The Trojan Oracle Vol 5

Graduation

• CPHS Graduation will be Monday June 3rd @ 3pm, Swift Stadium (main field on campus)

End of Course Exams

• Monday June 3rd- Periods 1, 3, 5
• Tuesday June 4th- Periods 2, 4, 6

Since the first year of high school, students have been eagerly anticipating their senior year Prom. They were not expecting it to arrive so quickly. It is a time when friends come together celebrating the end of an era and the start of a new one, just like the countless movies that have given us a glimpse of what this special night should feel like. Pedro Aguilar says that the TV show that provided him a glimpse into what prom would be like was "that one episode of Glee where the theme was something relating to dinosaurs. it seemed pretty tame and fun which is what ours felt like." Mindy Ramírez claims that her overall experience was "unique, I enjoyed the times with friends and took it as an opportunity to get glamorous.” Prom was a night where everyone got to show their effort and creativity with their unique and elegant styles. Janelle Sanchez explained that "My Prom inspiration came from Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s music video “No Me Queda Más” her beautiful sparkly dress made me want one for prom!" Prom Queen Tanya Marquez talks about her winning this coveted title, "Being the prom queen feels amazing. I don't feel more special than anyone else, just being in the top 5 was an extraordinary experience. It was an unforgettable memory that will define my high school experience. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to all the people who voted for me. I love you all." Prom is definitely a night to remember with all the excitement of who will be crowned prom queen and king. Congratulations to Tanya Marquez and Alejandro Sanchez. With that said, another prom has ended here at the Land of Troy. We made memories and danced the night away. Thank you for everyone who attended and made this night possible.

Check out more pic of prom here

By: Romina Villalvazo & Bry Gomez

M.E.Ch.A’s club Advisor, Mr. Marco Amaral, gave an impactful speech at our 5 de Mayo assembly which he thought was important to present because “The M.E.Ch.A. cabinet of course wanted this assembly to be fun and memorable but they also wanted to make sure that students know there is a greater purpose to the reason why we celebrate 5 de mayo. This speech was meant to be about the history but it was also to inspire and empower the students. Most importantly it has hurt me when I overhear students put each other down when we should uplift each other and help each other out regardless of our culture. This is why the speech was very important to give because no matter where you come from we should all value our people and embrace the beauty we carry.”

Our Folklorico club performed one of the most surprising dances leaving many students and staff impressed. One of our Folklorico members, Senior Agustin Veladez, expressed that, “This dance performance was different from previous ones because it was more difficult and dangerous because of the machetes and guaraches we used, but most importantly because we were representing our country.”

As we cheered on each candidate, many people were moved by the song choices of the candidates. Junior Gisselle Mendoza goes on to say, “As my friends and I observed our fellow classmates walk down on the spotlight, you could just feel the schools spirit uplifting the room, and that’s why this part of the assembly was the most entertaining for me.”

Our 2024 Cinco de Mayo Señorón y Señorita winners tell us about their unexpected experience at our Cinco de Mayo assembly and the importance of the club M.E.Ch.A here at Castle Park High School. Senior Victor Velasquez, was definitely not expecting to take the dub because “I was randomly chosen at the last minute leaving me in shock when I heard my name being called as the winner for Señoron”. Senior Sofia Lavenant, shares with us how, “Being part of M.E.Ch.A is important to me because it plays a big role for the Hispanic community, making students feel welcomed into this safe place with other Hispanics individuals who could relate to each other and understand one another. When I heard my name being called as the winner of the Cinco de Mayo Señorita I was excited and nervous as well, since I originally was not planning to run for Señorita but I ended up deciding to do it for my friends who were being really supportive towards me.”

Check out more pictures here

By: Xochitl Ruiz & Brandon Reyes

As the days go by, the end of the school year is quickly approaching, on Friday, May 17th, Our School had their last assembly of the school year. There are many things to look forward to next year, especially for our Juniors, who are becoming seniors next year. Junior Kelly Liang states, "I'm looking forward to being a better version of myself and trying new school activities." Another Junior, Denise La Croix said, "I'm looking forward to all the experiences I'm going to have and connections that I'm going to make with my classmates." The next school year becomes all the more exciting for Juniors! When asked what spirit day to look forward to next year, Junior Luna Castellaños said, "Definitely dressing up as your favorite song like what do you think it looks like." but music is just one of many spirit week activities students enjoy, Junior Iker Sanchez shares out, “A spirit week that is a must-have for next year would be having a spirit week before an assembly and everything that has to do with bringing things from your house like 'bring anything but your backpack' day besides dressing up as something.”

While the underclassmen have something to look forward to next year for the assemblies, this is the last assembly for our Seniors. Senior Diego Quezada expresses, “I’m going to miss the way the events were organized and decorated and how all the students were together having fun as well as watching the Foklorico performances.” Senior Daniela Galvan shares a funny memory, “I’m going to miss those times when the music stopped playing out of nowhere and the mike stopped working and we all awkwardly sat in silence. At the time this was something we may have complained about, but now those little moments are funny and show that things happen, nothing is ever perfect.” Even though this is the last assembly of the year and this is the last year for our seniors, this is just the beginning of many more fun events to look forward to and participate in.

By: Evelyn Rodriguez & Aubrey Garcia

Our AP Spanish group managed to raise enough funds for a memorable trip to Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Here's what a couple of us had to say about the experience:

Senior Chikis Sanchez: "The visit to Universal Studios was fun. It marked our first outing as a group, which was particularly meaningful as we near the end of our high school journey. My personal highlight was the Harry Potter ride. The screen experience was captivating, especially considering my recent nasal procedure, which limited my ride options. During the journey, I entertained myself with music and engaging conversations. The return trip left me tired, and I ended up dozing off alongside my friend Victor. If I had to choose between Disneyland and Universal Studios, Disneyland would be my preference. Its selection of attractions is bigger and the food, togther with its photo options, make it the better choice in my view."

Kenia Solano: "The trip to Universal Studios was definitely a highlight of our senior year. The friendship among our group during this final outing was truly special. Personally, the studio tour was a standout experience. Exploring the filming locations of various movies and series provided a unique insight into the entertainment industry. To pass the time during our journey, my friend Casy and I watched movies, TikTok, had great conversation, and listened to music, with tracks from Rihanna and Lady Gaga dominating our playlist."

Get involved students and you too can take part in fun times like AP Spanish Club

By: Giselle Romo & Princess Franco

Many clubs on campus have fundraised year-long, with the aim of organizing special events like field trips. This year photography club and class made the most of what they earned and planned a lot of fun activities for their members. Photography was able to practice their skills at the San Diego Safari Park. We asked some students who attended what their favorite picture they took was, and senior Yumek Gomez shared how their favorite photo was called “Hanging Together”. It was a photo capturing two bats “hanging” together and sleeping. “I liked it because it’s hard to take photos of these animals and the quality came out great.” When asked about her spirit animal, senior America Prieto, a member of the club, replied, "I would have to say a butterfly because they are free and fly to whichever location they wish." She expressed her admiration for butterflies, highlighting their freedom to roam wherever they please as the reason behind her choice. Photography was not only able to go to the Safari Park, they also fundraised to be able to attend Universal Studios in LA. Yumek, Photography Club’s Vice President, shared, "The Universal trip was fun because we were able to go wild there. What I mean is it was nice to explore the park with my friends." She emphasized the benefits of joining photography, stating, "Students should join photography because if you enjoy taking photos it will help you explore this interest. From taking pics to editing pics there is always something to learn." America added her experience, saying, "At Universal my favorite ride was The Mummy because the images on the ride look realistic." This ride provided an immersive experience that left a lasting impression. Teacher and club advisor Mrs. Bardley shared, "A field trip to Balboa Park, including a visit to the San Diego Safari Park with a special Butterfly Exhibit, offers students in a CTE Photography class a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, inspiration, environmental awareness, and professional development in their photography journey."

Students, if you are looking to get more involved in school and potentially get the opportunity to go on fun field trips like this, we encourage you to join a club.

By: Lesley De Leon

Ms. Katie Nelson brought this play to Castle Park because her friend, Wilfred, is the director of community engagement at the Diversionary Theater. The Diversionary Theater is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ theaters in the United States. They have a program called DTours where performers go through the theater and they set up performances at different schools, or public locations to bring the show to the public. Which is great because not that many people can make it to shows at their theater. This play is very much centered around Latina lesbian elders and it tells a lot of stories of their experiences of what they went through with previous generations, how they paved the way for current conditions, also pre-stonewall activism. Ms. Nelson believes that it’s an important piece of history for students to learn about.

Junior Lopez thought the play was nice and a good experience for people to see how far a Latina lesbian has made it and the inspiration it gives to other people. Junior believes that the message of the play was to inform its audience about the struggles of this minority group. He also explained how it’s important to be aware of the struggles that everyone goes through and that at the end of the day we are all more alike than different.

Melany Morineau believed the play was good, and she was happy to hear someone’s different perspective and what they went through. The play was something that connected with her because she thought it was beautiful and it had an impact on multiple students. She believed the message of the play was that you shouldn’t be scared to express yourself because there are other people who have gone through similar or worse situations, and everyone should feel comfortable about themselves.

Big thank you to Ms. nelson for brining this unique play to campus to share with Trojans.

By: Alessandra Cabrales

As this year is coming to an end, all the seniors have experienced their whole year. Some things might have changed, such as a boyfriend/girlfriend, a friend group may have evolved, but especially what seniors wanted to put for their senior quote that was due first semester. Senior Melissa Beltran says that her senior year brought her happy memories and hardships. If she could change her quote she would put “Growth is optional: Change is inevitable, but growth is a choice. We should embrace change and use it to grow, even if it's uncomfortable.” Senior Nayeli Macias says she would change her senior quote to “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” She explains she would change it because it's a perfect quote to describe the feeling of leaving high school and coming to the realization that we are growing older as time passes. She is thankful she got to experience high school with her friends and being able to grow together as one. “The feeling of knowing we are about to graduate is bittersweet. I'm definitely going to miss this era,” she said. Another Senior Princess Franco says she would want to change her quote to any Bryson Tiller quote because she describes him as just being real and his lyrics say exactly what she thinks about every situation. Lastly, senior Aldo Jacobo suggested he would pick a quote based on the a book he read in AP Literature, “That no matter who you are or what you love or where you stand, it was always Coca-Cola in the end.” He explained this quote is from the book On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. No matter who you love or what you are in the end, you are you and that will never change.

Now that we are at the end of our Senior year and off to real life, we hope you’re able to remember every moment shared in high school and hope you were able to live these 4 years to the fullest. We wish the best of luck to every single senior starting the new chapter of their life and can’t wait to see what the future holds for each and every single one of you. Once a Trojan, Always a Trojan!

By: Natalia Orozco & Marissa Valdivia

Introducing our Trojans of the month, Alfonso Quezada and Juliana Ravina. Both of these individuals have demonstrated core values that create an example for others to follow. Nominated by Ms. Mckee, Ravina has shown great effort in class every day by completing and turning in high-quality work. She is also described by her teachers as polite, respectful and a great asset in their classrooms. When asked what she does if struggling with math she stated “going back on previous notes and trying to further understand the problem has always helped me figure it out.” Need a math buddy, don’t be shy to ask Ravina!

Senior Alfonso Quezada was nominated for Trojan of the day for his outstanding academic comeback. Nominated by Mrs. Miller she says “Alfonso has made a complete turn around in English class.” She mentions how he is working hard and earning high grades on all his writing assignments as well as participating in class discussions. When asked “What made you realize you needed to step it up in class?”Alfonso says his dad got him in trouble and doing better in school made him realize he would get farther in life. Plus it also helped that Mr. Dunkle “sat me down and asked what my future plans were. This got me thinking that I need to do better to have a better future.” He follows up by saying his motivation to do better in school was having more opportunities to hang out more with his friends, but only after his work is complete.

By: Pedro Aguilar & Saba Asefa

Mrs. Miller has been working here at Castle Park for 10 years. She is dedicated to teaching various English courses at different grade levels. She shared that if she wasn't here teaching she would be a writer but loves what she does and loves to share memories with the different and unique students who walk into her class. With Mrs. Miller teaching at Castle Park for 10 years her favorite thing about the school is working with her students and meeting new kids every year and their different personalities. She also expressed how her job can be hard and stressful at times she’s always pushed herself to teach and prepare her students for their futures.

By: Jared Perez

Mrs. Mains has been working here at Castle Park for the past 18 years. She is the only teacher on campus who teaches both AP Psychology and Social Issues in Film. Her favorite thing about our school is the students and community we’ve formed. She also shared with us that if she wasn't a teacher she would be a stuntman, students around her suggested that she’d make a great nurse, daycare assistant or bartender. Thank you for everything you do for us here on campus Ms Mains, we appreciate you.

By: Ixchel Montellano

Starting a new sport on campus can be extremely difficult, but for our girls lacrosse team lead by coach Chris K, they have become a well know staple in the southbay and across the county of SD over the past few years. We are so proud of the girls making it to the CIF Championship game this year. The outcome may have not been what we hoped, but the girls fought a great battle against San Ysidro High School. On the bright side we have a young team that is going to ready for revenge next season. Get it girls!

Coach Chris had this to say to his team: "You've made history this season. From tackling the Trojan Lacrosse Challenge head-on to reaching our program's first CIF Title game, your grit and determination have been unmatched.

Your representation of our school and community has been exemplary, and as coaches, we couldn't be prouder. This season will forever be remembered as a milestone in our program's legacy.

As you reflect on this remarkable journey, carry forward the lessons learned and the bonds created. Together, there's no challenge too great.

Congratulations on a season filled with achievements that will be etched in our memories forever."

By: Abraham Olguin

Congratulations to our Softball team that played in the CIF Division 5 Championship on Saturday, May 25th. They came short of winning the Championship but represented CPH proudly.

Here at Castle Park High School, we have the honor to highlight student athletes who are dedicated and give their all to both sports and academics. This month’s student standout athletes are senior Ariel Mendoza and junior Aaron Sanchez.

Senior, Ariel Mendoza is involved in soccer and volleyball. Even though she plays two sports her education is not substandard. She has an overall 4.13 GPA. She explains in order to keep up in school she prioritizes her time, “I’ve been managing my time and keeping assignments due dates on a calendar so I don’t forget to finish them. I also make sure that I finish work before a game so I’m not rushing.” When asked how she is successful on the field/court, Ariel said, “I have improved on my sport by being as coachable as possible and focused in practices. More students should join sports because it creates more opportunities for colleges to view you as a potential athlete at their schools and it will look better on college applications when they see you participated in extracurricular activities and did well academically.” Coaches play a key role in student-athlete success, here is what Ariel said about a coach that has had an impact on her, “The coaches that have helped me a lot were Coach Manny, Coach Amaral, and Coach P. When I was injured they made sure that I was mentally and physically okay and made me still feel accepted as an athlete on the team.”

Junior, Aaron Sanchez has an overall 3.76 GPA. He participated in soccer and volleyball as well. Aaron stated “time management has been the most important thing for me ever since I was highly involved in sports. I make sure if I'm not doing one (sport or homework) I'm doing the other and limit my distractions.” He attributed his success to “Hard and dedicated training and having coaches that can push me to be the best version of myself helps.” He also stated why students should get involved in sports, “Joining sports can limit distractions and keep you busy while also having fun. Best way to let high school years fly by and enjoy it to the fullest.” A coach that has impacted Aaron os“Coach Turi is one of those coaches you just have to let everything on the court for. He pushed me to the fullest while also making sure I was mentally good. He knows his stuff and makes sure you are ready for any future challenges.”

It’s never too late to get involved in a sport Trojans. As the year ends, we challenge current underclassmen to try a sport because it will only positively impact your time here at the Land of Troy.

By: Evonnie Velasco & Marisol Arevalo

On Thursday May 23rd, our seniors faced off with staff for the annual staff vs students soccer game. It was a tough battle and at one point the staff was down 1 to 5. Staff was able to rally back and make the score 4 to 5. But the students were able to pull off the upset, beating the staff. The best part was the energy from the crowd cheering on their team. Great job seniors on your win! And keep "winning" in your next chapter of life.

Castle Park High School fits many descriptions, one being unity. The GSA club strives to make positive impacts all around campus to show support, education, and inclusivity. First off, what is GSA? GSA president, Elijah Fergus, answers saying “GSA stands for gender, sexualities, alliances, which used to be known as gay, straight, alliances but we changed the name to be more inclusive.” With this said, inclusivity is a huge role in GSA as their mission is to “spread inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community in the school, educate people on science and history that's not taught in our classrooms, and to provide a safe space for people who don't have anywhere else to go.” Having this background information, you might ask yourself, ‘why should I join?’, luckily, Elijah Fergus encourages students to join due to “GSA being fun and educational as well as being a club for everyone. I think there's a misconception that you should only join GSA if you're gay or fall under the umbrella of LGBTQ+, but there are a lot of allies and straight people in the club. As long as you support and want to learn something new, it's a great thing to join.” The GSA club held its second annual spirit week regarding pride month. Due to pride month being in June, the club organized their spirit week in April from 4/22-4/26. Elijah Fergus reveals the meaning behind each day; pronoun awareness day was to show how everyone has pronouns, queer icon day let people dress up as actors, musicians, etc, flag day allowed people to make an outfit based on the colors of their flag, queer history day was to wear flowers in your hair or on your clothes, and lastly rainbow day was for everyone to wear rainbow clothing to symbolize the support of the LGBTQ+ community. If you’re looking for more information or would like to go to a meeting, the GSA club meets on Wednesdays during lunch in room 601 with club advisor Ms. Nelson.

By: Camila Pineda

We had our annual college and military signing day, where we recognized our seniors for their dedication to further their education and start their careers! From Community college to out of state, CSU’s, UC’s and even private colleges; We congratulate our Trojans on their hard work to get to where they are. We spoke to a couple of our seniors who are staying local!

Senior Gio Mosley, who has committed to Southwestern Community College! Mosley explains that when he visited the campus, he was provided with the information necessary to become successful. He’s looking forward to learning new skills and finishing school so thathe can ensure a better future for himself. One thing he will miss most about CPH is the bonds he has created with his friends who became his family.

Senior Fernanda Castro, is committed to San Diego State University! Castro explains that the most compelling factor for her to commit to SDSU was the opportunity to remain local and not have to pay for dorms. Additionally, the strong reputation of the program she chose further influenced her decision. She’s looking forward to the new experience and having new memories in college. She says she will miss being with her girls, the meet ups in between classes, during lunch, and after class.

With that being said, we are proud of all our Trojans graduating this year, and moving on in life!

For more pics click here

By: Dayanra Nuno & Alyxandra Navarro

It's vital for students to explore diverse career paths, even those outside the traditional four-year college route. Trade school education offers practical, hands-on skills that are highly sought-after, leading to rewarding careers aligned with individual talents and interests.

CTE Construction teacher, Mr. Gamez, shared some valuable insights: "I encourage students to consider trades or technical fields that offer specialized training, certifications, and expertise. Apprenticeships are fantastic opportunities where you can earn while you learn, with the employer covering your education costs. Union jobs often provide unbeatable salaries and benefits. Ultimately, students should pursue careers that bring them happiness, fulfillment, and a good income."

Inspired by Mr. Gamez's advice, a group of students attended an apprenticeship program hosted by "Carpenters Local 619." A recruiter highlighted the program's offerings, and students received certificates of completion based on their progress levels.

By: Evonnie Velasco