Category: Special Features

Reflections and resolutions: Looking back and looking forward

By Carlos P., Kymberlin M. and Omar R. Each year is full of good things as well as not-so-good things. CATS students and teachers reflect on the past year and offer advice. The worst — but also the best People experienced a number of challenges last year. Tenth grader Nayeli O. said that the beginning of 2022 was hard because of the pandemic and not being able to see loved ones. Senior Abygail S. said, “the worst part of last year would have to be entering 12th grade.”  For science teacher Ms. Michelle Suarez, “the worst

It’s not the holidays without seeing your entire family

By Jeremy L.Z., Jimena R., and Magaly G. The holidays are the perfect time to be surrounded by family. Eric B., a senior, visited all 23 of his family members throughout the break. He added that “they were the only people I saw over the break.” Some students even flew to a different country to see them, like senior Samuel V., who spent half of his winter break in Mexico. “I saw like 15 of my family members In Mexico,” he said. English teacher Mr. Benny Martinez said “My cousins are the reason why I go

How students and teachers relaxed over the break

By Joshua C., Karen O., Axel G., Salvador G, Ernesto H., and Ley V. With so much time on their hands, CATS students shared how they made the most of their winter break. For senior Abigail S., going to the park with her Doberman and playing catch became a habit. She said lying on the grass and looking at the sky “was nice, really relaxing. Especially on the rainy days, because there was no sun.” Fellow senior Gizelle D. kept it simple. “I got to stay home rather than go to school and relax more in

The best XMAS present to unwrap: Tamales

By Angel T., Jose R., Nayeli O., Wendy G., and Heyli G. The holidays are not the holidays without tamales, pozole and other special dishes. Mr. Rafael Nuila, a teacher assistant, ate all kinds of tamales: Guatemalan, Mexican and Salvadorian. But his favorite ones? He said, “The Mexican tamales, especially the rajas.” Sophomore Leimy C. said her family makes Guatemalan tamales for Christmas. “I like this food because it has been a tradition in my family every Christmas,” she said. However, Magaly G. and Julyssa G., seniors who also happen to be twins, said that their

Gifts, gifts, and more gifts

By Maria M., Xiomara A., Magaly G. and Michael Z. A big part of the holidays is giving and getting gifts. Some of the gifts CATS students and teachers gave or got over the winter break included everything from gift cards to socks. Senior Pedro F. said, “For Christmas I got some of my favorite things which are money, gift cards, a candle, a gold necklace and a cup that I had been wanting from Starbucks.” He explained that what makes these gifts special “is the fact that they were given with love, and that makes

What are students’ and teachers’ holiday traditions and superstitions?

By Arely V., Magaly G., Wendy G., and Johana O. While at this point the winter break seems so long ago, there were many memorable moments that CATS teachers and students experienced as they celebrated Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Like many other families, senior Pedro F.’s family opened their gifts in their pajamas on Christmas morning. “I opened gifts in the morning. However I did accidentally ruin the surprise of one of my gifts,” he said. “My sister didn’t get a chance to wrap my gift and I saw it before she could, so I

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