The ORCA Difference: Inside the Success Stories of Current Students and Alumni

With graduation season upon us, high school seniors across the country are taking the next step in their journey to adulthood. Over our long history, Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) has supported kids in finding their unique path to success. It’s been a privilege to watch these students achieve their dreams with the backing of our dynamic educational community. We say goodbye with joy and a touch of sadness, confident that these extraordinary graduates will find success no matter where they look. 

With that celebration in mind, we’re highlighting the stories of three remarkable ORCA students — two current seniors and one recent graduate — who have used what they’ve learned at ORCA to set the stage for their next big accomplishments.

Highlighting Current ORCA Seniors

ORCA’s rigorous academic environment and extracurricular clubs create learning opportunities that reinforce 21st-century learning, known as The Four Cs: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Our students rely on these skills as they work towards graduation and prepare for life after high school, such as in their postsecondary educational careers. Here are the stories of two current seniors who’ve utilized The Four Cs to accomplish amazing things during their time at ORCA:

Isaac Choi, Class of ‘24

Isaac Choi enrolled at ORCA in 4th grade after deciding he needed more flexibility and challenge in his education. While in the medical sciences pathway of our career and technical education (CTE) program, ASCEND, Isaac discovered his passion for helping others. The program allowed him to enrich his understanding of the healthcare field by visiting medical facilities, shadowing professionals, and participating in discussion panels. 

"ORCA is more challenging because it allows me to go at my own [faster] pace. Being introduced to the ASCEND program has opened my eyes to all the possibilities the medical field offers," Isaac reflected on his experience. 

Along with his rigorous academic pursuits, Isaac has immersed himself in various extracurricular activities that enable him to pursue his interests in leadership and community service. He is the founder of ORCA's speech and debate club and also participates in our military leadership and newspaper clubs while serving on ORCA’s student government. 

Outside of ORCA, Isaac is a youth executive board member for the American Red Cross, a parliamentarian at Health Occupations Students of America, and was admitted into the prestigious Student Healthcare Leaders Program at Adventist Health Portland. Isaac is capping his time at ORCA by being recognized as a National Merit Scholar in his senior year, embodying the best of what's possible within the ORCA community. 

Hania Mhamdi, Class of ‘24

Hania Mhamdi enrolled at ORCA in 7th grade and quickly discovered how much better our online school truly was for her. Participating in our college preparation program, AVID, during her first two years elevated her note-taking abilities and critical thinking skills. As she moved into high school, she joined ASCEND, which guided her toward pursuing science in college. Along the way, Hania found a sense of community in the Pens and Prose club, where she connects with her long-term friends over their shared love for reading and writing.  

Hania credits her ORCA teachers for supporting her academic success, particularly Ms. Imig, her literature teacher, who pointed her toward the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. The program connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to 50 of the nation's best colleges. This year, Hania was selected out of 20,800 applicants worldwide as a recipient of the scholarship, earning her a full ride to Wesleyan University. 

"I wasn't going to go to college at all because I understood it wasn't a possibility in my family," she said. "My dad is an immigrant, and my mom is a US Army veteran, and it just didn't seem like it could happen. I didn't want to put the burden of tuition on them.”

Hania plans to major in neuroscience at Wesleyan — combining her love for biology, chemistry, psychology, and even philosophy.

Recent ORCA Graduate Excelling

Students face major adjustments after graduation. Whether taking the leap into the working world, or adapting to higher education, the skills our students learn will help prepare them. Here's how one recent ORCA graduate is adjusting to college life:   

Ryland Bickley, Class of ‘23 

As a freshman at Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC), Ryland Bickley continues to explore the journalism career he launched in high school. Ryland founded and served as the first editor-in-chief of The Current, ORCA's student newspaper, and is now the sports editor and music critic for LBCC's student publication, The Commuter. He also uses his journalism skills outside of school as a contributor to the Pittsburgh Steelers blog, Behind the Steel Curtain.

Ryland credits Dave Yanowitz, his high school journalism teacher, for much of his early writing success. "If I had one word of advice," he says, "it's to listen to what Mr. Yanowitz tells you. Everything he taught me in his journalism class and all that he edited on my articles has applied to pretty much every other writing I've done."

Looking ahead, Ryland plans to transfer to Oregon State University (OSU) and continue his communications degree as part of the school's dual enrollment program. He's particularly excited about the new opportunities there, including contributing to OSU's student newspaper, The Daily Barometer. No matter where Ryland ends up, the skills he learned at ORCA will continue to serve him well.

Inspiring Future ORCA Learners

The stories of Isaac Choi, Hania Mhamdi, and Ryland Bickley are all different but exemplify the transformative impact of an ORCA education. By integrating rigorous academics, rich extracurricular activities, and supportive mentorship, ORCA fosters skills that prepare students for both academic success and meaningful community engagement. These students demonstrate what's possible through ORCA's innovative learning model.

Join Us for a Virtual Information Session

If you'd like to learn whether ORCA's approach to virtual learning is right for your student, join one of our virtual information sessions to connect with ORCA staff and preview our learning platform. We hope to see you there!