OPINION | Page 2 Much ado about nothing in the dining room
the
ARTS & LIFE | Page 6 Review: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”
CATALYST
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S FINEST NEWS SOURCE
www.TheCatalystNDB.com
Volume 2, Issue 2 OPINION
NEWS & FEATURES | Page 5 So, what did you do during Intersession?
@theCatalystNDB
1540 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002
Winter 2016
NEWS
Too poor for Royals recreate the Roaring Twenties college, but Juniors dress up, dine, and dance during the annual Gatsby Ball too rich for financial aid As acceptance letters arrive, students figure out how to pay the bill
FEATURE
Tiger Cafe reopens with new food service
Epicurean Group emphasizes good food and good health
by Daniella Espinoza and Sofia Reyes
by Sara Eckles Contributing Writer
The struggle of paying for college is all too real for many students. It is very real for high school seniors who spent their first semester stressing out and typing applications and personal statements and now spend the second semester stressing out and waiting by their inboxes for acceptance (and denial) emails to come. Most of them are relieved to finally get into a school and pay the deposit to guarantee their spot. But, unlike billionaire Tony Stark/Iron Man, most of these Avengers have to figure out how to pay for the cost of at least four years of tuition, housing, food, books, and more. Seniors, you have to apply for financial aid and you have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It reviews your family’s income and other assets and calculates what is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) -- A dollar figure of how much your family is expected to pay for your college education. Your dream school’s financial aid office can’t offer you anything until that’s done. When students receive their financial aid package for the first time, some of them realize that, while their parents may have been able to provide them with a comfortable life growing up, their parents many not be able to provide them with a college education because they can’t afford it. If fact, some of them might even realize that their parents make too much money to qualify for financial aid. For example, a university’s financial aid package might give you a $5,000 grant or scholarship and $15,000 loan and/or work study, expecting you(r family) to pay the balance of $15,000 or more since tuition and fees
Last Monday, March 7, Epicurean Group began serving breakfast and lunch in the NDB cafeteria. Students, faculty, and staff alike were impressed with the new environment, menus that described dishes in detail and where ingredients came from, displays of a variety of different food choices, as well as “real” dishes and silverware. Who is NDB’s new food service? Epicurean Group is an independent food service company rooted in the Bay Area. They support local organic farms and make everything from scratch. They
Editors in Chief
See College | Page 3
Photo Credit: Teresa Halton
Flappers take a break from doing the Charleston and pose for a picture. a (plastic) champagne glass ground. Block 2 read a selecby Michelle Leung and Alex Dennis filled with sparkling apple ci- tion of found poems that conContributing Writers der in one hand, each Royal sisted of lines from the novel The junior class threw recreated the glitz and glam- itself pulled out to create a difit back to the 1920’s on the our of the time in the NDB ferent meaning. Block 4 got evening of Thursday, March dining room turned jazz ball- the whole class up from their 3, in their flapper dresses and room. Many of them posed seats and onto the dance floor feather-banded hairstyles at and took pictures with the faux and taught them some very the annual Gatsby Ball. After play money and the silver and spirited dance moves from the era, such as the Charleston and studying the novel ,“The Great gold foil curtains. Each English class Foxtrot. Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald Some students were and its historical context of the section prepared a well-re- Roaring Twenties, the class searched project to present recognized with awards for had dinner and drinks, shared that night. Both blocks 1 and make-up, hair, and dress. projects about the era’s social 6 showed short music vid- Elizabeth Burton received scene, and listened to live jazz eos, comparing and contrast- Best Dressed, while Gabrielle music from the band, Stompy ing the make-up, hair, dress, Penner received Best Hair. and dance of the 1920s to the Both Sydney Lim and Cailyn Jones. Calling each other old 2010s, with the song “A little Olson received best Make-Up, sport, like Jay Gatsby him- party never killed nobody” by while Celisse Tan received self, and walking around with Fergie, playing in the back- Best Overall.
Mysticades preparations begin in secret Class themes include Neverland, Atlantis, Wonderland, and Oz
See Food | Page 5 SPORTS
The NDB Concussion Study
How do student-athletes heal physically... and academically? by Katie Brandi and Camryn McNab
Contributing Writers
A few Mavericks keep the Catalyst out of their workroom.
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
It has begun. The road to the annual NDB spirit event known as Aquacades has begun. The event itself, this year themed “Mysticades,” is not until the evening of Thursday, April 21 and Friday, April 22. But, student-artists, choreographers, and spirited classmates are now working on their backdrops and routines, based on their class themes, for the biggest night of the school year. The event brings more than its fair share of drama, testing the bonds of friendship and sisterhood, as each class -- the Avengers, the Royals, the Mavericks, and the Titans -- keep their work secret until it is revealed that night and rewarded with what they hope are the most spirit points. But, only so much can be kept under wraps on such a small campus like NDB.
Recovering from a concussion is difficult for any athlete, but especially hard for a student-athlete. It takes time to heal from such a traumatic head injury, often having to sit out from practices and games. But, it also involves having to be absent from classes and unable to work on assignments. Paying attention to teachers, typing on computers, and even being under classroom lights is hard due to trouble hearing, listening, and speaking and leads to painful headaches. Tehya Hines, a junior and basketball player, suffered a concussion during a practice. Looking back at her injury, she says, “Ever since I got my See Concussion | Page 7
#thecatalystndb | Opinion | Winter 2016
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Diagnosis: Dining room drama is much ado about nothing Senioritis Why the “You can’t sit with us...” attitude isn’t true and doesn’t matter Nina Takamoto Senior Writer
Monet Mendenhall
Do you feel tired all the time for no reason at all? Do you feel like there is no point in doing homework assignment or even coming all the way to school? Do you just want to lie in bed, binge watch Netflix, and eat whatever you can find in your kitchen? Well, it’s time to face it... You have Senioritis. The disease probably dates back from ancient unknown origins and is more devastating than the plague itself. As soon as second semester hits and, for some, even earlier, seniors begin to resemble the walking dead, mindlessly roaming around the campus in sweats and hoodies until the weekend, when they resurrect back to the land of the living, only to become undead again as soon as Monday morning arrives. There are several different types of Senioritis that can manifest in the unsuspecting high school senior. For example, there is the Coma Patient. This student is always asleep or falling asleep, anywhere and everywhere. When her alarm goes off, chances are she’s hitting the snooze button or turning off the clock completely and going back to bed, subsequently missing a class or an entire day of school itself. Then, there’s the One with the Acceptance Letter. Whether she got recruited or applied early decision or early action, she knows where she is going to college and she has already paid the deposit to hold her spot. Because of this, it’s even harder for her to see the point in making an effort and trying hard for the final stretch of her high school career. Finally, there is the Unsuspecting Procrastinator. This student knows she has Senioritis, but she has convinced herself that she has so much free time that she can afford to put off her assignments and just make them up later... which is a lie. Doctors have been working around the clock to discover a cure to Senioritis. However, research has been stalled... probably due to the Unsuspecting Procrastinator. It has been recommended that coffee, sleep, less homework, and a non-existent social life can help relieve some of the symptoms of senioritis, but no promises there. Good luck with that!
Sasha ArredondoDeLipski
@TheCatalystNDB
Contributing Writer @TheCatalystNDB
Contributing Writer @TheCatalystNDB
There has been a lot of talk about the dining room and who can and cannot sit in there during lunch. There have been complaints that upperclasswomen have been intimidating sophomores and freshwomen about who exactly is allowed to sit at the tables and chairs in there. For years, it was an implied, unspoken, but not an official school rule that juniors and seniors were the only ones that were allowed to claim the dining room for themselves, while everyone else found somewhere else to sit during lunch. Every class has gone through it every year as a rite of passage or even a tradition,
Avengers and Royals socialize at the same table during lunch. waiting outside and coming inside over the course of four years for their chance at the tables and chairs. Somebody broke the rule. Some students leave their backpacks and other belongs on tables during break or Blocks 2 and 6 to save their spots. Some students leave class early to grab their chairs. Some students move other people’s stuff and claim they didn’t do it when the owners come back with their lunch. It became a mess, accusing each
other and feuding with each other about the dining room. So, now, there is an actual official school rule about the dining room. Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays are open seating, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are not. It sounds just like a settlement after couples break up. Now, we know who gets custody of the tables and chairs and when. And, it sounds silly. The dining room drama became a big problem. It didn’t have to, but it did.
Photo Credit: Rae Lin
Hopefully, the “settlement” works out for the long run, so everyone can go back to eating and talking with their friends, instead of wandering around campus and just trying to find a place to sit. Everyone -- Avenger, Royal, Maverick, and Titan -now has her chance, her turn to sit at the tables and chairs of the dining room. If sisterhood is supposed to be more than just a word, it must be practiced in every aspect of NDB, even in the dining room.
What if everyday was a late start day? Maybe a school day that goes from 9 to 4 is the cure to sleep deprivation Helen Hardy
Contributing Writer @TheCatalystNDB
Taylor Collins Contributing Writer @TheCatalystNDB
A problem with today’s teens is that they do not get enough sleep. Causes for their sleep deprivation come from being on their phones too late, procrastinating because of lots of homework, or watching too much Netflix (or “Star Wars” in Mr. Rojas’ case). Many students would not mind if school started an
hour later and ended an hour later. But, would this really help in the long run? This is a topic of debate. Some parents are against the idea because their jobs start at the time as their children’s classes. Some students are against the idea because it conflicts with athletics, extracurricular activities, and afterschool jobs. NDB’s neighboring public high school, Carlmont HS has decided to start at 8:57am on some days in addition to a late start at 8:53am on Wednesdays. Although starting school late could increase the amount of sleep a teen could get, it would have negative effects. The most obvious one is the bell schedule. If classes started later, there would be only one block before lunch and then three blocks after.
theCATALYST
theCATALYST NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL’S FINEST NEWS SOURCE FINEST NEWS SOURC EDITOR IN CHIEF Daniella Espinoza despinoza16@ndhsb.org Sofia Reyes sreyes16@ndhsb.org PHOTO EDITOR Rae Lin rlin16@ndhsb.org
FACULTY ADVISOR Robert Rojas rrojas@ndhsb.org ABOUT “THE CATALYST” “The Catalyst” is a student-run newspaper that is published quarterly in print and online for Notre Dame High School Belmont community.
Some students may lose their motivation or may not be so attentive after two blocks in the afternoon. If school started around 9am, then it would probably end at 3:50pm, rather than 2:50pm, to make up for the change. Otherwise, there’d be more school days and less days off. Ending an hour later would cause students to stay up an hour later to get their homework done. If one wakes up an hour later, but goes to sleep an hour later, the student never actually gains sleep. Ending later would also affect students who have after school responsibilities. Most after school jobs start around 3:30pm and restaurant jobs start around 5pm. Both times would not work out because student-employees would not be able to get there EDITORIAL POLICY “The Catalyst” accepts unsolicited letters from students, faculty, staff, and alumni as well as press releases from on and off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication. “The Catalyst” reserves the right to edit or reject submissions it deems objectionable. The views expressed in the Opinion section do not reflect the views of “The Catalyst,” Notre Dame High School Belmont, or the Archdiocese of San
in time. Asking a random sample of students about what they thought, most of them say that they love the idea and think it’d boost their attention and performance in classes. The thought seems to emphasize the every day struggle of a high school student to maintain a decent amount of sleep with all of the class work, homework assignments, outof-class projects, extracurricular activities, sports, and more taking up their lives. In one way or another, the idea of a late start with classes starting around 9am could cause more problems than solving them. But, maybe the problem to solve is how students manage their time and how much of that time educators should realistically expect to take, especially outside of the classroom. Francisco, but are solely the views of the writer. Unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of “The Catalyst.” CONTACT US Notre Dame High School c/o The Catalyst Student Newspaper 1540 Ralston Avenue Belmont, California 94002 Phone: 650-595-1913 Email: TheCatalystNDB@gmail.com Social Media: TheCatalystNDB
#thecatalystndb | Opinion | Winter 2016
Too poor for college, but too rich for aid
Student: “...there needs to be more aid to those that cannot afford it.” College | from Page 1
start at $40,000 or more per year. Sometimes, it feels like the EFC is not an accurate representation of a family’s wealth. Yes, they do consider single-parent households/ incomes, the number of dependents, and other variables. But, some people think they don’t consider expenses, savings, and retirements. On one side, there is the parent who has a disposable income with several luxury vehicles who insists his child need financial aid. But, on the other side, there is the parent who works a full-time job during the week and a parttime job during the weekend to give her child a chance to go to school. Asked how they feel about the topic, some students say they come from such economically-diverse friend groups and know that some families can afford things, while others can’t. There are friends whose parents rely on financial aid to pay for NDB’s tuition. And, there are friends whose parents pay it along with several books of raffle
tickets. Senior Jayna Ortiz shares, “Coming from a family where my mom is the sole supporter of my four little sisters and myself, the cost of college has been an ongoing discussion in my household. Applying for money through
burden and stress it places on their families. Ortiz says, “I have always believed that if you have the genuine work-ethic and desire to graduate from a four year university, there needs to be more aid for those that cannot afford it.”
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
Filling out the FAFSA is the first step to getting financial aid. FAFSA and receiving the scholarships that I have from specific schools has just not been enough.” So, students are forced to accept and deal with the disappointment, hardship, and reality of not being able to go the school of their dreams because of the extreme financial
She adds, “Pulling out loans seems like the only way I will be able to afford college, and this system is very frustrating.” Asked if they applied for student loans to pay for college, some teachers admitted that they’re still paying for them, even though they grad-
uated ten, even fifteen years ago. Some students and their families have plans, asking other family members for donations, for loans to help pay for the cost. Others decide to go to two-year community colleges or state schools that tend to be more affordable and then transfer into four-year public and private universities later. But, they know the experience is not the same as going straight in. The point of this story is not to draw attention to who can and who can’t afford to go to college, but to think about our own sisters and the situations that they’re in. When a student announces that she’s going to the school of her dreams, there might be another student who got in, but can’t go because she can’t afford it. Yes, seniors, you should celebrate the successful end of your high school career and the exciting beginning of your college life. Financial aid, whether it’s merit-based or need-based grants, scholarships, loans, work study, or part-time jobs, is all just part of the puzzle of the journey ahead.
Can’t we all just get along? Race in America continues to take one step forward and then two steps back Sofia Reyes
Editor in Chief @TheCatalystNDB
A recent look into the 2016 presidential campaign has shown the impact that one man’s words can have on society and highlighted the imperfections America carries in regards to race. Last Friday, March 11, Donald Trump was set to have a rally in Chicago, Illinois when it was canceled at the last minute due to a group of protestors. These protesters represented a percentage of America that Trump has yet to charm: minorities and youth from both his own party and the Democratic party. Seeking to break up the growing support for the legendary businessman, the protesters were outraged by the things Trump has said during his campaign describing him as a problem that breeds hate, rather than progress. However, protesters were also criticized by many for the small outbreaks of violence that ensued, allowing Trump to once again avoid taking responsibility for the
things he has said. This is the first protest to this scale since the beginning of Trump’s campaign. Locally, the issue of race has come up more than once in the past couple of months throughout the Bay Area. Last year, it was the the Black Lives Matter move-
had to deal with these problems on their own campuses. Saint Ignatius High School (SI) and Lowell HS in San Francisco have both had incidents in the past couple of months regarding race. Some SI students had a racially-themed event off-campus; the theme included a racial slur common-
ment that protested the beating, shootings, and murders of several African Americans by police officers who claimed to be acting in self-defense. (This group was also involved in that protest in Chicago just last week). As more and more youth get involved in the conversation of race, high schools around the Bay Area, too, have
ly used in rap music. Students posted pictures from this event on social media where the response was less than forgiving or understanding. At Lowell HS, the circumstances were much different as one student took it upon himself to make a public show of racial inappropriateness on-campus. He is accused of placing pictures of prominent
Photo Credit: Flicker Creative Commons / 5chw4r7z
African American figures, including President Obama, and stating that this group of people was an example of a “gang.” Both of these school’s incidents were isolated and by no means represented the values of the school or the students who were not involved. In fact, the response to the events at Lowell is something to inspire hope. The student body staged a schoolwide walk out during class one day in their show of support for each other and their disagreement with the offensive actions of the given student. Many people believe that the problems they see in the news or on TV are far and removed from themselves. But, something that does not happen close to us can still effect us. So, the next time you hear someone make a racial slur or see a racially fueled incident in the news, have a productive conversation about what you see and how you can be a symbol of hope for racial tolerance and acceptance. Yes, it’s much easier said than done. But, in order to help the problem, we have to start at home, inspiring youth to speak out, like those at Lowell HS, to make sure these things never happen again and again.
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Youth votes matter Rachel Roberts
Contributing Writer @TheCatalystNDB
An interesting contradiction has presented itself in the recent years. In the United States, people between the ages of 18 and 29 rarely vote. However, many of them express interest in political changes and elections. It could be assumed that these youth voters care about the legislative and executive changes and decisions made in this country. So, why the lack of votes? It is often heard that the amount of youth voters is disappearing. In fact, the 2014 elections received the lowest amount of youth voters in history with less than 20%. The effect of a small youth representation is larger than it appears. For the legislative and executive branches of government to truly reflect the wishes of the American people, the youth vote is imperative. As the youth demographic is often described, the younger generation is the future of this country. To wait in electoral participation until these people are forty years old negates the purpose. When asked if she is voting in the upcoming presidential election, Senior Gwen Hornaday says, “Yes, because I want to have a say in who becomes president. A lot of younger people don’t vote, and our opinions are underrepresented. So, every vote from this generation counts.” On the other side, senior Isabella Rey says, “No, I’m not going to vote because I’m not that educated about the election, and I don’t want to vote for the wrong person. Also, my parents don’t vote so I am influenced by them not to vote.” The younger generation should be involved in the elections to come; education and participation are crucial in this. Social Studies teacher Martin Herrmann says he first voted when he was nineteen years old. He also says that it is important for the younger demographic to be involved because “they have as much if not more power than any demographic group to alter the course of elections in America.” But, in the end, it all comes down to an educated younger generation. If we as a society can educate the youth in politics and grow their confidence in their rights, then maybe youth voting will grow in the coming years.
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#thecatalystndb | News & Features | Winter 2016
SOCIAL MEDIA
Humans of NDB by Alex Dennis | Monet Mendenhall Staff Writer | Contributing Writer
Many people say that one should never make assumptions about somebody without knowing his or her whole story. Little do we know, the people that we communicate with everyday, in class, at work, or in the places we go have stories that are just waiting to be told. We assume that a majority of those reading this story are somewhat familiar with the blog-turned-book, “Humans of New York.” It is a project started in 2010 by Brandon Stanton, a photographer and blogger who wanted to capture the lives of everyday New Yorkers. He has gained a great deal of attention on social media and has now interviewed and photographed over 10,000 people, posting their stories online. It is people such as Stanton who strive to uncover the truths about human life and thoughts that we should be thankful for in this increasingly isolated society that we are living in today. The idea to start “Humans of NDB” was brought to us by English teacher and “The Catalyst” advisor Robert Rojas. For the past couple of weeks, we have been posting photos and stories of students, faculty, staff, and other members of the NDB community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We hope to document as many Tigers and gain as many followers as possible to provide our audience with daily glimpses into the lives of those who walk up and down NDB’s halls. Follow @HumansofNDB.
Martin Herrmann, Teacher “In terms of my life journey, I feel like I’m learning how to just be in the moment of the journey as opposed to thinking about my life in terms of it. It’s a multi-staged journey. So much of life is always about what comes next, and I feel like this starts when you’re a kid when you focus on graduating from middle school, and then high school so you can get out and you can get more freedom and get away from your parents. And then after that, it comes to getting a job. And then after that, it maybe becomes starting a family, right? Finding a partner, getting married, having kids, etc. So then, life becomes about stage after stage and so often the next focus in your life is built around trying to reach that next stage opposed to being present and truly satisfied in the moment. And, I’ve found for a lot of my life, I have been very focused on what comes next in the journey and that’s where I derive satisfaction and happiness from - the pursuit of that next stage. And, now that I’m in my mid-30’s, I’ve started to find that the pursuit of those stages is not enough to find true happiness. You need to find happiness within the moment and, so you know, on some level, this is a spiritual journey, I guess you could say. So, that’s the stage of my journey. Right now, I’m in the spiritual stage and a lot of that is trying to feel happy with my life. It helps that I recently became engaged, and I’m starting a family here soon -- probably -- and, on so many levels, I feel like I am moving through those different stages, but it’s just learning how to be thankful for where I’m at in the moment and maintaining open eyes about what could come ahead of me. Trying not to have these rigid expectations about how my life will unfold.”
NDB Mock Trial team rests its case A direct examination of the dream team’s Senior members
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
Several seniors from the Varsity and Junior Varsity Mock Trial teams take a short recess.
The NDB Mock Trial team ended its season after three consecutive Thursday evenings earlier this month, presenting their case at the Redwood City courthouse. This year’s trial featured a murder case to determine whether or not a college student who hit a campus security officer with a bat, subsequently killing him, acted in proper defense of another’s life. The thirty-six member group, divided between Varsity and Junior Varsity teams, argued either for or against the case during two-hour-long trials. They competed against various local high school teams, including Carlmont HS, Menlo School, and Serra HS, and presented to actual judges and lawyers. Faculty advisor Adam Currier says, “The seniors this year had a real tough task in terms of training a number of people who have never done mock trial before, but they’ve laid a strong foundation for future success.” He also says, “I’m looking forward to seeing what all of the returning members bring to the courtroom next year.” “The Catalyst” asked several Senior members of the Varsity team to reflect on the case, their preparation for the courtroom, and their time with the team over the past several years. The Catalyst (TC): Do you want to be a lawyer or judge when you grow up? Cate Luna (CL): I don’t want to be a lawyer or judge, I just really like Mock Trial. In real life, I’m really ill-composed, sloppy, and inarticulate. So, it’s really fun for me to be someone put together and powerful, unlike myself. TC: How do you prepare for court? Anya Knoth (AK): We spend a few practices a week working on the case from October to February and we figure out all the information, we figure out how we will attack the case, and we figure out all our roles.
Jordan McGlinchey, Student “High school has changed my view on life because, in middle school, I was very limited and there weren’t any clubs and very few sports that I was able to try out for. Coming to high school, I was able to try new things like student council and different clubs. For example, I’m in the Ambassador Club now, and I enjoy showing people around and shadowing them because it was fun for me when I was shadowing. So, I’m finding things that I didn’t know I was interested in before, and it’s also because there’s a lot of different sports that I can do. I chose soccer which was really fun because I got to meet new people that are different ages which was really nice.”
TC: How much of it is prepared and how much is adlibbed? AK: It’s about half and half. Part of it, we get to prepare ahead of time... But, when we go directly against the other attorneys and witnesses, we have to react to them. TC: How do you deal with the pressure of presenting in front of actual judges and lawyers? Riley McGlinchey (RM): At first, I was super intimidated, but at the first trial, the judge said my pre-trial argument and how the interaction carried out with the opposing pre-trial lawyer for the defense was the best he’s heard in 25 years. That really reassured me, and so after that, I was a lot more confident, and I just didn’t re-
ally think about the intimidation of it all.
because I usually beat them in arguments now.
TC: What’s the most unexpected thing that happened in the courtroom?
TC: How has it affected or guided your studies?
Claire Jabba (CJ): The most unexpected thing that happened in the courtroom in all my three years took place in our last trial against Serra this year. The judge was inexperienced and started questioning one of Serra’s witnesses. The witness’ attorney stood up and told the judge to stop talking to the witness. Everybody went absolutely silent. It was crazy. TC: How has Mock Trial made you more confident about debates or public speaking? CJ: Mock Trial has given me so much when it comes to public speaking. I used to be afraid to talk in front of a group. Now, it is one of my favorite activities. The pressure of being in the courtroom cannot be compared to anything else and makes speaking in front of a group at a meeting or in front of the class seem super easy. RM: While I’ve always been really confident in public speaking and an overall persuasive person who loves a good argument, Mock Trial enhanced that to an entirely new level, and I love it. I’m always debating things, like politics, at home or in my AP Gov class, and I’ve noticed how my arguments are a lot stronger. And, I’m even more persuasive than before. My parents love it... Not really
CL: Mock Trial has made me a better listener. Mr. Currier always says, “If you can’t listen to the other side, then you are a bad arguer.” And, it’s completely true. Not only am I more able to listen to a lecture in class and better absorb the material, but I am also way better at listening to others. RM: Mock trial has affected my studies by enhancing my persuasive and argumentative skills. In essays, debates, research projects, and more, I feel really confident in the work that I’m putting forth. I’ve gained a new skill set on how to analyze a topic from every perspective and to always find a way to make my argument shine through. So, I’m now able to write these essays and things from unique perspectives. I definitely think it helped prepare me for college, not only for the essays that I’ll have to do, but also in how to speak to professors about things like a discrepancy on what grade should be received on an assignment. TC: What insight has Mock Trial given you into the American judicial system? CL: Mock Trial has given me real appreciation for the American judicial system. There are a lot of rules and intricacies for a reason: To make sure the truth comes out and a fair verdict is given.
#thecatalystndb | News & Features | Winter 2016 Epicurean Group provides diverse and healthy food choices
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Chinnakotla: “There’s a lot of options to choose from. And, oftentimes, I tend to struggle with choosing.” Food | from Page 1 are also certified as a Bay Area Green Business. Their vision is to be the premiere provider of high quality and natural food. They currently provide food service at many local schools, including Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, Bishop O’Dowd High School, and Archbishop Mitty HS. When asked what Epicurean will bring to the NDB community, Epicurean’s Vice President of Operations Brian Armenio says, “You can expect elevated hospitality, great seasonal food, and you will get to try things that you haven’t tried before.” The company creates its weekly menus according to the seasons as well as to the preferences and tastes of the NDB community. These menus are provided in advance and posted online for everyone’s convenience. Looking over just one day’s menu, one can order bananas foster pancakes with
maple syrup and hash browns for breakfast and then have a choice between grilled vegetable or cheese pizza, falafel stuffed pitas with tahini yogurt spread served with a cucumber salad, or four cheese grilled cheese on sourdough with garden pasta salad for lunch. When asked what she thought of the selection, senior Bharathi Chinnakotla says, “There’s a lot of options to choose from. And, oftentimes, I tend to struggle with choosing.” Junior Annaliese Divney adds, “The panini’s are delicious and flavorful, and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients.” Epicurean’s meals not only have great flavor as many students have claimed so far, but they are also low calorie, low fat, and low sodium with high nutritional value. The company is dedicated to creating healthy meals that lead to a healthier lifestyles. Epicurean District Manager Jerry Boone says, “Our food is affordable and
great quality.” Plans are in place to facilitate food service. Students will continue to be able to preorder their meals online via the school website. Lines are maintained outside of the cafeteria, allowing only ten students in the servery at a time. Students volunteer to help serve lunch, building a sense of community and responsibility for their meals. Epicurean will eventually introduce a wellness program which will help with nutrition awareness and healthy eating. Moving forward, they also hope to use the school’s greenhouse and planter boxes to create a garden for its fruits and vegetables. NDB is making the food service required for all students, starting with the 2016-2017 school year and including costs in tuition. In an email to parents, Head of School Maryann Osmond assures families that “healthy, fresh, daily lunch is provided for all students.”
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
Junior Ashley Faro and sophomore Nancy Huerta serve a selection of fried rice, chow mein with broccoli, Niman Ranch beef, Kung Pao chicken, and vegetable egg rolls during lunch.
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
Juniors Sofia Sarimsakci, Gianna Susa, and Emma Sroat show off their creations from the build-your-own-salad station.
Show us what you’re eating from the Tiger Cafe and post pictures of your breakfast, lunch, and snacks on social media with the hashtags #TheCatalystNDB and #NDBTigerCafe
Intersession 2016 These pictures are just a small sampling of the NDB Intersession classes on and off campus during the week of February 15-19. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter #TheCatalystNDB to see more photos of these and other school events.
Math teachers, Jude Loeffler and A few Avengers pose with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland after campus visits to UCLA, USC, and LMU during Jennifer Walton, hike with the SoCal Adventures Trip. students in Montara and Pacifica.
“The Ladies of Etiquette,” along with Religious Studies teacher Thea Fiatarone, host a tea party with cucumber sandwiches, tea, and scones for staff.
Science teacher, Dr. Liz Hegarty guides a student with her knitting during Project Runway.
Students cook with Social Studies teachers, Mike McKenna and Gabe Molnar.
Staff and student leaders and participants take a moment in the great outdoors for a group picture during the Kairos 11 retreat.
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#thecatalystndb | Arts & Entertainment | Winter 2016
The Hungry Tiger Sasha ArredondoDeLipski NDB Foodie
Food! We all love it, but deciding where to eat can be a really difficult choice. Sometimes, it is hard to find good quality food for an af@TheCatalystNDB fordable price. Luckily, there are many great places to eat around Belmont, some are even exceptional. And, they have affordable prices for the everyday NDB girl. Sushi Monster | 955 Ralson Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002 Lunch: 11am-2pm; Dinner: 5-9pm Closed Sunday
Not only is this restaurant good, but it has great prices. Their menu selection has something for everyone! If you want to go out with your family and friends, they have a special that feeds up to six people! This includes Chicken Teriyaki, Korean-style BBQ Ribs, California Roll, Tempura Prawns, Gyoza, Steamed Rice, Salad, and Miso Soup. The teriyaki and soup are incredible and the rolls are very good. The sashimi is also delicious! All of the fish is really fresh and it tastes even better with some wasabi. The Maguro (tuna) and Sake (salmon), and Hamachi (yellow tail) are extremely tender and never too chewy. To finish your meal off, Sushi Monster also has some of the best desserts! They have Mochi, which are little balls of ice cream with powdered sugar on top. The outside of mochi has a chewy, soft shell and the inside is regular ice cream. They have an assortment of flavors to choose from. It is one of the best desserts you’ll ever taste. Rangoon Ruby | 1000 Sixth Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002
Lunch: Mon-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm | Dinner: Mon-Thurs, Sun: 5-10pm, Fri & Sat: 5-10:30pm
Rangoon Ruby serves Burmese cuisine. Burma is located in Myanmar, close to India. Even, if you’re someone who is maybe not adventurous with food, give it a try anyways! The Egg Okra Curry and the Ruby Shrimp are delicious! There is so much flavor in both of these entrees. If you wanted to add even more flavor, the customer has the choice to pick what spice level they want on every dish. You can try very spicy, spicy, medium spice, mild spice, or no spice at all. The Curried Pork was one of the best dishes. The curry was thick and the pork was tender, making a tasty combination. While the entrees are exquisite, the dessert is even better! You can have Fried Banana and Coconut Pudding, both with Coconut Ice Cream. These two desserts are a perfect ending to the meal. Rangoon Ruby is a bit more pricey but great for a family outing.
Review: Joseph and his coat are quite amazing Tri-School Productions presents an ambitious spring musical by Alexa Branzuela and Kyra Halton
Contributing Writers
Tri-School Productions is currently showing its spring musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in the Gellert Auditorium at Serra High School in San Mateo. During the show, spectators watch the famous Old Testament story of Joseph, who was favored by his father, Jacob, and envied by his eleven brothers. Through a variety of different songs and dances with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, narrators tell Joseph’s story to an onstage audience of children. NDB Choral teacher Kristin Pfeifer serves as the show’s vocal director. She says, “The musical is awesome! Never have I seen so many people wearing so many different wigs.” When asked what she thought of the performance, NDB senior Margarett Qaqish says, “I came into the show knowing very little about what I was about to watch. I was so amazed by the wonderful job done by all the students! I especially loved how the whole musical was presented through songs and dances. It definitely showcased all the talents that lie within the three schools!”
Photo Credit: Teresa Halton
Celisse Tan, Holden Boger, and Erin Murphy sing a song. The cast of Tri-School family that I’m thankful for.” students have been dancing, Many other NDB stulearning songs, and mastering dents are participating in this lines since December in order production, either in the show to perfect the show and to be itself or with the stage crew, ready by opening night, last including freshmen Serena FuFriday, March 11. It consists ruta, Preyasi Kumar, and Hilprimarily of students from ary Tighe; sophomores Jillian Mercy High School in Burl- Antunez, Lindsey Berardi, and ingame, NDB, and Serra HS. Keira Cruickshank; juniors Serra HS sophomore Holden Alexa Branzuela and Cailyn Boger plays the title role, Jo- Olsen; and seniors Juleanne seph, while NDB junior Ce- Antunez, Kayla Brandi, Luisa lisse Tan and Mercy HS soph- Brown, Hatti Chapman, Jillian omore Erin Murphy play the Colrain, Elizabeth Hoo, Natwo narrators. The children tasha Khoo, Angie Navarro, are played by students from Maddie Schilling, and Abby local elementary schools. Sorkin. They all make the When asked about her show the best that it can be. work with the other perform- There are two more ers, Gabby Fanucci, a NDB performances of the musical: sophomore in the musical en- Friday, March 18 and Satursemble, says, “Being in the day, March 19. Tickets are Tri-School musical is such available online at TriSchoola great experience and I’ve Productions.com and are sold loved it. We’ve all become a at the door.
Three must-see TV shows available on Netflix This binge-watch covers 514 episodes or 247 hours over 10 days by Brittany Bradley Contributing Writer Once you have settled into your favorite spot to watch TV with your favorite blanket and snack, it is time to invest in binge-watching. A favorite site is Netflix; this streaming website offers a wide range of shows. As a person who enjoys binge-watching TV shows on Netflix and after asking people around NDB which ones are worth it, I created a list of three shows that everyone should spend time watching. 1. “Parks and Recreation” | 7 seasons | 125 Episodes “Parks and Rec” stars big names, including Amy Poelher, Chris Pratt, Rob Lowe, Aubrey Plaza, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, and Adam Scott. It aired from 2009-2015, running for seven seasons. The show was filmed in a reality show-style and documents how the characters deal with their jobs in the parks department and personal lives in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. In my opinion, this show is one of the best comedies that has ever been on television.
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
Online streaming is the new way to watch TV shows. 2. Gilmore Girls | 7 seasons | 153 episodes “Gilmore Girls” follows a single mother, Lorelai, and her daughter, Rory, living in Stars Hollow, Connecticut. The mother-daughter relationship creates a funny show with many heartfelt and genuine moments. This show lasted for seven seasons and is set for a revival of four episodes that will be aired on Netflix later sometime this year. It created a stepping stone for future “Supernatural” fan-favorite star, Jared Padalecki. 3. “Friends” | 10 seasons | 236 episodes “Friends” is arguably the best sitcom that has
ever been on TV. It shows the interactions of a group of friends that have an unbreakable bond. The show stars six twenty-something year olds -three women and three men -living in New York City in the mid-1990s to the early-2000s. They try to find happiness in their careers, relationships, and lives in the Big Apple, but it’s never easy. Each character is extremely relatable to the viewers, making the show even more engaging. These shows are funny and send a good message to their fans. And, they’re all on Netflix. Be sure to get the Netflix app. It is essential app for anyone who loves entertainment because of the variety of shows they have to offer.
#thecatalystndb | Health & Sports | Winter 2016 page 7 Study Young lineup defines basketball season The NDB Concussion asymptomatic, she then begins Concussion | from Page 1
Bertana: “This year, league was definitely tough...” by Camryn McNab Contributing Writer The NDB Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball teams completed another demanding and strenuous season, competing in one of the best leagues in California, the West Catholic Athletic League. Tryouts started in early November and lasted three laborious days. Teams were created that week, and practices began right away. The varsity roster consisted of two freshman, two sophomores, six juniors, and one senior. With such a young lineup, this season has proven to be a “building” year for the program. The varsity team adjusted early when learning the
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
Coach Davenport talks to the team during a timeout. hard nose fundamental defensive principles that Coach Josh Davenport instills. He says, “Good basketball always starts with good defense. I also buy into the notion that offense may win games, but defense wins
championships.” He also says, “Not everyone can be a gifted shooter, but they can be a good or even great defender if they have the willingness, passion, and See Basketball | Page 8
Cheer is headed to Nationals -- again Season takes squad from Bay Area to Honolulu to Anaheim by Taylor Collins and Isabelle Way
Contributing Writers
The NDB Spirit Squad’s 2015-2016 season is one for the memory books. Cheer has an undefeated winning streak going into the USA Nationals in Anaheim, California, from March 18-20. The girls have put in hours of conditioning, marking counts, and stunting in an effort to perfect their routines and to give their all at the competition. The dedication that they have shown throughout the year has not only paid off on the mat, but has helped to form many bonds between these spirited young women. Cheer Captain and senior Cassie Cunningham says, “Notre Dame’s cheerleading program is incredible, and I
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Isabelle Way
The cheer and pom teams placed first in the UC Davis CA Open. feel very privileged to have been apart of it for the past three years. I have learned leadership, teamwork, and dedication through my experience. Cheer will forever have a spot in my heart.” Pom has also shown their perseverance through-
out the season. The girls have learned many different dance routines, executing each and every one of them beautifully. They really know what it means to be committed, confident, and dedicated dancers. See Cheer | Page 8
Soccer meets goal before leaving WCAL Vierra: “...The family aspect of our team never lacked.”
concussion two years ago, it’s been hard for me to focus. Some of my teachers were good about giving me extra time for my work, but a lot of them assumed that since I was still going to school, that I was able to do all my homework and take tests, which was really difficult.” According to a recent study, high school students will sustain 300,000 concussions per year; girls are 68% more likely to receive a concussion. With sports becoming more and more intense, concussion rates in girls basketball and soccer seem to be at its highest. NDB Head Athletic Trainer Christina Okubo says, “Because of increased awareness, concussions have become an injury that coaches and medical professionals take very seriously. Any athlete that suffers a blow to the head in a practice or game, whether from contact with another player or with the ground, is required to be removed from activity if a concussion is suspected.” Symptoms of concussions can happen immediately after receiving initial impact or gradually within days. Depending on its severity, the first twenty four hours after suffering from one can be critical and may be dealt with differently. A doctor may ask the concussed individual be woken up every two to three hours to ensure she has not gone into a coma and to stimulate the brain. There are plans in place to support student-athletes heal and return to their respective court or field and to their classrooms. Okubo continues, “Certified Athletic Trainers use a battery of tests to evaluate an athlete for concussion which include monitoring symptoms and testing motor skills. Once an athlete is
a return-to-play protocol depending on what sport they are returning to. This consists of a progression from light exercise, to more vigorous exercise then moving to non-contact sport specific drills and eventually contact drills, scrimmaging and full practice.” Student-athletes already feel a lot of pressure keeping up with their studies. But, those recovering from concussions find it very difficult to manage their classwork and homework, practices and games, and the side effects of their injuries, especially headaches. Senior and former track and field athlete Kim Leininger suffered a concussion from a recent fall. When asked how school was going two weeks after her head injury, she says, “I tend to get headaches and new material is harder to understand. It takes longer to process and it’s harder to focus.” Looking at screens on laptops and cellphones is not ideal, but sometimes necessary for school work. The slow recovery forces these student-athletes to play a game of catch-up with various assignments, resulting in slow and stressful recovery. Concussions are not only dangerous to a person’s physical health, but to their classwork as well. When asked about how he deals with student-athletes with concussions, English teacher and Assistant Track coach Adam Currier says, “I follow the recommendations of the doctor overseeing the student, then modify assessments and assignments accordingly.” It is vital to take into consideration the seriousness of any concussion. They not only can affect one’s school work, but can have lasting effects on her brain if the student-athlete is left ignored or untreated.
by Sara Eckles and Monet Mendenhall
Contributing Writers
Although the NDB Soccer season was fun and exciting, it also presented many challenges. Because the school is switching to the West Bay Athletic League next year, the team wanted to end this last season in the Western Catholic Athletic League strongly. To the team, they achieved this goal, but on paper, it might not look like it. The Tigers worked as hard as they could and never gave up, giving them strength and courage to fight hard in every single game. They played hard against some of the best teams in California. But, they lost most of the games during league and only scored one goal in the second to last game
Photo Credit: Matt Dodge
The varsity soccer family-team bond at Pismo beach. against Saint Ignatius High School. The Varsity Soccer team only had two seniors and four juniors, compared to last year when there were eight seniors and six juniors. With their small and young team of only fifteen players battling
against the thirty players on the other teams in the league, the team fought hard and gave it their all. Both seniors, Reina Vierra and Francesca Martinez, were captains and they helped create the unity on the See Soccer | Page 8
Photo Credit: Robert Rojas
Hines: “...It’s been hard for me to focus.”
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#thecatalystndb |Health & Sports| Winter 2016
Cheer and Dance: A season in review Cheer |from Page 7
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Taylor Collins
Cheer and pom teams gather for community building.
In addition to competing at many different venues such as American Canyon High School and University of the Pacific, both pom and cheer teams have had other opportunities to perform during the season. Each team performed at the grand opening of San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 3 and wowed the crowds. The girls also performed at the NFL’s 2016 Pro Bowl halftime show at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The teams also performed at the NDB Catfight and Serra HS Senior Night basketball games. When asked what she will remember most about cheer, Captain and senior Franny Conci says, “My most
memorable moments are, for sure, Pro Bowl in 2013, performing with Jordan Sparks at a 49er game and Nationals every year.” The NDB Cheer and Dance program has grown immensely since its beginning. Conci says, “I think my favorite part about Notre Dame cheer is how each year I’ve seen the program grow. I started out with a team of 14 during my freshman year and now, as a Senior, I’m on a team of 29 girls.” The teams have shown what makes them champions through the commitment, dedication, and hard work of Director Pam Stilleson, Coach Morgan Craig, and various other coaches, many of them NDB alumnae. A graduate of the
NDB Class of 2008, Coach Nikki Ambayec says, “The best thing about being a coach is having the chance to share my experience, knowledge, and advice with the girls, as I was a 4-year cheerleader at NDB and I am so grateful to be a part of this program again!” When asked about the teams’ routines, Craig says, “It’s exhilarating and stressful. The focus at practices leading up to nationals is fine tuning the routine from beginning to end as well as upping the choreography creativity.” Ambayec says, “As we prepare for Nationals, the girls are working hard to sharpen their routine. As a coach, if they go out and give the best performance they can give, I will be happy regardless of the outcome!”
Basketball: A season in review Basketball | from Page 7
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discipline to dedicate themselves to the defensive end.” Freshmen Jasmine Musada and Emilia Dougherty showed resilience and ambition when transitioning from middle school basketball to facing nationally ranked high school teams. The Tigers went 5-7 in pre-season and made strides, but faced obstacles in league, ending 1-11. Sophomore Talia Bertana said, “This year, league was definitely tough, but having such a great team that real-
ly got along made it easier.” Head strength and conditioning coach Kate Mahoney made her debut as the Junior Varsity coach as well as Social Sciences teacher Nicole Gonzales as assistant coach. When asked about her thoughts on the season, Mahoney says, “It’s been a goal of mine since graduating from college to coach basketball. I was given the opportunity to do so this year with the JV team, and it has been a great experience. I love sharing my passion for the sport with the girls and have really enjoyed coaching this group.”
Soccer: A season in review Soccer |from Page 7
team. When asked about the season, Vierra said, “No matter the outcome of the game, the support from the girls and the family aspect of our team never lacked. These girls are the reason I kept coming out everyday.” When asked about what she thought of her team, Martinez commented, “The season was tough, but our team never backed down as we worked hard until the last minute giving it our all every game, regardless of the score. This is a team and a season that I will never forget.”
Coach Matt Dodge helped the small and mighty team focus on the way they played, rather than winning or losing. The last game of the season was against Presentation High School, another all-girls school in the league. The game started with a bang, but Presentation was able to score two goals in the first ten minutes of the game, one of them being a penalty kick. The Tigers fought hard and, at the end of the second half, Daviana Hayman, a freshman, scored a goal off of a throwin. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost 4-2, still ending the season with a great attitude.
Healthy Living Club to present at San Mateo Youth Conference by Alex Dennis Staff Writer
The Healthy Living Club will be a featured presenter at the 2016 San Mateo Youth Conference at the College of San Mateo on Saturday, March 19 from 10am to 4pm. They will give a 20 minute presentation, focusing on
stress management, nutrition in everyday life, and what it means to be “fit.” There will be a variety of different presentation topics on important social issues and ways to change the world. The event is free and NDB students who attend and support will earn spirit points for their class.