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

Shivani Verma

Shivani Verma, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Shivani is currently a senior and an Arts and Entertainment editor for El Estoque. She is part of the MVHS Dance Team and in her free time, she enjoys getting boba with her mom, listening to music and hugging her friends for extended periods of time.

All content by Shivani Verma
Photo | Krish Dev and Sophia Ma

My mom, my dad and me

How I realized that the two versions of myself were one all along
Shivani Verma
June 6, 2022
The languages of MVHS

The languages of MVHS

Showcasing different languages spoken on campus

Man on the street: Are there more wheels or doors in the world?

The MVHS community weighs in on this polarizing discourse
Sophia Chen and Shivani Verma
May 3, 2022
El Estoque writers pose playing Nintendo Switch | Photo by Shivani Verma

From textbooks to television

Examining the impact of teaching through more modern, accessible means
Devin Gupta and Shivani Verma
April 27, 2022
Picture Us in the Light takes place at MVHS, following the life of protagonist Danny Cheng. Graphic | Sonia Verma

Picture us here

Behind Kelly Loy Gilbert’s “Picture Us in the Light,” the novel that takes place at MVHS
Shivani Verma
March 19, 2022
Junior Greyson Mobley noticed the graffiti in the B-building boys bathroom during third period on March 10. Photo by Greyson Mobley | Used with permission

Bathroom vandals perpetuate hate

MVHS administration responds to racial slurs, hate symbols and other vandalism
Shivani Verma and Kripa Mayureshwar
March 16, 2022
A view of 2022

A view of 2022

What MVHS students believe will be popular in 2022
Jiya Singh and Shivani Verma
February 12, 2022
To me, crushes felt like soda fizz - bubbly and bright. Graphic by Kripa Mayureshwar

Bloom: That soda pop feeling

The teenage romance that didn't happen
Shivani Verma
February 4, 2022
Graphic by Kripa Mayureshwar

Bloom: Am I Indian enough?

Processing my feelings about being Indian American
Shivani Verma
December 11, 2021
The MVHS community reflects on their experiences with console gaming

The MVHS community reflects on their experiences with console gaming

Exploring how gaming has impacted MVHS community members’ lives
Crystal Cheng and Shivani Verma
December 8, 2021
The album cover features Taylor Swift sitting in a red Chevrolet Cabriolet and wearing a red hat, establishing the significance of the color

‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ perfectly balances the old and the new

Taylor Swift’s second re-recorded album is a compelling add to her discography
Aashi Venkat and Shivani Verma
November 20, 2021
A look into the future

A look into the future

Students examine what lies ahead

What’s your sign?

A look into how the MVHS community views astrology
Shivani Verma
November 12, 2021
In June 2021, I went to Strawberry Park shopping center in Saratoga to eat ramen and drink boba, alone.

Bloom: I went on a date alone (and so should you)

Discovering how to manage my loneliness
Shivani Verma
November 7, 2021
The cover of FINNEAS debut album, Optimist, features several dancing figures suspended in air.

‘Optimist’ lacks originality and fails to impress

FINNEAS’ debut album falls short of the bar he set in his previous music
Shivani Verma and Kripa Mayureshwar
October 25, 2021
Performers hold up the sophomore banner after finishing their skit.

Class of 2024’s Homecoming Performance

Sophomores win 3rd place for their performance during Homecoming week
The Class of 2022 wins the 15 second chant-off at the Welcome Back Rally. Photo by Aditya Shukla

MVHS hosts its first rally of the year

The Class of 2022 wins the annual Welcome Back Rally
Redefining Music

Redefining Music

Exploring the impact of LGBTQ+ representation in the music industry on listeners
Shivani Verma
May 22, 2021
Represent.

Represent.

Understanding the impact of diverse representation in various facets of the American entertainment industry

[Video] Homemade Hipster: Gingerbread crinkle cookies

How to bake these sweet and spicy treats
Shivani Verma
May 18, 2021
Graphic by Anushka De

In the mirror: This time’s the charm

Coming to terms with my constantly changing interests
Shivani Verma
April 3, 2021
Victorine poses with his family on Halloween

A fraction of time

MVHS community members in different age groups reflect on the pandemic year in the context of their lives
Illustration | Anushka De

In the Mirror: Anyone have a red pen?

Learning how to let go of being a people-pleaser
Shivani Verma
February 24, 2021
Nine songs that capture the different shades of love

Valen-tunes for Valentine’s Day

Nine songs that capture the different shades of love
Sophia Chen and Shivani Verma
February 14, 2021
We should respect and value journalism, especially during times of crises

Power of the press

We should respect and value journalism, especially during times of crises
Shivani Verma and Brian Xu
February 12, 2021
In the Mirror: Fake it til it breaks

In the Mirror: Fake it ’til it breaks

Confronting my toxic positivity this past semester
Shivani Verma
February 11, 2021
Featured Image

2020 Year in review

Reflecting on the events of 2020
Rachel Jiang and Shivani Verma
January 5, 2021
Spotifys 2020 wrapped allows students and staff to reflect on their past year in music

All wrapped up

Discovering the stories behind the songs and artists students and teachers listened to most in 2020
Anushka De, Mikaylah Du, and Shivani Verma
December 5, 2020
Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger set in front of the transgender flag.

Second-guessing a fiction dynasty

Examining J. K. Rowling’s transphobic stance and what it means for Harry Potter fans
Shivani Madhan and Shivani Verma
November 7, 2020
Podcasts are a rising form of media, whether its a form of information or entertainment.

The podcast boom

Examining the why behind the rise in popularity of podcasts
Shivani Verma
October 24, 2020
Senior Catherine Vo posted fan art of mxmtoon in the strawberry dress on @cadphy, her Instagram account.

Strawberries À La Mode

Taking a closer look at the popularity of the strawberry dress and its effects
Shivani Verma
September 25, 2020
Fifteen years after its initial release, Avatar: The Last Airbender becomes a hit on Netflix.

New and returning fans share in the excitement of ‘Avatar’

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ increases in popularity after Netflix release
Shivani Verma and Claire Wen
September 13, 2020
The folklore album cover features Taylor Swift standing alone in a forest, looking up at the trees.

A look into Taylor Swift’s unexpected album “folklore”

Swift pulls off a new genre while staying true to her roots
Shivani Verma
August 22, 2020
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