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

Robert Liu

Robert Liu, Managing Editor

Robert is a senior and a managing editor for El Estoque. He spends his free time practicing the piano, programming and reading books.

All content by Robert Liu
Subbing Out

Subbing Out

Seniors reflect on their time as athletes on MVHS sports teams
Season of memories

Season of memories

Coaches reflect on journeys with their graduating seniors
Suraj Gangaram and Robert Liu
May 20, 2021
Varsity Boys Soccer players share a team huddle following a game.

Season shutdown

How the MVHS football and boys soccer teams reacted to their teammates’ positive COVID results
Robert Liu and Nika Zamani
May 19, 2021
New student-run website BetaHoops aims to popularize sports analytics at MVHS

Sports analytics

New student-run website BetaHoops aims to popularize sports analytics at MVHS
Robert Liu
May 18, 2021
Warming up: Reopening sports at MVHS

Warming up: Reopening sports at MVHS

Examining how athletes, coaches and administration have adapted to the pandemic
Senior Allison Leung and her teammate MVHS alumna 18 Demetra Williams practice their dives at MVHS pool.

Women in sports

Exploring the experiences of women in sports in honor of Women's History Month
A womans arm is being cleaned in preparation for the vaccine injection.

Don’t Miss Your Shot

Scientists used RNA technology to create the COVID-19 vaccine, yet its fast-paced development and distribution caused concerns about side effects as vaccines are administered to essential workers.
Featured Image

Phase I: The Development

Analyzing the timeline and technologies behind America’s COVID-19 vaccines
Rachel Jiang and Robert Liu
February 12, 2021
The Speech and Debate team celebrates their accomplishments at an Arizona tournament.

Competition-focused clubs

Exploring competition-based clubs’ experiences during distance learning
Robert Liu
February 10, 2021
The visiting committee suggested a fifth goal in addition to MVHSs four original goals.

WASC Goals

MVHS works to implement goals and feedback following WASC accreditation visit
Robert Liu
December 17, 2020
A Black Lives Matter poster by National Geographic stands in Washington D.C.

“Arrest the cops”: Exploring the parallels between performative activism and profits

Companies and celebrities are profiting off tragedies
Robert Liu
November 7, 2020
Immigration

Immigration

Reviewing a wealth of perspectives will best inform us on what immigration issues are at stake
Robert Liu
October 27, 2020
Zoom School: MVHS Edition

Zoom School: MVHS Edition

MVHS community devises ways around the challenges of distance learning
Examining the impact of distance learning on course rigor

Examining the impact of distance learning on course rigor

Fewer synchronous meetings and adjustments to online platforms leads to teachers determining what’s essential
Robert Liu and Abdullah Memon
September 17, 2020
FUHSD implements credit/no-credit grading in response to COVID-19

FUHSD implements credit/no-credit grading in response to COVID-19

Despite community opposition, board of trustees unanimously vote to reaffirm new grading system
Robert Liu and Devin Gupta
May 13, 2020
The impacts of social distancing

The impacts of social distancing

Exploring the ways social and cultural practices continue in spite of COVID-19
Junior Roya Ahmadi shares her home celebration of Persian New Year on Instagram.

COVID-19 changes religious and cultural rituals

Shelter-in-place brings cultural and religious activities to a standstill
Shivani Gupta and Robert Liu
April 2, 2020
Junior Manas Manu sings in the opening performance of one of Grammy award-winner Manoj Georges concerts in San Jose, California.

Music across languages: Junior Manas Manu’s singing journey

Junior Manas Manu shares the most vital values to improving as a singer
Robert Liu
March 14, 2020
Kennedy MS teacher Chris Scharmen performs for ComedySportz in San Jose.

Stand up and laugh

Improv allows actors to work as a team and think on their feet to entertain
Robert Liu and Stuti Upadhyay
March 13, 2020
Whats MVHS laughing at

What’s MVHS laughing at

Exploring the various sources of humor at MVHS
Freshman Samuel Choi returns a hit during Badminton Clubs lunch open gym.

Badminton Club’s intramural tournament in the works

Club members discuss plans for upcoming tournament
Robert Liu
March 8, 2020
Paintings from a World Literature project line the front of literature teacher Jireh Tanabes classroom.

Drawing a curriculum: Art in the classroom

Exploring teacher and student opinions on integrating art into curriculums
Robert Liu
February 9, 2020
The rise of Netflix

The rise of Netflix

Exploring the history of an online media empire
Robert Liu
February 7, 2020
MVHS through Netflix

MVHS through Netflix

Exploring Netflix's presence in the MVHS community and the impact of its changes over time
Used with permission from Parssa Alimadad

World War 3 becomes a meme

How the influx of WWIII memes affects MVHS students’ and teachers’ views on world events
Robert Liu and Collin Qian
January 10, 2020
In a painting by Sophie Ye, a pair of geese fly above a river.

Stories of our art

A look at the visual artists of MVHS
Go Club members spectate as senior Jack Tian and senior Joseph Jang face off in a match.

Outmaneuvered: Go Club’s canceled tournament

Despite unexpected shortcomings, Go Club holds internal tournament in place of canceled competition
Robert Liu
November 23, 2019
Our cultures in food

Our cultures in food

Exploring the cultural significance of Asian food and its representation in America
Fyokla Ivanovna (played by sophomore Shriya Dwivedi) and the Italian Rosebud (played by junior Dyuthy Ramachandran) sit alongside Agafya Tikhonovna (played by senior Naomi Hahn).

Googly for Gogol: A review of ‘The Marriage’

MV Drama’s production provides humorous and telling insight into social pressures and gender roles in 19th Century Russia
Robert Liu
November 19, 2019
Junior Alvin Tian performs a jump smash during a doubles match of badminton.

Smashing barriers: Badminton Club hosts open gyms for students

Examining officer and team member perspectives on the parallels between the club and the MVHS badminton team
Robert Liu
October 24, 2019
The Class of 2020 performs one of their dances for their skit.

Homecoming 2019: Behind the scenes

A backstage exploration into the preparations of each class
The Class of 2021 performs their first dance of the skit with girls dressed as The Fireside Girls from Phineas and Ferb.

Homecoming Skits 2019

Cartoon themes emerge through class skits during Homecoming week
Fresh perspectives: New Go Club officers remark on upcoming year

Fresh perspectives: New Go Club officers remark on upcoming year

Examining the goals and aspirations driving this year’s officer team
Robert Liu
September 27, 2019
Driving to the brink

Driving to the brink

Weighing the costs of driving in high school
Robert Liu and Anoop Iyer
September 27, 2019
Sleep deprivation is a common problem across FUHSD schools.

Stressing the numbers

Exploring the results of wellness surveys in recent years
Anoop Iyer, Robert Liu, and Sean Yagi
August 26, 2019
A dead end: Exploring the way mental health issues are tackled at MVHS

A dead end: Exploring the way mental health issues are tackled at MVHS

Many students don’t take advantage of mental health resources on campus
Robert Liu
May 20, 2019
MVHS Science Olympiad competes at the NorCal Regional at San Jose City College.

Coming full circle: Science Olympiad’s year in review

Members of the club reflect on what they’ve learned about competing at tournaments
Jahan Razavi and Robert Liu
April 28, 2019
Science Olympiad competes at states

Science Olympiad competes at states

Members reflect on their recent competition
Jahan Razavi and Robert Liu
April 12, 2019
The friends we overlook: Why need-based friends are not mindful friendship investments

The friends we overlook: Why need-based friends are not mindful friendship investments

The role of superficial friends in our day to day interactions
Robert Liu and Annie Zhang
April 10, 2019
Bridging the gap between generations

Bridging the gap between generations

Understanding generational differences between child and parent can solve conflicts
Tyler Cho and Robert Liu
March 13, 2019
Science Olympiad’s 2019 competition season

Science Olympiad’s 2019 competition season

Members reflect on their performance and share aspirations for the rest of the season
Jahan Razavi and Robert Liu
March 9, 2019
Analyzing how the Course Information Fair affects students’ decisions

Analyzing how the Course Information Fair affects students’ decisions

MVHS holds the annual Course Information Fair to provide information on classes
Robert Liu
February 10, 2019

Into the woods

Following the government shutdown, national parks struggle with maintenance
Robert Liu and Julia Yang
February 6, 2019
Upcoming events for ‘21

Upcoming events for ‘21

Sophomore class officers plan for upcoming class events
Robert Liu
February 4, 2019
Science Olympiad anticipates upcoming competition season

Science Olympiad anticipates upcoming competition season

A glance at the winter and spring tournament timeline
Robert Liu and Jahan Razavi
December 14, 2018
Rising voices

Rising voices

The impact of student involvement in the political arena
Robert Liu
November 21, 2018
Junior Prasanna Srinivas works to prepare for the Sound of Music event.

Science Olympiad contest preparations

Club members gather at a study session to prepare for upcoming tournaments
Jahan Razavi and Robert Liu
November 19, 2018
Cafeteria sales have declined since the 2017-2018 school year.

Analyzing the effects of declining cafeteria sales

New 2018-2019 bell schedule leads to decreasing lunch sales and a change in students’ meal patterns
Robert Liu
November 9, 2018
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