By Andy Liu' 29 Supervised, “no big deal.” The disciplinary system at Cate has changed. Before, a detention might not have meant much; people didn’t care about the consequences of getting one, since it was just an hour of free time. In most schools, detentions were usually on Sundays or on Saturdays, when most students have evening commitments or activities. Detentions are used to deter minor misbehavior, reinforce school rules, and maintain discipline in the school commu

By Josie Song' 28 As the bustle of the beginning of the school year calms down and students start to establish a routine, Cate has implemented a new program called COAST @ Cate, which offers off-campus weekend opportunities for students beyond the regular activities organized by the Activities Committee. So far, students have participated in activities such as a trip to the Asian Market and Kin Bakeshop, volunteering and beach cleanups, a coffee tour, and outdoor trips to pla

By Josie Song' 28 As Cate springs into action in late August, students embark on an annual Outings Week trip to create everlasting memories and bonds with their peers. Typically, freshmen have the opportunity to grow alongside their entire grade at Pyles Boy Camp, while sophomores and juniors undertake their respective trips to Yosemite and Kern with pods composed of 8-12 people. This year, Outings Week was scheduled a week later than usual, from September 7th to the 13th. O

By Dex Hong' 28 Follow your friends up the stairs to Upper Booth. You’re glad to be out of your suit or dress and into comfortable clothes, but you still sweat in the hot air. Loud music blasts from above, the bass vibrations shaking each stair. When you reach the top of the staircase, walk through the colorful paper streamers and into the dark realm of Upper Booth, a familiar sight now transformed into a shadowy unknown. The lighting is sparse, just enough for you to watch y

Can they be our Hiroez? Yes. They can. In April, three fabulous pairs from the class of 2027 campaigned with heart and grit to determine who would be the student body president and vice president for the 2026-2027 school year. After a long ten days of immersing themselves and their campaign within the Cate community, positions previously held by Barron Crayton ‘26 (president) and Jen Won ‘26 (vice president) have now been passed down to Kakeru Hirofuji ‘27 (president) and Ana

By Josie Song '28 As families made their way to Hitchcock Theatre, down each step would reveal peeks of colorful art pieces featured in the Spring Family Weekend Art Show. The Spring Family Weekend Art Show featured student work from the visual arts department, including ceramics, studio art, and photography, from all levels, from Studio Art 1 to Advanced Art. To the right of the art gallery entrance was the artwork created by the Studio Art 1 students, who were tasked with

By Tania Molina '26 Shannon Drew with a student in the ATC During the 2025-2026 school year, there had been so many electric scooters parked outside classrooms, crutches on chairs, and students recovering from major injuries became a familiar sight across Cate’s campus. What many students did not see, however, was the constant work being done behind the scenes at the Brittingham Family Athletic Training Center (ATC), where a reduced staff managed one of the busiest injury yea

By Kaia Coker '29 and Olivia Micheli '29 Leadership positions consume life at Cate. They represent responsibility and collaboration, but behind every role is a Cate student shaped by the challenge that comes with the position, ultimately leading to growth. As the school year ends, President Barron Crayton ‘26, Vice President Jen Won ‘26, and Head Prefects Josh Butler ‘26 and Oyin Opawumi ‘26 reflect on the experiences that came with these positions, as well as the lessons an

By Alpha Abulikemu '29 As spring family weekend commenced last month, the spring musical, the culmination of two trimesters' work, was performed for the Cate student body and visiting families. This year’s musical, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, was based on parts of the famous Russian epic War and Peace. The musical received great praise from members of the audience, with Eian Hernandez ‘29 and Barry Han ‘29 calling it “a marvelous work of art” and “living up

By Naomi Chen '26 Prom Night for the Cate Class of 2026 took place on Saturday, May 2nd, at the University Club of Santa Barbara, thanks to the generous planning of a parent-led committee and a prom committee composed of senior class students. Despite minor timing complaints, the night was widely considered successful, owing to the orchestration, food, and the energy on the dance floor. Most of the planning was done by a small group of parent volunteers, co-chaired by the mo

By Paloma Rudnicki '27 This year, Cate School made the historic decision to change the end-of-year schedule entirely. The legendary Finals Week that Cate Students have come to both love and dread has now been replaced with the somewhat anticlimactic Math Final on Friday, May 28. Students have been left in the lurch by the novel decision and are unsure of the reasoning behind the change. The most recent Finals Week structure featured a Monday off classes for review, and then f

By Serena Zhang ‘28 As the summer approaches and the school year comes to an end, the atmosphere on the Mesa is beginning to change. The final weeks of the year bring a mix of emotions: for seniors preparing for the next chapter in their lives, graduation marks the culmination of years of hard work, friendships, and memories; for the rest of the student body, graduation means saying goodbye to the teammates, mentors, and role models who have gradually become a crucial part of

By Jasper Shelmerdine '26 On April 16th, senior assassin kicked off for the class of 2026 as a way to bring everyone together through a light-hearted game involving goggles and water launchers. Organized by senators Jordan Ryan ‘26 and Lauren Hubbs ‘26, this high-pressure activity has turned everyday routines into calculated risks in the final stretch before graduation. At its core, the premise is that each senior is assigned a target, and they must eliminate their target by

By Jasper Shelmerdine '26 Although Cate students cannot choose trimester electives until their senior year, many campus members argue that introducing choice earlier would be both beneficial and feasible. In response, the Dean of Academics outlined the logistical reasons behind the current course timeline. While the class of 2027 had to submit their elective requests, with over 150 classes to choose from, by March 22nd for their final year, underclassmen are still required t

By Eshaan Gupta '29 On March 21, the Cate community gathered on Kirby Quad to celebrate Holi, the Indian “Festival of Colors.” Organized by the Cate Desi Student Union (DSU), the event aimed to immerse the broader Cate community in South Asian cultural traditions. It brought students and staff together for an evening of vibrant festivities and cultural appreciation. DSU members played a key role in organizing the event, arranging traditional food such as samosas and mango las

By Devon Liang '27 As a water polo coach, dorm parent, and newly-appointed Assistant Director of Athletics, Jesse Morrison wears many hats. Joining Cate in 2021 as a water polo coach, becoming a Long House dorm parent in 2023, and becoming Assistant Director of Athletics in 2025, Jesse has brought his expertise to the Cate community in a multitude of different ways. As a relatively new addition to the community, an in-depth look into Jesse’s involvement offers valuable insig

By Maria Salyards '28 Let me set the scene for you. Golden hues splattering the gentle waves at the beach, rays peaking through the dusty clouds, and under the gaze of the Carpenteria mountains, stood Cate students on the senior lawn, dressed up in Homecoming attire. It was a time right before the tree leaves turn orange and crimson, and right after a much-deserved summer break. Light blues, pastel pinks, sunset orange dresses, and black and grey suits, but no one in neon di

By Serena Zhang '28 The Cate dining hall has undergone a series of changes since students last stepped on campus. From two lunch lines to staff-served portions and a brand new schedule, these shifts have sparked plenty of conversation across campus as students discuss the benefits of efficiency and reduced waste against the challenges of limited food availability and more crowded lunch blocks. When asked about thoughts on the changes in the dining hall, Rosita Power ‘26 bri

By Max van Someren '27 and Elsie Chamberlain '26 Gurnoop, Max, and Elsie represented Cate at the 2025 Round Square International Service Project in South Africa. Alongside a team of around 45 other students, they spent 2 weeks living at the Tiger Kloof school in Vryburg, South Africa. They stayed in this prestigious boarding school's dorm rooms and engaged with local students and faculty. One cultural aspect of the trip included dance and music classes with local residents

By Paloma Rudnicki '27 The Katharine Thayer Cate and Curtis Wolsey Cate Chapel, built in 1961, was dedicated by Mr. Cate to his wife, who passed away in 1953. Despite popular belief, she is not buried there. The Chapel also won national awards when it was built—the architect George Russell won the AIA award for Church Architecture, Class III for his design. Its unique arches and large stained-glass windows have set it apart as what some consider the most beautiful and iconic