![Looking up from her laptop to smile at a student, Palo Alto High School science teacher Elizabeth Brimhall has faced a rough struggle with her mental health over the past few years. According to Brimhall, this experience has taught her to empathize more strongly with others going through a similar situation. “When my thoughts are going really quickly, I have to remember to slow down and take time to listen to my students,” Brimhall said. “Before I experienced it [mental health issues] myself, I had so many friends and family members that had struggled with mental health that I think I already had empathy for students, but now having experienced [it] myself even more so.” (Photo: Kristine Lin)](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DSC0004-900x600.jpg)
Joanna Ho is not staying silent.
Not with the reported rate of anti-Asian hate crimes surging by over 300% over the past years, according to the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism.
In her recent young adult book, “The Silence that Binds Us,” the Palo Alto High School alum and New York Times bestselling and award-winning author stresses the importance of addressing anti-Asian racism, as well as mental health and suicide. The powerful and heart-wrenching story centers around protagonist Maybelline Chen and her Taiwanese Chinese family as they navigate through the aftermath of loss and hardships in American society.
"How can stories remain more permanent, not temporary?" freshman Motoko Iwata wondered. "What are students' stories, and how can we share them with each other?"
Inspired by her love for liberal arts and English, Iwata thought, "What is YOUR Story?" and her idea was born.
In an impressive showcase, Palo Alto High School's journalism program emerged with many awards from this year’s contest season, bringing a new wave of motivation and energy into the school's publications.
As part of the Palo Alto Unified School District’s initiative to enhance visual educational quality in instructional settings, Apple TVs will replace the current technological system of projector tools and SmartBoards in all PAUSD classrooms with an anticipated rollout starting this summer.
In light of a recent incident at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School, Palo Alto Unified School District staff are calling for upgraded response protocols for student discipline concerns.
Playing carnival games and eating sweet treats, Palo Alto High School students took the opportunity to close the year on a high note during Friday's extended lunch on the Quad as part of the Associated Student Body's Field Day, one of many events designed to mark the end of the school year and celebrate the graduating seniors.
For hours on end, a black line is all you will get to see. Back and forth, until you memorize the amount of tiles there are. That’s the basis of swimming, but people don’t go to pools for the excitement of befriending the floor.
Should high school students who change schools be barred from playing sports? The answer from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) seems to be, "It depends." CIF should simplify its transfer eligibility guidelines to allow more transfer students to play school sports.
MJ Sushi opened a branch of their popular restaurant in the Mayfield neighborhood of Palo Alto at 2305 El Camino Real, a well-chosen location for Stanford and Paly students as well as other local residents.
The Palo Alto High School's rendition of "Mamma Mia!", a classic musical featuring songs from the popular Swedish pop group ABBA, will immerse all theatergoers in a captivating story about a young bride's quest to discover the identity of her long-lost father.
Featuring singers in self-made outfits, the Palo Alto High School choirs will perform the annual Pops concert to the theme of ‘style’ on Thursday and Friday in the Performing Arts Center.
From stick domes to a chalk mural, Palo Alto High School’s Visual and Performing Arts students will showcase their exhibitions throughout the campus starting next week for the annual Art in Unusual Places celebration.
![Playing the role of high school student Jim Wang, Asian American actor Ben Wang delivers an announcement in the newly released TV show American Born Chinese. According to Rosalie Chiang, an actress who plays Suzy Nakamura in the show, the increase in cultural representation in Hollywood has had a positive impact. “The Asian community in Hollywood is expanding, [and] the film industry is definitely going in the right direction,” Chiang said. (Photo: Disney Plus)](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/162467_1336_v1_5a287da0-900x600.jpeg)
![Senior Lara Lew-Strass talks to two Duveneck Elementary School students during Early Childhood Development’s field trip to the school. According to ECD teacher Hillary McDaniels, the trend of dropping enrollment can actually bring some benefits for schools.
Were [the district] primarily funded through our property tax dollars, McDaniels said. Overall when our enrollment shrinks that actually, should be more money per student, not less money per student. But theres also the concept of being fiscally responsible which is important to our district as well, so you need to find that balance. (Photo: Leena Hussein)](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3318-900x675.jpg)
![Newly opened restaurant at Town and Country Village, Palmettos Superfoods, boasts fully customizable açaí bowls and fruit smoothies. Palmettos offers a wide variety of delicious choices. According to CEO Charles Lee, Palmettos has been a hit among customers and students at Palo Alto High School. “I think everyones been liking it,” Lee said. “Its a great addition, especially because you guys [students at Paly] havent had that here.” (Photo: Celina Lee)](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DSC_0003-e1683585309218-900x600.jpg)
![Junior Mars Bau, senior Emily Wang, junior Ariel Hong, senior April Wu, sophomore Shuya Lam, senior Franklin Wang, and junior Vincent Chen pose in traditional Chinese attire on Lunar New Year on Feb. 1. These seven were among Paly students who celebrated the new year on campus, highlighting the lively spirit as well as cultural significance of Lunar New Year. For Junior Ariel Hong, “this [dressing up] is one way to express and celebrate that [Lunar New Year], what with all the tension between countries going on right now, especially on the Lunar New Year, which is arguably the most important holiday in Chinese culture.” (Photo: Jonathan Chen).](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cny-4-900x532.jpg)
