May 2022

ORCA’s annual Spring Celebration will be held June 3rd. 

The event, which will be hosted in Albany this year, is designed to celebrate ORCA’s student body and the coming end of another school year. According to Kathie Smee, the school office manager, Spring Celebration will have a “carnival-like” atmosphere. 

The celebration will have many events that ORCA students can participate in. These activities will include face painting, rock painting, book giveaways, a bounce house, and giant Jenga. Students and families will enjoy popcorn, snow cones, and lemonade. 

Students who have ordered the 2021-22 yearbook may also have the opportunity to pick up their purchase at Spring Celebration if supplies allow. There will also be an induction ceremony held for the National Honor Society and Junior National Honor Society. 

Spring Celebration will last from noon to 3 p.m. on June 3rd. More information will be posted to Field Trip Central as the event gets closer.

Are you someone who loves to travel and learn about different cultures? If so, the ASCEND Hotel and Tourism Management pathway might be the right place for you. 

Launched in the 2021-2022 school year, the Hotel and Tourism program is a new career pathway brought to you by ORCA ASCEND. Through this pathway, students will have the opportunity to develop essential work-related skills and earn industry-recognized certifications in high school. Courses offer exclusive expert sessions and field trips with top professionals about experiences in the industry that will help students prepare for success in their careers. 

Hospitality and tourism is a vast and growing industry that caters to the needs of travelers through managing hotels, restaurants, resorts, and theme parks. Whether you see yourself owning a restaurant or managing a hotel, this program helps prepare you for a wide range of opportunities  in the hospitality industry. Careers in this field include hotel and restaurant management, event planning, and marketing, which all revolve around providing high-quality customer service, spotting trends and helping others plan their next grand adventure. 

As the first course in the pathway, Intro to Hospitality and Tourism Management is a career exploration course that introduces students to the thriving industry of entertainment and travel. Students can practice real-world applications and skills that are essential in this field, such as management, communication, and critical thinking. 

Principles of Marketing is an intermediate-level course that focuses on the fundamentals of business, communication, and market research. Through interactive class projects, including a social media marketing simulation, students will learn how to create a successful marketing strategy, analyze data, and implement a business plan to target customers and manage revenue. 

The pathway will continue to expand with future courses in the 2023-2024 school year – including a Work-Based Learning course that will provide the Certified Hospitality and Tourism Management Professional (CHTMP) credential. ORCA is the first high school in the state to offer this credential to students in high school. In addition, the program has teamed up with Chemeketa Community College to offer a broad range of post-secondary options for high school students to launch their future careers. Through college-level courses and programs, students can earn eight to twelve credits toward five industry-recognized certifications in management and AAS degree programs. 

“Hospitality and tourism is a consistent and growing industry in Oregon,” says Ms. Highfill, the pathway master teacher. “Hotels, cruise ships, recreation, restaurants, theme parks, and road trips are all part of the Oregon hospitality landscape, and we are excited to give students the opportunity to plan and prepare for this exciting career choice.”

Start here, go anywhere with ASCEND Hotel and Tourism Management. 

Interested in joining ASCEND? Check out this link to learn more. 

Every person on this planet feels stressed to a certain degree. Stressors as a student, or as a teenager, can vary widely for each individual. Deadlines, expectations of growing up, relationships, and getting decent grades are all things that can cause stress. Stress can seem never-ending, but making a game plan can be a great way to cope with the weight on your shoulders instead of fighting against it.

Here’s a refined list of tips and coping methods for managing stress.

Visualization

• A major part of stress management is psychological. A great way to release stress is to visualize yourself releasing from the stressor. For example, say you have a test that’s stressing you out – visualizing yourself doing well and staying calm can help you feel relaxed and more confident, which can result in a better performance.

Exercise

• Exercising is a great way to blow off steam. Physical activity releases endorphins that trigger a positive feeling in the body. It doesn’t have to be intense cardio or running a mile, it can simply be doing yoga or going on a quick walk. You can even study while exercising. You could listen to an audiobook while going on a walk or study flashcards while stretching. A great way to get exercise when you have a lot to do is to take a screen break every twenty-five to thirty minutes to stretch or get up and walk around.

Aromatherapy

• This option can be limited to those who have access to a diffuser, but aromatherapy also includes candles and body oils or creams – anything that smells pleasant but not too strong. This method can help you feel more energized and present in the moment while further relaxing your mind.

Journaling

• Express gratitude by journaling about your day. A simple notebook that can hold your thoughts will help you release the stress of the day. It’s helpful to note the positives and negatives of each day. This helps put life into perspective and shows that a bad day is just one day of your whole life.

Creating Art

• You can draw something simple, paint abstract art, or take pictures of objects and nature around you. If you aren’t into painting or drawing, there are adult coloring books that can help take your mind off the day, even if you only have a few minutes to spare. 

Refresh/Reset

• A great way to feel better when feeling overwhelmed is to refresh your brain and body. A quick warm shower can relax your tense muscles. Simply washing your face can help you feel clean and rid your mind of brain fog.

Listen to Music

• Upbeat music can help you feel more positive while a slow tempo will relax your muscles. Music plays a huge role in a person’s mood. Try turning on some soothing tunes next time you feel overloaded.

These methods can be flexible to your personal needs. Everyone has varying stressors and will need different coping strategies. The best way to get help with school stress is to reach out to advisors and teachers. If you’re feeling constantly stressed, brighter days are ahead so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Music is a powerful thing. It’s emotionally resonant, a conversation starter, and has even been proven to be a helpful tool for studying. 

ORCA undoubtedly has a number of music appreciators and listeners in its staff and student body, presenting a great opportunity to share all of that great music with the rest of the school. 

The Current will be putting together a first-of-its-kind school playlist over the course of this month, completely curated by members of Oregon Charter Academy. Both staff and students are encouraged to submit one song each in this form to be added to the school playlist. 

Songs should be school-appropriate both lyrically and thematically, with school-appropriate album artwork as well. Songs are welcome to be either mainstream or obscure as long as they adequately represent your music taste at this current time. When the playlist is released, your name will NOT be featured alongside the song you suggested. 

Let’s finish the 2021-2022 school year with an awesome soundtrack, ORCA!

As one of the prevailing universal languages for communication and relaxation, the electrifying beats, varying timbres, and quality instrumentation displayed through music are a beautiful way to share feelings for special events or explore new interests. Music Club aims to highlight ORCA’s wide array of talented creators in their upcoming showcase on May 20, 2022. 

From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Music Club will be hosting a virtual field trip that will take place in the Music Club’s Zoom room. This will enable many students to experience the various melodies their classmates have to offer with no limitations on genre. During the showcase, club members and advisors will offer ORCA students that aren’t in Music Club a sneak peek of its inner workings. 

Students of all grade levels are encouraged to explore pieces submitted by the club’s composers. Mr. Cralen, an advisor of the club, states, "Once we started talking about the Showcase, a combination event with a Google Site seemed like the best way to capture the wide range of skills and presentations of music that the Music Club embodies.” 

Feel free to tune in to the talented students’ display of musicianship fostered by Music Club’s passionate environment, as it is a great opportunity to socialize with other students that love music. For more information regarding the field trip, visit Field Trip Central to RSVP.

Audiobooks are a great option for those who have a hard time getting into the reading zone. If you like podcasts, you just might enjoy audiobooks. Listening to books in your free time or while on a walk is a great way to enjoy literature or complete a reading assignment for a class. 

Here are some great audiobooks that are easy to access using Sora.

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer, narrated by Rebecca Soler

  • The story of Cinderella takes a sci-fi twist in this best-selling novel by Marissa Meyer. Set far into the future, this book is the first of The Lunar Chronicles series. Cinder, the main character, is an outcast in New Beijing due to the fact that she is a cyborg. Her life gets even more complicated when the charming Prince Kai visits her in the market with a broken android in need of repairs. After Cinder’s beloved step-sister is infected by a deadly plague without a cure, she learns something about herself that would make her even more of an outcast if people found out. 

• Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata, narrated by Kimberly Farr

  • A twelve-year-old girl has two sides to her story that has yet to be revealed. Born in California, Sumiko, a Japanese-American, never imagined that the discrimination towards her family, and many others, would further reject her from having the normal life that she yearned for. December 7, 1941 was when the attack on Pearl Harbor surfaced. As a result, the United States government was convinced that Japanese citizens were spies, including Sumiko’s family. Fleeing from the only home that Sumiko ever knew, she finds acceptance and friendship. As Sumiko and her friend cross paths between a camp in Poston and a Native American plantation, they’ve redefined what friendship means in this bittersweet historical novel.

• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, narrated by Kate Kellgren 

  • As classic and infamous a period piece there ever was, the name of this book must already be ringing some bells. This particular novel can be considered the template for the hate-to-love romantic trope, hence pride and prejudice. Where two characters such as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy initially dislike each other based on a first impression, they later grow to love one another as the story progresses. The basic premise of the story is the happenings of Elizabeth’s life with the societal norms of the 1800s. She’s from a seemingly well-off family, with five memorable sisters, an emotionally driven mother, and a coolly indifferent father. As Elizabeth’s older sister Jane becomes familiar with Mr. Darcy’s friend, Elizabeth herself must endure the acquaintance of Mr. Darcy and his disagreeable nature. With classism, misunderstandings, development, family, and room for romance, this storybook read is not one that will be easily erased from pop culture. 

• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Rob Inglis

  • This classic novel is the prelude to The Lord of the Rings series. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading it already, The Hobbit is an adventure that anyone can enjoy. The protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, develops from a shy, lazy hobbit to a fierce adventurer. Bilbo, thirteen dwarves, and a wise wizard go on a valiant journey to the Lonely Mountain to kill the nefarious dragon Smaug and take back the treasure that rightfully belongs to the dwarves.

• The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett & Jory John, narrated by Adam Verner

  • Miles Murphy is the new kid in Yawnee Valley. At his old elementary school, he was a prank legend, but going to a whole new school and starting over? He’s not so sure. When Miles starts attending Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy, he realizes that there is already a middle school prankster at the academy, and asks if he wants to join forces. Will they be the ultimate prank duo? Or will there be an all-out prank war? 

• Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan, narrated by Trini Alvarado 

  • Set during the Great Depression, this coming-of-age story is based on one immigrant’s real experiences. The story was inspired by stories the author’s grandmother told her about moving from Mexico to the United States. The plot focuses on Esperanza Ortega, the main character, as she learns what it means to grow up and mature, opening her eyes to other living situations. In Mexico, Esperanza was a wealthy twelve-year-old living a life of privilege in a lavish home with many to take care of her. But in the States, she is a young girl now alone in her head after being forced to flee from those who murdered her father, with only her mother and surrogate family to depend on for survival. Follow Esperanza on her journey to a labor camp across the U.S. border as she discovers how to look after those she loves, and equally as important, herself as well. 

• The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis, narrated by LeVar Burton 

  • Kenny is one of the Watsons, a relatively average African-American family composed of himself, an older brother, a younger sister, and his parents. As a slice of life story with an overarching element of family, this novel provides insight into the mind of a bright ten-year-old as he navigates the inner workings of the Watsons. Before they go to Birmingham for a climactic coming-of-age event, Kenny, his brother Byron, and sister Joey first come to understand that family is hard, loving is harder, and missing each other is the worst. Young Kenny turns out to be an imperfect character, however intelligent and perceptive, and by the end of the novel learns there is power that lies in familial love. 

With audiobooks, there’s something for every learning style. You can read and listen at the same time, or listen while doing something active. You can borrow audiobooks from your local library for free.

Author’s note: You can find any of these books in Sora. 

Tiffany Pfenning, or Señora Pfenning as she is known by many of her students, has been a high school Spanish teacher at ORCA for only a year, but she has stepped up to advise two clubs and teaches many classes. She is currently teaching the Spanish I, Spanish II, and Middle School Spanish courses, and she advises both the Spanish Buddies and Dancers Unite clubs. Señora Pfenning has taught in many different fields, including language arts and dance, but found her calling in the field of linguistics. Most of what she teaches is influenced by those fundamental interests and her determined personality. 

When Señora Pfenning was learning Spanish in high school, she grew to love the language. Her passion and curiosity not only fueled her but also inspired her to spread her knowledge throughout the academic community. She went on to get her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Oregon. Afterward, wanting to help students by teaching Spanish as well as Hispanic culture, she got her Master of Arts in teaching. She felt joy in seeing her students break out of their comfort zones as she taught for many years in-person before joining the ORCA staff. She gained the gift of helping her students thrive in the Spanish-speaking world. 

She knows the online teaching environment has challenges as well as unique possibilities. Señora Pfenning mentions that not being able to see her students is a downside due to the pandemic and online teaching. However, it’s now easier for them to access and contact her whenever they need to and she sees that as an advantage. 

Like all teachers, there is a unique side to Señora Pfenning that is brought out by her students. Señora Pfenning has been, and will continue to be, an inspirational figure at ORCA, a school striving to forge diversity in the student body. 

Whether it’s a moody love song or a sensational collaboration between two artists, some pop songs are worth listening to. These are seven diverse pop song recommendations that have been gathered up just for you pop lovers.

• “pov” by Ariana Grande

  • With a moody but beautiful meaning, “pov” is a song about the artist’s admirer who loves her more than she loves herself. From one of Ariana Grande’s widely popular albums, “pov” is another radio hit from the ubiquitous pop artist.

• “Waste It On Me” by BTS, Steve Aoki

  • “Waste It On Me” has an upbeat feeling that easily gets stuck in your head. It’s about a couple, where the girl is very secretive and doesn’t want to do anything with her partner. The girl thinks love is a waste of time, and her partner’s response is: "Then waste it on me."

• “Had Me @ Hello” by Luke Benward 

  • "Had Me @ Hello" by Luke Benward is an upbeat love song about two teens that have crushes on each other but don’t realize the feeling is mutual. Originally from the Disney movie "Girl vs. Monster," Olivia Holt also recorded a version of this song.

• “ELEVEN” by IVE

  • As the debut song of Korean girl group IVE, “ELEVEN” reached over 10 million views on Youtube in the first 24 hours of release. “ELEVEN” has a memorable and elegant beat that makes you want to dance along. In addition to the amazing choreography, this song expresses how teamwork brings out the best results.

• “PS5” by Salem Ilese, TOMORROW X TOGETHER feat. Alan Walker

  • Singer of iconic TikTok song “Mad at Disney,” Salem Ilese also recently collaborated with rising Korean boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeonjun and Taehyun featuring Alan Walker to produce a song about the reality of today’s young relationships. The chorus verse “It's me or the PS5” summarizes how some Gen Z couples have trouble choosing between games or a relationship. “PS5” is not only a great song, but it also has a humorous and relatable meaning.

• “At My Worst” by Pink Sweat$

  • Starting with a soft beginning, “At My Worst” is the epitome of what people want in a perfect relationship. The soft and addicting beat gives off emotional but happy vibes. With just the right aura for joyful and sad days, this song is perfect for situations where you just want to be alone.

• “Isabelle” by Zach Hood

  • The artist composed this song after he met a girl named Isabelle in LA. He spent a memorable weekend with her and developed a strong desire to make an upbeat and carefree song that reflected the happiness they experienced during their short time together.

Now you can listen to a new genre or language through these songs.

For students, prom marks one of the most important events of the high school experience. And fortunately, this year ORCA brought back a spectacular in-person prom for all high school students to remember. 

With a theme of “Enchanted Forest,” ORCA’s prom lasted three hours on the evening of April 23 at the Grand Theatre in Salem. Students who arrived at the venue waited in line outside the theater before taking an elevator to the ballroom floor. For many, the ride was quiet as students were taken up to spend the next few hours with a large group of people who most had never met before in their life. 

But there was a memorable night planned ahead, hosted by the school and put together by the student government. There were three rooms – one for music and dancing, another for food and drinks, and a game room. 

As the prom went on, the dance floor filled up, and the conversations became louder as ORCA students made fast friends, joined dance circles, and crowded the photo booth. 

Student senator Alex Leventhal, who helped plan the event, noted it was rough not having an in-person prom the previous few years, but it was “really great” to finally meet up with classmates. 

ORCA student Jack M. added that there were fun games, including an intense mega-sized Jenga that consistently attracted a crowd. He mentioned that it was "a crazy prom" and a new and intimidating experience. As a first-time prom-goer, he commended the event as it was "fun to be outside 'cause you're always cooped up inside all the time."

The wide array of desserts, largely different takes on brownies, was a big hit. The lemon dessert, cheesecake squares, and creampuffs were all recommended by different attendees. However, the apple pie and cookie brownies seemed to garner the most praise. 

Music at the event ranged from prom staples such as “Sweet Caroline” and “Macarena” to classic hits from just about every decade since the 1970s. Chaperone and ORCA teacher Dave Yanowitz commented that he was “glad to see the youth of today appreciating the old classics."

But prom’s biggest success was the in-person socialization aspect. Many students and teachers mentioned that making connections, meeting friends, and putting faces to names was their biggest highlight – or for others, putting heights to names, with student Eric Traub noting that one of his teachers was “way taller than expected.” 

Perhaps the biggest compliment came from an out-of-school guest who attended the event. They appreciated the surprisingly "authentic" feel and ability to make friends, adding that the prom was great and "more fun" than they thought it would be.

As the evening came to an end, students gathered around the elevator in a large and lively crowd full of new friends and familiar faces – marking a memorable night and one of the biggest highlights of ORCA’s 2021-2022 school year. 

Prom photos are featured in the image carousel. 

ORCA had a successful in-person prom Saturday night. Let’s look at the top headlines from the event. 

Students Surprised Mic and Camera are on Throughout All of Prom 

In a surprising twist, attendees to ORCA’s 2022 prom were informed that their mic and camera would be on the entire time. 

“It’s definitely a challenge having everyone be able to see me,” said one student. 

Others praised the freedom of the new format. 

“It’s really nice not having to raise my hand before speaking or ask for camera rights,” claimed another prom attendee. 

New reports indicate that the Zoom chat was disabled for the event as well. 

Student Still Trying to Log in to In-Person Prom

After misreading ORCA’s prom announcement, a student wasted two hours Saturday night trying to log into in-person prom from a lonely street corner in Salem. 

“I couldn’t find a Zoom link, a WI-FI network, or anything!” the student lamented. 

Thankfully, the student discovered the door before the dance was over and managed to enter in time to sing the last BA BA BA in “Sweet Caroline.”

Tragedy: This Student Dropped Dessert on His Rented Tuxedo 

In a tragedy that rivals the likes of Hamlet and Macbeth, an unfortunate student spilled the filling of a cookie brownie on his rented tuxedo. 

His cry of “NOOOOO” was drowned out by the loud music. 

Thankfully, the filling was miraculously the same color as the jacket’s lapel. However, it is still believed that the suit rental store will notice the chocolate-y stain. 

Students Forget How to Talk at In-Person Prom 

ORCA students had a difficult time adapting their speech habits to an in-person event during prom. 

Forgetting that they weren’t conversing in a Zoom chat anymore, students finished every sentence by loudly screaming “LOL!” or “XDXDXD.” 

Some students even named specific emojis when asked to talk about their feelings.

Chaperoning Teacher Takes Advantage of In-Person Prom to Tell Student to Turn in Overdue Paper

An unsuspecting student was met by her English teacher Saturday night at prom after forgetting to respond to her email. She was reminded of an overdue paper. 

“At least three pages, APA format, and don’t forget the abstract!” said the teacher. 

The student spent the rest of prom split between the dance floor and lamenting that she took an Honors-level course. 

Newspaper Club Daunted by the Task of Having to Ask People Questions 

Writers for The Current at prom were challenged by the in-person setting. 

“Wait, we need to actually talk to people? Like, face to face?” one reporter was overheard asking. 

Another newspaper club member tried to open a Google Doc with the person standing in front of him but was flummoxed by the sharing settings. 

Apparently the reporting was so bad that The Current staff lost their notes about the evening's events and resorted to just making stuff up.

First, it was Spotify and Pixel Art – but now Canvas has joined the list of blacklisted websites. 

After the new Canvas block last week, students were unsure what to do with their Chromebooks.

Now students are left without internet and spend all day playing the offline browser dino game—oh wait, that’s blocked, too. Overdue lessons and missing attendance are piling up on Canvas accounts. 

Teachers are confused about why their students aren’t showing up to classes anymore.

“It’s like they all disappeared,” a teacher said. “I think Thanos’s snap came true after all!”

The Current was not able to reach out to students for a quote. Additionally, the newspaper staff are forced to buy black market Chromebooks to release their issues. 

May the fourth be with you! 

National Star Wars day is upon us, and what better way is there to celebrate the galaxy far, far away than to rewatch the films of the iconic series? With all due respect to fans of The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, Clone Wars, or any other made-for-TV content, below is a ranking of just the heart of the franchise: all eleven Star Wars feature films listed from worst to best.

The opinions expressed below are solely the author’s. Art is subjective and therefore cannot be definitively ranked. 

Major spoilers below:

11. Episode I: The Phantom Menace

This movie is just objectively awful. Terrible acting, poor dialogue, CGI worse than most videogame cutscenes, and Jar Jar Binks drive nearly all 136 minutes of The Phantom Menace into the ground. The film may also have the most boring plot of any movie in the franchise. 

But any Star Wars movie, even this terrible, has some redeeming qualities. The Phantom Menace offered another iconic score from the legendary John Williams and a memorable villain (and lightsaber duel) with the introduction of Darth Maul. Still, this film is really only worth watching if the viewer is set on seeing every movie in the franchise. 

10. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Director Rian Johnson’s ambitious attempts at subverting expectations and taking the franchise in a new direction would’ve deserved commendation if every move he made wasn’t such a massive misstep. This film is a mess. 

The script disrespects old characters and makes the newer ones even more boring. Plot contrivances take up much of the runtime. Its philosophical leanings feel cheap and uninteresting. 

Still, this movie is absolutely gorgeous to look at with its various locations and excellent designs. The opening bomber sequence is solid entertainment as well. It’s admittedly watchable although largely unenjoyable. 

9. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Episode IX: Deus Ex Machina may have been a more accurate title, but this entry deserves credit for trying to backpedal from the mess that was Episode VIII. Still, it has even more contrivances than its predecessor. 

There are some fun action scenes and touching moments here -- Kylo Ren’s final interaction with Han Solo deserves some credit -- but a weak finale ruins any forward momentum this movie gains. To its credit, Episode IX is another visual masterpiece thanks to the impressive work of Industrial Lights & Magic.  

That being said, “Somehow, Palpatine returned” has to rank among the worst lines in cinematic history. 

 8. Episode II: Attack of the Clones

With this film, the list enters “enjoyable” territory. Well, for the most part. The dialogue in this episode is hilariously incompetent at best, but this movie corrects many of the mistakes of The Phantom Menace. 

The world-building here is more immersive, the characters slightly less wooden, and the action scenes are much improved. Screen legend Christopher Lee is also a blast as Count Dooku. Attack of the Clones has plenty of flaws but they fit well into the campy tone of the film. It’s a fun watch – if you can ignore most of the dialogue. 

7. Solo: A Star Wars Story

This prequel is… fine. It’s a fun little heist film with good performances all around and a lead actor who thankfully doesn’t try too hard to imitate Harrison Ford’s take on the titular character. 

Solo: A Star Wars Story is entertaining and provides some enjoyable context to Han Solo’s origin, but its biggest sin is taking Han on his Episode IV character arc well before it happens. The fact that the film’s somewhat cliffhanger ending never resulted in any sequels hurts as well. 

6. Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Hindsight is 20/20, and many have blamed The Force Awakens for setting in motion the flaws of the rest of the sequel trilogy. Put that aside though, and you have a decent, middle-of-the-road Star Wars movie. Besides, this film was the first Star Wars episode to be released in around a decade, making for a thoroughly memorable theater experience. 

This film has some great scenes, a solid storyline, and the chemistry between characters is the best out of the entire sequel trilogy. It’s certainly imperfect but the film more than accomplished what it set out to do. It does repeat the same basic plot outline of A New Hope, but this is the same franchise that cycled through two Death Stars in its first three installments. It’s a little annoying but hardly a big issue. 

5: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

With this entry on the list, we enter “good” territory. Revenge of the Sith has its issues but it strikes a great balance between the goofy feel of the prequels and the grand story it’s trying to tell. 

The first two thirds feel like an improved take on the two films before it -- with noticeably better special effects -- while the third act’s tragic turn is surprisingly riveting. This film has somehow improved with time, and the incredible meme potential in each scene has only further immortalized its impact on pop culture. 

4. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi 

Return of the Jedi may be the worst of the original trilogy, but it’s still an undeniably great movie. It slightly stumbles in the second act with the Ewok sequence, but recovers brilliantly thanks to an iconic finale. The confrontation between Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Emperor Palpatine is some of the greatest Star Wars content to ever grace the silver screen. 

Episode VI a fitting culmination to one of the most legendary and influential film trilogies ever. 

3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Although not one of the main nine episodes, Rogue One is one of the greatest Star Wars films ever made. It introduces some great new characters and locations into the franchise and takes an interesting angle by largely focusing on non-force-sensitive characters. 

Instead, this is the closest a Star Wars film will ever get to a war movie with its fairly gritty tone. And it absolutely works, playing out like the best game of Star Wars: Battlefront ever. The bittersweet ending comes as a painful yet enjoyable change from the blockbuster format. 

And that final scene with Darth Vader that blends perfectly into the opening sequence of A New Hope is cinematic perfection. 

2. Episode IV: A New Hope 

This is what started it all. A late 70s space western take on the classic hero's journey, this film defined much of what modern sci-fi tries to emulate today.  

It’s noticeably simpler and more low budget than what would follow, but that just adds to the charm that makes this movie a classic. It also introduced some of the most memorable characters of all time and the special effects still hold up pretty well today. 

If there’s one complaint, the post-release edits that can be found in just about every current copy of this film actually hurt the overall quality. Han shot first! 

1. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back is everything great about Star Wars and more. It takes what A New Hope did so well and adds some introspection while maintaining the high-level stakes and awesome space combat. 

“Awesome” is the best word to use here, as this film is just about perfect. It also doesn’t hurt that it contains the greatest plot twist in cinema history. The Empire Strikes Back is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys movies. 

The wide array of field trips available to students, both virtual and in-person, help ORCA students stay connected and remind us how online school translates into real-world experiences.

Let’s take a look at some of the field trips ORCA is offering for the month of May:

NASA Space Center Houston Live Stream on Life on the International Space Station (5/13)

“Ever wonder what it is like to work and live in space?” asks the event description. 

Students at every grade level can join Space Center Houston’s interactive presentation about daily life in the International Space Station on May 13th. 

“Discover how astronauts carry out daily tasks including eating, exercising and conducting science experiments in orbit,” the description states, adding that students can “learn about the weightless environment [of space] and the effects it has on the human body.” 

Under the Sea Virtual Aquarium Tour: Student Lead! (5/13)

This K-8 field trip will be unique because it will be student-led. 

The activities at this event will consist of icebreakers, sea animal facts, Mad Libs, a Kahoot, and a virtual aquarium tour. It will be a fun underwater adventure led by some of the great students here at ORCA. 

Northern Arizona University Virtual Campus Tour (5/18) 

This virtual field trip will be an hour-long tour of Northern Arizona’s campus for high school students. 

“Are you interested in pursuing post high school studies in science, education, engineering, health, business, or even hotel and restaurant management?” reads the event description. “Please join us for a virtual tour of Northern Arizona University located in beautiful Flagstaff, AZ, where you can select from over ninety undergraduate degrees.”

The tour will cover much of the campus in a virtual setting, including key features such as the academic buildings, recreation and performing arts centers, residence facilities, and much more.

Portland State University Tour (5/20)

Portland is Oregon’s biggest city and PSU is the Portland university with the biggest student body. It offers over 200 degree programs. Started just after World War II as the Vanport Extension Center, with just 220 students, the school was first located in the largely black Vanport city of wartime shipyard workers, near present day Delta Park in North Portland. PSU relocated multiple times after the disastrous flood of 1948 and has been at the current site in downtown Portland since 1952. 

Join ORCA teachers Michael Sheehan and Dave Yanowitz as they tour through this diverse campus brimming with academics, culture and innovation. 

CTE Workshop: LinkedIn (5/20)

Making connections and using social media responsibly are both important in the modern job market. This field trip will include six reasons why it’s a good choice to start a LinkedIn page as well as tips for setting one up. 

Although the event is part of ORCA’s ASCEND pathway, it is open to all 10-12 grade students in the school.

ORCA Art Club Gallery Show (5/20) 

This field trip, open to all grade levels, will showcase the work of ORCA students in the school’s Art Club. Some artists will also be available for a Q&A session. Non-club members are also welcome to submit art to be showcased using this Google form. 

Attendees are asked to enjoy the show while being respectful of the hard work and creativity of the artists. 

As with all of the events listed above, more information on this field trip, including the RSVP link, can be found in Field Trip Central. 

The field trips listed above are just a few of the many field trips offered by ORCA this May. Make sure to check out the school’s constantly updating Field Trip Central, which can be found in the Principal’s Office, for a listing of every available field trip. 

What is ORCA’s favorite school subject? We asked, and you answered.

After 39 responses from ORCA students, English Language Arts won the majority with a whopping 35.9% of the voters naming it as a favorite subject. In a close second, Science received 25.6% of the votes.

The Current thanks each voter for their participation. 

Do you have a school-related question or need some academic advice? ORCA’s National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society are here to help with an advice column intended to provide answers to all of your educational inquiries. 

I need advice on how to stay organized as the school year comes to an end. Any tips?

- Ned A. Vice

Dear Ned A. Vice,

At the end of a school year, things tend to pile up and that’s normal. One great way to stay on track is to make daily to-do lists and weekly planners to prepare for upcoming projects or test dates. You should also reach out to your teachers or advisors to ask for individual advice and make a plan to get caught up. You could also clear your work area and organize everything, and if you need help getting started, then watch a video or ask someone for help. Finally, you can virtually organize your computer using Google Drive and create files for different subjects. Contact your teachers or the ORCA help desk quickly if you run into any tech issues.

Best wishes,

ORCA’s NHS & NJHS

Have a question about academics? Ask the NHS advice column! All submissions will be anonymous. 

You can submit your questions here. Questions must be submitted by the end of the first week of the month to be able to appear in The Current. Entries submitted after the deadline may appear in later editions.