The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

Monta Vista students often feel pressured by the high academic standards the school holds.

Work to the top till you drop

Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Crystal Cheng April 12, 2024

After the class bell rings to start class, an MVHS classroom on a test day is filled with the sounds of stifled yawns, the shuffling of papers and hushed conversations.  “Did you study?”  “I...

On TikTok, one would see a rise in women in long dresses cooking meals from scratch and embodying traditional feminine roles. | Photos from @esteecwilliams (TikTok), @naraazizasmith (TikTok), @mrsarialewis (TikTok)

The rise of tradition on TikTok

Suhana Mahabal March 22, 2024

“As a woman, your top priority should be wife and motherhood,” Estee Williams said, a self-proclaimed traditional wife (better known as tradwives) on TikTok. She is one of the faces of the tradwife...

Abha Dash (12) was photographed before and after using a Snapchat beauty filter. The filter whitened not only her clothes and surroundings, but her facial features, as well.

the AIssue

Shannon Yu and Kalyani Puthenpurayil March 10, 2024

TikTok has seen a surge in the use of AI filters, whether to modify facial features or to generate seemingly realistic photos. Many companies, not just  investing in these tools, hoping to appeal to consumers.  However,...

Please be patient, student driver

Please be patient, student driver

Abha Dash and Megha Mummaneni March 6, 2024

One of the biggest milestones of being a teenager is getting a driver’s license — it’s a symbol of freedom and of finally being old enough to do something without the help of parents. However, getting...

Commonly used writing structures at MVHS actually hinder students critical thinking process.

Rigid writing

Asha Wojciechowski, Staff Writer March 3, 2024

Each year, MVHS students must take one literature course as part of their schedule. For both graduation and UC/CSU eligibility, four years of literature courses are strictly required. Consisting of writing...

Photo | Meggie Chen

The invisible gap

Meggie Chen and Michelle Zheng January 28, 2024

It’s not uncommon to hear teachers parroting the phrase “grades don’t matter, learning does” —  and while the intention is undoubtedly good, and in many ways correct, this sentiment also fails...

As we move into adulthood, a balanced integration of work and life becomes increasingly important.

Live to work? or Work to live?

Suhana Mahabal January 26, 2024

Scrolling through TikTok, one might come across a video where the first frame reads, ‘Being a full-time artist’ with a photo of a woman smiling. However, the second photo says ‘Telling people I’m...

Star-studded activism

Star-studded activism

Meggie Chen and Aidan Ruan December 9, 2023
Exploring the flawed expectation for celebrities to share political opinions
Graphic | Michelle Zheng

Shifting away from electric vehicles

Ethan Yang and Michelle Zheng November 29, 2023

You have probably seen the electric vehicle charging stations in MVHS’s parking lot. These 16 electric vehicle charging stations are a result of FUHSD partaking in the Charge! program that aims to expand...

Beyond the numbers

Sarah Liu, Megha Mummaneni, and Kalyani Puthenpurayil November 3, 2023
Schools should not be ranked solely by their academic achievements

In the face of climate change

Crystal Cheng and Sarah Liu November 3, 2023
Examining the duality of the role of hope in the climate change movement
DIY diagnoses

DIY diagnoses

Niveda Hari November 2, 2023

After COVID-19, mental health awareness has skyrocketed due to the increase in mental health issues. This is one of many changes we’ve seen post-lockdown. But the supposed “fix” that mental health...

Load More Stories