• 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
Teachers embrace new classroom environments
Teachers embrace new classroom environments
On March 18, author Suzanne Collins released “Sunrise on the Reaping,” the second prequel in her popular dystopian franchise “The Hunger Games.” Graphic illustration by Akash Anand and Qianzi Loo.
“Sunrise of the Reaping” fails to provide new substance to an already told story.
A Minecraft Movie reminisces on the excitement and fun many who play the game experience.
“A Minecraft Movie” is stupidly funny and nothing else
Both Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts allow users to create and post videos up to 60 seconds, which caters to the growing demand for quick and absorbable content. Graphic illustration by Cecilia Wu.
The quick content showdown
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/spromfashionshow2025
Senior Prom Fashion Show 2025
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
Teachers embrace new classroom environments
Teachers embrace new classroom environments
Exploring students’ favorite brain rot activities
Exploring students’ favorite brain rot activities
Women who inspire Lynbrook
Women who inspire Lynbrook
Being firefighters, since 1986
Being firefighters, since 1986
Graphic illustration by Gray Pan.
Freshmen and Sophomores battle in the first ever Underclassmen Showdown
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
Emily Pedroza

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor

(she/her) Emily Pedroza is a soup and writing enthusiast. When she’s not writing or studying, you’ll find her wrapped in blankets: reading, stalking her favorite poets on Twitter and nursing cups of herbal tea.

All content by Emily Pedroza
Capturing the human experience, poetry has existed in myriads of structures, rhyme schemes and meters. From fourth century C.E. Rome to 13th century Japan, each form of poetry has history hidden within its lines.

How history and cultures shape different poetry structures

Claire Guo and Emily Pedroza
March 24, 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democrats have called for California to "Trump-proof" itself.

Californian Democrats push for ‘Trump-proofed’ policies

Brian Lee and Emily Pedroza
February 3, 2025
Ranjani Narasimhan

The colorful stories of paraeducators

Emily Pedroza and Brian Lee
October 7, 2024
Spurred by a district-wide effort to transition toward greener practices, Lynbrook has finished installing new LED lighting in the theater and begun implementing sortable waste-disposal bins for the 2024-25 school year. Illustration by Maddy Chang, Claire Guo, Robert Yu, Stuti Jain, and Emily Pedroza

FUHSD’s continuous efforts toward greener campuses

Maddy Chang, Claire Guo, Stuti Jain, Emily Pedroza and Robert Yu
August 28, 2024
Although the discriminatory practice of redlining, beginning in 1934, has technically been outlawed, its shadow continues to loom through the segregation and inequality that persist in the present day.

Redlining: forming urban and suburban divisions

Qianzi Loo and Emily Pedroza
May 20, 2024
Nostalgic memories, since 2010

Nostalgic memories, since 2010

Emily Pedroza and Robert Yu
April 29, 2024
Juniors Rashana Dandamudi and Inaaya Yousef blend engaging illustration and narrative to craft a story they hope children will love. Graphic illustration used with permission from Rachana Randamudi.

[Photo] Juniors foster fantastic tales through Circus of Dreams

Charlotte Bolay, Staffer
April 29, 2024
The design of the students' model rocket on the online RockSim simulator. Photo used with permission from Meadow Shen.

Students join world’s largest rocket-building competition

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
April 1, 2024
The rate of homelessness in San Jose has greatly increased each year with the city reporting the highest numbers it has seen within the past year.

San Jose’s renewed efforts to combat homelessness

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
March 11, 2024
In response to an urgent demand for increased affordable student housing, UC Berkeley announced its plan to repurpose People’s Park, a historical landmark located in the center of campus that has lasted through decades of social movements and activism. Photos by David abercrombie, cc by-sa 2.0; daniel ramirez, cc by 2.0; joe mabel, cc by-sa 3.0; sevgonlernassau, cc by-sa 4.0; minesweeper, cc by-sa 3.0; dandelion breeze, cc by 4.0, via wikimedia commons.

UC Berkeley’s plans for People’s Park construction sparks worry

Emily Pedroza and Erin Fitzpatrick
February 12, 2024
What are Vikings thankful for?

What are Vikings thankful for?

Alyssa Wang and Emily Pedroza
December 11, 2023
Their instrument's rhythms and melodies transcend generations, holding culturally rich histories in the strings and beats of their instruments.

Student musicians share cultures and celebrate histories

Apurva Krishnamurthy and Emily Pedroza
December 11, 2023
Junior Daphne Zhu’s origins in rhythmic gymnastics sparked from her dance lessons, dating back to when she was 3 years old.

Daphne Zhu leaps through rhythmic gymnastics

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
November 6, 2023
The social expectation of a "nuclear family" assumes the woman the burden of carrying most of the family burden on top of their career ambitions.

Nuclear family: An outdated social construct

Emily Pedroza and Taek Kim
October 10, 2023
Emily finds happiness in enjoying the small moments of life, even if it's as small as a cup of coffee.

Coffee shop survival crash course

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
October 10, 2023
Alumna Bethany Chan stands in front of school gates, excited for her teaching-filled year ahead.

Alumna Bethany Chan takes a Guatemalan Gap year

Emily Pedroza, Katie Chin, Grace Zhu, Meadow Shen, Sarah Zhang and David Zhu
August 27, 2023
To conform with warping beauty standards and societal norms, youth fall into a spiral of lightening products.

Colorist beauty standards create shadows of self

Apurva Krishnamurthy and Emily Pedroza
June 2, 2023
While the “The Amelia Project” is intriguing and fresh, the podcast lacks consistency and unexpected twists to keep the audience more engaged.

Grab a drink, The Amelia Project is going to keep you up

Jasmine Rihal and Emily Pedroza
May 8, 2023
Dave Chappelle, famous comedian, came under fire for his transphobic comments, which have sparked backlash from multiple communities. Graphic illustration by Surya Saraf and Alyssa Wang.

Dark side of dark comedy

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
May 8, 2023
One can catch glimpses of Lynbrook's culinary staff through the steam of the kitchen.

Behind big bites — Lynbrook’s kitchen staff serve love

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
April 10, 2023
Emily fills her journals with snippets of dinner table conversations, with hopes they'll later spark joy.

Writing bridges

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
March 10, 2023
For many immigrants who stream into the United States through New York, Lady Liberty is the first thing that greets them. It has since then become an symbol symbol of hope and opportunities for immigrants achieve their dreams.

Immigrant dream, American reality

Emily Pedroza and Apurva Krishnamurthy
February 6, 2023
Through their collaboration during the past three months, CAA and Miller students raised and installed garden beds, removed weeds and fixed the drip irrigation system.

CAA breathes life into Miller’s school garden

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
December 12, 2022
Lee with desserts that she sells. Kalyanasundaram performs stand-up comedy.

Lynbrook alumni: Jane Lee and Vishal Kalyanasundaram

Vidushi Upadhyay and Emily Pedroza
November 7, 2022
Lee with desserts that she sells.

Jane Lee takes the cake

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
November 7, 2022
Viking athletics provides new Virtual Enterprise opportunities

Viking athletics provides new Virtual Enterprise opportunities

Emily Pedroza, Copy Editor
October 10, 2022
The Sharma sisters' home-based business, Bake Up, supplies the Bay Area with eggless muffins, cookies and their signature banana bread.

The Sharma sisters Bake Up a business

Amy Liu, Chelsea Lee, Sam Sarma, Audrey Sun, Alyssa Wang, Emily Pedroza and Daeun Chung
August 23, 2022