Coming off a 6-6 third place finish last year, the varsity softball looked to improve both collectively and individually this year.   The team was made up of senior captain Maya Gomez; juniors Samantha Ortiz, and Izabelle Ramirez; and sophomores Jasmine Estrada (captain), Chloe Henry, Brytlee G. Fernandez, Carmelina Esquivias, and Kahlissta Peña. As for the newcomers, sophomore - Jazmine Rubio;...

Last year, the boys’ team became league champions after 35 years, going undefeated. The coaches and athletes were hoping to repeat that feat this year.  The team came into the season very strong, consisting of returners such as Diego Cardona for shot put, Devin Tapia for the 400m, Bryan Meza for 100m hurdles, and Gustavo Perez for the 400m as well. “There was a lot of hope for a solid season...

Coming into my senior year, I wanted to take a class that would give me some real world experience in an ROP class. I knew I didn’t want to be in welding because of the daily protection gear and I didn’t want culinary because I simply dislike cooking. This led to my decision to enroll in an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class meaning that I would be able to learn immediate medical care in emergency...

After not having a season last year, this season was left with a clean slate, giving the new players an opportunity to be the ‘first generation’ and create the legacy future players will follow. “This year was very exciting and brought lots of good memories that will forever be remembered,” Coach Issac Santa Cruz said. Throughout the season all the players got the chance to grow as a player...

Senior year is probably the most exciting year in a teenager’s life. We’re on the verge of applying to college, stepping into adulthood, and graduating high school. When you think about it, you feel submerged in stress. Which is why, when I picked my classes, I wanted to go for something easy, like the yearbook/journalism class. However, that was definitely not the case.  Before picking yearbook/journalism,...

For many students, the next step after high school is attending college. One of the main concerns is paying for college and avoiding debt. Imagine not having to worry about how you were going to pay for college because you got a full ride scholarship. For Marco Nunez, that dream is a reality.  The Gates Millennium Scholarship only applies to students who are low-income and that are majoring in...

This year’s boys’ volleyball season started off strong with a 6-0 start. The team was strong and had good chemistry, but struggled with communication throughout the season.  After going 6-0, the team faced Rancho San Juan and although the sets were back and forth, the Trojans were unable to close out the fifth set, and got their first loss. “After the Rancho game the team was definitely not...

A popular misconception is that theater kids are always annoying, loud, nerdy, and crazy. But in my experience, these traits are what make being in theater such an entertaining and welcoming experience.  Personally, being a part of theater has probably been the most rewarding and growing experience of my entire high school career and I don’t consider myself to be those things. It has allowed...

Last year the boys experienced the perfect condition for golf, a season with sunny weather and they averaged 3rd place finishes.    This season, like the weather, was a little rougher. Due to a league realignment this year, the team was bumped up to the Mission Division.  This meant competition against new schools such as Pacific Grove, Alvarez, Monte Vista, North Monterey County, and Monterey. ...

Most war movies focus on Americans or the British, but the classic All Quiet On The Western Front gives the perspective of the Germans during World War I. The Netflix film is in German with English subtitles and is the third iteration of Erich Maria Remarque’s novel. We follow Paul Baumer, a young German soldier who enlists in the military not knowing the horrors he’ll have to endure. Where...

Artificial Intelligence or AI, is a popular device in science fiction like the Terminator or Avengers Age of Ultron, or The Matrix. Most of the time, AI decides humans are a problem to be eliminated. Although with all the scares in those movies, our AI hasn’t gotten to that point, yet.  All the creepy stuff aside, there are some pluses to AI. Depending on your view, Siri, Alexa, and Google have...

The Unified Basketball Program is a basketball program that allows kids with special needs to have a chance at playing basketball with other students on campus. Boys’ basketball coach and athletic director Jose Gil started the program in 2019 and brought it back this year.  “The Unified Basketball Program is an extension of what used to be the Special Olympics that focuses on just basketball for...

It comes to no surprise that Elizabeth Grant’s, better known as Lana Del Rey, ninth studio album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd was awaited with eagerness by old and new fans of her work. Throughout her time in the music industry, her discography has showcased her ability to describe any and every feeling you might have in the form of a song. In the 78 minute album released...

Baseball has been one of my favorite sports for as long as I can remember, I grew up around it and I've always been captivated by the strategic aspects of the game. Seeing how versatile games can be, never really knowing what will happen until the last inning, and not having a clock make baseball special.  I appreciate that even though the offense scores a run, the ball doesn’t automatically...

Many students dream of traveling around the world but just don't know where to start. With the Salinas Valley Dream Academy, students have the opportunity to travel to different countries and explore different cultures.  The Dream Academy started in 2008 during President Obama's first term, this was the first time that an African American was elected for president. Government teacher Ruben Pizarro...

When most people think of April they think about Easter, April Fools, or Passover. On the other hand, April is important to Muslims because they have Ramadan, which they consider one of their most sacred months. Ramadan started Wednesday evening, Mar 22, 2023, and went through the evening of Apr 20, 2023.  Ramadan is a sacred month for fasting for Muslims, and it's very important to follow the...

Everyone knows who Mario and Luigi are, thanks to the nostalgic video game franchise that was founded by Nintendo in 1985. They now return to the big screen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, for all their fans to enjoy.  This isn’t the first time Mario has been on the big screen. A live action film,Super Mario Bros, was released in 1993 and starred Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo. Leguizamo,...

Many high school athletes dream of playing in college, especially at the Division 1 level. The reality is that an average of only two percent of student-athletes get to play as Division 1. These chances are even lower in Monterey County, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local athletes, making beating the odds of becoming a Division 1 athlete extremely difficult and challenging. Yet, despite...

Many people question why some of the rich even get reality shows because they over dramatize scenarios and just flaunt their privileged, rich lifestyle. Geogina Rodriquez is a Spanish influencer, business woman, mother, and partner of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.  Last year she premiered in one of Netflix's newest reality shows Soy Georgina  that dives deep into her background, daily life, and...

As the school year begins to reach its finale, high school girls begin to anticipate one of the most awaited events of their high school career - Prom. Everyone in the U.S. knows what prom is, some might even call it a rite of passage. It is that one day of the year where teens use prom as an excuse to spend a ridiculous amount of money to walk into their prom venue feeling their most confident. However,...