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Articles by Siboney Lynch
Three Takeaways from Wednesday’s Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees convened for its monthly meeting on Wednesday evening. They commended M-A students and staff, approved the creation of a new Tongan class for heritage speakers, and received updates on District construction plans at each site. Recognitions To begin the meeting, the Board recognized the M-A debate team.
Zoe Buck ’20 on Coding and Exploring Different Paths
This is the 127th article in Bears Doing Big Things, a bi-weekly column celebrating the stories of notable M-A alumni. Interested in both economics and computer science, Zoe Buck ’20 was able to find a career that seamlessly integrated both. As a Data Analyst for Bella Private Markets, a consulting firm, Buck supports clients by examining and assessing financial data. During her childhood and her time at M-A, Buck was involved in gymnastics, specifically training in aerial silks.
Boys Swim Team Scrapes a Win over Woodside, and the Girls Fall Short.
The boys varsity swim team continued their winning streak and secured a 95.5-73.5 point victory against the Woodside Wildcats on Friday afternoon. However, the girls varsity swim team came up short, losing 105-65. The meet began to an unfortunate start, with junior Maya Earley obtaining an injury during warm-up that rendered her unable to compete in the meet. Her absence altered relay lineups and likely affected the girls' overall point total.
TIDE Academy Parents Request Temporary Restraining Order On Board
Following the unanimous Board decision to close TIDE Academy on Feb. 4, a group of TIDE parents filed a civil rights lawsuit with the U.S. District Court of San Francisco under the name TIDE Rising. The parents sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Sequoia district to prevent the school's closure for the following year. Ultimately, their request was denied in a March 5 court hearing presided over by Trina L.
Three Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees convened for its monthly meeting on Wednesday. The Board heard updates about the plan for TIDE students' and teachers' transition to other schools in the District next year, a presentation concerning AI use in the classroom, and a policy revision that includes guidelines for teacher response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent activity on campus.
Bear Bites: Steam Brings Authentic Dim Sum Flavors to Downtown Palo Alto
Located along Palo Alto's bustling University Avenue is a quaint open-kitchen dim sum restaurant called Steam. Modern wooden interior design brings a warm atmosphere dulled by the constant playing of mall fitting room music. The kitchen delivers a range of flavors, some overly fishy or bland, and some incredibly delicious. Spinach With Garlic: 5/10 ($19) Though aggressively overpriced and a bit bland, this spinach side still serves as a nice accompaniment to the other dishes.
June Wagner on Her Ever-Changing Relationship With Soccer
"I have wanted to get recruited, pretty much since I was in third grade," senior June Wagner said. Wagner has played on M-A's varsity girls soccer team all four years and is committed to play at Whitman College in the fall. "Both of my parents played collegiate sports, so I knew I wanted to play in college, and I had a really big drive to do that," Wagner said. "My mom played, and I was trying out all different types of sports," she said, describing why she started soccer.
Breaking: Board Follows Through with TIDE Closure in Unanimous Decision
Nearly three months after introducing the possibility of closure to the public, the District Board of Trustees reached a consensus to close TIDE Academy in a special meeting on Wednesday. TIDE is set to close on June 30, and the students currently enrolled will be transferred to Woodside High School for the 2026-27 school year. Before the meeting, the Board hosted a study session on Jan. 26, where staff, students, parents, and community members discussed the future of TIDE.
Rajiv Ayyangar '05 on Perseverance and Startups
"My dad was really interested in startups. He started doing startups in the '90s, so he wanted to move to Silicon Valley," Rajiv Ayyangar '05 said. Following in his father's footsteps, Ayyangar has built a career in the tech world and is currently the CEO of Product Hunt, a website that acts as a leaderboard for startups. Ayyangar grew up in Menlo Park, attending Las Lomitas Elementary School and La Entrada Middle School.
Three Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees convened for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Community members voiced their opposition to the closure of TIDE academy during public comment, Superintendent Crystal Leach presented her plan on looking into the closure and the Board heard the fiscal report from the last three months.
Noah Smith '18 on Making an Impact Through Code
This is the 118th article in Bears Doing Big Things, a weekly column celebrating the stories of notable M-A alumni. From working as a software engineer at a company tracking carbon emissions to creating AI systems to assist 911 dispatch callers, Noah Smith '18 has always strived to make an impact however he can. Smith was raised in the Bay Area, near M-A. "I grew up not too far away from M-A, probably an eight minute walk," he said. At M-A, Smith was widely involved in extracurricular activities.
Testing the Water (Fountains)
Littered with trash and leaves, M-A's water fountains are notoriously repulsive. Seeking to gauge the cleanliness of the school water fountains, we tested five for bacteria growth. After thoroughly swabbing the mouthpieces of five randomly-selected water fountains, we spread each sample in a petri dish with luria broth agar, a nutrient that feeds bacterial growth. We then incubated each petri dish at 78 degrees for 72 hours, with a desk lamp as a heat source in a dark environment.
Patrick Lee '20 on Software Engineering and
This is the 115th article in Bears Doing Big Things, a weekly column celebrating the stories of notable M-A alumni. Through participating in a wide range of sports and clubs, and interning at various companies, Patrick Lee '20 has made a conscious effort to explore and take advantage of the opportunities available to him. Raised locally, Lee attended Las Lomitas Elementary and La Entrada Middle School. Lee played a variety of sports as a child.
Four Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees convened for their monthly meeting on Wednesday. The Board heard public comment and updates on teacher wage negotiations, and approved a new assistant superintendent. Public Comment Dan Molieri, brother to former M-A basketball coach Mike Molieri, was the first to make a public comment. He requested that teachers receive a 10% raise in lieu of compensating administrators.
Sarah Mitchelle '11 Talks the Transition from Consulting to Big Law
Sarah Mitchelle '11's journey to becoming an associate attorney was anything but linear. After majoring in Anthropology and African Studies at the University of Kansas and working in consulting, she attended law school and landed a position as an associate attorney at Gibson Dunn LLP. Mitchelle, whose parents worked at Stanford, was born and raised in the Bay Area. "I grew up going to every Stanford women's basketball game, going to camps on campus.
Sarah Mitchell Ediger '11 Talks the Transition from Consulting to Big Law
Sarah Mitchell Ediger '11's journey to becoming an associate attorney was anything but linear. After majoring in Anthropology and African Studies at the University of Kansas and working in consulting, she attended law school and landed a position as an associate attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Ediger, whose parents worked at Stanford, was born and raised in the Bay Area. "I grew up going to every Stanford women's basketball game, going to camps on campus.
Three Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
Presentation by Robotics Team Junior Vesta Kassayan* presented to the Board about the recent accomplishments of Team 766, M-A's robotics team. Kassayan began by introducing the team. Composed of 68 students led by 12 mentors, Team 776 competes in the annual FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). He described the team as a group organized by roles, like manufacturing, electrical, and outreach.
Grace Baker '15 on Discovering Creativity and Animation
This is the 109th article in Bears Doing Big Things, a weekly column celebrating the stories of notable M-A alumni. Since building a skateboard in Mark Leeper's Woodshop class at M-A, Grace Baker '15 has been drawn to creative projects. Exploring animation in college led them to pursue it as a career-Baker now works as a freelance animator for Wolf Den Studios. Baker grew up in Menlo Park, attending Las Lomitas Elementary School and La Entrada Middle School.
Art Students Revitalize Alleyway by Winning Local Contest
A collection of students, in collaboration with M-A's chapter of the National Art Honor Society, created and installed a four-by-eight foot mural in Redwood City earlier this year. The mural, featuring a San Francisco cable car and poppies against the city's iconic painted ladies, promotes themes of solidarity and community.
Girls Volleyball Surrenders to Sacred Heart
The girls volleyball team lost to the Sacred Heart Gators in three sets: 22-25, 21-25, and 18-25 on Tuesday afternoon. The Bears entered the game with intensity and fervor, but the first set began in favor of the Gators, who got their first points on the board with multiple kills. This initial loss galvanized the Bears into action, leading them to win two points of their own. After a block from senior middle blocker Kayla Greenbaum, the Bears managed to even the score at 3-3.
Kevin Conrad '16 on Building a Career in Patent Law
From running Division 1 cross country to building new software while studying for the LSAT, Kevin Conrad '16 has always been driven and resourceful. Raised in Menlo Park, Conrad's interest in science and technology began early. "My buddies and I were all really excited by the tech challenge at the Tech Museum in San Jose. That was a big deal for us every year," he said. At M-A, Conrad was deeply involved in clubs and extracurricular activities.
Meet the New AVP: Tina Smith
Hailing from TIDE Academy, M-A's new administrative vice principal, Tina Smith, has made a notable impression on the District, even before settling into her position. While teaching AP Biology at Carlmont, she implemented biotechnology programs throughout the District, pioneered the Biotechnology Institute within Carlmont, and launched three AP science classes at Carlmont. Smith attended Aragon High School in San Mateo, where she played soccer, tennis, and softball.
Three Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees convened for their final monthly meeting of the 2024-25 school year on Wednesday. The Board discussed a range of topics, from reviewing the community's satisfaction with District communication to approving the budget for the upcoming school year. Budget Approval As the school year draws to a close, budget considerations for the 2025-26 academic year are in the works.
Engineering Success: A Year with Team 766
Team 766, M-A's robotics team, has had a phenomenal year spearheading new projects and winning various accolades at competitions. The team competes in the annual FIRST Robotics Competition each year, where they construct a robot that is able to perform a task specific to that year in a race against another team's robot. Each team is responsible for building, programming, and advertising their own robot.
Jennifer Rodriguez-Garcia '14 on Her Path to Personal Injury Law
This is the 101st article in Bears Doing Big Things, a weekly column celebrating the stories of notable M-A alumni. "My parents were always big on me making a better life for myself. They were always stressing, 'hey, we want a better life for you than we had growing up.' That really stuck in my mind while I was in high school and college," Jennifer Rodriguez '14 said.
Three Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees met for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 7. The Board recognized bilingual resource teachers and newly reclassified students. They also received a wellness update and a presentation from counselors involved in a program led by Hatching Results consulting. Recognition of Bilingual Resource Teachers and Newly Reclassified Students Superintendent Crystal Leach recognized the District's bilingual resource teachers and their support for non-native English speakers.
Julien Baker and Torres Embrace Country On 'Send a Prayer My Way'
Set against a backdrop of Beyonce's COWBOY CARTER and Chappell Roan's "The Giver," Boygenius' Julien Baker and Torres' Mackenzie Scott have followed the recent trend of extending their traditionally non-country music into the genre. Both raised in the South and on country music, Baker and Torres-two openly gay musicians-grew up with a genre that never felt entirely welcoming.
Ravenswood High School's Vibrant and Consequential Past
Ravenswood High School was a part of the District from 1958 to 1976. When it opened, the school served 629 students from the communities of East Palo Alto and Belle Haven. In 1971, following the Supreme Court's decision in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, the District initiated a busing program to desegregate district schools. As a result, students originally districted to Ravenswood would have the opportunity to bus to other schools in the District, like Carlmont and M-A.
Students Struggle to Find Parking After Permits Sell Out
Each year, M-A distributes 200 parking permits to licensed students who wish to drive themselves to school. A permit is required to park in the student lot-cars parked in the student lot without permit stickers are fined $65, then $75 if the fine is not satisfied within three days. With around 1,050 upperclassmen and numerous freshly licensed sophomores, M-A's parking permits sell out quickly, leaving many students who need permits without them.
Boys Volleyball Overwhelmed by Burlingame in Intense Match
The boys volleyball team lost in four sets to the Burlingame Panthers: 25-17, 21-25, 22-25, and 14-25, on Wednesday night. The Bears started the game strong as junior outside hitter Ben Warner* got the first point of the night with a spike. Senior setter Peter Chriss followed with an influential ace, setting the tone early in set one. After an intense rally, the Bears took the lead, dominating the net and playing impressive defense.
Three Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees met for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 5. The Board recognized the mental health staff at M-A, heard comments from M-A Student Trustees, and received an update on the status of collective bargaining proposals. M-A’s mental health staff received special recognition from Superintendent Crystal Leach for their ongoing efforts to aid students and staff.
Opinion: Your College Won't Determine Your Career
55% of M-A graduates attended a four-year college after graduating in 2024, and 33% of graduates pursued a two-year associate’s degree. Out of those students, a subset compete for limited spots at highly-ranked universities. Many take AP classes, participate in extracurricular activities, and apply for awards to enhance their applications. The expectation to excel is perceptible nationwide, but it’s disproportionately magnified in the highly educated and STEM-focused Silicon Valley.
InMenlo Tells Readers What’s Going on in Menlo (Park)
Joan Brammer passed away unexpectedly on October 29, 2024, at her home in the Hampshire in Merced, California. She was born in Richmond, California, on March 24, 1932. The family moved to Los Angeles during the buildup to World War II as her father, Willard, was an aviation metalsmith. In 1941 they moved to Alameda, where Willard worked at the Alameda Naval Air Station for 27 years.
InMenlo Tells Readers What's Going on in Menlo (Park)
From announcing nearby storytelling festivals to featuring the achievements of a local women’s tennis team, InMenlo is determined to provide Menlo Park locals with unbiased and informative news. InMenlo is the brainchild of Chris Gulker, a longtime Menlo Park resident who decided to launch the website in 2009 after learning he was terminally ill. A new type of reporting emerged with the rise of the internet in the early 2000s: hyperlocal.
Peach Pit’s ‘Magpie’ is Undeniably Peachy
When touring in Australia, Peach Pit’s lead vocalist Neil Smith found himself fascinated by the country’s magpie birds. “I wrote Magpie down on my phone when we were in Australia after seeing the birds flying around. I didn’t think too much of it other than, ‘Wow, that sounds like a really good name for a song,’” he told Atwood Magazine. That song is now the title track of the band’s fourth studio album, Magpie.
Who Let the Dogs Out? Campus Opinions on Open-Toed Shoes
Scrolling through thousands of videos on TikTok with #dogsout in the caption, you’re unlikely to see any furry canine friends. Rather, you’ll find toes—or people ranting about how much they hate seeing toes.
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