The Smoke Signal

10/04/2024

On Friday, September 27, Leadership 2 (L2) hosted MSJ’s annual Homecoming Extravaganza (HCX). Featuring food trucks, party games, music, and dancing, HCX brought Homecoming Week to a satisfying conclusion. Read more at thesmokesignal.org.

✏️ Staff Writers Felicity He & Scarlett Huang

05/30/2024

Junior Shardul Marathe won first place in informative speaking at his first-ever California High School Speech Association State Championships. Read more at thesmokesignal.org

05/14/2024

Released on April 19, Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), has been one of the most anticipated album releases of this year. Read the full review at thesmokesignal.org.

By: Staff Writer Lucy Yao

05/06/2024

For our upcoming May issue, the Smoke Signal is conducting a survey on the Class of 2024’s senior aspirations. Please fill out this form by 11:59 p.m. on May 12, 2024 for a chance to be featured in the paper. Thank you!

tinyurl.com/seniormap24

05/06/2024

From April 17-20, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team 9614 Hyperion traveled to Houston, Texas, to take on the FIRST World Championship in the George R. Brown Convention Center. Read more at thesmokesignal.org.

By: Staff Writers Sahas Goli & Jeffrey Li

03/03/2024

Hi everyone, the Smoke Signal will be selling rice rolls during Multicultural Week! Buy a serving for 3 tickets each. Stop by Booth 40 from Tuesday to Friday during lunch this week!

02/15/2024

Mr. Jan (teacher)

How did you meet and what was your first impression of each other?

“I saw a picture of her in the yearbook when I was a sophomore and she was a freshman at MSJ. I thought she was pretty cute, and it was a bonus that she played on the girls tennis team. During my senior year, my buddy and I decided to go watch MSJ [Mission San Jose] destroy WHS [Washington High School] and I got a chance to meet her after her match. My friend introduced me to her and she told my friend that I was cute. Unfortunately, she had a boyfriend at the time.”

What is your favorite activity to do together?

“We love going to eat! We have become foodies in the past 15 years. We like to go to different restaurants to go ham. If you ever see my Instagram, it’s all food! We went to Japan last year and fell in love with the cuisine.”

How long have you been dating and what has been the best memory together?

“We started dating in 2004. Not gonna lie, I was getting out of a long term relationship at the time, and I didn’t expect our relationship to work because we were long distance … luckily it’s still going!”

What is your favorite quality of your partner?

“Kim is my ultimate supporter. She is amazing. When I have goals in life or in general, she is the backbone of it all. She is the one that keeps me up and she is always rooting for me or doing what she can to give me energy.”

Describe each other in three words.

“Super intelligent, selfless, … HOT!”

02/15/2024

Sophie Menon (12) and Aditya Sujay (11)

How did you two meet and what was your first impression of each other?

“My first impression of him was that he was really sweet and nice and just seemed like a fun person to be around. I remember noticing that every time he was smiling or singing something, he would stick his tongue out a little which I thought was really funny.”

“We never met until this year in AP Chemistry because she sat in front of me, and we were in the same lab group together. The first thing I noticed about her was probably her handwriting, and it was to copy work because I couldn’t read anyone else’s handwriting. But then, sooner or later, we started talking more in Chem and it kind of just took off from there.”

What’s your favorite activity to do together?

“I would say probably getting boba. We do that a little too much, and it’s a bit of an addiction.”

“I really enjoyed going on walks. Going on walks, especially at night, was really nice.”

What has been your favorite memory together?

“For me, it was probably the very first night that we went on a walk. We were sitting together and watching the stars. It was really romantic and cute, but it was also the first time we got to hang out in person which was really nice, and we learned a lot about each other.”

“Probably going to SF together, just us two. Because I’ve never been to the city without my parents, going with her for the first time was really nice.”

What’s your favorite quality of your partner?

“My favorite quality is probably how he treats other people. He tends to be somebody who, no matter what and how frustrated he is, always wants to be the best. I really admire that.”

“I think it’s probably the fact that she makes it apparent that she cares. I never think twice about her not caring, and it’s really obvious to me.”

Describe each other in three words.

“Thoughtful, dedicated, and caring.”

“Compassionate, observant, and loving.”

By: Staff Writer Ethan Yan

02/15/2024

Kaelin Tsang (11) & Jiaheng Huang (11)

How did you meet and what was your first impression of each other?

“We were in 3rd period English class together, and we sat across the room from each other.”

What is your favorite activity to do together?

“Definitely just hanging out and spending time together.”

“Yeah, we like to go out to eat dinner a lot.”

How long have you been dating and what has been the best memory together?

“We’ve been together for two years. I think one of our best moments together was our one-year anniversary. I think that was one of my favorite moments with her.”

“Mine is his birthday when he turned 16.”

What is your favorite quality of your partner?

“She’s really caring, and she cares so much about me. She always checks in, and sees how I’m doing, and it means a lot.”

“I love how supportive he is. No matter what, he is always there for me.”

Describe each other in three words.
“Sweet, caring, and pretty.”

“Supportive, caring, and loving.”

By: Staff Writer Shuhan Jin

02/02/2024

On January 31, Boys Basketball challenged the Irvington High School Vikings to a spirited Whiteout home game. After persisting through a series of thrilling offensive and defensive exchanges, Varsity Boys acquired a 60-58 victory along with dozens of spectators cheering on the Warriors while wearing spirited white. View the full photo gallery here at: www.thesmokesignal.org

01/26/2024

On January 23, Fremont City Mayor Lily Mei visited C120 during lunch to discuss Fremont’s current problems and social and technological projects along with youth service to society.

By: Staff Writer Ethan Yan

01/26/2024

Released on January 12th, ORQUÍDEAS is Colombian singer-songwriter Kali Uchis’ fourth studio album and second Latin album. Read more about the Smoke Signal's album review here at thesmokesignal.org.

By: Staff Writer Alice Zhao

01/25/2024

Election season is right around the corner? Here are the 2024-25 ASB Candidates running for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Activities Coordinator. Read a short introduction and interview with each of the candidates here at thesmokesignal.org.

01/16/2024

The Smoke Signal application for the 2024-25 school year is out!

The application, tinyurl.com/smokesignalapp2425 is due no later than Tuesday, January 30 at 1:00 PM in M2.

When you are chosen to be a part of the journalism class, you will become a part of the Smoke Signal staff. If you are planning on applying, make sure you have room in your class schedule next year.

Apply to be a part of the Smoke Signal, a student-led organization of unique and talented individuals coming together to inform the MSJ community. While developing a strong journalistic writing foundation in our creative and collaborative environment, you'll also learn real-world skills in leadership, marketing, interviewing, and so much more that will become invaluable for the rest of your life.
If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQ page on our website at www.thesmokesignal.org/faq, or contact [email protected].

12/14/2023

On November 17, the long-awaited prequel to The Hunger Games film series, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was released in theaters. Following the characters of Lucy Gray Baird and Coriolanus Snow, the movie takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster through the origins of Panem’s annual Hunger Games. To read more about the highs and lows of the movie, read here at thesmokesignal.org.

By: Staff Writers Shuhan Jin & Keerti Koya

12/05/2023

On December 7, the Wellness Center will be hosting their de-stress workshop during advisory. Learn more about additional mental health resources at MSJ through the upcoming December 15 edition of the Smoke Signal coming soon!

11/01/2023

On October 31, 2023, Leadership II’s Activities Committee (A-Team) hosted the Halloween Costume Contest, which took place at the amphitheater during lunch. Check out the Smoke Signal’s photo gallery at thesmokesignal.org/2023/11/01/2023-halloween-costume-contest-photo-gallery/nggallery/page/2

By: Staff Writer Alice Zhao

By: Staff Writer Alice Zhou On October 31, 2023, Leadership II’s Activities Committee (A-Team) hosted the Halloween Costume Contest, which took place at the amphitheater during lunch. Check out the Smoke Signal’s photo gallery below. 

10/24/2023

Premiered on October 13, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour stars beloved singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and translates her renowned tour from a stage to theaters. Swifties relived their concert experiences with singing, iconic fan traditions, and more. Read the Smoke Signal’s review now at thesmokesignal.org.

By: Staff Writer Trisha Parikh