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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

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...

Director Jeff Willner orchestrates all the Palo Alto High School and Greene Middle School bands performed on Nov. 21 in the Palo Alto High Schools Performing Arts Center. The Paly Greene concert has been going on for almost 30 years according to Willner. "We want all of you green shirts (Greene Middle school band students) to be up here next year," Willner said
Annual Paly and Greene concert spreads upbeat energy
Xander Yap, Staff Writer • December 3, 2024

The orchestral sound bloomed into a beautiful crescendo as the bassoons surged alive along the yellow-green background, the lights perfectly...

Palo Alto residents enjoy a hearty dinner during the first Palo Alto Friendsgiving on Saturday at the Lucie Stern Community Center. According to Mary Jane Moutsanas, who helped coordinate the event, she hoped to bring a greater sense of unity to attendees. "The event has turned out amazing," Moutsanas said. "It's like right here we work on opening ourselves up to each other and feeling like we're all in this together."
First ‘Friendsgiving’ strengthens community, holiday spirit
Kristine Lin and Sophie Zhang November 26, 2024

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, community members are feeling connected after forming new relationships at Palo Alto’s first “Friendsgiving”...

Students sift through piles of clothing at Palo Alto High School’s Thrift Fair during lunch on Friday near the library. According to sophomore Brennan Bailey, he appreciates the opportunity to find affordable clothes and explore different styles. “It positively influences people who maybe don’t have money for clothes, and can come try on stuff,” Bailey said.
Thrift Fair encourages secondhand fashion, connects student styles
William Xue and Kristine Lin November 23, 2024

When school resumes after Thanksgiving break, students will be sporting secondhand fashion thanks to Palo Alto High School’s Thrift Fair during...

Associated Student Body members watch as history teacher Stephen Foug places a thankfulness note onto a poster in front of the ASB classroom during lunch on Monda. Sophomore Tiam Maurstad said that he appreciates ASB's efforts for Thankfulness Week. "ASB's work brings a good spirit to Paly and brings people at school together." Maurstad said.
ASB and Wellness present Thankfulness Week
Ava Knapp and Joy Tan November 21, 2024

To kick off Thanksgiving break, the Palo Alto High School Associated Student Body collaborates with the Wellness Center to bring the spirit of...

Senior Tony Chung and junior Jerry Yan work together on a math problem after school in the Palo Alto High School library.  According to math teacher and club advisor Randolph Mercado, after the competition the math team is now more motivated to improve. "The goal is to go to more competitions and do more math," Mercado said. "They're feeling good about it, but I think they're just happy to do math."
Berkeley Math Tournament adds up to a big win for Math Club
Joy Tan and Xander Yap November 19, 2024
The competition team of the Math Club at Palo Alto High School achieved 10th place overall at the Berkeley Math Tournament earlier this month, and according to math teacher and club advisor Randolph Mercado, this is their best placement in recent years. Mercado said the team has never been focused on the win but rather...
Students sign up for the mailing list at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center's booth during Palo Alto High School's annual Service and Wellness Fair at lunch Wednesday on the Quad. According to sophomore co-president of the Paly YCS Club Tessa Berney, who helped coordinate the event, the fair provided a beneficial opportunity for both organizations and students. 
“One of their [the organizations’] main problems is that they can't really reach students, so this is a perfect way for them to communicate with Paly students and for Paly students to figure out how they can help the community,” Berney said.
Students sought out volunteer opportunities at Service and Wellness Fair
Veronica Qiu, News Editor, Webmaster • November 14, 2024

Students flocked to more than 20 booths advertising volunteer and community service opportunities in this year’s annual Service and Wellness...

Dozens of students roam around in the library Tuesday morning after a lockdown canceled the American Mathematics Competition at Palo Alto High School. A retake is unlikely after a lockdown announcement sprung the school into a lockdown. Freshman Brian Chung said he put in a lot of effort leading up to the exam and felt upset with the disruption. 
“I feel really pissed," Chung said. "I worked really hard for it the whole year. I can’t believe it got canceled."
Lockdown cancels American Mathematics Competition
Veronica Qiu and Amily Zhang November 14, 2024

Over 100 students taking the American Mathematics Competition 10B and 12B face an unlikely retake with their test after a lockdown during testing...

Students shelter beneath desks after a lockdown was issued at 11:24 a.m. for Palo Alto High School. According to Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson, a similar lockdown occurred at Gunn two minutes before the order to lockdown at Paly. “We got a call from a violence hotline that informed us that someone had mentioned in a chat that they were going to commit violence at our school,” Berkson said.
School issues all-clear after lockdown
Celina Lee and Ava Knapp November 12, 2024

Students and staff are back in classes after swatting threats prompted a lockdown at Palo Alto High School on Tuesday morning.  The school-wide...

Viking sophomore Justin Fung scores a layup in the final quarter of the game against the Fremont Firebirds at Palo Alto High School on Monday. According to Fung, the Vikings were hyped to play this game. "I think the mindset coming this game was must win game," Fung said. "I think our energy has been a little low throughout practice, but I think coming in this game on pregame, vibes were really high."
Boys basketball blows out Firebirds
Andrew Zhao and Alex Chang December 19, 2024
Viking freshman Sophia Hill rushes past Lynbrook defender, leading to a mid range hook shot in the first quarter of the game. According to Vikings head coach Kevin Blunt, the team did a good job applying offensive pressure. "What we did well was being aggressive and going to the basket, which got some of them in foul trouble," Blunt said.
Girls’ basketball overpowered by Lynbrook
Andrew Zhao and Kevin O'Brien December 18, 2024
Viking junior Cassie Gracon chases down a ball against a Bear midfielder Thursday night at Palo Alto High School. The fast-paced game ending in 2-2 tie marked an improvement from their early season loss for the Vikings. Vikings’ head coach Jeremy Romero said they had much ambition for the season. "Our goals in the league is to win it. To win it."
Girl’s soccer ties Bears
Alex Chang and Kevin O'Brien December 18, 2024
Tone
Editorial: Vote Chiu and Kamhi for school board
Editorial: Vote Chiu and Kamhi for school board
The Paly Voice Staff November 4, 2024

Editor's Note: We have since been informed on several points made in the editorial and have corrected...

An image of the new iPhone Screen Mirroring application available on all computers running macOS Sequoia.
Apple shifts conversations on phone bans
Divij Motwani and Nathan Jiang October 29, 2024

Following Apple’s September launch event on Sept. 9, iOS 18 and MacOS 15 were released on Sept. 17, bringing an iPhone Mirroring feature that...

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...

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Review: Tang Bar’s hot pot take-out — worth the drive
Allison Ma, Culture Editor • August 26, 2024

The rich aroma of Sichuan spice and savory chicken broth fills the air at Tang Bar, where vibrant displays of fresh vegetables, thinly sliced...