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

The Talon

Menu
Rising senior Jackson Van Vooren, rising senior Joanna Hsieh and rising junior Eve Zhang were all accepted into California
All-state Band musicians are all about that brass
By Barrett Wong, Senior Writer | June 25, 2020

Around three months ago, three Los Altos students were invited to play in the All-state Band: rising senior Jackson Van Vooren, rising senior Joanna Hsieh and rising junior Eve Zhang. The band is open to all middle and high schoolers in California and has an intensive application process. The Talon interviewed...

The ACA-5 bill, which would legalize affirmative action, will now be on ballots in November.
State legislature rules in favor of affirmative action
By Natalie Wei
QuaranTeachers: an immersive Q&A
QuaranTeachers: an immersive Q&A
By Elli Lahdesmaki, Marie Godderis, and Elana Eisenberg
On Monday, June 1, a Los Altos graduate posted a Twitter thread allegedly showing current and former Los Altos students demonstrating what some have called a racist culture at school.
Twitter thread sparks controversy about racism at Los Altos
By Tomoki Chien, Cedric Chan, and Isabella Borkovic
Rising sophomores Alyssa Manche (left) and Anika Sikka (right) founded The Passion Project, a global community organization that provides children in elementary and middle school with free extracurricular classes. Ranging from eco-justice sing-alongs to a Baker Street Book Club, these high schooler-taught lessons cater to the diverse interests of students.
The Passion Project: exploring interests virtually
By Parisa Larson, Business Manager
Opinion: Governor Newsom’s proposal to suspend fitness tests is a step in the right direction
Opinion: Governor Newsom’s proposal to suspend fitness tests is a step in the right direction
By Vaishu Sirkay
The University of California system has suspended its standardized testing requirement.
UC suspends SAT/ACT requirement through 2024
By Tomoki Chien and Cedric Chan | May 21, 2020

The University of California system has suspended the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions through 2024. This move comes amid rising concerns that standardized test scores are heavily affected...

The Santa Clara County Health Department has issued a shelter-in-place order. Only "essential businesses" may operate.
Bay Area counties under "shelter in place" order
By Tomoki Chien, Cedric Chan, and Isabella Borkovic
Courtesy Kylie Akiyama
ASI students take London
By Parisa Larson
The City of Los Altos is working on various projects to help increase pedestrian and biker safety in Los Altos.
Los Altos to improve bike safety and traffic
By Cedric Chan
Santa Clara County closed all public schools in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Classes will resume Monday, April 13 in the MVLA school district.
Santa Clara County closes all public schools
By Cedric Chan and Tomoki Chien
Along with friends and family, Justin Rosen poses while running the Rosen challenge. He started the “Rosen Challenge” and ran 24 miles in 24 hours with his friends and family.
Community workouts with Justin and Suzanne
By Marie Godderis | April 30, 2020

Freshman Matteo Antonescu plays singles one during the varsity boys tennis match against Mountain View. He hopes to become a professional tennis player with the help of his strong work ethic coupled with his technical strengths.
Matteo Antonescu frames his future with tennis
By Parisa Larson
Opinion: Two sports, one rule book
Opinion: Two sports, one rule book
Freshman Logan Kim
Staying fit while staying home
By Elana Eisenberg
Junior Cyrus Gaylor executes a pike position mid air during practice at the Los Altos pool.
Cyrus Gaylord’s journey from spring floors to springboards
By Cameron Cox
2019 Los Altos High School alumnus Gurshaan Arora has received an outpouring of support and positive feedback, as well as a $500 prize, after the release of his new single, "Zoom!" The current Foothill College student wasn
Zoomin' through quarantine: Gursh's new single is a catchy success
By Elana Eisenberg, Staff Writer | May 26, 2020

While most people were baking a thousand loaves of banana bread or giving questionable haircuts to their family members during quarantine, 2019 Los Altos High School alumnus Gurshaan Arora (Gursh) was...

In seventh grade, sophomore Sophia Shams started her STEM non-profit organization The Robonauts. In the midst of the pandemic, Sophia began a subproject under The Robonauts to 3D print face shield parts and supply them to hospitals in need all over the country.
STEMing up to the task of engineering a brighter future
By Rachel Rudyak, Staff Writer
During shelter-in-place, Women in STEM (WiSTEM) club officer and junior Jessica Young (bottom) founded STEMpower, a joint education initiative with the local YMCA. Along with her fellow officers and juniors May Jiang and Allison Hong (top), the three hope to provide children at the El Camino Hospital with a STEM enrichment opportunity.
Women in STEM: virtually empowering youth through education
By Marie Godderis and Rachel Rudyak
Art was never just a phase for junior Bailey Fu. A little over a year ago, Bailey launched ArtSprouts, a platform that features local students’ art, displaying over 140 artworks from 50 unique artists around the community.
Bailey Fu roots for student artists
By Marie Godderis, Business Manager
At a time when every channel is reporting on coronavirus death counts, negative news seems to be at its peak. Instead of simply accepting this bad news, however, junior Zain Merchant was inspired by it to create Kindness Wins All, an app uplifting people across the world.
Helping kindness win over the world
By Ethan Ruyack, Senior Writer
Activate Search
The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California
The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California