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.

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.

By Hope Salle

The mention of Halloween often brings with it thoughts of fun costumes, pumpkin carving, horror movies, and eating enough candy to make yourself sick, but the beloved holiday has not always been this way. Originally a Celtic festival named Samhain, Halloween celebrated the harvest at the end of the summer and featured practices such as lighting bonfires and wearing costumes in order to ward off wandering spirits. These traditions were later incorporated into All Saints Day, which was established in the eighth century by Pope Gregory III. All Saints Day, which was celebrated on November 1st, was subsequent to All Hallows Eve, which later evolved into Halloween as we know it today. 

Many aspects of modern-day Halloween also come from a Celtic background, such as wearing costumes in order to blend in with ghosts which were believed to roam the Earth on All Hallows Eve. The practice of carving pumpkins was also of Celtic origin; old Irish legend states that a man known as “Stingy Jack” captured the Devil on numerous occasions in order to make him swear that Jack would never go to hell. Upon his death, however, Jack learned that heaven did not want him either, leaving his soul to wander the planes of Earth with only a carven out turnip with burning coal inside to light the way. This tall tale resulted in local families carving out turnips, and eventually pumpkins, in order to scare off any spirit that may come knocking at their doorstep. Another trademark of Halloween, the colors black and orange, were originally representative of the changing of seasons with black marking the end of summer and orange showcasing the beginning of the fall harvest and also came from old Irish tradition.

One of the most hallmarked of Halloween traditions is trick-or-treating, which has no definitive origin. Some believe that it was passed down from yet another Celtic tradition for Samhain, in this case leaving food out for wandering spirits. Others believe that the family favorite practice was formed as a result of the Scottish practice of guising during the Middle Ages in which children and the impoverished would collect food and money from locals in exchange for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day. Yet another theory for the background of trick-or-treating is that it stems from the German tradition of “belsnickeling”, in which children would dress up and visit their neighbors; if the adults could not guess the identity of the children then the children would be rewarded with sweets.

As we all hunker down in our rooms, trying our best to finish our various assignments on time, the spooky season always brings just a little bit of joy to the busy lives that we occupy. We all have our favorite Halloween movies which we revisit each year, our pick of the best candies to binge eat on the day itself and then store in our cabinets till March, and the fond memories of dressing up as your favorite cartoon character or cutesy animal as a young child. Although how  we celebrate Halloween have evolved in an assortment of ways, the thought behind the holiday remains the same: a way to gather with family and friends for a little bit of fun (and maybe a ghost hunt or two).

The mention of Halloween often brings with it thoughts of fun costumes, pumpkin carving, horror movies, and eating enough candy to make yourself sick, but the beloved holiday has not always been this way. Originally a Celtic festival named Samhain, Halloween celebrated the harvest at the end of the summer and featured practices such as lighting bonfires and wearing costumes in order to ward off wandering spirits. These traditions were later incorporated into All Saints Day, which was established in the eighth century by Pope Gregory III. All Saints Day, which was celebrated on November 1st, was subsequent to All Hallows Eve, which later evolved into Halloween as we know it today. 

Many aspects of modern-day Halloween also come from a Celtic background, such as wearing costumes in order to blend in with ghosts which were believed to roam the Earth on All Hallows Eve. The practice of carving pumpkins was also of Celtic origin; old Irish legend states that a man known as “Stingy Jack” captured the Devil on numerous occasions in order to make him swear that Jack would never go to hell. Upon his death, however, Jack learned that heaven did not want him either, leaving his soul to wander the planes of Earth with only a carven out turnip with burning coal inside to light the way. This tall tale resulted in local families carving out turnips, and eventually pumpkins, in order to scare off any spirit that may come knocking at their doorstep. Another trademark of Halloween, the colors black and orange, were originally representative of the changing of seasons with black marking the end of summer and orange showcasing the beginning of the fall harvest and also came from old Irish tradition.

One of the most hallmarked of Halloween traditions is trick-or-treating, which has no definitive origin. Some believe that it was passed down from yet another Celtic tradition for Samhain, in this case leaving food out for wandering spirits. Others believe that the family favorite practice was formed as a result of the Scottish practice of guising during the Middle Ages in which children and the impoverished would collect food and money from locals in exchange for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day. Yet another theory for the background of trick-or-treating is that it stems from the German tradition of “belsnickeling”, in which children would dress up and visit their neighbors; if the adults could not guess the identity of the children then the children would be rewarded with sweets.

As we all hunker down in our rooms, trying our best to finish our various assignments on time, the spooky season always brings just a little bit of joy to the busy lives that we occupy. We all have our favorite Halloween movies which we revisit each year, our pick of the best candies to binge eat on the day itself and then store in our cabinets till March, and the fond memories of dressing up as your favorite cartoon character or cutesy animal as a young child. Although how  we celebrate Halloween have evolved in an assortment of ways, the thought behind the holiday remains the same: a way to gather with family and friends for a little bit of fun (and maybe a ghost hunt or two).

The mention of Halloween often brings with it thoughts of fun costumes, pumpkin carving, horror movies, and eating enough candy to make yourself sick, but the beloved holiday has not always been this way. Originally a Celtic festival named Samhain, Halloween celebrated the harvest at the end of the summer and featured practices such as lighting bonfires and wearing costumes in order to ward off wandering spirits. These traditions were later incorporated into All Saints Day, which was established in the eighth century by Pope Gregory III. All Saints Day, which was celebrated on November 1st, was subsequent to All Hallows Eve, which later evolved into Halloween as we know it today. 

Many aspects of modern-day Halloween also come from a Celtic background, such as wearing costumes in order to blend in with ghosts which were believed to roam the Earth on All Hallows Eve. The practice of carving pumpkins was also of Celtic origin; old Irish legend states that a man known as “Stingy Jack” captured the Devil on numerous occasions in order to make him swear that Jack would never go to hell. Upon his death, however, Jack learned that heaven did not want him either, leaving his soul to wander the planes of Earth with only a carven out turnip with burning coal inside to light the way. This tall tale resulted in local families carving out turnips, and eventually pumpkins, in order to scare off any spirit that may come knocking at their doorstep. Another trademark of Halloween, the colors black and orange, were originally representative of the changing of seasons with black marking the end of summer and orange showcasing the beginning of the fall harvest and also came from old Irish tradition.

One of the most hallmarked of Halloween traditions is trick-or-treating, which has no definitive origin. Some believe that it was passed down from yet another Celtic tradition for Samhain, in this case leaving food out for wandering spirits. Others believe that the family favorite practice was formed as a result of the Scottish practice of guising during the Middle Ages in which children and the impoverished would collect food and money from locals in exchange for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day. Yet another theory for the background of trick-or-treating is that it stems from the German tradition of “belsnickeling”, in which children would dress up and visit their neighbors; if the adults could not guess the identity of the children then the children would be rewarded with sweets.

As we all hunker down in our rooms, trying our best to finish our various assignments on time, the spooky season always brings just a little bit of joy to the busy lives that we occupy. We all have our favorite Halloween movies which we revisit each year, our pick of the best candies to binge eat on the day itself and then store in our cabinets till March, and the fond memories of dressing up as your favorite cartoon character or cutesy animal as a young child. Although how  we celebrate Halloween have evolved in an assortment of ways, the thought behind the holiday remains the same: a way to gather with family and friends for a little bit of fun (and maybe a ghost hunt or two).

By Elle Edwards

My first American Girl Doll looked nothing like me: lightly tanned skin, bright blue eyes, and straight black hair, a combination of physical traits that did not belong on a doll that was supposed to resemble me. Growing up, I failed to find a doll that represented me: biracial with curly brown hair, dark brown eyes, and thick eyebrows. For children of color, not seeing themselves represented in media or toys can cause them to feel less valued or like something is wrong with them; this influences decisions to straighten their naturally curly hair, shift their personality, or disregard their race altogether. The lack of diversity within my toy box narrowed my understanding of race and beauty standards.

Young children often view their dolls as “real,” triggering a sense of love, care, and protection while playing with them. Owning and playing with dolls of various races are the fundamental steps for children to develop empathy toward others. The most developmental years in a child’s life are from birth to age five; similarly, the frequency in which children play with toys is highly prominent. By the time a child hits age five, 90% of their brain is already developed, and if specific skills are not acquired during these first five years, children may find them more difficult to learn later in life. From the moment a child interacts with people, they begin to develop their social-emotional skills. These skill-sets include making friends, resisting social pressure, gaining confidence, learning social norms, and making appropriate decisions. During the development of these skills, engaging with toys allows children to display their competence and manage their understanding of the emotions of others. 

Diversity in a child’s toy box is essential because it affects the world’s next generation of educators and leaders. If children feel that the importance of a human being is limited to a certain race, their perspectives will narrow to that “supreme” race. Dolls represent human connection, and excluding ethnic dolls from a child’s toy chest may weaken their understanding of inclusion. Just as the fundamentals of addition and subtraction set us up for Algebra and Geometry, the foundational awareness of racial diversity sets up social skills children will use in the future. 

The media heavily covers the importance of having toys with various races and skin tones but fails to mention the importance of representation in religion and genetic conditions. Children suffering from vitiligo, type one diabetes, or other long-term physical conditions should be represented in toys to prevent the anxiety that comes with those conditions. Insufficient representation may provoke questions like, “Am I the only one who feels this way?” or “Why am I different?” The portrayal of global religions in toys is also essential during the developmental stages of a child’s life. Religious representation can be shown through various articles of clothing. For example, Hindu men wear short coats; typical Muslim attire is a long white cotton shirt with trousers, while Amish women wear long, modest dresses. Conveying different religions through the simplicity of clothing allows children to recognize differences. The human race includes various races, religions, illnesses, physical conditions, and ethnicities, all of which should be found in a toy box.

Children should never struggle to find a doll that looks like them, experience racism at a young age, or feel isolated from society. Diversity in a child’s toy box and beyond is vital because it influences social skills, its introduction to various cultures, promotion of inclusivity, and awareness of the diverse human population. As a future parent, I envision my children having a vast collection of American Girl dolls, lego figures, and other toys to expand their perceptions about beauty, racial inclusion, and religion.

By Ines Larrauri

Tik Tok has become one of the most popular ways to stay informed about world events while at the same time being entertained. The act of scrolling through Tik Toks, and having the opportunity to change the video anytime you start to feel bored, maintains you in a ¨flow state¨. Tik Tok distracts you from focusing on your studies and community, and it is easy to lose track of time as you scroll through social media. We often lose track of time during the day, however more time can be gained if you remove this social media app from your phone and you can  increase your focus on school and relationships with your peers. 

As a senior in high school, I find that everytime I try to focus on daily homework I am often distracted by my phone causing me to lose focus and having to start over again. Even though this keeps happening to me, I do not dare to silence my phone and put it away while I study. I have tried it, and the constant temptation to know what is going on in my teenage world beats my good intentions to focus. I try to imagine resisting the urge to look at my phone every 10 minutes and  to delete or block the app. Would I be able to concentrate 100%? Would that impact  my social life or impact my knowledge of the daily news?

 I am convinced that the Tik Tok app has numerous benefits for users. One of the most impactful benefits is giving users something to talk about and relate with, which strengthens relationships and communication. Watching  videos with those around you creates a connection with your neighbor and provides a shared experience for starting a conversation. As a teenage girl, I get 10 to 20 Tik Tok notifications a day, giving me the chance to send one video to my sister that lives far away or my roommate at school.  I mean,who wouldn’t like that?  Sharing a funny video with  your friend

  might make their day. However, Tik Tok has also made us less connected  in a certain way. I usually just send the video, without  saying “hi” or “how are you?” along with the video.  When we just send the video we are not connecting with the other person to know how the other  person is feeling or if a friend has any struggles they are facing. Sometimes I send tik tok videos to my family and friends that express love; but am I actually expressing this love myself or just using another person’s words to comfort a friend? 

People depend too much on social media for their personal relationships. Going on Tik Tok for a short time everyday may actually help to educate  you on different topics, and give you different perspectives of issues, expanding your horizons and perspectives. This is a benefit of  Tik Tok; providing a fun way to learn new things. Social Media has become a way of informing ourselves of issues and trends, which keeps us connected to the world. 

As more time is spent using  social media, we give less of ourselves to our loved ones and lose time we could be spending with them by scrolling. Decreasing the amount of time we spend on social media, will give us more time to build new relationships with our neighbors, getting to know our loved ones better and focusing on school. Apps like TikTok can be informative but should be used with limits.Gaining control of how much we use social media will help us to  build a healthier and more connected life among our neighbors and society. 

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.