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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

Samika Bhatkar

Samika Bhatkar, Editor-in-Chief

Samika is currently a senior and Editor in Chief for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog. In her free time, Samika watches NBA games or cooks with her family.

All content by Samika Bhatkar
Interconnected

Interconnected

MVHS community members reflect on their ways of staying connected
Senior Pallavi Mallik spent one of her elementary school Christmas's on vacation with her family. Photo courtesy of Pallavi Mallik | Used with permission

MVHS students recount the meaning of Christmas to them

How students adapt Christmas traditions to their experiences with culture in Cupertino
Samika Bhatkar and Jason Chu
December 4, 2024
Rapper Ken Carson performed atop a stage constructed of steel poles throughout the night. Photo by Trey Karson | Used with permission

Ken Carson’s ‘A Great Chaos’ tour is the epitome of its name

The rapper’s aggressive artistry lures concertgoers into a never-ending delirium
Samika Bhatkar
November 23, 2024
Tinfoil hats have been a symbol to represent paranoia conspiracy theorists have. The hats are worn with the belief that they will protect the brain from electromagnetic fields or mind control.   Photo Illustration | Samika Bhatkar

Rumor has it

MVHS students and staff discuss the role of conspiracy theories in their lives
Samika Bhatkar and Radhika Dharmapurikar
November 2, 2024
Toxicity on social media

Toxicity on social media

El Estoque's Opinion section delves into the toxic trends on social media
Photo illustration by Ellie Wang

Toxic study motivation reaffirms Cupertino’s classist mentality

We need to recognize when to take a step back from studying for our health
Samika Bhatkar and Suhana Mahabal
October 25, 2024
Don Toliver’s stage was emblazoned with violet and fuschia lighting as he performed the track “No Pole” from his previous album “Love Sick.” Photo by Sagnik Nag Chowdhury

The ‘PSYCHO’ tour introduces fans to a new era in Don Toliver’s career

Rapper Don Toliver brings both old and new hits to an exciting setlist complementing an even more exciting environment
Samika Bhatkar and Sagnik Nag Chowdhury
October 24, 2024
Crossword: Oct. 16, 2024 Mini

Crossword: Oct. 16, 2024 Mini

Solve EE’s mini crossword
Samika Bhatkar
October 15, 2024
Photo given courtesy of Lofn Young | Used with permission

Vocal Music Director Lofn Young opens up about their name change

Young details the journey and struggles leading up to their name change
Samika Bhatkar
October 3, 2024
A breakdown from MVHS students of their first month back at school

A breakdown from MVHS students of their first month back at school

The MVHS community shares its experiences from the first month of school
Samika Bhatkar and Corinna Kuo
September 29, 2024
Content on social media showing Indian cuisine and street food receive hateful interactions. Graphic by Ellie Wang | El Estoque

Social media perpetuates racist stereotypes towards Indian culture

Cupertino community reflects on facing discrimination online
Samika Bhatkar and Ellie Wang
September 20, 2024
Future walks across the stage as the introduction to “Turn on the Lights” starts. The song was performed against an enamored Oakland Arena stage with a ruby, pétillant backdrop. Photo by Samika Bhatkar | El Estoque

Future and Metro Boomin’s ‘We Don’t Trust You’ tour proves the duo deserve their flowers

The duo’s formidable performances remind fans of their impact on Trap and Hip Hop
Samika Bhatkar
September 12, 2024
Sophomore Aashka Nadathur poses in the control room of the MVHS theater and Black Box. Photo by Aashka Nadathur | Used with permission

MVHS adds new Stagecraft course

Drama teachers and students discuss the impacts of Stagecraft Tech on the Drama department
Staff shakeup

Staff shakeup

District-wide changes are implemented at the close of the school year
Photo by Samika Bhatkar

Staff changes: Retirements and new roles into the 24-25 school year

New World Language and English Department Leads are instated while Molly Guadiamos retires
Samika Bhatkar and Riya Murthy
May 24, 2024
EE-SPN Ep. 6: NBA Playoff Predictions 2024

EE-SPN Ep. 6: NBA Playoff Predictions 2024

Predicting the 2024 NBA Conference Semifinals
Samika Bhatkar and Jason Chu
May 18, 2024
A father reads his daughter a picture book on the couches at the Cupertino Library children’s section. | Photo by Dylan Nguyen

Cupertino Library celebrates Free Comic Book Day

Families of Cupertino read free comic books provided by Cupertino Library
Samika Bhatkar and Dylan Nguyen
May 6, 2024
Photos by Samika Bhatkar, Krish Dev, Corinna Kuo, Michael Kuo, Jami Lim and Lillian Wang

The golden city

El Estoque's Arts & Entertainment section explores the ins and outs of San Francisco
San Francisco's homeless crisis affects 7,754 people in the city. | Photo by Samika Bhatkar

Losing its shine

San Francisco natives and tourists attribute the city’s decline to its growing drug and homeless crisis
Samika Bhatkar and Pranati Kotamraju
April 8, 2024
Seniors Amy Zhang and Kayley Kim introduce students to the taste test. Photo by Samika Bhatkar

Nutrition Services Student Council hosts vegan-chili taste test

The Nutrition Board tests vegan options to add to the school’s menu
Samika Bhatkar
March 22, 2024
State of the art

State of the art

The recent shifts in arts and entertainment factions
Shifting consumer behavior

Shifting consumer behavior

Shoppers from the MVHS community share their thoughts on the decline of malls
Sania Nadkarni and Samika Bhatkar
March 8, 2024
Junior Jessie Ko poses with a faux bouquet of flowers she crocheted. Graphic | Samika Bhatkar

A knotted habit

Junior Jessie Ko explains her background with crocheting and how she’s shared her hobby
Samika Bhatkar
March 2, 2024
Graphic by Jami Lim.

Decorate our lives

Students and staff share different ways they decorate daily life
Senior Nithya Appannagaari poses with her gold stud piercing. 

Photo by Nithya Appannagaari | Used with permission.

Power to the piercing

MVHS students’ piercings influence their identities
Samika Bhatkar and Sarah Liu
January 24, 2024
The "american dream" album cover features a baby picture of 21 Savage overlayed with personal information. Album cover owned by Slaughter Gang Entertainment

‘american dream’ serves as a compelling third solo project

Trap artist 21 Savage enlightens fans on his personal battles excitingly
Samika Bhatkar
January 19, 2024
Graphics by Stella Petzova

Immersed in India

Recognizing different forms of Indian-influenced entertainment in our community
Senior Ridhima Katare poses with a muted berry lip gloss, a go-to makeup product of hers. 

Photo by Ridhima Katare | Used with permission

Brown girl beauty

Examining how the Indian community finds makeup products suitable for their skin
Samika Bhatkar
December 7, 2023
Vocal Music Director Amy Young faces the Witch as she plays “Rapunzel” in a production of “Into the Woods” hosted by San Jose State University’s School of Music and Dance. 
Photo by Jana Marcus Photography | Used with permission

Teacher talents

Exploring the artistic hobbies MVHS teachers pursue outside of school
Samika Bhatkar
December 2, 2023
Graphic by Lillian Wang

Evolution of book culture

Examining how different facets of the reading community have changed
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at the first Republican debate for the 2024 presidential election. | Photo by Brian Snyder

Saffron, White and Blue

Exploring what Vivek Ramaswamy’s candidacy means for Indian American political representation
Samika Bhatkar
October 29, 2023
Cupertino library visitors sit outside at the patio.

Beyond the books

Observing how the use of the Cupertino library serves different purposes to the community
Samika Bhatkar and Arshiya Sen
October 27, 2023
Rebooting the rally

Rebooting the rally

Examining how the themes of Homecoming 2023 are integrated into the Homecoming rally
Samika Bhatkar and Manas Kottakota
October 9, 2023
“For All the Dogs” album cover depicted a dog, drawn by Drake’s son, Adonis Graham, who is also featured on fifth track “Daylight.”

‘For All the Dogs’ seems to suffer an identity crisis

While Drake attempts to bark back with his latest album, he falls short with a redundant project
Samika Bhatkar and Sagnik Nag Chowdhury
October 9, 2023
Hip Hop W(rap) Up

Hip Hop W(rap) Up

Celebrating Hip-Hop’s Fiftieth birthday at MVHS through exploring the community’s favorite hip-hop songs
Samika Bhatkar and Dylan Nguyen
September 16, 2023
Donning a custom, lavender layered gown Swift performs the song “Long Live” from her third album “Speak Now.” The singer played from a blue guitar decorated with koi fish, a tribute to the same guitar she used during her “Speak Now” tour. Photo courtesy of Kiana Mark

Taylor Swift’s ‘Enchanted’ effects on Santa Clara

Exploring the social and economic impact of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’
Senior Mikaylah Du poses  in front of a computer as someone who pirates content.

Movie marauders

Examining the MVHS community’s personal experiences with pirating movies
Samika Bhatkar and Vincent Zhao
May 30, 2023

Man on the street: What are your NBA Finals predictions?

MVHS students share which teams they think will win the 2023 NBA playoffs
Samika Bhatkar and Alyssa Yang
May 20, 2023
Graphic by Kathryn Foo

Going to the gym

Observing MVHS students experiences with the gym
Samika Bhatkar, Kathryn Foo, and Sophia Ma
April 13, 2023
Trade talks

Trade talks

Exploring the recent trades in the NBA and issues in basketball free agency
Samika Bhatkar and Mihir Vishwarupe
March 20, 2023
Pedestrians cross one leg of the Bubb/McClellan intersection during the walk phase of the Pedestrian Scramble

Scramble to amble

Examining the effects of the new Pedestrian Scramble
Samika Bhatkar and Angela Zhang
February 8, 2023
Junior Matthew Lau pushes through an MHS defender for a layup

Boys Basketball loses to Milpitas High School 58-51

Matadors fall short in securing a win in a close game
Samika Bhatkar, Kathryn Foo, and Alyssa Yang
January 29, 2023
A photo showing the front of the HHS cafeteria and its mustang statue.

Mustang to Matador

FUHSD Board passes proposal to help with MVHS’s declining enrollment
Samika Bhatkar and Krish Dev
December 22, 2022
Senior Alexa Baxter scores with a header off of a corner kick.

Girls Soccer defeats Capuchino High School 7-0

Matadors dominate in their second game of the league season
Samika Bhatkar, Yash Thapliyal, and Vincent Zhao
December 12, 2022
According a survey of 160 people, 31% of MVHS students wear makeup regularly.

Cover up

Delving into pressures and ways the MVHS community chooses to cover up
“Heroes and Villains” album cover depicts Metro Boomin shaking an identical version of him engulfed in fire, a sentiment paying homage to rock group Pink Floyd.

Metro Boomin proves producer albums shouldn’t be disregarded in “Heroes and Villains”

“Heroes and Villains” rich and dark ambiance perfectly pairs masterful production with feature artists
Samika Bhatkar
December 9, 2022
Sophmore Haneen Moharram with her hijab

It’s just a choice

Observing what the hijab means to MVHS’s Muslim community
Samika Bhatkar and Jiya Singh
November 17, 2022
String Orchestra students perform symphonies at the Fall Concert which took place Oct 28.

MVHS Band and Orchestra capture Halloween spirit in its Fall Concert

Ensembles enchant audiences with a mysterious and enthralling performance
Samika Bhatkar
October 31, 2022
Targeted advertisements tend to pop up on social media platforms such as Instagram, and typically advertise products the user has shown prior interest in.

Ad 2 Cart

Understanding thoughts behind fashion and social media advertising
Why are consumers fixated on apparel logos?

Why are consumers fixated on apparel logos?

Observing the effects of brand culture on MVHS students
Chiran Arumugam and Samika Bhatkar
October 9, 2022
"Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" features actor Evan Peters, with the series' poster portraying Peters staring menacingly into the audience's eyes.

“Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” is an unethical monstrosity

Examining the internet’s disturbing obsession with Jeffrey Dahmer
Samika Bhatkar and Aashi Venkat
October 8, 2022
Jabari Smith cradles his love interest Meadow on the "Entergalactic" album cover.

“Entergalactic” is nothing out of the ordinary

Despite its tranquil production and lyricism, “Entergalactic” fails to stand on its own
Samika Bhatkar
October 6, 2022
Teachers take on new positions

Teachers take on new positions

Examining how students and teachers adapt to position changes
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