March 2024

The 96th Academy Awards are just around the corner, meaning that it’s the perfect time to find out what films and shows Oregon Charter Academy enjoyed the most in 2023. 

The Current is proud to announce that the third annual Charter Academy Awards, the Orcas, will be taking place this March. Our team of writers will make the nominations, and the school can vote to decide the winners. Which films and shows will be taking home the legendary Golden Orcas? 

You can check out last year’s winners here. 

As always, this year’s criteria include that the piece of media has a school-appropriate rating and was first released some time in 2023. Nominees are listed below: 

Best Picture

Grace Peterson: Barbie

Hi Barbie! A cultural phenomenon, Barbie is a movie that spans generations of dolls, memories, and change. It centers around womanhood and highlights rich female relationships that are incredible to see on the silver – and pink – screen. Each character undergoes a different arc and grows beyond just their predestined path. With an iconic soundtrack — featuring Critic’s Choice Award winner “I’m Just Ken” and Grammy nominee “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish — it’s definitely a film that will keep you entertained.

Hannah Ma: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The much-anticipated sequel to the Spider-Verse trilogy brings us another visually dazzling and action-packed superhero adventure. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the perfect example of a sequel done right, effectively capturing the magic and creativity of the first film while building upon its strengths. Everything from its magnificent soundtrack, colorful comic-style animation, and slick storytelling sprinkled with easter eggs is a thrilling experience. The talented cast all bring their A-game, portraying each character with heart and humor. The movie does a fantastic job of spinning together a multiverse that brings depth to the story, paying homage to the original Spider-Man films while still offering something new. A thrill from its start to its cliffhanger ending, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse proves to be a pop culture phenomenon and one of the best animated features of the decade. 

Avery Khoury: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

As a prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes covers President Coriolanus Snow before he was the brutal president of Panem that movie-watchers know from before. The film stars Tom Blyth and shows Snow’s journey at only eighteen years old. Once Snow meets Lucy Gray Baird, a sharp and rebellious heroine, the film depicts his influence and gradual descent into evil. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a wonderful prequel to the classic trilogy that viewers know and love.

Wilder Kersey: Wonka

Filled to the brim with cheesy jokes and wonderful songs, Wonka is a scrumdiddlyumptious treat that will captivate viewers of all ages. This delightful musical, directed by Paul King, is the prequel to the beloved book by Roald Dahl. The movie stars Timothée Chalamet as a wide-eyed Willy Wonka on his quest to open his own chocolate shop. With all-star actors including Calah Lane, Olivia Coleman, Tom Davis, Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Grant as the Oompa-Loompa, this beautifully made movie is sure to tickle your funny bone and have you laughing throughout the film.

Annalaina Yip: The Super Mario Bros Movie

Centered around the classic Super Mario Bros video game series, whose characters have touched millions of hearts, this is the second effort at a film about two heroic sibling plumbers. Filled with references to the many games in this series, the movie immerses viewers into a world that riffs on the origin of the characters while building upon them. The story centers on Mario’s ambitions to become more than a plumber. As he tries to convince Luigi to dream bigger, they stumble upon a new world and a nearly impossible quest. Princess Peach is highlighted as the only human in the Mushroom Kingdom, and Bowser’s infamous “Peaches” song adds a truly cringe-worthy but hilarious dynamic to their relationship. With threats on all sides closing in on Mario, his only hope lies in saving his friends and achieving his dreams. Before the end, this cartoonish tapestry depicted other beloved characters from the games, ending with a teaser for a potential sequel that diehard fans will relish. 

Lily Dixon: Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

Purely a concert film representing Swift’s 10 studio albums (or eras), Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour brings her record-breaking, economy-shifting concert to screens near you. Following her journey through the lover house, folkloric woods, and smashing cars with golf clubs, and snakes slithering down the stage, it is filled with endless excitement. Boasting 40 of the 45 songs played each night on tour, the film provides two hours and 49 minutes of audiences screaming to their favorite lyrics and offers a high-quality view of the bejeweled performer. 

Riley Mullanix: Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion begins when a woman and her son embark on a journey to rid their new house of supernatural spirits. They soon discover that anyone who enters the place ends up haunted. The story follows everyone who has entered the mansion as they work to rid the house of spirits. This movie, based on the classic Disney ride, combines horror and comedy with a paranormal theme and just enough jokes to maintain a lighthearted mood. This perfect combination of scary and hilarious makes Haunted Mansion a treat that kids and adults will enjoy. This film stars a well-rounded cast with Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Hadish, Rosario Dawson, and many others. Haunted Mansion has many references to the Disney attraction, but it is a great film to watch, whether or not you have been on the ride. 

Abbi Dilley-Gumm: Miraculous: The Ladybug & Cat Noir Movie

Based on the TV show, Miraculous: The Ladybug & Cat Noir Movie follows two average teens – Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste – as they are given two magical jewels that grant them superpowers. When these jewels, known as the Miraculous, are activated, these two teens become Ladybug, with the power of creation, and Cat Noir, with the power of destruction. However, becoming a superhero is a lot harder than it first seems, especially with a romantic subplot. These teens don’t know who the person behind the other mask is, which makes things even more complicated. And together, the Miraculous grant a dangerous wish. It’s up to our teens to keep this wish away from a bad guy one of them knows all too well. But these heroes only have their powers, a yo-yo, and an “all-in-one thingamajig” at their disposal – can they do it?

Julia Ma: Leo

This lighthearted animated comedy stars Adam Sandler as Leo, a loveable talking lizard who shares life advice with a class of fifth graders. With entertaining musical numbers and a perfect mix of sweet humor and satire, the movie offers an enjoyable premise that appeals to all ages. Its slick animation and catchy songs bring a whimsical element to the story. The film displays impressive voice work from Sandler and his comedic partner, Bill Burr, who plays a sarcastic classroom turtle. Their partnership has a wonderful dynamic. Leo's lighthearted humor and uplifting message about helping others and living life to the fullest make for a fun animated movie the whole family can enjoy. 

Dave Yanowitz: Asteroid City

If you want a think piece that is also a love letter to America’s postwar era, look no further. Wes Anderson is a director who asks a lot of his audience, and this film can be challenging. The fourth wall is repeatedly broken, and there is a sometimes confusing interplay between the core story and a small-town theatrical production of it. The main plot revolves around a crowd of science enthusiasts and their families who converge on a desert military base/motel in the American West for a stargazing event. Within that, we find compelling characters coming to grips with loss and regret. The film features Anderson’s signature visual style, deeply unique personalities, and bone-dry dialogue. It’s not an easy film to like, but the characters stay with you, the visuals are gorgeous, and there’s a plot twist that will leave your head cocked sideways like a puppy who’s been shown a card trick.

Best Show

Avery Khoury: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (season 1)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a TV series streaming on Disney Plus about a demigod (half-human, half-Greek God) tween who figures out that there is more to his world than he previously realized. Percy is trying to make his way into the world while making sense of himself and those around him, which is a difficult task. Along with his friends at Camp Half Blood, Percy will learn what it means to be a demigod and find his place in his new world. 

Lily Dixon: The Summer I Turned Pretty (season 2)

The second season of Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty book adaptation came out on July 14. It instantly made shockwaves on social media with nine Taylor Swift songs featured throughout the eight episodes and a re-recording of her song “August” in the season preview. After all eight episodes were released, fans were prompted to choose their team: the brooding, lovesick Conrad, or Jeremiah, his Golden Retriever younger brother. The choice became a cultural phenomenon and nearly broke the internet. Fans were torn. Returning to the Summer House, the kids have to fight to keep Susannah’s memory alive and continue their meetups for future summers to come. With love affairs, love games, and love triangles, there is no lack of drama here. 

Abbi Dilley-Gumm: Erin & Aaron (season 1)

Erin & Aaron is a sitcom about two musical teens with the same name and who live in the same house. The cast includes Jensen Garing as Aaron, Ava Ro as Erin, Pyper Braun as Natasha, and more. With music all around and an entertaining premise, Erin & Aaron is sure to keep you laughing.

Vote in this form (open to both ORCA students and staff) to decide which nominated movies and TV shows are most deserving of winning the third-ever Orcas! 

Alena Budko, an ORCA senior, is making big moves in the world of figure skating. From international competitions and intense training schedules to tests and schooling, here’s how she manages to do it all. 

Budko has been skating for 12 years. She has competed as a Team USA figure skater and has traveled around the globe while competing with top-skating Olympians. Her elite-level performances started at six years of age.

When asked how she balances figure skating and her education, Budko explains, “ORCA has allowed me to have a very flexible schooling schedule but also has made me very responsible in completing my work during shorter periods.”

“School is very important to me, and I prioritize getting it done even when I am tired from skating,” she adds. “Consistently communicating with my teachers also helps me stay focused on exactly what needs to get done and if I ever need help with assignments!”

Budko plans to head to college in the fall and hopes to participate in collegiate skating. “I will always strive to continue my love for skating, performing, and coaching young athletes but will prioritize my academic goals for my future career,” she says.

Her future aspirations include majoring in business, where she hopes to pass on her eloquent skills to the next generation of figure skaters. “I also really want to continue growing my skating coaching business and further develop my skills as a teacher/educator on the ice,” she explains. “The opportunity to pass on my figure skating experiences to younger athletes is something that makes me so excited and thrilled to stay connected to the sport.”

Budko first started figure skating because of her dad, who previously was a figure skater in Kazakhstan. She first connected with the sport during a group skating session, saying “I just fell in love with gliding and trying to contort myself into crazy positions that I saw others do so flawlessly.” 

Budko couldn’t speak English at the time of her first lesson with her coach, Sofia. However, they were able to communicate through the body language of skating. 

From skating in a group session to traveling to international competitions in Croatia and Slovakia, Budko has made her rounds. However, the highlight of her career was being selected by Team USA to represent them at the Ondrej Nepela Memorial in Bratislava, Slovakia. “My two favorite things, travel and ice skating, were combined into a magical experience,” she comments.

While her skating wasn’t as strong as she had hoped, she says, “I was proud of my effort and experience with my fellow Team USA athletes.”

If you are just starting your figure skating journey, Budko shares a piece of advice: “Make sure you are patient with yourself and focus on the goals you set out for yourself. Don't worry too much about other people and strive towards your personal goals.”

Budko understands that the sport is challenging but urges the next generation of figure skaters to enjoy it. “It is an extremely challenging and unique sport but it brings so much opportunity to grow not only as an athlete but a person.”

You can read the full interview below:

1. How do you balance training and regular schooling?

ORCA has allowed me to have a very flexible schooling schedule but also has made me very responsible in completing my work during shorter periods. In between practice and coaching sessions, I love to sit down in a cafe or cozy up at home and complete my schoolwork. School is very important to me and I prioritize getting it done even when I am tired from skating. I like to use the weekend to catch up on my work as well. Consistently communicating with my teachers also helps me stay focused on exactly what needs to get done and if I ever need help with assignments!

2. Do you intend to pursue ice skating as a career or just as a hobby moving forward?

I am a Senior this year at ORCA and plan to move to college in the Fall. I am looking to participate in collegiate skating in college even though it is at a less intense level than my previous years. I hope to still train well enough to compete at national-level events among the top athletes but it will depend on my financial status in college. I will always strive to continue my love for skating, performing, and coaching young athletes but will prioritize my academic goals for my future career.

3. If you had to give advice to kids and teenagers just starting out on their ice skating journey, what would you tell them?

If I were to give advice to anyone starting out on the ice skating journey, I would want to tell them to ENJOY IT! It is an extremely challenging and unique sport but it brings so much opportunity to grow not only as an athlete but a person. Make sure you are patient with yourself and focus on the goals you set out for yourself. Don't worry too much about other people and strive towards your personal goals.

4. How did you get started ice skating? What about the sport sparked your interest?

I first tried skating because my dad used to figure skate in Kazakhstan as a young boy and teenager. He decided to teach me some beginner skills in a public session and I just fell in love with gliding and trying to contort myself into crazy positions that I saw others do so flawlessly. After taking my first beginner group class, my coach, Sofia, noticed me and talked to my mom to start some private lessons. I didn't even speak English yet coming from a Russian immigrant family but I always tried my best using the body language of skating!

5. What has been the highlight of your ice skating journey? A competition, meeting people, etc.?

The highlight of my skating journey would have to be my first Senior-level International competition in Slovakia. I was selected to represent Team USA at the top level at the Ondrej Nepela Memorial in Bratislava, Slovakia. My two favorite things, travel and ice skating were combined into a magical experience. Even though I did not skate exactly how I wanted to, I was proud of my effort and experience with my fellow Team USA athletes. Europe has the best food and I always love getting to know people from around the world!

6. What do you want to accomplish related to ice skating and what do you want to accomplish not related to ice skating?

I want to find a good spot for my passion for ice skating while also succeeding in my college aspirations. I also really want to continue growing my skating coaching business and further develop my skills as a teacher/educator on the ice. The opportunity to pass on my figure skating experiences to younger athletes is something that makes me so excited and thrilled to stay connected to the sport. I can't wait to see where my skating takes me next as I transition to a new location for college! I will study a Business major in college and hope to grow more familiar with a professional field outside of the skating industry.

The long-awaited Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, based on Rick Riordan's best-selling books, finally made its debut on screens in December 2023. The question among every Percy Jackson fan is… does it do justice to Riordan’s books?

Between 2010-2013, there were two blockbuster films released, Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief and Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters. Starring Logan Lerman as the lead, these movies were widely criticized for their drastic changes from the original storyline and lackluster acting. However, compared to these films, the Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV series is a much stronger adaptation, with the actors fitting much better into their roles and the story following closer to the books.

Actor Walker Scobell does a solid job at portraying the lovable hero, Percy Jackson, accurately depicting this young boy as a befuddled tween desperate to find answers about his family’s mysterious background. Aryan Simhadri plays Grover Underwood, Percy’s charming and loyal sidekick, and Leah Jeffries is great in her role as Annabeth Chase, a clever and witty heroine. All the actors perform adequately in their assigned roles. However, none of their performances stand out, and some moments are better than others.

The show does an excellent job of bringing Riordan's whimsical world full of supernatural elements and Greek mythology to life. The TV adaptation is infused with a comedy spin, full of witty gags and banter that perfectly captures the charm of the story. However, at times, the show can get a little corny, and there are a few flat acting scenes, especially from Scobell and Simhadri.

However, despite a few shortcomings, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is well worth watching on Disney+ as a faithful adaptation of the books. Season 2 has been confirmed, but the date is yet to be announced. 

The verdict: 7.5/10

Have you ever had a moment of accomplishment where you felt all your hard work had finally paid off? 

For high school senior Hania Mhamdi, that moment arrived when she opened her college scholarship portal to find some of the biggest news of her life: she had just won a national full-ride scholarship. “I nearly threw my phone when the digital confetti rained down on me,” she says. “It felt like I could finally sow the fruits of my labor.”

Mhamdi was selected from more than 20,000 applicants across the country as a recipient of the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. This is a highly competitive scholarship that recognizes exceptional academic achievement and connects high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with four-year scholarships to 50 of the nation’s best colleges. 

Her hard work and academic achievements paid off, and she is looking forward to attending Wesleyan University next year with a full-ride scholarship.

“I hadn’t told anyone in my family much about my pursuit for a scholarship either, as I didn’t want to get their hopes up,” she explains. “So when I came running down flailing my computer around saying I got a scholarship, it took a few minutes of clarification before they too were celebrating and running around with me.”

Earning her scholarship has helped Mhamdi take the next step in achieving her post-high school goals and exploring new opportunities in college. 

“I'm viewing the beginning of college as my opportunity to explore what I really want to do, in the ways I was unable to in high school,” she says. For her, that means taking advantage of Wesleyan’s open curriculum by volunteering and sampling different classes before deciding on them. 

Mhamdi is interested in psychology and neuroscience, both of which are potential majors. “So far, I’ve always been lowkey (very) obsessed with how people think and function in society, as well as being a supercool detective or a groundbreaking psychologist,” she says. However, she plans to keep her options open and not rush into any decisions.

Outside of school, she hopes to travel abroad to Sweden and has been studying the language. 

Mhamdi credits her success to her unique learning style and the support she has received from her teachers at ORCA. “ORCA will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says, explaining that she left public school in elementary and another charter school in seventh grade because neither was the right fit for her. “ORCA was able to foster such a great learning environment while still being moldable. Although not traditional, I still had amazing memories that I’ll be building on in my academic future.”

She gives credit to her teacher, Stephanie Imig, for the immense support and learning she has received. “[Ms. Imig] was my shepherd in so many ways and was an amazing guide and mentor. I credit her for a lot of this because, without her, there’s no way I would have applied to Questbridge.”

Looking forward, Mhamdi is excited for the future and grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has given her. 

“I'm really happy that I get to make my family proud and not be a weight to them in our already strained financial situation,” she says. “It was a really breathtaking and refreshing feeling, knowing that I had my future secured, in a way.”

The full interview is featured below: 

Congratulations on your scholarship! What was it like for you when you first heard you won a national scholarship?

Thank you!! In all honesty, I was completely shocked. I decided to take a video of myself opening my portal, and I nearly threw my phone when the digital confetti rained down on me. Definitely in my top 3 moments of life. It felt like I could finally sow the fruits of my labor.

 I hadn’t told anyone in my family much about my pursuit for a scholarship either, as I didn’t want to get their hopes up, so when I came running down flailing my computer around saying I got a scholarship it took a few minutes of clarification before they too were celebrating and running around with me. I’m really happy that I get to make my family proud and not be a weight to them in our already strained financial situation. It was a really breathtaking and refreshing feeling, knowing that I had my future secured, in a way. 

Now that you’re planning to attend Wesleyan University next year, do you have any specific future college and/or career plans?

I’m viewing the beginning of college as my opportunity to explore what I really want to do in the ways I was unable to in high school. For me, that will mean lots of sampling classes, as Wes is an open curriculum and probably volunteering a bit here and there. So far, I’ve always been lowkey (very) obsessed with how people think and function in society, as well as being a supercool detective or a groundbreaking psychologist, or something like that. If I do actually decide I want to pursue these obsessions, I was thinking of turning to either a psychology major or a neuroscience major. I still have time though, so I’m not planning on rushing. 

I’m definitely going to travel abroad, though. I’ve been studying Swedish outside of ORCA, and I want to go to Sweden to employ these amazing linguistic capabilities of mine. This isn’t related to any career-based pursuits, really; I just really want to go to Sweden. 

You've been a student at ORCA for many years now. How has ORCA supported your academic journey and what has your experience been like?

ORCA will always hold a special place in my heart. I left public school in my late elementary years because it wasn’t a fit for me, and left another charter school in 7th grade because it ALSO wasn’t right for me. ORCA, however, was a fit. My learning style is a little different, and my lifestyle is pretty weird, so ORCA was able to foster such a great learning environment while still being moldable. Although not traditional, I still had amazing memories that I’ll be building on in my academic future. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’d just like to give a shout-out to my amazing teacher of yesteryear, Mrs. Imig. She was my shepherd in so many ways and was an amazing guide and mentor. I credit her for a lot of this, because without her there’s no way I would have applied to Questbridge. Also, I did employ lots of what she taught in my application filling-out. Thank you, Mrs. Imig!! Best teacher of all time, mic drop. 

Starting off the spring season with seven teams participating across four games, ORCA’s esports team showed off and showed out during their first week of regular season games. The majority of the teams started out strong, producing a winning record by the end of the first week, and Dalton Robbins, an ORCA sophomore, placed first for Score Per Game in Rocket League.

The Stardust Crusaders, one of the two ORCA esports Overwatch 2 teams, defeated their opponents, Huskies Overwatch 3-0. ORCA’s other Overwatch 2 team, Sly Kitsunes lost their first match to MdN Overwatch. There are currently 90 teams in the Overwatch 2 Mountain Division. 

For the Rocket League competitors, Unknown Skies and ORCA Rocket League #2, they were both able to come out of the battle victorious. ORCA Rocket League #2 won 1-0 due to a forfeit, while Unknown Skies swept the Viewmont Vikings JV 3-0. 

While ORCA only has one Super Smash Bros. team, they are currently competing in a division with 131 other teams. Winning their first match, the esports Smash crew defeated the SRMS Tired Legends, beating them 3-1. 

In addition to emerging victorious against the Pathfinders LoL, with two games to one, the League of Legends group also had a top-scoring player that placed 4th in Overall KDA (kills/deaths/assists) and 2nd in Gold Per Minute. Carlos Cardona, an ORCA junior, topped the charts amongst 36 teams and approximately 180 players.

“We are incredibly proud of how far our teams have come and are excited to have some new players on board,” says Esports Director Todd Shaffer. “Coach Elliott and his veteran players have established a great program that is not only seeing team success but some individual highlights as well, which can be seen in our week one results. It is our hope that esports continues to be a safe and enjoyable space for our students to interact and grow, and selfishly, it is our hope that some of them continue with esports in college or as a part of their future career path.”

Just starting their spring season, ORCA esports teams will no doubt continue to dominate and produce top-scoring players. Stay tuned for more esports updates in the coming issues.

Bring out your cameras – the time for yearbook photos has arrived!

The ORCA Yearbook Club has been working hard to put together the new 2023-24 yearbooks for all grades, which will be coming out this spring. 

A request for yearbook photos was sent to students' parents earlier this year via email. If you haven't received this request yet, be sure to check your spam or junk email. The yearbook photo should be a clear image of your face, preferably with a plain background. This year, ORCA seniors will have the chance to submit a senior quote alongside their picture. 

Clubs can also submit a photo to be featured on the “ORCA Clubs” yearbook page. The deadline to submit photos is April 15. 

The high school Yearbook Club Advisor, Kelly Ellerman, is excited about this year's space-themed yearbooks, which have brought some fun challenges to navigate. "I am also thrilled about Prom being on May 4th and the theme is May the 4th be with you. That will be super fun to design!" she added. 

Yearbook sales will begin on April 1 and will continue until May 1. After the May deadline, students can still order yearbooks, but these will be sent directly to their address with a delivery charge. Yearbooks purchased before the deadline will be available for pickup at the Spring Celebration event on May 31.

For any questions or concerns about ordering yearbooks or submitting photos, please contact the Yearbook advisor, Kelly Ellerman. 

On Friday, February 2, the ORCA Wilsonville facility was transformed into a western winter wonderland for ORCA's high school Winter Social. 

From saddles to snowflakes, the two-hour shindig was split between two rooms decked out in western and snowy decor. One room was used primarily for music and dancing, and the other was a seating area with cookie snacks and games. 

The festivities kicked off with a lively game of Kahoot, which featured questions ranging from ORCA and western trivia to winter-related fun facts. 

Students showed up and showed out in their best cowboy attire, ready to dance their boots off to popular party hits, including “Shut Up and Dance” and “Macarena,” as well as a conga line for “YMCA.” The dance room quickly filled with circles as students participated in dance-offs and showed off their best disco moves. 

Student Government member Cara S. had a great time with friends on the dance floor. “It’s super fun!” she said. “For anyone who can attend one of these [events], definitely do. Grace [Peterson] will draft you onto the dance floor.”

She added that her favorite part was the music, and she especially enjoyed the snack bar, which included chocolate chip and white chocolate cranberry cookies, along with cucumber-lemon raspberry water. 

“I’ve danced way more than needed!” added Student Government President Grace Peterson. "The Kahoot was slaying. Everything’s been so great. I’m glad to be here! Yeehaw!”

Meanwhile, in the other room, students and teachers engaged in fun conversations and lively debates, sharing their opinions on the best cookie flavor and whether pineapple belongs on pizza. 

Oatmeal, rainbow cookies, and white chocolate macadamia were all notable contenders – but the most popular choice was unsurprisingly chocolate chip. 

High School Principal Joe Mogford shared his own thoughts on the cookie discussion: “My favorite cookie is my mom's chocolate chip. Not just her recipe, but hers. Others can try to mimic it, but they're just never quite as good.”

Throughout the event, students had the chance to socialize with each other in an in-person setting and make new friends. The well-decorated event was a hit, with students and chaperones alike enjoying the festive atmosphere.

ORCA teacher Lisa Rollot enjoyed seeing students have a good time and praised the whimsical decorations. “Mr. Mogford had a great playlist that kept the students running back to the dance floor,” she added. “I can't wait to see everyone at prom!”

As the two hours came to a close, Mr. Mogford concluded the event with a few remarks, congratulating Student Government for putting together a special night. 

“My favorite part of Winter Social is how welcoming everyone was to anyone who was willing to jump onto the dance floor,” he commented. “There was nothing but smiles and celebration.”

Leesy Lindsay, the Student Government activities director, is excited to start planning a Star Wars-themed prom this year with decorations, music, and dancing. This is her first year planning a big event, and she notes that she enjoyed “getting to see everyone's ideas and working with everyone in Student Government.”

With prom coming up on May 4, the Events Committee is already working hard to make it a memorable night. 

“As we look forward to prom, I am most excited that we will be working with a professional party producer,” Mr. Mogford said. “You will learn more about him in the near future, but he is already working with our Student Government team to make sure this is a special event to remember. May the Fourth be with you!”

Kudos. Props. Shout outs. To keep with ORCA’s nautical theme, we call them “spout outs.” Students have long had the option to spout out a staff member or teacher of their choice located at the Principal’s Corner on Canvas. With a spout out, students have the opportunity to allow teachers to be publicly recognized in the monthly staff newsletters. Everyone agreed that this was a great idea to continue to forge a community between students and teachers, including providing them with appreciation and gratitude for their hard-working educators. The Middle School Student Government, however, took it even further.

What if, in addition to their teachers, students could praise their peers as well? Student Government members wanted to give students a chance to acknowledge their classmates for their kindness and hard work. 

The MS Student Government expressed their ideas to the Student Government advisor, who took action. During a K-8 assembly on February 8, they officially announced the Kindness Campaign. The campaign was initiated on February 26.

The Kindness Campaign is a system that encourages students to send peers a note of appreciation. In the Principal’s Corner, look for a link titled “Kindness Campaign.” It directs students to a page dedicated to the Kindness Campaign, where students can choose from Friendship Form, Words of Encouragement, or Student Spout-Out. When clicked, these links take students to Google Forms, where they can write a kind message of appreciation to someone they feel has been supporting or leading others. Once submitted, the Google Form immediately sends a message to the recipient's email account containing that spout. 

“The Kindness Campaign is a brand new program where students can submit a form explaining a simple act of kindness that a student or peer has performed here at ORCA!” explains Emma Davis, the K-8 student body president. “I think that this will be one step closer to making ORCA an even better place for everyone!”

The Kindness Campaign is a great way to recognize and reward your peers. This initiative is available to K-8 students at ORCA and is located in the Principal's Corner.

In last month’s Presidential Workshop, ORCA’s student body president, Grace Peterson, discussed ways to improve public speaking skills. After all, public speaking is a part of everyday life and is virtually impossible to avoid. So, it’s important to learn how to communicate effectively and handle the stress of public speaking. 

One of the first activities Peterson went through was ways to practice finding our weaknesses in public speaking. This activity isn’t meant to put us down but rather to help us be aware of our weaknesses in order to improve them.

The following slide featured some inspirational quotes to motivate students to improve their public speaking. The first quote mentioned was “Fear is a reaction, courage is a decision,” from British statesman Winston Churchill. Peterson talked about what this quote means to her and how we can apply it to our own situations. The next quote she shared was “Courage is grace under pressure,” explaining how you need to “have the courage to keep going” despite initial setbacks. 

Next in the workshop, Peterson showed how to redirect your public speaking mistakes. Coming across a mistake, whether it be stuttering or mispronouncing a word, is almost inevitable, so it’s important to find ways to help you jump back from it. The first way is to redirect your focus by ignoring the mistake and pretending nothing happened. Or, you can acknowledge your misstep and correct it. 

Peterson goes on to explain how important it is to know your audience. For example, if you were presenting in a professional setting, you would want to refrain from using slang and informal words like “slay.” It is also good to keep your speech relevant and appropriate for your audience. When you get nervous, keep a positive mindset going into the situation. 

Peterson described how to have confident body language, whether that’s putting your hands on your hips, behind your head, or just having a wide stance. As she explains, “As long as you take up space, it convinces your brain that you’re supposed to be there.” 

She reiterates that public speaking is not only talking in front of large crowds but also learning how to speak authoritatively in all settings, no matter the crowd size. 

Overall, this workshop covered many important tips for public speaking, including appearing confident, fixing mistakes, and overcoming nervousness. If you would like to view the presidential workshop recording, please click here.

Writers, take up your pens. ORCA’s Writing Club features middle school students interested in creative writing. Students will gain the opportunity to meet others with the same passion, share their work, gain advice, and improve their writing. 

The club advisors are Emily Strocher and Katherine Wallig. Ms. Strocher teaches eighth-grade Humanities and middle school Mythology, while Ms. Wallig is a sixth-grade Humanities teacher. The two work together to keep the club fun, interesting, and inclusive for students to collaborate. Students also have the chance to build meaningful friendships through writing.

While Ms. Wallig and Ms. Strocher are the advisors, the members agree that their corgis, Tater Tot and Oscar, reign supreme. The two dogs are featured quite frequently on camera. 

The club meets every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. for weekly "quick write" activities and a fun hour of chaos. Their quick writes are fifteen minutes long each and based on one or two prompts. There is usually quite an array of responses, as each writer will interpret the prompt differently.

“Writing Club is chaos in a good way,” says Elijah Pyke, a long-time club member and author of many heart-wrenching short stories that he shares in the club. “Writers of all sorts write on the same prompt, and you can see the difference in everyone's style. There will be stories that will make you die of laughter and stories that will make you cry, but we all write!” 

For many students, the meetings are the highlight of their week. The enthusiastic attitude of writing club members has helped build the community they have now.

“I can truly say that the Writing Club meetings are one of my favorite parts of the week,” says club advisor Ms. Wallig. “We have such a fun, creative, and collaborative group of students. Everyone has their own writing style, from fantasy to comedy, romance, suspense, and everything in between, but everyone is so supportive and encouraging to one another.” 

According to Ms. Strocher, who has been with the club since last year, there is a core group of members who are regular attendees. “Between having members participate so regularly and having had many of them in Creative Writing in the past two years, I feel like I've really gotten to know each person’s individual writing styles and personalities,” she says. “Writing Club members are very supportive of each other's writing, always eager to give compliments and feedback, and also hop on the mic to read for other members when they can't or don't feel up to it.”

ORCA’s MS Writing Club supports the development of a community of young writers, each with their own styles, genres, personalities, and voices, and they’re always willing to help each other. Whether it’s giving feedback, reading for someone else, or even collaborating on a piece, they are always there and together have built a beautiful space full of chaos and fun.

If you decide to study medical science at ORCA, sooner or later, you’ll take a class with Ms. Lee. She first began her post-secondary education at Oregon State University. After she graduated, she began working as an athletic trainer. While in the midst of managing a physical therapy clinic, Ms. Lee went back to school so that she could become a licensed massage therapist. A few years later, she decided to teach massage therapy classes, which helped her realize how much she enjoyed teaching. 

Her realization inspired her to attend Grand Canyon University and earn her Master of Education degree. Soon after she earned her degree, Ms. Lee began working at ORCA. She has been at ORCA since 2021 and teaches many classes in the ASCEND pathway.

Ms. Lee enjoys learning interesting science facts and sharing them with her students. Her love for science has led to her teaching numerous medical science classes. Ms. Lee currently teaches Intro to Public Health, Health Science 1, Medical Law & Ethics, Health Occupations, and Anatomy & Physiology. She is also a co-advisor in HOSA and the advisor of ORCA's new Scrub Club. 

Another fun fact is that Ms. Lee attended the National Consortium for Health Science Education in October of 2023 alongside 400 other health science educators across the United States. Over 190 teachers from across the nation took the voluntary certification exams. Ms. Lee placed third in the Human Structure, Function, and Disease exam. Ms. Lee chose to take anatomy tests with her friend and colleague Dr. Washak; Ms. Lee placed third in the second anatomy test, and Dr. Washak placed second in the first anatomy test. Ms. Lee mentioned that she was happy with her placement, saying, “We were pretty proud.” About Dr. Washak, she adds, “We are in the medical science pathway and we tend to come in a pair! I am so happy she is my ‘partner in crime’ because she is just a wealth of knowledge and a blast to be around.”

When Ms. Lee isn’t teaching at ORCA, she enjoys baking, reading, taking walks, and playing board games with her family. She has a 10-year-old daughter named Jordyn and a seven-year-old dog named Oakland. 

Ms. Lee went on to share some advice for not only her students but anyone who isn’t sure about what career they want to pursue: “I also like to remind students that it's okay if you don't know exactly what career you want right now. Continue to study things that interest you and the right path will come along.” 

“I've changed my career three times, and there is nothing wrong with that!” she adds. “There are skills I take from each career that make me better at my next. The most important thing is having a work/life balance! It's so important to remember to take care of yourself first so that you can have the mental and physical energy to help others!”

During the month of March, HOSA is launching their latest Mental Health Promotion Campaign. 

HOSA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) affiliated with the ORCA ASCEND Medical Science pathway. At ORCA, this club is a student-led organization of health professionals and is a branch of an international organization with over 4,500 chapters. 

Students interested in the medical profession join to get involved with a community of medical students, develop their leadership skills, and challenge themselves to a wide range of competitions and hands-on learning. Members can compete in over 60 competitions online, in person, or a hybrid of both at the State Leadership Conference. Depending on how they place, they can be invited to compete at the International Leadership Conference. HOSA students have previously attended and competed in the competition for the past two years. 

This month, HOSA President Cara S. and Secretary Grace Choi are competing in a Mental Health Promotion competition with their latest initiative. The goal of the competition is to work with a mental health professional and create a month-long campaign educating peers on mental health challenges. 

“We wanted to create a campaign to help our fellow classmates with a very real and serious issue in this country,” says Cara, explaining that the purpose of their month-long initiative is to reach out and provide support for their peers. 

“Through this campaign, we hope to bring awareness and hope to youth who are affected by mental health and substance use,” Choi adds. 

Throughout the month, they will host their 31-day campaign on the ORCA HOSA Instagram account (@orcahosa), covering social media content and PSA posters on youth mental health and substance use. They will present their campaign in person at the State Leadership Conference from April 1-3 in Portland. There are a total of seven students competing in 11 different competitions this year. 

“I think this competition is important because mental health is health, and it is something that should be talked about more and without stigma,” explains HOSA advisor Amy Lee. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and with this campaign, ORCA HOSA hopes to help students “see that they aren't alone in their feelings and that reaching out for support is okay.”

“The more we talk about mental health care, the more we normalize it,” Ms. Lee adds,  “Which in turn hopefully increases the amount of people receiving care.”

Be sure to follow @orcahosa to support HOSA’s mental health initiative and follow their journey. 

Are you an electrician? ‘Cause you're lighting up our day with these pickup lines!

Last month, ORCA students showed off their wits and creativity with a number of fun one-liners in The Current’s Pickup Lines Contest. Here are some of the top pickup lines of the month:

Kendra L.: “No pen, no paper, but you still drew my attention.”

Penelope H.: “Are you a Pokémon? Because I want to take a Pikachu.”

Breanna Stowell: “Are you caffeine? Because you keep me up at night!”

Wilder K.: “Was that an earthquake, or did you just rock my world?”

Felix B.: “Hey girl, are you a koala? Because you smell really bad.”

Anonymous: I believe in following my dreams. Can I have your Instagram? 

Do you believe in love at first sight — or should I walk by again?

Valentine’s season may be over, but it’s never too late to share the fun with these wholehearted pickup lines!

Thank you everyone for participating in the contest! Be sure to look out for another exciting contest coming up next month. 

On February 22, ORCA’s Student Government hosted their first virtual open meeting of the year. High schoolers had the chance to meet their Student Government representatives and learn about their leadership roles. 

As the meeting commenced, Reagan Stanek, Student Government’s co-vice president, spoke on behalf of President Grace Peterson, who wasn’t able to attend. Stanek shared a presentation that explained the roles and responsibilities of each member, as well as information on the upcoming presidential elections in May. 

Each official had the opportunity to introduce themselves. Next, Stanek proceeded to discuss the resources that Student Government has to offer, which included Student Government’s Instagram account, also known as the “govgram,” and their website. Co-Vice President Ahnalya De Leeuw urges students to follow the govgram to stay tuned on the latest events and activities, including the monthly Instagram themes. Students can request to follow the private account by filling out this form. 

Stanek encouraged students to visit their website regularly to check out their upcoming school-wide events and meet the Student Government officers.

The website features a fun scavenger hunt called “Where’s Orby,” where students can look for three orca whales hidden throughout the website. The location of these Orbys changes every month. Students who find them all will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win their very own one-of-a-kind ORCA water bottle. 

As Marketing Committee Leader Hannah Ma explained, “Where’s Orby” was created as a way to encourage engagement and help students explore the website while having fun. “It's a really great way to get involved in the school community and learn about Student Government,” Ma added. 

Stanek went on to explain how their Student Government meetings work, from planning events to promoting activities. She featured a sample slideshow from one of their previous meetings to show what a typical agenda looks like. 

Student Government hopes to plan their next open gov meeting sometime in April, which will cover more information on the upcoming presidential elections and how to apply. 

“I want to reiterate that everyone is welcome in Student Government,” Stanek said. “You can run for any position in the Executive Board, or for less of a time commitment, join as a senator in the fall.” 

She encourages students to get involved in Student Government and the school community. “We hope that everyone feels comfortable applying,” Stanek added. “If you missed this meeting, we will have another election-specific open meeting in the spring!”

As the meeting concluded, many senior Student Government officials grew bittersweet as they revisited memories and hoped to pass on their legacy to the next generation. “I wish I could stay!” De Leeuw commented. “Continue our legacy, join Student Gov!”

Interested in joining but not sure where to start? Calla Mapel, ORCA’s high school Student Government advisor, shared tips for those still undecided, especially for upcoming seniors. “Traits that come to mind for president and vice-president candidates are good communication skills, professionalism, [and] acting as a kind of community organizer…” Ms. Mapel said. “So good organization is key!”

Students eager to join next year’s Executive Board can apply from April 22 to May 10. The results of the new Executive Board will be announced by May 31. 

Stay tuned for the next open meeting to learn more about the elections this spring. 

The Open Gov presentation can be found here. For more information regarding Student Government, you can visit their website in the Principal’s Corner. 

Every year, musicians and other recording industry insiders get together to recognize the biggest songs, albums, and artists of the year. Now, let’s take a look at some highlights from the 2024 annual Grammys hosted by comedian Trevor Noah.

Meryl Streep and Mark Ronson presented the Grammy for Record of the Year. The nominees included “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift. However, the award was given to Miley Cyrus for her hit song “Flowers,” which spent eight non-consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100. Cyrus also won her first Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for the same record-breaking song earlier that night. 

Victoria Monét took home the award for Best New Artist. During her acceptance speech, she said, "I feel like today I am sprouting, finally above ground. I would like to thank my team of visionaries who could see through that soil."

Lionel Richie presented Song of the Year to Billie Eilish for her hit “What Was I Made For?” from the blockbuster of the summer, Barbie. Other nominees included pop hits from Miley Cyrus’s song “Flowers” and Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night.” 

One of the most memorable highlights of the night was when Billy Joel sang his first song in 17 years, “Turn The Lights Back On.” The song was released on February 1, just days before the award ceremony. 

Another unforgettable moment was Joni Mitchell’s first-ever Grammy performance. Joni Mitchell is a legendary folk singer from the 60s, famous for her unique style of playing guitar. After taking a hiatus in her career and recovering from a life-altering stroke, she had to learn how to sing again. At the Grammys, Mitchell performed “Both Sides Now,” beside many other artists, including Brandi Carlile. She also took home her 10th Grammy later that night, winning Best Folk Album for Joni Mitchell at Newport.

Celine Dion presented the Album of the Year Award to Taylor Swift for her pop album Midnights. During her acceptance speech, Swift said, “For me, the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this. I love it so much. It makes me so happy.” 

Earlier that night Taylor Swift was also awarded Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights. During her acceptance speech, she announced her new album titled The Tortured Poets Department, which will be released on April 19. 

There were many other memorable moments from the 66th annual Grammys:

• Lainey Wilson took home the award for Best Country Album for “Bell Bottom Country.” 

• SZA won the category Best R&B Song for her song titled “Snooze.” 

• Former first lady Michelle Obama won her second Grammy for her book The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times under the category Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording.

• Jack Antonoff was awarded Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. 

• Chris Stapleton took home two awards for his new song “White Horse,” winning Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.  

• Best Rock Song was awarded to Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Davis of the band Boygenius. 

• As a surprise, Tracy Chapman joined country singer Luke Combs to duet “Fast Car,” a song popularized by Chapman in 1988 and redone to wild success by Combs this year. 

• R&B artist SZA debuted her new single “Saturn” in a partnership performance with Mastercard.

We all seem to view music through the lens of our own streaming accounts, so an awards show like the Grammys offers a wider view of which artists made news in the music industry this year.

On February 16, the final day of Spirit Week, students of all ages visited the ORCA Wilsonville Facility to join the monthly Hangouts. Spirit Week culminated in costume day, with some arriving in full regalia. Students enjoyed lively conversations and competitive gameplay, and some even handed out late Valentine's cards. 

The Elementary and Middle School Hangouts started at 10 a.m. and ended at noon, while the High School Hangouts ran from 1-3 p.m. The events began with an icebreaker game, where attendees were divided into groups and answered fun questions about themselves. 

“They were fun,” elementary student Savonya Heikkila commented. “I loved [playing] Heads Up 7-Up when we were with the middle schoolers.”

From there, the Hangouts continued with games like Monopoly, Ticket To Ride, Mysterium, and more.

In between the two Hangouts events, there was a special field trip where ORCA teacher Michael Rodriguez shared a presentation about his trip to Antarctica. He also gave out souvenirs, which included a variety of stickers and bookmarks.

"I really enjoyed telling everyone about my adventures in Antarctica and having two of the researchers with me," Mr. Rodriguez said. "It was so fun having students try on the extreme cold weather clothing and one student try on the gear used for diving under the ice. She weighed 220 pounds when she was fully suited up!"

“One of my favorite things about the HS Hangouts is that everyone is having fun and you get to see people in person that are in your classes,” added high school freshman Keagan S. 

The next Hangouts are coming up on March 15. Be sure to check out Field Trip Central for more information and to RSVP.

Want to connect with employers and learn about future career opportunities? The Portland Workforce Alliance (PWA), an independent nonprofit partnering with ORCA’s ASCEND program, is holding its 20th annual NW Youth Careers Expo. This event is the perfect opportunity for high school students in the Portland metro area to explore a wide variety of potential careers through demonstrations, mock interviews, workshops, and hands-on learning.

The expo is taking place at the Oregon Convention Center and will run from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Over 6,000 students from more than 75 high schools around Oregon and Southwest Washington are in attendance each year, including Oregon Charter Academy. Exhibitors include Kaiser Permanente, The Oregonian, Amazon Web Services, and Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. There will be over 200 exhibitors “representing the state's leading employers and postsecondary partners,” according to PWA.

The goal of the NW Youth Careers Expo is to “connect employers to their future workforce and help students make informed, inspired decisions about their education after high school, whether they choose a four-year university, community college or apprenticeship training center,” according to the PWA website. This event is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience a job fair environment without the stress of needing to decide on their future right away.

Liberty Lacy, the field trip event organizer for the expo, states that “all ORCA High Schoolers are invited to attend the Portland Workforce Alliance's 20th Annual Youth Careers Expo… You can take part in hands-on demonstrations and talk to representatives about summer jobs and internships. There is also a selection of workshops and mock interviews you can attend.”

For more information regarding the Portland Workforce Alliance, please reference their website here, and don’t forget to RSVP through Field Trip Central by March 14 to attend. Be sure to check out many more PWA events coming up soon. 

It is the time of the year that ORCA’s annual Intent to Return (ITR) process has begun for the 2024-2025 school year. Do you plan on attending a different school next year? If so, please still fill out the form above. By completing the ITR, you will help ORCA with budgeting and planning for the next school year. There are three ways you can answer: yes, no, or undecided. 

• Yes: By selecting this option, you plan to return for the 2024-2025 school year. 

• No: If you do not plan to attend ORCA next year, you can choose this option. Please only select this option if you are sure that you will not be returning next year. If you do change your mind and decide to return for the 2024-2025 school year after selecting "no," you will be required to re-enroll to rejoin the school.

• Undecided: By selecting this option, you are stating that you are unsure if you will be returning for the next school year. 

The Intent to Return form is scheduled to close on May 1, 2024, so please complete it before then. The form will require some basic information, such as your name, student phone number, and date of birth. It shouldn't take more than five minutes to fill out, so prompt responses are appreciated.

 If you are unsure whether you will be returning to ORCA, feel free to reach out to your homeroom or advisory teacher to discuss what best fits your situation. 

If you have any issues submitting the form, please do not hesitate to consult with your advisory teacher, or you can call 503-217-4334. 

You can view all the information regarding the Intent to Return process here. You can also access the Intent to Return Form through the global announcements or in an email sent to students and parents. 

ORCA has many in-person and virtual events for students in all grades to choose from. They are great opportunities to socialize with other students. This March, be sure to check out Field Trip Central in the Principal’s Corner for more information on the many fun events happening this month.

Tryon Creek Hike and Plant Identification (3/1)

Experience a walk in nature on March 1 at Tryon Creek in Portland. This small hike in the woods is a great opportunity for students to socialize with their peers, explore the outdoors, and learn about different kinds of plants and trees. It is open to all students in grades 6-12.

ORCA Hangouts (3/15)

The ORCA Hangouts are a fun monthly event where students can play board games, hang out with old friends, and make new ones. For elementary and middle school students, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and for high school students, it runs from 1-3 p.m. 

FFA Chapter Meeting (3/15)

If you are a member of the FFA Chapter (open to grades 8-12), check out the FFA Chapter Meeting event from 2-3:30 p.m. The event is a great way for students in the Veterinary Science pathway to apply their learning to a fun, interactive activity.

NW Youth Careers Expo (3/19)

At the NW Youth Careers Expo, high school students can explore different career pathways, meet with industry professionals, and get career guidance and resources to get started. The event will go from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, check out this article and RSVP on Field Trip Central to attend.

These are all of the latest field trips happening in March, so be sure to head over to the Field Trip Central to find more information on the events and RSVP.

The printable version of The Current’s For The Love of Pi crossword can be found HERE. All clues are listed below.

ACROSS

2. 3.1415__

3. 2012 movie about a boy and a tiger stranded after a shipwreck

8. A real number that cannot be expressed as a ratio or integer is __

9. Oh my, here comes…

10. Non-terminating

11. Approximately

DOWN

1. Pi is the ____ of a circle relatable to the diameter

4. Forever

5. Fraction, decimal, irrational number, and…

6. A form of an ellipse

7. Double of pi

12. A field that utilizes pi to explore the stars

The answers to the crossword will be published in the April issue of The Current.

Below are the answers to the Oregon Landmarks Crossword from the February Issue of The Current.

ACROSS

1. Oregon Garden = This Silverton site is home to a collection of plants and beautiful landscaping, and features a display of holiday lights each year (2 words)

3. Multnomah Falls = The most visited nature recreational site in the PNW (2 words)

7. Pittock Mansion = French Renaissance style building in Portland’s west hills that was built by a well known publisher of The Oregonian (2 words)

8. Blockbuster = A video rental store located in Bend; last one of its kind

9. Astoria Column = This tower serves as a monument and tourist attraction on the Oregon coast (2 words)

10. Crater Lake = An iconic volcanic pit (2 words)

DOWN

2. Mount Hood = Oregon’s tallest mountain, named after a British admiral (2 words)

4. Powell’s Books = The largest bookstore in Oregon (2 words)

5. OMSI = Famous institution for technology and education

6. Rose Garden = A tourist attraction in Portland known for its showcase and testing of flowers (2 words)

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 are some ways to deal with frustration from not knowing the answer to a question?

- Frust Rated

Dear Frust Rated,

This is an excellent question, and the important thing to remember is that frustration is human! Everyone makes mistakes or gets confused, and it’s scientifically proven that mistakes actually help reinforce learning. That being said, it’s really hard to remember while you’re in the moment. So, here are some top tips for making the most of a mistake and reframing it in your mind!

If you find yourself projecting your frustration onto yourself, pause and ask, “Why am I blaming myself for not answering this question correctly?” Perhaps you feel you could have answered it correctly if you had double-checked or re-read the question. This can remind you to be a little more thorough next time. Or maybe you find yourself comparing your academic level to that of someone else. While there’s no easy way to suddenly stop making comparisons in our minds, it’s essential to note that you are not every student, and you have your own strengths to bring to the table. Despite your current area of challenge, perhaps you’re good at writing, scientific inquiry, interpreting history, mapping geographic locations, making art, or even soft skills like empathy or communication. And if you’re good at math, I envy you! 

But it’s essential to remember that being “good” at those things is not a reflection of a spontaneous acquisition of knowledge but a long-term learning process you might not even have given yourself credit for. Think back to your interests: they could be one of the many listed at the end of the previous paragraph or something else entirely. How were you motivated to learn about them and apply them to your life? Likely, the answer is you enjoyed it. As a result, you were devoting more time and care to it without even realizing it. This is where a clichéd – but relevant – idea comes into play: a growth versus a fixed mindset. I think we’ve all heard about the dangers of a fixed mindset on things we view ourselves as “bad” at, but it’s also possible to be fixed about our perceived talents. When we take a step back and simply congratulate ourselves on the hard work we’ve done, we can not only motivate ourselves to continue working hard on those interests. We can apply some of the same motivation to answering questions we’ve gotten wrong (and frustrated about) in other classes. The key is understanding why you got something wrong – the academic “why” and the emotional “why” – and processing it in some way. Some may want to take notes, while others may be able to memorize it. Also, some may benefit from reviewing questions from a quiz with their teacher, a study group, or through the peer tutoring program before taking the test.

Ultimately, disregarding all the nitty-gritty advice, it’s essential to remember: you did the best with what you knew at the time!

Good luck,

ORCA’s NHS & NJHS

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