In this issue
Opinion
Feature
A&E
Sports
School must implement trigger warnings for heavy topics in the English curriculum. Page 6
Project “Speak Up!” creates a peer counselor program for student mental health. Page 12
Talon Theatre performs the fall play, “All the World’s a Stage,” during the pandemic. Page 13
Seyram Bell joins the girls basketball team as head coach, hoping for success. Page 15
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Photo by Annie Mulvihill
EAGLE E Y E
THE
December 2020
Volume XXXV, Issue 2
What does this election mean to you?
Biden Harris projected win The presidential election proves different than years past due to increase in mail-in voting.
Mia Thomas ‘24 “It determines our future lives.” Katie Gasper ‘21 “In this election, I realized the true importance and power of voting, especially in the younger generation.” Annie Mulvihill ‘22 “Because even though I cannot vote, I recognize how much this will impact my future.” Declan Edwards ‘21 “Not being able to vote in an important election made me realize how particularly important it is that those who can exercise that right.” Isabella Longhi ‘21 “Observing the election this year made me realize how important our right to vote is. For many, the right to vote had to be fought for through decades of protest.” Patrick Tracy ‘24 “This is the first election that I felt like I understood a lot of what was going on. I was able to watch the debates and form my own opinions about each candidate even though I cannot vote.” Kambiz Shoaei ‘21 “To me the election is an opportunity for people to educate themselves on parts of society and politics they weren’t aware of beforehand. However, it is also an opportunity for the people of our country to demonstrate humility despite outcome, understanding that after whatever result our country [must] to work together to continue progressing.” Delaney Jankanish ‘22 “The election is difficult because, in my opinion, it’s the time when our country is divided most. People tend to lose sight of their beliefs and just vote based on the candidate for their party.” Andrea Smith ‘21 “The election is important to me because it is a symbol of empowerment and of democracy. It is a way for our voices to be heard amidst everything that is currently going on in the world right now.”
By Sofia O’Keefe, Staff Writer
A
fter much anticipation and a four day delay, Joe Biden was projected as the president-elect and Kamala Harris as the first female vice-president-elect. Nevertheless, President Trump will not surrender his position without resistance. Due to the influx of mail in ballots this year, there is a concern of their reliability during the election process. According to CNBC, over 100 million ballots were cast by mail, which overwhelmed the postal system. As a result, some ballots that were postmarked on November 3rd (the day of the election), were not received until after election day. Each state has varying policies regarding when they are allowed to count the votes received, which led to counting delays. President Trump created various lawsuits based on this information in hopes of not including the mailin votes that were sent in after the official election day. Since Democrats are more likely to cast their ballots by mail, not including the votes that arrived late may sway some of the swing states to turn red. President Trump has questioned the validity of these procedures and has asked for recounts, but he has presented no evidence of fraudulence thus far (NPR). “The number of mail in ballots that we have seen is unprecedented and because of that, there is room for system malfunctions,” said sophomore Matthew Miamidian. The electoral college is a system dependent on compromise. It allows representation for less populated states, since these electoral votes are distributed based on the amount of senators and represen-
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tatives in congress. “I tend to think about the electoral college as like what matters when you are going to the playoffs for football,” Miamidian said. “The electoral college would be the number of games you’ve won, [so] think of every state as one game all leading to the ultimate win of 270 electoral votes.” With this system, voters do not directly inf lue n c e t h e winn e r of the election. Rathe r their v o t e affects which electors are chosen to represent their state.
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, Nevada, and North Carolina. “Being raised Catholic, I would vote for the side that I believe the policies aligned with my beliefs, not necessarily the candidate,” said sophomore Jenna Gallaway. “It is important to understand what is going on in our country, as it is only a matter of years before we get to vote and make those
d e cisions ourselves.” Although most high school students cannot vote, having knowledge about the current situation can lead to more i n -
Illustration by Lizzie Bork
Biden vs. Trump - President Trump and President-elect Joe Biden face off. The Associated Press called this race after days of counting votes.
As of now, there are 538 electors and a candidate needs 270 votes to win. A crucial aspect of this system are swing states, which are known to switch parties each election. The candidates tend to spend the most of their campaign in these areas since they ultimately determine the outcome of the election. In this election, the major swing states include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan,
formed choices as these future voters would know how to take into consideration both of the candidates’ policies without much prior bias. “When I think about the United States, I don’t think about division,” Miamidian said. “I think about a massive united union working for the better good, but both sides have a different idea of this common good.”
The country has seen a dramatic increase in political unrest as a result of the parties becoming more divided. In the previous elections, the overall trend illustrates that each candidate has become more radicalized in their corresponding Democratic and Republican ideologies, which is known as asymmetric polarization (Vox, The New York Times). According to a Pew Research Center study, this phenomenon has become more pronounced in the Republican Party. “I feel like we need to respect each other more, and we definitely need to form our own opinions and stop being brainwashed by social media,” Gallaway said. Social media misinformation as well as disinformation has led to increased polarization bet we e n the right and the left, as most social media a l go r i t h m s propagate one political ideology through showing the users related content to keep them engaged. For example, on the popular social media platform, Tik Tok, the ‘for you page’ curates videos that are tailored to the user’s interests based o n likes, watch time, and overall interactions of previous videos. Considering that political views are unregulated on the app, it may lead to the spread of fake news and further the tensions between the political parties. “At the end of the day, left or right, we should be focused on defending our rights and our freedoms that we were promised here by the founding fathers to have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Gallaway said.
@smchseagleeye www.smchseagleeye.com App: Student News Source
2 News
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Theme parks consider how to reopen safely By Maddy Sherwood, Staff Writer
Photo by Katie Eli
Hard at work - Unlike previous years, students now have the opportunity to write about their experiences and how COVID-19 has impacted their lives. The Common Application was used by seniors to apply to a variety of colleges.
Senior college process differs from years past
By Natalia von Gierke, Staff Writer
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period of extensive spreadsheets, hours in college counseling, piles of test prep books, and too many essays to count- this is the college admissions process. The class of 2021, on the other hand, has quite a different experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The time in which representatives would normally travel to high schools across the country has turned into a time of virtual college fairs and online campus tours. During this unprecedented time, people are unsure about this year’s college admission process and how this will affect the senior class. “We are in a bit of a holding pattern as there have been changes in the process for the class of 2021, and we are not sure if they will continue in the future for the following classes,” said Director of College Relations at Santa Margarita, Christa Crafts. “High schools and colleges are both curious to see the outcome of this year’s admission cycle.” Schools have adapted their recruiting process, offering virtual tours and virtual informational sessions for students. These have been through the college’s websites, along with partnerships with other schools in the area to host a college fair. For example, the virtual college event, “Best of Texas,” includes many Texas schools in order to give students the opportunity to learn about each school. Santa Margarita’s annual on campus college visits were transitioned into Zoom calls this year. Virtual tours provide a different look into the college campuses, but senior Cole Parker believes they don’t give the full picture most students receive when touring campuses in person. “Since I’ve been on a couple actual college tours, I feel like nothing is comparable to being on cam-
pus and feeling the actual vibe of a school,” Parker said. Despite this new method of viewing future schools, virtual tours help students learn about the campus life, location, and activities of their prospective colleges. Many schools have included current students in their virtual tours and college fairs to provide a student perspective, in addition to the information from an admissions officer.
“
Everyone is in a giant experiment, and we are not sure what to do.
”
- Christa Crafts “Overall, library college visits are much more conversational and students asked questions while looking through a brochure,” Crafts said. “This year, through watching a Zoom presentation and engaging from their own homes, students were able to see videos, interact with a current student during the meeting, and perhaps felt more comfortable asking questions.” High school seniors across the country have agreed that not seeing their future homes will be a big problem when choosing a school in the spring. Additionally, the cancellation of
SAT and ACT led most colleges to change their testing policy. Some schools, such as the UCs, made their policy “test blind,” meaning they will not look at the students’ score. Other schools, such as the Ivy Leagues, are test optional, meaning they will still accept scores if a student wants to send one. Most schools urge students to not worry about their scores and explain that it will not hurt them if they don’t attach a score. “The biggest question from this year’s students is ‘Do I submit my test score?’” Crafts said. “The answer to this question is different for each student and each school. Students are more in control of this aspect of the application as it is their choice to decide if their test score reflects their academic abilities.” Students have had to find new ways to adapt to this year’s challenges. Many have decided to travel to other testing locations because of numerous testing center cancellations. Some students managed to take their tests before the pandemic, but hoped to achieve a higher score in the fall. “It’s different for our class because the SAT and ACT have been cancelled because of Coronavirus, but I found it really helpful that I was able to take the ACT really early into junior year,” Parker said. “Now I have some type of score to submit, considered six of my tests have been cancelled since then.” This new admissions process has left many students uncertain about their schools, and what their first year in college will look like. The transition from in person visits to Zoom calls has allowed colleges to discover new ways to reach out to their prospective students. “I am curious to see how the college experience may change in the future for students with college’s use of virtual learning platforms combined with the traditional classroom,” Crafts said.
Theme parks make plans to reopen after months of closure due to COVID-19. Following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, theme parks are slowly reopening for a limited number of guests. According to the CDC, “As traveling amusement park and carnival operations, such as those at county and state fairs or traveling carnivals, resume in some areas of the United States, the CDC offers considerations for ways in which operators of these venues can protect staff, guests, and communities from the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).” M a s k s should be worn, social distancing should be in place, and there should only be self-service machines available at reopened themed parks suggests the CDC. Following these guidelines will decrease the risk of COVID-19. Throughout the country, a handful of theme parks have reopened, including Orlando’s Disney World, Winter Haven’s Legoland, Orlando’s Universal Studios, most Six Flags, and all Boomers. These parks are following CDC guidelines, in addition to their state and local governments’ regulations to ensure the safety and health of their visitors and staff. On the other hand, many theme parks remain closed because they are not allowed to reopen according to their state and local governments, including Anaheim’s Disneyland, Buena Park’s Knott’s Berry Farm, Carlsbad’s Legoland, and Universal City’s Universal Studios. Downtown Disney in Anaheim, the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park, and the Legoland Hotel in Carlsbad, however, are c u r - rently
open to provide any possible activity, while being as safe as possible. “I think that overall the closing of theme parks has brought a feeling of sadness,” said senior Anthony Comestro. “The opportunity for family and friends to spend the day laughing, smiling, and enjoying their time at a theme park is one that most people hold dear to their hearts and miss very much.” Comestro misses the fun times and happiness that theme parks bring to him and his loved ones. From rides to ice cream, theme parks are designed for enjoyment and adventure. “I am so excited to get back on roller-coasters, spend time with my family and friends, and have some more activities to do outside of my house,” said senior Kaylee Johnson. Families, friends, and fans plan trips to get back into the parks as soon as possible to make up for the experiences they missed out on. “I will go to theme parks as soon as they open,” Johnson said. “In fact, I will be there on Disneyland’s reopening day, and I am flying to Disney World this month just to go to a theme park.” Johnson and her family are one of many families traveling across the country to theme parks that are open because of how much they love and miss going to them. They enjoy theme parks so much that they are willing to do whatever it takes to be able to go back to them and make lifelong memories together again. “I think that originally, it was necessary to close theme parks to keep the people safe and for all theme parks to avoid being responsible for contributing to the COVID-19 outbreak,” Comestro said. “I trust the experts and as life begins to look closer to normal every day, I am looking forward to returni n g to theme parks once they see fit to open.”
“ Their time at a theme park is one most people hold dear to their hearts. ” - Anthony Comestro
Illustration by Molly Jacobson
Magical sight - At Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is a famous monument in the theme park. This well-known attraction closed due to the safety and health guidelines from the CDC and California’s government.
December 2020
The Eagle Eye
News 3
Students have a voice For the first time, students exercise their right to vote in this year’s election.
By Sydney McMahon, Staff Writer
B
etween political unrest and a global pandemic, this year’s election has proven important, and students who turn 18 before Nov. 3 have, more than ever, been encouraged to make a plan and vote in this election. This year, the COVID-19
“
It’s our future, so my voice is definately going to be heard.
”
- Julia Thomas pandemic created a lot of uncertainty in the election, especially in the voting process. More mailin ballots were used and polling places opened weeks before election day. With these options,
first time voters might have been overwhelmed, but voting students felt it important that they exercise their right. Julia Thomas, Jack Dennis, and Abby Davis are just a few seniors who set plans to vote early and stuck to them. “I voted in person with my family at our local community center,” Thomas said. “I’ve heard a lot of stuff about votes being trashed, so I wanted to make sure it definitely got counted. The whole process took about 20 minutes which was super easy, and everyone there was very excited for me to hear it was my first time voting.” Although Thomas chose to vote in person, Dennis and Davis decided to use mail-in voting. “My parents and I chose to vote through a mail in ballot because we thought that would be the safest way for our vote to be counted,” Davis said. “The process was super easy and it didn’t take me long. My mom and I dropped our ballots off at a box at the RSM library after we finished filling it out.” Voters not only voted for the next president but for city council members, school board officials, and on many new propo-
sitions. The students spent time researching people and policies in order to form views on the topics before casting their votes. “I did some research on it and then I read the proposition book and filled out the ballot. I found it interesting and takes no more than 20 minutes,” Dennis said. The three voters also discussed the importance of voting and the impact it makes on each person. Every vote counts and will decide the outcome of not only the next four years, but the future of our country and each student. They view voting as a very important, tangible, and productive way to see change in our country. “I think it is important for teens to vote, of course, but I also think it’s important that teens do their research and formulate their own
opinions and not just vote based of friends or family,” Davis said. Students who are currently 16 or 17 can pre-register to vote in the next election at registertovote. ca.gov, which takes about five minutes to fill out, and automatically registers you on your 18th birthday. When registering, students have the option to receive mail in ballots or be assigned a polling location. Students don’t have to wait another four years to exercise their voting rights. Local elections, held every two years, provide an opportunity for students to use their voice in local issues that might affect schooling and day-to-day life. “These decisions aren’t just distant anymore. They’re really going to be affecting us,” Thomas said. “It’s important to care about it, and have opinions, and talk to your friends about it because it’s our future. I don’t think politics is something that should be avoided being talked about. It’s our future, so my voice is definitely going to be heard.”
Illustration by Jennie Maldonado
I voted - Voters receive a sticker after they vote. This year, the stickers were attached to mail in ballots.
Infographic by Sydney McMahon
Your vote matters - Every election is an opportunity for people to let their voice be heard. Above are a few choices students had to make on the 2020 election ballot.
Propositions 16 and 18 rejected Voters reject propositions to restore affirmative action and to allow some 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections.
By Catherine Bryson, Staff Writer This year, twelve propositions made the ballot in California. Both propositions 16 and 18, which could affect teens and students ,were rejected. There were 12 proposed propositions in the state of California: funding for stem cell research (14), to increase commercial property taxes for education funding (15), to repeal proposition 209 (16), to allow parolees the right to vote (17), to grant some 17-year-olds the right to vote in primaries (18), to change certain property tax rules (19), to reclassify certain crimes and to expand DNA collection (20), a rent control overhaul (21), to classify rideshare and delivery drivers as contract workers (22), dialysis clinic requirements (23), consumer data privacy protections (24), and to eliminate the cash bail system (25), according of ABC 7 News. Proposition 16, which repealed the 1996 Proposition 209 which bans the government and other institutions such as schools from discriminating on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or nationality. This proposition would allow schools and other institutions to reach toward increased diversity. The proposition was supported by California Democrats including Vice President Elect Kamala Harris. The Regents of the University of California that oversees public
colleges and universities also supported it. “Proposition 16 expands equal opportunity to all Californians, increasing access to fair wages, good
jobs, and quality schools for everyone. Prop. 16 fights wage discrimination and systemic racism, opening up opportunities for women and people of color,” according to
Infographic by Catherine Bryson
Final result - Voters get to vote on propositions each election. After the votes were counted, California Propositions 16 and 18 were rejected.
the California official information guide. Californians rejected proposition 16 with only 44 percent of approval, according to ABC news. According to the California official information guide, the argument against the proposition was as follows: “Politicians want to strip our Constitution of its prohibition on discrimination and preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. They want to play favourites. If there’s anything that should be fundamental in our society it’s that the state should treat all Californians equally.” “I think Prop 16 was rejected because otherwise it would not be considered unlawful to discriminate against people based on race, ethnicity, national origin or sex, which appears to be a step backwards from equality,” said senior MK Riley. “It is important we have laws to protect all people so that every American has equal opportunities to be successful and ensure they have equal rights.” Proposition 18 would amend the state constitution, allowing 17-year-olds who will be 18 during the general election to vote in the primary election. The supporters of this proposition, including California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and other Democrats, argued that teens who could participate in general elections should be able to vote for the entirety of the voting process.
“I think that soon-to-be legal adults should be able to vote for the potential presidential candidates. They should be able to vote so that they have a say in who represents each party,” said senior Tori Benser. “Currently, they have no say in who is in the Presidential race that they vote on later. I think if you are able to vote in the Presidential election, you should be able to vote on who is in it.” The argument against the proposition was centered around the idea that teachers and parents would push their opinions on their students and children. “They probably rejected it because they think that 17-year-old young adults don’t know enough about the candidates to give an educated vote,” Benser said. “I think that young people are becoming more involved in politics so I think that they should at least be given the opportunity to vote on the representatives for each party.” 20 states have already adopted laws which permit some 17-yearolds to vote, but 55.09 percent of California voters rejected the proposition, according to Ballotpedia. “I also think that this generation is becoming more aware of issues and seeking ways to stand up against injustice,” Benser said. “So even if they are influenced by their parents, I’m optimistic that young adults will research and analyze issues and candidates on their own and use their votes to positively affect their own futures.”
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 Molly Jacobson Katelyn Stiegler Carly Giotto 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
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Staff Editorial
Call for leaders to be role models
L
The current conduct of public figures sets a negative precedent for political rhetoric.
et’s face it. Two old men polarized, unconstructive fight. this an issue that should concern yelling at each other and As seen in these debates, the current US population, given over the host sounds like people stop listening to the frankly disappointing state of an episode of the Jerry Springer each other, thus ignoring our leaders’ rhetoric, but its impliShow more than it does anything the other side of the cations for the future generation of national importance. Sadly, the argument and continare absolutely terrifying. situation described is not an exuously insisting that Growing up, children are their point of view is ample of controversial trash TV. taught the “golden rule”: Treat It is, in fact, a summary of the the only correct one. others as you would treat yourself, Conversations like these presidential debates that which boils down to treat others occurred this past Sept. only serve as a distraction with respect. However, when and Oct. between Presfrom the real issues at those in positions of power do not ident Donald Trump hand, such as racism and adhere to this seemand president-elect Joe sexism. Seemingly long ingly basic gone are concept, Biden. the The nationally aired debates seemed masses who consider to be nothing more than a fight between such leaders as models of behavior are who could yell louder left to question whether than the other, and, on a more serious they should either. If Photos from Creative Commons the conduct exhibited by note, proved to be a poor Debate - President-elect Biden (left) and President showcase of our country’s Trump (right) speak to their audiences. They debated some political figures were candidates for presiden- on television earlier this election year. to take place at SM, they ideas of open-mindedness and would surely be given a detention. cy. If the potential leaders of compromise. Instead, they have Rhetoric aside, leaders at every America are not able to be civil been replaced by insolence and level should promote unity and on a national stage, it only sets a sympathy, rather than division negative precedent for the rest of bigotry. the population. and anger. Those who are put into These negative standards of positions of power by the people The effects of this decline in communication have already should idealistically be the most political rhetoric can be seen in begun to take root in our society, qualified and well-spoken so that not only our political leaders, but as evidenced by the behaviors prethey may set a good example for also in the people themselves. It viously mentioned, and they have is incredibly difficult to have a those who follow. Such leaders are already begun to spread, tainting conversation related to politics supposed to represent and serve almost every aspect of human without it turning into a hyperthe people, and thus, it is the peointeraction with hate. Not only is
ple’s responsibility to ensure that those in power are held accountable not only for being upstanding citizens, but also for maintaining an air of civility and respect for those around them.
This is what it has come to. The people of America must acknowledge and take hold of their civic duty by holding those in power accountable and calling them out whenever their behavior is unacceptable. The people must ensure that our leaders are not people whose “presidential debates” are nothing more than childish argumentation for the sake of themselves, the nation, their loved ones, and those to come.
Spending holidays apart With the pandemic raging, families should listen to officials and remain home.
By Devon Nguyen, Opinion Editor With both Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, families are eager to see each other again. The coronavirus pandemic, however, has yet to reside. Cases are at an all-time high and there seems to be no end in sight of this almost
“ It’s all about being safe and protecting ourselves and each other. “ - Nolan Bellow year old virus. The CDC advises Americans to cease any travel that they might do during the holidays and many federal officials state that they do not approve of non-essential traveling during this critical time. Although many complain
Photo by Katie Eli
Christmas in COVID - Students stand six feet apart dressed in holiday spirit. Although it was difficult, many students spent Thanksgiving socially distanced and masked.
that the government has largely restricted national and international travel within and without the United States, government officials are completely in the right. To even think about non-essential traveling during a pandemic is not only selfish, but ignorant as well. Senior Daniel Reyes remains cautious this year and will not be seeing his extended family. “Due to caution for my grandparent’s and young cousin’s health we’re going to have to spend Thanksgiving with our immediate family only. While my family and I hope to have time to spend Christmas together it seems like that won’t be possible this year out of safety for everyone,” Reyes said. “I do want the spread of COVID to slow by having families not flying
to and from different states and keep COVID contained as much as possible, but I don’t believe the government should stop travel.” The United States went into quarantine in the middle of March. You would expect the number of cases and deaths to be minimized to non-existence, but it’s the exact opposite. Those complaining about the government “controlling” travel are the same people that refuse to social distance and wear a mask. You aren’t allowed to complain if you did nothing to help mitigate the pandemic in the first place. It’s just pure hypocrisy. Those who have followed social distancing rules since the beginning are suffering because of the arrogance of others.
Senior Nolan Bellow is disappointed that he won’t be able to visit his family during the holidays but understands the risks that would come with traveling. “COVID has affected my holiday plans as I’m not able to travel to Louisiana for Thanksgiving,” Bellow said. “I do think the government has the right to prohibit travel during the pandemic. It’s all about being safe and protecting ourselves and each other.” The point is that we, as Americans, are all in this together. Although we may not be able to see our families these holidays, we can still fix the problems that we’ve caused and look forward to holidays and family gatherings next year by dedicating our time to social distancing ourselves.
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Opinion 5
Dear class of 2021 The senior class risks missing out on important graduate events in this year of uncertainty.
By Giulia Henshaw, Copy Editor
T
his year has been unpredictable. If you told me three years ago that my senior year would be severely impacted by a pandemic, I wouldn’t have believed you. I always pictured a senior year filled with dances, sports games and pep rallies. Most of all, I imagined being on campus five days a week, something I didn’t consider a lux-
ury until now. We are four months into our senior year, and we have yet to experience these crucial moments before we graduate. I thought the class of 2020 had it bad, but with all this uncertainty, I find it hard to decipher who got the short end of the stick. We might be able to enjoy some key senior year events that last year’s seniors were deprived of, however, the chance is bleak. “Not being able to see your entire class all at once is difficult,
Photo by Ward Thomas
Feeling optimistic - Seniors remain hopeful to experience classic senior events. Despite the situation, they have made lasting memories with their class.
especially if I am not able to be at school with my friends,” said senior Gianna Medica. “At this point, I am hopeful but conditioned to expect the unexpected and hope for the best with our safety and the interest of learning in mind.” Waking up for the first day of school and walking from my bed to my desk has made this whole experience not feel like regular school- and it isn’t. However, with the slow transition to normalcy, we have been able to put back on the school uniform after a long six months, even though it means masks, social distancing, and daily temperature checks. The new schedule has allowed us to connect with our teachers and return to campus. Even though we are split, it’s a sign that things are getting better. This year will definitely be different, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be memorable. Instead of dances, there may be more outdoor, socially distanced activities that will provide something to look forward to. “I was especially looking forward to my last homecoming because this dance is my favorite way to dive back into the school year and have a good time with my friends,” Medica said. “Homecoming week is so full of spirit and energy and I was really disappointed
Photo by Kelly McCabe
Better together - During this unprecedented time, seniors reflect on past school events. Taking photos before dances was something that students look forward to.
it didn’t happen this year, but I’m hopeful to still be able to experience it and other senior events.” During this unpredictable school year, I have realized that every moment counts, and there are things I can do to find the light in an otherwise dark situation. The free time that would be usually dedicated to school events is now used to spend time with my family and friends. “I have made the most out of this year by participating in everything I can and the school is
doing a great job with getting the student body involved through holding retreats, movie nights, and mass,” Medica said. “I am taking this year one step at a time and absorbing the experience because these circumstances only happen once in a lifetime.” The current situation is less than ideal, but it is important to make the best of the situation. After all, this is our senior year and hopefully things will start to turn around by 2021 (emphasis on hopefully).
Testing in the comfort of your own home There are perks and advantages of taking tests at home rather than at school.
By Hadley McCusker, Staff Writer A common phrase you hear around campus lately is, “I’ll be online for my test on Thursday.” In our online school realities, it can be hard for teachers to balance the stress of assigning tests to those online as well as those at home. Teachers trying to make the process as fair as possible does some good, but there is no competition when it comes to the advantages of taking a test at home. To avoid these particular situations students are beginning to rely on the fact that they can opt out for the day in order to take their test at home. Students believe that their scores improve and even test anxiety decreases dramatically. “I am just a lot more at peace when I’m at my house. [There’s] no pressure from other students and I think through my answers more clearly when I’m in my own space. I think that’s why I do better when I take my tests at home,” said senior Maddy Mangano. There is no doubt that there is also easier access to resources when taking tests at home. Most teachers make all tests open note to level the playing field. However, there are many advantages at play when there is no teacher supervision compared to when there is. In class students lack the numerous resources in which those who choose to stay home have
Photo by Katie Eli
New normal - Students experience the pros and cons of testing at school vs. staying home online. Teachers tried to create a fair testing environment that does not give an advantage to people at home.
unlimited access to. When comparing grades, there is simply too much of a difference in environment leading to higher chances of achieving a better score. According to MSU Today, “Online learning can be as good or even better than in-person classroom learning. Research has shown that students in online learning performed better than those receiving face-to-face
instruction, but it has to be done right.” The feeling of arriving at school ridden with anxiety for the test you have that day is unmatched, another factor that gives at home students the upper hand. At home students have extended sleep time and not to mention more study time as well. Having the time to pull out study guides and such between
passing and or being able to review during other classes is something that is just not possible for students attending school in person each day. These little perks can make a big difference when added together. The level of comfort in not having the pressure of seeing your peers turn in their tests before you and working at your own comfortable pace is something we do
not always consider. It encourages more kids to take their time in analyzing problems, ultimately leading to better grades. When it comes to the debate if there really is a difference between at home and in person testing, the evidence marks a clear choice. There must be change made in the classroom and by teachers to make this process as fair as possible in these times.
6 Opinion
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
TW the English curriculum
If works with graphic depictions of sensitive topics are to be included in our English curriculum, teachers must include trigger warnings to protect the mental health of their students.
By Emily Freeborn, Web Editor-in-Chief
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rigger warning: mentions of sexual assault, eating disorders, suicide and mental illness. This is the proper way to introduce any body of text that will cover sensitive topics, especially if it is going to do so in an explicit or graphic manner. However, there is no such warning included in the English syllabus for eleventh grade to warn students about a scene of sexual assault in Beloved or discussion of suicide in “Waiting for Godot,” nor in the syllabus for twelfth grade to caution about a rape fantasy included in the summer reading of 1984. While I recognize the important role that works like these may play in education and I do not advocate for censorship whatsoever, the inclusion of trigger warnings should be a priority of the English department moving forward. A trigger is anything that can be a reminder of past trauma. Some are obscure, such as a pack of Jell-O that could stimulate flashbacks of time in the hospital. The most painful ones are fairly obvious to catch, such as the since removed scene in “13 Reasons Why” that portrays the graphic suicide of a character. According to GoodTherapy, when a trigger reminds a person of a traumatic experience, their brain engages the same fight or flight response utilized in that past situation, which creates stress in the present. For certain topics, like eating disorders and self harm, a
trigger has the potential to cause an increase in symptoms that result in physical harm to the victim. Senior Molly Roberts recalls her experience reading 1984 and the effect of its graphic depiction of rape on her mental health. “Personally, after reading these parts of the novel, I was fighting panic attacks and breakdowns,” Roberts said. “This is only one of so many instances of triggering content I have been assigned at Santa Margarita.” Though trigger warnings do not completely eliminate the impact of the trigger, they allow those affected to prepare coping mechanisms to help them through the experience. With regard to triggers in English literature, if page numbers were to be included in the warning it could help students successfully avoid the trigger. Some of the most common triggers concern eating disorders, suicide, and sexual assault. Reports from the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry claim that between two and a half and four percent of teenagers suffer from some form of an eating disorder. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network website warns of the particular danger that teenagers face, with girls from 16 to 19 being four times more likely than other age groups to be victims of completed or attempted sexual assault. In addition, suicide is a leading cause of death for youth. The current lack of inclusion of trigger warnings ignores the experiences of the neurodivergent and trauma survivors within Santa Margarita’s student body.
The prevalence of teens that are affected by trigger topics qualifies the need for this protective courtesy. To implement this change, teachers should add a section to the syllabus that includes book titles, their triggers, and where they are located. Before starting books, teachers should also remind the class of the type and location of any triggers found in the book. It also could be useful to let students know of the mental health services on campus, in case they feel that additional help is necessary. With this very simple and easily implemented change to the English curriculum, the school can ensure the comfort of its students. “I think it would be good to have continued discussions with faculty and staff to identify possible sensitive material and allow students to take breaks and/or seek on campus support if necessary,” said Wellness Coordinator Beth Chapman. Schools have the opportunity to have a profound influence over the mental health of their students. Santa Margarita has made a few attempts at helping the mental health of students, such as by holding mental health awareness assemblies and assigning a Wellness Coordinator. Though these actions are respectable, they are not enough. “Santa Margarita needs to address mental health in a way that actually affects the students for the better, implementing concrete policy for teachers, faculty, and students alike that implement respect for the individual and consideration of personalized needs and acceptance,” Roberts said.
Illustration by Katelyn Stiegler
Safe space - With the implentation of trigger warnings, students can prepare themselves for triggering issues. Trigger warnings make some people more comfortable with uncomfortable situations.
Including trigger warnings in the syllabi at the start of the course and training teachers to reiterate the warnings before start-
ing sensitive works is just another step in the direction of making our classrooms safe spaces for all students.
Nothing like a cup of joe After testing each drinkable caffeine source, I can conclude coffee is the best. By Domi Drust, Social Media Editor Balancing academics, athletics, friends, family, and extracurriculars is a continuous cycle. With only 24 hours in a day, it seems almost impossible to fulfill all responsibilities without an extra boost. Whether it’s coffee, matcha, energy drinks, these drinks contain caffeine to aid you in finishing your day. As a caffeine connoisseur, I’ve decided that coffee is the best caffeine source. Matcha is a powder that is made from processed green leaves. Containing an estimate of 28 grams of caffeine per eight ounces (Woman’s Health Magazine), it has a substantial amount of caffeine. Matcha does provide some versatility as you can order it hot, iced, sweetened with honey, or as a latte. I have had matcha numerous times out with friends and family. Its caffeine effect is more subtle
and personally not a drink to jumpstart your day. With that, Matcha also isn’t the easiest to make at home. Furthermore, what coffee has that matcha lacks is its easy ability to be made at home. Coffee can be made in a machine, steeped, by drip, or even by French press. Matcha’s process is much more tedious than making a cup of coffee. The common way to make matcha is to stir matcha powder and hot water with a bamboo whisk or electric mixer. If you’re willing to put in the extra effort in the morning, making matcha can be an enjoyable process. Otherwise, when you are on the go and don’t have enough time to make a matcha, you lose the jumpstart to the morning. Energy drinks like Monster
Energy, Celsius, and Red Bull are popular caffeine sources for those who prefer a more soda-like drink. These drinks are acclaimed for high levels of caffeine, reaching up to160mg. Along with the caffeine, a Red bull energy
illustration
by Tristen Mielke
drink contains 40 grams of sugar (Harvard School of Public Health). Though the instant rush of energy from the sugar and caffeine may be gratifying, energy drinks don’t have enough long-term lasting effects. Furthermore, energy drinks are not the healthiest or most reliable source of energy. I tried a Bang energy drink and the caffeine payoff and effects were disappointing. The initial shock of the caffeine settled and felt an overwhelming burst of energy. My heart felt heavy and I became hyper. After a hour, I started to become sluggish and my mind was foggy. As time progressed I felt tired, irritable, and I was grossed out by the amount of sugar I consumed. Though this was my first time drinking a Bang, these long and short term effects has
Energy boost - If you need a boost, a caffeinated drink will help you get through the day. Whether it be coffee, tea, or an energy drink, there is an abundance of options.
steered me away from drinking energy drinks. Coffee’s usefulness, creativity, and convenience are what separate it from other caffeine sources. Coffee can be ordered as a macchiato, cold brew, latte, americano, cappuccino, or straight up espresso. A cup of coffee contains an average of 80-100 mg of caffeine (Medical News Today) without, the sugar of energy drinks. With the range of beans, the main four are Liberica, Excelsa, Arabica, and Robusta. They range within strength and richness that allows chances to find your niche. As a coffee lover, I tried to approach this review with a neutral opinion. As I tried to compare other caffeine sources, they do not compare. Caffeine does not replace sleep, nutrients, or natural energy. Coffee is is acceptable at all hours and provides sustainable energy. If you don’t like the taste of coffee, there is an abundance of flavors, roasts, and creativity. It is not that you don’t like coffee; you just haven’t found a drink you like.
December 2020
The Eagle Eye
Feature 7
Illustration by Carly Giotto
Seniors Ryan Rodas and Max Roop share the purpose behind co-founding Special Surfers OC, a non-profit organization. By Alex Vallone, Managing Editor and Giulia Henshaw, Copy Editor
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hen seniors Ryan Rodas and Max Roop attended the school’s annual service project fair, none of the non-profits stood out to them. Instead, they combined their love of the beach and working with disabled kids to create a nonprofit that allows them to give back to the community in their unique way. “Our mission is to not only teach special needs kids how to surf, but to grow comfortable and be able to find a passion in the water, “ Roop said. Special Surfers OC is a twoweek, non-profit summer camp that began in Aug. of 2019. Each day starts with the campers and volunteers eager to get in the water and learn about the ocean. “I loved seeing my friends,” said camper Kelly Amsden .”My favorite part was learning to get up on the surfboard.” For Rodas, growing up with his sister, who has a rare genetic defor-
Photo by Carolyn Rodas
Beach buds - Senior Max Roop and camper Adam celebrate a successful surf session. The volunteers encouraged the campers to spend time in the water alongside their friends.
mity called pax 1, inspired him to co-found Special Surfers. A memorable camper for Rodas was a girl named Mia, who has cerebral palsy, a disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture, and uses a wheelchair. After watching the other campers have fun in the waves, Mia decided to take a leap of faith and get in the ocean for the first time. “She was a little scared since she could easily drown, but she went out and tried something new,” Rodas said. “When she came above the water, she was ecstatic, and it
was really inspiring to see that she had the strength and courage to do it.” For the safety of the campers, they keep the camper to volunteer ratio one to one. The first year they had ten campers and volunteers, the next year they expanded to about 20 campers and volunteers. To spread the word of their new program, Rodas and Roop distributed flyers in classrooms and reached out to teachers that advise functional needs of people with disabilities. They find volunteers
Photo by Carolyn Rodas
Surfs up - Camper Charlie Horner applies his new surfing skills to catch a wave. He learned ocean safety along with how to surf.
through their friends and other people who are CPR certified and share their knowledge and love for the ocean. “My favorite part was seeing the kids stand up on the surfboards with smiles on their face,” Roop said. “It was super heartwarming and rewarding because I knew how much effort we put into it.” Rodas and Roop saw resilience firsthand in a sponsored snowboarder who paralyzed his arm in a snowboarding accident. “[After the accident] he lost
confidence in his surfing abilities,” Roop said. “When he came to our camp, he gained a ton of confidence and has been getting back into surfing, which is really touching to see.” For anyone interested in volunteering for Special Surfers OC next summer, feel free to email ryan. rodas@smhsstudents.org or max. roop@smhsstudents.org. “By being part of special surfers, you’re making a noticeable change, and it is a great feeling to witness that,” Roop said.
Make yourself a hard target to criminals Sergeant Clay Cranford shares safety habits to help students avoid potential threats while still living an active life.
By Alex Vallone, Managing Editor Pepper spray in hand. Constantly checking surroundings. Afraid to walk alone. These are daily occurrences that women must consider to be safe. Clay Cranford is a Sergeant with the Orange County Sheriff Department and the owner of the company Cybersafetycop, which visits schools to talk about cyber safety and other safety issues. Cranford is passionate about spreading knowledge and awareness to help protect women from danger. Cranford shares the core principles to safety in his seminar, “How to make yourself a hard target to criminals.” These four principles include increasing your awareness, using your intuition, avoiding myths and denials, like the assumption that it could never happen to you, and having a plan. The very first step is to understand a criminal’s mindset. Cranford explains that they look for easy victims and prefer scared, timid people. “The first thing you can do to protect yourself is to be confident and intimidating,” Cranford said. “Make the criminal ask themselves, ‘is it worth it?’” The first step of increasing your awareness can be defined through a color code of readiness. The five colors are white, yellow, orange,
Photo by Katie Eli
Stay alert - It is important to be aware of your surroundings when walking alone at night. In his seminar, Sergeant Cranford emphasized the need to build safety into your daily routine.
red, and black. Condition White means you are completely unaware and un-alert to your surroundings. It is critical to avoid condition white. Condition Yellow means there is no specific threat, but you are alert, meaning your head is up and your eyes are open. In this condition, you are less likely to be caught off guard from a sudden threat. Cranford explains that we need to live in Condition Yellow because it is not living in fear, but rather being relaxed and alert. Condition Orange is heightened alert. The goal is to become extra
vigilant so you can determine if a possible danger is in fact a threat that needs a response. In this condition, develop a plan. During Condition Red, you put the plan you developed while in Condition Orange into action because the potential threat is now a real threat. Condition Black is when your heart rate is faster than 175 BPM because you are acting out the plan. At this level of arousal, you can experience catastrophic breakdown of mental and physical performance due to extreme stress. “A key element is to be aware
of who is around you and what is around you,” Cranford said. “I use the phrase ‘head on a swivel.’” Cranford shares a story about his niece, who was walking alone around her university when a man stopped her in the streets and began asking her a lot of personal questions. It became evident this could lead to a dangerous situation. Luckily, she used her intuition and ran home. Using your intuition means to respond to your sense that something is not right. Do not “go along” or try to talk yourself out of your sense of un-
easiness. Back out, run away, and as Cranford said, “Don’t be afraid to be rude, if it means being safe.” “If you feel like you are in a bad situation, don’t go along with it,” Cranford said. “You need to get out of that situation immediately.” According to Cranford, the number one myth believed by most victims is that “this will never happen to me.” He says the truth is that it can and you need a plan. To have a plan, practice being in Condition Yellow to make it a habit and play “what if” scenarios in your head and how you would respond. In addition, you can train by taking personal defense classes and carrying a self -defense tool, such as pepper spay. “Have a basic idea of what you would do because if you don’t in the moment, you may freeze,” Cranford said. “The three things that can happen in a high-stress situation are fight, flight, or freeze. The people who freeze are the people who don’t think it can happen to them or don’t have a plan.” Cranford teaches that implementing these safety principles and avoiding common mistakes, such as being distracted by mobile devices, is critical to avoiding dangerous potential threats. However, being aware and prepared doesn’t mean being consumed by fear. “The key balance is to able to do the things we want to do and experience life to the fullest while staying safe,” Cranford said.
As the holidays approach, senior Sydney Oducado shares the significance of giving a sustainable handmade gift. By Katie Eli, Photo Editor
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e live in a culture of instant gratification. We buy our gifts online so that they can be delivered to our doorstep in two days. Or, if we’re really desperate, Amazon Prime NOW delivers in less than two hours. Often, our lack of effort and busy schedules result in a quick gift certificate purchase along with a greeting card at the register of the nearest grocery store. Quick. Convenient. Meaningless. However, as human beings, we crave thoughtfulness and affection. Knowing that someone took the time to remember your birthday or console you for your loss can make you feel loved and appreciated. You can achieve this feeling with a handgift. Senior Sydney Oducado created a platform on Depop where she sells and creates handmade items for friends, family, and people online. She makes tote bags, bucket hats, and different tops in her spare time. “I started sewing when quarantine began, but I learned the skill when I was little,” Oducado said. “I had a lot of fabric so I started to make bucket hats and tote bags because they were popular at the time, and that’s how it all started.” Oducado enjoys spending her time crafting each piece to be uniquely and perfectly made for each recipient. Her goal is to reduce her ecological footprint by making all of her items sustainably.
“I like to make my own clothes and the origin of it is having a more sustainable approach to accessories,” said Oducado. “I am very conscious with what I do with my scraps because I know the fashion industry produces a lot of waste every year and I wanted to be a lot more sustainable and keep the environment in mind.” In efforts to reduce waste, Oducado conducted research on what to do with her extra fabric scraps. She found that she could make pillows with them, and she even found a local dog shelter to donate her gifts to. Turning something that could’ve gone into the trash into a meaningful and impactful gift is how she increases sustainability. Many of Oducado’s gifts are handmade and given for a reason. Many hours of labor go into making a single piece: one top can take up to three hours. Oducado does this simply because it is something she loves to do. Oducado loves to give what she makes as gifts. For her friend’s birthday, she made a bucket hat for her because Oducado knew she wanted one. “I think the handmade gifts just has a lot more effort put into it and you have to think about what the person wants,” Oducado said. “It feels really good to give a handmade gift, but also receiving one is so great because it makes you feel so loved and cared for and I think that is the neat part about it.”
K. Watson uses the Christmas season to spread the spirit of giving one family at a time through her acts of gratitude. By Bella Scarano, A&E Editor
Photos by Katie Eli
Photos by Sydney Oducado
Illustration by Lizzie Bork
Spirit of giving - During this holiday season, it is important to discover small, sustainable stores for Christmas shopping or make a homemade gift. Senior Sydney Oducado and K. Watson made it their mission to spread holiday cheer through their thoughtful gifts.
December comes and then the Christmas rush begins. Parents dash to get the items their children want, the anticipation of discovering what’s wrapped under the tree hangs in the air. Love is spread as gifts are opened Christmas morning, but soon the instant satisfaction from gifts vanishes. Ten years ago, K. Watson began giving gifts of love. She anonymously brings a gift to one family everyday on the 12 days before Christmas. Every year, she brings joy to a family who either undergoes financial hardships, emotional or physical trauma, or just to lift a family’s spirits. Two years ago the family she chose were the Elis. The Eli family constantly gives to others, so she wanted to return their generosity and surprise them because she knew they would be grateful. Each day the gift is specific towards the family and the song “Twelve Days of Christmas.” “On the fifth day, which is five golden rings, we received a whole table setting and the five golden rings were the napkin rings,” said freshman Emily Eli. “Everything they did was so clever and fun to see.” Eli and her family were surprised and grateful for this act of kindness. The following year, they decided to bring
that joy into another family’s life. “I just remember how much joy and happiness this brought to me and my family,” Eli said. “I just couldn’t believe that someone cared so much for us to do something like that.” Watson still thinks about the excitement the Elis and previous families experience through these gifts. The eternal happiness gained from other people’s joy encourages Watson to continue to give. “When you receive, that feeling of happiness is fleeting, temporary. But when you give, that feeling that you get when you watch someone open that gift and you see their moment of happiness, that never goes away,” Watson said. During this time especially, the spirit of giving proves contagious. Once you are blessed with a gift, it encourages us to pass it on to someone else. Watson believes that when we give, this helps our emotional health; when you see the joy you brought to someone this boosts your own spirits. “It kind of pours into your life for the duration of your life because you always have those memories of how you made that person feel and in turn that makes you feel good,” Watson said. “I hope to inspire people to then pass that on. So that’s what I would say the spirit of giving is all about.”
Illustratio
n by Lizz
ie Bork
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Feature 10
How to plan a PowerPoint Party Inspired by the viral TikTok trend, PowerPoint parties make for hilarious entertainment.
By Juliana Soliman, Staff Writer
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owerPoints, something that would usually cause grunts and rolled eyes from students, are the newest source of uncontained laughter and eyes filled with joy. PowerPoint parties, a popular TikTok trend, allow groups of friends from all ages to get together and host these fun nights. “My friend suggested we all make PowerPoints about each other like the ones she saw on TikTok,” said senior Maddy Mangano. “Everyone was in right when she said that because they’d seen the trend, and it seemed so fun.” Mangano participated in her first PowerPoint party with her close group of ten friends. They each enjoyed coming up with crazy and unique topics to relate back to each friend in the group. “I came up with the idea of matching pictures of stuffed animal horses with each girl I thought they reminded me of,” Mangano said. “I found the most ridiculous pictures and explained why they
reminded me of that friend.” Not only did Mangano enjoy creating her own PowerPoint, but watching each of her friend’s presentations was the highlight of her night. “My favorite was one about what would get each of us into Ted Bundy’s car,” Mangano said. “The amount of effort she put into it was crazy, and it was so funny to see how everyone’s was so accurate. Ten of us did it so it was a straight hour of watching PowerPoints, and I have not laughed that hard in so long.” Throwing your own PowerPoint party like Mangano’s is simple with these steps:
1.
3.
Schedule a date
Create
You want to give your friends notice so they have time to brainstorm creative ideas and create detailed slides. Consider giving at least a weeks notice.
Make the PowerPoints personal by adding pictures, quotes, and inside jokes about your friends. The more personal the better. Make sure you use a large font so that your audience can read the slides when they are presented on a large screen.
2.
Choose a topic
The greatest part about PowerPoint parties is that you can present on virtually anything. Think of topics that relate to your friend group as these are the funniest to react to.
4.
Present
Illustration by Juliana Soliman
Time for the best part. Hook up you phone or laptop to a TV and get ready to laugh. Have fun and interact with your audience.
Illustration by Xiang (Lucy) Chang
Presentation Time - Friends come together to show off the creative topics they have researched. PowerPoint parties started trending during quarantine.
She putts the humor in golf Senior Katie Redd uses her social media platform on Tik Tok to inspire girl golfers.
By Evelyn Driscoll, Print Editor-In-Chief When the golf team received their action shots, senior Katie Redd’s pictures captured some interesting moments. The other girls’ photos depicted them swinging their clubs and powerfully hitting the golf ball. However, Redd’s photo captured her struggling to push her golf clubs up a hill. Redd knew she had to take the hilarious picture to Tik Tok in order to share it with her friends. What she didn’t expect was for the video to receive 1.8 million views and to gain a fanbase of over 9,500 followers. “Next thing I know I was posting like once a day, all golf, and I’ve been doing that ever since then,” Redd said. However, Redd’s golf Tik Toks don’t feature her swing or average scores like other sports accounts. Instead, her videos combine humor with golf, a trait that attracts a combined total of over 850k likes. “I just recognized that me sharing my score no matter how good I was, [whether I’m] the best golfer in the world or I couldn’t even hit the ball, didn’t matter to me,” Redd said. “I take the side of Tik Tok [where] I’m the relatable one, the
one that’s always talking about bad things and mess-ups.” Redd seeks to show her audience that the sport doesn’t have to be all that serious. She applies popular Tik Tok sounds to aspects of golf that her audience can relate to. “Her relatable humorous golf Tik Toks make people see how fun golf is and actually can be,” said junior Jade Zamora, member of the Girls Varsity Golf team. Not only does her account bring comedy into viewers’ lives, but Redd also hopes to inspire other girl golfers within the male dominated sport. “I never really realized that [golf] was male dominated until I was going to a country club that I’m a member at. When I’m on the range, [usually] I’m the only girl there,” Redd said. Women’s inequality in golf is not a new issue. According to the Sport Digest, women in golf have far less opportunities than men, only having one professional tournament series while male golfers can participate in three circuits of varying levels. Men who compete in the PGA get paid significantly more than women in the LPGA. This is largely due to disparities in television coverage, which feature men’s golf 40 hours per weekend and women’s golf only 4 hours per
weekend (Mass Communication & Society). “You don’t really think about it until you turn on the TV to the golf channel, and it’s like ‘oh the Masters,’” Redd said. “Is that offered for girls? No.” Redd has noticed a large stigma around girls’ golf, especially through the negative comments on her Tik Toks. She recalls one in particular that stated, “Golf is one of the best activities to do between boys now please go play with your Barbies.” However, the positive messages Redd receives outweigh the negative ones. One that stands out reads, “I literally have been playing golf my entire life, and everyone makes fun of me for it. Now, when I see your videos, I realize that I am not alone.” This kind of support reminds Redd of the bigger reason behind her page. “Not only do I want to make people laugh and bring a smile to someone’s face because of something random that they relate to,” Redd said. “I also want to inspire others no matter their gender. I feel like that’s not important when it comes to any issue, especially golf, and everyone [should] feel included [and] motivated to do what they love.”
Photo by Jill Hegna
Victory - Girls varsity golf team poses in victory. They were undefeated in the Trinity League champions that day.
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Feature 11
Balancing it all Three seniors confront the reality of juggling high school and having a job.
By Lexi McCabe, Staff Writer It’s 6:30 a.m. and the alarm goes off. Another day of six dreadful hours at school, activities, college applications, and homework. Surprisingly, it does not stop there for seniors Jack Graham, Kathleen Boschetti, and Molly Doyle. On top of their busy high school schedules are five hour shifts at work. Having a job in high school is not always the easiest, but these seniors find it rewarding. Since Graham joined the Raising Canes staff in June of 2020, he has experienced many new endeavors. Learning how to be successful in school while having a job was a new undertaking for him, but he has learned to overcome the challenge. His time as a Raising Canes employee has been nothing but positive and enjoyable. “I really enjoy my job. I think it’s fun, and it continues to keep me in a productive mindset even after school,” Graham said. “Balancing work and school can be difficult, but it is manageable.” Job interviews or serving meals to customers meals is something most high school students are not experienced in, but Graham experiences growth when he steps out-
“ I have created my second family. “ - Kathleen Boschetti
side his comfort zone. Since starting to work, Graham’s mindset has shifted as he gains some valuable life skills. “I have changed for the better since I got a job. I have stayed positive as having more activities after school helps my mental health,” Graham said. “Over time I have been able to build a relationship with my coworkers and that is something I really appreciate!” The “why” behind many high school students job is to earn some money before heading to college or to fill free time. But for Boschetti, her situation looked a bit different when it came to looking for a job. Two year employee at Olivia’s Closet Boutique, Boschetti enjoys her job and loves how it has opened her eyes to all of the possibilities in the fashion world. Working in high school has given her the needed experience to later major in fashion merchandising in college. “It has truly become something
I am so passionate about and look forward to doing,” Boschetti said. “I help merchandise the store, style customers, and keep the overall store running. I am extremely lucky f o r having a job I enjoy doing.” Although h e r schedule is busy, she has learned to make
and utilizing office hours helps her stay on top of her commitments. “Balancing work and school can def inite ly be tricky, especially
weeks when I ’ m working four or five times a week,” Doyle
Photo by Lexi McCabe
Caniac - Jack Graham works hard at Raising Canes to make customers happy. He has loved serving unique combos of chicken, fries and their specialty texas toast.
the most of her time to be sure she meets all of her commitments. She is thankful that her job not o n l y f i t s i n t o h e r p e r son al schedule, but also her school schedule. “Staying on top
said. “I just try to get as much homework done d u r i n g school hours a n d n o t procrastinate until t h e l a s t m i n ute.” Working in high school can provide a plethora of
Photo by Lexi McCabe
Fashionista - Boschetti is eager to style customers and offer her fashion advice at Olivia’s Closet Boutique. She picked up her skills over the past two years.
of my school work and using my time wisely has been super helpful for balancing both work and school,” Boschetti said. “People might see me running to the back lot to get to m y shift at three, but my hours h a v e always been flexible and not overwhelming.” In addition,
growth opportunities for the student. From learning how to have mature conversations to picking out an outfit for a customer, every single job offers new experiences a n d things to learn from. “I h a v e created my second family between my coworkers and reg-
Photo by Lexi McCabe
Hostess - Doyle gets ready to seat customers and take reservations at Hanna’s restaurant. She was excited to replace her time at volleyball with work.
Doyle works as a hostess at Hanna’s’ restaurant. She has learned how to distribute equal time to both aspects in her life. Planning out her week, talking to her boss,
ular costumers. It’s so fun to be surrounded by people who are passionate about similar things,” Boschetti said.
Photo by Maite Cruz
Hospital Volunteer - Samantha Cruz stands proudly in front of Mission Hospital. She began volunteering freshman year and has continued to ever since.
Lending a helping hand Samantha Cruz devotes hours to Mission Hospital’s Emergency Department.
By Aaron Moffett, Staff Writer For most high schoolers, helping to save lives is not a part of their routine, but senior Samantha Cruz does it every week. Cruz started volunteering at Mission Hospital almost four years ago, but she was not always a part of the fast-paced Emergency Department (ED). She started by volunteering in the Maternity Department, assisting nurses in any way possible, until also being trained to work in the ED. Now she volunteers solely in the ED, but has risen to the rank of Department Head where she is in charge of training all new volunteers, reporting to the hospital supervisors, and overseeing all volunteers working right outside of the actual Emergency Room. “I’ve always known from a young age that I wanted to be in the medical field,” Cruz said. “My mother had cancer when I was younger, and I enjoyed watching the transformative experience her, and those around her, had of being healed.” After seeking out ways to become involved in the medical field, she applied for a position at Mission Hospital and got accepted. “It was so much fun to start with the Maternity Department, caring for newborns each day. But once I saw what the ED had to offer, I had to seek out this new opportunity. There, I could do more and truly be a part of the action helping to heal others and save lives each and every day,” Cruz said. Although working to save others
is great and inspiring, it can also be hard to see people in a struggling state. This is apparent through Cruz’s experience handing out Words of Love. “Words of Love allows us to be more involved in each patient with a get well soon card, happy birthday card, or just a simple smile. And while it is fun, it is also extremely hard and sad seeing patients struggling, and some people that never even have any visitors besides us,” Cruz said. “One time while distributing a card, the patient was brought to tears when we came in. This was a reminder for me that life is so fragile, and we need to be aware of that.” Cruz encourages others to also get involved with volunteering at Mission hospital. “Especially for freshman or sophomores interested in the medical field or intensive volunteering, it is such a rewarding experience. Applications and interviews are in the fall, with training in the new year and volunteering for each desired department beginning around March.” Cruz hopes to attend Berkeley’s advanced public health program in the upcoming year on her way to becoming a Physician Assistant. She also hopes to work abroad for a period of time, supporting international health care systems in financially struggling countries. “Seeing others in pain inspires me to make a difference and be compassionate to people of all ages and help heal them,” Cruz said. “Everyone and everything in your life has value, and it is so important as many people forget that.”
12 Feature
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Speak up save a life Project Speak UP! Team launches a peer counselor program on campus.
By Emelin Conboy, Staff Writer
It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of William Crafts, class of 2022. William was an incredible friend, student, brother, son, and person who made a strong impact on everyone around him. As we navigate this tragic loss to our community, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Crafts family. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 We encourage any and all students to use the school’s mental health resources during this time of grieving. Below are some ways you can reach out for support. Wellness Program Beth Chapman, Wellness Coordinator Joy Cleary, Interim Director of Wellness Counseling Department Jennifer Abalos Eric Banducci Wendeline Borowski Cheryl Depudja Joell Emoto Alyssa Flynn Melissa Fosdick Cassandra Fuenmayor Jason Hale John Hayek Roza McCartan Dr. Blake Oldfield Cherie Steel Speak Up! Ambassadors Students can also reach out to the Speak Up! student ambassadors, who have been trained to support you. Everything is confidential unless something life threatening is occuring. You can reach out to the ambassadors directly or be connected with someone through the widget on the SM app. These students are: Mary Katherine Riley Isabella Tosches Aaron Moffett Emelin Conboy Caitlin Laranjo Kayla Scopaz Sawyer Thiessen Connor Murphy Caroline Benser Audra Hepworth Sheila Mohseni Angelina Bautista Madison Mangano Delaney Jankanish Jennifer Quinteros Taylor Mcnamee Madeline Tourtlotte Wanqi Zhang Matteo Bautista Declan Edwards Thomas Rawlings Students are also welcome to visit the chapel or gym for prayer, where they can pray the Rosary. A memorial for William has been set up at the front of campus near the flag pole, where loved ones can bring flowers, candles, gifts, cards, etc., and write a message.
I
t took only 15 minutes to begin a lifelong movement. In 2017, IB Theatre students Hannah Loessberg, Griffin Webb, Hannah Billups, and Raiya Browning wrote and performed a short play, “Speak UP!” This award winning, nationally recognized play covers topics such as guilt, identity, sexual assault, and suicide. Faculty and staff had the opportunity to watch “Speak UP!” and the message was clear: mental health is an imperative topic that must be addressed. Alyssa Flynn, an SM counselor, felt particularly drawn to the play and its potential. “[“Speak UP!”] truly is lifechanging no matter what age or stage you are in when you see it,” Flynn said. “It’s hard to put into words how you’ve changed from it but it was just something that I instantly was like, ‘I want to be a part of this.’” A board of faculty members including Amy Luskey-Barth, Patrick Visconti, Alyssa Flynn, and Dr. Blake Oldfield was formed to create what is known as Project Speak UP! Their goal is to present “Speak UP!” to every student and to create an environment where students can safely seek help for their struggles with mental health. However, with heavy and potentially triggering topics discussed in the play, the board set out to decide how to safely present it. “It’s our responsibility to not just put [the play] out there. We must give them the resources and the tools to process it,” Flynn said. The arts, counseling, and campus ministry departments worked together to develop a way to incorporate Speak UP! into the sophomore curriculum. The board pre-
sented it to the sophomore class believing the students are at the maturity level necessary to handle the topics. They also believe that sophomore year is a time when academics begin to pick up and mental health is a greater concern. The curriculum is in conjunction with the Speak UP! Ambassador Program, comprised of junior and senior students who serve as peer mentors. Following the performances, cast members and ambassadors go to sophomore religion classes to help the students process the play’s topics and tell students how they can seek help at school. Connor Murphy, now a junior, was among this first sophomore class that experienced the Project Speak UP! curriculum, inspiring him to become an ambassador himself. “The [ambassadors] that were involved asked questions and engaged in discussion with us, which was really eye opening,” Murphy said. Although adult resources such as the assigned academic counselors, Oldfield, and the new wellness coordinator Beth Chapman are available to address students’ needs, the board believes there is value in having student mentors available. “Research and experience tells us that we seek support from those who know us best, but oftentimes it’s really hard for an adolescent or high school student to reach out to an adult for varying reasons,” Flynn said. The Speak UP! Ambassadors hope to be an outlet for students to seek help in a way that feels less daunting. They provide the perspective of students who have similar experiences and can connect students with help from an adult or
Graphic by John Luke Polson
Speak up - The cover (left) features the four original actors and writers of the play: Hannah Loessberg, Raiya Browning, Hannah Billups, and Griffin Webb. They wrote the play for IB Theatre.
professional if needed. The slogan of “Speak UP!” is “Speak Up, Save a Life,” and the goal of Project Speak UP! is to save lives by providing education on mental health and the resources to respond. The Speak UP! Ambassadors go through a selective application process and are given extensive training from mental health professionals. Although the ambassadors are not professionals and should be seen as mentors who can provide support rather than therapists, proper training and guidelines allow them to help students in the safest and healthiest way possible.
Ambassadors like Murphy hope to destigmatize mental health on campus and be a beacon of hope for those who may be struggling. “I feel like a lot of stigmas around mental health are involved in the deep issues that are discussed in ‘Speak UP!’ like suicide and different kinds of bullying,” Murphy said. “I feel like those are things that are not really talked about as much as they should be so I feel like ‘Speak UP!’ definitely addresses those issues very well in terms of just opening people’s eyes to understanding the kind of things that happen daily in some people’s lives.”
Into the business world Students learn how to create their own business in the business and law elective.
By Evelyn Driscoll, Print Editor-in-Chief As fun and easy as it might look on Shark Tank, being an entrepreneur takes a lot more work than just dodging tough questions from Mr. Wonderful. Entrepreneurship involves creating a business plan, and this is exactly what seniors Mckenna Thomas and Angela Yellen get to do with the business plan project, a major component of the introduction to law and business class. Thomas and Yellen jumped into the roles of entrepreneurs, forming a business plan that brings awareness to an important environmental issue. Their group chose to create an eco-friendly sunscreen and bug spray. The product combines protection from UV rays and bug repellant without using harsh chemicals that not only damage skin but also harm coral reefs. “The market does have a product like the one we have come up with,” Thomas said. “Our product is different because it is reef safe and doesn’t use the harsh chemicals that our competitors use.”
After coming up with a concept, students in groups of three or four must create a business plan that includes a company vision, mission, marketing strategy, and finance plan. “We work on our company description, logo, industry analysis, primary research, and other useful tools that will help us create a successful business,” Yellen said. “We are also working on elevator speeches which will allow us to quickly pitch our ideas to potential customers.” Whether it’s marketing the product on social media or calculating predicted future earnings, the business plan project gives students a chance to venture into the business world. “I believe that this project is not only rewarding but a necessary component to the class in order for my students to get anything out of it,” said Brian Justice, Fundamentals to Business and Entrepreneurship and Introduction to Law teacher. “It is the most authentic project they could be doing in this course.” Other than the business plan, the course prepares students who
hope to major in Business Administration. They learn about economics, marketing, and entrepreneurship--all c o n c e p t s fundamental t o understanding the ever-changi n g nature of business. After taking a s e m e s te r on business, the students will take the Introduction to Law semester, which introduces the criminal and civil law process. It involves studying the court system structure, the various areas of law, and social responsibility, all while continuing the college seminar discussion based class style that Jus-
tice favors. “I am personally interested in the law side of the course, so I am hoping to learn more to see if this is what I want to pursue,” Thomas said. The business and law elective is open to aspiring juniors or seniors, whether they have an interest in pursuing business or law in the future or not. “I believe this course is one of the most applicable elective courses at SM that related to what many students here want to major in and do as a career,” Justice said. “I’ve had former students become entrepreneurs themselves after taking this class.”
Illustration by Lizzie Bork
December 2020
The Eagle Eye
A&E 13
Shakespearean worlds collide “All the World’s a Stage” offers a unique take on Shakespearean works.
By Lana Diab, Staff Writer
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he fall play, “All the World’s a Stage,” is junior Annie Mulvihill’s first time participating in a school play, let alone as stage manager. Mulvihill has contributed hours of determination and hard work to perfect the play and its message. As stage manager, Mulvihill has a lot of responsibilities to prepare the cast for its performances on Nov. 6 and 8. These duties include writing down the positioning and movement of the actors on stage, sound cues, and helping to livestream the play. The play presents a twist on the average Shakespearean play as it combines many stories written by Shakespeare rather than being limited to one. Some of the stories within the play include “Romeo and Juliet” and “Macbeth.” The different stories appear throughout the play in short scenes, which are weaved together by the narrator, played by junior Delaney Jankanish. Although the scenes from the various plays are acted out word for word with the occasional revision, the narrator, also known as the Modern Student, provides a contemporary perspective. The Modern Student speaks in between scenes and provides context with present-time wording. This allows
a mix of traditional and modern points of view that the audience can understand and resonate with. “[The Modern Student is] meant to be one of us,” Mulvihill said. “It’s from a modern perspective.” The current COVID-19 pandemic creates obstacles for the cast that they have been determined to overcome and to adapt. The precautions they are taking include livestream-
“ They’re these different stories but they all tie together the human experience ” -Annie Mulvihill
ing the play to limit the audience on campus, wearing masks, being six feet apart, wearing face shields that cover their mouths (which
Photo by Annie Mulvihill
Lights, camera, action - The cast takes to the stage to perform various Shakespearian plays for their live and virtual audiences. After setbacks the cast faced because of COVID-19, they were still able to perform with caution.
also amplifies sound and acts as a microphone), and each actor having an individual prop basket that will be sanitized after each use. The Shakespearean-style play was purposefully selected because it adhered to the precautions. “One of the reasons we are doing this show is because there are very minimal props required,” Mulvihill said.
The play this year is not only a different experience for the cast and audience due to COVID-19, but also through the acting and style of the play. “Acting Shakespeare is very different than acting most plays,” Mulvihill said. “Shakespeare uses so much rhetorical devices and figurative language [and because of that] you have to put a lot more
thought and action behind your words.” “All the World’s a Stage” creates a synthesis of the Shakespearean worlds and displays traditional literature through a modern lens, giving a fresh and unique take on Shakespeare’s plays. “They’re these different stories, but they all tie together the human experience,” Mulvihill said.
Advent of the arts countdown December’s Christmas production looks to wrap up an unforgettable year.
By Katharine Lee, Feature Editor It’s December time. The gym suddenly fills with a swell of music, bursting out from violins, oboes, and clarinets. Stands are jampacked with crowds of students, watching as Eagle thespians exercise their craft, bringing characters to life as the brightly colored lights sweep overhead. There is laughter and good cheer. No matter where students mill throughout campus, the Christmas spirit of festivity lingers palpably in the air. A favorite annual tradition on campus is the Christmas Production. It is recognized as a main staple of holiday spirit at the school, requiring a combined effort from the entire performing arts department and showcasing talented students. However, as with many events this year, the Christmas Production must take an innovative turn to accommodate the pandemic. “Never fear,” said Arts Department Chair Francisco Calvo, “The Christmas spirit refuses to be dampened.” Calvo explains that the production this year will not be the oneday major event that students are familiar with. Instead, the production will take on the name “Christmas Festival” due to its move towards a new virtual format. “We have decided to spread the Christmas spirit and joy over the course of four weeks,” Calvo said. “If you will, think of it as a kind of
Photo by Katie Eli
Spirit of festivity - Members of the performing arts come together to celebrate the Christmas season with their annual Christmas production. Each group dedicated time and effort to ensure the best performance for the broadcast on Dec. 25th.
‘Advent Calendar’ for performing arts events.” Every Friday in December, a new concert or production will be available to stream online. The festival will kick off on Dec. 4, led by Talon Theatre’s production of the 1946 film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” “I am so excited we chose to adapt this film,” said sophomore Sarah Clarke, who has been in Tal-
on Theatre for two years. “I mean, it’s a classic. The story is incredibly uplifting, with themes of family and love and hope. It’s beautiful, really, and I’m glad we can share a slice of it with our peers.” Following Talon Theatre a week later is Steel Drums with their rendition of “A Caribbean Christmas,” then featuring the routines of the dance program, until final-
ly, it is Christmas day itself, the long-awaited day eagerly marked on all calendars. Broadcast on Dec. 25th will be not one, but two concerts, to conclude the month-long festival. Instrumental and choral music programs will encapsulate holiday favorites through a medley of soundtracks in their performance of “The Sounds of the Season.”
“Since it’s online, all previous performing arts events will be available to stream again, in case you missed it,” Calvo said. As the clock towards Christmas begins to wind down, tune in to the advent calendar of performing arts along the way—every passing week, each new window opened will reveal a performance sweeter than the last.
The Eagle Eye
14 A&E
December 2020
The documentary that inspired change Students make changes to their lifestyle after doing a project on the documentary, The Social Dilemma.
By Gracynn Crocker, News Editor
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eens use their phones for all aspects of their lives, whether it’s communication, news, or entertainment. After being asked to watch the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, students began to realize their time on their phones may not be as productive as they thought. This inspired them to make serious changes on how they use their phones. The Social Dilemma addresses many issues with the use of phones and social media in society. Released in September 2020, it became a popular reference about society. The documentary examines the psychological and social downside of society’s addiction to cell phones. Peer Ministry teacher Patrick Visconti’s students watched the documentary and completed a project afterward to see the impact it had on them. “I thought that there was good, really important [themes] that I think seniors such as yourselves need to wrestle with, [and] need to think about so that you can take some ownership over your life,” Visconti said. After first watching the documentary, Visconti believed it
would be beneficial to show to his Peer Ministry classes to help open their eyes about the influence their phones have over them. He believes that it is especially relevant to his students because they are learning about finding their vocation and who God created them to be. “Initially watching the documentary, I was scared. This algorithm is roping me in, its roping everyone in.” said senior Jacqueline Schillig. The documentary goes in depth about the algorithm that the apps on phones use to shape what each person sees. The apps can use this algorithm to make their products more aligned
to what a person believes in, but it can also block the other sides of the story. “The data and information seems to rule the day,” Visconti said. “Here we are now in a world where the things that bring us information and the things that bring us data are being heavily manipulated to where we are only seeing the data or the information that we want to see and being able to avoid the information that we don’t want to see.” This one-sided social media climate creates divide in society. Visconti challenges his students to determine the ways they follow this social norm and the result when people who don’t agree don’t like one another. “I’ll start fact checking and doing more research,” Schillig said. “I’ll stop believing everything I see.” Part of the students’ project was to film a conversation with classmates about what they learned from the documentary. Socially dead - Teens all over the world are addicted to their phones. Netflix released a documentary this year to show the dangers of excessive phone useage. Illustration by Molly Jacobson
Photo by Lexi McCabe
Addicted - An iPhone’s interface can be a major distraction since apps are fighting for attention. The documentary made teens aware of this issue.
Schillig, along with other students, agree that the assignment inspired changes in them regarding how they spend time on their phones. Many students say they will double check what they see on social media. Visconti describes that limiting social media will allow students to develop stronger relationships with God without being corrupted by how social media influences society. Visconti stresses to his students the importance of looking to God for their vocation and not to society. The beliefs that society paints of the “perfect” life lead people, especially teens, to fall into this belief that others have a per-
fect life while they don’t. “I think the ways that social media tests us and our foundation can make us stronger and grow closer to Him,” Schillig said. When applying the documentary to the class’ theme of vocation, Schillig describes how social media can come in between their faith in God. Social media occupies a great deal of a teen’s day, shaping their mind to how society thinks they should act. “I think that it’s creating a population of people who could not be farther from one another in terms of recognizing that you could have a differing viewpoint and not being evil,” Visconti said.
NAHS remains tightly united during pandemic By Xiang (Lucy) Chang, Staff Writer
The National Art Honors Society usually celebrates the holidays by decorating the campus with artwork. Members, under the guidance of the society’s monitor, Nancy Harrell, create pieces like painted pumpkins during Halloween, hand painted mason jars during Christmas and murals to display around campus. However, this year, the club’s plans look a bit different. The club provides visual and performing art students with chances to use their talents to embellish the campus. By the time the pandemic hit, NAHS decided to design and manufacture pins to sell to students to raise money, but quarantine began just as the members started to do so. This is not the only NAHS activity that COVID-19 affected. “Unfortunately, we were unable to do our Pumpkin Contest,” said senior Sara Morrissey, the president of NAHS. “With the uncertainties about Christmas Production being held or not, we may not be able to do the Christmas candy jars.” Quarantine not only caused the cancellation of activities but also creates obstacles of communication between the NAHS members. “Due to the current circumstances, we are not able to fully communicate with each member, and it is extremely hard for the members to coordinate a time for virtual meetings,” said senior Kate Lu, the vice president of NAHS. Facing these difficulties, the members and monitor of NAHS kept an
Photo courtesy of Sara Morrissey
Photo courtesy of Nancy Harrell
Then vs. Now - Club monitor, Nancy Harrell, and the members of NAHS celebrate at their induction ceromonies in 2019 (left) and 2020 (right). Compared to last year, this year’s induction ceremony was different due to social distancing regulations, but the members continued to express their creativity.
optimistic attitude. NAHS found new ways to keep in touch with members. In addition to creating a Teams group chat that allows NAHS members to communicate, Harrell also sent timely updates and reminders about the club to all the members via email. These emails included the detailed plans, changes, and decisions made by NAHS, and introduced each of the new members who joined the NAHS family during the time of COVID-19. “Our membership drive this year has become virtual. However, we are doing very well with membership, and we are 63 members strong,” Harrell said. Although the pandemic still continues, NAHS is creating plans for the remainder of fall and the spring. According to Harrell, NAHS had their Induction Cer-
emony in person this year in November. Also, NAHS looks forward to creating a mural, like the ones in the English Department and the Campus Ministry. In addition, NAHS cannot wait to have more art shows and performances in spring. The pandemic did not pull the members of NAHS apart or stop them from creating art. The voice of art is still loud when artists are not physically together. Even during COVID-19, NAHS provided the students with the opportunities to learn more about the arts and to enjoy being able to give back to various communities through service. “Despite all the difficulties that we are facing this year, we want the SM community to know that all of our members are staying strong and we will continue to carry on all of our fun activities,” Lu said.
Photo courtesy of Nancy Harrell
Painting the love - Members of NAHS paint the mural on the wall of Campus Ministry. This was the second mural NAHS did on the campus.
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Sports 15
Bringing her best game Coach Seyram Bell is the newest addition to the girls basketball program and strives to instill lessons of hardwork and dedication.
By Lauren Memoly, Staff Writer
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nstilled in Coach Seyram Bell’s coaching style is hard work, dedication, and effort--pillars of Bell’s personal game. As head coach, she instills these important concepts into her new players. In October, Seyram Bell was hired as the newest asset to the girls basketball program as the head coach. Coach Bell had previously coached at UC Riverside and couldn’t pass up the new opportunity. Bell had worked at UC Riverside for many years before pivoting and taking on a new challenge of coaching at the high school level. Bell finished her final season coaching as UC Riverside’s interim head coach. “I had just recently finished coaching up at UC Riverside [and] for the last couple years I had been contemplating kind of getting out of college coaching,” Bell said. Bell was looking to coach at a school that not only had a strong basketball program but also reflected her beliefs and ideas. She has found the place where she can carry on her passion for basketball at SM. “I’ve always known back in the back of my mind I wanted to work at an institution that satisfied my beliefs my religious creeds and also my passion for basketball,” Bell said. Hard work is a staple of Bell’s philosophy and something she wants to work hard to establish as the new
head coach. This philosophy has brought her success in the past. Bell comes with new ideas and goals. She sees the potential of the team based both on the academic and athletic side.
“
I always tell the team that I want us to be the known as a hardworking program.
hard work to lead to winning and bringing success. “Winning should be a byproduct of you working hard and it shouldn’t be striving to just win,” Bell said. The girls basketball program has produced success in the past and Bell wants to continue that. “There was some success in this program and there’s been kind of sprinkles of success, I just really want to bring that back to the program,” Bell said. Bell’s success playing at UC Riverside helped the program become more well-known. She played all four years at UC Riverside and came back to coach there. “We upset the conference and we made it to the NCAA tournament until it was pretty cool to be a part of history,” Bell said.
” - Seyram Bell
“To be at a place that’s academically good and sports wise to be good I think is ideal, and so I just want to bring those two forces together,” Bell said. Bell isn’t just focused on winning but winning with a purpose that gives it more meaning. She wants the team’s
Graphic from Canva
Photo by Steve Wiley
Eagle welcome - Coach Bell brings her knowlege from playing and coaching at a division one college. She brought her impressive skills and stratgies to lead the girls basketball program to sucess
Sharing the court The boys basketball and girls volleyball teams split time on the court.
By Marcus Kim, Staff Writer With many athletic teams, teams need to get as much practice and reps in as possible to be able to compete and be a threat in their respective seasons. As a result of COVID-19 and the fall and winter sports seasons getting pushed together, the Girls Volleyball and Boys Basketball teams are sharing the Moiso Family Pavilion to practice and play games. In order to get enough practice time, each team needs to manage and coordinate their schedules to ensure the gym doesn’t get overcrowded. “I do believe that sharing the gym with other teams on campus can be difficult because our games and practice schedules can be affected by it,” said senior Lia Cerruti, Varsity Girls Volleyball player. “But I think SM does a great job giving each sport sharing the gym fair and equal time.” Cerruti and the rest of the varsity volleyball team are starting to prepare for a postponed 2020-2021 season and are scheduled to practice in the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays of November and December. COVID-19 has caused the volleyball team to have an unusual off-season. Instead of training and
Photo from SM Website
Shared space - The boys varsity basketball team hopes for a consecutive CIF win. They got a fair amount of practice time despite the circumstances.
having camp over the summer, the team has had to push back many of its events because of the virus restrictions. “COVID has impacted our season in many ways. We had no summer camp, no games, no tournaments, and no practices,” Cerruti said. The girls volleyball team is not the only team who uses the
court. In fact, the girls volleyball teams have worked well with the boys basketball teams to make sure that both teams get a fair amount of court time to be successful this upcoming season. “I think that sharing the gym with other teams isn’t too hard. I think that every coach and team is aware of the fact that we are in a difficult situation so we are thank-
Photo by Ward Thomas
Ready to go - The girls varsity volleyball team prepares for a potential 2020-2021 season. They hoped to continue the hard work showcased during last year’s league play.
ful for the fact that we are able to use the gym for some practices” said senior Aldo Ruiz Ortiz, Varsity Boys Basketball player. In the past, both teams have compromised sharing the court without letting it affect the outcome of their performances. The compromise meant that basketball must sometimes practice in the mornings and volleyball prac-
tice in the courts after school. Especially with COVID-19 both teams have learned that sharing court time is important if the school is going to be competitive this sports season. “Everyone is trying to be the best team possible and to be a great school we need to be able to help each other to get to those goals,” Ruiz said.
16 Sports
The Eagle Eye
December 2020
Finding a way back Shane Townsend recounts the effort it took to overcome a major injury.
By Roman Sergi, Sports Editor
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igh school involves dealing with the pressures of higher academic standards, balancing friends, and preparing for the future. Athletes have to deal with all those challenges and more. They face the added difficulties of keeping their body healthy and constantly practicing. Also, they are arguably at a far greater risk of injuries, ranging from insignificant to catastrophic. Unforeseen and unforgiving, very few can face the worst and overcome it. Senior Shane Townsend is one such athlete. Townsend started her volleyball career in the fifth grade and fell in love with the sport. Her talent developed quickly. She joined T-street volleyball club and played a key role as a defensive specialist in two national championships. “To me, volleyball is not just an activity. It is a combination of people, emotions, and competition that put me in a state of peace,” Townsend said. “I am motivated by the natural tension that is brought with the game because it allows me to prove to myself that I can achieve things I never thought I would. Volleyball is one of the most important things in my life because it brings out a better me. “ Townsend experienced success on the court. She was at the top of her game and reached levels very few have. Unfortunately, the unforgiving nature of sports caught up with her.
She suffered a major injury as three shoulder dislocations caused a separation in her labrum and displacement of her bones, leading to nerve damage. The injury left Townsend experiencing high levels
“ I am determined to be the best player and teammate that I can. ” - Shane Townsend of pain that impacted her game. “After my injury, I was in a great deal of pain. Between constant numbness in my hand and fingers [as a result of nerve trauma] and a sharp pain in my shoulder this injury was not easy to deal with,” Townsend said. “Despite even trying physical therapy to improve these conditions, my symptoms did not change, and surgery was needed. “
Photo by Ryan Redira
Defense - Townsend passes the ball. She started playing years ago and plans to return to an elite level.
With Townsend entering her season year her injury came at the worst time. The short timeline incentivized Townsend even more to complete her rehab process and return to good health. She worked tirelessly, spending hours at physical therapy to accomplish her goals. “The rehab process has been long. A few weeks after surgery, I was able to begin physical therapy,”
Townsend said. “With a difficult start, this is a grueling time of determination. I have been pushing myself to obtain more and more mobility each time that I go. I am very thankful to have a supportive physical therapist that is improving my condition each day.” With the support of her family and friends Townsend is more motivated than ever to return better
than her previous form and help her team win. “My family and friends have been very supportive during this period in my life. From get well baskets, to rides, to keeping me company, I have been lifted up in the best way possible,” Townsend said. “I am determined to be the best player and teammate that I can for my final year of volleyball.”
Have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Love, your Eagle Eye staff
Whole staff not pictured