January 2023

Get ready for some fun before the end of the semester! This year, ORCA’s Student Government leaders organized “Winter Social,” a new in-person, casual event for high school students to play games, socialize, and get to know each other before Prom in the spring. 

Winter Social will take place from 5-7 p.m. on January 21, 2023. The event, which is a new take on what was formerly a virtual Winter Formal, is a perfect opportunity to meet new and old friends and have an enjoyable Saturday evening. This is a casual event and formal attire is not required.

There will be many games and activities put together by Student Government’s Event Planning Committee, including charades, group board games, giant Jenga, and an in-person Kahoot. They’ve also organized a playlist to listen to in the background. 

Additionally, ORCA’s National Honor Society is planning a canned food drive at the event with help from Student Government. If you are able to bring canned food to this event, NHS will transport donations to the non-profit Wilsonville Community Sharing.

“This is such a unique event for the high school. This year we wanted to make the transition from Winter Formal to more of a social environment, resulting in Winter Social!” said committee leader Reagan Stanek. “We hope that this serves as a way to meet with friends or make new ones so that the student body will be ready to have even more fun at prom… Make sure to stop by and meet some of your executive board members and high school senators.”

You can find more information regarding Winter Social and how to RSVP in Field Trip Central, located in the Principal's Office.

Chances are, at some point in your life, you’ve made a New Year’s resolution… and then broken it. 

We all plan to start new with a big goal and mission for self-improvement, but more often than not, these plans don’t stick. In fact, more than half of all resolutions fail – but this year, it doesn’t have to be one of yours. With each January comes a fresh start and the chance to kick off the year strong. 

Here’s how to identify the right resolution to improve your life, create a plan on how to reach it, and achieve almost any goal you set for yourself. 

Step 1: Find the Right Resolution

Most goals fail because they’re not the right resolutions. This may be because they are too vague or you don’t have a realistic plan for achieving your goal. 

If that’s the case, try creating a SMART goal: 

• Specific: When setting a goal, don’t be vague about what you want to accomplish. Think about what steps you need to take to achieve your goal and identify any related obstacles or requirements.

• Measurable: Quantifying your goals – that is, making sure they’re measurable – makes it easier to track progress and know when you’ve reached the finish line. What metrics will you use to determine if you’ve met the resolution? Knowing this ahead of time makes a goal more tangible because it provides a way to measure progress.

• Achievable: While setting a goal, it should be realistic and something you can reasonably accomplish. Goals should challenge you to test boundaries, improve skills, and try new things without being infeasible. 

• Relevant: Here’s where you need to think about the big picture. Why is this goal important to you? Make sure your resolutions align with your values and long-term objectives. 

• Timely: Deadlines are crucial to implementing goals, as they are the driving force to taking action. Without a time limit, it is easy to lose motivation. Deadlines provide a sense of urgency so that short-term tasks don’t drag on or lose momentum. Setting a clear time frame will help solidify your goal and push you to get it done. 

Defining these parameters as they pertain to your goals helps ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame. The key to a strong goal is beginning with the end in mind and knowing how to get there. 

Did you know? You are 42% more likely to accomplish your goals if you write them down, according to a study by psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews. Putting your goals into writing helps clarify what you want, motivate you to take action, and overcome resistance. 

Although writing down your goal doesn’t guarantee that you will accomplish it, once you set a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you are halfway there. 

Step 2: Take Action 

So you made a plan. You have somewhere to start... but now what?

This is where the action begins – and where most people tend to lose motivation and give up on their resolutions. 

Writing down your resolutions is only the beginning. A goal without action is just a wish. This is why planning a course of action and sticking with it is a crucial part of your mission. 

The reason most resolutions don’t work out is because of the tendency to focus on the big picture instead of the actions to reach that goal. Whenever you embark on a new vision, you must first evaluate which habits you need to change or acquire to achieve success. 

Then, start off with small steps. Taking on too much too quickly is a common reason many New Year's resolutions fail. Completing too many assignments in one day, overdoing it at the gym, or radically altering your normal routine are surefire ways to derail your plans. Instead, focus on taking tiny steps that ultimately lead you to reach your larger goal. 

For instance, if you resolve to run a marathon, start out by jogging several times a week, then slowly work up to longer runs and exercise more often. While it may seem like a slow start, these small, incremental changes make it easier to stick to your new habits and increase the likelihood of long-term success. Small changes add up to big wins. 

Making it a habit to work towards your goal every day is essential to achieving any resolution. 

The buddy system is also a great way to find support while working towards your goal. If you and a friend decide on the same resolution, having another person there for encouragement can help keep you accountable and improve morale.

Step 3: Track Progress

Resolutions can be hard – and it’s especially difficult when you aren’t seeing any progress. This is why tracking your goal helps you stay motivated and maintain momentum. 

Keeping track of your journey will enable you to see and celebrate your progress and make sure you’re headed in the right direction. These milestones show you how far you’ve come and how far you need to go. Thanks to technology, this has become easy to do. 

Habit-tracking apps or spreadsheets are great tools to track the days you’ve worked on your goal and visualize your progress. Consider keeping a resolution journal to track successes and struggles. Write down your progress and the reasons you’re working toward your goal, and refer to them during times of discouragement. 

Keeping track of your progress helps keep you accountable and provides an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments. Even if you haven’t yet reached your end goal, it is still important to recognize and reward the smaller successes along the way. 

Step 4: Tackle Obstacles

After the first month or so, it can be easy to lose that initial spark of motivation. Keep that inspiration alive by continuing to work on your goals, even after facing setbacks. 

If you suddenly relapse into a bad habit, don't view it as an excuse to quit altogether. The path toward your goal is not always a straight one, and there will often be roadblocks along the way. Instead, view these challenges as learning opportunities. 

If your current approach is not working, reevaluate your strategies and develop new ones if need be. Being flexible with your plan – and even your end goal – will help you find a way to be successful. By understanding the challenges you face, you will be better prepared to deal with them in the future. 

Remember that the days when you want to quit are when it is most important to keep pushing forward. Obstacles are an opportunity to build character during moments of low spirits because building a habit of quitting can be detrimental to reaching your goals. 

There will always be temptations and obstacles that could easily derail you from your resolution. Planning ahead for possible obstacles can help equip you to handle the unexpected hurdles that pop up along the way. Consider the roadblocks you’ll most likely encounter and how to navigate these challenges, and then develop a plan to tackle them. 

Step 5: Leap Back from Failure

Life happens. Unavoidable obstacles get in the way. So what happens if you end up not reaching your goal?

First, don’t beat yourself up. Mistakes are part of the process. But what matters is what you learn from them. 

If things don’t work out, start again fresh. You don’t have to wait until another year comes around to give it another go. Improvement is all about persistence and trying again until you succeed. 

The important thing is to remember your past failures and learn from them. Evaluate your resolutions – what went wrong? What techniques were effective? How can you do better next time? Find what is preventing you from achieving your goals and stick with what works. 

Always remember that change is a process. Even if you make missteps, you can always restart and continue on your journey toward your goal. Achieving your resolutions can be a rough journey and is easier said than done – but in the end, the reward is worth it. 

It’s hard to think of a name more synonymous with movies than Steven Spielberg. The award-winning filmmaker is the most commercially successful director of all time, as well as the mind behind countless childhood favorites, gritty dramas, and instant classics over the course of a legendary career. 

But it wasn’t always that way for Spielberg, who fought through the same struggles every young artist faces and more on his way to Hollywood. That story eventually found its way to Spielberg’s longtime collaborator (and The Fablemans co-writer) Tony Kushner, who convinced the famed director to finally commit to turning it into a film, something Spielberg had long resisted due to the project’s extremely personal nature. 

As a result, The Fabelmans – not The Spielbergs – was born, a fictionalized take on Spielberg’s childhood that allowed the director to craft a tale heavily inspired by his upbringing but not bound by the restraints of perfect historical accuracy. 

The result is fantastic. 

Gabriel LaBelle plays Sammy Fabelman, this story’s version of Spielberg, whose love of filmmaking becomes apparent at a young age but is tested as family drama and conflict arise. It’s a tough role for a young actor like LaBelle, especially since he’s directed by the man he’s trying to portray on-screen. But LaBelle performs admirably, rarely a showstopper, but instead remarkably believable – which is equally impressive. 

The rest of the cast is filled out by veteran actors such as Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, and Seth Rogen, all of whom unsurprisingly deliver. But it’s David Lynch and Judd Hirsch, each in very small, one-or-two scene roles, who shine the most. Hirsch especially stands out as Sammy Fabelman’s quirky uncle with some experience in show business, and in his few scenes, he perfectly delivers the crux of the film.

“Family, art… it’ll tear you in two!” he tells an intrigued and slightly confused Sammy. 

That line is what sets The Fabelmans apart from other Hollywood projects made as a love letter to filmmaking. This movie is not Spielberg patting himself on the back for a great career or another self-indulgent tribute to the glitz and glamor of the film industry. It also doesn’t force the “just follow your dreams” cliché into its central message. Instead, The Fabelmans recognizes both the beauty of art as well the danger of it becoming an all-consuming obsession, all in what could have easily been a pretentious film otherwise. 

While The Fabelmans doesn’t exactly land every moral message perfectly, it does succeed in the big one. The film is relatable and encouraging to those interested in pursuing art, but also grounded in reality and in some ways a cautionary tale. 

These deep themes are all expertly coated in Spielberg’s specialty: movie magic. The Fabelmans’ retro setting is charming and stylish, while the script has a great balance of humor and drama. The plot’s occasional additions of the unexpected help keep things interesting, yet they still feel earned as the film’s main storyline, including many of its absurdities, is firmly based on real events. 

In a film as well-crafted as this one, there are few complaints. The opening of the movie is a bit slow and saccharine, and there are a few moments throughout where it feels like a scene can stretch out a little longer than necessary. But overall it’s hard to nitpick decisions that were likely made intentionally to capture specific feelings. Again, this was a deeply personal project for Spielberg. 

With a fairly small marketing campaign, some overly-sentimental trailers, and let’s face it… a rather uninspiring title, The Fabelmans may fall under the radar of many moviegoers. But this top-notch coming-of-age story shouldn’t be missed. Sure, it’s a little long for the genre, but Spielberg’s character-driven narrative is captivating and smartly paced, with the story speeding up whenever it starts to slow and providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience. 

The Fabelmans may not be the perfect movie. And with a filmography as deep as Spielberg’s, it may not even crack his top 10. Although The Fabelmans isn’t as revolutionary or generation-defining as some of Spielberg’s earlier work, it’s still a rare personal reflection and a study on the essence of art from a director who certainly knows what he’s talking about. 

And that’s definitely worth a watch. 

The verdict: 9/10

Does pineapple belong on pizza? Is chocolate better than vanilla? You probably have some strong opinions on these topics. And some people may disagree with you.

Discussions are a fun way to bring people together by sharing ideas and connecting with friends. But few topics can spark debate like the controversial question, “Is a hotdog a sandwich?” 

Get ready for some friendly debate with these fun, controversial (but non-political) questions. At The Current, we’re determined to find out what you think – and you can help us by filling out this poll.

To fill out the form, simply select an answer for each question and click “Submit.” You can also include an explanation behind your reasoning as to why your answers are the only correct ones. All responses are anonymous, and the popular results will be featured in The Current’s February issue. 

High school junior Ahnalya De Leeuw has attended ORCA since kindergarten and is well-known as an active and involved student in the many school-related clubs and organizations she is a part of. Outside of ORCA, she enjoys making art, writing poetry, and being creative.

De Leeuw was elected Vice President of ORCA’s Student Government during the 2022-23 Executive Board Elections. Prior to assuming this position, she held the title of Secretary during the 2021-22 school year and Senator during the previous two years. De Leeuw says that her favorite part about being Vice President is having the opportunity to “contribute to a wide range of projects in our committees, and having a voice in other beneficial new changes occurring at ORCA.” She adds that “speaking at assemblies and with administrators to clearly state our needs and successes as students is incredibly validating.”

Outside of Student Government, De Leeuw is an active member of Speech and Debate Club, Pens & Prose, Philosophy Club, National Honor Society, and Newspaper Club. Her favorite subject in school has always been language arts. However, she adds, “I would like to thank every staff member at ORCA who has taught and supported me.”

After high school, De Leeuw is uncertain which college major or career path she would like to pursue. Though she is considering becoming a political consultant or obtaining a “politically administrative position,” which would cater to her interest and skills in marketing, graphic design, and psychology. She mentions that she wouldn’t have considered politics if it wasn’t for some of ORCA’s leadership opportunities such as those in Student Government and other clubs. As an introvert, she’s proving that there is a place for “influential introverted” leaders in all forms of government.

When asked where she would travel to if she could go anywhere, De Leeuw said she would visit Norway to connect more with her heritage and see the landscape in person. “Is this where you say I won a free trip somewhere? I love to travel, I’ll go almost anywhere!” she added jokingly.

De Leeuw says she will certainly run for either Vice President or President for the 2023-24 school year, depending on her own plans for her senior year and other candidates. She knows many leaders at ORCA who would be fit for the role, many of which are her close friends. She hopes that students will be able to attend future elections and have a say in who represents them.

“I would like to extend a reminder that I am here to advocate for you! I’m so honored to be your VP,” De Leeuw tells ORCA students. “Paying attention to both the amazing moments and struggles we face daily and learning from them is what helps make our school so unique and involved, and while part of leadership is independence, I want to thank all my friends, classmates, and ORCA staff for being collaborative and innovative. I’m here to represent you, and you can reach me at my student email anytime!”

On December 1, Oregon Charter Academy announced that the school is now officially part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization. 

Oregon Future Farmers of America is a career and technical organization that supports agricultural education. The program is dedicated to “making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education,” according to the Oregon FFA website. “The Oregon FFA is a three-legged organization encompassing the Association, Foundation, and Alumni that work together to allow Oregon FFA members to thrive, succeed, and be educated in the agriculture industry.”

Students enrolled in ORCA's Veterinary Science pathway courses will automatically be a part of the program. As a member, students will have opportunities to apply for scholarships, enter in competitions, and more. 

FFA members in the Veterinary Science Career Development Event will participate in an in-person competition in April. 

The FFA program was originally founded by a group of young farmers across the country in 1928 with a mission to help prepare future generations to feed America’s growing population. The organization continues to help members develop skills and explore interests in a broad range of career pathways. 

“[The program shows] that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting – it’s a science, it’s a business, and it’s an art,” the website description adds. 

ASCEND Veterinary Science teacher Jessica Morgan is leading the new program at ORCA.

“FFA is still in its early stages, so we are currently working out all the details,” explains ORCA’s FFA Vice President Ingrid Peterson. “It's going to be an extensive way to connect with other students, to encourage networking, along with getting some hands-on experience in veterinary science. I am very excited about the community aspect of it, and can't wait to meet up with everyone for our in-person FFA Competition in April!”

Learn more about the National FFA organization by visiting their website. 

ORCA’s Student Government has long managed a website for students to find information related to school events and student government itself. And under the direction of Website Committee leader Tristan Hughes, the site has recently undergone a number of changes to provide even more helpful resources to ORCA students. 

These new additions most notably include a page titled “Information Center,” a list of 12 FAQs comprised of questions relating to Student Government’s purpose and how to get in touch with its members. Other changes include Field Trip Central being directly embedded in the website for easy access, new bios being featured for Executive Board members, and a calendar titled “Where will we be,” where students can see what ORCA field trips Student Government members will be attending. 

“The part of the updates that I'm the most excited about, in general, is how students will react to new looks, new improvements, and events,” said Hughes. “I always look forward to feedback when it comes to updating our website! But I'm excited for our 2023 updates, they're going to be unlike anything we've ever done before!” 

Hughes mentioned that more changes are on the way, adding, “Make sure to check [the website] every week on Mondays! New updates will be posted then!” 

Besides its new features, the website has other pages such as “Schoolwide Events,” which summarizes which ORCA events Student Government organizes. Additionally, the “Student Senators” and “Executive Board” pages contain the names of the ORCA students serving in Student Government positions. 

“The reason that the Student Government website is a good resource for ORCA students is because we announce field trips, give inside tips, [have] creative projects, and answer questions students may have!” said Hughes. “It's also a good resource for students who want to be social in our online school. Letting students know what field trips are available, and making events easy to access and see is one of our main goals.” 

The Student Government website is accessible via this link as well as through the Principal’s Office/Corner on Canvas. Students interested in requesting features, asking questions, or commenting on the website are welcome to do so using this form. 

“We are excited to announce an upcoming attendance challenge,” reads a December 12 announcement from ORCA’s high school principal Matt Lacy. “Students who maintain an overall attendance percentage of 90% or better up through January 6th, will be entered into a drawing for Harlem Globetrotter tickets.”

Broadcasting platform iHeartRadio donated four tickets to ORCA for the January 21, 2023 Harlem Globetrotter basketball game at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team famous for their entertaining and intentionally comedic playing style. There are two sets of tickets that will be given to two lucky students and one parent/guardian each. 

According to Mr. Lacy, the drawing includes grades K-12. ORCA staff members do not qualify for the drawing.

All you have to do is keep your daily school attendance at 90 percent or higher until January 6 to be automatically entered into the drawing. This is a great reminder that keeping up attendance is an important part of a successful school year.

2022 has been a year for blockbuster books, with a number of quality novels as well as some disappointments. Let’s take a look at some of the year’s most popular books. 

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

After the release of its previously successful novel, The Inheritance Games series is back with a third and highly anticipated finale to a thrilling trilogy. And this time, it’s bigger, better, and more complex than ever. 

The Final Gambit delivers all the wit and mystery established in the previous books – but this time with more at stake. 

The story effectively ties in all the plot points and twists that appeared prior in the series, leaving no loose threads behind. Each puzzle and discovery provides a new opportunity for the characters to fully develop and show an emotionally raw side of themselves, gripping with the struggles of guilt and loss that feel genuinely real. 

However, as the third book in the trilogy, The Final Gambit is tasked with expanding the world and intricate storylines introduced in the previous novels, while delivering new additions and twists to keep the story running. It’s successful in that goal, as the novel expertly crafts a brisk plot of twists and turns that are never-ending, but it loses its heart in the process. 

The plot of The Final Gambit becomes exceedingly worse with a convoluted storyline that quickly loses its appeal, as some plot twists come off as contrived and somewhat predictable. Although the story attempts to keep a balanced tone with its witty dialogue and characters, the humor often comes off as cliché-ridden with cheap attempts at snarky comedy.

Due to the large number of storylines, many side characters become redundant while other prominent individuals are pushed to the sidelines without the time to be fully developed. 

Despite these flaws, the book fixes a lot of the mistakes from the previous novel in the series, which was full of dragging structure and heavy in plot conveniences, inconsistent pacing, and dialogue clichés. 

The Final Gambit shows a strong conclusion to the series’ character growth, especially for the protagonist, who grows from a humble, wide-eyed girl to a sharp-witted and resourceful strategist. 

The story’s brisk pacing keeps the pages turning, but often leaves little time to fully develop the weight of the story’s conflicts and build suspense.

Despite the high stakes of the “final game,” the rushed pacing makes the wins feel too easy. This takes away the suspenseful and edge-of-the-seat climax of the story, leaving a rather anticlimactic ending. The conclusion may result in mixed feelings for some readers as well. 

Though The Final Gambit may not be the perfect conclusion to an ambitious series, it’s undeniably a thrilling and compelling journey that ultimately leaves readers satisfied and reeling. 

Verdict: 7/10

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor 

In Hotel Magnifique, debut author Emily J. Taylor crafts a dark and twisty adventure that takes readers on an unexpected journey behind the doors of a mysterious hotel. 

Taylor eloquently builds an immersive world of magic heavily influenced by French culture. The story is brimming with it – from magician-like performers with their unique gifts to themed guest rooms that transport visitors to another world. However, the magic tends to veer into vague, hand-waving territory rather than a tangible system. 

The book bills itself as a dark fantasy novel perfect for fans of Caraval and The Night Circus. From the first page, the resemblance is uncanny – from its intricate world-building and dark, mind-bending magic to the poetic writing style. But surface-level resemblances aside, Hotel Magnifique fails to live up to the high standards set by Caraval.

The writing style is where the author’s inexperience clearly shows. At times, the story suffers from inconsistent pacing, as some scenes run too fast for the characters and their relationships to fully develop, while other scenes are overstuffed with descriptions. The first half of the novel drags on with slow dialogue and repetitive scenes but doesn’t pick up until the climax. The big revelations at the end are like an info dump – they are clunky and lessen the suspense they try to build. 

This chunky, inconsistent pacing doesn’t leave a lot of time to properly develop the characters either. Mostly, the personalities are just… bland. There is nothing that makes them feel real or at least relatable, and most of the prominent characters come across as one-dimensional. 

The main protagonist, Jani, is the most fleshed-out character in the story – but that doesn’t necessarily translate to her being likable or relatable. Jani mostly seems to create more problems than she solves, making rash and impulsive decisions without understanding the consequences of her actions. Just as you begin to wonder how much trouble one character can inadvertently get themselves into, Jani somehow manages to surpass those expectations. 

Despite its strong world-building and magical atmosphere, Hotel Magnifique lacks the structure and proficient writing to make for a good story. 

Verdict: 5.5/10

The Maze Cutter by James Dashner

So often authors write spin-offs and sequels to cash in on their previously successful works. But more often than not, these spin-offs don't live up to the success of their predecessors – and The Maze Cutter is no exception.

Dashner's bestselling series, The Maze Runner, has long been recognized as one of the best of its genre, with its unique world-building, complex characters, and action-packed mysteries.

Unfortunately, The Maze Cutter is nothing like the original series. 

The Maze Cutter tries to rehash the plot of the original story but without the mystery, intrigue, and fast-paced suspense that made it so compelling in the first place – all while dragging with slow, inconsistent pacing and including redundant plot arcs. 

The book is about 250 pages – a relatively short read – yet most of it was complete fluff. Half of the story could have been removed, and it wouldn’t have changed anything to the overall plot. 

In fact, almost none of the characters from the original series appear in the book – aside from the prologue and a few minor appearances, which try too hard to cash in on the nostalgia of the original story and characters. The story is simply unnecessary. 

Everything about the initial Maze Runner trilogy made it an original, creative story. But it should have ended there. While the series did have an open-ended conclusion, there was no reason for the story to continue. There’s a certain beauty to ending a book with a loose thread, and leaving some mystery was a satisfying way to conclude the trilogy. 

With The Maze Runner dragging on several more spin-offs than it needed, the impact of its original story starts to fade away. 

But it may just be simply impossible to live up to the success of the original series. 

Verdict: 3.5/10

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

From renowned author V.E. Schwab comes another uniquely dark and chilling adventure in which a girl confronts the ghosts of her family’s mysterious past.

Schwab expertly crafts a vivid and visceral world that is effortlessly immersive. The atmospheric setting, matched with dark and detailed illustrations, visually brings the story to life. 

Gallant is effective in keeping a balanced tone with ominous, spine-chilling suspense and some light, heartwarming moments. Though the pacing is slow, it rarely feels tedious and instead focuses on immersive, descriptive scenes and world-building. 

The mystical elements of the story are subtle – real and somewhat creepy, with a touch of supernatural horror. 

It's an excellent setup for a modern-day gothic novel: a haunted house full of secrets, a spectral undercurrent, a morose and gloomy atmosphere, and a rebellious heroine desperate to find a place she belongs.

With its fascinating narrative, well-rounded characters, and theme of familial love, Gallant may be one of the best novels of the year. 

Verdict: 8/10

The gap between winter and spring break can sometimes feel like a marathon when it comes to school work. The lack of entertaining things to do outside of school during the winter months can make it hard to stay focused in class, especially when you’re stuck inside due to the weather.

Here are a handful of activities to do between classes that can break up the monotony of a school day:

Arts and Crafts

Coloring, painting, and drawing digitally are great ways to keep yourself busy throughout the school day. These activities are great for relaxation, fun, and boosting creativity. 

ORCA Clubs 

At ORCA, there are lots of fun groups and clubs you can join. Most clubs meet once a week and have interesting activities to do with your peers and teachers. Clubs are a great way to have social interactions and become more connected in the school community. 

Building a Snowman

In Oregon, snow is a common occurrence in higher elevations throughout the winter months. Checking weather reports daily is a great way to see if snowfall is probable. If you get snow at your house, another fun activity to do is building a snowman. Being active and outside during breaks is a great way to improve your mood and focus when you return to your school work. 

Board Games 

When you need to stay inside for a while, try playing games like Twister, Guess Who?, and checkers. If you don’t have any games at your house then this is a great opportunity to make a game with any art materials around you.

Music

Music is a universal language. Listening to relaxing music can lighten the mood. Playlists can be customized based on the personalities and preferences of people you know. With the mood set, other activities can be planned for a superb family event. 

These are just a few of the many activities that you can try this winter. Who knows, you might create a new seasonal tradition with your family and fight the winter slump at the same time. 

ORCA students sent The Current a number of excellent submissions in December’s song contest.

A dubstep song entitled “You Ain't Ready” won the competition. It was created by a student who requested to remain anonymous but noted that they go by the name DJSparxMusic. The Current would like to thank all entrants for sharing their creativity and talent in the contest. 

To hear the winning song, click on the video player on the left of the headline.

Devon Johnson is an Algebra 1 math teacher at ORCA. Her teaching career began at McMinnville High School, where she taught for two years. Then, she took a 10-year break to raise her kids. After the hiatus, Ms. Johnson started teaching at ORCA and has been a teacher here for the past five years. That may sound like a word problem, so to sum it up, she has been teaching for seven years in total. 

One year she even taught Calculus when she was 22, and all the other students were 17 and 18. “My only advantage was I was taller than them, and I had the teacher's edition book,” she joked.

Inside jokes have always been a factor in Ms. Johnson’s class. Two years ago when she introduced cartoon characters to help students remember math information, her class started calling them the “Creepy Character Family.” Last year, Ms. Johnson’s famous fear of fish turned into a prank where students emailed her fish emojis and showed fish on their cameras weekly. 

“I love being creative about how I can help students understand math and make it so it's not intimidating,” she stated.

This year, the inside jokes are back. A student misspelled ‘slope’ as ‘slop’ for a line equation, which resulted in everyone in the class saying ‘slop’ instead. One day, Ms. Johnson accidentally said “melt water into ice” when she was trying to give an example of different forms of math, and now it’s forever remembered. Over the years, students have even made a document to keep track of all the funny quotes and inside jokes.

Ms. Johnson went to Linfield University for her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, and she earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. Last year a student sent her a fake Ph.D. in Awesomeness and Fear of Fish. “So, I think I am now officially Dr. Johnson?” she joked.

Although she loves teaching, Ms. Johnson’s dream career would be to run professionally. “So, if I could get paid to train and run marathons (and eat all the cereal and peanut M&M's I want!) I would do that,” she said. Her favorite formula is distance equals rate multiplied by time because she loves running, so she can calculate her speed while running to see if she's on pace for her goal.

“My goal is to help everyone appreciate math and be open to the fact that anyone can do it!” stated Ms. Johnson. “The students and the staff I work with every day are so fun, supportive, creative, caring, and funny! I look forward to logging in and interacting with people every day.”

The winter months are the perfect time to get cozy with a bowl of homemade soup. Soup happens to be one of the easiest ways to make a meal with whatever you have in your kitchen. It doesn't have to be perfect, and you can make your own modifications to the recipe depending on the situation.

Seek parental guidance when using kitchen equipment.

Potato-Broccoli-Bacon Soup

This flavorful soup serves four people. It is a different approach to a creamy chicken soup that’s relatively simple to make and doesn’t require pasta.

Ingredients:

3 potatoes (preferably Yukon Gold)

4 cups chicken broth (1 standard carton)

1 bunch broccoli

3 strips cooked bacon

2 tbsp GF flour blend

2 tbsp vegetable oil (preferably avocado oil)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp onion powder

1. Wash and shred two potatoes (or chop finely) and dice the third into larger pieces. You may leave the skin on if preferred. Add the potatoes and oil to a medium saucepan on medium heat, along with salt and onion powder. Cover for seven minutes. Keep an eye on the potatoes during this time to prevent burning.

2. Wash and chop broccoli. Dice bacon into bacon bits.

3. Add flour to the pot and stir. Add broccoli, then broth. Sprinkle the bacon on top and do not stir.

4. Simmer on medium-low heat for about 25 minutes.

Egg Flower Soup

This twist to the well-known egg flower soup serves four people. It is a great meal to have when sick due to it being easy to eat and having plenty of warm broth.

Ingredients:

8 cups chicken broth (2 standard cartons)

2 eggs

2-3 stalks celery

3 green onions

½ cup peas (preferably frozen)

¼ tsp salt

1. Lightly whisk the eggs and set aside. Finely chop the celery and green onions.

2. Add chicken broth, celery, and green onions to a medium saucepan on medium heat. 

3. Once the celery is cooked, add peas.

4. Once the peas are cooked, gradually add the eggs while stirring. The eggs should cook almost instantly if the heat is at a higher temperature. 

5. Salt to taste and serve.

Say what you want about Marvel Studios, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undeniably shaped the course of film-related pop culture for nearly a decade and a half. Over that time, nearly every other Hollywood studio has tried to copy the MCU’s signature style of humor, action, and interconnected stories. But none have hit the jackpot quite like Marvel Studios. 

With the release of November’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the MCU has now completed its fourth "phase" of films, with its first starting back in 2008 with Iron Man. While Marvel Studios’ releases as of late have been wildly inconsistent in terms of quality, it’s still worth it to look back over the franchise’s memorable highs and lows as fans wait for Phase Five to begin.

Before diving into the rankings, keep in mind that the opinions expressed below are solely those of the authors. Art is subjective and therefore cannot be definitively ranked. 

Films will be listed from worst to best. Non-movie productions were excluded for the sake of brevity. And unsurprisingly, be prepared for some mild spoilers below. 

Tier 1: The Abysmal 

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

With a weak storyline and poor overall quality, this movie didn’t hit the mark. It was so bad that Marvel recast Bruce Banner in future films and The Incredible Hulk isn’t even available on Disney Plus.

Eternals (2021)

Eternals tries to do two things: be epic and be funny. It fails at both. The result is a bloated, uninteresting film with few bright spots and some bad CGI. It’s only worth watching if you feel the need to see every MCU film.

Tier 2: The Below Average

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Perhaps the biggest disappointment for Thor is The Dark World. It is set during the present but keeps reflecting on the past, which can get a bit confusing. The film’s tone is similarly unbalanced. 

Black Widow (2021)

Scarlett Johansson finally got her solo movie as Black Widow, but it wasn’t the gritty spy thriller she deserved. Black Widow was an uninspired, run-of-the-mill superhero flick with a terrible third act. The movie as a whole is watchable, but it’s not exactly rewatchable. 

Captain Marvel (2019)

Brie Larson’s lead performance in this film may have been a little over-criticized, but it’s still undeniably bland and forgettable. The same could be said for the entire movie. 

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

It’s so bad it’s bad. Thor: Love and Thunder has an overuse of comedy, a weak plot, and a dumb villain. Coming out after the amazing production of Thor: Ragnorok, it is a huge disappointment. The cast is fun and there are a few hilarious moments, but Love and Thunder is certainly one of the weaker Marvel films. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

With Marvel going in a more magical but still in-the-real-world direction with this movie, it never finds its place in the MCU. The film did have its moments, but its inconsistency keeps it from reaching its potential.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

As the saying goes, a film is only as good as its villains, and both of Iron Man 2’s antagonists are obnoxiously bad. Robert Downey Jr. does give a great performance in this film, and his charm and personality redeem what could’ve been a very bad movie. Still, this one isn’t that great.  

Thor (2011)

Thor tries to be a Shakespearean epic in a cinematic universe that’s anything but, and the result is unsurprisingly a little awkward. Still, there’s something weirdly charming about Thor’s MCU debut. However, once you notice the overuse of Dutch tilts in this film, it ruins around half of the scenes. 

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Age of Ultron has some fantastic concepts that director Joss Whedon fails to execute well. The superhero team-up in this movie is still a lot of fun, though it’s by far the worst of the Avengers films. 

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 is so overstuffed and over-the-top that it almost works. There’s far too much going on at once for this to ever be confused with a good movie, but Iron Man 3 remains eccentric, annoying, and ultimately likable – much like its protagonist. 

Tier 3: The Average

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Thanks to Sam Raimi’s unmistakable direction, this Doctor Strange movie has a brand of humor and horror unique from the rest of the MCU. However, its busy visuals and inconsistent writing keep it from becoming a top-tier Marvel project. 

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Although Spider-Man movies are generally known for alien and mad-scientist enemies, this time the filmmakers thought outside the box. However, Spider-Man: Far From Home’s confusing storyline conflicts with its great actors, but it still makes a movie worth watching. 

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Taking place at the same time as Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp’s humor is above average, and so is its action. It goes into a different and much smaller world than Ant-Man, but its CGI just isn’t as great as the first film.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Captain America’s origin movie may take place in the past, but the film quality, drama, and acting are all well-developed. While it may not reach the highs of future Marvel films, The First Avenger’s 1940s setting is a lot of fun, making this a great, watchable movie for anyone. 

Doctor Strange (2016)

Doctor Strange is set in a world full of sorcerers and magic never seen before in the MCU. The CGI and acting are excellent and the storyline is amazing. However, the lack of a memorable villain keeps the film from being above average. 

Tier 4: The Above Average

Ant-Man (2015)

Ant-Man’s origin story couldn’t have been better. The world is seen from such a new and fantastic perspective, making the film difficult to critique despite some minor flaws. Marvel’s casting department shines here as well, as Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas all give great performances. 

Black Panther (2017)

Black Panther’s cultural impact cannot be understated, but the film itself isn’t exactly the masterpiece many made it out to be. The characters and soundtrack of this film are outstanding, but the world-building and visual effects can feel a little half-baked. While it may fall a bit short when compared to its reputation, Black Panther is still an above-average MCU film. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Call it recency bias or even sacrilege, but Black Panther: Wakanda Forever might be slightly better than its predecessor. It’s more mature and emotional than Black Panther, while the visuals are unquestionably superior. Still, the late Chadwick Boseman’s absence is definitely felt throughout Wakanda Forever’s runtime. 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s humor feels a little more forced than it did in its predecessor, but it’s still an entertaining and at times hilarious film. An excellent third act shows director James Gunn’s skill at balancing irreverent comedy with deep emotional themes. 

The Avengers (2012)

Starting out a crazy run of movies from the MCU, this film is everything every Marvel project had been building to up to that point. The Avengers did a great job assembling Marvel’s roster of heroes for the first time.

Tier 5: The Great

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

One of the few true spy thrillers in the MCU, this film is worth the watch. Chris Evans’ great performance covers the movie’s occasional flaws, which are remarkably few.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

No Way Home’s writing is irritatingly poor, but the ambitious cinematic crossover it attempts makes up for a multitude of issues. This film is well-acted, surprisingly emotional, and unbelievably fun. 

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The sequel to Marvel’s masterful Infinity War (more on that later), Endgame wasn’t just a film. It was an event. Tasked with wrapping up the story threads of the previous 21 movies in the MCU’s infinity saga, it largely delivers on a near-impossible task. Understandably, Endgame is a little messy and disjointed – but it’s still a fantastic superhero flick in its own right that marked the end of a great era of Marvel films. 

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

This is Thor movie three out of four, and it’s the best by far. The mix of action and humor is balanced extremely well, and the acting is superb with a cast of A-listers. Cate Blanchett plays as Marvel’s first female villain. Her performance puts her towards the top of the list of MCU antagonists and creates some epic scenes. 

Iron Man (2008)

The film that started it all. Iron Man’s success opened the door for the rest of the MCU to exist, largely thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s larger-than-life take on the titular character. Tony Stark/Iron Man borders on being an antihero the entire film, and his avoidance of a secret identity eschews perhaps the biggest superhero cliché. And despite being filmed in 2008, Iron Man’s visual effects still hold up quite well, even better than some modern-day MCU offerings. 

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Possibly one of the best Marvel movies is Captain America: Civil War. Including old and new characters from all over the MCU, this action-packed and well-directed movie is definitely worth watching.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Homecoming remains a ridiculously underrated MCU film. The Spider-Man story had been told a number of times before Marvel Studios attempted their own spin – a film that skipped over the origin story everyone already knew to spend more time exploring Peter Parker’s life as he balances his superpowers and high school drama. Homecoming is a heartwarming, funny, and at times relatable film that’s held down by an excellent cast. 

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Still the most quotable MCU film, Guardians of the Galaxy turned a ragtag group of comic book unknowns into household names. The comedy in this film is top-notch, and for better or worse, its success influenced a massive shift towards a lighter tone in the superhero genre. 

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Marvel undeniably peaked with 2018’s Infinity War. The franchise’s characters and storylines converged in a genre-mashing space opera with an epic story and an iconic cliffhanger ending. Well-balanced and expertly paced, Infinity War deserves credit for turning what could’ve been a mess into the defining film of the 2010s. 

Matt Lacy, ORCA’s High School Principal, is often referred to as timely and ahead of schedule by his fellow administrators… but just how far ahead is he? 

“When he says he wants you to get it done by Monday, he means Friday,” Ms. Alison Galvin, ORCA’s Executive Director, once joked. “He’s always early.” But was she actually joking, or did she know something we don’t?

On December 12, Mr. Lacy sent out an announcement to high schoolers about an attendance opportunity. Students with an attendance record of 90% or more will be entered into a drawing for tickets to a Harlem Globetrotters game, which will take place at the Moda Center in Portland. The announcement states, “[The] event is set to take place on January 21, 2022.” 

But… that date has already passed by almost a year. 

Some could assume that it’s a simple typo, and think nothing of it. But curious students believe something bigger is happening here and that Mr. Lacy meant what he said. There is an easy answer. 

Mr. Lacy is more than your average principal. 

Mr. Lacy is a time traveler. 

It’s not clear how this will occur, but the winner of the drawing will be sucked back in time to attend the Harlem Globetrotters event on January 21, 2022. We’re also not sure why Mr. Lacy is choosing this event to reveal his secret power, or why he’s hidden it in the first place. But rest assured, we will keep searching for the answers. 

The orange vest-clad Principal has yet to say anything about his powers, but this cannot be accidental, not with enough coincidences. 

Of course, with such a shocking secret, we wonder if he’s hiding more. Is his name truly Mr. Lacy, or is it Clark Kent? Is he just the Principal, or the Sorcerer Supreme? Does he drive a DeLorean or the Batmobile? What was he doing during the events of Avengers: Endgame? The questions are endless, but we at The Current will strive to find all the answers in a completely legal way… 

The Current reached out to Mr. Lacy regarding the event, and he said, “The actual date is January 21, 2023.” But he said nothing about his superpowers. 

Pasta is a dish beloved by many, and there are millions of ways it can be enjoyed. Some often reach for a generic jar of tomato sauce or premade sauce packet, but there are a wide variety of recipes and sauces that can be made at home. Here are some easy recipes that can be made from scratch with ingredients that might already be in the pantry.

Seek parental guidance when using kitchen equipment.

Homemade Cheddar Macaroni

Everyone is familiar with a comforting bowl of macaroni and cheese. This recipe can teach you how to make this internationally-beloved pasta without having to rely on a box mix.

Ingredients:

2 cups macaroni noodles

6 cups water

3 cups shredded cheddar

2 tbsp butter

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp paprika

Steps:

1. Bring the water to a boil and add the macaroni noodles. Let simmer for 9-12 minutes based on the tenderness preference.

2. Once the noodles are boiled, set ½ cup of the pasta water to the side and drain the noodles through a colander. 

3. Set the pot back on the stove, turn the unit to low heat, and add the butter and leftover pasta water.

4. Put the noodles back into the pot. Add the cheddar cheese and stir thoroughly. Add the cumin and paprika, and stir until the cheese is melted. 

5. Turn off the heat and set it to the side. Let cool, then serve. This can also be used as a base for baked mac and cheese.

Cream Cheese & Pepper Penne

This is a dairy-based pasta that uses poblano peppers for added flavor but no spice. You can either mince all of the sauce ingredients finely or use a blender.

Ingredients:

2 cups penne noodles

6 cups water

2 poblano peppers

8 oz cream cheese

¾ cup minced cilantro

1 medium white onion

6 cloves garlic

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp salt (optional)

Steps:

1. Bring the water to a boil and add the noodles. Let it cook for 12 minutes.

2. While the noodles are cooking, dice the onion and add it to a blender with the garlic, peppers, cumin, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Blend until it is a paste consistency.

3. Once the noodles are done, save ¼ cup of the pasta water and strain. Set the noodles in a separate bowl.

4. Put the empty pot back on the stove at medium heat and add the blended sauce with the pasta water. Let it cook for around 3 minutes, then add the cream cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted, then pour it over the noodles.

5. Carefully mix the sauce with the noodles and serve.

Gluten & Dairy Free Creamy Spicy Spaghetti

This is a pasta dish specially crafted to be both dairy-free and creamy. Feel free to add any extra vegetables you think would fit.

Ingredients:

1 box gluten-free spaghetti noodles

9 cups water

1 cup plain cashews

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small yellow onion

1 large bell pepper (any color)

4 cloves garlic

4 tbsp tomato paste

1 ½ tsp oregano

1 ½ tsp paprika

1 tsp thyme

½ tsp cayenne pepper

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tsp salt

Steps:

1. Set eight cups of water to boil and add the pasta. Cook according to instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes. Strain and set aside.

2. In a small bowl, mix oregano, paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Set to the side.

3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat and add the diced onion and bell pepper, minced garlic, tomato paste, and seasonings. Sauté for 3-4 minutes and take off the heat.

4. Add the cashews, 1 cup water, lemon zest, and salt to a blender and blend on high for at least 1 minute.

5. Put the skillet with the vegetables back onto medium heat and add the blended cashew sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then add pasta. Simmer for a couple more minutes and add any extra water to reach the desired consistency. Take off the heat, let it cool, and serve.

Note: If you would like to try the recipe above but don’t have cashews and can handle dairy, alfredo sauce is a good substitute.

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 January:

Author Visit (1/13)

ORCA teacher April Bauguess will be joined by published author Ellen Potter in a virtual session to talk with middle and high school students about the creative writing process. Students will learn how to develop characters and have the chance to participate in a writing activity.

At the end of the one-hour session, students can bring questions to the Q&A section, as the event description states, “Try to think of your questions ahead of time!”

Board Games Fun! (1/27)

On Friday afternoon, students in all grade levels will have a two-hour opportunity to meet up with each other and play some board games. Games will be provided, but students can also bring their own.

“Come meet other students and families in the area and play games and get to know each other,” the description explains.

Portland Art Museum (1/27)

Students will have the chance to tour the Portland Art Museum with ORCA teacher Jennifer Champlin and explore exhibits from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. 

Per the event description, chaperones will have to pay $25 per person for admission while ORCA students get in free with an ID card. The event description notes that parking will likely cost a fee as well.

Vintage and Clay Studio Tour and Art Project (1/27)

This tour, led by Ms. Champlin, brings K-12 students an opportunity to walk through an artist’s studio, giving them the chance to discuss various forms of vintage art and the making of pottery. 

The event description notes directions on where to park and how to reach the studio. With limited spots available, interested students should RSVP as soon as possible. 

The field trips listed above are just a few of the many field trips offered by ORCA this January. Make sure to check out Field Trip Central in the Principal’s Office/Corner for a listing of every available field trip, location information, and how to RSVP.

You can print The Current's Finals Crossword HERE. The clues are listed below: 

ACROSS

1. System that compares students’ GPAs in their graduating class (2 words)

2. Study tool used to practice vocabulary

6. Permanent record of grades and credits that colleges view

8. Half of a school year

9. The time an assignment is due

11. Concentrate

DOWN

1. Chemical often found in coffee that makes you feel more awake

3. Take time to learn material before a test

4. What to do when you are behind (2 words)

5. Test organized by the College Board

7. Name of a note-taking method and a renowned university

10. Written school assignment

The answers to the crossword will be published in The Current's February issue.

Below are the answers to the Gen Z Slang Crossword from the December issue of The Current.

ACROSS

2. No cap = Not lying (2 words)

5. Bet = I’m down

7. Finna = I’m going to

8. Valid = Acceptable

10. Facts = Strongly agreed

12. Secure the bag = To get money (3 words)

15. Kewl = Alternate spelling of “cool”

16. Extra = Over the top; excessive

18. Drip = Cool sense of style

19. Fire = Awesome; Popular red and orange emoji

20. Yeet = To throw something; random expression

21. Fam = Group of close friends

DOWN

1. At = Don’t __ me (after saying something controversial)

3. Cringe = Embarrassing

4. Fit = Clothing style

5. Basic = Unoriginal; boring

6. Sus = Questionable

8. Vibe = A distinctive feeling/aura

9. Banger = Upbeat song

11. Flex = To show off

12. Salty = Bitter

13. Tea = Gossip

14. Bop = Enjoyable song

17. Lit = Extreme fun; or started a fire

18. Def = For sure

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. 

How can I communicate with my teachers if I am struggling?

- Honur S. Student

Dear Honur S. Student,

Communication is key to having a successful end of the first semester. Check your teachers’ yellow “Reminders” boxes located on each course’s Weekly Starter Page for their preferred contact information. There are also help buttons that many teachers are adding to the Weekly Starter Pages in their classes. Texting is an option for many teachers, or you can use Canvas Messaging (AKA Whale Mail). Phone calls are an efficient and direct form of contact as well, but if you can’t reach staff right away, leave a voicemail with your name, number, and a brief summary of your questions/reason for contacting. 

Good luck,

ORCA’s NHS & NJHS

What volunteer opportunities are there outside of school?

- Barry Keen

Dear Barry Keen,

Luckily, there are many volunteer opportunities for students outside of school. These can include helping out at your local library, volunteering in food drives, or lending a hand at a humane society. If you are having trouble finding volunteer opportunities near you, there are websites like greatnonprofit.org that can help you find local nonprofit organizations where you can donate your time to a worthy cause. 

Best wishes,

ORCA’s NHS & NJHS

Have a question about academics? Ask the NHS Advice Column using this form. All submissions will be anonymous.