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Elli Lahdesmaki

Elli Lahdesmaki, Senior Writer

All content by Elli Lahdesmaki
Loving gymnastics should be easy, with the sparkly leotards, adrenaline-inducing flips and pumped-up teammates. But as we have seen on the news in recent years, those in authority over America’s best gymnasts are disgustingly neglectful. Along with thousands of other gymnasts around the world, junior Allison Bricca can’t deny her outrage toward USA Gymnastics over their failure to keep gymnasts safe.

[Photo] Underneath this love

March 25, 2021
In an effort to normalize and encourage challenging conversation about inclusivity, the Associated Student Bodies (ASB) of LAHS and MVHS have teamed up to bring Candidly Speaking, a global program dedicated to having individuals open up about different cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds, to Mountain View–Los Altos (MVLA) students.

[Photo] MVLA ASB to host Candidly Speaking event

February 24, 2021
As an athlete, there’s a lot coming at you and your body. It’s important to have tools that keep you strong and injury-free to find your groove again after a long break.

[Photo] Avoiding injury on the road to return

February 1, 2021
We are all racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, etc. There is not one person on Earth that is free of prejudice.

[Photo] Kulture a la Kaavya: Prejudice is inescapable. Also, it sucks.

January 25, 2021
Thrifting has become one of the most recommended and trendiest forms of shopping, as it helps restore our environment and our bank accounts. However, knowing thrift stores are oftentimes the only affordable option for lower-income families, staff writer Emilie Enser often feels guilty picking out items for herself.

[Photo] The transition to thrifting: For better or worse?

January 10, 2021
The Talon's guide to 2020 holiday gifts

The Talon’s guide to 2020 holiday gifts

December 18, 2020

COVID-19 around the world

November 16, 2020
Staff writer Anika Sikka gives her thoughts on how female politicians have been portrayed in the media and what should be done moving forward.

[Photo] The media needs to do better in portraying female politicians

October 25, 2020
During quarantine, senior writer Elli Lahdesmaki has discovered the benefits of meditation to help deal with stress.

How meditation keeps me sane

October 9, 2020
Husband and wife duo Todd Wangsness, a history teacher, and Margaret Bennett, an English teacher, are used to working at the same school, but with the shelter-in-place orders, they’re now working in the same house. Wangsness and Bennett also have two sons: Luke, who is a rising junior at the University of California at Davis, and James, who will be a freshman at Princeton University this fall.

QuaranTeachers: an immersive Q&A

June 15, 2020
No gluten, no problem

No gluten, no problem

June 9, 2020

Soccer – coach Roberto Magellan

May 7, 2020
The Talon gives some ideas about things that people can do during the shelter-in-place.

8 activities to help make the best of your quarantine time

April 7, 2020
Staff writer Kaavya Butaney on the left and staff writer Vaishu Sirkay on the right. Kaavya and Vaishu write about how their friendship has developed over the years.

[Photo] Friends who fight together stay together

April 6, 2020
Senior Michelle Odnert breaks away from a Mountain View defender and heads towards the goal. Los Altos worked harder for the ball this game than ever before, but the Spartans eventually defeated the Eagles 1-3.

Varsity girls soccer’s second encounter with Mountain View ends in a defeat

February 5, 2020
Gia Cimring: Shoots and scores UCSB commitment

Gia Cimring: Shoots and scores UCSB commitment

January 23, 2020
Sophomore Greg Schumann gains the upper hand in his match against Homestead.

Winter sports updates

January 23, 2020
Sophomore Arya Hatami sprints forward and passes the ball upfield after stealing it off a Mountain View player.

Varsity boys soccer ties again against Mountain View

January 15, 2020
Kayleen Gowers: On the road to Princeton

Kayleen Gowers: On the road to Princeton

December 16, 2019
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James Wangsness: Soccer ambitions soar to new heights at Princeton

December 7, 2019
Krames twins: Kicking it together since the womb

Krames twins: Kicking it together since the womb

November 7, 2019
Latin teacher Krista Greksouk helps sophomore Ceasar Palting as the students decipher texts together.

[Photo] Krista Greksouk: bringing life to a ‘dead’ language

October 22, 2019
Forever 21 should close forever

Forever 21 should close forever

October 9, 2019
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[Photo] New policy allows students in portables to request extended passing period

September 22, 2019
New gun bill misses the mark

New gun bill misses the mark

May 28, 2019
Graphic by Sua Kim

Diving into the freshman swim unit

May 28, 2019
Spring Sports Brief

Spring Sports Brief

April 30, 2019
Christa Wemmer: In it for the long run

Christa Wemmer: In it for the long run

April 24, 2019

A Spotlight On Poetry

March 22, 2019

Anooshkha Shetty: Girl Scout takes on child trafficking

March 18, 2019
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[Photo] Barker’s track: From mentee to mentor

February 9, 2019
Richa Krishna: Helping Hearts

Richa Krishna: Helping Hearts

February 9, 2019
Keeping up with New Year Resolutions

Keeping up with New Year Resolutions

February 8, 2019
Happy Holidays in Los Altos

Happy Holidays in Los Altos

December 16, 2018
Marching band holds benefit performance to support Camp Fire victims

Marching band holds benefit performance to support Camp Fire victims

December 8, 2018
Ashley Cai

Recruited Athletes

November 9, 2018
At the Natural Bridges State Beach, the boys take advantage of the starry night sky in order to take a long exposure shot using flashlights.

Scouting Adventures

November 8, 2018

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”: A charmingly simple film

October 4, 2018
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The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California