Spring '25

Anaheim Trip

By Arianna Randazzo and Sophia Ruttschow

Every year Monterey High’s music students get the opportunity to participate in a student vocal/instrumental competition in Anaheim, California. This year, the trip took place from March 13th to 16th, and the students had the opportunity to visit Disneyland while they were there. 

Monterey High is lucky to have a big music program headed by Charles Fleming and Dr. Bill Ton. There are several vocal arts groups including, Solo Arts, Chamber Singers, Chorus Singers, Low Voltage (for bass singers), The Treble Makers (for treble singers), and more. Along with these groups, there are also a couple of band/orchestra groups that are full of talent.

Both instrumental and vocal arts students learn and rehearse music throughout the year in preparation for the competition. “If you want to be prepared for the festival, practice hard for the festival.¨ Gianna Desimone (‘26), a string bass player in the program, advises. “Not just at school or during designated practice times, but on your own time too.¨ 

Gianna Desimone informs that “The Heritage festival is a music competition hosted by people in disney, its sorted by schools and the different music programs each school may have.” Some of the music performed included Counterbalance, Triumphant Fanfare, Mr. Sandman, Time after Time, Embraceable You, Soledad y el Mar, and Moonlight in Vermont.

Since Disney is the host of the festival one of the main highlights of this trip is always going to Disneyland. The day after the Heritage Festival, the vocal arts and instrumental arts students go to Disneyland to celebrate the competition eating good food, going on rides, and seeing the Disney magic come to life.  Alessandra Randazzo (‘28) described it to be a very eventful trip, a couple of  things she remembers is “Merlin started talking about Brat summer and because I was at Disneyland with my friends I had a lot of fun on the rides”.

The awards ceremony included appearances and skits by some classic disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and Donald Duck. Monterey High walked away with 3rd Place in Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, and Jazz Orchestra out of 5. They received silver in every category, placing Monterey High in the 80th Percentile of North America. 

If you're interested in joining any of the Monterey High music groups, feel free to! There are lots of opportunities for classes and 0 periods to take to learn to play an instrument, practice one you can already play, or sing with different groups. Daniela Soto, a freshman in several Vocal Arts groups, encourages students to join the program, saying that,¨The music community is so fun and everyone is welcoming!¨

Stay tuned to learn about Monterey High’s show choir group, Bing Song and Dance, and their competition taking place in Burbank, CA in April!

The School Election

By Hosuh Hernandez Stelmakh

On the 6th of February, Monterey High’s excitement and atmosphere were up high, all due to the school election coming into swing. The yearly election and voting was up on that Thursday, all with many promising candidates. 

Before the election, though, many people got to have an opportunity to know and understand their possible voting candidates, that being on the previous day and on Flex in Randall Gym. There, VP (Vice president) and president candidates would answer questions about their views and desires for the school’s future. When it came to why the presidential candidates chose to join in the election,  they gave their own words as to why. Joseph Chung (‘26) first explained, “I love working for this school and serving the students and staff here, and I want to do everything I can to make my work and impact on this school to make this school year the best year ever.” Then Elijah Kortman (‘26) would give his response after Joseph, “During my three years at Monterey High, I’ve been involved in a variety of things, and what I want to do is represent that authentically.” And lastly Lylla Pantoja gave her thoughts: “...I’ve learned so much and have a pretty good idea for what our student body is looking for. I wouldn’t mind taking your feedback and giving back for the whole year.”

Now although school is temporary, voting in elections is important to how the rest of your time will be there. One person who was helping with the questions at the gym flex period, Anuhea Kapolohu (‘25), shared her words about why voting in their school elections is important: “Voting is important because it empowers people to be directly involved and have an impact in their communities. I believe that practicing voting now is important for our future society and ensures that the student body is properly represented.” She recommends to all students, even those who aren’t that involved in school activities, to vote in their elections.

During the 5th period, the actual voting began and people put in their votes for their candidates. The votes would be counted the next day on Friday the 7th. There the results were revealed and by the popular vote, Joseph Chung was voted for president and Asia Fulp for VP. 

MHS Swimming 2025

By Ollie Wolfe and Kat Balco

The 2025 swim season has provided numerous positive attributes to students as individuals and as a team. The team, however, has its cons alongside all those great elements. With countless accounts from swim team members discussing the pros and cons of the team, we believe that students should consider joining the team in the 2026 season.                                              

When Coach Pina was interviewed about the team, he described how “the girls have been top of the league [for] three years in a row…” When asked why exactly the girls had been significantly better than the boys, Coach Pina provided no comment other than pointing out that there is a limited number of boys on the team. Another member who pointed out the lack of boys teammates was Jesse Atreverse (‘25), who stated, “The girls have been winning a lot more.”

Jesse said that the reason he feels the team lacks boys is most of the male players have been choosing to play other sports, with lacrosse growing in popularity the past two years. Apart from the lack of gender diversity, Jesse described the swim team as a “friendly environment” that is “diverse” and provides an easy way to make friends. 

Team Member Bri DiGirolamo (‘25) also stated that the team provides their “a chance to work on myself and get my exercise in.”

The team offers tons of benefits, friends, exercise, and experience. Coach Pina stated, “new people aren’t as good as the ones who have been doing it for years, but they end up getting to that level and all compete at the same level.” So while performance may seem kind of intimidating, with practice you’ll be just as good as the Aquadores before you. Bri DiGirolamo  believes that starting their freshman year really helped support their skills and performance on the team.

Despite the challenges that come with school sports, we as a school should consider the swim team just as good as the other sports teams. Freshmen should consider pursuing a sport in their time here, especially the swim team. Keep swimming Aquadores! 

Day of Silence

By Hosuh Hernandez Stelmakh

On Friday, April 18th, near the end of the school day many students left their classes to head to the school center, all of those students holding a pact of silence. There, after finishing a pledge, their pact of silence was lifted and they cheered for making it throughout the day. Their reasoning for holding silence for the full school day? To join in support of the LGBTQ+ community. 

This particular occasion is a yearly event held at MHS for the LGBTQ community called the Day of Silence. Hosted by the Queer & Allies Club, this event was held to show support for queer people who were being discriminated against, harassed or suffering silently. At the beginning of the school day, students who wanted to participate would make a pledge to start the pact- their silence showing as proof in solidarity but some who couldn’t make it to that starting point still joined in.

Compared to last year, more people came to do a pledge of silence for the entire school day, showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community. One of the Queer & Allies Club members, Willow Cotè (‘26), further expanded on people’s participation of the event, hoping for even more people to join in the next time: “I hope to remind others who don’t participate how they might be subconsciously silencing others.” 

A lot of the participants at the school center were very joyous to be a part of such an event,  some students even putting stickers of the LGBTQ flag on their clothes or skin. One of the event participants, Lena Gibbs (‘27), shared her thoughts on the day’s significance: “I love this event to show just how important it is to acknowledge the LGBTQ+. It is good to raise awareness and celebrate pride and the queer community.” 

Another participant who also helped record the event, Solomon Sloan (‘26), discussed the major importance of supporting:  “While I’m only an ally of the community, I want to do all I can do to support those who simply just want to be themselves, and having a day that really highlights the importance of speaking up by staying silent is really impactful for a lot of people. We should also remember to stand up for this group and other groups for more than just this day of the year.” 

At the end of the day, everyone here is human. No matter what sexuality or gender anyone has, all such individuals should be treated with basic decency. And for those who got harassment and discrimination instead of acceptance and care is a deep tragedy that is still sadly going on. Remember to support the ones around you in the LGBTQ+, it is majorly important to give care to such subjects- especially in this era of our political climate. And for those who are LGBTQ+ and silently suffering right now, remember your identity is valid and you are worthy of every bit of support. If you wish to come by and support the Queer & Allies Club, they hold meetings every Thursday at lunch. 

Such sources for people who need assistance in LGBTQ matters- (EX: Struggling with identity, feeling doubts over yourself, having harassment or even thoughts of self-harm/suicide…)- are included below. 

• The Trevor Project Lifeline: (800) 788-7386

It gives support to LGBTQ youths and allies in crisis or need a judgement-free place to talk.

• Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860

Gives support for trans people and is run by other trans folk.

• Colors Youth: https://colorsyouth.org/ 

Has LGBTQ community with free and confidential support on text, phone or chat.

Burbank Trip

By Sophia Ruttschow and Arianna Randazzo 

This April, the Monterey High Big Song and Dance went on a four-day trip to Burbank to compete in the John Burroughs musical showcase. This showcase has three categories: intermediate, novice, and advanced. Monterey High competes in the novice category. The group left at 7 a.m. on April 3rd and returned on April 6th after a weekend of competition and activities. 

To begin their trip, the students endured a 5-hour drive to Hotel Burbank, stopping only a couple of times for food and rest. The afternoon and evening of their arrival day were filled with bonding time for the students, with options such as visiting stores in the nearby downtown area, swimming in the hotel pool, and resting in their rooms. 

The next day was busy and exciting, since it was competition day. The students got up early and started preparing for their performance. Putting on costumes, getting hair and makeup done, and rehearsing songs and choreography in their rooms. Then off to the performance! Monterey High Big Song & Dance competed in the novice category against four other groups. 

After watching the other groups and performing themselves, all the participating show choirs gathered outside in the John Burroughs High School courtyard to give out awards. This year, Monterey came home with a 5th-place trophy, and Amber Kane (‘26), who choreographed the whole show and starred in it, received a Best Performer award.

Charlie Lassen (´26) who has been a part of the Big Song and Dance program since his freshman year believes that the group has really grown since his first year with them. ¨yes it's really encouraging how far the group has come and I feel like we've learned and grown so much in so little time and awesome¨. 

That evening, the group visited the Griffith Observatory and watched John Burroughs’ “Mads @ Work” group perform. The following day, Monterey High returned to John Burroughs High School to support musician Frida Vossler (‘25) in her solo competition. She sang I Put a Spell on You and was awarded honorable mention for making it in the top 10 soloist competitors.

 After that, the Big Song & Dance group stayed late to experience the advanced groups compete, including a show from John Burroughs High School’s famous Powerhouse show choir.When asked about the other performing groups and their development Clay Bustoz (´26) and Charlie agreed that ¨it's such a mind-blowing experience, videos don't even capture how good they are¨. 

The final day of their trip started with a half-day trip to Six Flags’ Magic Mountain, a small but adventurous roller coaster park. Other activities there included snacking, go-karts, arcade games, and bumper cars. Norah (27´) explained that it was ¨an amazing trip, but I feel like there weren't a lot of rides for people who didn't want to go on big roller coasters¨. The rest of the day was a long, tired trip back to Monterey High, where students were picked up and headed home, completing the final choir trip this school year.

If you’re interested in seeing the Monterey High Big Song & Dance show choir perform their competition piece, visit the AMP Senior Showcase on May 14! Along with show choir, there will be presentations from several vocal arts groups, and the AMP Academy senior students show off the projects they’ve been working on all year in AMP Portfolio class with Mrs. M. If this intrigues you, come join the festivities and visit the showcase next month!

Art Displays and Digital Media

By Kat Balco

The digital media classes recently had their art hung up around the hallways in the science hall. This work is all selected by the digital arts teacher Ms. Tonkin. The art varies from sophomores to seniors, and it's not just people in the class. The art is from all artists over school that go to Ms. T offering to share their art. Some of these pieces have also been in art shows and won awards or been sold.  It's a great way to share students' art because it's something to just look at while walking to class, or sitting around that area during break or lunch. 

The Digital Media class is a giant part of the Monterey High art section. Ms. T is really close with a lot of professional artists and she focuses on getting her students to those artists to help the students grow and develop their art style. Recently she brought in Gim Dultz and Ellen Osborne who do video art and short films. The two artists came in together and they shared CDs that had won awards for their artistic skills to the class. She also had her students draw art inspired by different artists at the beginning of every class. 

Students at Monterey High could come into high school with zero art experience, but once they get these classes and see these presentations, their art grows and improves to become something awesome. Students are allowed to send in all different kinds of art to Ms. T for art shows all over the city, and she prints it and brings it all to the show. She hangs them up and they are sold to anyone who comes by. It's a great way to share teens' work and get them started if they ever want to sell and do art as a professional job in the future.

So if you ever get the chance to stop and take a look at all the art hanging on the walls, or go to an art show or even submit some art, go for it! It's always worth looking into something like this because you never know, maybe being an artist is in your future. 

Spring Break

By Ollie Wolfe and Kat Balco

For two weeks out of April or March, Dores are given the chance to escape school and enjoy spring break! Many students travel, others catch up on work, and some enjoy the comforts of their homes with family or friends. No matter what you do for spring break, everyone can agree that it is a need for all. 

In collaboration with EF Tours, Monterey High took a 10-day trip to Greece. With Mr Harber, Mrs Ahrenstorff, and Mr Pina as the coordinators, many teachers and students explored and learned about the gorgeous country. Savanna Licea (26) says, “[She] felt that the trip was really fun and the scenery [they] saw was amazing throughout the trip.” Her favorite part of the trip was Delphi, a small town in Greece; “It was just so pretty”. Savanna said she would go back!

For those who didn’t travel to Greece, they found comfort in other places. Jupiter Williams (26’) enjoyed the beginning of his spring break in Anaheim for the MHS Orchestra Disneyland trip. He stated in an interview that he “felt as if the two weeks helped reset [his] brain.” Another Dore who enjoyed their time home was junior Angel Dorado. “I spent it going to eat and hanging out with friends and family.” He spent most of his time going to the wharf and sleeping.

No matter how you spend your spring break, the two weeks off are beneficial for all of us Dores. If you’d like to talk about your spring break, feel free to DM us on Instagram.

Mamma Mia Field Trip

By Arianna Randazzo and Sophia Ruttschow

On Wednesday, May 7th, the Monterey High AMP Academy took its students to San Francisco to see the musical Mamma Mia! live. Roughly 40 students and several teachers/chaperones, including Ms. D and Mrs. M, attended the trip. 

On the way down to the theater, the bus stopped in Redwood City for a brunch-lunch break so the students could eat before the show. Then, a short drive to the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco, a moment to find their seats, the show began.

Mamma Mia! is a popular musical turned movie that is considered by many to be a classic. The show features only songs by the Swedish band ABBA, and was worked on by the guitarist of the band, Björn Ulvaeus. The story follows a mother and daughter named Sophie and Donna, as Sophie is about to get married. Sophie, who never knew her father, discovers from Donna’s old diary that it could be three possible men, whom she invites to the wedding. Both women support each other and are supported by Sophie’s friends and Donna’s two sisters as they untangle the chaos caused by the situation. 

A huge number of students who went on the trip agreed that the show’s choreography and music were fantastic, and the actors did a great job of portraying these famous characters. MJ Calinap (´26) explains that ¨The choreo was like magic, it was cohesive and well put together, along with the synchronous movements. ¨ 

Not only did the students think that the choreography and the music were good, but they also agreed that the set design and lighting looked really good. Alexandrea Pettit (´26) raves about the musical and how it was ¨very wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. I enjoyed the set design and lighting as well as the choreography and vocals¨. 

At the end of the show, the actors had an encore that lasted through two songs; Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, and Waterloo. A lot of people got up to dance during the encore and even sang along to the music. Pearl Croft (´28) decides that ¨the best part of the trip was the dance party at the end of the show, it was a really great bonding experience¨. 

This trip, the AMP students also got lucky and were able to visit the stage door after the performance. Many students met the actors for characters like Tonya (Donna’s sister) and Sam Carmichael (one of the possible dads). This included getting their programs signed, and some took photos with the actors. 

The trip seemed to be a good end of the year for AMP field trips, and a great last trip for the graduating AMP students. Hopefully, an exciting new season of field trips awaits the AMP Academy for next year!

Cheer Tryouts

By Layla Castillo

The Monterey Pep Squad tryouts are just around the corner! Excitement is building up as cheer tryouts are set to take place on Tuesday, May 13th, after school from 4-6 in Harmon Gym. Students from all grades are to showcase their skills, energy, and school spirit in hopes of joining the cheerleading team for the upcoming school year.

Tryouts are open to both returning team members and incoming freshmen or newcomers, and the cheer coaches are looking for students with strong technique, enthusiasm, and commitment to teamwork. 

“The most rewarding part of the tryout process is watching someone who on day one thought they couldn't do it, not give up on themselves. They put the effort in, work hard, and make the team,” says Coach Melinda Perez. “I really enjoy giving feedback to every candidate to help them succeed. Once the team is made and our pep squad puzzle is complete, I LOVE looking at the big picture and being excited for the year ahead.” 

Hopeful participants have been practicing the content sent out, such as jumps, chants, and dance routines, in the few days leading up to tryouts. Many have been attending the tryout clinics to perfect their skills and prepare for the big day.

“I feel very excited about cheer tryouts,” said returning member Avalon Kouns, “I think it’s important to be confident in yourself no matter what!”

This year, several of the graduating seniors have stepped up to help teach the tryout material and mentor the next wave of cheerleaders. “Be confident, point your toes, be sharp, and always make sure to smile!” said senior Isabella Dimitra.

Cheer results will be posted later in the week, and the new team will begin practicing once dates are finalized. Good luck to everyone trying out–and go, Toreadores!

Talent Show

Kat Balco

The MHS Talent show took place on may 14th at harmon gym during flex. The talent show was full of amazing performers, with a bunch of different talents. There was singing, magic, puppet shows, instruments and a fashion show. Talent shows always bring the school together and at our school there were 700 students watching! The audience made sure to give the right reactions at the right time, and really kept the whole performance alive. There were also four judges, two upper class and two lower, telling each performer how good they were at the end. 

The opening act was a singing performance which started off with a few technical problems, but the show kept going. The music had cut out and they closed the curtains and they got back on track and started the girls' performance again. Near the end the whole audience was cheering, had their flash lights up, and gave her a lot of support and love for how the first time she tried to perform was a failure.  There were a lot of mic malfunctions throughout the show but it was still entertaining. 

After a few singing acts, people got tired of seeing the same thing over and over, so there was a guest appearance by mr woods. He got on the stage with a disco spotlight on him and he did a fashion walk while drinking his coffee. It was short but sweet. Mr Woods is a very loved teacher at Monterey High and everyone was cheering for him. After that the last few performers went on and then the school had to wait and sit to find out who the winner was gonna be. 

The winner of the MHS talent show was Solomon Sloan ('26) for his puppet show while singing no surprises by radiohead. Solomon also won the show last year, he has some true talent. He won a sweet treat, a shirt, and a couple small more goodies. Tell us what your thoughts were on this year's talent show and who you wish to have won. Go Dores! :)