The Knight Magazine December 2013 Issue by The Knight News Blog

STAFF

ELISIA HARKINSJAMES ADVISOR

VAUGHN HIMBER EDITORIN-CHIEF

SOPHIA PAGE MAGAZINE EDITOR

NICK HALABY BLOG EDITOR

GRACE MCKAGAN

GABRIELA AVILA

ADVERTISING MANAGER

COPY EDITOR

KATHRYN BRACKEN WRITER

ANDREW GAVINET WRITER

HALEY GILFORD WRITER

JEANNIE GONZALES WRITER

VERONICA HUSTON WRITER

VICTORIA MARTINEZ WRITER

ALEX STEPHENSON

ERIC TALAMAS WRITER

HALEY WIMMER WRITER

JANET YEO WRITER

COPY EDITOR

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

CAMERON DE MATTEIS BUSINESS/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Title

Title

7 10

Title

6 5

15 4 DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

ND Hosts Debate Tournament

By Simone Schwartz , Guest Writer

TThe First Annual Damus Hollywood Invitational was hosted November 2-4, 2013 at Notre Dame High School and HarvardWestlake Upper School. The Monday debates were held at the Marriott Courtyard in Sherman Oaks. Teams and schools came here from many different states such as Utah, Nevada, Florida, Arizona, Illinois, Texas, New Hampshire, Montana, and our very own California. All of the visitors were very polite and kept our campus remarkably clean. Everyone was able to see their across-state friends and everyone from the debate community again. Most debaters go to debate camp over the summer, and are able to meet up with the friends they make at the tournaments they go to throughout the year. The tournament itself ran very smoothly. Notre Dame students escorted everyone to their classrooms to make sure they knew where they were going and that everything ran on time. Ms. Tallungan, Director of Debate at Notre Dame, picked out the most magnificent trophies to give out. Most were “Hollywood themed” Oscar awards with marble bases, metal paperweight and crystal shiny paperweights all engraved with the tournament name. The top speakers won a beautiful glass blue and gold star and an iPad mini! Needless to say, the winners were extremely pleased. Another congratulations to top Novice speaker, Samantha Xiao from College Prep and top Varsity speaker, Mike Demers from Bishop Guertin. We served breakfast, lunch, and snacks from the cafeteria. Everyday we had loads of Halloween candy in bowls given out to all the participants. We ordered from Miceli’s Italian Restaurant. We served pasta, meatballs, antipasto salad, and delicious rolls. The lunch was a big hit and all the debaters told us that the food was absolutely delicious. On Saturday we had Sprinkles cupcakes donated very generously from the company. They were very popular, especially amongst the debaters from Utah. They were saying how they had heard about “the famous sprinkles cupcakes” and were so excited to try them. The entire campus was used: all the classrooms as well as the Holy Cross Center. On Friday, we caution taped all the classrooms to make sure nothing was damaged and on Sunday night we moved back the desks, picked up the trash and tidied things up to all the teachers’ approval. We learned just how confusing our campus number system can be when helping people to their classrooms. DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

Also how big our school is, and also how big out school is. Walking everyone to their rooms from all different ends of the school is quite the work out. The Notre Dame team got to school at 8:00a.m. on Saturday and left at about 10:00p.m. On Sunday, we arrived at 6:30p.m. and the last of us left at about 9:30p.m. Needless to say, we all had a very busy, but extremely fun and satisfying weekend. It was absolutely wonderful seeing the debate community mix with the Notre Dame community. Everyone complimented our campus, students, faculty, and parents. All the debaters loved coming to our campus and will hopefully be coming back for many years! The attendees enoyed the tournament just as much as we did hosting it. Debate coach Mike Shackelford from Rowland Hall, a small independent school in Utah emailed a heartfelt thank you from him and his team. He said “[His] students and [he] were thoroughly impressed with every aspect of the tournament. From the facilities, to the food, to the timely schedule, everything exceeded [their] expectations. Christina Tallungan was responsive and supportive (she even made schedule accommodations for teams that were impacted by the LAX incident). The Notre Dame students were polite and helpful. The parent volunteers were more than hospitable. Even the security guards made us feel welcome. Thank you for making the experience possible and setting a new standard for competitive debate tournaments in the West. [They] can’t wait to return next year.” This tournament could not have happened without so many people, but the overall teamwork and Notre Dame family spirit got us through. First and foremost, Ms. Tallungan spent a year planning and working on this event. She put so much time and effort into this tournament and it definitely paid off in full. Ms. Tallungan’s old debate coach, Damus, donated to this tournament to help make it happen, and is also how the tournament got its name. He is also responsible for the nifty awards. The Notre Dame Debate Team took on a lot of responsibility, namely Alexa Gris and Mikayla Rae Garvin. The tournament could not have gone so smoothly without all the help from all the Notre Dame parents. They were so great and donated so much of their time. The teachers that helped chaperone were also a great addition to our success. The tournament went as swimmingly, just as we hoped it would, and next year will hopefully be even better and even more successful!

The

Evolution of the

Lunch Table

By Gabriela Avila

The thirty minutes allotted for lunch are for more than just eating. It is the high point of socialization for the day. It is a time for meeting up with friends to talk about what we did last weekend and make plans for the upcoming one. We gossip, complain, and laugh while we eat and work on a little last-minute homework. Chances are, the lunch tables we sit at today are not in the same location or with the same people as our freshman lunch tables. How and why do things change over the course of one or two years? One factor that contributes to the change is dating. Senior Jonathan Luna sat on the floor in front of the band center freshman year. “I started dating my girlfriend, Ashley, my sophomore year,” he said, “so I started to sit with her.” As Ashley moved so did Jonathan, hopping from spot to spot until they ended up on the floor by the library. Junior Ary Burgoyne’s lunchtime seating arrangement has also been affected by her dating life. “Freshman year I sat with a big group of people,” Burgoyne said. “When I was dating sophomore year I sat at a table with a bunch of other couples. After that I moved around to a few different tables until I ended up where I am now.” Today Ary sits on the floor outside the theatre with a group of close friends. Tables also change as friendships change. Junior Melissa Galvan has gone through multiple changes since freshman year. “Freshman year my table was just me and my friend Jenny. It evolved to include more people during sophomore year, but then our friendships began to diminish. Situations and issues came up. People left and we all just moved on.” After migrating from spot to spot Melissa found her place with Ary and their other friends Fiona Hayes, Bianca Alzaga, and Cameron de Matteis. The first day of freshman year is pretty scary, especially if you do not know many people at Notre dame. Freshman lunch tables can be short term due to the fact that during the few first days of school we tend to sit with people just because we know them. As we meet more people and slowly come out of our shells we tend to move around until we find people that we want to sit with every day. “No one from my old school came here,” said Sophomore Nadia Kaspersky, “so I sat with a bunch of people I vaguely knew because I had no one else to sit with.” As time passed Nadia met more people and started to sit with those that she shared interests with. Now Nadia sits at a bench by the library with a small group of friends. “I like my lunch now much more than last year,” Nadia said. Whether it was because of our love lives, changes in friendships, or expanding our social circles, we have all likely experienced some level of change in our lunch crowds since freshman year. That is what High School is for after all. Our personalities, interests, and aspirations have likely changed a bit as well. The changing lunch tables are a mere reflection of how much we have changed.

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

Blue Christmas By Nick Halaby

The holidays are a time for one to be happy, surrounded by family and thankful for all the good fortune that has come this past year. Love and joy are themes of the season, which is why it is so ironic that the holidays are anything but happy for so many. It is estimated that about ten to fifteen percent of teenagers are depressed, and that number seems to rise during the holidays. How could it be that a time of cheer, of joy and peace, can cause such suffering? Emily Bisno and Paulina Grekov are juniors at Notre Dame who volunteer at a teen crisis hotline that helps teens who need assistance coping with emotional issues. When asked if the hotline would receive serious calls on days right after the holidays, Grekov said that she “assumes so because people usually get more depressed when they have to spend the day with their families.” According to Bisno, that is why January has the biggest amount of suicides each

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

year. When it comes the psychological cause of depression, especially during the holidays, psychology teacher Julie Reif offered some input. “Depression during that time of year can occur because of a lack of a support system for those people….there is more time at home, there is lack of a support system and lack of family intervention at that time.” The time of year and weather also has an effect on the psychology of depression. According to Reif it is called seasonal affect disorder and it has to do with the weather and the amount of light during the day. Reif said that depression does not have one cause, but instead is a mixture of different things. “It has both a biological cause, like a lack of serotonin in the brain, and sociocultural causes that coincide at the same time.” Reif said that Bisno claims about spending time with family being a cause of depression makes sense. “It can be because of both the lack of family support and the stressful situations that they are being put in.” Although Reif’s psychological explanations offer insight to the more scientific side of depression, the school counseling office offers a view that puts light on the emotional destitution that holiday depression involves. “It’s a really tough time,” said Mae Greenwald, who is a counselor at Notre Dame and has experience dealing with depression in others. “People tell you, ‘oh, the holidays are coming up, isn’t this wonderful, you are supposed to be happy.’ All the reasons why we find such joy during the season sometimes highlight depression. A student may not be happy, and may

feel the pressure even more.” Greenwald said that money problems, health issues and home life are factors that make the holidays tough for some. “Having a routine of going to school and listening to teachers is a benefit and being home and away from that routine means that there is even a bigger focus on how you are feeling .” That is why the holidays can be so difficult. “It is sad, but it is the truth.” Greenwald claims that results of depression, such as suicide, drug abuse and cutting are “desperation at its most raw state. It is easier to self-medicate. Drugs and alcohol are self-medication. When students are drinking, doing drugs and behaving recklessly, that is called acting out. It is so they do not feel. Drugs make people not feel. They take away all of your sensations, so students hide behind drugs and hide behind liquor.” When it comes to helping depression and preventing suicide and abuse, Greenwald said that the use of psychologists and therapists, along with help from trusted teachers and counselors are ways of helping. It is ironic that so much pain is so prevalent during a time of happiness and joy. Depression is a growing issue in our society and the holidays can seem like a highlighter that shows the illness at its worst. Suicide, drug abuse and self-abuse are things that are hard to think and talk about, especially during the holiday season. Hopefully, talking about it can make those who suffer from depression more willing to get help and maybe, just maybe, the holidays can be happy for all.

Merry Birthmas! By Jeannie Gonzales

Having a holiday birthday is not always so easy to navigate. I am beginning to accept that my birthday is December 17th, and it will always be that day. I do have jealousy issues directed at all you summer, spring, and fall babies, not because of the weather, but because you can plan a party and not worry about no one showing up because everyone has plans for the holidays. It is time you people blowing out candles in the other 11 months really heard what it is like for us, December babies. I always kind of wished my special day did not compete so closely with a stress-filled national holiday- competing with Santa and his reindeer for attention is a no-win situation. But when it comes to gifts, every year I hear the line, “This is your Christmas present, too.” A “combo gift” really means you are getting one thing, but sometimes the combo gift is something that is really cool and well thought out. I am not complaining about not getting enough presents, but it is definitely appreciated when someone realizes it is your birthday, not Christmas. Birthday gifts do not belong in a stocking or underneath a tree. Some advice for all of you who have friends and family whose birthday is during the holidays, never, ever, wrap their birthday present in Christmas wrapping paper. They will cringe. Try and not give “birthmas” gifts. People who were born on St. Patrick’s Day do not have to worry about Leprechauns flying out of their birthday cake. Do not be super obvious about regifting, if you are rejecting some of your own Christmas gifts and giving them as a birthday present, do a decent job at it. We would rather have a birthday gift than a Christmas gift, it makes us feel more special. People born in June cannot celebrate their half birthday in December, but people born in December can celebrate their half birthday in June, there is no question about it. Holiday decorations are not birthday gifts. Finally, do try and make an effort to acknowledge your friend’s birthday. Being with your family is great and all during this time of year, but hearing from a friend is well appreciated. If your birthday lands in December, learn how to make the most of it, do not just complain or else everybody will not follow the few simple guidelines in making a December baby feel good about their birth. Just think about, there is no other time of year that people want to party like the holidays. People are already so busy and welcome with open arms a little time away from Christmas and some time to celebrate something other than Santa’s visit. December weather may not be the greatest, but you might get that romantic kiss in the rain you have always wanted, and on your birthday? Even better. You do not get that in August. You get a heat stroke. At the end of the day all anyone wants is some recognition that someone else on the planet cares about their birth. When you share your birthday month with a fat guy sneaking down your chimney, Christ being born, and other holiday madness, it is a little hard to shine. DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

THE SANTA CONSPIRACY Students reveal when they first learned that Santa was NOT real.

“Last year, my mom told me that instead of buying me a present and hiding it until Christmas morning and thinking it’s from Santa Claus, she gave me cash instead to go buy my own gift because it’s easier for her.” - Lauren Anderson, Freshman

Santa would always come to my house and one time he came over and I looked at him and pulled his beard ans realized it was my dad so I cried. My parents still tried to convince me that Santa was real but I knew he wasn’t but I said I did so I can get the presents.” - Gisella Patino, Junior “We would have Christmas in Palm Springs and I thought Santa was going to come down the chimney. So I stayed up all night and baked cookies and lots of milk for him and his reindeer and whoever helped him and I stayed up all night. Then I realized the cookies and milk were all gone and started crying. I realized I ate all his cookies and milk and he was not going to come because I was a bad girl.” - Casey Anderson, Junior

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

“A couple of days before Christmas, my dad put all the gifts in the Hummer. All the gifts got stolen. So we didn’t really have any presents that Christmas. It was a really sad day.” - Joseph Silva, Freshman

The Best Thing I Ever Got For Christmas... By Grace McKagan

Christmas is when students look forward to taking time off, spending time with their loves ones, and of course, receiving a few goodies on Christmas morning. It is also important to reflect upon how fortunate we have been on Christmas pasts. These students reflected on their favorite Christmas gifts of all time….

Tanner Maguire, Sophomore: “I got a MacBook Pro when I was thirteen. I was really happy when I got it because I wasn’t expecting it at all, and I use it all of the time; it’s really important [to me],” said Tanner. Mr. Good, World Geography Teacher: “When I was ten, I got a football, and it was really special to me because I had nine brothers and sisters, so we didn’t usually get a lot for Christmas,” said Mr. Good. Connor & Riordon Smith, Seniors: “When we were fourteen, we recieved an 8-foot fishing lure from our grandmother. We were incredibly suprised when we got the gift but unfourtunately we don’t fish,” said the twins. Claire Carar, Freshman: “I got a horse when I was nine, and that was pretty great. I was really happy when I got it becuase I had been asking for one for a while, so I was kind of suprised. My horse’s name is Charisma,” said Chloe. Nadine Curtin, Junior: “When I was thirteen I got my first acoustic guitar, it’s my favorite. I was so excited because I had been writting for so long and I always loved music, and I still use it today,” said Nadine. Jasmine Zonneveld, Sophomore: “My favorite thing I ever got for Christmas was my Canon B Rebel T3i, last Christmas, when I was fourteen,” said Zanafield. DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

Courtesy of A&E.com

HOW DOES REALITY TV AFFECT YOUR LIFE?

The rise of Reality TV is becoming more and more apparent, in shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Jersey Shore, Real World and so on. But with this new wave of unrealistic expectations, the real question must be posed: How are they affecting the teenagers that watch them? Some say not at all, but most would agree that Reality TV has, to some extent, an influence over teens and young adults. Whether that effect be negative or positive remains to be discovered. Over the years, Reality TV has become the norm, simply because viewers find it easier to relate to the characters being portrayed. However, and considering teens have been exposed to quite an overabundance of Reality TV, it is not surprising that the negative effects far outweigh the positive. Teens, especially those living in today’s overbearing society, find themselves continually engulfed in the high expectations society sets for them. This may lead to a need for escapism, which oftentimes comes in the form of Reality TV. The problem begins when teens start to model their own lives after the characters in the shows. Reality TV Producer Rasha Drachkovitch sums it up in three main ideas. “Reality Television is primarily a character driven business, and there are three ways to view these shows: ‘Hey, that’s me’, ‘I wish that was me’, or ‘I’m glad that’s not me’.” The “I wish that was me” type shows, such as Keeping Up With the Kardashians are really where the problem lies. Teens need to understand that Reality Television is meant for purely entertainment purposes; it is not an example of how you should live your life. If that was the case, Kardashian lookalikes would be overpopulating this earth, each hand in hand with an ex-con turned actor. Reality Television captures the lives of its characDECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

ters 24/7. Due to this, teens tend to document their every action. Without a camera constantly trailing them, teens are left to status updates, that all-important tweet, and even YouTube videos in some cases. These all dominate the lives of most teens because that is what Reality TV has taught them to do. This has negative consequences on its own, but coupled with the cause of Reality Television, it becomes more than just a bad habit, but a way of life that is hard to stop. However, it must be recognized that teens that take Reality TV seriously are in the minority. Sophomore David Poberejsky knows that it is a joke with a never ending punch line. “It’s not reality at all.” He said. “It’s just a bunch of people trying to get rich by doing stupid things and being over dramatic.” Senior Melodie Najaro thinks “it’s just entertainment for teens, but for younger people, they can take it more seriously.” Reality TV can have an influence on you all depending on the way you see it, so don’t take unscripted shows too seriously Knights!

Courtesy of ryanseacrest.com

By Alex Stephenson

DEALING DEALING WITH WITH REALITY REALITY

Courtesy of jezebel.com

Courtesy of TLC.com

Whether it is a show about a redneck family in the south, a towing company, or even child beauty pageants, we can all see that reality television has reached the height of its popularity. Everything and anything can be made into a reality TV show nowadays and more so then ever teenagers are watching them. From Keeping Up with the Kardashians to Dance Moms, reality TV now spans a wide variety of topics that to some degree can attract a wide variety of viewers. When asked about how reality TV affects teenagers, Sophomore Teddy Russell said “It makes them feel as if they have to be physically perfect and morally inept to be accepted in society. Especially with things like teen mom or the Kardashian one.” Sophomore Cameron Garemani had his own varying opinion on the subject “I think it depends on the person, it can have a bad influence on them if they aren’t smart enough about it.” Even with the slightly various opinions on the matter it is no doubt that reality TV is becoming a bigger and bigger trend not just with teens but with all types of people. Regardless of your race, gender or age it seems like there is a reality show out there that you can relate to and be tempted to watch. We talked to TV producer Rasha Drachkovitch about the effects that reality TV has had on this generation and on his own experiences with it.“Many people look at Real World as being television’s first successful ‘reality’ series. An entire generation of teenagers grew up watching this landmark series and were very influenced by the actions of a group of their peers put into a house and documented 24/7. Each one of the “Real World” cast members was picked to represent someone the viewers could relate to: ‘the jock’, ‘the gossip’. This made the show very relatable for viewers. Teens could watch other teens act out in a real, non-scripted way,” said Drachkovitch. When asked about which gender reality TV effects more, Drachkovitch said, “It depends on the show:16 & Pregnant is an amazing series that really speaks to a young female audience curious about how someone their age can handle a pregnancy. On the other end, shows like Tosh.0 target a young male audience that loves crude, visual humor.” So in many ways it is not all a bad thing. It seems that perspective is key

Kardashian photo from celebuzz.com

By Andrew Gavinet

when judging and critiquing these kinds of shows and it is up to the viewer’s themselves to determine what is good and bad about the shows. That being said, why are they so popular in the first place? “Viewers love watching shows that they can relate to,” said Drachkovitch. So maybe that’s just it. We love seeing something on TV that we can identify with. In a way we see that person just living a normal life and simultaneously having a hit TV show. So we say to ourselves “Hey I could be like that”. What do the Kardashians do that I can’t do? I like hunting and fishing so then I guess I can be a part of Duck Dynasty. We see the simplicity and similarities between the people in the reality shows and ourselves and then put ourselves in their places. Yes, anyone can become a reality TV star, everyone wants fame and fortune. The only question we can ask ourselves is if it’s all really worth it. Is someone watching me constantly with a camera comfortable to me? Is being mobbed by the paparazzi just outside my front door fun? Is watching myself get drunk on national television really good for me? So then again maybe becoming reality stars is not all it is cut out to be. And maybe watching someone on TV doing the same things you would be doing in your own life isn’t the best way to use your spare time. So in the end the only way to fix the so called problem of reality TV is too put ourselves in perspective. Is watching the life and times of an average person that resembles us really all that great? In this time of indulgence and individualism is the fact that we love ourselves so much in this country ruining our own culture? Who knows? Maybe it is a question that everyone needs to ask themselves. Maybe it is a question that everyone needs a reality TV show to ask. DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

ad! d i v a N z i l e F ¡

By Jeannie Gonzales

There are many special traditions surrounding Christmas in Mexico. The festivities and decorations that last through the month of December, have much symbolic meaning to the Mexican culture. On Christmas Eve, my dad spends most of the day making his specialty Mexican rice. He wears his grandmother’s apron that she always wore, as it symbolizes our family and our traditions. On Christmas Eve, we have a big Mexican celebration, with many customs such as eating tamales and other traditional food, gift exchanges, and lots of laughs. One year, during our annual gift exchange, my cousin wrapped up a rat in a cage, and when my aunt opened it up, there were many screams and “colorful” words were yelled. My family celebrates my father’s Mexican side on Christmas Eve, where we come together for a night of laughs, good food, and great family memories. The Christmas season begins with Las Posadas, the reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s long search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The processions begins nine days before Christmas because the original journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem is believed to take nine days. Friends and family members divide themselves into two groups - pilgrims and innkeepers. Often times, “Mary” is seen riding a real donkey, or burro, and angels and shepherds are acquired along the way. The pilgrims travel from house to house asking for shelter and are refused at each, until they finally reach the house, or Church, where an altar and Nativity scene has been set up. Here, the pilgrims are admitted with great rejoicing, a traditional prayer is spoken, and the party begins, with the breaking of piñatas, dancing, and a lot of singing. DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

Mexicans typically take great pride in the food they make, so there is no way you will get unauthentic, store-bought food over the holidays. Ensalada de Noche Buena, is a salad served Christmas Eve that contains lettuce, beets, apples, carrots, pineapples, pomegranate seeds, and whatever else the chef prefers. Sophomore Jessica Contreras and her family customarily eat “tamales, caldo de res, caldo de pollo, birria, pozole, churros, pan dulce, anything and everything homemade” during the Christmas season. Tamales, cornmeal wrapped in corn husks, are a dish normally served for special events and holidays only. Pozole is a soup made with pork or chicken and seasoned with chile, garlic, and much more. If you have only eaten Taco Bell or any other unauthentic chain restaurant that claims you would find their food straight out of Mexico, you need to try true homemade and traditional Mexican dishes for the holidays. A Mexican Christmas is most often a big family reunion and you will always have a story to tell. Contreras’ family gathers to arrange annual gift exchanges. Everybody gets a name and everyone mentions three things they would like for Christmas. Finally, on Christmas, they go in order from youngest to oldest and exchange presents. One year, “[Jessica] had gotten [her] cousin’s name and he asked for a shirt and a soccer ball. So, [they] gave him a box of chips and he began opening the box, with his face full of disappointment because all he could find were chips until he reached the bottom of the box and finally found his presents.” Mexicans hold on to their culture and plan on passing traditions down from generation to generation for as long as possible.

Christmas Spirit Day Burritos for Typhoon Relief

Christmas Brunch Burrito

A grilled burrito stuffed with Chorizo, Beef, Rice, Beans & Cheese topped with a “garland” of Salsa: “Yule” love this Christmas package.

For only

Profits will be sent to the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Effort for victims in the Philippines…

_xàËá [xÄÑ `t~x t W|yyxÜxÇvx4 DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

Volleyball Going Out with a Bang By Eric Talamas and Kathryn Bracken

The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team had a very successful season this year, winning most of their games and making it to the CIF semifinals. Out of the 18 games they have played this year, most of them have ended in nothing but victory. The team made it to the Semifinals of the California Interscholastic Federation, or CIF for short, but unfortunately, Notre Dame lost in the final set. Sophomore Savannah Slattery shares, “CIF [went] really [well]; we won our first game on Tuesday against Westlake who we lost to over summer in a tournament. It was really fun to come back and win and show them what we [could] do.” The members of the team were nothing short of excited for CIF, in which they performed magnificently in. This season has also helped the team members become closer as a community and family. The season may have been filled with hard work, painstaking competitions, and a lot of sleep loss, but in no way did this hinder them from becoming more than a team. Nicole Luszczak, Sophomore, commented that, “From this season, I take the new found confidence I have about my skills and I will never forget my teammates. They are my best friends.” My guess is, if you were to ask any one of them, they would probably say that the bonds that they have formed over this season are ones that will last a lifetime. The team also had plenty of fun in their other events, including Dig Pink and the Senior Spook Out. Dig Pink ended in an inevitable win, having lost the first two rounds but pulling through in the last three, all while riling up the crowd. The Senior Spook Out took place on October 31, and in case anyone out there has forgotten, that day is Halloween, and because the people in charge of this event are so generous, they allowed people to come to the game in costume. Despite the epic-ness of coming to the game in costume however, the team lost, being out by the end of the third round and not a victory in sight, which was a very painful moment for the team. But overall, the team still had a fun time, as noted by Slattery, “It was frustrating because we lost but it was a fun night with the Seniors.” All in all, this was a great season for the team, as they got to have fun at the events, enjoy some victories here and there, participate in CIF, and come closer as a team. This experience will be something that these students will be in no rush to forget, and the amount of energy they spent will be more than worth the time they put into it. In short, calling this season great would be an understatement.

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

“From this season, I take the new found confidence I have about my skills and I will never forget my teammates. They are my best friends.” -Nicole Luszczak

Is the Library Used As Much as We Think? By Janet Yeo Photos by Kathryn Bracken

SHH! is what you would hear in a typical school library, but not at Notre Dame. The library is a place for group projects and even a social hangout. Our library has a different atmosphere than most, and that appeals to students. The students use the library every single day to print out worksheets for class or to add a few finishing touches to their homework before turing it in. “The kids come in the morning, before school, during nutrition, during lunch, during x-period, and after school,” said Head Librarian Ms. Edith Darling. According to the Assistant Librarian Mrs. Tully Rosato, there are about 30 to 120 students at any break. The most popular items or stations that are used are the big screen Ap-

ple desktops. “I have to stop them from running and grabbing [the big screen Macs],” Ms. Darling jokingly stated. These computers are perfect for group projects and are an easy local place to meet. There is never a time during break time where there are no students in the library. Whether catching up on homework or just talking to friends, the library is always filled. Spencer Ceurvorst, Davis Robinson, and Adam Rosenberg, juniors, agree “we come here everyday to do homework and use the Internet. It is a social place even though it’s not suppose to be.” Most students agree that this is the perfect place for doing homework with friends in a fun environment. Sylvie Wiley and Gaby Crispy, sophomores, also take advantage of having a library.”I

come into the library everyday. I use it for mostly writing and to print out stuff for class. It’s a great to meet up for group projects during XPeriod,” Wiley said. The loud social atmosphere might not be your cup of tea, so there is another alternative: the quiet room, which functions as both a classroom and a silent student study environment. “The quiet room is used a lot. There are probably 30 kids in there during x period and after school. It’s been a great addition to the library,” Mrs. Rosato said. The library is open from 7a.m. to 5p.m. and the lovely librarians are always eager to help any student in need. So take advantage of the amazing library Notre Dame has because tons of students already have.

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

Jules Boutique Rewards Students!!!

Come by and show us your student ID to receive 15% off your ENTIRE PURCHASE!!! This offer is valid all year round! Cannot be combined with any other offer. Ask us about our social media savings! Instagram: @jules_boutique Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/julesclothingstore

SAVE

20%

ON YOUR NEXT

IN-STORE PURCHASE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

DISCOUNT VALID WITH PROOF OF SCHOOL I.D. OFFER ENDS JANUARY 1ST, 2014. NOT VALID WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR PROMOTIONS.

139 N. SAN FERNANDO BLVD BURBANK,CA 91502 818.559.7573

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT

DECEMBER 2013

THE KNIGHT