Spotlight on DeWinter Stage

Brie Samaniego

You may have noticed that following the temporary shut down of the DMS quad, a new theater has been added to the collection at OCSA. The DMS now stands as home to a brand new outdoor performance space for all conservatory shows and events.

Back in 2015 when the DMS building was first being constructed, Chief Operations Officer of OCSA, Steven Wagner worked with a construction team to plan out the structure of the building. Together they created what we now know as “the quad” to provide a space for students to hangout that could also serve as a temporary stage area for an occasional performance.

As the school grew, Wagner and his team saw a higher potential for the DMS quad as a performance space. Instead of renting lights and equipment for the stage as they had in the past, he decided to take advantage of the space and resources to create a permanent structure, with equipment specific to the area.

The DMS stage, or the deWinter Stage was funded by donations of about $150,000 from the Callero family. This funding was put towards the new infrastructure and equipment required for the stage.

The first show to utilize the deWinter Stage will be a musical production of Les Misérables directed by Amelia Barron and performed by around 70 students in the Musical Theater conservatory. Despite the complications that an outdoor theater proposes, the majority of students have a positive opinion towards performing on the stage. Many students feel like the outdoor venue allows them to connect better, both with the other students and with the show.

Barron said that for the musical theater students, an outdoor theater is a huge learning experience. She described her seven years working in an amphitheater as “a magical experience” and she is “excited to give our students the same experience.”

One substantial concern regarding the outdoor venue is the unpredictable weather. Chloe Deutschman (MT, ‘24) a performer in Les Mis said talking about rain is generally avoided, and said everyone refers to it as “when the sky decides to cry”, to avoid any Macbeth-like jinxes. Deutschman also expressed that she has no problems with performing in the rain under safe conditions and said “[if] the audience doesn’t mind putting on their jackets and getting out their umbrellas, then I don't mind.” As for the equipment, all of it is weather proof and made to sustain any complications with the weather that may arise, with the exception of the microphones for the performers.

Another complication that has come up with the outdoor stage is lighting. Since the deWinter stage is not enclosed, the performers and crew will have to wait until it is completely dark to start rehearsing. This means prolonged student days in a school already famous for its long hours. Some of the students feel like performing on this stage has cut into their hours reserved for homework and other activities outside of school. Ryan Jeong (PD, ‘23), described his experience with the new stage as “very exciting, but very tiresome”. However, Jeong also enjoyed the work that has been put in, and said “the results are always very aesthetic, it's very pleasing to see. And you feel like your work has paid off.” Another MT student said they feel they are part of a legacy performing in the first show on the new stage.

The deWinter stage also has a considerably smaller stage area, compared to the Webb theater or Symphony Hall. A performer in Les Mis, Sadie Guerrero (MT, ‘24) said that even though the small stage can be challenging sometimes, “the way that it’s set up lets it really come together.” Guerrero also said how the smaller stage allows for a more intimate and connected feel between the actors. Although the stage itself is smaller than the Symphony Hall or the Webb, the amount of guests it can hold is much larger. According to Barron, the Webb theater holds up to 350 audience members whereas the new deWinter stage will be seating around 430 people.

Although they are the first to use it, the musical theater conservatory will not be the only benefactors of the new stage. The stage will be available for use to any of the conservatory performances from now on such as Shakespeare nights, Culinary Throwdown and many other school events.

The Fault in Our Stairs

Kayalani DeGrave

OCSA students are accustomed to the treacherous climb to the seventh floor, the loss of breath dragging on, and the ache in their calves. While conquering the stairs can be painful, the environment is often no better.

Current stair traffic is the worst it’s been in several years. With all the stops and gos, no wonder much of the student body has become increasingly frustrated with the holdup. One student shared that “In all my four years of attending OCSA, the stair traffic has never been as bad as it is now.”

The removal of early lunch dismissal this year is predicted to be a main factor lending to this uprise in stair clumping. A conducted survey was sent out via Evolution’s instagram to hear about students’ stairwell experiences, in which only high schoolers chose to report. About 80 percent of the responding student body doesn’t hold an elevator pass, so with all grades being released simultaneously, most of the school is racing out together, and ultimately, everyone just gets stopped.

Approximately 60 percent of students conveyed that they spend 5-10 minutes of lunch heading down the stairs and a large number spend even longer locked single file. 60 percent leave lunch 5-10 minutes early and 20 percent leave more than 10 minutes early just to get to class on time. Because of this, a majority of students end up missing 10-20 minutes of lunchtime in hopes of avoiding traffic. Still, 25 percent of students said they are late most of the time and 30 percent said they are late to class half of the time because of traffic, proposing a tardy inducing conflict for both students and instructors.

A Guide to Stair Etiquette

There are many alternatives to stairs that students are begging to see implemented, like escalators, a zipline, or even “a water slide that is on the roof and goes all the way downstairs”, one student expressed. Sadly, these options don’t seem to be making their way anytime soon, but until they do, here are some tips from various students on tackling traffic in the notorious OCSA stairwell.

Stay off your phones. As tempting as it is to check up on all posts or texts missed during class, looking down on screens causes most of the despised backup. One anonymous student even claimed that they notice many “on their phones playing games and such (I find that mainly lowerclassmen do this).” They suggested not being on devices and to “pay attention when traffic clears up so you can still keep walking.”
Stay on the right side of the steps. Oftentimes, students are enticed to walk next to friends to continue conversations, but surely those conversations can continue after the stairwell. There’s no need to remain shoulder to shoulder while treading down seven flights.
Use alternate routes. The cafeteria stairwell leading to the second floor is always an option. One student even suggested “designating one stairwell for going up and one for going down,” similar to our hybrid learning model, to have better stair flow.
Keep it moving! It’s no secret that students often get stuck for minutes on end without inching forward. Instead of “forming huge clusters that barely move” as one put it, pay attention to those leading the line to avoid the despicable delays that everyone dreads.
Refrain from pushing through others. We’re all going to the same place. If you’re late, we’re all late together. The stairs can pose great danger, and while many want to climb up quickly, the safety of students should be top priority.
Personal space please. The stairwell is not the ideal place to be cramped together and by no means is it comfortable stuck on a steep step with others crowded around. Most backup could be addressed with a more organized environment.
Overall, be courteous of those around. Let others go ahead if need be and stay aware of your surroundings.

Many students revealed interest in seeing more stairwells constructed in the future to resolve this tension. Recommendations from students to admin include to “revamp the stairs entirely, [making] them wider, less steep, and less dangerous due to their poor design,” or “to have early lunch dismissal again for certain grades so the classes released are more widespread.”

If the entire student body bands together and demonstrates proper etiquette, our stairwells could become more manageable, benefiting everyone. After all, it truly is a jungle out there, and we’re all just trying to get to class.

Winter Market Wonderland

Kate Um

As the weather cools and the holiday spirit rushes in, OCSA’s beloved winter market also inches closer! Awaiting a multitude of booths and eager bustling customers, here are 10 vendors to surely anticipate.

Szybki Laserhaus- Allison Cass and Ruth Zhang (VA ‘23)

“We create graffiti-esque designs that synthesize unconventional media crossovers and pop-culture motifs and use airbrush, cyanotype or block printing to transfer them onto secondhand clothing,” Cass and Zhang said. Through this extensive yet creatively-liberating process, sustainable clothing is restored to contain original designs and uniquely-distinct products.

Yume Yume- Ashley Tai (IM-J ‘24)

“From plushies to pins it’s for sure that you’ll find something of your taste! If you like pink, Hatsune Miku and video games then you’re in the right place!” Tai said. While promoting many fandoms she loves, these products will show the sentiment tied to them as well, awakening one’s inner child in nostalgic memories.

Gardenia GardenParty- Katelyn Shen and Annie Yan (DM ‘23)

From deliciously fragrant candles to decorated clothing items, this booth builds onto the elements and ambience of a garden tea party. “Our honey jelly candle looks like a real jar of honey and of course, smells just like it! We also specialize in beautifully hand painted floral tea shirts, tote bags, and fragrant honeycomb soaps!” said Shen.

Clay by Claire- Claire Karr (VA ‘23)

This booth is centered on producing well-crafted ceramics with a suited, usable purpose. “I focus primarily on functional-ware: pieces that people can use in their daily life, including things like bowls, plates, cups, even incense holders,” Karr said. “I make my pieces with my peers in mind and I focus on functionality that still looks cool.”

It’s an OCSA Thing- Ciel Mitrovich (VA ‘24)

A post-pandemic creation to appreciate the school itself through OCSA keepsake products. Mitrovich said, “My business is all about encouraging pride in our amazing school by creating heartfelt memorabilia for students, teachers, staff and anyone else in the OCSA family! My products come in the familiar forms of stickers, keychains, magnets and so on.”

Think and Talk- Grace Shin (VA ‘24)

This booth creates MBTI-representative, adorable animal stickers, where profits will support the club and ultimately be donated to promote art education. “Think and Talk creates small products including stickers, keychains, postcards and more, featuring simplistic, cute designs including animal MBTI characters,” said Shin.

Craftea Pin&Chainz- Tori Pham, Kieran Yandoc, Jacob Dan (DM ‘25)

A booth with interactive creators dressing up as maids, share their passions through anime-themed products. “All our products are hand-drawn and are accompanied by cute tea themed packaging! Our products include fandoms from: Spy x Family, Jujutsu Kaisen, Ouran Highschool Host Club, Genshin Impact, Ghibli, Pokemon and more!”

Mariposa Charms- Searra Hernandez (VA ‘23)

“My products include beaded jewelry, handmade metal charms, clay charms and nose rings. My target audience is anyone who is interested in dark, romantic-like aesthetics,” Hernandez said. A range of handmade jewelry and goods with an earthy, jewel-tone color palette to spruce up any outfit.

Eco Fashion- Zabby Bagnol (PD ‘24)

“Our packaging is made from non plastic, recyclable paper and a hand painted burlap sack. We sell hand painted thrifted clothing and jackets, glass leaved rose rings, and recycled paper journals with fascinating designs!” said Bagnol. This brand stresses environmental integrity to lessen one’s daily carbon footprint one nature-themed product at a time.

We aim to cultivate creativity, ingenuity and a passion for the justice of our environment. Our brand is built on equality, animal welfare and ecological integrity.”

Manic Pixi- Tabitha Filmore and Julie Lim (IA ‘23)

“The aesthetic of our booth will be fairy grunge, inspired by the classic manic pixie dream girl film trope. Each bead used in our jewelry is locally sourced and supports a small business,” said Filmore. With mindfully sourced materials, this booth also allows these products to become a stylistic extension of customers’ creative expressions.

all photos courtesy of respective vendors

Laughing in H-Mart

Jessica Hong

Ever wondered what place to go whenever you had a sudden craving for tteokbokki or instant ramen? Or when you need to buy fruits with great quality? Well, the new H-mart in Irvine might do just the trick for you!

The H-mart is one of the most well-known and popular Asian supermarkets because of their high-quality goods. The supermarket made its grand opening to Irvine residents in a neighborhood within the city, boasting a variety of produce, meat, seafood, and Asian groceries. Ever since its grand opening in August, Hmart has been established as some students go-to place for buying Asian groceries and dining in Irvine.

To Amy Lee (IM ‘23), Irvine’s Hmart made a big impression on her at her first visit. “The first thing that struck me when I first went in the supermarket was the number of aisles there were and how clean everything was,” Lee said. “Every single aisle was packed with a variety of food and there were so many options in choosing when shopping for groceries that I didn’t usually see in other stores before,” Lee said. Lee quickly found Hmart to be one of her top supermarkets to visit because of the market’s quality produce section. When Lee goes to visit the fruit section, she finds that, the section is highly stocked with fruits of the freshest quality, including “exotic ones like durian.”

For Joshua Ta (IM ‘24), he finds himself going at least three times a month to buy groceries at Hmart. One of his favorite sections to be in Irvine’s Hmart is its food court. The food court has been one of Hmart’s most defining factors as it is constantly packed with families and friends dining out together. With more than five food stalls, the foodcourt features a multitude of options such as Korean noodles, tofu soup, sushi, katsu and ramen. Some of the key restaurants the food court hosts are the Korean-style hotdog chain, Myrungrang Hotdog, and Japanese ramen restaurant, Menya Sendaime.

“I find Hmart’s quality of their menus to be different than a food court at a regular mall” Ta said, “And I think it’s because Hmart’s food court focuses on Korean traditional food and the quality to their menus.” Ta enjoys eating from the variety of restaurants at the food court. On some days, he likes to order the black bean noodles and sweet pork at one counter and on other days he likes to eat the tofu stew offered at another counter. A menu that Ta recommends to students wanting to visit Irvine’s Hmart is the honey butter garlic wings from Left Wing Fried Chicken.

One of Lee’s favorite places to be in the Hmart is also the food court. “It’s a really comfortable environment where you could choose whatever you’re feeling that day,” Lee said. Lee also noted that students who try visiting the food court should try the mozzarella hot dog from Myrungrang Hotdog. She also recommends students to try going to Irvine’s Hmart not just for the food court, but also for its bakery, Tour de Jours.

With the Hmart in Westpark becoming a hit in Irvine, the city plans to open another in Irvine, making a total of three in the city.

OCSA’s Biggest Catch

Teah Swartzon

Akhil Patel (ACT ‘23) and Jack Reid (ACT ‘23) started a fishing club with the intention of reeling in OCSA students with a love of the outdoors.

“We started the club because we wanted to have a laid-back and chill group, where people could go outdoors to the water instead of staying indoors,” said Reid. “The fishing club community is very real and down-to-earth.”

“Really, it’s not about fishing,” Patel said, “It’s about enjoying nature and hanging out with other people who like nature.”

With over 50 members in the Google Classroom, Fishing Club’s motto of “keeping it reel,” is appealing to nature-loving OCSA students with an adventurous side.

“Around 15 to 20 people show up to each meeting,” Patel said, “And when we hold outings at the actual pier, about five to 10 people show up.”

While attending a meeting, you can expect conversations about fishing, including how to fish, best catches and other ocean-related topics.At the end of the day, the club’s main purpose is to provide students with opportunities to connect and “the ability to go fishing with their peers.”

Patel reminisced about the time he “caught a largemouth bass,” and other “big fish,” during his various fishing excursions.

Co-leader Jack Reid, on the other hand, is still hopeful about his first catch.

“I am a fisherman by title only,” said Reid, “I have never caught a fish.”

According to Reid, his dream catch is a “great white shark.”

Lucy Moriyama (ACT ‘23) attended the club’s meeting at the Huntington Beach Pier, where the group gained practical fishing experience.

“It was awesome,” said Moriyama. “There’s a strong sense of community.”

The club’s outings are another unique part of its impact, with a variety of activities to promote spending time outdoors and perfecting techniques.

“We’re actually thinking about lobster fishing,” said Patel of the club’s future outings.

Take the bait and join Fishing Club; meetings are held every Tuesday in T204. You just might get hooked.

Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Eddie Chen

It’s been over a year since the weekly free meal selection has been added to OCSA’s array of delicacies, providing a refreshing alternative to the dry pizza stick and the greasy taco quesadilla. Whether you don’t have the means to pay for food, forgot your lunch or prefer the convenience of a faster lunch line, the free lunch offers a reliable option for everyone to enjoy. With just a click of the link on Art Attack or a scan of the QR code near the blue containers, students can grab the free lunch and go. But which item on the list reigns supreme? Through a Google form and lunch interviews, here’s the general consensus gathered among OCSA students.

Rankings:

5. Ham and Cheese Sandwich

A lousy compilation of bread, ham, cheese and lettuce, this item takes last for its subpar quality. Max Madsen (CAH ‘26) said, “even though it actually has vegetables, it really just falls apart in my mouth and turns into crumbs.” Perfect as a quick bite but inadequate as a real meal, the sandwich is reminiscent of elementary school days.

4. Cheese Quesadilla

The cheese quesadilla consists of merely two ingredients: the tortilla, an exterior that crunches in one’s mouth, and the cheese, an interior that tastes mediocre at best. Lacking any variety, the unmelted cheese inside fails to capture the rich textures that are recognized among quality quesadillas.

3. Hot Dog

The hot dog is a comforting classic with its slightly grilled sausage sandwiched between two compact buns. At number three, this beloved American item is safe to grab for any passing student. Having said that, its portions are meager, and as Eesha Tangirala (IA ‘25) said, “hot dogs are not a sufficient meal…on a Monday with conservatory classes and extracurriculars, it’s not enough.”

2. Bean and Cheese Burrito

Despite only containing a few ingredients, the bean and cheese burrito is great for anyone relaxing or on the go. Upon puncturing its plain exterior, the heated interior will melt in anyone’s mouth. Stuffed with refried beans and shredded cheese, the burrito’s soft and creamy texture will satisfy anyone’s palate.

1. Penne Pasta with Marinara Sauce

Drizzled with melted cheese and covered with marinara sauce, the penne takes the spotlight as number one. Originally placed at the beginning of the week, the pasta is now reserved for Friday’s megalunch, providing a warm end to a bustling week. Despite its savory flavor, the pasta can sometimes taste bland after several bites.

Duos, Doppelgangers, Dead Ringers: Teacher-Celebrity Lookalikes

Melody Wu

Have you ever looked at a teacher and noticed their uncanny resemblance to a celebrity? Believe it or not, Michael Ciecek in his acclaimed Gru cosplay is not the only doppelganger roaming around campus. In this article, we have gathered five teachers and their celebrity lookalikes to amaze you. In addition, we will analyze how similar the teacher and their celebrity lookalikes are, down to their personality traits and interests.

The first comparison is Leadership advisor Chris Dion during the COVID-19 lockdown next to Vincent Van Gogh’s drawing, “The Postman”. “The Postman” is actually a portrait of Joseph Roulin, a postal employee and Van Gogh’s caretaker during his asylum months. Additionally, we also got help from a face-recognition app that found some of Dion’s celebrity lookalikes to be Bob Balaban, Larry Ellison, and most notably, Alfred Hitchcock.

This side-by-side photo reveals Global Studies teacher Lana Sawalha's startling likeness to Emily Blunt, an actress known for her roles in "A Quiet Place" and "The Devil Wears Prada." Like her celebrity doppelganger, Sawalha has also lived in England, has exactly three siblings and has had two children. On top of that, her husband works at The Office too (joke explained: Emily Blunt’s husband is the actor who plays Jim Halpert in the sitcom “The Office”). In addition, Sawalha has also been compared to Alexis Bledel, the lead actress playing Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls.

English teacher Patrick Thompson has often been compared to Calvin Harris, a Scottish DJ known for producing chart-topping pop hits such as “This is What You Came For” by Rihanna and “One Kiss” by Dua Lipa. Looks, however, are not the only attribute that they share–in fact, Thompson also loves to DJ and play electronic music! Several OCSA students have also noted Thompson’s resemblance to the Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh and TikTok influencer Ian Paget.

Leadership advisor and Global Studies teacher Whitney Coates used to receive comparisons between her and the actress Zooey Deschanel. Nowadays, thanks to the release of Marvel’s “Wandavision”, people frequently compare her appearance to that of the actress playing Agnes, Katheryn Hahn. She does not believe she bears a resemblance to anyone, except maybe Kathryn Hahn, but only “when she’s in motion” playing Agnes.

“As far as looks… people… will say young Sigourney Weaver from her “Alien” days,” said Courtney Harper, Yearbook advisor and English teacher. She has also gotten Bette Davis, an American actress from the 1930s, for her eyes as well as Leslie Knope from “Parks and Recreation”, Hermione Granger from “Harry Potter”, and Phoebe from “Friends” for her personality. Harper thinks that the “optimism, passion, kindness, care, whimsy, intelligence, and curiosity” of these celebrities and characters are what inspire these resemblances, and she finds them to be relatively accurate.

All photos courtesy of respective teachers. Edited by Melody Wu

Creepin’ it Real

Collage by Grant Li, Photos by Evolution Staff

Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe

Selah Sanchez

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Bake time: 14 minutes

Total time: 29-34 minutes

Makes: 2 dozen cookies

Well ladies and gents and others, it’s Autumn again. For three months and three months only, it’s time to bring back this age-old spice blend and make some magic in the kitchen! These cookies are great on their own, or with a helping of the cream cheese frosting. One bite and you'll be falling for them like leaves on a blustery day!

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon
½ teaspoon of nutmeg
¼ teaspoon of cloves
½ teaspoon of ginger
¼ teaspoon of allspice
1 tsp salt

The Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Piping bag

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl or a mixer, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. It might help to break the butter up a little beforehand as well.
Add eggs, pumpkin puree, then mix well.
Sift the flour, baking powder, spices and salt together, then fold into the batter with a spatula until it is well blended.
Scoop the cookies in small amounts onto the sheet– about 2 inches in diameter. Make sure they’re relatively flat; they rise quickly.
Bake for about 14 minutes.
Let cookies sit on the pan for about five minutes, then transport them to a wire rack to cool the rest of the way.
Mix frosting! Add all the ingredients in a bowl and combine. Hand mixers make the job quick and easy.
Feel free to use a knife or a piping bag to frost the cookies, but make sure they are cooled completely or else the frosting will slide right off. Add sprinkles for some extra decoration, and pro tip- they’re extra great chilled.

And there you have it! Fall, fresh out of your oven! Enjoy, and may they be as comforting as a seasonal sweater.

Chai Latte Recipe

Samuel Parigela

Ease into this holiday season with a cup of warm chai! Sweet, milky and delightful with every sip, this tea latte is unique in that it incorporates strong elements of spice while still maintaining its hearty, wholesome flavor. Being a cornerstone of Indian culture, chai vendors (called chaiwallahs) can be found at every street corner across the country, and the tea itself is a staple of Indian households. I hope you enjoy this small–albeit important–piece of my culture!

Ingredients (for two cups of tea)

½ cup water
1 cup milk
1 split cardamom pod
½ inch cinnamon stick
1 clove
2 tsp loose leaf tea (from Indian brands)
4 tsp sugar/to taste

Cook Time: 5-6 minutes

Directions

Add ½ cup of water to a saucepan on high heat.
When the water starts boiling, add the cardamom, cinnamon stick, and clove to the pan. Other spices such as star anise, ginger, and nutmeg can be added (in limited quantities to avoid overpowering the tea) but only the three listed are required.
Add in 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea. Note that only tea from Indian brands will provide the right taste! These include Tata Tea, Tetley Tea, and Taj Mahal Tea, among others. My personal preference is a brand called Three Roses. All of these can be found at your local Indian market or Amazon.com.
Boil on high heat for about 2 minutes.
Add 1 cup of milk and boil again for 2-3 minutes. This is very important for the tea to have a rich flavor!
Turn the flame off when the tea is about to boil over.
Add 2 teaspoons of sugar (or how much is desired) in each of the two cups. Then, pour the tea in and stir well.
Serve immediately! Chai is only good when it’s hot!

Chai is certainly one of the best ways to cozy up into fall, and then winter. But you don’t have to just drink it during these seasons! This beverage is traditionally drunk year-round in India, even during the summer. Whether you choose to drink it seasonally, every day, or you’re somewhere in between, I hope you enjoy this drink and have fun making it!

Senior Lot: Stay in Your Lane!

Sammi Thomas

It is finally the end of the day. You race down the steps of the tower, booking it to the crosswalk to beat the 5 o'clock rush hour traffic. You throw down your backpack on the passenger seat and just as you turn the keys and shift into reverse, a massive minivan pulls perfectly behind your car, blocking you from escaping.

Upon further investigation, you identify that the driver of this tank of a car is the parent of an underclassman. As their child drags their way across the loose asphalt, walking in what seems like slow motion, you grow more impatient with their every step. Even after backing out of the spot, you are stuck in a 15- to a 30-minute line just to get to the main road, that is, if you are lucky enough to avoid an accident.

This series of events is nothing new to you, as you are quite familiar with having to dodge your way out of the senior lot, but like every other time, the burning feeling in your gut to lay on the horn curdles with intent as you fill up with rage. To the parents who occupy these cars, the senior lot is merely a place to check Facebook or play Candy Crush. Never do they realize nor care to acknowledge the massive burden they force on these seniors. The end of every school day is bound to have at least one angry encounter between a senior and a parent in the lot. There is a sign stating “student parking only” which resides at the entrance of the senior lot, but apparently, current underclassmen do not learn how to read until their junior year.

The last thing any senior wants at the end of the eight-hour school day is to wait an extra 20 minutes just to get out of the parking lot. Senior Sascha Friend (IA ‘23), who parks in the lot daily, expressed her frustration that parents automatically assume they have the right of way just because they are adults. She remarked, “You [parents] have a drop off line for a reason. Pick your child up somewhere else that’s not a student lot.”

Many seniors have similar feelings but no action has been taken to enforce the student parking-only rule. Friend also shared, “I have been hit by a parent in the senior lot. They like to yell at me and or flip me off.”

Another senior, Austin Bohm (CV ‘23), says he feels “exasperated with people who park there who aren’t seniors.” He elaborates, “They didn’t do the time that I did. I’ve done my time and I deserve to park in that lot now.” Like Bohm, many seniors who park in this lot share passionate feelings of annoyance.

OCSA administration has promised an “improved senior lot” as a part of the campus renovations that supposedly began in the summer of 2022; this upgrade could not come any sooner. Current seniors relish the day when these underclassmen are forced to experience this never-ending, frustrating scenario themselves.

Hypothetical Conservatories

Lacole Yang

A serious imbalance is damaging OCSA’s equilibrium. With the inclusion of the Arts & Enterprise conservatory, the School of Fine & Media Arts now encompasses six conservatories. However, the other areas of study have about three conservatories each. More conservatories should be added until balance is achieved. Therefore, I propose that the following conservatories be founded.

School of Applied Arts:

Architecture & Construction (ARC) - The curriculum of this conservatory will focus on blueprinting and eco-friendly housing. It will contribute to student life by renovating the campus. For example, this conservatory can work to get rid of the bulky poles that stand in the middle of classrooms. The students will also design a transportation system to get across OCSA, such as a gondola lift with seats shaped like stars. ARC will be added first so it can design spaces to fit all the other new conservatories.
Fashion Design (FD) - This conservatory will teach the creation of apparel and accessories. Teachers will include Calvin Klein, Donatella Versace and Clawdeen Wolf from “Monster High.” FD’s first major project will be to create a school uniform complete with cockroach-blocking mesh shields and immersive thermotechnology for the glacial DMS. Once it is released, all OCSA students will be mandated to buy it for $13 million per uniform.

School of Dance:

Cheerleading (CHEER) - Cheerleaders will elevate school spirit. But more importantly, they will ensure OCSA stays competitive with other schools. We currently have no official sports teams, making it impossible to achieve high sports rankings. An all-star cheerleading team will finally make sure that those public school jocks have nothing over us. CHEER will also encourage the acting kids at their performances, executing back handsprings and epic stunting. With Hamlet monologuing in the background, CHEER will chant with salient pride, “Give me an O! Give me a C! Give me a S! Give me an A! O.C. S. A. We! Are! OCSA!”

School of Music:

Contemporary Emo (EMO) - Ideally, ARC will create a series of catacombs near Symphony Hall to be used as classrooms. However, for a lower budget option, EMO can also rent the Family Mortuary across from Main Street. The rest of the budget should be allotted to paying Gerard Way for Masterclasses. Classes will include Wailing and Crying in freshman year, Advanced Screaming for sophomores, Socially Relevant Lyrical Composition for juniors, and Music Theory I for seniors.

School of Theatre:

TikTok Point-of-View Performance (POV) - The use of social media platforms is gaining importance within the acting industry, as aspiring stars are gathering thousands of fans from making poignant TikToks. It is high time for us to prepare future generations for realistic, modern acting standards. Students in POV will learn state-of-the-art techniques such as writing grammatically incorrect captions that perfectly capture attention. Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae will assist students in sparking social media scandals that ultimately bring them more fame. With the addition of POV, our students will be more prepared for real-world situations than ever before.

Art by Lacole Yang

Comic: Critters on Campus

Fanny Kim

New Holiday?

James Yi

We all love holidays. We love big holidays like Halloween and Christmas, where we can enjoy the traditions, excitements and moods associated with them. Christmas lights and decorations, everyone suddenly becoming a cosplayer, exciting or cozy music. There are also smaller holidays, like Labor Day and Independence Day. While they may not be as grand as others, their contribution to reducing school days is appreciated. Bottom line, holidays are good. So here’s the question: how do we get more of them?

Halloween is the result of a pope-designated holiday combined with a pagan festival celebrating the harvest. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. Labor Day was created after labor activists demanded a day to recognize labor workers. Independence Day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We can do things like that.

Method one: Someone must contact the Pope and ask him to declare a new holiday. Get his phone number, send a letter, message him on Twitter and Instagram. Celebrate saints, God, Jonah’s escape from the whale, the creation of the universe, the pope’s birthday, the more the better.

Method two: Petition the federal government. Maybe it could be Holiday Day? A day to recognize all the joy holidays bring to our lives.

Method three: This is an alternative for when method one does not work. Make a new religion. Do something eventful. Going into a comma and waking up should count as rising back up from the dead, right? Or stopping the heart for a bit then doing CPR.

Method four: Somebody start celebrating the end of WW2. Seems like something we should celebrate. There is no need to be elaborate. Start out by just getting some firecrackers out. Write a few songs.

Those were the traditional methods. Then again, modern problems require modern solutions. So below are some modern solutions.

Method six: Start a trend somewhere. I’m not sure if you even need an occasion. Just start a holiday, make it somewhat entertaining, and get a few others to join. More will join the tide.

Method seven: Wage a war, be it a culture war, gender war, identity war, console war, or whatever else you can imagine. Actually, do all of them. The more holidays the better. The next step is to end those wars, and celebrate their ends.

Method eight: Nobody has the right to decide a day’s identity for them. Whether a certain day is a holiday or not is entirely for them to decide. So listen to the spirit of the day. If it says it is a holiday, it is a holiday.

Method nine: Your own identity must also be respected. If you believe that today is a holiday for you, then it is a holiday. If someone objects, call the police.

Now, I acknowledge the ideas here may seem crude. I am just one person, after all. On the other hand, you, the readers, are many, and you can spread the news to even more. With our combined might and intelligence, making new holidays is entirely possible. We can create holidays for the sake of having holidays. Holidays that will bring joy and light into the world, free us from the grasps of work. Please, join this endeavor. Thank you.

(Special shoutout to Halloween, who gave us a wonderful day of spectacles.)

Legal Things that Feel Illegal

Lauren Kim

You may have done many things in your life that feel illegal but really aren’t. You might be breaking laws at this very moment. Did you know that even cannibalism isn’t illegal? Sure, it will require breaking a dozen other laws, but it’s not illegal (Don’t do it).

Drinking orange juice from a glass cup while OUTSIDE

How could you possibly fathom the image of someone drinking orange juice from a class cup outside? That’s simply wrong. Humans have evolved to know that this specific picture is strange. However, no one ever made a concrete law on this. There is a risk of breaking the glass cup and accidentally hurting someone (illegal), but you should try it someday! It will be a fresh and juicy experience. #Yolo.

Taking more than one sample and not buying the product

Someone has been making food samples for hours, while standing in the heat and wearing thick layers of clothes. And you just grab two or more samples in one trip, or you might come back again and again. There is no specific law that prohibits this behavior, but it’s a social norm you should try to follow. If you take more than one sample, buy the product no matter what. You’ll probably end up enjoying the food at home too.

Telling the barber you don’t like your haircut

No one wants to feel like a Karen, unless that’s your inner beast.

Calling your teacher by their first name

It’s not illegal, but I won’t encourage you to do it. Just like the one above, there’s no reason to hurt your relationship with others.

Taking Pictures of the Earth

Taking pictures of any part of the Earth is actually legal! Some people think this is secret photography, which is illegal, but it’s completely fine. However, I would advise you to ask for her consent before you do so. Simply knock on her forehead, dig a hole, and whisper, “Can I take a photo of you?”

Blinking while driving

Some folks keep their eyes open the entire time when they’re driving. These people are very law-abiding, since driving while blindfolded is pretty much illegal and very dangerous. I’m here to tell you that you can totally blink while driving! You can even madly flutter your eyes, if you’re into that kind of stuff.

If you do any of these things without feeling like a criminal, you’re the next game changer. You’ll do big things in life! And make sure you exert that confidence in your surroundings.

Makin’ Mascots

Emilia Djordjevic

The unspoken topic, the question hidden inside you so long you’ve forgotten about it: the OCSA mascot. Why is it that OCSA has none, but instead resorts to shapes to make its logo? Red squares, orange ones, yellow and blue (oh, and purple), yet when put together make a star, so luminous you almost miss it.

Now, OCSA’s been compared to college before, don’t deny it. With our 8-hour school days and sleepless nights we trudge through so we can stick in an extra AP science term or two, it’s obvious the campus mentality is similar to that of a university. Yet our most obvious failure lies with our mascot: when compared to UCI’s anteater, UCLA’s bruin, or even Harvard’s pilgrim, how could we ever have thought a star would be enough to reflect OCSA’s brilliance? Where’s the artistry, the pizzazz, the vision? Don’t we deserve an animal or critter instead, a true illustration of OCSA trends and obsessions, the mascot that defines us as OCSA?

Mascots are meant to represent the unique community we have here, to remind us of our shared identities and support us in tough times. When you stay up late, whether to study or enjoy some art-making, wouldn’t you want to have an OCSA mascot there beside you?

At last, the wait is over. I am pleased to announce the (unofficial) OCSA mascot, made and designed by your peers at Evolution! Here, we have worked and toiled to find the best possible buddies for OCSA campus. Well, two actually. We couldn’t quite decide on one.

The axolotl, cat, possum, frog. Ever seen these as keychains on backpacks, stickers on laptops, as crochets or stuffed animals in our classes? How about the OCSA possum we’ve been enamored with, terribly adorable so as to coerce us to take photos each time it’s spotted? Yes, we knew exactly which mascot(s) to choose.

Meet Inky and Sketch (with no association to Itchy and Scratchy). Two friends, each in their comfortable onesies, symbolic to the strength of comradery and compassion. Though separate species, their love for art has made them appreciative of one another and their aspirations to become passionate and relatable mascots. With their warm and affable nature, they’re sure to be a positive presence in encouraging artists to stay true and unique to themselves, to be the animal within and out.

When given a chance to review the idea, visual artist One and Two (they chose to stay anonymous) had expert advice. “It’s adorable.” One said, seemingly pleased with the results, “I think they’re great for our school atmosphere; the color palette’s really nice. They just make me so happy.” Yet two seemed wary about having a mascot at all. “I don’t know,” they hesitated, adding, “it would be strange to have mascots now, but I guess I wouldn’t mind.” Regardless, the general reception from both parties seemed to lean on the more favorable end.

However, it is up to you to decide, dear readers. Do YOU think they deserve to be our mascots? Let the idea mature and we’ll settle this in a few years or so. Probably.

Illustrations by Emilia Djordjevic and Melody Wu

Senioritis

Faith Hochgesang

Here’s a fun fact about me: I could probably tell you the exact number of turtles in my counselor’s office. While many of you are still in your “I’ll just start my applications tomorrow” phase (and realistically still will be tomorrow), my first deadline already came and went on October 15. *Cue a jaded round of applause from approximately three other seniors who know what this is like.* My counselor is probably also clapping - she knows she has survived the days when I was in her office as often as we use “stair traffic” interchangeably with “genuinely being late to class.” Now here’s a fun fact about you: just by reading this, you’ll be saving you(r counselor) from at least one of your (un)necessary visits.

Yes, you need to order a transcript on myschoolbucks for each school you apply to. If you don’t end up submitting for a particular school, you will be refunded. Make sure if you are ordering more than one (up to 5 at once) that your “Quantity” number matches the number under “Number of Transcripts Ordering”
Your CommonApp should be completed by your FIRST deadline
Parent 1 on CommonApp needs to be Parent 1 for each college/fafsa as well
If you did a summer program at a college you can put it under Colleges & Universities
Your conservatory classes are Regular Arts classes
Maximize the Honors/Activities sections if possible
Categorize your activities as different things (if you have two that could either be community service or religious put one for each)
You don’t have to submit all of your SAT/ACT/AP scores, only submit the ones you feel comfortable sharing. I took the SAT three times and only mentioned my last score
It’s totally fine to choose to respond to your own prompt for the essay
Use the Additional Information section to explain more about how OCSA is unique. Hint: mention long hours, extra fine arts/elective credits, commute, etc.
Courses & Grades: OCSA doesn’t do final grades or final credits, leave these blank
Other Courses: put college prep/honors courses from middle school i.e. Integrated I, Spanish I
Report 12th-grade courses under “Current or most recent year courses”
Just say you’re interested in the optional interview, this indicates extended interest in a particular university
Do an arts supplement if you can, the respective arts department advises admissions directly if you submit notable work
Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite
Get feedback from a variety of people, especially those known to be critical
Be nice to your counselor. They will probably be writing you a letter of recommendation to at least one school. Those thank yous and Starbucks gift cards can’t just be for your teachers

Today is the day. Pretend November 30 is tomorrow. Pretend your January deadlines are next week. Pretty soon that will be true. Use this checklist in ADDITION to the Class of 2023 Google Classroom under College Application FAQs. You have worked so hard to get to this point. Don’t let your future become the thing you procrastinate the most. Yes, it’s scary, but it’s scarier to turn in an application you could have spent so much more time on. Your counselors are extremely knowledgeable, they want to help. Last fun fact: you got this :)

Horoscopes: The Twelve Petersons

Lauren Kim

Winter Market Wonderland

As the weather cools and the holiday spirit rushes in, OCSA’s beloved winter market also inches closer! Awaiting a multitude of booths and eager bustling customers, here are 10 vendors to surely anticipate.

Szybki Laserhaus- Allison Cass and Ruth Zhang (VA ‘23)

“We create graffiti-esque designs that synthesize unconventional media crossovers and pop-culture motifs and use airbrush, cyanotype or block printing to transfer them onto secondhand clothing,” Cass and Zhang said. Through this extensive yet creatively-liberating process, sustainable clothing is restored to contain original designs and uniquely-distinct products.

Yume Yume- Ashley Tai (IM-J ‘24)

“From plushies to pins it’s for sure that you’ll find something of your taste! If you like pink, Hatsune Miku and video games then you’re in the right place!” Tai said. While promoting many fandoms she loves, these products will show the sentiment tied to them as well, awakening one’s inner child in nostalgic memories.

Gardenia GardenParty- Katelyn Shen and Annie Yan (DM ‘23)

From deliciously fragrant candles to decorated clothing items, this booth builds onto the elements and ambience of a garden tea party. “Our honey jelly candle looks like a real jar of honey and of course, smells just like it! We also specialize in beautifully hand painted floral tea shirts, tote bags, and fragrant honeycomb soaps!” said Shen.

Clay by Claire- Claire Karr (VA ‘23)

This booth is centered on producing well-crafted ceramics with a suited, usable purpose. “I focus primarily on functional-ware: pieces that people can use in their daily life, including things like bowls, plates, cups, even incense holders,” Karr said. “I make my pieces with my peers in mind and I focus on functionality that still looks cool.”

It’s an OCSA Thing- Ciel Mitrovich (VA ‘24)

A post-pandemic creation to appreciate the school itself through OCSA keepsake products. Mitrovich said, “My business is all about encouraging pride in our amazing school by creating heartfelt memorabilia for students, teachers, staff and anyone else in the OCSA family! My products come in the familiar forms of stickers, keychains, magnets and so on.”

Think and Talk- Grace Shin (VA ‘24)

This booth creates MBTI-representative, adorable animal stickers, where profits will support the club and ultimately be donated to promote art education. “Think and Talk creates small products including stickers, keychains, postcards and more, featuring simplistic, cute designs including animal MBTI characters,” said Shin.

Craftea Pin&Chainz- Tori Pham, Kieran Yandoc, Jacob Dan (DM ‘25)

A booth with interactive creators dressing up as maids, share their passions through anime-themed products. “All our products are hand-drawn and are accompanied by cute tea themed packaging! Our products include fandoms from: Spy x Family, Jujutsu Kaisen, Ouran Highschool Host Club, Genshin Impact, Ghibli, Pokemon and more!”

Mariposa Charms- Searra Hernandez (VA ‘23)

“My products include beaded jewelry, handmade metal charms, clay charms and nose rings. My target audience is anyone who is interested in dark, romantic-like aesthetics,” Hernandez said. A range of handmade jewelry and goods with an earthy, jewel-tone color palette to spruce up any outfit.

Eco Fashion- Zabby Bagnol (PD ‘24)

“Our packaging is made from non plastic, recyclable paper and a hand painted burlap sack. We sell hand painted thrifted clothing and jackets, glass leaved rose rings, and recycled paper journals with fascinating designs!” said Bagnol. This brand stresses environmental integrity to lessen one’s daily carbon footprint one nature-themed product at a time.

We aim to cultivate creativity, ingenuity and a passion for the justice of our environment. Our brand is built on equality, animal welfare and ecological integrity.”

Manic Pixi- Tabitha Filmore and Julie Lim (IA ‘23)

“The aesthetic of our booth will be fairy grunge, inspired by the classic manic pixie dream girl film trope. Each bead used in our jewelry is locally sourced and supports a small business,” said Filmore. With mindfully sourced materials, this booth also allows these products to become a stylistic extension of customers’ creative expressions.