Table of Contents

Horoscopes: January 2020

Maddy Ernst - Online Editor-in-Chief

 Marty James Tilley (1952-2019)

Lana Valdez - Staff Writer

Known for his regular uniform of blue jean overalls, Marty became somewhat of a legend at Orange County School of the Arts in his fifteen years of custodian work. He passed away on December 31, 2019, at 67 years old. He could be seen in any part of the school on any given day, no cleanup was too much for him. He was always ready to help; and not only that, but he was one of the few who looked forward to coming to work every day, seeing his friends and all the happiness students gave to him. He was a friend to the entire school.

Marty was born on February 8, 1952, with no brother or sisters; he never married, or had kids, and he lived in the same house he was raised in from 1962 until he passed. His family was here at OCSA, all his friends on the staff and the students he looked after each day. He thoroughly enjoyed the students; for someone who was self-professed as “not artsy,” he loved the artistic lifestyles of all the kids. He was not afraid of reprimanding the kids, either- he felt comfortable enough with them to, though he was never unmeasured or out of line. He always had a quick sense of humor, something everyone around him loved and appreciated. He was someone you could just tell loved his job; especially because he’d had prior opportunities to retire and was of the age, but he stayed because he enjoyed his job.

Just two weeks ago, Marty bought a red 1921 Model T with his best friend and fellow custodian, Dave Rosique. The two were big vintage car and motorcycle fans, something they had shared for almost 50 years, ever since they had grown up down the street from each other. Dave employed him at his previous job, a mechanic at his auto repair shop, “Dave’s Motorwerke,” and the two came to OCSA together fifteen years ago; after Dave encouraged Marty to apply for the position at OCSA. They spent their entire lives being best friends. “There has never been a time where Marty was not in my sons’ lives,” Dave remarked. “He was like my brother.”

Mechanics always stayed dear to Marty’s heart; he was a mechanic first, and a custodian second, constantly teaching others around him about mechanics and unintentionally showing off his talent. In fact, when he first took the custodian job, his only hesitation was: “But I’m a mechanic. I don’t know anything about custodian jobs.” He, of course, mastered both. The man was a perfect example of someone who knew more than he spoke, and gracefully kept many things about himself private. He confided in Dave and became like family to the Rosique family all throughout his life.

No one loved the OCSA community more than Marty. No one put in as much care, effort, and consideration into a school as he did; with his willingness to help, his beyond fulfilling his duties, his constant need to “get it right.” He was deeply moved by the staff and students each day and we, in return, remain moved by him. His lasting footprint on OCSA’s community will not be forgotten, the man who cleaned up countless messes, who worked overtime when he didn’t have to, who gave his whole heart to the school. He will be truly missed.

 Sparks Fly at the CV Show

Anya Ernst - Co-Editor-in-Chief

OCSA’s conservatory program offers one of a kind training for young artists in a rigorous and focused environment. This specificity allows for unmatched training but tends to leaves some students feeling limited. 

Every year, the Classical Voice conservatory holds a holiday concert before winter break.  It’s their biggest show of the year featuring the entire conservatory and remains popular among students for its special solo opportunities and contemporary music selection. However this winter, CV director Dr. Ryan Reithmeier wanted to switch things up for his students, and approached Sarah Sparks (CV ‘20) to write a script to thread a story throughout the concert and do something that has never been done before. Sparks, though a classical vocalist at OCSA, is an aspiring playwright accredited for winning awards from the International Thespian Society, Dramatist Guild of America, California Young Playwrights, and even getting one of her plays published by Samuel French, all after writing for only a year and a half. 

“I’d rather write plays than do most things in life,” Sparks noted. 

When she was younger, she loved music and performing, but as time went on she discovered her love for performance stemmed from her interest “in the nitty-gritty storytelling of it all”. 

Her inspiration sparked from acting in a new play at South Coast Repertory where she was able to interact closely with the playwright throughout the entirety of the process. From there, she began writing and quickly a different species of the “Theatre Bug” had bitten Sparks. 

The play, We Are Lights, follows Charles Dickens’ real life daughter, Kate Dickens, as she tells the story of Martha Cratchit, Tiny Tim’s sister from A Christmas Carol, as she faces the struggles of being a woman and providing for her family in Victorian England. Intertwined with choral holiday music, Sparks’ play highlights the importance of family and remaining resilient and selfless while facing conflict. 

Sparks’ talent and hard work doesn’t end with her writing abilities; she also was the director and self-proclaimed “puzzle master” of the project. Working alongside the choral directors, Sparks found some challenges in connecting the selected songs all while trying to find conflict and maintain a sound plot. However, for Sparks, the rehearsal process made the hard work worth it as she was able to workshop characters and scenes. 

“I really love hearing the words out loud and then tinkering...getting little sparks of life from the actors and then taking their angle on the character and enhancing it through the script,” she noted. 

Sparks’ passion for writing is apparent through her dedication and love to the rehearsal process. As an actor, writer, director, and a member of the conservatory, she was able to use her well-rounded skills and knowledge to craft a successful show.

Not only did this new take on the Classical Voice Winter Concert provide a creative outlet for Sparks, but for countless other students. “I think everyone really loved the opportunity to do something different. We are all musicians but we also need to be performers and so I think people really enjoyed having the chance to show that side of themselves,” added Sparks. There was a lot of buzz from the CV students about the brand new Holiday Concert, solidified through the promising turn out at auditions. 

“A lot of CV kids have or still do musical theatre” said Maddy Ernst (CV ’20), who played Kate in We Are Lights “for me, it was one of the only opportunities I’ve had to act and do more than just stand and sing in a classical voice concert.” 

According to Sparks and Ernst, many CV students share similar restrictions a lot of OCSA students face regarding having multiple interests or changing interests as they grow. 

“I think it’s important to remember that despite being focused and driven artists, we are teenagers and as we learn new things our interests and level of passion is going to change throughout our time in high school,” said Ernst. 

Unless in the Integrated Arts conservatory, many programs are lacking opportunities to not only expand and expose their students to different facets or perspectives of their art but also too highlight all of the multi-talented student’s skills in their conservatory.

 “I auditioned for CV when I was 12 and now I’m 18. I’m a different person now” Sparks noted. “People are bound to evolve and, of course, OCSA offers us the ability to change conservatories but for me I know it just didn’t feel like an option.”

Even though she no longer wants to pursue music in the future, Sparks expressed her love for her Classical Voice family is what keeps her in CV. To any student feeling “trapped” in their conservatory, Sparks advises to get “thrifty”! One of the ways Sparks and Ernst both were able to connect to a second passion other than music was through the Thespian Honors Society which enables them to meet with other theatre-loving students and compete and perform with students from all conservatories. Sparks also advised to communicate both ideas and frustrations with your teachers, whether that be the feeling that you’re losing connection with another talent, or how you want to share that talent with your conservatory, because you never know what opportunities can happen. Sparks assures,“Your teachers want to see you shine.” 

In a world where every actor is also a writer and director and every dancer is a choreographer and teacher, it makes sense OCSA students crave interdisciplinary arts education. In recent years, events like Winter Market, the Pumpkin Auction and Actors Showcase have become open to all conservatories, all leading to a step forward for OCSA in that regard. Students like Sparks are setting an example of the flexible and multidimensional abilities of the student body. 

“The truth is,” Sparks says “we are going to change our minds forever and the world is on fire so might as well do what you like.”

The Picture of Michael Briones

Lana Valdez - Staff Writer & Anna Iyer - Staff Illustrator

There are a lot of things that stand out about Michael Patrick Briones. He apparently only owns two shirts. His extensive collection of selfies. His square face. His ability to sing every song word for word from Spongebob, how you can never tell if he’s serious or not. The fact he’s a closeted weeb and major mommy’s boy.

“I have a very high opinion of myself,” Michael Briones told me, sitting back in his chair, hands folded on his desk. “I think you should know th-that.”

That didn’t really surprise me.  It was something I didn’t need to know, but it certainly helped. What do you do in your free time? 

“Oh, I usually just follow my friend Grant around. If I can’t track him d-down, I just stare at the seventh graders.” He didn’t seem to think anything of what he said, but it piqued my curiosity.

If there’s anyone Michael doesn’t treat like trash, it’s his dear friends. 

“I love my friends,” he made sure to tell me that right off the bat. “And I will always put them over everything… my family, my personal health, my gods… they just are my gods, you know?”   Spoiler alert: they barely remembered who he was. 

The first “friend” of Michael’s looked at me in confusion, scratching his head. 

“Michael? Who’s that?” 

One of the other boys came up to him and briefly whispered in his ear. Understanding dawned on his face, and he fell back into a dull, bored expression. 

“Oh, yeah… that guy. He’s alright, I guess.”  He shrugged. “Just a pretty stereotypical middle-child attention seeker.” 

“Hmm,” his third friend said, actually thinking about the question. “I used to be able to get the guy to do anything, ‘cause he had no shame, but now he got his self respect back ever since he started dating people.”

That was true though. At this point in his life Michael did seem to be under the impression that he was somewhat of a ladies man. His exes, however, took issue with that.

“Michael’s very clumsy. When I met him at camp in 5th grade he broke a chair and ran away. We had to send a search party to find him.” said Therese Fontes (MT ‘20)  

“Well, I hate to say it, but his so-called “skills” as a gamer weren’t up to my standards. Like, he fronts so hard with smash, but he let a creeper catch him slipping less than ten minutes into our new world, ultimately ruining our progress thus far,” said Autumn Barnes (IA 20’). Michael denies this, claiming that he was coming out of a hole and a creeper was right behind him. He cannot stand the idea of people thinking he’s bad at Minecraft. 

The last one, when questioned, didn’t really know why she was being questioned. 

“I only dated him for, like, two weeks, so I don’t really have much to say about the guy. All I’ll say is: if a guy ever tells you he only listens to Nintendo music—unironically—run.” Lana Valdez (CW 20’). 

When asked about his home life , Michael responded with, “I spend my time at  home watching jailbreak shows to prepare for my inevitable future.” Just like everyone else I interviewed, his family said differently. 

“He does the same stuff every night,” his sister recalled, holding back laughter. “And it’s not watching jailbreak shows. All the kid ever does is watch Sailor Moon anyways. He comes home from wherever he is, no matter what time it is, changes into his Pokemon pajama pants, puts on his Nintendo music, and cries himself to sleep every night. It’s actually really sad, you probably shouldn’t put that in there.” I nodded sympathetically and assured her I wouldn’t. 

There are a lot of things that stand out about Michael Patrick Briones, the main being that he is a very sad man. He follows children around. His friends don’t remember who he is and his ex-girlfriends wished they didn’t remember who he was. And he cries himself to sleep every night. Do you need further proof  that he’s a loser? Just ask him. 

This article has been approved by Michael Briones.

 Winter Recipes: Linzer Cookies with Raspberry Jam

Lauren Le - Staff Writer

Linzer Cookies

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup (99g) sugar

• grated zest of 1 lemon 

• 1 large egg yolk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

• 3/4 cup (78g) whole wheat flour (can sub. almond flour, or more APF)

• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

• raspberry jam, lemon curd, or other spread (for filling)

• confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

Equipment

• Stand mixer with paddle attachment or egg beater

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Citrus grater

• Different sized cookie cutters

  • Alternatives: End of a round piping tip, straws, be creative!

• Cooling rack

• Cookie sheet

• Parchment paper

• Optional: kitchen scale

Instructions

1. Cream the butter, sugar and zest in the stand mixer until white and fluffy (about 3 minutes), scraping the bowl as needed. Separate the egg by using any of the following methods: eggshells, water bottle, slotted spoon, or asking your mom. Add the yolk and vanilla and beat until combined.

2. Meanwhile, whisk together flour(s), and salt. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix until just combined. Be sure not to over-beat. The dough will feel too wet, but don’t add any more flour at this point, lest you want to bring dishonor on your entire family.

3. Divide the dough in half, roll each half into a ball, and slightly flatten to make things easier later. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. An alternative would be putting it in the freezer for about half an hour, forgetting about it, and regretting it and crying, as I’ve done many times before.

4. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough out about 1/4" thick. Using the larger cookie cutter, cut out cookies.Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gather the scrap dough, roll and repeat. Place the cut cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or the freezer for 5 minutes if you’re lazy like me.

5. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

6. Roll out the second disk of dough to 1/4” thick. Using the same cutter used for the other half, cut an equal amount of cookies to the ones made in step 4. After transferring these cookies to a baking sheet, use the smaller cookie cutter to make a peekaboo cutout in the center of each. Chill the cookies for 30 minutes in the fridge or 5 minutes in the freezer.

7. To bake: Bake all of the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn brown. Let them cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

8. To fill: Place the cookies with the holes in them on a cookie sheet and sift confectioners' sugar over the top. Turn the remaining cookies flat side up and spoon filling into the center, spreading it slightly. Top with the sugar-dusted cookies. Go crazy go stupid with this part. If you have an uneven number of solid and cutout cookies, use your mathematical incompetence as a justification to taste test. Then give the rest to a loved one to fatten them up. 

Raspberry Jam

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed raspberries

• 1 cup sugar

• Squeeze of citrus juice

• Optional: 1 tsp citrus zest

Instructions

1. As they would say in the technical challenges of The Great British Baking Show: Make a jam. 

2. Just kidding. Warm the sugar in a saucepan at low heat, stirring occasionally to encourage even heating. 

3. While the sugar is heating up, mash the raspberries with a fork and measure the paste if you haven’t already, you slacker. 

4. Add the raspberry paste to the saucepan and combine with the sugar at medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low. 

5. Add the citrus juice and zest, and simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Test for readiness by checking to see if the spoon leaves an open trail when you stir. 

6. Remove from the heat, and let completely cool before serving or transferring to a jar.

If you try this recipe at home, let the Evolution staff know! Post a picture and tag @ocsaevolution!

DE OPINION: Un Viaje Entre Mundos

Ana Soto - Staff Writer

Las familias van al cementerio para decorar las tumbas de sus familiares. Las fotos de sus seres queridos y sus cosas favoritas llenan los altares, los honran y celebran la vida que llevaron. Los colores vivos y audaces bailan y giran con una abrumadora cantidad de pura felicidad. Las flores muertas rodean el cementerio con su presencia y la música llena el aire y los oídos de muchos.

La celebración se inició hace 5.000 años con la gente indígena de México. Los Aztecas creían que llorar por la muerte era ofensivo. Así como nuestros ancestros indígenas. Ofrecimientos a los espíritus que regresan a nosotros en este día en especial. Las tumbas son decoradas con flores de cempasúchil para que el vibrante colorido y aroma guíe el espíritu a nuestro mundo. 

Desde 2002 el Centro Cultural de México ha estado organizando la celebración “Noche de Altares” basada en el Día de los Muertos donde las familias, estudiantes, organizaciones comunitarias y negocios se unen para crear una auténtica experiencia cultural que refleja una tradición Mexicana.

Está organizada por voluntarios incluyendo estudiantes de artes visuales y los de la Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica de la escuela de artes del condado de Orange (OCSA). Todos están invitados a construir un altar en memoria de algún difunto cercano o para llamar la atención acerca de algún tema social.

Como estudiante de OCSA y miembro activo de la comunidad Latinx es muy importante enfocarse en el significado de la tradición en lugar de la comercialización de esta.

En el futuro me encantaría ver más del contexto que hay detrás de la celebración, enfatizado en nuestra carpa de artes visuales. Personalmente no creo que lo que se puso fue una verdadera representación del dia festivo y lo que nosotros como escuela valoramos. Perdimos alguna gente de la comunidad incluyendo Blaze Bernstein y Profesor Swidzinski quienes deberíamos celebrar cada año con fotos de ellos, sus comidas y bebidas favorita, decoraciones coloridas, flores de cempasúchil, pan de muerto, dulce de calabaza y más.

Celebrar todos los años. Es una experiencia espiritual que yo y el resto de mi comunidad esperamos volver a celebrar. Atrae familias enteras y es una festividad que invita a todos sin importar de dónde vengan a participar y celebrar con nosotros para honrar la vida que nuestros seres queridos dejaron.

El Día de Muertos nos ayuda a reconocer que entre más mantengamos vivos en la memoria nuestros seres queridos nunca se irán. Es una tradición que es muy importante mantener viva así como nuestros ancestros nos enseñaron y que las futuras generaciones continuarán celebrando después que nosotros nos hayamos ido a “al más allá.”

 Winter Cineplex

Gabrielle Goodman - Staff Writer

OCSA’s semesterly Sundance, Tribeca, Toronto International: Cineplex. Winter Cineplex is one of the biggest Film and Television events of the year. OCSA FTV students new and old have the opportunity to screen their projects on the big screen after working tirelessly for a semester to produce a perfect finished project. Over the two day show, over 40 student-made films are shown. Being the first major FTV event of the year, Freshman see this as the first of their eight Cineplex’s they’ll attend through their high school careers. And for Seniors, the beginning of the end. 

Every year the lobby of the Dodge Film School Theater at Chapman University slowly begins getting filled with excited families and nervous students. “It's a big jump up from screening it just for friends and family.” says Julian Delucia (FTV ‘23). He is showing his Film Freshman production I film “Interview”. At the forefront of Winter Cineplex is the Junior’s web series. They are premiering their Television Production III Webseries Project. “I’ll Love You Tomorrow”. This year, their web series is a three part anthology focusing on the end of the world from the perspective of three different people. Junior Cooper Hardwick (FTV ‘21) was the cinematographer on the web series' second episode. He says “My favorite part about making this web series was learning the challenges of  having a bigger crew on set...I think in the end it turned out great, but initially it was a little intimidating.” Senior, Margot Nagatoshi (FTV ‘20), is quite excited for the show, she says, “It's a great opportunity for all FTV students, friends, and family to get to see everyone's work! It's always a night to remember.” 

 OCSA Admin’s Relationship with Vandalism

Emma Han - Staff Writer

Vandalism has always been a part of OCSA. Every now and then, you’ll be sure to spot little stickers or sharpie messages along the walls. In spite of the Administration's efforts, vandalism has persisted and escalated to further take its permanent place along the walls and stairwells of the campus.

In recent weeks, some discrete measures have been put into place in an attempt to cover and repair the damage. For example, along the back stairwell between the second and third floor, a large sharpie political message has been recently covered with several layers of white spray paint. 

The Facilities Committee, consisted of the Dean of Facilities and Supervision, Michael Ciecek, Dean of Maintenance and Operations, Dave Rosique, Webb facilities manager, IT Staff, and Chief Operations Officers, is responsible for these measures. In an interview, Ciecek expressed his disapproval over the lack of respect some students had for school property. He stated how the facilities committee believe that it was in the school’s best interest to cover up and discourage acts of vandalism to maintain a safe school environment. “If anyone [were to] come and challenge me about why we are [covering up the vandalism on the] school walls, I would really want to hear why that individual thinks that it's okay to do it because as a school, I don’t get to come into someone’s [property] and [vandalize it with] OCSA stickers on the walls,” said Ciecek.

 It is apparent that vandalism has left the walls and various murals damaged through sharpie ink and residue from stickers. However, much of its consequences go unnoticed as many janitors and custodians are left to do the dirty work. Even if these consequences may be unintended, those responsible must learn to recognize how their actions might impact on the campus. Similar to vandalism, littering is another destructive act that has caused further trouble for custodians. Despite it being the custodians’ job to maintain the cleanliness of the school, it is quite selfish and entitled to ruin school property without any consideration for those affected by vandalism and littering. “Many individuals don’t equate that its okay to do it at home but it is somehow okay to do it at school . . . [the Facilities Committee] want people, students especially, to take ownership of their school and know that when it looks good, when it is clean, there is a higher level of pride in their school and their culture,” said Ciecek.

Despite the trouble many custodians must deal with, the facilities committee have yet to address this rising issue to the entire school. The facilities committee, as stated by Ciecek, believe that, “it is just a few individuals [who are responsible for vandalism] and so it’s not really fair to say to a bunch of students who either don’t care, don’t know, or have no involvement that they’re going to be criticized.” It is clear that the Administration has taken a lot of consideration on this matter to avoid any misunderstanding in their direction. However, their discretion has left the school in the dark and the custodians as victims to vandalism. 

In hopes to improve the situation, Ciecek discussed several avenues OCSA provides for its students to express their views in a safer and more appropriate way. For example, the school’s large club program, consisting of over 100 clubs, has proven to be a great way for students to immerse themselves with like-minded individuals to discuss their opinions on politics, culture, religion, etc. By encouraging such avenues, any further damage can be prevented. Not only will it create a safer environment, but will also make the OCSA custodians’ job a little easier. 

While the Administration has often been painted as a mysterious authoritative body that enact strict policies upon the campus, they have shown consideration for the student body as well as their custodian staff in regards to vandalism. So, to anyone reading this article, whether or not you’re responsible for vandalism, next time, be mindful of your actions and its impact on others.

FASHION: VANDAL STUDIOS

Jacob Aguilar - Staff Photographer

Throughout the course of this past year, Tim Whelan (DM 20’) has made waves in the OCSA street style scene with his brand ‘VANDAL STUDIOS’ he creates work pants, shirts, and jackets adorned with his very own prints. His work pants “I Don’t Get It” have recently been receiving lots of traction because of their bold print and various color waves.

INTERVIEW:

Q1: What made you want to start creating your own clothing?

TIM: The thing that made me want to start creating my own clothing was that I didn’t want to just be a consumer when it came to fashion. I just have a lot of ideas in my head for clothes so I just make them instead of just thinking about it.

Q2: Who's your biggest influence/inspiration in the fashion industry? (Not restricted to just fashion people

TIM: My biggest inspiration in the fashion industry right now is Raf Simons, I want to create Knitwear with graphics on them and do some more all-over print clothes, similar to the pieces he designed for Calvin Klein 205w39nyc.

Q3: In the time we are In right now it feels like everyone has their own clothing brand, What makes your different from others? TIM: I'd like to think that my clothing line is different from other clothing brands because some of my clothes tell stories on them. like the pants I recently designed show someone who doesn’t feel like he fits in with everyone else. I don’t want to be a brand that just slaps graphics on clothes to make them look cool. I want there to be meaning behind it.

For the next couple issues of Evolution we want to focus in on and acknowledge upcoming brands in the OCSA community by giving them a platform to showcase their works, creating ad campaigns for them to use for social media and networking. With OCSA’s wide variety of talent we think that’s important to highlight and hone in on our future leaders in the arts community.

CLOTHING: Tim Whelan

MODELS: Tim Whelan, Justin You, Mack Hubbard 

PHOTOS: Jacob Aguilar

 An Ode to the 2010’s

Anna Iyer - Staff Illustrator

REPORT: Fifth Feral Dog Attack in OCSA Stairwell This Month

Louis Tonkovich - Satire Editor

Kyle Keller (CW ‘20) has been rushed to the hospital following a violent attack by feral dogs in the stairwell.

Keller was allegedly walking up the stairs after lunch, when he heard loud barks echoing through the stairway. “I didn’t want to end up like Corey, or Chelsea, or any of the other people who had been attacked,” Keller said, visibly shaking at the memory. 

Although Keller tried to exit the stairs, several frenzied hounds leapt onto him and knocked him to the ground, where they proceeded to scratch, claw and bite the senior. 

Keller is the fifth victim of feral dog attacks this month, and that number is expected to rise. 

Recently, it has become almost normal for innocent students to fall victim to the wild animals that now live on the OCSA stairs. The dogs have been roaming wild on the stairway ever since they were set loose earlier this January in an attempt by administration to discourage vandalism.  

The release of the dozen or so vicious dogs was a last ditch effort by the school, following a recent spike in graffiti. 

Administration allegedly intended the five Siberian Huskies, four Rottweilers, two German Shepherds, and the alarmingly aggressive pitbull nicknamed “The Exterminator,” to send a message to vandals that their choice of artistic expression was not appreciated.

Critics of this new policy say that the dogs have no way of distinguishing students who could potentially vandalize from students going about their regular business, and that this measure is an outrageous overreaction to the minor issue of vandalism. 

Evolution, always committed to reporting both sides of every story, could in this case only find one supporter of the incredibly unpopular Feral Dog Policy. His name was Joe Student. He didn’t give any notable quotes, but he wanted us to stress the fact that he was a real student and not Michael Ciecek in disguise. He expressed fervent enthusiasm for what most other students are calling the “Barking Menace,” and said that the policy has been a huge success. 

And while it’s true that vandalism has certainly declined, public anxiety has rocketed, with students expressing fear and panic about the looming canine threats that now lurk in the stairway. Students have begun travelling in tight groups up and down the stairs, and the elevators have become very overcrowded.

“I lied to the nurse and said I had chronic leg pain just so I wouldn’t have to climb the stairs,” Amelia Huyck (CAH ‘20) told Evolution. “I didn’t want to, but those dogs are pretty big, and I think at least one has rabies.”

In reaction to the frequent dog attacks, the individual behind the stairwell vandalism spoke up. 

“This new feral dog stuff is ridiculous and frankly authoritarian,” said Banksy. The world famous graffiti artist also said that he’s never seen such an extreme and bizarre reaction to his public art, which is typically met with an overwhelmingly positive reception elsewhere. 

“I guess OCSA admin just doesn’t  appreciate my work,” Banksy said, shrugging. The street artist said that he plans to relocate to the CSArts campus and try his luck there.

 COMIC: Life Speed Dating

Vivi Velasco - Staff Illustrator

PIERCE TRIES: Pierce Tries A Taco

Kyle Keller - Multimedia Co-Editor

Pierce Lewis (IA, ‘21) is a finicky eater. One rainy Friday afternoon while he and I were sitting in the Breezeway, I asked him if he had tried any specific foods for the first time recently. He thought for a moment. “Lasagna,” he said. “I tried that a few months ago.”

“What’d you think?” I asked.

“It was pretty good.”

That day, Mr. Lewis wore a collared shirt with vertical blue-and-white stripes. His swoopy brown hair, glasses and non-threatening demeanor frequently draw comparisons to Dipper Pines, an awkward, lovable protagonist from the animated TV show Gravity Falls. I tend to go a bit overboard with that comparison, but Lewis takes it in stride. He’s just that kind of guy.

Mr. Lewis has taken the Rice Purity Test, an online quiz that asks a series of questions that quantify how many hijinks you’ve embarked on in your life. (For example: “have you ever kissed someone?” and “have you ever been arrested?”, among other more explicit ones.) The higher you score, the more “pure” you are. Lewis’s score is the closest to a clean 100 that I’ve heard of — meaning, on the whole, he’s a pretty naive kid. Then again, he’s wordly in other ways, even when it comes to food. For instance, he’s tried escargot. “I had something hard in mine,” he told me. “I don’t think escargot is supposed to crunch.”

Over the past year, Pierce Lewis has made a concerted effort to experience more of the culinary world. But there’s one thing he still hasn’t tried. Tacos.

As Mr. Lewis and I chatted, we were joined by Ana Soto (PD ‘20), Maddy Ernst (CV ‘20), and Kip Schwartz (CV ‘20). Soto, a natural leader, took charge of the group with gusto. Compared to a lot of the childhood stories you’ll find around OCSA, Soto’s is quite remarkable — she immigrated to the U.S. from revolution-torn Romania at the age of six and has lived in Santa Ana ever since. Her worldly background is backed up by a boisterous, magnetic personality that you can’t help but notice bustle into a room. She’s seen and done a fair amount: Soto’s score on the Rice Purity Test is significantly lower than Mr. Lewis’s, hovering somewhere around 60.

The five of us ambled down Sycamore Street, dodging puddles and making light conversation. After passing a few taco trucks that weren’t to Soto’s liking, we stopped at a beaten and brandless truck by the 99¢ Store. Thankfully, the workers had pulled out a tiny roof for their customers, and we packed underneath it to avoid the rain.

Soto ordered, and when the time came to pay, she turned to us sheepishly. “I don’t have any cash on me. Can one of you guys cover this?”

No one made a move.

“Fine,” I said, pulling out my wallet. If only the Journalism budget covered tacos.

After we got our food, we searched for cover and ended up sitting on a curb in a parking structure. Mr. Lewis sat in the center with the plastic tray of tacos in his lap, and the rest of us reclined in a loose circle around him, like Jesus surrounded by his apostles. Schwartz turned on the camera and took a seat further away to get a wide angle.

“Okay,” began Soto, “all of you be quiet.” She went on to describe the history of the taco, different taco iterations, and the three tacos in Lewis’s lineup  — carne asada (“the O.G.”), carnitas (“to any of the Jews out there: sorry, but this is not Kosher, mama”), and al pastor (“real street food”). As we wandered our way through the setup for Mr. Lewis’s Great Taco Moment, there was a minor debate about the merits of red and green sauce. Soto went on frequent tangents, invariably followed by a frantic “Cut that out, cut that out!” Ernst asked me if I had a Roblox account. The whole ordeal was ridiculous, disorganized, and highly un-journalistic, but what had I expected? 

Finally, the fateful moment arrived. Ernst and Soto pulled out their phones to record the moment alongside Schwartz. Lewis squeezed on a bit of lime, lifted the carne asada taco and then took a big bite.

“How is it? How is it?” we asked in a chorus of voices.

Mr. Lewis took a second to chew, then nodded. “It’s pretty good,” he said.

Where’s Wonder Woman?

Molly Karst - Staff Writer

Some quick statistics: the first feature film was created in 1906; the 2020 awards season will close out with the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony on February 9th; 236 individual directors have been nominated to receive the Oscar for Best Director; only five out of the 236 Best Director nominees have been females. And after 82 ceremonies, the first (and thus far, only) woman director was finally crowned victorious in 2009.  

Was the initial win after 82 years the harbinger of a new era for women in film? Considering that a woman hasn’t won since, and only one other woman was nominated in the decade between Kathryn Bigelow’s historic victory and the upcoming ceremony’s recently announced all-male batch of directors, signs point to no. But does that mean that Bigelow’s win was an anomaly, and a poor reflection to gauge an evolving industry? Also no. Bigelow’s isolated first is less likely to remain solitary as opportunities and outcries each grow in volume to increase the prevalence of female creative leaders. Her pioneering triumph may not have single-handedly ushered in an equitable takeover, but it did signify granules of change trickling through, and the stirring of a sleeping giant. 

The dormancy of women in film does not solely encompass withholding creative opportunities: the characterizations and narratives that include women are often insufficient and hasty, or, at worst, exploitative. Representation both behind and in front of the camera is dismal, so how and when will it change? Based on the current culture of empowerment and an integrity towards just storytelling, a dramatic shift within this generation is a safe bet, as women are allowed platforms to tell their own stories. The transformation underway is even seen within OCSA’s own Film and Television Conservatory.

Jim Stevens, a graduate of the ’06 FTV class, most commonly recognized as ‘Mr. Stevens’, teaches Elective Photography and various conservatory classes to the new wave of film students. Stevens has been privy to a shifting student demographic, recalling how his own conservatory class only had 2 girls in a pool of 20 students. And the two girls tended to keep their distance from the 18 other boys. “The lack of women in the department was for sure a trend. The participation of female students wasn’t very high,” Stevens recalls of his high school days at OCSA, speculating, “maybe there were certain women out there who didn’t want to be in the environment because there might have been too many boys. We all helped each other and worked together, but I definitely feel like… the boys hog more of the toys.” With film sets requiring heavy equipment dripping with novelty and masculinity, Stevens poses the question, “Who would be involved? Who would try to steal the time more than the other person?”

The answer until recently: the boys, be it in a classroom setting, or as the visionaries backed by big studios with big budgets. 

Aaron Orullian, the longstanding director of the FTV conservatory, has bore witness to the vaster patterns of employment and offers additional analysis as to where the discrepancy in gender stems from and why it is perpetuated. “I’ve heard this from producers, both male and female alike, that it’s about the economics. A lot of it has to do with market in terms of the studio system with big-budgeted films. Women that tend to be successful so far in Hollywood filmmaking focus on big-budget, or action, films.” 

But Orullian details how “there’s a leap to scale when you begin making big-budget films,” and those entrusted with the Oscar-bait movies like sprawling war films or bio-pics are those who have been “trained-up to be able to do so through experience.” Unfortunately, experience has historically been an offer only extended by stingy males to other males. Fortunately, Orullian senses that “there’s a lot of room for a great diversity of stories” and that “there’s definitely more of an open conversation about inclusion going on right now.”

Expansion of the industry’s talent is on the imminent horizon, and he asserts that the best way to ensure advancement is education. “Training a filmmaker starts now, starts in film schools. So then filmmakers can compete, they can have work that producers will say, ‘Let me give you a shot,’” Orullian elaborates. For an extensive chunk of the past, the prospect of receiving mentorship may have been elusive to young women filmmakers, discouraging their pursuit of art before it could be fostered. The aftereffects of this implied societal denial may account for the lack of women’s presence in today’s awards ceremonies, but at the beginning stage of stepping into a classroom, the current ratios are much more hopeful. In fact, Orullian’s freshman class has a greater number of female students than male students. The trend he’s observed over recent years indicates to him that more people are willing to “take that initiative” to apply, or that “somebody is encouraging them to take that step.”

Progress at the foundational level is best exemplified by Faith Garcia (FTV ‘20) and Max Rogoff (FTV ‘20), two senior filmmakers both heading into the industry, both equipped with success and immense talent, and both exposed to the resources and premium guidance provided by OCSA’s conservatory program. 20 years ago, the industry would never have imagined them to be poised for similar careers: Rogoff is a white male, and Garcia is a female immigrant from the Philippines. Even though recent eras may have tried to leave the precedent that their circumstances would differentiate between the potential of their futures, restrict the stories they could tell and define their capabilities, Max, Faith, and the new generation of movie makers reject those notions entirely.

As a storyteller, Rogoff strives to depict sensitive, intimate portraits of vulnerability in his characters, doing so with undeniable expertise. In turn, his narratives also happen to dismantle typical tropes of masculinity by offering fully realized male roles. His recent short film, ‘The Rule of Fours’, daringly embraced showcasing the leading man’s struggle with mental health and grappling with his weaknesses to grow into a healthier person. Although revealing little, Rogoff hinted that a key aspect to his upcoming project is his attempt to acknowledge toxic masculinity and explore how the harmful mentality can be shed. Rogoff’s films not only share situations rejecting corrosive ideals, but Rogoff also encourages peers with boundless generosity. He astutely notes his advantages as both an accomplished filmmaker, and as a male, wielding his opportunities with refreshing selflessness: on set, he’ll often recruit help from those with less experience, but who have a hunger to learn. 

And as far as Rogoff’s view on his female collaborators goes, he reflects, “I focus more on who I’m working with, asking myself, ‘Who do I work best with?’ And because there’s no gap in skill between man and woman, it just happens to be balanced.” His sentiment of knowing no discrepancy serves as a testament to the newly-common approach to equally educating and endorsing all artists with a passion. 

Meanwhile, Faith Garcia is the embodiment of a young filmmaker who recognizes the urgent need to represent herself and those like her. Garcia’s identity and current path is heavily informed by the inspiration she derived from the superhero movies that shaped her childhood, but laments how “it was always Iron Man or Captain America on the screen.” So when Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman was released, the power of “finally being able to see an awesome girl superhero that was the lead in her own movie” left Garcia weeping from her seat in the audience. “The first time I saw Wonder Woman, I cried so much I thought everyone in the theater could hear me,” gushes Garcia as she remembers the catharsis of witnessing the scene where Wonder Woman walks across the battlefield, paying no mind to the bullets.

Speaking to the impact of the battleground visual, Garcia explains, “It’s seeing women represented in a way that they’re not usually represented, but that’s who they are. You can be strong in so many different ways, and seeing that sequence on screen just represents so many different types of strength in women.” Her admiration for the fables highlighting woman’s power naturally bleeds into the stories Garcia captures for her own cinematic creations. Her recent documentary ‘Precious Kid’ chronicles the nominal all-female punk rock duo Garcia discovered in Orange County, and features live audience testimony enthused by the female empowerment concertgoers find with Precious Kid’s performances.

Making the story of Precious Kid widespread via the medium of film not only provides exposure to a rocking pair of musicians, but also evidence of Garcia’s dedication to female representation in her work, and the impact of allowing female-centric stories to be told. 

Between equal regards towards one another amongst filmmakers from varying backgrounds, a level amount of access to film education, and a liberty to focus on stories through all lenses, Awards Season pundits could bet their life savings and come away with winnings aplenty by predicting that, by the end of this decade, the Oscar Best Director category and all other areas of recognition will see a greater range of gender and representation across the board. Whether it’s Rogoff working to traverse the oft uncharted perspective of masculine nuances, or Garcia scouting stories of female empowerment in Orange County’s backyard to prove superwomen exist in unsuspecting circumstances, an indispensable and diverse array of cinema is being unleashed with the young filmmakers of today. As long as anyone is welcome on the battlefield, artists will tell essential stories for both themselves and others that will change history. As experienced by Garcia, she left the screening of ‘Wonder Woman’ with the distinct and accurate impression that, “‘You know, I’m gonna go save the world. In some way.’”

CMD’s Winter Solstice

Jennifer Woo - Staff Writer

From flashy tap dancing, to sophisticated modern pieces, to sassy hip hop, Commercial Dance’s Winter Solstice showcased it all. 

This festive show was also a bittersweet one, as it was Mr. Kolb’s last Winter Solstice as CMD director. Tawny Chapman, a CMD teacher and choreographer said, “Mr. Kolb has been an integral part of the CMD family for more than 30 years and has been the director since 1998. He has made a tremendous impact on the lives of many students and will be missed by students, parents, and faculty.” 

“I hope that I have had some influence on the students to build good work ethics and professional attitudes as happy and successful human beings” said Mr. Kolb.

Kolb’s legacy and influence can be seen in many of his students, such as CMD senior, Tatum Marshall, who said that she would tell her younger self, “Stay positive, selfless, and always work hard.” 

CMD is one of the few conservatories whose entire student body participates in every show, and seeing the progression of skill and performance from Group 1 (seventh graders) to Group 7 (seniors) was one of the many highlights of the show. 

Jordyn Moretta (CMD ‘25), expressed deep admiration for classmates. “They inspire me to work hard every single day,” she said.

Marshall also expressed a similar appreciation for her classmates, saying, “What I admire most about my classmates is how supportive they are to each other and how responsible they are. This conservatory is just one big family and even though we butt heads we are all brothers and sisters.” 

The support in this conservatory was also apparent through the cheers from the audience between numbers. The silent blackouts were filled with shouts of “YEAH [insert dancer’s name]!” or “LET’S GO [insert dancer’s name]!”  Students danced to a variety of songs, such as “Ring the Alarm” by Beyonce, “Bells Will Be Ringing” by Kelly Clarkson, and the theme song from the TV show, Friends, which was accompanied by a sentimental slideshow dedicated to the senior class. 

CMD students and faculty produced a spectacular holiday show and they are sure to carry on Mr. Kolb’s legacy for future generations of CMD students.

 OPINION: Dear OCSA Liberals

Sydney Prado-Coleman - Staff Writer & Corey LoDuca - Staff Writer

In the United States, those who align themselves with the Democratic party and would consider themselves to be more “liberal” are often conflated with the political left. However, this is rather inaccurate, as liberals, in actuality, occupy a more moderate, centrist position on the political spectrum. As a result, the public’s general perception of leftism is deradicalized and watered down. “Progressives” see themselves as just that, standing firm in their view of the government as the entity that will bring liberation. Their faith in the American Democracy fuels their perception that voting should be the primary way to achieve change. 

The liberal ideology and methodology prop up—and are dependent on—an inherently oppressive system, as they believe social problems arise from poor morals, rather than larger systemic issues. Viewing the system as fundamentally good -but plagued by a few bad people- rather than broken, corrupt and oppressive, allows them to advocate for liberation via that system.  They believe we can encourage corporations to behave morally, touting ideas of social mobility and lobbying for policy change as the best way to empower marginalized groups. However, relying on these ideas as the basis of their movement works in direct opposition to leftists, as liberals strengthen of the very systems which leftists seek to tear down. 

By subscribing to this reformist ideology, they fail to address the fact that the systems which lead to the destruction of marginalized communities are performing precisely as they were structured to. They neglect the history and nature of the founding of the American settler-colonial government, to which the subjugation of marginalized groups is intrinsic. The American empire exists because of oppression and exploitation. These are not coincidental ills to the system of government; they are inherent and integral features. 

This country was founded on and continues to thrive off of the capitalist exploitation of people of color across the globe. The very existence of America is a symbol of white supremacy, economic exploitation and hegemony. Oppression was written into the foundational documents that set the grounds for the formation of American government. Oppression is perpetual until it is abolished entirely and at its core. How do you achieve liberation if not by addressing it at its source? 

The problem manifests itself, largely, through performative activism. The ability to detach oneself from the violent realities of a capitalist system allows for a lack of urgency in one’s actions. Liberalism relies on a collective state of complacency; political activism as a means of social advancement rather than an act of survival. For those who perform activism, oppression is a trivial matter. They are able to escape it indefinitely, returning to their bubbles once they’ve successfully feigned empathy, while those who are most vulnerable to exploitation are granted no refuge. 

This passive activism is also greatly hypocritical in nature, as it seeks to pacify marginalized peoples by allowing the most privileged people to do the bare minimum in their advocacy, while effectively doing nothing to confront the role they play in upholding oppressive systems. These people who perform “wokeness” often associate with bigots on the side, refusing to hold them accountable and maintaining the sources of oppression. 

Liberals prioritize insignificant issues, with those in positions of power weaponizing discussions about identity and diversity to pacify the public. They know that when the focus is directed towards trivial issues like internet cancel culture, tone policing and gatekeeping, people are distracted from the fact that only a small group of people are benefiting under Capitalism and American Democracy. They do not realize this status quo cannot be upheld anymore. Critiques on the basis of class are absent from liberal discourse regarding race, gender, and sexuality. But this lack of class consciousness disregards that those who make up marginalized groups are more likely to be exploited for their labor and likewise to struggle economically. The Capitalist system actually perpetuates the marginalization of oppressed groups, and since economic justice is ultimately social justice, any advocacy within this system is counteractive. 

Any regressive work that is being done only serves to strengthen the need for a truly liberating movement. The abolition of these inherently corrupt systems is the only remedy to the suffering of marginalized groups. The need for revolution and the elimination of oppression at its core stems from a place of love and compassion. Rather than focusing on upholding centuries of exploitative hierarchies, a future realized through revolution will prioritize equity and justice for those consistently subjugated. Genuine liberation lies in the hands of the people; it depends on mass resistance and radical empathy for those who are abused at the hands of exploitative governments and can come from nothing less. 

SENIORITIS: January 2020

Anya Ernst - Co-Editor-in-Chief

I know what you’re probably thinking: “Why doesn’t she just get a journal?” or “This girl needs some medication!” And you’re right, I do. But I am happy to report that there is a different kind of stress this month, Seniors, and this time it’s out of my control. 

It’s hard to believe that my first semester of senior year is over. Your predecessors are right, it goes MUCH faster than you could ever imagine. I didn’t doubt this anecdote about my final year of high school. However, I tried my best to “savor” the memories and have fun, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been much fun to be had. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve been too stressed and busy to enjoy myself. Now, I don’t know how much I could have prevented that, but I definitely will attest that the procrastination with my applications and the senioritis is real. I don’t know how I will have any motivation to do my homework or study next semester. 

All of my applications are in and it feels pretty good. I submitted my UC apps on November 30th, but at least I wasn’t one of those kids who couldn’t submit their Cal States when the website crashed (you know who you are). With college auditions and LA Unifieds approaching, my stress levels have not decreased at all. In fact, at least my applications had grades that had already been completed and there was no way to change them. But, auditions are all on me and my talent right now. 

Scheduling auditions and interviews has proved to be much more stressful and expensive than I originally thought. In all honesty, I wasn’t prepared for this entire process and I am amazed at how others have done it before me without completely losing their mind. But maybe they did go insane and everyone else is just a lot better at hiding it than me. 

Unfortunately, I don’t have much more advice to give than that. I would love to share what I thought was helpful or what I think is unnecessary when applying, but I might be doing this whole college-thing entirely wrong, so I guess we’ll have to wait until I get some acceptances and scholarships under my belt. It’s exciting to think that by the time this is published, I will know if I’ve gotten into some schools!

I hope all the seniors had a relaxing winter break, and savored some unfortunate “lasts” with your families. I hope you made those cookies! Got that Christmas tree with your family! Took your little sibling ice skating! And drank all the hot chocolate you could possibly stomach! It’s an unsettling thought that everything will be so much different in just a year from now, no matter what educational or personal path you plan to take after graduation. 

And to all the underclassmen, start brainstorming your essay ideas, now. As premature as it sounds, I know everyone who applied to four year schools can agree: there will never be enough time.

Horoscopes: January 2020

Maddy Ernst - Online Editor-in-Chief

Aries:

Aries, being a listener has been tough lately, but your friends need you. Your frustration with others’ actions has been causing problems in your personal life, and it’s important to step back and realize when you’re blowing issues out of proportion. With Uranus ending its retrograde in Capricorn, your perspective on love has shifted, and you can use it to find balance in your relationships.

Taurus:

New semester, new you, Taurus! It’s time you picked up a new hobby or interest, and who knows? You might meet people who share your passions and find some new connections. Any lack of creative energy you’ve been feeling is completely normal while the Sun is in Capricorn, and the best way for you to recharge is by spending some quality time at home, so try to read a book and watch the rain.

Gemini:

Gemini, love is in the stars! Whether it’s a good friend or a new fling is up to you, but Venus in Pisces is bringing someone who has a lot in common with you. Be careful not to let it go to your head though, as your new relationships tend to disappear as quickly as they come. Take care of your health, and make sure you’re exercising lots after eating all of that holiday candy. Summer bodies start in the winter!

Cancer:

You’ve been living life in the fast lane, Cancer, and as the Sun moves into Aquarius, you take on Aqua’s specialty of becoming a social chameleon. Moving between groups of people is a breeze, but don’t lose yourself in the process. Keep your ego in check this month, as it can get in the way of important relationships. Disputes can be solved easily right now, but don’t pave the way for a rocky future.

Leo:

Leo, as Mars moves into Sagittarius, you start to feel motivated to stand for what you believe in, giving you a more solid sense of confidence. You've been feeling like a bit of a social butterfly, even more than usual. Go have fun! Go to parties and hang out with friends; you’re only young once! Keep the good vibes going through the rest of the month, and spread some happiness to the people in your life.

Virgo:

January is a time of happiness and success, Virgo, and you’ve waited patiently for it. Venus in Pisces, your sister sign, is providing emotional support from your friends, giving way to new relationships and allowing you to be easier to trust. The Sun in Aquarius can cause serious mood swings, so take the ups as strongly as you can and be gentle with yourself on the downs. Remember, people are here to help you!

Libra:

Kindness does not come naturally to you, Libra, so it’s hard to see someone that doesn’t want your rare compassion. It’s in your best interest to leave people who want to suffer alone, no matter how hard it can be. Putting your energy into someone who doesn’t think they need it is taking its toll on you. The New Moon in Aquarius offers a chance to re-evaluate your relationships and take time for yourself.

Scorpio:

Scorpio, it’s time to put on some bedroom pop and just vibe. 2020 is kicking off in a mellow mood, so kick back and relax. Being alone is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, it’s good for your mental health to take some “me” time. Go see a movie, or go on a date with yourself. You deserve to treat yourself kindly. Take a little time to recharge, and come your social circle’s next major issue, you’ll be good as new.

Sagittarius:

Lots of decisions are coming up Sagittarius, so be ready to weigh your options carefully. Don’t be flippant about choices you have to make; try to understand the consequences of your actions. Also, try to spend some quality time with your significant other or family. Home is where the heart is, and after a hectic 2019,  it’s time you focused on the people you truly care about.

Capricorn:

Capricorn, now is the time to focus on long-term goals. Think about the goals you have for the future, because you’ll be receiving lots of good insight on the decisions you must make. Good news is coming soon, so for seniors that hopefully means a college acceptance. Your physical life has needed some organization lately. Watch some Marie Kondo, clean out your room, and really get ready for a fresh start.

Aquarius:

Your ambitions have been slowing down, Aquarius, and it’s okay that you haven’t been up to your full force. Take some time to regroup in January, and if you’ve had any concerns over your future, you should be en route to finding solutions. Remember, Aquarius, it’s okay to be sad, but the people in your life are here to help you feel better, and it’s usually better not to wallow in tears.

Pisces:

Pisces, Venus has landed in your sign, bringing your natural bubbly demeanor to everyone’s love lives in friendship, romance, and self-love. Your connections with others has been very strong lately, but you’ve got your hands full juggling all of the people in your life. Although sometimes it feels like too much, your friends have noticed. Let yourself be treated the way you treat others, and don’t feel bad! You deserve it.