Let It Shine! By: MEGAN VILLAR The holidays are a very busy and exciting time for Campus Ministry. We all know the countless special memories and moments that come with the holidays, but for some, the holidays can be improved with a special dinner. Our annual canned food

drive is important, as countless families depend on our help. Please join us in bringing as many canned goods as possible! We do our best every meeting to welcome everyone and anyone! Campus Ministry is always thankful for those who participate in making our events come to life! Without the Campus Ministry team, service hours would not be recorded, people would not receive toys for Christmas, food

for Thanksgiving, and so many other opportunities to bring joy to our community. Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude and reflect on how we can give to others. Although it is a day that only comes once a year, we should remember to always be thankful and let others know with our words and actions that they are surrounded by people who care.

November 2015

Mock Trial

M A Y F I E L D S E N I O R S C H O O L S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E RTh

e

By: ELIZABETH NAIL

On both November 2nd and November 9th, Mayfield students were summoned to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles. It wasn’t an actual court case. Rather the students made their appearance to compete in Mock Trial, a simulation of a real court hearing. Students play not only attorneys and witnesses, but bailiffs and clerks as well. The experience familiarizes them with court procedures while sharpening speaking skills as they battle teams coming from a multitude of other area schools. The case this year involved the murder of a campus security guard by a scholarship student at a local university. The plaintiffs sought a guilty sentence, while the defense did their best to free their client. This year,Mayfield managed to field two teams, instead of a single one, as it has in years previous. This proved helpful, as students on different teams representing the same witness

could help each other memorize their parts. “Our A team presented the Defense, while the B team presented the P r o s e c u t i o n and both teams won the judges verdict,” said Tina Zapata, Mayfield’s Mock Trial adviser after the first c o m p e t i t i o n . “With the same facts- amazing!” Student attorneys collaborated on directing questions and cross-examinations. Though opposing teams, all participants were friendly and engaged. The MVPs from the first round were Sophia Masenga, “16 and Niamh Diver, ‘19. Maddie Tupy, ‘18 and Mary

Catherine Smith, ‘17 were honored for the second round of competition. The Mayfield teams both did reasonably well in their prosecution and defense efforts. Mayfield Mock Trial teams bonded at DTLA’s historic deli, Phillippe’s and at Yang Chow after the respective competition days.

1 MAYFIELD CRIER November 2015

Mock Trial teammembers preparing to make their case.

Arts Quest: Mayfield Crier Team Reporting On Friday, November 6th, Mayfield students took part in the Arts Quest tradition, which is held every other year, by attending workshops designed to introduce students to new fields of art. The day started with a performance by our very own instrumental teacher Ms. Christin Hablewitz and her local group, ZETZ. which plays traditional Klezmer Jewish folk music. Students then proceeded to their selected 90 minute workshops, instructed by masters of their craft. Students were encouraged to choose something they’d never done before so the instructor could teach them in the different arts disciplines. There were thirteen workshops, including: Textile Arts workshop, Mobile Photography through the Digital Age, Voice and Movement for all levels workshop, The Conspiracy (a creative writing workshop), Bamboo flute making workshop, Interactive Improvisation Theatre workshop, Masks and Movement Theatre workshop, Horror theatre makeup workshop, Fun Jazz dance workshop for all levels, Tap Dance Fun Workshop, Sculpture Workshop, See and Feel in Color (a visual arts workshop), and Cosmix Reiki Sound Journey. Take a look at some of our experiences!TEXTILE ARTS: BY CHRISTINE GENG:The Textile Arts workshop, instructed by Ms. Serena Brooks introduced students to the world of making quilts. Ms. Brooks’s quilts are unique, as she styles her quilts like paintings. Ms. Brooks buys her favorite material from Salvation Army. She only started quilting eleven years ago, but so far, she has made over three hundred quilts.

TAP DANCE FUN: BY KRISTEN MASCARENHAS:At the tap class taught by Mr. Glyn Gray, we learned simple tap steps, such as the shuffle and the fa-lap. Then, we learned some complicated body percussion routines. Mr. Gray taught us the importance of rhythm in dance and music.FUN JAZZ DANCE WORKSHOP: BY KRISTEN MASCARENHAS:With the enthusiastic and energetic Ms. Joelle Martinec, we learned a fun jazz routine to the song “Lightning Crashes” by Live. Arts Quest ended with students’ reflections of their experiences. There will also be one or two students from each workshop selected by the instructor to present what they have learned and accomplished at the reflection assembly. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to get to have these artistic experiences and learn more about the different types of art in our community!

MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH THE DIGITAL AGE: BY HOLLY HELMUTH-MALONE: In this class taught by Mayfield alum and award-winning photographer, Natalie Franco, we learned how to spice up any instagram picture we take. Ms. Franco showed us apps that make any picture we take on our phones look extraordinary. THE CONSPIRACY: CREATIVE WRITING BY KEMI ASHING-GIWA:Writing Workshop: What makes a good conspiracy? We learned that all you need are two or more normal people, a tragic accident, a faulty plan, and a dash of suspense. In the workshop, we cranked out a hilarious cast of characters with unremarkable lives that would soon be turned upside down. Taught by Ms. Natashia Deón, the workshop discovered how to blend our diverse ideas together to formulate the crime of the century, and learned what it really means to turn away from the law.

Giving Thanks for Family TraditionsBy: MIKAYLA O’REGGIO

To mostly everyone in America, Thanksgiv-ing means lots and lots of turkey and trav-el. To spice things up a bit, we have asked the Mayfield Community about the special traditions that they and their families use to celebrate the anniversary of America’s first successful harvest.

Miriam Bargout, ‘18 puts a spin on the iconic turkey by, “surrounding it with other Arab foods.”

Katrina Lopez, ‘18 also ties in her family’s heritage by eating Filipino delicacies.

In addition to celebrating Thanksgiving solely with food, Madeline, ‘18, and Kath-erine Tupy, ‘19, watch their fathers par-ticipate in Sierra Madre’s, “Turkey Bowl … every Thanksgiving morning.”

Carmen Mascarenhas’, ‘18 family adds some physical activity to balance out the day’s heavy meal with family hike.

Tying in family customs and traditions is what really makes the holidays great.

The Mayfield community has proven that there is no one-size-fits-all way

to celebrate Thanksgiving.

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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!MAYFIELD’S CLUB LIST:5 Days a Month Club; Animation Club; Asian American Culture Club; CHLA Mayfield; Computer Coding Club; Chess Club; Crochet Club; Cuban Club; Debate Club; Delivering Hope; Environmental Club; FIERCE; French Club; Friends Against Drugs and Alcohol; Heifer International Club; Humane Society Club; Hiking and Wilderness Club; Hugs for; Huntington; Innovation Club; Italian Heritage Club; Junior Classical League; Los Angeles Animal Shelter Reform Project; Theater for our Lady; The Oxford Comma Club; Pre-Med Club; Photo Club; SALMA; Spirit Club; The Thirst Project; UNICEF Club; Yay Animals

Spotlight on the Arts

2 MAYFIELD CRIER November 2015

The Mayfield Crier is a forum for student expression, written by students for the benefit of

the Mayfield Senior School community. Our goal is to report relevant issues to the best of our ability.

Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child Jesus 500 Bellefontaine Street, Pasadena, California

Mayfield Crier Editorial Staff

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Cami Arboles and Kristen MascarenhasOp Ed Editor: Bree BarnesAthletics Editor: Bella Gaspar Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Gomez

Reporters: Brooke Brody Caitlin Lee Elizabeth NailJulia NailMikayla O’ReggioEmily PearsonLaura Searcy

Kemi Ashing-GiwaAlison CordanoHolly Helmuth-MaloneCarmen MascarenhasKaterina PlascenciaIsabella Vinci

Photographers:Christine GengAmanda McGloin

Note from the Editors-in-ChiefCAMI ARBOLES and KRISTEN MASCARENHAS

Mayfield Clubs are Fun and Educational

Cubs Sports Fall Wrap Up

By: CAMI ARBOLES

It’s a busy year for the Mayfield Vocal Conservatory. For the first time in its history, the conservatory will be competing at a national choral festival, a competition of sorts where several schools will be showcasing their work. “We are so excited for our plans for this year,” says Vocal Conservatory director Andrew Alvarez. “The girls have worked so hard to get here, and we feel blessed to have this opportunity.” Competing in this festival has been a long-time goal for the conservatory. It began last April, when the ensemble competed in a state-wide competition in San Francisco. The ensemble was fortunate enough to earn the highest score out of all the groups present, which consequently granted them the opportunity to compete at a national level this spring in Washington, D.C. But a string of other events are not so far off in the horizon for the Vocal Conservatory. The group will be keeping busy with a number of performances and outreach concerts in the near future. “We’ve got our first-ever sing-a-thon at the Santa Anita Mall in Arcadia from

10:00 to 2:00 pm Saturday, December 12th,” said director Andrew Alvarez. The sing-a-thon will be conducted in hopes to raise funds for the group’s trip to compete in Washington, D.C. The group will also be doing some Christmas caroling at the Santa Teresita Senior Home on December 10th. For now, the conservatory puts in extra time every week to rehearse together, meeting every Monday until 7:00 p.m. to practice repertoire. Such rehearsals are a sigh to behold. Often, homework strewn about the music room is as ubiquitous as piles of sheet music, and when it comes times to rehearse, total focus is required. Of course, Alvarez holds students to high standards, but only out of love. “We’ve got a long way to go before this competition,” said Alvarez. “I want to artistically achieve a point where there’s a connection between the conductor, accompanist, choir, and audience.But something greater remains at the heart of the conservatory at the end of the day: community. “It’s a collaborative effort.” said Alvarez. “We’re an ensemble moving as one, and that sense of togetherness is really our ultimate goal.”

By: BREE BARNES An overwhelming majority of students believe the school library needs to open earlier in the morning and close later in the evening. Of the students asked whether the school library should extend their hours, ninety-six percent voted yes and only four percent voted no.“I’d like it because the Commons is more for people who want to socialize and the library is for people who want to get work done,” said Kathryn Berzas, ’17. “The Commons is really loud” The hours during which the Student Commons is open has allowed students who get to school early or stay late to find shelter rather than be forced to wait outside until someone opens the school or their parents pick them up. In order to truly get work done, students say thatthey require a quieter setting with access to books and technology. Although I am currently a senior and can drive to school, as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, I had to

adapt to the schedule of a working parent. This means students must get to school early and stay late so their parents can avoid traffic. “It would be helpful to students who get here earlier and stay later, but the question is what adult would be here to supervise students because Ms. Pibel and Ms. Daniels need to get home” says Gabi Mukai, ’16.Gabi makes a valuable point, school librarians can only spend so many hours at work before they need to return to their lives outside of Mayfield. Some suggest that even though the library does not open until 7:30 a.m. there are other faculty members on campus who regularly come to campus early who may be willing to supervise students in the library until the librarians arrive at school. Likewise, in order to extend the library hours, faculty members who tend to stay on campus after 5 p.m. may be able to take shifts supervising students in the library until at least six p.m.

Although extending the hours of the library will require professional planning and scheduling, I believe creating a system that would do so is possible and to many students, worth exploring.

By: BELLA GASPARCROSS COUNTRY: Prep League Champions for both Varsity and JV, awesome! Varsity team qualified at the CIF-SS prelims in Riverside on Saturday and will compete in the finals at Mt. Sac this coming Saturday. Good luck Cubs!GOLF: Congratulations to individual players Ingrid Yue ‘16 and Lolly Diehl ‘17 for representing Mayfield at the Regional Individual Championships in Oxnard. Well done to the varsity team who wrapped up their season better than last year!

GRATITUDE. When do you express gratitude? What warrants gratitude? How often do we take time out of our day to say a simple “thank you”? Yes, there’s the quotidian nature of a “thank you” muttered to one who opened the door for you, to the cashier who hands you your change, or to the classmate who says “bless you” after you sneeze. And of course, we all express gratitude to our family and friends around the Thanksgiving table. However, there’s a deeper question at hand her. Do we express gratitude at the other times in our lives? And when are we supposed to be gracious? Isn’t it strange to profusely thank the barista at Starbucks and write him a note beckoning, “THANKS”? It is fair to say that whenever someone exceeds the expectations of their relationship, we must express gratitude. When someone goes the

extra mile when they didn’t have to -- when they exerted their self in some way that wasn’t asked, for example, when you ask for a lake and receive an ocean -- that’s when you say thanks. When we are bogged down in homework, do we thank our father for the snack? When we are frustrated by slow technology, do we thank our mothers for their patience? When we are struggling in a class, do we thank our teachers for their commitment to our education? When struggling for air after a tough swim workout, do we thank our coaches for believing in us? As author James Joyce wrote in his epic novel Ulysses, “Very gratefully, with grateful appreciation, with sincere appreciative gratitude, in appreciatively grateful sincerity” we recognize the power of gratitude. The words “thank you” can go a long way. Let your words enlighten someone else’s life.

CLUB FEATURE:BY: KEMI ASHING-GIWAINNOVATION CLUB On October 21, Mayfield’s Innovation Club met and enjoyed a live engineering demo with brightly colored mini robots. Student built and programmed, these droids were equipped with two sensors, one red and one green, so that when the red side was hit, the robot would be “frozen” until the green sensor was pressed. Using game pads, members played a fast-paced game of freezetag, discovered several fascinating applications of engineering, and even learned about the build processes and software used to turn scrap metal into a fully-functioning freezetag-playing machine.

TENNIS: Varsity tennis made it to the second round of CIFs for the first time in a decade. Although the team will not be competing together, congratulations to Jack Bagott ‘17 and Emily Pratt ‘16 who will be continuing on as individuals in CIFs. Good luck ladies!VOLLEYBALL: Varsity Volleyball ended a great season in the CIF-SS Quarter Finals against Laguna Beach on Saturday with a record of 22 wins and 6 losses overall. The team finished the regular season as runner’s up in Prep League.

Photo: Katerina Plascencia, Isabella Vinci

OpEd The Call of the Cub

Empty Chairs and Empty Tables

Mayfield’s Cross-Country seniors had a season to smile about. Pictured here at Fall Sports Awards Banquet. Photo: T. Lathrop