Skip to Main Content
The Student Newspaper of Oxford Academy

The Gamut

The Gamut

The Gamut

Miriam Santos

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor

Miriam Santos is a junior at Oxford Academy and this year’s lifestyle editor for The Gamut. Other than being a captivating and profound writer, Miriam is also a certified cat lover, a self-taught sketch artist, and an avid Pokemon Go player. She enjoys studying psychology in her sister’s room while listening to the Wallows and snacking on crunchy pretzels. Her two cats—Hina and Pelu—provide emotional support as she binge watches The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. with a side of hot cheetos on the weekends. Ten years from now, Miriam sees herself pursuing psychology as a professional career, possibly taking paid vacations off to Sweden to wallow in cozy villages and beautiful gardens with her friends and family.

All content by Miriam Santos
Senior Features: Link Crew leaders

Senior Features: Link Crew leaders

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor December 12, 2024

With years of high school experience under their belts, Link Crew leaders bond with underclassmen and welcome them into Oxford’s community with open arms. As for this month’s Senior Features, a few Link Crew members shed light on what it’s like being an influential leader. Sue Leen Park —...

COZY BREW: Warm up your holiday and finals season with a delicious bowl of soup or stew.

Soups & stews to keep warm this Winter

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor December 12, 2024

As Oxford students near the end of first semester and begin their battle against nap-inducing demons during finals week, the weather has dropped to freezing temperatures of low 60s and high 40s that many Orange County, Californians can’t seem to bear. If you find yourself as one of these shivering...

COMMUNITY SPACE: The plaza mayor in Valladolid, Spain, is an example of the kinds of third places that are part of the culture of other countries.

Community third places must become a first priority

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor November 21, 2024

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...

Photos by Tyler Nguyen, Danny Bañuelos Chavez. Collage by Miriam Santos

Senior Features: Teacher’s Aides

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor November 21, 2024

From forming meaningful bonds with staff, getting assignments graded quickly, and nurturing a positive student community as role models to underclassmen, being a TA is truly a rewarding experience — and they tend to be the backbone of the Oxford community. November’s Senior Features spotlight these...

Autumn’s Harvest: Enjoy this year’s fall season with carnival rides, tasty food, and, most importantly, pumpkins.

Exploring Orange Country’s pumpkin patches!

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor October 30, 2024

Pumpkins, the perfect gourds that are an essential need this time of year, are at last the center of various gardens and fields around Orange County. Although finding the ideal pumpkin for flavorful dishes or spooky decor is of the utmost importance, you should also enjoy the variety of entertainment...

Student Spotlight: OA Spiritus and OATV seniors recant what it’s like to be on staff. Collage by Miriam Santos

Senior Features: Student Media Stars

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor October 30, 2024

School memories compiled into a single book at the very end of the year. A plethora of school announcements broadcasted every Tuesday and Thursday. Who does Oxford have to thank for all of this? Why, OA Spiritus and OATV of course! For this month’s senior spotlight, tune into the experiences of Oxford’s...

Free Orange County bus passes: What should you do with yours?

Free Orange County bus passes: What should you do with yours?

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor October 23, 2024

For many students, the reality of getting to and from their home and any destination is limited to their parent’s availability and whether the walking distance is reasonable or not. If you’re under the age of 16, have an expired permit, or simply never have a ride, the Orange County Transportation...

Senior Features: New beginnings for ASB

Senior Features: New beginnings for ASB

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor September 26, 2024

From enthusiastically leading morning announcements to hosting eagerly anticipated spirit weeks, Oxford’s ASB is a true embodiment of school spirit. Excited to kick off the ’24-’25 school year, spotlighted here are the seniors of ASB’s executive board!   How has ASB influenced your...

The database of harmful deepfakes expands alongside a toxic digital environment where individuals live in fear of their bodies, voices, and identities being abused.

AI deepfakes call for ethical reality check

Miriam Santos and Jasmine Nguyen September 26, 2024

The advent of AI deepfakes introduced a new era of remarkable technological possibilities while simultaneously releasing a surge of troubling ethical dilemmas. As evidenced by the recent  Telegram scandal in South Korea and the use of AI-generated misinformation in the current U.S. election, the misuse...

Senior Features: New ends, new beginnings

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor May 7, 2024

As the school year comes to an end, the Gamut senior staff reminisce about their high school careers while preparing for the next milestones in their lives.   Editor-in-Chief Trisha Phan - Reflecting on your years in Gamut, how much have you changed? “Going into Gamut I was super shy....

Flower fields and gardens to visit in OC

Flower fields and gardens to visit in OC

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor March 18, 2024

Spring is almost in bloom, and so are the flowers. With spring break just in reach, consider spending some time surrounded by the delightful scents and vibrant colors of California's blooming flower fields and gardens! Here are a few wondrous flower fields and gardens to explore in California during...

Mouth-watering snacks: Food trucks at the Cypress College swap meet offer an abundant amount of cultural snacks such as raspados, chicarrones, and chamoy-drenched fruit. (Photo by Miriam Santos)

Intriguing OC swap meets and markets to explore

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor February 1, 2024

Orange County is home to various swap meets and farmers markets filled with charming small businesses to support and explore with friends or family. As Valentine's Day is coming up, be on the lookout for V-Day stands that sell lovely, perhaps artisanal, gifts that are just right for friends and family!...

Budget Christmas gifts to survive the season of giving

Budget Christmas gifts to survive the season of giving

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor December 14, 2023

Colder weather, increases in hot chocolate sales, and the need to snuggle in a warm bed while watching comfort movies are all signs of the beginning of the holiday gift-giving season. Spending a lot of money during this time of the year may be easy for some, but typically difficult for students. While...

Thanksgiving masks Indigenous oppression

Thanksgiving masks Indigenous oppression

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor November 16, 2023

Thanksgiving, the widely celebrated holiday dedicated to celebrating loved ones and feasting on warm, homemade food, has a dark underlayer beneath the surface of its story. Despite having a joyful sentiment, the idea of gratitude is sugarcoated, as the origins tell a false narrative of what the mainstream...

Orange County festivities celebrate Día de los Muertos

Orange County festivities celebrate Día de los Muertos

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor October 30, 2023

Taking place during the first two nights of November, Día de los Muertos is a high-spirited Mexican tradition known for its vibrant characteristics like golden paths of cempasúchil (marigold) petals and glimmering calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls). This celebration, originating from Mexico, has made...

Visitors should stop overlooking toxic Hawaiian tourism

Visitors should stop overlooking toxic Hawaiian tourism

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor September 28, 2023

Blazing fires began to scorch West Maui on August 8th, killing at least 115 people and leaving more than 1000 missing. Although tourism in Maui has been highly discouraged, the rest of Hawaii is still free for inconsiderate travelers to visit and leave their unwanted mark on Hawaii’s fragile environment....

Pride month flooding with rainbow-washed companies

Pride month flooding with rainbow-washed companies

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor May 11, 2023

With Pride month approaching in June, consumers should be conscious of “rainbow-washing” and companies’ performative activism. Many corporations “rainbow wash” themselves by using pride flag colors in their logos and products that are advertised as supporting the LGBTQ community, although not...

The problem with self-diagnosing mental illnesses

The problem with self-diagnosing mental illnesses

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor March 10, 2023

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown served as a period of self-reflection and self-care for many, which has aided in the increase of mental health awareness recently. Although the discussion surrounding mental health is a net positive, social media has made it easier for misinformation...

Hearts & Crafts to make for Valentine’s Day!

Hearts & Crafts to make for Valentine’s Day!

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor February 6, 2023

Valentine’s Day is swiftly approaching, so pondering the perfect gift to get your loved one beforehand may be worrying. Rather than opting for the typical roses and chocolates, try out these cute DIYs and activities!   Sweet-heart Box If you’re looking for a simple craft, a heart-shaped...

Daylight saving time here to stay?

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor November 17, 2022

On March 15, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 623 (SB-623), or the Sunshine Protection Act, sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. If passed by the House of Representatives, it would take effect in November of 2023, making daylight saving time (DST) permanent nationwide except in Hawai’i,...

Fun Fall Festivities for Friendsgiving!

Fun Fall Festivities for Friendsgiving!

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor November 17, 2022

As crisp breezes swirl into season and pumpkin-spiced desserts stock the aisles, take advantage of Thanksgiving break to relax in the midst of the school year. But if you find yourself missing your friends, consider celebrating Friendsgiving! Besides saving gratitude for the dinner table with relatives,...

Netflix's DAHMER capitalizes off of tragedy

Netflix’s DAHMER capitalizes off of tragedy

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor October 28, 2022

Netflix released the 10-part miniseries “DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, on Sept. 21. The show depicts Dahmer’s gruesome killing spree, starting from his early childhood to his final days in jail. Dahmer murdered 17 people, all men of color,...

Successful Match: Serena Williams celebrates her triumph over Estonia's Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the U.S. Open on Aug. 31, 2022

Serena Williams: Promoting Resistance

Miriam Santos, Lifestyle Editor September 29, 2022

Serena Williams is ready for the next chapter in her life. The 41-year-old tennis player announced her retirement in her feature in the September 2022 Vogue issue. With a 27-year-long professional tennis career under her belt, Williams retired having left an immense influence on the sports community...

Donate to The Gamut
$0
$500
Contributed
Our Goal

Activate Search
The Student Newspaper of Oxford Academy
Miriam Santos