The Paly Voice - The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

News

Palo Alto High School science teacher Elizabeth Brimhall speaks on the importance of a single-lane biology course during the board meeting on Tuesday. According to Brimhall, the change was proposed in an effort to increase student diversity within classes. "Our honors classes look very different than our college prep level classes,” Brimhall said. “As educators, that is a deep concern we all share. We want our classes at all levels to represent the diversity of our schools and our student bodies.”

District votes for single-lane freshman biology course

Kristine Lin and Priya Tamura • January 23, 2025

Starting this fall, Palo Alto High School freshmen will be taking a combined biology course that merges honors and non-honors level classes,...

A group of students and staff amble down the track as part of the Power Moves walking club on Monday mornings at Palo Alto High School. According to Power Moves founder Lucy Filppu, the hope is to encourage more people to join the club with motive of helping L.A. fire victims. “This[fundraiser] is the right thing to do," Filppu said.
“We’re hoping this is a really nice way to get the Power Moves’ name out there on the Paly campus, so more kids want to join us on the track,” Filppu said. “Regardless of fundraising, just to walk on Mondays at 8 and chill out without competition. It’s a great way to get people more aware of Power Moves.”

Power Moves takes steps toward L.A. fire relief

Mayu Altekar-Okazaki and Ava Knapp • January 22, 2025

Amid weeks of devastation in Los Angeles caused by wildfires, Palo Alto High School’s Power Moves walking club is stepping up to make...

A firetruck from the Palo Alto Fire Department rushes down Churchill Avenue. The PAFD deployed local firefighters to combat the wildfires in Los Angeles Country on Jan. 9. PAFD Fire Chief Geoffrey Blackshire said that even with crew members in L.A., PAFD can still ensure the same amount of coverage for fires in Palo Alto. “When we support the state with mutual aid, we do not deplete any resources that are provided to the city,” Blackshire said. “The vacancies are filled with other shift PAFD personnel, similar to when firefighters are sick or on vacation. We always maintain the same level of response to our community.”

Local firefighters push preparedness, send help to Los Angeles blazes

Veronica Qiu and Mayu Altekar-Okazaki • January 22, 2025

In response to the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, the Palo Alto Fire Department is extending its stay in Pacific Palisades and is urging...

Students engage with The Virtual Social Network Club booth during Spring Club day Friday at lunch on the Quad. According to sophomore and President of VSN Jasmine Kwak, this club has big goals for its members. "Our goal is to make it so that there's a project that you need to do and turn in for service hours so you can help the community without feeling too stressed," Kwak said.

New ideas shine at Spring Club Day

Navya Narayanan and Ava Knapp • January 19, 2025

With decorated boards, colorful posters, and candy, student leaders and their new clubs promoted activities to students at Palo Alto High School...

A poster advertises new "Porcelain War" screenings in the Bay Area. The Oscar-shortlisted documentary, produced by Paly alum Brendan Bellomo, describes the Ukrainian War from the perspective of Ukrainian artists. "Even in the darkest of times, there is the ability to come together by using our art," Bellomo said.

Paly alum’s documentary earns Oscar nod, in theaters tomorrow

Motoko Iwata and Ava Knapp • January 2, 2025

“The human spirit is able to be creative even when it seems that all hope is lost.” Palo Alto High School alum Brendan Bellomo's award-winning...

Students read aloud miniature poems during lunch last Thursday in front of Palo Alto High School's student center. According to Anna Van Valkenburg, a senior in Writer’s Craft, the poetry-reading event helps not only with their grades but also in bringing out different student voices. “I really like the idea of sharing poems,” Van Valkenburg said. “I also think it's a nice opportunity to boost your grade in the class and also get on the stage and read something. Ms. Filppu puts a big focus on amplifying voices that are not usually heard." (Photo courtesy of Brent Kline)

Pocket poetry promotes sharing personal perspectives

Veronica Qiu, News Editor, Webmaster • December 19, 2024

With students reading aloud their bite-sized poetry and cheering on their peers, the student center buzzed with life at the annual poetry-reading...

Culture

Two lion dancers unveil auspicious tapestry at the Lunar New Year Celebration at Palo Alto's Mitchell Park Community Center. According to Palo Alto resident Yi Chen, the event was both fun and enriching for his family. “This is my first time at a Lunar New Year event in Palo Alto,” Chen said. “I think this event is pretty great as it shows all ages what Asian culture is as well as its traditional art forms.”

Palo Alto celebrates Lunar New Year with performances

Allison Ma and Sophie Zhang • January 12, 2025

With traditional Chinese opera reverberating across the room and lions weaving energetically through the crowd, the Palo Alto community welcomed...

In Wicked, Glinda teaches Elphaba how to become popular with a famous song from the original musical.

Wicked: A spellbinding success?

Andrew Zhao and Alex Chang • December 7, 2024

So, you’ve got a Broadway musical with a 20-year legacy, millions of devoted fans who know every lyric by heart and themes of friendship and...

Students from Antara Asthaayi Dance perform traditional Diwali dance performances, ranging from kathak dance to technique dancing on Sunday afternoon in the El Palo Alto Room at the Mitchell Park Community Center. According to Ruthann Garcia, the Mitchell Park Library Services Manager, Palo Alto worked with different dance schools to plan the activity. "We worked with a coordinator who would gather a bunch of different dance schools to help us out," Garcia said.

Festival of Lights event celebrates Diwali

William Xue and Cailey Quita • November 14, 2024

Yellow and magenta Diwali dresses, chalk-drawn rangoli on the floor, Henna tattoos and craft tables filled the rooms as Palo Alto held its "Festival...

At the grab-and-go, healthy restaurant Proper Food, customers are given the option to have their food heated up. Kevin The, a manager at Proper Food, said that the restaurant targets office workers. “They [the owners] wanted something where it’s easy to be grabbed, but still very healthy for people,” The said. “90 % of them [our customers] are people coming down from the office.”

Proper Food: Quick, healthy solution for busy employees

Sophie Zhang and Cailey Quita • November 12, 2024

On a brisk Thursday morning, mouth watering aromas fill Proper Foods, a cozy new spot hidden inside an office center in downtown Palo Alto. This...