As we approach graduation, I can not help but think about one person who is no longer with us, but would be graduating with our class. James Street was my classmate at lower campus for several years. He was one of the brightest and happiest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. James had a way with making people laugh, and he could always make you smile no matter what kind of day you were having.
Author: pikachu04
Dia De Los Muertos
On Friday , after lunch, my AP Spanish class headed down to the pool area to celebrate the Mexican holiday Dia De Los Muertos. Kids from lower campus came up as well, we integrated as a group and had fun learning about the culture behind Dia De Los Muertos.
This holiday celebrates both the fullness of life, and life after death. People bring flowers to the graves of their loved ones along with music to remember them. Their spirit is said to be present during the celebration, and families become reunited once again in happiness.
For our celebration we decorated sugar skulls with colored icing. Everyone had a lot of fun bringing out their artistic sides with the decorating. In addition, the spanish classes have created “offrendas” , or offerings, dedicated to loved ones that have been lost. The offerings and alters will be set up in the library in the next couple of days for people to pay respect, and visit. I think that we should do more activities like this because it brings together the upper and lower campuses in a fun way. Sometimes i feel like we stand so separately as campuses, and it is activities like this that bring us together as one “Ojai Valley School.”
“What’s Eating You?”
There is a new television series on entitled “What’s Eating You?” The show airs on the E Entertainment Network weekly. The cast of the show consists of women struggling with eating disorders.
I feel that this show relays a very powerful and important message to our generation about health and fullness of life. It shows first hand, the effects that eating disorders which can be deadly.
The show also exposes the raw reality of the fashion and modeling businesses, and how corrupt they have become. It is one of the first programs that spills the secret truth about the fashion world and shatters the inaccurate perceptions that girls around the world dream up.
One of the cast members, Kiara Lomeli, said “I know I’m dying but I choose death on the skinny side not the fat side.”
My hope is that this television series takes advantage of its public influence, and shows how truly devastating and life threatening eating disorders are so that we can become more aware, and finally make some real changes so that we stop loosing so many beautiful girls to these deadly illnesses so frequently.
A new law limits the age of trick-or-treaters
As i was watching the news this morning while getting ready for school, I was shocked when I heard about a law that limits the age of trick or treaters.
Certain cities around the world are speaking out, Salt Lake City in particular, has set a law that prohibits trick or treating past the age of 11.
Children over the age of 11 are disappointed with this law being set. Children or people over the age limit set by law may be ticketed or fined if they do not follow the law.
Sales associate Desiree Edgar, of the Halloween City store in Salt Lake said ” “I really wish we could all go trick-or-treating, but when you get more responsibilities, that’s when you have to leave things like that behind.”
From Boarding Student to Day
Heading into my 11th year at OVS, also my senior year, i have been facing several changes in my life. I have realized that in order for me to transition from high school into college, there were a few things that I needed to change.
I have been a boarding student since 4th grade, thus making this my 9th year living in the dorms. I decided to become a day student myself and organized all of the pieces to fall into place. My aunt approved me as long as the money could be refunded toward my second semester which it was.
I moved my things out of the dorms only a few short weeks ago and moved back into my room at home. It is nice to live with my family for once. I drive myself in my mom’s sweet Honda Element to school each day from and back to Oak View.
Becoming a day student has given me a new found sense of independence and responsibility. I am very happy with my decision to become a day student, it has given me the space that I needed.
My Passion for Volleyball
Volleyball has always been a passion of mine. I love the sound of tennis shoes scuffing against the waxed gym floor, the feeling you get when you celebrate a victory with your teammates, coming into the center of the court to cheer each other on, the release you feel when you snap that ball down onto the other side of the net, and then quickly prepare for it to come right back. I love that in volleyball, you have to always be on your toes, low and ready to play every ball. The trust and relationships that develop between you and your teammates is something truly beyond words. I cannot express the love that I have for each and every girl on my team. Volleyball is all about team work and always trusting your team mates to do their best with every ball that comes their way, but, if they make a mistake, you are right there to tell them “shake it off, we got this, good try.” I know that this sport will always be a big part of my life and i am happy to share my experience with other girls at OVS.
Volleyball hosts “Dig for the Cure”
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Week, On October 16th, the Umass Volleyball team will be hosting an event entitled “Dig for the Cure.”
During its game against Southern Connecticut State, players will be selling T-shirts, and pledges, and admission tickets. Each pledge per “dig” during the game, along with all of the proceeds from the sales of their merchandise will be going directly and entirely put toward the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
I believe that this cause is very important and influential, and we should all reach out in this effort. It would be cool if our OVS athletic teams could try to participate in our own spin off of this idea, in correspondence to whatever project we decide to donate to at the time.
Trapped miners in Chile are finally reaching ground level again!
The 33 miners in Chile were stuck underground for over 2 months have finally been rescued. The men were in a gold and copper mine on August 5th when they became trapped.
The rescue effort to bring up the miners from 622 meters underground has been in effect for the past couple days. Each miner is placed in the rescue shaft and pulled up to the surface one at a time. The ride up the shaft takes about 15 minutes.
Families await their loved ones at the surface, in anticipation of hugging them once again after such a long and stressful separation. The rescue is scheduled to be completed by tomorrow.
As a precaution, when the miners get back to ground level, they must go through a series of medical tests to ensure that their health is sound. Millions of people around the world have been following the news and watching the rescue live on television. Both the miners and their loved ones are very lucky to have made it back safe and sound.
Ojai Day is just around the corner
Ojai Day is coming up! It starts on October 16th. Ojai day always takes place on the third Waturday of October. The admission is free along with the parking. There are special areas for kids, teens and adults. The event recognizes that summer is over and it is time to celebrate a new change of season. “The event was originally conceived in 1917, took a hiatus in the 1920’s and has been back with a vengeance since 1991. It’s grown tremendously and has become one of the most popular events in Ojai,” states Jody James the event’s organizer. “The event itself celebrates life, culture and the arts.”
There are all kinds of stands that cover the down town area of Ojai ranging from art to clothing. The food and music are special highlights during this celebration. This day is full of leisure and appreciating spending time with your friends and family, it is also a good place to meet new people.
Equine Therapy- Reigns of Hope
“Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is one of the most effective forms of experiential therapy,” according to the organization Reigns of Hope.
Reigns of Hope is an organization based in Ojai. Julie Giove, a well-known therapist in Ojai and Ventura, is one of the leaders of this group. Equine therapy allows for a very powerful emotional relationship and connection to develop between the horse and the person.
The objective is to first establish a comfortable relationship with the horse, then proceed to touch it and lead it through an obstacle course created with objects you choose from a bucket. You then must use the objects to lead the horse through the set course without touching it with your hands. This requires a great deal of communication.
OVS Journalism Blog 