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The Student Newspaper of Notre Dame High School

The Catalyst

The Student Newspaper of Notre Dame High School

The Catalyst

The Student Newspaper of Notre Dame High School

The Catalyst

Junior group deck participants prepare to take the stage for their routine.
Aquacades: From a participant’s perspective
Rebecca Welte, Tiger TV Features Editor • May 20, 2025

On Friday, April 11,  students celebrated the annual tradition, Aquacades. Though they always see the final performances, they never see the...

Scenic view of a neighborhood in Greece.
Tri-School gears up for summer 2025
Page Krensavage, Victoria Buick, Sophia Shadvar, and Anand George May 20, 2025

NDB: For students, summer serves as a wonderful opportunity to step away from the pressures of school and enjoy a much-needed break from the...

Students enjoy dancing and singing along to the music on the dance floor.
Viva Las Vegas: Juniors and seniors celebrate prom
Rebecca Welte, Tiger TV Features Editor • May 20, 2025

On May 10, the juniors and seniors gathered at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park to attend NDB’s annual prom. The doors opened at 6:30 p.m., with upperclassmen...

Junior Gianna Beltramo receives a certificate and pin to commemorate her induction.
NHS Board holds annual induction ceremony
Page Krensavage, News Co-Editor • May 20, 2025

Imagine being admitted into a society where less than 10 percent of the collective student body are members. While this may seem daunting, this...

Students worn out and exhausted from all the school work piling up.
Mental health days should be allowed in schools
Camilla Qaqundah, Staff Writer • May 20, 2025

When students wake up sick from a fever or a sore throat, it's gonna turn into a stay-at-home sick day. But what happens when the pain is internal,...

A still of the College of San Mateo's website displays students on campus.
The stigma around community college needs to end
Allison Wright, Arts & Life Co-Editor • May 20, 2025

What is the first thought that comes to mind when you think of community college? Is it typically viewed as an affordable, convenient option...

Behind every grade is a desk like this—messy, focused and full of effort. Perfection isn’t about the result, but the work that leads up to it.
The pursuit of perfection matters more than perfection itself
Riley Blum, Opinion Co-Editor • May 20, 2025

Perfection is often treated like the ultimate goal. Everywhere, people chase flawless grades, performances and outcomes, believing that anything...

Many enjoy doing pranks on April 1st.
April Fools: Fun to an extent
Sarah Lee, Staff Writer • May 20, 2025

Every April first, pranks explode as people come up with ideas of whom to prank and what to do. People often prank one another, whether they...

Spring cleaning: tips and tricks for a more organized summer
Spring cleaning: tips and tricks for a more organized summer
Camilla Qaqundah, Multimedia Editor • May 20, 2025

  Start small to build momentum Spring cleaning does not need to be overwhelming. Start with a small task such as making your bed...

Top 5 NDB English books
Top 5 NDB English books
Lauren Zerella, Managing Editor • May 20, 2025

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ English II Honors Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel beloved by many students due to its...

“Stranger Things” leans into its synth-heavy intro to pull the audience in.
Soundtracks play a pivotal role in film and television
Allison Wright and Riley Blum May 20, 2025

“You know the trouble with real life? There’s no danger music.” These words, attributed to renowned comedian and Hollywood actor Jim...

Movie posters for much-awaited summer movies excite eager viewers
The best upcoming films of 2025: movies to anticipate this summer
Samantha Kirkpatrick, Staff Writer • May 20, 2025

Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 2- May 23, 2025 The finale to the nearly three-decade-long “Mission: Impossible” franchise hits...

In early April, the USWNT played a match in front of a sold-out crowd at PayPal Park in San Jose.
Women’s sports are rapidly evolving in the Bay Area
Lauren Zerella, Managing Editor • May 20, 2025

Throughout the past few years, the Bay Area has seen a tremendous amount of growth in women’s sports, as they have gained two professional...

Senior track athletes Lily Henry and Andie Wong pose during their last meet.
Track wraps up the 2025 season
Lara Hollblad-Fadiman, Staff Writer • May 20, 2025

As the end of the school year approaches, spring sports, including the NDB Track and Field team, are finishing up their seasons. Track and Field...

Varsity swim team competes at WBAL finals.
Swim athletes reflect on the 2025 season
Amy Sun, Staff Writer • May 20, 2025

Swim season started in February and continued until the WBAL Championship held on May 3rd. The biggest change for this year is that there is...

Seniors Hailey Kockos, Genevive Land, Bella Svanberg and Vicky Wang smile during the cocktail hour of the banquet.
NDB sports awards banquet honors athletes
Mitchell Maddie and Virginia Fitzgerald May 20, 2025

NDB’s annual sports banquet occurred on May 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Moore Pavilion. On this annual and well-deserved night, student-athletes...