Love letters to NDB from students

Dear NDB,

Thank you for your opportunities. You give students a place to try new things, explore their interests, and find their passions. Whenever we walk through the door, we know we will be faced with new challenges. And even though it may be hard, we know you will always be there to help us overcome them. Thank you for the chances you give us to become the best versions of ourselves.

Love, Izzy Sucre ‘24

Teacher love stories

by Francesca Arbelaez Arts & Life Co-Editor

As Valentine’s Day approaches, The Catalyst asked teachers to share their love stories with the community.

Sarah Boragno, English

Dear NDB,

When I first stepped foot on campus, I immediately knew you were the place for me. I felt so welcomed and seen even just as a newcomer.

Thank you for providing so many opportunities for me and to help me truly discover myself in a time of uncertainty and growth. Between leadership opportunities, various classes to help spark my interests, and the warm and welcoming staff and teachers I’ve benefited greatly from all you have to offer.

Love, Caitlynn Reynolds ‘23

The Catalyst (TC): What is your favorite memory with your husband?

Dear NDB,

You have been my home for the past two years, A home where I have felt welcomed. A home where I have made some of my closest friends. A home where I have discovered more about myself. You are not recognized as much as you should be. But the loving and safe environment you have provided me has helped me to appreciate and endear the little things in life. Thank you for everything.

Love, Isabella Svanberg ‘25

How to spend your Galentine’s Day

by Ashley Turner Staff Writer

Expression of love to our best friends can be best expressed by celebrating Galentine’s Day. The show “Parks and Recreation” declared the holiday to be substituted for Valentine’s Day, giving Galentine’s Day such popularity. Galentine’s mocks the original holiday and rather than a date, you have your closest friends as company. This unofficial holiday embraces that platonic love so easily forgotten. Gathering as a group, the day can be spent in numerous manners.

When planning Galentine’s, it is important to pick excursions that will be enjoyed by all of the friends involved. Picking the right plans ensures memories and maybe even making a new tradition to share amongst closest friends.

Staying in and staying cozy is a perfect way to escape from schoolwork and the rush of a typical day. With the colder weather in February, indoor activities might be preferable to those celebrating. Baking can enrichen the trust and teamwork within your group. Incorporating recipes that include ingredients associated with Valentine’s Day. A simple recipe could be making sweet or savory dip. One of the holiday’s favorites are chocolate dipped strawberries. A popular dip this year is strawberry cream cheese whipped with melted marshmallows due to its pink color making it a perfect addition to the night. Another recipe that has gone viral were heart shaped pizzas. Pizza dough is readily available at grocery stores and is a rather easy meal to make.

A benefit is that it can easily be personalized to suit your friend’s favorites.

Movie dates are rather typical on such a holiday, however movies with your friends are easily more enjoyable. Romantic comedies are the obvious choice to watch with the group. “Bridget Jones’s Diary” is a trilogy which is perfect for a binge and also at times feature the protagonist’s supportive friend group. The movie carries a theme of friendship when her friends easily drop what they are doing to support their friend in a break up. Another great movie which is sure to bring all to laughter is “Valentine’s Day” which follows many couples whose stories intertwine. With some relationships being romantic and others platonic, the movie balances both Valentine’s and Galentine’s. For a more active celebration, little day trips to the beach or the city can bring adventure to the agenda. The beach gives the opportunity to get some Vitamin D and chat amongst each other, truly celebrating the day together. Incorporating a picnic is sure to enhance the trip as well. The coast holds many scenic destinations that are perfect to view a sunset. Another alternative is a day trip to San Francisco. With its diverse restaurants and sightseeing, the city is a quick getaway only a short drive away.

Sarah Boragno: My favorite memory. I think that yes, we’ve gone on a lot of trips and vacations and done a lot of fun things together, but I feel my favorite memory is when my son Danny was born. And Nick was in the fullon surgical outfit and just a frantic brand new dad and watching him just kind of step into this new role. It was not just us two anymore and then it started as building our family. I think the first time I saw him hold Danny was probably my favorite memory of us.

Wendy Connolly, History

The Catalyst (TC): How did you and your husband meet?

Wendy Connolly: I was living on the island of Eleuthera working as a lifeguard swim instructor. And my future husband was from New Jersey and he was the sound engineer at the resort. I thought he was cute so we started talking and then the summer ended so then we stopped working ... He had never been to California. So he came out and he decided to stay here. So that’s how we met we met on the island of Eleuthera working for a resort.

Anna Gavidia, Spanish

The Catalyst (TC): What is your favorite memory with him?

Anna Gavidia: We went backpacking together through Europe after college, it was a great experience to get to know each other better.

TC: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

celebrate Galentine’s Day together by going to lunch.

AG: Valentine’s Day to me means friendship. It’s not necessarily about my significant other or romance, it’s just the friendship that has been with me before my husband. But he and I will go out to dinner or something on Valentine’s Day.