Skip to Main Content
The Student Newspaper of Oxford Academy

The Gamut

The Gamut

The Gamut

Kenzie Laing

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Kenzie Laing, a junior, is entering her second year on The Gamut staff and is serving as the Arts and Entertainment Editor. After always liking writing as a child, she saw journalism as the perfect opportunity to publish her work and pursue stories, topics, and sections that she cares about. Inspired by different shows about journalism and movies like Legally Blonde, Kenzie likes to write across sections – from op-ed to sports – and she found her interest in the arts and entertainment section. She advises new writers not to be scared of asking questions, since that is how she learned the best and grew as a writer. Aside from The Gamut, Kenzie has gained leadership roles in FBLA’s Southern Section Board and ASB Senate, and also has fun hobbies like painting, running in cross country, figure skating, hockey, traveling, and reading. Also, Kenzie’s music taste ranges from the high-energy beats of Olivia Rodrigo and Charli XCX to soulful music like Frank Ocean. Although she isn’t excited for the struggles that junior year may bring, like SAT prep or AP tests, Kenzie does look forward to expanding her skills in The Gamut through podcasts, photography, and fresh story ideas that she can bring to life this year!

All content by Kenzie Laing
OXFORD GOES GLOBAL: International exchange students Esther Li, Leo Zhang, and Tony Hoang cross cultures and build connection.

OA’s international students foster global connection

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor September 24, 2025

Cypress, California may not be on many internationally acclaimed bucket lists, but for Oxford Academy’s newest international students, it presents a world of new opportunities. Students Esther Li, Leo Zhang, and Tony Hoang recount their experiences joining Oxford — a close knit community of students...

Mixtape: Soundtrack to September

Mixtape: Soundtrack to September

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor September 24, 2025

Indie-Pop: “Linger” by The Cranberries Gentle and hypnotic, this track is a nostalgic and quietly heartbreaking fall classic. Guitar, strings, and light percussion ground Dolores O’Riordan’s floating voice in a romantic and cinematic approach. Repetition and chord progressions ‘linger’...

The toxic summer “grindset” has obliterated the meaning of break for students

The toxic summer “grindset” has obliterated the meaning of break for students

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor May 13, 2025

Summer break, a time for relaxation and rejuvenation, has lost its meaning. Long gone are the days of beach vacations and late night hangouts; now summer is marked by the constant plight of students scrambling to craft the “perfect resume” with internships, extracurriculars, and additional coursework....

Breaking Barriers: Paige Bueckers, the 2025 No.1 WNBA draft pick, is an inspiration for  female althletes as she helps define the future of women's sports.

Paige Bueckers’s impact in reducing the gender gap in sports

Kenzie Laing and Alaisha Singh May 3, 2025

On April 14, 2025, Paige Bueckers committed as the #1 overall draft pick to the Dallas Wings at the WNBA draft. After a long journey complete with injuries, comebacks, and record-breaking performances, Bueckers finally u the professional stage she was aiming for. However, her impact stretched far beyond...

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show unveils the hidden U.S. game

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show unveils the hidden U.S. game

Millie Kwon and Kenzie Laing March 5, 2025

On Sunday, Feb. 9, Kendrick Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. The 11-track  performance featured stunning visuals and music, along with rich political commentary and symbolism. Breaking Michael Jackson’s record for the most watched Super Bowl halftime show in history, Lamar’s performance...

The AI Coup: Musk's integration of AI in the government threatens American ideals with unreliable motivations.

Musk’s AI coup runs far deeper than its guise of efficiency

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor March 5, 2025

President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk have embarked on a controversial initiative to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the federal government. Despite aiming for innovation and efficiency, the initiative threatens American ideals of equality, accountability, and democracy, raising...

Celebrate Friendship: Show appreciation for all the friends in your life with these Galentine’s day ideas

Galentine’s Day ideas to celebrate fun & friendships

Kenzie Laing and Aarya Halankar February 6, 2025

Although known as the holiday for romance, Valentine’s Day is a chance to appreciate all types of love and friendship. Originating from the popular NBC sitcom Parks and Rec, Galentine’s, celebrated on Feb. 13th, is a day where friends come together to display their appreciation for one another. So...

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: X games at Buttermilk Ski Resort in Aspen, Colorado

Breaking extreme snow barriers at the 2025 Winter X Games

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor February 6, 2025

The 2025 Winter X Games, an annual international action sports competition, was held in Aspen, Colorado, on Jan. 23-25th. This year's games showcased various events and athletes, highlighting many record-breaking moments and pushing the boundaries of extreme skiing and snowboarding to new heights. Going...

BATTLE OF HOLIDAY HITS: Highlighting new and underrated holiday music gems over classics.

Battling over the crown of holiday music

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor December 12, 2024

As the holiday season rolls around, so does the ringing of Mariah Carey’s classic holiday hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You”. The song has captivated global audiences since its 1994 release, dominating music charts during the holiday season with its infectious lyrics and iconic melody. While...

TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE: Junior High flag football athletes run to secure the ball during a match against Lexington Junior High

Junior High Students explore intramural sports

Kenzie Laing and Aarya Halankar December 12, 2024

As the first semester comes to an end, so do the first two quarters of Oxford’s junior high intramural sports. Intramurals are a quarterly series of sports that offer students the opportunity to participate and learn, no matter their starting skill level. The program emphasizes team-building, growth,...

CREATING COMMUNITY: Oxford FACES Ms. Ortega and parent volunteer Zulema Limon build the ofrenda.

OA’s Day of the Dead community altar celebrates culture, unity

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor November 21, 2024

Oxford Academy students and faculty came together at the OA Family Center on November 1st to construct and exhibit a stunning community ofrenda (altar) in celebration of Día de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday to celebrate the lives of lost loved ones. Led by Ms. Karen Ortega, OA’s FACES chair, the...

AI’s progress and development pollutes the planet

AI’s progress and development pollutes the planet

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 30, 2024

The technological advancements of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionary, but burns copious amounts of energy in its training and usage — far more than traditional technology. AI’s excessive energy use when created and operated, along with its immense e-waste production, must end as it accelerates...

ENCHANTING: "Tangled" theme provides outfit inspiration for Oxford Academy’s 2024 Fall Ball.

Fall Ball outfits that will have you sparkling under the floating lights

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 23, 2024

Oxford Academy’s annual Fall Ball will be next Sunday, October 27 at the N Navy Golf Course. This year’s theme will be “A Night of Floating Lights”, inspired by the Disney classic, Tangled. With a week left, you might be having trouble deciding what to wear. From dreamy colors to enchanting accessories,...

Seventh grader Julia Li competes at the 2024 PanAm Age Group Artistic Swimming Championships in Lima, Peru.

Artistic swimmer Julia Li wins silver in Peru

Kenzie Laing, Arts & Entertainment Editor September 26, 2024

Artistic swimming is a demanding sport that not only requires extreme strength and agility, but also breath-taking artistry and intense dedication. For seventh grader Julia Li, it gives her an opportunity to showcase her talents and passion. Li shared her recent experiences at the 2024 PanAm Artistic...

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”: A Rushed Return

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”: A Rushed Return

Aarya Halankar and Kenzie Laing September 26, 2024

Returning 36 years after its iconic predecessor “Beetlejuice,” the highly anticipated Tim Burton-directed sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” hit theaters on Sept. 6 in a $110 million opening weekend. The horror-comedy stars returning actors Winona Ryder, who reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, Michael...

Donate to The Gamut
$310
$1200
Contributed
Our Goal

Activate Search
The Student Newspaper of Oxford Academy
Kenzie Laing