Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

Fall surrounds us! Skies are crowding with more (perhaps rain-ridden) clouds, Trader Joe’s is releasing their new pumpkin-themed products, and—spookiest of them all—midterms are coming. I wish to be fearlessly watching scary movies, but you’ll find me peering out whilst hiding under blankets (is the bad scene over?). Though I haven’t nailed the art of watching scary movies yet, as a senior, I’ve come closer to nailing the art of wading through fall momentum.

Make time pass slower. How? Try new things (even scary ones)—they make the seconds pass slower. Sit in the mundane: watch the clock tick, converse with writer’s blocks, slowly steep coffee. Remember each experience is uniquely its first and last amongst many. 

In this issue, we continue looking at traditions, including Homecoming, an introduction to student government, and a recap of Summer @ Stanford. We also discuss established clubs/societies/courses, like OHS’s Science Research Society, or Dr. Zarlengo’s Legal Studies course. In terms of student culture, we cover what OHSers are grateful for, as well as an interview with Mikayla Medrano. While many of these topics reoccur every year, at their core, they are still distinct. We will never have the same student government officers, nor the exact class of peers, or even the same outcomes of a tournament again. I, for one, will never be writing the editor’s letter for the Pixel Journal’s October 2025 issue again. Finality is aggressive, but there is a beauty to living it.

Lastly, never forget to make time for things that are important to you. Whether that be candy, surrounding yourself with friends, preparing for Thanksgiving with family next month, or just taking a walk to clear your head—there are times for working and times for meditation. Let yourself wander into dim-lit streets; catch a falling leaf.

Have a wonderful time in November and a blast reading!

Warmly,

Rachael