Issue 4, 2020-2021

In this issue

Opinion

Feature

Sports

A&E

Sexual assault education and misogyny must be taken more seriously on campus.

Alumna Kassandra Tidland describes her experience publishing “The Famoux.”

Hero Kanu saw his recruitment skyrocket since coming to America.

Talon Theatre performs “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” under COVID-19 guidelines.

Page 4

Page 7

Page 13

Page 15

Photo by Maggie Thilken

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

EAGLE E Y E

THE

May 2021

Volume XXXV, Issue 4

Targeting the hate virus Asian students respond to the rise of hate crimes and racism.

By Katharine Lee, Feature Editor

T

he world is experiencing an increasing slew of anti-Asian hate and xenophobia, especially in correlation with COVID-19. Within a single year, 3,800 anti-Asian incidents were reported. In Orange County alone, Asian hate crimes--which include slurs, physical attacks, and shunning--have surged by an estimated 1200% (LAPD), statistics unparalleled in the past decade.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Asian Americans and those of Asian descent have been targets of derogatory language and statements by politicians on social media. Many of these statements

“ I don’t want to be invisible in this country, but I do not want to live the rest of my life afraid, either. ” - Student A

allude to AAPIs (Asian American Pacific Islanders) as foreigners and bringers of death, disease, and destruction. Furthermore, terms such as the “Chinese” or “Wuhan virus,” used by former president Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, may have encouraged the use of hate speech in the U.S. To the alarm of Asian communities, recent attacks on AAPIs worldwide, especially towards the elderly population, have included death and severe injuries. However, many of these assaults were not

charged as hate crimes, sparking outrage and protest in the associated communities. In response, reporting centers like STOP AAPI HATE launched after xenophobic sentiments were detected in March 2020.

The platform tracks attacks against the AAPI community and publishes the acquired data frequently.

“The recent spread of awareness has given me hope, but when I go out into the real world and hear people in my own classroom spouting microaggressions or racially offensive stereotypes, I continue to be discouraged and hurt,” said sophomore Cathryn Surdilla. “No one should be ostracized or disrespected because of their identity or background.”

With men a n d

women evenly targeted in these hate crimes and incidents, Asian students admit to viewing America less like a land of dreams and opportunity, but one of fear and anxiety. Speaking their native languages means the possibility of being attacked. They are growing targets of bullying in schools. The slant of their eyes, their different food, is suddenly accentuated by the false idea that they carry the “Chinese virus.”

Student A, who wishes to remain anonymous, remembers the stigma surrounding the school at the beginning of the pandemic, weeks before the facilities were shut down completely.

“Even then, people were blaming Asians for the pandemic,” Student A said. “If a white student was absent for whatever reason, nobody really cared. But if it was an Asian, they whispered, ‘Oh, they caught COVID, they’re being sent back to China.’ And people laughed. They truly saw nothing wrong with it.”

Surdilla points out that Asian hate and

Illustration by Katelyn Stiegler

Not a virus - Girl raises sign to protest stigma and racism against AAPIs. There has been an increase in Asian xenophobia and hate crimes since the pandemic.

Check us out online!

discrimination is not new. As a Filipino-American, she is saddened by the fact that it has taken violence and crimes to draw attention to Asian racism. Many historians argue that though racist undercurrents run through societies of all races, Asians specifically have been discriminated, marginalized, stereotyped, and fetishized throughout the course of history. In 1882, the US government supported the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act to alleviate public concerns of Chinese immigrants flooding the country. More recently, Sikhs were targeted after terrorists bombed the World Trade Center.

For years, Asian Americans took on the “model minority” myth.

Members of the model minority are perceived to achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the population average. They are condemned as job stealers from Americans of European heritage, labelled as individuals who need to be “managed” or “tamed,” and which in turn may have led to Asian invisibility.

“It wasn’t ideal, but keeping quiet was the price paid for survival,” Student A said. “Now in this pandemic that line of defense has been blasted down, replaced with normalization of insensitivity, a vulnerable Asian American community, and the hatred that arises from what we don’t understand, our own fear.”

The increase of Asian xenophobia surrounding the pandemic causes Asian students to worry not only for themselves, but for family members as well. They attend classes, do their homework, and return home, praying that their parents remain safe while they are away. Students describe feeling like they are living in a world separate from the people around them, one where a high school student’s reality is perpetual fear for their parents’ safety in the workplace.

Constantly, they look forward to a day when the anxiety will end, if it ever ends at all.

“I wish people didn’t see Asians and automatically stigmatize, ‘they brought the virus, this is their fault, they’re different from us,’” Student A said. “I don’t want to be invisible in this country, but I do not want to live the rest of my life afraid, either.”

@smchseagleeye www.smchseagleeye.com App: Student News Source

2 News

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

Ready to serve Top colleges

Introducing the new ASB Executive Cabinet.

By Lexi McCabe, Staff Writer

F

our ASB officers have been elected into new positions on ASB, solidifying the executive cabinent for the 2021-2022 school year. These rising seniors have roles to fill and duties to be completed in their new positions.

Daniel Troyan will take the position of ASB president, Annie Mulvihill as ASB Vice President, Ashley Prentice as ASB Secretary, and Zachary Cwiertnia as the new ASB treasurer. These four are eager to step into these titles as they navigate a school year as student leaders.

These student leaders can build trust and confidence within the SM community as they prove that they have the students’ best intentions in mind as they make decisions and plan events in the coming months.

“I am approaching this job with a lot of motivation, dedication, and spirit,” Prentice said. “For me, organization is key, and in order for any project or endeavor to be successful, one must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively.”

With a similar approach, all four leaders hope to execute projects in a successful manor. Troyan’s strategy to take on his role as ASB president follows many key values that are found within leaders.

“I plan on using the momentum from the amazing dances and rallies we have had at the end of this year to move into next year by

“ We are a team and nobody’s opinion is left out or unheard. ” - Zachary Cwiertnia

including new and already established spirited events,” Troyan said.

One goal of the new cabinent is to provide space for the student body to be heard. These leaders want to serve, listen, and take action for the greater good of the students as they work together.

“I plan to work with my other cabinet members to get the important tasks done,” Cwiertnia said. “We are a team and nobody’s opinion is left out or unheard.”

Despite constant changes with COVID-19, the team plans to do their best to still provide a memorable high school experience for students.

“I know everyone was super excited when the homecoming dance was announced, so I think implementing things that really define the high school experience more and more is critical to bringing school spirit,” Mulvihill said.

With a year full of opportunities for each student to make the most of their time as a high schooler, it is sure to go quick. Prentice shares a piece of advice to students from the perspective of an ASB leader.

“Don’t be hesitant to participate in school events,” Prentice said.

“Your high school years will go by in a flash, so make the most of it.”

2020-2021

By Maddy Sherwood, Staff Writer

Texas Christian University

With a variety of 94 graduate studies and over 200 student organizations, TCU has a little something for everyone. From faith to academics to athletics to campus life and everything else in between, TCU has it all. TCU is usually the most popular school for Eagles to attend. This fall, 17 Eagles will be bleeding purple in Fort Worth, Texas. Not only is it the twelfth largest city in America, but Fort Worth is the number one downtown in America. The perfect balance between the daytime hustle and night life is minutes away from the campus. Although for concerts from top artists like Brett Young, 40-foot Christmas tree lightings, and fireworks, you never have to even leave campus!

No matter how small or big the holiday, TCU goes all out to celebrate their students every day! Go Horned Frogs!

Illustration by Catherine Bryson

Illustration by Catherine Bryson

University of Alabama

Filled with traditions, UA is “Where Legends Are Made.” With the most Eagles ever attending this year, UA’s endless traditions have drawn 11 seniors to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Not only does UA have extravagant tailgates and game day traditions, but they are the National Champions for the 2020 football season. Football is a huge part of the college experience at Bama, but so are academic excellence, Greek Life, and community outreach. UA offers almost 200 degree programs, including medicine, education, and law. Additionally, one third of undergraduate students participate in the 38 fraternities and 24 sororities at Bama. Furthermore, UA works together with the communities in Alabama to benefit the next generations’ education as well. As stated in their mission statement, UA prioritizes teaching, research, and service to make the world a better place. Roll Tide!

Arizona State University

Located in Tempe, Arizona, Arizona State University is the largest University in the United States with a student population of 75,000. The university has over 1,100 clubs and is ranked as world’s 100 top university. This allows for its students to study a variety of subjects with quality resources and professors. Go Sun Devils!

Illustration by Hannah Walz

University of Arizona

Illustration by Catherine Bryson

Based in Tuscon, Arizona, U of A is Arizona’s land grant university. There are over 300 majors to choose from and it is home to 47,000 students. Aside from academics, student can get involved in the 600 different clubs and organizations or cheer on their PAC-12 sports teams. Bear down!

University of Utah

Photos by Lexi McCabe

Ready for office - Daniel Troyan is ASB President (top left), Annie Mulvihill is ASB Vice-President (top right), Ashley Prentice is ASB Secretary (bottom left), and Zachary Cwiertnia is the ASB Treasurer (bottom right). All four have demonstrated they are prepared to excel in their new roles.

The University of Utah, also known as U of U, is a top school for this year’s seniors, and it hasn’t been in the past. Our future Utes will call Salt Lake City home for the next for years and take advantage of all Utah has to offer as a top research university. There is an undergraduate population of 25,000 and the school is apart of the PAC12. Go Utes!

Illustration by Catherine Bryson

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

News 3

Saluting to their high school careers Joel Matthews and Mary Kate Tracy are named the 2020-2021 Salutatorians.

By Evelyn Driscoll, Print Editor-in-Chief, and Aaron Moffett, Staff Writer Photo by Patrick Morrissey

Go tritons - This year’s valedictorian smiles in her UCSD college sweatshirt. After deliberating between different acceptances, she chose to attend UCSD.

Morrissey becomes valedictorious Sara Morrissey is this year’s Valedictorian.

By Emily Freeborn, Web Editor-in-Chief

S

ara Morrissey grinned as she watched the Perseverance rover touch down on Mars during sixth period Latin back in February. Morrissey, this year’s Valedictorian graduating with a 4.93 GPA, has been chasing perfect grades for the past four years, hoping to someday be a part of a similar interstellar mission.

Though this may seem a daunting goal, anyone who knows Morrissey knows she’s not afraid to reach for the stars.

“Knowing Sara for almost seven years now, I can confidently say that she is the most brilliant, hard-working, kind, and wonderfully sarcastic person I know,” said senior Lauren Bae, Morrisey’s friend and classmate.

“I know that she will do amazing things in the future.”

Starting freshman year, Morrissey strove to take the highest level courses available to her.

This meant taking courses over the summer, doing precalculus a year early, and even taking two physics classes her senior year. She cites her passion for learning as a significant motivating factor that has helped her to excel in school.

“I’m just really interested in all the material and that kind of motivates me to do well,” Morrissey said. “Knowledge for the sake of knowledge is something that I really value.”

When her counselor revealed that she had been named Valedictorian, Morrissey recalls that she couldn’t stop smiling and even shed a few happy tears. She grins even while recalling it, though her

academic track record meant that it wasn’t completely unexpected news.

“Sara is by far the most diligent and driven person I have ever met, and she truly has a tangible passion for anything she pursues,” said friend and classmate, senior Jillian Surdilla.

This year, she juggled Full IB, a rigorous piano program, plus club duties and college work. Her biggest challenge was finding a way to balance all of her responsibilities.

Morrissey recommends next year’s seniors begin looking at college applications over the summer.

“I know that I would have been a lot more stressed than I already was had I not started looking at them and writing them over the summer,” Morrissey said.

Whereas seniors seem to consistently grumble about the pains of doing Full IB, Morrissey recalls what made it her favorite memory of high school.

“Just being with this small group of people that are all going through the same thing, all having to deal with the same issues and the same stresses brought us all really close together,” Morrissey said.

Morrissey recently committed to UCSD, where she will study astrophysics with minors in music and engineering. Nearing the end of her four years at Santa Margarita, she offers advice to next year’s seniors.

“Even though it’s a really stressful year, it’s also a really amazing year too that you’re at this turning point,” Morrissey said. “So just recognize all the good things you have around you, and hopefully you’ll be able to hold on to them as time goes on.”

“ Knowledge for the sake of knowledge is something that I really value. ” - Sara Morrissey

Senior Mary Kate Tracy was in the middle of cramming for her AP Calculus exam when she received a teams message to meet with her counselor. Confused and a little nervous, she came to school, where she was met with flowers and a big balloon. Tracy had learned she was one of this year’s co-Salutatorians.

“I was super excited and called my mom and sister who were also very excited for me,” Tracy said.

“Then, I went home and kept cramming for my AP tests.”

Senior Joel Matthews, co-Salutatorian for this year, was just as excited with the news.

“I was pretty surprised, but I mostly just felt proud and grateful to be recognized for my work and accomplishments,” Matthews said.

Matthews and Tracy are graduating with a 4.92 final GPA. They view the Salutatorian award as the culmination of all their hard work paying off. Both tackling a rigorous Full IB schedule, including multiple AP and IB classes, they feel that the workload was definitely worth it.

“I feel like I learned a lot about myself that will help me prepare for college,” Tracy said. “Taking challenging classes allowed me to experiment with different methods of studying, allowing me to see what worked best with my brain. I also felt like it challenged me and gave me good time management skills and taught me how to deal with stress and different challenges.”

Besides his heavy class load, Matthews enjoyed being a part of track and field, freshman football, orchestra, volunteering, and being in the Certificate of Merit program.

Participating in these activities allowed him to take full advantage of his high school years.

“My favorite memories are the trip I made to New York with the school orchestra during my freshman year, some of the school dances, and all the times that I was able to hang out with friends,” Matthews said.

Tracy’s high school experience was defined by her participation in the swimming and diving team.

“I really enjoyed participating in a sport at SM because it allowed me to be part of a community,” Tracy said. “Even though it can be tough to go to practice sometimes, my friends always make the meets and every practice so fun.”

Along with swim, Tracy’s involvement in National Honors Society, as secretary and treasurer, and in the MUN program from freshman to junior year made her realize the importance of getting involved during high school.

“I know everyone says this, but [getting involved] is such an amazing part of high school because you can try so many new things,” Tracy said. “Stepping out of your comfort zone is the first step toward growth and personal development. But,

Photo by Sharon Tracy

New beginnings - Tracy poses in her Northwestern sweatshirt. She committed there in December.

Photo by Christine Matthews

Fighting irish - Matthews proudly wears his University of Notre Dame sweatshirt. Notre Dame has been his dream school since he was young.

also remember that high school is a growing experience, and it is okay to struggle and to quit things and to start over. Focus on what makes you happy and move from there. “ Matthews will be attending the University of Notre Dame in the fall, pursuing a major in Finance in accordance with his interest in the business field. Notre Dame’s community is what drew Matthews to the school.

Tracy will be attending Northwestern University next year. Not quite sure on what career she will pursue in the future, she is going in as a Communications major with an Integrated Marketing Certificate, with a possible minor in Entrepreneurship.

“I chose Northwestern because I really like their emphasis on connecting different subject areas,”

Tracy said. “Further, I liked Northwestern’s balance between hard work and fun. While they encourage you to take difficult classes, there is an amazing community of people to support you and build amazing relationships.”

Matthews’ advice to underclassmen includes starting assignments early in order to prevent stressful situations. He also encourages prioritizing taking advantage of your high school experience.

“I’d advise them to try not to stress out too much about getting into a college that’s considered to be prestigious,” Matthews said.

“Make sure to enjoy your time in high school and remember that there are lots of colleges that aren’t considered to be ‘elite,’ but still offer a great education and experience to students.”

4 Opinion

The Eagle Eye Staff Print Editor-in-Chief Evelyn Driscoll Web Editor-in-Chief Emily Freeborn Copy Editor Giulia Henshaw Managing Editor Alex Vallone Web Managing Editor Kendrick Choi Social Media Editor Domi Drust Photo Editor Katie Eli News Editor Gracynn Crocker Opinion Editor Devon Nguyen Feature Editor Katharine Lee A&E Editor Bella Scarano Sports Editor Roman Sergi Illustrators Tristen Mielke Xiang (Lucy) Chang Lizzie Bork Katelyn Stiegler Staff Writers Hadley McCusker Natalia von Gierke Sydney McMahon Juliana Soliman Aaron Moffett Lauren Memoly Marcus Kim Lexi McCabe Emelin Conboy Maddy Sherwood Sofia O’keefe Xiang (Lucy) Chang Catherine Bryson Lana Diab Staff Adviser Debra Barbre Member of these

May 2021

The Eagle Eye Staff Editorial

Acknowledge AAPI racism The continuous neglect of acknowledging AAPI hate needs to be addressed.

By Devon Nguyen, Opinion Editor

R

acism is as American as Uncle Sam. It’s rooted deeply within the history of the country and while progress has been made within the past decades, it will never truly vanish.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened racism against Asian Americans, which has become so normalized that most Americans didn’t even truly begin to take notice until after the March 16 shootings at spa and massage parlors in Atlanta, Georgia.

For so long, Asian Americans have been perceived as the “model minority.” They were the group that simply accepted their place in American society and didn’t complain about it. It didn’t help that success rates of Asian Americans in both school and the workplace overshadowed the multiple economic and cultural discrimination that they face on a daily basis.

Senior Jillian Surdilla is very passionate about this issue. She is disappointed and disheartened by the fact that our supposedly

“united” nation hasn’t grown to accept people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures.

After hearing of the horrific hate crimes inflicted on Asian Americans, especially the elderly, she is filled with the desire to defend and speak up for her people.

She has also gained a clearer perspective on the repurcussions this may cause in daily lives of AAPIs. “Even though I know a lot of my peers and people around the country have been active on spreading awareness regarding AAPI hate, I

must admit that I live my life a lot more cautiously than I used to,” Surdilla said.

As an Asian American myself, I have witnessed and experienced multiple microaggressions growing up. Whether it be the way my exchange student friends were mocked for their broken English or how I was harassed for nearly a month because of my Southeast Asian heritage, it both angered and saddened me how school administraIllustration by Lizzie Bork

Marching in protest - AAPIs hold signs to protest the rise in hate crimes against AAPIs. During the protest, protestors fought against discrimination and racism towards AAPIs.

tors treated these cases very differently than how they would handle another racial issue. It was as if the harassment of Asians and Asian Americans weren’t deemed worthy enough to truly care about.

But what I witnessed and experienced is sadly the norm for most Asian Americans. For some reason, we are perceived to have the most privilege out of any minority group in the country.

“We don’t suffer like others” is what some would say. There’s no denying that Asian Americans are certainly more privileged than others but that doesn’t mean we don’t share the same struggle as other minorities.

“The numerous hate crimes that have been happening are both disturbing, and knowing that an incident happened just 30 minutes from my house just makes me feel unsafe,” said freshman Liam Nguyen. “I’m definitely more aware than I was before.”

While it is a shame that it has taken this long for Asian American prejudice to be nationally acknowledged, it’s better late than never.

Prioritize assault education New information released ignites needed conversation about sexual assault education for men. [TW: SA, r*pe]

By Lana Diab, Staff Writer The recent 97 percent statistic involving sexual assault against women has encouraged sexual assault victims to share their experiences on platforms such as TikTok. It has also highlighted a significant issue ingrained in our society: the lack of education on sexual assault needed to eradicate the issue.

The UN Women UK report found that of the surveyed women from ages 18 to 24, 97 percent of them experienced some form of sexual assault. The release of the report, along with cases such as Sarah Everard, Turkey’s withdrawal of the Istanbul Convention, and more, has sparked a conversation about how men should be held more accountable for their actions against women and further educated on the topic of sexual assault.

Educating men on sexual assault and predatory behavior is vital to eliminate the source of the problem. Many women experience discomfort due to the men they encounter in public places and even in their own homes.

The argument that women need to modify their behavior to prevent sexual assault is victim-blaming and has been proved false. No matter what age they are or what they are wearing, women are still at risk at the hands of assaulters. Unfortunately, victim-blaming is still prevalent and manifested in our society.

Dress codes in our school are one example of placing responsibility on women rather than teaching their male peers, teach-

Illustration by Lizzie Bork

The Future is Female - Women stand up for their rights. The Sarah Everard case inspired conversation on sexual assault education.

ers, etc., to “control themselves.”

Another display of misogyny in our school was highlighted in the Letter to SMCHS Admin on Racism sent by alumni at the start of this school year. In the personal anecdotes section of the letter, multiple alumni revealed their experiences with inappropriate conduct from their male peers ranging from disparaging, misogynistic remarks to sexual assault and harassment. The anecdotes also included situations where some students revealed their experience with inappropriate misogynistic remarks from SM staff. The authors felt that the school should have done more to prevent these incidents and should do more to decrease the likelihood of future incidents, like better education and stronger disciplinary action towards the perpetrators of racism, sexism, homophobia, and more.

Instead, there needs to be a

shift in the right direction: placing accountability on predators instead of victims. Education is a powerful tool and can prevent people from falling into predatory behaviors.

One of the most important lessons to teach both men and women is the types of sexual assault.

Rape and sexual assault are not limited to the types seen in media; they can also include coercion and taking advantage of someone who is intoxicated.

Individuals can educate themselves or friends, parents, etc. can educate others through resources such as the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women.

Other essential resources address the intersection of sexual violence and other factors, including race, ethnicity, sexuality, etc., such as the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.

Our administration can also help young adults by reexamining their sex education curriculum and emphasizing teaching sexual assault and consent. Education during school years should instill a sense of boundaries in developing young adults. Additionally, they can implement existing policies regarding sexual harassment more efficiently.

Although educating people about sexual assault is fundamental, it should not stop there. The culture of not standing up to others about their predatory behaviors is also part of the problem.

Lastly, listening to and uplifting women and victims’ voices is critical in ending this epidemic of sexual assault. Rather than victim-blaming or questioning the validity of their stories, it is vital to understand how rampant this issue is in society and to help victims through introspection and becoming better allies.

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

Opinion 5

Not a typical college experience In a year of crazy college admissions, I decided to take a risk and attend an international school.

By Giulia Henshaw, Copy Editor

B

y attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, I am not only moving away from my friends and family, but I am going to be immersing myself in an entirely new culture. Along with the stress of this new transition, I need to set up a UK bank account, sign up for new cell service, and learn to drive on the left side of the road, and I could not be more excited.

Since the start of this process I knew one thing- that international college admissions are much different than in the U.S. The first thing the St. Andrews admissions representative told me and other prospective students was that the first and only thing they looked at were academics. He even went on to tease the extreme focus that was placed on service hours and extracurricular activities here in the U.S. When it came time to write my

essay, I was advised to talk little about my extracurricular activities and personal story and more about my academic achievements, which was surprising. I had been spending all my time formulating the perfect Common App essay that summed up my entire personality and now I had to start talking about how the AP classes I took would prepare me for my studies. I took the new writing angle and wrote a 400 word academic heavy essay.

In addition to the essay, I submitted my transcript, SAT score, and counselor and teacher recommendations. The only difference between that and my applications to schools in the U.S was that I was encouraged to submit a recommendation from a teacher that taught a subject similar to the Management course I applied for, not one from my core classes.

Another difference between international schools and here is that in Scotland I won’t have to take any general education classes. When you start school

you immediately get taught your major and it is nearly impossible to switch your major once you get to campus.

When I think about a “typical” college experience, I think about football games and Greek life, which the exact opposite experience I am going to get in Scotland.

Since the school was established in 1492, I am trading tailgates for traditions such as raisin weekend, where first years (freshmen) get “adopted” by upperclassmen and engage in a foam fight with the other students.

If you were to look up University of St. Andrews, one of the first things you would see is students wearing the historical red robes, which we were initially a sign of underage drinkers so the students wouldn’t be served at local bars.

Hundreds of year later, students are still wearing the robes not only at graduation, but any day of the week.

In addition to the many traditions, I chose St. Andrews for the diversity of cultures I am going to

meet at an international school like the University of St. Andrews. Students come from over 140 countries around the world and it will enhance my learning there because I will become more knowledgeable about other cultures and ways of life. This is something I haven’t been able to

experience in Orange County.

If you told me in September that I would be going to college abroad, I honestly wouldn’t have believed you. Deciding what college I would attend definitely did not go as planned, but I can confidently say that it happened for a reason.

Illustration by Lizzie Borke

Across the pond - The University of St. Andrews is a small seaside town full of tradition and history. It was established in 1413.

Masks on please From California to beyond

By Xiang (Lucy) Chang, Staff Writer As spring paints the leaves with green and washes the ground with rain, the school became vibrant again with students’ laughter.

Since the campus reopened in March, many students went back on campus to meet with their teachers and friends. It seems like the joyful atmosphere at school eliminated the gloomy and panic filled mood of COVID-19. However, the school requires all the faculty and students to wear masks.

Some students and teachers who break the mask-wearing rule put themselves and other people on campus at risk.

When walking on campus, it is not rare to see a student wearing the mask below their nose or chin.

Some teachers also take off their masks in the classroom when there is something in front of them, such as a plexiglass shield on the desk.

To many students and teachers, wearing a mask is only a way to deal with the school’s regulations.

They either underestimate the threat of COVID-19 or forget the existence of it. This situation is the signal that it is time to remind people of the threat of COVID-19 and the initial purpose of wearing a mask: to prevent the spreading of coronavirus through droplets.

According to the World Health Organization, “COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

People can also be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then their eyes, mouth or nose.”

Simply saying, exposing yourself in a public place with people around you can raise the risk of being infected.

Also, when answering the questions like “why should we be wearing a mask”, the World Health Organization states, “Masks are a key measure to suppress transmission and save lives”.

Therefore, wearing a mask all the time on campus does not only protect yourself from the virus,

but also the health of others.

Even with knowing the importance of wearing a mask, some people take their masks off at school because they do not care about being infected by the virus.

However, many people ignore the fact that their family members, especially the seniors, can be easily infected if the young family members carry the virus. Maybe the virus is not a threat to you, but it going to be regrettable to send your grandparents to ICU because you take your mask off at school and bring the virus home.

Some people might argue that it is their right to not wear a mask.

This idea also causes some students to feel rude or embarrassed to remind the other people who broke the mask wearing rules on campus. When someone chooses to go back on campus, that means this person takes the responsibility to follow all the rules of the school, including wearing a mask that effectively covers the face.

In short, not following the mask wearing rules at school is an unwise choice that boosts the spread of COVID-19. I sincerely call all the teachers and students who go back on campus to pay attention to the mask wearing rules.

When you notice such situations happening around you, please do not hesitate to stop it.

Again, for a safe campus environment, and to protect you, your friends, and your family, please put your mask at all times.

Illustration by Xiang (Lucy) Chang

Mask up - It is important to wear masks for the health and safety of the people around us. According the mask mandate, masks are required to be worn while at school.

Seniors reflect on what they will miss most about home.

By Natalia von Gierke, Staff Writer Everyone begins choosing their colleges and imagining life outside of our hometown second semester senior year. The new change ahead can cause some, including myself, to have a bit of mixed emotions.

The thought of moving out of our home scares us. No more family dinners, coming home after late practices, or childhood rooms.

Although there will be so many positive changes, the reality has begun to creep in that change is near.

The change in location will be very different for many of us, too.

Of the seniors surveyed, more than 80 percent are leaving Southern Cali. for college, which means a very different change in scenery.

“I’m super excited to venture out to the east coast, to experience all four seasons, and to be in a new environment, but I will 100 percent miss dropping by the beach for a swim on a sunny day in January,” said senior Amanda Duffy. “I already know I will be coming back to visit very often.”

The food is another part of Southern Cali. that is drastically different from where many of us are attending college. More than 40 percent of the seniors surveyed agree that they will miss In-NOut food, as it is such a staple in our lives. This will be especially difficult because many states do not have In-N-Out, but this will make returning home to this delicious restaurant, along with many others, much more special.

Seniors think that the beach and almost always sunny weather will be what they will miss most about home. Sometimes, we can find ourselves forgetting what an amazing location we live and got to grow up in. The culture shock might also be difficult for some seniors, especially because many of us live in a little bubble, hidden away from the rest of the state and

Photo by Sophia von Gierke

Surfs up - When they go to off to college, students will miss the beautiful beaches California has to offer. Pictured above is San Onofre Beach.

world here in Orange County.

Experiencing a new culture will be a great experience. Seeing how other people at your college have grown up across the country, even the world, will be beneficial.

Finding these connections with people who we haven’t met until this year will provide a contrast to the current relationships we have.

Leaving friends behind is another aspect that many seniors will miss. These are the people that we have grown up with, gone through the good and bad with, and created so many memories with. It will be weird to start fresh and have a clean slate for college to form new relationships. The experiences that we have had with our friends will always be there, but the thought of not going through school and life together will be weird. I think many of us are the saddest to leave our friends, especially because it is

what we are so familiar with.

As for family, this change will be the hardest. Going from seeing our families every day to only a few FaceTime’s a week, if that, will be confusing. Especially because of the last year, many families have grown closer, especially because quarantine has enhanced the family dynamic of many. Not being home will be hard on us, as well as our families.

“I think that the weather, the food, and beach access would be hard to live without,” said senior Quentin Francis, “however the hardest thing would be not being close to my family.”

Despite the many people and places we are leaving behind, the future couldn’t be more bright.

The new people, places, and experiences in our future are so very exciting. It will be so interesting to see how each of us will take a different path next year.

The Eagle Eye

6 Opinion

May 2021

A year of unfair admissions Changes in college admission rules made pandemic 2021 even more challenging for seniors.

By Sydney McMahon, Staff Writer

I

n an Instagram survey of 120 SM students, more than 75 percent thought that college admissions were unfair this year. An overwhelming amount of seniors believe they have it harder than any past classes.

Many factors contribute to what made this year’s admission cycle different than previous years. The COVID-19 pandemic affects the traditional process. Testing changes, GPA weight, cost of attendance, and increased number of applicants impacted the acceptances that seemed so unpredictable this year.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and strict rules about gathering size over the last year, SAT and ACT testing requirements have been highly disputed. Many students in the class of 2021 had planned to take one of these standardized tests during the summer of 2020, but tests were cancelled.

In Southern California, students had difficulty finding test sites from March until November. Many students had up to 10 testing dates scheduled and cancelled before finally taking a test.

Students in previous years took the SAT or ACT multiple times and submitted the best score. This year, because testing was only accessible just before the deadline, most students had to stick with their first and only score. Although many schools tried to help stu-

dents by going test optional, students who were able to take a test had an advantage with more data for schools to see. Also because of the test optional policies, students applied to more “reach” schools just to try their luck, which increased the number of applicants.

Colleges did not have enough time to come up with a good system for weighing optional test scores, GPAs, essays, and extracurriculars

“ Seeing where my friends and I got in, it felt more like a lottery than anything else. ” - Amanda Duffy

during an unprecedented time.

“It came down to essays and GPA, and people at easier high schools have a much easier time getting high GPAs,” said senior

Jack McHenry. “The essays were weighed too heavily because of the absence of the ACT and SAT, so English majors have a strong advantage because they are vastly better at writing.”

Another issue that skewed the admissions this year was the increased number of applicants.

Because the senior class of 2020 began their first year of college on Zoom, many of these students decided to take the 2020-2021 school year as a gap year and resume college in the fall of 2021 in hopes of a normal college experience.

These students were added to the applicant pool with the class of 2021, leaving fewer spots for this year’s seniors. In addition, because of the uncertainty this past year, many seniors in the class of 2021 applied to more colleges than usual. With the increased number of applications, colleges have seen a drop in acceptance rates. For example, Northwestern University’s nine percent acceptance rate dropped to only six percent this year.

With no clear view on how students were measured this admissions cycle, many seniors felt like acceptances were almost random.

Some students were rejected from state schools, but accepted to prestigious universities. Friends with similar statistics were accepted to opposite schools, and while some students had a high success rate, others had almost no luck.

“Seeing where my friends and I got in, it felt like more of a lottery than anything else,” said senior

Amanda Duffy.

Not only have colleges had a hard time picking students this year, but students have also had a hard time picking a school. With many families under a growing financial struggle due to the pandemic, high tuition has become unaffordable. Scholarship money was spread thin, and because FAFSA bases financial aid packages on the previous years’ taxes, they did not reflect student’s current financial situations. This has put a big strain on many families.

Another factor students must

consider is whether their future school will take place on campus or on Zoom in the coming school year, which makes a big difference to many. With limited travel over the past year, students have also been unable to visit many of the schools they want to attend, meaning that they could walk onto their future home campus for the first time on move-in day. Not being able to experience the feel of the campus, see any current students, or go on tours of the school has also greatly affected students’ decisions.

Graphic by Sydney McMahon

Tough luck - These are examples of rejection letters, known too well by many students in the class of 2021. The 2020-2021 admission cycle left students feeling confused and defeated.

The glorified branding of college High school culture’s focus on “brand name” colleges weighs on seniors when applying and making that choice.

By Domi Drust, Social Media Editor Harvard. UCLA. Rice. USC. Cornell. Brown. Berkley. UMichigan. Villanova. Duke. Stanford.

The list continues with notable universities that impress others just from their name. Incoming high school freshman keep these famous universities in the back of their head until it is time for them to start the application process.

Seniors neglect other colleges with the same rigorous academics, but strive for high visibility universities just for reputation.

While attending a high caliber, competitive Catholic school like SM, Mater Dei, JSerra, Servite, Rosary, etc., students are surrounded by hundreds of individuals striving for success. Taking the necessary AP classes, starting clubs, and being involved in campus life is not out of the norm.

The culture surrounding these “elite” schools is created by the students themselves. Students are pushed by other students, creating an unobtainable expectation of how to have a “successful” high school career.

When seniors start to apply to college, they must research their list of desired schools. There is a pressure not to share their list

with their peers in fear that other students will decide to apply there as well.

Potential students will look at a school’s history with admission at different universities. For example, if Yale has a record of admitting two students every year from a specific high school, students are very timid to share that they applied with their peers and friends.

This unspoken rule already adds to the pressure of attending a university which impresses the people around them. Comparing SAT and ACT test scores is another form of toxic conversations that occur between peers. These passive aggressive conversations create tension among students and this personal information spreads to others.

Unintentionally, students are placed on pedestals that create an expectation for them to achieve high success in the college admission process. The competitive environment students made for themselves is a double standard.

Students feel that they aren’t good enough compared to their accomplished peers or that there is an added pressure when students view you as someone who is expected to go to a “smart school.”

But what really is a “smart

school”? If the honor of being accepted is an accomplishment, then why do students strive for “brand name” colleges? Deciding to further one’s education at a university is amazing, but the pressure from peers undermines this truth.

This culture also translates to student athletes. Attaining a Division I university is sought after by thousands of students across the country. The process to become a desirable athlete to universities entails emails, hours of film, and creating different college recruiting profiles. Like high school, sports have a competitive nature in the recruiting process.

A common fear among athletes is speaking to other athletes (in the same sport) about the universities they are talking to in fear that other athletes will try to take their potential spot. There is also a fear of not being noticed by colleges that boast successful programs. On top of that, there’s the fear of the judgement of others based off the college a student commits to.

Students cannot win with this culture they have created for each other. Despite GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, sports, and other talents, students should not worry about attending “known”

Photo by Carlie Miyashiro

College bound - Senior Kathleen Boschetti proudly shows where she is attending college. All students should have felt comfortable wearing their college apparel with pride with whatever college they commit to.

universities. There is a home for every student and home looks different to other people. Whether it is a city campus, STEM focused, fraternity/sorority based, public or Catholic, there is a home for everyone. Students need to stop

comparing and judging each other for the college they decide to attend. It should be a time of encouragement and excitement for each other, and it would be a more enjoyable process if we worked together, not against each other.

May 2021

The Eagle Eye

Feature 7

From Wattpad to book shelves Alumna Kassandra Tidland translates her innate passion for writing into her first published novel, “The Famoux.”

By Alex Vallone, Managing Editor

G

lamour and fame isn’t what she thought it would be. Emilee Laurence leaves behind the world she knew trading it for a world of money, fame, risks, and danger. With high stakes and a stalker watching her every move, life is not what she imagined, and she learns the truth about the seemingly perfect life she chased after.

At the young age of 13, SM Alumna Kassandra Tidland started writing her first novel which would later become the published book, “The Famoux.” Inspired by the world around her and the novels she read, she gradually created a dystopian society that would become the country of Delicatum.

Tidland spent her high school years writing weekly chapters and posting them to an online platform, Wattpad. By the end of high school, these weekly chapters made a 800 page novel.

“I had this weird assumption that everyone in their life would write a book,” Tidland said. “When I was in first grade, I would look at books and think this is what I’ll put in my book. I was always planning it. It was an innate feeling I had. By reading as well, I fell in love with storytelling.”

Soon, her love of storytelling solidified. Influenced by daily high school life and her peers, the weekly chapters would differ in style each week. On top of choir, cheerleading, and school, Tidland pursues her passion by writing each day.

“I was writing while at SM, so any book I read in English class would affect my writing style for the given week, “ Tidland said.

“The book had a lot of variety in writing style simply because of what I was learning at SM. Also, people in my class would read the book week by week and give me input. They would turn around and say I hate what you did in the last chapter. It was very collaborative.”

Although Tidland had an innate passion for writing, every writer experiences writer’s block. She said she envies those writers who never get stuck. Tidland explains that moments of self-doubt can creep up on her, and she questions her skill and talent. She asks herself: “why did I think I could do this?”

“What works for me is writing something entirely different,” Tidland said. “I can put a lot of pressure on a specific story and almost burn out from it. While I was at SM and writing Famoux, I was also writing three other novels that haven’t been published yet they were entirely different genres and styles.

It is how I refresh myself. Starting a new project that you don’t have any pressure on is what helps me get out of writer’s block.”

Once the book was finally complete and she overcame high school and other challenges, Tidland spent all of college editing her book. Publishers became interested when they saw how much attention she was getting online from avid readers and fans.

The next step in Tidland’s journey after becoming published is to promote the book. Her team focused their advertising on Wattpad, where the book was originally popular. In addition to

online promotions, she participated in virtual book tours at various book stores and created a preview video for a made up television show highlighted in the book. Amidst a pandemic, Tidland thoroughly enjoyed the virtual book tour because anyone could listen in, even if they didn’t live locally.

Tidland conquered her first goal to become a published author, but she’s not stopping there. She hopes that her “most successful moment” has not happened yet, but she is very proud of her journey this far.

“I’m always working on a million things at once,” Tidland said.

“Currently, I’m working on the sequel for ‘The Famoux.’ In college, I studied screenwriting, so my end game is to just be writing in any capacity whether that’s screenplays or books.”

One of Tidland’s most effective ways to overcome moments of doubt is to look up quotes by famous authors and realize every author goes through the same moments of worry and lack of confidence. She feels that the only thing that makes all the struggles worth it is writing for yourself. She has to love what she is writing for herself, not for anyone else. In addition to writing for yourself, Tidland advises aspiring authors to take a leap of faith and trust in the quality of their work, even if they feel doubtful.

“A lot of my opportunities came from me putting my work out there,” Tidland said. “I was posting my work week by week. I feel like you shouldn’t wait until it’s ready or you think it’s ready, you should just post it. You just have to get it out there even if you aren’t emotionally ready to put it out there.”

Photos by Kassandra Tidland

Dream achieved - Tidland stands in awe admiring her book in a local Barnes and Nobles. After years of writing, editing, and revising, her vision became a reality.

Dream school just got real

By Bella Scarano, A&E Editor After months of stress writing essays, attending virtual events, talking to admissions counselors, and finally waiting for an answer, the wait is coming to a close. For seniors Amanda Duffy, Andrea Smith, and Nathalie Barnes, their hard work paid off.

Duffy’s dream school is Dartmouth College, where she will now be attending in fall 2021. Duffy wasn’t sure what her dream school was until she started exploring Dartmouth and realized this is where she is destined to be.

“The students at Dartmouth had so much love for the school, the town, and the collaborative community that it fosters really drew me to the college even more,” Duffy said.

Unlike Duffy, Georgetown University has always been the school Smith has strived to go to.

“Georgetown was always my dream school because I fell in love with the campus and the values it holds for the community,” Smith said.

Before comitting to Princeton, senior Nathalie Barnes considered Dartmouth.

In a year like no other for college applicants, the application process

Photo by Christina Duffy

Dartmouth bound - Senior Amanda Duffy smiles in her Dartmouth College t-shirt. She applied and got accepted in through the Early Decision application round.

was taken by a different angle than previous years. Due to all standardized testing being optional and colleges receiving more applications than before, the emphasis on essays and extracurriculars is what made the applicant stand out.

“Being able to connect your love for a school with your extracurricular accomplishments is so important in making yourself seem more appealing to a school, and I feel

like my essays were able to achieve that,” Duffy said.

Smith hopes to further her interest in becoming an investigative journalist and political correspondent by studying government and journalism at Georgetown University.

“It has always been my dream to be in DC, which is such a political hub, and I feel that Georgetown will provide me the support and

Photo by Bella Longhi

D.C. here I come - Senior Andrea Smith points to her Georgetown University sweatshirt. She got accepted in the Early Action application round.

connections necessary to grow as a leader, friend, teammate, student, and journalist,” Smith said.

After days of being in disbelief, reality set in for Duffy that she was going to Dartmouth. Although she is accepted, she’s not allowing herself to slip in school.

“In fact, knowing where I’m going to college is the one thing that has been motivating me to still focus and try to get good grades in all

my classes,” Duffy said.

After being committed to a school, Barnes is still skeptical.

This year’s college process was a year like no other. There were highs and lows in everyone’s experience.

“This year has been really heartbreaking for a lot of students because of COVID, so I’m extremely grateful,” Barnes said. “I genuinely think luck was at least 80 percent of my acceptance.”

2020 - 2021 College Decisions

Texas Christian University Troy Coulston Saint Mary’s College of California Zachary Crandall Orange Coast College Broden Crane United States Naval Academy Alden Cressy Southern Methodist University Gracynn Crocker Texas Christian University Samantha Cruz University of California, Berkeley Note: The information presented below are the responses from the Naviance Survey.

Nicholas Cunningham California State University, San Marcos Carter Aase Texas Christian University Melanie Damato University of Colorado at Boulder Jane Byszewski University of California, Santa Rameen Agharokh University of Alabama Barbara University of California, Irvine Caitlin Cague Borna Danesh Allysa Alvidera University of Alabama Saddleback College Point Loma Nazarene University Ryan Campbell Matthew Data-on Konstatine Anastasakis University of Oregon Point Loma Nazarene University Arizona State University Preston Canevaro Abigail Davis Cavan Anctil Boise State University Saddleback College University of Utah Charlotte Cardarella Brett Davis Taylor Ankrum University College London Boise State University Indiana University, Bloomington Diana Carey Matthew de Leon Hanna Arada Santa Barbara City College Boise State University University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Aidan Casey Nicolo De Santi Matthew Auriemma Texas Christian University Gonzaga University Arizona State University Khimaera Cassidy Jack Dennis Carina Bachman Northeastern University University of California, University of California, Berkeley Amber Castor Berkeley Lauren Bae University of California, Davis Elizabeth Dilao University of California, Berkeley Lia Cerruti California Polytechnic State Shane Baird University of Utah University, San Luis Obispo Northern Arizona University Xiang Chang Hunter Dodd Morgan Bane University of California, University of Mississippi Texas Christian University Los Angeles Molly Doyle Nathalie Barnes Abigail Charpentier San Diego State University Princeton University Santa Clara University Evelyn Driscoll Ashton Bartolucci Amanda Chavez Northwestern University Texas Christian University University of Alabama Dominique Drust Matteo Bautista Roland Chavez University of Southern California University of California, Berkeley New York University Amanda Duffy Alexander Bays Hao Chen Dartmouth College Boise State University University of Texas, Austin Andre Dumas Allison Beaumont Maren Cheney California State Polytechnic University of Wisconsin, Madison Brigham Young University University, Pomona Nolan Bellow Bin Cheng Declan Edwards Belmont University University of Toronto Emory University Caroline Benser Clara Cherney Ragan Edwards Belmont University University of Roshester Indiana University, Bloomington Emma Bernaudo Ashley Chiate Katherine Eli Colorado State University Chapman University University of Utah Lauryn Biddle William Choi Michael Enos Santa Clara University University of California, Irvine Saddleback College Kelliane Bogart Gianna Christiansen Lauren Epping Chapman University University of Arizona Chapman University Kathleen Boschetti Sophia Christopher Hayden Escalante Colorado State University University of Alabama San Diego State University Evan Bournazian Raymond Chu Boston College University of California, San Diego Preston Eynon Brigham Young University Miranda Bowman Nicolas Codet Ziyad Fahd University of Alabama San Diego State University University of Chicago Nava Bozorgmehri Connor Cohen ZhiHe Fang Boston College Pepperdine University Babson College McKenna Bradley Dira Collaro Larissa Farhadi University of California, Loyola Marymount University Michigan State University Santa Barbara Jack Collins Domenico Ferrara Paige Brakke California State University, Michigan State University Point Loma Nazarene University Northridge Dean Fetters Sierra Breit Christine Collins Saddleback College San Diego State University Clemson University Matthew Flaharty Kyle Brown Anthony Comestro University of Utah Arizona State University Marist College Ethan Flanagan Brooke Bryant Emelin Conboy University of California, San Jose State University Miami University, Oxford Los Angeles Michael Burke Samantha Cook Quentin Francis Lehigh University University of Miami California Polytechnic State Tanner Burke Sabrina Cormie

University, San Luis Obispo Ava Freeborn Iowa State University Emily Freeborn University of California, Irvine Alyssa Fricker Augustana College Sydney Fuhrman Indiana University, Bloomington Miles Fujimoto Chapman University Nikki Gallo University of Missippi Xiangyu Gan University of Washington, Seattle Katherine Gasper University of California, San Diego Makenna Gass University of Alabama Trevor Gauthier University of Oklahoma Jack George Loyola Marymount University Gabrielle Gerken California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Isabella Gerken California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Neela Ghaffari Saddleback College Lucia Giacinto Santa Barbara City College Gabriella Gilchriese Xavier University Calry Giotto Loyola Marymount University Jackson Giraudi Santa Clara University Bethany Glick University of Oregon Lola Gonzalez University of Arizona Sara Good University of Utah Jack Graham Texas Christian University Naveen Gupta Southern Methodist University Aaron Gurovich Arizona State University Kelly Gwin Point Loma Nazarene University Morgan Hall Santa Barbara City College Wilson Hall Saddleback College Caitlin Hallisy California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Jessica Hamra Fullerton College Mason Hanna University of Utah Arya Hatamian University of California, Riverside Sierra Hawker University of Miami Isao Hayashi University of California, Berkeley Maruice Heims University of Washington Giulia Henshaw Universty of St. Andrews Audra Hepworth Texas Christian University Tyler Hernandez Saddleback College Jonathan Hetherton University of California, Irvine Mackenzie Higgins

Saddleback College Julia Ho University of California, Irvine Cailin Holt University of Oregon Emily Horn University of California, Davis Thomas Horner Ohio State University Charles Horvath Boise State University Stephanie Howhannesian University of Wisconsin, Madison Xinyue Hu Babson College Franklin Huang University of California, Davis JiaLiang Huang University of Washington Rui Huang New York University Mia Huebscher Northeastern University Cole Humphry University of Alabama James Hurtado Saddleback College Joshua Hyden Boise State University Monica Hyndman Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Alexandru Ispas Northwestern University Lyndsey Issa Indiana University, Bloomington Peyton Jennison University of Southern California Sihan Jiang University of California, Santa Barbara Savannah Jimenez University of Missippi Joel Jimenez Colorado State University Kaylee Johnson Texas Christian University Shea Johnson Southern Methodist University Spencer Johnson George Fox University Elaine Johnstone University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Alexander Kashkarian University of Arizona Audrey Kavanagh University of Utah Makaia Kelsey The New School Emma Khacherian Loyola Marymount University Faris Khalek Saddleback College GunHui Kim Marcus Kim San Diego State University Shaianne Kim Cornell University Benjamin Kirshon Brown University Alivia Klosinski San Diego State University Grace Klosinski University of Arizona Jack Henry Kluter-Kruse University of San Diego Matthew Ko Southern Methodist University Jayci Kruse University of Missouri

Jonathan Kuhne Lousiana State University Jacob Kuta University of Arizona Kailey Lagestee Washington State University Caitlin Laranjo California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Anthony Laster Stanford University Lucas Lavenson Emily Leavey Butler University Alice Lee Washington University in St. Louis Colton Lehman Christopher Newport University Alexander Lemieux University of Arizona Sofia Lim University of California, Irvine Austin Lippert Undeclared Miranda Lista Abeline Christian University Yinghan Liu University of California, Irvine Isabella Longhi University of California, Berkeley Connor Lough Arizona State University Yiheng Lu Fordham University Yuntong Lu Indiana University, Bloomington Leslie Lugo California Baptist University Aaron Mackey University of Washington Mackenzie MacMillan Boise State University Kaylin Maddox University of California, Berkeley Riley Magwood University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Jennie Maldonado University of California, Irvine Ryan Mandre University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Madison Mangano Salve Regina University Marko Maramica University of California, Santa Barbara Lily Matteson University of Alabama Joel Matthews University of Notre Dame Jessica Mattox University of Denver Connor Mautino Lake Erie College Kiley Mayes University of California, Irvine Alexis McCabe George Fox University Matthew McClintick University of Wisconsin, Madison Hadley McCusker Texas Christian University Kadin McGregor Ohio State University Haley McGuire Bosie State University Jack McHenry Saddleback College Cole McKechnie United States Naval Academy Taylor McKindley

Allegheny College Sydney McMahon Miami University, Oxford Reagan McMahon Gannon University Taylor McNamee University of Virginia Madeline McNeil Colorado State University Gianna Medica Butler University Phillip Medina Calfornia State University, Fullerton Lauren Memoly Texas Christian University Isabella Mendez University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Luke Meng Indiana University, Bloomington Joshua Mikus University of Arizona Jake Miller University of Utah Summer Miller Arizona State University Michelle Mitov San Fransisco State University Elizabeth Mizejewski California State University, San Marcos Aaron Moffett University of South Carolina Sydney Montague University of Oregon Angelina Montejano Saddleback College Ashleigh Morgan Southern Methodist University Zack Morris Colorado School of Mines Sara Morrissey University of California, San Diego Leila Moussavi California Baptist University Camille Mras University of California, Santa Barbara Keely Mulvihill Belmont University Emily Mumby Colorado State University Olivia Mumby University of Washington Max Musto Saddleback College Nicole Nemerofsky University of Colorado at Boulder Rebecca Devon Nguyen Citrus College Jessica Ni Brown University Matthew Nogueira Loyola Marymount University Genalyn Norton Concordia University Sergio Ocampo San Francisco State University Edward Oddo University of Cincinnati Sydney Oducado Northeastern University William Oertel University of California, Irvine Olivia Orsini Texas Christian University Brooke Owens Grand Canyon University Nathan Panlilio Southern Methodist University Trey Pannell

University of Maryland Sohan Parikh Arizona State University Andrew Parker Gonzaga University Cole Parker Southern Methodist University Michael Pearce Saddleback College Sophia Pearlman Colorado State University Kaiulani Pellerin University of Colorado at Boulder Luis Andres Perez Saddleback College Evan Perri Colorado School of Mines Lauren Perri University of San Francisco Cameron Peterson-Zopf University of California, Irvine John Pietrusiak Texas Christian University Matthew Pollock Saddleback College Ava Puepke University of San Diego Jake Quinlan University of Chichago Lauren Raney Santa Clara University Amanda Rankine Boise State University Keanu Reduldela-Kama United States Military Academy, West Point Katherine Redd University of Texas at Austin Katy Redfern University of Wisconsin, Madison Zhehong Ren Boston University Daniel Reyes California State University, San Marcos Christopher Reynolds University of Arizona Ryan Riddlesperger Purdue University Mary-Katherine Riley University of San Diego Nathan Rilko Vanguard University of Southern California Molly Roberts University of Washington Maya Robilio Sacred Heart University Charity Robinson Southern Methodist University Raquel Rocha Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Ryan Rodas University of Arizona Max Roop University of California, Santa Barbara Aldo Ruiz Ortiz California Baptist University Nicholas Ruiz Texas Christian University John Rupp University of California, Irvine James Russo Boise State University Kendall Saeger Southern Methodist University Mia Sanders Chapman University Kennedy Santini

The University of Arizona Mary Tracy Matthew Sarrao Northwestern University University of California, San Diego Sophie Tran Isabella Scarano Loyola Marymount University University of Oregon Andrew Travis Logan Schauer Michigan State University Arizona State University Liam Trotter Julia Scheithauer University of San Francisco University of California, Los Ange- Luke Turner les Wofford College Jacqueline Schillig Madison Vacca University of Utah University of Washington Nico Scialdone Alexandra Vallone University of Utah Clemson University Claira Scott Audrey Villarreal University of California, Santa Cruz University of Kentucky Roman Sergi Christopher Viole Wheaton College Arizona State University Rachel Sharif Nathan Vollen California Lutheran University Saddleback ollege Jessica Shaw Natalia von Gierke University of California, Irvine Texas Christian University Madison Sherwood Kyle Wade University of Alabama Boise State University Kambiz Shoaei Chloe Waken University of Pennsylvania University of Alabama Stefani Sicilliani Colby Wallace Arizona State University University of Washington Charles Sims Matthew Walsh Riverside Community College Pepperdine University Jasmine Singh Yi Wang Colorado State University New York University Andrea Smith Tyler Wetmore Georgetown University Arizona State University Tyler Smith Tyler Whitman Saddleback College Arizona State University Juliana Soliman Derek Wilkins California Polytechnic State University of California, Berkeley University, San Luis Obispo Thomas Wilkinson Kai Solomon University of Oregon Tufts University Carson Williams Tiantong Song Saddleback College Santa Clara University Ryan Wong Carter Stegin University of California, San DiTexas Christian University ego Ryan Stensby Kelly Woolfenden University of Arizona Baylor University Katelyn Stiegler Hudson Wrobel Belmont University Saddleback College Isabel Suarez Ruichu Xia University of California, Irvine University of California, Los AnAndrew Sulick geles California Polytechnic State Bingrui Xie University, San Luis Obispo Johns Hopkins University Amy Sullivan Ziyang Xing Orange Coast College University of California, Davis Jillian Surdilla Brandon Yamasaki University of California, Berkeley Pennsylvania State University Rami Tarazi Angela Yellen San Diego State University University of Washington Sawyer Thiessen Brock Yurkovich University of Colorado at Boulder Westmont College Julia Thomas Wen Zhao The University of Tennessee, University of Illinois at Urbana Knoxville Xinzhuo Zhu Mckenna Thomas University of California, Pepperdine University Santa Barbara John Tijanich Jackson Zielinski Loyola University Chicago Texas Christian University Jacquelyn Todd Indiana University, Bloomington Isabella Tosches California State University, Fullerton Melissa Tosches University of Arizona Shane Townsend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Makena Tozzer University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Congrats Class of 2021!

10 Feature

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

Producing in Prague in a pandemic In the worst of times, Alumnus Nick Vallone attends one of the oldest and most prestigious film schools in the world.

By Alex Vallone, Managing Editor

D

eserted streets. Empty tourist attractions. Shut down restaurants. This is not the study abroad experience Nick Vallone, junior at Syracuse University, imagined when hearing about the selective film school program in Prague during his freshman orientation. Amidst a global pandemic, with all hope lost of getting to study abroad at all, Vallone jumped at the rare opportunity to attend the Academy of Performing Arts’ Film and TV School, FAMU, in Prague for the spring semester.

“Being some of the only tourists in the Czech Republic at the time was definitely a unique way to see the breathtaking city of Prague with its beautiful buildings,” Vallone said. “Most of the major tourist attractions were completely empty, something even the locals had never seen before in their lifetime. In normal years, you would not be able to get up to the edge of the Charles bridge to take a photo without pushing through people, and now there are only a handful of people walking around.”

Although the less busy city provided unique opportunities for sightseeing and exploring, it was difficult to fully grasp the traditional lifestyle in Prague. The director of the program planned many COVID-19 safe activities for the students, including many hikes “in the nature” as Czechs would

Photos by Eva Schrollova

On set - Outside of the city, Vallone and his filming group stayed in a cottage to complete much of their semester project. They spent 12 hours a day filming in a student designed butcher shop set.

say, paddle boating on the Vlatava river, visiting the Prague zoo, day trips to various surrounding towns, and botanical garden sightseeing.

“It was hard to get a sense of the true culture here since restaurants, pubs and most stores were completely closed,” Vallone said.

“Czech people embraced an outdoor lifestyle this year. On sunny days, everyone was out enjoying the beautiful weather in the many parks around the city.”

While filming, Vallone and his group stayed in a cottage in a

small Czech village on the border of Prague, giving them a new perspective of European culture.

“My group and I got to live in this little cottage for three days while we were shooting our movie, and it was really enjoyable to get out of the city and see a different side of Prague,” Vallone said. “After shooting for 12 hours each day, it was nice to sit outside away from all the noise of the big city.”

Vallone found the education system drastically different in Prague than in the US, especially

the teaching style of the professors.

From brutally honest feedback to going out with their professors to celebrate success, it was a challenging, yet supportive atmosphere.

“I have found teachers in Prague tend to be much more blunt and honest with their comments than professors in the US,” Vallone said.

“It is definitely a jarring transition from the style in the US and I have heard many students have left classes crying, but they do it because they want to see us improve and it helped us all make a better

2021 summer bucket list

film in the end.”

Because of the blunt approach of the professors, Vallone soon learned that the best feedback on a project is critical comments. Due to the time crunch, Vallone deeply valued the critical suggestions and felt they improved his skills. Entering into the program, Vallone thought the hardest part would be the language barrier, but he soon discovered it that was the workload.

“We had almost a month less than every other group that has come here, so it was non-stop work for most of the semester in order to get our film done,” Vallone said.

“Also, Covid made just about every aspect of the shooting process a challenge, mainly because it severely limited our ability to find actors and locations. Even our professors said they have never seen a group of students so focused on and prepared for their projects.”

After rewriting their script many times, grueling over every small detail, and spending long days filming and editing, the group was eager to watch their movie on a big screen.

“The most rewarding part was seeing our movie play in a theater with all the cast and crew after all the hard work we put in all semester,” Vallone said. “Even though it was a very small screening compared with other years, it was extremely lucky the school found a place to rent out to show all the films. Seeing one of my own movies on the big screen for the first time was a moment I will never forget.”

Graphics by Juliana Soliman

3. Hike

By Juliana Soliman, Staff Writer

1. PCH trip

Take advantage of one of the world’s most scenic drives and road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway.

Stop along the way at LA, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Big Sur, Carmel, and San Francisco to make the most of your trip!

Photo by Katie Eli

The OC fair is back this year, July 16- August 21! Enjoy the fair food, rides, and fair vendors you missed last summer!

Whether it’s at Doheny State Beach, San Onofre, or Yosemite, camping is the perfect summer activity. Set up a campfire and enjoy the great outdoors.

Photo by Katie Eli

Photo by Patrick Driscoll

4. Parasail 6. Six Flags

2. OC Fair

Photo by Katie Eli

5. Camp

Ortega Falls located in the Santa Ana mountains rewards hikers with beautiful views of a 35-feet waterfall. The hike is .25 miles long and is perfect for beginners!

Photo by Katie Eli

Feed your adrenaline and soar 800 feet above Dana Point. Parasailing is the perfect activity for a sunny day.

Six Flags Magic Mountain reopened April 1 and there is no better time than this summer to ride the notorious rollercoasters.

May 2021

The Eagle Eye

Feature 11

From passion to paper Seniors Amanda Duffy and Kaylin Maddox reflect on their IB Extended Essays.

By Evelyn Driscoll, Print Editor-in-Chief

C

ancer research is not typically part of a high schooler’s experience. Then again, neither were most topics students chose for the Extended Essay (EE) Full IB assignment. The 4,000 word research paper allows students to select a topic they find interesting, and for senior Amanda Duffy, this means cancer research.

“I think so often we are confined to the limits of our class curriculum that we don’t often get the opportunity to explore such intricate phenomena that we are uniquely interested in,” Duffy said. “I had friends looking at gender inequality in Iran or the path to totalitarian regimes or the structure of the Catholic church.”

Depending on which topic students choose, the EE includes writing, research, finding reputable sources, and for scientific EE’s, data analysis. Students also have advisors, who are teachers specialized in the subject area, to guide them through the process. However, before the EE can begin, students must take on the daunting task of choosing a topic.

“I knew I wanted to do something in cancer research because that is what I hope to pursue a career in, but I was really unsure of

where to start since that field is so broad,” Duffy said.

To gain clarity on her topic, Duffy completed a six week summer course on cancer biology. After continued research, she stumbled upon statistics explaining how African American women with breast cancer were more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) than women of other races. TNBC accounts for 10-15 percent of breast cancer diagnoses and seems to be more prominent in women under 40, African American women, and women who have the BRCA1 mutation (American Cancer Society).

“I began to wonder why [this is] and started evaluating different genetic and lifestyle factors that might explain this,” Duffy said. “It was something I was so interested in, and I really enjoyed learning about it on a deeper level.”

Senior Kaylin Maddox focused her EE on the correlation of environmental policy and air pollution levels. This essay allowed her to pursue her passion for the environment and transformed her understanding of pollutants.

“My understanding of air pollution as a whole changed,” Maddox said. “Methane and nitrous oxides are much worse than carbon dioxide. Cars are not the only problem here. There are so many possible

solutions to air pollution that haven’t been widely discussed yet.”

Not only did Maddox and Duffy gain skills and learn more about their topics, but they found the entire process incredibly rewarding.

“As long and overwhelming as it was, it allowed me to exercise my curiosity and pushed me to achieve something far greater than I ever thought of doing in high school,” Duffy said. “I feel really prepared and confident going into high- e r educa-

tion knowing that I already have experience with this type of paper.”

Although the infamous Extended Essay seems a daunting task, Duffy believes it adds a necessary creative and personalized element to the school curriculum.

“Everyone’s unique interests coupled with such freedom to be creative and explore was such an incredible opportunity that I wish modern education emphasized m o r e ,” Duffy said.

Illustration by Tristen Mielke

Stressed out - Student stresses about completing their Extended Essay. Senior IB Students finished their Extended Essays in March 2021.

The community choice Seniors discover unexpected advantages of community college during COVD.

By Hadley McCuster, Staff Writer Second semester of senior year is supposed to be one of your most laid back, but not with college decisions coming. In the haste of it all, it is easy to overlook the option that most students miss: community college.

Throughout the pandemic, many colleges remained online with virtual classes. As pricey as college gets, attending a four-year university during these times may not seem the best option for some.

“I was drawn towards the community college route for many reasons,” said senior Mackenzie Higgins. “One of the major reasons I chose to attend a community college was because of the financial benefits. I never had a dream university that I wanted to attend, so it seemed like a better option for me to go to school at a community college instead of spending copious amounts on a school I did not dream of going to.”

Additionally, Higgins believes the fast pace nature of decisions and applications gives barely enough time to truly think about your passions or future pursuits.

“I am also currently undecided on my major and career path,” Higgins said. “So, going to a community college will give me time to figure out what I enjoy and what career field I want to enter.”

The locality and opportunities sur-

Photo by Katie Eli

Choosing community - Saddleback College is a community college in Mission Viejo. Many students chose to attend community college this year.

rounding the idea of community college are appealing to students as they can provide a steady base to build a resume and gain experience before heading to a university or diving into finding a job of interest.

“For me, community college seemed like an unignorable option,” said Senior Michael Pearce. “I will be

able to work locally and focus on my finances for when I leave my home for the first two years. Overall, it was a financial decision more than anything for myself and my stability in the future.”

In these times, the idea of community college is becoming increasingly intriguing to students as benefits con-

tinue to grow.

“I have noticed so many positives in choosing this path, especially with so many people currently doing online school due to COVID.” Higgins said. “I did not have to stress about all the college prep requirements, for example, taking the SAT or ACT and applications for college, as they were

“ Going to a community college will give me time to figure out what I enjoy and what career field I want to enter. ” - Mackenzie Higgins cancelled left and right.”

In the end, it may end up as the same experience.

“Many people pay large amounts of money to do college classes from home due to covid, whereas I will be in that same situation but with less expense,” Higgins said.

12 Feature

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

Adapting to a new age For over 100 years, Girl Scouts has changed with the times to inspire girls to reach for their dreams.

By Catherine Bryson, Staff Writer

T

he scene is set with the cold, white snow which encases the forest-covered mountains and the small wood cabins which dot the view. It is only the bright, puffy jackets of the girls which break up the monotony of the picture.

But screams of delight disrupt the utter silence of the mountain-top as the girls see the snow.

Not the white, cold snow; but the thick toy which can be used to build snowmen and have snow-ball fights.

“I remember that next morning waking up and walking outside and just seeing the entire camp covered in snow. That weekend I had a puffy baby blue jacket so I used it to go sledding. And I completely ruined the jacket but the troop leader didn’t care because we were just having so much fun,” said Julie Jackson, Director of Troop Support at Girl Scouts of Orange County.

Girl Scouts is an organization established in 1912 by Juliet Gordon Low to teach girls about the educational and outdoor program which would soon become Girl Scouts.

This program has since been inspiring girls and giving them opportunities to enhance courage and character.

But Low’s organization, which began with 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia has massed into an international organization of around

2.6 million girls. This influential organization has been bringing girls across 92 nations together for 107 years.

“There was travel, at the time they were called Wider Opportunities, we now call them destinations. It was a bid deal for me

“ The focus though has always been on giving girls an opportunity to find their passions and their voice. ” - Julie Jackson

in between my 8th and 9th grade year to travel cross country by myself.,” said Vikki Shepp, CEO of Girl Scouts of Orange County.

Shepp acknowledges that trav-

eling accross country alone is much easier due to cell phones and other ways to connect with family.

Yet Girl Scouts is commonly associated with cookies and badges. But it is so much more than that. The Golden Eaglet was the highest award a girl could earn in Girl Scouts from 1916 to 1939.

This award began the tradition of award-earning. Today, the highest award is the Gold Award, which less than 6 percent of Girl Scouts earn.

“In addition to earning badges you had to complete challenges.

There’s all these challenges and you chose five of them and then you did a project. So there are some similarities but differences to our highest awards now,” Shepp said.

In addition to awards and travel, Girl Scouts has always had a strong focus on entrepreneurship and business. In 1917, the now famous cookie program was established.

The program is intended to raise funds to conduct new activities.

The mission of the program is to help girls lean to become leaders and entrepreneurs. In fact, out of 1,506 girls, 92 percent think they have what it takes to become an entrepreneur.

“It has taught me independence and being away from home as well as leadership skills,” said Emily Molendyk, a current Girl Scout and sophomore in high school.

“In general, Girl Scouts has taught me leadership, team building, in-

dependence, and business skills, as well as time management and budgeting travel.”

But Girl Scouts has had to change with the times. It was founded in 1912, before women even had the right to vote. Today girls have access to have phones, tablets, laptops--not to mention modern science and engineering.

In fact, a study by the Girl Scout Research Institute found 55 percent of girls play games to learn online and 40 percent read books and articles online. So it is easy to say Girl Scouts has had to change with the times.

“The main focus of Girl Scouts today, is to prepare girls to be leaders in the future,” Jackson said.

“I think the really great thing about the Girl Scout program right now is that it’s so varied.”

Jackson said that girls can experince different subjects and topics but can find leadership through various opportunites through Girl Scouts. It helps girls gain confidence and experience to prepare them for whatever they want to explore.

“I think that it’s really helping girls find what they’re interested in and giving them an opportunity to lead while building really great

values,” Jackson said.

But beyond leadership and entrepreneurship, Girl Scouts has a newfound focus on technology and STEM. In the 1990s, Girl Scouts created the Technology Badge for GS Juniors. The introduction of this badge was indubitably the beginning of a new era for Girl Scouts, as they have a multitude of technology and STEM oriented programs.

“If you look at the history of Girl Scouts, the badges have changed, the program has changed, but that’s important. I think that these changes in program have happened because of changes in society,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of coding and cyber security badges now because coding and cyber security were not around in the 70s, but I think the foc u s though has always been on giving girls an opportunity to find their passions and their voice.”

Illustration by Catherine Bryson

The trefoil - in 1976. It shows the profiles of three girls and explores unity and strength. This logo was created in 1976.

ASB brings the fun after a long, distanced year

By Katie Eli, Photo Editor and Juliana Soliman, Staff Writer

Being among the student body, cheering for teams at rallies, and dancing at homecoming were among just of the few things students missed their first semester.

With the year starting fully virtual and slowly transitioning, many students believed these events could not be possible at all. However, thanks to ASB’s planning and some strategic re-imaging for events amongst COVID-19, these events were made all possible.

“My ASB commission and I really wanted to guarantee that students could have a great experience despite all of the COVID-19 restrictions this year,” said senior and ASB Commissioner of Events Mckenna Bradley. “However, we had to do this in a manner that was socially distanced and safe for everyone.”

Bradley and the entire ASB have been working since summer to make these events possible and safe. One way they were able to hold these events in accordance to safety guidelines was through re-creating events several times so smaller groups could attend. For example, the homecoming rally was split between both lunches and the dance was split into two dates.

This year’s homecoming theme was “(Well)come Back to the Future” and ASB went all out the spirit week leading up to the first

Photo by Candice Tupajic

Royal court - Senior homecoming princesses (right to left) Kaylin Maddox, Olivia Mumby, Olivia Orsini, McKenna Bradley, and Maddy Sherwood pose for a photo. Orsini was voted to be homecoming queen.

dance of the year.

“We invited a DJ back onto campus, held karaoke in the lunch shelter, hosted a pep rally, put up inflatables in the gym, and more to make the transition back onto campus fun for the students,” Bradley said. “Not only was the theme meant to welcome students back to campus, it also reminded everyone to look towards a brighter future after this difficult year.”

Students finally began to feel a sense of school spirit at the homecoming rally. The rally included performances from song, dance team, and cheer, as well as the honoring of the homecoming court and of all of the fall, winter, and spring sports.

“As a song team member, I love to perform in front of crowds, especially the student body,” said senior Olivia Orsini. “We have been

Photo by Kailey Lagastee

Closing traditions - Orsini stops to take a photo with teammates before they perform at the last rally of year. She has loved being on the Varsity Song team for the past four years.

working on these dances all year, and we were so excited to finally get to perform them somewhere.”

Orsini has been performing in rallies with the Varsity Song team since her freshman year. This year, she enjoyed being walked out for the homecoming court and cheering on her team in her long white dress and tiara.

The homecoming dance continued the upbeat energy with lots of

dancing, singing, and food. Orsini carried out a family legacy by winning homecoming queen, an honor her mother was also awarded her senior year. Orsini’s favorite part of the night, however, was being together with the senior class.

“I was honestly emotional to see everyone together. It brought so much joy to my heart that we are so lucky to be together in times like this,” Orsini said.

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

Hero from the other side Junior defensive tackle, Hero Kanu, has seen his recruitment skyrocket since coming to America.

By Roman Sergi, Sports Editor

M

uch of life is making decisions: deciding the value of an action or if something is worthwhile or not.

Sometimes there is greater risk involved, and sometimes you may have to sacrifice a great deal. The recent events that have occurred in Hero Kanu’s life are defined by these realities.

A transfer all the way from Germany, junior Hero Kanu left his home during summer to bring his talents to California and try his luck in American football.

Through a organization called PPI Recruiting, which seeks to connect European prospects with American schools and the founder Brandon Collier, Kanu made a connection with head coach Anthony Rouzier to come over in dreams of playing college football.

Kanu left behind all his family and friends and embarked on a journey surrounded by new people and teammates.

“It’s an entirely different culture for sure but I like that it’s unique,” Kanu said. “I have a great host family that has brought me in and allowed me to experience new things. My teammates have become really good friends of mine and helped me learn and adapt.”

On the field, Kanu has adapted quickly to the game, showing his natural ability and strength. He

has also demonstrated unusual athleticism for someone his size.

Standing at 6’5 and weighing near 290 pounds, Kanu played soccer in Germany where he honed his footwork.

“Coming from a soccer background has been helpful and good for making me better at football.

Then coming here and being in the weight room has helped me get strong,” Kanu said. “They have kind of joined and both have allowed me to adapt to a more physical game.”

Kanu’s recruitment has skyrocketed since his first varsity game, earning a three star rating per 247 and boasting a 15 offer list that includes notable football schools like Clemson, LSU, and Ohio State.

“It’s gone really fast honestly, some schools I haven’t even heard of yet,” Kanu said. “My teammates have had to tell me about them and where on a map they are. I once thought Auburn was it Florida. It’s been crazy and I’m really blessed to have the coaches I know like Coach Rouz, who have helped me get exposure.”

Kanu has appreciated the new experience and is glad he took the risk to leave home. “[It’s hard] being away from home, but I know my parents are proud of me, and they are why I do it,” Kanu said. “I have new friends who have become like family and I’m excited to see where this [goes].”

Photos by Greg Townsend

Pose like a Champion - Hero Kanu poses after a dominant performance with fellow PPI member and German defensive end Maurice Heims.

Kanu has been overwhelmed by his rise to star status.

Both girls and boys water polo win Trinity League titles for the first time in 20 years.

By Lauren Memoly, Staff Writer

Photo by Greg Townsend

Strike from the water - Vandeweghe-Oshea attacks the goal against the Orange Lutheran Lancers. The Eagles came out with an impressive win in this league game.

long lasting wait made winning the league title even more rewarding.

“The six months leading up to the eventual championship was extremely difficult which makes winning that much better,” Johnson said.

The girls and boys team had overtime wins that were crucial to winning their titles. These close games could have gone either way, but the Eagles were able to pull off the win.

A second chance The Varsity Ice Hockey Team looks to continue their success at the national level.

By Marcus Kim, Staff Writer

Coinciding championships

Both water polo teams worked hard to clench Trinity League titles along with undefeated seasons.

The athletes trained for several months due to their seasons being pushed back. There were questions whether they even were going to have a season at all, so they had to stay motivated through uncertainty.

With the CIF postseason being cancelled, the Trinity League title was the highest goal for both the boys and girls water polo teams.

Boys head water polo coach Justin Johnson attributes the teams’ victories to their hard work.

“We have one of the hardest leagues in the country so to pull it off is a huge testament to the kids’ work ethic and focus,” Johnson said.

Girls head water polo coach Brian Weathersby also attributes the win to the team’s tenacity and their desire to be the best.

“I am blown away by their ability to show up day after day not knowing if we were going to play and bring 100 percent to practice,” Weathersby said.

Both teams had to train effortlessly with many obstacles for upward of seven months. They had to patiently wait for their season and never lose sight of their goal. The

Sports 13

“We beat #3 OLU and #4 Mater Dei in sudden death overtime, which was a true testament to the mental toughness this team brought into every game,” Weathersby said.

Senior Anthony Laster reflects on his overtime win that helped his team win the league title.

“We ended up beating Mater Dei in sudden death overtime on a goal by Ben Kirshon,” Laster said.

This victory is something that I will

always remember and cherish.”

There has been no other years in Santa Margarita History where both boys and girls team were able to bring home the Trinity League championship. This will go down as a very memorable year.

“It means so much to everyone on our team to represent the Santa Margarita boys’ water polo program and bring home the first Trinity League championship in team history,” Laster said.

At the end of a season with a lot of uncertainty and unpresented events, the Eagles Ice Hockey team is looking forward to competing for the National Championship in Omaha Nebraska later this month.

The team is currently the reigning National Champions from 2018 and 2019 and are looking to continue their success in 2021. They are trying to overcome the adversity of losing longtime head coach Craig Johnson who took a job as an assistant coach of the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL).

They are also looking to bounce back after a second-place finish in the State Championship this year, losing to Orange Lutheran.

Although the Eagles did not take the State title home in their most recent National title, the Eagles placed second in states and went to Nationals and won the National Championship. And still having a strong group this year, the boys are looking to prove the doubters wrong and continue their success in the National tournament.

“Although losing states this year was super disappointing, I have hope and confidence our team can compete again at the National level with our success in the past,” said senior forward Ryan Riddlesperger.

Their start of their run will begin at Nationals, which takes place on April 15th against Penn Gold. They continue pool play until the 17th where they find out their seeding and learn if they will be continuing to the elimination games with the National Championship being on the 19th. Some other states that the team will be competing against include Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah and many more.

Being the reigning National Champions, the players know what it takes to win at the National level.

There are also many players still on the team who have won nationally in the past. They are still confident in their ability to compete at that level.

“What really helps our success is the brotherhood we have together. We can trust each other and know we have each other’s back,” said senior Josh Hyden.

Hyden, who knows a thing or two about success, scored a hat trick in the National Championship game as a sophomore against Edina from Minnesota in 2019 to help the team win their second consecutive National Championship.

“Being the underdogs is nice when you have nothing to lose” Hyden said.

The team played with nothing held back during the tournament and finished third.

Graphic by Giulia Henshaw

14 A&E

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

Dancer of the year Artist of the Year dance nominees are honored for their sensational performances and commitment to the art form.

By Sofia O’Keefe, Staff Writer

L

ively. Delicate. Showstopping. Ethereal. A short performance has the ability to tell a rich story and captivate an audience. However, what is not revealed in front of the curtain is the composition of hours of work the dancers put in for each piece.

To honor high schooler’s extensive dedication in the arts, the Orange County Register’s Artist of the Year program highlights the local artistry of students in dance, vocal and instrumental music, film, theater, computer-assisted visual arts, and handcrafted visual arts.

The regional newspaper received a total of 616 nominee entries. Specifically, there were 94 dance nominations from teachers and personal coaches at varying arts agencies and high schools throughout Orange County.

This year’s nominees include Kellianne Bogart, Kailey Lagestee, Andrea Leon, Ava McCoy, Jamie Redmond, Janna Redmond, Kennedy Santini, and Sophie Tran.

Senior dance team captain Sophie Tran and junior Janna Redmond reflect on their journeys toward their dance nominations.

“I think the most rewarding part of being nominated is the recognition you receive for all the hard

work, sweat, and sometimes tears you put into the things you love and are passionate about doing,” Tran said.

Many of the experienced danc-

“ Our passion for dance is something that you don’t really get to see often at school. ” - Janna Redmond

ers in the program have spent most of their lives training.

Not only are there accomplished dancers who have focused solely on the program, but also others from sports such as soccer, volleyball,

and cheer who have limited experience with dance. Nevertheless, they are all united by their love of the sport.

“I think one of the main things that differentiates SM’s dance program is its intersectionality and every dancer’s deep commitment to it,” Tran said.

According to Tran and Redmond, throughout the lengthy practices and grueling competitions, the dancers collaborate to create cathartic performances.

“It feels so rewarding to work with girls that are just as passionate about this art as me, and they are always pushing me to be better,” Redmond said. “Working with them on this team has been like being part of a second family.”

According to Tran and Redmond, this art form is deceptively simple, yet beautifully complex.

Behind the scenes, the effortless facade of elegance does not portray the reality of the work of the performers.

“Dance might look easy, but honestly there are many moments of discouragement and exhaustion, moments when giving up seems like the only option,” Tran said. “Yet, all my life, my coaches and dance teachers have taught me how to push myself and develop a deep sense of mental fortitude that allows me to never let myself give up or throw in the towel.”

Photos by Giulia Henshaw

Dance off - The Dance Team showcases their skills at the Spring Dance Concert. The Orange County Register received 94 nominations for Dancer of the Year, 8 of them from SM.

Snyder makes the cut Synder’s version of Justice League surpasses the 2017 release with added richness and fulfillment of the plot.

By Kendrick Choi, Web Managing Editor Zack Snyder’s Justice League absolutely trumps its 2017 predecessor. With added detail and character development, the plot is richer and overall better than before.

Towards the end of March, the long awaited “Snyder’s Cut” of Justice League was released on HBO

“ [There’s] actor development that was never done in the original cut. “ - Jackson Kopeny

Max. Although Justice League had originally been released in 2017, it was directed by Joss Whedon, who took over for Snyder after his

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros

Squad up - The Justice League heroes unite at last. Snyder’s cut provided a new look at the 2017 version of Justice League.

daughter passed away. Whedon had previously written and directed The Avengers and Age of Ultron for Marvel Studios before taking charge of Justice League.

In light of Justice League’s box office flop in 2017, many fans desired to see Snyder’s vision for the movie. Once Whedon took, he edited over many scenes and gave the movie a lighter tone with added comedy. Originally, Warner Bros was opposed to the idea due to the large budget. However, the fans won over the company, and Snyder

was given the opportunity to finally produce what he had envisioned for DC’s Justice League.

Spanning four hours (twice that of the 2017 release), Snyder’s Justice League is more than just a director’s cut. Snyder’s vision is a complete reimaging of the movie’s concept with a darker undertone. With more time comes more character development and further audience understanding of all the motivations behind each character’s actions. Junior Jackson Kopeny agrees with the sentiment

“The Snyder Cut is an great 4 hour long movie that creates more story and character development that was never done in the original cut of the movie,” Kopeny said.

Building off of the main plot, Snyder’s is more rich and filled with details and scenes that draw you into the experience of the movie. Without spoiling the actual movie, the extended scenes also makes the character interactions feel much more natural and developed, and junior Davin Maas agrees.

“The original movie, while very exciting for fans of the DC universe, left others feeling quite confused by leaving much to be desired,” Maas said.

Two characters that truly benefit from Snyder’s extended cut are the Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher). Miller’s Flash still serves as comedic relief throughout the film, however, he plays an incredibly more important role when compared to Wheton’s version, where the Flash feels incredibly underwhelming.

As for Fisher’s Cyborg, the character receives much needed time for character development, instead of being an enigma in the original. Fisher himself commented on his disdain for the portrayal of his character in the 2017 production.

His character is given the depth needed to highlight his backstory and development.

Heroes aside, Snyder’s cut also further develops the main antagonist of the movie: Darkseid. This time, he is featured upright instead of merely being alluded to in the original film. Steppenwolf no longer plays the role of the main villain in Snyder’s cut. Instead, his role adheres more to that of the comics, as a servant of Darkseid.

Overall, Snyder’s rendition of the movie felt more fulfilling and opened the future for spin-off movies based on the events of the movie, especially the ending.

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

A&E 15

The show must go on Talon Theatre performs their spring musical, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” in accordance with pandemic protocols.

By Evelyn Driscoll, Print Editor-in-Chief

C

OVID-19 is not the only challenge the cast of the spring musical, “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown,” underwent. After preparing for an outside and socially distant production, a last minute rain forecast threw a wrench in the show’s plans, forcing them to re-block and re-program the production in the dome just hours before opening night. However, despite unprecedented challenges, it proved to be monumental night for many seniors who took their very last bow in the Dome.

“It is a very bittersweet feeling that this was my last musical with Talon Theatre,” said senior Mary Katherine Riley, who played Violet in the production. “This process was certainly not easy, but it was rewarding all the same. It was very special to take a final bow in the Dome.”

Along with wearing masks and social distancing, the show featured several differences to accommodate COVID-19 protocols.

Instead of the regular stage in what many students call their “Dome sweet Dome,” the musical took place outside in the courtyard of the B building. “[This set helped] accommodate a larger stage so that actors could remain six feet apart,” Riley said.

“The principals all had different platforms. Scenes were blocked and dance numbers were staged with actors spaced apart to meet

social distancing guidelines.”

The cast was significantly smaller than usual, which helped ensure social distancing backstage and in T8 for hair and makeup. Riley also remarks that the cast was able to maintain many of Talon Theatre’s traditions in socially distanced settings.

“I am especially grateful to Mrs. Barth, [the director], for making this show possible despite the challenges of COVID-19,” Riley said.

“The cast and crew were very mindful of the fact that not every school was able to put on a show this year, and I think everyone made the most of every second of it.”

Riley held multiple roles in the production, including the role of Violet, featured dancer, member of the costume crew, and assistant director. Along with attending rehearsals, this latter role meant she drilled choreography, gave feedback on blocking, made props, and more in addition to learning lines.

“Every person brings something special to this process, and it is incredible to see everyone’s hard work come together for a performance,” Riley said.

Senior Declan Edwards’, who played Schroeder, favorite part of being in the musical was strengthening his friendships by growing closer to his cast. He remembers rehearsing the “Beethoven Day” number when the show’s choreographer, Casey Garritano, directed that the number needed more energy. With this guidance, the cast rose to the challenge for their next run, a moment Edwards claims he will never forget.

“This one particular run of it really reminded us how it should feel to be on stage: exhilarating,” Edwards said. “After that particular run, I think we grew a lot in self-confidence, and we started bringing the production up to a more exciting and fittingly childish energy level.”

The cast received large amounts of positive feedback from their performances. Riley believes audiences were grateful to witness live theatre in such an unprecedented time. After all, the show must go on.

“In my time in Talon Theatre, I have never seen a more resilient, hardworking, and flexible cast,” Edwards said. “I’m sad that I have to leave, but I’m excited for what future Talon Theatre productions will look like.”

Photo courtesy of Talon Theatre

Lights, camera, action - The Charlie Brown musical cast performs in the Dome. After a rain forecast, they switched their musical inside.

Photo by Maggie Thilken

Smile through the mask - The cast takes a group photo outisde after their performance. The stage was set outdoors according to COVID-19 protocols.

Dreaming beyond the dome New Arts Center gets put on hold, but the dream goes on.

By Aaron Moffett, Staff Writer and Emelin Conboy, Staff Writer Picture this: the fire lane is lined with lights and greenery. You walk and see that the Dome has been replaced by an enormous theater that seats 500 people. This has been the dream of the arts department for the past eight years. However, the project is currently on hiatus.

The conceptual designs for the center for the arts were made public during the showing of the Spring musical Phantom in 2019.

At the time, the fundraising for the project was hopeful to launch, with a projected completion of the center being around the year 2025.

Currently, the spaces available to the different arts departments are limited. With the completion of the “R” building, it allowed for more rehearsal space for the dance team and the ability for Talon Theatre to have a more permanent performing space inside the dome, yet space is still limited.

Artistic Director of Talon Theatre, Amy Luskey-Barth, shares the significance of a professional space for the arts.

“First and foremost for the education of the students here at SM,” Barth said. “Proper and adequate facilities give professional training for our students in all different interests. Our technical theatre

Photos courtesy of Amy Luskey-Barth

Hopeful for the future - 3-D models demonstrate the ideal plan and design for a new Center for the Arts that would replace the Dome. These photos were released in early 2019.

students have not had the opportunity to learn and discover all the unique aspects of technical design with our current facilities, a cen-

ter for the arts would help them achieve this.”

The 23,000 square foot multi-level Center for the Arts would con-

tain the solution to these issues.

First, a band room remodel would provide an update for the students involved in band, orchestra, and

other instrumental music groups.

Next, there would be professional dressing rooms, bathrooms, and a myriad of other spaces to allow Talon Theatre and the dance team classes a professional experience.

The second level of the building would also contain more rehearsal space in general, not only for the dance team, but anyone who needs it. Plus, a technical design lab where students would actually be able to learn technical theatre skills that simply are not available in the dome, such as operating a fly system and larger set pieces. There would be a large professional theatre fit for all types of performers with a full orchestra pit and fly loft. “[A performing arts center] allows students to have the ability to know what performing on a real stage is like” Barth said. “Plus, the added benefit for the audience of better seating and viewing, and the chance to experience different art disciplines at once, such as walking through the visual arts gallery on the way to your seat.”

Moreover, better facilities and opportunities drive higher involvement in the arts, allowing SM to attract more students specifically for the arts. Because of this, the Center for the Arts has always been the final phase of SMCHS’ master plan of developing its campus. So, even though this project is currently taking a hiatus, we are still dreaming beyond the Dome.

16 A&E

The Eagle Eye

May 2021

A permanent mark on campus 25 permanent collection nominees featured at annual art show.

By Emelin Conboy, Staff Writer

A

s detailed sculptures, heartfelt paintings, and striking photographs fill the walls of the B Building and Library, the student body is reminded that the annual Visual Art Show is drawing near. Students across every field of the visual arts department scramble to assemble their portfolios showcasing their hard work from the year.

Senior Molly Roberts reflects on her four years taking part in the art show.

“Preparations for the art show are super involved, with at least all of the classes I’ve been involved in each year taking class periods and after school hours to help set up the art show and curate the work in a really collaborative, though admittedly super hectic process,” Roberts said.

Roberts is also a four time nominee for the Santa Margarita Permanent Art Collection, a collection that features student art pieces from over the years. Twenty to thirty students are nominated each year, and the winner is chosen by art teachers and student body votes.

“It’s a huge confidence boost, and I’ve been so happy to get nominated all four years. [I’m] seriously so proud of that honor. [I’m] super appreciative just to get nominated and I love seeing who’s selected each year,” Roberts said.

Molly’s art piece nominated for the permanent collection was inspired by the question, “What is life to you?” and she illustrated the question in a vibrant way that is somewhat reminiscent of a graphic novel.

“To me, the answer to that question isn’t easily answered. It is ephemeral and ever changing, always moving forward whether

Illustration by Rachel Gwon

Homeless baby - Gwon uses her paintbrush to address habitat loss in the oceans. “Homeless Baby” was chosen as the 2021 Permanent Art Gallery Recipient.

Illustration by Molly Roberts

Spirit of life - Roberts illustrates her answer to the question, What is life to you? Roberts was nominated for the Permenant Art Collection for a fourth consecutive year for her piece.

Illustration by Alex Oddo

Illustration by Cathy Zhang

Dots self portrait - Cathy Zhang creates her self portrait.

This illustration was voted SM Student Top Choice.

that be for better or worse,” Roberts said. “It’s up to the individual to take charge of that and force their mark to be mad. Life to me is worth rebelling and making mistakes for, as long as it keeps your journey go-

The love of books - Oddo uses shadows to photograph the love of reading. This photograph was voted SM Faculty’s Top Choice.

ing.”

This sentiment is reflected in Robert’s work, with stylistic elements of punk music and subculture.

Out of the twenty five nom-

inees, three students were honored. Alex Oddo, class of 2023, was voted Faculty Favorite for her photograph titled “The Love of Books,” Cathy Zhang, class of 2022, was voted student favorite for her

artwork “Dots Self Portrait,” and Rachel Gwon, class of 2022, is the permanent collection recipient for her piece “Homeless Baby.”

“Homeless Baby confronts the issue of habitat loss in our oceans and how many species are going through it. I think that overall, art is a really important medium to bring awareness to different issues and that details in the piece can re-enforce the voice that art has,” Gwon said.

Gwon uses mixed media to express her theme of environmental awareness, layering the acrylic paint and colored pencil with thread, beads, glass, and other materials left from her other work.

The combination of her expert artistry with her passion for a cause behind it shone among the nominees.

“Being nominated for the permanent art collection was very fulfilling as it gave my art a chance to be shown to a bigger audience,” Gwon said. “I was not expecting to win at all seeing all of the other amazing nominees’ pieces. I am incredibly proud of myself for winning, and thankful for the guidance of my teacher, Ms. Adolph, who has been with me on my journey as an artist from freshman year until now.”

The art show and the permanent collection allow students to share what is on their hearts in a way that is tangible and memorable.

“I think that the permanent gallery is an important part of SM history because it shows all the different talented artists that walked the halls as well as showing the progression of art in general,” Gwon said. “The permanent gallery is a way for everyone at SM to look at amazing pieces along SM history and see the different mediums and figures that were important to the artists.”

Meet your 2021-2022 Editorial Board We wish next year’s staff the best. We know they will continue the award winning Eagle Eye legacy. Love, 2020-2021 Eagle Eye Staff Katharine Lee Print Editor-in-Chief

Hi! I’m Katharine (she/ her) and I’m so excited to be the Eagle Eye’s Print Editor-in-Chief! I love writing to discover student voices on campus and getting to share stories with the school. Looking forward to an amazing year with the new staff and all our readers!

Kendrick Choi Web Editor-in-Chief

Hi! I’m Kendrick (he/him) and I’m so excited to be the Web Editor-in-Chief next year, and I love journalism because it allows me to be a voice for change and positively impact my community. I can’t wait for next year!

Sofia O’Keefe Copy/Feature Editor

Catherine Bryson Managing/News Editor

Hey, I’m Sofia (she/her) and I am going to be the Feature/ Copy Editor next year. I love journalism because I get to write about topics that interest me and get feedback from other great writers.

As an incoming junior, I am excited to be a part of the future of the Eagle Eye!

Hi, I’m Catherine (she/her) and I’m excited to be the Managing and News Editor next year. I will be a junior next year, and I love journalism because it allows me to write about topics I am passionate about.

Lana Diab Opinion/A&E Editor

Hi, I’m Lana (she/her) and I am so excited to be the Arts and Entertainment editor next year! I can’t wait to continue journalism during my senior year because I get to write about important topics and continue my passion.

Tatum Tatch Photo/Sports Editor

Hi! My name is Tatum (she/ her) and I’m so excited to be your Photo and Sports Editor next year. I will be a senior next year, and I love journalism because it allows me to combine my love for writing with my love for this school. I can’t wait for the next year on Eagle Eye!