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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

Isabelle Kok

Isabelle Kok, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Isabelle Kok is currently a junior and an arts and entertainment editor for El Estoque. In her free time she loves to eat BLTA bagels without the A, take naps and make matcha mug cakes.

All content by Isabelle Kok
Moana prepares herself to fight off the Kakamora tribe and the monster clam. Photo courtesy of Disney Movies | Used with permission

‘Moana 2’ is wholesome but afraid to rock the boat

The creation of the sequel lacks attentiveness, producing a predictable and disappointing storyline
Isabelle Kok and Ananda Singh
December 17, 2024
“Small Changes” is Michael Kiwanuka’s return to the grounded warmth of childhood memories. Polydor Records | Used with permission

‘Small Changes’ unravels the depth in the details

Michael Kiwanuka’s fourth album is a quiet memoir of dedication and mellow maturity
Isabelle Kok
December 12, 2024
Sally Beaupre is a retired high school teacher and volunteer at the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum. As a docent, she gives tours to museum guests and answers questions about the Bay Area’s rich history. Photo | Isabelle Kok

The hidden history of Santa Clara

Sally Beaupre illustrates her experiences volunteering at the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum
Jillian Ju and Isabelle Kok
November 3, 2024
NBC investigative reporter Bigad Shaban and San Francisco State University Journalism Professor Laura Moorhead address high school journalism students from across the Bay Area.

Commonwealth Club hosts journalism conference

MVHS journalism department staff travel to San Francisco to attend an educational reporting program
Isabelle Kok and Stella Petzova
November 3, 2024
A beautiful sunset was visible as Mitski began her “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We” concert. Photo by Benjamin Zhang

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
Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang
October 7, 2024
The Teletubbies (left to right: freshmen Sean To, Michael Zelensky, Shreejay Arja, Luke Mathai, Jacob Hwang and Jean Lin) peer over a MVHS Student 1’s (freshman Shreejay Arja) iPad activities after teleporting to the human dimension. Photo by Grace Lin

Class of 2028 transmits a dimension-distorting ‘Teletubbies’ skit

Freshmen display a tele-tubular Homecoming performance
Isabelle Kok and Grace Lin
October 6, 2024
Illustration by Isabelle Kok

Sip, sip, hooray!

Students share details and memories of their favorite drinks
Isabelle Kok and Eshika Tiwari
September 29, 2024
LE SSERAFIM's five members pose on a dark runway in front of paparazzi. Photo courtesy of Source Music | Used with permission

‘CRAZY’ falls flat with a tepid, tame delivery

LE SSERAFIM loses the beat in its eccentric fourth EP
Isabelle Kok
September 4, 2024
Adorned with rainbow heart stickers, a  participant of Assembly Member Haney’s parade group waves a rainbow pride flag and a bisexual flag to the beats of the parade music. Photo by Benjamin Zhang

San Francisco Pride Parade 2024

The Golden City wraps up Pride Month with its annual LGBTQIA+ parade
Jillian Ju, Isabelle Kok, and Benjamin Zhang
July 19, 2024
Main Street magic

Main Street magic

Students and staff share their experiences and opinions on Main St. Cupertino
Isabelle Kok, Shannon Yu, and Ellie Wang
June 1, 2024
The sophomore year World Literature curriculum dives deep into many books such as George Orwell's "Animal Farm." Graphic by Isabelle Kok

Kush Mathur’s guide to sophomore year literature

Sophomore Kush Mathur reflects on running kites, sifting nectar and surviving World Lit
Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang
May 29, 2024
The popularity of items considered retro are steadily on the rise. Graphic by Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang

Retro-activity

MVHS students share their experiences with old models of media
Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang
May 24, 2024
Sarah Howell (Carshena) tries to win Sam Putney (King Ahasuerus) over by singing “You Belong with Me.” Photo by Isabelle Kok.

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
Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang
April 29, 2024
The state of California increased its minimum wage to $20.00 for fast food workers, beginning on April 1. The large restaurant chain Panera Bread was initially exempt from this change until a clarification from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Courtesy of Dave Stone

The bare minimum

California’s minimum wage raises for workers and fast food jobs have mixed effects on businesses and employees
Isabelle Kok and Jason Chu
April 24, 2024
Participants of the 2022 ALA Girls State convention in Missouri pose for a selfie. | Courtesy of Apple TV

‘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
Isabelle Kok
April 15, 2024
Photos of the article on sexual harassment, currently involved in a censorship lawsuit, published in the April 2023 edition of the MVHS Oracle. Photo by Myesha Phukan | Used with permission

Pressing matters

Mountain View High School student journalists sue district and principal over alleged censorship issues
Suhana Mahabal and Isabelle Kok
April 9, 2024
The "Unheard" album cover features a monochromatic photo of Hozier laying in dirt with a mustard yellow border.

‘Unheard’’s transcendent artistry is a multifaceted creation

Hozier’s eighth EP is rich with diverse lyricism and instrumentals
Isabelle Kok
March 28, 2024
Indie artist Ricky Montgomery crouches down at the front of the Regency Ballroom stage to sing to his audience. Photo courtesy of Izzy Hory @izzysconcerts. | Used with permission.

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
Jillian Ju and Isabelle Kok
March 24, 2024
Members of Leung’s White Crane Lion and Dragon Dance Association U.S.A. bear red and white cultural flags in the Community Street Fair prior to the parade’s kickoff.

San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade 2024

San Francisco’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations welcome the Year of the Dragon into 2024
Jillian Ju and Isabelle Kok
March 7, 2024
A potential eight-period schedule will not be put into effect in the 2024-25 school year.

New year, same schedule

FUHSD decides not to implement an alternative schedule in the 24-25 school year
Isabelle Kok and Stella Petzova
March 7, 2024
TWICE members pose in elaborate white outfits against a vivid fuschia and orange background.

‘With YOU-th’ attracts with electric dynamism

TWICE’s energetic 13th EP succeeds despite its regression to conventionality
Isabelle Kok
March 6, 2024
Playing it safe

Playing it safe

Athletes use various methods to manage and prevent sports injuries
Isabelle Kok
January 27, 2024
The facade of Tong Sui's Sunnyvale location.

Dessert Detectives: Tong Sui

Reviewing popular menu items based on quality and taste
Isabelle Kok and Jillian Ju
January 18, 2024
Sophomore Chloe Chen's position is a setter, which sets the ball up for various hitters.

Beyond the hit

Examining the contribution of overlooked positions in volleyball
Isabelle Kok and Dylan Nguyen
December 6, 2023
Stylestruck

Stylestruck

Taking a glimpse at the impact of fashion at MVHS
Aster Nguyen poses in a white shirt, star-accent jeans, and black headphones.

The face of fashion

Looking into what students are wearing to school
Isabelle Kok and Aashi Venkat
November 2, 2023
Carrot cupcake earrings from Madeleine Ischo's Etsy shop @FunSizedStudio. Photo courtesy of Madeleine Ischo.

Making cents of crafts

Taking a look behind the scenes of three MVHS art small businesses
Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang
October 28, 2023
Freshman Ronit Kuila strikes a pose in his Michael Jackson themed duet to the song “Beat It.”

PAC-ing a punch

Freshmen navigate the maze in their first-ever Homecoming performance
Sophia D'Sa and Isabelle Kok
September 29, 2023
11x16
digital painting by Lemon Liu
| Referenced themself into Chinese painting landscapes to showcase unfitting feelings.

The art of ambition

Deconstructing how MVHS art students craft portfolios of their work
Isabelle Kok
September 18, 2023
FUHSD is currently working to combat the misuse of AI tools in the classroom.

Changing Education with ChatGPT

Exploring changes in AI regulations in education for the 2023-24 school year
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