Founder’s Week returns with a week full of events that connect past, present and future Dolphins. With this year’s theme, “Honoring our past, creating our future,” students, staff and alumni came together to reflect on the school’s legacy while looking ahead to new opportunities.
Over 40 guest speakers, alumni, clubs and Math and Science Academy (MSA) students held presentations from March 3-7, 2025. Flyers were posted, and invitations to present during Founders Week are sent out a month in advance to ensure a balance in presenters.
“The last two years we have run into issues with keynote speakers so we plan that in advance, before the school year starts,” Assistant Principal Amanda Malbon said.
Beginning on Monday, alumna Brie Kilmartin began Founder’s Week with her presentation titled “The Journey to Neurological Rehab.” During second block, the Ocean Lakes band, orchestra and chorus performed their pieces to celebrate Music in our Schools month. Former student and activities coordinator John Williams spoke about “Building Great Traditions,” and his journey at Ocean Lakes.
Eleven MSA senior presentations were held on Tuesday, including Jessica Koivu, Joseph Rodriguez, Brandon Macgregor, Connor Hunt, Aiden Johnson, Aden Cohen, Jackson Seagull, Sawyer Adams, Nash Phillips, Nina Elizondo and Kaden Pratt.
“Through my presentation, I am able to showcase what I have learned and share my experiences in the MSA,” Nina said. “My project was on electrical engineering and sustainability, and my goal was to share impactful information to those who attended.”
The annual career fair on Wednesday hosted over 30 attendees, including local businesses Motor World, Popeyes, ShoreBreak Pizza and Taphouse, Princess Anne Recreation Center, Didlake, Inc. and representatives from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines.
“The career fair was an amazing experience to get to know employers around Virginia Beach,” senior Kairi McNulty-Heinrichs said.
On Thursday, the Ocean Lakes Theatre Company debuted their VHSL One-Act Competition Play titled “The A.I. Play” with three performances following in each block.
In addition to presentations, service projects play a key role in Founder’s Week annually. Students and staff are encouraged to take part in community outreach efforts, by volunteering, donations or acts of kindness for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“For this year’s service project, we made pipe cleaner flowers and cards for the Ronald McDonald House,” class of 2027 executive board member Grace Kinley said. “We had a great turnout, and it is awesome to see my classmates doing something good for the community.”
The Founder’s Week assembly on Friday featured guest speaker Lori Hayes, a transformational speaker and educator for over 20 years. Senior Abe Thornton and social studies teacher Darcy Pohl unveiled the class of 2024 tablet, a tradition for each Founder’s Week assembly.
“Put it on the clock,” Hayes said. “When a decision is made and there are consequences to it that you can not change, put it on the clock.”
Along with the motivational speech, Hayes encouraged students to step out of their comfort zone with two dance activities, a colored glasses experiment and an interview with SCA executive board member and senior Marlie Smith.
“I would like to offer to Ocean Lakes, that you take an opportunity to switch glasses, that you take an opportunity to see life from somebody else’s lens,” Hayes said.
Hayes emphasized the importance of perspective and understanding, a sentiment that aligns with the mission of Founder’s Week: to honor the past and shape your future with others in mind.
“Founder’s Week is the week I look forward to every year because it brings the community into the classroom,” Founders Week committee board member Jim Cartwright said.
