Evolution Nov. 2016 | Page 2

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News November 2016

Symphony Hall Reopening

Crystal Uribe Photo Editor
Michael Harrah and Ralph Opacic cut the ribbon to signify the reopening of Symphony Hall Photo by Crystal Uribe
Friday Oct . 7 , students from all different conservatories had the opportunity to perform in the new and improved Symphony Hall for its grand reopening and rededication . The building was transformed to look the way it did in 1922 , when it was built .
The reopening began with the ceremony followed by the ribbon cutting , where Dr . Ralph Opacic welcomed guests into the new and rededicated Michael F . Harrah Symphony Hall .
Before the show began , people had the chance to wander around the building to see the new improvements , which included new flooring , new seating , and new paint , among other improvements .
These new improvements would benefit most of the conservatories , especially the students of Production and Design . “ We now have state-ofthe-art sound … [ and ] lighting in there , so I think it ’ s going to be a favorite space for faculty , staff , and students ,” said Opacic .
In the next part of the ceremony , guests made their way to

Not to Be Ignored , Period New OCSA club discusses reproductive health

their seats to watch performances from students of different conservatories .
The show began with a ballroom number , and finished with a perfomance by OCSA ’ s premier performing group , Montage .
The cast of Montage gathered on stage and into the audience to perform to the song “ Sing ” by Pentatonix . Junior Lauren Blunt ( CMD ), who performed with Montage , said her favorite part was “ being a part of the performance and dancing with my friends to celebrate the new Symphony Hall .”
During Opacic ’ s speech , he shared with the audience how Harrah played a role in OCSA ’ s Santa Ana campus , selling the school buildings like Symphony Hall and the Tower .
Opacic said , “ I shared with him our vision in terms of the facilities we need and he was able to put together the campus as we know it today .”
Amelia Newett and Crystal Uribe Features Editor and Photo Editor
This year , seniors Olivia Dowdle ( VA ) and Jovi Nieto ( IA ) introduced OCSA to a club of a whole new realm : periods . XX Initiative is “ a club focused on helping the women of our community by donating feminine products , and also educating people on periods and trying to get rid of the social stigma against talking about it openly ”, said Dowdle , the club ’ s co-president .
XX Initiative hopes to focus on gathering feminine products to deliver to homeless shelters and local women who do not have access to such items . Other hopes for the club include educating people on the pink tax , the tax on
feminine products .
Dowdle explained there tends to be “ a social stigma against periods and women feel like they can ’ t talk about it openly and it adds to body shaming .
“ They feel like they need to hide a part of them . [ They shouldn ’ t ] be ashamed or hide [ their ] tampons or pads when you go to the bathroom . Who cares ? Most females go through it .”
The club is not only intended to help women become more accustomed to their bodies , but also welcomes students of all genders .
Nieto hopes people of all genders attend , as “[ the club is ] definitely not just a women ’ s only thing . That ’ s a huge part of it . We want everyone to feel like they can come in and talk about it and be involved because
it ’ s not a feminist issue , it ’ s just a social issue , so everyone should be involved in it .”
Dowdle expressed , “ It ’ s really good to educate yourself on this type of thing because it ' s more than likely that you are going to be interacting with somebody who has their period or you have it yourself .”
The co-presidents hope that students won ’ t be afraid to involve themselves in a topic that affects a large percentage of OCSA ’ s population .
With this , Nieto and Dowdle hope to spark conversation at OCSA regarding menstruation and the “ desexualization of the female body ”, according to Nieto .
The club is meant to serve as a catalyst for students to donate feminine hygeine products
at club meetings or in the box in the designated club room and to get involved in helping women of the community .
To get involved , sit in on the next club meeting , held every other
Wednesday in room T300 .
To learn more , email the club presidents at nietojovi @ gmail . com , or follow the club ’ s Instagram , @ xxinitiative .
XX Initiative ’ s logo designed by senior Olivia Dowdle ( VA ) Photo courtesy of Olivia Dowdle