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Articles by Micaela Rubinsky
Bear Bites: Dive into Spanish Culture With Palo Alto's Macarena Restaurant
Located in downtown Palo Alto, Macarena offers a vibrant entry to Spanish cuisine. With ambient lighting that sets the mood for a relaxed and laid-back dining experience, the atmosphere is elevated with even better food. Although some dishes fail to satisfy expectations, there is no doubt that Macarena lives up to its traditional and cultural front. Croquetas de Jamón ($10): 7/10 The Croquetas de Jamón appetizer is irresistible.
Girls Lacrosse Suffers Landslide Loss Against Sacred Heart
The girls lacrosse team was defeated by the Sacred Heart Gators 19-3 in a tough match on Monday evening. Despite immediate pressure from the Gators, the game started out in favor of the Bears. While the draw started with the Gators in possession, junior midfielder Auden Jones' quick steal allowed the Bears to push downfield. Within the first two minutes, Jones put the first points on the board after she found a gap in the defense and scored.
Senior Class Pulls a Series of Harmless Pranks During Prom Week
In celebration of their final departure from M-A's campus, the class of 2025 organized a series of pranks that took place throughout Prom week. Here's a recap: Monday 4/21 With the sun shining down on campus, the seniors transformed the Green into a day at the beach. Mountains of sand were poured out onto the grass, as students, dressed in their beach attire, layed out with pool floaties. "It's very M-A," social studies and economics teacher Jack Neumeier said.
Track and Field Team Race to Success at Third PAL Meet
M-A's track and field team raced in their third PAL meet against Aragon and Carlmont on Wednesday afternoon. On the girls end, the team was led by senior Sara Nordlund, who delivered a standout performance at the meet, finishing first place in the 200M, 400M, and the 100M hurdles.
M-A’s Most Significant Demonstrations Through Time
Protests and demonstrations have long served as powerful tools for change, amplifying the voices of communities that might otherwise go unheard. With it’s rich history and diverse student body, M-A has often found itself in the midst of confronting conflict, stemming from both within the District and nationally. M-A’s students have consistently utilized their resources to stand up for what they believe in.
Jamila Reinhardt ‘07 On Rugby, the Navy, and Firefighting - M-A Chronicle
At just 34 years old, Jamila Reinhardt ‘07 is a firefighter for the San Francisco Fire Department and has also built careers in rugby and as an officer in the United States Navy. Born in Fresno, Calif., Reinhardt grew up with a strong military presence. “My dad was in the military, and was stationed in Fresno for about a year until he got new orders to be relocated,” she said.
Julia Marks ‘18: From Math Major to Wildland Firefighter
“I was studying to be a math teacher,” Julia Marks ‘18 said. Now a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Marks is dedicated to enhancing the safety of agricultural areas from wildfire risk. Marks grew up in Menlo Park in a lively and outdoorsy household with an older brother and two younger sisters. She attended Oak Knoll Elementary and Hillview Middle School, participated in Girl Scouts, and loved camping as a child.
What Trends Might Soon Go Out of Style?
In a fast-paced world of fashion and social media, trends come and go at lightning speeds. Here’s a look at some trends M-A students think will fade as 2025 inches closer. Sophomore Olivia Fong is sure jorts will soon be out of the loop. “All the trends, especially with styles of jeans, just come and go every year,” she said. “People who wear jorts right now are going to find a new style of jeans in 2025.
Fresh(men) Impressions
Every August, a new batch of freshmen shuffle into the halls of M-A awaiting a fresh chapter of their lives. There’s no doubt that entering high school can be frightening, but it is also incredibly exciting. See how some freshmen feel about M-A after their first month. Sophia Nguyen Sophia Nguyen, who arrived from Burlingame Intermediate School (BIS), recalls being excited about starting high school.
Style Watch: First Day Fits
With the new school year comes a new wave of fashion trends and popular styles. To see what these trends might look like and what new styles appeared over the summer, we walked around campus and spotted students with unique outfits. We found a lot of casual, chill attire with lots of Birkenstocks and thrifted denim. See for yourself below: Junior Casey St. Clair rocks his “relaxing but comfortable” outfit on the Green.
Many M-A Students are Not Planning On Having Kids, Here's Why
As societal norms undergo changes, generational cohorts such as Gen X (1965-1980) and Gen Z (1997-2012) have different views and perspectives on various aspects of life, including parenthood. Recently, there have been more opportunities for Gen Z to be independent. Young women can get increasingly more job opportunities than ever before, allowing them to create a stable, independent life for themselves.
Dissenting Opinion: PRA Requests Support Teacher Accountability - M-A Chronicle
On March 6, 2024, the M-A Chronicle published an opinion piece titled, “Opinion: Ethnic Studies Records Requests Do More Harm Than Good.” The article referenced two Public Records Act (PRA) requests issued by third-party organizations that followed a controversial lesson that was given to three Ethnic Studies classes.
Three Camps for an Outdoorsy California Summer
With summer just 5 weeks away, many M-A students await their return to their summer camp programs. However, if you’re still struggling to find the right fit for you, there are various local summer camps and away camps for students to attend. From day camps to sleepaway camps, we interviewed M-A students to help them decide how to spend your summer. If you’re looking for a sleepaway camp that includes all the fun activities you can imagine, then Skylake Yosemite Camp is the right fit for you.
Boys Volleyball Comfortably Sweep Serra
Photo credits to Bob Dahlberg On Monday, the boys’ volleyball team beat the Serra Padres in three sets. This dominant victory added to the Bears’ excellent 17-4 record this season. The Bears started off strong, winning their first set 25-16. Senior libero Aden Swartzberg set the team up for success with his point-winning digs and consistent passes, shown in his 200 receptions this season. In the second set, M-A took an early 12-4 lead before the Bears’ coach Michael Manalo called a second timeout.
Parents Hesitant to Enroll Their Children in New T-K Programs
Just over two years ago, Belle Haven Elementary established a free T-K program in East Palo Alto which prepares young children for kindergarten by improving their motor skills and providing them with fundamental education basics like learning the alphabet. Though all California public school districts are required to offer T-K per SB 1381, families can decide whether or not to have their children attend these programs and it appears many families are not taking advantage of the new program.
The Seal of Biliteracy: Why All Students Should Complete It
Established in California on January 1, 2012, the State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) is awarded to students who successfully complete four years of a foreign language or make their way up to level four of the language, indicating the ability to read, write, and speak bilingually at a high level. The SSB aims to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity.
Intercultural Leadership and LUMA Host Second Sabor Latino Event
photos courtesy of Valeria Prado Last Friday, March 15, M-A hosted its second Sabor Latino event, a celebration of its diverse Latin American culture. The event included performances from several bands, including Los Hermanos De Oro, dances from M-A’s Baile Folklórico club and Baile Hispánico club, a delicious taco food truck, a DJ, piñatas, and more. Clubs such as Latinos Unidos de M-A (LUMA) and Intercambio attended the event.
Lack of Mirrors in Bathrooms Upsets Students - M-A Chronicle
Out of the twelve bathrooms on M-A’s campus, only eight currently have mirrors. In those bathrooms, students can’t look at themselves when they want to touch up makeup or fix their appearance during school. Sophomore Alli Schindler said, “A couple weeks ago, one of my contacts fell out in class. I went to the bathroom to put it back in, but I had a really hard time finding a bathroom with a mirror.
Data Science: A New Math Pathway?
In 2021, California educators released an updated draft of the California Mathematics Framework (CMF) approving Data Science as a substitute for the Algebra II graduation requirement. Data Science offers students a new math pathway that is more project-based than Algebra II and Calculus classes—with students using computer models for calculations so they can spend more time on analysis and application.
New Testing Room Helps Decrease Student Stress Levels
A new testing room was created in D-24 for students with accommodations. Previously, students with accommodations for a small test setting or extended time took tests in the Zen Den. “The space was a bit cramped, especially because the testing took place in a small area,” said Nicole Ho, M-A’s small setting test coordinator.
Style Watch: Team Sweats
As M-A sports return and the weather gets colder, sweatpants are back in style. Starting last year, multiple sports teams at M-A have started making team sweatpants to help get through the cold at games, weekly practices, and school. The cross-country team greatly influenced this trend. Senior Sofia Melani, the creator of the team’s sweatpants, said, “I realized that we should make cross-country sweatpants when I borrowed [M-A alumni] Chloe Pilette’s sweatpants before a race.
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