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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

Alyssa Yang

Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief

Alyssa is a senior and an Editor-in-Chief for El Estoque. She enjoys spending too much time in dance studios and socially recharging by exploring new hiking trails.

All content by Alyssa Yang
Crossword: Dec. 13, 2024 Full

Crossword: Dec. 13, 2024 Full

Solve EE's bonus crossword for the weekend
Alyssa Yang and Benjamin Zhang
December 13, 2024
Crossword: Dec. 12, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Dec. 12, 2024 Mini

Solve EE's mini crossword
Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
December 12, 2024
Junior and forward Ryan Shen attempts a layup during the second quarter.

Varsity Boys Basketball powers through BASIS Independent Silicon Valley 70-54

The Matadors break through a close game by dominating the second half
Varun Singh and Alyssa Yang
December 7, 2024
Mayhew’s capstone project with San Jose State University, the short film “My Turn,” depicts sisterhood in a slapstick cartoon style. Photo courtesy of Morgan Mayhew | Used with permission

Morgan Mayhew’s journey to becoming an animation producer

MVHS alum Morgan Mayhew ‘19 breaks down her favorite animated films, what it’s like to be an animation student and more
Alyssa Yang and Benjamin Zhang
December 5, 2024
Crossword: Dec. 3, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Dec. 3, 2024 Mini

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Liz Liu and Alyssa Yang
December 3, 2024
Crossword: Dec. 2, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Dec. 2, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
December 2, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 28, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 28, 2024 Mini

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Liz Liu and Alyssa Yang
November 28, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 25, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 25, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 25, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 22, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 22, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 22, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 21, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 21, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 21, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 20, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 20, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 20, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 15, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 15, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 15, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 8, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 8, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 8, 2024
Crossword: Nov. 6, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 6, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 6, 2024
Photo illustration | Stella Petzova

Election 2024

Examining the impact of local, statewide and national elections on the MVHS community
Crossword: Nov. 4, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Nov. 4, 2024 Mini

Solve EE's mini crossword
Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
November 4, 2024
Crossword: Vol. 55, Issue 2

Crossword: Vol. 55, Issue 2

Solve El Estoque’s crossword with wordplay and clues from our November magazine. Scroll down for the solution.
Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 29, 2024
Photo Illustration | Zaid Naqvi and Alyssa Yang

The community reflects on past elections

Students and staff discuss the significance of controversial elections in the past
Zaid Naqvi and Alyssa Yang
October 28, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 25, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 25, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 24, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 23, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 23, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 22, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 18, 2024 Full

Crossword: Oct. 18, 2024 Full

Solve EE's bonus full-sized crossword for the weekend
Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 17, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 17, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 17, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 16, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 15, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 15, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 14, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 14, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 14, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 13, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 10, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 10, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 9, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 8, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 8, 2024 Mini

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Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 7, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 4, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 4, 2024 Mini

Solve EE's debut mini crossword
Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
October 3, 2024
California voters decide on 10 propositions this November

California voters decide on 10 propositions this November

The Nov. 2024 ballot asks California voters to decide on three constitutional amendments; authorizing funding for education and climate conservation; and future policies for crime, health care and taxes
Alyssa Yang, Editor-in-Chief
September 29, 2024
Danny Choi, Aegean Lee, Pat Carpio-Aguilar and Frances Renteria are running for Trustee Areas 5 and 2 for FUHSD's first by-trustee-area elections.

FUHSD holds first trustee area election

Four candidates are running for Trustee Areas 2 and 5 in this November’s election
Alyssa Yang and Kate Yang
September 28, 2024
History teacher Usiel Meraz-Cerna starts a lecture by introducing what Ethnic Studies hopes to cover.

Mandatory implementation of Ethnic Studies delayed until 2025-2026

As Ethnic Studies enters its second year of pilot, MVHS community members reflect on its impact

MVHS’ best friend

MVHS students share the roles that their pets have played in their lives
Stanford students and community members create protest art projects to advocate for divestment.

Universal unrest

College protesters intensify discourse on the Israel-Hamas war
Giljoon Lee, Lillian Wang, and Alyssa Yang
May 23, 2024
Instrumental Music Director John Gilchrist opens the floor for applause following senior and concertmaster Amy Zheng’s violin solo for a concerto.

“Unto Greater Heights” closes the year on a high note

MVHS Music Department performs its Pops Concert as the final concert of the year
Kathryn Foo and Alyssa Yang
May 22, 2024
A total solar eclipse was partially visible on Monday morning. At its peak, approximately 35% of the sun was obscured.

MVHS students and staff see part of a total eclipse

Solar eclipse covers most of the US
Giljoon Lee and Alyssa Yang
April 10, 2024
Jariwala is currently teaching in the classroom while preparing to become a Teacher Mentor next year.

Classroom to classroom

English Department Lead Monica Jariwala prepares to become a New Teacher Mentor for FUHSD
Sarah Liu and Alyssa Yang
April 10, 2024
Trustees Rosa Kim and Jeff Moe answer questions from the audience regarding FUHSD’s transition to By-Trustee-Area elections at the Feb. 12 MVHS Informational Session.

Understanding the Trustee transition

FUHSD hosts information and feedback sessions as the transition to By-Trustee-Area elections continues
Jason Chu and Alyssa Yang
March 18, 2024
MV students who submitted to PTSA Reflections had the opportunity to celebrate and receive certificates from MV Principal Ben Clausnitzer and Reflections co-chairs Cathy Chen and John Ling. Photo courtesy of John Ling | Used with permission

“I am hopeful because . . .”

Three MV students advance to the Council level of the PTSA Reflections program
Suhana Mahabal and Alyssa Yang
March 7, 2024
Instrumental Music Director John Gilchrist takes a pause in directing the orchestra during its 2023 Winter Concert, “Forces of Nature.”

Striking the high note

John Gilchrist wins the Richard L. Levin Orchestra Educator Award
Alyssa Yang and Benjamin Zhang
January 26, 2024
Staff work to clear items and sweep the water out of the room with a machine.

MVHS Drama buildings flood during winter storm

Rainwater floods the Drama room and auditorium
Jason Chu and Alyssa Yang
January 24, 2024
Junior Clara Fun jumps to shoot the ball during a varsity girls' basketball game.

Hitting the breaking point

Examining how athletes at MVHS have experienced and overcome burnout within their sports
Anika Bhandarkar and Alyssa Yang
December 23, 2023
Protestors gather at Harry Bridges Plaza, San Francisco in a demonstration against the APEC convention.

On the streets of SF

San Francisco reflects on the 2023 APEC summit’s impacts on community issues
The procession moves down Market St., protesting against the APEC 2023 summit in San Francisco.

The voices against APEC

Demonstrators hit the streets in San Francisco to protest APEC 2023
Jason Chu, Lillian Wang, and Alyssa Yang
December 4, 2023
During a pause in his live forging demonstration, blacksmith Lester Markarian explains the techniques he used to create a handle.

Forging demonstration lights up Baer Blacksmith Shop

Restored historical Cupertino shop holds monthly blacksmithing demonstration
Anika Bhandarkar and Alyssa Yang
November 28, 2023
Kaiser Permanente workers and members of SEIU-UHW hit strike lines  to protest an understaffing crisis, which was causing low wages and unsafe conditions for patients. Photo courtesy of SEIU-UHW | Used with permission

Strike out

Historic Kaiser Permanente strike reflects national healthcare understaffing crisis
Alyssa Yang, News Editor
November 3, 2023
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Searles Valley, California ruptured the road on Jul. 5, 2019. | Photo United States Geological Survey

MVHS takes cover on International ShakeOut Day

Exploring local participation in earthquake preparedness
Jason Chu and Alyssa Yang
October 30, 2023
FUHSD parents Rosario Rivera and Claudia Camacho listen to a live Spanish translation during the Board's Sept. 19 pre-mapping public hearing.

Facing north

Exploring how transitioning to By-Trustee-Area elections will affect FUHSD in North Sunnyvale
Giljoon Lee, Shannon Yu, Ellie Wang, and Alyssa Yang
September 30, 2023
MVHS facilities staff are taking steps to address the ant infestations MVHS has dealt with for years.

Getting antsy

Examining how ant infestations affect MVHS students and faculty
Stella Petzova and Alyssa Yang
September 24, 2023
Ming Wood prepares coffee for customers at the Moonwake Coffee Roasters’ booth.

The stories behind the Cupertino Farmers Market

Highlighting the stories of the vendors and their products
Alan Tai, Mihir Vishwarupe, and Alyssa Yang
September 23, 2023
In August 2023, the choir room was still undergoing construction. | Photo by Giljoon Lee

Deconstructing construction

Breaking down school construction projects and how they impact MVHS staff
Junior and El Estoque Features editor Dahlia Schilling enters data into TimelineJS, one of the multimedia tools El Estoque uses for its online content. Photo | Alyssa Yang

El Estoque named NSPA finalists in 11 categories

National Scholastic Press Association honors MVHS news publication
Alyssa Yang
August 29, 2023
Finding my voice

Finding my voice

Understanding how to let myself be heard
Alyssa Yang
June 11, 2023

Man on the street: What are your NBA Finals predictions?

MVHS students share which teams they think will win the 2023 NBA playoffs
Samika Bhatkar and Alyssa Yang
May 20, 2023
Kim, dressed in cultural attire, poses before attending a Chinese New Year celebration at UC Berkeley. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Kim | Used with permission

Through generations

Exploring how community members’ cultural identities have changed over generations
Alyssa Yang and Stephanie Zhang
April 26, 2023
Low Key and Bella Voce join the other MVHS Choirs for the final song of the night, walking offstage to surround the audience.

MVHS choirs hold Festival Concert

Esperanza, Low Key, Bella Voce and Variations perform repertoire for upcoming concert at Gilroy Sings
Alyssa Yang
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
Next episode starts in 10...

Next episode starts in 10…

Examining how the evolution of TV release formats has divided viewers
Jami Lim and Alyssa Yang
February 10, 2023
50 Questions with Julia Satterthwaite

50 Questions with Julia Satterthwaite

In the 23rd installment of the recurring series, El Estoque asks Julia Satterthwaite 50 questions
Megha Mummaneni, Alyssa Yang, and Angela Zhang
February 6, 2023
Junior Matthew Lau pushes through an MHS defender for a layup

Boys Basketball loses to Milpitas High School 58-51

Matadors fall short in securing a win in a close game
Samika Bhatkar, Kathryn Foo, and Alyssa Yang
January 29, 2023
The Marvel franchise's Moon Knight has recently risen in popularity again with the re-serialization of his antihero storyline.

What makes a hero?

Redefining superheroes and how to tell their stories
Alyssa Yang
December 23, 2022
Senior Varshini Peddinti shields the ball from a PHS defender as she dribbles down the court.

Girls Basketball defeats Prospect High School 49-27

Matadors maintain a strong lead to take home their eighth win of the season
Sagnik Nag Chowdhury, Sarah Liu, and Alyssa Yang
December 18, 2022
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