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

Jai Uparkar

Jai Uparkar, News Editor

Jai Uparkar is a senior and a third-year staff member. She previously served as a print features editor and multimedia news editor, and now serves as a print news editor. She plays tennis and in her free time, she likes to take Buzzfeed quizzes and film videos about local businesses in Cupertino.

All content by Jai Uparkar
Park customized this shoe for a friend and is his favorite design of all the shoes we has painted.  “I think its my favorite not because it looks good necessarily,” Park said. “I really enjoyed the process because I took a big break from customizing shoes, and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. So then I just kind of got re-inspired when she asked me to paint her shoes.”

Customization Craze: Students turn everyday accessories into a form of self-expression

MVHS students share the stories behind their painted shoes and water bottles
Jai Uparkar
May 27, 2020
COVID-19 news coverage

COVID-19 news coverage

In-depth coverage of COVID-19 at every level
100 things to do when you’re bored while social distancing

100 things to do when you’re bored while social distancing

50 activities to appeal to your normal side and 50 activities for your inner MVHS student
Anushka De and Jai Uparkar
March 22, 2020
Senior Rukmini Banerjee informs a Sunnyvale resident about the California primary process.

The Blue Wave: Teen involvement in California primaries

Local community members discuss their involvement in the political process
Jai Uparkar and Emily Xia
March 11, 2020
To respond to any questions that students had, the class officers for Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 set up a booth in the rally court, replacing the previously scheduled fashion show.

2020 Junior Prom combined with Senior Ball due to coronavirus concerns

Junior Prom is among March events being cancelled by the district
Jai Uparkar and Tyler Cho
March 7, 2020
A Fremont High School teacher shares about her experiences growing up undocumented, the relief that DACA brought her and the work she does now supporting undocumented students at her school.

Keep the dream alive

Community members discuss the personal and legal implications of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) being rescinded
Jai Uparkar and Swara Tewari
February 11, 2020
A group of 10 seniors begin to pull the rope against their first round match-up against the sophomores.

Class of 2020 wins second place in MVHS’s first Class Royale

Despite placing third in spikeball and tug-of-war, the seniors manage to claim second place
Jai Uparkar
January 20, 2020
Senior Ashley Liu dribbles past a Mountain View HS defender.

Girls Basketball: MVHS falls to Mountain View HS after struggling to maintain possessions

Lack of steady possession and inability to convert leads to eighth loss of the season with a final score of 31-52
Jai Uparkar
January 18, 2020
Speaker Paula Larkin-Hutton holds up a rose stem while she describes the different parts of the rose and answers questions from the audience.

Winter Care of Roses: Master Gardeners learn about rose care

Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County attend class in Cupertino Library
Jai Uparkar and Emily Xia
January 17, 2020
A group of kids drink their steaming hot chocolate next to the decorated trees around the Quinlan Center.

Spruce it up: Cupertino Tree Lighting Ceremony

Cupertino community gathers for the annual tree lighting ceremony
Jai Uparkar and Swara Tewari
January 11, 2020
Annual Cupertino Christmas Tree Lighting

Annual Cupertino Christmas Tree Lighting

Cupertino community comes together for the ceremony
Jai Uparkar, Tina Low, Ishaani Dayal, and Rachel Jiang
December 16, 2019
Senior Giovanni Vurro explains his senior quote.

Famous Last Words: Senior Quotes

Seniors explain the significance of their quote
Jai Uparkar
November 24, 2019
Left in the dark

Left in the dark

Examining the effects of the PG&E power outages
Jai Uparkar and Jayanti Jha
November 23, 2019
Senior Anna Kolesov smiles at the crowd in the bleachers while linking arms with her former calculus teacher, Martin Jennings.

Introducing the Class of 2020’s Homecoming Court

Witnessing the reactions and emotions of nominated seniors at the 2019-20
Jai Uparkar
October 24, 2019
Exploring how people cope with physical or mental injuries as they journey through the healing process

Healing: Exploring how people cope with injury

Exploring how people cope with physical or mental injuries as they journey through the healing process
Jai Uparkar
October 23, 2019
A cluster of strikers participate in the call and response chant: When I say Union, you say power.

Santa Clara County employees conduct a rolling strike in front of the Cupertino Library

All Santa Clara County libraries shut down for one day to demand a better contract
Jai Uparkar and Stuti Upadhyay
October 21, 2019
Patrick Wyman informs a customer about the We Love Local event and how to receive a free bag.

Whole Foods Cupertino hosts We Love Local Event

Learn about the local food businesses showcased at the event
Jai Uparkar and Tina Low
October 14, 2019
The year of gold: Celebrating MVHS 50th anniversary

The year of gold: Celebrating MVHS’ 50th anniversary

Exploring multiple facets of MVHS culture in honor of its 50th anniversary
MVHS 50th Anniversary Celebration

MVHS 50th Anniversary Celebration

Alumni and FUHSD board members reflect on the impact of MVHS on their lives
Jai Uparkar
September 25, 2019
Senior Catherine Cole blows bubbles as her friend senior Natalie Kledzik looks on. Some kids watched in fascination while others popped them.

Class of 2020 hosts first Senior Sunrise of the year

Seniors explain the significance of the event and class bonding
Jai Uparkar
August 25, 2019
Celebrating Spotlite: A showcase of Indian culture

Celebrating Spotlite: A showcase of Indian culture

The cultural significance of Spotlite on the MVHS community
Jai Uparkar and Zara Iqbal
May 31, 2019
A Warriors faith

A Warrior’s faith

Why I believed in the Warriors ability to win even after Kevin Durant's injury
Jai Uparkar
May 22, 2019
Skipping into Retirement

Skipping into Retirement

Math teacher Skip Mueller reflects on his time at MVHS and his retirement plans
Jai Uparkar
May 22, 2019
The six couples strutting down the Senior Ball Fashion Show

The six couples strutting down the Senior Ball Fashion Show

The class of 2019 promotes the upcoming senior ball with a fashion show
Jai Uparkar
May 8, 2019
The custodial parade

The custodial parade

Matador Recognition Committee organizes event to appreciate custodial staff
Jai Uparkar
May 6, 2019
The story behind 2019’s Powderpuff three peat championship

The story behind 2019’s Powderpuff three peat championship

Exploring why the class of 2019 has been so successful in winning Powderpuff
Jai Uparkar
April 11, 2019
Dont Quit On Me

Don’t Quit On Me

How an experience with my tennis coach negatively affected my confidence
Jai Uparkar
April 11, 2019
Rain, Rain Go Away

Rain, Rain Go Away

How my love for the rain developed from my fear of going to practice
Jai Uparkar
March 14, 2019
Class of 2019 levels up

Class of 2019 levels up

How Alisha Gao made the 2019 class sweatshirt
Lakshanyaa Ganesh and Jai Uparkar
March 2, 2019
Advisory: Adult Content

Advisory: Adult Content

Discovering why teenagers watch porn
Jai Uparkar
February 6, 2019
Thank you, Andy

Thank you, Andy

Reflecting on the recent retirement of my role model
Jai Uparkar
February 6, 2019
In his element: 50 questions with Jay Shelton

In his element: 50 questions with Jay Shelton

As part of a new recurring series, El Estoque asks art teacher and yearbook adviser Jay Shelton 50 questions in his classroom
Jai Uparkar, Chelsea Wong, and Claire Chang
January 21, 2019
Out of Time

Out of Time

Reflecting on the lack of tennis I’ve played in recent months
Jai Uparkar
December 18, 2018
Vibrant stories: unique aspects of 10 MVHS students

Vibrant stories: unique aspects of 10 MVHS students

We selected 10 students from a list of everyone at MVHS using a random number generator, and discovered the stories that make MVHS students who they are
Team Knock Out Cancer competes in national cancer fundraising contest

Team Knock Out Cancer competes in national cancer fundraising contest

Members describe their motivations and goals for competing
Jai Uparkar, Claire Chang
December 15, 2018
A stroke of luck

A stroke of luck

MVHS students and experts examine luck and how it influences their lives
Jai Uparkar and Katerina Pappas
November 21, 2018
Senior Sabina Law and Leslie Ligier dance as the captain watch.

Welcoming diversity: The non-Indian dancers of MV Bhangra

MVHS Bhangra team has more ethnic diversity on their team than previous years
Jai Uparkar
November 21, 2018
His watchful eyes

His watchful eyes

How I started playing tennis for myself
Jai Uparkar
October 24, 2018
Living the dream

Living the dream

Lucid dreamers reflect on their most vivid dreams
Jai Uparkar and Tyler Cho
October 24, 2018
Playing the Erhu

Playing the Erhu

Sophomore Andie Liu explains how she came to play the Chinese violin
Jai Uparkar and Tyler Cho
October 24, 2018
Idol No More

Idol No More

Why I wasn’t inspired when I met Roger Federer
Jai Uparkar
September 26, 2018
Leading a Lasting Legacy

Leading a Lasting Legacy

MVHS Bhangra captains adjust to role of leadership
Jai Uparkar
September 23, 2018
50 fresh faces

50 fresh faces

The class of 2022 shares its initial thoughts of MVHS
Claire Chang and Jai Uparkar
September 6, 2018
A Beary Good Time

A Beary Good Time

Two churches hold the annual Teddy Bear Fair for the community
Jai Uparkar
May 25, 2018
“Enough is Enough”

“Enough is Enough”

MVHS students discuss the significance of the national school walkout
Jai Uparkar
May 18, 2018
Outcome of the AP Exams

Outcome of the AP Exams

Students reflect on their experience with this year’s AP exam
Aditya Dash and Jai Uparkar
May 16, 2018
Leaving a legacy

Leaving a legacy

Retiring staff members reflect on their careers
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