Cast singing “Don’t Stop Believing” (Photos courtesy of Brett Brucklacher) by Maddie Qualls, editor A synthesis of talents–Maria Carrillo High School’s production of Rock of Ages–did not disappoint. The live band, musical numbers, enthusiastic acting, and extravagant costume design meshed together to create a dramatic, humorous and sweet musical. Rock of Ages tells the tale […]
Author: Kevin Wei, staff writer
A step-by-step guide for college preparation and applications
Photo: Canva graphic by Maddie Qualls, The Puma Prensa by Maddie Qualls, editor The college application process has left me jaded–maybe taken years off of my life. Juniors, you’re next. Aren’t you excited? Well, I am here to hopefully make it a little easier for everyone (except for you, seniors, but good job–you’re done!). I […]
Mitski shocks fans with a genre-bending album
Photo: Cover for Mitski’s album “Laurel Hell“ by Maddie Qualls, editor Indie-rock artist Mitski, popularized for her melancholic and heart-felt music, refuses to be confined in one genre with Laurel Hell, her newest album. A year after the release of her 2018 album, Be the Cowboy, Mitski left social media and took a break from […]
Grading Participation
Canva graphic of a student participating (Photo: Maddie Qualls The Puma Prensa) by Maddie Qualls, editor “I completely agree. To add on to what she said, I think…” This is a phrase that I’ve heard many times in the classroom. When you need to get participation credit for a Socratic seminar, you hope that one […]
Seniors need a final reprieve
(Photo: Comic created by Scout Tatham, The Puma Prensa) by Maddie Qualls, editor Whoever said senior year would be “chill” lied. My first semester has not been easy to put it lightly. I am constantly burdened with responsibilities such as schoolwork, extracurriculars and the infamous college applications. I am sleep deprived and always stressed. So […]
The possibilities of an open campus
Students driving away from campus during lunch break (Photo: Maddie Qualls, The Puma Prensa) by Maddie Qualls, editor Imagine: You crawl out of bed before the crack of dawn, running on four hours of sleep. You go to school, enduring up to five hours of classes, and you’re tired. You barely made it through your […]
MCHS grapples with large class sizes
Second period AP Gov./Econ. with 39 students (Photo: Maddie Qualls, The Puma Prensa) by Maddie Qualls, editor Coming back to school and seeing classrooms filled while lingering signs still state “Maximum Capacity: 16” can leave students with questions, especially when the year started with some individual classes much higher in population than would be normal […]
Despite odds, MCHS hosts an in-person prom
By Maddie Qualls, staff writer, and Sreya Putrevu, staff writer Snacks, games and the company of missed peers and friends were all enjoyed by Maria Carrillo High School students at the 2021 modified prom. The MCHS leadership class was able to organize an unorthodox yet celebratory prom event for juniors and seniors to attend. Taking […]
The parent perspective on returning to school
(Photo: Maddie Qualls, The Puma Prensa) By Maddie Qualls, staff writer Since school closures last March, the return to school has been highly anticipated. The elementary schools in the Santa Rosa City Schools district returned in hybrid mode on April 1, and the secondary schools followed recently on April 26. Some parents especially have been […]
Quarantine companions
By Maddie Qualls, staff writer The hardships of quarantine seem less terrible when you have a pet by your side. As the pandemic drones on, pet-owning Maria Carrillo High School students find relief in their companions, old and new. A survey administered to 316 MCHS students revealed that over 77 percent of survey respondents owned […]