OPINION | Page 5
A JUNIOR’S POV: BECOMING A SENIOR
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Volume 8, Issue 6
ARTS & LIFE | Page 12
SPORTS | Page 15
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The Spartans say goodbye
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Seniors line up for a class photo in their college sweatshirts on May 9, replicating their freshman year class picture taken in the same place. by Peyton Daley Editor in Chief The Class of 2022 has certainly had a challenging time in high school. Three out of their four years at NDB were affected by a global pandemic. One of those years was spent entirely behind computer screens, rather than in the classroom with all of their peers. However, the Spartans have not let
COVID-19 alone define their high school experience. Their junior year was spent away from campus, but they returned for their final year ready to take on the responsibilities of the senior class and lead the underclassmen through NDB traditions. Now, as they prepare to graduate from NDB and take the next steps towards independence, the seniors look back over their time in high school with bittersweet
memories. At their first rally as freshmen in August 2018, the Class of 2022 earned the reputation of being “unspirited” when they mainly sat on the gym’s bleachers and watched the other classes, instead of standing and cheering. Unsurprisingly, they came in last place at the event, the beginning of a pattern of losses for the Spartans. Although they were not winning, as the
year went on their appreciation for spirit activities grew. “I remember my freshman year, Dingbat rally, in particular, was especially exciting for my freshman year self. I recall the 2018-2019 ASB putting on a really scary, but fun and immersive rally and, from that day on, just feeling extremely excited for the many other rallies I would have during my time at NDB,” shared current ASB
officer Marissa Bergquist. “If I remember correctly, the rally was IT themed and it was completely dark inside the gym and then, all of a sudden, Serra boys came out of the bleachers with bats to scare all the students. Now having been on ASB, I can only imagine the insane amount of work and coordination, especially to work with the Serra ASB, the 2018 ASB had to put in to give the entire school a fun experience.”
As freshmen, the class fully embraced the opportunities on campus, joining clubs and teams, trying new activities, meeting new people and most of all, learning. They found their place at NDB throughout the year, and when it came time for Aquacades, they went into the event extremely excited. Even though they came in fourth that night,
known to be accelerated and challenging, as they introduce students to college-level skills and allow them the opportunity to earn college credit. Consequently, many find the long and complex exams intimidating. “I took one AP exam this year: AP U.S. History. Going into the test, I was nervous, especially for the writing portion. The test was long and draining, but once it was over, I was relieved,” said junior Sarah Howie.
by Editorial Staff
and I was worried that not being in-person to deliver it would hurt my chances at winning the election,” expressed Fitzgerald. “I think it worked out in my favor though, because there isn’t much that says ‘I’m dedicated’ more than delivering a speech with COVID-19 and a 102 degree fever.” Delivering a speech virtually was a challenge at first, as some candidates were worried that it would put them at a disadvantage. Fortunately, they were able to record their speech as a video and have it played along with the rest
of the speeches. “I was out of town the day we were supposed to give our election speeches, so I had to pre-record mine. To be completely honest, it took a few takes to get a good video, but I was happy with the outcome. I am really looking forward to ASB next year and I can’t wait to plan spirit events that everyone can enjoy!” Hickson said. Being part of ASB at NDB is a huge commitment and responsibility. Between organizing spirit events, leading underclassmen, and being the face of
the school, ASB dedicates hard work, time and focus to their duties throughout the year. “I am super excited for all the time I’ll be spending with my fellow ASB officers, and I’m super excited to get to know them better,” shared Ailanjian. As school spirit at NDB is incredibly important, the ASB officers hold a lot of power. They are responsible for organizing spirit rallies, spirit weeks, spirit points and most
In-person AP exams return by Molly Phan Opinion Editor Each year in the spring, as the school year comes to a close, high school students around the U.S. prepare to take their Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The exams are intended by the College Board to measure how well students learn and understand the material of their AP courses. This year, the AP exams were administered nationally in-person during the first two weeks of May. AP classes are
See AP EXAMS | Page 2
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
Gabby Wylie-Chaney prepares for her AP exams.
See SPARTANS | Page 9
New ASB officers elected to lead next year’s student body
On Friday, April 29, NDB held its annual Associated Student Body (ASB) election to name the officers for the 2022-2023 school year. Several juniors delivered speeches to the current freshmen, sophomores and juniors who voted on who would best lead the school next year. By the end of the day, it was announced that Amelia Ailanjian, Lauren Fitzgerald, Kassie Hickson, Sophia Rask, Caitlynn Reynolds and Zeina Zumot would become next year’s ASB. Throughout the weeks leading up to elections, the candidates worked hard to prepare their campaign speeches and posters. Out of the twelve junior candidates, three were unable to deliver a campaign speech on election day in-person, so a virtual option was provided. “Having to give my speech online, I felt really crushed. I worked really hard on that speech,
See ASB ELECTION | Page 3
PHOTO COURTESY OF @NDBTIGERS
The new ASB officers will lead NDB through the 2022-2023 school year.
NEWS
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Q&A with Dr. Linda Kern on her tenure as NDB’s Associate, then Interim Head of School The Catalyst (TC): What will you take away from your time at NDB? Dr. Linda Kern (LK): The four main things that I will take away from NDB are my experiences with the Hallmarks, the phenomenally
Editor in Chief Peyton Daley sat down with Interim Head of School, Dr. Linda Kern
...and reflected on her experience at NDB as she prepares to move on from the community.
kind and talented NDB students, the many wonderful work relationships I’ve enjoyed in the community and finally, the school’s incredibly innovative and caring response to COVID. I continue to be impressed
by the way the community strives to live out the Hallmarks daily, in both the smallest and the most important decisions. TC: What are some of the biggest challenges that have come with leading a school remotely? LK: Ironically, even though I worked off-campus due to family obligations, I never felt “remote” from the day to day operations of the school. On the contrary, the school’s amazing Leadership Team and I were constantly connected - just about every minute of every day - through Z o o m , Gmail, Google Chat, text and phone calls, etc. We work very well together, and everyone went above and beyond to ensure a streamlined and efficient response to every issue that came up. We had also learned a lot from the period when we were all online, and so I was easily able to participate in assemblies, liturgies and other school events, etc. That being said, I’m also very excited to be back on campus, in person, for all of the end-of-year events - including graduation! TC: If you could give one piece of advice to the new Head of School,
what would it be? LK: NDB is so fortunate to have a passionate alumna and accomplished school leader like Mrs. Essalat coming in to help guide NDB in the next phase of its bright future - especially as we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2024! TC: What accomplishment are you most proud of regarding your time here? LK: I am so incredibly proud of the NDB administrators, teachers and staff for their collaboration on the school’s innovative, caring and highly effective COVID response. I joined the school just before the first COVID outbreak. And now, just as I’m preparing to move on, we are finally fully back on campus, with all of our events in person again (like Aquacades). What a journey! As you may be aware, NDB was one of the first schools to respond with its online learning protocol, which not only worked well technically, but also thoughtfully integrated the best tools and strategies to support high quality online learning. Like many schools, our administration, teachers and staff were called upon to provide an online learning experience for students, which they had never had to implement before. It’s frankly miraculous how everyone stepped in, and made the impossible happen - with a generosity and graciousness that I will never forget. TC: Looking back at when you began your work at NDB, what surprised you the most throughout your time here?
LK: As I’ve mentioned in some previous Tiger Talks, I was originally drawn to NDB for three main reasons: (1) the school’s mission to empower young women leaders, (2) rooted in a faith-based tradition, (3) in the heart of Silicon Valley - where many organizations are actively shaping the present and future of the world. However, as I have also mentioned at Tiger Talks, I was surprised to learn about one more of the school’s greatest strengths after I arrived on campus: Namely, the NDB community. One of NDB’s greatest superpowers is certainly its incredibly warm, welcoming and strong sense of community. Over and over again, I hear and live the strength of this NDB community, which I’m so grateful to have experienced. TC: What are your plans going forward? LK: Building on the success of NDB’s online learning protocol, I’m excited to be moving on to develop new digital tools that give teachers more time to teach, and students more access to learning. Students and teachers across the nation are asked to do so much more than ever before, but often without being given more time in the day or more resources to accomplish it. Having seen firsthand the many challenges that schools are facing, my mission is to design edtech that supports the very important human side of teaching and learning. If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Students face the College Board’s annual AP exams From AP EXAMS | Page 1
During the 2020 and 2021 AP exam seasons, almost all classes had shortened versions of the exam online, with the exception of the AP languages. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, having groups of 20-30 students sit together in a classroom for several hours during an exam was far too risky, so students tested from the comfort of their home. Now that COVID-19 cases have dropped, the College Board has returned to full-length in-person exams for 2022, which has been a rather difficult transition for some students who have only taken the condensed online version of the AP test. “In my experience, in-person exams this year were way different in the lead up to the exam
as well as the actual test. There was a nervous energy from each class leading up to it that encouraged me to stress about the test even more,” said junior Gabby Wylie-Chaney. “Online, I was studying alone and, as a sophomore, not many of my friends were taking exams, so the stress level was less.” At NDB, AP exams were held in the Innovation Lab, empty classrooms and the counseling center, depending on the number of students taking each test. Students not taking an exam were encouraged to carry on with their school day quietly so they did not become a distraction for the focused exam takers. Desks were spaced out in each room to follow COVID-19 guidelines and to protect the privacy and integrity of each student. One of the big-
gest obstacles that comes with AP classes is fitting all of the required course material into roughly nine months. Students are often found balancing their time between all of their classes and activities, and finding whatever time they can to review AP course material throughout the year. When requesting an AP class, NDB students are asked to sign an AP contract to demonstrate their commitment and dedication to the advanced course. AP teachers also work hard in preparing their students for the important exams. They plan their lessons according to the date of the AP test, and make sure that all material is taught and understood. “During the year, it is challenging to get everything done. I have to make sure students know the difference between
each question – SAQ, DBQ and LEQ – and also how to follow the rubric and unpack the prompt,” shared AP United States History teacher Wendy Connolly. Both AP students and teachers are generally relieved that exams have been finished. For students who were unable to attend their exam, make-up times were available during the final weeks of May. AP courses are essential to many high school students as they demonstrate rigor, can award college credit and instill time management and studying skills that are important later in life. The completion of the 2022 AP exams marks the end of another year of academic challenge, and allows NDB students to celebrate some of their many accomplishments from this year.
MOLLY PHAN / THE CATALYST
AP prep books can be very helpful resources for students to review and practice before the exams.
NEWS page 3 Student body elects next year’s ASB officers Monarchs, Dragons from ASB ELECTION | Page 1 new officers have relative I can’t wait to start in the the exciting and comfort- and Wildcats elect freedom in how the 2022- fall!” Zumot said. able environment NDB is It is clear that known for, next year. importantly, Aquacades. 2023 school year plays out new class presidents “Participating in Because of the many chal- for the student body, they the six new ASB officers lenges that have risen over the past three years due to the pandemic, the rising seniors have their expectations set high in regards to spirit. “I’m really excited to start off the 20222023 school year strong with lots of spirit, as I have many ideas for rallies and especially spirit weeks in the future,” said Reynolds. Although these six
will surely continue the excitement and NDB pride that was reinstated by the previous ASB following the COVID-19 lockdown. “I had such a great time participating in all the activities that ASB organized for us this year and in the past years, that I want to do the same for the other classes. I am most excited to plan Aquacades with the other girls on ASB and
are passionate about their leadership responsibilities. By the end of the school year, each officer will be informed of the specific position they will hold. The President, Vice President, Director of Communications, Director of Athletics, Director of Spirit and Director of Activities will work together with the students, faculty, staff and administration to create
student leadership has been something I’ve loved doing all three years I’ve been here. I love being a part of all the fun school events, so I am extremely excited to be one of the people planning them,” explained Rask. The entire NDB community is looking forward to a spirited 20222023 school year led by the eager new ASB officers.
Junior and senior prom enchants students
PHOTO COURTESY OF BELLA SVANBERG
Freshman Bella Svanberg was elected class president of the Class of 2025, the Monarchs.
“I am so grateful to have this opportunity of being sophomore class president! I cannot wait to lead the Class of 2025 into another year, full of memories, excitement and spirit, and I hope to spread the idea of respect, comradery and kindness. I plan to bring us together by making more events involving the whole class and coordinating more activities with the upperclassmen, especially our sister class, to build stronger relationships within the Notre Dame community.”
DESEA BOND AND GULIANNA CESCHIN / STAFF
A few juniors and seniors gather for their respective pre-prom festivities and photoshoots. Students looked forward to the first traditional prom to be held since the pandemic started. by Brooke Horvai Senior Editor On April 22, NDB hosted the first real prom since the first quarantine lockdown in 2020. Prom is generally regarded as one of the biggest events of the year for upperclassmen, so expectations were high. The dance followed an Enchanted Garden theme, which prompted ideas of firefly lights and beautiful flower imagery. However, the real event vaguely represented the theme, having only sporadic vine decorations.
The experience left a lot of juniors and seniors unsatisfied. “I wish that the lights had gone down,” said senior Emma Nilstoft. “I think if they had, [prom] would have been a lot more lively.” Multiple other girls observed that the floor itself was way too small for the amount of people it was supposed to house. Many of the dates were crowding unnecessarily, stepping on girls’ dresses and heels. NDB students who wanted to dance and enjoy themselves would
be body slammed by a boy who got overexcited. The general sentiment about the food and other options besides the dance floor were positive. “The food and the photobooth were quite enjoyable,” remarked senior D. Sofia Caballero. “I liked how the food was brought out at different times. You could take a break from dancing and go back outside and get a different food, like dessert.” For the seniors, Enchanted Garden is the first and last prom they will ever experience. As a re-
sult, a lot of girls were disappointed by what is supposed to be the “best night of their high school career.” “I thought it would be nice to experience it for the first time,” admitted Nilstoft. “But considering it was my one and only prom, I expected more.” Overall, the juniors and seniors attempted to make the best of the night. “I’m hoping that the next senior events coming up are more exciting,” reflected senior Maddy Scheinman. “And [that they] provide a good send-off for our class.”
GULIANNA CESCHIN / THE CATALYST
Sophomore Annie Lester was elected class president of the Class of 2024, the Dragons.
“I think it’s super fun and important to help lead the class, and I think it’s great to have students’ perspectives helping to overall better the school. I hope to make sure that everyone is as spirited as they can be and that people show up to things and I’d love to keep people very informed, especially through social media.”
Spring semester final exams approach by Clair Sapilewski Managing Editor In the month of May, there is just one thing hindering student’s overwhelming excitement for the warm weather that summer brings: finals. Final projects or exams, which are worth 20% of a student’s overall grade for the spring semester, are an opportunity to show off what students have learned since winter break. Finals begin on Friday, May 27. They continue the following week starting Tuesday, May 31. The exams start with Block 3, and then continue with Blocks 7, 2, 6, 1, 5 and 4.
There will be a make-up exam block on the last day of finals, Thursday, June 2. Most students at NDB can agree that finals are not fun. The necessity of them is more debatable though. Some finals, especially projects, come across as busy work, and students have a difficult time pinpointing what exactly they gain from completing them. Tests are more straightforward. Studying for an exam cements information in the minds of students. Reviewing material from across an entire semester forces them to find connections and make conclusions about the diverse material.
MOLLY PHAN / THE CATALYST
Monique Samson was elected class president for the Class of 2023, the Wildcats. CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
Senior Sarah Massoudi finishes her final project for her AP Calculus class. During finals be served by Epicurean, week, the classic break- beginning at 9:45 A.M. fast food lunches will and ending at 11:15 A.M.
“I love being part of student council, and I’m excited to lead my class during our last year here at NDB. I am definitely most looking forward to planning prom and organizing Aquacades!” Information and photos compiled by Gulianna Ceschin, News Editor
OPINION
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Letter from the Editor in Chief: Peyton Daley says farewell to The Catalyst After three years, 17 issues and 74 stories, my time on The Catalyst’s staff is finally up. Of all the goodbyes that I have to say as I end high school, this is definitely one of the most difficult. I think all seniors would agree with me that whoever said junior year is the hardest was lying. The past ten months have been extremely busy between college applications, AP classes, sports and other activities, but I was still happy to take on the work that my role as Editor in Chief entailed. Journalism has become such a significant part of my life, and while I am looking forward to graduating, I am sad to leave behind The Catalyst. This newspaper has provided me with both an avenue to learn more about NDB by reporting on a variety of events and a platform to express my perspective. My involvement in journalism throughout high school has given me a greater appreciation for the
power of media, which I will take with me into the next four years. I am excited to attend Stanford University, where I am planning on studying earth systems and communications and hopefully writing for the Stanford Daily. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for all of their hard work. Although the process was not always stressfree, I am proud of us for producing amazing issues this year. I will miss all of our class discussions, off-topic though they were. In particular, I am so grateful to Clair Sapilewski for being the best Managing Editor and friend that I could have asked for. Working together this year has been an incredible experience and your positive energy has kept us all motivated. Thank you so much to Robert Rojas, our advisor, for teaching me all about journalism (and Star Wars). I appreciate the opportunities you have given me to lead The Catalyst
and the effort that you put into the journalism program at NDB. I am also very thankful for the guidance of my sister Parker Daley and Amelia Kyle, who led The Catalyst before me. Both of you played instrumental roles in my growth as a writer and editor and set great examples of how to run this newspaper. I am so excited to be passing the torch on to Molly Phan. I know that you will do a wonderful job as Editor in Chief, and I can’t wait to follow your work next year. Lastly, thank you to all of our dedicated readers who have supported us over the past ten months. From ever-changing masking guidelines to a new Head of School to the return of Aquacades, this has certainly been an eventful school year, and we have done our best to chronicle all of it. I hope that you have enjoyed Volume 8 of The Catalyst!
OPINION Colleges should return to requiring SAT and ACT scores Peyton Daley Editor in Chief @TheNDBCatalyst
For the past two graduating classes, almost all colleges had to go test-optional or testblind. At the height of the pandemic, standardized tests were widely unavailable since cramming hundreds of students from all over together indoors for hours was a recipe for a COVID-19 outbreak. However, now that COVID-19 cases continue to dwindle and ACTs and SATs are happening all around the country again, colleges should return to requiring test scores as part of the college admissions process. Standardized tests are often accused of being unfair and favoring wealthy students. It is true that tutoring for the tests has become increasingly ex-
pensive. Parents pay thousands of dollars for their children to prepare for the SAT or ACT, sometimes for years leading up to actual tests. Still, there are other, much less expensive ways to study. SAT or ACT test prep books with exam tips and full-length practice tests can be found online or at most local bookstores for around $20, and allow students to prepare on their own for the test. Additionally, there are many free practice tests and other resources online on websites, such as Khan Academy. Furthermore, the SAT and ACT are designed to test a student’s logic and reasoning skills, not their preparation. Students’ performance on these exams can provide for colleges a
reflection of their ability to problem solve and think critically, which GPA alone cannot portray. Grading scales and rigor can vary from school to school, and even from teacher to teacher within the same school. Some teachers grade on accuracy, while others grade on completion. Some teachers curve tests, while others do not. For some classes, tests make up almost an entirety of one’s grade, while in others they do not. Therefore, GPAs are not always comparable and grades are not always an accurate measure of a student’s cognitive abilities for colleges to assess. In fact, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was one of the first colleges to announce a return to testing requirements for the Class of 2023, and stated that the test-optional process actually disadvantages students from low-income families. In a Q&A with the MIT news office, Dean of Admissions Stuart Schmill explained
that the use of standardized tests has historically helped the admissions department recognize students of low socioeconomic status who would be capable of handling the school’s difficult academics, but who had not had the time or resources to dedicate to their classwork in high school in order to achieve a perfect GPA. Without test scores, admissions officers have to rely more heavily on other parts of the application, such as grades, course rigor, extracurriculars and essays. All of these factors are impacted by a student’s financial status, school resources, opportunities and luck. While the admissions process should be holistic and should not come down simply to one test score, it is important to have scores as a point of reference for the rest of the application since other components, such as essays, can be interpreted differently by various readers. It is also important to recognize that, as col-
leges continue to encourage students to only submit scores if they are in the top half of that school’s average range, their average will continue to increase exponentially. Soon, all colleges will have incredibly high “averages” if only the top-scoring students are told to submit them. This breeds more stress as students feel that they need to achieve the highest scores possible to be able to send them to colleges, and if they receive anything less than perfect scores, they are disappointed. What used to be considered a great score will now be thought of as low compared to colleges’ ever-rising standards. Test scores are the only part of a student’s application that is truly comparable to another student. By removing standardized testing requirements, colleges are only encouraging more subjectivity in the admissions process.
I believe that test scores do have significance, but I do not think they should carry more weight than any other part of a student’s application. I think it is more fair to put more emphasis on other aspects of someone’s college application. I believe a student’s transcript can give a more accurate view on a person as a student because you can see how well they have performed over their four years in high school and how consistent they
are in a classroom. This also would present to colleges how consistent this particular student could be at their school. The SAT or ACT, however, only show an admissions panel how a particular student was able to perform on one test one day. Letters of recommendation are also a better source to rely on when evaluating an applicant. These will show a college how well students work in a classroom and overall high school environment,
and how well they communicate with teachers. Similarly, interviews also give colleges a better look at an applicant. They can speak to a student first hand and ask specific questions. Finally, essays are arguably the most important part of an application. They can show a college a student’s worldview, writing style and their goals. All of these elements can give a more accurate look at an applicant than standardized tests can.
Colleges should keep test scores out of admissions Desea Bond Staff Writer @TheNDBCatalyst
Colleges should remain test-blind even when the COVID-19 pandemic is over. This means they should not consider test scores submitted by applicants in the admissions process. Being test-blind leaves more room for di-
versity in a college. Test results do not fully paint the picture of who someone is. For example, some students may be strong applicants, but have testing anxiety and therefore do not receive a good SAT or ACT score.
A junior’s point of view: Looking ahead to senior year Molly Phan Opinion Editor @TheNDBCatalyst
As a member of the Class of 2023, the past three years of high school have been quite the rollercoaster. Some might say that, due to the pandemic, we have yet to experience a year at NDB to its full potential. But, as we approach the final weeks of our junior year, we are hopeful and excited for everything that a normal senior year has in store for us. Becoming a senior ultimately comes with a lot of responsibility that is seemingly both stressful and exciting. Not only will we begin the daunting college application process in
the fall, but we will have to uphold our grades and meet graduation requirements, such as community service hours. We will also take on the role of leading the school as the oldest students on campus and setting an example for the grades below us, especially the incoming class. As the Class of 2022 led rallies, participated in events, like the Senior Splash, and held privileges like being excused from Collaboration, us juniors endured our difficult classes, SATs and ACTs and the looming concern of what will go on our college re-
sumes. As the year comes to a close and we enter the summer going into our senior year, we are excited that it is finally our turn to rise to the top of NDB. Despite the privileges, we also know that senior year will come with a whole new set of challeng-
es. The thought of college acceptances, rejections and decisions are already anxiety inducing. I am, however, confident that we Wildcats will power through our senior year together, and I am beyond excited to see the amazing places that we will all end up in a year
from now. Like many of the other previous classes, the Class of 2023 has had a non-traditional high school experience, and I am looking forward to being able to celebrate all that we have overcome with an outstanding final year at NDB.
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theCATALYST NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF Peyton Daley MANAGING EDITOR Clair Sapilewski NEWS EDITOR Gulianna Ceschin OPINION EDITOR Molly Phan ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Mia Muzzi SPORTS EDITORS Francesca Arbelaez Emma Callicott SENIOR EDITOR Brooke Horvai STAFF WRITERS Desea Bond Emma Boyd Caroline Rose Gans Ariana Kraemer Ava Marinos Kayla Messick Jenna Metwally Natalie Nootbaar Bella Topalian FACULTY ADVISOR Robert Rojas ABOUT THE CATALYST
The Catalyst is a student-run newspaper that is published seven times a year in print and 24/7 online at www.TheNDBCatalyst.com for the Notre Dame High School 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. It reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. The views expressed in the Opinion section do not reflect the views of The Catalyst, NDB, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, or the Archdiocese of San Francisco, but are solely the views of the writer. Unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of The Catalyst. CONTACT US The Catalyst Notre Dame High School 1540 Ralston Avenue Belmont, California 94002 Phone: (650) 595-1913 Email: TheNDBCatalyst@ gmail.com Website: www. TheNDBCatalyst.com Social Media / Instagram & Twitter: @TheNDBCatalyst
PHOTO COURTESY OF CAITLYNN REYNOLDS
Members of the Class of 2023 celebrate in preparation for what would become a victory at Aquacades last April.
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FEATURES
NDB observes Mental Health Awareness Month by Desea Bond Staff Writer
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to reflect on the school community’s mental well-being. It is important to consider steps that can be implemented to help destigmatize mental health. Make sure to check in with loved ones and see how they are doing. Checking in helps people know that there is someone that cares about them. If they do choose to open up and express that they are experiencing mental health issues, let them know that there are resources that can help them. NDB’s guidance counselors are a great example of a resource for anyone who needs help. “I love the counselors,” said junior Kate O’Connor. “They are always there to help me with anything I need, big or small.” Sometimes people
do not know how to help because they do not understand the realities and facts behind mental health problems. One of the main goals of Mental Health Awareness Month is to encourage people to simply be mindful of their own mental health. Doing research about how people of different ages experience mental health issues is a great first step towards being able to help those around you. Take the time to listen and learn about what some of your friends might be going through. The first step in helping to support those who are suffering is taking time to listen to them. Social media is a great way to spread awareness about Mental Health Month. Posting different resources can be very helpful to a lot of people who might not have had the motivation to look for the information themselves. There are many social media accounts dedicated to spreading aware-
DESEA BOND / THE CATALYST
Junior Bella Topalian smiles in the counseling center, a mental health resource center for NDB students. ness about mental health and giving out ways to help. Utilizing tools like this can be beneficial in many ways. They can be used to help people who might not know how to seek it otherwise. Encourage kind words. Make sure people know that their words matter and never be afraid to call someone out if they
say something insensitive about mental health. Always be kind to others and think about what you are saying. People do not realize the impact that their words might have on other people. Be conscious of the thing you say and how other people might take that. So, make sure to always spread kindness and be nice to others.
Practice self care. Remind people to take care of themselves and stay in tune with their bodies. Everyone can get overwhelmed and it is important to remember to take a break and take time to decompress. “School is very overwhelming, and breaks sometimes don’t seem like breaks,” junior Charlotte
Stogner explained. “I need to remember to always take time for myself and make sure I don’t get too stressed out.” Mental health is a very serious issue and it’s important that everyone recognizes it as such. Taking steps like this will help spread awareness to mental health and help normalize it.
Q&A with Counselor Christina Christenson The Catalyst (TC): It’s common for people to assume that mental health gets better over the summer, but for some it doesn’t. Can you explain a little bit about why mental health might worsen with a lack of structured days? Christina Christenson (CC): I think it’s safe to say, for everybody, your anxiety levels are lower when you know what to expect. And so during the summer, like you said, the days are a little bit less structured. For some people, they take it as an opportunity to be able to do things that they really want or to have the flexibility of the day. Whereas, for others, it can be a little bit daunting to have two months off to try to figure out what to do. It is definitely different for everybody though. TC: What are some
Arts & Life techniques you would recomEditor Mia Muzzi sat down with Counsel- mend to maintain good menor Christina Christenson tal health over to discuss how to take the summer? care of your mental CC: You definitehealth during the summer.
ly want to hit a few different types of self care. It could be physical self care, like when you’re moving your body, or there’s mental self care. For most students, summer is a time to be able to focus on other things besides school. It’s a time to do things that are hobbies or sports, so that you still stay busy, but with things that you like to do. Obviously, you don’t have school in the summer, so sometimes it’s harder for people to meet up with their friends because you don’t have class together. Being able to stay connected through social media is very helpful. Meeting with friends you are not able to see during the school year is also a good way to stay connected. Just staying connected with people who are important to you. Then there’s also spiritual self care, but that doesn’t necessarily have to mean religious. Having time alone is really important too. We get caught up in a very busy daily grind, and summer can be a time take a breath.
TC: What is something you would tell a student who’s struggling with a lack of routine or feeling alone due to not being able to see their friends? CC: I would say to just start small. Choose to wake up at a specific time every day, so that at least there’s things that you know what to expect throughout the day, and it’s on your terms. For someone who is feeling alone due to not being able to see their peers, I think it’s really convenient nowadays that we can FaceTime and be able to stay connected, even if you’re not able to see each other in person. Summer is also a time for some to be able to connect with people that they haven’t been able to during the school year. If you have friends at different schools, it’s a good time to reach out to others that you wouldn’t normally be able to hang out with. TC: During the summer, we tend to spend a lot more time on electronics like social media or watching TV. What are some things that you could think of that we can do to minimize that? CC: What even technology tries to do now is you can track your screen time. Or even when
you go on TikTok they give you reminders like, “Hey, you’ve been scrolling for a long time.” So I think what would be super helpful is to kind of just check in with yourself maybe every 15-20 minutes to say like, “Okay, I’ve been doing this for this long, should I do something else? Should I go to the bathroom? Should I go drink some water?” And, it’s okay to be able to spend time on screen. It’s just you want to keep track of it, so that it’s not out of your control. TC: Do you recommend sleeping in over the summer, or do you think that it takes away from a routine? CC: I think a lot of people are naturally night owls. So taking advantage of the opportunity during the summer to kind of sleep in and go with your natural sleep rhythms could be helpful. Just keep in mind that you do have to adjust to that when we come to school. You really just have to ask yourself, “What’s more helpful for me? Is it going to be easier when we come back in the fall to adjust again? Or should I really just take advantage of being able to sleep in for a couple of months?” TC: What are your thoughts on taking summer school classes? Do you feel this benefits a student’s mental health or adds more stress? CC: Anything that you’re doing over the summer should be a benefit. If you feel like it adds to your stress, then it’s probably not worth it. Community college classes are definitely a popular option. But, there’s also online classes that you can definitely talk to your counselor about. But definitely I would say it should be something that’s fun and exciting and not something that you would be taking during the regular school year. TC: For students who are traveling and don’t necessarily have access to a gym or can’t partake in sports practices, what do you think would be a good way for them to get the exercise that their bodies are used to? CC: So, exercise can look like many different things. I think, nowadays, things are a little bit easier in the sense that you can download an app – Like the Nike Training app is something where you can just follow along with exercises. But, I would say even just walking, and that’s something you could do anywhere.
FEATURES
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AAPI Heritage Month: A student perspective by Madi Whitt Staff Writer
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It is a time to highlight and celebrate the influences that the AAPI community has had on our country. America has a rich history that stems from the involvement of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, but it is many times overlooked or forgotten. Asian immigrants first began to arrive in the United States in the 19th century. Since then, the Asian population has continued to grow significantly, especially in San Francisco. Like other minorities, discrimination has been common, examples ranging from the Japanese internment camps during World War II to the hate crimes spurred by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. I am half white and half Asian, and this month for me is a way to learn about my Asian her-
itage and reflect on my struggle to appreciate the history of my race. At nine months old, my mother was adopted from Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in a white, suburban, middle class family outside of Baltimore, Maryland, and as you can imagine, therefore inherited none of the Asian culture. By consequence, neither did I. Growing up, I did not feel that I was missing out on anything. All my friends and family were white, and I felt no connection with my Asian heritage, never thinking of myself as anything other than a white American. As I grew up, however, I started to experience and notice more microaggressions and direct comments that affirmed that everyone else only saw my Asian side. Comments on my eyes and face shape or misinformed assumptions about my parents or grandparents made me self-conscious and stuck
with me. Similar to many Asian children, I was embarrassed that people recognized this side of me. I wanted to be “normal,” like everyone else. At times, I still struggle with accepting and appreciating my Asian identity. However, learning about the ways in which Asian culture ties into the history of the U.S. and how important the AAPI community is in forming the country we see today has helped me to overcome some of these feelings. The U.S. is commonly described as a “melting pot.” That term summarizes the diversity that the country was built upon. The benefits of that diversity are lost if we do not learn about how everyone, of all different races, contributed to where the country stands today. This is why it is so important to use AAPI Heritage Month as an opportunity to learn about the culture of such a large community in the U.S. Schools
PHOTO COURTESY OF MADI WHITT
Whitt reflects on her family’s Korean heritage during AAPI Heritage Month. in America should take on more of a responsibility to teach this rich history to young students. The U.S. has a bad habit of white-washing our history. The effects of this lack of representation manifest in the younger generations of minorities. Children are experiencing a desire to distance them-
selves from anything they believe makes them less American. If they don’t want to identify with their culture, the U.S. loses its “melting pot” culture as well. It is important to recognize and teach students that one’s race does not affect one’s ability to be American. AAPI Her-
itage Month is important to every single inhabitant of the United States, not just American Asians and Pacific Islanders, because it highlights that diversity is and has always been a defining aspect of this country. It is what makes us unique.
Celebrating with NDB’s AAPI community
“Sometimes [AAPI] is a minority group that’s often overlooked, and kind of a silent minority. I think it’s always good to get back to your roots and think about family traditions. I think it’s good to bring awareness. There’s all different people in that category with rich cultures and traditions. Maybe [Epicurean] could have incorporated more ethnic foods throughout the month. I feel like a lot of times when you celebrate things, it’s around food,” said Jennifer Walton, Math Department Chair
“The US is a melting pot of different cultures, and it’s important to acknowledge, especially now. We are lucky that AAPI is more common here in the Bay Area, but in other parts of the country, there are still a lot of misconceptions about our culture and heritage. We’ve seen it with the spike of AAPI hate crimes in the last couple of years with the pandemic. We are seeing more AAPI faces on our TV’s and on the big screen which is important for representation,” said Jessica Lee, Director of Finances
“I think [this month is] important because Asian culture currently is on the rise and, with that, AAPI kind of evolved from being aware of the violence that happened against the Asian community. And so, this rising occurrence is important for us to know and acknowledge because it’s a culture of people, and these cultural people belong in this community of the world with technology that helps bring more awareness of what’s going on within the culture,” said Douglas Requilman, Spiritual Life teacher
“I don’t celebrate [the month], but I think that, if a student, a teacher, or somebody else finds great value in it, I’m not going to take that away from them. It is important for people to have their time, whether or not I take part in it. Here, having more literature in our curriculum that reflects this cultural group would definitely be a positive thing to show both the individuality and universality of their stories,” said Robert Rojas, English Department Chair
“With all the recent attacks on the AAPI community, it is important that we celebrate our cultures to show the community what kind of impact that we make that goes unnoticed. The AAPI’s have been around in this country since the beginning, and our stories get glossed over in history books. It is time that our history gets highlighted and celebrated for the many sacrifices and achievements throughout the years,” said Allan Gargaritano, Counselor
Information and photos compiled by Mia Muzzi, Arts & Life Editor and Clair Sapilewski, Managing Editor
SPOTLIGHT
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Oh, the places they’ll go! Class of 2022 college map
Alabama University of Alabama: Christina Carroll Arizona University of Arizona: Sofia Miele Jenna Shawwa California Azusa Pacific University; Vicki Samaras Cañada College: Alexia Coral California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: Angelina Chopoff Chapman University: Emma Boyd Courtney Chung Giuliana Kiesel Isabelle Neil Alexa Neilson Sienna Villar California State University, Chico: Catherine McGuire Foothill College: Riley Fisher Samantha Fisher Glendale Community College: Mariam Gasparian Holy Names University: Taleah Mendoza
Saint Mary’s College: Kaelyn Baldenegro Alexis Curry Sophia Dinelli San Diego State University: Gulianna Ceschin Santa Clara University: Gabrielle Arceo D. Sofia Caballero Elizabeth Pope Scripps College: Rebecca DeMeo Stanford University: Karla Aguilar Peyton Daley University of California, Berkeley: Ella Giguere Ashley Lau University of California, Davis: Brindha Ramanathan Maddy Scheinman University of California, Irvine: Ruofan (Selina) Hao University of California, Los Angeles: Marissa Bergquist Chloe Einsiedl Amanda Tam University of California, Merced: Rose Gans
University of California, San Diego: Grace Baldwin Renee D’Arcangelis University of San Diego: Nikka Ahani Makena Conneely Ryan Edwards University of San Francisco: Ivy Shen Chiara Giannini Sofia Rios University of Southern California: Sage Saperstein Colorado Colorado State University: Emma Baumgarten University of Colorado, Boulder: Ashley Beck Sophia Bolich Nora Isley Stella Jaunich Ella Price Christina Proctor Elle Rau Katie Spencer University of Denver Caroline Turk Hawaii University of Hawaii,
Manoa: Kaila Acbay Indiana Indiana University: Ashley North Purdue University: Kyra Green Maryland University of Maryland, College Park: Madeline Whitt Mississippi University of Mississippi: Jorja Fox Caroline Lawrence Kolby Robinson New York Cornell University: Nithya Mani Fordham University: Cassandra Calibo New York University: Sarah Massoudi Sarah Lawrence College: Hailey Braun Christyn Refuerzo St. John’s University, Queens: Sabrina Senhaji
Syracuse University: Ava Lough Avery Tuthill North Carolina Wake Forest University: Kayla George Oregon Reed College: Emma Treanor University of Oregon: Elizabeth Frew Ashley Mullarkey Marie (Fenn) Rossiter Kadence Smith Hayley Stuart Linnea Weaver University of Portland: Chloe McGraw Keara Rhodes Emma Wylie Willamette University: Maddie Berry Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University: Catie Mahlman Tennessee University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Schyler DeWitt
Texas Baylor University: Emma Nilstoft Texas Christian University: Megan Sarhatt Washington Gonzaga University: Payton Peters University of Washington, Seattle: Brooke Horvai Alison Lewis Washington, D.C. American University: Clair Sapilewski Georgetown University: Olivia Semien Wisconsin University of Wisconsin, Madison: Mara Riitters International / Italy University of Bologna Rebecca Saponara Other Mia Armanino Jenny Li Ziara Matthews Kennya Olguin Madelyn Stone
SPOTLIGHT
from SPARTANS Page 1
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The end of Sparta
the Spartans were proud of the effort that they put into their routines and of the spirit that they displayed in the stands. When cheering on their classmates in the poolside bleachers, the class finally found a sense of unity. They went into their sophomore year ready to no longer be the youngest students on campus and looking forward to performing better in their next Aquacades. Then, right before Aquacades 2020 was set to take place, the school moved completely online due to the
initial spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. The then-sophomores had to quickly adjust to remote learning, life without sports or other extracurricular activities and not seeing their classmates in person. Junior year is often regarded as the most difficult year of high school academically due to the heavy workload and the pressure of the upcoming college application season. The Class of 2022’s junior year came with its own set of challenges, mainly marked by Zoom fatigue, rampant COVID-19 outbreaks, socially distanced extracurriculars and virtual
AP exams and finals. They did not get the chance to fully enjoy their new status as upperclasswomen by sitting inside the dining hall to eat lunch or by leading their younger sisters, the Dragons, through their first spirit rally. “I think that being online our junior year created some distance in our class as a lot of us weren’t really seeing each other during the year,” stated senior Olivia Semien. “It seems that a lot of us are ready for more independence in college and are just getting through senior year.” The Spartans lost a full year of so-
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
A few Spartans enjoy the Senior Splash on March 15. and final Aquacades. “Being at TVcades really took me back to Aquacades in freshman year. I’m really grateful we were able to have Aquacades this year,” said senior Ashley Lau. “I‘ll always remember the class picnics, and the ringing in my ears from all the shouting in the stands. It was an experience I’ll never forget.” Being seniors and the only class to have experienced an Aquacades before, the Spartans were expected to come out victorious, but ended up receiving last place for a second time.
“Getting fourth place at Aquacades was super disappointing. We put in a lot of work to our routines and spent a lot of hours working behind the scenes, so I wish our dedication was seen by judges,” DeWitt added. “Not to mention, our class’s time at Notre Dame has been deeply affected by the pandemic, and I wish the judges had given us some empathy points.” The night was a fitting representation of the Spartans’ notorious inability to cheer louder than the red and purple classes. Yet, what they lack in vocal range
the Spartans make up for in other ways. “I think one of our classes biggest strengths is perseverance as we have faced many obstacles, such as the pandemic, to get to our senior year, but we were able to do it nonetheless. I also think our class is very welcoming and that kindness is a huge strength,” said Lewis. The Class of 2022 may not be remembered for their spirit, but they will be remembered for their leadership, warmth, academic excellence and engagement throughout their time at NDB.
PHOTO COURTESY OF @NDBTIGERS
The Class of 2022 cheers on their sister class at their first Aquacades during the spring of 2019.
cial events, and also a year of sitting together during lunch and passing each other in the halls. Although this in some ways limited their ability to bond as a class, it also formed a connection between them since they all got through it together (albeit not physically together). They entered into senior year grateful for the opportunity to return to in-person learning and excited for their remaining time at NDB. The Class of 2022 kicked off this year with the Senior Honor Ceremony to replace the Junior Ring Ceremony that NDB was unable to
hold the previous year. This event gave the class a chance to celebrate their academic, athletic and personal achievements and their transition to being upperclasswomen. During the fall semester, the Spartans struggled through the college application process and, in the spring, they finally got to be rewarded for their efforts with acceptance letters. They were eager to share their college decisions process with their classmates. “I am most proud of our class for sticking together and getting to this point. I am so excited for
everyone as we are looking toward college and am proud of the community our class has created throughout our time at NDB,” explained ASB officer Ali Lewis. “I have several favorite memories from this year as a class. From the senior sunrise to our senior prom, I will always remember my time at NDB,” Senior Class President Schyler DeWitt reflected. “But, Senior College Day, where everybody wore their college sweatshirts, has to be my favorite memory. It was so special to see where everybody is off to next year.” April 8 was the Spartans’ second
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
Seniors Rebecca Saponara, Elizabeth Pope, Jorja Fox and Christina Carroll perform a group deck routine at Aquacades 2022.
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SPOTLIGHT
Class of 2022 valedictorians and salutatorian named by Brooke Horvai & Molly Phan Editorial Staff
At the 2022 Academic Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 19, NDB announced who would be the valedictorians and salutatorian for the Class of 2022. This year, the committee named Peyton Daley and Amanda Tam co-valedictorians and Ali Lewis salutatorian to recognize their effort and success throughout high school. Co-valedictorian, Peyton Daley represents the pinnacle of excellence at NDB. As a stellar student who is involved in many activities inside and outside of school, Daley truly embodies all that an NDB graduate can accomplish. Beyond her academic success, she has led the journalism program in the production of The Catalyst for three years, serving as editor in chief during her senior year and has been a member of NDB’s varsity cross country team for
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
Daley, Tam and Lewis were chosen based on GPA, extracurriculars, community service and leadership.
the Class of 2022 due to her phenomenal leadership and academic capabilities. From her years on student council to her several athletic awards to her academic achievements, Lewis represents all of NDB’s core values. Lewis was the captain of her varsity lacrosse team and a member of the varsity golf team. She also served as the director of communications on ASB this year. “I will definitely take with me [to college], to not be afraid to get involved and [to] get out there and to just try so many different things because eventually you’ll find what you’re really good at and what you’re passionate about,” she shared. Lewis plans to study business at the University of Washington, Seattle next year. Although she does not know exactly what she hopes to pursue after college, she feels that business is a great place to start.
four years. Outside of the NDB community, she is an equestrian vaulter and qualified for and competed at the world championships in 2021. She has also committed time to service work with local animal shelters, earning the gold-level Presidential Service award. Daley will be attending Stanford University in the fall where she plans to study earth systems and communications. “I’ve always been
really passionate about saving the climate and environmental science,” said Daley. “And I recently developed such a passion for journalism throughout high school that I want to bring in communications as well, because I think that climate change is an issue that can be best solved through collaboration, and communications is a huge part of that.” Amanda Tam was also named co-valedicto-
ed about their own experiences and read passages from the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. Speeches were given after by seniors Schyler DeWitt and Renee D’Arcangelis along with their mothers. The speakers all reflected upon their time at NDB. “I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to speak at the annual Mother Daughter Brunch alongside my mom this year,” said DeWitt. “My mom and I had so much fun writing our speeches together, as it allowed us to reflect on our relationship and how it has grown over these past four years.” “I’d say my favorite part of the event was to hear the speeches given by
Schyler DeWitt and Renee D’Arcangelis from both of them and their moms,” shared senior Katie Spencer. “I thought that it was super special and it was a very good reflection of how their relationship has grown with their moms throughout their time at Notre Dame Belmont.” After the speeches, each student participated in an activity in which they shared something they appreciate about their mothers. An “anointing” also took place, where the daughters and their guests explained why they appreciated each other. The attendees then enjoyed an array of breakfast foods, including French toast, scrambled
eggs and a yogurt, granola and fruit salad bar. A professional photographer was also present to capture photos of mothers posing with their daughters. “The brunch was so special and such a great tradition at NDB!” com-
mented DeWitt. The Class of 2022 was grateful for this time spent with their mothers and away from the stress of school before they go off to college in a couple of months. “I thought it was
very well planned out and very organized. I thought it was a beautiful ceremony,” reflected Makena Conneely. “We were like, bawling at one point when we had to do the anointment thing, just because it was very special.”
prayer or reflection. “We just want seniors to have a chance to spend a day together without having to worry about school and books and other things going on in their life, but just really be able to focus on being together to enjoy and appreciate one another’s friendship and hopefully the camaraderie that’s been shared among people in your class,” Jobin said. “This is a time for them to say goodbye to one another, to get ready to say goodbye, and maybe to start thinking about their future and what is, you know, what is my next step
going to look like on my journey.” In the morning, senior Christyn Refuerzo delivered a speech to her fellow Spartans regarding her time at NDB and what she will miss most about the community on campus. She focused on themes of resilience and trust. “I was definitely really nervous [about giving the speech], and I got the email to write the speech around like early April,” shared Refuerzo. “So I was working on it for a while. It was difficult to write, but I feel like it ended up working out.
Actually, fun fact, I wrote it at midnight on a day during spring break.” Refuerzo’s speech touched all the seniors and helped set the tone for a day full of reflection and grateful appreciation of the years they shared at NDB. “Looking at my friends when I said certain parts was like, really heartwarming, and seeing their faces smiling and the tears was really cool,” Refuerzo added. Afterwards, the Spartans were split into small groups of around five to ten students led by faculty facilitators. In these
groups, the seniors reflected on their experiences at NDB by decorating a poster, picture frames and even creating short skits about their years in high school which they performed for the rest of their class. “I really liked my small group. I was actually surprised because I thought, ‘I am not going to like it’,” said Karla Aguilar. “But it was honestly so nice, because it was a very, like, honest, real discussion.” The smaller group discussions gave the seniors a chance to get to know each other better before graduation as they
went through a series of icebreaker questions. “I think my favorite part was just getting to talk to people who I don’t usually talk to in our small groups,” said senior Hayley Stuart. “I think it was a good way of just talking about things that we don’t usually talk about and saying goodbye because I feel like I don’t usually do that.” History teacher Jonathan Tomczak and former math teacher Gina Kipilman also appeared as guest speakers. They discussed the importance of living in the present and how to say goodbye.
rian for her outstanding achievements at NDB. She participated in several AP classes throughout her time in high school and is especially proud of her growth in learning French. Tam was heavily involved in the mock trial team and credits her skills of public speaking, critical thinking and communication to her experience in the program. “Always work hard. Find the right peo-
ple who support you and in turn, support them and do the things you’re passionate about and then just continue to do them at the 100% level,” advised Tam. Tam will attend the University of California, Los Angeles next year and hopes to study psychology, which she became interested in during her AP Psychology course last year. Ali Lewis earned the role of salutatorian for
Spartans enjoy Mother Daughter Tea by Gulianna Ceschin News Editor
On Sunday, May 15, the seniors got to attend NDB’s annual Mother Daughter Tea, which is a day dedicated to the graduating class and their mothers or guardians. Every year, seniors dress up and attend this “tea party” brunch. This event is meant to give seniors a special opportunity to spend time with their mothers before they go to college. The Spartans enjoyed the chance to reflect on their relationships with their mothers and classmates before graduation. The event began with a prayer ceremony led by seniors, who talk-
GULIANNA CESCHIN / THE CATALYST
Seniors Emma Nilstoft and Kaila Acbay enjoy brunch at the Mother Daughter Tea.
Class gathers for Senior Day of Reflection by Peyton Daley & Clair Sapilewski Editorial Staff On Monday, May 16, the Spartans visited St. Bartholomew’s parish community in San Mateo for the Senior Day of Reflection. The retreat was an opportunity for the class to bond with one another and say goodbye to each other before they graduate on June 4. Organized by former Dean of Student Life Carolyn Hutchins and Director of Mission and Ministry Amy Jobin, the day was full of activities, speeches and time for
SPOTLIGHT
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The Catalyst’s senior staff say goodbye Peyton Daley, Editor in Chief
Clair Sapilewski, Managing Editor
Peyton will be attending Stanford University next year. She plans to major in earth systems and communications with a focus in conservation ecology.
Clair is going to American University in the fall. She plans to study journalism and political science in college.
Gulianna Ceschin, News Editor
Brooke Horvai, Senior Editor
Gulianna is headed to San Diego State University in the fall. She is excited to meet new people and study business in preparation for a career in real estate.
Brooke will be attending the University of Washington, Seattle next year. She plans on majoring in psychology with a possible minor in biology.
Emma Boyd, Staff Writer
Emma is going to Chapman University next year. She is most excited to meet new people and have new experiences ahead of her.
Visit TheNDBCatalyst.com and follow us @TheNDBCatalyst on Instagram and Twitter for more stories and photos
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ARTS & LIFE
Spartans look forward to graduation trips As the summer approaches, many students await their trips. It’s a popular tradition for seniors to go somewhere exciting during the summer with many friends. They go on this vacation to celebrate their completion of high school and spend time with the people who they will not be seeing as much after they leave for college.
HAWAII Schyler DeWitt is heading to Waikiki, Hawaii for her graduation trip. She is going with a few of her friends and plans on meeting up with more classmates once they arrive. DeWitt is most excited to go to the beach, eat lots of great food and go shopping.
DISNEYLAND Isabelle Neil looks forward to her trip to Disneyland. She plans to leave for the resort for four days with her friends after graduation. Neil is most excited to relax and have fun after all the hard work she has put into school this year.
Best bakeries to visit on the local coast by Kayla Messick Staff Writer Many students have found that traveling to Half Moon Bay is a fun way to spend their time. However, some students struggle to find fun places to eat while they are visiting. To start, Pacifica offers some top notch bakeries when in the neighborhood. Mazetti’s bakery on Manor Drive has many options when it comes to cookies and cakes. Their most well known and popular item is their Durby Cake. It is a traditional cake with frosting, but with special fruit and layering on the inside. Also in Pacifica, the traditional StarBread bakery chain also has a popular favorite: Senorita Bread. They offer the original classic flavor and also have special edition flavors, like nutella, strawberry and cream cheese. Across the highway is Soul Grind. This is a local favorite and always has a line out the door. They have great coffee and also stellar food. Their bakery items are superb, with their New York crumb cake being one of their most indemand items. Halfway between
Avery Tuthill anticipates her trip to England and Scotland with her friend and fellow NDB senior, Emma Wylie. They also plan on visiting Wylie’s family while there. “I am most excited to travel and experience Europe,” said Tuthill. “And it will be fun to spend time with my best friend and to meet her family.”
FLORIDA Mara Riitters plans to go to Florida for her graduation trip. She is leaving a few days after graduation and going with some of her friends. Ritters is most excited to spend time with her friends that she will not be able to see as much in college. Information and photos complied by Emma Callicott, Sports Co-Editor
KAYLA MESSICK / THE CATALYST
Soul Grind bakery is a perfect place to stop by when in the mood for something sweet. Main Street is Moonside Bakery, Half Moon Bay Coffee Co. and Half Moon Bay Bakery. Half Moon Bay Bakery has the best donuts, sold for only $1, but going to Moonside or Coffee Co. would be better for more substantial snacks. Moonside specializes in their meringues and sweets, while Coffee Co. specializ-
es in more breads and muffin-type items. Hopefully these recommendations will aid any Bay Area adventures and help Half Moon Bay visitors look like a local when they stop at the good bakeries.
Strange and America, but it did not take as well as they wanted to. She was written very one-dimensionally and is reduced to a single biographical detail with basically zero defining character traits beyond the fact that she has a cool superpower and trust issues. The film did come through with its thrilling and unexpected cameos as well as Olsen’s incredible performance. She stole the movie with her deeply emotional portrayal of Wanda, embodying and processing all the pain and trauma that she is feeling from creating a fictional family and then losing them in the Disney+ show
“WandaVision.” Olsen has always been able to grasp Wanda’s maternal impulses as well as Scarlet Witch’s the-ends-justify-the-means philosophy. Yet, the movie itself does not know how to wrestle the two sides of her as well as Olsen does, which limits her character development. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” offers high quality visuals that provide a gory and horror-filled fun with big surprise cameos that will make fans scream in their seats. But it is missing a factor that makes other Marvel movies so great: genuine heart and soul.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is a good movie, but not great by Natalie Nootbaar Staff Writer
ENGLAND & SCOTLAND
Pacifica and Half Moon Bay is a small cafe called Here Comes The Sun. This cafe is along the side of the highway and is known for its welcoming environment and friendly atmosphere. They have a small, but warm interior that is good for studying or just relaxing. They offer some small breakfast snacks, but mostly serve coffee and tea drinks. Although their coffee is not world-changing, the atmosphere makes for a great experience. Driving along Highway 1 through Princeton Harbor, one encounters Mezza Luna Cafe and Dawn Patrol. Mezza Luna Cafe has fantastic gelato and food, but more desserts rather than baked goods; their tiramisu is legendary. Dawn Patrol also has great drinks and small breakfasts, and their muffins and bear claws are a crowd favorite. When in downtown Half Moon Bay, there are a larger variety of options. When entering Main Street, Cafe Society is a fun choice to check out. The bright red building is always warm and full of activity. They have many drink options, breakfast and also bakery items like muffins, breads and sweet treats. Farther along
The newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” was released in theaters on May 6. The movie stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, a new superhero in the MCU. The movie was directed by Sam Raimi, who also directed Tobey Maguire’s “Spider-Man” films, which set fans’ expectations even higher than they normally are. The film follows Strange as he encounters America Chavez, who has the ability to travel through the multiverses, and helps her stop the demon that has been sending creatures to attack her and take away her powers. Strange seeks the help of his old friend, Wong, who is now the Sorcerer Supreme, as well as an Avenger who he worked with to defeat Thanos, Wanda Maximoff. The group soon realizes that the threat that they are facing is much more powerful than they originally thought and
has a stronger motivation than the average villain. “I thought that the movie was really good, but it did kind of minimize some of the characters to further the plots of other characters,” said sophomore and avid Marvel fan Amanda Barrish. “But the new character, America Chavez, was absolutely amazing, and I loved seeing Wanda and Doctor Strange interact with each other as they haven’t gotten a lot of screen time together in previous movies. The graphics for the movie were gorgeous. It did tend to focus a bit more on horror than other Marvel movies. But, overall, it was a really spectacular movie. Very action packed and had a lot of surprises.” The plot of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” felt very rushed and chaotic. It seemed as if movie clips were assembled on the fly from conflicting drafts in an attempt to meet the release date. The scenes do not transition into each other, and the rules of magic seem to change every scene. The writers attempted to create a mentorship between Doctor
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” was released in theaters on May 6.
ARTS & LIFE
Behind the scenes: An inside look at the real Top Gun by Clair Sapilewski Managing Editor
After decades, the sequel to “Top Gun” is visible on the horizon. “Top Gun: Maverick” hits theaters on May 27, and promises a new naval aviation adventure. The original movie follows the cockpit duo Maverick and Goose as they navigate their way through Top Gun, a program where the best naval flight crews learn to be even better. The release of “Top Gun: Maverick” brings the opportunity to learn more about the places, planes and people presented in these action films. Micheal Tauskey, a naval flight officer and student at Top Gun, is more than qualified to judge the accuracy of the movies and bring to light facts about the school and Strike Fighter Squadrons. Tauskey attended Serra High School and then went on to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where he began his journey towards becoming a Weapons System Officer, a journey that continues as he heads to Top Gun. Originally named the United States Navy
Fighter Weapons School and now called the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, Top Gun was created in 1969 to increase United States successes in the air during the Vietnam conflict. The school trains students in the classroom and in the sky, teaching them dogfighting skills as well as strategy and equipment operations. Both Tauskey and Maverick are part of the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructors program, which teaches naval pilots like Maverick and naval flight officers like Tauskey to be the best and most up-to-date specialists. “You are sent to Top Gun to be sharpened tactically, and then you go back to a squadron and you help provide the newest information and tactics and ensure that everyone’s using the same playbook. You become the teacher essentially,” explained Tauskey. In this way, the whole squadron improves, enhancing performance throughout the Navy. Tauskey flies in an F/A-18F Super Hornet, a two seat aircraft that was introduced to the Navy in 1999, over a decade after “Top Gun” was released. In the original, Maverick and Goose fly in an F/A-14
Tomcat. In the new “Top Gun: Maverick,” Maverick will take to the skies in an F/A-18E, the single seat version of the F. Currently stationed in Lemoore, California, Tauskey is a Weapon System Officer. This means he sits in the second seat of the plane, like Goose in “Top Gun.” He is part of VFA Strike Fighter Squadron 41, the Black Aces. A few scenes in “Top Gun” revolve around landing or launching from an aircraft carrier at sea. “We take off from a moving ship at sea, and we land on a moving ship at sea. During the daytime, it’s actually kind of fun. But then there’s times too, especially nighttime, when you are catapulted off the front end. And so when you go to catapult, you are just looking into the darkness, sometimes there’s no moon, there’s no horizon,” Tauskey said. “The next thing you know, you’re hurtling and you’re airborne. You can’t see the water. You can’t see the sky. It’s kind of just all black. You become very comfortable being uncomfortable.” In “Top Gun,” the characters have odd-sounding names called callsigns. Usually, one does not get a callsign until six months
after they join their first squadron. “In the Navy, if your callsign isn’t at least a little bit funny or a little bit of a dig at you, you’re not doing it right,” Tauskey explained. “Everyone thinks it’s like these cool super suave names. More so, it’s like you’ve done something really dumb, and so we’re now going to remind you of it every time we use your callsign.” Maverick, Cougar, Iceman and Viper are a few of the callsigns in “Top Gun.” “My callsign is Flap Lid,” clarified Tauskey. “Much like my massive forehead on my tiny body. I kind of just got to own it at some point.” “Top Gun” is full of action packed flight scenes. In fact, each time Maverick and Goose take to the air, something spectacular seems to happen, for better or for worse. “I think Hollywood will jazz some things up, because if you were to really look at it, sometimes the stuff we do is really boring. Basically, you’re waiting for something to happen, but if nothing happens, it’s uneventful. It’s not like every time you launch off, you’re going to intercept somebody or do
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PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA TAUSKEY
Michael Tauskey poses in front of his naval jet. something crazy,” Tauskey explained. Other than that, Tauskey reported that naval movies like “Top Gun” are generally accurate. Tauskey enjoyed the original before he became a part of the Navy, and still does. “I have to say that it gave me goosebumps then, and it still gives me goosebumps now,” he re-
counted. “I think it’s a little bit of the Hollywood glamour, but also a little bit of just, ‘Man, that’s freaking cool.’” The new “Top Gun” is set to surpass the original, critics conclude. In it, Maverick will return to Top Gun as an instructor. The film scored a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the first one got a rotten 58%.
Bay Area flower shops to visit this summer FIORI Fiori is a small floral shop in Burlingame that is loved for its enormous variety of flowers. They have hundreds of bouquets to pick from, all of which are very radiant and will make anyone’s day. It is clear that there is a lot of hard work behind each individual bouquet. They remain incredibly busy throughout the year, serving customers with their professional opinions on each flower. For 30 years, they have been extremely appreciated by the Burlingame community.
EDMOND’S PLAZA FLORIST Located in San Mateo, Edmond’s Plaza Florist is always full of people looking for the perfect flowers. Their popularity is due to their intricate and unique bouquets. They offer arrangements for every occasion, including weddings, Mother’s Day and graduations. Though slightly pricey, the product is worth every cent and is a beautiful addition to any event.
MILLS FLORIST
GRANARA’S FLOWERS
Found in Palo Alto, this flower shop has been owned by the Mills family since 1903. The shop recently reopened their store front after a year of taking online delivery orders via their website due to COVID-19 restrictions. Upon visiting the store, it is clear that the employees are very outgoing and informed. “I just really like the environment of being here,” shared employee and Mountain View HS student Kate McCarthy.
This family-run flower shop in San Carlos is known for their exclusive and meaningful bouquets. In addition to having friendly employees and excellent service, there are several selections of flowers to choose from when looking to buy. The store has a unique atmosphere with interesting decor, making it a special experience for their customers. Granara’s Flowers is full of fresh flowers to choose from for any occasion.
Information and photos compiled by Mia Muzzi, Arts & Life Editor
SPORTS Departing Athletic Director Jason Levine reflects on 22 years at NDB page 14
by Francesca Arbelaez Sports Co-Editor After 22 years at NDB and 12 years as Athletic Director, Jason Levine has decided to go down a different road. That road is leading him and his family to Phoenix, Arizona, where Levine will oversee the boys at Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale as their new dean. “I will miss driving up Ralston, early in the morning, before cars are parked on campus, and seeing this beautiful school building, with a rich history and tradition,” said Levine, “I will miss all of our former and current faculty, staff and coaches, all of whom I have learned something from at one time or another.” Levine began working at NDB in the fall of 2000 when he was hired to teach five English classes for freshmen, sophomores and seniors. He was also given the opportunity to be the head freshman soccer
coach and head JV tennis coach during his first year. “I will miss coaching my tennis and soccer teams,” Levine said. “Coaching our varsity soccer team to the WCAL Tournament Championship game in 2008, even after upsetting Presentation and St. Ignatius. Although the team lost, it was a fantastic memory.” “Also, watching our 2015 NDB volleyball team win our first-ever state championship and the parade around the elementary, high school and college campus with all NDB students,” he added. During his first ten years from 2000 to 2010, he taught freshman and junior English classes primarily. Along with two other now former English teachers, he had a hand in starting the annual Gatsby Ball in 2003. “I hope to continue the Gatsby Ball as it has been ingrained into the student experience as Mr. Levine had intended,” said current English Depart-
ment Chair Robert Rojas. Levine also created an event called Greek Day, which lasted over ten years and brought together Greek mythology and ancient Greek history. Before 2006, American Literature was taught sophomore year and American History was taught junior year. That year, Levine became the English Department Chair and decided to align the two courses for students to take in the same year. This was just one of the many advances he made in the position. A year later, Frank Ryerson, a former English, creative writing and video production teacher, retired from NDB and moved to Mexico to write his memoirs. With that position open, Levine then added a video production class on top of his duties as English Department Chair. “Our former Chaplain, Father Steve Howell, called me into his office one day. I thought I
PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON LEVINE
(Left to right) English teachers Melissa Kuser, Amy Chambliss, Jason Levine and Bonnie Davis enjoy the first-ever Gatsby Ball in 2003.
might be in trouble, and he said, ‘Jason, I want you to go into school administration someday. I think you have the demeanor for that kind of leadership role,’” said Levine. “I thanked him for the meeting and thought, ‘No way. I love teaching and coaching.’ Little did I know that, later that year, I was to begin my administrative credential.” Levine was given the opportunity to oversee the school’s sports when the job of Athletic Director became available in 2010. At the time, he was still the English Department Chair and taught one freshman English class and a video production class. Then, during his third year, then-Head of School Rita Gleason appointed him as Athletic Director on a full-time basis. Four years later, he joined the senior leadership team, which has provided him with insight into how a school is administered, inside and out. Levine has been
a part of many NDB traditions. He reminisced on his first Aquacades routine with former math teacher Troy Thiele and former religious studies teacher Mike Krepik. “We danced to ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ in front of the whole school,” he said, “What a show stopper that was. We were all around 29 years old.” “I will miss setting up for home games, and traveling to away games, watching our NDB Tigers give everything they have in victory and defeat. I will miss seeing our teams competing for all of the tournament championships, league championships, CCS championships, college athlete signing days, sports awards, hanging banners and so much more.” He added that he is most proud of the five “Sober Prom” videos that he worked on with former Associate Head of School Carolyn Hutchins, his brother Josh Levine, who
was the videographer, and the great group of students who were involved in the production. During the COVID-19 quarantine, he also worked with his brother to create a “College Signing” show and two “Sports Awards” shows and traveled to senior athletes’ homes to capture the moment when they received their athletic awards. “I will truly miss spending time working with all the athletic staff. Mirna Yao, Mr. G, Mr. Tomczak, Mike Hutchins, Kate Mahoney, Christina Okubo,” continued Levine. “I will miss, most of all, my morning walk around the school with Patsy. Grabbing a cup of coffee, saying hello to our kitchen staff, making our way down hallways, and popping into classrooms to say good morning to faculty. Then making our way to the administrative offices to say good morning, then to the front office to sign in with Mrs. Tauskey.”
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
Jason Levine smiles after attending his last senior softball game as NDB’s Athletic Director.
SPORTS Senior athletes look back on their last season
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Spring sports: What is on these athletes’ minds? Alexa Herrera Lacrosse “[My favorite part of the season was] ...our game against SHC that we won by one point after going into overtime twice,” Herrera said. “It was such a great season coming out of COVID. Last year when our season was cut short, it was really disappointing, but this year’s season definitely made up for it.”
Katherine Johnson Softball EMMA BOYD / THE CATALYST
(Left to right) Giuliana Kiesel, Marissa Bergquist, Ali Lewis, Jorja Fox, Stella Jaunich, Emma Boyd, Isabelle Neil and Sabrina Senhaji pose together before their senior banner pictures. by Emma Boyd Staff Writer As the spring sports season comes to an end, senior athletes take the time to reflect on their past years of playing. The bittersweet feeling that these athletes bear this season has been expressed in numerous ways. Some athletes will go on to play the sport at the collegiate level, whereas for others, this is probably the last season they will ever play. Seniors feel an extra amount of joy and sadness as the final sports season of the school year comes to a close. Each sports team has a senior night to celebrate their graduating athletes’ final
moments of the season before going to college. Looking back on the seasons that they have played, the seniors remember favorite memories, friends made and the love of the sport. “The most exciting part of this season was all of our practices,” said senior Christina Carroll. “I love going to practice and getting to hang out with all of my close friends. It is always so fun and something I look forward to.” Carroll, like many other senior athletes, enjoyed her high school sports and left behind some advice for new members of NDB’s track and field program. “As I look back,
I would tell students wanting to run track to go for it. There is an event for everyone and it is so much fun,” continued Carroll. Senior Sabrina Senhaji also reflected on their final season of lacrosse and gave advice to younger athletes. “I would say that it’s a commitment and it takes time. I would really recommend learning how to manage your time the best you can. I also would encourage anyone wanting to try lacrosse to at least try it, cause the team energy is amazing,” shared Senhaji. This spring season has been one for the books. From beach volleyball to swim, lacrosse to track and field and softball, the se-
niors have been able to experience their spring sport in an exciting way. The Spartans are elated to be celebrating their final high school sports moments, but are saddened by the idea of leaving it behind. In the end, every senior athlete has been extremely grateful for the time that they have had on the team and is excited for the next steps in their journey. While some plan on continuing their sport at the club level or collegiate, some are leaving it all behind in their high school career. The seniors would like to thank their coaches, mentors and all others who helped them grow and succeed in their sport over the years.
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
ticipated in the high jump CCS event on Saturday, May 21 also in Gilroy. Thompson also put on an impressive performance at finals, placing third in the 100 meter dash and fourth in the 200. Her time in the 100 was a personal record. As Thompson is still only a sophomore, it is likely that her impressive personal records in the 100, 200 and 400 will only improve, and score her a spot in an individual race in the years to come. Junior Desea Bond had a successful meet at finals in her events, long jump and triple jump. She placed fifth and fourth in those respectively. Finals also served as the official senior meet. The seniors participating were recognized and each given a flower before the races began. The team has their banquet on May 24, where the coaches and athletes will celebrate their spring season of accomplishments and say goodbye to the six seniors.
“My favorite part of the season was our second time playing Mercy. We all knew it would be a tough game. We ended up winning 4-3. We all threw our gloves in the air and came in for a group hug. It was a feeling I will never forget,” Johnson said. “Our season this year was great. We are undefeated in league and are now going to CCS.”
Ciara Mangan Beach Volleyball “My favorite part of the season was getting the chance to compete with my partner. Our games were really fun, and it was nice to get to see what level we could compete at,” Mangan said. “It was nice to get to know all of the new people on the team and to play with them as well.”
Track team finishes the season strong
Cassidy Morris, Amber Holloway, Cailin Thompson and Megan Worry smile proudly with their coaches after completing the 4x400 race. by Clair Sapilewski Managing Editor The West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) Track and Field Finals took place on Friday, May 6 after runners and jumpers qualified that Tuesday during the WBAL Preliminary meet. At finals, NDB runners competed in 11 events, including two hurdle races and two relays. Track coaches
and sibling duo Ron and Shamara Douglas finished their first track season at NDB successfully, with athletes in two events moving on from the finals to the Central Coast Section (CCS) Championships. The 17 NDB athletes running in finals worked hard throughout the season, and the dedication they showed paid off in this last meet. The 4x400 team, made up of sophomores
Cailin Thompson, Amber Holloway, Megan Worry and junior Cassidy Morris, advanced to CCS, a meet that took place on Saturday, May 14 in Gilroy. In CCS, the relay team placed 13th with a time of four minutes and 22.16 seconds. High jumpers Melanie Castelli and Emma Nilstoft came in first and second, respectively, at finals and both competed in CCS as well. Castelli par-
Mallory Moore Swim “My favorite parts of the season were spending time with my teammates at meets and getting to know the new people on the team,” Moore said. “My sports season was fun this year. It was different than last year because we had more meets and overall spent more time together as a team.”
Samantha Gould Track and Field “My favorite part of this season was the sisterhood. We cheered each other on, no matter what. Overall, with a great coach, too, this was definitely an amazing season,” Gould said. “My sports season was a bunch of fun. As much hard work and effort it took, it was fun to watch my teammates compete and to cheer them on.” Information and photos complied by Emma Callicott, Sports Co-Editor.
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NEWS
Senior athletes head off to collegiate sports
Culinary Column
by Editorial Staff The 2022 school year has come to the end, with a summer to look forward to and new adventures – and food – in the fall. Let’s look back on some of the special culinary moments of May.
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
PHOTO COURTESY OF @NDBTIGERS
Mendoza, McGuire and Saperstein commit to play collegiate sports on Signing Day. by Molly Phan Opinion Editor
Each year, NDB celebrates the high achieving athletes who have made the decision to continue their athletic and academic career in college. For the Class of 2022, Catherine McGuire will play soccer at the California State University, Chico, Taleah Mendoza will play soccer at Holy Names University and Sage Saperstein will attend the University of Southern California for rowing. These athletes have worked especially hard during the college recruitment process because there were a number of pandemic-related ob-
stacles that needed to be overcome. Since 2020, the timing of sports seasons varied, travel was restricted and visiting schools or coaches in-person was difficult. “College recruiting during COVID was one of the most stressful experiences I have ever been through and I was incredibly fortunate to be able to have everything work out,” said McGuire. “But I definitely acknowledge that a big part of my recruiting success was due to reaching out to coaches at the right time and happening to have a lot of game film and accolades from high school.” The journey to
get recruited does not just take hard work physically. Along with hours of practice, conditioning and strengthening every day, athletes must overcome mental obstacles. Lack of confidence and focus on a sport can be some of the most significant challenges for athletes throughout their career. “I think one thing that has helped me become a better player recently was really working on loving the sport. I try my hardest to enjoy the practices,” shared Mendoza. “Another thing is to not be hesitant to overexaggerate your excitement. This helps get others’ energy into the game and puts everyone in
a better mindset while also building confidence.” Between joining new teams, building new friendships and learning new skills, these athletes are incredibly excited to move on to bigger and better things in college. “To any highschool athlete who is thinking they want to play in college, know that the recruiting process may be tough and seem never-ending, but you will always end up where you are supposed to be with a little hard work and persistence,” said Saperstein. The NDB community is looking forward to seeing these athletes succeed in the future.
Spartans make their major choices by Clair Sapilewski Managing Editor
College decisions often get the largest amount of attention in the month of May, but choosing the right major can be just as important, if not more so, for seniors. Some seniors have been thinking about a certain career since before they can remember, some have picked in the last year, and others will begin at their chosen university undecided. Some choose based on their favorite classes at NDB, while some decide on what they believe is the most stable career path. “I originally wanted to major in political science because that’s a good major to go to law school with, but then I realized I didn’t want to just be set up for law school,” explained senior Emma Nilstoft. “I wanted the ability to do something else with it, maybe. So that’s why I switched to sociology.” Nilstoft will attend Baylor University
with a major in sociology next fall. Like Nilstoft, many make practical decisions regarding which majors will give them the most opportunities after college. “I’m going to major in electrical engineering,” Catherine McGuire said. “I wanted a major with a lot of career opportunities right out of college.” There are only so many opportunities offered in high school, and it is impossible for students to be exposed to the many possible majors and career paths available. For this reason,
some NDB seniors have decided to begin college with an undecided major. “I am going to the University of Oregon and my major is undeclared. I am interested in two very different topics, which is something in the health field or something artistic, which is why I’m going undeclared so that I can look at both things,” said Hayley Stuart. “I am looking forward to branching out and trying things that I wouldn’t usually do.” While Stuart plans to explore her interests and
passions in college, other students make their major choice based on what classes they enjoyed at NDB. “I am attending University of Hawaii, Manoa next year and my major is kinesiology, health and exercise science,” explained Kaila Acbay. “I always knew I wanted to help people, but I don’t think I was really cut out to be a nurse or a doctor. So I joined our Foundations of Sports Medicine class my senior year, and I fell in love with anatomy.”
On Tuesday, May 3, Epicurean brought the NDB population a beloved classic: cheese quesadillas and cilantro lime rice. Sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo were offered as additions, making the plates across the cafeteria full of color and flavor. The quesadillas themself were everything you would expect in a quesadilla, nothing less and nothing more. One unwelcome addition did steal its way onto the plate though: asparagus.
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
Burgers and hot dogs were offered on May 12, along with curly fries. The meal’s palatability varied from plate to plate. A lucky serving had a perfectly cooked medium rare burger patty and crispy bronze fries. A less-excellent serving had soggy fries and a well done burger. It seemed that, the later a student received their food, the less fresh the fries. A beautiful medley of springtime vegetables was served, including cauliflower and prismatic purple carrots. The exquisite assortment was dampened only by the presence of yet again, more asparagus.
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
CLAIR SAPILEWSKI / THE CATALYST
Kaila Acbay and Gulianna Ceschin pose in their college sweatshirts.
Friday saw grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and asparagus. The mashed potatoes were a creamy delight, and the chicken was spiced and salted to perfection. Asparagus were out in the open in this dish, and not so perfect. Nearly a centimeter in diameter, the spices did not permeate the stalk, so students were left with a mushy, bland vegetable. Dear Epicurean, please restrain from incorporating more asparagus before the student population is forever turned away from the vegetable. Maybe another spring vegetable could make its way onto the menu, such as a spring salad with arugula, radishes and lettuce, or green peas with pesto.