Meghna Dixit, Sana Karkhanis, Vaishnavi Katukam, Kate Yang
Sports Editors:
Leah Desai, Ananda Singh, Raj Thapliyal, Ethan Yang
Copy Editors:
Ellie Wang
Staff Writers:
Shreejay Arja, Fiona Chen, Maahi Dev, Rafaella Fantine Vargas Machuca Vento, Nylah Gehani, Suryansh Gupta, Emmy Harimoto, Grishma Jain, Aletheia Ju, Rachel Kim, Anish Khinvasara, Lora Lee, Leo Lee, Juju Ling, Owen Liu, Lucas Liu, Emma Ma, Srinikaa Naveenraj, Sania Nadkarni, Alexandra Perrault, Alexandra Qiu, Divina Pandita-Raina, Ritik Shenoy, Kai Tsuchida, Leo Wei, Elizabeth Yang, Olivia Zhang
Advisers:
Vennessa Nava, Julia Satterthwaite, MJE
Mission Statement:
El Estoque will accurately inform our community through well-researched, unbiased and in-depth accounts of stories of the student body and staff, local news and developments and taboo topics prevalent in and near the MVHS realm. By investigating a variety of voices and credible perspectives, we hope to foster active discussion, effect positive change and spread awareness of timely and relevant content. As a trustworthy, consistent and reliable source of information, we strive to be accountable, adaptable and ready to correct and address our mistakes. Constantly striving for improvement, we will uphold integrity and ethics to be respectful and empathetic to one another, our sources and our readers. We will exercise our press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment and California Ed Code 48907 while maintaining a community of reporters with a strong passion for our work and journalism as a whole.
SCAN FOR MORE REPORTING
LETTER FROM THE
EDITORS
PHOTO | MELODY LIN
The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte isn’t the only measure of autumn. Under the yellowing leaves are HoCo-prosals, Friday nights spent at football games and sighs from seniors trying to meet the Nov. 1 deadlines. Haunted houses, pumpkin patches and corn mazes are also staples of the season.
Amid this busy sweater-weather frenzy, our issue steps into the corn maze and takes a closer look at the di ering paths that those within our community are taking. Our Features section showcases the alternative paths that some MVHS students and alumni have taken in their educational pursuits. From experiences of being homeschooled to those choosing to graduate a year early, “Schooled” highlights that there is no one universal path for students.
Neither is there a correct road for our athletes. In our Sports section, two MVHS alumni share their journeys into professional sports, including coaching at the highest level of basketball in the National Basketball Association and representing National Football League players as an agent.
On a larger scale, our News section explores how our local community navigates pivotal crossroads within our society. “Piecing together Prop 50” explores the dichotomy of opinions regarding California’s response to Texas’ gerrymandering.
As we exit this maze, we enter a season of gratitude. Let this issue serve as a reminder that no two paths are exactly the same. And as much as we may be influenced by TikTok to believe that “all roads lead to Rome,” each of our mazes will eventually take us to an unexpected, but rewarding destination.
Jillian Ju
Liz Liu Stella Petzova
COVER | STELLA PETZOVA
PHOTO | ASHA WOJCIECHOWSKI
PHOTO | ETHAN YANG
AISLE BE BACK
PHOTO | MELODY LIN
PHOTO | ISABELLE KOK
PROP 50 PIECING TOGETHER
The upcoming Statewide Special Election introduces questions about temporary redistricting
BY ISABELLE KOK
Proposition 50, which is on the ballot for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election, would allow California to temporarily adopt a congressional district map drawn by the legislature rather than the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, before the commission resumes redistricting in 2031. Proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom, it is meant to increase Democrat representation in the House of Representatives as a direct counter to partisan redistricting efforts in red states.
52%
of MVHS students support Proposition 50
*According to a survey of 93 people
PROS CONS
Supporters argue that Proposition 50 would let California respond to partisan gerrymandering in other states, namely Texas. Redistricting would restore lost Democratic representation in the House, which would reinstate political balance, enabling more governmental resistance against the Trump administration.
Opposers argue that Proposition 50 is unethical and would weaken California’s independent redistricting system. By opening the door to partisan gerrymandering, Prop 50 would tarnish California’s precedent of voters being fairly and equally represented in their congressional districts.
I HATE PROP 50 ON PRiNCiPLE. THAT BEiNG SAiD, MY FAMiLY WiLL STiLL VOTE YES. THE REPUBLiCANS ARE TRYiNG TO KiLL DEMOCRACY EVEN HARDER THAN THE DEMOCRATS ARE.
“
ELECTiONS iN THE U.S. ARE NOT ABOUT WHiCH PARTY CAN OUT-CHEAT THE OTHER. THEY ARE ABOUT TRULY REPRESENTiNG THE PEOPLE.
Whole Foods’ Stevens Creek location reopens after a five-month hiatus due to vermin infestations
BY GRISHMA JAIN AND ISABELLE KOK
Tlhe Whole Foods store located on Stevens Creek Boulevard reopened on Monday, Sept. 29, after a five-month hiatus due to vermin infestations. The store initially underwent a partial closing on April 7, when inspectors from the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health reported rodent droppings in multiple areas of the store, including the deli, juice bar and produce section. The county suspended the entire store from operating on April 22 until all safety concerns were resolved.
Ruth Eller, a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, used to be an avid customer of the store. She was initially drawn to this particular Whole
Foods location’s wide variety of health supplements, which she was unable to find elsewhere during the store’s temporary closure. Eller recalls feeling appalled and disillusioned by the infestations, a sentiment that was common among the store’s customers.
During its closure, Whole Foods focused on addressing the hygiene concerns that led to its hiatus, prioritizing safety, cleanliness and facility upgrades. Whole Foods’ Whole Body supervisor Willis Rosenthal, who manages the body care and wellness section, says that the store worked with pest control services and county health inspectors to
make improvements and renovations, especially to the areas that held fresh foods. Rosenthal, who has worked at Whole Foods for 13 years, explains that the store is accountable to health inspections by both city and third-party auditors, and the refurbishment of this location was especially thorough.
“We brought in exterminators and we took every single item out of the store,” Rosenthal said. “It took quite a long time. It was a few months of eradicating and then exterminating, and then refurbishing. All the perishable departments where they serve food in the open were completely renovated. From the floors to fixtures like refrigerators and
ovens, everything was completely gutted and replaced with brand new equipment.”
One of the main organizations that Whole Foods worked with during its closure was the SCCDEH itself, which manages a wide range of public health issues, including air and water quality, waste management and food safety. Marilyn Underwood, the Director of Environmental Health at the SCCDEH, clarifies that the department’s main goal is to preserve the safety and hygiene of the surrounding communities.
THIS
INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS
WHY THERE IS A NEED FOR PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Rosenthal explains that while these physical renovations were happening, the employees impacted by this location’s closure were also accommodated. Although there were some changes to the leadership in the store, he believes that they were not atypical and the closure was an opportune time to reset. Lowerlevel employees did not lose their jobs, and were instead temporarily reassigned and transferred to the Whole Foods store locations nearest to them.
HEALTH OVERSIGHT.
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
“This incident highlights how the local government protects the community and why there is a need for public and environmental health oversight,” Underwood said. “Additionally, it presents an opportunity for students to see firsthand how they can support public health through everyday actions and professional experiences.”
MARILYN UNDERWOOD
“We actually hemorrhaged a lot of workers that way because people were closer to their houses,” Rosenthal said. “We also had to do a lot of rehiring to fill those positions. So you will notice that there is some degree of change in the sta , but a lot of the people who have been here for a while are still here.”
integrity. She hopes the store will be more transparent moving forward.
“Part of the whole issue to me was how long it went on and how they were hiding it,” Eller said. “That’s not how you build trust. They need to start being more transparent by saying what they’re doing and how they’re maintaining a healthy environment and cleanliness.”
Moving forward, Rosenthal explains that the Stevens Creek location of Whole Foods will have more frequent routine inspections — aiming for monthly check-ins — to ensure a smooth and e ective transition back into service. He encourages customers to visit the store and emphasizes that this incident is a good example of the transparency that Whole Foods aims to uphold.
“It’s good to have faith in our public institutions like the SCCDEH,” Rosenthal said. “They’ve done an outstanding job of making sure that the public is safe in every single way as they always do, and this is just yet another example of that being put into practice.”
Following a final inspection by the SCCDEH on Sept. 10, Underwood assures that the facility has cleared all of its tests and consumers can be confident that the store is fit to operate. According to Underwood, the store took multiple corrective actions, including working with a pest control professional, sealing entry points, doing structural repairs, trapping, cleaning and sanitizing.
As a customer, Eller mentions that Whole Foods’ silence about the infestations has made her suspicious about its
of MVHS students’ families
shopped at Whole Foods before its closure in April
*According to a survey of 131 people
GRAPHIC|AMBERLYSUN
PRICE OF OPPORTUNITY
The Trump administration introduces $100,000 fee to new H-1B visas
BY
ANISH KHINVASARA AND YIXUAN (JOYCE)
The student source in this story is anonymous due to potential legal concerns in this ongoing matter and will be referred to as Student A.
President Donald Trump issued the Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers proclamation on Sept. 19, followed by a clarification by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the White
LI
House. The proclamation was aimed at companies sponsoring foreign skilled workers, requiring them to pay a $100,000 fee for every H-1B petition to bring new workers into the U.S. The order was announced without prior notice or public comment, leaving immigration lawyers, companies and H-1B holders scrambling to interpret the new rule’s meaning and determine who it would a ect.
Business Insider reporter Pranav Dixit, who covers Silicon Valley news and was among the first to track and cover the new proclamation, recalls the chaos that rippled through Silicon Valley and immigrant circles alike. For many, the news broke through frantic social media posts and panicked group chats.
“We saw companies send out internal memos,” Dixit said. “Almost
every major company in the U.S. — like Microsoft, Google, Amazon or Zoom — told employees: ‘If you’re on an H-1B visa, don’t leave the U.S. If you’re outside the U.S., come back immediately within 24 hours.’ Some people actually walked o flights that were about to depart, because they didn’t want to risk being stuck abroad. Others canceled vacations or booked the next flight back to get in before anything changed.”
On Oct. 20, the USCIS released long-awaited guidance clarifying the proclamation’s reach, explaining that the fee only applies to new H-1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21 for workers outside the U.S. without a valid H-1B visa. Renewals, amendments and existing visa holders are exempt, and exceptions will be granted only in “extraordinarily rare” cases deemed to be in the national interest. Under the proclamation, employers must include proof of payment or an approved exemption when they file for H-1Bs, although lawsuits already underway, such as Global Nurse Force et al. v. Trump and another filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, demonstrate the policy’s uncertain future.
the U.S., so this proclamation doesn’t even apply to them.”
“ THE WAY I READ IT IS THAT THIS FEE IS A LOT MORE BARK THAN BITE.
IMMIGRATION LAWYER
CLIFTON WU
However, for the thousands of H-1B workers who power Silicon Valley’s backbone, making up two thirds of its tech workforce, the announcement still struck a nerve. Even if the fee doesn’t immediately a ect them, many said the policy was another reminder of how precarious their immigration status feels in the current situation and how easily their futures can shift with a single executive order. Student A is one such case — they have been in the U.S. for 12 years on an H-4 visa that is dependent on their parents’ H-1B visa.
“My initial reaction was like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna have to go back to India,’” Student A said.
Although Student A’s initial reaction did not come to fruition, it reflects both the fear and confusion surrounding current immigration policy changes. While the new fee doesn’t directly a ect current H-1B holders, it serves as a symbolic gesture reinforcing the administration’s tougher stance on immigration.
meets the strict criteria. According to Dixit, for smaller startups that lack the capital of big tech, sponsoring new H-1B hires could be virtually impossible due to their exorbitant fees.
“Canada has always been an attractive alternative,” Dixit said. “If you know you can’t get through the U.S. immigration system, you can always move to Canada. Every big tech company has o ces in Canada. It’s very similar culturally. It’s very close to the time zones. I think even when it comes to startups, they’ll lean more on remote workers or open engineering o ces abroad.”
Regardless of the proclamation’s e ectiveness, the messaging is clear, according to Wu. It echoes the Trump administration’s longstanding goal to be tough on immigration while “putting Americans first,” even if it comes at the cost of devaluing foreign talent, Wu said.
“It’s sending a signal that the U.S. is not as welcoming as it used to be for foreign nationals,” Wu said. “Despite the fact that some of our best companies were started by people who moved to the U.S. as immigrants.”
The initial overhaul of the H-1B system appeared to be far less consequential than initial headlines suggested, according to Clifton Wu, an immigration attorney and co-founder of Immigration Law Group LLP. The proclamation applies only to new H-1B applicants filing from outside the U.S., starting with the March 2026 lottery. This excludes the majority of H-1B applicants, specifically renewals and foreign students transferring from F-1, a non-immigrant visa for full-time students, to H-1B.
“The way I read it is that this fee is a lot more bark than bite,” Wu said. “It’s really a lot of hot air and not much substance. The vast majority of potential H-1B applicants are already in
“It’s almost as if the administration wanted to make it look like they’re doing something that’s really going to restrict H-1B’s,” Wu said. “But in fact, it’s really not going to — the fee is not applicable to a vast majority of them.”
Dixit says that in the long term, the order could force companies to o shore talent to hubs outside the U.S. or use other visa alternatives like the O-1 for “extraordinary ability,” which often requires submitting evidence that
“ IT MAKES YOU FEEL A LITTLE BIT UNCERTAIN ABOUT YOUR FUTURE. PEOPLE IN MY POSITION HAVE TO FACE THAT REALITY.
Unlike U.S. citizens or permanent residents, H-4 holders who are dependent on H-1B visas are unable to apply for many scholarships or get internships, limiting their ability to compete on equal footing, said Student A. Alongside the decreased opportunities, they must further face the unpredictability of not having permanent residency.
STUDENT A
“It makes you feel a little bit uncertain about your future,” Student A said. ”I had to spend two or three days making peace with the fact that there’s always this possibility that I might not stay here. People in my position have to face that reality.”
ROADSIDE
RENOVATION
The construction of new bike lanes has been delayed until early 2026
BY LUCAS LIU AND ELLIE WANG
The City of Cupertino o cially announced the beginning of a new bike lane project taking place between Wolfe Road and De Anza Boulevard on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The project, Phase 2A of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Class IV Bike Lane Project, aims to improve bike lanes for cyclists who frequent the busy intersection. According to Chad Mosley, Cupertino City Council’s Director of Public Works who oversees the capital improvement program, this project — including many other bike lane improvements — is the result the fatality of an MVHS student in 2015, prompting the city to improve safety along biking corridors to prevent future casualties.
“There was a considerable push by members of the public to enhance bicycle safety,” Mosley said. “The Bicycle Pedestrian Commission and
the City Council at the time put in the e ort to advocate for the project’s adoption. Public input was really part of the catalyst for getting this project in the queue.”
The project was designated a top priority project in the 2016 Bicycle Master Plan that City Council adopted. When the plan was first adopted, the city wanted to focus on McClellan Road as it serves the key Tri-School area, which includes MVHS, Kennedy Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School. However, after the two phases of the McClellan Road Project were completed, the
city decided to shift to Stevens Creek Boulevard Phase 1: the section of
“ AS OF NOW, I JUST ASSUME THAT ALL CARS ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS NOT THE BRIGHTEST.
SOPHOMORE ANISH DURVE
enabled the project to be executed more easily.
While construction was initially planned to begin on Sept. 15, it has now been pushed back to start
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | LUCAS LIU AND ELLIE WANG
in January 2026 and wrap up by April. Mosley noted that the delay was unexpected, as contractors responsible for procuring bicycle signal poles notified him only two weeks before the project’s launch date that procurement would take over six months, stalling the project as preparations for construction are underway.
I just try to always be safe and make eye contact with drivers when I’m biking and on roads where there are no bike lanes. But having those
60% of MVHS students
feel safe when biking to school
manager Jason Wong, who facilitates the construction and completion of the project, states that it includes concrete barriers around the bike lanes, as well as specialized left turn signals for bikers and drivers to direct tra
*According to a survey of 58 people
margin between the biker and the drivers.”
Wong has assured that none of the modifications will negatively
NO KINGS PROTEST NO KINGS PROTEST
Protesters march from the intersection of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Street to Rinconada Park to gather for the “No Kings!” Democracy Fair
BY APRAMEYA RUPANAGUNTA AND VAISHNAVI KATUKAM
PHOTO | APRAMEYA RUPANAGUNTA
PHOTO | ELLIE WANG
PHOTO | APRAMEYA RUPANAGUNTA
PHOTO | VAISHNAVI KATUKAM
SCHOOLED
Students discuss their experiences with nontraditional schooling
BY JILLIAN JU, CORINNA KUO, GRACE LIN, LIZ LIU
home SCHOOLED
Dasha Young and her family examine the challenges and rewards of homeschooling before her transition to public school
BY GRACE LIN AND LIZ LIU
When freshman Dasha Young began her mornings at her grandpa’s house, she wasn’t rushing to catch a bus or find her seat in a classroom. Instead, she’d sit in her mom’s old room, notebooks spread across the desk, while her teacher — her grandfather — reviewed lessons from a stack of wellworn textbooks. As her grandfather rambled on about a math equation, Dasha listened intently; after her lessons, Dasha would teach her little brother counting.
A few months before COVID-19 shut down schools when Dasha was in 3rd grade, Dasha’s family decided to transition her from private school to homeschooling. Dasha had been ahead in several subjects and her parents saw an opportunity to let her move at her own pace. Dasha’s parents divided the role of teacher between her grandfather and mom for di erent subjects.
According to Dasha, learning from her grandfather was di erent from being in a classroom. Without a group of classmates to blend into, every lesson felt personal and mistakes stood out.
“It could be a little bit stressful,” Dasha said. “For example, when I would get a problem wrong, he would keep pressing, keep trying to teach me and I would get stressed out and start crying. After that, we would always make up at the end.”
As the new curriculum at home catered towards Dasha’s learning, Dasha received a more in-depth education based on what her parents thought was
important and what Dasha thought was interesting. For example, Dasha’s father, an Indigenous American, would occasionally teach social studies and incorporate his tribe’s history into the teachings for more nuanced lessons. Combining previous materials from her private school curriculum with his own ideas, Dasha’s grandfather Valery Antonenko taught Dasha a variety of subjects.
“Homeschooling helped me to understand what she likes, what she’s interested in and what she’s not as interested in in a very direct and everyday way, which is especially important in literature,” Valery said. “In homeschooling, you can select what your child reads. And my strong belief is that children should read what they like, and you need to develop them to the point where they can enjoy even very complicated pieces of literature.”
understanding how Dasha thought. As a result, Olga learned a lot about her daughter.
“She wrote a really sweet story about her brother breaking his leg when he was little,” Olga said. “And we just got to talk a lot about emotions and metaphor and really got to bond. That time together is really, really special to me. I think it made us closer for the rest of our lives.”
“ HOMESCHOOLING DASHA MADE US CLOSER FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.
DASHA’S MOTHER OLGA ANTONENKO YOUNG
While her grandfather handled math, science and Russian literature, Dasha’s mom, Olga Antonenko Young, took charge of English and composition writing. For Olga, unlike formulas or equations, teaching language arts felt more personal — less about right and wrong, and more about
Valery also said he felt closer to Dasha after homeschooling her. After reading a piece of complex Russian literature, Valery said Dasha started crying. When this happened, Valery said he was proud that Dasha was able to understand the writing’s deeper meaning, believing that their “souls are on the same wavelength.” However, he knew Dasha would return to public school eventually, especially as the upper school curriculum became more rigorous.
“The more time you spend with your child, your grandchild, the better you understand them, and the closer to each other you get,” Valery said. “But as she’s getting older, she needs more social life. Homeschooling at some point becomes very challenging, because, if I need to do homeschooling at high school level, chemistry and physics and more complicated math, it would take me much more energy than I have.”
Dasha said Valery had prepared her well for 6th grade; in fact, she found herself ahead of her peers in many subjects. Surrounded by so many new faces, Dasha said she was caught o guard by icebreaker questions like “What’s your ethnicity?” or “What’s your favorite color?,” which felt unfamiliar after years of homeschooling. However, Dasha soon realized that being around so many di erent people was one of her favorite parts of public school.
“I liked that there were a lot of people that you could become friends with,” Dasha said. “My private school had about maybe 10 people per grade. There were five people that I could become friends with. Then, I had like 300 people to become friends with, which seemed like a giant opportunity to me. I found a group of friends halfway through sixth grade, and I’ve stayed with them ever since.”
Even though she misses their time together, Olga was also happy when Dasha began attending public school and describes feeling a weight lifted from her shoulders once she no longer had to serve as Dasha’s
teacher. Watching her daughter adapt to public school has been rewarding, she said, adding that she feels proud to see Dasha carrying the values and discipline she developed through homeschooling into her new environment, as well as watching Dasha develop as a person.
“I love seeing her develop new relationships,” Olga said. “I was very impressed with her teachers at Kennedy. They really cared for her. The school, despite being big, was pretty nurturing. The teachers were nurturing. The friendships happened organically, which I was happy about. It was fun to watch her be out there and have these new experiences.”
MVHS students discuss their transitions from private to public schooling
PRIVATESCHOOLED
BY ANGELA POON
As the monotone bell signaled the end of another long school day at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, Rashika
Dance was Jain’s passion, but she saw BASIS’s academically-centered environment as a barrier, making it di cult for her to pursue dance.
everything here. At BASIS, it wasn’t like that — there were no sports teams. I think the fact that it was so academic was not a very good environment. Being able to pursue dance outside of the dance team and take charge of the Bollywood team was a big factor
Math teacher Terry Yu, who taught at Bellarmine College Preparatory for eight years, has a di erent experience with private schools compared to Jain. From his perspective, private schools allow more freedom for individual creativity while putting less emphasis on grades.
“The faculty and the students can value activities and academics on equal footing, rather than
PHOTO | ANGELA POON
here, where it’s just grades,” Yu said. “They have more clubs and activities. Their schedule is less grueling and has less class time, so the students are freer to pursue their own interests throughout the day.”
Junior Chloe He, who attended Stratford School from fifth to eighth grade and switched to MVHS for high school, believes that while both schools are academically inclined, the fact that MVHS is tuition-free and within walking distance of her home was a major contributor to her transition. Despite this, she notices a wider range of motivation at MVHS compared to a consistently driven student body at Stratford, which she attributes to parental pressure.
“ PEOPLE USUALLY SAY PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE DEMANDING PARENTS, BUT MVHS PARENTS ARE PROBABLY JUST AS, IF NOT MORE, DEMANDING.
is their ability to provide greater support for students in all aspects. Whereas public schools rely on taxpayer funding, private schools are funded through tuition. According to U.S. News, the median tuition at private schools for the 2024-2025 school year was $32,251. This funding allows private schools to have smaller class sizes, provide students with better resources and o er a wider selection of courses that public schools can’t, such as film studies, discrete math and multivariable calculus.
MATH TEACHER TERRY YU
“I feel like in public school, you can either be pressured to succeed, or you can kind of give up, versus in private school, everyone is really driven and trying to be the best,” He said. “If you’re paying so much money to go to a good school, then your parents are definitely going to put on a lot of pressure.”
However, Yu believes one advantage that private schools have over public schools
“They gave everybody a Microsoft Surface – a real computer, not a Chromebook,” Yu said. “If at least 10 people want to do a class and they have a teacher who’s willing to teach that, then they can start a class, so everything’s tailor-made.”
Additionally, Yu believes that a strong emphasis on sports at private schools leads to higher faculty engagement at games. He notices that at MVHS, most teachers only attend school sporting events if they have supervision duties, but faculty at BCP would go to sports games even if they weren’t obligated to. Jain attributes this discrepancy to the lack of school spirit around sports, which she believes lowers MVHS teachers’ motivation to participate.
Despite coming from di erent private schools, He
and Yu agree that the level of rigor between their private schools and MVHS is similar, since all three schools are very academically inclined. However, Jain believes BASIS was more rigorous because even in eighth grade, students were taking three science courses and AP classes. Yu believes that MVHS is more rigorous than most private schools.
“People usually say private schools have demanding parents, but MVHS parents are probably just as, if not more, demanding,” Yu said. “And then academics-wise, coming into MVHS from any other school is basically, ‘Good luck with that.’ That’s still true even from BCP — there aren’t many private schools that are as rigorous as here, at least for most classes.”
Since MVHS is relatively large compared to private schools, Jain and He both had smooth transitions into public school life. Jain said that she lacked opportunities to find new people to connect with at BASIS because the students already knew each other. She adds that the cutthroat nature of private schools made even friendships feel competitive, noting that while MVHS friendships aren’t entirely free of such toxicity, people tend to be relatively easygoing.
“MVHS was a lot more welcoming,” Jain said. “Even though technically, at BASIS, everyone was new and people came from all cities and all backgrounds, they still weren’t welcoming towards each other. There was still a barrier between people who had already been there and new people. Whereas at MVHS, even though everyone knew each other already, it was really easy to branch out and find people.”
MVHS students pursue alternative tracks by graduating early
OutSCHOOLED
BY JILLIAN JU AND CORINNA KUO
MlVHS alum ‘25 and De Anza College freshman
Zhenhao Qi never intended to graduate early. During his two and a half years at MVHS, despite his structured schedule of getting up, going to school and doing his homework every day, Qi said he was unmotivated and unproductive. He spent most of his time after school engrossed in social media and video games. The semester before he graduated, he only took three classes.
The summer before his junior year, however, Qi had spent two months in China — an experience he describes as “transformative.” Experiencing his cousins’ daily lives and observing how they approached academics and life caused him to become disillusioned with his life in California. While Qi felt he spent his time in California chasing validation, in China, he felt like he was devoting himself to meaningful work. He knew he needed a change.
“I felt like I wouldn’t get that far if I stayed at MVHS, and I decided that a change of pace might be something that could let me do something new,” Qi said. “I wasn’t sure what path I was exactly gonna take — I just knew that wherever I was, I wasn’t that happy, and I should probably do something to change it.”
As a result, Qi decided to graduate in the middle of his junior year to take community college courses full time, and took the online California High School Equivalency Test, which earned him a California credential equivalent to a high school diploma. College and Career advisor
Rogelio Calderon says graduating early is relatively rare. However, he says that there are also many reasons students choose to graduate early — for example, to start working earlier.
MVHS alum ‘25 and De Anza College sophomore Alexander Chu graduated early both for a change of scene and to accelerate his college journey. At the start of 10th grade, he began struggling in his classes. The turning point came when he compared his grades to the GPA necessary to attend
“ IN COLLEGE, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO AS FAST AS YOU WANT, WHICH MEANS IF YOU’RE PREPARED FOR THAT, IT’S A GREAT BOON FOR YOURSELF.
college. He worked hard to improve his grades and took many courses at De Anza. By the end of his junior year, Chu had enough credits to graduate a year early and continue his education at De Anza. Like Qi, Chu took the HiSET test to earn his diploma, and aims to use the Transfer Admission Guarantee program to transfer to a UC after his sophomore year at De Anza. He is currently guaranteed a spot at UC Irvine.
MVHS ALUM ‘25 ALEXANDER CHU
“My parents called me crazy for doing it, because the school system is designed to funnel you through four years of high school,” Chu said. “Instead, I just rushed straight into this with one month left. I was leaving all my connections, my great friends here and mentors, and it was not something that I’d expected.”
Qi, who says his decision was also spontaneous, agrees that there were downsides he wished he’d researched before graduating early. Once he
STEPS TO GRADUATE EARLY
GIVE REASONS HOLD MEETINGS TAKE HISET
“The student, their school counselor and their parents have conversations, so it involves various stakeholders,” Calderon said. “We don’t let students graduate early without a plan.”
“Ms. [I-Chu] Chang and my counselor Ms. [Sylvia] Lam have been really helpful in giving me guidance about how this process will work,” Qi said. “They have definitely helped me and my family support me financially.”
“There are many test opportunities, especially online, and the test itself is quite easy,” Chu said. “They give you a diploma from the state, which is equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.”
was no longer an enrolled high school student, he lost access to college resources like Naviance and MVHS guidance counselors, complicating his application process. His social life was also impacted — while he’s kept in touch with his friends at MVHS, they will leave for college if he continues at De Anza for Fall 2026 instead of starting college at the same time. Calderon agrees that the impacts of graduating early on social life is important to take into consideration.
“ THERE’S NO PRESSURE FOR STUDENTS TO GRADUATE EARLY. STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM ENJOYING THE REST OF THEIR SENIOR YEAR.
positive light, favoring De Anza’s academic flexibility over “experiencing senioritis.” He emphasizes that if students are prepared and prioritize time management, the ability to set their own pace at community college can be rewarding.
ways to take community college courses as a high school student — such as through Middle College or dual enrollment — and Calderon encourages students to explore their options.
COLLEGE & CAREER ADVISOR ROGELIO CALDERON
“You miss out on that last semester, and not everybody cares about that,” Calderon said. “But a lot of students do care, because that second semester of your senior year is the last time you’ll have as a young student before you go into adulthood. Students miss the social part, and I know it’s not for everybody.”
However, Chu sees the change in a more
“High school is a very set path, and you can only go so fast,” Chu said. “In college, you have the ability to go as fast as you want, which means if you’re prepared for that, it’s a great boon for yourself. However, if you’re not managing your time, you can
run yourself to the ground.”
Calderon emphasizes the importance of considering students’ own needs and priorities when considering alternative routes. There are many
“There’s no pressure for students to graduate early,” Calderon said. “Students benefit from enjoying the rest of their senior year, and no one really misses out on any journey by graduating a semester earlier or later than everybody else. Think about why you’re doing it, and hopefully it’s not coming from a sense of pressure, because then you’re not necessarily doing it for yourself.”
ICE ON YOUR FEED
A new ICE plan to launch 24/7 social media monitoring teams blurs the line between national security and personal privacy
BY SHREEJAY ARJA AND FIONA CHEN
When government agencies begin tracking our words and habits, it doesn’t immediately feel like oppression,
databases. Though the recruiting process has yet to begin, ICE plans to launch as early as May 2026.
Vaughn Villaverde, the Director
people were dragged in for what they said or who they knew. Now it’s what you post, who you follow, what you ‘like.’”
83% of MVHS students
think ICE surveilling social media to identify undocumented migrants is ethical
*According to a survey of 145 people
GRAPHICS | OLIVIA ZHANG
57
nothing you do online is private,” Saxena said. “But I think that further emphasizes whether we need to take what we post or comment into account more as we use our devices.”
ICE’s surveillance programs aren’t new. In previous years, the agency has paid Palantir Technologies, a data analysts company, $30 million to develop “Immigration OS,” a data
Court. Otherwise, they’re going to keep doing it.”
Due to the lack of guidelines, community members have made e orts to educate people on how to manage interactions with ICE o cers.
Sinkins, who resides in a sanctuary state, recalls her early “Know Your Rights” presentations right before Trump’s inauguration, where local police cers attended and spoke directly to the audience.
groups. Normalizing digital surveillance normalizes a wariness
of expressing thoughts online and makes monitoring appear acceptable in more contexts.
“ ONCE YOU NORMALIZE SURVEILLANCE AS A DEFAULT MODE OF GOVERNANCE, YOU CAN APPLY IT TO ANYONE.
AACI
DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY
VAUGHN VILLARDE
“They would say to a room full of Latino people, ‘We are not participating with ICE. We are here to protect you. We are here to keep you safe,’” Sinkins said. “And people do trust them.”
These presentations remind the community of the distinction between the police and ICE o cers, allowing them to express themselves without fear of deportation. Sinkins has seen that in states without those protections, however, people begin to lose trust not only in the police force, but in society too. Villaverde suspects the increased monitoring of social media will only further discourage participation.
“What we’re seeing every single day is an overwhelming emotion that a lot of communities are facing right now,” Villaverde said. “They’re afraid to go to work. They’re afraid to send their kids outside. They’re afraid to go see their doctor. To them, it’s as if there are no safe spaces anymore.”
This growing mistrust raises concerns for the future of freedom in the U.S., as justifying control towards immigrants could lead to justifying the oppression of other marginalized
“If they can get away with infringing on one group’s rights — the rights of people who look a certain way or live in a certain neighborhood — what’s to stop them from doing the same to others?” Villaverde said. “Once you normalize surveillance as a default mode of governance, you can apply it to anyone.”
To Villaverde, the hope remains that ordinary people will refuse to look away from the injustices being committed every day. He believes that it won’t be the adults that make the greatest di erence, but the youth.
“In any kind of social revolution, who leads it?” Villaverde said. “The youth. We need young blood to step up and say, ‘No, this is so stupid. This is not who we are. This is not what we believe. Stop it.’ Grown-ups are going to tell you you’re too young to be involved in politics. All you have to do is convince people that you have good ideas and they will step up and support you.”
OFF BUT NOT AWAY
Three months of the ‘off and away’ policy raises new questions about limiting cell phone use in class BY LORA LEE AND ASHA WOJCIECHOWSKI
As MVHS enters the third month of its “o and away” phone policy, the act of dropping phones into numbered phone pouches hanging on classroom walls has become a routine part of students’ school days. As students have adapted to having no access to their phones during instructional time, new opinions and issues have sprung up.
MVHS’ “o and away” policy was enacted this year in accordance with California’s Phone-Free School Act, which governor Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2024 to require that all school districts create policies restricting cell phone use in class by July 2026. According to Newsom, the law is meant to prevent mental health issues and academic distractions linked to phone usage while students are in school.
Chinese teacher and World Language Department Lead
Zoey Liu says that teachers were notified over the summer about the policy change, and that Principal Ben Clausnitzer gave teachers the option to pre-order phone pouches before the school year started. Liu, who had been using a phone pouch experimentally for half of the previous year after discussions with other teachers in the World Language Department, was happy to see it being implemented broadly.
PHYSICS TEACHER JIM BIRDSONG
“We’re now getting support from the whole school,” Liu said. “Because students are so used to using phone pouches in many classes, there’s no complaint, and there’s a habit being developed. Also, way less energy and time is
being spent on checking whether students are o task or cheating because of their phones.”
However, physics teacher Jim Birdsong prefers students have access to their phones as a part of class instruction. In his class, students use their phones to do labs and when the school WiFi is slow. For this reason, he opts not to use a phone pouch, trusting that students will use their phones appropriately, a standard he says students have generally respected.
“I think everyone understands the need for the policy, and I think people are seeing the benefit of it, but it just can’t be a blanket thing,” Birdsong said. “There are schools where you can’t have a phone at all under any circumstances, and that would not work well here.”
Junior Ethan Lin agrees with Birdsong and believes that phones can sometimes increase social interactions within the classroom during allocated free time, as social
40% of MVHS students think the phone policy has limited distraction and enhanced learning
*According to a survey of 154 people
21% of MVHS students
think their focus and attention span in class improved with the policy
*According to a survey of 153 people
PHOTO | ASHA WOJCIECHOWSKI
media and video games provide a means of engagement for students. He observes that the phone policy has led to a much quieter classroom, and increased his desire to look at his phone after class, defeating the purpose of the policy.
However, Birdsong and Liu have noted that students actually seem to be talking and interacting with one another more naturally. Liu shares that despite her class size doubling compared to last year, they’ve been having much more fun together.
“I was pleasantly surprised with how both of my Chinese 4 classes this year are having a much better rapport with me than last year,” Liu said. “It’s great. People are fully present, there is less distraction, and they’re more tuned in to each other’s body language, facial expressions and tones instead of paying attention to a screen. Maybe that’s why the classroom culture and the vibe is so much more positive.”
In fact, Liu cites research that having time set away from phones could have long term benefits for students, even outside the classroom. A study published by BMC Medicine found that the less exposure students had to their phones, the better their well-being, which stemmed from
benefits like improved sleep and reduced anxiety.
Having read “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, a book about social media’s impact on Gen Z, Liu explains that the phone policy could allow them to develop healthier ways to manage their stress and emotions.
“For some students in MVHS, their phones become a crutch, a numbing system when they’re trying to deal with negative emotions,” Liu said. “It’s not a healthy solution. With the phone policy, students are forced to not be attached to their phones for at least 90 minutes of a block schedule, and they might have to identify that emotion, or find other resources to face it — for example, friends sitting next to them, an adult on campus or just some personal breath work, instead of using their phone as a temporary distraction.”
“ WITH THE POLICY, STUDENTS MIGHT HAVE TO FIND OTHER RESOURCES INSTEAD OF USING THEIR PHONE AS A TEMPORARY DISTRACTION.
further, and MVHS could consider implementing stricter policies such as using Yondr, where students have to keep their phones in a locked pouch, reflected at schools like McDonald High in the Santa Clara Unified School District. However, other students believe that a stricter policy could bring potential safety risks in emergency situations, as well as become inconvenient if students forget to collect their phones after classes.
CHINESE TEACHER ZOEY LIU
Though there are a variety of opinions on the e ectiveness of the current policy, Birdsong shares that its existing flexibility already allows for teachers to adjust it within the classroom, and students will still have adequate access to their phones at school.
With this in mind, Liu believes that the phone policy should be taken
“It needs to be reasonable, and there have to be exceptions to it,” Birdsong said. “I think I’m a model in that regard, knowing when to be strict and when to not be. A phone is such a powerful tool. You can’t just give it up, but you can control it. Overall, all the response nationwide about the whole thing I’ve ever heard, is that it’s good. I’m glad that changes have been made.”
73% of MVHS students
sometimes or often use social media as a conversation topic in class
*According to a survey of 158 people
24% of MVHS students
think there is a little more social engagement among peers in class
*According to a survey of 155 people
GRAPHIC|EMMAMA
R3STR!CTED
MVHS students discuss the effects of circumventing content restrictions with modified language
BY SOPHIA D’SA AND EMMA MA
“Unalive.” “Grape.” “Seggs.” At first glance, these words seem meaningless. But for millions of users on social media, these phrases are the only way to discuss sensitive topics online, with terms like “grape” or “r@pe” to mean “rape,” or “unalive” to mean “kill.” This linguistic phenomenon, in which users self-censor with alternative terms and phrases to circumvent algorithm flags, is what linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic has dubbed “algospeak.”
With nearly three quarters of Gen Z Americans stating that they have recognized or been exposed to algospeak, this shift has significantly influenced language and expression
online, introducing new slang as unique substitutions. Senior Ishaan Deshpande, who encounters algospeak frequently when scrolling, says this stems from creators worrying that social media platforms will target content that so much as mentions controversial topics, either through removing it or reducing how much the algorithm promotes it, referred to as “shadow banning.”
These words are also often used in a humorous context — students frequently throw around phrases like “I’m going to unalive myself” both online and at school. For sophomore Steven Chi, the topic raises concerns about whether using algospeak trivializes serious and sensitive issues.
“From what I’ve seen, the majority of words like ‘grape’ or ‘unalive’ have been used as comedic relief instead of something serious,” Chi said. “I don’t think topics which can seriously harm somebody’s psychological health should be used as jokes.”
On the other hand, Deshpande believes using algospeak as humor — for instance, using “devil’s tango” to talk about sex — can be an e ective way for creators to share funny stories and convey their messages without triggering audiences or being shadow banned. He says that because of this, humor can be used tastefully to engage viewers.
“If it sounds funny, then it sounds funny,” Deshpande said. “If it calls
out a blatant flaw in how we’re misrepresenting words or language in social media, then you can also find humor in that. So I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing if we’re using humor through these mispronunciations or misspellings.”
However, Deshpande emphasizes that there needs to be a balance between humor and serious discussion, especially for creators who want to encourage community action on issues such as sexual assault and mental health. He sees creators modifying words to avoid shadow
“
are e ective in facilitating an environment of greater free speech, even if we don’t like that speech,” Tai said. “It’s pretty e ective in ensuring that speech is representative of the people and that external forces don’t try to restrict speech.”
While companies like TikTok state that they also age-restrict content to protect minors on their platforms from violent and sexual content, Chi and Deshpande agree that these restrictions are often ine ective as both content creators and minors constantly circumvent them. banning as having mixed e ects, such as reaching a wider audience but having less impact.
“When you’re looking at like an issue through the lens of the word ‘kill’ or ‘genocide,’ these sorts of words are super strong and you feel like a sense of urgency,” Deshpande said. “When you see words like, ‘unalive,’ you’re still probably going to engage with that same sort of content, but you might look at it less seriously. At least to me, the content feels a little bit diluted.”
THESE CIRCUMVENTIONS ARE EFFECTIVE IN FACILITATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF GREATER FREE SPEECH, EVEN IF WE DON’T LIKE THAT SPEECH.
MVHS ALUM ‘25 ALAN TAI
MVHS alum ‘25 Alan Tai adds that some content is also over-censored, making algospeak an important way of maintaining free speech. He says he has seen algospeak most often used to express opinions on political issues, such as the use of “g3n0cide” in discussions of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“If we’re talking about a participatory democracy where everyone can speak freely, these circumventions
Deshpande explains that even though algospeak means minors may not be exposed to as much provocative language, the images and videos it is used within still discuss the same mature topics, defeating the goal of such restrictions.
In light of this, Tai advocates that minors and their parents exercise more caution with social media and recognize the types of content to which minors may be exposed. Ultimately, he and Deshpande agree that algospeak and, more generally, circumventing censorship are natural progressions of language.
“It’s human nature to find ways in which we can take a sensitive topic and make it less sensitive, make it more digestible, make it more approachable, sometimes even more humorous,” Tai said. “The type of word replacement that we see online is partly an extension of that.”xx
46% of MVHS students often see coded expressions online
*According to a survey of 149 students
TikTok restricts content that...
promotes hate or attacks people based on protected attributes like race, religion, gender or sexual orientation
*According to the TikTok community guidelines
65% of MVHS students think using coded words on social media trivializes serious issues
*According to a survey of 149 students shows, promotes or provides instructions for suicide or selfharm shows, promotes or facilitates the sexual abuse, exploitation or harm of young people
DEMOCRACY AT THE DINNER TABLE
With increased political education comes the responsibility to inform others
Politics, despite its relevancy and widespread impact, often feels more like a series of major headlines than issues that impact us directly. According to Gallup News, only 32% of Americans actually follow national politics closely. Considering that domestic politics is confusing enough for American-born citizens, the challenge doubles for immigrants. Shifting to a new political system, dealing with news in a new language or gaps in civic education make politics a journey scattered with obstacles. As a result, engaging in the political process appears to be another burden on one’s back — proven in how naturalized citizens’ voting has typically lagged behind Americanborn citizens’ numbers.
HAVING A VOICE WITHIN GOVERNMENT FUNCTION IS CRUCIAL TO AVOID A GOVERNMENT THAT DOESN’T REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.
breadth of the consequences of a certain policy, specialized interest groups or radical minorities have disproportionate influence. Laws a ecting health insurance, nutrition aid and social safety impact everyone, but especially our immigrant parents. Yet, if they can’t comprehend the often complex, elitist language of political explainers or fall trap to the misinformation that circulates on WeChat and WhatsApp, they lose the chance to fight for the issues that directly a ect them and their families.
For the second generation, most of us have been raised in the United States and taught the basics of civic education, but we aren’t eligible to vote yet. Our hand in the political process is fated to wait for our 18th birthdays. The extent to which we can exert our opinions and preach action therefore is projected onto those around us who can vote — our parents, our older friends and our extended family. To ensure representation and equity, we have a civic responsibility to inform the less politically educated around us. However, we must be careful when toeing the line between information and influence.
One could argue that a politically uneducated voter shouldn’t vote. However, politics extends far beyond the ballot. When voters don’t understand what’s at stake or the
A wellfunctioning democracy requires educated citizens who participate in it. Having a voice within government function is crucial to avoid a government that doesn’t represent the people. As the more politically educated generation with greater access to more resources in comparison to our parents, if we want to live in a representative democracy, we need to work to fuel it through education. This education extends beyond issues highlighted in headlines.
we relay to those around us. When attempting to encourage political discourse and learning, along with a greater understanding of government functions, we must stress the importance of developing individual political opinions.
Organizations like the League of Women Voters embody this sentiment. The nonprofit strives to up voter engagement and participation while encouraging representation of all voices. In the process, it presents nonpartisan opinions. When it comes to encouraging voters, we must instill the principle of developing individual opinions as well. A well-researched public who knows what it wants and needs is a public who cares about bettering our nation.
Teaching those around us about voter registration and reviewing information pamphlets are also key steps to preparing people for a future of political participation. When discussing politics, bias is inevitable — no matter how non partisan one considers themselves, internalized ideas influence what
If we want a democracy that isn’t impeded by misinformation, then we must take the lead in encouraging others. If we have the resources to be politically educated, then we need to inform those around us so they understand the choices they make. This discussion matters — youth who had discussed politics with those around them were much more likely to vote. Yet to build better civic participation, we need to approach the process with information. Explain the mechanics of voting, registration, polling. When talking to parents with a weaker understanding of American politics, we should strive to create voters who care about issues and wants to remain politically active. Whether it’s for your party of choice or not, voting is crucial — “not being interested” is not an acceptable excuse.
HERE COME THE WATERWORKS!
I’m learning to embrace my hypersensitivity
BY RADHIKA DHARMAPURIKAR
Ifeel it in my throat before it happens — the gradual buildup of anxiety that eventually closes my windpipe and leaves me breathing heavily. I feel the stinging in my eyes next, blurring my vision before a sob finally racks my chest
My struggles with sensitivity have spanned my entire life. For as long as
crying to help me process being overwhelmed by emotion — whether that be sadness, happiness, anxiety or fear. Though I initially never saw crying as an imperfection, the common stigma that crying makes you “weak” has always made me struggle with explaining my situation. People toss me confused glances before telling me the same words I’d heard my whole life: “You’re so sensitive.”
feel even more embarrassed, like I was cursed with a coping mechanism. I kept this attitude throughout the year. My sophomore year posed many challenges, and I began an endless cycle of crying in exhaustion and then feeling ashamed for doing so. The more I cried, the more I began to hate myself for it.
SINCERELY, RADHIKA
it didn’t matter how I processed my emotions as long as it helped me. It was nothing more than a biological response to a trigger, far from the demonized definition I’d created in my head. From then on, I stopped viewing my sensitivity as a weakness and viewed it rather as a privilege.
On a particularly bad day, I was emotionally wrung out and broke down sobbing in front of one of my close friends. I let everything out, all my frustration, anger and emotional downs poured out as I let myself feel everything. After a couple of minutes, my friend handed me a tissue and asked me, “How do you feel?”
So, dear reader, Everybody has di mechanisms that all hold validity. Don’t let a stigma surrounding a coping mechanism stop you from regulating your emotions. You should be able to deal with overwhelming feelings in any way you need, whether that be crying or something else entirely. Find what works for you and don’t let outside commentary or internalized fears stop
The phrase was thrown around casually, a simple statement about my identity that couldn’t be changed. I internalized the word sensitive. To me, it meant weak and irritating. I reasoned that people found my constant crying bothersome, and extended that same
After reflecting, I felt almost as if a weight had been lifted o shoulders. This was typically how I felt after every emotional processing, yet the feelings of shame rooted
One night, I was feeling incredibly anxious the night before a test, frustrated at myself for not understanding a concept. I began to feel the thick emotion in my throat, tears prickling in my eyes and my frustration skyrocketing. I screwed my eyes shut and clenched my fists.
“I’m not a baby,” I told myself. “This is stupid. I’m not crying over this.” I swiped at my eyes, willing myself to stop, but I couldn’t control the hot tears that slid out from under my palms. I couldn’t help but
then told me, “You know, I’ve noticed the way you beat yourself up when you cry — it’s just your body’s natural reaction. At the end of the day, it’s just tears.”
Hearing those words changed my perspective completely. She was right. It was just tears. My entire life, I had attached a stigma to crying and thought of it as a dramatic and unnecessary reaction that I somehow always defaulted to. But reducing it to what it actually was — tears — helped me realize that
ILLUSTRATION
GUITAR GUITAR
The course returns to the MVHS offerings after its temporary departure
BY SIH YU (MELODY) LIN AND BENJAMIN ZHANG
GRAPHIC|MELODYLIN
The MV Music Department recently reintroduced the Guitar course for the 20252026 school year after its temporary hiatus from the course o erings. Choir and now Guitar teacher Lofn Young partnered with Homestead High School choir director and music theory teacher Je Morton to write the proposal to the district and develop the class.
class has been really successful.”
As a newcomer to guitar, sophomore Avishi Bansal believes that Young’s organization of the class is helpful for those like her who haven’t played guitar before. Her peers in her skilllevel cohort were all supportive of one another during classes.
“ “ WE WOULD HELP EACH OTHER MORE THAN JUDGE, BECAUSE WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE IN THE MOMENT.
The course is currently o ered at MVHS and HHS, and is open to all students of any experience level. Young initially wanted to bring this class back when she realized that there weren’t many beginner-level classes o ered at the MVHS Music Department because a large number of freshmen entered high school with several years of prior musical experience already.
“I’m really enjoying the groups this year,”
Young said. “It’s a large class, so we’re working in cohorts of five to seven based on experience level, and I think creating these smaller groups within the larger
SOPHOMORE
AVISHI BANSAL
“Generally, I feel like when you do things with people who are much better than you, they tend to judge you a lot,” Bansal said. “But since everyone is around the same skill level in our cohorts, we would help each other more than judge, because we all understand what it feels like in the moment.”
On the other hand, freshman Amena Elhak is a student in the Guitar course with three years of guitar experience. Despite this, Elhak has gained various skills from the class, such as playing with other guitars, and plans to perfect her music scales.
“My favorite memory so far in the class was when me and two other students in my group decided to learn ‘Umbrella’ by Rihanna,” Elhak said. “We were just playing it and singing along, and it was really fun.”
Young planned a series of icebreakers and class bonding activities to help build healthy class relationships at the beginning of the new year, including an MBTI test that determined
each student’s personality. Bansal, who originally expected the class to require a high level of commitment, believes that these bonding opportunities helped the class form unexpected connections and friendships between both the students and Young.
“It’s a good way to get to know each other more and to see, ‘Oh, someone’s really good at this thing. Maybe they have similar interests to me,’” Bansal said. “We get to know people from outside our cohort and people who we don’t spend as much time with when we are actually learning guitar.”
As Guitar continues to pilot its curriculum throughout its first year back in session, both teachers and students say they maintain high hopes for the direction the course takes. Young plans to incorporate an optional final performance opportunity for the students to showcase their learning while experimenting new content and curriculum, and remains excited about the future of the class.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Young said. “I’m so happy to get to meet a whole new group of students at Monta Vista. I feel like they’re just plugged in in such a great way. It’s such a great class, and it just kind of feeds our souls. We just get to sit around and jam together. It’s just a really great opportunity for students to be able to connect to themselves di erently and have community with each other in a way that I hope adds to their quality of life here at Monta Vista.”
Into the Disneyverse
Recapping the Disney themed 2025 Homecoming skits, dances, rally and game
BY VAISHNAVI KATUKAM
52% of MVHS students participated in one or more of the Homecoming events
*According to a survey of 156 students
With colorful confetti falling from the sky, senior boys dance members point Spiderman hand gestures toward the audience for their second ending pose.
Seniors won with 205.1 points
PHOTO | JUJU LING
Mickey Mouse, played by junior Richie Yu, gets dragged away by the dalmatians in the boys dance group while stressing over the possibility of Minnie rejecting his Homecoming proposal.
PHOTO | ALEXANDRA PERRAULT
PHOTO | MAAHI DEV
PHOTO | RAFAELLA VENTO
GRAPHICS | JUJU LING AND ALEXANDRA QIU
SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE
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Seniors Courtney Masli and Elaine Chen are crowned Homecoming royalty. They were two of eight finalists for the class of 2026. Both of them served on Leadership throughout high school, with Chen currently serving as ASB president.
MVHS held its annual Homecoming dance in the gym on Saturday, Oct. 11. Leadership students organized a variety of activities for attendees to enjoy, including a dance floor with a DJ, arcade-style games, a photo booth, free ice cream and an outdoor movie.
PHOTOS | JILLIAN JU
MVHS students
attended the Homecoming dance on Oct. 11
*According to Assistant Principal Mike White
PHOTO | KATE YANG
PHOTO | MELODY LIN
PHOTO | MELODY LIN
Monta Vista Mills
GRAPHIC | CANVA
‘ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER’ IS ONE OF A KIND
The film stuns with impeccable world building and plot
BY KATE YANG
Released in U.S. theaters on Friday, Sept. 26, “One Battle After Another,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, chronicles the journeys of father-daughter duo Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Willa Ferguson (Chase Infiniti). Anderson based “One Battle After Another” on American author Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 postmodern novel “Vineland.” Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn) realizes the dangers behind Willa’s existence and her ect on his participation in the Christmas Adventurers, a white supremacist group. Bob, a stoner, and defiant teenager Willa are forced to reconcile with their complicated pasts, and her mother Perfidia Beverly Hills’ participation in a revolutionary group known as the French
ever dragging it out or overdoing it. Anderson is able to keep the plot moving with the right balance of action, humor and wit, such as in the scene when Sergio St. Carlos’ (Benicio del Toro) plan to help Bob escape Lockjaw unfolds. Despite the filmbuilding to a final looming stando between the Fergusons and an eager Lockjaw, Anderson doesn’t hesitate to keep other parts of “One Battle After Another” equally as engaging and excellent throughout a rollercoaster of a film.
“ DICAPRIO SHOWCASES HIS ACTING EXPERTISE AND PERFECTLY MELTS INTO THE COMPLEX ROLE.
While “One Battle After Another” boasts nearly three hours of continuous run-time, Anderson’s smooth command of the movie’s well-paced plot keeps viewers on the edge of their seats without
While the filmmaking and scriptwriting of “One Battle After Another” are key standouts, the starstudded cast also helps boost the movie. DiCaprio showcases his acting expertise and perfectly melts into the complex role of a broken dad and retired revolutionary. Penn’s ability to command the screen with just his glare and gru voice makes the looming threat that his character, Lockjaw, poses feel scarily real. Notably, Infiniti blends in seamlessly alongside veteran actors and properly showcases the complexities of Willa’s character. It’s
hard to believe that “One Battle After Another” is her first movie role.
The film also proves a cinematic and visual masterpiece, featuring costumes that fit the characters perfectly, uniquely shot battle scenes and plentiful nuance. Stoner and couch maniac Bob’s outfit of a robe, sweatpants and strange sunglasses fit perfectly with his classic dad-like personality, while Willa’s teenage defiance is manifested in the juxtaposition of her feminine tulle skirt and the rebellion of a black leather jacket. The final desert battle scene between Willa, Bob and Tim is particularly well shot, with cinematographer Michael Bauman using each car’s rearview mirror to showcase each character’s position, adding a sense of urgency to the film.
“
“ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER” ISN’T AFRAID TO GET SENTIMENTAL, WHICH MAKES THE MOVIE SO SPECIAL.
of crime and simply cannot remember “what time it is” — a secret code in the French 75 to unlock the coordinates of a safe rendezvous point — he says to representative Comrade Josh, “That’s what you are: a little nitpicking prick. And do you know what I’m gonna do to nitpicking pricks? I’m gonna call in a Greyhawk 10.” When an angry Willa struggles to come to terms with the precarious situation she’s been placed in, she describes it as the “cards” that were dealt out for her, and father Bob just has to correct her with the word “dice.”
in the form of plot holes and a lack of a substantial climax. The film fails to address how Christmas Adventurers recruiter Tim Smith seems to almost resurrect from the dead without any visible injury after the desert stando between him, Willa and Bob, while Lockjaw returns to his ambitions to join the white supremacist group with visible, gnarlier injuries. Furthermore, while “One Battle After Another” features prominent political messaging — Perfidia says that the “revolution will be televised,” and much of the film surrounds immigrant deportations and resistance to such — this message doesn’t seem to come to any conclusion.
Furthermore, the sense of humor in the film is unmatched. While the film predominantly encompasses tough topics like familial loss and the imminent danger that Lockjaw poses, Anderson’s inclusion of borderline out-of-pocket remarks are welcome additions. When smoking addict Bob is suddenly plunged back into his life
However, “One Battle After Another” isn’t afraid to get sentimental, which makes the movie so special. After Willa eliminates Christmas Adventurer recruiter Tim Smith (John Hoogenakker), she and Bob share a loving father-daughter embrace, which reminds viewers of the core mission of the movie — the cost of family and of revolution.
Despite this, “One Battle After Another” has many loose ends, mainly
Despite its drawbacks, “One Battle After Another” is one of 2025’s biggest film masterpieces. Films that bridge the gap between cinema recliners and the action within a scene are hard to find, but “One Battle After Another” proves itself as that. From its hilarious jokes to the moments that keep you on the edge of your seat, “One Battle After Another” is a perfected concoction of quality acting, beautiful presentation and stimulating plot.
MVHS alum ‘87 Doug Hendrickson recalls that his interest in sports management began during his time at MVHS, through the school’s assistant basketball coach Bill Du y. Du y was just starting his career in agency at the time, and as Hendrickson got to know Du y, he learned about the job and met some of Du y’s clients, exposing him to a new career that he took interest in pursuing.
“I always said to myself, ‘This is a pretty good career and something I’d love to do,’” Hendrickson said. “This was before sports management programs at colleges were a thing, before ‘Jerry Maguire,’ before anybody knew what agents really did. Bill Du y had a really profound impact and allowed me to see the inner workings of what an agent really was.”
Du y, who now manages approximately 50 NBA players, Hendrickson, a Forbes-ranked agent, manages numerous NFL players as the VP of Football at Wasserman
Hendrickson high-fives his teammate Ron Reis, who went to Santa Clara University for basketball, after winning the CCS Basketball Final in 1987.
including Lakers star Luka Dončić, recalls how he recognized Hendrickson’s dedication early on. Inspired by Du y’s work as an agent, Hendrickson was interested in the stories Du y told about his career.
“He and I have very similar personalities,” Du y said. “He really had the skill set, the personality, the temperament and the work ethic to be what he has become. You have to know moves, you have to be strategic, you have to be able to convince people what’s in their best interest. He has all of those qualities.”
“ DOUG REALLY HAD THE SKILL SET, THE PERSONALITY, THE TEMPERAMENT AND THE WORK ETHIC TO BE WHAT HE HAS BECOME.
younger players don’t initially quite get,” Kunis said. “The most important piece is his human quality and empathy, caring for the team. Doug was just one of those teammates that attracted himself to other players and coaches because of who he was. When you have an athlete who is driven and willing to work and go above and beyond, it’s very endearing to coaches. That’s why it was an easy relationship to foster and grow with.”
BASKETBALL AGENT BILL DUFFY
After graduating from MVHS in 1987, Hendrickson attended San Jose State University where he continued to play basketball and baseball at the collegiate level. Initially seeing Hendrickson as a “tall, long-limbed and gangly loose mover,” Former SJSU pitching coach Tom Kunis highlights that he had one of the best work ethics out of everyone he’s coached.
“He just came ready with a maturity and discipline that I think a lot of
While at SJSU, Hendrickson focused on playing baseball and basketball, as he enjoyed traveling with his teammates and coming together for one common goal: to win. Ironically, Hendrickson mentions that he never took part in internships or sent our resumes to the job market, noting that culture in the ‘80s was to “go to college and figure it out from there.” However, once he was done playing, he got his first big start as an agent fresh out of college.
Hendrickson recalls that his roommate, who played basketball with him at SJSU, told Hendrickson
PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUG HENDRICKSON
SPORTS VOLUME 56
that “he would be a great agent and should come and work with him.” After working with his roommate at the Arizona Cardinals, Hendrickson was on his own for a while and worked at two firms before he joined global sports agency firm Wasserman.
Hendrickson poses with a group of his friends during a trip they took while he was at MVHS.
Wasserman is the second largest agency firm in the world, according to Forbes. As the Executive Vice President of Football, he runs the division and represents about 100 athletes and executives in the NFL, overseeing and managing their careers.
“I will take a player into the draft, from high school or college, and once they’re drafted, I will do their contract and I will pretty much oversee their entire life,” Hendrickson said. “An agent in sports really encompasses being a manager, being an agent, being a big brother, being a father, being a friend, being a mental therapist — being a ‘you name it’ is what I do.”
While at Wasserman, Hendrickson was named one of NFL’s 100 most important people in 2017 and one of the 10 most influential people at the 2016 NFL draft. According to an article published by The Score, Hendrickson is best known for his “holistic approach to the industry by recruiting players based on criteria he has stipulated.” Hendrickson emphasizes the amount of care he puts into his clients.
“I have a lot of value that I add to my players,” Hendrickson said. “I want players that are going to think 20 or 30 years down the road, that want to get into the business, that want to get into o field endeavors and that
want to give back to the community. I want players that are going to push me, but also listen to and want the right advice and counseling to maximize their careers. I want to find out if it’ll be a good fit for me and for the player.” Managing NFL players — like Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and Cowboys defensive end Kenny Clark — Hendrickson explains how the goal of his job is to continue attracting great clients, make sure his players are taken care of and that their futures are managed and planned for intentionally, in terms of retirement and finances. Because of that, Hendrickson is on the phone 24/7 and encourages those who want work in the sports industry to continue to work hard and be resilient.
“Anything in life is a grind, and I always tell young kids that the beautiful thing is that in life, you have two things,” Hendrickson said. “One, you either can work to live, or you live to work. I fortunately live to work. I love what I do. I love my job. If you want to go in a field where everybody wants to get into it, you got to take a lot of no’s, and you got to be OK with a lot of no’s. If you have the mindset that ‘I’m going to work and hustle and get after it,’ you will succeed. Nothing good in life is easy, but meet the right people, network the right way, and if you do that, you’ll be successful.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELANEY MCNULTY | USED WITH PERMISSION
PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUG HENDRICKSON
MVHS, De Anza College, CSU Bakers eld, Los Altos High School, Newark Memorial High School, Fresno City College
Walberg, who graduated from MVHS in 1974, has coached at the NBA, Division 1, junior college and high school levels
BY LEO LEE AND STELLA PETZOVA
As a freshman at MVHS, Vance Walberg felt incredibly inspired by the coaching style of his P.E. teacher, Chuck Rogers. Though he had spent his life playing basketball with his six brothers, it wasn’t until then that Walberg realized that he could make his passion for basketball his career — as a coach. Fifty-one years later, the MVHS alum ‘74, who was the team’s MVP during his high school years and was California State University, Bakersfield’s team captain, lives his dream every day. Now, Walberg is a professional basketball coach who has worked at the high school, junior college and National Basketball Association levels, and is currently the head coach
for the Fresno State Bulldogs, a Division 1 team.
Walberg says his experience at various levels of basketball has given him a nuanced understanding of the techniques and coaching required for the sport. While he says that junior college is the easiest to coach due to the lighter workload, and the NBA is the hardest, with 12 to 14-hour-long days of pure basketball, he says he always enjoys the experience of immersing himself fully in coaching players. To him, the best part of his job is seeing players grow through their years on the team, both as athletes and as people.
playing, you see what influence you had on them. A lot of them come back to watch games. I’ve coached a lot of their kids. It’s been a phenomenal experience.”
“ COACH WALBERG TAUGHT US WORK ETHIC, DISCIPLINE AND THE SACRIFICE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING AND TO BE GREAT.
CWHS P.E. TEACHER
TYRONE JACKSON
“Coaching is like a jigsaw puzzle,” Walberg said. “It’s really neat to put all the pieces together. For me, the high school level was great because we would work with our first graders all the way up to 12th grade. One of my last years at Clovis West High School, we had 17 players on the team, and 16 of them we’d had in the school district since first grade. You get to develop players, watch them change, watch them grow. Finally, when they’re done
Walberg is credited with developing the dribble drive motion while at Fresno City College, an o ensive strategy that relies on players dribbling towards the basket to force the other team’s defense to collapse. The strategy has been used in the NBA, the Philippine Basketball Association and beyond. To Walberg, this innovation wasn’t intentional — it happened naturally as a byproduct of his desire to learn from top coaches and adapt to his players’ strengths. Fresno State Bulldogs associate head coach John Welch, who has been friends and colleagues with Walberg for over 30 years, says Walberg’s innovation influences his own coaching style.
“A lot of times I would be implementing di erent things and realize, ‘Oh, I got that from Vance,’”
Welch said. “I’ve been fortunate to have worked with five or six Hall of Fame coaches, and I probably learned as much from him as I’ve learned from any of them.”
Walberg’s coaching record boasts winning seasons, championship titles and major team improvements. One such improvement was when he took over the Mountain View High School basketball program at the age of 22, significantly improving their record. To Walberg, discipline is the reason behind his success, and this is part of what Welch most admires about him. He highlights Walberg’s devotion to the sport, particularly how he commits to getting to practice at 5:30 a.m. every day. Walberg believes he can’t just expect discipline from his players — he has to model it for them first.
“The other day, one of my players didn’t feel good and didn’t want to practice,” Walberg said. “I told him how I’ve never missed a practice in my 48 years, with the exception of when my mother passed away. I’ve never been sick to a practice. Mentally, during the season, I just can’t and don’t let myself get sick. When the season’s over, I’ll crash and burn for one or two days, but during the season, I won’t miss anything.”
guidance, winning California Player of the Year multiple times and bringing his team to league victories, he says the most important things he learned from Walberg were attention to detail and respect. These are values he tries to instill in his own players, like by making sure they treat custodians with as much respect as the principal, and show good sportsmanship.
“Coach Walberg taught us work ethic, discipline and the sacrifice needed to achieve something and to be great,” Jackson said. “He made sure I understood that you have to work hard and do your best every day, even through tough situations. He taught me a lot of resilience, and it was an honor to see someone sacrifice so much. He understands that building young men into men is bigger than basketball. It’s always been bigger than basketball.”
To Jackson, Walberg has always been more than a basketball coach — he’s been a father figure and life mentor to him since seventh grade.
CWHS P.E. teacher and basketball coach Tyrone Jackson says Walberg’s influence on players extends far beyond instilling basketball skills and discipline. Walberg coached Jackson both at CWHS and later at Fresno City College, and Jackson credits Walberg with influencing him to become a basketball coach. While Jackson was a skilled player under Walberg’s
“My father went to prison, and my mom was a single mother, so through trials and tribulations, it was a struggle,” Jackson said. “Coach Walberg and his wife took me in. I lived with them through high school, and they helped me out tremendously. Him being there for me during some of the worst times in a young man’s life, not having a father and having a
single mom — that’s how we became close. His guidance propelled me to this position that I am in today.”
Walberg’s own responses to setbacks have helped Jackson learn how to deal with the challenges he’s faced throughout his life. Walberg says getting fired from the Sacramento Kings and experiencing a physical injury and the death of his mother, which led him to step down from his coaching position at Pepperdine University in 2008, were some of the hardest things he’s experienced in his career. He emphasizes the impact his wife, Rose, has had on him as his biggest supporter. Despite experiencing struggles, he appreciates basketball and the opportunities coaching gives him. Walberg mentions sharing basketball with his family, as his four kids and 11 grandchildren all play the sport. To him, no matter how hard coaching might get, these rewards are what keeps him coming back season after season.
“I’ve been really blessed,” Walberg said. “You’re going to have good days, you’re going to have bad days. I say this all the time: I haven’t worked a day in my life so far. I get to go to work every day in shorts and tennis shoes. I enjoy what I do, and it’s really fun. Coaching has given me an awful lot. I think I’ve given it quite a bit, but it’s given me an
Friday Night Bites Bites
El Estoque reviews the concession stand food at this year’s Homecoming football game
BY EMMY HARIMOTO AND KAI TSUCHIDA
Game time isn’t just about the action on the field, but the snacks in your hands! From cheesy nachos to savory burgers, which concessions stand snack will reign in the battle of hunger satisfaction? 14
NACHOS
The nachos do not arrive warm, and their texture leans toward stale, lacking the freshness expected in a good plate of nachos. Regardless of the texture, the chips are perfectly salty, and are smothered in cheese with a pleasant cheddar favor that ofers a satisfying creaminess to complement the kick from the generous amount of jalapeños on top. Although the jalapeños are plentiful, their soggy texture and heavily artifcial taste take away from the overall quality, but they serve their job as a spice factor.
*Out of 50 attendees surveyed during halftime
The cheeseburger comes with a bun, a patty and melted American cheese. The patty is favorful throughout and served straight of the grill. It is grilled perfectly, ofering a unique smoky taste that elevates the favor profle. However, the bun is not warm, and its slightly frm texture clashes with the savory tender patty, diminishing the overall enjoyment of the burger. Despite this, it still serves as a hearty halftime snack for anyone looking to satisfy their hunger.
HOTDOG IS REALLY A BANG
YOUR BUCK,
KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT
The hot dog comes fresh from the grill and is bursting with favor from the frst bite to the last. The bun, though unheated, has a nice soft texture that complements the sausage. However, the bun is too thick compared to the small hot dog, making the bread overpowering. Overall, the favor and appeal are severely downgraded, failing to meet the expectations, as no one wants to have a mouthful of bread with a minimal hot dog appearance.
HOT DOGS
MAXIM PETZOV
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Sophomore Emma Huang shares her experience starting and competing in parkour
BY SANIA NADKARNI AND ETHAN YANG
Sophomore Emma Huang performs a flip in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA HUANG | USED WITH PERMISSION
“If you want to climb on something so bad, you should learn how to do it properly.”
Those were the words sophomore Emma Huang heard from her mom after breaking her arm while attempting to climb play structures as a child. With her mom’s support, Huang attended an outdoor trial class at a nearby parkour gym during the COVID-19 pandemic. Impressed by the tricks she saw coaches and students performing, she decided to join.
Huang o cially started taking parkour lessons in fifth grade. While she tried other sports, parkour is the only one she has consistently practiced for multiple years, as she enjoys the “creative freedom.”
“Every type of style gets recognized and there are not a lot of rules, so you can really express yourself,” Huang said. “I like watching my inspirations and trying to mimic their styles to blend them and make my own style. I feel like that’s a really cool part of how I identify myself compared to other parkour athletes.”
Competitions in parkour consist of three main events: speed, where competitors race through a course; skill, requiring athletes to complete technical challenges within a time or attempt limit; and style, which assesses a line of movement for flow and creativity. Huang began competing in skill but has since branched out into style.
Prendez said. “I like to compare it a lot to skateboarding — very street, underground. It didn’t have any competitions or funds to have big events on TV and whatnot. Only in the last few years has competition started becoming more of a thing.”
While Huang’s passion grew with experience, she says that her mindset has changed over time. Even though she was more fearless when she was younger, Huang sometimes finds herself scared when performing certain tricks.
up the basics. Huang agrees, stating that misconceptions often come from viral clips rather than real training environments.
“There’s a specific phrase I say in my head before I do something,” Huang said. “Once I say it, I have to do it. I started with something that’s a little scary by saying it, and I’ll build that connection in my mind.”
“ EVERY STYLE GETS RECOGNIZED AND THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF RULES, SO YOU CAN REALLY EXPRESS YOURSELF.
SOPHOMORE EMMA HUANG
Huang’s commitment has also inspired others in the parkour community. Sixth-grader Wayne Chiang, who met Huang through competitions, says her dedication motivates him to keep improving.
“Parkour doesn’t have to be dangerous,” Huang said. “Most people’s ideas of it are YouTube videos of people jumping on roofs, but you can start in a really safe environment with soft mats and everything.”
One thing Prendez commends Huang on is the constant curiosity that she has had since starting parkour. During practices, Huang sometimes approaches him while he works on his own moves, wanting to learn and try them herself. Prendez says her persistence and willingness to repeat di cult tricks until she masters them have helped her progress quickly. Over time, he has noticed her confidence grow as she improved her parkour abilities.
Her coach Donivin Prendez says that parkour’s competitive scene is still developing, creating an extremely close community of athletes. Prendez hopes that as the sport grows, the parkour community maintains its tight-knit and non-toxic nature.
“The sport of parkour is still new,”
“She trains a lot, and that influences me to train more so I can get as good as her,” Chiang said. “We train together and challenge each other to make each one of us better at the things we do.”
As a coach, Prendez often meets people who hesitate to try parkour due to its dangerous nature. However, he believes that anyone can learn safely with proper coaching and has seen many new students quickly pick
“In my first experience with Emma, she was very quiet and kept to herself,” Prendez said. “Over the years, a lot more confidence has been shining. Even though she’s still young, she still inspires me in the way she moves or comes up with new ideas. Emma has been working really hard, and I have a lot of hope and excitement to see what she has to do.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA HUANG | USED WITH PERMISSION
Sophomore Emma Huang performs a flip in her parkour gym.
STUDENT COACHES
MVHS student-athletes reflect on their experiences coaching beginner athletes
BY STELLA PETZOVA AND RITIK SHENOY
Alifelong swimmer, senior Miya Sakurai says she has always loved the challenge and fun of swimming, and, since middle school, has wanted to share her passion for the sport with younger athletes. She first began volunteering at Cupertino Hills Swim and Racquet Club as an eighth grader, and since her junior year, she has been paid to coach 50 kids aged 6 to 18 each summer.
To keep younger students engaged, Sakurai and her fellow coaches incorporate games into their lessons. One such tradition is called “flop for a pop,” where kids do belly flops at the end of practice in order to receive popsicles. She also uses pool toys like rings to make swimming more entertaining for the kids. Sakurai’s favorite part of coaching is helping her students achieve their own small victories.
“ IF I CAN HELP ENCOURAGE FOUR OR FIVE KIDS TO KEEP PLAYING, THEN THAT’S A WIN FOR ME.
coach at West Valley Gymnastics. Dave started coaching all age groups in swimming in the summer of 2023, and 5 to 10-year-olds in gymnastics in September. Similar to Sakurai, Dave says she transforms her teaching methods to engage her students. Dave believes that making her students feel comfortable helps them trust her and makes them more willing to learn.
“One of my kids had a really big obsession with Roblox, and when we were doing backstroke, she couldn’t get her stomach up,” Dave said. “I told her to do the ‘Dress To Impress’ pose 28 in the water, and then she was able to get her stomach up and she was actually able to float on her back.”
SENIOR GILLIE ROSS
“I coached this one girl in particular who was very scared of swimming,” Sakurai said. “She didn’t like to be in the water, but I was able to help her gain the confidence to swim her first lap alone. That was super memorable.”
Like Sakurai, senior Vivana Dave coaches swimming. She is both a summer swimming coach at Blackberry Farm and a gymnastics
Both Sakurai and Dave had high school-age coaches when they were starting out in sports. To Dave, that makes her coaching journey feel like a full-circle moment. She also emphasizes that seeing the e ects of her coaching on her students is the most rewarding part of the experience.
“When you see the impact that you made on the child, it makes it so worth it,” Dave said. “You see them do laps without your help, and then you see them pause and be like, ‘Oh my god.
I didn’t know I could do that.’ Seeing them have that realization brings a smile to your face and makes you feel like, ‘Oh, I’m the reason why they’re able to do this.’”
This month, senior Gillie Ross began coaching ice hockey for an introductory ice hockey program that’s part of the San Jose Junior Sharks, where she has played for the past 13 years. Ross helps students aged 6 through 8 and runs drills to build foundational skills in ice hockey.
“I want them to continue playing hockey — that’s the end goal,” Ross said. “I just want them to get more involved with the game and stay with the game, because I love hockey and I think everyone should play hockey. If I can help encourage four or five kids to keep playing, then that’s a win for me.”
Ross began coaching after her teammates recommended her for the position. During drills, Ross joins students on the ice to make the experience interactive. She says these interactions create memorable moments for both the students and coaches.
“There’s this little kid I coach,” Ross said. “I was at a practice on Saturday, and I recognized him and I was like, ‘Hey, I know you!’ And then he just gives this big smile and steals my stick and gives me his. So he skated with a stick twice as tall as he is, and I’m skating around with this two-foot wooden stick.”
Despite the rewards, coaching young children presents other challenges. Sakurai notes that it takes
a lot of energy to coach for hours at a time and keep the excitement consistent every day of the week. Dave also faces di culties with students who lack motivation or students whose parents enroll them in lessons against their will. These situations require extra e ort and creativity from the coaches to try and engage their students.
“I would say the number of kids isn’t a problem — they’re 6 years old, so their age is more of a problem,” Ross said. “They don’t know how to do anything yet, and they’re also convinced that they’re always in the right. They’re super adorable most of
the time, but they just refuse to listen. Sometimes it’s rather frustrating.”
Even though it can be challenging at times, all three coaches recommend that other student-athletes also start coaching. Dave now competes on the MVHS Diving team, a sport that combines aspects of both gymnastics and swimming. By breaking down the basics for the beginners she coaches, Dave is also able to strengthen her understanding of the fundamentals she practices.
46% of MVHS athletes have coached younger athletes before
*According to a survey of 82 respondents
Sakurai and Ross both also recognize how coaching allows them to learn more about themselves and their strengths and weaknesses.
Though Sakurai teaches the fundamentals of swimming, she still has noticed that coaching has helped her become a stronger teammate in both water polo and basketball, as well as gain patience and confidence. While Ross doesn’t feel the drills she teaches significantly improve her hockey playing technique, she agrees they help her build communication skills and become a stronger teammate.
“Kids can be frustrating,” Ross said. “But it’s also very rewarding when they’re happy that they’ve been on the ice. It’s very rewarding knowing that you helped them smile and helped encourage them to play hockey. I just think ‘Oh, well, I guess I’m just encouraging the next generation of young hockey players.’”
ADVICE TO STUDENT COACHES
MIYA SAKURAI, 12 PUSH YOURSELF TO KEEP BEING ENGAGING WITH THE KIDS AND EMBRACE SMALL ACHIVEMENTS.
GILLIE ROSS, 12 BE PATIENT AND ENCOURAGE THE KIDS TO GET MORE INVOLVED AND KEEP PLAYING.
VIVANA DAVE, 12 TRY TO CORRELATE WHAT YOU’RE TEACHING WITH YOUR STUDENTS’ INTERESTS.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIYA SAKURAI | USED WITH PERMISSION
PHOTO COURTESY OF GILLIE ROSS | USED WITH PERMISSION
PHOTO COURTESY OF VIVANA DAVE | USED WITH PERMISSION
Senior running back and defensive back
with
Senior and wing Nandini Karthik attempts to shoot a goal in a game against Saratoga High School on Sept. 11. The team was 0-13 in the regular season.
PHOTO | ETHAN YANG
PHOTO | ANANDA SINGH
PHOTO | SURYANSH GUPTA
Sophomore Sophie Lu follows her ball on Sept. 17 in a match against Los Gatos High School. The team was 9-3 in the regular season and won the SCVAL championship.
Graham Ischo goes one-on-one
a receiver from Gunn High School on Sept. 12. The team is currently 3-5 in the regular season.
Freshman Tia Zeng rallies with an opponent in a match against Mountain View High School Sept. 30. The team nished 9-3 in the regular season.
Fall Sports recap
MVHS fall athletes bring their seasons to a close
BY LEAH DESAI
THAPLIYAL
Senior and point Zachary Lo prepares to pass the ball over a defender in a game against Santa Clara High School on Sept. 26. The team was 1-14 in the regular season.
Senior and setter Chloe Chen sets the ball in a game against Los Altos High School on Oct. 21. The team nished 18-13 in the regular season.
Junior Kento Murase runs across a patch of grass at Baylands Park during an SCVAL meet on Sept. 23.
Junior Ella Yao defends against a player from Saratoga High School on Oct. 14. The team was 1-15 in the regular season.
CROSSWORD @elestoque
ACROSS
Org. that might host a bake sale
Verbal shrug
The “I” in FWIW Middle-earth menace
Flight prefix
Animal found on Wall Street? Bright sign that’s not 38D, perhaps Tokyo currency
Baseball analyst Hershiser Toyokawa Sister City Student
American teachers’ org. Alaska and Hawaii, on most pictures of the U.S. Mtg. with a doctor
Org. that gave Whole Foods clearance (pg. 6-7)
Water Lilies impressionist Gilmore’s daughter Ship that rescued survivors of the Titanic Spider-Man nemesis Doc ___ Albert’s headless costume (pg. 34)
Tomato sauce brand named for a New York restaurant Opp. of online Govt. org. referenced on pg. 4-5
A snare or djembe, say Olympic gymnast Sunisa Professional Chinese basketball player Ming Ones found in ERs or clinics Mini albums, for short ____ Arbor (city in Michigan)
DOWN
With “vault,” an Olympic track and field event
Tiny-armed dinosaur
“Thunderstruck“ band
Like the builders of Chichen Itza
What a leveler does Door joints
BY SOPHIA D’SA
What whisks Dorothy away in “The Wizard of Oz” Rip van Winkle, for 20 years Like the light on a camera? Get in touch with ...and more!
Tate who wrote “greedy” Classic Honda model Museum info displayer
What sophomore Emma Huang did in front of the Golden Gate Bridge (pg. 42-43)
It’s longer than a dit Star, in Paris
One who hires & fires: Abbr. The British ____ Swimming coach featured on pg. 44-45
____ of worms
highlighters and some
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