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
Benjamin Huang

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor

All content by Benjamin Huang
Game of Thrones main characters Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) share a moment together in season 8 episode 2, titled "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

Game of Thrones slain by bad writing

Benjamin Huang and Dylan Zou
May 23, 2019
Palo Alto High School journalism advisor Esther Wojcicki welcomes Lisa Brennan-Jobs to the Media Arts Center for a presentation about Brennan-Jobs' book, Small Fry, in October 2018. Brennan-Jobs said in an interview that her high school experience was at first uncomfortable, but grew to be pleasant. " In the beginning it seems terrifying, and then by the end you feel really comfortable," Brennan-Jobs said. "You not only feel good on campus, you feel maybe good in your own skin too.”

Vike Profile: Steve Jobs’ daughter reflects on high school

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
May 16, 2019
Think you can outsmart your teachers? This one’s on Jeopardy.

Think you can outsmart your teachers? This one’s on Jeopardy.

Jevan Yu and Benjamin Huang
April 24, 2019
The Palo Alto High School boys’ volleyball team rejoices in their victory against Gunn High School 3-0 on Tuesday. Coach Ed Yeh listed the players’ determination to win as a standout quality. “I liked their steel,” Yeh said. “Your character isn’t tested during good times, your character’s tested during hard times … we showed a lot of discipline on our side.” Photo: Benjamin Huang

Boys’ volleyball shuts out Gunn

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
April 18, 2019
Senior Elimination nears its end

Senior Elimination nears its end

Benjamin Huang and Marvin Zou
April 10, 2019
Paly senior Jackson Chryst surveys the court for an open teammate. The Vikings’ Tuesday victory against Gunn capped off their 9-3 league record, and they will head into the playoff season with a five-game win streak. “We have to wait and see where we are seeded, but our expectation is to play hard and leave everything out on the court,” Chryst said.

Boys’ basketball: From underdogs to CCS champions

Benjamin Huang and
March 11, 2019
People Powers CEO Gene Wang discusses what he believes to be the most important topics startups should address. One such topic was the field of bioengineering. “There can be some fantastic startups in this area, things like regenerating organs or muscles, things like creating super strength or endurance, and can you imagine if you had a startup that really figured out how to extend life?" Wang said. "How popular that would be?” Photo: Benjamin Huang

Career speaker series: People Powers CEO discusses startups, success

Benjamin Huang and
March 6, 2019
Students use virtual reality headsets to explore a coral reef in the Media Arts Center on Tuesday. ClimateVision club co-president Allison Brandt said that those who see the ocean up close will care about it more than if they had simply read about it. "The idea is that people won’t be able to care about things they can’t see, so if we can bring it to people through virtual reality, they’ll start caring about the ocean,” Brandt said.

Virtual reality brings the ocean to Paly

Benjamin Huang and
February 24, 2019
'Vice' handles Cheney's story with attention to detail, humor

‘Vice’ handles Cheney’s story with attention to detail, humor

Benjamin Huang and Jevan Yu
February 21, 2019
Palo Alto Unified School District bond manager Bob Golton (left) and Concordia LLC principals Bobbie Hill (center) and Steven Bingler (right) present their vision for a new Cubberley to the Board of Education at a meeting on Tuesday. The new facility is planned to contain amenities such as a skate park, a childcare center, and an amphitheater. “We are also making sure that we are designing space that would be flexible, because we fully understand that what programs exist there [years] from now those buildings should still of great use and viable but may need to be adaptable to a different set of programs,” Hill said. Photo: Benjamin Huang

Board considers pool, makerspace for Cubberley

Benjamin Huang and Kaahini Jain
February 16, 2019
The Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education discusses several new courses during a Tuesday meeting. The board expressed approval of the courses, but will vote to approve or reject them at the next board meeting. “The current events course is fascinating to me because a lot of educators that I’ve talked to have kind of lamented that societal developments tend to move so much faster than curriculum developments, and not just the current events part but media bias, which is such a huge issue when it comes to how we’re educating our students on civics,” board member Shounak Dharap said. Photo: Benjamin Huang.

Students could enroll in medical interventions, audio production next year

Benjamin Huang and Kaahini Jain
February 1, 2019
Palo Alto High School students walk towards the football field after a fire alarm disrupted class during 5th period on Wednesday afternoon. Palo Alto High School junior Andrew Shih, in addition to many other students, will have his testing schedule impacted by the drill in the upcoming week. "I was upset that the fire alarm went off in class because I'm going to end up having to take it [his AP Biology test] Friday, but I already have an APUSH [AP United States History] test," Shih said.

Voice study: How far have Paly students walked responding to fire alarms?

Benjamin Huang and Jevan Yu
January 24, 2019
Senior Andrew Wang wrestles his opponent, Gunn High School senior Koh Suzuki, to the ground during a dual meet against the Titans on Tuesday, which Paly won 41-25. Wang defeated Suzuki with a score of 20-6. "My opponent was looking to do big throws on me and he was a little bit dangerous, but I handled it and I saw the signs … everything was under control," Wang said. Photo: Benjamin Huang.

Wrestling: Vikings triumph over crosstown rival Gunn

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
January 23, 2019
Student board representative and Gunn High School senior Arjun Prabhakar voices his opinion on building affordable housing for teachers at a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. Prabhakar expressed his support for the proposal, saying that if teachers had the time to attend afterschool events instead of spending the time commuting, relationships between students and teachers would improve. "“Teachers being able to go to plays, sports games, all those things where you can see teachers in an out-of-classroom context and maybe get to know them better would definitely help all students feel more comfortable with their teachers," Prabhakar said.

Community voices its support for affordable housing

Kaahini Jain and Benjamin Huang
January 17, 2019
Sophomore Halo Lynch faces off against his opponent, Cupertino junior Ean Bennett, during a dual meet on Thursday at Palo Alto High School. Head coach Jon Kessler said that the team performed well overall. “I thought we did pretty good, maybe more so finishing guys when they were on their back," Kessler said. "We were holding them on their back and doing a better job of keeping them there."

Wrestling: Paly topples Cupertino in first home meet

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
January 11, 2019
This sign stands outside of the Palo Alto Unified School District office, where the administration is busy building a crisis response team to give support to staff and students in the wake of the death Greene middle school teacher, Kyle Hart, was shot after an alleged suicide attempt. Principal Adam Paulson said that the crisis team is instrumental in helping students cope. “Anytime we have something happen in our community we get together in what’s called a crisis team, simply it’s just a nice way to make sure that all students and staff are offered support,” Paulson said. Photo: Margaret Li

Students, district cope with death of middle school teacher

Ria Pai, Gracia Hmelar, and Benjamin Huang
December 11, 2018
Opinion: Mandatory assemblies matter, but students need to believe they do

Opinion: Mandatory assemblies matter, but students need to believe they do

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
December 6, 2018
Changing of the guard for school board

Changing of the guard for school board

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
December 5, 2018
Protesters holding signs and chanting slogans march toward the Palo Alto City Hall. Both old and young attended the rally, which was in protest against President Donald Trump's appointing of Matthew Whitaker as Attorney General. "I do hope young people do get involved," rally organizer Paul George said. "They've been really inspiring to me in this past year ... you don't have to be old enough to vote to be participating in the decisions in our country, so I hope young people will keep that in mind and find some way to get involved on an issue that interests them."

Palo Altans protest Sessions’ replacement: ‘Time to take to the streets!’

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
November 8, 2018
Verbatim: Students' reasons for voting in the 2018 election

Verbatim: Students’ reasons for voting in the 2018 election

Benjamin Huang and Eric Bo-Han Yap
November 8, 2018
Dauber, Dharap lead school board race

Dauber, Dharap lead school board race

Jevan Yu and Benjamin Huang
November 7, 2018
Preview: Generations Day to feature Ring Toss and Name That Tune

Preview: Generations Day to feature Ring Toss and Name That Tune

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 24, 2018
Five Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education candidates appeared at the first school board candidate debate to speak about their goals and policies should they be elected to the board in November. From left: Stacey Ashlund, Ken Dauber, Shounak Dharap, Kathy Jordan, Alex Scharf. Photo: Margaret Li

Meet the 2018 school board candidates

Nisha McNealis, Micaela Wong, and Benjamin Huang
October 22, 2018
A poster for the Paly Choirs’ fall concert, “Sweet Sounds of Nature,” hangs in the student center on Thursday. The concert will feature all levels of Paly choir, as well as the song “Hope is a thing with feathers” by Christopher Tin, a Paly alumnus and Grammy award winner. “It should be a great concert and we’re hoping to see a lot of people there,” Madrigal singer and Paly senior Jessica Weiss said.

Concert to feature piece by Grammy-winning alumnus

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 21, 2018
The Palo Alto High School robotics yard stands empty on Thursday after school. According to build team captain Lawrence Chang, the team’s head coach, Kathleen Krier, has prohibited students from being in a part of the lab without teacher supervision one of several new rules that have caused tensions between herself and the team. “Out of the blue, [she] says that she refuses to supervise the Java shop area,” Chang said. “I ask for clarification … and then she gets really angry at me, saying how I need to stop questioning her authority.” Photo: Benjamin Huang

Robotics team, new coach clash

Benjamin Huang, Jevan Yu, and Eleanor Krugler
October 12, 2018
Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education candidate Alex Scharf discusses his platform. Scharf wants to bring more staff accountability and third-party monitoring to the district, as well as a greater emphasis on content-based education. "A lot of rules are for bullying, mental health, sexual assault, or other things," Scharf said. "When those rules aren’t followed, the people that are benefitting from those rules suffer.”

Alex Scharf: Recent Paly grad running for school board

Benjamin Huang and Marvin Zou
October 9, 2018
Esther Wojcicki, a co-advisor of The Campanile, welcomes Lisa Brennan-Jobs, Steve Jobs' daughter, into the Media Arts Center on Wednesday. Brennan-Jobs spoke at length about writing her memoir, "Small Fry," and the complex topics from her adolescence that it describes. “I do feel like I’m occupying space in a different way than I did when I started it [Small Fry], and that I’m not running as fast from something, and that I don’t feel embarrassed about myself," Brennan-Jobs said.

Steve Jobs’ daughter talks writing, relationship with father

Benjamin Huang and Micaela Wong
October 4, 2018
'Crazy Rich Asians' author talks early life, creative process

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author talks early life, creative process

Benjamin Huang, Eleanor Krugler, and Soumya Jhaveri
October 1, 2018
The candidates running for the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education prepare to answer questions from student journalists and the community. From left: Stacey Ashlund, Ken Dauber, Shounak Dharap, Kathy Jordan, Alex Scharf.

Board candidates want change in district culture

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
September 24, 2018
Verbatim: Paly staff recall shock, uncertainty during 9/11

Verbatim: Paly staff recall shock, uncertainty during 9/11

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
September 12, 2018
Board approves contract for deputy superintendent

Board approves contract for deputy superintendent

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
September 5, 2018
Verbatim: Student activities over Labor Day weekend

Verbatim: Student activities over Labor Day weekend

Benjamin Huang and Marvin Zou
September 4, 2018
New solar panels gleam in Palo Alto High School's parking lot. The panels will begin generating power later this year and will save PAUSD a total of $600,000 over the course of their 25-year commercial life.

Solar panels finished in parking lot, corp. yard

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
August 29, 2018
Students attempting to login to Naviance after Friday of last week were greeted with the above banner. Assistant Principal Katya Villalobos said that the school district's IT department is working on a solution.

College-planning website experiences issues

Eric Bo-Han Yap and Benjamin Huang
August 27, 2018
'Crazy Rich Asians': A feast for the eyes, but lacking substance

‘Crazy Rich Asians’: A feast for the eyes, but lacking substance

Benjamin Huang and Marvin Zou
August 23, 2018
Board envisions revised role for police at school

Board envisions revised role for police at school

Benjamin Huang and Jevan Yu
August 22, 2018
Girls’ field hockey head coach Jenny Crane discusses her thoughts on how her athletes are shaping up. The girls’ field hockey team is currently in its first season at Paly. “I think field hockey is one of those sports where if you’re an athlete and you have an athletic mindset or knowledge, then you can excel and succeed at it,” Crane said. Photo credit: Benjamin Huang

For new field hockey team, it’s all about improvement

Benjamin Huang and Ria Pai
August 18, 2018
Debate heats up over possible CS requirement

Debate heats up over possible CS requirement

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
May 24, 2018
Junior Galileo Defendi-Cho reads a statement in support of building solar panels in Palo Alto High School's El Camino parking lot at a school board meeting on Tuesday, May 24. The board passed a proposal that removed two proposed solar panels in the El Camino parking lot. "we should go forward with installation of the solar panels in the Tower Building parking lot, because it has been identified." Defendi-Cho said. "That it is the best place, energy-wise, to place them.”

School board seeks other locations for parking lot solar panels

Benjamin Huang and Dylan Zou
May 23, 2018
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AP Paulson to replace Diorio as principal next year

Benjamin Huang, Nisha McNealis, and Dylan Zou
May 18, 2018
Anti-abortion activist Anna Hoduski describes her cross-country journey across the U.S. to spread awareness on the anti-abortion movement. Palo Alto High School's chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, a conservative activist group, organized the presentation. "“People every single day stand up to protect eagle eggs and sea turtle eggs, while our own children are being dismembered, burned, and poisoned to death,” Hoduski said.

‘We are survivors of the pro-choice movement’: Anti-abortion activist presents to YAF

Jevan Yu and Benjamin Huang
May 17, 2018
Solar panel construction in parking lot stirs controversy

Solar panel construction in parking lot stirs controversy

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
May 15, 2018
Boys' volleyball trounced by Gunn

Boys’ volleyball trounced by Gunn

Benjamin Huang and Marvin Zou
April 30, 2018
Sophomore Samantha Kao, left, grabs a healthy snack. Parent volunteers served locally grown fruit and granola during Day 1 of Change in Our Schools week, which focuses on issues that need change at Palo Alto High School. "“Change in Our Schools Week is something that the School Wellness and Climate Committee has been working on that is basically a whole week long full of events during lunch time that focus on changes in our school, like bringing more awareness to certain events or certain things that we would like to focus on more as a school," junior Noor Navaid said.

Change in Our Schools Week kicks off with Wellness Grams and healthy snacks

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
April 24, 2018
Video: excerpts from an interview with the staff of The Eagle Eye

Video: excerpts from an interview with the staff of The Eagle Eye

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
April 23, 2018
Verbatim: Student Reactions to Lockdown

Verbatim: Student Reactions to Lockdown

Benjamin Huang, Micaela Wong, and Esther Cao
March 29, 2018
Video: Paly's Got Talent 2018

Video: Paly’s Got Talent 2018

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
March 28, 2018
Senior Stephanie Lee, third from left, embraces her friend, junior Sasha Shahinfar. Lee placed 5th at the speech state qualifier tournament, guaranteeing her entry into the state championship. “I felt so happy because this is my senior year, and I did break last year at state quals, but I never made states," Lee said. Credit: Camila Vasquez

Speech team captain advances to state championship

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
March 8, 2018
The Palo Alto High School speech and debate team poses for a photo. 4 members of the team went undefeated, guaranteeing them a spot at the state qualifying tournament. "I think a big part of our team is the camaraderie we have formed when we work together,” sophomore Kai Vetteth said.

Paly debaters win big at CFL tournament

Benjamin Huang and Eddie Wang
March 5, 2018
Alex (Harry Styles), left, Gibson (Aneurin Barnard), center, and Tommy (Fionn Whitehead), await rescue at Dunkirk in Christopher Nolan's latest film, "Dunkirk". "Dunkirk" has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Christopher Nolan.

‘Dunkirk’ offers a nuanced glimpse of war

Jevan Yu, Finn Mennuti, and Benjamin Huang
March 2, 2018
The district board office, where the Innovative Bell Schedule Committee will convene today to discuss the final Palo Alto High School bell schedule.

School schedule to be finalized by ISC after months of heated debate

Benjamin Huang and Dylan Zou
February 21, 2018
The Innovative Schedule Committee deliberates on the features of the new schedule, designated "80M". Notable changes present in 80M include the elimination of C days in favor of an alternating bi-weekly schedule and Flex time for students and staff on even days. "I'm pleased with the schedule, but of course there's trade-offs", Committee member and senior David Foster said.

Schedule Committee recommends dramatic changes for 18-19 school year

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
February 21, 2018
Photo: DreamWorks

‘The Post’: A stunning reminder of the power of free press

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
February 15, 2018
Video: Game of Throws gala show

Video: Game of Throws gala show

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
January 30, 2018
Staff edges out students in Winter Rally basketball game

Staff edges out students in Winter Rally basketball game

Benjamin Huang and Allie Feitzinger
January 23, 2018
Sophomores Junacio Henley and Jamir Shepard, Junior Dwayne Trahan shoot hoops in the Peery Center's Large Gym. The Associated Student Body will hold the Winter Rally basketball game between students and staff in the Large Gym on Jan. 23. "We hope to have a huge turnout because this is a really fun event and a cool Paly tradition," Junior Site Council Representative Riya Kumar said.

Staff, Students to go head to head in Winter Rally

Benjamin Huang and Samantha McBride
January 23, 2018
Senior Will Schmutz prepares to face off against his opponent during the first round of the tournament on Monday. Photo: Benjamin Huang

Senior duo snags win at ASB Ping Pong Tournament

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
December 10, 2017
Douglas Booth voices Armand Roulin, a postman's son trying to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding Vincent Van Gogh's death. Photo: BreakThru Films

“Loving Vincent” delivers sparkling visuals but stumbles on storytelling

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
December 9, 2017
Number of Paly students dropping from advanced math lane rises

Number of Paly students dropping from advanced math lane rises

Eric Bo-Han Yap and Benjamin Huang
November 26, 2017
An aerial photo of Palo Alto High School's parking lot. The light blue rectangles represent the proposed locations for solar panels. Photo: Jevan Yu

Solar panels coming to Embarcadero parking lot

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
November 14, 2017
Freshman Miranda Jimenez runs with the beachball to pass it to the next relay station. Photo Credit: Angelina Wang

Recap: Seniors win relay, widen lead

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 26, 2017
Photo: Benjamin Huang

Video: Spirit Week kicks off with Theme Day

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 23, 2017
Junior Maraleis Sinton, a journalist for Verde magazine, helps teach NorCal Media Day attendees the basics of photography. "Working it was an interesting experience because I had to put my thought processes into words, which I wasn't used to since many of the aspects I take into account when taking photos is second nature," Sinton said. Photo: Angelina Wang

NorCal Media Day brings student journalists together

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 15, 2017
Bikers riding down a designated "bike boulevard" on Channing avenue. Bike Palo Alto hopes to raise awareness on how citizens can take advantage of the city's roads by bike. Photo credit: Michelle Le

Educational bike event on Sunday

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 2, 2017
School board to discuss findings from legal report

School board to discuss findings from legal report

Isabella Marcus, Benjamin Huang, and Marvin Zou
September 21, 2017
New AP Seminar class focuses on research, collaboration

New AP Seminar class focuses on research, collaboration

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
September 10, 2017
New wireless network to debut next week

New wireless network to debut next week

Benjamin Huang, Arts and Entertainment Editor
August 25, 2017
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