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

Students sat in circles scattered across the gym floor on Monday in the Peery Center, filling out a handout and sharing their opinions regarding improving the school, one out of many bonding activities organized by the organization ignite2unite. Junior Samuya Kundu said she found the event enjoyable and memorable. “I think it was really fun, and it was really energetic,” Kundu said. “I wasnt sure what to expect at first, but I think it definitely did exceed what I was originally thinking.” (Photo: Kristine Lin)
ignite2unite event strengthens school spirit among students
Kristine Lin March 29, 2023
From square dancing to practicing spirit cheers on Monday in the Big Gym of the Peery Center, Palo Alto High School students are looking forward to increasing student participation and school spirit in future rallies through the unique community-building opportunity arranged by ignite2unite.
Former student and math teacher Arne Lim will lead the Palo Alto High Schools Alumni Association, the Alumni & Friends of Palo Alto High School. Lim has laid out ambitious plans for the association to connect alumni and recognize the achievements of former students. He also wants to connect alumni to current students, such as through attending school events. One of the charges that Id like to take now is to try to get a stronger presence of the Alumni Association in this community, Lim said. But we cant do that without the schools help. (Photo: Daniel Garepis-Holland)
Former teacher Arne Lim brings new vision to alumni group
Anna Feng and Daniel Garepis-Holland March 28, 2023
No single moment defined former math teacher Arne Lim’s decision to take over the Alumni & Friends of Palo Alto High School. For Lim, it was rather a desire to give back to the community and share his love for the school that paved the way for him to become the new chairperson of the alumni association.
As Palo Alto continues to struggle through a storm that began Monday night, neighborhoods throughout the city, including scenes on Emerson Street, are suffering from the damage of fallen trees and powerlines caused by the storm. Students across the Palo Alto High School campus, including junior Rori Escudero, faced a power outage as a result of the harsh storm, forcing many classrooms to adapt to their new environment without Internet and light. “I was in AP Lang and we [Escudero’s class] had to change our plans because of the power outage,” Escudero said. “We have hand sanitizer on every table so we put our flashlights under the hand sanitizer for light.” (Photo: Kristine Lin)
Heavy winds damage infrastructure, schools, neighborhoods
Payton Anderson, Editor-In-Chief • March 14, 2023
The Palo Alto community continues to suffer from the aftermath of toppled trees and damaged power lines after high winds tore through the city this afternoon.
A school bus arrives at Palo Alto High School to offer students a ride home. Two new electric buses will be replacing diesel buses like the one seen above starting in April. According to PAUSD Chief Business Officer, Carolyn Chow is enthusiastic about the change.  This is very exciting for us Chow said.
District to add long-delayed electric school buses
Anna Feng and Shreyas Shashi February 27, 2023
In an effort to go greener and reduce carbon emissions, the Palo Alto Unified School District will add two new electric school buses after spring break. 
Senior Felix Blanch looks at the Wall of Redirection after school on the side of the Haymarket Theatre. Following a compromise between Palo Alto High School administration and the Associated Student Body, the formerly named the Wall of Rejection was rebranded to endorse positivity and to encourage opportunities that can arise from rejection, according to Principal Brent Kline. According to ASB senior class president Ashley Hung, no matter the name, the wall is meant to embrace rejection and endure it together. “We’re probably all going to be rejected by colleges, and the wall serves as a message that rejection is normal and human,” Hung said. “It brings our class together through shared experiences and helps create a culture that although what we’re going through can be difficult in the moment, we’re all in this together.” (Photo: Leena Hussein)
Wall of Redirection replaces Wall of Rejection
Avi Srinivasan and Leena Hussein February 22, 2023
Following a decision by Palo Alto High School Administration and the Associated Student Body, the unofficial Wall of Rejection is now rebranded as the Wall of Redirection.
Early Childhood Development nominated for county award
Early Childhood Development nominated for county award
Sophia Yang and Anna Feng February 22, 2023
Although a sometimes-overlooked elective pathway, the Early Childhood Development program at Palo Alto High School is getting greater recognition this week through a prestigious county award.
Sophomore Cormac White watches the baseball team take on Monterey from the dugout during the Mar. 1st home game. White made the Palo Alto High School varsity baseball team but is ineligible to play because of the California Interscholastic Federation Transfer Eligibility Guidelines. “Rules are rules, and I get it,” White said. “Obviously I’m really disappointed, but theres nothing I can do to change them.” (Photo: Shreyas Shashi)
Opinion: CIF should let transfer students play
Joseph Kessler and Shreyas Shashi March 14, 2023
Viking junior Alaap Nair throws the ball at a Bellarmine College Preparatory player to regain possession Thursday night at the Central Coast Section semifinals. The Palo Alto High School Vikings lost to the Bellarmine College Preparatory Bells, 40-56, in a game summarized by Bell dominance. According to Bell head coach Alex Sarrett, the team always has to work towards the next game so that they can improve themselves constantly. “We’re never a finished product,” Sarrett said. “Our fundamentals are always going to be our fundamentals, our non-negotiables will remain the same, and we will emphasize those and double down on them.” (Photo: Annelise Balentine)
Boys' basketball falls to Bellarmine in CCS semifinals
Maxwell Zhang, Ketan Altekar-Okazaki, and Nathan Jiang February 25, 2023
Sophomore Cormac White watches the baseball team take on Monterey from the dugout during the Mar. 1st home game. White made the Palo Alto High School varsity baseball team but is ineligible to play because of the California Interscholastic Federation Transfer Eligibility Guidelines. “Rules are rules, and I get it,” White said. “Obviously I’m really disappointed, but theres nothing I can do to change them.” (Photo: Shreyas Shashi)
Opinion: CIF should let transfer students play
Joseph Kessler and Shreyas Shashi March 14, 2023
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.
38 in the garden is Frank Chis new documentary on basketball sensation Jeremy Lins Linsanity period. It primarily speaks about Lins growth in his career, but hits close to home with a vibrant representation for Asian Americans. (Photo: 38 at the Garden)
Column: Linsanity, not just a basketball phenomenon
Ashton Chow November 29, 2022
While former basketball sensation Jeremy Lin is not currently spinning around and performing 180 degree dunks anymore, his legacy will continue to last as a symbol of the long-forgotten notion that despite having all odds against you, anything is possible.
Junior Zoe Hayward (left) and seniors Rebecca Helft (center) and Arielle Blumenfeld (right) rehearse a scene from Palo Alto High School theater programs latest show, Mamma Mia! The production is the first musical in four years hosted in the Performing Arts Center. According to lead actress Zoe Hayward, after two months of hard work and countless rehearsals, the Paly Theater is officially presenting its enactment of “Mamma Mia!”. “It was a pretty fast rehearsal process,” Hayward said. “We started right after winter break, and there were tons of rehearsals from then until now, so timing was definitely a challenge. But we definitely overcame it and worked together, and it came together in the end.” (Photo: Leena Hussein)
Don’t wait, take a chance on “Mamma Mia!”
Ketan Altekar-Okazaki and Maxwell Zhang March 14, 2023
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.
Students perform at the Palo Alto High School Pops concert in 2019 with the theme of ‘2000s party in the PAC.’ According to Choir junior Kyle Lehman, the Pops concert gives singers the freedom to sing songs they choose. “The Pops concert is unique because every student can do a solo song duet or a group song if they want to, and so we have a lot of people who are doing songs by themselves,” Lehman said. (Photo: Soumya Jhaveri)
Choirs to perform ‘style’ Pops concert
Jonathan Chen and Benjamin Grimes February 9, 2023
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. 
Art in Unusual Places to take place next week
Art in Unusual Places to take place next week
Leena Hussein, Christopher Choi, and Evan Chien January 28, 2023
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. 
Students, staff, and parents will come together 7 p.m. Saturday to watch a major motion film provided by Palys Film Club. According to club president, Bennet Hardy, this will not be the last film he and his collaborator senior Asa Deggeller will present. “Asa and I [will] attempt to show more classic films in the future,” Hardy said. (Photo: Johnathan Chen)
Preview: Film Club to host major motion picture in PAC
Shreyas Shashi, Reporter • January 27, 2023
Members of the Palo Alto School District are invited to a movie screening 7 p.m. Saturday in the Palo Alto High School Performing Art Center.High School Performing Art Center.