Social media has built a hypercurated image of the ideal college applicant: a student with perfect grades, extensive extracurriculars, and a large-scale passion project they started freshman year. As students scroll, they encounter countless videos claiming to reveal the perfect college application blueprint...

Released on April 3, The Drama follows the aftermath of fiancées Emma Harwood (Zendaya) and Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson) confessing the worst things they’ve ever done at a dinner tasting just days before their wedding. Emma’s comes as a shot in the dark to their group of friends, causing...

Take a look into your classroom when your teacher is absent, and chances are you’ll see Mr. Del Campo or Mrs. Schuster: two of Oxford’s most famed recurring substitutes. Both started as classroom teachers, but after departing from their own classrooms, took up subbing to connect with students’...

Every Tuesday and Thursday, OATV goes live, broadcasting school announcements, features into student lives, and segments made by the crew. This month, read about four returning OATV seniors who have been shaped by their time on air.    Eric Vo How has OATV impacted your high school...

The United States conducted a military operation across Venezuela with over 150 warplanes, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and the first lady, Cilia Flores, on Jan. 3.  The president and first lady were flown to New York City, facing charges for drug importation and terrorism. The administration...

Red Cross board members work tirelessly during the year to support Oxford and the Orange County community, planning blood drives, clothing donations , and service events. This month, read about how five Red Cross seniors have been shaped by their experiences in the club!    Alyssa Uy, President —...

This issue, The Gamut interviewed six OA alumni to check up on their post-high school journeys. Amanda Gao OA ‘19  Amanda graduated from Oxford in 2019. In high school, she was president of OA-HOSA, later serving on the HOSA International Executive Council, and was The Gamut’s own Editor...

Working around the clock to plan class bonding events, school dances, and spirit week poster walls, Class Committee (CC) members dedicate themselves to building their grade’s community. For the Senior Class Committee (SRCC), each planned event carries nostalgia — a countdown until the very last senior...

Beyond the typical high school sports of tennis, volleyball, and basketball,  8th graders Jaishnaa Rajagopal and Kensie Lim compete in fencing, the combat sport of offense and defense. Fencing is a sport about timing and strategizing, trying to predict what an opponent will do for one’s advantage,...

With Westminster Mall — once overflowing with customers — officially shutting its doors on Oct. 29 following years of emptiness, it joins a trend of mall closures and deaths due to lost clientele and business. While similar malls earned the titles of “dead malls,” others, like South Coast Plaza...

On Nov. 4, California voters will vote on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50, a measure allowing the state to gerrymander: deliberately redrawing congressional district boundaries partisanly. Newsom is pushing back against conservative gerrymanders this year, abandoning the independent California Citizens...

For the 2025-26 school year, Oxford Academy launched a new course for seniors: Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Senior Seminar, taught by AVID Site Coordinator Mrs. Casanova.   AVID is a nationwide program aimed at closing the achievement gap for students, preparing them with college...

As a must-have SoCal staple for sunny days and coastal cravings, poke — a traditional Hawaiian dish featuring raw, marinated fish with a variety of savory toppings and sauces — is the perfect meal to complete a delicious summer. Stores boasting their unique take on the dish have popped up across...

Oxford’s beloved math teacher Mrs. Jeanne Beckett passed away on March 22 at 79 years old.  Mrs. Beckett began teaching 43 years ago, spending the last 24 years at Oxford, teaching Integrated Math 3 and Math 7.  A mathematician from a young age, Mrs. Beckett fell in love with the subject...

On April 21, Oxford Academy hosted a Celebration of Life in the MPR for beloved math teacher Mrs. Jeanne Beckett, who passed away on March 22 at 79 years old. Colleagues, friends, family, and students spoke in tributes to Mrs. Beckett at the celebration, reminiscing on their relationships with her...

COLLABORATIVE EQUITY: CSULB professor Dr. Jose Moreno presented various statistics illustrating academic achievement disparities between AUHSD's ethnic groups and genders, urging the community to partake in LCAP to address them.

On Jan. 28, President Donald Trump offered approximately 2 million federal employees “deferred resignation” — the chance to resign and receive payment until Sept. 30. While claiming to “improve efficiency” with support from Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),...

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in almost every corner, digitally and culturally, has exhausted consumers, quickly growing tired of its increased presence. As users turn to AI to fulfill simple requests, organizations have increasingly incorporated it into their websites. While useful...

In a loss for Democratic primary Kamala Harris to a near supermajority vote for Republican figurehead Donald Trump, the 2024 election waged a culturally cutthroat war. Even in infamously liberal California, Democrats gradually lost the vote of the average citizen: a biting sign of a failure to retain...

The holiday season is rocking just around the corner — streets are brimming with twinkling lights and the giving season’s jolly cheer. For just one night, get in the festive spirit with your friends at home and celebrate Friendsmas! Confections & Crafts  Arguably the most important aspect...

As the internet has become an integral part of daily life, it has also accentuated a “connection crisis”: growing societal isolation. Libraries have been swapped for AI search engines and cafes for chat centers. Third places, which foster safe spaces for communal relationships and relaxation, have...

Oxford Academy Red Cross held its first blood drive of the year in the gym on Nov. 5, donating 31 units of blood to the American Red Cross for patients with cancer or sickle cell disease. Amassing around 34 student donors before the blood drive, and allowing walk-ins, they were required to be at least...

On Sept. 20, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1805 into law, requiring the historic 1947  school segregation case of Mendez, et al. v. Westminster School District of Orange County to be integrated into California’s history and social science curriculum by Dec. 31, 2028.  The bill was co-authored...

Asianfishing — when somebody manipulates their characteristics to appear Asian — has become increasingly prevalent online. This appropriation ranges from manipulating photos and videos or imitating Asian features with makeup to using Asian names online, imitating and disrespecting these communities....

Effective Sept. 2025, California will ban legacy admissions at private and nonprofit universities with Assembly Bill 1780. Legacy admissions are the practice of giving special consideration to college applicants who have familial alumni and donors. For years, top colleges such as Stanford and University...

Sabrina Carpenter may only be five feet, but the release of her sixth album “Short n’ Sweet” soared her career to new heights. After soundtracking the summer with global chart toppers “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” the record released on Aug. 23 and is an intricate mosaic of mainstream...

Step into Kei Coffee House, Kei Concepts’ newest venture — you’ll be greeted by a minimalist cafe inspired by Southeast Asian cafe culture. As sunshine illuminates the window-lined restaurant and plants adorn the sleek furniture, it’s no surprise the coffee shop, still in its soft opening,...

On June 6, the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) Board of Trustees examined a provisional appointment for the late Trustee Anna Piercy’s seat, reviewed upcoming budgets and the LCAP, and voted on raises and contract extensions, extending Superintendent Michael Matsuda's contract to 2028.  Following...

With input from 146 student, parent, educator, and community participants, the Anaheim Union High School District Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) solidified the district's goals for the upcoming year on May 9.  After the four focus groups drafted their top three recommendations at the LCAP’s...

Nickelodeon made millions by filming shows that made up many people’s childhoods — at the cost of their own actors’ childhoods. The Max docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” documents abuse behind the scenes, bringing justice for its victims and accountability to the entertainment...

The world’s biggest music company, Universal Music Group (UMG), removed all of its artists’ music from TikTok following disputes over low artist compensation, AI protections, and copyright infringement concerns. This change affected all artists signed with UMG starting Feb. 1, particularly its smaller...

As Hollywood attempts to spotlight its female actresses during Women’s History Month, the double standards are strikingly obvious for women of color in comparison to their white counterparts. Women of color are continuously overshadowed by white women and are forced to put in increased effort for the...

On Jan. 2, Harvard University president Dr. Claudine Gay announced her resignation after plagiarism accusations in her academic work that appeared after an investigation on antisemitism on campus.  Following a Dec. 5 congressional hearing with the presidents of various universities like UPenn and...

Get in losers, because the Mean Girls are so back! With a modern twist, the film adaptation of the Broadway adaptation of the original movie released in theaters on Jan. 12th. However, the movie’s overall lack of direction reduces it to just another cash-grabbing remake whose most endearing point is...

Gentrification is the process of urban renewal where communities and lower-income residents are displaced by wealthier individuals or businesses, resulting in changes to the socioeconomic and cultural fabric of a neighborhood. In Orange County, gentrification affects cities daily — from drastic changes...

During “The Eras Tour” U.S. run from March through August, its massive success propelled local economies and Swift’s stardom, leading to the creation of a concert film. Recreating its energy and spirit, the “Eras” movie recorded three of the tour’s nights in LA, allowing fans worldwide their...

The Explore More field trip is calling all adventurers to traverse the great outdoors. On Oct. 19 at El Dorado Regional Park, a group of Oxford and Cambridge Virtual Academy (CVA) students engaged in its first field trip to observe nature and step outside to take a breath from life’s daily stresses....

From pushing boundaries with online strangers to crashing celebrities’ private events, parasocial relationships have started to consume society. Normalized as “stan behavior,” this warped perception of a personal connection between public figures and devotees must stop for both parties’ safety. The...

As the autumn air begins to crisp, start the beginning of the year strong with cafe recommendations to add some fall charm to your life. These cute spots can help maximize productivity and romanticize assignments — all while sipping some delicious drinks. If 7 Leaves and Starbucks aren’t quite cutting...

After almost five months on tour, Taylor Swift brought “The Eras Tour” to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, becoming the first artist to host six consecutive nights there. Taking the stage by storm with a commanding aura and endearing presence, she celebrated her fans and career with approximately...

From inattentively posting social causes without context to supporting organizations with misleading messages, AUHSD’s performative activism fails to uplift its students and educate on important matters. The district needs to step out of its comfort zone to support these various causes — researching...

With exceptional performances at their final league meet on April 18 against Whitney High School, reputable for high speeds and skilled swimmers, Oxford’s swim team ended the season strong 8-1 in their league meets. Making new records and memories, the captains, senior Susan Tran and junior Katie...

For many, reading used to be a joy that has since faded — or for some, it was never there in the first place. To spark your love for reading, the Gamut has handpicked captivating reads that will keep you interested until the very last page.   “Six of Crows” 465 pages Leigh Bardugo’s...

On Aug. 20, 2020, rapper Megan Thee Stallion revealed on Instagram live that she was shot by Tory Lanez, another music artist. The internet quickly turned her vulnerable moment into an opportunity to send hate, death threats, and blame, disregarding her humanity— rooting from the normalization of...

A staple of American culture for over a century, beauty pageants have charmed their way into popular culture. Creating platforms to openly judge women — like with the classic pageant Miss America which recently happened — these problematic events being symbols of culture normalizes the objectification...

Anaheim’s Innovative Mentoring Experience (AIME) is an AUHSD program that facilitates student growth throughout the district. Partnering with businesses and local organizations, students can explore how professionals work in their fields, discovering different career pathways and gaining connections...

It’s girls basketball season again! Throughout their preseason, these Lady Patriots have been practicing extremely hard, and they’re ready to give it their all this winter season. Hopeful with their growth as a team together, girls varsity is prepared to bounce back, hoping to finish 3rd or higher...

Thanksgiving brings to mind delicious dishes like creamy mashed potatoes, warm turkey, and sweet pumpkin pie, which — despite being a tradition — become repetitive and lose their charm year after year. This fall, spice up your Thanksgiving dinner with these mouthwatering and unconventional recipes.   Buttermilk-Battered...

From the unassuming girl next door to the empowered pop star on top of the world, Taylor Swift’s singer persona has constantly evolved throughout her career as fractions of herself that are blown up to play a part. Her latest release from Oct. 21, “Midnights” shares her stories of self-hate and...

Starting this season, freshmen Jenevieve Urfano, Jolie Diep, and Trina So all made varsity for their respective sports: volleyball, tennis, and cross country. As the only freshmen on their teams, their accomplishments during this first season are duly impressive.  Throughout the season, the three...

Advertised as the anti-social network, the popular app BeReal sends a notification randomly every day, prompting spontaneous posts and users to “BeReal” by taking a photo in the two following minutes. Although created as a platform of authenticity, users delaying BeReals and carefully curating them...