Valentine’s Day Deserts
Karli Larsen
Strawberry Shortcake Fudge
INGREDIENTS:
Nonstick cooking spray
3 1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp. strawberry Jell-O powder
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
1 1/2 c. marshmallow crème
10 -14 drops pink food coloring
2 c. Nilla wafers
3/4 c. crushed Nilla wafers, for garnish
Pink sanding sugar, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
-Line a square baking pan with parchment paper then spray with cooking spray.
-In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, strawberry Jell-O powder, butter, vanilla, and salt.
-Reduce heat to medium-low and add marshmallow fluff and food coloring.
-Remove from heat and immediately pour half into the prepared pan. Arrange a single layer of Nilla wafers on top of the fudge and pour remaining fudge over top. Sprinkle with crushed wafers and pink sprinkles.
-Refrigerate until firm, 2 to 3 hours, then slice into squares.
Rosewater Lemonade Spritzer
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons rosewater
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
A few drops of pomegranate juice for color
¾ cup sparkling water
DIRECTIONS:
** Combine all ingredients, stir, fill with ice and enjoy!
October Lunar Events
Isabel Hahn
Visuals courtesy of Ernie Wright, NASA
Social distancing guidelines are not the only thing making this year’s spooky season unique. As if 2020 is not bizarre enough already, it’s a year with thirteen full moons instead of the usual twelve, two of which are occuring during October. The second full moon of the month, otherwise known as a blue moon, is scheduled for Halloween night.
The first full moon this month was a harvest moon, appearing on October 1. Harvest moons are moons closest to the autumnal equinox, typically occurring towards the end of September. However, the full moon for September this year came on September 2, which was too early to be designated as the harvest moon. If the harvest moon occurs in October, the September full moon is actually called the corn moon, due to the fact that it appears at the peak time of corn harvesting. Harvest Moons are special because they rise closer to the time of sunset. Instead of rising fifty minutes later each day, they appear at around the same time each night. Farmers are able to use the light of the harvest moon to continue gathering their crops late into the night. Harvest moons appear larger and more orange by illusion, making them perfect for the fall season.
The second full moon of the month is the upcoming blue moon, and it will provide a spectacular Halloween scene that is unrelated to scary costumes or trick-or-treating. Contrary to what the name entails, a blue moon is not actually blue in color. Rather, it is a name used to describe the second full moon in one month. They usually appear once every two and a half to three years. Blue moons are already rare, but this one is particularly special, as a full moon has not occurred on Halloween across all time zones since 1944, in the World War II era. However, a full moon on Halloween in certain time zones tend to occur every nineteen years. One can be expected to appear in some parts of the world in the year 2039. Although this year’s blue moon will likely not look any different from a typical moon, its timing will certainly be very memorable.
The full moon following a harvest moon is typically called a hunter’s moon. The fall season is traditionally a time for hunting and storing up supplies for the winter ahead. Because farmers had already harvested their crops under the harvest moon, it is said that it became easier for them to spot potential game roaming around the fields. Technically, this upcoming full moon would be called a blue hunter’s moon. It is certainly a mouthful, and quite fitting for this chilling holiday.
This year’s Halloween celebrations will look much different from the norm, but don’t be discouraged! More time may be spent indoors, but the distinct blue moon is guaranteed to become a festive backdrop this Halloween night. Get those costumes and decorations ready and gather some friends to go skygazing with. After all, a Halloween like this one really only comes once in a blue moon.
Stay at Homecoming
Jennifer Woo
2020 Homecoming Court: Cat Johnston (CV ‘21), Mia Kaplan (MT ‘21), Hunter Laws (MT ‘21), and Yasmeen Baghdadi (CMD ‘21)
French Park performing on the steps of Symphony Hall
Charlotte La Rue (PM ‘21), Wyatt Beckley (PM ‘22), Lance Evensen (PM ‘22), and Thomas Muri (PM ‘22)
Along with every other OCSA event,homecoming has gone virtual. While students couldn’t spend their Saturday dancing the night away at the House of Blues, the leadership team streamed a 36 minute pre-filmed homecoming video to still recognize the annual homecoming event. The video resembled the format of OCSA’s 2020 Virtual Graduation and Virtual Season Premiere.
High school dance coordinator, Arielle Schmid (MT ‘21) said,“I really hope that people are reminded of OCSA culture and that the people are what make it important, and that we’re all here for each other in this weird time.”
The montage of Snapchat memories, people and videos from the OCSA campus certainly brought back many memories of OCSA spirit and daily energy. Students also got to see their favorite teachers dancing at home to Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol.
Schmid also noted that she was most excited for the Kevin Chamberlin cameo. Yes. Bertram from Disney Channel’s Jessie.
“Find the joy in this experience, because that’s what’s most important in life [...] I would come and tell you this in person but… it’s too far. For those of you who grew up on Jessie, that was my catch phrase” said Chamberlin.
Another Disney Channel star, David Henrie, also sent a message to OCSA students. He wished us all a happy homecoming and even made a little magic spell gesture to pay homage to his role as Justin Russo on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place.
The virtual homecoming featured three OCSA bands, The Ashleys, French Street, and Cabaret Combo. These live performances, two of which were performed in front of Symphony Hall, were reminiscent of OCSA’s beloved Fridays on 10th Street.
The 2020 Homecoming court also made an appearance! Yasmeen Baghdadi (CMD ‘21) was crowned Homecoming queen, and Hunter Laws (MT ‘21) was crowned Homecoming king.
“Thank you for electing me as your Stay-at-Homecoming King. I will use my power to better and brighten this world. I will feed the homeless, I will clothe the poor. Everything I do is for a better world and this is where that starts. Homecoming court 2020.” said Laws in his satirical (or maybe serious?) acceptance speech.
This was definitely OCSA’s most unique dance to date. While it wasn’t the expected way to spend Homecoming night, it brought special moments that wouldn’t have been possible at an in-person homecoming, like cameos from Disney Channel stars and performances from OCSA alumni.
Sidra Villacorta (PM ‘21), Thomas Wyman (IM ‘21), Andrew Gordnier (IM ‘21), Cole Daniel (IM ‘21)
The Ashleys: Hanna Eyre (PM ‘19), Nick Estes (PM ‘19), Dorjé Pradhan (‘19), Elijah Vann (‘20), Sawyer Kooyman (‘20)