Table of Contents

Does Restorative Action Work?

Tabitha Finamore, Caitlyn Mason, Teah Swartzon 

The Evolution of Anti-Trans Bills

Felix Brem

The Battle Over Abortion Medication: ADF vs FDA

Fanny Kim, Melody Wu

Introducing OCSA’s Dragon Kim Fellows!

Jessica Hong

Orange County School of Academic Pressure

Brie Samaniego, Dash Kaur

Why OCSA?

Evolution staff / grant li

Should You Get a BFA in College?

Dash Kaur

The Fight Over AP African American Studies

Emilia Djordjevic

Don’t Walk Out on Walkable Cities!

Kate Um

Las Estrellas Reach for the Stars

Eddie Chen

Senior Assassins Controversy

Selah Sanchez

Every Award Everywhere All at Once

Elise Park

Liminal Spaces at OCSA

Lacole Yang

Advertisement: Animal Shelter Drive

Fanny Kim

To All the OCSA Meals I’ve Loved Before

Kayalani DeGrave

Shamrock Shakes

Molly Jenkins

The Line Between Faith and Politics

Ryan Jeong

Instagram PFP Slander

Lauren kim

The Amazon Echo Echo Echo . . .

james yi

Where in the World is Mr. Peterson?

Evolution Staff / Taby Finamore

Evolution GPT

ChatGPT-3.5,Taby Finamore

Senioritis

Tabitha Finamore, Grant Li, Felix Brem, Selah Sanchez

March Horoscopes: Designer Brand Kids Models

lauren kim

Does Restorative Action Work?

Tabitha Finamore, Caitlyn Mason, Teah Swartzon 

It’s no secret that in recent years following the pandemic, there’s been an increased societal focus on mental health and its relation to social and emotional development. And like other California schools, OCSA chooses to allocate funds for mental health resources. These can extend from increased access to psychologists to introducing new disciplinary programs. 

One of these developing programs is restorative practices, alternatively called “restorative action” or a “restorative approach.” The broader goal of restorative practices is to identify the harm that’s been done in a situation, what can be done to move past that harm, and ensure that harm does not continue.

If two students who have engaged in a conflict agree to participate in restorative action, they may engage in a “restorative circle,” a structured conversation that allows everyone to share their thoughts and feelings about the incident.

Dr. William Wallace, assistant principal of facilities and supervision, helped officially introduce these practices into OCSA’s disciplinary policy in 2021, but the administration has been discussing them since 2020.  

Due to the school’s demonstrated need for a more holistic approach to discipline, restorative action was introduced to serve the gaps found in most traditional disciplines. 

“We [were] not finding as many ways to solve conflicts as we would have liked,” said Wallace OCSA’s disciplinary processes before the induction of restoration practices, “Restorative practices exist hand-in-hand with your more traditional disciplinary approaches.” 

Many people feel their confidence in OCSA administration has wavered after experiencing restorative action processes, including parents.   

“I just had this sinking feeling that there was nothing I could do to help my child,” said one anonymous parent of their interaction with administration, “I did what I thought was right, and my child was hurt repeatedly.” 

However, other students chose not to participate in restorative action, and following that decision were unhappy with the treatment their case received. 

“When I decided that restorative action wasn’t the right choice for me, it felt like admin didn’t know where to go from there,” said an anonymous student, “It was almost like my case was thrown out.” 

With students alleging a lack of communication during and after the restorative process, there seems to be a lack of transparency from the administration regarding what restorative action involves. 

“During my case investigation, we were in this weird limbo,” said another anonymous student, “[It is] like they weren’t telling me anything.” 

In the case of minor infractions, such as tardiness, restorative practices can encourage accountability and self-reflection. 

“If you're [frequently] tardy to school, we have a tardy reflection process where you answer questions like: Why am I tardy? How is this impacting my grades? How is it impacting my family? How is it impacting my school life,” said Wallace, “And then you sit down with your counselor or myself and talk about that. There are reflective pieces that we're asking people to do when they get in trouble, and those are all part of that restorative process.” 

When asked how the administration handles specific situations, such as repeat violations, the answer often received is that cases are investigated on a “case-by-case basis,” without a cut-and-dried formula or procedure. And while it’s important to acknowledge that all cases require different resources and strategies, students are asking for more transparency about the process and how cases are handled.  

“I want more clarity,” said an anonymous student, “I want to know that administration is trying.” 

The Evolution of Anti-Trans Bills

Felix Brem

Three months into 2023, over 400 anti-LGBTQ bills are being considered across the U.S., over 150 of which specifically harm trans people. Transphobic legislation started in 2021 and 2022 as bills excluding trans women from women’s sports and has escalated into bolder forms of discrimination against trans people, specifically trans youth. Emerging bills harshly restrict freedoms such as gender affirming health care (GAHC), access to bathrooms, and the art form of drag. With the politicization of trans lives, states have to decide whether to value human rights or bow to fear mongering. 

Utah was the first to ban GAHC for transgender minors this year in January, making crucial healthcare such as hormone replacement therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, and mental health services unavailable to trans youth, many of whom will be forced to detransition. Similar health care bans have been passed in Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, and Florida, and several other states are set to consider them. Trans youth whose families are not in a position to relocate must either give up GAHC entirely or obtain it through riskier means. “I have friends in Arizona, Texas, and Florida, where some of the worst anti-trans legislature has been introduced, and they’re not in a position where they can easily move somewhere safer,” Connor Elmore (CW ‘23) commented. 

The arguments used to pass these bills often conflate church and state, compare parent acceptance of trans identities to ‘child abuse,’ and weaponize widely disproven fears that trans minors will regret medically transitioning. In stark contrast, the benefits of GAHC are clear--one study associates receiving GAHC with 60% less likelihood of depression and 73% less likelihood of suicidality. Without the option to medically transition, the mental health of trans minors will decline. "[Gender-affirming care] is something that truly saved my life. I fear for the lives of trans people losing access to it," Jules Schuld (CV ‘24) commented.

Politicians are also attacking the right to use public bathrooms. One ban in Arkansas intends to completely prevent trans people from using public restrooms, locker rooms, or other facilities that correspond with their gender. Advocates have pointed out that this encourages baseless fears that trans people are a threat, while also making it difficult for trans people to exist in public comfortably. The bill is on its way to the state House of Representatives, where it will likely pass. 

On April 1st, an anti-drag bill will go into effect in Tennessee, criminalizing “adult cabaret entertainment” on public property or where it can be viewed by minors. “Male or female impersonators” are included in this category, vague wording that can be interpreted to criminalize drag performers and associate gender non-conforming people with danger to children. Drag is a well-established art form, with roots dating back to Shakespearean plays where female roles were performed by men--it’s not dangerous. The law is meant to encourage paranoia of anyone whose gender expression sits outside of the norm. Similar anti-drag bills have been proposed in at least eight other states. 

Fortunately, legal protections for trans youth are beginning to emerge as well. Respectively, California and Minnesota have signed into law and proposed bills that would prevent refugees of anti-trans legislation from being prosecuted for trying to access GAHC in those states. New Mexico’s Health Care Freedom Act prevents the restriction of reproductive and gender-affirming care. At least 16 other states are considering similar protections for trans constituents. More hope comes in the form of dozens of bills blocked by powerful testimony as trans youth and their families continue to stand up. 

Still, as college acceptance decisions round the corner for seniors, many trans students find options for their future limited. Elmore shared that the wave of anti-trans sentiment has “basically limited my options to California and a very small number of other blue states, which sucks, because some of my dream schools were in states that are now unsafe for me to live in.” 

Despite the chaos of transphobic politics, “There is no getting rid of trans people,” Schuld declared. “Trans people have existed since the dawn of time and will continue to exist even after we are long gone.”

The Battle Over Abortion Medication: ADF vs FDA

Melody Wu and Fanny Kim

It’s been nearly a year since Roe v. Wade was overturned, resulting in the loss of reproductive rights for millions of women across America. Since then, the legality of abortions has been up to individual states to decide: about a dozen have outlawed abortions while others have enforced tighter restrictions. Still, in states such as California, Nevada and New York, abortion remains legal–however, recent developments in abortion legislation may put those states at risk.

In November 2022, a conservative Christian group called the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for failing to protect Americans from what they deem a “dangerous drug.” The drug in question is Mifepristone, a form of medication which, used in conjunction with Misoprostol, accounts for more than half of all abortions nationwide. Substantial concern has arisen over the fate of this abortion pill, as Trump-appointed judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk is deciding the outcome of the case. Access to Mifepristone could potentially be halted in all states, even in places like California where abortion is legal. Contrary to the ADF’s claims, 12 leading medical organizations and numerous accredited studies have recognized the efficacy and safety of Mifepristone. According to the FDA, the risk of complications caused by Mifepristone totals less than 0.4 percent, a safer percentage than even Tylenol or Viagra. Overall, the case seems to be sharply divided on political and religious grounds rather than scientific research. 

We turned to the diverse community of OCSA to continue the discussion. Annika Gaffaney (ACT ‘26), the president and founder of the HERstory club, raised concerns about the consequences of prohibiting this abortion drug, saying she is “extremely worried” about the outcome of this case–worried that “teenagers like us will be forced to throw their dreams aside and instead give birth to an unwanted child” or “that, as horrifying as it is, everyone who gets raped will be denied basic reproductive healthcare.” Furthermore, Gaffaney argues that “religion and politics… should absolutely not be integrated into healthcare,” as healthcare should be "based solely on the needs of the common people.” Equally passionate about the abortion controversy, Isla Walker (CW ‘24), co-president of the OCSA Gender Sexuality Alliance, sums up her thoughts about the lawsuit into three words–“it’s so stupid.” “It restricts people from freedom despite their constant preachings of freedom,” Walker opined. Her belief is that the banning of Mifepristone would eventually lead to female reproductive healthcare becoming “taboo” and the curtailment of more women’s rights. 

Now, the million-dollar question is: how safe are abortion pills? Although he can’t testify to his political opinions, Jon Sprek, a Health Science and Emergency Medicine and Care teacher, will say that “facts and transparency” matter. Given that less than 0.4 percent of cases with Mifepristone result in complications, he stressed the importance of examining whether “other medications that have half a percent [of complications]…are also attacked”. He finds the situation ironic, however, noting that “places [in the United States] where they’re pushing the most anti-abortion laws” seem to be the same places where “they’re getting rid of the most resources in Planned Parenthood or sex education in schools.” Sprek explained that “the more you talk about sex education and the more you make condoms and other things available to students…the less unplanned teen pregnancies” will happen. When it comes to healthcare, Sprek concluded, “we tend to live in a reactionary culture rather than a preventative and educational culture.”

The outcome of this consequential case is said to come any day now. Millions are apprehensive about the final ruling which may potentially be the greatest setback in abortion rights since Roe v. Wade was overturned. The plaintiff’s victory would also weaken the FDA, undermining its authority and setting a “dangerous precedent” for future cases on contraception. However, as bystanders, there is still a lot we can do to make a difference. By supporting smaller birth control clinics in addition to Planned Parenthood, allocating our efforts toward making sex education and prevention practices available, and combating misinformation, our advocacy and awareness can shape the future of reproductive healthcare.

Introducing OCSA’s Dragon Kim Fellows!

Jessica Hong

Every year, the Dragon Kim Foundation, a non-profit organization centered around inspiring youth to impact their local communities, selects a few high school students for their Fellowship Program to support their passions and social-entrepreneurship spirit over the summer. Here are three of the Dragon Fellowship projects created by OCSA students!

TWO STEP TOGETHER - Edward Chen (IA ‘24) and Jadon Vo (CMD ‘25)

Combining their dedication for hip-hop and their involvement in community service, Edward Chen and Jadon Vo created their project in order to spread their love of hip-hop to youth in underserved communities. “Hip-hop is an art form that isn’t represented as well as other forms in dance,” Chen says. While researching about the hip-hop community, Chen found that, compared to other dance mediums, such as commercial or contemporary, hip-hop had a significant gap in employment, fundraising, and being recognized overall. He also hopes that the project will not only advocate for the spread of hip-hop, but also become a “de-stressor” to youth.

Chen and Vo found their inspiration from their long commitment in dance and Groovy Babies, the hip-hop team. As being part of the dance team requires disciplined and collaborative work with continuous practice, Chen and Vo realized that they could help others develop a passion for hip-hop as well.

For Vo, he can call his dance members a “second family.” “Ever since I was a kid, dance has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve built great friendships through dance and I feel blessed to have been immersed in hip-hop at such a young age. That’s why I’m eager for this project. I want to give kids the same experience, sharing the passion and fire we have,” he explained.

Preparing for the summer, Chen and Vo plan to create camps educating kids about fundamentals, the roots of hip-hop culture, building character. “You just want to emphasize the freedom of hip-hop because a lot of the grooves and technique create your own self-expression. Of course we want them to teach them choreographed dance through this summer, but I also think it’s important they should find their own inspirations to unleash that creative expression” Chen said.

SOMEWHERE IN TIME - Kaylie Viloria (P&D ‘25) and Kyle Kim (FTV ‘25)

Somewhere In Time is a special project focusing on spreading stories of Asian elderly through film in Southern California. By compiling stories of the older Asian-American generation and their history, Viloria and Kim hope to inspire and impact the younger generation as well as removing taboos around the elderly.

When creating their project, Viloria and Kim were both inspired by their own families.

For Kim, it all started when he came back to visit his home in South Korea. As he was hearing about his great-grandmother’s experience living during World War II, he realized that there were many unwritten, unrecorded parts of history that were important to bring to light.

Kim took his camera and began to record her account. After editing and finalizing some touches, a spark lit up in his head. He knew that he needed to share these stories with his community.

Viloria’s inspiration developed ever since she was little. As an avid history lover, she learned about her great-grandfather’s story and his life being a political prisoner during the 228 massacre. Ever since her grandmother and great-grandfather retold the experience, Viloria immediately thought that creating a project to share her great-grandfather’s past could educate others.

With their website and platform, Kim and Viloria also hope to bring an end to dehumanization of Asian Americans, especially during the pandemic. Viloria says that since the pandemic, her great-grandfather had been getting “death-threats outside of his door.” The two fellows hope that with enough growth in their project, they could expand outside of Southern California to inform a larger audience about untold stories of Asian elderly.

FIND YOUR LIGHT - Lana Lee (IA ‘26) and Lily Jang (freshman at Woodbridge High School)

Find Your Light is a non-profit service organization committed to bringing performing arts to communities in Santa Ana. During these week-long camps, kids play games, songs, musical theatre dances, and vocal techniques. At the end of the week, the students showcase everything they have learned through choreographed performances. Partnered up with other established nonprofits and local libraries, Lee and Jang have already set up multiple musical theatre camps locally during the past year and plan on creating more during this summer.

Above all else, Lana’s main goal for the project is sustainability. “We want this project to be ongoing and passed down from generation to generation so that anyone can experience the joy of musical theatre for no cost,” Lee said.

Lee found her inspiration coming from her lifelong connection with musical theatre. Lee says that the art form had “changed me and who I am today.”

“Before, I used to be a really shy and timid person. It was hard for me to speak to strangers or people that I had just met. But now, I’m a lot more confident and have more courage when I’m talking with different people because of musical theatre.” With everything she has learned from, Lee wants to pass down her knowledge and excitement to underserved communities.

Orange County School of Academic Pressure

Brie Samaniego and Dash Kaur

OCSA has long been known for its excellence, with it being consistently ranked as the state’s number one charter school by Niche. The school prides itself on providing a well-rounded education for its students, with 80 percent of OCSA students taking AP classes and many graduates going to prestigious universities.

Because of OCSA’s unique schedule, students must learn how to balance a large workload consisting of academics, conservatory, and extracurriculars. As a result, we are surrounded by students that constantly push themselves to be the best of the best, and do so very openly. While this isn’t something that is inherently bad, it can distort people's sense of accomplishment and create a toxic mindset. One student said they feel like “everyone around me seems to be doing great in their classes” so they feel additional pressure. We are not the first to point out that students feel pressured to excel in school, but the environment at OCSA can create an even more stressful experience due to the model of the school.

Ironically, some students believe that OCSA seems to be more academically focused than art focused. Atianah Rodgers (CAH ‘24) stated that “we are given this brand as an arts school,” meaning this “brand” can lead to people feeling they need to meet higher standards than found at a typical public school. The “brand” is also upheld by the students through our regular discussion about academics. OCSA students have a tendency to divert conversation to questions like “Did you do your homework? Did you study for the test? Did you finish your essay?” said Rodgers. It is almost as if this is a default topic many students revert to when there is a lull in the conversation.

A positive that comes from OCSA students’ packed schedules is that teachers may be more understanding and accommodate homework and deadlines for extracurriculars. For example, if you are in tech week for a show, it is fairly normal for that to be a valid excuse for an extension on an assignment.

Generally speaking, middle schoolers and freshmen coming to OCSA acknowledge the advanced academics here but never imagine OCSA to be this rigorous and stress inducing. We all made the decision to come here when we were 12-14 years old, but it is unrealistic to expect a student of that age to fully understand OCSA’s academic pressure.

At OCSA, the key to success is time management. Hugo Nguyen (PM ‘24) thinks “it’s really just a matter of balancing your time.” In order to handle tasks like homework, shows, conservatory and volunteer work, students must make a productive schedule that works for them and stick by it. But this is a difficult skill to learn, do effectively, and upkeep, so when a student may fall behind, it is overwhelming to get caught up.

Yet there are ways to avoid the pressure. Surrounding yourself with students with ambitious mindsets will cause you to unconsciously adopt their academic way of thinking. On the other hand, if you develop friendships with students who are not as determined, the pressure of school will lessen since you are not constantly surrounded by it.

Without a doubt, the OCSA attitude is that doing more is better; despite this, you are always able to choose a schedule that is less painstaking by dropping that AP or not performing in a show for the semester.

Even with this, the academic pressure at OCSA will never be easy. It is important to be kind to your mind and body to be successful here, but we often forget it. We deserve to acknowledge our achievements rather than focus on things we did not succeed in. At the end of the day, we all have fulfilled much to be proud of.

Should You Get a BFA in College?

Dash Kaur

As college grows nearer, juniors and underclassmen start to consider what they want to do in life. The debate of “Is a college degree in the arts actually worth it?” arises for many, especially those interested in pursuing their art as a career. There are many misconceptions about art degrees, so before you undertake one in college, these are things you should consider. 

Undergraduate art degrees are typically obtained through a Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA). They provide a formal education in your selected art and teach students essential skills to pursue these careers. If you believe you lack the practice or experience necessary to obtain a successful career in your art, a BFA may be a great option for you.

That being said, applying for a BFA is not an easy feat. BFA applications usually have their own requirements for the art portion where seniors must prepare different individual auditions/portfolios for each school. 

Rachel Yi (ACT ‘23) applied to Theatre, Acting and Screen Acting BFAs. She remarked that most BFA applications had a deadline similar to early academic applications for Bachelor Of Arts (BA) and Bachelor Of Science (BS) degrees. This meant that those applying to BFAs needed to complete their regular applications 1-3 months before BA/BS regular applications. In addition, many BFA programs had supplemental essays that needed to be completed. Yi would record and submit her pre-screens (video recordings of her audition pieces) for her schools, along with the written portion. 

“It’s hard to record all those videos, especially with me applying to 23 different BFA programs,” Yi said. 

After this, the applicants received callbacks that were done in-person or online. Decisions for these programs are then released late February to early April. 

Similarly, Matthew Manning (MT ‘23) applied to Acting, Theatre Performance, and Musical Theatre BFA programs. Manning says that on top of the $50-70 application fee, students must pay an additional fee for their pre-screen auditions. “For Pace University, it was a $50 school application and an $80 pre-screen fee,” Manning said.  Additional fees that may go into the audition process are lighting and other equipment for quality pre-screen videos and optional coaching from private voice, dance, or acting lessons. 

Another drawback for Yi and Manning was the painstaking amount of effort the auditions required. Recording for weeks proved to be a mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting task. This was on top of completing the rest of the written applications, keeping up with grades, performing in shows, and other extracurriculars. 

However, Manning finds the positives and claims that this process helped them mature as a performer as it was “the most performing I have ever had to do within a short amount of time.”

Tabitha Finamore (IA ‘23) applied to Design BFAs and had to prepare many art pieces as each school requested different pieces. Traditional art programs commonly request art made withphysical materials  such as charcoal, oil, etc. Digital art programs request art made with  technology such as an iPad or Wacom pad. However, some schools had niche requests, such as UCLA requiring a book cover to be redesigned. To apply to each school, Finamore says she “had to create around 20 pieces of art. Then I tried to curate what pieces would go to each school.” Schools ask for an average of 15 pieces but may take more or less (such as NYU taking up to 40). She also had to pay additional fees for her portfolios, ranging from $5-50 each. 

Despite the hardships of applying to a BFA, there are benefits that an artist gains from the program itself. The individual creates a stronger foundation from what they already know through new expertises, techniques and industries. This allows people to explore their art to see if it seems like a sustainable long-term career for them. Getting a BFA shows that you have a reputable education in your field, as well as a commitment . This can provide more career opportunities in the long run. Overall, it seems that salaries for artistic jobs stay about the same amount for those who obtain a BFA and those who do not. Also, if you want to learn more about an academic field too, you may always minor in it while simultaneously pursuing your BFA. 

BFAs have their stigmas and faults, but they also have their positives. It is up to you to decide if this is a path that will truly benefit you and your future. 

The Fight Over AP African American Studies

Emilia Djordjevic

In 2017, College Board began drafting AP African American Studies (APAAS) as a potential class offered alongside AP Euro, World, and U.S. History. Now, more than six years later, it has been piloted across the United States, with as many as 60 schools integrating the curriculum into the classroom. However, while the incorporation of APAAS is ongoing, not every state has welcomed its release. Currently, Governor Ron DeSantis has banned the course in Florida, arguing it is “historically inaccurate” and lacks “educational value.” In response, College Board removed topics many Republicans have previously related against, such as the Black Lives Matter Movement, Black Queer Studies and Intersectionality. Though College Board stated these changes were in no way associated with Florida’s response, news outlets such as CNN and The New York Times have confirmed the non-profit was in regular communication with Florida officials during this time. Consequently, while the debut of APAAS has allowed students to explore U.S. History through a more diverse lens, many have questioned these changes. By stripping the course of BLM and Black queer activists, it neglects students connected to these movements and identities. Therefore, with conservatives at odds with progressive states over APAAS, what does this mean for the class in the long run? 

When asked to discuss general views, many OCSA students and teachers have praised the course’s entry into schools, believing it a step forward in giving Black Americans a voice in the classroom. “It’s about time College Board acknowledged the academic importance of African American Studies,” Rachael Trask, an APWH teacher, stated, adding, “To be informed citizens is essential, especially because Black students make up a massive population, not only in the country, but worldwide.” OCSA peers agreed, affirming the class is a way for students to observe the ways in which the U.S. has progressed, and the areas in which it must improve. However, in the midst of BLM and Black Queer Studies being removed as required material, it’s crucial to recognize College Board as a business. “The demographics they’re going to be focusing their content towards are ultimately students who have the money and the means to take their courses,” Emma Wei-Ten (PM ‘23) pointed out, “They carry little to no obligation to serve the general public.” 

In fact, many speculate College Board was motivated to make these decisions due to financial reasons, as more conservative states may not have purchased the exam if they considered it “too liberal.” While the organization is considered a non-profit, it made over $1 billion in revenue during the pandemic, as per ProPublica. Moreover, Florida alone carries one of the highest rates of AP participation since 2020. “What’s ironic is that a lot of the concepts DeSantis objects to are regular features in AP Euro.” Trask noted, clarifying, “In AP Euro, we have to learn about racism and the converging of identities and change; so in my mind, it seems to connect DeSantis to some kind of resistance to include African American Studies within Florida education and beyond.” 

A Black Student Union representative, while choosing to remain anonymous, further explained the dangers behind these changes. “There have been influential queer figures you can’t ignore,” they said, “You can’t learn about the U.S. without learning about Stonewall, and you can’t learn about Stonewall without learning about Marsha B. Johnson and Storme DeLarverie and Black queer activists who were an integral part of that.” 

To combat the poor handling of the course, more than 30 organizations, including the National Black Justice Coalition, have petitioned and signed a letter asking the CEO to resign. “New leaders are required if College Board lacks courage to advocate for students and academic freedom.” the letter laid out. As to the OCSA students and teachers interviewed, their closing views varied from disappointment to optimism. “I have a lot of mixed feelings about this,” Trask expressed, saying, “As someone who grew up knowing very little about African American Studies, it would break my heart if a course like this was never taught … I don’t want it to be taken away, but I don’t know if the class currently reflects Black and queer voices it’s meant to uphold.” 

Don’t Walk Out on Walkable Cities!

Kate Um

Santa Ana is rated the most walkable city in the Orange County region and the city has further hopes to become a greater walkable city in the future. A “walkable city” is centered on walking as the central mode of transportation, shifting away from the pervasive car culture that originates from the 20th century. Along with other sustainable modes of transportation like public transportation, there must be a short distance between the people and their necessities. Easily accessible facilities such as schools, stores, markets, hospitals and other buildings should be at a walking distance of at most 15 minutes to support and ensure increased human quality of life. 

Santa Ana received a score of 67 out of 100, which seems low for a city that tops OC walkable city lists. A score of 70 and above is seen as a great walkable score. This criteria takes into account the walking distance between facilities (the closer, the better), the features to ensure pedestrian safety (ex: road spacing, population density at areas, etc.), and the number of accidents caused by vehicles or infrastructure. This goes hand in hand with easily accessible public transportation (biking routes to subways), to shift the dependency from cars. The key is for infrastructure to be spaced conveniently closer together, becoming more communal instead of the urban sprawl of current cities. Yet, this current structure of our cities inversely increases civilian use of gas in their transportation, expanding to a bigger picture of environmental and economic concerns.

Many have conformed to a lifestyle dependent on vehicles as most Californian cities have not strived for full potential in becoming eco-friendly walkable cities. Irvine neighbor Lauren Lee noted how she can walk or bike to school but not for any place else, requiring a car and quite some distance to have essential things like food, clothes and leisure. A core problem with this is the lack of public transportation’s presence and prevalence within citizens’ lifestyles. As mentioned in previous articles, various complaints on OCSA’s own public transportation options have stirred students to opt for carpooling because of its inconsistencies in arrivals, departures and service. In the past year, there have been OC bus strikes and this matter of equity in public transportation is not realized in California overall. A reliable transit system must assert its presence and establish its reputation to reach most Californian cities, if not all. This becomes a great step toward lower emissions, lower rates of pollution, and healthier environmental footprints for all. 

Simply knowing the benefits is not enough to instill change though. The majority of civilians take cars to their destinations and cyclically repeat this lifestyle. The deep-rooted problem is the unwillingness of structure to change American society. It’s hard to rid the old. The conformity of car culture and dependency in American society dates back to the roaring 20s, where automobiles became a key indicator of freedom and prosperity, flashing in its thundering engine and delight. Now, cars are an accustomed item with a typical household owning two or more cars. Since then, cars have lost this impression but there still remains the discrepancy of civilians who cannot afford cars in cities where cars are central to human life. In this case, starting with equitable public transportation to develop into fully functionable walkable cities can alleviate the economic burdens of many. 

With transformed infrastructure and a shift in societal thought, walkable cities in California can obtain success. Santa Ana’s Complete Streets Plan strives toward these goals and is yet to be fully realized. As more regions fight for change, we must not walk out on this solution; our homes as walkable cities can become reality.

Las Estrellas Reach for the Stars

Eddie Chen

Faldas twirl under the light, gleaming in their elegance and grace. Vestuarios flutter through the room as students dance across the floor, keeping in time with music. Their zapatos move swiftly through the space, stomping in synchrony. Sombreros dot the group. Tocados shine on heads. “¡Ajúa!” Los bailarines are ready for the stage.

Ballet Folklórico Las Estrellas, the performing group of the Ballet Folklórico Conservatory (BFC), consists of driven dancers, each passionate in performing their craft. Directed by Lilia Muñiz, a BF teacher and choreographer, the team is spreads the Mexican culture at OCSA and in local communities.

Ballet Folklórico is a traditional dance form originating in Mexico. The art form pulls elements from indigenous, African and European roots to display cultural dances that incorporate ballet, modern and contemporary techniques. The costumes, or vestuarios, are a splendor of colorful skirts with bright ribbons, representing different regions of Mexico. The rich culture and history behind the art form is what makes it such a special dance.

Saira Arias (BFC ‘23) stated that the team has performances once every two weeks “where we perform at different elementary and middle schools as well as the annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza.” With rehearsals every Thursday, the group continually improves their partner work and technique as they prepare to perform onstage. Through auditions at the beginning of each year, new folkloristas join a team of professional high school dancers, many of whom also train outside of school. The team hits the ground running, or dancing, right away, with their busiest months during September and October due to Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. In fact, Muñiz states that in September, the team does around three performances weekly as it is asked to perform in many places. Through such frequent performances, the team grows to be a tight-knit family of supportive and hard working individuals.

Karina Lariz (BFC ‘25) spoke to the strong support system of the team where “we all bond over things and everybody is closer knit to each other.” They are continually pushed by Muñiz to rehearse and prepare for any upcoming performances. Carlos Lozano (BFC ‘25) said that Las Estrellas is very similar to conservatory classes but is much faster and more intense: “We usually only have one practice to get an entire show done.” They most recently performed at OCEAA, inspiring future generations to engage in the rich culture. Currently, the team is preparing for a performance in Oxnard for a prestigious Mariachi band as well as celebrations for Cinco de Mayo at middle schools throughout Orange County.

Muñiz aims to push the dancers to succeed in every aspect of their lives. After high school, dancers can join professional companies and continue to engage in the art form as professional bailarines. Through it all, the spirit of the dance continues to shine through the dancers as they embrace Mexico's rich cultural heritage and reach for the stars. ¡Arriba México!

You can find Ballet Folklórico Las Estrellas on social media!

Instagram: @ocsa_balletfolklorico

Facebook: OCSA Ballet Folklorico Dance Conservatory

Senior Assassins Controversy

Selah Sanchez

It’s a more and more common sight: students donning unusual attire, from armband floaties, tutus, to cowboy motifs. That is because this year’s round of Senior Assassins is underway. For those unfamiliar with this relatively new tradition, Senior Assassins is a competition where players (Seniors, as the name implies) are assigned a player as a ‘target’ every week, and must find them and ‘kill’ them using a water gun. Immunity is granted by wearing certain accessories unless it is a Friday ‘purge day’, where no one is safe. The winner– the one who stays alive the longest– receives a cash prize accrued from student participation donations.

The game started on February 27, and will continue until there is a winner, or graduation. Once they catch their targets, students must submit video evidence of their ‘shot’ to an Instagram page run by student organizers Lula Buckle (MT ‘24), Samy Dejbakhsh (MT ‘24) and Lily Aniceto (MT ‘24). So far, the game has gone smoothly, with videos of successful clips being uploaded regularly. Participants like Tabitha Finamore (IA‘23) have expressed excitement, saying “I’ve had a lot of fun having something to do in between blocks... it’s a game that’s competitive but at the end of the day it’s funny.”

At OCSA, water guns have been replaced with wooden clothespins, which assassins must use to clip their targets’ clothing. The change– implemented last year as well– was brought about due to “school safety,” as Dejbakhsh said. The safety concern, being implied gun violence. Buckle added, “... In today’s political climate... I just don’t think it’s worth the risk.” Parents and admin alike have expressed concern over the use of water guns, therefore replacing them was the easiest way to approve the game. The decision has sprung some divided opinions among the student population, but while it is not ideal, it is at least understandable. Buckle argued that the bonus of clothespins is that it’s “trickier ‘cause it’s closer range, which we think will make the game more exciting.”

Another issue included missing school hours. Skipping classes or attempting to pull students out of class has been done, which is unfair to teachers and admin. There have been several announcements and modifications to the rules, even after the game started, to mend this. According to Buckle and Dejbakhsh, admin was not against the game, which is run independently of official Leadership. However they did express concern, Buckle reported that “They did express that they wanted to be in the know about the rules and just make sure everything checks out under school.”

Despite its modifications, many students agree that Senior Assassins is a strangely unifying game. The reason for this is that targets are assigned at random so there is the chance that players may get someone that they never knew before, providing the opportunity to get to know them beforehand.

As Dejbakhsh puts it, “To seniors, I believe that this game is seen as very fun and a way to connect with their peers! People can get very into this game, which makes it so much more enjoyable for all the participants.” Certainly, it is a fast-growing and well-looked forward to tradition.

Every Award Everywhere All at Once

Elise Park

This year’s Oscars ceremony celebrated an impressive array of films, from the fan-favorite “Avatar: The Way of Water” to the World War I epic “All Quiet on the Western Front.” But perhaps the most memorable film of 2022, boasting six Academy Awards including one for Best Picture, is Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once”.

This heart wrenching yet hilarious sci-fi film follows an unassuming hero, Evelyn Wang, on her wonderfully absurd adventure to save the multiverse from impending chaos. At first glance, this film is a messy action comedy with dizzying visual effects. From universes where humans are just pieces of rock to a spin-off of “Ratatouille” starring a racoon as the cook, “Everything Everywhere” quickly crushes your expectations. But at the heart of the film lies the Wangs’ journey towards reconciliation and themes of familial love that shed light on the historically overlooked Asian-American experience. Think the interdimensional adventure “Spiderman: No Way Home” meets Pixar’s heartwarming story of acceptance “Turning Red.”

“I watched it and the message I took from it was that you can define the significance of everything in your life; my friend watched it and she focused on the cyclical nature of parenting; my aunt watched it and was struck by how all the identities that Evelyn has parallels her own immigrant experience,” Amber Khauv (CW ‘23) shared, reflecting on the message behind the film. “I feel like there’s something in there for everyone.”

Despite its excessively colorful and ridiculous plot, many find it a relatable and touching narrative. Michelle Yeoh’s overwhelmed tiger-mom portrayal of Evelyn and Stephanie Hsu’s rebellious Joy paint a scene many American children with immigrant parents know all too well. Ke Huy Quan, who plays Evelyn’s benign and timid husband in one universe and a fanny pack-wielding superhero in another, delivers an unforgettable performance. And Jamie Lee Curtis, the marvelously unpleasant IRS agent who at one point flaunts sausages for fingers, reminds us it’s okay to laugh. Yeoh, Quan, and Curtis have all received Oscars for their acting, and this year marked the highest number of Oscar nominations for Asian actors in history.

Lacole Yang (CW ‘24) added, “It’s one of the most unique films I’ve seen in a while. I think the portrayal of family is interesting because in American media, you have films that are all about the child’s journey towards self-discovery and finding a place in the world. But ‘Everything Everywhere’ is about the struggles of the mother. I feel like moms deserve that kind of recognition.”

It seems the film has received nothing but recognition over the past few months. As the A24 sensation has already secured four SAG awards, breaking records for the most wins by a single film, it’s no doubt “Everything Everywhere All at Once” will go down in cinematic history.

Liminal Spaces at OCSA

Lacole Yang

Unease is stored in the echo of isolated footsteps on repeating floor tiles and shadows from fluorescent lights falling on nondescript beige walls. There are some places that aren’t meant to be looked at closely. Transitory spaces aren’t worth a second glance when passing through with a crowd. But when passing through alone, they become a confrontation with oddity. 

Take, for example, the long hallway at the end of the Annex. The low ceiling presses down, and the surroundings are completely off-white. Once in it, there are no shortcuts to take, no doors to escape through except for the one at the very end. Thin and seemingly endless, the hallway confines movement to a single path. 

More liminal spaces are found everywhere in the Tower. In the basement, the walkway forms maze-like sharp angles. Classrooms loom up behind corners. The only adornment on the walls is a mirror. If you look into it, perhaps you’ll see something peering out from behind you. Going up to the main floors, there are refuge areas between the staircase and the classrooms. They wind into strange shapes, wedging themselves behind the door. Every turn is done blindly. Chunks of the wall are carved away to provide hiding spaces for entities that reside in stillness. Continuing up, the staircase is blocked at the seventh floor by a locked gate. Standing there alone and unmoving, it is silent enough for the lights to go off. The stairs are set in darkness, wound up with tension. It emphasizes the shadows that lurk beyond the gate, murky and unreachable.

In the DMS, the flights of stairs are short enough so the floor of the next story can be seen, but they still obscure one’s view of what might be standing at their top. The gray banisters wrap around in a loop, and the sound of footfall tumbles off the steps. Meanwhile, a closet in Symphony Hall conceals a gloomy crawlspace in the wall. It extends into lightless oblivion, framed by twisting fiberglass. Outdoors, the Container Lot is a series of barriers, metal walls folding backwards to hold unoccupied air. When deserted, the liminal spaces transform from harmless to unnerving. They beckon for people to fill them, so hauntingly vacant that they might absorb an unlucky passerby into their ivory repetition.

Advertisement: OC Animal Shelter Drive

Fanny Kim

To All the OCSA Meals I’ve Loved Before

Kayalani Degrave

When I first arrived at OCSA in seventh grade, I was amazed by the assortment of options available. I remember telling all my friends about how special my school’s lunch menu was and them being in shock at the thought of our massive array of selections. That being said, OCSA’s menu options have drastically changed since my entry in August of 2017. It seems that certain school-wide favorites have disappeared without any explanation or suitable replacements, and they surely deserve justice. So, let’s take a walk down memory lane and explore all the OCSA meals that I loved before…

Do you remember the Art Attack classic line: “The daily lunch special is Pasta Ba-log-uh-nee-see.” What happened to this OCSA staple? With its red meat sauce and spiral noodles, this lunch meal was iconic, not only for its taste, but also for its difficult pronunciation. Students would laugh about varying ways to pronounce “bolognese,” which quickly became a schoolwide inside joke to bond over.

Some of the newer OCSA students or underclassmen might not remember the past student favorite dish: Pasta Alfredo, specifically the spiral alfredo. This was the most popular lunch special for the entire 2017-18 school year, with its creamy alfredo sauce topping perfectly cooked fusilli. While this dish was later remodeled and ultimately replaced with pastas like the Italian Sausage Rigatoni covered in pesto, nothing could ever compare to the beloved 2017 Pasta Alfredo.

Introduced during the hybrid semester of 2021 was the Ahi Poke Salad. Arguably one of the classiest OCSA meals to date, the Ahi Poke Salad came with a mixed green salad, cucumber, ahi tuna, seaweed salad, masago, fresh avocado, sesame seeds and was topped with a delicious miso dressing. Most recently, the Ahi Poke Salad was replaced with an Italian salad consisting of salami and cheese toppings, that definitely doesn’t compare.

Finally, the most missed OCSA food selection isn’t a cafeteria dish at all. It’s the ice cream truck. For those that never had the luxury of eating from this cherished gem, OCSA had biweekly engagement with an ice cream truck every Tuesday and Thursday during office hours (previously called Block 7). As soon as the bell rang, students of all grade levels would line up to taste delectable soft serve ice cream or frappuccino-like drinks. Unfortunately, the ice-cream truck never returned after the 2019-20 school year, but its presence is endlessly missed. In the meantime, the Ballet Folklórico conservatory still sells paletas most Mondays and Wednesdays during office hours if you wish to satisfy your sweet tooth.

By no means is OCSA’s current menu any less exciting than before. There are still some unique menu items that students at other schools could only dream of having. However, the iconic and treasured menu items of the past shall never be forgotten.

Shamrock Shakes

Molly Jenkins

Shamrock Shake lovers, get ready. The wait is finally over! As of February 20th, the legendary green treat has made its return. And yes, the Shamrock Shake will once again be joined by its new companion, the OREO Shamrock McFlurry. It’s the best time of the year as Mcdonald’s famous mint flavored treats are back. 

No stranger to the McDonald’s menu would know that their famous shake has been around for decades. The fan favorite has been around to bless the nation since 1970 after Connecticut McDonald’s owner, Hal Rosen, created the shake in 1967 to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. It's a fairly simple recipe, the shake is made up of just two ingredients: vanilla soft serve and the minty Shamrock Shake syrup (and occasionally oreos). Once blended, the green shake is topped with an ample of whipped cream. 

As of recently, I bought my first shamrock shake of the season. It was a beautiful experience if I may say so myself. The perfect mix of vanilla ice cream with a perfectly crafted dopple of minty bliss was the perfect way to get into the spirit of the day of the Irish. However, since the drink’s release, it has gained a tremendous amount of popularity. There has been a long lasting debate whether there is too much vanilla and not enough mint. However, in good news, most people believe that the batch lives up to its hype, and I have to agree.

“Shamrock Shakes are the best part of March”  exclaimed Sophie Bradecich (IA ‘24) “My Shamrock Shake hack is to get half of the shamrock shake and half of the chocolate shake” she added. 

St. Patricks Day is coming up soon, meaning that America’s beloved minty drink will be off the menu after March 17th. When the ice cream machine is not broken, make sure to grab yourself a sweet minty shake before it’s too late! 

The Line Between Faith and Politics

Ryan Jeong

In modern politics, Christianity has a strong hold in political dictations of the American people ranging from LGBTQ+ rights, women’s reproductive rights, and the intense topic of separation between Church and State. The Christian faith is an invaluable asset to many throughout the country but a controversial political asset nonetheless. In an ever-polarized world in which the lines between church and state are fading more and more, it begs the question: When Christian values dictate political beliefs, to what extent does Christianity break past the world of faith but instead be twisted to a political weapon?

At OCSA, a predominantly liberal school with a high LGBTQ+ demographic and a diverse population of religious beliefs, Christianity plays an interesting role. According to an anonymous student, “I’ve grown up around faith my entire life… I come from a Christian family, but my political beliefs have nothing to do with my beliefs…I don’t want my faith to become a rubric on how others should live.” 

I believe that criticism towards Christianity should not be directed towards Christian values but rather towards the weaponization of Christian values to justify political control. Kris Schlesinger, a Christian author, best supports this in regards to the controversial topic of abortion, saying that “In an ideal world…every child would be…raised in a household and a community that met his or her physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs.” She continued, “but we don’t live in this world …which is why Christians should spend less time fighting for the unborn and more on making this world a better place for children to live.” Schlesinger is one member of the Christian faith advocating for a different role that Christianity should take in politics. 

At OCSA, beliefs like that of Schlesinger are becoming more and more common. When Christianity and politics collide, the world is idealized through a rose-colored lens that doesn’t take into account the complexity of our world. Another anonymous student said, “I feel like most of the time we are told to believe but not why we should believe… I am the first one in my family who doesn’t have any religious beliefs… I think we should continuously question what we are told and the values that we have since the world is always changing”. Of course, no political ideology is completely innocent of using faith to achieve its agenda. Regardless of where one stands on the two ends of the political spectrum, both parties use the various prospects of culture, faith and beliefs to achieve their end goals.

At the end of the day however, there exists a thin line between the power of faith and the dangers of hyper-polarized politics. In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly easier to assume someone’s political beliefs based on their faith. But when a political party takes ownership of a religion, the faith disregards the moral principles of true faith and exchanges it for the worship of a political party. When politics dominate Christianity, it sacrifices the reality of others in the favor of a political vision, and not the vision of faith. Sometimes it’s better to keep some things behind the closed church doors. 

Instagram PFP Slander

Lauren Kim

Disclaimer: Doesn’t apply to my friends or close surroundings. Please don’t leave me.

1. Baby photo of yourself

You're probably really popular at school, which also makes you a player. You break hearts without even realizing it. Somehow you have Pinterest-worthy baby pictures. Most of the time, you’re wearing giant sunglasses, holding your mama’s big purse, or some other kidcore/vintagecore prop.

2. Anime/Genshin character

You have an interesting personality. You’re very passionate and express your opinions for the world to hear. Some people may find you quite annoying under certain circumstances. You also cry a lot because you’re very emotional.

3. Cartoon-Network Edit

It expired in August of 2012.

4. Nature

Your bio probably frames your entire life and surroundings. You live up to society’s standard of an average white-collar worker. You’re not a born genius, but you try your best to receive standing ovations (You rarely do, though). You definitely love physical activities and being outdoors.

5. Photo of one of your travel pictures

You’re either the It girl or the Eat girl. If you’re the It girl, you like Europe, fashion, makeup, self-care, bling-blings, etc. If you’re the Eat girl, you genuinely love eating, especially the new foods you try when you travel the world. It girls and Eat girls both get Starbucks in the morning, though.

6. No profile picture

There are five types for this category: 1) You recently downloaded Instagram. 2) You recently broke up or lost a friend group. 3) You’re trying to be mysterious and cool. 4) You were going to change your pfp, but you got lazy and you got used to the blank pfp. 5) You’re the hottest person in the world (Real hot people don’t post themselves).

7. No-filter picture of yourself

You're really confident, but you need to get a reality check because you're not that hot. But some people find you attractive…why? When you post something, each and every one of your friends upload three to five comments each. You’ll only pin one of them, and you won’t reply/like all of them because you can be delusional. Please, you read all those comments and kick your feet in the air. Or you could just be an NPC.

8. Sanrio

You think you're so kawaii uwu and cute? No you're not. And it’s always Melody or Kuromi. Did you forget about all the other characters?

The Amazon Echo Echo Echo . . .

James Yi

Echo Dot. The epitome of technology. Sci-fi brought to life. Your very own personal assistant that listens to your every word and command. Just why does this useless thing exist?

The Echo Dot is a smart speaker. It is a speaker with an AI inside it. It can play music, give baking recipes, look up your questions, calculate numbers, set a timer, control your lights and TV, etc. A smartphone is a phone. It has a speaker and an AI inside it. It can do most of the things listed above and do all the rest with the help of a few apps. It can also fit in your pocket.

Perhaps we have Echos for the better sound quality. It is a speaker, after all. “Much better,” said Vicky Nguyen (DM ‘23). On the other hand, Adam Suh (CV ‘24) said “Regular speakers sound better.” An anonymous figure said “It sounds the same for me.” Placebo effect must also be considered in these responses. The Echo is a speaker, so one may simply assume it sounds better even if they do not actually feel the difference.

Perhaps the Echo has a greater range in volume. “I guess the volume is much better,” said Isabella Kim (ACT ‘25). Though not everyone enjoys a louder volume, it cannot hurt to have more options. It can be inconvenient, however, to set the volume. “With other speakers you can adjust the base and volume. With Echo Dots you can’t really do that,” said Suh.

How about the increased availability? “It’s convenient that I don’t have to find my phone,” said Karl Peterson, literature and composition teacher. Furthermore, unlike using a phone, you do not need to press anything or go into an app to use the AI. However, this is an advantage which would be eliminated if phone companies decided to have phones respond to voices automatically, like the Echo.

Now, battery. That may be the answer. It takes 10,000 joules to fully charge an iPhone. An Echo Dot consumes 8,100 joules per hour while it is dormant. If your phone had to act like an Echo and listen to your every word, it would likely run out within a few hours. So when someone asks you why you have an Echo, say it is because of the battery. When someone asks why Mr. Peterson bought his fifth Echo, say it is because of the battery. A battery is what gives an Echo its life. Battery is what fuels its sound and volume and immediate responses. It is, and always has been, battery.

Where in the World is Mr. Peterson?

Photos by Evolution staff / Compilation by Tabitha Finamore

Evolution GPT

ChatGPT-3.5, Taby Finamore

At OCSA the journalism elective is a beloved class filled with students who have an insatiable thirst for power and a desire to make their voices heard.

The editors of the paper are known for their authoritarian ways, they demand articles from their staff with a relentless determination that borders on the absurd. For them, nothing is more important than the next issue of the paper, and they will stop at nothing to make sure it is perfect.

The staff, for their part, are excited to participate. They see themselves as a tight-knit community of writers, photographers, and editors, united in their love of the written word. They spend hours brainstorming ideas, drafting articles, and editing each other's work.

Unfortunately, this passion is not shared by the rest of the student body. Most students barely even know the paper exists, and those who do view it as little more than a nuisance. They are constantly being bothered by the paper's staff, who are always on the lookout for new interview subjects or podcast guests. No one wants to be on their podcast, which has few listens, but the staff refuses to take the hint. 

It's a strange dynamic, to say the least. On the one hand, you have a group of people who are passionately dedicated to creating a high-quality school newspaper. On the other hand, you have a student body that couldn't care less, and a group of editors who are more interested in perfection than popularity. It's a classic case of misplaced priorities.

Yet, despite all this, the school newspaper soldiers on. Every issue is a labor of love, filled with articles, interviews, and features that are written with care and attention to detail. The staff may be obsessed and the editors may be tyrannical, but there's no denying that the school newspaper is a well-oiled machine.

In the end, it's hard not to admire the dedication of the school newspaper's staff. They may be a little crazy, a little overbearing, and a little bit out of touch with reality, but they are also passionate, talented, and hard-working. They may not be popular, but they are respected, at least by each other. And in a world where popularity is everything, that's something to be proud of.

Senioritis

Felix Brem, Taby Finamore, Grant Li, & Selah Sanchez

Felix: It’s a strange feeling, coming home to a room that in only a few months won’t belong to you anymore. The bulletin board of childhood photos and mementos, the posters on the wall and the messages scribbled on furniture in pen will no longer mean ‘home.’ Instead, half of your belongings will be crammed into a yellow room the size of a closet, unwashed laundry filling its corners and the smell of coffee biting harshly in the air. Familiar routines, friends, and boba shops will be replaced as midterms and work-study jobs occupy your time instead. It’s exciting, but it’s terrifying, to roll the dice and hope that the debt will be worth it.

As colleges begin to release decisions, this is the reality for many seniors--contemplating how to let go of your past and prepare for the future. Many of us may struggle to prioritize which colleges will give us the most value for the least amount of money. Some of us (cough cough) may have regrets after changing our minds too late about which majors or careers we want to pursue. Some of us may find our options limited as anti-LGBTQ bills across the nation eliminate colleges in certain states from the list entirely.

Taby: I will miss the subtleties of OCSA. I will reminisce on the times when I forgot my lunch, and Juan, the taco truck owner, would deliver my food to the red gates of the DMS. Rainy days spent inside the VAC gallery, admiring the artwork created by my peers, will make me nostalgic. I will miss peering over the red railing of the fire escape we use to get to class and seeing every variety of Doc Martens. The random shrines to Manny and other internet memes that spontaneously appear on freshly painted walls each year are ingrained in my mind. I will both cringe and cherish the surges of pride that every wave of seventh grade has for attending such a unique school. Instagram accounts that range from OCSA confessions to OCSA calves to people caught eating bananas in the Tower will continue to haunt me. Above all, I will miss the sense of community that exists beyond conversation, embodied in teenagers clothed in local band tees and chunky jewelry. I am unsure of where I will find myself next year, but I know I have found pieces of who I am on this campus.

Grant: What’s there to say about senioritis that somebody else already hasn’t said a million times before? The bittersweet memories, the lost childhood, the quirky things you’ll miss at OCSA—it’s all well-trodden territory. I’m not good at reminiscing. So instead, I’d like to share a true story about burnout from my family:

I know a family friend from my hometown in Michigan. Admissions officers drooled over this guy—perfect GPA, student body representative, founder of three clubs. Sure enough, he ended up enrolling at UMich with a full ride. In his freshman year, he won a national award for business innovation. As a sophomore, he was recruited as an intern at Facebook. Junior year, he was having lunch with the executives. Then year four came—and everything came crashing down. He didn’t go to classes for an entire semester. He quit the internship and got arrested a couple of times. Something about being the model student for all his life caught up to him, and he let his whole life fall through his fingers.

After graduating in 2018 with a 2.9 GPA, he moved to China and started teaching English at a small elementary school. He posts workout videos with his students on Instagram. The last time I talked to him, he told me that he wouldn’t change a thing about his life.

Selah: For me, what made OCSA was the people. To some extent, everyone here is a nerd. Discovering this was a leap from what I had been used to– being made fun of for being a nerd. But there is undeniable talent to be found here, and it’s beautiful. It’s helped me discover parts of myself that may have remained hidden. It was a place that challenged me academically and creatively. There were opportunities, like Journalism, Playfest, OC Ryse, and even the opportunities I didn’t end up taking have all helped me. And, one cannot deny the traditions and trademarks here, from the thump of the 10th Street music, the enigmatic dirt pile, the slug phenomenon last year, and beads strung through shoelaces.

Now here I stand, a short and stout stump of a student about to be thrown into a sea of independence and perpetual financial crisis. It’ll be strange living on a college campus, going to lectures and seeing people dress relatively ‘normal.’ But I don’t think anything will prepare me for the culture shock that is college. OCSA’s energy, the people, the traditions, especially the Halloweens– I’m going to miss all of that. But if I survived a major change in my life such as OCSA, then surely I can stand another!

March Horoscopes: Designer Brand Kids Models

Lauren Kim