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
All content by Yashashree Pisolkar
This poster displays science awards and honorable mentions earned by MVHS students in science competitions throughout the year. According to Synopsys Science Fair Board of Directors member Bruce Kawanami, the goal for competitors should be sharpening their research skills rather than vying for wins. Photo by Yashashree Pisolkar.

Redefining science successes at MVHS

Yashashree Pisolkar
May 16, 2014
English teacher Matt Brashear’s Mythology and Folklore students participate in the newly introduced breathing exercise on May 2. Faculty hopes that the pilot week will reveal positive results as students evaluate the merits of meditation as a form of stress relief. Photo by Ambika Dubey.

Faculty pilots ‘Take 10 Deep Breaths’ activity

Yashashree Pisolkar
May 5, 2014
Storify: Tinker Tour panelists spur conversation regarding freedom of speech

Storify: Tinker Tour panelists spur conversation regarding freedom of speech

Yashashree Pisolkar
April 2, 2014
No cuts, all glory

No cuts, all glory

Yashashree Pisolkar
March 13, 2014
Wrestling: Team takes third in SCVAL finals on Feb. 15

Wrestling: Team takes third in SCVAL finals on Feb. 15

Yashashree Pisolkar
February 23, 2014
EEInstacap: Boys soccer VS Gunn High School

EEInstacap: Boys soccer VS Gunn High School

Yashashree Pisolkar
February 14, 2014
Scanty rainfall prompts water conservation

Scanty rainfall prompts water conservation

Yashashree Pisolkar
February 10, 2014
Low headcount, but high aspirations for Mock Trial

Low headcount, but high aspirations for Mock Trial

Yashashree Pisolkar
February 6, 2014
Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap

Yashashree Pisolkar
December 20, 2013

Video: Students give thanks to staff

Yashashree Pisolkar
November 28, 2013
Sophomore Michaela Murphy exhibits her handiwork in the front lobby. Murphy and her Advanced Drama classmates crafted a miniature 3D diorama of the town of Almost, Maine. Photo by Yashashree Pisolkar.

Preview: Preparation underway for ‘Almost, Maine,’ to open Nov. 8

Yashashree Pisolkar
November 7, 2013
Halloween 2013

Halloween 2013

Yashashree Pisolkar
November 6, 2013

Street Style: 5 most eye-catching costumes of Halloween 2013

Yashashree Pisolkar
November 3, 2013
PTSA college application seminar hosted by Syrous Parsay touched on the merits of using the admissions process as an impetus to form a deeper connection between students and parents. The seminar was held in the library on Oct. 12. Photo used with permission by Kathleen McCulloch.

Syrous Parsay hosts college admissions seminar tailored to MVHS students

Yashashree Pisolkar
October 14, 2013
Seniors Mike Thomas, Anu Vaishnav and Connie Guan display their instruments and matching band sweatshirts. With the cancellation of the program, they will lose the experience of competing as marching band this year. Photo by Yashashree Pisolkar.

Marching off

Yashashree Pisolkar
September 26, 2013
Senior Anu Vaishnav recalls the time when she used to compete in her Marching band uniform. Recently, however, Vaishanv and her Marching Band teammates have not competed in their uniforms for a while since the program has been cut due to stressors such as lack of student interest and budget. Photo by Yashashree Pisolkar.

Marching band discontinued for remainder of school year

Yashashree Pisolkar
September 10, 2013

Raffle winners announced

Yashashree Pisolkar
August 23, 2013

Instagram Challenge: Winners of #matsareback

Yashashree Pisolkar
August 23, 2013
M-H shows her oversized items that she keeps around the classroom. Her collection is an accumulation of student gifts and personal purchases. Photo by Smitha Gundavajhala.

History teacher Viviana Montoya-Hernandez shares her oversize souvenirs

Yashashree Pisolkar
May 23, 2013
Alternate rock band Paramore’s latest album “Paramore” offers a versatile soundtrack that appeals to a diverse crowd. The latest of the band’s four album releases, “Paramore” will be available for purchase starting April 9. Source: Paramore net

Music: ‘Paramore’ an innovative resurgence

Yashashree Pisolkar
April 11, 2013
‘Monta Vista Compliments’ was started by two MVHS students in early January 2013. The page aims to foster gratitude through the publication of anonymous compliments. Source: sxc.hu

‘Monta Vista Compliments’ inspires gratitude

Yashashree Pisolkar
March 20, 2013
MVMT arrives at the San Jose Superior Court for the 2013 Santa Clara County Mock Trial final round against Willow Glen High School on Feb. 28. After a well-fought trial, MVMT lost to WGHS 406-397. Photo by Yashashree Pisolkar.

Mock Trial competes at county finals on Feb. 28

Yashashree Pisolkar
March 4, 2013
Spanish teacher Joyce Fortune describes the emotional rush she feels when she does contra dancing. Fortune has been learning the dance or the past seven years. Photo by Varsha Venkat.

Spanish teacher Joyce Fortune combines dance with American tradition

Yashashree Pisolkar
February 11, 2013
Slideshow: Leadership hosts MV MoMA on Feb. 8

Slideshow: Leadership hosts MV MoMA on Feb. 8

Yashashree Pisolkar
February 10, 2013
Chris Colfer stars as Carson Phillips in "Struck By Lightning."

Movie: ‘Struck By Lightning’ an inspiring portrait of the teenage spirit

Yashashree Pisolkar
January 11, 2013
Preview: ‘Struck By Lightning’ hits theaters Jan. 11

Preview: ‘Struck By Lightning’ hits theaters Jan. 11

Yashashree Pisolkar
January 10, 2013
All yule need for the holidays

All yule need for the holidays

Yashashree Pisolkar
December 17, 2012
Photography teacher Tyler Cripe paints at an event in Santana Row, San Jose. In addition to art, Cripe enjoys music and photography. Taken with permission from Tyler Cripe.

Photography teacher Tyler Cripe a versatile creator

Yashashree Pisolkar
December 17, 2012
Movie: ‘Killing Them Softly’ a convincingly articulated message

Movie: ‘Killing Them Softly’ a convincingly articulated message

Yashashree Pisolkar
December 3, 2012
Bella (Kristen Stewart) comforts her daughter Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy) before clashing with the Volturi in “Breaking Dawn Part 2” directed by Bill Condon. The finale of the “Twilight Saga” has conviction and directorial charisma. Screenshot taken from Summit Entertainment.

MOVIE: ‘Breaking Dawn Part 2’ satisfies the twi-hard appetite

Yashashree Pisolkar
November 17, 2012
VIDEO: Spirit Squad Senior Night held on Nov. 2

VIDEO: Spirit Squad Senior Night held on Nov. 2

Yashashree Pisolkar
November 4, 2012
CONTEST: ‘Lincoln’ movie ticket giveaway happening now

CONTEST: ‘Lincoln’ movie ticket giveaway happening now

Yashashree Pisolkar
October 24, 2012
Hamlet, played by junior Michael Goldman, attempts to converse with the ghost of his father (left), and Romeo, played by junior Rafael Ruiz, and Juliet, played by senior Kaz Tarshis, meet in secret (right). “Romeo and Juliet” opens on Oct. 25 and “Hamlet” opens on Oct. 26 in the black box (F104).

DRAMA: ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to open Oct. 25

Yashashree Pisolkar
October 24, 2012
VIDEO: Homecoming rally held Oct. 12

VIDEO: Homecoming rally held Oct. 12

Yashashree Pisolkar
October 14, 2012
First PTSA seminar of the year

PTSA hosts first parent seminar of the year on Oct. 2

Yashashree Pisolkar
October 4, 2012
MVHS clubs partner with State Farm to host “Celebrate My Drive” on Sept. 15

MVHS clubs partner with State Farm to host “Celebrate My Drive” on Sept. 15

Yashashree Pisolkar
September 26, 2012
Junior Nishant Jain demonstrates features on his application

Taking it to a new dimension

Yashashree Pisolkar
September 26, 2012
MULTIMEDIA: Junior Nishant Jain demonstrates new augmented reality application

MULTIMEDIA: Junior Nishant Jain demonstrates new augmented reality application

Yashashree Pisolkar
September 25, 2012
ASB Leadership will be hosting the Welcome Back dance on Friday, Aug. 24 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the rally court. “We really want this to be a fun experience for everyone since it’s the first dance of the year in which all the grades are welcome,” said ASB President senior Cathy Ang. Earlier this month, after the Link Crew hosted the Matador Retreat, a freshmen-only dance following freshman orientation, students wondered whether the Welcome Back dance would still take place as scheduled. “I noticed that the dance was excluded from the master calendar [online] and I wasn’t sure whether it was still happening or not,” said ASB Student Recognition Coordinator junior Kimberly Zhong. Although the dance isn’t marked on the calendar, according to Ang, ASB was keen on publicizing the event through social networking sites and on-campus promo announcements. “The confusion about if the dance was happening or not was only temporary, and ASB never considered canceling the dance,” said Ang. This year, attendees will be able to enjoy a wide selection of tunes presented by DJ Omega while socializing with friends. Glow in the dark bracelets will also be provided in interest of the dimly-lit outdoor setting. Administrators will be enforcing the basic Zero Tolerance policy. “Ultimately, we want students to be safe and have a great time before we get deeper into this next year,” Ang said. The dance will be held on Aug. 24 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the rally court. Tickets are $10 for regular admission and free for ASB cardholders. Attire is informal. Photo taken from Flickr and photo illustration by Yashashree Pisolkar.

Welcome back dance to be held Aug. 24

Yashashree Pisolkar
August 24, 2012
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