Why I Don't Like Snapchat

Kate Chung

I often say I’ve never had Snapchat, but that’s not entirely true. In fifth grade, I downloaded the app on my grandma’s phone — strictly for the filter that gave me dog ears and large, buggy eyes. But beyond that brief interaction, I never used Snapchat for its intended purpose: sending disappearing pictures and cultivating streaks like your life depends on it.

Up until now, I’ve steered clear of Snapchat, a social media platform that has somehow remained popular and relevant since its boom in 2012. It just didn’t appeal to me. I've always been a bit hesitant to download the app, mostly because of its reputation: addictive, shallow and full of people I’d probably avoid in real life. The fear of being labeled a “snap hoe” (a term I wish didn’t exist, but unfortunately does) only added to my hesitation, but despite my aversion to the title, curiosity recently got the better of me. I figured there had to be something in this app that's worth its reputation — something I’d been missing out on all this time. I wanted to understand what made Snapchat such a staple in my friends’ phones, so I downloaded it again, this time on my own phone, and braced myself for the experience.

It only took about an hour to get the hang of it. After 20 practice snaps sent to my friend (who deserves an award for her patience), I was ready to enter the world of streaks and stories like a true internet champ.

By the end of week one, I had seen the faces of an incredible amount of strangers, too many to even count. That’s a lie. I did count. Over the course of five days, I received a photo of someone's eye or the corner of someone’s forehead 227 times. 

And now I ask, is this really what meaningful connection looks like now?

Sure, Snapchat has some cool features and is a helpful tool to keep in contact with old friends or make new ones, but beyond the filters and dopamine hits from the notifications, the app feels like an infinite loop of low-effort communication. Streaks become a chore, conversations expire and disappear before you can process them and strangers only type the same three or four letters: “wyll” (what you look like) and “age.”

But more than anything, Snapchat feels like quantity over quality. It asks users to keep digital ties through streak numbers and photos of steering wheels or ceiling fans, instead of hosting actual conversation for connection. And even though it may be what some users are looking for in a social app, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was playing a game with no real reward.

I’m not saying everyone should delete the app tomorrow. For many, Snapchat is a genuine social outlet or an easy way to check in with long-lost buddies. But for me, it’s safe to say I’ll only be using it to mess with my friends.

So, after giving it a fair chance, I’ve decided that I’m not a big fan. My grandma’s 2018 filters might’ve been the peak of my Snapchat experience — and honestly, I’m okay with that.

Afet 

/a-fet/

NOUN: a minor accessory 

Examples: ribbon, buttons, pins 

Used in a sentence “I found this little afet in my mom’s fabric bin.”

Tozabeam 

/tow-zuh-beem/

NOUN: the red streaks in a mountainside or other rock formation

Used in a sentence - “When riding the coastal train through San Clemente, I noticed the vibrancy of the tozabeams.”

Quiffip 

/kweff-ip/

NOUN: an insignificant and casual discussion 

Synonym: chat, chitter chatter, small talk 

Example: after a sleepover, you all sit together drinking coffee while sharing how you all slept 

Used in a sentence - “When you're done, come sit down for our morning quiffip!” 

Bewroon 

/bee-roon/

VERB: the act of laughing so hard with a stranger that you know you’ll soon fall in love with them 

Used in a sentence: “Even though we just met, I was completely bewrooned!” 

Scroogix

/skroo-gix/

NOUN: an inconvenient pile of rocks in a random place

Used in a sentence - “Make sure to not trip over the scroogix over there.”

How Jackie and Shadow Flew Into Our Hearts

Sophie Sukendro

Dedicated to Katie Rush, for introducing me to my newfound love for Jackie and Shadow. 

The celebrity couple and internet sensations Jackie and Shadow have taken the world by storm. They met in 2018 after Jackie moved into a beautiful home by Big Bear Lake. She was with her first partner at the time, until their relationship began to go awry. Shadow swooped in, and it was immediately a perfect match. Together, they began building their life and wanted to grow their family in the very same home that Jackie lived in with her ex. Nevertheless, this didn’t raise any issues for the couple. Their journey with raising their young has been streamed online since 2018. They have a unique content model, a 24-hour live stream, that has attracted over 100,000 viewers around the world watching concurrently. Neither the couple nor their children have consented to this. Lawsuit? No. Jackie and Shadow are bald eagles from Big Bear.

Their efforts to hatch and care for eaglets have been televised by Friends of Big Bear Valley for over seven years, accumulating enough attention to have their very own Facebook group with over one million members. This year marked a significant milestone for Jackie and Shadow, as they successfully hatched three eggs. Unfortunately, one of the eaglets passed away shortly after birth during a snowstorm. The surviving two eaglets, Gizmo and Sunny, are thriving, delighting fans with their growth and development. The couple’s nest, located 145 feet above ground in a Jeffrey pine tree, has become a focal point for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. 

Dedicated fans often look forward to nesting season. The naming of chicks, a tradition that involves local third graders, adds a personal touch to the experience. The live chat has fostered a sense of community, where viewers can share the highs and lows of the eagle family’s journey. Jackie and Shadow provide fans with an uplifting distraction from the everyday challenges of life. Here at OCSA, the live cam is played in some classrooms, including Katie Rush’s AP Research class. The eagles may be more of a constant presence in this class than the line of reasoning in students’ papers.

The couple’s determination, especially during harsh weather conditions, such as the severe storms in 2023 and uncertainty with fertility, has earned them a dedicated fan base. Jackie and Shadow have laid over 14 eggs together — though only five of those actually hatched. Only two or three of the eaglets survived into childhood. 

Despite these challenges, Jackie and Shadow continue their journey together, raising their eaglets in the same nest where their story began, navigating the wild with determination and care.

Photo credit: Sofie Dooley

On the evening of March 25, hundreds of OCSA students and passionate community members gathered outside SAUSD headquarters to show their support for the school. Many wore teal T-shirts emblazoned with the words “I Stand With OCSA” while carrying handmade signs to express their support. Although the dispute was not officially listed on the Santa Ana Board of Education’s meeting agenda, the overwhelming turnout quickly prompted them to address the matter. Cabinet Deputy Superintendent Lorraine Perez remarked, “The previous board and this board have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that we are recouping those dollars for our students and our community.”

Despite the district’s firm stance, attendees urged board members to consider the possibility of mediation. In his public remarks, Shaffer revealed that a staggering $6 million had already been spent on legal fees — money that could have otherwise been put toward student programs and services. 

In Shaffer’s eyes, the situation could result in three possible outcomes. In the first, SAUSD would win and bankrupt OCSA, collecting only a fraction of what was originally billed. The second outcome would entail a victory for OCSA, with SAUSD owing $3 million to cover the costs of OCSA’s legal fees. For the third (and most ideal) scenario, both parties would come together to find a sustainable, mutually beneficial agreement that avoids permanent damage.

On April 18, Shaffer announced in an email that OCSA is still awaiting a confirmed date for its appeal, expressing hope that SAUSD will consider mediation and work toward a solution that prioritizes education over litigation.

Bella and the Not Bummer Summer

Bella Chiodo

If you’ve ever read “Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer,” then you know that summer isn’t just a break, it's a mission. A mission to make memories, do something exciting every day and avoid all “bummer” vibes. So whether you’re stuck at home or have big adventures planned, here’s your ultimate guide to turning this summer into one worth remembering.

1. Set Daily Goals 

Start small, like making your bed every morning. It sounds simple, but this one little task kicks off your day with a win. A bed made equals a great day.

2. Find a Waterfall

Hike your way to a hidden gem. Not only is the hike part of the fun, but reaching a waterfall feels like unlocking a reward (and is especially rewarding in the heat of the summer).

3. Tie-dye Your Old Clothes

Rekindle your inner child by making colorful t-shirts. You can even make this one a group activity and create matching shirts with friends!

4. Pick Up a New Hobby

Learn to crochet, make the 100-hour viral brownie, learn to surf or try out new instruments. You’ve got the time, so discover a new talent!

5. Watch the Sunrise

Sunsets are popular, but when was the last time you woke up early enough for a sunrise? Wake up early, get coffee and watch the day begin, either on your own or with your besties.

6. Try Cliff Diving

If you’re feeling brave, jump (safely) into the ocean and feel your adrenaline rush. Table Rock and Thousand Steps Beach are some great options for this. 

7. Go to a Farmer’s Market

So much produce is in season over the summer, so the farmer’s market is the perfect way to support your local community while taking home delicious items! Maybe even sell your own goods!

8. Read a Book

Not everyone would consider themselves a reader, but I truly believe there is a book out there for everyone. Make this a challenge you have to overcome, and maybe you’ll love reading by the end of the summer.

9. Take a Road Trip

Not only will you make memories during the drive, but you can also explore a whole new place. My favorite local road trip destinations have been Pismo Beach (4 hours away), Monterey (6 hours away) and Big Sur (7 hours away).

10. Host a Backyard Campout

Who says you need a forest to go camping? Pitch a tent in your backyard, roast s’mores, tell ghost stories and stargaze. Bonus points if you stay off your phone the whole night. 

Add these ideas to your bucket list, and your summer will definitely not be a bummer.

The Future of FASFA and DOE Cuts

Sara Bradecich & Celine Curtis

The Department of Education (DOE) is a 45-year-old federal agency that coordinates and administers policies that give schools federal assistance. On March 20, President Donald Trump signed the executive order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States and Communities,” which effectively moved to disband the DOE. This executive order cannot go into full effect, however, unless action is taken by Congress, which created the DOE under former President Jimmy Carter. With the agency disbanded, the responsibilities it previously held would be allotted to states and local communities. 

Most of the reasons Trump has given for disbanding the department suggest that is a large expense for taxpayers that does not pay off. Funding from the DOE often goes to support students trying to pay for school. Among millions of others, even OCSA graduates have benefitted from the resources provided by the DOE, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Federal Pell Grants. Trump’s executive order is also causing controversy because the DOE is responsible for overseeing discrimination complaints made by marginalized groups, such as low-income families, the LGBTQ community and students with IEPs and disabilities. While President Trump’s executive order alone cannot completely abolish the DOE, he has already begun offloading the Department’s responsibilities to smaller federal agencies and even fired half its workforce, leaving a diminished staff to carry out its duties. This is putting the future of student loan distribution and management into question. 

Nevertheless, FAFSA workers in the DOE claim they are determined to keep the system running smoothly. In a stakeholder letter issued March 14, James Bergeron, deputy under secretary of the DOE, said, “I want to assure you that… no employees working on core functions of FAFSA or student loan servicing were impacted by the RIF [Reduction in Force].” Although the FAFSA seems secure for now, only time will tell how this disruption will impact the DOE, its assisting agencies and the approximately 17.6 million students who apply for aid every year.

Kpop Boy Groups and DSMP

Dylan Spence

I reluctantly admit that, like many others, I turned to Twitch streams to cure my boredom during the pandemic. Specifically, I watched Dream SMP streams, a community infamous for its problematic creators and fandom. As I reflect on that past phase of my life and enter my K-pop era, I am beginning to notice the parallels between DSMP and K-pop boy-group fandoms.

In general, both communities originally garnered attention for having attractive members that would create content tailored for young boy-crazy fans. Between the fandoms, I found four major parallels: shipping, defending problematic idols, infantilizing and parasocial relationships.

1. Shipping

Both fandoms are known for their extreme shipping –– imagining a romantic relationship between two people, oftentimes even pressuring them. It’s not only invasive to the members but also harmful to their friendships. In the DSMP, shipping between popular Minecraft content creators, Tubbo and Ranboo, created tensions in their friendship that eventually led to complete separation of the two. Members of Enhypen, a well known K-pop boy group, Sunoo and Ni-ki, faced a similar situation and slowly distanced themselves from each other to prevent being shipped.

2. Defending problematic members

Last year, DSMPs’ Georgenotfound and NCTs’ Taeil were both accused of sexual assault and faced similar responses: While some turned away from these celebrities, there were still many fans who created videos and wrote comments in support of these members, denying the accusations and fully backing up their idol without question.

3. Infantilizing

Although both communities are mostly made up of grown men, they’re often infantilized by their fans. Creating baby-ish nicknames, such as calling Georgenotfound “Gogy” and BTS’s Suga “Little Meow Meow,” became normalized. It has also become increasingly common for fans to send cat costumes and tell members to act like a cat, as seen in many DSMP streams and in Stray Kids Felix’s fancall incidents. The infantilization makes some idols uncomfortable and suggests that they are less likely to be held accountable for any wrongdoings.

4. Parasocial Relationships

Both fandoms are built on one-sided connections. This can be seen in their live streams: Many people would try to get closer to DSMP members by donating money or sending them messages. In K-pop streams, it’s very common to see a “be my boyfriend/friend for a minute” message in chat. Fanmeets also give fans hope, creating the belief that if they give enough money, they’ll become closer to their idol.

Why Does Orange County Hate LA?

Kaylie Viloria

It’s dirty. Over-romanticized. Unsafe. Not even that great. These are common complaints that my Orange County peers have about Los Angeles. I am not afraid to admit that, at one point or another, I, too, have lamented about how expensive parking is and how, after parking, you often have to walk a mile or two to get to your destination,  despite LA not being a walkable city. But even so, I still love the city and don’t fully understand why it’s so common for Orange County residents to have such deep hatreds for LA. 

Although she wasn’t born there, my mom grew up in Woodland Hills (Calabasas-adjacent, think Kardashians) and attended the renowned Harvard-Westlake School. Her early days filled with celebrities awed me growing up. She once spilled coffee on Neil Diamond, was on the same basketball team as Steven Spielberg’s daughter, Jessica Capshaw,  and thought the Deschanel sisters (recall New Girl, 500 Days of Summer) were weird when they were students. 

Whenever I ask my mom if she ever visited OC as a kid, she says no. She references the “Orange Curtain,” that people from LA didn’t visit OC that much, except for Disneyland, and vice versa. This separation has been ongoing. 

My grandparents still live in the Valley, and visits to them were frequent in my childhood. Maybe it’s because the “Orange Curtain” was never a thing for me that I like the city. I saw LA through the glory of adolescence: my mom pointing out the Hollywood sign without me fully grasping its significance, the sunset painting the skyline gold. Although I did not “live it up” like my mom did, I saw its beauty for what it was: living. This antecedent may be why I look past the many faults of this urban sprawl. I never saw the metaphoric and literal dirt of LA as a kid, and I choose to look past it today. I can acknowledge that the city has its seemingly irreversible issues, but I wish more of my OC peers would look at the stars on the sidewalk, not just the cracks. Do not turn your back on it because of its problems, but see the city’s rich history of residential resistance. 

The Dangers of Book Banning

Lucy Hunter

There’s often a roll of the eyes and a shrug of the shoulder when an English teacher assigns required reading. Classics like “The Great Gatsby,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Of Mice and Men” are considered to be some of the most scholastic and imperative pieces of literature, but many students now see them as nothing more than a tedious hassle. Reading itself is increasingly viewed as less of a necessity and more of a niche interest. This shift has become more prominent with the rise of social media, but more alarmingly, the fruition of book bannings across America.

Books get banned for various different reasons. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” for example, has been banned in southern states for its “immoral” depiction of rape and usage of strong language, according to the American Library Association. The main motive behind banning books that feature graphic depictions of racism, misogyny, murder and rape is because it has the potential to make the reader uncomfortable. From just the 2023 to 2024 school year alone, 10,000 books were banned in public schools across America. 

Banning books does not erase the history it was founded on, nor does it change the message of the original piece. It allows students to remain ignorant and afraid of engaging in real life issues. However, the issue isn’t just reading books themselves in exchange for social media or streaming. In February 2025, a bill was introduced in Idaho to require the Bible to be read throughout all public schools. The bill has yet to be passed, though it sparked outrage across the state and questions regarding its constitutionality. 

Books that are still allowed in the classroom are largely censored and do not feature the upsetting truth literature aims to reveal. Yes, literature that graphically depicts violence is not easy to read, but there is a stark difference between promoting art that glamorizes difficult topics, and promoting works that aim to educate. 

Reading is not niche, it is necessary, and banning books does little to prevent children from engaging in actually dehumanizing and upsetting content (because video games and television shows still exist); instead it encourages them to ignore the greater truth these banned works aim to reveal. 

In the first half of 2025 alone there have been drastic changes to American society. We’ve entered a period where there is reversal of progress in human rights, and it sometimes feels like it’s becoming more and more difficult to succeed in such a demanding world. And social media doesn’t help either. For teenagers and young adults especially, it can feel like the world is against us, and that we’ve started a marathon without the proper running shoes. We’re constantly suffocated with upsetting news from all over the world, and for people vulnerable to these changes the sense of doom or dread is almost unavoidable. I want to encourage everyone who is feeling this despair to create change in your own world.

Because of the constant internet exposure to these issues, like climate change and gun violence, it can feel like you're just viewing these things as a consumer, unable to actually do anything about it. Every day, we are shown these tragic events through slides of Instagram stories. And although images can have an impactful effect and convey important messages, with the rise of short form information and consumerism culture, we are exposed to these complex and delicate conflicts around the world with bare minimum context. 

These short-form square stories on Instagram or on other social media platforms can be known as slacktivism: a low cost, low risk form of activism. This includes people reposting content that other people created with little to no effort, but still gives people the feeling that they’ve contributed to something larger than themselves. And although it may be partially contributing to a situation, it creates an illusion of engagement without impact. Up until recently, I’ve seen social media as a powerful tool, but now I’m wondering: Does it ever create tangible change?

If you feel passionate about an issue, actually start talking about it. Don’t repost something that a handful of others have copied, put something in your own words. Expressing words that come from your heart can have a powerful impact. Talk to your friends, family, people that you could hold these conversations with, and encourage them to start as well. Start small. Today, we have so many resources to create tangible change, yet we often neglect them out of fear and laziness. We have the right to speak our mind (whereas some people around the world don’t have the same privilege), so use it wisely and to bolster positive change. Your voice is the most powerful tool that you have. So instead of hiding behind a copy-and-paste post and continuing to feel helpless, find hope and power in your ability to spread awareness through your own authentic voice and experience. 

Goodbye, OCSA

Naomi Herthel

And so we have to say goodbye. 

For some seniors, this goodbye has come at an appropriate time: they’ve had their fill of high school and are now excited to embark on the next chapter of their lives.

But for others, including me, this goodbye has come like a waiter removing a customer’s plate of food while they’re mid-bite. Like a TV show being removed from Netflix while the viewer is halfway  through a binge. Like a teenager getting ghosted during a talking stage they thought was going well. It’s easy for one to say goodbye to something they feel finished with. But how does one say goodbye to something they’re still enjoying, something that doesn’t yet feel like it’s ended? 

Truthfully, I loved high school. And more specifically, I loved OCSA. Squeezing seven girls into a cramped bathroom to get ready for each dance, moshing until the last second of “Mr. Brightside” on 10th Street despite having only five minutes remaining to make it to the seventh floor, jumping into the Halloween “Thriller” flash mob even when I didn’t fully know the choreography (sorry, elective teachers!), and even deliriously tossing candy salads backstage at manIA Dance Crew performances are experiences that I know I wouldn’t have gotten at any other high school. I’ve noticed that, in recent years, it’s become increasingly common for students to disparage OCSA and romanticize the more “normal” public school alternative. But let me be the first to encourage every non-senior reading this to truly try and appreciate your time here because, chances are, when you become a second-semester senior, you’re going to realize that this place is pretty extraordinary. And that your time here certainly flew by. 

Another reason why I think this goodbye is so challenging is because, in a way, OCSA is like our collective mother. When we came to OCSA, we were clueless little children who dressed terribly and probably paraded far more annoying and immature personalities. It was at OCSA that we were nurtured into the unique young adults we are today. Within these walls, I personally learned fundamental lessons, such as that popularity is a facade and true self esteem is a decision made within; and that it’s better to speak in a wavering, cracking voice that articulates the dissenting opinion than to speak loudly with a majority you don’t agree with. For me, saying goodbye to OCSA doesn’t just feel like I’m saying goodbye to my high school, but to an entire developmental chapter of my life, and even, nostalgically, to my younger self. 

With this being said, on Wednesday, June 5, we seniors will walk onstage and receive our diplomas, never to be OCSA students again, whether we like it or not. So I’m choosing to view this milestone as one I have to be grateful for. Because with every aspect of life, change fosters progress: humans would perish if we weren’t consistently questioned and challenged. Graduating, though bittersweet, is a gift. The push beyond our comfort zones will only make us stronger.  It has been a privilege and an honor to be this year’s Editor-in-Chief. Evolution staff, I thank you. OCSA, I will miss you. Class of 2025, I love you! Let’s make these last few weeks our best ones yet.