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

Stephanie Zhang

Stephanie Zhang, Staff Writer

Stephanie is currently a junior. In her free time, she enjoys listening to her many playlists, binge-watching entire shows at once and spending time with her friends and family.

All content by Stephanie Zhang
Work hard, play hard

Work hard, play hard

The MVHS community plays a variety of different games from pay-to-play experiences to educational tools
Senior Vanshika Turkar ponders the implications of planning a senior trip to San Diego with her friends. Photo Illustration | Crystal Cheng

Planning core memories

MVHS seniors delve into the process of planning their senior trips
Crystal Cheng and Stephanie Zhang
March 7, 2024
Graphic courtesy of Hoyoverse

Pay for Play

MVHS students look at the economic impacts of spending money on video games
Stephanie Zhang and Riya Murthy
March 1, 2024
Graphic by Daphne Huang

Paddling into popularity

Students and staff share their thoughts on the rise of pickleball
Sania Nadkarni, Lauren Chuu, and Stephanie Zhang
January 26, 2024
Shravya Guda (right) poses with co-coach Hemani Kukreja.

New season new coach

Exploring how recently appointed coaches transitioned into their new role
Stephanie Zhang
December 9, 2023
Prisha Balan dances during her Arangetram on Aug. 26, 2023. Photo courtesy of Prisha Balan | Used with permission.

Time Out! Ep. 10: Prisha Balan

Exploring how Prisha Balan’s journey with Bharatanatyam has impacted her life
Stephanie Zhang and Arshiya Sen
December 2, 2023
Hopeful Tendencies

Hopeful Tendencies

Examining the role that hope plays in the MVHS community
What are you hopeful for?

What are you hopeful for?

Delving into the MVHS community's short-term and long-term hopes and goals
Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Stephanie Zhang
October 25, 2023
Maaz Zafar prepares for a play during a game against Lynbrook High School. Photo courtesy of Maaz Zafar | Used with permission

Time out! Ep. 8: Maaz Zafar

Following senior Maaz Zafar’s journey playing football
Stephanie Zhang
October 22, 2023
Growing Forward

Growing Forward

Examining opinions around self-improvement in the MVHS community
Which way to wellness?

Which way to wellness?

Exploring how online self-help resources compare to in-person resources
Ethan Kellogg and Stephanie Zhang
September 29, 2023
Junior and middle blocker Ashley Yang jumps up to hit the ball.

Girls Volleyball defeats Los Altos High School 3-0

The Matadors come out on top in the third home game of the season
Stephanie Zhang
September 16, 2023
Hi Barbie!

Hi Barbie!

Exploring social media’s impact on women empowerment themes in the summer hit “Barbie”
Lance Fucia playing fro MVHS badminton team

Time out! Ep. 6: Lance Fuchia

Following Lance Fuchia’s success in badminton
Junior Ethan Lu leaps over a hurdle at CCS Championships.

Switching sports

Highlighting athletes who transitioned from playing one sport to another
Sophomore Nilay Srikantappa prepares to hit the ball in the third inning. Photo by Stephanie Zhang

Baseball falls to Lynbrook High School on its senior night 6-4

Matadors fail to maintain their lead due to fielding errors
Stephanie Zhang
May 12, 2023
Kim, dressed in cultural attire, poses before attending a Chinese New Year celebration at UC Berkeley. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Kim | Used with permission

Through generations

Exploring how community members’ cultural identities have changed over generations
Alyssa Yang and Stephanie Zhang
April 26, 2023
Illustration by Vincent Zhao | El Estoque

Putting myself first

Exploring what self-love means to students
Stephanie Zhang
February 17, 2023
Deck of hearts

Deck of hearts

MVHS students and alumni play the love game

Man on the street: Arm Wrestling

Challenging students to arm wrestling matches throughout the campus
Sophomore Stanley Du towers over LHS defenders as he shoots the ball into the basket. 

Photo by Stephanie Zhang

Boys Basketball defeats Lincoln High School 58-37

Matadors dominate throughout the whole game
Pranati Kotamraju and Stephanie Zhang
December 22, 2022
Senior Jay Yeung records clips for an upcoming Minecraft video.

A balancing act

Students share how they manage outside activities and school work
Krish Dev and Stephanie Zhang
December 22, 2022
Photo in representation of Wangs passion and love for dance

First Passions

Exploring the stories behind different people and their passions
Trisha Sannappanavar and Stephanie Zhang
November 9, 2022
Junior Hamza Moharram goes in for a tackle in the beginning of the first quarter.

Football dominates Lynbrook High School 42-0 in its Homecoming game

Matadors start off strong and maintain their winning streak throughout the game
Senior Aashna Patel adds a star to the wall of field hockey‘s space-themed team room. Photo by

All decked out

Fall sports athletes share about team rooms
Aidan Ruan and Stephanie Zhang
October 13, 2022
Amish Tyagi works out a math problem in preparation for an upcoming test. Photo by Stephanie Zhang

Brain drain

Students share which classes they find the most difficult
Stephanie Zhang
October 2, 2022
Matadors at Work

Matadors at Work

Students share new jobs they’ve picked up over the summer
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