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The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

Palo Alto High School band and orchestra teacher Jeffrey Willner conducts his band class to prepare for their instrumental concert on Monday in the Performing Arts Center. Willner said he is glad he has been able to conduct a wide variety of songs over the years. “I'm really happy that I've been able to play pretty much every band piece I've wanted to do since I've been here," Willner said. "In orchestra pieces, too, I've been able to do whatever. I feel good about that.”
Preview: Willner’s coda: Past, present collide in final concerts
Mayu Altekar-Okazaki and Karin Blumenfeld May 15, 2025

After 25 years at Palo Alto High School, band and orchestra teacher Jeffrey Willner is going out with a bang, conducting and producing his last...

Senior Clara Hoffman works on an assignment in class with her senior elimination beach ball touching her face. The new rules require remaining players to touch their balls on their head as to not be eliminated from the game. Hoffman said she has gone great lengths to get her target out. "I've gone to my friends' houses to eliminate them," Hoffman said.
Beach balls and betrayal: Senior elimination showdown nears the end 
Celina Lee, Senior Staff Writer • May 14, 2025

Whether it be before the bell rings, at a movie theater or even in the safe-haven of homes — no senior left standing is safe. Out of the 371...

Aishwarya Balasubramaniam, the new student board representative from Middle College High School, scrolls through the agenda for Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting in preparation to give her student board member report. Balasubramaniam said that playing an active role in the board has been a transformative experience. “I have attended and watched board meetings before, but being a student representative on the board has given me a deeper understanding of how much thought and effort goes into supporting students across the district,” Balasubramaniam said. 
Q&A: New Middle College student brings fresh perspectives to board
Celina Lee, Senior Staff Writer • May 14, 2025

A shift to a smaller, more flexible high school gave one student a new perspective — and a new platform as a student board representative....

Sophomore Reece Feng looks up at the Exploratorium poster. According to Associated Student Body treasurer Paul Wang, the venue will offer central gallery exhibits, a disc jockey light show and four photo booths. “Overall, it [prom] has been planned better, and it's going to be a way better experience in terms of quality for students.” (photo illustration)
Preview: Prom returns to the stars
Joyce Ma and Priya Tamura May 6, 2025

Beneath glowing constellations and city lights, this year’s Paly Prom promises a night under the stars at San Francisco’s Exploratorium on...

Community member admires a working diagram of Palo Alto's sewage system made by Palo Alto public work department.
City hosts Earth Day event to spread awareness about climate change
Joy Tan and Ava Knapp April 28, 2025

In celebration of Earth Day, a variety of climate-oriented organizations attended an Earth Day festival encouraging eco-friendly practices...

Engineering Teacher Kathryn Widen prepares to bump the ball during the staff-versus-student volleyball game, where staff claimed victory over students, 18-16, in Palo Alto High School’s annual student-versus-staff game on Thursday during lunch in the Peery Center Big Gym. According to participant and sophomore Krish Agarwal, he enjoyed contributing but wished for a larger crowd and more energy. "I did my best to contribute to the team in any way I could," Agarwal said. "Overall, it was a fun experience, though I wish that there were more people here, and I wish the spirit was a little higher for this volleyball game. Overall though, it was a good experience."
Staff defeat students in volleyball match
Alex Rytokoski and Alex Chang April 28, 2025

Staff claimed victory over students, 18-16, in Palo Alto High School’s annual student-versus-staff game on Thursday during lunch in the Peery...

Senior Gabe Boudtchenko films students during the schoolwide lip dub.
According to junior class Vice President Emily Tang, the lip dub is a great way to bring light to Paly's broad range of activities and student groups. "We [ASB] are super excited to have admin representing, a wide array of publications and also a few sports and clubs," Tang said.
Lip dub showcases diverse campus communities
Navya Narayanan and Mayu Altekar-Okazaki April 28, 2025

After a successful test run on Friday, Palo Alto High School’s Associated Student Body officers say they hope to do more schoolwide lip dubs...

Mrigendra Steiner, California School Employees Association Chapter 301 President, speaks in front of the Palo Alto Board of Education about the importance of investing in paraeducators and classified staff. Steiner said paraeducators play an essential, often overlooked role in classrooms and should be utilized more often. “When you see a partnership between a teacher and a paradigm where they look across the room and they already know, without even saying a word to each other, what needs to happen with a student as we support them in classrooms, is amazing,” Steiner said.
District rolls out special education initiatives at board meeting
Priya Tamura, News Editor, Webmaster • April 24, 2025

In a push to improve special education and support school staff, Palo Alto Unified School District introduced a teacher residency program and...

Tone
Paly Voice Picks
Viking senior Sam Ewen fights for the ball in the game against Hillsdale Knights Tuesday night at home. According to Viking senior Turner McFarland, he appreciated the support from the crowd. "This game was special because it's our last home game, except for the playoffs if you make it," McFarland said. "It's nice to see all our friends and family come out."
Boys lacrosse beats Knights, heads for playoffs
Alex Chang and Andrew Zhao May 10, 2025
Viking second baseman sophomore Justin Fung swings in a Viking victory against the Milpitas Trojans Friday at home. According to Milpitas head coach Zach Canez, the Trojans needed to remain competitive despite falling behind early on. "Playing a complete game was important," Canez said.
Vikings shut out Trojans, head coach earns 200th win
Ava Knapp and Joy Tan May 5, 2025
Viking senior Oliver Chancellor defends against Lancer junior Andrew Makris in the final quarter versus the Saint Francis high school Lancers Thursday night at home. According to Viking junior Lucas Grodnitzsky, the Vikings need to work on the fundamentals. "We could work on catching and passing, especially on offense," Grodnitzsky said. "The other thing is ground balls. St Francis was a heavy ground ball team, and they took advantage of it and scored a lot."
Boys’ lacrosse defeated by Lancers
Andrew Zhao and Kevin O'Brien April 21, 2025
Sophomore Dalia Saal shapes clay in her Advanced Ceramics class, which can be taken after Art Spectrum. Starting next school year, Advanced Ceramics will be replaced by 3D Art & Design II. According to Saal, the art pathways will be more straightforward after the split into 2D and 3D art lanes. “I think it will be more efficient to have students choose their pathway from the beginning,” Saal said.
Opinion: Art Spectrum, it’s time for a change
Joyce Ma, Opinion Editor • May 14, 2025

The low sound of scratching pencils. The shuffling of creamy paper. The chatter of students. Washed in warm yellow lights, my Art Spectrum class...

Verbatim: Students on Spring Spirit Week
Verbatim: Students on Spring Spirit Week
Alex Rytokoski and Kevin O'Brien April 30, 2025

In Spring Spirit Week 2025, while participation may have been lower than in the fall, many students liked having the opportunity to show...

This is the view students see as they step out of their high school classes at Foothill College, where Palo Alto Middle College High School is based. The campus offers a peaceful setting that contrasts with the pace of traditional high school. According to Lily-Rose Cheung, PAMC sophomore, her school's flexibility is one of its biggest draws. “I love that I can pick afternoon high‑school classes because I’m not a morning person, and choose all‑online college courses when I’m traveling,” Cheung said.
Students reflect on transition to new campus
Lise Concolato and Mayu Altekar-Okazaki May 15, 2025

At Palo Alto Middle College High School, located on the Foothill College campus, students blend high school classes with college coursework,...

Behind the scenes: Shell-ebrate upcoming 'SpongeBob Musical'
Behind the scenes: Shell-ebrate upcoming ‘SpongeBob Musical’
Lise Concolato and Sophie Zhang April 23, 2025

From a Jellyfish Fields-themed set to car-sized Krabby Patties, Paly Theatre students and staff are working hard to bring Bikini Bottom's...

Guests at Macarena converse among themselves, enjoying the beautiful interior and the traditional Spanish cuisine. According to co-founder Elizabeth Reviriego, many of the restaurant's menu items are focused on honoring Spanish heritage. "At Macarena, traditional family recipes and time-honored culinary customs are the foundation of our menu," Reviriego said. "Many of our dishes are inspired by recipes and techniques that have been passed down through generations across Spain."
Review: Macarena brings Spanish tradition, taste to Palo Alto
Sophie Zhang and Allison Ma April 17, 2025

In the warm glow of an inviting fireplace, the rich aroma of saffron and roasted garlic fills the air at the newest Spanish restaurant in Palo...

K-pop fans eagerly wait to enter Oakland's Paramount Theatre on Thursday to watch TREASURE's first U.S. Tour, "Special Moment."
Oakland experiences ‘Special Moment’ with TREASURE’s first U.S. tour
Veronica Qiu and Sophie Zhang April 13, 2025

The colorful, rotating light beams shine on fans as they excitedly jump around, pumping their arms. TREASURE splashes water into the audience....