palo alto high school winter 2026 features 5 photo essay 12 student gallery 22
staff
lise concolato
julia curtis
arjun jindal
joyce ma
tarika pilay
chapin walker
featured artists
celine chiu
bobby daverman
reese feng
kae huang
archer sherry
ella suriani
talon zhang
outside cover by archer sherry
inside cover by arjun jindal
editor-in-chief
alexander lawson
adviser
paul kandell palo alto high school pkandell@pausd.org
about
Published three times annually, [proof] is Palo Alto High School’s fine arts and photography magazine, working to showcase Paly’s vibrant and diverse artistic community, covering a variety of styles and backgrounds.
from the editor
Welcome photographers and artists! After over a year, [proof] magazine is returning as a fully established and independent publication. In this issue, we focus on both highlighting the stories of photographers at Paly along with writing our own stories about the world around us through photo essays. To showcase the intricacies of student photography, we explore Archer Shery’s personal journey in the field and put the spotlight on student perspectives surrounding photo competitions. As for the telling of our own stories, we use photography as a mechanism to capture the architecture of travel, the everyday lives of students at our school, and perspective on American life. We hope you enjoy the creative works of our students and staff, and we look forward to continuing to highlight the artistic talent present at our school for many issues to come.
— alexander lawson
advertising
The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts when deemed appropriate for publication by editor. For more information on advertising with [proof], please email proof.paly@gmail.com.
printing & distribution
[proof] is printed three times, with issues seasonally (winter, spring, and summer) by aPrintis in Pleasanton, CA. Issues are handed out by [proof] and other Incubator staff during school. Issues are available online at https://issuu.com/proof-paly.
mission statement
[proof] Magazine, Palo Alto High School’s student-run fine arts and photography magazine, is dedicated to showcasing student artwork and facilitating creative discussion about arts. [proof] is distributed to its readers in the student body at no cost.
other policies
Please scan the following QR code to learn more about [proof]’s policies regarding ethics, legal protections, use of artificial intellegence, letters to the editor, and more.
[contents]
[features]
through the lens of life
photo competition spotlight
caltrain architecture making midnights [photo essays]
student camera roll
[student gallery]
5 6 8
12
14
16 18
22
photo by arjun jindal
Through the lens of life
The story behind Archer Sherry’s photos
From the moment she first picked up a camera, Palo Alto High School junior Archer Sherry, known artistically as Archer Viola, knew she had found her passion. Sherry is among the many student photographers at Paly, yet stands out as one of few to receive multiple awards for her art. Viola won the Scholastic Gold Key and Scholastic Silver Key, and also won the moments category in the Peninsula Photo Contest for her art.
We caught up with Sherry during lunch at Palo Alto High School. This is what she had to say.
Proof: When did you start photography? And why?
Sherry: I officially started photography in the fall of 8th grade through JLS’s year-long project called ROPES [Rite Of Passage Experiences Project], where I built my first portfo-
lio. Since then, I’ve continued to grow with it, expanding both my portfolio and my experiences. I chose photography because it’s a universal art form — people don’t need any special background to understand it, and it’s a powerful way to tell meaningful stories without words.
Proof: Photography can mean many different things, it’s an art form that can transport people. What does photography mean to you?
Sherry: Photography has always been a way for me to explore the world and tell stories. Whether it’s through candid moments or carefully orchestrated shots, my goal is to bring my unique perspective to life and connect with others through the art of photography.
Proof: Out of all the moments you have captured, which one would you consider your most loved photo?
Sherry: “Steam Man”: I took this during a mentorship program in New York City and is by far my favorite photo. It won
“WISH” won first place in the Moments category of the Peninsula Photo Contest. This photo captures Sherry’s mother moments before blowing out her candles on her 50th birthday.
Courtesy of Archer Sherry
a Scholastic Gold Key in 2024.
Proof: Which one is your most important photo?
Sherry: “Wish”; photo of my mother on her birthday, the decision moment before making a wish on your birthday, it won the Moments category in the Peninsula Photo Contest.
Proof: Photography often captures moments that are unplanned or surprising. Out of all the photos taken, which one was the most unexpected?
Sherry: “Mad Man”: taken in Croatia, what I love about candid photography is you never know what you gonna come out of the day with, and sometimes you get special moments at random or when you’re least expecting them.
Proof: The more you practice, the better you get. Would you say your photography has improved over time?
Sherry: I definitely have [improved]. I’ve learned that the process is less about the equipment and more about the experience getting to photograph different subjects, in different styles. My portfolio now expands from my brother’s karting races, street photography, landscapes, football games, track & field meets, and everything in between. I’ve found what I like and how I prefer my art to look.
Proof: Many photographers have mentors who help them develop their skills. Do you have any mentors?
Sherry: My first mentor’s name was Bootsy Holler. She’s a professional photographer from Los Angeles who happens to be a family friend and gave me my first camera. She was my first introduction to the art and helped me find my style, what I liked and didn’t like, and all the basics to editing, techniques, and showcasing my art.
My second mentor was Phil Penman, a professional street photographer from New York, and we met during a workshop in the city. He’s helped me both on the technical and management side of the art, showing his process and giving advice about sponsorships, internships, and how to further develop as an artist in the industry.
My current mentor is Kenna Gallagher, the photo teacher at Paly. They’ve helped me in creating and expanding my portfolio, trying different styles and techniques that all go into my creative process.
For more about Sherry’s work visit her portfolio at https:// www.archerviola.com/. text by lise concolato photos by archer viola
“MAD MAN” features a man on a staircase in Croatia, wearing sunglases with a hand on his hip, as thumbs-up shadow appears before him.
“STEAM MAN” received a Scholastic Gold Key in 2024. The photo captures a man walking along a New York City sidewalk enveloped in a cloud of steam.
Photos Under The Spotlight Photos Under The Spotlight
High School photography students find inspiration and success in local photo competitions
Palo Alto
Afleeting glance of a lone stranger standing on a solitary platform in New York with a flaming red sash. A monkey gazing up into the rainforest canopy, face illuminated by dappled white light. In the cold Iceland mountains, a run-down farm lies forgotten, but not gone. Face shaded, a woman reads a book while soaking in the warmth of the sun. All are moments suspended in time, preserved in a single snapshot.
Every year, students participating in Palo Alto High School’s photography classes submit their pieces to local competitions.
Two popular photography contests students participate
in are the Peninsula Photo Contest and Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
According to photography teacher Kenna Gallagher, Scholastic Art & Writing is a super accessible opportunity for students to receive recognition for their work.
Gallagher said Paly students swept the Peninsula Photo Contest with four students winning best in category out of six in the youth division last year.
“There’s thousands of photo competitions, but the ones that I promote are generally local or educational-based,” Gallagher said.
Students entering the youth section on the Peninsula
Contest can enter into six categories: Landscapes, Portraits, Wildlife, Moments, Abstract and Travel. Each entry costs $5, with up to 10 submissions maximum.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have two categories: Experimental Photography and Photography. Each individual entry costs $10, with $30 for portfolio entries.
Senior Kae Huang is one of many Paly students who have found success in local photography competitions. Huang won the Youth Portrait category this year in the Peninsula Photo Contest with his photo “Seen and Unseen.”
According to Huang, winning the award has made him
Photo
“Seen and Unseen,“ 2024 Photo by KAE HUANG
Photo by KAE HUANG
Photo by KAE HUANG
more confident in his photography.
“It made me proud of the photos,” Huang said. “Before you get any recognition, you just feel like ‘Oh this might not be a photo that might turn out well’ or ‘people might not like it.’”
Huang’s main focus is street photography. He said one of the challenges of street photography is the initial connection with his subjects.
… and they say no, I have to get used to rejection.”
Huang said the most important thing to succeed in photography is to keep doing it regardless of what others say.
“Do what you’re scared of doing, especially with art. You have to experiment”
“It’s kind of scary to go up to someone and take a picture of them and have them look at you pretty weird or be like ‘What are you doing?’ and ‘Don’t take a picture of me,’” Huang said. “When I do want to take a picture of someone
“Do what you’re scared of doing, especially with art,” Huang said. “You have to experiment, you have to play with what feels best. … Everyone has their own opinions. Someone can think it’s awful but someone could literally fall in love with it.”
Junior Reece Feng won the Youth Wildlife category this year in the Peninsula Photo Contest with his photo “Hope.” Feng got his first camera in freshman year.
Photography enables fend to find peace in preserving moments, memories, and snapshots in time.
“Every time I hold my camera, I feel a sense of peace inside of me,” Feng said. “I feel more calm. I can preserve the world better.”
Feng said that he finds confidence in his photography regardless of whether or not he finds success in photo competitions.
“It doesn’t change how I preserve the world nor does it [winning in photography competitions] change my view on my own photography skills,” Feng said. “I have always been quite confident in my photography skills.”
According to Feng, photography serves as a form of self expression free of limitations or boundaries.
“It is practically a way of showing others how you see the world,” Feng said.
“Hope,” 2024 Photo by REECE FENG
“Dusk” Photo by REECE FENG
Photo by REECE FENG
Junior Bobby Daverman won the Gold Key Award from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards with his work “Flow“ this year. He also found success in the Youth Wildlife category in the Peninsula Photo Contest with his work “Empathy“last year.
Daverman said his success in photography competitions is definitely motivating.
“It shows that the time and effort you put in you really do get something out of it,” Daverman said. “It can really inspire someone to just keep working harder and hopefully get to see more success in the future.”
Daverman said not finding success shouldn’t discourage you from trying again.
“I think the photography competitions, being an artform, is very subjective, so you may not see success in one photo, but you may see success in the same photo the next year,” Daverman said.
Daverman primarily focuses on landscapes in his photography. According to Daverman, photography enables him to stay in the present moment.
“I used to do bouldering, a form of rock climbing, and there you basically just focus on the route and you don’t really worry about other things,” Daverman said. “Photography is similar in some ways — you’re focusing on the settings
“Icelandic Architecture,” 2024 Photo by BOBBY DAVERMAN
“Empathy,” 2024 Photo by BOBBY DAVERMAN
“Flow,“ 2024 Photo by BOBBY DAVERMAN
you choose and the way you place the elements in your frame rather than any assignments in school or an upcoming test.
According to Daverman, his most memorable photo was of a run-down farm in Iceland. He said the photo was taken during a cold and windy evening as the sky remained bright.
“When I was walking back, I think I walked through some territory of a bird there and two birds just started dive-attacking me,” Daverman said. “I told a tour guide there [Iceland] of doing that whole journey to take the photos, and he later talked about … how farmers in Iceland really struggle financially just because of how expensive the farming equipment is, and looking at the photo I took of the run-down place shows that.”
Junior Archer Sherry won the Youth Moments category in the Peninsula Photo Contest this year. She also won a Scholastic Gold Key for her photo “Steamman ” and a Silver Key for one of her favorite photos, “Under The Sun.”
Sherry said that her success in photography competitions have boosted her confidence.
“It’s definitely opened my eyes to what’s out there,” Sherry said. “It’s giv-
ing me the ability to see a bunch of my other competitors, what they’re taking photos of and their experiences as well as giving me something not just to look forward to, but a way to prove to myself that it’s worth it.”
According to Sherry, her most memorable photo is Steam Man.
“It was taken in New York under a mentorship from Phil Penman … and it was a turning point photograph in the sense of identifying the style I like to use in my art,” Sherry said.
Sherry states that her dad was a photographer who went to New York University film and photography.
“It’s been a part of my family culture,” Sherry said. “It was never forced on me, but it was something that I developed loving the same that my dad did.
According to Sherry, having a mentor helped her in her photography journey, but using online resources like YouTube can be equally as good.
“[I had] the one-on-one ability to ask questions and get advice from people that have gone through the same issues or same experiences which is a lot more helpful,” Sherry said. “YouTube and troubleshooting is just as experimental and trying to learn for yourself.”
Sherry said that the results from photo competitions are not a reflection on her. She doesn’t take it personally if things don’t go as planned.
“I entered a lot of photos last year, and only three got either awards or recognized for awards,” said Sherry. “It’s definitely hard because you put a lot of effort into the submissions, but it just inspires me to submit more and keep trying. “
Sherry said the best advice for anyone who wants to learn photography is to just start and see where it goes.
“If you want to get into it [photography] and you’re at Paly, take the photo course because you’re offered all the materials and you could have access to most things that you would need,” Sherry said. “It [photography] helped me shape my identity as a person and find what I loved.”
Gallagher said these competitions can be a great opportunity for students to have their work published online and displayed in exhibitions.
“You might as well try to take a shot at it,” Gallagher said. “It [entering in competitions] is relatively inexpensive or free, usually, and what’s the worst that can happen? You took a shot and it either paid off or it didn’t.”
“Under The Sun“ Photo by ARCHER SHERRY
[photo essay]
Life Through Camera Rolls
Captured
Professional or not, everyone with a cellphone is a photographer. Camera rolls can tell anyone’s story — full of memories.
Paly Junior Siena Siljak enjoys snapping pictures from her balcony of the many birds outside her apartment. The most recent photo in her camera roll is of this chestnut-backed chickadee perched on her birdfeeder, waiting to swoop in for a snack. “I picked up birdwatching during COVID,” Siljak says. “It’s so calming to appreciate the nature around you. My patience has gotten a lot stronger, too.”
Palo Alto High School senior Woody Chehadeh’s most recent photo is this shot of a wrecked car he snapped while driving home with friends. “We saw this and I said ‘that’s not a parking spot,’ then I took the photo because I wanted to share this with my friends,” Chehadeh says. “It was funny. I wanted to keep the memory.”
Paly sophomore Sophie Stillger enjoys taking photos of her food whenever she tries a new restaurant. “I went with my friend to get Japanese food at Onigilly for the first time,” Stillger said. “I took a picture to remember the experience.”
Paly junior Fiona O’Neill snaps a photo whenever she sees a sunset. “I just can’t help but take a picture to remember how beautiful it was,” O’Neill said. “Some of the prettiest sunsets can be in the most unexpected places, like parking lots.”
Paly sophomore Nadine Chehadeh recently celebrated her 16th birthday, baking a red velvet cake to celebrate. “I like baking with my friends,” Chehadeh said. “I took this picture to remember what the cake looked like before it’s gone.”
text by julia curtis
THE ARCHITECTURE OF TRAVEL
Palo Alto’s 1941 station blends mid-century design with modern transit. text and photos by chapin walker
FFor decades, the University Avenue Train Station has not only served as an integral part of Palo Alto’s transportation infrastructure, but also as an architectural landmark representing a time long gone.
In 1941, architect John H. Christie
designed the station with porthole windows, glass-block walls, and red, horizontal speed lines that suggest motion at rest according to the National Park Service.
Today, the station remains Caltrain’s second busiest stop according to Silicon
Valley Business Journal, blending historic design with modern transit.
Soon, Caltrain plans to update the historic station with new lighting, shops, and better spaces for riders while keeping its classic design according to Palo Alto Online.
A man waits on a bench at Palo Alto Station for the next train to come, surrounded by the curved posts and glass blocks that show the station’s 1940s design. This quiet moment captures the slower side of train travel.
The front of the Palo Alto Station shows its smooth lines and columns. Even after 80 years, the building keeps its simple look.
The southern Pacific sign on the window reminds people of the railroad that once ran here, connecting today’s Caltrain riders to the city’s rail history.
From the tunnel below the tracks, stairs rise toward the sky, lined with metal railings and old-styled lamps that softly glow, guiding passengers slowly up to the waiting platform.
What does it mean to be american?
How I see America
When I moved to America at 14 years old, I expected everything you see in the movies. Huge football games and amazing fried foods. As I got comfortable, I realized that America is so much more than that, it’s diverse and exuberant, even with the stereotypes. The food, people, places are amazingly bright and very quickly you realize why this is the land of dreams. The American dream is not dead, you just have to know where to look.
LADY LIBERTY: The famous statue holding a nearby flag, expressing her patriotism
HAPPY DONUTS: local Palo Alto donut shop showing off their red, white and blue
PLAYING THEIR ANTHEM: Paly marching band playing at senior night football game
CONCRETE VALLEYS: Skyscrapers and office buildings lining the streets of New York
and
text
photos by tarika pilay
VERSUS THE TROJANS: Paly football game against the Menlo Trojans
DRIVING IN STYLE: Chevrolet driving around Menlo Park
FRAMING THE CITY: New York City, from top to bottom
SPIRITED SENIORS: Seniors practicing stunts for their class dance
DRIVING THE COUNTRY: Truck driver leaving Town and Country in Palo Alto
[student gallery]
talon zhang
celine chiu
talon zhang
ella suriani
We are grateful to have received such high quality submissions for our winter 2025 student photo gallery. Email proof.paly@gmail.com or visit the link in our Instagram bio (@proof.magazine) to submit for our next issue in spring 2026!
