Congrats to Oakcrest history teacher Jake Matlock, who was recently named OHS's Novice Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025! In addition to inspiring his students in the classroom with his energy and enthusiasm, Mr. Matlock is an assistant coach for the boys' LAX team, sits on the committee for the Athletic Wall of Fame, and would easily win the title of "Best Dressed Falcon" in a straw poll. Props, Jake! 💙👏💙👏💙👏
Today is Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer season, and the approaching break from school often means that many students and staff hit the road for field trips! Several groups from the Nest visited the beautiful Cape May County Zoo last month, including...
🦚 ...Oakcrest's Freshman Transition Program, who completed ambassador training in the morning to prepare themselves to mentor Oak's Class of 2029. After their orientation, the group enjoyed animal-watching.
🐆 ...OHS's REACH program, who had a blast admiring the wildlife and posing at all the photo ops.
🐒 ...biology and environmental science students, who were able to observe "IRL" some of the many concepts they've studied this year.
Great job to all the staff who organized these experiences for participating Falcons!
Shout-out to the members of the Oakcrest Thespian Society who are newly minted theater critics! This group of Falcons reviewed a number of musicals for the Southern New Jersey Cappies, which is a branch of an international, student-driven organization that celebrates and provides learning opportunities to high school theater programs. At the Cappies' annual gala, Seniors Olivia Foreman and Julianna O'Flynn were awarded Best Choreography for their work in Chicago: Teen Edition, performed at the Nest in mid-March. Congrats, ladies! 👏👏👏
Oakcrest's Art, Dance, and Media programs recently joined forces to visit Grounds for Sculpture in Mercer County. The kids had a great time exploring the gardens and admiring the artwork...and the chaperones enjoyed all the photo ops! 📸🗿🌸
Last week, the Oakcrest Knitting Club visited the Fabric Workshop & Museum, which is a contemporary art gallery located in Philadelphia. The group was given a tour of the facility's exhibits and workshop, where they screenprinted and decorated their very own tote bags. After their arts and crafts session, the club walked to Reading Terminal Market, where they sampled cuisines from around the world. A great time was had by all! 🧶💙🍜
Members of Oakcrest's Crew and Track & Field teams took home some hardware in recent weeks.
🚣♂️ At Counties, the boys' double (Julien Bouchacourt and Jackson Perez) and girls' lightweight 4+ (Ava Mokienko, Ekemini Arinye, Angesca Rojas, Rebecca Sees, and Gabrielle Osborne) boats both took home the bronze. The boys' lightweight 4+ boat (Julien Bouchacourt, Harsh Patel, Connor Bald, Jackson Perez, and Caroline Osborne) brought home silver! 🥉🥉🥈
🎽 Quran McCoy took home silver at the Cape Atlantic All-Star Meet in the 400m Hurdles. He placed second in the same event at the NJSIAA Sectionals for Groups 2 and 3, where he set a season record. Pole Vaulter Xavier Carrington also took home silver at CALS, where he cleared 12 feet. At Sectionals he took home the bronze. Both boys qualified for Group 2 & 3 Championships, which will take place in late May at South Plainfield HS. 🥈🥈🥈🥉
Congrats and good luck to all athletes who are still competing!
Congrats to Oakcrest senior Samantha McDow and sophomore Olivia MacLaughlan, who received honorable mentions for the acrylic landscapes they entered into the 2025 2nd District Congressional Art Competition. These student artists were inspired by local scenery and utilized perspective and observational techniques to complete their pieces. Props to both! 🎨🖌🏆
Great job today, Falcons! Don't forget to bring a charged Chromebook for tomorrow's second and final day of state testing! You got this! ✏💙📚
Do you recognize this Oakcrest Class of 1990 graduate? It's OHS school resource and attendance officer Joseph Guerrier! Joe served in the United States Coast Guard and, prior to his retirement in 2021, was a sergeant for the Hamilton Township Police Department. Joe and his wife, Tara (née Barry; Co'95) are parents to current Oak students Marek (Co'25) and Bridget (Co'28). Marek has been a valuable member of the boys' LAX team for all 4 of his years as a Falcon and will leave for Marine Corps Recruit Training in January of 2026. Bridget is a 3-season athlete (field hockey, basketball, and LAX) and is a member of Oak's Biomedical Magnet Program. Oakcrest is lucky to have such a dedicated alum on staff, and Falcon Nation is thrilled that his children chose to carry on the tradition and join the Flock!
Come out on Saturday to get the best breakfast in Atlantic County AND support your local veterans!
Last Friday, Oakcrest Juniors and Seniors sported their best formal attire and attended Prom at the historic Flanders Hotel in Ocean City. Shout-out to all the Falcons who danced, posed, and made memories by the beach! 💃💙🕺
In early May, Oakcrest High School hosted its annual Green Fair, which featured area sustainability-focused vendors selling everything from native plants to local honey. There were also freebies for residents of Hamilton Township, activities and attractions for little ones, K-9 demonstrations by HTPD, and tables representing OHS's Science and Kindness Clubs and Culinary and Carpentry programs. Props to Oak Science teacher Kristine Demark for her role in planning this popular event! ♻🌎🐝
Earlier this month, two members of Oakcrest's Girls' LAX team hit huge milestones...
🥍 Sophomore Madison Carland scored her 100th goal in Oak's game against Collingswood High!
🥍 At the same game, Senior Fatima Sougoufara made her 600th save!
Congrats to both athletes on these awesome accomplishments!
Yesterday was Mother's Day, and Father's Day is right around the corner. To honor those celebrations of parenthood, we're shouting out this year's flock of Oakcrest goslings (and their caretaker, history teacher Pat Weisback)! This year, Mama and Papa Canada Goose hatched 6 babies, all of which are thriving nicely in their nest at the Nest. Falcon Nation loves watching them grow, but we're excited and proud to see them take flight later this spring. 💙🪿🪺
Five Oakcrest art students recently participated in the Atlantic County Bar Association & Prosecutor’s Office Law Day Art Contest. Sophomores Carissa Kofitsas, Love Burnside, Chikamara Ekwebelem, and Taylor Karr and Freshmen Jemma Mauceri and Stephanie Castillo-Ozoria all received exhibitor awards. Carissa and Jemma were awarded Best in Show for their pieces, which will be on display at the Atlantic County Superior Courthouse. Congrats to all these award-winning student artists!
In late April, Oakcrest's Guidance Department sponsored a field trip to visit Pennco Tech in Blackwood, NJ where they explored its various vocational training programs. In addition to learning about the trades offered by this institution, the Falcons in attendance impressed their tour guide with their attentiveness, curiosity, and respectful demeanor. Props to all involved for representing the best of OHS!
Most Philadelphia Eagles' fans would love to relive last year's championship season. Oakcrest history teacher Bailey Wood can look back on it fondly thanks to the team's success...AND her own! Bailey was recognized as a 2024 All-Pro Teacher by the franchise, who gifted her tickets to a game, during which she was invited on the field and shown on the Jumbotron. She was also given a tour of the stadium and locker rooms and met recently-retired defensive end Brandon Graham. Finally, the team very generously gave Bailey two custom jerseys and a signed football...and the Nest a monetary donation. Go Birds! 💙🏈🦅
In April, Seniors enrolled in Oakcrest's Biomedical Magnet traveled to Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. There, they visited a simulation lab to work with a patient care manikin with vitals that responds physiologically and verbally to examination. Additionally, they toured a cadaver lab where current medical students showed them each body system. Shout-out to all these OHS 12th graders, who will have a head start on their career in the medical field thanks to their participation in this program! 🏥🩺⚕
Oakcrest Athletics had another banner day, securing a couple decisive and important victories...
🎾 Boys Tennis upset 13-1 Cedar Creek, winning yesterday's match 3-2! The Falcons' record is now 6-5. Next up: West Deptford at 4:00 this afternoon.
🏐 Boys Volleyball took down Mainland 2-0, bringing their winning streak to 4! Their record is now 8-5, and tomorrow they go head-to-head with Cape May Tech.
Congrats to all the student athletes and coaches on these big wins!
ICYMI, the Oakcrest Dance program held its annual Spring Concert in mid-April. At this well-attended event, participating Falcons showcased what they've been learning over the year in Dance, Dance Composition, and Dance Ensemble. There were also special appearances by the OHS Dance and Step Teams. Shout-out to all the talented performers for their hard work and showmanship! 👏👏👏
