• April 26-May 3Spring Musical
  • April 28Red, White, and Blue Awards
  • May 9Last Day to Drop with a W
  • May 16Lynbrook Film Festival
  • May 17Senior Prom
The Student News Site of Lynbrook High School

the Epic
Go Club tournament tests strategy and wit
Go Club tournament tests strategy and wit
Elizabeth Louie helps senior Meghana Babu understand a French passage during tutorial. Photo by Erin Fitzpatrick.
Elizabeth Louie recognized with Teacher-Leader Award
Notable recent events include Lynbrook winning the AP Computer Science Principle Female Diversity award, the VTA strike, a national "Hands Off" protest and the increasing international tariffs. Top left: Photo used with permission from Vincent Varletta/Wikimedia Commons Top right: Photo used with permission from Grendelkhan Bottom left: Photo used with permission from Patou Ricard/Pixabay Bottom right: Photo used with permission from Mahmoud Sulaiman/Unsplash.
Campus, community and world events
The Spring Movie Theater expanded previous movie night events. Photos by Jenny Suh.
ASB Recognition and Social bring the theater experience to campus
Principal Maria Jackson retires after 30 years in education
Principal Maria Jackson retires after 30 years in education
Machine Learning systems such as ChatGPT require scraping the web to improve its capabilities. Websites hosting illegal pirated and copyrighted materials such as Anna's Archives or Library Genesis, thus have its copyrighted materials used to improve AI material.
Unlicensed materials in AI model databases undermine original works
Anushka Deshmukh discovers self-advocacy through her struggles with celiac disease.
Trials and tribulations with celiac
Rohan Kakhandiki learns to appreciate his unique last name over time.
That’s my name, but you can wear it out
Lack of awareness around the prevalence of digital misinformation affects students in the digital age. To combat these concerns, student engagement in media literacy and responsible journalism should be prioritized within schools.
Editorial: Media literacy in and out of FUHSD classrooms
San José mayor Matt Mahon recently proposed a policy to authorize arrest of homeless after refusing help three times within 18 months. This policy falls short of tackling root causes of homelessness and overlooks the true needs of homeless.
Addressing homelessness requires support, not criminalization
Anushka Deshmukh discovers self-advocacy through her struggles with celiac disease.
Trials and tribulations with celiac
Rohan Kakhandiki learns to appreciate his unique last name over time.
That’s my name, but you can wear it out
Junior Irene Hwang offers humorous advice to those without a romantic partner during Valentine's Day.
A single person’s survival guide to Valentine’s Day
Sophomore Saavan Saraf discovered his voice in politics after a long and perspective-changing journey.
Finding my opinions in the world of politics
Junior Brian Lee holds up prayer beads, a symbol of his atheist identity amid his Buddhist family.
A different prayer in a Buddhist household
Lack of awareness around the prevalence of digital misinformation affects students in the digital age. To combat these concerns, student engagement in media literacy and responsible journalism should be prioritized within schools.
Editorial: Media literacy in and out of FUHSD classrooms
Students actively engage in discussions and group activities in their Ethnic Studies class.
Editorial: Federal education cuts threaten ethnic studies programs
In a district wide effort to address student mental health issues, Lynbrook plans to launch a future mental wellness center, preceded by a monthly prototype launching in May.
Future wellness center is a step toward aiding student mental health
Student petitions are an important way of bringing attention to school issues, but the line between serious and counterproductive petitions must be drawn. Graphic illustration by Charlotte Bolay and Crystal Zhu
Editorial: The power of petitions in student advocacy
The FUHSD board should increase outreach opportunities for students to participate in district activities, while students should engage in board efforts.
Editorial: Bridging the gap between district board and students
Sylva Scott cares for her alpaca and other animals at McClellan Ranch. Photos used with permission from Sylva Scott and with Creative Common Licenses.
Caring for alpacas with Sylva Scott
Bolang Zhu, Om Modi and Vikrant Vadathavoor (left to right).
LD debaters speed through limits of debate success
Allen Chan and Toan Phuong work hard to replace security cameras and pick up calls.
Behind the screens with the information technology team
Students prepare for the annual ELD speech competition.
The faces behind annual ELD speech competition
Every day Tara Grande, Thomas Lopez, Johnny Roberson and Tim Wehner serve as the school’s crossing guards.
Crossing into the lives of Lynbrook’s crossing guards
Photos by Lilly Wu. (Lilly Wu)Graphic illustration by Claire Guo. (Claire Guo)
Claire Hsu bakes it up
Jayden Yang makes waves through water polo
Holden Choi finds a career path in his passion for video games
Jason Wu grows passion and creativity through a side hustle
Chloe Chung strengthens connections through vinyl
Aside from the hefty expense of a seat, space tourism also comes with another astronomical price tag: environmental sustainability.
The environmental price of reaching for the stars
San José and the larger San Francisco Bay Area are home to a variety of native species such as the California poppy, owl’s clover and lupine.
The Bay Area’s complex web of native and invasive wildlife
The three branches of government within the Constitution — the judicial, executive and legislative — were crafted to avoid a crisis in the system of checks and balances that prevents one branch from overpowering another.
The possibility of a constitutional crisis in our perfect union
World War II (1939-1945)
World War II (1939-1945)
In the fast pace of modern popular culture where trends seem to disappear before they even start, it is easy to forget their origin and cultural significance.
Subcultures enrich mainstream
Track athletes from different high schools leap over hurdles while bounding toward the finish line. Photo by Akash Anand. Graphic illustration by Anna Cen
Setting track athletes up for success
Athletes, from high school and college, are able to use their popularity and skill for profit through different sponsorships. Graphic Illustration by Amanda Jin.
Name, image and likeness are reshaping the culture of athletics
Dylan Liu and Karen Gao swim to success with record-breaking times
Freshman Alber Wu holds up his foil, standing proudly with his fencing equipment. Photo by Olivia Tu. Graphic illustration by Kieran Hau and Amanda Jin.
Alber Wu discovers his tempo through fencing
Different dance groups on campus perform during rallies, on campus events and larger events outside of school hours.
Campus dance groups share the art of movement
Unwrapping holiday memories
Plucking heartstrings with Lynbrook students’ favorite love songs
Silsilay connects communities across the bay
Teachers take on brain rot terms
Tricks and Treats to making your own Halloween Costumes
Tug, not tackle: Students and staff on girls flag football in Viking athletics
Tug, not tackle: Students and staff on girls flag football in Viking athletics
Approaching 60 years of history: Lynbrook back in the day
Approaching 60 years of history: Lynbrook back in the day
Nostalgic memories, since 2010
Nostalgic memories, since 2010
Vertigo and La Pluma Open Mic
Vertigo and La Pluma Open Mic
Students gathered in the parking lot on March 29 for ASB's first school-sanctioned celebration of Holi.
Adding a little color with Holi
Brain Rot
Brain Rot
Nostalgia
Nostalgia
Gaming the system
Gaming the system
Lost in translation.
Lost in translation.
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/spromfashionshow2025
Senior Prom Fashion Show 2025
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/2025silsilayfashionshow.
Silsilay Fashion Show 2025
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/2025jpromfashionshow.
Junior Prom Fashion Show 2025
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/epicwf25.
2025 Winter Formal: Midnight Masquerade
Sanskriti 2024
Sanskriti 2024
Unwrapping holiday memories
Plucking heartstrings with Lynbrook students’ favorite love songs
Silsilay connects communities across the bay
Teachers take on brain rot terms
Tricks and Treats to making your own Halloween Costumes
Epic staffers Amanda Jin and Irene Hwang give their opinions on the 2025 Oscars nominations. Graphic illustrations by Olivia Tu.
From Anora to Emilia Perez: Our opinions on the 2025 Oscars
Graphic Illustration by Amanda Jin, Alexandra Wu and David Zhu.
Behind the runway
Formula 1: Pit lane Talk
Formula 1: Pit lane Talk
Graphic Illustration by Daeun Chung
College mythbusting with Mr. Roy
Don’t judge a book by its cover: the shortcomings of banning books
Don’t judge a book by its cover: the shortcomings of banning books
The Student News Site of Lynbrook High School

the Epic
The Student News Site of Lynbrook High School

the Epic
Anushka Anand

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor

(she/her) Anushka is a senior and the Managing Editor of the Epic for the 2023-24 school year. Aside from her immense passion for journalism, she enjoys engaging in various forms of art, like playing guitar, cooking, painting, woodworking, doing henna, etc.

All content by Anushka Anand
A conversation between different versions of myself, split between the characters ME and her inner voices, RISKY, CAUTION and WHY, who all respond to FRIEND.

Fragments of my inner self

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
May 20, 2024
2024 Senior Columns

2024 Senior Columns

Myles Kim, Deeksha Raj, Katie Chin, Surya Saraf, Riki Murase, Apurva Krishnamurthy and Anushka Anand
May 20, 2024
Nostalgia offers the opportunity to relive the past, yet the concept and acceptance of nostalgia has shiften throughout the years.

Nostalgia’s journey from disorder to emotion

Anushka Anand and Apurva Krishnamurthy
April 29, 2024
Read to learn about events regarding school, local, national and international news. Photo used with permission from Amanda Jin, Photo by Jeff Chiu/Ap, Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/Ap, Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Campus, community and world events to note

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
April 1, 2024
A programmer sits, red-eyed, with dark eyebags and copious amounts of caffeine in their system as they stare at the blue light emitted from their computer screen, concluding yet another day of unpaid overtime because another company executive over-promised on a release date to shareholders.

Investigating game developers’ fight for labor rights.

Anushka Anand and Rohan Kakhandiki
February 12, 2024
Your breath catches in your chest as your pupils dilate and your face begins to flush red. You’re in love, but why?

How romantic love works, scientifically

Riki Murase and Anushka Anand
November 6, 2023
Homecoming: Rally 23-24

Homecoming: Rally 23-24

Anushka Anand and Robert Yu
October 21, 2023
Sexual assault survivors can often feel invisible in the midst of everyone else's lives.

Confronting the silence surrounding sexual assault

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
October 10, 2023
Students can be seen holding this bathroom pass signal their exit from class to go to the restroom. As the image of the clock suggests, bathroom breaks are now limited to five minutes .

[Photo] Lynbrook implements new bathroom pass system

Nicole Ge, Staffer
October 10, 2023
FUHSD is awarded Silver for the Green Ribbon award for their progress in environmental sustainability.

FUHSD’s advances toward a sustainable future earn a Green Ribbon Award

Elieen Zhu, Riki Murase, Anushka Anand, Charlotte Bolay, Taek Kim and Yvonne Wu
September 2, 2023
Many languages may be speaking their last words

Many languages may be speaking their last words

Apurva Krishnamurthy and Anushka Anand
May 8, 2023
Despite the seemingly innocuous nature of these children's shows, studies have shown the large impact they have on children’s development

Watching the impact of children’s shows

Anushka Anand and Meera Nambiar
April 10, 2023
Squash is a racket sport played by two players in an indoor four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.

Student athletes squash their way to victory

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
March 10, 2023
These notable students and staff were recognized by the FUHSD Board of Trustees and FUHSD Leadership in the Board Room of the District Office on March 7.

Lynbrook celebrates exceptional students and faculty

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
March 10, 2023
Over the years, our standards for love have transformed along with the changes in our world.

Relationships then vs. now

Anushka Anand and Lilly Wu
February 6, 2023
Products sold by Craft Faire venders Gillian Ortega, Gina Velez, Dianne Hawk, and Gloria Othon.

Lynbrook Craft Faire vendors share their holiday spirit

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
December 12, 2022
Looking at religious views on Lynbrook's campus.

Exploring religious diversity on campus

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
November 7, 2022
Homecoming: Pep Rally 22-23

Homecoming: Pep Rally 22-23

Myles Kim and Anushka Anand
October 22, 2022
Students collect comic books, slime, and Kpop merch.

Lynbrook students showcase their captivating collections

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
October 10, 2022
Alumnuns Anirudh Bhardradwaj, William Huang, senior Antone Jung, and junior David Lee competing in the National Science Bowl Finals in Washington D.C. Not pictured: seniors Sharon Zhu, Eric Shen.

Lynbrook wins 32nd National Science Bowl competition

Elizabeth Cheng, Myles Kim, Anushka Anand, Sarah Zhang, Inaaya Yousuf and Apurva Krishnamurthy
August 27, 2022
Battling insecurities by balancing hormones

Battling insecurities by balancing hormones

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
May 26, 2022
Epic staff explore the diverse sea of boba shops.

Finding the best pearls in a sea of boba

Jason Shan and Anushka Anand
May 3, 2022
The global surrogacy industry is facing an unprecedented shortage of surrogate mothers.

Global crises create surrogate shortage

Tanika Anbu and Anushka Anand
May 3, 2022
Chopped: Epic edition

Chopped: Epic edition

Samyukta Sarma, Anushka Anand, Elizabeth Cheng and Jasmine Rihal
April 7, 2022
Western sanctions have devastated the Russian economy, upturning the lives of the ultra-rich oligarchs and everyday citizens alike.

All Russians affected by sanctions

Meera Nambiar and Anushka Anand
April 5, 2022
Napping is a prevalent activity that many students engage in.

Everything you’re too tired to ask about napping

Lina Mezerreg and Anushka Anand
March 8, 2022
Seniors Crystal Qian and Anton Ouyang commit to Stanford athletics.

Stanford recruits

Anushka Anand and Neha Ayyer
December 8, 2021
Epic staffers try pumpkin carving

Epic staffers try pumpkin carving

Timothy Kim, Samyukta Sarma and Anushka Anand
November 9, 2021
Lynbrook bathrooms were missing soap dispensers and featured graffiti and disassembled sinks.

TikTok trend motivates bathroom vandalism

Anushka Anand, Managing Editor
November 9, 2021
Lynbrook welcomes six new teachers on campus during the 2021-22 school year.

Meet the new teachers at Lynbrook during the 2021-22 school year

Anushka Anand and Deeksha Raj
October 6, 2021
Homecoming: Freshman Skit 21-22

Homecoming: Freshman Skit 21-22

Anushka Anand, Myles Kim and Elizabeth Cheng
October 4, 2021
Students have guaranteed access to a laptop for the 1-to-1 device program.

FUHSD implements 1-to-1 device program for 2021-22 school year

Emma Constable, Anushka Anand, Nicole Ge and Jasmine Rihal
August 25, 2021