Pulse: Black Friday

Originally published Nov. 28, 2013 on El Estoque. View original post for full, interactive version. 

 

 

Cure Cancer Cafe both entertaining and beneficial

Originally published March 12, 2013 on elestoque.org. Cowritten with Yimeng Han. 

The room was lit a bright purple, imbuing the white flowers and tablecloths with a slight tint. A jazz band played in the background while waiters zigzagged in between chairs and tables, determined to create a pleasurable dining experience. Meanwhile, couples lined up to have their pictures taken at a photo booth. This scene appeared prom-like, and in some ways, it was. People were having fun socializing with friends, enjoying a catered meal and watching talented performers. But this was not an evening just of laughter and fun — rather, it was a shared commitment to help those affected by cancer.Cure Cancer Cafe, hosted annually by MV Octagon, is a unique spin on the standard fundraiser. Instead of selling magazines and sweets, the club created a social event that allowed everyone — waiters, performers and attendees alike — to contribute to a greater cause. Proceeds from ticket sales, donations and a silent auction pushed earnings over $10,000, all of which will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The night’s entertainment included musical and visual performances by students who wanted to contribute to the efforts with their talents. Particularly memorable was junior Neha Nuguru’s spirited rendition of Rihanna’s “Stay,” as well as a dance number by Urban Soul Movement. The jazz band, of course, cannot be praised enough for its endurance and soul, which set the ambiance for the entire night.

The food also added to the lively atmosphere: grilled chicken skewers or mushroom served with greens, pulled pork, rice, pasta salad and marble cake were all served efficiently by the volunteer waiters for the evening.

Towards the later portion of the night, the attendees received a reminder of the event’s purpose. Alumnus Jack Chin, who students and community members helped last year in his battle with lymphoma, took the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech thanking all of those who supported him, and people facing similar challenges to him, through events such as tonight.

Chin ended with a word of advice to the audience.

“I know that most of you can’t register to be a bone marrow donor yet because you’re not yet 18, but pretty soon you will be, and I’d really like for you to consider registering to be a bone marrow donor,” Chin said in his speech. “If you do happen to be somebody’s match, and you do decide to donate, you can be not just a savior to that one person … but you’ll also be a hero to everybody who cares about them.”

For more information about Cure Cancer Cafe, visit MV Octagon’s website or our previous coverage of the event.

Annual county chess tournament hosted at MVHS Feb. 2

Originally published Feb. 7, 2013 on El Estoque. Cowritten with Yuna Lee. 

MVHS wins team award for second consecutive year.

Chess tournament from El Estoque on Vimeo.

The Chess Club competed at the 2013 Santa Clara County High School Chess Tournament on Feb. 2 in the MVHS cafeteria and emerged with multiple victories. Students from local high schools and middle schools played five games each to contribute to their team‘s overall score, with games running up to 95 minutes each. MVHS won the 25-year-old county cup for the second consecutive year, as well as a number of individual awards. The first place trophy went to freshman Neil Apte who also participated last year as an eighth grader, for the second year in a row.

The team representing MVHS included students from Kennedy Middle School. According to Chess Club president senior Chris Wu, the team’s winning performance at the tournament can be attributed to the strength of players from both schools.

“This year, we’ve had a really strong team — the strongest team we’ve had in the last five to 10 years,” Wu said.

Students interact with local politicians at “Pizza and Politics”

Originally published Nov. 2 on El Estoque. With additional reporting by Namrata Ramani.

Every element necessary for the average high school party was present. Teenagers: check. Pizza: check. But this wasn’t a party; this was politics.

“Pizza and Politics,” which was organized jointly by the Cupertino Teen Commission and the Saratoga Youth Commission, took place on Oct. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event, intended to increase youth knowledge of politics, brought together students and local politicians at the Cupertino City Hall.

[audio: http://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Chuck-Page.mp3%5D
Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page on how kids can have an impact in politics

“We decided that this would be a great event to do for students our age, because … if you know the topics and the discussions ahead of time, then you’ll be able form an opinion on your own by the time you are 18 and able to vote,” said Cupertino Teen Commissioner junior Celine Mol. “We added the pizza because that would get more people to come, obviously.”

Although the debates between politicians were moderated by Saratoga City Clerk Crystal Bothelio, the majority of each conversation was audience-driven. Attendees —  high schoolers but also others ranging from middle school students to senior citizens — were able to ask their questions to legislators, which included candidates for the FUHSD Board of Trustees and California State Assembly, as well as the mayor of Saratoga and the vice mayor of Campbell.

[audio: http://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Joseph-Antonelli-Rosas.mp3%5D
FUHSD Board of Trustees candidate Joseph Antonelli Rosas on why he is running for office

The event was divided into three portions, each featuring a different set of politicians. During the first forty minutes of the event, candidates for the FUHSD Board of Trustees — businessman Jeff Moe, network security adviser Joseph Antonelli Rosas and current Board vice president Nancy Newton — took the stage to debate how to handle various issues that affect local high schools, including the budget and environmental sustainability.

[audio: http://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Jeff-Moe.mp3%5D FUHSD Board of Trustees candidate Jeff Moe on how he will handle the budget

[audio: http://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Nancy-Newton-1.mp3%5D FUHSD Board of Trustees vice president Nancy Newton on her goal for the district

“There were so many opportunities that were given to me in high school, and so much inspiration bestowed upon me,” said Rosas, an alumnus of Homestead High School. “It scares me to death that students won’t have the same opportunities that I did.”

Then, candidates in the 28th Assembly District race — current State Assemblyman Paul Fong and challenger Chad Walsh — rose to discuss what they would do if given a chance to serve in the California State Assembly.

[audio: http://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Chad-Walsh.mp3%5D 28th Assembly District candidate Chad Walsh on his background

Unlike the first two portions of the event, the final forty minutes was not a debate between candidates for a political seat. Instead, Evan Low, the Democratic vice mayor of Campbell, and Chuck Page, the Republican mayor of Saratoga, represented the positions of their respective parties.

[audio: http://elestoque.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Evan-Low.mp3%5D Campbell Vice Mayor Evan Low on why he chose to be a Democrat

The two discussed topics that appeared frequently during the presidential debates, including abortion — which Low supported wholeheartedly and Page said should remain legal but no longer receive federal funding — and taxation.

The event had an impact not only on the students who attended, but also on the politicians who spoke.

“It shows our youth can assume leadership, and they do assume leadership,” Fong said of the event. “And so we need to drop the voting age to 16, we do. Because look at all these young people that can vote, that can participate.”

VIDEO: JSA mock presidential debate held Oct. 19

Originally published Oct. 26 on El Estoque. Cowritten by Jennifer Lee. 

JSA Debate highlights from El Estoque on Vimeo.

The first two presidential debates of 2012 were hosted at the University of Denver on Oct. 3 andHofstra University on Oct. 16. On Oct. 19, another one was held — this time at MVHS.

Featuring debate captain seniors Sean Lee and Kevin Guo as President Obama and Governor Romney respectively, the mock debate was moderated by senior Christie Lin and coordinated by Junior State of America, a club aimed at promoting political awareness. Topics covered during the debate included gay rights, abortion, taxes and debt. In addition, audience members were encouraged to pose questions to the debaters.

To view a longer version of the JSA debate, visit El Estoque on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Annual Cupertino Carnival held Oct. 12 to 14

Originally published Oct. 21 on El Estoque. Cowritten by Athira Penghat and Jennifer Lee. 

This year marked St. Joseph of Cupertino School’s ninth annual Cupertino Carnival, held from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14. With colorful attractions ranging from ferris wheels and slides to pumpkin decorating and face painting, the carnival was open to people of all ages. According to its marketing director, Lesley Kirchman, the event was coordinated not only to fundraise for various St. Joseph activities but also to bring the community together in a family-friendly environment.

Cupertino Carnival from El Estoque on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Roots Christian Club hosts ‘See you at the Pole’

Originally published Oct. 1 on El Estoque. Cowritten by Neesha Venkatesan and Namrata Ramani. 

See you at the pole from El Estoque on Vimeo.

On Sept. 26, Roots Christian Club hosted its annual See You at the Pole prayer meeting. Students met in front of the auditorium at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and, with the assistance of 5th Home of Christ youth pastor Yuji Ogura, prayed for their peers, teachers and the nation. Roots members were only a few amongst millions worldwide who participated in the student-driven day of prayer.

Roots Christian Club meets Mondays at lunch in C106.

Cupertino neighborhood celebrates 50th anniversary

Originally published Aug. 31, 2012 on El Estoque with Yashashree Pisolkar. 

It was 1975 the first time Hillary Farkas hosted a block party on Hollanderry Place. The theme was “Where were you in ‘62?”, a reference to the year in which the homes were first built. The houses sold for between $16,500 and $17,500; today, they’re worth well over a million. What has remained constant since 1973, however, is the annual Labor Day block party that Farkas founded. On Aug. 25, Farkas and her fellow Hollanderry residents took to the streets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the neighborhood as well as the 37th anniversary of their block party tradition.

Photo Gallery: Monta Vista Intramural Dodgeball Tournament

Originally published Nov. 17, 2011 on El Estoque. Cowritten by Howard Lee. 

From Nov. 14 to Nov. 17, teams fought for the right to call themselves dodgeball champions of MVHS. The teams, each composed of seven players, participated in three preliminary rounds apiece in the annual Intramural Dodgeball Tournament at lunch in the Field House. Of the initial nineteen teams, two advanced to the final championship game in the gym on Nov. 18: the Provocative and Los Gauchos.

Although seven rounds were originally planned, Los Gauchos took an early lead and emerged victorious after winning four of five games and a sudden death shootout. Los Gauchos will be playing the teacher team on Tuesday, Nov. 22 in the gym.

Culture clash cuisine

Originally published Oct. 25, 2011 on El Estoque with Forest Liao and Yimeng Han. 

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We feed strange ethnic foods to students brave enough to try them.