A portrait of pride
Exploring how the Bay Area community celebrates pride
Jillian Ju, Editor-in-Chief
EE Tries: Minecraft Speedrunning
El Estoque faces off against two experienced speedrunners in the popular game Minecraft
Writer? I hardly know her
How being the "writer kid" taught me the value of iterating
‘The Sheep Detectives’ is sheariously worth a watch
The ewe-nique premise makes for a surprisingly meaningful experience
Bay Area sustainability experts share waste reduction strategies
Community members work to create more sustainable habits
A rise in AI marks a fall in CS enrollment
Students begin to question the stability of CS as layoffs and AI influences grow
‘Animal Farm’ (2025) is boar-ing slop
Andy Serkis’ adaptation drags ‘Animal Farm’ through the mud
The Curve Foundation hosts Ultimate Lesbian Taco Eating Contest in San Francisco’s Rikki’s Women’s Sports Bar
Community members gather in a sequel to last November’s hit lesbian pie-eating contest
Beyond boundaries
El Estoque's Features and Opinion section explore gender dynamics and women's impact
Elective cosmetic surgery reveals the complexity of modern beauty standards
Perspectives differ on the role of social pressures and personal choice surrounding cosmetic surgery
‘HADES’ is hellishly heatless
Melanie Martinez’s fourth studio album skims the depths of modern problems and comes up short
Whimsy hacks: how the MVHS community adds whimsy to their life
Exploring and trying three "whimsy hacks" over the course of a week
Keeping tech in check
El Estoque's Opinion section explores growing concerns surrounding technology
Technology consumerism needs to be confronted
Tech companies’ push for frequent purchases harms consumers and the environment
How students can manage screen time effectively
Students can balance digital work and leisure without sacrificing productivity
Social media platforms have led to closer communication between politicians and constituents
Community members reflect on the growing role of social media in political communication
‘Marty Supreme’ drops the ball
Josh Safdie's solo debut serves up a spectacle but loses itself
What’s cooking?
El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section explores the importance of cooking to the Bay Area
Which holiday gift are you?
Take our quiz and find out which gift item matches you
The MVHS community shares how family recipes foster connection to their culture
Students and staff explore how food brings them closer to their heritage
The voice behind ‘The Joke’s On Us’
Senior Aaryan Sharma shares his podcasting process and experiences
Students pursue alternative tracks by graduating early
MVHS alum discuss their experiences with graduating early
MVHS rolls the end credits on Homecoming with its annual dance
Students gathered in the gym for a night of dancing, games and photos
In Review: Volume 1, 2025
El Estoque’s staff review recently released media, ranging from the hit Netflix movie "KPOP Demon Hunters" to Sabrina Carpenter's controversial "Man's Best Friend"
MVHS upperclassmen explore their passions through summer programs
Students share their experiences attending summer programs
Freshmen in Five F’s
A closer look at the Class of 2029 from a survey of 92 students
‘The Long Walk’ is a thrilling trudge that sometimes loses its footing
The Stephen King adaptation toes the line between tense and tedious
‘Double Infinity’ unpeels eternity
Big Thief’s first album as a trio reveals boundless potential
F4 Modernization Project renovates MVHS music building
Students and staff express excitement about future opportunities enabled by this renovation
20,000 people line up from Palo Alto to Sunnyvale in historic “No Kings” protest against the Trump administration
Pro-democracy protest takes place along a seven-mile section of El Camino Real
In Review: Volume 7, 2025
El Estoque’s staff review recently released media, ranging from Ken Carson's surprise release to Maroon 5’s latest single
Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japanese culture and the city’s ties to Toyokawa
The 41st annual festivity puts on display the beauties of Japan
Life after ambition
How I learned to rethink ambition
Localcations
El Estoque explores attractions in the area
In Review: Volume 6, 2025
El Estoque's staff review recently released media, ranging from Netflix's newest romcom to Lil Tecca's latest single
‘The Crux’ gets back into the heart of things
Djo’s third album is playful, if patchy
Exploring San Jose Museum of Art’s cultural canvas
SJMA brings diverse voices to the heart of San Jose
Dessert Detectives: ZERO& | Cupertino Village
Reviewing popular menu items based on quality and taste
Complicatedly related
How I learned to navigate my distant relationship with my brother
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
The sound of Black history
How Black culture has shaped music
Trauma? Let’s talk about it
How I learned to navigate using the term “trauma”
Creative currency
How capitalism shapes our art and media
Badvertising: how brands buy your allyship
Modern advertising capitalizes on the illusion of inclusivity
In Review: Volume 4, 2025
El Estoque's staff review recently released media, ranging from LiAngelo Ball's first shot at music to Tate McRae's new pop experiment
So, does this mean we’re in love?
Learning to love the gray area between platonic and romantic
Crossword: Dec. 13, 2024 Mini
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Crossword: Dec. 10, 2024 Mini
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Crossword: Dec. 6, 2024 Mini
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Crossword: Dec. 4, 2024 Mini
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That’s so phasic
Shifting the way we address seasonal depression
Crossword: Nov. 29, 2024 Mini
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Crossword: Nov. 27, 2024 Mini
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MVHS senior Sudisha Kumar wins community service award from the City of Cupertino
The CREST Rising Star award recognizes an individual who has volunteered for three years or fewer
Crossword: Nov. 19, 2024 Mini
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Crossword: Nov. 11, 2024 Mini
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The hidden history of Santa Clara
Sally Beaupre illustrates her experiences volunteering at the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum
‘Godspeed’ blesses listeners with its revelry
The Blessed Madonna’s first album overflows with life
At a passing glance
Rejecting the idea of passing can help us embrace our identities
‘For Cryin’ Out Loud!’ is a far cry from fulfilling
FINNEAS’ second album is a vulnerable shot in the dark
Homecoming 2024
Rewinding the 2024 Homecoming week
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ is a double dose of pure delusion
The ‘Joker’ sequel is a pathetic shadow of its former self
MVHS holds its annual Homecoming dance in the rally court
Students and staff reflect on the dance and location change
Class of 2027 wows the crowd as ninja stars
Sophomores emerge from the shadows with their spin on “Ninjago”
Words for things: emodiversity
How descriptive terms can help us break into our feelings
The thrift shift
MVHS Community members share their experiences with thrifting
Mandatory implementation of Ethnic Studies delayed until 2025-2026
As Ethnic Studies enters its second year of pilot, MVHS community members reflect on its impact
San Francisco Pride Parade 2024
The Golden City wraps up Pride Month with its annual LGBTQIA+ parade
The indie in-between
Students and staff share what indie music means to them
Pedestrian protectors
Discussing the role of crossing guards in student safety
Diss-graced
An interactive timeline of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef
‘Abigail’ bleeds its tired premise dry
Predictable plot, shallow characters and juvenile scripting hammer the last nail in the coffin
The art of losing
How I learned to redefine loss
‘Love Lies Bleeding’ oozes with carnal tension and heart
Director Rose Glass’s refreshing take on the noir genre tackles impulse and intimacy with power
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
‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ leaves audience bored and bamboo-zled
A poor script and predictable plotline result in the iconic franchise’s fall from grace
San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade 2024
San Francisco’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations welcome the Year of the Dragon into 2024