OCSA’s Inaugural Night Market

Lacole Yang

While the band Catty Wompus blasted over the speakers, Culinary Arts & Hospitality students sold freshly made food from their Night Market booths. A grill sizzled within a row of white tents, and a line of students stood in front of the container lot for their tickets. As Jaren Tseng (CAH ’25) rolled rice and seaweed into a tray of sushi with cucumber filling, he explained that any culinary student could sign up to sell food of their choice. He had spent around six hours preparing, despite also being swarmed with studying for AP exams. Other booths sold boba, tteokbokki, tanghulu, chicken tortillas, sliders, mochi, chicken, soda and more.

Night Market is a “unique catering opportunity” for culinary students to “show off their skills,” said Tseng. The proceeds go toward funding CAH, with Night Market being the newest addition to the conservatory’s fundraisers, which have previously included the Culinary Throwdown and the bake sale.

“I like this event because it’s a place where people come together, and we can raise money so that our conservatory can do more in the future,” said Kaitlyn Chung (IM-WS ‘27). Adding on, Erin Lee (VA ‘27) shared, “It’s a pretty fun and new experience for me, and it’s fun to meet new people.” The students sold tanghulu and dalgona at their booth called the Sweet Spot. The tanghulu was made fresh “by washing fruit and putting it on skewers where after, you’ll dip it in melted sugar and then an ice bath. After that, you’ll take it out and eat it, so it’s like a fruit with a crunchy sugar layer around it,” explained Chung.

Not only were current students catering, CAH alumnus Cloyce Martin from the class of 2019 was selling sliders with Hailey Heren (CAH ‘25). Martin said at the “alumni gourmet grill,” they sold an “all beef slider on a hawaiian roll with balsamic caramelized onions and a house-made manchego aioli.” He gave his tips on making the best sliders: focus on “having every element come out hot and fresh” with “a good balance of texture between the bun, the grease, the butter and then having some element that counters that, which in this case [is] the aioli.”

Not only did Martin’s booth sell out, but so did the booth next to his, as well as every other booth by the time the event ended at 5 p.m. Martin heard “lots of good things about the rest of the food as well. It’s exciting to watch.”

Someone even approached Martin to tell him his slider was the best slider they’ve had in their life. “Compliments like that are lovely.”

His final thoughts on the event were that “it’s awesome hearing the music and seeing all the smiles of everyone having their food. It’s also fun to be able to incorporate other conservatories, so we can hear the beauty of music and the marriage of food together, and it’s a wonderful thing.”

Trump Trial: Current Position

Angie Kidder

This November is the presidential election, and it seems as though it’ll be a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. But one event that could change the course of this year’s election results is how Trump was found guilty in his hush-money case in Manhattan this week. This makes him the first former president to face prosecution in American history.

The trial was centered around the hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels in 2016, after she and Trump allegedly had an affair in 2006, although Trump denies it. This payment was made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, whose testimony is crucial to the prosecution’s argument. Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts he was charged with, 11 of them related to the invoices from Cohen, 11 related to the falsified checks and 12 on the falsified ledger entries.

Although a hush-money payment is not inherently illegal, what makes it a crime is the fact that the payment to Michael Cohen and later to Daniels was classified as “legal expenses and cited a work-for-hire contract”—neither of which are true. Because of the actions made by the former president, he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsification of business records. The prosecution has also brought up other hush-money payments made by Trump not in connection with Stormy Daniels, most likely as a way to prove a second crime to strengthen their argument.

Cohen was on the stand for four days, ending on Monday, May 20. As Cohen was under cross-examination, he gave two accounts of crucial meetings to the prosecution’s defense. The first encounter mentioned was from January 2017, when Trump officially approved the action to falsify the record of payments. The second took place in the Oval Office when Trump confirmed the hush-money payments to Cohen, and told him that Cohen would soon be receiving checks from him to reimburse the money. Cohen eventually received 420,000 dollars in payments from Trump, covering the money spent from the interaction with Stormy Daniels, a bonus for Cohen and additional money for tax. This is a key factor in the prosecution’s case and could have contributed to Trump being found guilty of the offenses.

In order for Trump to be convicted, the prosecution had to prove that Trump falsified the business records for political reasons. In this case, the payment was made to Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 Presidential Election. Now that Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records, Trump could potentially face jail time, as each count carries the possibility of up to four years in prison. He is set to be sentenced July 11th, 2024. However, since he is considered to be a first time offender to the court and the crime was non-violent, he is more likely to be given fines and a probation. Trump is most likely to appeal the verdict, which could take months (or even longer) to play out.

Trump will still be able to run for president, regardless of whether he is convicted of committing a crime. This is because there is nothing stated in the constitution that a convict cannot run for president. Since the U.S. constitution also states qualifications to run for president, it is unclear whether or not states can create limits to this.

The updates on this case are rapidly changing every day, and the public is poised to keep an eye out for what happens next.

Looking Back at AAPI Heritage Month

Gigi Kim

The month of May was officially designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. However, this celebration was not always officially recognized. Back in 1977, politician Frank Horton proposed the first 10 days of May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, but this proposition initially failed to pass. By 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed it into Public Law, which lasted from 1980 to 1990, when Congress expanded the observance into a month. The purpose of the month of May is to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants who came to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to recognize the Chinese immigrants who completed the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.

Beyond the significant accomplishments and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans and Native Hawaiians, this month also honors the diverse cultural and historical backgrounds of AAPI people. It highlights the immigrant journeys and stories of individuals, who played vital roles in developing the American society we know today. Additionally, this month is an opportunity for others to get educated on the challenges faced by AAPI people, from the past to the present, such as discrimination, racism and stereotypes. Anti-Asian sentiment and violence is still prevalent, and it’s important to raise awareness and stand against discrimination to promote inclusivity.

AAPI individuals have made significant impacts and long-lasting contributions across society. Fred Korematsu was a civil rights activist who fought against Executive Order 9066, which enforced the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese American physicist who revolutionized nuclear physics and advocated for women in the field of science. In addition to being the United States’ first female Vice President, Kamala Harris was also the First Asian American to hold this position.

There are numerous ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and give back to your local AAPI communities, whether it’s by engaging in dialogue on the importance of diversity and inclusion or by supporting AAPI-owned organizations and businesses. Listed below are a few such organizations and businesses you can consider supporting:

Organizations

Act To Change
TAAF (The Asian American Foundation)
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQUAPIA)
Stop AAPI Hate
'Āina Momona
Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP)
Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness California (NAMI CA)

Businesses

Tower 28
Misaky Tokyo
Pink Moon
Bachan
Popflex
Omsom
Nguyen Coffee Supply

Importance of Hanging Out

Sofie Dooley

Do you ever come back from a long-awaited hangout with your best friends and feel the odd weight of unfulfillment? It’s hard to pinpoint why this is happening; these are your favorite people and you had been planning to go see this movie for weeks. What I have discovered in the past two years or so with my friends is that the secret to fulfilling and authentic friendships is “hanging out.” What I mean by hanging out is constant last minute planning to just be around each other with no set time or activities. However, you may be thinking, “Be realistic Sofie, we are OCSA students! We don’t have the time for that!” While I know this is true, I don’t think kids and teens today understand how important it is to make time for hanging out.

When investigating why the phenomenon of “hanging out” has been declining so much in recent years, I came up with a few solutions. First, the COVID-19 pandemic. So much time spent in isolation in such formative years most definitely has put a dent in our social lives. Secondly—and most prominently in my opinion—phones and the internet. Phones are ruining everything when it comes to friendships. The excessive planning on group chats and shared calendars make the task of planning hangouts seem like a business meeting. Planning weeks in advance, coordinating dress codes, determining times and arranging who's riding with whom, leads to the inevitable conclusion of bailing when the hangout comes due to the sheer anxiety and weight around it all. In addition to that, social media creates so many expectations as to what you should be doing with your friends, leading most teens to believe that their mundane plans aren’t enough in comparison to everyone on Instagram. I think what everyone needs to realize is that the true magic IS in the mundane. Hanging around on a patio, being a little bit bored sometimes, taking trains to nowhere is where you get to really be yourself because there are no expectations. Days like these have led to the best times I’ve ever had and the best friendships I’ve ever made.

You may be thinking that I have a ton of free time and that is how I get to do this. But I really, truly do not and I know most students here don’t either. To “hang out” with your friends, despite an insanely busy schedule, these are my tips. Number one, do NOT have a planning group chat. It gets repetitive and takes out all of the show of being together. Talk about plans in person and follow through with them. Number two, be comfortable with your friends enough to be able to invite them to the events in your busy schedule. Bring them to rehearsals, shows, practices and hangouts with other friends. This may seem like a weird thing to do, but it really isn’t, trust me. Another great tip is to utilize public transportation! Metrolink is free right now for students and goes pretty much everywhere from Los Angeles to downtown San Diego, so go on a little adventure—it’s free! Prioritize your friendships more than you would think to. People forget that maintaining friendships is just as important as working out or sleeping to maintain your health. This could mean laying back on studying once in a while. I promise, it will be okay. Lastly and most importantly, get off your phone! It is so important to look people in the face when they are talking and to be invested in your conversations with others.

The time is now—hang out with your friends! Make this summer your best yet. With all of my advice, I wish you luck in your future endeavors of hanging out.

Listen to Your Elders: College App Advice

Naomi Herthel

To my fellow members of the class of 2025, it’s official: we are now rising seniors. Although most of us would prefer to live in denial, there’s no magic genie to alter this reality. We are drifting down a lazy river of time, inevitably landing at senior year.

If you remember my Junioritis article back in the January issue, you’ll recall that I compared January of junior year to the feeling of swimming in the ocean as a massive wave crests overhead, destined to crash upon us in mere moments. We felt impending doom as we looked ahead toward a semester crowded with AP exams, auditions, SATs and ACTs and other high-pressure commitments to fulfill. So let’s pause and celebrate: we’ve completed junior year, supposedly the hardest year of high school! And as we look now to this summer, when many of us will begin crafting college applications, I figured we might as well start this conversation early. And who better to get advice from than the OCSA Class of 2024?!

First, start earlier than you would expect.

Nearly every interviewee began with this advice in one way or another. Haley Kleinman (IA ‘24) advised researching schools and creating a college list early in the summer because “that part is time-consuming.” Corinne Thomas (IA ‘24) recommended drafting personal essays earlier than you might think because “the more you write them, the more tired you’re going to grow of them,” and an early start will allow you to take breaks later on, when Senioritis-induced burnout is peaking. They also both mentioned that it took longer than expected to complete “annoying data entry, such as how many hours/weeks/years you’ve been doing your activities, so be sure to not leave that behind.”

Second, recycle essays.

Jesse Ie (MT ‘24) realized throughout her college application process that making essays hyper-specific to each school was not the most efficient route. By reusing essays for different applications, you’ll not only save time but also get to continuously show off your best work. Coco Kuntz (CMD ‘24) said she reused essays for roughly 16 different applications.

Third, make peace with the unknown.

As put by Savannah Tweedt (PM ‘24), “Whatever decisions you make are not permanent, and it’s normal to be confused about what your future may hold. You just have to move forward with what you believe will be the best choice for you in the moment. It’s okay if it changes in the future!”

Lastly, apply as yourself, not who you think you should be.

Brady Moore (CMD ‘24) articulated that the admissions officers don’t just see you as numbers. They see personality, and you should try to bring that out as much as possible, especially in interviews if you get them. Moore said, “You have to be authentic. You don’t want to get accepted as someone you’re not.”

As stressful as this all may sound, remember there was once a time when we each thought we wouldn’t survive junior year. And look where we are now! Just as we got through these past few months, we will get through college applications. And when it gets rough, take comfort in knowing we’re all in it together.

What’s the Most Difficult AP Class?

Ava Park

Advanced Placement (AP) season has finally ended! What better way to celebrate than to plan for next year’s APs? You may still be unsure if the classes you selected for the 2024-25 school year are the right fits for you, but don’t worry! Evolution has created the perfect tool to guide your decision-making. Drawing from the experiences of 121 OCSA students, this graph ranks the difficulty of all 24 AP classes offered at OCSA. While you are still encouraged to reach out to classmates and teachers for more personalized guidance, this should hopefully provide some clarity into which classes you should look into… and which you can opt out for.

The Nostalgia Behind Childhood Games

Adriana Perez

I’m feeling nostalgic, so let's reminisce on some of the most popular and iconic games of our youth.

Disclaimer: This is not a ranking, just a list of different games in no particular order.

1. The Papa’s Games

Ah, yes, Gen Z’s first taste of the real world. Taking charge of a pizzeria on your first day at a job because your boss decided it was more worthwhile to go on an adventure and leave you unsupervised. Good times…

2. The Sims Series

Sul sul! The Sims is one of my favorites, considering the amount of variety you have throughout all of the games. Let’s be honest, though, we all made at least one Sim that was a self-insert or a rip-off of another character from a show, movie or book.

3. Little Alchemy

Okay, surprisingly a lot of people haven’t heard of this “simple but addictive” game, so let me get you hooked. You start with the four basic elements; earth, fire, air and water. Then, you combine these items to create more items, so you go from fire to energy to life to unicorns. I don’t know how, but you do.

4. Subway Surfers

You either played this or Temple Run. There are no exceptions. Something about running away from our problems, I think, really resonated with everyone back then.

5. Minecraft

Minecraft is really a game for everyone; whether you’re into player versus player (PVP) or building cottages, it has opportunities for any player to have a good time. (Personally, I just liked finding a village and taking over it so that I could make money, y’know, like any good natured American would do.)

6. The T-Rex Game

If you haven’t played this game, what have you been doing with your life? The T-Rex Game is a classic, being the only game you could play when you had no other option (and by no other option, I mean no internet). So turn off your Wifi, reload your screen and start this adventure with your digital dinosaur.

Underground Rock Playlist

Brian Resendiz

With summer rolling around, there is no doubt that many rock fans are looking to discover new songs to listen to. Whether you’re looking for your next gatekeeping target, looking to support upcoming bands to bring to the mainstream or simply looking for cheap concerts with larger-than-life performances, here are three underground rock bands with the authentic, raw talent you may just be looking for! (Content warning: Some songs may showcase sensitive, heavy topics, or at the very least some foul language.)

CASSET JUNO: This Santa Ana band, while possessing a short discography of only two singles, does not fail to serve. A band that spectacularly mixes Hardcore and Surf Rock, Casset Juno finds itself playing shows all across SoCal with their live performances offering so much more than their digital presence. Two singles, “SLAM GLAM” and “Rodemy Brian” were released earlier in 2024 and are currently available on streaming services.

ROMAN CANDLE: Being an alternative hardcore band from Las Vegas, the band is led by clothing designer and vocalist, Piper Ferrari, as the music tackles personal experiences with domestic trauma. The band’s debut EP, “Discount Fireworks,” was released in 2022, and is available to purchase on vinyl. The EP and their latest singles are available on streaming services.

RETURN TO DUST: Debuting with 10 singles since 2023, the band seeks to bring back the grunge/alternative charm of bands such as Deftones, Alice in Chains and The Cure. Although the band did have a less than overwhelming presence, their popularity is now slowly expanding, as they have recently announced a tour with Sevendust. Their debut self-titled album has just been released, and is available to purchase on Vinyl and stream on services.

We have compiled a Spotify playlist with 10 great starter songs from all three bands, which is available via the QR code below and on the Evolution website.

Graduation Playlist

Kate Um

To commemorate the Class of 2024’s upcoming graduation, here’s a playlist to bring all the laughter, smiles and tears as we shuffle through the rest of what’s left for us graduates.

“The Spins” - Mac Miller & Empire of the Sun

A classic song associated with the euphoria of graduating high school. “Oh yeah I just graduated high school!” The giddy spins we take when posing with our loved ones to the emotional spins we take as we descend into sentimental feels. Dedicated to the many more spins in college and life to come.

“Where’d All the Time Go” - Dr. Dog

The tear-jerking song, similar to an upcoming Lorde song in this playlist, that finally seems to hit as a senior. Seriously, “where’d all the time [really] go?”

“Let Me Love My Youth” - Hanroro

The freeing feeling of a day trip or the first time out after graduating where we stick our heads out the car window manically and yell, “to say my first greetings to spring,” where we ask, “Please help me bloom.” In college, may we bloom whether we peaked or not in high school. For youth to continue forevermore and to never forsake it.

“Your Song/Heroes (We Could Be)” - Elton John/David Bowie

Ah, yes. Our beloved GALA to Class of 2024 graduation song. This is our song and we will make it out triumphant in the cool Bowie-kind-of way.

“I Know The End” - Phoebe Bridgers

The gut-wrenching “I know, I know, I know.” The repeated statements we’ll all come to say as we diverge and perhaps come together again in the next chapters of our lives. We’re done with high school. I know. We’re 100 miles away, but I’m only one call away. I know, I know, I know. We may never share an OCSA stage again. I know. We may never see each other again. We know, we know, we know.

“This is A Life” - Son Lux, Mitski, David Byrne

Where destiny and promises may come to an end. Where the yearned fantasies and dreams may fail to take place, we still keep on going and living. This is our life.

“We’re All In This Together” - “High School Musical” Cast

Gotta end with an upbeat musical staple! A “High School Musical” banger is only the most fitting for a booming arts high school like OCSA. The perfect ending scene to paint the end of our high school journeys.

NOT PART OF ARTICLE (JUST THE PLAYLIST SETLIST)

Lily of the Valley

After the Storm

Dreams - Ryuichi Sakamoto

Si Me Voy

10x Stronger

Here, There and Everywhere

Rushes

Glue Song

Telephones

Kids

Symphonia IX

anything

We’ll Meet Again

Amoeba

the way things go

We’ll Meet Again

One More Chance, One More Time

Milk

Subwoofer Lullaby

Grey Suit

Lifetime

Beautiful Stranger

I Know You

Break

How to…

Dream

Loving Machine

Birds Don’t Sing

SAN MARCOS

Ribs

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Best Summer Ever

We’re All In This Together

After the Play is Over

It’ll All Work Out

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

not a lot, just forever

This is a Life

I Know the End

A beautiful, dreamy instrumental to soothe our bigger-than-life hopes. To remind the Class of 2024 to take things one small step at a time.

Pop Culture Ins and Outs: the Finale

Sophia Kang

To my loyal readers:

Alas, this year is coming to a close, which in turn means that this will be my last pop-culture article. I appreciate those of you who have kept up to date with my latest likes and dislikes. I hope that Timothee Chalamet remains close to your heart and “Bottoms” was a hit. As my parting gift to you, for I am of senior status, I offer a summary of my latest pop culture favorites and disgusts. I am as chronically online as they come so try and keep up.

Ins/Recommendations:

“Challengers”: A phenomenal movie with an even better cast and director. I’m going to learn how to play tennis so, this time next year, catch me winning Wimbledon with Mike Faist by my side like the arm candy he is. Wish me luck.
Onika Burger (brain rot) - She = onika, ate = burger
“Ohhhhh my god u only had iced coffee to eat today? Should we tell everyone? Should we throw a party? Should we invite Bella Hadid?”: This is my favorite tweet right now; every time I reference this, I am met with blank stares. This is unacceptable. A perfect way to shut down annoying comments.
“Emergency Intercom” podcast: I have been watching Enya and Drew since I was a wee eighth grader, and they shaped my brain chemistry. Although this is a bad thing, they are the perfect amount of chronically online and hilarious. However, I’m doing you a favor with this recommendation so please be courteous and gatekeep.
“I Think You Should Leave,” Episode 3, Season 2, “Dylan’s Burger” (TV): I’m joking. I’m joking.
“Brokeback Mountain”: You don’t realize it until you’re quoting it, but you can reference it in ANY situation. A genuinely beautiful movie. I love “Brokeback Mountain” x “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or “Challengers” edits.

Outs/“Get a job!! Stay away from her!!”:

TikTok Rizz Party (extreme brain rot): I’m a D1 hater so let me be the first to admit, I don’t get it. I appreciate the queer lore between the Leader and Turkish Quandale Dingle, but everything else is dumb. Anything that reminds of middle school boys has to go. Bonus: they look like they smell like Axe body spray and would smack high doorways.
BookTok (brain rot): “Billionaire, 6’5, brown eyes.” I have read genuine garbage because of my naivety (ie. “Just Like the Movies” (returned), “The Unhoneymooners” (gathering dust and shame on my shelf).) Never again.
Slime not made in bowls: Literally why? The glue gets everywhere. Where’s the shaving cream?
Self-Glazing (ultimate brain rot): “Omg I lowkey have thunder thighs and an hourglass waist ;( but I wear baggy clothes </33.” Let’s stay playful together. This is not playful. Be so serious, no one clapped when you wore tighter clothes.
Graduating (real-life activity): Leaving my friends is horrible and I will never recover. I deserve to maintain my child status until I am fully ready to embrace adulthood (TBD). I did not have enough time to share just how chronically online I am and how fantastic my taste is.

Episode 5: Marquis Monarchy Utopia

Sophie Bradecich

It has been almost a year since Marquis’ reign as king of OCSA began. The new engineering conservatory he established at the start of his rule has already created flying cars and has been hired by Apple to create the newest, freshest line of all their products. But Marquis’ overthrow of OCSA rocked the school. Students and faculty alike were inspired by his revolutionary attitude.

Sitting in the dark recesses of the first floor Tower, where only the Serenity Center-goers dwell, a police officer’s mind raced. Corporal Graham was one of the few that still remembered his friends' early days: a friendly security guard who still had the time to pop by the Tower office, or chat in that parking lot. Since Marquis was crowned king, the only time Graham got to see his old pal was when Marquis called him in for work-related talks.

The loneliness led Graham to question how Marquis even became king, and create a detective-style, sticky note-ed, red string-ed office. To calm himself down, Graham visited the Serenity Center, where Dawn Spranger picked his brain.

“Corporal Graham, why are you so stressed? Even the calming sand and fidget toys can’t seem to relax you.”

“Ms. Spranger, do you remember when Marquis became King?”

“Well of course, but I don’t see-”

“How did it happen?”

“Well, wasn’t there that one principal before, Mr… Mr… Something?”

“Mr. Ciecek,” Corporal Graham remembered.

“No, he is one of Marquis’s loyal knights.”

Corporal Graham suddenly rushed out of the room, and into his office, where he yanked down all the string connecting his thoughts. But the string didn’t fall as he intended. It pulled back. Corporal Graham followed the force of the string down the hall and back to that mysterious staircase near the back door to the first floor. There, he found fallen principal Michael Ciecek.

“Mr. Ciecek, I remember now. It wasn’t always Marquis that was king. It was you. You were the principal.”

Corporal Graham expected a sigh of relief, maybe even tears. But instead, Ciecek laughed. “Well of course I was principal. I still am.”

“What?”

“Corporal Graham, do you not read the emails? We sent out so many Aeries communications announcing the administrative change. Marquis is our king, but everything else remains the same.”

“Oh.”

“I appreciate your concern Mr. Graham, but I am doing just fine—and so is the school! Look around! Have you seen a better OCSA?”

It was then that Corporal Graham took the time to appreciate the beautiful changes his friend brought about. He ran up the stairs, skipping the opportunity to take the elevator to meet his friend on the seventh floor.

“Marquis!”

“Officer Graham?” Marquis looked up, startled.

“I am so proud of you. And I am so proud to keep this school safe. I just miss you and I miss us.”

Marquis walked over to hug his friend. “Pops on Friday?”

“You know it, Sire.”

Crossing the Street with Jeri Stein

Jeri Stein

As people, we wear many hats; you know—husband, child, student, teacher, eyewitness account to that little girl who went missing in the summer of ‘86. But I think one of the worst hats we wear as people is the hat of a pedestrian. If pedestrianism was a hat, it would be a Mets baseball cap full of used needles. I mean, when do you feel more like a cretin than when you’re crossing the street? Sure, you have the right of way and all of the other cars have a red light so they couldn't even go if they wanted to. But yet, I still can’t shake the feeling that somehow I'm the schmuck.

Tell me another situation where more eyes are on you than when walking through a busy intersection. I've never been more insecure than when walking in front of a family of five in a 2009 Kia sedan. I can feel their road-rage eyes and hear their internal monologues about me. “Look at this lanky, short, weird pedestrian. Why are you walking so weird? Were you shot in the legs 50 times and started rejecting your transplant legs because you were too lazy to get up and go to physical therapy JUST LIKE HOW YOU’RE TOO LAZY TO GET UP AND GET YOUR LICENSE.” I just wanna yell back “HEY I HAVE MY LICENSE! I JUST MAY HAVE GOTTEN INTO A CRASH BUT THAT’S BEYOND THE POINT. MAYBE I JUST WANTED SOME FRESH AIR, AND THE WALK IS GENETIC!”

But I can’t really stand there and yell because I've got six seconds left on the walk sign and some driver is trying to make a right on a red, so now I gotta do the stiff little jog across. Again, even though I am totally in the right because what am I supposed to do, stop in the middle of the street so you can make your right on a red? You're supposed to yield to ME! But even with all that logic, I do the stupid gallop so they can make their right. I make it across the crosswalk and a wave of relief washes over me because I've never felt more hated and insecure than in this 15-second crosswalk.

Senioritis

Melody Wu

Dr. Seuss once said, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” While it sounds cheesy, this quote reminds us that we don’t often recognize the significance of our experiences until they’re just a speck in our past. Each day, as I wake up, drive to school, attend class and eat lunch, I feel almost indifferent toward the imminent end of high school. After voluntarily signing up for and conquering six AP tests my senior year, I find myself longing for it all to be over. It’s natural for some of us to not feel nostalgic or sentimental so soon, especially when it feels like we’ve been running an endless, taxing marathon the past few years—when the present is still so overwhelming. And that’s okay; it’s okay to want the weight finally lifted off your shoulders and the stress dissipated from your mind. I, too, am excited to leave the burdens and pressures of high school behind—to start anew.

But, when I pause to reflect, I realize that without the structure and orderliness of school, I fear losing my way. It was through the routineness, predictability and repetition of school life that I discovered purpose and friendship. In the absence of this routine—this hidden gem of a ritual—will life become devoid of meaning? Hopefully not, but that is one thing I’ll surely miss about being a senior and a high schooler. Yes, we’ll gain more independence once high school is over, but with it comes the loss of a certain order that I, and maybe others, have come to appreciate.

I think all of us can probably relate to the fear of stepping into a future filled with uncertainties and new beginnings. However, we should be incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and feel content with our efforts. Whether we know it or not, as seniors, we’ve made an impact on this school. We’ve not only grown academically and artistically but also helped our peers grow. Right now, if you’re feeling like it’s too soon to graduate, or that you haven’t done enough, don’t worry. You have the next four years and beyond—whether that means attending a four-year university, taking a gap year, enlisting in the military or something else—to do so. Trust me, your words, your presence and your passion have left a permanent mark on the teachers, peers and environments that surround you.

“Trust me, your words, your presence and your passion have left a permanent mark on the teachers, peers and environments that surround you.”

Without the community at OCSA, I would be an entirely different person. I wouldn’t have rekindled my passion for art or met like-minded individuals who understand the importance of creating. I am deeply grateful to all of you—each and every single senior—for what you’ve contributed and the lasting impact you’ve had on me. This article is a tribute to your inspiring achievements and the personal growth we’ve all experienced.

So, although the end of my high school career still hasn’t sunk in, I can appreciate the wonderful people I’ve met, the amazing relationships I forged and the valuable lessons and treasured memories which will forever persist in my mind. No matter how sad, painful, happy or exciting these past few years at OCSA have been for you, holding on to a few core, positive memories can provide us all much-needed comfort. Try to keep in touch with just a few friends, classmates or teachers who’ve had a positive impact on you or your learning. Hold on to the things that mattered to you in high school, and forget about the rest. I regret not keeping in contact with friends after middle school due to my eagerness to liberate myself from those stressful, competitive years. So I urge you, even as you make huge strides forward in your promising careers and lives, to take with you just a few memories and friends that have shaped your high school experience—they will serve as eternal reminders of the incredible growth you experienced and the amazing connections you made.

Senior Superlatives

Evolution Staff

June Horoscopes

Lauren Kim

Last author’s notes: I never believed in horoscopes. I still don’t believe them. I also want to admit I always wrote down “nicer” messages for my fellow Geminis (if you haven’t noticed already.) For my last horoscopes, I decided to use fun song lyrics :)

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