Natalie Akins

Natalie Akins, Staff Writer

Although it may be her first year in the Gamut, freshman staff writer Natalie Akins isn’t necessarily embarking into unfamiliar territory. Under the guise of a freshman with a fervor for musical theater and playing the ukulele, Natalie is a fanfiction writer on Archive of Our Own (notoriously known as AO3), whose Percy Jackson novel weaving a love story between characters Percy and Annabeth has garnered over 3000+ hits on the platform. Her passion for fanfiction — and writing itself — stems from her love for reading, whether it’s timeless classics like Pride and Prejudice, or epic fantasy sagas like Keeper of the Lost Cities. Natalie also has — a self-diagnosed but glaringly obvious — obsession with musicals, having seen and religiously listened to the soundtracks of over 30 productions, including favorites Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Hamilton. When she’s not streaming songs from her most cherished musicals, she’s singing, typically with her ukelele in tow, and under the expert guidance of her former Broadway star-turned-vocal coach. Undoubtedly a dedicated individual, Natalie’s passion for writing, and the many layers to her eclectic personality, makes her a perfect addition to the Gamut staff this year!

All content by Natalie Akins

“Wicked” earns its chance to fly beyond the stage

Natalie Akins, Staff Writer • December 12, 2024

After eight years of development, Wicked: Part One, an adaptation of the Broadway hit’s first act, released across the United States on Nov. 22. The first installment of the two-part movie musical stars theatre veterans, pop icons, and television stars alike, paying homage to the powerful call-to-action...

Welcoming OA’s mock trial team

Natalie Akins, Staff Writer • November 21, 2024

Oxford Academy’s newly minted mock trial team participated in their first competitions against Tesoro High School on Nov. 7th and Rosary Academy on 14th at the Superior Court of Orange County in Santa Ana. Formed as a branch of the existing OA Law and Politics club, the team was founded by junior...

Underrated movies for the spooky season

Natalie Akins, Staff Writer • October 30, 2024

Every Halloween, dabblers on a Netflix binge and devotees with carefully chosen watchlists alike enjoy classics like Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. While these icons are loved for many reasons, other excellent films go unnoticed behind Jack Skellington and the Sanderson...

Baseball playoffs hit it out of the park

Mikaela Woo and Natalie Akins • October 24, 2024

MLB playoffs kick off in October – arguably the most exciting and interactive part of the 162-game regular season. Just twelve of the thirty teams set the stage for a four-round elimination bracket where fans devotedly follow their favorite teams – picking new favorites as theirs are eliminated. While...

Star power fuels voters, not results

Natalie Akins, Staff Writer • October 24, 2024

IN CELEBRITIES WE TRUST? In the end, endorsements can’t sway a country.

OA Singers let good times roll at Preview Concert

Natalie Akins, Staff Writer • September 26, 2024

Oxford Academy’s choir program performed their Fall Preview Concert, “Let the Good Times Roll,” on Sept. 20th and 21st at Kennedy Performing Arts Center, showcasing themes of positivity, determination, and faith. The show features both unique songs and others that will appear later in the...