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The Student Newspaper at Mater Dei High School

The Scarlet Scroll
The Student Newspaper at Mater Dei High School

The Scarlet Scroll
The Student Newspaper at Mater Dei High School

The Scarlet Scroll
Friday Night Lights: A sea of red and white surges forward as Mater Dei football players charge onto the field before kickoff in the late 1990s. The tightly packed formation shows the unity that defined the Monarchs during an era that helped cement the program's reputation for discipline and championship ambition.
BLAST FROM THE PAST Rick Martinez ‘83, Biology Teacher and Head Track Coach, is depicted in his class portrait and the Track and Field page from the 1983 yearbook. Many students who graduate from Mater Dei leave with some kind of advice, knowledge, and/or wisdom. Martinez’s advice was from his track coaches, Denny Robinson and Bruce Rollinson. “The one thing that I learned really quickly, my sophomore year, from my coaches, was that confidence and believing in yourself is very important,” Martinez said. “It only originates within the student, within the athlete. I think that's the one thing that I learned in my life. You can't wait for people to believe in you, you have to believe in yourself first and foremost if you want to succeed.” Photo courtesy of Mater Dei High School.
WHAT'S ETHICAL? Throughout the last few years, business professionals, teachers, and students have increasingly adopted AI and large language models (LLM’s) to assist in assignments and daily tasks. With an average increase of over 65 percent in usage since 2022, many can’t help but wonder if the technology is being used in both a beneficial and ethical way. This technology has paved the way for increased efficiency, allowing users to prompt the system and receive a complete answer in just a few seconds but has often allowed for academic dishonesty within the classroom. This technology does not just facilitate cheating but has also been disrupting humanity’s critical thinking, problem solving, and active retention skills. “There is the cheating aspect of it,” Religious Studies Teacher Jarryd Lagado said. “The other problem is that it reduces our ability to think critically. When we become dependent on something else to think for us, then our society will start to decline and not be able to problem-solve on their own.”
GET UP Students laugh and dance at a school rally. All the events and rallies hosted by ASB help bring students together and make school an enjoyable place to be. Senior Maddy O’Connor believes ASB keeps everything together and the school spirit alive. “A lot of things wouldn't be as organized [without ASB] and it'd be kind of boring,” O’Connor said. “ASB brings joy to Mater Dei, and pretty much [all things] cool.”
SHAPED BY AI: Students’ study habits are rapidly evolving as artificial intelligence changes the way they learn, work, and manage time. While some use AI to better understand material, others rely on it for speed and convenience, raising questions about independence and real learning. As its role in education grows, the balance between using AI as a tool and a shortcut becomes harder to define. “I try not to rely on it to complete assignments for me, but instead use it as a tool to guide my studying and improve my understanding,” sophomore Pierre Attalla said. Photo illustration by David Boulos via ChatGPT.
News
BUILDING THE FUTURE: Plans to build tennis courts and a new Performing Arts Center will be started and completed in the coming years. This will benefit students and athletes alike as they will enhance both the Athletic and Performing Arts Departments and bring much-needed venues and state-of-the-art spaces to campus. “You want to be rooted in that tradition of the school when [it comes to] these projects, we’ve always got to be innovating and moving forward,” Vice President of School Relations Scott Melvin said. Mock Renderings courtesy of Mater Dei High School.
Expanding Honor, Glory, Love: Mater Dei Unveils Campus Beautification Plans
June 4, 2026

As Mater Dei continues to evolve, it welcomes new students, adopts new technology, and forms partnerships for sports and education. But another focus has been on how Mater...

ON YOUR MARK Athletes and buddies line up at the starting line to prepare for the Special Games starting ceremony. For senior Xavier Palmares, Special Games is a reminder of how volunteering can make a change in others and in himself. “Special Games was such a meaningful experience and definitely reminded me of why service is so important,” Palmares said. Photo courtesy of Mater Dei High School.
A Day That Brings Us Together: Monarch Special Games
April 28, 2026

Hundreds of Mater Dei students gathered on Saturday, Mar. 28, for the annual Special Games Outreach, uniting student volunteers and with special needs for a campus-wide event...

TEAM MEET Jina Poirier, Gilbert Sanchez, and Preston Walrath take a photo with the rest of their CEI group. The many districts participating in CEI all come together to have meetings with each other four times a year. These meetings are great ways to get in touch and discuss what is working and what is not working. “So many districts have joined CEI, and we have been able to collaborate with them,” Walrath said. “We have quarterly meetings, the last one was in Anaheim, California. Schools from all over the state come to these locations, and we're able to talk to the parents, the students, the teachers, the administrators, and we have a very equal conversation at a round table. We're able to all discuss the problems of practice that we have in our particular schools, and how they've approached similar problems to ours, and how we can approach our problems. So for us, it's a great tool, because we're able to collaborate with other districts and find out what works for them, and we tell them what works for us.” photo courtesy of Jina Poirier
CEI: How can it Benefit Mater Dei
March 30, 2026

Community Engagement Initiative, CEI, is part of California’s Statewide System of Support, designed to help school districts engage in meaningful conversations about improving...

Features
OUT OF THE PARK Sophomore Ally Roman takes a swing during her sixth game of the spring season. On Wednesday, Mar. 18, the JV softball team faced Villa Park in a tough matchup. “ I've made a lot [of sacrifices for softball],” senior Savanah Duncan said. “It takes up a lot of time, especially playing at a high level. I would say you have to sacrifice a lot of your time and a lot of outside activities, because a lot of time is just spent on the softball field.”Photo courtesy of Ali DePhillips.
Keep the Student Section Supportive for Softball
April 28, 2026
HANDS-ON AP Biology students conduct their Enzyme Catalysis laboratory project under the guidance of AP/Honors Biology Teacher and Biotechnology Coordinator, Marla Utley. At the beginning of the school year, students participated in several laboratory investigations to develop technical skills and become familiar with real-world lab procedures. Monarch alumna Valerie Noria highlights how lab experiences offer powerful, hands-on insights that bring classroom learning to life. “I found learning the practical laboratory skills has been most helpful in establishing a foundation of applicable knowledge,” Noria said. “I feel prepared to lead and excel in my hands-on classes because I have prior experience working in a laboratory setting.” Photo courtesy of Alejandro Vera.
Building Future Together: The Biotechnology Certificate Dual Program
April 28, 2026
SENIORS SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS Seniors at Mater Dei take part in mock interviews in the library. Participating in practice interviews while still in high school prepares students for life after graduation by building confidence and professional skills. “I felt like it prepared me for a realistic interview for when I’m older,” senior Natalie Nichols said. Photo courtesy of Brynne Carmody.
Building Confidence for Adulthood: Mock Interviews for Seniors
April 28, 2026
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May 1, 2026
News Briefs for Apr. 21
April 21, 2026
News Briefs for Mar. 23
March 23, 2026
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Sports
EYES ON THE FAIRWAY Senior Griffin Vaughan watches his ball fly after a powerful follow-through during a Trinity League match against St. John Bosco. On March 11, the Monarchs showed off their hard work and discipline as they continued to push for a league title. To stay focused during a really difficult schedule, Vaughan relies on the "great community" of the golf program and the hard work he sees from his teammates every single day. “The entire program gets along, works together, and practices with the team and on their own,” Vaughan said. Photo courtesy of Angela Liu.
Swinging into the Season with Mater Dei Boys Golf
April 28, 2026
NOTHING BUT NET Junior Harmony Golightly #5 faces off against opposing Orange Lutheran athletes. When challenged, Golightly learns to adopt leadership habits and take charge in difficult situations. “We have leaders on the team,” Golightly said. “They're able to speak up, encourage others, and [help us] to be better.” Photo by Natalie Flores. NOTHING BUT NET Junior Harmony Golightly #5 faces off against opposing Orange Lutheran athletes. When challenged, Golightly learns to adopt leadership habits and take charge in difficult situations. “We have leaders on the team,” Golightly said. “They're able to speak up, encourage others, and [help us] to be better.”
Queens of the Court: Girls Basketball Undefeated Season
April 21, 2026
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Sports
EYES ON THE FAIRWAY Senior Griffin Vaughan watches his ball fly after a powerful follow-through during a Trinity League match against St. John Bosco. On March 11, the Monarchs showed off their hard work and discipline as they continued to push for a league title. To stay focused during a really difficult schedule, Vaughan relies on the "great community" of the golf program and the hard work he sees from his teammates every single day. “The entire program gets along, works together, and practices with the team and on their own,” Vaughan said. Photo courtesy of Angela Liu.
Swinging into the Season with Mater Dei Boys Golf
April 28, 2026
NOTHING BUT NET Junior Harmony Golightly #5 faces off against opposing Orange Lutheran athletes. When challenged, Golightly learns to adopt leadership habits and take charge in difficult situations. “We have leaders on the team,” Golightly said. “They're able to speak up, encourage others, and [help us] to be better.” Photo by Natalie Flores. NOTHING BUT NET Junior Harmony Golightly #5 faces off against opposing Orange Lutheran athletes. When challenged, Golightly learns to adopt leadership habits and take charge in difficult situations. “We have leaders on the team,” Golightly said. “They're able to speak up, encourage others, and [help us] to be better.”
Queens of the Court: Girls Basketball Undefeated Season
April 21, 2026
BUILT FOR THE NEXT LEVEL Mater Dei’s underclassmen athletic program is built on fundamentals, discipline, and preparation, laying the foundation for future JV and varsity success. What begins on the frosh/soph team, with skill development and team-first mentality, quickly transforms into higher-level competition. The growth from one season to the next reflects the impact of intentional coaching and daily commitment. From learning the system to executing it under pressure, the transition proves that preparation becomes performance. “Confident players play the game freely,” Basketball Coach Jim Larkins said. Photo Illustration by David Boulos.
How Underclassmen Get into Higher Levels of Sports
March 30, 2026
Culture
POWER OF CONNECTION Freshman Alvaro Castillo meets with Director of Counseling Olivia Huie. Students meet one-on-one with school counselors, showing how simple conversations can come and turn into supportive relationships that build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and remind the students they are never alone. "Social interaction is very important,” School Counselor Mayra Martinez said. “It encourages students to advocate for themselves. It actually helps them feel heard and supported."
The Importance of Social Interaction on Students’ Lives
April 21, 2026
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOOKS Multiple books are displayed together. While many people find reading to be boring or time-consuming, daily reading has many benefits that can impact your future and academics. “The more that you read, the more things you will know,” Dr. Seuss said. “The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Photo Illustration by Adelaide Games.
Why Reading in Your Free Time Still Matters
April 21, 2026
WHAT’S TRENDING Being test-optional does not truly mean “optional.” Although some top schools continue the “test blind” policy in their admissions process, the number of accepted students who submitted test scores is substantially more than those who chose not to. Because of the rising number of competitive applicants vying for admission at top universities, an excellent ACT or SAT score can make all the difference and be a valuable predictor of how an individual will perform at the college level. “I really do think that the SAT [and ACT] can be more helpful than harmful most of the time,” Mater Dei School Counselor Marybeth Nguyen said. “The college just wants to know that you're going to be successful there.” Photo Illustration by Kayla Hofman.
A New Direction in College Admissions: What’s New with the Re-enforcement of Mandatory Testing Policies?
February 26, 2026
Multimedia
FRIENDSHIP IN PRINT Members of the Hi-Lighter student newspaper gather for a press conference in 1954. Among them is senior Lenore Rigney (O’Hara), who had worked on the publication for two years after transferring to Mater Dei as a junior. “I found the students were all so friendly and accepting,” O’Hara said. “It was [important] to be friendly to someone new and to help them get used to the school and make friends.”
Mater Dei Evolution Through the Decades: The 1950s
October 23, 2025
HOT COCOA IN COLD WEATHER Seniors Kalani Kunimura (far right) and Dalton Bulowski (second right) celebrate the holiday season with a cup of hot cocoa, handed out by the Parent Association Council during upper lunch. On Monday, Dec. 2, Monarchs kicked off the Christmas Spirit Week, transforming the campus into a Winter Wonderland with festive all-white snow day outfits. “It’s awesome to celebrate Christmas culture with the Mater Dei community,” Bulowski said.
Christmas Spirit Week
January 23, 2025
The Surfrider Foundation works to combat ocean pollution and make tangible changes through state legislature.
Celebrating Earth Day
April 24, 2022
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