My school is going to France and Spain over spring break.
I can’t go, but I think it’s so exciting that Ojai Valley School gives its students the opportunity to travel in Europe!
OVS is collaborating with a company called Education First, and will be traveling in France and Spain for 11 days in April, 2013.
But the part of the trip I think is OUTSTANDING is that our students are going to Paris in the spring.
They’re going to visit:
The OVS football team traveled to Lee Vining for the team’s first football game of the season. For those that are completely unaware of how far Lee Vining actually is from Ojai, the team needed to camp out overnight before reaching Lee Vining. Tinnemaha Creek was the stop for the team the first night, which was Thursday. We pulled in at about 10 PM and unpacked for the night. We relaxed and slept before we set off on Friday morning for Lee Vining.
Before leaving, we did a walkthrough of our plays for the game at Tinnemaha Creek. We got our work done and packed back up. We got on the road and moved on to our final destination.
Lee Vining is a very small town, but we aren’t here to sight-see. We came to do some business, and we plan on doing just that. With another practice session in the afternoon, we go into our game confident that we will be at our best. The game is tomorrow (Saturday) at 1 PM.
On to more miscellaneous things!!!
Let’s talk about the trip up here. 
There was music blasting and tons of inside jokes that I’m sure we are never going to forget. At our campsite, food is never an issue. Not only do we have a lot to eat, but we have a lot of guys that LOVE to eat. What do you expect from a bunch of crazed football players?
As I write this update, we are cooking a rather large pre-game dinner.
How could you say no to a meal like this?
At the campsites, we are finding ways to stay occupied. When we aren’t exploring or practicing, we are having a good ol’ time with the boys. Some can be seen off in the distance learning how to throw a ball properly, others are off wandering in to the great never ending creek, building wooden fishing rods with hooks (most likely infected with tetanus), or building makeshift fish traps. With so much to explore and so many unruly teenage boys always expect the unexpected.
The end of this story ends with two of the coolest guys around sitting at a gas station/restaurant/convenience store/bar writing a blog using internet off of an iPhone’s hotspot while Mr. Floyd and Mr. Wick just sit and watch us type away to entertain all of you readers, no matter where you may be.
John “The Honey Badger” Olivo and Keaton “That Guy” Shiffman signing off on night one in Lee Vining. Check for more blog posts to see if mama and baby bear left us alone tonight.
Lives are at stake here. Please send help (just kidding).
Here it is. June 3rd.
Just five more days until I walk across that stage and receive my diploma.
Who knew high school went by as fast as they said it did?
My five year journey here at Ojai Valley School has been unforgettable.
I started out in 8th grade at the Lower Campus. Although it was a great change from a large school of over 2,000 students, the warm and inviting faculty and friends I met made the adjustment easy.
I had a great year learning how to camp, do my own laundry, and take on the responsibilities of living in a dorm. Not the mention, the close bonds I made with the girls I lived with. It was a different kind of bond than the most of the ones I made in public school. Having lived with these girls, I felt almost as if I was amongst sisters.
So, after graduating, the decision was easy. I knew I wanted to go to Upper for high school.
My freshman year, I roomed with my best friend from Lower, Wendy Lin.
Now let me say something about her. I have been my most vulnerable with Wendy. I opened up to her about things I never really shared with anybody else, and she did the same. So when we roomed together, it was like I was with family. We both knew each other enough not to argue. So when I say, although we had our ups and downs, I am generally talking about the ups when it comes to Wendy. When I think of my freshman year, she is among one of the first people that pop into my mind.
Then there is Lucy Kim. Ah, she is so dear to me. Not only did we click because of our similar humor, she lifted me up when I was down and always was there for me when I needed prayer requests. She also listened to me when I needed her and let me realize that She even got us transportation to go to church on Sundays so that we could keep our faith, after I told her how hard it was not to go to church.
Cooper, Jeremy, Oussou and Parker. Boy, were they funny people. Of course, when you are that young, seniors seem so much older than they actually are, and these were the people I looked up to. They had close, lasting bonds that were connected by years of laughter. Although they probably had no idea, my senior year was affected so much by the optimism and attitude they brought to the school.
The first half of my sophomore year was spent at Beverly Hills High School. That semester was definitely a learning experience for me. The big public school experience was new to me, having been in a private boarding school of just over 100 students. Regardless, I returned to OVS with a newfound appreciation.
Junior year..was tough. It was full of all nighters and instant food. I was swamped with the workload of 4 AP’s and struggled with balancing time between my studies and my boyfriend of two years. But this is the year that I grew close to Jo Chen and Maddie, two of my best friends today! However, it was also the year that Jo, Maddie, Lucy, and my boyfriend had graduated so the graduation was marked with strong emotions.
This year, graduation means something completely different.
It means five years of going to school in Ojai is coming to a close. It means growth. It means Reika, Sungjin, and Anni. It means Mr. Alvarez’s words of encouragement and Mr. Cooper’s long speeches on integrity. It means Mr. Weidlich running with the lacrosse team and Mrs. Colborn’s team comp announcements. It means Chico’s waffles every Wednesday morning. It means Mrs. Allen’s bake sales and the IOU’s that follow. It means Haldy’s jokes and Eddy’s motorcycle videos and Mr. and Mrs. Boyd’s wonderful singing and camping trips with Mrs. Davis. It is so much.
It kind of makes me want to stay a little longer.
That’s how much I love this place.
Thank you everybody for making this experience what it was. It has been a fabulous 5 years. I loved every minute of it.
You may see a few other posts from my fellow OVS bloggers regarding our impending graduation.
What a trip it has been. I have been at OVS for six years and they have been fantastic.
Like at any other school, we bitch and moan about the problems, and there have been many. But when I look at the growth I have experienced and seen within my friends I realize what I have been given.
Going to a private boarding school as a day student can be tricky, but I have learned to play the game.
I have dealt with having a relative has my headmaster as well as having family intertwined with the school history.
My first day, the headmaster told me “I failed with your father, I failed with my son and goddammit, I’m not going to fail with you.”
Although I loath to concede anything to him, I will admit he has not failed. He has given me “character”, although the integrity may still need some work.
I should have been kicked out many, many times. I have thought about leaving even more times.
But endings change the picture. They throw out the individual memories and give you and overall feeling. I can say that the feeling I have is a positive one.
Although I am ready to leave, I appreciate what I have been given and greatly value that gift.
Relay for Life is an extremely amazing event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. I have gone to if for the past 2 years, and I was looking forward to this years event. I had been counting down the days to Relay for Life for a while, and I was so excited when it finally came.
In the weeks leading up to RFL, I had been trying to raise money for the cause and needed $100 to participate in the overnight portion. So, I asked all of my family and friends and within just about a week, I raised the money that I needed. Overall, out school team raised $3,210! I thought that was pretty amazing. For that, we received a Bronze Medal award which means that we were a very valuable contributor.
I left early with my friend Evan to help set up our booth on Buena Ventura High School‘s track/football field. We decorated our booth with colorful paper flowers in support of this years “fiesta” theme, due to Cinco de Mayo. We also had a lot of colorful posters and other decorations. We sold these paper flowers, ceramic mugs & bowls, and auctioned off themed baskets including chocolate, beach, spa, and movie themes, in order to raise more money for the American Cancer Society.
At our booth, we had a lot of fun costumes and hats, and all of the students that came to support the cause dressed up in ridiculous outfits including banana suits and Dr. Seuss attire and walked laps. There was live music, fun games, and many cool and informative booths to visit, with anything from face painting to a bike auction.
In last year’s event, a couple who were cancer survivors had their wedding right on the field. It was a very special event and meant a lot to them. This year, sadly, the man’s cancer has returned. Fortunately, he was able to show up at the event with his wife, and it was very inspirational. He was walking around and having a good time. It was great to see all of the support they had from people at the event and I’m so glad they were able to come this year.
After dinner time, and after returning from a Battle of the Bands contest at Thacher school, my friend Wendy and I returned to the track to walk in the night portion of the event. There were a lot less people walking during the night, and it was very tiring. There were only 5 of us, until at about 12 o’clock, another faculty member and her boyfriend showed up to help us out. I think throughout the night, we managed to keep at least 1 member of our team on the track. Wendy and I took naps in hour increments, but it was too cold to actually sleep, and we would get up from time to walk some laps and warm ourselves up.
It was a very great experience. The Luminaria lit up around the track were very inspirational and a reminder that there have been so many people effected by cancer. It kept me walking and helped me realize how lucky I am to not have been effected too harshly by this disease, and also the importance of the support I was giving to this event.
Overall, the event was really great and I am so glad I have had these last 3 years to support a great cause. Hopefully, with all the money raised through all the Relay for Life events, more progress will be made in order to minimize the devastating effects of cancer and help find a cure. I am proud to say that was part of the OVS team. We did such a great job and I hope we continue this effort in the years to come.
Dang. It’s already spring break. Which means, 6 weeks already passed since the last break. I can’t believe it.
After this 10 day break and 6 weeks of school, I’m going to graduate. I feel like it’s still the middle of the year.
It’s so sad to think that this is my first and last year at Ojai Valley School. I really wish I could’ve come earlier.
I believe in destiny. I think I was meant to meet thebrownguy, krapyrres, therightliberal and other great people here.
Every time I listen to Samson, which my roommate krapyrres sang at the begging of the year, it makes me miss OVS.
You have no idea how much fun I’ve had here, and how fortunate I am to be a part of OVS.. I wish I could stop time, so I could stay at OVS longer. People are just way too nice.
Dang. It’s already spring break. Which means, 6 weeks already passed since the last break. I can’t believe it.
After this 10 day break and 6 weeks of school, I’m going to graduate. I feel like it’s still the middle of the year.
It’s so sad to think that this is my first and last year at Ojai Valley School. I really wish I could’ve come earlier.
I believe in destiny. I think I was meant to meet thebrownguy, krapyrres, therightliberal and other great people here.
Every time I listen to Samson, which my roommate krapyrres sang at the beginning of the year, it makes me miss OVS.
You have no idea how much fun I’ve had here, and how fortunate I am to be a part of OVS.. I wish I could stop time, so I could stay at OVS longer. People are just way too nice.
This picture says it all.
I love my dad.
I don’t know any other immense, bottomless love.
During times of difficulty, he has been my rock and laid out the foundations for a secure home.
The only thing that scares me is how old my father is.
I mean, I am in no form ashamed of his age. My dad is 80 and he hasn’t failed to love me for a single day.
However, I do get worried.
Sometimes, when he does certain things, I feel a little tug on my heart.
For example, his once steady and strong hands tremble. His fingers move very slow and systematically.
He cannot stand for over 20 minutes at a time.
His sight is slowly slipping away; He can’t drive after the sun begins to set.
He gets sick more often. My father, man who hadn’t caught a cold in so many years, finally caught one this year and he is still trying to recover.
I know these are all natural, especially for someone so elderly. However, he is my father, and I can’t help but get a little sad to see him slowing down.
However, none of these symptoms of old age make me love him any less. Although I have been attending a boarding school 2 hours away from home for the past 5 years of my life and I don’t talk to him nearly as much as I should, he still remains number 1 in my heart, my blessing from God.
I hope that everybody gets to experience such a love. It is overwhelming and wonderful. It motivates you and places you on the right path. It lifts you up and betters you. It moves you without words. It is so powerful and definitely one of the greatest emotions God has given to his people.
My father allowed me to be the person I want to be. When I am older, I want to be able to give the same selfless, unconditional love to my children.
I love you dad, always. I will continue to try to be the best me I can. Hope your cold goes away soon!
In the past two years, I have been one of the many students from Ojai Valley School to attend an amazing event called Relay for Life. It is sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise people’s awareness and fight against cancer in a fun and community-oriented event.
When I first signed up to attend the Relay for Life event at Buena High school in Ventura, I had no idea what it was about. But within no time, there were hundreds of people and tents set up all around the track with different information, games, prizes, raffles, and live music as well. Everyone was walking or running around the track, and it was a great feeling to see all of these dedicated people in once place.
All of the teams, including the OVS team, raises money ahead of time to donate to the American Cancer Society to help research. Last year, our school raised over $5,000, earning us the Silver award, which means we donated in the middle category of high-level contributors. Although OVS is a little school, we are still mighty. Donating $5,000 is such an amazing contribution that I never could have even imagine for us.
This year, OVS is in the game once again – we even have our own Ojai Valley School page on the Relay for Life website where there is information and an opportunity to donate to this great cause. (Click on the link to go to the page)
Personally, I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for the Relay for Life event this year. It has been an amazing experience in the past, and I’m sure we can contribute just as much if not more this time. So far, we have $50 worth of donations, but I know how supportive our school will be and the donations will grow greatly over time. If money isn’t an option, anyone can contribute by attending the event and walking, running, or just being there to support. The first year was great, the second was even better, and I’m looking forward to a flat out amazing time this year.
I highly encourage everyone to check out the Relay for Life website and our school’s personal page and help support the fight against cancer!
“I don’t know where I’m at
I’m standing at the back
And I’m tired of waiting
Waiting here in line, hoping that I’ll find what I’ve been chasing.
I shot for the sky
I’m stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I’m gonna to fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
Never know why it’s coming down, down, down.
Not ready to let go
Cause then I’d never know
What I could be missing
But I’m missing way too much
So when do I give up what I’ve been wishing for…”
-Jason Walker, “Down.”
Every year at Ojai Valley School we have a show at the end of the year called the Festival of Talent, which is exactly what it sounds like. Last year we had a particularly beautiful performance by two fellow OVS bloggers, theotherblackgirl and rangerthecat; however, the former graduated.
They sang “Down” by Jason Walker, a song from the hit TV show “The Vampire Diaries.” The show is based off a book series of the same name, written by Lisa Jane (Ljane) Smith. But I’m getting off topic.
They did an amazing job at the show, a duet that left everyone speechless.
I apologize for the shaking and coughing. It was freezing, I had no tripod and clearly, I was coughing.
You can compare it to the original:
So what’s this song really about?
Well, I don’t think I know. I’m kind of super lame about the “interpreting the artistic and hidden meaning of stuff.” So I couldn’t tell you what the artist meant or even what the general public thinks.
But I can tell you what it means to me.
It’s about someone who can’t find love. This person has been standing around, waiting, hoping, wishing for the right person to come around. It sounds like perfect love entered his/her life once, but it failed. The singer is stuck on said love and is unwilling to forget it, for fear of it coming back and not being there to reciprocate. Or maybe he/she is afraid that love was so perfect there will never be anything else like it. Either way, this person is going down because of the loss. He/she is confused why it felt like they could “fly” when they were in love, only to realize they were “stuck on the ground” and then they “drowned.”
It is entirely possible I missed the point completely. But that’s what it says to me.
Sound familiar?
OVS Journalism Blog 
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