Month: October 2026

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It’s Squash & Gourd Time at Trader Joe’s

by Ellie Stallings

As the year continues and the seasons change, one thing remains constant: the delicious taste of all things Trader Joe’s! Fall is upon us, and Trader Joe’s has rolled out their new seasonal lineup. Stop by your local Trader Joe’s and pick up some of these seasonal favorites to spice up your fall foods!

  1. Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese

Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese is comfort food without the effort. This dish blends creamy cheddar cheese with sweet butternut squash puree to create a cozy fall meal in one bowl. All you have to do is toss it in the microwave, and you get an easy meal in the dorms or a quick bite to eat for dinner.

  1. Salted Maple Cold Foam Creamer

Spice up your morning latte with the Trader Joe’s Salted Maple Cold Foam Creamer. This addition to your coffee pairs the sweet and savory flavor of Salted Maple with the cool and fluffy texture of cold foam. Just shake the can and gently press the nozzle and you’ll have the perfect homemade drink.

  1. Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake

We know and love the vanilla and chocolate Trader Joe’s sheet cakes, and this delicious fall treat is a seasonal addition to the sheet cake family! This cake is soft, moist, and flavorfully infused with warm spices, with a generous layer of tasty cream cheese frosting on top. Whether served as the conclusion to a warm fall meal or just as an after school pick-me-up, this cake is a spectacular myriad of fall flavors.

  1. Glazed Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes

Trader Joe’s Glazed Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes are a perfect grab-n-go fall sweet treat. Light, fluffy and coated in a sweet pumpkin-spice glaze, these donut holes deliver a cozy autumn flavor with each bite. Serve them up with a hot mug of coffee or tea for a delicious fall snack.

  1. Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Trader Joe’s Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli are a standout seasonal meal of warm pumpkin and subtle sweetness. The pasta is filled with a smooth pumpkin puree blended with ricotta and mozzarella and that is complemented by a warm honey and molasses flavor. The unique flavor of Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli are sufficiently adorned with butter and olive oil. This sweet-savory mixture can be an easy and flavorful fall dinner.

(all images are from the Trader Joe’s website)

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Santa Catalina Tennis Season: An Undefeated Start

by Eunice Lee

The 2026 Santa Catalina Varsity Tennis Team (photo by Coach Klein)

The Santa Catalina tennis team has made one thing clear this season: they are not planning on slowing down anytime soon. After opening the season with a 5-2 victory over Castilleja on Sept. 11, the Cougars went on to win their next nine matches, bringing their record to an undefeated 10-0 overall and 6-0 in league play.

The team’s success has come from both its depth and its ability to stay composed when matches get close. In the season opener against Castilleja, Alexia Robinson, Avani Singh, Jessica Urtusuastegui and Fiona Fang each won their singles matches in straight sets. At No. 1 doubles, Chloe Thompson and Stacey Kim battled through an early deficit and forced a match tiebreak after winning the second set. Although they ultimately fell short, their fight set the tone for a team willing to compete through every point.

The Cougars continued that momentum the following day at the Santa Catalina Tennis Invitational. Catalina defeated Mercy High School 7-0 before earning a 5-2 victory over Stevenson. Against Stevenson, Thompson and Kim dominated at No. 1 doubles, winning 6-1, 6-2 to secure the team victory. Regina Cajiga and Ivonne De La Vega Kastis also fought through a three-set doubles match, winning the deciding tiebreak 10-7.

League play brought more close competition, but Catalina continued to find ways to win. On Sept. 25, the Cougars defeated Carmel 6-1, highlighted by four straight-set singles victories. The No. 3 doubles team of Zamina Singh and Chloe Wigdahl provided one of the day’s closest finishes, winning a match tiebreak 14-12.

The team followed that performance with victories over Pacific Grove and Sacred Heart Prep. Against Pacific Grove, Catalina won 6-1, with strong doubles performances from Stacey Kim and Chloe Thompson, Zamina Singh and Chloe Wigdahl, and Zoey Schlenker and Ivonne De La Vega. The team also benefited from players on the sidelines, including Avani Singh, Georgia Dotto, Taelen Jones, Magdalena Pablos and Andrea Fernandez Coppel, whose support and match scouting contributed to the team effort.

Ivonna De La Vega Kastis serves in a doubles match.

The Cougars continued their winning streak with a 7-0 sweep of Carmel on Sept. 29. One of the day’s biggest comebacks came from Magdalena Pablos at No. 4 singles. After dropping the first set 2-6, Pablos fought back to win the second 6-2 before taking the match tiebreak 10-8.

The next day, Catalina defeated Salinas 7-0. Avani Singh returned to the singles lineup with a 6-0, 6-1 victory, while Andrea Fernandez Coppel and Zoey Schlenker stepped in at No. 2 doubles and earned a 6-3, 6-0 win. Georgia Dotto and Taelen Jones also closed out a 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 3 doubles.

Most recently, Catalina defeated Pacific Grove 7-0 on Oct. 5. Alexia Robinson Bours battled through a tight match at No. 1 singles, winning a deciding match tiebreak 10-8. Meanwhile, Thompson and Kim controlled their No. 1 doubles match from the beginning, winning 6-1, 6-3, and Fiona Fang continued her dominant season with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 4 singles.

With ten wins and no losses, Catalina’s strongest advantage may be its depth. Different players have stepped into different positions, close matches have been fought through, and teammates have continued supporting one another from the sidelines. With their consistency and strong spirit, the Cougars are well positioned to build on their undefeated start.