• • June 8: Last Day of School (All Day) •
  • • June 9: 1A & 2A Exams (All Day) •
  • • June 10: 1B & 2B Exams (All Day) •
  • • June 11: 3A & 4A Exams (All Day) •
  • • June 12: 3B & 4B Exams (All Day) •
  • • Have a Great Summer! See You Next Year! •
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
Accompanied by English teacher Sarah Burford, senior Jamarie Sanders stood to receive his high school diploma from Principal Dr. Leslie Ittner at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on June 10. Photo courtesy of Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Class of 2026 finally walks the stage
Cole Defendi, Staff Writer • June 12, 2026

​On June 10, at 5 p.m., the Ocean Lakes class of 2026 walks the stage. Graduation was held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, which has been the...

This image showcases the proctor bags that were given to SOL proctoring teachers. The proctor bags include manipulatives: pencils, formula sheets, scratch paper, door signs and accommodation testing items. This picture was taken on May 28 in the SOL testing office.
New SOL initiative set to take effect next school year
June 2, 2026
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
Features
Pictured from left to right: Hattie Smith, Tameya Norton, Colt Walker and Brooke Bullock crowd around Colt Walker as Spirit the Dolphin. This was taken prior to the Spring Spirit Assembly during which Spirit’s identity was revealed.
Under the dolphin mask
Anna Keck, Stall Seat Journal Editor • June 8, 2026

Brown hair sticks out from the fuzzy mascot suit as Colt Walker takes off his mask in the crowded gym. Loud cries erupt from the bleachers as the identity of this year’s...

Erin Broderick, August Bridges, Breahna Martin, Desiraye Taylor and Maya Phillips line up in the hallway showing off their outfits. The outfits highlight many trends from the past including the baggy jeans and over-sized sweatshirts.
Rewriting the trends: Why Gen Z mimics the past
June 8, 2026
A set of afterschool student study notes about ‘spatial relationships’ for AP Human displays on a piece of notebook paper. They are bullet pointed and structurally organized.
The secret to navigating test anxiety
June 5, 2026
Pictured is a 3D medical animation still showing the hantavirus. It shows how the virus is spread through inhaling dried rodent urine, droppings or saliva. (Hantavirus / Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Luanne H. Elliott / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0)
The hantavirus: not as haunting as it seems
June 5, 2026
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
June 4, 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
An image of electronic waste taken by Muntaka Chasant at Agbogbloshie, Ghana on Dec. 18, 2018. This kind of waste is made more abundant by overconsumption of technology like phones or laptops. (Electronic waste at Agbogbloshie, Ghana / Muntaka Chasant / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0)
REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle
Deepika Premkumar, Staff Writer • June 8, 2026

Things are bought and disposed of much more today than in the past, but doing too much of that can damage the world. It is vital for people to think carefully about the things they buy and throw away to help lessen the effects of overconsumption. Overconsumption...

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
June 2, 2026
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
Sports
Junior Seinko Augins celebrates with a photo wearing the Ocean Lakes Dolphins chain following his game-sealing grand slam. Ocean Lakes beat Kellam 8-3 in the VA Class 5 Region A Quarterfinals on May 27. Photo used with the permission of Seinko Augins
A swing of a lifetime
Kaleb Bishop, Staff Writer • June 5, 2026

Walking out of the dugout with a confident stride, junior Seinko Augins clenched his bat with the opportunity to seal his team's first round victory. Locking eyes with the...

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
June 4, 2026
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
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Pictured left to right: Seniors Tacari Johnson, Erin Broderick and Jasmyn Miller pose with smiles below their senior posters on senior night. Senior night occurred on Feb. 10, 2026 at Ocean Lakes High School. Photo taken by Natasha Wolmarans.

Girls basketball marks bittersweet goodbye on senior night

2
A sign outside Ocean Lakes' auditorium entrance encourages voters to vote against the referendum. Ocean Lakes High School served as the polling location for Precint 3 which covers Pine Meadows and Pine Hurst Estates.

Voters weigh redistricting referendum

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From left to right: senior Noah Xiong, freshman Matthew DeAngelo, senior Wyatt Early, junior Skiles Burkhead, and senior Michael Trusty smile for a photo at the Virginia Beach Sports Center during the Virginia Beach Wrestling 5A State Championship Tournament on Feb. 21, 2026. Ocean Lakes finished in fifth place with 92.5 points as a team.

Ocean Lakes leaves it all on the mat in state tournament thriller

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Sophomore Cormac Worrall swims the 400-meter freestyle race at the Class 5A regional championships. The boys swim team placed seventh at the regional meet. Photo used with permission from David Bostic.

Swim reflects on strong season

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Service members proudly salute during the national anthem, showcasing their commitment to our nation. This powerful moment at the Denver Broncos football game highlights the unbreakable bond between sports and patriotism. (Denver Broncos Salute To Service Game 7576976 / Danielle McBride / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Pledge of Allegiance must be respected

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As shown in the graphic nine out of the top ten teams were also in the top ten most NIL money spent. This shows direct correlation with winning and spending. Expect this sort of correlation for the future as this is the new era of the CFB. Infographic by Matthew Anton.

NIL changed college football forever and fans are winning

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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