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Articles by Samika Bhatkar
El Estoque’s staff review recently released media, ranging from Ken Carson’s surprise release to Maroon 5’s latest single This is Volume 7 (2025) of El Estoque’s “Arts & Ent: In Review,” in which staff review recently released media, including albums, movies, EPs, TV shows, books and games. Click the infobox below to see the seventh volume of mini-reviews.
In Review: Volume 7, 2025
El Estoque’s staff review recently released media, ranging from Ken Carson’s surprise release to Maroon 5’s latest single This is Volume 7 (2025) of El Estoque’s “Arts & Ent: In Review,” in which staff review recently released media, including albums, movies, EPs, TV shows, books and games. Click the infobox below to see the seventh volume of mini-reviews.
EE-SPN Ep. 11: NBA Conference Finals predictions 2024-2025
JC: Welcome back to EE-SPN. This is episode 11, and we are here to discuss the NBA Conference Finals for the 2024-25 season. SB: I’m Samika. JC: And I’m Jason, and let’s start. So I guess the two series are Knicks vs. Pacers and Timberwolves vs. Thunder. So which one should we talk about first? SB: We can go ahead and just talk about some fun stats, actually, that I pulled up for both of these series.
Softball falls 25-3 in a crushing loss to Cupertino High School
Friday’s fervent heat and weather conditions slow down the Matadors Attempting to persevere in scorching 80-degree weather at Cupertino High School, MVHS Softball fell 25-3 to CHS on Friday, May 9. The Matadors kept a shorter gap during the first inning, ending with a score of 8-3. However, the team was unable to score during the second and due to missed potential flyouts while CHS scored 10 and 7 runs batted in, respectively.
‘More Chaos’ displays piecemeal technical improvement from its predecessor
Opium-signed rapper Ken Carson’s fourth album is manic and messy Seen as a pillar of the 2020s rage rap scene, Atlanta rapper and Opium label member Ken Carson released his fourth album “More Chaos,” on April 11, a sequel to his previous project “A Great Chaos.” Consisting of 22 songs with no features except for the bonus track “Off the Meter” with fellow Opium members Destroy Lonely and Playboi Carti, the project boasts aggressive vocals and production in a quick 61-minute runtime.
JC: Hi everyone, welcome to the ninth episode of EE-SPN. My name is Jason Chu. SB: I’m Samika Bhatkar. JC: And we’re here to talk about the 2024-2025 NBA Kia Awards. SB: Okay, let’s start with MVP. This is the tightest race I’ve seen in the last couple years for MVP. JC: Yeah, so I think obviously the top two picks are Jokic and Shai, the impact that they’ve had on their teams is both very large. I think there’s clearly an argument for both of them. Like you said, it’s a very close race.
MVHS Saturday Night Live 2025 brings laughter and farewells
Brimming with a chuckling audience and actors bursting with expression, Monta Vista Saturday Night Live, a student-run production organized by the Drama department, was held in the Auditorium on Friday, April 4. The adaptation of NBC’s hit comedic late-night show featured student-written skits, three musical acts and a monologue delivered by its hosts — Special Education teacher Doug Leresche and first-year English teacher Rachel Cassar.
Beyond the surface
Samika is currently a senior and Editor in Chief for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog. In her free time, Samika watches NBA games or cooks with her family. Ananya is currently a senior and Editor-in-Chief for El Estoque. When she isn’t reporting for El Estoque, you can find her binging her favorite shows: “Gilmore Girls” (only the first four seasons), “Grey’s Anatomy” (the first six seasons) and “How I Met Your Mother” (all nine seasons).
In Review: Volume 5, 2025
“Love Hangover” by JENNIE Although K-pop sensation JENNIE and rapper Dominic Fike feel like two characters from separate worlds, their crossover song “Love Hangover” plays to both artists’ strengths, creating a near-perfect collaboration. The song begins with JENNIE singing at a fast pace, repeating phrases such as “fight me” and “who sent you,” as drums play in the background, creating an addictive sound that is unlike any of the artists’ past work.
Restaurant rundown
El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section reviews four archetypes of Bay Area restaurants About the Contributors Samika is currently a senior and Editor in Chief for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog. In her free time, Samika watches NBA games or cooks with her family. Ananya is currently a senior and Editor-in-Chief for El Estoque.
Small business showdown
Amarin Thai Cuisine Overview Brimming with families ordering takeout and small groups sitting down for a relaxed meal, Amarin Thai Cuisine offers polished and satisfying Thai dishes. Uniquely, the restaurant gives patrons two menus: one red and one green, each with their respective meat and vegetarian options. Dim lighting and cozy wooden decor allow customers to comfortably dine while taking their taste buds on an enjoyable trip to experience authentic Thai flavors.
‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’ is Valentine’s Day slop
Let’s hope Drake won’t meet anyone’s madre anytime soon with his immature and juvenile lyricism “When it gets a little chilly, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake album will be right there for you.” Canadian artist Drake announced a collaboration with R&B artist PARTYNEXTDOOR at his surprise “PARTYNEXTDOOR and Friends” concert in August of 2024, and on Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day — the album “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” was released.
In Review: Volume 4, 2025
Following a less-than-successful NBA and G-League career, Liangelo Ball, or G3 Gelo, has taken a different route for his claim to fame: music. The middle Ball brother previewed a snippet of “Tweaker” for streamer N3on and became viral on TikTok and Instagram Reels after a video was taken of the Cleveland Cavaliers listening to the track. “Tweaker” was eventually released on Jan. 3 and stands as the only single yet released by Ball.
Filipino Student Union fosters a community for MVHS’s Filipino students
Co-Presidents Jamie Garcia and Juliana Therese Banes promote Filipino culture in a sparsely Filipino-populated environment When she was in first grade, senior Jamie Alessandra Garcia introduced herself as Filipino, expecting a warm welcome that her other classmates received. Instead, she was met with unfamiliarity. Since then, throughout elementary and middle school, Garcia has always felt a disconnect from her culture.
Administration begins renovations for the F-building
Site Manager Ed Batcheller shares the progress of the project Construction efforts to modernize the F-building began in early January and are set to be completed by August 2025. The project, funded by the Measure G Bond Program, involves significant upgrades to facilities, including “increased square footage for a percussion studio, an instrumental locker room, updated fire systems and improved heating and cooling systems,” according to an email from Principal Ben Clausnitzer.
Varsity Girls Soccer falls to Saratoga High School 2-0
Despite the Matador’s strong defense, the team takes a loss in its 10th game of the season MG: I broke down the line to defend a girl, and I thought I had cover on my back and I didn’t, and the girl ended up trying to get around me, and when I realized I didn’t have time on the ball, I kind of shoved her a little harder. Luckily, there wasn’t a foul that was called, but there could have been.
Interconnected
MVHS community members reflect on their ways of staying connected Click here to view the package. About the Contributors Sophia is currently a junior and a features editor for El Estoque. In her free time, she enjoys watching late-night comedy, listening to music and hiking with her family. Jason Chu is a senior and Features Editor for El Estoque. Previously, he served as a News Editor. He has enjoyed writing since a young age and also loves to play volleyball and guitar.
MVHS students recount the meaning of Christmas to them
How students adapt Christmas traditions to their experiences with culture in Cupertino MVHS students recount the meaning of Christmas to them Pallavi Mallik When she was in elementary school, senior Pallavi Mallik would wake up on Christmas morning each year to the thrill of her mom telling her that she and her brother needed to go on a scavenger hunt to find their Christmas presents.
MVHS students recount the meaning of Christmas to them
In the South, Thanksgiving day usually means three things: Family, football and, most importantly…good food. If you’re lucky enough to celebrate Thanksgiving in the southern U.S. then you know you’re in for a treat with a table full of sweet potato casserole, collard greens, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, mac & cheese, cornbread or oyster dressing and plenty of pumpkin and pecan pie.
Ken Carson’s ‘A Great Chaos’ tour is the epitome of its name
With rays of deep crimson illuminating the stage and the stage curtains finally pulled back, chants of “We want Ken” slowly faded out as Opium-signed artist and Atlanta rapper Ken Carson commenced his “A Great Chaos: Leg Two” concert at the San Jose Civic on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Being his second headlined tour, Carson’s 22-track setlist primarily featured tracks from his 2023 release and third studio album, “A Great Chaos” as well as a few from his debut and sophomore albums.
Rumor has it
For the past month, TikTok edits of Beyoncé and Jay-Z clips from the Grammy Awards have been plaguing senior Deeksha Kemthur’s TikTok For You page. ‘90s rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs’ public arrest has sparked social media users to create conspiracy theory videos about Beyoncé controlling the music industry. Specifically, the videos theorize that her husband Jay-Z was responsible for the deaths of Red Eye and Aaliyah because they would threaten Beyoncé’s success, with users using lyrics from J.
Toxicity on social media
El Estoque’s Opinion section delves into the toxic trends on social media About the Contributors Suhana is currently a junior and an Opinion editor for El Estoque. In her free time, she loves to read NYT editorials, rewatch "Derry Girls" and find new bookstores to explore. Asha Wojciechowski is a Junior and Opinion Editor for El Estoque.
Toxic study motivation reaffirms Cupertino’s classist mentality
We are no strangers to staying up at night, toiling away at our mountain of homework from our numerous AP classes or cramming in last-minute studying for tomorrow’s test. Occasionally, our focus may shift to social media, looking for a quick, easy break from our hours of studying. However, the messages we see on Instagram and TikTok might not mitigate our stress but rather amplify and exacerbate it.
The ‘HARDSTONE PSYCHO’ tour introduces fans to a new era in Don Toliver’s career
As the lights cut, a black-and-white video montage introduced artist Don Toliver riding a motorcycle in theme with the dark, rusty ambiance of the concert, preparing for his entrance on stage. Rapper Don Toliver took the stage at Bill Graham Civic Center in SF for the third show of his “Psycho Tour” on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Vocal Music Director Lofn Young opens up about their name change
EE: Hey there, I’m Samika Bhatkar! Thanks for tuning in today. I’ll be sitting down with Lofn Young, the Vocal Music Director and Music Department Chair to talk about their personal journey of changing their name. EE: Why did you decide to change your name? LY: So it’s been a lifelong journey of wanting to and never really identifying with my own name.
A breakdown from MVHS students of their first month back at school
Corinna Kuo is currently a junior and a copy editor for El Estoque. Outside of school, she practices numerous hobbies, including reading, sewing, and crocheting, in her (very limited) free time.
Social media perpetuates racist stereotypes towards Indian culture
While scrolling through Instagram, De Anza professor Anya Iyengar’s son came across a harmless video of chefs making pizza. However, when her son showed her the comments section, she was hit by unrelated and racist comments directed toward the Indian community.
Future and Metro Boomin’s ‘We Don’t Trust You’ tour proves the duo deserve their flowers
Hip hop producer Metro Boomin and notorious trap artist Future exhilarated Oakland Arena as they took the stage for their “We Don’t Trust You” tour on Wednesday, Sept. 4. The 90-minute concert was divided into three parts, giving structure to the show and allowing fans to anticipate the setlists based on the performers from each set.
MVHS adds new Stagecraft course
Starting this school year, MVHS will be offering the introductory Drama course Stagecraft Tech, which focuses on the technical aspects of running drama productions. The Stagecraft Tech course includes four main areas: Lights, Props, Costumes and Sound, which are covered in the first semester. During the second semester, students will specialize in the area they are most interested in and apply their knowledge to Drama productions.
Staff shakeup
District-wide changes are implemented at the close of the school year As the school year comes to a close, a variety of developments are implemented. From a 10% raise for teachers to veteran teachers stepping into new roles, click HERE to read more about the changes to FUHSD. Samika is currently a junior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog. In her free time, Samika watches NBA games or cooks Indian food with her mom.
Staff changes: Retirements and new roles into the 24-25 school year
New World Language and English Department Leads are instated while Molly Guadiamos retires May 24, 2024 Teacher Changes at MVHS Molly Guadiamos After 30 years of teaching Spanish within the FUHSD district, including serving as a World Department Lead for over a decade at MVHS, Spanish teacher Molly Guadiamos has decided to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
EE-SPN Ep. 6: NBA Playoff Predictions 2024
JC: Hey everyone, welcome to episode six of EE-SPN. It’s been a while but we are back. I’m Jason Chu. SB: And I’m Samika Bhatkar. JC: And we’re here to talk about the 2023 to 2024 Conference semifinals and our predictions. SB: Yeah, let’s start with the Western Conference. I think we can go ahead with the Mavs and Thunder. What do you have? Who do you have winning it? JC: So I think right now, it’s obviously really close. And both teams are performing relatively well, I would say.
Cupertino Library celebrates Free Comic Book Day
Despite gloomy skies and rainy weather, many Cupertino families gathered in the children and teens section of the Cupertino Library on May 4 to check out comic books for their children, as the Cupertino Library hosted a free comic book event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event was supported by Comics Conspiracy, a comic book store located in Sunnyvale.
The golden city
El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section explores the ins and outs of San Francisco Samika is currently a junior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog. In her free time, Samika watches NBA games or cooks Indian food with her mom. Corinna Kuo is currently a sophomore and a staff writer for El Estoque. She is also a member of MVHS's Bella Voce choir and enjoys reading, sewing and tap dancing in her free time.
Losing its shine
When Ayesha Chimnnani, a software analyst, moved to San Francisco in October 2022, she had anticipated that her 2019 Hyundai Elantra would get broken into. Three months later, her car was stolen and wrecked, and when Chimnani reached out to the police for help, she received a less-than-helpful police investigation that failed to hold the suspects accountable.
Nutrition Services Student Council hosts vegan-chili taste test
The FUHSD Nutrition Services Student Council hosted a vegan chili taste test for students in the Student Union during lunch on Thursday, March 21.
State of the art
The recent shifts in arts and entertainment factions Samika is currently a junior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog. In her free time, Samika watches NBA games or cooks Indian food with her mom. Jami is currently a junior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. In her free time, she loves to rewatch her favorite movies, take photos of her friends, and attempt to keep up with her thousands of hobbies.
Shifting consumer behavior
Growing up in Sunnyvale, AP Macroeconomics teacher Scott Victorine would spend much of his time in malls, frequenting the Sunnyvale Town Center Mall with his family or visiting Vallco Shopping Mall with his friends during high school. Before the invention of phones and social media, teenagers needed a place to hang out and socialize, and for Victorine, the mall was a convenient spot. “When I was in high school, It was kind of a thing that we did in the late 90s, early 2000s,” Victorine said.
A knotted habit
SB: Hi, my name is Samika Bhatkar and I’m here with junior Jessie Ko, one of the founders of MVHS’s new Crochet Club, who will be sharing her experience with crocheting. How long have you been doing crochet? JK: About six years now. SB: How did you get into it? JK: So I actually started learning knitting before I started crocheting. It was about three years before I started crocheting.
Power to the piercing
MVHS students’ piercings influence their identities January 24, 2024 Every day when sophomore Ria Sethi wakes up, she looks forward to selecting a pair of earrings to complement her outfit—typically, she’ll pick a dainty pair of thin, gold hoops. Similar to how her parents got their ears pierced at a young age, Sethi had her ears pierced when she was two years old, and she says this practice reflects a part of her Indian heritage.
‘american dream’ serves as a triumphant third solo project
Atlanta rapper and one-time Grammy award winner 21 Savage, known for his gritty and monotonous style of rapping, released his third solo album “american dream” on Jan. 12. 21 Savage released a four-minute trailer for a movie of the same name, starring Childish Gambino and Caleb McLaughlin, prior to uploading the album’s release on Instagram two days later. Spanning a runtime of almost 50 minutes, the album boasts 15 tracks with nine featured artists.
Immersed in India
Recognizing different forms of Indian influenced entertainment in our community At Monta Vista High School, forms of Indian-influenced media and culture surround our whole community. El Estoque’s Art and Entertainment section sought to examine and recognize some of these forms, ranging from clothing to food choices. Click here to read about these experiences. Samika is currently a junior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque.
Immersed in India
As a student body filled with an array of Indian backgrounds, Indian-influenced arts and culture can be found in many corners of our community. From incorporating traditional Indian clothing into daily wardrobes to defining authentic Indian food, click here to read explore how embracing cultural forms of arts and entertainment enables the Indian American community to maintain a connection to their heritage.
Brown girl beauty
As a middle schooler, ’23 alum Amrita Arun would eagerly await with excitement to go to makeup stores like Sephora with her grandma to purchase different lipsticks. With her grandma living in India, Arun rarely saw her and some of Arun’s fondest memories came from these shopping trips together. However, when the pair arrived home to try on the various shades of pink and red lipsticks, the products rarely suited Arun’s grandma while perfectly matching Arun due to her naturally paler complexion.
Teacher talents
Mesmerized by the enchanting backdrops and uplifting songs of “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Sound of Music” as a child, Vocal Music Director Amy Young found herself in awe of how characters in musicals were able to effortlessly sing while simultaneously acting and dancing. By fourth grade, Young saw their first live performance, a production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” which kickstarted a lifetime of professional theater and school-based productions.
Evolution of Book Culture
Examining how different facets of the reading community have changed From the digitalization of books to the evolution of romance novels, El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section explored changes in the reading community. Click here to read about the perspectives on how these changes have affected reading culture. Samika is currently a junior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog.
Saffron, White and Blue
With only 20 dollars in their pockets, senior Vedant Panjabi’s Indian-born parents immigrated to the U.S. 40 years ago. Panjabi says his parents raised him with morals of hard work, integrity and respect — morals he finds coincide with the ideals of Indian American and presidential Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who he plans on voting for in the 2024 presidential election.
Beyond the books
Originally founded in 1912 by Librarian Fanny Jollyman, the Cupertino Library has grown into one of the most popular hubs of the city, with visitors and residents checking out books, visiting its “Coffee Society,” studying or attending events in the 54,000-square-foot facility.
Homecoming 2023
Replaying the 2023 Homecoming week October 17, 2023 Transporting students into a spirit of leisure and excitement, Homecoming 2023 revolved around a vibrant video game theme. A week filled with exciting class skits, spirit days and culminating in familiar homecoming traditions, click here to replay the dynamic events of the 2023 Homecoming week. About the Contributors Samika is currently a junior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque.
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