Tag Archives: Upper School

Features

Movie Review: “Guardians of the Galaxy 3”

By Brody Beaupre

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the third movie in a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series. This movie came out May 5 and has a Rotten Tomatoes Score of 82%. As an MCU fan and watcher of the first two Guardian movies, I enjoyed this one. The movie has a very climatic smart that sets the tone for the rest of the movie. This is an action-packed film keeps your attention the whole time. There is this love for the main character (Quill aka Star-Lord) that gets you hooked immediately and allows the plot to develop around him.

The movie starts by introducing a brand-new superhero (or supervillain). This gets the whole audience invested, trying to figure out who they are and why they’re there. This leads to an epic battle scene and introduces the main characters for the movie. These are the superhero group that was formed in the first two Guardians of the Galaxy. They then go on an epic space adventure trying to save their friends life, and are met with challenges and powerful adversaries, who they are eventually able to band together in a shocking twist at the end (I promise, this isn’t a spoiler).

If you are looking to watch this movie, I would recommend watching the first two Guardians at a minimum. The MCU is so intertwined with many references to people or situations that happened in other MCU movies or shows. It’s possible that these outside characters and events may leave you very confused if you do not know Marvel.

However, you can still appreciate the amazing animation and graphics at face value. There are elaborate sets and tons of CGI of things that are not even close to being realistic, but somehow look completely real. Marvel is notorious for thinking of outlandish scenes, ships, and even weapons and making them look and behave very realistically.

Overall, I loved this movie. There were some (CGI) animals that were hurt and even killed, which I know made some of my peers dislike the movie, but it added to the plot as opposed to subtracting.

Official Rating: 8.5/10 – There’s a lot to love, but there are also a lot of new additions and a lot happening. Director James Gunn expressed all of it well, but I would have liked a little more in-depth detail of everyone and why certain things happened.

Features

Just Because: Goodbye Oak Hall

By Amelia Chen

My entire Oak Hall experience has been nothing short of wonderful. As a freshman who has been attending Oak Hall since kindergarten, leaving will not be easy. Because of my dad’s job, we are relocating to Texas.

Ever since I started at Oak Hall, people have yet to fail to be welcoming and loving to the students. Because I attend this school, I have met the best friends ever. It has a family-like environment, almost like a small town where everyone knows everyone. I’m going to miss this greatly and hope to find something similar at my new school.

The saying “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone” resonates so much with me now. I used to complain about having uniforms, assemblies, so much work, and just anything I didn’t love about the school. But the truth is, those were just little things the school had to make us better, to teach us life lessons, and to strengthen us in academics. I was ungrateful for this, but it really is an incredible school. I’m not saying it is perfect. It is not. It has its flaws just like any other school. But I am so glad I’ve been at Oak Hall and not somewhere else.

This school has made me a better student and a better person. Leaving as someone who would be a lifer if I had stayed through senior year is emotional and more difficult than I can imagine.

Another aspect I know I am going to miss so much as I go off to a new state and a new school is the varsity volleyball team that I have been part of for four years. The girls have been a family to me and reminded me why I love the sport so much. For the majority of those four years, I have had an amazing coach who has believed in me and pushed me to be greater. The best thing about this team is there isn’t drama, and we all get along. Whether it is getting a noise complaint in a hotel or screaming to Taylor Swift lyrics at the top of our lungs as we practice. I look forward to fall every year because of volleyball.

Lastly, for the entirety of my years, I have had exceptional teachers who have taught me not only what is laid out in the curriculum but also life lessons. These adults have been mentors in my life, and they don’t get enough credit.

I am going to miss what is here, but I know that it’s going to be all right in the end. I will never forget all the incredible memories I have made.

Features

A Final Goodbye

By Tori Kitchens

With less than a month before graduation, I reached out to the Class of 2023 to hear about their year, their time at Oak Hall School (OHS), and what’s to come.

Senior year is a year like no other. We receive privileges we have waited for, we get taught about the real world, and we make memories that will last a lifetime. This year’s graduating class would like to thank Mr. Malloy for making this year so special for us.

But it’s far from over. Currently, we’re working on our senior projects, our senior trip to Key West is right around the corner, and the graduation walk with our kindergarten buddies will be a highlight right before graduation.

Some favorites from the year:

For Neil Ruth and many others, he enjoyed winning all the Homecoming grade-level games. The seniors won both powderpuff events and capture the card back in October. For Jenna McDowell, she enjoyed getting to know everyone in the senior class. Lifer Kate Pickens loved bonding with everyone and getting to know people in other grades. Bailey Thorp enjoyed the senior meals, and Mia Kuhn loved having lunch off-campus. Gwynn Munger and Julia Gordan liked spending time in the college counseling suite.

The Kindergarten Buddy program was something we were all excited for. Lifer Emily Malloy has a very special connection with her buddy. “From working in the ECLC, I have known Jasper and his family for a while,” she told me. “He is so special and brings a smile to my face every day. I am so blessed to have him and his family in my life.”

Whether you arrived on campus only a year ago or you have been here since the very beginning, thank you to the Class of 2023 for an amazing time at OHS. The friendships and connections I have made with my classmates this year is something that I will cherish forever, and I am so excited to cheer everyone on in this next chapter.

Here is some advice to our younger OHS students:

“Just because you like something others don’t, don’t change what you like to be known or popular,” McDowell pointed out, “You like what YOU want to, not what others around you like.”

“It’s okay to make mistakes, it is okay to take it easy,” lifer Blake Cornwell stated. He emphasizes the fact that academia is not the sole reason for living and to not put too much pressure on yourself. Emily Malloy mentioned that your character shines through as mistakes happen.

“Make some good memories that last a lifetime,” Neil Ruth explained. “You’re in high school once.”

“Enjoy your time while you are at Oak Hall, you are really lucky to go to a school like this and will appreciate it when you are older,” Pickens said. “Just savor every minute because it goes by crazy fast.”

Here is a list of the colleges the Class of 2023 will be attending:
American University
Auburn University
Baylor University
Belmont Abbey College
Carnegie Melon University
Flagler College
Florida A&M University
Florida International University
Florida State University
George Washington University
Jacksonville University
John Hopkins University
Loyola Marymount University
Mississippi State University
Newberry College
Oregon State University
Santa Fe Community College
Savannah College of Art and Design
Sewanee: The University of the South
The New School
Trinity College Dublin
University of Chicago
University of Florida
University of North Florida
University of South Florida
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Yale University

Upper School

Spanish Students Head To Conferencia

Since November, a select number of students taking Spanish have been practicing for Conferencia, a state-wide competition where students perform a two minute impromptu speech, 10 students act in a play, and six students recite poetry…all in Spanish. With a maximum of 16 students competing, Oak Hall is hosting this year’s competition in Orlando. The competition, which starts on Thursday, March 8, goes into the weekend.

In addition to the aforementioned categories, schools can compete in auxiliary events. These events aren’t factored into the overall score, but do have first, second, and third place standings. Oak Hall students have prepared two songs, one dance, one poster, one physical scrapbook, one digital scrapbook, and a t-shirt design to show off their school, and Spanish, spirit.

    Seniors Sadia Rafa and Sophia Santelices perform the song they are singing in the competition

    Over the past five years, Oak Hall’s Spanish program has won first place twice (2019 and 2020), and third place (2022). The competition in 2021 was cancelled due to COVID. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be able to compete at such a high level against schools larger than Oak Hall. For one final practice, the students hosted a performance at the Upper School Learning Commons on Monday, complete with costumes and perfection. Spanish Teacher Krystal Serrano has complete faith in her students and believes they will do well in the competition. “They’ve worked hard and I’m proud of them,” she said.

    Good luck Eagles!!!

    Features

    Senior Spotlight: Julia Gordan

    By Tori Kitchens

    Senior Julia Gordan has been part of the Oak Hall (OHS) community from the very beginning of her schooling experience. Known for her academic prowess, she has excelled in most areas including STEM and Global Affairs. 

    As an AP scholar with many hobbies, Gordan has committed a lot of her spare time to the benefit of others within the school. Her involvement in clubs like Future Medical Professionals Club (FMPC), National Honor Society, and Environmental Club has helped her reach her goal of leaving a positive impact at OHS. Gordan has continued to follow her passions in OHS clubs by stepping into leadership positions in each of these clubs her senior year.

    Wanting to pursue a career in medicine and global health, she has taken the role of president of FMPC. “FMPC introduced me to the concept of using medicine to serve the community – whether it be through blood drives or public health – and redefined my perspective towards STEM,” Gordan acknowledged. “My unending passion and academic success in STEM classes furthered my curiosity for the biological sciences and were key in encouraging me to explore extracurriculars related to STEM.”

    Gordan wanted to further her participation in National Honor Society this year by becoming Vice President. “Alongside wanting [to] organize the annual NHS food drive, I became the NHS Vice President as I wanted to invest myself more into service as a whole and make it a priority in my extracurriculars,” Gordan stated.

    Looking back at her time at OHS, Gordan credits teachers like Mrs. Christine Gutierrez (math) and Ms. Kristin Wilson (science) for further building her love of STEM and helping others alongside her own competitive spirit. “I began to enjoy the challenge and craved advanced classes not just for the competition but for challenge of comprehending college-level material. Gordan will continue this competitive edge as she will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall and will study biological sciences and global health.

    A – Advice you’d give your freshman-self? Enjoy the ride, but always keep working hard.
    B – Best meal? Anything from Brazil.
    C – Teacher’s best words of advice? Just any type of encouragement I heard last year.
    D – Favorite dessert? This dessert called brigadeiro from Brazil.
    E – Most entertaining class? AP Bio last year.
    F – Favorite high school moment? Walks with Christina (Sarantos) in the morning. 
    G – Goals for your senior year? Have fun and get into a good college. 
    H – Hoping to attend which college? MIT or UChicago. (Filmed before committing to UChicago)
    I – Interesting thing you do? Horseback riding. 
    J – Favorite joke? Why’d the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.
    K – Keys to maintaining homework? Keep an agenda and just do the work.
    L – Least favorite subject? History. 
    M – Music you listen to? Chill pop, Steve Lacy.
    N – Netflix or Hulu? Netflix. 
    O – What sport would you like to try that you haven’t already? Volleyball. 
    P – Preparations for a big test include? Listening to music, zoning out, and WebAssign.
    Q – Question you would ask your future self? How am I helping the world?
    R – Most relaxing part of your day? Playing with my dog when I get home.
    S – What would your senior superlative be? Probably “Most Likely to get a Nobel Peace Prize”.
    T – Favorite TV show? The Office or Modern Family…Modern Family!!
    U – Most underrated pet? Cats. 
    V – Favorite vacation spot? Paris is pretty cool. 
    W – What does it mean to you to be an Eagle? I think it means being supportive and always trying to be the best version of yourself for everyone else. 
    X – How many x-rays have you had? Oh God, probably like 20 at this point. 20. 
    Y – Your impact to younger students? I hope I can just be an inspiration to the younger kids and try and teach them to be nice to other people. 
    Z – What is your zodiac sign? Capricorn.