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

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

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

The Talon
Parisa Larson

Parisa Larson, Senior Writer

All content by Parisa Larson
After over a year of distance learning and virtual tutoring, Jacob Valadez, the Tutorial Center Coordinator, will hit the ground running when students return to in-person learning. He has plans to increase collaboration between support groups like AVID, skills and special education to reach students before they fall through the cracks. Increasing representation of tutors and making the physical space more inviting are also on Valadez’s to-do list.

Tutorial Center invites increased tutor diversity and support group collaboration

By Parisa Larson and Lauren Morimoto
June 2, 2021
During the pandemic, many members of the senior AVID class have experienced their fair share of trials from technological issues to reduced instructional time. Throughout this year, AVID classes and the District have worked to minimize the impact of the pandemic on the students learning environment by improving virtual educational resources and reforming the AVID senior curriculum.

AVID seniors and teachers reflect on pandemic-era academic and financial challenges

By Parisa Larson and Olivia Hewang
June 2, 2021
Headed by Associate Superintendent of Business Services Mike Mathiesen, on-campus construction has been split into two phases. Phase one, which includes new classroom buildings for culinary and engineering classes, an auxiliary gym, multipurpose spaces and new 700-wing stairs, is close to completion this coming summer of 2021.

Phase one construction for campus expansion set to finish in summer 2021

By Lauren Morimoto and Parisa Larson
May 10, 2021
As we mark the one-year anniversary of our transition to distance learning, The Talon surveyed the LAHS student body to highlight their diverse, yet unifying experiences during the pandemic.

Looking back on one year of COVID-19

By Olivia Hewang, Parisa Larson, and Naomi Schulze
March 13, 2021
Amidst limited social interaction, distance learning and rapidly changing safety regulations, children have been forced to adapt to their often irregular environments. After talking to experts and parents alike, The Talon has created a comprehensive guide to the social, emotional, and physical effects that the pandemic has had on the development of children of all ages.

Baby steps toward child development in a pandemic

By Parisa Larson, Lauren Morimoto, and Navya Singhai
February 8, 2021

Holiday treats around the world

By Emilie Enser and Parisa Larson
December 20, 2020
In an effort to help his peers feel more comfortable exploring their political opinions, senior Evan Fine circumnavigates topics from colonizing Antarctica to hypothetical new bill proposals with his fellow Junior State of America club members. The clubs focus on open-minded discussions allows students to reflect on their values and perspectives while moving past their political echo chamber.

Junior State of America: Empowering student voices in politics

By Parisa Larson, Senior Writer
October 22, 2020
President junior Trinity Bang and the rest of Be Okay’s leadership team know the feeling of academic pressure all too well. Luckily, they’ve developed some techniques to minimize if not overcome that stress and hope to foster a relaxing environment for members to unwind.

Be Okay Club: It’s okay to not be okay

By Parisa Larson, Senior Writer
October 15, 2020
From dissecting mathematical proofs as a group to immersing members in a mythical realm of adventure, Los Altos clubs are redefining Zoom class fatigue into an opportunity for all students to get invested in their interests and the school community.

Didn’t attend Club Day? Talon’s got you covered!

By Tomoki Chien, Kaavya Butaney, and Parisa Larson
October 13, 2020
Village Pantry co-owners Julie and David Ogilvie have served homestyle American food to their patrons in Downtown Los Altos for the past two decades. Although the restaurant faces many financial challenges due to the pandemic, the Ogilvies are determined to keep its doors open due to endless support from their customers.

Village Pantry

By Parisa Larson, Senior Writer
September 13, 2020
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
June 11, 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
April 15, 2020
Courtesy Kylie Akiyama

ASI students take London

By Parisa Larson
March 16, 2020
Varsity boys tennis serves Paly defeat on a silver platter

Varsity boys tennis serves Paly defeat on a silver platter

By Parisa Larson
March 4, 2020
MVLA district to install stadium lights at Los Altos

MVLA district to install stadium lights at Los Altos

By Parisa Larson and Cameron Cox
February 3, 2020
EqOpTech club member sophomore Sofia Mujica gives a student a refurbished laptop at Castro Elementary. EqOpTech, a club at Los Altos, provides free laptops to students who cant afford them.

EqOpTech distributes refurbished laptops to students in need

By Parisa Larson
December 4, 2019
Infographic: Looking back on the Kincade fire

Infographic: Looking back on the Kincade fire

By Rachel Rudyak and Parisa Larson
November 9, 2019
Fall-owing Eagle Sports

Fall-owing Eagle Sports

By Cameron Cox, Ethank Ruyak, Allison Bricca, Elana Eisenberg, Emily McNally, Amid Najmi, Barrett Wong, Marie Godderis, Mayu Alten, and Parisa Larson
October 12, 2019
Meet this years AVID Council Leaders!

Meet this year’s AVID Council Leaders!

By Suzanne Guo, Parisa Larson, and Marie Godderis
October 3, 2019
Courtesy Karina Halevy

Math Modeling Club wins first place at national competition

By Parisa Larson, Staff Writer
May 28, 2019
Junior James Wangsness celebrates his game winning goal against divisional rival Vancouver Whitecaps. James has committed to the admissions process at Princeton University and plans to play for their Division 1 soccer team.

Princeton soccer scouts junior James Wangsness

By Parisa Larson
May 28, 2019
Spring Sports Brief

Spring Sports Brief

By Nikhita Boddu, Ethan Ruyack, Mayu Alten, Elli Lahdesmaki, Lucas Bricca, Marie Godderis, and Parisa Larson
April 30, 2019
Affordable teacher housing to be built in Palo Alto

Affordable teacher housing to be built in Palo Alto

By Parisa Larson and Anya Sharma
April 23, 2019
Senior Will Schubert does bicep curls with 40 pound weights at 24 Hour Fitness. He is an amateur bodybuilder, weightlifter and fitness enthusiast who structures his schedule and diet around lifting.

Where there’s a Will, there’s a weight

By Parisa Larson and Navya Singhai
March 16, 2019
Staying in Shape

Staying in Shape

By Audrey Chang, Parisa Larson, and Navya Singhai
February 11, 2019

Girls Basketball

By Parisa Larson
February 8, 2019
Keeping up with New Year Resolutions

Keeping up with New Year Resolutions

By Sua Kim, Elli Lahdesmaki , Nikhita Boddu, and Parisa Larson
February 8, 2019
Happy Holidays in Los Altos

Happy Holidays in Los Altos

By Elli Lahdesmaki, Parisa Larson, and Ashley Cai
December 16, 2018
Marching band holds benefit performance to support Camp Fire victims

Marching band holds benefit performance to support Camp Fire victims

By Elli Lahdesmaki and Parisa Larson
December 8, 2018
Ashley Cai

Recruited Athletes

By Anya Sharma, Parisa Larson, Aaron Zaks, Nikhita Boddu, Elli Lahdesmaki, Marie Godderis, Ashley Cai, and Navya Singhai
November 9, 2018
1: Kavya’s initial sketch of her visioned mural with colored pencils in her notebook. 2: She starts to draw and paint on the wall, trying to illustrate her vision before adding all the details. 3: Kavya’s finished mural for the Boys and Girls Club displayed in San Mateo.

Kavya Ramamurthy: Mural brightens San Mateo

By Parisa Larson, Navya Singhai, and Audrey Chang
November 8, 2018
Writing Center tutor junior Portia Pliam discusses a paper with junior Eden Weitzman. The Writing Center is now open to help students with writing assignments in all subjects at any point in the writing process. Marie Godderis.

The Writing Center makes its debut

By Janie Dent and Parisa Larson
October 13, 2018
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