Table of Contents

Ways You Can Support Ukraine

celeste valadez

Admin’s Mismanagement of Student Affairs

caitlyn mason, rajsi rana, natalie hanani

The Lumad: Indigenous Filipinos Under Attack

mia soumbasakis

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

james yi, grant li

The Production & Design Workload: Experience at What Cost?

elena levin, emma han

Why the BETS are the Best

Phoenix Lambie-McCullough

OCSA’s New Conservatory: Arts and Enterprises

Tabitha Finamore, Grant Li, Caitlyn Mason

OCSA Shears: Shaved Head Showcase

jackie blom, amelie muro

Senior Secrets

isabel hahn

Advice For Seniors From Seniors

lara bilgore and jamie lee

Seniors Make Their Mark

lara bilgore, elena levin, emma han, isabel hahn, jamie lee

Lost and Found Fashion Spread

michael mcdonald

Summer Staff Recs

isabel hahn

Night of a Million Dollars

jessica hong

The Diet Coke Club

dominic dearmey

2021-2022 School Year Bingo

shayna kaplan

OCSA Celebrates World Press Freedom Day

felix brem

OCSA Narcissism Levels Fall

andy choi

Letter from the Editor

emma han

Horoscopes

melody chang

OCSA Snacktime

michael mcdonald, tabitha finamore, rajsi rana

Ways You Can Support Ukraine

Celeste Valadez

Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, there has been an estimated $100 billion worth of infrastructure damage done according to the UN News, with that number continuing to grow. The Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded roughly 4,890 civilian casualties as of April 18: 2,818 injured and 2,072 deaths. Ukrainians, especially those in the East in the Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk) next to the border of Russia, have dealt with readjusting to a new lifestyle full of fear and worry. 

The destruction of land and infrastructure has forced Ukrainians to relocate in an attempt to seek assistance and protection. As more European countries continue to open their borders to refugees, the crisis has caused more than 5 million to flee to the west in neighboring countries such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova. 

However, many have also stayed behind: nearly 12 million people are trapped and unable to leave Ukraine. Mariupol, a Ukrainian city currently under Russian control, has become one of the areas most heavily affected by the war. Targeted because of the city's steel plant, civilians near it have failed to evacuate and have had to shelter in bunkers instead. Other families and individuals who have not been able to travel outside the country have fled to comparatively less war-impacted cities in the west. According to the International Organization for Migration, about 7 million people have been internally displaced. 

Whether Ukrainians can leave the country or have to be internally displaced, they need as much support as possible to escape all of the danger brought by Russia’s invasion of their home. On behalf of this humanitarian crisis, several charities and organizations are working towards creating a less threatening environment for the people of Ukraine. Through donating or advocating, you can help these civilians in need by contributing to organizations such as the following, for anything helps:

• The International Red Cross and the Crescent Movement: This movement consists of two independent humanitarian aid organizations–the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They both focus on protecting victims of armed violence and war. Along with the Ukrainian Red Cross, they help Ukrainian civilians seek shelter and provide them with essentials like food, water and medical supplies. The American Red Cross has also helped with the crisis by contributing over $12 million to the IFRC.

• Save the Children: Save the Children is a humanitarian organization that tends to the psychological and mental needs of children amidst external violence and conflict they cannot control. Their emergency aid in Ukraine has provided the country’s families with items to support their primary needs. Winter kits, hygiene supplies and better education brought by their specialist teams are meant to reduce their stress and worry during such a difficult time.

Admin’s Mismanagement of Student Affairs

Caitlyn Mason, Rajsi Rana, Natalie Hanani

Content Warning: Mentions of Sexual Assault and Harassment 

Like any high school in America, OCSA has had its fair share of young adult turmoil. But because of the school’s unique curriculum, administration must balance the responsibility of creating a pre-professional experience for young artists while simultaneously establishing a safe and supportive learning environment for students. Throughout the 2021-22 school year, certain school-wide issues have been met with different levels of effectiveness over others, calling into question what admin’s priorities are.  

The beginning of the year was quickly soured with multiple sexual assault allegations reported by students. Despite a long history of sexual assault and harrassment at OCSA, many victims claim administration has not addressed this issue properly. 

“I felt like administration was trying harder to protect my assaulter’s reputation than my own safety,” said one student, “I wish that they had treated it with gravity and validity rather than trying harder to mediate the consequences.” 

By treating sexual infractions as remediative experiences, admin undermines the severity of these issues and attempts to solve them through student reconciliation. But sexual harrassment is not a disagreement between students that can be fixed with a forced apology, or gaslighting victims to believe their experiences were misconstrued. 

Responding to students who criticize OCSA’s sexual assault and harassment protocols, Principal Michael Ciecek said, “I think I can say I feel confident in our process, but I know that every single person’s perception is going to be different.” 

Ciecek also addressed the degree to which OCSA is able to address events not associated with the school even if the incidents revolve around OCSA students, saying that, “There is a limit to what we can do versus what we would do in a perfect world, and those are related to school-related events. When people bring information to us we are always investigating to the fullest degree that we can, but if it’s not specifically tied to school, then that limits our ability to take action.” 

Still, some feel OCSA fell short in the area of emotional sensitivity during the reporting process, another student even saying, “the process of reporting my assault to OCSA was more traumatizing than the assault itself.” 

Students aren’t the only ones concerned about administration’s response to this issue. Even teachers have expressed concerns about OCSA’s addressment, or lack thereof, of sexual assault and harrassment claims. 

“My view is: one case is too many. And when we continue to take things so lightly, we continue to see how this is perpetrated,” says an anonymous OCSA teacher, “It just snowballs when it’s not addressed properly.” 

For this teacher, there are lessons to be found for both the OCSA community and its administration in these instances. 

“It’s a powerful opportunity for admin to be leaders in terms of renorming policies on campus,” she said, “This is a timely moment to think forward about how we can better protect our students on campus and how vigilant we can be to make sure our community understands the gravity and severity of the transgressions against victims.” 

To some, it may seem that OCSA admin is hesitant to act quickly and publicly to student issues, but recent action taken by administration on smaller issues begs to differ. 

During March, new legislation regarding COVID-19 protocols was brought to campus, giving students the choice whether or not to wear a mask, leading to many opinions surfacing about the ethics of not wearing a mask. One student created an “Anti-Masker Bingo,” which displayed the names of students who had been portrayed as “anti-maskers.” It quickly circulated throughout students, despite never being formally posted by the creator, and being created off campus. Within 24 hours of the bingo’s spread, a lengthy email was sent to parents and students condemning what was identified as cyber bullying, and the student who made the graphic was punished. 

OCSA also reacted harshly against the student body’s plans for Senior Ditch Day, immediately sending out an email stating that it would punish students who didn’t have a valid excuse for missing school. Like the anti-masker bingo incident, OCSA administration proved in this situation that it has the capability to respond to student affairs in a timely manner. In the scheme of sexual-assault allegations that continue to plague the student body months after their initial reporting, it left students questioning where administration’s priorities truly lie. 

OCSA’s severe, timely reactions in one instance and seemingly no reaction in another instance creates the optic that OCSA cares more about their public image than student safety. Without distracting from the amazing opportunities that OCSA as an experience offers, it is relevant to highlight the increased need for OCSA to make student safety the priority through advocating for their rights and supporting their concerns, even when it comes as criticism. 

The Lumad: Indigenous Filipinos Under Attack for Decades

Mia Soumbasakis

“The situation in Mindanao right now is very dire,” said Tami Alvarez, Vice Chairperson for External Relations of Sabokahan, an organization advocating for Lumad women’s rights. In the wake of the projected victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte in the 2022 Philippine presidential elections, a victory resulting from voter harassment and broken voting machines, indigenous Filipinos are at an increased risk of continued displacement and state-mandated violence. Past presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Rodrigo Duterte are notorious for committing countless attacks on human rights against Philippine workers, and martial law under the Marcos presidency sparked the People Power Uprising of 1986.

Indigenous people make up about 15% of the Philippine population. “Lumad” is a Bisaya term for “indigenous,” and the Lumad people are 18 indigenous groups living in Mindanao, the southernmost island of the Philippines. The Lumads have been “deprived of the basic right to education and healthcare” and have been facing attacks by the Philippine military in favor of foreign logging and mining companies for decades, according to Alvarez. The Philippine military is directly funded by the US, which has provided over $2.4 billion in military aid and various high-tech weapons to the Philippine government in the past six years. 

Alvaraez is a law student and member of the Manobo and Dibabawon tribes who joined Sabokahan as a student. The organization was formed in 2003, inspired by Bai Bibiyaon, the first female Manobo chieftain who united Lumad women against the Alcantara logging company encroaching upon Lumad ancestral lands. “Historically, Lumad women have [had] [a] minimal political role,” Alvarez explains. She says that before mass agricultural production, a Lumad woman’s role was “to take care of the children and the home and to farm.” 

“When foreign invaders started to encroach on our ancestral lands… men and women [united,]” says Alvarez. This struggle to protect Lumad land is often met with violence. On February 26, 2022, five Lumads, Chad Booc, Gelejurian Ngujo II, Elgyn Balonga, Robert Aragon and Tirso Añar, now known as the Bataan 5, were killed by Philippine police while working on research for a campaign to defend Lumad schools. Booc and Ngujo were Lumad teachers. These activists were red-tagged, or wrongly labeled as communists to justify their killing, leaving many in the Lumad community “traumatized” yet “still committed to continuing the struggle” according to Alvarez. The family of Bataan 5 were closely surveilled while collecting the remains of their loved ones.

This is not the first example of violence against Lumad teachers. In February of 2021, the University of San Carlos, a Lumad school which had already been forced to relocate once before, was raided by Philippine police. 26 students and teachers were detained for three months. Alvarez said Lumad schools are known for being “free” and “accessible to everyone,” teaching practical, community-oriented curriculum surrounding “[efficient] agricultural production…, making herbal medicines, human anatomy, [and] personal hygiene” to counter diseases such as cholera prominent due to unsafe water. Unlike the “very diluted… and western” history curriculum in mainstream Philippine schools, which have mirrored American schools since US intervention in the Philippine-American War of 1896, Lumad schools teach about Spanish colonialism and US imperialism.

Anti-indigenous rhetoric in the Philippines has been historically formulated by colonizing forces. As discussed in the Philippine Student Coalition at OCSA, pre-colonial mythological Philippine creatures have been weaponized by Spain and the US to justify colonial violence. Through diverting attention from these colonizing forces and pinning it on fictional creatures such as the Aswang who are closely associated with indigenous Filipinos, indigeneity is demonized.

In order to promote the liberation of the Lumad and defend Lumad land, Alvarez asks for the Filipino diaspora in the US and other supporters to “share [Lumad] struggles to a wider audience” through media and interviews. She also asks for “tangible material support” through the Sabokahan fundly and Bataan 5 memorial fund. (Links to these are available in the online version of this article at ocsaevolution.com.) Furthermore, Alvarez wants people to “[campaign] against US intervention in the Philippines” and support the Philippine Human Rights Act, an act which would stop the US funding the Philippine military.

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

James Yi, Grant Li

The Florida Senate passed the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill with a vote of 22-17 on March 8. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law March 28. Officially titled the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, the law was a subject of much critique from its onset. Of particular concern were the following lines:

“Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

Critics say the language of the bill contains much ambiguity, leading to a wider range of effects. Who or what defines “age appropriate or developmentally appropriate?” Up to what grade level does the bill apply? The obscurity is especially concerning considering how the bill enables parents to sue the school district if said inappropriate instruction were given. Teachers might feel the need to ban the topic of sexual orientation or gender identity altogether, even in middle and high school settings.

Republican Senator Travis Hutson, who voted for the bill, gave the example of a math problem with the details that “Sally has two moms or Johnny has two dads.” Republican State Senator Dennis Baxley, who sponsored the bill, confirmed that is “exactly” what the bill aims to prevent.

The bill was followed by similar action elsewhere. The Alabama House of Representatives voted April 7 to make it a felony for doctors to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones, or to perform gender transition surgery for minors. The bill was passed on to Governor Kay Ivey. The Alabama Senate advanced a separate legislature which was also given the title “Don’t Say Gay,” requiring public K-12 students to use restrooms and locker rooms corresponding to the assigned sex on their birth cirtificates. Other states—including Ohio, Louisiana and Texas—are considering bills similar to Florida’s.

“I have a couple of friends, actually, from Texas I went to summer camp with, and they are really struggling because a couple of them are trans… They’re lucky because they’re turning 18. But if it was a year before, their parents could be investigated for child abuse, for allowing their child to transition,” said Lily Gerhard (CW ‘22), the president of OCSA’s Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA).

Just as widespread as the bills is the resistance to them. The Walt Disney Company tweeted that their “goal as a company” is for Florida’s bill to be “repealed” or “struck down” and promised support to “national and state organizations working to achieve that.” Students across Florida performed walkouts in response to the bill. Miami students and Ganiseville’s LGBTQ+ community also protested. Candice Tardif, adviser for OCSA’s GSA, said, “In spite of the fact that this kind of legislation’s happening, we see that reverse push.”

The Production & Design Workload: Experience at What Cost?

Elena Levin, Mia Soumbasakis

Samantha Gerber (P&D ‘22) spent 21 hours in two days working the 2022 OCSA Gala, with two 30 minute breaks. Gerber worked 16 of these hours on Saturday, April 23, from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Even after they left, other students stayed behind until 2 a.m. to take down sets. Gerber, along with almost all Production and Design seniors and juniors, were required to sign a form beforehand accepting that they were at risk of suspension or expulsion if they did not comply with working for this show. Gerber said they “don’t know if [they] would have applied for OCSA or P&D if [they had known] how much work and stress comes out of [it.]” 

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the operations of every conservatory, but Production and Design has especially felt these effects. In the words of the conservatory’s director, Kevin Cook: “Coming back after 15 months off has been really hard for the school in general and us particularly because everyone wanted to turn everything on like a light switch.” Known among the OCSA community as “Captain Cook,” he has faced considerable tension with students within the past few months due to recent concerns regarding their wellbeing. 

Therefore, Evolution interviewed eight P&D students to gauge the amount of work students have to do for shows. Although all of the students recognized the work they did for shows helped them to gain experience for what real life production and design work is like, they often found that the work they did on OCSA shows had little to do with the skills they had entered the conservatory to practice. Students are required to work four to six shows a year, ranging from small, intimate shows in the Black Box Theater to large productions or fundraisers such as the Gala and Tree Lighting.

“Shows are supposed to be about honing your craft…which can be hard when you’re in a position you’re not equipped to do,” says Gerber. P&D students mainly get more creative roles, such as designer, as upperclassmen, but even seniors are made to do physical work for shows. According to anonymous P&D Senior A, the 2020 Gala took place “in a ranch in the middle of nowhere” where people were “under the sun for… 15 hours doing pretty much… exclusively manual labor.” Students almost got heat stroke from this endeavor. At the 2022 Gala, students did not get to choose the positions they operated, instead “[carrying] set pieces and instruments” on and off stage according to A. 

This year, P&D has added additional work time with “lab hours,” or 12 hours outside of school where students must work on sets for various shows. Although lab hours are posed as an optional activity, anonymous P&D Senior C was given a C in her conservatory class when she didn’t attend the lab hours. The increase in time to work on OCSA show sets is likely due to the large number of shows happening this year to celebrate the first full year on campus in two years.

Additionally, P&D students are not always treated well by OCSA performers. In certain shows, P&D students are appreciated and thanked for their work, but in many they are overlooked or, according to Gerber, have to “beg to be respected.” In one of P&D Senior B’s experiences, a performer “literally pushed [them] away and said she wanted her friend to [do her makeup]” even though “her friend was in the show also getting hair and makeup done.”

The overall effects of the shows P&D students must work has taken a toll on many students’ mental and physical health. Anonymous P&D sophomore D says that she is “always tired” and sometimes “[gets] really sick” and has to “go home early and then come back for [rehearsal]” during tech week. P&D senior B describes the experience of working a show as “sitting in a dark room for hours…, drinking soda or water” because food isn’t allowed in the theater. 

Moving forward, OCSA needs to take more action to protect P&D students. Anonymous P&D sophomore D said, “it’s ridiculous to ask [students] to stay up to 1 a.m. to do work for you… just hire people.” Gerber suggested that shows should not be a requirement for students. 

Cook acknowledged these student concerns: “We do realize that some of the larger [productions] tax students, and we have some things in plan that I’m not ready to announce that are going to change…for next year.” 

When asked if OCSA shows could run without the work of P&D students, anonymous P&D Senior B responded, “No question. Y’all need us.” B would like to see some of the money made in OCSA shows funneled back into P&D so that teachers do not have to spend their own money on practice equipment. Above all, the well-being of P&D students must become one of OCSA’s priorities. Students should not have to sacrifice their health to practice their craft.

Why the BETs are the Best

Phoenix Lambie-McCullough

Now you’ve heard of the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys; however, not many people know about the Black Entertainment Awards (BETs). The origin of the awards is from the television network called Black Entertainment Television. Dedicated to African-American excellence in the entertainment business, the BETs spotlight various artists and incredibly talented creators.  

While drama from past awards shows fueled media coverage—such as the incident with Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars—this often diverts from the true celebration, putting the drama above actual accomplishments. With these sensationalized shows in the limelight, other shows like the BETs receive less coverage overall. Taking place during the month of June, the BETs don’t thrive on drama. Being able to celebrate Black accomplishments is extremely important in today's society and political climate. 

The BET Awards have been around since 1980. The locale for this year is none other than the  Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26. Rappers including Kanye West, Jay-Z, Tyler, the Creator, Beyonce and many more have received all different types of awards. As of 2021, Beyonce holds the record for most wins with 33! Though little has been announced about the awards this year, last year they had performers including DaBaby, DJ Khaled, Roddy Rich, Tyler, the Creator and H.E.R.! Silk Sonic had one of their first performances at the awards. Performing their hit song: Leave the Door Open. Now, the BETs aren’t just music as some may think. They also award sportsmen, sportswomen, youngstars, actors, actresses and movies. 

The lack of coverage on the BETs further represents the African-American community’s oppression and lack of voice. The industry and media focus on the drama more so than the actual accomplishments that need to be celebrated. The importance of Black voices being heard and represented in the media is vital (and a bare necessity) because all voices can’t be shouted at once. People each need to have their own time to have their voices heard. The Black entertainment business in general, including the awards, need to be further represented in the media (and in general). Not because of unnecessary drama, but because of the genuine talent that needs to be shared with the world. 

Ocsa’s New Conservatory: Arts and Enterprises

Tabitha Finamore, Grant Li and Caitlyn Mason 

After celebrating the school’s 35th Anniversary, OCSA is about to further its fostering of the arts with the addition of a new conservatory, “Arts and Enterprises.” Announced early in the school year, Arts and Enterprises will start operating in the 2022-23 school year, available for grades seven through nine. Many are excited to see the effects the new students will have on the campus and OCSA’s overall culture, especially since the initial emails sent out seem to leave a lot unsaid. Some asked if there is room for new conservatory classes. Others wanted a further explanation of what Arts and Enterprises entails. Their curriculum centers around exploring various disciplines of art within creative industries such as “Arts Management”, “Collaborative Productions”, and “Self Promotion for Creatives”. Allison Bushman, currently an administrative assistant, was recently promoted to director of the new conservatory due to her background in arts and entrepreneurship. 

Bushman explained that all classes will focus on gaining “specialized entrepreneurial skills. The conservatory teaches students the logistics and management involved in pursuing the arts”. Bushman elaborated, “My students will then be learning how to bring art to an audience. They will also be engaging in community outreach, internships and entrepreneurial projects.” The conservatory will interact with others through the promotion of other conservatories” events, as well as potential cross-conservatory and academic collaborations. 

OCSA students in other conservatories are excited to see the effects of adding a new conservatory and the possibility of taking cross-conservatory classes. Cailey Lockitch (P&D ‘23) explained, "I am interested in the new conservatory. I think it sounds like a great opportunity to explore a new angle of the arts. I, for one, participate in Winter Market and I think taking a class at school where I would learn how to better market myself and my products as an artist would be really helpful". 

Arts and Enterprises seems to offer a place for business within the arts. Some students interpret the prospective classes as an opportunity to find practical application within the realm of the arts. Hopefully, the informational classes on business management and marketing will allow those interested in the arts a permanent place in arts employment, letting more OCSA students follow their passions into their future workplaces. 

OCSA Shears: Shaved Head Showcase

Jackie Blom, Amelie Muro

Watch video feature here!

Senior Secrets

Compiled by Isabel Hahn, Emma Han, and Elena Levin

Advice For Seniors From Seniors

Lara Bilgore and Jamie Lee

Despite the class of 22’s unusual high school experience, it is without a doubt that they carry wisdom that can benefit the student body. As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, we asked long-time veterans of OCSA advice on what they would change about their time at the school, or, to share what did work for them amidst their highly unprecedented high school journey. 

“Make sure to remind yourself of who you are and what you want to be, especially because other people’s goals can be distracting. Be inspired by your peers and nothing more.” (Sruthi Alle CV ‘22)

“I’d say my biggest advice for senior year is to allocate your time wisely! With OCSA, you’ll have a lot of in school commitments, academic as well as conservatory so you don’t want to stretch yourself too thin. As seniors, you also want to have fun too so make sure you’re proactive in what you do!” (Hailey Somphone CV ‘22)

“I think my biggest piece of advice is to not get in your own way. It can be easy to hold back or not give something your all because you might look stupid, but doing those things anyway is what makes you grow, and I wish I knew that sooner.” (Aidan Moore ACT ‘22)

“If you haven’t already, start prepping for college applications in the summer, as senior year can get overwhelming with all your applications, studying and conservatory. Also, touring college helps you truly find a college that’s a fit for you, because seeing what the university has to offer and what campus life is like can truly impact your view of that school. Also, enjoy senior year… it goes by fast. (Mckayla Mercado BF ‘22)

“When it comes to the college process be sure to surround yourself with people who uplift you and don’t worry about the path that those around you are taking because it is not relevant to your path.” (Caroline Kennedy MT ‘22)

“Apply to scholarships now! You might be a junior or a freshman. Regardless, start now. Scholarships basically are free money and it can really help with student debt in the future. But always, have fun and don't forget that you AREN'T an academic machine, destress girl you got this!” (Audrey Hou ACT ‘22)

“The biggest advice I have is to get your driver’s license or to start the process of learning to drive at least before the start of senior year. Obviously, everyone has their own pace toward life but if you are on the fence about it, I would recommend people to get it!” (Grace Kim BR ‘22)

Seniors Make Their Mark

Lara Bilgore, Elena Levin, Emma Han, Isabel Hahn, Jamie Lee

Though the mention of senior year usually brings up anticipation and excitement for the grand finale of high school, for a handful of OCSA seniors, their last year has also brought about new opportunities and time to make further advancements in their respective art forms. From drafting screenplays to working on independent theatreer productions, several ambitious seniors have been busy with personal projects, and have thus gained new insights from their artistic endeavors.

Arhana Singhania (FTV ‘22) is one of several Film and Television seniors who has decided to write and direct her own senior film. Dedicated to spotlighting South Asian voices and stories through the art of film, Singhania’s latest project (currently untitled) centers around a nonbinary South Asian protagonist returning home during Diwali and breaking barriers of their  identity and culture.  

“After I was done with college apps and stuff, I looked back at the script a weekend before filming and I thought, ‘Tthis sucks!’ I ended up changing a lot of my script.” When asked about what it was like balancing a directorial workload and typical senior year responsibilities, Singhania laughed while reminiscing. She expressed that it was hard to be on set for extended hours, since she was filming at her own house. “I couldn’t look back at the footage afterwards because I had to wake up and go to school the next day.” 

Even through all the chaos and stress that came with directing a student film, Singhania was still able to see the beauty in her work and has a newfound appreciation for filmmaking as a result. “I learned a lot of technical things [while shooting]. It was also so fun collaborating with people I love, I think that was the best part.” 

In the Acting conservatory, seniors have been working on an independent production titled ‘For the One in the Stars’. Co-directed by Emmet Presley (ACT ‘22) and Ariyah Brown (ACT ‘22), ‘For the One in the Stars’ is an ode to the creative process, following two college students in their attempt to make a short film and the friendships and tensions that come forward as a result. It is a project inspired by the vulnerability and uncertainty that comes with artistic passion, especially after a forced pause due to the pandemic. 

Presley shared, “We wanted to illuminate [the senior class’s] concerns as well as offer a story of an artist finding worth in their art beyond acclaims or outside praise.” To this, Brown added, “This is about the choice we have when reality hits: do we keep going, or do we give up?” 

Certainly, the task of producing such a meaningful project does not come without obstacles. “Being assistant director and one of the writers on this project was incredibly difficult because there was so much that I had to handle at once,” Brown admitted, recalling her directorial and managing duties. Presley stated that, “It was worth it, I loved doing it and I was able to create such incredible bonds with my class, but, oh boy was it time consuming…it was like I had a full time job on top of being in school.” 

At the end of the day, collaborating on ‘For the One in the Stars’ proved to be just as much of a lesson on self-reflection as it was a performance. Looking back on the love for her craft that drove her to help bring the production to life, Brown stated, “This project reminded me that with our dreams come with a lot of responsibility, but when you remind yourself of the reason why you’re doing this, consistently, nothing will stop you.”

Lost and Found Fashion

Michael McDonald

Summer Staff Recs

Isabel Hahn

Night of a Million Dollars

Jessica Hong

If we were to list and compile the biggest events OCSA hosts throughout the year, the Gala would be the first one that comes to mind. For years, OCSA has maintained its annual Gala celebration complete with traditional auctions, exceptional dinners and student spectacles to raise money for the arts programs hosted at school. This year’s theme, Night of a Million Dreams, utilized mystical, celestial images for its performances tracing back OCSA’s 35 years to celebrate its journey up to the present. 

Matilda Lapin (P&D ‘22) is one of the seniors who worked at the Gala. She worked as a greeter and assistant lighting designer for the show. As a greeter, she acts as a guide, creating an environment where the guests have a good time and understand the  specifics about events such as the auctions. As an assistant lighting designer, she helped manage the lighting for shows and create transitions for the different parts of the show. And since this was her first year working at the Gala, she shared, “I’m just really excited for this year’s [Gala]. It feels like a comeback performance for the performers and everyone working on it because there was a lot going on last year.”

Due to the pandemic, OCSA was forced to extend its Gala in June of 2020. However, as state restrictions have laxed, OCSA continued on with its biggest fundraising event of the year back on schedule, even more determined to make the event successful. Just for the one evening, students and teachers dedicated long hours and massive efforts in making this performance more memorable than the last. And these efforts definitely did not fall short as OCSA raised a total of $1.8 million this year. Isabel Lyons explained that due to the expensive tickets and table prices, some [donations] had reached up to “$10,000 a table.” 

“The production level of the Gala is huge, which is why this event isn’t a complete student-run event. Teachers have to help and assist us for this show,” said Lyons (IA ‘22). 

As an assistant lighting manager and greeter, Lapin also recounted her routine for rehearsals which included “taking notes on certain lighting cues I need for transitions and running through every act of the show. So there’s a lot of going through the acts themselves and taking notes, helping dancers and people into their costumes” (Lapin P&D ‘22). 

And of course, as every show ends, there is always relief mixed with lingering emotions of sadness. “I definitely think that I’ll miss seeing the energy everyone brings to the stage. It was always fun to see all the donors come together and see the people that make OCSA possible because without the donations, we wouldn’t have conservatories or raise the money to keep the school going,” (Lyons IA ‘22). 

“It’s weird leaving OCSA. I’m just going to miss being around all the people I’ve known for so long. That’s why I’m doing so many jobs at the Gala, so I don’t have any regrets. I’m going to miss this school for sure,” (Lapin P&D ‘22). 

The Gala has become a huge success for OCSA this year, as record funds were donated to the school. This event has not only been a way for OCSA to connect with its supporters, but also a way for students to work together and gain memories working for the Gala. 

The Diet Coke Club

Dominic DeArmey

You may see them out on 10th street, standing there, watching over you. A secret teacher society that meets frequently to discuss the school's most important business. There is only one way to identify who belongs to this most exclusive group. Diet Coke.

 You read that right, Diet Coke: the zero calorie soda that has taken the world by storm since 1982. This exclusive elite club at OCSA was originally chaired by former President & CEO of OCSA, Dr. Ralph Opacic, in the school's founding year of 1987. 

Currently, unconfirmed rumors point to history teacher and leadership advisor, Whitney Coates, as the current chair. Diet Coke has become a staple part in sculpting OCSA into the powerhouse it is today. From needing a caffeine boost to finishing important work to forming lifelong friendships, Diet Coke continues to be the center of it all.

Members of the club play an influential role in creating the warm & inviting culture across campus. While there are many members across OCSA’s campus who belong to this elite club, Allison Bushman, the new Arts & Enterprise Conservatory Director; Courtney Harper, the current President of the teachers’ union; and Marla Cross, former president of the OCSA teachers’ union; all serve as the main direct liaisons to administration. Out of public view, one can only imagine the conversations that are had while over an ice cold Diet Coke. 

The Opacic statue in the DMS is rumored to be the entrance of the lair in which they convene. Walls stacked to the brim with Costco sized cases of Diet Coke. Some say faint chants of the phrase, “The nectar of the gods,” can be heard from this statue during conservatory hours. One can only assume that this is a ritual performed around a fountain of diet coke that keeps them driven. Perhaps Coca-Cola should be looking to OCSA when in need of new inventive ideas for Diet Coke. OCSA owes a debt of gratitude to The Coca-Cola Company for playing an instrumental role in the success of the place we call home.

2021-2022 School Year Bingo

Shayna Kaplan

Well, we completed another year of school! Whether or not we survived remains to be seen, but nonetheless this was a unique, challenging year. See how many things you’ve done this year!

OCSA Celebrates World Press Freedom Day

Felix Brem

World Press Freedom Day, May 3rd, is a day to celebrate and emphasize the importance of freedom of press, and to raise awareness of the ways in which journalists are suppressed around the world. OCSA’s administration takes this day extremely seriously, and decided to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day by establishing an additional administrative supervisor on Evolution to make sure that its freedom of press is completely secure. 

“This new addition will further protect Evolution’s freedom of press, we pinky promise,” said Mr. Ciecek in the recent email announcing the change. 

The supervisor will provide an extra layer of review between staff writers and publication, and will heavily monitor class time to make sure that nothing is impeding freedom of speech, especially not distractions such as fun. Admin cited an uptick in student complaints about “content with not enough bias” as a main reason for this change, worried that writers may be under duress and are not “living their truth.” We at Evolution are very excited to welcome this new addition to the staff.

The change went into effect as soon as the email went out, which was in the middle of our class and resulted in a loud ‘pop’ and the appearance of a 10 ft tall, shadowy figure with a badge reading “Freedom Consultant.” 

Students have found that the Freedom Consultant won’t tell them his name, or talk to them at all. In fact, so far he has just been standing in the corner behind Peterson’s desk. The ceiling light over his head keeps flickering on and off, reflecting off of the Consultant’s bald head. Many staff members think he may be staring over their shoulders at their articles, but it is somewhat hard to tell because his eye sockets are completely empty.

When asked to provide an opinion on our new supervisor, staff writer Natalie Hanani (CW ‘22) gave an anecdote encapsulating his personality. “I tried to ask him if he had a hint for today’s Wordle, and a void opened up in his face and this ethereal roar came out. I had to just walk away in front of the whole class, it was really embarrassing.” 

With the additional administrative supervision, concerns have risen about maintaining journalistic integrity. Photographer and staff writer Caitlyn Mason (CW ‘23) details an experience where supervision turned into intervention. “I was writing an article exposing the illegal headshot trafficking trade within MT. I walked away from my computer to talk to Emma [Han], and when I came back the entire article had been changed to an analysis of Spongebob. I mean, if [the supervisor] can get an article done that fast maybe he should join the team as a staff writer. Although I completely disagreed with his argument about Gary’s characterization.” 

We ask that if you notice empty sections of the issue or black bars over any words, that you ignore it and hypothetically contact an editor to bargain for the original version. Our Editor-in-Chief Emma Han loves Swedish Fish.

OCSA Narcissism Levels Fall

Andy Choi

Newly-released data indicates that the collective narcissism of students at the Orange County School of the Arts has fallen to historic lows, a phenomenon that has both confounded and worried the administration of a school rated the “Most Self-Obsessed School in the Nation” by the US Department of Education for 15n years straight.

“We’ve seen the traditions that have been integral to OCSA culture die off in the span of a few weeks and it’s completely unexplainable,” said an anonymous teacher. “One of the first things that students learn to do when they first pass through the doors of our school is self-congratulate themselves. Over the years students learn valuable lessons in artificially inflating their egos, cultivating a superiority complex and mastering pretension. It’s sad to see that these things are becoming a relic of the past.”

Morty Smith (CW ‘22) was taking Anatomy when he first noticed the trend of falling narcissism. “We measured the posture of randomly selected students every week and we found that on average their shoulders slouched forward at an incredibly fast rate. We were initially confused by this trend until we started to notice that no one boisterously sings in the hallways or talks about the dance competition they won during the weekend in class. Everyone’s kind of just sulking.”

A poll taken shortly after saw an extraordinarily high 40% of students responding “not really” when asked if they agree with the statement “I am better than everyone else.” Only 25% “strongly agreed”– an almost unthinkably low number for OCSA.

The rapid decline in self-aggrandizement set off a “crisis mode” situation for OCSA administration, the first time such a situation has been declared. Dean Rick, who oversees the Student Self-Esteem Department, calculated that this decline costs OCSA at least a few thousand dollars a day as “esteem debt” mounts. The estimated cost will be the financial equivalent of a devastating termite infestation or a wildfire descending on the campus if this trend isn´t rectified by the end of the month.

“There needs to be some sort of way to pump up all our students’ egos,” said Rick, who spoke hurriedly and sweated profusely during our interview with him. “We need a stimulus check for our student’s self-esteem. We need ego superinflation or this whole school goes bust.”

When asked about what he thinks about the worrying fall in narcissism levels as a student, Smith smirked and chortled before replying, “At least I go to OCSA.”

Letter from the Editor

Emma Han

Dear Reader,

You won’t be seeing me around for much longer. The days are dwindling down and this chapter is on its final pages. If you’ve stuck around for a while, you’d know all about my many anxieties and regrets of high school in Senioritis, and with graduation fast approaching, it’s safe to say that those sentiments are resurfacing. 

I’ve been trying to mentally prepare myself for the fateful day: when the tassels move from right to left, when the caps go flying and final goodbyes are said. But honestly, it all still feels like some wild imagining in my head. I don’t think I ever thought there would be an “after OCSA.” I guess after being here for 6 years, it was enough time to forget it was even supposed to end.

I look back to my seventh grade self and think of all the different plans she had in mind for me. Surely, I’d make it into one of the Ivys—on a full ride, of course—I’d finally learn how to dress and do makeup, I’d become Editor-in-Chief of Evolution and I’d get my license and all the liberties it comes with. Fast forward to now, obviously only one of those things came to pass. I’ll let you take a guess at which one. 

I’d say my younger self was unapologetically ambitious and confident in her capabilities and now, I envy how limitless her dreams were. I’m a TA for one of Mrs. Secrist’s Math 3 blocks and I see that same ambition and naivete in those middle schoolers. Whether they speak of little things like the outfits they're wearing, the concerts they’re excited to see or talking about “bigger” things, like stressing over finals and gushing over crushes, I see their innocence and oblivion to much larger concerns. This isn’t meant to invalidate the ups and downs of middle school—everything always feels bigger in the moment than in hindsight—but I miss when those things were the biggest worries I had. I miss having endless amounts of energy. I miss being that wild, carefree and fearless everyday.

Now, as I write this, my body is drained and my motivation is threatening to snap. I feel the weight of time on my back and it makes me want to do nothing other than melt under the sun and dissociate from the earth. 

But, who are we kidding? Senior year has been tough—heck! High school has been tough. Yet, we did it. All of us, just a crazy bunch of clumsy kids, made it to the finish line that once felt light years away. I think we all deserve to do absolutely nothing. 

Yes, it’s sad that everything is ending. It's sad to see everyone go. But, I think I’ve been here long enough. I want to restart and reinvent myself somewhere else. And as terrified as I am, I am utterly ecstatic about where I’m going and what I’m going to do. I don’t have that same assured confidence I once had in seventh grade, but I trust myself to know that I’m going to be okay after OCSA.  

I truly hope my younger self is proud of me, despite growing up differently than she envisioned. I am certainly proud of myself. And I am proud of you too.

Thank you for sticking around issue after issue. I hope you’ve felt seen when reading my jumble of thoughts. As you hold the last issue of this year and the last I’ll ever be a part of in Evolution, know how grateful I am to be able to share my words with you, Reader.  

I will be leaving this paper at the mercy of Caitlyn in the fall. Don’t miss me too much when I’m gone.

All good things,

Emma

Horoscopes

Melody Chang