Gryphon Beat: Ocean Hak-Kuhn
What are you up to lately?
I graduated from Orchard House in 2006. I live in Pittsburgh, P,A with my partner, Flynn, and our daughter, Domino. I work as a postpartum doula and educator, as well as a lactation counselor. I also work for ToLABOR, a doula training organization that my mom founded.
What are you most proud of right now?
There were times when I felt like a late bloomer in various aspects of my life, and now at 34, I feel happy with the paths I’ve taken and how they feel to be on them currently. I’m proud of the life I have now.
What is your favorite Orchard House tradition?
I loved the community quilting each year. It was always so nice to sit around with past students or parents and teachers and get to sew messages into the quilts that will hang in the school for many years to come. Also, all of December at OHMS is special, every year, getting to participate in some aspect of the winter ceremony still fills me with warm feelings.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I don’t know exactly what career I thought I’d have, but I remember making my quilt square with a woman and child in a sandbox. And even at that time, I wasn’t sure why. But I think the idea was some sort of relationship with children in the future. I’ve been a lifelong fan of babies and kids, so it makes sense to me that I’ve ended up working with babies and families and raising one of my own.
Were you on any sports teams or part of any clubs?
I did soccer and field hockey for sports every year. I thought field hockey was the coolest. In 5th grade, I was in the German club, which my sister ran. She gave us full-size Toblerone bars! (I just looked those up, they’re Swiss, so I’m not entirely sure why, but it did happen!)
How did OHMS shape you as a person?
Orchard House provided an alternative to the mainstream, which I think I was always drawn to, even before it was a conscious choice. I gained a strong sense of self being in such a tight-knit community. Getting a chance to grow with my 19 classmates over the course of 4 years really built my confidence to explore new ideas, ask questions, and express myself, all while feeling very safe. The longer I’ve been an adult and met more and more people with harrowing middle school experiences, the more grateful I am for that safety.
Which teacher or staff member made a lasting impact on you?
Quite a few! Ms. Russo was my all-time favorite. She was a model for being kind and funny and smart, and having impeccable handwriting. Mrs. Lafoon, with her warmth and ability to harmonize any song. Mr. Hollander’s ability to joke around with us while also being a respected teacher.
What was your first job?
My first job, while in high school, was being the hostess at a pizza restaurant. There’s no feeling like getting your first-ever paycheck.
What was your transition like from middle school to high school?
The transition to high school was pretty smooth. There were several people from Orchard House who went to Trinity Episcopal School, so that definitely helped anchor the early weeks of starting a new school. Trinity had a lot more students than Orchard House, but the class sizes were about the same, which helped with adjustment as well.
Did you have a moment in any level of school where you felt like you took control of your learning process and really understood yourself as a learner?
I ended up leaving Trinity after 10th grade and homeschooled to finish up high school. I found that being able to do school work at my own pace, while balancing a part-time job and getting involved with my community, allowed me to experience more in the world and pursue my interests in a different way. The way I was raised, and why Orchard House felt in alignment with it, individualism was encouraged, and finding a schooling path that worked for me was a gift.
What is your favorite thing and the most challenging thing about your job?
My favorite thing about my job is getting to witness people in a very specific and finite period of time in their lives—welcoming a new baby into their family. It can look so different from family to family, but there is also a universal feeling of being cracked wide open, and it’s so human! It’s a really special role to fill, and I’m grateful whenever I am welcomed into that space. One of the challenging parts is scheduling for it. Because of the nature of this work and lack of a larger social safety for families in this country, it means I’m self-employed and there are times when I have many clients to balance and other times when there are gaps that remain open. It can be tricky to navigate at times!
What's the most interesting thing about being a doula?
I don’t have as much flexibility in my schedule to be on call for births right now, but I’ve had the honor of supporting people through pregnancy, the birth of their baby, and then into the early days and weeks of postpartum. It’s such a cool experience to watch a person really transform in the span of a year!
Is there a way Orchard House still shows up in your life today?
I have a daughter myself now, so I think about it from a parent’s perspective more these days. Imagining the safety (in all ways) of the school and what a comfort that must have been for my mom to know where I was learning and growing. That feels like a deep influence on what type of education I will pursue for my daughter.
What makes you proud to be part of the Orchard House community?
I feel grateful for the timing of finding Orchard House. Our class (‘06) had the unique experience of 2 years in the original building and 2 years in its current building. I feel lucky to have experienced OHMS in the early years of the school, finding its footing, and feel a part of its growth.
This coming school year, 2025-2026, will be Mr. Hollander's last year before he retires! Please share any special memories you have of Mr. Hollander and his class. We’d love to hear how he's impacted your time as an OHMS student and beyond.
Mr. Hollander was a great teacher. He made History interesting and funny, and it felt like he had a genuine interest in all of us, which makes a huge impact in feeling connected to learning. I’m grateful that he puts so many years into teaching.
