When Madeline Khoo first stepped into Ayala, the Bulldog Times’ now editor-in-chief had her high school career planned to the tee — she was going to join Leadership, continue her path in the United Student Body (USB), and fulfill her junior high dreams of planning school events.
However, Madeline’s initial ambitions were put to a halt when she received her rejection to USB.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do freshman year. That’s why I took PE. I was just taking classes because I had to fill my schedule, but I didn’t really know what I wanted,” Madeline said.
Fortunately, the unsure freshman was introduced to journalism. Madeline was not only met with a class she enjoyed and a community she really loved, but she developed skills vital to her future pursuits.
“Journalism taught me a lot of different skills, whether that’s collaboration, being able to work in a team, [or] communicating with others,” Madeline said.
As she leaves her high school years behind and looks toward the future studying architecture at The University of Southern California, she recalls some of her best memories doing projects in Mr. Kenny Donovan’s AP European History class in her sophomore year, which she will take with her beyond her high school years.
The mark Madeline has left on the Bulldog Times publication and on her peers in the class will be long lasting. As she departs from the classroom she walked into every day for the past three years, she leaves a piece of advice for those stressing about their future high school endeavors.
“This is so cliche, but don’t stress out about [school]. I think as I reflect back on my high school career, I just stressed out about things so much that I didn’t need to and I could have saved myself so much stress if I stopped worrying about it,” Madeline said.
The end of senior year is typically a time when seniors start to feel nostalgic and realize they are about to leave high school and enter the real world, which can be scary. For Jiaying Hou, however, although leaving high school is bittersweet, it’s also a time for new beginnings and celebrating the future to come.
Jiaying’s high school experience was full of good memories — from spending time with her friends to having fun in journalism class, she had it all. Her time in high school was stressful at some points, as most people’s high school years are, but she has nothing but good memories that she will carry with her into the next stage of her life.
Jiaying is accustomed to big changes, as she and her family immigrated from China to the United States when Jiaying was just about to enter kindergarten. Even though this change may have been daunting for others, Jiaying felt nothing but excitement. Graduating may also seem scary, but big changes are just new beginnings for Jiaying.
“In both high school and immigrating here, you’re kind of leaving a community that you’ve known for a long time. But I think both are really exciting and fresh starts,” Jiaying said.
Jiaying is truly a kind, hardworking and overall great person who will do nothing but great things in the future. Her presence everywhere she goes is appreciated, and everything good that comes her way is well deserved.
To those still in high school and her underclassmen, Jiaying leaves behind valuable advice that can help them.
“Hard moments are going to pass and challenging moments are nice to learn from too. So it’s ok if you’re having a hard time because things will get better,” Jiaying said.
A warm ray of sunshine, a good book in the rain, a word of encouragement when it’s needed most — as the 2024 to 2025 school year comes to an end, Janelle Lim stands strong. Her older-sister-like presence always fuels the confidence of those lucky enough to know her. She approaches each day with confidence and determination, which is reflected in her work ethic within the Ayala Bulldog Times. Though this is her last year with the publication, she has learned great lessons to carry with her into a new chapter of her life.
“I remember getting just enough on my math final to hit a 90% freshman year,” she laughs. “It felt like such an achievement at the time, and I was so happy.”
Collecting these memories throughout high school, Lim has met several people who inspired her, such as her AP European History teacher, Mr. Donovan; her calculus teacher, Mrs. Saiid; and her friends who stuck with her along the way.
“Something I’d tell my younger self is definitely to never give up,” she said. “Even though you might think one little mistake might ruin your entire high school career, that’s not true.”
After graduating high school, Lim plans on attending the University of California, Berkeley, to study education sciences and hopefully become a high school teacher.
With her strong personality and unwavering determination, she looks forward to making a difference in the lives of students, just as her teachers influenced her.
Four years. Of classes. Of friends. Of unique experiences. Of lifelong memories. Of high school. As the final days of her senior year and high school life approach, Stephanie Lyn is nervous but ready to see what her future adult life is like.
For her final year in journalism, Stephanie worked as the Open Canvas manager for the Bulldog Times. With two years in the position, she handled a variety of competitions and publications — ranging from her “Spooky Scary Stories” writing contests to her love for music with Taylor Swift, keshi, and much more. Ever since she first started, she always had two goals in mind: first, to maximize her writing skills for academics and creative work, and second, to socialize. And with the years that have passed, there’s no doubt Stephanie has been a beloved member of the staff.
“From the bonding experiences in journalism, just getting to know all the people from different grades, it was a great experience,” Stephanie said. “I liked having a mixed [class] in journalism. I could get to know other people than just the people in my grade.”
Stephanie is so much more than her role in journalism; she is a role model not only for her club but also for her little sister. As the vice president of Christian Club, Lyn’s high school journey and her goal to get to know people better began then. As the years passed, her trust and love for God and her religion grew and led her down pathways that have always succeeded for her — and she brings that example to her little sister.
“A lesson I have learned from high school that will stick with me forever is to always trust in what God has planned for you, you never know where God will take you,” Stephanie said. “Trust in him, then he will make your path straight.”
However, her path is already determined. Stephanie has committed to Cal State Fullerton to major in what she’s always wanted to do: psychology.
Before Stephanie walks off campus completely, it’s important to note that she has left her mark during her years in journalism. Once someone strikes up a conversation with her, she will never fail to make you laugh or feel comfortable. With a tender, loving heart for her friends, being around Stephanie is almost like drinking a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning. With her infectious smile and laugh, Stephanie Lyn will be missed dearly and will always be loved by the Bulldog Times.
To most people, Dallas’s personality is usually what they would expect at first glance: positive, responsible, and willing to help others without question.
Throughout his high school career, Dallas has been involved in several school programs and events. He has been a member of the Bulldog Times for two years and was also a prominent player on Ayala’s football team all four years, demonstrating commitment both on the field and in the classroom.
Whether in the news department during his sophomore year or reporting about sports as a senior, Dallas constantly sought new opportunities or stories to write about and was always ready to help his peers with any questions or concerns. One teacher who made a lasting impact on him was Mr. Vaung.
“His class wasn’t the easiest, but it taught me that if I worked hard, I could succeed in anything I put my mind to,” Dallas said.
Though many unforgettable memories were made during Dallas’s high school career, he is ready to start the next chapter in his life at California Baptist University, where he will be studying business.
“Something I’m excited about is [college is] a whole new atmosphere,” Dallas said. “It’s something that you’ve really been building up towards.”
More than anything, Dallas is motivated by a desire to prove himself. With his drive and positive attitude, he’s sure to take on any challenge that comes next.
“Whether that may be through writing or through my academics or hard work, I want to try to make a name and prove myself to people who have a little bit of doubt,” Dallas said.
A few things are certain when you’re in a class with Terran Chu: he will talk about matcha, he will express his love for The Strokes, and he will always make the people around him laugh. The human embodiment of caffeine—mainly because he religiously drinks it—Terran has lit up The Bulldog Times in his first year on staff.
Terran is the type of guy you always want in your corner, with constant support and quick wit. A one-in-a-million dude, he can flawlessly describe the Krebs cycle to help you study for your exam and a minute later perfectly recite “brain rot” with the sole purpose of annoying you.
Terran has enthusiastically spent his high school career working hard to achieve his dreams, and his studious nature has paid off. With his love and dedication for science, he is planning to pursue pharmaceutical studies at UCI in the fall. However, he is adamant that students should still enjoy high school and not overwork themselves too much.
“I think [students] should focus on balancing between having a very happy social life while also balancing it with a good academic life,” Terran said.
Terran is moving into a new chapter of his life, leaving The Bulldog Times and Ayala. He truly made the journalism class special this year, and his impact will not be forgotten. He constantly pushed to improve the publication with his artwork, thought-provoking articles and cleanly edited videos.
“Even though I have many regrets, flaws, and forgotten ambitions throughout high school, I look forward to the one beyond me, and look back fondly on the experience I had at Ayala,” Terran said.
If you’re ever looking for Valentina Rodriguez, you most likely can find her in the choir room with her closest friends or practicing for the Ayala Theater Company.
Valentina has completed her first and final year as part of The Bulldog Times as a features staff writer. By contributing unique perspectives on students around campus and trending articles, her work has become prominent on our site. Before joining the Bulldog Times, Valentina was a certified AVID tutor and believed she would continue this pursuit until joining our team.
Now that the school year is coming to an end, students have committed to their colleges of choice. For Valentina, she plans to attend Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) to help decide on a major. After her two years at Mt. SAC, she wants to either attend California Baptist University (CBU) or University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) to major in songwriting or another field of her choice.
“I’m going to attend Mount Sac for the first two years, and then either Cal Baptist University or UC Riverside, because I want to try to be in songwriting,” Valentina said. “Plus, I don’t know if I will like the music major or if it will be fully suited for me, too, so I feel that by doing community college, I would be able to figure it out officially before needing to go to university.”
Looking back on some of her memories throughout high school, Valentina feels like she hasn’t lost the inner child within her. Reflecting on her experience, she would advise underclassmen not to force themselves to grow too quickly. Obviously, as you get older, adult tasks begin to bubble up, yet by staying young it allows you to be happier mentally, allowing you to perform better overall.
“If you keep that, like, inner child, you’re going to be mentally better because I feel like forcing yourself to grow up fast is going to screw up your mentality and then therefore, that’s going to affect you personally and academically too,” Valentina said.
Though working in silence but still providing comedy that gave everyone a laugh throughout this year’s journalism team, you will find Avery Yang developing fun little games for the Bulldog Times’ website. Spending one impactful year in journalism, his creative spirit and fun personality will be missed.
The Bulldog Times team gladly wishes a farewell to Avery as he prepares for the biggest chapter of his life. He reflects on his high school years and how much journalism means to him, being his only first and last year.
“I kind of regret not joining journalism sooner,” said Avery. “Journalism captured my creative drive, my pursuit to do more, explore more. I think as we’ve seen with what I’ve published so far for the Bulldog Times — like the squid game, the dalgona cookies I made for it, [also] the Santa video — I expressed my creativity.”
As the fond memories of high school are set aside to pave a path for the future, growth will take place during his gap year, enough time to hone his talents followed by his interest in attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
“What I plan to do after high school is do a gap year [and] I have a lot of plans during this gap year where I’m doing art studies, writing studies, even doing time writes on myself,” said Avery. “So that I could hopefully better my chances of entering the School of Art Institute of Chicago.”
The journey through high school has been a tough roller coaster for him, as he wishes he could rewrite his time all over again. With all the experience and knowledge of high school life under his belt, Avery shares some special advice that will truly enlighten future students at Ayala High School.
“Try to join classes that you really enjoy,” said Avery. “That way you could actually enjoy being at school.”
An integral part of the Bulldog Times, Nancy Wang offered her writing skills and diligent personality to improve the publication through uniquely angled articles and ideas.
Although her first year in the publication, Nancy adapted quickly and shared her passions with the class. Nancy’s out-of-the-box thinking diversified the publication and spoke testament to her investigative nature.
For example, for the class’s “Where We Are” project, Nancy decided to expand beyond the typical choices, and spotlighted a tattoo parlor.
Nancy also has an artistic side to herself, showcasing her love for creative writing, drawing, film, and journaling. Some of Nancy’s favorite films include “The Miracle Worker” and “Freedom Writers,” showcasing her interest in human experiences and moral values.
After high school, Nancy plans to pursue statistics in college and continue her artistic pursuits.
