• • Summer break is only a week away! •
  • • Week of 05/19: AP late exams •
  • • 05/26: Memorial Day (no school) •
  • • 05/27: Adjusted Schedule (SOLs) •
  • • 05/28: Adjusted Schedule (SOLs) •
  • • 05/29: Adjusted Schedule (SOLs) •
  • • 05/30: Adjusted Schedule (SOLs) •
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
Students throw their caps in the air to conclude the graduation ceremony. Following this, students would make their way to the front of the building to take pictures with friends and family. The ceremony took place on June 11, 2025. Photo used with permission from Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Class of 2025 delves into a new chapter
Grayson Scrivens, Staff Writer • June 13, 2025

Tears are shed, applauds are given and smiles are everywhere as graduation for the class of 2025 begins. Ocean lakes graduation was located at the Virginia...

Pictured from left to right: sophomores Juno Paguiligan, Eeshan Desai, Marshall Shoemaker, Tulga Rentsendorj, Chris Litto, Stone Wagner, Tyler Rafalski, Vihaan Shah and Brayden Knowles sit outside for lunch on May 16, 2025 at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia. The students went on an AP Euro field trip to observe various pieces of artwork. Photo courtesy of Sam Pili.
AP Euro students see beauty through art at the Chrysler Museum
June 13, 2025
Ocean Lakes Class of 2025 students who attended Ocean Lakes Elementary School smile on the bus after receiving cards from the elementary school students on June 5, 2025 at Ocean Lakes Elementary School. Photo used with permission from Michele Clark.
Dolphins ride the wave through Grad Walk
June 13, 2025
Juneteenth continues to be recognized as a day of African American freedom in the United States, even if rights are still being fought for to this day. (Color guard bringing in the American and Juneteenth flags / Wikimedia Commons)
Juneteenth: an enduring remembrance of African American history
June 13, 2025
Claire LeBlanc and Leslie Ittner together after a staff meeting in the Schola on June 2, 2025. They met to discuss next year with Leslie Ittner as the new principal.
Ocean Lakes welcomes new principal for next school year
June 13, 2025
Features
From left to right: Senior Chris Castillo, Christopher Barnhart and Christina Barnhart smile after both Barnharts were awarded Coach of the Year at Virginia Beach Sports Club Jamboree on June 5, 2025. Photo used with permission by Christina Barnhart.
Girls volleyball coach aces Female Coach of the Year
Larissa Almendras, Photography Editor • June 13, 2025

Leading her team to region semifinals and receiving Teacher of the Year, Christina Barnhart was awarded the title of Female Coach of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. “It...

A cake meant to resemble the Sanrio character “Pompurin” with strawberries embedded in it. This cake was made on April 26, 2025, before Arkilis officially started the business. This photo was taken by Arkilis Rodriguez-Coss and is used with her permission.
Sweets and stems: a small business in a sandy town
June 13, 2025
Dr. Claire LeBlanc poses for a photo with her number one fan, assistant principal James Imbriale. This photo was taken before her last-ever all-school assembly as principal of Ocean Lakes High School.
LeBlanc leaves a legacy
June 13, 2025
Sophomore Zaisha Ipac reads the two-page dedication to Shirley Hall in the yearbook. It appeared on page 222-223.
Ocean Lakes remembers cherished Latin teacher Shirley Hall
June 9, 2025
The cover for Bloomberg’s “Hello World” series features Ashlee Vance and a robot. Image used with permission from Ashlee Vance.
Telling the future: How Ashlee Vance brings tomorrow’s tech to life through storytelling
May 29, 2025
A&E
Pictured from left to right: Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and Alexa Shostakov (David Harbour) look in fear at the Void taking over New York City. The long-awaited movie assembled a team of antiheroes, known as the New Avengers. Courtesy of Marvel.
Marvel’s “Thunderbolts*” introduces compelling plot
Jamison Gutierrez, Staff Writer • May 16, 2025

After many flops and failures in the box office, “Thunderbolts*” has revived the Marvel franchise. It follows protagonist Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the sister...

“Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream” takes YouTube by storm with 1.1 million views and 86,000 likes. The trailer appeared in the Nintendo Direct on March 27, 2025, 11 years after the original game was released. Courtesy of Nintendo.
Long awaited new “Tomodachi Life” announcement excites old fans
May 16, 2025
The Chicken Jockey from “A Minecraft Movie" prepares to fight. Jack Black’s reaction to the character has sparked a popular meme. Courtesy of: Warner Bros. Pictures.
“A Minecraft Movie” overindulges in nostalgia
May 2, 2025
Ocean Lakes Theatre Company sets up for a dance number called “Telephone Hour” in the Ocean Lakes Auditorium on March 31, 2025. The musical will debut from May 1-4 in the Ocean Lakes Auditorium.
Ocean Lakes Theater Company begins “Bye Bye Birdie”
April 27, 2025
Opinion
School board members listen to public comment during the emergency meeting on May 6, 2025. The motion to pause the repealing of DEI districtwide did not pass by a vote of 5-5.
Virginia Beach School Board sets a dangerous precedent by repealing DEI districtwide
Nash Phillips, Managing Editor • June 13, 2025

Seven weeks ago, the Virginia Beach school board, after adding the item to the agenda less than an hour before the meeting (which is improper, according to city bylaws) voted to repeal any sort of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs from the...

The Virginia Beach Police Department patrols the Oceanfront in March 2021, just after the spike in crime in 2020. Police presence is common at the oceanfront, especially in the summer months. Photo courtesy of Mechelle Hankerson through WHRO News.
The tide turns at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
June 9, 2025
“Gifts For Trading Land With White People” by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is shown on display at the Chrysler Museum of Art. The Chrysler Museum is one of many options for young couples to visit for free in Norfolk.
Top date spots for young couples in the 757
May 19, 2025
Houston forward Joseph Tugler reaches for the ball during tip-off against Florida’s Rueben Chinyelu during the 2025 NCAA Men’s National Championship. The game took place on April 7, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, with Florida winning 65-63. Photo courtesy of The Detroit News.
Changes across college sports
May 19, 2025
Taken at the 2006 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors won the lottery with a 8.8% chance to eventually pick Andrea Bargnani. At the time, the lottery heavily favored teams with the worst records in the league until modifications to the system in 2019. (2006 NBA Draft/Brent Soderberg/CC-BY-2.0)
NBA draft lottery reveals its flaws
May 16, 2025
Sports
Senior and captain Marlie Smith makes an incredible save to keep Great Bridge from scoring a game-tying goal, allowing the Dolphins to win 1-0 in a very competitive match. The game took place on March 28, and marked the team’s second win of the season. Photo used with permission from Marlie Smith.
Girls soccer fights for states
Isaiah Omier, Staff Writer • June 9, 2025

After starting the season unranked, girls soccer has made it to the regional playoffs and is ranked fourth in the Beach region, according to 757 Soccer Chat.  The first...

Junior Gabe Teeter takes the ball and clears it up to the Dolphin’s offense on May 21, 2025. The team went on to win 2-0. Photo used with permission by Amanda Marrone.
Boys soccer ends season in style with senior night triumph
May 28, 2025
Senior Anthony Liberatore walks alongside his parents during the senior night ceremony on May 21, 2025, at Ocean Lakes High School. Anthony is a captain for the boys team and scored against Granby, heavily assisting in the shut-out for the Dolphins. Photo used with permission from Amanda Marrone.
Soccer seniors share spotlight
May 28, 2025
Houston forward Joseph Tugler reaches for the ball during tip-off against Florida’s Rueben Chinyelu during the 2025 NCAA Men’s National Championship. The game took place on April 7, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, with Florida winning 65-63. Photo courtesy of The Detroit News.
Changes across college sports
May 19, 2025
Daniel Shattuck lines up for a faceoff with a First Colonial player. The Dolphins went on to win this game on April 10, 2025 by a score of 9-6.
Lacrosse weathers tough early schedule, makes push towards postseason
May 15, 2025
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The Virginia Beach Police Department patrols the Oceanfront in March 2021, just after the spike in crime in 2020. Police presence is common at the oceanfront, especially in the summer months. Photo courtesy of Mechelle Hankerson through WHRO News.

The tide turns at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront

2
Sophomore Zaisha Ipac reads the two-page dedication to Shirley Hall in the yearbook. It appeared on page 222-223.

Ocean Lakes remembers cherished Latin teacher Shirley Hall

3
Senior and captain Marlie Smith makes an incredible save to keep Great Bridge from scoring a game-tying goal, allowing the Dolphins to win 1-0 in a very competitive match. The game took place on March 28, and marked the team’s second win of the season. Photo used with permission from Marlie Smith.

Girls soccer fights for states

4
Claire LeBlanc and Leslie Ittner together after a staff meeting in the Schola on June 2, 2025. They met to discuss next year with Leslie Ittner as the new principal.

Ocean Lakes welcomes new principal for next school year

5
Dr. Claire LeBlanc poses for a photo with her number one fan, assistant principal James Imbriale. This photo was taken before her last-ever all-school assembly as principal of Ocean Lakes High School.

LeBlanc leaves a legacy

6
Pictured from left to right: Seniors Bryce Phillips, Miles Gravitt, Lindsay Meadows, Roman Chapman and Grace Thompson examined the pile of trash they collected around Ocean Lakes and the Virginia Beach Little League. The students received an award for “most pounds of trash removed” after the clean up. The photo was taken on April 30, 2025, in the Ocean Lakes High School student parking lot.

Students restore Ocean Lakes community, compete for local award

Multimedia
Students and Staff favorite moments
Students and Staff favorite moments
June 13, 2025
The MSA freshman reality
The MSA freshman reality
June 6, 2025
Class of 2025 senior sign out
Class of 2025 senior sign out
June 6, 2025

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