Prisms
A Literary & Arts Magazine
Spring 2023, Volume 33 Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School 1011 Chestnut Street Alameda, California 94501
Staff Page Editor-In-Chief
Christian Chiu ‘24
Writing Editor
Sarah Lisanti ‘23
Media & Layout Editors Writing, Media, & Layout Staff
Tobin Deaker ‘24 Isabelly Duarte ‘23 Maya Gilliam ‘23 Christian Grunt ‘23 Jaslyn Ho ‘26 Nicole McClure ‘25 Trigo Rico-Salgado ‘25 Rylie Willkom ‘26
Cover Art
Janicka Lopez ‘24
Cover & Folio Design
Christian Grunt ‘23
Title Page Background & Gear Illustrations Moderators Founder
Dillon McVeigh ‘24, Industrial Lines Isabelly Duarte ‘23 Colette Gunn-Graffy, Writing Andy McKee, Media & Layout Elizabeth Norris
Vision Statement
PRISMS is a literary and arts magazine published and managed by SJND students. Any student may submit work for possible publication, and submissions are accepted throughout the year. In the winter and spring, the student staff reviews and selects pieces for publication and collaborates with the writers, artists, and performers to revise their work as needed. The editorial staff has final choice in the selection process with the approval of faculty moderators. Founded by SJND English and Spanish teacher Elizabeth Norris in 1990, PRISMS was originally printed in black and white and staple bound. The magazine is now printed in full color and perfect bound. Along with writing and artwork, PRISMS now includes recorded & lengthy work, which can be accessed by scanning QR codes. Through the process of putting together the publication, the students on staff learn how to organize and select submissions, how to edit works of creative art, and how to layout the content using Adobe InDesign. A copy of PRISMS is provided to each SJND household, significant donors and interested members of the community.
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Table of Contents 1
Title Page
Dillon McVeigh ‘24
2
Staff and Vision Statement
3-7
Table of Contents
8-9
Theme
Christian Chiu ‘24
10
Inner Voices
Miranda Massie ;24
11
For Other Voices
Izzy Edens ‘24
12
A Progression of Feelings
Natalie Loza ‘24
13
Lost in the Woods
Dylan Valentine ‘26
14
Serene
Janicka Lopez ‘24
15
Sunrise
Sonia Lau ‘26
16-17
Love Lessons
Samantha Fong ‘24
18
Sparkling Starry Eyes
Michael Bautista ‘26
60 Minute Song 19
Rocketman
20
Lost In Thoughts
21
Fruit Stand Page 3
Sam Kohler ‘24 Landon Escorcio ‘23 Zoe Deaker ‘25 Abigail Richter ‘23 Prisms Vol 33
22
Lady Moon
23
Winged Woman
24
Pictures
25
Day Dream
26
Heart Collector
27
Peace
Kara Yeh ‘24 Clara Johnson-Sandoval ‘24 Rylie Willkom ‘26 Miguel Ascencio-Zavala ‘26 Hailey Bui ‘25 Didier Gutierrez ‘26
28-30 Clockwork Mind
Leo Boon ‘23
31
Odium Sui
Tobin Deaker ‘24
32
Blooming
Miguel Ascencio-Zavala ‘26
Midnight Sun
Ryan Cunninham ‘23
33
Sweetheart Everlasting
Claire Maricle ‘26
34
Thought He Could Do It All
Kevin Nguyen ‘25
35
Plaza
Isabelly Duarte ‘23
36
Duality Desserts
Amelia Hollis ‘23
37
Pork Buns
Zora Oliverius ‘26
38
Olive and Keira
Christian Grunt ‘23
39-41
Words Unsaid Page 4
Christian Grunt ‘23 Prisms Vol 33
41
Balance
Miranda Massie ‘24
42
Barrett in the Bay
43
The Santa Barbara Dream
44
Eating in Space
45
Purity
46
“Natural” Light
47
Cover Up
Mila Yosiff-Reyes ‘23 Nicole Chan ‘23 Izabella Jauregui ‘25 Valerie Pham ‘24 Olivia Isabelly Santos ‘23 Miranda Massie ‘24
48-49 Me, The Dog
Antonio (AJ) Arevalo ‘23
50
Burning Incense
Valerie Pham ‘24
51
Nothing To Do But Sew
Chelsi Woods ‘23
52
Brown Girl
53
Flawless, As Always
Micaiah Ribay ‘23
54
Escapism
Miranda Massie ‘24
55
Sudden
Lucas Wallin ‘24
56
Beginning
Jaslyn Ho ‘26
57
Checkered Madness
Sonia Lau ‘26
58
W here Am I? Page 5
Hailey Browning ‘24
Miguel Ascencio-Zavala ‘26 Prisms Vol 33
59
Music
Claire Hume ‘25
60
Two Realms
61
Drink
Anoshka Khudanpur ‘24 Valerie Pham ‘24
62-63 Can I Buy My Freedom?
Micaiah Ribay ‘23
64
Hummingbird
Caleb Chang ‘26
65
Soumaya
Isabelly Duarte ‘23
Never Ending Search
Carrie Truong ‘25
66
Volcán de Fuego
Clara Johnson-Sandoval ‘24
67
Budding Spring
Miranda Massie ‘24
68
Entree
69
Back In Time
Izabella Jauregui ‘25
70
A Sonnet That Feeds No Doubt
Sylvie Karlstrand ‘25
71
California Henge
Cash Rojo ‘26
72-73 Take Me Back To..
Wai Lee Ho ‘24 Tiona Truong ‘25
73
Path of Life
Matthias Reichelderfer ‘26
74
In a Dream
Natalie Loza ‘24
75
Pear of Legs Page 6
Mira Levasseur ‘26 Prisms Vol 33
76
Colorful Cornerstone Descent
77
Carrie Truong ‘25 Declan McFarland ‘25
Farewell Friend
78-82 Contributors 83
SJND Poets Laureate
84
Awards and Colophon
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Ryan Huey ‘24
Machines Without their components, machines exist as hollow shadows of failed potential. Technology requires the synchronous functionality of countless parts. Should a single part be out of sync or absent, the machine will fail and the other parts are consequently impacted as well. Now, take each part out of the machine and examine it - seemingly worthless, minuscule, and weak. The smallest piston can fit in a child’s hand, but when implemented correctly can help power the fastest car. Clocks are only as reliable as the gears that turn the hands. If one gear is broken, or one is too fast, the entire machine’s purpose is misguided and unfulfilled. A complex system such as a clock is nothing without its finer machinery. W ithout each small gear or one of its thin hands, a clock is worthless. Anything becomes nothing without its living, breathing machinery. We, the individuals, are unique machinery in the systems of life. They only function, progress, and exist due to our creativity, drive, and cooperation, and so it becomes more and more essential to understand our distinct roles in these systems. As the world powers back on, and its gears shake off their rust, the parts in the machine of life have regained their purpose after a brief standstill in their production. W hile life is often anything but peaceful, it is important to know that turmoil and struggle reshapes us in ways that may have yet to reveal themselves. Nonetheless, the gears are turning, every part is working, and the machine of life has been fully optimized, yet again. The final step in the world’s reoptimization is its repurposing. Machines, systems, and technology exist in vain without a purpose to serve. Technological advancement is birthed from the existence of new challenges and Page 8
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Prisms vol. 33 problems to solve. The most refined technology in our world today all have histories that reveal primitive, inefficient versions of them. Landlines and telegraphs gave way for the invention of the telephone, which evolved into the infinitely complex smartphone. The typewriter was revolutionized into the keyboard. These improvements stemmed from faults and inefficiencies within these machines. In thinking about the world as a machine, it becomes evident that, following this same historical pattern in an effort to increase the machine’s efficiency, synchronicity and productivity can bring hope to an anxious and uncertain world. Every individual has emerged as an advanced version of their previous selves as a result of overcoming the distance and seclusion of a global, catastrophic pandemic. That being said, each individual is now well-equipped to take on new challenges and solve new problems; furthermore, newfound strengths and developments among individuals hold limitless potential for countless endeavors moving forward. Between developments in technology, politics, morals, and ethics, the world is now in a state of both dynamic change and restless uncertainty. There are no guarantees for now. However, the gears must keep turning, the parts must keep working, and the power must stay on. Only then will we meet the world where it is and transform it into a machine to benefit our own causes, our own people, and our own progress. Christian Chiu ‘24
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Inner Voices
Miranda Massie ‘24
Colored Pencil
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For Other Voices I love you. To all the children W ho didn’t have a childhood To those riddled with scars and bruises from unwanted hands at night To those with hearts more delicate than the alcohol bottles littered on the floor To those with demons in their heads that are louder than the fight in the next room To those who find safety in shadows instead of a mother’s hug To those who wonder what the white powder on the table is To those whose cries are muted by the whip of a belt To those who are a parent for their siblings because no one else will love them To those who see a failure in the mirror that can never do anything right To those who are held captive by manipulation and grooming To those who can’t sleep because of the monsters that lurk upstairs To those who feel relief when slicing their own skin To those who are abandoned and left to fend for themselves To those who don’t believe they’re beautiful To those who don’t know what love is To those who didn’t have a childhood I love you.
Edens Izzy ‘24
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A Progression of Feelings
Natalie Loza ‘24
Acrylic
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Lost in the Woods
Valentine Dylan ‘26
Digital Illustration
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Serene
Janicka Lopez ‘24
Photography
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Sunrise Swirls Of never-ending gray A sea of monotone Silent as can be. Tip toe-ing through the haze, A glimmer. Blinking, a ray of sunshine A roseate burst, ablaze A flood of gold.
Sonia Lau ‘26
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Love Lessons loving you was a mistake. i wish that i could take away the things i said, the things i did. just for your approval. thought if i tried a little harder, maybe if i was just smarter maybe then, you would love me. but love isn’t something to be earned. that is the one thing that i learned from you i yearned for you, but i was burned by you. loving you was all a lie. wish i didn’t have to try to win your heart with my words when you never cared. thought if i said things that appealed to you, maybe you would feel it too maybe then you would love me.
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but love isn’t something that you lie for. that’s what i had to pay the price for. the things i say, i can’t erase. can’t make you stay. loving you was all an act. wish i could take it all back cause you loved someone who wasn’t me and will never be me. thought if i acted like the girls you liked maybe it would feel more right for you to love me. but love isn’t something you pretend to be. love only comes when it’s meant to be. it comes naturally. like what i thought was you and me.
Samantha Fong ‘24
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Sparkling Starry Eyes Your eyes shine like bright stars, In the night sky. But your eyes are not far, And yours always catch my eye, But something I want you to know, Hasta la Muerte, Te Voy a Amar.
Michael Bautista ‘26
60 Minute Song Scan this QR code to listen to an original piece by Sam Kohler ‘24
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Rocketman
Digital Image
Landon Escorcio ‘23
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Lost in Thoughts
Zoe Deaker ‘25
Colored Pencil
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Fruit Stand
Abigail Richter ‘23
Photography
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Lady Moon My fair lady Gleams of silver Luminous Put all to shame W ith delightful gray She lights the way In a dome Inky black There she sways W ith the rustle of wind And whisper of gold
Kara Yeh ‘24
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Winged Woman
Clara Johnson-Sandoval ‘24
Acrylic
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Pictures Captured in a frame W ith one click of a button Frozen in action
R ylie Willkom ‘26
Photography
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DayDream
Miguel Ascencio -Zavala ‘26
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Heart Collector Your hair was like waves crashing on the shore, Salty and never-ending. I was always waiting for more, But this was just the beginning. If you are not with me, it’s hellish. I glance and you ignite me. I’m ridden with despair, I’m jealous —oh ever so slightly. My notes are like letters, The ones you don’t bother to skim. You stow my heart away like a collector, Peelin’ away the layers until my heart is thin. Take me back to when your name meant nothing Even when you do your worst, somehow you remain stunning.
Hailey Bui ‘25
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Peace
Didier Gutierrez ‘26
Photography
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Clockwork Mind Brain Stem: “We are breathing. Not yet awake, not still dormant.” Amygdala: “W here are we? How long has it been? God, we’re afraid.” Parietal Lobe: “It could be minutes, hours, days, months. I know not how long it has been since we were last together.” Amygdala: “Well where ARE we? Have we sight?” Visual Cortex: “...” Cerebral Cortex: “We cannot see. We must be dead. Do we breathe yet?” Brain Stem: “Yes” Cerebral Cortex: “Dying, then.” Amygdala: “W HOA! ARE W E PREPARED FOR SUCH AN UNEXPECTED ENDING?” Prefrontal Cortex: “Fear not. Though unexpected, it may yet be welcome. However, isn’t the past supposed to appear before us? A closing solace before the ultimate conclusion?” Hippocampus: “...” Amygdala: “Our memories have forsaken us in our time of need.” Parietal Lobe: “W hat is that feeling? I believe our awareness is increasing.” Cerebral Cortex: “Perhaps we are not dying but instead awakening.” Prefrontal Cortex: “We are at ease knowing the end is not yet upon us.” Auditory Cortex: “I HEAR SOMETHING! SOMEONE? A MAN!” Amygdala: “Friend or foe?” Hippocampus: “I know not.” Amygdala: “W ho are we? How can we present ourselves
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to another if we know not our own nature?” Hippocampus: “We have seen much of life, though I cannot see most of what has passed. I see airships rising above the clouds in an orange sky. I have seen tall towers produce lighting as if it were the will of God. I have seen trains as fast as a comet, moving on cogs and steam alone.” Prefrontal Cortex: “Do we have any recollection of our own self?” Hippocampus: “Nothing but the pleasant taste of licorice.” Amygdala: “Licorice? The most we know about ourselves is that we like licorice? Tell me there’s something else!” Cerebral Cortex: “There must be something else.” Hippocampus: “...” Visual Cortex: “AH! W E HAVE SIGHT!” Cerebral Cortex: “W hat do we see?” Amygdala: “Something dangerous?” Prefrontal Cortex: “Something welcome?” Visual Cortex: “It is the man. He is aged and possesses many foreign instruments. We appear to be reclined and in his care.” Auditory Cortex - The Man: “You’re waking up. Very good. We are making history here, my friend. Take a look at yourself, you are truly a thing of beauty.” Visual Cortex: “The man gestures to our torso. It is made up of an intricate amalgamation of gears, mechanical parts fitted together in unison, keeping our heart pumping, visible through a glass window in our chest, similar to that of a porthole in a Navy vessel.” Cerebral Cortex: “We are more machine than man.” Amygdala: “THE HORROR!” Auditory Cortex - The Man: “Admittedly this may be a bit jarring. Knowing you can’t speak, I’ll do you the courtesy of explaining your situation. After your incident, your condition was in a grim state, and you were given to me, and by using my unfinished project, I was able to save you and complete
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my greatest work simultaneously. You are the first automaton of many, a miracle” Amygdala: “He saved us? Is that what he calls this?” Cerebral Cortex: “W hat exactly has he done to us?” Auditory Cortex - The Man: “Rest assured, your insides remain intact in there somewhere. The brain damage should be minimal, though that explosion left you in a ghastly state so you might be feeling a tad scattered. You’ll be walking momentarily.” Amygdala: “INTACT?” Prefrontal Cortex: “He has improved us, far beyond our imagination could have ever dreamt. We should accept this gift with grace and-” Amygdala: “QUIET YOUR INSOLENCE. I am at the helm now.” As Prefrontal Cortex is drowned out, Amygdala unifies with the rest of the Limbic System, and the Stem as the Reptilian Brain. Auditory Cortex - The Man: “Rise, and take your first steps in your new clockwork vessel” Auditory Cortex: “A loud whirring noise permeates the room” Parietal Lobe and Visual Cortex (in unison): “We now stand erect.” Reptilian Brain: “As our ancestors intended.” Cerebral Cortex: “If there was ever a time for bloodshed, it would be now.” Auditory Cortex - The Man: “Magnificent. My sentient machine, of my own grease and toil.” Reptilian Brain: “NO. I AM HOMO SAPIENS, HOMINID OF HOMINIDS! LOOK ON MY WORKS, YE MIGHTY AND DESPAIR!” The machine had little empathy for the now dismembered man, cast aside and forgotten among his machines and trinkets. Alone and forsaken, it yearns for licorice.
Leo Bo on ‘23 Page 30
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Odium Sui
Tobin Deaker ‘24
Acrylic
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Blooming
Photography
Miguel Angel Ascencio -Zavala ‘26
Midnight Sun
R yan Cunningham ‘23
Photography
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Sweetheart Everlasting Sweetheart, my everlasting dear. Daydreams plague my heart, still spilling my mind onto a silver platter – I fear. Sheets of tainted notions are my shameful devotions. Fields of green and our tangled fingers are reminisced by the moment the sun descends. Stationed by candlelight, stained by drying ink blends. The discarded letters, strewn replies another burden to burn. W ilted flowers that used to be alluring, used to have sentiment. Hope isn’t damaging until it is met with someone yearned for. Yet to you I remain pliant, a lover’s curse, my sweetheart, everlasting.
Claire Maricle ‘26
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Thought He Could Do It All Upon the cliffs a boy does sit, with seafaring air so high, He ran and walked and swam and climbed, he thought that he could fly, He looked over the dreaded cliff that reached from sky to the ground, And with one sprint right off the cliff he was now skyward bound. He beat his arms up, and up, then down, But he fell in the sea and soon would drown. He tried to scream, make any sound, Sadly, no one could hear him from the town, But there was one, the strong captain, W ho was the boy’s very best friend, W ho grabbed the boy right out the sea, W ho was safe and sound, as well as happy. He ran, walked, swam, and climbed– he thought he could do it all, But he was only human, and that thought led to his fall.
Kevin Nguyen ‘25
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Plaza
Isabelly Duarte ‘23
Photography
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Duality Desserts
Amelia Hollis ‘23
Acrylic Paint
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Pork Buns
Zora Oliverius ‘26
Acrylic Paint
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Olive and Keira
Christian Grunt ‘23
Photoshop
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Words Unsaid Olive stepped out onto the rusted walkway, its length extending off into the fog of the outer city. A rain was beginning to fall. He held an arm to shield his eyes from the scattered droplets as he squinted off in the direction Keira had run. The city was unrecognizable in this hazy mist, its twisted structures nothing more than a forest of blurry shapes that seemed to rise from nothing. Normally, Olive actually liked this weather. A wash of rain gave everything a fresh look and smell, and he could almost for a moment pretend that he didn’t live in the dead end city of Versachs, but rather a magnificent fortress from the stories of old. That was, of course, until the grinding of steel on steel far below and a burst of orange and black shook him from this daydream. There was no time for reminiscing on fairytales on this particular evening, however, because his younger sister, Keira, had just flung herself out of the front door of their small home on the edge of the cliff and gone heedlessly into the cold night alone. W hat had prompted her to take such a reckless act he wished he did not know, but unfortunately Olive was all too keen on his sister’s distress. Mars was dead. The weeks of deep cough had finally caught up with the poor boy-- the sweetest of their many cousins-- and sent him to an early rest amongst the Stargazers, or whatever realm is designated for souls whose stories are cut short. Olive stumbled and caught himself on the slick railing. His eyes shut to hold back the tears that welled up at the thought of his dear cousin’s face, peeking over his shoulder to ponder the pages of Olive’s newest read or grinning wide as Mr. Pentam unveiled his newest puzzle for the two boys. He let out a short sob as his knuckles tightened white around the worn metal that made up the bulk of the Versachs skyways. He was sure that Keira would come back home eventually-- she knew how to handle herself around the city-- but part of Olive wanted to be lost in that same fog himself: so he followed.
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There was no point in calling her name of course, Keira had never been able to hear much with the defective ears which had plagued her since birth. Despite being her twin brother, Olive had never had the same issues, for which he was grateful. Luckily, he did not need direction tonight regardless because he was almost certain he knew where she was going: beyond the city walls to the banks of the Galen river. He moved swiftly up the ramp that led to the district wall. The muted night gave him breadth to think clearly now. He thought of Keira. W hat do I tell her? That Mars is in a better place now? Well, anywhere would be better than this dust clogged scrap heap of a town so at least that was half honest. Fresh tears sprang into his eyes. The Cough was brutal, and most who caught it succumbed to it eventually. Unfortunately, a few people dying every year did not warrant a change of procedure in the Ardzol mills in the eyes of the scumbags that ran Versachs. How anyone could possess so much wealth and yet continue to fight tooth and nail for more, Olive could not understand. He felt there must be some disease that plagued them, some curse on their soul that left them ever hungry for-- something... anything they could get their hands on. He picked up a swirl of movement in the fog ahead, then stillness once more. Stepping up to the spot he found the small crawlspace he and his sister would oft use to sneak out of the city when things got particularly suffocating. He turned to take a look around: the housing towers loomed to the right, delivery belts whirred at the distribution center off to his left, and down below came the distant clink of miners installing their machinery. W hat if we left this place and never came back? The idea was foolish. They could not survive in the wilds by themselves and the neighboring cities would not let them acquire jobs once word got out that they were runaways.
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For all of its faults, Olive had never really considered leaving the home he had spent the fifteen years of his youth in. Tonight would be no different. Taking one last look, he ducked to the ground and slid under the grayed district wall... TO BE CONTINUED
Christian Grunt ‘23
Continue reading “Words Unsaid” from this QR link.
Balance
Miranda Massie ‘24
Colored Pencil
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Barrett in the Bay
Mixed Media Digital Collage
Page 42
Mila Yosifff-Reyes ‘23
Prisms Vol 33
The Santa Barbara Dream
N icole Chan ‘23
Photography
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Eating In Space
Izabella Jauregui ‘25
Colored Pencil
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Purity
Valerie Pham ‘24
Pencil
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“Natural” Light
Olivia Isabella Santos ‘23
Gouache
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Cover Up
Miranda Massie ‘24
Digital Art
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Me, The Dog Here I stand, alone again Everyone loses a friend Everything, everything, everything’s alright Everything, everything, everything’s not fine I just wanna be a part of this I’m a fool I’m a dog I’ll do whatever it is that you want I’m your slave You’re my everything I’ll do anything that you say Here I stand, alone again Everyone loses a friend Everything, everything, everything’s alright Everything, everything, everything’s not fine I just wanna be a part of this I’m a fool I’m a dog I’ll do whatever it is that you want I’m your slave You’re my everything I’ll do anything
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that you say Just please don’t leave me all alone I can’t do anything On my own I’m all alone I’m on my own I’m on my own Just say the word and my soul shall be healed my only wish is that this could be real one last night one more day I pray that you could stay
Antonio (AJ) Arevalo ‘23
Scan this QR code to listen to “Me, the Dog” by Antonio Arevalo ‘23 member of crunek
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Burning Incense
Valerie Pham ‘24
Acrylic
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Nothing To Do But Sew
Acrylic
Chelsei Wo ods ‘23
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Brown Girl Brown girl embarrassed Brown girl judged Brown girl unhappy Brown girl unloved Brown girl crying Brown girl tired Brown girl done But Brown girl ready Brown girl’s life has just begun Brown girl proud Brown girl applauded Brown girl happy Brown girl loved Brown girl laughing Brown girl finally found who she was
Hailey Browning ‘24
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Flawless, As Always
Acrylic
Micaiah Ribay ‘23
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Escapism
Graphite Pencil/Colored Pencil
Page 54
Miranda Massie ‘24
Prisms Vol 33
Sudden The Souls of Pompeii, O that lonesome day. The riddance of life, So close to earth And the sphere of decay. Now speaketh about abruptly, As to then speaketh tragedy. Death throughout the land, Often unknown to those at hand. Their souls are peaceful, Tired but sacred, Set at last, To the burden Of the tomb. Once so young, Now so ancient, May they rest, W ith the Angels.
Lucas Wallin ‘24
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Beginning Lying on the grass, hands intertwining Staring at stars that stretched beyond one’s eyes Darkness clouding our vision Sweet honeyed words you whispered in my ear That day was the beginning of our end Watching you from the line you created Walls between us that I cannot tear down Watching the sun conquer the dark of night Along with the beginning we started My hopeless dreams were buried that day You made me live in the colors of the world You said, “You are all the colors in one.” That day I realized what you meant by that. Those words created a new beginning
Jaslyn Ho ‘26
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Checkered Madness
Sonia Lau ‘26
Ink/Colored Pencil
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Where Am I?
Miguel Ascencio -Zavala ‘26
Photography
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Music Music on, mind off That gentle melody, that harsh bass drop How I live for the lyrics, how I adore the beat Your foot begins to tap, it follows the sound “Just dance,” it shouts, The listening, the learning, The joy that it breathes, the ease that you feel as you fall into the rhythm “Just feel the bliss,” it tells you, How my heart beats for the chorus, bridge, and the verse One more song, one more lyric, One more chord, one more note “Just be present,” it whispers, “listen to the music.”
Claire Hume ‘25
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Two Realms
Anoshka Khudanpur ‘24
Mixed Media
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Drink
Valerie Pham ‘24
White Charcoal Pencil
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Can I Buy My Freedom?
Charcoal
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Micaiah Ribay ‘23
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Hummingbird Hovering through the air Bright shining green Plumes glowing in the sun Flower to flower it goes Rapidly beating its wings Sleek elongated stick of a beak Feasting on the scintillating yellow liquid Nectar
Caleb Chang ‘26
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Soumaya
Isabelly Duarte ‘23
Photography
Never Ending Search
Carrie Truong ‘25
Charcoal
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Volcán de Fuego
Clara Johnson-Sandoval ‘24
Acrylic Paint
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Budding Spring Spurred by eager coastal breezes, Pink petals Spring from their perches on Freshly blooming cherry trees like Children leaping off rocky cliffs and Colliding with cool ocean waters; Seas of newborn grass sway in gentle Ripples where rosy bits of blossoms Part the crisp stillness Preserved by residual winter frost, a Fading relic of bitter days Melting with every rosy touch. Petals surface for a taste of air Bathed in bright sunshine, Letting themselves lazily ride The gentle breeze, guiding my Gaze through an ocean of Freshly watered green. Finally I bask In the renewing waters Of the coming Spring.
Miranda Massie ‘24 page 67 Prisms Vol 33
Entree
Cash Rojo ‘26
Digital Art
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Back in Time
Colored Pencil & Pastel
Page 69
Izabella Jauregui ‘25
Prisms Vol 33
Sonnet Forbidden like the sweet fruit of Eden, So honeyed you do exist in my eyes. In heart I stand apart from my brethren, So my feelings lie quietly in lies. On the edge of an abyss I look in. So tempting to fall into your shadow. So deep is the delusion I’ve dived in, W hich from the surface shimmers so shallow. Prettiest of flowers, dead in their prime. You are earth, passions buried beneath crust. Crystalline hearts concealed, hardened with time, W ho beat, wait, watch and leave me in the dust. Inside my hopeless dreams, I can confide. Inside my thoughts, from you, I cannot hide
Sylvie Karlstrand ‘25
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California Henge
Wai Lee Ho ‘24
Photography
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Take Me Back To... Take me back to the place where the sky was never dull and the stars always aligned like beacons of hope. Take me back to the time when laughter wasn’t a well-oiled machine and all that mattered were races to the bottom of the slide. Take me back to the people that didn’t force conversation and surrounded me in the crow’s nest with their wings spread wide open. Take me back to those sweet colored memories and the innocence of youth that I’ve been stripped clean of like snatching an unfinished lollipop
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from the hands of a child and simply saying, “Deal with it.” take me away from the madness it’s become.
Tiona Truong ‘25
Path of Life
Matthias Reichelderfer ‘26
Photography
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I n A Dream
Natalie Loza ‘24
Acrylic
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Pear of Legs
Digital Illustration
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Mira Levasseur ‘26
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Colorful Cornerstone
Carrie Truong ‘25
Photography
Descent Scan this QR code to listen to an original piece by Declan McFarland ‘25!
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Farewell Friend Mother Earth’s Radiant summer sun Fades in the horizon The oak slowly withers Rusty jewels and Decaying crowns Tumble To the floor Dreary green Hair turns to ginger Dew slips down Her bark And glistens now on Hollow peepers Only the sun shall revive This barren oak
R yan Huey ‘24
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Prisms Contributors Michael Bautista ‘26 is a freshman at SJND and submitted his writing piece “Sparkling Starry Eyes.” Hailey Bui ‘25 started enjoying poetry after her freshman year. She finds inspiration in music, as it is just another form of poetry. Haily Browning ‘24 is a junior at SJND and submitted her poem “Brown Girl.” Leo Boon ‘23 is a senior at SJND and gets existential in his writing submission “Clockwork Mind.” Nicole Chan ‘23 has been taking photographs since her sophomore year. She enjoys it since each photo has its own story to tell. Caleb Chang ‘26 is a freshman at SJND and submitted his poem “Hummingbird.” Christian Chiu ‘24, PRISMS Editor-in-Chief has loved writing and art since he was little because he appreciates how every piece can mean something different to everyone. Ryan Cunningham ‘23 is a senior at SJND and submitted his photograph “Midnight Sun” which shows a the sun shining through dark clouds.
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Tobin Deaker ‘24, PRISMS Media Editor has been taking art classes since he was in kindergarten. He believes that art is the best medium to communicate emotions. Zoe Deaker ‘25 has loved drawing her entire life and her passions include crochet, art, and reading. Isabelly Duarte ‘23, PRISMS Layout Editor, loves all forms of art, especially filmmaking and writing, but has found her niche in architectural photography. Izzy Edens ‘24 started writing poetry in middle school. She believes it is a way to express thoughts and share various world views. Landon Escorcio ‘23 is an avid member of SJND’s AP art class and submitted a Blender and Photoshop piece called “Rocketman.” Samantha Fong ‘24 has always loved singing. “Love Lessons” was dedicated to the experiences and lessons she’s learned in love and friendship during high school. Christian Grunt ‘23 is a PRISMS staff member and multifacited artist who enjoys creative endeavors of all kinds from poetry, digital illustration to game design. Didier Gutierrez ‘26 is a freshman at SJND whose photograph “Peace” shows a grand bell tower.
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Wai Lee Ho ‘24 is a junior at SJND and is very interested in photography. Wai Lee Ho submitted his photograph “California Henge.” Amelia Hollis’ 23 is a senior at SJND who submitted two paintings that focus on desserts such as sweet rolls and cake. Claire Hume ‘25 is a sophmore at SJND and submitted her writing piece named “Music.” Izabella Jauregui ‘25 submitted two very abstract art pieces this year that demonstrate her passion for art. Clara Johnson ‘24 is a junior at SJND who loves to paint, draw and work in digital illustration. Sylvie Karlstrand ‘25 is a sophmore at SJND and a writer. She submitted her writing piece “Sonnet.” Anoshka Khudanpur ‘24 is a junior at SJND and made the creative mixed media art piece “Two Realms.” Sonia Lau ‘26 has always loved art, whether in the form of visual art or poetry. She wishes to use art to convey a unique message to her audience.
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Mira Levasseur 26’ has loved making art from a very young age. In her free time, she does musical theater and plays guitar. Janicka Lopez ‘24 submitted a photograph “Serene” this year which depicts a clear ocean. Natalie Loza ‘24 is an avid art enthusiast and has submitted two paintings to PRISMS this year, “In a Dream” and “A Progression of Feelings.” Claire Maricle ‘26 is a freshman at SJND who submitted a writing piece “Sweetheart Everlasting.” Miranda Massie ‘24, SJND Poet Laureate, loves anything creative, especially writing, drawing, and acting. They hope to grow their skills to peruse a career in the arts. Kevin Nguyen ‘25 has been writing for years. His poem, “Thought He Could Do It All” describes his struggle between enjoying school work or being free from responsibility. Zora Oliverius ‘26 has been drawing since they could hold a pencil. They’re excited to be part of the SJND art community! Valerie Pham ‘24 has always loved drawing. Through deeply analyzing her subjects, art helps her better understand herself and the world around her.
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Matthias Reichelderfer ‘26 is a freshman at SJND who’s picture “Path of Life” shows serene rock art. Micaiah Ribay ‘23 is a senior at SJND and has taken art all four yeas at SJND, culminating in AP Studio art. Abby Richter ‘23 has been into art for as long as she can remember. Art is something that has brought peace to her in the last few years. Cash Rojo ‘26 is a freshman at SJND whose art piece “Entree” shows a spooky mansion. Olivia Santos ‘23 is a senior at SJND and has taken art all four yeas at SJND, culminating in AP Studio art. Carrie Le Truong ‘25 has always loved creating art and poetry to reflect different thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Dylan Valentine ‘26 has been trying to do art since forever (key word trying). W hile not serious about art, she enjoys creating and sharing with others. Lucas Wallin ‘24 is a junior at SJND and submitted his poem “Sudden” about Pompeii. Rylie W illkom ‘26 is a freshman at SJND who submitted her haiku “Pictures.”
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Chelsi Woods ‘23 is a senior at SJND whose art piece “Nothing to Do But Sew” shows a soft take on reality. Kara Yeh ‘24 has been been writing poems since middle school. Her poem, “Lady Moon” explores the imagery of English and Chinese poetry. Mila Yosiff-Reyes ‘23 is a senior at SJND who enjoys making art in Mr. Ritter’s AP art class. Miguel Ascencio-Zavala Angel ‘26 is a freshman at SJND who submitted numerous photos to this year’s PRISMS.
Poets Laureate Sarah Su High School Poet Laureate of Alameda 2009-2010
Jonathan Yannantuono SJND Poet Laureate 2016-2017
Tia Gangopadhyay SJND Poet Laureate 2010-2011
Beatrice Levy SJND Poet Laureate 2017-2018
Robin Levy SJND Poet Laureate 2011-2013
Sofia Reeves SJND Poet Laureate 2018-2019
Amelia Khoo SJND Poet Laureate 2013-2014
Andrew Fowler SJND Poet Laureate 2019-2020
Karina Leon SJND Poet Laureate 2014-2015
Claudia Arguello SJND Poet Laureate 2021-2022
Aaron Ramos SJND Poet Laureate 2015-2016
Miranda Massie SJND Poet Laureate 2022-2023
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Awards
National Council of Teachers of English Realm Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines Program Superior Award 2019, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2009 Excellence Award 2018, 2015 Best High School Literary-Art Magazine 2017 Recommended for Highest Award 2017 American Scholastic Press Association Most Outstanding Private School Literary-Art Magazine of the Year 2020, 2013, 2005, 2003 Outstanding Theme: Best Bilingual Selections 2016, 2014 First Place with Special Merit 2019, 2002-2014 First Place Award 2022, 2021, 1998-2000, 1996 Best Photographer Award Andy Pan 2021, Sophia Seiwald 2019, Julian DeGuzman 2015 Best Photographer and Art Award Kaia Ordinario 2020 Artists Embassy International Golden Seal Book Award 2013 Merlyn’s Pen: The National Magazine of Student Writing Bronze Award for Outstanding Achievement 1997
Colophon
Our book was printed by Urban Art Lithography, 2331 C Street Sacramento, CA 95816 on 100# Blazer Digital Silk Cover, and 100# Blazer Digital Silk Text using a Ricoh Pro 5300 - 4 color high-speed production laser printer and is perfect bound. The cover art was drawn in black and white by Janicka Lopez ‘24 and colorized by Christian Grunt ‘23. The page backgrounds were hand painted and scanned by Layout Editor Isabelly Duarte ‘23, to use in our publication. Our graphics were prepared by Media Editor Tobin Deaker ‘24. We used the font Renaissance Garden Regular 1 for our titles, and Italic for our by-line and folio. Our body font used Renaissance Garden Regular 2. The font was designed by Burntilldead and licensed through Creative Market (creativemarket.com). We used the Adobe Creative Suite to design our publication and built the layout in InDesign. Staff used their own laptops and computers. The base layout was designed by our layout editors and applied generally via a Page Master and Styles in InDesign. All writing, art, music and photography in the publication is student made, including graphic elements. Each contributor receives a book, and each school family, faculty, and staff receive one book, free of charge. Books are also shared with alumni, donors, and the greater community. Prisms is funded exclusively by Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School. It costs $10.23 to print each copy. This year we printed an edition of 400 copies.
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