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CHOPPED: During a typical game of Among Us, two players are deemed “Imposters” and need to eliminate all the Crewmates in order to win. While you are the Imposter, you need to keep your identity a secret, which Freshman Lily Hirsch finds entertaining. “It
TESTING CENTERS CLOSE: Because of the risk of the Coronavirus spread, most SAT and ACT testing centers in the state of California have closed, leaving students with no choice but to travel out of state if they wish to submit a test score with their application.
USING HER VOICE: Senior Taylor Bruder poses with her “I Voted” sticker after voting in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Bruder posted her photo to her Instagram story to promote awareness of the election, which will take place on Nov. 3. “I’m going to vote because I’m concerned about our country,” Bruder said. “People’s rights are on the line. I’m voting to protect my rights and other minorities rights.”
READY, SET, GO: On Oct. 20, the all male kingsmen honors choir recorded the vocals for the upcoming virtual Fall Concert that will take place on Nov. 1. They all sing their song “Homeward Bound” with their mask on and while maintaining social distancing standards. Sophomore Benjamin Thai, senior Justin Vu, and senior Kenny Pham talk between takes of their song. “I missed the live audience from in-person concerts, but I was also less nervous singing for the virtual concert.” Benjamin Thai said.
The nine UC campuses are to use a “test blind” policy for all student admissions until the case settles or a final ruling is issued. In December 2019, a lawsuit was filed against the University of California by student plaintiffs, advocacy groups, and six organizations for the use of the SAT and ACT in the admissions process. “I think this will be a big push to reexamine, and the results of that might mean a huge shift in the testing [process].”
Students anticipate a relaxing Thanksgiving Break
Students anticipate a relaxing Thanksgiving Break
November 20, 2020

Thanksgiving Break starts this Saturday and goes until Nov. 29. Although many students have projects and assignments to be worked on, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate gratitudes...

NEW YEAR NEW FORMAT: Cars gather in front of the Meruelo Athletic Center on Oct. 21 to watch and listen to the information night on a specific radio channel. Cars were separated by one parking space to ensure social distancing protocols are being followed. “We got a lot of great feedback. Parents and students alike were excited to come to campus versus doing something on Zoom.” Director of Admissions Marketing and Special Events Jennifer Hornbuckle said.
Drive-In Info Night welcomes prospective families
November 9, 2020

As cars rolled into the Monarch Way parking lot, cheerleaders with red pompoms, the school band with brass instruments, and Scarlet Ambassadors with goodie bags shouted...

AHEAD OF THE GAME: Working on an assignment for her AP Statistics class, senior Dung (Tiffany) Truong uses a setup that she created in order to complete her homework and study as effectively as she can while in her home country of Vietnam. This setup consists of her laptop showing all of her assignments on Canvas, as well as her iPad, a piece of paper, a calculator, her AirPods, and her pencil bag.
International students adjust to online learning
October 29, 2020

Many students are finally settling into their new school schedules: some AM or PM classes on campus, some blended classes that meet in person or virtually, and others...

STUDYING HISTORY WHILE LIVING THROUGH IT: Sophomore Willow Laws works on a history worksheet on her iPad at home on Oct. 13. Laws’ history class, taught by Justin Deskovick, is considered an asynchronous class where she is given assignments and assessments to complete on her own on time and is self-paced for students fully online. “I feel like I’ve gotten used to [online school] but it is still a little weird,” Laws said. “I only have Zoom classes for two of my classes [Religion and Spanish] so I haven’t really seen who my teachers are yet. I feel like I can make it work because all of my teachers are always emailing me and reaching out to me.”
As a precaution, students choose remote learning MD Online option
October 29, 2020
Now that most students have returned to school for in-person learning, safety rules have been put into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep all students safe while being back on campus.
After contracting COVID-19, senior warns students to be careful
October 8, 2020
NO GYM NO PROBLEM: Friends and classmates meet together virtually for the daily workout. Natasha Hill leads Tabata body weight workouts three to four days a week for an hour. Natasha Hill “I joined the Zoom workouts because Natasha asked a bunch of us if we would be interested...I said yes because I wanted to exercise with a group of friends to have that support when working out.” Senior Lexi Tanghal said.
Lifting each other up without the weights
June 18, 2020
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Now that sports are able to practice both outdoors and indoors on campus, new safety measures have been put in place to ensure student athletes
Sports teams adjust to new environment with in-person practices
October 14, 2020
Multiple-sport athletes, like those who run both track and cross country, will have to find a way to balance their overlapping practice and competition schedules this year due to schedule changes as a result of the pandemic.
Multi-sport athletes encounter challenges due to CIF schedule changes
October 14, 2020
SAFETY FIRST: For teams to maintain a safe environment, school administration and the athletic department instated the following policies: Upon entering campus, students would have their temperatures checked, athletes would be required to wear a mask when they enter, but can take them off during socially-distanced drills. The athletics department posted a checklist and video on their Instagram explaining what the students need to be allowed back on campus.
Off-season sports practices start up, halt, then begin again
September 1, 2020
SAFELY SPOOKY: Traditional Halloween activities are some of the more high risk activities that are not recommended by the CDC. Trick-or-treating, haunted houses, and costume parties are all included in the high risk activities and should be avoided this holiday season, but students can still stay in the Halloween spirit.
Keeping Halloween fun but low-risk
October 30, 2020
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Sophomore Roecel Sangrador practices playing her ukelele, which she has been working to perfect during quarantine. For students, including Sangador, quarantine has left a plethora of time and many use that time to better their skills in different areas. “I have had a ukulele laying around...I [hadn’t] really had time aside to play it and quarantine gave me the time and chance to.”
Atypical summer motivates students to discover, dive deeper into hobbies
October 14, 2020
Kitsinis has a messenger bag that she alternates daily to wear to school. She brings out her own style whether it be bags or jewelry. “Before and currently I have my own style that I didn’t want to just stop doing when I started wearing a uniform, so I just added on accessories or wore shoes that matched my own style.” Kitsinis said. Photo by Athena Kitsinis
Students use personal style, enhance school uniform
June 5, 2020
FACE THE MUSIC: As handbells practiced with Boomwhackers outside of the choir room on Sept. 17, senior Natalie Erhard gets ready to sort each instrument. Boomwhackers are hollow plastic tubes that are used as instruments. “We are using boomwhackers for a couple of fun pieces that are a little more casual for MD Unplugged,” Erhard said. MD Unplugged is an event showcasing the school’s soloists, small groups, and handbells which will take place on Oct. 17 at 7:30pm in the Grotto
Handbells group uses boomwhackers for performance
October 13, 2020
THE STOLES: The day began with setup where over 300 stoles were unboxed and placed on display before giving them to the students. “The day went very well for all involved,” said Principal Frances Clare. “The senior level students with 4.0 GPA or higher began arriving with their families at 4:00 pm. The cars drove into Monarch Way, checked in and then Fr. Steve and I presented the students with their stoles and the famous MD cookies. Several faculty/staff members were present and they formed a line to cheer and recognize the students and families as they exited the parking lot.”
Senior students drive through for stole ceremony
May 27, 2020
KEEP NO SECRETS Senior Stella Puzzoli grabs junior Sebastian Ledezma
All school musical Addams Family makes debut at Santa Ana College
March 11, 2020
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The Student Newspaper at Mater Dei High School