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Official page of Cupertino High School's student-run newsmagazine and online publication, The Prospector.

12/16/2024

Cupertino High School’s Choir took the stage for their annual holiday concert on Thursday, Dec.12, and Friday, Dec.13.

Each choir sang renditions of classic holiday songs, including Chorale singing “Mr.White Christmas” and Cantos singing “Children go where I Send Thee.” Alongside their classic red dresses and suits, each choir performed with additional holiday props, including reindeer antlers, santa hats, fake wigs and sombrero hats.

The show featured different soloists from all choirs, and showcased acts beyond singing, including guitarists and tap dancers.

Said Julia Knodel, a senior and member of the Capella choir, “[I’m] really excited and happy that all of the hard work of the past few weeks is paying off. I’m a teacher assistant for the Cantos choir and they have been putting a lot of effort into their set. My choir had to work so fast to get ready for our gigs and I’m very proud of everyone’s work ethic. I’m sad that it’s my last holiday concert, but this makes me so excited to see what we’ll do next semester. I also couldn’t ask for a better last holiday show.”

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12/14/2024

On Friday Dec. 13 at lunch, students gathered on the science lawn for “Coopertino Barnyard,” where they were able to relax with some fluffy farm animals and destress before finals week. Students had a fun and unwinding time petting sheep, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

Said Sophomore Neha Shaik, “I loved petting the sheep, Champ, because he was soft and fluffy. [...] I had a lot of fun at the barnyard, and seeing all the animals definitely made me less stressed for finals week.”

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12/11/2024

With the weather cooling down and the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year coming to an end, students and staff gathered in the gym on Friday, Dec. 6, for Cupertino High School’s annual winter showcase rally. The rally featured a variety of student performances including a drummer, a singing ensemble and a band.

Senior Ajinkya Ranade, member of Cupertino’s capella choir, was part of the sextet that put on a rendition of “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)” by 1950s vocal group The Chords. Ranade shared that the group began preparing for their performance two to three weeks prior to the rally, but have been singing together for quite a while.

“Our biggest obstacle throughout this was coordinating with everyone and arranging the piece so we could all sing, especially when transitioning in and out of the guitar solo,” Ranade said. “Learning the piece by ear was also hard.”

The Associated Student Body commissions and individual class councils also played a crucial role in ensuring the rally was successful.

“We began planning around mid November,” class of 2028 vice president Irene Yang said. “We started to get the materials for decorations and posters, and assembled the poster the week of the rally.”

Despite facing scheduling challenges with the other class council members throughout the planning process, Yang expressed excitement for future winter rallies.

“The showcases are what made this rally stand out, and I really enjoyed seeing such talented people at our school perform,” Yang said. “I am proud of our class for our class spirit, and also our council because of how smoothly the rally went by.”

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12/09/2024

The classes of 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 collaborated to host Jingle and Mingle, a social for all grade levels on Friday, Dec. 6. The event took place on campus in the quad and cafeteria, and offered a variety of interactive activities such as slime-making and ornament-decorating. Students were also able to purchase festive food and watch a movie with their friends to end the week on a relaxing note.

Said senior and 2025 class vice president Shreya Sinha, “In ASB, all of the presidents and vice presidents wanted to do a ‘de-stress before finals’ type of event for each of our classes, so we decided to do a combined event for the whole school.”

Class officers began setting up for the social immediately after school to kick start the event. “We had a decent amount of people from all classes show up throughout the whole event,” Sinha said. “I think the gingerbread house decorating competition went really well because we had a few groups decide to sign up at the last minute and make houses with their friends, and overall the atmosphere was really competitive and fun.”

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12/09/2024

Students and staff kept it relaxed for Mellow Monday on Dec. 2, kicking off Cupertino High School’s winter spirit week. From patterned pajama pants and tops to cozy slippers and blankets, the campus was ready to relax in anticipation of the upcoming December break.

Students in blue and white flooded the halls, dressed in seasonal colors for Snowed-In Tuesday on Dec. 3.

Anticipating the holiday season, students dressed in festive colors, holiday sweaters, fuzzy socks and Santa hats for Winter Wear Wednesday on Dec. 4. Students accessorized with scarves and mittens to elevate their looks.

Students wore either puffer jackets or plaid clothing on the fourth day of spirit week, Puffers vs. Plaid, on Dec. 5.

To close out spirit week on Friday, Dec. 6, students proudly showed off their class colors to the winter rally: 2025 in red, 2026 in blue, 2027 in black, and 2028 in green.

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12/08/2024

Cupertino High School’s varsity girls soccer team played their first pre-season home game against Evergreen Valley High School on Thursday, Dec. 5. CHS ultimately lost 5-2.

The game was their second of the school year, following three weeks of training.

“I think we did pretty good, but that was our second game so there was a lot of disconnect which led to mistakes,” junior Pearl Lakhani said. “We were low energy first half and second half we picked it up which helped.”

The team’s official league season will begin on Jan. 3.

“I am feeling confident in our upcoming season! We still need to learn how to work together and fix up our rust and build new skills but we are a tight knit team and I think that if we work hard we will do really good this season,” Lakhani said.

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12/08/2024

Cupertino High School’s varsity boys soccer team claimed victory in their first pre-season home game on Wednesday, Dec. 4, defeating Evergreen High School in a match with a final score of 5-1.

Senior and team captain Jerald Liang emphasized that this game demonstrated the team’s young talents and its ability to stay cohesive.

Said Liang, “We have a lot more passion and heart for the last year. The first game of the season, everyone really gave everything they had and was working hard.”

The team has many experienced players who competed in club soccer, enhancing their organization and positioning on the field.

Said junior Kartik Balu, “The team played pretty well on Wednesday, especially for our first game. We were solid defensively and played with the right intensity.”

Balu highlighted areas for growth, including improving player positioning, preventing injuries, fostering team chemistry, and countering opponent strategies.

The team’s official league season is set to begin on Jan. 7, and they aim to maintain their strong performance as they face more challenging opponents.

Photos by Laura Chen
Reporting by

12/06/2024

New podcast episode out NOW. Check us out on The Prospector podcast on Spotify for our exclusive interview with the FUHSD Board of Trustees!

12/06/2024

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, students gathered in the quad to watch the yearly winter formal fashion show. The show featured representatives from each class, demonstrating what attendees to the upcoming dance, Moon River, should and should not wear, with tuxedos and dresses for appropriate wear, and tutus and jeans for inappropriate wear.

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12/06/2024

Cupertino boys varsity basketball kicked off the season with their first home game against Evergreen Valley High School on Saturday, Nov. 30. Throughout the game, CHS was unable to obtain a lead, ultimately ending in a tough loss of 49-36.

Senior and captain Houma Yoshimochi reflects on the team’s overall performance and touches on improvements to hone each players’ skills. Said Yoshimochi, “We just got to keep practicing. [...] We have six days of practice a week, but even outside of practice, we have to focus on what we can do [...], how we can improve as an individual.”

Despite the loss that CHS had faced, Yoshimochi is confident in his team’s ability to improve as a whole and believes in the potential that they harness. Said Yoshimochi, “I know we have more potential than we had two years ago, so I’m more excited because I know we can get better than who we are right now.”

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12/03/2024

As curtains draw back and spotlights illuminate the stage, sophomore Cici Wen leaps into a breathtaking routine of movement and expression.

Wen’s dance journey began at the age of four. Having just moved from China, she began with traditional Chinese dance before later exploring contemporary and jazz styles. More than a decade later, Chinese dance remains her favorite style to perform.

“There’s more detail in hand and facial expressions, whereas contemporary is more [about] your connection with the ground. I like [traditional Chinese dance] better because there’s more freedom,” said Wen.

Wen dedicates at least five days a week to dance, consistently attending lessons ranging from one to three hours long. In addition to balancing consistent practice with her ever-increasing workload, Wen also participates in marching band and numerous other school activities.

Said Wen, “Homework gets a little bit overwhelming sometimes, but I just tell myself, after I finish this, I can just go to sleep, so I have the motivation to do it.”

Across her expansive dance career, Wen has won a national solo title as well as numerous national group awards. Wen remarks on her experience competing and how she finds her rhythm on stage.

“When you’re in front of seven judges, and there’s a [large] audience behind them, it gets really nerve wracking. So you’re really just relying on practice [and] intuition. I still enjoy it, because I get to perform in front of a lot of people, and it’s just rewarding,” said Wen.

Wen emphasizes the love she has for her team and the unbreakable sense of community among them.

“[Our] team has been with each other through thick and thin. We know each other very well, because we’ve been dancing with each other for [almost] ten years,” said Wen.

Above all, Wen has a genuine passion for dance. She remarks on the love she holds towards the art.

“[Dance] is where I can express my feelings,” said Wen. “I can let out all of my anger or frustration from the day. I’m not limited to anything when I’m dancing.”

12/02/2024

In this episode, staffer Noah Kang interviews college counselor Mrs. Amick. You can typically find Mrs. Amick in the College and Career Center on campus, where she guides high school seniors through the complicated and stressful college application process. Through this interview, we gain insight into what this college application season looks like from her perspective.

Available NOW on The Prospector podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

11/30/2024

On Tuesday, Nov. 26, Cupertino girls varsity basketball played Homestead High School in an intense game, ultimately losing 43-40.

Said senior and captain Bahar Javinani, “Considering Homestead is in a higher league, we held our ground really well. The loss margin was so small that making all our layups and free throws could’ve changed the outcome.”

Despite the loss, the team maintained a close point difference throughout the game, with a 19-18 score at halftime.

Adding on, Javinani said, “I’m extremely proud of how much the team has grown over my highschool career. 2 years ago the varsity team was mostly freshmen and sophomores, but now that we’re almost entirely upperclassmen I’m excited for more competitive games like this one.”

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11/25/2024

Cupertino High School’s Proud Pioneer Marching Band and Colorguard took the field to perform their 2024 show on Thursday, Nov. 21 — One Eye Open. They showed the CHS community their progress from the last few months.

The band started out by showcasing different sections, performed their show and finished off by performing “Over the Rainbow.” The band’s director, Gilbert Iruegas, made a speech acknowledging the band staff, parents, and student leaders who dedicated extra time for the show. Additionally, he honored the seniors as they performed as Pioneers for the last time.

Said senior and drum major Devansh Patel, “The idea that I would never perform on Tino turf again after this moment, did bring a few tears to my eyes. But at the same time I felt satisfaction—in the sense that if there was any way I would want to leave band, it would be this way. [...] Having a group like this, which continues trying their best regardless of results is hard to find and I got to be part of one! And because of this consistent effort and pursuit of excellence we do see results—we are going into our grand championships projected to set the highest score in Tino history.”

The band took the field before heading to their last competition of the season in Fresno on Saturday, Nov. 23.

“This season has, in general, been much better than any year I have been part of. Our show design is amazing and unique, our staff is working harder than ever, and our leadership team is the most dedicated I have ever seen,” Patel said.

Throughout the season, there have been some challenges that the band went through, but they successfully made it to the end of their season.

Said Patel, “Unpredictable weather had to make us cut rehearsals, which was a bummer. Burnout is also a challenge in a time consuming activity like marching band—especially when one may not be able to see direct results from the efforts they take. [...] Going into finals I am excited to see what we can achieve!”

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11/23/2024

The rest of The Prospector’s second online edition is available NOW at chsprospector.com!

11/20/2024

In this episode, staffer Alexander Liu discusses with Ben Scharf, a lifelong musician, about his career in music and teaching as well as recent developments in the Homestead and Cupertino High School music program.

Check us out The Prospector on Spotify!

11/20/2024

Dressed in ‘80s-style suits and dresses, the Cupertino Actors Theatre presented its opening production of The Westing Game. Students in CAT managed different aspects of the play’s production, captivating the audience with their impressive set, costumes, and performances.

Said CAT Head of Sound Mary Arslan, “We’re really proud of our set design and our lights this year, especially because everything is built by students.”

Following weeks of preparation and rehearsal, CAT’s production of The Westing Game ran from Nov. 14 to Nov. 16.

Said Arslan before the play, “I’m looking forward to just seeing the audience’s reaction, because during rehearsal, we can’t really see how the audience will react. So it’s really good to hear when people start laughing and stuff during the show. Also, after the performance, when we go behind the theater, all the parents or people that came to watch bring you flowers and tell you how great the show was. I think that’s the most rewarding part.”

After each performance of the three-night run, CAT was greeted with cheers and applause from the audience.

“This year, people have had to really step into bigger roles to figure things out,” Arslan said, reflecting on the show’s overall success. “I think everything’s come out perfectly.”

Photos and reporting by Laura

11/17/2024

Students from all five Fremont Union High School District schools filled M***a Vista High School’s gym for the annual Fantastics Rally on Friday, Nov. 15. The rally was hosted by the Intra-District Council, composed of student representatives from Cupertino High School, Lynbrook High School, Fremont High School, Homestead High School and MVHS.

CHS has two IDC representatives, Lawrence Chen and Kira Liang.

“Planning was a bit hectic, which we expected since Fantastics was moved three months earlier this year,” Chen said. “But we’re really satisfied with the turnout we were able to get.”

IDC is led by a team of executives who manage communication within the council and coordinate information with each school.

“In terms of coordination with all schools we were able to talk a lot through all the board representatives since we’re all from different schools, but for Cupertino we kept them within the loop as much as possible,” IDC Secretary Courtney Masli said. “For IDC Exec, we set aside an entire meeting, constantly talked within our group chat, and made sure everyone and every school was on the same page during our logistics meeting.”

The rally featured friendly competitions, performances and cheer-offs between each school.

“For the performances, we had to make sure there was diversity in school, ensuring that all the schools got a performance group representing them,” IDC Treasurer Samay Sikri said. “For the games, it’s the most on-the-spot part. We plan in advance of what games to play, but in a rally, you can never script what will happen, so it takes a lot of adaptability skills.”

The judging team comprised the Associated Student Body advisors from each school. Ultimately, MVHS won first, LHS placed second, CHS was third, FHS was fourth, and HHS ended fifth.

“It was pretty incredible to see how many Tino students showed up and brought the hype, especially given our historically low turnout,” Chen said. “We had a really lively and supportive student section, and I’m especially thankful for our ASB for all the help with setup and cleanup. I’m super proud of how we did.”

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The Prospector is the student-run newsmagazine and online publication at Cupertino High School in Cupertino, California. We develop and distribute nine print issues every year and regularly post articles and multimedia supplements here on our page, our website https://chsprospector.com/, and our Instagram @chs.prospector.

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