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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

Crystal Cheng

Crystal Cheng, Opinion Editor

Crystal Cheng is currently a senior and an Opinion editor for El Estoque. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, annihilating Stardew Valley and bullet journaling.

All content by Crystal Cheng
Graphic by Leah Desai

Artistic ambitions

From self-expression to building community, MVHS students utilize art for many different purposes
Piece of art that was made to manage stress

Mindful Expression

MVHS discusses art as a tool for mental health
Ethan Eisler and Crystal Cheng
May 24, 2024
Junior Lucy Yung prepares to strike the ball at a game in the CCS Finals on Nov. 11, 2023.

Time Out! Ep 22: Lucy Yung

Lucy Yung describes the ups and downs of her tennis journey
Crystal Cheng
May 18, 2024
The CHS club officers gather around the computer projecting the slides before the start of their meeting on Chinese Riddles. | Photo by Crystal Cheng

[Photo]

April 10, 2024
Photo illustration by Amberly Sun

Toxic Vista: Fixing our flaws

El Estoque's Opinion Section examines the factors and effects of a "toxic" school environment
Monta Vista students often feel pressured by the high academic standards the school holds.

Work to the top till you drop

Students need to find balance to live fulfilling high school lives
Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Crystal Cheng
April 12, 2024
I sat in shock as the reality of my situation dawned on me. Photo Illustration by Crystal Cheng

Overcoming the thief of joy

Crystal Cheng, Opinion Editor
April 8, 2024
Graphics by Amberly Sun

Fearing the inevitable

El Estoque's opinion section unpacks long-term fears in the lives of the Monta Vista community
Fear of committing

Fear of committing

MVHS students discuss their various fears of commitment
Arushi Singh and Crystal Cheng
March 9, 2024
Unfolding Cupertino City Limits

Unfolding Cupertino city limits

El Estoque's Opinion section examines how housing, entertainment and restaurants in the area affect the community
Graphic by Aletheia Ju

Elusive living

Cupertino’s housing market creates an unsustainable environment for long term residence
Junior and shooting guard Clara Fan attempts a fastbreak layup with two LHS opponents close behind her.

Varsity Girls Basketball defeats Lynbrook High School 52-45

Matadors maintain a consistent lead throughout the game
Crystal Cheng and Dahlia Schilling
January 20, 2024
"I’m not taking it today"

“I’m not taking it today”

Uncovering how the usage of extension policies can impact classroom dynamics
Crystal Cheng and Aletheia Ju
December 8, 2023
Appreciating my body in a different way

Gaining self-love

Appreciating my body in a different way
Crystal Cheng
December 5, 2023
Hopeful Tendencies

Hopeful Tendencies

Examining the role that hope plays in the MVHS community
Delving into lunchtime

Delving into lunchtime

Exploring the ways MVHS students spend their lunch during school
Crystal Cheng and Lindsey Tang
November 9, 2023

In the face of climate change

Examining the duality of the role of hope in the climate change movement
Crystal Cheng and Sarah Liu
November 3, 2023
Growing Forward

Growing Forward

Examining opinions around self-improvement in the MVHS community
Junior Jerry Wang smiles in front of the camera on a sunny day in the Academic Quad.

Finding your glow

Exploring the MVHS community’s perspectives on glow-up culture
Crystal Cheng and Lindsey Tang
September 29, 2023
Numbers beyond the classroom

Numbers beyond the classroom

Student opinions on the real life applications of math
Crystal Cheng and Ethan Kellogg
September 28, 2023
Senior Alice Ross tries to gain possession of the ball before a LHS opponent reaches it.

Field Hockey beats Lynbrook High School 1-0

Despite challenges with air quality, the Matadors win their fourth league game of the season
Crystal Cheng, Riya Murthy, and Lindsey Tang
September 23, 2023
Senior Kushagra Srivastava and senior Suhani Vakhariya take prom photos at Stanford University. (Photo courtesy of Kushagra Srivastava | Used with permission)

The controversy behind public promposals

Exploring the MVHS community's opinions on public promposals
Avni Gandhi and Crystal Cheng
June 1, 2023

Prom-piniated

Exploring opinions surrounding different aspects of prom.
Alicia Lee and her boyfriend Marcus Praseuth pose for a picture on top of the San Francisco Belle at the 2022 MVHS prom.

With friends? Or with a date?

Exploring MV students' opinions on attending prom with friends or with a date
Crystal Cheng and Jisha Rajala
May 27, 2023
The final run ep 2: Wrestling

The final run ep 2: Wrestling

Exploring seniors Hayden Ancheta and Aditya Mishra’s experiences with their last high school wrestling season and CCS Tournament
Crystal Cheng and Kripa Mayureshwar
May 22, 2023
What we were left with after the summer was an inevitably faded version of what we had before. Photo Illustration | Crystal Cheng

To all the friendships I’ve left behind

Exploring the feeling of drifting apart from friends
Crystal Cheng
May 19, 2023
Junior Carolyn Ruan looks for an open team member to pass to while two HHS players guard her.

Girls Basketball ends its CCS run with a 57-44 loss to Hillsdale High School

Matadors eliminated in the quarterfinals of CCS for the second year in a row
Crystal Cheng
February 27, 2023
Sophomore Miya Kosakura drives into the paint while WGHS players surround her inside.

Girls Basketball beats Willow Glen High School 75-46 in its first CCS game

Matadors move onto quarterfinals with a win after receiving a bye for the first round
Crystal Cheng
February 20, 2023
2023 CIF Central Coast Section Championships

2023 CIF Central Coast Section Championships

Learn more about the CCS Tournament for the Varsity Girls Basketball, Varsity Boys Basketball and Wrestling
Clubs in Sports

Clubs in Sports

Exploring the similarities and differences between club and school sports
Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach Sara Borelli coaches the team after the end of the first quarter in the game against Saratoga High School on Thursday Jan. 26.

Same sport, different situations

Exploring the similarities and differences between school and club coaches
Crystal Cheng and Michelle Zheng
February 10, 2023
Junior Varsity Sports

Junior Varsity Sports

Exploring the experiences of JV players, teams and coaches at MVHS
Homemade Hipster: Butter Boards

Homemade Hipster: Butter Boards

Learn how to make a unique spin on bread and butter
Crystal Cheng and Lauren Chuu
January 25, 2023
Recognizing the importance of JV teams

Recognizing the importance of JV teams

MVHS community explains the necessity of JV teams
Sonia Verma and Crystal Cheng
December 22, 2022
Bandaids for bullet wounds

Bandaids for bullet wounds

Examining how bandaid solutions fail to address the root cause of various issues
Graphic by Michelle Zheng

Age in Sports

Exploring the athletic experiences of different age groups and the effects of age on one's journey in sports and coaching style
Freshman Gillie Ross kneels on the ice at a hockey game.

Starting young

Describing community members’ experiences with starting sports as children
Crystal Cheng
November 9, 2022
Construction vehicles are parked at the previous pond area of Memorial Park, one of the Cupertino parks undergoing refurbishment.

Cupertino implements city park renovation projects

Jollyman and Memorial Parks undergo remodeling
Crystal Cheng and Lauren Chuu
November 6, 2022
Idolization

Idolization

Exploring how the idolization of various people, lifestyles and features pervades our lives.
The sun shines on a hot day at the entrance of the MVHS campus.

Heat wave blankets Cupertino

Investigating the effects of high temperatures on students and staff at MVHS
Crystal Cheng and Lauren Chuu
October 1, 2022
Dancing on a deadline

Dancing on a deadline

MVHS dance groups prepare for their spring showcase
Crystal Cheng and Lillian Wang
June 2, 2022
A member of El Estoque throws a shot put while wrapped in caution tape.

Taking precautions

Students examine the risks they take in playing sports while participating in other activities
Mira Wagner and Crystal Cheng
May 27, 2022
Caramel forms the shape of a croissant as he curls up on top of a grand piano to take a nap.

Developing a kinship

Learning to love the things I didn’t think I could
Crystal Cheng
April 23, 2022
Sophomore Katherine Li plays the vibraphone as a member of the Front Ensemble at Marching Band’s last run-through of their Fall 2021 Show.

Diving into the double threat

MVHS students explain how they take two performing arts electives
Crystal Cheng
March 19, 2022
Polly Bove poses, smiling at the camera in her most recent headshot.

Bidding farewell to Bove

Superintendent Bove reflects on her career at FUHSD
Crystal Cheng
March 17, 2022
A violinist, a saxophone player, and a pianist describe how they balance schoolwork and staying motivated to practice.

Listening in on the music of practice

How musicians at MVHS approach their craft
Crystal Cheng
February 11, 2022
While she now appreciates the tradition of expressing one's love on Valentine's Day, Liu finds that the commercialization of the holiday can be overwhelming.

Analyzing the downsides of the holiday of love

The MVHS community reflects on aspects of Valentine’s Day it wishes would change
Crystal Cheng
February 4, 2022
The MVHS community reflects on their experiences with console gaming

The MVHS community reflects on their experiences with console gaming

Exploring how gaming has impacted MVHS community members’ lives
Crystal Cheng and Shivani Verma
December 8, 2021

Teachers take their own tests

History, French, Physics and Calculus teachers share advice for test-taking
Crystal Cheng and Jisha Rajala
December 6, 2021
Aryaman Verma prays to the deities while participating in a Diwali puja.

Celebrating Diwali

Shining a light on the holiday's significance and how it is celebrated
Medha Singamsetty (right) and her mother make rangolis, drawings made with colored sand, outside their house.

Kindling festivities

Students and staff describe their preparations for Diwali
Crystal Cheng and Sonia Verma
October 29, 2021
Facing the pressure of passion

Facing the pressure of passion

Reflecting on the role piano has played in my life
Crystal Cheng
October 15, 2021
Long-term substitute Stephanie Bodnaruk poses for a photo.

Matador family adds members to its ranks

New staff share more about where they're coming from and what brought them to MVHS
Construction in front of the tennis courts and main gym.

Back on track

Exploring the changes implemented at MVHS in preparation for a new school year
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