The Bigger Picture

OVS is ready to welcome back a new generation of Western monarch butterflies to the Upper Campus. Students and teachers recently planted a new patch of milkweed on the hillside opposite the ceramics room in the hopes of luring the imperiled, black-and-orange winged insects back to campus.

Meline Ellwanger, a 2021 graduate of the Upper Campus, has been traveling the world photographing wild animals, from the Sahara desert to the African jungles, Antarctica, and Canada.  Meline returned to Ojai Valley School on Monday, as part of the school’s Distinguished Speaker Series, to share her images and stories from her worldwide adventures.

OVS Spanish and AP Environmental Science teacher Steve Risser has launched a school campaign to adopt two sections of Highway 33, which will allow students and teachers to help perform litter removal and beautify their community.

The freshman boys went out to explore the Matilija Wilderness. These boys played Spikeball, jumped into water holes and hiked around Matilija Creek.  For two days and one night, these boys bonded and explored the outdoors with Mr. Byars. 

With the help of his woodshop class, OVS teacher and woodworker extraordinaire Ryan Lang has created a beautiful table that now sits in the newly opened girl’s dorm lounge at the OVS Upper Campus. 

The effect OVS has on its faculty, students, and alumni is not always visible, but some people chose to display it proudly. As it turns out, there are various alumni who have OVS tattoos to commemorate their life-changing OVS experiences.