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The Student Newspaper of Oxford Academy

The Gamut

The Gamut

The Gamut

Rachel Yoon

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor

Rachel is in her fourth and final year of the Gamut, and is looking forward to serving as Managing Editor! While she is an amazing journalist, her passions lie more in environmental justice. She has a non-profit organization, Orange County Environmental Justice Youth, or OCEJ Youth for short, where she and other high school students spread awareness about environmental issues. This summer she was able to work on building upon this nonprofit; not only did she plan for OCEJ Youth, but she also illustrated a book called “Scraps to Garden Gold”, a project that lasted over two months. Rachel is also passionate about Mediterranean food, especially Shakshouka, a dish consisting of eggs poached in tomato sauce. One of Rachel’s favorite memories of Gamut would be the holiday potlucks hosted around Fall and Winter break – specifically when she received a poster of Corey Williams for Secret Santa. With three years of journalism experience under her belt, she is excited to participate in competitions such as OCJEA and SCJEA – and (hopefully) win sweepstakes this year!

All content by Rachel Yoon
INDIGENOUS JUSTICE: The California State University of Long Beach (CSULB) desecrated the Indigenous sacred site of Puvungna with toxic materials and has yet to fully compensate the tribal nations.

The desecration of Puvungna demands Indigenous justice

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor December 12, 2024

On Native American Day in 2019, the California State University of Long Beach (CSULB) illegally dumped 6400 cubic yards of arsenic-laced soil, debris, and pesticides over the ceremonial grounds of Puvungna, a centuries-old sacred site belonging to the Gabrielino-Tongva and Acjachemen nations. The university...

CELEBRITY MOURNING: The internet only worsens the spectacle that arises when a celebrity passes.

Celebrity deaths shouldn’t be social media spectacles

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor November 21, 2024

When former One Direction singer Liam Payne died unexpectedly on Oct. 16, the media and entertainment industry erupted into chaos. Just hours after his death, disturbing photos of Payne’s body were plastered on the internet by TMZ, sparking an outcry from the public regarding the lack of respect for...

Power Nap: A stressed senior napping during a study session, dreaming about relaxing activities: cafe dates, exercise, and rom coms.

How to destress from senior spooky season

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor October 30, 2024

Hey seniors! It’s almost November — the dreaded beginning of the college application season. If just looking at the Common App portal gets your heart racing with anxiety, then consider these simple, inexpensive methods to de-stress and worry less. 1. A Cafe Study Date There’s no better companion...

REPRESENT: Oxford Student Ambassador Yarely Martinez poses for her AUHSD professional headshot.

Yarely Martinez takes on Oxford Student Ambassador

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor October 24, 2024

Every year, the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) selects one senior from each of its 12 high schools to represent their school as the student ambassador. Oxford Academy senior Yarely Martinez has taken on this coveted position for the 2024-2025 school year. The AUHSD ambassador program opens...

Love Island’s hot bombshell sets fire to dating culture

Love Island’s hot bombshell sets fire to dating culture

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor September 26, 2024

A “hot new bombshell” has entered the media. In the form of oversaturated drama and cheesy romance, “Love Island USA” reigned as the number one reality series of the summer. Its sixth season aired on Peacock in June, inviting 33 new young, attractive singles to a luxurious villa in Fiji to compete...

The California prison system should focus on rehabilitation

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor May 9, 2024

California’s long-awaited prison reform has been underway since Governor Gavin Newsom first stepped into office in 2019. However, the state’s hesitation in fully committing to their goals of “public safety, rehabilitation, community reintegration and restorative justice” pushes them further and...

A Step Forward: California’s new settlement aims to tackle learning disparities caused by distance learning during the pandemic. (Photo by Street Lab)

California directs $2 billion settlement for learning loss recovery

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor March 18, 2024

Settling the successful lawsuit run by Oakland and Los Angeles families, California will allocate $2 billion to help K-12 schools recover from “pandemic learning loss.” The settlement will help bridge large learning disparities, targeting low-income and minority students by implementing additional...

AUHSD administrators, Oxford administrators, and the Gamut staff celebrate Dr. Hind’s recognition as AUHSD Teacher of the Year. (Photo by AUHSD/John Bautista)

Oxford teacher honored by district

Haley Nguyen and Rachel Yoon February 1, 2024

In her second year at Oxford and 27th year of teaching, educator, advisor, and coordinator Dr. Elizabeth Hind was named the 2023-2024 Oxford Teacher of the Year, voted by Oxford faculty, and honored as one of the three AUHSD Teachers of the Year. The award honors one teacher’s unique impact on the...

It is time to value environmental preservation

It is time to value environmental preservation

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor February 1, 2024

Environmental conservation has lost its meaning. Despite backlash from thousands of residents, Irvine Company plans to implement a major urban development project this year, stripping away 400 acres of wildlife corridor from two of the busiest Orange County regional parks. The approved policy will replace...

Street vendors struggle with Orange County’s unrealistic regulations

Street vendors struggle with Orange County’s unrealistic regulations

Haley Nguyen and Rachel Yoon December 14, 2023

City officials in Orange County moved to crack down on sidewalk food carts in March by introducing tight regulations on the activity, a decision directly in opposition to California Senate Bill No. 946 passed in 2018, which decriminalizes street vendors in California. The immediate result was a concerning...

New Additions: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is one of 70 U.S. colleges participating in Common Application’s direct admission program this year. (Photo by William Johns)

The Common App direct admissions program underway for expansion

Rachel Yoon and Sydnee Cho December 14, 2023

In November 2023, Common Application, the undergraduate admission application for more than 1,000 colleges, sent direct admissions offers from 70 U.S. colleges to nearly 200,000 high school seniors. The direct admissions program, initially assessed in 2021, is a way for first-generation and low-income...

Shell-ebrate at Red Lobster: Red Lobster provides special family feasts and meal packages for both dining and take-out on Thanksgiving day! (Courtesy of OpenTable)

Restaurants to feast your way through Thanksgiving

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor November 16, 2023

The fun of Thanksgiving lies in warm mashed potatoes and juicy turkey, but sometimes a homemade feast can be a pain to cook. If you are skipping the cooking this year and can’t find any open restaurants to do the job, then look no further. Whether it's indulging in the cozy and classic Thanksgiving...

Monumental Moment: Former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy becomes the first speaker in the U.S. to be ousted from the job through a House vote. (Photo by Tom Brenner)

Congress faces fiscal deadline amid conflicts

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor October 30, 2023

Failure to negotiate funding bills for the U.S. federal government leaves Congress just three weeks until it must navigate through the partisan divide and replace the temporary stopgap spending measure with a comprehensive plan for the new fiscal year. With the Nov. 17 deadline approaching, the reelection...

The United States Supreme Court building

A break in the bridge for educational equality

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor September 28, 2023

A 6-3 vote from the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29 has shot down race-conscious affirmative action in the college admissions process. What this means for students across the nation is an uneven playing field crafted by a long history of racism in the American education system. Without measures sustaining...

Unearthing latest additions to Oxford's club life

Unearthing latest additions to Oxford’s club life

Rachel Yoon and Haley Nguyen September 28, 2023

Colorful trifolds and picture frames lined the quad from Sept. 12-15 for Oxford’s annual Club Rush, allowing students to join clubs aligned with their interests. With the addition of several student organizations, new explorable passions have invigorated the campus club scene. The OA Law & Politics...

Prom: A magical night under the wishing tree

Prom: A magical night under the wishing tree

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor May 15, 2023

Guests in princess dresses and sharp suits were greeted with a long red carpet and a classy photo backdrop as they entered elegant castle doors into the Spring Field Banquet Center on April 15th. Inspired by the 2009 Disney film “The Princess and the Frog”, Oxford’s Junior Class Committee (JCC)...

Starting a new chapter for the ‘23-’24 school year

Haley Nguyen and Rachel Yoon May 11, 2023

As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, changes in Oxford’s curriculum, schedules, and campus have been discussed and evaluated by the administration and Board of Trustees. These changes, ranging from additional sports to brand new classrooms, are set to improve Oxford Academy’s environment....

Looking into the flaws and craters of “Boys Planet”

Haley Nguyen and Rachel Yoon May 4, 2023

Amongst past idol survival shows like “Produce 48” and “I-land,” “Boys Planet” has recently emerged as another production from the popular Korean TV channel Mnet. The competitive reality show, airing from early February to late April, has set itself apart with an international and interactive...

The ways ChatGPT can change a classroom

The ways ChatGPT can change a classroom

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor March 10, 2023

In Nov. 2022, the emergence of the advanced algorithm ChatGPT took over the internet. From essay writing to solving differential calculus, this technology is a calculator, human mind, and professor combined into one. Despite the worldwide commotion and excitement over this new platform, responses to...

China relaxes COVID-19 travel restrictions

China relaxes COVID-19 travel restrictions

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor February 6, 2023

After nearly three years of strict COVID-19 precautions, China has relaxed its border controls for citizens to reunite with the rest of the world. Since Jan. 8, the border restrictions and quarantine period between mainland China and Hong Kong city have been eased, as well as a few regulations with international...

Greening it up: Cafeteria manager Tiffany Camarillo chops and bins cucumber slices for Tuesday’s fresh and tasty salad bar.

Greening it up with Oxford’s new menu

Rachel Yoon and Haley Nguyen February 6, 2023

Hundreds of hungry Oxford students rush to the lunch line at approximately 11:50 a.m. every day. Waiting for their arrival is a large selection of meals, from a balanced teriyaki, broccoli, and rice bowl to a more fun plate of pizza and fries (with a salad, of course). These new breakfast and lunch additions...

Above and Beyond: Joshua Jang (10) takes on vice president of OA ECO club, one of his seven clubs this year.

Joshua Jang: Oxford Academy’s STEM Genius

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor December 16, 2022

Having already completed Calculus AB in 4th grade, sophomore Joshua Jang is well ahead of the typical 10th grade curriculum.    Jang began looking into higher level AMC math competitions in the 2nd and 3rd grade. These initial competitions sparked his interest in math topics such as algebra,...

People's Pick: Senior Kristela Avendano delivers a stunningly heartwarming performance of Rusty Clanton's "Novels." (Photo by Claire Jung)

Talents from singers to slime connoisseurs

Haley Nguyen and Rachel Yoon November 17, 2022

Oxford’s annual talent show made its grand return on Oct. 21, featuring a spirited lineup of traditional acts like singing, instrument playing, and dancing, along with more abstract performances.  Talent show winners were separated into two categories: audience’s choice and judges’ choice. The...

The OA Memoir Portfolio faces challenges

The OA Memoir Portfolio faces challenges

Rachel Yoon, Managing Editor October 28, 2022

The Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) recently mandated a capstone project for all grade levels. Introduced as a meaningful addition to the Oxford curriculum, the project has instead sparked controversy within the Oxford body—and for good reason. Although the capstone can serve as an elevated...


More than a Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II was a pop culture icon that inspired many artistic individuals.

The Death of an Icon

Christian Festin and Zoharys Jaen September 29, 2022

More than a Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II was a pop culture icon that inspired many artistic individuals.

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Rachel Yoon