![Manas Kottakota](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_1137-1200x800.jpg)
Manas Kottakota, Sports Editor
![History teacher Usiel Meraz-Cerna starts a lecture by introducing what Ethnic Studies hopes to cover.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DSC_0013-2-1200x800.jpg)
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
![Tatiana Yoo (12) submitted "Started With A Box" to the NUMU Los Gatos ArtNow exhibition. Yoo responded to the prompt "In Transition" with a piece reflecting on childhood wonder.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5989D298-7E96-4B2F-8A81-0A177CD7DECD.jpg)
Award-winning artists
Prestigious MVHS artists reflect on their journeys
![Graphic by Leah Desai](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2625-1-1200x849.jpg)
Artistic ambitions
From self-expression to building community, MVHS students utilize art for many different purposes
![Badminton Head Coach Russell Okuno gives advice to sophomore Maxim Gutnik after his first set of Varsity 3 Boys Singles against Lynbrook High School.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0591-463-1200x800.jpg)
Sounds of sports
MV students and coaches share how they involve music, pep-talks and cheering into their sports life
![Badminton Head Coach Russell Okuno gives advice to sophomore Maxim Gutnik after his first set of Varsity 3 Boys Singles against Lynbrook High School.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0591-463-1200x800.jpg)
Words of advice
MVHS coaches discuss their approach to giving student athletes pep talks
![Senior and Varsity 3 Boys Doubles player Saketh Korrada prepares to serve the birdie.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0591-408-1200x800.jpg)
Varsity Badminton loses to Lynbrook High School 25-5
The Matadors fall to reigning league champions
![Off-court champs](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_7178-1-1200x838.png)
Off-court champs
MVHS sports depends on overlooked roles such as photographers, the athletic director, and student volunteers.
![Junior and Mixed Doubles player Max Lin serves the birdie in the first set.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/068F7F89-05A7-46FB-A46C-FC48ADA8C136-1200x800.png)
Varsity Badminton loses against Saratoga High School 18-12
The Matadors fall in a close game
![Two students play soccer at the Junior Stars Academy. Photo courtesy of Charlie Jiang | Used with permission](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-06-at-7.03.22-AM.png)
Game changing volunteers
MVHS students and athletes help support the local sports community through volunteering and coaching
![Stepping into a new year of sports](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-27-at-11.12.25-PM-1200x736.png)
Stepping into a new year of sports
MVHS students recognize changes in sports
![Mixed-gender events](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1837-1-1200x1085.jpg)
Mixed-gender events
Student athletes share their thoughts on the increase in mixed-gender events in Olympic sports
![Senior and shooting guard Ruchir Banerjee defends an opponent in the paint.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_0195-2-2-1200x798.jpg)
Boys Basketball narrowly falls to Leland High School 58-50
The Matadors lose momentum as the game enters overtime
All-star athletes
A class-by-class dive into outstanding athletes at MVHS
![Junior and forward Parth Upadhyay defends an opponent](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_0591-380-1200x798.jpg)
Home court advantage
Exploring the perspectives of athletes playing on their home turf
![Sophomore and forward Sean Foo defends an opponent.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DSC_0591-342-1200x798.jpg)
Boys Basketball falls to The King’s Academy 58-42
The Matadors lose the sportsmanship game
![The featured poster of “The Marvels”, showcases the leading trio. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. Used with permission.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TM_Payoff_1-Sht_Printed_v7_lg-H-2023.jpg-1200x676.webp)
‘The Marvels’ is a failed attempt to propel the Marvel Cinematic Universe forward
The convoluted and lackluster plotline fails to innovate
![Time out! Ep. 9: Gracie Lee](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1FC52545-F5A2-4CC1-BB14-7C65C0F4855C.jpg)
Time out! Ep. 9: Gracie Lee
Following Gracie Lee's journey in dance
![Senior Neiv Gupta prepares to intercept an opponent’s pass to his teammate. Photo courtesy of Neiv Gupta | Used with permission](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DSC_0591-262.jpg)
Senior sensation: Neiv Gupta
Delving into the successes and future of a senior ice hockey pheno
![Junior Tvisha Jain attempts to gain possession of the ball from an opponent.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DSC_0591-270-1200x798.jpg)
Field Hockey falls to Palo Alto High School 2-0
Despite putting up consistent effort, Field Hockey fails to win on senior night
![EE-SPN Ep. 5: NBA Eastern Conference Preview 2023-24](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-26-at-12.16.44-PM-1200x899.png)
EE-SPN Ep. 5: NBA Eastern Conference Preview 2023-24
Previewing and predicting the Eastern Conference of the 2023-2024 NBA Season
![Freshman and setter Kylee Mark sets the ball to junior and middle blocker Samantha Tong, who prepares to spike the ball.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DSC_0591-258-1200x798.jpg)
Girls Volleyball beats Sequoia High School 3-1
Girls Volleyball starts off strong in the first two sets and regains momentum to win the fourth set
![Graphic by Abha Dash](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-17-at-10.15.48 PM-1200x979.png)
Homecoming 2023
Replaying the 2023 Homecoming week
![Sheng Kee Bakery](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-16-at-4.57.15-PM.png)
Dessert Detectives: Sheng Kee Bakery
Reviewing popular menu items based on quality and taste
![Rebooting the rally](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-image-2-1200x675.jpeg)
Rebooting the rally
Examining how the themes of Homecoming 2023 are integrated into the Homecoming rally
![EE-SPN Ep. 4: NBA Western Conference Preview 2023-24](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-29-at-3.55.22-PM.png)
EE-SPN Ep. 4: NBA Western Conference Preview 2023-24
Previewing and Predicting the Western 2023-2024 NBA Season
![Cafeteria Crackdown 2](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-25-at-8.54.04-AM.png)
Cafeteria Crackdown 2
El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section assesses school brunches
![In August 2023, the choir room was still undergoing construction. | Photo by Giljoon Lee](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/con-27-1200x800.jpg)
Deconstructing construction
Breaking down school construction projects and how they impact MVHS staff
![Junior Tvisha Jain dribbles past her opponent in the first quarter. Photo by Manas Kottakota](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_0591-239-1200x798.jpg)
Field Hockey falls to Branham High School 5-1
Field Hockey continues to prepare for the regular season, but fails to maintain its positive momentum
![EE-SPN NBA Finals Graphic](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-05-at-10.19.05-AM.png)
EE-SPN Ep. 3: NBA Finals 2023
Analyzing the 2023 NBA Finals
![Tackling the enrollment crisis](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/News-Package-graphic-900x600.jpg)
Tackling the enrollment crisis
FUHSD navigates around issues caused by declining enrollment
![The addition of Proposition 28 provides additional funding for MVHS arts departments, helping to continue sustaining these courses.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-06-01-at-6.07.09-PM-900x649.png)
Keeping the arts alive
How declining enrollment and Proposition 28 are affecting the arts department
![2023 NBA Playoffs Conference Finals EE-SPN Graphic by Arjun Dhruv and Manas Kottakotta](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-19-at-3.47.37-PM-898x900.png)
EE-SPN Ep. 2: NBA Conference Finals 2023
Analyzing the conference finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs
![Junior and setter Henry Hu sets the ball to the middle hitter. Photo by Sagnik Nag Chowdhury](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Image-5-4-23-at-2.58-PM-900x596.jpeg)
Boys Volleyball falls to The Harker School 3-0 on its senior night
Matadors narrowly lost two final sets 22-25 and 23-25