• 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
Irene Hwang

Irene Hwang, Staffer

(she/her) Irene is excited to be on the Epic this year! She loves playing the piano, reading personal essays, skiing, and spicy food. Outside of journalism, you’ll find her panic-practicing for an upcoming performance.
All content by Irene Hwang
Allen Chan and Toan Phuong work hard to replace security cameras and pick up calls.

Behind the screens with the information technology team

Maddy Chang and Irene Hwang
April 28, 2025

From Anora to Emilia Perez: Our opinions on the 2025 Oscars

Amanda Jin and Irene Hwang
March 24, 2025
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

Irene Hwang, Staffer
March 3, 2025
The fear of falling behind on online trends and content can be a contributing factor in doomscrolling, usually accompanied by anxiety.

Doomscrolling away from reality

Irene Hwang and Qianzi Loo
February 3, 2025
Sanskriti 2024

Sanskriti 2024

Kieran Hau, Irene Hwang and Olivia Tu
December 17, 2024
Little Leagues players sprint from base to base in a game of baseball.

Youth sports: From playground to field of competition

David Zhu and Irene Hwang
December 9, 2024
With the release of their new album, “Moon Music,” Coldplay encourages listeners to look beyond the boundaries of Earth and find solace and a sense of shared love in our limitless universe.

Coldplay’s “Moon Music” creates memorable soundscapes

Irene Hwang, Staffer
December 4, 2024
San Jose and Cupertino have sister city connections around the world, including Dublin, Ireland; Ektarinaberg, Russia; Bhubaneswar, India and Okayama, Japan.

Linking the globe through the sister cities program

Irene Hwang and Stuti Jain
October 7, 2024
The model demonstates a side plank, one of the most common positions in Pilates. Graphic illustration by Rohan Kakhandiki

A guide to the history, benefits and practice of Pilates

Erin Fitzpatrick and Irene Hwang
May 20, 2024
Many of the stories told to young children are often simplified explanations of important life lessons intertwined with fun aspects to keep them engaged.

[Photo] Sharing childhood stories to look back upon

Amanda Jin, Sports Editor
April 29, 2024
With hopes of continuing field hockey beyond her high school career, senior Halie Yung has committed to Smith College. Used with permission from Halie Yung.

Halie Yung strikes her line into Smith College

Irene Hwang, Staffer
April 29, 2024
Illuminating the stories of Louella and many other characters, this story honors the lives and experiences of Black Americans, contributing to important racial discourse in light of Black History Month. Photo used with permission from Vanessa Miller.

The American Queen: A novel of empowerment and community

Irene Hwang, Staffer
March 11, 2024
The Civilian Exclusion Order, published across the United States, was sanctioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, a policy aimed to remove all those who were deemed a threat to national security by the government.

The essential history of Executive Order 9066

Irene Hwang and Crystal Zhu
February 12, 2024

Behind the fall musical ‘Ranked’ (ft. Studio 74 and Lynbrook Choir)

Qianzi Loo and Irene Hwang
December 11, 2023
Narcan is administered into a victim’s nostrils and can help rapidly reverse the overdose and restore the person’s breathing to normal within 2 to 3 minutes.

[Photo] Melanie’s Law, Narcan and the fight against overdose

Robert Yu, Staffer
December 11, 2023
De Anza College will be one of many community colleges to implement the Vision 2030 framework, providing more dual enrollment opportunities to high school freshmen and greater educational opportunities for the community.

Vision 2030 to provide college education to more students

Irene Hwang, Staffer
November 6, 2023
Homecoming: Senior Skit 23-24

Homecoming: Senior Skit 23-24

Irene Hwang, Amanda Jin and Qianzi Loo
October 20, 2023
Without the addition of mandatory pre-K to TK, young children miss out on the developmental stage of fostering relationships, develop important social skills and improve executive functioning.

Universal pre-K encourages equitable education opportunities

Charlotte Bolay and Irene Hwang
October 10, 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.

[Photo] Nuclear family: An outdated social construct

Emily Pedroza and Taek Kim
October 10, 2023
Let's Chat History's team, John Jou, Aarit Parekh and Isaiah Sit, meet at Rainbow Park to record their new episode of their history podcast.

Behind the history of Let’s Chat History

Alyssa Wang, Amanda Jin, Irene Hwang, Lilly Wu, Myles Kim and Robert Yu
September 12, 2023