May 2023

Get ready to head to the polls!

Applications for Student Government Executive Board positions are now open for grades 8-11 to serve in the 2023-24 school year. Open positions include President (seniors only), Vice President, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, Activities Director, Social Media Coordinator, Senator Representatives, and committee leaders. An overview of position requirements can be found here.

Executive Board applications are due May 12. 

Students grades 8-11 can attend the virtual presidential debate on May 15 at 2 p.m. to hear speeches, ask questions, and vote for President and Vice President candidates. Check out this article to hear from some of the presidential candidates. 

For more details, visit Student Government’s website.

From head-banging rock to country music about trucks… what is ORCA listening to?

Both students and staff are encouraged to submit one song each in this form to be added to The Current’s playlist.

Songs need to be school-appropriate both lyrically and thematically, with appropriate album artwork as well. There’s no need to add your name because it will not be featured alongside your song in the playlist. Check out this article for last year's playlist if you need inspiration. 

Songs are welcome to be either mainstream or obscure as long as they adequately represent your music taste at this current time. 

It’s always a challenge to decide where to eat when going out for food. To make those choices easier, The Current staff compiled a list of some of our favorite restaurants across the state. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite picks organized by region. 

Central Oregon Area

Big Burger

Off Highway 211, this Molalla restaurant has been a staple for locals with its high-quality dishes. Perfect for American meals, its menu features hotdogs, burgers, fries, and onion rings, with plenty of options to choose from and affordable prices. Don’t forget to try it with a half-and-half ice cream cone or a milkshake!

Happy Family Restaurant

Just like its namesake, this place will make your family happy! With affordable prices, Happy Family Restaurant has good-quality Chinese food, fast service, and delicious tea. Each dish has been carefully perfected over the years, and the restaurant is family-owned and operated. It’s a good place to order take-out or dine-in!

San Blas Mexican Restaurant

This family-owned and operated restaurant will surely snag a special place in your heart. Located in Molalla, this place has all your staple Mexican foods with enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, and more. Each plate is packed full, and you get your money’s worth. This is definitely a place to check out – but don’t tell them you can handle spicy food; they will take it as a challenge. 

Eastern Oregon Area

Delish Bistro

Using locally sourced ingredients, Delish Bistro is always a great place to stop. With a seasonal menu, there is always something new to try. A tasty classic is the teriyaki chicken with a side of house Hawaiian mac salad. To finish off your meal, order the homemade gelato that also comes in seasonal flavors. 

Haines Steakhouse

Haines, Oregon offers fun for the whole family with western style dining. From the salad bar wagon to the rustic wood, you will know you are in a part of “Old Oregon.” The best part about the food is that there are options for the whole family. Delicious steaks, seafood, and classic burgers are just a few of the selections available.

Hamley Steakhouse, Café, and Store

Pendleton is a small town known for its western traditions, one being the Pendleton Round-Up. This restaurant is a way to see the rich history of the town from the food to the store. Whether it's biscuits and gravy for breakfast, a turkey croissant for lunch, or prime rib for dinner, Hamley always makes sure it is of great quality. 

Terminal Gravity Brewpub

If you plan to stop in the Wallowa Mountains, visit Enterprise for a unique dining experience. The menu has a wide range from curries to steak salads; if you can think it, Terminal Gravity has got it covered. The best part about dining there is that you get to see the gorgeous views of the mountainscape while you dine outside on picnic tables.

Eugene Area

Tacovore

Tacovore is a small, Oregon-based food chain with locations in Eugene, Corvallis, and Portland. As the name suggests, the chain specializes in tacos, with a menu full of both traditional and more unexpected options. For instance, their fantastic grilled chicken taco contains avocado, pickled onions, and carrots, and the carnitas option includes orange and jicama. The melding of flavors at Tacovore is delicious and unique, and it is well worth a stop for those looking to expand their taco horizons. The salsa bar is worth checking out as well. 

Linn-Benton County Area

Shogun Bowl

Often overlooked as part of a murderers’ row of restaurants on Corvallis’ Monroe Street, Shogun Bowl offers delicious and cheap Japanese food. Their menu is surprisingly extensive for such a small restaurant, including everything from rice bowls to sushi rolls, ramen, and even mochi ice cream for dessert. The “Deluxe Shogun Bowl” is a filling option that contains a number of interesting flavors (salmon, eel, and masago, to name a few) over a bed of rice, and it comes with a complimentary bowl of soup. The yakisoba is superb, and the Spicy Chicken Bowl also lives up to its name. Shogun Bowl is a great place to come back to as it’s tempting to try everything on their menu. 

Northern & Middle Coast Area

Lakeside Hideaway

For some good, quality meals, check out this Rockaway Beach restaurant! With good pricing, fast service, and incredible dishes, there’s no reason why anyone could skip this place. Upgrade your favorite classics with their Hawaiian Burger, or stay beachy with their oysters. 

Mo’s

If you ever stop by the coast, Mo’s classic fish and chips and clam chowder is a must for the complete Seaside experience. Located on the ocean-front promenade, Mo’s has been an iconic Seaside staple with fresh and delicious combo seafood platters, fish tacos, and shrimp skewers. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the ocean with comfortable outdoor dining. Mo’s also has other close locations along the coast, including Astoria and Newport. 

Pirate’s Cove Restaurant

Located in Garibaldi, Pirate’s Cove Restaurant has a wide range of beach-time foods (fish and chips, clam chowder) but also some American staples (chicken tenders, cheeseburgers). It’s perfect for larger families and has great pricing. 

Portland Metro Area

La Hacienda

Enchallias, tacos, fajitas, nachos – this restaurant has the best Mexican cuisine in town. Its charming and colorful atmosphere makes you feel like you’re in a real, authentic Mexican restaurant. With its sizzling fajitas, fresh burritos, and tropical drinks, La Hacienda offers a delicious meal for any occasion. 

Taste of Sichuan

This Beaverton Chinese restaurant is a favorite of locals who know. It has Sichuan-style Chinese food, which prides itself on dishes spiced with fiery peppercorns. You can get stellar Chinese-American standards, like Moo Shoo Shrimp or Sweet and Sour Spareribs, but there are also some rarer dishes for the more adventurous. You know you want to brag about how you just ate the Swimming Fire Fish… Taste of Sichuan can develop quite a line on big takeout days, so plan ahead, but it is worth it. 

Thai Fresh

Thai Fresh is a charming, family-run restaurant that offers authentic dishes and a pleasant atmosphere. Their menu includes a variety of fresh, quality Thai dishes, such as curries, soups, rice bowls, and one of the best pad thai in town. Its great pricing and excellent service make this the perfect place for a family dinner. 

Salem-Keizer Area

Akatsuki Sushi Bar

Akatsuki is a newer Japanese restaurant in Silverton, Oregon. It has gained major popularity since it opened for multiple reasons. The atmosphere is friendly and the food is amazing. Everything on their large menu has authentic Japanese flavor. It’s a great place to sit down or order out. They have much more than just sushi and there’s something to satisfy everyone.

South Coast Area

Bay Burger Inn/Praus House

Bay Burger Inn, also known as Praus House, is a family-run restaurant that has many options to choose from. Located in Coos Bay, Bay Burger Inn isn’t a very expensive place to stop and eat at, and their menu includes burgers, chicken strips, and corn dogs. They also have some interesting combinations like hamburgers with chili on it. Their menu offers a variety of milkshakes, and if you order an entree, you can get a side of tots, waffle fries, french fries, or onion rings. If you're ever in the South Coast Area, you should check out Bay Burger Inn.

Southern Oregon Area

Bella Union

Bella Union is an excellent restaurant for Italian dishes, authentic pizza desserts, and more delicious food. It’s located in Old-Town Jacksonville, surrounded by other historic buildings. It’s also next to a great, local toy store. It has a cool patio area with a fantasy feel, and the food goes along great with that. 

Callahan's Mountain Lodge Restaurant

If you want amazing food in a scenic mountain setting, this is the place to go. The restaurant and lodge are close to the Ashland Ski Resort. Callahan's Mountain Lodge is good for all occasions.

If you can’t make the drive to the restaurants listed above, you can still stay caught up with the food-related fun by checking out The Current’s May crossword. 

Student Government President is the most prestigious student position at ORCA, open only to high school seniors with good standing in the school. With Student Government elections just around the corner on May 15, The Current talked to three of the candidates who will be running for president this school year. 

Isaac Choi, who will be a senior next year like all the other candidates, is running for president because of his “motivation to further improve current aspects of Student Government and [the] desire to create experiences that will be deeply impactful to every student in the school.” 

The incumbent Student Government Secretary, Choi highlighted his current and past leadership experience. This includes serving as a part of Student Government for “four years and counting” in both senator and executive roles, being the current NHS president, formerly serving as the NJHS president, holding the position of HOSA parliamentarian for two years, and contributing to The Current. He has also served as a Red Cross Youth Executive Board member and as an English tutor. Choi also noted that he currently volunteers for the organization Everybody Athletics. “As a result of my long term service and hard work, I earned the teammate of the month award,” he added. “I am a volunteer for multiple organizations and enjoy every second I spend helping others.” 

Choi stated that one of his biggest goals if he were elected would be to increase student participation at ORCA. “I will use my wide range of leadership experience, starting from organizing a smoke alarm installation event [and founding ORCA’s] Speech and Debate Club, to encourage many more students to participate in the valuable and insightful opportunities the school provides for us,” he said. 

His other goals include growing school clubs and promoting community service as well as creating new opportunities and experiences that “encourage leadership involvement.” 

As president, Choi stated that he would prioritize communication with other Student Government members and student body representatives, while also “making sure that all Student Government officers and members are fully committed.” He also noted an emphasis in continuing and expanding upon current Student Government systems such as committees.

“I am inspired to run for president because of my motivation to further improve current aspects of Student Government and my desire to create experiences that will be deeply impactful to every student in the school,” said Choi. “People should vote for me because I will accomplish my goals and show that I will be willing to make any changes based on peer review. I am able to do this because of my wide range of leadership experience and skills both from in and out of school… I hope you consider me as your next student president!” 

Ahnalya De Leeuw, this year’s Student Government Vice President, is one of the students running against Choi. “I have attended ORCA since Kindergarten and feel such a deep connection to the school and the people I work with every day!” she said. “Student Government has been an excellent outlet to share that passion and plan events, and I am proud to run for president because it represents a special point in my academic and personal journey.”

De Leeuw also mentioned her past leadership experience, which includes serving as a senator, secretary, and vice president for ORCA’s Student Government. “A highlight of my vice presidential year was speaking to [the ORCA] administration at a Student Government luncheon,” she said. “Preparing an agenda and speaking to the administrative leaders at our school about our year's priorities, events we intended to host, and the budgets and logistics of making them happen was excellent real-world experience.”

“I've also been fortunate to speak at assemblies and be involved in planning and advertising events like ORCA's upcoming prom," she added. "As a leader, I am confident advocating to both adult staff members and my classmates. I would be honored to represent you!” 

De Leeuw outlined her goals for Student Government if she were elected president. “As a former senator, a priority of mine will be amplifying their voices,” she said. “Senators have fantastic ideas for events at our school and a wide reach in classes, and making those individuals feel supported by preparing individual agendas based on their ideas will be a priority.”

She also noted that she wants to increase communication between Student Government, school clubs, and the ORCA administration. “I will use my organizational experience to keep our key, involved groups at ORCA connected by planning ahead for events,” she said. “That way, news about what ORCA has to offer reaches the whole school in a timely manner.” De Leeuw also noted that she is motivated and passionate about team-building, event planning, and increasing school spirit. 

“Stay tuned for [the election Zoom meeting] on May 15 to hear my speech and further goals for the 2023-24 school year,” she concluded. “Thank you for your time, and thank you for your vote!” 

Student Government’s current Public Relations Officer Grace Peterson is also running for the presidential position. Like De Leeuw, she highlighted her connection to the school as one of the main reasons for her candidacy. “I've been a part of Student Government since I was in sixth grade,” she said. “My fondest memories were being mentored and taught by [past] presidents, learning from their successes and trials. I want to be that for the student body – I want to offer guidance, wisdom, and experience for everyone of all grades. I want to help steer them to be the best they can be, just as past presidents have done for me.” 

Peterson noted that her past leadership experience includes serving as the OASC At-Large Representative and spending five years as a member of ORCA’s Student Government.

As president, she stated that her priorities would include offering “more help towards IEP/504 students and decreasing the stigma around it.” She also wants to grow community in the student body.

Peterson, along with Choi, De Leeuw, and any other ORCA students who will be running for president and vice president positions for the 2023-24 school year, will have the opportunity to give a speech in the election Zoom meeting on May 15. For more information on the election process, check out The Current’s preview of the event here. 

Get ready for an afternoon full of games, crafts, and carnival fun, because ORCA’s annual Spring Celebration is coming to the Albany area on June 2. 

ORCA’s Student Government helped plan the event, which will celebrate the end of the school year with a festive atmosphere. From noon to 3 p.m., students and families can participate in fun, ORCA-related activities and a charity drive. 

Students who ordered the 2022-23 yearbook may also have the opportunity to pick up their purchase at Spring Celebration if supplies allow and get their yearbooks signed by classmates and teachers. The National Honor Society and Junior National Honor Society will also host their 15th annual induction ceremony. 

“Spring Celebration will be an excellent place to meet up with your classmates,” says Student Government Vice President Ahnalya De Leeuw. “I’m particularly excited to sign yearbooks, which you can find more information about in the Principal’s Corner.” 

“While we’re early in the process of planning, stay tuned for further information about a charitable drive hosted by NHS/NJHS and Student Government,” she adds. “Also, congratulations to NHS, which will be hosting their 15th annual Induction Ceremony at the event!”

Be on the lookout for more event details on Field Trip Central to RSVP. Check out this article about how last year’s Spring Celebration went. 

Get your favorite pen ready, because it’s yearbook-signing season.

After some hard work from Yearbook Club staff and members, ORCA is coming out with new 2022-23 yearbooks for all grades. 

The new yearbooks feature student portraits that were submitted, highlights from field trips and prom, and various ORCA clubs. Students can pick from hardcover or softcover editions priced between $15 to $30. 

The yearbooks are designed by a small group of students that have been meeting weekly all year long.

“As for now, the Yearbook Committee has been working on getting everything finalized and ready for printing. We're close to the end, so we're finally going through the process of finishing up club pages and the overall structure of the yearbook,” says club member Grace Choi, adding that the yearbook received an “astounding amount of student yearbook photos this year.”

“Yearbook Club has worked on crafting a yearbook full of color and they hope the students at ORCA will enjoy the final product!” adds Rachel Tullar, the club advisor. 

Yearbooks are available to pre-order now until May 8. Students who order them will have the opportunity to pick up a copy at Spring Celebration or have it mailed to their home address. One of the highlights of Spring Celebration 2022 was students partaking in a classic end-of-school-year ritual: signing each other’s yearbooks.

Students can find more information on the Principal's Corner or follow these links to order an elementary, middle school, or high school yearbook. 

Comic book movies might finally have some competition: video game adaptations. HBO’s recent The Last of Us TV show received extensive critical acclaim, and April’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie just surpassed all of its box office expectations, garnering the best opening weekend in animated film history. It is now far and away the highest-grossing movie of 2023. 

Of course, numbers don’t tell the whole story. The Super Mario Bros. Movie had a large, guaranteed audience thanks to its status as an adaption of the most recognizable video game series of all time. As anyone in modern Hollywood could tell you, nostalgic value is the name of the game. Unsurprisingly, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is about the furthest thing from a standalone film. But that doesn’t make it bad. 

The movie knows that its greatest strength is the long list of previous Mario titles it has to pull from, and it certainly leans into that. It incorporates aspects of the classic platformer games, Super Smash Bros., and Mario Kart, along with plenty of other Mario-related references (some of which this reviewer likely missed) rather seamlessly into the movie. The result is a product made by people who clearly love the source material, and any viewer who has enjoyed even one Mario game in the past should find something recognizable in the film. 

The celebrity voice cast is hit and miss, with Chris Pratt’s much-maligned casting as Mario being unsurprisingly mediocre. He doesn’t ruin the movie by any means but he sounds far more like Chris Pratt than Mario throughout the film, which can be distracting. Similarly, Anya Taylor-Joy is somewhat one-note as Princess Peach. On the other hand, Jack Black as Bowser absolutely excels in a role he was born to play. He’s by far the most entertaining and interesting character in the film, and Black is clearly having the time of his life behind the microphone. He’s a clear standout in a movie that more often than not lacks personality. Other members of the voice roster, including recognizable names like Charlie Day, Seth Rogen, and Keegan Michael-Key, are all solid in their supporting roles. 

The animation is vibrant, colorful, and well up to modern standards, but it’s largely identical to past Illumination titles. It captures the spirit of the movie well but lacks uniqueness – the film had a number of classic Nintendo games to look back on for visual inspiration, but it largely fits it all into the studio’s preferred art style. The music selection has a similar flaw. The film successfully incorporates some past Mario themes into its soundtrack, but for its bigger scenes, it turns to radio hits like A-ha’s “Take On Me” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” These tracks kill the immersion of the film, especially when countless other songs from past Mario games were available. And on a smaller note, the movie’s repeated use of slow motion shots gets old very quickly. 

It would be hard to mention The Super Mario Bros. Movie without talking about its highly publicized musical number, sung in an all-out performance by Jack Black’s Bowser. The segue into the scene is a little awkward but the song itself is as catchy and hilarious as advertised. It’s a clear highlight of the movie. Like most other aspects of the film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s humor isn’t bad, but it’s hardly superb despite Black’s best efforts. No jokes fall horribly flat, but the movie is full of far more half-smiles and chuckles than genuine laughs. 

Whether it’s the art style of the film, the humor, or the characters and story in general, The Super Mario Bros. Movie plays it very safe. It’s simply a string of events meant to introduce classic characters, locations, and loads of video game nostalgia, all held together by a straightforward, predictable plot. Characters are introduced quickly with minimal depth and they barely have any meaningful arc by the time the credits roll. The writing is unimaginative and the world-building is fun but extremely surface-level. 

But at the end of the day, who cares about that? No one going to a Mario movie is expecting the next Best Picture winner. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie doesn’t need to help the audience become invested in its characters and locations. It doesn’t need extensive backstories, strong internal logic, or high emotional stakes. All of that came from the countless hours of Mario video games that its audience had already enjoyed. The film was marketed as a fun-for-the-whole-family movie based on characters and settings everyone already knows and loves, and it absolutely delivers on that premise. Still, it would have been nice to see a few risks taken in some aspect of the film, as The Super Mario Bros. Movie fails to hold a candle to some of the more groundbreaking and memorable animated titles of the past decade. But it’s worth noting that despite the film’s lack of strengths, there’s an equally small amount of true weaknesses – rather, just missed opportunities. 

When the showing of the film ended, all the kids and families in the theater gave it an enthusiastic ovation. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a success. It’s good, but it could have been super. 

The verdict: 7/10

Thank you everyone for submitting to The Current’s Nature Photography Contest! The Current received so many amazing responses. First place goes to Benjamin H., second place goes to Atticus Chuey, third place goes to Azaneth V., fourth place goes to Garrett Joham, and fifth place goes to Leesy Lindsay.

You can view the winning nature photography photos in the image carousel. 

When it comes to movies and books, there are many great stories to enjoy. Sometimes a good way to start reading is to find a familiar genre or story to get invested in. There are great novels that may even be similar to your favorite movies or TV shows. 

If you like the genres of science fiction or fantasy, you might just find your next favorite read from this list of novels.

The 100 (TV series) → The Hunger Games (novel) by Suzanne Collins 

Suzanne Collin’s bestselling novel The Hunger Games is a classic of the 2010s era of sci-fi novels. Similar to the popular show The 100, The Hunger Games follows a group of young adults fighting to survive in a dark and dangerous place while battling some unexpected challenges along the way. Panem’s grim and gritty setting is full of twists and turns that are just as compelling as the post-apocalyptic world of The 100. 

The Maze Runner → Divergent by Veronica Roth

In 2011, Veronica Roth started one of the most popular teen dystopian series in the past decade and the first in the series is Divergent. In a society where everyone is divided and sorted into factions based on their personality type, it’s not accepted to be a multidimensional person – known as divergents. Tris is a divergent and finds herself hiding from the government with the help of a few others like her. Similar to The Maze Runner movie in many ways, this novel has the common dynamic where teenagers fight a corrupt, dystopian government.

Ready Player One → Warcross by Marie Lu

Like Ready Player One, Warcross is set in the near future where an immersive virtual reality game has become a way of life. With compelling romance, a high-stakes gaming tournament, and the lines between the virtual and real world becoming increasingly blurred, you won't be able to set this book down. 

X-Men → Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me follows the protagonist Juliette, whose lethal touch makes her an outcast. The novel’s unique, jarring writing style reflects the protagonist’s inner turmoil as she learns about her abilities and what she’s capable of. Juliette’s character arc and powers are just as fascinating as X-Men character Rogue, who embarks on a journey full of fast-paced action, high-stakes choices, and pulse-pounding romance. 

The Umbrella Academy → Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Meet another rag-tag team of kids with incredible abilities who try to save the day. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children has a band of fun and quirky characters, and their magical, action-packed adventures will pull you in. It’s not exactly like fighting giant, armored alien knights from another universe, as seen on The Umbrella Academy, but it gives the same thrills.

The Giver → Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Acclaimed author Ray Bradbury introduces a thought-provoking social commentary in his classic novel Fahrenheit 451. Similarly to The Giver movie, this dystopian sci-fi story introduces a world corrupted by ignorance and mind-numbing technology – where books are banned and burned. Both stories portray a community trying to maintain a form of utopia, exploring themes about knowledge, free choice, and happiness. 

Gattaca → Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley’s deep inquiries in his novel Brave New World explore interesting themes about technology, freedom, and happiness. Like Gattaca’s futuristic society, Brave New World has a caste system and technology bent on genetically engineering a seemingly perfect world. However, these do not come without a cost, as the protagonist discovers the dark underbelly of his society and the importance of choice and freedom. 

Pirates of the Caribbean → Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Daughter of the Pirate King is about a highly skilled pirate named Alosa who is sent by her father to infiltrate another pirate ship. She’s been given the task to retrieve a map that leads to treasure that all the pirates seek. If you enjoyed the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, you’ll love this novel full of action, romance, and fantasy. 

Once Upon a Time → The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

In this fairytale retelling, Chris Colfer brings a unique twist on classic characters in this adventure full of magic and wonder. The Land of Stories follows two protagonists on their journey to discover where they came from, meeting friends and foes along the way. This magical tale of courage, friendship, and the power of stories is a must-read for book lovers and Once Upon a Time fans alike. 

The Age of Adeline → The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a beautiful, unforgettable story about the legacy of a young woman seeking to leave a mark in the world. The novel follows Addie, who is gifted with immortality but cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Both tales have a protagonist with the name Adeline who travels through different historical periods. V.E. Schwab’s lyrical writing makes this a heartfelt, romantic story that is absolutely worth the read.

There is so much great video content out there – and with this list, you might just find your next favorite book or movie to enjoy. For recommendations for coming-of-age and romance novels, check out this article. 

That’s right, the rumors are true. The National Honors Society and National Junior Honors Society are hosting ORCA’s first ever school-wide talent show on May 12. 

The talent show will be an online event, and any student in grades K-12 can enter it by clicking this link. The talent performed must be safe and done with adult supervision. There is a cap of 25 submissions and a limit of one entry per student. Submissions must be under three minutes.

Review this link to see the terms and conditions for the talent show. For any questions or concerns about the talent show, here is the NHS/NJHS’s contact form.

The wide array of field trips available to ORCA students, both virtual and in-person, help everyone 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.

Head in the Clouds Prom (5/6)

This year, ORCA’s in-person prom will be on May 6 from 6-9 p.m. The theme, voted on by seniors, is “Head in the Clouds.” There will be plenty of food, music, and fun for all students who attend. Student Government organized this formal event, which is open to high school students only. 

Click this link to The Current’s article for more information on ORCA’s prom. You can RSVP in Field Trip Central. 

Generation Beyond: Mars Exploration Virtual Field Trip (5/12)

Students are invited to virtually visit the Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Littleton, Colorado. According to the event description, this field trip “follows hosts Dr. Crystal Dilworth and Larry Price through various laboratories and simulations, and introduces the vast knowledge to be gained from space exploration and a potential visit to Mars.”

The event is open for grades K-12 and will be held from 10-11 a.m. in Zoom.

Gardening Party (5/19)

If you ever had an interest in gardening, now is your chance. Join ORCA teachers Carrie Hargrove and Janet Carlsen for an afternoon of gardening games and activities. 

“We will decorate little pots, plant seeds (you can choose from veggies and flowers), and make a little sprout house (another fun way to watch a plant grow),” the event description reads. 

This in-person field trip is open for grades K-12. See Field Trip Central for more details.

Boeing: Innovating The Future (5/19)

Visit a virtual tour around the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas to learn about aerospace innovation. According to the event description, “This behind-the-scenes tour will introduce students to just a few of the amazing Boeing employees who are preparing to write the next chapter of space history with the launch of the Starliner/CST-100 spacecraft and the deployment of the Space Launch System (SLS).”

Students in grades K-12 are invited to virtually attend this field trip. The event will take place from 10-10:45 a.m.

Oregon Historical Society Tour (5/26)

Students in grades 9-12 are invited to explore the “Experience Oregon” exhibit at this in-person event. 

“Completely overhauled in 2019, this 7,000 square foot space invites visitors to learn about the countless people, places, and events that have shaped our state through immersive activities, stories, and unique artifacts,” reads the event description. 

This event is geared towards any student taking United States History B, but all high school students are welcome to attend.

NASA Live Stream #8 (5/26)

In this virtual field trip from 10-11 a.m., students will learn about the design process and how scientists and engineers use the Goddard Space Flight Center to solve problems.

Per the event description, this field trip consists of three parts: “a series of short videos to watch ahead of time, a live interactive presentation with a question-and-answer session, and optional self-guided activities using common supplies already on hand at home and school.” 

This field trip is open to all grade levels. 

The field trips listed above are just a few of the many field trips offered by ORCA this May. 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.

Now is a great time to explore new careers and opportunities outside of school. The Portland Workforce Alliance, a non-profit organization partnered with Oregon Charter Academy, offers a wide array of programs for students to explore fast-growing careers in various industries. These in-person opportunities are available to all high school students and take place in the Portland metro area. 

KGW News Career Day

Interested in working in journalism? KGW News is a great place to start. 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at this Portland news outlet and meet with top professionals to learn about what it’s like to work in a fast-paced environment. Students will have the chance to explore news sets, media tools, and live broadcasts. 

The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 4.

To register, fill out the student interest form and parent/guardian form on the PWA website for more event details. Available spots are limited. 

Portland Fire & Rescue Career Day

Join this field trip to Portland Fire & Rescue to learn about what it takes to work at Oregon’s largest fire and emergency services provider. Get a chance to suit up and try out physical agility tests and learn about public safety services, including emergency medical training.

This event runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on May 26. 

Sign up by filling out the student interest form and parent/guardian form on the PWA website. Be sure to register as soon as possible, as available spots are limited. 

The career programs offered through the Portland Workforce Alliance are a great way to explore new fields and learn about different industries. Be sure to register through the PWA website and Field Trip Central accordingly for these events. Keep an eye out for more PWA career programs in the future. 

You can print The Current’s Food Crossword HERE. The clues are listed below:

ACROSS

1. Leafy greens mixed together named after a great Roman commander (2 words)

7. A popular Japanese dish consisting of rice, seafood, and vegetables

9. Grated lemon or lime peel

10. A drupe often consumed in the form of milk, dried flakes, or oil

12. Aromatic beverage made with leaves and hot water

13. Roman soldiers were once paid with this seasoning

14. Dairy product often mixed with honey, granola, or fruit

16. A treat with cacao content between 55 and 90 percent (2 words)

17. “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ___” (2 words)

DOWN

1. It’s not fabric material, but it’s a sugary treat (2 words)

2. Poached, boiled, soft, scrambled, and more

3. Mild or spicy dip that originated in Mexico

4. Pastries with a hole

5. A college student’s favorite noodles

6. It’s all stuffed crust and savory goodness

8. Often paired with chicken wings (2 words)

11. The winner of The Current’s favorite pie poll (2 words)

15. Made from soy milk and pressed into blocks

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

Below are the answers to the Spring Time Crossword from the April issue of The Current.

ACROSS

1. Morning = The a.m.

5. Spring Celebration = ORCA’s K-12 end-of-the-year event (2 words)

9. Kite = Flies when it’s windy

11. Sprout = Premature plant that grows from a seed

15. Daffodil = The flower that means spring is here

17. Garden = A place where plants grow

18. Blossom = Another word for bloom

DOWN

1. Mushroom = A fungus that can be good to eat 

2. Pollinate = Bees do this to flowers and blossoms

3. Bird = Animal that has hollow bones and can fly

4. Bunny = Small animal that hops

6. Nests = Where baby birds live

7. Tulip = Cup shaped flowers with bold colors

8. Butterfly = From a caterpillar, to a ___

10. Mother’s Day = May 14 holiday (2 words)

11. Strawberry = A sweet fruit the color of a fire truck

12. Tree = A plant with a trunk and roots

13. April = The spring month with 30 days and rain showers

14. Rainbow = What forms when it’s raining and there’s sunshine

16. Frog = An amphibian known for leaping and lily pads

17. Grass = Green, dewy, and needs to be cut regularly

18. Bee = An insect with yellow stripes

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.

What's the best way to balance being an athlete and student?

~ Alastair Athlete

Dear Alastair Athlete,

It can be very difficult to balance both academics and athletics; good time management is a valuable tool. It is key to communicate with your teachers and coaches regarding practices/games that conflict with assignments, deadlines, or classes, so you can stay on track. Additionally, reaching out to your advisor can be beneficial when creating a personalized plan that appropriately aligns with your schedule. Digital calendars, planners, and to-do lists for both the short-term and long-term can definitely be utilized to ensure a productive and set-time for both activities. Every once in a while, give yourself a grace period to catch up or rest to avoid burning out.

If you need any support, contact your advisory teachers. They will be able to provide you with the most information and resources to make sure that you are keeping up with your schoolwork.

Best of luck,

ORCA’s NHS/NJHS

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