Palatine High School's student news site.

Cutlass
Palatine High School's student news site.

Cutlass
Palatine High School's student news site.

Cutlass
Siomara Valdez

Siomara Valdez, Sports & Photography Editor

Siomara Valdez is a senior at Palatine High School. Valdez is very passionate about photography as it is a hobby of theirs. Valdez went out of their comfort zone to take on new opportunities in photography becoming the color guard photographer for the season. Valdez is a big fan of the band Foo Fighters and wants to one day photograph at one of their concerts. They got recruited into Cutlass at Chipotle and went to the meetings in hopes to improve their photography. After high school, Valdez wants to pursue mass communications as their career and continue photojournalism at Winona State University.

All content by Siomara Valdez
Junior Peter Mulher throws 11 strikeouts against Barrington.

[Photo] Pirate baseball shocks Barrington in thriller

Luke Jorden, Reporter
April 15, 2024
Astronomy teachers provided telescopes outfitted with solar filters for students to witness the eclipse up close.

[Photo] Students witness rare solar eclipse

Karim Melek, News Editor
April 13, 2024
Illinois State Superintendent Tony Sanders and District 211 Superintendent Lisa Small listen to the testimonies of Project Excel students at a lunch prepared by PHS culinary students.

[Photo] State Superintendent visits PHS

Karim Melek and Grace Wang
April 5, 2024
Coach Belo has coached for 19 years and is marking his 20th year as the head coach.

[Photo] Longtime coach and teacher, Paul Belo is retiring after building a legacy at PHS

April 1, 2024
Members of the Palatine High School Boys Basketball Team cheer as they march down halls during the state send off

[Photo] Palatine community unites to send off historic basketball team to state tournament

Karim Melek, News Editor
March 8, 2024
Pirates celebrate the first Super Sectional victory in school history.

[Photo] Last second heroics help Palatine win 1st ever Super Sectional

Luke Jorden, Reporter
March 5, 2024
Linebacker, Vince Bowling (33) running to make a tackle on Maine South’s offense.

The future is now for Palatine’s JV football team

Siomara Valdez, Sports Editor
October 23, 2023
Jordan Mok making a shot against Highland Parks defense.

[Photo] Varsity basketball’s senior night brings an emotion filled atmosphere to the court

Luke Jorden, Reporter
February 12, 2024
Parents, the team, and student section brought an enthusiastic environment as they supported the members on the court.

[Photo] PHS varsity basketball defends the MSL West once again

Luke Jorden, Reporter
February 19, 2024
DSC_5867

[Photo] Palatine High School is bringing "Grease" to life onstage

February 21, 2024
Senior, Maggie Villagomez opened the performance with a graceful dance solo.

Slideshow: Winter guard takes second place at Jacobs High School

Siomara Valdez, Sports & Photography Editor
February 5, 2024
Varsity winter guard presented their first 2024 show: Chandelier at Jacobs High School.

[Photo]

Junior, Cindy Reyes preparing to toss the flag overhead as the show almost comes to an end.

[Photo]

Elements such as contemporary dance, the usage of flags, and rifles are incorporated to create a stunning performance.

[Photo]

Darrin Dick is a Sophomore who plays on the Palatine High School varsity basketball team

Court to Course: Darrin Dick’s dual sporting journey

Siomara Valdez, Sports & Photography Editor
January 26, 2024
We take wrestlers and we maximize their potential. Many wrestlers start wrestling in 9th grade and by the time they are seniors, they are able to compete with their peers, varsity wrestling coach Mr. Rivera said. Many in the area started wrestling when they were 7, 8 or 9 years old. In addition, what I am proud the most is many Palatine wrestlers like to give back to the program even after they leave. They maintain close connection online. When I ask for donations, many former wrestlers donate money to the program. They are very supportive and have a really good positive experience. Many continue coaching as club coaches or as high school coaches themselves.

Photo Poll: Coach’s corner

Siomara Valdez, Maksymilian Antalovtsi, and Genevieve Jennings
January 22, 2024
Our guys came into the season last year with some goals in mind and were able to achieve those goals, varsity boys basketball coach Mr. Millstone said. I was proud that I was able to be part of their journey and experience the joy they had when they accomplished those goals.

[Photo]

Mr. Minard often conducts for Wind Symphony and Concert Band during his semester of student teaching at PHS.

Humans of Palatine: Jimmy Minard

Siomara Valdez, Sports & Photography Editor
November 24, 2023
Palatine basketball opened the season against Glenbrook South.

[Photo] Boys basketball kicks off season with Thanksgiving classic

November 30, 2023
As part of the horn section, Palatine musicians play together for the first time with new music.

[Photo] Palatine High School hosts annual community Band Play-A-Thon

Tessa Faltinek, Reporter
November 29, 2023
Palatine High School counselor Katie Sobol joyfully finishes up her work on her computer in office.

[Photo] Counselors: The unsung heroes of student success

Noah Anselmo, Reporter
September 29, 2023
Charles Whitaker, the dean at Northwestern Medill, opens the event by stating how important journalism is. You know, we are in a horrible situation right now, where people get to burrow unto their own echo chambers and cling to information that may not be factual, but because it confirms their belief system. Thats not good for the democracy.

Cutlass attends Northwestern Day of Journalism

Tanya Gerdzhev, Andre Faber, Ayla Askin, Casey Heinritz, Chloe Chidichimo, Didrik Caleja, Gabby Pomplun, Lindsey Christopher, Luke Jorden, and Siomara Valdez
September 29, 2023
Foo Fighters opens the show with their song All My Life.

Foo Fighters rock it out at Riot Fest

Siomara Valdez
September 26, 2023
Senior and team captain, Gabija Gricius preparing her serve. “Don’t let the opponents intimidate us,” Gricius said. “Let’s play our own tennis, racket up and dig deep.”

Slideshow: Girls tennis face loss against Vernon Hills

Siomara Valdez and Casimir Heinritz
September 25, 2023
At the end of the concert, the band comes together and says their thanks to the audience for being there.

[Photo]

PHS tennis falls against Vernon Hills with a score of 1-6. “My obstacle was not getting in my head despite the constant tie breakers and duces,” junior Autumn Johnson said. “It’s difficult not to get overwhelmed by it. Perseverance is key.”

[Photo]

At the end of the concert, the band comes together and says their thanks to the audience for being there.

[Photo]

The band plays Loyalty as the football team runs onto the field.

[Photo] Palatine football back to even after bumpy start

Luke Jorden, Reporter
September 20, 2023
The red/white scrimmage marks the beginning of the new football season. Im looking forward to spending time with my teammates, Varsity football player Connor May said. My teammates always bring tons of energy and enthusiasm to games creating a competitive and fun environment.

Slideshow: PHS red and white scrimmage kicks off football season

Siomara Valdez, Sports Editor
August 22, 2023
Humans of Palatine: Zach Brown

Humans of Palatine: Zach Brown

Siomara Valdez, Reporter, Photographer
May 11, 2023
ASL club has brought Matt Maxey on as a recurring guest to Palatine High School to garner attention for the deaf community.

PHS recognizes the importance of National Deaf History Month

Siomara Valdez, Reporter, Photographer
May 1, 2023
The Sectional Tournament was held at Stevenson High School to determine which top 2 teams go to state.

[Photo] eSports enthusiastically enters the IHSA arena

Steven Keferlis, Features Editor
April 27, 2023
Palatine cheering after Paige Millstone (#7) makes a goal on the Hersey goalkeeper.

Photo Slideshow: Girls Soccer fall against Hersey

Siomara Valdez, Photographer
April 10, 2023
Freshman Jolee Waddington (#5) running with the ball as she successfully takes it from Hersey.

[Photo]

The Pirates play a tough match against Hersey High School, with a defeat score of 2-5.

[Photo]

Palatine senior, Mia Ramirez (#9) having possession of the ball, defending from Herseys defense.

[Photo]

Palatine’s goalkeeper Kate Latek makes a save against Herseys strikers.

[Photo]

Marisela Gonzalez uses games in her classrooms to better engage her EL students while they learn English phrases.

[Photo] La mujer que hace todo

Steven Keferlis, Features Editor
March 22, 2023
An Art Happening piece hangs for Womens History Month.

[Photo] PHS celebrates Women's History Month with their own unique events

March 21, 2023
Cocoro Wachi (FHS) on left, senior John Peterson (PHS) on right alongside the rest of the band standing up (concert just ended).

A celebration of music in District 211

Siomara Valdez, Reporter
March 16, 2023
Humans of Palatine: Miles Moctezuma

Humans of Palatine: Miles Moctezuma

Siomara Valdez, Reporter
March 9, 2023
A PHS competitor hugs a coach after a performance in front of IHSA officials and student workers.

[Photo]

State competitors Riley Strahl and Jolee Waddington walk together during the PHS send-off.

[Photo]

Coach Scott Hagel spots senior Riley Strahl on vault.

[Photo]

“All good things must come to an end,” senior Riley Strahl said. “Over the past 15 years of competing in gymnastics I have learned to not put too much pressure on myself and just have fun, and it has paid off.“

[Photo]

A DGHS gymnast competes in the floor event at the IHSA state competition in the PHS main gym.

[Photo]

The DGHS team celebrates a successful performance for one of their gymnasts. DGHS won first place for all-around team performance.

[Photo]

Gymnasts perform on the balance beam in front of judges who assess their abilities at the edge of the performance pad.

[Photo]

PHS senior Riley Strahl competes on uneven parallel bars finishing with a score of 9.25.

[Photo] Girls state gymnastics gives a “first-class experience” for the community

February 22, 2023
Performers of the Mama Mia male cast dance in swim flippers.

Slideshow: Mama Mia! musical preview

Siomara Valdez, Photographer
February 16, 2023
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Siomara Valdez