Celine Chien
(She/Her)
Menlo Park
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M-A Chronicle
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High school sports, community events, culture, food reviews, local politics.
Articles by Celine Chien
Senior Snapshots, Quarter Four: Family
Read about the eight seniors' third-quarter responses . One of the most outstanding principles about families is that of unconditional love-support provided not from a need for self-benefit, but rather out of pure love. Who we consider family goes beyond our immediate family members or those who we're related to by blood.
Senior Snapshots, Quarter Three: Childhood
Read about the eight seniors' second-quarter responses . Our childhood upbringing shapes our present selves. The way we navigate our passions, friendships, worries, and insecurities in high school often stems from aspects of our past. We spoke to our eight seniors and asked them about memories from their youth and reflections on their growth. Click below each senior's profile to learn about them and special memories from their childhood. Click here to learn more about Lexi.
Bear Bites: Roost & Roast's Fresh Thai-California Cuisine
Nestled in the back corner of Palo Alto's Town and Country Village lies a humble, modern Thai-inspired chicken joint. Roost & Roast is known for its crispy, delicate Hat-Yai style chicken, a popular southern Thai fried chicken topped with fried shallots. Served in a quick and lightweight bento box, the traditional Thai flavors get a California twist with an array of fresh vegetables.
AP Exam Scores Improve Following Advanced Classes Removal, 2024 Data Reveals
This year's AP exam results have shown continued rise from previous years following the removal of M-A's advanced freshman English, freshman biology, and sophomore chemistry courses. For many of these classes, these scores are the first look as to whether or not removing advanced classes would lead to lower performance in more rigorous classes.
Snapshots from M-A's 2024 Graduation
The M-A Chronicle is a student-managed public forum, dedicated to objective and comprehensive reporting. As the online newspaper of Menlo-Atherton High School, we seek to celebrate the successes of our high-performing school as well as highlight the voices of those living on the margins. Written, produced, and edited entirely by students, we present a variety of stories about our diverse school community in a factual and unbiased manner.
Breaking News: More than 1,000 SAT Tests Canceled at Oakland Testing Center - M-A Chronicle
Over 2,000 students lined up along the block of the Oakland Marriott City Center hotel this weekend to take their long-awaited digital Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), but more than 1,000 of them emerged from the testing center without solving a single problem. Even after several hours of waiting in the large hall, their tests were canceled due to Wi-Fi issues. To take the exam, students had to connect to the College Board’s custom Wi-Fi network.
M-A Community Reminisces on Memories with Troy Franklin Following NFL Draft
Photos courtesy of Adhir Ravipati, Jenna Carson, and Matt Macleod. Franklin, who is currently at the Rookie Mini-Camp in Denver, was unavailable for an interview. The M-A Chronicle spoke with former head football coach Adhir Ravipati, alum (‘22) Matt MacLeod, and teacher Jenna Carson on their most treasured moments with Franklin––both on and off the field. “Troy is like my little brother.
Denver Broncos Draft M-A Alum Troy Franklin ‘21
photos courtesy of Noah Eisner On Saturday morning, M-A alum ‘21 Troy Franklin was selected as a fourth-round pick and 102nd overall for the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft. At M-A, Franklin was ranked as the No. 2 overall wide receiver in the nation under former head coach Adhir Ravipati.
Our Ideological Split: How Gen-Z’s Women and Men are Growing Increasingly Apart
In severe cases like South Korea, this divide has contributed to population decline, and something similar could manifest in the United States, where people are apprehensive towards dating people of opposing political beliefs. Party-affiliation filters on dating apps like Bumble and Tinder that allow users to sift through potential partners based on their political beliefs have become increasingly popular.
Finding My Wings: Karina Flores
In addition to her brother, Flores was also one of the oldest of 45 cousins, making her grow up with the pressure of being not only a role model, but also a translator and babysitter. “I always knew I had a really big part to play in my family,” Flores said. “I remember helping my mom study for her U.S. citizenship test when I was in second or third grade while I was learning about American history.” Flores joined the Tinsley program in second grade and attended Las Lomitas and La Entrada.
Finding My Wings: Ziomara Navarro
Although her family is from Mexico, Navarro was born in the United States. She grapples with the in-between of not fitting in fully with either culture. “I know that I’m not fully Hispanic, I also am American. I feel like my country doesn’t really accept people like me that much. They see us as aliens,” she said. For Navarro, the biggest struggle is still facing stereotypes. “They take one look at me and just see a bum that doesn’t care about school. And in reality, I love school.
A Look Inside the M-A Kitchen
Every semester, the kitchen receives a new schedule and menu that they hang up along the side wall of the serving counter. For this semester, one of the popular menu items are grass-fed burgers. There are also more vegetables and fruits on the menu, with vegan and vegetarian options every day of the week, from meatless gyro wraps to basil-tomato mozzarella sandwiches. Despite working at the District for more than two decades, working at the kitchen still requires her to learn new things every day.
Finding My Wings: Lan Nguyễn
Nguyen struggled with navigating her own identity and fitting in her entire life––even within some Asian-American spaces. “Everywhere I go, there’s a sense of like being different,” she said. “There are people of different ethnicities, so there’s feeling of being different, but when I meet a Vietnamese person, there’s some feeling of excitement and solidarity. When I go to Vietnam, it feels home, even though it’s not my home.
Girls Basketball Ease to Playoff Victory
On Saturday night, the girls basketball team obliterated the Mountain View Spartans 52-26 in their first CCS playoff game. Sophomore Lita Fakapelea won the tip-off on behalf of the Bears and made a corner three-pointer in the same possession. While both sides showed intense defense, M-A was consistently a step ahead of the Spartans.
Girls Basketball Edge Out Menlo in Close Game
Photo credits to Derrick Stamper The girls’ basketball team defeated the Menlo Knights 41-37 in a close battle on Thursday night, Improving their record to 6-4. In the first quarter, the Bears and Knights competed consistently to push for a lead, with intense defense on both sides–––the teams engaged in early press defense, and both committed consecutive steals and fouls, resulting in turnovers on both ends.
Bear Bites: Good Food at Chùa Giác Minh
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ahn and Celine Chien Just off 101, nestled between the IKEA and the Home Depot, is the oldest Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in Northern California. At 12:30 p.m. every Sunday, after the temple’s morning services, both attendees and other members of the local community flock to Chùa Giác Minh for their vast selection of traditional and affordable Vietnamese cuisine.
Demystifying Detracking: Answering Your Questions
Sophomore Shawnak Shivakumar said, “Going from MCLV to AS English II was definitely a very difficult transition. Every single essay in MCLV was open note, and we could bring them home. No essay in MCLV ever resembled the type I write in AS English II where it is timed, handwritten, and on demand.” According to MCLV teacher Erin Walsh, while past MCLV classes used to have some non-timed and typed essays, the curriculum structure is still changing and adapting to students’ needs.
Detracking - M-A Chronicle
AP English, Biology, and Chemistry scores have all increased. On Wednesday, the SUHSD Board of Trustees avoided taking a clear stance Eight detracking topics questions answered by advocates, students, and teachers. The M-A Chronicle debriefs on the SUHSD-wide draft-report on detracked classes.
Students Spook Menlo Park Downtown in 2023 Halloween Hoopla Parade
On Saturday, Menlo Park hosted its annual Halloween Hoopla celebration. With game booths at Fremont Park, trick-or-treating along Santa Cruz Ave, and a special performance by the Hillview and La Entrada concert bands and orchestras, the parade entertained hundreds of families. Middle-school students decked out in costumes from Luigi to Starbucks baristas, Oompa Loompas, and pirates as they marched along Santa Cruz Ave, greeted by families rushing to take pictures.
Moments from 2023 Homecoming Rally
Celine is a junior in her second year at the Chronicle. She loves everything about journalism, especially taking photos, talking to community members, and using her writing to advocate for underrepresented voices in her area. Celine is on M-A's debate team and loves to cook and spend time with her family.
Darnise Williams Implicated in LAUSD Pay Scandal
According to the , former Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams collected over $78,051 in extra pay without proper documentation while working at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Williams was one of at least ten employees who, in total, collected more than $750,000 from 2017-2020 without proper approval.
Breaking News: Police Update After Friday Incident
This is an update from Atherton Police Commander Dan Larsen on the police incident described in this article. “Atherton PD was dispatched to M-A following a call for service when a subject was reported to have pushed a school administrator against a wall and yell homophobic slurs at him. Rather than cooperate, the subject walked away from police and resisted. The officers on scene grabbed the subject’s shirt to prevent his escape and the subject continued to pull away and fell to the ground.
The Music Moment: Los Hermanos de Oro
Attending one of Los Hermanos de Oro’s performances is like witnessing something magical. Hours pass by as they play without pause and you see their laughs and smiles as they captivate the crowd. Song after song after song, an audience gathers, dancing and singing along with occasional whoops and cheers. Feeling the energy they give to the crowd, you realize they are far more than just a trio of high school musicians.
Bear Bites: Where to find the Best Peking Duck
Driving down El Camino Real, you will pass an emerald green awning plastered with four red Chinese characters and the words “Hong Kong Restaurant” printed in small white letters. The restaurant fills up on weekends, bustling with locals. Hong Kong Restaurant, which opened in 2000, specializes in home-style Cantonese and Chinese cuisine. Hong Kong Restaurant is more than just a place to find a quick, cheap, and delicious meal—it also serves as a special gathering place for families and friends.
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