May 2025

Over spring break, 14 students embarked on an unforgettable journey across the United States, landing on the East Coast where they explored the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., before heading north to the Big Apple, New York City.

“The trip was exhausting and totally worth it,” said ORCA Exploring Travel teacher Paula Leifer.

The travelers’ packed schedule began with a nearly 3,000-mile flight to the district nestled between Maryland and Virginia. In the first few days, they explored historic landmarks like the Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Capitol, all while soaking in the beauty of the cherry blossoms blooming across the city.

Before departing D.C., the group made time to visit a few of the Smithsonian museums, some of the most iconic vessels of knowledge in the country. Half of the students toured the National Museum of Natural History, marveling at the massive dinosaur skeletons and cartilage displays, while the other half explored the National Museum of African American History and Culture, one of the Smithsonian’s newer institutions.

Almost immediately, students bonded with one another. “On the first few days of the trip, all the travelers were introduced to each other, and lots of them, including me, made tons of new connections,” said Cassie Rogers, an ORCA sophomore. “Being an online school student does come with its own challenges, however, being able to connect with my peers and classmates on this trip was not one of them.”

From there, the group made their way upstate to New York City– the city that never sleeps. They toured the vibrant streets of Manhattan and wandered through the bright lights of Times Square, where many picked up classic “I LOVE NY” souvenirs to commemorate their time.

In addition to standing beneath towering skyscrapers, they had the chance to see the city from above, ascending one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan– an experience not for the faint of heart or the fearful of heights.

Over the next few days, the adventures continued as they traveled to Ellis Island and caught a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty. They also climbed the famous steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) and spent time wandering the galleries of one of the world’s most renowned art institutions, second only to the Louvre in Paris.

One of the most moving parts of the trip was visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, where students had the opportunity to learn about the tragedy that changed the nation more than two decades ago.

“Seeing the 9/11 memorial was quite a heart-wrenching experience that held both sad and fascinating sights to see,” Rogers reflected. “When I walked through that museum, I felt both grief for those who had lost their lives, and their families who had received the news, but I also felt inspired to learn more about the memories of the people who lived through that time, and how it shaped the safety regulations that airports have in place today.”

She added, “I think the value that this museum holds is a place for people to mourn their losses of loved ones, but also to respect those who volunteered time to try and help those trapped people in any way they could, most of whom had also lost their lives in this tragedy.”

On a lighter note, the group attended Boop! The Musical– a lively Broadway production inspired by the classic cartoon character Betty Boop.

“In general, one of my favorite things from the entire trip was the friend group I made," said Lux Reames, an ORCA junior. “We called ourselves the Giggle Gang.”

“The experience as an online student is totally worth it. Meeting all these students and teachers in person felt amazing. We even got to make connections with another school group from Louisiana, and they were also so nice. The entire trip brought a lot of us together, and we made friendships very fast just getting along with each other,” Reames added.

Casey Comstock, one of the supervising teachers on the trip, shared how much joy the experience brought. She will be hosting another Zoom information session on May 22 at 6 PM for families interested in sending their students on next year’s spring trip, which will once again be open to 8th-12th graders.

The trip was a full circle moment for Ms. Comstock, having visited New York her first time with EF Tours, the sponsor of the trip, when she was a high school student. She’s decided on DC & NY as the location again and looks forward to injecting a new batch of students with the desire to travel.

To attend the information meeting on May 22, check out this link to RSVP and view more info.

Overall, the trip was unforgettable.“I am so grateful that I have these memories and friendships to cherish,” Rogers said.

Ms. Leifer echoed the sentiment, adding, “Our school can sometimes feel isolating, with all of us working in our homes, but I know from conversations and from responses to assignments I have given that those friendships made are going to be long-lasting.”

Earlier this month, AP U.S. History teacher Casey Comstock invited Yukiko Nakada Flennaugh, daughter of John Nakada, and Elissa Dingus from the Japanese American Museum of Oregon to present on Japanese-American internment during World War II. 

John Nakada, 94, is a survivor of Japanese-American internment camps. At the age of eleven, Nakada and his family were forced to live for several years in internment camps. Through interview videos by the Densho Digital Repository, students had the chance to learn about Nakada’s personal anecdotes, like the story of how he dug a hole and snuck out of a camp to eat watermelon.

After he returned to his home, Nakada, unlike thousands of other Japanese Americans, didn’t stay silent about the internment camps. He was an active speaker about his life before and after internment camps. His storytelling brings to light the discriminatory treatment he received from people around him when the United States entered World War II and how these relationships shifted after the camps. Nakada’s fear as a child in uncertain times grew into bravery, as he graduated from college and continued his journey of educating younger generations.

“It’s not what you look like, it’s what you have inside.”

- John Nakada

Mrs. Comstock called this experience “a wonderful way to add to their learning experience.”

Learning from stories like John Nakada’s reminds us of the importance of remembering history and honoring the past so we don’t repeat the same mistakes. By listening to those who share their experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of the impact of injustice and the strength of those who lived through it. People like Nakada and organizations like the Japanese-American Museum of Oregon keep these voices and histories alive, teaching us to stand up against injustice.

It was a chilly Friday morning when several dozen ORCA 5th graders began rolling into a location in rural Clackamas County to attend the annual 5th Grade ORCA Outdoor School. 

As parents dropped off their kids with a handful of ORCA teachers, admins, and student leaders, the air was filled with anticipation of what the day would bring. The entire group was cold and some wished aloud that they could ignite the fire pit, but the action was about to begin, so keeping warm would not be a problem. 

The morning was filled with all sorts of learning as student groups rotated through various stations. Students learned about local wildlife and studied several preserved animal hides. At the first aid station, students learned about providing basic medical care to people who have sustained injuries. And at the survival activity, students learned to follow a compass heading and to orient themselves on different types of maps, such topographical maps that show elevation. 

By lunchtime, the cloud cover had burned off, the sun had broken through, and nobody was bundled up or cold anymore. With the sun shining and full tummies, it was time to head out and explore. The forest that was the setting for the day offered beautiful views, trees of all different ages, an old historic cabin, and even a pond. 

Students spent the afternoon hiking through the woods, learning about pond science, how trees help the environment at different ages, and got to listen to stories of history all while designing their own totem poles. Students were helped throughout the day by six older students designated as student leaders. The day was full of so many activities and so much learning that no one could believe it when the day was over, and it was time to go home. 

Students reported many highlights from the event. Jude M. said, “I liked looking for things to look at underneath the microscope!” Malachi A. also had fun doing the microscope work and Caleb R. relished how he was able to examine a slug under the microscope. Delfino V. liked how he was able to see a “banana snail and it was really cool.” 

Not all the big moments were about microscopes. Alder W. noted that “my favorite thing was probably coloring my totem pole while listening to a story.” And Savonya H. thought the most memorable part was taking “loads of pictures with my friend, Andy.”

As everyone began to say their goodbyes, it was clear that outdoor school had been a success again this year. This annual event brought knowledge to many people and some of them even committed to returning to the same site to explore the trails and connect with nature alongside their families. Until next year, stay curious.

Tyler Cox is an ORCA 8th Grader and one of the student leaders from this event.

Are you interested in elevating your role within the student body and taking on a role of leadership? Well, Student Government’s got just the opportunity for you to join a team of other students committed to making ORCA a better place.

Incoming freshmen and current high school students can apply for one of the nine positions up for grabs with opportunities for those who love to take notes, coordinate events, make graphics, speak in public, and more.

To qualify you must be passing all of your classes, be able to attend weekly Student Government meetings, and commit to playing an integral role in leading your class, per their rules. 

Incoming freshmen may only apply for the Junior Senator Representative position, but are invited to apply to be a student senator in October if they are not chosen for the role. The Vice Presidential role is limited to only incoming juniors and seniors, and the Presidential position invites only rising senior candidates. 

Other positions up for grabs include: Secretary, Student Outreach Coordinator, Virtual Activities Coordinator, SG Media Coordinator, In-Person Events Coordinator, and Public Relations Coordinator. For more information on the responsibilities of these roles, visit this document. 

For those applying to be VP or President, you will be giving a brief speech at an open Student Government meeting on Tuesday, May 6 at 3 p.m. to tell the student body why you are the best fit for the role and other details about your plans to serve the school.

From there, high schoolers can vote on their Vice President and President, with the popular vote determining next year’s leaders of the school. Other positions will be chosen by ORCA’s administrative board and Student Government Advisor, Calla Mapel. 

Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 and applicants are given the option to reapply for multiple positions.

If you have any questions, the form asks that you please reach out to Ms. Mapel or Mr. Pollnow at the following emails: cmapel@oregoncharter.org, jpollnow@oregoncharter.org.

To apply for a position– fill out this form asking about your previous leadership experience, your commitments for next year, achievements, and more.

If you’re an applicant or student interested in voting for your Presidential leaders, stay tuned for more information in the Principal’s Corner on voting and a link to view the speeches.

On April 26, ORCA high school students were invited to Chemeketa Community College’s Eola event space, in Salem, for ORCA’s annual prom. Guests enjoyed three hours of music, dancing, snacks and hanging out.

Students mostly gathered in the main room that served as a dance floor. Tables nearby offered various snacks to fuel the party and there was also space for hanging out, including an exit that led to an outdoor balcony with a stunning view of the Coast Range. 

After arriving at the event, students quickly began to mingle and dance to songs like High Hopes and As It Was. At other times, guests were able to enjoy slower jams like Perfect and Can’t Help Falling In Love. 

Party Doctor, a professional DJ and master of ceremonies, quickly got students going after rounding up four different volunteers of each gender to dance and lip sync to abbreviated versions of the songs of his choice–this left many students laughing, cheering, and recording with their phones.

“More than just a dance—prom was a memory in the making, shared by friends, captured in photos, and felt in every beat,” said sophomore Leesy Lindsay. 

While many were dancing and singing along to the music, others were off to the side with their friends or dates, socializing and having a more relaxing time at the event. 

After dancing for about two hours, the Party Doctor began to play a few slow dance songs, sharing a sweet story about the day he met his wife that left many feeling emotional and sentimental.

“Prom was, undoubtedly, the highlight of the year. So many students came and were enjoying being together with crazy dancing, hanging out on the patio, or just sitting at a table and chatting,” said ORCA Algebra teacher Devon Johnson. “There was something for everyone and it was easy to see that everyone had an amazing night!" 

Whether students were dancing and singing along to every lyric, or watching and just enjoying each other’s company, everybody had a great time at this year’s prom.

Which movies and TV shows were the best of 2024? Oregon Charter Academy’s students and staff decided in the fourth annual Orcas, The Current’s take on the prestigious Academy Awards.

Which films and shows took home the distinguished Golden Orcas?

Best Picture

Nominees: The Wild Robot, Wicked, IF (Imaginary Friend), Mufasa

Winner: The Wild Robot

The film with a trio of Oscar nominations, The Wild Robot takes home this year’s Golden Orca for best picture after beating out the major motion-picture Wicked by two votes. The Wild Robot made up 31.1% percent of the votes, winning by the second smallest margin in Orcas history, behind last year’s tight race in which Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse took the award.

“The story follows a robot named Roz who was lost during a shipment and washed up on a remote island. She learns to adapt to the wilderness and becomes friends with all the animals after learning about them,” wrote Lux Reames, the staff-writer at The Current who nominated the film.

Best TV Show

Nominees: Young Love, Agatha All Along, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

Winner: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

Earning 42.2% of the vote, 2025 marks the closest fight for the Best TV show Orca in recorded history. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder garnered 19 votes, beating out Agatha All Along by a single vote. This year also marks the smallest margin of victory in this category, beating out Wanda Vision’s 43.8% in The Current’s first ever awards. 

“A Good Girl's Guide to Murder was cinematic and beautiful - stayed true to the book while also incorporating today's culture,” a voter wrote about the series, which was written by Holly Jackson and adapted for TV by Poppy Cogan. 

The Current would like to congratulate the winners as well as thank each voter for their participation in the fourth-annual Orcas. 

It is believed that music can be the key to learning about someone's personality. In a world where students are constantly seeking ways to connect with one another, especially in an online environment, sharing music has become a vital way of communication. So what is ORCA listening to?

With so many students at Oregon Charter Academy, there’s no doubt that you’ll find an awesome mix of music styles and genres. Students and staff members are encouraged to click this link to submit a song to be featured on the 2025 ORCA playlist. The song choice must be school-appropriate, free of explicit language and themes. 

For inspiration, check out last year’s playlist. Let's finish off the school year with some awesome beats ORCA!

Get ready to celebrate the end of the year on May 16 in Albany, because this year’s Spring Celebration is coming. So get your yearbooks and yard games out, because we’re only a few weeks away. 

Grades K-12 are invited to this annual end-of-year ORCA celebration. Students are invited to bring their yearbooks to get them signed by their friends and classmates, as well as their favorite teachers. 

Along with that, it is also an opportunity for students to socialize at one of the biggest school events of the year, and play yard games such as bean bag toss and Giant Jenga.

“Spring Celebration is such a fun event and a great way to enjoy different activities and hang out with friends!” shares Student Government President Emily Pennington. Next year’s Student Government President and Vice President will be announced at the event, as done in previous years, so prepare to learn the names of your future leaders before the afternoon draws to a close. 

Whether you’re eager to get to know more of the student body or looking to celebrate the end of a hard-fought academic year, come to Spring Celebration and have fun with others. Interested individuals should check out Field Trip Central for more information and to RSVP.

There are many clubs to choose from when looking for a community of students who share the same interests. For audiophiles, Music Club is a great place to showcase original compositions or just listen to the creative works of others. For hobbyists who dabble with Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) or with acoustics, Music Club is an opportunity to learn more about an interest. 

Open to middle school and high school students, members can enjoy student performances that showcase a community of like-minded people who understand the heart of music, as well as the fears of showcasing new genres. 

Music Club is designed for fans of any genre of music. Not only are students able to participate in a supportive community, but individuals also gain access to a Premium Soundtrap account, exclusively for performance use. Soundtrap, one of many Digital Audio Workstations or DAW and an ORCA approved platform allows students to record their voice or instrument, or create tunes digitally using its vast array of library tracks.

Students that join the club will be given an opportunity to share and obtain knowledge from their peers through attending live meetings, sharing tracks in mini-sessions, and getting advice from workshops. Students will also get to participate in fun activities where they can learn about audio production techniques. At the end of each semester, there is a showcase where students are invited to perform their creations in front of the rest of the school through a virtual field trip. Participants can upload a recording for these showcases or perform live. Additionally, submissions can be added to Music Club’s website so students’ creations live on. To see submissions from last year’s participants, please click here.  

Music Club sessions are held on Zoom every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information regarding how to sign up for the club, please click here to access Oregon Charter Academy's student club website, and join a community of people who enjoy music as much as you do.

With the spring season officially wrapped, ORCA Esports teams left it all on the virtual gridiron, pushing through the playoffs, competing in new titles, and walking away with heads held high and a world full of knowledge to take into the 2025-26 seasons.

Overwatch 2

The Stardust Crusaders stormed into the playoffs as the #4 seed after a strong 7-1 regular season. The team swept both the Blazers Overwatch and MECHS Anarchy Eagles 3-0 in back-to-back rounds, punching their ticket to the final 8. Their playoff run ended against the powerhouse Overwasps, but not before securing the deepest postseason run of any ORCA team this spring.

League of Legends

The Silly Gooses entered the playoffs as the #11 seed with a 5-3 record. Despite a strong season, their playoff push was cut short with a 2-0 loss to Bonafide Monafied DCHS. 

Rocket League 

Rocket League 1 entered playoffs flying high as the #9 seed after a standout 6–2 regular season. They rolled past Hunter HS 4-0 in the opening round, but fell to Westwood Community HS in the second round.

Rocket League 3, the #29 seed was taken out in round 1 by Jordan HS. 

Rocket League 2, despite their perseverance, wrapped up the season just outside of playoff range with a 3-5 record.

Marvel Rivals

ORCA’s newest team made their mark in their very first season. With a 5–3 record and a #30 seed, they earned their way into playoffs– an impressive feat for a new roster. They dropped their first match to Overland HS (0–3), but their appearance in the postseason proved they’re a force to be reckoned with as they gain experience.

Super Smash Bros.

The Edgeguards finished 4-4, barely missing the cut for the playoffs. 

ORCA Smash 2 ended at 2-2 in their short spring slate. Both teams will use the offseason to regroup and reload their banana boosts.

From dominant playoff showings to promising new squads, ORCA Esports made this spring one to remember. Every win, every loss, every highlight–they made it count and will be looking to bring home hardware to show for it in the fall.

During the sixties, in the midst of protests across the globe, something strange happened. Groups of UFOs joined local neighborhoods and integrated themselves into every continent aside from Antartica. These new, radically designed houses sparked headlines globally and have earned a strong cult following since their debut in the late sixties. The design is seen today as an iconic piece of Finnish and modernist architecture, but the world wasn’t so accepting when it first appeared. 

The Futuro House is a plastic, prefabricated home designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. The house was conceptualized as a one-off for the Finnish ski chalet of Matti’s former classmate, Dr. Jaakko Hiidenkari. It was designed to be easily moved to remote locations, like the Finnish mountains, easy to construct at the site, and to retain heat well. The Futuro met the criteria for a ski lodge amazingly, but this design appealed to much more than vacationers who need a quick and cheap house. It turns out, a cheap, unique, and easy to assemble house is something that average people could use. 

But even with the accessibility of the Futuro, the design was just too wild for most people. The first Futuro that was constructed near Lake Puulavesi, Finland created an outcry. Public protest broke out surrounding the home; people thought the house looked outlandish in the rustic setting. This incident wasn't the only sign of public anger. Futuros were vandalized, protested, and outright banned in parts of the U.S. The people got their message across. Orders were being cancelled, no matter the non refundable deposit, and eventually the Futuro was forced to stop production after the oil crisis of 1973 and the immediate halt in plastic production. In the end, the Futuro only produced around 100 homes and the number of remaining Futuros has been declining ever since. It’s estimated that around half of all Futuros have been demolished and lost.

The Futuro performed poorly, but Matti Suuronen lived long enough to see his design become a global icon of futuristic architecture before passing away in April of 2013. Every few years a Futuro will come up on the market, but a large portion of them continue to sit abandoned. These futuristic design icons are now a thing of the past. As Justin Mcguirk put it, in his The Guardian article on the Futuro, “If something calls itself the future, it's probably not.”

Did you know that a lot of folks back in the day thought we'd still be riding horses in the year 2000? Some predicted that automobiles would be nothing more than a passing fad. If you could time travel back to the 19th or early 20th century and ask some of these so-called "experts" about the future, you might be in for a pretty wild ride. Let’s take a look at some of their predictions, what they were thinking, and why they turned out to be, well, a little off the mark.

• Cars Are A Fad, Says President of a Savings Bank, Horses Are Here To Stay

In 1899, the president of a prominent savings bank in New York made quite a bold declaration: "The automobile is a passing fad, and horses will always be the primary mode of transportation." At the time, cars were still pretty new and not much more than noisy, unreliable contraptions. They were expensive, hard to maintain, and didn't exactly scream "practical" for the average person. In a world where horses were deeply integrated into daily life, it made sense to stick with what was familiar.

Why, you ask, confused and slightly amused, did they ever think such a thing? 

Well, the automobile was so new that it hadn’t yet proven its staying power. Horses, on the other hand, were reliable, inexpensive, and a staple of transportation, agriculture, and even warfare for centuries. It seemed almost unthinkable that something as revolutionary as the automobile could completely replace them.

Fast forward to 2025, and we can barely imagine a world without cars. Automobiles, now mass-produced and accessible, are a global phenomenon. We've got electric cars, self-driving cars, and everything in- between. The horse? Well, they're mostly just used for sport, leisure, and the occasional Western movie. Who would've thought?

• The World Will Be Completely Covered By Airships.

In 1910, an engineer predicted that by the year 2000, airships would dominate the skies, making cars obsolete. The idea was that these giant flying machines would be the future of air travel, not airplanes. The airship industry was still in its early stages, and the idea of dirigibles zipping around the world seemed futuristic, cool, and, well, a little magical.

The airship industry was gaining momentum with notable examples like the Zeppelin and the Hindenburg, and many believed that lighter-than-air technology would be the key to long-distance travel. The idea of flying above the traffic, in giant luxury airships, must have seemed like a dream come true.

While airships did certainly capture the public’s imagination, the reality is that airplanes are just more practical. Airplanes are faster, more efficient, and can carry far more people than airships ever could. The Hindenburg disaster in 1937 also dampened enthusiasm for airships, and while they are still used today for things like advertising or occasional sightseeing, they’re nowhere near the global travel marvels once envisioned.

• We Will Be Living On Mars By 2000.

In the 1950s, some scientists were predicting that by the turn of the century, we’d be living on Mars. Space travel was a new frontier, and the fascination with the idea of humans conquering the cosmos was high. People were sure that by the 21st century, we’d have mastered galactic travel and set up colonies on planets like Mars.

The space race, at the time, was in full swing, and the possibilities seemed endless. With the success of early rocket technology and the launch of Sputnik in 1957, it wasn’t too far-fetched to believe that human settlement on another planet was just around the corner. After all, we’d already landed on the Moon by 1969, so why not aim for Mars next?

While space travel has certainly come a long way—hello, Mars rovers and SpaceX—human colonies on Mars are still very much a distant dream. The technological, financial, and biological challenges of surviving on another planet are immense. As of now, humans are still on Earth, and a permanent Martian colony is still in the realm of science fiction, albeit with a lot of ambitious plans on the horizon.

• Electricity Will Be Too Expensive To Use Regularly.

At the dawn of the 20th century, there were some dire warnings about the future cost of electricity. One economist even predicted that by the year 2000, electricity would become so expensive that only the wealthy could afford it. The idea was that as cities expanded and more people demanded power, the cost of producing and distributing electricity would skyrocket.

At the time, electricity was still a newfangled thing. Not everyone had it in their homes, and it wasn’t yet a widespread utility. The infrastructure for electric power was still being built, and it made sense to assume that such a vital resource would become scarce and expensive as demand increased.

Instead of skyrocketing, the cost of electricity has dropped significantly. Advances in energy production, especially with the rise of renewable sources like solar and wind, have made electricity more accessible and affordable than ever before. Sure, the price can vary depending on where you live and how energy is produced, but in general, electricity is a lot more ubiquitous and cheaper than anyone could’ve predicted.

• The Need for Manual Labor Will Disappear.

During the 1930s, a futurist claimed that by the 21st century, automation would be so advanced that manual labor would become a thing of the past. People imagined a world where machines would do all the work, freeing humans to live lives of leisure and creative pursuit.

Why did they think this? The industrial revolution was in full swing, and technology was advancing at an unprecedented rate. The rise of machines in factories made many believe that automation would eventually take over all types of work, from agriculture to manufacturing to service jobs.

Unfortunately, it’s not true. While automation has certainly taken over many tasks, it hasn’t eliminated manual labor altogether. In fact, automation often creates new forms of labor in the tech and service industries. We're still working, just in different ways. And while we’ve seen major advancements like robots in factories and AI in offices, humans are still very much part of the workforce, adapting to new technology rather than being replaced by it.

So, what can we learn from all these predictions? Well, for one thing, it’s clear that people tend to overestimate how quickly things will change, but they also underestimate the resilience of certain things—like cars, electricity, and good old-fashioned human labor. The future is full of surprises, and even the most thought-out predictions often miss the mark. But hey, it makes for some fascinating history lessons, and who knows what wild ideas we’ll be laughing at in another 100 years?

Here’s to the 21st century—whether we’re living on Mars, zipping around in flying cars, or still just trying to get through traffic.