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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

Kalyani Puthenpurayil

Kalyani Puthenpurayil, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Kalyani is currently a senior and a co-editor-in-chief for El Estoque. She previously served as a sports editor and is a midfielder on the field hockey team at MVHS. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to music and spend time with her little brothers and friends.

All content by Kalyani Puthenpurayil
MV's Family History

MV’s Family History

MVHS students delve into their family history
Shi Tong Huang and Qi Jie Yang smile for a photo in front of a lake.

Echoes of the past

MVHS community members share how the Chinese Cultural Revolution and other policies led them to immigrate to the U.S.
Life ready?

Life ready?

MVHS seniors share life skills they aspire to build for college and beyond
Jason Chu and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
May 23, 2024
Treating toxicity

Treating toxicity

Staff opinions on MVHS’ culture of toxicity and the role they play
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
Many female students deal with mansplaining in classroom settings.

Explaining mansplaining

Students and staff share their perspectives on guys talking over others
Managing money

Managing money

Students need a financial literacy course to prepare them for the real world
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
March 17, 2024
Junior Kimika Shimazaki poses with a baton after performing at the Welcome Back rally.

Belonging in baton

Junior Kimika Shimazaki reflects on her journey in baton twirling
Abha Dash (12) was photographed before and after using a Snapchat beauty filter. The filter whitened not only her clothes and surroundings, but her facial features, as well.

the AIssue

Students must be equipped with skills to face AI’s inherent biases
Shannon Yu and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
March 9, 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
A walk in the museum

A walk in the museum

Art 2-4 and Studio Art classes take a trip to the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
February 1, 2024
Education legislation

Education legislation

California passes new laws to improve education
Graphic | Corinna Kuo

Investing in student wellness

California bill increases funding for school-based mental health services
Liz Liu, Kalyani Puthenpurayil, and Brandon Xu
January 27, 2024
Competing to connect

Competing to connect

Community members share their experiences and thoughts on the networking aspect of sports
Lily Jiang and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
January 25, 2024
Senior and guard Jake Nakamura avoids opponents while dribbling the ball down the court.

Varsity Boys Basketball loses to Saratoga High School 52-50 in a close match

The Matadors maintain a nearly even score up until the last few seconds
All-star athletes

All-star athletes

A class-by-class dive into outstanding athletes at MVHS
Protestors gather at Harry Bridges Plaza, San Francisco in a demonstration against the APEC convention.

On the streets of SF

San Francisco reflects on the 2023 APEC summit’s impacts on community issues
Seniors Matthew Lau and Pranai Raina dance during the senior Homecoming skit. The choreography included a breakdancing segment, which both of them partook in as experienced breakdancers.

Time Out! Ep. 13: Matthew Lau and Pranai Raina

Exploring how seniors Matthew Lau and Pranai Raina got into breakdancing and their experience in the sport
APEC: A business perspective

APEC: A business perspective

Looking into the convention’s impacts on local businesses and organizations
The California Reparations Task Force hold a public hearing on Jan. 28, 2023, at San Diego State University. Photo by Ariana Drehsler, CalMatters | Used with permission

Road to reform

Examining current approaches that foster change within the community
Dismantling the history behind De Anza’s name

Dismantling the history behind De Anza’s name

Examining opinions on renaming De Anza College due to controversy behind namesake
Liz Liu, Kalyani Puthenpurayil, and Lindsey Tang
December 2, 2023
Junior Davina Huang swims in freestyle during a meet.

Junior Juggernaut: Davina Huang

Diving into Huang’s competitive swim journey and commitment to Harvard
Kalyani Puthenpurayil and Arushi Singh
November 9, 2023
Transgender student athletes participate in a variety of sports at MVHS.

Transgender student athletes

Looking into the experiences of athletes who identify as transgender at MVHS
Dripped out

Dripped out

Looking into what athletes wear during games and practices
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
November 3, 2023

Beyond the numbers

Schools should not be ranked solely by their academic achievements
Athletic trainer Myesha Taylor treats a player after they received an injury during a game.

On the move

Exploring how the athletic trainer is growing into her role at MVHS
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
October 18, 2023
Hi Barbie!

Hi Barbie!

Exploring social media’s impact on women empowerment themes in the summer hit “Barbie”
Senior Celine He performs in Varsity Winter Guard's 2023 show, The Moment We Never Met.

Time out! Ep.7: Celine He

Examining senior Celine He’s return to Color Guard during her senior year
Committed!

Committed!

Exploring the journeys of three college recruits for their respective sports
Senior Chetnaa Prasad is batting in a cricket game. She is a member of the USA Women’s National and Women's National Under 19 Training groups.

Carrying the bat

Exploring how the MVHS community is involved in the world’s second largest sport — cricket
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
April 26, 2023
The "PORTALS" album cover features Melanie Martinez portrayed as a pink character, the newest role she has taken on in Cry Baby's evolution.

Melanie Martinez enters a new era in ‘PORTALS’

The alt-pop singer unleashes artistry via lyrics and themes in her third studio album
Junior Siena Banks pitches the ball during the fifth and final inning.

Softball beats Lynbrook High School 24-3 in a blowout

The Matadors maintain a strong lead for the entirety of the game to secure a win
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
March 24, 2023
Hair holds varying significance for these six students, from being an extension of their personality to a characteristic that others like to point out.

Hair down

Exploring the stories behind students' hair
Junior Rahul Pothineni passes the ball to a teammate.

Boys Volleyball loses to The Harker School in its first home game of the season

Matadors tried to hold out to a fifth set but lost after ending the fourth set 25-23
Lauren Chuu and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
March 19, 2023
Out of line

Out of line

Exploring how anger, sadness and loss can cause the lines of respect to disappear in the heat of the game
Clumps of snow were spotted at Saratoga Quarry Park.

Freeze warning in effect amid snow and rain

San Francisco Bay Area sees significant snowfall for the first time in several decades
Different athletes and coaches have different philosophies surrounding swearing, but when it becomes disrespectful or unnecessary, athletes tend to face consequences.

Crossing the line

Exploring the effects of swearing in sports
Kalyani Puthenpurayil and Mira Wagner
February 17, 2023

Man on the street: Arm Wrestling

Challenging students to arm wrestling matches throughout the campus
Junior and center forward Sophia Lu maneuvers past the opposition in an attempt to shoot the ball.

Girls Basketball defeats Leland High School 69-42

Matadors maintain their lead throughout the game
Sportswashing covers up and erases the problems faced by the country.

More than just a game

How sportswashing came into play at the World Cup
The 2022 World Cup, hosted in Qatar, has attracted a large number of soccer fans from around the world and is considered one of the most widely viewed sporting events globally this year.

Now is all

Looking into students reactions to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Kalyani Puthenpurayil and Lillian Wang
December 21, 2022
Senior Diya Balakrishnan dribbles the ball around a BHS defender during the second half to advance up the field. Photo by Kalyani Puthenpurayil

Girls Soccer loses to Branham High School 1-0 in its first home game

Matadors attribute defeat to communication and incomplete passes
Lauren Chuu and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
November 25, 2022
An illustrative graphic of a tampon kicking a soccer ball.

Playing the period game

Athletes explain the impact of menstruation on their sports
Jami Lim and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
November 12, 2022
Junior Hamza Moharram goes in for a tackle in the beginning of the first quarter.

Football dominates Lynbrook High School 42-0 in its Homecoming game

Matadors start off strong and maintain their winning streak throughout the game
A drone shot of Orange Avenue pictures the newly constructed sidewalk. Photo by Alexander Chu

A new path to school

Sidewalk installations aim to promote student safety and walking to school
Megha Mummaneni and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
October 14, 2022
Senior Krupa Shanware serves the ball to start a rally.

Girls Volleyball loses to Mountain View High School 3-2

Matadors experience a loss of momentum after winning first two sets
Lauren Chuu and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
September 24, 2022
Senior Andrew Cole runs down the track during a track meet.

Powering through practice

Looking at how different athletes train for their sports
Facing phobias

Facing phobias

Exploring irrational fears that students have
The players celebrate after winning their first home game in straight sets against Homestead High School, not knowing that they would be facing HHS again for the Division I CCS Championship.

Fight like hell

Exploring Boys Volleyball’s journey to the Division II NorCal Playoffs
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
May 25, 2022
Trashing Our School

Trashing Our School

Exploring the different ways trash affects the MVHS community
The Local Road Safety Plan targets to reduce fatalities and severe injuries for all types of commuters, including bikers, drivers and pedestrians.

Paving the way for safer roads

Exploring how Cupertino is working towards creating a Local Road Safety Plan
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
May 22, 2022
Calling to communicate

Calling to communicate

Exploring how the MVHS community stays connected through voice
Like Sophomore Esther Suh, many individuals utilize messaging platforms to connect with others for reasons ranging from talking to friends and family to work related purposes.

Connected through texting

Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of digital communication
Seniors Arthur Chan, Lance Tong, Neil Weaver, Rishi Dasari and Sudhit Rao pose together with their family members and their gifts.

Boys Volleyball dominates Saratoga High School on senior night

Seniors share their fun moments on the court during their last home game
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
May 2, 2022
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