Category: Uncategorized

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.

By: Abigail Jung

Freshman year is hard. Whether navigating through a new campus, making new friends, trying to adjust to a new schedule, or remembering what a coefficient is––we’ve all been there. Like I said before, Freshman year is hard! So, here’s the big question: “How do I make it easier?”––Short answer: It probably won’t if I don’t try. Long answer: Getting used to things and building constructive habits takes time. For example, when I was a Freshman, I struggled a lot with time management, which most students still struggle with even after graduating! However, even though I’m still learning how to manage my time, it made Freshman year and my Sophomore year so much easier! When it comes to time management, most people don’t have time for it. Now, that might sound like a joke, but it isn’t. And many people get scared or confused when the topic is brought up, mainly because they know deep down that they don’t have it. Believe me when I say that probably no one does. But you can work on your daily habits to improve your time management skills! For example, I started writing a schedule of the things I needed to do every day. And yes, this is a given if you are going to school, but surprisingly, I did not get the memo somehow. In my freshman year, I decided that I would just remember. It was as simple as that. Just remember that I had ten pages of notes due on Thursday and to bring everything from the study hall home. It did not work out well… especially when I forgot a textbook at school. That was the worst part. 

Now, one thing I did other than start writing in a planner was keeping all of my books at home and only bringing the ones I needed for the day. And this does work if you are a boarder, too! From my second semester of freshman year onward, I never used a crate again. I’m not saying that you should do this. I have a lot of friends who I know would actually forget their books at home, but it worked out for me, so if you’re struggling, try it out! One quick tip is NEVER to bring your textbooks to school unless you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO! Your back and shoulders will thank me later. What I did when I was a freshman, on top of keeping my books at home, was keep everything in my backpack the whole day. Okay, I’m just saying that I had a really good backpack with thick straps so my shoulders and back don’t hurt, and I DO NOT recommend this if you (1) have a weak back or (2) have a backpack with spaghetti straps. Honestly, I think those things should be banned. But always having everything in my backpack made it easier for me to get to class earlier. The perks to getting to class early are: (1) you can study for a test/quiz in that class, (2) you can relax knowing that you won’t be late, (3) you can read, etc. Another amazing time saver is always being on top of your work, no matter what. I didn’t start doing this until my Sophomore year, but it will help you so much you might cry (or it will prevent that). Utilize your weekends. Now I know that most people like to relax and go out, but in my opinion, like Rory Gilmore, school will always be first! I’m not saying don’t spend time with your friends but make sure you finish your work without staying up until 2 a.m. All in all, time management is one of the most important things you can do, especially in your Freshman year!

Netflix has always been a great place for me to go to find new releases or discover new thrilling TV shows. This year, Netflix has been releasing a couple of shows that have become more familiar to people. As a studious Netflix-watcher, I was really interested in the release of Riverdale. During the fall, other shows such as Stranger Things 2, American Crime Story, Narcos, BoJack Horseman, Greenhouse Academy, American Vandal, Fuller House, and Alias Grace have been released in the past few months.

When I was growing up, I read Archie Comics for fun. Archie Comics is a continuous comic strip that shows comedy in the fictional life of an average red-headed teenage boy, Archie Andrews from Riverdale, his best friend Jughead Jones, and his two girlfriends Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge. Other characters are part of the comic as well. When the show Riverdale was released early this year, I was really excited and surprised that there was a show based off of a comic. After I saw Season 1 in about a week, I was totally surprised as to how well it was directed.. The plot was thrilling and the cast was well chosen. In general, Riverdale is about Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper, and Veronica Lodge’s adventure of solving different problems that arise in the town of Riverdale. There are thrills, mystery, and some romance. Cole Sprouse plays Jughead in the series, and I think he was the reason why Riverdale became so popular, but after people realized what a great show it is itself, they don’t watch just for Cole Sprouse alone. As the second season starts, the plot starts to thicken. I don’t want to uncover any events that happen, so I suggest that you watch at least the first season on Netflix if you haven’t already. Each episode gets uploaded onto the CW website for weekly episodes. I suggest Riverdale as your go to on Netflix. It is not scary, but it is an exciting thriller. Somehow, you will not only get pulled into the show, but also enjoy it.

Bad things are going happen in life whether they are just little bumps in the road or sink holes. There is always a way out. God doesn’t throw anything at you that you can’t handle. He will guide you and help you through every hardship you encounter; you just have to be humble enough to listen and to follow what He says.

 

This has been the hardest part for me–listening. I usually have the answers and don’t need to listen to what anyone tells me. I don’t read directions, and I go through life like a bull in a china shop, eyes dead ahead and no looking back. This has served me well in my life. Moving around a lot, I always knew that if I looked back I would be sad. If I stopped I would be trampled. If didn’t act like I had the answers, I would be caught up in my own ignorance of the things around me. However, coming to Catalina, I have been able to slow down and not act as if I have all the answers. I have found out that I don’t have all the answers. It took me a really long time to realize that. It took a lot of wrong answers and a lot of patience to finally realize that being wrong is okay and that putting yourself out there even if you aren’t right or sure is okay, as long as you are gracious and humble whether you are wrong or right, and as long as you listen to those around you. I still move through life like a bull in a china shop, but now I know that to slow down isn’t to dumb down or be trampled by the pace of life. To slow down is to reflect and understand. Don’t get caught up in what everyone else thinks, because what is important is what you think, and what you feel. Being yourself, and knowing that you don’t know everything, gets you further than acting like you do know everything.  

 

I have matured into the person I am today because of the endless support of friends, family, and teachers. I have connections that I have never had before. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Catalina–for allowing me to fail, to succeed, to challenge myself, to be a leader, to be a follower, to be a scientist, to be a historian, to be a writer, a musician, a philosopher, and an artist. Also thank you for letting me be a friend and a sister to these amazing people who have changed me for the better. I hope I never forget what Catalina has allowed me to become.

 

I still remember the day of my eighth grade graduation, how after the ceremony, I looked at my parents and said, “I can’t believe my next graduation will be high school, but that’s not going to happen for a long time.” Lo and behold, here we are, four years later, and I have exactly one month left until I go off into a new journey. Being asked to write this senior reflection was probably harder for me than the research paper we had to write sophomore year in Mr. Oder’s class. I tried to think, “What am I going to miss the most about Catalina?” and here’s what I came up with:

 

I’m going to miss eating warm chocolate chip cookies surrounded by my friends in the dining hall while sharing laughs and stories. I’m going to miss watching the fog roll over the hills as Dr. Kapolka sings away on his guitar every Friday. I’m going to miss sitting outside in the sunny courtyard surrounded by friends, wearing sunglasses, listening to music, and doing math homework. I’m going to miss the bright red flowers dotted around campus, and the water bubbling over the fountain. I’m going to miss playing tennis as the sun sets, and the bustle of the theater as students and teachers alike prepare for opening night. I’m going to miss packing admissions decisions in the red parlor, and sharing snacks and life advice in Sullivan Court. I’m going to miss how quiet and peaceful the library is every Thursday during the flex period and going on marine field trips to end the day every Friday. But as I rattled on about little things that I was going to miss, I realized there was one thing in common with everything I had thought about: the people. To me, if there is one thing that I prize the most at Santa Catalina, it’s my friends, classmates, teachers, and faculty. Thank you to my friends who love me almost as much as I love you. Thank you to the teachers who believed in me and cast me to dance in a show even though I was convinced I have two left feet. Thank you to all 64 of my classmates that have become more like 64 sisters, and thank you for the infinite amount of love and support they have given me. Thank you for breaking me out of my comfort zone and making me try new things, and for making me more socially-minded and optimistic about the future. Thank you for making me laugh until I cried or dancing away to smash hits from 2008 ’til the wee hours. For all the smiles, tears, sleepovers, movie marathons, study sessions, birthday dinners, shopping sprees, coffee dates and so much more, I will forever be grateful. Thank you to the teachers who have inspired me and made me fall in love with learning. Thank you for believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself and for supporting me when I needed it the most. Thank you to such a dynamic student body for making the seniors truly feel like the queens of the school. Thank you to my friends for sticking by my side and loving and cherishing me for exactly who I am, and for making me learn to have confidence in myself–something I have always been looking for–and for the amazing advice they’ve given me regarding some of the most important decisions I have made in my life. For sharing every moment of their life with me, whether it be the happiest or the saddest, the funniest or the most embarrasing, I always end up realizing a little bit more exactly why I love them so much. From the jam sessions in study hall, to lining up to paint our faces for Spirit Day, to screaming our senior chants at the top of our lungs, to the jokes during morning announcements, all the way to having chariot races through the halls for Ring Week, thank you for making me so happy. I don’t know how they do it, but somehow, some way, only the kindest, most selfless, most amazing people end up at Catalina. None of this would be the same, or mean as much as it does to me without the people I call my bestfriends, my classmates, my sisters.

 

So, if there’s one piece of advice I can give to you, before the rest of you have to give your own senior reflections, it would be to appreciate the little things at Catalina. Remember the bright cherry blossoms and the birds singing in the afternoon, or how beautiful Study Hall sparkles the night before KK’s. Participate in EVERYTHING, and have no regrets throughout your four years. Because sooner or later you’ll be trading in your worn out coffee-brown Converses for a pair of white shoes, your kilt stained with spaghetti sauce and acrylic paint for a white gown, and your mechanical pencils and ballpoint pens for a bouquet of red roses. After that, Catalina will just be another part of you. So before I do that, I just want to say: Thank you, Catalina. Thank you for the smiles, the joy, the knowledge, the opportunities, my friends, my classmates, my teachers, the sunshine, the comfort, the confidence, the second home, the memories, and the barbecue sliders. Thank you for everything. You’ve made me exactly who I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

How do you start one of the last papers you will write as a highschooler, let alone a paper about the last four years of your life? I still remember sitting in the freshman pews in the chapel during the first mass and sitting in row one, desk four in study hall, glancing over at where the seniors sat, wondering how different things will be in four years, when I would be a senior. One of the earliest memories I have about the thought of graduating from Catalina was when I was at summer camp here. I believe I was about 13 years old, so I still was not sure where I was going to high school, but a few friends and I found an open door into study hall during one of our breaks. I ran up onto the stage and I turned to my friends saying, “One day I will be standing up here in my graduation gown, ready to graduate high school.” That day is fast approaching.

 

I have experienced some of the lowest and highest points in my life while attending Catalina. While I may still be trying to find the good in a lot of things that have happened to me recently, Catalina has helped me grow as a person. I have learned so much about myself over these past four years. I have learned that everything happens for reason, even if you find that reason a year later. I have learned that no matter what, you can really only count on yourself do get things done, but there will always be the same few people cheering you on in the crowd. I met some of my best friends at Catalina summer camp and even more in the MERP program. I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunities like MERP that Catalina has given me. I feel ready and confident for any science labs that I will be placed in at college, and I am ready to be able to look in all the right places in order to help accomplish my future goals. I am also grateful that I am able to paddle board and play in the Monterey Bay.

 

I do wish that someone would have told me how difficult the college decision process was. I knew that you may not get exactly what you want or planned for, but nobody told me how often it happens and the fact that you may be completely at a crossroads for what to do, whether it’s because you didn’t get into any of your top schools or you just didn’t get that financial aid you were hoping for. If you got what you wished for, you are very lucky, and I am also very happy and excited for you. As I am trying to think of some original advice to give to the underclassmen, I am realizing that there’s no way you can really prep or brace yourself for the next four or so years. There’s going to be a whole lot of highs, but at times, you will also find yourself on a bumpy road with some real lows. The good news is that, once you get to the end of that road, you will be ready to take on a whole ’nother set of bumps and turns, with the help of your family, friends, and the education and experiences you’ve had at Catalina.

As April comes to an end, I realize that my four years of high school are wrapping up. In between preparing for AP exams, online shopping for my future dorm room, and battling senioritis, I find myself thinking about the things I’ve done and the things I haven’t done in high school.

 

When I look back on my four years, what I recall most are my friends, teachers, classes, Catalina milestones such as Ring Week and senior prom, and investing my time into my academics and extracurriculars. I’ve laughed and cried the hardest in these four years. I’ve tried new things and followed old passions, and I’ve picked things up and left things behind. And although I have no regrets, sometimes I wonder what things would’ve been like if I had done them differently. That AP Statistics course I didn’t take—what if I’d taken it? That track manager position that I decided to take on last-minute—what if I’d never taken it? What would’ve changed if I’d done or not done these things?

 

Yet, the things done and not done have collectively brought me to where I am today – anxious to graduate high school and start attending my dream school. The worries of things I could’ve done are no more, and instead my thoughts turn towards the things I will do and the places I will go. My next stop is college, and needless to say, nowadays it’s all I think about.

 

Years ago, I wanted to attend a large college in a major, bustling city such as New York or Boston. However, half a year ago, I set foot on the campus of Williams College, and my perspective completely changed. As I walked through Williams, I realized that although the scenery was unfamiliar, the school felt like a second home. I wondered why this was, and it hit me—the community was so close-knit and welcoming that even though I didn’t know the people in it, the atmosphere was so similar to the one here at Catalina that I instantly felt at home. I wished with all my heart that this college would be my new home, where I would be surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains while I grew in my liberal arts education. My wish came true, and I feel at peace because I know it’s home, just like Catalina has been my home for the past four years.

 

I want to end my reflection with this: Never take your education for granted. Yes, have fun, explore the world, follow your passions, and involve yourself in many, many things—just don’t forget to learn some valuable life lessons along the way. Although you might think at times that high school is never-ending, as you celebrate each passing year, just know that the end of your time here at Catalina isn’t all that far away. In fact, you’ll find that soon enough, you’ll be presenting your senior reflection, too. So in between times of studying for AP exams, online shopping for your future dorm room, and perhaps not-so-successfully battling senioritis, just remember not to worry about the things you haven’t done. It’s the things you will do from now on that count.