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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

Manas Kottakota

Manas Kottakota, Staff Writer

Manas is currently a senior and staff writer for El Estoque. In his free time, he enjoys biking with his friends, traveling to new places with his family and cooking.

All content by Manas Kottakota
Photo illustration | Stella Petzova

Election 2024

Examining the impact of local, statewide and national elections on the MVHS community
Candidates and students share their takes on the role Gen Z places in elections

Candidates and students share their takes on the role Gen Z places in elections

California Assembly District 26 candidate Tara Sreekrishnan and Gen Z students discuss politicians' approach to Gen Z voters
Ananya Chaudhary and Manas Kottakota
November 2, 2024
Junior and forward Monisha Preetham dribbles past an SHS player along the sideline.

Field Hockey falls to Saratoga High School 3-0

Matadors struggle on the defensive end
Manas Kottakota and Arjun Dhruv
October 21, 2024
Senior and wing Eric Tang swings the ball in preparation to pass it to his teammate.

Boys Water Polo defeats Saratoga High School 12-9

The Matadors kick off the first home game of the season with a victory
Manas Kottakota and Sagnik Nag Chowdhury
September 16, 2024
History teacher Usiel Meraz-Cerna starts a lecture by introducing what Ethnic Studies hopes to cover.

Mandatory implementation of Ethnic Studies delayed until 2025-2026

As Ethnic Studies enters its second year of pilot, MVHS community members reflect on its impact
Tatiana Yoo (12) submitted "Started With A Box" to the NUMU Los Gatos ArtNow exhibition. Yoo responded to the prompt "In Transition" with a piece reflecting on childhood wonder.

Award-winning artists

Prestigious MVHS artists reflect on their journeys
Graphic by Leah Desai

Artistic ambitions

From self-expression to building community, MVHS students utilize art for many different purposes
Badminton Head Coach Russell Okuno gives advice to sophomore Maxim Gutnik after his first set of Varsity 3 Boys Singles against Lynbrook High School.

Sounds of sports

MV students and coaches share how they involve music, pep-talks and cheering into their sports life
Badminton Head Coach Russell Okuno gives advice to sophomore Maxim Gutnik after his first set of Varsity 3 Boys Singles against Lynbrook High School.

Words of advice

MVHS coaches discuss their approach to giving student athletes pep talks
Manas Kottakota and Lillian Wang
April 10, 2024
Senior and Varsity 3 Boys Doubles player Saketh Korrada prepares to serve the birdie.

Varsity Badminton loses to Lynbrook High School 25-5

The Matadors fall to reigning league champions
Off-court champs

Off-court champs

MVHS sports depends on overlooked roles such as photographers, the athletic director, and student volunteers.
Two students play soccer at the Junior Stars Academy. Photo courtesy of Charlie Jiang | Used with permission

Game changing volunteers

MVHS students and athletes help support the local sports community through volunteering and coaching
Mixed-gender events

Mixed-gender events

Student athletes share their thoughts on the increase in mixed-gender events in Olympic sports
Manas Kottakota and Daphne Huang
January 26, 2024
Senior and shooting guard Ruchir Banerjee defends an opponent in the paint.

Boys Basketball narrowly falls to Leland High School 58-50

The Matadors lose momentum as the game enters overtime
Manas Kottakota and Sagnik Nag Chowdhury
December 16, 2023
All-star athletes

All-star athletes

A class-by-class dive into outstanding athletes at MVHS
Junior and forward Parth Upadhyay defends an opponent

Home court advantage

Exploring the perspectives of athletes playing on their home turf
Manas Kottakota
December 5, 2023
Sophomore and forward Sean Foo defends an opponent.

Boys Basketball falls to The King’s Academy 58-42

The Matadors lose the sportsmanship game
Manas Kottakota and Sagnik Nag Chowdhury
November 18, 2023
Time out! Ep. 9: Gracie Lee

Time out! Ep. 9: Gracie Lee

Following Gracie Lee's journey in dance
Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Manas Kottakota
November 2, 2023
Senior Neiv Gupta prepares to intercept an opponent’s pass to his teammate. Photo courtesy of Neiv Gupta | Used with permission

Senior sensation: Neiv Gupta

Delving into the successes and future of a senior ice hockey pheno
Manas Kottakota and Brandon Wang
November 2, 2023
Junior Tvisha Jain attempts to gain possession of the ball from an opponent.

Field Hockey falls to Palo Alto High School 2-0

Despite putting up consistent effort, Field Hockey fails to win on senior night
Manas Kottakota and Sagnik Nag Chowdhury
October 28, 2023
EE-SPN Ep. 5: NBA Eastern Conference Preview 2023-24

EE-SPN Ep. 5: NBA Eastern Conference Preview 2023-24

Previewing and predicting the Eastern Conference of the 2023-2024 NBA Season
Manas Kottakota and Arjun Dhruv
October 26, 2023
Freshman and setter Kylee Mark sets the ball to junior and middle blocker Samantha Tong, who prepares to spike the ball.

Girls Volleyball beats Sequoia High School 3-1

Girls Volleyball starts off strong in the first two sets and regains momentum to win the fourth set
Sheng Kee Bakery

Dessert Detectives: Sheng Kee Bakery

Reviewing popular menu items based on quality and taste
Manas Kottakota and Sagnik Nag Chowdhury
October 16, 2023
Rebooting the rally

Rebooting the rally

Examining how the themes of Homecoming 2023 are integrated into the Homecoming rally
Samika Bhatkar and Manas Kottakota
October 9, 2023
EE-SPN Ep. 4: NBA Western Conference Preview 2023-24

EE-SPN Ep. 4: NBA Western Conference Preview 2023-24

Previewing and Predicting the Western 2023-2024 NBA Season
Arjun Dhruv and Manas Kottakota
September 29, 2023
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