Category: Uncategorized

Jayla Ballesteros

The 2023 Fall sports season is flying by at a rapid pace. Water polo, volleyball, cross country, golf, and tennis are this season’s sports. The schedules are packed with games, and each of the teams has had a busy Fall. The Catalina tennis team has had an impactful season so far. Led by their coach, Richie, and team captain Ally Yoshiyama, they placed third in the Gabilan Division. They await a final match that will decide whether or not they will attend this year’s Central Coast Section Championship. Catalina tennis has put in a lot of effort this season and with their in-league record is six wins and four losses. The girls have thrived this fall and Catalina held its 64^th annual Santa Catalina Girls Varsity Tennis Invitational. It has not taken place in the last few years due to COVID, so the team was excited about the event. They worked hard at the tournament and played wonderfully. The tennis team has had a busy competition season having at least one game a week; and for three consecutive weeks, the girls had three games a week. Even though this must have been exhausting for the players, they were ready to play their hardest at each of the games. 

Catalina Tennis has four seniors this year: Ava Kruger, Gaby Salazar Zaied, Ally Yoshiyama, and Ines Larrauri Robinson Bours. This strong group of seniors has helped mold Catalina Tennis into the successful team today. The girls started out strong, winning 6-1 against Notre Dame within the first three weeks of the season. During this match, Gaby Salazar ‘24 and Ines Larrauri ‘24 were a doubles team and won a decisive tiebreaker against Notre Dame. The two players make a strong team and are incredibly entertaining to watch. 

Though the season has been extended, it is not over yet. With a few games left, the team has come together and is working hard to finish out the season The Catalina Tennis team is excited to see where their efforts will take them and if they will make it to CCS this year.

By Layla Borman

Whether it’s Carmel High School protesting for stadium lights, Monterey High students protesting for reinstatement of a beloved staff member or Monterey and Seaside High students walking out in protest of racism on campus, student protest is an uncommon but effective way to voice your opinion. 

Carmel High School students have been protesting for stadium lights on their field for many years but up until 2022 they have never been successful. Carmel High School happens to be in a residential area and with backlash from the residents in the surrounding neighborhoods they have not been able to get approval. The Carmel ASB began campaigning for the lights in October 2021. However with the current classes and their efforts to change this not only did the Carmel Unified School District approve this project, but they did so unanimously. The residents were against the lights fearing they would disrupt the peaceful neighborhood in the evening  but the Carmel students thought of these lights as a necessity to the safety and success of their athletic program. In order to advocate for lights  many students became involved. . For example, they started a petition on change.org, they wrote letters to the school board and  attended the board meeting in November, and they held a tee-shirt printing rally prior to the board meeting. As a direct result of these protests they were successful in making a change. Highlighting a different form of student activism, Monterey High School students in 2010 decided to collectively walk off campus and through the streets of Monterey to protest against the relocation of some of their favorite teachers to other schools. The school board had made a decision to switch a chunk of Monterey High and Seaside High teachers in order to put Seaside High School in a better position to gain federal funding. The students were outraged that their favorite teachers, who had been teaching at Monterey for up to 30 years prior, were being simply moved to Seaside to benefit their chances at receiving funding from the government. More than 500 students helped organize and execute a march through downtown around noon on a school day. Some of the students went as far as the Custom House and the Del Monte Ave tunnel before arriving back at the School District Office to end the protest. The impact of this protest did not only create a need for the Monterey High principal to leave his normal responsibilities unattended to while instead he had to monitor the march, but also the Monterey Police and Highway Patrol had to get involved in monitoring the march to ensure students safety as well. The march disrupted traffic and gained a lot of attention from the public along with the attention of their principal and police officers had a  big impact on their protests. 

Monterey and Seaside high schools also get involved in student protests in 2019, prompted by the administration’s lack of response to students involved in racist photos circulating on social media. This protest consisted of a walk out, the launch of the hashtag #eRacism, and a group of students who felt the need to speak on important topics. Their form of protest did not involve a march nor a board meeting, instead it involved a vow of silence and a walk out. The students believed that in order to have their voices heard and valued by the administration a vow of silence would prove how important their voices are in the running of the schools. The students also convinced the administration to let them leave class 20 minutes early to lead a walk out and the leaders would break the silence with a speech about how the words circulating social media were harmful and made a great impact on them. The students rallied and put together a whole group of supporters of the cause and made sure that their voices were heard and more importantly listened to. 

Although the prior examples all entail very different ways of working towards very different outcomes they all have one thing in common, students. As the Nobel Peace Prize winner and first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela said “The Youth of Today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

Sources:

Carmel residents file a lawsuit against Carmel Unified over stadium lights project at CHS. Monterey County Weekly, 30 Dec. 2022, http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/news_blog/carmel-residents-file-a-lawsuit-against-carmel-unified-over-stadium-lights-project-at-chs/article_6b941fbc-87e4-11ed-ad25-4f87c7c66d6e.html.

Hundreds of Monterey High Students Protest Teacher Transfers. Monterey Herald, 7 May 2010, http://www.montereyherald.com/2010/05/07/hundreds-of-monterey-high-students-protest-teacher-transfers/.

Monterey High School Students Protest Teacher Transfers. Monterey County Weekly, 6 May 2010, http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/local_news/monterey-high-school-students-protest-teacher-transfers/article_f86cb91b-1e57-5b0d-80d0-3d3c8789b799.html.

Neighbors fight proposed school stadium lights for Carmel High School. KSBW, 7 Sept. 2022, http://www.ksbw.com/article/neighbors-fight-proposed-school-stadium-lights-for-carmel-high-school/41099713.

Peninsula students stage strong, silent protest against racism. KSBW, 21 Feb. 2019, http://www.ksbw.com/article/peninsula-students-stage-strong-silent-protest-against-racism/26458043.

Racist photo prompts silent protest, walkout at Monterey and Seaside High schools. KSBW, 21 Feb. 2019, http://www.ksbw.com/article/racist-photo-prompts-silent-protest-walkout-at-monterey-and-seaside-high-schools/26438759.

By Georgia Morrison

In the early 1870s, water rugby was introduced in England. The name water rugby ultimately transitioned to water polo, a popular sport many men and women take part in today. When the game was created, it was played in rivers and lakes, but as it gained popularity, it was played in indoor pools. The sport held its first official match in London and spread throughout the rest of Europe. Tournaments were held in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, and Italy. By 1911, a set of international rules was developed to create a sense of organization in the game.  In 1924, men’s water polo was added to the Olympics, and it continued to grow worldwide despite the hold-up from the First World War. In 2000, women’s water polo was added to the Olympic games. Today, water polo is very popular as many countries participate in it for the Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships. Classified as one of America’s fastest-growing sports, water polo continues to spread throughout states, high schools, and colleges.

Cecilia Yu

When stepping into the theater to see The Barbie Movie, we all dressed up in pink or as our favorite animated Barbie character.  Stepping out, some had tears in their eyes, other’s hair strewn all over the place after running their fingers through it multiple times, and most seemed like they received the most shocking news of their life.  

Barbie was all about watching animations of what we dream of as little kids of being: a fairy becoming a mermaid, a commoner turning into a princess, and having our true love save us from a curse.  She usually had her animal sidekick; a random species with a strange name (though quite cute): Kuda the seahorse, Lila the unicorn, and Bibble the puffball (the superior sidekick).  If you don’t know Bibble, you are missing out.  Please go and watch Barbie: Fairytopia right now, your life is incomplete without seeing a babbling puffball hurl itself across the screen.

Anyways, what people expected was a world filled with pink and possibly magical scenarios such as turning into a mermaid, having wings, saving the prince (multiple times because women are always stronger than men), and so on.  What we got was quite the opposite.

Instead of space stations and Santa Claus’s warehouse, we got an inspiring piece that talks about societal norms and how toxic they are to the female sex.

We start with Barbie and Ken enjoying their lives in the Barbie world which is beautiful, pink, and everything a girl can dream of.  Everything is going well until she faces the reality of going to the human world.  There, Barbie finds out she isn’t as perfect as people make her believe.  In Barbieland, she was the most famous because of her style, looks, kindness, and the list goes on.  But in the human world, she was criticized, and people questioned her existence.  

She returns to Barbieland, wondering what is wrong with her, and why she isn’t good enough. Gloria, played by actress America Ferrera, was not one of Barbie’s big supporters in the beginning, but once Babrie suffers from a breakdown and identity crisis, she is there to let her know nothing is wrong with her, society is wrong. Gloria goes on to say that Barbie is “so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills [her] that [Barbie] doesn’t think [she’s] good enough.”  Gloria points out society’s flaws, such as the idea of women being “thin, but not too thin,” or how one is supposed to “be a boss, but you can’t be mean,” or how women are supposed to “answer for men’s bad behavior” which in itself doesn’t make any sense. She goes on to talk about how messed up societal views are on women and how impossible the expectations are of them.  Women should be “grateful” for what they have but know that the “system is rigged” and address it somehow but do absolutely nothing about it.  Gloria goes on and on about these problems, raging about how unfair society is with the expectations of what a woman should be and how it is nearly impossible to fill such a role.  Here, Gloria says everything that women feel today, and when she gives her speech, she says it unapologetically.

This talk soon placates Barbie, and after gathering her thoughts, she chooses to leave Barbieland and become a human.

The last scene is what stumps many people.  Why would Greta Gerwig, the writer and director of this film, end it on Barbie saying, “I want to see a gynecologist?”  Gerwig explains in the Town & Country “The Ending of Barbie Explained” article that she was “embarrassed about [her] body.”  She added this little phrase at the end to have a bit of a joke moment but also show little girls that if Barbie did it, they could too, building up our next generation with the thoughts of being able to do what they want with their body.

The overarching theme throughout this storyline is whatever you think is beautiful and amazing shouldn’t be deterred because of societal views.  If society says what you do is wrong, then you should do it again, and again until it is accepted and until it forces society to broaden its view and see the beauty in everything.

The Gaslighter

By Quinn Connolly

The question among Catalina students of all ages has always been, “Will Catalina ever go CoEd?” Well, we have recently been informed that the school has finally set a date: 2100. I know this seems like ages away, but in reality, it’s only 77 years. The planning for this is very recent, and not much is known about what will be done in the future to promote this new version of our beloved school. What we do know is that everyone has something to say about the future change. 

Santa Catalina student Delilah Futjita says she likes “that it’s going coed” and feels “that it is something that has been needed for a while.” Although the change might be difficult, many Catalina students already feel prepared and excited to start planning. Delilah, who is also the Sophomore Class President, “could not be more excited to start the 77-year planning process for this event.” She also feels “very excited about the different sports and games on campus as well as the different activities that would be added to the school.” Delilah is among many supporters, but some students feel that this is a wrong decision. 

One member of this opposing argument is Delilah Fujita. In another encounter with her, she stated that she “one-hundred percent disagrees” with this new venture and believes that it will take “too much work and effort for me (Delilah Fujita), personally, to get it done as the Sophomore Class President.” Delilah is a member of a group of similarly aligned students who believe that this change will take too much effort and energy to actually make it happen. However, this group is not the majority of the student population, and most people believe we can figure this out. 

As members of this Santa Catalina Community start to embrace (or disregard) this future change, they are left with feelings of hope, excitement, and wonder for the future. We hope that the generations of students to come will look back to 2023 as a time of prosperity and beginnings and that they appreciate the work we have put in to get them to where they are in the future. The planning to come to get us to 2100 will be strenuous, but worth it for those ahead. 

Claire Blatt

In early October 2023, a devastating war erupted in the troubled region of Israel and Gaza, renewing the heartbreaking cycle of violence that has persisted for over a century. The conflict, which pitted Israel against Hamas, the militant Islamist group that has governed Gaza since 2006, left a trail of destruction, injury, and loss on both sides. As the world watched in concern, it became evident that this long-standing dispute had not lost its capacity to inflict pain and suffering on the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

Hamas, which stands for Harakat al-muqawama al-Islamiyya, is a Palestinian national-Islamic movement. It is frequently criticized for endorsing anti-Semitic beliefs within its ideology, framing the conflict with Israel in religious and uncompromising terms. Hamas publications have portrayed Jews as instruments of the West or as the power that controls and manipulates the West in the ongoing conflict. They emphasize a dichotomy between Islam and Judaism and depict the struggle as a “war of religion and faith” between Muslims and Jews. Unlike non-Islamist Palestinian groups, Hamas makes no distinction between Judaism and Zionism, often using “Zionists” and “Jews” interchangeably in their rhetoric. This anti-Semitic perspective has become a central element in Hamas’ ideology and is used to explain their perception of the current crisis in the Muslim world. However, compassion for both the suffering people in Gaza and those hurt in Israel is necessary for reconciliation, but this war sadly seems far from over. 

The Conflict Unfolds

The fateful day of October 7, 2023, witnessed a sudden and deadly escalation of hostilities. Hamas fighters launched rockets into Israel, an audacious attack on southern Israeli cities and towns along the border with Gaza. The result was catastrophic, with hundreds of soldiers and civilians killed or injured and dozens taken hostage. The scale of the attack took Israel by surprise, prompting an immediate and lethal retaliatory response.

Within a mere day of the attack, Israel’s cabinet formally declared war against Hamas, and the defense minister issued a directive to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to impose a “complete siege” on Gaza. The consequence was daily exchanges of rocket fire between the two sides and the distressing order for over one million Palestinian civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate in anticipation of a possible ground assault. Meanwhile, Gaza found itself in the grip of an impending humanitarian crisis, with dwindling supplies of water, fuel, and essential resources as Israeli forces controlled these necessities. This grave situation placed the lives of innocent civilians in jeopardy.

A Troubled History

The conflict between Israel and Palestine dates back to the late 19th century when Jewish immigrants settled in the region, then part of the Ottoman Empire. The subsequent turmoil led to the establishment of Israel in 1948, which sparked the first Arab-Israeli War. The war ended in 1949 but resulted in the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians and the division of the territory into Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

Tensions between Israel and its neighbors, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, persisted in the following years. The 1967 Six-Day War led to Israel’s occupation of the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. Attempts at peace negotiations, like the Camp David Accords, improved relations between Israel and Egypt but did little to resolve the question of Palestinian self-determination.

The Palestinian people have suffered immensely, culminating in uprisings such as the First and Second Intifadas. The Oslo Accords provided a framework for Palestinian self-governance, but the situation remained plagued with challenges. The ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank further complicated the prospect of peace.

Escalation and Concern

Like previous cycles of violence, the recent conflict in October 2023 raised concerns. President Joe Biden strongly supported Israel and increased the U.S. military presence in the region. The United Nations Security Council called an emergency meeting but failed to issue a consensus statement. The international community expressed deep worry for the safety of civilians on both sides and those held hostage by Hamas.

The situation became more complex with the possibility of Iran’s involvement, given its support for Hamas and other extremist groups. There were concerns that Hezbollah, another group backed by Iran, might be drawn into the conflict, potentially expanding the crisis beyond the borders of Israel and Palestine.

Furthermore, the October conflict disrupted a U.S.-brokered effort to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Palestinian rights and safety has complicated the progress made in this regard.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023 is a stark reminder of the enduring  struggle in the region. This prolonged crisis has cost countless lives and caused immeasurable suffering to generations of Palestinians and Israelis. The search for lasting peace remains an urgent and vital endeavor, one that must be pursued with unwavering commitment, empathy, and a shared vision of a brighter and more harmonious future for all those affected by this long-standing conflict.

The Gaslighter

By: Ireland Harrington

The Santa Catalina Football Team ended the night with another exciting win! Friday, October 13th, the Cougars hosted their rival school, the Santo Catalino Mountain Lions, from the Bay Area. This was definitely a game to remember. It was tough, and both teams put up a great fight, but only one proved to be driven and technical enough to finish on top. This win put Catalina first in their division.

The statistics for this game were like no other. Catalina’s offense includes several talented and dedicated players that all contributed to the win. Special mentions include star quarterback Sophia Tonini ‘24 who threw twenty touchdowns in the first half of the game. She is currently being recruited by the University of Texas, Penn State, and the University of North Carolina to go Division 1 for football. She has yet to announce her commitment, but wherever she ends up, we expect great things to come in her future career. 

The defensive lineup is just as impressive. From sacks to interceptions, they kept the Mountain Lions in check. Linebackers Emily Diaz ‘24 and Emma Kim ‘24 earned a total of thirty-five interceptions this past game alone. Santa Catalina could not be more proud of how their players have stepped in and shown their resilience. “We’re a solid team. We have had an amazing season this far, and there is no doubt in my mind we will continue to do so,” says punter Layla Borman ‘24. This season has truly made a memorable impact on the Cougar community. Running back Jayla Ballesteros ‘26 says, “People come and go, but football is forever.” The dedication and competitiveness of these players makes them a team like no other.

Everyone is expecting another successful season for the Santa Catalina football team, and the Cougars are crossing their fingers for another year undefeated.

By Piper Butler and Isabell Fujita

The 2023 fall sports season was exciting, with volleyball and water polo tournaments, tennis and golf matches, and cross country meets filling the busy calendar. In addition to these, the field hockey games were exhilarating. With a strong defense, fast offense, and talented goalie, the team worked together and had fun, with a record of 3 wins, 3 ties with overtime, and 1 loss. The team persevered through challenging games and always worked together. 

With a 6-0 win against York School and a 0-0 tie in overtime to Carmel High, the 2023 team had a promising start. The Carmel game was long and tiring, but the players showed their resilience and stamina by persevering, especially in the seven minutes of six-player overtime. The next game, against Stevenson, was an unfortunate loss, but the players bounced back for an exciting 0-0 tie to Hollister, ranked first in the league. Regarding the game against Stevenson, senior Cora Derbin says: “We knew we could play better.” The team focused on preparing for the game against Hollister, Cora describes, saying that “[they] came back stronger.” 

This year’s team was led by head coach Julian Salas, assistant coach Evan Schu, and captains Megan Barry-Schoen, Bianca Fritz, and Cora Derbin. With junior Sofia McHugh in goal and top scorer Skyler Smith ’24 on offense, the games never lacked excitement and dedication. Regarding this year’s team, Assistant Coach Evan remarked, “What impressed me the most was how hard [they] fought in all these intense games that we had and the spirit that [they] had to shut out opponents time and time again. [They] only had five goals against you, which says a lot about [the team’s] defensive tenacity.”

One of the team’s strongest elements was the defense. “We have a solid defense that people can barely get through.” said junior Sawyer Vogel. The defense showed strong unity, keeping possession of the ball for most of each game. 

“Although impacted by our difficult schedule, our team seems cohesive and better than ever!” exclaimed junior Olivia da Silva. Although facing tough schedules and a lack of extra time, the girls came together to create a strong bond on the field hockey team, facing every new challenge together as a community. 

The team continued to work together and showed their utmost determination, going on to compete in the CCS (Central Coast Section) first round against Presentation High School. They tied the game 1-1, going into two rounds of 0-0 overtime, then lost after two rounds of shootouts. This game showed the team’s determination and stamina as they held their own, even in overtime and throughout the shootout. The team is proud of their exciting season and can’t wait to play again next fall!

By Delilah Fujita

Throughout their rise to stardom, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have frequently been compared by fans, media, and the public. Although the two icons have competed for achievements and acknowledgments in the music industry, they have shared nothing but mutual respect, admiration, and displays of friendship. As these two prominent, leading forces of pop culture have gone on their record-breaking world tours, Beyoncé’s Renaissance and Taylor Swift’s The Eras, they have simultaneously continued to support one another. 

The relationship between the two stars began in 2009 at the Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift, only nineteen at the time, was accepting the award for Best Female Video when Kanye West took to the stage, interrupting to declare that Beyoncé “had one of the best videos of all time,” leaving a crushed Taylor. Later on in the award show, Beyoncé, after winning Video of the Year for her hit song “All the Single Ladies,” brought Taylor Swift back on stage and gave her a chance to finish her speech. The respect and kindness Beyoncé displayed at this event was the foundation of their relationship, which has continued as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have become powerhouse performers in the music industry. 

Throughout this past year, Taylor and Beyoncé have dominated, becoming cultural forces who continue to inspire millions around the world. As fans dressed up for Beyoncé in silver with cowboy hats and boots, and Swifties got decked out as Taylor’s different albums, decorated with friendship bracelets, the two icon’s world tours have broken records, crashed Ticketmaster, generated millions of dollars, and boosted economies. Their support for one another has continued throughout the years through social media posts, attending each other’s birthday parties, shout-outs at speeches, and references in songs. Most recently, Beyoncé showed up to the premiere of Taylor Swift’s box office record breaking concert film on October 11. Throughout this all, Taylor and Beyoncé, the biggest names in the music industry, have developed a friendship that has continued as they shatter records, inspire millions around the world, and create incredible music. 

By Shayna Blatt

As school heads into full motion, many of us become busy balancing our personal, academic, and extracurricular lives. However, if I could magically return to my freshman year, here are the steps I would take each year of high school to ensure balance, happiness, and success. 

Freshman year: an exciting but difficult time filled with new experiences. New people and teachers surround you as you try to adapt to the Catalina lifestyle. It may seem good to take it easy this year, but actually, it is the perfect time to join many clubs as your future self would be happy that you have fulfilled many activities in high school (especially four years down the road for college applications). At the same time, I also wish I knew the importance of academics. Making a comeback after a semester of low grades is much harder than doing your best from the start! Enjoy this year because it is a time of transition for everyone. 

Sophomore year: This is the first year harder classes are available for many students. While stacking your schedule is great, it is important to also think about your limits and goals for the year. Ask yourself before committing, how much time you have and what is most important to you. While many resources are available at Catalina, the biggest hurdle in learning is understanding that you must be proactive, plan ahead, and be self-sufficient in your study habits to truly understand the material and succeed. Often, sophomore year can be the hardest as milestones towards the end of high school seem far away, but remember, in the end, time will fly by!

Junior year: Notorious for being the most challenging year of high school; this truly depends on your perspective and the schedule you choose for yourself. Personally, for me, it was a year of good memories and excellent learning. While academic success may be at the forefront of your mind with looming ideas of college awaiting, remember not to stress. While this is easier said than done, it is important to keep a positive mindset and do your best. If I try my hardest, the outcome will most likely be positive. Similarly, you must be efficient. With many people telling you how hard they studied, try not to compare yourself to others. Make sure to take it easy, remember to be kind to friends, and realize the high school experience will soon end as senior year is just around the corner. 

Senior year: Writing this as a senior, I cannot say or give advice for the unknown future. I know that getting on top of supplemental essays and college-related activities now will make for an easier year. Still, every person handles this time differently and procrastination is a reality for many. All I can say is that we must enjoy these moments until we have to take on the true responsibilities of adulthood. 

At Catalina, we all have different high school experiences: some good and some okay and this is normal. Clearly, as students, we will all encounter challenges and periods of sadness and seemingly endless defeat. At these moments, I urge you to remember that months go by quickly and soon these times will be memories. Always cherish the fun and amazing things too as those memories allow us to keep moving forward.