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CATALYST END OF THE ROAD FOR THE GUARDIANS
SENIOR ATHLETES COMMIT TO SCHOOLS
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May 2023
The Class of 2023 says goodbye to NDB by Molly Phan Editor in Chief
Since the fall of 2019, the Class of 2023 has overcome great challenges and has made significant contributions to NDB in areas such as academics, leadership and sisterhood. Most importantly, each member of the class has grown personally and as they prepare to graduate, they reflect on the past four years that have made them into the individuals they are today. A few weeks into their first semester of freshman year, the Class of 2023 named themselves the Wildcats to fit their red class color, and almost instantly, they matched the school spirit of the other grades. They won their first Ding-Bat Rally, their second official spirit event at NDB, which was incredibly rare as the upperclassmen usually place the highest. The Wildcats also exhibited strong passions for leadership from the very
beginning, as the freshman class council played a huge role in class bonding. Freshman leaders organized iconic events such as the Freshman Slumber Party, where students watched movies, played games and got to know each other. “As freshmen, we were all very motivated to get to know one another and to express our love for Notre Dame during rallies and other events,” shared senior Sophia Rask, former freshman class council member. “We were definitely more spirited than girls in the older classes.” Although the Class of 2023 started their time at NDB off strong, the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic dampened their spirits as they were forced to learn from behind computer screens until the end of their sophomore year. For over a year, students were deprived of everything that made NDB so special, like rallies, Aquacades and even spending time with classmates and teachers. For many seniors
today, it seems as though their underclassmen years were defined solely by the pandemic. “COVID took away our opportunity to bond as a freshman class since we didn’t have events
positions currently occupied by Amelia Ailanjian, Caitlynn Reynolds, Kassie Hickson, Lauren Fitzgerald, Sophia Rask and Zeina Zumot. The candidates this year ranged from current class council members to others seeking leadership experience and more participation in their
school community. Juniors Annie Lester, Caitlin Degnan, Helena Morell, Francesca Arbelaez, Julia Oliveira-Killmon, Mallory Moore, Isabella Davis, Katherine Johnson and Savannah Sweet all vyed for a spot, with the respective first six securing spots on the governing body. Each candidate was asked to
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The Wildcats showcased their spirit at their final Aquacades rally in April. in-person to get to know one another, but it made the rest of our time so much better because we were able to appreciate everything more,” said senior Lauren Nobleza. The Wildcats re-
turned to campus their junior year optimistic and ready to make the best of their last two years at NDB. Many students pushed themselves academically, as a wide range of Advanced Placement courses
and electives became available to them. “Junior year was definitely a turning point for me academically since I got to take classes like See SENIORS | Page 10
Student body elects ASB officers for 2023-2024 year by Editorial Staff On Tuesday April 25, the Sharks, Monarchs and Dragons gathered in the Moore Pavillion in recognition of the annual Associate Student Body (ASB) elections. There were nine candidates for ASB for the 2023-2024 school year, all looking to replace the six
MEGAN WORRY / THE CATALYST
Newly elected ASB officers pose after results were announced.
make a short speech at the election event. Promises of spirit events, sisterhood celebration, and heightened connection between students and staffulty filled speeches. Each verbal presentation was accompanied by several days of social media advertising. Candidates designed graphics filled with pictures participating in sports, rallies, and leadership as well as memorable and often punny slogans. Overall, the message conveyed by each candidate was “I am involved, I am approachable, and I am ready to be on ASB.” Following speeches and filled with campaign promises of school spirit and visions for events, the three returning classes returned to homerooms to vote on their top candidates via a school-wide Google Form. Those who do not come out on top typically seek class council positions, which were later elected by the individual returning classes. “I am most excited to meet the incoming freshman class and to in-
troduce them to the NDB spirit,” said Morell. “I think one of the ideas I feel most passionate about is getting more girls involved in Aquacades. Everyone should feel like they have a place and a role in such an amazing event.” The roles of President, Vice President, Communications Director, Activities Director, Spirit Director and Athletics Director will be assigned by Director of Student Life and Leadership Alisia Bergholm, following an interview with each of the incoming members. Additionally, the current members play a part in selecting roles, having been the ones to know the demands of each role most personally. Oftentimes, women from the two bodies are friends prior to the election and can attest to each others’ qualities and strengths. The results of the selection of roles will be announced to the student body at Class Day on June 2 where they will take their oath of office. While each position has specific responsibili-
ties, the six members share their tasks evenly with each other to sustain a group-effort mentality. “I am so excited for the new ASB,” said Bergholm. “It’s always nice to get a new group of girls and I know that they are great.” ASB is instrumental in the day-to-day and overall functions of the school. Announcements, advisory emails and scheduling all come from this group of students. Nearly every single school event includes members of the body signing guests in, speaking and performing run-of-show activities, from Open House to student council meetings to Women’s Leadership series and more. Not to mention the time spent planning for spirit weeks and rallies, dances and the highly-anticipated Aquacades. Aquacades, the annual spring spirit event which has become synonymous with an NDB education and experience, is the result of months See ASB | Page 2