NDB | The Catalyst | Volume 2, Issue 3 | Spring 2016

OPINION | Page 2 ARTS & LIFE | Page 6 Are project-based final exams better than traditional ones? Student work featured in art show and dance showcase

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HEALTH & SPORTS | Page 7 Varsity softball team to compete in playoffs

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Volume 2, Issue 3

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FEATURE

@theCatalystNDB

Spring 2016

Aquacades is the most wonderful time of the year

Overall winners: First place: Seniors, Second place: Juniors, Third place: Freshmen, Fourth place: Sophomores

Photo Credit: The Catalyst Staff

The Titans, Mavericks, Royals, and Avengers celebrate their competitive class spirit at Aquacades.

by Sara Eckles

Students felt the tension be- ing our class love in a creative way.” in and got third place, overall. Each Staff Writer tween each class. The Royals and The effort put in by students class proved their amazing talent on Avengers were neck and neck in spirit was impeccable. Each class was wor- this magical night.

When it comes to Aquacades, points, and the Titans were ahead of the ried about getting ready in time, but Despite the class tension, when NDB’s annual spirit event, students do Mavericks. they did. Being a part of Aquacades is it comes down to it, there’s no place not mess around. The season is one of Sophomore and Maverick a full-time commitment. like Aquacades at NDB. It only unifies the most exciting, yet stressful times Caroline Kearney said, “Aquacades When it came down to it, each the classes even more than ever. After of the year. During this time, students is the most competitive class event of class came prepared. The first category, all the hard work, team effort and dedwork tirelessly on their backdrops, the year. While there is competition, it backdrop, went to the Royals, but right ication, there is nothing like the thrill cheers, and routines and plan for what really is all about having a great night behind them was the Avengers who got of Aquacades night when we bring the some consider to be the biggest night showing our school and class spirit.” first in cheer. Each routine was simi- decibel level to deafening heights. of the school year. Each class did ev- Junior and Royal Annaliese larly won by the Royals and Avengers Senior and Avenger Janelle erything possible to make sure every- Divney loved working on backdrop for for the majority. While others were fo- Rey said, “Aquacades is a once in a thing was organized and ready for this her class. She said, “I had so much fun cused on the tight competition between lifetime experience, and I’m so glad I year’s famed day: Friday, April 22. collaborating with friends and express- the upperclassmen, the Titans sneaked was able to live it out four times.”

NEWS

NEWS

NDB community says goodbye to departing faculty and staff

Avengers assemble for senior activities

by Alex Dennis and Monet Mendenhall Staff Writers

by Daniella Espinoza Editor in Chief

As time progresses, people change. Whether it is one’s personality, favorite meal, or career goals, each chapter of life entails something new. So, when the community was informed that NDB would be losing some extremely valued members next year, many people, especially students, were disappointed, but also excited for them as they enter a new stage in their life.

This year, we will be losing a few faculty and staff members from a range of departments around campus. Currently, the list is as follows: Kay Dinglasan and Cristin Winn-Reyes from Campus Ministry, Dimitri Andruha from Math, Kristy Chun from Science, Melissa Granillo from Religious Studies, Gabe Molnar from Social Studies, Carolina Moroder from World Language, and Rita Carter as the Student Services Coordinator.

The Catalyst asked them to share their reasons for leaving NDB as well as to reflect on their time here at the school.

Most of them are longtime members of the community. Some of the most common reasons were the high cost of living in the Bay Area as well as the desire to move and be closer with family members. One reason was a long deserved retirement.

During the month of May, the NDB class of 2016, also known as the Avengers, is beginning a series of events to end their high school career at Notre. Having already experienced their last Aquacades in which they won overall as well as their last prom, they close out the school year with more than just a graduation ceremony in early June.

Last Sunday, May 15, seniors and their mothers attended the Mother-Daughter Mass and Brunch. They attended liturgy in the NDNU Chapel and then had brunch in the NDB dining room. Senior Daniella Espinoza and her mother, Eugenia Gonzalez,

See Goodbye | Page 4

C/O 2016 Graduation: Chinnakotla and Grown-Haeberli named valedictorians

Photo credit: Courtesy of Kayla Brandi

Seniors and their moms pose after last Sunday’s brunch. gave a heartwarming reflection priceless!” about their growing relation- Planned by Denise ship at the end of the mass, Severi, Barbara Tauskey, and while Jennifer Doherty, moth- senior moms Jennifer Doherty er of senior Laine Doherty, and Verenice Sy, the event showed a slideshow of the was themed “First my Mothseniors’ baby and childhood er, Always my Friend.” Senior photos during the brunch.

Francesca Martinez said, “I

Natasha Khoo, senior, thought the theme served as a said “I thought the slideshow cute reminder. I absolutely was the best part of the bunch, those baby pictures were See Avengers | Page 5

#thecatalystndb | Opinion | Spring 2016

page 2

Goodbye Notre

Daniella Espinoza Editor in Chief @TheCatalystNDB

Final exams: Project-based versus traditional

Teachers should offer a variety of ways to test what students have learned Sasha ArredondoDeLipski Staff Writer

@TheCatalystNDB

Sofia Reyes Editor in Chief @TheCatalystNDB

As the school year comes to an end, NDB seniors have been dealing with this final goodbye in a variety of ways.

For some, June 2nd could not come any sooner. In fact, mentally, they are already out of high school, losing their patience for petty drama and annoying, tedious homework assignments. However, there are also those who will miss the sense of home that NDB provided for them. Or, not having to shave. Or, the ability to roll out of bed and show up at school. Or, the friendliness of most teachers or even that dog that roams the hallways.

Whether you identify with the first group or the second group, we all have something in common. We are all finishing a big chapter of our lives and, whether we like to admit it or not, we’re nervous about being on our own, having to do our own laundry, making sure we’re staying healthy, and just keeping on top of our stuff in general.

As we make a wrap, there are a few things that cannot be left unsaid. Firstly, on behalf of all seniors and I, would like to thank the administration for always looking out for the student’s well being, safety, and overall happiness. They have worked endlessly on ensuring the student’s needs get met. We would also like to thank the teachers who have taught what it means to have a respectable work ethic and what it takes to get a job done.

Second, I would like to thank our fellow classmates and Avengers for their support and friendship throughout these four years and the memories we have made together.

And finally, a word of advice to the lower classwomen as well as the future senior class: Enjoy Notre while it lasts, work hard, and have fun.

These next couple of years will fly by all too quickly. It has been a great pleasure to grow and mature as high schoolers and move onto bigger and better things. We, as a class, look forward to the things to come and the adventures to be had.

As we approach the end of another school year, students are stressing out and just want school to be done with already. With a full load of seven classes, some AP and or honors, it can be really hard to finish all of that work and then study for all of those tests. Instead of coming to school to take seven two-hourlong tests over four days, students should be able to prove that they learned something through project-based final exams.

Projects generally help students really understand what they were taught.

They encourage them to be creative about showing what they learned and making connections between the class and their everyday life. They are

Art students are hard at work, focusing on their projects. more engaging than traditional essays and tests and they help students remember things better and longer. Doing a project-based final exam is a great way to get things done as well as to take away some of our stresses.

Most students think projects are a more interesting way of being assessed than

just taking a test. While they are a lot of work, they give students the opportunity to work as well as to budget their times more realistically.

A project-based final is a great way to assess how much a student has retained throughout the entire semester, instead of a traditional test.

Teachers should definitely

Photo Credit: Rae Lin

consider giving their students the option. There shouldn’t be seven project-based final exams, but teachers should try to talk to each other and strive for a balance between projects and traditional tests. Project based finals will not only benefit the students mental health, but also make everyone’s lives a little bit easier.

Grades: Waiting for the “A”

Why students are so absurd in their quest for the highest possible grade Katie Brandi Staff Writer

@TheCatalystNDB

Although an A is simply just a letter, its complexity reaches far higher levels of importance when pertaining to life after high school. As admission to colleges become more difficult and selective, the price of an “A” grade costs more and holds such value to students.

Many believe that they need to be perfect in order to stand out from others in their class and maintaining a constant “A” average is the way to do so. They check the gradebook on Power School all the time. They ask their teachers for extra credit all the time.

To many, an “A” is worth all the stress, work, and lack of sleep if it means having that letter on their transcripts.

Photo Credit: Alex Dennis

Junior Niaz Khorrami celebrates her not-so-easy A. While colleges claim that they and understanding of the ma- taining it can vary depending do not look at grades only terial. It is not earned for effort on the class. Many students during the decision making and commitment only. An ‘A’ say a “B” in an honors class is process, it is still a strong fac- is above and beyond doing all equivalent to an “A” in a regtor in determining who gets in of your homework or partici- ular class. But, it just doesn’t and who does not. pating in class -- These actions seem as satisfying. It is just

Dr. Elizabeth Hegarty, are expected from every stu- that mentality that makes stuhead of the science depart- dent.” dents so obsessive with their ment, says, “A grade does not Striving to earn an grades and making the letter define you, but an ‘A’ demon- “A” can be quite stressful and “A” much more than just a strates exemplary knowledge the level of difficulty in ob- standard letter in the alphabet.

theCATALYST NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S FINEST NEWS SOURC NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S FINEST NEWS SOURCE

theCATALYST

EDITOR IN CHIEF Daniella Espinoza despinoza16@ndhsb.org Sofia Reyes sreyes16@ndhsb.org PHOTO EDITOR Rae Lin rlin16@ndhsb.org

FACULTY ADVISOR Robert Rojas rrojas@ndhsb.org ABOUT “THE CATALYST” “The Catalyst” is a student-run newspaper that is published quarterly in print and online for Notre Dame High School Belmont community.

EDITORIAL POLICY “The Catalyst” accepts unsolicited letters from students, faculty, staff, and alumni as well as press releases from on and off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication. “The Catalyst” reserves the right to edit or reject submissions it deems objectionable.

The views expressed in the Opinion section do not reflect the views of “The Catalyst,” Notre Dame High School Belmont, or the Archdiocese of San

Francisco, but are solely the views of the writer. Unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of “The Catalyst.”

CONTACT US Notre Dame High School c/o The Catalyst Student Newspaper 1540 Ralston Avenue Belmont, California 94002 Phone: (650) 595-1913 Email: TheCatalystNDB@gmail.com Social Media: TheCatalystNDB

#thecatalystndb | Opinion | Spring 2016

page 3

College: What’s in a name? That which we call a school

After four years, what will be more important: your college experience or your school’s name?

Rachel Roberts Staff Writer @TheCatalystNDB

As many high school seniors can attest to, the process of choosing just one school out of several colleges and universities by weighing all of their options can be quite daunting. College is described as a life-changing period, where people discover their true passion and pursue it through a certain field of study. So, there is a considerable amount of pressure in choosing the right school.

Months before they even get their chosen campus, there are college visits, applications, and a lot of waiting to be done. Often, seniors apply to several schools. At least one is a dream or reach school, one a match school, and one a safety school. Then, they narrow their choices down to “the one,” that one school they like the most.

But, regardless of which schools accept, waitlist, or deny them, by May 1st, also known as National College Decision Day, they must choose just one. So, what matters more: the prestige of school’s name or its fit for the prospective student?

According to this year’s salutatorian Anya Knoth, academic fit is most important. This can mean different things for different people, but it is ultimately ac-

ademics that drives a student’s choice.

Knoth argues that, while elite schools are renowned for a reason, choosing a college because of its name is only superficially attractive.

The name behind the school may represent its prestige, but a school’s ability to provide a personalized education will often work best. The programs, opportunities, and resources

leges and universities will usually only accept a student after reviewing his or her application and finding that he or she can thrive at their school.

She also said that prestige is subjective to the individual. Redefining prestige to be a personalized school that also provides a challenge, can mean that every student chooses a first-rate school to thrive well in.

the difficulty of the decision process, through which she ultimately chose Cal, saying, “Brown was extremely difficult to give up because I never in a million years thought I would get in. However, in the end, I think UC Berkeley is the school I was destined to attend.”

Knoth eventually decided on academic fit. She committed to Grinnell Col-

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons

UC Berkeley is known for being one of the most prestigious schools in the UC system. that a school can provide for the desired field of study is a large factor to consider.

NDB college counselor Roseanna Montgomery agrees. She approaches choosing a college based on taking everything into account. She says, “All of the factors: location, size, rigor, and prestige need to be considered when a student is searching for college to apply to.”

She added that col-

Another perspective on choosing a school is provided by one of this year’s two valedictorians, Bharathi Chinnakotla. Her top two picks were Brown University and UC Berkeley. Both schools are top rated, prestigious schools.

However, Brown has the edge of being more elite, with an acceptance rate of 9% this year compared to the slightly higher 14.8% of Cal.

Chinnakotla spoke on

lege in Iowa over her second choice, Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. She sought out a school with a strong chemistry department, and Grinnell had the edge in that respect.

Many schools have one field or industry that stand out amongst the rest. Like UC Berkeley’s proximity to the Bay and its pre-med program enticed Chinnakotla. Just as Manhattan Institute of Tech-

nology (MIT) may not be the best fit for an english major despite its high ranking, a student interested in STEM would have drastically different top choices. Aiming to find a school that offers the best academic fit is suggested, even if the student is undecided.

Location is a seemingly unimportant aspect of a school. However, this factor alone can drive the college experience in its own right.

Montgomery touches up on this issue, saying that a student who hates hot weather would not enjoy schools in Arizona.

Besides weather, student may find they want a quiet college town settings, and others want an intensely urban experience. Much of the time spent in college is not in the classroom. It is in the environment surrounding it. There are hundreds of college campuses across the United States and internationally, it may be worth it to weed out the places one may not work with during the application process.

Deciding what the most important factor for picking a school is ultimately up to the student, and if anything is to be learned from the experience of others it’s that one size does not fit all for colleges.

As Knoth puts it, “at the end of the day you can get a great education almost anywhere and have a really good time.” The resounding opinion seems to be that college is what each student makes it out to be, and the pressure to choose a top tier school is not always justified.

NDB faculty & staff college map: Oh, the places they’ve been Counseling

Social Studies Department

Alisia Bergholm | College of San Mateo Erica Cerles | Cal Poly Roseanna Montgomery | U of Michigan

Nicole Gonzalez | St. Mary’s College Martin Herrmann | UC Santa Cruz Michael McKenna | USF Gabor Molnar | CSU Sonoma

English Department

Visual and Performing Arts Department

Allison Bruno | U of Florida | Montclair State U

Peggy Brady | Santa Clara U Adam Currier | USC | USF Robert Rojas | LMU Clare Wadbrook | Sussex U | Brighton U Math Department Dimitri Andruha | USF Mae Linh Fatum | SFSU | NDNU Gina Kipilman | Santa Clara U | UC Berkeley

Jude Loeffler | Lakehead U | SFSU | U of Guelph

Doug Vierra | CSU Hayward Jennifer Walton | UN Las Vegas Religious Studies Department Thea Fiatarone | CSU East Bay

Melissa Granillo | USF | Jesuit School of Theology

Kristen Menzel | UH Manoa | USF

Barbara Sequeira | NDNU Katherine Warner | NDNU Science Department

Administration

Athletics/PE Department

Campus Ministry

Maryann Osmond | CSU Sacramento Anne Schaefer | U of Denver Carolyn Hutchins | Chaminade U

Patsy Iannone | College of San Mateo Jason Levine | College of ND | NDNU Kate Mahoney | John Carroll U Christina Okubo | CSU Sonoma

Kay Dinglasan | SJSU | Holy Names U Cristin Reyes | Santa Clara U

Kristy Chun | USC Mae Linh Fatum | USF Rebecca Girard | Boston College | Full Sail U

Elizabeth Hegarty | U of Liverpool Erin Kahn | UC Davis

My Nguyen | UC Irvine | CSU Long Beach

Brian Garcia | SDSU | SFSU Martha Anne Kuntz | Temple University | Tyler School of Art

Margaret Lindsey | JFK U (Brown) Coleen Lorenz | UCLA Kristin Pfeiffer | SFSU | SJSU Richard Schultz | SFSU World Languages Department Emily Borja | Ohlone College | New College CA

Annie Gavidia | UC Berkeley | UC Irvine Patricia Haddad | NYU Carolina Moroder | SJSU | Stanford U Christie Sellers | Middlebury College Other Staff Wendy Bell | SFSU Michelle Bizeau | CSU Sacramento Jolanda Breazeale | Cal Poly Rita Carter | City College of SF Jodie Penner | UCLA Cathy Lewis | Miami U Jacquie Marques | SFSU | NDNU Claudia Sarconi | UC Santa Cruz | SJSU Denise Severi | College of Marin Barbara Tauskey | CSU Humbolt | College of the Redwoods

Denise Uhl | St. Mary’s College Maria Worthge | SFSU | NDNU Mirna Yao | USF

page 4

#thecatalystndb | News & Features | Spring 2016

NDB community says goodbye to departing faculty and staff Goodbye | from Page 1

The Catalyst also asked students, faculty, and staff to reflect on and share their memories of the departing faculty and staff.

About Molnar, junior Sara Eckles says, “Although APUSH was probably one of the hardest and most challenging class I have ever taken, Mr. Molnar made the class fun and challenging. School will definitely not be the same without his jokes and personality.”

Junior and incoming ASB officer Michelle Pineda said the following about Granillo. She said, “Ms. Granillo is like an aunt to me. I visit her whenever I get the chance. She definitely pushed me to go after my dream of getting on to ASB so I thank her for that.”

On Campus Ministry, junior Niaz Khorrami said, “Mrs. Dinglasan was a great asset to the school, especially in Wave. Her smile brightened up everyone’s day. She will be missed. She is the one that made mass so organized, educational, and beneficial for the whole student body.” Another incoming ASB member, junior Jillian Antunez, said the following about Mrs. Reyes: “Thank you for everything you have done for me. I wish you all the luck in the future!”

About Chun, junior Isabelle Way said: “I will miss Ms. Chun because she made Chemistry fun and interesting.

All of her students love her, and class won’t be the same.”

Barbara Tauskey, long time co-worker and friend of Carter said, “Rita, oh Rita, Rita. I will miss dearly. She has been an incredible co-worker, companion, and I wish her the best in her retirement... although I am also very jealous.”

Rita Carter

Student Service Coordinator

Kristy Chun

Kay Dinglasan

Rita Carter is known for many things, such as answering calls from parents, helping lost visitors find their way, and, most importantly, ensuring that all students get their admit slip signed from the day they were absent. At the end of this school year, Carter is retiring. As tears rolled down her face during an interview with The Catalyst, Carter explained to us that her main goal while working in such a loving environment was to teach the students honesty and respect, which are two of the most important things one can learn in life.

Science Teacher

When this newspaper spoke with Science teacher Kristy Chun and asked her where she is going next year, we could see how sad she was that she is leaving NDB. Chun will be working at Everest HS in Redwood City. She said NDB is always going to be her teaching home and she will always be grateful for becoming a part of this family. She said, “It was really the students that taught me how to teach.” This statement really shows how dedicated Chun was to the NDB community and how it will always remain in her heart.

Campus Ministry is losing a very important member of the NDB community: Kay Dinglasan. Starting this fall, Dinglasan will be taking up a new job at St. Vincent Patrick HS in Vallejo where she will work as a campus minister and help students with questions about their faith.

At NDB, she advised WAVE and coordinated school liturgies and prayer services.

Without her, mass will just never be the same because she made sure each one was special and unique. We hope to continue her legacy in the world of being truly dedicated to the faith.

Melissa Granillo

Gabe Molnar

Cristin Winn-Reyes

Religion Teacher

Religion teacher Melissa Granillo will be leaving NDB after the school year ends in order to conduct research with the Louisville Pastoral Institute. She will be investing her time researching women’s leadership and, in order to do so, she will move back to New Mexico. Along with this exciting new adventure, she will also travel to England for the next year or so, gathering research from different parts of this world. A student told us, “Ms. Granillo made class more exciting and fulfilling, and I wish I could have her as a teacher for another year.”

Social Studies Teacher

When The Catalyst sat down with Social Studies teacher, Gabe Molnar, to get some information on why he is leaving and where he is going, we could instantly sense his sadness and disappointment for having to leave the NDB community. This summer, Molnar will be moving to Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Andi. There, they will both continue to work within the school system. APUSH student Annaliese Divney said, “I am so incredibly grateful that I got to have Mr. Molnar as a teacher, he is a great mentor and will be missed dearly.”

Campus Minister

Campus Minister

Campus Ministry is also losing its other member: Cristin Winn-Reyes.

She is moving onto another chapter in her life and will take up a new job: full-time motherhood. She will be staying at home to take care of her of her three foster children. She told us that being a mother has always been something that she wanted to do with her life, and now she finally gets to fulfill this dream. Reyes has dedicated her life to this school. She was always willing to help students, and students always knew they could always count on her. She will be missed tremendously.

Senior synthesis students present inaugural passion projects McGlinchey: “...if you love what you do, it won’t feel like work. You’ll get a lot out of it.”

by Jayna Ortiz Contributing Writer

This is the first year of Senior Synthesis, the required senior year-long religious studies course. Its mission is to inspire seniors to discover and study their own aspirations, goals, and passions for the future. A combination of the two previous semester long courses from last school year, World Religions and Spirituality and Storytelling, the class was a “test run” for the class of 2016 and had many valuable takeaways as a whole.

The second semester’s major assignment is the Passion Project. Each senior is asked to do some kind of service project that connected with their own passions, whether it was through vol-

Photo Credit: Rae Lin

Senior Adriana Cervantes shows a YouTube video during her presentation in the Innovation Lab. unteering, donations, or some form of giving back to the community, as well as that explored the school’s hallmarks.

Many hours of work in and out of the classroom were put into the project.

Some seniors truly found their passions while working on their individual projects.

Senior Danica Kaza-

koff, who did her project on mindfulness, says, “ I never expected to be so interested in meditation. The feeling that I got from my first time inspired me to stick with and learn more about it.”

The product of the Passion Project was a series of presentations in front of family and friends. Everyone

was able to listen to what other students have been doing and to learn about their passions.

For many, it was inspirational and encouraged them to think about what they are most passionate about themselves.

This “test run” will continue next school year. Senior Riley McGlinchey says, “My advice on the Passion

Project assignment for next year’s seniors is to make sure that you really are passionate about what topic you are doing it on because, if you love what you do, it won’t feel like work.

You’ll get a lot out of it!”

With the help of campus minister Kay Dinglasan and religious studies teachers Thea Fiatarone and Katie Warner, the class was successful in teaching seniors to follow their passions beyond the years that they spent at NDB.

It is Warner’s goal for next year to invite faculty and staff to participate. She says, “The projects are a wonderful way to get to know our hallmarks better, and share in community. I’d love for the process to be more collaborative next year for seniors, faculty, and staff.”

#thecatalystndb | News & Features | Spring 2016 page 5 Avengers assemble: Baccalaureate on June 1st, Graduation on June 2nd Avengers | from Page 1 love the idea of my mom being my friend forever.”

Activities continue throughout the week with Academic Awards Night on Tuesday, May 17. Monday, May 23 is the Senior Holiday and Tuesday, May 24 is the Senior Day of Reflection.

The reflection is an all day, off campus retreat. S e nior Wyeth Anderson said, “I have high hopes for the senior reflection, and I’m actually very excited. I’m curious as to what it will be like.”

Seniors will attend Academic Review Day and the School Picnic on Wednesday, May 25 and then take their finals from May 26 to June 1.

Since Senior Ditch Day and Memorial Day form two three-day weekends in a row, seniors will take advantage of the holiday, catching up on sleep or going on a weekend vacation. Caitlin Yuen and her friends will be going to Disneyland. Jennifer Ho and her friends will be spending the day under the sun

Photo credit: Rae Lin

Photo credit: Rae Lin

The ASB officers pose for a picture during the Passion Project.

The Avengers show off their class spirit for Aquacades.

the Avengers will assemble one last time on-campus for Class Day where they officially hand over the reigns to the junior class. At 2:30pm, the class of 2016 gathers again at St. Pius Church for the graduation ceremony. Co-valedictorians Bharathi Chinnakotla and Serena Grown-Haeberli and salutatorian Anya Knoth will address the graduating class.

After the ceremony, Avengers will dissemble to their dinners and parties with family and friends, marking the end of another year.

Senior Natasha Khoo and her squad are ready for prom.

in Santa Cruz.

When asked about how she feels about the end, Jenna Spini says, “It’s sad that everything is coming to an end, but it’s exciting because everyone has bright future and a lot to look forward to.”

On Wednesday, June 1, after their seventh block final, the last final exam of their high school career, seniors will gather later that evening at 7pm at St. Pius Church in Redwood City to celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass.

On Thursday, June 2,

Class of 2016 Graduation: Two share title of valedictorian

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Natasha Khoo

Oh, the places they’re going

Based on Naviance, the Class of 2016 will attend 65 colleges in 23 states and DC

Photo credit: Courtesy of The Torch

Bharathi Chinnakotla and Serena Grown-Haeberli

by Nina Takamoto Senior Writer

Out of 131 students in the senior class, two were selected to be co-valedictorians, Bharathi Chinnakotla (BC) and Serena Grown-Haeberli (SGH). The Catalyst (TC) had a chance to ask them about their time at NDB and their plans for the future.

TC: What does it feel like to be selected for valedictorian?

BC: I am very honored and grateful to be co-valedictorian! I want to thank all the people in my life who have supported and encouraged me throughout my high school career!

SGH: I, too, am very honored, and I agree with Bharathi.

TC: What are your future plans for further education and I what career do you see yourself in?

BC: At Cal, I am majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis on Cell and Developmental Biology. I want to be a doctor, so I hope to go to medical school and complete my residency and fellowship.

SGH: I’m heading to MIT to study engineering, probably mechanical. I’m interested in working in engineering, and maybe exploring start-ups and entrepreneurship.

TC: Any messages or tips to the underclassmen?

BC: To the Juniors, I encourage you all to cherish your last years at Notre Dame. Utilize the opportunities this schools provides you with and branch out and try new things! Good luck!

SGH: Don’t give up on your dreams. Do what you love because you love to, not because it will look good on a college app.

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University of Hawaii, Manoa (3)

Duke University (1)

Gonzaga University (4) | Seattle University (3) | University of Puget Sound (1) | University of Washington (1)

Colorado Regis University (1) | University of Colorado, Boulder (2) Connecticut

Washington

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#thecatalystndb | Arts & Entertainment | Spring 2016

Summer Vacation Camryn McNab NDB Traveler

@TheCatalystNDB

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Christian Arballo

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Marvin Chandra

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Andrés Nieto Porras

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Never House

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / gckwolfe

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Ian Ransley

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Ian Ransley

Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons / Scott Schrantz

Photo Credit: Tehya Hines

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Camryn McNab

With the 2015-2016 school year coming to an end and summer rapidly approaching, summer plans and vacation spots are the popular talk through NDB’s bustling hallways. What are students going to do for summer vacation? What spots are you planning to visit during your time off?

For a long time, trips to the forests and waters of Lake Tahoe and the beaches and hills of Hawaii seemed to be the most popular places to relax. For those that want to see the big city, there’s New York. And, for those that want to wander, there’s the capitals of Europe.

This summer, Coach Kate Mahoney is visiting Great Britain, Ireland, and France with her family to celebrate her parents’ 35th wedding anniversary and to visit Irish relatives. She says, “The rest of my summer I will be at NDB in the weight room and taking weekend trips to Tahoe, Scottsdale and wine country.”

If you don’t want to go that far from the Bay Area for the summer, there are many local spots to check out. San Francisco is a place that is full of fun and has good photo ops. If you want a cute brunch, Zazie’s is the place to go. If you want to go thrift store shopping, Haight and Ashbury is the perfect place.

For a day trip, head out to Santa Cruz with your friends. Riding rollercoasters on the Boardwalk, tanning on the beach under the California sun, or even hiking in the nearby mountains to get to a secret watering hole called the “Garden of Eden” are all fun ways to spend your summer days.

Tehya Hines, a junior and native of Half Moon Bay says, “The beach is a really nice get away during the summer, and it’s super relaxing and always available just to hang out.” Some beaches to check out are Cowell Ranch, Moss, Lighthouse, and Surfers.

Instead of spending the day lounging on the beach, Gabrielle Penner, also a junior, spends the day exercising. She says, “[My friends] and I spent a day over spring break in Montara.

We hiked the Montara State Trail and got to see some of the best views of the coast. It was such a great way to spend time together and vacation without leaving home!”

Whether you go far out of the country or spend your summer days around California, there’s always some place to go.

Art Show and Dance Showcase features student work 55 out of 200 student pieces were chosen for the gallery

by Sara Eckles Staff Writer

On Friday, May 13th, the NDB Art Show and Dance Showcase opened to the public, displaying the wide range of visual and performing art talent that the school has to offer to its students and the community.

First, the reception for the art show began in the gallery. With over 200 pieces entered, only 55 were chosen to be in the show. While there were awards given for each category, it is still an honor to be included in the show.

Photography and sculpture teacher, Martha Anne Kuntz says, “While the art of Notre Dame students may begin as a classroom assignment, ultimately it becomes the personal vision of each student who creates it. Having a final show where the public, peers, parents, and teachers can view the work and the artist can see the reaction is such an important part of the process.”

Later, the Dance Showcase occurred at the NDNU Theatre. Student dancers performed many innovative and intricate routines, featuring InStep, Serra Dance V, as well as the Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced

Photo Credit: Rae Lin

The InStep class in the midst of their performance.

Photo Credit: Alex Dennis

Student work is on display in the art gallery.

Dance classes.

Erika Goetz, a per The showcase began former in the showcase says, with a dance that included “I love performing in the dance the InStep classes. It then fol- show because it allows me to lowed with 17 other dances, gain confidence! It allowed us including group dances, duos, to work as a team and develop solos, and a performance by friendships within the dance the ASL class. program.”

Visual Arts: Who are the tape people?

Student sculpture projects pop up all around NDB campus

Photo Credit: Alex Dennis

An art installation of tape sculptures has been placed in front of the Moore Pavilion.

by Rachel Roberts Staff Writer

The many “tape-people” have certainly become noticeable around the campus. Sitting in the dining hall, playing in the Father Downey Garden, or reading in the halls, these tape-people are as versatile as the student body. These tape figures did not pop up out of the blue; they were created by the students of the Sculpture classes.

Freshman Domi Sullivan explained the origin of these figures, saying, “The goal was to make a scenario that would cause viewers to stop and think about what the pieces were portraying, like a massive charades game. They were constructed by wrapping

Photo Credit: Alex Dennis

Another installation has three sculptures reading together. a body part of a teammate in saran wrap, followed by many layers of the clear packing tape. I personally had a great time figuring out how every piece had to fit together to look proportional and was really happy with the results.”

The students split in groups and each took a differ-

ent direction when approaching this project. The versatility allowed students to showcase their creative processes.

Overall, many of the sculpture students feel happy with their figures, and everyone can truly enjoy viewing the poses and meanings behind each figure.

#thecatalystndb | Health & Sports | Spring 2016

Softball continues season in playoffs

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Swim: A season in review

Team to play CCS, DIII quarter-finals on Saturday, May 21 CCS: Smith selected for state finals

by Danica Kazakoff Contributing Writer The NDB softball team has always wanted one thing: a championship win. It has been pushing for one ever since the class of 2016 has stepped on the field for tryouts in the spring of their freshman year.

It strived for it, getting closer every year. Now, that they are seniors and in the school’s last year in the WCAL, a banner would be the perfect way to go out.

Other goals that the team set for themselves is defeating rival Mitty HS as well as winning CCS. After four years of hard fought games, the first goal was finally accomplished during the Senior Game on May 5th, scoring 6-4.

The second goal was partially accomplished, getting there every year, but only making it to semifinals last year.

As catcher, I believe a big part of why we are able to accomplish our goals and have a good chance at finishing off the season where we want, is our team chemistry. Some of us have been playing together since we were 10 years old and the bond we have with each other is unbreakable.

And, with every new addition to the team, it has been a quick tie between us

Photo Credit: Robert Rojas

Bianca Magnani, Sofia Magnani, Marina Sylvestri, Danica Kazakoff, Carly Miller, and Madison Earnshaw huddle.

Photo Credit: Robert Rojas

Photo Credit: Robert Rojas

Senior Danica Kazakoff looks at her coach for the pitch call.

Junior Marina Sylvestri throws the ball to her cut.

all. The friendships we have with each other off the field shows on the field and continues to get stronger. This goes a long way, knowing we have each others back when the game gets tough.

Between our bond, hard

work, and talent, the team has a good feeling going into the playoffs. I have enjoyed the process of working hard with my teammates and getting to know and love each and everyone of them in their special ways.

Senior reflects on Track & Field team

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Brittany Bradley

The 2015-2016 NDB swim team pose for a photo.

by Brittany Bradley Contributing Writer

Olympian Michael Phelps once said, “Swimming is normal for me. I’m relaxed. I’m comfortable, and I know my surroundings. It’s home.” The NDB swim team can relate to this quote because they spend at least two hours a day, four to five days a week in a pool during their season, running from February 1 to May 7, depending on championship finals.

During a typical practice, the swimmers arrive at Serra HS at 5:30pm and get into the pool by 5:45pm. For the next two hours, swimmers will swim approximately 4,000 yards. They get out of the water between 7:30 and 7:45pm and, for the next twenty to thirty minutes, they are responsible for putting the covers back on the pool.

The varsity team coach is Scott Ray and the junior varsity team coach is Kate Mahoney. Both provide a positive environment that challenges swimmers physically everyday.

Congratulations to freshman Malia Velasco for winning the swim off in the 200 yard individual medley at WCAL trials; freshman Ella Burrin for a personal best of 30.1 seconds in the 50 yard butterfly JV medley at WCAL finals; and junior Natalie Smith for winning WCAL and making it to CCS! With contributions from junior Kaitlyn Oliveri

Health and Wellness Board to WCAL Championships: Hayman places first in JV 300 hurdles start next school year

by Riley McGlinchey Contributing Writer

by Alex Dennis Staff Writer

This track season has been my favorite because, as a senior, I’ve felt more like a leader and a key asset to the team than ever before. I’ve seen the same mindset and attitude in the other seniors as well – we all lead leg drills, coordinate rides, help the coaches, and are overall strong leaders on the team. Everyone has been doing really well this season.

For the distance part of the team, the part that I am on, it’s been great because we’ve had more people running the 800 meter race than ever before. That’s been really fun because not a lot of people usually run distance.

We’ve also had some strong times, with freshman Sophie Harris getting down to a 6:06 mile and myself running a time of 5:38. The sprinters have also done really well. I know we’ve all been so impressed with the freshmen 4x100 team with Alex Gatt, Daviana Hayman, Grace Earley, and Isa Mack. It’s been so exciting for the team watching them all season.

Hayman and Senior

Next year, NDB will have a new board on campus: The Health and Wellness Board. This new organization will be building activities and curriculum based on the importance of mental and physical wellness and, more specifically, being in touch with one’s personal health.

Throughout the 2016-2017 school year, the board will be run by seniors Alex Dennis, Julia Underwood, Mila Yoch; juniors Sophia Renner, Ruby Lewis, Elizabeth Chun; sophomores Bea Ross and Bianca Ladner; and counselor Erica Cerles and Health and Wellness counselor Denise Uhl. With eight dedicated students and two advisors, the board is aiming for success.

Over the course of the school year, they will hold wellness activities during collaboration, lunch, and other common times where they will work with both classes and individual students. They will bring the work that their board does to the classroom by inviting speakers to talk to the school and by creating lesson plans for each grade level.

In addition to the many exciting things that will come from the board, they will also combine with the currently existing Healthy Living Club and really bring the importance of health to life within NDB. This collaboration will involve the club’s magazine, Project Positive, shifting from the arms of club members to the work of the board members where it will take on bigger and longer health-related stories

Starting this fall, The Health and Wellness board hopes to provide fresh insight to NDB students, faculty, and staff into the world of health, happiness, and the importance of well being.

Photo Credit: Robert Rojas

Freshman Daviana Hayman runs the JV 300 meter hurdle.

Jess Beering have been strong in hurdling, thanks to hurdling coach Adam Currier.

There has been a strong showing in the field events; whether it’s discuss, shot put, high jump, long jump, or triple jump, the NDB girls have been outstanding at every meet.

Overall, we’ve been really clicking as a team and have been surprising our opponents time and time again throughout the season. We are on track to really “hurt some people” as our coach BJ Wright would say at finals on May 13. I’m so proud of the team and everything we have accomplished.

the

CATALYST

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S FINEST NEWS SOURCE Photo Credit: Robert Rojas

Senior Riley McGlinchey runs the Varsity 800 meter.

Help Wanted: Student Reporters, Writers, Photographers, Graphic Designers, and other aspiring Journalists. Apply in Room 124 or TheCatalystNDB@gmail.com

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#thecatalystndb |Class of 2016| Spring 2016

Jr/Sr Prom

by Sofia Reyes Editor in Chief

Every year in the spring, high schools develop a small and barely noticeable buzz. This buzz is called prom fever. The fever lasts from the few months leading up to prom until the week following prom, when students are still posting pictures with their dates or their friends. Even though it can be stressful, in the end, it is all worth it for those few hours spent on the dance floor.

This year, the theme for the NDB prom was Arabian Nights, and senior student council member Olivia Geronimo worked tirelessly to plan and decorate. It was because of the effort of the combined senior and junior student council members that a ballroom in the Sofitel luxury hotel in Redwood City was transferred into a colorful representation of Arabian Nights. There were pictures and food in the lobby area and then dancing in the ballroom accompanied by a lively DJ. NDB girls and their dates danced the night away until it was time to go home and think about the next year’s prom.

Overall, students had a great time and made some fun memories with each other.

What is Prama?

by Taylor Collins & Helen Hardy

Contributing Writers

Prama.

Everybody knows what it is. It’s prom drama or the stress that results from dates, parties, pictures, makeup and hair, or just from finding the right dress.

The NDB Prom Dress Facebook Page started at the beginning of the spring semester when prama started to consume the halls. Not only were girls anxious about finding a dress that they could both afford and love, but also passing around dresses that they had worn to previous proms to others.

Since the beginning of the semester, prama has been the central topic of lunch table discussions and group chats.

The days leading up to this one night are nearly mind boggling due to the extensive preparation it takes to pull off everything for this biggest event of the year.

The day of, rest assured, is when every girl spends hours getting ready, perfecting makeup, and going to the hair salon. Then, meeting dates and friends is full of excitement and anxiety,. Parents take many of pictures of dates, friends, and families, this is something no one wants to miss. After this, parents say goodbye and the kids are off to prom!

Promposals and Prom

These pictures are just a small sampling of NDB promposals and prom activities.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter #TheCatalystNDB to see more photos of these and other school events.