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

Brandon Xu

Brandon Xu, News Editor

Brandon is currently a senior and a news editor for El Estoque. In his free time he enjoys reading, playing video games and occasionally going on runs to get out of the house. He also likes to sketch a little bit, although it seems he can only come up with good ideas to draw when he is bored in math class.

All content by Brandon Xu
Denny Dong poses for a photo with Menlo School runner Justin Petre. Petre and Dong placed first and second respectively at the CCS semifinals 800 meter event. Photo courtesy of Denny Dong | Used with permission

Time Out! Ep. 5: Denny Dong

Exploring Denny Dong’s growth as a runner and his future with the team
Brandon Xu and Aidan Ruan
June 1, 2023
ELD 2 teacher Shari Russell will be taking the new Instructional Lead position starting in the 2023-24 school year. Photo courtesy of Shari Russell | Used with permission

New Instructional Lead for English Language Development

FUHSD implements Instructional Lead position to support ELD teachers and curriculum
Brandon Xu
June 1, 2023
Santa Clara County Supervisors plan to build affordable housing on this site near North Wolfe Road.

Closer to home

Looking into the development of new low-cost teacher housing in Cupertino
Brandon Xu
May 31, 2023
Fantasy fanatics

Fantasy fanatics

Looking into fantasy sports and its influence on the MVHS community
Brandon Xu and Kripa Mayureshwar
April 15, 2023
Cutting has resulted in students forming a triangle rather than a line on their way to get lunch.

Looking into the lunch line

Examining student and staff opinions on the state of the line
Brandon Xu and Lillian Wang
March 24, 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
Stardew Valley, a video game designed by game developer Eric Barone, is one example of an indie game that has become extremely widespread.

Game on!

Investigating the increase in popularity of indie games and accessibility to game development
Brandon Xu
February 14, 2023
The MVHS team celebrates and poses for a photo after winning the game. Photo by Brandon Xu

Boys Soccer beats Milpitas High School 3-2 in an intense game

Matadors crush the MHS comeback with a goal in the last five minutes of the game
Pranati Kotamraju, Alan Tai, and Brandon Xu
January 29, 2023

Man on the street: Arm Wrestling

Challenging students to arm wrestling matches throughout the campus
Candy Cane Lane: According to Amy Young, this song, sang at choir’s Winter Concert on Dec. 16, was chosen since several students sang it in previous years, and wanted to bring back the songs positive feelings.

Planning performances

Examining how the music department decides what songs to play in concerts
Brandon Xu
December 20, 2022
Wrapped in green

Wrapped in green

Examining FUHSD’s Green Ribbon Schools application process
Mikaylah Du and Brandon Xu
November 16, 2022
Posing for a celebratory photo, seniors Greyson Mobley and Isaiah Dimaya hold the Helmet trophy while the other team members raise up their helmets.

Football beats Cupertino High School 28-14 in the Helmet game

Matadors reclaim the Helmet trophy after six years
Brandon Xu and Aidan Ruan
November 5, 2022
Junior Vatsel Srivastava lifts his bike over other bikes to move through the racks.

Overstack of the rack

Investigating the impact of bike rack overcrowding
Brandon Xu and Angela Zhang
October 7, 2022
The MVHS Athletic Trainer room, currently vacant.

On the lookout for a new Athletic Trainer

Examining how sports teams are facing injuries without a medical professional affiliated with the school
Jami Lim and Brandon Xu
October 1, 2022
A graphic illustrating the three philosophies MVHS aims to focus on to encourage equitable grading

MVHS aims to highlight equitable grading

Teachers are introduced to three core philosophies at staff professional development
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