The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The decline of originality in media

The decline of originality in media

Corinna Kuo and Michelle Zheng March 8, 2024

Literature teacher Jessica Kaufman recalls watching the first “Ghostbusters,” which was released in 1984, with her dad as a kid. A few years ago, Kaufman saw a rebooted version of her childhood movie...

Digital book formats have been made prevalent by the digital age.

Rewiring reading

Jami Lim and Lillian Wang November 1, 2023

Growing up during the advent of the digital age in the 90s, English teacher Jessica Kaufman considers herself to have had an upbringing sheltered from internet usage. While people shifted away from physical...

Lisa Smith shows off the multiple stick-and-poke tattoos she did on herself the summer before freshman year, including X’s across her knuckles and a skull.

Forever Inked

Dahlia Schilling and Jiya Singh November 10, 2022

Dragons and flowers are among the most common tattoo designs in the United States. They’re also a few of the many tattoos that English teacher Jessica Kaufman has. Although California law prevents...

Kenneth Gan poses with his pet python Udon in his classroom. 
Photo by Abha Dash

Animal Love

Abha Dash, Staff Writer October 10, 2022
Exploring teachers’ pets and the impact they have on them
50 Questions with Jessica Kaufman

50 Questions with Jessica Kaufman

Mihir Vishwarupe October 8, 2022

Inspired by Vogue's video series "73 Questions," El Estoque sits down with English teacher Jessica Kaufman to ask her 50 questions. Kaufman reflects back on key moments from her life, why she wanted to...

In a spinoff from the New York Times Tiny Love Stories series, these stories are pockets of love within our community

Tiny Love Stories

Anushka De and Oishee Misra February 15, 2021
Finding pockets of love within our community
People arrive at the festival and receive a hand-painted cherry blossom branch on their cheek.

Behind CSF’s Volunteer Events

Emily Xia October 18, 2017
CSF officers describe the events that they volunteer at
‘Iron Chef’ competition leads to sweet success

‘Iron Chef’ competition leads to sweet success

Anjali Bhat December 8, 2013
Six teams of four strategize to create the perfect meal featuring the secret ingredient: peppermint.
Kaufmans flower tattoo spent a total of two hours to ink

Teacher Jessica Kaufman on her love for body art

Shannon Lin January 31, 2013
English teacher Jessica Kaufman reveals her array of tattoos
English teacher Jessica Kaufman (top left) met actor James Franco (top right) at UCLA. English teacher Terry Anderson (bottom left) was in the middle of the paparazzi with actress Marcia Cross (bottom right). Photo illustrations (top and bottom left) by Soumya Kurnool. James Franco picture courtesy of David Shankbone. Marcia Cross picture courtesy of Flickr user Kirk S.

Fifteen minutes of Hollywood fame

Soumya Kurnool October 14, 2011
Teachers share their encounters with celebrities
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