20 Questions with Olivia Rando

Pixel Journal: What’s the first thing you do every morning?

Olivia Rando: Check my phone, set an alarm for 15 minutes later, and go back to sleep. 

PJ: What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

OR: Tricking, which is a mixture of martial arts, tumbling, and breakdancing. There’s a lot of interesting things developing in the community right now so I could probably talk about it for hours.

PJ: What’s an extracurricular project you’re working on right now?

OR: I started a movement called Trick Like a Girl to try to get more girls involved in tricking and build a more inclusive community surrounding the sport. I created a clothing line to help spread the word and fund some of the events for TLAG. 

PJ: What’s one thing on your bucket list?  

OR: Travel around Europe.

PJ: What did you want to be when you were a kid and why? 

OR: When I was around 5 or 6, I really wanted to be an astronomer. 

PJ: If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

OR: Jackie Chan. As a martial artist, I grew up hearing about him and his accomplishments, so I think it would be really interesting to meet him and talk about his work. Also, a few of my karate friends have gotten the opportunity to meet and perform with him, and they all said he’s super kind and humble.

PJ: If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? 

OR: I think I would finish all my classes I take outside of OHS. They’re not my favorite and I just want to get them out of the way so I can just relax or dedicate more time to my karate and tricking training. 

PJ: What’s one thing no one knows about you? 

OR: I play the viola. 

PJ: What is one book you think everyone needs to read? 

OR: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

PJ: What age do you wish you could permanently be?  

OR: Either 8 or 18.

PJ: What fad or trend do you hope comes back? 

OR: I honestly don’t know what trend I want to come back, but I think FILA Disruptors need to go.

PJ: If you could invent a flavor of ice cream, what would it be?

OR: Pure happiness.

PJ: List up to five of your favorite songs from your current playlist.

OR: Kid Cudi — Erase Me, Earthgang — UP, Kota the Friend — FOTO, Mac Miller — Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza, J.I.D — Hereditary 

PJ: Who’s your favorite OHS teacher? 

OR: I like all my teachers, I can’t choose.

PJ: What’s your favorite OHS class? 

OR: I like all of my classes, but AP Bio is probably my favorite. 

PJ: What’s your favorite emoji?

OR: I don’t really have a favorite, but I use the pleading one a lot. ( 🥺)

PJ: What is one accomplishment that would make your life complete? 

OR: I honestly don’t really think there’s one accomplishment that would make my life complete. 

PJ: If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? 

OR: I wish people would be more open minded.

PJ: What do you want to do after high school? 

OR: Right now, I plan on going to college and studying bioengineering or something similar. I’m still not entirely sure!

PJ: Finally, what’s one piece of advice for your fellow OHSers? 

OR: Come up with a schedule for your work and go to office hours.