As one of the Cathedral Catholic High School Alumni family’s newest members, and with no impending summer English assignment, I still harbor one fundamental question. From the moment former principal Mr. Mike Deely proclaimed those fateful words, “I present to you the Class of 2015,” and a swarm of red and white graduation caps kissed the air, I wondered, “If I were to do it all over again… would I choose Cathedral Catholic?”

Most CCHS students know the phrase “Once a Don, Always a Don”, and while this credo may be true, now I am also a Columbia Lion. Because as of 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 1, from the moment I traded my graduation gown in for an actual diploma, I felt no obligation whatsoever to return to 5555 Del Mar Heights Road.

Therefore, I can assure you, dear reader, this column is no hidden attempt to subliminally indoctrinate potential students to believe that Cathedral Catholic is the penultimate high school utopia. In fact, I am under no false pretenses that CCHS is a perfect school. I know competition to best-accessorize a Dennis uniform is exhausting. I know attending a religion class every year for some students is challenging. I know six dollars is a heck of a lot of money to spend on a three-piece chicken tenders and fries. I know iPads certainly pose a distraction all too often in class.

But I also know Cathedral Catholic is not your average high school. And I know this from talking with friends who attend various San Diego County high schools, including Carlsbad, San Marcos, Saint Augustine, Our Lady of Peace, Bishops, Torrey Pines, Canyon Crest, La Costa Canyon, and Westview, to name a few.

Cathedral Catholic is more than just a high school. It is truly a family.

It is the kind of family where it is not unusual to experience occasional brotherly tiffs, and sometimes, Thanksgiving dinner gets awkward when opposing beliefs and convictions are expressed. However, it is the kind of family that I know genuinely cares for my wellbeing, loves me in the good times and the bad, and wants nothing more than to see me succeed.

After all, where else does the President of the school stand at the gates to greet students as they enter campus? Where else are multiple priests on hand, and at any time, more than willing to offer the Sacrament of Confession or spiritual direction to students? Where else are there many student-faculty wellness groups to help students cope with problems? Where else does the principal express his love for the entire graduating class?

I have experienced Cathedral Catholic High School’s unique bond blossom and peak in all climates.  In moments of victory, like when CCHS crushed Saints in the 2014 Holy Bowl, I have witnessed an unprecedented amount of student pride in and love for the school. The Sea of Red unified an entire body of students, engulfing introverts and extroverts alike in overwhelming bouts of school spirit.

In moments of intense grief, like when one of our CCHS students took his own life, I grieved with a community of allied individuals– friends comforting strangers, teachers mourning with students, an entire school clothed in red in honor of a fallen brother. And yet, in those moments of sorrow, our school bonded in unforeseen ways as we realized one fundamental belief: We are a family.

The administration, faculty, and staff at Cathedral Catholic are unlike any other in that they care for me more than I can comprehend. At no time during my four years did I believe a teacher was performing his or her job just for the monetary compensation. Teachers are constantly available to provide extra help. They offer tutoring, support, and guidance in matters related and unrelated to school. Mr. McMurtry, an extraordinary English teacher and my best one ever, leaves paragraphs of feedback on each of his 100-something students’ essays. Mr. DeAngelo, a man with not one but two Masters degrees, makes history more interesting than the latest Stephen King novel. Mr. Fares, my recently retired journalism guru, teaches his students not only about the importance of the Oxford comma, but also about the importance of living in the moment, embracing humanity, and being a good person.

My personal high school experience can best be described as involved. Freshman year, I discovered my love for activism in journalism and mock trial, picking up and eventually leading El Cid and Trial Team, as well as joining Speech and Debate, Ambassadors for Christ Corps, WorldLink, Academic League, National Honor Society, and Model United Nations.

Through Cathedral Catholic, I unearthed my passion for human rights, and in my four years at the school, I realized I wanted my legacy to help improve the lives of others. As many students know, I am a centrist liberal. Among Cathedral Catholic students, this belief made me a member of a vast minority. In my freshman speech class, when I innocently gave my persuasive speech on the topic of why people should vote for Obama, I felt ostracized by my class’ twenty-seven members. Many students challenged my viewpoints and political beliefs, and even engaged in full-on debates in class. (I’m looking at you, Nick Watson). And yet, I am grateful for this opportunity in which I have experienced personal and academic growth. Dudley Malone once said, “I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.”

While I have learned more than words can express from a certain-teacher mentor, I also learned a lot from those people who challenged, criticized, and even heckled my beliefs. I broadened my appreciation for my country, my Catholic faith, and the people around me.

Therefore, I leave CCHS with these words of advice: Learn, Experience, and Dream. You never know who you can be until you try. While it sounds cheesy, it is true: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” One will never know if you are the next star of the baseball team, the next Broadway-bound actress, the next star writer of the school paper unless he or she gives it a shot.

A close friend and fellow member of the Class of 2015 once told me, “People keep telling you that you’re going to do amazing things in life. But I’m just going to tell you to do things. Because sometimes, those small things, those random actions, spur-of-the-moment ideas, midnight plans…those can turn into big things. And even if they don’t, some of the most wonderful things in life go unseen.”

Mr. Rickling, one of the wisest men I know, taught me the importance of the Ripple Effect, meaning that it only takes a ripple to create a wave. Do not be afraid to say hello to the person next to you in the lunch line. They just might become your best friend. Do not be afraid to try out for the school play because you just might land the lead role. Do not stick within your bubble of comfort, as the best accomplishments in life are never easy to achieve. Perhaps most importantly, do not let fear or apathy keep you from achieving your fullest potential.

Thus my answer to the previous question is a resounding yes. Without a doubt, I would attend CCHS all over again. Cathedral Catholic and the special individuals within the school helped me realize the world is anyone’s oyster. All we have to do is try.

You, dear reader, are capable of greatness. You are capable of changing the world. And all of the students, all of the clubs, all of the teams, all of the organizations, and all of the faculty at Cathedral Catholic High School, the institution I am extremely proud to call my alma mater, will help you on your path to achieve success in your future.