The Student News Site of Middle College High School @ Santa Ana College

The Spellbinder
Examining how MCHS Freshmen manage their stress.
End-of-year crunch: How MCHS freshmen manage stress
May 29, 2025
Students taking US History this semester completed a variety of assignments on paper, including a rough draft and outline of their two most recent projects.
Switching back to pencil and paper?
May 28, 2025
Students feeling the weight of academic pressure, reflecting on expectations and their impact, questioning.
The effect of expectations on students
May 28, 2025
Memorial Day is more than a holiday, it is a day honoring the brave men and women who died serving in the United States military, remembering.
Memorial Day
May 28, 2025
With the rising influence of social media on showcasing schools, high school seniors find themselves browsing over multiple posts reflecting college life that influence their college decisions.
More than swipes: How does social media affect college decisions
May 27, 2025
A deep dive into the aftermath of recent student reports reveals the impact on campus life, student trust, and administrative response. This article unpacks the key findings.
What really happens when a student reports an issue?
May 28, 2025
Armando is remembered as someone who always complimented others and made them happy.
More than a friend: Honoring the life and legacy of Armando Morales
May 23, 2025
Many view high school as essential for future success, but students across campuses are asking the big question if it is truly preparing us for the real world, wondering.
Is high school really preparing us for the real world?
May 23, 2025
Editors and staff writers from the class of 2025.
Letter from an editor: Use your voice and prioritize your well-being
May 23, 2025
Students are benefiting from Ethnic Studies, so we need to prioritize fixing the errors within the curriculum.
Ethnic Studies in SAUSD
May 14, 2025
Rallies held in downtown Santa Ana on April 5 and 19 were sparked by community concerns over the changing political climate.
Not yours to take: The “Hands Off!” rallies
May 28, 2025
Thinking it through is one thing; saying it aloud means finally engaging.
USC speak your MIND: What is it?
April 30, 2025
What is KinderCaminata all about?
KinderCaminata – What took place?
April 22, 2025
ASB elections are here. Make sure to vote Friday, April 17!
Profiles for ASB vice president candidates
April 17, 2025
Because yellow flowers were brought to the memorial, they now represent the Sewol Ferry incident.
Remembering the Sewol Ferry Tragedy
April 16, 2025
Have you ever wondered how your family has shaped who you are? In her book, Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma, Galit Atlas explores how her patients experience the emotional trauma of the generations before them.
Book Review: Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma
May 28, 2025
Wizards for Water is a club run by Micah You, a teacher at Middle College High School, where students can participate in the Orange County full or half marathon while raising money to provide clean water for children in Africa.
Experience at Wizards for Water
May 19, 2025
Selena Quintanilla was a Mexican-American artist. She made many hit songs throughout her career(shown in the image). Even after her death, her legacy and songs continue to thrive.
Celebrating Selena Quintanilla: Her lasting impact and Yolanda Saldivar parole news
May 16, 2025
Experiencing art blocks could lead to various negative impacts if they are constant and overly stressed on. These impacts range from lacking motivation or ideas, to lacking confidence in future art pieces, resulting in additional struggles in the near future.
The negative effects of artistic blocks and how to avoid them
May 15, 2025
Freshman Students share their thoughts and opinions on the book they read together in class.
The book “The Distance Between us” and its impact on freshman MCHS students
May 8, 2025
Middle College High School and Circulos High School mascots meet up at the soccer tournament.
Wizards vs wolves: is there a rivalry?
May 22, 2024
Some of the sports at Middle College include basketball, soccer, and flag football. Each of those sports has its own small school tournament.
Bringing CIF to Middle College
December 8, 2023
Male players dominate sports; soccer is one of many.
Gender issues in sports
November 27, 2023
MCHS and Chavez players ready up at the line of scrimmage at the Nov. 6 game at Valley High School's football field.
What’s up with the football rivalry between MCHS and Chavez?
December 15, 2021
The MCHS football team finished practice at the Santa Ana College soccer field (Bryan Bacilio)
Messi & Ronaldo: Why did the soccer stars leave their clubs?
October 29, 2021
Made with Canva
Podcast: Hello Summer
May 21, 2025
Made with Canva
Podcast: Overconsumption
May 19, 2025
Made with Canva
Podcast: Sweet Treats
May 19, 2025
In this special MCHS Trio episode, we learn about life after graduation. From moving to Hawai'i, commuting to college, choosing majors, and chasing career dreams
Podcast: Plans after senior year
May 14, 2025
Join us as we dive into the delicious world of sushi at Sake2Me Sushi in Tustin! Over spring break, we sampled a wide variety of rolls and shared our tasty reviews. Tune in for a fun and flavorful food adventure!
Sake2Me Sushi Review
April 23, 2025
The Student News Site of Middle College High School @ Santa Ana College

The Spellbinder
The Student News Site of Middle College High School @ Santa Ana College

The Spellbinder
Maria Alegria

Maria Alegria, Co-Editor-In-Chief

I love my dog, Roxy. I’m left-handed. I live in a blue house.

All content by Maria Alegria
Prison education programs help prisons start and continue their educational journey.

Education goes behind bars: Prison education programs

Maria Alegria, Co-Editor-in-Chief
May 25, 2022
Middle College students, gather around to listen to directions given by journalism advisor, Mrs. Storms at Portola High School in Irvine on Feb. 26.

Spellbinder reporters participate in the 2022 OCJEA write-offs

Stephanie Cervantes and Maria Alegria
March 11, 2022

Navigating through the unknown as a first generation college student

Daniel Salazar, Christopher Garcia, Ashley Santana, Stephanie Cervantes, and Maria Alegria
March 3, 2022
Nervous students gathered to apply for financial aid on October 1.

“What the FAFSA?”: Seniors begin their college application process

Maria Alegria, Editor-in-Chief
October 8, 2021
The people of Colombia have lost trust in their government and have taken their concerns to the streets.

As tensions rise in Colombia, protestors take action

Maria Alegria, Editor-in-Chief
May 26, 2021
History has a male oriented perspective therefore has excluded half of the population, women.

History fails to tell the full story, leaving out HER story

Maria Alegria, Co-Editor-In-Chief
April 21, 2021
Graphic discusses contrasting views on the BLM Movement protests and Capitol riots.

A Tale of Two Americas

Maria Alegria and Stephanie Cervantes
February 26, 2021
People take over the streets protesting to maintain DACA.

Signs of a bright future emerge for DACA after election results

Maria Alegria, Editor-in-Chief
December 14, 2020
Smoke from the wildfires covers up most of the sky in the Mojave Desert.

2020 is being burned as wildfires invade the West Coast

Maria Alegria, Editor-in-Chief
October 16, 2020

Who inspired our future: The Class of 2020

Maria Alegria, Arts and Entertainment Editor
May 29, 2020
This is what teens feel like due to the quarantine order from California's governor.

School followed me home: A day in quarantine

Maria Alegria, Arts and Entertainment Editor
April 27, 2020

The Youth in the Voting Booth

Genesis Lopez, Franco Chavez, Andres Reyes, Dylan Mai, Stephanie Cervantes, Maria Alegria, and Alex Cervantes
March 13, 2020
MCHS student browses the Ivory Ella website for limited edition tees sold to help aid victims of the Australian Fires.

Help the koalas and kangaroos!

Maria Alegria, A&E Editor
February 12, 2020
A student snoozes her alarm for the new school day because of the new law.

Snooze the alarm for another half hour, students

Maria Alegria, Staff Writer
December 13, 2019
Students and teachers share their opinion on the Second Amendment

How does MCHS view the Second Amendment and Gun Control?

Maria Alegria, Staff Writer
October 25, 2019
Many pets and their beloved owners have an unconditional bond.

A bond of happiness; The bond between pets and people

Maria Alegria, Staff Writer
September 20, 2019
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