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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

Lance Tong

Lance Tong, Managing Editor

Lance Tong is currently a senior and managing editor for El Estoque. He is a member of the MVHS Volleyball team. Lance enjoys watching the Giants and studying for APUSH in his spare time.

All content by Lance Tong
Senior Andrew Cole runs down the track during a track meet.

Powering through practice

Looking at how different athletes train for their sports
Swimmers Michael Ding, Nilay Kundu, Leo Matsumoto, Tan Kang, Ryan Tang and
Davina Huang all qualified and competed in the State Finals at Clovis West High
School.

Sports Recap: CCS

Examining the CCS runs of every spring sports team at MVHS.
Lance Tong
May 27, 2022
Diving into stan culture

Diving into stan culture

Investigating student perspectives on the K-Pop fan community
Lance Tong and Lillian Wang
April 27, 2022
Graphic by Justin Kim

Dancing forward

Taking a look at the goals and memories of MVHS's dance organizations
Analyzing Girls Basketball’s undefeated league season and CCS run

Analyzing Girls Basketball’s undefeated league season and CCS run

A timeline of the Varsity Girls Basketball team’s 2021-2022 season achievements
Anna Jerolimov and Lance Tong
March 12, 2022
In the face of crime

In the face of crime

Examining the impact of crime and community reactions to it
Cupertino Citizens serving through Neighborhood Watch

Cupertino Citizens serving through Neighborhood Watch

Exploring how civilians help law enforcement work towards a safer neighborhood
Jefferson Le and Lance Tong
February 15, 2022
Photo from FUHSD

FUHSD superintendent announces retirement

Superintendent Polly Bove will retire after serving 32 years in the FUHSD
Lance Tong
January 7, 2022
Addressing climate change

Addressing climate change

Examining the approach to climate change on four different levels
English Teacher Mark Carpenter stands in front of an LGBTQ+ flag.

Out for Safe Schools comes to MVHS

Exploring the impact of training staff to make safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students
Lance Tong
December 10, 2021
Electric vehicle chargers make a positive impact

Electric vehicle chargers make a positive impact

Examining the impact of FUHSD’s installation of solar panels and car chargers
Lance Tong and Mikaylah Du
December 10, 2021
Sophomore Ace Chow wearing his football gear | Photo Courtesy of Ace Chow

Preparing for the big game

MV athletes share different ways that help them get ready before their game
Junior Sydney Su and senior Marissa Jensen embrace in a tight hug. The four seniors were given speeches and gifts from the juniors before the start of the game.

Girls Volleyball falls to Los Altos High School on senior night

The Matadors lose with a final score of 3-2
Anna Jerolimov, Jayanti Jha, and Lance Tong
October 24, 2021
Senior Tanisha Pulla tries to maintain possession as a SHS opponent attempts to steal the ball.

Field Hockey falls to Saratoga High School on senior night

Matadors end their last home game against Saratoga with a power outage
Sarah Liu and Lance Tong
October 24, 2021
The team rushes through the banner, marking the end of halftime and the beginning of the third quarter.

Matadors lose helmet trophy to Cupertino High School for the fifth consecutive year

MVHS loses 20-45 against CHS in the Helmet Game despite second half push
Irene Tang, Michelle Zheng, and Lance Tong
October 18, 2021
The Class of 2022 poses for a group photo following their performance.

Class of 2022’s Homecoming performance

Seniors win the top prize for their homecoming performance
Aditya Shukla, Lance Tong, and Aashna Patel
October 8, 2021
"Los Gatos High School" by David Sawyer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

BREAKING: Los Altos High School bomb threat threatens Homecoming football game

Reports of a dangerous device at LAHS proves a false alarm
Devin Gupta and Lance Tong
October 1, 2021
Team Inani

Team Inani

Featuring sophomore Vrinda Inani’s dance journey
Lance Tong and Kalyani Puthenpurayil
September 23, 2021
Teammates by Chance

Teammates by Chance

Exploring the impacts of playing the same sport as a family member
MVHS players huddle together following a play

Football falls to Lowell High School 53-14

MVHS falls to Lowell High School in its third home game of the season
Lance Tong and Kripa Mayureshwar
September 22, 2021
The team waits in preparation for a spike from a Mountain View hitter.

Girls Volleyball loses to Mountain View High School 3-0

Matadors fall despite a six point lead in the third set
Anna Jerolimov and Lance Tong
September 20, 2021
Senior Marissa Jensen prepares to leap into the air to receive a pass from her teammate.

Girls Volleyball falls to Palo Alto High School 3-0

MVHS loses its undefeated streak in seventh game of the season
The MVHS boys water polo team discusses strategy at half time.

MVHS falls to Lynbrook High School in its season premiere

The Boys Water Polo team lose 13-12 in a thrilling sudden death third overtime
Lance Tong and Anna Jerolimov
September 10, 2021
With multiple staff openings, MVHS deals with starting the year with fewer councilors.

Counseling department starts the year with two vacancies

Students’ and administration’s reactions to staffing changes
FUHSD schools shift to hybrid learning

FUHSD schools shift to hybrid learning

Exploring the recent shift to hybrid learning within the district

Arm problems

How arm pains and injuries have impacted athletes at MVHS
Lance Tong and Neysa Singh
May 15, 2021

Ankle injuries

Exploring how one of the most common injuries affect athletes and their performances
Lance Tong
May 15, 2021
The Save Regnart car rallies drew support from students and parents alike.

Part 4: CUSD board and community members address the possibility of school closures

Exploring CUSD’s potential school closures and its impact on students, parents and teachers.
Lance Tong
May 6, 2021
CUSD board members discuss options for budget cuts. The board meeting lasted over four hours.

Part 3: How schools are funded

Exploring how CUSD and other school districts in California are funded
Lance Tong
May 6, 2021
West Valley Elementary School parents and students were shocked after every staff member was reassigned.

Part 2: The tide turns

Exploring the start of declining enrollment and the community's loss of trust in the CUSD board
Lance Tong
May 6, 2021
Lawson Middle School during the summer.

Part 1: The heyday

Exploring CUSDs past financial wellbeing in the early 2000s
Lance Tong
May 6, 2021
It's been a year now?

It’s been a year now?

Students reflect on COVID-19 a year after school closure
Kripa Mayureshwar and Lance Tong
April 4, 2021
Warming up: Reopening sports at MVHS

Warming up: Reopening sports at MVHS

Examining how athletes, coaches and administration have adapted to the pandemic
Another message from an ASB candidate for a vote

ASB candidates, please stop DMing us

Why campaigns DMing people individually is disingenuous
Lance Tong
March 17, 2021
A twitter user captures an image of a CUSD parent in support of returning to schools.

CUSD discusses returning to in person learning

Exploring parents, teachers and board members’ reaction to CUSDs reopening plan
Lance Tong
March 8, 2021
Photo illustration by Jayanti Jha and Lance Tong

Sprains, strains and pains

Athletes reflect on their experiences with various injuries
The Rise and Fall of CUSDs Enrollment and Expenditures

The Rise and Fall of CUSDs Enrollment and Expenditures

Exploring CUSDs financial and enrollment situation throughout the years
Lance Tong
November 26, 2020
Junior Anika Mishra practices before a game with a small crowd. Photo used with permission by Mishra.

The Impact of Cheering

Student athletes share the effect of crowds on their performance
Lance Tong
November 5, 2020
"Mitch McConnell" by Gage Skidmore is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0.

Senate Republicans’ hypocrisy is at an all time high

Examining the legacy of the “Biden Rule” and its application to the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Lance Tong
October 7, 2020
From serving as bonding events to fueling athletes in reaching their maximum potential, food is an integral part of an athletes’ experience. Whether it’s increasing intake of specific food groups to compensate for dietary restrictions or making their own meals, MVHS student-athletes have taken their diets into their own hands to make sure they’re “fuelin’ up.”

Fuelin’ Up

Exploring how food affects athletes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Many seniors used the car parade as an opportunity to meet with their friends and take graduation photos together.

MVHS hosts senior car parade

Seniors gather to celebrate their socially distanced graduation
Robert Liu and Lance Tong
June 8, 2020
CUSD board members discuss options for budget cuts. The board meeting lasted over four hours.

Cupertino Union School District school board addresses reduced funding amid budget spending deficit

CUSD discusses effects of declining enrollment on district finances at board meeting
Lance Tong
May 23, 2020
Picuture used from The California State University website

CSUs and UCs suspend standardized testing requirements

Exploring perspectives on how changes to college application requirements will impact MVHS students
Lance Tong
May 22, 2020
Grocery stores implement safety measures in light of COVID-19

Grocery stores implement safety measures in light of COVID-19

Exploring Whole Foods COVID-19 safety measures and public opinion about the measures taken
Tanish Mendki and Lance Tong
May 12, 2020
Finding sympathy for the MVHS administration

Finding sympathy for the MVHS administration

Why we need to cut the administration some slack because of the recent COVID-19 epidemic
Jayanti Jha and Lance Tong
April 3, 2020
The MVHS cafeteria surprises with delicious meals

The MVHS cafeteria surprises with delicious meals

School lunch hits the mark and earns ⅘ stars
Lance Tong
March 31, 2020
Cure Cancer Cruise 2020 Preparations

Cure Cancer Cruise 2020 Preparations

How five different committees collaborated to plan the annual Octagon cancer fundraiser event
Sophia Chen, Lance Tong, and Annie Zhang
March 28, 2020
Sophmore Anushka Savale works on the wheel.

A Potter’s Touch: Exploring junior Anushka Savale’s journey with ceramics

Exploring junior Anushka Savale's journey with ceramics
Lance Tong and Stuti Upadhyay
March 11, 2020
Sophmore Collin Ong poses in front of his Funko Pops. Ong has over 70 Funko Pops. Photo used with permission of Collin Ong

A shelf of memories: MVHS communities collections of different items

Exploring what various people in the MVHS community collect
Lance Tong
February 11, 2020
Senior Yoanna Lee practices "Jesus Loves Me" by Chris Tomlin on stage.

Spirit of Song

Members of local Christian praise teams reflect on the value of praise and community
Aditi Dixit and Lance Tong
February 11, 2020
2020 Club Food Day in Photos

2020 Club Food Day in Photos

Exploring Club Food Day through images
Lance Tong
February 10, 2020
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