Coalition for Anti-Racism and Inclusion

Brie Samaniego & Sophie Bradecich

The need for an organized student advocacy group gained attention in 2020, in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement. Two presidents of the Black Student Union voiced their concern over Black students at OCSA not being heard or properly recognized.

Realizing the lack of structure ensuring student voices are heard, staff members began taking strides to fill that vacuum. Abbe Levine, assistant principal of student supervision, and Brian Stevens, director of community engagement here at OCSA, are both members of the steering committee of the Coalition for Antiracism and Inclusion.

The Coalition is mainly driven by the Student Culture Executive Board, a collection of presidents and heads of various student unions and affinity groups. The Board advocates for the group they represent and increases the cultural competency of the school. In the two years Levine spent at the San Gabriel Valley campus, the board shrank though they still continued to meet. Levine returned to OCSA in the Fall semester, and the steering committee began to reach out to more clubs. Before students had the chance to accept their position on the Student Culture Executive Board, administration highlighted The Board’s existence in an email sent out to the entire school.

Both Levine and Stevens recognize systemic change does not come overnight. Stevens acknowledged that “we're not going to solve racism by the year’s end, but how do we continue this work?” A main goal of the coalition is to implement a system capable of extending beyond the passion of one person. Levine understands the importance of fundamental change, believing “it needs to be built into the structures of the school and not rooted in individuals.”

“[Change] needs to be built into the structure of the school and not rooted in individuals.”

— Abbe Levine

During Coalition meetings, students begin the meeting by “Norm-Setting” which entails setting expectations for students to maintain respectful and productive relationships with one another. The norms established include guidelines for building a space that is safe for communication, understanding and growth.

The board meets monthly, usually during office hours or lunch. Members are all given a chance to share their concerns about the school and promote ideas for improvement. Mixed Student Union President Courtney Hines (CW ‘24) acknowledges that the students' thoughts combined with the steering committee’s position is powerful, but there is “not enough time to finish talking about the things we disagree with happening on campus, let alone take action against it.”

Levine and Stevens attempted to remedy this issue by hosting a meeting during block eight at the beginning of the Spring semester. This allowed more students to attend and significantly more time for club leaders to share their thoughts, and create plans for what the Coalition could look like in the future.

Students were asked about OCSA’s current partnership with the Anti-Defamation League. This partnership was chosen by the founding members of the Student Culture Executive Board in 2020, but Levine acknowledges that the school’s sentiments about this partnership may have changed. Board members were able to share their concerns about the ADL both as an organization and a partner for OCSA.

Though OCSA's partnership with the ADL is uncertain, Levine and Stevens are both extremely determined to continue the work of the Coalition and the Student Culture Executive Board. The current goal of the Coalition and the steering committee is to create foundational systems, so OCSA can seamlessly implement preventative and protective practices from year to year. Levine hopes that the impact of the Coalition will one day “ripple out” to “find more spaces for even more students to be heard.”

The Secret Lives of OCSA Teachers

Naomi Herthel

It’s safe to say that, nowadays, most of us spend more time around our OCSA teachers than our own families. We enter our teachers’ classrooms, consume their knowledge like baby birds feeding straight from their mothers’ beaks and leave. But aren’t these people still, like, total strangers? I mean, we know that Mr. Sprekelmeyer was a firefighter, Ms. Coates loves Diet Coke and Ms. Gallagher used to be a Disneyland princess, but maybe it’s time to ask the more serious questions: What don’t we know? Who are these mysterious beings after they shed their OCSA ID badges at the end of the school day? (Cue suspenseful music.)

For starters, we go to an arts school, so it should come as no surprise that some of our very own OCSA teachers are musicians themselves. Literature and Composition teacher, Pamela Smith, for instance, was a singer all throughout high school and college, even gigging with a band known as Mere Image. Today, she still gigs with a friend roughly three times a year. “We sing songs from the 90s, current songs,” she explains, “really whatever we love.” Similarly, Science 8 and Biology teacher, Kristen Lee, also grew up entrenched in music, first picking up the acoustic guitar in seventh grade. It wasn’t until her college years in Los Angeles that she felt inspired to make her own music. She explains that it was a “long and sometimes discouraging process, full of various YouTube tutorials on how to record and edit.” She now has multiple songs on Spotify and continues to broaden her musical horizons, tackling the drums as her most recent endeavor. Adding his own flair to this mix, Literature and Composition teacher, Patrick Thompson, leads a double life as a DJ! He began by playing rap and hip hop tunes at college parties but now plays more house and techno music for private events. He describes DJing as one of his favorite things to do, as it keeps him “current and knowledgeable” on evolving musical trends. He even expresses interest in DJing on 10th Street. Psst, OCSA Leadership, did you catch that?

On a completely different note, Kelly Cano, Jessica Berliner, Katie Rush, and Jessica Daniel have recently embarked on a joint venture into the world of sourdough-making! Channeling their shared love of Harry Potter, they’ve affectionately named their individual starters—which are living mixtures of salt and flour—Albus Dumbledough, Ron Wheatley, Lord Volderdough and Luna Loafgood, respectively. Ms. Rush, who has noted the “fun and therapeutic” nature of the hobby, confesses that she now makes more sourdough than her family could ever eat.

Rounding out this interesting group, let’s not forget middle school science teacher, Jess Daniel, who is currently the proud owner of 14 chickens! Inspired by her childhood love for her pet chickens, she felt compelled to start incubating chickens again when she recently moved houses with her husband. She has even created a TikTok account to showcase these “personality-filled” feathered companions to the world (go check out @nikkiscitychickies!).

Now for some honorable mentions:

Daniel Huynh has done Chinese lion dancing for the past 10 years.
We are in the presence of hidden gamers! Robert Bourg recently replaced his Graphics Card with a 4070 Ti Super and favorites World of Warcraft. And Marissa Mares treasures the Lego Star Wars video games.
Sara Abedpour does kickboxing. She can “hit you with a jab-cross-hook!”

We are beyond fortunate to have OCSA teachers who not only excel in their profession but also lead intriguing lives beyond the classroom. By engaging with them about their diverse pursuits, we can build deeper connections, which might even result in greater excitement about their classroom offerings. So, don’t hesitate to get to know your teachers better—for all we know, somebody’s out there hoarding llamas in their basement.

Mastering Mastery-Based Learning

James Yi, Samuel Parigela

The grading system could be changing drastically, and unless you are leaving this school, you should be interested in what is called mastery-based learning.

Mastery-based learning was first formally proposed in the late 1960s by educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom and his colleagues, but early forms of the system can also be traced back a few decades earlier, like the Winnetka Plan in the 1920s. Recently, the book “Grading for Equity” has popularized the idea.

The main philosophy of mastery-based learning is judging students based on mastery, not completion, of content. In doing so, two major tasks are involved: defining what content the students need to master and deciding how to judge their mastery.

The first task is accomplished by discussions among teachers of the same subject. It is a necessary task even outside of mastery-based learning, so there will likely be little change in this task.

The second task will involve some guidance from administration. In OCSA, assessments will, over the course of several years, come to account for 90 percent of the grade of any subject. There is some flexibility in what counts as an assessment, however. “We can make a lab an assessment. We can make a daily assignment an assessment. It will be up to the teachers,” said science teacher Chris Chong. The ability to categorize homework as assessments will serve as a loophole for teachers, such as Chong, who disagree with judging students by their test results. “Students should be rewarded on their investment in the class,” said Chong.

Another proposed change would be for every teacher to have some form of retest or test correction policy, though the exact details of the policy would be up to the teacher. Like increasing the importance of tests, these changes will be finalized over several years. Though the timelines are not set in stone, Assistant Principal of Instruction Kim Lyons mentioned a “three-year vision.”

The shift was largely motivated by taking a broader look at the purpose of education—learning. “We worry that we have created a system in which…the goal is to chase points,” Learning Specialist Shelley Stanphill said. With the rise of AI and the Internet, it is easy to look up the answers to an assignment, so there is a point at which homework does not sufficiently measure learning. Stanphill added that the change has been taking place for a while at OCSA, with some teachers having already been using mastery-based learning for many years. “It’s been… a gradual process where I think more and more teachers are starting to adopt those practices.”

“We worry that we have created a system in which...the goal is to chase points.”

— Shelley Stanphill

Science teacher Daniel Huynh emphasized that the implementation of a mastery-based system would create a system that is more fair. “The changes will allow for a more equitable learning experience,” he explained. Huynh highlighted that the progression of learning is unique to each student, and that the traditional system doesn’t sufficiently account for this. Ideally, a mastery-based learning system would be more flexible in catering to the needs of every individual, and would prioritize real growth and learning as opposed to how much someone can memorize for the day of a test. “I can’t change what is being taught, but how I give the test might be different—I might give a project, or I might give a portfolio,” said Huynh.

Another purpose of mastery-based learning is consistency. Originally, there were many policy differences among teachers. “One teacher, for example, would give 20 percent of the grade to homework and another teacher only gives 10 percent,” Lyons said. “Or this teacher allows for retakes and that teacher doesn’t.” The standardization of the assessment category and the requiring of retakes or corrections is meant to limit the impact a teacher’s policies have on student grades.

Mastery-based learning is a significant change from the current grading system, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out at OCSA.

20th Anniversary of Performing with the Pros

Angie Kidder

Performing With the Pros is a production traditionally put on by the Musical Theater conservatory that brings a professional in the arts field onto the OCSA campus. This year was Performing With the Pros’ 20th Anniversary, so the Musical Theater Conservatory knew that it needed to put a special twist on it to celebrate; it decided to open up the show to six other conservatories—Classical Voice, Ballroom, Ballet Folklorico, Popular Music, Jazz Studies and Production & Design. This gave students the opportunity to collaborate with each other in new ways and create a production that truly exemplifies the full breadth of talent of OCSA performers.

Nathan Han (MT ‘26) reflected on his time working on the show, “I think it’s really unique in the sense that it brings together so many different people from different backgrounds. I love that it showcases a wide selection of art forms. It’s the first of this kind of project that I’ve worked on.”

Normally, the professional is someone who comes onto campus on a residency as a Broadway actor. However, this year, it was decided that the faculty at OCSA would become the Pros for this year’s production. This gave students the chance to work alongside the Pros throughout the entirety of the rehearsal process, rather than just the last week of rehearsals. This also allowed cast members to get to know their Pros better and to receive great advice from them throughout the entire rehearsal process.

Lavinia Watkins (CV ‘26) commented that one faculty member in the show that she enjoys working with is Robert Norman, who has worked with the Los Angeles Opera and LA Master Chorale. “He’s great and always really kind. He’s been a great person to work with and is always very supportive of everyone,” Watkins said.

The story of Performing With the Pros this year revolves around The Great American Songbook, a series of songs from the 20th century that arose from popular music, jazz standards and show tunes. It includes lesser known songs like “St. Louis Blues” composed by W.C Handy, to hits like “Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana and “When You Believe” from The Prince of Egypt.

Grace Gilchirst (MT ‘24) comments on one of her favorite songs in the show. “New York, New York has definitely got to be my favorite number. The soloists do a great job at telling the story of America. I think that it is the pinnacle of not just Musical Theater but American History. Zane Carras (MT ‘24) does an amazing job in specifically portraying that as an actor.”

The show was held February 23rd and 24th in the Webb Theatre. It was a highly successful show that truly represented the talents of OCSA students across their respective conservatories. The production was a phenomenal way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this project at OCSA.

Grammys Review

Aadya Sharma

The Grammy Awards have long been a source of disappointment to Americans, as evidenced by declining viewership over the years. However, Sunday, February 4th, 16.9 million viewers tuned in to watch the 66th annual Grammy Awards Ceremony—a significant increase from last year and the highest viewership in the last four years. Possibly, this is a reflection of the many new changes and trends this year. So if you didn’t watch it, or if you just forgot everything already, let’s unpack this year’s Grammys.

Maybe the biggest news to come out of all this is that Taylor Swift not only won Best Pop Vocal Album and unexpectedly announced her next album (Tortured Poets Department, releasing April 19th) but also became the first person to ever win four Album of the Year awards. Taylor wasn’t the only woman slaying this year, either. There were many wins for women in the music industry, with Miley Cyrus winning her first ever Grammy, Boygenius winning Best Alternative Album and Best Rock Performance, Victoria Monet winning Best New Artist and Laufey winning Best Traditional Pop Vocals for her album “Bewitched.” Many of the performances were by women, such as Dua Lipa’s energetic opening to the show, SZA’s performance of songs from her album “SOS,” which made her the most nominated artist this year, Billie Eilish’s tear-jerking performance of “What Was I Made For” from “Barbie” (which won the Song of the Year) and so many others. Several major awards categories were also dominated by women, like Best Pop Solo Performance, and Album of the Year. Overall, the Grammys did a great job paying respects to the amazing women in the industry—the Oscars should take notes.

Perhaps another reason for this year’s increased viewership is the fact that the Recording Academy tried to appeal to a wider audience this year by bringing back classic artists and honoring the legacy of their music. The show featured performances from legends such as Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell and Billy Joel—for whom it was also the first time performing a new song in 30 years, in his attempt at “finding the joy in it again.” The In Memoriam section of the show was extended this year to include specific tributes to music giants that were lost this year—with Stevie Wonder honoring Tony Bennett; Annie Lennox honoring Sinead O’Conner; Jon Batiste and Lenny Kravitz honoring Clarence Avant; and Fantasia Barrino honoring Tina Turner. The Academy also presented the special Dr. Dre Global Impact Award to the superstar Jay-Z, who, in his speech, expressed an opinion that resonated with many viewers who have felt disappointed by the show in the past: “Some of you may feel like you got robbed. Some of you may get robbed.”

Alongside their commitment to honoring musical legends and uplifting women, the Grammys this year continued their push for diversity and inclusion. The performance by Burna Boy, featuring 21 Savage and Brandy, was the first time the genre of Afro Beats was performed on the Grammy stage, which host Trevor Noah, a South African himself, expressed appreciation for. The award of Best Música Urbana Album from the Latin American music category was featured in the main show for the first time as well. It’s a breath of fresh air to see the Grammys trying new things this year and upholding its obligation to the underrepresented or underappreciated artists in the industry.

Update on the Crisis in Palestine

Brie Samaniego

Before the state of Israel was established in 1948, the land was called Palestine and ruled by the Ottoman Empire. Following the first World War, Palestine, among other territories, was placed under British control by the League of Nations in 1922.

While the other territories became independent, Palestine remained under British control and enacted the Balfour Declaration, which promised a “national home for Jewish people.” The primary ideology in the establishment of Israel is known as Zionism, a form of Jewish nationalism. Oftentimes, anti-Zionism is conflated with antisemitism. Although some criticism of Israel can turn antisemitic, criticism of the Israeli government and the violence it has enacted is not inherently antisemitic.

Around this time, large populations of Jewish people flocked to Palestine, fleeing the rise of Nazism and violent antisemitism. Both violent and nonviolent resistance ensued, from both sides. In 1947, the United Nations adopted Resolution 181 which partitioned Palestine, 45% to an Arab state and 55% to a Jewish state.

The partition resulted in violent militant attacks against Palestinians living in the newly established Israel. This is referred to as “The Nakba” or “the Catastrophe,” forcing around 750,000 Palestinians to flee with thousands killed. This led to the full-scale Arab-Israeli War, leaving Palestine vulnerable to further attacks by the Israeli government, which employed tactics such as psychological and biological warfare, increased land seizure, expulsion of Palestinians, and destruction.

At the end of the war, Israel held about 78% of Palestine, with more than 6,000 Israelis and 10,000 Palestinians killed and another estimated 500,000 Palestinians displaced.

1987 saw the first in a set of mass uprisings against the Israeli occupation, called “the Intifada.” These uprisings saw the foundation of Hamas, an armed resistance group calling for the dismantlement of Israel. Hamas has been characterized by the use of suicide bombings to regain land. Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 and took over the Gaza Strip in 2007, triggering the blockade on that land under the premise of preventing weapon smuggling. Human rights groups have deemed the blockade by Israel as an “open-air prison” and a form of collective punishment, illegal under the Geneva Convention.

Photo Courtesy of University of Richmond

On October 7, Hamas fighters breached the fences separating Gaza and Israel. More than 1,000 Israelis were killed in the attack, with 240 taken as hostages. In response, the Israeli government violently and massively retaliated. At the time of writing, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed—over 12,000 of whom being children. 84 journalists have been killed, 94 hospitals and healthcare facilities in Palestine have been attacked, 370 schools have been damaged or destroyed and 1.1 million Palestinian children have been denied access to adequate humanitarian aid. Although while reading, it can be easy to reduce these people to numbers or statistics, the numbers represent real people: men, women, and children have had their lives violently taken away.

In two separate cases presented to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa has accused Israel of genocide and apartheid. Hearings are ongoing and over 50 countries are presenting arguments on the consequences of Israel's occupation.

The United States government has done nothing to end this conflict or call for a ceasefire and has continued its financial aid directly funding the Israeli military. Most recently, the house passed a bill to provide $14.5 billion in aid and is awaiting Senate and White House approval.

This article is in no way a comprehensive recount of the entire history of this nuanced conflict. This is not an attempt to change nor attack anyone, less their personal ideologies, opinions, or beliefs. It is important to remember that people are not their government. Using a tragedy to justify antisemitism or islamophobia only creates increased divide and violence.

Fighting ignorance can be just as important as fighting violence. Educating yourself and staying informed is always the first step to meaningful change.

A walk through Westminster’s Ghost Mall

Brian Resendiz

It’s not unheard of that the traditional shopping mall is becoming outphased. Shopping centers all over the United States have been affected by this plague, either becoming abandoned, demolished or at the very least, devoid of consumer life. These are commonly referred to as “ghost malls” or “zombie malls.” There are many across the state, but there is a recent, notable addition to this plague, and it can be found here in Orange County.

Opening in 1974, the acclaimed Westminster Mall has been enjoyed for decades, not only by local Westminster residents but also citizens all over Orange County and undoubtedly OCSA students, who have fond memories of the mall. The mall has even been used as a filming location for the 2019 Netflix film Rim of the World, directed by music video director McG. While it has a diverse selection of stores, it has recently found visitor attraction for its Sky Zone location.

Early onset signs of the death of the mall were the closing of Sears in accordance with a deal that shut down 103 stores nationwide. Westminster was the last of these locations to close. The COVID-19 pandemic played a large role in the general loss of popularity of many other shopping malls across California as well. Westminster Mall is set to close in 2025, preceding its demolition and plans to reconstruct it into a new shopping center with apartments, similar to the functions of Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. Visiting the mall today, there is almost no one walking about. The vast majority of the shops are closed down, and some are in the process of moving out. Major outlets, such as Target and Sky Zone, are still open, but the Target entrance is blocked off from the rest of the mall, as if to detach itself. Many of the employee-only zones are unblocked and unsecured, and there tends to be more total employees than customers.

The mall isn’t the only part of the city to lose its life. The Westminster Center is a small, but popular shopping outlet with two more locations subject to perish. Rite Aid, a pharmacy popular for its Thrifty Ice Cream chains, has been subject to a lawsuit which forces them to close many locations across the country, including locations in Tustin, Lakewood, San Diego and Los Angeles. The cause of these closures has been cited as a method of combat against bankruptcy, perpetuated by declining sales and countless opioid-related lawsuits. Along with the loss of the Rite Aid, the Regency Theater in the Center has also been losing business, calling for employees to get scheduled for less hours and pay.

Perhaps the shopping mall isn’t dead and is instead going through a rebirth. Society is constantly evolving, and its infrastructures are no different. Perhaps big market shopping will continue to take on a new direction, such as VHS tapes having been outphased without ending video media. The renovation must be seen as a good thing, and there is excitement to be had as to what could possibly come next with these renovation plans. Nonetheless, it is always heart-aching to watch, in real time, the present becoming the past. All in all, the best is wished for the future of this shopping mall.

Q&A with Teren Shaffer

Melody Wu

Many of us know OCSA’s CEO and President, Teren Shaffer, for his contributions to our academic and artistic home. However, we took the time to get to know him a little more personally, and we wanted to share our favorite insights from our conversation with Shaffer!

Where did you grow up?

“I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and in the city of Northridge—so in Los Angeles County.”

Do you have any favorite childhood memories?

“Before education, my professional background was in classical music. And the thing that inspired me growing up was my dad…My favorite childhood memories were learning how to play piano sitting in his lap, and he was my earliest inspiration to pursue a career in the arts.”

What musical artists do you like?

“I’m a huge fan of the music of Bruckner, Mahler, Brahms, Bach and Schumann…but I’m also a huge fan of the music of the 70s and 60s. I could spend all day listening to Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Earth, Wind and Fire, Elton John and so many others. Also, if you don’t know Jacob Collier—check him out—incredible current artist.”

What do you do in your free time?

“Most of my free time is really valued family time…I enjoy golfing when I have time, and I love being outside, biking and taking our dog for long walks or hikes.”

What character from a movie or musical do you resonate with the most?

“The movie character I’m inspired by is Forrest Gump. Despite life’s curveballs and challenges, he teaches important lessons about perseverance, doing what you love, listening and finding valuable perspective in others, not taking yourself too seriously and remaining optimistic.”

What is your number one goal in life?

“The thing I think most about is how to help guide my kids to be good human beings—how to ensure that they are empathetic, caring and kind.”

Do you and your family have any quirky family traditions?

“We love to have a huge Halloween party every year…[My kids] insist that every year we dress up as a group Halloween costume. So one year, it was Aladdin, and one year, it was Super Mario Brothers.”

Have you heard the rumor that you want to start an OCSA Olympic swim team?

“The only water activity I did competitively was…rowing (crew). I did that in college for a few years…But no, I have no idea where that came from. It’s bizarre to me.”

What is your favorite movie?

“A movie that I loved as a kid and still love today is “The Sandlot.” Other movies that I always enjoy too are “Jaws,” “Schindler’s List” and “Back to the Future.” I also love watching every Disney and Pixar movie with my kids. They just love those films so much, and we enjoy watching [them] together as a family.”

What kind of books do you read?

“Mostly books on leadership, problem solving and creative thinking. I’m reading a book right now called “The Hard Thing About Hard Things.””

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in life?

“Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.”

Who is your role model?

“My mom is incredibly bright, she’s one of the smartest people I know…She continues to, for me, lead by example. She’s always incredibly dedicated to her work and is kind and thoughtful with the people she works with. [She exemplifies] a leader that really leads by example, works hard and acts with humility and integrity.”

Do you have any future plans for OCSA?

“I am very excited about the Arts and Enterprise conservatory. It is very new, and I am looking forward to seeing that program grow with the opportunities it will provide for students. It’s like OCSA’s version of an arts administration and arts business program. Also, Digital Media was rebranded into the Design and Media Conservatory and the idea is, over the next few years, to build additional tracks to prepare students in new pathways. I would also like to see us work towards implementing an artist-in-residence program where we have a full-time artist each semester to work collaboratively with students from different conservatories.”

Are you a Swifty?

“My wife likes Taylor Swift, and my kids are obsessed so by extension, I guess I am familiar! I am not a Swifty personally. It’s fine but it’s not really my thing. No Eras Tour for me.”

Clearly, there is a lot more to learn about the people running our school. Everyone has their own unique story to tell, and here at Evolution, we hope to continue uncovering the stories of intriguing individuals.

Redefining Indie Music

Sofie Dooley

Indie music: arguably the most common identifier of modern alternative music. Recently, I’ve been thinking: why is the term “indie” so vague? How do so many contrasting artists fall under the same umbrella? To answer this question, let us define the genre, identify its origins and modern state, and lastly, discuss my predictions.

The first ever indie band to grace the music industry is arguably rock/folk band The Grateful Dead when they broke off from the Warner record label in 1972 to start their own, independent label, Grateful Dead Records. In 1977, British punk band Buzzcocks released their first independent record, the Spiral Scratch EP, and successfully sold over 15,000 records. Inspired by Buzzcocks, many bands that are now recognized as being brit-pop, such as The Cure, The Smiths and Talking Heads, expanded the culture of the genre by creating not only a new sound but independent artist scenes and fanzines.

In the following years, many other independent record labels sprung up in the United Kingdom punk scene, including labels such as Rough Trade, 4AD (Pixies and The Breeders) and Mute, alongside “boutique” labels such as Rockathon, Subpop and Matador Records. Boutique labels have almost become interchangeable with independent labels, defined by not being one of the four major record labels (EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.) The trend caught on in the United States in early 1978 when Greg Ginn of Black Flag formed SST records in Washington, DC and Ian Mckaye of both bands Minor Threat and Fugazi created his independent record label Dischord records in Long Beach, California.

Originally, indie music was defined by independence in the process of making and distributing music. However, the genre soon shifted to being recognized by its distinct sound, defined by guitar driven instrumentals, authenticity over virtuosity, and experimental factors. This change began when the general public began labeling bands like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. as indie artists despite their extended time spent on major record labels, which ultimately led to the fade of the genre’s authenticity.

Indie musicians are now defined even more so by fashion choices, such as eyeliner and dyed hair, alternative aesthetics and upbeat instrumentals. The term is becoming increasingly vague as it strays far from the original definition that was directly attached to the element of independence. This has led to indie music becoming synonymous with alternative rock. Even more recently, the presence of social media and shifts in the streaming economy have prompted bands like Wilco and Guided by Voices to ground themselves to the authentic origins of the genre.

Many artists dislike the vagueness of the term ‘indie music,’ as the ambiguity almost evokes the feeling of a lack of rebellion or specified audience implying a lack of uniqueness, contradicting the original intentions for the term. Looking on the bright side, however, the indie music scene is still a space for experimentation and originality, and the future's looking bright for artists looking to branch off the current state of commercial music.

Irish Music Artists: Best Music to Jig to

Kate Um, Sophia Kang

The land of skin fades, alleged leprechauns and lush greenery. Many music-artists have spawned from the Emerald Isle of Ireland with their distinct sounds across genres. Alongside highlighting the illustrious, deep-seated history of the following musicians, our personal music recommendations will also be provided.

The Cranberries

Born in Limerick, Ireland, The Cranberries were blessed upon the Irish people. You may recognize them from the soundtrack of the show, Derry Girls, or the cover of “Dreams” in Wong Kar-wai’s film, “Chungking Express.” Evidently, their hit songs, notably “Zombie”, have spread across hemispheres. The powerful chorus astounded everyone, yet The Cranberries revealed a deeper message against the war atrocities taking place in Ireland. Gold, red and silver hues splash the screens of the “Zombie” music video with heart-wrenching and provoking imagery of Irish kids subjected to the violence of soldiers. Referencing the year 1916, the band calls back to the beginnings of the Irish War of Independence, where the Irish nationalists staged a rebellion against the colonial British.

While bravely confronting the historical atrocities of the past, The Cranberries don’t only owe their worldwide fame from hard-hitting songs. In fact, the band is special in how they dive vulnerably into ballad-like odes that yearn and churn the hearts of all. Songs like “Linger” and “Ode to My Family” feel like a warm embrace that can only express itself through song. The Cranberries is a band that can resonate with any part of your life. Although I recommend listening to their entire discography, I highly recommend listening to “Put Me Down” and “Dreams.”

Hozier

On March 17, 1990, a babe was born and lay in a manger. And that baby would grow up to be a Jesus reincarnation known as Hozier. Andrew John Hozier-Byrne was born to artist Raine Hozier-Byrne and blues drummer/banker John Byrne. Hozier has previously stated in interviews that a majority of his family were artists and musicians, consequently supporting his decision to follow in their footsteps. He taught himself guitar, sang in the choir and started writing songs from an early age. The singer was a part of and toured with the ensemble group Anúna from 2007 to 2012. However, his official breakthrough was with his popular song “Take Me to Church,” which topped global charts and earned him a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year in 2015.

Hozier has received critical acclaim for his lyricism and incorporation of social themes and the Irish language into his music. His lyrics are raw, vulnerable and beautifully composed to draw you in. Jesus Jr.’s first self-titled album/debut launched and showcased such abilities. Some good starters are “Jackie and Wilson,” “Cherry Wine” and “Like Real People Do.” From his second album, I recommend “Would That I” and “Movement.” But, in reality, the real way to get started with Hozier is to dive head first. So, sit in a field somewhere, put his entire discography on queue, and go frolick.

Some other Irish musicians to check out: U2, Niall Horan, Sinéad O’Conner, Inhaler.

Deep Thoughts with Jeri Stein

Jeri Stein

I do not know much about life; I'm only 16 and just haven't lived long enough to really comprehend what life could be. For most of my existence I decided to be cynical, glass half empty, the light will never come blah blah blah. But why, why does life have to be such a somber event? Now this may be the mix of Pinegroves “Need 2” and the motivational TikTok slideshows speaking but why does life have to be such a dark situation? Life is going to suck and be hard but that's not all it has to be.

Now, I'm not saying to never be bitter—everybody is bitter, and I'm still very bitter. I hate when the cuffs of my pants are wet, I hate when my bus misses me and I absolutely hate blink-182. But I also love many things: I love the raindrops on my window, I love the people I surround myself with and I love when blink-182 isn't playing. There's always a yin to a yang, one might say. Why spend my time thinking about if the cuffs of my pants are going to get wet and instead focus on the raindrops on my window. That's what I believe life to be about—the moments you decide to focus on.

“We can never go back, and we can never go forward, so become content in the place you are.”

Now you may sit here and think I'm full of it, and maybe, I am. Maybe, life isn't supposed to be full of love and joy, but isn't it easier to believe and hope that it is? One of my simplest favorite sayings is, “No matter what, the sun will always rise.” Though the saying may be corny and sound like it belongs on a wood carving in your mother’s bathroom, it's also very true. No matter what you do in life, there's always going to be that one constant—the sun will rise again. So yeah, life may suck, and it's going to continue to suck, but it won’t suck forever because the sun will always rise.

I implore you to live your life full of love. Love everything, love so much that people question why. Don't live with regret. If a task seems too laborious or too time-consuming, remember that the time will pass anyways. We cannot stop time. We can never go back, and we can never go forward, so become content in the place you are. This article may have become me spewing positivity at you, but I truly mean every word I wrote. We are too young and life is too short to spend it being cynical, so choose to love, choose to focus on the raindrops and ignore your soggy pant cuffs.

Which Love Trope Comes Out On Top?

Kayra Hidirlar

If you have ever watched a rom-com or read a romance novel, you probably have witnessed many different love tropes, such as star-crossed lovers, soul mates, love triangles, and so many more. With the endless amount of love tropes that are present, there have been heated debates arguing whether certain tropes deliver or whether they do not make the cut. Therefore, I am here to give you my personal opinion by putting out a ranking of some well-known love tropes.

Eighth place: Love Triangle
Do not get me started on love triangles. They unnecessarily take away from the story, and it often involves a character who goes back and forth between two love interests; but the worst part is that the outcome is so predictable. No matter what happens, someone involved in this messy relationship is bound to get hurt.

Seventh place: Love at First Sight
This may be a controversial opinion, and you can disagree with me all you want, but I am telling you that love at first sight is not real. End of discussion. Yes, you may feel attracted to someone but true love takes much longer to develop, and it requires a much deeper connection.

Sixth place: Forbidden Love
I don’t necessarily hate the forbidden-love trope, but in my opinion, I find them to be overused. The idea of two people madly in love, despite their inability to be together, is a bit too basic for me, and I think it already had its time to shine in “Romeo and Juliet.”

Fifth place: Second Chance
The thing about second-chance tropes is that they can either go extremely well or terribly wrong. There may be this support of the reconnection of two characters, but only if these characters shouldn't have been separated in the first place. If this is not the case, this trope can become a waste of time for everyone involved.

Fourth place: Enemies to Lovers
Oftentimes, when we are introduced to two characters who relentlessly bicker all the time, there is this sense of predictability that these characters will eventually fall in love, despite not accepting it at first. This predictability is what makes this trope so enjoyable, although there are times it can play out in an unfavorable way. If it is clear that the enemies are better off not together, that is when I find that the enemies to lovers trope becomes problematic.

Third place: Opposites Attract
The reason why the opposites attract trope can go very well is because each person in the relationship accounts for the other’s lacking aspects in one another’s personalities. However, at times, some characters just simply clash due to their inherently opposing personalities, and that can lead to a dull future for their relationship.

Second place: Fake Relationship
When two people start a mock relationship to solve an issue in their lives, this makes for an exciting trope because those who are viewing the story typically would like to see it bloom into a genuine, real relationship. And once the two characters are finally aware of their feelings and those emotions are conveyed to each other, we are left with a love story with a satisfying outcome.

First place: Friends to Lovers
What I love about the friends to lovers trope is that you get to see the journey of two people growing closer together. However, this uncertainty of whether the two are “just friends” or have feelings for each other is what can make this trope heartwarming and hilarious. Once the characters finally get together, it makes my heart melt as they are able to fully express their feelings for each other in a romantic way.

I’m Sorry, Lil Timmy T . . .

Sophia Kang

Oompa Loompa Doo Ba Dee Doo, I’ve got a little review here for you. (Sung in tune)

If you’ve read my article from the October Issue, you know I have a lot to say about America’s favorite peach enthusiast and Troye-Sivan-impersonator, Timothée Chalamet, and his latest movie “Wonka.” Hopefully, as my loyal readers (which you all better be), you’ve been awaiting my review of the film I so heavily criticized. Well, like a sinner in church or Fleabag on a bad day, I’m here to make a confession: I loved “Wonka.”

Picture this; you walk into the theater and order your usual: medium popcorn with a Coke or blue raspberry and cherry ICEE (Anything else would be tasteless). Then you sit in your seat, giddy with the prospect of watching another bad movie. As you wait, you’re entertained by a trivia question about Aaron Taylor-Johnson and other stuff that you didn’t pay attention to after seeing a picture of Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The theater lights dim, and as you settle further into the squeaky unsanitary leather, the opening credits play. Suddenly, Chalamet appears, hanging from the mast of a ship. He begins to sing.

Initially, you cringe. 10 seconds in, and it’s already bad. But, he continues. The song is…catchy? Then you have a war flashback from watching the trailer—“From the producers of “Paddington.” A question hangs in the air: Could “Wonka” actually be good because of its mere association with “Paddington” and “Paddington 2”? And as the film (that’s right, I said film) continues, you’re mesmerized by the bright colors and costumes, laughing at the childish jokes, smiling through the musical numbers and genuinely thrilled by the plot. Suddenly, the answer is clear. Yes, “Wonka” is good simply because of its mere association with “Paddington” and “Paddington 2.”

“Wonka” successfully follows the classic “Paddington” formula: nostalgic whimsy, a ridiculous yet entertaining plot, heartwarming characters and a stacked cast of British comedians and actors.

Additionally, the soundtrack was fun and memorable. The song “You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This” has recently gone viral on social media for its catchy chorus and danceable quality. Many people have labeled this as the best musical number from the soundtrack. Unfortunately, they are wrong because that spot belongs to “Sweet Tooth.” Not only are the tunes and lyrics twice as good but the number features Matthew Baynton from Horrible Histories, which immediately puts it in the top ranks.

In conclusion, this movie is more than just producers allowing Timothée Chalamet to dress up in a top hat and dance around. I think that viewers, such as myself, were quick to critique the trailer because we’ve forgotten to acknowledge that “Wonka” is a children’s movie. Although Chalamet might have made some interesting delivery choices throughout the movie, there is no doubt that Kylie Jenner’s petite boyfriend served. So, grab a bucket of popcorn, quiet up and listen down, and go watch “Wonka.”

Spring Staff Recs: From Our Team to Yours

Evolution Staff, Compiled by Sophia Kang

MUSIC

“(They Long To Be) Close to You by Carpenters” - Kate UM (CV ‘24)
“Shooting Star by Ella Gibson (an OCSA alumni!)” - Aadya Sharma (IM-SO ‘24)
“Cherry Blossom Ending by Busker Busker” - James Yi (CW ‘24)
“I Want You from Pulp’s 1987 album ‘Freaks’ — underrated album and song, so good. The perfect subliminal messaging song for the Valentine’s season.” - Sofie Dooley (PM ‘26)
“Suck It and See by Arctic Monkeys; She’s Thunderstorms is the epitome of romance.” - Sophia Kang (PD ‘24)
“My Love Mine All Mine by Mitski” - Adriana Perez (BF ‘26)
“Lancaster Nights by Charlie Burg” - Naomi Herthel (IA/CW ‘25)
“Love by Keyshia Cole” - Angie Kidder (MT ‘26)

ROM-COM MOVIES/SHOWS

“10 Things I Hate About You” - Jeri Stein (ACT ‘26)
“Sexy Beasts (blind dating show on Netflix)” - Naomi Herthel (IA/CW ‘25)
“Everyone should watch Kaguya-Sama Love is War” - Samuel You (CW ‘24)
“Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bokjoo” - Isabelle Ng (IM-W ‘25)
“Mamma Mia” - Ava Park (VA ‘25)
“But I’m a Cheerleader directed by Jamie Babbit - SO CUTE. If you love Clea Duvall, straight Rupaul, Natasha Lyonne, awesome set design, and goth lesbians, this is the perfect queer valentine’s day movie for you. Too good.” - Sofie Dooley (PM ‘26)

WORST PIZZA TOPPINGS

BOOKS

“Book Lovers - Emily Henry; Her best-written book, horrible and amazing for both older siblings and romance lovers.” - Sophia Kang (PD ‘24)
“King’s Dark Tidings” - James Yi (CW ‘24)

DESSERTS/SWEETS

“Red bean milk shaved ice from Meet Fresh” - Lacole Yang ( CW ‘24)
“Eclairs and tiramisu” - Kayra Hidirlar (CAH ‘24)
“Pink Starburst. So much better than all the other flavors in my opinion!” - Angie Kidder (MT ‘26)

SPRING ACTIVITIES

“Bracelet/jewelry making” - Adriana Perez (BF ‘26)
“Galentines, watching the sunset, movie night” - Molly Jenkins (IA ‘24)
“Lying on the fake grass in the DMS quad and looking up at the sky” - Aadya Sharma (IM-SO ‘24)
“Spreading love and joy” - Jeri Stein (ACT ‘26)
“Going to the beach or picnic by a lake” - Kayra Hidirlar (CAH ‘ 24)
“Making slime” - Ava Park (VA ‘25)
“The CW basement usually has free candy you can steal. You didn’t hear it from me.” - Samuel You (CW ‘24)

Some Grapes Rankings

Ava Park

IT’S GRAPE SEASON! Well, not exactly. In the United States, the peak time to harvest grapes is August to October. However, that will not stop me from writing an article about ranking relatively specific and almost completely non-scientific grape varieties.

1. Shine muscats:

Shine muscats are hands down the best grape variety. Due to their plump nature and sweet taste, it feels justifiable to spend 12 dollars for one bunch. I like to eat these grapes by peeling off the skin of the grape. No particular reason—it just tastes better that way. I also appreciate their not too crunchy, but not too soft (or chewy) texture.n Also, this is not the fruit to use to make tanghulu (a traditional Chinese snack of sugar coated fruits). I tried using them, and failed miserably. You are better off just eating them as they are

2. Cotton candy grapes

I think most will agree that cotton candy grapes are delicious. It's remarkable that they taste just like cotton candy! I’m sure some of you are wondering why they taste so similar to the sweet treat, and after some research (a quick Google search), I’m pleased to say that according to NPR, its taste is not attributable to some advanced plant creating process but rather a product of some good ol’ plant breeding.

3. Kyoho grapes

I've been eating these grapes for forever and never knew the proper name of them until I started writing this list.The proper way to eat this—according to me—is to also peel off the skin, but if you're lazy, you can just suck out the non-skin part of the grape and then spit out the seeds after. This is the perfect grape to eat while talking with friends or family. But be sure to have three plates or bowls ready to dispose of skin and seeds. (unless you eat them… Weird).

4. Moondrop grapes

I’ve actually never had these grapes, or I might've and just don't remember. These grapes are the funniest looking on the list, and also have the coolest name. They also share the same name as the moon character from “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach.” Additionally, the grapes have dimples! Who doesn't like a good dimple?

5. Red dragon brand red grapes

I tried these recently and easily had 50. Solid grapes. Some were sour, but not enough to justify not putting it on this list.

Fun Fact:

Here is a collection of things in the media called sour grapes

That one character from Strawberry Shortcake Berry Bitty Adventures
The Sour Grape by Jory John
Sour Grapes by Robin (Teen Titans Go)
Sour Grapes by Le Sserafim

Wondrous Wildlife: The Instagram Lurker

Samuel You

Welcome back to “Wondrous Wildlife”.. I’m Samuel, and today I’m taking a look at one of Mother Nature’s rarest creatures in its natural habitat: the Instagram Lurker. The Lurker can rarely be seen slipping in the shadows of popular reels or the hot post of the week. The lucky individual might even be able to catch a glimpse of one of their likes. But sooner or later, the trail will go cold, and they’ll disappear again. Many have tried and failed to scrounge up some sort of pattern from their appearances, some way to discern what their habitats or living conditions might be like. But this elusive brand of Instagram users continues to avoid science’s highest and brightest.

Interestingly, one method that scientists have proven to be effective is what we call “reel-spamming.” On the off-chance that you can locate the habitat of the Lurker, our researchers have found that overloading them with information, in the form of reels, memes or other interesting posts can show interest in conversation. This display of interest will likely be taken as kindness, eliciting slow, but steady responses. This method is what we like to call slow burn, with results taking days or sometimes weeks to manifest. However, in certain cases, this method has shown to be effective at getting active DMs from the Lurker. As our most devoted researchers currently enter conversations with this rare species, expect new and exciting scientific literature to be published in the upcoming weeks.

Despite what their secretive exterior might lead you to believe, our observations show that Lurkers are actually usually pleasant individuals. Communities of Lurkers show agreeable interactions with each other. It’s just a shame that they’re so shy. However, some scientists suspect that the Lurker is, on average, a very social individual outside of the wilderness of the for you page, rumored to be quite social outside of the Instagram ecosystem. While all footage regarding the Lurker is speculative, when asked for comments regarding this information, many popular documentary producers declined to share footage. “Wondrous Wildlife” intends to explore this phenomenon further.

The Lurker is a rare, valuable part of the Instagram ecosystem. Supplying a healthy amount of views and likes to the majority of posts on the platform, their continued existence is vital. If you suspect that you may have discovered or are on the verge of discovering a Lurker, remember to approach with kindness, compassion and a steady stream of your best reels. Thank you for joining me on “Wondrous Wildlife.”

10 Year Olds in Sephora

Isabelle Ng

“SO YOU’RE TELLING ME YOU DON’T HAVE THE GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW TONER???!!! That’s why you don’t have a boyfriend, and you’re ugly.” You double-take to ensure this is Sephora because there’s no reason for a little girl to be throwing a tantrum here. What could they possibly buy here?

A group of little girls are huddled over the notorious skincare brands: Drunk Elephant and Glow Recipe. Interested, you head over to see what’s going on, and to your surprise you see the girls mixing up a storm… One girl aggressively pumps the Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream and cues the other girl to squirt in the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration gel along with the A-Passioni Retinol Cream, the next girl drops in some Drunk Elephant O-Bloos Rosi Drops and to top it all off, the last girl tugs on your shirt, looks you up and down and demands, “Give me the Glow Recipe Watermelon Dewdrops.” Reaching for it, she whispers under her breath, “You clearly need it.” Appalled, you don’t know what to say back. Do you fight this 10-year-old or sarcastically smile at her and give her the product?

You decide to be the bigger person and hand it to her. You can’t help but look at the Charlotte Tilbury, Rare Beauty, Summer Fridays, Saie, and Sol de Janeiro spilling out of their baskets. Just as you think their total has to be more than 400 dollars, they add countless more Drunk Elephant and Glow Recipe products. Watching in disbelief, the first girl waves her hand in your peripheral, asking, “Um our hands are full, hold this for us.” As your jaw slowly drops, she adds, “Is it too much for you to hold? You don’t seem that strong but come on, it’s only for a few seconds before Mommy and Daddy come in.” You give her a blank stare and walk towards the Drunk Elephant products. You overhear her say to her friends, “God what’s with her attitude.” You glare at her, but you guys meet eyes so you sarcastically smile at her. As you start to pick up the products they made a mess with, you try to figure out why a 10-year-old needs retinol. People start using that in their 20s to prevent signs of aging, but what aging is a 10-year-old experiencing, other than entering puberty?

You add the last Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi drops to your basket and continue to browse around, but just when you pick up Hourglass Glossy Lip Balm to check the shade, the second girl comes up to you and points out, “So you have the last D-Bronzi drop! I mean you look a little pale so I guess you need it..!” Jaw dropped, you go to check out because you’ve had enough of these kids. Yet when you place your items on the counter, you find out another girl sneakily stole your Bronzi drops.

Looksmaxxing.

Lacole Yang

Looksmaxxing. The sharp-jawed, positive-canthal-tilt pathway that leads out of the hellish pits of inceldom and heads at least a few miles in the direction of being sigmapilled before taking a sharp turn back to its origin. Essentially, looksmaxxing is the practice of improving one’s physical appearance to its maximum potential. The trend started from appearance-focused forums and spread to 4chan and Reddit, and it is now spilling over to TikTok. From skincare to bodybuilding, there are many facets to achieving such optimal levels of attractiveness, but the most prolific method by far is defining one’s jawline.

This is called mewing, and Samuel You (CW ‘24), the mog master extraordinaire, explained that this is beneficial because “a more pronounced jawline makes you look more intimidating or more attractive.” Epic mewer Kyle Siu (CW ‘25) explained that the ideal mewing posture is putting your “tongue to the roof [of your mouth] and sucking in your dimples.” The tongue’s alignment to the top of the mouth is crucial to sideprofilemaxxing. It is difficult to speak while mewing correctly, but since the results are so undeniable and definitely scientifically sound, the wisdom of prioritizing mewing over clear communication is apparent.

To get further into the lookmax grindset, one can look into a mewing device, which is a ring or other object that a lookcel can “put in [their] mouth and it forces [them] to bite down and be constantly mewing. It actually really hurts,” explained You, advising against these devices. “They’re not really what they’re cracked up to be.”

“You mew so that you can mog,” said Jadon Han (CW ‘25). Mogging is defined as dominating someone by appearing fitter, more attractive and generally better than them. The weeks of positioning one’s tongue will finally pay off with the cathartic ability to showcase one’s superiority complex.

The most dedicated jawsigmas can try bonesmashing, which involves hitting one’s face with blunt objects or beating it against a wall, causing fractures that will allegedly grow back into a pleasing shape. “Apparently, you have to do it for months to see benefits. But I wouldn’t do it,” said You.

Above all, the key to successful looksmaxxing is being consistent and eventually freeing oneself from the ironic derision of society, which still holds itself captive by rules like “phrenology is outdated,” “no one is analyzing your jaw shape,” and “speaking solely in made-up compound words does not improve ease of communication.” To that end, enlightened looksmaxxers should engrave You’s words into their upgraded skull: “It’s a mindset thing. It starts out like a joke, and then you start doing it not as a joke, and then you wake up and look in the mirror every single day and you start checking out how your jawline has improved. So it’s really once you stop treating it as a trend,” that you can seize victory in your journey to looksmax.

Who's Austrailan, 6'5, and Has an Eyebrow Piercing?

Gigi Kim

“Well, why don’t you come home with me? Come to Saltburn.”

If you chose to read this, chances are you’ve also probably been sucked into a rabbit hole of Jacob Elordi edits. You might know him from his roles in the hit show “Euphoria” and Netflix’s “The Kissing Booth.” As of recently, Elordi is making waves through TikTok with the viral edit of Elordi to the song “Never Be Like You” by Flume. It is safe to say that there’s a new white boy of the month in town! With Saltburn’s infamous scenes and a 200% spike in Google searches of “does jacob elordi have a girlfriend” or “is jacob elordi single”, it’s safe to say the popularity of Elordi isn’t dying down anytime soon.

Ever since his appearance on Saturday Night Live, he has been dubbed as the number one “babygirl.” The term “babygirl” is a phrase of endearment coined to describe attractive and “vulnerable-looking” men. The internet has lost their minds over this 6’5 Australian actor, leaving short guys in the dust. TikTok users have been engaging in trends such as pretending to be working while watching the Jacob Elordi edit.

Elordi previously played the role of Nate Jacobs in “Euphoria”, the stud toxic quarterback with manipulative and arrogant qualities, launching him into a new level of fame after his lead role as Noah Flynn in the “Kissing Booth” movie series, which Elordi has previously described as “ridiculous,” and “I didn't want to make those movies before I made those movies.” Following after, he landed the lead role as Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s critically acclaimed biopic “Priscilla”, playing the famous late American singer.

Now for the real question, is he single? The answer to this question has broken the hearts of millions of fangirls across the globe. After recent appearances with Olivia Jade, many have probably cried themselves to sleep after scrolling on People Magazine. If you wanna cling on to the shred of hope with Elordi, you can purchase a Jacob Elordi’s Bathwater Candle on Etsy, where he described it as smelling like “a washing room.”

Senioritis (Love Letter to OCSA)

Elise Park

Dear OCSA,

I still remember the first day I met you. It was a chilly night in March eight years ago when I stepped foot into Symphony Hall. You were intimidating. A bit clunky, a bit eccentric. I was confused by the bright orange stripes that spanned the Tower, the random totem pole that stretched to the clouds and the clashing architecture all over campus. But in some sort of way, I was intrigued.

I admit, there are some days I can hardly bring myself to school. The long morning commute feels more like a slow trudge to work. The seven flights of stairs feels more like a cardio exercise I never have the energy to do. The evenings spent poring over physics labs or essays analyzing the green light feels more like hours spent toiling away at chores. But over the years, I have truly come to appreciate the small things that make you, well, you.

As much as I try to convince myself that I am ready to leave in three months, I am not. I dread the day the tassels will move from right to left, and everyone will move on. It’s hard to believe that after all the years spent here, there will be a time when you are nothing more than a sweet memory. No more warm chocolate cookies before conservatory, no more stressing over good hair for yearbook photos and no more shouts of “OCSA sports!” when something successfully lands in the trash can. The sights of the blaring red DMS gates or the sparkly Webb bathrooms will slowly slip away. The words “Breezeway” and “10th Street” will sound like foreign places, and eventually, I will forget how to navigate the strange room numbers in the Annex or the small shortcuts that avoid school traffic.

In short, OCSA, I will miss you. I will miss the senior wall and the warm afternoons eating with my friends. I will miss those late nights spent at school, filming parodies of “The Hunger Games” or capturing highlights of music recitals. I will miss seeing my classmates’ bright faces under the spotlight. I will miss the festivities—dressing up for OCSA Halloweens, watching live band performances during lunch and throwing away my yearly savings for Winter Market. I will miss being part of a conservatory and eating Pocky on film sets. I will miss sneaking in naps during block seven and playing 2048 Cupcakes in class. I will miss the walks to the Webb, I will miss the Kahoots in math and I will miss the faces that I see every day.

Thank you, OCSA, for everything. For the laughter during lunch, for the tears over tests, for preparing me for a world that stretches beyond Main Street and Sycamore.

I will never forget you!

Love,

Elise

March Horoscopes: Calico Critters

Table of Contents

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