Practically Perfect
By Brooke Mendes '24
Edited by Kristen Wichman '26
“Anything can happen if you let it, life is out there waiting so go and get it.”
I have loved Mary Poppins since I was a little girl. With Julie Andrews’ singing and the magic bag with endless space, I adored the whimsical story of the Banks family. It was also the first musical I ever saw at the age of five, and I would get to meet Mary herself. Flash forward to now, my senior year of high school and the school musical, which was none other than Mary Poppins. The family aspect of the show has brought the Chaminade players closer than ever before, as I am sure it shows both to the audience and backstage through encouraging high fives and hugs. The past two months have been filled with practices of dancing and singing. Not all were moments of happiness, there were challenges like super high notes or spelling out "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" on stage super-fast. There were also moments of stress with an amazing tech crew working with new sets and equipment giving the illusion of flight. But no matter what, the forty-two (I think including myself) people cast in the Chaminade Players’ production, Mary Poppins, have worked to sustain the show's beauty.
When the show was announced, I immediately knew I would audition. My journey with the players is one that I am forever grateful for. Chaminade has communities like the players all around campus, the Speech and Debate team, the Robotics team, Cheer and Song, various clubs, and many sports teams. The Chaminade players immediately caught my eye during my eighth-grade step-up day, and I have been with the program ever since. I participate on and off stage being the Head of Props and am even included in the Drama Board as treasurer this year. I have been in eight shows since my arrival in my sophomore year, but Mary Poppins has truly been one of my favorites.
The process leading up to opening night was one full of cast support and care. Everyone helped each other with music and would take time out of their day to teach a dance. Actors and actresses of all grades were able to be on stage together and create new bonds because of this show. The meaning of taking the chance or just trying to do something before you stop yourself is something worthwhile, and people are practically perfect with responsibility, respect, and fashion like Mary’s. The show itself with its bright colors and costumes never got old. I especially loved my bright-colored hair during “Supercal” and dancing to “Step in Time.” Every night I did not have to act when Dominic Sutherland '24 went upside down because I was in amazement at first for his courage and two the system that provided the illusion.
Everything about Mary Poppins is a dream. The work put into this show by the cast and crew shows through every smile on stage. The lights, costumes, props, makeup, and sound systems are all creatively thought-out and uniquely designed for each person. It’s truly amazing what a community of people can do, and I cannot wait to come back after I graduate and see future productions.
By Brooke Mendes '24
Edited by Kristen Wichman '26
“Anything can happen if you let it, life is out there waiting so go and get it.”
I have loved Mary Poppins since I was a little girl. With Julie Andrews’ singing and the magic bag with endless space, I adored the whimsical story of the Banks family. It was also the first musical I ever saw at the age of five, and I would get to meet Mary herself. Flash forward to now, my senior year of high school and the school musical, which was none other than Mary Poppins. The family aspect of the show has brought the Chaminade players closer than ever before, as I am sure it shows both to the audience and backstage through encouraging high fives and hugs. The past two months have been filled with practices of dancing and singing. Not all were moments of happiness, there were challenges like super high notes or spelling out "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" on stage super-fast. There were also moments of stress with an amazing tech crew working with new sets and equipment giving the illusion of flight. But no matter what, the forty-two (I think including myself) people cast in the Chaminade Players’ production, Mary Poppins, have worked to sustain the show's beauty.
When the show was announced, I immediately knew I would audition. My journey with the players is one that I am forever grateful for. Chaminade has communities like the players all around campus, the Speech and Debate team, the Robotics team, Cheer and Song, various clubs, and many sports teams. The Chaminade players immediately caught my eye during my eighth-grade step-up day, and I have been with the program ever since. I participate on and off stage being the Head of Props and am even included in the Drama Board as treasurer this year. I have been in eight shows since my arrival in my sophomore year, but Mary Poppins has truly been one of my favorites.
The process leading up to opening night was one full of cast support and care. Everyone helped each other with music and would take time out of their day to teach a dance. Actors and actresses of all grades were able to be on stage together and create new bonds because of this show. The meaning of taking the chance or just trying to do something before you stop yourself is something worthwhile, and people are practically perfect with responsibility, respect, and fashion like Mary’s. The show itself with its bright colors and costumes never got old. I especially loved my bright-colored hair during “Supercal” and dancing to “Step in Time.” Every night I did not have to act when Dominic Sutherland '24 went upside down because I was in amazement at first for his courage and two the system that provided the illusion.
Everything about Mary Poppins is a dream. The work put into this show by the cast and crew shows through every smile on stage. The lights, costumes, props, makeup, and sound systems are all creatively thought-out and uniquely designed for each person. It’s truly amazing what a community of people can do, and I cannot wait to come back after I graduate and see future productions.
Look to the Sky
By Dylan Moen '25
On April 8th, Chaminade students and teachers alike were in awe of what we could see of the total solar eclipse. Some students with safety-certified eclipse glasses went outside to view the rare event. Although we could only see a small portion of the sun missing, the solar eclipse was still significant on campus, and there was much discussion about it. Mr. Sauter was especially enthusiastic, encouraging student interest. All of this fanfare is to be expected because the last total solar eclipse was back in 2017, and the next one that will be visible in the USA won't be until August 23, 2044. That’s 20 years from now! But don’t worry, if you missed this eclipse there will be another this coming October 2nd, an annular or ring-shaped partial eclipse can be seen. Although this isn’t a total solar eclipse it is better than missing the spectacular event altogether. Who knows? Maybe you'll end up loving the annular eclipse so much that you'll view it again on February 17, 2026. Now for those who didn't see this month's eclipse in totality, you can view another in 2026 and 2027 but they are not in the USA. For more information about the upcoming eclipses and when and where they can be viewed visit this website:
https://www.weather.gov/fsd/suneclipse.
By Dylan Moen '25
On April 8th, Chaminade students and teachers alike were in awe of what we could see of the total solar eclipse. Some students with safety-certified eclipse glasses went outside to view the rare event. Although we could only see a small portion of the sun missing, the solar eclipse was still significant on campus, and there was much discussion about it. Mr. Sauter was especially enthusiastic, encouraging student interest. All of this fanfare is to be expected because the last total solar eclipse was back in 2017, and the next one that will be visible in the USA won't be until August 23, 2044. That’s 20 years from now! But don’t worry, if you missed this eclipse there will be another this coming October 2nd, an annular or ring-shaped partial eclipse can be seen. Although this isn’t a total solar eclipse it is better than missing the spectacular event altogether. Who knows? Maybe you'll end up loving the annular eclipse so much that you'll view it again on February 17, 2026. Now for those who didn't see this month's eclipse in totality, you can view another in 2026 and 2027 but they are not in the USA. For more information about the upcoming eclipses and when and where they can be viewed visit this website:
https://www.weather.gov/fsd/suneclipse.
The Word Weavers
By Claire Molnar '26
Edited by Kristen Wichman '26
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, you can find the Word Weavers Club hard at work in the library, writing their latest piece. Writers of the club pen short stories, novels, poems, songs, etc. while often collaborating to perfect their pieces. This past November, many of our writers participated in NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, where they worked tirelessly to complete a rough draft of a novel of their own. At the beginning of the month, they set a word goal for themselves and tried to write a certain number of words per day, slowly adding up to complete a full draft at the end of the month. Though difficult, this process proved very rewarding to be able to look back and read your writing and know that you can make something meaningful.
About every month, the Word Weavers hold a workshop where they either learn about a new form of writing, do a spotlight on a certain genre of writing, or complete a craft that engages their creativity. Some past creative workshops have included decorating notebooks/journals, making bookmarks, and customizing tote bags with patches, vinyl stickers, and paint. Some of our writing-focused workshops have been about songwriting, horror writing, short stories, character development, and story structure. Even if you are not particularly interested in writing, joining this club can be a great opportunity to find an unexpected passion for writing, express your creative side by doing a craft, or being able to meet new people with similar interests.
I talked with Kristen Wichman ’26, a member of the club for two years, and Lauren Iaccino ’25, the club president, and interviewed them about the club:
Q: What is your favorite part of the Word Weavers Club?
A (Kristen): My favorite part of Word Weavers Club is the fact that we do various activities that in some way contribute to improving our writing skills as well as our creativity.
A (Lauren): My favorite part of Word Weavers is that it has something for everyone. You can come to meetings to improve your skills, write something new, or just hang out and have fun with friends!
Q: Did you participate in NaNoWriMo? Did you reach your goal?
A (Kristen): I did participate in NaNoWriMo this year, however, unfortunately, I did not reach my goal because I was really busy in November.
A (Lauren): Yes! I had a lot of fun participating in NaNoWriMo this year, and I managed to complete my personal goal by the end of the month. I think that my favorite part of the process was getting to work alongside everyone and keep updating our progress as we went, as well as getting to see what everyone else wrote during NaNoWriMo.
Q: What would you say to a prospective member?
A (Kristen): I would tell them to give it a try because there is something for everyone. From all the different writing forms, everyone is bound to find something that they can express their creativity with. Two of our workshop meetings that I thought were really cool were the story-building one and the songwriting one.
A (Lauren): If someone was considering joining the club, I would say get ready to have a great time! From the regular meetings to the workshops, Word Weavers has a lot to offer!
If you are interested in receiving updates about the club, contact Ms. Ryser to get on the email list. You can follow the Word Weavers Club on Instagram @nadewordweavers for announcements about upcoming workshops and to see photos.
By Claire Molnar '26
Edited by Kristen Wichman '26
Every Tuesday or Wednesday, you can find the Word Weavers Club hard at work in the library, writing their latest piece. Writers of the club pen short stories, novels, poems, songs, etc. while often collaborating to perfect their pieces. This past November, many of our writers participated in NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, where they worked tirelessly to complete a rough draft of a novel of their own. At the beginning of the month, they set a word goal for themselves and tried to write a certain number of words per day, slowly adding up to complete a full draft at the end of the month. Though difficult, this process proved very rewarding to be able to look back and read your writing and know that you can make something meaningful.
About every month, the Word Weavers hold a workshop where they either learn about a new form of writing, do a spotlight on a certain genre of writing, or complete a craft that engages their creativity. Some past creative workshops have included decorating notebooks/journals, making bookmarks, and customizing tote bags with patches, vinyl stickers, and paint. Some of our writing-focused workshops have been about songwriting, horror writing, short stories, character development, and story structure. Even if you are not particularly interested in writing, joining this club can be a great opportunity to find an unexpected passion for writing, express your creative side by doing a craft, or being able to meet new people with similar interests.
I talked with Kristen Wichman ’26, a member of the club for two years, and Lauren Iaccino ’25, the club president, and interviewed them about the club:
Q: What is your favorite part of the Word Weavers Club?
A (Kristen): My favorite part of Word Weavers Club is the fact that we do various activities that in some way contribute to improving our writing skills as well as our creativity.
A (Lauren): My favorite part of Word Weavers is that it has something for everyone. You can come to meetings to improve your skills, write something new, or just hang out and have fun with friends!
Q: Did you participate in NaNoWriMo? Did you reach your goal?
A (Kristen): I did participate in NaNoWriMo this year, however, unfortunately, I did not reach my goal because I was really busy in November.
A (Lauren): Yes! I had a lot of fun participating in NaNoWriMo this year, and I managed to complete my personal goal by the end of the month. I think that my favorite part of the process was getting to work alongside everyone and keep updating our progress as we went, as well as getting to see what everyone else wrote during NaNoWriMo.
Q: What would you say to a prospective member?
A (Kristen): I would tell them to give it a try because there is something for everyone. From all the different writing forms, everyone is bound to find something that they can express their creativity with. Two of our workshop meetings that I thought were really cool were the story-building one and the songwriting one.
A (Lauren): If someone was considering joining the club, I would say get ready to have a great time! From the regular meetings to the workshops, Word Weavers has a lot to offer!
If you are interested in receiving updates about the club, contact Ms. Ryser to get on the email list. You can follow the Word Weavers Club on Instagram @nadewordweavers for announcements about upcoming workshops and to see photos.
We Are the Builders and the Makers: The Chaminade Players Carpentry Crew
By Ryan Jorge '25
Behind the scenes in every Drama production is an exceptional technical team consisting of students and mentors alike. One of these crews, Carpentry, takes plans and makes them a reality. Overseen by Mike Davis, and assisted by Emily Leaver, student leaders instruct their peers in the skills of building. This year's spring production of Mary Poppins required hours and hours of labor to ensure that the complex set design operated at full potential. With magic effects thrown in, there was a whole lot of work that went into the show and it paid off. The following is a photo series of these magnificent efforts:
By Ryan Jorge '25
Behind the scenes in every Drama production is an exceptional technical team consisting of students and mentors alike. One of these crews, Carpentry, takes plans and makes them a reality. Overseen by Mike Davis, and assisted by Emily Leaver, student leaders instruct their peers in the skills of building. This year's spring production of Mary Poppins required hours and hours of labor to ensure that the complex set design operated at full potential. With magic effects thrown in, there was a whole lot of work that went into the show and it paid off. The following is a photo series of these magnificent efforts:
David Mummolo '26
Volunteer and Job Opportunities for Chaminade Students
By Bella Salib '25
Edited by Viren Sharma '26
High school and adolescence come with stress, but these years also offer great opportunities for self-improvement and community engagement. Engaging in volunteer work or securing a part-time job can significantly contribute to personal growth and community betterment.
A fulfilling way to give back is by volunteering at a local animal shelter. Animal lovers can find joy and purpose in contributing to the welfare of animals, making a tangible difference in their lives. Additionally, engaging with local nonprofits offers a chance to address various societal issues like environmental conservation, homelessness, and educational disparities. Working alongside these organizations not only aids in community improvement but also helps in honing vital skills such as teamwork and leadership.
Part-time employment at local retail stores presents another avenue for community contribution and skill development. Retail jobs can teach high school students valuable lessons in customer service, organization, and collaboration. Furthermore, those who excel academically have the opportunity to mentor or teach younger students, sharing their knowledge and positively influencing their academic journeys. Summer offers a unique volunteer opportunity as well; becoming a Summer Camp Counselor allows for creative engagement with children, fostering a fun and educational environment.
For Chaminade students, these volunteer and job opportunities are not just a means to occupy time; they are gateways to valuable life experiences and a way to make a meaningful difference in the community.
By Bella Salib '25
Edited by Viren Sharma '26
High school and adolescence come with stress, but these years also offer great opportunities for self-improvement and community engagement. Engaging in volunteer work or securing a part-time job can significantly contribute to personal growth and community betterment.
A fulfilling way to give back is by volunteering at a local animal shelter. Animal lovers can find joy and purpose in contributing to the welfare of animals, making a tangible difference in their lives. Additionally, engaging with local nonprofits offers a chance to address various societal issues like environmental conservation, homelessness, and educational disparities. Working alongside these organizations not only aids in community improvement but also helps in honing vital skills such as teamwork and leadership.
Part-time employment at local retail stores presents another avenue for community contribution and skill development. Retail jobs can teach high school students valuable lessons in customer service, organization, and collaboration. Furthermore, those who excel academically have the opportunity to mentor or teach younger students, sharing their knowledge and positively influencing their academic journeys. Summer offers a unique volunteer opportunity as well; becoming a Summer Camp Counselor allows for creative engagement with children, fostering a fun and educational environment.
For Chaminade students, these volunteer and job opportunities are not just a means to occupy time; they are gateways to valuable life experiences and a way to make a meaningful difference in the community.
An Artist's Spidey Sense
By Dylan Moen '25
On February 29th, the final day of Black History Month, the Nade Creative Collective joined forces with the Black Student Union to host a presentation and workshop by African American storyboard artist (and sometimes character designer), Wynton Redmond. Best known for his work in acclaimed "Spider-man Across the Spider-Verse," Wynton led a captivating discussion about his experiences as a black artist and instructed student participants on creating storyboards and designing their own Spidersona.
The presentation was about an hour long during which we learned that Redmond broke into the storyboarding and character design scene when his art was discovered on Instagram. He was asked to take a "storyboarding test" which landed him a job on a lesser-known "Spider-man" TV series (the animated Disney XD version).
In Q & A, perhaps the most poignant question that Wynton answered regarded the black experience in the storyboard world. When asked, "How many people do you work with who look like you?" the answer was surprising. Redmond shared that he had never worked with another African American man and that most of his co-workers were white and a lot older than himself. He encouraged all students in attendance to pursue their dreams and insert themselves into their chosen fields. There is a place for everyone. When asked, "How stressful is working in the industry, and does it affect you?" he responded that if the deadline is short then it gets stressful, but as long as you have something on the page you will be fine. Just keep going.
Students were excited to get into the workshop portion of the event, witnessing Mr. Redmond drawing a Spider-man scene live, and then being given the chance to copy his techniques while creating their own characters. He walked around the room offering individualized tips and suggestions to student pieces whilst answering any additional questions. He even took the time to sign a few autographs and personalize student work. The most impactful message of the day was to never quit. Just like Spider-man, you have to follow your senses and never give up on yourself. If you stick with it, you will get better.
By Dylan Moen '25
On February 29th, the final day of Black History Month, the Nade Creative Collective joined forces with the Black Student Union to host a presentation and workshop by African American storyboard artist (and sometimes character designer), Wynton Redmond. Best known for his work in acclaimed "Spider-man Across the Spider-Verse," Wynton led a captivating discussion about his experiences as a black artist and instructed student participants on creating storyboards and designing their own Spidersona.
The presentation was about an hour long during which we learned that Redmond broke into the storyboarding and character design scene when his art was discovered on Instagram. He was asked to take a "storyboarding test" which landed him a job on a lesser-known "Spider-man" TV series (the animated Disney XD version).
In Q & A, perhaps the most poignant question that Wynton answered regarded the black experience in the storyboard world. When asked, "How many people do you work with who look like you?" the answer was surprising. Redmond shared that he had never worked with another African American man and that most of his co-workers were white and a lot older than himself. He encouraged all students in attendance to pursue their dreams and insert themselves into their chosen fields. There is a place for everyone. When asked, "How stressful is working in the industry, and does it affect you?" he responded that if the deadline is short then it gets stressful, but as long as you have something on the page you will be fine. Just keep going.
Students were excited to get into the workshop portion of the event, witnessing Mr. Redmond drawing a Spider-man scene live, and then being given the chance to copy his techniques while creating their own characters. He walked around the room offering individualized tips and suggestions to student pieces whilst answering any additional questions. He even took the time to sign a few autographs and personalize student work. The most impactful message of the day was to never quit. Just like Spider-man, you have to follow your senses and never give up on yourself. If you stick with it, you will get better.
Yule Wish You Had Been There
By Rian Ford '24
Edited by Remi Spiegel '24
The yearly winter formal dance at Chaminade was held on Saturday, February 24th. With a Harry Potter theme, guests were taken to a fantastical yule-tide wonderland. With the help of a snow machine and creative decorations like garlands, hanging candles, and snowy wreaths, the venue was transformed into a magical place where snowflakes fell. It was a fantastic evening for everybody who came, with an ice cream counter set up to give sweet delights to the students and delicious lemonade quenching their thirst as they danced the night away.
Even though fewer people attended this year's dance than usual, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it made the environment more welcoming and personal for the attendees. Because of the smaller crowd, students were able to build stronger relationships and deeper connections with classmates they might not have otherwise interacted with. It became clear that, when it comes to forging deep and enduring connections, there are moments when less really is more, as the friendly atmosphere allowed conversations to flow and friendships to flourish.
When asked about the dance, Dominic Sutherland ’25 said, “It was just a thing of running into other people who genuinely just wanted to have a good time and didn’t care about how everyone else would look at them for enjoying themselves.” Everyone was smiling, conversing, and dancing carefree. The energy was truly infectious, and the dance floor was a sea of joyful faces. The enthusiasm at the dance generated memories that hopefully will last a lifetime, leaving everyone eager for the next major event. Hopefully, prom is just as lively!
Water "Assassins," A Senior Tradition
By Lily Caserta '24
Edited by Naya Batah '24
With canvas painting and homework procrastinating, the last hundred days of high school linger in our senior Eagles’ minds. Not only are we reminiscing on the memories that the last four years have brought us, but we are filled with anticipation for the ones in the making. The front-running core memory for our seniors is the intense game of "Water Assassins." In this game, teams of seven people compete against one another for a cash prize. Every group is assigned another team to “eliminate” using water guns. The class of 2024 has been watching and waiting for three years to partake in this annual outside-of-school tradition. Through keeping track of addresses, car makes and models, etcetera, this senior class has taken preparation to another level. Besides obvious places, seniors all know to avoid areas in close range to Chaminade such as the Starbucks on Platt Avenue and the Chipotle on Victory Boulevard. As these are very well-populated areas before and after school, seniors are taking advantage of these locations while they’re still safe. I, myself, have been to both locations recently and they are swarming with seniors. The paranoia of not knowing who is hunting and attempting to eliminate us leaves no choice but to keep everything, down to weekend plans, classified! After weeks of playing, one team will remain victorious and collect a substantial cash prize which will then be split evenly among all the members of the team. The buy-in for the game is $10 per player, making each individual in the winning team leave with over $200. Thankfully, our very own Chaminade campus is a safe zone. This leaves sporting events, club meetings, drama activities, and other school-related events “dry.” The games will begin next Friday, the 8th of March. Excitement is brewing in our seniors, especially since there is an app being used to control the game, “Splashin." It has a suspenseful countdown leading to the start day. Good luck to those of you playing, and to all the underclassmen waiting for their turn, start saving your friends' addresses. Play safe!
By David Mummolo '26
Lunar New Year
By Jessica Yep '25
Edited by Helen Reece ‘25
Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon and the start of the two-week-long celebration filled with family, food, and festivities. Multiple countries, such as China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam celebrate Lunar New Year under different names like Spring Festival, Chinese New Year, and Tet. This year, Lunar New Year began on February 10th and will end on February 24th.
Each year is characterized by one of the twelve zodiac animals, with each occurring once every twelve years. This year is the Year of the Dragon, signifying how people born in the Year of the Dragon (e.g. in 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024) are intelligent, powerful, ambitious, adventurous, and confident.
There are two main Lunar New Year parades in the United States: one in San Francisco and another in New York City. These often take place towards the end of the two-week celebration rather than the first day of the new year. Each parade consists of numerous floats, processions, and dancers. Lion dancers and firecrackers are essential for the parade as they drive away evil spirits and bring good luck.
Like any holiday, food is essential for the celebration. Noodles (mian tiao) represent long life about the long length of the noodles. As such, it’s bad luck to cut noodles as it would reflect a shorter life. A whole fish (yu) represents prosperity and abundance as the leftovers from the fish symbolize a surplus of food and wealth in the new year. Oranges represent happiness and wealth from their gold color, representing fortune. Likewise, dumplings represent wealth since the shape resembles what currency used to look like in China.
Houses, streets, stores, and restaurants are traditionally decorated with red and gold décor because both colors are extremely lucky in Chinese culture. It’s also tradition for adults (often once they’re married) to give red envelopes (hongbao) to younger members of the family. These envelopes usually contain money, but sometimes they can contain jewelry or other valuable items.
By Jessica Yep '25
Edited by Helen Reece ‘25
Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon and the start of the two-week-long celebration filled with family, food, and festivities. Multiple countries, such as China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam celebrate Lunar New Year under different names like Spring Festival, Chinese New Year, and Tet. This year, Lunar New Year began on February 10th and will end on February 24th.
Each year is characterized by one of the twelve zodiac animals, with each occurring once every twelve years. This year is the Year of the Dragon, signifying how people born in the Year of the Dragon (e.g. in 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024) are intelligent, powerful, ambitious, adventurous, and confident.
There are two main Lunar New Year parades in the United States: one in San Francisco and another in New York City. These often take place towards the end of the two-week celebration rather than the first day of the new year. Each parade consists of numerous floats, processions, and dancers. Lion dancers and firecrackers are essential for the parade as they drive away evil spirits and bring good luck.
Like any holiday, food is essential for the celebration. Noodles (mian tiao) represent long life about the long length of the noodles. As such, it’s bad luck to cut noodles as it would reflect a shorter life. A whole fish (yu) represents prosperity and abundance as the leftovers from the fish symbolize a surplus of food and wealth in the new year. Oranges represent happiness and wealth from their gold color, representing fortune. Likewise, dumplings represent wealth since the shape resembles what currency used to look like in China.
Houses, streets, stores, and restaurants are traditionally decorated with red and gold décor because both colors are extremely lucky in Chinese culture. It’s also tradition for adults (often once they’re married) to give red envelopes (hongbao) to younger members of the family. These envelopes usually contain money, but sometimes they can contain jewelry or other valuable items.
Valentine's Day at Chaminade
By Remi Spiegel '24
Whether or not you have a love interest or a friend you really adore, Valentine's Day is about loving and appreciating those in your life. On February 14th, in our D block classes, Chaminade offered Valentine’s Day grams to students who purchased them before the date. These grams allowed you to send a message to those you care for and give them a little treat. There were three different gram options which included the following: option 1, which was $2 for a pen and a letter, option 2, which was $4 for a teddy bear upgrade, and option 3, which was $5 for three of option #1. All these choices brought joy to our community and acted as little reminders that we matter.
This year Valentine’s Day fell on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent which honors Jesus' forty days of fasting in the desert. We attended Mass where students received ashes on their foreheads in support of God and his salvation. Having a Mass on this day of love was extra special, as our whole community gathered in one space and celebrated all-around love. Afterward, we entertained a school-wide lunch, allowing us to spend time together as one big Chaminade family.
Although Valentine's was on a three o’clock day, there was still time to hang out with your loved ones and celebrate the day after school concluded. Some people show their love through cards, chocolate, flowers, and other treats that bring immense enjoyment. Everyone does Valentine’s Day a little differently, so we went around to see what some of our Eagles had in store for this day. Ali Klausner ’25 said, “This Valentine’s Day I looked forward to spending time with my boyfriend and taking him to dinner.” Jason Silverman ’24 shared, “I’m cooking dinner at my house.” Ashley Decker ’25 said, “I’m going to Disneyland with my boyfriend. He surprised me with tickets.” Anthony Costa ’26 mentioned, “Playing my baseball game.” Mia Rodarte ’26 said, “Hanging out with my family and giving my friends candy/gifts.” Jadon Lemmonds ’25 shared, “Making sushi at my girlfriend’s house and doing crafts.”
On February 14th, the school also decorated the outside of Marian Hall with heart-shaped balloons, streamers, and anything pink, white, or red to keep the holiday spirit alive! This small action made the holiday more special to celebrate. Overall, Valentine’s Day 2024 was a success!
By David Mummolo '26
Winter Break at Nade
By Jessica Yep '25
Edited by Helen Reece '25
After the stressful week of finals, we all got to spend two and a half weeks away from school and had a well-deserved chance to relax. Some of us spent time with family and friends; some went on vacation; some spent time at school at the very beginning of the new year. I asked students how they spent their few weeks off and received various answers as to how people kept busy over break.
Abi Goldman ’24 worked at the LA Guinea Pig Rescue and hung out with her friends there. She enjoyed sleeping in, snuggling with her dog Apollo, and watching movies. Abi also finished up her college applications, read Beloved for AP Lit, and was able to do some organizing.
By Jessica Yep '25
Edited by Helen Reece '25
After the stressful week of finals, we all got to spend two and a half weeks away from school and had a well-deserved chance to relax. Some of us spent time with family and friends; some went on vacation; some spent time at school at the very beginning of the new year. I asked students how they spent their few weeks off and received various answers as to how people kept busy over break.
Abi Goldman ’24 worked at the LA Guinea Pig Rescue and hung out with her friends there. She enjoyed sleeping in, snuggling with her dog Apollo, and watching movies. Abi also finished up her college applications, read Beloved for AP Lit, and was able to do some organizing.
Ollie Reece ’25 mainly spent the break relaxing. They attended a performance of A Christmas Carol at the ISC studio in December, traveled to Maryland to visit family, and went to a Christmas party.
Dylan Moen ’25 spent his break working on his AP Capstone Paper, which consisted of collecting data, drafting, writing, and reading. He also went to a Christmas party with his family and spent New Year’s Eve with his friends. Throughout the break, Dylan was able to work on his art and painted with watercolor, oil pastels, and acrylic paints. In the evenings, he went to swimming practice.
Dylan Moen ’25 spent his break working on his AP Capstone Paper, which consisted of collecting data, drafting, writing, and reading. He also went to a Christmas party with his family and spent New Year’s Eve with his friends. Throughout the break, Dylan was able to work on his art and painted with watercolor, oil pastels, and acrylic paints. In the evenings, he went to swimming practice.
Matthew Bissada ’26 mostly spent his break at home relaxing and watching a bunch of movies.
Addison Nadler ’26 was able to go to the Rose Parade on New Year's Day and spent time working on numerous things for robotics, such as cadding a battery box (pictured below).
Anya Mooradian ’26 attended a fencing winter camp and competed in two tournaments in San Jose. She enjoyed hanging out with friends, especially ones that she hadn’t seen in a while. Anya also saw the Winchester house, located in San Jose, and spent Christmas with her family.
Addison Nadler ’26 was able to go to the Rose Parade on New Year's Day and spent time working on numerous things for robotics, such as cadding a battery box (pictured below).
Anya Mooradian ’26 attended a fencing winter camp and competed in two tournaments in San Jose. She enjoyed hanging out with friends, especially ones that she hadn’t seen in a while. Anya also saw the Winchester house, located in San Jose, and spent Christmas with her family.