Oskar Baumgarte’s (’25) mind races with strategies as he glances at his teammate during the Junior Olympics. The water ripples around him, echoing the unspoken communication they’ve developed over years of playing water polo together. Oskar swims to the edge of their opponent’s goal. Moments later, his teammate does their signature pass, a no-look power play perfected over years of practice that catches the defense off guard. Grabbing the ball, Oskar scores on the stunned goalie, leading the game one point closer to victory.  

Oskar’s power play is a testament to his bond with teammates he played with since fourth grade. Their shared history fosters a deeper understanding of the pool, allowing them to anticipate each other’s moves with precision and trust. 

“For other teams, even if in every one-on-one matchup you are worse, if you play as a team, make the right passes, and have good overall communication, then you’re able to score more goals and win,” Oskar said. “Even if you win in a one-on-one, if you make a bad pass or run a bad play, you will still lose.”

In fourth grade, Oskar initially joined water polo for the snacks they provided. However, as time passed, the memories of traveling and working together as a team cemented water polo as an integral part of his life. Every year, the team visits the same Marriott Hotel in Irvine, CA. Remembering the same lobby and same tables his team sat at during breaks always brings up special memories for Oskar.   

Through water polo, Oskar built a strong foundation of self-discipline, juggling practices, schoolwork and personal commitments. The sport has encouraged him to stay focused and manage his time effectively, shaping habits that spread into all aspects of his life. Despite facing opponents with larger rosters, Oskar’s team has consistently exceeded expectations. Their strategic teamwork and good communication carried them to high ranks in the CCS Open Division and CIFD.

“It’s really amazing that we have built this connection over time,” Oskar said. “We don’t have to look at each other and we still know where everyone is in the pool. We don’t have to think extra to make a pass.”

Oskar’s affinity for water extends outside the pool. After visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium in fourth grade, he was inspired to start his own saltwater fish tank. 

“One time, I rinsed some tools and put them into the tank while there was still soap on them and everything in the tank died,” Oskar said. “That’s when I realized that salt water wasn’t a joke. I did a lot of research and then restarted the tank to have more monitoring systems too.”

Now, Oskar accesses live data from his tank on his phone to make sure he can keep his aquarium healthy. Additionally, he set up another tank in Nichol’s research lab to monitor. 

“You generally never see saltwater corals and fish,” Oskar said. “They’re so colorful and beautiful, and what’s interesting to me is the fact that they might not be around forever. I want to show other people how beautiful the ocean really is.”

Math teacher Caren Furtado also admired Oskar’s deep love for science. She acknowledges how his curiosity extended far beyond the classroom and encouraged many of his peers. 

“With his aquarium, the fact that he measures salinity and sunlight shows he cares so much for the fish that he has, and that he’s always trying something new,” Furtado said. “That kind of passion is rare to see, so it’s very refreshing.”

That same sense of care Oskar feels for his tank extends beyond aquatic life. Oskar also became a key caregiver once his grandfather, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, moved in. Blending food, helping with daily tasks and ensuring his grandfather stayed active taught Oskar empathy and patience. Even after his grandfather’s passing, Oskar began volunteering at a senior nutrition program as well as at an adult daycare center as well. Each day, he sits at a different table and listens to the stories these seniors have to share. 

“Social connection is important to seniors to exercise their minds, so I volunteer there to help as much as possible,” Oscar said. “Seniors have the best stories. One man loved toys and brought model airplanes to show us. It’s very rewarding to make them smile.”

Close friend Jason Li (’25) admires Oskar for his dedication in all of his endeavors. Oskar demonstrated these traits as Jason’s classmate in AP Calculus AB, where Oskar received a full score on his semester final despite initially struggling with the material.

“While we’re learning the material, he seemed as fast as I was while going over homework, but in the weeks before a test, he really sits down and studies,” Jason said. “He’s one of the hardest workers I know.”

Close friend Jeffrey Zhang (’25) echoes Jason’s beliefs. Since third grade, Jeffrey respected Oskar’s work ethic, viewing him as a quiet yet powerful example of discipline. 

“He’s responsible,” Jeffrey said. “If you were to ask him for a favor, he would always get it done for you. That also applies to the way he handles his school work.” 

In the water or out, Oskar is proof that dedication and heart can make waves in any arena. To him, the greatest fulfillment comes from supporting his teammates’ personal growth.

“Being part of water polo has made me more disciplined,” Oskar said. “Part of it is for personal gain, but I also get more joy from helping others than helping myself. Water polo has a major team component that drives me to work harder to both benefit myself and also the team members I’ve known for so long.”