Stories

Last year, OHS implemented its new messaging platform: Pronto. Since OHS has moved onto Pronto, OHS students have already begun innovatively improving the app. Recently, juniors Michael Sha (‘26), Josh Tittiranonda (‘26), and Gene Yang (‘26) released a Chrome extension known as Pronto++. Pronto++ intends to refine students’ quality-of-life, with features such as markdown and mathematical notation.

The Class of 2024 is taking on the globe this upcoming fall; with students attending university in the UK throughout the U.S. amongst 13 states! Similarly, there is a wide range of intended majors—Computer Science to English to Pre-Vet Animal Science! (For further details on which universities they plan on attending and their intended major, please refer to the college maps I created!)

Aside from the excellent educational experience she had at SOHS, Ione holds one memory, especially in high regard: “When my friends and I did graffiti on a legal wall in Boston at homecoming as seniors. We made a lot of different art (including various Peanuts characters). But I think the best part was when we spray painted Aristotle, John Stuart Mill, and Kant (the CRA--an OHS Core class, Critical Reading and Argumentation---triumvirate). It was super fun and very OHS.” A creative and unique experience with friends is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Beyond her leadership roles, Lexi has been an active participant in clubs such as Model UN, Debate Club, and the Drama and Performance Arts Circle. Her diverse interests include Theatre, Psychology, and Data Science, showing a passion for exploration. Sharing her club experiences, Lexi says "My experiences with each club would be the same: great! I am happy to have received the opportunities and support to further my interest in each club!”

In the future, Valentina envisions her academic pursuits at Stanford as an opportunity to explore diverse fields and deepen her understanding of subjects that spark an interest in her. Valentina states, “I hope to in some way combine my interests in math and design to help people.” In terms of skating, she looks to continue training and competing, as well as growing the skating club and expanding outreach opportunities for other students on campus. Valentina appreciatively adds that “The sport has introduced me to many of my closest friends and guided me to many of my happiest memories. Through competition, volunteer outreach, and judging, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the sport, community, and broader skating landscape.”

The next question was on college life: “what skills or lessons from OHS have been the most valuable in college life”? OHS imparted a range of skills, from being self-motivated to how to learn and study efficiently which prepares you for the college workload. For example, one of the alumni, Maddy, mentioned that she hadn’t struggled as much in college as OHS because of the skills that OHS imparted. Additionally, one lesson was to not stress over a grade that is not an A as many OHSers have gotten into amazing colleges without having all A’s. 

After OHS, my grandmother suggested that I participate in a beauty pageant. Growing up I was very devoted to ballet and drawing and I didn’t even understand what pageants were. However, I was determined to make her happy and proud, so I decided to sign up for the Miss Taiwanese American pageant. As the pageant training progressed, I came to really enjoy the process. After going through a personal interview before the competition day, a self-introduction, a talent show where I performed ballet, and a Q&A portion, I took home the crown! So I’m proud to say that I am the 2023 Miss Taiwanese American Queen.