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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

Brian Xu

Brian Xu, Managing Editor

Brian is a senior and managing editor for El Estoque. He has previously served as a Features and Opinion editor. Aside from journalism, he enjoys playing with the Rubik’s cube, learning random pieces on the piano or getting absorbed in a riveting book.

All content by Brian Xu
Snapshots

Snapshots

Seniors share impactful people, moments and lessons learned from high school

Snapshots

Seniors share impactful people, moments, and lessons learned from high school
Represent.

Represent.

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

Hyphenated Americans in Media

Examining how the hyphenated American experience is portrayed in films and TV shows
Claire Wen and Brian Xu
May 18, 2021
50 Questions with Randall Holaday

50 Questions with Randall Holaday

In the 16th installment of the recurring series, El Estoque asks Randall Holaday 50 questions
Brian Xu
May 16, 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
Competition Culture

Competition Culture

Exploring the experiences of students in our community who participate in various contests and competitions
Michelle Chen, Gavin Hung, Minjae Kang, Abdullah Memon, Tanish Mendki, and Brian Xu
March 25, 2021

Science

Students share about their preparation process and experiences taking part in science olympiads
Brian Xu
March 24, 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
Nostalgia revisited

Nostalgia revisited

Returning to childhood roots amidst a pandemic
Sophia Chen, Krish Dev, Leanna Sun, and Brian Xu
February 9, 2021
Two players cooperate in a football video game as an experimental form of therapy.

Game-changing therapy

Understanding therapist Monet Goldman’s unique approach to mental health in the video gaming community
Brian Xu
December 16, 2020
Senior Bassam Malik poses with his San Francisco 49ers jersey featuring defensive end Nick Bosa’s number.

Faithful to the bay

MVHS Students recount their experiences as fans of the San Francisco 49ers
Brian Xu
November 4, 2020
Local teams' fans

Local teams’ fans

Students and fans share their connections to local Bay Area sports teams
The boys water polo team celebrates its senior night in the 2019 season.

Multi-sport athletes

MVHS students discuss the benefits and disadvantages of playing on several school sports teams
Brian Xu
November 1, 2020
The front of the Standard Liquor store located in Los Altos.

Five juvenile females rob Standard Liquor in Los Altos

Examining the actions of LHS and MVHS seniors and teen alcohol usage in our school community
Oishee Misra and Brian Xu
September 26, 2020
Recreational sports during quarantine

Recreational sports during quarantine

MVHS students and staff safely stay active despite COVID-19 restrictions
Brian Xu
September 24, 2020
From serving as bonding events to fueling athletes in reaching their maximum potential, food is an integral part of an athletes’ experience. Whether it’s increasing intake of specific food groups to compensate for dietary restrictions or making their own meals, MVHS student-athletes have taken their diets into their own hands to make sure they’re “fuelin’ up.”

Fuelin’ Up

Exploring how food affects athletes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Examining FUHSD funding differences

Examining FUHSD funding differences

Monetary spending at all five sites in the district is unique
Iman Malik and Brian Xu
May 23, 2020
Sheroes

Sheroes

Exploring the stories of inspiring women in the MVHS community
Anthology editor and former Cupertino poet laureate Kaecey McCormick gives a speech recapping her experiences teaching workshops, judging contests and hosting readings. Instead of having the traditional poetry contest, McCormick decided to celebrate the end of her two-year term by publishing the anthology.

Community Poetry & Prose Night: A celebration of creativity

Cupertino community members share their experiences contributing to a city-wide poetry anthology
Iman Malik, Emily Xia, and Brian Xu
March 14, 2020
50 Questions with Scott Victorine

50 Questions with Scott Victorine

In the eighth installment of the recurring series, El Estoque asks Scott Victorine 50 questions in his classroom
Iman Malik and Brian Xu
February 9, 2020

El Estoque: Behind the story

Unpacking El Estoque student journalists’ reporting process on story favorites
Brian Xu
November 25, 2019
Aging with the city: the older generation of Cupertino

Aging with the city: the older generation of Cupertino

The older generation of Cupertino reflects on the formation of the bubble
Jacqueleine Liu, Iman Malik, and Brian Xu
November 24, 2019
Sibling wars: The great sibling superiority debate

Sibling wars: The great sibling superiority debate

Debating whether the older or younger sibling position is more beneficial in the long run
Tyler Cho and Brian Xu
November 13, 2019
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Inner battles

Hannah Lee and Brian Xu
October 25, 2019
IMG_4171

Why I smile

Brian Xu
October 25, 2019
Students practice writing personality profiles in a NorCal Media Day session.

Journalism Education Association NorCal Media Day 2019

El Estoque gains exposure to other publications and professionals at annual journalism conference
Brian Xu
October 25, 2019
Marriage before love

Marriage before love

The MVHS community discusses arranged marriages and dating culture
Brian Xu and Michelle Chen
September 27, 2019
Sul & Beans: Sampling Sul & Beans’s most popular dessert items

Sul & Beans: Sampling Sul & Beans’s most popular dessert items

Sampling Sul & Beans’s most popular dessert items
Tyler Cho, Andie Liu, Alyssa Umino, Claire Wen, and Brian Xu
September 17, 2019
50 fresh faces

50 fresh faces

Students from the class of 2023 share their initial thoughts on MVHS
Iman Malik and Brian Xu
September 11, 2019
Sul Searching: dessert cafe manager opens Sul & Beans and SomiSomi

Sul Searching: dessert cafe manager opens Sul & Beans and SomiSomi

Dessert cafe manager reflects on opening two Main Street restaurants
Fifty Not-So-Fresh Faces

Fifty Not-So-Fresh Faces

Seniors interviewed for Fifty Fresh Faces in their freshman year follow up on old questions
Behind the budget: School Site Council 2018-19

Behind the budget: School Site Council 2018-19

Members of School Site Council share the work they have accomplished in the 2018-19 school year
Kamyar Moradi and Brian Xu
April 12, 2019
“Climate” Change

“Climate” Change

MVHS still has work to do after its 2019 Distinguished School honor
Tyler Cho and Brian Xu
April 10, 2019
We only make small talk

We only make small talk

Why we should be more open to conversing freely with strangers
Tyler Cho and Brian Xu
April 10, 2019
Response to New Zealand shooting sets precedent for U.S.

Response to New Zealand shooting sets precedent for U.S.

Our country's inclination towards thoughts and prayers
Oishee Misra and Brian Xu
March 24, 2019
Engaging in intergenerational conversation: CSF volunteers at retirement home

Engaging in intergenerational conversation: CSF volunteers at retirement home

CSF volunteers learn from another generation as they participate in an arts and crafts social
Claire Chang and Brian Xu
March 15, 2019
What I’ve learned from performing in piano recitals

What I’ve learned from performing in piano recitals

How I began to combat my fear of failure and accept my mistakes
Brian Xu
March 15, 2019
An insight on School Site Council

An insight on School Site Council

Exploring the purpose of SSC at MVHS
Iman Malik and Brian Xu
February 8, 2019
Making the right call

Making the right call

High school students should consider what motivates them to play sports
Brian Xu
February 6, 2019
Working for the future

Working for the future

Students craft their lives based on dream jobs - is it worth it?
Brian Xu and Laasya Koduru
February 3, 2019
Make or break

Make or break

Laasya Koduru and Brian Xu
December 18, 2018
Planting trees for Silicon Valley

Planting trees for Silicon Valley

CSF volunteers gain greater appreciation for Our City Forest Nursery and environment
Claire Chang and Brian Xu
December 7, 2018
We know how to party

We know how to party

The varying party culture at South Bay Area high schools
Rana Aghababazadeh and Brian Xu
November 21, 2018
Four classes, one room

Four classes, one room

Classes with students of varying grade levels offer inter-grade bonding
Stuti Upadhyay and Brian Xu
November 18, 2018
A Fresh Start for MV Sprouts

A Fresh Start for MV Sprouts

Officers and adviser discuss the club's history, current progress and hopes for the future
Brian Xu
October 26, 2018
Photo Illustration // Oishee Misra

Supporting the staff

Teachers share their experiences with their own mental wellness
Brian Xu
October 24, 2018
Exams in motion

Exams in motion

Physics teachers and students discuss the effects of AP Physics 1 assessments and their weighting
Brian Xu
October 15, 2018
CSF Murdock Portal Movie Night

CSF Murdock Portal Movie Night

CSF members look forward to a new year of volunteering during one of first events of the year
Claire Chang and Brian Xu
September 28, 2018
The buzz at school

The buzz at school

Students and staff share their opinions on the new bell schedules
Claire Wen and Brian Xu
August 31, 2018
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