Fall  '24

The MHS Homecoming Parade 

by Ollie Wolfe 

September 3 2024

Homecoming this 2024-2025 season was a blast, a lot of memories were made through all parties. To start off the homecoming celebrations, many dores participated in the Homecoming Parade which took place on Friday, August 30th. 

At this parade our class floats, Homecoming royalty, staff, and students walked from Monterey High all the way down Alvarado St. Many bystanders sat on the sidewalk cheering us Dores on and joined in on our celebration of our first home game! Students cheered each other on as our Homecoming royalty proudly rode on cars provided by Monterey Touring Vehicles. Although an anonymous sophomore and junior feel as though the Homecoming royalty was a little unfair due to the typical votes.. 

While the floats this year were fun and interesting, Sophia Ruttschow ('26) and two other students (‘27 and ‘26) agree that we should bring back the themed hallways. “The themed hallways brought a lot more excitement and school spirit on campus. It also brought the opportunity for everyone to experience the Homecoming festivities as not everyone attended the parade and therefore could not enjoy the themes.”  Ruttschow claimed.

All in all, the Homecoming parade was a success with the exception of a few complaints. We cannot wait to see what we come up with next year. Let us know at @thegalleon how you felt about this year’s Homecoming parade. 

Homecoming 

By Kat Balco

September 4, 2024

The homecoming dance for Monterey High School was on August 31st, 2024. The dance started at 7 pm and it ran until 10 pm. People showed up to the dance with their partners or friends, and some couples matched the colors of their dresses or suits. There were many different things to do while at homecoming, giving you few options on what you could do to pass the night.

A few activities available were being inside the gym and dancing or listening to music. There was a live DJ on the stage, and strobe neon lights to keep the energy up. There were a lot of groups of friends dancing all together, and even at one point, there was a dance circle sending one person into the middle to show off their moves. There were bleachers at the back to sit down or enjoy the essence of being inside the dance area.

Alongside dancing, you could go outside for some fresh air and food. Outside the end of sophomore hall, there were light-up tables, where you could eat the cookies and tacos that were provided at the dance. Beside the bathrooms there was a place to take photos, you could use props and pose with as many of your friends as could fit in the frame. These pictures would be printed out and handed to you to keep that happy moment. 

Groups of friends stood around outside all talking and laughing with each other. 

When I asked Anonymous about the dance, I didn't get much positive feedback. This person told me that she felt like the dance didn't have enough to do. Even though there was the overall dance part, she felt as if there needed to be activities or more interactive things to do. She also let me know that the music was not that great and that it was hard to dance to music that wasn't good. The last thing this person let me know was that we need to have some more options for food because the last few years of homecoming it's always been tacos and we need more of a variation.  This interview was with An Anonymous student (‘27).

Overall the homecoming dance of 2024 was successful, but could always use improvements. For next year's homecoming, let The Galleon know what the school could do to help the homecoming dance of 2025 be a better experience for all students. 

Another Toreador touchdown adds to our score, 12-6 Monterey with 1:39 remaining in the first half. But with mere seconds left in the first half, Monterey gained another Toreador touchdown. This closed out the first half of our Junior Varsity game, with a score of 18-12 Monterey. Monterey Junior Varsity Cheer executed their halftime performance and wowed the crowd with the teams' energy and spirit. 

As the second half approaches, A fumble recovery to a Toreador touchdown aims us in the right direction for the 3rd quarter, 24-12 Monterey. Monterey Toreadores scored yet another touchdown by the quick feet of our quarterback, 30-12 Monterey. A quarterback sack ended the 3rd quarter, and an interception ended the game with a 30-20 Monterey. 

“The crowd was hyped, cheering and standing in the bleachers alongside ASB,” said Cady Quinonez (‘26). The Varsity game started with a touchdown and pat, 7-7 score with 7:29 remaining in the 1st quarter. “I'm excited to show school spirit and be with my cheer girls!” said Evelyn Velasquez (‘26). A quarterback sack, defensive stop, and turnover on downs bring us to our halftime score of 7-14 M.A. Our final score was a humble 7-28 M.A.

Even when we don’t win, we never lose our Monterey pride! The student section stayed positive throughout both games and kept cheering no matter what. Varsity Cheer presented new sideline stunts, tumbling passes, and cheers. A one-man, which is a single-base stunt, was accomplished and executed by base Keoni Keola (‘24) and Yasmin Agular Garcia (‘24).

Monterey vs. Everett Alvarez Football Game

By Kat Balco

September 30, 2024

On September 27th there was an away football  game vs Alvarez for both JV and varsity teams. 

The JV game started at 5:00pm and varsity started at 7:30, as well as just watching the overall game. Ours and the other team had halftime performances where the dance and cheer teams both showed off their tricks and routines that they prepared for each game. 

The JV team going into this game had never lost a game so far this season, and as well for this game they did not lose. The JV team won 56-0, completely taking that win with no struggle at all. The varsity team hadn't been as successful in keeping that winning streak, but for this game they got that back, winning 42-6. The other school’s varsity teams had really stepped up their game this year, giving Monterey's varsity team a real fight. 

From a interview with a player on the JV team, Davey Rodriguez class of ‘26,  and i asked him what his highlights were of playing the game against Alvarez and he gave me some motivating feedback for his team and he really showed how his coach pushes the players to be the best they can be and how them winning is all up to them and how hard they fight for it. He said that in the beginning of this season the team wasn't really sure that they were going to be able to pull through on these wins, but all players on the team worked very hard to get up their skills and techniques and now that they have won 4 and all of the games they've played so far they are feeling more confident than ever and can't wait to continue playing and keeping up that streak of staying on top. He also wanted to add one cute and memorable thing from the game. It was one of the players birthdays and all the cheerleaders came up to the guy and sang him happy birthday. 

This concludes on how this Friday night's game went and how both of our teams pulled out that win, by a lot. Let us know what you enjoy most about our schools football games and any other things you'd like to happen or be included at the next game. Go Dores!

The New Bell Schedule from Teachers Perspectives

Ollie Wolfe and Kat Balco

September 26, 2024

As of August 2024, MPUSD  has begun exploring a new type of bell schedule where students and teachers have seven classes a day with the exception of Wednesday and Thursday. These classes are fifty minutes long, giving students less time in class to do their work. However, teachers have also been expressing their angles towards this seven-period schedule.

According to many teachers such as Ms. Rameirez and Mr. Fleming, teachers are only given one fifty minute prep period to get ready for the other six to seven classes they teach. Ms. Rameirez claims “We’re really tired and burnt out and can’t do anything. We also have to take work home now,” Most teachers often find themselves working extra hard to grade papers, set up lessons, or run errands, even after completing their preparations, they have no time for themselves. This lack of self-maintenance can cause a lot more stress on teachers. 

On the contrary, teachers seem to be enjoying the amount of times they see their students a week, Mr. Quermit says “I meet kids four times a week so it makes up for the lost time.. There’s also more retention when you meet them more times a week compared to two or three times a week”. This factor is definitely a positive thing for teachers as they don’t have to worry about students forgetting their lessons due to lack of time.

Another issue most teachers have with this seven period schedule is the lack of student to teacher communication. With only fifty minutes per class period most students and teachers cannot form a healthy and natural relationship. Coach Platt expressed a disliking towards this factor, claiming, “It’s important for teachers to show students they care about them, and it makes it so hard for that to happen with so little time”. Not only is time an issue, but the amount of classes teachers have in a day is a contributing factor for the lack of connection between students and staff. With at least six classes to teach a day, teachers are focusing too much on way too many students, resulting in loss of friendly teacher to student relationships. 

Despite this fact, some teachers believe that shorter periods are more beneficial for students. According to Mr Harber, “I feel like students have short attention spans and the short classes don’t force them to stretch their brains past their limit”. Mr Harber also made a point that “seeing everyone in one day makes it easier to remember names.” Some teachers find peace in the time and it makes their job a little more tolerable.

This new 2024-2025 bell schedule has been bringing a lot of strong opinions from not only students, but from teachers too. If you have your own opinions you’d like to share with us, make sure you DM us on instagram @montereygalleon.

The New Bell Schedule 

By Arianna Randazzo

September 22, 2024

At the end of last year, it was said that we would be given a new bell schedule for 2024-2025 and we officially started using the beginning of August. Last year we had four classes each day and each was 90 minutes long. 

In one week we would have three A days or B days. An A day would be your first through fourth-period class and a B day would be your fifth through eighth-period class. However, there would also be something called an “A week” or a “B week”. This meant that in each week there would be more A days or more B days. 

Not only that but on B weeks we didn't have any short days and had an extra class called “Flex” on Wednesdays. Flex was a class you chose to go to to get extra work done or play games with students and/or teachers. Sometimes Flex was used for other purposes such as club fairs, job fairs, or assemblies.

The difference between the schedule from this year to last year is that this year we have seven classes instead of eight, and we take all seven of them on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays instead of four every day. Each class is 50 minutes long instead of last year's 90-minute long periods.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, we have odd and even days. Wednesday is an Even day when we go to our even-numbered classes, in addition to flex. So that means our day starts with period two going into the break. After break flex, where you still get to pick the class you visit. Then it's 4th period lunch and finally 6th period. Each class on Odd and Even days is 90 minutes long excluding Flex which is 50 minutes long.

On Thursdays, you go to all of your Odd-numbered classes. This means the First, third, fifth, and seventh periods. Like ‘Even’ days, each class is 90 minutes long with a passing period between each class, break, and lunch. Classes start at 8:30 every day and school ends at 3:30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 

On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays each class is 50 minutes and after each class, there is a five-minute passing period. Lunch is after the fifth period and it lasts for 30-35 minutes. The break is after the second period which lasts for 10-15 minutes. 

Some students like Sophia Ruttschow “I feel like this new schedule could be better. I don't like how late lunch is and I feel like it would be better to do a seven-period schedule or a four-period schedule instead of both.’’

Kat Balco says “I like the seven periods but I don't like how Wednesdays and Thursdays have four periods instead of seven. It feels scattered and a little confusing.“

Another student, Solomon Sloan feels that “I don't love the new schedule. I believe that it could be more consistent in how each day is presented for each student. It would be one thing if every day was a seven-period day but the fact that there is no rhyme or rhythm to how the week is laid out makes it a lot harder for students to function”

Overall these students agree that they do not have a problem with taking all seven periods in one day; however, they would prefer to only have seven periods instead of both seven-period days and four-period days. It would be better to stay consistent with our bell schedule because it may confuse some students.

Model UN Club

By Alliah Mendoza

September 16, 2024

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Mr. Woods room 75, the Model UN club held a short meeting to discuss how they will fund their upcoming conference, BearMUN 2024 that will be held on November 16-17, 2024.

The President of the Model UN Club shared his feelings as they prepare for the upcoming conference at UC Berkeley: “Although the price is kinda killing us right now (it’s really bad), I’m actually really excited because, for some of us, it will be their first time in conference, and especially because we get to explore the UC Berkeley campus. What happened for me is that when I came to my first conference, I didn't have any experience and stuff so I learned from [my past experience],” said BT Santiago (‘25).

Model UN Club is where the students represent and write about a country’s problems regarding its economy, laws issues, and more. They travel to conferences, usually at Stevenson or in San Francisco.

The Model UN Club President also shared what he wanted to improve for this year’s Model UN Club. “I want to improve the availability for this club and I want this club to grow so right now I’m a senior in this club and mostly freshmen [are in the club], which is good because last year we had no freshmen,” said Santiago.

Some of the students who had experience in the Model UN Club last year said they enjoyed being inside the club because they got to improve their writing and speaking skills.

“I only went to one conference last year, because MUN only went to the Lyceum in December. But it was kind of nerve-wracking because it was my first conference and I really didn’t know what to do.  

However, I really improved my writing and research abilities last year. Now I have the hang of it (I think!), so I'm really excited about the first conference this year at UC Berkeley. 

I had a good time last year, even though we just had our conference down the street from here. Going to Berkeley means it’ll be a much bigger conference and there’s even more opportunity and challenge. It also looks good on college apps,” said Randall (‘26).

The club is planning to do fundraising. 

“The Model UN club got approval for full funding for registration to the Berkeley Model UN conference. Now that the most expensive aspect of the conference has been covered, the club is looking to start funding for a group dinner during the lunch of the conference. We discussed potential fundraising opportunities like bake sales and partnering with Chipotle but there hasn’t been a set date yet. We are also looking for three teacher volunteers to help transport the students in the school vans,” said Santiago.

Pearl Status Club at MHS

By Laila Grijlava 

September 30, 2024 

  Pearl Status is a club that meets during flex every other Wednesday in room 30. This club is for any girl of any race or grade. This club is about community and helping young girls find their worth. This Club has recently returned to MHS for the 2023/24 school year.  

Pearl status started back in 2012 by Fia Tautolo when she was in middle school. She faced a very challenging situation with her friends that caused her to want to help more young girls not experience the hurt she did. Fia started the Pearl Status club during her freshman year at Monterey High School and continued to help many girls know their worth and value. 

This particular club has reached outside of MHS, to the Monterey County community, as well as many Universities (CSUMB, UC Santa Barbara, SF State). This club isn’t just limited to MHS but has become a great part of many other communities. The club continues today with Ms. J as the advisor, Giulianna Roach (‘25) as president, Parish Charles (‘26) as vice President, Brooklynn Choates-Treasurer (‘25), and Gianna Daniels (‘25) as secretary, As well as Felefele Tautolo who comes and speaks to the young girls, doing various teachings and activities with the girls. 

Latino Club

By Sofia Lopez

September 27, 2024

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15. It began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Johnson. At Monterey High, they express the Latino Heritage with the Latino Club. Its co-presidents are Maya Arango and Frida Castaneda. The Latino club also opens its doors to anybody that wants to join.

Latino Club President Maya Arango (’25) shared about the Latino club. Arango has been in the club for the last two years. She shares how she heard of the club and what are some of the upcoming events. She also encourages people to join the club.

“I’m interested in the club because as a Latina I feel the community here is big. I chose to run for president because I feel like I’m very supported by the Latino students and teachers here at Monterey High. This club is a community where you can be free with no judgment. We are still working on upcoming events but for sure there will be a collaboration with Latino club selling hot dogs on October tenth during the freshman football game.”

Latino Club treasurer Candy Geronimo (’26) shared about being in the Latino club. She has been in the club since her freshman year. “I heard about the club through the past two club presidents and it seemed fun. I joined because it was a nice way to meet new people not just Latinos but other cultures as well. There are also going to be a lot of fun fundraising events this year.

Latino Club representative Karla Montez (’27) shared about the Latino club. “We are in the process right now of planning a spirit week or spirit day for Hispanic Heritage Month, and we are trying to convey that to leadership to see if it’s possible. Club events are promoted through social media, but we’re trying to put more posters around the school. I am also excited for events where we sell fruits and drinks.”

In conclusion, the members of the Latino club are excited about this year and are looking for new members to join.

SPARC Cal Poly Field Trip

By Sofia Lopez

September 10, 2024

The SPARC Academy traveled to Cal Poly on September 10th for the first college field trip of the year. This field trip was led by Ms. Powell, Mr. Childs and Mr. Wang. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors attended the field trip. The campus tour was led by a math major who was a part of the Cal Poly student union. A couple of students shared how they enjoyed the trip to Cal Poly and why they wanted to visit the college. They also asked if they would attend Cal Poly based on their experience on the field trip.

“I wanted to come on the field trip to start searching for colleges to apply next year. I feel like I learned a lot about applying for Cal Poly and the type of school it is. I feel like if I want to pursue business then I would want to go to Cal Poly since they said that it's more like an architecture and business school and it isn’t what I want to major in. I liked how they made a new dining area called the 1901 market. I liked the campus. I didn’t like the weather because it's so hot over there” said Vanessa Perez(‘26)

“I wanted to come on the field trip because I have never been to Cal Poly. I like the university's class system. Also how they said that freshmen can take upperclassmen classes to see if their major is something they are passionate about. I would say I expected more from the field trip. What I liked least about the school was that it wasn’t something I was looking for.” said Carlos Corres(‘26)

The campus tour guide shared lots of information about the dos and don'ts of applying to the university. She also explained how the quarter system works and how to switch majors at Cal Poly.

“Quarters are three ten-week portions of classes with a week of finals after each. There are three academic quarters in our year and then the fourth one is the summer quarter. Summer lasts from June 14 to September 23. To switch majors you would have to meet with an adviser in the major you want to switch into and they will talk you through a hypothetical schedule. Then you would have to take one or two classes that major. It is a one to two-quarter-long process. You have to get above a C In those introduction classes because if you’re not, maybe you shouldn’t switch to the major. It is a long process, but possible” Student campus tour guide Maddy (‘26).

In conclusion, the field trip was informative and many people enjoyed the campus tours during the trip. The SPARC students enjoyed learning about the type of learning they would get if they attended Cal Poly SLO. They also enjoyed the food they would eat.

Senior Highlight of the Month: Arianna Martinez 

By Arianna Randazzo

September 22, 2024

Currently attending Monterey High in her senior year is Arianna Martinez (‘25). She is an AMP Senior who has acted and done tech work in the theater department since her Freshman year. Not only that, but she is currently the social media manager and treasurer of the school’s Queer & Allies Club, and she aspires to be a Forensic Scientist technician and continues to work towards that goal.

When asked about her experience at Monterey High, Arianna said, “All I am going to say is I have grown from being a freshman to now a senior. It was very fun and very challenging, especially finding out my likes and dislikes, people who I clicked with and can be myself around, and preparing for a future that I am excited for.”

Arianna has been through a lot in her years here at Monterey High, and to make it through these years she has told herself, “You are not going to get it on your first try, and if you do, you do not learn.” This is also some advice that she wants to pass forward to other kids struggling with adapting to this new environment. 

Throughout the school year, there are always many things to look forward to such as Homecoming, sports games, Prom, and much more. Arianna is looking forward to “Graduating! As well as getting a sense of independence and freedom.’’

 It is understandable for graduation to be a desirable moment for Arianna and many other seniors as it marks the end of one's high school career, but it is also the beginning of a whole new adventure called adulthood.

 Some seniors may say that graduation cannot come soon enough. However, it is important to remember that not every moment lasts forever and nothing should be taken for granted. It is exciting to see where everyone's lives are heading and it is hard not to feel a sense of anticipation when it comes to finally experiencing the next big step in our lives. 

Arianna Martinez’s next step might be attending Portland State College. She has received an early admission and is currently working to keep up her good grades considering she got a scholarship! 

 “I'm interested in forensic science so I am going to major in Biology and go for my undergraduate BA degree. The scholarship I had gotten was due to my level of education and grades. The scholarship is called the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and could possibly cut off $14,000 of school tuition.”

Arianna also wanted to remind people that “No one is ever alone, and when you have finally graduated and are discovering the world, maybe on your own, remember that there will always be people who surround you and provide a positive side when you need it.”

This is some advice that may help students who graduate and find themselves alone in college. Arianna, however, says she is “always running off of so much coffee and chamomile tea, which contradicts itself but that's okay! Drink tea!”

Some lovely advice from Arianna. Drink tea! Don't forget there is always someone with you and for seniors who are afraid of moving past the comfort of high school, a moment doesn't last forever but a memory does. If you ever need to reflect on a better time, remember the people who were always there to help. Remember the friends you made and the songs you have danced to with those friends.

DTI Club 

By Alliah Mendoza

September 27, 2024

The Dress To Impress Club is now at Monterey High School! Its first meeting was during lunch on September 27 at Mr. Bourgeois's in room 90. The Co-Presidents of the Dress To Impress Club made an introduction to the club.

According to them, the Dress to Impress club provides a unique experience of enjoying the game Dress To Impress at school with like-minded people and creates a sense of community and unity. 

Once a month the Executive Fashionista chooses a theme from the game that they will all come as.

The club will also be holding VIP raffles every last Friday of the month. They will put a dollar in a jar and write their name on the sheet, then pick a name from the jar, and that person will get a VIP.

One of the Co-President of the Dress To Impress Club shared her goals for the club: “I hope that by the end of the year, we all have VIPs and create a community where people are comfortable,” said Violette Ross (‘26). 

After the introduction, elections were held for the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Exclusive Fashionista, and Media/Outreach.

After the election, the club officers are Violette Ross and Joseph Chung as Co-President, Samin Yasar as Secretary, Anabelle Lopez as Treasurer, Presley Randall (‘26) as Media/Outreach, and Katie Finocchiaro as Executive Fashionista.

Presley Randal shared her thoughts about her being elected as the Media/Outreach: “I’m really happy that I was elected because nobody wants to be the social media manager. I’m on Instagram a lot so I’m really happy to be in charge of that. I can make stories, I can make posts, I can get creative with it, and I can really try to draw people in and show them what our club is about.” 

The treasurer of the club delightedly explained why she joined the club: “ I joined the Dress To Impress Club because my friend says I’m a little addicted to the game. Personally, I do like playing the game whenever I can, especially when I’m not doing anything. Right now, I have like over 2,200 stars in the game,” said Lopez (‘26). 

Anybody can still join the Dress To Impress Club anytime! You can also follow their Instagram @mhsdticlub!

MHS 60th Reunion

By Layla Castillo

September 13, 2024

          The time has finally come for the Monterey High School 60th Reunion! This is a time for the MHS class of 1964 to reunite with their fellow classmates and friends to share a walk down memory lane from the history of our high school with each other, and even with us. 

This reunion was held at the Monterey Elks Lodge on September 28th. As attendees walked in, they were greeted by a few members of the MHS Pep Squad, along with some old friends and some relaxing tunes from the 60s to bring everyone back in time where life was simpler. The decor consisted of some old photos from the high school in the 60s, capturing some laughter and the spirit of their teenage years. 

As the class began to arrive, the initial moments were filled with excitement and laughter. Hugs were exchanged as names were repeated and everyone adjusted to seeing old friends again. “You still look exactly the same!” was a common comment amongst the graduates. The rest of the event unfolded with everyone's life stories, sharing their careers, children, marriages, and even grandchildren. The class of 1964 surely represented a wide spectrum of life experiences and great achievements. 

Gasper Elliotes, a former football player of the class of 1964, said, “If I could go back in time to my high school years, I would definitely tell myself to study more. I did goof off a lot back then. I don’t know how I ever made it through, but I did.” 

This quote shows a moment to reflect on mistakes that were made in the past, but to also teach the new generations that there is still time to grow and it is never too late to work harder than ever before.

Roz Russo, a cheerleader from the class of 1964, stated, “Being a cheerleader–at the time they called us song girls–was a really fun time. I think the fact that we were such a cohesive unit and we were true friends was one of the things that made it a really special time.” 

This shows the significance of what true friendships can bring amongst peers, especially involved in extracurriculars, and how much it means to make these memories and look back at them as you grow older. 

This 1964 high school reunion was not just a celebration for the graduating class, but also a tribute to lifelong memories and friendships. As the reunion came to an end, promises of staying in touch filled the air. Everyone left with renewed connections, a few last laughs, and the realization that no matter how much time has passed, a part of their heart will always belong to their teenage years.

Willow Coté (‘26) commented on her duties at the Saturday event, saying “I was a street performer for the opening of the art gallery in Carmel. Some of my performance duties were going around the center of town in character to draw crowds in. I made bracelets with kids and painted with adults, and a lot of people liked my costume!” 

Not only were many talented artists present both days, but also street performers in costume and several live musicians throughout the event. The gallery was colorful and filled with wonderful energy all day long. Arianna Mendoza (‘25) agrees that the events were successful! “Lots of people showing up and making memories. AMP rocked Carmel!”

The players on the football team are all very dedicated to getting better at the sport and learning a lot more strategies to pull through on wins throughout the season. Matteo Marotta-Gallegos (‘27) is on the varsity team at Monterey and he shared his thoughts on how this season has gone. He stated this year's Battle of the Bay was not a challenge and was an easy game to win. Throughout this game he didn’t have any worries or doubts that Monterey wasn’t going to win, so he didn’t have to carry any stress about that on him during the game. He added that his favorite part of this football season so far is that he is only a sophomore on the Varsity team and he got an interception during the homecoming game this year despite being younger than the others.

That is a wrap on this year's Battle of the Bay. Some of the members on the Monterey team will now continue to play in the 2024 Football Championships, but for the others that is the end of the season. Let us know @monterey_galleon what your overall thoughts were about this year's Battle of the Bay. Go Dores!

10/4 Monterey Toreadores vs. Aptos Mariners Football Game

By Ashley McGee

October 14, 2024

Monterey Toreadores demolished their opponents the Aptos Mariners on October 4th at Aptos High School. The Mariners had great sportsmanship and gave it their all for their Homecoming game.

The Varsity Football captains from both teams met in the middle to begin our game. An interception, a Toreador Touchdown, and a pat started the game. The goal kick was good, and the game started with 7-0 Monterey, 8:57 remaining in the first quarter. The 3rd quarter started off with a powerful drive to a Toreador touchdown and pat. 14-7 Monterey, with 11:55 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

An additional sack led to another Toreador touchdown and pat, 21-7 Monterey, 9:41 remains. Another Toreador touchdown and pat earned Monterey 28-7, 6:26 remaining. Amazingly, an interception and fumble recovery ended the first half, 28-7 Monterey.

The Home of the Mariners had an amazing snack bar with tons of variety including BBQ, baked potatoes, fries, snacks, candies, nachos, and refreshing beverages like iced coffees with different flavors, soft drinks, hot chocolate with whipped cream, and the local Jamba Juice–provided smoothies for purchase as a fundraiser for the school. Alongside other fundraisers, a bake sale was held by Aptos Cheer and a raffle was available for entry to win two tickets to an S.F. 49ers game.

 “I ordered a hot chocolate at the Aptos game, at first it was really hot but it kept me warm the whole night- it was really creamy and chocolaty,!” said Varsity cheerleader Evelyn Valasquez (‘26). 

Back from halftime with a recovered kickoff, Toreador touchdown, and pat, 35-7 Monterey with 10:39 left in the 3rd quarter. Some good defense to end the 3rd quarter. Intense drive ending in a Toreador touchdown and pat, earning Monterey 42-7, 7:27 remains in the 4th. Defense on fire and a fumble recovery to end the Varsity game! The final score for your Monterey Toreadores is 42-14.

Bugs and Kisses

By Layla Castillo

October 16, 2024

The Monterey Pep Squad is adding a sweet twist to their school spirit this Halloween! The team is selling festive Halloween candy bags just in time for the spooky season to fundraise for Cheer and Dance expenses.

These fun and cute little candy bags, labeled “Bugs and Kisses,” will each contain Hershey's Kisses and plastic spiders inside. These bags will be sold at the COS on the 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 28th of this month. Prices are 1 for $3 and 2 for $5. These grams will be sold as pre-orders, and if purchased, you will receive them on the day of Halloween. 

Joseph Cardinale, a student at Monterey High who plans to purchase a Bugs & Kisses candy bag, stated, “I have seen how hard my girlfriend has been working in cheer, and I want to support her team by purchasing one of these candy bags.” 

With this fundraiser, the Cheer and Dance Squads hope to raise enough money to purchase new gear, go on field trips, have team dinners, and end-of-the-year parties. 

According to Head Coach, Melinda Perez, “Our team has been working hard this season, and we are excited to raise funds to help the team. We hope everyone will support the pep squad by stopping by and grabbing a sweet treat for Halloween. It’s a fun way to bring us all together.” 

Each bag is carefully packaged with spooky Halloween designs, complete with who the bag is from, and secured with a Halloween bow. By purchasing candy bags, not only are you sweetening up your Halloween but also helping our cheerleaders and dancers shine on and off the field.

Zamari Reyes, a student planning to purchase a candy bag, commented “I think this fundraiser is good, especially for the cheer squad.”

Help the Monterey High pep squad achieve their goals and enjoy some Halloween fun! Pre-order your Bugs and Kisses bag today at the COS or Cafe at lunch. Don’t miss out on the fun! 

Uptick in Fights on Campus

By Ollie Wolfe and Kat Balco

October 21, 2024

Since the start of school in August of this year, many students have seemed to come back with a new rude attitude. This change in demeanor has brought a negative light to the MHS campus, as we are now dealing with a rise in physical violence that is escalating. The main cause of all this hate is rude comments behind other people’s backs.

On Friday, September 20, a fight broke out in front of the office as a result of ‘trash-talking.’ Students gathered around to witness as four girls were involved in the altercation. Luckily, many campus monitors quickly took action and stepped in before anyone got seriously injured. Another recent dispute took place on Monday, September 30, in front of the science building, the outcome of ‘fake friends.’ This fight involved multiple students spanning between sophomore and junior year student. 

The worst fight to occur on campus so far was a fight that took place the morning of October 1st near the field. This fight was the consequence of empty threats and things becoming blown out of proportion, and occurred between four students. Two teachers were quick to step in, but unfortunately, one of them received injuries from a stray punch.

Currently, the largest issue that seems to cause these scuffles is bad-mouthing and gossiping. Students at this age have a tendency to physically or verbally spar for their spot on the “playground hierarchy,” which can lead to many groups of students being offended. The best way to resolve this unruly behavior is to encourage students to be kind to one another. Another potential method to prevent further battles on campus is setting strict no-tolerance policies regarding violence. The final possible solution to better the safety at Monterey High is by enabling students to seek counseling to avoid any more outrage.

If you’re concerned that a physical altercation is occurring on our wonderful campus, find a campus monitor immediately. If you have anything else you’d like to share with us, make sure you DM us on Instagram @montereygalleon.

AMP Halloween Party

By Layla Castillo

October 16, 2024

This October, the AMP Academy is excited to invite all AMP students to a thrilling evening of Halloween fun at the annual AMP Halloween party! On October 18th, the academy will celebrate a fun haunted haven filled with many fun activities and opportunities to hang out with friends. 

This event will run from 6 to 8 PM, hosted by Lauren McMercury, who promises to have a lively celebration of the season, filled with spine-tingling excitement. With a mission to bring all participating members of AMP together as one big family. The academy is planning a wide range of activities that combine the spooky spirit of Halloween with the talents and creativity of the students.

“We’re so excited to welcome everybody to our Halloween Party this year,” said Lauren McMercury, director of AMP, “It’s a great opportunity for our students to showcase their talents while creating a fun, inclusive event for the entire community.”

This AMP Halloween party will be hosted in Lauren McMercury’s room from 6pm to 8pm There will be food, desserts, games, and a movie. All AMP students are welcome to attend for free. 

Joseph Cardinale, a student who will be attending, says “I’m very excited to attend this party and to see all my friends, especially to play the games and watch a movie; I think this will be a great way for the AMP community to come together.”

Bring your friends for a night of Halloween fun while supporting AMP. It’s sure to be a spooktacular event filled with creativity, laughter, and much more!

11/1 Football Game Monterey Toreadores vs. Palma Chieftains

By Ashley McGee

November 2, 2024

In an exciting face-off, the Monterey Toreadores claimed victory over the Palma Chieftains under the Friday night lights of November 1st, 2024 in celebration of our senior class of 2025! The Toreadores secured a stunning win against the Palma Chieftains, showcasing skill and determination. With a final score of 27-20, the Toreadores demonstrated their dedication and celebrated the last home game of the 2024-2025 football season.

A strong play resulting in a Toreador touchdown added the first points to the scoreboard, 6-0 Monterey with 11:37 left in the 1st quarter. A fumbled punt was recovered by the Dores with 6:55 remaining, the score at the end of the 1st quarter came to 7-6 Palma.

A Toreador Touchdown and Pat were made with 8:47 left in the 2nd quarter, 13-10 Monterey. Another fumble recovery was made, leaving 7:29 in the 2nd quarter, and a Toreador Touchdown plus a Pat! This earned Monterey 20-10 with 5:51 remaining in the 2nd quarter. The final halftime score was 20-20, tied.

As halftime began, Monterey Cheerleading seniors walked with their families and friends holding gifts and signs to celebrate their time at Monterey High School and the time, money, and effort they have put in throughout their years in this community. 

An impressive halftime performance by Monterey Varsity Cheer spotlighted the seniors on the team and was dedicated to all the hard work they have put into being in the team and succeeding in intense physical activities such as advanced stunts, tumbling, and formations.

The Impact of Social Media on Student Life

By Layla Castillo

11/18/24

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of high school students' lives. Popular platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter dominate our daily routines, serving as both a lifeline to the outside world and a source of pressure. While social media does offer other benefits, such as encouraging communication and creativity, its influence on student life is undeniably complex, with both positive and negative effects.

One of the most significant impacts of social media is how it has reshaped communication. Students now have the ability to connect instantly with peers, join online communities, and engage in discussions about everything from school projects to homework assignments. For many, these platforms can be a big help when it comes to expressing themselves. Social media also helps students stay informed on school events, extracurricular activities, and trends that may not always make it into the school newsletter.

However, many things like this do have a downside to it. Some students report feeling pressure, comparing themselves to other students who post. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety. According to a 2023 study by Common Sense Media, over 60% of teens said they feel social media contributes to their stress. 

Joseph Cardinale (‘27) states “I think it shortens attention spans. It influences kids to have the wrong mindset especially since some things said on social media aren't true.”

Additionally, social media can become a distraction, pulling students away from academic responsibilities. Teachers frequently express concerns about phones being used in class, not for learning, but for continuously scrolling through feeds or messages. 

Mr Harber, an MHS English teacher, says “Very frequently I see students scrolling through Tik Tok or Instagram when they could be doing their work. That then adds onto their stress because they don’t get anything done and end up falling behind.”

The key to navigating social media's impact lies in moderation and mindfulness. Experts recommend setting time limits on app usage, curating feeds to focus on positive content and taking regular breaks from the screen. Schools can also play a role by incorporating digital literacy into their curriculum, teaching students how to use social media responsibility and critically.  

As high schoolers, the challenge is ours to find that balance—and maybe even set an example for the next generation.

Lots of people came and watched the production. There were a lot of different opinions on the play, about all different things. About the actors, the tech, the blocking, and costumes. Gia Desimone ‘26, told us her detailed and complete thoughts on how this play went with describing how her favorite parts that she had no issues with were the acting and the costumes. She also added that the set was really well made and the trees stood out alot.  Some things that could've been improved were the blocking and the lighting. The blocking didn't really match the flow of the type of play it was, it wasn't smooth. The lighting seemed to be the wrong type of colors, Gia felt that if the lights were a different color or darker color than she could have connected her mood more with the play.

The Crucible overall was a successful show for the MHS Players. Let us know what could be better about the next show or what your favorite part of this production was. Go Dores!

AMP student Sophia Ruttschow (‘26) thought that ¨ It was pretty cool. I thought the campus was a little bland but the nature was beautiful and nice to see. The buildings; however, didn't live up to my expectations.¨

The Mystery Spot is a ¨gravitational anomaly¨ located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. AMP took a tour and visited the gift shop at the attraction. At the start of the tour, the guide showed the oddities of the mystery spot. 

The Gravity Box is the tilted house at the center of the tour. The entire room is shifted so that it is difficult to walk straight, and people are often very dizzy due to the illusions of the room. Students were then able to take fun, posed pictures after the guide gave examples of the gravitational pull working differently than it usually does. 

Some students on the tour like Creedence Johnson (‘26) and Alexandrea Pettit (‘26) enjoyed the unique trip. Creedence Johnson said he loved the trip  ¨The Mystery Spot was fun. It was really interesting to see the gravity pulls and I loved the whole trip itself.¨

Alexandrea Pettit explains that she thought, ¨I thought that the Mystery Spot was cool! There were many optical illusions that seemed to almost defy gravity in a way. The area was also very pretty; being surrounded by redwood trees and lots of foliage. Our tour guide was funny too! He was very expressive and made a lot of bad puns.¨

Overall, this field trip was a positive experience for the AMP students who were able to attend. The students are very excited to go on the next trip on December 4th to see Hamilton off-Broadway.