• • June 2: Mahjong Club Meeting (One Lunch, Rm. 254) •
  • • June 3: Paws for a Cause Meeting (One Lunch, Rm. 230) •
  • • June 3: Anime Club Meeting (One Lunch, Rm. 254) •
  • • June 3: Crochet Club Meeting, Hats/Blankets Due (One Lunch, Rm. 216) •
  • • June 4: Chess Club Meeting (One Lunch, Rm. 155) •
  • • June 4: Creative Minds Club Meeting (One Lunch, Rm. 107) •
  • • June 5: Cubing Club Meeting (One Lunch, Rm. 260) •
The Student News Site of Ocean Lakes High School

The Current
The Student News Site of Ocean Lakes High School

The Current
The Student News Site of Ocean Lakes High School

The Current
News
This image showcases the proctor bags that were given to SOL proctoring teachers. The proctor bags include utensils like pencils and erasers for students who were missing them during test time. This picture was taken on May 28 next to the school store.
New SOL initiative set to take effect next school year
Chris Litto, News Editor • June 2, 2026

Next school year, the Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores will count as 10% of a student’s final grade, marking a significant shift from Virginia’s...

Seniors gather on the dance floor at Founders Inn during Ocean Lakes’ prom. The ballroom was illuminated by fairy lights on table centerpieces and mini disco balls lining the walls. Photo taken by junior volunteer Anna Orchard-Hays on May 30.
Gatsby glamour at Founders Inn
June 1, 2026
On May 18 in the schola, Fin Feud participants sophomore Seth Bangsal and junior Anna Orchard-Hays compete to win points and advance to the final round. This event occurred during one lunch and resulted in a win from the junior class.
Juniors crowned winners of Fin Feud tournament
June 1, 2026
Twilight befalls the Capitol on April 25, 2025. The May 15 SCOTUS decision marked the latest decision in the redistricting saga that began when Texas redrew its maps last July upon the request of President Donald Trump.
Redistricting effort dead, SCOTUS says
May 26, 2026
From left, Brickell Scholars coordinator Amy Jo Harrell, 2027 Brickell Scholars Smit Kothari and Mahi Sahkarpe, 2026 finalist Nathan He and Principal Dr. Leslie Ittner celebrate at the recognition ceremony. The two are looking forward to their senior year coming in full swing.
Brickell bound
May 23, 2026
Features
English teacher Don Kroeller helps sophomore Aubrie Ballweg on her Joy Luck Club Heritage Project in Room 123 during block 4B. The Joy Luck Club Heritage Project requires students to analyze the novel's themes and share their own family history.
English teacher closes his book on teaching after 32 years
Chrystal Cruz, Staff Writer • June 4, 2026

The sound of turning pages and scratching chalk have passed through classrooms for more than three decades. As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close, English teacher...

Caleb Niesen competes in a regatta on May 28 on the water. Caleb is a sophomore and student in the MSA. Photo courtesy of Melissa Kuch.
Academy sophomore rows to success
June 4, 2026
From left to right: juniors Eric Lin, Mihika Sakharpe, Kayden Brent and Bennet Von St. Paul work on a model for Lelani’s assistive technology product. Product curation consisted of multiple checkpoints that were around a month apart.
CRE[AT]E change
June 3, 2026
May’s Mental Health Awareness Month provides advocacy for people who struggle with mental illnesses. Canva made by Desiraye Taylor portrays endearing affirmations.
May your mind be kind
June 2, 2026
Ami (left) and Mia (right) assume their final pose on April 3, 2026. This ended their last piece, Thillana, and preceded their graduation ceremony.
Seven years of practice in three hours of dance
May 29, 2026
A&E
Headlights illuminate Maddie (Melissa Leo) during a moment of supernatural horror. In “Passenger,” her and her fiance are followed by an entity motivated to torture them. Courtesy of: Paramount Pictures.
‘Passenger’ portrays the horror of van life
Dominic Zdan, Copy Editor; Entertainment • June 4, 2026

André Øvredal’s seventh horror film, “Passenger,” shows the horror of van life in a refreshingly original and trend-bucking manner. His former films, all supernatural...

Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) and Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci) reunited after Andy returned to magazine Runway when they were faced with financial struggles in the fashion industry. She seeks a fashion makeover to help her, once again, survive in the world of Miranda Priestly. Photo courtesy to 20th Century Studios.
“Devil Wears Prada” sequel settles for nostalgia
June 2, 2026
Chorus teacher William Boardman leads the Ocean Lakes chorus at Norview High School on Mar. 18, 2026. Photo courtesy of Kenny Derryberry.
Performing arts strike a chord with 10th VMEA award
May 12, 2026
Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) watches out into space, as he prepares to perform a spacewalk to repair his ship. Grace and his ship experienced many troubles along the journey to save humankind against the “Astrophage.” Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures
New science fiction movie “Project Hail Mary” sends audience to a new world
May 4, 2026
“Fake Skating” by Lynn Painter combines the tropes “childhood friends to lovers” and “fake dating” to give a twist in her heartwarming romance. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the novel, a movie adaptation has been announced and is currently in development.
Lynn Painter scores again with her new rom-com novel
May 3, 2026
Seniors Anneliese Wedertz (Christine Daaé) and Ian Dewberry (The Phantom) perform "The Music of the Night" in the first act of "The Phantom of the Opera." Photo used with permission from Claude Blanchard.
The Phantom reigns over Ocean Lakes
May 3, 2026
Opinion
Senior Ryland King prepares to perform a pull-up in OneLife Fitness on June 1. Pull-ups are one of the components that make up the Presidential Fitness Test.
Returning to the golden age of fitness
Ryne Bracknell, Staff Writer • June 2, 2026

Reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools is a necessary step to help improve youth health. Since the test was stopped over a decade ago, gym classes have shifted toward low stakes activities that do not use scores.  While teachers...

Sophomore Lily Wharton sitting in Art I Foundations after completing her artwork of a desert, which sits to her right, on Apr. 28. Creating pieces of art like this can give students an outlet for their own creativity, allowing them to express themselves.
Humanities teach more than the sum of their parts
May 21, 2026
Ocean Lakes students line up for their lunch at 12:00 PM in the cafeteria. The area was over-filled as students headed to the lines.
Long lines, less time
May 13, 2026
Piles of menhaden were found all over the Brock Environmental Center on March 9, 2026. Fishermen in the area used these fish as bait since they were already deceased.
Small fish, large impact: Decline of menhaden species creates dangerous effects for ecosystems
May 12, 2026
A phone displays the glory of certain colleges. Social media has made an increasing influence on seniors applying to college.
Social media stains the minds of college-bound seniors
May 12, 2026
Sports
Varsity softball poses for a picture during a game at Ocean Lakes. Softball stood as the one seed before the regional tournament at the end of the regular season. Photo used with permission of Addison Munson.
Softball swings to states
Emerson Woodward, Staff Writer • June 4, 2026

Varsity softball has gone on a hot streak after a tough loss to Kellam. Since then, the team has won ten straight games, heading into the 5A Region Championship, while also...

Senior and captain Josh Bakhshi prepares to return the ball by forehand. The Dolphins went 15-1 in the regular season. Photo used with permission from Ethan Royse.
Boys tennis pushes for strong finish
June 1, 2026
From left, sophomore Dominic Dimicelli, junior Seinko Augins, junior George Casher, and sophomore Liam Chown huddle around Coach Pete Zell during warm ups prior to their Hanahan Invitational Tournament game against Summerville on April 7, 2026. Ocean lakes won 12-0.
The second season
May 27, 2026
Senior Brie Gesick celebrates senior night with her friends and family members on May 19. Despite suffering from numerous injuries throughout her time at Ocean Lakes, Brie has preserved and become a starting defender for the Lady Dolphins. Photo courtesy of David Suiter.
Boys and girls soccer wrap up the season with a senior night send off
May 26, 2026
Varsity softball shows off their teal, orange and purple bows made by senior Alannah Goldbach in honor of Morgan’s Message. The team defeated Princess Anne 11-1 in their dedication game. Photo used with permission from Alannah Goldbach.
Softball spreads Morgan’s Message
May 26, 2026
Senior Donovan Nagle celebrates with his team after hitting his first home run in his high school career at Ocean Lakes High School on May 12. This led the Dolphins to a 7-run lead.
Varsity baseball rallies to defeat Kellam
May 20, 2026
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1
This image showcases the proctor bags that were given to SOL proctoring teachers. The proctor bags include utensils like pencils and erasers for students who were missing them during test time. This picture was taken on May 28 next to the school store.

New SOL initiative set to take effect next school year

2
Ami (left) and Mia (right) assume their final pose on April 3, 2026. This ended their last piece, Thillana, and preceded their graduation ceremony.

Seven years of practice in three hours of dance

3
Twilight befalls the Capitol on April 25, 2025. The May 15 SCOTUS decision marked the latest decision in the redistricting saga that began when Texas redrew its maps last July upon the request of President Donald Trump.

Redistricting effort dead, SCOTUS says

4
Seniors gather on the dance floor at Founders Inn during Ocean Lakes’ prom. The ballroom was illuminated by fairy lights on table centerpieces and mini disco balls lining the walls. Photo taken by junior volunteer Anna Orchard-Hays on May 30.

Gatsby glamour at Founders Inn

5
Senior and captain Josh Bakhshi prepares to return the ball by forehand. The Dolphins went 15-1 in the regular season. Photo used with permission from Ethan Royse.

Boys tennis pushes for strong finish

6
Pictured from left to right: juniors Shivika Aditya, Kamie Santos, Lisa Eberle and Rishika Aditya hold up their stars during the academic award ceremony. The stars are earned by acquiring a letter last year, and by maintaining a 3.5 GPA with no disciplinary or academic infractions for three consecutive semesters. Photo credit by Kamie Santos

Academic Award Ceremony recognizes students for continuous academic excellence

Reporter of the Month
Congratulations to our April Reporter of the Month, Maya Phillips! “My favorite article is probably ‘Women who change the game,'” Maya said. “I loved recognizing women who work so hard towards their sport. It was also my first article to be number one on the trending [articles list]!”
College Apps Column
In the 1950s, the matter of college admissions stayed between a student, their parent and a college or university. Nowadays, however, college decision reaction videos seem to be all the rage, numbering thousands of views. (Read more.)
Coach’s Spotlight of the Month
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