![Graphic by Yixuan (Joyce) Li | Made with Canva](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Weaving-Bonds-Collage-1-e1716767676969.png)
Weaving bonds
MVHS’s opinions on the multifaceted web of relationships
![Its important to have discussions about family finances and how they’re being handled for college plans.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-3.31.30 PM.png)
The ultimate college debt
Understanding financial plans for college helps relieve feelings of immigrant guilt
![Nostalgic much?](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-3.26.39 PM-797x1200.png)
Nostalgic much?
Learning how to overcome my sentimentality and live in the present
![College bound](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-29-at-12.29.10-PM-1200x732.png)
College bound
Exploring the changing landscape of higher education
![College by the numbers](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-26-at-10.52.53-PM-1200x853.png)
College by the numbers
Investigating trends in MVHS college statistics
![Ethical crossroads](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ethical-crossroads-1.png)
Ethical crossroads
El Estoque staff discuss the mission and ethics of the publication
![Raising Funds](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fundraisers-Package-Cover-1200x675.png)
Raising Funds
MVHS student groups raise money through creative fundraisers
![Clubs sell out during Club Grub Day](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0018-1200x800.jpg)
Clubs sell out during Club Grub Day
Students share their thoughts on Club Grub Day
![Grading the gradebook](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-07-1.19.11-PM-1.png)
Grading the gradebook
MVHS students and teachers rethink traditional grading practices
![Unfolding Cupertino City Limits](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/last-one.png)
Unfolding Cupertino city limits
El Estoque's Opinion section examines how housing, entertainment and restaurants in the area affect the community
![We need to think critically about the media we consume to prevent being influenced by problematic relationships.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screen-Shot-2024-01-25-at-9.02.25-PM-1076x1200.png)
A romantic dilemma
Visual media normalizes problematic behaviors and relationships that aren’t healthy in reality
![Graphic by Meggie Chen](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/B68140AE-22AC-4F9C-9CF1-C07B11026E9C-1200x1005.png)
Entertainment in Cupertino
The lack of youth friendly entertainment spaces in Cupertino perpetuates its unhealthy stress culture
![Reflecting on modern values](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Featured-image-reflecting-on-modern-values-copy.png)
Reflecting on modern values
Analyzing opinions on changes in societal views
![Star-studded activism](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-09-at-9.06.52-PM.png)
Star-studded activism
Exploring the flawed expectation for celebrities to share political opinions
![Culture plays a nuanced role in someones identity, which is why we must take it into account before asking someone to share their political opinions.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/BallotFlag2-e1701913166133-1200x794.png)
Culture: the elephant (and donkey) in the room
We must consider people’s cultural values before asking them to share their political opinion
![Elders of cupertino](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/elders-in-2-1200x675.png)
Elders of cupertino
Exploring the impact of local elders on the community
![Experienced educators](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-1.png)
Experienced educators
Seasoned teachers share their experiences in education
![The U.S. is currently experiencing a religious recession specifically with Christianity, one that could change the religious landscape that has been a core part of American identity since its founding. Photo | Alicia Quan | Unsplash](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/LosingReligionVisual-1200x900.png)
The religious recession
Examining the experience of MVHS students’ journeys with Christianity
![A study released earlier this year found that Ivy-plus colleges were more likely to admit wealthier students despite similar standardized testing scores.
Photo by Tim Alex | Unsplash](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tim-alex-JYqLCa-rv7o-unsplash-1200x869.jpg)
The price of prestige
Examining the deficits of prestigious colleges
![A year of Yearbook](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/348360959_1308782473051878_2009830790660572842_n-900x507.jpg)
A year of Yearbook
Exploring the challenges and triumphs of El Valedor
![Voicing my insecurities](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Voicing_My_Insecurities_Graphic-900x651.png)
Voicing my insecurities
Learning to stop disliking my own voice
![Humor is subjective, and jokes about race are not different – its the situational context and understanding of the community that dictate whether theyre appropriate or not.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/raceJokesVisual-2-900x675.png)
Is it a racist joke or just a joke about race?
Exploring the nuances and morals of race jokes
![Recycled actors in purported Asian films ironically reveal the lack of diversity that plagues the film industry.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/EvelyenEEAOPic-pdf-900x900.jpg)
It’s the same people
Recycling actors reveals a lack of Asian representation in the entertainment industry
![Senior and captain Ishita Pesati defends the ball from her opponent.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/S2-900x600.jpg)
Girls Soccer beats Cupertino High School 1-0 on its senior night
Matadors emerge third in league and end the season with a win
![Glass children are often overshadowed by their siblings, even when it is unintentional.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screen-Shot-2023-02-17-at-2.17.14-PM-900x599.png)
Glass Child
Exploring how mental illness touches the lives of siblings
![Sportswashing covers up and erases the problems faced by the country.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Sportswashing_Graphic-pdf-900x625.jpg)
More than just a game
How sportswashing came into play at the World Cup
![Raahul Srinivasan and Sumita Sami laugh at each other during a photoshoot on their wedding day.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ArrangedMarriage-2-pdf-900x599.jpg)
The Art of Matchmaking
Examining how the perception of arranged marriage has shifted from the past to present
![Although society tends to diminish the value of beautification efforts, we must remind ourselves that such a negative view is unneeded.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FILE_0675-pdf-717x900.jpg)
Staff Editorial: Beauty for ourselves
Learning to be less judgmental about how others approach beauty
![The team celebrates after winning the final point in the fourth set, defeating HHS 3-1.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1-copy-2-2-900x600.jpg)
Girls Volleyball beats Hillsdale High School 3-1 in the CCS Semifinals
Matadors advance to the CCS Finals against Aragon High School on Nov. 5
![Doing something for the sake of getting a prize prevents us from pursuing our true passions. Photo Illustration|Meggie Chen](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Participation_Prizes_Graphic-900x643.png)
Passionless Participation
A nuanced look at how participation prizes perpetuate a culture of extrinsic motivation
![Teachers take on new positions](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-12-at-4.22.37-PM.png)
Teachers take on new positions
Examining how students and teachers adapt to position changes
![After senior Sydney Su saves the ball from hitting the ground, senior Krupa Shanware prepares to pass the ball back to the opponent’s side and continue the rally.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC0176-2-900x657.jpg)
Girls Volleyball beats Overfelt High School 3-0
Matadors win straight sets in first game of the season
![The Hate Word](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/The_Hate_Word_Graphic-900x625.jpg)
The “Hate” Word
Why we should stop using the word “hate”
Fear
Exploring how fear affects three MVHS student-athletes in their sport
![Sophomore Aditya Sharma poses with his family, who are all wearing customized Ralph Lauren polo uniforms.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/4D209FEA-9991-408C-A09C-A63CAB167AF8-598x900.jpg)
Polo unites the Sharmas
Exploring sophomore Aditya Sharma’s journey playing polo with his family
![The Apple Watch offers a variety of features that track activity
Graphic | Irene Tang](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Daily-900x900.png)
Down to the bits: technology in sports
Exploring how MVHS sports uses technology
![Understanding the impact of sports related games](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SportsAnimationFeaturedImage.gif)
Understanding the impact of sports related games
Students share their reactions to games like Wii Sports and Just Dance
![Learning how to reconcile the culture I was raised in with the political activism of my community has been extremely difficult.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CulturePoliticColumnGraphic-900x750.png)
Stay silent, speak out
Reconciling involvement with politics and cultural norms
![A stack of books labeled STEM, Humanities, and Binaries | Illustration by Kripa Mayureshwar](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/graphic-900x675.png)
Breaking down binaries
Re-evaluating our dichotomous perception of the world
Do all Monta Vista students think the same?
Asking students where they stand on a spectrum regarding various binaries
![One of my favorite memories from elementary school was when Ms.G made homemade ice cream out of fresh strawberries for us.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TeacherIllustration1-900x900.png)
To all the teachers who have inspired me
Letters to all the teachers who’ve stuck with me through the years
![Language in Media](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/language-in-media-900x900.png)
Language in Media
Examining how the rhetoric used in modern media permeates our daily lives
![Graphic made in Canva, depicting the most used languages on the internet](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Image-from-iOS-1-900x900.jpg)
An English-centered Internet causes miscommunication, misinformation and isolation
Examining how English being the Internet’s primary language affects users
![Learning to eat bitter forced me to confront the pessimistic mindset Id built around hard work and success.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Eat-Bittersweet-Graphic-e1639013601402-731x900.png)
Eat bitter(sweet)
Learning how to 吃苦, or “eat bitter”
![Expressing love languages](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/love-languages-cover-e1636851614725-809x900.png)
Expressing love languages
Exploring how love languages play a role in the MVHS community
![Graphic by Mikaylah Du](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Acts_of_Service_Graphic.jpeg)
Performing Acts of Service
Students and teachers explore how acts of service affect their lives.
![24 Questions with the Class of 2024](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screen-Shot-2021-10-29-at-10.11.21-AM-900x508.png)
24 Questions with the Class of 2024
Asking sophomores 24 random questions
![Long-term substitute Stephanie Bodnaruk poses for a photo.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_3936-3-900x586.jpg)
Matador family adds members to its ranks
New staff share more about where they're coming from and what brought them to MVHS
![50 fresh faces](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Blue-Square-Border-Motivational-Quotes.png)
50 fresh faces
The Class of 2025 shares its initial thoughts about MVHS
![Senior Sophia Bokovikova poses beside her grandmother in Novosibirsk, Russia.](https://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_5521-1-e1629597289163-675x900.jpeg)
Post-lockdown getaways
Students recount their first summer vacations following quarantine