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
Ashley Strain

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor

Ashley Strain is a senior at NDB. She has been a member of the Journalism Club since her freshman year and contributed as a Staff Writer for The Catalyst in those years. Last year, Ashley was enrolled in Journalism I and held the position of Sports Editor. She is now in Journalism II and is Managing Editor of The Catalyst and Director of Tiger TV, with hopes to continue her Journalism career in college and beyond.

Ashley is a Link Crew Board member, as well as Ambassador Club member. She is the Captain of the NDB Varsity Competition Cheer team, which takes up a lot of her time outside of school. She also enjoys baking, writing, spending time with family and friends and going to the beach.

All content by Ashley Strain
Garud and Moore celebrate after receiving their awards during the 2024 Academic Awards Night.

[Photo] Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced at Academic Awards Night

Andie Wong, News Editor
May 22, 2024
Seniors gather in the Father Downey Garden to have a taco dinner and ice cream.

Senior Sunset closes out year

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
May 22, 2024
The Spirit Squad performs at Aquacades.

Tryouts held for cheer season

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
May 21, 2024
Senior Malaina Alifano brings her computer to the beach with her friends on Senior Ditch Day to work on school work, but also spend her senior holiday with her friends.

The harsh reality for second semester seniors

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
May 21, 2024
NDB needs to teach a self-defense class

NDB needs to teach a self-defense class

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
March 26, 2024
Hailey Degnan ‘25, Charlotte Parks ‘25 and Sofia Castricone ‘26 celebrate after the game.

Lacrosse ‘sticks it to cancer’

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
March 26, 2024
Senior Ashley Strain teaches her 4th-grade sister how to use fingerprinting techniques in forensics class.

NDB students’ little sisters spend the day on campus

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
March 26, 2024
Senior Ashley Strain is thrown in a straight-ride basket toss by her bases Gabby Lonardo and Nikki Guinasso and backspot Kiara Karcich.

STUNT Cheer is emerging as a growing female sport

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
February 13, 2024
Students interested in Art and Photography electives ask Mark Thiesen about the photos on display.

Students attend Elective Fair to browse options offered at NDB

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
February 13, 2024
Journalism students and Adviser Robert Rojas review paint samples.

Tiger TV’s return continues

Studio being renovated to facilitate weekly broadcasts
Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
February 13, 2024
A member of the Journalism class gives members of the Journalism club advice on their articles.

Keeping up with clubs

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
December 12, 2023
The varsity cheer team poses at the USA Northern California Regional I.

Cheer starts competition season

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
December 12, 2023
Members of NDB's Varsity Cheer team introduced the middle-schoolers to stunting with demonstrating and rotating preps.

NDB hosts a middle school cheer clinic

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
November 17, 2023
Some families like to set up their Christmas tree and decorations early to get into the holiday spirit.

Should Christmas trees be up before Thanksgiving or after?

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
November 17, 2023

Link-O-Ween Haunted House event takes place in NDB’s basement to celebrate Halloween

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
November 6, 2023
The Dingbat leaders help place the Spirit Squad members in their correct opening dance formation during their second practice.

Cheer performs at Dingbat Rally

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
October 31, 2023
All pumpkins offer various other benefits besides carving and decoration.

The best ways to utilize a pumpkin

Ashley Strain and Andie Wong
October 31, 2023
Lunch table abandoned by NDB students in the dining room when students left for their many lunchtime meetings.

Lunch is now an 8th block in the school day

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
October 31, 2023
Refurbished spaces, such as the parlor, are accessible to students and help encourage studying.

Renovations enhance campus experience

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
September 28, 2023
Spending time with dogs can help reduce stress and serves as a distraction from busy schedules.

How To Relax During The School Year

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
September 28, 2023
Freshmen join a variety of teams at NDB, including cross country.

Vipers join NDB fall sports as they adjust to high school life

Lauren Zerella and Ashley Strain
September 28, 2023
The upperclassmen sisters meet their freshmen little sisters

The upperclassmen sisters meet their freshmen little sisters

Ashley Strain, Managing Editor
September 28, 2023
NDB welcomes new staffulty for the 2023-2024 school year

NDB welcomes new staffulty for the 2023-2024 school year

Mia Muzzi, Ashley Strain, Ashley Turner, and Francesca Arbelaez
August 15, 2023
NDB displays three of the many athletic trophies in the Moore Pavilion.

NDB Athletics embraced the many successful sports seasons and accomplishments

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
May 24, 2023
Spirit Squad welcomes new program director and coach

Spirit Squad welcomes new program director and coach

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
May 24, 2023
Q&A: Athletics Director Christina Okubo

Q&A: Athletics Director Christina Okubo

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
May 24, 2023
Junior Amber Holloway hands off the baton to senior Melanie Castelli to finish out their relay race.

Track and field season starts

With contributions by Dayna Sockol, Staff Writer
Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
April 3, 2023
Senior swim athletes took photos for their senior banners during lunch on March 21.

Swimming begins

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
March 30, 2023
The softball team practices passing and catching indoors in NDB’s Moore Pavilion due to extreme weather and field conditions.

Varsity Softball preseason interrupted by extreme weather

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
March 28, 2023
Juniors present their capstone projects during Spiritual Life class.

Juniors use capstones to explore social justice issues

Mia Muzzi and Ashley Strain
March 28, 2023
How to adjust to daylight saving time

How to adjust to daylight saving time

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
March 13, 2023
After recognizing their nine seniors, the NDB Spirit Squad supported Varsity Basketball during the Catfight game.

Tigers face Panthers in Catfight game

Spirit Squad seniors recognized during Catfight game
Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
February 9, 2023
Softball players gather together during tryouts.

Athletes begin their spring sports seasons

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
February 9, 2023
Target holiday section is decked out in all things Christmas by mid-November.

When is too early to start celebrating Christmas?

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
December 14, 2022
House located in the center of the first Eucalyptus block is elaborately decorated in colorful Christmas lights.

Christmas lights display on Eucalyptus Avenue, San Carlos

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
December 9, 2022
The current NDB Basketball team poses with the NDB Basketball alumni after winning the annual game.

Basketball: Alumnae return to play on their home court

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
December 9, 2022
Juniors Annie Lester and Gianna Shaughnessy show off their care packages that they made to be donated to homeless shelters.

Dragons attend all-day class retreat at St. Barts Church

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
December 9, 2022
NDB student updating and logging into zoom, in preparation for the two days of virtual school.

Asynchronous learning leading into Thanksgiving Break is a positive thing for NDB students

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
November 18, 2022
A Shark, Dragon, Wildcat and Monarch pose for a picture while dressed in their class colors.

Day 3: Class Color Day

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
October 26, 2022
Visiting fans are welcomed to Disney’s California Adventure Park with an array of spooky decorations.

Halloween Time at the happiest place on Earth is worth the trip… and the lines

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
October 21, 2022
Varsity Volleyball players jump to block a hit during the Dig Pink game.

NDB defeats Menlo in the Dig Pink game

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
October 21, 2022
Senior varsity water polo players pose for a picture with Coach Mike Marques.

Fall sports host annual senior nights to honor longtime athletes

Francesca Arbelaez and Ashley Strain
October 21, 2022
The Mercy B and NDB Spirit Squads take team pictures before the halftime routine.

Mercy B and NDB Spirit Squads cheer at Serra HS homecoming game

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
October 21, 2022
Tennis athletes roll out their muscles after a weight room session.

Required pre-season weights are back

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
September 23, 2022
NDB Varsity Spirit Squad cheers at Serra HS's first home football game.

Spirit Squad anticipates the year ahead

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
September 23, 2022
Serena Williams serves at the U.S. Open in 2013.

Serena Williams’ legacy lives on

Ashley Strain, Sports Editor
September 23, 2022
Masks cover people’s smiles, limiting social interactions by making someone appear less approachable. Karla Aguilar and Emma Trainor smile through their masks.

The loss of a smile

Ashley Strain, Contributing Writer
May 25, 2021
Handling hybrid: how one teacher adapted to the new hybrid classroom

Handling hybrid: how one teacher adapted to the new hybrid classroom

Ashley Strain, Contributing Writer
March 26, 2021
Serra's Multicultural Club holds a movie night over Zoom.

Serra HS Multicultural Events

Ashley Strain and Jennifer Huang
February 19, 2021
Serra Hybrid Learning Class

Family with an on-campus Serra student and an online NDB student

Ashley Strain, Contributing Writer
February 2, 2021
Load More Stories