Isabelle Kok, Arts & Entertainment Editor
A labor of love
Students’ perception of art as work prevents them from enjoying what they create
Beyond the surface
The influence of Black history and culture on modern arts and entertainment
In Review: Volume 5, 2025
El Estoque's staff review recently released media, varying from JENNIE's love hangover to Kendrick Lamar's controversial Super Bowl Halftime Show
A bite of Black history
Black-owned restaurants explain the influence of their roots in food
Creative currency
How capitalism shapes our art and media
Sealing the deal
How the design of food packaging captures consumer hearts
San Francisco hosts annual Martin Luther King Jr. march
Participants march a mile down Third Street in commemoration of King and the Civil Rights Movement
‘Moana 2’ is wholesome but afraid to rock the boat
The creation of the sequel lacks attentiveness, producing a predictable and disappointing storyline
‘Small Changes’ unravels the depth in the details
Michael Kiwanuka’s fourth album is a quiet memoir of dedication and mellow maturity
The hidden history of Santa Clara
Sally Beaupre illustrates her experiences volunteering at the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum
Commonwealth Club hosts journalism conference
MVHS journalism department staff travel to San Francisco to attend an educational reporting program
Homecoming 2024
Rewinding the 2024 Homecoming week
Mitski’s ‘The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We’ tour saves itself with emotional intimacy
Mitski captures hearts with pure lyricism and vocals in spite of a disappointing atmosphere
Class of 2028 transmits a dimension-distorting ‘Teletubbies’ skit
Freshmen display a tele-tubular Homecoming performance
Sip, sip, hooray!
Students share details and memories of their favorite drinks
‘CRAZY’ falls flat with a tepid, tame delivery
LE SSERAFIM loses the beat in its eccentric fourth EP
San Francisco Pride Parade 2024
The Golden City wraps up Pride Month with its annual LGBTQIA+ parade
Main Street magic
Students and staff share their experiences and opinions on Main St. Cupertino
Kush Mathur’s guide to sophomore year literature
Sophomore Kush Mathur reflects on running kites, sifting nectar and surviving World Lit
Retro-activity
MVHS students share their experiences with old models of media
The First Congregational Church of Palo Alto brings ‘Eras of Esther’ to the stage
FCCPA’s community production offers a unique musical mashup of Taylor Swift and the Bible
The bare minimum
California’s minimum wage raises for workers and fast food jobs have mixed effects on businesses and employees
‘Girls State’ falls victim to the female empowerment cliches it criticizes
Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine’s documentary sequel tells an average yet endearing chronicle of a teenage-run democracy
Pressing matters
Mountain View High School student journalists sue district and principal over alleged censorship issues
‘Unheard’’s transcendent artistry is a multifaceted creation
Hozier’s eighth EP is rich with diverse lyricism and instrumentals
Ricky Montgomery’s 2024 tour is much more than another Rick in the wall
'The Rick Tour’s' dynamic passion and intimacy was a complete experience
San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade 2024
San Francisco’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations welcome the Year of the Dragon into 2024
New year, same schedule
FUHSD decides not to implement an alternative schedule in the 24-25 school year
‘With YOU-th’ attracts with electric dynamism
TWICE’s energetic 13th EP succeeds despite its regression to conventionality
Playing it safe
Athletes use various methods to manage and prevent sports injuries
Dessert Detectives: Tong Sui
Reviewing popular menu items based on quality and taste
Beyond the hit
Examining the contribution of overlooked positions in volleyball
Stylestruck
Taking a glimpse at the impact of fashion at MVHS
The face of fashion
Looking into what students are wearing to school
Making cents of crafts
Taking a look behind the scenes of three MVHS art small businesses
Homecoming 2023
Replaying the 2023 Homecoming week
PAC-ing a punch
Freshmen navigate the maze in their first-ever Homecoming performance
The art of ambition
Deconstructing how MVHS art students craft portfolios of their work
Changing Education with ChatGPT
Exploring changes in AI regulations in education for the 2023-24 school year