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The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

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The Talon

News
Opinions
- Columns
Features
- Homecoming Court
Arts & Culture
Sports
In-Depth
Editorial
Print
Guest Write

More

The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

Search this site

The Talon

News
Opinions
- Columns
Features
- Homecoming Court
Arts & Culture
Sports
In-Depth
Editorial
Print
Guest Write

More

The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

Search this site

Broken Box is holding space for Wicked
By Sahana Srinivasan, Senior Writer | December 19, 2024
Photo Essay: ASB volleyball tournament recap
By Alex Zuccaro, Staff Writer | December 19, 2024
Seth and Katie Tasman: A coaching couple building a dream team
By Marcus Gao, Staff Writer | December 19, 2024
Aviation Club soars into American Rocketry Competition
By Manya Sikka, Staff Writer | December 18, 2024
Weston Carballar makes a wave with Long Island University water polo commitment
By Oscar Johnson, Web Managing Editor | December 17, 2024

News

ASB's Annual Holiday Faire in photos.

Photo essay: ASB hosts annual Holiday Faire

By Jolie Lu, Staff Writer | December 17, 2024

On Monday, December 9, Los Altos High School’s Student Community Leaders (SCL) hosted Wellness Week. Here is a recap in photos.

Photo Essay: SEL hosts annual Wellness Week

By Michelle Jacob, Staff Writer

Attendees watch as a firefighter from the City of Los Altos demonstrates how to use a fire extinguisher.

Teen CERT workshop provides students with hands-on disaster preparedness

By Manya Sikka, Staff Writer

From left to right: MVHS senior Myesha Phukan, former Oracle staff Hanna Olson ‘24, and junior Renuka
Mungee worked on an in-depth article about sexual assault, which helped them earn the Courage award.

Students from Mountain View Oracle receive SPLC Courage Award

By Dorie Xie and Marcus Gao

Robotics II preps for their upcoming competition season

By Michelle Jacob and Manya Sikka | December 19, 2024

Los Altos High School's Robotics II class has been preparing for its upcoming competition season next semester. From training new members to prototyping their robot, watch to see behind the scenes...

Avni and Jaya stand with an improv workshop sign at the Mountain View Teen Center. From 3:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., they introduced improvisational theater to a group of children.

Improv Club brings drama into the Teen Center

By Jolie Lu, Staff Writer

Apple Product Executive Andy Narayanan answers questions from students during a Generative AI club meeting. He describes his experience working with generative AI as well as its impact across leading tech industries.

Gen AI Club hosts guest speaker series

By Jolie Lu, Staff Writer

Nathan Coleman, owner and founder of company “Blackout Lighting” poses in the tech booth at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts.

Meet Nathan Coleman, the face of theatre tech

By Rachel Wilson and Sahana Srinivasan

Sports

The varsity girls tennis team poses for a final group photo after ending their historic season, ranking number two statewide.

Girls tennis finishes second in States after historic season

By Carolina Yi, Staff Writer | December 17, 2024

This season, the Los Altos High School varsity girls tennis team made history: once by winning CCS, twice by winning the CIF State Northern California Championships, and thrice by becoming runner-ups to...

Senior Idan Garten recently announced his commitment to play DIII soccer at Carnegie Mellon University. For almost 10 years, Idan has been the top scorer for his club team and has cultivated a family of teammates.

Idan Garten scores Carnegie Mellon soccer commitment

By Alex Zuccaro, Staff Writer

Boys Cross Country Heads to State Championship

The boys and girls cross country teams pose alongside their coaches with their first and second-place plaques (respectively). This is the second year in a row both teams have placed in the top three.

Boys and girls cross country advance to States

By Alanna Grier, Staff Writer

Junior April Cutler’s AP Studio Art project focusing on the reality of Silicon Valley is featured in the art show.

Visual arts department’s end-of-semester art show displays student growth

By Jisoo Hur, Staff Writer | December 17, 2024

Los Altos High School's visual arts department transformed the student services building into an art gallery with its end-of-semester art show...

Viewers and artists gather in the gallery on “Our Bodies Through Our Eyes”’s opening reception.

At Qualia, femininity across generations takes center stage

By Ellis Yang, Staff Writer

Los Altos Marching Band performs in a parade during their first annual Disneyland trip since COVID-19.

Marching Band’s first Disney trip since COVID-19

By MC Teixeira, Staff Writer

LAHS choir will perform a variety of holiday songs at their annual winter concert, “A Season of Song,” next Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m.

Choir to hold annual winter concert

By Anna Roman, Staff Writer

lahstalon

Following the resignation of former football Head

Following the resignation of former football Head Coach Mike Garrity, last week, Los Altos High School appointed new Head Coach Mark Adams.

“Losing a head coach at this point in the summer was unfortunate and I wanted to step up and contribute,” Adams said. “High school football was invaluable to me on many levels and the players deserve to have a great experience. This was just too exciting to say ‘no’ to when the opportunity was presented.”

Adams’ own football career entailed playing as quarterback for the Division I Boston College Eagles from 1983–1986. From 2013–2014, Adams coached the Mountain View Marauders, a local Pop Warner team.

“As I don’t know the team yet, my goals are more tied to growth, development and competitiveness,” Adams said. “As a coach, I have a single goal to make sure the players have a great experience and a lot of fun along the way.”

Photo courtesy Mark Adams
Story by Dorie Xie

Photos by Oscar Johnson, Sahana Srinivasan, Matild

Photos by Oscar Johnson, Sahana Srinivasan, Matilda Haney Foulds and Manya Sikka

On Friday, May 24, Los Altos High School’s annua

On Friday, May 24, Los Altos High School’s annual red carpet, Oscar-style event took the Eagle Theater stage. The Night Film Festival showcased films that Film Analysis students worked on throughout the second semester. Organized by Film Analysis teachers Susana Herrera and Robert Barker, the festival honored the hard work and dedication of seniors who completed their final projects.

The judging panel, librarian Gordon Jack, former Film Analysis teacher Sasha Jones and math teacher Teresa Dunlap, crowned three winning films:

The top film was Day 387 by seniors Joey Braun, Gijeon Gerdes, Manuel Gonzalez Stocker, Paavo Lahdesmaki and Sam Stein.

Second place was awarded to Video by seniors Isamu Britt, Eric Dogan, Daniel Field, Leo Gardner and Thomas Riordan.

The third place film was seniors Passenger Princess by Annelise Hein, Paavo Lahdesmaki, Razvan Popescu and Abby Wang.
“Film can be an emotional experience - some films make us laugh, make us cry, make us happy and make us sad. Each film manipulates us to feel a certain way based on the purpose of the film,” Film Analysis teacher Susana Herrera said.

Story by Summer Li
Photo by Ellie Ji

This year, the celebration for Pride Month at Los

This year, the celebration for Pride Month at Los Altos High School was kicked off at the Gender Sexuality Awareness club (GSA) Pride Gala. Held last Friday, May 31, the event’s theme was “Fantasy” — attendants were encouraged to dress to the theme however they felt comfortable.

“It's meant to be a safe space for queer people to dress in ways that would otherwise be difficult,” GSA president junior Mei Ozawa said. “But anybody is invited to have fun.”

“The event fits in with our greater hope of GSA being a place for LGBTQ people,” Trisha Bhattacharyya said. “We definitely try to bring representation to the community, and with the Pride Gala being an event where it's all about celebrating self expression, I think it very much aligns with our mission.”

A large part of organizing the event was budgeting. GSA, having to balance between spending money for the event and keeping prices low, chose to prioritize the latter.

“It’s an expensive event to put on, but we want to have low ticket prices to make the event as accessible as possible,” Mei said.

Conversations about the Pride Gala started all the way in August. There were obstacles along the way, including communication, which according to GSA member junior Trisha Bhattacharyya, was “challenging.” However, it was a net positive experience for GSA members who worked on the project.

“Logistics were difficult to figure out, but it was really exciting,” Trisha said. “Seeing the Pride Gala come together at the end was absolutely the most memorable part.”

Story and photos by Jolie Lu.

On Thursday, May 23rd, LAHS Advanced Science Inves

On Thursday, May 23rd, LAHS Advanced Science Investigation researchers hosted their annual ASI symposium. The Talon interviewed rising and current ASI students to discuss the significance of their presentations and the benefits of the class.

Video by Sahana Srinivasan and Joseph Wang

Staff Storytime: Kelly Coble Coble's dog rugby ta

Staff Storytime: Kelly Coble

Coble's dog rugby tackles life with vigor!

Video by Ishika Modi

Last week, ASB hosted their annual dodgeball tourn

Last week, ASB hosted their annual dodgeball tournament in the gym. Team Klay Thompson took home the win, defeating the Kings in the final matchup for the title.

Video by Jisoo Hur, Michelle Jacob, and Marcus Gao

On Tuesday, May 21, Los Altos High School’s stud

On Tuesday, May 21, Los Altos High School’s student choirs performed in a final concert in the Eagle Theater. The event was organized by choir teacher Lauren Diez and aimed to invite the community to enjoy the music students in Choral, Concert Choir, Bel Canto and Volare worked on throughout the year. With just their voices and passion, the choirs hoped to bring beauty and inspiration into people’s lives through their songs.

“It’s really special to share those moments through live music,” Diez said.

Story and photos by Summer Li and Joseph Wang.

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The varsity girls basketball team poses together while watching JV play at an away game against the Mountain View Spartans.

Scouting Report: The season tip-off

By MC Teixeira, Staff Writer | December 16, 2024

I’m tired of waiting for you, America

I’m tired of waiting for you, America

By Matilda Haney Foulds, News Editor | December 12, 2024

This image was generated with the prompt “Humanoid robot drawing
on canvas” through Adobe’s generative AI program, Adobe Firefly.

AI art: Removing creativity from the craft

By Tyler Elman, Senior Writer | December 12, 2024

Kamala Harris is no stranger to the spotlight. Starting as a San Francisco District Attorney, she became the Attorney General of California in 2011, then rose to be a California Senator in 2017 before becoming Vice President in 2021.

Editorial: Harris for President

By The Editorial Board | November 5, 2024

Normally, The Talon would not endorse a Presidential candidate, especially when our area will overwhelmingly vote for one candidate over the...

The Talon's board candidate endorsements

The Talon’s board candidate endorsements

October 5, 2024

COVID-19 & Monkeypox

Last week, LAHS distributed COVID tests, and they will continue to be available this week.

LAHS distributes COVID tests for winter break

By Matthew Kim, News Editor | December 17, 2022

Next year, LAHS and MVHS will only offer on-site testing down on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

MVLA to decrease on-site COVID-19 testing

By Matthew Kim, News Editor | December 14, 2022

Columns

Faye’s Expressway: Let’s pause

Faye’s Expressway: Let’s pause

By Anonymous | December 12, 2024

There’s a guilt of privilege that hides in the corner of my mind. We’ve all seen suffering differently. I still vividly remember a heart-wrenching...

Faye’s Expressway: What is Love?

Faye’s Expressway: What is Love?

November 5, 2024

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