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. She enjoys listening to music, dyeing her hair and obsessing over her dog in her free time. Her favorite color is currently red, and her favorite animal is currently a snake, but these things change frequently because she is indecisive.

All content by Aashi Venkat
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
My dog and I tend to think and feel very similarly, translating over into how we treat and perceive others

Sharing a brain and heart

How my connection with my dog has impacted my perception of love
Aashi Venkat
March 2, 2023
Instagram is typically used to promote major school events such as Club Information Day

What’s your Insta?

Analyzing the evolution of social media as a primary source of news and information
Aashi Venkat
February 17, 2023
Junior and center forward Sophia Lu maneuvers past the opposition in an attempt to shoot the ball.

Girls Basketball defeats Leland High School 69-42

Matadors maintain their lead throughout the game
The “Ginny & Georgia” poster features actresses Antonia Gentry (Ginny Miller) and Brianne Howey (Georgia Miller) looking at one another.

‘Ginny & Georgia’ is relatable yet dramatic

Season two of the Netflix series doesn’t disappoint
Aashi Venkat
January 14, 2023
Barbara Frei (right) and her grandmother Marie Jager in the 70s.  Photo courtesy of Barbara Frei | Used with permission

Staff Stories: Growing up and moving out

Study buddy coordinator Barbara Frei shares tales of her childhood in Switzerland
Taryn Lam and Aashi Venkat
December 13, 2022
According a survey of 160 people, 31% of MVHS students wear makeup regularly.

Cover up

Delving into pressures and ways the MVHS community chooses to cover up
Junior Naomi Mhamunkar with and without a face of makeup, shown left and right respectively.

All dolled up

Examining the MVHS community’s opinion on makeup
Aashi Venkat
November 17, 2022
The team celebrates after winning the third set and qualifying for the CCS Semifinals.

Girls Volleyball beats Westmont High School 3-0 in the CCS Quarterfinals

Matadors dominate in straight sets, with respective scores 25-19, 25-14 and 25-15
Aashi Venkat and Anabelle Walker
November 5, 2022
The Midnights album cover features Taylor Swift clicking a lighter, with the flame to her face

Taylor Swift flawlessly returns to pop with “Midnights”

“Midnights” manages to both complement and diversify the singer-songwriter’s discography
Jiya Singh and Aashi Venkat
October 26, 2022
Senior Isaiah Dimaya is escorted by his family, junior Sai Patel, junior Ace Chow and Fremont High School senior Ana Vallejo.

Football loses 22-14 to South San Francisco High School on senior night

Matadors end their last home game with a close score
Pranati Kotamraju and Aashi Venkat
October 24, 2022
Senior Miranda Shakouri stands alongside her family, her gift basket from her team in hand, moving to the side as her sister playfully nudges her.

Girls Volleyball defeats Los Gatos High School 3-0 on senior night

Matadors sweep after a close third set
Aashi Venkat and Alyssa Yang
October 20, 2022
The young forever album cover features Nessa Barrett in angel wings, with an angelic aura surrounding her

‘young forever’ uncovers a plethora of emotions

Nessa Barrett’s debut album sheds a spotlight on mental illness
Aashi Venkat
October 18, 2022
Targeted advertisements tend to pop up on social media platforms such as Instagram, and typically advertise products the user has shown prior interest in.

Ad 2 Cart

Understanding thoughts behind fashion and social media advertising
The concept of one size fits all, predominantly oriented around one size fitting smaller bodies, is harmful.

Expanding past size zero

The consequences of corporate resistance to include diverse body types
Aashi Venkat and Anabelle Walker
October 9, 2022
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story features actor Evan Peters, with the series poster portraying Peters staring menacingly into the audiences eyes.

“Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” is an unethical monstrosity

Examining the internet’s disturbing obsession with Jeffrey Dahmer
Samika Bhatkar and Aashi Venkat
October 8, 2022
 Third grader Mark Carpenter dresses up as a pirate for Halloween, and explains that they will always be a pirate at heart

Staff stories: Always a pirate at heart

Mark Carpenter shares life-defining tales of ignorance, curiosity and gratitude
Taryn Lam and Aashi Venkat
September 30, 2022
Freshman Lelani Laruelle gets in position to hit the ball.

Girls Tennis wins 4-3 against Mountain View High School

The outcome of the last match allowed the Matadors to secure the win
Ananya Chaudhary and Aashi Venkat
September 29, 2022
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