Mission Statement

At South OC Socials, our mission is to empower the next generation of storytellers by providing teens and young adults with real-world writing and editing opportunities in journalism, media, and design. We’re dedicated to developing a credible, youth-driven platform that covers the stories, people, and events that matter most to our Orange County community, because we believe local voices deserve to be heard.

Our Story

South OC Socials was created from a mix of shared passion and friendship. Anastasia knew she wanted to pursue journalism and build a newspaper to empower teenagers, and Ulyana, who strived to focus on business management and web development, wanted to use her skills to build something that truly matters to the community. After meeting at a public speaking and entrepreneurship class over three years ago, they became inseparable, encouraging each other through every project and growing side by side.

In February 2025, they decided to combine their interests and skills to bring Anastasia’s idea to life: a local newspaper by and for young people in Orange County. With Anastasia leading the editorial and organizational helm and Ulyana at the design and strategy forefront, South OC Socials became a mission, not just a project. Their goal is to give teens and young adults a voice, a space to publish their work, and a stepping stone into the world of media, writing, and storytelling. Together they’re building something phenomenal that not only helps their community but also uplifts it.

By joining our team, you can help support our mission of expanding literacy and journalistic opportunities to younger individuals across Orange County!

Meet the Team

ANASTASIA EFREMOVA

Hi! I’m the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of South OC Socials! During my free time, I enjoy all things journalism— reading, writing and finding new stories. I’m so excited to work with all of you!