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Articles by Leonardo Lanza
Football Extends Winning Streak Over Sacred Heart
The football team beat the Sacred Heart Gators 14-7 in a tight game on Saturday afternoon. M-A started off the game on defense and was quickly put under pressure. Flags on the Bears, as well as a series of runs from the Gators, pushed the ball deep into M-A’s half. Sacred Heart ran the ball in search of an early lead, but a firm tackle from senior safety Lucca Keighery put the Gators just short on the four-yard line.
Digging Into Boredom
3/10 Digger has all the makings of a massive hit. It has Tom Cruise. Plot twists. Big budget. Satirical commentary. Yet somehow, it fails to deliver on every front. Now, it’s on track to become one of the biggest box-office flops in history. One of the year’s most ambitious releases, Digger alternates between two plotlines, a structure that requires constant attention just to understand the complicated narrative.
Flag Football Narrowly Falls to Carlmont in Competitive Affair
The girls flag football team lost to the Carlmont Scots 12-7 in a close contest on Wednesday afternoon. M-A began the game with offensive firepower. On the second play, a throw by junior quarterback Eliana Clapp* found sophomore receiver Bella Gormsen, who juked two defenders and ran 60 yards down the sideline. Soon after, Clapp connected with senior wide receiver Mo’Rhai Balinton for a touchdown.
Flag Football Routs Burlingame to Extend Winning Streak
The girls flag football team defeated the Burlingame Panthers 20-7 in a convincing victory on Monday afternoon. The Bears’ defense started off aggressively, with senior linebacker Juliana Pandolfo swatting away passes from Burlingame to keep their offense at bay. However, M-A couldn’t match this energy once they gained possession. A series of incomplete passes forced the Bears to punt early in the game, with 4:58 remaining. The first quarter remained a low-scoring affair with many bright moments.
Bailar! Dance and Car Show Showcases Cultural Pride
Vintage cars and lively music filled Belle Haven’s Kelly Park with vibrant energy at the Bailar! Dance and Car Show on Saturday afternoon. The event displayed multicultural spirit, unifying the community through dance performances and festive tunes. Bailar! attracted a diverse audience, featuring senior performances, as well as fun, youthful activities like bouncy houses. Many attendees were intrigued by the collection of four unique cars.
Boys Lacrosse Defeated by Stevenson in Overtime Thriller in CCS Finals
The boys lacrosse team lost in the CCS Division II finals to the Stevenson Pirates 8-7 in an intense match on Saturday afternoon. Stevenson won the faceoff to start the game, but M-A quickly picked up possession off a penalty on the Pirates. The Bears immediately set the tempo of the game, patiently rotating the ball around the Stevenson goal, waiting for an opportunity.
M-A’s ELD Program Creates Supportive Space for English Learners
English Language Development (ELD) is one of the classes offered through M-A’s English Language Learners (ELL) program. ELD is a double-period English class that counts as an elective and aims to help non-native speakers develop English proficiency while adjusting to the school environment. Lisa Otsuka, one of M-A’s two ELD teachers, teaches ELD during first and second period.
Ye's 'BULLY' Can't Quite Land the Punch
5/10 Two years after Vultures 2, American rapper Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) has released his 12th studio album, BULLY. It's a step away from previous AI usage and controversial opinions and a return to his basics: soul-sampling and authentic lyrics. There are some genuine moments throughout, but BULLY still fails to hold up to the success of his earlier works. It's a mediocre imitation of greatness.
Baseball Defeated by Sacred Heart in Tightly Contested Match
The win slipped right through the baseball team's fingers in a close 6-5 match against the Sacred Heart Gators on Saturday evening. The game took place in Stanford's Sunken Diamond, a unique venue that has become a part of M-A tradition. The first inning began with the Bears on defense and senior pitcher Max Brubacher on the mound. The Gators quickly snatched first base, but Brubacher struck out their second batter, stalling Sacred Heart's offense momentarily.
Girls Lacrosse Dominates Los Gatos in Scorching Victory
The girls lacrosse team swept past the Los Gatos Wildcats in a powerful 16-10 win on Friday evening. M-A struck first, winning the faceoff to allow sophomore midfielder Jane Pence to score and give the Bears a 1-0 lead just a minute in. M-A doubled their advantage when senior defender Kelsey Gardner scooped up a loose ball and raced through the defense to finish clinically in the bottom corner to make it 2-0 with 9:20 in the quarter.
Baseball Takes Command in Victory Over Menlo
The baseball team crushed the Menlo Knights 6-2 on Wednesday afternoon. The game opened with quick, efficient plays from both teams. The Knights got on base and scored a run with an RBI through the 5-6 hole in the top of the first inning. However, the Bears responded quickly in the bottom of the first as freshman left fielder Oliver Coupe hit a stand-up double. Shortly after, Ol. Coupe scored on a bad pickoff to second base, concluding the first inning with the score tied 1-1.
Boys Basketball Falls Just Short of Clovis West in NorCals
The boys basketball team suffered a tough loss to the Clovis West Golden Eagles in a nailbiter on Tuesday night, resulting in a 64-60 loss. The Eagles got ahead early, winning the tip-off and easily putting their first points on the board with a three-pointer. However, the Bears responded with intensity as senior point guard Jacob Sutton scored on a pull-up midrange jumper. Free throws and another basket in the paint widened the Eagles' lead to 7-2.
Girls Basketball Dominates Los Altos in CCS Semifinals
The girls basketball team conquered the Los Altos Eagles in an intense and physical game on Thursday evening, resulting in a 58-46 win. With this win, M-A advanced to the CCS Finals on Saturday. The Eagles gained possession off the tip-off, but the Bears responded quickly as senior power forward Lita Fakapelea knocked down a smooth floater to put their first points on the board.
The New Faces of M-A: Transfer Students Share Their Stories
Transfer students arrive at a new school where friendships and routines are already set. Starting over can feel overwhelming, but it also opens doors to new opportunities, and a chance to begin again-here's a closer look at M-A's transfer students' stories. Junior Louis Koide attended a high school in New York before transferring to M-A this year. Prior to M-A, Koide attended a much smaller school with eight periods instead of the six he takes now.
Just Give It a Little Bit of 'Mercy'
Mercy, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, is a sci-fi thriller starring Chris Pratt (Chris Raven) and Rebecca Ferguson (Judge Maddox). The film remains engaging and tense throughout its runtime due to its intriguing premise and real-time storytelling structure. However, while Mercy is entertaining, it fails to leave a lasting impression or deliver a meaningful takeaway because it lacks narrative depth. While Mercy is definitely an enjoyable watch, it fails to leave viewers with a genuine lesson.
M-A's Annual Middle School Concert Exchange Shares Love for Music
M-A's Annual Middle School Concert Exchange hosted students of various ages and skill levels on Sunday. Middle and elementary school students from M-A's feeder schools connected with current M-A students, performing a grand music concert with students of all ages playing together. The event was largely organized by volunteers and William Flaherty, M-A's director of Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra. For Flaherty, the event is about bringing people together through music.
Boys Soccer Suffers Defeat to Newark Memorial
M-A started the game strong, pressing the opposition aggressively and winning back possession of the ball quickly. The Bears kept the ball at their feet for most of the half, patiently cycling it around their defenders while looking for an opportunity to attack. Despite this, the Cougars defended well, not letting the M-A attackers get many chances to score. Just 13 minutes into the game, the Cougars managed to take possession, and a header would give them their first goal to making the score 1-0.
From Turf to Sand, Elise Koo Leads Three Sports
Senior Elise Koo has carved a remarkable path as a tri-sport athlete at M-A, excelling in flag football, soccer, and softball. Koo's athletic journey began at a young age, with her soccer career starting at the age of four and her softball career beginning shortly after at five. While Koo's initial motivation for starting her soccer journey was her parents' strong support, Koo's passion for the game ignited quickly. The game's rapid nature, as well as its social aspects, drew her in.
Is Your Boss an Alien?
Bugonia, the 10th feature film from two-time Oscar-nominated director Yorgos Lanthimos, is both tense and relentless. Adapted from the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet, it's a psychological thriller that blends elements of horror, comedy, and suspense into one two hour package. Each turn is unexpected. Every scene keeps you guessing. Is this all an elaborate joke, or is someone about to get their head blown off?
The Rise of Hacky Sack at M-A
The Green at lunch is a lively place filled with students chatting and playing games like Spikeball and cornhole. This year, a new activity has joined the mix: hacky sack. Groups of students can be found forming circles and juggling the small ball back and forth. Hacky sack's roots go back hundreds of years to East Asian civilizations, such as Japan's Kemari. Its modern version was invented in 1972 in Oregon City, Oregon, by Mike Marshall and John Stalberger.
Boys Water Polo Dominates Burlingame
The boys water polo team battered the Burlingame Panthers, beating them 16-7 on Wednesday evening, making their overall record 11-7. After winning the sprint, the Bears took an early lead thanks to senior attacker Evan ten Vaanholt scoring a goal in the first 13 seconds of the game. Even so, the Panthers weren't far behind and scored a goal of their own a minute later. Unfazed, senior attacker Bryce Winters nailed a shot with 3:46 to go in the quarter, giving M-A control of the game.
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