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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

Kate Yang

Kate Yang, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Kate is currently a senior and an Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. Outside of writing, she enjoys finishing homework, trying new hot pot flavors and indulging in her fifth rewatch of “The Good Place.”

All content by Kate Yang
Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) dials into the French 75. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture | Used without permission

‘One Battle After Another’ is Paul Thomas Anderson’s magnum opus

Anderson stuns with impeccable world building and an action-packed plot
Kate Yang
November 1, 2025
A child dressed up as a unicorn reaches into the bucket for a prize.

Photo | Emmy Harimoto

City of Cupertino hosts annual spooktacular Monster Mash

Families gather for a festive night of games, trick-or-treating and costumes at Cupertino’s annual Halloween event
Emmy Harimoto and Kate Yang
November 1, 2025
In Review: Volume 1, 2025

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"
Sabrina Carpenter poses for the “Man’s Best Friend” album cover. Photo | Bryce Anderson.

Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Man’s Best Friend’ is a combination of upbeat tunes and shaky production

Carpenter’s latest album fails to showcase the entirety of her musical genius
Kate Yang and Srinikaa Naveenraj
September 21, 2025
Parasocial comments are prevalent on “Love Island” social media communities. Graphic | Kate Yang

What is love?

How popular shows like ‘Love Island’ and ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ fuel parasocial relationships
Alexandra Perrault and Kate Yang
September 20, 2025
Students will no longer be able to freely access cell phones in class as part of California’s Assembly Bill 3216. Graphics courtesy of Canva | Photo illustration by Kate Yang

FUHSD instates new “off and away” policy

The policy is built to encourage student focus and learning
Superman’s vibrant hues of red, blue and golden yellow symbolize his confidence and transition into a mature superhero. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Studio.

‘Superman’ impresses the audience with its humor and relatability

James Gunn’s adaptation of the classic icon entertains and connects the audience to Superman’s world
Owen Liu and Kate Yang
August 6, 2025
Main character Mei Lee from Pixar’s “Turning Red” walks a fine line between stereotypical and representative of Asian culture, exemplifying the struggle of Asian American media creators to produce authentic representation. Photo | Pixar

A cultural affair

How AAPI artists express their culture through animation
Sophia D’Sa and Kate Yang
May 27, 2025
Graphic | Vaishnavi Katukam

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
PinkPantheress poses amongst a sea of flowers for the cover of "Fancy That." Courtesy of Warner Brothers | Used with permission

PinkPantheress shatters all expectations with “Fancy That”

The mixtape stuns with its lyricism, sampling and creativity
Vaishnavi Katukam and Kate Yang
May 24, 2025
Teachers' work goes far beyond the classroom, involving responsibilities often unseen by students. Illustration | Sophia D'Sa

Behind the desk

MVHS teachers discuss their approaches to teaching and how their life experiences have impacted their teaching
MVHS department leads smile for a photo. Graphic | Kate Yang

MVHS department leads shine in their work

Department leads reflect upon their leadership duties and activities
Kate Yang
April 11, 2025
At the Planned Parenthood booth, an attendee wins a prize after spinning the wheel. Photo | Kate Yang

Cupertino’s Earth Day and Arbor Festival sets a spotlight on environmental issues

The City of Cupertino hosted the interactive event to educate people and spread awareness on the environment
Vaishnavi Katukam and Kate Yang
April 11, 2025
The cover of "Equus Asinus" features a shirtless man ironing cloth in a bedroom. Photo courtesy of Men I Trust

‘Equus Asinus’ leaves fans searching for more

Canadian band Men I Trust barely nail the plot in their latest release
Vaishnavi Katukam and Kate Yang
April 5, 2025
Tiny Love Stories

Tiny Love Stories

What love means to the MVHS community

Tiny Love Stories, pt. 1

What love means to the MVHS community
Sophia D’Sa and Kate Yang
March 2, 2025
Illustration | Isabelle Kok

Creative currency

How capitalism shapes our art and media
An illustration of Mac Miller’s face shaped as a balloon. Photo courtesy of Malcolm James McCormick Photo | Used with permission

‘Balloonerism’ pops Mac Miller’s musicality balloon

Miller’s emotion falls short with its repetitive nature
Vaishnavi Katukam and Kate Yang
February 3, 2025
Take our January News Quiz

Take our January News Quiz

Test your knowledge of key events last month
Stella Petzova and Kate Yang
February 1, 2025
A child attending the Night Hike answers the park ranger’s questions regarding the animals in McClellan Ranch Preserve. Photo | Kate Yang

Cupertino’s Join-A-Ranger: Night Hike and Flashlight Tour offers attendees a glimpse into nature

Park Rangers educate attendees about the ecosystems, wildlife of McClellan Ranch
Vaishnavi Katukam and Kate Yang
January 27, 2025
Photo illustration by Isabelle Kok

Sonny ‘angels’

Blind box companies keep teenage consumers hooked with monetization and marketing tactics
Kate Yang
January 24, 2025
Senior Kathryn Foo listens to her favorite international music tunes. | Photo illustration by Giljoon Lee

A musical connection

How listening to and enjoying international music has impacted students and their connection with their culture
Kate Yang
November 27, 2024

The Cupertino Veterans Memorial honors veterans for their service

Veterans, active duty military and first responders honored with speakers and a musical performance at Cupertino Memorial Park
Vaishnavi Katukam and Kate Yang
November 18, 2024
Lead Ravi Kumar and volunteer Gretchen Schwartz pose for a photo in front of the Cupertino Library vote center. Photo | Vaishnavi Katukam

Poll workers at the Cupertino Vote Center work to ensure an efficient voting process

Leads, Aides and Volunteers serve their community at the Cupertino Library 11-Day Vote Center, by assisting voters through the voting process, leading up to the election
Vaishnavi Katukam, Giljoon Lee, and Kate Yang
November 11, 2024
Photo illustration | Stella Petzova

Election 2024

Examining the impact of local, statewide and national elections on the MVHS community
Vice Mayor of Saratoga Belal Aftab responds to the audience. | Photo by Kate Yang

The Cupertino Youth Activity Board hosts Pizza and Politics

The event featured teens and adults involved in local politics
Vaishnavi Katukam and Kate Yang
November 1, 2024
Photos courtesy of Lauren Moore, Maxim Gutnik, Brian Chou, and Jack Zhang | Graphic by Kate Yang

Students on 2024 election policies

Four students share their viewpoints on immigration, affordable housing, gun control and abortion
Suhana Mahabal and Kate Yang
October 25, 2024
Rachel Cassar, Claudia Zambon, Kristi Iwami, Ashton Chen, Allen Riddle, Melody Yi, Lisa Fernandez

New teachers share their backgrounds and goals for the new school year

MVHS staff joining in the 2024-2025 school year introduce themselves to the school
Danny Choi, Aegean Lee, Pat Carpio-Aguilar and Frances Renteria are running for Trustee Areas 5 and 2 for FUHSD's first by-trustee-area elections.

FUHSD holds first trustee area election

Four candidates are running for Trustee Areas 2 and 5 in this November’s election
Alyssa Yang and Kate Yang
September 28, 2024
History teacher Usiel Meraz-Cerna starts a lecture by introducing what Ethnic Studies hopes to cover.

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
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