Comes to SJB - Saint Joseph High School

SJ PRESS
SJHS
VOL. 5 NO. 1
FALL 2014
Home of the Jesters
Party at Gatsby’s!
Sister Helen P.
Comes to SJB
Into the Life of a Death Row Inmate:
As Told by Sr. Helen Prejean
By Daryan Gomez
Top: Homecoming court at Homecoming. Photo courtesy of Alexandria Arauja. Bottom Left: Princesses and SJB Executive Board at the Walking
Dead Rally. Photo courtesy of Ms. Ingram. Bottom Right: Seniors before the Homecoming Dance at the Marriot in Anaheim. Photo courtesy of EJ
A Homecoming to Remember
By Daryan Gomez
Homecoming Week started out with much excitement, beginning with Tacky Tourist Tuesday, and ending with Bosco
Pride Friday. Throughout the week, the entire student body was invited to dress according to different themes, all leading
up to the Bosco football game against Orange Lutheran on Friday, October 24. At the Homecoming Game, the tension was
not only rising on the field, but the crowd also, everybody anxiously waiting to find out who would be crowned our 2014
Homecoming Queen.
At halftime, Bosco was in the lead with a score of 27-21 and it was finally time to find out who would be crowned
Homecoming Queen! As the cheerleaders rode around on a fire truck, all of our Homecoming Princesses rode onto the field
inconvertibles. All of our Princesses were announced in order of their grade.
Homecoming Court of 2014:
From the Junior Class … Sophia Guggiana and McKenna Michael
From our Senior Class … Angelica Bueno, Leighton Smith, and Holly Bahadursingh
Finally, after watching the girls arrive in their lovely dresses, the time came to announce the 2014 Homecoming
Queen, Holly Bahadursingh! A spectacular firework display rang throughout the entire stadium as Holly was crowned Queen.
Congratulationsto Holly, and to all of our Princesses, for all of their hard work and preparation for this event. After the joyous
crowning moment, the Bosco football team gave it their all andwon the game against Orange Lutheran with a score of 54-43.
This year’s Homecoming Week certainly did not have one dull moment!
On Wednesday, September 24,
the Saint Joseph student body traveled to
Saint John Bosco to hear a presentation by
Sr. Helen Prejean, the author of Dead Man
Walking. In this presentation, Sr. Prejean
explained to us some facts that we did
not know about the death penalty. She
presented details such as there are currently
744 inmates on death row that will serve life
sentences instead of being executed. She
also explained her experience in visiting
Elmo Patrick Sonnier, a death row inmate
convicted of killing two teenagers. She
described how she did not expect him to be
a “real” man until she went to visit him and
how scared she was to be visiting a convicted
criminal. It was not until she saw him through
the glass in a prison visiting room that she
realized that he was a real man who was
about to be killed by the state. That is when
her mission to save Sonnier from execution
began.
After doing some research on Pat’s
case, Sr. Prejean saw that Pat had a younger
brother, Eddie, who was serving two life
sentences for the murders. It was during that
time that she began to visit both brothers
and got to know them for them and not only
the murderers of David LeBlanc and Loretta
Bourque. For some time she focused all her
attention on saving Pat from execution and it
was during a Pardon Board that she realized
she made a hug mistake; she did not reach
out to the victims’ families. After that, she
also began to contact both families and got
to know them. Unfortunately, Sr. Prejean was
unable to save Pat from execution and he
died on April 5, 1984 by electric chair. She is
currently working with death row inmates
and families of murder victims on trying to
make the death penalty fair and right. You
can read all about her experiences in her new
memoir, River of Fire.
Left: Seniors at Homecoming. Photo courtesy of EJ Bautista. Middle: Songleaders at Senior Night. Photo courtesy of Alexandria Araujo. Right: Sister Helen Prejean at SJB giving the Jesters and Braves a prsentation about capital punishment. Photo
courtesy of Lindsey Morin
SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
College Fair
By: Samantha Lacey
It doesn’t matter if you are a freshman or a senior—the
college fair at any grade can be helpful and, admittedly, stressful.
You see the Flynn, full of wonderful colleges, and can’t help but
feel slightly overwhelmed by it all. You are already attempting to
do a very delicate balancing act between your GPA, ACT and SAT
scores, extra-curricular activities, social life, and the all-important
good night’s sleep. That is why the college fair is extremely
helpful—all the information you need to get started on your
search for the perfect college is in one place. There were many
colleges present, such as UCLA, the University of San Diego, and
many more! Maybe you learned more about your dream college
or discovered a hidden gem. Needless to say, if you did not attend
this year’s college fair, I would highly recommend that you go
next year and start to discover the countless possibilities.
Sophomores, Marisssa Mena and Christianne Toledo, posing with college representatives.
Photo courtesy of Marissa Mena and Christianne Toledo
We are the Dancing Queens
By Bernadette Haponski
Who can dance? Who can jive? SAINT JOSEPH HIGH!
The first annual Dance-a-thon. None of us students knew what to
expect. Everyone came to school on Friday, October 4th dressed up in their
class colors, representing the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. After three hours of
classes, Saint Joseph was definitely ready to hit the dance floor. Section
after section piled into the Flynn, where the music (and air conditioning) was
turned on high. Finally, the fun began. Grades were rocking out to famous
artists including Miley Cyrus, One Direction, ABBA, Gwen Stefani……the list
goes on and on. If you were lucky, you might have even seen some teachers
like Miss Hernandez, Ms. Pallwitz, or Ms. Muno, busting out some classic
moves! The participation was exceptional by all, but Denise Cabral (12),
Karina Birch (11), Sarah Melendez (10), and Christen Alives (9) took home the
crowns as Saint Joseph’s “Dance Divas.” Our beloved Pooh Bears were the
overall champions, claiming the title as the true “Dancing Queens.” After the
dancing ceased, all grade levels made their way outside to munch on some
healthy snacks before “hitting the road”.
Saint Joseph’s Dance-a-thon was a huge success. We were able to have
fun while being active. Bravo Jesters, you earned a 10!
Lindsey Morin and Mrs. Solis twinning at the dance-a-thon. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Morin
Tropical Mixer
By Adriana Quijas
Bright scenic lights were on in Bosco, not because of a football
game but for the Senior Luau. The cheerfulness of the atmosphere
brightened these lights and amplified the festive music. Yet, the
Senior Luau would not have been complete if the seniors did not
participate with the Hawaiian-themed attire and accessories. Every
senior contributed to their part in making the Senior Luau a night to
remember. Everywhere one went, there was festivity and dancing.
However, the Senior Luau could not have been a success without the
dedication and hard work of the Bosco committee. Just by walking
in, one could tell how hard the Bosco committee worked to make the
Senior Luau a success.
Seniors cherishing memories together at Senior Luau. Photo courtesy of EJ Bautista
Kangaroo Court
By Riley Rojas
This past semester, the mock trial team competed in the
annual Los Angeles Mock Trial competition on November 3, 2014
and November 10, 2014. For the first round our school was defense
and for the second round our team was prosecution. The whole
mock trial team prepared for weeks in advance. Our team studied
a hypothetical case, we conducted much legal research with the
help of our coach, Mrs. Rojas, while being judged on performance
and evidence criteria. The day of the competition was very stressful!
During a mock trial competition, we found out what team we are
going against the day of the competition. Right when we got to the
courthouse, we met our competitors and we were ready to compete!
Riley Rojas got her motion passed for the defense team, also Claire
Lukehart got her motion passed for the prosecution team! Saint
Joseph ended up losing the first round and winning the second
round. The team did an amazing job, being it there was the first time
competing!
Sophomore, Alexis Villate, received the Most Valuable Participant Award. Photo courtesy of Alexis
Villate
SERVICE TO THE DEAR NEIGHBOR
Jesters Win Largest Prize @ Homeboy Industries’ 5K Run / Walk
By Phoebe Cruz
Get ready, get set, walk!
On October 18, many Jesters and their families walked for a good cause called the Homeboy 5k Walk. Homeboy Industries is an
organization for former gang members that want to make their life better. Miss Hernandez is currently a volunteer at Homeboy Industries.
The Homeboy 5k walk was located in Downtown Los Angeles. Some of our jesters were able to take a picture with the founder of Homeboy
Industries, Father Greg Boyle. At the event, they had different booths set up that sold many different snacks, healthy beverages, and other
items before and after the race.
The 5k walk was a joyful and memorable experience for me. It felt good to step foot on the finish line knowing that I did this for a good
cause. This service project really opened my eyes to see things differently and to be able to help other people who are suffering. Even though
we had to wake up very early for the 5k walk, at the end of the day it felt rewarding knowing that we were able to participate in this joyous
event. Many thanks to Miss Hernandez, Mrs. Solis, and Mrs. Lindgren.
Left: Jesters take on the Homeboy 5k Walk. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Alvarez. Right: Jackie Wang and Giselle Nunez with Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industires. Photo courtesy of ALexandra
Alvarez.
Give a Little, Feed a Little
By Marissa Mena
This year’s CSJ circle wants the girls of Saint Joseph to participate
in the FEED mission. What is FEED? FEED is an organization that creates
and sells products to help feed starving children. This organization
is very important to the 350 million children around the world that
become hungry and have no idea when their next meal will come. Child
hunger is the highest cause of death in children around the world. The
CSJ circle has taken part in this mission to feed hungry children by
selling custom bags made from the FEED organization for $25.00. By
buying a FEED bag, the CSJ circle will give you in return, three hours
Christian service hours.
Leighton Smith posing with her stylish new FEED bag.
Photo courtesy of EJ Bautista
Phoebe Cruz finishing her walk at the Homeboy 5k Walk.
Photo courtesy of Boston Studios
Sophomores helping out at Heal the Bay. Photo courtesy of Joan Pham
Seniors representing SJHS at Choc Walk.
Photo courtesy of EJ Bautista
DRAMA
The Laramie Project
By: Samantha Lacey
A meaningful play, The Laramie Project is
thought provoking, beautifully performed, and
revolutionary. The documentary style play is set in
Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. It follows a theater troop
that is looking for inspiration and found that inspiration
in the tragedy surrounding the quaint town. On
October 6, 1998 a young gay college student at the
University of Wyoming, Matthew Shepard, was at a bar.
At the bar, two local young men promised him a ride
home; little did he know, however, that this night would
change and ultimately end his life. He was taken to the
outskirts of Laramie, brutally beaten and humiliated,
tied to a fence, robbed of his possessions, and left to
die, all because he was gay. He was found 18 hours
later barely breathing and practically unidentifiable. He
died October 12, 1998, in the hospital, six days after the
horrifying incident.
This theater production sheds light on a very serious and controversial topic that we still deal with today. The main message this
play tries to convey is tolerence. Each actor and actress did the play justice, working in harmony with one another to make the point that no
matter what you believe, you must be tolerant of others and their beliefs. While Matthew is never seen in the play, you feel his spirit within
it. Following his friends, supporters, and even killers as they are interviewed by the theater troop, it brings you back in time to the trail of his
killers, the moment Matthew was discovered, the moment Matthew died, and all the questions people where asking. The wonderful actors and
actresses who performed in The Laramie Project fabulously conveyed Matthew’s story with passion and respect, honoring his memory in every
moment.
Top left: The cast of the Laramie Project. Photo courtesy of EJ Baustista
Something’s Cooking in Saint Joseph
Bottom right: The cast of Spitfire Grill. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Morin.
By: Tina Ahamad
For those of us that love small town stories, The
Spitfire Grill draws you into a world of comradery and
diners. Saint Joseph’s musical, The Spitfire Grill, started
its triumphant two week run on November 14th. The
musical depicts the journey of a woman named Percy
who is released from her five year prison sentence and
put on parole. She follows a photo from an old travel
book and heads to Gilead, Maine – a town so small
everyone is all up in your grill. Once there, Percy begins
to work at the town’s only restaurant, the Spitfire Grill.
As the diner’s owner, Hannah, tries to raffle off the grill,
we learn about both her and Percy’s dark pasts.
The three female leads, Kimmy McAllister (11), Katie Patison (11), and newcomer Vanessa Burch (9), worked extremely well together.
You could feel their connection on stage. Their performances really set the tone for the show. Complex, likable characters paired with catchy,
country songs made The Spitfire Grill one to watch. Though it wasn’t always the most upbeat of productions, it surely had some very funny and
heartfelt moments. The cast truly delivered on the show’s dramatic, intense scenes and their vocals were fantastic. You left the theater with a
smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. It was probably one of the drama program’s best performances yet.
Dtasc Competition
By Katie Patison
On October 26th, our Drama Club took a group of talented
students to compete in the Fall DTASC Festival. DTASC, The Drama
Teacher’s Association of Southern California, is an annual Drama
competition where students prepare scenes of different themes
specific to each year to compete against each other. This year’s Fall
DTASC Festival was held at Temecula Valley High School with over
2,000 student participants. Our Saint Joseph Drama Club brought
four amazing groups that performed their hearts out. Some of our
groups included students performing in the musical category, where
they performed songs revolving around the theme of “Revolution.”
One group performed scenes from Braveheart, the historical film
about William Wallace. The SJ Drama club will soon be traveling to
the Spring DTASC Festival, competing in Shakespearean themed
scenes.
Take Us to Scotland!
By Teresa Gonzalez
This coming summer, the Saint Joseph and Saint John
Bosco drama department is bringing their production of The Ash
Girl to Edinburgh, Scotland. Our drama department has been
nominated to perform at the Fringe Festival due to their excellent
performance of The Giver last fall. They will perform alongside
forty schools that have been chosen from all around the world.
The Ash Girl is a retelling of Cinderella, where Cinderella meets
the seven deadly sins on her way back from the Indian prince’s
ball. The drama department is hosting fundraisers to travel to
Scotland and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Anyone
can help send our talented, ready to perform actors to Scotland
by keeping an ear open for any future fundraising opportunities.
Aiding the Saint Joseph and Saint John Bosco drama departments in any way with the chance of a lifetime will be greatly
appreciated!
SPORTS
Smashing for Victory
By Annalia Ferrer
Dressed to win in bright orange skirts and white tops, this
year’s tennis teams showed that they are still the best at what they
do. This year, we boasted two impressive teams: the JV Tennis team
and the Varsity Tennis team. Under the guidance of their coaches,
Coach Kirk and Mrs. Cuevas, both tennis teams had an amazing
season and many victories. Additionally, two of our own deserve
special attention for placing third in their league’s CIF Individual
Tournament: the number one doubles team, seniors Bethany Nunez
and Kylie Weeks.
Bethany Nunez in action.Photo
courtesy of Alexandra Alvarez
Swinging SJ Golf to History
By Sarah Berberabe
Good Job to our SJ Golf Team who competed in the
Del Rey League. The team was led by junior, Jackie Wang,
who made it to the CIF Finals. With a league record of
4-1, our jesters had a great season. Having a strong bond
as SJ sisters, the golf team swung to victory and had a
memorable season. Congratulations on all your hard work
and success! Good luck next season!
Junior, Jackie Wang, making it look easy. Photo courtesy of Jackie Wang
Bump, Set, Spike
By Sarah Berberabe
Our Saint Joseph High School volleyball team worked hard this
season, taking part in Division 1A of the Del Rey League. The volleyball
team had a competitive and rigorous season and with a new coaching
staff, had to learn to work as a team. Although the Varsity team’s losses
outnumbered their wins, they were able to persevere with the help of the
new coaches and returning players. They were able to make it to the playoffs but unfortunately lost to Redondo Union.
Good Job to the Freshmen Team who won first place this season as
well as the Junior Varsity who did their best this season. We are extremely
proud of our Volleyball Team this year! Good job and good luck next
season.
Junior, Emily Sandstrom spiking the ball. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Alvarez
Crossing the Finish Line
The Cross Country Team in action at Mt. Sac. Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Natividad
By Adriana Perera
Congratulations to the cross country team for all their achievements!
Our cross country team and their coaching staff worked hard to place third in
the Del Rey League and advance to CIF Prelims. They also excelled in several
invitationals. Team captain, Nohemi Bazua, summarized the season best when
she said, “I am so proud of the SJ cross country team. They worked so hard,
even with all the obstacles that came their way throughout the season. We
stuck together and did not let anything negative break us apart. We worked
so hard to make it to CIF, thanks to our wonderful coaching staff. It has been
a fun and memorable season for my girls and me. I can’t wait to see what
amazing things they continue to do.” Once again, congratulations to this year’s
cross country team! Good luck to next year’s team; we know you will make us
proud!
BITS AND PIECES
Halloween at SJ
By: Ally Reyes
Saint Joseph was filled with many different characters on Friday,
October 31st. There were many colorful and creative characters, including
toddlers, sharks, Disney characters, and football players. During first break
was the Pumpkin Carving Contest, where students were able to bring their
already-carved pumpkins to win a prize. Eleventh grader, Alexis Ruiz, won
the contest with her ALS Ice Bucket Challenge pumpkin carving. In spite
of the intricate design, it only took her an hour to carve the pumpkin and
thirty minutes to carefully drip the hot wax over it, to look like water was
being dumped on it. During second break, we held the Halloween Costume
contest, where anyone who was interested in showing off their costume,
had to parade around chapel court. The winner of the contest was the Alice
in Wonderland inspired group. Eleventh graders, Alexandra Alvarez (Queen
of Hearts), Lauren Wiese and Kaylee Chantrapornlert (Tweedledum and
Tweedledee), Lauren Monzon (CheshireCat), Geena Conde (Mad Hatter),
and Rilee Farney (Alice), all had on tutus inspired by their characters. Their
costumes were nice interpretations of their characters and their win was
very well-deserved.
Top: Pikachu (Katie Roa) and Ash (Janeth Dominguez) pose for a quick picture. Photo courtesy of Marissa Mena
Bottom: Juniors cherishing memories with their new rings. Photo courtesy of Ms. Ingram
Put a Ring On It
By Marli Jorgensen
The class of 2016 received their junior rings on October 17th,
2014 as a symbol that they are upper class women, as well as an
official sister of Saint Joseph High School. This is a tradition that takes
place annually each year for each of the junior classes and is meant to
be an unforgettable moment for everyone’s high school experience.
Not only is it a great time for each member of the junior class to come
all dressed up, looking fabulous head to toe, but also a time when the
Juniors come together to unite as a class.
Now as each Junior wears her ring, it shows maturity and leadership for the younger and amazing women in the school. The mass
went through the meaning and significance of the rings and how they must live up to what the rings mean. Each time they look at their rings,
they will be reminded of the school and all the unforgettable moments they have gotten to share with their Saint Joseph sisters. No matter a
Donald, a Mickey, a Pooh Bear, or a Kermit they are all sisters who have made friendships that will last a lifetime in our hearts. Remember that
every time you look at the ring, think about how to be a better example for those who are watching, because one day they too will be in the
position that juniors are in now.
It’s a Small World After All
Left: In honor of the 50th Anniversary, Ms. Mahakian received a new ring for being the first
class to have a Junior Ring Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Ms. Ingram
By: Janice Chen and Cherry Cheng
We will introduce the school life of Chinese students to you. In China, students have about 7 to 8 classes a day, but each class only has 40
minutes. There are 6 years for primary school, 3 years for middle school and 3 years for high school. They don’t have elective system. Students
have the exact same courses. In primary school, we have Chinese, English, Math, P.E., science, music, and art. When they go to the middle school
and high school, they begin to learn Society, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, and Biology. Because we have the exact same schedule,
when they applied for college, it is fair for each student to know their ranking in school. They can learn diverse and abundant aspects of
different courses. For example, mathematics include algebra, geometry, some calculus and statistics. Maybe a student in America never choose
statistics in math, but Chinese student have to learn different aspects of math and know more. In the school, they stay in the same classroom
and different teachers come to their room to teach them. In the three years of high school, the first and second year they learn all the things
they need to learn, and in the third year they review all the things systematically, so they can remember and master the knowledge students
have been learned before more deeply.
In Chinese schools, they have a Student Union, it contain lots of departments, the main departments are: organization department,
which organize different activities of different departments; planning department, which help organize different activities in school, such
as decorating the stage; and outreach department, which find a sponsor topay the money for our school activities and communicate with
different schools. We also have some interesting department like Model United Nations, students willparticipate it and practice the ability of
giving a speech with English. Whenever the school want to hold an activity, the Student Union will work together and do their own job. Then
some activities such as sport meetings, Art Festival, the Top Ten Singers will be prepared perfectly and efficiently. Above all are just some of the
school life of Chinese students.
High AP Test Scores
By: Ally Reyes
Last year, many students studied hard for their Advance Placement tests for various subjects that took place near the end of the year.
Congratulations to the girls who passed- got a score of 3 or higher- their exams and to all the girls who survived a year of working hard,
learning, and, yes, crying over too many tests and essays to count. Many students did well on their AP exams and some classes were able to get
outstanding pass rates. Mr. Magaña’s AP Spanish Language had a 90% pass rate, while Ms. Arguedas’ AP Psychology class had 92%. AP English
Literature, taught by Ms. Borgonia, was able to get a 95% pass rate and Ms. Gordon’s AP World History class got a 96% pass rate.
Finally, Mrs. Mah’s AP Studio Art Drawing class was able to get 100% pass rate, so congratulations to those two students! To all the
students taking an AP class this year, I would suggest to start- if you already haven’t- studying. Writing key information on index cards and
testing yourself with them, studying with the help of AP review books (Barron’s and 5 Steps to a 5 are good prep books), and reading over past
outlines will help get you ready for your AP exam. Good luck to all the AP students; study hard because the AP exams will be here soon enough!
SJHS Alumnae on Her Way to an Academy Award?
By Lindsey Morin and Alana Nunez- Garcia
One of SJ’s alumnae, Ava Duvernay, recently
directed a soon-to-be-released film, Selma, starring
Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo. Selma is a film about
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s epic march from Selma to
Montgomery to fight for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Oprah Winfrey is the producer. The Washington Post,
Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly, among other
publications, have all named Selma as one of the top
ten films of the year. Maybe Ava will be the first AfricanAmerican woman ever nominated for an Oscar for Best
Director.
As a Kermit in the Class of 1990, Ava participated in
many school activities with an abundance of school spirit.
One of her teachers, Mrs. Bean, describes her as, “kind to all
her classmates, not just her inner circle, and she took the
time to stop, smile and say hello.” Sister Janet was principle
in 1990 and remembers that Ava was ASB President and
Prom Queen: “There are two other things I remember most
about Ava. She always had her sleeves rolled up and was
helping behind the scenes; and she was always a lady-smiling and gracious.”
We wish Ava much success in her career!
Top left: Alumnae, Ava Duvernay, posing with Oprah. Bottom Right: Ava’s graduation photo.
Special thanks to...
SJ PRESS
Our SJ Press Dad, Mr. Poco Cruz of Boston Studios,
The Farris Family for our wonderful new laptop,
Mr. Radice for all of his help and advice,
Yearbook staff for sharing their pictures,
and SJHS Administration for their help and support.
Staff List
Moderators:
Miss Hernandez
Miss Ingram
Editors:
Cristina Ahamad
Mia Arciga
Phoebe Cruz
Kate Larson
Julia Madura
Giselle Nunez
Adriana Perera
Kellie Simbulan
Adriana Quijas
Samantha Lacey
Photography Editors:
E.J. Bautista
Alexandria Araujo
Alexandra Alvarez
Photographers:
Talia Caya
Marissa Mena
Lindsey Morin
Alison Munoz
Staff:
Sarah Berberabe
Amelia Campos
Janice Chen
Cherry Cheng
Anna-Marie Diaz
Annalia Ferrer
Daryan Gomez
Teresa Gonzalez
Emily Han
Bernadette Haponski
Marli Jorgensen
Julie Kallini
Star McCown
Alana Nunez-Garcia
Katie Patison
Allyson Reyes
Riley Rojas
Sonya Ontiveros
Angelica Tellez
Christianne Toledo
Courtesy of Yearbook
COMIC STRIP
Written and drawn by Sonya Ontiveros