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
Joy Tan

Joy Tan, Managing Editor, Director of Visual Operations & Business

Joy Tan (class of 2026) joined The Voice in her sophomore year and enjoys taking photos and hiking.

All content by Joy Tan
Senior Brendan Giang talks to friends in the in Palo Alto High School's Performance and Arts Center after acting in Paly's theater show the "Crucible" Saturday night. According to Giang, he loves telling stories through multiple mediums. "I really enjoyed telling stories, whether it be acting in plays, making movies or writing," Giang said.

Beyond the Lens: Student filmmaker turns stories into actions

Joy Tan, Managing Editor, Director of Visual Operations & Business
November 21, 2025
Icelandic jazz inspired pop singer Laufey Jin Bing sings at the Oakland Arena on Monday Sept. 29.

Laufey brings whimsy to Oakland Arena

Joy Tan, Managing Editor, Director of Visual Operations & Business
October 13, 2025
Senior cheerleaders Cailey Quita and Lasaides Voorhees smile at the stands.

RISE raises awareness

Joy Tan and Ava Knapp
October 8, 2025
Verbatim: Students reflect on reactions to Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting

Verbatim: Students reflect on reactions to Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting

Joy Tan and Jeshurun Wang
September 29, 2025
Junior Camila Luz tempers her chocolate, preparing for her next batch of orders. According to Luz she loves cooking because for her it's a creative outlet. "I like that with cooking, you can really throw anything in there", Luz said. "it's process where I can expand my creativity by adding new flavors and not be afraid."

A sweet hustle: how one student cashed in on a chocolate craze

Joy Tan, Managing Editor, Director of Visual Operations & Business
June 1, 2025
Viking second baseman sophomore Justin Fung swings in a Viking victory against the Milpitas Trojans Friday at home. According to Milpitas head coach Zach Canez, the Trojans needed to remain competitive despite falling behind early on. "Playing a complete game was important," Canez said.

Vikings shut out Trojans, head coach earns 200th win

Ava Knapp and Joy Tan
May 5, 2025

City hosts Earth Day event to spread awareness about climate change

Joy Tan and Ava Knapp
April 28, 2025
The "extra small group" performers from the Palo Alto Dance teams' jazz/contemporary piece "Eight" points to their first-place award in United Spirit Associations National Competition March 23 in Anaheim, California. According to dance team sophomore officer Karin Blumenfeld, the pressure of continuing the team winning streak was a standout moment at nationals. "A big mindset this year coming off of two wins in the previous year after not having won for a very long time was the expectation on us to win," Blumenfeld said. "There have been so many years where we haven't [won] and we were definitely super nervous, but we pulled through."

Dance team wins nationals

Joy Tan and Lise Concolato
April 3, 2025
Palo Alto High School administrators say they have leads on identifying an individual they allege was responsible for posting flyers Sunday on campus with what they called 'inappropriate information'. According to Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson, students should seek help if needed. "If someone feels threatened, they can come see us and we can give them some support," Berkson said.

Administration receives leads in effort to identify ‘inappropriate’ flyer distributor

Ava Knapp and Joy Tan
March 28, 2025
Cougar senior Cade Memeo jumps over Viking senior Jorell Clarks' block during a Division 3 CIF playoff game Tuesday night at Palo Alto High School. Viking head coach Jeff LaMere said CIF games are always a battle and unpredictable. “Anybody can beat anybody, and that's the exciting part of this tournament, and we're fortunate," LaMere said.

Boys’ basketball defeats Foothill in first round of CIF

Andrew Zhao and Joy Tan
March 7, 2025
Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) stares into the mirror, frustrated as she examines her aging face in "The Substance."

‘The Substance’: The price of perfection

Joy Tan, Managing Editor, Director of Visual Operations & Business
March 2, 2025
Viking senior Isaiah Phillips pushes past Cougar defender in the first round of the Central Coast Sectionals Tuesday night in a home game against the Evergreen Valley Cougars. According to Viking assistant coach Jim Bitler, the team's success is driven by their dedication and unity. "The kids that we have at this basketball program [and] their willingness to sacrifice and compete at a real high level and come together as a team," Bitler said. "It’s been really special to watch."

Boys’ basketball defeats Cougars in CCS quarterfinals

Joy Tan and Navya Narayanan
February 27, 2025
Senior Amani Fossati-Moiane follows through on a shot.

[Photo] Head tennis coach retires after 28 years

Navya Narayanan, News Editor, Webmaster
February 20, 2025
Sophomore Stella Guo holds a piece of glass in the furnace to heat up her new project. According to Guo, she suggests eighth graders interested in taking the course to do preview research before getting their hands straight into glass blowing. “Start by watching for two months and then start doing it, because if you don't do that it's really dangerous,” Guo said. “Glass blowing can be really intimidating, but as long as you watch and watch our teacher do it for a few times and you start doing it to be a lot better.”

Glassblowing expands to after-school sessions

Veronica Qiu and Joy Tan
February 11, 2025
Trojan junior Dylan Nguyen shoots the ball.

Boys’ basketball first in league after defeating Trojans

Joy Tan and Andrew Zhao
January 19, 2025
Viking senior Jorell Clark sets up a block in a rivalry game against the Gunn Titans at Gunn High School on Saturday. According to Gunn assistant coach Sky Runser, despite losing the game it was a worthwhile experience. "It was a great rivalry," Runser said. "It's fantastic to watch the players play against people they played with and against all throughout their childhood. They all know one another and the crowd is fantastic."

Boys’ basketball defeat Gunn Titans in rivalry match

Joy Tan and Joyce Ma
January 14, 2025
Viking wide receiver Jeremiah Fung prepares to play offense against the Aptos Mariners in the semifinals of the D3 Central Coast Playoffs, 7 p.m. on Friday. According to tight end Malcolm Phillips, despite the season's unfortunate end he looks forward to playing next year. "It's over with this team, but I'm really excited for next year," Phillps said. "A lot of young guys with a lot of promise and I think our coaching staff is going to be able to make us better and improve a lot during the off season."

Vikings end their season with loss to Aptos

Joy Tan and Andrew Zhao
November 27, 2024
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
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
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[Photo] Santa Clara DA battles Cambodian labor trafficking

Ava Knapp, Editor-In-Chief
November 18, 2024
Beneath an ivy-covered pagoda in Stanford West Park, Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education candidate Josh Salcman speaks to the community and answers questions on why he has decided to run for school board. According to Salcman, the district needs to ensure that all students feel safe and included. "It's really important we make sure that if students feel like an outsider or face any sort of expressions of hate or discrimination or things of that nature, we figure out strategies to try to address that," Salcman said. "That's not something that any students at our district should have to face."

Board candidate Salcman calls for personalization

Nathan Jiang and Joy Tan
October 29, 2024
Kicker Lara Saslow, a junior on palo Alto High School boys' football team, looks towards her team, waiting to jump into a drill. Saslow needs to not only juggle her multiple classes, but at the same time, dedicate time and energy into her two sports -- boys' football and girls' flag football. "It's pretty stressful balancing flag, tackle, and school, "A big part of it is being on varsity and having to go to morning practice."

Football player forges path for future female athletes

Ava Knapp and Joy Tan
September 26, 2024
Verbatim: Students, teachers react to school phone bans in the U.S.

Verbatim: Students, teachers react to school phone bans in the U.S.

Joy Tan, Managing Editor, Director of Visual Operations & Business
September 20, 2024
Llew Ladomirak dives into the pool for her Central Coast Section freestyle race on May 4. Ladomirak, a junior at Palo Alto High School, recently committed to New York University and competed at this year's CCS. "I won CCS individually in the 200 meter freestyle," Ladomirak said. "I was so happy and proud of myself because last year I got 4th, so I really improved in that race. I was super nervous for CCS but we had such a fun team this year that it ended up being an awesome meet."

Champion swimmer commits to New York University

Motoko Iwata and Joy Tan
May 29, 2024
Viking infielder senior Ari Smolar-Eisenberg prepares to swing in a Viking Victory against the Gunn Titans at home on March 20. According to Palo Alto High School assistant varsity coach Mason Burke, the Vikings' victory was a reflection of their confident mindset. "It was the attitude, just the confidence to go up to any battle and just bring their best to every game and every practice," Burke said.

Vikings blow out Titans in rivalry match

Joy Tan and Kevin O’Brien
April 22, 2024
Unleashing the beats at Quadchella, Spring Spirit Week

Unleashing the beats at Quadchella, Spring Spirit Week

Ava Knapp and Joy Tan
March 29, 2024
Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) looks in horror as a army of fire nation soldiers approaches them.

‘Avatar The Last Airbender’: The Avatar returns

Alex Chang and Joy Tan
March 27, 2024
Seen through a hole in the fence, a construction worker walks across the newly renovated deck of the Tower Building. The recently planted grass in front of the Palo Alto High School Tower Building sparks excitement for the long-awaited construction to end around the school According to junior Parker Anderson, he is eagerly anticipating for the building to be open to students. " I look forward to being able to spend more time there [...] and also just being able to see what it [Tower Building] will look like," Anderson said. (Photo: Divij Motwani)

Verbatim: Students, teachers react to upcoming completion of Tower Building

Veronica Qiu and Joy Tan
March 26, 2024
Viking freshman outside hitter Tiam Maurstad hits a ball over Falcon senior right-side hitter Scotty Rich and freshman middle blocker Anson Hulme. The Palo Alto High School Vikings lost to the Saratoga High School Falcons, 0-3, Friday night at Saratoga. According to Viking senior assistant coach Reine Schultz, the Vikings performance will improve after injured players return. "Once we have our full team back, I do believe we will become unstoppable," Schultz said. (Photo: Joy Tan)

Vikings volleyball boys outplayed by Saratoga Falcons

Joy Tan, Managing Editor, Director of Visual Operations & Business
March 18, 2024
Strength and conditioning coach Anthony Thomas sets up the weight room in preparation for another session with the Paly Football Team. According to Athletic Instructional Leader Peter Diepenbrock, Palo Alto High School is late to the game in implementing a conditioning program. "Most, if not all of the top athletic teams in the area have had a strength and conditioning program for many, many years," said Diepenbrock. "We are very, very late."(Photo: Joy Tan)

Viking athletics enters new era with a game-changing program, coach

Ava Knapp and Joy Tan
March 13, 2024
Junior Kashi Tuteja (left) and sophomore Amily Zhang (right) hold up a "W" for their win after finishing the 38th Annual Stanford Invitational online debate as co-champions over the weekend. According to Lincoln-Douglas debate coach Adrian Youngquist (center), the students fully deserved the win for their hard work. "It really showed how hard work pays off when you actually do it," Youngquist said. (Photo: Amily Zhang)

Debate team wins Stanford Invitational

Kristine Lin and Joy Tan
February 17, 2024
Circles of water leak through the Palo Alto High school's library ceiling. With heavier rainfall recently, flaws in the library's infrastructure are becoming more apparent and the librarians are requesting for reconstruction of the roof. According to Assistant Librarian Deborah Henry, the water damage began in 2019 when the library opened, and it has been an ongoing problem since. "It's imperative that we get the roof fixed," Henry said. "It should have been fixed when they remodeled this building.”

Library ceiling sees worsening water damage

Joy Tan and Veronica Qiu
February 13, 2024
Palo Alto High School Viking senior midfielder Richard Ogawa defends the ball from a Homestead High School Mustangs defender during the boys' varsity soccer game on Tuesday. The Vikings defeated the Mustangs, 4-0, keeping their chance to qualify for the Central Coast Championship alive. According to Mustang head coach Adam Clarke, both teams were extra eager to win given what was at stake. “Tonight was brutal," Clarke said. "We needed to win to make the playoffs, and we also knew that Paly also had to win. There was a lot at stake coming into the match”. (Photo: Joy Tan)

Boys’ soccer dominates Mustangs

Joy Tan and Ava Knapp
February 8, 2024
Viking junior defender Polina Van Hulsen keeps the ball away from Mustang attackers during the varsity soccer match on Tuesday against the Homestead Mustangs. Throughout the match, the rain poured down making it hard for the players to play. According to Vikings head coach Jeremy Romero, the Vikings came into the game with something to prove. “Our mindset [coming into the game] was to just continue to prove to everyone that we deserve to be on top of the table,” Romero said. “We need to go out there and show everyone what we're capable of, and that's winning every game that we play." (Photo: Ketan Altekar-Okazaki)

Girls’ soccer ties with Homestead in rainy match

Ketan Altekar-Okazaki, Joy Tan, and Alex Chang
January 19, 2024
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