Ice Cream and Pixels: Norcal StartUp Kicks Off the New School Year

All over the world, OHSers fled to StartUps to meet their fellow classmates in person at the start of the year. The Norcal StartUp, boasting an attendance of around 160 people, was the biggest StartUp globally. Students of all grades gathered at the Los Altos Community Center on September 6th from 12 to 2 pm for ice cream, board games, and pizza. 

“Compared to the previous startups I have been to, I think this startup really gave students the opportunity to meet other students,” said Aanya Gupta ‘27. 

Since OHS is an online community, seeing everyone in-person and outside of an Adobe Connect room is a unique experience. As parents and students filed in, they were greeted with delicious pizza, salad, and drinks provided by the community center. An ice cream stand was set up in the corner and offered a plethora of delicious flavors such as cookies and cream, mango, and chocolate. Many quickly engaged in lively conversation with their friends and got comfortable in large round tables in the room. Some discussed their OHS courses and others shared summer experiences. 

The event kicked off with announcements thanking the OHSPA for organizing the event and the teachers who came. Afterwards, they engaged in a game of “This or That?” where attendees raised their hand if they preferred controversial topics like a trip to the “mountains or a vacation?” or “coffee or tea?” 

Ms. Revathi, an OHS math teacher for seven years, was among the teachers that attended. She described the positive experience, saying everyone was “all gathered in one place as though under a single tent, so the interactions were lovely.” Whether they were old friends reuniting or new friends made, everyone felt part of the OHS family. 

To help students talk to new people, attendees were handed a bingo sheet during arrival. The boxes contained different labels such as “Has a twin” or “Has broken a leg” and encouraged students to go around asking people they have never talked to to write their name down. Once filled out in a blackout, their name would be entered into a raffle to win 1 out of 3 of the new pixel plushies. 

“I really liked the club presentations; it was amazing to see all the representation for the clubs at OHS,” Aanya continued. 

Not only was the event a place of socialization but also encouraged students to promote their clubs. The Robotics (FTC) team at OHS, Neuroscience, Biology Olympiad, Middle School Math, and Pixel Journal (us!) were some clubs just to name a few. 

One of the many activities that students did at the event was a station where small, model pixels were made from pipe cleaners and paper. Many also fled to tables where card games like UNO and Coup. Others engaged in board games like chess, connect 4 and Jenga, all brought in by OHS families. 

“The one [part] I liked is when everyone was making pixels and decorating them” Ms. Revathi continues. 

“[Next year,] I would plan for something similar” Ms. Revathi concluded, reflecting on the success of attendance and the opportunity for OHSers to meet their peers. The Norcal StartUp this year really demonstrates how OHS’s community is fostered through active efforts by parents, teachers, and students alike.