Issuu

NEWS | Page 6-7

ARTS & LIFE | Page 9

The Royals prepare for graduation

www.TheCatalystNDB.com

Volume 3, Issue 6

SPORTS | Page 11

CATALYST Students celebrate art and dance

the

Athletes commit to college at signing ceremony

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1540 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002

May 2017

FEATURE

The last days of the Royals begin with Mass and brunch

A large family of Royals and their mothers pose for a picture in the Father Downey Garden. by Sara Eckles Managing Editor (Online) Precious memories and unconditional love. This theme was present throughout the Royals’ Mother/Daughter Mass and brunch where mothers, grandmothers, and other prominent mother figures accompanied their daughters on the last steps of their journey as NDB high school students.

The Sunday morning began with a Mass at the Notre Dame de Namur Chapel, presided by Father John Ryan. Royal Ashley Faro began the liturgy with a beautiful welcome address. Throughout the service, mother-daughter duos, Gabrielle and Jodie Penner, Sara and Lisa Eckles, Isabelle and Mary Way, Sasha Dana and Rose Lorenc, and Maddie and Julie Baumann,

did the readings, prayers, and other liturgical ministry duties. During his homily, Father Ryan reminded the girls that the bonds they share with their mothers is the greatest bond of all. He also said to hold onto that bond dearly. Following the Mass was a brunch, catered by the Epicurean Group, held back on-campus in the Dining Room.

NEWS

Director of Parent Relations and Advancement Events Denise Severi organized a great event for the Royals to share with their mothers. There was even a raffle, including prizes such as extra graduation tickets and even a bike. After the brunch, the moms and daughters took a trip down memory lane, watching a slideshow of pic-

Photo courtesy of Theresa Halton

tures from the Royals as they grew from babies to children to teenagers. Thanks to Teresa Halton who organized and put together the slideshow, the girls and their mothers were filled with joyous memories of the past eighteen years. The Royals and their moms made a precious memory during the event and showed their love from each other as graduation comes.

NEWS

Students elect new ASB and class leaders Finals are almost done by Dasha Baroni Contributing Writer

by Avani Tumuluri Contributing Writer

The Spring election season ended in the middle of May after three weeks of campaigning by candidates for ASB, Class Council, and Homeroom Presidents. The new 2017-2018 ASB officers are Mavericks Jilly Antunez, Bianca Baldini, Gabby Fanucchi, Roxie Khalili, and Shivani Patel. They will eventually fill the positions of President, Vice-President, Communications, Activities Director, Arts Director, and Athletics Director. When asked what role she preferred, Khalili says, “I would like to be the ASB President. I believe I am a leader, and I am ready to take on this huge position and represent

As the year comes to an end, the anticipation is high as students try to patiently wait the last few days of school for summer. However, relaxation and vacation plans are not the only topics being discussed in the NDB hallways. Final exams are a looming presence at the end of every semester, which students dread. With the number of hours required for studying and the assumption that final exams determine one’s future, finals and the weeks leading up to it are stressful ones. Stress is unhealthy for students and affects confidence. Following tips on studying, dealing with stress, and taking care of yourself is

Photo Credit: Robert Rojas

New ASB officers lead a school picnic game.

the students of NDB. I will contribute my innovative ideas to the other officers and work hard to achieve the best for the students at NDB.” The outgoing ASB President Gabrielle Penner

knows what is ahead for these future student leaders , no matter what roles they take. She continued, “I am hopeful that it’s a very strong group, See ASB Leaders | Page 5

Photo Credit: Robert Rojas

De-stress before the test.

helpful in that one will feel confident and ready for any exam that comes her way. Students are burdened with the pressure of doing See Finals | Page 4

MAY 2017

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Only one more draft...

OPINION

Notre’s New Desks: Flex furniture

EIC Alex Dennis pens her last story A student review of spending one year in the beta classrooms Alexandra Dennis Editor in Chief @TheCatalystNDB

Throughout my life, I have found that goodbyes carry many different emotions. First, they carry sadness - a feeling of heartache mostly stemmed from the fact that change is about to occur, familiarity is about to disappear. I guess you could say the Catalyst has been a home to me over the past couple of years. A place for me to work, grow, and participate in something amazing that has brought me so much contentment and success. It’s obvious why I would be sad about leaving - especially having worked alongside of my closest friends this year, but I have to remember that this sadness is a good thing, it means that my goal in reviving the Catalyst succeeded, and I think that’s something I should be pretty happy about. Secondly, goodbyes render acceptance, as we often realize that there is nothing to be done to change the situation, and that this farewell is inevitable. It’s a fair concept, and if you look at it from a positive perspective, it’s actually quite invigorating knowing that something new is about to come about. Which brings me to our last emotion: excitement. More specially, excitement about what the future holds and what is going to happen as I leave Notre Dame and attempt to conquer the world on my own. I guess you could say there is a little bit of fear attached to this last one too. There have been oftentimes in the past couple of weeks where I will catch myself thinking about how insane and exhilarating it is that my time - our class’ time - at Notre Dame has finally come to an end. There will not be another time where I will get to make myself Epicurean salads on the daily, I won’t get to engage with some of my favorite teachers on a weekly basis, and I certainly won’t be able to run around the school with my best friends, greeting students we don’t even know and making fools of ourselves. There will not be any more Monday journalism meetings with Mr. Rojas, no late night production days or last minute photo ops. I think this is the part of graduation that makes me disappointed. But, I have to say, my sadness about leaving this familiar place doesn’t outweigh my excitement about starting my new life in college this fall. And, if anything, I think that just shows how well Notre Dame has prepared me for this next stage. So as I give the Catalyst my final goodbye, I can only hope that I made a lasting impression with my work as Editor-in-Chief this school year. This newspaper is a part of me that I am always going to remember as my roots, my beginning, and I know I am never going to forget what we created here. So, farewell NDB journalism, and for those of you who will still be at Notre Dame this year, please be sure to greet the 2017-2018 staff with warm, welcoming arms.

Photo credit: Ivanna Ojeda

Ivanna Ojeda Contributing Writer @TheCatalystNDB

It’s been a whole school year since NDB installed new “spinning desks,” as students like to call them, in various classrooms throughout the school. In the beginning, I was very excited to see the new desk set-up, as were my friends, but after reflecting on it at the end of the year, I realize that it definitely had its ups and downs. Depending on which classroom you were in, the colors would vary. I had the orange and gray combo in room 109, and they had a desk, chair, and a compartment underneath to store your backpack, all combined into one. Overall, I loved every second I had in them, and I definitely would recommend that they be put in each classroom in order to really enhance a much needed, brand new learning environment. I’ll admit it was distracting at first since it was really tempting to spin around during class, but after awhile it was easy to get accustomed to and didn’t really distract from class, even if you were as fidgety as I am. When it came to our schoolwork, it was suddenly much easier to be collaborative with our peers and in all honesty, it improved the mood of my classmates and I since we weren’t stuck in the usually cold and rigid metal desks. It wasted less time and effort when doing group work and as for Herrmann’s U.S History class, it allowed us to express our thoughts and ideas clearly during debates specifically. It made the classroom feel less like an actual classroom and opened the doors to a more realistic environment in the real world.

In general, it gave students the freedom to be collaborative and expressive with the amount of room it gave, the relaxing ambience it gave off, and the necessary preparation it gave us for the workplace to learn to adapt and work well with the people all around us. The one thing I would say has room for improvement would be the organization of the desks once everyone leaves the classroom. Personally, it seemed like that was the hardest part for the teachers. Having the desks in such a disarray would definitely be one of the downfalls, but would be easily fixable with discipline and persistence. When speaking to Emma Loaiza, an Environmental Science student who had the desks for a year in her classroom, she agreed that the new desks were a definite improvement from the last ones. She says, “It made doing group work in class a lot more easier, which is especially important for science classes like ours.” She also went on to say that it definitely helped with her need to constantly keep moving without distracting the entire class. “I usually can’t stay in one place alone for a long period of time, so having these desks were a great experience since I was able to move around without effort. I was able to get away with it since it wasn’t as obvious.” All-in-all, I believe that these new desks could improve student life at NDB in the future, and I highly recommend that they replace the current desks, so long as we keep in mind that we must make it easy for our teachers by being organized and respectful with them. When speaking to students that had them in their classrooms, there seems to be a unanimous agreement to keep them and integrate them into more classrooms around the school. Now, it’s up to the school to make that final decision.

#theCATALYSTNDB theCATALYST

ABOUT “THE CATALYST”

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S FINEST NEWS SOURCE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Dennis adennis17@ndhsb.org

NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR Rachel Roberts rroberts17@ndhsb.org

SPORTS EDITOR Camryn McNab cmcnab17@ndhsb.org

MANAGING EDITOR (ONLINE) Sara Eckles seckles17@ndhsb.org

OPINION EDITOR Michelle Leung mleung17@ndhsb.org

PHOTO EDITOR Katie Brandi kbrandi17@ndhsb.org

MANAGING EDITOR (PRINT) Monet Mendenhall mmendenhall17@ndhsb.org

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Sasha Arredondo-De Lipski sarredondodelipski17@ndhsb.org

FACULTY ADVISOR Robert Rojas rrojas@ndhsb.org

“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 1540 Ralston Avenue Belmont, California 94002 Phone: (650) 595-1913 Email: TheCatalystNDB@gmail.com Social Media: TheCatalystNDB

MAY 2017

OPINION

Staycation versus Vacation

Photo courtesy of Rachel Roberts

page 3

Photo courtesy of Robert Rojas

by Rachel Roberts News Editor

by Kaitlin McCarthy Staff Writer

When reflecting on the significance of a summer break, one would realize the importance of rest. The school year is filled with projects, tests, sports, club meetings, and so much more, that come June, many of us are ready to take mid-day naps and relax on the beach. 75% of the year is spent in school, so when given three months in between, what better to do than rest, or alternatively, explore parts of your home that you could not get to while juggling the school year chaos. What new ice cream shops are opening downtown, or what new exhibit moved into the local art museum? The Bay Area is full of exciting things, and although we all love San Francisco, there is much more to the Bay than the Haight and Golden Gate Park. Catch up on the hours of sleep lost to last minute cramming and stressful group projects, and do what you would do but never could. For some travelling could mean breaking the bank, so the fun trip outside California could be saved to a later date, and instead focusing on all that our home has to offer. Or, at the very least, if you’re planning on making a few trips, space them out to get maximum relaxation. And for the seniors, this summer is the last time to be home and see friends before next summer. Homesickness is common within the first year of college, so maximizing the time at home with family, friends, and pets will feel better in the long run. Just because you won’t be across the world doesn’t mean you won’t make unforgettable memories!

Now that summer is coming, it is time to think about what activities we will participate in, and where we want to travel. Some people say “Oh, but why not just take a staycation?! It’s so much easier and inexpensive, and much less of a hassle.” Yes this is true, but what you gain from a vacation, you will not get from a staycation. A vacation is definitely worth the cost, new experience, possible language barrier, weather and distance. And yes, even the hassle at the airport (TSA, customs, etc). Think about it - 365 days at home versus 351 days home with a two week vacation. Your body will thank you immensely for being in a new environment, and giving your brain a break. Also, think of how much fun planning a vacation can be! Yes, it can be frustrating at some points, but choosing a new city to go to, and planning new activities can sometimes even be fun in itself! Going to see that one city you have always wanted to be in might be a once in a lifetime chance. For example, traveling gives you a new an opportunity to try new foods. If you travel, you will get an opportunity to experience that. The best part is, it is a unique experience for you. The thrill of doing something new will make that trip even more memorable. Also, you never know what unexpected events might come up. You may have try something you have never done before, like snorkeling, or maybe even cliff jumping... if you’re into that. You will also get a chance to meet new people, and can always learn something new on vacation. So, instead of just staying near your house and seeing the same streets and buildings, why not give yourself a fresh start and new change of mind?

Mind the gap: Consider taking a gap year Isobel Senhaji

Contributing Writer

@TheCatalystNDB

As the year draws to a close, many students here at NDB are getting ready to leave home and move onto adult life. For most, this means transitioning to a college where they will spend another four years, at least, behind a desk. There are other options, however, for those of us who may need a break from the classroom life. The idea of taking a gap year has been criticized in the past, but now more than ever many students are working it into their plans after high school. A gap year is essentially exactly what it sounds like. It is a period of time during which students can take a break from being seated at a desk and learn new things or even immerse themselves in the idea of living a life away from parents before having to

Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons / vic xia

Taking a gap year provides you with opportunities that a book cannot. Right?

balance that new stress with the struggles that come with freshman year of college. In the past 20 years, the percentage of students taking gap years has been relatively low, but since 2010 these numbers have increased exponentially with the exception of the 2012-2013 high school graduates. Though many parents protest this saying that their child will not return to school if they take a break, a sur-

vey from author Karl Haigler shows that nearly 90% of students that took a gap year returned to their studies within a year. The true supporting pieces of evidence that you may wish to present to your parents if you bring up the idea of taking a gap year is that, according to a Milkround graduate recruitment Gap Year survey, 88% of people that took a gap year between high school and college reported

that doing so increased their employability. This is attributed in part to the engagement within community, traveling, and gaining “street smarts” that these people experience. One of the most popular reasons, and truly my reason for wanting to take a gap year, is the thought of being able to see the world before you move onto the next stage of your life. Activities and benefits of traveling are experiencing

different cultures, learning new languages, expanding your skillset, and the most obvious: gaining an awesome repertoire of photos to share on Instagram. The former three benefits are nearly exactly what most employers are looking for when examining potential hires which, personally, sells the idea of taking a gap year making me a more sought out employee. When looking at the gist of taking a gap year, it is evident that it is the best option for students looking to discover new interests or skills and get away from the boring class environment. If you are unsure about whether or not you want to take a gap year, think about what you want to do in life. None of the pros stated are guarantees, but if you have the drive to engross yourself in the opportunity to gain new life skills then look into it. And if you need help convincing your parents to let you do so, like myself, do more research and let them know that it could be your path to success.

MAY 2017

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NEWS

NDB community welcomes Royals present Passion Projects Olivia Mason the freshmen class of 2021 byContributing Writer

Photo credit: Mary Jane Peters

Head of School Maryann Osmond addresses the incoming students and their families at the Welcome Dinner. by Shreya Chatterjee Contributing Writer NDB held its annual Welcome Dinner for incoming freshman on Thursday, May 4. The dinner was a joint effort by Admissions and Link Crew to provide the new students with a warm and welcoming experience. At the beginning of the event, the 130 freshmen sat in the bleachers with their families as several speeches were given. Director of Admissions Cathy Lewis welcomed the class, while Royal Erika Goetz, the Ambassador Board president, spoke about finishing her four years at NDB. Director of Student

Life and Wellness Denise Uhl gave the audience tips about handling the transition from middle to high school. Head of School Maryann Osmond finished with one more welcome to the new Tigers. The freshman class were split up into their homerooms and participated in icebreakers to give them a chance to make new friends. During the last part of the evening, the girls headed back to the Moore to have dinner with their families. Overall, the night was meant to give the newest members of the NDB community an introduction to the school. Class of 2021, welcome to your new home.

Finals are almost done

This is the second year of the senior theology class, Senior Synthesis. As a part of this multidimensional class, seniors embark on Passion Projects, that demonstrate their organizational skills, time management, creativity, and most importantly, the manifestation of a passion unique to each of them. With the guidance of the Senior Synthesis teachers, students illustrated their understanding of the design thinking project paired with their passion to create projects that benefit many communities. Many of the projects were service oriented, such as a bake sale to raise money for a non-profit organization, to bring awareness to a certain issue, or a supply drive. Royal Helen Hardy chose to continue community service that began with the cheer team. She says, “My best friend Taylor and I created a care package for a ten year old cancer patient. This package included an ‘I am Notre Dame’ t-shirt, twenty-five letters from NDB students, a stuffed ani-

Photo courtesy of the Catalyst Editorial Staff

Camryn McNab, Tehya Hines, and Tara Barrett prepare to share their Passion Project presentations. mal, and a coloring book.” Another student, Royal Elise Cook said, “It wasn’t hard to choose what I wanted the focus of my project to be. I have a deep love for yoga and the ways in which it helps me to destress, so I figured I would fellow classmates on stress relief.” When asked what she liked about this assignment, Cook said, “I liked that we had the freedom to execute the project in the whatever way we wanted.”

Seniors gathered on the night of April 11 to showcase the progress they have made with their projects. Family and friends were invited to listen to the presentations. Hardy continues with her passion. She said, “Taylor and I felt so much joy after delivering our care package and decided that we didn’t want our work to stop there. Afterwards, we delivered twenty-two stuffed animals to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.”

Students honored at Academic Awards Evening

Photo courtesy of Robert Rojas

Serra HS students try to braid NDB girls’ hair during an an obstacle course challenge at the school picnic. Finals | from Page 1 well on their finals, the last chance to raise their grade, and show their teachers how much they have learned. Sophomore Amy Nebeling says, “I’m definitely scared and nervous for finals. Stress is a big problem for me, but I don’t really do anything to deal with it. It comes and goes, and my stress levels have definitely been high these past few weeks.” The School Picnic is designed to help students relax for a bit, connect with friends, and have fun in the days leading to the finals. It is where the whole school takes out their picnic blankets and settles in for a relaxing and stress free lunch. Girls laugh with their friends and even play some fun activities, like water balloon tossing! Stress and ner-

vousness is a major setback for students during finals as it can affects their performance level, so this picnic is made to relieve the students of that burden. Final exams are a major time for students. They are from Thursday, May 25 to Wednesday, May 31. Students will take only two exams each day and will get to go home at 12:30pm. Finals are not the end of the world. Knowing the equations, connections, or main ideas will definitely make anyone confident, resulting in an almost stress-free exams. So, take advantage of the days leading up to final exams are important times for students to take advantage of teacher collaboration, reviewing topics, and also remembering that heightened stress can only make situations worse.

Photo Courtesy of the Catalyst Editorial Staff

Royals Alden Glassey, Divya Mohan, and Eden Grown-Haeberli have good reason to smile with the various awards that they received throughout the evening. by Jessica Flores Contributing Writer As the 2017 Academic Awards Night began, about 80 NDB students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, prepared to find out what they would be recognized for and awarded. While they first signed in and gathered in the small gym, they anxiously awaited the ceremony to commence. All grade levels lined up, starting with the seniors and ending with the freshman, to walk into the Moore Pavilion, where the Awards Ceremony was being held. Parents, relatives, and friends took pictures and videos, and cheered on the

girls as they entered. The ceremony opened with Maryann Osmond, the Head of School, making a welcome speech. Then, each department chair announced “Outstanding Achievement” awards and “Department Award.”. Along with these main academic awards, there were numerous other awards and scholarships given out for particular achievements such as Valedictorian, Salutatorian, scholarships pertaining to organizations and national tests, and specific junior and senior awards that a person may never have known even existed. As students names

were called there was a wide range of emotions as they walked up to receive their awards they so greatly deserved and worked for the entire academic school year. Royal Annaliese Divney said, “The awards ceremony was a fun and amazing event. I loved watching my classmates and sisters get recognized for their hard work and dedication -- they all deserve it!” Whether it was your sister, best friend, or just a classmate that received each award, the awardees, the crowd, and teachers clapped and cheered for everyone that was announced.

NEWS

MAY 2017

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The Catalyst says good bye to some departing faculty and staff

Margaret Cucinell English Teacher TC: Why are you leaving NDB? MC: Relocating to Oregon. TC: How has NDB affected you as a teacher? MC: It’s a wonderful teaching experience. Students are highly motivated and inspirational. TC: What will you remember the most about NDB? MC: The whole NDB community, especially the freshman girls. TC: Any last words for NDB? MC: Keep loving and supporting each other. Sisters forever.

Ryan Dilag Spiritual Life Teacher

Mae Linh Fatum Science Teacher

Margaret Lindsey Visual Arts Teacher

TC: How has NDB affected you as a teacher? RD: “It has been an absolute real pleasure serving each of you. Thank you for allowing me to minister -- to teach -- and thank you especially for welcoming into the NDB family.”

TC: Why are you leaving NDB? MF: “First off, I’m not leaving for good. I’m just taking a semester off to have a baby. It is my first and I want to spend those first few months with them getting to know them!”

TC: Why are you leaving NDB? ML: She’s “re-retiring” from high school teaching for the third time. She intends to return more actively to her on-going practice as a painter and creativity coach.

TC: How has NDB affected you as a teacher? MF: “NDB is one of the most caring and nurturing communities I have ever had the privilege of being a part of. It has taught me to be more caring and compassionate.”

TC: What will you remember the most about NDB? ML: She has taught at different schools, and NDB is the kindest. Here, people always care for and take care of each other.

TC: Any last words for the NDB community? RD: “Though this is not good-bye, I will for sure miss you all dearly. Remember always to not just know the Hallmarks, but to live the Hallmarks. Be good. Do good. Forgive quickly. And love always. St. Julie, pray for us.”

TC: Any last words for the NDB community? TC: Any last words for NDB? MF: “Thank you for being so amazing ML: Keep on making art! these last six years. Stay classy Notre!”

Students elect new ASB and Class Leaders for upcoming year ASB Leaders | from Page 1 and I can see them doing great things throughout the year, and I’m excited to come back to rallies and see how they’re doing.” In addition to the ASB elections, student leaders had the opportunity to run for Class Council. Those positions include President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Activities Director, Athletic Director, Historian, and Spirit Commissioner. The current Titans Class President Meghan Olsen knows what the process for Class Council elections is like. She ran for her position during the fall semester and ran against this spring. She was re-elected. Olsen says, “It was a lot dif-

ferent than freshman year; we had a lot more to do. First, we have to meet requirements, have good grades, the correct amount of service hours, good behavior, etc. Then, we fill out an application for why we want to be in office. Then, you create a speech and a poster that give your class a glimpse into who you are and what you will do.” She continued, “This year, they also told us we had to make a video. I wanted my video to be memorable which is hard to do under a minute. Basically, I filmed a make-up tutorial spoof with puns about how I would be successful as president. I think running for office is a great experience that everyone should try.” When asked about her plans for next year, Olsen says, “I will use

my experience from being class president this last year, so I can help the incoming freshman. Also, I will use the knowledge that I have gained and contribute more ideas in student council meetings and really give a voice to the sophomore class and their opinions.” The current Titans Vice-President Preyasi Kumar was also re-elected. She says, “As VP, I want to make sure that my classmates are all informed of events that are occurring throughout the school year, and I want to encourage greater participation in such events. With my enthusiasm, I also want to strengthen the sisterhood among the classes.” Preyasi is confident that she will be able to manage her challenging academics as well as being VP.

She says, “Absolutely! I have had the honor of being the Titans VP these past two years, and the experience I’ve gained in this field will only make my job simpler.” When asked about her class council’s ability to work together, she says, “We have a fairly tight-knit council, and we’d be able to work well with each other and together with the class to get things done.” She continued, “Right now, things are running pretty smoothly. We’ve been pretty successful in working together to achieve a great goal. We started off the year a little shaky, but we moved past that and came together, finishing this year off even stronger than before.”

Photo credit: The Catalyst Editorial Staff

MAY 2017

NEWS

Royals end four page 6

Photo courtesy of Gabor Molnar

The Royals

“Broken PROMises” promotes Hollywood theme makes safe and sober prom night prom a red carpet event

August 14, 2013 June 1, 2017

Class Color Purple

Class Coordinators Breazeale/Molnar, 13-14 Chung/Fatum, 14-15 Andruha/Molnar, 15-16 Kipilman/Yao, 16-17

Class Presidents Marina Sylvestri, 13-14 Maddie Baumann, 14-15 Marina Sylvestri, 15-16 Gina Andreatta, 16-17

Aquacades Fourth Place, 2014 Second Place, 2015 Second Place, 2016 First Place, 2017

Photo credit: Brian Garcia

Foster City firemen use the jaws of life to rescue an “injured” student from a simulated car accident. by Jilly Antunez and Shreya Chatterjee

Contributing Writers

“Broken PROMises” is the name of this year’s “Sober Prom” event, a multi-day DUI car accident simulation meant to show high school students the dangers and implications of drinking and driving. On the first day, Belmont police officer Brian Vogel announced over the school intercom the “deaths” of seven NDB students. There was a space of fifteen minutes between each name to emphasize the statistic that, every fifteen minutes, someone is killed due to a drunk driver. Later in the day, the NDB community gathered outside the school’s back gate area where a DUI car accident with the seven students was staged. Actual ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars

arrived as local emergency workers from Belmont, Foster City, and San Mateo rescued and treated the “injured” students, took away the “dead,” and identified the “drunk driver” who was arrested and taken away in the back of a squad car. On the second day, the NDB community gathered to watch a video of the previous day’s events, including the process of notifying the families of the “deceased” and booking the “drunk driver.” They also attended the “funerals” of the students that “died” in the crash and listened to the students and, for some of them, their parents and other family members, give speeches about their experiences. The event concluded with a talk by Vogel on the seriousness of drinking and driving.

Photo courtesy of Katie Brandi

A few Royals pose before heading out to the Pullman San Francisco Bay Hotel for prom.

by Brittney Kitaura Contributing Writer

Most NDB juniors and seniors look forward to the event known as prom. This year, the Royals class council put on a fabulous prom, themed “Hollywood,” at the Pullman San Francisco Bay Hotel in Foster City. There was a lot to offer prom goers. As students danced the night away on the dance floor with their dates and friends to the music of a DJ, there was big variety of food, including French fries, sushi, and chocolate-covered strawberries. There was also a professional photographer to take prom-posed portraits and another to make flip books. Maverick Class President Caroline Kearney said, “It’s totally cliche, but it was one of the best nights of my life. Everything that could

have gone wrong went wrong, but it was totally okay.” For many students, months of planning had gone into their prom experience, including selecting dresses and getting their make-up and hair done. Mavericks Frankie Dakin and Sophia Martinez came prepared with necessities for prom. Their list of useful things that totally saved them, included “sneakers or slippers, fashion tape, hair ties, makeup remover, a change of clothes, and a bag to hold everything.” Maverick Shirin Steward has advice for next year’s prom goers. She says, “The DJ could be bad, or your date, but [prom] will only be fun if you make it fun. Don’t be lame, have fun!” Kearney added more advice. She says, “Eat beforehand. Don’t get ‘hangry!’” Prom was definitely a night to remember.

year reign... MAY 2017

NEWS

page 7

NDB community to celebrate Class of 2017 Baccaulaureate: Wednesday, May 31; Class Day and Graduation: Thursday, June 1 by the Catalyst Editorial Staff The NDB community is preparing to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2017, the Royals. On Wednesday, May 31 at 7pm, graduates will don their caps and gowns and, along with their family and friends and NDB board members, administration, faculty, and staff, will gather at St. Pius Church in Redwood City for the Baccalaureate Mass and reception. The liturgy celebrates and honors the class for their accomplishment. The next morning, on Thursday, June 1, starting at 8am for the Royals and 8:30am for the rest of the school, graduates will take their class photo and then gather with the rest of the school community one last-time for Class Day

on-campus. During Class Day, there will be a series of presentations, speakers, farewell to departing faculty and staff, swearing in of the new ASB and class officers, and the symbolic rising of the classes. Later that afternoon, starting at 2:30pm, graduates will process down the aisle for the Graduation Ceremony back at St. Pius Church. During the ceremony, there will be a series of speakers, including the valedictorian and salutatorian. The name of each graduate will be read, followed by a quote of her choice, while she receives her diploma from Head of School Maryann Osmond. Graduation marks the end of yet another school year, but really the start of a new adventure for the Royals.

Meet the Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Photo courtesy of Camryn McNab

A few Royals get ready for this year’s music-themed Aquacades.

A day in the life of a Notre alumna The following is list of schools that the Royals will be attending in the Fall...

Photo credit: Robert Rojas

Annaliese Divney and Eden Grown-Haeberli pose for a picture during the school picnic.

by Rachel Roberts News Editor

The Catalyst interviewed the two girls in the first and second spots in their graduating class, Valedictorian Eden Grown-Haeberli and Salutatorian Annaliese Divney. TC: What do you think made this achievement possible? EGH: Support from my teachers, family, and friends, and my own expectations and dedication. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my support network showing me how I can always improve at everything I do. TC: Do you think the title describes the work that you put in these four years? EGH: I think so. I love learning, and so I try to do my best in all of my classes. I work hard.

Q: How does it feel to be salutatorian? AD: It feels very humbling and rewarding. I am so proud of all my classmates and the hard work that we have put into our education over the past four years. I’m honored to be able to represent the Royal class in a speech at graduation, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the future. Q: If you could talk to your freshman self, what would you tell her? A: I would tell my Freshman self that all of the late nights and intense studying will pay off in the end, and that I do not need to stress as much as I did about getting good grades.

Eden will major in biomedical engineering and computer science at Stanford University. Annaliese will major in global disease biology at UC Davis.

Photo credit: Brian Garcia

MAY 2017

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ARTS & LIFE

Movies: The Catalyst’s recommendations for the summer There are only eleven friday nights during summer vacation. What movie should you go and see?

Photo credit: Warner Bros.Pictures

June 2 | Wonder Woman | PG-13 | 2 hours 21 minutes

July 14 | War for the Planet of the Apes

Maverick Gabrielle Tiu says, “Ever since I was little, I’ve been a huge fan of Wonder Woman. My stepbrother and I had a bunch of DC Comic action figures, and we would watch all the movies together -- She was always my favorite character. When I first heard they were making this movie, I got super excited. The trailers so far have looked amazing, and I cannot wait to see what the full movie has in store for us. I definitely recommend seeing it and experiencing a movie with a strong female lead.”

Maverick Madalene Schorr says, “I want to go see ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ over the summer because it looks a really good action movie that’s not too violent. I think it’d make a great movie for going out with friends and making it a movie night. And, being able to see all the work that the creators of the movie were able to put into the CGI effects in creating Caesar and all of the other apes talking, riding horses, and fighting people would just be really cool as well.”

June 30 | Despicable Me 3 | PG | 1 hour 36 minutes

Photo credit: 20th Century Fox

Maverick Tiffany Charvet says, “It’s a continuation of the hit ‘Despicable Me’ series. This ‘trequel’ is truly the must-see movie of the summer and, based on the trailer, filled with heart, joy, and laughter. Its graphics are truly remarkable and will allow you to find a greater appreciation for the art of animation. The movie’s artists have created such unique characters, like Gru and his minions, that you won’t see anywhere else! If you want to enjoy a movie this summer with your family or friends, go watch it.” Photo credit: Universal Pictures

July 7 | Spider-Man: Homecoming

Maverick Ivanna Ojeda says, “I’m really looking forward to see the movie ‘Dunkirk’ this summer. From what I’ve seen so far from the trailer, the cinematography looks amazing. Since I loved his film “Interstellar,” I think director Christopher Nolan has definitely created a phenomenal movie that will incorporate the actions and emotions of the battle that transpired during World War II. If you really want to start the year off on good terms with your history teacher, I recommend you watch ‘Dunkirk.’” Photo credit: Warner Bros.Pictures

English teacher Robert Rojas say, “I want to see ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ more because Robert Downey, Jr. and Michael Keaton are in it -- RDJ returns as Tony Stark/Iron Man and Keaton, a former Batman, plays a never seen before villain. This is the third reboot of the series in only fifteen years. So, I’m not really that interested in what the new Spider-Man has to bring. I’m more interested in what the new Marvel-Sony partnership has to bring since the film is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And, no, I am not cosplaying for this movie.” Photo credit: Sony Pictures Releasing

July 21 | Dunkirk | PG-13

August 11 | Annabelle | R || 1 hour 49 minutes Royal Monet Mendenhall says, “I want to see ‘Annabelle: Creation’ because it looks exciting and riveting. A good horror movie is always great to watch to get your heart racing in order to create some excitement in sometimes a boring day. When I first saw the trailer for the movie in theaters, I was immediately scared but excited about the plot of the movie. I think it will be a great movie to go see with friends toward the end of the summer to get a good fright in. Make sure to go see if with someone 17 years or older because it is rated R.”

Photo credit: Warner Bros.Pictures

Places to go: Filoli mansion and gardens

by Celisse Tan Senior Writer Looking for a place to visit on days during the summer when you have nothing to do? Want to walk around in the warm weather or sit among a wide assortment of flowers while sipping tea and eating delicious food? Check out Filoli Gardens, a 20th century country estate where you can walk through sixteen acres of gardens and explore a Victorian mansion. Located in Woodside, Filoli Gardens is considered a California Historical Landmark. The estate’s name is an acronym from a mantra that the original owner, William Bourn, used to repeat: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” Built in the early 1900s, the estate is rich with history and beautiful foliage. The gardens were completed in five years and the mansion was built in

a traditional Georgian style. In the late 1930s, the estate was sold to the Roth family, who continued to add more flower varieties to the gardens. The Roth family donated the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975 and the estate was opened to the public. The first thing you will encounter after parking is the visitor center, where guests can purchase passes and pick up reading material for self-guided tours. Docent-led educational tours of the mansion are also provided, where guests learn about the rich history of the estate. Guests are allowed to walk around the first floor, which features a Victorian waiting room, the kitchen and dining room, the library and study, and a large ballroom, complete with chandeliers, murals of local and European landscapes, a fireplace and grand arched windows, and a stage for live music. Outside, visitors will see the Clock Tower, which also served as a garage and is now the gift

store, and the sunken gardens, which feature various ponds and a swimming pool, as well as shaded areas where people can enjoy snacks and rest on benches. Filoli is only a twelve minute drive away from Notre Dame; just follow Ralston towards the Carlmont Shopping Center and merge onto 92 towards Half Moon Bay. Turn left onto Cañada Road, and Filoli should be to the right. The estate is open from 10:00AM to 5:00PM Tuesday through Sunday, and is open to everyone, with a fee of $10 for students with a valid ID and $20 for adults. The estate’s staff encourages visitors to take as many photos and videos as they please, but asks that they refrain from bringing tripods and selfie-sticks around the premises. Filoli also hosts seasonal concerts, flower shows, and other special events. An event that is happening soon is “Step Back in Time” on Friday, June 23 where, similar to NDB’s Gatsby Ball, visitors can dress and “go back” to the 1920’s. Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons / wehardy

MAY 2017

ARTS & LIFE

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Students participate in Art Show and Spring Dance Showcase by Sara Eckles Managing Editor (Online)

NDB’s Spring Dance Showcase, “Invincible,” took place on Friday, May 19 in the NDNU Theater. It featured a variety of students from InStep, Serra Dance V, as well as the beginning, intermediate and honors dance classes. These artists showed their talents for students, families, and friends to see. A few performances stood out to the crowd because of their beauty and message. Royal and Honors Dance student Erika Goetz performed a solo to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which illustrated her hard work and perseverance throughout her four years as a NDB Dance performer. Reflecting on her ex-

perience, she says, “Dancing has been such an amazing experience at NDB because of the love and support I received from Mrs. [Coleen] Lorenz. From learning basic dance moves to performing in front of 500 people, I can truly say I am ready for the world because of the dance program offered at NDB.” Other moving performances included a piece titled “Body Love,” which was choreographed and performed by Titans Kerrianne Hines, Eliana Oro, and Abigail Rossi and Maverick Lily Scearce, featuring an art piece by Royal Devin Johnston. The performers told the story of insecurity and overcoming that feeling through their moving dance. The showcase was completed with solo perfor-

mances from Royals and InStep dancers Brittany Bradley, Gabrielle Penner, and Emma Sroat, who concluded their dance career at NDB. Many works from artists in NDB’s various art classes were featured in certain dances. These artists included Royals Kiana Afshar, Ashley Baillie, Tammy Byrne, Kristine Gese, and Devin Johnston; Maverick Mary Jane Peters; and Titan Daviana Hayman, whose art was the perfect addition to the dances. Each and every dance was performed with amazing effort, and the students put on a wonderful showcase. All of their hard work paid off, and their truly embodied the theme “Invincible.” The performers were invincible, and the show was beautiful.

Just a few of the students and the many art pieces entered into the Art Show in the categories of painting, 2D, photography, sculpture, and video.

Photo credit: Brian Garcia

The first, second, and third place student art show winners over the five categories.

Photo credit: Brian Garcia

A visitor admires the various drawings, photographs, and other art pieces on display in the art gallery.

Photo credit: Samantha Ramos

Students end their dance, just one of many performances during the evening.

Photo credit: Brian Garcia

The various sculptures and other art pieces are on display in the art gallery.

Maverick Shirin Steward wins Gold Key award for photography by Barbara Tapia Beltran Contributing Writer Maverick Shirin Steward won a Gold Medal in Photography from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her photograph “Egalitarian.” The Catalyst interviewed Steward about how her now award-winning submitted art piece came to be. She revealed that it was a long process that started with her decision to create something with an underlying moral to it. She said, “One day I sat down and opened up the Notes application on my laptop. I started to brainstorm, although I already knew I wanted to do something with diversity in society.” She continued, “I started listing different occupations and jobs people around the world have. I then made a list of what each person would wear and went home that night to put each costume together. I shot each photo in the photo studio at my school with my camera on self-timer. I then

put each photo in Photoshop and combined them to make one big, long photo.” But, that was not the end of Steward’s project. She claims that something was missing. She says, “I thought to myself: How will people know what the point of this piece is? Then, I thought I should add a short phrase at the end of the photo to make a lasting impression on whomever looked at the photo, so that they could fully grasp the true meaning and significance of it.” Steward believes diversity is a huge contributor to the many problems in our world today. She says, “I really wanted to emphasize how important it is for people to accept others for their differences and treat others with respect no matter what.” NDB Photography and Sculpture teacher Martha Anne Kuntz is especially proud of Steward. She says, “Every year, I send student work into the Scholastic Art

Photo credit: Brian Garcia

Shirin Steward (second from left) poses with family and friends with her photo. and Writing Awards in New York. The competition draws student work from around the globe and has more than 300,000 entries per year. When making the final selection, I look for creativity, originality, craftsmanship, and above all, the unique spirit of the student and the work they create. This

year, Shirin’s work achieved the highest award of a Gold Key. The honor for her is fantastic and, for me, very satisfying.” Steward says, “It was a lot of work and a long process, but it was worth it because I was really happy with the end result. I loved being

able to express my view on a very controversial topic in society today.” Since she has such an outstanding talent for photography, she says, “I hope to continue different arts throughout my life whether is a part time job or just for fun.”

page 10

Healthy Living

Tips on unplugging and being loving

MAY 2017 SPORTS Softball: Team wins WBAL League Champions, defeated in CCS semifinals

Photo courtesy of Josephine Rencoret

Sisters Josephine and Juliette Rencoret pose for a picture while on vacation in Mexico last summer.

The Importance of Travel by Kaitlin McCarthy Staff Writer You may have heard people talk about the “healing power of travel.” But, what is it? Well, studies show that, when you travel, you actually do a great service to your body and mind. As reported by the Physical Activity Guidelines Committee and the Framingham Heart Study, frequent travel has been shown to lower health risks. Different sights, sounds, and tastes can recharge your brain, which allows you to refocus and feel re-energized when you get back. There are so many amazing places to travel to! This summer, some NDB students are going to a range of places, including Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Vancouver. They have a much different atmosphere to the Silicon Valley, and these travelers will benefit from this change. Travelling should also be about unplugging for a few days and relaxing. Yes, we know it’s the perfect time for that Instagram photo op. But, does it really matter that much, that you need to stop whatever you are doing in that moment and take a picture? Why not just enjoy it in real life instead and remember the memory? The benefit of travel is shown by the fact that students who do it tend to feel more ready for class than those who don’t. This is why traveling over the summer is so ideal. When you go back to school, you will feel just ready to learn because you kept stimulating your brain during the summer. So, book your ticket, pack your luggage, and take yourself on the vacation that you deserve.

Photo courtesy of Twitter/NDBAthletics

The softball team poses with their WBAL Champions banner. by Camryn McNab Sports Editor The 2017 softball season was one for the record books. The team ended its first season in the WBAL undefeated and continued to CCS. They won the first round and played in the CCS semi-finals on Wednesday, losing to ND Salinas, 0-2. Maverick Shirin Steward said, “Playing in CCS can be intense and a little stressful at times. Fortunately, my softball team makes everything fun, so even when we should be feeling intense and stressed

out, we are laughing and having a good time.” The team credits a lot of their success to Maverick and pitcher Maddie Earnshaw, who recently verbally committed to the University of San Diego. She threw a three-inning perfect game against NDSJ, beating them 15-0, and had five straight shutouts throughout the season. Earnshaw says, “I think my teammates have definitely contributed to my success this season. Without them, we could not have accomplished what we did... I also think since our team is

like a second family, we have been able to gel and work really well together only leading to more success as a team.” Royal and fourth year Varsity player Marina Sylvestri says, “Compared to other seasons, I feel that we play with a lot less tension on the field and we get along very well. Our chemistry allows us to move on to the next play after a mistake because we know everyone has each other’s back.” Sylvestri will play softball at Boston University. With only three graduating seniors, the softball team has a promising future.

Track & Field: JV wins WBAL League Champion Chamberlain, Hebrok, Laguisma, and Piro set personal records; Smoot continues to CCS

Photo credit: Robert Rojas

Titan Emma Chamberlain finished first in the 100 meter hurdles, setting a personal record of 19.37. by Camryn McNab Sports Editor

Photo courtesy of Chloe Mohan

Gator Chloe Mohan and her cousin pose for a picture while on vacation in England during Easter Break.

This column is printed with a grant from AdVenture Capital and the GENYOUth Foundation.

The track and field season began back in February and has made strides this season with a successful 4x100 team, a winning JV team, and an outstanding shot putter, Titan Krissy Smoot. The 4x100 Varsity team, comprised of Titans Grace Earley, Alex Gatt, and Daviana Hayman, and Gator Liz Piro, had an outstanding season, breaking the school record with a time of 50.2 seconds. The JV team took first

in the WBAL League Championshisp. Titans Emma Chamberlain, Julia Hebrok, and Luisa Laguisma, and Piro set personal records at the event. Chamberlain said, “This was my first season doing track, and I had no idea what to expect. It was definitely a physically and mentally challenging season, but whenever I would place well in a race or set a personal record, the hard work was worth it.” Smoot, an up and coming sophomore, had an amazing season and finished first in shot put and discuss in the WBAL varsity finals.

During CCS qualifiers, she threw a 40’2 in the shot put, a new personal and school record. She also tossed a 121’2 in the discuss, taking second. Smoot will advance to CCS finals. Although track season is over, the team is young and excited to compete next year. Laguisma said, “I feel like this season ended on a good note. I got a personal record on my very last race this season, too! Our JV team ended up winning league champs and that’s something I’m really proud of.”

MAY 2017

SPORTS

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Feature student athlete: Ashley Baillie Student athletes celebrated at reflects on four years of Track & Field All-Sports Awards Banquet by Ashley Baillie Contributing Writer Over the past four years, I have been lucky enough to call myself a member of the track team here at NDB. Throughout these years, I have admired the dedication and hard work ethics of each girl on the track. Since my freshman season of 2014, it has become very apparent to the other girls and I that Coach Mike and Coach BJ are no ordinary coaches. They sacrifice hours of sleep and they cut time from their busy schedules to remain committed to the sport; however, the distinguishing factor of the coaching duo is their commitment to the athletes themselves. By the end of an individual’s time on the track, she will have had the opportunity to create close relationships with her coaches. Both Coach Mike and BJ genuinely care about the success and wellbeing of every student athlete they encounter. They have been involved with the sport for many years, having run on both high school and collegiate levels. More than just coaches, they are lifelong mentors and friends. Alongside the infamous Mike and BJ stands

Photo courtesy of Annie Lawrence

Maverick Annie Lawrence and other student athletes show off their award. by the Catalyst Editorial Staff

Photo courtesy of Ashley Baillie

Royal Ashley Baillie poses with her cousin Sophia and teammate Michelle Pineda at the Serra Top 7 track meet. Adam Currier, as he manages to take time from his schedule as a teacher to coach our team’s hurdlers. As an ex-hurdler, he is an experienced coach who knows how to produce competitive athletes. Track is a rewarding sport, and it is also a great extracurricular option for students who enjoy being challenged and staying active. It requires a strong commitment

to attendance of practices, competitive meets at least once a week, healthy eating habits, and a determination to push oneself at every practice. Track (as does any sport) has demanded an array of disciplines from many of my fellow students and myself, which has tremendously impacted our journeys towards becoming successful young women.

On the evening of Saturday, May 20, the NDB Athletics Program held its second annual All-Sports Awards Banquet in the Moore Pavillion. The event honored

the school’s various sports teams and especially their hard-working student athletes for their commitment to the game. Many students were recognized for their sportsmanship and given awards, certificates, and medals.

Photo courtesy of Twitter/NDBAthletics

Athletic Director Jason Levine addresses the audience of student athletes and their families.

NDB Athletics hosts college signing ceremony for four Royals by Camryn McNab Sports Editor

Last Friday, May 19, NDB Athletics hosted a college signing ceremony for four of its graduating student-athletes. Royals Tammy Byrne, Sasha Dana, Shannon Early, and Mavis Lui have committed to a variety of NCAA, Division I, II, and III schools. The Catalyst asked each of them to reflect on their time NDB and their plans for the future.

All photos courtesy of Brian Garcia

Tammy Byrne San Diego State University Volleyball

Sasha Dana Chapman University Water Polo

Shannon Earley UC San Diego Soccer

Mavis Lui Chapman University Volleyball

Tammy Byrne will play volleyball with the Aztecs at San Diego State University (D1). She has a career of wins on NDB’s own volleyball court, helping the team earn CCS, NorCal, and State titles. Byrne says, “I have been on the varsity volleyball team since I was a freshman, so that team has become my second family. I have learned that, with hard work and dedication, a team can reach any goal set before them. My coaches have pushed me and challenged me for four years and that has made me into the player I am today. Because of them, I have a stronger work ethic and mental game which I will really need going into college after coming back from an injury.”

Sasha Dana will join the Chapman University Panthers as a member of its water polo team (D3). She feels NDB’s Athletics program instilled in her the qualities of a leader, teaching her to value inclusivity, perseverance, and good sportsmanship among her teammates. Dana says, “During the season, I took away so many things and grew as an athlete and individual... I learned to not only work harder for myself, but also for my team and that, as long as you give it your all, it doesn’t matter what the score is. As an athlete, I took away working with 100% effort in every practice and game in order to better my performance, which I will definitely need in college.”

Shannon Earley will play soccer with the Tritons at UC San Diego (D2). She faced challenges earlier in the school year with a knee injury and corrective surgery, but has since recovered and is now ready to face the new challenge of competing in collegiate-level soccer. Grateful for the privilege to continue playing soccer, Earley says, “I was fortunate enough to gain a lot as a player from my years at NDB, while still enjoying it and having fun. One of the main things I will take away from playing at NDB and bring to playing in college would be the fitness aspect. I definitely think all those conditioning drills paid off and I will continue to use them to help me get ready.”

Mavis Lui will study with the Chapman University Panthers and become a member of its volleyball team (D3). She says she is most excited for “the different opportunities that playing a team sport will allow, like meeting new teammates and playing in a college atmosphere.” Reminiscing about NDB volleyball, she says, “My NDB athletic experience shaped me into the person I am today because it showed me that I have to work hard no matter what team is on the other side. Playing at NDB, especially with Jen [Agresti] as the coach, taught me that I have to work hard consistently, but working hard can also be fun, like when we do P90X for conditioning.”

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Gators, Titans, and Mavericks

The Catalyst interviews this year’s class presidents

NEWS A day in the life of a Tiger Just some of NDB’s academic, extracurricular, and personal events that happened during the past month

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Girard

Maverick Veronica Zehnder looks on as Royals in Science teacher Rebecca Girard’s AP Biology class play CSI Notre and take the case of Liv R. Swappe who died of an organ transplant rejection. Follow Ms. Girard @TechBioBek.

Photo credit: Ivanna Ojeda

Caroline Kearney, Corinne Jabba, and Meghan Olson are ready to lead. by the Catalyst Editorial Staff On Wednesday, May 10, Gator Meghan Olson, Titan Corinne Jabba, and Maverick Caroline Kearney won reelection as the presidents of their respective classes. Under the guidance of Director of Student Life Denise Uhl, the ASB officers, and their class coordinators, the three student leaders are ready to take their sisters into a new school year and welcome the Class of 2021 into the community. The Catalyst asked each president to reflect on their roles, their classes, and their plans for next year. Gators: Year One Coming from St. Matthew Catholic School in San Mateo, Olson served as the freshman class president of one of the biggest freshman classes that NDB has seen in recent years. When asked about how she felt about her leadership, this year, she said, “As a student leader, I grew in experience and learned so many new things. I believe that I can do an even better job next year because I now know the ropes of how NDB student council works.” She continued, “I believe this school year went very well for the freshman class. I saw so much improvement and bonding within our class. We got closer to each other as well as excelled in all the drives and rallies. I am so impressed with each and every one of my classmates and I can’t wait for the next three years.” The Gators had a double helping of NDB’s main event with Link Crew’s Mock

Aquacades and then Aquacades itself. Participating in backdrop, deck and pool routines, and others for the first time, the class finished in fourth place. Olson said, “We got so excited and did not do as well as we’d hope, but I think that will push us to do better next year.” Team Titans go! The sophomore class had quite a very good year with the Titans winning first place in the book drive, first place in Penny Wars, and second place in Aquacades. Jabba said, “Although we started off slightly less motivated than I had hoped and it took a little extra effort to get people involved, we ended up getting our spirit back and being successful.” She also said, “With so many changes, such as the new lunch program through Epicurean, all the new faculty members, the fact that ASB officer positions were permanent, and the new randomized way that groups were chosen for Aquacades, there were bound to be some ups and downs. However, everything seemed to come together nicely in the end.” Looking forward to her third term as class president, Jabba said, “I hope that I’ll be able to put my ideas about what worked and what did not into action, so next year can be even better than this one.” Mavericks surf the wave Kearney appreciates her time spent so far with the junior class. She says, “Being class president for the past two years has allowed me to fully

grasp how my class, and really the school as a whole, functions best.” She credits her leadership skills to the Mavericks class council and class feedback. She says, “After important events and activities, I usually create a Google doc and write about what I would do differently to make things faster and more efficient, to spend our budget money more wisely, to get more participation, etc.” She continued, “My class council wants to focus on bonding with our little freshmen sisters and setting a good example for them by putting our best effort and full spirit into everything we do. We also want to be successful in Aquacades.” She hopes to share more activities with Serra HS. She says, “It is my intention to have more Serra/NDB events in addition to our casual dances, formal, and the annual Senior Giants game. After events this year like the Junior Sunset and Sharks game, it was so nice to be with our sisters, but we could also incorporate coed events.” As senior year looms ahead, Kearney says, “My hope is not just for us to have an incredible senior year, but to ensure that there is always a bond and connection at NDB following our graduation. We have all experienced high school together, a unique experience totally specific to our community. We have been through all types of ups and downs together over these past three years and it will only continue as we apply to colleges, get accepted and even rejected, our final prom, our final aquacades and so much more.”

Photo courtesy of Brian Garcia

Royal Celisse Tan and Maverick Ashley Burnett pose with Video Production teacher Brian Garcia during the production of the bi-annual sober prom event, learning various elements of cinematography during the three day shoot. Next year, Video Production will be available to Tri-School students.

Photo courtesy of Raena Mullan

Royals CieCie Chen, Grace Hua, Wing Liang, Candice Wang, Becky Wei, Crystal Yang, Crystal Yu, and Erica Zhang and Director of International Students Raena Mullan celebrate the end of the year at a barbeque for graduating international students.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Willits

The choir and orchestra performed at the spring concenter in the NDNU chapel. The music spanned the decades with song selections from Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra, Toto, Beyonce, Beatles, and more.

Thank you, Notre, for another year of your readership...