Samantha Ordanes

Student of The Month and Yearbook EIC Year-Round: Sophie Moreno – Senior Sendoff

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2025

Sophie Moreno is an accomplished Mt. SAC Early College Academy senior as she is one of the Students of the Month for November and December and is the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the yearbook program, The...

Youth Demand Change: Walkout for Justice

MECA students join in on a protest with other students from West Covina

Story by Annika Wotherspoon and Samantha Ordanes
February 12, 2025

“If you’re the student and you make that decision, then you should understand that there are some things worth getting quote-on-quote in trouble for.”

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Writing the Next Chapter After MECA – Jazmyn Meza

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
December 4, 2024

Jazmyn Meza senior, has definitely made the most out of her four years here at Mt. SAC Early College Academy (MECA). She is very involved with extracurriculars at school impressively being a part of Paw...

Exploring the Different Phone Policies at MECA

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
September 27, 2024

High school teachers have had to struggle with the recent rise of cellphone use in class. Along with the WCUSD district policy, many teachers have implemented their own phone policies in their classrooms.

The Lunch Table Podcast with Sam and Julia Ep. 3-5

Story by Samantha Ordanes and Julia Pollard
September 30, 2024

The Lunch Table Podcast with Sam and Julia Ep. 1 & 2(Podcast)

Story by Samantha Ordanes and Julia Pollard
May 16, 2024

The one where Sam and Julia start a podcast!

[Photo] TAC Media Celebrates Teachers and Staff for Appreciation Week!

Story by TAC Media Staff
May 10, 2024

Tiffany Wilcox, history teacher, poses with her plant and TAC Media student Julia Pollard. As the ASB advisor, Ms. Wilcox has helped put on all of the proms and graduations that our school has ever had!...

Substitute Teachers – How Do Students Really Feel Towards Them?

Story by Julia Pollard and Samantha Ordanes
March 10, 2024

After a recent incident at Cameron Elementary School where a substitute teacher was watching inappropriate videos in front of a class, it's common to wonder how students really feel about substitute teachers. Students...

Brits, Barbie Girls, and Brand New Relationships Unite in 2023

Story by Julia Pollard and Samantha Ordanes
February 16, 2024

January 2023 was already off to a chaotic, exciting start in the very first month. Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex released his first and only book titled, Spare. It was an autobiographical novel...

MECA Meme Competition – Win a Ticket to Spring Fling!

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
January 17, 2024

Attention all Mt. SAC ECA students! We are giving away prizes for the top 3 students who create and submit their best MECA meme. View the rules below: Use a photo that’s been posted on The Academy...

Remembering Ms. Hoffman

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
November 17, 2023

Sadness washed over Mt. SAC Early College Academy’s (MECA) campus once news of Ms. Hoffman’s death was announced. However, with sadness came reminiscing from her close friends who worked with her and...

Students Thoughts on World Issues Survey

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
November 17, 2023

Earlier this year, Harvard University held its biannual Youth Poll Survey for its students. This survey is to get a gauge about how young adults feel about world and political issues. A similar poll here...

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[Photo] 4 years later: Where is COVID-19 Now?

Story by Jennifer Ngo and Julia Pollard
October 30, 2023

Junior Samantha Soto keeping herself protected from COVID-19 while working on an assignment.

Submit your Creative Submissions Here!

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
September 25, 2023

Attention Artists! The Academy Chronicle is accepting Creative Submissions for an exclusive print newspaper of The Academy Chronicle. Your artwork could be included and printed into the first every print...

OPINION – Gun Violence in America – Will This Ever End?

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
March 28, 2023

Disclaimer: This article is an opinion piece. Any views or opinions represented in this piece are personal and belong solely to the article author and are not endorsed or representative of The Academy...

It’s the Place to be Right “Meow”: Miko’s Tea Land

Story by Samantha Ordanes and Julia Pollard
December 13, 2022

Looking for the next “purrfect” place for you and your friends to hang out? Well, look no further! Miko’s Boba Tea is found in the South Hills Plaza only 5 minutes away from Mt. SAC Early College...

Dodger’s Disappoint in the Postseason

Story by Julia Pollard and Samantha Ordanes
November 8, 2022

Fans all around Los Angeles mourn the postseason absence of the Dodgers as they lose to the San Diego Padres 3-5 in game 6 of the National League Division Series (NLDS). This regular season, the Dodger’s...

TAC Media Program Fundraiser

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
October 20, 2022

Attention all Timberwolves! Go support MECA’s very own TAC Media Program by shopping at Charleston Wrap® for your loved ones this holiday season. The fundraiser started on October 17, 2022 and will...

Hispanic Heritage Month at MECA (featuring Mr. Cordero)

Story by Julia Pollard and Samantha Ordanes
October 14, 2022

Cordero teaching his Period 8 Spanish II students a new lesson on the preterit past tense of regular verbs.

The Video Production Class is Heading Into Finals!

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
May 31, 2022

Mt. SAC Early College Academy’s very own Video Production class has moved onto the Directing Change Program & Film Contest finals, as a Team Pick, for their short film, “The Letter of Clarity.” Directing...

Behind the Scenes of COVID-19: 2-Years Later

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
March 17, 2022

March 19, 2022, will mark two years since Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a stay-at-home order for California after concern over the spread of COVID-19. Since then, medical frontline workers around the world...

A Swifties’ Wildest Dreams

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2021

On November 12, 2021, American singer Taylor Swift re-released her fourth studio album, “Red” and renamed it to “Red (Taylor’s Version).” She did this because between 2005 - 2018 Taylor was signed...

Freshman Friday | Andres Bocardo

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
November 19, 2021

Club president, club founder, writer, and boxing dog trainer, Andres Bocardo is the impressive 14 year old freshman at Mt. SAC ECA accomplishing all this and more! In only a few months Andres founded...

The Evolution of Halloween and Halloween Costumes

Story by Samantha Ordanes, Co Editor-in-Chief
October 29, 2021

Halloween in the 21st century is what many would regard as a way to relax, have fun, and dress however someone wants to without judgement from others. However, the Halloween traditions that many celebrate...

How To Make Friends In A Week (A Reference)

Story by Samantha Ordanes and Adela Angulo
October 14, 2021

Starting a new school year is challenging. That's where having friends to support you during these tough times can help. In the week of Sep 27, 2021 there were opportunities to create new friends and celebrate...