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

Aashi Venkat

Aashi Venkat, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Aashi Venkat is currently a senior and an arts and entertainment editor for El Estoque. Her favorite color is pink and she likes to take pictures and listen to music in her free time.

All content by Aashi Venkat
One of the eternal sunshine album covers features Ariana Grande in sheer red gloves, covering her eyes with a smile on her face. Album cover | Republic Records

“eternal sunshine” is a vocal and emotional triumph, yet falters on other fronts

Ariana Grande’s seventh album shines in its vocals but suffers with its stylistic choices
Arjun Dhruv and Aashi Venkat
March 11, 2024
Students define girlhood as what it means to them in a sentence or phrase.

Entering a new era

Students and staff comment on the rise of "girlhood" as seen on social and mainstream media
Aashi Venkat and April Wang
March 7, 2024
My sister and I dressed in traditional Indian clothes in preparation for a family photoshoot. Photo courtesy of Raghuram Venkatasubramanian | Used with permission

Dear Trisha,

A letter of gratitude for my older sister
Aashi Venkat
February 14, 2024
The poster for Percy Jackson and the Olympians features Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson) holding a sword as waves come crashing around him. Poster | Disney+

“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” fails to meet expectations

The remake of the famed book series is ultimately a disappointment
Aashi Venkat
February 3, 2024
Written media depicts love in a variety of ways, with songs and books spanning from true love to toxic relationships.

Struck by Cupid’s arrow

It’s time to question the toxicity of how love is depicted in written media
Aashi Venkat
January 24, 2024
The THINK LATER album cover features McRae decked out in shin guards with THINK LATER painted on them in blue letter. Album cover owned by RCA

‘THINK LATER’ paints heartbreak in a beautiful way

Tate McRae’s sophomore album is relatable and addictive
Aashi Venkat
December 12, 2023
Sex, alcohol, drugs and suicide are often used by directors in popular TV shows, with examples being 13 Reasons Why and Euphoria.

A grasp on reality

Examining how sensitive topics are portrayed in popular TV shows
Niveda Hari and Aashi Venkat
December 6, 2023
American pop singer Nessa Barrett takes a moment to peer into the crowd during her Church Club For the Lonely tour.

Nessa Barrett’s Church Club For the Lonely Tour falls short of expectations

The pop singer’s minimalist concert promises a forgettable experience
Jami Lim and Aashi Venkat
November 16, 2023
Stylestruck

Stylestruck

Taking a glimpse at the impact of fashion at MVHS
The 1989 (Taylors Version) album covers features Swift smiling with her hair tied into a messy ponytail and five seagulls surrounding her.

‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ delivers on all its promises

Taylor Swift’s fourth re-record is enjoyable despite its predictability
Aashi Venkat
October 28, 2023
Junior Lotus Wu leads a triangle formation along other girls in their girls dance performance.

Surfers on board!

Juniors surf into Homecoming week with a “Subway Surfers” themed skit
Dylan Nguyen and Aashi Venkat
September 26, 2023
Many students at MVHS use poetry as an artistic form of self expression, be it for a literary magazine or just for themselves.

Write this down!

Examining why the MVHS community writes poetry
Aashi Venkat
September 22, 2023
The GUTS album cover features Rodrigo against a dark purple background, her nails painted black and GUTS knuckle rings.

‘GUTS’ is a sophisticated embodiment of teenage angst

Olivia Rodrigo’s second album triumphs over “sophomore slump” expectations
Aashi Venkat
September 10, 2023
Members of the Chinese Rainbow Network wave rainbow dance fans.

San Francisco Pride Parade 2023

Annual pride parade and festival celebrates LGBTQ+ community
Aashi Venkat and Lillian Wang
June 27, 2023
The many ways money contributes to academic success is often under acknowledged.

Addressing the golden elephant in the room

Examining the relationship between wealth and academic achievement at MVHS
Krish Dev and Aashi Venkat
June 3, 2023
From formal suits to sparkly dresses to leaf-like wings, students went all out for prom this year

Prom 2023 lookbook

Taking a look into what students wore to prom
Chiran Arumugam and Aashi Venkat
June 1, 2023
Seeing students most unpopular opinions

Man on the street: Unpopular opinions

Asking students what their most unpopular opinion is
Aidan Ruan and Aashi Venkat
June 1, 2023
Life360, a popular location tracking app, can often be misused by parents and children, making the app less effective in its purpose.

All eyes on me

Uncovering the downsides of overusing Life360
Aashi Venkat
May 31, 2023
Rod Sinks will be sworn in on Tuesday, May 16, and will serve until November 2024.

Rod Sinks appointed as new FUHSD Trustee

Former Mayor Rod Sinks will fill the current Board vacancy
Sarah Liu and Aashi Venkat
May 16, 2023
The Jackman. album cover features hip-hop and rap artist Jack Harlow standing alongside a row of dumpsters, his arms crossed over his chest.

‘Jackman.’ falls short in everything but its lyricism

Despite its emotional lyricism, the album’s generic production categorizes it as bland
Aashi Venkat
May 4, 2023
The Ghosted movie poster features Ana de Armas (playing Sadie Rhodes) on top of Chris Evans (playing Cole Turner) as an explosion takes place behind them.

‘Ghosted’ is yet another generic action film

Though the movie has potential, it ultimately disappoints with its writing and production
Aashi Venkat
April 26, 2023
The Oscars have diversified over the years, nominating more global films in categories other than Best International Foreign Feature

And the Oscar goes to…

Examining how international films are popularizing in America
Aidan Ruan and Aashi Venkat
April 14, 2023
Buscher and her friends pose for a photo during their choir trip to Los Angeles

Staff stories: Blossoming into your own

AP Secretary Joelle Buscher shares two of her memorable childhood hobbies and her thought process behind discovering her passion
Taryn Lam and Aashi Venkat
April 12, 2023
The PORTALS album cover features Melanie Martinez portrayed as a pink character, the newest role she has taken on in Cry Babys evolution.

Melanie Martinez enters a new era in ‘PORTALS’

The alt-pop singer unleashes artistry via lyrics and themes in her third studio album
The album cover of Endless Summer Vacation features singer Miley Cyrus holding onto a hanging bar, dressed in a black bathing suit, black sunglasses and black heels.

Though well-made, ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ is disappointingly generic

Miley Cyrus’ eleventh album meets expectations
Aashi Venkat
March 19, 2023
Media has evolved throughout time, changing in ways such as  its purpose or interface

Evolve

Examining how arts and entertainment have changed through the years
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