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

Sonia Verma

Sonia Verma, Design Editor

Sonia is a senior and design editor for El Estoque. In her free time, she likes to draw and watch YouTube.

All content by Sonia Verma
Photo | Sonia Verma

Politics in the classroom

Investigating whether teachers’ political identities should be incorporated into their curriculum
Sonia Verma and Michelle Zheng
December 9, 2023
Stylestruck

Stylestruck

Taking a glimpse at the impact of fashion at MVHS
The tipping point

The tipping point

Exploring the MVHS community’s thoughts on tipping culture
Dylan Nguyen and Sonia Verma
October 28, 2023
The Class of 2024s final Homecoming skit ends with the performers cheering and shooting confetti into the air.

The final lap

Seniors close off Homecoming skits with a bang
Sonia Verma and Lillian Wang
September 30, 2023
The seniors and freshmen splash each other in the hopes of sinking the others boat.

Classes compete in annual Boat Battle

Representatives from each grade attempt to sink other teams’ duct tape and cardboard boats while keeping their own afloat
Sonia Verma and Alex Zhang
May 27, 2023
Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disneys upcoming The Little Mermaid live action remake.

Who’s watching?

Evaluating forms of criticism of movies and TV shows
Sonia Verma
May 18, 2023
Students reflect on childhood memories. Graphic | Sonia Verma

Revisiting childhood memories

Three MVHS students describe their childhood
Avni Gandhi and Sonia Verma
May 11, 2023
Graphic

[Photo] An empty dugout

Arjun Dhruv, Staff Writer
April 21, 2023
Activists congregated at the San Jose City Hall on June 25 to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Photo | Anna Jerolimov

Rising up for Roe

Student activists recount their involvement in abortion rights activism
Sonia Verma and Lillian Wang
March 1, 2023
Screen Shot 2023-02-14 at 9.27.24 AM

[Photo] Game on!

Brandon Xu
February 14, 2023
Clubs in Sports

Clubs in Sports

Exploring the similarities and differences between club and school sports
Senior Rojel Acot swims breaststroke at a swim meet.

Balancing school and club sports

Understanding the time management aspect of playing high school and club sports
Mira Wagner and Sonia Verma
February 8, 2023
Junior Varsity Sports

Junior Varsity Sports

Exploring the experiences of JV players, teams and coaches at MVHS
Recognizing the importance of JV teams

Recognizing the importance of JV teams

MVHS community explains the necessity of JV teams
Sonia Verma and Crystal Cheng
December 22, 2022
Making a change

Making a change

Exploring community involvement in the 2022 midterm elections
Author Kim Scott answers a question from the audience.

MV Bookshelf hosts first book talk of the year

Author Kim Scott discusses her journey as an author
Sonia Verma, Graphics Editor
October 28, 2022
Yuko Shima has been a Cupertino resident for 15 years.

Yuko Shima

Sarah Liu and Sonia Verma
October 26, 2022
Sheila Mohan has worked for Santa Clara County for over 20 years.

Sheila Mohan

Sarah Liu and Sonia Verma
October 26, 2022
JR Fruen is a lifelong Cupertino resident.

JR Fruen

Sarah Liu and Sonia Verma
October 26, 2022
Claudio Bono is the president of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce.

Claudio Bono

Sarah Liu and Sonia Verma
October 26, 2022
Three new Cupertino city councilmembers will be elected on Nov. 8

Introducing the Cupertino City Council candidates

Seven City Council candidates share their stories, opinions and reasons for running
Sarah Liu and Sonia Verma
October 26, 2022
Students from the University of Southern California march around USCs campus to protest Mahsa Aminis death and the lack of womens rights in Iran.

Reflecting on the Iran protests

Iranian community members share their perspectives on the uprising
Sonia Verma, Alyssa Yang, and Angela Zhang
October 22, 2022
Catadors #2: The secret to happiness

Catadors #2: The secret to happiness

School can be tough, but it's important to take time for yourself.
Sonia Verma, Graphics Editor
October 12, 2022
Protecting our privacy

Protecting our privacy

Taking a look at challenges to privacy within our community
Mandated reporters share their experiences

Mandated reporters share their experiences

State law requires MVHS staff to prioritize student safety over privacy
Sonia Verma
October 7, 2022
Post-threat ponderings

Post-threat ponderings

After two bomb threat evacuations, students wonder if MVHS is a safe campus
Sonia Verma, Graphics Editor
September 28, 2022
Wing player Owen Pow defends against a CHS player poised to take a shot.

Boys Water Polo wins 15-11 against Cupertino High School

The Matadors maintain their undefeated record
Sonia Verma, Michelle Zheng, and Lily Jiang
September 19, 2022
Summer 2022 in review

Summer 2022 in review

El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section recaps music, movies and TV shows released over the summer
Irene Tang, Aashi Venkat, and Sonia Verma
August 26, 2022
FUHSD implements free menstrual products due to new California law

Packaging the period plan

FUHSD implements free menstrual products thanks to California law
Catadors #1: Summer, give me a break!

Catadors #1: Summer, give me a break!

Finals are almost over and June is right around the corner, but I still don’t know what I want to do over summer break!
Sonia Verma, Staff Writer
May 29, 2022
Its crucial that students take steps to better understand their limits.

Learning our limits

Understanding the value of balancing grades and homework with mental health
Sarah Liu and Sonia Verma
May 27, 2022
Deputy Superintendent Graham Clark worked as Homestead High Schools principal for 10 years before entering the district office. Photo courtesy of Rachel Zlotziver | Used with permission

FUHSD welcomes new superintendent

Graham Clark announced as the successor to Polly Bove
Lillian Wang and Sonia Verma
May 24, 2022
Josh Maisel poses in the center of the new teacher induction team for a photograph.

Josh Maisel named Director of Leadership Development

Current FUHSD Coordinator of Academic Interventions plans to promote district cohesion in his new role
Sonia Verma, Graphics Editor
May 13, 2022
Senior Max Hu poses in his Vampire Miku cosplay.

Fueling a fandom

Taking a look at fandom content creators at MVHS
Sonia Verma, Graphics Editor
April 27, 2022
Is that a new look?

Is that a new look?

What happens when you decide to wear something new and others start to stare? Ignore them, of course!
Sophia Ma and Sonia Verma
April 26, 2022
Teacher feature: Quarantine engagements

Teacher feature: Quarantine engagements

Teachers reflect on getting engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic
Sonia Verma and Lillian Wang
April 18, 2022
Fremont High School volunteer coach arrested for sexual assault

Fremont High School volunteer coach arrested for sexual assault

Suspect is currently being held in the Santa Clara County Main Jail
Lillian Wang and Sonia Verma
April 13, 2022
Senior Ashley Twu hangs out with her friends in the rally court.

MVHS hosts Neon Lights Dance

Students attend the first dance on campus in two years
Sonia Verma and Lillian Wang
April 10, 2022
Attendees of the Memorial Park Holi celebration throw color in the air. Colored powder is a key tradition that is followed during the celebration of Holi.

The annual Holi celebration is hosted in Memorial Park

People gather to celebrate the beginning of spring with color
Sonia Verma, Staff Writer
April 6, 2022
Anushka De (right) holds her California Journalist of the Year certificate with JEA President Sarah Nichols.

Anushka De Named California Journalist of the Year

Featuring El Estoque co-editor-in-chief Anushka De’s journey from her first year on staff to being named the California Journalist of the Year
Sonia Verma, Staff Writer
April 6, 2022
Monta Vista hosts first ever Spring Fling

Monta Vista hosts first ever Spring Fling

Freshmen and sophomores attend the social event
Lillian Wang and Sonia Verma
March 21, 2022
The Non-Fungible Takeover

The Non-Fungible Takeover

Investigating the recent popularity of NFTs
Lillian Wang and Sonia Verma
March 11, 2022
MVHS Choir sings in their Valentines Day Concert on Feb. 16, 2022.

MVHS Choir steals hearts in its Valentine’s Day Concert

Vocal performers delight in charming, high-energy performances but suffer from underwhelming acoustics
Sonia Verma, Staff Writer
March 5, 2022

Predicting the Future

Students and staff share their thoughts on what 2022 might look like
Sonia Verma, Staff Writer
February 12, 2022

Monta Vista shares New Years’ resolutions

MVHS students and staff share their goals for the upcoming year
Sonia Verma and Lillian Wang
February 9, 2022
Different aspects of the humanities.

Pursuing a passion

Students and staff reflect on how their involvement in the humanities has affected potential careers
Sonia Verma
December 10, 2021
Graphic depicting two students, one with 7 courses and another without 7 courses

[Photo] Course selection should be more flexible

Devin Gupta, Managing and Web Editor
December 8, 2021
Aryaman Verma prays to the deities while participating in a Diwali puja.

Celebrating Diwali

Shining a light on the holiday's significance and how it is celebrated
Medha Singamsetty (right) and her mother make rangolis, drawings made with colored sand, outside their house.

Kindling festivities

Students and staff describe their preparations for Diwali
Crystal Cheng and Sonia Verma
October 29, 2021
Load More Stories