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Elitism Turned Inclusivity
Tabitha Finamore, Brie Samaniego
Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), renowned for its excellence in arts education in Southern California, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. The school is evolving into a more inclusive and culturally diverse environment, embracing a broader range of artistic practices.
Once perceived as a school catering to students with a pristine academic record, ready and willing to overachieve with a narrow focus on arts, OCSA has become a more inclusive and diverse environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds and interests.
The school's focus was on success, though the way OCSA was measuring it did not align with OCSA’s original priorities of offering an excellent arts education to all students. While OCSA boasted high statistics of its students’ admittance to prestigious schools, it actively only admitted students that were already set on that path towards academic and artistic success.
Because of this, OCSA was often criticized for its lack of diversity and its exclusive culture. Students who did not fit into the narrow mold of what was considered "high art" often felt left out or marginalized and classes felt Eurocentric. What allowed OCSA to create such an elitist institution was the school's strict admissions process, which required auditions and portfolio submissions, potentially making it more difficult for students who did not have access to private lessons or training programs.
Not only was this practice unethical, but because OCSA is a charter school, the practice was illegal in some attributes. The restructuring of the application process has since been changed to focus on a student’s potential rather than their prior experiences.
Certain conservatories within OCSA, such as Classical Dance and Classical Voice, were traditionally limited to specific styles of singing and dance, such as ballet or opera neglecting other culturally significant dance styles and musical traditions.
The greatest change towards a more inclusive educational environment was the transition from an audition-based application process to the lottery system in 2020. Since the initial introduction, the lottery system has undergone some minor changes, and in 2022, a new conservatory called Arts and Enterprise was introduced to the school.
Though the introduction of newer conservatories and alteration of the application process is a step in the right direction, many aspects of OCSA still must continue to work towards providing the best support for its students and community. Students, teachers, and staff must continue to adapt.
A way OCSA could continue towards increasing community support would be creating new opportunities for students who would not have been able to achieve without the help of OCSA. Exposing students to the arts and encouraging them to achieve, Dawn Spranger, an advocate for inclusive education at OCSA, emphasizes, "You don't get to pick and choose who you get to teach because art is not a privilege, it is a right." Her words serve as a reminder that every student deserves access to arts education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Due to the implementation of the lottery, there has been a change for students and staff alike. Teachers especially have had to become more accommodating for students. Spranger empathizes with teachers struggling to adjust during this period of "growing pains" following the institution of the lottery and reminds them that art education should be inclusive and accessible to all.
OCSA counselor Kara McCann has a similar perspective and states, “We are a school, so it is about growth and improvement rather than being the top of the arts discipline you are in”. Seeing the incorporation of different learning techniques within academic classrooms and increasing mental health support resources is encouraging.
In this period of "growing pains," OCSA must continue its journey toward inclusivity and maintain a respectful and nurturing environment that celebrates the diverse talents and backgrounds of its students.
Sunset & Vinyl: OCSA’s Unforgettable Gala
Tabitha Finamore
OCSA's creativity extends far beyond the school day, reaching past the walls of its conservatories. One of its most notable events is Gala, which was first established in 1989. It has become a beloved tradition at OCSA, offering students the incredible opportunity to perform together across conservatories while raising funds for future generations of OCSA students.
"As an arts education institution, OCSA relies entirely on donations to support its conservatory programs, requiring approximately $10 million annually," says Elizabeth Ton, Vice President of Development at Orange County School of the Arts. "This amount is essential to ensure that all students can experience OCSA to the fullest extent, including dances, performances, access to costumes and technology, and more. Gala plays a significant role in raising funds, contributing one to two million dollars each year."
Gala brings together 550 to 700 guests and involves over 300 students from all conservatories, creating a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere. It showcases the diverse talents and skills nurtured at OCSA, highlighting the synergy among different disciplines with the involvement of every conservatory.
Beyond dancers, vocalists, and musicians, conservatories like Production and Design (P&D) and Film and Television (FTV) play crucial roles. P&D students take charge of ensuring Gala’s smooth execution, while FTV students work alongside industry professionals to capture the performances on film. The Visual Art and Digital Media conservatories also contribute by creating art pieces to be auctioned off, raising additional funds.
Participants have expressed their appreciation for Gala's unique nature. Audrey Warne-McGraw (P&D '23) describes the experience, "having Gala as one of the last shows I worked at OCSA was amazing. I loved working alongside some of my best friends and watching the incredible performance from the sidelines!"
Lucas Brenes (FTV '23) highlights Gala’s inclusive nature, stating, "It's incredible to see how students from different conservatories collaborate to bring the event to life. It showcases the diversity and depth of talent at OCSA."
Considering how heavily OCSA relies on Gala for funding, the stakes seem impossibly high. However, every year, OCSA's creative director, Cindy Pecca, rises to the challenge with unwavering determination. Her journey at OCSA began as a teacher for the commercial dance conservatory, and over time, she has assumed the position of creative director. Pecca organizes various events throughout the year, including Season Finale, Montage, and, of course, Gala.
Pecca's Gala planning process is a year-round endeavor. She conceptualizes ideas, collaborates with the Gala creative team as well as OCSA's music director, Melissa Wackermen, meticulously researching music to piece the show together. Each song is specifically orchestrated for Gala, giving it a unique touch that sets it apart from other performances. Auditions for performers and greeters take place in December, and Pecca assigns choreographers and student performance groups to different sections based on her vision for each piece.
Gala comprises three acts that incorporate various styles of dance and encourage interaction between conservatories, illustrating the importance of arts education. From orchestras accompanying vocalists to dancers preforming to these tracks, Gala showcases the impressive talent nurtured at OCSA.
For Pecca, the culmination of all her hard work is the Gala event itself. She enjoys seeing all the moving pieces come together, witnessing the materialization of ambition and talent while also allowing herself to let go and enjoy the event alongside the guests.
This year's Gala, titled "Sunset & Vinyl," featured a roller skating act, a boxing number, and a performance where PM senior Joan Park sang while dancers attached themselves to a harness handcrafted by Heaven Hanson (P&D '23). Pecca is proud of all her students and thanks her graduates for their participation while simultaneously brainstorming for next year's Gala.
Dominic DeAugestine (CV '23) has participated in Montage, CV shows, PM shows, and other OCSA performances, but nothing compares to Gala in his eyes. He says, "I have loved every opportunity to perform I have had, but being a part of Gala my senior year was an experience I will appreciate for the rest of my life. There is something about being on this huge stage with professional lighting and costumes with an audience made up of friends and strangers all coming together to support what you love."
Hallowed Be Thy Rank
Selah Sanchez
As the year closes out, I have begun to reflect on all that’s been written in Evolution this year, and it seems like this round of issues saw a lot of ranking or list articles. Not to discredit any of our fantastic writers. But as someone wise once said, “what goes around comes around.” As such, I will be ranking rank articles of this year’s Evolution repertoire. Please note, that this is entirely subjective, and just because another is not on here does not make it inferior. This is just for funsies. Just a little laugh.
5. Underrated OCSA Alumni, by Lacole Yang, in the 2022 December Issue
It’s articles like these that make me happier than anything. Why? It’s a good reminder that Matthew Morrison is not the only person ever that has graduated from our school (oh, and that other guy, I forgot his name. Peter? Pasquale? He’s probably not important). Enough said. Check some of the alumni out!
4. Legal Things that Feel Illegal, by Lauren Kim, in the 2022 November Issue
What struck me while reading this article was the variety. Many of the acts in the article are quite relatable, such as telling the barber you don’t like your haircut. Some of them are unexpected, and yet understandable in an unspoken way, such as drinking orange juice outside. Lauren’s witty asides and solutions across the article are equally amusing as well.
3. Instagram PFP Slander by Lauren Kim, in the 2023 March Issue
Back to back on the list with ‘Legal Things that Feel Illegal.’ Kim’s biting humor returns, wittier than ever. Each profile receives an equal amount of shade, in a creative and all-too-real way once again. No matter who you are, you will feel bad. And that is exactly what she wants. For these reasons, I will not comment on the accuracy of my own profile photo.
2. Chairs. (Chairs) by James Yi, in the 2022 October Issue
When I first heard the idea, I was hardly sure it would work. However, the flippant and down-to-earth way in which Yi writes about each specific chair, and the carefully curated quotes from his interviewees, prove hie is a master of his craft. And I do agree with him. Those orange chairs in T500 are quite nice to sit on.
Before we reveal our number one, I would also like to give an honorable mention to Faith Hochgesang’s edition of Senioritis in the November Issue. Though more of a list than a ranking, it proved to be of great help to many seniors applying to college, including me, and it felt refreshing.
1. How to Lose an OCSA Guy in 10 Days by Tabitha Finamore and Sammi Thomas, in the 2023 February Issue
Teeming with inside humor, this article is a joy to read, and it’s always nice to poke some good-natured fun at our ‘unique school culture,’ given your ego is not fragile. My personal favorite red flag is number twenty-three: You Enjoyed the OCSA Straight Boys Article.
And there you have it! Hopefully your curiosity has been quenched, and you might be inspired to revisit these articles!
Class of '23 Never to Graduate Due to Curse
Felix Brem
If you’ve been paying attention recently, you may have noticed subtle changes taking place at OCSA as the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur. Strange weather that cycles from blistering hot to hailing, lights flickering in suspiciously squeaky-clean hallways, substitute teachers whose vacant eyes reflect prophecies of the future. It happens at the end of every year--a sort of magical hum as the deities in the bones of OCSA’s foundations slowly awaken, anticipating the end of their hibernation.
This year, however, something is different. The annual blood oath ritual has not been performed since donors and parents posed ‘moral concerns,’ and our grip on reality slackens as the ancient deities hunger for chaos. Administrators recently attempted to conduct negotiations, but failed to placate them, instead spurring the creation of a new, vicious curse that will haunt the school and its inhabitants for eternity. An unfortunate consequence of this is an immediate and permanent time loop forever preventing students from graduating. Cosmically thrilling stuff, but a nightmare for student morale. Unfortunately, this means no three-hour-long graduation ceremony, no bragging about Ivy League acceptances, and no knowledge that you will be crushed under the weight of student debt for the rest of your life. Senior year ruined.
“It happens at the end of every year—a sort of magical hum as the deities in the bones of OCSA’s foundations slowly awaken, anticipating the end of their hibernation.”
In response, a group of students organized to protest the grave mishandling of ancient oaths. Abigail Ignatious (IA ‘∞), president of the League of Blood Oath Protocol (LBOP) claimed to have contacted admin to discuss blood oath ritual certification, but received no answer. “It’s absurd how CPR and food safety certifications are required, but not blood oath certification…especially at an institution where rituals are so crucial,” she commented. “The risks are just too high when you don’t know exactly how to appease ancient powers.” However, Ignatious’s safety concerns may just be a front in her grab for power, according to recent rumors of a student coup. We’ll report on that as it develops.
Meanwhile, many other students choose to see the glass half full; several STEM-inclined students view the endless time loop as an opportunity for scientific discovery. NASA is reportedly in conversation with administrators about opening a new branch dedicated to the study of abnormal time, relying on OCSA as its primary case study. Who knows--we could be the first witnesses to time travel!
Optimistic senior Wilson Bradbury Brambleforde (VA ‘∞) shared another insightful way to mentally reframe the drastic change in schedule: “Just think of all of the art that our anguish will inspire. Movie deals, murals, Broadway…I guess they were right when they said that getting stuck in a time loop is the quickest path to fame!”
As an optimist myself, I have to add to this list of upsides. There are endless issues of Evolution to come--hand-illustrated horoscopes and origami tutorials for the rest of your life! While news could get stale in a time loop, here at Evolution, we’re so dedicated to publishing breaking news that we’ll even make it up if we have to. Don’t think 9 years of intrepid truth-telling and creative lying will be thwarted by something as silly as a tear in the space time-continuum. Now, good luck, and see you for the next thirty-something years, where I will continue to embellish the truth for your entertainment until the sun explodes and swallows us all.
Letter From the Editor
Caitlyn Mason
I keep waiting for all this to set in, the goodbyes and the lasts and the ‘next four’s. But the truth is, I don’t think it’s going to. I think I will be tossing a graduation cap in the air three weeks from now and still be thinking, “shoot, we have school tomorrow.” But we won’t, at least not here, and I’m still not sure what too make of that. And I’ll be the first to say that senior year (all of high school, really) has often felt like running on fumes. I’ll be the first to say that sometimes, I just want to go home at 2 P.M. like other schools, and sometimes, I wish this place wasn’t a half-hour drive away. But I’ll also be the first to say that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for OCSA and the people in it.
The one thing I think we can agree on is that we’ve all outgrown this place, as much as it has offered us. But whether you’ve been here for two years or six years, whether high school was the time of your life or your worst nightmare, I want you to know that there is a world beyond the walls of the Tower, beyond 10th Street, beyond everything you know now. And though that world might scare you, I hope you’ll look back one day at your time here and remember when your world once consisted of seven buildings. I hope you’ll realize how much you’ve grown since then.
“I hope you’ll look back one day . . . and remember when your world once consisted of seven buildings.”
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, because there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that I will be approximately 2,800 miles away from everything I’ve ever known. But the good news is that I will be approximately 2,800 miles away from everything I’ve ever known. It’s an opportunity to take with me the things I love and leave behind the things I should have left long ago. Take that opportunity, whatever it looks like for you. Go by the name you always wanted to be called. Try food you never thought you’d try. Do things you love, and do them unapologetically. You can face this new world, whatever it looks like.
On behalf of everyone here at Evolution, but especially myself, thank you for reading this paper. Thank you for doing the crosswords, for poring over the articles, for trying the recipes. I’m so beyond grateful to have been part of Evolution the past two years. And while we’re talking about new beginnings, I am so excited to pass this paper off to Melody Wu in the fall. I know she’ll do a wonderful job as the new Editor-In-Chief.
So long, Reader. As Taylor Swift once said, “next chapter.”
All love,
Caitlyn
June Horoscopes: Genderbent Ghibli Characters
Lauren Kim
Aries (March 21 ~ April 19) Seiji
In May, you will start to feel relaxed and peaceful. This is a great time to take care and improve yourself. Instead of buying Drunk Elephant and Gisou like everyone else, try exploring other skin/hair care products!
Taurus (April 20 ~ May 20) Shun
This month is the time to finally draw conclusions for all your confusing relationships. You might experience some kind of climax before any resolution is made, but at the end, you’ll feel satisfied with the outcome.
Gemini (May 21 ~ June 20) Howell
My precious Geminis, you all will have an energizing month, with the sun blessing your social stamina. May is also a great month to finally put those ideas into action. Try experiencing new things!
Cancer (June 21 ~ July 22) Taku
You’ve been holding a pause in your social circle and love life because you were so busy taking care of yourself (which is awesome!) This month will give you multiple chances to improve your relationship with others.
Leo (July 23 ~ August 22) Jiro
May is your month to kickstart that long term goal. It’s finally happening, and time is your only enemy at this point. If you remain persistent and strong, there will be fruitful results waiting for you.
Virgo (August 23 ~ September 22) Haku
You might feel a strong desire to try something new this month. However, if you’re not 100% sure, don’t initiate it just yet. There may be more important things that you need to take care of first.
Libra (September 23 ~ October 22) Prince Ashitaka
Your public image will improve significantly, and people will begin to see you differently. Keep your head up and smile confidently! There are those who look up to you covertly.
Scorpio (October 23 ~ November 21) Prince Arren
Be careful this month! You might unknowingly fall into your old habits due to a variety of external reasons. Don’t let yourself make the same mistakes since this is an important time of the year.
Sagittarius (November 22 ~ December 21) Sho
This month, you will feel very productive. You’ll also feel confident and self-assured in most of the decisions you make. Always remember though, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Capricorn (December 22 ~ January 19) Asbel
It seems like you’re constantly looking for distractions this month. Instead of falling into unhealthy habits like overeating and overdosing, try exercising in the morning! I recommend hoola hoops since you can watch TV while doing it.
Aquarius (January 20 ~ February 18) Prince Justin
You’ve been building your inner self for a while now, but this month will bring questions to your well-structured philosophy. There could be events that could make you rethink some older thoughts. The people you used to know could change as well.
Pisces (February 19 ~ March 20) Pazu
There is a sweet sense of harmony in your dating life. Now is the time to finally talk to that person who greeted you ONCE. They’re definitely falling for you.