Volume 52, Issue 3, December 8, 2021 by El Estoque

elESTOQUE DECEMBER 2021

32 AGAINST ALL ODDS

Girls Volleyball ends a historic season in second place at CCS and in NorCals for the first time in school history

VOLUME 52 ISSUE 3

THE PATH TO MAKING HISTORY

elESTOQUE

21840 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014 elestoque.org mv.el.estoque@gmail.com Editors-in-Chief: Michelle Chen, Anushka De, Jayanti Jha Managing Editors: Ishaani Dayal, Devin Gupta, Lance Tong, Matthew Yoshimoto Copy Editor: Meggie Chen, Sophia Chen, Sarah Liu News Editors: Melody Cui, Jefferson Le, Tanish Mendki, Jisha Rajala Opinion Editors: Diya Bahl, Shivani Madhan, Kripa Mayureshwar, Jiya Singh Feature Editors: Riya Ravuri, Jannah Sheriff, Prisha Tiwari, Mira Wagner Entertainment Editors: Justin Kim, Gauri Manoj, Aditya Shukla, Shivani Verma Sports Editors: Anna Jerolimov, Irene Tang, Nika Zamani, Michelle Zheng Graphics Editors: Mikaylah Du, Sophia Ma, Lillian Wang Website Editors: Krish Dev, Devin Gupta, Gavin Hung Staff Writers: Crystal Cheng, Nameek Choudhury, Tvisha Gupta, Minjae Kang, Anna Kaminitz, Taryn Lam, Sarah Liu, Amber Milesi, Anika Sharma, Geethi Tarra, Aashna Patel, Kalyani Puthenpurayil, Aashi Venkat, Sonia Verma, April Wang, Alex Zhang, Angela Zhang Adviser: Julia Satterthwaite Mission Statement: El Estoque will accurately inform our community through well-researched, unbiased and in-depth accounts of the student body and staff, news and developments and taboo topics prevalent in and near MVHS. Investigating various voices and credible perspectives, we hope to foster active discussion, effect positive change and spread awareness of timely, relevant content. As a trustworthy and reliable source of information, we strive to be accountable, adaptable and ready to correct and address our mistakes. Constantly striving for improvement, we will uphold integrity and ethics to be respectful and empathetic to our sources and our readers. We will exercise our press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment and California Ed Code 48907 while maintaining a community passionate about our work and journalism as a whole.

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Senior Lia Vorthmann leaps into the air, smashing the ball down the line and ending the game 25-23. The sideline erupts into cheers as the Matadors surge into a celebratory huddle in the middle of the court. The final score is 3-1. The MVHS Girls Volleyball team has just defeated Windsor High School at its first ever appearance in the Northern California Playoffs in school history. The typical MVHS student follows a certain narrative — an intensely academic, STEMoriented, college-obsessed persona that seems to seep into every corner of our school. It’s not bad — the signature drive and passion for learning that permeates classrooms is something we can be proud of. But that narrative is restrictive. It limits diversity of thought and the celebration of the accomplishments that fall outside its bounds. The success of our Girls Volleyball team has proven our ability as MVHS students to excel far beyond the reach of that narrative. Just this past fall season, our Girls Tennis, Girls Golf and Cross Country teams all made it to CCS. Our Girls Volleyball team earned second place at CCS and qualified for the first time ever for the NorCal championships. MV athletes are making history in realms far-removed from academics, and they deserve to be recognized and celebrated. It is this narrative that breeds the self-contempt so deeply instilled in students that feel unable to fit into its unforgiving mold, a concept we explore in our opinion story, “Price for Passion”. And it’s this narrative that causes us to put so much pressure on the future that we’re left too anxious to enjoy the present, instead trapped in a cycle of toxic nostalgia about an overly romanticized past. As we gear up to take on a new year, we should abandon the confining walls of this narrative. There is nothing wrong with finding joy in the classroom, and in our Opinion section, we’re exploring how Ethnic Studies courses will add nuance to history curriculum across the state. And there’s nothing wrong with reflection on the past. Our Features section pays tribute to the grief that has defined much of the past year, and our Arts & Entertainment section highlights the decades of art and culture that have shaped the pop culture that defines the modern canon. But before we can move forward, we need to be more willing to explore passions and recognize accomplishments outside of the strict boundaries that many of us use to characterize ourselves. In short, we as a student body are defined by far more than high test scores and impressive resumes. We are artists, athletes, advocates, researchers and more. And acknowledging the limitless narratives that define our student population rather than being trapped by only one will help us foster more community and compassion as we get ready to take on the new year, head on. To start, maybe high-five the volleyball player who sits behind you in class, because they are nothing if not the perfect example of breaking boundaries, ditching narratives and making history.

PHOTO | ISHAANI DAYAL

Corrections from the November issue: The correct spelling is Ishan Datta on page 28. COVER ILLUSTRATION | MIKAYLAH DU AND APRIL WANG

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

Michelle Chen

Anushka De

Jayanti Jha

PHOTO | ANNA KAMINITZ

8 IN

8 THIS

What’s your sign?

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | EL ESTOQUE

PHOTO | ANNA KAMINITZ

ISSUE

What’s your sign?

Out for Safe Schools comes to MVHS

Exploring the impact of training staff in making safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students

Climate change curriculum

The need to implement climate change education at MVHS is more important now than ever

Coping with grief

Community members describe their experiences and strategies managing their grief

Golden era

How 90s hip-hop artists have shaped the current rap scene

PHOTO | LANCE TONG

Against all odds

Girls Volleyball competes in the CCS finals for PHOTO BY SOMEONE | USED WITH PERMISSION the first time since 1998

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

OUT FOR SAFE SCHOOLS COMES TO MVHS Exploring the impact of training staff to make safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students BY LANCE TONG

English teacher Mark Carpenter poses in front of an LGBTQIA+ flag.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | SHIVANI MADHAN ILLUSTRATION | LANCE TONG

hile researching different ways that the MVHS Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club could continue to promote awareness about the LGBTQ+ community over the summer, GSA advisor and literature teacher Mark Carpenter stumbled upon the Out for Safe Schools program. According to its website, Out for Safe Schools is meant to help decrease risk factors in the LGBTQIA+ youth community by “creating visible allies’’ and “allow LGBTQIA+ youth to thrive in safe and supportive school environments.” With their interest piqued, Carpenter did further research and eventually reached out to the Santa Clara County Office of Education to start a pilot program, where Carpenter would attempt to get 30 staff members badged and work from there to grow the program.” As of now, Carpenter says there are 29 teachers badged and a wait list of teachers who want to do the training. When teachers finish the 25 minute program about how to handle gender and sexuality situations in their classrooms, they receive a badge to identify them as a member of the Out for Safe Schools program. Carpenter says that the program is useful especially for teachers who have never personally encountered questions about sexuality by providing

NEWS them with vocabulary to facilitate in freshman Literature and Writing, the conversations in a respectful way. gender and sexuality unit in freshman “If somebody who’s going through Biology and additional lessons in their life as a cisgender heterosexual Advisory are useful to MVHS students. person who’s never had these questions “That’s a foundation students are come up for them, I think [this program] more open to asking each other can be [useful],” Carpenter said. “I had questions, seeking to understand,” questions about my own gender and Carpenter said. “I’d love to see sexuality [and] for someone who took something like this as an Advisory for the defaults and ran with them, I think students and that’s something I might a lot of terminology can be intimidating ask my contact at the county office because they don’t about.” want to ask questions Carpenter I WANT ALL STAFF for fear of causing explains that the ON CAMPUS TO GET offense.” resources from BADGED. TO SHOW Along with helping OFSS and the teachers foster an s y n c h r o n o us OUR STUDENTS THAT environment in which awareness raised REGARDLESS OF queer students are by LGBTQ+ WHERE THEY COME visible and accepted, curriculum helps FROM...THEY’VE GOT junior and GSA build a foundation A TEACHER WHO’S president Annika Lee With the program’s believes this program pilot program GOING TO TRY TO will help create nearing completion MEET THEM WHERE cultural shifts in the and staff members THEY ARE, WHO’S student body as well. and students GOING TO TRY TO “Monta Vista has a seeing the success, UNDERSTAND THAT. lot of straight people, Carpenter says that and they have some ENGLISH TEACHER they hope to get unintentionally staff members MARK CARPENTER all homphopic people,” badged. Lee said. “I think the “I want all staff biggest thing is making sure that we’re on campus to get badged,” Carpenter visible — we’re here.” said. “To show our students that Print center technician Paula Gaspar, regardless of where they come from, who was a part of the pilot program, regardless of external factors of gender, agrees with Carpenter that the training sexuality, race, ethnicity, that they’ve was “very knowledgeable and had got a teacher who’s going to try to meet really good information.” She explains them where they are, who’s going to try that she was motivated to join the to understand that.” program because of her commitment to fostering inclusive environments. “I have family and friends that are [out] and I wanted to make it safe for students to be able to speak to anybody that they need to, especially here,” Gaspar said. “So anything [I can do] that will help out a student, or even maybe a staff member — you never know.” Lee emphasizes the importance of this program in letting students know that there is “someone who they could talk to about queer issues.” In conjunction with this program, Carpenter believes that LGBTQ+ focused curriculum, including reading “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”

AP SECRETARY

JOELLE BUSCHER “I think it’s a really great and simple way to be visible allies and support kids on campus who might need a little extra support or support might look a little different.”

LIBRARIAN

LAURA UTILE “I thought it was worth going through and making yourself more aware because I’m very familiar with people coming out...[My brother] didn’t really have these types of programs when he was in high school...I think it’s great that we have programs now that make it easier for students to feel that school is a safe place for them.”

ENGLISH TEACHER

RANDY HOLADAY “[The OFSS training] allowed me to kind of have a visual for what my values were. It was more like supporting something that I already agreed with and having the visual representation of it.”

NEWS | DECEMBER 2021

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ON TI RA

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BREAKING THE BUBBLE CDC authorizes COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5-11 BY MICHELLE CHEN AND TANISH MENDKI

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

he Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine before they break down or can’t attend was unanimously approved by to it.” the CDC on Nov. 3, 2021 to be Chow hopes that the vaccine will administered to children ages 5-11. This enable his children to safely attend inannouncement came immediately after person events with other vaccinated the FDA gave an emergency approval children. According to him, while to the vaccine. After the decision was the vaccination may not completely announced, FUHSD began offering eliminate the threat of COVID-19, it vaccination clinics for children within would be an “assurance” to him. this age range “I think it Long-term helps me bring french substitute normalcy back to Sapna Bhagwat their life,” Chow brought her 10 said. “Now, if year old son, they’re vaccinated who attends too, maybe they Laurelwood might have more Elementary normalcy of School in the playing outdoors Santa Clara have a sibling ages 5-11 who is without a mask, as Unified School planning to get vaccinated or has an example.” District, to get been vaccinated Senior Yana vaccinated on *According to a survey of 156 people Padte, whose Friday, Nov. younger brother 5. Bhagwat is 7 years old and described her son being “really calm a second grader at Lincoln Elementary and really excited” during the vaccine School, believes that her brother appointment, which she recalls being will similarly benefit from getting the “a breeze.” vaccine. At the same time, however, Bhagwat’s daughter, who is 12, was she points out that, due to her brother’s vaccinated in May when the vaccine young age, he might not fully grasp the was approved for children 12 to 15 years severity of the pandemic or the effects old. According to Bhagwat, her son had of vaccination. long awaited the date when he could “I don’t think he really understands be vaccinated like his sister, and was how important it is,” Padte said. “ecstatic” leading up to the vaccination “In some ways, I think he’ll be a lot “We’ve always been pretty frank happier because my parents take so with him right from day one,” Bhagwat many precautions with him, especially said. “He’s always been asking right whenever we go out, and I feel like from the day the vaccine came out for we’re a lot more laid back when it adults, ‘When is it coming out for us?’ comes to the three of us. So I And when they came out for his sister, think that he’ll appreciate my he was like, ‘Well, what about me?’ parents not crowding him Art teacher Brian Chow, who has so much over keeping three daughters ages 5, 8 and 11, plans his mask on all the to get his children vaccinated as well. time.” Chow saw how the COVID-19 pandemic B h a g w a t negatively affected the social lives of believes that the not only his own children, but others level of authority their age. parents have in “I think a lot of young people the decision of missed out on socializing and making vaccinating friendships at a young age, it’s probably their children been more important, because they should vary haven’t had prior years of experience d e p e n d i n g with making friends,” Chow said. “[It’s on the also] asking a lot of young children c h i l d r e n ’ s to sort of manage themselves and a g e . manage their learning. So that takes its A c c o r d i n g toll, because they can only do so much to Bhagwat,

25%

of MVHS students

teenagers in high school should have more input in the decision, while for younger children, parents should be the one making the decision. Bhagwat also notes the importance of parents in shaping their kids’ opinions, attributing her son’s eagerness to her own thoughts about vaccination. “He knows that there are sometimes potential complications, but he didn’t seem fazed by any of it,” Bhagwat said. “I think it’s also how we approached it that kind of affected how he thought about it. He saw that we were really optimistic, upbeat, really excited that there was a vaccine, which is so effective, and so that kind of transferred to him as well.” While Chow believes that his daughters understand the purpose of the vaccine, he acknowledges that they may not know enough about the subject to hold meaningful conversations and make rational decisions. “As parents, we just model what we think is appropriate and safe,” Chow said. “So they’re conscious of it, and they know that we’ve got our shots. I think they’re just more concerned about having to get a shot and it hurting. But I think they understand that it’s gonna help them be safe, or help others be safe in the community.”

NEWS | DECEMBER 2021

DECLINE IN EARLY ACTION Examining the decrease in early college applications among MVHS seniors this year BY JISHA RAJALA AND LILLIAN WANG

he percentage of MVHS seniors applying for early action decreased 6% this year, dropping to 52%, according to data provided by Naviance. Early action is a college admission process that requires students to submit their application by an earlier deadline — often by Nov. 1 or 15 — instead of by the regular decision deadline, which usually falls from Jan. 1 to 15. Colleges also notify applicants of their decision between mid-December to January instead of March. Students are able to EA to multiple colleges since the application is non binding – if they’re accepted, they don’t necessarily have to commit to the college. The drop in early applicants this year brings the percentage of seniors applying E A down t o 52%, t h e same percentage that it was before the pandemic. Junior Maggie Du believes the transition back to in-person learning meant that there was “less time for students to write their EA essays,” causing this drop. Senior Atmaja Patil attributes the increase during the pandemic to seniors using their free time to “take more initiative with their college apps and get ahead.” Nevertheless, she is surprised at this year’s drop in early action applications due to the benefits of the process. “I wouldn’t have anticipated [a] decrease because early action to me is not just a strategy to show colleges that you care,” Patil said. “Instead of everything [being due] in January, I can spread out the work.” Along with allowing seniors like Patil time to distribute their workload

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

across different deadlines, Du explains that another advantage is the higher acceptance rate among students who take the EA route. “I plan on applying [early action in my senior year],” Du said. “Early action is beneficial [because] it provides a better chance of getting into schools, but you can also get your result earlier, so you know if you’ve made it in early.” Registrar Supriya Lawrence, who is responsible for providing documentation of students’ grades and class credits, believes that the increased acceptance rate pressures students to apply early. “There’s t h a t anxiety that if [students] apply regular, it won’t be given the same kind of merit or weight because [colleges] have already accepted so many students, and therefore the pool goes down,” Lawrence said. Although Lawrence acknowledges that applying early is often less stressful for students who would rather finish college applications as soon as possible, she also believes applying by the regular deadline has its benefits too. “By the time your colleges look at your regular decision application, they’re also looking at your first semester grades [for senior year],” Lawrence said. “And if you have taken challenging classes, [those classes could potentially] enhance your GPA. That gives you a better standing.”

EARLY DECISION Early decision is binding; if accepted, students must attend the school. They can only apply to one school with this path. Deadlines and decisions are earlier than regular or rolling admissions.

EARLY ACTION Early action is not binding and students have the option to apply to multiple schools with this path. Deadlines and decisions are earlier than regular or rolling admissions.

SINGLE CHOICE EARLY ACTION Single choice early action is not binding and students can only apply to one school. Deadlines and decisions are earlier than regular or rolling admissions.

REGULAR DECISION Deadlines occur in January or February and decisions are released by April. This route is non-binding and widely available.

ROLLING ADMISSION Rolling admission applications are accepted as late as April and through the summer until the school’s programs are filled. However, students may miss out on scholarship opportunities.

GRAPHICS | LILLIAN WANG

TAKE OUR NOVEMBER NEWS QUIZ Test your knowledge of key events last month

Holiday

Pandemic

Who was the leading What prize did MVHS Republican candidate Leadership give to those during the California who scanned three QR recall election? codes on Nov. 23?

Volleyball

When was the last time MVHS Girls Volleyball made it to CCS finals?

BY RIYA RAVURI AND MATTHEW YOSHIMOTO

Concert

Who was the leading Which city hosted Travis Republican candidate Scott’s Astroworld during the Festival on Nov. 5? California recall election?

Elections

Who was the leading What is the name of the Republican candidate most recent COVID-19 during the California variant that the CDC recall election? labeled a “Variant of Concern”?

Which two states held gubernatorial elections on Nov. 2?

AMAs

Which American Music Award did BTS become the first Asian group to win?

Climate

Who was the leading What did activist Greta Republican candidate Thunberg tweet after during the California hearing plans at COP20? recall election? (Ans: “___ ___ ___”)

Music

Which album did Taylor Swift release on Nov. 12?

Trial

Who was the leading How many counts was Republican candidate Kyle Rittenhouse found during the California “not guilty” for? recall election?

Parade

In which state did an SUV plow through a Christmas parade on Nov. 21?

ILLUSTRATIONS | GAURI MANOJ 1) Houston; 2) New Jersey and Virginia; 3) "Blah Blah Blah"; 4) "Red (Taylor’s Version)"; 5) Pumpkin pie; 6) 1998; 7) Omicron; 8) Artist of the Year; 9) Five; 10) Wisconsin

Answers:

NEWS | DECEMBER 2021

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opinion STOP TURNING BACK TIME Romanticising the past does more harm than good BY TVISHA GUPTA

LI AN

W AN G

move out of the past? The answer: we can’t. Our inability to move out of our safe spaces only hinders our progress forward. This isn’t a call to disregard the past, but rather to stop hyperfocusing on it and making it our current reality. Dreading the future and reminiscing on the past isn’t going to get us anywhere, but finding excitement in the immediacy of the present and the uncertainty of the future will. We need to push ourselves to create new memories, instead of solely being content with the old ones. Because what are the good ol’ days when compared to the better ones to come?

AP H

problems they gave rise to, which may still afflict us today. Additionally, we’re so comfortable with the familiarity the past provides us with that we’ve become scared of the uncertainty that the future brings. Students fear the future because with it comes more AP classes, SAT and ACT tests, stress over ex t r a c u r r i c u l a r activities, college applications and more. When we’re thinking about the future, we’re standing on fragile ground. We can’t bear the fact that the bridge to the future may crumble at any moment, and we’re desperate to return to the solid surface of the past. We reminisce about how great middle school and elementary school were, with reasonable amounts of homework and daily social outings. We look through our Snapchat memories and reminisce about how happy we were “back then.” But we fail to realize that staying stuck in the past stops us from taking steps towards the future. If we’re n e v e r able to get out of our comfort zones and cross that fragile piece of ground, how can we expect success when we refuse to

was born in the wrong generation. One of the most commonly heard phrases from this generation’s teenagers echoes our love for the past. Today’s adolescence idolizes bell bottom jeans and crop tops of the ‘80s and ‘90s, as we adopt the idea of ‘vintage’ and curate our style based on it. The media is similarly fond of the past: Swifties all over the world jumped in excitement when Taylor Swift released her rerecorded albums and Bollywood follows suit by reusing old songs to create new ones. iCarly, Gossip Girl 2.0, the 25th James Bond movie and Star Wars TV shows— entertainment simply can’t move on from past hits. We love the past. It’s the main destination for our memories, whether pleasant or painful, and we cherish the comfort and the lessons they provide us with. The rhetoric of “the good ol’ days” helps us find gratitude in the present, and we use past resilience and motivation to help us gain confidence; we find peace in our rose colored perception of the past. However, we often don’t realize how an intense focus with the past can impact us in the present and future. Our perception of the ‘80s and ‘90s is that they were joyful times, full of cute clothes and hip hop. But we’ve chosen to forget about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the discriminatory treatment that the LGBTQ+ community faced or how women were the subject of sexualization and misogyny. Our glorification of the past has blinded us to all its flaws. We strictly focus on the positive memories and case aside the negative ones, which results in our failure to learn from them and solve the

OPINION | DECEMBER 2021

VE RM A

STRATIONS | SONIA ILLU

GIVE US 7!

Scheduling based on seven classes would bolster elective enrollment BY DEVIN GUPTA

n the past year, K-12 education has suffered a drop of approximately 46,000 students statewide. Even within MVHS, enrollment has decreased from 2,178 in 2017-18 to 1,833 in 202122. Among many consequences, courses allocated for MVHS students have fallen and will continue that trend with projections putting MVHS at 1,619

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

students by 2025. The decrease in staffing and course offerings affect all subjects. During the 2021-22 school year, every major academic department (English, Social Science, Math and Science) has seen an average drop of 6.5 sections as a result of declining enrollment. However, electives with fewer

total sections such as Computer Programming Java, Principles of Business or Drama are likely to be hit hardest. Hence, MVHS administration decided to “save” or reallocate sections to Drama, AVID and Journalism with one additional section this year that were lost in past years. In addition to shrinking programs,

another consequence is a decrease drawback is an incentive for staff to in teacher job security. As other sites be responsive to student feedback experience the declining enrollment that via course sign-ups. To address this, MVHS has been shouldering for years, an advisory board could oversee the FUHSD will no longer hire new teachers course allocation to make sure that and district administration might have to staff are doing excellent work and a reduce in size by laying off the newest reasonable number of people are still hired members. So far, MVHS has frozen signing up for the programs. most new hires, bumped many Matador Another solution is to schedule staff to other sites or asked staff to work courses based on seven classes, which at two sites, such as Literature teacher carries a significant financial implication Derek Lu and but could be science teacher elective courses’ Ken Gan, who saving grace. are split between Right now, MVHS MVHS and CHS. students are In order for guaranteed their MVHS to offer a first six courses, comprehensive meaning that e d u c a t i o n their 7th choice that provides isn’t considered diverse learning think MVHS should guarantee when allocating o p p o r t u n i t i e s , students their top 7 courses the total number something needs *According to a survey of 132 people of sections. As to change, and a result, most students need 7th period to have an active seat at the table in choices (which are often electives) deciding their future course offerings aren’t counted. If students’ 7th choice beyond simply voting with their top six course were included upon request, choices. Currently, two solutions exist. we’d increase enrollment for electives One, MVHS can guarantee specific significantly, ensuring that support for elective class periods. When the Drama those programs would remain. department saw a one-section drop in However, it’s vital to understand the 2020-2021, it went from four sections to tradeoff and hesitancy implementing three. However, MVHS administration such a solution. Currently, faculty are decided to guarantee the current four paid in percentages, with 66% of funding class periods of Drama this year in order going to teachers, 19% to classified to ensure a comprehensive education. staff and 15% to administration. When Another benefit of this strategy is that it there is a budget surplus, the funding can be used to help teachers remain on is distributed in these percentages a single campus. Because each teacher and all staff have enjoyed bonuses requires five periods to be a full-time for the last few years. If MVHS offered staff member, dropping to fewer than more sections, paying $30,000 for five total periods would mean a teacher each course (which primarily goes to would have to split campuses. However, a teacher’s salary), it would take away by guaranteeing a specific course for a from excess funding and decrease specific teacher, it can allow a teacher potential for staff bonuses. to remain with Despite that, five periods at it’s important to MVHS. enact a solution to T h i s address declining strategy can be enrollment’s used to protect effect on course courses and offerings, whether teachers from the effects of declining it’s guaranteeing elective departments enrollment. We can decide that it’s or scheduling based on top seven important to offer business, music, courses. And in the process, it’s vital drama, journalism, a variety of world that students provide input in ensuring languages and more, as long as sign- course offerings are comprehensive ups are reasonable. However, one and responsive to student interests.

67 %

of MVHS students

SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE

2019 2,178 MVHS STUDENTS 394 TOTAL COURSES

2020 2,021 MVHS students 360 TOTAL COURSES

2021 1,834 MVHS students 334 TOTAL COURSES

ILLUSTRATIONS | DEVIN GUPTA

OPINION | DECEMBER 2021

THE PRICE OF PASSION

Students and staff reflect on how their involvement in the humanities impacts their potential careers BY SONIA VERMA

GRAPHICS | SONIA VERMA

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

espite pursuing English and 13 years of his career in the Fremont Russian literature, performing Union High School District. arts has always been a constant FUHSD offers a high mid-career in English and Drama teacher Hannah salary compared to other school Gould. As a child, she dreamed of districts, however, the average salary for becoming an actress. a teacher or any career path related to “I loved my first dance recital,” the humanities is not as much as a job in Gould said. “I was three and I a field of medicine, law or engineering. loved being on stage so much. It “I have a pretty good salary since was this feeling like nothing else we’re at one of the highest-paying — it was like its own pull, its own districts in the country,” Gould said. “It’s motivation. It was just so obvious really good money, but for the amount that that was the of work I do, most important thing Do you want to major in a humanities if you divide field? [to me].” the time by In high school, the hours that Gould considered I get — it’s various possible pretty sad. careers including Most people teaching, theatre who work as and world hard as I do in language. tech or in other When she STEM fields went to make a lot college at more already.” Barnard in S t i v e r New York also believes City, she there’s a immersed cultural aspect *According to a survey of 139 MVHS students herself in of parents Russian Literature, urging their in which she pursued a Ph.D., with children to work in jobs in STEM with the goal of becoming a professor. reputations of being well-paying and For Gould, learning a secure. Sophomore Pranati Kotamraju language was a way faced a similar issue when she first of expressing herself expressed interest in potentially and connecting with studying literature in college. others. However, after “Everyone in my family is an engineer. experiencing extensive My mom’s [an engineer]. My dad’s an research papers, Gould engineer. My family is basically made up decided to reevaluate her career of engineers and doctors,” Kotamraju path. All the while, Gould was said. “So I know I should expect [the also interested in theatre, which push to go into a STEM field] from them, helped lead her to become especially since that path worked out the Drama teacher. Similarly, for them so well. They feel like it would Guidance Counselor Clay be easier for me if I pursued that path as Stiver intended to major in well. But I’m not them.” physics in college but ultimately When she was 8 years old, switched to psychology, where Kotmanraju took a robotics class. he eventually began working in Her parents pushed her towards education and realized how much STEM-related subjects such as math he loved working with people. Stiver and science, but she found herself grew up in the Bay Area and has spent uninterested. Instead, because she

liked to read and write, Kotmanraju clothes,” and for something she’s began exploring the world of literature. passionate about, “[she] can manage.” Stiver cites the pursuit of a career To her, the humanities are unfairly simplified as careers for people who with reputability and stability being aren’t good at science or math and driving factors for many students to get involved in aren’t willing a STEM field, to put in the Is passion for your job or comfort despite individual work to pursue of living more important? passions. jobs relating to “Sometimes these subjects. it’s cultural or I n s t e a d , family-driven, Kotmanraju where families b e l i e v e s want to talk there’s a lot of about their son work that goes or daughter and into one’s art. how well they’re Although doing working her parents at Google as w e r e a computer disappointed scientist or that she didn’t something like show interest that,” Stiver in math and said. “I do think s c i e n c e *According to a survey of 141 MVHS students that a lot of subjects, they that [prestige] were still supportive of her interests. However, is sometimes a motivation for not just they also expressed concern about students but for families too, and I think the financial limitation of a job in the sometimes, a lot of our students feel some kind of pressure from family to go literature field. In response, Kotmanraju said that towards a certain career.” However, Stiver acknowledges “as long as [she has] food, water [and]

“

OVERHEARD IN THE SURVEY

The happiness and satisfaction you get out of doing something you like may not always be the same as having a comfortable life. Some people prefer one over the other, but I would rather pursue something that I am really passionate about rather than choosing a different career only because they paychecks are better.

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that if someone can “suck it up and get through the day,” there’s “nothing wrong” with wanting to “make good money to provide for their families or do those fun things they want to do.” For Stiver, it’s not about the money — he does his job because he’s passionate about it. Similarly, Kotmanraju and Gould say that they’ve chosen their paths because they are personally fulfilled by them. For Gould, being the head of MV Drama provides her the personal benefits of teaching the next generation and an occupation that she feels is keeping her life progressing. Unlike many of her friends in tech jobs, according to Gould, her job enables her to constantly experience and learn new things. “If everybody just worked for a tech company, who’s going to teach our children? Who’s going to make us laugh and cry?” Gould said. “I feel like my job enables me to live the way that I live my life as I’m always learning and growing and trying new things and following my passions and interests. I feel like I haven’t stagnated and just become boring and sedentary. Because that feels kind of like death to me.”

As much as I want people to have as much passion for their jobs as possible, those passions may lead to not very good living conditions and/or struggling to survive. Being realistic, trying to find jobs that give you enough money to survive is most important. However, your passion should be a factor when finding these jobs.

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I think you need a balance of both. Although comforts can enable you to pursue other hobbies you may like, consistently having to engage in a job that you do not find interesting can cause other mental stressors. Passion can fade and money is a key part of happiness, as it ensures the security of a lot of our basic material comforts.

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Passion for the job with a condition that you’re living comfortably enough, because, well, if focusing on scrapping up enough income to buy bare necessities, you’re probably not going to be able to feel a lot of passion for your job.

OPINION | DECEMBER 2021

AP EXAM FAST FACTS Top 10 AP Exams taken by MVHS students

310 291 230 185 176 174 171 154 146 129 126

Statistics Macroeconomics Physics 1 Calculus AB Environmental Science Biology U.S. Government Chemistry Comp. Science A U.S. History Calculus BC

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Taking a closer look at AP testing at MVHS BYJIYA JIYASINGH SINGH BY

Total AP exams will be taken by MVHS students in the 2021-2022 school year

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ETHNIC STUDIES REQUIRED How the upcoming California course requirement should be implemented at MVHS BY DIYA BAHL

ov. Gavin Newson signed bill AB-101 into law on Oct. 8, 2021 that requires all public high school students in California to take an Ethnic Studies course. It will be a part of high school’s graduation requirements beginning with the graduating class of 2030, and they must offer the course as an option starting in the 2025-26 school year. This course will teach students about the struggles of different ethnic groups and four main disciplines, including those of Native Americans, African Americans, Asian-Americans/ Pacific Islanders and Latin Americans. While some of these were introduced during Advisory, students often use Advisory lessons as an opportunity to complete unfinished homework or go on their phones. This was especially true during remote learning, as most teachers would not require cameras to be on or for students to actively participate. Additionally, in regards to the literature classes such as Contemporary Literature and Writing that include units like Critical Race Theory, students are able to choose whether they want to take this class or not, resulting in some students not acquiring the same knowledge on the struggles of ethnic groups that their peers may have. The new bill provides an opportunity to make all students aware of the struggles of marginalized groups around them, and the required aspect of the course ensures that every student gets to obtain this information. It introduces social inequities that still exist in our communities, and can motivate us to take action against them. But with this new requirement comes an obstacle — how do we integrate this course into our high school curriculum without impacting students’ schedules?

A solution would be to incorporate the Ethnic Studies curriculum into already existing literature classes. Though Ethnic Studies curriculum may be seen as more suitable for a history class with its emphasis on the past experiences of ethnic groups, literature teachers of classes such as HAmLit or Contemporary Lit have already been teaching these concepts, so incorporating ethnic studies into English classes isn’t out of the question. Making this course a history class would also likely mean that students would have to take it as freshmen, since students don’t currently take a history class freshman year. However, this would cause the involvement in elective courses to decrease as there would not be space left in the students’ schedules. At Saratoga High School, freshmen will now be given the choice to take the new Ethnic Studies class or World Geography for a semester. Those who

take the course will learn to address injustices regarding racism, privilege and the efforts of ethnic communities. However, this again excludes those who decide not to take the course, diminishing the purpose of the new law. To fulfill the requirement of the bill, we should immerse Ethnic Studies curriculum into sophomore and junior year literature classes. Doing so can mitigate the decline of involvement in other electives, and strive to include all students on campus in the teaching of Ethnic Studies in hopes of promoting social change.

ILLUSTRATION | SOPHIA MA

OPINION | DECEMBER 2021

CLIMATE CHANGE CURRICULUM

The need to implement climate change education at MVHS is more important now than ever BY SARAH LIU

limate change is part of the texts about climate science and write from greenhouse gases caused by core curriculum of three MVHS persuasive essays about next steps to human activities are responsible for courses: freshman Biology, AP combat the issue. Equipping students the 1.1 degree Celsius increase in Biology and AP Environmental Science. with not just the scientific aspect of an global heating since the early 1900s, a Yet, only one of these courses is issue, but also real ways in which to number that is expected to rise another required for graduation. address that issue as both a consumer 2.4 degrees Celsius at least. The consequences of In a world where our generation will and voter, will better climate change shoulder the burden of mitigating the allow us to catalyze real EQUIPPING STUDENTS are being felt on effects of a rapidly warming climate, change. WITH REAL WAYS IN every continent. it is crucial that we are educated on The need to WHICH TO ADDRESS While we may climate issues. We will have to be implement this much not yet feel the knowledgeable about actions we new climate material THAT ISSUE AS direct impacts should take in order to combat the into MVHS curricula BOTH A CONSUMER because we have consequences of a global temperature may sound extreme, AND VOTER, WILL the privilege that is expected to rise 14% in the next but it isn’t rash –– it’s BETTER ALLOW US TO of living in this nine years, according to the COP26 necessary. Recently at CATALYZE CHANGE. area, we have discussions. This reinforces the need the 26th UN Climate already been to implement climate change education Conference, a meeting into more curricula at MVHS. for delegates representing countries affected by related phenomena like Climate change education should around the world to discuss climate increased droughts and wildfires. not be limited to our science courses strategies for the future, the countries Although fluctuating weather patterns — rather, we should provide resources agreed on the need to “phase down may not impact our day to day lives, a in various courses to equip students unabated coal” — a watered-down chain of cause-and-effect events can with the broad scope variation of trigger longer lasting — and deadlier — of knowledge they a previous consequences. We need to provide as many will need in the agreement future. For example, that called resources as possible to ensure we can spend for the need students are educated on crucial time researching to “phase climate issues and prepare them to organizations and out” these live sustainably. Consider this: before a companies with fossil fuels. Biology test, a student needs to know sustainable practices D e c i s i o n s all the material to pass. And the biggest in Economics. In like these, test of our generation is coming — a test believe current climate change history classes, we a l t h o u g h that threatens the well-being of people education is insufficient. can explore the disappointing, around the globe if we fail. *According to a survey of 145 people varying impacts that are not historical events had surprising. We on the surrounding are running out environment as well as the history of time, and while world leaders have the of environmental racism. In English luxury to make deals they won’t revisit classes, we can use our rhetorical until years later, we don’t. According analysis skills to deconstruct non-fiction to the latest IPCC report, emissions

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AM I INDIAN ENOUGH?

Processing my relationship with Indian culture BY SHIVANI VERMA

hen I was in daycare, my teachers were scared I would never speak English. Whenever I’d say doodh, the Hindi word for milk, they would laugh, thinking I was saying “doo-doo” instead. But my mom never worried, assured that once I started talking, I wouldn’t stop. She was right. But when I did pick up English, my brain refused to hold more than one language at a time. So while one chubby toddler hand clutched English in its fist, my other hand’s fingers unfurled and let Hindi fall. Over the next few years, my parents tried everything from speaking to me solely in Hindi at home to putting me in Hindi classes, but no matter what they did, speaking Hindi stayed stubbornly out of my grasp. Maybe it isn’t that big of a deal — after all, I can still understand the language when people speak to me. But as much as I hate to admit it, ever since I lost what measly grip I had on my culture, it’s been a downward slope. Because after the language classes ended, I was never forced to interact with Indian culture again. So I just … didn’t. I didn’t watch Bollywood movies — other than “Jab We Met” over and over — or listen to Indian music. I didn’t pick up any books on Hindu m y t h o l o g y, and I had no interest in traditional I n d i a n styles. And as Indian

culture started to fade from my life, and guilt. It was a self-perpetuating so did my connections with my Indian cycle: I didn’t feel “Indian enough,” so I identity. avoided my culture to save myself from I know I don’t “look Indian” — many discomfort, which made me feel even people have less Indian than told me they before, which assumed I was led me to feel white or biracial. like I didn’t have When I’m out in a right to claim public in Indian Indian culture as BLOOM grocery stores mine. and temples, But the other I elicit curious SHIVANI VERMA day, something glances, and switched. Just strangers in parking lots randomly as I walked into the living room where speak to me in Spanish more than they a Bollywood movie was playing, a song do in Hindi. But I don’t blame them for began — only, it wasn’t a song. It was a not recognizing me as who I am. When Sanskrit mantra that the main character I look at myself in the mirror, I don’t see was repeating as he prayed, and I an Indian girl. So why would anyone caught myself mouthing the words. else? Suddenly, I was transported back Because I know what being Indian is to quiet mornings before elementary — it’s complaining about bharatanatyam school, when I used to sit with my teachers and bringing roti in metal tins mom and say the mantras with her, not to school. And I know because we’re knowing what they meant but enjoying everywhere. the cadence of the words on my tongue. Indians aren’t a minority in Cupertino All at once, things I’d forgotten or like they are in other parts of the world, never truly thought about came back: yet instead of feeling safe and secure, I memories of watching the “Ramayana” can’t help but feel ashamed of not being mythology over and over on my mom’s Indian enough for my environment. DVD player, discovering queer Indian So when I came across a TikTok on social media influencers and feeling someone’s Instagram story last month that rush of fulfillment at finally seeing where a group of girls were all dressed real representation of myself and up for a Navratri party in sequined texting long rants to my non-Indian lehengas and colorful dupattas, friends about why “Jab We Met” is the shame and resentment bubbled up best Bollywood movie of all time. without warning. Wow, I thought as I They’re little things, and yet each one watched them through the screen. holds immeasurable weight. They all I’m a bad Indian. reminded me that I am Indian in my own I told myself that maybe if I way. And maybe that way is different cared more about Bollywood than others’ but it’s no less valid. All movies or tried harder to speak this time, by constantly telling myself Hindi, I wouldn’t feel that I’m not enough, I’ve been the one this way now. But invalidating my own identity. It may take truthfully, it was a a while longer to fully feel secure in who lot more than that. I am, but this is the start. Throughout my life, I am Indian. And from now on, I’m not these emotions had going to let anyone — even myself — been culminating tell me otherwise. into white-hot embarrassment H IC AP

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ARTS AND ENT | DECEMBER 2021

COPING WITH GRIEF Community members describe their experiences and strategies managing their grief BY MIRA WAGNER AND ALEX ZHANG

GRAPHIC | MIKAYLAH DU

n an evening in 2001, focused on her schoolwork instead. By school-based therapist shifting her focus onto other topics, she Richard Prinz received ignored her grief, a coping mechanism a call from his mother. After she found to be slightly unhealthy. learning of his father’s “It’s hard to balance what one’s passing, he was thinking and one’s logical rational immediately brought reasoning with the emotional reasoning to tears. Despite being and rationale behind it,” Jain said. “I with his wife at the think that’s probably when people tend time when receiving the to fall off a cliff and go into the deep news, Prinz felt that it was end and close off and shut down and necessary not talk to anybody to have because it’s really I THINK THAT’S time to hard to express WHEN PEOPLE TEND your g r i e v e emotions TO SHUT DOWN a l o n e , sometimes.” BECAUSE IT’S REALLY s t a t i n g Jain recalls that he just her own personal HARD TO EXPRESS needed to struggles with YOUR EMOTIONS “feel it.” accepting her SOMETIMES. M a n y grandfather’s years later, passing and the JUNIOR Prinz strongly events leading up ARIYAL JAIN values coping to the moment. mechanisms For her, these that “take [the grief] on,” collective experiences amounted to an such as sharing one’s especially painful feeling of being alone feelings with others. He and unable to communicate with her notes that some of the best loved ones. She attributes much of this coping methods include to how isolated she felt due to hospital speaking with close friends COVID-19 visitor regulations. and family and “not be[ing] “I didn’t want to accept that it afraid of the sadness.” He happened so I kind of just pretended to also recommends utilizing have a regular life,” Jain said. “I think it services, like the Centre was really hard because I didn’t know for Living with Dying, which that the last conversation I had with my provide an outlet for discussing grandfather was going to be the last grief. one because after he got a stroke, he “A good coping mechanism is wasn’t able to communicate again. And to let people know what’s going then he was placed in the hospital and on [with] you, so they’re not during COVID you’re not allowed to visit [concerned],” Prinz said. “I think your family members and so that was that could just add another really hard.” layer to the difficult situation Along with voicing one’s own you find yourself in.” thoughts on their grief, Jain also Senior Ariyal Jain echoes valuess of recognizing the feelings of the importance of sharing friends and family, especially during one’s feelings regarding their COVID-19. She finds that checking in on grief. After the passing of her people periodically can aid with painful grandfather and her childhood moments while simultaneously helping cat, Jain found that instead their mental health. of processing her grief in a While Jain brings attention to being healthy way, she closed off, and aware of others as they grieve, Prinz EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

highlights the value in being aware or physically.” Jain remembers encountering similar of oneself and how reactions can be feelings regarding her dependence on influenced by grief. her cat, Shire, “It’s awareness of like, due to the fact ‘OK, I could be feeling a TO GO EASY ON that she had range of different things YOURSELF AND spent her entire and even if I snap at life with him. somebody, it could be ALLOW YOURSELF THE “It was really because I’m grieving OPPORTUNITY TO BE hard to process,” a loss,’” Prinz said. “To SAD IS IMPORTANT Jain said. go easy on yourself BECAUSE THERE IS NO “Sometimes [I and allow yourself the ONE WAY TO GRIEVE. cry because] I opportunity to be sad just think that is important because SCHOOL-BASED I’m never going there’s no one way to grieve.” THERAPIST to be able to pet In general, Prinz RICHARD PRINZ him again. I think that’s probably finds that it is especially the part that difficult to cope with the loss of a person closely ingrained hurts the most, just thinking about all in one’s life, as many people are not the things that you’ll never be able to prepared for that burden “emotionally do again.”

MAKING MEANING

DEPRESSION

ACCEPTANCE

BARGAINING

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DENIAL

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FEATURES

Junior Hayden Ancheta also recognizes the difficulty in losing a loved one, and finds that “memories stay forever and keep them with you for the rest of your life.” Prinz notes that preserving memories as a way to honor the loss of a person is a key part of “making meaning” — one of the six stages of grief, alongside denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. “I find it helpful for me to continue remembering the person, remembering things that I valued about them,” Prinz said. “My dad was very generous, so I try to remember that and keep that going. I think that falls into ‘making meaning’ where the things you’ve learned from the person and the things you value about that person, you keep those alive in yourself and make it so that person is part of your world.” FEATURES | DECEMBER 2021

GRAPHIC | MIKAYLAH DU

PANDEMIC LOSS Reflecting on the hardship of losing loved ones to COVID-19 BY JAYANTI JHA AND AASHNA PATEL

hile preparing to take a Biology exam in October of 2020, sophomore Ananya Nadathur received the news — her grandfather had passed away in Coimbatore, India from COVID-19. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, she hadn’t been able to make her annual summer visit to her family in India and she says she faced a slightly different version of the six stages of grief due to complications from the pandemic. “I was like, ‘OK, this isn’t possible’ because [my grandfather] was really healthy — he’d take long walks and he was fit,” Nadathur said. “Then after that, [I] was really upset because of the circumstances around it. And then bargaining, but then, I think the depression stage lasted for months after that. [But] I’ve accepted it now.” Nadathur remembers crying a lot on the day she found out about her grandfather’s death, yet not crying at all during the following week. To cope, she FaceTimed her grandmother, who had recently recovered from COVID-19, spent time with her 12-year-old sister

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

and looked through old pictures. However, it was harder to manage her grief because her dad flew to India, so she couldn’t talk to him while he was traveling. She recalls her grandfather being “really supportive” and reminding her “to have fun with things.” A memory Nadathur associates with her grandfather was when her family drove up to Ooty, India, and saw an elephant cross the road, along with a group of monkeys and peacocks. Her grandfather got along well with the peacocks and named one of them after an Indian sweet, Ladoo. Nadathur and her sister still have a feather that Ladoo dropped at her grandfather’s door. Junior Ankita Chaugule also lost her grandfather over the quarantine, on Aug. 8, two days before her birthday. Her grandfather already had a preexisting condition of heart disease when he caught COVID-19 and, one week later, he died of a heart attack at the hospital. While Chaugule had a good relationship with her grandfather, she claims that wasn’t able to develop as

close of a relationship with him as she would have hoped. Nevertheless, as the only daughter on her dad’s side of the family, she felt that her grandfather had a special affection for her. She remembers positive memories including showing him around America when he first visited the country, taking him to Napa and San Francisco. She grieved her grandfather’s sudden death by crying for a week before realizing that “it’s happened [and] we have to move forward.” Because of COVID-19, her family was unable to visit India until 10 months later. Instead, they watched the funeral virtually and did pujas, Hindu worship rituals, at home. Clinical psychotherapist and owner of Mind Mechanic, Rapid Resolution Therapy, Jordan Boehler explains that the pandemic added new challenges — including not being able to attend in-person funerals — to the grieving process. Despite the availability of virtual services, he mentions a “hollowness” and “sense of unreality” that comes with not being able to attend events in

TOTAL NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL COVID-19 DEATHS ACCORDING TO WORLDMETER

person, and adds that the distance “ties in with guilt and shame.” Another complication Boehler points out is that “different countries’ responses to COVID-19 and different countries’ access to resources opens up a new realm of anger and frustration possibly at what maybe could have been prevented.” Nadathur also expressed frustration at seeing people on social media breaking social distancing regulations and felt even more upset after the death of her grandfather. “Lots of people don’t realize the privilege they have to go out and not worry about not being able to find a good hospital,” Nadathur said. “There are actual lives being lost to this disease and [it’s] really upsetting to see people live in a bubble away from all of that.” After COVID-19 related deaths caused an increase in the number of clients he works with, Boehler has uncovered a finding when responding to others’ grief — phrases like “Sorry for your loss” to one who lost a family member can be more hurtful than

helpful, and can make people feel like for her loss. “someone is twisting a knife as they Now, a year later, both Chaugule remind you of what’s happened.” and Nadathur share that they have “Instead of saying ‘Sorry for your accepted the passing of their family loss,’ what I ask is, ‘Do you still feel members. However, the loss still affects connected?’” Boehler said. “And if their lives — when Chaugule traveled there is a to India this June, she felt INSTEAD OF SAYING connection “odd” because there was no “SORRY FOR YOUR there, it one left in the house after brings their both her grandparents had LOSS,” WHAT I ASK IS, attention passed away: she lost her “DO YOU STILL FEEL back to the grandmother when she was CONNECTED?” fact that in fifth grade and now she this person !"#$%&'%()*!+"' lost her grandfather, too. lives on in Despite the continued ,&)-*./0&(%1() some way, grief that Chaugule either in experiences, Boehler says them or outside of them, which causes that grief doesn’t have to last forever — an experience of connection which in fact, he says that his clients often only really eases pain, and helps to resolve need one visit to discuss their grief. grief very quickly.” “Grief is not for a lifetime,” Boehler Nadathur understands that many said. “It doesn’t need to stick around. people don’t know how to comfort You don’t need to grieve more to feel people grieving the loss of a family better, just like you don’t need to open member. However, she finds acts of a wound deeper to heal it. [If you] cause service — like offering to help her catch connection with that person, pain goes up on classes or talking with her — to away.” be more helpful than simply apologizing FEATURES | DECEMBER 2021

UNCONVENTIONAL LOSS STUDENTS REFLECT ON INSTANCES OF LOSS IN THEIR LIVES

BY JANNAH SHERIFF

IK |M

Ethan Lu: Pet rabbit for good behavior. Wang holds fond Sophomore Ethan Lu remembers the memories of bouncing it against the shock he felt when he discovered that walls of her room and carrying it with one of his pet rabbits, Sugar, had been her everywhere she went. killed by a cat while playing After losing the ball, Wang in his backyard. accompanied her mom every time she Lu’s family had went back to the store in hopes of GRA PH finding it. adopted Sugar and IC S her sister, Snow, “Sometimes if I’m on Amazon from family friends and get bored, I try to search for during quarantine. the exact same bouncy ball, but One night only I just can’t find it,” Wang said. one of their rabbits “Any bouncy ball I have these returned, and when days is, I feel like it’s never his family went gonna compare because that one outside to look for the o t h e r, held held such a special meaning to they found the rabbit’s body in me back then [when] I loved it so much.” the yard and a cat running away. All of Lu’s family members spent time Hiranya Sundar: Familial loss with the rabbits and referred to them as After her grandmother “little sisters” in Chinese. passed away, senior “Everyone in our family was pretty Hiranya Sundar remembers attached to [the rabbits, and] we always experiencing the loss of played with them,” Lu said. “I’m more her grandmother through protective of [our other rabbit Snow] her mother’s grief rather now. I check on [her] outside more than her own. Due to her often and, whenever I can, I go play limited interactions with her with [her].” grandmother, she describes the feeling as an “echo of a loss’’ and “secondhand Agnes Wang: Childhood toy Even after nine years, junior Agnes grief” that left her feeling Wang vividly remembers losing her guilt and confusion over favorite childhood toy when she was not knowing how to react. Sundar views her in second grade — a yellow glow in the dark bouncy ball with a smiley confusion after the loss as face on it. Shopping with her mom at an example of how she feels distant from her family members Marina Foods, Wang recalls in India. Although Sundar bouncing the toy around connects with her Indian the store before her heritage through cultural mom accidentally and religious activities kicked it away. like playing the veena Wang only fully and singing classical registered that she Karnatic music, she feels had permanently disconnected from the lost the toy once everyday culture of India. she left the store and She describes experiencing reached their car, after a sense of “familial loss” due which she spent the to living in the U.S. and being next few days crying over its isolated from her extended family disappearance. She had selected the toy from her in India. “[Being isolated from extended second grade teacher’s prize box after cashing in the stamps she received family feels like] you’re missing DU AYLAH

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

something, but you don’t know what you’re missing,” Sundar said. “So you’re just like, ‘Should I talk more [with my extended family]?’ [But] even if you do want to talk more, you don’t know the language. You don’t get the same familial experience [and bond] as people who have grandparents next to them.” Avani Kalari: Vacation photos During her family’s trip to Italy and Greece during summer vacation in 7th grade, junior Avani Kalari remembers her excitement over having her own phone for the first time, which allowed her to document the trip through photos. However, after changing her password multiple times on a train ride to her hotel in Athens, she forgot her password and was forced to reset her phone, losing access to the photos she had taken. Kalari notes that she takes the most photos out of her family members and uses pictures as a way to capture moments that are special to her. She viewed the trip as “really special” since her family usually went on road trips within the U.S. and it was her first time visiting Europe. Now, she is only able to remember the trip by the small amount of photos that her family took on their shared digital camera. “I have a pretty bad memory when it comes to remembering things on my own without other people jogging my memory, [and photos] serve to remind me about my life,” Kalari said. “I was pretty sad that all the photos were gone because then I wouldn’t remember the trip very well. But [I still remember the trip] by the few photos we have left, so it’s OK.”

Jay Shelton (left) dances with Stacey Cler (right) at colleagues Michelle Balmeo and Andrew Sturgill’s wedding.

REMEMBERING STACEY CLER Celebrating the life of Literature teacher Stacey Cler BY MICHELLE CHEN, ANUSHKA DE AND JAYANTI JHA

iterature teacher Stacey Cler could never sleep very well, and sometimes, late at night, she would receive phone calls from art teacher Jay Shelton. Shelton met Cler in 2002, and she quickly became the butt of his jokes, his dog’s favorite person and the only person that could come even close to beating him in Scrabble. “I have a tendency to veer to the people that are marginalized,” Shelton said. “I was a really weird kid — still am — and I would look for that other strange kid and go, ‘That’s my friend.’ Stacey was a little bit of an oddball, and that’s why we got along here.” Cler began working at MVHS in 2000 and “made great contributions to the English department, shaping the way courses are taught with new ideas, creative projects and leadership through action,” according to a schoolwide email commemorating her life written by her colleague, literature teacher Jireh Tanabe. Junior Kayla Chang met Cler in her freshman literature class. However, they didn’t get close until Chang started dropping into Cler’s Zoom office hours during the pandemic. She explains that it’s those daily interactions with Cler that are the most painful reminder of

her absence. Cler passed away on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. She had been in and out of the hospital due to physical disabilities and chronic pain throughout her life, though she hoped to return to school this year. Still, Shelton emphasizes that Cler thought of her students constantly and would instruct him to check up on them, even while in the hospital. “She had told us that she was getting a minor brain surgery,” Chang said. “And I remember thinking, ‘That’s such an oxymoron,’ — ‘minor’ and ‘brain surgery’ don’t belong in the same sentence. I remember being really worried. But she comforted my friend and I and she was like, ‘I’ll be fine, it’s not my time yet.’ And I wish that I had gotten to check in with her one more time because she was so selfless and comforting and kind.” Junior Nicole Ni admired Cler’s resilience and compassion because they taught her to utilize her “maximum power” to have a positive impact. Ni, who was in Cler’s literature classes for both her freshman and sophomore year, remembers feeling “self-conscious” about not “fitting into American society.” But it was Cler who empathized with her struggles, stood up for her and inspired her to be confident.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY SHELTON | USED WITH PERMISSION

“The thing I [most] miss about her is that she was really good at [recognizing] other’s emotions,” Ni said. “Since she’s no longer here, I feel like the students need to find extra help because when we’re facing emotional barriers, the majority of us won’t reach [for] help by ourselves because we’re afraid. But she’s the kind [of person] who’ll tell you, ‘Don’t hesitate to ask for help.’” Both Shelton and Tanabe admired Cler’s unique ability to recognize the students who were struggling and empathize with them — it is her constant support that Chang and Ni say they will miss about her most. Cited constantly as a good friend, an inspiring colleague and a compassionate teacher, Cler left a lasting imprint on those she touched. “The kids that get attached to her are kids that needed somebody they could take care of and somebody that would take care of them back,” Shelton said. “She was really good with the kids and I don’t think enough people realized and gave her credit for someone that’s in constant pain. When kids got to know her, they really liked her — she cared a lot about them.”

FEATURES | DECEMBER 2021

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How 90s hip-hop artists have shaped the current rap scene BY ANUSHKA DE

his is dedicated to the ni**as that was down from day one. Welcome to Death Row.” Then, Snoop Dogg’s (Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) synth vocals overtake Dr. Dre’s (Andre Romelle Young) opening lines of “The Chronic (Intro),” the hit opening song from his album “The Chronic,” as rolling basslines and a funkadelic beat plays in the background. One day, “The Chronic” would become one of the most influential and acclaimed records in hip-hop history. It would also become the first CD social science teacher

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

Bonnie Belshe purchased one on her own dime. But long before that, Black America had been piecing together the music, culture, struggles and stories that has defined hip-hop into the modern era. Rap music secured its beginnings from the West African drum rhythms that traversed oceans on slave ships. Then, Blues musicians who traveled from the Mississippi Delta in the South to Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit sprinkled in their own influences of gospel and country Western. It was these struggles that manifested in the

Hoe Avenue Peace Meeting, a peace treaty between 40 of New York’s biggest gangs in the 1970s, giving way to DJ and MC battles in the South Bronx, the birthplace of gangsta rap. In the 1980s, Afrika Bambaataa coined the term “hiphop” as Black culture grew increasingly popular with white youth, and created the first hip-hop institution: Universal Zulu Nation. This led to rappers like Ice-T (Tracy Lauren Marrow), Dr. Dre and 2PAC (Tupac Shakur), artists who defined the period of rap music from the mid 80s to the late 90s that was coined the “Golden Era” of the genre.

ARTS&ENT “There is a very clear understanding Meyers) and Joey Bada$$ (Jo-Vaughn of the history that hip hop artists have Virginie Scott), Harlem and Brooklyn — they know Black history,” Belshe said. natives respectively. He also sees the “They understand it, they live it. Their thoughtful lyricism of 90s artists echoed music is such a vibrant representation in the work of artists like Pulitzer Prizeof all of that, from slavery, through winning artist Kendrick Lamar (Kendrick Black Power, right through the rise of Lamar Duckworth), a sentiment echoed current mass incarceration. That history by senior Samika Swamy, who also is represented in all of it — both in the enjoys the rich lyricism of artists like sound and in the lyrics.” Kanye West and Earl Sweatshirt (Thebe Senior Gohitha Venkluri initially Neruda Kgositsile), both Chicago became interested natives. However, in 90s lyrical rap Swamy explains WE CANNOT TAKE during the summer that she also enjoys THE PIECES [OF of 2020. He was the more melodious BLACK CULTURE] THAT vocals and snare drawn to the genre PEOPLE THINK ARE precisely because beats of trap FUN AND WANT TO of the “intricacy” of artists like Lil Uzi LISTEN TO WITHOUT the lyricism. Whereas Vert (Symere Bysil UNDERSTANDING he felt modern rap Woods) and Playboi THE VERY REAL PAIN focused on many of Carti (Jordan Carter). AND JOY FROM THE the same overused “[Trap music] puts BLACK COMMUNITY themes like drugs and me in a good mood OF WHERE THIS wealth, he was enticed because it’s also [CULTURE] COMES by the complex hiphype,” Swamy said. FROM.” hop rivalries, themes “It keeps my energy of brotherhood and level high. I like HISTORY TEACHER listening to that type myriad of styles that BONNIE BELSHE of [music] while I do infused 90s hip-hop music. homework because “[In the 90s], the it’s motivating, lyricism and the poeticism was at its energizing and keeps you in a positive peak,” Venkluri said. “Nas, Jay-Z, 2PAC, mood the whole time.” Biggie, they actually talk about real stuff. Along with its influence on music They paint stories from their lives— through history, Belshe explains that their own experiences really show and Black culture, specifically Black hipthey show their emotions. The way [90s hop vernacular, has shaped “mass hip-hop] was presented, the delivery — pop culture” today. With the mass there was more thought put into it as an proliferation of Black America’s art form and more skill.” music through history, and with it, Venkluri and Belshe attribute much Black culture, Belshe emphasizes the of the evolution of the rap scene to the importance of acknowledging where creation of music for mass production the art and culture that people consume and consumption. Despite this, Venkluri originates from. doesn’t believe the rap scene has “We have to acknowledge that and declined — rather, he believes that the understand that and look to make best lyricism and rhythms of today are reparations against those Black people as good as the best music of the 90s. that have [been discriminated against With the advent of Soundcloud rapping for expressing that pop culture],” Belshe and proliferation of music over social said. “Much of what is considered media platforms, however, Venkluri ‘academic’ and ‘professional’ is from explains that the rap music scene has white supremacy. We cannot take the merely gotten “bloated” with mediocre pieces [of Black culture] that people music as well. think are fun and want to listen to Current artists whose music without understanding the very real Venkluri believes is infused with 90s pain and joy from the Black community influences include A$AP Rocky (Rakim of where this [culture] comes from.”

HIP-HOP

ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2021

THE GAMING REVOLUTION Exploring how gaming has impacted MVHS community members’ lives BY CRYSTAL CHENG AND SHIVANI VERMA

hen science teacher Kyle Jones was in college, he and his roommates were completely immersed in the world of console game Mario Kart 64. He recalls taking the game “to another level” — having gaming tournaments with his friends, keeping track of scores and even collecting their data in graphs. Video games, whether as consoles or online games, have always been a part of Jones’ life since he started playing at 7 years old. “I remember putting hours and hours and hours of time into the original Pokémon games on GameBoy Color on family road trips, just sitting in the car playing that over and over again,” Jones said. “[The games] allowed me to sort of be immersed into a world where I could just do something that was fun, interesting and engaging.” To Jones, games were essential to his childhood, especially because he was at the right age for what he calls the “video game revolution.” He started playing games on the Nintendo Entertainment System, more commonly known as the NES, but ended up using

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

the Nintendo 64 console the most. Since Jones was in middle school, he says he had enough free time and not too much responsibility. Along with a few other older gaming systems, senior Shalini Krish also owns the Nintendo 64 — although it only works if you “hit it.” To her, this gaming system is associated with the older generation of gaming. Many of the games she’s played that she believes are “notable” are ones that stemmed from the older gaming systems rather than the new ones she uses today. One of Krish’s favorite games is Breath of the Wild, an open-world console game where players are given the freedom to explore and take their own journeys. Jones has noticed that this expansive storytelling quality has arisen in games over the years, as they’ve improved their graphics, become longer and more complex and now, more immersive and engaging. Part of this complexity and challenge adds to what Jones believes is one of the benefits of gaming, especially for people who may be more introverted. “The thing about video games is

that it provides you with a challenge in a relatively safe environment,” Jones said. “Certain things can provide you with a challenge in real life, but there [could be] a lot of anxiety around them. But in video games … you can practice with yourself and it feels a little bit less intense. You’re not going to be publicly embarrassed if you make a mistake, right? Your peers are not crowding around you like if you’re playing soccer [or] something [where] everyone’s watching you.” While Principles of Engineering teacher Ted Shinta believes that games are good for recreation, he warns people against getting too attached. He was first introduced to gaming in college through arcades, where he enjoyed frequent games of pinball with his friends. After, when video console games first released, not only was he unable to afford consoles such as the NES, he simply wasn’t very impressed, believing the console to be “pixelated” and “not very good.” It was the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or the SNES, which came out in 1990, that finally got him into console gaming and

specifically role-playing games. However, at one point, Shinta found himself on the final level of a Final Fantasy game unable to beat the boss. After spending countless hours and days maxing out his character’s strengths, his frustration led him to look on a website with tips and tricks he initially refused to look on because he thought “it [was] like cheating.” Once on the website, he discovered the reason for his inability to beat the level — the experience soured games in his mind. “I found out that there was something in the middle of the game that you were supposed to find under a rock, and I didn’t find it [but] I had everything else except that one thing,” Shinta said. “If I want[ed] to go back to that point ... I’d have to fight my way back through the game. So then I got disgusted with games and I realized, I’m working and I’m wasting all this time playing games [when] I could just work another job.” Despite his beliefs about the benefits, Jones also believes he “probably spent too much time playing games” in high school and in college, missing out on opportunities when getting absorbed in video games. “It was almost an easy way to get out of having to do things that would have been more beneficial for my growth,” Jones said. “Instead of putting myself out there in social situations, I just defaulted into playing games. If I could go back, I would make sure that I had a more balanced approach to gaming in the sense that I would not use it as a crutch where I had some social anxiety.” However, Krish sees benefits of gaming that go beyond simple enjoyment and hopes that it can be integrated into other fields, such as computer science, which she plans to pursue. Ultimately, she encourages others to explore gaming. “I feel like gaming is a really big part of culture,” Krish said. “It’s an entire community, right? You have people from different games bonding over the same thing. I do see a lot of potential for gaming, and I feel like it shouldn’t be something that’s limited to nerds or geeks or something but should be just a general shared experience.”

GAME TIME NES (1983) Nintendo Entertainment System There were only three games that came with the system at its first release in Japan: F-Zero, Pilotwings and Super Mario World.

N64 (1996) Nintendo 64 This was the first console to feature 3D graphics and an analog stick. Later, players sued Nintendo because they developed blisters from playing with the console’s analog stick.

Gameboy Color (1998)

The GameBoy Color allowed up to 56 colors to be displayed on the screen, an improvement from only four with its predecessor, the Game Boy.

GRAPHICS | SOPHIA MA

ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2021

TIE-DYE REVIVAL Delving into the resurgence of hippie fashion in the MVHS community BY ADITYA SHUKLA

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

ILLUSTR

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ILLIAN W ANG

eather boots. Tie-dye shirts. “I think a lot of the hippie movement Halter tops and flare jeans. All [was] people trying to express these articles of clothing trace themselves and trying to break away their popularity back to the fashion era from that really rigid [family structure],” of the 1960s and continue to leave their Johnson said. “The ‘50s were mark on pop culture today. The hippie [characterized by] all the housewives movement of the 1960s that was born [being] dressed [formally] all the time. I out of opposition to the Vietnam War think the hippie revolution [was] really bled into fashion choices, and icons like trying to break away from that and [used] Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles further bright colors and free flowing and those popularized these trends. things. There’s much less [rigidness] in This era of clothing has had a small the way people dress now.” resurgence within popular culture, Sophomore Madison Polidoro with MVHS students adopting flare also says the era of counterculture jeans and leather boots into their in the 1960s is what made the hippie wardrobes. Almost 60 years after movement’s colorful and earthy the hippie movement, junior Kailey presentation appealing. She uses Daugherty finds an alternate quality to “unique” and “original” to note that the movements presentation, and her the modern world’s accessibility to ventures into niche clothing often lead a wide variety her to this type of fashion. of fashionable I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE Colorful headbands, selections helps STILL ARE INTO large earrings, thighpeople look back high boots and free[HIPPIE FASHION] into the past for flowing dresses are a few the best way to BECAUSE IT’S FUN. iconic ‘60s accessories express their IT’S LIKE DRESSING that pique Daugherty’s values. However, UP IN A COSTUME. interests. She attributes Polidoro also another aspect of its SOPHOMORE states that the appealing presentation MADISON POLIDORO current era of to the high amounts of fashion isn’t contrast between colorful clothing with counterculture like the 1960s — rather, natural tones. she finds the modern-day interpretation “Honestly, I think since [the hippie of hippie fashion to be more of a search movement is] so bold and colorful, it for originality and vibrance than a makes it really fun,” Daugherty said. message-backed statement. “That’s why it’s super inviting for a lot “I feel like it’s nice to have something of people, and I like to be experimental that you feel confident in,” Polidoro with my fashion. So if I ever see said, “All black [clothing] is really something and I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, that nice [to wear] sometimes, but having can look good,’ then I will try it, and a lot something vibrant makes it more fun to of the time it is ‘60s fashion.” wear, and so I feel like people still are For art teacher Jodi Johnson, the into [hippie fashion] because it’s fun. hippie movement represented an It’s like dressing up in a costume. It was opposition to cultural norms, especially like a symbol of hope and optimism and within the roles of men and women positivity, [and] I feel like people still and family structures. This form of need that. The world hasn’t gotten a lot opposition came to a visual platform in better since that movement — people the form of how free and expressive the still want something like that to brighten clothing was — a sharp contrast to the their wardrobes.” formality of the ‘50s fashion.

NEW FILMS, OLD IDEAS Exploring the roots of contemporary cinema from the 1970s BY NAMEEK CHOWDHURY

s an adolescent during the As the 1970s allowed films to be or make a sequel. We can make ‘Star 1970s, art teacher Jay Shelton more creative, Shelton believes that Wars’ 20 times.’” remembers going to the theater mental health represented in film during In the modern era, however, the way to watch films during what he describes the period became that blockbusters as a “magic era.” For him, the decade closer to reality. In the appeal to audiences WHAT was defined by its creative freedom, modern era, English has changed. [BLOCKBUSTERS] with past filmmaking censorship being teacher Melissa Clark According to SHOWED WAS THAT phased out due to changing societal observes that mental Shelton, modern STUDIOS DIDN’T HAVE norms. health is still being fans of blockbuster TO TAKE RISKS. “By the time we get to the ‘70s, portrayed in more franchises base American film is open and free, and modern films. their opinions and ART TEACHER excitement on how it can be whatever you want to be,” “There’s definitely Shelton said. “You have these young been a lot of movies JAY SHELTON well a movie does directors like Martin Scorsese, Woody that are dealing with financially, a shift Allen, Francis Ford Coppola and many characters that might have some from the 1970s when the people who more, and it just became this passion of form of depression or even a [mental] cared about box-office earnings were creativity.” illness,” Clark said. “Either those in the film industry. Additionally, Clark According to junior people have been points out that excitement on social Niko Kocbayindiran, in the backgrounds media has an influence on whether I CAN SEE A LOT this creativity during in the movies, or or not she watches a certain movie in the 1970s led to the they just never been theaters. OF [‘70s] HUMOR rise of absurdist acknowledged.” “If a movie gets really hyped, I’ll tend MIMICKED TODAY, comedy, which still Along with the to watch it because I want to know SPECIFICALLY has a large influence creativity came what’s going on,” Clark said. “Even if it’s BECAUSE OF THE on modern films. financial incentive not good, I feel like I need to go see it INTERNET. He notes parallels as the blockbuster to understand what everyone’s talking between classics such film model emerged. JUNIOR NIKO This form of franchise about.” as “Monty Python and Overall, Shelton attributes the use of KOCBAYINDIRAN building accounts for themes and ideas from the 1970s, such the Holy Grail” and more modern flicks a large number of as the blockbuster and the critique of like “Hot Fuzz.” films released, which Shelton believes America’s involvement overseas, as “I can see a lot of [‘70s] humor stems from the introduction of these a result of retread and lack of modern mimicked today, specifically because of films in the 1970’s. innovation in film. the internet,” Kocbayindiran said. “For “What [blockbusters] showed was “[Modern] films count on your example, in ‘Blazing Saddles,’ a great that studios didn’t have to take risks, knowledge of previous work to do the comedy from the era which has aged with all these [artistically unique films],” work as a shortcut for them,” Shelton really well. A lot of internet humor has Shelton said. “Little by little they started said. “But when was the last time this breakneck [comedic] pacing. “ realizing, ‘We can just remake ‘Jaws’ something new came out?” ARTS & ENT | DECEMBER 2021

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Seniors and captains Marissa Jensen and Lia Vorthmann jump to block a hit from the opposing team, Windsor High School.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021 PHOTO | ANNA JEROLIMOV

Girls Volleyball make it to CCS finals for the first time since 1998 BY ISHAANI DAYAL AND ANNA JEROLIMOV

he Varsity Girls Volleyball team made history when they proceeded to CCS finals for the first time in 23 years, and placed 2nd in the tournament. Despite losing 3-1 to Menlo-Atherton High School on Nov. 6 in the CCS finals, their placement put them in the NorCal playoffs for the first time in MVHS Girls Volleyball history. The final game followed a unique run for the team, after they won unexpectedly against Mountain View High School in the semifinals 3-1 and underwent a coaching adjustment midway into the tournament. Junior Sydney Su, a varsity setter since freshman year, states that going into the season, she was unsure of how the team would perform due to the fact that many seniors just graduated and because COVID restrictions had caused the previous playoffs to be cancelled. Su believes that one important factor that allowed the team to succeed was its new head coach, Nicki Ezatagha. Her focus on practicing serve receives allowed the team to hone in on this skill and respond offensively to other teams’ serves. However, due to Ezatagha being away after regular league play, Boys Volleyball Coach Paul Chiu stepped in to guide the team. The change in coaching initially added a little uncertainty for the team, according to junior Krupa Shanware, but Su felt assured by Chiu’s experience coaching the Boys Volleyball team. According to senior and captain Lia Vorthmann, everyone “took a liking” to Chiu pretty early into CCS, which contributed to the overall team dynamic. She believes his coaching style also pushed the team to do better. “Probably the biggest difference between him and our other coach Nicki is that he kind of lets us coach ourselves during timeouts, like we just talked amongst ourselves,” Vorthmann said. “So I think that really helped us build confidence because everybody knew and trusted each other. It was just easier to play.” Vorthmann and Su agree that a

SPORTS highlight of the season was the team’s Shanware attributes the high energy victory in the CCS semifinal match on the court to the surprising amount against Mountain View High School. of supporters in the stands during the Many considered the team underdogs semifinal game. While she usually had as they entered the match due to them only seen close friends and family at losing to Mountain prior games, she View twice hadn’t “ever seen that previously during many people come IT’S JUST THE BOND the regular season out to support Monta THAT WE ALL HAVE with scores of 3-0 Vista volleyball.” WITH EACH OTHER. and 3-1. Shanware states THE BIGGEST PART “When we beat that another major OF OUR SUCCESS IS Mountain View in factor that allowed the CCS semifinals JUST BEING SO GOOD the team to succeed as a team, that was despite their switch AT WORKING WITH the best we’ve in coaches was the EACH OTHER. ever played,” relationships the girls Vorthmann said. JUNIOR KRUPA had forged with each “The energy was SHANWARE other early in the just really good. season. The moment we “It’s just the bond won, everybody rushed in and were that we all have with each other,” yelling and jumping, and then the Shanware said. “I think the biggest part Mountain View coach ended up walking of our success is just being so good at over to us and congratulating us, telling working with each other. Having that us we played really well.” little piece click in, that worked so well

for us.” Looking ahead to future seasons, Shanware hopes to experience rising through CCS again and hopes the team dynamic will remain strong even without the presence of the team’s four graduating seniors. “I know all of [the graduating seniors] so well, and I’ve played with them for so long now that it’s definitely gonna feel different,” Shanware said. “Of course, we have our captains, our leadership comes from that senior class, so it’s going to be interesting to see who will step up and fill that. It’s been a great season.” Ezatagha agrees that a large part of the team’s success can be attributed to the bond that the teammates have with each other. “The biggest lesson that the girls have learned throughout the season is to really lean on your teammates and be vulnerable,” Ezatagha said. “So I think if we continue to carry out that mentality, we’ll find success.”

PHOTO | ANNA JEROLIMOV

The team celebrates after defeating Windsor High School 3-1 in the first round of NorCal playoffs, during their first time ever in the tournament. Senior and captain Lia Vorthmann made the final kill of the match, giving the Matadors the win.

SPORTS | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | MICHELLE ZHENG

Although the Matadors started off with the ball due to the violation made by Leigh High School during the tip-off, LHS quickly caught up after stealing the ball and making two layups. Without allowing the Matadors to score even once, LHS proceeds to score a third layup despite senior and| captain Keshav PHOTO MICHELLE ZHENG Balaji’s attempt to block the shot.

PHOTO | TARYN LAM

Senior and captain Ted Zhang pushes past a Leigh High School defender in hopes of passing the ball to one of his teammates. Halfway through the game, the Matadors trailed behind LHS, 29-13.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | MICHELLE ZHENG

Sophomore Vivian Ong steals the ball from her opponents and dribbles it down the court. The Matadors faced off against Sequoia High School on Nov. 29. MVHS won 42-33.

PHOTO | TVISHA GUPTA

On Nov. 27, the Varsity Girls Basketball team held its annual alumni scrimmage. The Matadors beat their predecessors with a final score of 70-47.

PHOTO | TARYN LAM

G PHOTO | TARYN LAM

Senior Ted Zhang attempts a layup during the third quarter of the game against Leigh High School on Nov. 20. During the third quarter, the Matadors led 21-13.

PHOTO | MICHELLE ZHENG

Despite a Leigh High School player’s attempt to block junior and captain Austin Hwang from making a shot, he manages to score a two-pointer, bringing the team one point behind LHS during the second quarter.

PHOTO | TARYN LAM

Junior Varshini Peddinti prevents the ball from going out of bounds as she searches for a teammate to pass to. The Matadors led 28-15 during the second quarter against Santa Clara High School.

SPORTS | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | ANNA KAMINITZ

Players from both MVHS and Archbishop Mitty High School jump to get a header from an incoming through ball. The Matadors won the scrimmage with a score of 1-0. The match was a preseason scrimmage that does not count towards the team’s record.

PHOTO | ANNA KAMINITZ

Senior Remy Haghighi runs up the field to retrieve a throw in from a teammate at a game against Archbishop Riordan High School. The Matadors won its first non-league game, though its first league game will take place on Thursday, Dec. 16.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | ANNA KAMINITZ

Junior Saanvi Mantripagada dribbles around an opponent during the first half of the game against Gunn High School on Nov. 29. The Matadors fell 11-1, with the sole goal scored by junior Alexa Baxter.

PHOTO | ANNA KAMINITZ

Senior and captain Mikey Tzankov dribbles down the field past an opponent from Archbishop Riordan High School on Nov. 23. An assist made by Tzankov, passed to junior Abhiram Tatavarty, led the Matadors to win with a final score of 1-0.

PHOTO | TARYN LAM

During the first scrimmage of the pre-season, the Matadors face off Harker High School. After receiving the ball from senior Nyssa Chadha, sophomore Niku Sedarat dribbles the ball down the field in hopes of securing a goal.

PHOTO | ANNA KAMINITZ

In a team scrimmage during an after school practice, senior and captain Edin Kraja dribbles around senior Ibrahim Hawwari. This season, the Matadors’ practices consist of drills that focus primarily on gaining and maintaining possession of the ball.

SPORTS | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | MATTHEW YOSHIMOTO

Sophomore Ekom Mann lunges at junior Hayden Ancheta after coach Andrew Pappas signals the wrestlers to “go live” — beginning a practice match that lasts a few minutes. Along with seniors Hannah Baker and Nitin Kukreja, Ancheta is a captain this season, and the first match is on Saturday, Dec. 4.

PHOTO | ANNA JEROLIMOV

Junior Hayden Ancheta tackles sophomore Arya Palanivel as music plays in the background. The team listened to songs such as “Spicy (Remix)” by Dj Jabato and “We Paid” by 42 Dugg and Lil Baby.

PHOTO | ANNA JEROLIMOV

Instructed by coach Andrew Pappas, sophomore Samir Dhamija and senior Kaushal Amerancherla face off during the last minutes of practice. Three pairs can wrestle at one time, so non-participating athletes watch from the sides while conditioning.

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO | ANNA JEROLIMOV

Sophomore Akshat Debnath helps sophomore Ekom Mann stretch as their team warms up. At the start of the team’s daily practices from 3:45 to 6 p.m., the Matadors warm up and stretch, then run through drills and techniques. Afterwards, the team goes over new moves or refines previous skills.

PHOTO | ANNA JEROLIMOV PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | MICHELLE ZHENG

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH KIANA MARK BY MICHELLE ZHENG

ow in her sixth year playing volleyball, Freshman Kiana Mark plays on the Varsity Girls Volleyball team as an outside hitter and was named the SCVAL freshman of the year. According to Mark, despite her commitments to club volleyball and academics, she wanted to join the Matadors and represent MVHS since elementary school. “Club [volleyball is] different because there’s so many different people, but [for] your school, you’re just representing your community,” Mark said. “[That’s why] I chose to do school [volleyball].” Mark explains that she is extremely happy with the Matadors’ performance this season, especially because the team made history by competing in the CCS D1 Championships and NorCal Playoffs for the first time since 1998. “We played so well as aPHOTO team,”| FIRSTNAME Mark said. LASTNAME “I feel like we just had each other’s backs on everything and we weren’t scared. [We didn’t play] as six individuals. Instead, [we played as] a whole unit and a whole team on the court.” While Mark is certain that she will continue to both represent MVHS and play for her club volleyball team, she is uncertain how her future with volleyball will unfold after high school. “I do have a dream to play in college, but I don’t know how far or [what it] takes to get there,” Mark said. “But, I want to work to get to that point. Things can change, but I feel like everything that happens will happen for a reason.”

320 34 KILLS*

ACES*

*2021-22 Monta Vista season

SPORTS | DECEMBER 2021

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Volume 52, Issue 3, December 8, 2021

Articles inside

Climate change curriculum

Coping with grief

Golden era

Against all odds