MVHS’ best friend
MVHS students share the roles that their pets have played in their lives
![Junior Darren Lin and sophomore Agasthya Kothuri met each other through their participation in track and field. Since meeting each other, Lin has offered Kothuri suggestions about improving his form in triple jump.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/onlinecompiled.png)
Senior support
MVHS athletes reflect on the mentorship they have received from older teammates
![I used to get incredibly nervous before races, putting far too much pressure on myself to perform well.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/YNBYC-photo-1200x800.jpg)
“You’re nervous because you care”
How I conquered my performance anxiety
![MVHS students periods problems often impact their daily lives, disrupting their academic and athletic performances.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_3012-1200x800.png)
Menstrual madness
MVHS students share their experiences with their periods
![We must reinforce the idea of consent in everyday situations such as showing affection: not liking physical affection does not mean you care about someone any less.
Illustration | Anika Bhandarkar](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-09-at-7.17.48 PM-1200x857.png)
High five, please
We must change how we view consent
![I have often let my fear of not perfecting a piano piece get in the way of practicing at all, causing a huge amount of stress in the weeks before competitions. Staying consistent and putting in just a little each day has massively helped my improvement and has helped me not burn out in the long term. Photo courtesy of Mangesh Bhandarkar | Used with permission](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-09-at-5.46.12 PM-1200x825.png)
The price of perfection
When “perfect” is the enemy of “good”
![LGBTQ+ individuals should not be expected to come out — it can put an enormous mental and emotional strain on them and also reinforces heteronormative and cisnormative societal standards.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_6898-1200x900.jpg)
Coming out quietly
Members of the queer community should not be expected to come out
![Junior Clara Fun jumps to shoot the ball during a varsity girls basketball game.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_5769-2-1200x800.jpg)
Hitting the breaking point
Examining how athletes at MVHS have experienced and overcome burnout within their sports
![Culture plays a nuanced role in someones identity, which is why we must take it into account before asking someone to share their political opinions.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/BallotFlag2-e1701913166133-1200x794.png)
Culture: the elephant (and donkey) in the room
We must consider people’s cultural values before asking them to share their political opinion
![During a pause in his live forging demonstration, blacksmith Lester Markarian explains the techniques he used to create a handle.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5568-1200x800.jpg)
Forging demonstration lights up Baer Blacksmith Shop
Restored historical Cupertino shop holds monthly blacksmithing demonstration
![Swearing must be destigmatized — teaching students not to swear purely because swear words are bad is ineffective and allows the harmful stereotypes behind some swear words and slurs to persist.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snoscale-1200x780.png)
F— this
Rethinking how we approach swearing at school
![Tika, my brother, and I pose for a family photo. Photo courtesy of Mangesh Bhandarkar | Used with permission](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-28-at-7.34.05-PM.png)
Down memory lane
Learning to look at memories of my dog differently
![Local politics are just as important in the lives of MVHS students as federal news, if not more.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-30-at-8.28.09-PM-1200x888.png)
National concern, local impact
Why students should be involved in local politics
![The pressure I put on myself to set personal records soon left me exhausted, and negatively impacted my relationship for running.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/anikadying-copy-1200x886.jpg)
Overambition: the enemy of my improvement
How letting go of the time on the clock helped me run faster
![Students note that parental controls can sometimes feel overly restrictive, with 52% of MVHS students reporting that they feel dissatisfied with the controls on their device(s).](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IF-PARENTS-AND-CHILDREN-CAN-COME-TO-AN-AGREEMENT-IMPLEMENTING-RESTRICTIONS-WILL-BE-A-LOT-EASIER-AND-THE-TRUST-WONT-BE-SO-BROKEN.-4-900x506.png)
Under CTRL
Examining student and parent opinions on parental controls
![The mentality that the lighter you are, the better you perform has woven its way into many sports, particularly endurance sports and performing arts.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-08-at-2.39.59-PM-900x519.png)
Would I be faster if I were skinnier?
Rethinking how MVHS addresses body-image issues in sports
![Athletes participating in performing arts often feel pressured to be slimmer.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-13-at-1.22.48-PM-900x602.png)
Trapped in the tape measure
Examining how beauty standards in performing arts impact MVHS athletes
![As a child, I was loud and extroverted, and wasnt affected by others perceptions of me.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-20-at-2.45.23-PM.png)
Unlikely inspiration
A lesson from 5-year-old me
![Graphic | Vincent Zhao](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Graphic2C4.png)
A gamble for love
How students plan to continue or end their relationships after high school
![Deck of hearts](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screen-Shot-2023-03-08-at-2.23.44-PM-900x889-removebg-preview.png)
Deck of hearts
MVHS students and alumni play the love game
![Senior Rohin Inani, who was the stand-in Boys Tennis coach during the 2021-22 season, serves a ball.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/inaniphoto-629x900.png)
The search for spring sport coaching
Looking into the lack of coaching for the spring season
![Sophomore Gehna Saini places the ornament gifted to her from her mother, on a Christmas tree.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/img_0904-600x900.jpg)
Winter break traditions
Examining the traditions students and staff partake in over the winter holidays
![Students often stifle their curiosity surrounding sex due to fear or an unfamiliarity of talking about sex.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-12-14-at-8.02.02-PM-900x724.png)
Arousing Curiosity
Examining how curiosity surrounding sex and sexual education affects the MVHS community
![Some musical terms and their meanings | Graphic by Anika Bhandarkar](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-05-at-8.15.27-PM.png)
The keys to passion
My experience with burnout
![Students in the stands cheer as MV Cheer performs a stunt.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0178-1-900x596.jpg)
Got spirit?
Examining the importance of camaraderie among students at MVHS
![Huichol earrings made by Hernandez. Photo by Adriana Hernandez | Used with permission.
Photo courtesy of Adriana Hernandez | Used with permission](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/unnamed-675x900.jpg)
Mental health first
Exploring how the MVHS community practices self-care
![Sophomore Jami Lim checks her schedule](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-08-at-12.03.53-PM-900x727.png)
Runaway of the bulls
Students and staff discuss the reasons for and the impacts of the cancellation of ROTB