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Pacific Grove High School’s
by Ana Hunt
Volume 2 No. 10 1 March 2021
Class of 2021 Valedictorian and Co-Salutatorians Announced
Valedictorian Caroline Coen Co-Salutatorian Gaby Giraldo Co-Salutatorian Eva Mills
By Anneka Keller, Class of 2022 Valedictorian Caroline Coen re- in harder classes.
Congratulations to the Class of flects fondly on her time at PGHS. “I knew Coen feels that her hard work in
2021’s Valedictorian Caroline Coen and I wanted to live high school to the fullest. I the classroom has “definitely paid off,” and
Co-Salutatorians Gaby Giraldo and Eva joined as many extracurriculars as I could that the skills she developed through high
Mills! to immerse myself in the PGHS communi- school have “proven useful in other pur-
As the third quarmester comes closer ty and the overall high school experience,” suits.” Asked about plans for her future,
to an end, graduation looms on the horizon. she says. She shares that she “learned to Coen notes that “after I graduate, I will
It has been a crazy year for all PGHS stu- participate zealously, because in the end, attend a four-year university. Which uni-
dents, but especially for the Class of 2021. who’s going to complain about a little bit versity that will be is still up in the air.” We
Caroline Coen, Gaby Giraldo, and Eva Mills of excessive enthusiasm?” In terms of the know she will do fantastic things wherev-
have exhibited true Breaker strength in classes she most enjoyed at PGHS, Coen er she decides to go. She wishes to “thank
their determination to excel academically cites Mr. Grate’s AP World History class my teachers, my parents, and my peers for
throughout high school (even after the pan- and Mrs. Selfridge’s Honors English 1 class. being so supportive of me during my high
demic ravaged their long-anticipated senior “Nothing beats sitting in the front row as school years. I know I’ll look back fondly on
year). Mr. Grate yells about communism and my time at PG High.”
Beyond academics, Caroline Coen, sings Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire,’”
Gaby Giraldo, and Eva Mills have been she comments, but “standing on desks and
active members of the PGHS community. battling my classmates with foam swords as
Coen has devoted time to serving as Drum we acted out Shakespeare” in Honors En-
Major of the Breaker Band, editor of both glish 1 proved a tough competitor. Coen’s
The NewsBreaker and the yearbook, and most helpful classes were “AP Computer
co-president of the Math Club. She also Science with Mrs. Richmond and Mr. Afifi’s
participated in tennis, cross country, soccer, AP Physics C: Mechanics,” both of which
and track during high school. A star soccer she took her junior year. On the first day
player, Giraldo has served as captain of the of AP Computer Science, Coen walked in
girls soccer team since her sophomore year. “knowing absolutely nothing about what I’d
She currently is the ASB president and the even signed up to take,” but found it “amaz-
president of the National Honor Society. ing to see my progress by the end of the
Although Mills shines on land, she is also year.” Although she describes AP Physics
well-suited to the water. Already established as “the most difficult class I took at PGHS,”
as a member of the swim team, Mills was Coen says she firmly believes that “the
one of the founding members of the girls lessons I learned in Mr. Afifi’s class gave me
water polo team during her junior year. She confidence in my ability to face challenges,
spent her winters in the gym playing on the which I expect will be useful in college and
girls basketball team and is a team captain beyond.” She advises younger students nev-
this year. er to be afraid to ask for help, especially
1 March 2 0 2 1 T he Ne ws Bre a ker 1
Alumni Spotlight Breaker of the Week
Class of 2020 Grad Clark says that this plan “gives [him] the
ability to knock out [his] general education
Get to Know a Fellow
Takes Leadership Role while attending two years of college for
practically free” and then “transfer to [his]
Student:
in Local Theater Efforts dream school with no debt.” Meet Anthony Hurst
Clark certainly has remained engaged since
his high school graduation. He has contrib-
uted much to the PGHS community and
the Monterey Peninsula in general. There is
no doubt that an exciting future awaits him.
Class of 2020 grad Adrian Clark
By Will Coen, Class of 2023
In the 2019-2020 school year, Adri- Breaker of the Week, freshman Anthony Hurst
an Clark, then a senior, served as Pacific By Marshall Pearman, Class of 2024
Grove High School’s ASB president. After
graduating in May 2020, Clark has been Adrian Clark helped outfit Sea-Wing Theater at Let’s introduce our PGHS Breaker
PGHS with new seating for the audience. of the Week, freshman Anthony Hurst!
busy with life after high school.
To start, Clark took up a serving job at a lo- Born in Merced, California, Anthony and
cal restaurant after graduation. He has been Announcing the Cal- his family moved to Pacific Grove in 2016.
But Anthony and his family haven’t limited
working there for nine months. Further-
more, Clark is swamped with school work
ifornia Coastal Com- their experiences to California. The Hursts
and focused on maintaining good grades. mission’s Video Con- are enthusiastic world travelers who have
visited Spain, Italy, Peru, Germany, and
He is attending Monterey Peninsula College
(MPC), where he has a heavy course load. test the Caribbean. According to Anthony, his
Clark states that he has had “the benefit of family’s main intent when traveling to these
meeting some great teachers and mentors” incredible locations was to simply expose
at MPC. The Secretary of MPC’s Student themselves to the world.
Council, Clark aids the student body by After arriving in PG, Anthony
helping with food drives and COVID-19 attended fifth grade at Forest Grove and
relief. After studying at MPC for two years, spent the next three years at PGMS. He has
Clark hopes to transfer to UCLA and “study several academic achievements and has
theater with an emphasis on directing.” been very involved with extracurricular
During his time at PGHS, Clark took Dra- activities. A straight-A student for three
ma and was a member of “Wince and Re- years at PGMS, Anthony is currently an
peat,” a improv comedy group at the school. Calling CA middle and high school honor student at the high school. He is
He has continued to pursue his passion for students: submit your videos to the Cli- intrigued by several school subjects, in-
theater, and he has been “trying to keep mate Video Challenge by 3/31. cluding math. Although math is his favorite
theater alive on our peninsula.” Clark has Climate change is happening now, all subject, Anthony’s favorite teacher so far
helped rebuild PGHS’ Sea-Wing Theater by around us. To protect the people and at PGHS is his Honors English 1 teacher,
installing new seats, and he has contributed places that we love we need to first Mrs. Selfridge. When he reaches adulthood,
to building the local Paperwing Theater’s Anthony aspires to enter the medical field
imagine, and then construct, a just cli-
new dinner theater on Cannery Row. Clark as a neurosurgeon.
mate future. California middle and high
also was elected vice president of the Forest Anthony does not only excel aca-
school students are invited to present a demically. He participates in extracurric-
Theater Guild. Of the Guild, Clark states,
“There has been no organization that has
video response to the question: ular sports such as basketball and is cur-
given me the same mentorship and oppor- rently a member of the tennis team. During
tunities in the theater industry.” The Forest WHAT DOES CLIMATE JUSTICE the pandemic, Anthony has stayed in shape
Theater has been struggling due to the LOOK LIKE TO ME? by playing tennis daily before and after
COVID-19 pandemic, and Clark hopes that virtual school. He is also a very talented
many people will donate to help the Forest Enter by March 31, 2021 musician—he plays the clarinet and tenor
Theater Guild (which has existed for 110 saxophone in the Breaker Band. In eighth
years) stay above water. He plans to begin Visit the website to find all the details grade, he was accepted into the CCS Mid-
directing local plays soon. on how to enter; helpful background on dle School Honor Band on the clarinet.
Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 impacted climate change, climate justice, and cli- Anthony enjoys several hobbies
Clark’s plans for after high school. Before outside of school. “People may not know
mate solutions; and additional resources
the pandemic, Clark was planning to attend that I like to read books and edit videos,” he
for educators.
Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) or California says. If you share these hobbies (or even if
We can’t wait to hear from you! you don’t), be sure to introduce yourself to
State University, Fullerton. However, due to
COVID-19, Clark decided to attend MPC Anthony Hurst when we return to in-per-
and then transfer to a four-year university. son learning at the high school.
1 March 2 0 2 1 T he Ne ws Bre a ker 2
Robbing PG? Guilty!
The PGHS 2020-2021 Mock Trial Team competed virtually this year. Janica Soro’s artistic rendition of the trial won first place in the county.
By Emmitt Withrow, Class of 2022 won the Outstanding Defense Witness PGHS 2021 Mock Trial Awards
The PGHS Mock Trial began prepa- award for her performance as Dr. Jes Beaart, At-a-Glance
ration in September for a season that finally a renowned sociologist. She used her char-
concluded on February 13th at the end of acter’s scientific knowledge to argue the
Janica Soro: 1st Place Art
the two-week-long Monterey County High defendant’s innocence. Oftentimes, she had
School Mock Trial Competition. The annual very little time to speak, but she found ways
to cram many facts into just a few sentenc- Oliver Page: Outstanding Bailiff
contest is hosted at the Monterey County
Courthouse and features teams from all es.
eligible schools (six this year). These teams Even if the Breakers did not win Leah Tullius: Outstanding Defense
compete for the title of County Champions, the County title (which they deserved), Pre-Trial Attorney
and this year, the Breakers were robbed all members of the team shined brightly
(which really is ironic, because the case was because of their hard work and dedication Norah Schramm: Outstanding De-
actually about a person charged with aiding over these last few months. They can hold fense Witness
and abetting in burglary). Yes, unfortunate- their heads high because next year, the
ly our rivals once again came out on top. Breakers will be back for vengeance.
You know who I mean.
It was 2pm on February 13th, and
Pacific Grove had had an undefeated run. Johnson and Johnson virus were found. In the US, J&J’s vaccine
has a 72% efficacy overall, and a higher
The Breakers then faced Carmel High
(who’s only loss so far was to PG) in the COVID Vaccine 86% efficacy to prevent severe forms of
COVID-19. It is certain that a single dose
final round of the county competition.
Both the Breakers’ prosecution and defense Approved. prevents hospitalization just as effectively as
teams performed fantastically. When the fi- the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Common
nal round ended, it was time for the Awards By Nathan Binder, Class of 2022 side effects for the J&J vaccine are pain at
the injection site, headaches, fatigue, and
Ceremony. The Breakers waited with antici- Ever since the approval of the two muscle aches. However, unlike Pfizer’s vac-
pation until the title of first place shockingly COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer and Moder-
went to Carmel. cine, which is for people aged 16 and older,
na, approximately 48 million people have
That being said, our team did earn J&J’s vaccine is approved for people 18 years
received the first dose, and 23 million have
some well-deserved recognition. The first and older. With this additional new vaccine
received both doses. Currently, California
award went to PGHS sophomore Janica in circulation, we will hopefully achieve a
is vaccinating people in Phase 1B, which
Soro, the team’s official trial artist. Despite higher sense of normalcy within the coming
comprises individuals who are 65 years of
watching the event take place on a comput- months.
age and older, as well as people working in
er screen, Soro captured a scene from the food and agriculture, education and child
trial with her hand. Her piece, drawn with services, and emergency services.
incredible detail, rightfully won first place However, another pharmaceutical
in the county’s trial art contest. She will company, Johnson and Johnson (J&J) has
bring her artistic skill to the state competi- developed their COVID-19 vaccine that
tion. Next, freshman Oliver Page won the only requires a single dose. The J&J vaccine
Outstanding Bailiff award for his work as was first tested where COVID-19 variants
the team’s bailiff. He did an exceptional job were found, notably in Brazil and South
ensuring the court remained under control Africa. These regions have 64% and 61%
during the trial. The Outstanding Defense respective efficacy rates.
Pre-Trial Attorney award went to junior J&J’s vaccine was approved on Feb-
Leah Tullius. In her role, Tullius fought to ruary 27 by the Food and Drug Adminis-
exonerate her client by suppressing evi- tration. This vaccine holds a 66% efficacy
dence that was suspiciously obtained. She rate against moderate COVID-19 diseases,
argued her case in front of a judge and was which is significantly lower than Pfizer’s (at
asked questions that she had to answer on 95%) and Moderna’s (at 94%). However,
the spot. She did so with ease and greatly J&J’s 66% efficacy resulted from being test-
deserved her award. Finally, sophomore ed in locations where severe strains of the
Norah Schramm
1 March 2 0 2 1 T he Ne ws Bre a ker 3
The Yearbook During they’ve graduated,” Mr. Morrison remarks.
He is very pleased these accomplishments
ATTENTION ALL SENIOR
ATHLETES: We need photos
the Pandemic are finally being featured prominently in the
yearbook. from your high school ath-
The yearbook still needs student life
pictures and photos from the high school letic careers now for the
athletic careers of our seniors. The yearbook yearbook! Please submit
deadline is March 9th, so please submit
images as soon as possible!
at least one photo of you
in your uniform for each
Here are the links to the submission forms:
Senior Athletes: https://forms.gle/eTxAT-
sport you played by March
JLBFZHj6fh77 7th!
Student Life: https://forms.gle/wvPHBB-
Despite the pandemic, our trusty yearbook V6L2yFZem38
advisor, Mr. Morrison, has been working on
documenting the year.
ent societies that are opposites, and they
By Zoe Gleason, Class of 2021 In Honor of Dr. Suess get into a fight about whether you should
While this year has been different in so Day: The Messages eat toast butter side up or butter side down.
This disagreement eventually leads to a
many ways, the yearbook staff has still been
working extremely hard to create a year- Behind Geisel’s Work war between the two societies. They make
weapons to use against each other, and the
book that captures the day-to-day lives of book ends with both groups threatening to
PGHS students. By Chloe Anna Austria, Class of 2022
drop bombs on each other. Sound familiar?
Through the process of creating this
year’s yearbook, the staff has faced numer-
Theodor Geisel, though you might know It should—it is based on the Cold War
him by the more familiar name Dr. Suess, conflict between the United States and the
ous challenges. The largest challenge so far Soviet Union. There were many close calls
has been a beloved children’s author for
has been getting photo submissions from regarding nuclear warfare during the Cold
generations. When my mom was grow-
students. Editor Caroline Coen notes that War (the most significant instance being
ing up, her favorite book by Dr. Suess was
many people appear to be “camera shy” and the Cuban Missile Crisis) before the Soviet
Sneetches. As a little kid, my favorite was
that their “reluctance to be featured in the Union dissolved. However, The Butter Bat-
Oh the Places You’ll Go, which I remember
yearbook has made it difficult to complete tle Book was published in 1984, before the
my mom reading to me over and over again.
pages.” Due to a lack of school events, the end of the Cold War, so the peaceful ending
Nearly everyone has memories associated
yearbook staff has not been able to send was not written into the story.
with Dr. Suess books, but many people don’t
photographers to capture important mo- Dr. Suess’ talent is evident in the fact
know that Dr. Suess frequently used histori-
ments as they would in a typical school that he captivates children still with his silly
cal events as inspiration for his work.
year. Yearbook advisor Mr. Morrison men- rhymes and interesting rhythms. This Dr.
For example, Dr. Suess wrote The Lo-
tions that this is the first time the yearbook Suess Day, consider the additional depth
rax to represent environmentalism and the
has been “100% reliant on families sending Geisel’s underlying messages give to some
negative impact humans have on the natu-
in photos to be featured.” Mr. Morrison of your childhood favorites!
ral environment. The story is about a man
brings up that convincing the community
called the Once-ler who cuts down trees
that this year’s yearbook is still happening
to make a Thneed (a scarf-like product),
has also been difficult.
but he eventually cuts down all the trees. A
While Coen and Mr. Morrison have
creature called the Lorax protects the forest
faced obstacles in putting together the year-
and attempts to save it from the Once-ler.
book, they have also had many successes.
The message about cutting down trees and
For Coen, the quantity of photos obtained
its negative effect on the environment was
from this year’s senior class has been a
so clear that logging groups retaliated with
major triumph. She is very pleased that the
a book called Truax, in which a Once-ler
“Class of 2021 is well represented in the
character is the hero of the story instead of
yearbook” and that their “irregular experi-
the bad guy. It never gained the popularity
ences in their final year of high school will
of the book written by the dear Theodor
be well documented.” Mr. Morrison compli-
Geisel.
ments Coen on her “masterful job of telling
Yertle the Turtle is another book by
the story of our school culture during the
Dr. Suess based on history. In this story,
pandemic.” He additionally gives Coen
Yertle is king of the pond, but he wants to
credit for making the photo submission
expand his power. He forces the other tur-
process both entertaining and accessible for
tles to stand on each other’s backs, making
fellow Breakers.
a tall throne for Yertle to sit on. Eventually,
Mr. Morrison’s favorite page of the
the other turtles grow tired and refuse to
yearbook is the senior ads page. “I love to
stand for him anymore, but Yertle ignores
see how the students have grown over the
them. Dr. Suess intended for Yertle the Tur-
years,” he says. Meanwhile, Coen is proud
tle to represent Adolf Hitler and the Nazi
of the Winter Divider page, which captures
regimes of World War II. Yertle’s dictatorial Theodor Geisel (also known as Dr. Suess). Pho-
Breakers posing with their paper snowflakes
rule over the other turtles directly parallels to credits: Google Images Creative Commons.
from the paper snowflake competition last
Hitler’s power over the Nazi party during
semester. A new addition to the yearbook,
World War II.
the hobbies page, allows a peek into student
Dr. Suess slyly wrote history into a
activities outside of the classroom. “Often
children’s book a third time with The Butter
we only learn about the incredible things
Battle Book. This book features two differ-
that students do outside of class after
1 March 2 0 2 1 T he Ne ws Bre a ker 4
Our Staff Abdhi Jadeja
Class of 2022
The NewsBreaker is made possible by the dedication of Abdhi Jadeja is a junior at PGHS and this is her
journalists and editors from the Pacific Grove High School second year writing for The Newsbreaker. Outside
student body. of school, she is a martial artist and an activist.
Chloe Anna Austria Anneka Keller
Class of 2022 Class of 2022
Chloe Anna Austria is a junior this year. She started Anneka Keller is a junior at PGHS and this is her
writing for The Newsbreaker this fall. Chloe Anna second year contributing to The Newsbreaker.
is also a barista, and outside of work and school Outside of school, she is the Team Captain for the
she likes to read, watch tv (Friends is her favorite school’s robotics team, volunteers at the Monterey
show), and bake. Bay Aquarium, and likes to read.
Maryam Baryal Thomas Paff
Class of 2024 Class of 2021
Maryam Baryal is currently a freshman at PGHS Thomas Paff is a senior at PGHS. He doesn’t really
and this is her first year writing for The Newsbreak- know what he’s doing. He hopes to figure that out
er. Outside of school, she likes to listen to music, someday.
bake, read, and watch Netflix.
Nathan Binder Marshall Pearman
Class of 2022 Class of 2024
Nathan Binder is currently in his junior year at Marshall Pearman is a freshman at PGHS and
PGHS. He began writing for The NewsBreaker in started writing for The Newsbreaker at the begin-
his sophomore year. Outside of school and writing ing of this past virtual school year. He really enjoys
for The NewsBreaker, Nathan enjoys mountain playing the French Horn in the PGHS band and
biking and practicing karate. participating in extracurricular sports such as bas-
ketball, track, and baseball.
Caroline Coen
Class of 2021 Elliot Powley
A native Pagrovian, Caroline Coen is a senior at Class of 2023
PGHS. She has written for The NewsBreaker since Elliot Powley is a sophomore at PGHS and began
her freshman year and is now the editor. When she writing for The NewsBreaker this year. He plays the
is not reading or writing, she enjoys playing her piano and likes history and math. He is also run-
flute, running, and baking. ning cross country.
Will Coen Emmitt Withrow
Class of 2023 Class of 2022
William Coen is currently a sophomore at PGHS Emmitt Withrow is a junior at PGHS and has been
and in his second year on The NewsBreaker staff. writing for The NewsBreaker since his freshman
He enjoys learning math at school and running year. He enjoys watching movies, learning about
for the cross country and track teams. Outside of history, reading comics, and listening to music.
school, Will likes to spend as much time as possible
biking and skiing.
Billy the Breaker
Class of ???
Zoe Gleason Billy is a wave. He likes to give advice, but mostly
Class of 2021
he takes credit for the advice written by other staff
Zoe Gleason is a current senior at PGHS. She members of The NewsBreaker. He isn’t exactly a
began writing for The Newsbreaker this year. She is team player....
the drum captain of the PGHS Breaker Band and
she loves everything vegan.
We love feedback from our readers. If you have any questions,
recommendations, or comments, or if you wish to purchase an
advertisement in the paper, please feel free to contact our advi-
sor, Mrs. Selfridge, at kselfridge@pgusd.org.
The Justus Grate Banned from France
Eggplant:
Pacific NON JUSTUS
Grove’s GRATE EN
Fakest FRANCE
News
Source Paris, France - In an unprecedented move from Versailles, the French Govern-
ment has recently announced that American history teacher and likely direct de-
scendant of George Washington Justus Grate will no longer be allowed entry into
France. The French government cited Justus Grate’s years of teaching anti-French
propaganda, also known as World History, as their reason behind this banning,
stating in an official press release that Justus Grate has “versed a generation of
schoolchildren in anti-French sentiment by educating them in basic French histo-
ry.” At least, that’s what we think they said. It was all in French.
1 March 2 0 2 1 T he Ne ws Bre a ker 5
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