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
Alex Rytokoski

Alex Rytokoski, Sports Editor

All content by Alex Rytokoski
Viking junior Cassie Gracon chases down a ball against a Bear midfielder last season in a tie against the Menlo-Atherton Bears. According to Viking head coach Jeremy Romero, the Vikings are targeting a successful playoff run this season. “I believe our team will compete with the best,” Romero said. “We have nothing but exceptional players and I expect us to make a good run.”

Preview: Girls soccer kicks off new season

Kevin O’Brien and Alex Rytokoski
December 3, 2025
Vikings huddle up for a group photo after an intense game against the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs on Saturday morning at Menlo Atherton High School. According to Viking head coach Deke Rowell, the Vikings have been preparing for tough games like this for a long time. “Over the course of their careers, the team has been preparing to put themselves in the highest seed that Paly’s ever received,” Rowell said. “Being the fourth seed in the open division is quite an honor.”

Girls Water polo closes out a strong season

Andrew Zhao and Alex Rytokoski
November 12, 2025
The Palo Alto High School flag football team's offense is lines up in their first drive of the game against the Wilcox Chargers, Tuesday at home. According to Viking freshman Hannah Carnser, The Vikings weren’t taking their opponent seriously enough. “I feel like we got kind of cocky and we thought it was gonna be easier than it was,” Carnser said. “I think we can focus on improving our hustle and having a better game attitude.”

Flag footballers lose first game in league

Kevin O’Brien and Alex Rytokoski
October 25, 2025
Freshman putting final touches on their "Scooby Doo" themed float. Palo Alto students wrap up the Spirit Week activities with float building. According to Raj, the hardest part of the float building process was deciding on a specific design and coming to a solution. “One of the hardest processes we (Associated Student Body) had when we were planning was that we couldn't really decide on a float design, which caused a lot of chaos,” Raj said. “But we all made compromises, and we all worked together really well.”

Students wrap up spirit week with float building

Kevin O’Brien and Alex Rytokoski
October 17, 2025
Students walks at the Centennial Plaza where Homecoming will take place. According to Associated Student Body Activities Director Alyssa Bond, the planning process for the dance has been extensive. "Students have been responsible for organizing every detail — from selecting the theme and designing the big theme reveal, to coordinating decorations, food, and music," Bond said.

Preview: Dealing decks — “Roaring 20s” to dazzle at Homecoming

Alex Chang and Alex Rytokoski
October 12, 2025
Vikings group together for a team photo after securing their second win against the Monta Vista Matadors on Wednesday night at home. According to Viking senior running back Kailia Leming, the Vikings' additional coach, Nancy Nguyen, has helped the team grow. "We added on coach Nancy," Leming said. "She is on the USA flag football team and I honestly think she's helped our team a lot."

Vikings stay undefeated with victory over Matadors

Andrew Zhao and Alex Rytokoski
September 28, 2025
Marugame Udon counter server adds tempura crumbs and fresh onions to the Nikutama Udon. According to store manager Audrey Dawson, the Nikutama Udon stands out among customers' favorites. "I'd say our Nikutama Udon is the most popular." Dawson said. "My favorite is the Tonkotsu Udon, but it isn't the most loved."

Review: Marugame Udon delivers fast service to University Ave

Alex Rytokoski and Andrew Zhao
June 4, 2025
With a crowd of proud parents looking on, Palo Alto High School sophomore Karin Blumenfeld receives her Rachel Austin award from the science department. According to Blumenfeld, she was honored to win an award in her field of interest. “I am very excited, as I definitely want to explore science more in the future and in college and beyond, so I'm really happy that I got the award,” Blumenfeld said.

Departments honor students with Rachel Austin awards

Alex Rytokoski and Kristine Lin
May 29, 2025
Anton SV Patisserie opened in the Stanford Shopping Center on April 25, bringing fresh crepes to Palo Alto. According to manager Nikhil Doppalapudi, Anton is based in San Jose every day. "We are based in San Jose, that's where our main central kitchen is," Doppalapudi said. "We bring all our products over in the morning and sell them throughout the day."

Review: Anton delivers French desserts to Palo Alto

Alex Rytokoski and Andrew Zhao
May 20, 2025
Verbatim: Students on Spring Spirit Week

Verbatim: Students on Spring Spirit Week

Alex Rytokoski and Kevin O’Brien
April 30, 2025
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
Benjamin Kim Labito for Palo Alto High School's volleyball team serves during Wednesdays home match. According to Paly volleyball head coach Daryl Chan, he wants to work on the team energy. "They keep the energy up throughout the course of the game to be proactive and to make something happen," Chan said. "So that was really exciting to get our bench going, and then we played some really great defense, so our back row was really on fire."

Palo Alto volleyball defeats Knights

Alex Rytokoski, Sports Editor
April 19, 2025
Fourth period band class rehearses under the instruction of band teacher Jeff Willner to prepare for the Palo Alto High school annual Pops Concert. According to junior oboist Alli Katila-Miikkulainen, the swing dance will be a good addition. "It's very fun when the Jazz band plays and then there's an instructor and everyone learns how to do swing dancing," Katila-Miikkulainen said.

Preview: Pops Concert to bring back swing dance

Alex Rytokoski and Ava Knapp
March 14, 2025
Associated Student Body Treasurer Paul Wang and junior Gavin Lin work during second period class. ASB recently removed the class representative role from the ASB constitution. “The main reason we wanted to remove the position was that we felt that most of the class reps weren't holding up to their responsibilities with showing up to class council,” Spirit Commissioner Arabella Guinle said.

Student government to remove class representatives

Alex Rytokoski, Sports Editor
March 13, 2025
Viking Senior Jorell Clark scores a layup over Wildcat defenders in the second quarter of Friday's Senior home game against the Los Gatos Wildcats. According to Clark, the Vikings still keep their head high for the post-season. "We hope to still win a league title, and we hope to win CCS and have another deep state," Clark said.

Boys’ basketball falls to Wildcats on Senior Night

Andrew Zhao and Alex Rytokoski
February 18, 2025
Social Commissioner Jessica Wong and Spirit Commissioner Arabella Guinle are working hard for the upcoming Winter Rally on Wednesday at Palo Alto High School. According to Guinle, the rally is a great opportunity to lift students' spirits and to help them enjoy themselves. “It really has a positive effect on the students and will contribute to our school spirit because it's always a fun time at rallies,” Guinle said.” Everyone is already very hype and the mood during rallies are always really positive.”

Preview: Staff, seniors to clash on court after prom reveal

Alex Rytokoski and Veronica Qiu
January 28, 2025
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