaches out to people his music touches all people no matter who you are and where you come from; everyone can relate to him.   - Matthew Rivera, Class of 2017

TRENDS

This year PMA welcomed six new teachers. Pictured left to right with students: Ms. Collins (Spanish), Mr. Flores (Theology), Mr. Enriquez (Science) and Ms. Collier (English). Not pictured: Mr. Bristol (Math) and Ms. Arreola (Art). Students quickly welcomed them to the Warrior Family.

• Elites • French braids • The trend of actually caring about your grades. Do not come in with the middle school mentality that you don't care about school.  - Mary Liz Serrano, Class of 2016  Have any photos or trends to share with Art? Email the newspaper staff:

Newspaper@Piusmatthias.org

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SPIRITUAL LIFE

Mass, Adoration and Retreats are the heart of the PMA community.

The Class of 2017 experienced their retreat in November at the Gym   with Campus Minister Mr. Raymundo and Ms. Duran.

The ladies of the class of 2016 experienced a powerful Junior Overnight in Irvine with Mr. Raymundo. Mr. Rubalcava, Mr. Ramos, Ms. Collins and Ms. Nicdao and   Campus Ministry leaders from the class of 2015. KAIROS started the year off to a spiritual start. The ladies of the senior class attended their last retreat at PMA in September 2014.

OUR CATHOLIC SPIRITUAL VALUES AND IDENTITY "You have to stand for something or your will fall for anything" This old adage is just as true today, especially in a highly secularized & materialistic culture. There are so many demands and requests made of our educational & extracurricular programs. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what the school and its programs should look like, do, not do, cost and accomplish. With all these ideas flying around, how can we create a clearer identity? How can everyone involved in our mission know what they are working for? The spiritual Core values are the fabric of our identity as a Catholic community. By naming these seven Core Values, we are not claiming that we do them all perfectly. Rather, they represent who we are called to be as a ministry of the Church and as children of a loving God. It is our sincere desire that these values serve as a "spiritual barometer" for us as individuals and as a community of faith. By adopting them we can ensure that we are all working toward the same goal (Romans 15:6). Finally, they can be used as a measuring stick, giving the Spirit the freedom to show us where we still need to be perfected (Matthew 5:48) From the PMA Website

FRESHMAN RETREAT  January 8, 2015

All Photos not credited are from the 2014-2015 Yearbook Staff: The Shield. Photos were taken by Yearbook or Photography Club members.