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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

Leah Desai

Leah Desai, Sports Editor

Leah is currently a junior and a Sports Editor for El Estoque. She is a member of the Monta Vista volleyball team and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends and watching Modern Family.

All content by Leah Desai
Junior Miya Sakurai and her Asian league team play on the court at Oracle Arena. Photo courtesy of Miya Sakurai | Used with permission.

Bound through ball

Asian league basketball brings the Asian community together
Leah Desai and Ethan Yang
October 26, 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
Parents, teachers and students volunteer at the Snack Shack, serving foods like burgers and nachos to customers. Photo by Mia Wetzler | Used with permission

Snack Shack workers discuss the preparation process and the community aspect behind it

Volunteers from MV’s concession stand come from various in-school communities to help raise funds
Leah Desai and Megha Mummaneni
September 21, 2024
Nicole Laeno and the parasocial predicament

Nicole Laeno and the parasocial predicament

The emotional connections between online creators and their fans are getting out of hand
Sania Nadkarni and Leah Desai
May 25, 2024
Sports culture

Sports culture

Taking a look at the different sports teams environments at Monta Vista
Season traditions

Season traditions

Sports teams carry on annual traditions
Leah Desai
May 23, 2024
The six seniors hold up the CCS DII Championship trophy.

Boys Volleyball defeats Aragon High School and wins the CCS DII Championship 3-0

Matadors maintain strong lead throughout the CCS finals
Leah Desai
May 13, 2024
Creating culture

Creating culture

From clubs to holidays, MVHS students use a multitude of methods to stay connected to their cultural identity
Sophomore Vivana Dave attempts a synchronized dive along side another diver while two of her teammates converse in the hot tub. Photo courtesy of Vivana Dave | Used with permission

The delight of diving

New divers find love for the sport and its supportive environment
Leah Desai, Staff Writer
April 10, 2024
As a child, junior Bernice Kwong would often celebrate Easter alongside her friends. Photo courtesy of Bernice Kwong | Used with permission.

Celebrating major March holidays at MVHS

Students celebrate Easter and Ramadan in a multitude of ways
Leah Desai and Riya Murthy
March 31, 2024
Work hard, play hard

Work hard, play hard

The MVHS community plays a variety of different games from pay-to-play experiences to educational tools
Graphic by Leah Desai

Puzzles Paradise

MVHS students reflect on playing digitized versions of puzzle games
Leah Desai and Arshiya Sen
March 8, 2024
Sophomore Christopher Lamfalusi attempts a pass during a hockey game.

Time Out! Ep. 16: Christopher Lamfalusi

Sophomore Christopher Lamfalusi discusses his ice hockey journey
Leah Desai and Sania Nadkarni
March 2, 2024
Man on the street: Super Bowl predictions

Man on the street: Super Bowl predictions

MVHS students predict the outcome of the 2024 Super Bowl
Leah Desai and Ananda Singh
February 9, 2024
Graphic by Jami Lim.

Decorate our lives

Students and staff share different ways they decorate daily life
Senior and point guard Carolyn Ruan drives the ball down after stealing it from an opponent.

Girls basketball falls to Los Gatos 52-37

Matadors fall short on defense throughout the game
Senior Zayd Musa’s collection of over 30 lip balms. Photo by Zayd Musa. Used with permission.

Collection obsessions

The various collections of MVHS students
Leah Desai and Eshika Tiwari
January 19, 2024
All-star athletes

All-star athletes

A class-by-class dive into outstanding athletes at MVHS
Graphics by Stella Petzova

Immersed in India

Recognizing different forms of Indian-influenced entertainment in our community
Behind the bows

Behind the bows

A behind-the-scenes look at the Monta Vista cheer team
Leah Desai and Eshika Tiwari
December 4, 2023
Junior Siyona Kathuria and her friends pose for a photo dressed in traditional Indian clothing for her 16th birthday party. Photo by Preeti Kathuria | Used with permission.

Sari, not sorry

Understanding the significance of traditional Indian apparel and cultural appreciation within the Indian American community
Leah Desai and Jami Lim
November 30, 2023
Senior Ruchir Banerjee jumps above an opponent for a layup attempt.

Boys Basketball defeats Overfelt 70-21 in its third game of the season

The Matadors dominate throughout the entire game
Leah Desai, Sania Nadkarni, and Eshika Tiwari
November 29, 2023
50 questions with Molly Guadiamos

50 questions with Molly Guadiamos

In the 25th installment of the recurring series, El Estoque asks Molly Guadiamos 50 questions
Leah Desai and Sania Nadkarni
November 6, 2023
Sophomores Zoe and Lelani Laruelle pose after winning a tennis match. Photo courtesy of Zoe Laruelle. | Used with permission.

Sophomore Standouts: Lelani and Zoe Laruelle

Exploring the experiences of twins Lelani and Zoe Laruelle in their tennis journey
Leah Desai and Aidan Ruan
November 3, 2023
De Leon and Yoo (both on far left) huddle with the Varsity Field Hockey team, discussing strategies for the game against Wilcox High School on Sept. 11. Photo | Lily Jiang

Amelia de Leon: from player to Head Coach

Featuring the new Head Coach of the Varsity Field Hockey team
Leah Desai and Michelle Zheng
October 10, 2023
Maya Kumar poses in traditional Indian clothes. | Photo Courtesy of Maya Kumar | Used with permission

Ascending the stage

Examining sophomore Maya Kumar’s journey with bharatanatyam
Leah Desai and Sania Nadkarni
September 23, 2023
In August 2023, the choir room was still undergoing construction. | Photo by Giljoon Lee

Deconstructing construction

Breaking down school construction projects and how they impact MVHS staff
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